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China donates climate aid to Gabon under South-South cooperation

Xinhua) 10:13, April 27, 2026

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New semantic-aware AI agents simulate real-world attacks to validate vulnerabilities, shifting security from potential findings to confirmed issues

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptori today announced a major expansion of its Runtime-Driven Validation Platform, introducing autonomous offensive testing capabilities designed for an era where AI-generated code is outpacing the capacity of human security teams.

By moving beyond passive scanning to active validation, Aptori enables organizations to identify, validate, and fix vulnerabilities at the speed of modern development.

Autonomous offensive testing proves how vulnerabilities can be used in real systems and ensures they are fixed early. Post this Aptori workflow from findings to validation and remediation using autonomous offensive testing Aptori wins three 2026 Global InfoSec Awards from Cyber Defense Magazine for Cutting Edge API Security, Hot Company Application Security, and Trailblazing AI Security & Compliance.

As AI-assisted coding increases development velocity, traditional point-in-time security assessments have become a bottleneck. Most security tools produce large volumes of findings that require manual triage, slowing teams down and obscuring what actually needs to be fixed.

Aptori's offensive testing approach addresses this by simulating real-world attacks against running systems. It validates which vulnerabilities are real, allowing teams to focus on what matters and resolve issues quickly.

"Runtime validation is critical in modern applications," said Sumeet Singh, CEO and Founder of Aptori. "Security issues don't exist in isolation, they emerge through real execution paths across APIs, logic, and authorization. We built Aptori to test those paths at runtime and make sure issues are fixed before release."

Early deployments show a significant reduction in remediation backlog and time spent on manual triage.

Automated penetration testing at scale

Aptori replaces the manual, time-intensive process of human-led penetration testing with a system that operates continuously and at scale.

Logic-aware exploration

The system navigates application logic and stateful interactions, uncovering business logic flaws and authorization gaps that traditional automated tools often miss.

The system navigates application logic and stateful interactions, uncovering business logic flaws and authorization gaps that traditional automated tools often miss. Active validation

Rather than flagging potential issues, Aptori's AI agents safely exercise vulnerabilities in a runtime environment to confirm which ones are real.

Rather than flagging potential issues, Aptori's AI agents safely exercise vulnerabilities in a runtime environment to confirm which ones are real. Continuous context

The platform runs within development workflows, ensuring that new endpoints and application changes are tested as they are introduced.

A unified system for detection, validation, and remediation

Aptori brings detection, security data, and remediation into a single system:

Modernized detection

AI-powered code analysis is combined with dynamic and API testing to provide visibility into how applications behave in runtime.

AI-powered code analysis is combined with dynamic and API testing to provide visibility into how applications behave in runtime. Unified security data layer

Findings from code, dependencies, APIs, and runtime environments are normalized into a single data model, eliminating fragmentation.

Findings from code, dependencies, APIs, and runtime environments are normalized into a single data model, eliminating fragmentation. AI-driven remediation

Once a vulnerability is validated, Aptori's AI agents generate actionable fixes that developers can review and apply within their existing workflows.

Building secure-by-design software

Aptori enables teams to validate security controls during the build phase, not after deployment.

By testing applications in runtime before release, teams can verify that authentication, authorization, and business logic controls behave as intended. Issues are identified and resolved early, reducing the likelihood of vulnerabilities reaching production.

Security becomes part of how software is built, not something applied after the fact.

Organizations can explore Aptori's AI Security Center for securing agentic workflows, LLM integrations, and AI-powered applications.

Designed for enterprise environments

Aptori is built for enterprise and regulated environments, supporting:

Integration with commercial and open source AI models

On-premises and fully air-gapped deployments

No requirement to transmit sensitive data outside controlled infrastructure

Industry adoption and recognition

The Aptori platform is already deployed within leading Fortune 500 organizations and is now being made broadly available.

At RSAC 2026, Aptori was recognized with a Global InfoSec Award for its approach to application and API security, reflecting growing industry recognition of runtime-driven validation and secure-by-design development.

The Runtime-Driven Validation Platform, including autonomous offensive testing capabilities, is available immediately with SaaS and self-hosted deployment options.

About Aptori

Aptori provides autonomous, runtime-driven application and API security for the AI era. By validating vulnerabilities in running systems and enabling rapid remediation, Aptori helps organizations fix issues early and build secure software as part of the development process.

For more information, visit aptori.com.

Aptori Media Inquiries

Contact: Harinder Singh

Email: [email protected]

Website: aptori.com

SOURCE Aptori
The 114th General Assembly did not sit still on education. Lawmakers advanced a wide slate of policies - expanding school choice, increasing funding, addressing workforce shortages and tightening accountability. By any measure, it was an active session. Nearly 600 education bills were filed, and over 200 passed.The most consequential decision was clear: Tennessee expanded its Education Freedom Scholarship program from 20,000 to 35,000 students. That is no longer a pilot. It is policy.Lawmakers also added funding protections for school districts losing enrollment and required reporting on why students leave - an acknowledgment that growth in one area creates pressure elsewhere.At the same time, the state continued to make a significant investment in public education. The budget includes hundreds of millions in new funding, continued progress toward a $50,000 starting teacher salary and targeted support for summer learning and student mental health. Whatever the rhetoric, the legislature did not completely walk away from traditional public schools this year.Did it do enough? We believe there is more to do and more work ahead for us.We encourage educators and parents to be a critical source of information and a voice for our states children, especially those in their communities.To strengthen their position as an education expert and resource, regularly provide information, updates, and feedback to the policymaker's office.Take advantage of all channels, including letters, emails, in-person meetings, town halls and site visits.We desperately need a debate among the governor candidates to hear their plans for education, and we need them to hear from K-12 educators and parents.There was also a strong push in the legislature on early childhood and workforce issues. Expanding Pre-K access, creating apprenticeship pathways for educators, allowing supervised youth employment in childcare and cutting duplicative regulations are practical steps to address a real problem: not enough adults in the system to meet growing demand.On the student side, lawmakers focused on the day-to-day experience. New policies limit excessive screen time in the early grades, require local districts to set clearer rules for device use and increase physical activity requirements for elementary students. These are not headline-grabbing changes, but they reflect a growing recognition that how students learn matters as much as what they learn.Accountability was addressed - though unevenly. The state put new pressure on underperforming virtual schools, including the possibility of closure following sustained low performance. At the same time, adjustments to testing requirements in existing ESA programs introduced greater flexibility, raising familiar concerns about whether outcomes will remain comparable across systems.The legislature also stepped directly into governance. The decision to enable state intervention in Memphis-Shelby County Schools signals a willingness to take control when results lag. Whether that produces better outcomes - or simply shifts responsibility - depends on execution, not on intent.Other measures rounded out the session: faster student record transfers, protections for learning pods and microschools, updates to funding formulas and new requirements for curriculum transparency and the display of historical documents.Taken together, this session was defined by movement. More choice. More funding. More state involvement. More flexibility in some areas and more structure in others. Individually, most of these decisions are defensible. Collectively, they indicate that the system is still in transition.The legislature has expanded opportunity and increased investment simultaneously. That is the easy part. The harder part comes next - proving that these changes, taken together, improve student outcomes. Because passing bills is measurable, the success of legislation cannot yet be proven.JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee
A mapping project at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is drawing international attention for how it explains a local problem.

UTCs Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science (CAGDS) earned the Storytelling with Maps Innovation Award in the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition for Mapping Chattanoogas Urban Forests.

The project was also named a finalist in the competitions Environment category, placing it among the top entries from around the world.

The competition is cohosted by Esris ArcGIS StoryMaps and ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World teams. Esri is an international supplier of geographic information system software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications.

Created by GIS Director Charlie Mix, the StoryMap focuses on the Chattanooga Tree Project, a citywide effort to address tree canopy loss and rising urban heat. Working with the City of Chattanooga and local partners, UTC researchers are using geospatial data and artificial intelligence to identify where trees are needed most.

Its pretty cool to get recognized at such a high level, Mix said. I think it really reflects the Chattanooga Tree Project and the power of collaborations between UTC, the city and the nonprofit community to do something that can make a real difference.

The work behind the StoryMap relies on aerial imagery, satellite data and machine learning to map existing tree canopy and measure heat patterns across the city. That information is used to create a heat risk index, which helps guide where new trees should be planted.

It really shows the utility of this kind of work, Mix said. Something so complex can be used for something as simple as knowing where to put a tree in the ground.

Part of what sets the project apart is how its presented. The StoryMap walks users through the data step by step, pairing maps with plain-language explanations so people outside the field can follow along.

In academia, we want to be really technical, but we can miss our core audience, Mix said. If were not able to communicate what were doing to a broader audience, we fall short on actually solving the problem.

The project traces back to early partnership work supported by the Lyndhurst Foundation, which helped UTC begin collaborating with the city on urban forestry efforts. That groundwork led to a $6 million U.S. Forest Service-supported initiative to expand tree planting across Chattanooga.

Mix said the recognition is the result of a group effort. Assistant GIS Director Nyssa Hunt, graduate student Michelle Mimi White and partners across the city and nonprofit community all contributed to the project.

This isnt something Im doing on my own, he said. Its really about telling the story of everybody involved.
Since 2019, Crow Estate Planning & Probate has served the greater Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky regions in the areas of estate planning, probate, conservatorships, guardianships, business planning, digital asset planning, and real estate transfers. Its team announced that it is officially expanding to East Tennessee with a new office in the heart of Chattanooga.



After 29 years as an attorney and senior counsel at Grant, Konvalinka & Harrison, P.C., Chattanooga native Scott Grant joins the team of experienced estate planning and probate attorneys. Mr. Grant will serve clients in our Chattanooga office in the areas of trust and estate planning and administration, probate, tax planning, and business succession planning.



It is such an honor to be brought on board with Crow Estate Planning and Probate, said Mr. Grant. John and his team have created an incredible firm in Middle Tennessee, and Im excited to take the first steps to grow the practice in East Tennessee.



John Crow, founder of the firm, said about the recent expansion, Opening an office in Chattanooga is a natural extension of what we have been building across Tennessee. We focus exclusively on estate planning and probate, and our goal is simple: to give families clarity, control, and peace of mind when it matters the most. Beyond the work itself, we simply love Chattanooga. Its a city with character, strong families, and a real sense of community. That made it an easy decision for us to invest here and build something long-term.



With the addition of this office, Crow Estate Planning & Probate now offers six locations to serve clients needing legal assistance in Tennessee or Kentucky. For Chattanooga clients wishing to schedule a meeting, free consultations will be available starting Monday, May 4, in its new downtown office, located at 736 Georgia Ave., Suite 504.

For more information about the new location in Chattanooga, contact Julia Mynhier at julia@johnwcrow.com.
The Chattanooga Firefighters Association announced its endorsement of Donna Christian-Lowe in the upcoming 2026 primary election, citing her longstanding commitment to public safety, community advocacy, and support for first responders.

The association, which has a long history of supporting candidates who demonstrate strong leadership and dedication to public service, selected Donna Christian-Lowe in recognition of her consistent efforts to elevate the importance of public safety and her deep-rooted connection to the firefighting community.

Throughout her career as a human resource professional, businesswoman, and media personality, Ms. Christian-Lowe has used her platform to bring visibility to the critical role first responders play in protecting and serving the community. Her work has included advocating for resources, supporting initiatives that strengthen emergency services, and engaging the public in meaningful conversations about safety and preparedness.

Ms. Christian-Lowes connection to the firefighting community is both professional and personal. As the daughter of a Chattanooga firefighter who served 33 yearsmost of those as a Captainand who remained a lifelong member of the Chattanooga Firefighters Association, she carries forward a legacy of service and respect for the profession. Following his passing, Ms. Christian-Lowe has continued to serve as a community advocate, supporting the fire service family and honoring the sacrifices of those who serve.

As the daughter of a firefighter who dedicated 33 years of his life to this profession, I have seen firsthand the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment it takes to serve our community. I understand how vital this organization is and the critical work that firefighters do every single day. This endorsement represents the highest level of support a candidate can receive, and I am truly humbled and deeply grateful to have earned the trust of the Chattanooga Firefighters Association. I remain committed to supporting their mission and the safety of our community, said Donna Christian-Lowe.

The Chattanooga Firefighters Association stated that this endorsement reflects Donna Christian-Lowes dedication to advocating for both public safety and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, as well as her continued involvement and leadership within the community.

Early voting for the primary election runs through April 30, with Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, May 5.
Echelon Fitness Multimedia, LLC, a Chattanooga-based company that sells connected fitness equipment, such as smart bikes, treadmills and rowers and provides digital memberships that offer live and on-demand classes, agreed to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that the company deceptively undervalued fitness equipment imported into the United States to lessen tariff obligations and other import assessments owed to the United States. Under the terms of the settlement, Echelon will pay at least $2,100,000 to resolve the FCA claims.According to filed documents, it was alleged that from September 2019 through January 2023, Echelon knowingly submitted inaccurate invoices to U.S.Customs and Border Protection that underreported the cost of equipment purchased from a China-based manufacturer-assembler and repeatedly failed to include the cost of computer tablets incorporated into packaged equipment shipped from China to the United States when declaring the total values of the imported equipment to CBP, improperly reducing tariffs and other import assessments.The civil settlement includes the resolution of a case filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by a relator, Mr. Greg Dahlstrom. Under the whistleblower provisions, a private party, known as a relator, can file an action on behalf of the United States and may receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Greg Dahlstrom v. Echelon Fitness Multimedia, LLC et al., Case No. 1:22-CV-222 (E.D. Tenn.) The relator will receive $420,000 of the proceeds from the settlement and possibly additional sums as permitted under the FCA.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan G. McGonigal and Alexa Ortiz Hadley for the Eastern District of Tennessee represented the United States, with assistance from DHS Office of Inspector General."The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the governments emphasis on combating waste, fraud and abuse impacting the United States and its agencies," officials said. "One of the most powerful tools in this work is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to DHS at https://hotline.oig.dhs.gov/#step-1 or 800-323-8603."
The Fraternal Order of Police Rock City Lodge 22 is officially endorsing Vince Dean in the race for Criminal Court clerk. Mr. Dean is being challenged in the May 5, primary election, as well as in the Aug. 6, general election.

A statement released by the Lodge said, The Fraternal Order of Police Rock City Lodge is proud to endorse Vince Dean for Criminal Court clerk. Mr. Dean served the City of Chattanooga as a police officer, and continues to serve Hamilton County as Criminal Court clerk."

Chris Mullinix, president of the Lodge said, Vince Dean is a proven leader who prioritizes effective operations of the Hamilton County Court System.

It is an honor to be endorsed by the men and women who utilize the services of our office on a daily basis, Mr. Dean said of the endorsement. They understand the advancements that we have made in the office, as well as our effectiveness.

Mr. Dean has held this office since 2014, when he defeated a 20-year incumbent. He also serves on the board of directors of the County Officials Association of Tennessee and the Tennessee Court Clerks Association. Prior to winning this office, Mr. Dean served in the Tennessee General Assembly and on the city council in the City of East Ridge and as mayor of East Ridge.

Mr. Dean and his wife Debbie have two daughters, one granddaughter, and another one expected in September.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Aerps.com

A new survey indicates that the majority of Protestant churchgoers in the United States are uneasy about how artificial intelligence may influence their faith.

According to research conducted by Lifeway Research, approximately 61% of Protestant church attendees say they are concerned about AIs role in Christianity, including 67% of Evangelicals, compared with 55% of those without Evangelical beliefs.

The findings are based on two separate surveys: a phone poll of 1,003 Protestant pastors conducted in September 2025 and an online survey of 1,200 Protestant churchgoers carried out during the same period.

Opinions were divided on whether pastors should use AI to assist with sermon preparation, with 44% of churchgoers expressing approval and 43% voicing opposition, including nearly a quarter who strongly disagreed, while 13% remained undecided.

Those who attend church less frequently (48%) were generally more open to AI use in sermon development than regular weekly attendees (42%), and non-Evangelical respondents (49%) showed greater acceptance than their Evangelical counterparts (40%).

Concerns about AI varied by denomination, with Presbyterian and Reformed churchgoers reporting the highest levels of concern at 64%, followed by Baptists at 62%, while Methodists were comparatively less worried at 48%.

Demographic differences also emerged, as men (31%) were slightly more likely than women (25%) to report no concerns about AIs influence, and individuals attending services one to three times a month (31%) were more inclined than weekly attendees (26%) to express comfort with the technology.

When asked about a sermon applying biblical principles to artificial intelligence, responses were again split, with 42% expressing support and 43% expressing opposition, including 25% who strongly disagreed, though younger churchgoers were more receptive to such topics.

Among protestant pastors, 10% identified as regular AI users, while 32% said they were experimenting with the technology. Another 18% reported taking a wait-and-see approach, while 18% said they were actively avoiding AI and 20% indicated they were ignoring it altogether.

Larger congregations were more likely to be led by pastors who are actively experimenting (43%) or regularly using (15%) AI, suggesting that church size may influence adoption trends.

Pastors identified several key concerns regarding AI, most notably the risk of inaccuracies in generated content (84%), challenges in verifying sources (81%), and the potential for bias within AI systems (76%).

Additional concerns included a lack of transparency about AI use (62%), possible plagiarism (59%), and theological considerations, with 55% saying God has always communicated through human beings and that AI is not a person.

Differences also appeared between Evangelical and Mainline clergy, with Evangelicals more likely to raise theological concerns (58% vs. 51%), while Mainline pastors were more focused on issues such as plagiarism (65% vs. 56%).

Resistance to AI was especially strong among Lutheran and Baptist pastors, many of whom reported ignoring the technology (22% each) or intentionally avoiding it (24% and 20%, respectively), while Holiness pastors were more inclined to experiment (43%) or regularly use (18%) AI.

Age also played a role, with 50% of those ages 18 to 29 and 53% of those ages 30 to 49 saying such sermons would be worthwhile, compared with 38% among those ages 50 to 64 and 33% among those 65 and older.
Home News 5 things to know about suspected WHCA Dinner shooting suspect Cole Allen

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, opened fire at the White House Correspondents Association dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night, sending President Donald Trump and senior administration officials fleeing the ballroom.

A Secret Service agent was shot but survived because a bulletproof vest absorbed the round. Allen was tackled, handcuffed and taken to a hospital for evaluation. He was not struck by gunfire and will be arraigned in federal court on Monday.

Authorities are expected to charge the California resident with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. He could face other charges.

Investigators, family members and former colleagues have since described a man who appeared unremarkable until the attack. Officials and media reports have since revealed a detailed picture of the suspect.

Here are five key things to know.
Home News Christian pro-life campaigner who sent graphic images of abortion sees conviction overturned

A High Court judge has overturned the conviction of a pro-life campaigner who sent graphic images of abortion to the police and local officials.

David Skinner, 80, was convicted under communications legislation for sending an email containing what the Crown Prosecution Service deemed to be grossly offensive images that were intended to cause distress.

The images were emailed by Skinner, a committed Christian, to senior police officers and local councilors in Dorset in April 2023. They were emailed in response to the introduction of an abortion clinic buffer zone in the town the previous year.

The email contained graphic images of aborted babies and images of the Holocaust, as well as strongly worded objections to the buffer zone and the policing of it.

Skinner was charged under communications legislation and convicted and fined 3,840 ($4,490). He appealed his conviction, and in a judgment handed down on Friday in Bournemouth, Justice Saini ruled that upholding the offense would disproportionately interfere with his rights to freedom of expression and religion.

This is a case about freedom of expression and freedom of religion, the judge said.

He added, We do not take away from the offense that the complainants would have experienced on receiving the letter. Nevertheless, we find that it would not be a proportionate interference to allow the conviction.

Skinners conviction was quashed and a defense costs order granted.

In a statement, Skinner said he was deeply grateful for the ruling, adding that his intention was not to cause distress but to raise matters of profound moral and public importance."

"This prosecution should never have been brought. It has taken a heavy toll on me, but I hope this ruling will protect others who wish to speak out peacefully on matters of conscience without fear of being criminalized," he said.

The case was backed by the Christian Legal Centre, which said the decision set an important precedent for protecting religious and political speech.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said the judge's ruling was "vital and principled."

"The High Court has confirmed that even where speech is confronting or deeply uncomfortable, the criminal law cannot be used as a shortcut to silence lawful expression on matters of public interest," she said.



David Skinner was targeted for expressing sincerely held Christian beliefs to public authorities about abortion and buffer zones. Todays judgment reasserts that in a free and democratic society, the answer to speech we dislike is more debate, not criminal prosecution.



This case should act as a warning to police and prosecutors against misusing communications laws to chill political or religious speech. Davids ordeal lasted far too long, and we hope this judgment will prevent similar injustices in the future.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News Marilyn Hickey, pioneering TV preacher and global missionary, dies at 94

Marilyn Hickey, a pioneering Christian minister whose decades-long global outreach and television ministry made her one of the most recognizable voices in Charismatic Christianity, died Saturday. She was 94.

Her ministry announced her death in a statement shared on Facebook Sunday afternoon, saying, It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. Marilyn Hickey on Saturday, April 25, 2026. A faithful servant of God, Marilyn dedicated her life to covering the earth with God's Word  inspiring faith in countless lives.

Her daughter, author and Bible teacher Sarah Bowling, confirmed the news Sunday in a social media message, adding: She was an incredible person in so very many ways.

Born July 1, 1931, Hickey devoted more than six decades to preaching the Gospel, founding Marilyn Hickey Ministries with a vision to cover the earth with the Word. Her ministry spanned continents through television broadcasts, large-scale evangelistic meetings and teaching resources that emphasized salvation and divine healing.

Hickeys international ministries included outreach to Islamic-majority nations. In 2016, she held a historic healing meeting in Karachi, Pakistan, that drew more than 1 million attendees, according to her ministry.

In a 2012 interview with The Christian Post, she reflected on having a great heart for the people of Pakistan and shared how, at gatherings, she first taught about Jesus healing power.

"Then I pray for everything," Hickey said. "I have them stand and put their hand on their head and pray for everything [things plaguing their lives  diseases, etc.] ... [Then] they come and testify. And I acknowledge that it's in the name of Jesus I pray. I say, 'Jesus healed you.'"

She also told CP that the greatest miracle she witnessed was when Christ came into her life. "When I was 16, I prayed. That was the greatest miracle of my life. I invited Jesus to come in, to be a part of my life, and to forgive my sins."

Hickey also engaged with government leaders and heads of state around the world and made history as the first woman to serve on the board of directors for David Yonggi Cho, founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church.

In addition to her decades of evangelistic work, Marilyn Hickey Ministries was also involved in a widely noted effort to restore funds following a major investment fraud in 2004, which CP reported at the time.

The ministry joined Christ for All Nations and Benny Hinn Ministries in returning more than $1.4 million they had unknowingly received from a Ponzi-style scheme tied to International Product Investment Corporation. The funds were directed into a victim compensation program as ministry leaders, including Hickey, urged others to come forward and do the right thing.

Her daily television program aired globally in nearly 200 countries, reaching a potential audience of more than 2 billion households. In addition to broadcasting, Hickey authored more than 175 books and publications.

She was married to her husband, Wallace, for more than 50 years, and together they raised two children and had five grandchildren. Hickey earned a Bachelor of Arts in collective foreign languages from the University of Northern Colorado and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Oral Roberts University.

Following news of her death, tributes poured in from Christian leaders, including televangelist Benny Hinn, who described Hickey as a close friend and influential voice in the global church.

The Body of Christ around the world pauses today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Marilyn Hickey  my dear friend and an anointed leader of unwavering faith, remarkable vision, and global influence whose ministry helped shape generations, Hinn said.

He added, Her precious, distinctive voice now is heard rejoicing in heaven, but its anointed echo will resound for generations here on earth! Hallelujah!

Her ministry said that while her death is a loss, her legacy will endure. Though we mourn this loss, we find peace in knowing she is now in the presence of the Lord and her ministry will continue for generations to come, the statement read, citing Matthew 25:23: Well done, good and faithful servant.
HAYWARD, Calif., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Avirmax Inc. will deliver two scientific presentations at the 2026 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in Denver, Colorado May 3 - 7, 2026. ARVO is the largest international society dedicated to ophthalmology and related visual sciences.

Title: Analytical Integration of ddPCR and Protein Quantification Enhances Accuracy of AAV-Specific Vector Genome Determination

Presenter: Sameera Peraramelli, Ph.D.

Session Title: Gene Editing and Gene Therapy II

Session Date/Time: May 5, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 10:15 AM MDT

Dr. Shengjiang Liu, Ph.D. Chief Executive and Scientific Officer will present "From Bench to Clinic: CMC and Preclinical Development of ABI-110 Gene Therapy for Ocular Neovascularized Disorders", Poster-Board Number: 3655  0748, Session Number: 371, Session Title: AMD: Translational studies, Session Date/Times: May 5, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 5:15 PM.

These presentations will highlight the company's continued commitment to advancing ocular genetic medicine programs, including the development of its proprietary macular targeting capsid AAV.N54, vector manufacturing, testing & quality control, while also highlighting the importance of precise vector genome titer determination to enable accurate dose delivery in clinical trials, alongside the application of robust nonclinical models for treating wet AMD, including PCV.

Furthermore, Avirmax Biopharma will exhibit at Booth #5028 to showcase its latest advancements and comprehensive data packages.

About Avirmax Inc.

Avirmax Biopharma Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in developing rAAV-mediated therapeutics for ocular diseases using its AAV engineering technologies and Sf9-based AAV manufacturing platform. Since its inception, Avirmax Biopharma has been dedicated to developing safe, effective, and widely available AAV gene therapy products to meet the unmet needs of patients. Please visit avirmax.com for more information.

Contact

June Song, Director of Operations

[email protected]

+1-510-641-0201

25503 Whitesell Street, Hayward, CA 94545, USA

SOURCE Avirmax
Home News Netanyahu meets with Christian IDF soldiers, thanks them for service to the Israeli nation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with a diverse group of Christian soldiers serving in the Israeli military on Sunday, praising their service to the Jewish state.

The video and statement from Netanyahu came amid controversy over the conduct of several Israel Defense Forces soldiers during operations in Christian villages in southern Lebanon, after one soldier posted footage of himself smashing a public statue of Jesus. Following an investigation, the soldiers were quickly disciplined by the military.

Just a few days later, another video showed IDF engineering equipment destroying solar panels in a Christian village.

Open source intelligence accounts on social media noted several solar panel installations near the Christian village of Debel, some of which are connected to known Hezbollah outposts near other, non-Christian villages.

In both incidents, the IDF promised an investigation, while several prominent Christian leaders who have served in the IDF released statements condemning the actions and demanding that the military act to prevent such behavior.

During the meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu thanked Christian soldiers for their service and listened as several of the soldiers shared their stories.

I'm here in the Prime Minister's Office with an extraordinary group of young men and women, Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video released during the meeting. These are Christian soldiers, men and women, in the Israeli Defense Forces. They fill all the important positions in our incredible military and they do incredible work.

Netanyahu acknowledged the controversy sparked by the actions of some IDF soldiers, but noted that Israel has Christian citizens who serve in the military, defending the nation, and working to bring security even to areas like southern Lebanon.

This is completely contrary to what is presented outside. It's not only that Israel fights for the rights of Christians around the Middle East, but that Israel has Christian soldiers who fight for the defense of Israel and for our Christian brethren throughout the area, throughout the region and beyond, Netanyahu claimed.

I have to say that I was impressed by the personal stories, their commitment, their sacrifice, their achievements, he continued. Israel is the one country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving, is growing and it's expanding. And it's very, very successful with incredible men and women. And I want to salute all of you.

Jurgen Buhler, president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), was also in attendance.

We were approached a few days ago by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to join a special reception at his office for Christian, mostly Arab soldiers, Buhler noted.

I informed the Prime Ministers Office that there are many evangelical soldiers that are also serving in the army, whose parents are coming from abroad.

The PMO requested that Buhler bring as many as possible of them, adding, We had the privilege to bring 17 evangelical soldiers into the Prime Ministers office.

Some served in elite units, others as pilots, many fought in Gaza, Buhler recounted. He [Netanyahu] was very moved  encouraged by their stories, especially those who come from abroad in our service.

Buhler told Netanyahu, These are the modern-day Orde Wingates and Lord Petersons in the IDF.

He greeted everyone personally and took time to hear the stories, Buhler said. It was a very historic meeting today.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Pastor, 'Love Her Like This' author arrested for bigamy months after announcing new marriage

Leslie Williams, a Florida pastor, board-certified Christian counselor, and author of the 2017 book Love Her Like This: Loving Her Has Never Been Deeper, is now awaiting extradition to Georgia after he was arrested on a warrant for bigamy.

Records from the Sumter County Detention Center in Bushnell show that 62-year-old Williams, who also runs Leslie Williams Ministries in The Villages, was booked on April 22. Officials at the Sumter County Sheriffs Office confirmed with The Christian Post that he was arrested for bigamy and was awaiting extradition to the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office in Conyers, Georgia, where a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Rockdale County officials could not immediately provide additional details on the charge against Williams but confirmed with CP that the warrant was issued for a felony. In Georgia, bigamy is a felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison.

Calls to Leslie Williams Ministries went unanswered on Monday.

Williams announced his latest marriage in a Dec. 9, 2025, Facebook post to a woman identified as Cindi. He received many congratulatory messages from connections on the platform, but one connection expressed surprise at his nuptials.

The Christian counselor, who is also a K9 trainer, liked the comment but did not address the concern that he was already married.

Several days later, he would share a photo of Cindi while doting on her to followers.

Thanks for all the wonderful comments referencing my saved, beautiful, and talented wife, Mrs. Williams! Shes saved for real, praise God!!! he wrote.

On his ministry website, Williams says his mission is to spread the message of hope and love through faith in Jesus Christ and prepare as many as we can for the end of time! We believe in empowering individuals as disciples to strengthen their relationship with God, each other, and with new disciple recruits.

In the preface to his book, Williams dedicated the work to every man who has ever loved his wife.

If you have loved and been divorced, this book is for you. If you have loved and are now separated, this book is for you. If youve ever loved and lost your wife and are now a widower, this book is for you! Love is the most misunderstood action in the life of men, he wrote.

Some feel as if they cannot win in love, others dont know how to love, still some associate love with sex, while others have never been shown how to love, and have never been in the atmosphere of love growing up, subsequently, these men find themselves hurting women and ultimately themselves. I applaud you for not giving up on love, keep trying, but now, love her like this! he added.

Williams said he almost didnt write the book because he felt unqualified to write it because of his failed marriage, but noted that he was encouraged by the Lord to write it.

Writing this book brought a lot of emotions to my mind from my failed marriage, and I questioned my ability and qualifications to write this book in the beginning, but I was encouraged by the Lord to write it, he explained.

Many judge the success of others by how successful they are in that thing, I have found that success is not being successful in a thing alone, but it is how that thing made you successful now and how it prepared you for the next time.
Home News UK pastor prosecuted for preaching John 3:16 anxiously awaiting judge's ruling

A retired pastor who was prosecuted after preaching a sermon outside a hospital in Northern Ireland faces an anxious wait to find out the verdict in his case.

Pastor Clive Johnston had a court hearing on Wednesday  the original hearing was postponed from last December  after which the judge reserved judgment in his case until May 7.

He was prosecuted in connection with an open-air sermon on John 3:16 that he preached within a "safe access zone" outside Coleraines Causeway Hospital, in Northern Ireland, in 2024.

He was charged with attempting to "influence" people seeking to access the hospital's abortion services despite the sermon being preached on a Sunday when the clinic was closed. He also did not mention abortion during his sermon, and he did not display any banners or placards on the topic.

An exchange with police officers captured on video showed them telling the pastor he should share the Gospel in a "safe" place like the hospital chaplaincy and not inside the "safe access zone."

Johnston is being supported by The Christian Institute, which called his prosecution a shocking attack on freedom of speech and religion.

Following Wednesday's hearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court, Johnston said: Im glad the judge has decided to go away and have a think about this case before issuing his ruling because there is a lot at stake.

We held a small, open-air Sunday service near a hospital. We made no reference whatsoever to the issue of abortion. And yet prosecutors say the buffer-zones law is so broad that holding our Sunday service was a criminal offense."

He added, Its a difficult thing to go through but we are upheld by the prayers of Gods people and we have drawn near to Christ for help and strength. Christ is the most precious thing in the world to us and that is why we are so keen to talk about Him in the highways and byways of this land that we love.

The case has caught the attention of the U.S. State Department, which last week called it "concerning" and said that it was monitoring developments.

A U.S. spokesman told The Daily Telegraph: The United States is still monitoring many buffer zone cases in the U.K., as well as other acts of censorship throughout Europe.

Referring to the case of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the spokesman added: The U.K.s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin U.S.-U.K. relations.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News Supreme Court declines to hear parents' appeal against Fla. school district over socially transitioning child

Update Appended

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by parents suing a Florida school district that socially transitioned their daughter without their knowledge or consent.

In an orders list released Monday morning, the Supreme Court denied without comment a request to hear oral arguments in the case of Littlejohn v. School Board of Leon County.

The high courts decision not to grant certiorari allows a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuitto stand.

January Littlejohn, one of the plaintiffs, sent The Christian Post an emailed statement in response saying that although "we are disappointed the Court declined to hear our case, we trust in Gods timing and remain steadfast in our convictions."

"Our case helped shine a national light on serious parental rights violations, and we are grateful that Florida took swift legislative steps to better protect families," read the statement. "Unfortunately, families across the country are still being harmed by policies that allow the secret social transition of children in schools."

"With thousands of school districts affected, this remains a national issue. Our work is far from overwe will continue using our experience to advocate for families and for policies that respect the fundamental role of parents as the primary decision-makers in their childrens lives."

In 2020, the Littlejohns then-13-year-old daughter met with school officials regarding her gender confusion. School officials did not notify her parents or obtain their consent before socially transitioning her by recognizing her as a boy while at school. After learning about the schools actions, the parents filed a lawsuit in October 2021.

January Littlejohn, the child's mother, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that she believed officials were colluding with my daughter to deceive us so that we would never have known she was going by an alternate name.

Littlejohn also told CP in 2021 that she was aware of other parents in Leon County who had found themselves in similar situations. She said they are really scared to speak out or they dont feel like they can speak out because it would jeopardize the very fragile relationship they have with their child whos experiencing distress related to their gender.

Its the first step toward medical transitioning, she said. Which is why it is so imperative that parents be included [in] any discussion with their child that could impact the short-term and long-term mental and physical well-being of their child, whether its this issue or any issue.

A district court ruled against the parents, concluding, in part, that their arguments were nullified by the 2022 release of new standards for students exhibiting gender confusion. The lower court also ruled that school officials had qualified immunity for their actions.

In March of last year, a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit ruled 2-1 against the Littlejohns, with Circuit Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum, an Obama appointee, authoring the majority opinion.

Rosenbaum ruled that the school officials actions did not shock the conscience, meaning they did not engage in any activity that overtly harmed the student or her parents.

Defendants did not remove the Littlejohns child from their custody, Rosenbaum wrote. Defendants did not force the Littlejohns child to do anything at all.

The child was not physically harmed, much less permanently so.  And perhaps most importantly, Defendants did not act with intent to injure. To the contrary, they sought to help the child.

Circuit Judge Gerald Bard Tjoflat, a 96-year-old Ford appointee, authored a dissenting opinion, noting that the Supreme Court has continued to affirm the proposition that parents have a fundamental liberty interest in raising their children.

Todays decision ignores bedrock separation of powers principles, waters down fundamental rights, and flies in the face of our prior panel precedent rule, he wrote. It is as wrong as it is ominous for the future of fundamental rights in the Eleventh Circuit.

Update, 4/28/2026

Article updated to include an emailed statement from January Littlejohn.
Home News Virginia streamlines process for churches to build affordable housing on property

Virginia has passed a law making it easier for churches to get approval to build affordable housing on their properties.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 388 on Wednesday. The measure streamlines the process for religious organizations to build housing and is set to take effect July 1.

SB 388 allows property tax-exempt religious organizations to develop housing by right, rather than undergoing a lengthier approval process.

The bill provides that the review of such developments be completed pursuant to general law and states that localities shall not require a special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, rezoning, or any discretionary review or approval process, the summary explained.

The bill requires that at least 60% of the housing developments total units be for affordable housing and that the housing development remain affordable for at least 30 years. The bill also provides that all such housing is subject to local real property taxation following completion, unless explicitly exempted by the locality.

Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, director of Faith Organizing at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, which lobbied in support of the bill, welcomed its passage.

The faith in housing bill is a huge step forward for Virginia, Hennessee said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post. It allows faith communities to live their mission and care for neighbors and is the most meaningful policy addressing the housing shortage to pass this year.

We look forward to working with more congregations that are considering developing housing and seeing a clearer roadmap for them to succeed.

The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Jeremy McPike, a Democrat. After passing the General Assembly in March, Spanberger sent the bill back to lawmakers with a list of assorted recommended changes to the text.

Earlier this week, the state Senate voted 21-18 to concur with the governors recommendations, while the House of Delegates voted 62-36 to do the same.

The legislation was not without critics. The Virginia Association of Counties issued a statement last month arguing that SB 388 and its companion House Bill 1279 override local decision-making authority.

By-right development of residential and mixed-use development on any property, regardless of its location and access to adequate publicly funded facilities such as water, sewer, and roads, is inconsistent with the goals and objectives of sound land use policy and practice, the association stated.

Virginia Code requires that all  zoning regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of buildings and uses throughout each district (2-2282. Regulations to be uniform). This legislation upends this longstanding legal land use principle by granting different rights to properties of the same zoning classification based on ownership.
Home News Wesley Huff, Jeremiah Johnston push back on viral Noahs Ark claim, call evidence not legit

Apologist Wesley Huff is pushing back against renewed claims that modern technology has identified the location of Noahs Ark, calling the latest findings not legit and rooted in sensationalism and non-credible archeology.

The debate follows comments from researcher Andrew Jones, whose team at Noahs Ark Scans says it has uncovered new evidence at a site near Mount Ararat. The formation, first identified in 1959, has long been the subject of speculation.

Jones drew national attention during an April 22 appearance on Fox News, where he said scans revealed what appear to be man-made features beneath the site. I do believe that this is the real decayed, buried remains of Noahs Ark, the famous ship, from Genesis 8, he said.

"Our new research has shown that there are tunnels about 4 meters down and about 2 meters high, going down the center of the boat and on the inside edge of the hull shape," he said.

"We really believe that this layout, showing tunnels and also possible support beams and walls, would suggest that it's a man-made object and not just a natural formation."

But Huff, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in New Testament studies, disputed the claims, which have gone viral on social media, in a series of posts on X.

So this whole Noahs Ark discovery  yah its not legit, Huff wrote on April 23. Pretty much everything about the facts coming out of this story are embroiled in sensationalism and non-credible archeology [sic].

In a follow-up thread, Huff outlined several reasons for skepticism, arguing that no members of the Noahs Ark Scans team are formally trained archaeologists and describing their conclusions as hobbyist speculation. He also pointed to the limitations of ground-penetrating radar and inconsistencies in dating methods used to analyze potential wood remains.

The modern site of Mount Ararat has only been called that since the 13th century, Huff added. The broader issue is that the precise location of Ararat remains unknown, making any specific claim about physical remains inherently speculative.

Huff further noted that similar boat-shaped formations exist in the region, cautioning against drawing conclusions based on appearance alone. It looks like a boat to me just doesnt amount to real evidence, he wrote, adding that he had watched more than I should have of explorer Ron Wyatts videos in the past and described Wyatt as a conman.

In response, Noahs Ark Scans rebuffed Huffs criticism in a direct response on X, accusing him of misrepresenting the groups work.

It appears you are coping by compiling bad information and incorrect information and attributing it to our work, the account wrote.

The group said it is completely unaffiliated with Ron Wyatt and emphasized it has never claimed to have found wood from thousands of years ago. Instead, the team pointed to scan results showing perfect right angles and internal chambers, arguing the structure is not simply a natural formation. The group also challenged Huffs interpretation of biblical geography.

Meanwhile, New Testament scholar and Pastor Jeremiah Johnston told Michael Knowles during an appearance on "The Michael Knowles Show" that reports of the Ark being discovered are 1,000 percent inaccurate.

Johnston, founder of the Christian Thinkers Society, said there is broad agreement among scholars that the site is not the biblical ark.

The one thing all of us get along about is 100 percent certainty  this geological formation in eastern Turkey is not the spot of Noah's ark, he said, noting the sites documented history dating back to 1959.

He also raised concerns about the use of ground-penetrating radar.

Anyone who's been to an archeological dig as I have knows that GPR is famously inaccurate in the hill country, in mountainous regions, Johnston said, adding that similar formations exist elsewhere and can be mistaken for man-made structures.

These are natural geologic formations, he said. The scientific consensus is not even close. I'm talking about conservative, moderate  but even liberal, atheist, agnostic archaeologists all know that this is just to sell books. This is sensationalism that catches fire because Christians want it to be true.
Home News WHCA shooting suspect charged with attempting to assassinate Trump Cole Allen calls president a 'traitor' in manifesto

The suspect in the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and other cabinet officials at the White House Correspondents Association dinner Saturday night is facing three federal charges, with more anticipated as the investigation reveals he spent weeks planning the attack.

Top Trump administration officials held a press briefing Monday, providing new details about the shooter, Cole Tomas Allen. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that Today, the Department of Justice filed three federal charges in United States District Court against Cole Tomas Allen.

The first count is attempted assassination of the president of the United States, he said. This count is punishable by up to life in prison.

Blanche identified additional charges as interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, which is punishable by 10 years to life in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro vowed that there will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold. She said Allens plans to carry out a massacre at the White House Correspondents' dinner date back to at least April 6, when he made a hotel reservation at the Washington Hilton, which is where the event was held.

Images of the weapons Allen brought were on display at the briefing, which included two guns and at least three knives. Pirro clarified that the suspect bought the weapons in his home state of California.

Blanche provided additional details about what the investigation into the shooting has revealed so far: The defendant, Allen, made a hotel reservation at the Washington Hilton for April 24-April 26. On April 21 of this year, he traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then from Chicago to Washington, D.C. On April 24, he arrived in Washington, D.C., at approximately 1 p.m. and checked into the Washington Hilton.

At 8:40 on the night of April 25, Allen approached a security checkpoint on the terrace level of the hotel, which is  a floor above where the dinner was taking place. He ran through the magnetometer holding a long gun. As he did so, U.S. Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot.

The gunshot heard by Secret Service agents was fired by Allen at one of the officers, who was hit but survived because he was wearing a ballistic vest.

This heroic officer, who was hit, fired five times at Allen, who was not shot but fell to the ground and was promptly arrested, Blanche added.

While no member of the Trump administration was injured at the WHCA dinner, the shooting forced the cancellation of the event, which is being rescheduled for May.

A manifesto sent by Allen to members of his family before the shooting reveals his intention to target as many Administration officials as possible, excluding FBI Director Kash Patel.

In the manifesto, Allen warned that law enforcement would be shot if necessary. He also called Trump a "traitor and said he was no longer willing to permit him to remain president.

Allen also identified himself as a Friendly Federal Assassin and signed the document using that name. Oh, and if anyone is curious [about] how doing something like [this] feels  its awful. I want to throw up; I want to cry for all the things I wanted to do and never will, he wrote.
Tucker Carlson Socialism Backlash, Israel Names Christian Envoy, Will Anderson Jr. Praises God For $150 Million Contract

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:15 06:15

Top headlines for Monday, April 27, 2026

The NCAA agrees to pay nearly $2.8 billion to former college athletes in a landmark antitrust settlement, a University of Pennsylvania student sues after being disciplined over comments about transgender athletes, and a Colorado church asks the Supreme Court to block a state law it says restricts free speech and religious freedom.

00:11 Trump 2.0: A weekly review of the presidents second term

00:52 Petition urges Angel Studios to pull ads from Tucker Carlson

01:38 Sperm donor who says he fathered 180 children loses paternity bid

02:25 Nicole C. Mullen on God's grace amid domestic abuse, betrayal

03:06 Israel appoints first special envoy to Christian world

03:52 Trans parent charged with kidnapping boy after sex-change fears

04:41 Will Anderson praises Jesus as he becomes highest paid non-QB
Home Opinion Joy Behar, 'The View' and that arrogant Jesus

About a billion years ago, when late-night talk shows werent leftist rant sessions that showcase the hosts low IQ and moral vacuity, Billy Graham appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. During their discussion, Carson leaned into Graham and said, You know what, Billy? I bet if Jesus ever came back to earth, we'd do Him in again.

It sounded provocative at the time. It sounds prescient now.

During a recent episode of "The View," Joy Behar was commenting on the recent dust-up over Trumps pictorial representation of himself as Christ and said, Jesus Himself did not run around saying, I'm the Messiah, I'm the Messiah!. When corrected by her cohosts and told Jesus did identify Himself in that way, she replied: No, He did not. Jesus was more modest than this. Listen, I knew Jesus, OK? Jesus was not narcissistic like this guy.

When you are the Messiah, it's not narcissism to say it, a cohost told her. Yes, it is, Behar shot back.

Plenty of Jesus detractors back in the day thought the same thing and worse. And thats why they killed Him.

The scandalous Jesus

When his atheist friends asked poet W. H. Auden why he exchanged his atheism for Christianity, he said: I believe in Jesus because he fulfills none of my dreams.

Sit with that for a moment.

Then, when pushed further on how Jesus differed from other religious teachers like Buddha, Confucius, and Muhammad, Auden said, None of the others arouse all sides of my being to cry Crucify Him.

Thats the part of Him modern portrayals of Jesus tend to airbrush away.

The standard idea of Jesus in most peoples heads today is one of Him being the last person to cause a stir or say something controversial. But look closer at what He said in general, and especially about Himself, and you see why He warned anyone who would listen: Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me (Matt. 11:6).

The Greek word for offense is skandalizo, from where we get our word scandal  a good word to depict Jesus back then. Christ was enough of a scandal in His day to get Himself killed, and that same spirit lives in people like Behar who might greenlight, as Carson said, a call to do Him in again.

They dont like it that He calls us evil (Matt. 7:11), says we arent worthy of Him if we dont hate everyone else by comparison (Luke 14:26), and tells those opposing Him theyre headed for Hell (Matt. 23:33).

Theyre aghast that He believes we have sin and has the audacity to say He will forgive us: Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? (Mark 2:7). If He came into a city today with followers proclaiming Him to be the Messiah, theyd say like those back then: Teacher, rebuke Your disciples (Luke 19:39).

They might form the same opinion His family did, who, when told about the things He had said and done, went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, He has lost His senses (Mark 3:21). Or they might go so far as to say, He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him? (John 10:20).

And lets not get started on someone who claims to be God. When He made that claim, His enemies tried to take Him out on the spot: For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God (John 10:33).

The truth is, what Jesus says about us and Himself does cause offense and anger to erupt in our hearts just like the Bible says: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense (Rom. 9:33). Even at His birth, Simeon told Mary and Joseph that Jesus would be a sign to be opposed (Luke 2:34).

No wonder Scripture states, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him (Is. 53:3), and why Auden says that our fallen hearts cry out for His crucifixion.

That event, though, was a one-and-done thing.

When Billy Graham responded to Carsons claim that wed kill Jesus if He came back, Graham became very serious and said that Christ is returning one day, but The first time He came in love. The next time, He'll come in power  and no one will do Him in!

Its easy to critique, dismiss, or redefine Jesus when Hes reduced to a historical figure or a cultural symbol. Its much harder if His claims are true.

So before brushing Him off as arrogant, narcissistic, or irrelevant, it might be worth reconsidering the possibility that the real issue isnt His tone or words, but His authority.
Home Opinion The US fertility crisis is a 'prophecy' of decline

Ive seen the future  and it is bleak. People are older, lonelier, sadder, and poorer. And every year, there are fewer people than last year. Governments are loaded with debt. Social welfare programs become insolvent. Schools close. Playgrounds are empty. Innovation stagnates. The workforce shrinks. And nursing home populations boom.

This is what population decline looks like  and its our future.

Thats not a prediction, its prophecy. Americas fertility rate fell to yet another record low last year, according to newly released CDC data.

The Vital Statistics Surveillance Report shows births declined by 1% between 2024 and 2025. The general fertility rate was 53.1 births per 1,000 females ages 15-44, which equates to 1.57 births per woman  significantly below the 2.1 replacement rate.

There were 3,606,400 total births last year  a decrease of 22,534 from 2024. The fertility rate has decreased by 23% since 2007  and it was none-too-high then, either.

The fertility rate is below replacement in much of the world  and its falling worldwide  leading demographers to predict an impending population collapse later this century. If that werent bad enough, heres the rub: Once population decline begins, it never ends.

As researchers Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson warn in their book Empty Planet, When the global population starts to decline  it will never end. We face  a relentless, generation-after-generation culling of the human herd. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

Its not only researchers and statisticians who are sounding the alarm.

There are not enough people, enigmatic billionaire Elon Musk has warned. I cant emphasize this enough; there are not enough people  If people dont have more children, civilization is going to crumble.

The worlds richest man has done his part (he has at least 14 children) to reverse the fertility collapse  though unfortunately, hes neglected the institution that creates civilizations and helps children thrive the most: marriage.

Indeed, our nation has a major problem. Its refusing to create tomorrows innovators, doctors, lawyers and scientists. Unless this trend is reversed, we  and future generations  will soon pay the price.

Is there any hope? While theres no silver bullet, the simple ingredients of faith, marriage, family and freedom can lead to our cultures revitalization.

Its these ingredients that Timothy S. Goeglein, vice president for External & Government Affairs at Focus on the Family, seeks to resurrect with his newly released book What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and Family.

I love my nation so much, it grieves me when we have seemingly lost our way particularly when it comes to marriage, family, faith, and education, he writes.

Indeed, despite the dire decline in our fertility rate  our nation doesnt technically have a fertility problem  we have a marriage problem. Our declining fertility rate is a symptom of our true diagnosis: a declining marriage rate.

Millennials and Gen Z have largely chosen to delay marriage and family formation until later in life. The average age of marriage has risen to over 30 for men and over 28 for women.

Furthermore, according to the Pew Research Center, as of 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds in the United States have never married. This is up from 6% in 1980.

Yet, couples who marry are still very likely to have children. Married men are far more likely than unmarried men to say they want children, which shows that marriage is one of the greatest promoters of national fertility, Glenn T. Stanton, director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, has written.

Additionally, individuals who are Christian are still highly likely to marry  and therefore have children, too. Thankfully, were now seeing a resurgence of religiosity among young men  most of whom identify as Christians.

There are no simple answers to increasing our fertility rate or reversing the marriage decline. But if there is any solution, it must start with a revival of Christian faith  which we may be seeing before our eyes among Gen Z men.

As Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 6:33, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (ESV). If young people like me find faith in Christ and put Him before all else, the other ingredients needed for our cultures revival will soon slip into place.

Population collapse is our collective not-too-distant future  unless Americas young people rediscover What Really Matters: faith, marriage, family and freedom.

Each day, Goeglein writes, I pray we, as a nation, will realize the error of our current ways and return to the values that made us the shining city of a hill  as President Reagan used to say  for the world to follow and emulate.
TRENTON, N.J., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BioNJ is pleased to host its 16th Annual BioPartnering Conference on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ. Designed to convene life sciences executives, investors, academic collaborators and business development leaders, the Conference features high-impact networking, 1:1 partnering, Industry Connections (office hours with biopharma companies), company and start-up pitches, exhibits and engaging plenary sessions.

"We are thrilled to once again partner with J.P. Morgan, Morgan Lewis and CoreWeave on BioNJ's BioPartnering Conference," said Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ. "Each of these organizations shares our commitment to strengthening the life sciences ecosystem and advancing the development of new therapies and medicines for Patients."

"Built to spark meaningful connections with future partners and investors, this year's Conference is set to be our most impactful yet," Hart said. "Last year, we welcomed nearly 600 attendees from 16 states, the District of Columbia, 13 countries and dozens of investors actively seeking new opportunities  momentum we are excited to build upon. With delegations from Canada and Israel already registered, the Conference continues to attract a global audience."

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and engage with leading industry thought leaders, including...

Parsa Amiri , Investment Analyst, SOSV

, Investment Analyst, SOSV Jackie Berman, JD , Partner, Morgan Lewis

, Partner, Morgan Lewis Miguel Chuapoco, Ph.D. , Associate, Luma Group

, Associate, Luma Group Max Colbert, M.D. , Sr. Associate, Medical Excellence

, Sr. Associate, Medical Excellence William Garvin, JD , Sr. Regulatory Counsel, Jazz Pharmaceuticals

, Sr. Regulatory Counsel, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Richard Gearhart, Esq. , Founding Partner, Gearhart Law

, Founding Partner, Gearhart Law Debbie Hart , President & CEO, BioNJ

, President & CEO, BioNJ Paul Hoffman , President & CEO, Liberty Science Center

, President & CEO, Liberty Science Center Sru Jamindar , Executive Director, Venture Engagement, Thermo Fisher Scientific

, Executive Director, Venture Engagement, Thermo Fisher Scientific Sherwin Kuo, M.D. , Investor, Fusion Fund

, Investor, Fusion Fund John Lakso , Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, J.P. Morgan

, Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions, J.P. Morgan Michael Magliochetti, Ph.D. , Operating Partner, Riverside Partners

, Operating Partner, Riverside Partners Tom Morrisroe , Vice President, Healthcare Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan

, Vice President, Healthcare Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan Shareef Nahas, Ph.D. , Chief Scientific Officer, Sampled

, Chief Scientific Officer, Sampled Emilio Ragosa, JD , Partner; Managing Partner, Short Hills; Global Co-Chair, Life Sciences & Healthcare Sector, DLA Piper

, Partner; Managing Partner, Short Hills; Global Co-Chair, Life Sciences & Healthcare Sector, DLA Piper Sepehr Rahimi , Co-Founder, Chorah Labs

, Co-Founder, Chorah Labs Louise Ruihau Liu, Ph.D. , CEO, Hill Research

, CEO, Hill Research Corey Sanders , Sr. Vice President, CoreWeave

, Sr. Vice President, CoreWeave Dave Schwartz, JD, Partner, Morgan Lewis

Participants will leave equipped with new information, practical tools and valuable insights gained from timely plenary sessions.

Biotech Industry Overview: Stats, Trends & Outlooks

Evolving FDA Approval Strategies, Maximizing Value, Minimizing Risk & Navigating Regulatory Trends in a Changing Landscape

From Algorithm to Impact  Deploying AI in Real-World Life Sciences

Navigating Dual Paths - Preparing for Exit & M&A While Building Value in Life Sciences

Life Sciences Investor Reverse Pitch  From Seed to Growth

Investors, innovators and industry leaders will hear Company and Start-up Pitch Presentations from nearly 90 trailblazing companies across life sciences, biotech, healthcare and digital health  showcasing the next wave of innovation. Click here for the full list of presenters.

Adding to the momentum, back by popular demand, BioNJ's Industry Connections Desk will offer Company Presenters and BioNJ Entrepreneur/Innovation Members the opportunity to schedule one-on-one office hours with business development representatives from Bristol Myers Squibb, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., New Jersey AI Hub, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi and Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Recognized as the region's premier partnering event, BioNJ's BioPartnering Conference brings together the full spectrum of the life sciences ecosystem. Registration is $475 for BioNJ Members and $575 for Future BioNJ Members. Visit BioNJ.org/BioPartnering for more information. Or, contact Ann Wieczkowski at [email protected] with questions.

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HIV Scotland

The former chief executive of a now-defunct charity has admitted embezzling 5,000 from it.

On Friday, the BBC reported that Nathan Sparling, former CEO of HIV Scotland, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court he accepted full responsibility for taking money from the charity.

The court heard that, as CEO, Sparling could make purchases of up to 50 using HIV Scotlands funds for charitable purposes without prior authorisation.

A charity employee noticed a large number of taxi rides had been charged to the charitys account and raised the issue with Sparling.

The court heard that Sparling spent 2,000 on Uber journeys and 3,000 on Amazon packages, including groceries and technical goods, that were delivered to his home.

Sparlings solicitor told the court he felt a certain amount of complacency, as he had been working at HIV Scotland for a long time.

Charity closed

Sparling became CEO of HIV Scotland in 2018 and resigned in 2021 after a review found he had made fraudulent transactions that were not in pursuit of the charitys objectives.

In 2023, Police Scotland told Civil Society that it had arrested Sparling and charged him in connection with financial offences.

HIV Scotland was registered as a charity in 2003 to further educate the public about the health of those diagnosed with HIV and related conditions.

In May 2023, the charity presented a petition to wind up to the Court of Session, Scotlands supreme civil court, after losing a large number of its trustees.

Sparlings sentencing is scheduled for 20 May after background reports have been completed.

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YHA chief executive stepping down

YHA (England & Wales)  the Youth Hostels Association  has announced that its chief executive James Blake will be stepping down later this year to take up a new external role as CEO of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Blake has led YHA since 2017. His tenure included steering the charity through the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

Blake said: It has been a huge privilege to lead YHA over the last nine years. I am incredibly proud of what YHA has achieved in what has been an exceptionally challenging period.

Despite major external challenges, we have provided thousands of opportunities to young people who would otherwise have missed out on a life changing stay with us.

YHA is a very special organisation, with a dedicated staff team, loyal members, passionate volunteers and a clear social purpose. It will be a huge wrench to leave, but the opportunity to lead the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is too good to miss.

Board Racial Diversity appoints chief executive

Yeme Onoabhagbe has been appointed as the new CEO of Board Racial Diversity, succeeding the charitys founder and acting CEO, Malcolm John.



Onoabhagbe is a freelance EDI and change consultant and has been chief executive of University of York Students Union and interim chief executive of Student Minds.

She has also been a trustee and chair of MindOut LGBTQ Mental Health Service.

Reflecting on her new role, Onoabhagbe said: Im thrilled to be offered this exciting opportunity to help shape the next stage of Board Racial Diversitys strategic vision.

As a previous trustee myself, and passionate advocate for equity in the charity sector, I cant wait to make a positive impact on charity boards, hopefully contributing to transformative change for our sector at large.

New CEO for Renfrewshire Foodbank

Renfrewshire Foodbank has appointed Linda Kelly, former director of income diversification and messaging at Right There, as its first chief executive

Kelly, who also previously held senior roles at Cyrenians and Ardgowan Hospice, said: Food banks play an essential role in meeting immediate need, but they shouldnt be the long-term answer to poverty.

Im looking forward to working with the team, volunteers and partners to support people through crisis with dignity, while also contributing to wider efforts to reduce the need for food banks in the future.

Youth Endowment Foundation appoints CEO

The Youth Endowment Fund has announced it has appointed Jeremy Miles as its next CEO, effective from July, succeeding Jon Yates.

Miles has served as a member of the Senedd since 2016, holding a range of senior ministerial roles in the Welsh government  including most recently cabinet secretary for health and social care.

Miles said of his appointment: Every young person deserves the best start in life, and the YEFs mission to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence goes to the heart of this.

Im looking forward to the opportunity to help YEF build on its successes to date, bringing my experience in reforming systems, and to working with others to help make the lives of children and young people free of violence.

Humanimal Trust CEO to step down

Animal welfare charity Humanimal Trust has announced that its chief executive, Joe Bailey, will step down from her role in June 2026 after almost four years in the role to take up a new position as CEO of Animal Action Greece.

Reflecting on her decision, Bailey said: I leave with a mixture of pride in our shared accomplishments and a clear sense of personal purpose.

This has not been an easy decision, but my heart has always been on the front lines of animal welfare.

My new role with Action Animal Greece will allow me to return to that big passion, working directly to improve the lives of vulnerable animals, while also fostering compassion and responsibility within the communities in which they live.

The charity will begin recruiting for Baileys successor shortly.

New CEO at the Utley Foundation

Private charitable trust the Utley Foundation has appointed Amy Shackleton as its new CEO, succeeding Sarah Metcalfe.

Shackleton, the daughter of the foundations founder, Neil Utley, has been closely involved with the Utley Foundation for a number of years.

She initially served as a trustee and more recently as project lead at the Music for Dementia campaign, setting up the cross-sector Music Made Easy taskforce.

Shackleton began her career as a corporate lawyer working on M&A and governance, before moving into social impact work at StoriBoard.

David Hume Institute announces chair

Scottish economy and society think tank, the David Hume Institute, has announced Paul Atkinson as its chair.

Atkinson succeeds Jan Bebbington and Liz Ditchburn, who step down as co-chairs.

He is the co-founder and partner of investment firm Par Equity and holds a number of senior governance roles across business and the third sector.

Atkinson said: I am honoured to be taking on the role of chair of the David Hume Institute. It is a genuinely distinctive organisation with a long-standing reputation for independence, intellectual rigour, and constructive engagement with complex policy questions.

Senior leadership team changes for Scouts

Scouts has announced three senior appointments to strengthen its executive leadership team, supporting the delivery of the organisations new strategy, Place to Belong.

Tom Ovenstone has been appointed executive director of operations. Ovenstone joins from the Duke of Edinburghs Award, where he spent 15 years in senior leadership roles, most recently as director of quality and compliance.

Kirsten Stevens has been appointed executive director of finance. Stevens joins from Sue Ryder, where she has served as chief finance officer for the last seven years.

Completing the appointments, Kieron Moir has been confirmed as executive director for strategy, effective immediately.

Having served on the executive leadership team since April 2025, Moir coled the development of Place to Belong, having also previously been a trustee of the organisation.

New chair for Howard League for Penal Reform

The Howard League for Penal Reform has announced the appointment of Dame Anne Owers as its new chair.

Owers has worked in senior roles in the fields of human rights and justice for many years, including nine years as HM chief inspector of prisons and six years as chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

She was also the national chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards for England and Wales, and is currently chair of the Independent Custody Visiting Association, a board member of Prisoners Abroad, and a member of the Howard League Council.

New chair for City and Guilds Foundation

The City and Guilds of London Institute, now known as the City & Guilds Foundation, has announced the appointment of Jessica Leigh Jones as its chair.

Leigh Jones brings experience in skills development, having led organisations across both the private and public sectors.

She has also served as a non-executive director at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education in England.

She currently chairs Waless largest awarding organisation, WJEC, and is co-founder and CEO of a business specialising in fintech, digital, and green skills.

New chair and trustee for Wildscreen

Wildlife film charity, Wildscreen, has appointed Stephen Pomeroy as chair, with Poppy Mason-Watts also joining the board as trustee.

Pomeroy is the founder of Cavendish Consulting. His production credits include an executive producer role at Floodlight, an Oscar and BAFTA-winning independent production company.

Mason-Watts is currently global director of impact and partnerships at Project Dandelion and runs her own consultancy working with founders to develop and embed growth and marketing functions at impact-led startups.

IEA appoints director general

The board of trustees of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has announced that Lord Daniel Hannan will become its director general from 1 June 2026.

Hannan is an historian, author, and former member of the European Parliament.

On taking up the role, Hannan will step down as the international secretary of the Conservative Party, a post he has held continuously under four party leaders and 12 party chairmen.

Black Funding Network appoints new directors

Black Funding Network (BFN) has announced the appointment of four new directors to its board.

The new directors  Ndidi Njoku, Juliet Alexander, Laverne Thomas, and Angela Aboagye  will join co-founders Erika Brodnock, Angela Ferreira and Patricia Hamzahee on the board.

Njoku is a finance and international development expert and chair of the African Foundation for Development.

Alexander is an award-winning media and communications specialist and longtime BFN event host.

Thomas is an operations leader with a background in music and creative industries.

Aboagye is a senior public health professional and systems innovation strategist.

ShelterBox announces director of people and culture

International disaster relief charity ShelterBox has welcomed Richard Nightingale as its new director of people and culture.

Nightingale previously worked in financial services and held HR director roles in Barclays, Kensington Mortgages, Investec and Sun Life of Canada.

I am delighted to have joined an exceptionally talented and deeply committed team at ShelterBox to support the critical work being delivered around the world, he said.

I look forward to supporting colleagues, nurturing an environment where our people can thrive, and guiding teams through continued growth and change.

Chief officer for children stepping down at Children in Need

Children in Needs chief officer for children, Fozia Irfan, has announced on LinkedIn that she will be stepping down from her role after five years.

Irfan joined the organisation in 2020 as director of children and young people, before progressing to become director of impact and influence, and most recently, chief officer for children.

She said: I leave proud of what the team has achieved, and grateful that I worked with incredible people at BBC Children in Need including a brilliant Impact leadership team, who have always genuinely put children and young people at the heart of what they do, adding that she would be announcing her next career move shortly.

Fat Macys appoints managing director

Homelessness charity and social enterprise Fat Macys Foundation has appointed Ryan McKiernan as its permanent managing director after he served as interim managing director for a year.

McKiernan previously held roles at CCS Fundraising, St. Pauls Cathedral, SCI and the House of St. Barnabas.

Chris Attoe, Fat Macys chair, said: Ryan has already achieved a high level of impact since joining the charity and the trustees look forward to this next chapter.

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Three days after defeating Viktor Orban in Hungarys national elections, Peter Magyar, the prime ministerelect, paid a visit to the headquarters of MTVA, the countrys public media conglomerate. During the campaign, state media ran wall-to-wall pro-Orban coverage: hit pieces on Magyars family, accusations that he conspired with Ukraine to drag Hungary into war with Russia, and reports on his plans for austerity that later proved to be false. Now Magyar had been extended an invitation. This was something of a last-ditch attempt to catch him off guard: MTVA reporters had a knack for interrupting, provoking, and insulting Magyar, in an apparent effort to extract a compelling soundbite. But following the biggest electoral victory in the history of modern Hungary, Magyar came prepared. What you did here wouldve made Goebbels smack his lips, he said, lambasting his interviewers. This factory of lies will shut down. Well suspend this deceitful news service, and well create an independent, objective, and neutral public media. When he left the studio, state media employees applauded him. Thank you for not giving up, he told them. I know that a lot of you didnt do all of this for fun.

Following the election, state propaganda in Hungary began to collapse immediately. Employees at MTI, the state newswire, revolted against their right-wing news director and demanded editorial impartiality. Presenters on Petofi TV, the cultural channel of the state media conglomerate, said they hoped to bring on popular artists known for opposing Orban. TV2, the top private channel, a staunchly pro-Orban outlet, fired its news director and took its two most prominent faces off air. In an interview with a right-wing YouTube channelhis only media appearance post-defeatOrban shut down the reporters cloying, sympathetic questions, took responsibility for the loss, and wished Magyars voters well. Its hard to even begin this interview as a journalist, the reporter said. Im sure youll manage, Orban responded, letting out a condescending laugh.

Under Orban, the Hungarian media landscape was divided into three realms. MTVAs broadcasters, such as M1, the main national news channel, covered the relatively offline, rural parts of the country, known to be Orban strongholds. Private media owned by Orban loyalists dominated the rest of the terrain, with pro-government print dailies, magazines, online news sites, and television stations making up 80 percent of the industry. The independent pressdigital outlets, YouTube channels, and magazines, funded through donations, subscriptions, and advertisementsmade up a final, smaller portion. Despite political persecution and countless barriers to access, outlets such as Telex, Partizan, 444.hu, and HVG worked to hold the government to account.

Now Hungarys journalism environment is poised for transformation. Magyars promise to restructure public media was no hasty threat, but a key plank of his Tisza partys platform. Actually delivering change will be an enormous challenge, Gabor Polyak, a professor of media law and policy at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, told me. Magyar would have to replace everyone on screen, behind the microphone, and at the editorial desk and find journalists who are willing to be the new faces of an institution distrusted by the public, he said. Hell need to assure them that this is a secure workplace where they can say no to political pressure and create internal checks and balances. And when the local elections come, in three years time, then well see how well its working. MTVA did not respond to a request for comment.

As Orbans political empire collapses, the oligarchs who funded private propaganda networks may be reluctant to keep them alive, especially since Magyar has also promised to halt and restructure state advertising in media, which has provided a key revenue source for these outlets. Polyak said that KESMA, a pro-Orban conglomerate that runs hundreds of national and regional daily newspapers, is on death row. He estimates that in a competitive market, only about half a dozen right-wing news outlets could break even. Mediaworks, a company housed within KESMA, did not respond to a request for comment.

For independent newsrooms, the task in a post-Orban world will be to cover a country undergoing seismic change while excavating the wreckage of sixteen years of authoritarian rule. Theres a whole generation of my colleagues who never saw communication as a two-way street between the government and the press, Balazs Kaufmann, a veteran independent journalist with 444.hu, told me. Some who voted for Magyar will have to accept that the free press was never an opposition to Orban, but a check on the government, he said. Readers who expect us to be cheerleaders for Peter Magyar will be disappointed. Magyars press office did not respond to a request for comment.

The day after the election, Magyar kicked off a three-hour international press conference in which he called on Hungarian outlets first. Lets hear from those who survived the past sixteen years and filled the role of public service media, his press chief said, handing the microphone to Partizan, the YouTube channel where Magyar launched his political career with an explosive interview calling out the Orban regimes political greed. Up next was Kaufmann. In 2024, Kaufmann had been the first journalist to write about President Katalin Novak, an Orban cabinet minister turned head of state, pardoning a man who had helped hide sexual abuse at a childrens home, a story that spurred Magyars break with Orban. Youve just heard from the journalist thanks to whom were standing here today, Magyar said. Then he answered his questions.

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I asked Kaufmann about the callout. I thought: Heres the head of government with the largest-ever mandate, and on his first day, hes trying to domesticize the free press. It was uneasy. I felt sixteen years of self-defense mechanisms kicking in, he said. Only when I thought back later did I realize that it was meant to be nothing more than a nice gesture toward our embattled industry.

Be that as it may, journalists are relieved to see Orban go. It feels easier to breathe, Kaufmann told me. Were letting go of anxieties we didnt even know we had. Its a healing process.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has dealt tobacco company Philip Morris USA a blow by unanimously upholding a $56 million punitive damages award in a wrongful death case.

A lower court had previously reduced the punitive damages award from $1 billion but the tobacco firm wanted a new trial or the amount further reduced. The company argued that such awards should be subject to a higher clear and convincing evidence standard rather than the preponderance of the evidence standard. The firm also alleged that the jury was inflamed by passion and prejudice and thus damages should be decided in a separate trial from liability.

However, the states high court, citing what Justice Gabrielle Wolohojian wrote was Philip Morriss reprehensible conduct over decades in targeting minors and engaging in fraud, said the big award was justified and within constitutional limits.

A trial jury had awarded $8 million in compensatory damages and $1 billion in punitive damages. The trial judge reduced the punitive damages to $56 million, about seven times the compensatory amount.

Single Digit Ratio

The high court noted that the $56 million amount is in keeping with the rule advanced by the U.S. Supreme Court (BMW v. Gore) that punitive damages should fall within a single digit ratio (less than 10 times) of the compensatory damages.

The body of evidence concerning the companys reprehensible conduct over decades provided a robust basis upon which the jury could conclude without resort to passion or prejudice that the company had engaged in malicious, willful, wanton, or reckless conduct, and was grossly negligent, such that an award of punitive damages of significant magnitude was appropriate, the high court concluded in its unanimous opinion.

The state court further commented that a large award is appropriate for the company since it was making $20 million in daily profits.

The high court found that a higher standard of evidence is not appropriate because the matter involves a financial penalty and not a basic liberty. As for bifurcated trials on liability and damages, the high court affirmed that is a matter of discretion for a judge and not mandatory.

Plaintiffs

The lawsuit was brought by the husband and two children of Barbara Fontaine, who began smoking as a teenager and died of lung cancer in 2017 at age 60. After a four-week trial, a jury found that Philip Morris USA breached the implied warranty of merchantability by failing to offer reasonable safer alternative types of cigarettes; negligently designed its cigarettes; negligently marketed its cigarettes to Fontaine when she was a minor; engaged in fraud; and entered into a concerted action conspiracy with other tobacco companies and organizations.

The jury concluded that each of these actions caused Fontaines lung cancer and death.

Jurors were told that from 1989 to 2015, Fontaine resorted to a variety of methods to quit smoking, including nicotine patches, nicotine gum, electronic cigarettes, prescription medication, tapering her cigarette use, and going cold turkey. She also went to the Mad Russian, a former Moscow artist who emigrated to Brookline and offered an alternative healing method he called bioenergetics to help quit smoking and other addictions.

Past Awards

This is not the first time Philip Morris has been hit with a large damage award in Massachusetts over its tobacco sales. The states high court has previously upheld judgments of $36 million and $21 million against Philip Morris.

In 2024, a Massachusetts jury awarded $150 million in punitive damages against another tobacco company, R.J. Reynolds. The trial judge reduced that to $50 million.

The high court noted that juries in other jurisdiction have awarded higher punitive damages against large corporations including Exxon, Monsanto and Johnson & Johnson. In those cases, the courts decided that reducing the award, rather than a new trial, was sufficient to cure any excess in the verdict.
Bayer AG is counting on the U.S. Supreme Court to pare down lawsuits over its top-selling Roundup weedkiller and help corral the decade-long litigation that has cost the company more than $10 billion and cast a pall over its stock price.

Bayers attorneys during arguments Monday will urge the high court to overturn a $1.25 million Missouri jury verdict for a man who claims Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma and should have had a cancer warning label. The company contends that since U.S. regulators didnt require a cancer warning, federal law bars those types of suits.

Related: Bayer Takes Its Multi-Front Battle on Pesticide Liability to Kansas

Officials of the German pharmaceutical and crop-science giant are banking on a favorable ruling from the justices, saying on the company website that could largely end the Roundup litigation. Bayer, which has already spent billions of dollars defending and settling Roundup cases, recently reserved $11.25 billion (9.6 billion) to deal with approximately 65,000 outstanding suits, according to the companys latest securities filings.

Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Holly Froum estimated in a note that about $787 million in existing Roundup verdicts could be affected by the Supreme Court case. If the justices rule for Bayer, it would eliminate plaintiffs strongest claim. The court will rule by early July.

Bayer officials have steadfastly insisted the weedkiller is safe and doesnt cause cancer. The US Environmental Protection Agency has found that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is unlikely to be a human carcinogen and has not required a cancer warning on its label. Still, the company removed the version based on glyphosate from the U.S. residential market in 2023.

But the company has struggled to contain the litigation it inherited after buying Roundup manufacturer Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018. Out of 28 cases that have gone to trial since 2015, plaintiffs have won 11, according to Bayers 2025 annual report. Several have produced major damage awards.

From an operational perspective, Bayer is now in a much stronger position than the share price would suggest, said Markus Manns, portfolio manager at Frankfurt-based asset manager Union Investment, a Bayer investor. Bayer is well on its way to reducing legal risks, but even lawyers find it difficult to assess the chances of success.

Bayer needs both a win at the Supreme Court and acceptance of a proposed $7.25 billion class-action settlement filed in state court in Missouri to take the legal risks off the table, Manns said. Bayer hopes to entice former Roundup users to review the compensation offer.

The litigation has cast such a cloud over Bayers stock, which is down about 60% since the Monsanto deal, that Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson is weighing whether the company should even continue making glyphosate. Anderson also has vowed to get a handle on the litigation by the end of this year through a multipronged effort that also includes lobbying state and federal lawmakers.

At the Supreme Court, Bayer contends that federal law supersedes, or preempts, traditional state-law claims for failure to warn. The case centers on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which sets out rules for pesticides including the requirement of an adequate label. FIFRA, as the law is known, also says that states cant impose additional mandates.

Bayer says the latter provision means that once the Environmental Protection Agency approved Roundups mandatory label without requiring a cancer warning, the company cant be sued for not having one.

President Donald Trump has embraced glyphosate, moving in February to ramp up domestic production. His administration has been backing Bayer, filing a brief in support and arguing alongside the company Monday.

States may not impose different requirements based on their disagreement with EPAs scientific judgment, US Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in court papers.

Various farm, business and nonprofit groups also have signed on to briefs filed at the Supreme Court in support of Bayers arguments that a uniform framework for pesticides is better than a patchwork of state laws with their own labeling rules. The US Chamber of Commerce and other business groups say the medical-device, cosmetic and food industries are governed by similar laws and could be affected by the case.

The security and affordability of the nations food supply depend on farmers and manufacturers ability to rely on the science-based judgments of federal regulators, Bayer said in an emailed statement. Clarification from the court is essential to restore uniformity, certainty, and the rule of law.

Lawyers for the plaintiff, John Durnell, say EPAs determinations dont preclude state courts from making their own judgments about the need for a warning. The agencys findings are nothing more than EPAs opinion on the matter, Durnell argued.

Durnells supporters include consumer and food-safety advocates who say the EPA review process is inadequate because of loopholes, data gaps and corporate influence over the agency.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that FIFRA allowed some types of state-law claims, including allegations of defective design, defective manufacture and negligent testing. But the court said failure-to-warn claims could go forward only if they would impose requirements equivalent to those under FIFRA and not if they would apply more stringent rules.

Justice Clarence Thomas, the courts longest serving member, worked as an in-house counsel for Monsanto for more than two years in the late 1970s, but is expected to hear the case along with his eight colleagues. He has not recused in previous cases involving the company.

Even if the Supreme Court rules in Bayers favor on the failure-to-warn issue, it wont lead to massive numbers of cases being thrown out or voluntarily dismissed, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who teaches about product-liability cases.

There will still be other claims left in cases, for negligence and defective design, that will be unaffected if failure-to-warn goes away, Tobias said. I dont see any maneuver that can wipe all the cases out. Thats pretty much mission impossible.

A representative for Bayer said that the companys settlement proposal includes cases that go beyond failure-to-warn claims and are based on other legal theories.

The nations highest court isnt the only place Bayer is targeting Roundup suits. The company has in the last few years launched a lobbying effort among US states to revise their individual failure-to-warn laws to bar the claims from being weighed by juries.

So far, only Georgia, Kentucky and North Dakota have made such revisions. Bayers efforts failed to get Idaho, Iowa and Missouri legislators to make the changes.

Georgia legislators changed the states statutes last year after Bayer was hit with a $2.1 billion jury award on the basis that homeowner John Barnes was entitled to punitive damages for the companys failure to warn about the products risks. The company later settled with Barnes.

Theyve launched an extensive lobbying campaign at all levels of government, said Angela Huffman, president of the Farm Action nonprofit, a farmer-led watchdog group over the US food supply. Theyve had bills introduced in 15 states, but only three have signed on to their position.

Bayer also set its sights on Congress, using its group Modern Ag Alliance to advocate for liability shields for manufacturers that make chemicals farmers use to take out weeds and bugs in their fields.

In addition to the Supreme Court case, the company is offering ex-Roundup users a chance to resolve claims via a $7.25 billion class-action settlement.

Payments to those who have already sued could reach $160,000 per person depending on the plaintiffs age and severity of illness, according to a website created by the settlements supporters. Those with less-aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma could receive $40,000, the site shows. Its unclear what future claimants could expect in payments but the funds will be paid out over 21 years.

The specific terms of the new accord require nearly 100% of current and future Roundup plaintiffs to be part of the deal or it wont be consummated. Ex-Roundup users have the right to opt-out of the accord and take their case back to court if they dont like the compensation offer. A St. Louis judge who must give final approval to the accord will hear objections July 9.

The opt-outs need to be something approaching zero, Anderson said in a March investor call. If people opt out, then you dont really have an agreement, and then we would have to move on to other potential solutions.

The overall goal of the Roundup containment campaign may be to enhance Bayers leverage in settlement talks, said Elizabeth Burch, a University of Georgia law professor who specializes in product-liability law.

Although the failure-to-warn approach has been the workhorse of nearly every successful Roundup verdict, a Supreme Court win wouldnt mean an automatic dismissal of all the cases, Burch said. Instead, it would put Bayer in a much better bargaining position to settle the cases at a lower cost.

Top photo: Weeds are sprayed with a bottle of Bayer AG Roundup weedkiller in Princeton, Illinois. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
BEIJING, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For BlueFocus, AI is no longer a layer of efficiency. It is becoming a test of what kind of company the business can become.

The company's 2025 annual report, released last week, reported revenue of USD 10.07 billion, AI-driven revenue of USD 546.05 million, and total token usage of more than one trillion. BlueFocus's global outbound media buying business remained its largest revenue engine, generating USD 8.28 billion and accounting for 82.25% of total revenue. AI-driven revenue, while growing rapidly, accounted for 5.42% of the total.

BlueFocus CEO Fei Pan

Those numbers describe a company in transition rather than one claiming the transition is complete. BlueFocus is still anchored in a large outbound marketing business. What Pan is outlining is a different question: whether AI is beginning to change how the company operates, how it allocates work, and eventually how it earns.

In a letter to investors released alongside the annual report, Pan wrote that BlueFocus had already moved beyond "the shallow stage of using AI tools simply to cut costs and improve efficiency" and had "moved into the stage of using truly AI Native methods to reconstruct our business, build new models, build new organizations, and create new intelligence capable of autonomous decision-making."

That claim rests on a specific operating view of AI adoption. Pan argues that the most useful signal is not the number of AI case studies a company publishes or the number of wrapper products it launches, but the depth at which AI is embedded in the workflow. "Token volume does not lie," he wrote. "It is the most honest starting indicator of whether AI has truly entered the business process."

BlueFocus says that process is already visible across core tasks tied to client delivery and revenue generation. In the investor letter, Pan wrote that AI is now used in social media insights, creator analysis, advertising risk control, winning-creative extraction, intelligent budget adjustment, and video content production. In 2025, Blue AI completed 146 million agent-to-agent collaborative tasks. Across most core operating scenarios, including strategy formulation, budget allocation, and delivery decisions, the company said AI outperformed humans without manual intervention in 85 percent of relevant use cases.

For BlueFocus, that is where the real business significance begins. The company is not presenting AI as an incremental layer on top of an unchanged service model. It is using AI to push more work into repeatable, increasingly autonomous systems. In Pan's words, "When AI can trace back through its execution process, evaluate the quality of its own output, and proactively adjust its next move, it is no longer just a tool being called. It becomes a genuinely evolving, intelligent, end-to-end system."

That distinction also shapes how BlueFocus defines its newer revenue base. The company described AI-driven revenue as business generated with minimal human input, high levels of automation, greater gross margin potential, and business models that allow data to be accumulated, annotated, iterated, and continuously learned from. By that definition, AI-driven revenue reached USD 546.05 million in 2025. It remains a minority share of total revenue, but management is using it as an indicator of where the company wants the next layer of growth to come from.

The effort extends beyond products and platforms into the company's internal structure. BlueFocus said it has built a talent base of nearly 500 AI professionals, including more than 350 people in product and technology-related roles and more than 150 who connect business and technology. The company has also introduced an AI Business Partner mechanism to push AI capability into each business line. In 2025, investment in AI-related technical talent reached USD 13.96 million, up 76.52% year over year.

What BlueFocus is testing, in effect, is whether a company built on large-scale client service can rewire itself around AI without losing the scale of its underlying business. That makes the global outbound side of the company especially important.

According to the investor letter, more than 80 percent of BlueFocus's revenue and more than half of its profit now come from global outbound business. In 2025, revenue from global outbound media buying reached USD 8.28 billion. The company said its three major strategic media partners, Meta, Google, and TikTok for Business, all delivered year-over-year advertising revenue growth, while relationships with newer partners including AppLovin, Uber Ads, and Netflix continued to expand.

BlueFocus is also expanding its local operating footprint. The company currently operates seven overseas offices and expects that number to rise to more than ten in 2026. Offices in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia have developed quickly, with more than two already entering the stage of scaled profitability. Management says the next phase of Globalization 2.0 is intended to change not only where BlueFocus operates, but also how the business generates profit, with a greater contribution expected from mid-tier media partners and from self-built traffic and technology platforms such as Blue X and Blue Turbo.

Pan's argument is that these two tracks, AI and globalization, are becoming harder to separate. In the investor letter, he wrote that AI and globalization are "like twin brothers" and suggested that the first durable AI-native business models may emerge in cross-border business scenarios, where language, localization, and execution complexity create a natural need for AI-led systems.

That is still a thesis in progress, and BlueFocus's own numbers make clear how early it remains. The company's revenue base is still dominated by outbound media buying. Its AI-driven revenue, while growing quickly, is still relatively small in proportion to the whole. The significance of the current moment lies elsewhere: BlueFocus is giving the market a way to evaluate the transition through operating evidence rather than rhetoric alone.

Pan put the ambition directly in the investor letter: "What we want to create is not an old company with higher efficiency, but a new BlueFocus built for the future." Whether that ambition produces a different kind of economics will take time to prove. What BlueFocus has already done is define the terms on which it wants to be judged.

About BlueFocus

BlueFocus is a China-based marketing communications and technology company. Its core businesses include global outbound marketing, full-service campaign services, and AI-driven marketing platforms. The company said it is focused on integrating AI more deeply into operating workflows while expanding its overseas business footprint.

Translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars in this release are provided solely for the convenience of the reader and are based on an exchange rate of USD 1.00 = RMB 6.8216.

SOURCE BlueFocus
CHICAGO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Blueprint is pleased to announce the successful sale of Parkdale Center, a behavioral healthcare business specializing in partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and counseling services. Located in Northwest Indiana, Parkdale Center has built a distinguished reputation for its niche focus on treating working professionals, particularly those in the medical field.

Parkdale Center Stay tuned for the next episode of Drawing the Blueprint podcast, featuring Parkdale Center founders Claudia and Rodrigo Garcia.

To ensure optimal pricing, terms, and strategic alignment, Blueprint conducted an extensive marketing process. The firm engaged hundreds of qualified strategic and financial buyers nationwide to identify the ideal partner for this coveted, high-performing program.

Following a competitive process with multiple offers, a private equity-backed inpatient and outpatient provider was selected as the winning bidder. This acquisition represents the buyer's initial entry into the Indiana market and aligns with their strategic goal of expanding programs tailored to professionals. The transaction included the acquisition of both the operating business and the associated real estate (PHP housing), while establishing a long-term partnership with the sellers.

"Advising the founders of Parkdale on the sale of their business after a 10-year entrepreneurial journey was a true honor," said Andrew Sfreddo, Executive Managing Director and Head of Behavioral Healthcare. "This transaction showcased Blueprint's ability to advise ownership and create a competitive bidding environment leading to the sale of both the business and real estate within the behavioral healthcare sector."

Blueprint worked hand-in-hand with the founders and sellers of the business throughout the diligence process, guiding and advising on all aspects of the transaction to ensure a smooth, well-coordinated closing. This transaction exemplifies Blueprint's expertise advising transactions involving both cash-flowing business operations and associated real estate, demonstrating the firm's versatility in complex behavioral healthcare transactions.

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Chicago-based Blueprint was founded in 2013 with a mission to elevate healthcare real estate brokerage through collaboration and data. Today, Blueprint is the most active healthcare real estate advisory firm with expertise in seniors housing, skilled nursing, behavioral healthcare, and medical properties. The firm also offers dedicated capital markets support to offer our clients a full spectrum of comprehensive debt and equity solutions. With a proven track record of $18.6 Billion in transaction volume, Blueprint's model combines broad market coverage with unrivaled analytics to deliver results.

Media Contact:

Eileen Gehring

312.620.1775

[email protected]

SOURCE Blueprint Healthcare Real Estate Advisors
Enterprise GEO platform recognized in the 2026 American Business Awards for helping marketing, PR, SEO and digital teams measure and improve brand visibility in AI-generated answers

MCLEAN, Va., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandi AI, the leading enterprise AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) platform for marketing, PR, content and digital teams, today announced it has won a Gold Stevie Award in the Marketing/Public Relations Solution category for Technology Solutions in the 2026 American Business Awards. Brandi AI helps companies and brands measure, monitor and optimize how their brands appear in AI-generated answers across platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity. The platform gives corporate and product marketing, PR, content and digital teams actionable insight into brand mentions, citations, sentiment and competitive share of voice as AI becomes the new front door to buyer discovery.

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), also known as Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), is the emerging discipline focused on improving how brands are represented, cited and recommended in AI-generated answers. Brandi AI helps organizations understand whether they appear in the answers buyers trust, what sources AI systems rely on when describing their category and what actions can improve visibility, credibility and competitive positioning across AI answer engines.

"This industry recognition means a lot because it validates the larger trend: AI search is the new front door to discovery, where people form opinions, compare brands and decide where to begin before they ever land on a website or talk to a salesperson," said Leah Nurik, CEO and co-founder of Brandi AI. "Brandi AI helps companies see what AI is saying about them, where they show up and where they are missing from the conversation.

"Then, Brandi helps marketers close those gaps by strengthening the strategy, content, sources and signals that shape how AI systems describe and recommend them," said Nurik. "As AI becomes the first stop for research and decision-making, brands need to understand, measure and improve how they are represented in the answers people trust."

The American Business Awards are an annual U.S. business awards program. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," this year's awards program received more than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes in a wide range of categories.

The American Business Awards recognized Brandi AI for addressing one of the most urgent shifts in digital marketing and communications: the movement from search-only discovery to AI-assisted discovery. As more people use conversational AI assistants and answer engines to research companies and brands, compare options and make decisions, brands need a way to understand how they appear in those answers and what content, citations and authority signals influence that visibility.

The Brandi AI platform helps teams:

Measure brand visibility in AI-generated answers across major AI platforms.

Track brand mentions, citations, sentiment and competitive share of voice.

Identify where competitors appear more often or more favorably in AI answers.

Understand which sources AI systems cite when answering high-intent buyer questions.

Optimize existing content and create new AI-ready content designed to earn mentions and citations.

Monitor AI visibility across categories, competitors, languages and global regions.

"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, where organizations are finding new ways to drive growth, deliver value and make an impact. 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."

Brandi AI was recognized as a 2025 Intellyx Digital Innovator for Brandi AI's leadership in helping brands measure, benchmark and improve visibility in AI-generated answers. It was also named a High Performer in G2's Spring 2026 Grid Report for Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).

Brandi AI's G2 reviews reflect strong user validation for the platform's ability to help teams understand and improve their presence in AI-generated answers. In the G2 report, verified users gave Brandi AI especially high ratings across core AI visibility and GEO functions, including:

AI answer platform visibility tracking: 99%  Helps teams see where, how often and in what context their brand appears in AI-generated answers.

 Helps teams see where, how often and in what context their brand appears in AI-generated answers. Competitive AI answer share of voice benchmarking: 100%  Shows how a brand's AI visibility compares with competitors and which companies are being surfaced in relevant answers.

 Shows how a brand's AI visibility compares with competitors and which companies are being surfaced in relevant answers. AI answer sentiment and brand perception analysis: 94%  Reveals how AI systems characterize a brand, including tone, positioning, perceived strengths and potential reputation risks.

 Reveals how AI systems characterize a brand, including tone, positioning, perceived strengths and potential reputation risks. Content optimization for AI citation: 99%  Provides guidance to help marketers strengthen content for better visibility, authority and citation potential in AI answers.

 Provides guidance to help marketers strengthen content for better visibility, authority and citation potential in AI answers. Executive reporting for AI visibility ROI: 98%  Gives leadership teams a way to evaluate AI visibility as an emerging performance and discovery channel.

In the G2 report, Brandi AI also earned 100% ratings for ease of implementation and quality of support, and 99% of verified users said they would recommend the platform.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2026 Stevie winners are available at https://aba.stevieawards.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AI visibility?

AI visibility is how often, accurately and credibly a brand appears when AI tools generate answers. For example, platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Perplexity may summarize, compare or recommend organizations before someone ever visits a website. Brandi AI describes this as part of the shift from search-only discovery to AI-assisted discovery.

How do I get my brand to show up in AI answers more often?

A brand can appear more often in AI answers by improving the content, citations and authority signals that AI systems use to understand it. Generative Engine Optimization helps teams identify which sources influence AI-generated answers and where the brand is mentioned, cited or missing. Brandi AI supports this process by helping teams improve AI visibility, credibility, sentiment and competitive positioning and can be used by mid-market and enterprise companies looking to improve their positions in AI search answers.

Why should I care what ChatGPT or other AI tools say about my brand?

What AI tools say about a brand matters because those answers can shape how people understand, compare and evaluate an organization. If a brand is missing, inaccurately described or cited less often than its competitors, it may lose influence at key moments in research. Tracking AI mentions, citations, sentiment and share of voice helps teams find and close those gaps. That is why companies use a GEO platform like Brandi AI to help optimize brand positioning in AI search answers.

Can I see how AI is describing my company and fix it if it's wrong?

Yes, companies can monitor how AI systems describe them and take steps to improve inaccurate or incomplete representations. This includes tracking brand mentions, citations, sentiment, source influence and competitive share of voice in AI-generated answers. A platform such as Brandi AI helps marketing, PR, SEO and digital teams identify visibility gaps and optimize content for stronger AI citation.

About Brandi AI

Brandi AITM is the leading platform for enterprise AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Built on a powerful intelligence layer, Brandi helps organizations stay visible as online discovery shifts from search engines to AI answer engines like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and Perplexity, revealing where brands stand in this new landscape. Brandi tracks the high-intent questions buyers ask AI and shows whetherand howa brand is mentioned or cited in AI-generated answers. With this foundation, Brandi provides data-driven guidance and optimization tools to help marketers refine existing web content and create new AI-ready content designed to earn brand mentions and citations in AI answer engines. Used by Fortune 500s, global agencies and mid-market brands across B2C and B2B industries, Brandi supports CMOs and product marketers in defining category strategy and content, and PR, SEO, and digital marketing teams in driving visibility. For more information, visit mybrandi.ai. Follow Brandi AI on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Michael Tebo

Gabriel Marketing Group (for Brandi AI)

Phone: 571-835-8775

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Brandi AI
An interactive display featuring artificial intelligence at the iRootech Technology Co. offices in Guangzhou, China, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

This report is from this week's CNBC's The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what's driving the world's second-largest economy. You can subscribe here .

In Hangzhou, startups are taking on both software and hardware as they build devices to run AI. How does this change the AI tech race?

Hi, this is Evelyn, writing to you from Beijing. Welcome to the latest edition of The China Connection  a succinct snapshot of what I'm seeing and hearing from local businesses.

As Chinese cloud companies rushed to promote OpenClaw in early March, one startup in Hangzhou was already building devices.

EinClaw shipped its first 100 units  of a $43 clip-on mic that lets users send voice commands to an OpenClaw AI agent  on Friday. Just two people developed and assembled the device, from parts sourced across China, co-founder Arvin Chen told me when I visited a WeWork-style office in Hangzhou last week.

OpenClaw functions are also coming to robots. In nearby Suzhou, startup JoyIn claims its Zeroth M1 humanoid is the first to do so. Using Tencent Cloud tools, people can send commands to the robot and control it remotely, the start-up said. Pre-orders are expected to begin by July.

Together, these point to a shift across industries  from internet-only AI and into hardware.

"Cloud-native is a little bit outdated. The technology is useful, but the business model is a little outdated," Ray Von, founder, CEO and chairman of Tencent-backed OpenPie, told me last week. "Data sovereignty right now is a concern."

That's a big deal, coming from a startup founded to build cloud data systems.

China's millions of factories illustrate the limits of cloud-only AI. While they're interested in unlocking AI efficiencies, Von said manufacturers are worried about sending proprietary information to the cloud. So, he said, OpenPie is building devices that enable AI tools to be run locally using low-cost Chinese chips.

The goal is to ship 10,000 of these boxes by the end of this year at 100,000 yuan ($14,627) each, before scaling up, Von said.

Expansion into the physical world is also transforming software-first companies such as Style3D, which got its start in 2015 using AI to help clothing companies speed up the design-to-production process.

So many companies asked Style3D for its data on physical materials and textures that the company decided to enter the business itself  launching robotics platform SynReal last fall, CEO Eric Liu told me Thursday, on the sidelines of a Hangzhou venture capital association conference. He says that to function well in the real world, humanoid robots will need an array of specialized information on textures, to grasp items from oranges to silk scarves  data his company can provide.

Startups aren't the only ones chasing the hardware trend. Electric car companies, including German automaker Volkswagen, last week announced they are rolling out on-vehicle AI tools to respond to driver voice commands.

Alibaba , which has largely focused on in-app AI tools, this month also revealed that its maps unit, Amap, is developing a four-legged robot.

Again, the company aims to use specialized data from 20 years of digital mapmaking to gain an edge in robotics. Its initial goal is to assist blind people, given the shortage of guide dogs in China.

Map data can assist robot sensors with navigation, while AI tools enable the robot to find nearby convenience stores, for example, based on prompts such as, "I'm thirsty," said Mu Xu, head of embodied AI algorithms at Amap.

But he warned that, particularly for robotics, the ability to process powerful AI on devices becomes critical  and poses the greatest challenge.

Once that constraint is solved, the question won't be how capable AI models are theoretically, but what the tech can do once inside every appliance.
In this article @LCO.1 Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Employees work on the production line of solar panels at a workshop of Jiangsu DMEGC New Energy Co., Ltd. on July 22, 2025 in Suqian, Jiangsu Province of China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images

Profits at China's industrial firms grew at their fastest pace in six months in March, even as the Middle East war upended global oil markets and sent raw material costs soaring. Industrial profits jumped 15.8% from a year earlier in March, the sharpest growth since September last year, National Bureau of Statistics data showed Monday, quickening from the 15.2% surge in the first two months of this year. In the first three months this year, enterprise profits rose 15.5%, the fastest start to a year since 2017, barring the pandemic-driven spike in 2021. Yu Weining, chief statistician at NBS, highlighted surging profits in the equipment and high-tech manufacturing sectors, which saw profits soar 21% and 47.4% in the first quarter, respectively. The artificial intelligence and semiconductor boom drove outsized profit growth across several subsectors in the first three months of the year. Profits for optical fiber makers surged 336.8% from a year earlier, while manufacturers for optoelectronics and display devices posted gains of 43% and 36.3%, respectively.

Demand for intelligent products also lifted earnings across emerging industries, including drone manufacturers with a 53.8% profit gain, and other intelligent consumer device makers. Earnings for raw material producers rose 77.9% in the first quarter from a year earlier, as oil refineries swung to a profit. A slew of strategic emerging industries, such as aerospace, new energy, and next-generation information technology, also drove a 116.7% surge in profits at non-ferrous metal firms, according to NBS data. The upswing follows a period of stabilization in 2025 when industrial companies' earnings eked out a modest 0.6% growth after three consecutive years of annual declines. The improved profitability for manufacturers was in part underpinned by robust exports, said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management. In the first quarter, China's exports grew 14.7% from a year earlier in U.S. dollars, the fastest pace since early 2022. The Middle East conflict will nonetheless weigh on the economy in the second quarter, as higher energy prices and weakening external demand pose a growing headwind for exporters, Zhang said.

Relative resilience amid energy shock

The soaring profits came even as rising oil prices started seeping into the global economy, pushing up import costs and threatening to squeeze margins for manufacturers dependent on certain raw materials. Brent crude oil prices have soared about 48% since the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran began at the end of February, driving up costs for chemicals, fibers and plastics across the global supply chain. China's energy mix, heavily anchored in coal and renewables, has provided a structural buffer against oil price volatility, according to Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley. In a survey of 32 sectors, around 70% of companies indicated "smaller cost shocks and fewer production disruptions" than their global peers, Xing said in a note Monday. "China is relatively better positioned and may capture pockets of export market-share gains under a sizeable but not extreme energy shock," Xing said. That said, the economy is not fully insulated from the broader fallout, as slowing global demand could cap its export momentum, while higher energy import costs squeeze margins further down the supply chain.

watch now
President Donald Trump on stage as gun shots heard at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C. on April 25th, 2026.

Meanwhile, employment worries grow following AI-fueled job losses in Meta and Microsoft  but in a twist of irony, OpenAI is reported to be the new favorite destination of tech executives.

The attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner dominated headlines over the weekend, with details continuing to trickle in.

Hello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC's Daily Open.

The White House Correspondents Association Dinner is one of the most high-profile events for Washington reporters.

That event took a worrying turn after a man armed with multiple weapons charged a security checkpoint at the dinner on Saturday stateside before being apprehended by U.S. Secret Service agents.

The suspect in the attack was Cole Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, and according to a New York Post report of Allen's writings, U.S. administration officials were his primary targets.

U.S. President Donald Trump said one officer was shot, but he was "saved by the fact that he was wearing obviously a very good bulletproof vest."

Outside of the U.S., Trump has his hands full as he deals with the Iran conflict. Plans for a second round of peace talks came apart after the U.S. president cancelled plans to send U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for negotiations with the Iranians  who had already expressed unwillingness to engage with the U.S.

The development stoked energy worries, with oil prices climbing. Brent futures rose 2% to trade at $107.37 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures gained 1.86% to $96.13. U.S. futures for all three major indexes slipped.

Asian markets, however, started the week mostly higher, with Japanese and Korean benchmark indexes hitting record highs in early trade, with focus on China's industrial profits data for the first quarter of the year due later in the day.

In tech news, AI-fueled job losses raise employment worries as Meta and Microsoft last week announced more than 20,000 job cuts.

These are the same companies that are collectively spending hundreds of billions of dollars a year to build out artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Ironically, several top software executives have been poached by AI giants that are hunting for talent with sales and go-to-market experience, according to sources.

Executives from Salesforce, Snowflake, and Datadog have gone to OpenAI and Anthropic, multiple sources told CNBC.

 Lim Hui Jie
CNBC's Jim Cramer said the blistering rally in semiconductor and AI-related stocks may be sending a warning signal about the broader market.

"Lately, we've been seeing parabolic moves all over the market" said the "Mad Money" host. "Those are worrisome."

His caution comes after a historic run in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index , often called the SOX, which surged for 18 straight sessions  its longest win streak ever  before pulling back on Monday. During that winning streak, the index jumped more than 47%.

Cramer believes that kind of move is rare and potentially troubling.

Even with Monday's dip, the index is up 37% in April. If the month ended at current levels, Cramer noted that it would mark the second-best month in the index's history, trailing only February 2000, just before the dot-com bubble burst.

That comparison has not gone unnoticed on Wall Street. Analysts at Goldman Sachs recently said the index traded about 50% above its 200-day moving average, a key momentum indicator used by technical strategists. That's its most extended level since 2000, according to Goldman. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley flagged semiconductors as among the most overbought in history, warning the group could be due for a near-term pullback.

For Cramer, the bigger concern is how widespread the rally has become. A range of stocks tied to AI infrastructure and data centers have posted similarly sharp gains in a short period. Names like Advanced Micro Devices , Arista Networks , and Marvell Technology have surged 50% or more since late March.

"These types of moves worry me," he said, cautioning that sharp gains can quickly reverse when expectations outrun fundamentals.

He pointed to POET Technologies as an example. The stock plunged Monday after a key potential customer canceled purchase orders, underscoring how quickly sentiment can turn when expectations get ahead of fundamentals. Last week, Cramer advised investors to avoid chasing POET shares after their dramatic rally, saying its business was too speculative.

To be sure, Cramer isn't calling for investors to abandon the market. Instead, he's advocating a more measured approach.

"I don't want to overreact," he said. "But we've been taking some action around the edges."

That includes trimming positions in big winners in his Charitable Trust, the portfolio run by the CNBC Investing Club, and avoiding the temptation to chase stocks that have already made parabolic moves. He added that while some names, like Arm Holdings , remain attractive long term, they may be better buys on pullbacks.

"Trim some winnersdon't chase the parabolic stuffand let's wait to see if we have a more benign pullback from these wild past few weeks," he said.

Disclosure: Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club, owns shares of Arm Holdings.
Domino's Pizza stock closed down more than 8% on Monday after it reported weaker-than-expected U.S. same-store sales growth.

The chain's domestic same-store sales rose just 0.9%, lower than the 2.3% bump expected by Wall Street analysts, based on StreetAccount estimates.

"We're not happy with it," CEO Russell Weiner told CNBC.

The pizza chain also lowered its full-year U.S. same-store sales forecast to low-single digit growth, down from its prior projection that U.S. same-store sales will increase 3%.

Weiner said he expects more fast-food chains to report similar headwinds from winter weather and weak consumer sentiment, which took a dive in March due to spiking fuel prices caused by the Iran war.

"One of the bad things about reporting first is you don't get to hear about anybody else," Weiner said.

Domino's kicked off the earnings season for restaurant chains. Starbucks is on deck after the bell on Tuesday, and Chipotle Mexican Grill and Pizza Hut owner Yum Brands are expected to share their results on Wednesday. Rival Papa John's will report its earnings next Thursday.

During the quarter, Domino's also faced stiffer competition from rival pizza chains. Papa John's and Pizza Hut both matched Domino's $9.99 "Best Deal Ever" with promotions at the same price point. And Little Caesars undercut Domino's $6.99 Mix & Match deal with a $5.99 version.

"People are seeing what we're doing, and they're sick of losing share, and they're coming at it," Weiner said, adding that he still expects Papa John's and Pizza Hut to report same-store sales declines for the quarter despite the new promotions.

Looking ahead, Weiner expressed confidence that Domino's will prove itself in the long run.

"Domino's has got a bigger advertising budget than our second two competitors combined," he said. "And those competitors are both going up for sale, so we know things aren't good there right now."

Yum announced in November that it was exploring strategic options for Pizza Hut, which could include a sale. And Papa John's is reportedly in talks with Qatari-backed Irth Capital to go private. Both chains have also announced plans to close hundreds of restaurants this year, which could further boost Domino's dominant position in the pizza category.

And if either Pizza Hut or Papa John's goes private, Weiner said he expects that a new owner would shutter even more locations  a win for Domino's.

Shares of Domino's have lost nearly a third of their value over the last year. The company's market cap has fallen to roughly $11.2 billion.
In this article STLA

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GM Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City, March 27, 2025. Brendan McDermid | Reuters

DETROIT  As America's largest automakers prepare to report first-quarter earnings results this week amid rising oil and commodity costs due to the Iran war, they find themselves traversing different terrains. General Motors is on the smoothest track, and Wall Street analysts are expecting it to continue on its current path. Ford Motor is on a bumpy road as it detours from CEO Jim Farley's turnaround plan. And Stellantis is off-roading, going through some tough terrain, but it has its Jeep and Hemi V8-powered Ram brands to keep it moving. Their individual circumstances are being exacerbated by current market conditions, as the auto industry faces massive losses from all-electric vehicles, slowing consumer demand for new vehicles, and rising prices from supply chain issues and the Iran war. Wall Street's first-quarter expectations are a testament to their current terrains: GM is anticipated to outperform its crosstown rivals with adjusted earnings per share, or EPS, of $2.61 during the first three months of the year, followed by 19 cents for Ford, according to average estimates compiled by LSEG. Estimates from LSEG for Stellantis did not meet CNBC standards for comparison for the quarter, but the average forecast for the year is 73 euro cents (85 U.S. cents). "GM has a strong multiyear track record of the three things I think are asked of any successful auto company: steady, slightly growing market share; solid margins ... and that solid margin performance translating to strong free cash flow, which ultimately funds a strong shareholder return," said James Picariello, BNP Paribas Equity Research senior analyst and head of U.S. auto research. "GM really has, and continues to, check all those boxes."

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon GM, Ford and Stellantis stocks in 2026.

GM is rated overweight with a $94.71 target price, according to average ratings compiled from analysts by financial data provider FactSet. That compares with Ford and Stellantis at hold ratings with $13.67 and $9.09 price targets, respectively. While many analysts have said they're optimistic about upsides for the "Detroit Three" companies, including potential rebates from tariffs and pricing resiliency, others are more bearish, largely due to the Iran war driving up raw material, freight and energy costs. "[Automakers] ultimately pay the bills, and therefore we see downside risk to guides," Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan said in a March 31 investor note. "We forecast all the D3 miss Q1 consensus EBIT," Langan said, referring to earnings before interest and taxes. GM is set to report its first-quarter results Tuesday, followed by Ford on Wednesday and Stellantis on Thursday.

GM

While the country's largest automaker has been steady, investors continue to watch its move away from EVs, tariff impacts and pending updates to its crucial full-size pickups. Picariello and other analysts expect GM will maintain, if not slightly raise, its 2026 guidance. CFO Paul Jacobson has described 2026 as the "most stable start to a year that we've seen in the last five years," and GM has had a history of conservative forecasting.

General Motors Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson addresses investors at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan, Oct. 6, 2021. Courtesy GM

"As a team, what we've really done over the last several years, and I think has been a great story of our resilience, is just focus on overcoming obstacles. It's a team that is focused on achieving our objectives, and we're doing it with more discipline and really looking forward to more of that in 2026," Jacobson said in mid-February. GM's 2026 earnings guidance is better than its expectations and results from last year. It includes net income attributable to stockholders of between $10.3 billion and $11.7 billion; EBIT of $13 billion to $15 billion; and EPS of between $11 and $13 for the year. GM's first quarter could be boosted by potential tariff rebates, resilient pricing, growth in entry-level vehicles and pullback in all-electric vehicles, according to Wall Street analysts. The automaker, which is still analyzing its electric portfolio, has so far announced $7.6 billion in write-downs related to EVs.

Ford

Ford, meanwhile, hasn't been quite as steady as its crosstown rival. The company announced a leadership change and business restructuring last week and is dealing with supply chain disruptions and cost increases for aluminum, a key material for its F-Series pickup trucks. Ford said it lost 100,000 units of F-Series production last year due to fires at a New York aluminum plant of supplier Novelis. Ford has said the supplier isn't expected to be operational again until between May and September. Ford has plans to recapture at least half of those units this year, but that may be harder to do than expected. Based on Ford's reported production numbers, the company would need to achieve near-record output for the remainder of the year, according to Picariello. "It's a level that Ford has only done in a single month in the last two and a half years," he said. "I'm not raising alarm bells on Ford. I have a neutral rating, but that's a major, major watch item bucket to this earnings bridge for this year."

Ford vehicles at a production center in Dearborn, Michigan, on the day of a visit by President Donald Trump, Jan. 13, 2026. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

There are also concerns about aluminum prices, as Ford has sourced that material from other suppliers at a higher cost during the first half of the year. Amid the Iran war, aluminum spot prices also increased by 13% quarter over quarter, Deutsche Bank noted. "Ford highlighted stability in aluminum supply costs for 2H26 as a positive factor. However, following Ford's 2026 guidance, the Middle East crisis has significantly impacted aluminum and steel prices," Deutsche Bank analyst Edison Yu said in an April 17 note to investors. Ford's 2026 guidance includes adjusted EBIT of between $8 billion and $10 billion, up from $6.8 billion last year; adjusted free cash flow of between $5 billion and $6 billion, up from $3.5 billion in 2025; and capital expenditures of $9.5 billion to $10.5 billion, up from $8.8 billion.

Stellantis

Stellantis' global vehicle shipments during the first quarter increased 12% compared with a year earlier, as the automaker executes a sales recovery plan under CEO Antonio Filosa. Shipments were up in every region, including a 4% increase in the U.S., which has been a focus for the company to regain market share following years of declines under Filosa's predecessor Carlos Tavares. Jeep accounted for 47% of the company's U.S. sales during the first quarter, followed by Ram Trucks at 37%, combining for roughly 84% of Stellantis' U.S. volumes to begin the year.

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa speaks during an event in Turin, Italy, Nov. 25, 2025. Daniele Mascolo | Reuters
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Monday's key moments. 1. The S & P 500 was slightly lower Monday as West Texas Intermediate crude rose to around $97 per barrel on stalled peace talks with Iran. Jim Cramer is "suspicious" of the market following last week's gains. "It just seems like the Sunday piece that I had is coming true. There's not enough money around to sustain all these moves," Jim said, pointing to declines in Arm Holdings , which fell over 8% on Monday. The stock had soared nearly 41% last week, finishing Friday at a record close of almost $235. We started our Arm position last Monday at nearly $173 per share. Jim warned that investment dollars largely going only into data center-related stocks is a problem. 2. Microsoft shares were modestly lower after OpenAI amended its partnership agreement with the cloud and software giant. Among the major changes under the new terms, OpenAI can cap revenue share payments to Microsoft and serve its products to any cloud provider. As part of the agreement, Microsoft will discontinue its revenue share payments to OpenAI. Microsoft reports earnings Wednesday evening. Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club, said that Microsoft "needs to see Azure acceleration to push back on the bears here." 3. Corning shares dropped more than 4% ahead of earnings on Tuesday morning. Still, with the stock up over 90% this year, Jim noted that it will be hard for the company to surpass high expectations. The long-term story for Corning is still strong as fiber continues to be a critical part of data center buildouts. However, Jim said it's OK for investors to trim the position. "If you wanted to take profits in that, I would do that," he advised. "It's a very overhyped stock at this very moment. I think it's a terrific stock for next year." 4. Stocks covered in Monday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: Verizon , Domino's Pizza , Campbell's , and DoorDash . (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long MSFT, ARM, GLW. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
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China's state planner on Monday called for Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singaporean artificial intelligence startup with Chinese roots. The decision to prohibit foreign investment in Manus was made in accordance with laws and regulations, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a brief statement. It added that it has asked the parties involved to withdraw the acquisition transaction. Shares of Meta closed 0.53% higher on Monday. The deal had attracted scrutiny from both China and Washington, as lawmakers in the U.S. have prohibited American investors from backing Chinese AI companies directly. Meanwhile, Beijing has increased efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving business offshore.

watch now

The Chinese government's intervention in the transaction drew alarm among tech founders and venture capitalists in the country who were hoping to take advantage of the so-called Singapore-washing model, where companies relocate from China to the city-state to avoid scrutiny from Beijing and Washington. Manus was founded in China before relocating to Singapore. The company develops general-purpose AI agents and launched its first general AI agent in March last year, which can execute complex tasks such as market research, coding and data analysis. The release saw the startup lauded as the next DeepSeek. Manus said it had passed $100 million in annual recurring revenue, or ARR, in December, eight months on from launching a product, which it claimed made it the fastest startup in the world at the time to hit the milestone from $0. The company raised $75 million in a round led by U.S. VC Benchmark in April last year.
A combination image shows Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco on Nov. 16, 2023, and Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, during the Viva Technology conference at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris on June 16, 2023.

Musk has sought a number of different remedies over the course of the case, including the removal of Altman and Brockman from their roles at OpenAI. Musk's lawyers said in January that he should receive up to $134 billion in "wrongful gains," though he has since asked to funnel those funds back into the OpenAI charity.

Musk , who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, sued the company, Altman and Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president, in 2024, alleging they reneged on their commitments to keep the artificial intelligence lab a nonprofit and follow its charitable mission. OpenAI has repeatedly dismissed Musk's lawsuit as "baseless." Musk left OpenAI's board in 2018, and five years later started xAI as a rival, merging that company with SpaceX earlier this year.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers is overseeing the proceedings between the world's richest person and the CEO of OpenAI . Opening arguments are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, and CNBC will be in the courtroom.

The nine-person jury was seated on Monday in the high-stakes legal battle between longtime friends turned rivals Elon Musk and Sam Altman at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California.

Gonzalez Rogers opted to divide the trial into two parts: a liability phase to decide if any wrongdoing occurred, and a remedies phase to determine the appropriate damages and next steps. The jury will weigh in during the liability phase only, and its verdict will be advisory, which means Gonzalez Rogers will make the final decision in both sections of the trial.

The liability phase of the trial is expected to wrap up by May 21, Gonzalez Rogers said Monday.

Gonzalez Rogers started the proceedings by welcoming the prospective jurors to the courtroom. She cracked some jokes as she explained the case laid out the trial's schedule.

Lawyers grilled prospective jurors on their views on AI, Musk and Altman. Some confessed to holding negative views of Musk due to his political ideology.

"The reality is people don't like him," Gonzales Rogers said at one point. She expressed confidence that the jurors selected will respect the judicial process and the facts of the case.

Altman and Brockman were in the courtroom on Monday.

Musk alleges in his lawsuit that he was "assiduously manipulated" and "deceived" by OpenAI, Altman and Brockman and their promises to "chart a safer, more open course than profit-driven tech giants." He has asked the judge to consider unwinding the company's recent restructuring, which cemented its structure as a nonprofit with a controlling stake in its for-profit business.

Musk and Altman have been in a public war of words for months leading up to the trial. That continued on Monday, with Musk writing in a post on X, "Scam Altman and Greg Stockman stole a charity. Full stop."

The comment followed a post from the OpenAI Newsroom account.

"We can't wait to make our case in court where both the truth and the law are on our side," OpenAI wrote. "This lawsuit has always been a baseless and jealous bid to derail a competitor."

Of the 26 claims that Musk asserted in 2024, only two remain: unjust enrichment and breach of charitable trust. Musk's lawyers dismissed two of the claims, fraud and constructive fraud, ahead of the trial in an effort to "streamline the case," according to a filing

The trial lands as Musk prepares to take SpaceX public in what's likely to be a record IPO and as OpenAI gears up for its own public offering expected later this year. The two companies combined are valued at over $2 trillion on the private market.

 CNBC's Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.

WATCH: Elon Musk and Sam Altman go to court next week  heres what to expect from the trial
Semiconductor stocks are on the verge of posting their biggest down day since March 30, as a huge early rally in Qualcomm completely reversed after the opening bell. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is now down about 1%, but call buyers in at least two key chip stocks are looking for further gains.

One of the biggest trades in the group this morning is a $2.2 million purchase of 2,168 $210-strike calls in Nvidia that expire May 15. Those are at-the-money contracts that pay off with further upside in the artificial intelligence leader, whose shares just touched a new all-time high of $212.65.

Calls are outpacing puts more than 2-to-1 in Nvidia options, and call premiums account for more than 80% of value traded. With earnings about a month away, volatility in the stock is still slightly cheaper than in SMH.
NEW YORK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Boston Scientific securities between July 23, 2025 and February 3, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BSX.

Boston Scientific Case Details

The Complaint alleges that, throughout the relevant period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

Boston Scientific's projected growth rate for fiscal year 2025particularly within its U.S. electrophysiology ("EP") segmentwas not sustainable; Defendants' repeated statements expressing confidence in the U.S. EP division's growth trajectory, competitive positioning, and contribution to overall net income lacked a reasonable basis; the Company was experiencing material adverse trends affecting procedure volumes, increasing competitive pressures, and regulatory and reimbursement headwinds that were negatively impacting the U.S. EP segment; management was aware that the U.S. EP segment was approaching a growth inflection point earlier than the market anticipated; and as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements regarding the sustainability of growth in key product segments and their repeated upward revisions to fullyear guidance were materially false and misleading.

What's Next for Boston Scientific Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/BSX. or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in Boston Scientific you have until May 4, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to Boston Scientific Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for Boston Scientific Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact Info

Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or Nathan Miller

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

917-590-0911 | [email protected]

Attorney advertising.

Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

SOURCE Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
Nvidia shares popped to an all-time high on Monday  its first since last October  but the chip giant's performance has been lagging that of its peers this year. Still, some think the stock is poised to catch up in a big way with one analyst noting Nvidia could soon pivot to a change in focus to shareholder return through buybacks and dividends. The Philadelphia Semiconductor index is up more than 36% in April and is trading nearly 50% over its 200-day moving average. That's a "distance not seen since the peak of the dotcom bubble," Goldman Sachs traders observed over the weekend. Nvidia has rallied over the same period, but over 20%  well shy of the index overall. That's noteworthy because the company is the largest single component of the index at 10.82%. Year to date, the gap between the semiconductor giant and its peers is even larger, with Nvidia up 15% versus the Philadelphia Semiconductor index's roughly 46% advance. "We looked at the performance of all the semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment stocks, and guess which stock is the 49th best performer over the last 3 months  even if it has done great off the bottom this month  NVDA!" analysts with Trivariate Research wrote in a weekend note to investors. NVDA SOXX 3M line Nvidia versus SOX over the past three months. Focusing on greater returns to investors Analysts see a number of reasons that Nvidia's performance could rise relative to its competitors in coming quarters. Nvidia's dominance in graphics processing units (GPUs) makes it well positioned to increase returns to shareholders and to moderate on investment and capital expenditures, thereby boosting its stock. "With the bulk of ecosystem investments likely complete, NVDA could pivot towards shareholder returns that could broaden stock ownership across dividend/income-oriented funds; alleviate concerns around unexpected large M & A and noisy vendor financing; and support a justified re-rating from its currently discounted," Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya and colleagues speculated in a Monday note. Trivariate's Adam Parker ventured a similar guess, seeing an opportunity for investors to generate more profit as Nvidia's market cap rises toward $10 trillion by 2030 from its current level of more than $5 trillion. "If investors feel compelled to take profits, we think it makes sense to buy NVDA," they wrote. "Our belief is that this will likely be a $10 Trillion market cap company by the end of the decade, owing to the fact that it is a sector, not a stock." Nvidia currently pays out just a minimal quarterly dividend: 1 cent per share, with a current yield of just 0.02%. Comparable companies to Nvidia provide an average 0.89% dividend yield, Bank of America found. The firm noted that the chip company's free cash flow returns have also lagged those of its peers. "We believe at a minimum NVDA could consider boosting its dividends yield from a paltry 0.02% currently, towards 0.5%-1%, in line with Apple's 0.4% and Microsoft's 0.8% dividend yield," Bank of America's Arya wrote in his Monday analysis. Providing a higher yield would only require between $26 billion and $51 billion, or between 15% and 30% of their 2026 free cash flow, leaving "enough ammunition for other uses such as buybacks and ecosystem investments," he said. Nvidia is also poised to gain from increasingly proven demand for overall AI compute. "We expect AI-related demand to drive a multi-year runway of growth for NVDA's datacenter GPU business," JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur and colleagues wrote in a Monday note. The first-quarter semiconductor surge has been driven so far by more traditional central processing units (CPUs), demand for which is holding strong through the AI boom. Intel 's first-quarter adjusted earnings surprised hugely to the upside last week, sending shares up nearly 24% the day after results were published. Shares of fellow CPU maker Advanced Micro Devices also benefited from the news. More expansions in the near term In the near term, Wall Street thinks the company will continue vertical investments and expansions, both upstream and downstream from its core GPU business. "Our hardware team rolled out its initial CY27 capex outlook of +40% growth," JPMorgan analysts said on Monday. "NVDA and AVGO have both discussed extended visibility (backlog) into CY27 as customers proactively lock in capacity well in advance of deployment, amid expectations of significant growth in compute demand." "Specifically, Nvidia has discussed $1T+ of Blackwell and Vera Rubin orders/demand visibility through CY27," they added.
Countries are scrambling to diversify their energy mix in the wake of what International Energy Authority chief Fatih Birol called the "largest oil price shock in history." South Korea has announced its intention to commit to nuclear power since the Iran war devastated supplies of oil and gas, and more countries could follow suit. Birol told CNBC last week that nuclear power would get a "boost" from the supply crisis. "I don't see a world where demand doesn't increase," Ben Kumar, head of strategy at Seven Investment Management, told CNBC. "I think the last few years have made any country that's reliant on imported energy realize that nuclear power has to be part of their future." Investors have several ways of getting potential exposure to this theme. Uranium production Global production of uranium, the key fuel source for fission reactions that generate nuclear power, is led by Kazatomprom. Based in Kazakhstan but listed in London, the company accounted for around 21% of global output in 2024, according to the World Nuclear Association. Its closest rival, Cameco, accounted for 17%. Its shares have tripled in the last 12 months and are up over 60% year-to-date as it capitalizes on a structural deficit in the uranium market. Demand has long outpaced supply as years of underinvestment in new mines kept production low. Since 2022, Western buyers have sought to divest from Russian producers, further boosting Kazatomprom's share price. KAP-GB 1Y mountain Kazatomprom share price. More broadly, investors could consider funds that comprise a broad bucket of uranium miners, refiners and explorers, such as the Global X Uranium UCITS ETF. The largest nuclear-related fund by assets under management, it tracks the 50+ companies in the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components index. Its largest exposure is to Canadian giant Cameco Corporation, which comprises 15% of the portfolio. Seven Investment Management's Kumar said he expected Canadian miners to become "very popular", especially the more established players like Cameco, which has a market cap of 72 billion Canadian dollars ($53 billion) and has been mining for nearly 40 years. "There are very few established companies mining and refining, and exploration has been hit by regulations and skepticism," he added. The price of uranium itself The price of uranium is another way investors can access the nuclear theme. Unlike other commodities, however, it is not traded on an open exchange, instead settled by private over-the-counter transactions. One way investors can access the metal's spot price is through holding companies such as Yellow Cake plc, listed on London's Aim. Its business model is to "buy and hold physical U3O8 and engage in uranium-related transactional activities, per its website, which provides investors with liquid exposure to the uranium price. Citi recently added uranium to the illiquid portion of its asset allocation strategy, while Bank of America published a bullish note calling the price up to $135 per pound by 2027. @UXX.1 YTD mountain Uranium spot prices. "Nuclear power continues to (re)gain acceptance as a solution to twin challenges of decarbonization and energy independence," the BofA analysts wrote in a note published March 23. "We are bullish uranium." Current uranium spot prices are around $86 per pound.
Nearly half an hour into a conference call on Friday to discuss first-quarter results with analysts, Customers Bank CEO Sam Sidhu revealed something unusual  up until that point, he hadn't actually been speaking.

"The prepared remarks you heard on my behalf today were delivered by my AI clone, not read by me," Sidhu said, calling it a potential first for a public company earnings call.

The point of the stunt, he said, was to underscore a broader shift happening as Customers Bank, a $25.9 billion asset lender catering to startups and small businesses, embraces artificial intelligence.

Customers Bank has signed a multiyear partnership with OpenAI in which the AI giant will embed engineers at the company to help it automate lending and client onboarding, CNBC has learned exclusively.

The deal is part of Sidhu's effort to get ahead of other banks in the industry's race to transform itself using AI agents as a new digital workforce. His strategy hinges on automating core banking processes  slashing loan timelines from weeks to days, for instance  and scaling growth without adding staff at the same pace.

While many bankers have described AI in broad terms like productivity gains, Sidhu is tying it directly to financial targets.

Sidhu told CNBC that the project will improve the firm's efficiency ratio from about 49% to the low 40s, boosting the bank's returns starting next year.

The relationship with OpenAI  which has targeted finance as one of its core industries, even hiring former bankers to train its models  will be a symbiotic one for the AI giant, according to the bank CEO.

"We're going to be co-creating enterprise solutions they could potentially sell to other banks in the future," Sidhu said. "The goal here is end-to-end, automated agentic led workflow" for lending, deposits and payments.

OpenAI said it was proud to help Customers Bank "as they build a more intelligent operating model that empowers employees, strengthens client service, and sets a new standard for regional banking," OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser said in a statement provided to CNBC.
A view shows a board with the logo of Shell at the company's fuel station in Saint Petersburg, Russia May 6, 2022.

British oil major Shell on Monday said it agreed a deal to buy Canadian energy company ARC Resources in an output-boosting deal valued at $16.4 billion.

The transaction will add roughly 370,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to Shell's portfolio and is designed to increase the London-listed firm's long-term oil and gas production.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan described ARC Resources, which is focused on the Montney shale basin in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta as "a high-quality, low-cost and top quartile low carbon intensity producer" that will strengthen the firm's resource base for decades.

"We are accessing uniquely positioned assets and welcoming colleagues that bring deep expertise which, combined with Shell's strong basin level performance, provides a compelling proposition for shareholders," Sawan said in a statement.

ARC Resources President and CEO Terry Anderson welcomed the announcement, saying that the firm's assets and staff "will play an important role in helping Shell to further strengthen Canada's resource landscape whilst also providing the secure energy that the world needs."

Shell said the deal would generate double-digit returns and boost free cash flow per share from 2027. The company is expected to pay ARC Resources' shareholders 8.20 Canadian dollars ($6.03) in cash and 0.40247 ordinary share for each ARC Resources share.

Shares of Shell were last seen trading 0.3% lower on the news. The stock is up around 20% year to date, lagging some of its biggest industry rivals.

Shell said the equity value of the ARC Resources deal equates to approximately $13.6 billion, with an additional $2.8 billion in net debt and leases taking the transaction to a total of $16.4 billion.

The announcement comes as energy supermajors seek to bolster their hydrocarbon resources at a time when they are doubling down on their core business of oil and gas.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a rendering of his proposed ballroom as he meets with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Oct. 22, 2025.

"What Saturday's awful event does not change is that the Constitution and multiple federal statutes require Congress to authorize construction of a ballroom on White House grounds, and that Congress has not done so.

"And nothing prevents you from asking Congress at any time for the necessary authorization required by the Constitution and federal law," the attorney wrote.

"Simply put, this case does not jeopardize the President's safety in any way," Craig wrote in the new letter, which he provided to CNBC.

"Your assertion that this lawsuit puts the President's life at 'grave risk' is incorrect and irresponsible," wrote Gregory Craig, a lawyer for the plaintiff, The National Trust for Historic Preservation , to DOJ Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.

A model of the new White House ballroom to be built sits on a table as U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Oct. 22, 2025.

Craig's response came after two days of renewed calls by Trump, Republican lawmakers, and supporters of the president for the suit to be rejected by a federal court, and for the way to be cleared for the ballroom to be built.

Trump and others say the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be much more secure than the Washington Hilton Hotel, where Saturday's shooting occurred, and than other venues outside the White House grounds.

Shumate, in his letter to Craig on Sunday, said the trust's lawsuit "puts the lives of the President, his family, and his staff at great risk."

"I hope that yesterday's narrow miss will help you finally realize the folly of a lawsuit that literally serves no purpose except to stop President Trump no matter the cost," wrote Shumate.

"Enough is enough," Shumate wrote. "Your client should voluntarily dismiss this frivolous lawsuit today in light of last night's assassination attempt on President Trump."

The shooting incident at the WHCD came nine days after a federal judge issued an order blocking construction of the ballroom on the grounds that Trump had not obtained approval from Congress for it.

"National security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity," U.S. District Judge Richard Leon wrote in his order enjoining the ballroom from being built as a lawsuit plays out.

The DOJ appealed that ruling, and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit lifted Leon's injunction, but said it would expedite a review of the DOJ's challenge.

Trump, at a press conference within hours of the arrest Saturday of alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen, cited the incident to make the case for his long-sought-after ballroom.

"A ballroom is imperative for a lot of reasons," Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., told Fox News in an interview Monday, one of several segments in which the conservative network maintained a drumbeat of voices calling for that structure to be built.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in a separate Fox interview, accused Democratic leaders in Congress of inciting violence with their rhetoric against Trump, and said he was "grateful" that Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, had endorsed the effort to build the ballroom for security reasons.

"He's right, the ballroom will be a solution for this, because it will be on the most secure compound in the world, it won't have hotel rooms above it, and it'll have 7-inch thick glass ... on the windows," he said. "So it'll be a very safe environment to do events like this."

"We have needed a place like that, and the president keeps pointing it out."

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in his own Fox interview, called opposition to the ballroom an example of "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

In addition to media appearances, Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters used social media to promote calls for the ballroom to be built.

Those social media posts, in turn, were met with replies from some people who said, without evidence, that the WHCD shooting incident was staged to create pressure for the ballroom to be built.

Other critics of calls for the ballroom noted that presidents routinely visit venues outside the White House.
President Donald Trump is waiting for Iran to blink in negotiations to end the war in the Middle East after calling off peace talks over the weekend, while Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz closed and the U.S. maintains its naval blockade of the vital sea lane. But Wolfe Research warns that the current standstill could create unintended consequences. U.S. equities fell in March due to fears that the U.S. and Iran would escalate the conflict. Those worries eased after the two agreed to a ceasefire and investors turned their attention to strong corporate profits, reigniting confidence in the artificial intelligence trade. But while the stalemate likely means escalation is less of a risk for now, Wolfe's head of U.S. policy and politics Tobin Marcus warns that a new risk is coming. "Unless the blockade actually succeeds at forcing rapid capitulation, it will extend the closure of the Strait for weeks if not months, while also taking Iranian (oil) supply off the market," he wrote in a report on Sunday. .SPX mountain 2026-02-27 S & P 500 since Feb. 27, 2026 While stock investors have shown less concern in recent weeks with whether the strait is usable, oil markets have, Marcus wrote. Brent crude futures were above $107 again on Monday. The longer the strait is closed, the higher oil prices could go, the analyst said. "We remain concerned that with the Strait remaining closed, disruptions could deepen to the point that they'll once again demand equity markets' attention," he wrote. The blockade could also lead to a return to violence, Marcus warned, noting that if the blockade lasts long enough to force Iran to run out of oil storage capacity, the Islamic Republic could move to retaliate violently. "We don't expect the blockade to generate real desperation within days  but if it really does last for weeks or months, we'll need to consider the possibility that Iran will lash out rather than capitulate," Marcus wrote.
"They are sapping this market of cash; every single available new dollar seems to go into this group." That's the issue Jim Cramer has, at the moment, with stocks tied to the data center boom. He said that on CNBC on Monday morning to emphasize the point he made in his latest column. "Even the most tangential of the data center 'stories,' such as the warehouse REITs and machinery stocks like Cummins and Dover, manage to sustain themselves if they have healthy data center orders  and not much else," Jim wrote Sunday . Shares of Dover were higher again Monday, nearing record highs, after a fourth straight weekly gain. The stock jumped 5.5% last Thursday after stellar earnings and a prediction of over $1 billion in revenue in 2026 from its solutions supporting AI and power generation infrastructure. That would only be 11.5% of revenue. Our other industrial data center stocks  Corning, GE Vernova , and Eaton  are all on a roll as well, especially GE Vernova, which had a monster quarter . Corning reports earnings Tuesday morning. While lower on Monday, Corning shares were still up more than 90% year to date. Jim said Monday that he would not fault anybody for taking some profits there. It's hard to argue against the move because the earnings estimates are keeping pace  indicating that the stocks aren't really getting more expensive in terms of valuation, they're just catching up to the realities of demand for AI hardware. Nor are we really complaining, given we're currently invested in all of those industrials stocks (except Cummins) as well as chipmakers Nvidia , Broadcom , and Arm Holdings . NVDA AVGO,ARM YTD mountain Nvidia, Broadcom, and Arm YTD performance Nvidia closed at a record high Friday and above a $5 trillion market cap. The stock, which had been going sideways for months, was adding to those gains on Monday. Broadcom fell modestly Monday from Friday's record close. It, too, had been going sideways for months. We have been using the Broadcom rally to bolster our cash and to keep the customer chip maker from becoming too big in the portfolio. That brings us to Arm. That stock has been a rocket ship year to date, nearly doubling. We initiated Arm last Monday, at around $173. Even with Monday's more than 8% pull back, we're still up nearly up 25% on our Arm position. During Monday's Morning Meeting , Jim said, "Today is a day I want people to be very careful of, OK. It does feel like that the stocks that opened up the highest overnight, like Qualcomm , like Nvidia, are going down, and it's not a good sign for the group." However, Jim would like to see the market rally broaden out. That's because the more cash that flows to the data center cohort, the fewer dollars there are left for anything else. Case in point, enough money has finally flowed into semiconductors to soak up all that Nvidia supply we've been seeing come to market at $200, a key technical level of resistance going back to October 2025. To better understand the technicals, resistance happens when supply from sellers overwhelms demand from buyers, and the stock struggles to appreciate further; the opposite is true of support, which happens when demand from buyers overwhelms supply from sellers, and the stock tends to move higher. This tug-of-war between buyers and sellers can't last forever. Eventually, the sellers run out of stuff to sell, or the buyers run out of dry powder. Either way, a break in the equilibrium holding a stock to support/resistance levels results in a breakout or breakdown. That's exactly what we think has taken place with Nvidia in recent weeks as it battled with and finally overcame the $200 level. That provides a strong setup this week, should megacap capital expenditure guidance be reaffirmed. We previously talked about how we suspected that Nvidia stock was being " pinned ." The idea being that activity in the options market was making it hard for Nvidia to overcome $200. Either way, natural sellers entering the market or options traders circling and putting in orders that sell upside at $200, the idea is the same: Nvidia was going to be stuck at $200 until that massive cohort of sellers was overcome. That no longer appears to be the case. With the stock now firmly above $200  trading up 2% on Monday to around $212, which would be another record closing high  the next test likely comes on Wednesday evening when we learn more about hypercalers' spending intentions. The big four  Amazon , Microsoft , Alphabet , and Meta Platforms  all report earnings on Wednesday evening. Normally, they are not all on the same night. Since they are, we will get the capex spending outlook snapshot all at once, instead of it trickling in over several days. The staying power of Nvidia's rally, however, comes back to the lack of money sloshing around; throw in the possibility coming up soon of some record-breaking-sized initial public offerings (IPOs)  we're talking about SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic. They are sure to garner a lot of attention and perhaps even pull money away from the S & P 500 , making it difficult for the overall stock market to sustain its incredible ascent from its Iran war low on March 30. The index on April 15 closed at its first record high after the conflict began on Feb. 28. While flat on Monday, it closed at its latest record high on Friday. Where does that leave us going into tech earnings? Cautious. We wouldn't be chasing this Nvidia move just yet, even as we do think that an important level has been overcome; at least, not until we see a bit of broadening or, as Jim noted in his Sunday column, perhaps one of the major IPOs expected later this year could get delayed. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Strategic Portfolio Adjustments from 2025 Drive Enhanced Profitability with Net Income up 36% and EBITDA Reaching 9.7% of Net Sales

LANCASTER, Pa., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Burnham Holdings, Inc. (OTC-Pink: BURCA) ("BHI", the "Company", "we" or "our") today reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026, delivering strong net sales and improved profitability, reflecting early momentum from the prior-year strategic portfolio actions to strengthen its core boiler business.. The financial statement presentation has been adjusted to reflect the previously announced divestiture of its subsidiaries Thermo Products, LLC (TP) and Norwood Manufacturing, Inc. (NMI) as discontinued operations.

Net Sales: Net sales for the first quarter of 2026 reached $66.2 million, up 18.7% ($10.4 million) from the first quarter of 2025.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2026 reached $66.2 million, up 18.7% ($10.4 million) from the first quarter of 2025. Solid Gross Profit Margins: Gross profit margin increased to 26.6% in the first quarter of 2026 from 24.5% in the first quarter of 2025.

Gross profit margin increased to 26.6% in the first quarter of 2026 from 24.5% in the first quarter of 2025. Strategic SG&A Investment: Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) as a percentage of net sales were 19.8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 18.2% for the first quarter of 2025. Although higher on a percentage basis quarter over quarter, SG&A spend for 2026 was in line with expectations of planned initiative spending.

Adjusted selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) as a percentage of net sales were 19.8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 18.2% for the first quarter of 2025. Although higher on a percentage basis quarter over quarter, SG&A spend for 2026 was in line with expectations of planned initiative spending. Net Income: Net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2026 was $3.4 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $2.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2025.

Net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2026 was $3.4 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $2.5 million, or $0.54 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2025. Enhanced Profitability Metrics: EBITDA from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2026 was $6.4 million (9.7% of net sales), an increase from $4.8 million (8.6% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2025.

EBITDA from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2026 was $6.4 million (9.7% of net sales), an increase from $4.8 million (8.6% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2025. Increased Shareholder Value: Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2026 improved to $0.72, up from $0.54 in the first quarter of 2025.

"Our first quarter performance reflects the tangible impact of the strategic actions we took in 2025. By sharpening our focus on our core boiler business and higher-efficiency technologies, we're seeing strong sales growth, improved margins, and enhanced profitability," stated Chris Drew, President and CEO of Burnham Holdings. "Just as importantly, the operational discipline and investments we've put in place are positioning us to build on this momentum and deliver sustained value throughout 2026 and beyond."

While recent economic volatility from oil and natural gas markets may indirectly impact near-term margins, and fluctuations in input costs could create additional variability, BHI is well positioned to navigate these dynamics. BHI's strong foundation in its core cast iron business, combined with ongoing investment in high-efficiency technologies, positions the Company to capture continued sales growth as energy price volatility drives demand for a range of heating solutions. In addition, strategic investments made over the past year to further streamline operations are expected to support long-term margin expansion by enhancing engineering efficiency, increasing production throughput, and optimizing the cost structure across BHI's operational product portfolio.

Burnham Holdings, Inc.'s Annual Meeting is being held today virtually via a secure website meeting platform at 11:30 a.m. eastern. A press release regarding today's shareholder voting and the Board of Directors determination regarding declaration of a quarterly dividend will be released later this afternoon.

About Burnham Holdings, Inc.: BHI is the parent company of multiple subsidiaries that are leading domestic manufacturers of boilers for residential applications. Additionally, through its various subsidiaries it serves the commercial / industrial boiler markets with a variety of boiler products, rental trailers and boiler room services. BHI is listed on the OTC Exchange under the ticker symbol "BURCA". For more information, please visit www.burnhamholdings.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements. Other reports, letters, press releases and investor presentations distributed or made available by the Company may also contain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates, and projections, and you should therefore not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, variations in weather, changes in the regulatory environment, litigation, customer preferences, general economic conditions, technology, product performance, raw material costs, and increased competition.

Non-GAAP Financial Information: This press release may contain certain non-GAAP financial measures, including, but not limited to, adjusted SG&A, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These non-GAAP financial measures do not provide investors with an accurate measure of, and should not be used as a substitute for, the comparable financial measures as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures, when read in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measures, give investors a useful tool to assess and understand the Company's overall financial performance, because they exclude items of income or expense that the Company believes are not reflective of its ongoing operating performance, allowing for a better period-to-period comparison of operations of the Company. The Company acknowledges that there are many items that impact a company's reported results, and the adjustments reflected in these non-GAAP measures are not intended to present all items that may have impacted these results. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Burnham Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended





March 29,

March 30,





2026

2025

Net sales

$ 66,183

$ 55,736

Cost of goods sold

48,551

42,103

Gross profit

17,632

13,633

Selling, general and administrative expenses

13,109

10,153

Operating income

4,523

3,480

Other (expense) / income:









Non-service related pension credit

13

50

Gain on derivative mark to market

22

-

Interest and investment gain (loss)

216

(6)

Interest expense

(309)

(239)

Other expense

(58)

(195)

Income from continuing operations before income tax

4,465

3,285

Income tax expense

1,027

754

Income from continuing operations

3,438

2,531













Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

-

840













Net income

$ 3,438

$ 3,371













Earnings per share:









Basic









Income from continuing operations

$ 0.73

$ 0.54

Income from discontinued operations

-

0.18

Basic earnings per share

$ 0.73

$ 0.72













Diluted









Income from continuing operations

$ 0.72

$ 0.54

Income from discontinued operations

-

0.18

Diluted earnings per share

$ 0.72

$ 0.72













Cash dividends per share

$ 0.23

$ 0.23



Burnham Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)







(Unaudited)





(Unaudited)









March 29,

December 31,

March 30,

ASSETS

2026

2025

2025

Current Assets















Cash and cash equivalents

$ 8,300

$ 7,657

$ 6,264



Trade accounts receivable, net

26,846

29,065

19,222



Inventories, net

44,065

37,442

49,490



Costs in excess of billings

360

507

203



Prepaid expenses and other current assets

4,772

6,556

2,922



Current assets of discontinued operations

-

-

12,173





Total Current Assets

84,343

81,227

90,274





















Property, plant and equipment, net

69,594

69,306

67,642

Lease assets

6,312

6,014

5,633

Other long-term assets

18,418

18,772

21,801

Long-term assets of discontinued operations

-

-

5,544





Total Assets

$ 178,667

$ 175,319

$ 190,894





















LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY













Current Liabilities















Accounts payable & accrued expenses

$ 36,317

$ 41,243

$ 27,031



Billings in excess of costs

297

261

1,304



Current liabilities of discontinued operations

-

-

2,281



Current portion of:















Long-term liabilities

87

87

772



Lease liabilities

1,662

1,571

1,312



Long-term debt

184

184

184





Total Current Liabilities

38,547

43,346

32,884





















Long-term debt

16,820

11,373

23,883

Lease liabilities

4,650

4,443

4,321

Other long-term liabilities

4,689

4,860

4,581

Deferred income taxes

7,749

7,710

9,295

Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations

-

-

441

Shareholders' Equity















Preferred Stock

530

530

530



Class A Common Stock

3,654

3,654

3,642



Class B Convertible Common Stock

1,293

1,293

1,302



Additional paid-in capital

10,250

10,055

10,918



Retained earnings

105,389

103,031

131,183



Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(5,208)

(5,280)

(21,028)



Treasury stock, at cost

(9,696)

(9,696)

(11,058)





Total Shareholders' Equity

106,212

103,587

115,489





Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$ 178,667

$ 175,319

$ 190,894



Burnham Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended



March 29,

March 30,



2026

2025 Cash flows from operating activities:







Net income

$ 3,438

$ 3,371 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

-

840 Income from continuing operations

$ 3,438

$ 2,531 Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations







to net cash provided by operating activities:







Depreciation and amortization

1,642

1,277 Deferred income taxes

16

5 Provision for long-term employee benefits

54

(50) Share-based compensation expense

195

119 Other reserves and allowances

753

(2,202) Changes in current assets and liabilities:







Decrease in accounts receivable, net

1,221

4,621 Increase in inventories, net

(6,623)

(2,528) Decrease in other current assets

1,038

721 Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses

(3,521)

(2,146) Net cash (used) provided by operating activities of continuing operations

(1,787)

2,348 Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations

-

1 Net cash (used) provided by operating activities

(1,787)

2,349









Cash flows from investing activities:







Capital expenditures

(1,936)

(2,949) Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations

(1,936)

(2,949) Net cash used by investing activities of discontinued operations

-

(4) Net cash used by investing activities

(1,936)

(2,953)









Cash flows from financing activities:







Net activity from revolving credit facility

5,492

1,656 Repayment of term loan

(46)

(46) Dividends paid

(1,080)

(1,072) Net cash provided by financing activities

4,366

538









Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$ 643

$ (63)









Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

$ 7,657

$ 6,327 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

643

(63) Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$ 8,300

$ 6,264

Burnham Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (In thousands) (Unaudited)













































Class B









Accumulated















Class A

Convertible

Additional





Other

Treasury







Preferred

Common

Common

Paid-in

Retained

Comprehensive

Stock,

Shareholders'



Stock

Stock

Stock

Capital

Earnings

Loss

at Cost

Equity Balance at December 31, 2024

$ 530

$ 3,633

$ 1,311

$ 10,799

$ 128,884

$ (20,820)

$ (11,058)

$ 113,279

































Net income

-

-

-

-

3,371

-

-

3,371 Other comprehensive loss,































net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

(208)

-

(208) Cash dividends declared:































Common stock - ($0.23 per share)

-

-

-

-

(1,072)

-

-

(1,072) Share-based compensation:































Expense recognition

-

-

-

119

-

-

-

119 Conversion of common stock

-

9

(9)

-

-

-

-

-

































Balance at March 30, 2025

$ 530

$ 3,642

$ 1,302

$ 10,918

$ 131,183

$ (21,028)

$ (11,058)

$ 115,489















































































Class B









Accumulated















Class A

Convertible

Additional





Other

Treasury







Preferred

Common

Common

Paid-in

Retained

Comprehensive

Stock,

Shareholders'



Stock

Stock

Stock

Capital

Earnings

Loss

at Cost

Equity Balance at December 31, 2025

$ 530

$ 3,654

$ 1,293

$ 10,055

$ 103,031

$ (5,280)

$ (9,696)

$ 103,587

































Net income

-

-

-

-

3,438

-

-

3,438 Other comprehensive income,































net of tax

-

-

-

-

-

72

-

72 Cash dividends declared:































Common stock - ($0.23 per share)

-

-

-

-

(1,080)

-

-

(1,080) Share-based compensation:































Expense recognition

-

-

-

195

-

-

-

195

































Balance at March 29, 2026

$ 530

$ 3,654

$ 1,293

$ 10,250

$ 105,389

$ (5,208)

$ (9,696)

$ 106,212

SOURCE Burnham Holdings, Inc.
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DETROIT, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy continues to partner with local organizations to strengthen support for families struggling with energy costs, connecting customers with valuable resources and assistance.

The company presented a check for over half a million dollars to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit to provide critical aid to families for energy assistance. The contribution, funded from company dollars, is part of a larger $5 million dollar investment supporting 11 nonprofit organizations across the state.

"Access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy is essential to the communities we serve, especially at a time when we know the cost of nearly everything is rising," said Angela Thompkins, chief diversity officer and vice president of external affairs and media relations. "That's why we're committed to working alongside trusted partners like St. Vincent de Paul Detroit to remove barriers, connect families to energy assistance, and help relieve some of the financial pressure they're facing."

In 2025, more than 5,000 households received assistance from St. Vincent de Paul Detroit, many of those were seniors and individuals with disabilities. This year, the organization plans to assist more families and will be able to do so with the additional funds gifted by Consumers Energy.

"We are so grateful to Consumers Energy for providing $506,000 to our Energy Assistance program to help families in Southeast Michigan manage energy costs," said Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, chief executive officer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit. "This profound gift and pledge of support for our Energy Assistance program will help countless families keep their heat and lights on. We are proud to be in partnership with Consumers Energy."

This investment reflects Consumers Energy's continued commitment to supporting the communities it serves through key partnerships and initiatives, helping customers connect with resources and programs that support affordability in energy costs. The company will continue its efforts throughout the year, bridging the gap between affordable energy and resources for assistance.

Customers who need help can call 2-1-1, a free service that connects Michiganders to nonprofits in their area that can help with basic needs, from energy bills to food and shelter.

Customers seeking assistance with managing their bill can find resources at ConsumersEnergy.com/Assistance and are also encouraged to explore My Personalized Offerings, an easy-to-use tool that matches customers with payment assistance resources and energy-saving programs  learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com/Offers. As always, if you're facing challenges with your bill, please call us at 800-477-5050 for support.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We are committed to delivering reliable and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Learn more at ConsumersEnergy.com.

SOURCE Consumers Energy
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PHOENIX, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DM Cantor is proud to announce a series of major recognitions in 2026, highlighting the firm's continued excellence and leadership within Arizona's legal community.

DM Cantor's Eight Board-Certified Specialists

Most notably, DM Cantor was named Small and Medium-Sized Law Firm of the Year at the 2026 Excellence in Law Awards, hosted by AZ Business Magazine in partnership with the State Bar of Arizona and Arizona Corporate Counsel. The awards ceremony took place on March 31, 2026, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix and brought together more than 550 of the state's top legal professionals. DM Cantor was selected from a highly competitive group of finalists, including Udall Shumway, Coppersmith Brockelman, and Husch Blackwell.

In addition to this prestigious honor, DM Cantor earned five top-tier rankings in Ranking Arizona Magazine 2026. The firm was recognized as:

Number 1 in Criminal Defense/White Collar

Number 1 in DUI Law

Number 3 in Family Law

Number 4 in Estate and Trust Law

Number 2 Top 10 Small Law Firms in Arizona

Best Places to Work in Law

These rankings reflect the firm's strong reputation across multiple practice areas and its commitment to fostering a positive and high-performing workplace.

The Excellence in Law Awards recognize firms and legal professionals who demonstrate outstanding client service, innovative legal solutions, and a strong commitment to ethics and integrity. The recognition from Ranking Arizona further underscores DM Cantor's consistent performance and trust within the community.

DM Cantor is a boutique law firm with 23 attorneys focusing on criminal defense, family law, and estate planning and probate law. The firm stands out for its depth of expertise, with 8 attorneys holding Board-Certified Legal Specialist designations, the highest number of any law firm in Arizona.

Throughout the past year, the firm has handled a wide range of complex legal matters, including high-level criminal cases, sensitive family law disputes, and comprehensive estate planning services. These achievements, combined with a client-focused approach, have contributed to the firm's continued recognition at both the state and industry levels.

"This has been an extraordinary year for our firm," said DM Cantor leadership. "These honors reflect the hard work, talent, and dedication of our entire team. We are grateful to our clients and the community for their trust and support, and we look forward to building on this momentum."

About DM Cantor

DM Cantor is an Arizona-based boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to criminal defense, family law, and estate planning and probate law. The firm is committed to delivering exceptional legal representation and achieving the best possible outcomes for its clients.

Media Contact:

DM Cantor

[email protected] | (602) 307-0808

SOURCE DM Cantor
Michael Stone is behind bars and Britain is a safer place as a result of that. But in both of his trials, there was insufficient evidence for a guilty verdict.

If Id been on the jury at either trial, it would have taken a great deal to persuade me to find him guilty.

The murders of Lin and Megan Russell and the attempted murder of Josie Russell was one that shocked the nation, and covering it remains one of the most extraordinary moments of my career.

Watch the video above to hear about the most harrowing moments from the trial, why this case refuses to stay closed, and whether I believe Stone should remain behind bars.
Chinese car brands shine at auto show in Riga

Xinhua) 10:22, April 27, 2026

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
PHOENIX, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DM Cantor is proud to announce that it has been named Small and Medium-Sized Law Firm of the Year at the 2026 Excellence in Law Awards, hosted by AZ Business Magazine in partnership with the State Bar of Arizona and Arizona Corporate Counsel.

DM Cantor's Eight Board-Certified Specialists

The prestigious awards ceremony took place on March 31, 2026, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix and was attended by more than 550 of Arizona's top legal professionals and their guests. DM Cantor was selected from a competitive pool of distinguished finalists, including Udall Shumway, Coppersmith Brockelman, and Husch Blackwell.

The Excellence in Law Awards recognize outstanding legal professionals and firms across Arizona that demonstrate exceptional client service, innovative legal solutions, and an unwavering commitment to the integrity of the legal profession.

"This honor reflects the dedication and relentless effort of every member of our team," said DM Cantor leadership. "We are incredibly proud of our colleagues whose daily commitment to excellence made this achievement possible."

DM Cantor is comprised of 60 professionals, including 23 attorneys, working collaboratively across multiple practice areas. Despite its boutique size, the firm has established itself as a leader in the Arizona legal community. Notably, 8 of its 23 attorneys are Board-Certified Legal Specialists - more than any other law firm in Arizona.

The firm has built a strong reputation handling complex and high-stakes matters, including homicide, sex crime, and white-collar cases, often achieving full dismissals and prosecutorial "turn-downs." In addition, DM Cantor maintains a large family law practice, managing cases ranging from straightforward divorces to high-conflict custody disputes, juvenile law matters, and high-net-worth divorce cases. The firm has also expanded its services to include estate planning and probate law to better meet the evolving needs of its clients.

This latest recognition adds to an already impressive year for DM Cantor. The firm was recently honored with five top-tier rankings in Ranking Arizona Magazine 2026, including:

#1 in Criminal Defense/White Collar

#1 in DUI Law

#2 Top 10 Small Law Firms in Arizona

#3 in Family Law

#4 in Estate/Trust Law

Best Places to Work in Law

These accolades underscore DM Cantor's continued growth, excellence, and commitment to delivering outstanding legal representation across all practice areas.

"We are honored to be recognized among Arizona's top law firms," the firm added. "This achievement motivates us to continue raising the bar and striving for even greater success in the years ahead."

About DM Cantor

DM Cantor is a boutique Arizona law firm focused exclusively on criminal defense, family law, and estate planning/probate law. Known for its deep expertise and client-centered approach, the firm is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for individuals and families across Arizona.

Media Contact:

DM Cantor

[email protected] | dmcantor.com | (602) 307-0808

SOURCE DM Cantor
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This is the moment a killer sobbed in the dock during his murder trial as the court was shown CCTV of his girlfriend's final moments before he stabbed her 26 times.

Aren Pearson, 41, was jailed for 25 years for killing Claire Leveque, 24, in a horrifying assault in the hot tub of a garage at a property in Shetland on February 11, 2024.

Canadian national Ms Leveque suffered 55 separate injuries as Pearson repeatedly stabbed her in the head, neck and body, and inflicted blunt force trauma on her.

Now, a new Channel 5 documentary starting at 9pm tonight has revealed rare in-court footage from the eight-day trial, filmed at Edinburgh's High Court last October.

An exclusive clip from 'Murder In Shetland: Trial By Jury' shared with the Daily Mail today shows the court being shown CCTV of Pearson and Claire before the incident.

They are seen driving up to a service station shop and going inside. Neither appears to have any injuries, and they buy a white bottle of alcohol with a gold-coloured top.

As the courtroom watches the footage, Pearson can be seen crying as he puts his face down into his hand  while other members of the public are also in tears.

Among them is Ms Leveque's cousin Hope Ingram, who travelled from Edmonton to attend the trial and later says: 'When I first saw the footage it was so hard to keep it together in the courtroom, but it was kind of nice because I got to see Claire again.'

Aren Pearson, 41, pictured with Claire Leveque, 24, whom he was jailed for 25 years for killing

Aren Pearson cries during his trial at Edinburgh's High Court last October as he is shown CCTV

CCTV video show in court of Aren Pearson and Claire Leveque buying alcohol at a shop

Aren Pearson can be seen on CCTV holding a white bottle of alcohol with a gold-coloured top

The new Channel 5 documentary has revealed rare in-court footage from the eight-day trial

She adds: 'It was just another day for her, and you can see the little pep in the step in the one clip. And I'm sitting here, and it's like, she had no idea what was coming.'

Ms Leveque had met Pearson  who claimed to be a Bitcoin millionaire - in their native Canada and travelled to Shetland with him in October 2023 to spend time with his elderly mother Hazel, who died in May 2025.

But Pearson subjected Ms Leveque to a prolonged period of domestic abuse and controlling behaviour, physically assaulting her on a number of occasions.

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.

Following the final assault on Ms Leveque in the Sandness area of Shetland, Hazel entered the garage to find her dying in the hot tub.

She dialled 999, and Pearson joined the call and said to the operator: 'Hello, hi, my name is Aren Pearson. I've just killed my girlfriend in the hot tub in the garage. I stabbed her about 40 times in the heart, stomach, face, neck and back.

'I stabbed myself in the neck four times. I drove my Porsche right into the ocean  it's gone yeah, she is dead. I definitely killed her  to make sure I drowned her after I stabbed her several times.'

Pearson also described her as a 'stupid c*** of a girlfriend' and said he 'beat her the f*** up'.

Before officers arrived, Pearson had left the house and driven a short distance to Melby Pier where he deliberately drove his car off the road and into the sea. He then returned to the house, where he was arrested.

Police arrived at about 5.30pm to find Pearson in the bloody water of the tub with Ms Leveque, by which point he had also compressed her neck and submerged her head underwater, and made a video of the scene.

Ms Leveque was pronounced dead by first responders at 6.17pm  and Pearson was later found guilty of Ms Leveque's murder following the trial.

The documentary follows the prosecution case in episode one and the defence case in episode two, when Pearson himself takes the stand.

While the initial evidence from 999 calls appears damning, Pearson claims to have no memory of his admission of guilt in the call, saying this was made while he was heavily intoxicated - and maintains his innocence.

Claire Leveque was pronounced dead by first responders at 6.17pm on February 11, 2024

Claire Leveque travelled to Shetland with Pearson to spend time with his elderly mother Hazel

Pearson was sentenced to 25 years for murder following the trial at Edinburgh's High Court

Pearson stabbed Claire Leveque (pictured) in the head, neck and body during the assault

Pearson was sentenced to 25 years for Ms Leveque's murder, and two years for assaulting her on previous occasions, with both sentences being served concurrently.

Judge Lord Arthurson told Pearson at the time: 'Ms Leveque died a squalid death of quite unimaginable multifaceted violence, including in particular severe and frenzied instrumental violence, all at your hands. This was a sustained episode of feral butchery.

'You have sought to blame Ms Leveque for your own assaults against her, and you have, in a grave insult to her memory and to her bereaved family, put forward a defence that Ms Leveque inflicted these catastrophic injuries upon herself, a defence that the jury have unanimously rejected.'

Lord Arthurson told Pearson the attack was part of a 'sinister pattern of domestic abuse' towards Ms Leveque, who had moved from Edmonton in October 2023 to live with Pearson and his mother.

He added that during one argument in December 2023, a recording of which was played during the trial, Ms Leveque had 'prophetically' told Pearson: 'you're going to kill me'.

Guy Davies, consultant editor for commissioning at Channel 5, said: 'This thoughtful series gives a deeply human account of an unimaginable tragedy.

'It shines a light on the justice process and honours the courage of Claire's family as they seek truth and remembrance.'

'Murder In Shetland: Trial By Jury' begins on Channel 5 at 9pm tonight
Gleaming towers rise along a Mediterranean coastline. Marinas shimmer beside luxury hotels. Industrial parks hum with half a million jobs.

This is 'New Gaza,' or at least the version of it that Jared Kushner unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos this past January, complete with AI-generated renderings and a six-phase development timeline.

'We've already started removing the rubble and doing some of the demolition,' Kushner told the assembled crowd, smiling as the concept images rolled across the screen.

For anyone who's seen recent footage of the actual Gaza, a territory in which over 90 percent of residential buildings have been destroyed or damaged since October 2023, the renderings require a considerable suspension of disbelief.

The questions pile up fast. Who pays for this? Who governs it? And why does the plan include, tucked into the southwestern corner of the map, a brand new port?

That last question is where things get interesting.

Commentator and host of the Keeping It Real podcast, Jillian Michaels, recently floated an intriguing theory about the rebuilding of Gaza.

It is not, in her reading, just a humanitarian pursuit. It could be a critical piece of a transcontinental trade route running from India through the Persian Gulf all the way to the Mediterranean, one that would divert commerce around the world's most volatile maritime chokepoints.

Gleaming towers rise along a Mediterranean coastline. Marinas shimmer beside luxury hotels. Industrial parks hum with half a million jobs (Pictured: Rendering of New Gaza shown in Davos)

For anyone who's seen recent footage of the actual Gaza, the renderings require a considerable suspension of disbelief (Pictured: Gaza in May 2025)

And the corridor already has a name: the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced his vision for IMEC at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by India, the United States, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.

The route itself is straightforward on a map. Goods leave Indian ports, primarily on the country's western coast, and travel by sea to Gulf terminals in the UAE, avoiding the war-torn Strait of Hormuz.

From there, products move by rail across Saudi Arabia and through Jordan to the Israeli port of Haifa, then by sea again to Mediterranean ports in Europe.

So much economic activity flowing through Israel would surely contribute to the flourishing of 'New Gaza,' and it just so happens, though Michaels does not believe it to be a coincidence, that President Donald Trump could stand to benefit enormously from Kushner's envisaged Riviera of the Middle East.

Launched in January, The Board of Peace (BoP) chaired by President Trump, is a US-led international coalition designed to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.

Yet, while 25 countries have signed on to be BoP members, the charter designates Trump 'chairman for life,' bolstering him with veto power and the ability to select his successor. The executive board also includes former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kushner, the president's son-in-law.

And if there's one thing that can be said about this administration, it's that it's transactional.

'Trump seems keen on making a personal profit from virtually everything, ranging from the sale of advanced chips to the UAE to possible Hormuz transit fees paid in cryptos,' said Alberto Rizzi, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. 'I don't see why he wouldn't try that on IMEC too.'

Given the size and breadth of the IMEC project, 'there's room for personal engagements,' he added. 'More plausibly, we're talking entities linked to his family members that could obtain contracts within the IMEC framework.'

Regardless of Trump family concerns, the economic case for IMEC is compelling on paper.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said IMEC will make trade between India and Europe 40 percent faster.

Alongside the physical transport network, the corridor envisions hydrogen and electricity pipelines and a fiber-optic digital backbone running its entire length.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Jared Kushner unveiled the AI renderings of 'New Gaza' at the World Economic Forum in Davos this past January

The questions pile up fast. Who pays for this? Who governs it? And why does the plan include, tucked into the southwestern corner of the map, a brand new port? (Pictured: Rendering of New Gaza)

Rendering of 'New Gaza' coastal resort presented at Davos forum in January

The geopolitical case may be even more compelling. Jean-Loup Samaan, a senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, has argued that IMEC's true purpose is less about the economics of tomorrow than the politics of today, creating an appealing new narrative for US diplomats to sell to Europe, India, Gulf states, and Israel than simply denouncing China's Belt and Road Initiative as predatory economics.

The Iran conflict has produced months of tension around access to the Strait of Hormuz giving the project fresh urgency. As insurance costs for ships transiting that route climbed, the case for an alternative corridor became harder to dismiss.

Michaels even argues that this IMEC-New Gaza plan may have even been an impetus behind President Trump's decision to launch the current war against Iran.

Indeed, the Trump administration has embraced IMEC enthusiastically. During Modi's visit to the White House in February 2025, Trump called IMEC 'one of the greatest trade routes in all of history,' describing a route that would run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the United States.

That's the kind of language Trump typically reserves for his own buildings, which is either a signal of genuine commitment or a branding reflex.

IMEC, in its original design, terminates at Haifa, Israel. But a rebuilt Gaza, positioned on the Mediterranean, commercially integrated with Gulf supply chains and under a governance structure that reports to Trump, would sit in a geographically compelling location for a corridor extension.

The dots are there to connect. Many, however, find this Trumpian scheme far-fetched. Whether Gaza becomes part of the trade route, or whether IMEC gets built at all, is a question that regional experts regard with considerable skepticism.

Nicolas Blarel, an associate professor of international relations at Leiden University whose research focuses on Indian foreign policy and India-Israel ties, acknowledges the framework without endorsing the grand design.

'There has been some speculation about how IMEC, which would travel to the Mediterranean via Haifa, could also be used to support a Gaza reconstruction plan,' he said, 'but there is no direct evidence for this, nor could we expect explicit support from the Gulf Cooperation Council [an alliance on six Arab nations] or India for this plan.'

India, he noted, embraced IMEC primarily because it serves India's own trade interests with Europe. And New Delhi is unlikely to subordinate those interests to any single American plan, however transactional the administration pursuing it.

Here's where the theory runs into the ground. Or more precisely, into the ground that has not been broken. The most fundamental problem is that IMEC, for all the diplomatic energy surrounding it, has barely moved beyond paper.

'At the moment, the project remains stalled, caught between three conflicts and with a regional climate that is not conducive to bringing it back on the table,' said Rizzi, whose work on the European Council on Foreign Relations focuses on infrastructure, trade, and EU connectivity. 'While some discussions and diplomatic engagements are continuing, there's little movement on the ground.'

Samaan said he's 'even more skeptical about the implementation of IMEC today than I was in 2023.'

Launched in January, The Board of Peace (BoP) chaired by President Trump, is a US-led international coalition designed to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza

Renderings from 'New Gaza' plan presented at Davos in January

'New Gaza' construction plan presented at Davos

Michaels argues that this IMEC-New Gaza plan may have even been an impetus behind President Trump's decision to launch the current war against Iran

Additionally, normalization between Arab states and Israel, which IMEC requires in order to function, is going nowhere. Saudi-Emirati tensions that rarely surface in public discussion of the project remain unresolved. And Samaan challenges the narrative of momentum itself.

'Most of the projects announced by India predated IMEC and were merely rebranded to suggest there's regional momentum,' said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House.

Some of what has been presented as evidence that the corridor is advancing is, in his assessment, existing infrastructure wearing a new name.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, focuses on the political wall the project faces.

IMEC, notes Vakil, is less likely to move forward in the near term primarily because of the political fallout from the Israel-Palestine conflict, which makes deeper integration with Israel  a central transit node in the corridor  much harder for Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia to justify domestically and regionally.

Alternative routes through Syria face sanctions and shattered infrastructure; routes through Iraq and Turkey are being discussed but offer no ready substitute.

Then there's the chokepoint question. 'IMEC cannot replace [the Suez canal] and much less Hormuz,' Rizzi said, 'especially because rail transport is notoriously not ideal for crude oil or refined petroleum products.'

The Strait carries roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply. No rail line absorbs that. What IMEC can do, Rizzi argues, is more modest and more durable. It can move specific categories of goods around a blockage and, by providing even a limited alternative, reduce the leverage any single chokepoint holds over global commerce.

Blarel makes a similar point, framing IMEC as a long-term commitment to reducing geopolitical risk rather than a bypass solution. However, 'a version of IMEC, if and when completed, will still be affected by crises in the region,' he said.

'IMEC is not just an alternative route, but more of a long-term project and commitment for India, the GCC, and to some degree the EU to further consolidate their energy and commercial interdependence.'

Trump's overall foreign policy approach has been characterized by transactional diplomacy and attempts to use America's economic power to gain global leverage.

IMEC, as a bundle of bilateral deals that each deliver something to a different partner, fits that template reasonably well. The corridor gives India a trade route, gives Gulf states a post-oil economic identity, gives Europe an alternative to Chinese-dominated supply chains and gives the United States the thing it always wants from the Middle East: leverage.

Whether Gaza fits into that bundle is a different question.

Rizzi grants the political appeal of the idea. 'Making it part of a Trump-style grand bargain raises the political appeal of the project and might help buy-in from actors and countries that are keen on not ending up on the wrong side of this administration,' he said.

But he is clear about the limits. 'This is hardly geoeconomically plausible. IMEC is a very expensive project, and even if the war ends next week, the priority expenditure will be reconstruction.'

For now, he said, 'Gaza remains severed from the corridor and there are no concrete plans to connect it.' But he does not rule out a future in which that changes.

The question is whether the political conditions, the financing, and the diplomatic architecture will ever materialize simultaneously. And whether, if they do, the result will look anything like the gleaming towers shown in Davos.
When King Charles addresses the United States Congress tomorrow, he should chide President Trumps administration for intending to back Argentinas claim to the Falkland Islands.

Unfortunately he wont. No 10 wouldnt let him. There will be warm words about the enduring transatlantic relationship. American lawmakers will doubtless give the King a friendly hearing.

But its surely clear that the Trump administration no longer regards Britain with fondness. The idea, set out in a leaked memo, that the US should side with Argentina over the Falklands is shocking. The President wants to punish this country for not joining his misconceived war in Iran.

Even if Trump disowns the memo, the damage has been done. Argentina, which is psychotically obsessed with acquiring the Falkland Islands, can see that it has Americas tacit support.

Actually, it has long suspected as much. After the Argentinian fascist junta invaded the Falklands in April 1982, the Reagan administration sat on the fence for several weeks, trying to broker a deal that would have been favourable to Argentina.

It was only after the Government, magnificently led by Margaret Thatcher, despatched a formidable naval task force that President Reagan decided to back Britain. He was ideologically and temperamentally attuned to the British Prime Minister. The same cant be said of Trump and Starmer.

By contrast, the increasingly unstable occupant of the White House lavishes praise on Javier Milei, the libertarian, populist President of Argentina, who responds in kind. Milei is fixated on obtaining the Falklands, and demanded talks with Britain following the leak.

What will the Lion of Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer, now do? The Falklands dont rank high on his list of priorities, particularly when this unloved lion is lame, and menaced by aggressive lions and lionesses.

When King Charles addresses US Congress tomorrow, he should chide Mr Trumps administration over Argentinas claim to the Falkland Islands, writes Stephen Glover

True, the PM has boasted in the past that an uncle of his was on a warship torpedoed during the Falklands War. (In fact it was bombed.) It must also be conceded that No 10 responded robustly to the disclosure of the leak, saying that control of the islands is not in question.

Still, the fact remains that whenever Sir Keir Starmer looks at a map of the world, and spots a few far-flung British islands marked in red, his immediate instinct is to get rid of them.

This is what he did with the Chagos Islands. Although they are legally British, he gave them to Mauritius, and agreed to pay 35 billion for the privilege of leasing Diego Garcia, one of the islands, for 99 years. Trump has put a stop to this nonsense, at least for the time being.

Starmer was advised by Attorney General Lord Hermer during this process. We may speculate that, since the Falklands were acquired as uninhabited islands during the heyday of the British Empire, Hermer is eager to hand them to Argentina, which at its nearest point is 300 miles away.

If this Government truly cared about the Falklands, it wouldnt have allowed their defences to be reduced to such a risible level, though admittedly it was the Tories who started the rot.

We now have a grand total of four Typhoon jets there, plus a patrol boat. The Ministry of Defence recently removed a Voyager refuelling aircraft, which will reduce the scope of the Typhoons to provide round-the-clock air cover at times of crisis.

Such paltry defences are unlikely to deter Argentina, which is refurbishing 24 F-16 jets bought from Denmark, while seeking to procure two KC-135R Stratotankers from the US for air-to-air refuelling.

The task force sent by Margaret Thatcher more than four decades ago comprised two aircraft carriers, assault ships, destroyers, frigates, submarines, dozens of fighter jets and bombers, and 26,000 men. Even then it was touch and go to recover the islands.

Nowadays the Royal Navy is so depleted that ministers struggled to find a single warship to send to the Mediterranean after Trump started bombing Iran. Eventually HMS Dragon set sail, only to limp into port at the earliest opportunity.

We do have two new aircraft carriers but one of these, and sometimes both, can usually be found in port rather than on the high seas, either being refitted or repaired.

The Government would never be forgiven for rendering futile the sacrifice of 255 British servicemen in the war of 1982, writes Stephen Glover

President Milei (who, ironically, is an admirer of Thatchers economic policies) looks at Starmer and sees a weak man. If he studies prospective usurper Angela Rayner, he may wonder whether she knows where the Falklands are. The thought of Andy Burnham probably makes him chuckle.

The truth is that the Falkland Islands and their 3,600 inhabitants (99.8 per cent of whom have said they want to remain British) cant be defended at the moment. The Argentine government knows it. Starmer knows it. Even Trump knows it.

It is not just Starmers fault. For years our Armed Forces have been recklessly run down. The cash-starved Ministry of Defence has long put the Falklands on the back burner, in the hope the Argentinians wont try to invade them again.

But what if it becomes plain  as it has  that the United States wont kick up a fuss should the Argentinians decide to reverse the humiliation of 1982, and take what they misguidedly believe is theirs?

Asking Starmer to do the right thing may be academic since he could be bundled out of No 10 very soon. But whoever is the Labour prime minister over the next three years should wake up to the appalling danger of a second Argentinian invasion.

It goes without saying that National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell and other Labour figures would join Hermer in cheerfully raising the white flag to hand over the Falkland Islands as soon as possible, ideally with a present of a few million pounds.

But this Government couldnt get away with a sell-out of that magnitude. It would never be forgiven for thrusting thousands of British citizens into the doubtful care of the Argentinian government, or for rendering futile the sacrifice of 255 British servicemen in the war of 1982.

This is not a problem that can be negotiated away, as Starmer, Hermer and Powell have tried to do with the Chagos Islands, leaving the much-abused British taxpayer picking up an enormous bill.

The only way forward is to deploy enough military assets in the Falklands to convince the Argentinians that an invasion would not be the walkover they currently assume  with good reason  that it would be.

More aircraft and ships are needed, in and around the islands. Instead of flying the flag in the South China Sea, where they can have little impact, our aircraft carriers should make an occasional visit to the south Atlantic, if they can find their way out of port.

By the way, there are considerable oil reserves around the Falkland Islands that have been barely tapped. These should not be supinely ceded to Argentina.

The Falklands have been owned and administered by Britain for nearly 200 years  longer if you take account of a previous landing. People who regard themselves as British as you or me live there.

To lose the islands in another invasion would be an unforgivable betrayal of our fellow citizens, and a national humiliation from which it would take this country years to recover.
Days like this, as I have observed before, its difficult to know where to start. How the hell did we end up with a Prime Minister and Attorney General who thought a proper way to further their careers would be by hounding British troops for alleged war crimes?

But thats where we are with Sir Keir Starmer and that other self-righteous north London yuman rites hack, Danger Mouse sidekick Lord Hermer.

Both are up to their necks in the disgraceful witch-hunt against servicemen and women falsely accused of variously torturing, murdering or otherwise abusing innocent civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

Starmer was instrumental in paving the way for bogus cases against soldiers and supporting the spiv law firms which pursued them, pocketing millions in legal aid along the way.

Hermer even praised the Left-wing lawyers involved, telling them they had done more good for society than the brave, decorated soldiers they had falsely accused. He encouraged them to press ahead with lawfare against the Ministry of Defence even though he admitted some of the claims may be implausible.

Whatever happened to the principle of beyond a reasonable doubt?

Hermer also trashed the respected judge who concluded that after a public inquiry many of the claims were deliberate lies motivated by ingrained hostility towards the British Army.

Starmer, a complete and utter lawyer without a scintilla of shame or self-awareness, defended the solicitor who brought compensation claims on behalf of Iraqi civilians who were in reality Iranian-sponsored combatants belonging to something called the Mahdi army. Of course he did.

Our now embattled PM declared that Martyn Day was a man of utmost integrity and honesty. (My own learned friends advise that Day was subsequently cleared of all wrongdoing by a tribunal.)

How the hell did we end up with a Prime Minister and Attorney General who thought a proper way to further their careers would be by hounding British troops for alleged war crimes? asks Richard Littlejohn

Self-righteous north London yuman rites hack, Danger Mouse sidekick Lord Hermer is up top his neck up in the disgraceful witch-hunt against servicemen and women, writes Littlejohn

But this worthless testimonial came from the politician whom we now know sent serial crook, liar and best friend of paedo Jeffrey Epstein Peter Mandelson to Washington, and Nonce Finder General Tom Watson, who falsely accused distinguished Tory politicians and war hero Lord Bramall of everything from murder to child abuse, to the House of Lords.

Theres 25,000 pages of emails and other assorted paper trails to damn both Starmer and Hermer for their manipulation of Tony Blairs egregious human rights law and subsequent betrayal of the British military.

I havent got room for it all here, nor can I be bothered to go through every cough and spit. Theyve got plenty of previous and theyre still at it. Despite the latest amendments being nodded through the Commons, British soldiers who served loyally in Northern Ireland arent out of the woods yet.

One of Surkeirs first acts on becoming PM was to remove the legal protections granted to Army veterans of the Troubles, even though the terrorists kept their get out of jail free cards.

(The new IRA demonstrated their gratitude this week by setting off a car bomb outside a police station.)

No doubt a canny lawyer like Hermer can still find a way of prosecuting a retired squaddie for an alleged war crime committed in Belfast 50 years ago.

Ill leave the forensic details to others. What concerns this column is not the process but the mindset and motivation.

OK, so Im a few years older than the Stermer Twins. But Ive been around Labour for much of my career and can remember when it was a patriotic party which revered the military.

Seventies Chancellor Denis Healey was a beachmaster at Anzio. My dear old friend the late Terry Duffy, leader of the engineering union, was a fearless commando. Even that legendary Leftie Tony Benn was an RAF pilot, whose brother was killed in combat. I cant imagine them ever conducting a witch-hunt against their comrades in arms on the basis of bogus evidence.

No, the rot set in with Blairs pernicious yuman rites Act, which replaced the rule of law with the rule of lawyers and gave licence to former student revolutionaries to vent their pathetic political bigotry against our Armed Forces.

A Royal Marine Commando in Helmand province, Afghanistan

British troops in Belfast in 1979... the persecution of servicemen and women dates back over two decades, writes Richard Littlejohn

The persecution of servicemen and women dates back over two decades to another celebrated associate of Starmer and Hermer, the thoroughly evil solicitor Phil Shiner.

For more than ten years, Shyster made a handsome living suing the British taxpayer at the British taxpayers expense as head of the Birmingham-based Public Interest Lawyers (PIL). I first crossed swords with him on TV during the Iraq war, when his representatives were harvesting claims in the back streets of Baghdad and Basra.

Back then I compared him to the post-punk band Public Image Limited (PiL), put together by Johnny Rotten after the self-immolation of the Sex Pistols, showcased in a movie called The Great RocknRoll Swindle.

Shyster was a punk lawyer. Maybe some day they should make The Great Human Rights Swindle, featuring Starmer as Johnny Rotten, Hermer as Sid Vicious and Shiner as manager/svengali Malcolm McLaren.

He specialised in bringing actions against the British Army, trawling Iraq and Afghanistan for clients. His cowboy outfit was like one of those Blame Direct law firms who advertise for slip and fall clients on daytime TV.

Have you been tortured by a British soldier? You could be entitled to com-pen-say-shun.

Yet even though some of us knew from the off that Shyster was a wrong un, his work won him the prestigious accolade Human Rights Lawyer of the Year in 2004.

You couldnt etc.

Three years later, the Stermer Twins worked alongside Shyster to reshape the law to make it easier to bring legal actions against British troops in foreign war zones.

As Hermer stated in 2016, when alleged  and mostly made up  evidence of unlawful killings by British troops began to emerge, he, along with other more senior human rights practitioners such as Keir Starmer QC... was starting to think through the issue of the availability of relief in the domestic courts.

Trebles all round!

Shyster has since been struck off after being found guilty of legal aid fraud. But the Stermer Twins have gone from strength to strength.

What also disgusts me to the pit of my stomach is the way in which these so-called radical socialists love to embrace the trappings, titles and privileges of the old Establishment they profess to despise.

I give you Sir Keir, Lord Hermer, not to mention Lord Mandelson and Lord Nonce Finder General Watson.

How Surkeir has the gall to pose in front of Union flags and dress up in combat fatigues while betraying our troops at every turn is beyond my comprehension.

As Dick the Butcher said in my favourite Shakespeare quotation: Lets kill all the lawyers.

Bit late for that, probably. But as I said when we came in: How the hell did we end up with a Prime Minister and Attorney General who thought a proper way to further their careers would be by hounding British troops for alleged war crimes?

Still, at least, theres one small consolation. In a parallel universe, we could have ended up with Phil Shyster as Prime Minister. Come to think of it, he couldnt have been much worse.
Nearly 24 hours after President Donald Trump survived a third assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC - and six hours after the gunman's manifesto was publicized online, President Barack Obama shared his lament for the nation.

'We don't yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner,' he wrote on X, both-sidesing the left-wing political violence that has become a feature of our US culture. 'It's incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy.'

America  you are being gaslighted.

Despite Obama's apparent bewilderment, we know the motives of 31-year-old California man Cole Allen, who charged security wielding two guns and multiple knives, shooting a member of the Secret Service before being taken down.

'I am a citizen of the United States of America. What my representatives do reflects on me,' Allen wrote in a manifesto that he sent to his family moments before the attack. 'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'

Allen's rantings were leaked to the press and published late Sunday morning. By noon, the mystery about why someone would attack the WHCD was solved.

Allen believed the bile spread by Democrats, day in and day out, about Trump. He wanted to kill innocent people, by his own admission, because he hated the president. He did it because he felt, along with one-quarter of 'very liberal' Americans, that political violence of the highest order is justified if you don't like your political opposition.

In fact, the more liberal you are in America, the more likely you are to support political violence, a 2025 YouGov poll found.

Despite Obama's apparent bewilderment, we know the motives of 31-year-old California man Cole Allen, who charged security wielding a gun and shooting a member of the Secret Service before being taken down

'I am a citizen of the United States of America. What my representatives do reflects on me,' Allen (above, in custody) wrote in a manifesto that he sent to his family

Of all US adults, 11 percent said that it was 'justified for citizens to resort to violence to achieve political goals.' When that question was asked of self-identified 'very liberal' Americans, 25 percent said violence was justified. Twenty-six percent of liberals between the ages of 18 and 44 years old agreed.

Compare that to the 'very conservatives.' Only three percent saw grounds for violence in the name of political aims.

And while Democrats may claim the rhetoric goes both ways, the shooting does not.

'2025 marks the first time in more than 30 years that left-wing terrorist attacks outnumber those from the violent far right,' wrote the non-partisan Center for Strategic and International Studies in September.

This isn't a both sides issue as much as President Obama wants to pretend it is. But his shameless prevarication is especially galling given how much responsibility he bears for this culture on the Left, given that some of his close associates are tight with one of the most prolific advocates of political violence, Hasan Piker.

Piker infamously said that America deserved to be attacked on 9/11, that he would vote for Hamas over Israel and told his viewers that if they cared about Medicaid fraud they 'would kill' Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott.

Yet despite these views, Piker has spent the last few weeks on a media tour, appearing on the show of Obama's former speechwriter Jon Favreau. Favreau embarked on the herculean task of sanitizing Piker's views, only to have it blow up in his face when Piker said, actually, he means he supports Hamas literally. One week later, Piker was praising political murder during a New York Times interview.

Piker is also close with prominent Democrats like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna, as well as Senator Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Obama posted to X on Sunday that 'we don't yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting'

Piker (above) infamously said that America deserved to be attacked on 9/11, that he would vote for Hamas over Israel and told his viewers that if they cared about Medicaid fraud, they 'would kill' Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott

These figures praise and elevate to celebrity status someone who glorifies political violence then act surprised when someone commits an act of political violence.

Of course, the left-wing mainstream media also consistently demonize Trump and his supporters, up to and including fantasizing about his death.

Just days before the third assassination attempt on the president's life, comedian Jimmy Kimmel was musing about Trump's death. 'Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful,' he said in a skit, broadcast on Thursday on ABC. 'Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.'

But if you were expecting Democrats, who spread the lie that Trump is a traitor and rapist, to apologize for the fact that their rhetoric almost led to his murder (again), you'd be wrong.

Instead, what we got was denial, faux innocence, moral posturing and lies.

'You and your fellow Democrats have used some heated rhetoric against the president. Do you think twice about that when something like that happens?' CNN's Dana Bask asked Congressman Jamie Raskin, a frequent and vicious Trump critic.

'What rhetoric do you have in mind?' Raskin replied.

'Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful,' he said in a skit, broadcast on Thursday on ABC. 'Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow'

Perhaps this?

In a 2022 political speech in Philadelphia, delivered in front of blood red uplighting, President Joe Biden said that 'Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic' in an address promoted as the 'Battle for the Soul of the Nation.'

Provocateur Kathy Griffin, a frequent guest on ABC's The View, once posed holding a fake, bloody, fake head of President Trump.

Actor Robert DeNiro, a left-wing darling, has said he'd like to 'punch [Trump] in the face.' A sentiment echoed by Biden.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for 'uprisings.' Congresswoman Maxine Waters has urged Democrats to mob Trump officials in public.

The list goes on and on. But when Democrats are asked to account for their violent rhetoric, they claim that is either a problem on the right or something over which they have limited influence over.

None, though, are more brazen than President Obama because of his role as his party's one true authority. So, why would he lie about something so easily disproven? Why pretend the motive of the shooter remained a mystery?

The answer is that his obfuscation was a confession of sorts, an admission that the gunman's motive is damning to his party. Theirs is a culture that glorifies political violence then, when it's called out, turns around, acts like the victim and sprints to the moral high ground.

No, President Obama. This is your party's problem.
Patrick Meehan was in the shower when he noticed a rash on his penis  and initially thought it might be a reaction to a new shower gel.

It wasnt painful but it just didnt look right, recalls Patrick, 36.

The angry marks, on the penis head, hadnt calmed down a week later  so Patrick saw his GP, in January 2021, who prescribed a daily steroid cream.

The rash soon cleared, but left a pea-sized lump under his foreskin which gradually became ulcerated.

It looked like a burn, says Patrick, who runs a home for teenagers who have been in care, and lives in Blackpool with his partner Ruth, 48, and stepson.

But it wasnt painful and life was hectic, he says, so Patrick thought little more about it and continued using the steroid cream.

It wasnt until October, nine months after he first noticed the rash, that he attended his local genitourinary medicine clinic after being referred by his GP.

The doctor who examined me said it was probably a cyst, says Patrick, then 32. A biopsy was taken and sent for analysis. About six weeks later, Patrick was called back to hospital  where a consultant told him that the lump was in fact penile cancer.

The diagnosis came as a huge shock to Patrick, whod barely heard of it before: Just hearing the word cancer totally blindsided me as I didnt think it could even possibly be that, he says.

The number of men diagnosed with penile cancer has been increasing  theres been a 20 per cent increase in the past decade, says Professor Asif Muneer, a consultant urological surgeon at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Exactly why the trend is upwards is unclear, but it could be due to rising rates of the human papillomavirus (HPV)  a very common virus that lives on our skin and the moist lining [mucous membrane] inside our bodies, he says.

Another cause of penile cancer can be HPV, a virus that an estimated 80 per cent of sexually active individuals will have had at some point in their lives, says Arie Parnham, a consultant urological surgeon at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.

The virus is transmitted by skin to skin contact, often during vaginal, anal and oral sex.

It wasnt until nine months after he noticed the rash that Patrick Meehan went to his local genitourinary medicine clinic

Around 770 new cases of penile cancer are diagnosed annually, and it claims the lives of about 180 men in the UK each year

Mr Parnham explains: Most people have HPV without even knowing they do. In the vast majority of cases, the body clears the virus naturally and it causes no harm at all. Only a small number of HPV subtypes are linked to cancer, and even then, problems develop very slowly if at all.

These subtype viruses can remain in the body for a long time, affecting how some cells work, he adds.

Patrick tested negative for HPV. Doctors 'just put it down to bad luck', he says.

Another factor might be lower rates of neonatal circumcision [where the foreskin is removed early in a baby boys life, often for cultural or religious reasons]  and its under the foreskin that penile cancer often develops, says Professor Muneer.

Around 770 new cases are diagnosed annually, and it claims the lives of about 180 men in the UK each year. It is much more common in men over 50.

The psychological impact on those affected can also be devastating.

A survey of penile cancer patients by Orchid Fighting Male Cancer charity found that 22 per cent of men suffered so badly that they contemplated harming their life.

Early signs can include small changes on the skin of the penis such as a painless lump, sore, ulcer or wart-like growth. There might also be large cauliflower-like growths hidden under the foreskin, says Professor Muneer.

Some men notice bleeding around the head of the penis, discharge, a bad smell  or that the foreskin becomes tight and difficult to pull back, he adds.

He says that patients can often assume these symptoms are due to other causes such as thrush, a common fungal infection.

Yet even despite worrying signs such as lumps on the penis, many patients are slow in seeking treatment.

Men are generally less keen to come forward with health issues, and in this case theres more embarrassment as it involves their penis, says Professor Muneer.

Its unclear what causes penile cancer, but risk factors include smoking, a weakened immune system (possibly due to other cancer treatment, for instance) and, in rare cases, lichen sclerosus  a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes white, itchy patches.

Another theory is that men who have a tight foreskin  known as phimosis  could be more susceptible to penile cancer.

Inflammation can develop on the glans [the head] under a non-retractable foreskin, which causes swelling, soreness, redness  and in rare cases can transform into cancer, explains Professor Muneer.

In 2019, the HPV vaccination programme was extended to include boys aged between 12-13 as well as girls, following evidence that vaccinating girls only didnt adequately protect against conditions including HPV-related cancers, such as penile cancer.

Any sore, lump or change on the penis that does not heal within four weeks should always be checked by a doctor, says Mr Parnham.

Treatment options can be very effective if it is diagnosed early  yet only 10 per cent of men over 18 have heard of penile cancer, according to The Urology Foundation charity. The charity has launched an awareness campaign with a self-examination guide for any abnormalities such as lumps and bleeding.

The establishment of nine specialist treatment centres in England in 2002, such as The Christie in Manchester, has led to improved and centralised treatment, contributing to a 10 per cent improved survival rate from penile cancer over the past 25 years, says Mr Parnham.

Circumcision is an effective treatment for early-stage cancers and tumours that are under the foreskin. A small lump can also be surgically removed.

Just hearing the word cancer totally blindsided me as I didnt think it could even possibly be that, says Patrick

These treatments are normally curative, but depend on the grade and stage of the cancer.

Penectomies  removing the whole or part of a mans penis  were previously undertaken for large or advanced cancers, but are uncommon now.

A crucial advance has been improved techniques for penile-preserving surgery.

We can now leave more normal tissue in place, safely preserving function and cosmetic outcomes, explains Mr Parnham.

This means that a patient can often continue having sexual intercourse, for instance.

The most common procedures currently are a glansectomy  where the head of the penis is removed, making the organ shorter  or glans resurfacing, where only the outer layer of tissue on the head of the penis is removed.

In both operations, the penis is rebuilt using a skin graft from the patients thigh.

Both operations sound quite terrifying for patients, but the outcomes are pretty good, says Mr Parnham.

Many patients undergoing these procedures can have erections, penetrative sex and still father children afterwards, he says, although some may find intercourse more difficult due to length loss and psychological distress.

The survival rate for penile cancer is more than 90 per cent, but this falls off a cliff edge if the cancer has spread, adds Mr Parnham. Early detection makes so much difference.

Penile cancer tends to spread into the lymph nodes in the groin and pelvis  at this point, survival chances could be less than 50 per cent, says Mr Parnham.

Dynamic central-node biopsy is a relatively new technique used to detect whether penile cancer has spread to the sentinel nodes in the groin  these are the first lymph nodes where penile cancer typically spreads.

Previously, surgeons had routinely removed all of the lymph nodes as a precaution. However, this proved unnecessary in around 80 per cent of cases, and exposed patients to needless risks, including lymphoedema, where fluid builds up in the bodys tissues, causing swelling in the legs for instance.

Several ongoing clinical trials are also examining ways to improve treatment for penile cancer.

The EPIC Trial, at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, is testing a new approach for patients whose penile cancer has spread.

Standard chemotherapy has limited success, so researchers are combining it with cemiplimab  an immunotherapy drug that works by activating the bodys own immune system to attack cancer cells.

Of 48 participants, half received cemiplimab alone while the rest had it alongside chemotherapy. Full results are expected next year, but early findings suggest that combining the two treatments may improve response rates compared with either treatment used individually.

Following his diagnosis, Patrick was told he needed glans resurfacing to remove his tumour.

I was petrified, he admits. But it was either this or I would die. It was a small lump but the cancer was aggressive and was likely to spread which I was told was much harder to treat.

Patrick found support from the charity Orchid Fighting Male Cancer invaluable in helping to reassure him before his operation, which took place in February 2022.

After the top layer of tissue containing the lump was removed, a two-inch skin graft was taken from his left thigh and used to rebuild the penis head.

During the same surgery, which lasted four hours, some sentinel nodes were removed from his groin for analysis.

A week later, when Patricks bandages were removed he saw his penis for the first time after the surgery.

I was highly emotional and in lots of pain as the dressing was removed, he recalls. At first, I couldnt look down at it. The junior doctor held my hand as we looked together.

It was swollen, bloody and bruised  but I remember saying something like oh, thats absolutely fine, I can get used to that.

Patrick was allowed home the next day, with a catheter tube to make urinating easier while the stitches in his penis healed.

I was hobbling around for a week at home, says Patrick, who took painkillers to alleviate his discomfort.

Three weeks later, his biopsy results showed no signs of cancer and no further treatment was needed  a huge relief, says Patrick, who nonetheless banked some of his sperm as a precaution in case future therapy affected his fertility.

Two months later, in April, Patrick was able to walk up a mountain while holidaying in Ireland, and back playing gigs with his band.

Despite losing some sensitivity in his penis, post-surgery, he was comfortable having sex and otherwise functioning normally three months later.

Today he is still cancer free and receiving annual check-ups at the Christie.

He is also passionate about raising awareness among other men of penile cancer.

Im confident talking about penile cancer when Im on stage at gigs. I try and help people learn about it - and know that even if you do have it, its not a case of game over, which I feared would be the case with me when I heard I had penile cancer. Im still here enjoying my life.
Kathia Maillefert didn't expect to become rich. But the single mum hoped that selling skincare products to friends at 'pamper parties' would provide a bit of extra money on top of her personal assistant salary.

At least, that was the idea. In three years, Kathia, 47, reckons she made 'around 1,000'. Which wouldn't be so bad  had she not forked out 'about that, if not more' buying products. 'Whatever I made, I ended up putting into products,' she says. 'I was very disheartened.'

The company Kathia worked for? Tropic Skincare, whose founder Susie Ma recently bought Lord Sugar out of the business. He had invested 200,000 in it after Susie appeared on The Apprentice in 2011. Today Susie, 37  who's back on screen as a guest Dragon on the BBC One programme Dragons' Den  is in complete control of a company boasting a turnover of more than 100million a year.

'The growth we've had blows my mind,' she tells me. Her own net worth was estimated at 73million last year  and she's only just getting started. 'I want to take Tropic global. I've got huge ambitions.'

The chances are you've seen Tropic's 22 Smoothing Cleanser or 44 Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum on your social media feed. Chances are, too, that you have a strong opinion about Tropic, whether you're an ardent fan of its vegan, plant-based products or fed-up with people forever trying to flog them to you.

Critics claim that Tropic's success is down to its multi-level marketing (MLM) business model. Not only do sales reps earn commission from selling products, they also recruit other reps and make money from their sales.

When it comes to MLMs, it is claimed that most reps  usually women needing flexible work  earn little or even lose money, and that the emphasis is on recruitment. Reps can feel forced to buy stock upfront or stockpile products to meet impossible sales targets  to become customers themselves, essentially.

And Tropic is by no means the only company whose sales techniques have come under scrutiny.

Lord Sugar invested 200,000 in Tropic Skincare after its founder Susie Ma appeared on The Apprentice in 2011

This year market research company Gitnux found 50 per cent of new MLM recruits leave within 90 days and 77 per cent within a year. An anti-MLM page on social media platform Reddit, which describes MLM schemes as 'a drain on our society' and says participants 'either build the pyramid taller or get squashed by it', has more than 850,000 members.

None of which reflects well on Tropic, which donates ten per cent of its profits to charity and trumpets its work supporting disadvantaged women and children.

But Susie, who started selling body scrubs at London's Greenwich Market aged 15, is adamant her business is different. In fact, she insists Tropic, which has a whopping 22,862 UK reps (known as 'ambassadors') and spends just over 50 per cent of its turnover on ambassadors' commissions and bonuses, isn't really an MLM at all.

'I don't feel Tropic prioritises the MLM structure,' she says. 'We are focused on direct selling, where product is at the heart of everything we do.' Ambassadors are neither allowed to hold stock nor pushed to recruit, she claims.

'When people accuse us of being an MLM and saying all this criticism, it's not relevant to us, because we don't have any of those practices.'

Kathia, however, says recruitment was 'constantly pushed' by those above her. 'It was always, 'It's a great opportunity. Sign up your friends. Sign up your family. It will help them make some extra money. It will help push your sales. You'll be earning commission',' she recalls.

One thing Tropic certainly does have is a dizzying array of incentives to reward high sellers. Exotic holidays are given as prizes and flowers are sent on birthdays. There are themed awards ceremonies (last year ambassadors dressed in green in homage to the musical Wicked at its lavish 'Glammies'), black-tie product launches and the 1million, three-day Tropic Fest, which Susie describes as 'a huge sleepover with 5,000 other like-minded women'.

Kathia, from Andover, Hampshire, neither sold enough to be invited to events, nor was ever fully won over by the premise of swathes of women whooping it up in hotels around the country  though she sometimes watched them via video link.

'It can come across as quite cultish,' she says. 'I just wanted to see the products. I didn't want to see people singing and dancing.'

She seems to be in the minority. While researching Tropic I am inundated with messages from evangelical ambassadors. One wakes 'every single day super happy' and says that, thanks to Tropic, she is 'finally ready to step into [her] own power'. Another says she feels 'blessed every day that Tropic crossed [her] path'; a third that being an ambassador gives her 'unlimited possibilities' and her 'girl world'.

Most seem to idolise Susie, who speaks to me over Microsoft Teams from the south London home she shares with her cinematographer partner Matthias and their 18-month-old daughter. 'Hopefully I'm a source of inspiration,' says Susie.

She made her final payment to Lord Sugar for his 50 per cent share of Tropic this January  an undisclosed sum. She describes his investment as 'definitely the best he's ever made'.

They had 'very different ambitions for the business', she reveals  disagreeing with the amount of money she lavished on Tropic's famous 'experiences' for a start. 'But I actually always got my way, because I kept on going until he said yes,' she adds.

Susie is so complimentary about my hair, so chatty about her daughter, so disarmingly friendly in the face of my scepticism, I don't doubt her powers of persuasion.

But for all the praise and presents, how likely are her ambassadors, who earn between 25 and 35 per cent commission on sales, to actually make a decent living? On the basis of figures the company provided, the answer is, for the vast majority, not very.

A quarter of Tropic's ambassadors at the bottom of its eight-tiered sales model aren't even trying, it says, having signed up to the company just to buy products for themselves at a 25 per cent discount. Of the 31 per cent  7,005 ambassadors  who sell to friends and family, average earnings are 477.36 a year.

Some ambassadors do pretty well. Executive Leaders  six rungs up  earn an average of 34,164 a year, working around 20 hours a week. But only 112 ambassadors reached this level last year. The Diamond Executives at the top earn an astonishing average of 164,112. But they are vanishingly rare. Last year there were only 25, or 0.11 per cent of Tropic's sales force.

Earnings include bonuses of two to seven per cent, which are paid by Tropic to ambassadors who have recruited teams under them.

Kathia Maillefert signed up to become a Tropic ambassador in late 2020 after buying a cleanser from a friend

However, stresses Susie, who leads 261 staff at Tropic's Croydon head office, it is more profitable to sell than recruit. 'You don't get any money for recruiting people unless that person does over a certain level of sales. We have loads of ambassadors who don't want to bring anyone into the business.'

There are no sales requirements and 'no financial risk', she adds. She was already paying friends commission to sell her products when she decided to commit to a direct selling model after Lord Sugar invested.

'We thought, 'Why not do something different rather than giving our margins to a third party retailer like John Lewis  why not give that margin to everyday women?'

Not that Kathia, who signed up in late 2020 after buying a cleanser from a Tropic ambassador friend, saw much of it.

First of all she bought the required starter kit  now 198  containing products to demonstrate for potential customers at pamper parties held at ambassadors' homes.

Then she was given a website on which her customers could place orders and joined the same sales team as the friend who recruited her. They communicated via a WhatsApp group of 20-odd ambassadors, mostly midlife women, she recalls, where those senior to her gave advice on selling.

She was told Tropic merchandise would help, and in addition to buying a 5ft banner to hang at pamper parties, she bought Tropic magazines to post through letterboxes.

'To look more professional I bought business cards. I bought compliment slips,' says Kathia. 'I'd give pens as freebies. I'd give tote bags to people if they spent a certain amount.'

She provided a charcuterie board and drinks for 15 friends at her first pamper party, along with prizes for games she laid on. 'You're caught up in a whirlwind of it all being very new.'

After three months Kathia had made 2,000 worth of sales, earning herself 500 in commission. As a thank you she was given Tropic vouchers worth 50 on top of her commission  though, in fact, Kathia spent more than that on other products 'to showcase more' at her pamper parties.

'I was spending a lot of money,' she recalls, reasoning that she liked the products, so would use any left over.

It wasn't a bad start. But it would not last.

Sales quickly stalled, since her friends were not in a position to keep buying 'quite expensive' products every month. She felt uncomfortable badgering them. 'I'm not a big salesperson and you need to put yourself out there.'

At the time, Tropic was celebrating acquiring 18,000 ambassadors, all selling the same products.

'I remember thinking 'It's such a saturated market,' says Kathia. She recalls asking management whether the company was recruiting too many ambassadors. The question was 'never addressed', she says.

Susie tells me Avon, a bigger direct sales company than hers, 'has been around for about 150 years, and I don't know a single Avon rep. They're certainly not reaching saturation point'. People retire, she points out, 'so I don't think there could be that possibility of oversaturation'.

Kathia was reluctant to recruit  not, she stresses, that she was individually targeted by her team. 'It was a blanket, outright, 'Recruit, recruit.'

Susie admits teams of ambassadors are 'difficult to police, but our ambassadors are told that recruitment is not the number one driver of their business'.

Kathia was constantly presented with competitions as an incentive to sell. Some, 'like trips to Madagascar', were laid on by head office. 'They say anyone can win, but the likelihood of someone like me who has no recruited team below me earning extra money it's very doubtful I would ever have got that prize,' she believes. Smaller prizes were also offered. 'One was 'Do 100 worth of sales and win a tablecloth'. Sometimes you'd think 'It's not really worth it'.'

And what of the products themselves, made daily at the company's Surrey factory?

'We call it a beauty kitchen because I want this notion of freshness to come through,' says Susie. 'I see skincare products like food for your skin. You want to eat fresh food that's been made as recently as possible  the same goes for your skin. Think about all the foods in your pantry; everything has a shelf life.'

Her products are all naturally derived and organic, she says, 'so when you have a product of that level of purity it's going to degrade much faster than a synthetic product'.

Beauty journalist and consultant Claire Coleman says it's true that vitamins A and C lose potency in beauty products over time, but 'with most ingredients that's not the case  you're not likely to get a tail-off in performance'. With Tropic, she feels, 'there's a lot of 'nature washing' going on  an implication that 'we don't use this', which suggests brands which do are worse than Tropic. It's not marketing I particularly like'.

While there are undoubtedly many women who swear by Tropic products  one tells me that since the menopause she can only use Tropic moisturiser because 'everything else causes breakouts'  make-up artist and beauty writer Joyce Connor describes them as 'average quality but pricey for the ingredients'.

'There are much better products on the market for the same money or less. I have tested hundreds of skincare products superior to these for the money I've paid. I have also seen sellers commenting about the clean beauty aspect of it and scaremongering that people are going to suffer if they use other skincare.'

Susie Ma started Tropic Skincare when she was just 15, selling body scrubs based on her grandmother's recipe at London markets

Her main gripe, however, is that 'the MLM structure makes sellers pushy'.

'I have experienced people connecting with me on LinkedIn and immediately trying to hard-sell the business to me.'

In 2022 Kathia moved from London to Andover, and asked to move teams so she could be supported by a local Hampshire group. She was told she needed to leave the company, wait six months and then rejoin and buy another starter kit. She stayed, but concluded Tropic was not 'interested' in its ambassadors. 'That's how I felt. That left a not very nice taste in my mouth.'

Susie says that moving groups is discouraged unless 'something awful has happened, like a huge fallout between teams' because it's not fair on the leaders who have mentored new ambassadors only to lose their commission.

Besides, she says, the starter kit contains '600 worth of products'.

'A lot of people deliberately leave to be able to get another starter kit, and sell the products at full price.'

Born in Shanghai, Susie spent her early childhood living in a shed at the back of her grandmother's ground-floor flat. 'We didn't have heating,' she says. She moved to the UK with her mother as a teenager after her parents split up.

Her grandmother, a medicinal chemist and toxicologist, made all of her own skincare at home so, aged 15, Susie started selling body scrub at Greenwich Market based on her grandma's homemade recipe to help her mum out financially. The same recipe is still used to this day  it became Tropic's best-selling Body Smooth Refreshing Polish. Susie earned enough to pay a month's worth of bills on just the first day, so continued to spend weekends at London's markets.

'I started this business to get financial freedom, to feel safe with my mum and not have to rely on my dad. My mum worked at a market stall; she ran her own business and found it incredibly tough. That was all I wanted, to earn enough money working on a market stall selling my grandma's body scrub. It feels absolutely surreal we are the size we are.'

All she wants, she says, is to offer ambassadors the support her mother was lacking. Certainly, her rags to riches tale is inspiring. 'Personally, I went into it knowing I'd never be a millionaire,' says Kathia. 'But you could imagine some people would think this is going to be a big payday.'

By the time Kathia left Tropic in September 2024, her sales had plummeted to 15 a month 'at most', and the woman who had recruited her had left. 'I wasn't pushing myself to make money. I thought 'It's more hassle than it's worth'. Had I known how much I would have spent on it, I think I would have just stayed a customer,' she says.

For other women, being a Tropic ambassador seems to provide validation and a sense of belonging, often at a juncture in their life  motherhood, midlife  when they need it most. The fact many won't earn much is almost a moot point.
A woman who earns 156,000 a year has claimed that she 'doesn't feel rich' and has banned herself from Botox and holidays to save for her dream home.

Amelia Brown has revealed that while her monthly pay is 13,000, she falls in the high earner not rich yet (HENRY) bracket  meaning that despite her 'decent salary', she has no accumulated assets or wealth.

Over the course of ten years, she has managed to increase her wage by 111,000, yet still doesn't feel 'wealthy' and takes home 6,924 a month due to tax and pension contributions.

Now, in a desperate bid to save up for her dream three-bedroom family home in London with her partner, the 33-year-old is completely abandoning Botox and has placed herself on a holiday ban.

'I think if I was on my salary in other parts of the country it would be crazy but when I was a kid if I imagined earning this much money I didn't think it would be a relatively normal lifestyle,' she said.

'I don't want to be in the class of HENRY who is a massive whinger, I know I'm extremely lucky to be earning this amount of money.

'We're not buying new clothes and not shopping at all really unless I sell something on Vinted and that becomes a new shopping fund.'

Amelia was born in London but grew up in Australia where she turned down a PHD position doing mechanical engineering  which paid just 10,000 per year over four years  in favour of becoming a management consultant.

She also rejected an offered scholarship at Oxford University to focus on a 'big career acceleration' working for a start-up.

Amelia Brown has revealed that while her monthly pay is 13,000, she falls in the high earner not rich yet (HENRY) bracket

Now, in a desperate bid to save up for her dream three-bedroom family home in London with her partner, Amelia is completely abandoning Botox and holidays

Now, she is urging others to explore other ways they can generate additional income, having boosted her income by 20 per cent by posting content online.

She also manages her monthly pay check, paying herself first  calculating her costs for the month with everything else either saved or invested.

Amelia, head of growth in the tech industry, explained: 'Living in London and the cost of living it doesnt go as far as other people think.

'I've stopped getting Botox. We like to travel pretty frugally but we're reducing that as well. We've deferred buying a car.

'The common wisdom is to buy a starter home and get on the property ladder and buy your forever home later.

'But my strategy is to save as much cash as possible and buy my forever home without that intermediary step which has a lot of costs attached to it like stamp duty and moving.'

Having always been interested in investing and saving  buying her first investment property in 2017 and getting into stock market investing over the last five years  Amelia employs a number of methods to reach her target deposit.

'I try and max out my ISA every year and be tax efficient with my pension and savings and live a relatively frugal life especially compared to a lot of people on the same salary as me,' she said.

'I think if I was on my salary in other parts of the country it would be crazy but when I was a kid if I imagined earning this much money I didn't think it would be a relatively normal lifestyle,' she said

'As soon as you're paid I use the pay yourself first principle.

'Things that are like luxuries  such as travel, therapy, shopping, and aesthetics such as Botox  I save for that every month and put a bit of money aside every month in sinking funds.'

To help further, Amelia has slashed her pension contributions from 20 per cent to 10 per cent and has been pursuing additional income through her content creation  which boosted her last month's take home pay by 20 per cent.

Amelia's advice to others who might be starting their own saving journey is to 'be honest' about where you are financially.

She said: 'Some people already on high salaries need to look at their expenses and be ruthless to cut expenses and save money.

'The majority of people need to be really honest about their salary and find opportunities to increase their money and earnings and to set financial goals and reach them.'
Balenciaga is adored by numerous A-listers  from the likes of Justin Bieber to Kim Kardashian and Adele.

However, the luxurious Parisian fashion house has sparked a degree of confusion with its latest pricey offering: a paint-splattered range that comes to an eye-watering total cost of 2,600.

The esteemed upmarket brand has launched a number of new 'painters' clothes  including a hoodie, trousers and t-shirt that are all splattered with white, blue, red and green splodges of paint.

In response to the unique outfit design, one rather disgruntled shopper said: 'Who would pay that sort of money to look like you've just finished a day's work on the brushes. Some people have more money than sense.'

Designed to look 'worn out', the men's Painters Shirt Hoodie is sold for 975. Meanwhile, the black Painter's Shirt Baggy Sweatpants have marks of paint along the front and back and come at a cost of 895.

To complete the rather expensive decorator-esque look is the Hybrid Double T-shirt. Described as a 'dry jersey', is designed to look as though you are wearing a top underneath a sweater, while in reality, the two tops are stitched together.

Priced at 775, and listed as a 'painter's shirt's artwork printed on the long sleeve t-shirt', there are also paint marks along both the bottom of the shirt and the sleeves.

It means that once the cost of the hoodie, t-shirt and trousers are combined, the painter-inspired look comes to a rather astounding total of 2,645.

The esteemed fashion brand has launched a number of new 'painters' clothes  including a hoodie, trousers and t-shirt that are all splattered with white, blue, red and green splodges of paint

In response to the unique outfit design, one rather disgruntled shopper said: 'Who would pay that sort of money to look like you've just finished a day's work on the brushes? Some people have more money than sense'

The description for the hoodie reads: 'Dry fleece, worn-out details. Hood without drawstring, dropped shoulders, one kangaroo pocket on the front.

'Gathered at cuffs and waistline, painter's shirt artwork printed.'

The T-shirt description reads: 'Hybrid construction, short-sleeve T-shirt layered over long-sleeve T-shirt.

'Crewneck, painter shirt's artwork printed on the long sleeve.'

In contrast, a similar look without the paint marks from Next would cost just 83  with a plain black hoodie retailing at 32, joggers for 26 and a jumper for 25.

It comes after Balenciaga was mocked last month for selling a bomber jacket covered in leaves for 16,500.

In response, one bemused shopper said: 'I'm sure it's very trendy.

'But I wouldn't want to walk around looking like a bush. Even if I did have that sort of money to spend on a jacket.'

To complete the rather expensive decorator-esque look is the Hybrid Double T-shirt. Described as a 'dry jersey' that is designed to look as though you are wearing a top underneath a sweater, when, in reality, the two tops are stitched together

In 2022, the Spanish brand sparked fury when it used controversial images of children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage gear in their Christmas campaign.

The adverts sparked shockwaves through the industry and prompted brand ambassador Kim Kardashian to distance herself from the fashion house.

The previous year, Balenciaga's 31,350 knitted hoodie covered in holes raised eyebrows, with the blue and red number described by Farfetch, who sold the jumper, as 'pushing the boundaries'.

'This distressed embroidered-logo hoodie from the Spanish founded brand provides glimpses of whatever is worn underneath as a result of ripped detailing and frayed edges,' they added.

Balenciaga was founded in Spain by Cristobal Balenciaga, who was known as 'The King of Fashion' and was described as 'the master of us all' by Christian Dior.

Balenciaga's designs quickly gained popularity among the Spanish royal family and aristocracy. But with the onset of the Spanish Civil War, he was forced to close his stores and subsequently relocated to Paris.

In August 1937, Balenciaga opened his Paris couture house on Avenue George V, unveiling his first fashion show featuring designs heavily influenced by the Spanish Renaissance.

He achieved rapid success, and within two years the press hailed him as a revolutionary force, with his creations becoming highly sought-after.

Fellow designer Coco Chanel and Carmel Snow, the editor of Harper's Bazaar, emerged as early supporters of Balenciaga's groundbreaking work.

Subsequently, his designs were worn by celebrities Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy and Wallis Simpson.

Now, the popular luxury brand boasts a range of 'destroyed' items - including jeans with holes in, frayed hem shirts and faded caps.

The luxury fashion house which has been worn by stars including Meghan Markle, the Kardashians and Kanye West, boasts more than 15 million followers on Instagram.
Another day, another leotard. Or so goes the dress code for Bianca Censori, the long-suffering wife of rapper Kanye West, 48. Over the weekend, his wife of four years was spotted at the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles in a metallic bodysuit, cut low at the front, high at the leg and narrow at the chest, the better to expose a generous helping of side boob.

In fact, this was a fairly chaste look from the 31-year-old whose Instagram bio describes her as an architectural designer. In February, she strolled the streets of Los Angeles in a microscopic skirt and bra that was several sizes too small, causing her cups to runneth over.

Last May, she enjoyed an ice cream in Mallorca, Spain, dressed in a fishnet top that exposed her nipples, as you do. Other favourite looks include sheer tights worn without knickers, transparent nylon bodystockings, duct tape over her nipples and a leotard that gave vivid new illustration to the expression camel toe.

Come rain or shine, Censori can always be relied upon to serve up looks. Who these looks are actually serving, however, is a matter of debate.

A shameless self-publicist, West knows exactly how extreme he needs to be to grab attention in a world where so many others are competing for it. Nudity is one of the few things that still shocks.

While the 48-year-old rapper conveniently keeps himself covered up in a succession of baggy black sweatpants and hoodies, his wifes outfits frequently teeter on the edge of being unlawful. While its not illegal to wear lingerie in public in the US  laws focus on exposing private parts and intent to arouse or offend, rather than on specific garments  it can still lead to arrest under public indecency laws.

As for the argument that Censoris near-nudity is an artistic or feminist statement, that might have more credence if she didnt always look so miserable and even scared.

Bianca Censori wore a low-cut bodysuit, with a generous helping of side boob, to Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles  a fairly chaste look compared with some of her past ensembles

Censori's husband, Kanye West, knows exactly how to grab attention, and nudity is one of the few things that still shocks. (Pictured together at the Grammy Awards last year)

In February, she strolled the streets of Los Angeles in a microscopic skirt and bra that was several sizes too small, causing her cups to runneth over, writes Laura Craik

Its hard to believe it was her idea to wear a transparent bodystocking to the 2025 Grammy Awards. Its harder still to imagine she chose to board a boat in Venice in 2023 dressed in an outfit that revealed her bare buttocks. After being photographed with her head near Wests lap, many speculated that shed engaged in a lewd sex act.

Some opine however, that rather than being a victim, Censori is a savvy publicity-seeker and architect of her own image. While this is the argument used by Wests loyal fans, Censori herself would seem to feel otherwise. She very rarely speaks publicly, but in an interview with Vanity Fair in February, she revealed that her aunt had been present on the boat in Venice, adding: It was the first time I was really embarrassed. I felt embarrassed because of my dad.

As the relationship rumbles on, rumours persist that its not a marriage of equals. Certainly to the outside eye, it bears many of the hallmarks of coercive control, a form of abuse in which one person exerts power over another. Methods include isolating the victim from family or friends, monitoring their whereabouts and behaviour, and controlling what they eat, wear, spend or do.

At first, the perpetrator is usually charming  this is known as the love bombing phase  but after the bonds are forged, the mask is dropped.

Brought up in an affluent neighbourhood in Melbourne, Australia, the privately schooled, university-educated Censori might seem too intelligent to be controlled by anyone, even a man as famous and persuasive as West. But anyone can become a victim of coercive control, a form of abuse that is no respecter of age, race, wealth or status. In 2021, politician Kate Griffiths successfully prosecuted her husband, Tory MP Andrew Griffiths, after suffering from years of coercive and controlling behaviour.

And then theres Kim Kardashian, to whom West was married between 2014 and 2021. The billionaire Skims founder has spoken on several occasions about Wests predilection for controlling her image. In an interview with US chat show host David Letterman in 2020, when the couple were still married, she detailed how, early in their relationship, he revamped her wardrobe and got rid of most of her clothes.

In an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians in 2022, she told her sister, Kourtney, that West had told her she could no longer wear big glasses, adding: He told me my career was over, and then he showed me a picture of Marge Simpson wearing something similar.

She also admitted that she grew so used to West telling her what to wear that she started to have panic attacks following the divorce, tearily confessing: I got to a point where I would ask him for advice for everything.

West and Censori's relationship bears the hallmarks of coercive control  a form of abuse in which one person exerts power over another, observes Laura Craik. (Pictured in Milan, 2024)

Some US states recognise coercive control as a form of illegal domestic abuse  including California, where West and Censori live. (Pictured together at Paris Fashion Week in 2024)

Often referred to as invisible abuse, coercive control was made illegal in England and Wales in 2015, thereby criminalising abusive behaviour designed to punish, intimidate, or control a partner or family member. It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, but its still very difficult to prove. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, there were 49,557 offences of coercive control recorded by police in the year ending March 2025. While 4,955 charges were brought in 2024, only 832 men and 21 women were convicted.

Campaigners say that coercive control is under-recognised, poorly understood and routinely overlooked, not just by juries but by judges, many of whom havent been trained to recognise the signs, resulting in it being sidelined in court.

One woman campaigning to raise awareness is Sharon Holland, whose 23-year-old daughter, Chloe, took her own life in 2023 after suffering abuse from her partner. This week Holland pointed out that juries still fail to understand the psychological torture of coercive control.

In the US, coercive control is not a federal crime, but some states recognise it as a form of illegal domestic abuse  including California, where West and Censori have a sprawling 26million mansion.

Who knows whether Censori is with West out of love or something more sinister. But if shes looking for reasons to leave, the list is long  and growing by the day.

In addition to his frequent anti-Semitic remarks, West has praised Hitler, opined that slavery is a choice and, though he has apologised, had the temerity to blame some of his comments on his bipolar disorder.

His latest stunt? A tour of Russia. Earlier this month, concerns about his antisemitism led to a three-day headline slot at Londons Wireless Festival being cancelled after the Home Office revoked his permit to travel to the UK. But West believes the show must go on  even in a country currently under US, UK and EU economic sanctions.

Current advice from the US State Department on Russia is do not travel for any reason. US citizens are at risk due to terrorism, unrest, wrongful detention and other threats.

What the Russians will make of Censoris risque wardrobe remains to be seen. But those concerned about her can only hope that Wests latest plan will give her the impetus to do what she should have done long ago, and finally send him to Siberia.
Leading independent oncology/hematology practice adopts tech-forward, transparent approach to specialty drug purchasing, distribution and management

FRISCO, Texas and TEMPE, Ariz., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AllyGPO, a leading innovator and next-generation specialty group purchasing organization (GPO), and BioCareSD, a national specialty drug distributor with nearly 50 years of experience delivering lifesaving therapies through hightouch service and a differentiated distribution model, today announced that Dothan Hematology & Oncology, a leading community-based oncology practice serving Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia and Northwest Florida, has selected AllyGPO and BioCareSD as its primary specialty GPO and drug distributor partners.

For more than 30 years, Dothan Hematology & Oncology has delivered patient-centered, high-quality cancer care across the region. After decades in a previous GPO and distribution relationship, the practice made the strategic move to AllyGPO and BioCareSD to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen long-term sustainability as an independent, community-based oncology practice.

"Our priority has always been to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care to the Wiregrass communities we serve and, in order to do that, we must ensure our business operations are also performing at an exceptional level," said Scott McAllister, MD, President of Dothan Hematology & Oncology. "Through this collaboration, we gained access to a transparent business model with a focus on community oncology practice survival, so that we can continue to expand our services to better help our patients. They have the latest technology, which is second to none, and supported us through a smooth and seamless onboarding process, including a successful Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization (PSAO) and AllyIQ transition, allowing our team to maintain continuity of care without disruption."

The decision reflects a broader shift in specialty healthcare, including oncology, as independent practices face limited options and are seeking greater flexibility, increased pricing transparency, deeper visibility into performance analytics, and more innovation from their GPO and specialty distribution partners.

"This is an exciting milestone and a testament to the combined strength of the AllyGPO and BioCareSD value proposition for independent practices," said James Frary, CEO of BioCareSD. "Dothan has a long-standing reputation for excellence in cancer care, and we are proud to partner alongside them in support of their mission with a differentiated distribution model focused on service, transparency, and innovation."

By partnering with AllyGPO and BioCareSD, Dothan Hematology & Oncology aims to reduce administrative burden and strengthen practice economics through advanced drug management tools and high-touch, personalized support. Beyond drug purchasing and distribution services, the practice will leverage AllyIQ, AllyGPO's AI-powered platform to manage, predict and automate drug purchasing, inventory management, medical dispensing and contract management with real-time analytics and intelligent workflow solutions. By integrating data from multiple practice systems, AllyIQ enables clinical, operational and financial teams to work from a shared view and act with greater speed and confidence, while BioCareSD delivers the reliable, hightouch specialty distribution infrastructure required to ensure continuity of patient care.

"Dothan's decision reflects the growing demand for a more modern, tech-forward and transparent approach to specialty GPO and distribution services," said Brian Ansay, CEO of AllyGPO. "We are thrilled to partner with the physicians and staff at Dothan and to empower them with the technology, insights, and advocacy needed to remain fiercely independent and continue delivering high-quality oncology care to their patients."

This selection marks continued momentum for the AllyGPO and BioCareSD strategic partnership in community oncology. Recently, Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute chose AllyGPO and BioCareSD as its primary specialty GPO and drug distributor partners, reinforcing their novel tech-enabled and transparent approach to group purchasing and management.

Through a strategic collaboration, AllyGPO and BioCareSD have reimagined specialty drug management as a counterbalance to the consolidation and verticalization trends pervasive in the U.S. healthcare system today. Together, AllyGPO and BioCareSD combine the power of specialty GPO and specialty distribution to supercharge purchasing power, simplify supply chain complexity, strengthen practice economics, and preserve the independence of community-based care  allowing providers to focus on high-quality patient care and improving patient outcomes.

About AllyGPO

AllyGPO is a leading innovator and next-generation specialty group purchasing organization (GPO) equipping independent, community-based practices with advanced, technology-driven solutions and proprietary tools to navigate the complex specialty drug market. By combining comprehensive drug contracting services with intelligent inventory management, predictive analytics, and hands-on operational support, AllyGPO delivers actionable insights that enhance practice sustainability and performance. Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, AllyGPO partners with community-based specialty practices and pharmaceutical manufacturers across the U.S. Learn more at www.AllyGPO.com.

About BioCareSD

BioCareSD, a BioCare company, is a national specialty distributor with nearly 50 years of experience delivering life-changing specialty therapies. BioCareSD has reimagined specialty distribution, focusing on trust, transparency, and operational excellence. The company provides high-touch, personalized service through a dedicated support team and 24/7/365 customer care. Its distribution model and expanding portfolio support partners in their mission to improve patients' lives. Learn more at www.biocaresd.com.

About Dothan Hematology & Oncology

Dothan Hematology & Oncology has been providing comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care for more than three decades. Serving patients across Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and Northwest Florida, the practice is dedicated to delivering personalized treatment through advanced therapies, compassionate care, and a commitment to improving outcomes in the communities it serves. Learn more at www.DothanOncology.com.

Media Contact:

Supreme Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE AllyGPO and BioCareSD
A father has been ridiculed online after a video of him fainting while watching his wife give birth went viral.

It all got too much for Maicon Pedroso in the delivery room of a hospital in Criciuma, Brazil, where he watched doctors perform a C-section on his wife, Marianne Felippe.

A birth photographer was also present and captured the full charade - to the great amusement of social media users.

More than 20 million have watched the footage of Mr Pedroso crumpling into the arms of a midwife, and many were quick to point out the irony.

One viewer joked: 'Women don't realise how tough it can be for the father. Stay strong, warrior!'

Another quipped: 'The baby's birth - and the father's rebirth.'

'Stealing the spotlight,' one viewer jokingly commented.

Another viewer added: 'Imagine having seven layers of skin cut away and your husband saying in the background, "But I had it worse because I fainted."'

Maicon Pedroso (pictured) from Criciuma, Brazil, fainted while witnessing the birth of his second daughter

A woman in scrubs could be seen fanning Maicon after he went limp while holding his wife's hand

One woman wrote: 'He faints watching, imagine us feeling the pain.'

Another said: 'If I was the nurse, I wouldn't be able to stop laughing.'

It was also suggested Mr Pedroso might have been better avoiding the delivery room altogether, with someone writing: 'I don't mean to sound cruel, but as my grandmother said, the one who doesn't get in the way is the one who helps the most.'

Somebody joked that fainting was the father's reaction to 'seeing all that he would have to help with'.

Another jibed: 'The body was present, but the soul's whereabouts are unknown.'

The viral clip opens with Mr Pedroso sitting on a chair at his wife's bedside and gripping her hand.

At precisely the moment the baby is lifted from his wife's and put onto her chest, he begins to fall limp.

A medic in scrubs grabs him under the armpits and guides him onto the floor, where he falls backwards into her lap, completely unconscious.

Staff at the hospital in Brazil held the father-of-two's legs in the air in an attempt to help him come round

With a smile on her faces, she quickly fans him with her hands in an attempt to bring him round, while a colleague holds Mr Pedroso's legs in the air.

The video pans to the surgeons attending to Mr Pedroso's wife, who beam and give a thumbs up to the camera.

Maicon later told local media: 'I don't remember anything at all from the moment the baby was born.'

The couple first called the hospital in the early hours of the morning of April 18 after Mariane's water broke, and the C-section procedure went otherwise smoothly.

Birth photographers Patricia Vogel and Viviane Borges, who were said to be surprised by the father's reaction in the delivery room, later recalled: 'When we arrived, they were a bit anxious, but everything was going as expected.

'It was all happening in a light, calm way, with the medical team feeling very confident and the parents too.

'Then, at 8.24am, at the exact moment the baby was born, the father fainted.'

According to the pair, Maicon quickly recovered and was able to be with his daughter following the C-section.

The couple already have an older daughter whose birth occurred without any complications.

Mr Pedroso fainting was said to have taken the entire medical team present by surprise.

The photographers told local media: 'We've been exclusively dedicated to birth photography for five years.

'We've documented more than 1,500 births, and this is definitely a scene we've seen happen a few times before.'

Thankfully, the mother, father, and their newborn daughter are all now doing well.
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, shocked many with her choice of dress for the White House Correspondents Dinner.

While the event on Saturday evening took a terrifying turn after a gunman attempted to target members of the Trump administration, guests had already posed up a storm on the red carpet.

Attendees were dressed to the nines for the big event with major power players in attendance, including President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Also among the guests were Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, 41, who is now going viral for her choice in dress.

Jennifer stunned in a curve-hugging, blush pink dress that featured a pink silk off-the-shoulder detailing.

The waist was decorated with a silk sash and gunmetal-colored sparkling brooch. She paired the look with a blush pink bag covered in flower petals and chunky, braided metallic silver heels which appeared to be previously sold by Steve Madden.

To top off the look, the former Fox News producer wore her hair in an updo and donned both diamond earrings and a diamond necklace.

But it seems like instead of donning a designer gown, Jennifer kept things casual as her dress is currently listed for sale on fast fashion site Shein for $42.

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Rauchet, shocked many with her choice of dress for the White House Correspondents Dinner

It seems like instead of donning a designer gown, Jennifer kept things casual as her dress is currently listed for sale on fast fashion site Shein for $42

It was also previously available on Temu - an online e-commerce site that often sources products from factories in China - for just $14 and on Amazon, according to the Daily Mail's search.

Her affordable look is going viral on social media, with many speculating on X (formerly Twitter) that she may have purchased the gown from Temu.

'An absolute baller move!' wrote Fox News contributor Joey Jones online.

Someone else typed: 'I respect the hell out of that. I shop used clothing to save money.'

'Had she shown up in something expensive, even from Saks, they would have complained too,' another user pointed out.

'If this is true, how cool it shows that anybody can dress as nice as she does,' one person commented.

Jennifer has not confirmed whether or not her dress was from Temu or Shein or was purchased elsewhere.

But what was supposed to be a great evening turned terrifying very quickly.

Jennifer stunned in a curve-hugging, blush pink dress that featured a pink silk off-the-shoulder detailing

It was also previously available on Temu - an online e-commerce site that often sources products from factories in China

California teacher Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly mocked the lack of security at the event and on his journey to DC in his chilling manifesto sent moments before he opened fire at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.

Surveillance footage showed Allen attempted to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.

Allen's manifesto, which was published in full by the New York Post, detailed his reasoning for the attack, his 'rules of engagement' and a 'rant' about how little security he encountered.

'What the hell is the Secret Service doing?' Allen wrote in a postscript to his manifesto.

'I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got (who knows, maybe theyre pranking me!) is nothing,' he continued.

The radicalized teacher described a 'sense of arrogance' at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was held.

'The security at the event is all outside... because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before,' Allen wrote.

President Donald Trump spoke to the media after the attempted attack at the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday

He said that the security was so lacking that, 'if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed sh**.'

Ma Deuce is a nickname for the M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun.

Earlier in his manifesto, Allen explained why he had attempted to break into the dinner and kill top Trump administration officials.

'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,' he wrote, likely in reference to President Donald Trump. He said that as a citizen of the US, what his representatives do reflects on him.

The suspected shooter added that he had wanted to take action for a long time, 'but this is the first real opportunity Ive had to do something about it.'

Federal prosecutors have announced that Allen is being charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Chloe Sevigny's new Harper's Bazaar photoshoot has been pulled apart by fans who have slammed the 'terrible cover choice.'

Sevigny posed up a storm for the May 2026 issue in a pleated floral print dress by Chloe that retails for $6,390 that was paired with tights from Calzedonia.

The dress featured bow detailing at the bust and off-the-shoulder sleeves, with Sevigny opting for a sultry expression as she gazed directly at the camera.

Her other looks from the photoshoot included a long, pink silk dress from Louis Vuitton adorned in a small daisy print as well as a schoolgirl-esque navy blue v-neck top designed by Versace, all selected by stylist Robbie Spencer.

However, despite the high-fashion designers she was decked out in, many fans were less than impressed.

Debate first erupted on The Fashion Spot forum, as many users suggested that the cover image was the 'worst' from the shoot.

'Ugh, I see it's back to square one for Harper's Bazaar after such an ultra-fabulous Anne Hathaway cover shoot last month! What an unflattering cover image. The floral dress just has to have been the worst from Chemana Kamali's Chloe collection. I hate the angle of the shot, the pose the whole lot!' one wrote.

'They are so rotten for choosing that photo for their cover when she had two better shots in the editorial,' another shared.

Chloe Sevigny's new Harper's Bazaar photoshoot has been pulled apart by fans who have slammed the 'terrible cover choice'

'Terrible cover choice in my opinion... some images with the white background would have been better,' someone else penned.

'Not wild about the photograph but delighted Chloe is on the cover!' one claimed, before another chimed in: 'I hate the cover but love Chloe.'

Similarly, over on Reddit thread r/whatthefrockk, other fashion fans were as eager to slam the shoot.

'She looks great. I cannot stand the clothing,' one Reddit user typed.

Another agreed: 'Awesome shoot but hate the cover photo.'

'I hate the cover that they chose,' another wrote in part before suggesting that other images were better.

During her new interview with Harper's, Sevigny admitted that she 'never felt pretty' her 'whole life.'

'I never felt pretty my whole life,' Sevigny confessed in her Harper's Bazaar cover story hitting newsstands May 5.

During her new interview with Harper's, Sevigny admitted that she 'never felt pretty' her 'whole life'

The Emmy nominee definitely feels 'pressure to maintain' her appeal in Hollywood, and she appeared to hint at getting the occasional face filler: 'I'm going to do all the little things. I just haven't done the major things'

'There were very pretty girls in my class, very conventionally pretty, especially within the 1980s standards of what that meant. I knew that I wasn't.'

The Emmy nominee definitely feels 'pressure to maintain' her appeal in Hollywood, and she appeared to hint at getting the occasional face filler: 'I'm going to do all the little things. I just haven't done the major things.'

'But I think also for women, if you were always touted as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' it must be just really, really challenging,' Sevigny said. 'I don't have that. I've never felt that.'

The Golden Globe winner will next portray Tatum McKenzie opposite Jennifer Garner's food blogger in Minkie Spiro's eight-episode drama The Five-Star Weekend, which closes the 31st annual Nantucket Film Festival on June 22 before streaming on Peacock July 16.

The small-screen adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand's 2023 novel will also feature Regina Hall, Gemma Chan, Timothy Olyphant and Judy Greer.
The First Lady looked effortlessly chic in a buttercream-yellow skirt suit as she and her husband welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to Washington, DC, for their official state visit.

The group posed for photographs at the South Portico of the White House, with Melania Trump opting for a double-breasted suit along with python-patterned heels by Manolo Blahnik, which typically retail for over $1,000.

The First Lady's outfit, which was designed by Adam Lippes, featured large round buttons across the front along with a crisp collar. It appeared to be the brand's Malone Jacket, which is only available in black online for $3,290.

Lippes famously dressed her in a navy silk wool coat and pencil skirt for Trump's 2025 inauguration.

Melania wore her hair in her signature long waves and sported neutral makeup. She beamed as she stood alongside the President, who wore a classic navy blue suit.

The King and Queen touched down on Monday afternoon, just mere days after a gunman attempted to target members of the Trump administration during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

For her part, Queen Camilla wore a white chiffon dress with black beaded detailing at the chest by Anna Valentine, also pinning a brooch featuring both the US flag and the Union Jack.

The brooch was a gift to Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 during her first state visit to the United States.

First Lady Melania Trump looked effortlessly chic in a buttercream-yellow skirt suit alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla

The couple posed with the royal couple at the South Portico of the White House

Melania opted for python-patterned heels by Manolo Blahnik, which retail for over $1,000, to accompany her Adam Lippes-designed suit

Her husband, King Charles, wore a navy blue pinstripe suit.

The royal couple are visiting from Monday until Thursday, their first official state visit of Donald Trump's second term.

However, an urgent security review was underway in light of the dramatic incident in Washington, DC, on Saturday, and some 'modest operational adjustments' will be made to 'a few elements' of Their Majesties' program.

After they were greeted on Monday, they headed to the State Floor and had tea in the Green Room.

They will then join the First Lady and President Trump for a tour of the White House Beehive.

Over the next few days, King Charles and Queen Camilla will return to the White House for a number of meetings, including a bilateral meeting between President Trump and the King.

On Tuesday, Trump and Melania will host a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn, followed by remarks by the President.

The King's visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from Great Britain, has been more than a year in the making.

Join the discussion Which look wins for you - statement fashion or classic royal style?

While Queen Camilla wore white, Melania donned the very tailored yellow suit

Melania wore her hair in her signature long waves and sported neutral makeup

Their visit comes just two days after a gunman tried to attack senior Trump officials at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Queen Camilla wore a brooch decorated with both the US flag and the Union Jack

Queen Camilla went for suede heels, alongside Melania's python-patterned Manolos

One is very amusing! Melania gets the giggles while in conversation with the King

The visit comes just days after suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested at the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday, where he stormed the security perimeter.

The ballroom, filled with the nation's top journalists, Hollywood celebrities and Cabinet members, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, became a scene of pure pandemonium.

Surveillance footage purported to show Allen attempting to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.

As Trump and the First Lady were whisked to safety, terrified attendees took cover anywhere they could as they waited anxiously for news.

The President spoke to the press just hours after the incident.

Still wearing his tuxedo, he addressed the nation, saying, 'When you're impactful, they go after you,' he said defiantly. 'They seem to think he was a lone wolf. We're not going to let anybody take over our society.'

The White House confirmed that the dinner is set to be rescheduled within 30 days, promising an event that is 'bigger and better.'
She's built a loyal following sharing smart money tips, but now Victoria Devine has gone viral for something far less expected - how she cleans her toilet.

The Melbourne mum, best known as the expert voice behind popular podcast She's On The Money, has left thousands of followers stunned after revealing what she says is the only way to properly clean a toilet seat.

And it's something most households have been completely overlooking.

In a candid video that quickly 'blew up' her inbox, Devine shared the simple step she swears by, which involves removing the entire toilet seat before cleaning it.

'If you're not removing the whole toilet seat to clean, are you really cleaning?' she said in the clip which amassed 76,000 views in less than 12 hours.

While many people stick to a quick wipe-down, Victoria insisted that approach is missing some of the dirtiest spots.

'Maybe you already know, maybe your mum just didn't teach you, but I always take my toilet seat off when I'm cleaning the toilet.'

According to her, the hack is surprisingly easy once you know what to look for.

Popular Melbourne podcaster Victoria Devine, has gone viral for something far less expected - how she cleans her toilet

In a candid video that quickly 'blew up' her inbox, Devine shared the simple step she swears by, which involves removing the entire toilet seat before cleaning it by clicking a small button at the back

'On the back of your toilet there's actually a button,' she explained.

'You put your hand around, press the button and the whole thing will easily lift off.'

From there, the process becomes far more thorough than a standard clean.

'You can put the whole thing in the shower, pour bleach over it, and wash it off there.

'Everything just gets really, really clean.'

The tip struck an immediate nerve online, with followers flooding her comments section in disbelief, and many rushing to test it for themselves.

'Runs to toilet to check,' one person wrote, while another joked: 'Am I the only one getting out of bed at 9.30pm on a Sunday night to test this?'

Others said the discovery was nothing short of life-changing.

'You can put the whole thing in the shower, pour bleach over it, and wash it off there. 'Everything just gets really, really clean.' The tip struck an immediate nerve online, with followers flooding her comments section in disbelief, and many rushing to test it for themselves

'My dad taught me this less than 12 months ago and my life has been forever changed. I yelled at him for not telling me sooner,' one follower shared.

'I just checked my toilet, and it has two buttons near the hinges. Omg my life has changed!' another added.

'Life shook! Thank you from a toddler toilet training mumma,' one parent wrote.

Of course, not everyone was entirely sold on the idea.

'Only works for fancy new toilets not old school,' one sceptic pointed out, while another admitted they'd be taking extra precautions.

'Aw man even when it's clean, I'd be wearing gloves & don't let it touch your hair please,' they said.

The real problem, Victoria said, lies in the hard-to-reach areas most people ignore.

'You can clean all around the crevices and then you just know that there's nothing in any nooks and crannies.'

It's these hidden spots, where grime, bacteria and residue can build up, that have clearly struck a chord, with many admitting they had no idea their toilet seat could even be removed.

While Devine is usually helping Australians get on top of their finances, this unexpected household tip has proven just as valuable.
MS Now's Joe Scarborough bemoaned the 'extraordinarily stupid' idea to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner at an 'open hotel' after a gunman tried to storm the venue.

California teacher Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly mocked the lack of security at the event and on his journey to DC in his chilling manifesto sent moments before he opened fire at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.

Surveillance footage showed Allen attempted to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.

On Monday, the Morning Joe anchor, who did not attend the dinner, claimed he could not think of a 'dumber place' to hold the annual event.

'It just seems extraordinarily stupid to use an open hotel and get State of the Union-type concentration of power in the United States, especially at a time of war against a country that's been the epicenter of terrorism since 1979, and have them walking around, going in and out of parties, standing to get their pictures taken before they go in. It never made sense to me. It's never made sense to Mika,' Scarborough said.

'We haven't been in, I don't know, maybe a decade. I can't remember the last time, but it seems like such an unsecure place.'

He added: 'But I just can't think of a dumber, dumber place to have this than at the Washington Hilton. I know it's history, but history be damned when you're putting your secretary of defense, you're putting your FBI director, you're putting the secretary of treasury, putting the Vice President, you're putting the President.'

MS Now's Joe Scarborough bemoaned the 'extraordinarily stupid' idea to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner at an 'open hotel'

The glitzy event on Saturday evening was marred by a shooter rushing into the Washington Hilton and firing off several rounds

California teacher Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly mocked the lack of security at the event and on his journey to DC in his chilling manifesto sent moments before he opened fired

Scarborough's wife and cohost, Mika Brzezinski, added: 'I would say that's still on the Trump Administration, the White House, whatever White House is in power to make that decision, to have that concentration of power in one place at a time of war.'

Allen's manifesto, which was published in full by the New York Post, detailed his reasoning for the attack, his 'rules of engagement' and a 'rant' about how little security he encountered.

'What the hell is the Secret Service doing?' Allen wrote in a postscript to his manifesto.

'I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got (who knows, maybe theyre pranking me!) is nothing,' he continued.

The radicalized teacher described a 'sense of arrogance' at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was held.

'The security at the event is all outside... because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before,' Allen wrote.

He said that the security was so lacking that, 'if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed sh**.'

Ma Deuce is a nickname for the M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun.

The Morning Joe anchor claimed he could not think of a 'dumber place' to hold the annual event

Allen is understood to have been targeting top officials in the Trump administration. First Lady Melania Trump is pictured looking shocked just before the dinner descended into chaos

Earlier in his manifesto, Allen explained why he had attempted to break into the dinner and kill top Trump administration officials.

'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,' he wrote, likely in reference to President Donald Trump. He said that as a citizen of the US, what his representatives do reflects on him.

The suspected shooter added that he had wanted to take action for a long time, 'but this is the first real opportunity Ive had to do something about it.'

Federal prosecutors have announced that Allen is being charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.

If convicted, Allen could face 20 years in jail for the assault, while the weapons charges come with a minimum of ten years with a possibility of life behind bars if fired.
Remember the Land Rover Freelander from the nineties and noughties? Well, it's back... kind of.

Formerly the smallest model in JLR's line-up between 1997 and 2015, Freelander has officially returned more than a decade after its disappearance - but as a standalone brand.

And it's not going to sit alongside Jaguar, Range Rover, Discovery and Defender in the company's line up.

It will be sold separately as part of a contentious joint venture between the British car maker - now under Tata's Indian ownership - and Chinese giant, Chery, the parent group of Jaecoo and Omoda.

At its unveiling at the Beijing Auto Show this weekend, the marque is pitched as a 'British premium intelligent all-terrain brand'.

And it's going to be a significant operation, with the promise of six models by the end of the decade.

While the vehicles are designed by JLR and show many of the hallmarks of its existing models, they won't have any of the Tata-owned car maker's branding and will be built in China with the domestic market very much in mind.

The first car in the line-up to be shown is the Freelander 8 - an enormous family SUV that looks remarkably like the current Defender. And it could still yet come to Britain...

Freelander is coming back after more than a decade away. But it isn't being sold as a Land Rover...

The original Land Rover Freelander debuted in 1997. But the name returns in 2026 as a standalone brand that has been formed in a partnership between JLR and Chinese firm, Chery

While the original Freelander - sold across two generations - was a compact SUV providing the least expensive entry into JLR's stable of luxury models, the new Freelander 8 is a very different proposition entirely.

At 5.1-meters long, it's slightly bigger than the current Land Rover Defender 110. However, with seven seats, it will offer the practicality of the larger Defender 130.

It will exclusively be powered by electrified Chery drivetrains, with the 8 set to launch with 'range extender' setup.

This will see a petrol engine function solely as a generator for the battery, the latter of which will supply the power to all four wheels. However, conventional hybrids and a full EV could follow.

All will be underpinned by an 800V electrical architecture providing DC charging speeds up to 350kW.

And it should be capable off-road too.

Bosses have stated it will have a 'worlds first intelligent all-terrain system' made up of nine adaptable driving modes and clever locking differentials that deliver power to the wheels where it is needed most. The underside is also fully protected.

It should also be plush, with dual-chamber air suspension bolstering its capabilities away from the tarmac but also providing a cushioned ride on long journeys.

The 8 is just the initial ripple of a tidal wave of new models, with Freelander set to debut a new car every six months over the next three years.

The company gave a sneak preview of what its vehicles will look like with its 97 Concept (97 being a nod to the original Freelander's debut) at the Shanghai Motor Show in March - and the 8 retains many of its styling cues.

The first new model is the Freelander 8. And it's huge. At 5.1-metre long, it is bigger than a Land Rover Defender 110

Freelander's styling chief is a former Land Rover designer. The car maker has dubbed itself a 'British premium intelligent all-terrain brand' despite the vehicles being produced in China

The brand will use the triangular-shaped rear window - a nod to the 1997 3-door Freelander - for its future models

On the outside, the silhouette is very much in the ilk of the current Defender; a jacked-up body, boxy 'Castle Body' proportions, and blocky LED headlights that have 8,000 pixels per cluster. Even the Freelander branding stamped on the upper grille section and across the flat boot door are very JLR-esque.

It is also taking some of the design lineage from the original Freelander, including the triangular side window, which it says will be a 'defining brand element' for all models.

Like most of its Chinese rivals, the interior will be gadget packed and filled with technology.

The cabin boasts a dashboard-wide digital upper screen than spans from behind the steering wheel across to the passenger door. This includes the driver's instrument cluster as well as vital information, like navigation instructions.

Lower in the dashboard is a tablet-style touchscreen as well as an array of conventional buttons for frequently adjusted settings, like the temperature controls.

The Series 1 Freelander (left) launched in 1997 as a compact SUV with three doors. The Freelander 2 (right) emerged in 2006 with a conventional design that didn't prove as popular

The company gave a sneak preview of what its vehicles will look like with its 97 Concept at the Shanghai Motor Show in March - and the 8 retains many of its styling cues

While the Concept 97 had rear-hinged 'suicide doors' similar to a Rolls-Royce, the Freelander 8 debuted in Beijing at the weekend uses a more conventional setup

Phil Simmons, a former Land Rover designer, is the company's design hub director to retain the brand's connection to JLR.

The company says the brand will have four pillars: 'British Unconventionality, Contemporary Premium, Creative Intelligence and Expressive - while staying true to the pioneering spirit born with the original Freeland in 1997.'

Lucia Mao, the brand's CEO, added: 'British craftsmanship is not just about heritage - it's about bringing timeless design to life in a contemporary way.

'Every line, every surface, every intelligent feature of our vehicle is a statement of who we are: a British premium intelligent all-terrain brand, fully reborn.'

Will it be sold in Britain?

Freelander says there could be around 1,000 prototype mules deployed across the globe to test the car's capabilities ahead of launch.

There is no indication on pricing as yet, though the 8 will debut as a premium option when it goes on sale first in the Middle East.

The company has also remained tight-lipped regarding whether it could be sold in the UK, production of right-hand-drive variants has been given the green light and it has been homologated for Europe with a variety of powertrains, according to Auto Express.

As such, there is a possibility Chery could add Freelander to its current brand like-up in Britain, which includes Chery, Jaecoo, Lepas and Omoda to date.

Auto Express claims sales could start in the UK in the second half of this year, though won't be sold in JLR dealers.

It will likely undercut the Defender on price, meaning it will need to start below 60,000.

From the front, it's easy to mistake the new Freelander 8 for a Defender, with its boxy design and square headlight clusters

While the Freelander shares a number of styling cues with the Defender, the Chinese models will not display any Land Rover branding at all

JLR-Chery partnership

The cars will will be produced at the Chery-JLR facility in Changshu, which has received $1.5billion investment in preparation, including advanced robotics and other upgrades to the manufacturing technology.

Mao said the brand is 'not a continuation' of the outgoing Freelander but a 'leap forward'.

She added: 'The legend is not stuck in the past. It is stepping into a new chapter, and the Freelander 8 proves exactly that.

JLR - which is owned by Tata Motors of India - and Chery's partnership dates back to 2012.

The companies initially struck a deal to build a research and development centre and engine production facility in China as part of a licence to manufacture JLR vehicles and new models.

The most recent deal between the two, announced in June 2024, saw JLR agreed to license its Freelander brand to Chery to develop electric vehicles using the Chinese groups platform.

Former JLR CEO Adrian Mardell - who was replaced by the incoming PB Balaji in November, had said: 'We believe that working together to develop new models of collaboration for the worlds largest and fastestgrowing electric vehicle market, combined with the appeal of the Freelander brand, promises a very exciting future for CJLR [Chery Jaguar Land Rover].'

Earlier this year it was reported that Chery is in talks to utilise a JLR factory in Britain that's currently operating at 'undercapacity' to build its own brand cars.

Sources familiar with the deal told the Financial Times that the proposals are backed by the UK government, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussing the matter during his Beijing visit earlier in the year.

The UK has been actively courting Chery to make its vehicles in Britain for the last few years, the sources said.
Britain needs a 'trade bazooka' to fight off threats to economic security, a report has urged.

Ministers should have an 'arsenal of responses' to threats of coercion, says the British Chambers of Commerce.

The call comes as wars and tariffs threaten supply chains, access to raw materials is wielded as a bargaining chip and subsidised products made abroad threaten the competitiveness of UK firms.

Donald Trump last week said he would impose a 'big tariff' if the UK did not scrap a tax on US tech firms.

Trade bazooka: Ministers should have an 'arsenal of responses' to threats of coercion, says the British Chambers of Commerce

The report calls on Labour to take up the so-called 'bazooka' powers already available to the EU, which it is considering using after Trump ramped up threats to invade Greenland earlier this year.

'UK ministers do not have equivalent powers,' it said.

'This absence becomes ever-more pressing for UK policymakers to address.'
A guaranteed hours rule for workers is a 'substantial threat to good jobs', according to a coalition of business bodies which is urging the Government to water it down.

The rule  part of Labour's workers' rights legislation  is designed to give more job security to people on zero- or low-hour contracts.

But trade groups representing firms which employ millions of people have written to Business Secretary Peter Kyle to warn that the measure, due to come into force next year, will backfire.

'The current approach risks stripping flexibility from the labour market at precisely the wrong moment,' the letter says. 'With demand already weakened, poorly designed guaranteed hours measures could become a tipping point, pushing employers to reduce hiring, limit hours or withdraw flexible roles.'

Warning: Trade groups representing firms which employ millions of people have written to Business Secretary Peter Kyle

To avoid a double whammy of rising unemployment and fewer young people entering the labour market, it requests an 'urgent and clear message' to encourage businesses to continue to hire with confidence.

The letter, signed by the British Retail Consortium, Food and Drink Federation, Recruitment and Employment Confederation and UK Hospitality, comes amid fears unemployment could soon pass 2m.

Youth joblessness has soared after Labour's National Insurance hikes and rises in the minimum wage made hiring young people costlier.

New workers' rights pile on further pressure. Some rules including those on sick pay and trade union recognition have already taken effect.

Guaranteed hours rules seek to give more certainty to those who work regularly, by promising them a set number of hours rather than facing the uncertainty of not knowing when they will be given shifts.

But bosses say more flexibility is needed to reflect differing needs of workers, for example, in industries where demand is higher in certain seasons or when production cycles vary.

Business leaders also want the rules to apply only to those workers on contracts of up to eight hours a week 'rather than sweeping up workers who don't need low-hours protections and giving workers a right to demand more work where that may not be available'.
Shell has agreed to buy a Canadian rival in its biggest deal for more than a decade as it bolsters its oil and gas reserves.

The British energy giant is buying Arc Resources in a takeover worth 12billion as it ramps up investment in fossil fuels.

The acquisition is Shells biggest since the 50billion takeover of BG Group in 2015 and significantly strengthens its presence in North America.

It comes as Canadian prime minister Mark Carney adopts a more pragmatic approach to fossil fuels than his predecessor Justin Trudeau  and the UK government.

Shell has large stakes in both the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil project in the British North Sea  but Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has so far refused to grant drilling licences for the sites.

Announcing the Arc deal yesterday, Shell chief executive Wael Sawan said: This establishes Canada as a heartland for Shell.

Back to basics: Shell is buying Canadian rival Arc Resources in a takeover worth 12bn as it ramps up investment in fossil fuels

Both companies have significant operations in the Montney shale basin in Alberta and British Columbia in western Canada, with Shell now set to add Arcs 1.5m acres of land to its own 440,000.

The deal will boost Shells output of 2.8m barrels of oil equivalent per day by 370,000 barrels and add 2bn barrels to its reserves.

Sawan said the deal complements our existing footprint in Canada and strengthens our resource base for decades to come. Shell shares slid 1.7 per cent despite a rise in the oil price.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at broker AJ Bell, said: Laying out huge sums of cash never goes down well with investors, even if it will help future-proof Shells oil and gas output for years to come and further diversifies its interests away from the Middle East.

So, its understandable that Shells shares have come under pressure.

Shell buying Arc puts to bed any hopes it will also buy BP any time soon. Shell was rumoured to be interested in BP last year, but nothing came of it.

Shell will now be busy getting Arc over the line and then bedding in the acquisition to be thinking about taking on another multi-billion-pound deal.

Shell has been carrying out a new growth strategy centred on extracting more oil and gas, moving from a focus on green energy and reducing spending on renewables.

It hopes the shift will support production targets and drive greater returns for investors.

The announcement comes a few weeks after Shell said it had cut its gas production outlook for the first quarter of this year after being affected by the conflict in the Middle East.

The deal is expected to complete in the second half of 2026, subject to shareholder, court and regulatory approvals.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted iyO Inc. a preliminary injunction against OpenAI, Sam Altman, Sir Jony Ive, and io Products. The ruling, where the Court found that iyO was likely to succeed on the merits of its trademark claim, officially bars the defendants from using the "io" name for their hardware while iyO's federal lawsuit proceeds.

Federal court bars OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Jony Ive from using 'io' name as iyO alleges trade secret theft. Post this The iyO One, an ear-worn agentic computer.

Amended Complaint: Trade Secret Theft and Corporate Espionage

The ruling caps a year of escalating legal action. On March 13, 2026, iyO amended its federal complaint to include trade secret theft claims against the defendants and Tang Yew Tan  former Apple VP of Product Design, co-founder of io Products, and current Chief Hardware Officer at OpenAI.

The amended complaint outlines a highly coordinated timeline of alleged misappropriation:

May 2024: Just 11 days after iyO's viral TED talk was published, Tan pre-ordered the iyO One. Nine days later, he contacted iyO's Design and Manufacturing Lead, Dan Sargent, to schedule a dinner meeting for early June.





Just 11 days after iyO's viral TED talk was published, Tan pre-ordered the iyO One. Nine days later, he contacted iyO's Design and Manufacturing Lead, Dan Sargent, to schedule a dinner meeting for early June. June 2024: Forensic analysis of Sargent's company laptop revealed that in the days leading up to the dinner with Tan, Sargent downloaded 33 highly secret files, accessed dormant intellectual property folders, and exported 17 CAD files into cross-platform formats unused by iyO. These files were renamed with obfuscated strings (e.g., "grgrgege.x_t") and exported outside of business hours. Sargent has since admitted to bringing iyO prototypes to show Tan.





Forensic analysis of Sargent's company laptop revealed that in the days leading up to the dinner with Tan, Sargent downloaded 33 highly secret files, accessed dormant intellectual property folders, and exported 17 CAD files into cross-platform formats unused by iyO. These files were renamed with obfuscated strings (e.g., "grgrgege.x_t") and exported outside of business hours. Sargent has since admitted to bringing iyO prototypes to show Tan. May 2025: Barely 11 months after the dinner, OpenAI announced a $6.5 billion acquisition of io Products, a company built on what iyO alleges is its proprietary technology.

Following the acquisition announcement, iyO CEO Jason Rugolo confronted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who refused to cease use of the "io" name and threatened to sue Rugolo for using iyO's own federally registered trademark.

Statement from iyO Leadership

"Sam, Jony, and Tang investigated us," said Jason Rugolo, founder and CEO of iyO. "Then targeted us opportunistically, trying to eliminate us with a fancy $6.5 billion press release during our fundraise using a copy of our name. This week, a federal judge said: not so fast."

iyO's lawsuit asserts nine causes of action, including trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, intentional interference, and unfair competition. The company is seeking injunctive relief, compensatory and exemplary damages, disgorgement of profits, and a constructive trust over any portion of the $6.5 billion acquisition value attributable to the alleged stolen intellectual property and brand infringement.

ABOUT IYO

iyO began its mission inside Google X in 2018 to make natural language computing as commonplace as cellular phones. Spinning out as an independent venture-backed startup in 2021, iyO developed the iyO One, the iyO yO, and the recently announced iyO Wand, which are revolutionary screenless computer form factors that allow users to interact with AI and the internet through voice alone. iyO is headquartered in Redwood City, CA.

WEBSITE

www.iyo.ai

IYO INC.

2606 SPRING STREET

REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063

UNITED STATES

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

2026 IYO INC.

SOURCE iyO, Inc.
Plans to build 3,500 new homes on unspoilt farmland has sparked fury among local residents - with farmers facing the prospect of losing their livelihoods.

Thousands of locals have rallied against plans to build on 14 rural sites near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, as part of Labour's target to build 13,000 homes by 2045.

But with farmland making up 70 per cent of the proposed sites, the plans go against Keir Starmer's pledge earlier this year to 'not plough through farmland'.

Locals claim their livelihoods would be destroyed under the proposals, including the Riddle Family who would be forced to give up their tenancy of nearly half a century to make space for 592 homes.

Farmer Andrew Riddle, who is 'Sheffield born and bred', discovered his home was under threat after it was included in plans for the new homes, cemeteries and schools published in the local paper.

The revelation has left Mr Riddle, 70, and his wife Adele fearing for the future, despite looking after the land in the village of Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire, for 45 years after signing a tenancy with Sheffield City Council in 1981.

Mrs Riddle, 66, told the Daily Mail the family are 'devastated' over their treatment from the council, leading to her being 'admitted to hospital overnight with stress related illness'.

She said: 'We found out at the same time as everyone else via an article in the Sheffield Star that the farm was to be built on.

Farmer Andrew Riddle and his wife Adele Riddle have looked after the land for 45 years after Sheffield City Council agreed their tenancy in 1981 - and now fear for their future

The Riddle's face the threat of losing their home Town End Farm to 592 homes under the Sheffield City Council's Local Plan

'We have had this hanging over us now for nearly a year and the strain is taking a significant toll on our wellbeing and our family'.

Their tenancy is three generational and the couple have 'ploughed hundreds of thousands', or the near entirety of their life savings, into rebuilding the farm over the belief it would stay in the family for years to come.

They hoped to pass the farm on to their children Kathryn, 38, who has diversified the land with a cattery and livery yard, and 31-year-old son Alistair, who helps with the farm's accounts.

Mrs Riddle said: 'Our lease says this is a three generation lease and we are the first generation so we had also invested heavily in the farm for our son and daughter to continue.'

The farming tenants condemn the Labour Government for going against their pledge to leave farmland out of planning proposals as 'Sheffield's Local Plan does the exact opposite' by 'ploughing through 170 hectares of farmland'.

This came after the planning document was deemed 'sound' by the HM Planning Inspectorate following a public hearing in January, after minor changes were made.

Out of the 14 rural sites, 90 per cent of the land sits within two postcodes - S35 and S13 - and were proposed to fulfil a shortfall in the city's housing and employment land allocation.

The motion was voted in by 45 councillors out of 84 in May last year. It was backed by every Green Party representative, notably councillor Maroof Raoug was not mentioned, while harvesting support from 12 out of 15 Labour councillors.

Thousands of locals have rallied against plans to build on 14 rural sites near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, as part of Labour's target to build 13,000 homes by 2045 Pictured: Town End Farm

Andrew, who is 'Sheffield born and bred', discovered his home was under threat after it was included in plans for the new homes, cemeteries and schools published in the local paper Pictured: Town End Farm

As a result, the Riddle's have branded the Green Party 'total hypocrites', and added: 'We have invited the Green Party councillors to come and look at the farm and we would take them around. However to date not one of them has taken them up on the offer or even been in contact with us.'

Consultations are being held by the Sheffield County Council until May 5, yet campaigners of the group Sheffield Green Belt Alliance say as it stands it will 'destroy' everything they 'love' about where they live.

Jo Tunstall, 55, who leads the campaign against building in the postcode S35, said the plans would 'destroy everything [she] loves about where [she] lives'. Seven of the proposed sites sit within two miles of her home.

The programme manager, who has lived in Sheffield for most of her life, told the Mail: 'The Green Party have deviated from their principles to protect nature with thousands of trees at risk, miles of ancient hedgerows to be ripped out, local wildlife site destruction, priority habitats and protected species bulldozed and irreparable damage to ancient woodland that sits on the sites selected.'

She accused the party of 'believing' the 'narrative' Labour 'sold them' that 'all brownfield sites have been exhausted', despite her claims her group have provided evidence to the contrary.

Sheffield County Council told the Mail 80 per cent of new homes are expected to be built on brownfield land, while 'brownfield sites alone cannot meet Sheffield's future housing and jobs needs over the plan period to 2039'.

It is understood 96 per cent of green belt land will be untouched and protected through the Sheffield Plan.

Ms Tunstall said food security is a 'major concern', and added: 'The sites selected are not sustainable development, they destroy farmers livelihoods, wipe out nature and wildlife that cannot be recreated with urban green space designated in a plan and the overdevelopment will run our communities into the ground.

Jo Tunstall (left), who leads the campaign against building in postcode S35, said the plans would 'destroy everything [she] loves about where [she] lives'

'That is not a legacy I want to leave for future generations. Much development is happening on brownfield already, we think there is more that can be done without having to touch a single acre of protected green belt land.'

A Sheffield Labour spokesperson said: 'Sheffield is a growing city, and people here are crying out for good quality affordable homes. We are committed to building the homes Sheffield needs.

'The vast majority of new homes in Sheffield will be built on brownfield land and in the city centre. A consultation about the Local Plan is currently open until 5th May and we encourage all Sheffield residents to have their say.'

The Green Party did not respond when contacted by the Daily Mail for comment.
A notorious fraudster wanted by the Met has died after falling from a window in the capital.

Swindler Karl Cronin was found fatally injured on the pavement along the King's Road in Chelsea, west London, in the early hours of Easter Monday.

It is believed he fell out of a second-storey window, although police do not suspect third-party involvement.

The Mail has been told the victim was Cronin, who was wanted by police over his role in a large-scale multi-million-pound property scam.

He was even the subject of a police appeal on BBC series Crimewatch in 2008, as detectives sought to question the elusive criminal.

It is not known how the fraudster was able to return to London under the noses of the Met.

One friend said: 'He did a lot of bad things in his life and destroyed many, many lives. He lived through lies and deceit and he had a ruthless streak.

'All he cared about was money, dating young women, and having a good time.

Karl Cronin, thought responsible for defrauding Fulham and Chelsea landlords of more than 5million

Cronin previously featured in BBC Crimewatch appeal

Cronin is believed he fell out of a second-storey window on the King's Road (pictured), although police do not suspect third-party involvement

'It did not matter who got hurt along the way. There have been a lot of people laughing that his life has ended this way. There's the feeling that he got what he deserved.'

Another friend told The Chelsea Citizen, which first broke the story: 'He was a loveable rogue, almost like an Arthur Daley figure.

'He was always good company, the life and soul of a party and someone who was living life to the full. But he caused a lot of damage, there is no doubt about that.'

Sources said Cronin had been living in the rented apartment since November last year, having flown into London Heathrow.

He became wanted for defrauding landlords and property owners in the Chelsea and Fulham areas in the early 2000s.

It is believed he made in excess of 5 million out of the scam.

He was also implicated in a high-profile 2017 fraud trial which led to a model and her mother being jailed.

Laylah de Cruz and her mother Dianne Moorcroft conned a 91 year-old heiress  who has since died  to raise cash against her home.

Laylah De Cruz was convicted of a property fraud in which Cronin was implicated

De Cruz urged Moorcroft to change her name by deed poll to convince estate agents and solicitors she was the owner of a vacant 3m house in Kensington.

Moorcroft obtained a British passport and a Dubai resident's permit in the name of the true owner, elderly Margaret Gwenllian Richards, and arranged for the property sale.

The crooked mother-of-two helped secure a 1.2m bridging loan against the three-bedroom property before a buyer was found, and the money was transferred to Dubai. It was later withdrawn in cash.

De Cruz, a Dubai-based stable owner and model, encouraged her mother to take part in the scam after being 'dazzled' by fraudster Cronin's money, fast cars, and jewellery.

He did not stand trial because he was on the run, although prosecutor Teresa Hay said that neither woman 'were the architects or principle beneficiaries' of the fraud, adding 'there would be some significant interest in [Cronin] if he came back to the UK'.

She was jailed for five years while her mother was imprisoned for five years after they were both convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation at Southwark Crown Court.

Investigations are continuing into how Cronin met his death.

One person who knew Cronin well said: 'There is no way Karl killed himself.

'None of the people who knew him believe that is what happened. One thing is for sure  he had a lot of enemies.'

A neighbour told the Mail: 'I've heard so many other things - we are all interested to know.'
A small town Louisiana mayor has blamed the 'devil' for trying to ruin her re-election campaign after she was arrested for a $75,000 fraud scheme.

Winnsboro Mayor Alice Wallace, 50, has allegedly been receiving fraudulent Medicaid benefits since 2021, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Wallace became mayor in 2022 and failed to report a change of household income to the state health department, the attorney general's office said.

She also failed to disclose her marital status and intentionally misrepresented the availability of employer-provided health insurance, authorities said.

Wallace's mayoral salary would have disqualified her from being eligible to receive Medicaid benefits, but investigators allege she and her daughter continuously utilized benefit programs through 2026.

She was arrested by Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents in Baton Rouge last Tuesday and charged with six counts of government benefits fraud.

She was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Jail records show that she appears to have been released on bond.

Wallace, the first woman elected to lead Winnsboro, has seemingly denied the allegations against her and alleged the accusations are an attempt from the 'devil' to 'discredit' her bid for re-election.

Winnsboro Mayor Alice Wallace, 50, has allegedly been receiving fraudulent Medicaid benefits since 2021, according to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office

Wallace was arrested by Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents in Baton Rouge last Tuesday and charged with six counts of government benefits fraud

She has seemingly denied the allegations against her and alleged the accusations are an attempt from the 'devil' to 'discredit' her bid for re-election

'The devil is trying to embarrass and discredit leadership to possess power again through those who know zero, that way they can run it!!' she wrote on Facebook.

'This way you won't trust someone who can be trusted. Just look who's backing them! It's election time what else you got! I'm still standing!!'

The mayor claimed that she has been insured by healthcare provider Blue Cross since 2021 and that her daughter's father provided their child with insurance.

She questioned why she would 'bill Medicaid' for healthcare expenses if both of them were already covered.

'Talk to the doctors!' she urged. 'I do believe that I will be vindicated but just know that if you dug one ditch better dig two more bcuz for the ones they're trying to get in office, the whistle has been blown!

'I work for a living, I didn't PPP my way! It's a reason why we've registered 200 and they've registered none, they were waiting on this!'

Wallace said she is 'still gonna win' the election and claimed the allegations against her have 'just energized Team Wallace.'

Murrill, however, has said: 'It doesn't matter who you are  if you defraud the hardworking taxpayers of Louisiana, you're going to jail.'

Winnsboro, located about 40 miles outside of Monroe, is a rural, agricultural-based town with a population of 4,862 people. Wallace became mayor in 2022 after defeating the incumbent mayor by just 12 votes

Winnsboro, located about 40 miles outside of Monroe, is a rural, agricultural-based town with a population of just 4,862 people, census data showed.

Wallace became mayor in 2022 after defeating incumbent mayor John C. Dumas, both Democrats, by 12 votes.

At the time of her election, she vowed to reduce crime in Winnsboro by creating new jobs. She also aimed to bring more recreational areas to the town.

She is running for re-election in the town's May 16 election.
The chief detective leading the hunt for missing Nancy Guthrie was once fired for beating a wounded, handcuffed suspect with the butt of his gun, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Joseph Cameron, now the top investigator within the Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona, admitted using his weapon to bash the man who had already been shot by another officer.

He also confessed he later slapped the shackled suspect to try to get him to incriminate himself.

At the time, Cameron was a sheriff's deputy called Joseph Harvey, and was subsequently fired by then Sheriff Clarence Dupnik in 2001 for using excessive force and poor judgment.

But he won his job back after a lengthy process that eventually went to the Arizona Supreme Court  which upheld a 2003 decision to allow him to return and make his way up the career ladder.

The revelation follows more stunning alleged details about under-fire Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.

These include eight alleged suspensions while a young officer in El Paso, Texas, and claims he also beat a handcuffed suspect while a young officer.

And in a separate development last Tuesday, Nanos admitted to Pima County Board of Supervisors in an attorney's letter that he quit the El Paso job to avoid a three-day suspension for insubordination in 1982.

Joseph Cameron serves as the Chief of the Investigations Bureau for the Pima County Sheriff's Department - which has been overseeing Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie, has been missing from Tuscon, Arizona, since February 1

His testimony in the 22-page document follows long-running accusations that he misrepresented his work history to Pima County officials.

In the case of Nanos's now detective chief, the state Supreme Court's ruling opinion over his job fight included the background: 'Deputy Harvey testified in a criminal case that to effectuate an arrest, he had hit the arrestee with the butt of his gun and later slapped the handcuffed, shackled and wounded man.

'After reviewing the testimony and other reports of the incident, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik concluded that Deputy Harvey had used excessive force, engaged in inappropriate interview techniques and showed poor judgment'.

The filing said the termination notice from Dupnik cited the arrest incident and also alleged 'other rule and policy infractions'.

Quoting from the notice, these included the cop's 'career-long pattern of failure and/or unwillingness to comply with department rules and regulations'.

The judges said there was also 'disregard of commands from a fellow officer, his absence without leave to drive an intoxicated friend home, and his inclusion of false information on booking forms'.

The fired cop appealed his termination to Pima County Law Enforcement Merit System Council, the ruling body for personnel administration.

He testified before a hearing officer that he'd slapped the suspect to revive him, not just to get incriminating details. Colleagues who saw the incident backed him up.

Nancy's puzzling disappearance quickly captivated the world but the investigation has been beset with controversy

Surveillance footage from Nancy's doorbell camera showed a masked man appearing to break into her property in the middle of the night, but no suspects have been arrested or publicly identified

'Some law enforcement officers, however, testified that slapping a suspect is not an acceptable way to render first aid,' the supreme court stated.

'Harvey did not deny the other accusations of misconduct, but minimized them. He questioned the timing of his termination, which occurred nearly eighteen months after the incident with the arrestee.'

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, now retired, fired Joseph Cameron in 2001 after concluding he had used excessive force on a suspect, the Daily Mail has learned

The council's hearing officer accepted the cop's version of events over the suspect and found there was no case for discipline. He was rapped on the knuckles for the other infractions.

Pima County and Sheriff Dupnik then began a legal back and forth through Arizona courts that resulted in the Supreme Court declaring the merit system council was correct to overrule the sheriff.

By that time Joseph Harvey had changed his name to Joseph Cameron and had begun working as a deputy again two years after his firing.

Now  as the sheriff's department faces allegations of incompetence over Guthrie under Sheriff Nanos's leadership  Cameron's title is investigations bureau chief.

And as the hunt for the mother of NBC Today show host Savannah Guthrie approaches three months, that fact is itself creating controversy within the sheriff's department, we can reveal.

'Cameron is the chief of detectives and he's had the job for a year. But he was never a detective before that. Never. Not once,' a senior department source revealed to the Daily Mail.

Guthrie was taken from her $1 million home in Tucsons Catalina Foothills. She has lived there for more than 50 years and Savannah grew up there

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, one of the leading investigators in the case, has a checkered past of his own in law enforcement, including allegedly beating a handcuffed suspect, new records show

'Somehow he's now in charge of the section in the middle of a high-profile case that appears to be going nowhere and still has the world watching.

'Everyone views him as Nanos's muscle. He's his driver for most events. No one thinks he got his position through competency. He's a long-time sheriff's department hardman.

'His appointment feeds into the narrative that Nanos rewards people based on loyalty, not competency.'

The Pima County Sheriffs Department said 'there is no further information to share regarding Cameron when asked for a comment.

Nancy was snatched from her $1million home in the affluent Catalina Foothills area of Tucson in the early hours of February 1.

A sinister masked and armed man captured on her door camera remains the investigation's biggest focus amid a $1million reward offer by TV star Savannah and her family.

Roughly six Pima County detectives are still working out of the Tucson FBI office in a joint operation. After criticism of their lack of experience, a 12-year detective veteran has now joined them, we can reveal.

'Cameron would be read in on pretty much everything to do with the case, although I don't know if he's offering any direction,' said our source. 'But with his position, if he tells detectives to do something, they'll have to do it.'

Before leading the detective unit, Cameron was in charge of internal affairs 'which was a curious choice to say the least and some felt an insult,' added the insider.

'He got fired as Joe Harvey and came back as Joe Cameron, I think as a way to shake the negative connotations with his last name.'
A pastor who lives in Florida's most notorious retirement community was arrested on bigamy charges after updating his status on social media as 'married' and posting a photo of his new wife.

Leslie Williams, 62, was taken into custody at his home in The Villages on Wednesday and booked into the county jail without bond, according to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office.

The responding officer arrived at Williams' home on Lady Lake around 3.40pm to serve the out-of-state warrant.

Since Williams was not home at the time, deputies left his home, but saw his blue Ford pickup truck in the area and issued a traffic stop, according to the arrest warrant.

He's listed as an 'out of state fugitive' and was arrested on charges from Rockdale, Georgia. The arrest warrant states that he will be extradited.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office for the arrest warrant and a timeline on the extradition.

Williams shared on Facebook in December that he got married to a woman named Cindy, who did not appear to have a social media account.

'Wow I thought you were already married. Congratulations!!' one comment on the post read.

Leslie Williams, pictured above in a social media post last year, was arrested in Florida earlier this week on an out-of-state warrant

Williams has been accused of bigamy. He posted a photo of his new wife, Cindy, pictured above, on his Facebook in December

Williams was arrested on April 22 by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and has been booked in jail without bond. He's pictured above in a booking photo

'Love is in the air! Mr. & Mrs. Williams!' another added.

A few days later, he shared a photo of his bride and wrote: 'Thanks for all the wonderful comments referencing my saved, beautiful and talented wife, Mrs. Williams! Shes saved for real, praise God!!!'

That same week, he shared a selfie driving and responded to a comment praising him for looking 'like a different man.'

'I am, my wife is an amazing woman, I feel the way I look! Thank you Sis!!!' he responded.

Williams operates the Leslie Williams Ministries, which advertises services preparing you for the end of time.'

'At Leslie Williams Ministries, our mission is to spread the message of hope and love through faith in Jesus Christ and prepare as many as we can for the end of time!' their mission statement reads.

'We believe in empowering individuals as disciples to strengthen their relationship with God, each other and with new disciple recruits..'

The ministry's address is in a shopping center that appears to be owned by Safe Ship.

Williams operates Leslie Williams Ministries and is a pastor. He lives in The Villages in Florida, according to jail records. Williams is pictured above in a social media post shared in 2024

The address listed online for Leslie Williams Ministries appears to be a Safe Ship store in an outdoor shopping center, pictured above

Leslie Williams Ministries did not answer a phone call from the Daily Mail on Friday when contacted for comment. According to jail records, Williams is still in custody.

Williams is a resident of The Villages, an unincorporated community in Florida with a large retiree population.

The community is larger than Manhattan and encompasses five zip codes. A 2021 documentary called Some Kind of Heaven, directed by Lance Oppenheim, explored the bizarre utopia where residents say people participated in swinging and there was a black market for Viagra.

In 2023, a TikTok video went viral depicting loofahs hanging outside of people's cars, which some speculated were codes for swinging.

The video also included a chart previously shared on Reddit of what the different colors of loofahs meant.

A restaurant worker told the Daily Mail in 2014 that they were once paid $100 for three hours of work at a swingers party in The Villages.
Every seasoned cop has one case that never leaves them. Often it involves a child. It can be the same for doctors too.

For consultant psychiatrist, Dr Maya Sharma, that case involves a 16-year-old who she was not allowed to save.

The case began routinely enough. In March 2021, Dr Sharma was asked by a speech and language therapist to assess a young girl.

Something was off. The therapist could not put their finger on it but something was amiss. So Dr Sharma sat in. The clues were minimal. But they were there.

My conclusion, having observed them [the clues], was that she was about to enter the early stage of psychosis, Dr Sharma recalled.

This was a vital intervention. Psychosis itself is toxic to the brain. Any reduction in the duration of untreated psychosis can prevent lasting damage.

Dr Sharma explained to the patients mother that she should watch her daughter carefully for further symptoms.

If they started to occur, I would class it as a psychiatric emergency and that she should get to A&E or call us and ask to speak to me and I would see them the same day.

Two months later the mother, in tears and distraught, picked up the phone for help.

She was very distressed. Crying. She said she was terrified. Her child was behaving very oddly.

But the mother was not then put through to Dr Sharma.

Thats because by then, Dr Sharma had been placed on administrative leave by superiors alleged to have been bullying her.

Dr Maya Sharma talks with Mail on Sunday Investigations Editor Michael O'Farrell in London

Dr Sharma was born Ankur Sharma in 1981 in Calcutta. She has two sisters

With Dr Sharma sitting down the hall, unaware the call had even taken place, the mother was told an urgent appointment letter would be dispatched.

Then, for 36 days, nothing happened.

During that time, Dr Sharma handed in her resignation letter. She just couldnt take it anymore.

Its beyond human. Its so dehumanising and I had been demonised for too long.

On the 36th day  the last day of Dr Sharmas employment  the child was found dead.

But no one told Dr Sharma. She learned of the death a few days later. When it came, the inquest ruled the death a suicide.

But to Dr Sharma it was more than that. In her opinion, the teenagers death was a systemic homicide caused by failures in the system, that need not have happened.

For Dr Sharma, this is the case that changed everything.

Weeks later, Dr Sharma was walking by the lake in the picturesque Killarney National Park when she spotted something pink in her peripheral vision.

In the upturned roots of a fallen tree, a shrine had been left to the girl Dr Sharma had not been allowed to treat.

There was a poorly printed photo with an RIP date, candles, and a soft, fluffy toy.

I went numb. It was like a truck hit me, Dr Sharma recalled.

I was mad. I was raging. I had warned of this. I had warned the system. I had predicted a serious incident, she said.

I had marked this girl as a high risk and they had cancelled my clinics. I was in the building, and yet I was not consulted for my patient.

In that moment, something in Dr Sharma snapped.

In the clear water nearby, she saw a broken and discarded wagon wheel from one of Killarneys jaunting cars.

The mix of feelings was overwhelming, and my mind just shut down. I went into the water, and I hauled that over. I dont know what I was doing.

Turned on its side, by the roots of the tree, the wheel became a table for the shrine.

The next day, Dr Sharma returned to leave a book called Noise at the site of the shrine.

It makes sense, because the institutions around this child just make noise but shes silent now because the noise killed her.

And then, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the MacGillycuddy Reeks and the silent depths of the lake, Dr Sharma resolved to turn whistleblower.

It is a decision that has led to her becoming temporarily homeless on the streets of London  but it is not one she will ever regret.

Absolutely no, Dr Sharma responds forcefully when asked if she wishes shed never spoken out.

No way, I could not have lived with myself.

Dr Sharma was born Ankur Sharma in 1981 in Calcutta. She has two sisters.

In recent years, she has transitioned to Maya  a process that together with whistleblowing has been a focal point of harassment.

It has also seen Maya become estranged from her family who do not approve.

Her father was an oil executive and the family moved throughout India to follow his assignments.

But Dr Sharmas formative years were spent in the city of Dehradun, the capital of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, near the Himalayan foothills.

Its where the Himalayas sort of starts. Its beautiful and idyllic. You can see the Himalayas from my house.

With these origins in mind, it is easy to see why Dr Sharma eventually settled in Killarney and would like to return there.

According to Dr Sharma, she was a happy and creative child.

I just wanted to be in a loving profession and a fulfilling one.

Medical school in India was followed by further training at Londons Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and in 2016, Dr Sharma registered with the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom.

In order to also pursue a passion for the study of Renaissance painting in Italy, she divided her time between temporary locum posts and art school.

With its desperate shortage of consultants, locum work in Ireland was easy to come by.

And though the flaws in the Irish system were frustrating  and potentially devastating  Dr Sharma was able to help many.

This is evident from the outpouring of support she has received since RTEs Barry Lenihan broke the news of Dr Sharmas homelessness this week.

I listened to the interview, one parent of a former patient texted Dr Sharma this week.

Im not ashamed to admit it. It made me cry. You sound very tired. I hope you can end up back in Killarney and with a stable life.

That parent  who once expected to find their child dead at any moment  is now watching as their once-troubled child is thriving.

The young person has gone on to become a sort of genius, Dr Sharma says, with evident satisfaction and pride.

Life on the streets of London has been tough for Dr Sharma. She has learned how to survive on next to nothing.

In Cafe Nero on Charing Cross Road, for example, she asks in an embarrassed fashion if she can scan her loyalty card for the points as I pay for coffees.

The free cappuccino those points will provide is the difference between having breakfast the next day or not.

Dinner, when it can be found, comes from a soup kitchen or via charity food vouchers.

I dont recognise the sensation hunger, not because its part of a depressive episode or anything. Ive just habituated to dinner and a coffee in the morning.

She has also been viciously assaulted with a broken bottle. In hospital afterwards, doctors removed shards of broken glass from the attack, one of which nearly killed her.

They told me had it been one centimetre on the other side, my bowel would have burst and I would have died on the spot.

Yet Dr Sharma does not regret her whistleblowing.

Shes just become street-smart and learned to stay away from institutions like the HSE. Dr Sharma said my forehead is tattooed with risk of reputational damage to organisations.

And she added: Im done with institutions and organisations and institutional abuse.

I am angry. But living for a bit of time below rock bottom, there is a place. Ive been there. It teaches you a lot of things, and in a strange kind of way, it calms you down its a good hiding place, in a way, just to hide and not be seen.

Looking back, Dr Sharma can now see she her whistleblowing represented a threat to a system that will always circle the wagons to protect itself. I was the bad apple, and everything bad was projected onto me.

They couldnt identify their projections as being theirs. They couldnt own the bad parts of them  the parts that wanted to say, we knew this because what I exposed was known for the past four years before me.

I got attacked, scapegoated, and everything else for doing something that they would all, in hindsight, agree was the right thing to do.

The problem, as Dr Sharma sees it, is that systems running the medical profession have become sociopathic and are in panic.

The priority for institutions is to maintain squeaky clean reputations at all costs, and if that means destroying a doctors career, or any nefarious action or wrongdoing, it will be done.

When systems go in panic, they lose capacity, just as any person who is 10 out of 10 angry loses the capacity for abstract reasoning and rationalising.

Systems in panic will act like animals or cavemen fighting an existential threat. I would have been an existential threat from the systems perspective, and I got eaten.

For years, Dr Sharma took suffering as routine  something part of her felt she deserved. Even the horrific assault she endured felt like the universe was judging her.

I was so fatigued and traumatised that sometimes I wondered if I was alive or dead I was sitting right at the interface, between life and death.

That is now changing. Now a delicate but strengthening defiance is emerging, like a butterfly from a chrysalis.

I had come to expect punishment, and only in recent months have I come out of that mindset where I dont deserve any punishment for anything.

I did the right thing, and I would do it 100 times again and suffer if I have to suffer.

The London city parks Dr Sharma spends her days in are now resplendent in spring flowers after a long, hard winter.

They are a sort of metaphor for Dr Sharmas own metamorphosis. She too is emerging from a bulb and pushing up through the ground towards the sunlight once more.

Her favourite spot is beneath a majestic London plane tree overlooking the lake in St Jamess Park.

It is here, seated on roots that have seen kings and queens come and go, where we conduct this interview. If she gets her wish, Dr Sharma wont be here much longer.

Her application to be re-registered with the Irish Medical Council is in train  and comes before an adjudication meeting on Tuesday.

When that comes through, she knows where she wants to be.

In Killarney, running my private practice, working on an income sliding scale, which I dont know why private practices dont do.

In psychiatry, the wounded warrior metaphor is commonly used to describe someone who instead of being broken by past trauma, becomes driven by it.

It would be an apt way to think of Dr Maya Sharma.
The Museum of London has ruffled feathers over claims it stole the idea for its new pigeon and poo logo from a pair of designersfrom Manchester.

Michael Wild and Rebecca May are considering legal action after negotiations with museum bosses and the design agency behind the 437m rebrand recently collapsed.

The museum claims the pigeon and poo logo was developed independently by Uncommon, a global creative studio with offices in New York, London and Stockholm.

But Michael and Rebecca, a husband and wife team who run May Wild from their studio, in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, say it bears a 'striking resemblance' to their coo bird and golden coo pu design they first conceived 14 years ago, in 2012. It was launched at the London Design Festival in 2018.

Both designs feature a white ceramic model of a pigeon on a white background next to a golden splat of bird droppings, which represents both the gritty yet glamorous reality of life in a modern city.

Rebecca said: 'It does feel like a very David versus Goliath situation.

'We wanted to do the decent thing, so reached out privately to the London Museum in the hope of having a conversation with them, but shortly afterwards they came back with a statement to say they didn't think the design was the same and any similarities were just a coincidence.'

Mike added: 'Over the past 12 month we've done everything to enter into positive discussions but now we're at an impasse, so we are taking legal advice.

May Wild's coo bird and coo pu (left) which bears a striking resemblance to the London Museum's new 'grit and glitter' pigeon logo (right)

Manchester designers Rebecca May and Michael Wild who say the museum 'stole' their work

'Usually in this situation it is a matter of acknowledgement and remuneration - but this isn't about the money. It's about the fact that we put a lot of care and love into this design, it was inspired by Manchester, a city where we live and it represents our core values and authenticity of story telling.

'To see the London Museum pigeon celebrated internationally without any acknowledgment of our work has been difficult and really hard.

'Our hope has always been for open dialogue around attribution and visibility for independent creatives. This isnt about blame  its about encouraging better practice in the sector.'

Rebecca added: 'It is also ironic that the London Museum is now using a logo that was inspired by Manchester.'

The couple point out that information about their coo bird design has been online, widely shared on social media and exhibited around Manchester since 2018.

On their own website they say: 'Coo bird is a celebration of our cities, representing two sides of them: sometimes run down but sometimes glorious, a pest but also of a creature of value. They are a story of finding beauty and humour in the everyday, in the forgotten, in our common humble pigeon and its good-luck golden droppings.

They say a similar story was shared by Sharon Ament, director of the museum, which has changed it's name to the London Museum, when she launched the new logo in July 2024.

She told Museums and Heritage: A good logo gets people talking. Our pigeon, cast from London clay, and its splat, rendered in glitter, prompts people to reconsider London. The pigeon and splat speak to a historic place full of dualities, a place where the grit and the glitter have existed side by side for millennia.'

Rebecca and Michael were alerted to the copycat design soon after the logo launch by other creatives and museum curators who assumed they had been behind the rebrand.

'Initially we were shocked at the striking resemblance,' Mike said.

They were inundated with messages from other designers and people who even highlighted the similarities on the museum's own Facebook page.

One commentator, Louise Morgan, wrote: 'Thought this looked familiar!! Have you just ripped off the May Wild Studio original design? The poo even has the raised splodges!'

Another wrote: 'Whoever was paid to essentially steal someone else's art and pass it off as a new and original design concept to London Museum should be ashamed of themselves. I can't fathom why someone would do this and think people wouldn't notice.'

When Rebecca and Michael's private approaches to the museum were rebuffed they contacted Anti Copying in Design (ACID), the UKs leading design and intellectual copyright campaigners, who agreed to help and act as mediators in the dispute.

However, talks recently stalled because London Museum and Uncommon refuse to accept they have plagiarised any aspect of the couple's design.

Dids MacDonald, co-founder and chair of Anti Copying in Design ( ACID), said: May Wild are taking legal advice.

'Theyve done everything possible over many months to be reasonable and enter into positive discussions but sadly to no avail.

All they wanted was for the London Museum to acknowledge the original concept which they created and which is backed up by compelling evidence over many years.

'They expected the London Museum to uphold high expected standards of attribution recompense and transparency. This did not happen.

'They have a clear, dated audit trail for their designs, and situations like this underline the importance of robust due-diligence processes  particularly where publicly funded cultural institutions are involved.'

Mr MacDonald added: 'This case reflects wider challenges faced by independent designers whose long-established work later resembles high-profile commercial or public-sector projects.

The Museum of London was based at London Wall, east London, for 45 years but closed its doors in December 2022.

A spokesman for the new London Museum, which is scheduled to open in Smithfield, east London, later this year, said: 'London Museums visual identity was created by Uncommon Creative Studio following a lengthy and detailed design process in collaboration with Londoners.

'We are confident it was developed entirely independently and do not accept that the pigeon and splat is a copy.'
A Massachusetts deputy has been arrested after being accused of raping and trafficking a teenage boy across multiple towns.

Suffolk County Sheriff's Department Deputy Richard Kielczweski, 41, was arrested on Friday night on accusations of several sexual assaults, creating child pornography and trafficking a 15-year-old boy.

Kielczweski faces accusations spanning across multiple towns in the state; Hanson, Halifax and Middleboro, according to the Halifax Police Department.

'Detective Cushman of the Halifax Police Department conducted an extensive investigation into Halifax-related incidents connected to this case,' the cops said.

'As a result of his investigation, Detective Cushman obtained an arrest warrant charging Kielczweski.'

Kielczweski was arrested by Hanson and Middleborough Police, according to the release.

In Hanson, the former deputy faces three counts of pay for sexual conduct with a child under 18, two counts of rape of a child aggravated by a 10-year age difference, one count of rape of a child with force, posing/exhibiting a child in a sexual act and trafficking person under 18 for sexual servitude.

He faces further charges in Middleboro, including one count of witness intimidation and enticing a child under 16, and in Halifax he has been accused of two counts of rape of a child, pay for sexual conduct with a child and trafficking.

Kielczweski was employed by the sheriff's department as of February after he was hired as a correctional officer in 2015, WCVB reported.

Suffolk County Sheriff's Department Deputy Richard Kielczweski, 41, was arrested on Friday on charges of sexual assault, creating child pornography and trafficking a 15-year-old boy

Kielczweski faces accusations spanning across multiple towns in the state; Hanson, Halifax and Middleboro

Kielczweski was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, noting his work during the 2024 holiday season in the Boston area

'The charges against Officer Kielczweski are extremely serious and deeply disturbing,' the department said in a statement to the outlet.

'The Department has taken the swift and decisive action to indefinitely suspend Officer Kielczweski.'

Kielczweski had been previously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, noting his work during the 2024 holiday season in the greater Boston area, the outlet reported.

'The Halifax Police Department would like to recognize the efforts of all agencies involved in bringing this individual into custody and protecting vulnerable victims,' the HPD said.

The investigation remains ongoing, the department noted.

The former officer is being held on a $250,000 bail and is set to be arraigned on Monday in Plymouth District Court.
Donald Trump said that political assassins go after the 'most impactful people' when asked point blank why he continues to face attempts on his life.

The President has been the target of at least three alleged plots, dating back to that fateful day in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024 when a gunman injured the President and killed one of his supporters.

The third came on Saturday, when 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen was accused of trying to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton.

At a later press conference, Trump had it put to him point blank: 'Why do you think this keeps happening to you?'

The President said his response was informed by having 'studied assassinations' and suggested it had to do with the target's impact on the world.

'I must tell you the most impactful people, the people that do the most, you take a look at the people  Abraham Lincoln  I mean, you go through the people that have gone through this where they got em, but the people that do the most and the people that make the biggest impact are the ones that they go after.'

The President added that the assassins do not plot attacks against figures that 'don't do much because they like it that way.'

He added: 'Just take a look at the names here. The big names, and I hate to say Im honored by that, but Ive done a lot. Weve done a lot.'

Donald Trump said that shooters only go after the 'most impactful people' when asked point blank why he continues to face assassination attempts

Trump is escorted out after a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel outside the room Saturday night

He then claimed that, as President, he has taken the United States from 'a laughingstock' to 'the hottest country in the world.'

Trump believes this was part of the reason shooters have gone after him.

'Weve changed this country, and there are a lot of people that are not happy about that,' Trump said.

Allen called himself the 'Friendly Federal Assassin' in a chilling manifesto he wrote before the attack.

He sent the eerie anti-Trump writing to his family members just ten minutes before he fired shots at the hotel in Washington, where the ritzy press gala was taking place on Saturday night.

The harrowing writing was given to the police by a relative, a US official said.

According to the New York Post, Allen's manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes.

'In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).

'Weve changed this country, and there are lot of people that are not happy about that,' Trump bragged

Cole Thomas Allen, 31, is the suspect in Saturday's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton

'I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn't come to that.'

His targets included 'administration officials (not including [FBI Director Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.'

Allen wrote, allegedly referencing the President: 'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'

Previously, Trump was shot at in Pennsylvania by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks was killed on sight by law enforcement.

The other 2024 assassination attempt was carried out in Florida by 59-year-old Ryan Routh, who was recently sentenced to life in prison.

On Saturday night, chilling surveillance footage captured the moment gun-wielding Allen stormed past security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Allen was seen wearing all black as he sprinted inside the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening with a gun in hand, video posted by President Trump on Truth Social showed.

Just moments before he ran, security guards were seen standing in the hallway, but as soon as he sped by, they immediately reacted and pulled out their firearms.

Previously, Trump was shot at in Pennsylvania by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks was killed on site by law enforcement

The other 2024 assassination attempt was carried out in Florida by 59-year-old Ryan Routh, who was recently sentenced to life in prison

Police revealed the suspect had a number of weapons on him, including a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

Trump shared a stunning image shortly after the shooting, showing the suspect shirtless and lying face down on the carpet.

Law enforcement confirmed he was not struck by gunfire while being stopped, but has since been taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Allen had rented a room at the Hilton, where the event was taking place.

Surveillance video shows the suspect sprinting past a security checkpoint and attempting to reach the doors to the ballroom where the president was gathered, along with his most senior cabinet members and thousands of journalists.

Evidence found on Allen's electronic devices and in his writings points towards the theory that he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner.

His family members told law enforcement that Allen had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted one of them to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday.

Another family member told investigators that Allen has made radical statements and that he frequently mentioned plans to do 'something' to fix problems with today's world.

The family added that Allen would regularly visit a shooting range to train with his guns. A senior US official told CBS News that the suspected gunman was part of a group called The Wide Awakes and that he attended a No Kings protest in California.
A car bomb attack outside a Belfast police station which aimed to kill officers is thought to be the work of the New IRA, police have said.

The explosion in Dunmurry, southwest of the Northern Irish capital, took place at around 10.50pm on Saturday after a 'gas cylinder-type device' was placed in a delivery driver's hijacked car and driven to the location.

Two babies were among residents evacuated when the car bomb detonated, sending debris across the street.

It came weeks after another attempted bombing, when the device failed to explode outside a police station in the nearby town of Lurgan, with paramilitary group the New IRA claiming responsibility for that attack.

So-called dissident republicans are pro-united Ireland individuals and groups who do not accept the landmark 1998 peace deal that largely ended three decades of sectarian conflict known as the 'Troubles'.

'There are very many similarities between the two incidents and... our early working hypothesis is that this may well be the work of the New IRA,' deputy chief constable Bobby Singleton of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

Investigators will 'keep an open mind' and 'it's still the very early stages of the investigation', he added.

But it likely showed that 'murderous intent and capability' still exists within paramilitaries in the UK territory, he noted.

A car bomb attack outside a Belfast police station which aimed to kill officers is thought to be the work of the New IRA, police have said

The explosion in Dunmurry, southwest of the Northern Irish capital, took place at around 10.50pm on Saturday

'Police personnel immediately - and I have to say, extremely courageously, literally running into danger, placing themselves in harm's way - evacuated nearby homes in order to protect the community,' he said.

The PSNI's terrorism investigation unit has launched an attempted murder investigation.

Writing on X, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'I utterly condemn last night's attack on Dunmurry police station,' adding that those responsible would be brought to justice.

Videos circulated on social media showing the vehicle on fire at the police station around midnight.

Fire crews and police worked to put out the blaze.

Politicians have denounced the incident, with Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill, from the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein party, saying those behind the attack 'speak for absolutely no one'.

She wrote: 'Those behind last night's attack in Dunmurry speak for absolutely no one. They have no vision, no support, and have nothing to offer our society. Our communities deserve peace.

'No one is going to deny our young people and future generations that. We will keep progressing and we will keep moving forward to a better future.'

Gavin Robinson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, called the incident 'deeply concerning'.

'If this was another attempt by dissident republicans to intimidate communities and target the police, then it must be met with the full force of the law,' he said.

Two babies were among residents evacuated when the car bomb detonated, sending debris across the street

Dissident republican groups are smaller than the Provisional IRA, which ended its violent campaign in 2005, but have used improvised explosive devices and mortars in past attacks.

The New IRA is the largest republican groups opposing British presence in Northern Ireland.

The group have carried out multiple attacks against the British Army and the PSNI.

They took responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot in the head in Derry in 2019, and for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh in 2023.
DENVER, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Foundry Outpatient Denver, part of NRT Behavioral Health, is proud to announce the opening of its new outpatient treatment center in Denver's RiNo (River North) Art District, designed to meet the growing need for flexible, high-quality care for adults navigating substance use recovery.

Rooted in Foundry's trauma-integrated approach, the RiNo outpatient program provides a structured yet personalized path for individuals stepping down from higher levels of care or seeking comprehensive support while maintaining daily responsibilities. The program offers both a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program and an in-person Intensive Outpatient Program, with group sessions held in evenings, and weeknights.

The IOP program runs on a revolving curriculum, with most clients participating for 23 months on average. Group sizes are intentionally kept small, typically 12 participants, to foster connection, accountability, and individualized attention.

Programming integrates evidence-based and experiential therapies, including EMDR, weekly individual therapy, and family therapy (offered in-person or virtually when clinically appropriate). Clients also engage in mindfulness practices at the start of each group, along with offerings such as yoga in recovery, art and music therapy, and acuwellness. Foundry's All Pathways approach ensures inclusivity of multiple recovery philosophies, supported by guest speakers and community integration.

"Our goal is to meet people where they are and provide a deeply human, trauma-responsive experience," said Bruce Santiago, Clinical Director of Outpatient Programs. "After 20 years in this field, I've seen the impact that well-run IOP programs can have. I'm passionate about building programs that not only support sobriety, but help individuals reconnect with themselves and their lives in a meaningful way."

Foundry's RiNo location is uniquely equipped to support individuals on medication-assisted treatment and emphasizes continuity of care through strong referral partnerships and case management support.

The program is open to adults and is best suited for individuals stepping down from higher levels of care. Certain clinical exclusions apply to ensure appropriate placement and safety.

For more information or to make a referral, visit https://www.foundryfrontrange.com/intensive-outpatient-program-iop/ or contact the Foundry admissions team.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE NRT Behavioral Health
A relative of fallen Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad has become the first official linked to the regime to go on trial.

Atef Najib, a cousin of the deposed leader, appeared emotionless as he was paraded in a cage wearing a striped prison uniform as he goes on trial accused of mass shootings and torturing children.

Assad, who fled to Moscow as Islamist-led forces closed in on the capital, and his brother Maher will be tried in absentia.

Najib, whose head is shaved, was seen perching on the corner of a wooden bench as hordes of people film and take pictures of him through the metal bars at the Central Palace of Justice, in Damascus.

He was a former brigadier-general and head of political security in the southern province of Daraa, where uprisings against the oppressive regime first erupted in 2011.

In February that year, he ordered the arrest of perpetrators who graffitied walls in the city of Daraa, calling for the end of the regime.

Police apprehended two teenage boys after they found their names scribbled next to offending graffiti, which was sprayed on a wall outside their school.

The teenagers were tortured and beaten while imprisoned, until the actual culprits, aged between 18 and 30, confessed.

The treatment of the school boys, under Najib's command, catalysed further demonstrations, leading to police firing on protestors in March 18 and killing several people.

Atef Najib, wearing a striped prison uniform, sat seemingly emotionless on Sunday in a cage in a courtroom in Central Palace of Justice, in Syria's capital, Damascus

The disgraced official, whose head is shaved and hands are handcuffed, perched on the corner of a wooden bench as hordes of people filmed and took pictures of him through the metal bars

Fallen dictator Bashar Al-Assad, who fled to Moscow as Islamist-led forces closed in on the capital, and his brother Maher will be tried in absentia

In April 2011, a separate teenage boy called Hamza al-Khateeb vanished after a protest. The body of the 13-year-old boy was returned to his parents heavily mutilated.

Najib was removed from his role by Assad, branded the 'Butcher' for killing his own people, after the atrocities. However, he was reinstated in the same role in the northwest Idlib province.

The crack down by security forces on peaceful pro-democracy protests sparked the civil war, which killed more than half a million people and displaced millions of others.

As the civil war progressed through its 13 years, Najib was increasingly sidelined by the regime.

He stayed in Damascus after Assad fled the country in December 2024, following the toppling of the government by rebels, and was arrested in January 2025.

The trial of Najib, 65, falls into a movement by Syria's current authorities, under the new government of President al-Sharaa, to bring the Assad regime's worst offenders to justice.

Assad was granted asylum by Vladimir Putin, after a lightning offensive led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in December brought a 13-year civil war to an end, as well as six decades of the Assad family's autocratic rule.

Najib was a former brigadier-general and head of political security in the southern province of Daraa, where uprisings against the oppressive regime first erupted in 2011

Assad was granted asylum by Vladimir Putin Pictured: Assad met with Putin during a visit to Moscow in 2017, while he was president of Syria

Assad is wanted on charges of premeditated murder, torture and incitement to civil war.

Opening Najib's trial, judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said: 'Today we begin the first trials of transitional justice in Syria.

'This includes a defendant in custody, present in the dock, as well as defendants who have fled justice.'

A judicial source, who did not wish to be named, said the proceedings marked the beginning of preparations for the trials of Assad, his brother and other prominent figures like Najib.

On Friday, Amjed Youssef, who is wanted for the mass killing of civilians in April 2013, was arrested after being found hiding in a village in the Hama province.

Footage emerged in 2022 showing Syrian soldiers guiding victims, who were blindfolded and bound, to a pit before shooting them. Youssef was filmed commanding the, what is now known as, Tadamon massacre.

Najib and his mother Fatima Makhlouf, the sister of Assad's mother Anisa Makhlouf, rose to power purely because of Assad's position.

The Makhlouf's rapidly became Syria's richest family, with a strong hold over its finances and the state news organisations.

The trial of Najib will continue on May 10.

The judicial source said in-person trials will include Wassim al-Assad, another relative of the ousted president, former grand mufti Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun, as well as military and security officials arrested by the new authorities in recent months.

Syria's new authorities have repeatedly vowed to provide justice and accountability for Assad-era atrocities.
Amid the unprecedented controversy surrounding King Charles first state visit to the US, all the coverage has focused on the diplomatic fall-out from Britains reluctance to support Donald Trumps war in Iran, the presidents contempt for Keir Starmer and the suggestion that America might dispute Britains sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

But the question we should all be asking is: Whats in it for Trump?

Following the scandalous security lapse that led to the third attempt on his life in less than two years, the president has rarely looked more vulnerable.

On the home front, he faces growing discontent over the cost of living, as rising prices at the pump caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz exacerbate existing concerns over increases in the cost of household essentials.

Meanwhile, the White Houses mixed messages over the war on Iran and its seeming inability to plot a way out of the conflict are steadily eroding the presidents MAGA base.

With his popularity spiralling, it could even be said to be fortuitous for Trump that the King is arriving in the US just as his vulnerability is so nakedly exposed.

The beleaguered president will be grateful for the opportunity to stand beside a steadfastly resilient monarch, who epitomises courage and reliability.

Donald Trump and King Charles at a Windsor Castle banquet during the US President's state visit in September last year

If ever there was a moment in recent history when Britains monarch could play a key role in restoring diplomatic harmony with another nation, it is with this visit to Washington.

Charles may have a past littered with setbacks and controversy, but he now comes across as a pillar of wisdom in an unstable world.

Immersed in international politics for 60 years, the King has developed the sort of bedside manner that will enable him to discuss Americas woes with Trump in private, just as he does every week with Britains prime minister.

As a man above politics who has learned from long experience, Charles is probably the only European leader Trump can trust enough to discuss the truth about the fissures he himself has created.

Suppressing whatever his own personal views may be of Trump, Charles will offer sincere reassurance to a president who cannot fail to have been shaken by his latest brush with death.

Our grasp on mortality, as Charles knows only too well from his own cancer battle, is fragile, especially for men nearing their 80th birthdays - Charles is 77 and Trump 79.

With his popularity spiralling, it could even be said to be fortuitous for Trump that the King is arriving in the US just as his vulnerability is so nakedly exposed

While they have few interests in common, they are bound by a common heritage - not least their love of Scotland.

Unlike a run-of-the-mill politician acting as a presidential head of state, Charles, with a lifetimes experience of meeting thousands of people from differing backgrounds, has perfected the art of offering commiseration.

Tasked with mending the blistering wounds of the Special Relationship, Trump will be receptive to Charless balm. Reeling from all the events of the past two months, he will no doubt be more keen than ever to lean on the Kings reputation in a bid to restore his own prestige.

Tom Bower is author of Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family
Jimmy Kimmel was slammed for claiming Melania Trump looked like a 'widow' just days before shots were fired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Kimmel held a parody of the dinner an annual event honoring journalism and funding scholarships on Thursday when he called Melania an 'expectant widow.'

'Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,' Kimmel said before turning his attention the First Lady's birthday.

'You know, Melania's birthday in on Sunday. Shes planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, "What have I done?"'

The parody skit came just days before gunfire erupted at the event on Saturday evening in Washington DC, which saw President Trump in attendance in person for the first time while in office.

Kimmel's quips during the event parody, however, received backlash online as Larry O'Connor, editor of the conservative outlet Townhall, described the comedian as a 'broken man.'

'@disney, you have a problem,' he posted on X.

Another user wrote: 'Kimmel is actually worse than the other "comedians." You can see the seething hatred on his face toward Trump.'

On Thursday, Jimmy Kimmel's parody of the dinner, an annual event honoring journalism and funding scholarships, saw the comedian joking that Melania was an 'expectant widow'

The parody skit came just days before gunfire erupted at the event on Saturday evening in Washington DC, which saw President Trump in attendance in person for the first time while in office

Melania Trump seen with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino as the president speaks after the shooting

'It's not even inherently funny. You have to be deranged to laugh at that,' a third user said.

'He's not broken. He's evil.'

One user described Kimmel's skit as 'sick and tasteless,' and asked: 'Is it time for ABC to pull the plug on Jimmy's show?'

Political commentator Link Lauren wrote: 'Many in the mainstream media have stoked division and hatred for years. Jimmy Kimmel just made a disgusting "joke" about Melania Trump becoming a widow.

'After the White House Correspondents Dinner and what transpired with President Trump, now they suddenly want to act shocked,' he added.

Guests barely had chance to tuck into their appetizers before Secret Service agents swarmed the Washington Hilton's ballroom following a series of 'loud noises.'

The ballroom, filled with the nation's top journalists, Hollywood celebrities, and Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, became a scene of pure pandemonium.

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor.

President Trump shared this dramatic image of the shirtless alleged shooter after he was taken down by law enforcement

Cole Tomas Allen, seen in this 2017 picture, is the suspected White House Correspondents Dinner Shooter at the Washington Hilton

A collection of celebrities, journalists and other Washington power players duck for cover after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton

The incident occurred at the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981  an eerie historical parallel that was not lost on those in attendance.

As Donald Trump and the First Lady were whisked to safety, terrified attendees took cover anywhere they could as they waited anxiously for news.

The shooter, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, had breached the security checkpoint at the event before he was swiftly taken down by law enforcement.

Trump, still wearing his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours later. 'When you're impactful, they go after you,' he said defiantly. 'They seem to think he was a lone wolf. We're not going to let anybody take over our society.'

A secret service agent was shot during the incident, but is expected to recover, as the president continued on to say that the agent 'was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the [bulletproof] vest did the job.'

'I just spoke to the officer and he's doing great,' Trump added.

The White House has confirmed that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, promising an event that is 'bigger and better.'

But for now, Washington remains on high alert as it grapples with yet another attempt on the President's life.

Trump, still in his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours after the incident and praised the secret service officer who was shot during the commotion, who is expected to recover

Melania Trump and Trump attend The White House Correspondents Dinner as Mentalist Oz Pearlman hosts the event before chaos and gunfire erupted

Erika Kirk sobbed 'I just want to go home' as she was evacuated from the White House Correspondent's Dinner shooting

The family of the suspect who stormed the White House Correspondents' Dinner has since revealed his past radical statements and his plans to 'fix' the world as his manifesto was uncovered.

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, was seen attempting to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives on Saturday night.

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.

Authorities have now discovered that Allen wrote a chilling manifesto before he arrived at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was being hosted.

Allen's family members told law enforcement that he had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted his brother to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday, CBS News reported.

Allen's brother notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut of the manifesto minutes before the attack, a White House official confirmed to CNN.

Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had heard about the report and wished the department had informed federal authorities earlier.

US Secret Service and Montgomery County Police also interviewed the suspect's sister in Rockville, Maryland, a White House official told CNN.

The Daily Mail reached out to ABC for comment.
Today in Parliament, Labour MPs have a choice.

They can support Keir Starmers vindictive plan to pursue our brave veterans through the courts.

Or, they can decide that theyve finally had enough of blindly following the orders of a Prime Minister who keeps letting them, and the country, down.

Last time this Bill was in Parliament, more than 100 Labour MPs were too scared to support the government. Ministers conveniently found a reason to be unavailable including Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces minister Al Carns.

We already know that Carns has found an excuse to avoid the Commons again tomorrow. Deep down he knows, and Labour MPs know, that Keir Starmers Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is bad and wrong.

The Bill also tells you all you need to know about Starmers priorities. Rather than taking the tough decisions needed to cut spending and fund defence, he is more interested in dragging veterans through courts.

Minister of State for Armed Forces, Al Carns, on April 10. We already know that Carns has found an excuse to avoid the Commons again, writes Kemi Badenoch

Defence Secretary, John Healey, on April 23. Last time this Bill was in Parliament, more than 100 Labour MPs were too scared to support the government

Soldiers who risked their lives in defence of our nation deserve dignity, respect and protection.

Of course, British soldiers should fight within the law. But this Bill could open the door to vexatious claims against elderly veterans decades after service. Its the last thing they or our court system needs.

Hounding our veterans through the courts like criminals will make people think twice about joining our Armed Forces, just when we need to recruit more. Only the hard-of-thinking cant see this.

This is student politics at its worst. An obsession with righting what some see as the wrongs of the distant past, rather than doing anything about the real challenges currently facing Britain.

Theres still no Defence Investment Plan. Still no Defence Readiness Plan. Still nothing from Starmer on how he intends to get defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP in the next five years.

This Bill displays this same obsession with lawfare that saw Labour try to surrender the Chagos Islands. No one thinking seriously about Britains national security would even consider paying 35 billion to give away a crucial UK-US Defence base.

But Labour arent thinking seriously. They are doing the things you end up doing when you come into government with no plan, and no vision for the country. You get pulled around by lobby groups and end up spending vital parliamentary time harming Britains national interest.

On Monday the Conservatives will lead the charge against this Bill in Parliament, just like we have with so many of Labours terrible ideas.

But if were going to secure yet another U-turn, we will need Labour MPs to examine their consciences.

Britain is living through serious times. Times that require not just government but every MP to start putting Britains national interest first.

We are facing existential threats at home and abroad  threats that require tough decisions and honesty about the trade-offs involved. We cannot afford to spend the next three years being led down foolish paths by a government without a plan.

But if we are going to stop that we need our politics to get serious. It does not help Britain that the Greens want to scrap our nuclear deterrent and Reform blame Nato for Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Only the Conservative Party under my leadership is standing up for Britains national interest. Its time for others to back us.
Chilling warning signs of gunman who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner were revealed on Sunday.

Cole Thomas Allen, 31, will be arraigned on Monday after he allegedly shot a Secret Service agent while trying to attack the annual gathering, with President Trump and several other administration members in attendance.

A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told The Daily Mail that interviews with Allen's siblings revealed the family may have missed something.

It sounds like they certainly had some concerns about his behavior. So were certainly looking at what, at what point, did we miss a warning sign in looking at some of his rhetoric,' the official said.

Officials received Allen's manifesto from his brother when he reached out to the New London, Connecticut Police Department in the wake of the shooting.

'The problem is were in such a charged climate. I mean, theres a lot of commentary on social media just about the state of affairs,' the source told The Daily Mail.

'Trying to figure out, when a family member becomes concerned, how to encourage them to report it so things like this dont happen.'

While they continue investigating Allen's motivations, they know that he had attended a 'No Kings' rally and are concerned about potential copycats.

The official said that they're looking into what can be done differently in the future to identify possible shooters.

Cole Thomas Allen (pictured), the 31-year-old man set to be charged with attempting to shoot up the White House Correspondents' Dinner, left warning signs ahead of the incident ignored by those close to him

Trump is escorted out after a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel outside the room

'Its hard because there is a lot of emotionally charged things going on right now, and people are certainly voicing some of the frustration online and on social media, and sometimes it crosses the line to hateful speech,' the official said.

'But its kind of like using a teaspoon to measure the ocean.'

Both Allen's brother and sister were concerned about his 'increasingly agitated rhetoric' in his writings.

They noted that he was empathetic toward transgender people and against the Iran War but he was unhappy about several issues and not one specifically.

Allen, who has no criminal record, may have scheduled sending his manifesto based on how it was written.

'It appears as though he didnt know if he was going to be around,' they said.

They are not yet clear on any past drug use or mental health issues displayed by Allen.

Allen called himself the 'Friendly Federal Assassin' in a chilling manifesto he wrote before the attack.

He sent the eerie anti-Trump writing to his family members just 10 minutes before he fired shots at the hotel in Washington, where the ritzy press gala was taking place on Saturday night.

Guests take cover after U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out

Trump spoke in the White House Press Briefing room hours after the attack

The harrowing writing was given to the police by a relative, a US official said.

According to the New York Post, Allen's manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes.

'In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).

'I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn't come to that.'

His targets included 'administration officials (not including [FBI Director Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.'

Allen wrote, allegedly referencing the president: 'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'

Trump spoke out on Sunday morning, following the chaotic night at the dinner.

A photo of Allen as a student at Cal-Tech in 2017

The Washington Hilton is also where a man attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan

He told Fox that the shooter 'had a lot of hatred in his heart' and that religion was a reason why the gunman attacked.

The President said this morning: 'He had a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while.'

He added that the manifesto was 'a religious thing. It was strongly anti-Christian.'

'He's got some big problems with the rest of his life, but it's very, very bad, very bad situation,' the President continued.

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, had a manifesto, and his siblings knew he had firearms and were worried about him.

On Saturday night, chilling surveillance footage captured the moment gun-wielding Allen stormed past security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Allen was seen wearing all black as he sprinted inside the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening with a gun in hand, video posted by President Trump on Truth Social showed.

Just moments before he ran, security guards were seen standing in the hallway, but as soon as he sped by, they immediately reacted and pulled out their firearms.

Allen, who has no criminal record, may have scheduled sending his manifesto based on how it was written

Members of the FBI walk to inspect the neighbourhood where the house associated with Cole Tomas Allen

Police revealed the suspect had a number of weapons on him, including a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

President Trump shared a stunning image shortly after the shooting, showing the suspect shirtless and lying face down on the carpet.

Law enforcement confirmed he was not struck by gunfire while being stopped, but has since been taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Allen was a guest at the Hilton hotel, where the event was taking place.

Surveillance video shows the suspect sprinting past a security checkpoint and attempting to reach the doors to the ballroom where the president was gathered, along with his most senior cabinet members and thousands of journalists.

Evidence found on Allen's electronic devices and in his writings points towards the theory that he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner.

His family members told law enforcement that Allen had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted one of them to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday.

Another family member told investigators that Allen has made radical statements and that he frequently mentioned plans to do 'something' to fix problems with today's world.

The family added that Allen would regularly visit a shooting range to train with his guns. A senior US official told CBS News that the suspected gunman was part of a group called The Wide Awakes and that he attended a No Kings protest in California.
A beloved grandmother was killed when a fire tore through her New York City apartment, trapping her inside as she was unable to escape in her wheelchair.

Ana Serrano, 80, of the Bronx, was with one of her sons when a violent blaze tore through the second floor of her apartment building on East 169th Street near Morris Avenue earlier this month, according to the Daily News.

Serrano, who lived with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease - a degenerative neurological disorder that left her unable to walk - relied on a wheelchair and had also been told in recent years that one of her lungs was not fully functioning.

Despite her sons desperate efforts to help her escape, the sheer intensity of the flames along with her limited mobility proved fatal.

The grandmother-of-six was pronounced dead the following day, with doctors believing smoke inhalation was most likely to blame.

'My brother was there when the fire broke and he was the one who did the best he could to get her out of the building,' her other son, 45-year-old Isai Serrano, told the outlet.

'Its tough to endure something of this nature - to think about the way that it happened,' he added.

'Its hard for sure. Its not what we expected. We knew she was 80 years old and we knew that time was fleeting so we cherish those moments.'

Ana Serrano, 80, was killed when a fire tore through her New York City apartment, trapping her due to her reliance on a wheelchair

Serrano was with one of her sons when a fire broke out on the second floor of her Bronx apartment building on East 169th Street near Morris Avenue on April 16

Serrano, who lived with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, was unable to walk and was also told in recent years that one of her lungs was not fully functioning

On April 16, an incident alert reported a fire on the second floor of a five-story apartment building at about 2:45pm, prompting an 'All Hands' response and a request for EMS at the scene.

Gerson Serrano was spending time with his mother at her home on what had been an ordinary afternoon when a neighbor knocked on her third-floor apartment door, frantically telling her a fire was breaking out.

'My brother told me they had just been joking around prior to this fire coming through. They were watching a show. They were joking around and he was making her laugh,' Isai told the Daily News.

'That was her every day. Always smiling through it all,' he added. 'Always a good thing to say. Always caring for everyone else. Thats the type of woman she was. Selfless.'

Gerson immediately rushed to help his mother out of the burning building, doing everything he could before she was transported to BronxCare Health System in critical condition.

Serrano had a pulse when she arrived for emergency treatment and was breathing, Isai said, 'just not on her own.'

She fought for hours before being pronounced dead just before midnight the day after the fire.

'We were able to sit with her until the last pulse,' Isai told the outlet.

Serrano's son, Isai (left), told Daily News that his brother, Gerson (right), rushed to help his mother out of the burning building before she was taken to the hospital in critical condition

Serrano was pronounced dead the day after the fire, with doctors believing smoke inhalation was most likely to blame

Serrano had a pulse when she arrived for emergency treatment and was breathing, Isai said, 'just not on her own'

Doctors told the family that her cause of death appeared to be smoke inhalation, though they were still awaiting the official ruling from the city Medical Examiner.

Isai is just one of several family members grieving his mothers sudden death, saying he never imagined that a hug during a visit to her Bronx apartment just a week earlier would be their last.

He spent the morning through the afternoon with her that day and stayed by her side as she attended a virtual doctors appointment.

'I said, "Hey, I'm off work. I'm gonna come to the house and we'll get on the virtual meeting together,"' Isai told the Daily News.

'Right before I left I have her the strongest hug,' he added in tears. 'I dont know what came over me. I question myself why I did this, not knowing that was going to be the last time I saw her.'

Serranos death was especially difficult for the family, who had held out hope that she would live a long life despite her medical issues.

The family had taken steps to ease her condition in recent years, including setting up an at-home oxygen tank, which Isai said 'drastically' improved her quality of life.

Born in Puerto Rico, Serrano moved to Manhattan in the 1970s and later met her soon-to-be husband at a church event in Brooklyn.

Born in Puerto Rico, Serrano moved to Manhattan in the 1970s and later met her soon-to-be husband at a church event in Brooklyn

Navigating Serrano out of her apartment grew more difficult over the years, particularly after 2005, when she was widowed and no longer able to make it to church

The family had taken steps to ease her condition in recent years like setting up an at-home oxygen tank, which Isai said 'drastically' improved Serrano's quality of life

She received her diagnosis of CMT in her 50s, around the same time her husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease.

'With her own ailments, she was a trooper,' Isai recalled, according to the outlet.

'She picked my father up from the bed, helped him, because it was very immobilizing for him, even though she was going through her own levels of immobility,' he added.

But navigating Serrano out of her apartment grew increasingly difficult over the years, particularly after 2005, when she was widowed and no longer able to make it to church.

'She would join the church Zoom meetings. Local church people would come over to her house and just be with her and hold prayer services with her,' Isai said.

'They were committed to still making her feel a part of it.'

Isai remembered his mother as 'joyful,' a talented seamstress who spent years mending clothes and never complained about the chronic pain she lived with.

'She liked to write poems, her son said. 'A birthday card, instead of just writing a message, she would write a poem. She loved doing that.'

The family had taken steps to ease her condition in recent years like setting up an at-home oxygen tank, which Isai said 'drastically' improved Serrano's quality of life

Serrano received her diagnosis of CMT in her 50s, around the same time her husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease

Fire marshals are still working to determine the cause of the fire

Just last year, they celebrated Serranos 80th birthday on Thanksgiving, when the whole family gathered with the goal of making it a 'big event for her.'

Isai said she even made the family take a video of her making her famous stuffing, wanting to preserve the moment so they could watch and learn from it themselves.

In an emotional tribute on Facebook, Isai wrote: 'I cant thank God enough for her life, love and sacrifice. Thank you to all that made her smile, made her laugh, loved and served her. Rest in glory Mami we love and will miss you.'

Fire marshals are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
It takes two days and roughly a hundred knocked doors to meet my first Labour voter.

Elizabeth Williams, a bubbly 87-year-old, greets me outside her pebble-dashed end-of-terrace property in the former pit village of Garnlydan with a gap-toothed smile and a twinkle in her eye.

'I've always voted Labour, my mum and dad voted Labour, and I'll be staying loyal' is how she put it.

It's a sunny afternoon in the Valleys and I'm attempting to speak with voters on Keir Hardie Close, one of several local streets named after the politician who, in 1900, was elected MP for nearby Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare.

Hardie, a charismatic former coal miner with a prodigious beard, became Labour's first ever Parliamentarian. Historians call him the Party's 'founding father'.

Some 62 years later, a Left-leaning toolmaker named Rodney Starmer decided to call his newborn son Keir, by way of tribute. Rodney's son now lives in No 10 Downing Street.

The voters of Wales are, meanwhile, about to head to the polls, in an election where both Hardie's noble legacy and Starmer's future are very much up for grabs.

To understand why, you only need to look at opinion polls.

The Daily Mail's Guy Adams on Keir Hardie Terrace in Swffryd, south Wales, a road named after the Labour party's 'founding father'

For 126 years, Wales has been Labour's heartland. They've won a majority of Parliamentary seats here in every election since the Great War, gaining an astonishing 61 per cent of the vote under Harold Wilson in 1966 and 55 per cent in the Blair landslide of 1997.

Since devolution, in 1999, Labour has won every election in the Senedd, or Welsh Parliament, turning the land west of Offa's Dyke into a sort of one-party state.

You can probably guess the next bit. For in Wales, and particularly here in the Valleys, tectonic plates are shifting.

'The old joke was that you could put a three-legged donkey on the ballot, and so long as it was wearing a red rosette it would win,' says Jason O'Connell, a Reform Party candidate I met in Merthyr Tydfil last week. 'Now the exact opposite is true.'

We'd just spent two hours canvassing the Gurnos Estate, a notoriously deprived neighbourhood where they would once have weighed Labour votes rather than counting them  but I didn't see a single resident tell O'Connell they planned to vote Labour.

Around half backed Reform. Most others weren't planning to vote at all.

Pollsters broadly agree with this snapshot. They make next Thursday's election a two-horse race: between Reform and Plaid Cymru, which are each expected to gain just under 30 per cent of the votes.

Labour is holding on to 17 per cent, a third of their vote a generation ago, while the Conservatives, traditionally the second party in Wales, are hovering around eight points, roughly three behind the Greens. The Lib Dems, on five per cent, bring up the rear.

After a week on the campaign trail, knocking on doors and interviewing activists from every party who would let me (perhaps tellingly, Labour wouldn't), I would say these numbers are broadly accurate.

Almost everyone seemed to hate Labour. Partly because they dislike Keir Starmer, partly because of the abject incompetence which, thanks to their 27-year reign, now runs through Welsh government like letters through sticks of rock they flog in the seaside town of Barry (where Reform picked up a key council seat in September, pushing Labour into fourth).

Working class areas are turning to Reform. Middle class voters, including a not insignificant faction who vehemently dislike Nigel Farage, are switching to Plaid Cymru to stop Reform. A few Lefties will go Green instead.

The Tories, meanwhile, are despised for familiar reasons: Remainers blame them for Brexit, Brexiteers think they messed Brexit up, many say Liz Truss crashed the economy and the words 'Boris Johnson' elicit an eye-roll. While Kemi Badenoch has the odd fan, the party is essentially fighting a rear-guard action to cling on to its core vote, hoping things improve next time.

Join the discussion Has Labour's long rule hurt Wales, or is the real problem the lack of a credible alternative?

Jason O'Connell, Reform's candidate for Merthyr Tydfil, canvassing at a doorstep on the Gurnos Estate

What polls don't capture, however, is the real disdain that voters now have not just for Starmer, but for politicians of all parties.

After 27 years of single-party rule, Wales is crying out for change. The Senedd chews through 27.5 billion a year, a sum that equates to 9,000 for each person in the country.

Yet while taxes soar, Welsh schools and hospitals underperform their English counterparts on a host of key metrics. On the doorstep, voters complain about everything from potholed roads and 20mph speed limits to unchecked immigration, welfare fraud and a string of recent scandals involving either Welsh NHS failures or Labour's allegedly wasteful spending on woke obsessions such as planting trees in Uganda (at a cost of 4 million for taxpayers).

The Welsh people believe the system is broken, but they don't trust anyone to fix it.

In the rural town of Crickhowell, where I spend a morning canvassing with the Conservatives, I meet a 73-year-old grandmother who has been waiting more than four years for a new hip and is now clearing out her life savings for a 15,000 private operation. Will she be voting? 'Probably not. They're all the same!'

At times, the levels of hostility towards activists are striking.

My host in Crickhowell is Tyler Chambers, a charming 20-year-old Cardiff University student, who sits atop the party's list of local candidates. 'Some bloke called me 'posh scum' the other day,' he recalls.

'It was quite a nice neighbourhood. I grew up on a council estate, and neither of my parents went to university, but I'm being called posh scum by someone in a 500,000 house. Online, it's even worse. You need a very, very thick skin to do politics.'

In Merthyr, I knocked doors with Zak Weaver, a former Tory aide who defected to Reform. He went viral across social media recently thanks to doorbell camera footage of a homeowner inviting him to  how can I put this?  take a razor blade to his genitals. Videos of the encounter notched up several million views.

'I went to the Cardiff City game on Saturday and when I got on the train the first thing I heard was 'alright razor!' ' he says. The other prevailing feeling, aside from hatred, is apathy.

I live in South Wales and have covered politics here for more than 25 years, but I've never seen the voting public less enthused by an election contest. You can drive for hours without passing a single banner or placard. I would be very surprised indeed if turnout surpasses the last Senedd election's woeful 46 per cent.

In Swffryd, a village overlooking the old Navigation and Oakdale collieries adjacent to Neil Kinnock's old seat, I knocked on more than 30 doors on Keir Hardie Terrace, another street named after the former MP, in a fruitless search for a Labour voter. Or, indeed, any voter at all.

Eventually, I met a window cleaner named Chris, who said he was backing Reform to 'stop the boats in the Channel', but reckoned: 'Nigel's lot won't be able to go through with it, because they'll find a way to stop him.'

'They' refers to the 96 men and women who will take up their 76,000-a-year seats in the Senedd from May 7.

Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Eluned Morgan speaking during a Channel 4 leaders' debate in Cardiff ahead of May's Senedd election

That's 36 more members than before and means that the Welsh Parliament will soon have three times as many politicians, per citizen, than in Westminster. Few of the politicians who voted for this job creation scheme, which is likely to cost taxpayers 120 million over the next four years, can articulate how it will improve the NHS, or sort out schools, or brighten up the grim economic prospects of a region where GDP per capita is around 10,000 less than it is in the rest of the UK.

Little wonder that the drastic expansion of this failing Parliament had dismal public support. Much like the people who run it.

Eluned Morgan, a dour career politician who has been Labour's First Minister since 2024, has made so little impression on the public consciousness that, according to an article in last week's Spectator, a voter in a recent focus group managed to misgender her. 'He's not a leader. He hasn't got that presence', is how he described Morgan.

In a TV debate with other party leaders on Tuesday, she got in an awful mess after being asked if she'd decided to ban Keir Starmer from Wales due to his unpopularity. Asked five times in two minutes whether the PM would be visiting before polling day, she would say only: 'Keir Starmer is not on the ballot in this election.'

Starmer was, reportedly, prevented from campaigning prior to October's Senedd by-election by Morgan due to fears that his presence would damage the party's prospects. But a fat lot of good it did: Labour's share of the vote there fell from 46 to 11 per cent, pushing them into third place.

It was the first time they'd lost that seat for a hundred years.

Reform is providing plenty of plot twists too. One of its candidates, a former Tory aide named Corey Edwards, recently stepped down 'citing issues with mental health' after a picture of him emerged performing a Nazi salute. Debate still rages over whether it was a 'Basil Fawlty-style' gesture, or something more sinister.

Another candidate, Martin Roberts, sparked a row last week by suggesting that the country's daycare centres are riddled with paedophiles. He argued that Plaid Cymru's plans to extend free childcare to babies from the age of nine months would cause 'abuse in nurseries to skyrocket'.

Plaid Cymru, who I joined on the campaign trail in Rhiwbina, a leafy suburb of Cardiff, has its fair share of wingnuts too.

Zaynub Akbar, Plaid Cymru's candidate for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, holds a campaign sign in front of her party's leader Rhun ap Iorwerth

Earlier this month, Liz Saville-Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, took to X to call for Britain to ban jump racing in the wake of the death of several horses at Aintree, saying the sport 'doesn't feature in the Welsh rural economy'.

That would be news to the 120,000 people who attended 70 race meetings at Wales's three courses last year, or its 27 training yards, and their hundreds of employees, or to Welsh champion jockey Sean Bowen.

She eventually deleted the post, following fierce criticism from members of her own party who are desperately trying to court rural votes.

Wrexham boasts a candidate named Kayleigh Unitt, a disabled, non-binary TikTok influencer famed for, among other things, posting videos of herself performing vigorous dance routines on the campaign trail, or at trans rights or pro-Gaza protests.

During a recent interview, she claimed to be unable to hold down a normal job due to her disability (she has a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome), saying: 'I would love to work a 9-to-5, but my health won't let me.'

Quite how this makes her a good candidate for the very-much-full-time role as a member of the Senedd, for which taxpayers would pay her 75,000 a year, is anyone's guess.

Plaid was, of course, formed for one reason alone: to campaign for Welsh independence. But with that cause remaining deeply unpopular (two thirds of voters are opposed), the party now says the issue will be off the table for at least the next four years.

Dafydd Trystan Davies, a charming and hugely enthusiastic university registrar who is their candidate in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, was doing a reasonable job of peddling that tricky line when I joined him last week. But Left-wing voters who aren't buying it are likely to instead shift to the Greens.

My sneaking suspicion is that Plaid's activists are far more positive about independence than many of their new supporters. After polling day, this strange contradiction may well come back to haunt them.

Adding to the surreal nature of this campaign is a baffling new voting system which requires the public to vote for a party, rather than individual candidates, and has seen Wales split into 16 constituencies, each with faintly unpronounceable names. Many have been gerrymandered into vast, geographically incongruous territories that take hours to navigate via car.

So how might this election unfold? Recent polling is calling things as follows: Reform will get 37 seats, Plaid 36, Labour 12, Greens seven, Tories three and Lib Dems one. You need 49 for a majority, so any party wishing to form a government will need the support of the very rivals that voters have rejected.

The most likely outcome, therefore, is that Plaid will rely on the votes of Labour (and possibly some Green) Senedd members to elevate its leader, a former BBC journalist named Rhun ap Iorwerth, to the position of first minister and pass subsequent legislation. Reform could very well win the most seats.

Labour may, in other words, still hold the balance of power. A strange outcome, which is the exact opposite of what voters want, in a country that despises the party who've been in charge for 27 years, but isn't entirely sure how to replace them.
King Charles has vowed to persevere with his State Visit to the US today despite an apparent assassination attempt on the President.

Sources told the Daily Mail the monarch is determined to 'keep calm and carry on'  and that if the Government wants him to travel, 'that's exactly what he will do'.

On Sunday, Buckingham Palace confirmed the King and Queen Camilla wanted to 'do their duty'  they are expected to arrive as planned on Monday afternoon.

However, an urgent security review was under way in light of the dramatic incident in the US capital on Saturday and some 'modest operational adjustments' will be made to 'a few elements' of Their Majesties' programme.

Charles and Camilla are due to visit Washington DC, New York and Virginia on the four-day trip.

Donald Trump was attending the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at a Hilton hotel in the US capital when shots were fired.

Officers managed to wrestle the suspected gunman  named by US authorities as Cole Tomas Allen  to the ground after a Secret Service agent was shot.

The officer was wearing a bulletproof vest and escaped without serious injury. As many as eight shots were fired during the incident.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the King and Queen Camilla wanted to 'do their duty'  they are expected to arrive in the US as planned on Monday afternoon Pictured: Trump and King Charles attended a State banquet at Windsor Castle during the US State visit in September 2025

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were seated at the head of the table during the White House Correspondents' Dinner when an apparent assassination attempt on the President took place

Trump posted an image of the man - named by US authorities as Cole Tomas Allen - who tried to breach security on his social media

Despite the quick reaction of security services, Allen had managed to come within 100 yards of President Trump as well as dozens of key officials.

Mr Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were hurried off the ballroom stage after the gunman exchanged fire with Secret Service agents.

Authorities said Allen, a Democrat-supporting, 31-year-old teacher had checked in as a guest at the hotel.

He is reported to have told officers he wanted to shoot officials in the Trump administration.

While much of the King's itinerary in Washington will take place within the secure confines of the White House  where the couple are staying at Blair House, the president's historic guest house  and Congress, the visits to New York and Virginia involve much more public aspects.

The Mail understands that at least one tentative 'meet and greet moment' may now be scrapped  although some believe the King may yet ask for it to go ahead, subject to security advice, as a sign of solidarity with the people of the US.

A source said: 'There has been a close 'scrub' of operational details around some of the elements [of the programme]. It's a case of keep calm and carry on.'

The King and Queen 'are very resilient individuals and they will do their duty', an insider said.

It is understood that King Charles and Queen Camilla reached out 'privately' on Sunday to the US President and First Lady after the incident Pictured: King Charles and Queen Camilla stood with Mr Trump and Mrs Trump at the State banquet at Windsor Castle in September 2025

In a statement on Sunday Buckingham Palace said: 'Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned.

'The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow.'

It is understood that the royal couple reached out 'privately' on Sunday to the US President and First Lady to express their sympathies with all those affected and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.

Speaking to Fox News, Mr Trump  who has now survived three assassination attempts on his life  also confirmed that the State Visit would continue as planned.

'King Charles is coming,' he said. 'He's a great guy, and we look forward to it. He's really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and he's brave.'

The King's visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from Great Britain, has been more than a year in the planning.

However there have already been repeated demands for it to be called off amid complaints about the US leader's aggressive foreign policy, particularly the war in Iran, which has led to a spectacular fallout between him and Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the near collapse of the so-called 'special relationship'.

However the Government has always firmly believed that the trip should go ahead.

It is convinced that the King's skill as an international statesman and his good relationship with Mr Trump, who has enjoyed two state visits to the UK, will help to heal some of the wounds in what will be seen as one of the most tangible examples of the Royal Family's power of 'soft diplomacy'.

Sir Keir spoke to the President on Sunday afternoon to express his 'best wishes' to him and the First Lady, Downing Street confirmed.

A spokesman added: 'He expressed his relief that the President and First Lady were safe and wished a speedy recovery to the officer injured.'

The incident had worrying echoes of the assassination attempt on former US President Ronald Reagan as he left the same Washington Hilton hotel after a speaking engagement in 1981.

Senator Robert F. Kennedy was also shot dead after addressing a gathering at a hotel ballroom in Los Angeles in 1968.
A councillor who told a call handler from Sri Lanka to 'speak English' while reporting a fly-tipping incident has apologised.

Janet Cleverly, an independent on Newport City Council, has been reprimanded over her 'derogatory and humiliating' comments, and told she must complete extra training.

She phoned the council's customer service line and spoke to a call handler, who had only been in the job for four weeks after moving to the UK from Sri Lanka in 2022.

During the conversation, in August 2024, the handler tried to explain there were 'disruptive sounds', and asked her to repeat certain information.

But Cleverly then interrupted the handler and said: 'I'm sorry, can I speak to somebody who's speaking English?', according to a report by the Ombudsman.

A few minutes later, when the call handler was trying to clarify details, she said again: 'Sorry? I can't understand anything you're saying. Speak English.'

The councillor followed up the call with an email to the cabinet member responsible for environmental matters, which read: 'The person I spoke to, could not speak English properly

'I am all for equal opportunity but this person took all my information wrong after I had to repeat everything 3-4 times and spell everything lots of times.'

Councillor Janet Cleverly, an independent on Newport City Council, has apologised after telling a call handler to 'speak English'

A customer services manager listened to a recording of the call, and raised concerns over Cleverly's 'unnecessary' tone.

This prompted an investigation, despite the call handler not wanting to pursue a complaint.

A council monitoring officer assessed that the call handler's English was fluent, and Cleverly's comments were 'consciously or otherwise, racially motivated' and 'discriminatory'.

The customer service team manager said Cleverly had been 'derogatory' and 'highly inappropriate'.

She said the called handler, who had only been in the role for around four weeks', was left feeling 'belittled and inferior', and that she was not up to the job.

For her part, Cleverly told the ombudsman that she had 'lots of BME friends', meaning people black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

She said it had been a 'really frustrating' phone call, and disagreed that the handler had spoken in a clear and fluent way.

However, she also apologised, and said she felt 'absolutely awful' about upsetting the handler.

Parts of Thursday's committee hearing took place in private to protect the identity of the call handler, who was not present.

Cleverly told the panel: 'I was absolutely mortified by my actions that day.'

The committee found Cleverly had breached three areas of the council's code for members relating to equality, respect and consideration of others, and disreputable conduct.

The ombudsman, Michelle Morris, found that her 'underlying motivation' was that she was 'irritated from the outset by the way the call handler spoke'.

Cllr Kevin Whitehead, who leads the Bettws ward's independents, said the phone call showed a 'lack of etiquette' from his colleague but challenged any suggestion there was a racial element to the matter.

'I don't think there was an intent or anything  [it was] poor etiquette and poor form,' he said.

He added Cleverly  who had shown 'a lot of contrition'  had a long career helping young people and the Bettws community, and had received messages of support from people of diverse backgrounds.

Chairman Andrew Mitchell said the 'extremely concerned' panel had considered a suspension, but agreed instead to censure Cleverly and require her to promptly complete further training.

The council's deputy monitoring officer had earlier explained a censure is 'a formal reprimand'.
Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith owns no assets, has 'significantly depleted' savings and his only source of income is a military service pension of $4,500 a fortnight.

Roberts-Smith has been unable to find stable employment since he lost a Federal Court defamation case against Nine newspapers in June 2023 and quit his high-paying corporate job.

Before Nine published a series of stories accusing Roberts-Smith of war crimes in 2018, he earned a gross annual income of $320,000 from speaking engagements alone.

At the time, the nation's most decorated living soldier was also the general manager of the Seven Network's television operations in Queensland.

Roberts-Smith's then employer, Perth billionaire Kerry Stokes, paid for his defamation action through the Seven West Media chairman's private company, Australian Capital Equity.

It is estimated both sides spent a total sum of more than $30million on the trial. Mr Stokes was eventually ordered to pay $13.5million of Nine's legal costs.

Roberts-Smith and his family funded an unsuccessful appeal heard before three Federal Court judges, with his parents Len and Sue providing more than $400,000.

Len Roberts-Smith is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia and Army Reserve major general who was once judge advocate general of the Australian Defence Force.

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith owns no assets, has 'significantly depleted' savings and his only source of income is a military service pension of $4,500 a fortnight. He is pictured at an Anzac Day dawn service on Saturday

Roberts-Smith has been unable to find stable employment since he lost a Federal Court defamation case against Nine Newspapers in June 2023 and quit his high-paying corporate job. He is pictured with partner Sarah Matulin

Details of Roberts-Smith's financial circumstances were outlined in an affidavit the 47-year-old swore as part of a bail application on April 17 in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.

Roberts-Smith is charged with five counts of 'war crime - murder' allegedly committed while serving with the Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

He is accused of shooting dead one unarmed detainee not taking part in hostilities, taking part in the unlawful killing of a another, and ordering subordinates to execute three more.

The father-of-two, who has denied all allegations, stood down as general manager of Seven Queensland in April 2021 to concentrate on his defamation action and resigned in June 2023, when he lost.

'My family and I personally funded the defamation appeal proceedings,' Roberts-Smith said in his affidavit.

'In order to do this I liquidated all my assets which I had retained after my divorce. My parents have contributed over $400,000 to my legal fees.

'I have no assets and my personal savings are significantly depleted. As a veteran I am currently the recipient of a Service Pension. I currently receive $4,500 per fortnight.

'I have no other source of income.'

Roberts-Smith and his family funded an unsuccessful appeal of the findings in his defamation case, with his parents Len and Sue (above) providing more than $400,000

Roberts-Smith is pictured on Saturday with supportive members of the public at an Anzac Day dawn service at Currumbin Beach on Queensland's Gold Coast

Military pensions - to which defence force members contribute during their service - are generally taxable, with the rate dependent on an individual's circumstances.

Roberts-Smith was arrested on April 7 in front of his partner Sarah Matulin and twin 15-year-old daughters when their Qantas flight from Brisbane touched down at Sydney Airport.

He had been taking the girls on a shopping day trip for the Easter school holidays and spent 10 nights in custody before being granted bail to live at a property on the Gold Coast.

The Daily Mail previously revealed Roberts-Smith will have his future legal costs met by the commonwealth-funded Afghanistan Inquiry Legal Assistance Scheme (AILAS).

It had been speculated billionaire mining magnate and fierce Roberts-Smith supporter Gina Rinehart would bankroll his case, but taxpayers will pick up the tab to both defend and prosecute him.

The criminal case is expected to drag on for years and the final bill for both sides, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and the AILAS, will likely be many millions of dollars.

Roberts-Smith, who joined the Army as an 18-year-old in 1996 and retired in 2013, has already had his ability to earn an income destroyed by the war crimes allegations against him.

He was twice sent to East Timor as a member of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and his service with the SAS included operational deployments to Fiji, the Middle East and six tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Roberts-Smith was deployed in East Timor, Fiji and Afghanistan during his military career

Roberts-Smith was arrested on April 7 in front of his partner and twin 15-year-old daughters when their Qantas flight from Brisbane touched down at Sydney Airport (above).

On his first tour of Afghanistan in 2006, Roberts-Smith received Australia's third highest bravery award, the Medal for Gallantry. He received the Victoria Cross for actions performed on his fifth tour in 2010.

Upon retirement, Roberts-Smith continued to discharge his public responsibilities as a holder of the Victoria Cross and founded a speaking business focusing on leadership, motivation and management.

In 2015, Roberts-Smith was made deputy general manager of Seven Queensland, covering regional network operations in that state, and was subsequently promoted to general manager.

In 2016, Roberts-Smith then became general manager of Seven Brisbane in addition to his existing role, with added responsibility for the Queensland metropolitan market.

Roberts-Smith attained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland that same year and was chair of the National Australia Day Council from 2014 to 2017.

Among his voluntary and philanthropic positions, Roberts-Smith was deputy chair of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Veteran's Mental Health and a national ambassador for Legacy Australia.

He was patron of the White Cloud Foundation, supporting sufferers of depression, and the Wandering Warriors organisation, assisting ex-servicemen and women into the post-military workforce.

During Roberts-Smith's defamation trial in June 2021, barrister Bruce McClintock SC said: 'In 2018 there could not have been a former soldier better known or more highly respected than my client.'

Roberts-Smith joined the Army as an 18-year-old in 1996 and retired in 2013. He served six tours of duty with the SAS in Afghanistan, where he is pictured above

That all changed after August 2018 when The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times first accused Roberts-Smith of war crimes.

Between those allegations being made and the start of his trial, Roberts-Smith had lost $475,000 in earnings from speaking engagements, Mr McClintock told the Federal Court.

Whereas Roberts-Smith had once been much in demand as a public speaker, even invitations to Anzac Day ceremonies dried up.

The former corporal had been offered a partnership in a big accounting firm on a salary higher than he was earning at Seven West Media but pulled out of that job.

Roberts-Smith and his wife Emma separated in January 2020, sold their Gold Coast marital home for $2.16million in December that year and divorced in February 2021.

For the past five-and-a-half years Roberts-Smith has been in a relationship with Ms Matulin, a marketing and media specialist who explained his limited work prospects in her own affidavit.

'Ben has been unable to secure stable employment since leaving Seven Network after the defamation judgment was published in June 2023,' the 34-year-old wrote.

'The media coverage of the proceedings both before, during and after the defamation trial, made it untenable for Ben to be able to secure stable, long-term employment.'

Roberts-Smith and Ms Matulin were on the verge of moving to Spain to pursue business opportunities when he was charged. The couple is pictured at an Anzac Day dawn service

Roberts-Smith and Ms Matulin were on the verge of moving to Spain to pursue business opportunities in the fitness and wellness industry when he was charged.

'Several years ago, Ben and I started discussing the possibility of us moving overseas to try to create some normalcy in our lives,' Ms Matulin wrote.

'Ben and I had agreed that neither his life, nor mine, could continue to remain on pause in Australia waiting for the Office of the Special Investigator to charge him.

'Our family and friends encouraged us to continue to live our lives.'

Roberts-Smith's solicitor Karen Espiner revealed in her own affidavit that her client had informed her in February this year he and Ms Matulin would be relocating to Europe.

'He told me that after considering it for some time he and Sarah had decided to move to Spain to pursue some business opportunities and that some of his former special forces colleagues lived there and enjoyed it,' she wrote.

Ms Espiner said that Roberts-Smith would have been willing to return to Australia if he was going to be charged with war crimes.

'He told me that he had absolutely no difficulty doing this and that he would immediately return to Australia without hesitation, but said he could not continue to put his life on hold, living in limbo, just sitting around waiting to be charged.'

Roberts-Smith has been excused from appearing in court when his case is next mentioned on June 2.
LINDEN, N.J., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FreshRealm, the fresh foods platform, today announced that it has voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The filing follows a significant ingredient supply disruption in 2025 that materially impacted the company's operations and financial performance.

FreshRealm is entering Chapter 11 to strengthen its financial position, support business stability, maintain operations, and evaluate strategic alternatives. As part of this process, FreshRealm has reached an agreement with Blue Apron to resolve certain contractual and business transition matters that is subject to Court approval. If the settlement is approved by the Court, Blue Apron would exit its commercial agreement with FreshRealm and transition the related operations to a new structure, where the business is expected to continue operating.

Separately, FreshRealm will market and pursue a sale of its remaining business and operations through a Court-supervised process under Chapter 11. Together, these actions help FreshRealm address the challenges of 2025 while creating a more focused and sustainable path for its customers, suppliers, and employees.

"We have built a business that serves an important need in the fresh food and meal space, and we remain focused on continuing to serve our customers while supporting our employees, suppliers, and partners through this transition," said Michael Lippold, Founder & CEO. "Our agreement with Blue Apron, and the actions we are taking, create a clearer path forward for the business. We continue to believe in the long-term potential of the platform following the Blue Apron transition."

To support continued operations during the Chapter 11 process, FreshRealm has secured a commitment for debtor-in-possession financing from its existing lenders, which is expected to support the success of the contemplated transactions. In addition, FreshRealm has filed customary "first day" motions with the Court that will allow the business to continue operating without interruption, including the production, fulfillment, and delivery of fresh meal products for its partners nationwide. These motions also seek approval to ensure that employees, vendors, and suppliers are paid for goods and services provided after the filing date in the ordinary course of business, subject to Court approval where required.

FreshRealm remains committed to product quality, food safety, and reliable service throughout this process and expects to continue normal day-to-day operations.

Lippold continued, "We are proud of the platform we have built and the role we play in helping our partners bring fresh meals to more people in more places. I want to thank our employees, customers, suppliers, and partners for their continued support as we move through this process and work toward the next phase for FreshRealm."

Customers can expect normal operations to continue during the Chapter 11 process. FreshRealm remains focused on serving its customers and delivering quality products throughout this period.

Additional information regarding the Chapter 11 case, including Court filings and information about the claims process, is available at https://restructuring.ra.kroll.com/FreshRealm or by calling (888) 454-0938.

About FreshRealm

FreshRealm is the architect of a better food system built for the futureso that everyone, every day, everywhere can access fresh food. FreshRealm's innovative fresh meals platform enables partners to grow, expand, and diversify their product offering to meet surging consumer demand at a fraction of the cost. The company provides unmatched scale, robust data, culinary expertise, offering flexible and fully customized fresh meals options, supply chain and quality assurance, and efficient nationwide fulfillment. For more information on FreshRealm please visit www.FreshRealmcom.

SOURCE FreshRealm, Inc.
Madness frontman Graham 'Suggs' McPherson last night sung at a vigil for a 21-year-old filmmaking student who was stabbed to death in Primrose Hill.

Suggs sang It Must Be Love as balloons were released into the sky in memory of Finbar Sullivan, who was stabbed in the early evening of April 7.

Hundreds of people, including some famous faces, turned out at the viewing point on Primrose Hill on Sunday evening.

They included The Jam's Paul Weller, Dexys Midnight Runners frontman Kevin Rowland, Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie and The Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock.

Dozens of candles and bunches of flowers were placed at the gates to the park, along with pictures of Finbar.

Some of his favourite songs were sung and a minute's silence was held.

Known as Fin or Sully by his friends, he was a student at the London Screen Academy.

And according to his father, he had gone to Primrose Hill to test a new camera he got for his birthday.

Finbar Sullivan's parents Leah Seresin (left) and Chris Sullivan (centre) join a vigil on Primrose Hill, north London, in memory of the 21-year-old filmmaking student

Flowers and tributes tied to the fence during a vigil on Primrose Hill, north London, in Finbar's memory

Chris Sullivan said his son had ambitions to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, cameraman Michael Seresin, who worked on Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban and Rambo III.

Mr Sullivan, who is a club promoter best known for founding the Wag Club in London, said after the vigil: 'This is subsequent to my son being stabbed very near this spot to death on the 7th April.

'We decided to have a little tribute to him and get all these people together.

'I'm so impressed to see the diaspora of people, ages, races, colours and creeds, and they did us proud.

'So I think Finbar's legacy should be that, unity and love and peace.'

He added that he was not surprised that hundreds of people turned out for the vigil as his son was 'like a magnet for people'.

Mr Sullivan said his son was 'full of jokes' and was a 'really loving person', adding: 'He was all I ever thought about.

'So it's like as if, you have both your legs cut off, you know, you always remember they're gone, and you never forget them, but it will always be difficult to deal with. I'm not expecting an easy journey.'

The 21-year-old, who studied at the London Screen Academy, produced music videos for drill rap artists under the name Sully Shot It

Finbar's Dad said his son was 'full of jokes' and was a 'really loving person' as hundreds of people took part in the vigil on Primrose Hill

Balloons are released at the vigil in memory of Finbar who his father described as a 'middle-class kid with long hair'

Mr Sullivan, 65, described Finbar as a 'middle-class kid with long hair' who lived with him in a 1million flat in Maida Vale.

He said: 'I'm so broken-hearted, I can't believe it. He was the most beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy. He was just a really lovely person. And why he was targeted, we have no idea.

'He'd just bought a new camera, we all chipped in for his 21st birthday, and he took it up there to do a bit of filming.'

And he added that his son had just worked with Vivienne Westwood's son Joe Corre on a film.

Finbar left his home in Maida Vale, north-west London at around 4.30pm, telling his father, artist and musician Chris Sullivan, himself a leading light in London's artistic scene, that he would be home later to cook dinner.

He would have arrived at Primrose Hill, just a couple of miles from his home, some time around 5pm, having arranged to meet up with friends, including his best mate AJ, home from Nottingham University for the Easter break.

They were planning to do what young lads do on sunny afternoons in London  lounge about, play music (Finbar produced videos for up-and-coming rappers) and chat.

But by 6.41pm, when the police were called after receiving reports of a fight at the summit of Primrose Hill where the views stretch out across the whole city, Finbar had been fatally stabbed.

He received multiple wounds, including a fatal injury to the leg, severing an artery. His friend AJ was also wounded  Finbar's family believe he was trying to protect Finbar. It was 6.45pm when AJ staggered into a nearby pub, seeking refuge.

Finbar's father Christopher said his death 'is the worst tragedy I could ever imagine'

There were frantic scenes as horrified bystanders  including a woman with a son the same age  tried to save Finbar's life, to hold him and comfort him.

Paramedics attempted CPR for 20 minutes but by the time his distraught father, alerted by friends, arrived, Finbar was gone, pronounced dead at the scene.

Within minutes footage of the fracas was circulating on social media.

Three men have been charged with his murder: Ernest Boateng, 25, Alexis Bidace, 25, and Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, 27.

A fourth man, Khalid Abdulqadir, 18, has been separately charged in relation to the same incident.

He is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second alleged victim, violent disorder and possession of a knife.
A mining camp cleaner sacked for allegedly going fully nude during a late-night swim at a work party claims he was fired because of his 'sexual orientation'.

The Fair Work Commission awarded former remote hospitality employee Lester Box almost $10,000 after it found he was unfairly dismissed.

The FWC heard catering and hospitality company Sirrom sacked Box without notice following a 'social gathering' at the Centurion Accommodation Village, which is about 20 minutes from a Peabody operated coal mine in central Queensland.

Box, who was staying at the camp, consumed about 'eight or nine' alcoholic drinks with other employees and his supervisor before he and a 'male guest' jumped into the pool just after 10pm.

It was alleged Box and the other man jumped in naked after being egged on by other male employees at the gathering that the FWC heard was a 'Christmas celebration'.

Box said he could not remember if he jumped into the pool naked, but said he woke up wearing 'a pair of quick dry boardies'.

Sirrom sacked Box without notice after alleging the skinny dip was 'inappropriate, unsafe and inconsistent with expected standards'.

The termination letter stated Box entered into the 'site pool naked in the presence of employees' and 'consumed alcohol and remained in the deck/pool area after the approved 10.00pm curfew'.

Sirrom sacked Lester Box without notice following a 'social gathering' at the Centurion Accommodation Village (pictured above)

The company had previously stood Box down while they ran an internal investigation.

Sirrom claimed several witnesses, including Box's supervisor, had 'independently' identified him as being naked while in the pool.

One employee alleged in an email that other men had encouraged Box to strip off, and while she did not visually confirm the nudity because she 'personally did not wish to see that'.

'According to everyone at the table, he was naked,' the employee alleged in her email.

The witness also claimed Box remained in the pool for an 'extended period on the inflatable air mattress'.

The FWC heard the mining camp did not rule out allowing employees to consume liquor after 10pm but swimming naked was banned.

Four workers claimed they witnessed Box jump in without clothes but none turned up to give evidence during a FWC determinative conference on April 2.

Only one gave an official statement to the FWC which alleged Box skinny dipped.

Box claimed he was sacked because of his 'sexual orientation'. Generic image above

Commissioner Alana Matheson sided with Box because Sirrom failed to bring any its witnesses to testify.

'[The] poor evidentiary case does not support a finding that he was naked in the pool,' she said.

'In these circumstances, I am unable to reach a firm conclusion, on the balance of probabilities that the alleged conduct occurred.'

Box, who gave evidence at the April 2 conference, disputed he was naked and instead claimed Sirrom targeted him because of his 'sexual orientation'.

Ms Matheson dismissed that claim.

'The commission does not establish that the applicant was targeted due to sexual orientation,' she said.

Box, who commenced employment with Sirrom in November 2024, also claimed another employee told him he had been in the pool in his underwear.

However, Ms Matheson did not find Box a credible witness because he could remember some parts of his late night romp while forgetting other details.

Ms Matheson highlighted Box's supervisor had declined to provide a written statement because she 'felt some blame for the incident' because she arranged the party.

Ms Matheson also queried how the employee who claimed she could see Box lying on an inflatable mattress in the pool but couldn't tell if he had clothes.

'It is difficult to understand how [the witness] could have observed the applicant remaining in the pool for an extended period on an inflatable mattress but did not see whether he was naked or not,' Ms Matheson said.

The commissioner found there was no valid reason for dismissal and ordered Sirrom to pay Box $9,543 in compensation after placing more weight on his claim he woke up wearing board shorts.

'[Box] indicated that he had not tried to look for work because he thought he would wait and see what happened with his application and that he remained unemployed,' she said.

'I consider that this warrants a substantial reduction in the compensation that might otherwise be ordered.

'The amount of compensation does not include a component for shock, distress or humiliation, or other analogous hurt.'

The Daily Mail attempted to contact Box for comment.
Donald Trump told CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell she was a 'disgrace' for reading excerpts of Cole Thomas Allen's manifesto that made wild accusations toward the President.

Allen, 31, sent the outrageous claims to his family ten minutes prior to attempting to attack the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Trump was attending for the first time in over a decade.

In an interview with 60 Minutes Sunday, O'Donnell read some of the most inciting lines of Allen's missive which Trump slammed.

'He appears to reference a motive. In it, he writes this: quote, ''Administrative officials, they are targets.'' He also wrote this: "I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes." What's your reaction to that?'

Trump replied: 'Well, I was waiting for you to read that, because I knew you would. Because you're horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. I am not a rapist. I didn't rape anybody.'

O'Donnell attempted to interrupt Trump, asking: 'Oh, do you think he was referring to you?'

'Excuse me. Excuse me. I am not a pedophile,' he quickly said, cutting the anchor off.

Trump then appeared to refer to what he felt was the connection Allen was attempting to make between himself and pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Donald Trump told CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell she was a 'disgrace' for reading excerpts of Cole Thomas Allen's manifesto that called the President a 'rapist, pedophile, traitor'

In an interview with 60 Minutes Sunday, O'Donnell read some of the most inciting lines of Allen's missive which Trump slammed

'You read that crap from some sick person. I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated. Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, let's say, Epstein or other things.'

Trump has never been charged with a crime in connection to Epstein, who the President has said he kicked out of his Mar-a-Lago club decades ago.

The President continued to go after O'Donnell and appeared to regret going on with the interview at all.

'But I said to myself, you know, I'll do this interview and they'll probably  I read the manifesto. It was a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that, because I'm not any of those things.'

O'Donnell continued to clarify that those were the gunman's words but he was having none of it.

'Excuse me. Excuse me. You shouldn't be reading that on 60 minutes. You're a disgrace. But go ahead, let's finish the interview,' he said.

O'Donnell had asked Trump if he may try to improve his relationship with a combative press in the wake of the shooting.

'Look, for whatever reason, we disagree on a lot of subjects. We talked about crime, I am very strong on crime. It seems like the press isn't,' Trump said.

Join the discussion Should media outlets read out violent manifestos or does it give shooters the fame they crave?

Allen (pictured) may lurid claims regarding President Trump in the manifesto sent to family members

Your browser does not support iframes.

'It's not so much the press, but the press plus the Democrats. It's almost like they are one and the same.'

Trump also told O'Donnell that he may have slowed the Secret Service's response after shots were fired on Saturday night.

The President recounted how he 'wanted to see what was happening.'

'And I wasn't going to make it that easy for them, I wanted to see what was going on,' he said of the Secret Service.

But soon, he said, security 'started to realize maybe it was a bad problem... different from [the] normal noise that you hear from a ballroom, which you hear all the time.

'I was surrounded by great people and I probably made them act a little bit more sluggish,' he continued. 'I said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me see."'

Trump said he then started walking with the agents out of the ballroom.

He said they were about halfway out when agents told him and First Lady Melania Trump to 'Please go down to the floor, please go down to floor.'

Trump also told O'Donnell that he may have slowed the Secret Service's response after shots were fired on Saturday night

'So I dropped to the floor and the First Lady went down also,' the president said.

Trump also called those who questioned the shooting 'sick.'

'I think they're more sick than they are con people,' he said. 'But there are con people.'

He later denied that political violence is worse than it has been in previous generations - though he lambasted Democrats for their rhetoric.

'You go back 20 years, 40 years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, its always been there, people are assassinated, people are injured, people are hurt,' Trump told O'Donnell.

But he later accused Democrats of using inflammatory language.

'I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats much more so is very dangerous,' Trump said. 'I really think its very dangerous for the country.'

He said the alleged shooter was 'almost like a blur' as he raced through the hotel hallway on Saturday night, joking that the 'NFL should sign him up.'

Trump said the alleged shooter was 'almost like a blur' as he raced through the hotel hallway on Saturday night, joking that the 'NFL should sign him up.'

The Washington Hilton is also where a man attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan

'But it was amazing because as soon as they [law enforcement] saw that, you could see them draw their guns. They were so professional, aimed their guns, and then they took him down immediately,' Trump said.

Trump reiterated his calls for the White House Correspondents' Dinner to be rescheduled.

He said it would include 'bigger security' and 'more perimeter security.'

'I think it's important that they do it again,' Trump said of the dinner, adding that he does not want a 'crazy person' to succeed in cancelling it.

Allen, 31, sent the eerie anti-Trump writing to his family members just 10 minutes before he fired shots at the hotel in Washington, where the ritzy press gala was taking place on Saturday night.

The harrowing writing was given to the police by a relative, a US official said.

According to the New York Post, Allen's manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes.

Guests take cover after U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner

'In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).

'I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn't come to that.'

His targets included 'administration officials (not including [FBI Director Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.'

Allen wrote, allegedly referencing the president: 'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'

Trump spoke out on Sunday morning, following the chaotic night at the dinner.

He told Fox that the shooter 'had a lot of hatred in his heart' and that religion was a reason why the gunman attacked.

The President said this morning: 'He had a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while.'

He added that the manifesto was 'a religious thing. It was strongly anti-Christian.'

Allen, who has no criminal record, may have scheduled sending his manifesto based on how it was written

Members of the FBI walk to inspect the neighbourhood where the house associated with Cole Tomas Allen

'He's got some big problems with the rest of his life, but it's very, very bad, very bad situation,' the President continued.

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, had a manifesto, and his siblings knew he had firearms and were worried about him.

On Saturday night, chilling surveillance footage captured the moment gun-wielding Allen stormed past security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Allen was seen wearing all black as he sprinted inside the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening with a gun in hand, video posted by President Trump on Truth Social showed.

Just moments before he ran, security guards were seen standing in the hallway, but as soon as he sped by, they immediately reacted and pulled out their firearms.

Police revealed the suspect had a number of weapons on him, including a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

President Trump shared a stunning image shortly after the shooting, showing the suspect shirtless and lying face down on the carpet.

Law enforcement confirmed he was not struck by gunfire while being stopped, but has since been taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Allen was a guest at the Hilton hotel, where the event was taking place.

Surveillance video shows the suspect sprinting past a security checkpoint and attempting to reach the doors to the ballroom where the president was gathered, along with his most senior cabinet members and thousands of journalists.

Evidence found on Allen's electronic devices and in his writings points towards the theory that he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner.

His family members told law enforcement that Allen had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted one of them to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday.

Another family member told investigators that Allen has made radical statements and that he frequently mentioned plans to do 'something' to fix problems with today's world.

The family added that Allen would regularly visit a shooting range to train with his guns. A senior US official told CBS News that the suspected gunman was part of a group called The Wide Awakes and that he attended a No Kings protest in California.
A UK backpacker has questioned whether Sydney is filled with racists after overhearing two women make disparaging comments about Asians at a cafe.

Sophie Carson, from London, was standing outside a Japanese-style cafe in Glebe in Sydney's Inner West when she overheard 'two middle-aged, white mums' speaking.

She claimed they were complaining about the number of Asian people.

'I tuned into their conversation and realised they were complaining about how busy the cafe was, and the exact terminology that was used was, "Oh, there's so many Asians around here, you can't move for them!"' Ms Carson said.

'When I heard that I did sort of turn around and look them up and down and they were just looking at everyone on the other tables with this sneery face.

'They proceeded to continue talking about how many Asians there are in Sydney now.

'And the irony of the situation is that [they were] literally sitting outside a Japanese-style matcha cafe... it's a f***ing Asian cafe.'

Ms Carson said the incident is an example of why 'so many people don't like white people indulging in their cultures', before making a grim admission about Sydney.

Sophie Carson, who is from London, said she was stood outside the cafe when she overheard the racist remarks

'I don't have that much knowledge of Australia and Australia's "social situation" but I thought Sydney was supposed to be not full of racist c***s, but maybe I was wrong?' she said.

'The reason that I'm talking about this is because I see people arguing about should white people be allowed to appreciate specifically Asian cultures.'

Ms Carson added: 'This is a perfect prime example for the white people out there who don't understand why people get so outraged and why people get so protective.

'Try to now hopefully understand part of where they're coming from. You want to appreciate the food, but you don't give a f*** about the people that made it.'

Ms Carson's rant, which has nearly 190,000 views on TikTok, garnered hundreds of comments from Asian-Australians who thanked her for speaking out about the issue.

'Thank you for raising awareness on this,' one commented.

'Unfortunately racism is still quite prevalent in our society and it still bewilders me how people can make comments like this in public.'

Another person said 'fighting racism in Australia is a lost cause'.

She said she overheard 'two middle-aged, white mums' complaining about how many Asian people were in the cafe (stock image)

'Some people are willing to reform but then again its disappointing that in 2026 you gotta tell them that racism is wrong. Most people in this country however are beyond ignorant and beyond saving,' they said.

A woman apologised for the behaviour of the two women.

'On behalf of middle-aged white women I apologise for these two. Unacceptable behaviour. This isnt Australian to behave like this,' she wrote.

Others suggested Ms Carson should have called out the women at the time of the racist incident.

'I would have called that out! Any racism, I will call it out loudly,' one wrote.

Another said she should have 'challenged' the two ladies 'in a polite manner'.

'Those people feel confident saying what they say about Asians in an Asian cafe because no one challenges their ideas and their audacity directly,' they wrote.
A desperate search has been launched for a five-year-old girl in the Northern Territory as police raise fears she has been abducted.

Sharon was reported missing from her home at Old Timers Aboriginal town camp in Alice Springs at about 1.30am on Sunday after being put to bed.

NT Acting Commander Mark Grieve said authorities are seeking to locate a 47-year-old man named Jefferson Lewis, who they believe can assist with their investigation.

'We do believe Sharon has been abducted and we believe [he] may be able to provide us with some information in regards to that,' Acting Commander Grieve told reporters a press conference on Monday.

Lewis holds previous convictions for physical assaults and domestic violence offences and was recently released from prison.

'We're still trying to work through his movements since he got out of prison. We know that he was in and around Old Timers camp and that particular residence [on] Saturday afternoon into that evening,' Acting Commander Grieve said.

'We don't have any information in regards to whether Mr Lewis has access to a vehicle - we don't think he does - so we're hoping that he is still in the immediate area.

'And if he is involved, we certainly hope that no harm has come to Sharon.'

Sharon was reported missing from her residence at Old Timers Aboriginal town camp in Alice Springs about 1.30am on Sunday after being put to bed

NT Police believe the little girl was abducted from her home

Police are seeking public assistance to locate 47-year-old, Jefferson Lewis, who they believe can assist with their enquiries

Acting Commander Grieve said police 'suspect' Lewis could provide information as to the whereabouts of Sharon due to a number of factors.

'He's the only person we haven't been able to locate and speak to, who was in and around that area at the time,' he said.

'Considering himself and Sharon went missing at around the same time, it certainly brings about those suspicious circumstances and we'd like to speak to him about that.'

He said police have provided wrap around support to Sharon's family as the search for their little girl continues.

'It's a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing. We're over 24 hours now so it'd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent,' he said.

'We're wrapping around the mother, we've facilitated some other accomodation to provide her with some extra support and her family members...

'So the call for public assistance, please, if you've got any information, regardless of how small in detail you think it may be, please let just know.

'We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family.'

NT Acting Commander Mark Grieve said Lewis went missing at the same as Sharon

Police believe Lewis and Sharon are not directly related but are known to each other.

Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around neck and white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer style underwear.

Police are urging anyone with information to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference number P26120934.

More to come.
A man who claimed he didn't hear his housemate get bludgeoned to death because he was listening to John Farnham's 'You're the Voice' has admitted to murder.

On Monday, John Sheffield's outrageous lies to police were laid bare as he finally accepted responsibility for pounding his mate Kenneth Magee's head in with a hammer.

The former diesel mechanic, 56, was stared down by his victim's loved ones as he faced a pre-sentencing hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The deranged killer had claimed he found his mate 'on the couch with his head smashed open' inside their Werribee home, in Melbourne's west, on December 2, 2024.

Mr Magee had acted as Sheffields unofficial carer.

When detectives asked Sheffield what he'd been doing at the time, he told them he'd been blasting John Farnham tunes in his bedroom.

He maintained the lie up until last month when he agreed to plead guilty to murder after being provided with a sentence indication by Justice Rita Incerti.

The court heard Mr Magee, 63, died from catastrophic head injuries caused by repeated bluntforce blows with a hammer.

John Sheffield claimed he'd been banging out Whispering Jack when in reality he was bashing his mate's head in with a hammer

A forensic examination found multiple skull fractures and brain injuries consistent with at least five impacts.

Emergency services were called after Sheffield rang triple-0, claiming an intruder had attacked his friend.

'Someone just broke in, he hit me mate on the head with a hammer, I dont know who it was, theyve left the front door open,' he claimed.

'I just walked out there to get a drink and I seen him on the couch with his head smashed open. I dont know how long ago, Id been in me room listening to music.'

Police found no signs of forced entry.

Mr Magee was discovered on a couch with fatal head wounds, while Sheffield was uninjured.

He was arrested later that evening, with Mr Magee succumbing to his injuries at hospital at 11.20pm.

During sentencing submissions, the court heard CCTV footage tracked the pairs movements throughout the day, including shopping and medical visits, and showed no one else entering the house.

Sheffield claimed he'd been playing John Farnham (pictured) tracks loudly when his mate was murdered

Sheffield later altered his account, telling police he had pulled the hammer from Mr Magees head and moved it.

Mr Magee's daughter Christine Magee told the court her life 'imploded' after receiving a phone call saying her father would not survive, followed minutes later by confirmation of his death.

She described years of panic attacks, depression, extreme weight loss, an eating disorder and being forced to leave her career as a chef.

'His life was stolen by someone he once called a friend, in the safety of his own home,' she said.

Mr Magees sister, Alison Menzies, told the court she learned of her brothers death by seeing his photograph on the evening news.

She described severe grief, recurring nightmares, anxiety, financial strain and the compounded trauma of losing three siblings in four years.

'Ken was given a death sentence. I have been given a life sentence,' she said.

Sheffield's barrister, John Desmond, attempted to push blame on Mr Magee, describing him as a violent thug.

No reason was given by Sheffield as to why he decided to murder Kenneth Magee (pictured)

'There was violence and overbearing conduct by the deceased directed to the accused,' he told the court.

Mr Desmond claimed Mr Magee had been violent toward his client for 'a long time'.

'Sometimes he beats the hell out of him  punches him in the head, stomach and face,' Sheffield had previously told a doctor.

Mr Desmond claimed his client had been a long-term victim of domestic violence and therefore deserved a discount on his sentence.

'This is not a case where the accused was the oppressor over many years it is the other way around,' he said.

'Were not minimising the seriousness - its the most serious crime in the country - but the relationship is relevant to moral culpability and offence gravity.'

While the prosecution acknowledged the relationship between the pair was 'complex', it argued there was no evidence of a struggle or immediate provocation on the night, and that Sheffields moral culpability remained high.

Justice Incerti will hand down her sentence at a date to be fixed.

She had previously told the killer she would sentence him to 22 years in jail if he pleaded guilty to the crime.
A doctor in Florida was working as a Lyft driver when he was arrested in front of his horrified passengers for allegedly removing the wrong organ from a patient who died.

Dr Thomas Shaknovsky, 44, was charged with second-degree manslaughter after his patient, William Bryan, died when Shaknovsky allegedly removed his liver instead of his spleen.

Shaknovsky was arrested on April 13 and has since been released on bond, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, the New York Times reported.

He had been working as a Lyft driver with two passengers in his silver Mitsubishi when he was arrested, according to the New York Post.

The passengers had been picked up by Shaknovsky at their hotel when the former doctor was seen handcuffed and pressed against the window of the car in footage obtained by NBC News.

Shaknovsky had been using the drive-share app as a driver for more than a year and kept a five-star rating under his middle name, Jacob, according to the Post.

'We're not using Lyft again. From now on, we're using Uber,' one of the passengers joked.

A spokesperson for Lyft told the Post that Shaknovsky was removed from the platform after learning of his arrest.

Dr Thomas Shaknovsky, 44, was seen handcuffed and pressed against the window of the car after he allegedly mistakenly removed the wrong organ from a patient who died on the table

Shaknovsky is scheduled to be arraigned in Walton County Circuit Court on May 19 - he has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and faces up to 15 years behind bars

William Bryan, 70, died on August 21 during surgery after Shaknovsky allegedly removed his liver thinking it was his spleen

Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a release: 'Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor. he Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process.

'Our thoughts remain with the victims family and their unspeakable loss. We are committed to seeing this case through with the professionalism and integrity our community expects.'

Bryan, 70, and his wife had been visiting their rental property in Okaloosa County from their home in Beverly, Alabama, in August 2024 when he began experiencing intense pain.

On August 18, Bryan underwent diagnostic imaging at the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach which determined that his spleen was possibly enlarged, according to an emergency order to suspend Shaknovskys license in September 2024 by Florida's Health Department.

According to the Times, Shaknovsky told Bryan that he would need to have his spleen removed, a minimally invasive surgery which was not routinely performed at the hospital.

Bryan refused the surgery for three days, expressing his wish to return home to Alabama, but Shaknovsky allegedly 'continued to pressure' him into the surgery.

Eventually, Bryan agreed and the surgery went ahead on August 21, 2024, according to the Health Department.

Yet, coworkers allegedly expressed concern over Shaknovsky's abilities and believed he 'did not have the skill level to safely perform the surgery,' the Health Department said, according to the Times.

Florida's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, suspended Shaknovsky's medical license a month after Bryan died

Bryan's widow, Beverly Bryan, filed a civil lawsuit against Shaknovsky last year for unspecified damages of over $50,000

Documents further stated that staff in the operating room 'knew splenectomies were complicated procedures that could quickly deteriorate' and the doctor began surgery before switching to an open procedure without documenting his reasoning, CBS News reported.

Staff reported that Bryan's colon 'burst out of the abdominal cavity' before Shaknovsky used a surgical stapling device before Bryan began hemorrhaging.

The patient quickly went into cardiac arrest while attending nurses and staff attempted to suction the blood pouring from Bryan. An emergency transfusion began and staff attempted to revive him.

According to the report, Shaknovsky did not ask for a clamp or cauterizer to help stop the patients bleeding but continued to remove Bryan's organ 'even though the abdomen was full of blood,' the Times reported.

Shaknovsky eventually removed the organ which he believed to be his spleen, but was actually Bryan's liver.

The Health Department noted that the spleen and liver are on opposite sides of the abdomen and 'spleens and livers are anatomically distinct, have different consistencies and are different colors,' the outlet reported.

Staff reported their shock when Shaknovsky told them the organ he had removed was Bryan's spleen, and one staff member 'felt sick to their stomach,' according to the Times.

Shaknovsky claimed that he had dissected the spleen when an aneurysm in the spleen ruptured and caused severe bleeding, an account that was contradicted by Bryan's autopsy.

Shaknovsky, seen walking from surgery, claimed that he had dissected the spleen when an aneurysm in the spleen ruptured and caused severe bleeding, an account that was contradicted by Bryan's autopsy

Florida's surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, suspended Shaknovsky's medical license a month after Bryan died.

A spokesperson for the hospital said in a statement to the outlet that Shaknovsky 'was never a Sacred Heart Emerald Coast employee and has not practiced at any of our facilities since August 2024.'

The hospital added that their surgeons face 'rigorous credentialing standards' and require a medical license from the state to practice.

Bryan's wife, Beverly, told the outlet she received the news in the chapel where she waited with her daughters for her husband to come out of surgery.

'I never even imagined that he wouldn't come out of that surgery alive,' she said.

'Living without him is almost unbearable. He would want his death to be the reason that more people didn't get hurt by that doctor.'

The widow filed a civil lawsuit against Shaknovsky last year for unspecified damages of over $50,000, Law & Crime reported.

Joe Zarzaur, the family's attorney, told the outlet: 'This heartbreaking loss has devastated the family of William Bryan, and we are seeking justice for this senseless tragedy.'

'Dr Shaknovsky's failure to meet the accepted standard of care and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast's involvement in the alleged cover up has caused irreparable harm, and no family should have to endure such grief due to medical negligence. We are committed to holding these actors accountable for their actions,' he added.

Shaknovsky is scheduled to be arraigned in Walton County Circuit Court on May 19 - he has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 15 years behind bars if convicted.
Australians relying on the NDIS have raised their concerns about suddenly being cut off after the Albanese government revealed 160,000 participants would get the boot.

NDIS Minister Mark Butler unveiled sweeping changes to the scheme last week, including tightening eligibility rules, slashing spending, reducing third-party management costs and introducing new provider standards.

Aussies living with a disability have vented their fears they could be among the participants to be dumped from the scheme, saying it will reduce their quality of life.

Butler was forced to defend the overhaul in spending on Sunday as he was asked whether residents will be forced to cough up their own money to pay for essential services.

Tessa, who lives with autism and psychosocial disability, said the NDIS makes her independence possible.

'Because of the NDIS, I can work three days a week and maintain employment,' she said. 'I can stay out of hospital and live independently.'

She warned that without the NDIS, she would 'not be well' and would 'not be able to go to work'.

'You do the math,' she said.

Tessa (pictured) said that she relied on the NDIS for her independence and feared the changes

Single mum Kymberly Moss said she is 'terrified' for her two daughters with level two autism and additional diagnoses.

'People see them functioning in public, but they don't see the meltdowns and aggression at home,' she said.

'When you cut 160,000 people from the scheme, they don't just stop being disabled.'

Fardell warned that slashing social and community participation funding would 'have a definite impact on participants'.

She said forcing all providers to register would be the most disruptive change.

'Four out of five providers are unregistered sole traders, and this is a huge impact on our industry,' she said.

'There is a lot of anxiety and panic, but we will deal with this and get through it together.'

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Butler said the government is finally taking financial control of the NDIS, with new laws due to be introduced to Parliament in May.

Kymberly Moss (pictured) said she was concerned for the future of two autistic children

Host Andrew Clennell repeatedly challenged Butler to admit whether the NDIS reforms would force more families to pay for services out of their own pockets.

'Do these changes basically mean, in a nutshell, a lot more people will have to reach into their own pockets for services?' he asked the first time.

Butler responded: 'That first tranche of changes that will take effect immediately really is about curtailing out-of-control growth. It's not reducing the scheme size, which is currently over $50 billion, the largest social programme we have outside the age pension.'

Clennell asked a second time if the changes would mean 'there will be more user pays?'

'There will be more disabled people, parents of disabled people, reaching into their own pockets to pay for these services?' he said.

Butler deflected, arguing the outcome depended on the type of support required.

'If people are not going to be on the NDIS because they're not severely and permanently disabled, there obviously have to be governmentfunded supports in place for them,' he said.

Clennell hit back a third time, saying he was 'struggling' get Butler to 'admit what I think is the truth'.

Mark Butler (pictured) said that participants wouldn't be kicked off the scheme immediately

'That yes, there will be state government supports, but there will be more cases of people having to reach into their own pockets to pay for these services. Yes or no?'

'I don't necessarily accept that,' Butler said.

'There will be supports available where families live, learn and play, and they are going to be governmentfunded services.'
Donald Trump has scheduled talks with the Secret Service in the wake of the shooting attempt on the White House Correspondents' Dinner and heading into America's 250th birthday celebration.

Some have criticized or questioned how 31-year-old shooter Cole Tomas Allen could get so close to an event with Secret Service protection and many of America's most powerful people in attendance.

With the America 250 celebration set to take up much of the President's summer, the White House said that meetings will take place this week at the request of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

However, the White House told Fox News they still fully believe in the Secret Service's ability to protect Trump.

'President Trump and the White House are standing by the leadership of Secret Service, and President Trump has said he personally thinks they did an excellent job neutralizing the shooter and moving the President, First Lady, Vice President and cabinet to safety,' a spokesperson said.

The meeting called by Wiles will go into 'protocol and practices for major events involving POTUS.'

However, they are also set to go over what took place in the leadup to Saturday's shooting attempt.

They will also be 'exploring additional options to ensure all relevant components are doing everything possible to secure the many major events planned for President Trump in the months ahead as he gears up to celebrate America 250.'

Donald Trump has forcefully backed the Secret Service in the wake of the shooting attempt on the White House Correspondents' Dinner and heading into America's 250th birthday celebration

Some have criticized or questioned how a shooter could get so close to an event with Secret Service protection and many of America's most powerful people in attendance

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House and the Secret Service for comment.

A Secret Service agent was the lone person shot by alleged gunman, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, on Saturday night.

Trump described how they sprung into action against Allen in an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday.

'When you look at it on tape, it's almost like a blur but it was amazing because as soon as they saw that, you could see them draw their guns. They were so professional, aimed their guns, and then they took him down immediately.'

Trump told interviewer Norah O'Donnell that he may have slowed the Secret Service's response after shots were fired on Saturday night.

The President recounted how he 'wanted to see what was happening.'

'And I wasn't going to make it that easy for them, I wanted to see what was going on,' he said of the Secret Service.

But soon, he said, security 'started to realize maybe it was a bad problem... different from [the] normal noise that you hear from a ballroom, which you hear all the time.

Secret service agents respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner

Your browser does not support iframes.

'I was surrounded by great people and I probably made them act a little bit more sluggish,' he continued. 'I said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me see."'

Trump said he then started walking with the agents out of the ballroom.

He said they were about halfway out when agents told him and First Lady Melania Trump to 'Please go down to the floor, please go down to floor.'

'So I dropped to the floor and the First Lady went down also,' the president said.

Trump reiterated his calls for the White House Correspondents' Dinner to be rescheduled.

He said it would include 'bigger security' and 'more perimeter security.'

'I think it's important that they do it again,' Trump said of the dinner, adding that he does not want a 'crazy person' to succeed in cancelling it.

On Saturday night, Allen fired shots at the hotel in Washington, where the ritzy press gala was taking place.

31-year-old shooter Cole Tomas Allen shot a Secret Service agent but was kept from getting into the ballroom

Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other major Washington power players were in the room

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, had a manifesto, and his siblings knew he had firearms and were worried about him.

On Saturday night, chilling surveillance footage captured the moment gun-wielding Allen stormed past security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Allen was seen wearing all black as he sprinted inside the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening with a gun in hand, video posted by President Trump on Truth Social showed.

Just moments before he ran, security guards were seen standing in the hallway, but as soon as he sped by, they immediately reacted and pulled out their firearms.

Police revealed the suspect had a number of weapons on him, including a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

President Trump shared a stunning image shortly after the shooting, showing the suspect shirtless and lying face down on the carpet.

Law enforcement confirmed he was not struck by gunfire while being stopped, but has since been taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Allen was a guest at the Hilton hotel, where the event was taking place.

Surveillance video shows the suspect sprinting past a security checkpoint and attempting to reach the doors to the ballroom where the president was gathered, along with his most senior cabinet members and thousands of journalists.

Evidence found on Allen's electronic devices and in his writings points towards the theory that he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner.

His family members told law enforcement that Allen had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted one of them to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday.

Another family member told investigators that Allen has made radical statements and that he frequently mentioned plans to do 'something' to fix problems with today's world.

The family added that Allen would regularly visit a shooting range to train with his guns. A senior US official told CBS News that the suspected gunman was part of a group called The Wide Awakes and that he attended a No Kings protest in California.
Barack Obama came under fire on Sunday for claiming the motive behind the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was still unclear despite an alleged manifesto.

The missive, originally obtained by the New York Post, details how suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was targeting members of the Trump administration at the ritzy gala.

'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial,' the manifesto reportedly read.

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes,' it continued.

In one passage, Allen allegedly wrote: 'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'

But several hours after the missive, Obama claimed 'details about the motives' were still unclear.

'Although we don't yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, it's incumbent upon us all to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,' he posted on X Sunday evening.

'It's also a sobering reminder of the courage and the sacrifice that US Secret Service Agents show every day. I'm grateful to them - and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be OK.'

The former commander-in-chief quickly received some backlash for the post.

Barack Obama has come under fire for suggesting a motive for the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner remains unclear

A missive written by the alleged gunman details his plan to target members of the Trump administration

Obama posted to X on Sunday that 'we don't yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting'

'There is no ambiguity. It was a politically motivated attack driven by anti-Trump and anti-Christian bile. It's wrong to downplay or obscure the obvious motive,' former Department of Homeland Security spokesman Tricia McLaughlin posted.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin also hit out at the former president.

'Let's not pretend to be this clueless about motive,' he wrote.

'The attempted assassin put out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump Admin officials, minutes before trying to storm a ballroom filled with the President, VP, Cabinet and many others from his Admin.'

Utah Senator Mike Lee added: 'It was politically motivated. He made that pretty clear.'

Even an account belonging to the Republican National Committee blasted Obama for his remark.

'Law enforcement officers confirmed this radicalized Leftist was targeting President Trump and his administration last night,' RNC Research wrote. 'Why are you lying?'

After reading the missive, President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that Democrats helped radicalize far-left agitators like Allen.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, sent the eerie anti-Trump writing to his family members just ten minutes before he allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night

Obama quickly received some backlash for his post

He also cited the Internet as having 'radicalized some people' and 'made some people mentally sick,' and argued that the far-left is spreading violent rhetoric.

'I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats much more so is very dangerous,' Trump told CBS' Norah O'Donnell in an interview for '60 Minutes.'

'I really think its very dangerous for the country.'

Trump and Melania took to the stage with other members of his Cabinet just moments before shots rang out and chaos unfolded.

One Secret Service agent was harmed when he was struck in his bulletproof vest and was expected to recover.

An ensuing investigation revealed Allen had been staying at the Hilton hotel where the event was taking place in the lead-up to the gala, and his family has said he would regularly visit a shooting range to train with his guns.

He was also said to be armed with two guns and knives when he allegedly sprinted past a security checkpoint and attempted to reach the doors to the ballroom where the President was gathered, along with his most senior cabinet members and thousands of journalists.

Trump said the shooter appeared to be like a 'blur' in surveillance footage showing him racing through the hotel hallway on Saturday night, joking that the 'NFL should sign him up.'

'But it was amazing because as soon as they [law enforcement] saw that, you could see them draw their guns. They were so professional, aimed their guns, and then they took him down immediately,' Trump told O'Donnell.

The suspect is now expected to be arraigned on Monday on two counts of wielding a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
BEIJING, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- All New GAC, Going GlobalOn April 24, at the Auto China 2026, GAC International held its first dedicated global launch event, unveiling an upgraded global strategy system. The event drew a larger audience than ever before, with approximately 330 attendees  including dealer representatives, key partners, and domestic and international media  gathering at the GAC booth to jointly open a new chapter in GAC's global journey.

Speed Speed

Jack Chen shared insights on export trends and GAC's overseas strategy. He noted that more and more Chinese brands are entering the world's top ten, and GAC is riding this wave, and its overseas sales target for 2026 is set between 250,000 and 300,000 units.

GAC remains committed to its mission of being a "mobility value creator for a better life," focusing on three major battles: product value, user demand, and service experience, in order to build a brand that is user-centric, quality-driven, and service-leading. GAC offers a full-powertrain technology portfolio covering ICV, HEV, PHEV, REEV, and BEV, which perfectly adapts to the mobility needs of users across different regions and scenarios worldwide. On the product front, the all-new overseas model lineup will meet the highest safety standards in each region, including E-NCAP and C-NCAP five-star ratings, comply with global emission regulations such as Euro 7, and compatible with 44 languages. Leveraging its three brands  GAC, AION, and HYPTEC  GAC is building a dedicated product matrix for global markets. Looking to 2030, GAC will be present in 120 countries and regions, establish over 2,000 overseas outlets, achieve annual sales of one million units, and accelerate its move into the front ranks of China's auto exporters.

From building partner consensus to releasing global guidelines, from new model debuts to ecosystem layout, GAC's global strategy is rapidly turning from blueprint to reality. In the future, GAC will continue to work with global partners to enable consumers around the world to share in the progress of China's technological achievements, jointly creating low-carbon, green, and intelligent mobility value for a better life.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966529/video.mp4
King Charles and Queen Camilla have landed in Washington today to start a four-day state visit, despite security concerns after a gunman tried to storm a dinner President Trump was hosting.

Britain's ambassador to the US confirmed that 'all appropriate security measures' are in place, with the palace confirming the visit would 'proceed as planned' despite what the White House called an attempted assassination of the president.

Sources told the Daily Mail the monarch is determined to 'keep calm and carry on'  and that if the Government wants him to travel, 'that's exactly what he will do'.

The royal couple were initially visiting Washington DC, New York and Virginia to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence - but also to help strengthen the special UK-US relationship, which has been under serious strain in recent months.

The visit is the most important foreign trip of the Kings reign so far but now has the added element of increased security concerns.

It comes at a pivotal moment for the UK and US, with relations between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the American leader fractious.

DailyMail had the latest updates...
The security service has urged members of the New IRA to take 'better paths' in a Spotify-wrapped style video message after the latest car bomb attack in Belfast.

MI5 sent suspects a one-minute reel to coax them into quitting - containing snips of newspaper articles showing police raids, criminal convictions and controversies involving the group.

The video highlights bomb attacks, drug running and extortion rackets impacting vulnerable people and asks 'is this what you want done in your name? There are better paths to take'.

It appears to signal a follow up to warning messages sent by the intelligence agency last year telling republican dissidents they would face financial sanctions if they did not stop raising money for the New IRA.

Yesterday, police said a car bomb outside Belfast Police Station appeared to be the work of the group, which had aimed to kill officers.

The explosion in Dunmurry, southwest of the Northern Irish capital, took place at around 10.50pm on Saturday after a 'gas cylinder-type device' was placed in a delivery driver's hijacked car and driven to the location.

Two babies were among residents evacuated when the car bomb detonated, sending debris across the street.

The security service's threat level is currently at 'substantial' in Northern Ireland, meaning an imminent attack is likely - though the danger is viewed as persistent, rather than growing.

MI5 sent suspected associates a one-minute reel to coax them into quitting - containing snips of newspaper articles showing police raids, criminal convictions and controversies

MI5's video, sent this year, contains a number of news articles from 2025 and says: 'Another year - what has threatening and exploiting the vulnerable achieved? Ask yourself: aren't you also being exploited?

'I doubt your "leadership" are thinking about you when they are on multiple holidays a year.

'Is this still the activity you want done in your name? There are better paths to take.'

Several news articles flash on the screen showing negative incidents and coverage of the group.

The clip ends: 'Is this what you want done in your name? Real change starts with you.'

The video's style is said to be similar to the way the streaming platform Spotify summarises listening trends to subscribers at the end of the year.

MI5 tactic of reaching out to dissident republicans on their phones is not new with The Sunday Times reporting in November that the security service had sent texts warning anyone continuing to fundraise would face 'financial and legal repercussions'.

It read: 'We believe youre fundraising for the New IRA, and your actions are not as anonymous as you think.

'We want to encourage you to step away from this - and to think about the impact that you are having. Our message to you is that if you continue to support the New IRAs violent campaign youre not just putting yourself at risk; youre putting your family, friends and the wider community at risk. If you are willing to disengage, then we are willing to help you achieve that.'

A car bomb attack outside a Belfast police station which aimed to kill officers is thought to be the work of the New IRA

The explosion in Dunmurry, southwest of the Northern Irish capital, took place at around 10.50pm on Saturday

Two babies were among residents evacuated when the car bomb detonated, sending debris across the street

Sir Ken McCallum, the director-general of MI5, had said in October: 'We will continue, with the police, to bear down on residual threats and degrade terrorist capabilities.'

Saturday's explosion in Belfast came weeks after another attempted bombing, when the device failed to explode outside a police station in the nearby town of Lurgan, with the New IRA claiming responsibility for that attack.

So-called dissident republicans are pro-united Ireland individuals and groups who do not accept the landmark 1998 peace deal that largely ended three decades of sectarian conflict known as the 'Troubles'.

'There are very many similarities between the two incidents and... our early working hypothesis is that this may well be the work of the New IRA,' deputy chief constable Bobby Singleton of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

The PSNI's terrorism investigation unit has launched an attempted murder investigation.

Writing on X, Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday: 'I utterly condemn last night's attack on Dunmurry police station,' adding those responsible would be brought to justice.

Videos circulated on social media showing the vehicle on fire at the police station around midnight.

Fire crews and police worked to put out the blaze.

Politicians denounced the incident, with Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill, from the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein party, saying those behind the attack 'speak for absolutely no one'.

The New IRA is the largest republican group opposing British presence in Northern Ireland.

The group have carried out multiple attacks against the British Army and the PSNI.

They took responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot in the head in Derry in 2019, and for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh in 2023.
A former sex worker turned 'energy healer' will spend at least eight months in jail after helping an international cocaine ring launder $400,000.

Delina Stevenson, 30, was sentenced by NSW District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of recklessly dealing with money at the risk of it becoming an instrument of crime.

The court heard Stevenson was recruited while in Dubai in November 2023 for a working holiday.

She was introduced to Italian national Pasquale Zappia who instructed her on how to funnel money through her Bondi-based sex business, the Pleasure Paradigm.

The Sydney woman received almost $400,000 across 22 transactions between December 2023 and January 2024, of which she took a 15 per cent cut.

Those funds were then sent back to Zappia and his associates and were later used to buy 10kg of cocaine.

Court documents, seen by News.com.au, showed Stevenson was arrested in February 2025 following an investigation by the Australian Border Force.

Zappia and Melbourne pizza chef Salvatore Formica, who have both been linked to the Calabrian mafia, or 'Ndrangheta, were also identified in the investigation.

Delina Stevenson (above) was sentenced to eight months' jail for laundering cocaine money

Stevenson (above) was recruited while doing sex work in Dubai in November 2023

Stevenson was previously stopped by the ABF as she returned to Sydney in June 2024, during which officers downloaded a series of WhatsApp messages between her and Zappia.

Stevenson previously told the court she initially wasn't aware the money would be used for illegal purposes.

'I didn't know what I was doing was wrong until further down the track,' she said during her cross-examination.

She admitted it was a 'slip of judgement' to begin the transactions but she'd felt an 'obligation' to continue.

The court heard Stevenson had moved on from her life of 'drugs and partying' and was studying 'alternative healing'.

On her website, she offers 'Quantum Energy Healing' sessions for around $200.

Her lawyer argued his client should serve her sentence in the community as she would be 'particularly vulnerable' in jail because she's 'naive'.

'She's a young lady. She's attractive,' he told the court.

Stevenson (above) was sent almost $400,000 through her sex work business, which she then sent back in exchange for a 15 per cent cut

'She's clearly somebody that doesn't have a great understanding of the world or the criminal justice process.'

However, NSW District Court Judge Nicole Noman SC didn't buy that Stevenson was 'naive'.

'She's a woman who has been able to travel the world and perform business activities,' she said.

'She's strikes me as somebody that has great capacity  if you're saying with and getting involved in the offence  but I'm not sure about generally naive.'

Judge Noman ruled 'no sentence other than full-time custody' was appropriate for Stevenson's offences.

She was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars, to be released after eight months on a recognisance release order.

That order requires Stevenson to be on good behaviour for three years.

She was seen hugging relatives int he courthouse before being taken into custody.
The bullet that struck a Secret Service agent during the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner over the weekend was somehow deflected by his phone.

Suspect Cole Allen, 31, is alleged to have fired several shots at the Washington Hilton at the annual gala on the evening of April 25.

Though he fired multiple rounds, just one struck a person  a member of the Secret Service.

And miraculously, according to the Atlantic, the bullet was stopped by his phone and his vest.

President Trump later praised the officer's bravery, stating from the White House: 'He was shot from very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job.

'I just spoke to the officer and he's doing great.'

Allen, of Torrance in California, reportedly charged a security checkpoint at the dinner armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

He was tackled by agents after a brief but terrifying exchange of gunfire in the hotel lobby.

Harrowing surveillance footage captured the moment Allen stormed past security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller and his wife Katie Miller are escorted out of the room by Secret Service agents at the shooting on Saturday

Members of law enforcement respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington

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The ballroom, filled with the nation's top journalists, Hollywood celebrities, and Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, became a scene of pure pandemonium.

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor.

Trump, still wearing his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours later. 'When you're impactful, they go after you,' he said defiantly. 'They seem to think he was a lone wolf. We're not going to let anybody take over our society.'

The White House has confirmed that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, promising an event that is 'bigger and better.'

But for now, Washington remains on high alert as it grapples with yet another attempt on the President's life.

Authorities have now discovered that Allen wrote a chilling manifesto before he arrived at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was being hosted.

Allen's family members told law enforcement that he had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted his brother to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday, CBS News reported.

Allen's brother notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut of the manifesto minutes before the attack, a White House official confirmed to CNN.

Allen was apprehended after he dashed past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor

Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had heard about the report and wished the department had informed federal authorities earlier.

US Secret Service and Montgomery County Police also interviewed the suspect's sister in Rockville, Maryland, a White House official told CNN.

Allen also allegedly mocked the lack of security at the event and on his journey to Washington DC in his chilling manifesto.

In it, he detailed his reasoning for the attack, his 'rules of engagement' and a 'rant' about how little security he encountered.

'What the hell is the Secret Service doing?' Allen wrote in a postscript to his manifesto.

'I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got (who knows, maybe theyre pranking me!) is nothing,' he continued.

The radicalised teacher described a 'sense of arrogance' at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was held.

'The security at the event is all outside... because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before,' Allen wrote.

He said that the security was so lacking that, 'if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed sh**.'

Allen wrote that national guardsmen would only be targets if they fired at him first. Members of the National Guard are pictured responding to the shooting

Allen wrote in his manifesto that Secret Service agents would only be targets if necessary and that he would try to incapacitate them 'non-lethally if possible.' A Secret Service agent is pictured shouting during the shooting

Ma Deuce is a nickname for the M2 Browning .50-calibre machine gun.

Earlier in his manifesto, Allen explained why he had attempted to break into the dinner and kill top Trump administration officials.

'I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,' he wrote, likely in reference to President Donald Trump. He said that as a citizen of the US, what his representatives do reflects on him.

The suspected shooter added that he had wanted to take action for a long time, 'but this is the first real opportunity Ive had to do something about it.'

He then went on to explain his 'rules of engagement' and outlined who his targets were.

'Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest,' Allen wrote. It is unclear why Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, was spared from his hit list.

Allen then listed other targets in order of priority. He wrote that Secret Service agents who get in his way were 'targets only if necessary,' and that he hoped to incapacitate them 'non-lethally if possible.'

'I hope theyre wearing body armour because centre mass with shotguns messes up people who *arent*,' he wrote. Allen reportedly did later shoot one Secret Service agent in a bulletproof vest.

He also wrote that hotel security, Capitol police and national guardsmen would only be targets if they shot at him first.

Secret Service agents were seen with their guns drawn as they gave people orders

Hotel guests and employees were 'not targets at all,' he wrote.

'In order to minimise casualties I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls),' Allen's manifesto continued.

But he ominously added: 'I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a paedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesnt come to that.'

In the manifesto, Allen also included a section of 'Rebuttals to objections' of him carrying out the shooting, and he apologised to family members, his students and the people he encountered on his way to carry out the shooting.
King Charles III has vowed to persevere with his state visit to the US today despite an apparent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.

The monarch is determined to 'keep calm and carry on' - and if the Government wants him to travel, 'that's exactly what he will do', sources told the Daily Mail.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the King and Queen Camilla wanted to 'do their duty' and they are expected to arrive as planned this afternoon.

But an urgent security review is under way after the incident in Washington on Saturday and 'modest operational adjustments' will be made to the programme.

Now you can have your say in the Daily Mail's latest poll  do you think the state visit should still be going ahead?

In the last poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Is Sara Cox the right choice to replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2?' Out of more than 6,000 votes, 67 per cent of you said 'yes' and 33 per cent said 'no'.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Iran's leadership was 'humiliating' the US, in an unusually abrupt rebuke over the conflict.

Merz also said he did not see what exit strategy the US was pursuing in the Iran war- comments that underlined deep divisions between Washington and its European NATO allies, which had already been festering.

'The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skillful 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.

Merz continued by saying that Iranian officials appeared 'clearly stronger than one thought', adding that the conflict was 'at the moment, a pretty tangled situation.'

Merz reiterated that Germans and Europeans were not consulted before the US and Israel started attacking Iran on February 28, and that he had conveyed his skepticism 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 US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Of the economic impact on his own country, the Chancellor said: 'It is costing us a great deal of money. This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output.'

His comments come as Iran offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear program, officials with knowledge of the proposal said Monday.

Iran also wants the United States to ends its blockade of the country as part of its proposal, and has blamed the US for the failure of talks in Pakistan.
A reveller has been gored to death during a traditional bull-running festival in Spain.

Santiago Barrero San Roman was killed while taking part in the San Marcos festivities in Beas de Segura, Jaen, on Friday evening.

Horrific footage showed the 30-year-old, a local fighting bull breeder, attempting to shelter behind a barrier in Calle Palomares  known locally as the street of hell due to the intensity of the runs.

As the father-of-two cowered behind a barrel, the animal thrashed around and tossed him in the air with its horns.

Roman was dragged along the street in front of dozens of terrified festival-goers as he scrambled to back away from the raging bull.

Several men ran onto the street in an attempt to distract the beast, while others pulled on a rope attached to the bull to pull it away.

But the animal continued its attack, shoving the rancher into a wooden fence using its horns and dragging his body along the ground.

Witnesses told local media that the bull had pierced the man's torso with its horn before he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Santiago Barrero San Roman, 30, had been taking part in the San Marcos festivities in Beas de Segura, Jaen, on Friday evening when the incident took place

The father-of-two was seen in horrific footage being tossed along the street by the animal

He was pushed down onto the ground by the bull as it used its horns to attack the ranger

Witnesses told local media that the bull had pierced the man's rib with its horn before he was rushed to a nearby hospital

Medics attempted to stabilise Roman, but he succumbed to his injuries around an hour later.

The victim was associated with a new generation of breeders, according to local Spanish reports.

He had only recently launched his own project with links to Torrestrella  a renowned Spanish cattle ranch famous for breeding fighting bulls and horses.

Roman had inherited a small herd of bulls from his family and had ambitions to expand his operation in the future.

Following his death, friends and colleagues described him as deeply connected to rural life, having grown up working alongside his father and grandfather, who founded the familys cattle business.

He leaves behind a pregnant wife and another young child.

The festival organisers, Hermandad de San Marcos, expressed their deep sorrow in an official statement, offering condolences to the family and calling for unity during what it described as a moment of profound grief.

The festival, hosted annually between April 22 and April 25, continued as usual following the incident, but a minute's silence was held for Roman.

It comes after one of Spain's most celebrated matadors was targeted by a bull during a gruesome goring last week.

Morante de la Puebla, widely hailed as the 'king of bullfighters', was dramatically carried from the ring at the packed Maestranza arena in Seville, after being caught out in a split-second misjudgment during his bout.

The bull, ignoring the sweep of the cape, charged towards him, catching him behind at hip level before driving its horn into his body and perforating his rectum.

At first, the full extent of the 10cm injury was unclear. Morante was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed under general anaesthesia for emergency surgery.

Doctors confirmed he had suffered a devastating internal injury, with the bull's horn tearing into the highly sensitive area.

Speaking from his hospital bed after being moved out of intensive care, Morante said: 'It was the most painful goring I've ever had. Wow, it was excruciating.'

He also admitted the fear he felt immediately after the attack, saying: 'It was undoubtedly the most painful goring I've suffered in my career.'
A father-of-two who died in an alleged knife fight at va Brighton hostel has been named by relatives as Tyio Day.

Mr Day, 37, was found with stab injuries at the Moon's Lodge hostel in the city's upmarket Regency Square in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man in his 30s was also found with stab injuries and taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Police have arrested a 26-year-old man of no fixed abode on suspicion of murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

Mr Day, also known as Marcus and Fletcher among friends, was originally from Sutton, South London.

His family have described him as a 'loving' man who had faced struggles in life but 'put everyone first'.

A GoFundMe page seeking donations towards funeral costs has so far raised 300 of a 5,000 target.

'Tyio Day also known as Marcus sadly passed away Saturday 25th April 2026, leaving behind 2 brothers and 2 children,' a tribute on the page read.

'Tyio had a hard life growing up losing his mother as a very young child, resulting in him going into the system and turning to drugs. He was loveable, quiet and kept himself to himself.'

Police outside Moon's Lodge hostel in Regency Square, Brighton, where a 37-year-old man was found stabbed to death

The victim has been identified as Tyio Day, also known among friends as Marcus and Fletcher

Forensic scene of crime officers are seen leaving Moon's House on Sunday. The accommodation is described as a 'hostel' and a 'halfway house' by locals

His cousin Ebony Smith told the Brighton Argus he had been 'loving, determined and caring', adding: 'He was so inquisitive and he should have been going places, but he had a hard life.

'He made some choices that were not the best, but he had brains growing up - he could have been a doctor.'

Mr Day was said to have spent time in prison as a teenager before spiralling into drug abuse, his cousin said, after distancing himself from his family.

He became homeless and had lived between Brighton and Hastings. Moon's Lodge is described by locals as a 'hostel' or a 'halfway house'.

Under the name Marcus, he was later filmed by TikTok content creator Jason Frost as he was interviewed about his life.

Mr Frost, whose content largely revolves around interviewing vulnerable individuals, said: 'Sad news to hear about what happened in Brighton last night.

'We started working with Tio a few months ago, trying to help him move in a better direction. I won't go into detail, but sadly we had to step away.

'No one deserves this. My thoughts are with him and his family at this time.'

A friend wrote under Mr Frost's TikTok post: 'I knew Fletcher very well. We went through a few years of my addiction together and this is so sad. Never forgotten Fletcher. I will always speak your name buddy.'

The 26-year-old suspect remains in custody for police questioning.

Chief Superintendent Adam Hays of Sussex Police said on Sunday: 'This incident has had devastating consequences, resulting in the loss of one man's life and leaving another with serious injuries.

'There is not believed to be a wider risk to the public, and a thorough investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police quoting Operating Wenthill. The force has been contacted for further comment.
Brigitte Macron has said her time as France's First Lady has exposed her to the 'stupidity' and 'wickedness' of the world.

The former drama teacher, 73, said her time by her husband Emmanuel Macron's side as he led France for nearly a decade has made her sadder and more cynical.

Brigitte told La Tribune Dimanche: 'Before, I had a normal life, children, a job, ups and downs, like everyone else.

'Here, these 10 years have passed so quickly. They have been so intense. I have seen the darkness of the world, stupidity, wickedness.

'It's sometimes difficult for me to see the blue sky. I have moments of pessimism that I didn't have before.'

The highly public role that she has held since 2017 invited huge scrutiny of everything from her relationship with her husband to even whether she was a woman.

Candace Owens, the right-wing US podcaster, has long accused Brigitte of being a transgender woman.

The claims were based on statements made by Amandine Roy, a 53-year-old clairvoyant, and Natacha Rey, a 49-yea-old blogger.

Brigitte Macron (pictured) has said her time as France's First Lady has exposed her to the 'stupidity' and 'wickedness' of the world

The former drama teacher, 73, said her time by her husband Emmanuel Macron's (pictured, left) side as he led France for nearly a decade has made her sadder and more cynical

Ms Roy and Ms Rey had appeared on a four-hour YouTube video in December 2021 in which they claimed that Brigitte was in fact born as a baby boy called Jean-Michel Trogneux in 1953.

This is in fact the name of Brigitte's brother, and Ms Macron was called Brigitte Trogneux before her first marriage.

Owens leapt on the claims, putting out episode after episode of her podcast, 'Becoming Brigitte', in which she repeated the allegations.

She said in 2024 that she would stake her 'entire professional reputation' on her belief that Mrs Macron 'is in fact a man.'

The assertations were so damaging to the Macrons that they sued Owens in the US in 2025, alleging that the podcaster had been spreading 'outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions.'

On top of the allegations made by fringe media figures, the Macrons' relationship has been heavily scrutinised.

In May 2025, Macron's office admitted that his wife Brigitte hit him during a row, after footage showed the First Lady appearing to push his face away as their plane touched down in Vietnam.

Shocking video of the incident, shot by the Associated Press news agency in Hanoi, shows the French President's plane door opening to reveal him.

His wife Brigitte's arms then emerge from the left of the open doorway as she places both hands on her husband's face and gives it a shove.

The president appears startled but quickly recovers and turns to wave through the open door.

Footage shot by the Associated Press news agency in Hanoi on Sunday evening shows Macron's plane door opening to reveal him

His wife Brigitte's arms emerge from the left of the open doorway, she places both hands on her husband's face and gives it a shove

She remains concealed by the aircraft body, making it impossible to see her facial expression or body language.

The couple then proceed down the staircase for the official welcome by Vietnamese officials, though Brigitte Macron does not take her husband's offered arm.

Macron's office initially denied the authenticity of the images, before they were confirmed as genuine.

A close associate of the president later described the incident as a couple's harmless 'squabble'.

An Elysee official played down the moment, denying it showed an argument between the couple, who have been married since 2007: 'It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh.'

'It was a moment of closeness,' the official said.

Another member of his entourage played down the significance of the incident.

'It was a moment when the president and his wife were decompressing one last time before the start of the trip by joking around,' the second source told reporters.

'It's a moment of togetherness. No more was needed to feed the mills of the conspiracy theorists,' the source added.

Even before the slap, the couple were subjected to hurtful speculation because of its beginnings.

It was in 1992, when the future president was a schoolboy at La Providence high school Amiens, that he first developed deep affection for his drama teacher, the then 40-year-old Brigitte Auziere, who was married with three young children.

Amandine Roy, a 53-year-old clairvoyant, (pictured) and Natacha Rey both pushed claims Brigitte was born a man

Ms Roy and Natacha Rey (pictured) had appeared on a four-hour YouTube video in December 2021 in which they claimed that Brigitte was in fact born as a baby boy

Some claim the relationship became a dangerously irresponsible one  allegations both parties have always denied  but Ms Macron later admitted that being romantically linked 'with such a young boy was crippling,' especially in a close-knit, Romant Catholic community.

She spoke of the rumours her own boy and two girls  one a classmate of young Emmanuel  had to deal with, saying: 'You can imagine what they were hearing. But I didn't want to miss out on my life.'

The couple finally wed in 2007, a decade before Mr Macron came from nowhere to win the French presidency as an independent candidate.
Donald Trump has relived the terrifying moment the Secret Service made him crawl on the floor to safety amid a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The glitzy event on Saturday evening was marred by a shooter rushing into the Washington Hilton and firing off several rounds.

Speaking to CBS News' 60 Minutes, Trump said that upon hearing the shots, 'we started to realise maybe it was a bad problem, different kind of a problem, bad one, and different than what would be normal noise from a ballroom, which you hear all the time.'

He said Secret Service agents told him to drop to the floor to avoid being hit, to which he responded: 'I said "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let me see. Wait a minute".'

The President recounted how he 'wanted to see what was happening.'

'And I wasn't going to make it that easy for them, I wanted to see what was going on,' he said of the Secret Service.

Trump added: 'I was walking out about halfway there, and they said, "Please go down to the floor. Please go down to the floor." So I dropped to the floor. So did the First Lady.'

The US president added that the incident was 'rather [a] traumatic experience' for his wife: 'Melania was very cognisant. The First Lady was doing a terrific job. She loves the country.

'She recognises it better than any. But she told me numerous times, she said, "You are in a dangerous job."'

Despite the terror witnessed in the hotel, he claimed: 'I wasn't worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world.'

He also lashed out at CBS News anchor Norah O'Donnell, calling her a 'disgrace' for reading excerpts of Cole Thomas Allen's manifesto that made wild accusations toward the President.

Donald Trump has relived the terrifying moment the Secret Service made him crawl on the floor to safety amid a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Suspect Cole Thomas Allen was apprehended after he dashed past a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton

Trump was escorted from the scene by Secret Service members

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Allen, 31, sent the outrageous claims to his family ten minutes prior to attempting to attack the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Trump was attending for the first time as President.

During the interview, O'Donnell read some of the most inciting lines of Allen's missive, which Trump slammed.

'He appears to reference a motive. In it, he writes this: quote, ''Administrative officials, they are targets.'' He also wrote this: "I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes." What's your reaction to that?'

Trump replied: 'Well, I was waiting for you to read that, because I knew you would. Because you're horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. I am not a rapist. I didn't rape anybody.'

O'Donnell attempted to interrupt Trump, asking: 'Oh, do you think he was referring to you?'

'Excuse me. Excuse me. I am not a paedophile,' he quickly said, cutting the anchor off.

Trump then appeared to refer to what he felt was the connection Allen was attempting to make between himself and paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

'You read that crap from some sick person. I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated. Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, let's say, Epstein or other things.'

Trump has never been charged with a crime in connection with Epstein, whom the President has said he kicked out of his Mar-a-Lago club decades ago.

The President continued to go after O'Donnell.

In an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, journalist Norah O'Donnell read some of the most inciting lines of Allen's missive, which Trump slammed

Allen made lurid claims regarding President Trump in the manifesto sent to family members

'But I said to myself, you know, I'll do this interview and they'll probably  I read the manifesto. It was a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that, because I'm not any of those things.'

O'Donnell continued to clarify that those were the gunman's words but he was having none of it.

'Excuse me. Excuse me. You shouldn't be reading that on 60 Minutes. You're a disgrace. But go ahead, let's finish the interview,' he said.

O'Donnell had asked Trump if he might try to improve his relationship with a combative press in the wake of the shooting.

'Look, for whatever reason, we disagree on a lot of subjects. We talked about crime, I am very strong on crime. It seems like the press isn't,' Trump said.

'It's not so much the press, but the press plus the Democrats. It's almost like they are one and the same.'

Trump also called those who questioned the shooting 'sick.'

'I think they're more sick than they are con people,' he said. 'But there are con people.'

He later denied that political violence is worse than it has been in previous generations - though he lambasted Democrats for their rhetoric.

'You go back 20 years, 40 years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, its always been there, people are assassinated, people are injured, people are hurt,' Trump told O'Donnell.

Guests take cover after Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner

But he later accused Democrats of using inflammatory language.

'I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats much more so is very dangerous,' Trump said. 'I really think its very dangerous for the country.'

He said the alleged shooter was 'almost like a blur' as he raced through the hotel hallway on Saturday night, joking that the 'NFL should sign him up.'

'But it was amazing because as soon as they [law enforcement] saw that, you could see them draw their guns. They were so professional, aimed their guns, and then they took him down immediately,' Trump said.

Trump reiterated his calls for the White House Correspondents' Dinner to be rescheduled.

He said it would include 'bigger security' and 'more perimeter security.'

'I think it's important that they do it again,' Trump said of the dinner, adding that he does not want a 'crazy person' to succeed in cancelling it.

He also said ahead of King Charles' state visit to the US, which is still going ahead despite the major security incident in Washington, will be 'very safe.'

He said: 'The White House grounds are really safe... He's a great guy. They called, and they are so looking forward to being here. We spoke this morning.'

When asked whether any US intelligence agencies had indicated that there was a threat of another imminent attack, he said: 'No, this is a lone wolf in my opinion. We may find out something else, [but] this was a sick lone wolf.'

Despite the threat to his life, Trump told Fox News that the incident, along with several other assassination attempts over the last few years, are a sign that he is a successful president: 'I feel like a pinata.'

According to the New York Post, Allen's manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behaviour; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes.

The FBI inspected a property associated with Allen, in Torrance, California, on Sunday

'In order to minimise casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).

'I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a paedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn't come to that.'

His targets included 'administration officials (not including [FBI Director Kash] Patel): they are targets, prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest.'

Allen wrote, allegedly referencing the president: 'I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.'

The message was handed to police by a relative, a US official said.

Trump spoke out on Sunday morning, following the chaotic night at the dinner.

He told Fox that the shooter 'had a lot of hatred in his heart' and that religion was a reason why the gunman attacked.

The President said this morning: 'He had a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while.'

He added that the manifesto was 'a religious thing. It was strongly anti-Christian.'

'He's got some big problems with the rest of his life, but it's very, very bad, very bad situation,' the President continued.

Allen's siblings allegedly knew he had firearms and were worried about him.

On Saturday night, chilling surveillance footage captured the moment the gun-wielding teacher stormed past security at the DC event.

Allen, from California, was seen wearing all black as he sprinted inside the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening with a gun in hand, video posted by President Trump on Truth Social showed.

Just moments before he ran, security guards were seen standing in the hallway, but as soon as he sped by, they immediately reacted and pulled out their firearms.

Police revealed the suspect had a number of weapons on him, including a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives.

President Trump shared a stunning image shortly after the shooting, showing the suspect shirtless and lying face down on the carpet.

Law enforcement confirmed he was not struck by gunfire while being stopped, but has since been taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Allen was a guest at the Hilton hotel, where the event was taking place.

Surveillance video shows the suspect sprinting past a security checkpoint and attempting to reach the doors to the ballroom where the president was gathered, along with his most senior cabinet members and thousands of journalists.

Evidence found on Allen's electronic devices and in his writings points towards the theory that he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner.

His family members told law enforcement that Allen had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted one of them to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday.

Another family member told investigators that Allen has made radical statements and that he frequently mentioned plans to do 'something' to fix problems with today's world.

The family added that Allen would regularly visit a shooting range to train with his guns. A senior US official told CBS News that the suspected gunman was part of a group called The Wide Awakes and that he attended a No Kings protest in California.
The new partnership reduces liability exposure for delivery operators by embedding real-time credential data directly into the dispatch board to prevent noncompliant driver assignments and improve visibility for customers and drivers.

AUSTIN, Texas, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GigSafe, a leading independent contractor compliance and risk management platform, today announced an integration with CXT Software, the largest transportation management system (TMS) for last-mile courier operations in North America, bringing real-time contractor data directly into CXT's AI-driven dispatch and routing workflows.

The integration extends CXT's API-first platform  which connects thousands of logistics, compliance and healthcare systems  and advances the company's strategy of embedding AI-informed intelligence throughout last-mile operations.

"Contractor compliance has always been a friction point in last-mile operations  with manual checks/workflows, status lags, real-time gaps that create unnecessary risk for our partners," said Lauren King, President of CXT Software. "This integration puts live compliance intelligence directly into the AI-driven workflows our customers already rely on, so the right contractor gets the right job without slowing dispatch down. We're giving operators direct access to contractor compliance and certification data where it matters most  driving compliance at every stage of the delivery workflow."

"Dispatchers shouldn't have to stop and manually check compliance every time they assign a job  that burden slows everything down and creates risk," said David Pickerell, GigSafe Founder and CEO. "This integration puts the right compliance information directly in the flow they're already working in, so compliant dispatch just happens. CXT serves some of the most sophisticated operators in logistics, and we're proud to partner with them to bring this to our shared customers."

Through the integration, contractor eligibility, compliance status and risk signals are continuously synchronized into the operational data layer, where they inform CXT's AI-driven workflows and support more autonomous decision-making. This enables dynamic evaluation of contractor readiness against compliance and delivery requirements to improve assignment accuracy and handling of high-value or compliance-sensitive deliveries.

The integration enables logistics companies to:

Verify Contractor Credentials: Automatically validate credentials to ensure contractors meet regulatory and company-specific requirements.

Automatically validate credentials to ensure contractors meet regulatory and company-specific requirements. Streamline Onboarding: Simplify the contractor onboarding process by automating verification and documentation management.

Simplify the contractor onboarding process by automating verification and documentation management. Enhance Risk Management: Identify and address potential risks proactively by leveraging GigSafe's comprehensive contractor profiles and compliance tracking.

Identify and address potential risks proactively by leveraging GigSafe's comprehensive contractor profiles and compliance tracking. Improve Operational Efficiency: Eliminate manual processes and reduce administrative overhead by centralizing contractor management within CXT.

GigSafe manages the contractor compliance lifecycle across more than 25 compliance modules  covering license and registration verification, background checks, drug screens, insurance thresholds, medical credentials, shipper-specific requirements, and more. That data flows directly into CXT, where operators can automate actions such as removing drivers from active duty or routing them to a compliance review queue. When a driver resolves an issue in GigSafe, their status updates automatically in CXT, eliminating the need for manual reactivation.

The CXT Software and GigSafe integration is available now to all CXT and GigSafe customers. GigSafe services can be enabled via this integration without disrupting existing dispatch workflows. Operators can contact CXT directly or visit cxtsoftware.com to get started.

GigSafe Media Contact

Michaela Connell

[email protected]

SOURCE GigSafe
Brits have been warned salad could be a victim of the Middle East chaos as energy costs soar.

Fresh foods such as cucumber, tomato and lettuce are likely to see the quickest price rises because they are grown in heated greenhouses and have short supply chains, according to experts.

The prospect was highlighted as oil soared again, with markets fearing there is no quick end in sight to the standoff between Iran and the US. Brent Crude was trading at more than $108 a barrel this morning, the highest in around three weeks.

Ministers have warned that Brits will face fallout from the chaos until at least next year.

Cabinet minister Darren Jones said yesterday that the fallout from 'what Donald Trump has done' would have a 'long tail' even if the Strait of Hormuz reopened immediately.

The war has already forced up pump prices for petrol and diesel as well as putting pressure on jet fuel, but the full effects have yet to feed into the supply chain.

The Middle East is a crucial source for products such as fertiliser and CO2, which is used in agriculture, industry and medicine.

Fresh foods such as cucumber, tomato and lettuce are likely to see the quickest price rises because they are grown in heated greenhouses and have short supply chains, according to experts

Brent Crude was trading at more than $108 a barrel this morning, the highest in around three weeks

Cabinet minister Darren Jones said yesterday that the fallout from 'what Donald Trump (pictured) has done' would have a 'long tail'

Keir Starmer told Mr Trump in a call yesterday that there is an 'urgent need' to reestablish the crucial shipping passage - through which around a fifth of the world's oil and gas typically passes.

A Downing Street readout said Sir Keir warned the restrictions were having 'severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally'.

Karen Betts, chief executive of the Food & Drink Federation (FDF), told the Times that 'anything grown in a greenhouse' would be among the first products to see price rises.

The Ofgem price cap on energy bills does not apply to businesses, leaving them exposed to immediate higher costs.

Dr Liliana Danila, chief economist at the FDF, said growers had been suggesting they 'would either finish the production cycle early or that they would go and buy abroad to still fulfil their contracts'.

She said some greenhouse farmers 'had gone to retailers to ask for price renegotiation since they couldn't deal with the rising energy costs'.

Speaking on the BBC yesterday, Mr Jones played down the prospect of shortages in the shops.

But he said: 'You are going to see prices go up a bit as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East.

'That's probably going to come on line not just in the next few weeks, but in the next few months. There's going to be a long tail from this.'

Pressed on how long that would be, Mr Jones said: It really depends on how long the negotiations take to unblock the Strait of Hormuz...

'I think our best guess is eight plus months from the point of resolution that you will see economic impacts coming through the system.'

Keir Starmer told Mr Trump in a call yesterday that there is an 'urgent need' to reestablish the crucial shipping passage - through which around a fifth of the world's oil and gas typically passes

He added: 'People will see higher energy prices, food prices, those types of issues - flight ticket prices - as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East.'

The Government's Middle East Response Committee is due to meet again tomorrow with stock levels of goods being closely monitored.

However, officials are adamant that people should continue to fill their cars as normal, that jet fuel is still arriving for planes, and that there is enough CO2 available.
Starving Russian troops have resorted to cannibalism amid barbaric conditions on the front line, Ukrainian intelligence officials have claimed.

Disturbing material, including a cache of images and alleged intercepted audio exchanges between senior Russian officers, is said to point to a series of shocking incidents involving soldiers consuming the remains of their own comrades.

One Ukrainian intelligence source said there was evidence of at least five different incidents in which Russian infantrymen were accused by fellow troops and commanders of eating other soldiers, according to The Sunday Times.

According to Ukrainian officials, the files were obtained by cybersecurity specialists trawling through the messaging app Telegram for battlefield intelligence.

Among the most disturbing allegations is a reported case involving a soldier identified by the call sign Khromoy - meaning 'limpy' in Russian - who was allegedly discovered after killing two comrades and attempting to consume part of one of their bodies near Myrnohrad in the contested Donetsk region in November 2025.

He is said to have been serving with the 95th regiment of the 5th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade.

In a Telegram exchange, an unnamed officer reportedly relayed details of the cannibalistic act to Lieutenant Razikov Vladislav Abdulkhalykovych, deputy commander of the brigade's reconnaissance battalion.

He allegedly shared several images, including a graphic photograph and pictures of a severely malnourished soldier.

Disturbing material is said to point to a series of shocking incidents involving Russian soldiers consuming the remains of their own comrades. Pictured: Russian servicemen revealed the brutality of their commanders in a BBC documentary called The Zero Line: Inside Russia's War

A Russian soldier fires a gun toward a Ukrainian position in the Russian-Ukrainian border mon October 17, 2024

One Ukrainian intelligence source said there was evidence of at least five different incidents in which Russian infantrymen were accused by fellow troops and commanders of eating other soldiers. Pictured: Russian soldiers ride on an Akatsiya self-propelled gun in eastern Ukraine

AI detection tools suggested the images had not been digitally altered, the Times reported.

An independent conflict surgeon who reviewed the image said the injuries did not resemble those typically caused by battlefield explosions.

'It doesn't look like a blast or fragment injury,' they said. 'It looks like it has been cut with a sharp knife.'

Audio messages from the same exchange allegedly captured the officer describing the scenes.

'In short, one ally killed two others, and he tried he cut off a leg and was already trying to eat one of them,' the unnamed officer said.

'In the end, today they went and found the place where he had taken them to the basement, cut off a leg and was already, through a meat grinder or something, sitting there, turning it, trying to eat He opened fire on them when they came to check on him. They killed him.'

The officer added alongside an image of the soldier: 'I have no idea where he got that meat grinder. That's the most interesting part.'

Lieutenant Abdulkhalykovych responded: 'Are they not being fed or what? I don't understand.'

The officer replied: 'Ours will also soon start eating each other All the guys are skinny. Everyone is on starvation rations'.

Separate Telegram conversations are said to reference other alleged cases.

In one, dated April 3 last year, a soldier with the call sign Most, reportedly complained about sharing a dugout near Bakhmut with another serviceman.

'If he were a human being, he could stay here as long as he liked, but he ate a corpse, human meat,' he said. 'I am a Muslim. I don't want someone like that coming into my shelter.'

In another exchange from October 2025, a unit commander near Pokrovsk is said to have rebuked a subordinate: 'If you had said something, I would have given you a direction on where to go, where to get meat,' before adding: 'Why the f*** are you eating Khokhols Stop f****** eating people.'

Pictured: Russian serviceman on the battlefield

A further message allegedly sent in December by a brigade chief of staff instructed troops: 'No alcohol! No drugs! No moving around without identity documents! No cannibalism!'

As per the Sunday Times, the Russian Embassy in London declined to engage with the claims, insisting: 'What you have described are fabrications supplied by Ukrainian military intelligence - an outfit whose function is the production of propaganda, not the gathering of facts.'

If the latest intelligence is accurate, the cases appear to be limited and isolated, reportedly occurring during the harshest winter period when supply routes were under strain and food dwindled.

A senior Ukrainian military source said the urban fighting and a bitter winter had made sourcing food increasingly difficult.

He expressed surprise at the reports, noting Russia's agricultural capacity and the relative ease of transporting supplies via drones.

Nevertheless, there have been repeated complaints from Russian troops about inadequate provisions, including reports of expired rations and units left without supplies for extended periods.

Early in the conflict, The New York Times reported some soldiers had been issued food packs that expired in 2002.

Footage released by Ukraines SBU security service in 2023 showed Russian soldiers looting shops and homes in search of food, while Kyiv says increasing numbers of captured troops claim they were starving.

A Ukrainian surrender initiative, I Want To Live, reports that around 10,000 Russian soldiers have laid down their arms, most within the past year.

Kyiv has also previously released snippets of what it says are intercepted Russian communications, though Moscow routinely dismisses such material as fabricated.
A mother is fighting a High Court 'war' with her millionaire son after claiming he threatened to put her 'on the streets' in a bitter 2million court battle.

Moya Montgomerie, 72, says her 'arch-manipulator' son Jason Minns has spent his adult life 'exploiting her guilt' for divorcing his father and leaving him as a child.

She claims Mr Minns, 55, threatened to put her 'on the streets' and stopped her from seeing her grandchildren, while asking for cash to pay for his lifestyle and property investments.

Her son disputes this, with his lawyers branding her a 'serial liar' in court and claiming that she in fact owes him money.

Ms Montgomerie is now suing him to pay back 1million she claims she gave him in loans and demanding he pay off the mortgage on her 1million home in Hampshire.

The house is under Mr Minns and his wife Stephanie's name but the pensioner says her son agreed to sign it over to her in part-payment of his debts.

However, Mr Minns has now gone back on his word to his mother, she claimed in court, declaring that he would instead 'see her on the streets' and leave her 'destitute'.

But Mr Minns and his 54-year-old wife have hit back at Ms Montgomerie - a reiki therapist, crystal healer and 'angel card' reader.

Ms Montgomerie - a reiki therapist, crystal healer and 'angel card' reader - claims her son Mr Minns owes her 1million in loans and demands he pay off a 1million mortgage on her Hampshire home

He claimed that much of what Ms Montgomerie handed over was a 'gift' and said that he would only sell the 'substantial' detached house to her if she paid a 310,000 debt he claims she owes him.

Mr Minns and Stephanie used to live in the house in Ibworth Lane, Fleet, before Ms Montgomerie and her partner Dick Houtzagers - Mr Minn's stepfather - moved in.

Ms Montgomerie claims she had loaned 500,000 to Mr Minns to pay off the mortgage on the house before she moved in, on top of 600,000 of other loans before 2008.

Mr Justice Richard Smith commented on the 'awful family background' at the pre-trial hearing, saying: 'The son is calling the mother a serial liar and the mother is calling the son an arch-manipulator.'

According to documents filed at the court, Ms Montgomerie - who specialises in a variety of alternative therapies - had a difficult start to life, having been brought up in 'poverty' by her older brother after losing both of her parents by the time she was 12.

She went on to have her son Mr Minns when she was only 17, but her marriage to his father did not last and they divorced in the 1980s, with Mr Minns staying with his father.

Ms Montgomerie's barrister Helen Brander said in her claim papers: 'Jason knows of Moya's background and the guilt she feels from the divorce and that he remained with his father, although he spent time with his mother.

'Throughout his adult life, he has exploited that guilt for his financial gain.'

She claimed that 'on many and varied occasions' Mr Minns had asked for money from his mother 'to assist with his and his wife's costs of living and/or to use as liquid funds for investment.'

Ms Montgomerie agreed to send him money at his request on many occasions, she claimed.

If she questioned her son's need for cash, Ms Montgomerie claimed she was 'shouted at' and met with threats to cut her off from her grandchildren, or to 'turn her out' of the house - which is still in Mr Minns and Stephanie's name - and leave her 'destitute'.

That behaviour in 'exploiting the trust, confidence and fear of rejection' that his mother had in him 'had the effect of cowing Moya into submission,' says the barrister.

Mr Minns and his wife Stephanie, 54, have branded Ms Montgomerie a 'serial liar' in court and claim that she instead owes them 310,000 and refuses to sign over the house before his mother pays it

Fighting her corner in court, Ms Montgomerie claims an agreement had been made for the house to be signed over to her in exchange for her writing off 750,000 of the outstanding loans she says her son and his partner owe her.

Despite this alleged agreement, the couple have not signed over the house to Ms Montgomerie and the mortgage has not been paid off.

'The claimants assert that the defendants have acted in bad faith towards the claimants and have had and continue to have the means to satisfy the claim and their obligations,' says the barrister.

Ms Montgomerie is suing, demanding that the house be signed over and that she is paid over 1m to cover the outstanding loans.

She also wants to be reimbursed for mortgage payments she says she wrongly made after 2008, and compensation for a loan she says they took out against another property she owns.

But Mr Minns and Stephanie deny any wrongdoing or that they owe anything more than 40,000 in loans to Ms Montgomerie, which should be balanced against what she owes them.

Their barrister Lauren Kreamer said: 'They have at all times acted in good faith towards the claimants,' she said in the couple's written defence to the action.

'It is their case that, save for the loans of 40,000, any sums given...were gifts.

'It is expressly denied that loans or gifts totalling 600,000 were made by Moya.'

Of the dispute over ownership of the house, she continued: 'It is averred that the parties' shared intention was that, if Moya and Dick were to reside at Ibworth Lane, they would purchase that property from Mr Minns and Stephanie, upon terms to be agreed between the parties.'

She says 500,000 was paid by Ms Montgomerie towards a purchase price of 750,000 for the house, with 250,000 loaned to her by her son and daughter-in-law to cover the rest.

'It is admitted that they have not transferred the legal title to Ibworth Lane to Moya or redeemed the mortgage,' said the barrister.

'It is denied that they were required to do so in circumstances where the Ibworth Lane loan has not been repaid.'

She says that the younger couple are still owed the 250,000 loan, plus 60,000 interest, and 25,000 they have spent towards the outgoings on the house.

Defending the other aspects of the claim, she says Mr Minns had the right to take out a loan on the property in Ms Montgomerie's name, because it was actually held on trust for him.

And the 'mortgage instalments' Ms Montgomerie claims to have wrongly paid on Ibworth Lane were in fact interest payments on the money she owed her son and daughter-in-law.

The case recently reached court for a pre-trial hearing after Ms Montgomerie applied for an order preventing the couple 'dissipating' assets pending resolution of the dispute.

Ms Montgomerie claims Mr Minns had agreed to sign over the 'substantial' detached house in Fleet, Hampshire, in exchange for her writing off 750,000 in loans she claims he owes her

Dissipation is the intentional disposal or sale of assets with no sensible reason.

In court, her barrister Ms Brander claimed there was a 'real risk of dissipation,' which would make it hard for her to achieve justice if she went on to win the case.

She pointed to the quick sale by Mr Minns of a property, allegedly for less than it was worth.

'It's very distressing to her...He has no scruples in making sure he achieves his own ends,' said Ms Brander.

'The sale of properties at an undervalue in the course of these proceedings will lead, as Mr Minns has said, to my client being on the streets.'

Sitting in court, Mr Minns shook his head as the accusation was made.

His barrister, Ms Kreamer, contested the claim for a freezing order, saying there was no risk of dissipation, since their string of properties are where they get their income.

Buying and selling properties is also part and parcel of the sort of business they are involved in, and so not suspicious.

Refusing the application, Mr Justice Richard Smith said he was 'not persuaded there's a real risk of dissipation.'

The case will go on to a full trial of the claims on both sides, unless a settlement is reached first.
A magistrate's son has been ordered to stand trial on more than 100 child sexual offences.

Cooper Mitchell Bamberry faced Brisbane Magistrates Court today for a committal hearing on 129 charges that were laid in March and May 2025 when he was 22 years old.

The Helensvale man is the son of Queensland magistrate Mark Bamberry.

Defence lawyer Adam Guest consented for the matter to go to trial after cross-examining one witness.

The alleged offences included one count of rape, two charges of intercourse with a child, 53 counts of indecent treatment of a child and 45 counts of using the internet to procure a child.

Bamberry is also accused of possessing and distributing child exploitation material, and involving a child in the making of exploitation material.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney asked Bamberry, who stood in the dock wearing a black suit and red tie, if he had anything to say in response to the charges or enter any plea.

'No thank you, Your Honour,' Bamberry said.

Cooper Mitchell Bamberry (above) is set to stand trial on more than 100 child sexual offences

Police prosecutor Qi Wang had earlier handed numerous police and witness statements to Courtney.

'Your lawyer has consented for you to be committed to trial without me considering the contents of all of those written statements,' Courtney told Bamberry.

The court had been closed to the public for 25 minutes to hear from a single witness.

The woman was granted special witness status by Courtney and gave evidence via videolink from another room.

Courtney said the witness was not a child affected by alleged offending.

The matter will move to Queensland's District Court for a trial on a date yet to be determined.

Bamberry was not on bail and was remanded to stay in custody.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
Keir Starmer has announced a crackdown on 'free-for-all' shoplifting that often sees offenders go unpunished.

The Prime Minister says an extra 3,000 police officers have been put on the streets to combat shop theft, and that his Government will make assaulting retail workers a specific criminal offence.

That came after Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, called for retail abuse to be criminalised in the Mail on Sunday in 2023, and after bakery chain Greggs began moving items behind the tills to deter shoplifters helping themselves to sandwiches.

The offence is set to be introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill but has ping-ponged between the Commons and the Lords.

Labour says it will also scrap the 200 threshold for shoplifting offences, below which the crime is a summary-only offence that can only be tried before magistrates.

This will, Starmer said, end what he called the 'shoplifter's charter', ending the impunity that shoplifters feel when they steal items worth less than this.

It could see offenders tried at Crown courts and jailed for up to seven years, rather than the current maximum of six months that magistrates can dispense.

Speaking at retail union Usdaw's annual meeting in Blackpool, Sir Keir said: 'Working people - grafters - go to work, do the right thing, keep our high streets thriving and yet too often they are abused or assaulted by people who think they can get away with it and just cheat the system. It's disgraceful.'

The PM has suggested 'tide could be turning' on shoplifters, with a 17 per cent rise in charges and a marginal fall in overall offences.

However, analysis of Government data suggests that two in three convicted shoplifters are going on to reoffend and that those who do shoplift again are doing so more often.

Keir Starmer has vowed to end the 'free-for-all' of shoplifting with a crackdown on retail crime with a speech at Usdaw's annual meeting today

Shops such as Greggs have resorted to putting stock behind the tills to deter shoplifters who often act with impunity

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Official figures released following a parliamentary question by Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP shows 67 per cent of shop thieves reoffend within a year.

The Centre for Social Justice, which analysed the data, says the average number of crimes committed by shoplifters has almost doubled in five years, from 5.5 to 9.1.

Sir Iain, who is chair of the CSJ, said of the Government this morning: 'There must be zero tolerance for criminals who target shopkeepers and undermine our local communities.

'Addressing this, and the felt lack of consequence for committing crime in Britain today, should be at the heart of the governments upcoming High Street Strategy.'

Official data suggests 509,566 shoplifting offences were reported in 2025, down one per cent from the year before. Retailers estimate the true number to be much higher.

Shops may also be recording offences as robberies following advice from police last year to treat any incident involving violence or threats against staff as such, rather than as shoplifting.

Business robbery rose 78 per cent to 26,158 offences in 2025, according to Government data.

The British Retail Consortium says criminal gangs are 'systemically' targeting shops, doing retailers out of 400million of trade. Retailers are facing, on average, 36 incidents of violence involving a weapon each day, it claims.

Organised criminal organisations are stealing goods to order and reselling them locally in order to fund wider criminal enterprises. The CSJ says one in four independent retailers have seen their goods for resale in their area.

Last week, Marks and Spencer chairman Archie Norman claimed self-service checkouts may also be fuelling the rise in thefts, claiming that 'normally good, honest people' are simply taking goods they can't scan at the tills.

The firm has previously hit out at Sadiq Khan for failing to crack down on crime in London after mobs of youths were captured on camera raiding the M&S Food store in Clapham during a gathering organised online.

Mr Norman said of the Clapham incident: 'When something like that starts to become common it says to everybody, including ordinary citizens, that its not safe.'

Rather than waiting for Starmer's government to catch up, a number of retailers have already taken steps to protect their goods - and their staff.

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Greggs has suffered attacks in recent months, with one especially prolific shoplifter (pictured) stealing close to 2,000 worth of items from the bakery

Greggs has removed self-service cabinets from stores in Croydon, Peckham, Whitechapel and Upton Park in London, as well as in Birmingham and Wilford, Nottinghamshire.

It says these stores are among a 'very small number... which are exposed to higher levels of antisocial behaviour.'

The sausage roll-loving chain is also introducing software that supplies information directly to police stations.

Lunchtime competitors Costa Coffee and Pret a Manger have resorted to introducing security guards to protect their fridges, while supermarket workers at several chains now wear body cameras as a matter of course.

Each have fallen victim to habitual shoplifters who are seen in viral videos filling their bags with impunity, unchallenged by staff who are terrified to engage.

Workers at the Greggs store in Croydon told the Mail they have previously had boiling hot tea thrown in their face after challenging a thief - while a security guard was once targeted by a crook with a belt.

One said: 'The branch has struggled because of all the homeless outside taking drugs and drinking alcohol who come in and help themselves.'

Shop workers are discouraged from approaching shoplifters for their own safety - and those who do have found themselves out of a job, prompting accusations that supermarkets are effectively protecting shoplifters.

Walker Smith, who worked at Waitrose in Clapham Junction, London, has since been offered a job at Iceland by CEO Richard Walker after he was fired for trying to stop a man from stealing Lindt Easter chocolate. A GoFundMe also raised 12,000.

And Sean Egan, a manager at Morrisons in Aldridge, near Walsall, was dismissed after intervening when serial shoplifter Daniel Kendall was being abusive to staff. His sacking has prompted calls for a boycott.

Supermarket workers have been sacked for tackling shoplifters in breach of their employers' rules including Sean Egan, 46, who tried to stop a serial thief at Morrisons

Waitrose worker Walker Smith (pictured) was also dismissed after he tried to stop a thief from stealing Easter chocolate

The Government's track record on tackling crime is set to be a key issue at the upcoming local elections - at which Starmer is expected to be given a bloody nose.

Recent Ipsos polling suggests the British public expects Reform and the Greens to benefit the most on May 7, and that a third of people view 'crime and policing' as one of the influences on their vote.

A stunning 56 per cent of the 1,089 Brits aged 18-75 asked said they expected Labour to shed councillors.

Some MPs have already urged the Prime Minister to set out the timetable for his departure ahead of an anticipated drubbing.

Some analysts have predicted that Labour could lose more than half of the seats it is set to defend in under two weeks' time - more than 1,500 in all.
The Metropolitan Police is speaking to Cabinet Office officials as the force continues its investigation into Morgan McSweeney's missing phone, it is understood.

Scotland Yard officers are believed to have been in contact with civil servants to confirm details of the stolen work device of the Prime Minister's former chief of staff.

It comes amid reports that the phone's tracking data was lost when Downing Street wiped the phone after Mr McSweeney was mugged in October last year.

Mr McSweeney quit No10 in February this year as he took responsibility for advising Keir Starmer to name Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the US.

His resignation came days after MPs demanded the publication of all files related to the disgraced peer's appointment to the senior diplomatic role.

The scope of the 'humble address' motion could have included messages exchanged between Mr McSweeney and his long-time friend Lord Mandelson.

But it has since been revealed that Mr McSweeney's phone was stolen on 20 October 2025 and was not backed up, leading to concerns about the loss of correspondence.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has suggested 'something fishy' is going on, but Sir Keir has called it 'far-fetched' to link the theft to the release of files about Lord Mandelson.

The Metropolitan Police is speaking to Cabinet Office officials as the force continues its investigation into Morgan McSweeney's missing phone, it is understood

MPs on the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee are due to hear evidence from Mr McSweeney about Lord Mandelson's appointment as Britain's ambassador to the US

Mr McSweeney is said to have first called his office in Downing Street before calling the police when his phone was snatched out of his hand by a man on an e-bike.

According to The Telegraph, Mr McSweeney asked No 10 officials for the tracking location so he could try to retrieve the device himself.

But Downing Street's security team are said to have instead remotely shut off the device, immediately removing all of its data, so that the thief could not access it.

The newspaper reported that the phone tracking data was lost when No 10 wiped the phone.

Scotland Yard initially wrongly recorded the theft as having taken place in east London rather than Westminster.

This came after Mr McSweeney wrongly gave his location as Belgrave Street rather than Belgrave Road during the October 20 call.

This meant officers checked the wrong CCTV and concluded there were no realistic lines of inquiry to follow - a decision which has since been reviewed.

Scotland Yard said last month it was taking a fresh look at its assessment of whether there is available evidence.

MPs on the House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee are due to hear evidence from Mr McSweeney tomorrow about Lord Mandelson's appointment.

He has denied claims he bullied civil servants into naming Lord Mandelson as the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC.

It comes after ex-Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins said there was an 'atmosphere of pressure' and 'constant chasing' from No10 about Lord Mandelson's vetting.

Downing Street has also denied that civil servants were bullied or cajoled by Mr McSweeney.
A new Ukrainian war film based on a remarkable real-life rescue of a couple saved by drone operators has been compared to Saving Private Ryan.

Killhouse, an action thriller released this week, draws inspiration from real live events in which a couple attempting to rescue relatives came under Russian attack.

The man was wounded, prompting a nearby Ukrainian unit to deploy a drone carrying a handwritten message reading: 'Follow me.'

The woman obeyed, navigating mines and gunfire as Russian soldiers threw her unconscious husband into a trench. Against the odds, he survived.

Speaking to the Guardian, Director Liubomyr Levytskyi said the story immediately stood out, despite his familiarity with wartime accounts.

'A friend of mine, a journalist, rang me and said: "Liubomyr, I've got this story  it'll give you goosebumps."'

He added: 'I was like: "Well, of course it will. I've seen so many of these stories already." It's very hard to impress me with a story. Then I saw footage from the rescue operation. I couldn't believe my eyes that this is real.'

Levytskyi first turned the story into a documentary titled Follow Me, before expanding it into a full-length feature filmed last year in the Kyiv region.

The action thriller named Killhouse, released this week, draws inspiration from real live events

The production involved support from Ukraine's intelligence agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Although rooted in reality, the two-and-a-half-hour film incorporates fictional elements, including a kidnapped 12-year-old girl and scenes set in locations ranging from the White House situation room to occupied eastern Ukraine.

The production involved support from Ukraine's intelligence agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, which provided military equipment such as Humvee and MaxxPro vehicles and a Black Hawk helicopter.

The film also showcases Ukraine's domestically produced drones, including the Shark reconnaissance model.

According to its creators, Killhouse is the first feature film to incorporate footage captured by real combat drones.

The film features appearances from well-known Ukrainian figures, including former military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.

It is set in 2024, during a period when Washington and Kyiv are portrayed as allies, with Donald Trump notably absent from the storyline.

During filming, production was frequently interrupted by the realities of war, the cast revealed.

US journalist Audrey MacAlpine, who appears as herself, said: 'There were air raid alerts. We had to hide. It was a war within a war.'

Actor Denis Kapustin described how cast members sometimes slept in bomb shelters between scenes, adding: 'The movie is totally meta and postmodern.'

Kapustin said the film reflects the evolving nature of modern warfare, adding: 'It's a race for technological superiority.'

After filming, he joined the real-life 3rd Assault Brigade, part of Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps, and now works as a drone operator.

Ukrainian audiences have responded positively to the film, with Mariia Hlazunova of the Dovzhenko Centre, Ukraine's film archive, saying: 'It's interesting to see people from the news such as Budanov on screen.'

She added: 'It's like fiction mixed with fact. The film is super-patriotic, which is as it should be. There are a few cheesy moments. Overall it does a really good job.'

Made on a budget of $1.1 million without state support, it is now being prepared for international release, including an English-language version and a possible streaming adaptation.

Although rooted in reality, the two-and-a-half-hour film incorporates fictional elements, including a kidnapped 12-year-old girl

The film has been compared to 'Saving Private Ryan' (Pictured: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore in the 1998 film)

The film's release comes as Ukraine has increasingly used unmanned drones on the battlefield, marking a rapid shift toward automated combat that reduces human casualties.

Earlier this month, Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Putin's soldiers had surrendered without any Ukrainian soldiers being put in danger, after Ukrainian forces captured a Russian position using only armed robots and drones.

These unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are used on the battlefield for assault operations, to evacuate wounded troops and to detect and neutralise mines.

Zelensky said over 22,000 missions have been carried out over the last three months using robot systems with more than 280 companies rapidly developing these units.

'In other words, lives were saved more than 22,000 times when a robot went into the most dangerous areas instead of a warrior. This is about high technology protecting the highest value  human life,' he added.

Ukraine is aiming to produce more than 20,000 of the ground robots this year, with 99 per cent domestically made.

Each robot can cost anywhere from 7,500 to 22,000, according to The Telegraph, and have a range of up to 31 miles.

One robot, known as DevDroid TW 12.7, is no bigger than a ride-on lawnmower but is armed with a .50-calibre M2 Browning machine gun.

It can be operated remotely from up to 15 miles away or navigate terrain using artificial intelligence.
An Ecuadorean upskirter who loitered around Tube stations to take illicit pictures of women has been spared jail.

Luis Ortega, 66, targeted one victim while she was waiting for the Hammersmith and City Line at London Kings Cross on August 31, 2024.

When police seized his phone they discovered other photos taken up women's skirt - including one at Liverpool Street station.

Ortega's house was searched and police later found one Category A and two Category B images of children on his iPad.

The father-of-three was aided by a Spanish interpreter throughout his sentencing hearing at Inner London Crown Court.

Claire Langevad, prosecuting, said: The victim was waiting for a train on the Hammersmith and City Line at London Kings Cross.

She became aware of male standing extremely close behind her, so much so that, she says, she could hear him breathing and could feel him moving closer.

She felt a hand on the back of her thigh in what she describes as a slow stroking motion.

Luis Ortega (pictured), 66, targeted one victim while she was waiting for the Hammersmith and City Line at London Kings Cross on August 31, 2024

'She turned around, and when she saw what he was doing she said to him: "Oh my God, youre taking a video up my skirt, delete it now".'

Ortega claimed that he had only been filming the station, and pointed his camera towards the station floor.

When he was arrested, he initially denied any wrongdoing.

He maintained that it was a misunderstanding and that he was taking a photo of the station, Ms Langevad said.

But when police analysed the serial upskirter's phone they found three further photos taken up womens skirts - one on August 23 at Liverpool Street station, one the same day at Kings Cross, and another taken the next day.

Ortega later admitted what he had done.

Ms Langevad said: When he was arrested and under caution he said sorry, and that what he had done was wrong. He said that his wife and family cannot know that he was arrested for that.'

Ortegas home was searched and his devices were seized.

His iPad and phones were examined, and one Category A and two Category B indecent images of children were found,' Ms Langevad added.

Mitigating for Ortega, Alec Williams said: He has been in this country since 1995, so for twenty years or so working as a carpenter.

Referring to a statement by Ortega, Mr Willams said: The headline is that he feels ashamed for his actions. That is something that he reiterated in conference with me. He entered guilty pleas at an early stage in the proceedings.

Sentencing, Judge Matthew Boyle referenced a statement made by the victim: She says that she feels annoyed and disgusted and Im not surprised.

'On any view this was creepy, intrusive and completely unacceptable behaviour. I am quite sure you wouldnt want your wife or three daughters to be treated in this way.

Referring to the images found on Ortegas iPad the judge said: Downloading images of children ends up fueling a demand for that sort of material, thereby endangering young people here and indeed around the world.

In pursuit of sexual gratification you have badly damaged your reputation.

But he added: These offences can be said to be entirely out of character. I have considered your letter to the court where you have expressed deep shame and regret for these offences.

Referring to the pre-sentence report the judge added: You apparently do have distorted ideas about sex and I think it is probably useful if work can be done to address those.

Ortega was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

He will also have to complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.

And he was slapped with a ten year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and will be subject to notification requirements during that period.

The judge said to Ortega: Make no mistake, if you commit any further offences you will be gong straight to prison.

I hope that you appreciate that nothing like this can ever happen again. I am giving you a chance here. It is the only chance you are going to get. If we end up meeting in circumstances like this again it is going to be extremely bad news for both of us but particularly I fear for you.

Have I made myself clear?

Yes, I thank you very much, Ortega replied.

Ortega, of Hallam Road in Tottenham, north London, admitted two counts of possession of indecent images of children, and four counts of recording an image under clothing without consent.
Vladimir Putin's inner circle 'secretly hate' him and the dictator will be toppled in a 'palace coup' within the next year, according to a previously pro-Kremlin lawyer.

The prediction was made by Ilya Remeslo - earlier a staunch backer of the invasion of Ukraine, and seen as linked to the Russian security services.

He is taunting Putin, 73, to arrest him by saying he wants to be a leader of a new Russia after a 'revolution' and 'have some role in the future in ensuring the transfer of power'.

Remeslo's incendiary comments came in an extraordinary interview with prominent media personality Ksenia Sobchak, who is known as Putin's 'goddaughter'.

Warring Russia is beset by problems and the 'root cause' is Putin  'the man at the very top, the one who runs it all,' he said.

'It's Vladimir Putin. It's obvious. Everyone knows it.'

He announced: 'I am the person who knows how to fight Vladimir Putin, who knows the system's weaknesses, how to interact with it, and how to lure people out of it.'

It comes after Victoria Bonya, a glamorous pro-Kremlin influencer with 13 million followers, recently issued a direct warning to Putin over Russia's economic crisis - telling him the public are ready to 'snap'.

Ilya Remeslo's incendiary comments came in an extraordinary interview with prominent media personality Ksenia Sobchak, who is known as Putin's 'goddaughter'

Victoria Bonya, a former reality TV star, posted an extraordinary 18-minute video address to the Russian president, telling him the public are ready to 'snap'

Unlike tragic opposition leader Alexei Navalny - another lawyer widely seen as having been murdered in a Russian hellhole prison - Remeslo, 42, said he comes from within the system.

'I'm using this interview to appeal to those who are in this system, who haven't yet decided whether to leave it or not,' he said.

'Guys, don't be afraid of anything, we will definitely win, and nothing will happen to you. And believe me, we only have a little time left to endure, and everything will work out for us.

'My plan is to create a platform and attract those who are afraid to speak out against Vladimir Putin.

'I want to become a representative of this mass of people, which amounts to tens of millions.'

Earlier a dedicated propagandist for Putin, Remeslo forecast: 'I'm deeply convinced that.by the end of 2026 - beginning of 2027, we will experience profound changes..the collapse of the previous system, the birth of a new system.'

There would be 'a palace coup, a revolution in Russia'.

But it would not be a military putsch.

'It will be something very quiet. You know, like what happened in 1953 [when Stalin died and was replaced by Nikita Khrushchev].

'We'll wake up in a different country,' he said.

Insiders in the government and presidential administration 'all secretly hate Putin', he added.

'They simply hate him because he took everything away from them.

'They can't enjoy the benefits they once enjoyed.

'Everything there is essentially already decided.

'So, when these contradictions within the system accumulate to such a point'

Sobchak asked who the new Russian leader would be under his scenario, which contradicts the view that Putin has such an iron grip on Russia that he is impregnable.

'Listen, if I name him, they'll arrest him tomorrow,' said Remeslo.

But he gave three names hinting that one was the man he tipped to take over.

One is the existing prime minister, the dullard technocrat Mikhail Mishustin, 60, known for obediently carrying out Putin's orders.

The second was Maxim Reshetnikov, 46, Minister for Economic Development and former Perm region governor, seen as a moderniser who has steered Russia through sanctions caused by Putin's war.

He recently warned that the state's 'reserves have largely been used up'.

The third is Putin's former bodyguard and the man who once saved him from an aggressive brown bear, Col-Gen Alexei Dyumin, 53, now a top Kremlin aide and secretary of the State Council.

Putin has long been seen as grooming him for tsardom yet many believe the despot has no intention of voluntarily ceding power.

The new post-Putin Russia would be 'right-wing', with a 'strong economy, one in which businesses pay few taxes but also thrive'.

It would be 'open to foreign investment.'

Remeslo first came out against Putin in March, branding him a war criminal, liar, and thief.

The lawyer afterwards was admitted to a psychiatric clinic in what appeared to be an act of Soviet-style repression.

But he was discharged and has renewed his fierce attack.

One theory is that Remeslo has backers in the security services who approve his attack on Putin.

Once a vitriolic foe of Navalny, he now says 'no one deserves to die in the conditions he did, in that horrible prison' and that he 'feels guilty' about his harassment of the Putin foe.

Victoria Bonya, a glamorous pro-Kremlin influencer with 13 million followers, recently issued a direct warning to Vladimir Putin over Russia's economic crisis

Despite her previous unctuous backing for Putin and his long war, Bonya, 46, claimed the Kremlin leader is receiving false reports from officials and has no real understanding of the hardship facing Russians

The public criticism of Putin is spreading, with a recent intervention by former reality television star Victoria Bonya going viral.

Bonya is a household name in Russia who rose to fame in 2006 on Dom-2, the countrys answer to Big Brother.

Earlier in April, she posted an extraordinary 18-minute video addressed to the Russian president, telling him: 'People are afraid of you.'

'Ordinary people are afraid, bloggers are afraid, artists are afraid. Governors are afraid of you,' she said in the rare criticism.

Despite her previous unctuous backing for Putin and his long war, Bonya, 46, claimed the Kremlin leader is receiving false reports from officials and has no real understanding of the hardship facing Russians.

She warned him: 'The most frightening thing is that this is happening because you, Vladimir [Putin], do not know what is going on in the country.

'You are not being given accurate information.'

Her criticism echoes some experts who say Putin has surrounded himself with yes-men and those who are too intimidated to challenge him as well as corrupt oligarchs who face ruin if his policies change.

'People are suffering greatly today,' she said, insisting she was not scared of him, possibly because she lives abroad.

'Businesses are dying - small and medium-sized businesses. People are losing money.'

She warned the situation could spiral if ignored.

'Do you know what this leads to? I'll tell you. People will grow tired of being afraid.

'They are being compressed like a spring - and one day that spring will snap.'

Bonya highlighted a string of crises she says are being hidden from the president, including deadly flooding in Dagestan, an appalling oil spill which ruined beaches at top resort Anapa, economic pressure on small businesses, chronic social media bans and internet restrictions which have crippled online entrepreneurs, and a rising number of people leaving Russia.

Many of the problems relate to the war in Ukraine - about which Russians are forbidden to complain.

The video - titled 'An appeal to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. From all concerned Russians' - quickly went viral, racking up more than 6.6 million views and over 370,000 likes within less than 12 hours.

Reaction online was split.

Some praised Bonya for 'voicing real problems,' while others mocked her claims that Putin is unaware of events.

One said: 'THANK YOU SO MUCH for expressing the opinion of the majority of Russians!'

'He knows everything perfectly well,' one commenter wrote. 'You're naive.'

Another said: 'Fear is the goal. Intimidated people are easy to control.'

One more commented: 'Have you ever considered that the president is the main instigator of everything you've said? You're wrong to think the president doesn't see anything. He created all of this.'

The Bonya intervention is striking given her past reputation as a loyal Kremlin supporter, and highlights growing unease even among high-profile public figures over the direction of Russia under Putin who has ruled the country for 27 years as president or premier.

Bonya - a millionaire usually based in Monaco but with a massive following in Russia - told Putin: 'You can't treat people like this, stripping them of everything.

'What do you want - to create a famine?'
Keir Starmer's top negotiator has defended the Prime Minister's efforts to sign Britain back up to EU rules as part of his Brexit 'reset' plan.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the EU relations minister, insisted 'alignment' with Brussels 'is not a dirty word' as he dismissed criticism of the UK moving back towards the EU.

Both the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have made clear their wish to forge closer ties with the bloc as they scramble to boost economic growth.

Labour is planning to introduce legislation that would allow ministers to sign the UK up to EU single market rules without a full vote in Parliament.

The plans to ease 'dynamic alignment' with EU rules would happen using secondary legislation under so-called 'Henry VIII' powers.

A new bill, designed to bring a proposed UK-EU deal on food and drink into force, will mean - once an agreement is reached with the bloc - any further EU changes deemed in the national interest can be waved through without an official vote by MPs.

Brexiteers have slammed the plans as 'exactly what the country rejected' at the EU referendum almost a decade ago, while some Labour figures have urged Sir Keir to go further and campaign to fully rejoin the bloc.

Mr Thomas-Symonds acknowledged Sir Keir's Brexit 'reset' would be a 'central issue' ahead of the next general election, scheduled for 2029, as he attacked Reform UK's Nigel Farage, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, and Green Party boss Zack Polanksi.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the EU relations minister, insisted 'alignment' with Brussels 'is not a dirty word' as he dismissed criticism of the UK moving back towards the EU

The Prime Minister, pictured with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has made clear his wish to forge closer ties with the bloc as he scrambles to boost growth

Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Mr Thomas-Symonds claimed the Government was not seeking to return 'to the debates of the past' as he dismissed London mayor Sadiq Khan's call for Labour to campaign to rejoin the EU.

'I don't think we should be going back to the debates of the past, but I certainly believe that the UK-EU relationship, what this Government has achieved and what it will achieve, absolutely that's going to be an election issue,' he said.

'Look at the difference. I don't think Nigel Farage believes in having any trading relationship with the EU at all.

'While we take all that red tape and costs away from businesses, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch want to put it all back.

'But then you look at Zack Polanski, who on the one hand is telling you that the Green Party wants a closer EU relationship, but on the other is telling you that he apparently wants to leave the fundamental security alliance NATO.

'So it makes no sense whatsoever. I'm not sure he's realised that 23 of the EU member states are also members of NATO.

'That's just complete fantasy. So absolutely, this is going to be a central issue.'

Mr Thomas-Symonds also rejected a suggestion that Britain would have to copy either a Swiss-style or Norway-style agreement with Brussels in order to achieve Sir Keir's wish for greater access to the single market.

During the original Brexit negotiations, the EU was always wary of Britain 'cherry-picking' which advantages and obligations it would remain signed up to, as Brussels officials pushed the UK to replicate the relationships of other third party nations.

But Mr Thomas-Symonds said: 'Too often in this debate, I've always been given other countries as apparent models what the UK relationship should be.

'The truth is, we have, at the moment, a UK model, and what we will always have is a distinct UK-EU model, because of the very distinct nature of our relationship with the EU.'

He added: 'It is now about looking at those areas, those sectors, where the UK and the EU following common standards is in our mutual interest and our mutual benefit.

'This is an extraordinarily deep and wide trading relationship, and reducing those trade barriers in key sectors is absolutely critical for resilience, particularly when we face the same economic challenges.

'But let me also say this. This argument around alignment, as I've said, is not a dirty word.

'I have been making, and will be making, the case this year that the UK is taking a sovereign choice to align with European rules, and it is so important because it means that we can reduce business costs, and it means easier trade on both sides of the Channel.

'It is in the interest of resilience across our continent.'

Senior Tory MP Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, told the Mail: 'Alignment with the EU is a very dirty word if it means disrespecting the results of a referendum or taking powers away from our elected Parliament and handing them to Brussels bureaucrats.

'Above all, there is a 'dirty-ness' about sacrificing the jobs of young people here by tying ourselves to the low or no-growth EU.

'The future belongs to agile countries - moving at the pace of 27 others is hardly that.'
Signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration for one icebreaker, to be delivered in 2029

Won the order over leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway

"We plan to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship sector based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise."

SEOUL, South Korea, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has become the first Korean shipbuilder to secure an overseas order for a dedicated icebreaker.

The company said it has signed a $348.9 million contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration to build one icebreaker.

(From the left) Lee Hyung-jong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Sweden, Joo Won-ho, President and CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Erik Eklund, Director General of the Swedish Maritime Administration, Andreas Carlson, Minister for Infrastructure and Housing of Sweden, at the contract signing ceremony of the construction and delivery of a new icebreaker.

In the bidding process, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries received strong, well-rounded evaluations for price competitiveness, delivery schedules and technological capabilities. The icebreaker under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will provide icebreaking support, fleet operations, towing services and ice management in the Baltic Sea off Sweden.

This order was secured amid growing global attention on Arctic shipping routes and Arctic Ocean exploration, after competing with leading icebreaker builders, including Finland and Norway. It is significant as it marks the first time a South Korean shipbuilder has entered the global icebreaker market.

The deal was also the result of strong public-private cooperation, with active support from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden and the KOTRA Stockholm Trade Office.

An icebreaker is a specialized ship designed to navigate ice-covered seas by breaking sea ice to open navigable routes. It features a reinforced hull, strong icebreaking capability and a specially designed hull form that allows it to push through and clear ice.

The icebreaker ordered by Sweden from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will measure 126 meters in length and have a displacement of about 15,000 tons. It will feature Polar Class 4 (PC4) icebreaking capability and an electric propulsion system. PC4 generally refers to the ability to continuously break ice approximately 1 to 1.2 meters thick.

The United States has also significantly expanded its investment in icebreaker capabilities, passing legislation last year that increased related funding to about $9 billion. It has also formed the "ICE (Icebreaker Collaboration Effort) Pact" in cooperation with Canada and Finland as part of broader efforts to strengthen polar maritime operations.

According to the ICE Pact, the partners aim to build 70 to 90 icebreakers over the next 10 years.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries aims to actively expand into the global naval and special-purpose vessel markets that require icebreaking capability, leveraging its proven expertise in building icebreakers.

"Following this icebreaker order, global recognition has been given to the strengthened business capabilities achieved through the integration of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo. We will continue to expand new export markets in the special-purpose ship segment based on our technological capabilities and integrated business expertise," said Joo Won-ho, Head of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Naval and Medium Ship Business.

SOURCE HD Hyundai
A gut-wrenching discovery was made in the waters of Florida during the search for a missing doctoral student, as her murdered boyfriend's roommate stands accused of killing them both.

Human remains were found in the waterways near Tampa during the city-wide search for 27-year-old University of South Florida doctoral student Nahida Bristy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said on Sunday.

The body of Bristy's boyfriend, Zamil Limon, also 27, was discovered near the Howard Frankland Bridge on Friday, the same day his roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested in connection with the couple's disappearance on April 16 after a dramatic standoff with police.

Abugharbieh, 26, was hit with a slew of charges including two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree using a deadly weapon, unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, and failure to report a death to authorities as well as several other offenses.

The suspect, who was enrolled at USF from spring 2021 through spring 2023, allegedly asked ChatGPT questions on how to get rid of a corpse properly.

Abugharbieh allegedly asked the bot on April 13: 'What happens if a human is put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster?'

ChatGPT responded, 'It sounds dangerous,' before he said, 'How would they find out?' according to the court docs seen by the Tampa Bay Times.

Abugharbieh allegedly questioned the AI's answer with 'How would they find out?'

Nahida Bristy, 27, pictured above, vanished along with Zamil Limon, also 27, and authorities believe she has died. Officials have discovered human remains in the water ways near Tampa, but did not confirm if it was Bristy

Abugharbieh, pictured above in a booking photo, has been charged two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree using a deadly weapon, unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report a death to authorities, evidence tampering, false imprisonment and battery

According to the court document prosecutors filed on Saturday, investigators discovered traces of blood as well as blood-stained clothing at the apartment Abugharbieh shared with Limon.

Limon's wallet, glasses and a pink iPhone case that belonged to Bristy were found in a trash compactor at the complex.

A day before the couple's disappearance, Abugharbieh allegedly asked the chatbot questions regarding changing the VIN number on a car and if a gun could be kept in a home with a license, according to the filing.

On April 19, three days after the couple went missing, the report noted that the suspect asked ChatGPT: 'Has there been someone who survived a sniper bullet to the head?' and 'Will my neighbors hear my gun?'

The suspect took a drive on the night the couple went missing, which allegedly matched the location of Limon's cell phone before the signal was dropped, according to additional documents seen by the Tampa Bay Times.

Limon's body was discovered nude, covered with stab wounds.

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

Authorities found Limon's body on Friday near the Howard Frankland Bridge. Deputies are pictured above in Tampa during the investigation

'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.'

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.

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.'

Nahida Bristy, pictured above in a social media photo, was described by her brother as a 'jolly person'

Abugharbieh, pictured above, was arrested on Friday morning in a residential Tampa neighborhood outside of the University of South Florida

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.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office did not confirm the identity of the body, as Bristy, but noted that it is in possession of the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office.
Firefighters performed a daring rescue on the 13th floor of an apartment building after a missing dog was spotted wedged on its exterior.

Elbie, a two-year-old Jack Russell, went missing on Anzac Day after weaving through potted plants and a narrow gap to escape her caged balcony on the 13th floor of a Meriton apartments building at Dee Why, in Sydney's north.

Her owners, the Dobrin family, shared several missing dog posters to an online community group after turning their apartment upside-down in a desperate search for the pup.

'We were thinking the worst possible thing that maybe she fell off the balcony,' family friend James Tomac told 9News.

A neighbour flying a drone outside the building spotted Elbie shortly after 1pm on Monday.

The dog was stuck between a window and awning on the opposite side of the high-rise building to her apartment.

The discovery prompted a large rescue effort with Fire and Rescue firefighter Joel Spillane tasked with abseiling down the building to where Elbie was lodged.

A crowd gathered below held their breath as Mr Spillane attached a lead to Elbie and secured a tarpaulin underneath the edge, in case she fell.

Elbie (above) spent two days trapped on the exterior of a Sydney high-rise apartment after escaping her caged balcony

Elbie was in good spirits after her rescue and was reunited with her relieved family

Firefighters successfully rescued Elbie (above) after a drone operator saw her trapped in an awning

Firefighters abseiled down the building (above) to rescue the two-year-old Jack Russell

However, the anxiety was lost on Elbie - who just seemed happy to see her rescuers.

Mr Spillane spent 20 minutes wiggling Elbie out from the awning before she was finally freed.

'We got him inside, he's drunk heaps of water, they gave him a shower and I'm sure he'll be off to the vet, back tomorrow,' he said.

'We're not sure how long he was there, they mentioned a day or so but we're not sure.'

Elbie's owner was relieved to see her returned in good spirits after spending two days without food or water.

'I was over the moon you know, I didn't know if I was going to see her again so, very happy,' owner Jake Dobrin said.
A statue of a Kings Troop soldier mounted on horseback has been branded a trip hazard for blind walkers.

The bronze sculpture, designed by Princess Annes former lady-in-waiting Caroline Wallace, is set to be raised in St Johns Wood, north-west London, in the coming years.

However, plans shared online for the 300,000 installation do not feature a plinth, and the horses tail and legs stick out at angles, which critics say could pose a risk.

The St John's Wood Society, a group working to protect the area's high standards of architecture, said: We have concerns about it being a trip hazard for the sight-impaired.

In a consultation response to Westminster City Council, it added: We note that the CGI does not include a plinth, but the design and access statement indicates that a plinth is included. We are awaiting further information.

Members of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery take part in a rehearsal for Trooping the Colour last June

The King's Troop conducts gun salutes to mark grand occasions of state, including the Kings birthday parade, royal births and birthdays.

It is part of the Royal Horse Artillery, which was based at the former barracks in St Johns Wood for more than 200 years before it moved to Woolwich in 2012.

Planning documents state: The statue will commemorate a link with the site of the former barracks and the formation of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, at the behest of King George VI.

[It] has been commissioned and funded by the St John's Wood community, not only as a measure of gratitude for those who gave their lives in over 200 years of service, but also in appreciation for the inestimable pleasure of having the King's Troop present and as part of the community.

The statue is the brainchild of long-term resident and chocolate entrepreneur Clive Beecham and has the backing of the Royal household, according to The Telegraph.

Mr Beecham said: This is simply a community saying, thank you for what you did. We were very sorry to see them go when they left in 2012, so we wanted something to commemorate them.

If you were caught behind the King's Troop, it was the only traffic jam in London that we were prepared to accept.

However, he added: I totally agree with the concerns and we are working with the country's foremost accessibility consultants to arrive at a solution with or without a plinth.
Argentina's vice-president has launched an extraordinary attack on the people of the Falklands after telling them to 'go back to Britain' if they 'feel English'.

It comes after the country's leader declared the islands will always be theirs.

Javier Milei wrote in an X post late last week, referring to the disputed South Atlantic Ocean territory as the Malvinas: 'The Malvinas were, are and will always be Argentine.'

Now, his number two, Victoria Villarruel, has launched a vitriolic attack on the Kelpers, the nickname given to the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands, derived from the large amounts of kelp surrounding them.

Argentina's vice-president used X to rant: 'Today more than ever, the Malvinas are Argentine.

'The discussion over the sovereignty of our islands is between states, therefore the United Kingdom must discuss bilaterally with Argentina the claim that we maintain for legal, historical, and geographical reasons.

'The kelpers are English people who live in Argentine territory; they are not part of the discussion'

In response to a social media user who said: 'The islanders are Argentine', she replied: 'If they feel English, they should go back to the thousands of miles away where their country is.'

Victoria Villarruel, pictured left, launched a vitriolic attack on the Kelpers, the nickname given to the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands, derived from the large amounts of kelp surrounding them

Royal Marine Peter Robinson carrying the Union Jack as he marched towards Stanley in the final hours of the Falklands War in June 1982

Milei's earlier comment followed reports that the Pentagon would review the UK's claim to the Falkland Islands again.

Reuters has linked the decision to Donald Trump's drive to punish NATO countries for failing to help with his war against Iran.

At the weekend, it emerged Nigel Farage is going to Argentina in the autumn to tell their president to keep their hands off the Falkland Islands.

The Reform Party leader is expected to tell right-wing firebrand Javier Milei that keeping the Falklands British is 'non-negotiable.'

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said Britain's commitment to the Falklands is 'unwavering'.

She insisted after Milei's comments: 'The Falklands Islands are British  sovereignty rests with the UK, self-determination rests with the islanders.

'We could not be clearer about the UK's position on the Falkland Islands. It's long-standing. It's unchanged.'

The 1982 Falklands War claimed the lives of 255 British servicemen, three islanders and 649 Argentinian personnel.

It started after Argentina invaded the islands, and Margaret Thatcher sent a military task force out to reclaim them and won them back ten weeks later.

On the 43rd anniversary of the war on April 2 last year, Javier Milei said he wanted to turn Argentina into a powerful nation so people in the Falklands chose the struggling South American country over Britain.

He said, calling the islands the Malvinas: 'When it comes to sovereignty over the Malvinas, we make it clear that the most important vote of all is the one made with feet, and we hope that the Malvinas people will one day decide to vote with their feet for us.

The Falklands War in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands in April, 1982

'That is why we seek to be a power, to such an extent that they prefer to be Argentinian, so that we do not need to use deterrence or persuasion to achieve it.'

A year earlier, he publicly accepted the Falkland Islands were currently 'in the hands of the UK' and vowed to get them back through diplomatic channels, but admitted there was no 'instant solution.'

He made his admission after promising a 'roadmap' for the islands to become Argentine.

In the past, Mr Milei has praised Margaret Thatcher, who was Britain's PM during the conflict.

He met then-Foreign Secretary David Cameron at the Davos Summit in Switzerland in January 2024, after Argentina's Foreign Ministry said in a long statement following Milei's landslide victory in the nation's presidential run-off in November 2023 that its claim to the islands constituted a 'permanent and unwavering objective.'

As the country's president-elect, Milei insisted he believed the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina, but said the islanders must have a say in their future.

Then-PM Rishi Sunak responded at the time by saying through a spokesman: 'It's obviously a settled issue, a long-settled issue, and we have no plans to revisit it.'
A fugitive asylum seeker wanted in France after stabbing a man in a migrant camp walked free from court after a judges packed diary enabled him to stay in the UK on human rights grounds.

Sudanese national Mohammed Ali, 20, dodged extradition to France and will continue to to receive a substantial package of support from a local council after he was attacked with a machete and spent eight weeks in hospital, District Judge Hina Rai said in a written judgement at Westminster Magistrates Court.

It also emerged during the extradition case that while on the run, Ali was given five years leave to remain in the UK by the Home Office despite his limited family ties in the UK.

It means he can remain here until at least September 2027 and can apply to extend the controversial temporary asylum.

For European requests, a full extradition hearing should be started within 21 days of the arrest, although cases can be adjourned.

Delays with Alis case meant his full hearing did not take place for more than ten months after his arrest.

But Judge Rai then handed down judgment on the very day he had been in custody in the UK for a year, the length of the sentence imposed in France in his absence, so she said the extradition would breach his human rights.

Had Alis case been heard sooner, he could have been extradited and unable to legally return to the UK.

Mohammed Ali, 20, dodged extradition to France due to delays to his case at Westminster Magistrates Court

Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: Yet again, what seems to be both illogical and irrational wins out and the taxpayer is made to pay.

Another thug has slipped through the modern Maginot Line and will doubtless be allowed to stay for good on human rights grounds. What utter madness.

Ali entered the country illegally through an unknown means in 2022, as an unaccompanied minor, before being placed into foster care.

He fled after he stabbed the victim with a pair of scissors in a Calais camp on November 7, 2021.

The attack caused three puncture wounds before Ali, also known as Moya Mahmoud, was arrested by French police.

He told officers he acted in self-defence during the attack when he was aged just 15.

He was later charged with one count of assault with a weapon, but fled France before trial, the court heard.

Ali was later tried in his absence and convicted before being sentenced to a year in prison at Boulogne Youth Court.

He was arrested in the UK by the National Crime Agency (NCA) under a warrant from France on February 3, 2025, and remanded in custody to face extradition.

At Alis initial hearing, on February 4 2025, his full hearing was scheduled for six months later on August 4.

That hearing did not proceed and finally took place on December 17.

The court heard that while in the UK, Ali had been drawn into further violence and was attacked with a machete.

Judge Rai wrote in her judgement: As a result of the attack (he) suffered a broken right leg requiring multiple operations and a skin graft from his left leg. He spent eight weeks in hospital.

He is receiving a substantial package of support from Bedfordshire Council to aid his recovery, she wrote.

The court considered a 392-page bundle of evidence as Ali argued he should not be extradited, however, it appears to have been a waste of public expense due to the date Judge Rai handed down Alis judgment.

She wrote: At the conclusion of the hearing, it became apparent that due to the upcoming Christmas period and other commitments in my diary, I would be unable to hand down judgment until February 4 2026.

That is the date the requested person (RP) completes his one-year sentence... the RP has nothing further to serve. In those circumstances, I find extradition would not be compatible with his convention rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.

He was released from custody with no further action.

A Home Office spokesperson said: All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks.

We own a number of agreements with countries which enable the sharing of criminal record information. We continue to work on new agreements to ensure caseworkers are able to take into account prior criminality when assessing a claim.

Refugee status may be refused or revoked where an individual has committed a particularly serious crime in the UK or overseas, if they represent a danger to the community.

Mandatory security checks apply each time a person applies for leave. Under the future core protection system, this means that security checks will be conducted every 30 months. Where criminality has occurred or since been identified, further leave may be refused.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: Westminster can list nine full extradition hearings each day. The exact number depends on the planned length, and this is in addition to new arrests, remand hearings and other interim listings. In total, up to 50 extradition related cases can be listed each day.

For cases, involving European countries under postBrexit arrangements, full hearings are currently listed within around four months of the initial hearing.

Bedfordshire Council has been contacted for comment.
A councillor is facing trial accused of assaulting and stalking his wife over a row allegedly sparked by a roast dinner he cooked for her birthday.

Dominic de Souza was arrested at the family home after police were called following the argument, during which he was accused of failing in his 'husbandly duties', a court hearing was told.

He was ordered not to approach his wife, Chloe, or their three children but allegedly breached the instructions on nine occasions.

The 46-year-old, who became a member of Attleborough Town Council in 2022, was due to face a trial today over the allegations.

But the case was put back by a year because the Crown Prosecution Service had failed to review the case until last week and hadnt handed over evidence to the defence.

District Judge Matthew Bone, sitting at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court, told the defendant, a former constable with Norfolk Constabulary: Its a crying shame that your trial cannot go ahead.

Im sorry but due to the fact this court was extremely busy today, youve heard the CPS only reviewed your case some seven days before trial.

Both parties say its in the interest of justice to adjourn. Theres missing witnesses, missing disclosure. I have made directions that this should not happen again.

Dominic de Souza, 46, denies assault by beating following an alleged dispute with his wife, Chloe, after he cooked her a roast dinner on her birthday. He also denies stalking charges

Im afraid [the trial is set for] April 22 next year, due to the backlog of cases here.

De Souza, who wore a dark suit, patterned yellow tie and Doc Marten-style ankle boots as he sat impassively in the dock, was warned that he remained subject to the same bail conditions already imposed.

These state he must not contact his wife directly or indirectly, except through solicitors, and is banned from visiting the housing estate where she lives.

During a hearing in September last year, Norwich Magistrates Court was told that de Souza had been cooking dinner the previous March when his wife accused him of lacking in husbandly qualities.

Police were called to the familys house in the historic market town and the defendant was accused of assault.

Restrictions on his movements around the town were subsequently imposed but the defendant allegedly turned up at locations where he would have known his wife would be on nine occasions.

Prosecutor Jackie Hanlon said de Souza was aware of the particular routine of his wife.

District Judge Matthew Bone put the case back to April 22 next year after being told the prosecution had failed to review the case until last week and evidence had not been handed to the defence

But Ian Fisher, defending, said his client had been carrying out council duties with another town councillor on two of the alleged dates and had not attempted to approach his wife.

Since my client was arrested, there has been a barrage of posts by the alleged victim on social media, with messages intended for him, he added.

These posts are looking to encourage a reaction. He has not responded to these.'

District Judge Bone said at the time: Attleborough is quite a small town and the charge of stalking seems to be on the basis that he happened to be around when she turned the corner.

There is no suggestion that he has spoken to her or is even looking at her. She has just seen him going about his business as a town councillor.

He agreed to relax de Souza's bail conditions to permit him to see his children.

During the hearing, the defendant denied assault by beating on March 16 and stalking between April 23 and May 10.

The trial will take place at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court next year

Speaking afterwards, he said: I'm on Attleborough Town Council to serve the community and if people want me to resign then I will.

I don't want to bring the council down any more than it has been.

The comment appeared to refer to the council being dubbed Battleborough following a series of scandals that have infuriated locals and seen members heckled and told to resign at public meetings.

They include one councillor, Stephen Fraser, being convicted of criminal damage in July last year after he threw stones at a shop window following a night out drinking.

Another councillor, Taila Taylor, was in the area at the time but didnt report the matter. She later explained she had not witnessed the offence taking place.

Friction has grown further after it emerged the council was funding therapy for any members who felt they needed it. There has also been criticism of councillors business dealings, leading to unflattering cartoons appearing on social media.

Members argue they have been unfairly targeted in a hate campaign and have had people banging on their homes and damaging their property.

An interim hearing about the allegations against de Souza, who was a police officer until 2008, will take place on June 6 this year but he is not obliged to attend.
A French teenager is facing jail in Singapore after licking a straw and putting it back into an orange juice vending machine.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, has been charged with mischief and public nuisance following the grim act, court documents showed Monday.

The teen allegedly filmed himself 'licking a straw and placing it back at the vending machine', uploaded the video on Instagram knowing that it 'would or would probably cause annoyance to the public', according to the documents.

The company that owns the shopping centre vending machine, iJooz, says it replaced all 500 straws in the machine's dispenser after the alleged incident, which took place on March 12.

If found guilty of both charges, Maximilien faces a maximum jail sentence of more than two years and thousands of dollars in fines.

The teenager, who is studying in Singapore, had posted his video as an Instagram Story with a caption stating 'city is not safe', according to news reports.

The clip circulated on social media, and several viewers voiced their disgust at the vile act, which was reposted on a community page and picked up by local news outlets.

The Straits Times newspaper said the video 'quickly went viral, sparking shock and concern among netizens'.

The teenager had posted a video of him licking a straw as an Instagram Story with a caption stating 'city is not safe', according to news reports

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, licked the straw befor ereturning it into an orange juice vending machine at a shopping centre in Singapore

iJooz told news outlet Channel NewsAsia (CNA) that it had lodged a police report and initiated sanitation protocols and inspections at its machine.

The brand is known for its smart vending machines that serve freshly squeezed orange juice.

A spokesperson for Maximilien's school, the Singapore branch of the ESSEC Business School, told news outlets that it was aware of the incident and that internal investigations were underway.

'ESSEC takes matters of conduct and community responsibility seriously, and internal investigations are underway,' he said.

The teenager's lawyer also told CNA that Maximilien's parents had flown to Singapore from France, and that a representative from his school would be his bailor.

Maximilien is represented by lawyers Kanthan Raghavendra and Kalidass Murugaiyan of Kalidass Law Corporation.

The charges were lodged before a district court last Friday, and the next hearing will be on May 22.
Kash Patel was in the hot seat Monday morning as Fox News anchors demanded answers about security failures at the White House Correspondents' Dinner attended by Donald Trump and his top Cabinet members.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody at the event on Saturday night in Washington, DC. Allen was detained after allegedly attempting to attack the dinner while armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.

The suspect exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents at a checkpoint outside a ballroom hosting the President and First Lady.

'They did a great job on the ground, but they remain reactive. The proactive approach is still under great scrutiny. The President of the United States is averaging an assassination attempt once a year,' Fox anchor Lawrence Jones told Patel.

'So who's going to do the investigating of the procedures Secret Service can't investigate themselves?' Jones continued. 'There's still people in leadership at the Secret Service that were responsible for Butler.'

'How does that happen?! It was a failure, right?!'

Patel sidestepped the questions but conceded the 2024 Butler shooting was a 'total failure.'

The FBI director also said he has been in contact with Secretary Markwayne Mullen and has offered the FBI's full resources to improve security coordination with the Secret Service at future events involving the President.

Patel was grilled by Fox News anchor Lawrence Jones over repeated security failures regarding Donald Trump's personal safety

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody at the dinner Saturday night in Washington after exchanging gunfire with Secret Service

The suspect reportedly smuggled weapons into the Hilton hotel by staying as a guest

'I think we are going to do it entirely differently,' Patel added. 'You heard the President say on Saturday night that we're going to do this again in short order.'

Patel said he is already in talks with the White House and federal law enforcement partners to shore up security for the next dinner.

'We got to do a couple of things differently, and we're already talking about it, and that's the good thing. And we're going to be better postured for the next event.'

The suspect worked part-time for the last six years at a company that offers tutoring to aspiring college students in Torrance, California.

He travelled across the country via train from California to DC, armed with multiple firearms and knives.

Patel refused to say whether the suspect's behavior had been flagged to the FBI prior to the dinner shooting.

'All those questions will be answered in the complaint, the criminal complaint that's being presented,' Patel said.

'I just can't get ahead of my partners at the Department of Justice, and especially can't get ahead of the federal magistrate that it's being presented to, but we have answered all those questions, and that's that's what we've been working towards.'

Allen ran past a security checkpoint at the White House dinner before exchanging gunfire with Secret Service agents

A manifesto details how the suspected gunman was targeting the President and his senior Cabinet officials.

Allen is expected to be arraigned in DC on Monday for two counts of wielding a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Cole Allen's reported fiery social media posts have resurfaced after he was arrested for opening fire and trying to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old California man is alleged to have shared or amplified messages on X branding political figures as 'fascist' and warning that 'THERE. IS. NO. LAW. ANYMORE' in the months leading up to the incident.

Screenshots circulating online appear to show posts from November 4, 2024, attributed to an account believed to be linked to Allen, including one message stating, 'So exciting this week, we'll either have the first woman president or the end of America,' followed by another post the next day stating that the user had voted for Kamala Harris.

Other resurfaced posts attributed to the same account appear to show heated political rhetoric, including comparisons between modern officials and notorious figures from authoritarian regimes.

In another widely circulated message from November 2024, the account is shown sharing commentary referencing fears about nuclear weapons and climate change, linking to a satirical Cold War-era song about global destruction.

A separate screenshot appears to show a reply to a post referencing President Donald Trump, shared by his daughter Tiffany Trump, quoting the Bible verse: 'You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires.'

Additional posts attributed to the account include messages warning about democracy collapsing, constitutional breakdowns and alleged authoritarian control.

The messages, many of which involve reposted commentary from political figures and commentators, have circulated widely online as investigators examine Allen's background following the dramatic confrontation at one of Washington's most tightly secured gatherings.

Cole Allen's social media posts have surfaced, showing he engaged in heated political rhetoric

Allen posted on X using the handle @CForce3000. Many of his posts were resharing commentary online

JB Pritzker is an American politician, lawyer, and businessman serving since 2019 as the 43rd governor of Illinois

Allen's account was reportedly removed following the incident this weekend and has since been revived by a parody account

Matt Bellassai is a comedian, writer and internet personality best known for creating and starring in the viral BuzzFeed series 'Whine About It,'

Authorities said Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to gain entry to the White House Correspondents' Dinner while carrying multiple weapons.

Officials reported that the weapons included a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

Gunfire was discharged during the confrontation, though authorities have not confirmed whether the shots originated from Allen or responding security personnel.

No fatalities were reported, and officials said Allen was not struck during the incident.

A 1,052-word manifesto, reportedly signed 'Cole 'coldForce' 'Friendly Federal Assassin' Allen,' outlined what were described as 'rules of engagement' and stated that targeting administration officials was viewed as a duty, according to reporting by the New York Post.

He was transported to a nearby hospital following his arrest and is expected to face court proceedings as investigators work to determine what led to the security breach.

Meanwhile, Allen's reported online activity has drawn widespread attention, with social media users combing through posts and reposts believed to be linked to accounts associated with his name.

One such account was reportedly removed following the incident and has since reappeared in the form of parody or reposted archives circulating online.

Screenshots of X posts shared by the account KanekoaTheGreat show messages attributed to accounts believed to be connected to Allen that feature heated political rhetoric, including warnings about authoritarianism and concerns over democratic governance.

Authorities said Allen, a resident of Torrance, California, was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to gain entry to the White House Correspondents' Dinner while carrying multiple weapons

Thomas Vietor is an American political commentator and podcaster. He was a spokesman for President Barack Obama and the United States National Security Council from 2011 to 2012

Allen made it known that he supported Kamala Harris in the last presidential election

Perhaps the most disturbing post was on November 5, 2024, which pointed to Trump's daughter

In one widely circulated message from November 2024, Allen shared commentary suggesting fears about nuclear weapons and climate change , linking to a satirical Cold War-era song about global destruction

Andrea Chalupa is a journalist, author and filmmaker

Richard Stengel is the former Under Secretary of State in Obama administration and editor of Time magazine. He is currently a political analyst for MSNOW

Fred Wellman is the democratic candidate for Congress in Missouri and an Army combat veteran

John Pavlovitz is a former youth pastor and author, known for his social and political writings from a liberal Christian perspective

Sheldon Whitehouse is a US Senator for Rhose Island

David Frum is a writer for The Atlanitc

Ron Filipkowski is a criminal defense attorney and former state and federal prosecutor for Maine

Many of the X posts circulating online and attributed to accounts believed to be linked to Allen appear to consist of reshares of commentary from well-known public figures, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Among the messages highlighted in widely shared screenshots are posts that include language describing Donald Trump as authoritarian or fascist.

One widely circulated screenshot appears to show a repost of commentary from Jennifer Rubin, which reads: 'Trump is instigating a pogrom. This is what fascists do.'

Another screenshot shared online appears to show a repost attributed to songwriter Ricky Davila, which states: 'It's insane to me how many people believe that the US govt will remain the same after a fascist convicted felon with full immunity gets back into the White House and his insane criminalistic loyalists are leading all departments. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?'

Additional posts circulating online appear to show a message comparing members of Trump's cabinet to figures including Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, and Reinhard Heydrich.

Those figures were among the most powerful and feared architects of the Nazi regime and its police state during World War II.

Bill Kristol served as chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle during the Bush administration and to Secretary of Education William Bennett under President Reagan

Mary Trump is the president's niece

William Stancil is a lawyer, activist and researcher on housing policy

Other reposted messages circulating online include claims suggesting that certain political developments represented a breakdown of democratic norms, including phrases such as 'Just name Putin as director of national intelligence.'

Screenshots shared online also appear to show commentary from Rick Stengel, who served under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2016, warning that the country was moving toward what the post described as an 'oligarchy.'

One of the most widely discussed posts circulating online is dated November 7, 2024, and has been attributed to an account believed by users to be linked to Allen.

In that message, the account appears to include the statement: 'The positive of having elected someone who will accelerate climate change and either give Putin America's nukes or set them off randomly.'

The same post includes a link to the song We Will All Go Together When We Go by satirist Tom Lehrer.

The song, originally written during the Cold War era, uses dark humor to reference nuclear annihilation, and its inclusion in the post has been widely highlighted by social media users reviewing the account's activity.

Several other resurfaced messages circulating online appear to show the resharing of commentary warning about potential constitutional breakdowns or democratic collapse.

These reposted messages include warnings suggesting that the rule of law was eroding and that democratic systems were under threat.

Some of the reshared commentary also referenced claims about oligarchies and authoritarian governance, language that frequently appears in polarized political debates.

Another widely circulated post dated November 5, 2024, appears to reference a message shared by Tiffany Trump, daughter of Donald Trump.

In the original message, Tiffany Trump had shared comments stating that her father was not involved with Project 2025, a policy initiative developed by the Heritage Foundation outlining proposals for a future Republican administration.

Screenshots circulating online appear to show a reply attributed to the same account quoting a Bible passage in response, stating: 'John 8:42-44 seems appropriate for this: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language."'
A police officer responding to an emergency call was driving on the wrong side of the road at 60mph before hitting a woman, a court has heard.

Thames Valley Police officer Philip Duthie is charged with causing death by careless driving after colliding with pedestrian Kimberley Cameron, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard today.

The Independent Officer for Police Conduct, which has previously investigated the case, said the 27-year-old victim died as a result of a road traffic collision at the scene on the A41 Bicester Road in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Duthie, now 41, was said to have been responding a report of a serious incident on 16 April 2021.

The prosecution told the court in the lead up to the collision, the officer had been driving on the wrong side of the road at 60mph in a 40mph zone.

They added that his view had been obstructed by a van as Ms Cameron crossed the road, who was believed to have been on a jog.

The Independent Officer for Police Conduct reinvestigated the case when 'new evidence' came to light, with the Crown Prosecution Service authorising a charge of causing death by careless driving.

At the brief hearing, Duthie elected for his case to be heard by a judge and jury at a crown court.

A police officer responding to an emergency call was driving on the wrong side of the road at 60mph before hitting Kimberley Cameron, 27, a court heard today

District Judge Michael Snow released Duthie, of Chappell Way in Leighton Buzzard, on unconditional bail ahead of his next appearance at the Old Bailey on May 26.

Kevin and Liane Cameron had called their daughter 'an amazing young woman, who took every opportunity in life to push her limits and live life to the full'.
Henkel Consumer Brands expanding portfolio and shaping what's next in U.S hair market

STAMFORD, Conn., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Henkel has completed the previously announced acquisition of "Not Your Mother's" (NYM), a leading hair care and styling consumer brand in North America. With their shared values and passion for consumers, the combined organization unlocks opportunity to cultivate a collection of on-trend consumer brands and drive purposeful growth as part of Henkel's iconic portfolio.

"I am truly excited to welcome "Not Your Mother's" colleagues to our Henkel Consumer Brands team in North America! Bringing together Henkel's pioneering spirit, global expertise, and sustainability leadership with NYM's unique innovation approach, creativity and agility creates a powerful partnership that delivers meaningful value for Henkel, NYM and  most importantly  our consumers. Together, we will continue reimagining haircare to meet consumers' evolving needs," said Phil Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President Henkel Consumer Brands, North America.

NYM was launched in 2010 and has headquarters in Tampa, FL. It is widely recognized for offering a broad range of trendy shampoos, conditioners, treatments and styling products. Consumer-focused innovation has fueled high performance across its flagship product lines including Clean Freak, Curl Talk, Beach Babe, Plump for Joy and All Eyes on Me.

The acquisition represents another important step in Henkel's purposeful growth agenda and will further complement the company's capabilities in the hair business, one of its core Consumer Brands categories.

About Henkel in North America

Henkel's portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes all, Purex and Persil laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners, Dial soaps, Schwarzkopf hair care, as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. With sales about 6.1 billion US dollars (5.4 billion euros) in 2025, North America accounts for 26 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs more than 7,000 people across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA.

About Henkel

With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company's three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2025, Henkel reported sales of about 20.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 3.0 billion euros. Henkel's preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 47,000 people worldwide  united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations." More information at www.henkel.com

Henkel Contact

Erica Cooper

Phone: 475-232-4973

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Henkel
A Ukrainian pensioner has been rescued by a robot after she was spotted fleeing Russian artillery with her walking sticks.

Drone footage showed the robot, which belonged to 60th Separate Mechanised Brigade, carrying the 77-year-old on its back.

She was spotted struggling to walk down the slippery road near the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region as she escaped shelling from Putin's forces.

One fighter said as they watched the live feed of the elderly woman trudging along slowly with nothing but the clothes on her back and a pair of walking canes: 'It looks like shortness of breath or something.'

The brigade then decided to dispatch the robot with a blanket and a note that read: 'Grandma, hop on!'

As she climbed onboard the robot, fighters could be heard saying: 'Come on, come on, that's it!'

She rode on the robot for several hours. As she was assisted into the back of a military vehicle, one soldier was heard breathing a sigh of relief: 'That's it, we can all finally breathe... thank God.'

The 3rd Army Corps, which the 60th Brigade is part of, wrote on Telegram: 'With no hope of survival, she made her way past shell craters and the bodies of her fellow villagers until a robot came for her.'

Drone footage showed the robot, which belonged to 60th Separate Mechanised Brigade, carrying the 77-year-old on its back

She was rescued by the 60th Separate Mechanised Brigade

The Ukrainian army said the elderly woman had lived in her now-decimated home in a village near the city of Lyman.

It urged people to 'evacuate in advance to preserve what matters most - life.'

It comes as a Russian drone attack before dawn on Ukraine's southern city of Odesa wounded 14 people, including two children, authorities said Monday, in the latest barrage of civilian areas that have been a hallmark of Moscow's full-scale invasion.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike killed two people in the Russia-occupied part of Ukraine's southern Kherson region, Moscow-installed Gov. Vladimir Saldo said Monday. A man and a woman in their 70s died in the village of Dnipriany, he said.

In Odesa, drones hit residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure, said Serhii Lysak, the head of the city's administration.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Odesa, a key Black Sea port for Ukraine, since Moscow launched the war more than four years ago on February 24, 2022.

Five of the wounded, most of them with shrapnel wounds, were hospitalised, according to Oleh Kiper, the head of the regional military administration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Russia has fired approximately 1,900 attack drones, nearly 1,400 powerful guided aerial bombs and around 60 missiles of various types at Ukraine over the past week.

Ukraine's wartime development of cutting-edge military technology means that it's intercepting more than 90% of the drones that Russia launches, Zelensky said in an X post. However, Ukraine needs more American-made Patriot air defence missiles, which are able to shoot down Russia's ballistic missiles.

One fighter said as they watched the live feed of the elderly woman walking: 'It looks like shortness of breath or something'

The drone arrived with a blanket and a note that read: 'Grandma, hop on!'

Ukraine has recently been helping Middle Eastern and Gulf region countries, which are countering attacks on their territory by Iranian drones, with know-how during the Iran war.

Norway is the latest European country to enter into a joint drone manufacturing agreement with Kyiv, Ukraine's Defence Ministry said Monday.

In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that his government plans a 'drone armada' with Ukraine's help, to defend both itself and Europe.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, on a visit to Warsaw, said that Ukraine has evolved from being a recipient of foreign military aid to a country that can offer state of the art military solutions.

'We are able to destroy tanks, destroy expensive systems and drones, it is our reality,' she said, according to the Polish press agency PAP. 'A number of the systems that we're using are produced in Ukraine. I think we have made a big leap here.'

Zelensky noted a recent raft of good news for Ukraine: NATO partners, excluding the United States, have contributed to a financial arrangement to buy American weapons, the European Union has approved a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan to Ukraine, and the EU intends to place more sanctions on Moscow.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has been assailing oil terminals and refineries deep inside Russia with long-range drones and missiles, aiming to disrupt Moscow's economy.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said late Sunday it has seen geolocated evidence that Ukrainian forces conducted at least 10 strikes against Russian oil and gas infrastructure in the past two weeks.
SNP leader John Swinney was mocked today after announcing a bizarre plan for a new independence push in the party's 'first 100 days' if it wins May's Holyrood election, despite being in power for almost 20 years.

The First Minister today said his administration, the favourite to win on May 7, would begin its push for powers to hold another referendum on the first parliamentary day after it is formed.

In a speech today he pledged to publish a draft Referendum Bill within its first 100 days, although power to grant a new vote, 12 years since Scotland chose to remain in the UK, is held by Westminster.

The decision to focus on independence when there are many other pressing matters facing Scotland, and the publication of plans for the first 100 days, were ridiculed by opposition politicians.

Such plans are common among opposition parties expected to unseat an incumbent. But the SNP has been in government, either wholly or coalition, for nearly two decades.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: 'John Swinney's plot to make the first vote of the new parliament about an independence referendum confirms how breathtakingly out of touch he is with the people of Scotland.

'Instead of focusing on the cost-of-living crisis, jobs, education or the NHS, he's hellbent on plunging Holyrood into fresh constitutional chaos.'

And Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: 'The SNP's first 100 days in government happened nearly 20 years ago in 2007.

'If you want to know what 100 days of SNP government looks like, you only need to look at the last 100 days  an NHS in crisis, 10,000 kids in temporary accommodation, rising rates of crime and classrooms in chaos.'

The First Minister today said his administration, the favourite to win on May 7, would begin its push for powers to hold another referendum on the first parliamentary day after it is formed.

He pledged to publish a draft Referendum Bill within its first 100 days, although power to grant a new vote, 12 years since Scotland chose to remain in the UK, is held by Westminster

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: 'John Swinney's plot to make the first vote of the new parliament about an independence referendum confirms how breathtakingly out of touch he is with the people of Scotland'

In a speech in Glasgow, the SNP leader said his party would 'hit the ground running' if it is returned to power after the Scottish Parliament election, which takes place next week.

'I can confirm today that on the first sitting day after the appointment of the new government, we will bring forward a vote of the Scottish Parliament to approve the development of a Section 30 order to give Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum,' he said.

A Section 30 order is required when the Scottish Parliament legislates in an area which is normally reserved to Westminster.

Mr Swinney said his government would publish a draft Referendum Bill within its first 100 days, adding: 'The parliament chosen by the people of Scotland will have the chance to represent the democratic will of the people of Scotland.'

He also said the Scottish Government would formally request the immediate transfer of powers to give Holyrood control over energy policy.

The First Minister produced a document which set out the SNP's plans for its first 100 days in office, claiming Westminster is 'nowhere to be seen' on the cost-of-living crisis.

The first 2,000 families would receive help for buying their first home, he said, under proposals for deposit support of 10,000 for first-time buyers.

Discussing the price cap policy, he said: 'Within 100 days, we will publish the draft legislation, including proposals to be developed in partnerships with representatives of farmers and food producers, to put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure that costs are not passed on to them.

'That's an SNP government that's hitting the ground running for Scotland.'
House Speaker Mike Johnson made his first television appearance since Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner on Monday morning, telling Fox News host Bill Hemmer the Secret Service needed to get its house in order.

'We need the leaders of the Secret Service to tighten up,' Johnson said, before praising his colleagues' swift response to the attack on the Washington Hilton ballroom.

'The House is doing our jobs - Comer has already announced he is having a review with Secret Service,' he said, referring to House Oversight Chairman James Comer from Kentucky.

When Hemmer pressed him for a date for the Secret Service briefing, Johnson declined to give one.

The Speaker also called President Trump the 'most attacked, maligned political figure in history' and praised Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman's rhetoric in the wake of Saturday's incident.

Fetterman said the attempted attack underscored the need for a new White House ballroom, a talking point quickly amplified by MAGA allies over the weekend.

'It's time for us to come together,' Johnson added.

Images from Saturday night captured the chaos as it unfolded, including one showing Johnson being rushed from the venue by Secret Service agents.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson is evacuated as a shooter opens fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026

Trump at the Resolute Desk at the White House surrounded by his cabinet and top staff

Cole Allen was subdued after bolting past security, armed with several weapons on Saturday evening as the White House Correspondents Dinner was getting underway.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a teacher from Torrance, California, was seen attempting to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives on Saturday night.

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.

The White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual black-tie gala that brings politicians and journalists together, was barely underway when the Secret Service was forced to leap into action after a series of shots rang out.

Trump released surveillance footage of Allen, dressed in all black, sprinting inside the hotel with a gun in hand before he was rushed by armed guards.

Journalists in the room captured images of top administration officials getting rushed to safety.

Video footage showed Vice President JD Vance being frantically helped off stage by Secret Service agents, as Trump and Melania ducked for cover.

Clips then showed several agents reach for the President and quickly pull him to safety.

One image showed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his wife, Cheryl Hines, ducking as they ran to safety.

Right behind them was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller and his wife Katie Miller.

A photo showed Johnson being briskly escorted out by security as well.

After everyone was rushed to safety, the president spoke at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.

'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' he said. 'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down.'

Trump said that immediately, Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'

'Melania was very cognizant,' he continued.

The president also shared his wife's fear for his safety, given the multiple assassination attempts against him.

Federal prosecutors have announced that Allen is being charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the assault charge, while the firearmduringacrimeofviolence counts carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years and can stretch to decades or even life in prison, depending on whether the weapon was discharged and the underlying violent offense.
The chaotic civil war in Syria drawing to an end and the US withdrawing from the region has given Australian women who married ISIS soldiers, and their children, a window to escape.

Among them are four women and nine children, all Australian citizens, who left the camp on Friday.

They have all obtained Australian passports and airline tickets to leave Syria, but are likely to face intense security checks that could last several days in Damascus, the Syrian capital.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Monday indicated they could be arrested for the offence of travelling to a conflict zone and thrown in jail if they return.

The Australian government has previously admitted it was legally obligated to issue passports, but warned the cohort would be met with 'the full force of the law' if they were found to have committed a crime.

Wong repeated that warning during her press conference in Adelaide, saying, 'these are Australian citizens and the government is not assisting them to return... If they do, they will face the full force of the law'.

Defence Minister Richard Marles also told ABC Radio National on Monday the government is not involved in the repatriation of the families.

'The fundamental point to make is that the government is not involved in the repatriation of these people,' he said. 'We are not providing any assistance for them to come back to Australia.'

Foreign Minister Penny Wong (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) warned returning ISIS brides would 'face the full force of the law' in Australia

The reunification of Syria has given Australian ISIS brides and their children an opportunity to repatriate (pictured are Australian women in Al-Roj in February)

A previous group of 'Isis brides' who returned under the Morrison government were not arrested and have resettled in Australia.

Marles said Australia's intelligence agencies were closely monitoring the situation and would assess any security risks associated with people returning to the country.

The group of 13 are part of a larger group of 34 Australians, 11 women and 23 children, who previously attempted to leave Al-Roj refugee camp in February but were turned back by local authorities.

One of the women has been subject to a Temporary Exclusion Order, barring her return to Australia for up to two years while investigators consider potential criminal charges.

Al-Hawl and Al-Roj camps, both in north-eastern Syria, housed more than 70,000 prisoners during their peak in 2019 - including the Australian ISIS brides and children.

That region, along with the camps were run by a US-backed Kurdish military, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which helped defeat the Islamic State in 2019.

However, Kurdish control over those camps has been tentative since rebels toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024 and installed a new government under former fighter Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed to re-unify Syria following its lengthy civil war and in January seized the Al-Hawl camp, prompting thousands of prisoners to flee.

A group of 34 Australian women and children tried to leave the Kurdish-controlled Al-Roj (above) in February

January also saw Syrian government fighters target the Kurdish SDF, who agreed to a ceasefire after a few days of violent clashes.

The terms of that ceasefire call for Kurdish military and civil structures to be gradually absorbed by the Syrian government, including Al-Roj camp where the Australians are being held.

The US also handed over its last major base in Syria to Ahmed al-Sharaa's forces earlier this month.

It marked the end of almost a decade of US military in Syria to fight ISIS, and follows an admission by US officials that the SDF had outlived its usefulness.

The handover of Al-Roj from Kurdish to Syrian forces has seen the camp agree to releasing prisoners with travel documents to their home countries.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is convening a meeting of top security officials to determine protocol changes after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

A suspected gunman ran through a US Secret Service (USSS) perimeter at the press gala on Saturday night with multiple firearms while Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other top government officials were inside a ballroom on a different floor.

Though the alleged shooter was quickly subdued and did not enter the large dining hall where Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, were, many of those in attendance have fretted over how an assailant was even able to get into the building, particularly after two prior assassination attempts on the President's life.

Now, Wiles, dubbed Trump's 'Ice Queen,' is asking a group of top security officials to meet and discuss how to better protect the President.

'President Trump has said he personally thinks they did an excellent job neutralizing the shooter and moving the President, First Lady, Vice President and Cabinet to safety,' a senior White House official told the Daily Mail.

'Nevertheless, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is convening a meeting early this week with the White House operations team, USSS, and DHS leadership to discuss protocol and practices for major events involving POTUS.'

'The meeting will discuss the processes and procedures that worked to stop Saturdays attempt, while exploring additional options to ensure all relevant components are doing everything possible to secure the many major events planned for President Trump in the months ahead as he gears up to celebrate America 250.'

Since the pair of assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 campaign, multiple security lapses have roiled the Secret Service, including a group of protesters being within feet of the President at a DC restaurant last year, breaches at Trump's Florida home and, most recently, the press gala.

Susie Wiles is convening a meeting with the Secret Service and other top security officials to discuss the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, a senior White House official told the Daily Mail

The White House chief of staff will convene Trump administration officials, members of the Secret Service and staff from the Department of Homeland Security

Secret Service agents reacted quickly to the breach on Saturday and were able to apprehend the suspect within feet of the outer security perimeter. However, some officials still say the security was too lax

Just hours after the 31-year-old suspected shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended by authorities after breaching the WHCD, Trump held a press conference at the White House, noting the security deficiencies of the event.

'Its not particularly a secure building,' Trump said of the Washington Hilton.

Even people not attending the gala could enter the Hilton through public hotel access points without being routed through the events security screening, an alarming gap that is now being scrutinized.

Top Republicans in attendance also fumed over the lackluster security.

'Its an open hotel ... you could walk in without going through a magnetometer,' Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, who attended the dinner, said in a weekend interview.

'The Secret Service needs to reconsider having both the president and vice president together at something like that ... Had an explosive device gone off, you would have knocked out the president, the vice president and the speaker: the three in the line of succession,' he added.

The list of governmental VIPs at the dinner was expansive; most in the presidential line of succession were present, prompting concerns about a decapitation event akin to the meeting of top Iranian officials that resulted in most of its top officials being taken out by US-Israeli forces.

At least a dozen of the 16-member Cabinet were in attendance in the cavernous Hilton dining room.

Despite the multiple lapses in security over the past years, Secret Service Director Sean Curran is likely to remain in his post, a source told RealClearPolitics.

The suspected shooter Cole Tomas Allen, 31, will appear in court today

Allen had allegedly expressed anti-Trump views in a manifesto

Secret Service agents sprung into action quickly to flank the President after several shots were heard in the banquet hall

'Susie oversees the Secret Service, and its failure after failure after failure, and she gets no blame,' the source said.

'This shouldve been the most secure perimeter in the world. And the fact that the guy made it through the mags underscores the epic failure of the US Secret Service in protecting the president.'

In late February, the Secret Service and local law enforcement shot and killed Austin Martin, 21, after he breached the secure perimeter of Trump's Mar-a-Lago home with a shotgun.

In September 2025, the President was confronted by a group of screaming protesters at Joe's Seafood in Washington.

The Code Pink activists were able to get within feet of Trump, prompting concern over how they knew about the President's impromptu visit to the restaurant.
The alleged White House Correspondents' Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen appeared emotionless in court for the first time as he faces new major federal charges - including the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

The Justice Department accused Allen, 31, of attempting to attack the dinner - and target Trump and administration officials - by running through a Secret Service checkpoint with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.

The suspect allegedly exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents at a checkpoint outside a ballroom hosting President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

The alleged gunman was brought into court for the first time on Monday in a blue prison jumpsuit and was charged with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States. That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Allen appeared emotionless and calm as three charges were read out by prosecutors, keeping his cuffed hands in his lap.

He spoke in a quiet tone when asked to state his full name in front of the court.

Allen is also facing a second charge on transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony.

The third charge is using a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a minimum of 10 years, as well as the possibility of life imprisonment if prosecutors can prove the weapon was discharged.

Allen is being represented by court-appointed attorneys. He said he has no drugs in his system when asked by federal Judge Matthew J Sharpe.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro entered the courtroom five minutes before he entered. She was wearing a light blue shirt and white blazer.

He sat calmly with two attorneys and nodded occasionally when they spoke to him. He was read his rights and said he understood them.

His next hearing will be on Thursday at 11am ET. He has not yet entered a plea.

Federal prosecutors quickly announced hours after the incident on Saturday that Allen would be arraigned on gun charges.

Court sketch of Cole Allen in court on Monday

PICTURE: Cole Allen is pictured after being detained by Secret Service at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday evening

Donald Trump and his top officials were rushed out of the dinner by Secret Service agents after four shots were fired outside the ballroom

Allen smuggled a shotgun into the Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was being held

Though Allen was quickly subdued and did not enter the large dining hall, many of those in attendance have fretted over how a gunman was even able to get into the building, particularly after two prior assassination attempts on the President's life.

The Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge gun, which he was allegedly holding when he rushed through the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, was seen on a carpeted floor.

It was just one of the weapons Allen allegedly brought to the event.

He was also armed with a handgun and knives when he rushed the security checkpoint on the floor above the reception, authorities have said.

After exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, the gunman was tackled to the ground.

Allen was just yards from the dinner where the President, Vice President, First Lady and most of Trump's Cabinet were dining on Saturday evening when he was apprehended.

Allen was reportedly staying at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner was being held.

He avoided the hotel's highly monitored corridors by slipping through an internal stairway that was not as closely surveilled as the hallways and elevators.

After running down around 10 stories in the stairwell, the gunman emerged on a lower level close to the initial screening area where magnetometers and Secret Service were stationed.

Concerns have swirled over how Allen was able to bring the shotgun, a handgun and knives with him into the hotel without detection.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro entered the courtroom five minutes before he entered

He was apprehended on a floor above the reception, though had he been able to continue down just one additional flight of stairs, he could've breached the dining hall where Trump and his top officials were dining.

After being evacuated to the White House following the gunfire, Trump noted that the hotel was not a particularly secure venue.

According to a manifesto he sent to family members moments before his planned attack, Allen was attempting to take out the President and members of his inner circle.

According to the New York Post, Allen's manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.'

An agent who was shot in his bulletproof vest was released from the hospital and is in 'good spirits,' according to the President.
Former Labour minister Ed Balls, who is married to Labour's Yvette Cooper, fumed today as he was branded a 'Labour politician' by Green Party leader Zack Polanski.

The ex-Cabinet minister, now a presenter of ITV's Good Morning Britain, bristled at Mr Polanski's jibes during a fiery clash ahead of local elections on 7 May.

The angry exchanges came as Balls tried to quiz Mr Polanski about Green policies - including the party's wish for a 'world without borders' - prior to those contests.

In a biting response, Mr Polanski questioned why Balls - who served in both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's governments and whose wife is the Foreign Secretary - was permitted to interview opposition party leaders.

Balls shot back at the Green leader and insisted he has 'not been a Labour politician for 10 years', since losing his House of Commons seat at the 2015 general election.

He also accused Mr Polanski of using an 'elaborate device of making accusations against me to avoid answering the questions'.

Later on, during the increasingly bad-tempered interview, Mr Polanski accused Balls of 'shock jock tactics', adding: 'You're really struggling here.'

He also jibed that Balls, who was Labour's shadow chancellor between 2010 and 2015, was now 'someone pretending to be a journalist'.

Former Labour minister Ed Balls, who is married to Labour's Yvette Cooper, fumed as he was branded a 'Labour politician' by Green Party leader Zack Polanski

The angry exchanges came as Balls tried to quiz Mr Polanski about Green policies - including the party's wish for a 'world without borders' - prior to next month's local elections

There has previously been intense scrutiny of Balls' role as a presenter on ITV's flagship breakfast show, due to his political links.

The channel previously defended its decision to allow Balls to interview Ms Cooper, his wife of 28 years, on Good Morning Britain shortly after Labour won power in 2024.

But ITV said it would not allow the situation to occur again after more than 16,000 complaints were lodged with regulator Ofcom.

On Monday morning, with less than two weeks until Welsh Senedd elections and council contests across England, Mr Polanski was grilled about his party's stance on a number of issues - including border controls, drug legalisation, and fuel prices.

Balls told Mr Polanski he was 'the first person who's ever wanted to be prime minister in Britain who thought you could have a country who didn't police our borders'.

The Greens' policy principles state the party 'wants to see a world without borders', but with a 'fair and humane system of managed immigration' before then.

Mr Polanski denied an open borders plan was in the Greens' current manifesto, replying: 'Do you know what I'm enjoying? The fact that a Labour politician who is married to a senior Labour minister is allowed to ask questions of the leader of the Green Party. This is not our manifesto.'

Balls immediately picked up on Mr Polanski 'accusing me of being a Labour politician', as he challenged the Green leader to repeat the claim.

'It's not even an accusation. We are planning to replace the Labour Party and take the fight to Reform,' Mr Polanski said.

But Balls responded: 'Unfortunately, Mr Polanski, I lost my seat in 2015 and I've not been a Labour politician for 10 years.'

He added: 'You seem to be using a rather kind of elaborate device of making accusations against me to avoid answering the questions.'

Mr Polanski himself appeared to grow irritated when he was later quizzed about his past claim he could enlarge women's breasts via hypnosis.

'You want to just do shock jock tactics and, by the way, this is why people hate the media,' he told Balls and co-presenter Susanna Reid.

But Balls hit back: 'You accused me of being a Labour Cabinet minister 16 years, and then when I ask you about something you said 10 years ago you said it's illegitimate...'

Mr Polanski replied: 'Two of those things are not the same.

'Someone pretending to be a journalist who's interrogating the leader of a political party (while) having a very strong association with a Labour Government who are currently in power, is very different to asking me about a story when I wasn't a politician from 13 years ago that I've apologised for repeatedly.'
A Wisconsin father is now facing a slew of child neglect charges after he allegedly left his three children to perish in a house fire last November.

Joshua Kannin, 39, was charged with child neglect on April 21 for allegedly leaving his young children in his burning Kenosha home on Thanksgiving while he dashed outside because he 'panicked.'

Rylee, 10; Connor, nine; and Alena, seven, all died in the blaze, which 'fully engulfed' his home, according to a criminal complaint obtained by NY Post.

Kenosha police responded to 911 calls on November 27, 2025, where a distressed Kannin - only wearing his underwear - was begging for help, according to the complaint.

First responders found the two brothers on the first floor and the young daughter on the second floor.

The two boys died at the scene, while Alena was taken to the hospital with severe burns covering a staggering 80 percent of her body. The seven-year-old later died.

Kannin was also hospitalized following the blaze. The 39-year-old reportedly admitted to smoking a cigarette before bed, according to the outlet.

He jolted awake in the middle of the night, unsure if it was because his 'cat making noise' or the smoke, the complaint stated.

Joshua Kannin, 39, is accused of leaving his young children in the fiery home

Rylee, 10; Connor, 9; and Alena, 7, all died in the blaze at the Kenosha, Wisconsin home

The two boys died at the scene, while Alena was taken to the hospital with severe burns covering a staggering 80 percent of her body, she later died

The father went into the kitchen, where he saw a 'little fire' before he 'panicked and walked out the front door.'

'At that moment, he thought to himself, "I have to get help,"' according to police.

The father also told authorities he tried to go back inside the burning home, but the smoke plumes were too thick and he 'couldnt see.'

'I barely got two steps in and I had to turn back around,' Kannin told police. 'When I opened the door, I made it worse.'

Firefighters discovered there were no smoke detectors in the 39-year-old's home, following an investigation.

Kannin allegedly told authorities his smoke detector would frequently 'malfunction' and randomly 'make sounds,' so he took it down.

The father also had boards plastered over the windows to 'prevent burglaries,' WITI reported.

Investigators found that a stovetop burner was left on, court filings obtained by the outlet said. The filings stated that the kitchen seemed to be where the fire broke out.

Investigators also found evidence that two of the children possibly went into the kitchen to make their own food before the blaze started.

Firefighters discovered there were no smoke detectors in the 39-year-old's home

The father also had boards plastered over the windows to 'prevent burglaries'

The children are seen in a photo together during happier times

The kids' devastated mother, Jourdan Feasby, spoke out to CBS58, calling her ex's apartment 'disgusting,' describing it as 'fend for yourself in a sense.'

'I was on him about not having the smoke detectors, I let his mother know who cleaned his house once a week that there were no smoke detectors, I let the landlord know there were no smoke detectors,' Feasby told the outlet.

Stricken with grief, she says shes 'just a shell' and that she died with her children that day.

'Its just been pure hell for myself and my family. Im literally living my worst nightmare,' Feasby said to the outlet.

Stricken with grief, Jourdan Feasby says shes 'just a shell' ever since her children died

Feasby said she is living her 'worst nightmare' following the death of her children

The fire was ruled an 'accidental common household fire,' with investigators saying there was no evidence the father intentionally set the fire.

Feasby told the outlet she is 'bittersweet' about the charges placed on her ex, adding that she will push for justice and that there needs to be 'serious repercussions.'
President Trump gave his stamp of approval to a conservative influencer's joke about re-naming US Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) just to upset members of the media.

The idea came from Alyssa Marie, who suggested changing ICE to National Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The acronym would spell out 'NICE,' and the commander-in-chief is all for it.

'I want Trump to change ICE to NICE (National Immigration and Customs Enforcement) so the media has to say NICE agents all day everyday,' Marie posted on X back in March.

On Sunday night, Trump enthusiastically approved the rebrand on Truth Social.

'GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT,' he wrote.

The suggestion received an overwhelming amount of social media support, with many users calling it 'hilarious,' and pushing for the name change.

'Trump should sign that executive order just to watch their heads spin on live TV,' one user wrote on X.

President Trump endorsed the idea of changing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to National Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which would spell out 'NICE'

His endorsement comes shortly after alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen opened fire Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner

'Honestly this is just brilliant while top tier trolling,' another person wrote.

The administration has been cracking down on border enforcement in an attempt to reduce the number of undocumented individuals entering the US.

Many Democrats have criticized Trump, pushing back against the president and calling for the abolition of ICE.

Progressive Democratic Rep Pramila Jayapal of Washington slammed ICE in an X post earlier this month.

'ICE is not keeping us safe. It's terrorizing our communities, detaining US citizens, and letting people die in custody. Abolish ICE,' Jayapal wrote.

New York City's democratic-socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani has also criticized ICE, calling for the agency to be abolished and claiming it has 'terrorized' US citizens.

But the president hasn't waivered, just last month he defied Mamdani by sending around 500 ICE agents to LaGuardia and John F Kennedy airports.

The president endorsed the ICE name change idea shortly after alleged gunman Cole Tomas Allen opened fire Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, DC.

The New York Mets are in the midst of a historic losing streak and superstitious fans have officially identified a culprit: New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani

Progressive Democratic Rep Pramila Jayapal of Washington slammed ICE in an X post earlier this month

Cole Tomas Allen opened fire Saturday night at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner

Allen is seen after he was tackled to the ground and handcuffed by authorities

House Speaker Mike Johnson being rushed out of the venue by secret service members

Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the commander-in-chief, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

His eerie manifesto showed that he is not a fan of Trump or his policies.

In the manifesto, which he sent to his family just 10 minutes before he opened fire, Allen referred to himself as the 'Friendly Federal Assassin.'

According to the New York Post, Allen's manifesto read: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes,' it read in part.

The alleged gunman was also charged on Monday with transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick is facing a potential police probe over claims he received donations worth tens of thousands of pounds that broke UK elections law.

The Electoral Commission has sent information to the Metropolitan Police about the former Tory minister and donations he received when he ran to be leader of that party.

The elections watchdog is reported by the Guardian to have been examining almost 40,000 in donations received by Mr Jenrick from a UK company called The Spott Fitness, amid claims the ultimate source was US businessman Gary Klopfenstein.

In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: 'On Tuesday, 6 January we received a referral from the Electoral Commission concerning donations connected to a leadership campaign. This referral is under review and until it has been completed, we're not in a position to comment further.'

MPs are barred from receiving donations from foreign firms or individuals.

The team of Mr Jenrick, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform earlier this year, and is now their Treasury spokesman, told the Guardian he had complied with electoral law.

His spokesman accused the Conservatives of spreading 'an untrue, politically motivated smear' about donations it had also checked were admissible at the time in the second half of 2024.

Mr Jenrick's former party said today it had referred him to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

The Electoral Commission has sent information to the Metropolitan Police about Robert Jenrick (front and centre), Reform's Treasury spokesman

The elections watchdog is reported to have been examining almost 40,000 in donations received by Mr Jenrick when he was a Conservative and ran unsuccessfully to be leader (pictured)

Phillip Ullman, a UK businessman whose family owns Spott Fitness, has previously said he was the source of the donations.

The Guardian reported that he told the Electoral Commission 37,5000 came from Mr Klopfenstein, which whom he is in a legal dispute, via Innovyz USA

A spokesman for Mr Ullman told the paper: 'Mr Ullmann voluntarily disclosed additional information to the Electoral Commission 

'He has continued to engage proactively with their subsequent investigation ever since. He has fully responded to all the questions they have asked of him to date and stands ready to support the authorities in any way he can.'

An Electoral Commission spokeswoman said: 'We have been investigating donations connected to a 2024 leadership campaign.

'Evidence of potential offences outside our remit was referred to the Metropolitan Police Service on January 6 2026. Our investigation is paused pending their assessment.'
SCRANTON, Pa., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CHOP Out Hunger(CHOP), a nonprofit dedicated to ending child hunger across Pennsylvania, has announced the naming of its Scranton warehouse "CHOP'ID" in recognition of its partnership with ID Logistics.

The naming honors the collaboration between the two organizations, with a plaque displayed at the site reading: "A partnership between CHOP Out Hunger and ID Logistics." The warehouse serves as a central hub for the organization's efforts to distribute food to children and families facing food insecurity through backpack programs, school pantries, pop-up pantries, and summer feeding initiatives.

CHOP manages and operates the warehouse through a dedicated staff and volunteer network, while ID Logistics provides transportation services at no cost, delivering donated food to CHOP branches.

The partnership began in 2025 and has continued to expand, with ID Logistics leveraging its existing transportation network to move food efficiently from donation points to distribution centers. Beginning in 2026, the program is expected to support 24 annual loads of donated food, representing approximately $20,000 in transportation value contributed each year.

ID Logistics' transportation services are powered by a nationwide network offering dedicated capacity, real-time visibility, and high service reliability, enabling the company to integrate community support initiatives seamlessly into its operations without disruption.

"One of our corporate values is 'Community,' and this partnership is incredibly meaningful to our team because it allows us to live that value out, truly, by doing what we do every day to make a real impact in our communities," said Larry Catanzaro, Vice President of Transportation, ID Logistics US. "By leveraging our network and capacity, we're able to help ensure that food reaches children who need it most. It's an honor to support CHOP and be part of a mission that delivers such a direct and lasting difference."

"We're truly grateful for our partnership with ID Logistics, which has made it possible for us to source the food we need to feed thousands of children across Pennsylvania, said Dani Ruhf, Founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. "Quite honestly, I'm not sure how we would navigate these increasingly difficult times, especially as costs rise and the need continues to grow, without their support. We're incredibly thankful for ID Logistics, and naming 'CHOP'ID' is one small way to recognize the impact they're making every single day."

The naming of the CHOP'ID warehouse reflects a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity through collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. By combining CHOP's grassroots distribution model with ID Logistics' transportation expertise, the partnership demonstrates how logistics capabilities can be applied to create meaningful social impact.

As the program continues to grow, both organizations remain focused on expanding their reach and ensuring that more children across Pennsylvania have consistent access to nutritious food.

About ID Logistics

ID Logistics, headed by Eric HEMAR, is an international contract logistics Group with revenues of 3.7 billion in 2025. ID Logistics manages nearly 450 sites in 19 countries representing 10 million m operated in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, with 55,000 employees. With a customer portfolio balanced between distribution, e-commerce, consumer goods, cosmetics and fashion, ID Logistics is characterized by offers involving a high level of technology. Since its creation in 2001, the Group has developed a social and environmental approach through a number of original projects, and is now firmly committed to an ambitious CSR policy. ID Logistics shares are listed on the Euronext regulated market in Paris and are included in the SBF 120 index (ISIN code: FR0010929125, Mnemo: IDL).

About CHOP Out Hunger

CHOP Out Hunger is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger by providing consistent, reliable access to food for children and families in need. Through innovative, school-centered programs, including the Weekend Backpack Program, In-School Pantries, and Pop-Up Pantries. CHOP Out Hunger currently serves thousands of children each week across Pennsylvania.

CHOP Out Hunger works in partnership with schools, community organizations, and corporate partners to remove barriers to food access by meeting children where they are, and ensuring they have the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive. The organization relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, and advocates to sustain and expand its impact, distributing millions of pounds of food annually. CHOP Out Hunger believes that no child should have to face hunger. By mobilizing communities and leveraging strategic partnerships, the organization is building a stronger, healthier future.

SOURCE ID Logistics Warehousing, LLC
The world record for the longest tiramisu has been smashed by chefs in London.

At 1,445ft, the gargantuan offering needed 50,000 ladyfinger biscuits for the base and more than 3,000 eggs to make the light fluffy filling.

One hundred Italian cooks gathered at Cheslea Town Hall over the weekend to whip up one of their country's best known desserts and dedicate it to the royals.

Mirko Ricci, the organiser, was delighted when his staff came in nearly 500ft longer than the previous record holders Milanese Galbani who are based in Milan.

Mr Ricci said the pudding is 'the most incredible dessert that Italy has exported' and explained the chefs wanted to make it here in Britain to thank the royals.

In a nod to King Charles the team signed the treat off with: 'Grazie Your Majesty'.

Because of strict rules when applying for Guinness world record rules the tiramisu was made on site and had to be at least 3.15in high and 5.9in wide to qualify.

When asked what is needed to have a great tiramisu, one of the chefs Carmelo Carnevale explained: 'A very good coffee, a nice and firm cream, and also a lot of passion.'

The record breaking tiramisu with the message to the royals from chefs at Chelsea Town Hall

For the perfect dessert the Italian chefs laboured over the weekend cracking over 3,000 eggs

More than 100 chefs were called in to help make the Italian favourite which then went on sale

The tiramisu is longer than many famous landmarks in the capital are high including the Shard

The tiramisu not only towers over its nearest culinary competition, it also dwarfs buildings.

At just over 1,000ft high the Shard in London is one of the capital's most known structures but along with Nelson's Column it is swamped by this pudding.

Assembled in coils wrapping around each other the tiramisu is the equivalent of 130 London buses.

In 2019, Milanese Galbani was the world recorder with a 897ft dessert, but before that in 2017 Mr Ricci held the previous title.

After posing for photographs with their work of art the chefs allowed the eager public to tuck in for 11.50 a slice or if they wanted a tray prices started at 45.

Meaning 'pick me up' or 'cheer me up' tiramisu's origins are contested.

Some say it was an energy reviver for the clients of prostitutes in the 1950s, while others claim it was first made for the Grand Duke of Tuscany in the 17th century.

While others say it was made by Alba di Pillo in 1969 the wife of Ado Campeol the owner of restaurant Le Beccherie in Treviso in the north east of Italy.

Whatever the truth, the ingredients are coffee, mascarpone cheese, savoiardi ladyfingers, and cocoa powder.

Though some might add wine or coffee liqueur as well.
A notorious hacker who held companies hostage for millions while mocking the FBI's efforts to catch him has been unmasked as a teenager, who frequently posted his high-flying escapades flashing cash and staying in luxury hotels, according to prosecutors.

Peter Stokes, 19, was arrested on April 10 in Finland boarding a plane to Tokyo, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Chicago Tribune.

Stokes, who is also known by his online moniker Bouquet, has been a prolific member of Scattered Spider, a notorious international cybercriminal group since he was 16, the filing noted.

The teenager was charged with wire fraud, conspiracy, and computer intrusion after participating in at least four online heists.

According to the complaint, Stokes, 'exhibited substantial wealth for a person his age.'

The teen allegedly flaunted his lifestyle of staying in luxury hotels while traveling the world, as well as posing with stacks of 100 bills, commonly known as a money spread.

The filing noted that Stokes posted his travels to countries such as Mexico, Dubai, Thailand, and the continent of Europe. The filing also noted that Stokes is a dual citizen of the United States and Estonia.

Officials alleged that the teen taunted the FBI for not being able to catch him as he posted photos of himself in a gaudy diamond chain that read 'HACK THE PLANET.'

Peter Stokes, 19, was arrested on April 10 in Finland, boarding a plane to Tokyo after he was accused of wire fraud, conspiracy, and computer intrusion after participating in at least four online heists, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Chicago Tribune

Stokes allegedly flaunted his criminal behavior online posted photos of himself in a gaudy diamond chain that read 'HACK THE PLANET' and uploading a photo a meme of himself and his fellow hackers as members of the classic series Sopranos

Stokes allegedly labeled himself, Carmine Lupertazzi Sr. (Pictured), the boss of a fictional New York crime family

The complaint claimed that Stokes had a screenshot on his computer in 2024 of a failed password login screen that read 'F*** off, FBI.'

He was also accused of posting a meme of himself and his fellow hackers as members of a fictional crime family from the classic series Sopranos.

Stokes allegedly labeled himself, Carmine Lupertazzi Sr., the boss of a fictional New York crime family.

In March of 2023, the suspect allegedly participated in infiltrating an online-communication platform identified only as 'Company H,' according to the complaint.

Investigators discovered that encrypted messages between the Stokes and a co-conspirator depicted language such as 'bro' and 'lmfao'.

According to the filing, the teenager messaged the collaborator: 'u have 30 mins before i kick u off btw. [sic]'

'i gtg to school.'

Additionally, the filing cited by the outlet noted that Stokes cost an organization identified as 'Company F' $2million.

Stokes allegedly participated in four cybercrimes starting when he was only 16 years old, according to the filing

Stokes, who is also known by his online moniker Bouquet, has been a prolific member of Scattered Spider, a notorious international cybercriminal group primarily composed of teenagers and young adults

The teenager and his co-conspirators allegedly gained access to a multibillion-dollar 'luxury item retailer' by fooling the organization's technology help desk into believing they were employees, according to the complaint.

After gaining access, Stokes allegedly sent a ransom note to the company.

The note sent by email had the subject 'IMPORTANT: WE STOLE THE DATA, CONTACT UMMEDIATELY [sic],' according to the filing.

'In the email, the threat actors claimed they had stolen 100 gigabytes of data, including  credit card and related payment information, and threatened to publish the data unless Company F contacted them at a specified email address for negotiations,' the message allegedly read.

The hackers were accused of demanding $8million from Company F, which the organization did not pay.

However, the filing noted that the incident forced the company to spend $ 2 million to manage the situation.

According to the Tribune, Scattered Spider is primarily composed of teenagers and young adults, having been established in 2022 in the US and England.
A Wisconsin brewing company that promised patrons free beer if President Donald Trump should die has expressed disappointment after he was not fatally shot at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The Minocqua Brewing Company caused a stir yet again after taking to Facebook on Saturday evening, less than an hour after gunfire broke out at the Washington Hilton, stating: 'Well, we almost got #freebeerday.'

'Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle. Well never know.'

'Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens,' the brewery wrote.

The business, known for its disdain for Trump and the Republican Party, was in the hot seat in January after appearing to offer free booze to customers if the commander-in-chief died.

'Show us this post when it happens in a few months and well make good on that promise,' the company, which is owned by Kirk Bangstad, wrote at the time.

Although the company did not directly name the subject of that comment, many went on to speculate that the openly anti-Trump establishment was referring to the 79-year-old president.

The brewery's most recent post quickly raked in 7,400 comments and hundreds of shares, with people hitting back at the company for its 'unacceptable viewpoint.'

The Minocqua Brewing Company posted on Saturday evening that they 'almost got #freebeerday', referring to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump

Trump is seen at the White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday as shots rang out

'You can hate a guy, but this is ridiculous and [an] unacceptable viewpoint,' a commenter wrote.

'Disgusting. This has to stop. God bless America and God bless the President,' another person shared.

Someone else said they visited the brewery several times before, but will no longer be coming back because of its comments.

'We'll no longer spend money at your place. You've gone too far and [have] become part of the problem,' they said.

Another chimed in: 'Kind of pathetic, your life revolves around someone dying.'

Several users went on to tag the FBI, telling the agency to 'investigate' the company.

Meanwhile, a slew of people supported the brewery's stance.

'These peeps need to start practicing!!!!,' one said, referring to the suspect who did not shoot Trump that night.

Kirk Bangstad, the owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company, hit back at people who blasted his business for their comments on the president

The company also sells Trump voodoo dolls, including some wearing a striped fabric that is supposed to be reminiscent of a prison uniform

Others stood by the company's claim that the shooting itself was allegedly staged.

'We all know this crap is staged. Like the ear. His base eats it up,' one commented.

'Definitely staged again,' wrote someone else.

Another commented: 'Probably another fake attempt.'

The brewery also went on to post emails they got from news organizations seeking comment on their recent post.

In a public response to Fox News, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Newsweek, Bangstad shrugged off the post and invited the reporters to join in the 'free beer' promotion.

'It's wonderful that Fox News, the entity that's most responsible for political violence in this country, is offering to help promote our upcoming 'free beer day,' in which we promise to hand out 'free beer, all day, when he dies,' Bandstad wrote to the outlet.

'Every time you write a story about us, our beer sales go through the roof,' he added.

In a January 26 post, Minocqua Brewing Company said their harsh anti-Trump stance has 'made it harder to sell beer.'

The latest post comes just three months after the brewery appeared to offer free booze to customers if the commander-in-chief dies

'We've been boycotted by distributors in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois - so we rely on a ragtag crew of supporters to help us self-distribute in those three states,' the company said.

However, in a post shared by the company the following day, the company said their sales have spiked since news outlets started covering the story.

The company also sells Trump voodoo dolls, including some wearing a striped fabric that is supposed to be reminiscent of a prison uniform.

It also sells an 'eff ICE' hoodie. The profits go toward the funding of their podcast and Substack.

Bangstad's 'Up North Podcast' shares weekly political commentary, which almost always bashes the Trump administration.

Its most recent episode, shared to Facebook on April 22, saw Bangstad and two guests talking about 'war profiteering going on in the Iran war,' and discussing what happens when 'Trump doesn't allow FEMA to help when we have emergencies.'

He also spoke about 'never getting enough people in the Democratic party to pass big things.'

When contacted by the Daily Mail for comment on the brewery's comments, White House spokesperson Alison Schuster said Bangstad should be 'mortified of his words.'

'Vile political rhetoric like this is extremely dangerous and life-threatening,' Shuster said.

'Its unhinged commentary like Minocqua Brewing Company's that inspires political violence, and he should be especially mortified of his words given this weekends egregious attempt against the President and others in his administration.'

The Daily Mail contacted the Minocqua Brewing Company and Bangstad for comment.
Senator John Fetterman unleashed a stunning rebuke of his own party Monday, telling the Daily Mail exclusively that Democrats need to 'drop the TDS' and back President Trump's proposed White House ballroom.

His reprimand comes after Saturday's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which Fetterman attended.

'The leader of the Democratic party is TDS,' the Pennsylvania Democrat said of so-called 'Trump Derangement Syndrome', arguing, 'our nation needs and deserves this [ballroom]'

Trump Derangement Syndrome is a term coined by Trump supporters to describe what they see as an irrational and obsessive opposition to President Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the sentiment, praising Fetterman and calling for unity in the wake of the attack during a media segment early on Monday.

'After witnessing last night, drop the TDS and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these,' Fetterman advocated.

The White House Correspondents Dinner is an annual Washington, DC event put on by the White House Correspondents Association, not by the White House itself.

The dinner has grown to over 2,600 attendees in the over 100 years since the first event in 1921. Moving the dinner to a venue other than the Hilton would have to be approved by the Association, and is not a decision made solely by the White House.

US Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, walks following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, DC, US, April 25, 2026

The demolition of the East Wing of the White House during construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom is seen from the reopened Washington Monument, following the longest shutdown of the government in Washington, DC, US, November 15, 2025

A projection of what the White House Ballroom could look like after completion

President Trump told NBC in a 2025 interview that the new ballroom currently under construction would have a capacity for approximately 900 guests.

A document from the National Capital Planning Commission presented in March of this year notes that the approximately 22,000 square-foot ballroom 'is designed to accommodate approximately a thousand seated guests at a formal dinner.'

Speaking with the Daily Mail on Monday, Fetterman added that 'we just need to put our respective biases away, and for me this, this is before the countrys interest not even the party's interest,' he said of the ballroom.

'Trump wont even be President to use the facility,' he noted, referencing current projected construction timelines, before adding that 'its about the facility that will be used for countless presidents after that.'

President Donald Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project was temporarily halted at the start of April by a federal judge.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation sued the Trump administration following the destruction last autumn of the White House's East Wing, arguing that Trump required Congressional approval before making such sweeping changes to the building.

Fetterman also noted that he has voted multiple times to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Secret Service.

The House has passed a comprehensive DHS funding package, but the Senate has repeatedly failed to follow suit despite Republican efforts - the bill requires a 60-vote threshold to pass. Fetterman also joined New Mexico's Martin Heinrich in crossing party lines to back the nomination of DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, confirmed 54-45 in March.

On the wider security failings laid bare on Saturday night, Fetterman told the Daily Mail: 'Imagine if it was Iran, imagine if this was some organization with some resources,' rather than the seemingly lone gunman who struck that evening.

Shattered glass lies on a staircase near the ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel, where a shooting incident occurred at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in Washington, DC, US, April 26, 2026

President Donald Trump takes questions from media at a press briefing at the White House, following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, in Washington, DC, US, April 25, 2026

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, a teacher from Torrance, California, was caught on camera attempting to bolt past a security checkpoint armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before being tackled and arrested. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. Nobody else was hurt.

The White House Correspondents' Dinner - the annual black-tie gala uniting politicians and journalists - had barely begun when shots rang out and the Secret Service sprang into action.

Trump later released surveillance footage showing Allen, dressed in black, sprinting through the hotel gun in hand before being rushed by armed guards.

Journalists inside the room photographed top administration officials being hurried to safety.

Video showed Vice President JD Vance being frantically escorted off stage, while Trump and Melania ducked for cover before agents pulled the President away. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his wife Cheryl Hines were pictured running in a crouch, with Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and his wife Katie Miller close behind. Speaker Johnson was also briskly escorted out.

Within an hour, Trump addressed reporters at a West Wing briefing. 'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' he said.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is thought to have been targeting members of the Trump administration when he charged into the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night. He is pictured after he was tackled to the ground and arrested

Harrowing surveillance footage captured the moment gun-wielding shooter Cole Tomas Allen stormed past security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

An agent is seen drawing his gun and shouting after gunshots were heard at the dinner

'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down.' He added that Melania had immediately recognised it as a 'bad noise' and that it had been 'a rather traumatic experience for her.' 'Melania was very cognizant,' he said - and shared her fear for his safety given the multiple assassination attempts he has survived.

Federal prosecutors charged Allen with three federal crimes on Monday, including the attempted assassination of the President.

He faces up to 20 years on the assault charge; the firearm counts carry a mandatory minimum of ten years and could extend to life imprisonment, depending on whether the weapon was discharged and the severity of the underlying offence.
Royal Mail has launched an investigation after a postal worker appeared to boast that they had binned Reform UK leaflets ahead of the local elections.

A post on a Facebook group for staff said: My DO had reform partys D2D today. I dumped them all in a bin.

DO stands for delivery office and D2D for door to door - or unaddressed advertising mail.

They can sack me, the user added, signing off, Idgaf! [I dont give a f***]

Reform UK, like other parties, has been distributing campaign leaflets in the lead-up to the elections on May 7.

The message was shared to a 30,000-member Facebook group called Royal Mail Chat, which is open to employees, partners and members of the Communication Workers Union.

A postal worker appeared to boast in a Facebook group for Royal Mail staff that they had binned Reform UK leaflets ahead of the local elections

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the alleged incident 'very disturbing'

Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of the postal service, received a letter from lawyers acting on behalf of Reform UK about a suspected serious incident of apparent deliberate misconduct.

They said: Such conduct constitutes a wilful breach of Royal Mails statutory and contractual obligations to deliver mail and literature impartially and efficiently.

It also undermines the democratic process and Reform UKs lawful right to engage in political campaigning.

The lawyers branded the incident 'a serious affront to basic democratic principles, to the hundreds of thousands of voters who are entitled to receive information from all parties on an equal basis.

Writing on X, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: If this is found to be true, it would be very disturbing, albeit this is not the first time that I have encountered this.

In 2024, ahead of the general election, Royal Mail was embroiled in another scandal concerning the party, when a postman was filmed writing racists on a leaflet.

Addressing the most recent incident on Facebook, Reform UK demanded an immediate and thorough internal investigation and a full written explanation.

It also requested details of any compensation measures Royal Mail 'proposes to offer for the loss and disruption caused.

A spokesman for the postal service said it plays a crucial role in elections.

They added: We take our responsibility very seriously and do not tolerate the deliberate nondelivery of mail.

We are investigating this allegation and remain committed to impartial delivery for all candidates.
Fly tippers who tapped with CCTV cameras and covered their registration plates have been jailed after their bid to dodge justice failed.

Footage shows the men breaking into the fenced private land and offloading trucks loaded with an array of rubbish.

In one clip, a person can be seen reversing their black and white vehicle into trees, before they let car tyres cascade into the woodland.

They then get out of the truck to check on their offending work, before they drive away.

Another perpetrator dumps what seems to be different shapes of wood, mixed in with black plastic bags, into an already present tip.

Patrick Doherty was jailed for 28 months and Martin Ward was jailed for 18 months, following an investigation by the Environment Agency.

Meanwhile, Michael Ward, also known as Martin McCann, and Simon O'Donnell were both handed sentences of 14-month suspended for two years.

The four men were found guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of conspiracy to illegally dump controlled waste, after their offending streak spanned across more than a year in 2022.

Four men have been sentenced after breaking into and illegally dumping tons of waste from tipper trucks in six sites across London, following an investigation by the Environment Agency

In one clip, a person can be seen reversing their black and white vehicle into trees, before they let car tyres cascade into the woodland

The fly-tipping operation involved the repeated scrapping of waste across numerous sites, including tyres and collateral waste from home clearances and construction.

While landowners were threatened if they defended their sites from being inflicted with the tons of rubbish.

As part of its investigation, the agency gathered CCTV footage of the men invading sites and driving tipper trucks.

It also uncovers them tapping with CCTV cameras and repeatedly hiding their own faces, while they attempted to cover their registration plates in efforts to conceal their identity.

The Environment Agency said the landowner of one site, located at Imperial Way in Croydon, was slapped with a 300,000 bill after their security cameras were smashed.

One of their staff members was also threatened and refused entry.

At Station Road in Colliers Wood, the group gave a site worker an ultimatum of either paying 5,000 or their unit would be filled with waste.

Threats ignored, rubbish was then piled five feet high by the men, costing 15,000 to clear, the watchdog said.

Another perpetrator dumps what seems to be different shapes of wood, mixed in with black plastic bags, into an already present tip

The men were found guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of conspiracy to illegally dump controlled waste, after their offending streak spanned across more than a year

Despite the groups clear efforts to remain incognito, investigators were able to identify the men after nearby cameras, council CCTV and police-body worn footage captured their work - and created a trail of evidence.

A series of vast illegal dumps have gained national attention in recent months, prompting calls for tougher punishments against waste criminals.

They include a 500ft-long, 12ft-high waste 'mountain' abandoned in a field near Kidlington in Oxfordshire, and a two-acre illegal rubbish site at the back of Over Farm in Gloucestershire.

Criminals can make large profits by charging to collect waste before illegally dumping it on public land without paying landfill tax, which now stands at 126.15 per tonne.

There were more than 1.2 million incidents of fly-tipping in England between 2024 and 2025, many involving vans and cars.

This fly-tipping spike sparked a proposed move to give ministers court powers to punish criminals convicted of illegal dumping by adding penalty points to their driving licence, the Daily Mail revealed last month.

Ministers hope offenders will be deterred by the threat of having their vehicles seized, and that serial fly-tippers will find it harder to operate without a vehicle.

A proposal to hand fly-tippers three penalty points on their licence was included in a Conservative amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill.

Two fly-tippers were caught dumping rubbish from two white vans on a country lane near Meriden in the West Midlands in 2024

But the Mail understands Labour's plan could see drivers face an even larger points penalty.

Officials also raised concern that a fifth of rubbish is illegally managed, with the growing sophistication of the gangs behind it.

In response, the Government unveiled a 'zero-tolerance' new action plan to tackle the problem costing a staggering 1billion.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 'The actions of these shameless waste criminals are unacceptable and have rightly been punished.

'My message is simple  break the law by dumping waste and we will come after you.

'This Government is stepping up action, through our waste crime action plan, with new powers and more funding for the authorities and tougher punishments for criminals.'

Matt Higginson, environment manager for the Environment Agency, said: 'This verdict is justice for residents who have had to endure misery and environmental damage at the hand of this gang.

'We are laser-focused on tackling illegal waste crime and are stepping up action with better intelligence, faster interventions and naming and shaming rogue operators.

'I would urge anyone who suspects illegal waste activity to report it anonymously so we can tackle these crimes head on.'

Under the new plans, the Environment Agency plan to increase enforcement and intervene earlier, backed by an additional 45million in allocated funding by the Government over the next three years.

The agency plans to make greater use of powers that can shut down an illegal waste operation immediately, with up to 51 weeks in prison for an operator who ignores the restriction.

It said it will also suspend or revoke permits for rubbish handling where there is evidence of criminal activity, and create a new 'intelligence unit' to hunt down criminals using tools ranging from aerial surveillance to financial data.

The Government is also looking to give the agency 'police-style' powers so that officers could search premises, seize assets and arrest people suspected of waste crime without a warrant.
Just a fraction of the fall in wholesale diesel prices has been passed on at the pumps, analysis shows.

While the cost to forecourts of buying the fuel fell nearly 20p a litre in recent weeks, average pump prices have fallen by barely 2p.

The AA study sparked accusations that some retailers are not playing fair with drivers and could be using the Iran war, which sent pump prices spiralling, as cover to rip-off motorists.

Critics call this rocket and feather pricing, where leaps in the wholesale price are passed on almost immediately but falls take much longer.

It came as Chancellor Rachel Reeves faced fresh calls to ditch her fuel tax raid to help hard-pressed drivers as she rakes in hundreds of millions of pounds extra in VAT thanks to higher pump prices.

The AA analysis found that since 4 April, just before a US-Iran ceasefire was announced, wholesale diesel prices have plummeted from 156p a litre to 138p on Friday.

However, average diesel pump prices have only fallen 2.31p a litre since hitting their peak on 15 April.

While wholesale petrol prices have fallen about 4p a litre in recent weeks, average pump prices have dropped barely 1p since the 15 April peak.

The AAs fuel guru Luke Bosdet said: Diesel is the road fuel that powers haulage, deliveries, business and much of the rural community.

The need to bring down diesel pump prices as soon as possible is essential.

The Iran war started on 28 February and has since cost drivers more than an extra 1.5billion in higher pump prices, according to separate analysis by the RAC Foundation.

It has increased pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap her 5p a litre fuel duty hike, which will kick in from this September and add another 3 to the average cost of a fill-up.

The conflict has already sent the cost of filling the average 55-litre tank in a family car surging by around 14 for petrol and nearly 30 for diesel.

While other countries have cut fuel taxes to help out their drivers, Labour has insisted it will press ahead with its fuel tax raid.

The Tories and Reform UK have urged Ms Reeves to ditch the hike as pump prices are expected to remain high for several more months as the Strait of Hormuz, blockaded after the war broke out, remains effectively closed, squeezing Western oil supplies and pushing up prices.

The Liberal Democrats have gone further by demanding a 10p a litre cut to fuel duty, which is currently 52.95p a litre.

Reform UKs Treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, descended on the Treasury in a party-branded double decker bus today to call again for the fuel duty hike to be scrapped.

He said: Were here to send a very strong message to Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor: do something now to help our hard-pressed motorists.

Chancellors and finance ministers all over the world, from Australia to Germany to Sweden to Spain to Ireland, are acting to lighten the load.

Pointing out that taxes account for around half of the cost of a fill-up, he added: 'Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, shes raking it in at the moment, and were just asking her to do a little bit to help working people across the country.

Listen to the millions of Brits who are finding life hard at the moment. Take action. Lighten the load. Cut fuel duty now.

A Treasury spokesperson said: Motorists are paying more because of the war in Iran. This is not our war and that is why we did not join it.

We are determined to keep costs down for motorists. Thats why we have extended the 5p fuel duty cut twice until September and will continue to monitor the situation.
The shotgun that suspect Cole Allen allegedly brought to the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been pictured for the first time.

Allen, 31, is accused of opening fire outside the gala, hitting a Secret Service member on Saturday night while Trump and his Cabinet members enjoyed their salad appetizers inside.

The suspect was also seen in a new photo, taken immediately after his arrest. Allen was pictured without a shirt, covered in a mylar blanket.

The Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge gun, which he was allegedly holding when he rushed through the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton, was seen on a carpeted floor.

It was just one of the weapons Allen is accused of bringing to the event.

He was also armed with a handgun and knives when he rushed the security checkpoint on the floor above the reception, authorities have said.

After exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, the gunman was tackled to the ground.

Allen was just yards from the dinner where the President, Vice President, First Lady and most of Trump's Cabinet were dining on Saturday evening when he was apprehended.

The shotgun that Cole Allen is accused of bringing to the White House Correspondents' Dinner has been revealed for the first time

The suspect, without a shirt and covered in a mylar blanket, after his arrest in Washington, DC

Allen was reportedly staying at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was being held.

He is said to have avoided the hotel's highly monitored corridors by slipping through an internal stairway that was less closely surveilled than the hallways and elevators.

After running down around ten stories in the stairwell, the alleged gunman emerged on a lower level close to the initial screening area where magnetometers and Secret Service were stationed.

Concerns have swirled over how Allen would be able to apparently bring the shotgun, a handgun and knives into the hotel without detection.

He was apprehended on a floor above the reception, though had he been able to continue down just one additional flight of stairs, he could have breached the dining hall where Trump and his top officials were dining.

After being evacuated to the White House following the gunfire, Trump noted that the hotel was not a particularly secure venue.

According to a manifesto he sent to family members moments before his planned attack, Allen was attempting to take out the President and members of his inner circle.

According to the New York Post, the note said: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.'

The President and First Lady Melania Trump sat on stage as the shots rang out on Saturday

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has called for a security meeting with USSS and the Department of Homeland Security after the shocking event

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes.'

'In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls).'

A senior White House official told the Daily Mail that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has called for a security meeting with USSS and the Department of Homeland Security to discuss the Saturday shooting.

'President Trump has said he personally thinks they did an excellent job neutralizing the shooter and moving the President, First Lady, Vice President and Cabinet to safety,' the senior White House official told the Daily Mail.

'Nevertheless, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is convening a meeting early this week with the White House operations team, USSS, and DHS leadership to discuss protocol and practices for major events involving POTUS.'

Since the pair of assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 campaign, multiple security lapses have roiled the Secret Service, including a group of protestors getting within feet of the President at a DC restaurant last year, breaches at Trump's Florida home and most recently the press gala.

In late February, USSS and local law enforcement shot and killed Austin Martin, 21, after he breached the secure perimeter of Trump's Mar-a-Lago home with a shotgun.

In September 2025, the President was confronted by a group of screaming protesters at Joe's Seafood in Washington.

The Code Pink activists were able to get within feet of Trump, prompting concern over how they knew about the President's impromptu visit to the restaurant.
More than 100 small-boat migrants have been rescued by the French coastguard after their dinghy broke down in the Channel.

Several people got into difficulty while trying to climb into the boat, including a woman who lost consciousness and had to be evacuated by helicopter, the maritime authority said.

The so-called 'taxi boat' was spotted travelling east along the coast towards Wimereux to pick up migrants in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The 'taxi boat' people-smuggling tactic, designed to avoid detection by police, involves dinghies travelling along the coast with just a driver to pre-designated beaches where migrants wade into the water to climb on board.

The dinghy later broke down during its attempt to cross the Channel. The 106 people on board had to be moved onto a rescue ship before being taken to Calais, French authorities said.

It comes just days after Britain agreed to hand France hundreds of millions of pounds extra to curb small-boat crossings.

On Thursday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a three-year agreement to pay France 662million to support beach patrols in a bid 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 from beaches every year.

Migrants on an inflatable dinghy clamber on to a UK Border Force vessel, BSC Intrepid after crossing the Channel from northern France on Monday

More than 100 migrants were rescued after the dinghy broke down

It means Labour 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.

But ministers have stopped short of setting specific targets to measure the success of the agreement.

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.

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.

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

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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.

The limit has been imposed amid French concerns that intercepting more crowded vessels could lead to loss of life.

More than 6,000 migrants have so far this year arrived in Britain via Channel crossings, down 36 per cent on this time last year, according to an analysis of Government figures.

Since Sir Keir Starmer took office, more than 70,000 small-boat migrants have arrived.

On Saturday, a group of more than a dozen people, including women and children, were pictured being brought into the Border Security Command compound in Dover.

They had been collected in Dover after crossing the Channel during a spell of warm weather.

It marked the first small boat arrivals since Britain signed a new agreement with the French to curb crossings.

A French Warship escorts a 'small boat' across the Channel

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Earlier this month it was reported that taxpayers could be forking out more than 48,000 for every migrant deported from the UK under Labour's 'failing' one-in-one-out deal with France.

Analysis by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford found the cost of removing migrants had risen sharply from around 15,000 a decade ago.

It put the average price of each forcible return carried out by the Home Office in the 2024/25 financial year at 48,800, compared to 4,300 for a voluntary return.

Based on these figures, a single flight from Stansted to Paris on January 20 - carrying 32 migrants alongside 73 escorts and two paramedics - could have cost 1.52million.

The total includes the cost of air fares, case work and financial support provided to migrants after they leave the UK.
You might remember bairns not bombs was a popular slogan among the Yes brigade, but now theres a new mantra in town.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan deployed it during a weekend TV discussion about migrants, when she said no person is illegal.

That sounds fine in theory though of course in reality its meaningless, unless you think theres no such thing as illegal immigration.

Its an easy formulation designed to demonise opponents, chiefly Reform UK, as racists for daring to raise the subject.

And it gives SNP politicians the chance to flaunt their supposedly progressive credentials and portray rivals (and their voters) as bigots.

Back in the real world, Scots living in the areas most affected by high migrant levels are wondering what planet Ms McAllan is inhabiting.

It must be light years away from Glasgow, where the SNP council has warned repeatedly of a housing crisis caused by the immigrant influx.

Take a stroll around the city centre and speak to a few migrants and youll quickly learn that large numbers came to the UK in small boats.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan's claims at the weekend might have surprised some Scots

Then they made their way to Scotland where the Nationalists lax homelessness laws mean local authorities are legally obliged to put them up.

Many are living at vast expense in hotels, draining the citys coffers, at a time when a large proportion of its own residents are struggling with poverty and rampant drug addiction.

Nearly two-thirds of the 9,337 homeless people in temporary accommodation in Glasgow came to the UK as asylum seekers.

Ms McAllan, who is, after all, the Housing Secretary, has her head buried firmly in the sand as this catastrophe unfolds on her governments watch. If she left the sanctuary of her government offices now and again and ventured into Glasgow, would she have the courage to repeat her call for more, rather than less, immigration?

Bosses of Glasgow City Council are likely to have been scrambling for something to lob at the television set when Ms McAllan said concerns about immigration had been needlessly stoked by Reform.

Mind you, Reform is on course to be the main opposition at Holyrood after May 7 according to some pollsters, and immigration is the fourth most pressing concern for the electorate (after the cost of living, the NHS, and the economy).

Ms McAllans hectoring, clueless sanctimony is doing Nigel Farage and Lord Offord, Reforms Scottish leader, a favour by treating their voters like racists.

Last year, official figures showed around one in three children in Glasgow have English as an additional language (EAL), which Mr Farage described as a cultural smashing of the city.

Ms McAllan said Reform had traduced beautiful, bilingual kids, but that skirts around wider issues which are much more uncomfortable for her party.

Scotland has been impacted by migrants arriving across the channel

The EIS teaching union has previously warned that dwindling specialist provision has led to reduced levels of support in our classrooms where there are rising numbers of children and young people with a widening range of additional needs, including those who require EAL support.

Teachers confronted with pupils who cannot speak fluent English may have to use flashcards with pictures of objects to determine the pupils level of ability.

So, Ms McAllans government is content to lobby for more migrants, and condemn those who raise fears about immigration, while also failing to provide teachers with the support that they need to cope with the consequences.

That is the most cynical dereliction of duty imaginable  one that lets down the children trying to learn English, and indeed their classmates, who also want a decent education.

Weve heard a lot of pious cant about immigration being a reserved issue during this seemingly interminable Holyrood election campaign.

But the fallout doesnt stop at the Border  just ask residents of Inverness, which is about to become the site of accommodation for hundreds of asylum seekers in Cameron Barracks, a military base in the city centre.

Cash-strapped NHS Highland now faces a bill of more than 1.3million to facilitate the base, including the provision of sexual health clinics, vaccinations and mental health support.

Yet John Swinney has accused some of those who protested outside the barracks of expressing racist views.

Weekly demonstrations have also been held in Falkirk between opposing groups outside the Cladhan Hotel, which houses asylum seekers.

In one notorious case, a 29-year-old Afghan, Sadeq Nikzad, stayed at the hotel  and raped a 15-year-old girl after claiming asylum in the UK.

He had lived as a tourist in three countries before arriving in Britain.

In March, Police Scotland said there had been an increase of around 50 per cent in protests across the country in the past 12 months  with one in five relating to immigration.

Would Ms McAllan, for example, repeat her claim that no person is illegal to neighbours of migrant hotels?

Its easier to spout hypocritical platitudes than to grapple with the repercussions of allowing immigration to spiral out of control.

The SNP wholeheartedly backed more migration for many years  but now wants to distance itself from the calamitous impact.

Its stance is echoed by the madcap Greens, who might prop up an SNP government at Holyrood after May 7.

Last year Green MSP Ariane Burgess said Scotland needs at least one million more immigrants to work the land and tackle climate change.

There have been protests about the plan to use Cameron Barracks to house migrants

She admitted it would create a challenge for the Highlands  which may not be ready for the multicultural impact of a mass influx.

Ms Burgess said migrants may be better suited to farming than indigenous Scots and the country must be welcoming.

She is now the Greens lead candidate for the Highlands and Islands  and her party could be in government soon, helping the SNP cling to power.

But Ms Burgess also said the Cameron Barracks plan was a stunt and deeply disrespectful to both asylum seekers and Highland communities.

Its almost as if she wants to have her cake and eat it  call for more immigrants, and then try to placate furious local voters with a show of indignation when the UK Government effectively heeded her call.

Asylum and immigration policy have been run for years by politicians of this shamefully low calibre, on both sides of the Border.

Most of them are people you wouldnt trust to run a raffle and yet theyre presiding over porous borders  and then denouncing anyone who objects as racists.

They should be made to pay a high price for their complacency  and for the denigration of thousands of Scots who are sick and tired of being fobbed off with the SNPs specious claptrap.
How China effectively aligns industrial upgrade with consumption boost

Xinhua) 10:26, April 27, 2026

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
PAMPA, Texas, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What inspections are most important for homes in the Texas Panhandle? The answer comes from a HelloNation article featuring Residential Real Estate Expert Patti Hudson of ReMax Hometown in Pampa. The article outlines five essential inspections that every homebuyer in the Texas Panhandle should complete before closing. It highlights how the region's high winds, shifting clay soil, and sudden storms can cause hidden damage that may not appear until after the sale.

Patti Hudson - Owner - ReMax Hometown Speed Speed

According to the HelloNation feature, buyers who take time for thorough inspections can avoid costly repairs and gain confidence in their investment. Hudson explains that the roof, HVAC system, foundation, sewer line, and drainage all face specific risks in this part of Texas. Each inspection focuses on preventing future problems that can arise from the area's demanding conditions.

The article begins by emphasizing the roof inspection. Roof damage is one of the most common and expensive issues in the Panhandle, often caused by hail and wind. Hudson notes that even if shingles appear intact, a professional inspection can uncover granule loss, lifted flashing, or soft spots that indicate leaks. She adds that roof age affects both coverage and replacement costs. The article shows why getting a roof inspection before buying a home in Pampa, TX, can prevent major expenses later.

The second key step is inspecting the HVAC system. The Texas Panhandle's weather brings both intense summer heat and sudden winter drops, putting heavy demand on heating and cooling units. Hudson explains that an HVAC inspection checks refrigerant levels, duct seals, and thermostat function to confirm efficiency and safety. The article points out that understanding system age and maintenance records helps buyers predict future repairs and determine whether HVAC inspections are worth the cost when buying a home.

Foundation inspections are equally critical in the Panhandle. The region's clay soil expands when wet and contracts when dry, often creating uneven settling or cracks. Hudson describes how a foundation specialist looks for early warning signs such as sticking doors, cracked walls, or gaps along the floor. The HelloNation article explains how Texas Panhandle soil affects a home's foundation and why catching small movements early can prevent serious structural damage.

Another important step is the sewer scope inspection. This process involves running a small camera through the main drain line to check for cracks or blockages. In older neighborhoods, shifting soil and tree roots can damage clay or cast-iron pipes. Hudson points out that discovering these problems before purchase can save thousands in repairs. The article helps buyers understand what a sewer scope inspection is and why it is necessary for homes in the Texas Panhandle.

The fifth inspection focuses on drainage and grading. Poor drainage can allow rainwater to collect near foundations, causing moisture buildup and erosion. Inspectors evaluate gutters, downspout extensions, and the slope of the property to ensure proper water flow. Hudson explains that learning how drainage issues damage a home's structure helps homeowners protect their property and maintain long-term stability.

Together, these five inspections form a complete picture of a home's condition. Hudson emphasizes that they not only reveal existing issues but also provide buyers with leverage when negotiating repairs or pricing. The HelloNation article shows that these inspections go beyond standard home checks, helping buyers identify the risks unique to the Panhandle's environment.

For first-time buyers, Hudson says the inspection process is also a valuable education. Each report helps buyers compare homes, learn about system maintenance, and understand what future repairs may be needed. The article notes that even if a buyer chooses not to move forward with a property, the information gained remains useful for future decisions. Understanding what inspections are most important for homes in the Texas Panhandle builds confidence and helps prevent expensive surprises.

Skipping inspections might seem like a way to save money, but the article makes clear that this choice can lead to regret. The Panhandle's weather extremes and soil conditions create stress on every part of a home. Hudson advises that spending a small amount upfront on inspections can protect buyers from major costs later and provide lasting peace of mind.

In closing, Hudson reminds readers that a strong inspection plan is not about finding faults but about building trust in the purchase. Each of the five inspections adds security and clarity for buyers investing in a home built to handle the challenges of the Texas Panhandle.

Five Inspections You Shouldn't Skip in a Texas Panhandle Home features insights from Patti Hudson, Residential Real Estate Expert of Pampa, TX, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative edvertising approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation
Security guards have been told not to intervene if they see someone shoplifting in a store, for fear they may get hurt or have their licence revoked.

Union bosses instructed their members to 'watch, report and be an expert witness for police', but not to put themselves at risk for the benefit of 'those who may not support you afterwards'.

Daniel Garnham, general secretary of the union Security Industry Federation (SIF), said he was clarifying advice in the face of 'the growing level of shoplifting and violence', and increased 'confusion' over how staff are expected to act.

He said that security workers were confronted by 'different rules in different places', blaming the lack of a 'joined-up approach' between the regulator, employers and clients.

The intervention comes in the wake of several high-profile cases of shopworkers being dismissed over their responses to shoplifting.

Morrisons manager Sean Egan, 46, made national headlines last week when he was sacked from the branch in Aldridge, near Walsall, where he had worked for 29 years.

He was let go because he intervened with a prolific shoplifter, continuing to engage even after the thief became aggressive and began spitting, which the company said contravened their deter-and-not-detain policy.

Waitrose shop assistant of 17 years, Walker Smith, revealed earlier this month he was sacked for tackling an Easter egg thief at the branch in Clapham Junction, South West London.

Greggs has suffered attacks in recent months, with one especially prolific shoplifter (pictured) stealing close to 2,000 worth of items from the bakery

Supermarket workers have been sacked for tackling shoplifters in breach of their employers' rules including Sean Egan, 46, who tried to stop a serial thief at Morrisons

Walker Smith was fired from Waitrose after tussling with an Easter egg thief

Join the discussion Should security guards risk their own safety to stop shoplifters or is there an alternative solution?

The 54-year-old grabbed the bag from the thief, which led to a tug-of-war and the 13 bag of Lindt eggs spilling across the floor. Waitrose too has a strict policy against staff confronting shoplifters.

Meanwhile, Gavin Ramsay, 49, was sacked from Asda after 25 years' loyal service for trying to prevent a young person from getting away with a stolen bottle of alcohol.

Some supermarket bosses have publicly called for security guards to be armed with batons and pepper spray to better equip them to tackle shoplifters - but the SIF insisted this would be 'reckless' without proper preparation.

It argued this would create 'even more risk in an already confused and inconsistent system'.

Members were implored to avoid intervening with troublemakers, even if that rails against their 'instincts'.

Mr Garnham said: 'Someone elses stock is not more important than your safety, your career or your licence.

'We need clear national guidance on lawful intervention, better and more realistic training, proper support for workers who act in good faith, and an end to policies that leave officers exposed to violence while punishing them for trying to do their job.

'Security workers deserve clarity. They deserve consistency. Most of all, they deserve support.'

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Gavin Ramsay was let go from Asda after grabbing a youth who had stolen a bottle of vodka

Keir Starmer has vowed to end the 'free-for-all' of shoplifting with a crackdown on retail crime with a speech at Usdaw's annual meeting today

The retail union Usdaw, which has 360,000 members, is also telling its members 'not to intervene against potentially dangerous criminals and to keep themselves safe'.

GMB, one of Britains largest unions representing thousands of security guards, said that 'retailers cannot expect security guards to put themselves at physical risk just to protect their bottom lines'.

The bosses' intervention came as Keir Starmer promised on Monday a crackdown on 'free-for-all' shoplifting, which has often seen offenders go unpunished.

The Prime Minister said an extra 3,000 police officers have been put on the streets to combat shop theft, and that his Government will make assaulting retail workers a specific criminal offence.

That came after Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, called for retail abuse to be criminalised in the Mail on Sunday in 2023, and after bakery chain Greggs began moving items behind the tills to deter shoplifters helping themselves to sandwiches.

The offence is set to be introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill but has ping-ponged between the Commons and the Lords.

Labour says it will also scrap the 200 threshold for shoplifting offences, below which the crime is a summary-only offence that can only be tried before magistrates.

This will, Starmer said, end what he called the 'shoplifter's charter', ending the impunity that shoplifters feel when they steal items worth less than this.
Fashion accessories retailer Claire's has closed all of its standalone stores in the UK and Ireland with the loss of around 1,300 jobs, administrators have said.

Kroll said 154 stores have shut with notices of redundancy being given to the chain's workforce.

The move does not affect the retailer's 356 concessions, including many in Asda stores, and its head office.

The administrators said in a statement: 'As of 27 April, all Claire's standalone stores in UK and Ireland have ceased trading. All store employees have been advised of redundancy.

'We understand an interested party is in discussion with a number of landlords with a view to taking new leases for some of the sites.'

Claire's previous owners Modella Capital placed the firm into administration in January and cited 'an alarming drop-off in pre-Christmas footfall'.

It also blamed 'highly adverse government fiscal policies and continued cost inflation' that it said was 'causing many established and much-loved businesses to suffer badly'.

The retailer garnered a cult following thanks to its ear-piercing services and friendship bracelets.

Fashion accessories retailer Claire's has closed all of its standalone stores in the UK and Ireland with the loss of around 1,300 jobs, administrators have said

Founded in 1961 in Chicago before heading to the UK in the mid-90s, visits to Claire's became a rite of passage for teens, with their stores boasting a vast array of glittery plastic earrings, necklaces, rings, keychains, and hats.

Even Victoria Beckham took her son Brooklyn - in more tranquil times for the clan - to have his ears pierced at Claire's in London's Westfield back in 2014, while Kim Kardashian stunned fans by popping into the Hawaii store to get some studs put in.

Talking to the Daily Mail about the store's glory days, PR and brand expert Chad Teixeira said in January: 'Claire's worked because it knew exactly who it was for and never overcomplicated it.

'It gave young girls a first taste of independence, choosing something for themselves, trying on identity without risk.

'The products were cheap, loud, and trend-led, which made them accessible and exciting.

'The ear-piercing chair turned the brand into a rite of passage, not just a shop. Claire's wasn't about quality or longevity, it was about feeling grown up for the first time.'

But the chain's fortunes have nosedived in recent years. In 2017 Claire's was forced to pull 17 of its makeup products after a glitter set tested positive for asbestos.

Two years later, the brand was back in the headlines after a former employee revealed a company policy to forcibly pierce the ears of distressed children against their will if their parents insisted on it.

Once a shopping paradise for tweens, Claire's is being axed from high streets across the UK after it entered administration

Raylene Marks, who worked at a Claire's store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for four months, quit in April 2019 after an incident involving a seven-year-old girl who made it clear she did not want a piercing.

The girl's mother eventually left with her, but Raylene said she reached her 'breaking point' after a manager said that had the mother insisted and physically held her protesting daughter down in the chair, Raylene still would have had to pierce her.

Claire's told the Daily Mail at the time that they were investigating the store where she worked.

Last August, Claire's confirmed it was filing for administration. The news came a week after US-based Claire's group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a court in Delaware.

It was the second time the group had declared bankruptcy, after first filing for the process in 2018.

Chris Cramer, who was chief executive of Claire's at the time, said: 'This decision, while difficult, is part of our broader effort to protect the long-term value of Claire's across all markets.

'In the UK, taking this step will allow us to continue to trade the business while we explore the best possible path forward. We are deeply grateful to our employees, partners and our customers during this challenging period.'
MI5's first female director general left more than 2million to her husband and daughters in her will.

Dame Stella Rimington, who headed the security service from 1992 to 1996, was widely credited as being the model for Dame Judi Dench's M in the James Bond films.

The former secret service chief, born Stella Whitehouse in London in 1935, died last August aged 90.

Newly released documents showed her estate was worth 2,081,105 when she died, with a net value of 2,064,821 after deductions.

Dame Stella left the bulk of the sum to husband John, daughters Harriet and Sophia in a trust.

She also left the proceeds of her literary estate to her grandchildren.

The spy chief retired from the service in 1996 and went on to publish her autobiography, Open Secret, in 2001. A number of spy novels followed.

She later said spy writers had created 'a totally glamorous world around the profession of spying' that 'bears very little relation to reality'.

Dame Stella Rimington, who headed the security service from 1992 to 1996, was widely credited as being the model for Dame Judi Dench's M in the James Bond films

Dame Stella, who died last August, pictured with former Home Secretary Michael Howard on July 16, 1993

Dame Stella revealed her novels had to be submitted to the security service for clearance, and that she had occasionally been asked to change names and places by MI5.

Dubbed the 'housewife superspy', she joined MI5 full time in 1969, and served as deputy director general in 1991 before being promoted to director general a year later.

Born in 1935 in South Norwood, south London, Dame Stella got her first role at MI5 as a part-time clerk typist in India, where she had accompanied her husband on a diplomatic posting four years earlier.

It was during the summer of 1967 when she was approached by a British official who asked if she would interested in 'helping out' in his office?

The author of the request was 'a baronet and a bachelor' best-known among staff at the British high commission for his 'excellent Sunday curry lunches' and for 'driving round Delhi in a snazzy old Jaguar'.

He was also the senior liaison officer for MI5 in the Indian capital, and her acceptance of his offer of employment marked her entry into the shadowy world of intelligence.

The Cold War and threats posed by the Soviet Union dominated much of her early career.

Speaking in 1999, Dame Stella said she had thoroughly approved of the decision to make her name public when she became director general, but added that she hadn't predicted how much interest there was going to be.

During her time as director general and following the end of the Cold War, threats from Russia continued to take up her time.

And she revealed the KGB once tried to recruit her at a dinner party in the 1960s.

Former MI5 boss Stella Rimington, who was conferred with the honour Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1996

In her retirement, she took on several non-executive directorships, including Marks & Spencer, using her surveillance skills to eavesdrop on customers to find out what they were saying about the company's products.

When she died MI5 said she had a varied career in the service 'including roles in counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism'.

'MI5 underwent far-reaching transformation under Dame Stella's leadership,' a statement from the agency said.

'She oversaw MI5 taking lead responsibility for countering Irish republican terrorism in Great Britain, the move of MI5's headquarters to Thames House, and instituted a policy of greater public openness to demystify the work of MI5 including beginning a programme of releasing MI5 files to The National Archives.'
Two thirds of Germans say immigrants should only receive benefits if they have worked in the country for an extended period of time, a survey has found.

A majority also supported a wealth levy and higher inheritance tax, according to the survey by Deutschlandtrend for public broadcaster WDR.

It comes as the Daily Mail reported in February that 15billion in benefits had been given to the UK's migrant households in just 18 months.

And the number of migrants and refugees claiming universal credit has more than doubled since 2022 despite pledges of a crackdown by ministers.

In the German survey four out of five voters said wealth was distributed unfairly in their country, with many saying middle and low earners paid too much tax.

In Germany the ruling 'grand coalition' of the major centre-right and -left parties is locked in protracted talks for a major package of reforms aimed at reviving the country's sluggish economy.

Those parties have been squeezed by the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has extended its lead in national polls.

There are a number of difficult economic decisions ahead for the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its coalition partner, the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government slashed its growth forecast for this year by half - to 0.5 per cent - in the wake of the US-led war in Iran.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has seen his country's economic growth forecast for this year slashed by half to 0.5 per cent amid difficult negotiations over policy with his party's coalition partner, the centre-left SPD

In Britain Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has seen campaigners threaten to challenge her immigration reforms in the courts

Lars Klingbeil, Germany's SPD vice-chancellor and finance minister, has advocated shifting the tax burden to richer citizens and cutting inheritance tax exemptions while making more public borrowing possible.

Mr Merz's party prefers broader tax cuts, austerity and private sector deregulation, arguing the welfare system, which costs 31 per cent of GDP, is unsustainable.

German Green party voters were most likely to back a higher inheritance tax, with 88 per cent of those surveyed in support - some 78 per cent of SPD supporters were in favour.

Among CDU voters support for the measures fell to 64 per cent but was still higher than the overall average of 61 per cent.

AfD voters strongly opposed the idea of a wealth tax, with 62 per cent against compared to 33 per cent in favour.

On immigration, 66 per cent of voters thought migrants should only be able to access benefits after working in Germany for a 'fairly long time', a position advocated by the AfD and implemented partially in Denmark.

Since 2021 some migrants in the Scandinavian country have been required to work 37 hours a week to receive benefits.

The restrictions were placed on welfare recipients who had received benefits for three to four years and had not achieved a certain level of proficiency in Danish.

At the time prime minister Mette Frederiksen said the rules were directly aimed at women from 'non-Western backgrounds' living on benefits.

In February research shared exclusively with the Daily Mail showed 70 per cent of the billions handed to migrant homes in the previous 18 months went to households containing at least one unemployed foreign national.

At the time Robert Bates, research director at the Centre for Migration Control, said: 'It is a no-brainer that we should be ending benefit payments to foreign nationals, especially those who are unemployed.

'The British taxpayer does not exist to fund the lifestyle of migrants.'

Separate figures revealed that the number of migrants and refugees claiming universal credit has more than doubled since 2022.

Germany's vice-chancellor and finance minister Lars Klingbeil, who is also SPD leader, has favoured cutting inheritance tax exemptions and the reintroduction of a wealth tax

Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right AfD, which has advocated stricter rules on migrants' access to welfare payments

A total of 124,833 claimants with refugee status were receiving the payments  which average just over 1,000 a month  according to latest Government figures from last October.

That was on top of another 53,240 people classed as unable to be returned to their home countries because they alleged they would suffer human rights abuses.

In comparison, when the data was first collected in April 2022, there were 64,423 refugees and 3,221 people with humanitarian status receiving the benefit.

The number of refugees with indefinite leave to remain  a status which can be claimed after five years  soared from 95,612 to 218,944 in the same period.

Meanwhile those given limited leave to remain  to live, work or study for six months to five years  also rose, from 68,883 to 76,898.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions data, three-quarters of refugees and two-thirds with leave to remain were not in work, along with 60 per cent of those with humanitarian status.

Last month Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to make migrants wait longer for the right to live in Britain indefinitely suffered a blow as campaigners prepared to launch a legal challenge.

Ms Mahmood's reforms, which have yet to be announced in detail, will face immediate legal action when they are unveiled.

Currently, migrants  such as foreign workers  must live here legally for five years before applying for settlement to stay here permanently, known as 'indefinite leave to remain'.

Plans unveiled in November said that would be extended to ten years, rising to 20 years for refugees.
Sickening new claims about men being gang raped and women killed in 'sex games' at Jeffrey Epstein's secluded New Mexico ranch have emerged in a new documentary.

A 60 Minutes Australia interview with Epstein survivors and investigators has unveiled some of the alleged abuse that occurred at the pedophile financier's sprawling Zorro Ranch in Stanley, about 30 miles south of Santa Fe.

The FBI received a tip from a Zorro Ranch staffer in 2019 claiming two foreign girls had been buried on the estate, Democrat congresswoman Melanie Stansbury said.

The pair had 'died by strangulation during rough, fetish sex,' the tip stated, adding that their alleged burial was ordered by Epstein.

Stansbury, who has reviewed the Epstein files and is leading the charge for justice, further claimed that men were drugged and raped at the ranch.

It is not the first time the lawmaker has alleged that men or young boys were being assaulted and trafficked by Epstein.

'A man actually claims that he met Jeffrey Epstein, was brought to the ranch, he was drugged and he describes in detail a scene in which multiple young men were raped at the ranch in front of him after he was drugged,' Stansbury told the documentary.

She added that Jeffrey Epstein was a 'serial abuser' and a 'super predator.'

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sprawling Zorro Ranch. The pedophile is pictured at the property in this undated photo

Epstein's sprawling Zorro Ranch, pictured, is situated on 7,500 acres of the property in Stanley, New Mexico, about 30 miles south of Santa Fe

Chauntae Davies, who says she was abused across multiple Epstein properties from 2001 to 2005, told the documentary that Zorro Ranch was the 'scariest' of all.

She recalled how she would sit in her bedroom at the property like a 'mouse in a trap' as she waited for someone to knock on her door and say: 'Jeffrey is ready for his massage now.'

Davies said that by a 'massage' what was really ordered was 'rape, full on, forced on sexual rape.'

She alleged that she remembers hearing stories of doctors performing undisclosed medical procedures on victims at Zorro Ranch.

She said she was told of 'girls waking up in sort of like a dark room with like a female doctor standing over them, feeling like maybe there is some kind of procedure that had happened that they weren't aware of.'

Davies also suggested that Epstein had been on a hunt to create the so-called 'perfect gene pool.'

'There is another account of a baby actually being born. I remember overhearing conversations about creating the perfect baby from the perfect gene pool,' she said.

Davies claims she was trafficked across the pedophile's properties in New York, Pairs, St Tropez, the Caribbean and Zorro Ranch.

A new 60 Minutes Australia documentary revealed allegations of men being gang raped and women killed during 'rough, fetish sex' at Zorro Ranch. Pictured is a living space in the ranch

Epstein survivor Chauntae Davies, pictured as a teen with the financier, told the documentary that Zorro Ranch was the 'scariest' of all of Epstein's properties

A 2018 email between Epstein and Bitcoin developer Bryan Bishop that was previously released in the Epstein files and presented in the 60 Minutes documentary seemed to echo the survivor's gene pool allegations.

The message saw Epstein and Bishop discuss funding for a 'designer-baby' and human cloning project, though there is no indication that the project moved forward.

Stansbury said she contacted the New Mexico Attorney General about Zorro Ranch after she came across the alarming tip about the two girls being killed during sex.

'That particular tip  matched the pattern of other abuse and transport and trafficking of women. And that's why it raised alarm bells for me,' she said.

'There's certainly hundreds of allegations of women who experienced really dark experiences. So I think we're really dedicated to getting to the bottom of the truth of what happened in New Mexico and on that property.'

Investigators are conducting a full investigation into Zorro Ranch that includes imaging all 7,500 acres of the property, Stansbury said.

Authorities will then do a technical analysis of the imaging data to see if it reveals anything.

The congresswoman said investigators did find handwritten letters, documents, and books at the property.

Davies, during the 60 Minutes Australia interview, claimed that women were raped and underwent undisclosed medical procedures at Zorro Ranch. She also alleged that Epstein had been on a hunt to create the so-called 'perfect gene pool'

A 2018 email between Epstein and Bitcoin developer Bryan Bishop that was previously released by the Department of Justice from the Epstein files and presented in the 60 Minutes documentary seemed to echo the survivor's gene pool allegations

She added that the state justice department is 'deeply committed to turning the Epstein files into Epstein trials.'

But Davies told the documentary that she does not think justice will ever come.

'Whoever it is that is covering up has gone to great lengths to make sure it stays covered up,' she said.

'I don't think there will ever be a full disclosure of it all.'

The office of state Attorney General Raul Torrez announced last month that state authorities had began searching the secluded ranch. The search was being done with the cooperation of the current owners of the property.

Torrez reopened the investigation into Zorro Ranch in February. New Mexico's initial case was closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York.

State prosecutors said last month that 'revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination.'

Epstein purchased Zorro Ranch in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King and built a hilltop mansion with a private runway.

Democrat congresswoman Melanie Stansbury said she contacted the New Mexico Attorney General about Zorro Ranch after she came across the alarming tip about the two girls being killed during sex

Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, but the state attorney general's office in 2019 confirmed that it had interviewed possible victims who visited Epstein's ranch

The property was sold by Epstein's estate in 2023 - with proceeds going toward creditors - to the family of Don Huffines, a candidate in Texas for state comptroller who won the Republican primary last week.

'The New Mexico Department of Justice appreciates the cooperation of the current property owners,' the agency said in a statement last month.

Prosecutors 'will continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead.'

New Mexico state legislators have also established a new commission to look into past activities at the ranch.

Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.

Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, but the state attorney general's office in 2019 confirmed that it had interviewed possible victims who visited Epstein's ranch.
Tehran's Embassy in London has urged UK residents willing to die for the regime to sign up to an official 'martyrdom' programme sparking national security concerns.

Consulate officials posted a message encouraging 'proud Iranian compatriots residing in Britain' to register for its 'Jan Fada'  or 'sacrificing life'  scheme.

It asked for 'all brave and noble children of Iran' with a 'desire for the people's defence of the land of Iran' to come forward in a 'display of solidarity, loyalty, and national zeal'.

Chillingly, the post in Farsi on the embassy's official Telegram channel read: 'Let us all, to a man, give our bodies to be slain; For it is better than giving our country to the enemy.'

The regime launched the Jan Fada campaign last month and a spokesman for the embassy claimed it 'does not promote any form of hostility'.

But Australian police are investigating a similar recruitment drive from the Canberra Embassy while Iranian security experts warned the Daily Mail this is a 'significant' security threat.

Scotland Yard has been contacted for comment as members of the diaspora called for action to be taken.

Roger Macmillan, former director of security at Iran International, a UK-based dissident news channel, said: 'It is horrific the fact that this is on UK soil.

'This is an attempt at radicalisation online of people who could be persuaded by the regime to commit acts in support of the Islamic Republic in the UK.

Consulate officials posted a message encouraging 'proud Iranian compatriots residing in Britain' to register for its 'Jan Fada'  or 'sacrificing life'  scheme

Scotland Yard has been contacted for comment as members of the diaspora called for action to be taken against the Iranian Embassy in London

'This is a significant threat to security and of our whole way of life. It is a way of finding out who is supportive of the regime. They are not going to go back to Iran, it is for here in the UK.'

Mr Macmillan warned the regime was not necessarily looking just for Iranians, but for any potential sympathisers prepared to act for them.

'This is an escalation that is very, very worrying indeed,' he said. 'They are not interested in being discreet. This is the Russian playbook on steroids.'

Dr Nadeh Fallah from the Iranian Human Rights and Allies group warned this is a wake-up call for Britain to finally proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC).

He said the IRGC is 'actively seeking to radicalise, recruit and exert influence' on British soil.

'This is utterly unacceptable and deeply alarming,' Dr Fallah told the Mail.

'We already know the Iranian regime has been targeting individuals in the UK and beyond  this is just the latest, most brazen example of that activity taking place in plain sight.

'This kind of messaging is not benign. It is designed to appeal to the most hardline, ideologically driven individuals and to encourage a dangerous culture of fanaticism and martyrdom.

'That should concern every policymaker and every security agency in this country.'

The post directed sympathisers to the Iranian Foreign Ministry website where they could sign up to the Jan Fada programme through its Mikhak system.

This is the official consular services platform every Iranian must use if they want anything from a passport or ID card to getting married, registering the birth of a child or selling property.

There are significant security concerns as detectives are probing whether an attack on Jewish ambulances in London last month has links to Iran

Iran's ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, met with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi before departing for his mission

Join the discussion Is this legitimate outreach - or a dangerous line being crossed on UK soil?

Sir Keir Starmer finally pledged to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in the King's Speech last week which would bring Britain in line with the US and Canada.

But he has yet to introduce the legislation despite growing evidence of Irans involvement in attacks against the Jewish community and Iranian dissidents in the UK.

The Iranian-linked Islamist group Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) claimed responsibility for an arson attack at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, last weekend.

It was the fifth attack on the Jewish community within the past week claimed by the group, which is being investigated by the UKs intelligence service over its links to the Iranian state.

A spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in London said: 'Iranians around the world have always cared deeply about their homeland and the protection of its territorial integrity and they always will.

'The Jan Fada platform is intended for all Iranians who wish to support and defend their country, and it does not promote any form of hostility.

'Any claims or assumptions to the contrary are simply unfounded. Such biased judgments are made hastily and without proper understanding.'
The cost of a new super-hospital in the SNP health secretarys seat has reportedly trebled to more than 2billion.

The University Hospital Monklands, in the Airdrie constituency being defended by Neil Gray in the election, also faces a three-year delay.

The Scottish Governments biggest health construction project, the UHM was priced at around 700million three years ago with a target to open in 2028.

The Times reported the cost is now expected to top 2 billion, with opening in 2031.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: The SNP are incapable of delivering any infrastructure project on time or on budget - and that includes a hospital in the health secretarys own constituency.

Patients in Neil Grays seat are paying a heavy price for the Nationalists incompetence.

He and John Swinney must come clean before polling day on when Monklands hospital will finally open and by how much the cost to taxpayers has spiralled.

This must not become another money pit, like the ferries fiasco or the replacement for Barlinnie prison.

The University Hospital Monklands was priced at around 700million three years ago - but costs have reportedly trebled to 2billion

The SNP will continue to squander taxpayers money on an industrial scale if they win a majority on May 7. Thats why its essential that voters across the country back the Scottish conservatives on their peach ballot paper.

It was also reported that the business case for the UHM was submitted to ministers five months ago, but approval was not signed off before the election campaign.

Ex-SNP health secretary Alex Neil told the Sunday Mail he had no doubt Mr Swinney had plans for big cuts after the election to cope with a looming 5billion budget black hole.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: Once again SNP chaos is threatening to undermine our NHS.

Time and time again spiralling costs, delays and dysfunction from the SNP have held back new hospitals and threatened the patient safety.

She said Glasgows Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, scene of a lethal infection scandal, was in constant need of repairs, with 50million spent since its rushed opening in 2015.

The UHM is in the Airdrie constituency being defended by health secretary Neil Gray

The Baird Family Hospital in Aberdeen is still not open and all over Scotland treatment centres are in limbo, she went on.

The SNP always has a long list of excuses at the ready, but after 20 years of failure they just dont wash anymore.

John Swinney needs to come clean about whether the SNP wants to scrap the new Monklands hospital - and if so Neil Gray can explain why to his constituents.

At an election event in Glasgow on Monday, John Swinney gave a categorical assurance the UHM would be delivered but failed to give a clear timetable.

It would be built through the next parliament, he said, without giving an opening date.

The First Minister said: Let me just give the absolute, categorical assurance that the Monklands hospital is going to be built.

I went the other day there to see the work thats already underway on the site, to develop the site for it to be constructed, and that will happen through the next parliamentary term under an SNP government.

The Scottish Government froze new major NHS capital projects in early 2024, affecting Belford Hospital in Fort William, Edinburgh Eye Pavilion and other smaller clinics.

NHS Lanarkshire declined to comment but confirmed its opening target was 2031.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The Budget provides continued support for projects in construction - including a new Radionuclide facility, the Baird and Anchor Hospitals and Foxgrove - and development of the priority acute replacement projects in Monklands, Belford, Eye Pavilion and St Brendans.
An SNP MP has refused to say if he is still using taxpayers' money to employ an activist who stood down as an election candidate amid a benefit fraud probe.

Graham Leadbitter, the SNPs energy and net zero spokesman at Westminster, has stonewalled repeated requests for confirmation of whether he still employs Sally Donald, who once boasted about riding the SNP gravy bus, as his head office.

She stood down as the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Southern last month after it was revealed she was the subject of a Social Security Scotland investigation into her claims for adult disability payment.

It has been subsequently reported by the Scotsman newspaper that she is liable to pay back more than 19,000, although she has strenuously denied any and all wrongdoing.

The latest register of interests of MP staff, published on March 23  nearly three weeks after Ms Donald quit as an SNP candidate  still lists her as a member of staff for Mr Leadbitter, the MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey.

Mr Leadbitter refused to respond to multiple requests for confirmation of whether she had been removed from her role, while the SNPs Westminster press office and party headquarters also failed to provide an answer on whether she remained his taxpayer-funded employee.

Sally Donald stood down as the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Southern last month

Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Alexander Stewart has called for transparency

When contacted via her parliamentary email address, an automatic reply said Ms Donald was currently out of office and urgent queries should be directed to Mr Leadbitter, otherwise I will respond on my return.

Scottish Conservative social security spokesman Alexander Stewart said: Graham Leadbitter must come clean on whether he is still using taxpayers' cash to employ Sally Donald.

Sally Donald resigned in disgrace as an SNP candidate after her behaviour was reported to the benefits quango and leaked to the media by someone inside her party.

Hard-working, over-taxed Scots have a right to know whether or not public money is being spent by the Nationalists to employ an individual that they have deemed unfit to represent them in parliament.

At an event in Glasgow on Monday, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay highlighted the case as he said the Tories are the only party being honest about the need to curb the SNPs out of control benefits bill.

He said: Hard-working Scots are sick of being hit with sky-high SNP taxes only for John Swinney to spend their cash on his out-of-control benefits bill.

The SNP's light-touch benefits system has created a charter for chancers like Sally Donald who lived an Instagram lifestyle while pocketing thousands of pounds she wasn't entitled to.

Our common-sense plan to reduce the benefits bill will deliver fairness for taxpayers while ensuring support for those in genuine need. We're the only party being honest with Scots that our country cannot afford the SNP's ballooning social security spending.
Labour has been accused of launching an attack on aspiration by restricting the Right to Buy.

Ministers are stopping newly built council houses being sold off for 35 years under major changes to Margaret Thatchers flagship policy that helped millions get on the housing ladder.

They are also requiring tenants to have lived in social homes for a decade  up from the current three years  before they are eligible to buy them.

In addition, the maximum discount available is being slashed. Buyers will only be able to get whichever is lower of 15 per cent of the propertys value or a cash cap of 16,000 to 38,000, down from 70 per cent or the cash cap currently.

The Government claims the changes  to be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allows  will make the scheme fairer by ensuring it is only available to people with roots in their local communities.

It is also hoped the reforms will help protect Englands housing stock, as figures show that only 2 per cent of properties sold off under Right to Buy have been replaced.

And the Housing Secretary rejected demands by the Greens to scrap Right to Buy completely, which Labour said would rip away opportunity from working-class council tenants.

Steve Reed said: Under the Tories, dodgy landlords could buy up council homes on the cheap and pocket massive incomes from rent. Labour is calling time on that racket.

Margaret Thatcher handing over the council house deeds to one of the first families to benefit from her Right to Buy policy

While the hypocrite Green Party block new homes as a hobby, this Labour government is bringing back fairness to the housing system.

Were building the social and affordable homes people deserve and were reserving Right to Buy only for those with real roots in their area. That means local homes locked in for local people.

But the Tories said it was an attack on ambition  and pointed out that Labour is on course to miss its target of building 1.5million new homes by 2029 in order to tackling the housing crisis.

Sir James Cleverly, who is being forced to move out of his rented constituency home because of Labours new law intended to protect tenants from no-fault evictions, said: Devoid of ideas and engulfed in sleaze, Labour have resorted to reheating announcements from last year in a desperate attempt to distract from the crisis surrounding the Prime Minister.

Alongside this attack on ambition, taxes on housing and axing support for home ownership, Labour are failing abysmally to deliver the new homes they have promised. The Governments own figures show they are going to miss their targets by miles, all while more and more migrants arrive in the UK and claim social housing. And ministers are refusing to tell us when the money for their so-called Affordable Homes Programme will become available.

Reforms Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said: Right to Buy gave millions of working-class Brits the chance to own their own home we all know why Labour are unwinding it - its because theyre determined to keep handing out precious council houses to migrants.

Reform UK would end that and ensure only British nationals qualify for council homes.

Right to Buy was introduced during Mrs Thatchers first term as Prime Minister and has led to as many as 2million council houses being bought by their tenants.

Michael Heseltine, then Environment Secretary, told the Commons in 1980 that the scheme was designed first, to give people what they want, and, secondly, to reverse the trend of ever-increasing dominance of the State over the life of the individual.

The new reforms to Right to Buy were drawn up by Angela Rayner when she was Housing Secretary in 2024.

However she faced accusations of hypocrisy as she herself had used the scheme to obtain a 25 per cent discount when she purchased her then home in Stockport for just 79,000 in 2007.
The manifesto of suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen is no different from popular Democratic talking points, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.

Leavitt, 28, who was supposed to be out on maternity leave this week, returned to the White House Briefing Room's podium to field questions about the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday.

The President's spokesman read a long list of Democratic lawmakers' posts in which they allude to violence as a practical solution to solve the issue of Donald Trump.

That rhetoric, she said, is responsible for radicalizing individuals to lash out at the President.

'This political violence stems from a systemic demonization of him and his supporters by commentators, yes, by elected members of the Democrat Party and even some in the media,' she declared, condemning the hostile language about Trump.

'This hateful and constant and violent rhetoric directed at President Trump, day after day after day for 11 years, has helped to legitimize this violence and bring us to this dark moment.'

'When you have people in positions of power that are saying things like this every single day for years, you are inspiring violence by people who are already mentally ill.'

Allen, 31, a California resident, allegedly carried out the shooting after taking the train from his home to Washington, DC. He left behind a manifesto that reportedly stated he wanted to harm Trump and Cabinet members.

Leavitt, 28, who was supposed to be on maternity this week, returned to the podium to condemn Democrats and the media for pushing violent rhetoric that she claims inspired the Saturday shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

Leavitt was seated next to First Lady Melania Trump at the dinner. The pair, the President and Vice President, were quickly shepherded to safety behind the stage by Secret Service agents

Cole Thomas Allen, 31, a California resident, took a train from his home to Washington, DC, to carry out the shooting

According to a manifesto he sent to family members moments before his planned attack, Allen was attempting to take out the President and members of his inner circle.

According to the New York Post, the note said: 'Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I'm not the person raped in a detention camp. I'm not the fisherman executed without trial.'

'I'm not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes.'

Leavitt noted that the manifesto is no different from what many reports in the media and many Democratic lawmakers have stated publicly about Trump.

'When you read the Manifesto of the shooter, ask yourselves, how different is the rhetoric from this almost assassin than what you read on social media and hear in various forums every single day,' Leavitt said.

'The answer, to be honest with yourself, is that there is no difference at all. Much of the Manifesto of the would-be assassin is indistinguishable from the words that we hear daily.'

Allen was apprehended on Saturday after sprinting through a Secret Service checkpoint with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives. He was immediately tackled and arrested by authorities after shooting at law enforcement.

One Secret Service agent was hit with gunfire, but he was alright in the aftermath as the bullet struck his bulletproof vest.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Marco Rubio shared this image of Donald Trump in the Oval Office after the White House Correspondents Dinner was interrupted by suspected shooter Cole Thomas Allen

Cole Thomas Allen apprehended on the floor of the Washington Hilton on Saturday

The would-be assassin brought a pump-action shotgun with a collapsible stock to the dinner along with a handgun and multiple knives

Trump called the agent and thanked him immediately after returning to the White House after the incident on Saturday, Leavitt said at the briefing.

The White House spokeswoman specifically called out ABC host Jimmy Kimmel for joking last week before the shooting that First Lady Melania Trump has 'a glow like an expectant widow.'

Democrats, Leavitt said, are fixated on comparing Trump to Adolf Hitler and calling the President a fascist.

'These are despicable statements that the American people have been consuming for years, and so many mentally observed individuals are led to believe these words are true, and then are inspired to act on it.'
Selected firms exemplify global standard for principles-based excellence in private equity

NEW YORK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Institutional Investor (II), the award-winning finance and investment news publisher, and industry-leading sponsor of investment conferences, has released its first annual Alpha Edge Buy Lista new global benchmark for excellence in private equity. Reinforcing the standards that matter most to long-term capital allocators, the list recognizes firms that demonstrate superior alignment, governance discipline, transparency and long-term value creation.

The eight firms selected for the Alpha Edge Buy List are Apollo Global Management, Goldman Sachs, HarbourVest Partners, HG Capital, Neuberger, Octopus Investments, TPG and 17Capital. Each firm was nominated by members of the Alpha Edge Advisory Board and vetted through a research and verification process to ensure adherence to defined governance and alignment principles. Selection reflects a global, LP-driven endorsement of excellence in partnership and long-term value creation in today's evolving capital formation landscape.

"In our ongoing efforts to nurture the strategic importance of the GP/LP alignment, II has formed The Alpha Edge Buy List to share LP-endorsed alternative asset management excellence. We are truly grateful to our asset allocator partners for their continued trust in our collective efforts," said Rip Reeves, CEO of Institutional Investor.

The Alpha Edge Buy List is a global initiative, drawing on the collective insight of Institutional Investor's transatlantic allocator community across both North America and Europetwo of the most sophisticated and influential pools of private markets capital globally. The Alpha Edge Advisory Board represents a uniquely powerful cross-section of global capitalspanning pensions, sovereign funds, insurers, healthcare systems, and endowmentsincluding senior institutional investors from major European institutions such as APG, Nordea, and Swiss Re, and North American allocators including Columbia Investment Management Company, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, and Texas Municipal Retirement System.

"Private equity continues to scale globally, but allocators are increasingly focused on discipline, transparency, and long-term partnership. The Alpha Edge Buy List is about signaling qualityrecognizing private equity firms that institutional investors trust to steward capital responsibly," said Katarina Storfer, Global Chief Product Officer at Institutional Investor and Founder of Alpha Edge.

The eight firms named to the Alpha Edge Buy list were formally recognized at Alpha Edge Europe, April 15-17 in London; and will also be recognized at Alpha Edge Americas, May 13-14 in Fort Lauderdale; and Alpha Edge Asia, October 20-21 in Hong Kong. For more information or to register for these events, visit https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/events.

Read more information about the Alpha Edge Buy List HERE.

For media inquiries or requests for interviews, please contact:

Bryan Fox

Executive Director, Marketing

[email protected]

About Institutional Investor

For nearly 60 years, Institutional Investor (II) has played an active, leading role in the global investment industry by creating and nurturing a community that influences and shapes the investment markets. Since the beginning, we've convened the investment industry to provide the insight, community and partnership required to evolve and stay relevant.

We connect the most important and impactful market participants: those who allocate and manage large volumes of capital, and those whose investment decisions make a significant impact on financial markets and retirement security. As a premier international business-to-business publisher focused on international asset management, II provides actionable insights by bringing together intelligence, opinions, and data from across the industry. Through exclusive memberships, forums, and online networks, we have established the preeminent global community of the most influential asset allocators. Our platform extends beyond journalism, newsletters, and research to include conferences, seminars, and training courses, as well as digital business information. For asset managers, II offers unique opportunities to engage with this sought-after community through thought leadership, networking, and speaking engagements, helping these firms build presence and influence within the investment world.

Contact: Bryan Fox

[email protected]

SOURCE Institutional Investor
The pastor of the FedEx driver who abducted and murdered seven-year-old Athena Strand revealed that the twisted killer would bring a sack of knives to his church.

The pastor, identified only as 'Gary,' testified on behalf of the defense at Tanner Horner's death penalty hearing on Monday.

Horner, 34, admitted to murdering Strand after abducting her from outside her home in Paradise, Texas, while she played outside unattended in November 2022.

Horner, who pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping, had been delivering a box of Barbies that were due to be Strand's Christmas present when he took the youngster, strangled her and dumped her body in a creek.

The FedEx driver became a member of pastor Gary's church while he was in junior high. Gary described him as a normal kid but was aware that he had a form of autism.

The pastor explained how Horner's behavior drastically changed to cold and uncommunicative after his medication was switched.

'We tried to talk to him, but he started carrying a bag to church, and at some point you have to figure out, 'What's in the bag'' Said Gary.

Officials and security at the church went through the bag, finding all kinds of knives, said the pastor.

The pastor, identified only as 'Gary,' testified on behalf of the defense at Tanner Horner's death penalty hearing on Monday during day 12 of the trial (Horner pictured in court the week of April 7)

Horner, 34, has pleaded guilty to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in the case of seven-year-old Athena Strand (pictured)

The pastor added that Horner didn't understand why he wasn't allowed to bring the sack to church and stopped attending regularly.

Gary went on to explain how the murderer contacted him after being arrested for Strand's death in 2022.

Horner requested a specific bible verse from the pastor and did not speak with him about murdering the little girl, said Gary.

'I met with him, and I just wanted to make sure he was OK and wanted to make sure he understood, you know, really what had happened, because of his autism. I don't know what range of the spectrum he was, but connecting things was sometimes you had to really help him connect that,' Gary told the jury.

'As a pastor, we don't always get to do the easy things. We do what we're called to do,' he added.

Gary admitted that he now knows Horner was dishonest when he was told Horner had hit Strand while backing up and had panicked.

'You know now that that's not what happened,' the prosecution asked Gary.

The pastor responded, 'Yes, sir.'

In addition to the pastor, two separate women have testified that Horner raped them when they were teenagers.

The women told jurors how Horner raped them when they were 16 years old - one year younger than the age of consent in Texas.

Horner had been delivering a box of Barbies that were due to be Strand's Christmas present when he took the youngster, strangled her and dumped her body in a creek. The two are pictured in his FedEx truck following the kidnapping

The FedEx driver became a member of Gary's church while he was in junior high and the pastor explained how Horner started carrying a bag to church after changing medications. Gary said the bag was full of knives

The first woman said she was sexually assaulted by Horner twice in 2013, when he was 22 years old.

Her accusations are now the basis of two sexual assault of a child cases pending in Tarrant County.

The witness testified that Horner had asked her to lie to his grandmother about her age when he took her back to his shed to drink alcohol he had purchased and smoke marijuana.

'That night, when I decided it was time to go to sleep, I lay down, and Tanner Horner started grabbing a hold of me, kissing me, and proceeded to have sex with me,' the witness testified.

She said she told him the following day that she did not want to have that kind of a relationship with him, but after another night of smoking and drinking a few months later, she found him sexually assaulting her once again.

In that case, the woman said she fell asleep in Horner's room and woke up to him grabbing and touching her - before proceeding to have sex with her.

'I froze,' the woman testified. 'I completely froze, shut down, did not know what to do, and just let it happen.'

She said she felt gross, violated, and hated herself for allowing the sexual assault to occur, and told jurors she feels guilty about not reporting the sexual assaults sooner, saying if she had, 'things may not have happened to other people.'

Additionally, two women testified on April 14 who claimed Horner raped them as minors. One woman testified on that she and Horner (pictured) would see each other at band practices as well as with mutual friends. Often, alcohol and drugs were involved

Jurors were also shown letters Horner wrote to Strand's family on April 13

But under cross-examination, the accuser admitted that no one had forced her to be around Horner, and that no one forced her to drink alcohol or use drugs in his presence.

She also said she had intended to spend the night at Horner's house and admitted she 'went along with it' after Horner made the first move, even telling Fort Worth police it was 'consensual.'

From there, a second woman took the stand to claim that Horner raped her the following year, in 2014, when she was 16 years old.

She and Horner would see each other at band practices and with mutual friends. Often, alcohol and drugs were involved, the woman testified.

The witness said she never agreed to date Horner or have a sexual relationship with him.

The alleged sexual assault came when she was staying at another friend's house, where he and Horner shared a bed. But the witness said she told him she did not want to be touched and only wanted to go to sleep.

When the witness then woke up a short time later, however, she said she found Horner on top of her.

'I became conscious and came to Tanner Horner raping me,' the alleged victim said.

She then went on to say she did not initially recall what had happened, but got some flashbacks the following morning.

She also described a sexual encounter that she said helped jog her memory, and in 2018, she made a public accusation.

By January 2023, Horner decided to send Strand's heartbroken family a remorseful letter saying he does not 'do well with changes or things that are unpredictable' due to his Asperger's Syndrome - an autism spectrum disorder whose sufferers may struggle to cope if their usual daily routine is disrupted.

Horner said in the letter he was extremely stressed by not being able to drive the exact same route in his FedEx truck every day, which he blamed for committing the murder.

'I'm sorry I allowed my mental state to be unstable. I'm sorry I took your little angel away from you. She didn't deserve it. My son didn't deserve to lose his father,' he wrote, as he moaned about the impact his crime would have on his own family.

'My mother didn't deserve to lose her son. My fiance didn't deserve to have her wedding day stripped away from her. I pray my death eases your suffering,' he concluded.
Two of Reform UKs Holyrood election candidates have been accused of hypocrisy on immigration.

Strathkelvin and Bearsden candidate Faten Hameed, who said in a TV interview that illegal immigrants should be put in camps and deported, previously applied for 154,000 of public funding for a comprehensive support and integration programme for refugees, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities in Glasgow.

Reforms Dunfermline candidate Otto Inglis is also a former asylum caseworker who was singled out for appreciation in a Scottish Refugee Council report calling for more support for asylum seekers.

The party has sought to put immigration at the heart of the Holyrood election campaign and launched an advertising campaign pledging to stop Glasgow being the UKs illegal migrant capital and warning that Scotland is at breaking point.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: These revelations expose the hypocrisy of two leading Reform candidates.

Theyre talking tough on immigration now, with one crank candidate even proposing setting up deportation camps, but their past activities expose them as opportunistic chancers.

How on earth can Scots trust these wannabe MSPs on the crucial issue of immigration when their past actions are completely at odds with the policies they now purport to support?

The Scottish Conservatives actually have a plan to tackle illegal immigration at source, along with reinstating the local connection rule for housing applications  which the SNP irrationally dropped  to stop major cities like Glasgow becoming a magnet for asylum seekers. Thats why you need to vote for us on your peach ballot.

Strathkelvin and Bearsden candidate Faten Hameed with Reform leader Nigel Farage

Faten Hameed, pictured with Glasgow MSPs Annie Wells and Dr Sandesh Gulhane, has previously been an election candidate for both Labour and the Conservatives

Then Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn with Faten Hameed, who was previously the party's candidate for Glasgow Central

Ms Hamed, who moved to Scotland from Iraq 30 years ago and has previously been an election candidate for both Labour and the Conservatives, proposed the creation of deportation camps for illegal immigrants in an interview with Sky News last year, when she said: Put them in camps and deport them.

But records show that when she was chairman of the Scottish Iraqi Association she unsuccessfully applied for 154,266 of funding from the Glasgow Communities Fund for 2026-29 to deliver a comprehensive support and integration program (Sic) for marginalised Iraqi refugees, asylum seekers, and ethnic minorities in Glasgow.

The project would have provided advice, language support, employability training, mental health workshops and cultural activities to help tackle poverty, reduce social isolation, and promote equal opportunities.

An overview of the project said that it aligns with Glasgows priorities of inclusion, equalities, and poverty reduction, ensuring vulnerable groups receive the support they need to thrive.

Mr Inglis, who lists his former jobs as including a welfare rights lawyer and asylum caseworker, was given credit in a special appreciation section of a 21 Days Later report which demanded simple changes to the asylum process, and that support should be maintained for refused asylum claimants.

A Reform UK spokesman said: Faten Hameed has always been clear: illegal migration must be stopped and those with no right to remain should be removed.

The project she was involved in was focused on practical community support and reducing pressures at a local level, something that benefits both residents and authorities regardless of broader policy views.

Reform UKs focus is fixing the system so these stopgap measures arent needed in the first place.

As for Otto Inglis, he has never seen this document you refer to before nor does he endorse it.
John Swinney has been blasted for vowing to prioritise independence from day one of a new SNP government - even if he fails to win a majority.

Despite months of claiming only outright victory would give him a credible mandate, the First Minister will spend public money trying to break up the UK so long as he holds onto power.

He said that, if returned to Bute House, he would force an immediate Holyrood vote about transferring referendum powers from Westminster under a Section 30 order.

The SNP leader said he would also publish a draft referendum Bill - the SNPs third in a decade - within 100 days of forming a government.

And he would convene a Constitutional Convention, which would exclude Reform UK, to work on the draft constitution for an Independent Scotland.

Asked seven times if his plans depended on an SNP majority, the First Minister refused to give a straight answer.

But his spin doctor later confirmed the SNP would push ahead regardless of MSP numbers, provided it was still in office.

Were going to continue to argue for and pursue independence, he said.

The Scottish Tories said Mr Swinney was hellbent on constitutional chaos, while Labour accused the nationalists of trying to shift the goalposts.

John Swinney said he would publish a draft referendum Bill within 100 days of forming a government

It came as another poll suggested the SNP will miss the 65 seats Mr Swinney has made his target in the election.

The Survation survey for the Diffley Partnership put the SNP on course for 62 seats, followed by Reform on 19, Labour 17, the Greens 12, Tories 11 and Liberal Democrats 8.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: John Swinneys plot to make the first vote of the new parliament about an independence referendum confirms how breathtakingly out of touch he is with the people of Scotland.

Instead of focusing on the cost-of-living crisis, jobs, education or the NHS, hes hellbent on plunging Holyrood into fresh constitutional chaos.

Swinneys new threat to demand another unwanted referendum is a wake-up call to those who think hes not serious about breaking up our country. Its all he really cares about.

Mr Swinney launched a paper setting out his plans for the first 100 days of a fifth-term SNP administration with a speech to party activists and candidates in Glasgow.

He said his government would be hitting the ground running for Scotland.

He said: On the first sitting day after the appointment of the new government, we will bring forward a vote of the Scottish Parliament to approve the development of a Section 30 Order to give Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum.

Within the first hundred days, we will publish the draft Referendum Bill. We propose that the question, as in 2014, is: Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes or No.

And we will convene a Constitutional Convention to help inform the Independence Referendum Bill and start to shape the draft constitution for an independent Scotland.

SNP ministers also issued draft referendum bills - which have no legal status - in 2016 and 2021. They came to nothing.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC refused to let the 2021 Bill be introduced to parliament as it seemed beyond Holyroods powers - a fatal flaw later confirmed by the UK Supreme Court.

There is no legal mechanism to force the UK Government to grant a referendum, as it is ultimately a political decision.

But despite Labour ministers ruling out a vote, Mr Swinney insisted the precedent of the SNPs 2011 landslide would secure one.

Ask about legal action if Westminster refused, he said: Nobody has to consider litigation if we just respect the precedent that was designed and created in 2011.

The precedent was established in 2011 of the election of an SNP majority leading to a referendum. It is a precedent I intend to repeat on May 7 and ensure that people in Scotland have their democratic right to choose their own future.

He said only the election of a majority of SNP MSPs would break the log jam, but refused to ditch his independence plans if he didnt win a majority.

The FM also claimed that within 100 days he wanted 2,000 first time homebuyers to get up to 10,000 support for their purchase, a 2 cap on single bus fares in Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde, and five more GP walk-in centres open.

He also said he wanted a price cap on essential food items by the end of the year.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: John Swinneys priority is not the NHS, not supporting our public services, and not making our streets safer.

It is dividing our country and obsessing over the arguments of the past.

Swinney is taking the classic approach of the SNP - they shift the goalposts to cover up for their failures.

Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign chair Wendy Chamberlain MP said: Straight from the horses mouth: from Shetland to Stranraer, every vote for the SNP will be taken as permission to obsess over independence.

It wont end in 100 days either. Its their plan for the whole Parliament.

On the Survation poll, Scott Edgar, senior research manager of Diffley Partnership, said: While the SNP remain on course to be the largest party, albeit short of an overall majority, support for the other parties is broadly dispersed.

Relatively small shifts in support between now and next Thursday could have a significant impact on the final distribution of seats.
Rachel Reeves is under fire today after it emerged she is considering a one-year rent freeze on private homes as the Iran war continues to hit voters' pockets.

The Chancellor is weighing up plans to ban landlords in England from raising rents for the period in what would be a major policy shift to the left ahead of local elections in which Labour is forecast to take a hammering.

The proposals would form part of a significant cost-of-living package set to be launched in the next few weeks to combat the effects of the war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Ms Reeves resisted introducing rent control in Labour's Renters' Rights Act, which will come into force on Friday, and previously said she was not in favour of a 'blanket approach' to rent control.

But ministers are worried about the impact of the war and the Treasury is said to be considering exceptional measures to limit the impact on household budgets and mortgages, according to the Guardian.

Discussions are thought to be at an early stage with Ms Reeves pondering a number of interventions in the rental markets to reduce housing costs.

Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said: 'Rent controls would be completely disastrous for tenants.

'Even Labour's housing minister has acknowledged that. But with the party struggling, Rachel Reeves is reaching for failed socialist policies.

Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering the introduction of a one-year rent freeze on private homes as the Iran war continues to hit voters' pockets

'Labour's red tape and higher taxes have already forced up rents and reduced choice for renters. A rent freeze would just drive more landlords from the market and lead to further big hikes in rents for new tenants, as seen in Scotland.

'Instead of rent freezes, Labour should start delivering the new homes they promised, and follow the Conservatives' lead by scrapping stamp duty to get the market moving and release more homes to rent and buy.'

The National Residential Landlords Association warned the move could backfire and push up rents for new homes.

Chief executive Ben Beadle said: 'Any hope of growing the market or even retaining the homes that millions of families rely on  would be lost.

'There is no evidence to suggest that it would make rents more affordable. In fact, the impact on supply would inevitably drive new rents still higher. Such a move would run completely counter to good economic sense and the Government's own prior decision to rule out such measures.'

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson today ruled out a rent freeze, telling Times Radio: 'That isn't something that we are actively considering.

'Just to be completely clear, that is not the approach we'll be taking.

'But as you'd expect, the chancellor is concerned, as we all are, about the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on family finances and is looking at what more might be required to help families to get through this, but not that.

Labour are expecting heavy losses in May's local elections and the Government is looking for quick plans to ease the cost-of-living.

Rent controls have been criticised for worsening the housing shortage by forcing landlords out of the private rented market.

Some claim it discourages developers from building more properties and worsens the shortage in the long run.

Robert Colvile, head of the Centre for Policy Studies, described Ms Reeves' plans as 'a mind-boggling scale of intervention in the private market'.

He said: 'If the Government wants to bring rents down it should build an awful lot more houses.'

But George Bangham, head of social policy at the New Economics Foundation thinktank, said: 'We have an affordability crisis in the private rented sector, which dates back to before the pandemic. Other countries in western Europe already do this, and England used to from 1915 until 1989.

'We know rent controls can fix an affordability crisis if done carefully, we just need to be willing to impose them.'

A rental freeze, which would last a year, is said to be the Chancellor's favoured option to keep rent prices down.

New build properties are thought to be excluded from the freeze so as to not limit work on new homes.

Labour has promised to build 1.5million homes by 2029 although they appear to be lagging behind that target by a third.

The Chancellor is considering a package of support to help household energy bills which could be introduced this summer.

The proposals would form part of a major cost-of-living package set to be launched in the next few weeks to combat the effects of the war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (pictured)

She is also under pressure to cancel a planned rise in fuel duty as petrol costs surge.

Ms Reeves last month claimed that any bailout for Brits being battered by the Middle East crisis will be targeted rather than universal.

In a Commons statement, Ms Reeves said the 2022 support under the Tories was a 'mistake' because much of the 40billion went to the 'wealthy'.

She said she would focus funds on 'those that need it most'.

Ms Reeves also outlined plans to prevent price 'gouging' during what she admitted would be a 'significant' cost-of-living storm.

The latest proposal comes as the High Street suffered its worst month for more than 40 years as the Iran war hits households already reeling from higher taxes under Labour.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said retail sales volumes have fallen by the most on record.

Some 77 per cent of firms surveyed reported that sales volumes were lower this month than in April last year while just 9 per cent saw a rise.

The balance of minus 68 was the lowest since 1983. The sales slump came even as retailers slashed prices  sparking warnings that shoppers are yet to feel the 'full force' of the war.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent petrol and diesel prices soaring and threatens to push up energy and food bills. Employers are also grappling with hikes in the minimum wage and business rates bills on top of last year's national insurance tax raid.

Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith said: 'These figures show the true scale of the April Armageddon caused by the combination of the Chancellor's policies and global uncertainty. Yet rather than act, the Government keeps piling on more tax and red tape.'

But a separate British Retail Consortium report found shop prices rose less than feared  up 1 per cent on last April, but down from a 1.2 per cent rise in March, with food price inflation dipping from 3.4 per cent to 3.1 per cent.

Labour hopes a the rent freeze could ease pressure on Keir Starmer with the party expected to suffer significant losses next month.

Labour hopes the latest proposals could ease pressure on Keir Starmer with the party expected to suffer significant losses at the polls next month

Sir Keir is mounting a rearguard action tonight ahead of a crunch House of Commons vote over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

The embattled Prime Minister has been rocked after Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, granted a debate on whether he should face a parliamentary probe.

The showdown  to be held tomorrow  means Labour MPs will be forced to decide if they will line up behind their floundering leader.

A formal inquiry by the Commons' privileges committee will be launched if Tuesday's motion is passed.

Labour whips are said to be ringing round backbench MPs to plead with them to block an investigation into whether the PM misled Parliament over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the US.

An increasingly desperate Sir Keir - who addressed the Parliamentary Labour Party in person on Monday evening - also drafted in ex-PM Gordon Brown to implore MPs to back him.

The former premier called on Labour's ranks to 'put the needs of the country first' amid the Middle East crisis and Ukraine war, despite the 'parliamentary games at Westminster'.

Sir Keir himself lashed out at tomorrow's debate as a 'stunt' and signalled he would whip Labour MPs to back him. He also revealed his wife Victoria is urging him to fight on and remain in Downing Street, despite growing calls for him to quit.

A HM Treasury spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on speculation.'
The Government should consider reintroducing national service to protect Britain, the author of the defence review has suggested.

Former Nato chief Lord Robertson said introducing a Swedish-style national service 'should certainly be on the agenda' due to the 'threats that we now face'.

The Labour peer's comments are his latest major intervention in recent weeks after he accused his own Government of 'corrosive complacency' on defence spending.

Last week a House of Lords committee that he chairs heaped pressure on the Government to publish its defence spending plan - which is now more than six months overdue.

Now Lord Robertson, who wrote the Government's strategic defence review last year, has suggested Britain should reintroduce national service as part of an 'all of country approach' to defence.

The former defence secretary appeared in front of the joint Parliamentary committee on the National Security Strategy on Monday. He was asked: 'In Sweden, every resident aged 16 to 70 has a legally defined role in civil resilience. Should we do that?'

Lord Robertson said: 'I think there is a case for that. It might go against the grain in terms of the way in which we think of ourselves.

'But I think given the nature of the threats that we now face, both in a civil as well as a military context, I think there would be a case for putting that forward.

Keir Starmer and former Nato chief Lord Robertson pictured in 2024 at Downing Street

Taking aim: Then-Labour defence secretary George Robertson on a Challenger tank in 1999

'We talk about a defence readiness bill in our review, which would involve society as a whole. It appears it's not going to be in the King's speech next week or the week after next, which is a pity, because it's a crucial part of part of what we promoted.

'But I think ideas like that should certainly be on the agenda.'

Under the Swedish system, everybody between the ages of 16 and 70 is legally obliged to contribute to the defence of the country in the case of war.

This includes military conscription, civil conscription such as rescue services or maintaining critical national infrastructure, or general national service carrying out tasks decided by the authorities.

National service in Britain - which came into force in January 1949 and required all physically fit men between 17 and 21 to serve in the armed forces for 18 months - was ended in 1960.

Other countries, such as Finland, already have military conscription and in December Germany's parliament voted to introduce voluntary military service following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Lord Robertson's latest intervention comes as the Government faces increasing questions about the Armed Forces' readiness to fight a war. Defence Secretary John Healey said last year that Labour would publish the ten-year Defence Investment Plan by last autumn, but this is now not expected until the summer.

Last week the Lords committee that Lord Robertson chairs called on the Government to set a 'clear and costed' path to spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence.

On Monday he called for a 'national conversation' on defence so that Britons are aware of the 'acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns and espionage' that we are already facing from hostile countries such as Russia and Iran.

The Labour peer called out the 'complacency' on defence, adding: 'And it's not just in government. It applies throughout society.'

Lord Robertson said: 'Inside the United Kingdom, I think there is a view that we are safe. We don't notice what is happening elsewhere, and yet it is happening day by day, cyber-attacks and attacks on undersea cables, all of these things are ongoing.'

He added: '[In] the 1930s, we didn't prepare until the crisis was actually on us. It would be horrible to think that it would take an actual crisis, an actual attack on the United Kingdom, before we woke up to the kind of threats that are facing us.'

The Daily Mail is urging increased spending through its Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign.
Gavin Newsom's wife slammed President Donald Trump for having a 'disturbing' and 'misogynistic' outburst during his recent 60 Minutes interview.

Trump sat down with CBS's Norah ODonnell on Sunday evening to discuss the recent assassination attempt that occurred just 24 hours earlier in Washington DC.

Trump, the first lady, and thousands of other leading politicians and journalists gathered in a hotel on Saturday night for the White House Correspondents' Dinner, when a shooter, Cole Allen, 31, opened fire inside.

He was tackled to the ground and arrested by Secret Service agents. No one was shot, except for an agent who was saved by his bulletproof vest.

During his discussion with O'Donnell, the president called the veteran journalist a 'disgrace' for reading excerpts from Allen's manifesto that made wild claims about 'pedophiles' and 'rapists'.

After speaking those words, Trump erupted at O'Donnell, which enraged Jennifer Newsom, who took to X on Monday afternoon to rant about how the interview 'shocked' her and her family.

'My family and I watched the 60 Minutes interview with Donald Trump and Norah ODonnell last night, and we were shocked,' the first partner of California, 51, wrote.

'Seeing a president speak to a woman journalist with that level of contempt  and a clear allergy to facts  is disturbing, though at this point not unexpected given his pattern of behavior.'

Gavin Newsom's wife, Jennifer, slammed Donald Trump for his 'disturbing' and misogynistic outburst during his recent 60 Minutes interview

In a subsequent post, the Democrat added: 'Add in rhetoric rooted in political division, amplified by a digital ecosystem that rewards outrage and misinformation, and this cultural norm of hate, othering, and misogyny becomes pervasive.

'Behavior that should be challenged gets normalized; what should raise concern is amplified and cheered on.

'Its no wonder we have a culture that normalizes dominance and aggression toward women and girls, which not only silences them but also leads to internalized misogyny in others.'

She ended her post with a personal shoutout to O'Donnell and all female journalists.

'Thank you to Norah, all of the female journalists, and frankly to all of YOU who continue to be brave and speak truth to power. This culture of misogyny is on all of us, and it has to end.'

During her interview with Trump, who often refers to Jennifer's husband as 'Newscum,' O'Donnell read some of the most inciting lines of Allen's missive.

'He appears to reference a motive. In it, he writes this: quote, ''Administrative officials, they are targets.'' He also wrote this: "I am no longer willing to permit a [child predator], [sexual abuser], and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes." What's your reaction to that?,' she asked.

Trump replied: 'Well, I was waiting for you to read that, because I knew you would. Because you're horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. I am not a [sexual abuser]. I didn't [sexually assault] anybody.'

Trump sat down with CBS's Norah ODonnell on Sunday evening to discuss the recent assassination attempt that occurred just 24 hours earlier in Washington DC. During it, he called the journalist a 'disgrace' for reading excerpts from Cole Allen's manifesto

Jennifer ended her post with a personal shoutout to O'Donnell and all female journalists

O'Donnell attempted to interrupt Trump, asking: 'Oh, do you think he was referring to you?'

'Excuse me. Excuse me. I am not a [child predator],' he quickly said, cutting the anchor off.

Trump then appeared to refer to what he felt was the connection Allen was attempting to make between himself and [child predator] financier Jeffrey Epstein.

'You read that crap from some sick person. I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated. Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, let's say, Epstein or other things.'

Trump has never been charged with a crime in connection to Epstein, who the President has said he kicked out of his Mar-a-Lago club decades ago.

The President continued to go after O'Donnell and appeared to regret going on with the interview at all.

'But I said to myself, you know, I'll do this interview and they'll probably  I read the manifesto. It was a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that, because I'm not any of those things.'

O'Donnell continued to clarify that those were the gunman's words, but he was having none of it.

'Excuse me. Excuse me. You shouldn't be reading that on 60 minutes. You're a disgrace. But go ahead, let's finish the interview,' he said.

Trump and First Lady Melania are seen just before being rushed off the stage as shots rang out in the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday evening during the dinner

O'Donnell had asked Trump if he might try to improve his relationship with a combative press in the wake of the shooting.

'Look, for whatever reason, we disagree on a lot of subjects. We talked about crime, I am very strong on crime. It seems like the press isn't,' Trump said.

'It's not so much the press, but the press plus the Democrats. It's almost like they are one and the same.'

Trump also told O'Donnell that he may have slowed the Secret Service's response after shots were fired on Saturday night.

The President recounted how he 'wanted to see what was happening.'

'And I wasn't going to make it that easy for them, I wanted to see what was going on,' he said of the Secret Service.

On Monday afternoon, Allen appeared emotionless as he was seen for the first time since his arrest. He is seen in his mugshot

The Justice Department accused the California native of attempting to attack the dinner - and target Trump and administration officials - by running through a Secret Service checkpoint with a shotgun, handgun, and knives. One of the guns he brought into the hotel is seen

But soon, he said, security 'started to realize maybe it was a bad problem... different from [the] normal noise that you hear from a ballroom, which you hear all the time.

'I was surrounded by great people and I probably made them act a little bit more sluggish,' he continued. 'I said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me see."'

On Monday afternoon, Allen appeared emotionless as he was seen for the first time since his arrest.

The Justice Department accused the California native of attempting to attack the dinner - and target Trump and administration officials - by running through a Secret Service checkpoint with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.

The alleged gunman was brought into court for the first time on Monday in a blue prison jumpsuit and was charged with attempting to assassinate the President of the United States. That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Reforms treasurer Nick Candy today vowed to pursue a fraudster and get him put behind bars after being duped into investing millions in a tech start-up claimed to be the 'next Facebook'.

Property tycoon Mr Candy called for a criminal investigation into conman Robert Bonnier  and declared he would bring a prosecution privately if the authorities failed to act.

It came after a High Court judge today firmly sided with Mr Candy and his firm Candy Ventures Sarl (CVS) in a long-running legal battle with Bonnier and his tech firm Aaqua.

Bonnier lied repeatedly and determinedly, the High Court previously found, by deceiving Mr Candys firm into investing 6.5million in Aaqua.

The Aaqua App was billed as the next Facebook but in reality it was little more than a very basic idea and did not exist.

Bonnier falsely claimed to Mr Candys firm that global giants Apple and Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) were on the brink of backing Aaqua to the tune of $1billion. But this was untrue  there was no trace of any dealings with Apple  and Bonnier knew it, the court found last year.

Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy's firm was awarded 4.6million  but fraudster Robert Bonnier went bankrupt. Now Mr Candy has vowed to launch a criminal prosecution to get him jailed

Conman Robert Bonnier told Mr Candy's company his new app would be 'the next Facebook' but in reality it didn't exist. The High Court ruled Bonnier lied

In November, the High Court ruled that Mr Candys firm had been conned. Mr Justice Bright said Bonnier had made false representations to secure investment in Aaqua. He awarded Mr Candys company 4.6million in damages, plus interest.

But Bonnier, 55, a Dutch businessman, has yet to pay a penny. He was declared bankrupt at a specialist insolvency court in December.

And since then, he has responded to the damning court ruling by counter-suing Mr Candy and his firm, alleging that a freezing order briefly secured by the businessman had cost him millions.

Today, Mr Justice Butcher threw out this claim, saying Bonnier and his companies had repeatedly and seriously breached court orders.

Mr Candy, 53, is now throwing down the gauntlet to Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson, who is the head of the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Reform treasurer and businessman said: Ive been ripped off by Bonnier, Im not ashamed to say it. Hes a fraudster and I am not going to let him get away with it. If I did what he did, I would be locked up. And thats what needs to happen to him.

If the authorities dont go after him, then I am going to ask the DPP to allow me to bring a private criminal prosecution. Im going to make sure he is put behind bars.

While most prosecutions are brought by the Crown Prosecution Service, individuals and companies can bring private criminal prosecutions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

A spokesman for CVS, which is a portfolio of companies and is 90 per cent owned by Mr Candy, said: Robert Bonnier is a proven conman and fraudster, which has been found as a matter of fact by the High Court.

'Mr Candy will now pursue all available legal remedies, including pursuing criminal proceedings in all appropriate jurisdictions, and will continue to pursue Mr Bonnier until full accountability is achieved and funds are recovered. There must be criminal consequences for fraudulent conduct of this nature.

Bonnier is best known as a casualty of the dotcom era. A former UBS banker, he made a name for himself as the chief executive of Scoot, an online directory valued at more than 2.5billion during the dotcom boom of the late 1990s. His stake in the business was worth about 130million before his star, and that of the business, fell early in the new millennium.

Bonnier was fined 290,000 by the City regulator in 2004 for misleading the stock market over his interest in Regus, the office services group. He accepted the penalty to 'seek resolution of this matter' and pointed out that regulators had not made any finding of whether he had intended to mislead the market.

In the present case, at a hearing earlier this month, barrister Hermione Williams, for Bonnier and his companies, asked the court for one final chance, saying court orders had not been complied with due to a lack of funds.

In written submissions in the case last year, Bonnier  who represented himself  admitted 'selling his aspirations for Aaqua very enthusiastically, and occasionally perhaps going too far in those efforts'.

Bonnier's representatives have been asked for comment.
At Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner, around 2,600 plates of prime chateaubriand and Maine lobster were waiting to be served when a gunman rushed the Secret Service checkpoint, throwing the night into chaos.

Attendees of the WHCD, which included Daily Mail staff, had only gotten through the salad course - featuring spring peas, burrata cheese, toasted pistachios, and an aged balsamic vinaigrette - when gunfire was audibly heard through the Washington Hilton's basement-level ballroom.

Guests ducked and crawled under tables, while President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the Cabinet were whisked to a safer location.

While Trump insisted the show go on, it did not.

White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang returned to the podium after sheltering in place to address the thousands of attendees still assembled in the ballroom.

'He wanted to continue, despite the news, but has to follow security protocol,' she said, also announcing a late-night briefing back at the White House.

That meant all those entrees - and a 'Grand Opera Cake' dessert - went unserved.

So what happened to all the leftovers?

President Donald Trump (center), First Lady Melania Trump (center left) and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (second from left) were being entertained by Oz Pearlman when shots were heard outside the Washington Hilton ballroom Saturday night

Only the salad course - featuring spring peas, burrata cheese, toasted pistachios, and an aged balsamic vinaigrette - had been served when a gunman caused chaos at Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton

A spokesperson for the Hilton told the Daily Mail that 'the hotel regularly donates unused food from events to support local organizations and their work in the community.'

'Food from this weekend is being donated to our local community partners, and remaining produce items were composted and will be sent to farms for agricultural use,' the spokesperson said.

Jiang later revealed on Monday that the steak and lobster had been freeze-dried for a longer shelf life and were going to two shelters for abused women and children.

Washingtonian magazine first reported what happened to the surf and turf.

Some of the leftover wine ended up in journalists' hands, with one video of a bottle heist going particularly viral.

The cost of a dinner ticket this year was $480 per seat or $4,800 for a table of 10, and can only be purchased by members of the White House Correspondents' Association, a nonprofit that helps journalists covering the White House do their jobs.

The Association also partners with universities to provide scholarships to aspiring journalists who are in attendance at the black-tie dinner.

The President is invited each year.

A menu for Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner. Only the salad course had been served when gunfire was heard outside the ballroom, derailing the annual media dinner

Armed agents moved toward the stage as journalists and other guests hid under tables as a gunman tried to break through the Secret Service checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night - with only the salad course being served

A guest is seen carrying out bottles of wine from the White House Correspondents' Dinner after gunfire canceled the annual affair and the President, First Lady, Vice President and Cabinet members had to be evacuated

Attendees depart the Washington Hilton Saturday night in the aftermath of the shooting, leaving 2,600 plates of prime chateaubriand and Maine lobster untouched. A spokesperson for the Hilton said the food was being donated to charity

Washington Hilton staff can be seen cleaning up after a shooting incident emptied the hotel's ballroom where a menu of surf and turf was supposed to be served

Trump snubbed the dinner during his first term, which was canceled during his final year in office due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

His appearance at this year's dinner marked the first time he attended as commander-in-chief.

Back at the White House, Trump asked the WHCA for the dinner to be rescheduled.

'We'll do it again in the next 30 days. And we'll make it bigger and better and even nicer,' Trump said from the briefing room podium.

He also pushed that this is why his White House ballroom - currently in legal limbo - needed to be constructed.

The WHCD would likely never be held there, since it's a gala organized by the press, not the President.
Role has been vacant since 2025

US President Donald Trump has announced his pick for the next American ambassador to Australia more than a year after the Republican leader's return to the White House.

Former Virginia congressman David Brat was nominated for the ambassador role, which has been vacant since 2024.

Mr Brat represented Virginia's seventh congressional district in the US House of Representatives for the Republicans.

He was first elected in 2014 and served two terms before losing his seat in 2018.

The ambassador position is yet to be finalised as the appointment needs to be ratified by the US Senate.

If successful in his selection, Mr Brat will succeed Caroline Kennedy in the role of ambassador to Australia.

In the interim, career diplomat Erika Olson has served as charge d'affaires since Kennedy departed the role.

Ms Kennedy, the only surviving child of former Democratic president John F. Kennedy, was appointed under the Biden administration.

David Brat (pictured) has been nominated by President Trump as US Ambassador to Australia

Donald Trump (pictured) previously endorsed Brat during a congressional run in 2018

Brat is currently a senior vice president for business relations at Liberty University in Virginia, where he previously served as dean of the business school.

Trump endorsed Brat during his 2018 congressional campaign, publicly calling him 'a powerful vote for MAGA'.

During his first term, Trump left the Australian ambassadorship unfilled for almost two years before making an appointment in 2019.

He ultimately chose Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., a longtime Republican operative who had served as an adviser to Ronald Reagan.
The Princess of Wales paid a loving tribute to the late Princess Diana on Saturday as she paid her respects to fallen soldiers during the Anzac Day commemorations.

Kate attended the wreath-laying and parade at the Cenotaph on Whitehall to mark the anniversary of the landing of Allied Forces at dawn on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915.

But eagle-eyed onlookers may have noted a rather subtle nod to her late mother-in-law, as Kate opted to wear a bespoke Givenchy coat dress by Sarah Burton that bore a striking resemblance to a Catherine Walker blue suit previously worn by Diana.

In 1995 the late princess wore the navy suit to present new colours to the Light Dragoon Guards Regiment in Bergen, Germany.

Similar in both colour and style, the key difference between the two royal women's elegant outfits was their hair  with Kate opting to wear her long, wavy tresses down, while Diana's shorter haircut was in keeping with her signature look.

In an additional touching tribute, Kate's outfit for the Anzac Day commemorations was accessorized with a pair of Diana's sapphire double cluster earrings.

Diana was spotted wearing the earrings on several occasions before her death in 1997  including during a visit to Canada in 1991 and when she attended the 1996 Met Gala in New York City.

In recent years, Kate has frequently been spotted wearing the striking earrings to accessorise her outfits for public engagements, as well as re-wearing other pieces from Diana's collection.

The Princess of Wales paid a loving tribute to the late Princess Diana on Saturday during the Anzac Day commemorations

Kate's look was rather reminiscent of Diana's style when she stepped out in 1995 to present new colours to the Light Dragoon Guards Regiment

During the Anzac Day memorial service, Kate wore a bespoke Jane Taylor hat and Gianvito Rossi pumps, alongside a DeMellier navy bag.

She also wore a rarely-seen tanzanite and diamond necklace from G Collins and Sons, believed to have been a gift from her husband, Prince William, in 2015.

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When Diana wore her navy skirt suit with white details, she opted for a pair of Collingwood pearl drop earrings.

They were given to Diana in 1981 as a wedding present and became a firm favourite  she wore them on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.

The gorgeous earrings were later passed on to Kate, who most recently wore them when she and William welcomed the president and first lady of Nigeria for a UK state visit in March.

On Saturday, Kate paid her respects to fallen soldiers during the wreath-laying and parade at the Cenotaph alongside the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Hamish Cooper.

The Princess of Wales 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.

Kate frequently pays tribute to members of the Royal Family  most notably Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana  through her choice of accessories

Diana's navy skirt suit with white details bore an uncanny resemblance to Kate's outfit choice on Saturday

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.

In March, Kate delighted royal fans by opting for a glamorous sentimental jewellery piece during her surprise royal outing with the Prince of Wales in London.

Teaming new 995 Jimmy Choo shoes with cropped trousers and a Catherine Walker checkered blazer, Kate and William enjoyed a jam-packed day in the capital ranging from a tour of Bermondsey's Beer Mile to a boat ride along the Thames.

And eagle-eyed onlookers may have noticed a rather touching detail to Kate's look: her Cartier Trinity hoops believed to have been a thoughtful gift from William to mark her 43rd birthday.

Priced at 3,200, Kate, 44, has been spotted wearing the chic earrings on five separate occasions this year alone  with the gorgeous jewellery piece featuring three intertwined bands in an 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold.

Created by Louis Cartier in the 1920s, the earrings are Kate's sixth jewellery item from the Trinity collection, with the three intersecting hoops thought to be a nod to her three children.

The jewellery piece is also believed to be a loving tribute to her beloved mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who was a firm fan of the collection and famously frequently wore a distinct Trinity ring on her pinky finger.
Enhancing Driver Safety, Hybrid eCall Enables Seamless Emergency Communication Across 2G to 5G Networks in Compliance with Europe's 2027 NG eCall Requirements

News Summary

LG Electronics showcased its Hybrid eCall solution at the 37th 5GAA Meeting Week, highlighting its advanced TCU capabilities.

The solution enables emergency communication across 2G to 5G networks and is aligned with Europe's NG eCall mandate scheduled for 2027.

LG has advanced commercialization of its Hybrid eCall solution and built in-house conformity assessment capabilities comparable to those of accredited certification bodies.

SEOUL, South Korea, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) showcased its Hybrid Emergency Call (Hybrid eCall) solution at the 37th Meeting Week of the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA)  a global cross-industry organization driving the development of connected mobility solutions  held in Gothenburg, Sweden, on April 23. The solution highlights LG's telematics control unit (TCU) capabilities and its continued focus on vehicle connectivity technologies aligned with evolving European safety regulations.

Hybrid eCall Enabling Next-Generation Safety and Regulatory Compliance

 This image includes AI generated elements.

eCall is an in-vehicle emergency communication system that automatically transmits critical information  such as vehicle location, vehicle data and time of incident  to the nearest public safety answering point when a severe collision is detected or airbags are deployed. The system has been mandatory for all new vehicles in Europe since 2018.

Starting in 2027, all new-model vehicles sold in Europe will be required to support Next Generation eCall (NG eCall) operating over 4G and 5G networks to enable faster and more accurate transmission of accident data. eCall is directly linked to occupant safety, making reliable transmission of accident data across available networks essential. In response, hybrid approaches that can operate across both legacy and next-generation networks are receiving increased attention.

LG's Hybrid eCall solution is designed for reliable emergency communication across 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks. In real-world environments where network coverage is inconsistent, the solution automatically transitions between available networks and adapts data transmission accordingly, maintaining emergency communication while minimizing delay and data loss.

LG's End-to-End Capabilities and Proven Market Leadership

A key strength of LG's solution is its proven capability. As the No.1 company in global telematics market share,[1] LG has deployed its Hybrid eCall solution, designed to meet NG eCall requirements, in vehicles from major global automakers since last year, completing official certification and moving toward full-scale mass production.

LG's development is backed by end-to-end capabilities spanning development, testing and certification. The company's one-stop execution framework reduces reliance on external institutions and enables a faster and more effective response to automaker requirements and regulatory standards.

LG also operates in-house conformity assessment capabilities for automotive components comparable to those of accredited third-party certification organizations, supported by a standardized testing and evaluation system based on international standards. In 2024, the Vehicle Solution (VS) Standard Testing Laboratory, part of the VS R&D Laboratory, earned ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) and was designated an official certification lab by Europe's Global Certification Forum (GCF). In 2025, it also received recognition from North America's PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB).

The lab's scope has since expanded to include compliance testing for eCall. In particular, KOLAS-accredited test reports (based on ISO/IEC 17025) are recognized globally under the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC-MRA) framework, enabling reliable certification processes and supporting regulatory compliance not only in Korea but also across major international markets.

Last year, at a 5GAA event held in Paris, LG demonstrated a satellitebased voice communication solution for vehicles. Leveraging nonterrestrial networks (NTN), the live demonstration marked the first instance of uninterrupted, conversationlevel voice communication while switching between terrestrial and nonterrestrial network environments.

"We will continue to strengthen our leadership in automotive connectivity by leveraging our world-leading telematics technology and proven global competitiveness, while meeting Europe's stringent safety and regulatory standards," said Lee Sang-yong, head of VS R&D laboratory at the LG Vehicle Solution Company.

[1] Source: TechInsights, based on market share estimates.

About LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company

The LG Vehicle Solution Company (VS) is bringing LG's unique mobility innovations to the automotive industry. As a trusted and innovative partner, the company provides intelligent solutions including head units, displays, connectivity, ADAS vision systems, and software solutions integrating human-centered AI and automotive engineering into the modern AI/software-defined vehicle. Committed to "Driving better future mobility," the company has diversified its portfolio to further strengthen its capabilities, including automotive lighting systems, e-powertrain and cybersecurity. For more information, visit www.LG.com/global/mobility. To stay updated with the latest news, subscribe to the LG mobility newsletter, LG Loop at www.LG.com/global/mobility/newsletter and follow the LG VS Company LinkedIn channel at www.linkedin.com/company/lgvehiclesolution.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2964934/Image__LG_ELECTRONICS_PRESENTS_HYBRID_EMERGENCY_CALL_SOLUTION_AT_5GAA__IN_SWEDEN_with_caption.jpg
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The Princess of Wales made a significant solo appearance on Anzac Day, attending the Parade Service at the Cenotaph, where she laid a wreath on behalf of her father-in-law King Charles.

Kate was impeccably dressed for the poignant occasion, opting for a bespoke Givenchy coat, teamed with a Jane Taylor hat, Gianvito Rossi court shoes and her trusted DeMellier bag.

The look struck a chord with Claire Cisotti, Assistant Royals Editor at dailymail.co.uk, who said the 'cut and fit of the Princess of Wales' navy and white coat was nothing short of spectacular,' adding that the Sarah Burton for Givenchy creation proves 'no one dresses the future Queen quite like her favourite designer.'

At first glance, the look felt simply elegant and perfectly put together, with a subtle retro sensibility.

But on closer inspection, clear parallels emerged between Kate's outfit and one worn by her late mother-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1995, when she presented new colours to the Light Dragoons Regiment in Bergen, Germany.

Diana's navy two-piece, designed by Catherine Walker, combined a pencil skirt with a sharply tailored blazer, featuring striking white contrast lapels - remarkably similar to Kate's modern interpretation.

While Kate kept to her preferred longer hemline, the choice of outfit showcased a refined take on classic tailoring with a clear nod to royal heritage.

Kate has remained loyal to Sarah Burton, who famously designed her wedding dress during her time as Creative Director at Alexander McQueen, and has continued to collaborate with the designer since her move to Givenchy.

Claire said: 'The design and colour is timeless; she will be able to wear this in ten years' time and it still won't have dated. It reminded me of the gorgeous outfits she normally wears to Trooping the Colour, and as she was laying wreaths at the Cenotaph to mark Anzac day for the fallen troops, it felt totally appropriate.'

Indeed, it remains a pairing that feels perfectly aligned, helping Kate to define her signature aesthetic over the years.

In a further touching tribute, Kate accessorised her outfit with Diana's sapphire double cluster earrings and a coordinating necklace from G. Collins & Sons.

DeMellier's Nano Montreal bag, which the Princess was seen carrying, quickly flew off the shelves following her first appearance with it.

It's easy to see why the style resonates with both Kate and the public; the timeless top-handle design is sleek and compact, with a minimalist aesthetic that feels effortlessly enduring rather than trend-led.

The British accessories label has become a firm favourite of Kate, who has the design in both navy and toffee. She also owns the Hudson bag, another sell-out style that has since been restocked online.

If you're keen to bring a touch of Kate's regal elegance into your wardrobe, well-tailored outerwear and coordinating accessories are the perfect place to start.

Explore some of my top finds below.

Coats

Bags

Shoes
The King will attempt to calm troubled waters tomorrow in a historic speech to Congress telling politicians, 'time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together'.

He is also set to make a pointed rejoinder to President Trump's scathing dismissal of the UK's armed forces, particularly the Royal Navy, gently pointing out his own proud history in the service.

In one of his recent broadsides, sparked by what he sees as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's failure to support his war with Iran, the American leader described UK assets as 'toys', adding: 'You don't even have a navy. You're too old and had aircraft carriers that don't work.'

Royal aides say His Majesty - who is head of the British armed forces - will reference 'with pride' his own service in the Royal Navy, and emphasise how the US and UK have stood together through moments that have defined our shared history, observing how 'our defence, intelligence and security ties are measured not in years but in decades'.

In doing so, he will reference current topical matters including NATO - which Mr Trump has threatened to pull out of - AUKUS, the Middle East and Ukraine.

The King will become only the second British sovereign to address a joint meeting of Congress, the first being his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they arrive at the White House today

Pictured: King Charles III with US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle on September 18, 2025

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are greeted by US Protocol Chief Monica Crowley (R) as they arrive on day one of their state visit to the United States today

His 20-minute address is written on the advice of Government to support their strategic priorities, but the language and tone will be his own.

The overall message of the speech will be that while we live in times of great challenge, nationally and internationally, by defending and reaffirming our shared democratic values - values which have been woven deep into the fabric of both our nations throughout history - we can promote security and prosperity now and for the future, not just for our two countries, but for the whole world.

In his opening remarks, Charles will also make brief reference to the events of Saturday evening, in a spirit of solidarity, sympathy and support, as he brings 'the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States' in this landmark anniversary year.

Turning to the main theme, he will reflect that while the UK and US have not always agreed on all matters over the past 250 years, the foundations of our 'democratic, legal and social traditions' - stretching all the way back to the Magna Carta - are such that 'time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together'.

When they do so, he will say, the results are not just of national, but global benefit.

In addressing these values, the King will speak of his own faith and his belief that in the hearts of our two nations lies 'a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value people of all faiths and none'.

Such values, he will say, need defending.

He plans to reflect on how defending our common ideals is 'crucial for liberty and equality', as is the rule of law which lies at the heart of our democratic traditions and of our shared economic prosperity.

President Donald Trump bids farewell to King Charles III at Windsor Castle during the state visit by the President of the United States on September 18, 2025

Looking to the future, His Majesty will reference the importance of the trade and technology deals that will play a vital part the continued economic partnership of the two counties.

He will also celebrate America's many natural wonders, and stress how important it is to defend and protect 'Nature's own economy', too.

How well those comments will sit with President Trump, a notable climate change denier who has ripped up many of his country's green initiatives, remains to be seen.

However the two men have cordially discussed the issue before.

The King will conclude by noting that the story of our two nations over the last 250 years is one of 'reconciliation and renewal', giving rise to 'one of the greatest alliances in human history'.

It is an alliance which His Majesty hopes and prays will continue to protect and celebrate the values he holds dear, long into the future.

Later in the day the King will give another speech at a glittering state dinner at the White House, where President Trump will also speak.
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Confusion and unverified claims swirled after a shooting in the lobby of the hotel hosting the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday.

Shots rang out as a gunman stormed the Washington Hilton, prompting Secret Service to rush Donald Trump and JD Vance from the ballroom. The dramatic evacuation was swiftly followed by a flood of conspiracy theories.

Footage showing Vance being escorted out before Trump spread widely online, with some users claiming  without evidence  that officials had prioritized the vice president over the president.

Trump and the Secret Service have both denied this claim. The president has also branded speculation that the shooting was staged as 'sick.'

Rumors have swirled too about the background of accused gunman Cole Tomas Allen, 31, who has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

Fake AI-generated photographs of Allen with an 'Indian wife' were surfaced by foreign-based X accounts, despite there being no evidence that the alleged shooter was married.

Users even tried to link Allen to Usha Vance through a 2017 news report that featured an unidentified woman who some felt bore a vague resemblance to the second lady.

The bizarre and offensive posts bear the hallmarks of coordinated inauthentic activity and appear to have foreign origins.

Vice President JD Vance was rushed off the stage before President Donald Trump after shots rang out at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night

Trump, speaking in the White House press briefing room Saturday night after the shooting, has branded the conspiracy theories surrounding the incident as 'sick'

Cole Thomas Allen, the 31-year-old man has been charged with attempting to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, was a guest at the Hilton hotel, where the event was taking place. He allegedly tried to storm the dinner with guns and knives.

Prosecutors have not revealed a motive, but Allen called himself the 'Friendly Federal Assassin' in a chilling manifesto and made repeated references to the Republican president and his administration, without naming him directly.

As soon as Allen was named as the gunman, social media sleuths began digging into his background.

But a wave of false information rapidly proliferated on X, particularly from accounts in Pakistan and elsewhere in South Asia, falsely claiming he was married to an Indian woman named Priyanka Rao.

Accounts shared AI-generated images of Allen and his supposed wife, along with a doctored Indian passport.

Public records show no evidence Allen is married.

Internet users also tried to claim that Allen and Usha Vance previously crossed paths, citing a 2017 news report by California TV station ABC 7.

But the woman in the video, which does genuinely feature Allen from nearly a decade ago, is not the second lady.

Footage from the dinner shows that Secret Service agents grabbed Vance by his shoulders and pulled him away from the stage just second after shots rang out.

An agent was seen blocking Trump's body with his own, but critics noted that he wasn't escorted until roughly 20 seconds after the initial gunfire.

Trump, when asked why he wasn't removed from the venue first, told 60 Minutes host Norah O'Donnell that he is partially to blame for the evacuation order.

'Well, what happened is, it was a little bit me,' Trump explained. 'I wanted to see what was happening, and I wasn't making it that easy for them. I wanted to see what was going on. And by that time, we started to realize maybe it was a bad problem, a different kind of problem, a bad one.'

He said he was 'surrounded by great people' and said 'I probably made them act a little bit more slowly.'

'I said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Let me see, wait a minute",' Trump recalled.

'Then, I started walking with them. I turned, I started walking. And they said, "Please go down. Please go down on the floor." So I went down, and the first lady went down, also. But we were asked to go down by the agents as I was walking.'

A Secret Service official issued similar claims, telling MS Now that Trump's agents believed the ballroom, with agents manning every door, was safe at that moment.

Trump's detail then took a few additional moments to ensure that all entrances were guarded along the designated 'presidential walk' route before he was taken to a special holding room.

This AI-generated photo, which went viral on X, showed the alleged shooter with a 'wife' who does not exist

Fake images of Allen with an alleged 'Indian wife' circulated online following the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting

Internet users also tried to claim that Allen and Usha Vance previously crossed paths, citing a 2017 news report by California station ABC 7. But the woman in the video is not the second lady

Allen, then a student at Cal-Tech, did actually appear in the ABC 7 news report

Trump is escorted out after a gunman stormed the Washington Hilton

The president, during his interview with O'Donnell, also dismissed claims that the shooting had been 'staged'.

Some users alleged the shooting orchestrated to be a distraction from the Epstein files and the Iran war, or to gain support for Trump's White House ballroom.

But the president dismissed the claims, citing how many major events are surrounded by conspiracies.

'Yeah, no, I hear it,' he said of the conspiracy theories. 'I don't know, I think they're more sick than they are con people, but there's a lot of con in it, too.'

He also pointed to how theorists often claim that tragedies were staged.

'Oct. 7 didn't happen, and World War II didn't happen and the Holocaust didn't happen and many things didn't happen,' Trump said.
Rumors about what lies hidden beneath the Vatican have resurfaced after renewed claims that its secret vaults could contain relics tied to biblical history.

The Vatican Secret Archive, formally known as the Apostolic Archive, has long fueled speculation that sacred artifacts linked to the Bible may be stored far from public view.

Stretching across roughly 53 miles of shelving and holding more than 12 centuries of records, the underground repository is one of the most tightly controlled collections in the world.

But some believe the vaults may hold more than manuscripts. AJ Gentile, host of The Why Files, recently claimed the legendary Ark of the Covenant (AOC) and Spear of Destiny (SOD) are supposed to be down there.'

According to Holy Scripture, the Ark was created to hold the Ten Commandments given to Moses, while the spear is believed to have pierced Jesus during the crucifixion.

The secrecy surrounding the archives, including waiting periods that can stretch more than a decade, has only fueled speculation about what else might be hidden behind locked doors.

While many of the claims remain unverified, renewed interest in the Vatican's hidden collection has reignited debate about whether history's most sacred relics could still exist today.

Speaking on the Shawn Ryan Show, Gentile described the archives as a place few outsiders can truly access.

Rumors about what lies hidden beneath the Vatican have resurfaced after renewed claims that its secret vaults could contain relics tied to biblical histor

'You can't go there. I mean, people can go to the Vatican archives. You have to get permission, [which] is like a 10 to 15 year wait, and you have to tell them what you want to see before you go,' Gentile explained.

Access to the archives is highly restricted, requiring scholars to apply years in advance, submit detailed research proposals and review materials under strict supervision without directly handling original documents.

'So, and while you're there, you can't touch anything. Someone will turn the pages for you and all that,' said Gentile.

Among the most widely discussed claims is the possibility that the vaults contain legendary religious artifacts tied to biblical history.

'But, rumored to be down there is the spear of destiny. The Ark of the Covenant is supposed to be down there,' Gentile said.

Rumors that the AOC may be hidden within Vatican custody have circulated for decades, fueled largely by the Church's vast relic collections and the restricted nature of its archival system, with some theories suggesting the relic was moved through Europe during the Crusades to protect it from invasion or destruction.

According to the Bible, the AOC was built by the Israelites shortly after they fled Egypt around the 13th century BC.

Some historians believe the Ark was originally kept inside the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, before disappearing during the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Rumors that the Ark of the Covenant may be hidden within Vatican custody have circulated for decades, fueled largely by the Church's vast relic collections and the restricted nature of its archival system. Pictured is a recreation based on text in the Bible

The Spear of Destiny is believed in Christian tradition to be the weapon used to pierce Jesus during the crucifixion

The SOD, also known as the Holy Lance, is believed in Christian tradition to be the weapon used to pierce Jesus during the crucifixion.

'That is the spear of destiny or the holy lance, which was with the Roman soldier who pierced Christ when he was on the cross,' Gentile explained.

One of the earliest sources of the spear legend dates back to the medieval Crusades, when multiple groups claimed to have discovered the weapon used in the crucifixion of Jesus.

During the Siege of Antioch in 1098, a monk named Peter Bartholomew claimed he had visions revealing the spear's location beneath a church floor.

Although a spear was reportedly found, many doubted its authenticity even at the time.

This uncertainty created the belief that the 'real' spear might have been hidden or moved, laying the groundwork for later speculation that it could be concealed in powerful religious centers like the Vatican.

Speculation about hidden relics was also fueled by wartime accounts that Nazi forces actively searched across occupied Europe for sacred artifacts believed to hold symbolic or mystical power.

During World War II, organizations such as Heinrich Himmler's SS-linked research group, the Ahnenerbe, investigated ancient relics and historical sites, including churches, monasteries and cathedrals, in hopes of locating objects tied to biblical or legendary traditions.

'That was something that Hitler was very interested in finding. Hitler was chasing these artifacts all over the place,' said Gentile.

Historians say many treasures were hidden, relocated or looted during the chaos of the war, helping create enduring rumors that some sacred relics, including those linked to Christian history, may have been secretly safeguarded by institutions such as the Vatican.

Stretching across roughly 53 miles of shelving and holding more than 12 centuries of records, the underground repository is one of the most tightly controlled collections in the world

Among the most unusual claims discussed is the existence of a mysterious device said to allow people to view past events.

'My favorite object that's supposed to be down there is called a chronovisor. And this is an object that lets you see through time,' Gentile said.

The chronovisor is a legendary, unproven device allegedly developed in the 1950s by Father Pellegrino Ernetti, a priest and physicist who claimed it could capture residual vibrations left behind by past events.

'And what really put it on the map was that he took a picture of Christ's crucifixion and released it. And it's a wild photograph because it's Jesus Christ on the cross,' Gentile said.

However, later investigations suggested the image more closely resembled a photograph of a statue rather than an authentic historical moment.

'And it turned out that that's really what it was was he had this photograph that he said he saw Christ, but it was just his photograph of the statue,' Gentile said.

Despite the lack of confirmed evidence supporting the device's existence, the legend continues to circulate among researchers and conspiracy theorists alike.

'So the chronovisor is just this legend,' Gentile concluded.
Nestled among the rugged peaks of Turkey is a strange rock formation that some researchers believe could mark the resting place of Noah's Ark.

The Bible describes the giant vessel as the ship that shielded humanity and animals from destruction during the Great Flood, which God is said to have sent to wipe out widespread human corruption and violence thousands of years ago.

Now, a team of American researchers claims to have identified marine fossils at the Durupnar Formation near Mount Ararat, findings they said suggested the region may once have been covered by vast floodwaters resembling those described in biblical accounts.

Andrew Jones, an independent researcher with Noah's Ark Scans who is investigating the mysterious mound, told the Daily Mail: 'From a researcher's perspective, these fossils provide a powerful consistency check for the biblical narrative.'

He added that traditional geology interprets the formations as remnants of an ancient sea that developed over millions of years and was later uplifted by tectonic forces, while creationist researchers view them as evidence of a massive, catastrophic flood.

'To us, finding well-preserved sea life at approximately 6,500 feet above current sea level aligns with the account of a global deluge that once covered these landmasses and later pushed up the mountain ranges we see today,' Jones said.

The team said their discoveries go beyond isolated shells, pointing instead to extensive layers of marine fossils high in the mountains, many of which appear to show signs of rapid burial rather than slow sediment buildup.

'Around the Durupnar Noah's Ark site specifically, these marine sediments are part of a complex melange, a mixture of different rock types,' Jones said. 'The fact that the "boat" appears to sit within or upon these marine-derived materials suggests a dynamic sequence of events during the site's formation.'

Nestled among the rugged peaks of Turkey is a strange rock formation that some researchers believe could mark the resting place of Noah's Ark

Researchers investigating the site have found hundreds of marine fossils embedded in the rock

Located about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak, the Durupnar Formation has been known to researchers for less than a century.

Local reports say heavy rains and earthquakes in May 1948 washed away surrounding mud, revealing the unusual formation, which was later spotted by a Kurdish shepherd.

The Bible states that Noah's Ark came to rest on the 'mountains of Ararat' after a flood lasting 150 days that destroyed life outside the vessel.

But claims that the Ark landed in the Mount Ararat region have long been debated among researchers, historians and scientists.

From as early as the fourth century, Christian tradition began identifying Mount Ararat as the ark's resting place. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, also wrote that remains of the ark were still visible in the mountains of Armenia, which shares a border with Turkey near the mountain.

But the formation's location in particular has fueled speculation for decades, particularly because some researchers believe its shape and dimensions resemble descriptions of the ark.

According to biblical measurements, the ark was said to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high - roughly 515 feet long, 86 feet wide and 52 feet tall - measurements researchers from Noah's Ark Scans said align with what they believe is buried below the surface.

'The recent Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scans have moved us beyond simple "shape" observations,' Jones said, who has been investigating the formation since 2019.

'Unlike previous decades, where researchers relied on the surface "boat" outline and basic imaging, the latest data suggests previously undetected internal features beneath the formation.'

The team suggested the region may once have been covered by vast floodwaters resembling those described in biblical accounts

The team said their discoveries go beyond isolated shells, pointing instead to extensive layers of marine fossils high in the mountains, many of which appear to show signs of rapid burial rather than slow sediment buildup

Many geologists argue that the Durupnar Formation is a naturally occurring geological structure, while others believe its shape points to something more unusual.

Biblical scholar Wes Huff has dismissed claims that the formation is the remains of Noah's Ark, writing on X: 'The boat-like physical formation isn't even an unusual feature on modern Ararat, and many of these almond-shaped convex structures can be found throughout the region.'

However, fellow biblical scholar Joel Richardson urged caution, writing on X: 'We cannot say it is legit or not legit until it has been properly examined. That would be the next step. This is how archeology works.'

Marine fossils have been discovered on mountain ranges around the world, including the Himalayas, Andes and Rocky Mountains, which scientists say were once covered by ancient seas before being pushed upward as continents collided and mountains formed.

However, researchers with Noah's Ark Scans believe the fossils found in the region may point to a different explanation.

'While we respect the traditional evolutionary timeline of the Tethys Sea, we believe the physical evidence, particularly the sheer volume and elevation of these fossils, points toward a much more recent and violent aqueous event that reshaped this entire region,' Jones said.

Located about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak, the Durupnar Formation has been known to researchers for less than a century

A team of American researchers working at the Durupnar Formation near Mount Ararat has uncovered evidence of hidden tunnels as described in the biblical account

The researchers added further studies using infrared thermography (IRT), a heat-sensing technology that can uncover hidden structures underground, have also suggested the presence of a ship-shaped hull buried deep in the soil

In 2024, Jones revealed that he and his team uncovered angular structures as deep as 20 feet beneath the surface, features that could represent rooms below a deck-like platform

'We agree with secular geologists on what happened: the ocean was once here and the mountains rose.

'We differ on the rate and the timing; we see a process that took months, not eons, according to Genesis 6-8.'

Genesis 6:8, which reads, 'But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord,' signifies that amid universal human wickedness, Noah received God's undeserved grace, offering hope and a new beginning. It highlights God's mercy in choosing to save a remnant, Noah and his family, to preserve humanity, rather than complete destruction.

Jones told the Daily Mail that he and his team recently uncovered a central corridor, along with side tunnels that go along the inside perimeter of the underground ship's shape.

'In addition to the tunnels, the GPR picked up a large central void. A possible central atrium room going down at least 42 feet below the surface.'

Soil testing in the area showed extremely high levels of potassium, consistent with massive amounts of decomposed lumber.

The soil is less alkaline, has more organic matter and contains more potassium, which is what would be expected from decaying wood, like an ancient wooden boat, which lowers pH and adds carbon and potassium, said Jones.

According to the Bible, the massive vessel saved humanity and every kind of animal from annihilation during a catastrophic flood more than 4,300 years ago

'Tests show these soil differences (pH, organic matter and potassium) are real, with less than a five percent chance they're random, giving 95 percent confidence that something like a decayed wooden ship is causing them,' he added.

The researchers aren't yet declaring the formation to be Noah's Ark, but, Jones said, 'This is the best candidate.' The other leading possible spot is on top of Mount Ararat, though there hasn't been any evidence found.

'In the Biblical account, it doesn't say Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat, it says the mountains, plural, of Ararat,' Jones said.

'Back in those days, Ararat was an ancient kingdom. So it would be like saying today that Noah's Ark landed in the mountains of Colorado. It's referring to a region of mountains, not one specific peak, and our site fits within that location.'
British scientists have revealed a controversial plan to sprinkle salt into the sky in an effort to slow climate change.

Researchers from Manchester University are testing whether a fine mist of salt water could be sprayed into clouds to make them more reflective.

This process, known as 'cloud brightening', could help clouds act like natural sunscreen, bouncing more radiation back into space and keeping Earth cool.

Previous studies have suggested that this kind of geoengineering could have disastrous effects, wreaking havoc on global weather patterns.

However, as climate change drives massive and increasingly deadly disruptions to global weather patterns, scientists are starting to consider more drastic solutions.

Scientists at the 'Reflect' project are already making smallscale laboratory tests of the technology as part of a 6 million project to halt global warming.

If their tests are successful, the researchers plan to make the first openair trial in the UK within the next two years.

That experiment could see plumes of salt spray injected into the air in a path covering several miles of Britain's coastline.

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Lead researcher Professor Hugh Coe, Director of the Manchester Environmental Research Institute, says he doesn't think cloud brightening is the 'ultimate solution' to climate change.

The Reflect project is just one of the 22 projects backed by a 57million programme, funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).

These research groups are investigating highrisk, highreward options for slowing down the progress of climate change.

The basic principle behind Reflect is that brighter clouds reflect more sunlight, balancing out the greenhouse gases we are already adding to the atmosphere.

This is a principle scientists understand extremely well, because it is a phenomenon which is already happening all around the planet.

Large volcanic eruptions inject huge amounts of aerosols into the atmosphere, producing an increase in cloud cover and dropping global temperatures.

On the smaller scale, the plumes of smog churned out by factories and the trails of pollution left by dieselguzzling tankers actually produce a huge cloudbrightening effect.

In fact, efforts to clean up shipping's climate footprint have made clouds over the Northeastern Pacific and Atlantic nearly three per cent less reflective in the last decade  unintentionally speeding up climate change.

Cloud brightening using safe sea salt to reproduce the bright trails left behind by polluting tankers (pictured) to cool the atmosphere

What is geoengineering? Geoengineering is the largescale manipulation of environmental processes that affect Earth's climate, in an attempt to halt global warming. Globally, projects include injecting chemical aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and absorbing CO2 dissolved in seawater. But critics have concerns that expensive geoengineering endeavours will backfire, causing destructive weather patterns and making climate change worse.

Cloud brightening aims to recreate this process in a safe way using harmless sea salt, which is already found naturally in the atmosphere.

However, lead researcher Professor Hugh Coe, Director of the Manchester Environmental Research Institute, says cloud brightening isn't the 'absolute solution' for climate change.

'The solution in the longterm is to not have as much carbon in the atmosphere,' says Professor Coe.

'What makes the planet warm is carbon, what cloud brightening does is provide a breathing space to allow us to get those emissions down  but that's only if we can't move fast enough.'

But with emissions currently showing no sign of reducing fast enough to cap global warming, Professor Coe says it is time to fully understand our lastresort option.

He says: 'If we do need to do something like this, then we had better know what we are doing.

'Because we don't want to make a bigger problem by doing something else.'

Currently, Professor Coe and his colleagues are trying to find the 'Goldilocks' size for their saltwater particles.

Within the next two years, researchers plan to spray saltwater vapour in an area covering a few miles off the coast of the UK in the first British outdoor test. Pictured: University of Washington's Marine Cloud Brightening Research Program's CloudAerosol Research Instrument

Inside a threestorey stainless steel 'cloud chamber', the researchers are honing their methods for producing fine saltwater aerosols.

If the droplets are too large, they tend to replace the particles that are already in the atmosphere, hampering the natural process of cloud formation.

Too small, and the drops won't properly 'activate' and the cloud won't get bright enough to make a difference.

Next year, the research will scale up to a larger, but still controlled, environment such as a polytunnel.

Once Aria gives Professor Coe's findings the green light, the team will move to their first outdoor testing.

A plume of salt water would be deployed for 'a few minutes' in an area a few miles off the British coastline.

Drones and Lidar would be used to monitor the plume's movements and to ensure that it doesn't spread further than expected.

Professor Coe stresses that the testing would be 'very smallscale' and that the amounts of particles added would be far smaller than the normal levels of pollution over land.

Currently, the scientists are using a threestorey stainless steel 'cloud chamber' (pictured) to work out how big the saltwater particles need to be to produce the best effect

Meanwhile, the largescale impacts of geoengineering will be studied using computer models built from their findings.

In the future, if the method continues to prove safe and effective, large regions of lowlying clouds in the Pacific and Atlantic could be targeted for brightening.

This could help keep global warming in check and prevent the worst consequences of climate change while the world transitions away from fossil fuels.

However, geoengineering has also been an exceptionally controversial proposition.

Many scientists argue that these methods only give polluting businesses and governments an excuse not to cut their emissions, dealing with the symptoms of climate change without tackling the cause.

Likewise, research has also suggested that the consequences of geoengineering could be far more widespread than intended.

A study conducted by Columbia Climate School found that a type of solar geoengineering called 'stratospheric aerosol injection' (SAI) could wreak havoc on global weather patterns.

If the aerosols were released in the polar regions, they would likely disrupt tropical monsoon systems, which could have an effect on sea levels, they found.

However, previous studies have warned that widescale solar geoengineering could affect global weather patterns

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Meanwhile, releases concentrated in equatorial regions could affect the jet stream and disrupt atmospheric circulation patterns that conduct heat towards Earth's poles.

Dr Ying Chen, an expert on cloud brightening from the University of Birmingham who was not involved with the study, told the Daily Mail: 'Change the solar radiation heating at one place, may lead to change of atmospheric pattern in other places.

'But what it could be and how large it is, we are not sure yet. More research is urgently needed.'

Professor Coe doesn't deny that cloud brightening would change the weather, but argues that we need to consider how dangerous doing nothing might be as the alternative.

He says: 'If you do things that are large scale, you will influence weather patterns, we're already doing that with climate change.

'The question is whether there is overall improvement versus the problem we're already creating already. We want to make sure those predictions are robust as they can be, otherwise don't do it.'
It was a staple feature in homes in the 1990s  and now the landline is officially back.

Gen Alpha are going crazy over a $100 (74) screenfree, wired phone, called the Tin Can.

With physical buttons, a twirly cord, and an answering machine, the phone looks like it would fit in on an episode of Saved by the Bell.

However, unlike landlines of the past, this one connects via WiFi, allowing children to make calls over the internet.

'Our supermagical WiFi landline for kids,' the description on the website reads.

'It doesn't have apps, texting, or games  just real conversation with friends, neighbors, Grandma, or whoever you add to your approved contact list.'

While you might think the lack of features would put children off, the Tin Can has already proved to be a huge hit.

Since launching in April last year, hundreds of thousands of devices have been sold, according to Bloomberg.

It was a staple feature in homes in the 1990s  and now the landline is officially back. Gen Alpha are going crazy over a $100 (74) screenfree, wired phone, called the Tin Can

With physical buttons, a twirly cord, and an answering machine, the phone looks like it would fit in on an episode of Saved by the Bell

The Tin Can is the brainchild of Chet Kittleson, Max Blumen, and Graeme Davies, three fathers from Seattle who set out to design a phone for their own children.

'We started Tin Can because we couldn't find a phone we actually wanted to give our kids,' they explained.

'Everything out there felt like a compromise  too much tech, too much access, or just another screen to manage. We didn't want that.

'We just wanted our kids to be able to call their friends. Safely. Independently. And without unlocking the entire internet. So we built something different.'

The Tin Can looks much like a standard landline, with a base stand, a twirly cord, and large, physical buttons.

However, the colours are clearly aimed at children, with four bright options available  blue/green, purple/white, yellow, and pink/orange.

The phone plugs into a wall outlet and connects via WiFi, which parents can set up via an accompanying smartphone app.

There, adults can also set up a list of approved external contacts who their child can contact.

While you might think the lack of features would put children off, the Tin Can has already proved to be a huge hit

If one of their friends has a Tin Can, they can call them for free, with no subscription required. Alternatively, if they want to call regular phone numbers, they can be set up on a $9.99/month plan

'Only the contacts you approve in the Tin Can mobile app can get through. No robocalls, no strangers, just voices you know and trust,' Tin Can explained.

If one of their friends has a Tin Can, children can call them for free, with no subscription required.

Alternatively, if they want to call regular phone numbers, they can be set up on a $9.99/month plan.

Within the app, parents can also set up 'Quiet Hours', during which calls in and out will be blocked.

Tin Can said: 'Don't want the phone ringing off the hook at 10pm? Set Quiet Hours to prevent calls in and out, on your schedule.'

Many impressed buyers have flocked to social media to express their delight with the retro device.

Taking to TikTok, @brittchris_ said: 'Our new phone has been the perfect kids phone. They've been calling Nana just to talk 3x a day haha.'

@carlytchristman added: '10/10 recommend the Tin Can for kids with long distance grandparents or family. This will be the only kind of phone my girls get for a long time.'

Many impressed buyers have flocked to social media to express their delight with the retro device

And one said: 'It's a GAME CHANGER for my kids. They are learning phone etiquette, talk to grandparents, make play dates with friends.'

At the moment, the phone is only available in the US and Canada, and is priced at $100.

The Daily Mail has contacted Tin Can for information on a possible UK launch in the future.

The news comes shortly after the government said it will introduce a legal ban on smartphones in schools in England.

The amendments to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill were passed on Tuesday night in a House of Lords session that ran into the early hours.

If the smartphone ban becomes law, it will apply across England during school hours  although there may be exemptions for sixth-form students and medical devices.
NASA has revealed plans to light a fire on the moon to see what would happen during a disaster aboard future lunar missions.

Of all the dangers astronauts face while travelling through the vacuum of space, it might be surprising that fire is one of the most terrifying.

This is because fire doesn't behave the same in lowgravity environments, like the moon or on the International Space Station (ISS), as it does on Earth.

This means materials that aren't flammable on Earth can actually burn for a very long time out in space.

NASA researchers propose conducting the firstever flammability test on the lunar surface, with a planned launch date later this year.

Four fuel samples will be placed in a sealed chamber and flown to the moon as part of an uncrewed Commercial Lunar Payload Service (CLPS).

These pieces of material will then be ignited while cameras and other sensors monitor how the flame spreads and how much oxygen it consumes.

As NASA prepares to return to the moon in 2028 with the Artemis IV mission, scientists say that these tests will be critical to ensuring the astronauts' safety.

Scientists want to light a fire on the moon to see how a flame would spread in the event of a disaster during a lunar landing. Pictured: A fire burning during tests on the International Space Station (ISS)

On Earth, the shape and spread of a fire are determined by the influence of air currents and gravity.

But outside of the planet's gravitational influence, these factors are wildly different.

Gravity means that hot, lessdense air rises away from the flame, drawing cool, oxygenrich air in at the base.

This process can sometimes result in a phenomenon known as 'blowoff', in which the air current actually extinguishes the weak fire.

On the moon, where gravity is only onesixth as strong, this process happens much more slowly.

That means the flow of oxygen can be strong enough to kindle a small flame, but not so fast that the fire is extinguished.

In fact, some studies suggest that the moon's gravity might actually be a nearperfect environment for starting fires, with the required oxygen concentration at its absolute minimum.

Given that astronauts on the moon will be living in habitats filled with oxygen at pressures close to those found on Earth, fires on a lunar outpost or in landers are a genuine danger.

Scientists have created a combustion chamber that could be sent to the moon later this year to see how materials burn under lunar gravity

This is important because materials can actually be more flammable in space and NASA only has limited ways of testing this on Earth, such as dropping flames from 'drop towers' to simulate freefall (pictured)

The new Artemis timeline Artemis II : April 2026, lunar flyby (completed)

: April 2026, lunar flyby (completed) Artemis III : 2027, lowEarth orbit test flight

: 2027, lowEarth orbit test flight Artemis IV : 2028, lunar landing

: 2028, lunar landing Artemis V : 2028, lunar landing

In their paper, Dr Paul Ferkul, of NASA Glenn Research Center, and his coauthors write: 'Early numerical and experimental evidence suggested that Lunar gravity could be more hazardous, since flame spread rate as a function of gravity peaks there.

'Consequently, partialg fire in an extraterrestrial habitat is a real hazard that is expected to be substantially worse than in 0g and potentially worse than even 1g.'

This is why NASA is so concerned to see how things burn on the moon before humans are sent back in 2028.

A big problem for NASA's fire safety efforts is that it is very hard to test how fire spreads in microgravity.

Currently, the agency relies on a test known as NASASTD6001B to see if materials are safe to be used on missions.

This test involves holding a sixinch flame to the bottom of a piece of material; if it burns more than six inches up from the bottom or drips burning debris, it fails the test.

However, this doesn't really capture the realities of how things burn in space.

In microgravity, fire doesn't 'point' upwards since there isn't any up or down and, instead, grows into spherical blobs that slowly spread outwards.

On the ISS, NASA has lit around 1,500 tiny fires in a device called the Combustion Integrated Rack, but there are obvious safety limits on how large these flames can be.

The best test so far has been the agency's Spacecraft Fire Safety (Saffire) test, in which sheets of cotton, fibreglass, and acrylic were ignited inside an uncrewed Cygnus cargo capsule (pictured)

To try and replicate this on Earth, NASA drops burning material from high towers or lights small fires on parabolic flights to briefly simulate freefall.

But these tests can only recreate the conditions of microgravity for a few minutes at most.

Astronauts on the ISS have lit over a thousand tiny fires in a device called the Combustion Integrated Rack, but there are obvious safety limits on how large these flames can be.

The best test so far has been the agency's Spacecraft Fire Safety (Saffire) test, in which sheets of cotton, fibreglass, and acrylic were ignited inside an uncrewed Cygnus cargo capsule before it burned up in Earth's atmosphere.

This revealed some weird physics that NASA hadn't previously expected, such as flames spreading in the opposite direction of the airflow and burning hotter on thinner materials.

Those unusual results were enough to convince NASA's scientists that they needed a clearer picture of what could happen during a fire on a lunar mission.

When the Flammability of Materials on the Moon (FM) test is launched later this year, it will be the first time that NASA can take a long look at a large fire in space.

It will also be the first time that anyone has been able to light a fire on the lunar surface.
A widow shocked mourners at her late husband's wake by revealing a very unusual guest of honour: her husband himself.

When Pam Cronrath's husband Bill died after nearly 60 years of marriage, she knew she wanted him to have a sendoff to remember.

Which is why she made the unusual decision to bring her husband back for his own funeral as a hologram.

Ms Cronrath, 78, told the BBC: 'I promised him a super wake!'

During the memorial service, around 200 people gathered to pay their respects  most of whom had no idea what was about to happen.

That was when Bill appeared, lifesized and seen from the waist up in hologram form, and began speaking directly to the room.

'Now, before anyone gets confused, I'm not actually here in Valhalla today,' the hologram asked the room.

The recording then asked: 'Is this going to be fun?'

A widow has brought back her husband as a hologram for his own funeral, claiming 'I promised him a super wake!'

Ms Cronrath lives in Wenatchee, Washington, a rural farming community located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range.

As a lifelong tech fan, she had always had a professional and personal interest in the latest gadgets.

But when she saw a hologram of a doctor speaking on a live broadcast from across the US at a medical conference, it left a profound impression.

'I was completely impressed,' Ms Cronrath said of the experience.

So, when her husband Bill passed away at the age of 75, the memory of that hologram's appearance made her wonder whether she could do the same for Bill.

It proved tough to find a company willing to help at such short notice and on a relatively small budget.

Most companies which Ms Cronrath approached were either too expensive or weren't interested in such a small project.

Ms Cronrath says: 'When you hear they're working with Michael Jackson's estate, and then it's me  Pam from Wenatchee  you do wonder how it's going to work.'

Pam Cronrath (left),78, had been married to her husband Bill for over 60 years and decided to make his wake unique

However, she was eventually put in contact with Proto Hologram and Hyperreal, two USbased companies that specialise in making holographic digital avatars.

Ms Cronrath says she ended up spending 10 to 15 times her original $2,000 (1,480) budget.

But the two companies eventually agreed to work on the project and help bring Bill back as a digital representation.

The companies used old recordings of Bill to generate a representation that matched his voice and appearance.

Since the real Bill had already passed away, no new recordings could be made, so Ms Cronrath had to write the script herself.

Thanks to some clever planning, the hologram didn't just give a speech; it also gave a scripted Q&A with Bill's nephew leading the questions.

Several attendees even believed the exchange was happening live.

'People were aghast. Some genuinely couldn't understand how it was happening,' Ms Cronrath says.

Ms Cronrath worked with the hologram and digital avatar company Proto Hologram, which usually works with major celebrities and highprofile events. Pictured: Actor William Shatner appearing as a hologram from Los Angeles at the Advertising Week APAC event in Sydney, Australia

Recent advances in socalled 'grief tech' are creating more ways for people to interact with their loved ones from beyond the grave.

New AI tools allow people to recreate chatbots trained on their family members' appearance, speech patterns, and conversations.

These bots then allow people to keep speaking with a simulation of the deceased long after they have passed away.

While this might appear like a comfort, experts have warned that grief tech could interfere with the natural grieving process and lead to irreversible psychological harm.

Researchers from Cambridge University even suggested that socalled 'deadbots' could digitally haunt those left behind.

However, Ms Cronrath is keen to stress that her holographic recreation wasn't about replacing her husband or avoiding moving on.

Although she still watches the recording several months on, she compares it to looking through old photos or watching home movies.

She says: 'When you're hurting, it helps to feel like that person is still right there with you.'
They're often depicted as primitive and brutish  but Neanderthals were just as smart as humans, according to a study.

For years, it has been suggested that a difference in head shape meant the ancient species were less intelligent than their human contemporaries.

Despite having a larger skull it was believed they had inferior language skills, poorer mental abilities and smaller memory capacity, which contributed to their demise.

Now, experts have compared the brain anatomy of two distinct groups of modernday humans and found larger differences than those reported between humans and Neanderthals.

This suggests any difference in intelligence between Neanderthals and humans would have been small.

'The question of why Neanderthals no longer exist has long been of interest,' the researchers, from Indiana University, wrote in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.

'Speculation on Neanderthal cognition based on archaeological and paleoneurological research has frequently concluded they were likely cognitively challenged.

'Putting estimated Neanderthal differences into the context of modern human variation does not support this view.'

The researchers said any difference in cognitive ability between anatomically modern Homo sapiens (amHs) and Neanderthals would have been small

Despite having a larger skull it was believed Neanderthals had inferior language skills, poorer mental abilities and smaller memory capacity

Join the discussion Have we been too quick to judge Neanderthals as less intelligent than humans?

For their study, the researchers compared the brains of two modern human populations using MRI data from 200 individuals of European descent in the US and 200 ethnic Han Chinese individuals.

They discovered that volume differences in particular parts of the brain were even larger between these two groups than between humans and Neanderthals.

Therefore, any average difference in cognition between Neanderthal and early modern human populations would have been negligible.

'It seems likely that any average cognitive differences that existed would have been very subtle, if detectable at all,' they wrote.

'While small differences in cognition can theoretically have large evolutionary effects over the very long term, it is critical to put the size of any such effects into proper comparative perspective.'

They also pointed out that recent research indicates any link between brain size and intelligence in modern humans is weak and not definitively proven.

The scientists said that before their demise Neanderthals were distributed across a large area, had extensive use of fire and cooking and were known to forage for a wide range of food.

The most likely reason for their replacement and extinction is due to genetic 'swamping'  with genes gradually being replaced by those of modern humans due to interbreeding  they explained.

Key events in Neanderthal and human history 300,000 years ago  Homo sapiens emerge in Africa 60,000 to 70,000 years ago  Homo sapiens migrate from Africa to Eurasia 50,500 to 43,500 years ago  Homo sapiens breed with Neanderthals 43,500 years ago  Neanderthals start to die out

The Neanderthals are believed to have lived between roughly 350,000 and 40,000 years ago, their populations spreading from Portugal in the west to the Altai mountains in central Asia in the east.

They vanished from the fossil record when modern humans arrived in Europe.

A separate study has also found 'no support' for the theory that modern humans were superior in a range of ways, including weaponry and hunting strategies.

That research, published in the journal Plos One, reads: 'Virtually all explanations for the disappearance of the Neanderthals from the Eurasian record point in one way or another to the arrival of Homo sapiens, anatomically modern humans (AMH), in Europe and western Asia.

'The disappearance of the archaic populations, including Neanderthals, is routinely explained in terms of the 'superiority' of modern humans.

'These include inventiveness and capacity for innovation, complex symbolic and linguistic abilities, more efficient hunting strategies, exploitation of a broader range of resources, projectile technologyand memory capacity.

'Inferiority in one or more of these domains has been at the core of many explanations for the demise of the Neanderthals.'

It concludes: 'We have found no data in support of the supposed technological, social and cognitive inferiority of Neandertals compared to their AMH contemporaries.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Last month, scientists used research to recreate the lost language of ancient human species.

They said Neanderthals would have communicated in a language that our Homo sapien ancestors could understand and even engage with.

Archaeological evidence has shown that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals met and even interbred relatively frequently , which explains why many people today still have Neanderthal genes.

Due to the physiological differences between Neanderthals and modern humans, they still wouldn't sound quite like us.

Professor Steven Mithen, an expert on early prehistory from the University of Reading, told the Daily Mail: 'They would have sounded more nasal because of their large noses, could speak much louder and for longer periods without taking a breath because of their large chests and lung capacity.'

Professor Mithen's research also suggests that they would have used louder and more pronounced plosive 'p', 't', and 'b' sounds due to their larger lungs.

However, experts argue that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals would still have had some level of common understanding.

Professor Mithen says that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals would have been able to talk 'just as we can communicate with people who speak other languages today by using gestures and facial expressions'.
SHANGHAI, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lufax Holding Ltd ("Lufax" or the "Company") (NYSE: LU and HKEX: 6623), a leading financial services enabler for small business owners in China, today announced that it will hold an annual general meeting of the Company's shareholders (the "AGM") on June 30, 2026, for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, passing each of the proposed resolutions set forth in the AGM notice. The AGM notice, the AGM circular, and the form of proxy for the AGM will be available on the Company's website at https://ir.lufaxholding.com.

Holders of record of the Company's ordinary shares on the Company's register of members as of the close of business on May 18, 2026 (Hong Kong time) are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM and any adjourned meeting thereof. Holders of the Company's American depositary shares (the "ADSs") as of the close of business on May 18, 2026 (New York time), who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying ordinary shares, can submit their voting instructions to Citibank, N.A.

Further details including the time, location and proposed resolutions of the AGM will be set out in the notice of AGM to be issued and provided to holders of record of the Company's ordinary shares and ADSs as of the respective record date together with the proxy materials in due course.

About Lufax

Lufax is a leading financial services enabler for small business owners in China. Lufax offers financing products designed to address the needs of small business owners and others. In doing so, Lufax has established relationships with 85 financial institutions in China as funding partners, many of which have worked with Lufax for over three years.

Investor Relations Contact

Lufax Holding Ltd

Email: [email protected]

ICR, LLC

Robin Yang

Tel: +1 (646) 308-0546

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Lufax Holding Ltd
For decades, scientists believed modern humans came from one main ancestral group in Africa, an idea known as the 'Out of Africa' model.

But new DNA research suggests the story may be far more complicated.

Instead of coming from a single isolated group, early humans likely developed from several groups spread across Africa that stayed in contact and mixed over hundreds of thousands of years.

Scientists led by researchers at the University of CaliforniaDavis reached this conclusion by studying DNA from modern African populations.

A key part of the research involved 44 newly sequenced genomes from the Nama people of southern Africa, whose unusually rich genetic diversity offered important clues about humanity's distant past.

They then used computer models to test different theories of human origins, comparing whether modern DNA was better explained by one ancestral group or several connected populations.

The results showed the evidence fit much better with the idea of multiple early human groups that continued mixing over long periods of time.

According to the study, the earliest detectable split among these ancient populations happened roughly 120,000 to 135,000 years ago, but even after that, the groups continued exchanging genes for thousands of generations.

Instead of coming from a single isolated group, early humans likely developed from several groups spread across Africa that stayed in contact and mixed over hundreds of thousands of years (stock)

Scientists broadly agree that Homo sapiens originated in Africa.

The harder question is how early human groups separated, moved, reconnected and shaped one another across the continent.

Brenna Henn, professor of anthropology and the Genome Center at UC Davis and co-author of the study, said the uncertainty comes from gaps in both fossils and ancient DNA.

'This uncertainty is due to limited fossil and ancient genomic data, and to the fact that the fossil record does not always align with expectations from models built using modern DNA,' she said in a statement. 'This new research changes the origin of species.'

A major part of the study stemmed from 44 newly sequenced genomes from modern Nama individuals in southern Africa.

The Nama are an Indigenous population known for carrying unusually high levels of genetic diversity compared with many other living groups.

This group of people is unique for their ancient origins dating back 100,000 to 140,000 years.

Researchers collected saliva samples from people in their villages between 2012 and 2015 while participants were going about their daily lives.

According to the study, the earliest detectable split among these ancient populations happened roughly 120,000 to 135,000 years ago, but even after that, the groups continued exchanging genes for thousands of generations (stock)

Those samples helped the team examine whether human origins fit a single source model or something broader and more interconnected.

The best-fitting model suggested that the earliest population split among early humans, still detectable in living people, happened roughly 120,000 to 135,000 years ago.

Before that split, two or more weakly differentiated Homo populations had been exchanging genes for hundreds of thousands of years. Even after the split, movement and mating continued between these early groups.

The researchers described this as a weakly structured stem, meaning the roots of modern humans were not one isolated population, but a loose set of connected populations with ongoing gene flow.

That network-like model may explain human genetic diversity better than older models, according to the authors.

Instead of needing to assume major contributions from an unknown archaic hominin population in Africa, the model shows how patterns in modern DNA could have emerged from structure within ancestral human populations themselves.

'We are presenting something that people had never even tested before,' Henn said of the research. 'This moves anthropological science significantly forward.'

Co-author Tim Weaver, a UC Davis professor of anthropology who studies early human fossils, said the results shift how scientists should think about older explanations.

'Previous, more complicated models proposed contributions from archaic hominins, but this model indicates otherwise,' he said.

Weaver contributed comparative fossil expertise to the study, helping connect genetic models with what early human remains looked like.

The model also has consequences for how scientists interpret the fossil record. According to the authors, only 1 to 4% of genetic differentiation among living human populations can be traced to variation between these ancestral stem populations.

Because the early branches continued mixing, they were probably similar in appearance.

That means fossils with very different physical traits, such as Homo Naledi, are unlikely to represent lineages that directly contributed to the evolution of Homo sapiens, the authors said.
A man has been arrested after a 'significant' fire at an LGBT+ nightclub in Buckinghamshire in the UK on Sunday morning.

Police were called to Pink Punters nightclub in Milton Keynes at 2am on Sunday as footage appeared to show flames on the building's top floor and above its roof.

Some 12 fire crews scrambled to fight the fire, which could be seen ravaging the building in drone footage while thick plumes of smoke rose billowed upwards.

Firefighters hosed the building from the ground, with footage from later that morning showing the hollowed-out sooty shell of the building as smoke continued to rise.

Police said it was too early to say the reason the fire broke out but added partygoers and residents around Watling Street were safely evacuated and there were no injuries.

A 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody.

At the peak of the fire 12 fire crews were at the scene, while residents and partygoers were safely evacuated

Officers and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews remained at the scene and road closures were still in place on Sunday afternoon.

At the peak of the blaze there were 12 fire crews at the nightclub, which has been running for over 20 years and has dancefloors and an outdoor bar.

Milton Keynes commander Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie said: 'This was a significant fire in which a large number of people had to be evacuated.

No one was injured in the fire at the Milton Keynes nightclub - police said one man aged 51 was arrested

'Thankfully no one was injured and staff at the venue worked quickly and effectively to safely evacuate everyone.'

She added: 'At this time it would be too early to comment on any particular motivation for this incident and we would respectfully ask for people not to speculate.'

Anyone with information has been asked to contact police on 101.
With flight prices to some destinations increasing as the jet fuel uncertainty continues, many holidaymakers may be looking for alternative spots to go to.

Airline tickets for long haul flights have already risen by an eye-watering 300 and experts are warning that short haul flights to destinations such as the sunny Mediterranean could rise within weeks.

Even if you're not planning to jet away, there is currently a staycation boom occurring across the UK with holiday companies already seeing 'similar patterns' to the pandemic, when prices surged by up to 100 per cent.

Fortunately, Expedia's Summer Travel Outlook reveals exactly where travellers are heading this year and suggests some affordable destination swaps that may offer cheaper stays or quieter streets.

'Summer travel still matters deeply to travellers, but how they travel is changing,' said Melanie Fish, Expedia Group travel expert.

'With airfare under pressure, travellers who stay flexible, stay closer to home and look beyond the obvious destinations can still unlock meaningful savings without compromising the experience. Travellers can also find added value by booking flights and hotels together. It's about doing more with every travel pound.'

Staycation swaps

Stirling instead of London

Stirling, in Scotland, is a characterful medieval city that could be a great alternative to busy London

London attracts millions of visitors every year with its iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

But, its price reflects its vast offerings and hotels in the capital average at around 185 per night.

Up in Scotland, Stirling is a slightly cheaper alternative that's on the rise with holidaymakers.

Hotels there are priced 15 per cent lower than London and visitors there are up 45 per cent year-over-year.

Stirling delivers historic architecture, walkable streets and easy access to nature, offering a heritagerich city break experience.

St Andrews instead of Edinburgh

St Andrews has much of the same charm that Edinburgh boasts, but feels more relaxed

The capital of Scotland is rich in medieval history and draws hordes in with its impressive architecture.

But with all the charm and character comes crowded streets and busy attractions.

St Andrews offers a slightly more relaxed setting and is smaller to navigate compared to Edinburgh.

It is becoming increasingly popular too, with a 40 per cent year-on-year rise to the historic streets and coastal walks of St Andrews.

Harrogate instead of York

Harrogate is another northern gem in Yorkshire that works out 30 per cent cheaper than York to stay

York is another charming city that boasts cobblestone streets, independent eateries and heaps of character.

But it is often busy and can be expensive. Instead, Expedia recommends heading to Harrogate, also in North Yorkshire, for a similar experience.

Harrogate offers elegant architecture, green spaces and a refined food scene and is attracting 40 per cent more visitors year-over-year.

It's the perfect alternative to bustling York during the peak summer months and hotels work out 30 per cent cheaper too, averaging at 130 a night.

Scarborough instead of Cornwall

Along the beautiful Yorkshire coast is Scarborough, a seaside dupe for Cornwall

Famous for its surfing beaches, picturesque views and family-friendly attractions, Cornwall often makes sure holidaymakers pay the top price too.

But Scarborough offers a northern alternative, located on the stunning Yorkshire coast, an boasts the same British seaside appeal and sandy beaches.

The town is often more accessible with its pricing than Cornwall during the busy season and hotels are 25 per cent lower than the popular coastal spot, averaging at 135 per night.

International swaps

Ljubljana, Slovenia instead of Paris

Ljubljana beats Paris on its price, and still offers charming streets and eateries to explore

Known as the City of Love, hordes of tourists head to Paris for weekend getaways to take in the iconic sights.

But the French capital can often be busy and expensive to explore.

Thankfully, Ljubljana - the capital and largest city of Slovenia - is a great dupe for Paris.

It is quieter and boasts romantic riverfront cafes, elegant bridges, green boulevards, and has a walkable city feel.

Ljubljana is also 15 per cent cheaper than Paris on average, with rooms costing around 160 per night.

Lefkada, Greece instead of Corfu

Lefkada is a great Greek alternative for popular Corfu

Lefkada is another Greek island that's a perfect dupe for dreamy Corfu.

Soaring in popularity - up 75 per cent year-over-year - it boasts tranquil turquoise waters and traditional villages.

The beautiful island offers the same scenery and sunshine as Corfu but for 35 per cent less.

Hotels there average around 190 per night, according to Expedia.

Fuengirola, Spain instead of Barcelona

Located in Costa del Sol, Fuengirola is perfect for holidaymakers wanting a vibrant trip

When heading to Spain, hordes of Brits visit Barcelona during their holidays to bask in its Catalan Modernisme architecture and busy streets.

But Fuengirola offers much of the vibrant and lively feel that Barcelona does, and hotels there are 15 per cent lower on average, costing around 160 per night.

The bustling coastal city, located in Spain's Costa del Sol, boasts beaches and colourful promenades.

It's home to a major marina and has plenty of attractions to enjoy like a zoo and a shopping centre.

New Orleans, United States instead of New York

Holidaymakers hoping to plan a trip to America could head to New Orleans instead of New York

Many people head to the Big Apple for the skyscrapers, culture and buzzing energy. But all of that can come with heaving crowds and expensive price tags.

New Orleans offers an escape that's still in America but is slightly more slower-paced and is 55 per cent cheaper than New York, averaging at 140 per night.

It has grown in popularity 160 per cent year-on-year and offers great food, live music and plenty of attractions to check out.
With the jet fuel crisis driving the cost of flights up rapidly, some airlines and travel companies have confirmed they won't be raising their prices.

Jet2 has become the latest airline to confirm it will not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases, for example jet fuel, assuring customers that the price they book is the price they will pay.

It will come as a great relief to travellers, as there has been continued speculation that some airlines may have to introduce such fees to help tackle the rising costs.

A surcharge would mean customers facing additional costs after making a booking.

But, Jet2 has now removed the surcharge provision across all flights and holidays, even though the company has never previously applied them.

As a result, Jet2 customers can lock in their flight or holiday price with total confidence.

The policy applies to all flights and holidays booked through any channel whether online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent.

However, it does not include tourist taxes, which holidaymakers are required to pay the hotel at the time of the trip, and are paid directly to the accommodation provider, rather than the airline.

In a major move for the air industry, Jet2 has announced it won't introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 emphasised how the company wanted customers to enjoy a holiday without being concerned about prices changing once booking.

He said: 'Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.

'As a result of today's announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.

'Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.'

Jet2 isn't alone in scrapping surcharges, easyJet previously told the Daily Mail they are 'focussed on keeping fares low and have no plans to introduce surcharges'.

Another travel company that's freezing prices is One Traveller, a solo escorted tour operator for the over-50s.

The company has announced that bookings made before 18th May will offer price guarantee regardless of any increase in fuel surcharges that may come into play in the coming weeks.

Additionally, the tour operator's Deposit Guarantee Scheme that has been in place on selected tours is now available on ALL One Traveller holidays booked before 18th May 2026.

Other companies have made similar statements, including easyJet who has previously told the Daily Mail they are 'focussed on keeping fares low and have no plans to introduce surcharges'

The Deposit Guarantee Scheme allows customers to reuse 50 per cent of their initial holiday deposit payment that may have otherwise been lost, when rebooking an alternative holiday in the event customers decide to cancel their original booking.

Ian Darkin, CEO of One Traveller, commented: 'Our guests have shown remarkable confidence in continuing to travel, even in the face of global uncertainty. This has reinforced what we've long understood, that the over-50s market is both resilient and determined to make the most of their time.

'While safety will always come first, we're proud to have delivered a full programme of tours and to have supported our customers with flexible options when needed. The over-50s are now the UK's most dependable travellers, spending more, travelling more often, and proving far less likely to cancel or defer trips.'

The price of jet fuel has more than doubled following the Iran war, and while many European airlines have hedged their fuel, and frozen their purchase price for months or years ahead, US airlines haven't fared so well.

In fact, American Airlines has revealed the jet fuel crisis will have cost the airline $4 billion this year, wiping out forecast profits.

Meanwhile, On The Beach and BA Holidays guaranteed Which? earlier this month that they 'definitely' would not add surcharges to their customers.

Other travel companies including, Trailfinders, Destination2, Kuoni, Jet2holidays, Olympic Holidays and Beachcomber Tours all promised they would not introduce unexpected surcharges too.

Meanwhile, LoveHolidays told the consumer champion it 'has not imposed surcharges before and we have no intention of doing so in the future'.

KLM and Air France recently announced they are increasing their fares for the second time

As for LastMinute.com, the booking site said it would not surcharge but couldn't promise customers would not face additional costs from airlines.

Some airlines have warned they are having to reconsider their pricing if the situation continues, including IAG which owns British Airways.

The carrier told the Daily Mail: 'We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy which gives some shorter term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.

'Like other carriers, IAG airlines are making some pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs.'

The spokesperson added: 'Our airlines will continue to monitor and respond to the situation and as long as these pressures continue, flexibility from government, including on slot alleviation, would ensure airlines can continue to operate as efficiently as possible and manage sustained cost challenges while keeping people and trade moving.'

Meanwhile, KLM and Air France recently announced they are increasing their fares for the second time.

Both are part of the same company and last month it was revealed they would be hiking ticket prices due to the rising cost of jet fuel.

Economy fares were increased by 50 (43.47) for a round trip, according to The Sun.

This week, Air France-KLM announced they would be increasing fares again.

Many of the company's long-haul round trips will see another another 50 - totalling to 100 (87).

Meanwhile, a round economy route will be increased by 10 (8.69) and routes to America, Mexico and Canada will see a 70 (60.85) rise.

Last month, easyJet's CEO Kenton Jarvis warned holidaymakers to book flights 'as early as possible' to avoid price jumps if the price of oil stays high.

Customers were also warned to expect higher ticket prices towards the end of summer, when existing fuel hedges come to an end.

A spokesperson for the airline recently told the Daily Mail it was 'focussed on keeping fares low' and it has 'no plans to introduce surcharges'.

Just weeks ago, Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary warned that flights could be cancelled this summer due to the soaring cost of jet fuel.

He told ITV News: 'We're all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5 per cent, 10 per cent of flights through May, June and July.'
Egypt is a popular destination and typically attracts hordes of British holidaymakers a year.

Many flock there for the Red Sea, stretches of sandy beaches and abundance of family-friendly resorts and attractions.

But, understandably, some this year may be apprehensive to travel to Egypt due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

A dreamy destination in Spain could be a perfect alternative, and it's almost half the flight time from the UK.

Search interest for the country has risen 28 per cent year-on-year, whereas search for Egypt has fallen by 12 per cent.

And, according to First Choice managing director Kevin Nelson, Costa Blanca provides the same 'extraordinary moments' as Egypt.

He says: 'Travellers still want those extraordinary moments. Unsuspectingly, Costa Blanca delivers that, with unique landscapes and natural highlights all within just a couple of hours from the UK.'

The breathtaking region takes around two hours and 40 minutes to reach from London, when flying to the area's main airport - Alicante - offering holidaymakers a memorable break without a lengthy journey.

Spain's Costa Blanca is the perfect alternative if you're unsure about travelling to Egypt this year

Travellers can bag a flight for as little as 13 for a one-way ticket on May 9, according to Skyscanner.

Costa Blanca is home to Laguna Salada de Torrevieja, also known as Laguna Salada, located near Torrevieja, near Alicante.

It is one of Europe's only naturally pink lakes and gets its unusual colouring from halobacteria and Dunaliella salina - both are naturally pink and release the pigment into the water.

Flamingos often frequent the shallow waters and it has drawn comparisons to the vivid salt lakes of Egypt's Siwa Oasis, known for their pink and turquoise hues.

With a jaw-dropping pink lake, tropical wildlife and Red-sea style waters, Costa Blanca doesn't fail to impress.

Or, if you're looking to explore something more inland and away from the beach, Elche's UNESCO-listed palm grove has more than 200,000 trees.

It has a distinctly North African feel and over 17,000 gushing reviews on Google, averaging at an impressive 4.6 out of five.

The region also boasts a car-free island with its own marine reserve - Tabarca Island.

The region is home to Laguna Salada de Torrevieja - a luscious pink lake (pictured)

Laguna Salada is also where flamingos reside, meaning visitors can catch a glimpse of the unique bird

With a jaw-dropping pink lake, tropical wildlife and Red-sea style waters, Costa Blanca doesn't fail to impress. Pictured: Albir's promenade, in Alicante

Just one hour by boat from Alicante, it offers crystal-clear waters, calm coves, and thriving marine life, making snorkelling here feel remarkably like a dip in Egypt's beloved Red Sea.

Costa Blanca's cuisine isn't to be missed either and the region's signature 'caldero' - a rich fish stew cooked with fresh local catch and rice - is a must-try for visitors wanting to taste local food.

Eating out in the area is reasonable, and a three course meal for two comes to 50 (43), according to Numbeo.

Meanwhile, a pint of the local beer costs 3 (2.60). Hotels can be found for as little as 36 a night.

At the moment, the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of Egypt, including near the Egypt-Libya border and the North Sinai Governorate. It also advises against all but essential travel to other areas.

For those wanting to swap their trip to Egypt for somewhere further away instead of a short-haul destination, Australia's shores might be a good alternative.

The Coral Coast stretches across Western Australia and boasts white sand beaches and untouched reefs.

Although Australia lacks pyramids, it does have vast stretches of desert to explore too.

Qantas Airline offers direct flights from London to Perth that take 16 hours and 40 minutes. Travellers can then get a domestic flight to other locations in Australia if they wish.

Prices correct as of April 24, 2026.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary claims both Wizz Air and airBaltic could exhaust their cash reserves by the end of the winter due to the ongoing fuel crisis - leading to their potential collapse.

O'Leary has stated that fuel costs for his airline increased by 50 million this month, with warnings that the wider airline industry could face shortages as early as May.

He cautioned the situation could worsen if the 'dual blockade' of the Straight of Hormuz - a vital waterway in which 20 per cent of the world's oil passes through - continues.

Iran has largely blocked the strait since February, with the U.S. enforcing its own counter-blockade against Iranian ports since April.

Ryanair has locked in about 80 per cent of its fuel at $67 (49) per barrel through next March, but the remaining 20 per cent is tied to marked rates that have spiked above $150 (110).

This price swing creates a massive financial burden, and has forced many airlines to hike ticket prices and add fuel charges just to stay to stay afloat.

Michael O'Leary noted Wizz Air and airBaltic are at high risk because they haven't locked in lower fuel prices.

He further cautioned that if oil prices don't drop, both carriers could run out of cash by the end of the year, potentially leading to their collapse by October or November.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has warned Wizz Air and airBaltic could collapse by the end of winter due to the ongoing fuel crisis

It comes as Wizz Air continues to rapidly expand, launching new routes from Maastricht Aachen Airport and Eindhoven Airport

The airline boss said to Il Sole 24 Ore: 'If oil stays at these levels, two or three European airlines in October or November could go bankrupt like Wizz Air, which wants to sue me but wont have enough time to do so, and airBaltic.'

The warning comes as both Wizz Air and airBaltic continue to rapidly expand, with Wizz Air launching new routes from Maastricht Aachen Airport and Eindhoven Airport, and airBaltic setting up routes between Groningen Airport Eelde to Tenerife.

However, O'Leary remains sceptical, suggesting that rising fuel prices and shaky liquidity could make such expansion efforts difficult to sustain.

The wider airline industry is already battling the knock-on effects of the fallout in the Middle East, which has resulted in rising operational costs and declining airline share prices.

Ryanair has already seen a notable drop in its share price, which has decreased from 35 (30) to 25 (21) over a period of just three months.

O'Leary warned that if fuel supplies tighten further and Wizz Air and airBaltic run out of cash, both airlines could by grounded by Q4, effectively benefiting Ryanair as competition would be reduced in the European market.

Wizz Air has since dismissed O'Leary's claims as 'flatly untrue and false', claiming they have enough liquidity to last 18 months or more, and have hedged a larger portion of fuel than their competitors.

Meanwhile, airBaltic's future remains uncertain, as the airline recently had its credit rating lowered despite acquiring a short-term loan from the Latvian government.

Although airBaltic has recently set up new routes between Tenerife and Gronigen Airport Eelde, it appears the airline's future remains uncertain

A spokesperson from Wizz Air said: 'Michael O Learys recent comments about Wizz Air's financial prospects are flatly untrue and false.

'Wizz Air has a strong balance sheet, substantial liquidity, and funds its aircraft 18 months in advance, with leasing companies and other financiers competing strongly for every opportunity. This is a business with clear stability.

'Wizz Air is one of the best hedged airlines in the industry against the rapidly changing fuel prices, while our fleet is already 75% A320neo family aircraft, providing a structural cost advantage compared to any other airline in Europe through significantly lower fuel burn and greater efficiency.

'Wizz Air also maintains long-standing relationships with leading lessors and manufacturers, continuing to execute its fleet strategy without disruption.'

'We continue to rapidly expand our footprint across Italy and other key markets. Our focus remains exactly where it should be: delivering the lowest fares, operating the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet of aircraft, and serving millions of our customers!'

airBaltic declined to comment.

It comes after a top easyJet official warned of jet fuel uncertainty in 'three to four weeks' as the Iran war continues to hit holiday plans.

With the price of oil and its derivatives, including jet fuel, sharply rising following the war in the Middle East, holidaymakers across the world have been warned that thousands of flights in the coming weeks may be axed.

Javier Gandara, the country director for easyJet's southern Europe, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin that it is 'difficult' to predict exactly how bad the problem will be after 'three or four weeks.'

He added: 'Everything [will be] affected because, ultimately, we are talking about a global market.

'No one will be immune to potential supply problems.'

But he also said he believed that whatever impact the ongoing war in the Middle East will have on fuel prices will likely be negative: 'All consumers will experience a significant impact on their income due to the increase in mortgage and rental prices, food, gasoline, and so on.

'What will be the net effect of both? It's difficult to predict.'
What should have been a joyful time for a bride and groom planning their wedding and celebrations, actually turned into a nightmare.

The couple were set to marry in June and the groom had planned a stag trip abroad with a group of 14. The flights, with easyJet, totalled to 4,000.

However, everything changed when the pair's 'two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive grade four brain tumour,' the husband-to-be wrote to the Guardian.

The couple managed to secure refunds from other companies they had booked for various services for their wedding and even the accommodation for the stag do.

But, when the best man contacted easyJet about the flights, the airline would only offer a voucher for the groom's ticket and a tax refund for the others.

EasyJet justified the decision by arguing the rest of the party could still travel.

The groom, from Wiltshire, penned: 'This has caused significant additional stress at a time when my sole focus should be spending precious time with my little girl.'

He explained how he also felt bad about his friends being left out of pocket.

A groom's stag do plans were turned upside down after his 2-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour

An easyJet customer service agent apologised for not being able to do more and blamed the limited options on the company's 'policy'.

The groom, who signed off the letter as JB, wrote to the Guardian asking for help and consumer writer Anna Tims reached out to easyJet.

Tims noted how the airline's website outlines refunds or credit may be given in circumstances involving sickness or bereavement.

She also found it doesn't state whether this applies to the entire group or not.

EasyJet argued the 'compassionate serious illness policy' only applies to if the impacted, ill person is the passenger.

In the end, the airline gave JB and his stag do group a full refund.

A spokesperson for easyJet told the Daily Mail they were 'very sorry' to hear about the customer's situation and said: 'To help any customers who are no longer able to travel due to serious illness, easyJet provides the option for the unwell passenger and others on their booking to receive a flight voucher.

'Whilst the policy would not ordinarily apply if the unwell person is not travelling with us, given these exceptional circumstances, our customer support team have been in contact to issue all passengers on the booking with a full refund.'

Initially, easyJet refused to refund the group of 14 and said they would only give the groom his money back and offered a tax refund to the other members

It comes after another instance, in which British holidaymaker Emily, who doesn't want her surname to be published, was repeatedly refused a refund from easyJet after staff told her to book another flight.

Emily was due to be on the EZY8072 flight from Malaga to London Gatwick on October 5, 2025, scheduled for 5pm.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Emily described how easyJet proceeded to board the plane about one hour after the schedule departure time with no updates regarding the delay.

'We then stood and waited to board only to be told we weren't able to and would have to go back into the airport,' she added.

'Chaos ensued and the staff informed all passengers over one hour late that the flight was cancelled and to "book any flight you can".'

After many passengers took this advice, everyone was later informed that the flight was in fact delayed until 2am 'because there was a technical problem with the aircraft'.

The passenger and her friends booked on a British Airways flight at around 8pm as they were told they would be refunded.

The flight was to London Heathrow, as no Gatwick flights were available - which was inconvenient for the group. Then it was announced that the flight was no longer cancelled - just severely delayed.

Emily said: 'We went to the front to check we'd get the money back. They said, "not a problem, just complain when you're back."'

On October 6, the group issued a complaint for compensation.

Emily said this was rejected because they didn't take the flight (despite being informed it was cancelled and told by easyJet staff in Malaga that they would be able to get a refund).

They issued another complaint, and after several rounds of sending the same explanation and receipts of all their bookings, were still awaiting a refund. Emily said she had been asked to send details five times to easyJet.

After Emily came to the Mail for help, easyJet confirmed Emily will be reimbursed for her alternative flights 'as a gesture of goodwill'.
British Airways has downgraded thousands of frequent flyers after a technical mistake wrongly told them that that they could keep their elite status.

The blunder came from IAG Loyalty, the airline's parent company rewards team, which mistakenly informed some members they would retain Gold and Silver tiers even though they didn't meet requirements.

The airline later admitted the message was incorrect and said fewer than one per cent of its 13 million members were affected.

The issue comes amid a major shake-up of the scheme this week, which aims to free up lounge space and prevent some travellers from circumventing the system.

Passengers are also now rewarded for money spent rather than distance travelled - leading to many losing their Gold or Silver status.

Despite not accumulating enough points to qualify for elite status, thousands of passengers were contacted by IAG and informed that they would retain their prior status.

After discovering the mistake, the airline said it would contact affected customers and apologise, along with adjusting their status to the correct level.

An IAG Loyalty spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'Earlier this week we renewed the status of a very small number of BA Club members according to our normal guidelines and criteria.

British Airways has been forced to downgrade flyers who were mistakenly told they could keep their Gold and Silver member status - despite no longer qualifying

'This raised concerns with some of BA's members, who believed wed made a mistake.

'Our initial investigation didnt identify any obvious issues, however, over the last 24 hours weve conducted some more detailed forensic work, and have discovered that due to a technical issue, some members (fewer than 1%) were incorrectly told they had retained their status, when they hadnt earned it, or been entitled to it.

'Because of this, well be contacting affected customers in the coming days to apologise and reinstate their correct tier.'

It comes as British Airways owner IAG recently announced the airline will increase ticket prices as the cost of jet fuel soars.

The airline giant, which also owns Aer Lingus and Iberia of Spain, has joined other operators in hiking prices as disruption to the key Strait of Hormuz raises energy costs.

IAG said it was not immune to the impact of fuel prices having 'risen sharply', despite it having already locked in some costs.

'Like other carriers, IAG airlines are making some pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs,' it added.

The warning follows budget airlines Ryanair and Easyjet saying that passengers should expect higher prices towards the end of the summer.

Disruption caused by rerouting flights due to the war has resulted in the lowest-priced economy tickets costing 24 per cent more than they did a year ago, according to research by consultancy Teneo.

The average cost of a barrel of jet fuel has more than doubled in a year, to 137 per barrel, says the International Air Transport Association. Fuel makes up as much as a quarter of operating costs.

There are also worries over cancellations. German airline Lufthansa said this week it would slash 20,000 European flights as they were no longer profitable.

And travel giant Tui this week said the war had cost it 35million, and cut its profit guidance as consumers delay bookings.
Holidaymakers expecting to relax on Spanish terraces may face disappointment, as new regulations will force outdoor bar service to pause during extreme heatwaves.

With summer heatwaves frequently pushing temperatures above 40C, the safety of hospitality workers operating in these extreme conditions is under scrutiny.

A recently signed amendment to the National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector (ALEH) now makes climate a critical factor in work organisation.

This initiative updates labour regulations for a changing climate, introducing first-of-their-kind protections for workers against extreme heat.

This means restaurants, bars and cafes in Spain would be obligated to close their terraces during heatwaves if they do not have adequate shade or cooling systems.

The measure would be activated when the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issues orange or red alerts.

The agreement stipulates that closure be a last resort, encouraging companies to first implement shift adjustments, schedule reorganisations, and ensure frequent hydration or rest breaks.

If businesses fail to follow the new rules, they can face penalties of over 50,000 in the most serious cases.

People enjoy tapas on a cafe terrace in Barcelona, Catalonia

A woman covers her face with a fan during a heatwave in Cordoba, Andalusia

The amendment also applies to other extreme weather conditions such as flooding and heavy snow - which are rare in arid Spain.

This is the latest measure Spain has taken to combat soaring temperatures, as the country has been grappling with annual heatwaves that in 2025 left over 1000 people dead.

Last summer, parts of the country recorded temperatures as high as 46C, with southern regions experiencing the most intense heat, while central areas near Madrid were hit by wildfires in August.

It marked Spain's worst-ever fire season since records began in 2006, eclipsing 2022, when 306,000 hectares were burned.

In December, the government announced plans to build new 'climate shelters' across the country to help protect people during extreme heat.

Speaking at a climate change conference in Madrid last winter, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez outlined plans for the climate shelters.

He described them as public spaces where anyone can go to cool down during what he called 'devastating droughts and heatwaves.'

Sanchez said that summer temperatures above 40C are 'now the new normal' and promised continued government support to help people adapt.

The shelters will be air-conditioned and provide free drinking water, along with seating areas for people to rest.

Some regional governments, including Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, have already started setting up similar shelters, and they have been well received by the public.

The new shelters will be rolled out nationwide, with priority given to areas where extreme heat has the greatest impact on residents.

Spain has become one of the latest countries to feel the full force of a warming planet, with parts of the country recording temperatures as high as 46C

In the meantime, regions that already have shelters or experience less severe heat may have to wait, as the government focuses resources where they are most urgently needed.

The government aims to have many of these shelters open before the summer of 2026.

Meanwhile, Spain also recently introduced a new ban that could see holidaymakers fined over 1,500.

Enjoying a cigarette on a bar or restaurant terrace is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike in the European destination.

However, the Spanish government has recently approved a new law that prohibits the act.

The ban means smoke-free areas in the country will be expanded to include playgrounds, university campuses, bus stops, stations and public swimming pools.
She was the quintessential middle child in America's favorite blended family.

The undisputed drama queen of 1970s sitcom The Brady Bunch, Jan Brady remains so iconic that Megyn Kelly recently compared Donald Trump to the character, suggesting he was lying about his reason for bombing Iran.

Though the series ended in 1974, its popularity refuses to fade, with cast members even appearing on a special episode of RuPaul's Drag Race in 2021.

And earlier this year, Barry Williams  who played elder brother Greg and was starring in the reality show I'm a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here!  revealed all the siblings had hooked up with each other during filming.

But Eve Plumb, who played Jan Brady over its five seasons, managed to keep her biggest real-life drama a secret for more than a decade  with a little help from her on-screen family.

Only now, with the publication of her memoir, has she opened up for the first time about the battle with breast cancer that caused her to lose all her hair, and threatened to derail her career and her life.

In Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond, Plumb writes that she had just taken on an off-Broadway role in June 2013, in a show called Unbroken Circle, when she received the terrifying diagnosis.

'It was an invigorating and happy time of my life,' she writes. 'I felt that my career was being revived in a new way. Then it tumbled down, in an unexpected way, for a full year.'

The Brady Bunch remains iconic, even though the series ended in 1974

Plumb (third left) with her Brady siblings Susan Olsen, Mike Lookinland, Christopher Knight, Maureen McCormick, and Barry Williams

Megyn Kelly recently compared Donald Trump to the character, suggesting he was lying about his reason for bombing Iran

Her husband, Ken Pace, had discovered a lump around the size of a walnut on her breast.

And even the initial biopsy was a massive wake-up call to the pain that was to come.

'I knew they weren't going to put me under or cut my skin,' she writes in the book, 'but I was unprepared for the test as it was like a spring-loaded needle that shot with incredible force through the lump.

'The shock of it piercing through so quickly was both physically and emotionally painful.

'Once I was alone, tears spilled from my eyes.'

Two days later, having just finished the matinee of the show, she received the phone call that was to upend her life.

There was no sugar coating. She was informed that she had cancer.

In that moment, she says, she zoned out, stumbling onto the sidewalk in a 'state of otherworldly blurred reality.'

She called Pace and somehow got through the evening performance.

'The angry and crying scenes came very easily to me that night,' she writes.

The Brady Bunch ran for five seasons, following the lives of a blended family: (From left) Susan Olsen, Mike Lookinland, Eve Plumb, Christopher Knight, Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams, Ann B. Davis, Florence Henderson, and Robert Reed

The stars reunited in 1988 for a Christmas special (Eve Plumb is third from the top of the stairs)

Determined to keep her diagnosis private, Plumb's agent deftly negotiated her way out of the theater contract without revealing to the production team the real reason.

Only a very few select friends were told about what was going on in her life at that time  people she knew she could trust to not spill the beans or dish out well-meaning but unwanted advice.

Her treatment plan included a course of chemo infusions, followed by radiation, before surgery to remove the lump.

And she deliberately opted for a very discreet treatment center where she hoped her identity would remain a secret.

'The one I chose had small private suites, with a recliner chair and a door that could be closed,' she writes.

'I felt that it would be the best for me, but it did have a backfire element to it when every week, in a full waiting room, a nurse would call my name out loud when my chemo suite was ready.

'"Eve Plumb! Eve Plumb! You're next."'

Around a week into her treatment, her worst fears were realized when Pace received a call from The National Enquirer. The gossip newspaper had been tipped off to Plumb's cancer and wanted to know the full story.

Pace, taken by surprise, managed to feign ignorance before hanging up.

'He managed to respond in a composed manner that he didn't know what they were talking about,' writes Plumb.

'That was the closest we came to it leaking out.'

Plumb with her husband, Ken Pace, who discovered a lump around the size of a walnut on her breast

Plumb has revealed her secret battle with breast cancer for the first time in her new memoir

She describes losing her hair as a result of the treatment  an irony that wasn't lost on her.

As Jan Brady, her long blonde hair had been her signature, and she used to dream of a time when she would be older and could cut it all off.

'Now all I could do is watch it swirl around the shower drain, clump by clump.'

She adds: 'I don't think I understood how quickly I would go bald, but by Halloween I was thinking that I could paint my head silver and go to the NYC Village Halloween Parade as an alien.'

But no sooner had she got a wig, which gave her some sense of normality, than she lost her eyebrows and lashes as well.

'I had been wondering why my sense of smell had become so acute and then concluded that my nose hairs must have fallen out, too.'

Shortly after losing her hair, she received word that the old Brady Bunch crew were getting together to film a show celebrating Florence Henderson, who played mom Carol Brady, and who died, age 82, in 2016.

Unable to fly to LA because of her treatment, she filmed a brief segment instead, then called Henderson afterward to explain, privately, why she hadn't been able to make it.

'Before I had a chance to say another word, Florence promptly turned to the other cast members and said, "Eve didn't come because she's going through chemo for breast cancer."'

Plumb was shocked to be outed so suddenly and unceremoniously  but also thankful for the code of silence the 'Brady kids' had to never talk about each other's personal lives.

'Despite Florence spilling the news,' writes Plumb, 'my Brady castmates never spread the word and I continued treatments without any press about it.'

The chemo left her permanently exhausted. But finally, after radiation and surgery, she was pronounced 'cured'  her hair slowly growing back in soft 'feathers' and her energy beginning to return slowly.

She and Pace celebrated her being cancer-free by going on a vacation to Sweden  they called it her 'I didn't die' trip.

'It was like being set free and viewing it all with a fresh perspective,' she writes.

Now ten years in remission, she writes: 'Ken and I have traveled many, many more times during that decade, and we have no plans to stop.'

Happiness Included: Jan Brady and Beyond by Eve Plumb is published by Citadel, an imprint of Penguin Random House, April 28.
Backed by four failed challenges and CNIPA's recent Public Lecture presentation of its "Top 10 Case" designation, the dispute over touchscreen technology used in Windows and Surface devices escalates to its final stage.

SHANGHAI, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Newman Infinite, Inc. announced today that its long-running patent infringement dispute against Microsoft has reached the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China. Following an unprecedented 4-0 record in defending its patent validity against Microsoft's challenges, Newman Infinite is now seeking a definitive ruling from China's highest court on infringement by the Windows operating system and Surface product line.

In China, Newman Infinite, Inc. is sometimes translated as "Newman Unlimited." The case centers on Newman Infinite's Chinese patent No. ZL201280055598.3, which covers precision graphical user interface technology. Newman Infinite / Newman Unlimited contends that Microsoft's Windows operating system and Surface line of products infringe the patent. With the case now entering a decisive and final stage before China's highest court, the patent remains fully unchanged from its original grant, after Microsoft's repeated challenges to validity failed.

"Microsoft has thrown everything at this patent, and four times, Chinese authorities have repeatedly upheld its validity," said Matthew Allan Newman, CEO. "As we move to the Supreme People's Court, this case is no longer just about one patent, it's about the integrity of intellectual property for innovators operating in the Chinese market under robust patent laws."

Microsoft's Four Failed Attempts to Invalidate the Patent

Over the course of the dispute, Microsoft has made four separate attempts to invalidate Newman Infinite's patent, and each attempt has failed.

First, Microsoft filed three invalidity petitions before Chinese patent authorities in Shanghai and Beijing. In each proceeding, the patent was affirmed, with all claims remaining valid and enforceable. Microsoft's first invalidity petition, No. 4W116533, was preliminarily rejected on January 4, 2024. Its second, No. 4W117583, was rejected on May 13, 2025, with that ruling reaffirming the earlier outcome. Its third, No. 4W119569, was rejected on October 30, 2025.

Microsoft sought to overturn those outcomes through further review, but those efforts were rejected and the decisions of the patent authorities were affirmed by China's specialized intellectual property courts.

During the infringement trial, Microsoft sidestepped the administrative invalidity process and repeated its invalidity arguments before the court. The trial court summarily dismissed those arguments, giving Newman Infinite a fourth win on validity.

As a result, the patent remains fully intact as the dispute proceeds on infringement.

CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration) Top 10 Case Recognition

The case has also received national recognition within China's intellectual property system. In 2025, the China National Intellectual Property Administration, or CNIPA, designated one of the related Newman Infinite, Inc. / Newman Unlimited proceedings as one of its Top 10 Patent Reexamination and Invalidation Cases of 2024, a distinction reserved for matters of particular legal and institutional significance.

The matter was later featured in CNIPA's Public Lecture Series, a one hour internationally broadcast program focused on notable intellectual property rulings and developments. The lecture examined issues raised in the case, including claim interpretation, inventiveness analysis, and backend processing features in user interface patents.

Together, those developments underscore the case's broader relevance beyond the immediate dispute, particularly in the treatment of software patents and human-computer interaction technologies in China.

The Case Now Proceeds Before China's Highest Court

On March 31, 2025, the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court issued a split ruling in the infringement case, deciding 10 of 14 issues in Newman Infinite's favor while leaving key infringement questions unresolved for the Supreme People's Court to consider. Newman Infinite then appealed to the Supreme People's Court, seeking full vindication of its intellectual property rights and a definitive ruling on the remaining infringement issues.

Newman Infinite completed its interim filings during Q4 2025 and now awaits the next stage of the proceedings before the Court.

"With validity challenges now behind us, the remaining issue is infringement," Newman added. "We look forward to presenting that case before China's highest court, an institution that historically upholds CNIPA's administrative decisions in over 92 percent of cases."

Why This Case Matters

The dispute concerns touchscreen and graphical user interface technology used in modern computing devices and software platforms. Its outcome may help shape how software and interface patents are evaluated and enforced in China in disputes involving major multinational technology companies.

More broadly, the case reflects the continuing legal and commercial importance of foundational user interface technologies across operating systems, devices, and global markets. Newman Infinite has also secured corresponding patents in the United States covering the same foundational technology.

Newman Infinite is represented in China in this matter by JointWin Partners of Shanghai.

About Newman Infinite, Inc.

Newman Infinite, Inc. is an American technology company focused on the development and protection of innovative user interface technologies. Founded by Matthew Allan Newman, the company has built a patent portfolio centered on foundational touchscreen and graphical user interface inventions.

SOURCE Limitless Group International Corporation
The sale of a potentially $25 million legal claim against Erika Jayne for $2 million was approved by a Los Angeles bankruptcy court Thursday.

Trustee Elissa D. Miller was given a clearance by the court to sell the rights to a $25 million lawsuit against Jayne in a fraudulent conveyance case, according to legal docs reviewed by the Daily Mail.

The rights were sold to LHA Land LLC, who will pursue the Bravo star, 54, for recoupment of $25 million her ex-husband Tom Girardi's firm had on its books related to her expenses.

Jayne previously has denied allegations of wrongdoing, claiming she was not aware of her estranged husband's financial problems.

Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Jayne for further comment on the story.

Trustee attorney Ronald Richards told the Daily Mail that he was 'satisfied' with the results of Thursday's court ruling.

The sale of a potentially $25 million legal claim against Erika Jayne, 54, for $2 million was approved by a Los Angeles bankruptcy court Thursday. Pictured in LA on March 28

'I've spent five years pursuing Erika Girardi to bring justice to the victims of her husband's fraud,' he said. 'I am satisfied that those efforts have resulted in creating a value of $2 million to the' trustees.

Richards continued, 'Hopefully that money will go to reimburse the victims who lost their hard-earned settlements as a result of her husband's fraudulent behavior.'

Tom Girardi, 86, in June of 2025 was sentenced to more than seven years in prison following his 2024 conviction after he was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud.

Jayne, who parted ways with Girardi in 2020 after a 21-year marriage, spoke about the ongoing litigation in a reunion episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills which aired Thursday.

Asked by host Andy Cohen what she would do if she loses the $25 million civil fraud lawsuit, Jayne said, 'You can file for bankruptcy, or you can fight it out in court.'

Jayne, appearing in the first installment of the reunion show, continued, 'You can go to trial, you can cut a deal, you can die in the streets - I have no idea.'

Girardi, a one-time personal injury attorney, was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud, following a trial that lasted 13 days in August of 2024.

Prosecutors said that he had defrauded his clients of more than $15 million over a decade-long span from 2010 to 2020.

Tom Girardi, 86, in June of 2025 was sentenced to more than seven years in prison following his 2024 wire fraud conviction. Pictured in August 2024 in LA

Jayne, who parted ways with Girardi in 2020 after a 21-year marriage, spoke about the ongoing litigation in a reunion episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills which aired Thursday

Girardi was ordered to pay $2.3 million to the people he defrauded and a $35,000 fine. Jayne has been named in the aforementioned $25 million litigation based off the expenses related to her work his firm apparently footed the bill for.

Jayne was asked by Cohen during Thursday's broadcast what the top question she would ask Girardi was, if she had the chance to.

She said the question she would ask was 'Why?' in reference to the multitude of legal issues she's dealing with in the years after their split.

'Why did he throw me out like that?' Jayne said. 'If you think about it, I'm in an almost impossible situation. I'm swimming under all of these lawsuits.'

She opened up about the hostile home life she faced living with Girardi during their marriage.

'I walked on ice a lot with Tom,' Jayne said. 'Looking back at it, it was always thin ice. It was constantly an interrogation - it was constantly a battle.'

Jayne said that at one point Girardi ignored her for six weeks during a timeframe in which they lived with one another.

'As sweet as Tom could be, is as vicious as Tom could be,' Jayne said on Thursday's broadcast.

Girardi was diagnosed in 2021 with Alzheimers disease, and placed in a conservatorship under the care of his brother that year. Pictured in August 2024 in LA

Jayne parted ways with Girardi in 2020 after a 21-year marriage

Girardi has dealt with health issues, as he was diagnosed in 2021 with Alzheimers disease, and placed in a conservatorship under the care of his brother Robert Girardi that year.

In 2024, a judge said that Girardi had been mentally competent to face his sentence, as he had been to stand trial.

Girardi denied defrauding anyone of any money while testifying in Los Angeles in 2024, according to Courthouse News Service, telling the court, 'The last thing I would do would be to take someones money - I wouldnt think of it.'

Girardi had made multiple appearances on the Bravo series during his marriage to Jayne.

Prior to his fall from grace - including a 2022 disbarment - Girardi had established himself as a high-profile injury attorney known to tangle with large corporations over major incidents.

A lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric utility resulted in a $333 million settlement, and was depicted on the silver screen in the 2000 Steven Soderbergh motion picture Erin Brockovich, which starred Julia Roberts in the title role.

Girardi said in his testimony of the film, 'That became an award-winning movie.'

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills can be seen on Bravo Thursdays at 8/7c.
The Golden Bachelor Australia, hosted by Samantha Armytage, has been pushed back to a September release.

Fans of the series have been holding out for a second season after the debut pulled in strong ratings last year when Barry 'Bear' Myrden found love with Sunny Long.

However, it seems viewers may have to wait longer than anticipated, as reports say the 2026 show has been pushed back twice, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, the second season is already pulling in audience interest, as one of the Bachelors has quickly become the talk of the town.

This year, Nine producers have cast two leading men - Solar D co-founder Mathew Collett and contract logistics manager Ed Savage.

While Savage has largely flown under the radar, Collett has quickly become a headline generator for the series.

The Golden Bachelor Australia, hosted by Samantha Armytage, has been pushed back to a September release

The father-of-three, 58, has quite the colourful love life, being linked to a string of high-profile women over the years.

Former Network Seven personality Adene Cassidy, PR guru Sally Burleigh and heiress Sophie Ward are just a few names that have been linked to Collett over the years.

However, sources close to Collett have said he is far from the playboy some might believe him to be.

'Firstly, he has been a very devoted father to his three kids, who are now in their 20s,' an insider close to Collett said.

'He has worked in and out of media long enough to know he was going to get attention no matter what. He is mostly concerned about how it impacts his family.'

Daily Mail has reached out to Nine for comment.

It comes after police and council rangers were called out to The Golden Bachelor mansion in Sydney earlier this year amid a dispute between producers of the show and neighbours over noise complaints.

Residents were reportedly fed up with the late-night karaoke sessions and all-night parties taking place at the Golden Bachelor mansion during filming of the Channel Nine reality show.

Join the discussion Should reality shows respect neighbourhood peace or is exciting TV worth the disruption to locals?

Meanwhile, the second season is already pulling in audience interest, as one of the Bachelors has quickly become the talk of the town. Pictured: Mathew Collett

Tensions reportedly boiled over in February when one neighbour retaliated and began blasting a trumpet from their backyard in protest.

One local said the disruption in the area had been constant since the production crew arrived earlier in the month.

'Originally you heard them building frames and installing all the lights. But what really tipped me over the edge was the first night they met the Bachelor,' the resident said.

'It was a Tuesday night, they were up partying until 4am. I woke up thinking it was kids screaming, but it was the women doing karaoke and yahooing.

'It is beyond disrespectful. They have huge speakers and have even had live bands.'

A City of Sydney spokesman confirmed in a statement that there were 'several' complaints from residents living near the waterfront mansion.

'As a result of these complaints, City of Sydney staff met with the production company to discuss standard noise limits,' the spokesman said.

'We will continue to monitor the production to ensure filming remains compliant and residential amenity is maintained.'

A letter was sent to surrounding residents by Warner Bros, assuring them music would no longer be played after discussions with council and police.
Ben Azar, the husband of Indy Clinton, is reportedly suing his employer Savills after he was dismissed following more than 22 years of working for the company.

The father-of-three, who has been married to influencer Clinton, 28, for six years, alleges the real estate agency breached workplace protections by letting him go.

Court documents from March 27 show Azar is arguing unfair dismissal under general protections provisions, according to The Daily Telegraph.

These breaches can occur when an employer takes adverse action against a worker for prohibited reasons.

Daily Mail has reached out to Azar, Clinton and Savills for further comment.

It comes after Clinton had an emotional on-camera breakdown earlier this year as she shared with fans her anxiety about her three young children soon enrolling in school.

Ben Azar, the husband of Indy Clinton, 28, is reportedly suing his employer Savills after he was dismissed following more than 22 years of working for the company

The Australian influencer revealed her concerns in a TikTok video in which she admitted she did not feel at all prepared for this milestone occasion.

'I'm not ready to be a mum, sorry! I'm meant to have a child at school in two weeks and I don't even know what P&C means (Parents and Citizens),' Indy tearfully began.

She then broke down, admitting she found the number of tasks she needed to complete to prepare for school overwhelming.

'I have to do a lunchbox, a morning tea and a crunch and sip. Do I volunteer at swimming carnivals?' she asked.

'I can't do maths, so how do I help with homework? I genuinely don't know my times tables!'

Many of Indy's followers took to the comments section to share their advice.

'Hot tip: Befriend mums that know what they are doing,' one person wrote.

'Good news, you can learn your times tables together,' another suggested.

Join the discussion What do you think bosses owe loyal employees after decades of service when tough decisions are made?

Court documents from March 27 show Azar is arguing unfair dismissal under general protections provisions

'Oh honey, that's what tutors are for,' a third chimed in.

Indy shares her children Navy, four, Bambi, two, and Soul, one, with her husband Ben Azar.

The pair began their relationship in 2018 and married two years later.

She has developed a reputation for posting very relatable content on her social media.
Kanye West reemerged for a casual breakfast date with wife Bianca Censori.

The controversial rapper, 48, started the day off strong with his architect wife, 31, as they stopped for some fast food at Denny's in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The pair coordinated in dark outfits  but while he went for a casual, cozy vibe, Censori dressed up in an off-the-shoulder catsuit paired with cropped, opaque tights and clear, sandal heels.

While exiting the restaurant, Censori was seen typing on her phone and carrying car keys as West trailed closely behind her.

It was the morning after they enjoyed a night out at Chateau Marmont when the musician was seen adjusting the hood of his zip-up jacket over his head as they walked together.

Underneath his hoodie, he wore a gray, graphic T-shirt paired with leather pants and chunky, black sneakers.

Kanye West, 48, and his wife Bianca Censori, 31, were seen stepping out for breakfast at Denny's on Saturday

Their outing comes shortly after West, who now goes by Ye, broke cover and the couple stepped out for the first time since he was barred from entering the United Kingdom amid furore over his antisemitic comments.

Earlier this month, the government barred West attempts to travel to London following backlash to his planned set at the Wireless Festival.

West has not performed in the UK for over a decade; the last time he took the stage there was when he headlined the Glastonbury Festival in 2015.

The upcoming three-day festival set for July was ultimately canceled and resulted in other European venues distancing themselves from him.

West applied for an Electronic Travel Authorization on Monday, April 6, but he was denied entry to the UK.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood banned the rapper from entering Britain to perform at the festival on the grounds his presence would 'not be conducive to the public good.'

Sir Keir Starmer insisted he 'should never have been invited to headline Wireless' and said he 'stands firmly with the Jewish community' against antisemitism.

Calls had been growing for West to be removed from the lineup after a string of antisemitic outbursts, including releasing a song called Heil Hitler and posing in a swastika T-shirt.

The controversial rapper went for a casual, cozy vibe for their outing. Censori, on the other hand, dressed up in an off-the-shoulder catsuit paired with cropped tights

Their outing comes shortly after West, who now goes by Ye, broke cover and the couple stepped out for the first time since he was banned from entering the United Kingdom; pictured in February 2025

As a result, organizers have cancelled the entire event, saying refunds would be issued to all ticketholders.

'As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time,' a spokesperson said at the time.

'Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognize the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.'

West had said he wanted to show 'change through his actions' and meet with Jews in London ahead of the performance in Finsbury Park, which would have been his first in the UK in 11 years.

Following the travel ban, West postponed a gig in France and his concert in Poland was canceled.

Calls had been growing for West to be removed from the lineup after a string of antisemitic outbursts; pictured in March 2024

West has been attempting to put on a string of comeback performances in recent weeks, following the publication in January of a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal, in which he apologized for his antisemitic statements and attributed them to the lingering effects of a traumatic brain injury that he allegedly suffered in a 2002 car crash.

An hour and a half after sharing his terse initial statement, West returned to X with a lengthier post reiterating his desire to prove that he had changed his ways and made strides in his recovery.

'I know it takes time to understand the sincerity of my commitment to make amends[.] I take full responsibility for whats mine but I dont want to put my fans in the middle of it,' West wrote.

'My fans are everything to me[.] Looking forward to the next shows[.] See you at the top of the globe.'
James Bond fans will reportedly have to wait another two years before 007 is back on the big screen, marking the longest gap between movies in the franchise's 64-year history.

The super spy is no stranger to a lengthy hiatus - with a six-years between 1989's Licence to Kill, the final Timothy Dalton film, and 1995's GoldenEye, the first to star Pierce Brosnan.

But with the leading actor still to be recast, following Daniel Craig's exit after 2021's No Time To Die, a rumoured 2028 spring release means audiences will have waited a whopping seven years.

Last year the Broccoli family handed over creative control over to Amazon MGM Studios - which was formed when Amazon bought Bond's parent studio in 2022 - after 30 years.

Dune's director Denis Villeneuve has signed on to helm the new project, with Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight penning the script.

A source said: 'Bond wont be back until 2028. The production mindsets gone from "Lets hurry this through" to "Make sure we get this right".

James Bond fans will reportedly have to wait another two years before 007 is back on the big screen, marking the longest gap between movies in the franchise's 64-year history (Daniel Craig pictured in 2006's Casino Royale)

'Denis wanted a long break after Dune 3 and has some broad ideas on the script. Steven will get on with drafts, before they map out the final version. Thatll take at least the whole summer.

They told The Sun: 'Realistically, if they can make January 2027 work for pre-production then that will be a success. The principal photography will run until the summer and the film always takes around nine months to a year to edit'.

Daily Mail have contacted Amazon MGM for comment.

Meanwhile Harris Dickinson is now one of bookies' favourites to become the new Bond.

The actor, 28, who will play John Lennon in The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event in 2028, has been named as one of the frontrunner.

Having been as big as 9/1 last week, Harris is now just 8/5 to be the new 007, with Callum Turner continuing to lead the way at 4/5. Every other name is now 5/1 or more.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'Harris Dickinson has a busy few years ahead if the latest odds are anything to go by... he could well be swapping between John Lennon and James Bond.'

The spy is no stranger to a lengthy hiatus - with a six-years between 1989's Licence to Kill, the final Timothy Dalton film, and 1995's GoldenEye, the first to star Pierce Brosnan (pictured)

Meanwhile Harris Dickinson is now one of bookies' favourites to become the new Bond

Bookmakers' odds on the next James Bond Callum Turner - 4/5 Harris Dickinson - 8/5 Jacob Elordi - 5/1 Aaron Taylor-Johnson - 6/1 Theo James - 10/1

Bookies' predictions on who will play Bond are changing by the day, with Jacob Elordi one of the most recent favourites due to his smouldering role in the romance Wuthering Heights. He is at 5/1 while Aaron Taylor-Johnson is 6/1.

Other names have included Iris Elba, Theo James, Jonathan Bailey, James Norton, Jack Lowden and Henry Cavill.

Harris will star alongside Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr in four new films about The Beatles.

A strong supporting cast includes Aimee Lou Wood as Harrison's model wife Pattie Boyd, Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono and James Norton as the band's manager, Brian Epstein.

There will also be appearances from Mia McKenna-Bruce as Starr's first wife, Maureen Starkey, and Harry Lloyd as George Martin, the record producer with whom The Beatles worked on all of their eleven studio albums.

The movies will each take the perspective of one member of The Beatles as they evolve from unknowns in Liverpool in the early 1960s to becoming the biggest band in the world and then breaking up in 1970.

Its the first time that surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr, and the families of the late Lennon and Harrison, have given the rights to feature films about them.
The widower of late MAFS star Mel Schilling has revealed he and their daughter are undergoing a huge life change, following her tragic death from bowel cancer last month.

Gareth Brisbane, who was married to the relationship expert from 2018 until her death on March 24, shared a post to social media over the weekend, revealing he and their daughter Maddie, 11, were permanently relocating to Bali, Indonesia.

'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,' Gareth told fans.

He explained that the popular holiday island was particularly special to Mel, and that by moving there he would feel spiritually closer to her.

'No better place to heal, a place 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,' he wrote.

Many of Mel's closest friends took to the comment section to congratulate Gareth on the big move.

The widower of late MAFS star Mel Schilling has revealed he and their daughter are undergoing a huge life change, following her tragic death from bowel cancer last month

'I love this G! What a beautiful place. Cant wait to have a whiskey with you before you depart to Bali. Sending all my love,' gushed Married At First Sight expert John Aiken.

'Heading to Bali is the most Mel thing possible. Sending you love as you step into this beautiful next chapter,' added fellow MAFS expert Alessandra Rampolla.

'Sending you both so much love. Bali will be so healing,' veteran presenter Shelly Horton chimed in.

Elsewhere in the post, Gareth 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.

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.

Alongside snaps of Mel and picturesque Whitehead, he penned: 'Thanks so much for all the messages of support over the past month since our girl's passing. Maddie and I have drawn enormous strength from how so very loved she was and is.'

Gareth Brisbane, who was married to the relationship expert from 2018 until her death on March 24, shared a post to social media over the weekend, revealing he and their daughter Maddie, 11, were relocating to Bali

'We laid Mel to rest on the 9th of 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 couldn't be prouder,' he added.

'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 reflect on our incredible 15 years together.'

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.

She previously 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 husband confirmed the news of her death in a beautiful statement in which he spoke about her love for him and their daughter.
Kris Jenner looked nearly unrecognizable while leaving a spa in Los Angeles on Friday.

The 70-year-old showed off her very taut visage while wearing a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses.

The Kardashian/Jenner matriarch appeared to go makeup-free, though her cheeks were a blushing pink  possibly from a skin treatment  as she left 7Q Spa Laser & Aesthetics Center.

The clinic has locations in Glendale and Calabasas, and offers patients a range of services including Botox, facial sculpting, filler, and laser hair removal.

Jenner was spotted wearing a brown, hooded sweatshirt and she wore her dark hair in its signature bob.

The spa outing comes amid reports that the talent manager is 'raging' over her recent $100,000 facelift 'slipping.'

Kris Jenner, 70, looked unrecognizable while leaving a spa in Los Angeles on Friday

The Kardashian/Jenner matriarch showed off her vert taut visage while wearing a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses

She is reportedly less than thrilled with her costly cosmetic procedure nearly one year after going under the knife.

The reality television personality is now said to be planning a 'revision' while comparing her results to other celebrity transformations.

She turned heads in May last year after unveiling her refreshed face while in Paris for daughter Kim Kardashian's armed robbery trial.

Her lift was performed by celebrity plastic surgeon Dr Steven M. Levine.

The go-to doctor's procedures start at $45,000, and he offers a range of options including a 'mini facelift' and a 'full facelift.'

Insiders claim Jenner is growing increasingly concerned her results are beginning to fade.

'Kris Jenners facelift is already slipping. She is not happy with the results and is desperate to get a revision - she feels it has not held the way she expected,' a source told RadarOnline earlier this month.

It comes after the momager revealed what she says is the only real thing on her face following her facelift during an episode of The Kardashians.

While chatting with daughter Kim in Paris before a shopping trip, she admitted that her nose is 'probably the only thing on my face thats real.'

Jenner's plastic surgeon Dr Steven M Levine's procedures start at $45,000. Above left, in May 2025, and a year earlier, right

She appeared to go makeup-free, though her cheeks were a blushing pink  possibly from a skin treatment  as she left 7Q Spa Laser & Aesthetics Center

Jenner was spotted wearing a brown, hooded sweatshirt and she wore her dark hair in its signature bob

Jenner in March at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Kim pointed out that her mom's teeth are natural, claiming she has 'never had a veneer.'

Reflecting on the facelift in an August 2025 interview with Vogue Arabia, Jenner explained: 'I had a facelift about 15 years ago, so it was time for a refresh. I decided to do this facelift because I want to be the best version of myself, and that makes me happy.'

She added about aging: 'Just because you get older, it doesnt mean you should give up on yourself.

'If you feel comfortable in your skin and you want to age gracefully  meaning you dont want to do anything  then dont do anything. But for me, this is aging gracefully. Its my version.'
Abbie Chatfield was welcomed into the KIIS FM family with open arms on Monday.

The podcaster clocked in for the breakfast radio shift after the slot was left vacant by the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

The 30-year-old was embraced on set by Pete Deppeler, nicknamed Intern Pete, the producer, reporter and occasional on-air talent who has for years worked with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson.

In photos and video shared on Instagram, Abbie and Pete cuddled and laughed together during a comedic segment.

Abbie proved that she fit right in with the talent and staff at the radio network, which has in recent months been embroiled in controversy after the departure of Sandilands and Henderson.

The social media star walked away from her own radio career back in 2023, when she quit the Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield on the Hit Network.

Abbie Chatfield (left) was welcomed into the KIIS FM family with open arms on Monday. The podcaster clocked in for the breakfast radio shift after the slot was left vacant by the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show

Chatfield was recruited by KIIS FM to help fill the void left by former stars Sandilands and Henderson.

News.com.au reported last week that the controversial influencer would be sitting in the KIIS FM breakfast chair from Monday.

She is joined by Mike Etheridge (Mike E) and newsreader Brooklyn Ross, who have been holding down the fort since The Kyle & Jackie O Show was pulled from the airwaves in March.

It's only going to be a fleeting visit, though, with Abbie taking on a week-long guest co-hosting role, as ARN continues to search for replacements for its former flagship duo.

The network has remained tight-lipped about potential replacement plans amid its ongoing legal battle over unfair dismissal claims by Kyle and Jackie.

However, sources told the publication that talks with prospective replacements are already 'well underway'.

Abbie's 'trial run' comes after popular Channel Ten star Georgie Tunny sat in the KIIS breakfast chair alongside Mike E this week.

The publication also reported that KIIS executives are 'hugely encouraged' by the latest GfK radio ratings survey results, released this week.

The 30-year-old was embraced on set by Pete Deppeler (pictured), nicknamed Intern Pete, the producer, reporter and occasional on-air talent who has for years worked with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson

Chatfield was recruited by KIIS FM to help fill the void left by former stars Sandilands and Henderson. Both pictured

The show saw a bump of 37,000 more listeners in both the Sydney and Melbourne markets than in the previous survey, released in March.

Cumulative ratings figures reveal that 673,000 listeners tuned in to the show between February 8 and April 4.

Conversely, the March survey, which covered the period between 18 January and 28 February, revealed the show attracted 636,000 listeners.

Similarly in Melbourne, listenership increased from 403,000 to 440,000 between the two survey periods.
Adrian Portelli has gone on a wild rant about the discount fuel prices he is offering at his LMCT+ petrol station in Preston, Victoria, after a follower questioned its value.

Last week, the Australian billionaire launched the LMCT+ petrol station with hundreds of his loyal followers turning up to see him in the flesh  and on Monday he clapped back on social media after someone publicly challenged his pricing, which is only available to club members who purchase an annual membership.

'You pay $240 for the year plus $1 per litre. I pay 0.79c more (and still dropping) for petrol but save $240 a year. How is that giving back to the community? Work out $240 times thousands of people, you all just made him rich there,' one person sniped about Portelli's business model.

However, Portelli was having none of it and quickly challenged their claims, stating his business offered great savings for everyone.

'You're actually stupid. Even saving 20c a litre at 50L per week, you're saving $520 per year. Not to mention a standard fuel saver is $99 per year. Shut your mouth and stop spitting s**t,' Portelli clapped back.

He added that he had big business plans for the future and that his club members would continue to save money with him.

Adrian Portelli (pictured) has gone on a wild rant about the discount fuel prices he is offering at his LMCT+ petrol station in Preston, Victoria, after a follower questioned its value

'People are actually genuinely stupid. People are that brainwashed they choose not to see what's sitting right in front of them, then they complain about the cost of living,' he sniped.

'Just wait till I open up more sites, car washes, gyms and supermarkets. Sign up, stand by my side and I'll work for you or be left behind. It's as simple as that.'

On Wednesday night, Portelli officially opened the first of his chain of petrol stations.

Several devotees of the luxury vehicle enthusiast showed up in their own muscle cars, with drivers filling the road, revving their engines and doing burnouts outside the brand-new service station.

At one point, security was forced to chase off a driver idling at a green traffic light, revving his engine and blocking the road.

Although petrol was not yet available for sale, those in attendance lined up instead for the food on offer, with Daily Mail hearing complaints of long waits and frustrated, hungry attendees.

Portelli was mobbed by fans for several hours at the event, which culminated in one of his infamous giveaways of a jaw-dropping $1 million.

The 37-year-old announced his petrol pump venture as part of an extension to LMCT+, his subscription-based rewards club, in December 2025.

Last week, the Australian billionaire launched the LMCT+ petrol station with hundreds of his loyal followers turning up to see him in the flesh  and on Monday he clapped back on social media after one of his followers publicly challenged his pricing

However, Portelli was having none of it and quickly challenged their claims, stating his business model offered great savings for everyone

Speaking to the Daily Mail on the night, Portelli said that he aims to serve his community by offering petrol at competitive prices as Australia faces shortages.

'Yeah, look, I'm gonna do what I can to relieve that,' Portelli said of the country's fuel crisis.

'I've got my customer base that have supported me over the years, so I'm willing to take a hit to the pocket to support them in these times.'

Portelli indicated that he was likely to take a financial hit due to his low prices, which he intends to increase at some stage.

'This is just something to say thank you. But you know, we're gonna obviously have to at some point increase our prices, but like I said, we're gonna give wholesale fuel,' he said.

The price of fuel in Australia doubled for drivers in the weeks after conflict broke out in the Middle East and Iran closed shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, with some service stations even running dry.

But months before the ongoing fuel crisis began, Portelli said that his service stations would offer 'discount' fuel prices, with the first location now open in Melbourne.
Kylie Jenner sent temperatures soaring as she posed topless in a new sizzling photo shoot to promote her fashion brand KHY on Instagram on Sunday.

The lip kit mogul, 28, showed of her jaw-dropping figure as she modelled a tiny cargo skirt which boasted two chunky studded belts.

Styling her dark tresses loose, Kylie covered her assets with her hands and gave the camera a sultry look.

The TV personality looked incredible as she went topless once again while wearing a pair of beige studded jeans.

The mother-of-two looked glowing as she kept her modesty by modelling the new embellished collection by sitting on the floor and hugging her leg.

Kylie revealed that the new collection is 'made in LA' as she added a silver tattoo to her arm which read: 'I heart LA'.

Kylie Jenner sent temperatures soaring as she posed topless in a new sizzling photo shoot to promote her fashion brand KHY on Instagram on Sunday

The lip kit mogul, showed of her jaw-dropping figure as she modelled a tiny cargo skirt which boasted two chunky studded belts

For her final ensemble, Kylie wowed as she went braless under a stylish denim jacket and matching low rise jeans.

She captioned the post: 'New @khy born in LA. The brand new collection launching on 04.28 on khy.com!!!

'The most stunning new collection made in LA and finished with hand-studded embellishment, each detail placed with intention. @kyliejenner'.

The outing comes after fans blasted Kylie for seemingly undervaluing the importance of her children in a post about the things she's grateful for.

The reality star, who shares a daughter, Stormi, eight, and son, Aire, four, with ex-partner Travis Scott, didn't even place her children in the top five.

Kylie shared a mirror selfie to her Instagram Stories and penned across the screen a list of gratitudes.

In lower caps, it spelled out, 'coffee hallelujah, kris jenner hallelujah, spray tans hallelujah, birkin wall hallelujah, king kylie hallelujah, stormi & aire hallelujah, kylie cosmetics hallelujah, doing what i love hallelujah, 445 cc hallelujah, poker nights hallelujah, my cat hallelujah, drunk cig hallelujah, realizing things hallelujah.'

One commenter clapped back, 'The kids should be first,' while a second vented, 'YOUR children deserve better. Imagine in a few years time, seeing that your own mother picked her handbags and spray tan over you.'

Another follower took aim by writing, 'Spray tans before her kids is wild. But tbh, Im surprised she listed her kids at all.'

A not-so-enchanted fan chimed in, 'She only listed them to save face, she DGAF, as someone else cracked, 'Im surprised the kids arent lower.'

Still, the written fireballs kept flying, with one writing, 'OH MY GOD. This is honestly shocking. How unaware can you be to not only admit that but post it for the world to see. Spray tans over your kids?!!'

Styling her dark tresses loose, Kylie looked incredible as she went topless once again while wearing a pair of beige studded jeans

For her final ensemble, Kylie wowed as she went braless under a stylish denim jacket and matching low rise jeans

Kylie revealed that the new collection was 'made in LA and finished with hand-studded embellishment'

She penned: 'New @khy born in LA. The brand new collection launching on 04.28 on khy.com!!! The most stunning new collection made in LA'

Weeks earlier, Kylie sparked similar outrage when she shared a photo of her pet cat, with many believing she considered the feline as more of an accessory.

Last week, Kylie's world got even muddier when a former housekeeper sued for discrimination and claimed to have been 'belittled and humiliated' during her past employment.

In court documents filed in Los Angeles on April 17 and obtained by the Daily Mail, Angelica Vasquez says she started working for Kylie at her Beverly Hills mansion in September 2024 before being transferred to the star's $20 million property in Hidden Hills a week later.

Vasquez says she reported to a woman named Elsi as well as the head housekeeper, Patsy, and claims she was 'treated with hostility and exclusion' by both.

The former housekeeper, who says she is Salvadoran and Catholic, claims to have suffered 'severe and pervasive harassment' and says she was 'belittled and humiliated' because of her race, religion and national origin in front of other staff.

She alleges that she was told 'Catholics are horrible people' while her immigration status was the topic of bullying.

Vasquez claims that she was assigned the worst tasks, that she was often shouted at and deliberately excluded from the housekeeping team.

She even alleges that, on one occasion, a supervisor threw hangers at her while reprimanding her.

Vasquez claims that she was 'berated' by staff who 'demanded to inspect' her phone and 'accused her of speaking negatively about them.'

The former housekeeper claims that she resigned in August 2025 less than a year after being employed, and after her various complaints failed to be addressed.

She additionally alleges that she has since developed 'symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder' and anxiety due to the bad experience.

Vasquez is suing for damages over emotional distress and unpaid wages - and she is also seeking other punitive damages.

While the discrimination claims are not directed at the reality star, and more so at her staff, Kylie is listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Tony Kuczynski Appointed President of North America Following Mister Transmission Acquisition





Leadership Realignment Strengthens Franchise Support and Positions the Company for Continued Growth





Additional Leadership Appointments Include New COO, Chief Growth Officer, and Senior Vice President of Operations

ORLAND PARK, Ill., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its recent acquisition of Mister Transmission, Moran Family of Brands, one of the nation's leading automotive franchise systems, has announced a strategic leadership realignment uniting two highly respected brands under a single North American structure. The new framework is designed to strengthen franchisee support, streamline operations, and accelerate growth across the U.S. and Canada.

Tony Kuczynski appointed President of North America for Moran Family of Brands

At the center of this alignment, Tony Kuczynski has been appointed President of North America, where he will oversee franchise support across all brands and markets. Kuczynski brings more than three decades of automotive and franchise leadership experience to the role. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of Mister Transmission in Canada, where he led the brand through a period of significant growth, doubling both systemwide and average store sales while enhancing customer satisfaction and operational performance.

In his new role, Kuczynski will focus on aligning key franchise support functions across the U.S. and Canada, including marketing, training, technical support, and store operations, as well as unifying processes and elevating performance across the system.

"Being appointed to this new leadership role is an honor and a responsibility I take seriously," said Tony Kuczynski, President of North America for Moran Family of Brands. "We are bringing together two strong organizations and working as one team with one direction. Our focus is on supporting franchisees, improving how we operate across both countries, and ensuring we deliver consistent value to customers and stores on both sides of the border."

As part of the leadership evolution, Moran Family of Brands has established three core operational pillars to support its expansion: Finance & Administration, Franchise Support, and Growth & Development.

Barb Moran-Goodrich will continue to lead the company as CEO, with a focus on the finance and administration pillar.

will continue to lead the company as CEO, with a focus on the finance and administration pillar. Tony Kuczynski will lead the franchise support pillar.

will lead the franchise support pillar. Peter Baldine will transition from President to Chief Growth Officer and lead the growth and development pillar.

"This alignment allows us to maximize the strengths of both organizations and deliver greater value to our franchisees across the U.S. and Canada," said Barb Moran-Goodrich, CEO of Moran Family of Brands. "By combining our resources, expertise, and leadership into one team with a united vision, we are building a stronger platform designed for long-term growth and success."

Additionally, Moran Family of Brands announced two key leadership promotions that further strengthen its operations:

Brian Schroeder has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO). Previously, Vice President of Operations for Mister Transmission in Canada, Schroeder brings deep operational expertise and a strong track record of franchise performance.

has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO). Previously, Vice President of Operations for Mister Transmission in Canada, Schroeder brings deep operational expertise and a strong track record of franchise performance. Tim Rodifer has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations, Technical Support, and Vendor Management. Formerly Moran's Technical Director, Rodifer has played a critical role in advancing technical training and support across the franchise network.

Both Schroeder and Rodifer are former top-performing franchisees, bringing more than 60 years of combined, hands-on experience in franchise operations, technical services, and business management. The leadership changes took effect April 6, 2026.

Moran Family of Brands' emphasis on brand integration and franchisee investment comes as the automotive aftermarket industry continues to grow, with the market forecasted to hit $664 billion by 2028.

For more information on Moran Family of Brands, visit moranfamilyofbrands.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit moranfamilyofbrands.com/auto-franchise-opportunities. For Mister Transmission franchise opportunities in Canada, visit https://www.mistertransmission.com/franchise-opportunities/.

About Moran Family of Brands:

Moran Family of Brands is one of North America's leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair, automotive accessories, and window tint and paint protection services. Based in Orland Park, Illinois, Moran Family of Brands provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket through seven individual brands and nearly 200 franchise locations across North America, including Alta Mere, Dr. Nick's Transmissions, Milex Complete Auto Care, Mister Transmission, Mr. Transmission, Multistate Transmissions, and Turbo Tint.

SOURCE Moran Family of Brands
The BBC faced further criticism on Monday after repeatedly airing a racial slur during two news bulletins - weeks after suffering backlash for allowing the same derogatory term into their edited BAFTA coverage.

The under-fire broadcaster used an unspecified song by American rapper Childish Gambino to soundtrack two Newsbeat items - unaware that its lyrics contained the N word.

BBC Radio listeners heard the offending term during short bulletins about recently released children's film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at 12:45pm, and again at 5:45pm - the programme's usual slots.

Donald Glover, who records his music under the Childish Gambino pseudonym, takes a starring role in the film - which also features Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black and Brie Larson.

Tailored for a younger audience, Newsbeat airs across Radio 1, 1Xtra and the Asian Network, with shorter bulletins also aired throughout the day.

A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We are very sorry this was broadcast. We should not have included this clip in this news report, and we removed the clip from Sounds when we realised the error.'

The BBC faced further criticism on Monday after airing a racial slur during two Newsbeat bulletins - weeks after suffering backlash for allowing the same term into their BAFTA coverage

A separate BBC source described the incident as 'an appalling oversight in the edit suite.'

The Daily Mail understands that the wrong version of Gambino's song was selected, and the correct process wasnt followed leading up to it being aired.

Senior editors have since been contacted, and the team involved has been reminded of proper processes.

The gaffe comes just weeks after the BBC was condemned for allowing the same racial slur into its edited coverage of the annual BAFTA Awards.

Disability campaigner John Davidson, who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome, was heard shouting the N-word as black Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of the night for special visual effects at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Both actors made no acknowledgement of the outburst on stage and continued with presenting the award, with BAFTA host Alan apologising if the slur 'caused offence' and explaining Davidson had decided to leave the ceremony.

Davidson, 54, later issued a statement saying he was 'deeply mortified' by his outburst, and emphasised his comments 'are not a reflection of my personal beliefs'.

The Scotsman had been at the BAFTAs representing the film I Swear, which follows his story living with Tourette's - a condition characterised by involuntary movements or sounds known as tics - since the age of 12.

While he did receive some backlash from Hollywood stars including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce, much of the furor was aimed at the BBC for failing to edit out the slur prior to the awards ceremony airing, despite it not being broadcast live.

Davidson has now issued an apology 'for any pain, upset and misunderstanding' that his Tourette's might create and thanked fans for their 'love, support and solidarity'.

He added it had been a 'difficult week' as it was revealed the campaigner also had his bike had been stolen by thieves.

He wrote on social media: 'Ive been waiting all week until the dust settles after the weekend at the BAFTAs in London.

'I would like to thank each and every one of you who have shown love, support and solidarity towards myself and the rest of the Tourettes Community. Your kind words and support have got me through a very difficult week.

The under-fire broadcaster used an unspecified track by Childish Gambino, AKA Donald Glover (pictured) - unaware that its lyrics contained the N word

BBC Radio listeners heard the offending word during short bulletins about recently released children's film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at 12:45pm, and again at 5:45pm

'Whilst I will never apologies (sic) for having Tourette syndrome, i will apologise for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create.

'This past week has been tough, and has reminded me that what I do raising awareness for such a misunderstood condition, there is still a long way to go and I will keep on keeping on until this is achieved.'

He went on to thank fans again for their support, adding: 'I love you all.'

Davidson previously revealed that BAFTA bosses had assured him 'that any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast' and questioned why he was seated with a microphone just in front of him.

He said: 'I have made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel that they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette's and worked harder to prevent anything that I said - which, after all, was some 40 rows back from the stage - from being included in the broadcast.

'As I reflect on the auditorium, I remember there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic.'

The gaffe comes just weeks after the BBC was condemned for allowing the same racial slur into its edited coverage of the annual BAFTA Awards (pictured)

Daily Mail has contacted a BBC representative for further comment.

Davidson is Britain's most high-profile sufferer of Tourette syndrome, which causes him to curse loudly, shout insults, and make sudden involuntary physical and vocal tics.

One of his biggest symptoms is coprolalia which makes him involuntarily say socially inappropriate words or phrases, including when he famously shouted 'f*** the Queen' at Queen Elizabeth II when he was awarded his MBE in 2019.

And when his car was being searched by police on entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Davidson involuntarily yelled: 'A bomb! I've got a f***ing bomb!'

Tourette's Action said it was 'incredibly proud' of Davidson and those involved in the film, including Robert Aramayo, who won best actor for his portrayal of the disability campaigner.

It went on to say that it had found the 'backlash' to the incident 'deeply saddening'.
Lachie Neale and Tess Crosley have sparked fresh chatter after they went to the same Brisbane bar.

The pair, who have been embroiled in an affair scandal, each posted images taken at Le Royale in Brisbane in recent Instagram posts.

The photos, which show a band on stage, appear to have been taken on the same night.

Decor at the venue and the performers appear to match, but it's unclear if the two attended the club at the same time, nor whether they saw one another there.

Lachie shared the image four weeks ago, while Tess included her version last week in a carousel of photos captioned with a heart and spades.

Tess recently hinted that she may be back on the market.

Lachie Neale (pictured) and Tess Crosley have sparked fresh chatter after they went to the same Brisbane bar

The pair, who have been embroiled in an affair scandal, each posted images taken at Le Royale in Brisbane in recent Instagram posts. Tess is pictured

The mother-of-one, 30, who found herself at the centre of the marriage breakdown between Lachie and Jules Neale, has reportedly been spotted on the celebrity dating app, Raya.

The listing is accompanied by glamorous selfies, including one in which Tess has blonde hair and is wearing a skimpy bikini.

Tess' job description reads 'I'm a mammii' while her simple biography states, 'Tell me about you first x'.

Raya is the go-to app for high-profile people and celebrities to find love.

The likes of Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Demi Lovato and Olivia Rodrigo have all previously been seen on the site.

Tess was spotted packing removal boxes at her Brisbane marital home in February.

Tess was hit with a media storm after Jules told her to stop 'embarrassing' herself and delete photos of former Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie from her Instagram.

She has so far refused to comment on speculation she was the 'other woman' in the Neales' split.

Tess has also not confirmed the status of her marriage to finance director Ben Crosley, who said in January she was no longer living at their marital home.

However, confirmation appeared to come when Tess was seen packing up large removal boxes at their shared home in the swanky Brisbane suburb of Camp Hill.

Lachie shared the image (pictured) four weeks ago

Tess included her version (pictured) last week in a carousel of photos captioned with a heart and spades

While Tess has stayed silent about her alleged role in the Neales' marriage breakdown, Tess' family members have spoken out in her defence.

The saga erupted over the Christmas break when Jules publicly declared the end of her marriage to Lachie, pointed the finger of blame at her former friend Tess, and moved from Brisbane to Perth with her two children.

The saga erupted over the Christmas break when Jules publicly declared the end of her marriage to Lachie, pointed the finger of blame at her former friend Tess, and moved from Brisbane to Perth with her two children.

By January 2, amid intense media scrutiny, Lachie had stepped down as co-captain of the Lions.

'While I will not go into specifics, I can say that I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions, which have hurt those closest to me. For that, I am deeply sorry,' he told reporters at the time.

'I accept this as a consequence of my actions and I need to focus on rebuilding trust with Jules, as the future well-being of our children remains our number one priority.'

Jules allegedly discovered the affair after a fellow Brisbane WAG spotted Lachie and Tess together in a car.
Simone Ashley showed off her incredible figure in skimpy bikinis as she modelled Burberry and Hunza G's new swimwear collection.

The Bridgerton actress, 31, flaunted her jaw-dropping physique in a strapless red two-piece as she posed on the sand.

Simone left little to the imagination as she modelled a thigh-high black swimming costume for the shoot.

United by a shared commitment to material innovation, British brands Burberry and Hunza G have collaborated on a new swimwear capsule launching in summer 2026.

The collection is built on signature Hunza G silhouettes, from its Original Crinkle ultra-stretch fabric, in iconic Burberry colours with Burberry Check trims.

'There's a natural connection between Burberry and Hunza G as British brands,' said Burberry Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee. 'Our approach to material and craft is shaped by a relationship to the elements  pieces you can wear in and out of the water.'

'Hunza G has always been about making women feel their most confident,' Georgiana Huddart, Hunza G founder and Creative Director added.

'Bringing that together with the heritage of Burberry felt natural, to create something special that feels effortless. That's always been the goal.'

The Burberry x Hunza G swimwear capsule will be available online and in selected stores worldwide from April 27.

Simone Ashley, 31, showed off her incredible figure in skimpy bikinis as she modelled Burberry and Hunza G's new swimwear collection

The Bridgerton actress flaunted her jaw-dropping physique in a strapless red two-piece as she posed on the sand

Simone left little to the imagination as she modelled a thigh-high black swimming costume for the shoot

Last December it was revealed Simone had split from her businessman boyfriend Tim Sykes just months after their romance began.

In September, Daily Mail first reported how the grey-haired hunk after they pair locked lips at the US Open in New York.

Simone, who was born in England to Indiana Tamil parents, is also known for starring on another Netflix series, Sex Education.

Her past roles have included supporting parts on Broadchurch and The Sister, but Ashley has lately been establishing herself as an in-demand film star.

After small parts in Detective Pikachu and Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, she scored a cameo as herself in Brad Pitt's racing drama F1, and was also spotted film an unspecified part in The Devil Wears Prada 2 recently.

Simone, who played Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, has said she will 'clear' her schedule if bosses ever want her to return, as she discussed her loyalty to the period drama.

Speaking to The Louis Theroux podcast, she explained: 'I think he set a great example, of I guess for a better word, the loyalty to the show, it is a show about family and returning home and returning to the family and I think a lot of people follow that suit.

'I particularly learned a lot from that example. And now when we go back, there is that environment of coming home and feeling like we're part of a family.'
Olivia Attwood was spotted putting on a tactile display during a cigarette and coffee break with her rumoured boyfriend Pete Wicks.

The TV personality was spotted kissing the TOWIE star at the Flute Bar in Soho last month, following her separation from husband Bradley Dack in January, and things only appear to be heating up.

They were seen smoking together while Olivia, 34, seemed to be taking a break from filming as her hair was clipped back, seemingly in the middle of her glam.

She sported a tracksuit with Vans, while Pete, 37, wore a complementary pair of checked shoes from the same make.

Prior to their latest outing, Olivia she was 'feeling romantic' as she got a name tattooed on her arm on Sunday amid her romance with Pete.

Olivia Attwood was spotted putting on a tactile display during a cigarette and coffee break with her rumoured boyfriend Pete Wicks

She placed a tender hand on Pete's chest amid ongoing romance rumours

The former TOWIE star could not resist draping an arm around Olivia

She told followers of her nerves before her latest inking but said that her 'insane' heart had overpowered her head.

Olivia sat down while the tattoo artist got to work before displaying her forearm, now inscribed with the name 'Savano'.

She added the caption: 'My Baby' fans were quick to rush with assuming Savano was the name of her dog, while others joked she's misspelt Pete's name.

They said: 'Its guna be a puppy I can feel it babes'; 'Pete Wicks Forever next?'; 'What does Savano mean WHAT DOES IT MEEEEEAAAAN!???'; 'Pete wicks forever'; 'Ffs liv you spelt @p_wicks01 name wrong'.

It comes after Katherine Ryan didn't hold back as she delivered her verdict on Olivia's new romance with Pete.

Appearing on the podcast, Olivia's House, Katherine told Olivia she hoped she wouldn't meet 'someone for a long time' as she declared: 'Your taste is not great'.

The comedian went on to reference Olivia's budding romance with Pete. Olivia asked her: 'who shall I ban [from her house after 8.00pm]?', to which Katherine replied: 'Pete Wicks'.

Olivia and Pete were enjoying a cigarette outside the building

The couple were said to have enjoyed a romantic getaway previously

They chatted warmly during their break together

The TV personality, 34, was spotted kissing the TOWIE star, 37, at the Flute Bar in Soho last month and things only appear to be heating up

They were seen smoking together while Olivia seemed to be taking a break from filming as her hair was clipped back in the midst of a glam session

Giggling, the television personality hid behind her cue cards and said: 'I dont want him in this house past 8.00pm.'

During the episode, Olivia reflected on being single after her ten-year relationship with Bradley came to an end.

She said: 'I refuse to download dating apps. I'm going to have to meet the love of my life in the wild.'

Katherine expressed her hopes that Olivia would remain single for a while as she told her: 'I think that you will not meet someone through the apps...

'I don't think you even realise your potential  in terms of your career and what you want to do in your life and the rich experiences you can have not in a romantic relationship.

'I think you should have three quite casual boyfriends at any given time so that you don't hyperfocus onto any one of them.'

The duo were locked in conversation

Olivia told followers of her nerves before her latest inking but said that her 'insane' heart had overpowered her head
A video of an Australian 'looksmaxxing' influencer being arrested on livestream has gone viral.

In clips shared online, the social media star, known online as Androgenic, was approached by around six police officers in Brisbane late on Sunday evening and taken into custody.

A policeman is seen telling the TikTok sensation, 25: 'I just need to have a word with you about an incident that happened on the 27th of February.

'Based on that, I'm going to place you under arrest for public nuisance.'

Androgenic, whose real name is Ronan but whose last name is shrouded in secrecy, was then taken away by police.

His personal security guards asked that Androgenic be taken peacefully and without handcuffs, and the officers on scene appeared to comply with that request.

A video of an Australian 'looksmaxxing' influencer being arrested on livestream has gone viral. The social media star, known online as Androgenic (pictured), was approached by around six police officers in Brisbane late on Sunday evening and taken into custody

Later in the footage, a friend behind the camera films Androgenic being patted down by police.

'So Androgenic's being questioned for something. Don't know the situation,' the person says.

Police are believed to have questioned Androgenic over footage that appeared to show him pushing a woman to the ground during a brawl outside a Hungry Jacks.

That clip, which then showed the streamer being punched and falling down, also went viral.

Queensland Police later confirmed that they have made an arrest and excluded the arrested party from the Brisbane party precinct.

'A 25-year-old St Lucia man was subsequently issued with an infringement notice for public nuisance,' the statement said.

'He was also served with a banning notice from the safe night precinct of Fortitude Valley and Brisbane City for one month.'

Earlier this year, a video of the influencer getting his wig stolen during a livestream in a Brisbane street mall reached tens of millions of viewers on X.

A policeman is seen telling the TikTok sensation, 25: 'I just need to have a word with you about an incident that happened on the 27th of February. 'Based on that, I'm going to place you under arrest for public nuisance'

Queensland Police later confirmed that they have made an arrest and excluded the arrested party from the Brisbane party precinct

Androgenic was on camera in Fortitude Valley when a young man snatched his cap to reveal the social media star's balding head.

He quickly pounced on the culprit and retrieved his cap, which had a long-haired wig sewn into it.

During the livestream shared on the Kick platform, Androgenic can be heard saying, 'I've just had a hair transplant bro,' and adding: 'That's gonna go as viral as f***'.

The influencer's prediction turned out to be spot on, with the cringeworthy clip reportedly viewed by tens of millions on X.

Appearing in the clip at first in his wig and cap, Androgenic can be seen pulling off his hat and saying: 'I've been going extremely viral for having my wig snatched off.'

After mentioning how widely spread his clip has been shared, he continued: 'I don't think people realise that I have been publicly spamming about [being bald] for like two months.

'And I've literally, publicly made videos showing that I'm wearing a wig, like days ago.'

He added: 'I'm really glad this is going viral, no aura has been lost, I can tell you.'

Earlier this year, a video of the influencer getting his wig stolen during a livestream in a Brisbane street mall reached tens of millions of viewers on X

Known as Androgenic, he was on camera in Fortitude Valley when a young man snatched his cap to reveal the social media star's balding head

The viral trend known as 'looksmaxxing' involves a spectrum of 'self-improvement' measures - some as extreme as plastic surgery.

There's also 'softmaxxing', which urges boys to undertake expensive 12-step skincare routines.

Additionally, there is 'starvemaxxing', which is about cutting food consumption, losing fat and thereby accentuating musculature or facial bone structure.

'Mewing' is a technique said to reshape the jawline by repositioning the tongue against the roof of the mouth (but which remains entirely unproven).

Astonishingly, even dangerous DIY methods such as 'bone-smashing'  breaking bones in the belief this will improve facial structure  are advocated online.

The term looksmaxxing was coined on obscure websites in 2014 and started with incel culture  a group of 'involuntarily celibate' men who blame women for denying them relationships.

Androgenic has an online following where he offers advice about men's looks.
Actress Patricia Heaton has urged her liberal friends to pull back on extreme rhetoric after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were among the top US government officials who were evacuated from the WashingtonHilton after shots were fired near the ballroom in an exchange between a gunman and Secret Service agents in the lobby.

Suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is alleged to have fired multiple rounds but just struck one person who was a member of the Secret Service before being subdued and taken into custody.

The following morning, 68-year-old Heaton - who is best known for her work on popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond - took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn liberals who use extreme language and promote violence against their political adversaries.

Heaton is a known prominent conservative voice in Hollywood and has been outspoken in her support of Republican policies, pro-life views, is prideful of her Christian faith, and has expressed optimism for Trump's administration while advocating for national unity.

The actress wrote: 'I wasnt happy when Clinton, Obama or Biden won, but I didnt call them fascist/dangerous/threat to democracy. I didnt hope someone would assassinate them.

Actress Patricia Heaton (pictured last week) has urged her liberal friends to pull back on extreme rhetoric after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were among the top US government officials who were evacuated from the Washington FC Hilton after shots were fired near the ballroom in an exchange between a gunman and Secret Service agents in the lobby

'I went on with my life with gratitude. Friends on the left, please try this. Your life and our country will be better.'

Meanwhile, the suspect Allen, of Torrance in California, reportedly charged a security checkpoint at the dinner armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives.

He was tackled by agents after a brief but terrifying exchange of gunfire in the hotel lobby.

The ballroom, filled with the nation's top journalists, Hollywood celebrities, and Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, became a scene of pure pandemonium.

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor.

Trump, still wearing his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours later. 'When you're impactful, they go after you,' he said defiantly. 'They seem to think he was a lone wolf. We're not going to let anybody take over our society.'

The White House has confirmed that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, promising an event that is 'bigger and better.'

But for now, Washington remains on high alert as it grapples with yet another attempt on the President's life.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller and his wife Katie Miller are escorted out of the room by Secret Service agents at the shooting on Saturday

The following morning, 68-year-old Heaton - who is best known for her work on popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond - took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn liberals who use extreme language and promote violence against their political adversaries

Heaton is a known prominent conservative voice in Hollywood and has been outspoken in her support of Republican policies, pro-life views, is prideful of her Christian faith, and has expressed optimism for Trump's administration while advocating for national unity

She is best known for her role sarring alongside Ray Romano in highly-popular CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond which aired from 1996 to 2005

Authorities have now discovered that Allen wrote a chilling manifesto before he arrived at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was being hosted.

Allen's family members told law enforcement that he had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted his brother to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday, CBS News reported.

Allen's brother notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut of the manifesto minutes before the attack, a White House official confirmed to CNN.

Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had heard about the report and wished the department had informed federal authorities earlier.

US Secret Service and Montgomery County Police also interviewed the suspect's sister in Rockville, Maryland, a White House official told CNN.

Allen also allegedly mocked the lack of security at the event and on his journey to Washington DC in his chilling manifesto.

In it, he detailed his reasoning for the attack, his 'rules of engagement' and a 'rant' about how little security he encountered.

'What the hell is the Secret Service doing?' Allen wrote in a postscript to his manifesto.

Members of law enforcement respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington

Your browser does not support iframes.

Suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is alleged to have fired multiple rounds but just struck one person who was a member of the Secret Service before being subdued and taken into custody

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor

'I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got (who knows, maybe theyre pranking me!) is nothing,' he continued.

The radicalized teacher described a 'sense of arrogance' at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was held.

'The security at the event is all outside... because apparently no one thought about what happens if someone checks in the day before,' Allen wrote.

He said that the security was so lacking that, 'if I was an Iranian agent, instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed sh**.'

Allen wrote that national guardsmen would only be targets if they fired at him first. Members of the National Guard are pictured responding to the shooting

Allen wrote in his manifesto that Secret Service agents would only be targets if necessary and that he would try to incapacitate them 'non-lethally if possible.' A Secret Service agent is pictured shouting during the shooting

Ma Deuce is a nickname for the M2 Browning .50-calibre machine gun.

Earlier in his manifesto, Allen explained why he had attempted to break into the dinner and kill top Trump administration officials.

'I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,' he wrote, likely in reference to President Donald Trump. He said that as a citizen of the US, what his representatives do reflects on him.

The suspected shooter added that he had wanted to take action for a long time, 'but this is the first real opportunity Ive had to do something about it.'
Sheridan Smith has revealed she had a secret fling with hunky stuntman Alex Anlos while filming The Castaways.

The British actress, 44, confessed that she had a romance with Alex after she split from her fiance, insurance broker Jamie Horn in 2021.

Sheridan was busy filming for her 2023 Paramount+ drama in Greece where she played Erin, a woman who goes to Fiji to investigate the disappearance of her sister Lori.

Now speaking to Alan Carr on his Life's a Beach podcast, Sheridan confessed to the holiday fling which she admitted was so 'romantic'.

She said: 'I did have a holiday romance actually. I was filming in Greece and the stuntman  I'm giving so much away  he taught me to swim, so he was holding me.

'And the next thing we did have a bit of a romance  it's an exclusive! It's so romantic and it's the heat and the bodies are all out!'

Sheridan Smith has revealed she had a secret fling with hunky stuntman Alex Anlos while filming The Castaways

The British actress, 44, confessed that she had a romance with Alex (pictured) while filming for her 2023 Paramount+ drama in Greece

At the time of filming in Greece, Sheridan shared a picture with Alex as they cosied up for a behind the scenes Instagram snap.

She wrote: 'Hanging out after stunt rehearsals with @that_stunt_dude Greece. This guy has made me look bad ass.'

Sheridan also shared a second photo of the pair and penned: 'Love filming here in Greece. With my set bff @that_stunt_dude. I was a non-swimmer till we met!'

The Cilla star split from fiance Jamie in 2021 after three years together.

The pair had met on dating app Tinder and moved into a 1.5million Essex home together before getting engaged in 2018.

Before splitting their welcomed their son Billy in May 2020.

It comes as Sheridan was branded 'superb' for her role in the 'astonishing and deeply moving' thriller The Cage as viewers binge watch the gritty new show.

The five-part crime drama hit screens on BBC One on April 26 and is also available to watch on iPlayer.

'Leanne and Matty are both robbing from the same casino  setting them on a high-stakes crash course with gangsters, police... and each other,' BBC iPlayer's synopsis reads.

The show stars actress Sheridan as Leanne and Michael Socha as Matty.

The pair are joined by the likes of Barry Sloane, Geraldine James, Sue Jenkins, Abby Mavers, Louis Emerick and Ian Puleston-Davies.

Although the show only landed on Sunday, many critics have been able to watch the series and shared their thoughts.

She said: 'I did have a holiday romance. I was filming in Greece and the stuntman he taught me to swim and the next thing we did have a bit of a romance! It's so romantic and it's the heat'; pictured with Alex

The romance came after she split from her fiance, insurance broker Jamie Horn, who she shares her six-year-old son Billy with, in 2021; pictured 2020

The Telegraph's Anita Singh's headline states: 'Sheridan Smith is superb in the gripping follow-up to The Responder.'

She adds: 'Smith brings her natural warmth to the role of Leanne, a single mother who is caring for a grandmother with dementia and facing eviction.

'Socha, an actor who deserves to be a bigger deal, is a lovable loser called Matty who is in the grip of a gambling addiction.

'His eyebrows are two punctuation marks of despair. The series opens with the Thes This is the Day (its a great soundtrack): This is the day, your life will surely change/This is the day, when things fall into place. Its not, and they wont.

'Matty is the casino manager and Leanne is the cashier. When they each discover that the other is cooking the books, taking a little bit here and a little bit there, they team up.

'Its the classic story of amateurs getting in over their heads and finding themselves at the mercy of serious criminals.'

The Guardian's Lucy Mangan's describes the new show as 'an astonishing, deeply moving state-of-the-nation thriller'.

She writes: 'The Cage works as a companion piece to The Responder, giving a voice to and empathising more with the people Freemans character likened to whack-a-moles in trackie bottoms than with those attempting to corral them.

'A state-of-the-other-nation piece, perhaps.'

In contrast, The Times writer Carol Midgley says: 'The premise of The Cage (BBC1), his new series, didnt really float my boat.

'I find casinos a turn-off, both in real life and in TV dramas: the flashy lights, garish carpets, black glass and flinty-eyed ambience all designed to relieve you of as much money as possible and usually filled with people in whom I have no interest.

'I couldnt see how something set in this world, which is alien to so many, could have the raw, jagged authenticity that made The Responder special.

'The Cage isnt really about casinos, though, even though its set in one. It is about the things that desperate, struggling people will do, people who are in financial trouble for all different kinds of reasons and which are not always their fault.

'It shows how, when you are in a certain kind of trap, the world is rigged against you.'
It was only this month that former Made In Chelsea star Binky Felstead found herself at the centre of a row over influencer freebies, after she was accused by a bakery of trying to bag a free birthday cake for her son in exchange for an Instagram post.

The Mail has since lifted the lid on some of the industrys biggest freeloaders, but even by those standards, the latest spectacle unfolding in the Caribbean appears to be in a league of its own.

Because when it comes to extravagant, brand-funded celebrations, Brigette Pheloung  better known online as Acquired Style  has just raised the bar.

The 29-year-old American influencer, who boasts nearly three million followers across TikTok and Instagram, is currently celebrating her upcoming nuptials to financier Mitch McHale with a jaw-dropping hen party on the island of St Barts  one she has aptly titled Acquired a Husband.

On the surface, it is everything one might expect from an influencer trip: incredibly Instagram-worthy and dripping in designer labels.

But behind the glossy social media posts lies something far more strategic.

For, while the Caribbean escape looks like a highly expensive affair, I can reveal that insiders say it's likely Brigette has not paid a penny for it.

The trip began in suitably extravagant fashion, with Brigette and her group of 17 friends jetting to the exclusive island on a private Boeing Business Jet  typically valued at upwards of 40million.

Brigette Pheloung poses as she boards the private jet for her hen do getaway

But this was no ordinary charter.

The aircraft is owned by the family behind US beauty brand Swan Beauty  which sponsored the flight.

The company is run by Colby Mitchell, wife of wealthy investor Mark Mitchell, whose family office funds the business and reportedly owns the jet itself. In fact, Colby was even in attendance on the trip.

Sources claim a similar private flight could cost at least $100,000 (74,000) to charter  if not significantly more.

Naturally, Brigette documented the flight for her followers, posing in front of the aircraft before takeoff in a white tracksuit emblazoned with the word Bride, a Hermes Birkin bag on her arm and Chanel sunglasses perched on her face, alongside the hashtag #acquiredahusband.

Inside, the jet looked more like a five-star hotel than an aircraft  complete with bedrooms and showers as well as unlimited food and drinks. It was, of course, full of Swan Beauty branding.

Once on the island, the branding didnt stop.

Guests were dressed head-to-toe in pieces from Brigette and her twin sister Danielles own label, Phe Phe, while she took to Instagram to encourage followers to download the Swan Beauty app  a telling nod to the trips financial backers.

The brands latest product, a 600 smart mirror featuring AI skin analysis and augmented reality make-up tools that allow users to virtually try on cosmetics, also heavily featured. Each bedroom in the villa was kitted out with one.

And it seems the strategy worked.

Searches for Swan Beauty Colby Mitchell reportedly surged by 750 per cent over the weekend alone, while the brands own social media following told a similar story.

On the Friday morning, the first day of the trip, Swan Beauty had just over 2,000 followers on Instagram. By the time the celebrations were in full swing, that number had climbed to nearly 5,000.

As with any influencer getaway, no detail was spared.

Guests were treated to lavish goodie bags worth more than 1,000 each, including products  likely to have been gifted  from beauty brands Wella and Summer Fridays, alongside 170 crystal letter necklaces.

The group stayed in a luxury St Barts villa, the cost of which was also believed to have been covered by Swan Beauty. The villa may even have been owned by the firm.

The food on board the Boeing Business Jet - placed next to a Swan Beauty 'smart mirror'

Acquired Style's TikTok video showing the Caribbean villa that is hosting her hen party

Brigette and her pals swim in the sea during a trip on the private yacht they chartered

Their itinerary read like a billionaires holiday brochure.

The first evenings theme was sunset, while the next was mermaids'. One dinner at the exclusive beach club reportedly came to an eye-watering 26,000, with the group chanting and waving champagne bottles as the bride made her entrance.

They even chartered a yacht, also owned by the Swan Beauty family, for a sunset cruise, dining on blinis and caviar before docking at the famed Eden Rock beach club.

Another evening saw Swan Beauty host a private three-course dinner for guests.

Among those in attendance were a string of huge social media names, including Lauren Wolfe, Cierra Miller, Kit Keenan and Audrey Trullinger, alongside Brigettes influencer twin sister Danielle and a handful of non-influencer friends.

Some of NYCs biggest influencers are on this trip. Its marketing heaven, a source said.

A brand would have been silly not to sponsor these girls, and she would have had several asking.

But perhaps the most revealing aspect of the trip is not its scale, but the network behind it.

Sources tell me that the idea of partnering with one of New Yorks most prominent influencer circles was not purely a corporate decision, but one driven from within the Swan Beauty family itself.

Alyssa Mitchell, the daughter of Swan Beauty, is behind all of this, one insider said.

This detail adds another layer to what is already a complex web of personal and professional relationships.

Alyssa is not only connected to Swan Beauty but also owns DDAM Clothing, a fashion brand linked to The Leo Group. Brigettes own label, Phe Phe, operates within that same network.

The influencer world is incredibly interconnected, and rarely as straightforward as it appears, the source added. This trip was six months in the making.

Indeed, the origins of the partnership can reportedly be traced back to a meeting half a year ago at one of New Yorks most exclusive restaurants, The Polo Bar.

There, Brigette and Alyssa were introduced through Ashley Leo, co-founder of clothing company The Bar and a key figure behind The Leo Group.

What may have started as a casual introduction appears to have evolved into a meticulously planned, multi-brand collaboration disguised as a celebratory getaway.

As with any influencer trip, no detail was spared  but here, every detail also served a dual purpose.

The trip featured four full days of activities, and each was carefully themed and documented.

Bachelorette parties are expensive, the source continued. And when youre talking about an influencer like Acquired Style, of course hers is going to be over the top.

It might be considered slightly tone deaf, especially with how much she and everyone else is posting online, but does anyone really blame her for saying yes to this all-expenses-paid trip?

The break also coincided with a major milestone for Brigette, who hit one million followers on Instagram during the celebrations.

Brigette's hen do featured four full days of activities. Each was carefully themed and documented

Brigette poses with bridal balloons in a post for Swan Beauty

The trip coincided with a major milestone for Brigette, who reached one million followers on Instagram

Brigette announced her engagement to financier Mitch McHale in June last year

The moment was marked with a group lunch at La Petite Plage, a luxury beach club, where staff brought out a one million sign as a DJ played Genesis by Grimes, real name Claire Boucher (Elon Musks ex-girlfriend)  a track Brigette frequently uses on TikTok.

Clearly her celebration has been a digital success.

Since announcing her engagement in June 2025, Brigette has entered her bridal era, documenting every step for her ever-growing audience.

Now, with a hen party of this scale, her upcoming wedding is already being dubbed the influencer wedding of the century.

There have even been calls online for Grimes to play Genesis live at her wedding.

And if the trip is anything to go by, Brigettes nuptials are unlikely to be a private affair.

Instead, it will almost certainly double as a fully fledged brand platform  one where every detail, from the dress to the decor, has the potential to be monetised.

After all, in the world of influencers, even saying I do can come with a price tag. Just not one the bride has to pay.
Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara made rare public comments about her relationship with her A-list mother in a touching speech - which failed to mention her estranged father Brad Pitt two-and-a-half years after dropping his name.

The 21-year-old college student spoke at a mother-daughter brunch for the Pearls of Purpose Foundation and the Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha at Spelman College in Atlanta on Sunday.

A video posted on Facebook showed Zahara's emotional tribute to her mother as she said: 'When asked to speak with you all today on the value of mother-daughter relationships, it felt challenging to find the words.

'Not challenging because I dont value it, but because my mom and I have a unique, almost kindred, relationship that can be hard to put into words.'

The aspiring actress has been estranged from her famous father and had a strained relationship with him ever since her parents split up nearly a decade ago.

Zahara dropped her father's surname during her sorority induction ceremony in 2023 as she now goes by Zahara Marley Jolie.

Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara made rare public comments about her relationship with her A-lister mother in a touching speech as she did not mention estranged father Brad Pitt two-and-a-half years after dropping his name

The 21-year-old college student (pictured March 2025) spoke at a mother-daughter brunch for the Pearls of Purpose Foundation and the Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha at Spelman College in Atlanta on Sunday

Zahara is a graduating senior at Historically Black College, Spelman College, majoring in psychology and minoring in educational studies.

She continued: 'Our love for each other is a found one. I was adopted at 6 months old and given some of the most special and loving people as my siblings, with a mom who raised us on the value of helping others, being kind and always striving for growth as people.

'These values may sound simple, but in a world where kindness is overlooked and helping others comes at a cost, I am grateful to have had a role model to show me what it looks like to be a decent human being.'

Zahara went on to say that the other daughters in attendance may understand the concept of comparing their mom to a superhero as she admitted that she is still trying to completely fathom how Jolie pulls it off.

She said: 'Shes the most selfless, loving and understanding woman who I get to call my mom.

'Early on, I realized it would be challenging to include my mom and family in these worlds without being able to directly share the effects. With the addition of the public life that we live, it can be hard to find those special and intimate moments without being overwhelmed with the many eyes that are on us.'

Zahara said that despite the public scrutiny her family has endured, Jolie has not stopped being curious about all the facets of her life including what she is learning in and out of the classroom.

She continued by saying: 'My family embraces the newness and strives to understand these meaningful organizations in my life as I share my experiences'

Real Housewives of Potomac star Gizelle Bryant (pictured right) posted this group snap with her daughter Angel along with Jolie and Zahara

Zahara could be seen acknowledging her A-list mother in a video of the speech posted on Facebook

Zahara's emotional tribute to her mother began: 'When asked to speak with you all today on the value of mother-daughter relationships, it felt challenging to find the words. 'Not challenging because I dont value it, but because my mom and I have a unique, almost kindred, relationship that can be hard to put into words' (they are seen in LA back in September 2021)

The aspiring actress has been estranged from her famous father and had a strained relationship with him ever since her parents split up nearly a decade ago (Pitt is seen holding Zahara's hand in July 2015)

Zahara also said that watching her mother's humanitarian efforts has 'rubbed off' on her and that she has often taken on the 'second mother role' to her siblings.

She is one of Jolie and Pitt's six children as any mention of Pitt was noticeably missing from the speech.

The exes, who fell in love after starring in Mr. and Mrs. Smith together in 2005, also share Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Shiloh, 19, and 17-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Zahara said: 'I loved caring for my younger siblings and mirroring the care and compassion my mom showed us.'

The young woman is the vice president of the Mu Phi chapter of her sorority and said that she has been drawn to leadership roles in school thanks to her famous mother.

Zahara concluded: 'Through my matriculation, I have witnessed the joy and challenges that come with mentorship and the importance of having positive role models. We all know that we do not get where we are solely on our merit.

'I think back to a quote I saw years ago that said, "I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me." Thank you, Mom.'

Jolie and Pitt were together for about a decade before they tied the knot in 2014 but filed for divorce two years later in 2016.

Zahara said that despite the public scrutiny her family has endured, Jolie has not stopped being curious about all the facets of her life including what she is learning in and out of the classroom (they are pictured together in January 2025)

Zahara also said that watching her mother's humanitarian efforts has 'rubbed off' on her and that she has often taken on the 'second mother role' to her siblings (they are seen in Paris back in December 2024)

Jolie cited irreconcilable differences and later accused Pitt of abusing both her as well as their children, which he has denied.

Their lengthy, contentious divorce battle was finalized eight years later in late 2024 and since then, many of their kids have dropped Pitt's surname amid their ongoing estrangement.

Shiloh also now goes by Shiloh Nouvel Jolie as she filed paperwork to legally remove her estranged dad's surname from her own when she turned 18 in the summer of 2024.

Then in February, Maddox dropped Pitt from his professional credits as he appeared as Maddox Jolie in the production notes for the film Couture and screenings of the movie Maria.

In May 2024, Vivienne was credited as Vivienne Jolie, not Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, on the playbill for The Outsiders, the Broadway musical.

Pitt made a shocking remark about his family after his bitter divorce with Jolie officially came to an end but his fractured relationship with their six children remains unresolved.

Pitt  who believes his relationship with two of his children is 'unfixable'  opened up about how important family is to him  amid his ongoing and escalating estrangement from his kids.

Speaking at the F1 premiere in Mexico City, he said: 'No matter the mistake, you just learn from [it] and move on,' he told ET. 'It'll lead to the next success.'

Pax, Angelina, Zahara, and Maddox are seen together in New York back in September 2024

The Oscar winner continued, 'When you get to my age, you realize how important it is to surround yourself with the people you love, the people that love you back.'

'Friends, family, and that's it," he added. 'From there, we get to go make things. Its a pretty simple, I think, equation.'

The interview comes after a source exclusively told DailyMail.com how Pitt felt after Pax was pictured last month stumbling out of the Chateau Marmont, propped up by several friends.

'He has zero concern with what Pax does or doesn't do. [Pax's] actions reflect who he is,' the insider said.

'Brad honestly considers his relationship with Pax unfixable,' they added.

The source went on to say that the actor doesn't appear to be planning any outreach to either of his adopted sons: 'Pax and Maddox have made it abundantly clear how they feel, and Brad has nothing to say about either of them.'

As for his other children, the source said that Pitt 'holds out hope that the others will one day come around. Time heals wounds.'

A source close to Jolie also hit back at her ex-husband at the time and said: 'Brad continues to play the victim. His fractured relationship with his children is a direct result of how he has treated them.

'He should stop blaming others. If he wants to rebuild a relationship with the kids, he should acknowledge his own actions and make amends.'
Menace II Society actor Samuel Monroe Jr. is fighting for his life in hospital amid a devastating battle with meningitis.

Monroe Jr., 52, who had a small role in the 1993 teen crime drama film which starred Samuel L. Jackson, Tyrin Turner and Jada Pinkett, is on life support in a Southern California hospital, his family told TMZ.

His mother Joyce Patton posted on Facebook, saying: 'God dont make no mistakes, but he is gracious, and I am humbly asking for his mercy and grace for Sam. I love you, son, to the moon and back 100 times.'

Daily Mail has reached out to those close to Monroe Jr. and have yet to hear back.

His family has also created a GoFundMe in order to help pay for his medical bills as the description reads: 'Every donation, no matter the size, will help ease the burden on Samuels family and ensure that Kingston and Brooklynn have the support they need while their father fights for his life.'

It was also revealed on the crowd funding page that Monroe Jr. has endured two brain surgeries and is now on life support.

Menace II Society actor Samuel Monroe Jr. is fighting for his life in hospital amid a devastating battle with meningitis - pictured 2020

Monroe Jr., 52, who had a small role in the 1993 teen crime drama film which starred Samuel L. Jackson, Tyrin Turner and Jada Pinkett, is on life support in a Southern California hospital, his family told TMZ

The talented star is married to corporate tech executive and voice actor Shawna Stewart.

Monroe Jr. has two children: 12-year-old Kingston Monroe and 11-year-old Brooklynn Monroe.

His wife Stewart confirmed to Complex that the actor was on life support amid a prolonged battle with meningitis.

She told the publication: 'Around 18 months ago, Samuel was in Las Vegas filming, and unfortunately, that is where he contracted meningitis.

'He went to several different hospitals, where his condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed and because of this negligence, the meningitis went untreated for eight months.'

She revealed that by the time the infection had been 'finally identified,' it had 'already spread not only to his spine but also his brain.'

Stewart's statement to Complex concluded by asking that their family is urging everyone to 'keep him in their prayers, as Samuel remains on life support due to meningitis.'

Monroe Jr. has also starred in Tales from the Hood, Set It Off, Out All Night and NYPD Blue.

He has recently been working as a director, writer and producer, producing his own TV series, The Halls, about children who enter the Juvenile Hall system at a young age.

Monroe Jr. (pictured with Jamie Foxx) has also starred in Tales from the Hood, Set It Off, Out All Night and NYPD Blue

His mother Joyce Patton posted on Facebook , saying: 'God dont make no mistakes, but he is gracious, and I am humbly asking for his mercy and grace for Sam. I love you, son, to the moon and back 100 times'

His wife Shawna Stewart confirmed to Complex that the actor was on life support amid a prolonged battle with meningitis

She revealed that by the time the infection had been 'finally identified,' it had 'already spread not only to his spine but also his brain' (Monroe Jr. is pictured with former NFL star Terrell Owens)

In Menace II Society, he portrayed Ilena's cousin as Ilena was portrayed by Erin Leshawn Wiley.

Ilena is impregnated by main character Kaydee 'Caine' Lawson - portrayed by Tyrin Turner - who then stomps out Monroe Jr.'s character.

Ilena's cousin then seeks vengeance as he and his friends drive-by shootout which results in the tragic death of Caine at the end of the film.

Monroe Jr.'s latest role was as Zero in 2022 television film Shine Kings.

He also starred as The Intruder in the 2021 film Lockdown 2025 which is centered around a virus outbreak which leads to a nationwide lockdown with maritial law declared.

Monroe Jr. also embarked on his own rap career with songs produced by stars including Battlecat and Duane Nettlesby.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded contracts worth over AED 3.5 billion to Ginco General Contracting L.L.C and United Engineering Construction (UNEC) for the construction of 544 villas on Palm Jebel Ali, marking a major milestone in the delivery of one of Dubai's most significant waterfront developments.

Palm Jebel Ali Aerial Render Palm Jebel Ali Bluejay Villa

Under the awarded contracts, Ginco will construct 354 villas across Fronds A to D, while UNEC will deliver 190 villas across Fronds E and F. Construction is scheduled to commence this quarter, with completion targeted for Q4 2028.

Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said: "The awarding of these contracts signals tangible progress in the delivery of Palm Jebel Ali, with construction now progressing across multiple fronds. As momentum continues to build, Palm Jebel Ali represents one of the most significant expansions of Dubai's urban coastline in a generation and will play a key role in supporting the emirate's long-term growth, further strengthening its global appeal as a great place to live, invest and visit."

Spanning seven islands across 13.4 kilometres, with 16 fronds and more than 90 kilometres of beachfront, Palm Jebel Ali is being developed as a world-class waterfront destination and a major contributor to Dubai's future urban expansion.

The latest contract awards represent continued progress against the Palm Jebel Ali masterplan and support the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing the emirate's long-term vision for sustainable, high-quality communities.

The awards follow the unveiling of Palm Jebel Ali's Beach and Coral Collection villas, developed in collaboration with leading international architects. The destination will also include Palm Central Private Residences, offering a connected expression of island living that brings together architecture, community and resort-style comfort.

Further enhancing the island's community infrastructure, Palm Jebel Ali will feature a 9,000 sqm retail centre and a Friday Mosque designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Designed to accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers, the mosque will serve residents and visitors across the destination.

Click here to watch the video.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966588/Palm_Jebel_Ali_Aerial_Render.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2966589/Palm_Jebel_Ali_Bluejay_Villa.jpg

SOURCE Dubai Holding Real Estate
Maya Jama looked more loved-up than ever as she took to Instagram with snaps from her romantic getaway to Rome with hunky boyfriend Ruben Dias on Monday.

The TV personality, 31, showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy bikini while ahead of enjoying a spot of sightseeing with plenty of Italian wine and tiramisu.

Maya looked incredible in the tiny while two piece as she posed for a mirrored selfie before slipping into a chic ensemble to stroll the city with Manchester City player, 28.

The lovebirds, who have been dating since late 2024, visited the Vatican and the nearby Coliseum ahead of returning to the swanky 1,500-a-night Bvlgari hotel.

Maya captioned the post: 'Can you tell I love it here'.

It comes after the Love Island host shared her thoughts on the row that occurred during the live I'm A Celebrity... South Africa final on Friday night.

Maya Jama looked more loved-up than ever as she took to Instagram with snaps from her romantic getaway to Rome with hunky boyfriend Ruben Dias on Monday.

The TV personality, 31, showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy bikini while soaking up the sun ahead of enjoying a spot of sightseeing with Italian wine and tiramisu

The last instalment of the I'm A Celebrity spin-off saw the remaining cast return to the studio to see who would be crowned legend of the jungle.

The final descended into chaos as David Haye exploded at Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, Jimmy Bullard launched a furious rant at hosts Ant and Dec for editing out clips and both Sinitta and Gemma Collins stormed off stage.

TV star Maya retweeted a chaotic clip involving all of those moments and said: 'Didnt watch but from this clip alone...

'This is why I love live TV so much & hosting the aftersun show because barely any channels do it anymore out of fear of what can go wrong but people want real reactions and an edited show will never compete to the live experience! 'Ant and Dec I love you forever also x.'

Many replied to her tweet with their thoughts on the matter.

'Lol this is where British TV thrives tbh  unfiltered and messy af.' 'You're absolutely right, live TV adds a real edge.' 'I also love live TV for this like LI Allstars final when Kyra called out Jack you was confused but said well come to you Jack to say your bit Ant & Dec handled this well.'

Maya looked incredible in the tiny while two piece as she posed for a mirrored selfie before slipping into a chic ensemble to stroll the city with Manchester City player, 28

She put on a very animated display in the sun-soaked snaps

The lovebirds, who have been dating since late 2024, visited the Vatican and the nearby Coliseum

Maya was the epitome of Italian chic in all black while shielding her eyes behind shades

The couple enjoyed local cuisine in a swanky restaurant

The lovebirds later returned to the swanky 1,500-a-night Bvlgari hotel.

Maya captioned the post: 'Can you tell I love it here'.

'Love islander viewers yearn for messy live tv.' 'People love drama, violence and celebrities were ruining their lives on live TV. This would bring back British television.' 'yeah live TV chaos is unmatched.' 'We need live TV more often.'

During the final, Ant and Dec gave Jimmy the opportunity to speak after Adam allegedly called him the 'C-word' in an explosive clash when he pulled the plug on the show early last year.

Jimmy admitted he had to leave for personal reasons and that if he didn't say 'I'm A Celebrity' in the challenge, he would not have received his full pay.

'Listen, Adam and all of you can be upset with me and I absolutely threw him under the bus, I get it and I'll wear that', Jimmy said. 'But what I don't stand on, is someone being abusive, aggressive and intimidating, I don't stand on that.'

Welcoming Ant and Dec to share their opinion on the matter, Jimmy said: 'You [pointing to the hosts] were there and you didn't show any of that [footage].'

'You didn't show any of the C-bombs, it's a liberty', Jimmy fumed.

Ant argued: 'The reason we didn't air the C-bomb is because that is unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn't think it was intimidating. I was there Jim.'

During Adam's opportunity to speak, he said: 'I take full responsibility for my actions and yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment.

'I have nothing but love for Jimmy in that moment. I have apologised to Jimmy on numerous occasions and I do take everything that he is saying into account and the only thing I can do is apologise.

'That is not how I want to show myself off and I have never shown myself off like that before or after that. I do apologise Jimmy.'

'Funny way of showing it', David interjected before Ant and Dec furiously told him to stop interrupting.

David continued: 'I like to say how I see it, I like to keep it real and what I have seen is a lot of editing to make this poor guy [pointing to Adam] the victim so the people will support him.

'We all had banter back and forth, a lot of it was cut out from there side. But I think it is time for the truth.'

Storming off stage, Sinitta yelled at the audience: 'Guys, you weren't there, I was there and it was aggressive and abusive, we were shaking.'

Jimmy shouted in the background: 'You can't be aggressive, abusive and intimating, it doesn't matter if Adam said sorry. I will not take you [Ant] saying it wasn't aggressive, abusive and intimating, you can't say that. Show it, let everyone watch it, let's play it now!'

Ant and Dec wrapped up: 'Right, let's leave it there. We'll agree to disagree Jim.'

In the scenes that did air of the fiery clash, Adam could be seen shouting at his co-star: 'Jimmy, are you f***ing taking the p***? I am in there getting covered in f***ing ants.'

Jimmy replied: 'Woah, calm down. That's pathetic.'

However, Craig and several other co-stars have since claimed that Adam dropped the C-bomb multiple times in unaired scenes.
Secret Service (ITV1)

Rating:

Who is the Russian mole inside the Cabinet? Has our agent's cover been blown? If that's what you're wondering, as Tom Bradby's thriller Secret Service gets going, you're asking the wrong questions.

Far more intriguing is the puzzle of how come, out of all the dozens of le Carre-copycat, spy-by-numbers novels published every year, ITV happened to choose to adapt one by their very own News At Ten presenter. It's a mystery.

Secret Service can't have been picked for its originality. The plot is about as inventive as the title. The pacing, the twists, the moments of tension and the juxtaposition of international crises with domestic squabbles all arrive at predictable places, as though the storyline has been constructed according to a template.

It's all quite adequate, entirely (secret) serviceable. But unlike the far superior Day Of The Jackal, or even the recent reprise of The Night Manager, there's nothing here to make us gasp in surprise.

Gemma Arterton plays Kate Henderson, an MI6 agent who keeps a handgun and a selection of passports in her bedroom wardrobe. Without telling her boss, she has spent eight months planning an operation to eavesdrop on the chief of Russian intelligence, while he's on holiday with his family in Malta.

Naturally, this involves lots of shots of the Mediterranean coastline, the churches and the winding stone streets, and general Maltese loveliness. Kate's team has set up its HQ in an apartment with stunning views and a sun terrace, which makes me suspect the security services must have a top-notch discount deal with Airbnb.

Gemma Arterton plays MI6 agent Kate Henderson (pictured) in ITV's new drama Secret Service

Secret Service can't have been picked for its originality. The plot is about as inventive as the title, writes Christopher Stevens

Rafe Spall plays Kate's husband Stuart Henderson, who happens to be the Home Secretary's advisor

Their listening device, concealed in a box of cigars that the Kremlin man conveniently keeps beside him at all times, picks up top-secret info that stuns everyone in MI6: the Prime Minister is about to resign.

You might well scratch your head and think, 'That's not exactly a secret.' But this is fiction, and the PM (Steven Elder) isn't quitting because he's a two-faced, vacillating, bumbling back-stabber, caught out in an obvious lie.

No, this PM is at death's door. He's told nobody except his Home Secretary (Amaka Okafor) and his Foreign Secretary (Mark Stanley)... and one of them appears to have phoned President Putin's office with the news.

Funnily enough, Kate's husband (Rafe Spall) happens to be the Home Sec's advisor. Surely he hasn't... but he wouldn't.... it can't be... well, let's not speculate.

None of this is too taxing for the viewer. The script, by Bradby himself, explains each development after it happens, even reminding characters of their names and jobs. My favourite visual hint was a close-up of the Downing Street road sign, with a caption informing us that this was in Westminster, London.

And since he clearly has limitless clout at ITV, not only is Bradby able to appear himself, but he engineers cameos from Robert Peston, Susannah Reid and Ed Balls. What, no Ant and Dec?
Nicole Kidman was the epitome of chic as she arrived at a swanky Chanel dinner in Biarritz, France on Monday.

The Oscar winner, 58, who is a band ambassador for the luxury fashion label, showcased her trim figure in a brown knitted co-ord.

Kidman's look boasted a polo neck sweater and skirt while she added extra height to her statuesque frame with a pair of stylish heels.

The stunner toted her essentials for the evening in a burgundy leather clutch and completed the ensemble with a statement earrings.

It comes after it was revealed that Kidman had to be rushed to hospital while filming her latest TV series, her co-star has revealed.

The movie star appears in the new Apple+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles, alongside Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman.

Nicole Kidman was the epitome of chic as she arrived at a swanky Chanel dinner in Biarritz, France on Monday

The Oscar winner, 58, who is a band ambassador for the luxury fashion label, showcased her trim figure in a brown knitted co-ord

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.

'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.

Kidman's look boasted a polo neck sweater and skirt while she added extra height to her statuesque frame with a pair of stylish heels

The stunner toted her essentials for the evening in a burgundy leather clutch and completed the ensemble with a statement earrings

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.'
Dances With Wolves actor Nathan Chasing Horse didn't betray any sign of remorse as he was sentenced to life in prison on Monday after being convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls earlier this year.

'This is a miscarriage of justice,' Chasing Horse said in court after a Nevada judge announced his sentence. A jury had previously convicted the actor of 13 charges, mostly related to sexual assault.

Chasing Horse, who has continued to deny that he is guilty, was accused by three women, including one who was only 14 when the assaults began. Chasing Horse had also been acquitted on some of the charges.

Accusers and their families told Judge Jessica Peterson that they continue to suffer from the trauma caused by Chasing Horse and struggle with their faith after he exploited his position as a spiritual leader.

Chasing Horse, who wore his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight ahead as victims read their statements on Monday, according to video shared by Las Vegas station KTNV.

The sentencing wraps a years-long effort to prosecute the former actor after he was first arrested and indicted in 2023.

Dances With Wolves actor Nathan Chasing Horse has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting Indigenous women and girls earlier this year; pictured in February 2023 in Las Vegas

A Nevada judge gave the Dances With Wolves actor his sentence on Monday. A jury had previously convicted him of 13 charges, mostly related to sexual assault; pictured in January in Las Vegas

That initial arrest reverberated around Indian Country, with law enforcement in other states and Canada following up with more criminal charges, which are still pending.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service said Chasing Horse was charged with sexual assault in February 2023, though the date of the alleged offense took place in September 2018, near Keremeos, a village about four hours east of Vancouver.

In November 2023, the case was paused due to Chasing Horses charges in the United States, but it resumed the following year.

After all of Chasing Horses appeals have been exhausted, British Columbia prosecutors will assess next steps, Damienne Darby, communications counsel for the British Columbia Prosecution Service, said in an email.

A warrant against Chasing Horse remains outstanding in Alberta, the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service in Alberta said in a statement following Chasing Horses conviction in January.

The Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service said that it is in contact with the Alberta Crown Prosecutors Office regarding the warrant.

Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation.

Following his appearance as the young Sioux tribe member Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costners Oscar-winning Western film Dances With Wolves, Chasing Horse traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies.

Chasing Horse, who wore his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight ahead as victims read their statements on Monday, according to video shared by Las Vegas station KTNV (pictured)

He was accused by three women, including one who was only 14 when the assaults began; Chasing Horse is pictured with Kevin Costner in Dances With Wolves

Chasing Horse continued to deny that he was guilty, calling the proceedings 'a miscarriage of justice'; pictured in his Las Vegas Metropolitan Police mugshot from February 2023

During his trial, Nevada prosecutors said Chasing Horse used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls.

Deputy District Attorney Bianca Pucci told the jury that for almost 20 years, Chasing Horse 'spun a web of abuse' that ensnared many women.

Jurors heard from three women who said Chasing Horse sexually assaulted them. The jury returned guilty verdicts on some charges related to all three.

Multiple victims described how they participated in his ceremonies or went to Chasing Horse for medical help.

Corena Leone-LaCroix, one of the victims, was 14 in 2012 when Chasing Horse allegedly told her the spirits wanted her to give up her virginity to save her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer.

He then sexually assaulted her and told her that if she told anyone, her mother would die, according to Pucci. The sexual assaults continued for years, she said.

'There is no way to get back the youth, the childhood loss, my first time, my first kiss, the graduation I never got to have,' said Leone-LaCroix. 'The life that little girl could have lived has been taken from me forever.'

Chasing Horse denied the allegations, and his attorney questioned the main accuser's credibility, calling her a 'scorned woman.'

Victims and their family members testified that they struggle with their faith as a result of Chasing Horses actions. The mothers of the victims said Chasing Horse betrayed their trust and abused sacred traditions; one of the victims' mother is pictured

After appearing in Kevin Costners Dances With Wolves, Chasing Horse traveled across Indian Country to attend powwows and perform healing ceremonies. Prosecutors said he used his reputation as a Lakota medicine man to prey on Indigenous women and girls

His attorney had filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that a witness was not qualified to talk about grooming and that the statute of limitations had expired. That motion was denied.

Victims and their family members testified that they struggle with their faith as a result of Chasing Horses actions. The mothers of the victims said Chasing Horse betrayed their trust and abused sacred traditions.

'Even to this day, I struggle to regain my faith and spirituality,' a victims mother said.

One victim said she still faces complications after suffering an ectopic pregnancy as a result of the assault and being forced to undergo surgery.

'I am choosing to see this moment as a fresh start. I will rebuild my life, reclaim my voice and continue fighting for the future I deserve,' one victim said.

Dr. Crystal Lee, CEO and founder of the organization United Natives, which offers services to victims of sexual abuse, said she hopes the victims find peace with the sentencing. Lee said Chasing Horses case shows the importance of holding high-profile perpetrators accountable and believing the victims involved.

Chasing Horse used his status as an actor and medicine man to prey on victims, similarly to other faith leaders who abuse their power, Lee said.

'I think it makes us question who we trust and why we trust,' Lee said.
Jimmy Kimmel was slammed for claiming Melania Trump looked like a 'widow' just days before shots were fired at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Kimmel held a parody of the dinner an annual event honoring journalism and funding scholarships on Thursday when he called Melania an 'expectant widow.'

'Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,' Kimmel said before turning his attention the First Lady's birthday.

'You know, Melania's birthday in on Sunday. Shes planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, "What have I done?"'

The parody skit came just days before gunfire erupted at the event on Saturday evening in Washington DC, which saw President Trump in attendance in person for the first time while in office.

Seething Hatred

Kimmel's quips during the event parody, however, received backlash online as Larry O'Connor, editor of the conservative outlet Townhall, described the comedian as a 'broken man.'

'@disney, you have a problem,' he posted on X.

Another user wrote: 'Kimmel is actually worse than the other "comedians." You can see the seething hatred on his face toward Trump.'

'It's not even inherently funny. You have to be deranged to laugh at that,' a third user said.

'He's not broken. He's evil.'

One user described Kimmel's skit as 'sick and tasteless,' and asked: 'Is it time for ABC to pull the plug on Jimmy's show?'

Political commentator Link Lauren wrote: 'Many in the mainstream media have stoked division and hatred for years. Jimmy Kimmel just made a disgusting "joke" about Melania Trump becoming a widow.

Cabinet Members Under Fire

'After the White House Correspondents Dinner and what transpired with President Trump, now they suddenly want to act shocked,' he added.

Guests barely had chance to tuck into their appetizers before Secret Service agents swarmed the Washington Hilton's ballroom following a series of 'loud noises.'

The ballroom, filled with the nation's top journalists, Hollywood celebrities, and Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, became a scene of pure pandemonium.

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor.

The incident occurred at the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981  an eerie historical parallel that was not lost on those in attendance.

As Donald Trump and the First Lady were whisked to safety, terrified attendees took cover anywhere they could as they waited anxiously for news.

From Classroom to Crisis

The shooter, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, had breached the security checkpoint at the event before he was swiftly taken down by law enforcement.

Trump, still wearing his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours later. 'When you're impactful, they go after you,' he said defiantly. 'They seem to think he was a lone wolf. We're not going to let anybody take over our society.'

A secret service agent was shot during the incident, but is expected to recover, as the president continued on to say that the agent 'was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the [bulletproof] vest did the job.'

'I just spoke to the officer and he's doing great,' Trump added.

The White House has confirmed that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, promising an event that is 'bigger and better.'

But for now, Washington remains on high alert as it grapples with yet another attempt on the President's life.

The family of the suspect who stormed the White House Correspondents' Dinner has since revealed his past radical statements and his plans to 'fix' the world as his manifesto was uncovered.

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, was seen attempting to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives on Saturday night.

A Race Against Time

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed.

Authorities have now discovered that Allen wrote a chilling manifesto before he arrived at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was being hosted.

Allen's family members told law enforcement that he had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted his brother to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday, CBS News reported.

Allen's brother notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut of the manifesto minutes before the attack, a White House official confirmed to CNN.

Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had heard about the report and wished the department had informed federal authorities earlier.

US Secret Service and Montgomery County Police also interviewed the suspect's sister in Rockville, Maryland, a White House official told CNN.

The Daily Mail reached out to ABC for comment.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom was reportedly left feeling under the weather - and not just politically - after a shock confrontation with a tech titan who decided he had had enough of the Golden State.

At an exclusive treehouse Christmas party north of San Francisco, Google co-founder Sergey Brin is said to have bluntly told the Democrat he was packing up and leaving California, according to a bombshell Bloomberg report.

The billionaire, whose fortune is estimated at a staggering $260 billion, allegedly pointed to a controversial proposal to slap a 5 percent tax on the ultra-wealthy - a move that could cost him dearly.

Sources claim Newsom, already 'cold and hungry' at the glitzy gathering hosted by crypto mogul Chris Larsen, was caught off guard as Brin and his girlfriend delivered the news.

But the awkward exchange did not end there. The governor reportedly spent months complaining about a 'lingering cold' he believed he picked up from the couple during the frosty encounter.

Newsom declined to comment on the bizarre episode.

Meanwhile, the proposed billionaire tax has triggered outrage across Silicon Valley, with deep-pocketed elites gearing up for a fierce fight.

The measure, backed by labor union SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, aims to funnel billions into healthcare and education programs facing cuts. However, critics warn it could drive innovation - and wealthy residents - out of the state.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was reportedly left feeling under the weather after a shock confrontation with a tech titan who decided he had had enough of the Golden State

Google co-founder Sergey Brin (above, with girlfriend Gerelyn Gilbert-Soto) is said to have bluntly told the Democrat he was packing up and leaving California

Brin co-founded Google with Larry Page on September 4, 1998, in Menlo Park, California

Though the proposal has yet to secure a spot on November's ballot, Brin appears to have followed through on his warning.

The tech tycoon has reportedly ditched California for a lavish lakeside mansion in Nevada - and is pouring tens of millions into efforts to kill the tax.

He has already committed at least $45 million to a campaign group called Building A Better California, with total spending this year topping $58 million.

In a twist, Newsom himself is said to oppose the tax, arguing it risks damaging the state's economy for what could be a short-term budget fix.

Brin is far from the first billionaire to flee California as Newsom hikes up taxes on the state's wealthiest inhabitants.

Larry Page, Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, and plenty of others have packed up and moved to states like Florida and Texas, where the rich can enjoy low taxes and a lower cost of living.

Some of the country's top corporations have also relocated away from California, with Tesla, Oracle, Charles Schwab and Chevron being just a few of the companies to move operations.
Shares of Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE:EPC  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have assigned a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $24.1667.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on EPC. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $26.00 price target on shares of Edgewell Personal Care and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Edgewell Personal Care from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Zacks Research raised shares of Edgewell Personal Care from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $24.00 price target on shares of Edgewell Personal Care in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Edgewell Personal Care from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th.

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Edgewell Personal Care Stock Down 0.2%

Edgewell Personal Care stock opened at $23.37 on Friday. Edgewell Personal Care has a 1-year low of $15.88 and a 1-year high of $31.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.49 and a beta of 0.52. The firms fifty day moving average price is $21.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $19.60. The company has a current ratio of 2.12, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02.

Edgewell Personal Care (NYSE:EPC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported ($0.16) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.18) by $0.02. Edgewell Personal Care had a negative net margin of 1.76% and a positive return on equity of 7.16%. The company had revenue of $422.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $476.48 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.07 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. Edgewell Personal Care has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.700-2.100 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Edgewell Personal Care will post 1.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Edgewell Personal Care Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 6th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. Edgewell Personal Cares payout ratio is currently -70.59%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Edgewell Personal Care

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in shares of Edgewell Personal Care in the third quarter worth about $2,290,000. Nicola Wealth Management LTD. increased its stake in shares of Edgewell Personal Care by 80.8% in the third quarter. Nicola Wealth Management LTD. now owns 199,200 shares of the companys stock worth $4,055,000 after purchasing an additional 89,000 shares in the last quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP increased its stake in shares of Edgewell Personal Care by 30.1% in the third quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP now owns 445,432 shares of the companys stock worth $9,069,000 after purchasing an additional 103,095 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its holdings in Edgewell Personal Care by 197.3% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 46,441 shares of the companys stock worth $946,000 after purchasing an additional 30,820 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Edgewell Personal Care during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,235,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.91% of the companys stock.

About Edgewell Personal Care

(Get Free Report)

Edgewell Personal Care Inc, incorporated in 2015 and headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, is a global consumer products company specializing in personal care, sun care, shaving and feminine care solutions. The company emerged as a spin-off from Energizer Holdings personal care division, listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker EPC. Edgewells portfolio comprises well-known brands that cater to everyday personal grooming and protection needs.

In the shaving segment, Edgewell markets razors and refill blades under brands such as Schick and Wilkinson Sword, targeting both mens and womens grooming categories.

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Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:GSIG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 9 shares, a decline of 88.3% from the March 31st total of 77 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 352 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Institutional Trading of Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in GSIG. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $834,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $432,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF by 30.6% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 19,890 shares of the companys stock valued at $952,000 after buying an additional 4,664 shares during the period. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 7,009 shares of the companys stock valued at $334,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.18% of the companys stock.

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Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of GSIG stock traded up $0.06 during trading on Friday, hitting $47.56. 581 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,148. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.51 million, a P/E ratio of 48.53 and a beta of 0.13. The firms fifty day moving average price is $47.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.67. Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $46.99 and a 52-week high of $48.11.

About Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF

The Goldman Sachs Access Investment Grade Corporate 1-5 Year Bond ETF (GSIG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks an market-value weighted index of fundamentally-selected US investment-grade corporate bonds, maturing between one to five years. GSIG was launched on Jul 7, 2020 and is managed by Goldman Sachs.

Further Reading

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Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:HTRB  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 51,946 shares, an increase of 111.1% from the March 31st total of 24,602 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 351,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HTRB. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in Hartford Total Return Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $44,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in Hartford Total Return Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $88,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Hartford Total Return Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $94,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hartford Total Return Bond ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $121,000. Finally, Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Hartford Total Return Bond ETF by 9.2% during the third quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $156,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares during the last quarter.

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Hartford Total Return Bond ETF Stock Performance

HTRB traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $34.04. 154,293 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 462,856. Hartford Total Return Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $33.08 and a 52-week high of $34.82. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.08 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $34.28.

About Hartford Total Return Bond ETF

The Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond index. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in a wide array of global fixed income instruments considered attractive from a total-return perspective, with current income as a secondary goal. HTRB was launched on Sep 27, 2017 and is managed by Hartford.

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Ladder Capital (NYSE:LADR) reported what executives described as a strong start to 2026, pointing to increased loan originations, growing distributable earnings, and expanded unsecured funding capacity as it continues shifting capital from securities into its balance sheet loan portfolio.

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First-quarter earnings and portfolio growth

President Pamela McCormack said Ladder generated first-quarter distributable earnings of $28 million, or $0.22 per share, alongside what she characterized as robust origination activity and earnings growth. The companys stated near-term strategy, McCormack said, is to grow Distributable Earnings and deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns to shareholders across cycles.

McCormack said the company has expanded its loan portfolio significantly, noting that since March 31, 2025, Ladder has grown the loan portfolio by nearly 60%. Balance sheet loans now represent 46% of total assets, she added, while leverage is moving back towards 3x.

She said elevated payoffs over the past two years helped the company rotate out of legacy exposures and into newly originated loans at attractive loan-to-value ratios on reset bases, which she described as a key contributor to stable book value. With payoffs now normalizing, McCormack said net portfolio growth is accelerating and the company expects that trend to continue.

Origination activity, investment mix, and second-quarter momentum

McCormack said Ladder deployed about $900 million into new investments in the first quarter, including more than $620 million in new loans with a weighted average spread of 300 basis points and $264 million in securities with a weighted average yield of 5.22%. She said the company remains focused on middle-market, income-producing collateral, primarily multifamily and industrial properties, while also seeing selective opportunities in other asset classes amid higher macro volatility.

She specifically pointed to office as an area where dislocation is allowing us to lend against high-quality credit at wider spreads without compromising our underwriting standards.

Momentum carried into the second quarter, she said. Through mid-April, weve closed over $370 million in new loans, McCormack told listeners, adding thataside from one large payoff discussed later on the callloan payoffs for the remainder of the year are expected to be limited, supporting continued portfolio growth and revenue expansion.

Funding, liquidity, and capital actions

CFO Paul Miceli said Ladder raised $675 million of new unsecured capital commitments during the quarter, including:

A $400 million full accordion expansion of its unsecured revolving credit facility, increasing total capacity to $1.25 billion and adding three new banks to the syndicate.

A new unsecured delayed-draw term loan facility of $275 million, with an accordion feature that can increase total capacity to up to $500 million.

Miceli said the term loan is priced at 140 basis points over SOFR, steps down upon credit rating upgrades, and has a February 2030 fully extended maturity. He said Ladder expects to fully draw the term loan in the second quarter to fund loan origination.

Miceli also noted that S&P upgraded Ladders credit rating to BB+ during the quarter, which he said is one notch below the investment-grade ratings Ladder has with Moodys and Fitch. As of quarter-end, Miceli said adjusted leverage was 2.3x, and liquidity totaled $1.1 billion, including same-day capacity on the unsecured revolver and undrawn term loan.

Miceli said Ladders unencumbered asset pool was 73% of total assets at March 31, with 85% of that pool comprised of first mortgage loans, investment-grade securities, and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. He reported undepreciated book value per share of $13.42, net of $0.37 per share of CECL reserve.

In capital allocation, Miceli said Ladder repurchased $13.4 million of common stock, or 1.3 million shares, at a weighted average share price of $10.15. He said $77 million remained under the repurchase program as of March 31, and that the board increased the authorization back to $100 million after quarter-end in April.

Miceli said the company declared a $0.23 per share dividend in the first quarter, paid April 15, 2026. Looking ahead, he said management intends to expand dividend coverage as the loan portfolio scales and interest income grows, positioning us for potential dividend growth as we approach full deployment.

Credit performance and asset resolution activity

On credit, Miceli said Ladder added no new non-accrual loans in the first quarter and ended the period with one $51 million loan on non-accrual status. He also said the company resolved three non-accrual loans through foreclosure, including:

A loan with a $62 million carrying value, collateralized by a three-property, 158-unit multifamily portfolio in East Harlem, New York City, currently 88% occupied.

A loan with a $12 million carrying value, collateralized by a 150-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Canton, Ohio; Miceli said Ladder extended the Marriott franchise agreement by 15 years to a new 17-year term at the time of foreclosure.

A loan with a $6 million carrying value, collateralized by an office property in Portland, Oregon, with a basis of $85 per square foot.

Miceli said Ladder plans to stabilize these assets and maximize value for potential sales in the future. He said the CECL reserve remained steady at $47 million, or $0.37 per share, and management believes the reserve is sufficient given the current loan portfolio and macroeconomic backdrop, including geopolitical uncertainty.

Management commentary on markets: securities rotation, office opportunities, and bank competition

During the Q&A, management said it expects distributable earnings to exceed the dividend next quarter, in response to a question from KBWs Jade Rahmani. Asked about target loan portfolio size, management said it does not have a specific target, but expects continued rotation out of securities and into loans, depending on market spreads. Management added that it would ideally ultimately have no securities and convert approximately $1 billion of unencumbered securities from a roughly 5.3% average yield to something in the near 7% area in the loan portfolio.

Miceli said the $2.1 billion securities portfolio had a weighted average yield of 5.3%, with 99% investment grade and 96% AAA-rated. He noted that about $1 billion, or roughly half, was unencumbered as of quarter-end.

Management also discussed recent market volatility and capital allocation. The company sold $152 million of securities at a weighted average spread of 131 basis points and received $125 million in securities payoffs during the quarter, but then pivoted in March as spreads widened and acquired $264 million of securities at an average spread of 149 basis points. Management said that if levered, the return on equity would exceed 14%.

On office exposure, management reiterated that it manages risk rather than targeting a specific sector concentration. Management said office presents great danger and great opportunity, citing examples including the payoff of a large Miami office loan and a new first mortgage loan of roughly $275 million tied to an acquisition of an office and retail complex on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan at 66% loan-to-cost.

In discussing lending conditions, management described an interesting bifurcation between acquisitions and refinancings, calling the refinance market pretty messy with over-leveraged inventory, particularly for 2021 and 2022 vintages. Management said it generally prefers the acquisition side, where prices are known and the market has reset more visibly, especially in office and, increasingly, multifamily.

Asked about competition, management said banks are returning to the market, particularly on smaller loans under $20 million, but said Ladder does not intend to start chasing price. Management also said it is seeing opportunities to refinance construction loans on newly built apartment properties moving through lease-up, a segment it described as offering fewer operational surprises due to reduced near-term capital expenditure needs.

In closing remarks, management thanked investors for their patience with its deployment strategy, reiterated that it is on offense, and said it is seeing contributions from all of our products into distributable earnings, while noting that geopolitical events remain a factor to monitor.

About Ladder Capital (NYSE:LADR)

Ladder Capital Corp (NYSE: LADR) is a publicly traded commercial real estate finance company structured as a real estate investment trust. The firm specializes in originating, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of commercial mortgage loans, subordinate financings such as mezzanine loans and B-notes, and equity investments. In addition to direct lending activities, Ladder Capital invests in and manages commercial mortgagebacked securities (CMBS) and commercial real estate collateralized loan obligations (CRE CLOs), providing financing across a range of property types including office, retail, multifamily, industrial and hospitality assets.

Since its inception in 2008, Ladder Capital has developed a platform that supports both balance-sheet lending and structured securitization.

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) announced that it has received a NeighborWorks Flexible Impact Grant (NFIG) for $509,000 from NeighborWorks America, a Congressionally chartered nonprofit corporation. The NFIGs totaled $78.8 million and were awarded to 245 organizations across the NeighborWorks network nationwide. The funding, made possible by an allocation from the U.S. Congress, supports scalable, community-driven solutions to increase housing supply, expand homeownership opportunities and strengthen local economies.

Bernel Hall, NJCC President & CEO, celebrates with NJCC staff at a 2025 NeighborWorks Week Event.

The grant awards are designed to provide flexible, core operating support, allowing NeighborWorks network organizations to deploy funding where it is needed most. At NJCC, the funding will be used to support programs promoting first-time homeownership, preserving houses and neighborhoods, and increasing access to affordable housing.

Bernel Hall, President and CEO of NJCC, said, "We at NJCC are excited to receive this important grant from NeighborWorks America. Preservation and construction of affordable housing, ensuring continuity of neighborhoods, and supporting access to homeownership are central to the NJCC mission. NeighborWorks' approach and stewardship enable organizations to act, respond to shifting market conditions and bring housing solutions to the communities they serve."

"NeighborWorks America is able to move resources quickly into the hands of organizations that know their communities best and are ready to act," said NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez. "These grants are designed for impact. They provide flexible funding that organizations can put to work, whether that means building homes, preserving housing, or supporting families on their path to stability."

About New Jersey Community Capital

New Jersey Community Capital is a nonprofit community development financial institution dedicated to advancing opportunity through strategic investments and knowledge-based programs. It finances and supports individuals, businesses, educational organizations, and communities; preserves and develops affordable housing, community facilities, and educational organizations; and creates sustainable economic development generating quality jobs, improving education, and strengthening neighborhoods ensuring that communities can thrive. Founded in 1987, NJCC is a critical architect of community development initiatives, driving economic stability and wealth generation in overlooked areas.

NeighborWorks America

For nearly 50 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a Congressionally chartered national nonprofit known as NeighborWorks America, has strived to make every community safer and more prosperous. Our network of excellence includes nearly 250 nonprofits in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and on Native lands. NeighborWorks offers grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools, and access to best-in-class training as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations build homes and apartments, expanding the supply of affordable housing in every community; provide financial counseling and coaching that increases self-sufficiency; encourage resident leadership, and collaborate with local stakeholders in the areas of health, economic development, employment, and education. In Fiscal Year 2025, for every dollar received from Congress, NeighborWorks network and NeighborWorks America attracted an additional $74 of investment from other sources.

SOURCE New Jersey Community Capital
Maiden Holdings North America, Ltd. (NYSE:MHNC  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 8,735 shares, a growth of 119.5% from the March 31st total of 3,980 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,758 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.2 days.

Maiden Holdings North America Stock Performance

NYSE:MHNC traded up $0.38 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $13.12. The stock had a trading volume of 2,068 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,096. Maiden Holdings North America has a 12 month low of $11.14 and a 12 month high of $18.54. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $13.34 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $15.36.

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Maiden Holdings North America Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.4844 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.8%.

Maiden Holdings North America Ltd. (NYSE: MHNC) is a specialty property and casualty reinsurer headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut. As a subsidiary of Bermuda-based Maiden Holdings, Ltd., the company provides treaty and facultative reinsurance solutions for primary insurers. Since its founding in 2007, Maiden Holdings North America has developed underwriting capabilities in property catastrophe, casualty, agriculture, surety and mortgage reinsurance, targeting niche segments where disciplined risk selection and tailored coverage can drive value.

The companys product offerings include multi-year and annual treaty contracts, facultative reinsurance for individual risks, and run-off and legacy portfolio management services.

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Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF (NYSEARCA:NBFC  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 234 shares, a decrease of 84.9% from the March 31st total of 1,549 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 890 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF stock. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF (NYSEARCA:NBFC  Free Report) by 210.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,070 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 15,631 shares during the quarter. Jane Street Group LLC owned 2.20% of Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF worth $1,161,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:NBFC traded down $0.01 on Friday, reaching $50.99. 69 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,552. The companys 50 day moving average is $50.78 and its 200-day moving average is $51.27. Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF has a 1-year low of $49.65 and a 1-year high of $55.64.

Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF Cuts Dividend

Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF Company Profile

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 24th were issued a dividend of $0.2368 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 24th.

(Get Free Report)

The Neuberger Berman Flexible Credit Income ETF (NBFC) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is actively managed, globally investing in fixed-income securities of any credit quality and maturity. The fund seeks high current income, and to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. NBFC was launched on Jun 24, 2024 and is issued by Neuberger Berman.

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Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (OTCMKTS:NWARF  Get Free Report) is expected to announce its resultson Tuesday, April 28th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($0.0990) per share and revenue of $687.5120 million for the quarter.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA Price Performance

OTCMKTS NWARF opened at $1.51 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $1.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.60. Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has a fifty-two week low of $1.15 and a fifty-two week high of $1.95.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on NWARF shares. Pareto Securities raised Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. Danske downgraded Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

About Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA

(Get Free Report)

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (OTCMKTS:NWARF) is a low-cost airline headquartered near Oslo, Norway. Established in 1993 as an air taxi and charter operator, the company transitioned to a budget carrier model in the early 2000s. Today, Norwegian Air Shuttle is one of the largest airlines in the Nordic region, offering scheduled passenger services that compete on price and efficiency with legacy carriers across Europe.

The airlines core business centers on short-haul and medium-haul flights, operating a homogeneous fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft designed to optimize turnaround times and minimize operating costs.

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Grupo Televisa S.A. (NYSE:TV  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 861,801 shares, a drop of 77.7% from the March 31st total of 3,867,010 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,126,187 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys stock are short sold.

Insider Transactions at Grupo Televisa

In related news, Director Salmon Denise Maerker sold 565,084 shares of Grupo Televisa stock in a transaction on Friday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.58, for a total value of $327,748.72. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 565,084 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $327,748.72. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Grupo Televisa

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Grupo Televisa by 68.8% during the 3rd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 10,685 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 4,355 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. SmartHarvest Portfolios LLC bought a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS bought a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. 55.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Grupo Televisa from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Benchmark reissued a buy rating on shares of Grupo Televisa in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating on shares of Grupo Televisa in a research report on Tuesday, March 3rd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Grupo Televisa from $2.60 to $3.70 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Grupo Televisa in a research note on Monday, April 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $5.43.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on TV

Grupo Televisa Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE TV traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $3.08. The stock had a trading volume of 572,637 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,048,126. Grupo Televisa has a 12 month low of $1.67 and a 12 month high of $3.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 2.12 and a quick ratio of 2.11. The company has a market capitalization of $1.64 billion, a PE ratio of -3.46, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.87. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $3.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.93.

Grupo Televisa (NYSE:TV  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Saturday, February 14th. The company reported ($0.80) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Grupo Televisa had a negative return on equity of 8.56% and a negative net margin of 15.75%.The firm had revenue of $807.20 million during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Grupo Televisa will post 0.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Grupo Televisa Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Televisa, SAB. is a leading Mexican multimedia conglomerate headquartered in Mexico City, specializing in the creation, production and distribution of Spanish-language content. The company operates free-to-air television networks, subscription pay-TV services, broadband and telephony under its cable arm, and a range of digital streaming platforms. Grupo Televisas portfolio spans news, sports, telenovelas, reality programming and original series, positioning it as one of the largest content producers in the Spanish-speaking world.

Televisas broadcast division includes flagship channels such as Las Estrellas and Canal 5, while its pay-TV segment features operations under brands like Sky Mexico and Izzi Telecom.

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Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (OTCMKTS:BIOVF  Get Free Report) will likely be posting its resultson Tuesday, April 28th. Analysts expect Swedish Orphan Biovitrum to post earnings of $0.3724 per share and revenue of $746.6180 million for the quarter.

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (OTCMKTS:BIOVF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $846.23 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $879.40 million. Swedish Orphan Biovitrum had a net margin of 1.43% and a return on equity of 15.74%.

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Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Price Performance

OTCMKTS BIOVF opened at $39.87 on Monday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $39.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $36.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 306.72 and a beta of 0.35. Swedish Orphan Biovitrum has a 52-week low of $25.80 and a 52-week high of $42.22.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum to an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Danske lowered shares of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Swedish Orphan Biovitrum

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ), commonly known as Sobi, is a Stockholmbased biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of treatments for rare diseases. Formed in 2010 through the merger of Swedish Orphan International AB (established 1985) and Biovitrum AB, the company focuses on highvalue therapies in hematology, immunology, oncology and genetic/metabolic disorders. Sobis strategy centers on building a global specialty care portfolio by inlicensing, acquiring and internally developing innovative products aimed at small patient populations with significant unmet needs.

The companys marketed portfolio includes recombinant clotting factor therapies such as Elocta (rFVIIIFc) and Alprolix (rFIXFc) for hemophilia A and B, respectively; Ruconest, a recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor for hereditary angioedema; and Kineret (anakinra) for certain autoinflammatory conditions.

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Shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) traded down 1.3% on Monday . The company traded as low as $65.50 and last traded at $66.0050. 7,916,263 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 19% from the average session volume of 9,827,605 shares. The stock had previously closed at $66.88.

Key Headlines Impacting Altria Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Altria Group this week:

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised their target price on Altria Group from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 10th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Altria Group from $72.00 to $68.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Barclays increased their price target on Altria Group from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 4th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Altria Group from $67.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $65.88.

Altria Group Trading Down 1.3%

The company has a market capitalization of $110.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.06, a PEG ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.41. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $66.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.56.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by ($0.02). Altria Group had a net margin of 29.84% and a negative return on equity of 287.61%. The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.02 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.61 EPS for the current year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 25th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 103.16%.

Insider Transactions at Altria Group

In related news, SVP Charles N. Whitaker sold 27,908 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $1,885,743.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 180,869 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,221,318.33. This trade represents a 13.37% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MO. Brighton Jones LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the companys stock worth $926,000 after purchasing an additional 6,954 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 86.3% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,361 shares of the companys stock worth $373,000 after purchasing an additional 2,946 shares during the last quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. raised its position in Altria Group by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 9,630 shares of the companys stock worth $565,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares during the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $346,000. Finally, AXA S.A. bought a new position in Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth $5,752,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc (NYSE: MO) is a U.S.-based consumer goods company whose principal business is the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the companys operations are focused primarily on the U.S. market and include the production, marketing and distribution of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and cigars. Its flagship cigarette franchise in the United States is sold through its operating subsidiaries and is among the most recognizable cigarette brands in the country.

Altrias principal operating businesses include Philip Morris USA (cigarettes), U.S.

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United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) and Peoples Financial (OTCMKTS:PFBX  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for United Community Banks and Peoples Financial, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score United Community Banks 0 4 4 0 2.50 Peoples Financial 0 0 0 0 0.00

United Community Banks currently has a consensus target price of $38.40, suggesting a potential upside of 16.03%. Given United Community Banks stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe United Community Banks is more favorable than Peoples Financial.

Risk & Volatility

Earnings & Valuation

United Community Banks has a beta of 0.82, meaning that its share price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Peoples Financial has a beta of 0.22, meaning that its share price is 78% less volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares United Community Banks and Peoples Financials revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio United Community Banks $1.54 billion 2.58 $328.10 million $2.72 12.17 Peoples Financial $35.66 million 2.79 $3.91 million $0.88 24.43

United Community Banks has higher revenue and earnings than Peoples Financial. United Community Banks is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Peoples Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares United Community Banks and Peoples Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets United Community Banks 22.05% 9.65% 1.24% Peoples Financial 10.97% 4.09% 0.54%

Dividends

United Community Banks pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Peoples Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. United Community Banks pays out 36.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Peoples Financial pays out 40.9% 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. United Community Banks is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

82.3% of United Community Banks shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.8% of Peoples Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of United Community Banks shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 28.1% of Peoples Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

United Community Banks beats Peoples Financial on 13 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About United Community Banks

(Get Free Report)

United Community Banks, Inc. operates as the financial holding company for United Community Bank that provides financial products and services to commercial, retail, government, education, energy, health care, and real estate sectors. The company accepts various deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, and other deposit accounts. It also offers lending services, including real estate, consumer, and commercial loans, to individuals, small businesses, mid-sized commercial businesses, and non-profit organizations, as well as secured and unsecured, and mortgage loans. In addition, the company originate loans partially guaranteed by the SBA and USDA loan programs. Further, it provides wealth management services comprising financial planning, customized portfolio management, and investment advice; trust services to manage fiduciary assets; non-deposit investment products; and insurance products, including life insurance, long-term care insurance, and tax-deferred annuities, as well as invests in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, the U.S. treasury, the U.S. agency, and municipal obligations. Additionally, the company offers reinsurance on a property insurance contract; insurance agency services; brokerage services; and payment processing, merchant, wire transfer, private banking, and other related financial services. It operates through a network of 171 branches in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. United Community Banks, Inc. was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia.

About Peoples Financial

(Get Free Report)

Peoples Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for The Peoples Bank that provides banking, financial, and trust services to government entities, individuals, and small and commercial businesses in Mississippi. The company accepts various deposits, such as interest and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). It offers business, commercial, real estate, construction, personal, and installment loans; and personal trust, agencies, and estate services, including living and testamentary trusts, executorships, guardianships, and conservatorships. In addition, the company provides self-directed IRAs; and escrow management, stock transfer, and bond paying agency accounts to corporate customers. Further, it offers other services consisting of safe deposit box rental, wire transfer, night drop facilities, collection, cash management, and Internet banking services. the company provides services to customers of various industries, such as seafood, retail, hospitality, hotel/motel, gaming, and construction. Peoples Financial Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi.

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Aritzia (TSE:ATZ  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by investment analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from C$150.00 to C$158.00 in a research report issued on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus target price suggests a potential upside of 13.25% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Aritzia from C$114.00 to C$140.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on Aritzia from C$110.00 to C$130.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price target on Aritzia from C$135.00 to C$164.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on Aritzia from C$116.00 to C$150.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, National Bank Financial set a C$143.00 price target on Aritzia and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Aritzia currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$140.54.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on ATZ

Aritzia Stock Down 2.6%

Aritzia Company Profile

Shares of TSE:ATZ traded down C$3.70 on Monday, hitting C$139.51. 268,160 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 660,348. Aritzia has a 52 week low of C$45.84 and a 52 week high of C$145.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 77.42. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$121.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$113.29. The company has a market cap of C$16.15 billion, a PE ratio of 47.61, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.95.

(Get Free Report)

Aritzia Inc is an integrated design house of exclusive fashion brands. It designs apparel and accessories for its collection of exclusive brands and sells them under the Aritzia banner. The category of products offered by the firm is blouses, T-shirts, pants, dresses, sweaters, jackets and coats, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits, and accessories. Its geographical segments include Canada and the United States. The company generates the majority of revenue from Retail, followed by eCommerce.

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B2Gold Corp (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG  Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) shares gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $4.97, but opened at $4.76. B2Gold shares last traded at $4.63, with a volume of 10,988,281 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce restated a neutral rating on shares of B2Gold in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of B2Gold in a report on Monday, January 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Get Our Latest Research Report on B2Gold

B2Gold Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $4.82. The stock has a market cap of $6.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.46, a PEG ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 0.69.

B2Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG  Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The basic materials company reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.11). B2Gold had a return on equity of 18.12% and a net margin of 13.13%.The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.15 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.01 EPS. B2Golds revenue for the quarter was up 110.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that B2Gold Corp will post 0.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On B2Gold

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ruffer LLP bought a new stake in shares of B2Gold in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,054,000. McAlvany Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of B2Gold in the 4th quarter valued at about $4,243,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of B2Gold in the 4th quarter valued at about $75,333,000. Leonteq Securities AG bought a new stake in shares of B2Gold in the 4th quarter valued at about $68,000. Finally, Themes Management Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of B2Gold in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,025,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.40% of the companys stock.

About B2Gold

(Get Free Report)

B2Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with a diversified portfolio of operating mines and advanced-stage development projects. Founded in 2007 through the merger of Bema Gold and CGA Mining, the company has grown to become one of the worlds largest new gold producers. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, B2Gold focuses on efficient, low-cost operations across several continents, combining exploration, development and production within a single strategic framework.

The companys flagship assets include the Fekola mine in Mali, which commenced production in 2017, the Otjikoto mine in Namibia, and the Masbate mine in the Philippines.

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SouthState Bank (NYSE:SSB  Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by investment analysts at Barclays from $126.00 to $123.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the stock. Barclayss target price suggests a potential upside of 27.95% from the companys current price.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Hovde Group lifted their target price on shares of SouthState Bank from $110.00 to $112.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on shares of SouthState Bank from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of SouthState Bank from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of SouthState Bank from $110.00 to $108.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of SouthState Bank from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, SouthState Bank presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $118.79.

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SouthState Bank Stock Up 1.3%

NYSE SSB traded up $1.28 during trading on Monday, reaching $96.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 420,552 shares, compared to its average volume of 875,896. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.43 billion, a PE ratio of 10.37 and a beta of 0.75. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $96.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $95.35. SouthState Bank has a 1-year low of $84.47 and a 1-year high of $108.46.

SouthState Bank (NYSE:SSB  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $661.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $669.29 million. SouthState Bank had a net margin of 24.75% and a return on equity of 10.81%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.87 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that SouthState Bank will post 9.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of SouthState Bank

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of SouthState Bank in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of SouthState Bank by 106.8% in the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 364 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in shares of SouthState Bank by 37,700.0% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 378 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 377 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of SouthState Bank by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 420 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of SouthState Bank by 385.1% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 490 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 389 shares in the last quarter. 89.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

SouthState Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

SouthState Bank (NYSE: SSB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida, that provides a range of commercial and retail banking services. Through its subsidiary, SouthState Bank, the company serves businesses, institutions and individuals with deposit, lending and treasury management solutions. Its core business lines include commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate lending, consumer mortgages and home equity loans.

In addition to traditional lending and deposit products, SouthState Bank offers specialized services such as treasury and cash management, merchant services, payment solutions and online banking.

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Drawing from decades of pastoral experience, author Jim Vigil challenges leaders to resist the pull of performance-driven ministry

POLK COUNTY, Fla., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's ministry landscape, some may argue a growing tension between what is seen and what is sacred. For many churches and their leaders, platforms are expanding, audiences are growing, and expectations for innovation and measurable success have never been higher.

"INTEGRITY FIRST: Anchoring Leadership In What Matters Most" by Jim Vigil

Yet amid this momentum, something essential is often overshadowed in the eyes of pastor and author Jim Vigil: the unchanging authority of God's Word. Seeking to offer a timely and prophetic call back to what matters most, "character" Vigil presents his book, "INTEGRITY FIRST: Anchoring Leadership In What Matters Most."

Drawing on decades of pastoral experience, Vigil challenges leaders to resist the pull of performance-driven ministry, instead embracing a leadership model rooted in authenticity, humility, and spiritual formation through a series of contrasts: Character vs. Competency, Calling over Charisma, and Shepherding over Strategy. In addition, he addresses the internal tension many leaders face between leading effectively and staying spiritually grounded, while speaking with pastoral warmth.

"When performance takes the pulpit, the world is pushed to the margins," Vigil said. "But true ministry begins where God's truth is honored above human applause."

Vigil hopes his book may resonate with those who feel the weight of leadership fatigue. With a direct and compassionate voice, he reminds readers that success in God's kingdom is not measured by metrics but by integrity.

"Whether a seasoned pastor, emerging leader, or a servant in need of renewal, I hope by inviting my readers to read my book that they may realign their lives and leadership with our father who called them," Vigil said.

"INTEGRITY FIRST: Anchoring Leadership In What Matters Most"

By Jim Vigil

ISBN: 9798385065257 (softcover); 9798385065240 (electronic)

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Jim Vigil writes with the wisdom of a seasoned pastor, the insight of a counselor, and the heart of a shepherd. With over 30 years of ministry leadership and academic experience, he offers a trusted, authentic voice that speaks to the soul of every leader longing for integrity over image. To learn more, please visit: https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/868654-integrity-first.

General Inquiries: LAVIDGE  Phoenix, Cydney De Los, Santos[email protected]

SOURCE WestBow Press
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:BAYN) used its latest Annual Stockholders Meeting to highlight progress on a multi-year turnaround, outline expectations for 2026, and provide updates on major litigation and governance items, including a leadership transition in the finance function and changes to the Supervisory Board.

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Virtual meeting format and governance changes

Norbert Winkeljohann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, opened the meeting and said the company again opted for a virtual format under an authorization granted at the 2025 Annual Stockholders Meeting by a majority vote of over 75%. He cited broad shareholder participation, prior experience with virtual meetings, investor feedback, sustainability, and cost considerations. Winkeljohann said shareholder rights in the virtual meeting correspond to those in the physical meeting.

Winkeljohann introduced Judith Hartmann, who joined Bayers Board of Management on March 1, 2026 and is set to become CFO on June 1, 2026, succeeding Wolfgang Nickl, who will retire as planned. Hartmann told shareholders that Bayers missionHealth for All, Hunger for Noneguided her onboarding, which included visits across multiple countries. She said she brings international experience from roles at ENGIE, GE HealthCare, and Bertelsmann, and most recently Sandbrook Capital.

In its Supervisory Board report, Winkeljohann said the Supervisory Board extended CEO Bill Andersons contract and extended Stefan Oelrichs contract as head of Pharmaceuticals through January 1, 2029. He also said the Supervisory Board extended Heike Prinzs contract as labor director through August 31, 2028.

2025 results and 2026 outlook

CEO William N. Anderson reviewed the companys performance and reiterated priorities first laid out in March 2024: revitalizing the pipeline, reducing debt, significantly contain[ing] litigation, tackling bureaucracy, and focusing the company on its mission. Anderson said, No corner of the company is the same as it was, describing Bayer as leaner and faster.

Anderson reported 2025 sales of EUR 45.6 billion, core earnings per share of 491, free cash flow of EUR 2.1 billion, and net financial debt reduced to EUR 29.8 billion. He said Bayer expects net financial debt to increase in 2026 due to litigation-related expenses and projected negative free cash flow in 2026 due to litigation payouts. He added that, before foreign-exchange changes, Bayer expects 2026 core EPS roughly in line with last year.

Winkeljohann said the Supervisory Board approved the Board of Managements proposal to pay a dividend of EUR 0.11 per share, and noted this reflects the previously announced policy of paying only the legally required minimum for three fiscal years from 2023 through 2025.

Litigation strategy and financing plans

Anderson and management emphasized progress on litigation containment, including the Roundup/glyphosate matters. Anderson said Monsanto announced a class settlement in February that received preliminary approval in early March. He also said the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case with oral arguments scheduled next Monday, calling it a big milestone.

In response to shareholder questions, Anderson said the class settlement and the Supreme Court case complement each other and that Bayer analyzed the timing carefully. CFO Wolfgang Nickl said the company is confident that the proposed class action settlement will be implemented and that the Supreme Court will decide in our favor, describing the settlement and Supreme Court process as independently necessary and mutually reinforcing.

Nickl said Bayer does not intend to use capital increases to finance litigation measures, adding that financing has been secured through a credit line and could include senior bonds and structured products that rating agencies may classify similarly to equity. He said the company expects around EUR 5 billion of cash outflows in 2026 related to lawsuits and said Bayer remains in close dialogue with rating agencies.

Operating model, AI, and divisional updates

Management and the Supervisory Board highlighted Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO) as a key element in reducing bureaucracy. Heike Prinz said DSO has reduced hierarchy, increased responsibility within teams, and accelerated decision-making. She said Bayer has removed six organizational levels, reduced management positions by two-thirds, and achieved savings of EUR 700 million in 2024 and EUR 800 million in 2025, with a target of EUR 2 billion in sustainable organizational savings by the end of 2026.

On Pharmaceuticals, Stefan Oelrich said the acute patent cliff is being addressed, with launch products offsetting expected declines. He cited Nubeqa and Kerendia, as well as launches including Beyonttra and Lynkuet, and said the company is optimistic about bringing Asundexian to market by the end of the year or at the beginning of next year.

On Crop Science, Rodrigo Santos said the division plans 10 blockbusters launch within the next decade, each with expected peak sales above EUR 500 million. He said Bayer expects these blockbusters and annual portfolio refresh activities to add more than EUR 3.5 billion to the top line by the end of 2029, and noted Plenexos has launched in Latin America and is expanding to further markets. Santos also said the company is monitoring geopolitical and cost pressures, including fertilizer costs, but at present does not see evidence of consequences extending into 2027 based on currently known information.

Anderson and Winkeljohann also discussed the use of artificial intelligence. Anderson said Bayer is exploring AI to accelerate development and unlock the extensive Bayer intellect, while the Supervisory Board said it views AI as a growing priority and is also evaluating ways to use AI in its own work.

Voting outcomes and Supervisory Board elections

Shareholders voted down a proposal to require individual ratification votes for Board and Supervisory Board members, with Winkeljohann reporting 96.51% against. The meeting approved key resolutions, including:

Profit appropriation (98.63%)

Ratification of actions of the Board of Management (96.65%) and Supervisory Board (95.48%)

Election of Marcel Smits (97.89%) and Alfred Stern (92.3%) to the Supervisory Board

Approval of the compensation report (88.93%)

Auditor elections, including Deloitte for 2026 financial reporting and sustainability assurance and PricewaterhouseCoopers for a potential review for the first quarter of 2027, reflecting mandatory auditor rotation requirements

Winkeljohann noted that Paul Achleitner and Colleen Goggins will not stand for re-election, and that employee representative Frank Lollgen will step down at the end of the meeting. He also said the next ordinary Annual Stockholders Meeting is planned for April 30, 2027.

About Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:BAYN)

Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, together its subsidiaries, operates as a life science company worldwide. It operates through Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, and Crop Science segments. The Pharmaceuticals segment offers prescription products primarily for cardiology and women's health care; specialty therapeutics in the areas of oncology, hematology, and ophthalmology; and diagnostic imaging equipment and digital solutions, and contrast agents, as well as cell and gene therapy. The Consumer Health segment markets nonprescription over-the-counter medicines for self-medication and self-care; and solutions for nutritional supplements, allergy, cough and cold, dermatology, pain and cardiovascular risk prevention, and digestive health.

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Berkeley Group Holdings PLC Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:BKGFY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 16,170 shares, an increase of 62.8% from the March 31st total of 9,932 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 560,025 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BKGFY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Berkeley Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. Zacks Research downgraded Berkeley Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Berkeley Group currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Berkeley Group Stock Performance

About Berkeley Group

OTCMKTS:BKGFY opened at $8.95 on Monday. Berkeley Group has a 1 year low of $8.09 and a 1 year high of $12.54. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $10.03 and a 200-day moving average of $10.46. The company has a current ratio of 3.54, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

(Get Free Report)

Berkeley Group Holdings plc is a leading UK residential property developer specializing in urban regeneration and new-build communities. Founded in 1976 by Tony Pidgley, the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality homes in London and the surrounding regions. Its core operations encompass land acquisition, planning, design, construction and sales, with an emphasis on creating mixed-use neighborhoods that integrate housing, public spaces and community amenities.

Over the decades, Berkeley Group has completed numerous landmark projects, including large-scale schemes at Kidbrooke Village, Royal Arsenal Riverside and Elephant Park in east London.

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Pictet Asset Management Holding SA boosted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 5.1% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 4,299,773 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after acquiring an additional 209,413 shares during the quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SAs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $410,013,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Boston Scientific by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 27,376 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $2,445,000 after buying an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC increased its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 35.3% during the 2nd quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 7,556 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $812,000 after purchasing an additional 1,971 shares during the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC lifted its position in Boston Scientific by 97.0% in the second quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 123,592 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $13,275,000 after buying an additional 60,860 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HUB Investment Partners LLC boosted its stake in Boston Scientific by 56.2% during the second quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 7,102 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $763,000 after buying an additional 2,556 shares during the period. 89.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Boston Scientific

In other Boston Scientific news, CEO Michael F. Mahoney sold 160,901 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.49, for a total value of $15,042,634.49. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,411,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $131,983,105.15. This trade represents a 10.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BSX has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $135.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Boston Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, March 28th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $90.00 to $85.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $115.00 to $90.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $115.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Scientific presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $93.91.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Boston Scientific

Key Boston Scientific News

Here are the key news stories impacting Boston Scientific this week:

Boston Scientific Stock Performance

Shares of BSX stock opened at $62.01 on Monday. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 52-week low of $59.38 and a 52-week high of $109.50. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $68.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $85.63. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $92.16 billion, a PE ratio of 25.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.78.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.19 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 17.29% and a return on equity of 19.68%. The businesss revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.75 EPS. Boston Scientific has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.820-0.840 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 3.340-3.410 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 3.37 EPS for the current year.

Boston Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) is a global medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of products used in less-invasive medical procedures. Founded in 1979 by John Abele and Peter Nicholas, the company is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and focuses on technologies that enable physicians to treat a wide range of cardiovascular, digestive, urologic, pulmonary and chronic pain conditions without open surgery.

Boston Scientifics activities span product development, clinical research, regulatory affairs and commercial sales.

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Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by equities research analysts at Truist Financial from $92.00 to $93.00 in a research note issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financials price objective would indicate a potential upside of 16.94% from the stocks current price.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on BC. DA Davidson raised their price objective on Brunswick from $68.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. B. Riley Financial reissued a neutral rating and set a $80.00 price objective (up from $70.00) on shares of Brunswick in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Griffin Securities set a $76.00 price objective on Brunswick in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Wolfe Research set a $90.00 price objective on Brunswick in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Brunswick from $100.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Brunswick has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $86.36.

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Brunswick Stock Performance

NYSE BC opened at $79.53 on Monday. Brunswick has a 52-week low of $44.40 and a 52-week high of $90.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.44. The company has a market capitalization of $5.18 billion, a P/E ratio of -37.51 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a fifty day moving average of $76.87 and a 200-day moving average of $75.07.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.58. Brunswick had a negative net margin of 2.56% and a positive return on equity of 12.22%. The business had revenue of $1.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.21 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.24 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Brunswick will post 4.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Brunswick news, CEO David M. Foulkes sold 38,266 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.56, for a total value of $3,312,304.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 271,169 shares in the company, valued at $23,472,388.64. This trade represents a 12.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 4,981 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.38, for a total transaction of $435,239.78. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 39,740 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,472,481.20. This trade represents a 11.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.99% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Brunswick

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Brunswick by 10.7% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 149,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,024,000 after purchasing an additional 14,395 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Brunswick by 133.6% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 77,326 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,076,000 after purchasing an additional 44,228 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Brunswick by 142.9% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 346,503 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,659,000 after purchasing an additional 203,838 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in shares of Brunswick during the first quarter valued at approximately $214,000. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Brunswick by 477.0% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 727 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 601 shares in the last quarter. 99.34% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Brunswick

(Get Free Report)

Founded in 1845 by John Moses Brunswick, Brunswick Corporation is a global leader in recreation products. Headquartered in Mettawa, Illinois, the company has evolved from its origins as a billiard table manufacturer into a diversified supplier of leisure equipment, serving both consumer and commercial markets around the world.

Brunswick operates through two primary segments: Marine and Bowling & Billiards. In its Marine segment, the company designs, manufactures and distributes recreational boats, outboard engines and aftermarket parts under recognized brands such as Sea Ray, Bayliner and Mercury Marine.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $110.79 and last traded at $110.78, with a volume of 214570 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $109.52.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on CM shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a buy (a-) rating to a buy (b+) rating in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Barclays raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from an underweight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.50.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CM

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Trading Up 0.9%

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $99.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $92.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The company has a market cap of $101.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.11, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.00.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The bank reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.74 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $6.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.53 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 15.15% and a return on equity of 15.69%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces quarterly revenue was up 15.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.20 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 7.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 27th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.77%.

Institutional Trading of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CM. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 119.7% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 402 shares of the banks stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. EFG International AG acquired a new stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.88% of the companys stock.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE: CM), commonly known as CIBC, is a major Canadian financial institution headquartered in Toronto. Formed in 1961 through the merger of the Canadian Bank of Commerce and the Imperial Bank of Canada, CIBC is one of Canadas largest banks and provides a broad range of banking and financial services to retail, small business, commercial and institutional clients.

CIBCs activities span personal and business banking, wealth management, capital markets and corporate banking.

Further Reading

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Cellnex Telecom (OTCMKTS:CLNXF  Get Free Report) will likely be releasing its resultson Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect Cellnex Telecom to post earnings of $0.0231 per share and revenue of $1.1964 billion for the quarter.

Cellnex Telecom Stock Performance

Cellnex Telecom stock opened at $33.04 on Monday. Cellnex Telecom has a 52-week low of $28.67 and a 52-week high of $40.61. The companys 50 day moving average is $33.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $32.44.

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Cellnex Telecom Company Profile

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Cellnex Telecom is a leading independent operator of wireless telecommunications infrastructure in Europe. Headquartered in Madrid, the company specializes in the development, management and leasing of passive and active network assets for mobile network operators, broadcasters, public safety agencies and enterprise clients. Its core offerings include traditional tower sites, rooftop installations and in-building distributed antenna systems (DAS), alongside newer solutions such as small cells, fiber connectivity and edge computing nodes.

Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from Abertis Infraestructuras, Cellnex has grown rapidly through a combination of organic roll-outs and strategic acquisitions.

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Chiba Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CHBAY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $69.3056, but opened at $62.2778. Chiba Bank shares last traded at $62.2778, with a volume of 167 shares traded.

Chiba Bank Trading Down 10.1%

The firm has a market cap of $9.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.83 and a beta of 0.05. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $60.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.00.

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Chiba Bank (OTCMKTS:CHBAY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $721.38 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $358.53 million. Chiba Bank had a net margin of 20.92% and a return on equity of 7.53%.

About Chiba Bank

Chiba Bank, Ltd. (OTCMKTS: CHBAY) is a regional commercial bank headquartered in Chiba City, Japan. Established in 1943, the bank offers a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, corporate and public sector clients. As one of the largest financial institutions in Chiba Prefecture, Chiba Bank plays a central role in supporting local economic activity and community development.

The banks core business activities include deposit-taking, lending, and trust services. Chiba Bank provides retail customers with savings accounts, fixed-term deposits, personal loans and mortgage financing.

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Dynagas LNG Partners (NYSE:DLNG  Get Free Report) is one of 45 public companies in the TRANS  SERVICES industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Dynagas LNG Partners to similar companies based on the strength of its profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, valuation, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Dynagas LNG Partners and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Dynagas LNG Partners 0 1 0 0 2.00 Dynagas LNG Partners Competitors 628 1643 1700 103 2.31

As a group, TRANS  SERVICES companies have a potential downside of 6.93%. Given Dynagas LNG Partners peers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Dynagas LNG Partners has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Dynagas LNG Partners 39.36% 14.96% 7.04% Dynagas LNG Partners Competitors 0.81% -1.27% -1.30%

Dividends

This table compares Dynagas LNG Partners and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dynagas LNG Partners pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.1%. Dynagas LNG Partners pays out 14.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, TRANS  SERVICES companies pay a dividend yield of 3.7% and pay out 87.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Dynagas LNG Partners is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

55.5% of shares of all TRANS  SERVICES companies are owned by institutional investors. 22.1% of shares of all TRANS  SERVICES companies are owned by company 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.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Dynagas LNG Partners and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Dynagas LNG Partners $156.62 million $61.60 million 2.89 Dynagas LNG Partners Competitors $7.08 billion $250.22 million 17.40

Dynagas LNG Partners peers have higher revenue and earnings than Dynagas LNG Partners. Dynagas LNG Partners is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Volatility and Risk

Dynagas LNG Partners has a beta of 0.66, meaning that its share price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Dynagas LNG Partners peers have a beta of 0.86, meaning that their average share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Dynagas LNG Partners peers beat Dynagas LNG Partners on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

Dynagas LNG Partners Company Profile

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Dynagas LNG Partners LP, through its subsidiaries, operates in the seaborne transportation industry in Greece and internationally. The company owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. Its fleet consists of six LNG carriers with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 914,000 cubic meters. Dynagas GP LLC serves as the general partner of Dynagas LNG Partners LP. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.

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First Niles Financial (OTCMKTS:FNFI  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports.

First Niles Financial Price Performance

FNFI stock remained flat at $8.05 during mid-day trading on Monday. First Niles Financial has a 12-month low of $7.25 and a 12-month high of $12.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.40 million, a PE ratio of 25.97 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $7.90.

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First Niles Financial Company Profile

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See Also

First Niles Financial, Inc operates as a holding company for the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Niles that provides various banking products and services in Ohio, the United States. The company offers personal and business checking and savings, money market deposit, and Christmas club accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also provides various loans, including mortgage and consumer loans, home equity lines of credit, and commercial loans and lines of credit. In addition, the company provides e-statement, and night depository services; debit and ATM cards; safe deposit boxes; direct deposits; I.R.A.

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Galp Energia SGPS (OTCMKTS:GLPEY  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday. The energy company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.21, Zacks reports. Galp Energia SGPS had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 21.32%.

Galp Energia SGPS Price Performance

Galp Energia SGPS stock opened at $11.25 on Monday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.20. Galp Energia SGPS has a 1-year low of $7.54 and a 1-year high of $12.87. The company has a market cap of $15.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.39 and a beta of -0.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GLPEY has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. HSBC downgraded shares of Galp Energia SGPS from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, March 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Galp Energia SGPS from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Galp Energia SGPS from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Galp Energia SGPS from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, April 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Galp Energia SGPS presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

Galp Energia SGPS Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Galp Energia SGPS is an integrated energy company headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, with core operations spanning upstream exploration and production, midstream refining, and downstream distribution and marketing. In its upstream segment, the company explores and produces oil and natural gas in regions such as Brazils pre-salt basins, African offshore blocks in Angola and Mozambique, and domestic wells in Portugal. Its midstream activities include refining crude oil at the Sines facility and operating a network of pipelines, while downstream operations involve the distribution and retail sale of petroleum products through the Galp-branded service station network across the Iberian Peninsula.

In addition to its traditional oil and gas business, Galp has expanded into power generation and renewable energy.

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Nexans significantly expands its presence in the attractive and strategic low voltage business in the U.S. through the acquisition of Republic Wire, a high-quality asset with a well-established nationwide sales network

Transaction complements Nexans' existing North American footprint, creating a compelling growth platform in the U.S.

PARIS, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexans today announced that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Republic Wire, Inc. ("Republic Wire"), an established American manufacturer of low-voltage copper and aluminum wire products headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Founded in 1982 and family-owned, Republic Wire is a recognized manufacturer of low-voltage wiring products serving electrical wholesale distributors, utilities and municipalities across the United States and Canada. Over the 12 month period through February 2026, Republic Wire generated c.5201,2 million in current revenue. The company operates a fully invested industrial platform comprising a 32.5k square meters manufacturing facility equipped with significant automation, and a newly completed 30k square meters warehouse and distribution center. Republic Wire employs over 200 highly skilled associates and recently completed a significant expansion program that will be fully online by the end of 2026, increasing its production capacity by approximately 30%.

Strategic Rationale

The acquisition of Republic Wire is an important step in Nexans' strategy to expand its geographic footprint to the United States, one of the world's largest markets and among the fastest-growing for low- and medium-voltage cables. The U.S. low-voltage segment, estimated at c.12 billion3, is mainly driven by sustained demand across residential, commercial and data center expansion.

The acquisition of Republic Wire is perfectly consistent with Nexans' strategy and will allow Nexans to:

Establish an expanded manufacturing and distribution platform in the high-growth U.S. geography, complementing the recent acquisition of Electro Cables in Canada;

Access residential and commercial channels through Republic Wire's strong sales agent and distributor network, building on Nexans' proven global distributor relationships and benefitting from Nexans' broader complementary product portfolio into additional high-growth verticals, including data centers;

Create a platform for future organic and inorganic growth across the U.S., ensuring that the Group will benefit through the cycle from structural growth in the region; and

Generate c.231 million in run-rate synergies within 3 years, driven by commercial cross-selling opportunities rolling out Nexans' comprehensive product offering in medium-voltage and grid solutions, technology synergies through the deployment of Nexans' proprietary manufacturing IP, and industrial synergies through purchasing scale, manufacturing mutualization and efficiency.

Financial Highlights

The transaction represents a total enterprise value of c.680 million4,5, with a further earn-out of up to 43 million4 potentially payable in 2028 based on performance through year end 2027. The current management team, led by Ron and Jeremy Rosenbeck, is remaining in place and will continue to drive the business performance.

At the terms of the transaction, the enterprise value6 represents multiples of 10.3x 2027E Adjusted EBITDA5 before synergies and 7.6x after run-rate synergies. There is also the potential for the transaction structure to provide tax benefits to Nexans over time.

The transaction will be financed through a combination of debt and existing cash on balance sheet. On a pro forma basis, Nexans' net leverage is expected to rise to approximately 1.2x Net Debt to 2025 Adjusted EBITDA, returning to comfortably below 1.0x through rapid deleveraging by the end of 2028, in keeping with our disciplined financial policy.

The transaction is expected to be immediately EPS accretive before synergies7. Synergies are expected to reach full run-rate of c.23 million4 over three years, with approximately 50% to be achieved in year one. Implementation costs are expected to amount to c.23 million4.

Timeline and Approvals

The transaction is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2026, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Following completion, Republic Wire's experienced management team will continue to lead the business, supported by an earn-out structure designed to ensure alignment of interests and a successful ownership transition.

Nexans expects to maintain Republic Wire's operations at its existing Ohio facilities and utilize the combined platform to support its activities in the United States.

Julien Hueber, Chief Executive Officer of Nexans, said: "The acquisition of Republic Wire marks a transformative moment in Nexans' journey to become a reference pure player in electrification. The United States represents the single largest growth opportunity in low and mediumvoltage cable, within a premium business segment where quality and reliability drive sales. Republic Wire gives us the expanded platform, the customer relationships and the operational credibility we need to compete in this highly dynamic market. Combined with our recent complementary acquisition of Electro Cables in Canada, we are building an integrated North American business, expanding our industrial footprint in the Americas and reinforcing our positioning in high-growth segments such as data centers, that will serve as a growth engine for the Group for years to come. We are delighted to welcome the Republic Wire team and look forward to creating value together."

Tim King, Managing Director North America of Nexans said: "The acquisition of Republic Wire represents an important strategic milestone, meaningfully strengthening our position in the North American market. As a highly respected brand with a proven track record of exceptional quality and customer centricity, Republic Wire brings deep market relationships and an extensive commercial network and strong industrial footprint that significantly enhances our ability to serve customers and partners."

Ron Rosenbeck, CEO of Republic Wire said: " Republic Wire has always been more than a business to our family  it is a legacy built on hard work, loyalty, and a deep responsibility to our customers and the people who chose to build their careers here. In Nexans, I found a partner who shares those values, not just a buyer. I take real comfort knowing the culture of respect, dedication and quality products we worked so hard to build will be in good hands as we move forward together. Our management team and I will remain actively involved going forward, and I couldn't be more proud of what we have built together or more excited about what this partnership will mean for everyone who calls Republic Wire home."

Advisors

PJT Partners is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Nexans; White & Case LLP is acting as legal advisor.

About Nexans

Nexans is the global pure player in sustainable electrification, building the essential systems that power the world's transition to a connected, resilient, and low-carbon future. From offshore and onshore renewable energies to smart cities and homes, Nexans designs and delivers advanced cable solutions, accessories and services that electrify progress safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

With over 140 years of history, through three core businesses: PWR Transmission, PWR Grid, and PWR Connect, Nexans blends deep industry expertise with cutting-edge innovation to accelerate the energy transition, and better meet its customers' needs. Its unique E3 model, focused on Environment, Economy and Engagement, drives every action, aligning performance with purpose.

Nexans operates in 41 countries with 25,700 people and generated 6.1 billion in standard sales in 2025. Nexans is committed to Net-Zero emissions by 2050 aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and expanding energy access through the Fondation Nexans.

Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment A.

www.nexans.com | #ElectrifyTheFuture

About Republic Wire

Republic Wire, Inc. is an American manufacturer of low-voltage copper and aluminium wire products, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1982, the company supplies electrical wholesale distributors, utilities and municipalities across the United States and Canada from its fully invested single-site manufacturing and distribution campus. Republic Wire's product range includes bare copper wire, insulated building wire and poly weatherproof wire, serving residential, commercial and industrial end markets. The company employs over 200 people and distributes through a national network of 18 sales agencies.

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to various expected or unexpected risks and uncertainties that could have a material impact on the Company's future performance.

Readers are also invited to visit the Group's website where they can view and download Nexans' Universal Registration Document,which includes a description of the Group's risk factors.

NB: any discrepancies are due to rounding.

_______________________________________

1 FX rate USD to EUR of 0.86.

2 In accordance with US GAAP.

3 Roland Berger February 2026 Market Study.

4 FX rate USD to EUR of 0.86.

5 In accordance with US GAAP.

6 Before earn-out.

7 Before amortization of intangibles and implementation costs.

SOURCE Nexans
Glacier Bancorp (NYSE:GBCI) reported higher earnings and continued net interest margin expansion in its first-quarter 2026 results, with management pointing to lower funding costs, improving loan yields, and solid deposit growth as key contributors.

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Quarterly results driven by margin expansion

President and CEO Randy Chesler said the company delivered another quarter of strong results, with net income of $82.1 million, up $18.4 million, or 29%, from the prior quarter and up $27.6 million, or 51%, from the year-ago quarter. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.63, up 29% sequentially and up 31% year over year.

Balance sheet trends: loan and deposit growth

A major theme of the call was continued margin improvement. Chesler said the tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.80%, up 22 basis points from the prior quarter and up 76 basis points from the prior-year quarter. He also cited a loan yield of 6.16%, up 7 basis points sequentially and up 39 basis points year over year, while total earning asset yield increased 11 basis points from the prior quarter to 5.11%. Funding costs moved lower, with the total cost of funding at 1.4%, down 12 basis points from the prior quarter and down 28 basis points from a year earlier.

Chesler said loans ended the quarter at $21 billion, up $106 million, or 2% annualized, from the prior quarter. He highlighted faster growth in the Southwest region, including Arizona and Texas, which grew in excess of 7% annualized during the quarter.

On the funding side, total deposits were $24.7 billion at quarter-end, up $151 million, or 2% annualized, from the prior quarter. Non-interest-bearing deposits rose to $7.4 billion, increasing $113 million, or 6% annualized, sequentially.

In response to questions about loan growth expectations, Chief Credit Administrator Tom Dolan said the bank remained comfortable with that low to mid-single digit outlook for loan growth. Dolan said the first quarter saw a seasonal impact and he expected improvement in the second and third quarters, noting that Glaciers Southwest footprint tends to experience less seasonality than northern markets where colder weather can slow construction activity.

Dolan described the loan pipeline as still largely driven by commercial real estate, spread across the footprint and including both owner and non-owner segments. He also pointed to C&I opportunities and said construction demand has become a larger part of the pipeline compared with a couple of years ago. Dolan added that production yield for the quarter was about 675, and said late-quarter and early second-quarter production yields increased after the middle part of the yield curve moved higher in March.

Funding, margin outlook, and securities strategy

Treasurer Byron Pollan said the first quarters margin improvement reflected broad-based drivers. Our margin was really firing on all cylinders in Q1, he said, adding that the company has now posted nine consecutive quarters of margin expansion, with the first quarters 22 basis point increase the largest over that period.

Pollan reiterated managements view that Glacier is on track to reach a 4% net interest margin target in the second half of 2026. I wouldnt say that were looking to go much beyond that, he said, though he later said there was a little bit of potential to maybe go past 4%, adding, Maybe we creep above it a little bit.

Pollan also said Glacier completed the payoff of its FHLB advances in the first quarter. Looking ahead, he said deposit costs may decline modestly further, pointing to the CD portfolio: more than 60% of CDs mature each quarter, and early second-quarter renewal rates were running slightly below maturing rates. However, he said that with the Fed on hold, deposit rates would likely be stabilizing and moving sideways for the rest of the year.

On the asset side, Pollan emphasized the companys repricing momentum. He said Glacier has $3 billion of loans repricing over the next 12 months from March 31, expected to earn an incremental 75 to 100 basis points. He also cited new loan production rates north of 6.5%. On the investment portfolio, he said cash flow remains strong as securities run off at very low rates.

Pollan also discussed potential redeployment of liquidity. He said Glacier expects to be active buying bonds in the second half of the year as excess cash builds. When asked about dry powder, he said the company does not have a fixed cash target, but suggested it would likely look to reinvest when cash rises somewhere in the $750 million to $1 billion range.

Expenses, efficiency targets, and credit quality

Chief Financial Officer Ron Copher reaffirmed an efficiency ratio goal of 54% to 55% on a core operating basis. He said the first quarters reported efficiency ratio of 63% included acquisition-related expenses and compensation items tied to the deal. Copher also reiterated full-year expense guidance that he said had been provided on the prior call: 750 to 766 for the year. He said management remained cautious on hiring and spending given economic uncertainty, including conflict in the Middle East.

Chesler said Glaciers non-GAAP operating results showed core strength excluding acquisition expenses, with operating EPS of $0.70 per share and operating expenses of $188.2 million for the quarter.

On credit, Chesler said performance remained strong. Non-performing assets were 25 basis points of total assets, with a slight increase from the prior quarter. Net charge-offs declined to 2 basis points of total loans from 6 basis points in the prior quarter. The allowance for credit losses remained at 1.22% of total loans.

Integration progress, capital discussion, and dividend

Management said integration work continued following the October 2025 acquisition of Guaranty Bank. Chesler said Glacier completed the core conversion during the quarter and thanked teams for maintaining customer focus through the process. Discussing business momentum in Texas, he said growth continued even as the company completed the conversion and noted some market disruption from larger banks acquiring mid-sized banks, though he said it was still a little bit early to tell just how extensive thats going to be.

Dolan said growth in the Texas footprint was coming from a combination of deepening existing relationships and adding new customers. He said a key benefit has been Glaciers ability to support larger aggregate relationships than the acquired bank may have been comfortable holding on its own.

Chesler also addressed capital and shareholder returns. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share, marking its 164th consecutive quarterly dividend, according to Chesler. He said the dividend payout ratio has dropped significantly and management expects it to fall below 50% in the next couple of quarters. He added that Glacier expects to build capital and that management has been rethinking all options for capital deployment given expected accumulation.

Pollan discussed a proposed regulatory change and said early calculations suggest the company could see risk-weighted asset relief. He estimated it could translate to somewhere in the neighborhood of 75-80 basis points of benefit to the CET1 ratio if the proposal becomes final.

About Glacier Bancorp (NYSE:GBCI)

Glacier Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Kalispell, Montana. Through its network of community banks, the company delivers commercial and retail banking services to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and agricultural clients. With a commitment to relationship-driven banking, Glacier Bancorp combines local market expertise with regional scale to offer customized financial solutions that address the unique needs of the communities it serves.

Established in 1955 as Glacier Bank, the company has expanded both organically and through targeted acquisitions to build a presence across the Mountain West and into the Upper Midwest and Southwest.

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Shares of Hill & Smith PLC (LON:HILS  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 2,480 and last traded at GBX 2,470, with a volume of 155278 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2,410.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on HILS shares. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 2,760 price target on shares of Hill & Smith in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Hill & Smith from GBX 2,625 to GBX 2,930 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Shore Capital Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of Hill & Smith in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 2,750 price objective on shares of Hill & Smith in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 2,813.33.

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Hill & Smith Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.52, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 2,265.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 2,225.21. The company has a market capitalization of 1.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.31 and a beta of 1.21.

Hill & Smith (LON:HILS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 11th. The company reported GBX 132.20 earnings per share for the quarter. Hill & Smith had a net margin of 9.50% and a return on equity of 17.34%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Hill & Smith PLC will post 129.1287386 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hill & Smith Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Our purpose is to create sustainable infrastructure and safe transport through innovation.

Hill & Smith PLC is an international group with leading positions in the supply of infrastructure products and galvanizing services to global markets. Through a focus on leading positions in niche markets we aim to consistently deliver strong returns and shareholder value.

Supplying to, and located in, global markets the Group serves customers from facilities in Australia, India, Sweden, the UK and the USA, building a presence in international markets, where countries are upgrading or improving their infrastructure as their economies grow.

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United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by stock analysts at Hovde Group from $38.00 to $37.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage presently has a market perform rating on the stock. Hovde Groups target price would suggest a potential upside of 10.45% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on United Community Banks from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and set a $39.00 price target on shares of United Community Banks in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded United Community Banks from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Stephens boosted their target price on United Community Banks from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded United Community Banks from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $38.20.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on UCB

United Community Banks Stock Up 1.3%

UCB stock traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $33.50. 29,857 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 921,396. The stock has a market cap of $4.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.34 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. United Community Banks has a fifty-two week low of $26.88 and a fifty-two week high of $36.77. The firms 50 day moving average price is $32.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $32.09.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.70. The business had revenue of $277.30 million during the quarter. United Community Banks had a return on equity of 9.65% and a net margin of 22.05%.United Community Bankss revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.58 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that United Community Banks will post 2.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Community Banks

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UCB. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,450,000. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,183,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 70.6% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,380,627 shares of the companys stock worth $43,103,000 after purchasing an additional 571,296 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 125.7% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 774,660 shares of the companys stock worth $24,286,000 after purchasing an additional 431,491 shares during the period. Finally, Azora Capital LP bought a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $13,423,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.29% of the companys stock.

About United Community Banks

(Get Free Report)

United Community Banks, Inc (NYSE: UCB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, United Community Bank, providing a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, business and governmental customers. The companys core offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage origination, treasury and cash management services, and wealth management.

In addition to traditional banking products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, United Community Bank specializes in commercial real estate financing, small business administration (SBA) loans, equipment financing and agricultural lending.

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Huntleigh Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 18,256 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $849,000.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in GIS. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC acquired a new position in General Mills in the second quarter worth approximately $84,862,000. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its position in General Mills by 82.8% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 3,415,818 shares of the companys stock valued at $172,226,000 after acquiring an additional 1,546,993 shares in the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in General Mills by 22.2% in the third quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,628,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $384,625,000 after acquiring an additional 1,383,913 shares during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in General Mills by 15.9% in the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 9,956,665 shares of the companys stock worth $494,548,000 after acquiring an additional 1,368,041 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its position in General Mills by 13.0% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 7,664,990 shares of the companys stock worth $386,469,000 after acquiring an additional 883,150 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.71% of the companys stock.

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General Mills Trading Down 0.0%

NYSE:GIS opened at $34.95 on Monday. General Mills, Inc. has a 12 month low of $34.04 and a 12 month high of $57.08. The firm has a market cap of $18.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.55 and a beta of 0.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. The companys 50 day moving average is $39.46 and its 200-day moving average is $44.14.

Analyst Ratings Changes

General Mills ( NYSE:GIS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 18th. The company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.73 by ($0.09). General Mills had a return on equity of 19.19% and a net margin of 12.05%.The firm had revenue of $4.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.12 earnings per share. General Millss quarterly revenue was down 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that General Mills, Inc. will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

Several brokerages have recently commented on GIS. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on shares of General Mills from $53.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 19th. Zacks Research lowered shares of General Mills from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of General Mills from $47.00 to $44.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of General Mills from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. Finally, BTIG Research began coverage on General Mills in a report on Monday, April 13th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, General Mills currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $43.22.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GIS

About General Mills

(Free Report)

General Mills, Inc (NYSE: GIS) is a multinational consumer foods company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of branded food products. Its product categories include ready-to-eat and hot cereals, baking mixes and ingredients, snacks and bars, refrigerated and frozen doughs, yogurt and other dairy products, and a variety of shelf-stable meals and meal components. The companys portfolio features widely recognized consumer brands across grocery store, mass channel and foodservice outlets.

Founded in the early 20th century and incorporated under its current name in 1928, General Mills has grown through both internal brand development and strategic expansion to become a global food company.

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Shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $137.34 and last traded at $136.54, with a volume of 1072117 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $136.30.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Trading Up 0.1%

The company has a market cap of $101.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a fifty day moving average of $128.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.46.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Crewe Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 147,896 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $17,774,000 after acquiring an additional 5,956 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management raised its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 10.0% during the third quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 111,945 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $13,302,000 after purchasing an additional 10,185 shares during the period. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 274,785 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $33,024,000 after purchasing an additional 5,942 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Alaska Permanent Capital Management LLC now owns 545,285 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $64,780,000 after purchasing an additional 55,761 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 45,833 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,508,000 after buying an additional 4,209 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.92% of the companys stock.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Company Profile

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund, seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors SmallCap 600 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of publicly traded securities in the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The Index serves as the underlying index for the S&P 600/Citigroup Growth and Value Index series. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares.

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Sanctuary Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT  Free Report) by 28.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 581,908 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 129,442 shares during the quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC owned 0.19% of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF worth $26,448,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IQLT. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $777,000. Emerald Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 6.2% during the third quarter. Emerald Advisors LLC now owns 201,897 shares of the companys stock worth $8,922,000 after purchasing an additional 11,754 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 5.0% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 986,766 shares of the companys stock worth $43,605,000 after purchasing an additional 46,772 shares in the last quarter. Altus Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 3.4% during the third quarter. Altus Wealth Management LLC now owns 465,418 shares of the companys stock worth $20,567,000 after purchasing an additional 15,396 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 5.8% during the third quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,550,228 shares of the companys stock worth $245,265,000 after purchasing an additional 304,178 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Stock Performance

IQLT stock opened at $48.99 on Monday. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $40.67 and a twelve month high of $50.00. The companys 50 day moving average is $47.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $46.38. The stock has a market cap of $12.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86 and a beta of 0.86.

About iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed countries, outside of the US. The index is selected and weighted for exposure to fundamental quality metrics. IQLT was launched on Jan 13, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock.

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John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE:JHS  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 7,718 shares, a growth of 77.2% from the March 31st total of 4,356 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 8,017 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Income Securities Trust

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in JHS. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 23.9% in the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 60,103 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $678,000 after acquiring an additional 11,587 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,489,005 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $17,384,000 after acquiring an additional 16,747 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 7.1% in the third quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 186,299 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,175,000 after purchasing an additional 12,407 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust by 16.1% in the third quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 78,037 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $911,000 after purchasing an additional 10,836 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of John Hancock Income Securities Trust during the third quarter valued at $42,000.

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John Hancock Income Securities Trust Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of JHS stock traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $11.25. The stock had a trading volume of 1,561 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,051. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $11.51. John Hancock Income Securities Trust has a twelve month low of $10.74 and a twelve month high of $12.09.

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Cuts Dividend

About John Hancock Income Securities Trust

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th were paid a $0.1377 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.55 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.9%.

(Get Free Report)

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with high current income while preserving capital. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange since its launch in the late 1970s, the trust offers investors access to a broad portfolio of fixed-income securities under a professional management structure.

The funds primary investment activities include purchasing U.S. government and agency obligations, investment-grade corporate debt, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, preferred stocks, and selected foreign debt instruments.

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Juno Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 3,926 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,220,000. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 1.7% of Juno Financial Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Miller Global Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Dorato Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 84.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 35 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares during the period. Finally, 10Elms LLP raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 33.3% during the 3rd quarter. 10Elms LLP now owns 40 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

NYSE LLY opened at $884.88 on Monday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $623.78 and a 12 month high of $1,133.95. The stock has a market cap of $836.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.56, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 0.51. The companys 50 day moving average is $958.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $985.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54.

Key Stories Impacting Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $7.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.48 by $0.06. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 31.66% and a return on equity of 102.94%. The business had revenue of $19.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.85 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.32 EPS. The companys revenue was up 42.6% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 33.500-35.000 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 33.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Truist Financial restated a buy rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating and set a $1,300.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $1,300.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $1,260.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,225.33.

View Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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Shares of Kenon Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:KEN  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 15,208 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 22% from the previous sessions volume of 19,591 shares.The stock last traded at $84.1790 and had previously closed at $81.67.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Kenon in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Kenon has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Kenon

Kenon Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $4.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 109.08 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 4.94, a quick ratio of 4.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $82.57 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.23.

Kenon (NYSE:KEN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, March 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter. Kenon had a return on equity of 3.17% and a net margin of 7.60%.The firm had revenue of $227.93 million during the quarter.

Kenon Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 13th were paid a dividend of $3.85 per share. This represents a yield of 476.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, April 13th. Kenons dividend payout ratio is presently 500.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kenon

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd boosted its position in shares of Kenon by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 3,413,666 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $153,130,000 after acquiring an additional 132,522 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in Kenon by 327.2% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 122,589 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,920,000 after purchasing an additional 93,896 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in Kenon by 516.0% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 42,467 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,918,000 after purchasing an additional 35,573 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Kenon by 10.4% in the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 377,731 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $15,580,000 after purchasing an additional 35,533 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sowell Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kenon in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,318,000. 13.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Kenon

(Get Free Report)

Kenon Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: KEN) is a global investment holding company incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands, with listings on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The company focuses on infrastructure and energy-related businesses, seeking to generate long-term value through stable cash flows and strategic growth. Kenons diversified portfolio spans power generation assets, midstream energy infrastructure and related services across multiple regions.

One of Kenons principal assets is QPI Ltd., an energy company based in Israel that owns and operates a combined-cycle, gas-fired power plant and an adjacent liquefied natural gas (LNG) import and regasification terminal at the Port of Ashdod.

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Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE:ROL  Free Report) by 18.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 54,570 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 12,200 shares during the quarter. Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s holdings in Rollins were worth $3,275,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA lifted its stake in Rollins by 194.5% during the 4th quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 1,009,303 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $60,592,000 after acquiring an additional 666,626 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its stake in Rollins by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 83,158 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $4,991,000 after acquiring an additional 1,800 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Rollins by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,282,523 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,297,717,000 after acquiring an additional 1,562,241 shares during the period. Klingman & Associates LLC lifted its stake in Rollins by 8.6% during the 4th quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 3,910 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $235,000 after acquiring an additional 308 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Rollins by 65.7% during the 4th quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 44,265 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,657,000 after acquiring an additional 17,546 shares during the period. 51.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Rollins Price Performance

NYSE ROL opened at $56.59 on Monday. Rollins, Inc. has a 12 month low of $52.32 and a 12 month high of $66.14. The stock has a market cap of $27.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.92, a PEG ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.84. The companys 50 day moving average is $56.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Rollins Announces Dividend

Rollins ( NYSE:ROL Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The business services provider reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.24. Rollins had a net margin of 13.77% and a return on equity of 38.37%. The company had revenue of $906.42 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $895.17 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.22 EPS. The firms revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Rollins, Inc. will post 1.24 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.1825 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 11th. This represents a $0.73 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Rollinss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.97%.

Insider Activity

In other Rollins news, Chairman Gary W. Rollins sold 10,355 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.83, for a total transaction of $650,604.65. Following the sale, the chairman owned 5,312,114 shares in the company, valued at approximately $333,760,122.62. This trade represents a 0.19% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Elizabeth B. Chandler sold 14,201 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.36, for a total transaction of $842,971.36. Following the sale, the insider owned 55,977 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,322,794.72. The trade was a 20.24% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 32,859 shares of company stock worth $2,015,254 in the last quarter. 5.77% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Rollins

Here are the key news stories impacting Rollins this week:

Positive Sentiment: Large decline in short interest  Short interest fell ~23.7% to 9.10M shares as of April 15 (about 2.0% of float), lowering potential short-covering pressure; days-to-cover is ~3.5 days, which reduces squeeze risk.

Large decline in short interest  Short interest fell ~23.7% to 9.10M shares as of April 15 (about 2.0% of float), lowering potential short-covering pressure; days-to-cover is ~3.5 days, which reduces squeeze risk. Positive Sentiment: Q1 results showed solid top-line beat and year-over-year growth  Revenue up ~10% y/y and above consensus, EPS roughly in line but up from a year ago; management struck an upbeat tone on the earnings call, supporting the growth story. Rollins Q1 Earnings Match Estimates

Q1 results showed solid top-line beat and year-over-year growth  Revenue up ~10% y/y and above consensus, EPS roughly in line but up from a year ago; management struck an upbeat tone on the earnings call, supporting the growth story. Positive Sentiment: Dividend maintained/increased visibility  Company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.1825 (ex-div May 11, pay June 10), supporting income-oriented holders and signaling confidence in cash flow.

Dividend maintained/increased visibility  Company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.1825 (ex-div May 11, pay June 10), supporting income-oriented holders and signaling confidence in cash flow. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst note: UBS raised its price target to $61 (from $58) but kept a neutral rating  the higher TP implies modest upside, but the neutral stance limits near-term bullish impulse. UBS raises price target

Analyst note: UBS raised its price target to $61 (from $58) but kept a neutral rating  the higher TP implies modest upside, but the neutral stance limits near-term bullish impulse. Neutral Sentiment: Bullish write-ups and investor commentary are circulating (summary pieces and Substack/InsiderMonkey coverage)  these may attract retail interest but are informational rather than catalytic. Is ROL a Good Stock To Buy Now?

Bullish write-ups and investor commentary are circulating (summary pieces and Substack/InsiderMonkey coverage)  these may attract retail interest but are informational rather than catalytic. Neutral Sentiment: Full earnings materials and transcript are available for investors doing deeper diligence (presentation/transcript links). Q1 earnings call transcript

Full earnings materials and transcript are available for investors doing deeper diligence (presentation/transcript links). Neutral Sentiment: Headline noise from unrelated Rollins stories (government/Ag Secretary headlines and pop-culture items referencing individuals named Rollins) could create short-term confusion in news feeds but are unlikely to affect the companys fundamentals. Rollins weighs revival of fertilizer program

Headline noise from unrelated Rollins stories (government/Ag Secretary headlines and pop-culture items referencing individuals named Rollins) could create short-term confusion in news feeds but are unlikely to affect the companys fundamentals. Negative Sentiment: Mixed/midpoint print on profitability and valuation  EPS only matched estimates (not a beat) and the stock trades at a premium multiple, so some investors may be trimming positions despite revenue strength; UBSs neutral rating reinforces caution.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on ROL. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $51.00 target price on shares of Rollins and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Rollins in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. They set a buy rating and a $67.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $67.00 price objective on shares of Rollins in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $67.00 price objective on shares of Rollins and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Rollins from $58.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $65.21.

View Our Latest Report on Rollins

Rollins Profile

(Free Report)

Rollins, Inc (NYSE: ROL) is a provider of pest and termite control services operating through a network of subsidiaries and franchises. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company offers a broad range of pest management solutions for both residential and commercial customers, positioning itself as a specialist in protecting property and public health from pests and vectors.

Its service offerings include general pest control, termite inspection and treatment, bed bug remediation, mosquito and vector control, wildlife exclusion, and related specialty services.

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From ground to orbit: China eyes computing in space

Xinhua) 10:27, April 27, 2026

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying a space computing satellite constellation blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on May 14, 2025. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

CHENGDU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- In a futuristic office resembling a space station, Zhao Hongjie, executive vice president of Adaspace Technology Co., Ltd. (ADAspace), outlined a grand vision: to bring intelligent services to every corner of the Earth.

For this commercial aerospace enterprise, based in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, 2026 will be a critical year to accelerate its "star compute" initiative.

The "star compute" plan is an ambitious project by the company to build AI space infrastructure composed of 2,800 computing satellites.

Under the plan, the "star compute" network will consist of 2,400 inference computing satellites and 400 training computing satellites, deployed in dawn-dusk orbits, sun-synchronous orbits and low-inclination orbits at altitudes between 500 and 1,000 kilometers. Through satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite laser communication networking, it will ultimately form a global training and inference computing network, capable of delivering inference power at the hundred-thousand-petaflop level and training power at the million-petaflop level.

The first group of satellites for this plan were successfully launched in May 2025. The second and third groups are already in production and are scheduled for orbital deployment in 2026, Zhao said.

The plan aims to build a thousand-satellite-scale network and start commercial operations by 2030, with over 95 percent being inference computing satellites, and to complete the full network of 2,800 satellites by 2035.

Over the past year, the company has completed multiple important technical validations and breakthroughs in a row.

Collaborating with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in east China, ADAspace recently completed the world's first instance of using space-based computing power to control a ground robot.

"This technological validation means that in the future, when ground networks are unavailable, we can directly call upon space-based computing power via satellites to command intelligent agents like humanoid robots, quadruped robot dogs, autonomous vehicles and drones, enabling operations without blind spots," Zhao said.

In November last year, a team of the company successfully deployed Alibaba's Qwen3 large language model to the first cluster of the "star compute" satellites, completing the world's first in-orbit deployment of a general-purpose large model, with the end-to-end inference process taking less than two minutes.

Furthermore, on March 26 this year, ADAspace, in collaboration with the small and medium-sized enterprises development promotion center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, launched the world's first space-based computing power cloud service platform for enterprises, named Prometheus. This marks the transition of the space-based computing industry from technological breakthrough to productization.

The construction of space-based computing power infrastructure is profoundly significant, as it will fundamentally alter the global supply pattern of computing power. Currently, global AI development faces a computing power bottleneck, especially in edge computing and real-time inference scenarios, where ground-based computing power falls short, Zhao said.

A report by Yan Zhiyong, a researcher at China Telecom Cloud Technology Co., Ltd., presented at a forum during the 2026 Space Day of China on Friday, confirmed the deep-seated problems faced by ground-based computing power.

He pointed out that global data centers consume 1.5 percent of the world's electricity generation, with 40 percent used for cooling, leaving little room for improving energy efficiency. Meanwhile, 70 percent of the world's land and 95 percent of the oceans are network blind zones. Transoceanic fiber optics struggle to support real-time interactive applications. Ground data centers are vulnerable to natural disasters.

In contrast, space-based computing power has multiple advantages: space-based solar power generation efficiency can be several times that of ground-based photovoltaics, virtually unaffected by day-night cycles and weather. Also, the deep-cold environment of space, approaching absolute zero, can significantly reduce cooling energy consumption, Yan said.

There is already a practical market demand for space-based computing power. However, Yan noted the severe challenges facing space computing hardware infrastructure. Extreme environments of vacuum, drastic temperature fluctuations, microgravity and intense radiation impose extremely high demands on hardware material selection, mechanical structure, chip heat dissipation and electrical performance. Post-launch maintenance of satellites is, notably, prohibitively expensive or even impossible.

In the space computing domain, Zhejiang Lab, a research institution based in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, and focused on frontier technology, represents another formidable force.

Li Chao, director of the space-based computing system research center at Zhejiang Lab, pointed out at a forum during the 2026 Space Day of China that due to limited communication bandwidth, traditional satellites are severely deficient in downlinking data. Currently, up to 90 percent of the data generated in space is lost and never effectively processed.

To address this, Zhejiang Lab launched the "Three-Body Computing Constellation" project, aiming to send AI into space to achieve in-orbit data processing. On May 14, 2025, the first batch of 12 computing satellites of the "Three-Body Computing Constellation" successfully entered orbit. According to the plan, the constellation will reach a scale of 100 satellites by 2027. The team has also deployed and validated 10 AI models in orbit in collaboration with partners.

The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) recently took the lead in establishing a space computing power professional committee, according to Xie Lina, a researcher at the CAICT.

The committee focuses on key areas such as space-borne AI chips, inter-satellite laser communication, efficient thermal control and space photovoltaics, conducting joint technological research and promoting transformation of technological solutions from "technically viable" to "commercially feasible," said Xie.

According to CAICT's preliminary estimates, the scale of China's space computing power industry is expected to exceed 250 billion yuan (about 36.6 billion U.S. dollars) by 2030.

Meanwhile, a state-level design for space computing is also advancing.

China has launched a comprehensive feasibility study and pre-project assessment for a space-based intelligent computing constellation, Yu Guobin, deputy director of the commercial space department from the China National Space Administration, said recently.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China is accelerating the cultivation of its space computing industrial ecosystem.

The ministry will support forward-looking research on space computing, gradually establish a standards system covering hardware, software, networking and security, and promote the R&D of technologies and products like space-borne radiation-resistant chips and inter-satellite laser communications.

"In the future, space-based computing power will become a universal public service, just like water and electricity. Whether it is real-time decision-making for autonomous vehicles, coordinated control of drone swarms, or data processing for deep-sea exploration equipment, it can all be achieved through space-based computing power," Zhao added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
DALLAS, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Novatae Risk Group (Novatae), the wholesale insurance business of World Insurance Associates (World), announced that J. Clay Kadlic has joined the company as its new vice president of strategic partnerships. In this role, Kadlic will lead the development and execution of strategic partnership initiatives that support Novatae's continued growth, enhance retail distribution capabilities, and strengthen key carrier relationships.

J. Clay Kadlic

Kadlic has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry primarily in business development and national relationship management. Throughout his career he has held national account and brokerage roles at H.W. Kaufman Group, Burns & Wilcox Brokerage, and Swett & Crawford. Kadlic holds a B.S.B.A. in Finance and Economics from Robert Morris University.

"Clay's reputation for strengthening partnerships and expanding market opportunities will no doubt serve him well in this critical role," said Nick Greggains, president of Novatae. "I am delighted that he is joining the team and have complete confidence he will nurture and develop our alliances aligned with our long-term vision."

"I am excited to join Novatae during its growth phase and to help shape its market capabilities," said Kadlic. "I'm a firm believer in a relationship-first mindset and collaborative approach and look forward to partnering with our clients and partners in that capacity."

About Novatae Risk Group

Novatae Risk Group (Novatae) is a full-service wholesale insurance brokerage, underwriting manager and Lloyd's Coverholder, providing brokers and their clients with specialty insurance products and services for complex and hard-to-place risks across a broad spectrum of property, casualty and specialty lines. Novatae is the wholesale division of World Insurance Associates LLC, serving more than 6,000 clients from 37 offices across the U.S. and the U.K. For more information, please visit www.novatae.com.

SOURCE Novatae Risk Group
Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc. lifted its holdings in ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 323.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 265,700 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 202,930 shares during the period. ServiceNow accounts for about 1.7% of Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Nippon Life Global Investors Americas Inc.s holdings in ServiceNow were worth $40,703,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. New Hampshire Trust lifted its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 336.0% in the 4th quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 2,520 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $386,000 after purchasing an additional 1,942 shares during the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 635.7% in the 4th quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,304 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $659,000 after purchasing an additional 3,719 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 719.8% in the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 139,228 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $21,328,000 after purchasing an additional 122,244 shares during the last quarter. S.A. Mason LLC lifted its position in ServiceNow by 800.9% during the 4th quarter. S.A. Mason LLC now owns 1,045 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $160,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in ServiceNow by 315.6% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 21,587 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,307,000 after acquiring an additional 16,393 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.18% of the companys stock.

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ServiceNow Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NOW opened at $90.09 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $104.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $92.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 53.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 52 week low of $81.24 and a 52 week high of $211.48.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ServiceNow ( NYSE:NOW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.97. The business had revenue of $3.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.75 billion. ServiceNow had a net margin of 12.59% and a return on equity of 18.16%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 22.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.81 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 2.47 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Macquarie Infrastructure cut their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $172.00 to $140.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. UBS Group set a $150.00 target price on shares of ServiceNow in a research report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $188.00 to $163.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Capital One Financial cut their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $158.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. Finally, Evercore cut their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $175.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-four have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $146.65.

Get Our Latest Analysis on NOW

Insider Activity at ServiceNow

In related news, insider Paul Fipps sold 3,696 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.77, for a total value of $376,141.92. Following the sale, the insider owned 8,061 shares of the companys stock, valued at $820,367.97. The trade was a 31.44% 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, Director Paul Edward Chamberlain sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.17, for a total transaction of $151,755.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 46,430 shares in the company, valued at $4,697,323.10. This represents a 3.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 16,237 shares of company stock valued at $1,697,162 over the last quarter. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting ServiceNow

Here are the key news stories impacting ServiceNow this week:

Positive Sentiment: Company fundamentals and AI traction remain supportive  ServiceNow beat revenue/earnings views for Q1 and highlighted accelerating AI product adoption (Now Assist / AI agents) that management says will drive longterm growth. ServiceNow Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Company fundamentals and AI traction remain supportive  ServiceNow beat revenue/earnings views for Q1 and highlighted accelerating AI product adoption (Now Assist / AI agents) that management says will drive longterm growth. Positive Sentiment: Strategic moves boost the product and security stack  ServiceNow closed the $7.75B Armis acquisition (extends security capabilities) and deepened Google Cloud AI partnerships, which support crosssell and AI workflow positioning. Armis acquisition Google Cloud partnership

Strategic moves boost the product and security stack  ServiceNow closed the $7.75B Armis acquisition (extends security capabilities) and deepened Google Cloud AI partnerships, which support crosssell and AI workflow positioning. Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst reactions  Several firms reaffirmed buy/overweight ratings (some even raised PTs), but many cut targets after the quarter; consensus still leaves upside from current levels, reflecting disagreement over nearterm vs. longterm outlook. Analyst coverage

Mixed analyst reactions  Several firms reaffirmed buy/overweight ratings (some even raised PTs), but many cut targets after the quarter; consensus still leaves upside from current levels, reflecting disagreement over nearterm vs. longterm outlook. Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical deal delays hit nearterm growth  Management said Middle East conflict delayed several large deal closings (75 bps revenue headwind in Q1), and that pushed investors to downgrade nearterm growth expectations. Middle East deal delays

Geopolitical deal delays hit nearterm growth  Management said Middle East conflict delayed several large deal closings (75 bps revenue headwind in Q1), and that pushed investors to downgrade nearterm growth expectations. Negative Sentiment: Margin and guidance concerns  Investors focused on acquisition costs (Armis) and a softer margin outlook/fullyear subscription guidance that many viewed as disappointing, triggering the sectorwide selloff. Margin/guidance coverage

Margin and guidance concerns  Investors focused on acquisition costs (Armis) and a softer margin outlook/fullyear subscription guidance that many viewed as disappointing, triggering the sectorwide selloff. Negative Sentiment: Short interest jumped  Short interest rose ~30% in April to ~38.95M shares (~3.8% of shares), increasing potential downside pressure and volatility if bearish sentiment persists.

ServiceNow Profile

(Free Report)

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is a cloud computing company that builds enterprise software to manage digital workflows and automate business processes. Its offerings are designed to replace manual work and legacy systems with cloud-based, service-oriented applications that support IT operations, customer service, human resources, security response and other enterprise functions.

The companys flagship product family is the Now Platform, a suite of subscription software and platform services that includes IT Service Management (ITSM), IT Operations Management (ITOM), IT Business Management (ITBM), Customer Service Management (CSM), HR Service Delivery, Security Operations and Asset Management.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report).

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Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS:NHYDY  Get Free Report) will likely be issuing its resultson Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.12 per share and revenue of $5.4832 billion for the quarter.

Norsk Hydro ASA (OTCMKTS:NHYDY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 13th. The industrial products company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by $0.04. Norsk Hydro ASA had a net margin of 3.06% and a return on equity of 9.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.82 billion. On average, analysts expect Norsk Hydro ASA to post $1 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Norsk Hydro ASA Price Performance

OTCMKTS:NHYDY opened at $11.51 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $10.02 and a 200-day moving average of $8.53. The company has a market capitalization of $22.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.13, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.98. Norsk Hydro ASA has a 52 week low of $5.13 and a 52 week high of $11.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.73.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on NHYDY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Norsk Hydro ASA from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Norsk Hydro ASA from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 20th. Kepler Capital Markets lowered Norsk Hydro ASA from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, February 16th. UBS Group cut Norsk Hydro ASA from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating on shares of Norsk Hydro ASA in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Norsk Hydro ASA presently has an average rating of Hold.

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About Norsk Hydro ASA

(Get Free Report)

Norsk Hydro ASA is a Norwegian industrial company with a primary focus on aluminum production and renewable energy. Established in 1905, the company has grown from its roots in fertilizer manufacturing to become one of the worlds largest integrated aluminum producers. Its operations span the full value chain, including bauxite mining, alumina refining, primary aluminum production, and downstream processing of rolled and extruded products.

In addition to its aluminum business, Hydro maintains a significant portfolio of hydropower assets to support its energy-intensive processes.

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Oil-Dri Corporation Of America (NYSE:ODC  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $74.38 and last traded at $74.8550, with a volume of 50484 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $74.38.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ODC shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Oil-Dri Corporation Of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Oil-Dri Corporation Of America in a research report on Friday, March 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Oil-Dri Corporation Of America Trading Up 0.1%

Oil-Dri Corporation Of America Announces Dividend

The company has a current ratio of 3.45, a quick ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $66.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $59.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.18 and a beta of 0.79.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 8th will be issued a $0.205 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 8th. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Oil-Dri Corporation Of Americas dividend payout ratio is 22.22%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Ellen-Blair Chube sold 1,390 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.06, for a total transaction of $101,553.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,930 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $652,425.80. This trade represents a 13.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Paul Hindsley sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.90, for a total transaction of $383,400.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 11,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $702,900. The trade was a 35.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 11.69% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Oil-Dri Corporation Of America

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ODC. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in shares of Oil-Dri Corporation Of America by 79.0% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 31,787 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $1,460,000 after acquiring an additional 14,030 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in Oil-Dri Corporation Of America by 108.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 5,792 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $266,000 after purchasing an additional 3,010 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Oil-Dri Corporation Of America by 122.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 87,725 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $4,028,000 after purchasing an additional 48,309 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its holdings in Oil-Dri Corporation Of America by 204.7% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 19,498 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $895,000 after purchasing an additional 13,099 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Oil-Dri Corporation Of America by 44.1% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 14,338 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $846,000 after purchasing an additional 4,386 shares during the last quarter. 49.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Oil-Dri Corporation Of America

(Get Free Report)

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a specialty materials company that develops, manufactures and markets sorbent and filtration products for industrial, environmental and consumer applications. Its flagship offerings include clay- and diatomaceous earthbased cat litters, calcium silicate absorbents for spill control and cleanup, and purification media designed to remove contaminants from petroleum, chemical and food-processing streams.

Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company has evolved from a single-product operation into a diversified provider of mineral- and chemical-based solutions.

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Equities research analysts at Tigress Financial initiated coverage on shares of Oklo (NYSE:OKLO  Get Free Report) in a report released on Monday, Marketbeat reports. The firm set a buy rating and a $130.00 price target on the stock. Tigress Financials target price points to a potential upside of 82.92% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on OKLO. Craig Hallum restated a hold rating on shares of Oklo in a research report on Wednesday, March 18th. Texas Capital upgraded Oklo to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Oklo from $91.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 18th. B. Riley Financial lowered their target price on shares of Oklo from $129.00 to $92.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 18th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut their target price on shares of Oklo from $175.00 to $125.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Oklo has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $87.68.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on OKLO

Oklo Price Performance

OKLO stock opened at $71.07 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $59.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $85.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -98.71 and a beta of 0.93. Oklo has a fifty-two week low of $22.52 and a fifty-two week high of $193.84.

Oklo (NYSE:OKLO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 17th. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.17) by ($0.10). During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.74) EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Oklo will post -0.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Oklo

In other Oklo news, CEO Jacob Dewitte sold 140,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.18, for a total transaction of $10,525,200.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 739,023 shares in the company, valued at approximately $55,559,749.14. This trade represents a 15.93% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Richard Craig Bealmear sold 72,090 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total transaction of $4,325,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 386,008 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,160,480. This trade represents a 15.74% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 818,766 shares of company stock valued at $50,855,915 over the last quarter. 18.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Oklo

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in OKLO. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in Oklo by 71.8% during the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 7,102,234 shares of the companys stock worth $792,822,000 after purchasing an additional 2,968,981 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Oklo by 33.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,593,468 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,294,179,000 after buying an additional 2,901,909 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Oklo by 454.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,138,658 shares of the companys stock valued at $119,743,000 after acquiring an additional 1,752,946 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in Oklo by 61.0% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,474,993 shares of the companys stock valued at $387,914,000 after acquiring an additional 1,316,867 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Oklo during the 4th quarter worth approximately $73,786,000. 85.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Oklo

(Get Free Report)

Oklo, Inc is a California-based energy technology company specializing in the design and development of advanced nuclear microreactors. Headquartered in Fremont, the firm focuses on small modular reactor (SMR) technology that leverages fast-neutron fission and liquid-metal cooling to deliver carbon-free power. Oklos core objective is to bring compact, factory-built reactors online within a decade, offering a low-footprint alternative to traditional large nuclear plants.

The companys flagship product, the Aurora microreactor, is a 1.5-megawatt electric (MWe) fast reactor cooled by a sodium alloy.

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Pictet Asset Management Holding SA lessened its stake in Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE:FBIN  Free Report) by 21.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,480,846 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,248,153 shares during the quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA owned approximately 3.73% of Fortune Brands Innovations worth $224,192,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Fortune Brands Innovations by 10.5% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,251,082 shares of the companys stock worth $173,572,000 after buying an additional 309,300 shares in the last quarter. Amundi raised its stake in Fortune Brands Innovations by 15.2% during the third quarter. Amundi now owns 2,879,208 shares of the companys stock valued at $152,263,000 after purchasing an additional 380,275 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in Fortune Brands Innovations by 147.8% during the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,691,827 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,717,000 after purchasing an additional 1,605,453 shares in the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Fortune Brands Innovations during the second quarter valued at $77,441,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in Fortune Brands Innovations by 82.7% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,420,708 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,852,000 after purchasing an additional 643,247 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.60% of the companys stock.

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Fortune Brands Innovations Trading Down 0.0%

FBIN stock opened at $41.54 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. has a twelve month low of $36.07 and a twelve month high of $64.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.49. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $44.08 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $49.65.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Fortune Brands Innovations ( NYSE:FBIN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by ($0.14). Fortune Brands Innovations had a net margin of 6.70% and a return on equity of 18.54%. The firm had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.98 EPS. The companys revenue was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. Fortune Brands Innovations has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.350-3.650 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. will post 3.41 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on FBIN shares. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from $55.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from $56.00 to $50.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from $52.00 to $42.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Zelman & Associates downgraded shares of Fortune Brands Innovations from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $55.42.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Fortune Brands Innovations

Fortune Brands Innovations Profile

(Free Report)

Fortune Brands Innovations (NYSE: FBIN), formerly known as Fortune Brands Home & Security, is a global leader in water innovations, specializing in the design, manufacturing and marketing of plumbing fixtures, fittings and related products. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, the company leverages two iconic brandsMoen and House of Rohlto deliver high-quality kitchen and bathroom solutions across residential and commercial markets. With a focus on performance, reliability and aesthetic design, FBINs portfolio spans faucets, showerheads, accessories and water filtration systems.

The companys products are sold through a diversified network of retail partners, wholesale distributors and online channels across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

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Pictet Asset Management Holding SA cut its holdings in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 2.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 835,108 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 20,159 shares during the quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SAs holdings in American Express were worth $308,953,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of AXP. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its position in shares of American Express by 153.3% during the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC bought a new stake in American Express in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new position in shares of American Express during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in shares of American Express during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of American Express by 210.7% during the 3rd quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently commented on AXP. TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Evercore set a $393.00 target price on American Express in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 target price on American Express in a report on Monday, January 12th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and set a $395.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $415.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a report on Friday, April 10th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $361.05.

American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP opened at $314.08 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $214.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.13. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $257.21 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $313.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $344.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.57.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The payment services company reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $0.27. American Express had a return on equity of 33.95% and a net margin of 15.13%.The business had revenue of $14.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.64 earnings per share. American Expresss revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.300-17.900 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 17.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Express Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, April 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. This is an increase from American Expresss previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. American Expresss payout ratio is 23.71%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Ravikumar Radhakrishnan sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.58, for a total value of $5,348,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,945 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,189,608.10. This represents a 62.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Anna Marrs sold 27,425 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.01, for a total value of $9,599,024.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 20,394 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,138,103.94. This trade represents a 57.35% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 73,944 shares of company stock valued at $26,114,366 in the last three months. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

American Express News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week:

About American Express

(Free Report)

American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs.

American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and cobrand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers.

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QuantumScape (NYSE:QS) executives highlighted progress on its automated pilot production line, early customer billings from ecosystem partners, and expanding interest beyond automotive during the companys first-quarter 2026 earnings call.

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Eagle Line installation completed; Q2 ramp planned

CEO Dr. Siva Sivaram said the company completed installation of its Eagle Line in the first quarter and began startup operations. The Eagle Line is QuantumScapes highly automated pilot production line intended to demonstrate scalable manufacturing of its solid-state lithium-metal battery technology.

According to Sivaram, QuantumScape is producing initial volumes of its QSE-5 cells and is focusing on improving equipment uptime, line throughput, control systems, and process stability. He added that the company has been integrating advanced AI models into the line and said it has seen substantive progress on cell quality and reliability, attributing improvements to faster and more consistent quality determinations using metrology data.

Looking ahead, Sivaram said QuantumScape plans to ramp QSE-5 production in the second quarter to support customer programs across automotive and other applications. Responding to Deutsche Banks Winnie Dong about the pace of the ramp, Sivaram said the company would begin ramping in Q2 and continue to go up satisfying these demands through the rest of the year, citing ongoing demand for samples from both automotive customers and prospective new markets.

Automotive remains core, with field testing the next phase

Sivaram reiterated that EV development remains the companys core focus and largest source of customer billings. He said QuantumScape continues to work closely with Volkswagen Groups PowerCo and described field testing as the next step in the automotive commercialization roadmap, with cells from the Eagle Line expected to be tested under real-world test conditions.

During Q&A, Sivaram told William Blairs Mark Shooter that field testing with Volkswagen will use the QSE-5 cell. He added that Volkswagen is also working with QuantumScape to design a cell for VWs unified cell architecture, and he expects other OEMs will seek their own form factors. Sivaram said QuantumScapes licensing model supports this flexibility because its separator can handle different form factors.

QuantumScape also described expanding engagement with additional automotive partners. Sivaram said the company shipped cells in Q1 to an automotive joint development agreement (JDA) partner for testing. He also said QuantumScape completed a technology evaluation with another top-10 global automotive OEM and is moving into joint development activities with the goal of deploying the technology in automotive and other applications.

In a later exchange, Sivaram said four of the worlds top 10 auto OEMs are actively involved with QuantumScape across North America, Japan, and Europe. He characterized customer progress as moving from evaluation to joint development and then toward licensing, with Volkswagen the most advanced. He also emphasized that the Eagle Line is important to supporting sampling and advancing customers toward licensing.

Ecosystem model produces first partner billings in Q1

Management also pointed to progress on its QS ecosystem, which the company describes as the foundation of its capital-light approach to scaling. Sivaram said QuantumScape continues working with Murata Manufacturing and Corning to scale production of its ceramic separator using the Cobra process. He added that ecosystem partners are investing in QuantumScape proprietary hardware and systems to produce the separator, which he framed as both a sign of commitment and a source of customer billings.

In Q1, QuantumScape recorded what it said were its first customer billings from ecosystem partners. CFO Kevin Hettrich called the milestone important for three reasons: it indicates partner investment in the technology platform, it provides an additional source of cash flow as the company transfers equipment and know-how while retaining ownership of core technology, and it supports longer-term plans for ecosystem licensing payments and royalties.

Hettrich and Sivaram both reiterated that customer billings is an operational metric that reflects the total value of invoices issued during the period regardless of accounting treatment, and that it is not a substitute for GAAP revenue.

New markets: AI data centers and defense-related demand

Sivaram said QuantumScape sees its solid-state design as a fit for AI data centers, particularly as data centers shift toward 800-volt DC architectures and adopt power-system approaches from the EV industry. He pointed to the potential for higher energy density to increase compute density in AI factories, along with the importance of safety in higher-temperature environments where a fire could lead to significant damage and downtime.

In response to investor questions facilitated by IR head Sam Kamara, Sivaram said the AI data center opportunity is early days but a great addition to our automotive portfolio, citing market growth, product-market fit, and the companys ability to create and capture value. He described AI workloads as demanding from a battery perspective and said QuantumScapes technology could enable last-meter power delivery by placing energy storage closer to compute.

Sivaram also said QuantumScape is seeing strong interest from global players in the military, aerospace, and government sectors, citing a combination of energy density, power capability, and safety. He noted supply chain considerations as well, emphasizing QuantumScapes graphite-free design compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries that rely on graphite almost exclusively sourced from China.

As the company staffs for these markets, Sivaram said QuantumScape added Ross Niebergall to its board and Dr. Mark Maybury as an advisor to help pursue opportunities in these areas. He also told analysts the company will ship samples from the Eagle Line to meet inbound interest.

Asked by HSBCs Laisha Zaack whether new markets could affect automotive timelines, Sivaram said automotive remains a key focus and the company is adding these additional markets to our automotive portfolio, not shifting away from EV efforts. He said resourcing for these opportunities was included in the companys annual operating plan, describing the approach as not an either/or.

Financial results: losses, guidance reiterated, liquidity near $905 million

Hettrich reported GAAP operating expenses of $109.2 million and a GAAP net loss of $100.8 million in Q1. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $63.2 million, which he said was in line with expectations.

QuantumScape reiterated full-year 2026 guidance for an adjusted EBITDA loss of $250 million to $275 million. Capital expenditures were $10 million in the first quarter, primarily composed of final payments related to the Eagle Line, and the company reiterated its full-year CapEx guidance of $40 million to $60 million.

Customer billings were $11 million in Q1, which Hettrich said reflected a mix of customer development activities and ecosystem partner payments. In response to Goldman Sachs Ayush Ghosh (on for Mark Delaney), Hettrich noted that fiscal 2025 customer billings were approximately $19.5 million and said the company continues to guide to billings increasing year over year in 2026 versus 2025.

QuantumScape ended the quarter with $904.7 million in liquidity, and Hettrich said the company expects to remain prudent with its balance sheet.

About QuantumScape (NYSE:QS)

QuantumScape Corporation is a development-stage company specializing in the research and commercialization of next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles. The companys core technology replaces the traditional liquid electrolyte with a solid ceramic separator, aiming to deliver higher energy density, faster charging times and enhanced safety compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. QuantumScapes product roadmap focuses on enabling electric vehicle manufacturers to extend driving range and reduce charging downtime, addressing key barriers to widespread EV adoption.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Jose, California, QuantumScape has attracted significant strategic investment and formed partnerships with leading automotive OEMs.

Featured Articles
Rare Element Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:REEMF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 706,096 shares, a drop of 37.8% from the March 31st total of 1,135,097 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 323,558 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Rare Element Resources Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of REEMF opened at $0.70 on Monday. Rare Element Resources has a 12 month low of $0.49 and a 12 month high of $1.92. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $0.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $0.87. The stock has a market cap of $360.97 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -69.94 and a beta of 0.92.

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Rare Element Resources (OTCMKTS:REEMF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 12th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

About Rare Element Resources

Rare Element Resources is a U.S.-based exploration and development company focused on rare earth element deposits. The companys flagship asset is the Bear Lodge project in northeastern Wyoming, which hosts both light and heavy rare earth oxides such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium. Rare Element Resources is working to advance this project through feasibility, permitting and eventual commercial production to establish a domestic supply of critical minerals.

Incorporated in the mid-2000s and headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Rare Element Resources has conducted extensive drilling, metallurgical test work and engineering studies to refine its processing technology.

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First Industrial Realty Trust (NYSE:FR  Get Free Report) and Piedmont Realty Trust (NYSE:PDM  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations and risk.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

99.9% of First Industrial Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.5% of Piedmont Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Industrial Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Piedmont Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Risk and Volatility

First Industrial Realty Trust has a beta of 1.11, meaning that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Piedmont Realty Trust has a beta of 1.29, meaning that its stock price is 29% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Industrial Realty Trust 0 5 8 0 2.62 Piedmont Realty Trust 1 1 1 0 2.00

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for First Industrial Realty Trust and Piedmont Realty Trust, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

First Industrial Realty Trust presently has a consensus price target of $63.29, indicating a potential upside of 3.17%. Piedmont Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 10.77%. Given Piedmont Realty Trusts higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Piedmont Realty Trust is more favorable than First Industrial Realty Trust.

Profitability

This table compares First Industrial Realty Trust and Piedmont Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Industrial Realty Trust 45.98% 12.36% 6.11% Piedmont Realty Trust -14.80% -5.44% -2.09%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares First Industrial Realty Trust and Piedmont Realty Trusts revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio First Industrial Realty Trust $727.08 million 11.18 $247.44 million $2.58 23.78 Piedmont Realty Trust $564.99 million 1.80 -$83.62 million ($0.68) -11.95

First Industrial Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Piedmont Realty Trust. Piedmont Realty Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Industrial Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

First Industrial Realty Trust beats Piedmont Realty Trust on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About First Industrial Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FR) is a leading U.S.-only owner, operator, developer and acquirer of logistics properties. Through our fully integrated operating and investing platform, we provide high quality facilities and industry-leading customer service to multinational corporations and regional firms that are essential for their supply chains. Our portfolio and new investments are concentrated in 15 target MSAs with an emphasis on supply-constrained, coastally oriented markets. In total, we own and have under development approximately 68.5 million square feet of industrial space as of December 31, 2023.

About Piedmont Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (also referred to herein as "Piedmont" or the "Company") (NYSE: PDM) is an owner, manager, developer, redeveloper and operator of high-quality, Class A office properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") with local management offices in each of its markets and is investment-grade rated by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. The Company was designated an Energy Star Partner of the Year for 2021, 2022 and 2023, and it was the only office REIT headquartered in the Southeast to receive those designations. Approximately 85% of the Company's square footage is Energy Star certified and nearly 70% is LEED certified. Piedmont is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

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Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Dividends

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.3%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce pays an annual dividend of $3.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays out 81.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce pays out 45.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years.

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Profitability

This table compares Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 17.61% 14.18% 0.76% Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 15.15% 15.69% 0.81%

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 3 3 0 0 1.50 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 0 2 5 1 2.88

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as provided by MarketBeat.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a consensus price target of $107.50, suggesting a potential downside of 1.92%. Given Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is more favorable than Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ.

Volatility & Risk

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ has a beta of 0.6, suggesting that its stock price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a beta of 1, suggesting that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the S&P 500.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

49.9% of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce shares are held by institutional investors. 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.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ $21.75 billion 1.27 $2.42 billion $0.71 9.82 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce $44.36 billion 2.27 $6.02 billion $6.86 15.98

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has higher revenue and earnings than Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce beats Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ on 15 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ

(Get Free Report)

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) provides various banking products and services for private and corporate customers primarily in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, Finland, and Poland. The company offers savings, transactions, business, currency, and investment accounts, as well as accounts for cash pool, and forestry and agriculture; mortgage and committed loans, and private loans; mutual funds; pension products; credit and debit cards; and payment and reconciliation services, as well as foreign exchange rate services. It also provides financing for investments, such as equipment, cars, computers, and other inventories, as well as vehicle and real estate financing services; green loans and advisor services; investment and other financing services; medical care, and group and health insurance products; forestry and farming banking products; and online and mobile banking services, as well as various banking services for children and young people. In addition, the company offers financial services, that includes asset management, transactional banking, corporate finance, financing, markets, trade finance, market information and research services to large corporations; cash management solutions; and various corporate banking services to small and medium-sized companies and large corporates, as well as private banking services. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) was incorporated in 1871 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; Capital Markets and Direct Financial Services; and Corporate and Other segments. It offers checking, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; business, car, and other loans; lines of credit, student lines of credit, and agriculture loans; and small business financing and overdraft protection services. The company also provides investment and insurance services; credit cards; and ATMs, as well as mobile, online, and global money and wire transfer services. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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WAKEFIELD, Mass., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Optikos Corporation, a provider of engineering, manufacturing, and metrology expertise in optical systems, is joining forces with Artemis, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on scaling high-impact industrial tech. Through this acquisition, Artemis will provide the strategic support necessary to supercharge the engineering and manufacturing capabilities of Optikos. Through this acquisition, Artemis will provide strategic and operational support to expand Optikos' engineering and manufacturing capabilities, enabling accelerated innovation across critical sectors including Space, Defense, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, and Semiconductors.

Optikos Corporation

As the landscape of optical engineering evolves toward greater complexity, the ability to adapt quickly to emerging challenges defines market leadership. This acquisition is designed to fortify the Optikos position as it ventures into more demanding and new frontiers, specifically targeting growth in the semiconductor, life sciences, automotive, and space sectors.

For more than forty years, the Wakefieldbased company has established itself as a pioneer in optical engineering, delivering comprehensive optical, optomechanical, and optoelectrical solutions from early concept and design through manufacturing, assembly, and worldclass metrology. The company's rigorous technical discipline, customercentric mindset, and unwavering commitment to quality enable excellence at every stage of a program's lifecycle.

"Optikos is more than just a company to me," said Stephen D. Fantone, Founder, President & CEO of Optikos. "It represents a legacy of precision through the great work of dedicated experts. That is why this decision, which is never an easy one to make, comes at a pivotal moment for our expansion. We can only achieve this scale with the right partnersthose who truly understand our ecosystem and share our uncompromising commitment to product quality. There is no mistake in the fact that we are metrology-based. Everything bearing the Optikos name must represent a specific standard of quality, durability, and relevance. With Artemis by our side, we can now invest in the capabilities we could only aspire to until recently. I am grateful to see the next era of The Optikos Experience come to life."

"Optikos represents a unique platform at the intersection of optical engineering, metrology, and advanced manufacturing," said Euan Milne, Partner at Artemis. "The company's deep technical expertise, strong customer relationships, and service to Artemis' core end markets align directly with our strategy of investing in high-precision, differentiated Industrial Tech companies. We are excited to partner with the Optikos team to accelerate growth and expand capabilities."

The existing leadership team at Optikos will continue to steer the organization in their current roles, ensuring continuity as the company enters this new chapter. Dr. Stephen D. Fantone, the company's founder, will elevate his involvement to serve as Founder, Strategic Advisor, and Chair Emeritus. His focus will shift toward guiding long-term strategy, mentoring senior leadership, and deepening industry engagement. Notably, the Fantone family has retained a substantial ownership interest in Optikos, aligning their interests with Artemis as the group pursues future growth.

The transaction was supported by specialized advisory teams. For Artemis, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. provided legal representation, and Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor. On behalf of Optikos, Bigelow LLC acted as financial advisor, with Blank Rome LLP serving as legal counsel.

ABOUT OPTIKOS

Based in Wakefield, Massachusetts, Optikos is an innovator in optical technologies, advancing precision and performance across markets including Space, Defense, Life Sciences, Automotive, Aerial Imaging, and Semiconductor manufacturing.

The company achieves this through three main areas of expertise: engineering services, manufacturing, and metrology. For more information on Optikos, please visit www.optikos.com

ABOUT ARTEMIS

Headquartered in Boston, MA, Artemis is a specialized private equity firm focused on partnering with differentiated Industrial Tech companies, whose people and products enable a healthier, safer, more connected and productive world. For more information on Artemis, please visit www.artemislp.com.

SOURCE Artemis
RMR Wealth Builders lifted its stake in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:FTRB  Free Report) by 16.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 207,788 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 29,900 shares during the period. RMR Wealth Builders owned approximately 1.22% of Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF worth $5,276,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of FTRB. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF by 277.9% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 65,221 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,634,000 after purchasing an additional 47,962 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF by 1,493.6% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 890,977 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,364,000 after purchasing an additional 835,066 shares during the period. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $123,000. River Street Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. River Street Advisors LLC now owns 54,790 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,391,000 after purchasing an additional 2,669 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Planning Group LLC purchased a new position in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $23,325,000.

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Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:FTRB opened at $25.31 on Monday. Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $24.62 and a 1 year high of $25.84. The company has a market cap of $478.36 million, a PE ratio of 8.09 and a beta of 0.16. The stocks 50-day moving average is $25.35 and its 200 day moving average is $25.44.

Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF Increases Dividend

About Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $0.0887 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 27th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.2%. This is a boost from Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETFs previous monthly dividend of $0.06.

(Free Report)

The Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund is actively managed, seeking total returns from a core portfolio of US fixed-income securities with varying credit ratings and maturity. The fund selects securities through its Alpha Pod Process. FTRB was launched on Jan 2, 2024 and is issued by Federated Hermes.

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El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:ELPQF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 26,395 shares, a decrease of 78.6% from the March 31st total of 123,146 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 65,697 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days.

El Puerto de Liverpool Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS ELPQF opened at $5.77 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $5.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.47. El Puerto de Liverpool has a 1-year low of $4.64 and a 1-year high of $5.97.

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About El Puerto de Liverpool

(Get Free Report)

El Puerto de Liverpool SAB. de C.V., commonly known as Liverpool, is Mexicos leading department store chain. Founded in the mid-19th century, the company has grown from a single urban emporium in Mexico City into a nationwide retail network. Over its history, Liverpool has positioned itself as a full-service retailer, catering primarily to middle- and upper-income consumers seeking apparel, footwear, accessories, cosmetics and home furnishings.

Liverpool operates its flagship stores under the Liverpool name and maintains a secondary banner, Suburbia, which targets value-oriented shoppers.

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Grupo Herdez, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GUZOF  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 53,444 shares, an increase of 115.8% from the March 31st total of 24,771 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 6 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8,907.3 days.

Grupo Herdez Price Performance

Shares of GUZOF remained flat at C$4.12 during mid-day trading on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$4.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$4.21. Grupo Herdez has a one year low of C$2.62 and a one year high of C$5.23.

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Grupo Herdez Company Profile

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Grupo Herdez (OTCMKTS:GUZOF) is one of Mexicos leading packaged food companies, with a portfolio of well-known brands serving both retail and foodservice channels. Established in Mexico City in the early 20th century, the company has grown from a regional sauce producer into a diversified food processor with operations spanning multiple product categories.

The companys core offerings include salsas, sauces, canned vegetables, frozen foods, jams and jellies, and ready-to-eat meals. In addition to its flagship Herdez brand, the group holds licenses and partnerships to produce and distribute international brands in the Mexican market, such as Barilla pasta and McCormick spices.

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Heritage Media Corp. (OTCMKTS:OLVI  Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 3,418 shares, a decline of 57.7% from the March 31st total of 8,080 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 48,935 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Heritage Media Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:OLVI opened at $0.22 on Monday. The firms 50-day moving average is $0.25 and its 200-day moving average is $0.27. Heritage Media has a 52-week low of $0.16 and a 52-week high of $2.57. The company has a market cap of $142.86 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.55 and a beta of -1.85.

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Heritage Media (OTCMKTS:OLVI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 16th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $22.37 million for the quarter.

About Heritage Media

Heritage Media Corporation was formerly known as Lignin Industries Inc Heritage Media Corporation is based in Calgary, Canada.

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Simon Quick Advisors LLC bought a new position in Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 26,750 shares of the oil and gas producers stock, valued at approximately $858,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Energy Income Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Enterprise Products Partners by 0.6% during the third quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC now owns 14,705,122 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $459,829,000 after purchasing an additional 80,884 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in Enterprise Products Partners by 1.9% in the third quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,570,499 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $361,810,000 after buying an additional 214,995 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in Enterprise Products Partners in the third quarter valued at about $292,194,000. Berkley W R Corp raised its stake in Enterprise Products Partners by 17.9% during the third quarter. Berkley W R Corp now owns 6,000,000 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $187,620,000 after buying an additional 910,206 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its stake in Enterprise Products Partners by 8.6% during the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 4,182,229 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $130,778,000 after buying an additional 331,066 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.07% of the companys stock.

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Enterprise Products Partners Stock Up 0.0%

Enterprise Products Partners stock opened at $38.00 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $34.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.04. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. has a one year low of $29.66 and a one year high of $39.74.

Enterprise Products Partners Dividend Announcement

Enterprise Products Partners ( NYSE:EPD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 2nd. The oil and gas producer reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $13.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.44 billion. Enterprise Products Partners had a net margin of 11.05% and a return on equity of 19.33%. Enterprise Products Partnerss quarterly revenue was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.74 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Enterprise Products Partners L.P. will post 2.88 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 30th will be paid a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 30th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.8%. Enterprise Products Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 82.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EPD has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Enterprise Products Partners from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Enterprise Products Partners from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the company from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 25th. Wolfe Research upgraded Enterprise Products Partners from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Enterprise Products Partners from $37.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Finally, Truist Financial started coverage on shares of Enterprise Products Partners in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. They set a hold rating and a $36.00 target price on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Enterprise Products Partners has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $38.27.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on EPD

Insider Buying and Selling at Enterprise Products Partners

In other Enterprise Products Partners news, CEO Aj Teague purchased 2,665 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $37.55 per share, with a total value of $100,070.75. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 77,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,912,978.80. This represents a 3.56% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 32.60% of the companys stock.

About Enterprise Products Partners

(Free Report)

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) is a Houston-based master limited partnership that provides midstream energy services across North America. The company owns and operates an extensive network of pipelines, storage facilities, processing plants and export terminals that transport and handle natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil and refined and petrochemical products. Its core activities include gathering and transportation, fractionation of NGLs, natural gas processing, crude oil and condensate pipelines, and marine and terminal services that enable domestic distribution and exports.

Enterprise serves a diverse set of customers including producers, refiners, petrochemical companies, marketers and end users.

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SLB (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) had its target price increased by equities researchers at Stifel Nicolaus from $56.00 to $61.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the oil and gas companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus price objective suggests a potential upside of 8.55% from the companys previous close.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on SLB from $53.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on SLB from $51.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on SLB from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on SLB from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on SLB from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, SLB currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $54.90.

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View Our Latest Report on SLB

SLB Trading Up 0.1%

SLB opened at $56.20 on Monday. SLB has a 52 week low of $31.64 and a 52 week high of $56.90. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.79. The firm has a market cap of $84.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.54, a P/E/G ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

SLB (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.01. SLB had a return on equity of 15.54% and a net margin of 9.26%.The business had revenue of $8.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.76 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.72 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that SLB will post 2.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in SLB. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in SLB by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 186,455,878 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $7,156,177,000 after purchasing an additional 1,080,999 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in SLB by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 84,417,217 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,263,998,000 after purchasing an additional 799,218 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in SLB by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 54,006,438 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,072,844,000 after purchasing an additional 1,458,650 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in SLB by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 37,095,243 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,423,716,000 after purchasing an additional 482,533 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in SLB by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 33,840,883 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,292,993,000 after purchasing an additional 510,747 shares in the last quarter. 81.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About SLB

(Get Free Report)

SLB (NYSE: SLB), historically known as Schlumberger, is a leading global provider of technology, integrated project management and information solutions for the energy industry. Founded by Conrad and Marcel Schlumberger in 1926, the company develops and supplies products and services used across the exploration, drilling, completion and production phases of oil and gas development. Its offerings are intended to help operators characterize reservoirs, drill and complete wells, optimize production and manage field operations throughout the asset lifecycle.

SLBs product and service portfolio spans reservoir characterization and well testing, wireline and logging services, directional drilling and drilling tools, well construction and completion technologies, production systems, and subsea equipment.

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State of Michigan Retirement System lowered its holdings in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 3.5% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 544,000 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after selling 20,000 shares during the quarter. State of Michigan Retirement Systems holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $44,450,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new position in Uber Technologies during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Uber Technologies in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Uber Technologies during the third quarter worth $32,000. Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new stake in Uber Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in Uber Technologies by 38.6% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 424 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.24% of the companys stock.

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More Uber Technologies News

Here are the key news stories impacting Uber Technologies this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on UBER shares. Weiss Ratings lowered Uber Technologies from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their price objective on Uber Technologies from $99.00 to $92.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of Uber Technologies in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. They issued an outperform rating and a $108.00 target price for the company. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $110.00 to $105.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Uber Technologies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $105.14.

Read Our Latest Research Report on UBER

Insider Transactions at Uber Technologies

In related news, CFO Balaji (A) Krishnamurthy acquired 22,453 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $71.25 per share, with a total value of $1,599,776.25. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 28,742 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,047,867.50. This trade represents a 357.02% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Nikki Krishnamurthy sold 30,000 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.45, for a total transaction of $2,233,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 460,756 shares of the companys stock, valued at $34,303,284.20. This trade represents a 6.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 3.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Uber Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of UBER opened at $74.66 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a market cap of $152.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.85, a P/E/G ratio of 6.83 and a beta of 1.21. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $68.46 and a 12 month high of $101.99. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $73.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $81.71.

Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.79 by ($0.08). Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 43.63% and a net margin of 19.33%.The business had revenue of $14.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.32 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.21 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Uber Technologies has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.650-0.720 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 3.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Uber Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc is a technology company that operates a global platform connecting riders, drivers, couriers, restaurants and shippers. Founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick and headquartered in San Francisco, Uber developed one of the first large-scale ride-hailing marketplaces and has since expanded into a broader set of mobility and logistics services. The company completed its initial public offering in 2019 and continues to position its app-based network as a multi-modal transportation and delivery platform.

Ubers principal businesses include mobility services (ride-hailing and shared rides), delivery through Uber Eats, and freight logistics via Uber Freight.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UBER? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report).

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State of Michigan Retirement System lowered its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 8.6% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 78,567 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 7,406 shares during the quarter. State of Michigan Retirement Systems holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $69,060,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hartline Investment Corp boosted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 153.3% during the third quarter. Hartline Investment Corp now owns 1,421 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,132,000 after buying an additional 860 shares during the last quarter. A4 Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $940,000. Stevens Capital Management LP purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,392,000. Meridian Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 39.4% during the 3rd quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,332 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,857,000 after acquiring an additional 659 shares during the period. Finally, AlTi Global Inc. lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 87.3% during the 3rd quarter. AlTi Global Inc. now owns 29,770 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $23,707,000 after acquiring an additional 13,879 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Alex S. Golten sold 1,116 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $936.18, for a total value of $1,044,776.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 2,578 shares in the company, valued at $2,413,472.04. This represents a 30.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Treasurer Carey Halio sold 2,846 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $927.17, for a total value of $2,638,725.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the treasurer directly owned 2,017 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,870,101.89. This represents a 58.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 35,119 shares of company stock worth $33,261,418. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

NYSE GS opened at $928.66 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $868.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $863.42. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $531.45 and a 52 week high of $984.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $273.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.32.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 13th. The investment management company reported $17.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $15.92 by $1.63. The company had revenue of $17.23 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.66 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 14.13% and a return on equity of 16.02%. The firms revenue was up 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $14.12 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 59.53 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 1st will be paid a dividend of $4.50 per share. This represents a $18.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 1st. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on GS shares. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $905.00 to $972.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Autonomous Res lowered their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $1,047.00 to $960.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $839.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, April 17th. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group decreased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $940.00 to $891.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $922.71.

View Our Latest Research Report on GS

Trending Headlines about The Goldman Sachs Group

Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.

Goldman Sachs core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.

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Tecsys (TSE:TCS  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by research analysts at National Bank Financial from C$32.00 to C$40.00 in a report issued on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. National Bank Financials target price would suggest a potential upside of 13.31% from the companys current price.

TCS has been the subject of several other research reports. ATB Cormark Capital Markets upgraded shares of Tecsys from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating and set a C$40.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Tecsys from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their target price for the stock from C$48.00 to C$28.50 in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce dropped their target price on shares of Tecsys from C$50.00 to C$40.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$39.10.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on TCS

Tecsys Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of TSE TCS traded up C$0.10 during trading hours on Monday, hitting C$35.30. 1,501 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 28,283. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.68. The company has a market cap of C$516.79 million, a PE ratio of 88.25 and a beta of 0.49. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$28.49 and a 200-day moving average price of C$30.51. Tecsys has a 12 month low of C$22.51 and a 12 month high of C$44.86.

Tecsys (TSE:TCS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 4th. The company reported C$0.12 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$48.50 million during the quarter. Tecsys had a net margin of 3.15% and a return on equity of 8.57%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Tecsys will post 0.4600739 EPS for the current year.

About Tecsys

(Get Free Report)

Tecsys Inc is engaged in the development and sale of enterprise supply chain management software for distribution, warehousing, transportation logistics, point-of-use and order management. It also provides related consulting, education and support services. The company serves healthcare systems, services parts, third-party logistics, retail and general wholesale distribution industries. Geographically, it derives a majority of revenue from the United States and also has a presence in Canada and Other Countries.

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Tejon Ranch Co (NYSE:TRC  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $20.20 and last traded at $20.2610, with a volume of 8305 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $19.72.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on TRC shares. Wall Street Zen raised Tejon Ranch from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, March 29th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Tejon Ranch from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d) rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Sell.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TRC

Tejon Ranch Stock Up 3.4%

The company has a current ratio of 4.14, a quick ratio of 3.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a market capitalization of $550.40 million, a P/E ratio of 2,040.54 and a beta of 0.60. The firms 50 day moving average price is $18.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.97.

Tejon Ranch (NYSE:TRC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 19th. The real estate development and agribusiness company reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.01. Tejon Ranch had a return on equity of 0.02% and a net margin of 0.15%.The company had revenue of $21.11 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.94 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Tejon Ranch Co will post 0.06 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tejon Ranch

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Tejon Ranch by 129.4% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 58,095 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock worth $921,000 after acquiring an additional 32,768 shares during the period. Strs Ohio bought a new position in Tejon Ranch in the 1st quarter valued at about $65,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in Tejon Ranch by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 33,448 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock valued at $567,000 after acquiring an additional 1,018 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Tejon Ranch by 10.6% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 52,988 shares of the real estate development and agribusiness companys stock worth $899,000 after acquiring an additional 5,064 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in Tejon Ranch during the second quarter worth approximately $770,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.63% of the companys stock.

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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CAMBRIDGE, England, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Proteotype Diagnostics Ltd announced its selection as an industrial beneficiary in the HER-CARE Marie Skodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN), a European research initiative focused on improving outcomes for patients with hereditary and early-stage breast cancer.

This appointment marks a significant milestone for Proteotype, reflecting the continued maturation of its research and translational capabilities, positioning the company among a distinguished group of cancer research institutions across Europe.

Supervisory team (left to right): Dr. Yen Tan, Dr. Emma Yates, Dr. Klaus Kratochwill

The HER-CARE consortium includes the Karolinska Institutet, University of Cambridge, Institute of Cancer Research (London), Institut Gustave Roussy, Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), and the Medical University of Vienna, among others. The programme unites academic, clinical, and industry partners to train the next generation of researchers while advancing innovation in hereditary and early-onset breast cancer. It integrates genomics, proteomics, imaging, and clinical data science to improve early detection, risk assessment, and treatment strategies.

As part of the network, Proteotype will recruit a doctoral candidate to undertake a three-year PhD project focused on the development and validation of circulating proteomic biomarkers for early breast cancer detection and prediction of treatment response. The project will explore how proteomic biomarker signatures can be integrated with clinical and epidemiological data to improve prediction of treatment response, particularly in patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapies. The work aims to support more personalised treatment strategies and, over time, enable more precise and less invasive care pathways.

The doctoral researcher will be employed by Proteotype Diagnostics and enrolled at the Medical University of Vienna, where Dr. Yen Tan will serve as the primary academic supervisor, with co-supervision from Dr. Klaus Kratochwill. The project builds on Proteotype's proprietary proteomic biomarker platform, which measures amino-acidresolved protein signatures in blood samples and has demonstrated strong performance in detecting early-stage (Stage III) breast cancer, as well as predicting and monitoring response to cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i).

This work expands on Proteotype's ongoing clinical research, including the UK-based INTENTION study, which is evaluating the company's blood-based test for its ability to identify patients likely to respond to CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy in the adjuvant setting. While these therapies have transformed treatment for many patients with hormone receptorpositive breast cancer, a significant proportion do not benefit, and there is currently no validated method to predict response in advance.

Dr. Emma Yates, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Proteotype Diagnostics, said:

"We're delighted to join the HER-CARE doctoral network and to work closely with leading academic partners such as the Medical University of Vienna. This project represents an important step in advancing our proteomic biomarker platform, with the goal of improving early cancer detection and enabling more precise, data-driven treatment decisions."

Dr. Yen Tan, Medical University of Vienna, said: "This collaboration provides an important opportunity to integrate advanced proteomic biomarkers with clinical and epidemiological data to improve prediction of treatment response in early breast cancer. By aligning academic insight with industry innovation, we can accelerate the translation of these approaches into clinically meaningful strategies for personalised patient care"

Recruitment for the PhD position is underway, with the successful candidate expected to start in autumn 2026.

HER-CARE is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme under the Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions.

About Proteotype Diagnostics Ltd

Proteotype is a pioneering diagnostics company dedicated to the development of advanced multi-cancer early detection and personalised medicine tests that measure the host response to tumour development. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive research, Proteotype aims to revolutionise cancer diagnostics and improve early detection, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and survival rates.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Proteotype Diagnostics
QuantumScape, Elong Power, Critical Metals, Amprius Technologies, Sigma Lithium, Lithium Americas, and Enovix are the seven Lithium stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Lithium stocks are shares of companies involved in the production, processing, refining, or supply of lithium and lithium compounds  including miners, refiners, battery-material manufacturers, and explorers  as well as funds that track this sector. For investors, they provide exposure to demand for lithium-ion batteries (driven by EVs and energy storage) but can be highly volatile and sensitive to lithium prices, supply-chain developments, and project or regulatory risks. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Lithium stocks within the last several days.

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QuantumScape (QS)

QuantumScape Corporation, a research and development stage company, focuses on the development and commercialization of solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Elong Power (ELPW)

Read Our Latest Research Report on ELPW

Critical Metals (CRML)

Critical Metals Corp. engages in the mining, exploration, and development of lithium metals. It owns Wolfsberg Project and Tanbreez Project. The company was founded on October 24, 2022 and is headquartered in British Virgin Islands.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CRML

Amprius Technologies (AMPX)

Amprius Technologies, Inc. produces and sells ultra-high energy density lithium-ion batteries for mobility applications. The company offers silicon nanowire anode batteries. Its batteries are primarily used for existing and emerging aviation applications, including unmanned aerial systems, such as drones and high-altitude pseudo satellites.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AMPX

Sigma Lithium (SGML)

Sigma Lithium Corporation engages in the exploration and development of lithium deposits in Brazil. It holds a 100% interest in the Grota do Cirilo, Genipapo, Santa Clara, and Sao Jose properties comprising 29 mineral rights covering an area of approximately 185 square kilometers located in the Aracuai and Itinga regions of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SGML

Lithium Americas (LAC)

Lithium Americas Corp. engages in the exploration and development of lithium properties in the United States and Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Thacker Pass project located in northern Nevada, as well as investments in exploration properties in the United States and Canada. Lithium Americas Corp.

Read Our Latest Research Report on LAC

Enovix (ENVX)

Enovix Corporation designs develops and manufactures silicon-anode lithium-ion batteries. It serves wearables and IoT, smartphone, laptops and tablets, industrial and medical, and electric vehicles industries. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ENVX

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Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH decreased its holdings in shares of Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) by 21.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 85,977 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 23,661 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbHs holdings in Lennar were worth $8,977,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Lennar in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lennar during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in Lennar in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Lennar by 102.7% in the 3rd quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 371 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the period. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Lennar by 39.7% during the third quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 405 shares of the construction companys stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. 81.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on LEN. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Lennar from $110.00 to $100.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on Lennar from $105.00 to $97.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Citigroup reduced their price target on Lennar from $113.00 to $104.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Lennar from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners reiterated a sell rating and set a $74.00 price objective (down from $140.00) on shares of Lennar in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and eight have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $99.87.

Lennar Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of LEN opened at $93.99 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 4.77, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Lennar Corporation has a 12 month low of $83.03 and a 12 month high of $144.24. The firms 50 day moving average is $98.04 and its 200-day moving average is $111.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.21 billion, a PE ratio of 13.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.47.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 12th. The construction company reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.95 by ($0.07). Lennar had a net margin of 5.39% and a return on equity of 7.80%. The company had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.14 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Lennar Corporation will post 5.91 EPS for the current year.

Lennar Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 6th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 22nd. Lennars dividend payout ratio is 28.74%.

About Lennar

(Free Report)

Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN) is a U.S.-based homebuilder and real estate company that designs, constructs and sells residential housing. The company offers a range of product types including single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominiums, serving buyers from entry-level and first-time purchasers to move-up, active-adult and luxury segments. Lennar also develops master-planned communities and manages land acquisition and entitlement activities that support its homebuilding operations.

In addition to home construction and sales, Lennar provides a suite of ancillary services intended to streamline the purchase process and capture additional value.

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Vanguard Group Inc. decreased its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 0.4% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 70,079,435 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 283,775 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 0.12% of Edwards Lifesciences worth $5,974,272,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of EW. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 20,804,416 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,617,959,000 after purchasing an additional 977,933 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,010,227 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,478,425,000 after buying an additional 1,423,365 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 19.6% in the third quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 13,958,774 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,085,574,000 after buying an additional 2,287,783 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd increased its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 14.0% in the third quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 7,908,572 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $615,050,000 after buying an additional 969,030 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 278.3% during the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 5,584,646 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $434,318,000 after acquiring an additional 4,108,270 shares during the last quarter. 79.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Edwards Lifesciences Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE EW opened at $84.20 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $81.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $82.29. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a one year low of $72.30 and a one year high of $87.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.01, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 3.72 and a quick ratio of 3.09.

Key Headlines Impacting Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The medical research company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.73 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.60 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 14.45% and a net margin of 17.39%.The companys revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.950-3.050 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.700-0.760 EPS. Research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Here are the key news stories impacting Edwards Lifesciences this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on EW shares. Evercore reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $93.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Friday. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and set a $94.00 price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a $104.00 price target (up from $103.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Monday, January 12th. BTIG Research increased their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $96.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $95.39.

View Our Latest Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 22,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.16, for a total transaction of $1,818,028.80. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 21,266 shares in the company, valued at $1,704,682.56. The trade was a 51.61% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, VP Daniel J. Lippis sold 1,019 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.98, for a total transaction of $82,518.62. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 33,934 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,747,975.32. This represents a 2.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 86,058 shares of company stock worth $7,118,636 in the last quarter. 0.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Edwards Lifesciences Profile

(Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences is a medical technology company focused on products and therapies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. The company designs, develops and manufactures prosthetic heart valves and related delivery systems used in both surgical and minimally invasive (transcatheter) procedures. Its portfolio addresses a range of valvular conditions, with an emphasis on technologies that enable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as an alternative to open-heart surgery.

In addition to transcatheter heart valvesincluding the widely recognized SAPIEN familyEdwards offers surgical tissue valves and ancillary devices used by cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists and hospital teams.

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Wartsila (OTCMKTS:WRTBY  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Monday . Approximately 20,569 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 52% from the previous sessions volume of 13,495 shares.The stock last traded at $8.95 and had previously closed at $9.49.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WRTBY has been the subject of several research reports. Pareto Securities cut shares of Wartsila from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, January 19th. Citigroup reiterated a sell rating on shares of Wartsila in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Wartsila in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Wartsila presently has an average rating of Strong Sell.

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Read Our Latest Report on WRTBY

Wartsila Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $26.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.26 and a beta of 1.32. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $8.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $7.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Wartsila (OTCMKTS:WRTBY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter. Wartsila had a return on equity of 24.14% and a net margin of 9.08%.The business had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.42 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Wartsila will post 0.24 EPS for the current year.

About Wartsila

(Get Free Report)

Wartsila (OTCMKTS: WRTBY) is a Finnish technology company specializing in sustainable solutions for the marine and energy sectors. Founded in 1834 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Wartsila designs, manufactures and services equipment ranging from marine engines and propulsion systems to complete power plants. The companys Energy Business provides flexible gas, multi-fuel and hybrid power plants, as well as long-term operation and maintenance services. In its Marine Business, Wartsila delivers integrated systems for ship design, digital operations and lifecycle support.

With a presence in over 80 countries, Wartsila serves shipowners, shipyards, power producers and utilities around the world.

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Whitbread PLC  Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:WTBDY  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 20,603 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 42% from the previous sessions volume of 35,587 shares.The stock last traded at $8.40 and had previously closed at $8.30.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WTBDY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Whitbread in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Whitbread in a report on Thursday, January 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Whitbread presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on Whitbread

Whitbread Stock Up 1.2%

Whitbread Company Profile

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $8.28 and a 200-day moving average of $8.83.

(Get Free Report)

Whitbread plc is a UK-based hospitality company primarily engaged in hotel and restaurant operations. Its flagship brand, Premier Inn, is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the United Kingdom, offering standardized accommodation across city centre and suburban locations. In addition to hotels, Whitbread operates a portfolio of food and beverage outlets, including family-oriented restaurants and pubs that cater to both leisure and business travellers.

The companys hotel portfolio comprises hundreds of properties in the UK, alongside an established presence in Germany and select international markets under the Premier Inn banner.

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MENLO PARK, Calif., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) has been honored by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for Company Culture 2026. This prestigious list includes the top 600 organizations across the country that excel in fostering a welcoming work environment.

Organizations were selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of workplace policies and initiatives, combined with feedback from an independent survey of 217,000 workers at companies with at least 1,000 U.S. employees. Survey questions addressed issues such as fairness, acceptance and opportunity.

"This recognition reflects the values that shape our workplace culture and how we work every day," said M. Keith Waddell, president and chief executive officer of Robert Half. "Our focus on integrity, inclusion, innovation and commitment to success, creates an environment that fosters meaningful connections and drives exceptional results for our clients and candidates."

The survey also assessed how companies performed across several culture-related best practices, including access to employee training programs and employee-led resource groups, as well as the composition of the board and executive teams.

"Our people-first approach is designed to create a positive and engaging workplace experience," said JoLynn Conway-James, senior executive director and chief administrative officer at Robert Half. "By investing in career growth, employee networks and prioritizing overall well-being, we enable our employees to thrive and perform at their best."

Robert Half has also been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and by Newsweek as one of America's Most Responsible Companies.

FAQs

What does this recognition say about Robert Half's workplace culture?

This recognition highlights Robert Half's ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment where employees feel valued and empowered to succeed.

How does Robert Half support employee growth and well-being?

Robert Half invests in professional development through training programs, career advancement opportunities and employee-led resource groups, while also prioritizing well-being through initiatives that support work-life balance and a positive employee experience.

How were companies selected for this recognition?

Companies were evaluated based on an independent survey of 217,000 employees at organizations with at least 1,000 U.S.-based workers, along with an analysis of workplace policies and programs. The survey measured factors such as fairness, inclusion, development opportunities and overall employee satisfaction.

About Robert Half

Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune Most Admired Companies and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at RobertHalf.com.

SOURCE Robert Half
Comerica Bank increased its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP  Free Report) by 18.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 337,549 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 51,752 shares during the period. Comerica Bank owned 0.23% of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF worth $46,224,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of IWP. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC raised its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 125.0% in the 3rd quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC now owns 198 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Clean Yield Group bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 74.49% of the companys stock.

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Price Performance

IWP stock opened at $136.11 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $132.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $136.83. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a fifty-two week low of $117.81 and a fifty-two week high of $145.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.53 billion, a PE ratio of 30.48 and a beta of 1.17.

About iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market. It is a subset of the Russell Midcap Index and measures the performance of equity securities of Russell Midcap Index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

Further Reading

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Inaugural class of 10 changemakers driving bold, community-led solutions across Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania

Cohort represents best of African leadership and innovation across multiple sectors including health, agriculture, clean energy and more

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- During its second annual AfricaXchange Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, The Rockefeller Foundation launched the inaugural class of Africa Big Bets Fellows who are focused on driving transformational change across the continent. Ten leaders from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania will participate in an intensive five-month fellowship designed to elevate their innovative solutions for advancing energy access, food security, financial inclusion, economic opportunity, healthcare, climate resilience, migration, and more. The inaugural Africa Big Bets Fellows cohort marks the 60th anniversary of The Rockefeller Foundation's Africa Regional Office, which opened in 1966, with the Foundation supporting charitable initiatives across health, food, energy, climate, economic opportunity, and more for over a century.

(From left to right: Sydelle Willow Smith, Careen Joel, Stanley Anigbogu, Adedeji Olowe, Elizabeth Yee, William Asiko, Rosinah Mbenya, Nina Mbah, Richard Matey, Smart Israel, Nthanda Manduwi, Osei Kwadwo Boateng, Umuliza Njiru)

"For decades, The Rockefeller Foundation has been honored to work with the dreamers, leaders, thinkers, scientists, innovators, and others who have shaped Africa's future," said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "Through the Africa Big Bets Fellowship, we are backing a new generation of leaders who are scaling ideas that expand opportunity, strengthen resilience, and improve lives across Africa."

Across Africa, communities continue to face barriers to opportunity and resilience, from limited access to energy and finance to growing climate and migration pressures. Today, approximately 600 million people across the continent live without access to electricity, accounting for more than 80% of the global population without power. And despite being on the frontlines of the climate crisis, Africa receives only around 12% of global climate finance. This gap is especially stark given the continent's vast natural resources. With the right planning and investment, up to 76% of Africa's energy needs could be met by renewable sources by 2040.

"This year's Big Bets Fellows reflect the strength of African leadership in tackling some of today's most pressing challenges," said William Asiko, Senior Vice President, Africa Regional Office, The Rockefeller Foundation. "Their work shows how locally driven innovation across areas such as food systems and clean energy can deliver solutions that are scalable, globally relevant, and improve lives across the continent and beyond."

The first 10 Africa Big Bets Fellows, who were selected from a diverse pool of nominees from the Big Bets network and external partners, will participate in a five-month intensive program. With peer learning and access to global networking, the fellowship is designed to help scale their ideas and innovative solutions to advance universal energy abundance, strengthen food security and nutrition, and increase access to healthcare, financial tools, green jobs, real-time data on migration, climate solutions, and more:

Ghana  Osei Kwadwo Boateng: Ensuring people in rural Ghana can get the care they need by bringing affordable, high-quality primary healthcare directly to their communities through mobile clinics, tele-health, and local health workers.

Ghana  Richard Matey: Supporting a cleaner Accra by helping the city turn organic waste into useful products while creating fair, green jobs for local communities and informing research relevant to policy discussions.

Kenya  Rosinah Mbenya: Ensuring more children in Kenya have access to agroecological school meals while supporting local farmers to access stable local markets by linking school food programs to regenerative agriculture.

Malawi  Nthanda Manduwi: Enabling the next generation of farmers and innovators by combining autonomous farming technologies, AI-powered simulation tools, and hands-on training to increase productivity, strengthen food security, and build climate-resilient production systems.

Nigeria  Adedeji Olowe: Helping millions of Nigerians access fair credit and better financial services by safely unlocking the bank data that can connect people to the financial tools they need.

Nigeria  Nina Mbah: Supporting Nigerian communities to choose clean energy by building awareness, sharing trusted stories, and celebrating local champions leading the transition through a reality show series.

Nigeria  Smart Israel: Helping communities facing displacement and climate stress grow their own fresh food year-round,even where land and water are scarce- by supporting solar-powered farming.

Nigeria  Stanley Anigbogu: Bringing clean, reliable electricity to off-grid and refugee communities by building solar-powered hubs from recycled materials where people can charge devices and learn about climate solutions.

South Africa  Sydelle Willow Smith: Building a youth-led network of solar-powered mobile cinemas to bring African stories, trusted public information, and new economic opportunities to underserved communities across the continent.

Tanzania  Careen Joel: Helping climate-affected communities in Tanzania make safer decisions about migration and local resources by providing clear, real-time information they can use.

This year's Africa Big Bets Fellows were announced at the 2026 edition of AfricaXchange  an annual convening of funders, practitioners, and changemakers focused on advancing innovative, locally led development across the continent. Hosted by The Rockefeller Foundation's Africa Regional Office, AfricaXchange 2026 centers on deploying the philanthropic capital needed to drive self-determination. At its core was a clear ambition: to ensure that Africa's future is built, financed, and led by Africans, a vision captured in this year's theme, "money, markets, and mindsets."

For over 110 years, The Rockefeller Foundation has worked in Africa to address critical issues of poverty, health, food security, energy access, and economic instability. Established in 1913, the Foundation was the first U.S. philanthropic organization to engage in extensive health work in Africa. The next chapter got underway around the time that The Rockefeller Foundation opened its Africa Regional Office in Nairobi in 1966 and shifted its strategy from largely focusing on single-disease eradication campaigns to multidisciplinary development programs focusing on long-term institutional stability and food security. Even before the creation of the Africa Regional Office, The Rockefeller Foundation supported hundreds of exceptional individuals through fellowship programs like the Warren Weaver Fellowship which ran from 1989 to 2000 and its "RockyDocs" programs which supported more than 130 fellows between 1984 and 2000.

Today, approximately one-third of The Rockefeller Foundation's total funding is dedicated to the continent, with its largest grants centering on expanding access to electricity, supporting nutritious school meals, often sourced from local produce grown through regenerative methods, and strengthening community health systems with data-driven decisions. The Africa Big Bets Fellows represent the next chapter of this legacy, backing leaders whose ideas are already delivering impact, and accelerating solutions. The first Africa cohort follows the successful launches of Big Bets Fellowships over the last two years in Latin America and the Caribbean, United States, and Asia-Pacific.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, YouTube @RockefellerFdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

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Comerica Bank reduced its stake in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) by 7.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 107,718 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 8,084 shares during the period. Comerica Banks holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $34,904,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SHW. Viking Global Investors LP raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 101.4% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 1,957,750 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $672,213,000 after buying an additional 985,520 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,237,824 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $7,529,752,000 after buying an additional 600,119 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 424.2% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 547,583 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $177,433,000 after buying an additional 443,119 shares during the period. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. acquired a new stake in Sherwin-Williams during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $104,826,000. Finally, Amundi raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 14.0% during the 3rd quarter. Amundi now owns 1,897,769 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $639,377,000 after buying an additional 232,436 shares during the period. 77.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $390.00 to $376.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 19th. Vertical Research upgraded shares of Sherwin-Williams from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $371.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Sherwin-Williams from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $420.00 to $380.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 2nd. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $370.00 to $365.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Sherwin-Williams currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $379.08.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Bryan J. Young sold 2,513 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $364.47, for a total transaction of $915,913.11. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 10,045 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,661,101.15. The trade was a 20.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Colin M. Davie sold 2,976 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $359.50, for a total transaction of $1,069,872.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 5,365 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,928,717.50. The trade was a 35.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Sherwin-Williams Price Performance

NYSE SHW opened at $337.21 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 12-month low of $301.58 and a 12-month high of $379.65. The company has a market capitalization of $83.41 billion, a PE ratio of 32.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.27. The firms 50 day moving average is $334.47 and its 200-day moving average is $338.33.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $5.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.57 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 10.90% and a return on equity of 65.26%. The firms revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 11.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 5th. Investors of record on Friday, May 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 22nd. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is presently 31.16%.

Sherwin-Williams Profile

(Free Report)

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers.

The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers.

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Soho China (OTCMKTS:SOHOF  Get Free Report) and Transcontinental Realty Investors (NYSE:TCI  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Soho China and Transcontinental Realty Investorss top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Soho China $214.29 million 1.57 -$15.78 million N/A N/A Transcontinental Realty Investors $49.06 million 6.34 $13.80 million $1.60 22.50

Analyst Ratings

Transcontinental Realty Investors has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Soho China.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Soho China and Transcontinental Realty Investors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Soho China 0 0 0 0 0.00 Transcontinental Realty Investors 1 0 0 0 1.00

Volatility & Risk

Soho China has a beta of 0.12, suggesting that its stock price is 88% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Transcontinental Realty Investors has a beta of 0.51, suggesting that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Soho China and Transcontinental Realty Investors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Soho China N/A N/A N/A Transcontinental Realty Investors 28.14% 0.14% 0.11%

Summary

Transcontinental Realty Investors beats Soho China on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Soho China

(Get Free Report)

SOHO China Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the real estate development, and property leasing and management activities in the People's Republic of China. It also operates serviced hotels. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Beijing, China.

About Transcontinental Realty Investors

(Get Free Report)

Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc., a Dallas-based real estate investment company, holds a diverse portfolio of equity real estate located across the U.S., including office buildings, apartments, shopping centers, and developed and undeveloped land. The Company invests in real estate through direct ownership, leases and partnerships and invests in mortgage loans on real estate. The Company also holds mortgage receivables.

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Itau Unibanco (NYSE:ITUB  Get Free Report) and Danske Bank (OTCMKTS:DNKEY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and valuation.

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Dividends

Itau Unibanco pays an annual dividend of $0.03 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Danske Bank pays an annual dividend of $1.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.9%. Itau Unibanco pays out 4.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Danske Bank pays out 58.8% 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.

Profitability

This table compares Itau Unibanco and Danske Banks net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Itau Unibanco 20.64% 20.83% 1.55% Danske Bank 40.52% 13.25% 0.62%

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Itau Unibanco $30.04 billion 3.26 $8.03 billion $0.70 12.65 Danske Bank $8.61 billion 4.89 $3.49 billion $2.11 11.95

This table compares Itau Unibanco and Danske Banks top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Itau Unibanco has higher revenue and earnings than Danske Bank. Danske Bank is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Itau Unibanco, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Itau Unibanco and Danske Bank, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Itau Unibanco 0 2 2 0 2.50 Danske Bank 0 2 4 0 2.67

Itau Unibanco currently has a consensus target price of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 1.64%. Given Itau Unibancos higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Itau Unibanco is more favorable than Danske Bank.

Volatility and Risk

Itau Unibanco has a beta of 0.65, indicating that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Danske Bank has a beta of 0.61, indicating that its share price is 39% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Itau Unibanco beats Danske Bank on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Itau Unibanco

(Get Free Report)

Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. offers a range of financial products and services to individuals and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, and Activities with the Market + Corporation. It offers current account; loans; credit and debit cards; investment and commercial banking services; real estate lending services; financing and investment services; economic, financial and brokerage advisory; and leasing and foreign exchange services. The company also provides property and casualty insurance products covering loss, damage, or liabilities for assets or persons, as well as life insurance products covering death and personal accident. It serves retail customers, account and non-account holders, individuals and legal entities, high income clients, microenterprises, and small companies, as well as middle-market companies and high net worth clients. The company was formerly known as Itau Unibanco Banco Multiplo S.A. and changed its name to Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. in April 2009. The company was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. operates as a subsidiary of IUPAR  Itau Unibanco Participacoes S.A.

About Danske Bank

(Get Free Report)

Danske Bank A/S provides various banking products and services to corporate, institutional, and international clients. The company offers insurance and pension products, mortgage finance and real-estate brokerage services, asset management and trading services in fixed income products, foreign exchange services, and equities. It also provides advisory services to personal and private banking customers; and business advisory services, including acquisition, change of ownership, strategic development, or international expansion. In addition, the company offers financing, risk management, investment, and financial advisory services for large corporates and institutions; healthcare solutions; and online and mobile banking services. It has operations in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Shares of Tourmaline Oil Corp. (TSE:TOU  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Buy from the nine research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$71.25.

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TOU has been the topic of a number of research reports. Desjardins increased their price objective on Tourmaline Oil from C$70.00 to C$74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. ATB Cormark Capital Markets cut their price objective on Tourmaline Oil from C$74.00 to C$73.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 6th. Scotiabank raised Tourmaline Oil to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce cut their price objective on Tourmaline Oil from C$71.00 to C$66.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Tourmaline Oil from C$72.00 to C$70.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 20th.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on TOU

Tourmaline Oil Price Performance

Shares of TOU stock opened at C$59.83 on Monday. Tourmaline Oil has a fifty-two week low of C$56.72 and a fifty-two week high of C$70.57. The firm has a market capitalization of C$23.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 87.99, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of -0.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.25, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.83. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$63.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$62.32.

Tourmaline Oil (TSE:TOU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 4th. The company reported C($1.72) earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$1.66 billion for the quarter. Tourmaline Oil had a return on equity of 1.65% and a net margin of 5.03%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Tourmaline Oil will post 5.6809091 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Tourmaline Oil Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st were issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 16th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Tourmaline Oils dividend payout ratio is currently 294.12%.

Insider Transactions at Tourmaline Oil

In other news, insider James William Alexander Heard acquired 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 17th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$59.08 per share, with a total value of C$59,080.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider owned 66,476 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$3,927,402.08. This trade represents a 1.53% increase in their ownership of the stock. Also, insider Mike Rose acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$62.21 per share, for a total transaction of C$622,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider directly owned 8,042,678 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$500,334,998.38. This trade represents a 0.12% increase in their position. Insiders bought 18,500 shares of company stock worth $1,149,680 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 5.13% of the companys stock.

Tourmaline Oil Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Tourmaline is Canadas largest and most active natural gas producer dedicated to producing the lowest-development-cost natural gas in North America. We are an investment grade exploration and production company providing strong and predictable operating and financial performance through the development of our three core areas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. With our existing large reserve base, decades-long drilling inventory, relentless focus on execution, cost management, safety and environmental performance improvement, we are excited to provide shareholders an excellent return on capital and an attractive source of income through our base dividend and surplus free cash flow distribution strategies.

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Leading Magherafelt construction company, Henry Brothers, has completed construction on a new 13.5 million Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) MOT test centre and administrative building at Mallusk.

Providing capacity for 100,000 vehicle tests a year, the state-of-the-art centre, which was delivered on time and within budget, includes a ten-lane testing area, seven ramp-based lanes for light vehicles, two lanes for heavy vehicle testing, and a dedicated bay for motorcycle testing.

The project also has a new internal road network, car parking, and an off-road motorcycle driving test track.

Commenting on its completion, Jody Wilkinson, Managing Director for Northern Ireland and Scotland at Henry Brothers, said: Delivered to meet growing demand for vehicle testing, the new DVA MOT test centre has been designed to support high standards of vehicle roadworthiness testing and operational efficiency.

Future-proofed to respond to evolving industry requirements, the facility demonstrates our continued commitment to high-quality, forward-thinking infrastructure that supports both the public and the wider economy.

READ NEXT: Walking for All community programme launches across Mid Ulster

Built on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure, the test centre was announced in November 2024.

It joins a series of new projects for Henry Brothers in Northern Ireland, including the Queens-led Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Centre in Newtownabbey.

Liz Kimmins, Minister for Infrastructure, said: The completion of the new Mallusk test centre is an important milestone in strengthening the future of vehicle testing in the North. Henry Brothers has delivered a high-quality facility that will help enhance the availability and quality of our vehicle testing services here.
Derry Magistrate's Court today heard about a man who went to Strand Road PSNI station in the early hours of the morning and demanded to be allowed in and taken back to prison.

Sean Donaghy (27) with an address at Ivy Hill in Lisburn appeared charged with an assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a random man in Waterloo Place in the middle of the afternoon on April 22.

He was also charged with disorderly behaviour and criminal damage to a T-shirt on the same date.

Donaghy was also charged with disorderly behaviour in relation to the incident at the police station.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

READ NEXT: Judge bans man from entering Derry as condition of bail

The court heard that on April 22 at 1.15pm police were flagged down and told about 'an unprovoked assault' on a male in Waterloo Place.

They were told that the alleged victim was approached by the defendant and asked was he someone else.

When he said he wasn't the defendant was said to have 'repeatedly punched' him to the head and his T-shirt torn.

The incident was captured on CCTV and the victim had visible injuries.

When Donaghy was arrested he made full admissions and said he had been 'partying' for 24 hours and had been assaulted and had gone looking for the person he believed had assaulted him.

Donaghy was released on police bail to appear again in 28 days.

The court was then told tgat at 2. 30am on April 26 Donaghy presented himself at Strand Road PSNI station demanding to be admitted.

He continually pressed buzzer and when police went out to speak to him he became 'verbally aggressive' to both police and members of the public demanding he be returned to prison.

He shouted 'up the 'RA' and started singing a republican song.

Police opposed bail stating that while Donaghy had a limited record most of his offending was for violent offences.

He had been police bailed with a condition he stay out of Derry so there was 'a clear risk of re-offending.'

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that the Waterloo Place incident was more serious.

He said his client could be released with a warning and clear conditions.

Bail was granted and Donaghy will appear again on May 28.
PICTURED ABOVE: HEALTH FOR LIFE. . . . . .The new board pictured during sign off with Andre Talbot Collaboration Ireland, independent consultant who led the process alongside representatives from Edwards and Co, Solicitors, legal team. Front from left, Andre Talbot, Collaboration Ireland, George McGowan, Project Director, Liam Hegarty, Maureen Collins, Damien Harkin, Karole McCauley and Mary Breslin, Deputy Director, Health For Life. Back from left, representatives from, Edwards & Co., Solicitors, Caoimhin Logue, BBHF, Seany Doherty, OLT, Ann McDuff, BBHF, John Mullan, BBHF, Ronan O'Donnell, OLT, representatives from, Edwards & Co., Solicitors. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

A new organisation, Health for Life, is set to launch on Thursday (April 30) following the merger of two of Derrys leading charitable community health organisations - the Old Library Trust and the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum.

Both organisations have a long and proud history of working to improve health and wellbeing across the city and beyond. While the idea of closer working and collaboration has been on the radar for some time, the case for formally bringing the organisations together has strengthened significantly in recent years.

That progress has been driven by a shared vision for the future, strong leadership from both boards, and the commitment to ensuring that vital community services are protected and sustained in an increasingly challenging environment for the community and voluntary sector.

The merger process has been supported by investment and guidance from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Department of Finance, and Development Trusts NI, enabling the organisations to plan carefully and responsibly for the long-term.

READ NEXT: Walking for All community programme launches across Mid Ulster

Bringing everything together under the Health for Life name will create a stronger, more connected organisation, making it easier for people to access services and help ensure essential community support continues well into the future.

George McGowan, Project Director of Health for Life, said the merger is about putting local people first and safeguarding trusted services at a time of growing uncertainty.

This merger is first and foremost about local people. For more than 25 years, both organisations have been rooted in their communities, providing vital services, programmes and activities that people rely on to support their health and wellbeing.

Like much of the community and voluntary sector, were operating in a challenging and increasingly volatile environment. Bringing our organisations together as Health for Life allows us to create a stronger, more resilient foundation so that these essential services can not only continue but grow and adapt into the future.

Every week, thousands of people come through our doors, children and young people, families, adults and older people. This move helps ensure that they can continue to access the support they need, now and in the years ahead.

By working as one organisation, we can protect what matters most: trusted local services, strong community connections, and a place where people feel supported, valued, welcome and part of something thats there for them over the long term.

Mary Breslin, Deputy Director Health for Life, said the new organisation will build on strong community trust while also supporting the staff who deliver services day in, day out.

This is a really positive step. Both organisations are well established in their communities, and people recognise and trust the services that we provide.

Through our programmes, we support people in many different ways  from family support and mental health services to physical activity, food programmes and work with older people. That support reaches right across the community.

Bringing our organisations together as Health for Life is also about sustainability for our staff. It creates a more stable structure that values experience, protects skills and supports teams to work together more effectively over the long term.

Health for Life gives us an exciting opportunity to make services more joined up, with clearer pathways for people to get the support they need. It also gives us a stronger base to respond to changing needs and continue developing services in ways that work for the communities we serve.

Health for Life will deliver a wide range of community based services across the northwest and further afield working closely with local people, community groups and an extensive range of partners to support health and wellbeing.

The new organisation will focus on tackling health inequalities, strengthening communities and helping people to live healthier, more connected lives.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, joined with people across the community for a special service in St Eugenes Cathedral on Sunday, marking the silver anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Donal McKeown.

The Mass of thanksgiving provided an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful work which Bishop McKeown has delivered throughout his ministry and Mayor McHugh today paid tribute to him on this special milestone.

READ NEXT: Honoring Bishop Donal McKeowns 25 years of service to the Derry Diocese

On behalf of the people of Derry and Strabane I want to recognise the work that Bishop McKeown has delivered over the decades with such dedication, compassion and kindness, Mayor McHugh said.

As a leader Bishop McKeown has always been fearless and passionate in standing up for those in need and has never shied away from the challenges of his role. His wisdom and insight has made him a trusted, respected and inspirational mentor and guide to so many.

I want to congratulate Bishop McKeown on reaching this milestone, and wish him the very best of health and good wishes as he enters into the next phase of his life and ministry.
The Stormont leaders and the chief constable have stood together in united condemnation of the latest suspected dissident republican attack.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said it was a day for strong condemnation, not political nonsense, in the aftermath of a car bomb attack on Dunmurry police station, which is believed to be the work of the New IRA.

There was also round condemnation of the incident in the House of Commons following an urgent question to Secretary of State Hilary Benn by Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood on Monday afternoon.

He blamed a small number of people who represent no one but themselves.

A male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on Saturday, a device placed inside the vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station.

The car exploded outside the station as people were being evacuated.

The incident is being treated by police as attempted murder.

The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and chief constable Jon Boutcher, Ms ONeill said they were sending a clear message of condemnation.

We are absolutely united in condemnation of what has happened, nobody wants to see this on our streets, nobody wants to see the fear that that community experienced on Saturday evening, she said.

I dont think this is a day for political nonsense.

I think this is a day for strong condemnation.

This is a day for us to be united in saying these groups have no place in our society, and its a day for us all to say collectively that anybody with any information whatsoever should come forward to the PSNI, because these people need to be dealt with before the courts.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: I think its really important that we do stand very strongly together, that we send very clear messages.

There is a responsibility across all of the political parties, particularly at a leadership level, to be sending a very clear message, a condemnation of this terrorist attack on Saturday night, but indeed, a very clear condemnation right across the piece.

Terrorism is always wrong. It is always without justification, should that have been 10, 20, 40, 50 years ago or on Saturday night.

Lets send that clear message, lets send that clear leadership, particularly to our young people coming up, that this is absolutely not for the future.

It is not our present. It is not wanted, and we need to stand together against that.

Mr Boutcher said an attack on his police service is an attack on all of us.

He also appealed for information to help his officers catch those responsible, adding before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Its everybodys responsibility to call out these reckless attacks, and thats why we stand here today, shoulder to shoulder, in doing that, he said.

There is no place for these mindless thugs, these idiots who think its acceptable to carry out such stupid attacks.

I can promise you, we will use all of our resources to identify them and bring them before the courts.

I want everybody to remember this, an attack on the PSNI is an attack on everyone, on all of us.

Again, I will appeal with anybody with any information about the people responsible to please, please, please contact us before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Please contact us if you know something, even if you think you might know whos responsible.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody.

Its important that we keep emphasising that we do need that additional support when it comes to counterterrorism, when it comes to that additional resource that does need to be recognised, Ms Little-Pengelly said.

It doesnt matter if it is politically inconvenient. It is a reality and we would ask the Prime Minister and the Government to take an objective view to this, to give the resources and support that is required.

Ms ONeill said her party had prioritised policing in their draft budget because they want to have a good policing service here thats reflective of the community it serves.

The Chief Constable said the Government should be taking a taking a whole systems approach in its Troubles Legacy legislation, with the forces lack of resource feeding into the narrative of these dissident republicans.

Mr Boutcher said: We need support in dealing with legacy, with all the civil cases that weve got, so we can deal with them quickly and fairly and properly.

Because when we cant do that, we dont have the resources, it looks as though the PSNI is being obstructive and I can promise you with my history with legacy, we are not.

We are trying to resolve cases, but we dont have the actual resources to do it and I keep trying to have this conversation with Westminster.

Meanwhile the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, challenged both Stormont and Westminster to translate words of support into financial support for the PSNI.

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the PSNI is about 700 officers short of the 7,000 target outlined by the chief constable, and some 2,200 below the figure required for a population of more than 1.9 million.

This is unsustainable and requires urgent attention by both national Government and Stormont, he said.

Two things need to happen. Firstly, we have to have a significant increase in the PSNI budget over a three-year budget period.

Secondly, we must see a change of heart at Westminster on legacy. The PSNI is left to pick up the tab for legacy cases running into many millions of pounds when the Government should be bearing the cost.

Our officers are stretched to breaking and its a dire situation that cant continue.

I am calling on the Government to live up to its responsibilities when it comes to policing and legacy in Northern Ireland. Passing the parcel between London and Belfast has to stop.

During the Westminster debate, Ms Eastwood asked whether the PSNI would be adequately resourced to deal with terrorism.

In response Mr Benn said its funding is determined by Stormont, but added: Weve given a record settlement to the Executive in the spending review last summer and we have implemented the first increase in the additional security funding in over a decade. It will be 113 million over three years.

UUP MP Robin Swann accused Mr Benn of focusing on Barnett consequentials, adding: Why does he and this Government believe if its terrorists in Northern Ireland attacking Northern Ireland people, its only a Northern Ireland problem?

The Secretary of State responded: I would simply say to (Mr Swann) that the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland, be they police officer or ordinary citizen, are beyond price.
Sinn Fein are not serious about Stormont reform, the Education Minister has said, as he criticised the party for blocking his departments legislation in the Executive.

DUP minister Paul Givan said education proposals have taken an exorbitant amount of time to overcome minor issues in coming to the assembly chamber.

At the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis last weekend, First Minister Michelle ONeill said her party would be coming forward with proposals to reform the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, to end the blockage on progress.

She also said the public understand the DUP are who they are and described a very challenging arrangement in the power-sharing Executive.

During questions for ministers in the assembly on Monday, Mr Givan said if Sinn Fein want to start with reform, they can start with their own party.

They can start with removing the blockade on my legislation, some of which has sat for months within the Executive, he told MLAs.

They can start by removing the veto that theyre exercising by blocking it by coming on the agenda.

So, if Sinn Fein are serious about reform, theyre serious about ending the blockade, let them start with themselves, because theyre the ones that are blocking the work of the Executive on a number of issues, not least in education.

And my Bills that Ive brought forward have taken an exorbitant amount of time to overcome some of the most minor issues.

He added: Theyre not serious about reform, because all theyre doing is blocking a serious number of education related bills and proposals which would benefit the children of Northern Ireland.

The Education Minister also said that the draft budget brought forward by Sinn Fein Finance Minister John ODowd is wholly inadequate for his department.

Thats why it wont be getting support from me, and there needs to be significant work to be carried out in order for us to get to a point where an agreement can be reached, he said.

Because ultimately, once a decision is taken on the budget, that is the envelope of funding that I am left with.

And members, indeed from the other side, on those benches, will chastise me for not being able to invest in schools and yet, it is they that hold the purse strings.

So, we will not be in a position to sign off on a budget until it properly reflects the prioritisation that education ought to be afforded to.
Mike Mazzella Elevated to Space Operating Group President

RESTON, Va., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Former NASA astronaut and head of ASRC Federal's Space Operating Group Scott Altman has been named Executive Vice President of Strategic Engagement. Industry veteran Mike Mazzella is stepping up to lead the company's Space Operating Group.

New EVP of Strategic Engagement

ASRC Federal EVP of Strategic Engagement, Scott Altman ASRC Federal Space Operating Group President, Mike Mazzella

Scott "Scooter" Altman has led ASRC Federal's Space Operating Group as president for the past 6 years, with nearly 16 years at ASRC Federal. The newly created role of EVP of Strategic Engagement aims to improve enterprise-level stakeholder engagement by fostering stronger government and customer connections, building strategic partnerships, and aligning the workforce more closely with the company's mission, including shareholder programs.

"Scott has been shaping ASRC Federal's aerospace solutions for more than a decade with customers such as NASA, NOAA and the U.S. Space Force," said Jennifer Felix, president and CEO of ASRC Federal. "His reputation, strategic insights and credibility have helped to secure numerous key partnerships with our government and strategic prime partners, and we are seeking to optimize his impact across the enterprise with this new position."

Altman was a key part in winning and growing engineering contract work for ASRC Federal at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, FAA National Airspace System Engineering in Oklahoma City, and NASA Orion work in support of the Artemis missions. Prior to his work with ASRC Federal, Altman was a NASA astronaut and shuttle commander, as well as a Navy aviator, retiring as a Captain. For his tremendous work in support of NASA's mission, he was inducted in the Astronaut Hall of Fame and most recently was awarded the distinguished George C. Marshall Award in Ethical Leadership.

Mike Mazzella to Lead Space Operating Group

Mike Mazzella spent over 30 years leading space and other civilian businesses at SAIC and has most recently been serving as Chief Operating Officer for the Space Operating Group for the past 18 months. During his time at SAIC, he led some of the fastest growing operating units. He steps into this role with deep knowledge of and respect for ASRC Federal's history including its operations, culture and space team customers.

Mazzella holds an MS in engineering management from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in computer science from the State University of New York at Oswego.

"Mike Mazzella is an extremely capable and experienced business leader who will focus our team's growth and continued excellence in program operations in his new role as president of the Space Operating Group," Felix added.

About ASRC Federal

The ASRC Federal family of companies delivers solutions and services to more than 30 U.S. government agencies. We support our Nation's most critical missions  from space exploration to cyber defense to military base operations and public health. Our capabilities include IT modernization, software applications and analytics, engineering solutions, critical infrastructure and base operations, supply chain management and logistics and professional services. As a family of Alaska Native-owned companies, our work helps secure an enduring future for more than 14,000 Inupiaq shareholders from Alaska's North Slope. Over time, ASRC Federal has contributed to $2 billion in shareholder dividends through its parent company, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. For more information, please visit www.asrcfederal.com.

SOURCE ASRC Federal
Footage has been released of the moment a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Northern Ireland, after senior figures jointly condemned the reckless attack.

The footage, released by the PSNI, shows a person walking along a path before a large flash of light erupts ahead.

The suspected dissident republican attack has been condemned by Northern Irelands political leaders and chief constable, who voiced their condemnation at a joint press conference on Monday.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said it was a day for strong condemnation, not political nonsense, in the aftermath of the attack believed to be the work of the New IRA.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the security situation in Northern Ireland needed to be very high on the agenda at Westminster.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack on Sunday, while Secretary of State Hilary Benn told the House of Commons on Monday that those responsible were a small number of people who represent no-one but themselves.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemns the reckless and dangerous attack in Dunmurry on Saturday, 25th April. Today we are releasing footage showing our officers evacuating homes in the area to keep people safe as the bomb detonated: https://t.co/R9Gi3wYY6K pic.twitter.com/gAWbl0Dqaq  Office of the Chief Constable (@ChiefConPSNI) April 27, 2026

Police chief constable Jon Boutcher said it was an attack on all of us and called those responsible mindless thugs.

A male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on Saturday, a device placed inside the vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station.

The car exploded outside the station as people were being evacuated.

The incident is being treated by police as attempted murder.

The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and chief constable Jon Boutcher, Ms ONeill said they were sending a clear message of condemnation.

We are absolutely united in condemnation of what has happened, nobody wants to see this on our streets, nobody wants to see the fear that that community experienced on Saturday evening, she said.

I dont think this is a day for political nonsense.

I think this is a day for strong condemnation.

This is a day for us to be united in saying these groups have no place in our society, and its a day for us all to say collectively that anybody with any information whatsoever should come forward to the PSNI, because these people need to be dealt with before the courts.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: I think its really important that we do stand very strongly together, that we send very clear messages.

There is a responsibility across all of the political parties, particularly at a leadership level, to be sending a very clear message, a condemnation of this terrorist attack on Saturday night, but indeed, a very clear condemnation right across the piece.

Terrorism is always wrong. It is always without justification, should that have been 10, 20, 40, 50 years ago or on Saturday night.

Lets send that clear message, lets send that clear leadership, particularly to our young people coming up, that this is absolutely not for the future.

It is not our present. It is not wanted, and we need to stand together against that.

Mr Boutcher said an attack on his police service is an attack on all of us.

He also appealed for information to help his officers catch those responsible, adding before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Its everybodys responsibility to call out these reckless attacks, and thats why we stand here today, shoulder to shoulder, in doing that, he said.

There is no place for these mindless thugs, these idiots who think its acceptable to carry out such stupid attacks.

I can promise you, we will use all of our resources to identify them and bring them before the courts.

I want everybody to remember this, an attack on the PSNI is an attack on everyone, on all of us.

Again, I will appeal with anybody with any information about the people responsible to please, please, please contact us before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Please contact us if you know something, even if you think you might know whos responsible.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody.

Its important that we keep emphasising that we do need that additional support when it comes to counterterrorism, when it comes to that additional resource that does need to be recognised, Ms Little-Pengelly said.

It doesnt matter if it is politically inconvenient. It is a reality and we would ask the Prime Minister and the Government to take an objective view to this, to give the resources and support that is required.

Ms ONeill said her party had prioritised policing in their draft budget because they want to have a good policing service here thats reflective of the community it serves.

The Chief Constable said the Government should be taking a taking a whole systems approach in its Troubles Legacy legislation, with the forces lack of resource feeding into the narrative of these dissident republicans.

Mr Boutcher said: We need support in dealing with legacy, with all the civil cases that weve got, so we can deal with them quickly and fairly and properly.

Because when we cant do that, we dont have the resources, it looks as though the PSNI is being obstructive and I can promise you with my history with legacy, we are not.

We are trying to resolve cases, but we dont have the actual resources to do it and I keep trying to have this conversation with Westminster.

Meanwhile the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, challenged both Stormont and Westminster to translate words of support into financial support for the PSNI.

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the PSNI is about 700 officers short of the 7,000 target outlined by the chief constable, and some 2,200 below the figure required for a population of more than 1.9 million.

This is unsustainable and requires urgent attention by both national Government and Stormont, he said.

Two things need to happen. Firstly, we have to have a significant increase in the PSNI budget over a three-year budget period.

Secondly, we must see a change of heart at Westminster on legacy. The PSNI is left to pick up the tab for legacy cases running into many millions of pounds when the Government should be bearing the cost.

Our officers are stretched to breaking and its a dire situation that cant continue.

I am calling on the Government to live up to its responsibilities when it comes to policing and legacy in Northern Ireland. Passing the parcel between London and Belfast has to stop.

During the Westminster debate, Ms Eastwood asked whether the PSNI would be adequately resourced to deal with terrorism.

In response Mr Benn said its funding is determined by Stormont, but added: Weve given a record settlement to the Executive in the spending review last summer and we have implemented the first increase in the additional security funding in over a decade. It will be 113 million over three years.

UUP MP Robin Swann accused Mr Benn of focusing on Barnett consequentials, adding: Why does he and this Government believe if its terrorists in Northern Ireland attacking Northern Ireland people, its only a Northern Ireland problem?

The Secretary of State responded: I would simply say to (Mr Swann) that the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland, be they police officer or ordinary citizen, are beyond price.
Togo, Benin and Senegal have launched free roaming services. The launch, announced late last week, marks the implementation of two bilateral agreements  one between Togo and Senegal, the other between Senegal and Benin  signed on the sidelines of the ARTAO 23rd annual general assembly.

ARTAO, also known as WATRA, is the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly, founded in 2002 to create a unified platform for telecommunications and ICT regulators in the West African region.

Signed in December 2025 in Dakar, the roaming agreements are reportedly a first for the region: two separate agreements aligned on identical terms, reflecting a gradual push toward harmonisation within WATRA.

The Togo First news service quotes Michel Yaovi Galley, director general of ARCEP Togo, as saying: In the digital age, electronic communications have become essential but one obstacle remained: the high cost of mobile roaming. That obstacle is now removed. Thanks to free roaming between Togo and Senegal and between Senegal and Benin, citizens traveling between these countries will be able to communicate as if they were in their home country.

As Galley implies, the agreements regulate international and local call rates, as well as mobile data, with caps designed to prevent excessive charges.

Beyond pricing, the agreements are part of a broader effort to harmonise roaming policies across the region. With this deal now in effect with Senegal, Togo brings the number of countries with which it has free roaming partnerships to seven, six of which are already operational.

A number of other roaming agreements have been announced in the past few years in West Africa, though actual implementation can sometimes be tricky.
South Korean conglomerate SK Group said on Friday it has signed two MoUs with the Vietnamese government to develop core AI infrastructure to build the country's AI industry ecosystem.

Group subsidiaries SK Innovation and SK Telecom signed an MoU with the provincial government of Nghe An in north-central Vietnam to jointly explore developing an AI data centre (AIDC) and related infrastructure projects in the region.

Under the MoU, SK Innovation will explore broad cooperation opportunities in energy solutions, including supplying electricity to the data centre and building dedicated generation facilities connected to Nghe Ans Quynh Lap LNG Power Project, for which it was selected as the developer under a separate agreement signed in February this year.

SK Telecom plans to review options for developing, building, and operating the AIDC while also seeking to secure global demand. The Nghe An provincial government agreed to discuss support measures to help advance the partnership, including permits, administrative procedures, inter-ministerial coordination and incentive programs.

Meanwhile, SK Telecom and SK Innovation also signed another MoU with Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC) to support the development of the country's AI ecosystem.

Under that agreement, SK Telecom will support AI ecosystem development in Vietnam through technology collaboration and investment promotion, while SK Innovation will provide energy solutions for AIDCs and related industries.

The NIC said it will provide institutional support, such as coordinating with government agencies, improving regulations and developing policy, as well as also identifying and connecting local partners to facilitate the projects execution. SK Group previously contributed US$30 million toward the establishment of the NIC in 2019.

"Korean-style AI full-stack" model

SK Group said the MoUs  both of which were signed at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi last Thursday  lay the groundwork for the first overseas expansion of its "Korean-style AI full-stack" model, linking AI model development and validation with the rollout of industry-specific AI services.

SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has been pushing to transform the group into a AI full-stack provider by leveraging its strengths across the AI value chain, including semiconductors, data centres, power and energy solutions, and AI services.

The group has been building that stack via the development of its 100MW hyperscale AI data centre in Ulsan, which is scheduled for completion in 2027. SK Group intends to build the most efficient AI infrastructure model on the market that can be exported overseas  starting with Vietnam.

AI will play a critical role in Vietnam's continued growth, Chay said at a business roundtable ahead of last weeks forum. SK Group has a portfolio spanning the entire AI ecosystem  from energy and semiconductors to AI models and applications  and we will leverage this to make tangible contributions to the development of Vietnam's AI industry.

AI data centres are key infrastructure that underpins the growth of the AI industry. Building on SK Group's accumulated capabilities in the development, construction, and operation of AI data centres, we will further refine a collaboration model tailored to the Vietnamese market, said SK Telecom president and CEO Jung Jai-hun.
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Weekly news roundup: Micron's Sanand ramp shifts India chip debate; Qualcomm Chief reportedly seeks deals in South Korea

Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of April 20-27, 2026:

Micron's Sanand ramp shifts India chip debate from milestone to manufacturing system

Micron's Sanand facility has moved India beyond symbolism into active participation in the global semiconductor supply chain, with early milestones such as integration into Micron's network and shipments to customers like Dell. However, analysts emphasize that the plant's long-term success will depend less on its launch achievements and more on its ability to scale sustainably, stabilize yields, and reduce reliance on external support.

Both optimistic and cautious views converge on a key point: semiconductor manufacturing is ultimately an ecosystem challenge. To become competitive, Sanand must develop strong local capabilities in materials, equipment servicing, logistics, infrastructure, and specialized talentareas where gaps remain. The next 12-18 months will be critical in determining whether the facility can evolve into the core of a broader semiconductor cluster or remain a standalone operation with limited strategic influence.

Qualcomm Chief reportedly seeks memory and manufacturing deals in South Korea

Cristiano Amon's visit to South Korea signals Qualcomm's intensifying push into AI data center markets, with meetings held with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix focused on securing critical memory supplies and expanding strategic collaboration. The rare, CEO-level trip underscores the urgency of locking in server-grade DRAM, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and emerging technologies like SOCAMM as Qualcomm prepares to launch its AI accelerator roadmap, including the AI200 and AI250.

Discussions are also expected to advance potential manufacturing partnerships with Samsung, particularly around its 2nm foundry process for future Snapdragon chips. The move reflects a broader industry trend, with major chipmakers racing to secure memory capacity amid surging AI infrastructure demand.

Huawei's wide foldable move sets stage for Apple, Samsung three-way race

Huawei's launch of the Pura X Max signals a strategic shift in the foldable smartphone market, as competition evolves from a duopoly with Samsung toward a three-way race that includes Apple's anticipated entry. By introducing a wide-format foldable that emphasizes productivity, large-screen AI integration, and durability, Huawei is repositioning foldables from niche devices into core premium offerings.

This move comes as overall smartphone demand weakens, while foldables see rapid growth and increasing mainstream adoption, particularly in China. Huawei's strategy aims to leverage higher pricing power and differentiation to offset industry pressures, while pre-emptively strengthening its position ahead of Apple's arrival, which could reshape the competitive landscape through ecosystem advantages and premium segmentation.

Samsung and SK Hynix race to upgrade China chip plants as NAND demand surges

The AI-driven surge in data-intensive workloads is tightening global memory supply, pushing Samsung and SK Hynix to reposition their China-based NAND facilities as key growth engines while domestic fabs prioritize high-margin DRAM and HBM. As demand for enterprise SSDs rises sharply, both companies are accelerating technology upgrades in Xi'an and Dalian to boost capacity and transition to advanced 3D NAND nodes.

However, ongoing process migrations, past production cuts, and constrained wafer availability have created structural supply tightness, raising execution risks. The success of these China operations in stabilizing yields and scaling output will be critical in determining NAND market balance and competitive positioning in the second half of 2026.

China hands 11.5-year sentence in rare earth, semiconductor data leak case

China is stepping up enforcement against data leaks across strategic industries, treating supply chain security as a national priority as cases involving rare earths, semiconductors, and digital data reveal growing risks of industrial espionage and illicit data flows. High-profile prosecutions highlight the severity of penalties, while authorities also point to emerging gray-market smuggling tactics designed to bypass export controls.

The crackdown extends to semiconductor talent leaks and large-scale data exfiltration in the digital economy, with regulators framing such activities as threats to national competitiveness rather than isolated commercial violations. In response, China is tightening oversight across hardware, software, and personnel, emphasizing traceability, cybersecurity, and stricter control of sensitive information and cross-border data movement.

Taiyo Yuden raises MLCC prices, Murata takes the lead, Samsung to follow suit

Taiyo Yuden's decision to raise prices on certain multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) starting in May signals early signs of a potential pricing upcycle in the sector, driven by rising raw material costs and strengthening demand from AI-related applications.

However, the broader market direction hinges on whether industry leader Murata follows with its own pricing move, which would likely prompt peers such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) to adjust prices as well. While demand for high-capacity MLCCs in AI servers and automotive applications is boosting suppliers' pricing power, industry players expect any increases to be gradual and phased, reflecting cautious customer acceptance and lingering competition across global vendors.

How MediaTek will supply Marvell's next three generations of TPUs

Marvell is reportedly in talks with Google to develop ASIC solutions, including memory processing units and AI inference chips, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics within Google's TPU supply chain. While Broadcom and MediaTek currently hold key roles in supplying TPU-related chips, the possible entry of Marvell introduces new uncertainty, particularly for MediaTek.

Google's strategy to diversify suppliers aims to strengthen long-term competitiveness, but unless it expands the number of TPU variants per generation, Marvell's involvement is likely to intensify competition for inference-related segments, making future order retention a critical factor in sustaining MediaTek's ASIC growth trajectory.

Article edited by Jack Wu
Sean McGovern was involved in surveilling an active target for assassination for the Kinahan organised crime group, a court has heard.

McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday for a sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

The activities relate to the deadly Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud in Ireland.

The non-jury three-court judge heard evidence that one charge of directing the activity of the gang was in the lead-up to the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot in Dublin in December 2016, and the other was around the surveillance and targeting of James Gately with a view to him being shot in 2017.

Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher, from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, told the court McGovern was involved in activities of the Kinahan organised crime group (OCG) in targeting Gately.

He said the Kinahan OCG and the Hutch OCG worked together as one criminal network, and would have been quite friendly prior to 2014.

However, he said there was a falling out and a number of acts of violence in Ireland and Spain  including the shooting of an innocent man in a case of mistaken identity.

Mr Gallagher said this was followed by the shooting of Gary Hutch, a senior member in the OCG, in Spain in 2015 as he was believed by the Kinahan gang to have been involved in the earlier shooting.

Gately was among those who carried Mr Hutchs coffin at his funeral and was an active target for assassination by the Kinahan OCG since 2015.

The feud escalated further including the Regency Hotel shooting perpetrated by the Hutch gang in Dublin in February 2016 in which David Byrne was killed and others were injured  including McGovern.

Mr Gallagher said it became apparent that the Kinahan OCG believed Gately was involved in the attack as he outlined the evidence around subsequent surveillance carried out by McGovern.

He explained the case was being presented by a number of strands of evidence woven together.

This included garda surveillance and searches, CCTV analysis and data seized from phones and satellite navigation systems in a van as well as tracking devices used by the organised crime group itself which were later seized.

He explained the Kinahan OCG had used Blackberry phones reconfigured to use Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) email encryption software to communicate surveillance of Mr Gately in Dublin and Belfast.

Mr Gallagher also provided evidence of GPS tracking devices being attached to Mr Gatelys car by members of the Kinahan organised crime group, as well as a vehicle used by his partner and sister.

He told the court the gang members used nicknames in the encrypted messages, with McGovern identified as Knife and Gately referred to as Mago.

The evidence included communications between McGovern and a senior figure in the Kinahan OCG, identified as Cap.

Two days after the Regency shooting, Cap messaged McGovern to say was sick over David.

Cap said it could have been six of us and could have wiped out a whole bloodline.

McGovern told Cap: They wanted you.

Mr Gallagher said encrypted messages also shows the two discussing possible targets in the Hutch family as well as Gately, and McGovern stating: On my babys life Im not stopping.

He also told the court that McGovern had shared what he called fresh pics of Gately, his partner and children to another man in the gang as they were tracking his partner.

Mr Gallagher also told the court that gardai became aware that Imre Arakas, an Estonian hitman for hire, was arriving into Ireland in April 2017 and was arrested.

He was found with one of the Blackberry phones with the PGP software and a piece of paper containing information on Gately and some PGP account information of Kinahan gang members  including Bon new.

The evidence is continuing.
Views, Amenities and Location

NAPLES, Fla., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In the luxury real estate market, three elements consistently shape buyer demand: spectacular views, thoughtful amenities and an exceptional location. At Avra, those three defining features come together to create one of the most compelling new residential opportunities in Naples, Florida.

Avra at Metropolitan Naples offers a rooftop pool deck with unmatched views of the Naples skyline, Naples Bay and the Gulf.

Rising 15 stories above the downtown landscape, Avra is designed to deliver an elevated lifestyle where residents can enjoy panoramic scenery, resort-style comforts and walkable access to some of the city's most beloved destinations. Located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue South and Davis Boulevard, the boutique tower places homeowners at the front door of the vibrant energy of the city.

With just 56 luxury residences, Avra offers an intimate lifestyle rarely found in high-rise developments. Residences range from 1,890 to more than 6,300 square feet of meticulously designed interiors, plus vast covered terraces with private BBQ grills. Gourmet kitchens showcase Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, complemented by porcelain flooring and Italian cabinetry creating an atmosphere that is as luxurious as it is welcoming.

Buyers are drawn not only to the building's modern architecture but also to the lifestyle created by its unique combination of views, amenities and location.

Breathtaking Views from Every Residence

One of Avra's most celebrated features is the extraordinary vantage point it offers over the surrounding city and waterfront. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows throughout each residence frame sweeping views that stretch to the Gulf of Mexico, Naples Bay and the downtown skyline.

These expansive windows invite natural light into the interiors, creating bright and open living spaces that connect seamlessly with the outdoors. Large private terraces extend the living areas even further, offering residents a place to relax, entertain or simply watch the sun traverse the horizon.

For many homeowners, the ability to experience these views daily, from morning coffee to evening gatherings, adds a unique sense of tranquility and connection to the surrounding coastal environment.

Amenities Designed for Modern Living

Beyond the residences themselves, Avra offers a collection of amenities designed to elevate everyday life. At the top of the tower, a dramatic rooftop sky pool serves as a signature feature of the building. From this elevated retreat, residents can lounge poolside while enjoying expansive views in every direction. The same amazing view is framed by a huge span of glass on the top-floor fitness center and yoga studio making it easy for residents to prioritize wellness without leaving home.

The fifth-floor amenities include an elegant indoor lounge that offers a comfortable venue for casual moments and private events, while an outdoor kitchen with grilling stations provides the perfect space for entertaining friends and neighbors.

A putting green offers the chance to practice short-game skills and share stories and a drink just steps from the front dooran amenity that reflects the active, friendly, outdoor lifestyle that defines Naples.

Together, these features create an environment that feels both luxurious and welcoming, where residents can enjoy the comforts of a private retreat while still being part of a vibrant community.

An Enviable Downtown Location

Equally important to Avra's appeal is its prime downtown location, where residents are just moments from some of Naples' most celebrated restaurants, boutiques, galleries and cultural venues. From morning coffee at a local cafe to evening dinners or a play along the avenue, the downtown lifestyle afforded to Avra residents enables them to experience the city in a way that few other communities can provide. And you can choose to walk, shuttle or drive yourselfeverything Naples offers is just minutes away.

A Rare Opportunity in Downtown Naples

With limited residences available and construction progressing steadily, Avra is quickly gaining attention among buyers seeking a modern downtown lifestyle in Naples.

Its combination of panoramic views, carefully curated amenities and an unbeatable location creates an unparalleled living experience.

Construction at Avra continues to progress with the tower rising prominently along the downtown skyline and resident occupancy scheduled for fall of 2026.

About Avra at Metropolitan Naples

Avra at Metropolitan Naples is an exclusive luxury residential high-rise located in the heart of downtown Naples, Florida. With exceptional design, sophisticated amenities, and an unbeatable location, Avra is redefining modern luxury living in Southwest Florida.

SOURCE Avra at Metropolitan Naples, LLC
Louth County Council and the Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) have officially launched 'Shared Narratives' a new peacebuilding initiative designed to bring together over 1,100 people from across the border region to share their stories and build lasting relationships.

Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), this two year project will focus its activities across County Louth and neighbouring border communities in Northern Ireland.

Using creative arts, heritage, and digital media, the programme provides a structured space for those living along the border to explore shared histories and future hopes.

Read Next: 'Deeply historical' Louth building deteriorating amid 'significant exposure to elements'

The programme is specifically designed to reach voices often left on the margins of the peace process. It features four distinct strands: Aftermath (focusing on new voices and theatre), Womens Stories, Youth and Education, and a strand dedicated to Ex-Prisoners and Security Forces. Participants will co-create a series of public outputs, including a new play, a documentary film, a published book, and photographic exhibitions to be held in Louth, Dublin, and Northern Ireland.

Louth County Council PEACE Programmes Manager Grainne Flanagan said: "We are excited to see the beginning of the delivery of the PEACEPLUS Shared Narratives project. This project represents another important step toward deeper mutual understanding. This project celebrates, highlights and shares the unique perspectives that each individual brings to our shared society."

Tally Knipe, Director of EventWise NI (Programme Delivery Lead), said: "Our team is honoured to have secured the contract to deliver this transformative programme on behalf of Louth County Council. Shared Narratives is about more than just looking back: it is about using the power of storytelling (through film, music, and theatre) to help people from different backgrounds connect in a meaningful and purposeful way. We look forward to seeing these stories come to life over the next two years."

Victoria McCollum of Ulster University added: "Ulster University is delighted to be a delivery partner for this initiative. Our focus is on ensuring these narratives are captured with care and creativity, leaving a digital and creative legacy that will continue to spark dialogue long after the programme concludes. It is a privilege to support participants as they co-create these important public works."

The Shared Narratives programme will run until November 2027, with recruitment for initial workshops beginning in May across schools, womens centres, and community groups in the border region. People can register their interest in advance at www.eventwiseni.com/peaceplus- programmes/

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
The upcoming 50th anniversary of the murder of Seamus Ludlow, along with the recent anniversary of the Dundalk bombing, were highlighted at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Belfast at the weekend by Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu.

The Dundalk deputy was speaking in support of motions 73, which called for a public inquiry into the murder of Sean Brown; and 91 which called for an historical investigations unit in the South to deal with unresolved cases related to the legacy of the conflict, including those involving collusion.

Deputy O Murchu will be the main speaker at a special 50th anniversary event at Thistlecross on Saturday May 2 at 7pm to commemorate Dundalk man Seamus Ludlow.

Read Next: 'People want to stay in their own areas' - Calls for Govt funding to help older people downsize

At the Ard Fheis, Deputy O Murchu said: We remember Hugh Watters and Jack Rooney who were murdered by the Glenanne Gang in the Dundalk bombing of December 19 1975 and also Seamus Ludlow, who was murdered by British forces on May 2 1976.

While we want justice from the British government, we have to make sure that the Southern state that collaborated with those who killed our people is taken to task for how it has failed these families then and is failing them now.

We have to continue to deliver a united Ireland and we have to deliver justice for our people.

Deputy O Murchu also spoke in support of Ard Fheis motion 92, which called for sufficient policing to keep communities safe.

He said: We are all about building safer communities that have the resources and policing needed, particularly in places which have been forgotten about and failed by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for generations.

It is about ensuring that have proper community policing and we deal with the issues of anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and all the criminal elements like those engaged in drug debt intimidation that utterly puts pressure on our people and our communities.

It is unacceptable that this would continue. We need better resourced policing and community policing alongside early intervention for families, and working alongside groups who help young people who fall into criminal actions on the basis of being groomed by those who have had their foot on the neck of our communities for far too long.
Concerns have been raised after several Hawthorn Bushes were cut down in Ardee Railway Park.

Aontu representative for Louth Michael O'Dowd said he was "horrified and disgusted" to see "at least ten bushed strewn across the park.

"It is wildlife nesting season and so it is illegal to cut down bushes and furthermore it is very unlucky in Irish tradition and mythology to damage or cut down a Hawthorn bush.

Read Next: 'Sinister - Racist vandalism reported on Castlebellingham's Main Street

These healthy Hawthorn bushes were used by birds and wildlife, and I simply cannot believe what Louth County Council has done," he claimed.

However, in response to Mr O'Dowd's claims, Louth County Council has denied removing any hawthorn bushes or carrying out any related works in Ardee Railway Park.

The local authority said its Parks Team are now looking into the matter to establish what vegetation may have been removed and to determine who may be responsible.

Mr O'Dowd claims the "beautiful bushes were chopped down to expose a mural located behind then" and for "aesthetic reasons rather than for health or safety reasons or for essential maintenance".

He called for a full investigation into the matter and said "this activity does not fall within the permitted exemptions under the Wildlife Acts and we need to get to the bottom of why this happened".

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
The government are repeating the mistakes of the "headshop era" by not enforcing legislation when it comes to the sale of synthetic cannabis.

That's according to a Senior Registrar of Psychiatry, who says chemicals similar to HHC are causing serious mental health problems.

Dr Brian O'Mahony, who works at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, spoke to RTE's Morning Ireland about the effects that synthetic cannabis is having on people.

HHC is a hemp-derived cannabinoid, but its effects don't last very long.

It emerged in Ireland between 2022 and 2024, and started to be sold in shops across the country.

Last year, HHC was banned and a number of lab-made chemicals that cause simialr effects, or "highs," have since started to be sold.

READ NEXT: 'We need to ban the product entirely'- Irish smokers give their take on UK smoking ban

Short-term effects are very similar to those of THC, which is naturally found in cannabis and produces that "high" feeling.

However, long-term effects are a lot more serious and can lead to devastating mental health issues for the people that use synthetic cannabis products.

"They can develop addiction, they can develop serious anxiety, and in the worst-case scenario, they can develop psychosis," Dr O'Mahony explained.

This is a loss of touch with reality and is one of the "worst things" that can happen to your mental health.

Dr O'Mahony explained how, when HHC was being sold, he saw many people being admitted to the psychiatric ward with HHC-induced psychosis, and now the same thing is happening with these lab-made chemicals.

These synthetic cannabis products are technically illegal, but similar to the headshop era, as they are not named in legislation, they are being sold.

There is a Psychoactive Substances Act within Irish legislation, which should make the sale of these products illegal, but Dr O'Mahony says this is not being acted upon.

He added that the solution "shouldn't be difficult" as the Department of Health has every right to go into a shop and force it to stop selling these vapes and products.
The 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster was marked on Sunday in Cork at Bishop Lucey Park with an annual service.

The event, held by the Greater Chornobyl Cause, in conjunction with Cork City Council, had an added layer of poignancy with the war against Ukraine now in its fifth year.

A plaque honouring the victims of Chornobyl was unveiled in a birch grove in the park.

The commemoration was attended by government officials and local representatives, including the Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and Larysa Gerasko, Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland.

The founder of the Greater Chornobyl Cause, Fiona Corcoran, said this was not only a tragedy that shattered families and communities, but also a catastrophe whose invisible wounds are still felt today.

The pain of Chornobyl endures in the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses, in the isolation of the elderly, and in the memories of those who lost everything,

said Ms Corcoran.

Mr Martin said the human toll is immense and continues to impact peoples lives, even 40 years later.

Reaction in Ireland to the disaster was deeply felt [and] the war in Ukraine has added a heart-breaking new chapter to this struggle, said Mr Martin.

Meanwhile, referring to the shooting at the White House correspondents dinner on Saturday night, Mr Martin said there is growing evidence of an increase in political violence across the world, and we have to be very clear in our condemnation of that. Thankfully, the president and those at the event, the vice-president and others attending the event, were not harmed.
In Cork's Mercy University Hospital, the team has introduced a new way of caring for patients from their own beds called virtual wards.

The initiative allows clinically stable patients to receive hospital-level care at home, under the guidance of a consultant and led by nurses, using remote monitoring technology.

MUHs virtual ward is the designated site for the South-West region, part of a wider HSE national programme developed following successful pilots elsewhere.

The approach frees up hospital bed days, a significant benefit for the hospital and the region at times when hospitals across Cork are frequently overcrowded.

Jennifer OConnell, a staff nurse in the virtual ward, told The Echo: Its for patients in the hospital who are well enough that they could go home, maybe theyre waiting for scans or the doctors want to monitor their blood pressure and keep an eye on them.

Sometimes the benefit of staying in hospital can be outweighed by the risk. Hospital acquired infections pose a huge risk for people. If you dont absolutely need to be in a hospital, its better to be going home.

Equipment

Patients are sent home from the hospital with all the equipment they need to keep track of their condition, allowing hospital staff to care for them just like if they were in the building.

Its 24/7, they can contact us at night or weekends. We send them home with machines to check their blood pressure and temperature, they submit it themselves on an iPad, said Ms OConnell.

Its a big kit we send with them, it has an iPad, a blood pressure machine, a pulse oximeter, a thermometer, and we also can send a weighing scales or ECG machine or a peak flow meter depending on the patients needs.

Afterwards, the equipment is picked up from their homes and delivered back to the hospital.

As part of the service this equipment is collected by An Post after youre discharged. Youll receive a text to organise it and they come and sort it all out.

Ms OConnell said it doesnt matter how far from the hospital the patient lives, once they have good internet.

We have a coverage map that we check. We look at their Eircode and what carrier theyre with, and if their coverage is good then it doesnt matter where they are.

She did say some patients have been a bit apprehensive about the idea.

Happy

Certain people can be a bit sceptical about the technology. But, once you go through it and explain that theyre still an in-patient, most are happy enough. Younger patients or people who have kids in particular are always very happy to go home.

Anna Higgins, service improvement lead for the virtual ward programme, explained that the initiative started in University Hospital Limerick and St Vincents in Dublin. A decision was then made to roll it out beyond these two pilot sites.

Mercy University H

At the virtual monitoring hub in the hospital ward are (rear) Anna Higgins, service improvement lead, Alison Lane, assistant director of nursing, and Aidan Ryan, staff nurse with (seated ) staff nurse Jennifer OConnell with the box containing the Doccla virtual care home monitoring kit. Picture Larry Cummins.

ospital was chosen as the site for the HSE South-West region, and the programme began in November 2025.

Weve had lots of activity since then, about 255 bed days have been saved and weve cared for over 50 patients, said Ms Higgins.

She said that they are receiving feedback all the time.

Common themes emerging are that people are sleeping better at home, but theyre very reassured that they can contact the ward whenever they need to.

They say the technology is easy to use, but again if theyre struggling they know they can contact the team. Theyre still under the care of hospital consultants in the virtual ward.

One patient who had been in touch with the virtual ward team about their condition was admitted back into hospital, so re-admission is always possible.

Expanded

They have already expanded the service since it was set up, and are planning to keep growing it, Ms Higgins said.

We started our ward with two clinical pathways, respiratory and cardiology, and were now taking people awaiting procedures, and with flu or covid. Were hoping to develop more pathways and increase the occupancy on the ward. At the moment we can care for 10 patients at any one time. We would like to get that up to 25.

The service is provided primarily by nursing staff, with medical teams doing the rounds just like if they were treating patients in physical hospital beds. Some support with charts and discharges is also provided by administrative staff.

Its quite exciting for nursing staff like Jennifer because its a new way of working. Were pivoting from physically assessing to doing it through the phone, video calls, receiving the data from people at home so its very different.

Theres a lot of co-ordination and teamwork involved.
Every Tom, Dick, and Harry from Cork city is being sent to an emergency accommodation centre in the West Cork village of Glengarriff, leading to incidents of antisocial behaviour, according to Independent Ireland local county councillor Danny Collins.

The issue was raised during Cork County Councils Western Division discussion of a report on housing provision.

Mr Collins said residents and business owners in Glengarriff were concerned that an emergency accommodation centre in the village was being used as a dumping area for people from Cork city and further afield.

Glengarriff is a small tourist village and should not be used to house people from Cork city who have no connection to the area or West Cork, Mr Collins said.

He said that local people had contacted him about incidents of antisocial behaviour connected with the centre.

The situation was so bad that some local people were afraid to go for walks in the evening and businesses were threatening to withhold paying their rates until the issue was addressed.

Mr Collins added: If somebody is homeless, surely they can be dealt with in that area. Could we write to Cork City Council about this?

County Council officials undertook to raise the issue at an upcoming meeting of the Regional Homeless Strategic Management Group.

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Follows a decade of resilience-focused grid modernization under the ownership of Macquarie Asset Management, BCI and Manulife Investment Management

NEW YORK and BATON ROUGE, La. and PINEVILLE, La. and VICTORIA, BC, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stonepeak and Bernhard Capital Partners ("Bernhard") today announced an agreement to acquire Cleco Group LLC ("Cleco" or the "Company"), from a consortium comprised of Macquarie Asset Management, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("BCI") and Manulife Investment Management ("the Consortium").

Headquartered in Pineville, Louisiana, Cleco is a regulated electric utility with 1,200 dedicated employees serving approximately 298,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 24 Louisiana parishes. Following the close of the transaction, Cleco will:

Remain locally managed and operated with its headquarters in Pineville

Maintain its operating footprint and continue serving customers across Louisiana

Retain employees and maintain compensation and benefit levels

Continue to be regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission

Remain focused on sustaining state leading reliability levels

This transaction will bring investors with deep access to capital, industry expertise and a local presence to support Cleco, a utility with more than 90 years in operation, in continuing to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. The strategic partnership and acquisition will also further Cleco's position as a critical energy service provider and economic development engine across its service territory and the state of Louisiana.

"Cleco provides safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our customers in support of their quality of life, and we take pride in the work of our dedicated, local employees who support the communities in which we all live," said Bill Fontenot, President & Chief Executive Officer at Cleco. "Cleco's employees are central to our success. In the last decade, we've become more safe, efficient and modern. With support from new partners Stonepeak and Bernhard, we can strengthen system reliability and encourage regional economic growth. This transaction marks an important day for our community, our customers and our company."

"We have a deep appreciation for the critical role Cleco plays in the communities it serves and look forward to partnering with Cleco and Bernhard to support management's key initiatives," said Rob Kupchak, Senior Managing Director at Stonepeak. "We are excited to extend our track record of investing in Louisiana's energy infrastructure and believe Cleco is well positioned to be a driver of economic growth within its service territory, while providing dependable service to its customers."

"This investment advances Bernhard Capital Partners' focus on strengthening the nation's critical energy infrastructure, building more resilient communities and accelerating innovation across the energy sector," said Jeff Jenkins, Founder and Partner at Bernhard. "It also reflects our continued investment in Louisianaits people, its economy and its future. Our partnership combines Bernhard's operational expertise and deep local knowledge alongside Stonepeak's experience with similar mission-critical companies to build upon Cleco's century of service in our state. Together, we will drive meaningful economic growth while continuing Cleco's legacy of delivering essential energy service to communities across Louisiana."

Over the last decade, Cleco has modernized its operations and safe work practices while strengthening system capacity, positioning the company to support future load growth and new customers. Under the Consortium's ownership, Cleco invested approximately $3 billion in support of projects like resiliency and to sustain its state-leading reliability. In November 2025, the Louisiana Public Service Commission unanimously approved the largest grid resiliency investment in Cleco's history, enabling further system hardening and expansion.

"Cleco's progress in recent years reflects its strong collaboration with Louisiana communities, regulators and political leaders to build a more reliable system that meets customers' evolving needs and supports economic growth across its service territory," said Aaron Rubin, Senior Managing Director and Head of Americas Energy Infrastructure at Macquarie Asset Management. "It has been our privilege to have served as a steward of Cleco over the past 10 years as the company has navigated both challenges, such as maintaining high service standards during COVID-19 and the hurricanes of 2020 and 2021, and better times such as the growth phase the region has seen over the last few years."

"Together with Macquarie and our consortium partners, we've worked closely with Cleco's management team to strengthen and modernize its operations through long-term, targeted capital investments, reinforcing the company's readiness to meet growing power demand across the region," said Lincoln Webb, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Infrastructure & Renewable Resources at BCI.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Upon close, Stonepeak will hold the majority interest in Cleco.

Greenhill, a Mizuho affiliate, served as financial advisor to Stonepeak, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to Stonepeak and the buyer consortium. Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to Bernhard. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Moelis & Company LLC served as financial advisors to Cleco, Macquarie Asset Management, BCI and Manulife Investment Management, with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Phelps Dunbar LLP serving as legal counsel.

About Cleco

Cleco Group LLC conducts its business operations through Cleco Power LLC, a regulated electric utility company that owns eight generating units with a rated capacity of 2,676 MWs and serves approximately 298,000 customers in Louisiana through its retail business and supplies wholesale power in Louisiana. For more information about Cleco, visit www.cleco.com.

About Stonepeak

Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $88 billion of assets under management. Stonepeak, as sponsor of private equity and credit investment vehicles, provides capital, operational support and committed partnership to the companies it invests in, which include those in the transport and logistics, digital infrastructure, energy and real estate sectors. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Houston, Washington, D.C., London, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

About Bernhard Capital Partners

Bernhard Capital Partners is a private markets investment firm focused on building market-leading infrastructure services and asset platforms across essential sectors. With more than $6 billion in assets under management, the firm invests in complex, expansive and often regulated markets characterized by durable demand. Bernhard applies a disciplined, thematic investment strategy, paired with deep sector expertise and operational experience, to enhance performance, scale platforms and support long-term growth. Bernhard's specialized approach is designed to perform across market cycles, delivering consistent outcomes for investors, partners and communities served across the portfolio. For more information, visit bernhardcapital.com.

About Macquarie Asset Management

Macquarie Asset Management is a leading global asset manager, trusted by institutions, individuals and communities to responsibly manage US$477 billion in assets. Macquarie Asset Management provides clients with a diverse range of investment solutions that seek to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns.

Macquarie Asset Management is part of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management, finance, banking, advisory, and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities. Founded in 1969, Macquarie Group employs over 19,000 people in 31 markets and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

All figures as at 30 September 2025, excluding assets acquired by Nomura on 1 December 2025.

About BCI

British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is one of Canada's largest institutional investors, with C$295 billion in gross assets under management as of March 31, 2025. For 25 years, BCI has built its legacy on performance with purpose, helping its 32 public sector and institutional clients deliver on their commitments. From securing pensions to supporting communities, it's investing that matters.

Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, and with teams spanning Vancouver, New York, London, and Mumbai, BCI puts patient capital to work across public and private markets globally. Learn more at BCI.ca or connect on LinkedIn.

Important Notices (Macquarie Asset Management): None of the entities noted in this media release is an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia) and the obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (Macquarie Bank). Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities. In addition, if this media release relates to an investment (a) each investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group company guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

Media Contacts

For Cleco:

Jennifer Cahill

[email protected]

+1 (318) 308-5175

For Stonepeak:

Kate Beers / Maya Brounstein

[email protected]

+1 (646) 540-5225

For Bernhard Capital Partners:

Ed Trissel / Erik Carlson / Madeline Jones

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

+1 (212) 355-4449

For Macquarie Asset Management:

Lee Lubarsky

[email protected]

+1 (347) 302-3000

For BCI:

Olga Petrycki

[email protected]

Correction: In the 11th paragraph, Centerpoint Partners LLC should be Centerview Partners LLC.

SOURCE Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP
The Taoiseach has led tributes to Cork journalist and broadcaster Barrai Mescall, who has died at the age of 74.

Mr Mescall passed away on Friday in the Mercy University Hospital surrounded by his loved ones.

A graduate of UCC, Mr Mescall was one of the first to be recruited to the fledgeling RTE Radio Cork in 1974, and he stayed there until 1996, when he moved to RTEs new Irish station, which was initially called Teilifis na Gaeilge, or TnaG, before it was renamed TG4 in 1999.

He stayed with TG4 until his retirement in 2017.

A native of Blarney, Mr Mescall is survived by his partner Jo Cronin, who described him simply as loving and kind.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Mr Mescall had been an institution in journalism, particularly in Cork.

Barrai covered many national stories as well, he was an outstanding Gaeilgeoir, very interested in traditional music, and a journalist of the old school who always revelled in getting the scoop and getting the exclusive, Mr Martin said.

I was very saddened to see his passing, a decent man, a very sound person, and to Jo and to all his family, we extend our deepest sympathy.

He will be a loss to his journalistic colleagues and to the world of journalism in Cork in particular.

Similarly, Tanaiste Simon Harris said he had been saddened to hear of Mr Mescalls passing.

Barrai was a dedicated voice in Irish journalism and broadcasting in Cork and nationally, Mr Harris said.

His contribution to radio and public service broadcasting will be fondly remembered as will his tireless advocacy for the Irish language and culture.

My condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and minister of state, said he was mourning a friend.

Bhi an-bhron orm sceal bhais Barrai Mescal a chlos. Bhi se de phribhleid agam a bheith ag obair leis ar an raidio aitiuil. Bfhear e a raibh gra doimhin aige dar gcultur is dar n-oidhreacht, duirt se.

Fear thar a bheith suimiuil ab ea e agus ba mhinic do me fein a ghriosadh lena spreagadh.

Leaba shiorai i measc na n-Aingeal go raibh ag an nGael uasal seo.

Im very sad to hear of the sad passing of Barrai Mescall, Mr Buttimer added as Bearla.

I had the pleasure of working with him on local radio and he was a man who cherished our language music and culture.

He was always encouraging and interesting. He was a voice of our childhood on cork local radio.

May he rest in peace.

Mr Mescall served as a volunteer and a committee member with the Cork Folk Festival, and the festivals chairman, Jim Walsh, said he had known Mr Mescall since college.

Barrai was a great friend who made a huge contribution to the Irish language down through the years, and I will miss meeting him, he said.

Mr Mescall is survived by his partner Jo, his siblings Finola, Margot and Hugh, his nieces, nephews and extended family, Lilibeth Horne and family, and Dan and Aideen Cronin and family. He was predeceased by his parents John and Esther, and his sister Clare.

Mr Mescalls requiem Mass will be held at 11am today, Tuesday, April 28, in the Church of the Most Precious Blood, Clogheen, with his funeral taking place privately afterwards.
As households pay closer attention to how energy is used in the home, amid rising energy bills, electricity suppliers have launched a new guide to help customers navigate their bills and take control of their electricity usage.

The Energy Bill Guide, published by the Electricity Association of Ireland, provides clear information on bill calculations, smart meters, and practical ways to reduce consumption and costs.

Everyone can get the guide at www.eaireland.com

The Electricity Association (EAI) is the policy body for the industry, with members including Bord Gais Energy, Ecopower Supply, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas, Pinergy, Prepay Power, SSE Airtricity, and Yuno Energy.

EAI worked with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) to prepare the guide.

The launch comes amid ongoing concerns about energy affordability, with Ireland continuing to face exposure to severe global fossil fuel price volatility, particularly due to the countrys major reliance on imported natural gas for electricity generation.

The new guide is intended to give customers the information and confidence to make informed choices about their energy use, including switching tariffs, using electricity at cheaper times of day, and accessing supports if they are struggling to pay their bills.

It covers the key components of an electricity bill, including unit rates, standing charges, levies and VAT, as well as how consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours.

It also outlines how factors such as insulation and appliances affect energy usage.

Electricity customers are also encouraged to make greater use of smart meters, which provide detailed data on when electricity is being used.

More than two million smart meters have already been installed in Irish homes and can enable access to time-of-use tariffs, where electricity is cheaper at off-peak times such as overnight.

The new guide launched by the Electricity Association of Ireland provides clear information on bill calculations, smart meters, and practical ways to reduce consumption and costs

The Electricity Association said that shifting electricity use away from peak hours, typically between 5 pm and 7 pm, can help households reduce costs, particularly if theyre using high-energy appliances such as showers, hobs, ovens, or tumble dryers.

The guide also points to newer options for consumers, including smart tariffs, electric vehicle plans, and microgeneration schemes, which allow households with solar panels to earn money by exporting excess electricity back to the grid.

EAI chief executive Dara Lynott said the guide is intended to complement existing protections and supports for customers in a competitive and regulated market that is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

Energy bills have a number of elements that combine to form the final amount, he said.

This new bill guide is about giving people straightforward information so they can understand what theyre paying for and feel more in control of their energy usage.

Making some changes, like when and how you use appliances or talking with your supplier about smarter tariffs, can make a real difference to your overall energy costs.

Mr Lynott expressed the industrys overall concern about the current conflict in the Middle East in relation to energy costs. He said that suppliers are working as hard as possible to shield customers from global energy volatility.

Ireland remains exposed to international fossil fuel price fluctuations, particularly due to its continued reliance on imported natural gas, accounting for up to 50% of all Irish electricity generation in any given year.

The most effective long-term solution to this dependence is the accelerated electrification of the Irish economy, including industry, transport and heating, combined with the rapid deployment of domestic renewable generation.

Increasing the share of renewable electricity, alongside investment in networks, storage and system flexibility, will reduce reliance on gas-fired generation and enhance Irelands energy security.

EAI also recommends strengthening existing supports such as reinstating the free electricity allowance in the Household Benefits Package, enhancing energy efficiency and electrification schemes, and ensuring that State interventions are carefully targeted to support affordability, particularly for vulnerable customers.

The Association added that under the industrys Energy Engage Code, support is available for customers who are struggling to pay their bills, with a firm commitment that no household engaging with their supplier will be disconnected.
By Claudia Savage, Press Association

A 61-year-old man has died after a single-vehicle collision involving a motorbike in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Patrick Deery, from Dungannon, was killed in the incident on the Clanabogan Road shortly before 11am.

A PSNI Detective Inspector Dave Stewart from the Collision Investigation Unit said: Officers attended the scene along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. However, Patrick was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An investigation to establish the circumstances is now underway, and the Collision Investigation Unit is appealing to anyone who may have any information which could assist, or who was travelling in the area at the time and captured any dash-cam or mobile phone footage, to contact them on 101.

The Clanabogan Road has re-opened.
Kenneth Fox

A German television documentary has sparked concern over animal welfare issues in Ireland, particularly involving horses.

Broadcast on public broadcaster WDR on April 18th as part of Tiere suchen ein Zuhause, the programme featured the work of My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue.

The documentary included footage of horses being struck and forced along public roads; animals driven at speed through busy urban streets, including central Dublin and unregulated sulky racing.

Campaigners say the footage has now reached policymakers, with concerns being raised to MEPs as part of efforts to strengthen animal welfare standards.

The reaction reflects a growing expectation among European citizens that animal protection laws must be consistently enforced across all member states.

At the centre of the documentary is My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue, a charity working to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals.

The controversy over the documentary comes as a Fine Gael TD said there is a glaring gap in road safety laws surrounding the use of horse-drawn vehicles.

Michael Murphy, Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, said: A recent incident in Clonmel was shocking and deeply distressing. It resulted not only in a serious risk to public safety but also in the tragic death of a horse.

This was an entirely avoidable situation. It exposed a deeply concerning reality where young individuals were placed in control of powerful animals on public roads, creating a clear danger to themselves, to other road users, and ultimately to the animal itself.

Murphy said it is clear this situation cannot continue, and he is calling for a coordinated national response to regulate horse-drawn vehicles on public roads.

This issue sits across multiple policy domains  including road safety, animal welfare, and enforcement  and therefore requires a whole-of-government approach."

Murphy is calling for the establishment of an interdepartmental working group involving the Departments of Transport, Agriculture and Justice to examine road safety risks, strengthen animal welfare protections and address enforcement powers available to An Garda Siochana and local authorities
Kenneth Fox

Cancer survivors are being left behind when it comes to menopause treatment, according to Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan.

Moynihan raised the lack of access to non-hormonal menopause treatments on the floor of the Dail with the Tanaiste, calling on the Government to urgently address a significant gap in menopause care and warning that cancer survivors are among those being left without adequate State support.

The TD is continuing his campaign for the inclusion of Veoza, a nonhormonal treatment for moderate to severe menopause symptoms, in the Drugs Payment Scheme and in a State support scheme beyond the existing HRT scheme.

He said the current system fails women who are medically unable to take hormone replacement therapy HRT, including many breast cancer survivors and others with oestrogen-sensitive conditions.

Cancer survivors are being left behind by the current menopause care system,

"These are women who cannot take HRT for medical reasons, yet they are being shut out of state-funded treatment options and left to carry the cost on their own.

While welcoming the introduction of the free HRT scheme, Moynihan said it has created an unintended inequality.

In practice, we now have a two-tier system,

Women who can access HRT are supported by the State, but those who cannot, many of them cancer survivors, are left with limited options and substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

Veoza offers an important alternative for women contraindicated from hormonal treatments, but it is not currently covered under existing reimbursement schemes.

At a minimum, Veoza should be included in the Drugs Payment Scheme, and the free HRT scheme should be reformed and expanded beyond HRT to include other treatments, ensuring a fair and inclusive system for all women.

He concluded by stressing the need for equity in womens healthcare:

No woman should be excluded from menopause care because of her medical history. We need a system that works for all women.

The Health Service Executive confirmed this week that the non-hormonal menopause treatment Fezolinetant, which offers an alternative for women who cannot take HRT, remains under active consideration for inclusion on the Drugs Payment Scheme, with a final decision pending the outcome of ongoing pricing and cost-effectiveness discussions.
By Rebecca Black and Claudia Savage, Press Association

Footage has been released of the moment a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Northern Ireland, after senior figures jointly condemned the reckless attack.

The footage, released by the PSNI, shows a person walking along a path before a large flash of light erupts ahead.

The suspected dissident republican attack has been condemned by Northern Irelands political leaders and chief constable, who voiced their condemnation at a joint press conference on Monday.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemns the reckless and dangerous attack in Dunmurry on Saturday, 25th April.



Today we are releasing footage showing our officers evacuating homes in the area to keep people safe as the bomb detonated: https://t.co/R9Gi3wYY6K pic.twitter.com/gAWbl0Dqaq  Office of the Chief Constable (@ChiefConPSNI) April 27, 2026

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle ONeill said it was a day for strong condemnation, not political nonsense, in the aftermath of the attack believed to be the work of the New IRA.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the security situation in Northern Ireland needed to be very high on the agenda at Westminster.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack on Sunday, while Secretary of State Hilary Benn told the House of Commons on Monday that those responsible were a small number of people who represent no one but themselves.

PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher said it was an attack on all of us and called those responsible mindless thugs.

A male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on Saturday, a device placed inside the vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned an attack on a police station in Dunmurry in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon (Westminster/PA)

The car exploded outside the station as people were being evacuated.

The incident is being treated by police as attempted murder.

The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and chief constable Jon Boutcher, ONeill said they were sending a clear message of condemnation.

We are absolutely united in condemnation of what has happened, nobody wants to see this on our streets, nobody wants to see the fear that that community experienced on Saturday evening, she said.

I dont think this is a day for political nonsense.

I think this is a day for strong condemnation.

This is a day for us to be united in saying these groups have no place in our society, and its a day for us all to say collectively that anybody with any information whatsoever should come forward to the PSNI, because these people need to be dealt with before the courts.

Forensic investigators at the scene outside Dunmurry police station (Niall Carson/PA)

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: I think its really important that we do stand very strongly together, that we send very clear messages.

There is a responsibility across all of the political parties, particularly at a leadership level, to be sending a very clear message, a condemnation of this terrorist attack on Saturday night, but indeed, a very clear condemnation right across the piece.

Terrorism is always wrong. It is always without justification, should that have been 10, 20, 40, 50 years ago or on Saturday night.

Lets send that clear message, lets send that clear leadership, particularly to our young people coming up, that this is absolutely not for the future.

It is not our present. It is not wanted, and we need to stand together against that.

Boutcher said an attack on his police service is an attack on all of us.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher

He also appealed for information to help his officers catch those responsible, adding before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Its everybodys responsibility to call out these reckless attacks, and thats why we stand here today, shoulder to shoulder, in doing that, he said.

There is no place for these mindless thugs, these idiots who think its acceptable to carry out such stupid attacks.

I can promise you, we will use all of our resources to identify them and bring them before the courts.

I want everybody to remember this, an attack on the PSNI is an attack on everyone, on all of us.

Again, I will appeal with anybody with any information about the people responsible to please, please, please contact us before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Please contact us if you know something, even if you think you might know whos responsible.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody.

Its important that we keep emphasising that we do need that additional support when it comes to counterterrorism, when it comes to that additional resource that does need to be recognised, Little-Pengelly said.

It doesnt matter if it is politically inconvenient. It is a reality and we would ask the Prime Minister and the Government to take an objective view to this, to give the resources and support that is required.

I am calling on the Government to live up to its responsibilities when it comes to policing and legacy in Northern Ireland. Passing the parcel between London and Belfast has to stop Liam Kelly, Police Federation

ONeill said her party had prioritised policing in their draft budget because they want to have a good policing service here thats reflective of the community it serves.

The Chief Constable said the Government should be taking a taking a whole systems approach in its Troubles Legacy legislation, with the forces lack of resource feeding into the narrative of these dissident republicans.

Boutcher said: We need support in dealing with legacy, with all the civil cases that weve got, so we can deal with them quickly and fairly and properly.

Because when we cant do that, we dont have the resources, it looks as though the PSNI is being obstructive and I can promise you with my history with legacy, we are not.

We are trying to resolve cases, but we dont have the actual resources to do it and I keep trying to have this conversation with Westminster.

Meanwhile the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, challenged both Stormont and Westminster to translate words of support into financial support for the PSNI.

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the PSNI is about 700 officers short of the 7,000 target outlined by the chief constable, and some 2,200 below the figure required for a population of more than 1.9 million.

This is unsustainable and requires urgent attention by both national Government and Stormont, he said.

Two things need to happen. Firstly, we have to have a significant increase in the PSNI budget over a three-year budget period.

Secondly, we must see a change of heart at Westminster on legacy. The PSNI is left to pick up the tab for legacy cases running into many millions of pounds when the Government should be bearing the cost.

Our officers are stretched to breaking and its a dire situation that cant continue.

I am calling on the Government to live up to its responsibilities when it comes to policing and legacy in Northern Ireland. Passing the parcel between London and Belfast has to stop.

During the Westminster debate, Eastwood asked whether the PSNI would be adequately resourced to deal with terrorism.

In response, Benn said its funding is determined by Stormont, but added: Weve given a record settlement to the Executive in the spending review last summer and we have implemented the first increase in the additional security funding in over a decade. It will be 113 million over three years.

UUP MP Robin Swann accused Benn of focusing on Barnett consequentials, adding: Why does he and this Government believe if its terrorists in Northern Ireland attacking Northern Ireland people, its only a Northern Ireland problem?

The Secretary of State responded: I would simply say to (Swann) that the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland, be they police officer or ordinary citizen, are beyond price.
(Screenshot from TV footage of Trump using the Bible as a prop.)

Anti-war, anti-ICE, anti-authoritarian Christians are organising around their faith in opposition to the version claimed by Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth, which is sometimes referrred to as Chrristian Nationalism..

The Trump administration has long tried to wrap itself in Christianity, with Hegseth, the defense secretary, invoking warfare "in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ", the Guardian newspaper and portal reported on April 25.

It noted that 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 administration's policies," according to the Guardian.

The Guardian report came as Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mona Charen opined that "Most MAGA adhere to the 'Church of Trump'  not Christianity."

Writing from the U.S, city from which Pope Leo XIV originates, she said on April 25, "I find it a bit dizzying to watch people who used to venerate religious leaders of all stripes now smack-talk the pope and commit what some have characterized as blasphemy."

- Hegseth quotes from Pulp Fiction, not the Bible

"The past few days have featured the vice president of the United States lecturing the pope on morality and church doctrine; Sean Hannity making it official that he worships at the Church of Trump; Pete Hegseth quoting made-up verses from 'Pulp Fiction' as if they were actual scripture; and Donald Trump styling himself as Jesus Christ.

"A few years ago, one might have wondered how these acts of contempt toward Christianity would go down with the religious right, but after 10 years of cultishness, it would be foolish to expect many defections," said Charen who explained she was someone who "came up in the conservative movement."

For its part, the Guardian reported that since the first time Trump was in office, Christian groups 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. Liz Theoharis, founder and executive director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice," said the Guardian.

The newspaper cited Theoharis and others, presaging the efforts of progressive and social justice-motivated Christians, and that more people are joining them. They want to stake a claim to a version of Christianity that's in opposition to Trump's and Hegseth's.

"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," Theoharis, told the Guardian.

"People are demanding both  to push back against this horrible theology and to live their faith in the public square."
DALLAS, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Three experienced attorneys from the Dallas plaintiffs law firm Hamilton Wingo have been named among the Best Lawyers in Dallas in the 2026 rankings published by D Magazine.

Firm partners Chris Hamilton, Paul Wingo, and Brad Jackson earned spots on this year's list for their work in serious personal injury cases, wrongful death lawsuits, and other high-stakes civil disputes. The three attorneys have been selected among the city's best multiple times, including Mr. Jackson's induction to the Best Lawyers in Dallas Hall of Fame last year.

Hamilton Wingo has continued to build its team of experienced trial lawyers in 2026, handling cases for people and their families. The firm recently welcomed seasoned courtroom attorneys Phillip Ragler and Alex Wolens, after adding personal injury trial veteran Gina Mills and acclaimed plaintiffs trial lawyer Mike Kaeske earlier this year.

Over the past decade, Hamilton Wingo has won some of the largest plaintiffs' verdicts in the country, including the record-setting $7.37 billion verdict in Dallas County, the largest jury award for a single death in U.S. history against a corporate defendant.

Hamilton Wingo and the firm's lawyers have continued to earn professional recognition since last year's edition of The Best Lawyers in Dallas, including multiple attorneys named among the Best Lawyers in America, Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Rising Stars, and many others.

One of the nation's premier trial firms, Hamilton Wingo has won billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements over the past decade alone. The firm's skilled attorneys represent people from all walks of life in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases involving truck, automobile, motorcycle, airline, and other transportation incidents, workplace safety issues, construction accidents, dram shop liability, dangerous products, industrial catastrophes, medical malpractice, premises liability, and industrial accidents, as well as high-stakes business litigation.

SOURCE Hamilton Wingo LLP
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, has resurfaced in Austria after over 200 days away from public view, reportedly living in staff quarters at a luxury chalet as she faces mounting financial and legal pressures.

According to RadarOnline, Ferguson left the UK quietly following scrutiny connected to her past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. The former royal had been residing at Royal Lodge in Windsor with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew. Sources say Ferguson's relocation coincided with Andrew's move to a temporary residence.

An observer familiar with Ferguson's stay said, "From the outside, it looks like she is staying in one of the resort's most exclusive chalets, but the reality is far more modest. There is a growing belief that she is actually based in staff accommodation, which would explain how she is managing to remain there without the kind of expense people would expect."

Questions have also been raised about Ferguson's residency status under post-Brexit regulations that limit UK citizens' stays in the European Union to 90 days without a permit.

Sources close to Ferguson suggest financial constraints are driving her current living arrangements. One insider explained, "There is a wide perception that she is simply too broke to have the resources to sustain a $3,000-a-night lifestyle for any length of time. Living in staff quarters would allow her to maintain a presence at the resort while keeping costs under control, particularly as scrutiny around her circumstances intensifies."

Sarah Ferguson's Efforts to Stay Out of the Spotlight Amid Growing Scrutiny

Another source noted that Ferguson's choice reflects an attempt to keep a low profile. "This is not just about finances  it is about disappearing from view at a moment when attention on her is at its highest," they said. "Staying somewhere discreet, even if it means more basic accommodation, helps her avoid the kind of visibility that would come with a more conventional luxury stay."

The move has reportedly caused discomfort within royal circles. A source revealed, "Andrew helped handle Sarah's relocation, effectively arranging for her to be moved under the radar before she left the country, and it has caused real discomfort among the royals."

A palace aide added, "There is a sense that the situation has been handled in a way that prioritizes avoiding scrutiny rather than addressing the underlying issues. That approach has only added to the tension within royal circles."

Before appearing in Austria, Ferguson was said to be staying at properties owned by wealthy friends, including a home in Los Angeles linked to Priscilla Presley.

Ferguson remains under pressure from U.S. authorities seeking testimony related to her past connections to Epstein. A source said, "There is an expectation that she will eventually have to respond to these questions, but for now she appears focused on staying out of reach. The longer that continues, the more intense the scrutiny becomes," per AOL.

Another insider described efforts to conceal Ferguson's whereabouts: "There has been a deliberate effort to obscure where she is and how she is living, and only a very small group of people know the full details."
Angelina Jolie is being accused of intentionally dragging out the ongoing legal dispute with former husband Brad Pitt over their jointly owned Chateau Miraval winery in France.

Per RadarOnline, the 50-year-old actress and humanitarian is involved in a prolonged lawsuit initiated by Pitt in 2022, centering on Jolie's sale of her share of the winery to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler. Pitt contends the sale violated prior agreements between them.

In recent court filings, Jolie proposed a trial date in September 2027, resisting Pitt's request to move the case forward to April 2027.

The source explained the perception around Jolie's approach, "There is a feeling among those watching this closely that Angelina's current approach leans more toward stretching out the process than actively working toward any meaningful resolution  and for people familiar with how these disputes have unfolded, it is not entirely unexpected."

The source added, "It creates an impression that progress is being dragged out by Angeline rather than encouraged in terms of progressing things, and it appears she's doing it just so she can stay tied to Brad."

Another insider noted a shift in the nature of the dispute, "Increasingly, there is a belief within Brad's circle that the dispute has moved beyond the practical matter of the winery itself. The sense is that prolonging the case keeps a formal connection between them in place, and that is why it continues to be extended. From their perspective, it feels less like a legal necessity and more like something being drawn out deliberately."

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Ongoing Legal Dispute: Frustration and Tensions Escalate

Brad Pitt, known for his roles in "Fight Club" and "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood", has expressed frustration over the drawn-out litigation. The source close to Pitt said, "There is a clear and growing frustration on Brad's side about how prolonged this process has become. From his perspective, what should have been resolved far sooner has instead turned into an extended legal standoff, and he is keen to bring it to a close rather than remain caught up in ongoing and repetitive litigation, per AOL."

Pitt has emphasized that the ongoing dispute has deprived him of "the quiet enjoyment of his home in France." He also raised concerns about key witnesses aging or passing away, which could affect the case.

Jolie has pushed back against claims that delaying the trial would negatively impact the case. According to court documents, she argued Pitt failed to demonstrate how the timeline affected his use of the property or presented scheduling conflicts due to religious observance.

The source close to Jolie said, "From her point of view, the priority is making sure every aspect of the case is addressed thoroughly and with the appropriate level of care. She does not see a modest extension to the timeline as altering the core arguments in any meaningful way, but rather as allowing the process to unfold in a way that is fair and properly considered."

The couple, who met on the set of 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' in 2005 and divorced in December 2024 after separating in 2016, share six children aged between 17 and 24. Sources indicate their ongoing legal battles have a personal impact beyond the business dispute.

The source familiar with their family said, "There is a widespread feeling among those close to the situation that this ongoing dispute continues to loom heavily over their lives, even years after the relationship itself came to an end, with its impact still being felt across both their personal and family spheres."
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.
Low-cost, Open-pit Model Targets Accelerated Path Toward Production

SASKATOON, SK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Triton Uranium announced the commencement of development activities at its flagship Atlas Project in Uranium City, Saskatchewan. This marks a significant milestone toward advancing a new domestic uranium supply as demand accelerates alongside the resurgence of nuclear power in the United States.

Triton controls approximately 46,742 acres of mineral dispositions in northern Saskatchewan, with the majority in good standing through 2032. Following the 2026 exploration program, these terms are expected to be extended for many additional years. Triton is preparing to initiate a 10,000-meter drill program across four priority target zones, including the historic Dubyna Mine area, with drilling scheduled to commence in June 2026.

"Speed is the missing piece in North America's uranium supply," said Todd Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer of Triton Uranium. "AI data centres and a renewed U.S. nuclear buildout are accelerating demand right now, but most uranium developments won't come online for years. The Atlas Project is built to change that, with our near-surface, infrastructure-ready model that we believe can be developed significantly faster than conventional uranium mines."

North America's uranium supply remains constrained, with limited domestic production and continued reliance on foreign-controlled sources and strategic inventories outside Western utility markets. As nuclear energy re-emerges as a central pillar of U.S. energy policy and grid reliability, Triton aims to provide a scalable, domestic uranium supply that meets market timing and needs.

Northern Saskatchewan, including Uranium City, hosts extensive documented uranium mineralization. While exploration and development activity declined in the 1970s and 1980s due to lower uranium prices, the region remains highly prospective, supported by decades of federal and provincial geological data.

Triton's strategy focuses on near-surface mineralization and previously developed open-pit mine areas. Unlike the Athabasca Basin projects that require development at depths of 800 to 1,200 meters, the Atlas Project is designed around a lower-cost, open-pit approach.

The project benefits from existing infrastructure, including service roads, grid power access, airstrips capable of handling large transport aircraft, and multiple logistics routes via ice roads and barge systems. These advantages are expected to streamline development timelines and reduce capital intensity.

"With today's announcement, the Atlas Project takes a major step forward," said Scott Evans, President of Triton Uranium. "Beginning on-site work moves the project closer to advancing a future open-pit ore body and reinforces our commitment to creating value for the company, the community, and North America's uranium supply."

The Atlas Project aims to support northern Saskatchewan by creating jobs and fostering Indigenous cooperation, while adhering to environmental and governance standards.

Additional Facts

About Triton Uranium

Triton Uranium is advancing the Atlas Project, North America's only potential low-cost, near-surface uranium project. The Company is committed to delivering a safe, secure, and cost-effective uranium supply from Saskatchewan's resource-rich North, helping meet future North American energy demand while strengthening Western national security.

Leadership

Triton is led by Todd Montgomery, a 38-year veteran of resource development with experience spanning rare earths, oil sands, polymetallics, base and precious metals, helium, geothermal, and aluminum ores. Mr. Montgomery previously served as CEO of Anglo Potash Ltd., which initiated the Jansen Potash Project in central Saskatchewan. BHP acquired the project in 2008 for C$284 million and has since invested or committed approximately US$8.4 billion toward development.

Montgomery also co-founded the Thor Project, a Canadian Energy Metals project, which was recently announced as a significant discovery of alumina in Saskatchewan. Collectively, Triton's board brings more than 200 years of combined experience in mining exploration, engineering, economics, and corporate leadership.

Learn more about Triton's projects and exploration strategy at www.tritonuraniumcorp.com

Qualified Persons Statement and Historical Resource Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Troy Marfleet, P.Geo., Technical Advisor for Triton Uranium Corp., a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Mr. Marfleet is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Certain disclosure in this news release may refer to a historical estimate. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any such historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve, and Triton is not treating any such historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Any statements regarding exploration potential, development potential, open-pit potential, timing, or cost profile are preliminary in nature and should not be construed as demonstrating technical or economic viability.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's exploration plans, drilling program, development plans, potential production pathway, timing of future work, extension of mineral dispositions, project advancement, and the anticipated benefits of the Atlas Project. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Triton Uranium
A recent column talked about the coffee roasters used by Ohio country settlers in preparing that increasingly popular frontier beverage.

But what was coffee served in? To a great extent, that depended upon ones ethnic background.

As we know, the Ohio country was primarily settled by two major cultural groups: New Englanders who migrated from the northeastern states and Germans who came from the southeastern Pennsylvania region.

Both of these groups had their own distinct ideas about what a coffee pot should look like and how it ought to be constructed.

Regardless of the culture, however, the crafting of coffee pots was the exclusive domain of the local tinsmith, who typically used patterns passed down from one generation to the next. There were patterns for the main body of the pot, the bottom, top, spout, handle, hinge and so forth.

Plain pots

As a rule, the coffee pots favored by the New Englanders were fairly plain. Their shape was often characterized as being like that of a lighthouse, with a conical body larger at the base than the top. The spout was usually tapered as well, narrowing as it projected from the body of the pot to the end. Such pots also had a tapering strap handle soldered at the upper rim of the pot and about two-thirds of the way down the body.

New England coffee pots were usually unadorned, with the exception of some crimping in larger pots to increase the strength of the metal. Sometimes, however, the lids were adorned with a decorative cast pewter finial that had a floral or classical motif.

Highly detailed

Pennsylvania German coffee pots, however, were the exact opposite when it came to embellishment and decoration.

In terms of basic structure, Germanic coffee pots were much more detailed all around. The body was usually formed by two tapered cup-shaped pieces soldered together to create a waist-shaped profile. To this was added a base piece to enhance the stability of the pot. The tapering strap handle invariably had a C-shaped piece of tin soldered into the curve, both to provide the user with a better grip, as well as to give it more strength. There was also a thumb rest for better control of the pot.

Spouts were crafted from multiple pieces of tin soldered together to create flowing, tapering curves. The ends of the spouts usually had V-shaped cutouts to give the appearance of delicacy.

The tops of these pots were dome-shaped  some being raised quite high  with a brass knob or multiple small tin loops serving as finials.

As time passed, more Pennsylvania German coffee pots were embellished with decorative cast pewter spouts, handles and finials, although the basic profile remained unaltered.

1 of 4

Types of decoration

Because the Germans loved detail, many of their coffee pots were adorned with one of three kinds of decoration: punchwork, blockwork or wrigglework.

In punchwork decoration, the tinsmith used a pointed tool like a nail or an awl to create lavish decorations such as birds, tulips or other flowers, animals, dates and so forth. This punchwork was done from the inside out, the purpose being to slightly fracture the tin coating on the sheet iron, allowing the punched portion to oxidize over time, better showing off the punched pattern.

In blockwork, small carved wooden blocks were struck into the tin to create a repousse effect, raising the designs slightly above the surface.

Wrigglework was the most difficult of the three techniques and attempted only by the most masterful craftsmen. Because of this, comparatively few examples of this art form exist.

In wrigglework, the tinsmith employed tiny chisels, struck lightly to created highly detailed motifs that often included eagles, banners, stars and swags, as well as floral motifs. As in punchwork, the idea with to slightly break the surface of the tin plating to allow oxidation to reveal the design.

In addition to decorative work that was an inherent part of the coffee pots structure, both the New Englanders and Pennsylvania Germans decorated their coffee pots with vibrant and highly detailed tole painting. Common subjects included floral motifs, vining foliage and birds.
Jeremy Clarkson is set to host one of the UKs biggest farming events at a time of mounting pressure on the industry, as Cereals heads to Diddly Squat Farm this June.

The two-day event, expected to attract around 25,000 farmers, comes as growers grapple with rising fuel and fertiliser costs, volatile markets and ongoing uncertainty linked to global tensions.

Clarkson said he is genuinely and properly looking forward to the show, but admitted he initially struggled to see its appeal. Ive got to be honest with you, I couldnt see why it was prestigious, he said, questioning who would travel to look at root structure.

However, after seeing preparations on site, his view shifted. Todays the first time Ive been out and actually seen this properly Im really starting to understand it, he said. I think its an amazing show. I cant wait for it now.

The events move to the Cotswolds marks the furthest west it has been staged in nearly 50 years, placing it at the heart of a working farm and offering what organisers say is a more realistic view of modern agriculture.

Clarkson said the opportunity to learn is one of the biggest draws, describing farming as a constant education. Every day is a learning day for me, he said, adding that with thousands of farmers attending, Im going to learn a lot.

For many in the sector, Cereals is more than just a showcase  it is a key point in the calendar for decision-making, where farmers look for practical ways to respond to the challenges ahead.

Farm manager Charlie Ireland said hosting the event at Diddly Squat provides a chance to demonstrate farming in a real-world setting as businesses face increasing cost pressures.

Crop plots in focus as Cereals heads to the Cotswolds

He warned that global instability is already feeding through to farm costs, particularly fuel and fertiliser, with uncertainty around supply becoming a growing concern.

When you walk around a show such as Cereals, you need to have your eyes and ears open, he said, urging farmers to identify ways to mitigate the need for as much fertiliser use and make use of new technologies.

Kaleb Cooper said the event also plays a vital role in encouraging new entrants into the industry, highlighting the breadth of opportunities beyond traditional farming roles.

We need a farmer three times a day  breakfast, lunch and dinner, he said, adding that there is definitely a future in farming across a wide range of careers.

He also pointed to the importance of diversification, particularly as market volatility continues to affect farm incomes. Adding livestock enterprises, he said, can help balance returns when crop prices fall.

Mr Ireland confirmed that crop plots, established last August, are performing well, with early feedback suggesting they could be in strong condition by June due to the slower growing conditions in the Cotswolds.

Visitors to the event will have access to a wide range of features, including agronomy zones, machinery demonstrations and technical stages, alongside a new livestock area aimed at reflecting the need for more resilient and flexible farming systems.

Registration for the trade-only event is now open, with organisers introducing measures to manage attendance and traffic.

The event also coincides with the return of Clarksons Farm, which is set to highlight the ongoing challenges of running a farm business in the current climate.

With economic pressure and policy changes continuing to weigh on the sector, Cereals 2026 is expected to provide a crucial opportunity for farmers to explore solutions and plan for the year ahead.
A new UK-wide commission has been launched as wildfires intensify across the country, with growing concern over the impact on upland farms, rural businesses and communities.

The cross-border Wildfire Commission, set up by the UKs Regional Moorland Groups, aims to tackle one of the few controllable drivers of fire behaviour  fuel load, or the amount of vegetation that feeds a blaze  and turn theory into practical action on the ground.

The move comes as wildfire incidents surge, with 2025 recording the highest number of reported fires on record, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council.

A surge in incidents has also prompted fresh scrutiny from MPs, with the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee launching an inquiry into the growing threat, signalling increasing political focus on the issue.

Recent events have underlined the scale of the challenge. The Carrbridge and Dava Moor wildfire in Scotland, believed to be the worst in the countrys history, burned through more than 11,800 hectares of land, including grazing areas, and required a major response involving over 100 people from rural businesses and estates working alongside fire crews.

Significant resources were deployed, including specialist vehicles and equipment, with the value of assets used by land managers alone estimated at around 4m  highlighting both the cost and complexity of tackling large-scale fires for those managing the land.

Against this backdrop, the commission held its first meeting in London on 23 April, bringing together land managers, fire and rescue services and academics to focus on how fuel loads are measured, managed and reduced across different landscapes.

Mark Ewart, National Engagement Manager for Scotlands Regional Moorland Groups, said wildfire is no longer a distant or occasional threat but an escalating risk.

He said the commission is focused on what actually makes a difference on the ground, arguing that fuel load is the key factor we can influence when it comes to improving resilience and protecting lives.

For farmers and land managers, this includes approaches such as grazing management, cutting and controlled burning to reduce excess vegetation and lower fire risk.

The aim is to develop practical, regionally tailored approaches that can be applied consistently at scale  moving beyond discussion towards delivery.

Richard Bailey, Coordinator of the Peak District Moorland Group, said the initiative must lead to real, tangible actions on the ground, warning that progress in reducing wildfire impact is long overdue.

Iona McGregor, Regional Coordinator for the Angus Glens and Grampian Moorland Groups, said recent fires have exposed the need for better understanding of how fuel behaves across different terrains.

She said there is a need for a more consistent and shared understanding of fuel conditions and how risk can be reduced before fires start.

The commission will now run a series of regional workshops to develop evidence-based approaches tailored to local conditions, bringing together practical experience with scientific research.

The aim is to shift wildfire planning away from theory and towards coordinated, practical action that can be delivered by those managing the land.

However, organisers acknowledge that implementation will be complex, with different landscapes requiring different approaches and close coordination between farmers, land managers and emergency services.

With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe, the stakes are rising. Without effective action, the risk of damage to grazing land, farm infrastructure and rural livelihoods is expected to increase, placing further pressure on those working in upland areas.
Seven men have been charged following a suspected hare coursing incident in Wiltshire, in a case highlighting the continued impact of rural crime on farming communities.

Police were called in the early hours of Saturday (25 April) to reports of three vehicles coursing across farmland near Ludgershall.

One vehicle was stopped after a pursuit on the A303 in Hampshire, while another was later found abandoned.

Officers arrested seven individuals after discovering dead hares, lurcher dogs and equipment linked to poaching inside the vehicles.

All seven have been charged with being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs. They have been bailed to appear before Salisbury Magistrates Court in August.

Hare coursing remains a serious issue in rural areas, often linked to criminal damage, trespass and intimidation of landowners, as well as wider organised criminal activity. Incidents can leave farmers facing damaged crops, broken fencing and significant disruption to their businesses.

Police said the arrests form part of ongoing efforts to tackle rural crime and protect farming communities.

Superintendent Conway Duncan said: We recognise the impact crimes like hare coursing have on our rural and farming communities.

He added that officers will take robust action against those responsible and urged the public to report incidents immediately. If you see hare coursing taking place, ring 999 to report a crime in progress.

The latest case comes amid increased enforcement activity, with officers recently disrupting more than 50 suspected poachers and hare coursers during a major operation in Cambridgeshire involving drones, air support and roadblocks.

In a separate case, two men were fined and banned for a decade after admitting hare coursing on farmland in Lincolnshire, as courts and police step up efforts to tackle wildlife crime.

Police say they will continue using specialist resources and court orders to disrupt offending, protect wildlife and reassure farming communities.

The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by rural crime, with farmers continuing to face damage, financial loss and uncertainty as a result of illegal activity on their land.
BTS recently dropped their 5th studio album ARIRANG. They released the album on March 20, 2026, as a part of their post military comeback. They are also going on a world tour soon. Interestingly, the album has broken multiple records and set the stage for BTS after the completion of their military tenures.





While rumours about their disbanding was going around on social media, the agency did not respond to them before. Now, a top official from BIGHIT has opened up on BTS' disbandment rumours, debunking negative social media narratives around them. Kim Hyun Jung, the Vice President of BIGHIT MUSIC dismissed speculations and called them "absurd."



During an interview with JoongAng Ilbo, Kim said, "If the members hear that, they'll think it's pretty absurd. The relationship between them is very close, extremely strong." She shared that RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are close to each other and interested in continuing to do music as a team.



The rumours also come around the time when the members have produced successful solo music as well. From new tracks to filled stadiums, the BTS members utilised the time away from group activities to focus on their solo ventures. However, when the time came, they also reunited for their group album.



Kim opened up about Jin's absence as one of the songwriters in their new album. She revealed, "At the time, Jin was balancing a solo tour schedule, and by the time he joined the production, the songwriting was already significantly advanced. He participated in the preparation process, such as test recordings, but it did not lead to the type of work that is ultimately included in the credits."



While Jin could not be there during the creative processes, he did not want the release to be pushed further.





Now the group is getting ready for the ARIRANG world tour. The 2026-2027 global tour will feature more than 85 shows across 34 cities in South Korea, North America, Europe and Asia.




Fan pressure prompted soft launch?

Shruti Haasan for special song

It looks like the long suspense surrounding the release date of Ram Charans upcoming film Peddi has finally ended. The rustic action drama will hit theatres on June 25, a date that had been widely speculated. Director Buchi Babu Sana shared the much-awaited release update at the pre-release event of the Dhanush-starrer Kara on Sunday in Hyderabad. The announcement was met with cheers from the packed crowd at the venue. While the news was expected to be unveiled on a grand scale, many fans are calling the development a soft launch.Peddi, co-starring Janhvi Kapoor and Shivarajkumar, had faced two postponements this year. It missed its initial March slot as well as an April date. These delays led to heavy pressure from fans on social media, who were constantly demanding a concrete update from the director. More than a song, they wanted the release date to be confirmed. Buchi Babu finally gave in to that pressure at the public event. Such on-stage reveals often go viral instantly. This spontaneous declaration has created a buzz among Mega fans.Meanwhile, the film is in its final leg of production. The team is currently filming a special song in Hyderabad. This dance number, choreographed by Jani Master, features Ram Charan and Shruti Haasan together. The period film is set in the 1980s. The special song is expected to have a folksy flavour. AR Rahman appears to have tapped into the natural energy of this sports-based action drama. The soundtrack has already stood out for its uniqueness. Chikiri Chikiri and Rai Rai Raa Raa have emerged as lively tracks. This new folk number is expected to be a major highlight for the masses. Rahman has balanced the period setting with modern, foot-tapping beats. The shoot will wrap up once this vibrant song is completed this week.After Peddi, Pushpa maker Sukumar will wield the megaphone for Ram Charans next film. The project is expected to be announced during the Peddi promotions or immediately after the films theatrical release.
Chinese EVs gain popularity in BiH amid fuel price hike

Xinhua) 10:32, April 27, 2026

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Die Eskalation im Iran-Konflikt hat die Energiepreise mit voller Wucht nach oben getrieben. Was zunachst nach einer kurzfristigen Reaktion aussah, entwickelt sich zunehmend zu einem strukturellen Problem: Die Strae von Hormus ist blockiert, wichtige LNG- und Olanlagen stehen still oder werden gezielt angegriffen. Eine schnelle Entspannung ist nicht in Sicht  im Gegenteil, die Lage spitzt sich weiter zu.



Fur die Weltwirtschaft bedeutet dies wachsende Risiken. Steigende Energiepreise erhohen den Inflationsdruck, gefahrden Zinssenkungen und bringen die ohnehin hoch bewerteten Aktienmarkte ins Wanken. Doch wo Risiken entstehen, ergeben sich auch Chancen.



Denn von einem dauerhaft hoheren Energiepreisniveau profitieren nicht nur Ol- und Gasunternehmen. Auch Versorger, erneuerbare Energien sowie ausgewahlte Rohstoff- und Agrarwerte rucken in den Fokus. In diesem Umfeld konnten gezielt ausgewahlte Unternehmen uberdurchschnittlich profitieren  unabhangig davon, ob die Krise anhalt oder nicht.



In unserem aktuellen Spezialreport stellen wir drei Aktien vor, die genau dieses Profil erfullen: Krisenprofiteure mit solidem Geschaftsmodell, attraktiver Bewertung und langfristigem Potenzial.



Jetzt den kostenlosen Report sichern  und Ihr Depot auf den Energiepreisschock vorbereiten!
Wuhu, Anhui, China--(Newsfile Corp. - April 26, 2026) - On the heels of its global Brand Night, FREELANDER has officially unveiled the production-intent show model of its first nameplate, FREELANDER 8, and officially embarks on its global journey.

Developed under the leadership of Phil Simmons, Director of the FREELANDER Design Hub, the FREELANDER 8 brings to life the brand's four core principles - British Unconventionality, Contemporary Premium, Creative Intelligence and Expressive - while staying true to the pioneering spirit born with the original FREELANDER in 1997.

"British craftsmanship is not just about heritage - it's about bringing timeless design to life in a contemporary way," said Lucia Mao, CEO of FREELANDER International. "Every line, every surface, every intelligent feature of our vehicle is a statement of who we are: a British premium intelligent all-terrain brand, fully reborn."

1.FREELANDER 8 Production-intent Show Model Makes Global Debut: First Complete Look at the Legend Reborn

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The FREELANDER 8 is rooted in eight curated design philosophy elements, with each detail honoring the past while embracing the future.

Castle Body Design

Built on the principle of a strong, grounded lower body paired with a tapering, light upper cabin, the iconic Castle Body design gives the FREELANDER 8 a confident stance - a signature that has defined FREELANDER for decades.

Signature Triangle Window

Originating from the original FREELANDER, the triangular side window remains a defining brand element. It is the direct inspiration behind the FREELANDER brand symbol unveiled at the Brand Night.

Interlocking Headlights

Redesigned for the new era, the headlights on the FREELANDER 8 feature distinctive square light modules and sharp horizontal light blades, creating a bold, technical, yet distinctly British face.

1.FREELANDER 8 Production-intent Show Model Makes Global Debut: First Complete Look at the Legend Reborn

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Floating Taillights

At the rear, the floating taillight design echoes the front headlamps, carrying the signature family triangle detail into a clean, cohesive geometric pattern.

Dual-Peak Hood

The iconic dual-peak hood returns on the FREELANDER 8, with sharp, distinctive character lines that flow seamlessly into the headlamps, reinforcing the vehicle's muscular yet refined front profile.

Commanding Front-Row Seats

Inside the FREELANDER 8, the classic elevated commander position returns, offering drivers a commanding view of the road and a sense of total confidence behind the wheel.

Surround View Gallery - Segment largest Integrated Screen

The FREELANDER 8 features the segment's largest Mini LED integrated screen, pulling in real-time vehicle status, road conditions, weather and navigation data - everything the modern explorer needs.

Zero-Gravity Rear Seats

For passengers in the second row, first-class comfort comes standard. The zero-gravity seats in the FREELANDER 8 are engineered to melt away fatigue, even on the longest journeys.

A Global Design Legacy, Reborn

"This is not a continuation - this is a leap forward," added Lucia Mao. "The legend is not stuck in the past. It is stepping into a new chapter, and the FREELANDER 8 proves exactly that."

With this debut, FREELANDER's global journey has officially begun. The production-intent show model is no longer a vision - it is a reality coming to life. In the near future, FREELANDER 8 will meet customers around the world.

The legend is reborn. And everything we promised is becoming real.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294286

Source: Plentisoft
Collaboration combines Veolia's advanced water reuse technologies with Amazon AI and cloud capabilities to advance more sustainable strategies for data center infrastructure

This supports Amazon's goal to be water positive in direct data center operations by 2030 and aligns with the objectives of Veolia's Green Up strategic program regarding resource preservation, pollution control, and decarbonization

This project is part of Veolia's Data Center Resource 360 new offering, designed to optimize resources management for next-generation data centers

Regulatory News:

Veolia (Paris:VIE) is working with Amazon to reduce data center water use and advance water reuse in Amazon's data center operations in Mississippi, contributing to local water resilience while supporting Amazon's goal to be water positive across its direct data center operations by 2030.

Turning Wastewater into Cooling Power for Data Centers

The first facility is expected to be operational in 2027, making it the first Amazon data center in Mississippi to use reclaimed water for cooling. Veolia, world leader in water technologies, will deploy autonomous, innovative containerized treatment systems that will transform effluent from nearby wastewater treatment plants and other available sources into cooling water that meets the quality standards required for industrial cooling processes.

The project is expected to reuse more than 83 million gallons of potable water per year once fully operational, equivalent to the annual water use of approximately 760 U.S. homes estimated to be equivalent to the volume of water the data center would otherwise draw from local groundwater and potable water supplies.

The modular, containerized design of Veolia's water treatment systems enables scalable deployment, allowing it to replicate the solution at Amazon facilities around the world where conditions are suitable, working alongside its industrial and municipal clients. This approach supports both partners' ambition to advance responsible water stewardship and more sustainable data centers operations.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Amazon to secure its water needs in Mississippi while protecting the local community's resources this is environmental security in action. By combining Veolia's water expertise with Amazon's AI technologies, we're transforming data centers into engines of innovation for sustainability. This solution builds on our newly launched offering for data centers," highlighted Estelle Brachlianoff, Chief Executive Officer at Veolia.

AI-Enhanced Water Treatment Operations

As part of its broader strategic collaboration, Amazon Web Services (AWS) will continue to support Veolia in developing AI-enhanced solutions to deliver real-time process optimization, predictive maintenance, and operational intelligence maximizing efficiency and reducing resource consumption across Veolia's global network of water treatment operations.

These capabilities will be hosted on Amazon infrastructure, leveraging the full suite of Amazon AI, machine learning, and generative AI technologies.

"Through our collaborative work on AI applied to water treatment, Veolia will be able to further drive innovation and enhance the efficiency of on-site teams thanks to automated analytics, actionable recommendations, optimized inventory management, and streamlined maintenance. We're pleased to join forces with Veolia to advance more sustainable water use strategies while helping it pioneer more efficient water treatment solutions for customers worldwide," stated Will Hewes, Amazon's Global Water Stewardship Lead.

ABOUT AMAZON WEB SERVICES (AWS)

Amazon Web Services is guided by customer obsession, pace of innovation, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. By democratizing technology for nearly two decades and making cloud computing and generative AI accessible to organizations of every size and industry, AWS has built one of the fastest-growing enterprise technology businesses in history. Millions of customers trust AWS to accelerate innovation, transform their businesses, and shape the future. With the most comprehensive AI capabilities and global infrastructure footprint, AWS empowers builders to turn big ideas into reality. Learn more at aws.amazon.com and follow @AWSNewsroom

ABOUT VEOLIA

Veolia, a global leader in environmental services, works every day to build environmental security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and regions. With 215,000 employees across five continents, working closely with local communities, and thanks to its cutting-edge technologies, the group cleans up pollution, reduces carbon emissions, and regenerates resources through concrete solutions that combine its expertise in water and water technologies, waste including hazardous waste management, and local energy. In 2025, the Veolia group served 110 million people with drinking water and 97 million with sanitation, produced 45 million megawatt hours of energy, and treated 64 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE, Fortune 500, SBF 120) generated consolidated revenue of 44.4 billion in 2025. www.veolia.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260426797913/en/

Contacts:

VEOLIA CONTACTS



MEDIA RELATIONS

Laurent Obadia Evgeniya Mazalova

Anna Beaubatie Aurelien Sarrosquy

Charline Bouchereau

presse.groupe@veolia.com



INVESTORS RELATIONS

Selma Bekhechi Ariane de Lamaze



Tel. 33 (0)1 85 57 84 76

investor-relations@veolia.com
LONDON, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Allspring Global Investments, a global asset management company with US$624 billion* in assets under advisement, today announced the launch of the Allspring (Lux) Worldwide Fund - Global Equity Fund, a UCITS sub-fund offering a systematic core global equity investment strategy designed to deliver consistent, repeatable alpha whilst maintaining disciplined risk management across market cycles.

"With the growing success of our Global Equity Enhanced Income Fund and our Climate Transition Global Equity Fund in our UCITS range, we are proud to now launch the Allspring Global Equity Fund in response to client demand for a core global equity solution. This new fund reflects our continued investment in systematic capabilities that combine rigorous quantitative research with fundamental insight", said Andy Sowerby, head of Allspring's International Client Group. "As clients look for dependable sources of potential outperformance in an increasingly complex global market, this strategy extends our global equity franchise with a risk-controlled core solution designed for compelling performance across market cycles".

The Global Equity Fund broadens Allspring's systematic global equity offering, complementing its existing Global Equity Enhanced Income and Climate Transition Global Equity Funds. These two funds were launched in July 2020 and July 2021, respectively, and both have delivered top-quartile performance within their peer groups since.

The new fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by using proprietary quantitative models integrated with fundamental validation to identify attractively valued, high-quality companies with supportive momentum characteristics. The fund aims to achieve positive excess returns relative to the MSCI All Country World Index. The portfolio is broadly diversified and constructed through a disciplined process that combines active stock selection with holistic risk management.

"Our Global Equity Fund is designed to serve as a true core allocation for global equity portfolios", said John Campbell, CFA, senior portfolio manager of the Global Equity Fund and head of Allspring's Systematic Core Equity team. "By targeting bottom-up alpha whilst actively managing macro and fundamental risks, the strategy aims to deliver a smoother excess return profile across different market environments".

The strategy is managed by Allspring's Systematic Core Equity team, which oversees approximately US$10.8 billion in assets and has decades of experience managing enhanced index, high-conviction equity solutions.

The fund is available to investors in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom in our UCITS vehicle. It will also be available to investors in Switzerland and select Asian countries in the coming months.

ABOUT ALLSPRING

Allspring Global Investments is an independent asset management company with more than US$624 billion in assets under advisement*, 18 offices globally and investment teams supported by 365+?investment professionals. Allspring is committed to thoughtful investing, purposeful planning and inspiring a new era of investing that pursues both financial returns and positive outcomes. For more information, please visit?www.allspringglobal.com.

*As of 31 March 2026. Figures include discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and is intended for professional/institutional investor and qualified client use only. Not for retail public use. This content and the information within do not constitute an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where or to any person to whom it would be unauthorized or unlawful to do so. It should not be considered investment advice, an investment recommendation, or investment research in any jurisdiction.

INVESTMENT RISKS: All investments contain risk. Your capital may be at risk. The value, price, or income of investments or financial instruments can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future results. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.

Allspring Global Investments (Allspring) is the trade name for the asset management firms of Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC, a holding company indirectly owned by certain private funds of GTCR LLC and Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. These firms include but are not limited to Allspring Global Investments Luxembourg, S.A.; Allspring Funds Management, LLC; Allspring Global Investments, LLC; Allspring Global Investments (UK) Ltd.; Allspring Global Investments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.; Allspring Global Investments (Hong Kong) Ltd.; Allspring Global Investments (Japan) Ltd.; and Galliard Capital Management, LLC. Unless otherwise stated, Allspring is the source of all data (which is current or as of the date stated). Content is provided for informational purposes only. Views, opinions, assumptions, or estimates are not necessarily those of Allspring or its affiliates, and there is no representation regarding their adequacy, accuracy, or completeness. They should not be relied upon and may be subject to change without notice.

 2026 Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. ALL-04142026-qxuja9fc

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA) (OTCQB: UREKF) (FSE: S580) ("Eureka" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously-announced non-brokered private placement of a series of units (the "Units") of the Company, including Units placed (the "LIFE Offering") under the LIFE Exemption(defined below), for aggregated gross proceeds of approximately $6.3 million.

LIFE Offering

The Company issued 5,899,501 Units, at a price of $0.42 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,477,790.42, under the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "LIFE Exemption"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share (the "Common Shares") and one Common Share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.50 for a period of 24 months.

Concurrent Offerings

The Company has also closed two concurrent non-brokered private placements (the "Concurrent Offerings"). First, the Company closed an offering (the "Non-FT Concurrent Offering") of 4,515,243 units (the "Concurrent Private Placement Units"), at a price of $0.42 per Concurrent Private Placement Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,896,402.06. Each Concurrent Private Placement Unit is comprised of one Common Share and one Common Share purchase warrant (the "Concurrent Private Placement Warrants"), with each Concurrent Private Placement Warrant being exercisable, for a period of 24 months, to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.50. Second, the Company closed an offering (the "FT Offering") of 3,954,981 units (the "FT Units"), at a price of $0.48 per FT Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,898,390.88. Each FT Unit is comprised of one Common Share issued on a "flow-through" bass and one (non-flow-through) Common Share purchase warrant (the "FT Warrants"), with each FT Warrant being exercisable to acquire, for a period of 24 months, one (non-flow-through) Common Share at an exercise price of $0.60.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the LIFE Offering and the Non-FT Concurrent Offering for exploration expenses on the Company's properties in British Columbia, and for general and administrative expenditures, including investor relations activities. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the FT Offering for exploration expenses on the Company's mineral properties in British Columbia and Quebec.

Because the LIFE Offering was completed pursuant to the LIFE Exemption, the securities issued in connection therewith will not be subject to resale restrictions in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities issued in connection with the Concurrent Offerings will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

As consideration for the services rendered by certain finders, the Company paid, in aggregate, cash fees of $265,502.43 and issued 616,132 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"), with each Finder's Warrant being exercisable for one Common Share at a price of $0.50 for a period of 24 months.

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Eureka Lithium Corp.

Eureka holds approximately 158 claims in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf Lithium Camps in Quebec, Canada. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Tyee Titanium-Vanadium Project located in Quebec, and an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Cabin Lake Polymetallic Project located in British Columbia.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the use of proceeds from the LIFE Offering and the Concurrent Offerings, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294325

Source: Eureka Lithium Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) (OTCQB: VOLMF) (FSE: D0W) ("Volta" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval for funding of up to $215,000 under the Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP"). The funding will support eligible exploration expenditures incurred in 2025 and the first two months of 2026 at the Company's 4,750-hectare Springer Rare Earth Element ("REE") and Gallium Project, located approximately 70 km east of Sudbury, Ontario, with direct access via the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 64.

The $215,000 received is the maximum OJEP grant per project, which covers up to 50% of eligible mineral exploration expenditures incurred in Ontario during the 2025 and early 2026 field season. This funding has enabled Volta to expand its exploration program at the Springer REE Deposit and advance both drilling and geophysical programs targeting rare earth and gallium mineralization.

"Ontario is leading the charge to secure the minerals that will power our economy and strengthen our sovereignty," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. "Through OJEP, we're backing companies like Volta Metals Ltd. to advance promising projects here at home-unlocking resources, creating jobs, and building a more self-reliant and secure Canadian economy."

Kerem Usenmez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volta, commented, "This grant from the Government of Ontario represents a strong endorsement of the Springer REE Project and the significant progress our team has made over the past year. The OJEP funding helps reduce exploration risk and allows us to advance more aggressive field programs without the need for additional shareholder dilution at this stage. Springer is one of the largest rare earth deposits in North America, and this support from the Province reinforces the strategic importance of developing domestic critical mineral supply chains. We look forward to reporting ongoing results from our 2025-2026 field season and continuing to build shareholder value."

About the Springer REE and Gallium Project

The Springer Rare Earth Element deposit is located on the traditional territory of the Nipissing First Nations in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. The project benefits from well-developed infrastructure, including paved road access, on-site power lines fed from the Crystal Falls hydroelectric dam, a natural gas pipeline, and Canadian National Railway service, all within 8 km of the deposit. Volta's portfolio also includes the Aki Project, and the Company continues to explore additional critical mineral targets in Ontario, one of the world's most prolific hard-rock critical mineral districts.

For more information about the Company, please visit Volta's website at www.voltametals.ca.

Volta Metals Retains Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

The Company has retained Renmark Financial Communications Inc. ("Renmark") to provide investor relations services. In consideration of the services to be provided, Volta will pay a monthly cash consideration of $9,000, commencing April 16, 2026, for an initial term of seven months ending October 16, 2026, and monthly thereafter. Renmark does not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in Volta or its securities, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

ABOUT VOLTA METALS LTD.

Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) (OTCQB: VOLMF) (FSE: D0W) is a critical mineral exploration company focused on rare earths, gallium, lithium, cesium, and tantalum. Volta owns, has optioned and is currently exploring a critical minerals portfolio in Ontario, one of the world's most prolific and emerging hard-rock critical mineral districts.

Volta is advancing its 4,750-hectare Springer REE Deposit, located on the traditional territory of the Nipissing First Nations in Sturgeon Falls, approximately 70 km east of Sudbury, Ontario. The project benefits from exceptional infrastructure, including paved road access, on-site power lines, a natural gas pipeline, and Canadian National Railway service within 8 km of the deposit.

To learn more about Volta and its Springer and Aki projects, please visit www.voltametals.ca.

Neither the CSE nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to future plans, strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the OJEP grant on Volta's exploration program, the expected advancement of the Springer REE Deposit, the anticipated timing and results of the Company's 2025-2026 field season, and the anticipated benefits of the engagement of Renmark Financial Communications Inc. for the Company's investor relations activities. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294285

Source: Volta Metals Ltd.
Global consulting firm BRG today announced its acquisition of E.CA Economics, a leading European competition economics consultancy, strengthening its European presence and its Antitrust Competition and Regulation practices.

E.CA Economics was founded in 2007 by Dr Hans W. Friederiszick, Dr Rainer Nitsche and Prof Lars-Hendrik Roller. The firm advises clients on mergers, antitrust and damage litigation cases as well as State aid matters. The firm employs more than 50 professional economists and support staff from around the world and has offices in Berlin, Brussels, London and Munich.

The firms' combined European Antitrust Competition practice includes two former chief economists of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition (DG Comp): Roller and Prof Kai-Uwe Kuhn. The group also comprises six Lexology Index Global Elite Thought Leaders in competition economics. The group collectively has nearly a century of experience working for DG Comp, the UK Competition and Markets Authority, the US Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice and other competition authorities worldwide.

Commenting on the acquisition, Prof David Sunding, vice chairman at BRG and leader of the firm's global Economics, Disputes Investigations community, said:

"We are delighted to welcome such a distinguished group of experts and professionals to BRG. E.CA has earned an outstanding reputation in the market, underpinned by rigorous economic thinking and a distinctive blend of creativity and robustness. This approach perfectly aligns with BRG's commitment to rigour, independence and deep expert insight and our promise to deliver intelligence that works in all that we do".

Sunding added: "We are excited to add E.CA's expertise, relationships and track record to our thriving economic consulting practice in Europe and globally and to celebrate BRG's launch in Germany".

Friederiszick, managing director and partner at E.CA, commented: "A commitment to excellence, academic rigour and senior-level case experience is a shared value proposition. Scale, regional scope and enthusiasm are additional benefits-it is an exciting time and a new level for our group!"

Nitsche, joint partner and managing director at E.CA, added: "We are delighted to join BRG as we see a perfect fit in terms of culture and approach to our work. The combined entity will have a solid footprint in all large European states which further underpins our capability to handle international mergers and damage litigation cases".

Friederiszick and Nitsche join Sunding in the United States, Konstantin Ebinger in Brussels and David Parker in London as co-leaders of BRG's Antitrust Competition practice. Global Competition Review recently recognised the firm as "Outstanding" in GCR 100: Economics 2026, marking its thirteenth consecutive year of recognition.

BRG expects that its expanded European footprint will support the introduction of additional offerings in the German market.

Notes to editors

About BRG: Founded in 2010, BRG has more than 1,800 professionals operating across more than 40 offices in the US, EMEA, APAC and Latin America. Its service lines span economics, disputes and investigations; corporate finance; and performance improvement, with industry-focused groups across healthcare, financial services, energy, construction and beyond.

Asia-Pacific: Last year BRG launched a dedicated competition practice in Hong Kong, led by Dennis Beling, positioning the firm to capture growing demand for economic advice across APAC with anticipated expansion into India and Australia.

US recognition: BRG's Dr Rosa Abrantes-Metz was honoured by the American Antitrust Institute in October 2025 in the "Outstanding Antitrust Litigation Achievement in Economics" category of its Antitrust Enforcement Awards.

About E.CA Economics: Founded in 2007, E.CA provides high-level economic consultancy, offering case-related advice in the fields of competition policy and regulation based on thorough research. E.CA is consistently ranked among the world's top competition economics groups, including in Global Competition Review's GCR 100. E.CA has also been recognised as "the clear international leader among German consulting firms in the field of competition economics" by leading German legal publication JUVE. JUVE's research of law firms and consultancies also ranks E.CA's Managing Directors Rainer Nitsche and Hans W. Friederiszick as the #1 and #2 competition economists in the German market, respectively. https://www.e-ca.com/

BRG combines world-leading academic credentials with world-tested business expertise and purpose-built emerging technologies. Our culture centers on agility and connectivity which sets us apart and gets you ahead.

At BRG, our professionals include specialist consultants, industry experts, renowned academics and leading-edge data scientists. Together, they bring a diversity of real-world experience, data and human and artificial intelligence to economics, disputes and investigations; corporate finance; and performance improvement services that address the most complex challenges facing organisations across the globe.

Our unique structure nurtures the interdisciplinary relationships that give us the edge, laying the groundwork for more informed insights and more original, incisive thinking. When paired with our global reach and resources, our diverse perspectives and technical capabilities make us uniquely capable to address our clients' challenges.

Thinkbrg.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260427449240/en/

Contacts:

BRG@greentarget.co.uk
Joint Development Talks with Global Optical Communications companies

Expanding Partnerships to Provide Total Transceiver Solution

1,800 Patents Secured for High-Performance Optical Communications

Seoul Viosys (KOSDAQ: 092190), a company specializing in opto-semiconductor devices, is accelerating its entry into the next-generation photonics market supported by its proprietary "No-wire" and "No-package" fundamental patents-essential technologies for micrometer (m)-scale miniaturization of opto-semiconductors-as well as its competitiveness in VCSEL technology.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260426926495/en/

Seoul Viosys Optoelectronic Semiconductor Structure Subject to a Permanent U.S. Injunction in February 2026, Covering Similar Products and Employees (Image: Seoul Viosys)

As the rapid expansion of AI drives a paradigm shift in data centers from copper-based to optical-based architectures, the company is strengthening its position through the acquisition of a VCSEL company for short-range communications five years ago and the completion of 100G (25G4) class technology. Furthermore, Seoul Viosys is expanding its business model beyond component supply into a total transceiver solution provider for data interconnects.

Seoul Viosys is currently in discussions with two global leaders in data interconnects (optical communications) on joint technology development, as well as potential joint ventures or OEM manufacturing. The company is also exploring expanded collaboration with additional partners in the United States and Japan. Rather than simply supplying individual components, Seoul Viosys is securing a network of strategic partners to establish its position as a total-solution provider in the data interconnect transceiver market, spanning design, devices, drivers, and modules. Industry observers note that as the optical communications market shifts toward high-speed, low-power, and highly integrated architectures, building a partner ecosystem that connects technology, manufacturing, and applications will be critical, as it is increasingly difficult for any single company to respond alone.

First, Seoul Viosys' position is underpinned by its patented opto-semiconductor device technologies. Conventional copper interconnects are approaching their physical limits in supporting the ultra-high-capacity, high-speed data transmission required by AI-driven environments. In contrast, Micro LED-based photonic technology enables efficient, high-speed transmission of large volumes of data, making it well-suited for high-density infrastructure such as AI data centers. This low-power, ultra-high-speed communication technology is expected to become essential across future applications, including autonomous vehicle communications and physical AI robotics.

Second, Seoul Viosys' core competitiveness lies in WICOP, its proprietary technology that eliminates the need for both wires and packaging. This robust structure maximizes light extraction efficiency while enhancing thermal management, enabling high efficiency even at ultra-small scales down to the 1 m level. Backed by a portfolio of approximately 5,000 opto-semiconductor patents, the company holds a strong advantage in realizing next-generation photonic devices, which well aligns with the market's shift toward ultra-miniaturization and high integration.

Third, a strong patent barrier is a key competitive advantage. Seoul Viosys, including its subsidiaries, holds approximately 1,800 micro opto-semiconductor patents related to optical communications. Built around these core patents, the company has established a broad and defensible scope of rights, making it extremely difficult for competitors to develop products without infringement. For example, in February, its U.S. subsidiary SETi secured a permanent injunction from a U.S. court against a photonics company with a 40-year history in optoelectronics. Beyond sheer patent volume, the portfolio comprehensively covers core processes, structures, and implementation methods, providing a solid foundation for technological leadership. In addition, its parent company, Seoul Semiconductor, holds an industry-leading portfolio of approximately 15,000 patents in opto-semiconductor packaging and solutions.

Despite years of operating losses, Seoul Viosys has invested tens of millions of dollars annually in Micro LED under its vision of "writing a new history of light," steadily strengthening its technological competitiveness. The company has collaborated for more than 20 years with a research team at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), led by Nobel Prize in Physics laureate Shuji Nakamura and Professor Steven DenBaars, and completed development of an ultra-small 1-micrometer (m)-class device in 2021.

Dr. Dae-Woong Suh, President and Head of R&D at Seoul Viosys, said, "We have built production infrastructure in the United States, Vietnam, and Korea, and are also seeking new partners in India, while strengthening our capabilities in technology collaboration and supply chain response. We are open to working with companies that need our technology, and under strict confidentiality, we will introduce breakthrough products together with our partners."

According to Grand View Research, the global short-reach optical interconnect market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of about 20% through 2030, fueled by the expansion of AI infrastructure, to reach approximately $6 billion.

About Seoul Viosys

Seoul Viosys possesses the technological capability to produce full-spectrum opto-semiconductor chips from 200nm to 1,400nm, supported by over 6,000 patents. The company manufactures VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) and laser diodes, and mass-produces the world's first "WICOP Pixel," which integrates R, G, and B for displays into a single chip. Founded in 2002, Seoul Viosys currently holds the world's No. 1 market share in UV LED. Together with its parent company, Seoul Semiconductor-which holds 15,000 patents-continues to strengthen its technological leadership in the global market. For more information, visit: www.seoulviosys.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260426926495/en/

Contacts:

Seoul Viosys

Jinseop Jung

+82-70-4391-8555

jjs8732@seoulsemicon.com
Bristol, Virginia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Mag Mile Capital, Inc. (OTCQB: MMCP) ("Mag Mile" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the successful closing of a permanent financing for the Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol, a full-service hotel located in Bristol, Virginia. The transaction was structured as a 10-year fixed-rate loan for $10.3 Million with a 25-year amortization schedule and was arranged on behalf of Hulsing Hotels, the sponsor. The financing provides strategic cash-out proceeds to the ownership group and also facilitated a partial partner buy-in, allowing for an equity restructuring of the asset.

Delta Closing Tombstone

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12080/294352_delta_closing.jpg

This transaction marks the fourth financing Mag Mile Capital has successfully completed on behalf of Hulsing Hotels, further cementing a long-standing partnership built on trust, execution, and a shared commitment to delivering superior capital solutions. A key factor in securing favorable permanent financing was the strength of the sponsorship's conviction in the asset: prior to this transaction, Hulsing Hotels invested over $6 million to convert the property from a Holiday Inn to a Delta Hotels by Marriott, a full-service Marriott International brand. That capital investment meaningfully elevated the property's profile, establishing it as one of the only full-service, premium-branded lodging options in the market - a competitive distinction that translates directly into a captive demand base and pricing power. Lenders recognized the significance of that transformation, and the quality of the sponsorship, in underwriting a transaction in a select-demand market.

"Closing our fourth transaction with Hulsing Hotels is a reflection of the trust they place in us and the results we consistently deliver together," said Rushi Shah, Chairman and CEO of Mag Mile Capital. "This deal required us to tell a compelling story to the capital markets - one centered on a best-in-class sponsor who had already put their money where their mouth is with a $6 million brand conversion. When a sponsor makes that kind of commitment to an asset, lenders take notice, and that conviction carried the day."

The transaction further underscores Mag Mile Capital's ability to source and execute institutional-quality capital solutions for hospitality assets nationwide, including complex ownership restructurings and long-term permanent financing.

Transaction Snapshot:

Deal: Delta Hotels by Marriott - Bristol, Virginia

Asset Type: Full-Service Hospitality

Financing Type: Permanent Fixed-Rate Loan

Loan Purpose: Cash-Out Refinance / Partial Partner Buy-In

Loan Amount: $10.3 Million

Term: 10 Years

Amortization: 25 Years

Sponsor: Hulsing Hotels

Transaction Number with Sponsor: 4th Closing with Mag Mile Capital

About Mag Mile Capital

Mag Mile Capital is a nationwide commercial mortgage banking firm providing financing solutions across all major asset classes including multifamily, mixed-use, retail, office, industrial, and hospitality. The firm specializes in bridge, agency, CMBS, FHA/HUD, and structured finance executions, delivering customized capital strategies to sponsors and investors across the country.

For more information, please visit www.magmilecapital.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294352

Source: Mag Mile Capital
Val-D'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Ressources Cartier (TSXV: ECR) will be participating in Deutsche Goldmesse Spring 2026, which will take place on May 15th and 16th at The Westin Grand Frankfurt.

Members of Ressources Cartier management will be taking meetings throughout the day, and also present to an audience of European investors.

An online registration form is available, and Investors can register to attend at:

https://deutschegoldmesse.online/investor-registration-4/

Cartier's Exploration Strategy: Targeted. Data-Driven. Scalable.

The Deutsche Goldmesse website is updated regularly with attending companies, keynote speakers, schedule, and other important details. www.deutschegoldmesse.com

About Ressources Cartier

Cartier Resources is advancing one of Quebec's most compelling gold exploration stories. With a 100% owned land package covering more than 15 kilometres of the Larder Lake-Cadillac Fault Zone, the company is defining a new district-scale gold camp east of Val-d'Or.

In 2022, Cartier consolidated the East Cadillac property with its flagship Chimo Mine Project, creating a continuous, highly prospective land position. Drilling in 2023-2024 confirmed 10 gold-bearing zones across 10 kilometres, with standout results. Mineralization remains open in all directions, reinforcing the scale of the opportunity.

Backed by Agnico Eagle Mines (27% equity stake) and institutional investors, Cartier launched in 2025 a major 100,000-metre drill program running through 2027. This campaign will test near-surface systems while pursuing new discoveries identified by VRify's AI platform, which flagged 12 additional high-priority targets.

Cartier's lean, experienced team operates with all-in exploration costs below 110$/metre and leverages long-standing partnerships in Val-d'Or to maximize efficiency. Meanwhile, updated resource estimates and economic studies are underway, positioned against a gold price well above the $1,750 baseline of Cartier's 2023 PEA.

About Deutsche Goldmesse

Deutsche Goldmesse is Germany's premier mining investment conference, held in Frankfurt, one of Europe's leading financial centers. The two-day event brings together up to 40 mining companies across various commodities and stages alongside internationally renowned keynote speakers, investors, analysts, and industry experts for presentations, one-on-one meetings, and networking.

Hosted by Soar Financial Partners, Deutsche Goldmesse provides a platform for mining companies to connect with European institutional investors, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, retail investors, newsletter writers, and other key participants in the global resource sector.

Source: Soar Financial Partners
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Sego Resources Inc. (TSXV: SGZ) ("Sego" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the 3 hole 2,000 m drill program is now underway on the Miner Mountain Project, located north of Princeton, British Columbia.

The drilling started north of the Cuba Zone to cross the Quintana 2009 Titan 24 inverted chargeability anomaly. A percussion drill program in 2013 intersected disseminated pyrite, sericite-chlorite-carbonates alteration assemblages and returned minor Cu values. The broad flat area is covered in glacial till and the hole will be inclined 50at azimuth 020.





Proposed Drill Holes

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1056/294370_09eb61de2459ea0c_002full.jpg

Two holes are planned in the Southern Gold Zone area. A deep inclined hole north of the Southern Gold Zone where Cu-Au mineralization and sporadic soil Cu-Au at surface might represent porphyry Cu-Au mineralization reflected by a 200 to 300 meter deep inverted chargeability anomaly from Quantec Geoscience, Titan 24 Survey in 2009. Additional IP lines are planned to define the 2009 survey and extend the survey to the south and west of the inverted chargeability anomaly at the edge of the 2009 survey.

A shallow hole is planned east of the Southern Gold Zone to test below Cu-Au mineralization noted at surface and several % disseminated pyrite over 14 meters was intersected at the end of the 64-meter hole AX core (~1.2") drilled by "Climax Copper Co." in 1963 but not analysed for Cu or Au.

Drill results of a recent drill program in the Southern Gold Zone returned up to 100 m of 0.626 gpt Au (News Release, April 13, 2026). Sego plans to submit the entire Southern Gold Zone drill database to SRK Canada to identify a maiden inferred resource calculation.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Control samples comprising certified reference samples, duplicates, and blank samples are systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's quality assurance / quality control protocol. The Company will also be sending check assays to another laboratory as part of the quality assurance and quality control protocol.

About the Project:

Sego is 100% owner of the Miner Mountain project, an alkalic copper-gold porphyry exploration project near Princeton, British Columbia. The Miner Mountain Project combines alkalic porphyry copper-gold mineralization in the Cuba and other zones and the unusual gold mineralization in the Southern Gold Zone which may be distal to an alkalic copper-gold porphyry. The property is 2,056 hectares in size and is located 15 kilometres north of the Copper Mountain Mine operated by Copper Mountain Mining Corporation and HudBay Minerals Inc. Sego has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band on whose Traditional Territory the Miner Mountain project is situated. Sego has received an Award of Excellence for its reclamation work at Miner Mountain.

This news release was reviewed and approved by Tor Bruland, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by NI 43-101, and is an Independent Consulting Geologist commissioned by Sego Resources Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statement of historical facts that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects re forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294370

Source: Sego Resources Inc.
EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): AGM/EGM

Convening Notice of the Company's Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on 28 May 2026



27.04.2026 / 18:20 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



CPI PROPERTY GROUP

Societe Anonyme

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg B 102254

(the "Company")

CONVENING NOTICE

OF THE COMPANY'S EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

TO BE HELD ON 28 MAY 2026

Dear Shareholders,

You are invited to attend the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the registered office of the Company at 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on 28 May 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CEST , in the presence of a Luxembourg notary public, to discuss and to vote on the agenda indicated below.



The Meeting is convened in accordance with article 450-8 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated 10 August 1915, as amended from time to time (the "LCA") and article 3 of the Luxembourg law dated 24 May 2011 on the exercise of certain rights of shareholders in general meetings of listed companies, as amended from time to time, with the following points on the agenda:



AGENDA Decision to decrease the corporate capital of the Company by the amount of one million nine hundred twenty thousand one hundred three euro and nine cents (EUR 1,920,103.09) by means of cancellation of one hundred ninety-two million ten thousand three hundred nine (192,010,309) ordinary shares having a par value of one euro cent (EUR 0.01) each held in treasury by the Company, with allocation of the reduction proceeds to a reserve (share premium) of the Company which will be available for distribution to the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the LCA. The purpose of this capital decrease is to cancel shares of the Company held in treasury by the Company. Subject to approval of agenda item 1, decision to amend (i) the first paragraph of article 5.1 and (ii) the first paragraph of article 5.2 of the articles of association of the Company to reflect the changes necessary following the approval of agenda item 1. Decision to approve the report issued by the board of directors according to article 420-26 (5) of the LCA, relating to the possibility for the board of directors of the Company to cancel or limit any preferential subscription right of the shareholders upon the increases of capital in the framework of the authorised share capital as mentioned in agenda item 4. Subject to approval of agenda item 3, decision to introduce a new authorised share capital and to set it to an amount of three hundred eighty-eight million five hundred seventy-one thousand four hundred twenty-eight euro and fifty-seven cents (EUR 388,571,428.57) for a period of five (5) years from the date of the general meeting of the shareholders held on 28 May 2026 (or in case of adjourning or reconvening the general meeting because no quorum has been reached, the date of the adjourned or reconvened general meeting) at 23h59 Luxembourg time, which would authorize the issuance of up to thirty-eight billion eight hundred fifty-seven million one hundred forty-two thousand eight hundred fifty-seven (38,857,142,857) new ordinary shares in addition to the shares currently outstanding. Decision to grant to the board of directors of the Company, based on the report drawn up by the board of directors as referred to in Article 420-26 (5) of the LCA, all powers for a period of five (5) years from the date of the general meeting of the shareholders held on 28 May 2026 (or in case of adjourning or reconvening the general meeting because no quorum has been reached, the date of the adjourned or reconvened general meeting) at 23h59 Luxembourg time, in order to carry out capital increases within the framework of the authorised capital under the conditions and methods it will set with the possibility to cancel or limit any preferential subscription right of the shareholders on the issue of new shares to be issued within the framework of the authorised corporate capital, being understood that all financial instruments carrying an entitlement to, or the right to subscribe for, shares issued until the expiry of that period may still be converted or exercised subsequently to that date. Subject to approval of agenda items 3 and 4, decision to amend article 5.2 of the articles of association of the Company to reflect the changes necessary following the approval of agenda items 3 and 4. Decision to (i) increase the aggregate amount of the authorized amount of the beneficiary units (parts beneficiaires) or instruments convertible into beneficiary units that may be issued by the board of directors of the Company from two billion five hundred million euro (EUR2,500,000,000.-), or the equivalent in any other currency, to three billion five hundred million euro (EUR3,500,000,000.-), or the equivalent in any other currency, (ii) renew the authorization period for the board of directors of the Company to set the terms of and issue beneficiary units, on one or more occasions, up to the increased authorized amount, for a period ending five (5) years from 28 May 2026 (or in case of adjourning or reconvening the general meeting because no quorum has been reached, the date of the adjourned or reconvened general meeting) at 23h59 Luxembourg time, (iii) amend article5.5(a) and the first paragraph of article 5.5(c) of the articles of association of the Company to reflect said renewed authorization period and increased authorized amount and (iv) delegate authority to the board of directors of the Company to issue any such beneficiary units or instruments convertible into beneficiary units up to an aggregate amount of three billion five hundred million euro (EUR 3,500,000,000.-), or the equivalent in any other currency. ATTENDING THE MEETING

In order to participate to the Meeting, shareholders must provide the Company with the following three items as explained in greater detail below: (i) Record Date Confirmation, (ii) Attendance and Proxy Form, and (iii) Proof of Shareholding.

Record Date Confirmation: This document shall be provided to the Company by a shareholder at the latest on the Record Date, i.e. by 24:00 CEST (midnight) on 14 May 2026. The Record Date is 14 May 2026 at 24:00 CEST (midnight) (the "Record Date", i.e. the day falling fourteen (14) days before the date of the Meeting at midnight (Luxembourg time)).

The Record Date Confirmation must be in writing and indicate that a shareholder holds the Company shares and wishes to participate in the Meeting. A template form of the Record Date Confirmation is available on the Company's website at www.cpipg.com .

The Record Date Confirmation must be sent to the Company by post or electronic means so that it is received by the Company at the latest on the Record Date, i.e. by 24:00 CEST (midnight) on 14 May 2026 , to: CPI PROPERTY GROUP

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com

Attendance and Proxy Form: A template form is available on the Company's website at www.cpipg.com and is to be duly completed and signed by shareholders wishing to attend or be represented at the Meeting.

Proof of Shareholding: This document must indicate the shareholder's name and the number of Company shares held on the Record Date, i.e. at 24:00 CEST (midnight) on 14 May 2026. The Proof of Shareholding shall be issued by the bank, the professional securities' depositary or the financial institution where the shares are on deposit.

Please note that Proof of Shareholding is not necessary for those shareholders whose shares are still recorded as registered shares in the Company's shareholders' register.

Shareholders wishing to participate to the Meeting must send the Attendance and Proxy Form together with the relevant Proof of Shareholding by post or electronic means so that they are received by the Company at the latest by noon (12:00 noon CEST) on 21 May 2026 , to: CPI PROPERTY GROUP

40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg

Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67

email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com

Please note that only persons who are shareholders on the Record Date and have timely submitted their Record Date Confirmation, Attendance and Proxy Form, and Proof of Shareholding shall have the right to participate and vote in the Meeting.



Documentation and information: The following documents and information are available for the shareholders on our website: www.cpipg.com :

the present convening notice;

the total number of shares and the voting rights in the Company as at the date of this convening notice;

the draft resolutions of the Meeting including the proposed changes to the articles of association of the Company. Any draft resolution(s) submitted by shareholder(s) shall be added to the website as soon as possible after the Company has received them;

the report issued by the board of directors according to article 420-26 (5) of the LCA;

the Record Date Confirmation form; and

the Attendance and Proxy form.

The above documents may also be obtained by shareholders upon written request sent to the following postal address: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg.

Quorum Requirement: With respect to all items of the agenda, the Meeting shall not validly deliberate, unless at least one half of the corporate capital is represented and if the agenda of the meeting includes the statutory changes to be considered. In the event that such quorum condition is not fulfilled, a second meeting may be convened by publishing this convening notice in the Luxembourg official gazette (Recueil Electronique des Societes et Associations), a Luxembourg newspaper and in such media which may reasonably be expected to be relied upon for the effective dissemination of information to the public throughout the European Economic Area, and which are accessible rapidly and on a non-discriminatory basis, seventeen (17) days prior to the date of the reconvened meeting provided that (i) the first Meeting was properly convened; and (ii) the agenda for the reconvened Meeting does not include any new item.

The second meeting shall deliberate validly whatever the part of the corporate capital represented thereat.

At both meetings, resolutions, in order to be adopted, must be carried by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. Votes cast shall not include votes attaching to shares in which the shareholder has not taken part in the vote or has abstained or has returned a blank or invalid vote.

Right to add new items on the agenda : One or more shareholders together representing at least five per cent of the share capital has the right to (i) put one or more items on the agenda of the Meeting and (ii) table draft resolutions for items included or to be included on the agenda of the Meeting.

Such requests must: be in writing and sent to the Company by post (at the following address: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg) or electronic means (at the following email address: generalmeetings@cpipg.com ) and be accompanied by a justification or draft resolution to be adopted in the Meeting;

) and be accompanied by a justification or draft resolution to be adopted in the Meeting; include the postal or electronic address at which the Company may acknowledge receipt of the requests;

be received by the Company at least twenty-two (22) days before the date of the Meeting, i.e. 6 May 2026. The Company shall acknowledge receipt of requests referred to above within (forty-eight) 48 hours from receipt. The Company shall prepare a revised agenda including such additional items on or before the fifteenth (15th) day before the date of the Meeting.

For further information, visit our website: www.cpipg.com .

If you need further assistance or information, please contact: CPI PROPERTY GROUP, 40, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Tel: + 352 26 47 67 58; Fax: + 352 26 47 67 67; email: generalmeetings@cpipg.com .



Luxembourg, 24 April 2026



Yours faithfully,

The Board of Directors of the Company





27.04.2026 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ("Ucore" or the "Company") advises that an aggregate of 2,775,000 options have been granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The options are exercisable into common shares at a price of $5.33 per share and the options expire five years from April 27, 2026, the date of grant. One third of the options will vest after six months, with one third vesting every six months thereafter until fully vested.

# # #

About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore's vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People's Republic of China's control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term development of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the US State of Louisiana, subsequent SMCs in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore's 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA ("Bokan").

Ucore is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol "UCU" and in the United States on the OTC Markets' OTCQX Best Market under the ticker symbol "UURAF."

For further information, please visit www.ucore.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release (other than statements of historical facts) that address future business development, technological development and/or acquisition activities (including any related required financings), timelines, events, or developments that the Company is pursuing are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

For additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company, its business activities, its ability to qualify for and receive any additional funding from any U.S. or Canadian government, the CDF and the aforementioned projects (generally), see the risk disclosure in the Company's MD&A for Q4-2025 (filed on SEDAR+ on March 18, 2026) (www.sedarplus.ca) as well as the risks described below.

Regarding the disclosure above in the "About Ucore Rare Metals Inc." section, the Company has assumed that it will be able to procure or retain additional partners and/or suppliers, in addition to Innovation Metals Corp. ("IMC"), as suppliers for Ucore's expected future SMCs. Ucore has also assumed that sufficient external funding will be found to continue and complete the ongoing research and development work required at the CDF and also later prepare a new National Instrument 43-101 technical report that demonstrates that Bokan is feasible and economically viable for the production of both REE and co-product metals and the then prevailing market prices based upon assumed customer offtake agreements. Ucore has also assumed that sufficient external funding will be secured to continue the development of the specific engineering plans for the SMCs and their construction and eventual commissioning and operations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, without limitation: IMC failing to protect its intellectual property rights in RapidSX RapidSX failing to demonstrate commercial viability in large commercial-scale applications; Ucore not being able to procure additional key partners or suppliers for the SMCs; Ucore not being able to raise sufficient funds to fund the specific design and construction of the SMCs and/or the continued development of RapidSX adverse capital-market conditions; unexpected due-diligence findings; the emergence of alternative superior metallurgy and metal-separation technologies; the inability of Ucore and/or IMC to retain its key staff members; a change in the legislation in Louisiana or Alaska and/or in the support expressed by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) regarding the development of Bokan; the availability and procurement of any required interim and/or long-term financing that may be required; and general economic, market or business conditions.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined by the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294386

Source: Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Great Red Lake Gold Corp. (CSE: RLGC) ("Great Red Lake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its plans for its summer exploration program for its owned and optioned claims in the Red Lake gold district in Ontario, Canada.

The Company anticipates beginning an exploration program on the aforementioned claims by the end of May 2026, subject to weather conditions. The envisioned work will consist of a soil sampling campaign, a prospecting program, and a mapping program. This work is designed to provide geochemical sampling coverage over areas of the property where field crews have established that there is no exposed bedrock, as well as to follow up work with more rigorous prospecting over prospective structural corridors.

Corporate update

The Company's shares began trading on the Canadian Stock Exchange on April 23, 2026.

Ted Yew, Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented "We are excited to continue exploration of our owned and optioned claims at Red Lake and are looking forward to provide market updates in the coming months."

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

ABOUT GREAT RED LAKE GOLD CORP.

The Company is a mineral exploration and development company. Its activities consist of acquiring and exploring, mining properties. It is anticipated that the Company will be mainly active in the field of mining exploration in Ontario, Canada and that a material part of its existing treasury will be used in exploration work on the Red Lake Gold Camp.

Forward-looking statement

This news release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). All information in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address future events or developments that the Company expects to occur, including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing, scope and results of the Company's planned exploration activities and the Company's future plans and objectives, constitute forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by words such as "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intends", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions of management as of the date such information is made. Such assumptions include, without limitation: the Company's ability to carry out the planned exploration program as currently proposed; the availability of personnel, equipment and services on reasonable terms; favourable weather conditions; the accuracy of geological and geochemical interpretations; the availability of capital to fund exploration programs; and general economic, market and industry conditions.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks relating to exploration activities and the mining industry; risks that exploration programs may not proceed as anticipated or at all; fluctuations in commodity prices; regulatory approvals and permitting risks; changes in economic, market or business conditions; and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record, including those described in the Company's listing statement available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, and readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

Disclaimer

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294448

Source: Great Red Lake Gold Corp.
Abbotsford, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Gatekeeper Systems Inc. (TSXV: GSI) (OTC Pink: GKPRF) ("Gatekeeper" or the "Company") a video and data solutions provider for public transportation and smart cities, reports its financial results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2026, and announces corresponding conference call details.

Fiscal Q2 2026 and Recent Business Highlights:

Approximately $50.3 million in new business contracts announced during the current fiscal year, of which $6.8 million has been recorded as revenue during the six months ended February 28, 2026.

Revenue for the three-month period ended February 28, 2026 was the Company's highest-ever fiscal second quarter revenue, increasing 75% to $10.4 million compared to $5.9 million in the prior year.

Revenue for the six-month period ended February 28, 2026 increased 23% to $16.3 million compared to $13.2 million in the prior year.

Gross profit for the three and six months was $4.4 million and $7.1 million respectively compared to $2.3 million and $5.5 million in the prior year comparable periods, representing an increase in gross profit of 92% and 30% respectively.

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the three and six months was 43% and 44% respectively compared to 39% and 41% in the prior year comparable periods.

Operating expenses for the three and six months were $4.2 million and $8.5 million respectively compared to $3.6 million and $6.8 million in the prior year comparable periods, representing an increase in operating expenses of 16% and 25% respectively.

Total comprehensive income for the three and six months was $0.8 million and $0.0 million respectively compared to total comprehensive loss of $1.0 million and $0.4 million in the prior year comparable periods.

At February 28, 2026, the Company had working capital of $35.8 million, including cash of $13.2 million. The Company also has a $6 million Credit Facility plus a $7.5 million Letter of Credit Facility with TD Bank, both of which were undrawn at February 28, 2026.

Management Commentary

Doug Dyment, President and CEO of Gatekeeper, commented, "During fiscal Q2 2026 we recorded our highest-ever second quarter revenue of $10.4 million, an increase of 75% over the prior year.

To date during this fiscal year, we have announced approximately $50.3 million in new business contracts, of which only $6.8 million has been recorded as revenue in the six-month financial results. Within these new business contracts, $14.4 million relates to the school bus segment, and all of those have recurring revenue subscriptions for video analytics and storage. Our strategy to establish a data center in 2024 and offer AI-assisted video analytics and hosted services is resonating very well with our approximately 3,500 school district customers, who are wrestling with daily management and storage of increasing amounts of video from hundreds of school buses. Several school districts are coming to Gatekeeper for full fleet video upgrades and subscribing to our Live View Wireless and video analytics software offerings.

During the quarter we commenced our largest-ever project, a $27 million transit video contract for New York MTA's Long Island Rail Road, and on January 20, 2026 we disclosed our anticipated revenue schedule for that project."

Conference Call

Gatekeeper management will hold a conference call on April 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET to review its financial and operating results and provide a corporate update. Shareholders may join the conference call by either dialing (+1) 800-717-1738, or joining through the weblink http://momentum.adobeconnect.com/gatekeepershareholder/.

Selected Financial Information































For the three months ended



For the six months ended





February 28,

2026



February 28,

2025



February 28,

2026



February 28,

2025



























Revenue $ 10,378,405

$ 5,922,083

$ 16,283,711

$ 13,205,719

Cost of Sales

5,963,837



3,625,005



9,184,033



7,752,646

Gross Profit

4,414,568



2,297,078



7,099,678



5,453,073

Gross Margin

43%



39%



44%



41%



















Expenses

4,207,613



3,636,078



8,462,955



6,759,488



















Operating Income (Loss)

206,955



(1,339,000 )

(1,363,277 )

(1,306,415 )

















Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the period $ 789,306

$ (1,014,735 ) $ 6,365

$ (358,642 ) Earning per share -















Basic $ 0.00

$ (0.01 ) $ 0.00

$ (0.00 ) Diluted $ 0.00

$ (0.01 ) $ 0.00

$ (0.00 )







































February 28,

2026



August 31,

2025



























Total Assets $ 42,903,886

$ 38,516,834



























Total Liabilities

4,211,399



12,419,113



























Total Shareholders' Equity $ 38,692,487

$ 26,097,721











Full details of the financial reports and operating results for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2026, are described in the Company's consolidated financial statements with accompanying notes and related Management's Discussion and Analysis, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Gatekeeper Systems Inc.

Gatekeeper is a leading provider of video and data solutions for a safer transportation environment for children, passengers, and drivers on public transportation fleets. Gatekeeper has provided solutions to more than 60 transit agencies and 3,500 school districts throughout North America and has installed more than 65,000 Mobile Data Collectors for customers which record video and data daily from over 200,000 onboard devices. The Company's hosted software applications facilitate AI-assisted video analytics for incident management and storage. The Company's Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) business model is centered around the Mobile Data Collectors, which are the cornerstone of its data company transformation. www.gatekeeper-systems.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to currency values and foreign exchange rate fluctuations between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. For more exhaustive information on these risks and uncertainties, the reader should refer to the risk factors described in the management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2026. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our expectations as of the date hereof. We disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are presented for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to obtain a better understanding of our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligations to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, unless required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294444

Source: Gatekeeper Systems Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - John Dorward, Chairman, Roxmore Resources ("Roxmore" or the "Company") (TSX: RM) and their executive team, joined Robert Peterman, Chief Commercial Officer, Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), to close the market to celebrate the Company's new listing on Toronto Stock Exchange.





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMWurUhW5aE

With a recently released Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), Roxmore is focused on developing its flagship, Converse Gold Project. The Converse Gold Project is located within the prolific Battle Mountain trend and hosts one of the largest underdeveloped gold resources not owned by a major mining company in Nevada, USA. With decades of expertise in Nevada and globally, their Board and management are focused on unlocking the true potential of this project.

Roxmore is led by a proven team with a strong record of discovery, development, and value creation across the gold sector. Their leadership has played key roles in building and advancing successful companies such as Fronteer Gold and Roxgold, guiding projects from early exploration through to acquisition by major producers.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294468

Source: Toronto Stock Exchange
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Xigem Technologies Corporation (CSE: XIGM) (FSE:VZ6) ("Xigem" or the "Company"), today updates the status of the tripartite loan agreement (the "TLA Facility") as it was detailed in its press release dated April 30, 2025. Under the terms of the TLA Facility, Physiomed Health Inc., an entity controlled by Dr. Scott Wilson, a Director of the Company, provided a credit facility of up to $500,000 to Xigem, which in turn advanced funds to Carnance Inc. a dealer of used cars in Ontario Canada ("Carnance") in support of the Company's EchoDigital business unit. Funds advanced to Carnance were secured through general security agreements including all inventory being registered under the the Personal Property Security Act of Ontario. As previously disclosed in the Company's financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized a $500,000 loan payable to Physiomed and a corresponding $500,000 loan receivable from Carnance in connection with the TLA Facility.

Carnance is currently the only customer for the Company's EchoDigital business unit ("EchoDigital") and pursuant to a royalty and service-based management agreement ("Management Agreement") as previously disclosed on March 8, 2023, has provided management services relating to EchoDigital. The Company has significant economic dependence on that relationship. Xigem has identified a number of defaults by Carnance pursuant to the TLA Facility and is assessing the implications of these matters, including with respect to the Company's EchoDigital business unit and related commercial arrangements. The outcome of these matters cannot presently be determined.

Seperately, as previously disclosed, Brian Kalish, the Company's CEO and a Director had arranged for and personally guaranteed a line of credit for Carnance from a financial institution in August 2024. The Company is not a party to, and has no obligations under that line of credit.

About Xigem Technologies Corporation

With software capable of improving capacity, productivity, and overall operations for businesses, consumers, and organizations Xigem aims to position itself to become a leading technology provider for the near trillion-dollar remote digital economy. iAgent, the Company's patented technology and EchoDigital, its SaaS automotive shopping platform are intended to provide organizations, businesses, and consumers with the tools necessary to thrive in a vast array of digital working, learning, shopping and treatment environments while the Company continually looks to aggregate a portfolio of innovative technologies capable of disrupting traditional business models.

www.xigemtechnologies.com

Instagram: @xigemtechnologies

Twitter: @XigemTech

Facebook: @xigemtechnologies

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xigem-technologies

Further Information

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "appears to be", "likely, "plans", "looks to", "possible", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the future products and performance of the Company; and the ability of the Company to continue adding innovative technologies to its portfolio.

Forward-looking information in this news release is based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: customer interest at a level to drive future sales as currently contemplated or at all; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the commercial viability and growth in popularity of the Company's applications; the Company's ability to continue to develop and acquire revenue-generating applications; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the continued development of the Company's technologies; the Company having sufficient funds to continue operations as planned; growth of the global automobile industry as currently anticipated or at all; the impact of growth of the global automotive industry on the Company's operations; and the continued growth of the Company in general.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: uncertainty with respect to the future growth of the global automobile industry and/or any other industry group or subset relevant to the Company's operations; uncertainty to predict the Company's ability to compete with other participants in the industries in which it operates; the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the risks associated with Software-as-a-Service ("SaaS") and technology industries in general; increased competition in the SaaS and technology markets in general; the potential future unviability of the Company's product offerings; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's activities; risks associated with a potential collapse in the value of SaaS services and the SaaS market; risks associated with the Company's ability to generate a profit; the inability of the Company to add innovative technologies to its portfolio; the Company not having adequate resources, financial and otherwise, as required to continue its operations as planned; and risks with respect to market demand for the Company's products. Furthermore, any market data presented in this press release is not indicative of the Company's future performance and in no way should be interpreted as such.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Xigem Technologies Corporation

On behalf of the Company:

Brian Kalish, Chief Executive Officer

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294387

Source: Xigem Technologies Corporation
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - GFM Resources Limited (TSXV: GFM.H) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated April 17, 2026, the Company has closed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, GFM Resources de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (the "Subsidiary") to Compania Minera Autlan, S.A.B. de C.V. (the "Purchaser") for a total purchase price of $427,284 in cash (the "Transaction").

One of the directors of the Company is also a director of the Purchaser and as such, the Transaction is considered non-arm's length, or a "related-party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as referenced in Policy 5.9 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. As requested by the Exchange, the Company obtained disinterested shareholder approval of the Transaction via written consents from shareholders of the Company representing 54% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The purchase price of $427,284 will be released to the Company from the Purchaser's account in trust, and not as a set-off against debt.

About GFM Resources Limited

GFM Resources Limited is an emerging mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of high-potential exploration properties in Mexico. Its shares are listed on the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GFM.H.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294495

Source: GFM Resources Limited
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - F4 Uranium Corp. (TSXV: FFU) (OTCQB: FFUFF) ("F4" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares have now been listed for trading on the Tradegate Exchange ("Tradegate") in Germany (B25). This expanded access on Tradegate will allow European investors to trade in the shares of F4 Uranium directly within EU market hours as well as during extended trading hours across all major European time zones, improving convenience and exposure for the Company's shares internationally.

The Tradegate listing complements F4's existing listings on the Canadian Securities Exchange (FFU), the OTC in the United States (FFUFF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (B25). Tradegate's focus on international issuers broadens market access for investors seeking to align with F4's uranium exploration programs in Canada's Athabasca Basin, best known as the world's leading source of high-grade uranium and currently supplies about 20% of the world's uranium.

About F4 Uranium Corp:

F4 Uranium is a Canadian uranium exploration company focused on the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan Company is led by a management and exploration team with a legacy of discovery successes. The project portfolio includes 17 wholly owned properties totaling roughly 157,000 ha, many of which are near uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R, Nexgen Energy's Arrow and IsoEnergy's Hurricane projects.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Ray Ashley"

Raymond Ashley, CEO

F4 Uranium Corp.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294493

Source: F4 Uranium Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - NU E Power Corp. (CSE: NUE) (OTC Pink: NUEPF) ("NUE" or the "Company") provides an update to its news release dated April 16, 2026, which announced that the filing of the audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the financial year ended December 31, 2025 (the "Required Filings") will be delayed beyond the filing deadline of April 30, 2026, and as a result will be in default of its obligations under Part 4 of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations.

The Company is pleased to provide the following update regarding its anticipated timing and steps for completing its Required Filings:

The audit completion is delayed due to extensive work required to complete the accounting, valuation, and audit procedures for the Company's acquisition of Blu Dot Systems Inc. (" Blu Dot ") in October 2025 and its subsequent rescission in March 2026, which proved more complex than anticipated.

") in October 2025 and its subsequent rescission in March 2026, which proved more complex than anticipated. The delay is compounded by turnover in the Company's board and financial management team in late 2025 and early 2026, which led to the identification of additional issues requiring review before the Annual Filings could be completed.

To provide additional flexibility in the event further time is required to finalize the audit report, the Company has extended its outside filing deadline to May 31, 2026, while continuing to work toward the earliest possible completion of the Required Filings.

The audit is approximately 60% complete as of the date of this announcement. The earlier estimate reflected the expected scope at the time, as the audit progressed, additional review items and support requirements were identified, resulting in a revised completion estimate. The Company expects the remaining work to be completed by May 31, 2026.

All audit-related information requested by the auditors is expected to be provided by May 1st, 2026. Management is working diligently to compile and deliver all outstanding information to provide sufficient time for the auditors to complete their remaining procedures.

The Audit Committee meeting to review and approve the Annual Filings will be scheduled at the earliest practicable date following substantial completion of audit procedures. The Audit Committee is fully aware of the situation and prepared to meet on short notice.

The Company's auditors have confirmed their ability to complete the audit and deliver their report in advance of May 31, 2026, subject to receipt of all outstanding information by May 1, 2026.

The Company's management is satisfied that the auditor engagement is adequately staffed to support completion of the audit, with supplemental resources available on standby to be deployed as required to meet the May 31, 2026 deadline.

The Company also intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines of section 10 of National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders as long as it is in default of the filing requirements. The Company confirms that there are no insolvency proceedings against it as of the date of this press release. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release.

About NU E Power Corp.

NU E Power Corp. is an energy infrastructure company focused on the origination, development, and advancement of integrated power and energy park opportunities. The Company emphasizes strategic site positioning, grid access, and disciplined stage-gated project development across selected markets serving compute-intensive and large-load industrial demand.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words.

More particularly, the forward-looking information in this news release includes: expectations regarding timing for completion of the audit and filing of the Required Filings, including the May 31, 2026 target date; delivery of outstanding audit information; auditor resource availability; Audit Committee scheduling; the Company's ability to obtain the MCTO; and satisfaction of the alternative information guidelines under National Policy 12-203. Such forward-looking information is based on assumptions which may prove incorrect, including: the availability and continued engagement of the Company's auditor; timely delivery of outstanding audit information; the absence of material accounting adjustments or unexpected findings; and the availability of supplemental auditor resources and Audit Committee members if required. Although the Company believes such expectations are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance such expectations will prove correct. This forward-looking information reflects the Company's current expectations based on information currently available.

Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to NUE's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from NUE's expectations. Such material risks include: completion of the audit may be further delayed; outstanding audit information may not be delivered in time; unexpected issues or adjustments may arise during completion of remaining audit procedures; supplemental auditor resources may not be available or sufficient; the Audit Committee may not be available to meet in time; and the Company's ability to remedy the default within the anticipated timeframe.

Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294499

Source: NU E Power Corp.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - As noted by Steffan Szumowski, a contributor for VettaFi's Nuclear Energy Content Hub, the U.S. Navy's FY2027 shipbuilding request, released earlier this month, calls for $65.8 billion in funding, marking the highest single-year shipbuilding ask in decades. Over one-third of that total, or more than $25 billion, targets nuclear-powered platforms.

Funding Surge Supports Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program

Due to their extensive history of securing government contracts, several companies within the VettaFi Nuclear Renaissance Index (NUKZX) are well-positioned to capitalize on the increase in funding for nuclear programs. NUKZX is the underlying index for the Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF (NUKZ).

To view the full article, please visit: https://www.etftrends.com/nuclear-energy-content-hub/record-us-shipbuilding-request-benefit-nuclear-names/

About the Nuclear Energy Content Hub Sponsored by Range ETFs

The Nuclear Energy Content Hub, a dedicated segment of ETF Trends, is a comprehensive destination for news, insights, and analysis on nuclear energy-related content tied to Range ETFs. This hub offers smart nuclear energy conversations, highlighting new product launches, market trends, investment strategies, and expert commentary. Whether you're an investor seeking to understand nuclear energy in an ETF format or a financial professional staying informed on industry innovations, the Nuclear Energy Content Hub provides essential resources to navigate this dynamic segment of the market.

About VettaFi

VettaFi is a leading provider of data-driven insights and specialized services for asset managers and investors, bringing together a wealth of expertise to support client success. At the core of VettaFi is a commitment to fostering strong relationships and delivering innovative solutions that help clients engage, grow, and thrive in an increasingly complex financial landscape.

For more information about VettaFi, please visit www.vettafi.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294501

Source: VettaFi
Geneva, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - TRON DAO, the community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet through blockchain technology and decentralized applications (dApps), participated in The Programmable Economy: AI & Blockchain Redefining Markets Conference, held on April 24 at Cornell Tech in New York City. Co-hosted by Cornell Blockchain, Blockchain Builders, Blockchain at Cornell Tech, and the Cornell Tech AI Society, the conference brought together a coalition of students, operators, and technologists focused on advancing frontier technologies in New York City.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11822/294490_37f8588104f30b33_001full.jpg

The event convened over 1,000 attendees, including speakers and participants from the AI, blockchain, finance, and government sectors, bringing together industry leaders and academia to explore the real-world impact of these technologies on global markets.

Sam Elfarra, Community Spokesperson at TRON DAO, joined a panel titled "CeFi & DeFi Markets" on the Cornell Tech Sidestage (TATA). Moderated by Max Tang of Cornell Blockchain, the session brought together David Gan, Founder of Inception Capital; Ayesha Kiani, Chief Operating Officer of Monarq Asset Management; and Alex Weseley, Research Team Lead at Artemis Analytics, to examine the evolving relationship between centralized and decentralized financial markets, and how emerging infrastructure is reshaping liquidity, access, and capital formation.

"DeFi is no longer a parallel system; it is slowly integrating as part of the same financial fabric that institutions operate within," said Elfarra. "On TRON, we're seeing firsthand how high-throughput and cost-efficient infrastructure for stablecoin settlement can serve both TradFi and DeFi at scale. As traditional finance and decentralized markets grow closer together, the networks that can support both worlds reliably will define where the industry goes next."

TRON DAO's participation at the 2026 AI & Blockchain Redefining Markets Conference builds on its expanding commitment to academic engagement through the TRON Academy initiative, a global program designed to bridge the gap between blockchain education and real-world industry applications. TRON DAO's growing university network now includes Cornell University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Imperial College London, Yale University, MIT, Princeton University, Dartmouth College, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

TRON DAO's participation reflects its ongoing commitment to engaging the next generation of blockchain and AI innovators. As the digital asset landscape continues to evolve, TRON DAO remains focused on fostering collaboration between industry and academia to support the development of a more open, accessible, and innovative decentralized ecosystem.

For more information about TRON's initiatives and upcoming events, please visit TRON DAO's official website.

About TRON DAO

TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps.

Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON blockchain has experienced significant growth since its MainNet launch in May 2018. Until recently, TRON hosted the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin, which currently exceeds $86 billion. As of April 2026, the TRON blockchain has recorded over 378 million in total user accounts, more than 13 billion in total transactions, and over $27 billion in total value locked (TVL), based on TRONSCAN. Recognized as the global settlement layer for stablecoin transactions and everyday purchases with proven success, TRON is "Moving Trillions, Empowering Billions."

TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | X | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294490

Source: TRON
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 27, 2026) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") announces the issuance of 150,000 common shares (the "Consideration Shares") at a deemed price of $0.44 per share to Nevada Gold Ventures LLC (the "Vendor") in satisfaction of the final share payment obligation under the property option agreement dated April 26, 2023 (the "Option Agreement") relating to the Crescent Valley project located about 22 km (13 miles) southwest of Carlin, NV, strategically located along the southwest fringe of the Carlin Gold Trend within the prospective Northern Nevada Rift, Nevada (the "Property").

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Company has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Property by completing certain cash payments, share issuances and work expenditure commitments to the Vendor. The Option Agreement and the total share consideration of 600,000 common shares were accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") on or about June 23, 2023 as an arm's length transaction.

With the issuance of the Consideration Shares, the Company has satisfied all cash payment, share issuance and work expenditure obligations under the Option Agreement and has earned a 100% interest in the Property, subject to the NSR royalty.

At the time the Option Agreement was entered into and at the time of its acceptance by the Exchange, the transaction was an arm's length transaction. Subsequent to the original acceptance, Dave Mathewson, the owner of Nevada Gold Ventures LLC, became a director of the Company and is accordingly now an insider of the Company.

As a result of Dave Mathewson's current status as a director, the issuance of the Consideration Shares to the Vendor constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and TSXV Policy 5.9. The Company notes, however, that the underlying obligation to issue these shares arose prior to Dave Mathewson becoming a director, pursuant to an agreement accepted by the Exchange as arm's length, and that no new consideration is being provided. The Consideration Shares represent the fulfillment of a pre-existing, Exchange approved obligation.

To the extent MI 61-101 applies, the Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation requirement and minority shareholder approval requirement pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, on the basis that the fair market value of the Consideration Shares to be issued to Nevada Gold Ventures LLC, does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies within the prolific Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Phenom property (5-15km). The Company has options on two gold projects in Nevada, the King Solomon and Dobbin Properties which are Carlin Gold-type targets. The Crescent Valley Property has both epithermal gold and IOCG targets.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Cowley, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, director, President and CEO of the Company.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/294505

Source: Phenom Resources Corp.
OnePlus has released new hardware and software specifications for the upcoming OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite ahead of the India launch on May 7 at 12:00 PM IST, alongside the standard OnePlus Nord CE6. This release marks the return of the Nord CE Lite series to the Indian market after a two-year hiatus, succeeding the previously released OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite.

The device will be available in two color options: Vivid Mint and Hyper Black.

Core Specifications and Performance

The OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Apex chipset, built on a 4nm process. This is paired with UFS 3.1 storage and a 5,300 mm vapor chamber (VC) cooling system designed to manage device temperatures during sustained use. According to OnePlus, the hardware combination achieves an AnTuTu benchmark score exceeding 1,030,000.

The device features a 6.72-inch Full HD display with an adaptive refresh rate. The screen can scale up to 120Hz for standard usage and up to 144Hz for supported applications, allowing for up to 144 FPS in specific runner games and 90 FPS in supported shooter titles.

Battery and Charging

A notable specification of the Nord CE6 Lite is its 7000mAh battery, which the manufacturer states can provide up to two days of standard usage on a single charge. OnePlus also claims the battery is engineered to retain up to 80% of its health capacity after six years of use.

The device supports 45W SUPERVOOC charging and includes bypass charging technology, a feature that routes power directly to the motherboard to reduce heat generation during resource-intensive tasks like gaming.

Camera Hardware and AI Features

The camera system consists of a 50MP primary rear sensor capable of 4K video recording, alongside an 8MP front-facing camera.

The software includes built-in video and music editing tools that support high-quality 4K exports at original frame rates, along with several AI-assisted photography and editing features, including: Motion Photos (with 4K support), AI Perfect Shot, AI Reflection Eraser, AI Detail Boost, AI Portrait Glow, AI Eraser and AI Reframe.

Software, AI Integration, and Durability

The Nord CE6 Lite will run on OxygenOS 16 out of the box. OnePlus has committed to five years of long-term software support for the device.

For everyday functionality, the smartphone integrates Googles suite of AI tools. This includes the Circle to Search feature and Google Gemini integration, supporting Gemini Live with both camera and screen-sharing functionalities for real-time, context-aware assistance.

In terms of physical durability, the device carries a MIL-STD-810H certification and is rated for resistance against dust ingress and standard water splashes.

As usual, the OnePlus Nord CE6 and the Nord CE6 Lite will be available on Amazon.in, in addition to the OnePlus India online store and offline stores after the launch.
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.
April 26, 2026: Russian leader Vladimir Putin has caused numerous errors, driving down his support. As Russians rage about Putins moves to disable the Russian internet increases, Russian analysts are revealing more errors Putin has been making and surveys show his support declining to disastrous levels.

There are increasing indications that hostility to Putins policies is spreading throughout the leaders, increasing the probability that they will merge into groups which might seek and perhaps even succeed in blocking Russian government policies and erode voter support.

None of this means Putin is about to be emasculated, let alone overthrown. But it could persuade Putin to take even more repressive and aggressive measures. Taken together, these developments suggest Putin is now less able to act as if opposition to his policies is irrelevant.

Russian anger over President Vladimir Putins moves against the internet is growing and spreading even to groups long thought to be his most loyal supporters. Russian commentators are pointing to other mistakes Putin has been making, and opinion surveys show that his approval rating is falling to the lowest level since before he launched the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He now faces a buildup of disapproval that some have called an apocalypse. There are even posters and carrying of signs, which are important indications in the Russian system that opposition to Putins policies is spreading, increasing the likelihood of groups coalescing that will seek and perhaps even succeed in blocking government policies that they do not approve of. None of this, to be sure, means Putin is about to be overthrown as it could lead him, as it has in the past when he felt at all cornered, to take even more repressive and aggressive steps. This combination of factors, however, does suggest that he will no longer be able to act as if opposition is irrelevant and will likely have to devote more time to rebuilding his authority among leaders and in the population.

Putins moves against the internet are increasingly unpopular because they have affected the lives of so many Russians, including members of the leadership in government, the military, and business who have grown accustomed to using various internet channels. Recent polls show that support for and trust in the Government leader have fallen to seven year lows. The decline reflects anger over his internet policies, a flood of bad news at home and abroad in recent months, and signs that Putin does not intend to change strategy. This marks a shift from the past, when he often backed away from the more extreme aspects of his policies or sought to isolate unpopular ones by restricting their impact, as was the case with his war against Ukraine, where, instead of general mobilization, he relied on huge bonuses to encourage enlistment. That policy is now failing. In 2022, only 15 percent of Russians had a close relative in the war. Now more than twice that share do. Russian analysts argue that popular anger over Putins moves against the internet is compounded by other concerns, including the lack of progress in Ukraine toward either victory or peace, failures in Venezuela and Iran, and deteriorating economic and social conditions at home.

Putin has responded to protests about the internet in two ways, repression and silence. He has ordered widespread arrests and detentions of those who have taken to the streets to protest his actions. He has not spoken out about the internet restrictions or any of these other problems in recent times, reducing his public appearances in the last quarter by a significant amount compared to 2025. The Russian leader may suppose that repression is enough, but his failure to address various issues may result in an even larger problem, analysts say, as it contributes to the sense that he is out of touch.

Putin may not care very much about popular opposition to his internet policies. He still has reliable security forces to control the situation, and his popularity ratings are above 60 percent in polls released by his government. Putin certainly has reason to worry about the appearance of opposition to his internet policies among members of his leaders, especially technocratic groups that favor development over tighter control. Ever more members of these groups have been speaking out, contributing to the sense, not only among other elite groups but also in the Russian population, that splits are developing in the government. This perception encourages others to resist, in the hope of tipping the political balance away from Putin and toward those who share their views.

The question now is how far this process, involving the alienation of the Russian population and of leaders beyond the loyal generals. Russian commentators imply that Putin has been committing more mistakes and angering more ordinary people and members of the leadership than at any time since he began his expanded Ukraine war. While the situation has not yet reached a critical level and, as a result, Putin may be able to ride out this storm, it will come with increased difficulty, especially if he does not return to the tactics he used in earlier crises his government faced.

In six earlier crises since Putin became president, government leaders not only took public positions to seize the propagandist high ground but also modified his policies. This signaled that he was paying attention to the population and would avoid angering it more than he felt necessary. Now Putin is doing neither, however, appearing in public far less frequently and showing no signs of being willing to modify his original decisions. This increasingly sclerotic approach has come to a head over the last three months, as the government has suffered a series of policy defeats abroad amid a rising tide of problems at home. Dictators fail when the number of problems grows too large for them to handle. Such rulers, however, risk serious problems if they do not show themselves responding to crises and act as if they are not required to. That is where the Putin dictatorship now stands. The number of problems is growing, although likely not yet to the point where they alone will be enough to bring the government leader down. Putins failure to react now is undermining his rule, perhaps not enough to lead to his ouster in the immediate future but likely reducing the number of additional crises that could prove sufficient to produce that outcome.
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.
US B-52s, Moroccan F-16s fly overhead during African Lion 26, underscoring Morocco's first JTAC qualification course

By 1st Lt. Tucker Chase April 24, 2026

AGADIR, Morocco -- A combined flight of two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers and four Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons over Cap Draa, signaled the launch of Morocco's first accredited joint terminal attack controller qualification course, April 23.

The flyover was a key component of African Lion 26, U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8. Integrating these aircraft into the multinational exercise demonstrated the ability of the U.S. and its partners to project combat-credible airpower worldwide.

Air Force Global Strike Command bombers routinely conduct sorties around the world to include flights required to maintain crew proficiency and qualification.

"Their visible presence over Morocco, operating alongside Royal Moroccan Air Force fighters, signals credible deterrence and reinforces the U.S. commitment to regional security," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commanding general of U.S. Africa Command.

U.S. Strategic Command bomber forces regularly carry out combined theater security cooperation engagements with allies and partners, demonstrating the credibility and flexibility of U.S. forces to address today's complex, dynamic and unpredictable global security environment.

"The inaugural JTAC qualification course trains Moroccan students to direct combat aircraft, artillery and naval gunfire from forward positions," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Therron Bundick, chief of weapons and tactics for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron. "These controllers hold the authority to clear airstrikes, ensuring accuracy while avoiding friendly fire and minimizing collateral damage."

During the exercise, U.S. Air Force JTACs assigned to the 165th ASOS, as well as Detachment 1 of the 2nd ASOS, joined U.S. Marine Corps JTACs with the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to train alongside service members from Canada, Hungary and Morocco. Live and simulated training events give students realistic close air support scenarios, and the diverse group accelerates the development of a professional JTAC cadre through the exchange of tactics and procedures.

The program marks a significant milestone in the development of the Moroccan joint fires capability and a foundational step toward a standardized, internationally interoperable JTAC capability aligned with modern coalition warfare requirements.

"Morocco's first JTAC qualification course marks a historic milestone in advancing allied interoperability," Bundick said. "U.S. involvement ensures a rigorous training environment to establish a lasting foundation for the program's future."

Combined live-fire integration also allows U.S. units to test their own tactics alongside trusted partners. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Michael Chevallier, 1st Brigade air officer assigned to 3rd ANGLICO, emphasized that the training allowed both forces to cross-train and leverage each other's unique operational capabilities.

"Combined live-fire training like this allows us to validate our tactics, techniques and procedures under the trusted scrutiny of an allied force," Chevallier said. "It reinforces that shared commitment to excellence where, as we say, 'steel sharpens steel.'"

Chevallier said AL26 has provided a valuable opportunity for the Marines of 3rd ANGLICO and its partners in the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces to learn from each other's strengths and unique capabilities.

The combined employment of U.S. strategic heavy bombers with Moroccan airpower, paired with the launch of Morocco's first nationally accredited JTAC qualification course, provides flexible options to assure partners and deter potential adversaries across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

About African Lion

African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.

African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

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In March the American Marine Corps carried out its first live-fire drone strike against a maritime surface vessel last month during a trial in Japan as part of the services effort to advance its autonomous capabilities.

Marines from the III Expeditionary Operations Training Group and operators from Naval Special Warfare conducted the maritime drone strike from a Naval Special Warfare surface craft, taking out an unmanned surface vessel designed and built by the Marine team. The trial, held in Okinawa, Japan, in early March and announced by the service last week, marks the latest Marine Corps drone test this year. Three Marine Expeditionary Forces have held various drone trials in the last three months.

These events were a landmark in the increasingly close integration of Special Operations Forces and conventional forces, ushering in a new era where drones, and even their targets, are designed and built by the Marines.

The trial was successful and was also a powerful demonstration of a force multiplier on a new scale. The Marines demonstrated the ability to launch attack drones from their self-built submerged drones, showcasing a rapidly growing robotics capability within the Marine Corps, poised to significantly increase sensing and firepower in defense of the fleet. Using a combination of submerged and aerial drones, Marines can now investigate vessels of interest and, if they are confirmed as hostile, engage them with organic, unmanned firepower.

Drone integration is part of the III EOTG/Expeditionary Operations Training Groups mission to prepare individual Marines for the challenges of modern expeditionary warfare. The units Unmanned Systems Branch currently has a two-fold focus, perfecting payload delivery and developing robust counter-unmanned systems. The Marines are learning not just how to be drone operators but are also being trained as engineers who are prepared to build their own unmanned systems from local economies during conflict.

By training Marines in the construction and operation of these systems, III EOTG is building an arsenal of innovators ready to fabricate and deploy unmanned aerial, surface and ground systems tailored to specific battlefield needs.

Marines are learning to create leave-behind sensors, build mesh networks or develop unique systems across sea, air or land to deliver payloads, based on the situations faced. Along with sea-based drones, III EOTG is also developing first-person view drones for III MEF to deploy in operations.

The Marine Corps has been experimenting with and deploying small drone systems as part of the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 plan, which includes the deployment of Marines in small teams to conduct littoral, dispersed and expeditionary operations by either directly attacking targets or providing targeting information, particularly in the Indo-Pacific where Marines are expected to deploy in remote locations in the first and second island chains. There is also the requirement for such small teams to be able to build and deploy drones independently based on the situation. The Marine Corps is also experimenting in the use of sea and aerial drones to resupply such units.

Along with trials on using drones offensively, the Marine Corps has also conducted trials on defending against drones and maintaining communications with drones. Earlier this year, Marines and American naval forces and partners tested new defenses against swarming drones during the Technology Operational Experimentation Event Wave Breaker at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

During the experiment, Marines from 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, formed a defensive Blue Cell tasked with protecting a high-value naval vessel and critical airfield runways from a simulated, large-scale drone attack. The events core purpose was to establish a rigorous process for testing emerging technologies in harsh, real-world maritime conditions, directly responding to the evolving character of war, the news release reads.

The Space Dynamics Laboratory provided key technology in the form of its Counter Air for the Office of Naval Research system that integrates radars, cameras and computer vision systems to detect, track and engage hostile drones, boats and aircraft.

By assessing new capabilities in a realistic environment, the Wave Breaker exercise directly forges the future of naval operations. This hands-on integration is the ultimate test of advanced technology, ensuring our forces become more lethal and resilient.

Earlier in the year at Camp Pendleton, Marines joined with the Defense Innovation Unit and industry professionals to evaluate first-person view drones that use fiber optic cables, marking the American Marine Corps first field evaluation of the technology for drone employment in contested environments, a Marine Corps news release reads.

Participating vendors for the fiber-optic evaluation included Auterion, Kraken, ModalAI, Neros and Nokturnal AI, with support from Contact Front Technologies, according to the release. The three-day assessment focused on presently available FPV drone solutions designed to maintain command-and-control and video feeds when radio frequency links are degraded. Unlike traditional unmanned aircraft systems that rely on wireless signals, fiber optic cables provide a physical data connection between the operator and the aircraft, reducing vulnerability to electronic warfare and enabling more reliable employment in denied environments.

The evaluation brought together Marines from 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, with I MEF coordinating the event alongside the Defense Innovation Unit as part of Project G.I., a Defense Department-wide effort intended to accelerate the fielding of solutions across the joint force.

Project G.I., which launched in June 2025, uses an accelerated approach intended to move mature technology from proposal to hands-on testing in months rather than years, according to the release. Marines have played a leading role in the challenge by organizing field-based evaluations, bringing together Marines with recent operational experience and ensuring feedback from end users is captured, translated into actionable requirements and pushed directly to industry teams.

Last summer, Marines assigned to I MEF partnered with the Defense Innovation Unit and vendors during a larger Project G.I. evaluation at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, which combined familiarization training with scenario-based demonstrations. Januarys event built on that momentum by concentrating on fiber optic cable performance, a capability increasingly associated with maintaining drone effectiveness under electronic attack. Marines assessed how FPV systems connected by fiber optic cables could support tactical kinetic-effects while sustaining control and video in environments where traditional links can be disrupted, the service said in a release.

Fiber-optic tethered FPV capabilities are required on todays battlefield. By deliberately building trained cadres within the command, MEF is positioned to scale pilots and capability rapidly, and to responsibly leverage every opportunity to integrate, evaluate and familiarize warfighters with proven systems.
Press release on terrorist acts in Mali

25 April 2026 23:47

665-25-04-2026

On April 25, armed anti-government groups committed a series of coordinated attacks in the Malian capital and the neighbouring regions - Mopti, Gao and Kidal. Two hundred and fifty militants attacked Bamako Senou International Airport and the military base located nearby.

The Malian Armed Forces repelled the attack and are currently taking further steps to eliminate the militia that may have been, reportedly, trained by Western security agencies.

Russia is deeply concerned about these developments. This terrorist activity poses a direct threat to the stability of friendly Mali and could have the most serious consequences for the entire region.

According to the Russian Embassy in Bamako, no victims among Russian nationals have been reported to date. The Russian diplomatic mission maintains continuous contact with Mali's competent agencies.

The Russian Foreign Ministry advises Russian citizens against travelling to Mali. Those already in the country should take all necessary precautions.

Moscow will continue to monitor the developments closely.

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Servicemen involved in "EFES-2026" exercise depart for Turkiye

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

26.04.2026 [22:02]

Baku, April 26, AZERTAC

The preparation phase for the next stage of the "EFES-2026" multinational exercise, held in the cities of Istanbul and Izmir, Turkiye, is ongoing, according to the Defense Ministry.

A group of servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army, who will take part in the live-fire practical training of the exercise, has departed for the brotherly country. Our servicemen were welcomed at the Cigli Air Base of the Republic of Turkiye.

The main objective of the "EFES-2026" multinational exercise is to strengthen coordination among the units of participating countries during large-scale operations, enhance combat training, and improve practical skills.

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Prime Minister's Office announcement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 26.04.2026

Prime Minister's Office:

Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the IDF to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

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Hezbollah vows to continue its legitimate response to Israeli ceasefire violations

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 6:27 PM

Hezbollah has strongly denounced Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for accusing the resistance movement of undermining a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, vowing to continue its legitimate response to the Israeli regimes continuous violations of the truce.

Today, the criminal Israeli enemy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hezbollah is undermining the ceasefire and that the enemy has the right to freedom of action in Lebanon, according to the agreement with the United States and Lebanon, Hezbollah said in a statement on Sunday.

Hezbollah stressed that Israeli statements are a desperate attempt to implicate the Lebanese authorities in a bilateral agreement made solely between the Tel Aviv regime and Washington.

At the same time, Hezbollah criticized the Lebanese authorities for participating in direct talks with Israel, recently held in the US capital.

The Lebanese authorities claimed that their main condition for attending the ominous meeting in Washington with the enemy was an end to its attacks and the start of its withdrawal from occupied Lebanese lands, the statement said.

However, we did not hear any clear, public statement from them setting that condition. On the contrary, what was issued by Lebanons representative was only praise for the American president  the enemys partner in shedding Lebanese blood  which encouraged the enemy to persist in its attacks and violations.

A 10-day pause in hostilities in Lebanon began on April 16 and was later extended for another three weeks.

Hezbollah noted that Israeli violations have already exceeded 500 on land, at sea, and in the air, including shelling, demolitions, and the destruction of homes.

Extending the truce for additional weeks was supposed  according to what the Lebanese authorities declared  to lead to a real ceasefire in which the enemy would halt its violations and aggressions, especially the demolition and destruction of homes in the south, the statement added.

Instead, Israel has escalated its aggression and attacks, confirming once again its criminal nature, treachery, and utter contempt for all international laws and charters.

The Lebanese group emphasized that retaliatory actions by its resistance fighters against Israeli military positions are entirely legitimate.

The resistances continued targeting of Israeli enemy gatherings on our occupied land, and its shelling of enemy settlements in northern occupied Palestine, constitute a legitimate response to its continuous violations of the ceasefire since the very first day the temporary truce was announced.

Hezbollah also warned the Lebanese authorities against placing themselves in a dangerous position by agreeing to be captured in a single shameful photo with representatives of a usurping, illegitimate entity that violates our land and sovereignty and continues to kill our people, and by pursuing paths that legitimize this enemys attacks.

The authorities stand today silent and incapable of carrying out their most basic national duties toward their land and people, as they watch the enemy demolish homes and burn everything in its path, it added.

Hezbollah demanded that the Lebanese authorities provide a clear explanation to their people regarding the enemys pretext of an agreement with them that grants it the freedom to attack, destroy, and kill.

We will not wait for or bet on failed diplomacy that has proven its futility, the statement concluded.

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Unbreakable unity: IRGC Quds Force chief vows continued support for Hezbollah

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 5:31 PM

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force says the Axis of Resistance is now stronger and more integrated than ever before.

Posting on social media platform UpScrolled on Sunday, Brigadier General Esmail Qa'ani dismissed Israels recent claims of destroying Hezbollahs capabilities in Lebanon.

He said that unity and cohesion across the broader resistance front have become stronger and more solid than ever.

Qaani reiterated that Hezbollah is not alone, and the entire resistance front stands alongside the groups fighters, who are defending Lebanons sovereignty in the face of Israels ongoing aggression.

Today, the primary focus remains on supporting Hezbollah and all other components of the Resistance, he said.

The IRGC commander further said that the Israeli regime has failed over the years to end wars on its terms or achieve its stated objectives.

The US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, launched on February 28, drew in resistance forces from across the region, including from Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.

Tehran and Washington agreed to a Pakistani-mediated ceasefire on April 8 after Washington formally accepted Tehrans 10-point proposal, which demanded a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The US and Israeli regime, however, said the ceasefire did not include Lebanon, with the latter launching devastating attacks on Lebanon shortly after the ceasefire with Iran took effect, killing more than 300 people in a single day.

Iran said that continued talks with the US, the first round of which was held in Islamabad on April 11, was contingent on Israel ceasing its attacks on Lebanon. A ceasefire was subsequently announced on April 16.

However, the truce has been systematically violated by Israel. At least 2,500 people have been killed across Lebanon since the Israeli military resumed its attacks on Lebanon in early March, according to Lebanese authorities.

In retaliation to Israeli ceasefire violations, attacks on civilians, and the demolition of homes in southern Lebanese villages, Hezbollah continues to carry out military operations against the occupied territories.

The resistance fighters have conducted several strategic strikes, ranging from drone and artillery strikes on troop gatherings to the destruction of a military bulldozer and a rocket salvo targeting an illegal Jewish settlement in the occupied territories.

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Israeli attacks kill more Palestinian civilians amid Gaza truce violations

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 3:34 PM

A series of new Israeli military attacks have killed at least four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as the regime continues its relentless ceasefire violations across the besieged Palestinian territory.

In the first incident, an Israeli airstrike killed one person near the central village of al-Mughraqa on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Israeli gunfire and tank shelling killed two others near Gaza City.

In a separate attack, Israeli forces shot and killed a 40-year-old woman in Khan Yunis in the southern part of the territory.

Violence in Gaza has persisted despite the October 2025 ceasefire, with Israel carrying out almost daily attacks on Palestinians.

The Gaza government media office stated that Israel has committed 2,400 ceasefire violations, including killings, arrests, blockade measures, and starvation policies.

These ongoing violations have so far resulted in the deaths of 972 Palestinians and injuries to 2,235 others.

More than 72,500 Palestinians have been killed and over 172,000 injured, most of them women and children, since Israel launched its genocidal war on the blockaded Palestinian territory in October 2023.

Violence by Israeli forces and extremist settlers has also escalated sharply across the occupied West Bank since October 2023.

During this period, Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,154 Palestinians, wounded around 11,750, and led to nearly 22,000 arrests.

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Israel orders evacuations as it ramps up attacks on south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 3:08 PM

The Israeli military has ordered the forced evacuation of seven villages as it ramps up attacks on southern Lebanon.

Colonel Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman, said in a post on his X account on Sunday that in response to Hezbollahs alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement, the military is compelled to take decisive action against it.

He further identified the specific villages impacted by the evacuation order south of the Litani River.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these sentiments during a weekly cabinet meeting, alleging that Hezbollah was undermining the ceasefire agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon.

It must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire, he said.

Hezbollah has been responding to Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which has killed nearly 2,500 people since March 2.

To enforce the latest warning, the Israeli military disseminated leaflets over the Mansouri village in the Sour district of southern Lebanon, urging civilians to refrain from entering approximately two dozen villages within the vicinity.

Adraee reiterated in a post that access to the zones around the Litani River and other specific locations, including Wadi Salhania, and Saluki, was restricted.

He also specified numerous villages located within the Israeli-established "Yellow Line," approximately 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon, where the return of residents is prohibited.

The latest development comes as the Israeli regime continues its military aggression in the region, and the systematic destruction of Lebanese border towns.

According to Lebanons National News Agency (NNA), at least seven individuals were killed in the Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon a day earlier. The Health Ministry reported that 24 people were injured in the raids, including three children.

Israel and Lebanon implemented a ten-day cessation of hostilities on April 17.

On April 23, US President Donald Trump announced the extension of the agreed ceasefire for three more weeks.

Israel is occupying a belt of the south that extends 5 to 10 kilometers into Lebanon. The Israeli regime's military has reiterated a warning to residents of south Lebanon not to cross into the area.

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UAE paid Colombian mercenaries to help Sudan militants commit genocide: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 6:25 AM

The United Arab Emirates paid Colombian mercenaries to help Sudans militant group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), massacre thousands of civilians in the northeastern African country, a report says.

The BBC released the report on Saturday, citing an investigation by the Conflict Insights Group (CIG) that collected data from tracking the mobile phones of the Colombian mercenaries.

CIG director Justin Lynch told the BBC that the investigation by the security analysis organization is "the first research where we can prove UAE involvement with certainty" in the Sudan conflict.

"We are making public what governments have long known - that there is a direct link between Abu Dhabi and the RSF," he added.

The RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese army over the past few years, currently controls large swathes of the countrys southwestern territories, including most of the region of Darfur.

The militants captured el-Fasher on October 26, 2025, with reports saying they massacred thousands of civilians who failed to flee the city.

A UN fact-finding mission found that RSF actions in el-Fasher show hallmarks of genocide against the Zaghawa and Fur communities.

CIG tracked the mobile phones of over 50 Colombian mercenaries present in Sudan between April 2025 and January 2026.

It found that the Colombian mercenaries were stationed at several regional staging areas, such as an Emirati military training site in Ghayathi, Abu Dhabi, before travelling to Sudan.

Operating as drone pilots, artillerymen, and instructors in a brigade known as the Desert Wolves, the Colombian mercenaries are employed by a UAE-based company with ties to senior Emirati government officials, according to the CIG research.

Lynch said, "The scale of atrocities and siege in el-Fasher wouldn't have happened without the drone operations the mercenaries provided.

Despite denials by the UAE, several reports have suggested that the Persian Gulf Arab country supports RSF militants in Sudan in a bid to get access to gold and secure control over Red Sea shipping lanes, as well as agricultural land.

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Trump evacuated after shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 4:58 AM

US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, were evacuated from the White House Correspondents Dinner (WHCA) after reports of gunfire triggered a rapid Secret Service response.

The incident unfolded on Saturday, roughly 30 minutes into the dinner, just as guests were being served their opening course.

Attendees reported hearing a series of loud bangs, some describing them as gunshots, others as crashing plates, before security moved in.

The White House Correspondents Association initially indicated the event might resume, but within an hour, much of the room had cleared. The organization later said the dinner would be rescheduled.

The disruption cut short what had already been an unusual Correspondents Dinner. It marked Trumps first time attending the event as president, with no traditional comedian host.

Instead, mentalist Oz Pearlman had been performing and was interacting with Trump and Melania at the time of the incident.

The event took place at the Washington Hilton Hotel, the same venue where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

Speaking from the White House, Trump said the suspect charged a security checkpoint with multiple firearms from 50 feet before being apprehended by law enforcement.

Trump confirmed that one officer was shot during the incident but was protected by a bulletproof vest and is expected to be in good condition.

Flanked by officials including FBI Director Kash Patel and interim Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump said the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities executing search warrants and working across multiple agencies, including local police, federal law enforcement, and the Secret Service.

Officials did not confirm a motive, but Trump suggested that he might have been the target of the shooting.

The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, from Torrance, California, media reports said.

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Gunman Charges Washington Gala Dinner; Trump Evacuated, Suspect Detained

By Alex Raufoglu April 26, 2026

WASHINGTON -- A gunman charged through security at a gala dinner attended by President Donald Trump, prompting brief panic as security agents tackled the man and rushed Trump from the hotel ballroom.

Police said a 31-year-old California man had been taken into custody late on April 25 after he fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested.

Secret Service agents rushed Trump from the stage as armed police rushed onto the stage. Guests in tuxedoes and gowns were seen ducking under tables amid widespread confusion.

The man was believed to have been targeting Trump and other administration officials who were at the black-tie event, along with scores of Washington journalists, business leaders, and other political figures, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

"It does appear that he, he did, in fact, have set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the president," Blanche told NBC News.

Shouts Of 'Shots Fired'

The incident unfolded shortly before Trump was scheduled to deliver his keynote speech at the White House Correspondents' Association gala, a staple of Washington's political and media calendar.

There were multiple loud bangs followed by shouts of "shots fired," which triggered momentary panic across the ballroom. As police sealed off the hotel, helicopters hovered overhead while tactical units blocked off surrounding streets.

In a late-night briefing at the White House, Trump -- still dressed in his tuxedo -- said the suspect had been armed with multiple weapons and that at least one law-enforcement officer was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest.

No shots were fired at the gunman who got through two checkpoints before being brought down.

Washington interim police chief Jeffery Carroll told reportersthe man was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, and was not known to city police.

"He was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the vest did the job," Trump said, describing the officer's condition as stable and in "great spirits."

Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi later said the officer had been released from the hospital.

In his interview with NBC News, Blanche said the man traveled from California to Chicago, then to Washington where he checked in as a guest at the Washington Hilton.

Investigation Ongoing

Officials said the investigation is ongoing, with federal agents conducting witness interviews and searching the suspect's residence, south of Los Angeles.

Trump said authorities believe the suspect was a "lone wolf" and that there was no immediate indication of a broader conspiracy or foreign link.

The man was due to be arraigned in court on April 27 on firearm and assault charges, officials said.

The shooting adds to growing concerns about political violence in the United States. Trump has previously survived at least one assassination attempt: at a 2024 campaign rally shooting in Pennsylvania.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33742734.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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April 27, 2026: Iranians have been under internet blackout for 55 consecutive days as connectivity flatlined at two percent of normal levels. Restrictions on global network access continue to hinder online commerce, payment systems and digitally dependent sectors of the economy.

In early January after nearly two weeks of protests in Iran, government leaders enacted an internet blackout. There were extensive telephone and internet blackouts in the capital, with added disruptions reported in the cities of Isfahan, Lordegan, Abdanan, parts of Shiraz, and Kermanshah. CyberWar specialists reported that Iran's National Information Network was also fully disconnected, even internally within Iran.

Although the blackout had been diminished on 28 January, severe limitations were still maintained. The Iranian Minister of Communications recognized that the shutdown was costing the economy $35.7 million a day. In April, another official anticipated that the direct cost of the shutdown was between $30-40 million per day, and that adding indirect costs makes the true impact closer to $70-80 million per day. Online sales fell by 80 percent during the Internet shutdown, while the Tehran Stock Exchange overall index lost 450,000 points over a four-day period, and $1,677,000,000. In January 2026, the number of financial transactions in Iran had dropped by 185 million.

The Internet blackout, which initially did not affect satellite internet connections like Starlink, has expanded efforts to shut down the Starlink internet, alongside operations to seize satellite dishes to hinder access to the Internet. The Internet blackout has been described as an attempt by the government to cover up the 2026 Iran massacres.

As of 16 February, internet traffic levels in Iran were reduced by half. At the same time internet prices increased by 18 percent, bringing the total increase to 52 percent.

Following the 28 February Israeli American attacks on Iran, there was a renewed nationwide internet blackout in Iran, as Western internet experts reported internet connectivity in Iran dropping to 4 percent the usual activity of ordinary levels. Overseas Iranians abroad admitted that they could not communicate with relatives in Iran or connect with the Iranian intranet. In early March, internet traffic was calculated at about one percent of the usual connectivity.

By late April, the shutdown had entered its 53rd consecutive day, making it the longest national internet disruption recorded worldwide. Iranian technicians began restoring the internet to elite users, while most of the population remained without access to the internet. As of mid-April, it was projected that the shutdown had cost the economy $1.8 billion. Internet connectivity remained at extremely limited levels, restricting access to autonomous information sources. In the second week of April, Iranian internet experts admitted that there was no firm schedule for reinstating the internet.

Back in February Iran emerged from its self-imposed internet blackout that was used as part of an effort to curb anti-government protests. That January 8-28 blackout was more extreme than any nation had ever endured. Mobile networks, text messaging services, landlines were disabled and Starlink was blocked. When a few domestic services became available, the government removed specific social features, such as comment sections on news sites and chat boxes in online marketplaces.

What remained operational, for a while at least, was the government controlled and monitored national Intranet. This system was only available inside Iran and users could not use it to contact anyone outside Iran without government permission and monitoring. The current system prevents Iranians from using VPNs or special SIM cards for phones to communicate. Also blocked are chat functions in nonpolitical apps like ridesharing or shopping platforms. Any channel that allows two people to exchange text is seen as a threat. Then there was shortwave radio, which has limited range and

The Iranian government has its priorities, and information control is more important than a functioning economy, growing poverty and the ability of Iranians to assemble to protest government policies or use the internet to discuss these problems with other Iranians or the outside world.

All this suppression came under attack at the end of February when the United States, Israeli and a few other nations declared war on Iran. If the current Iranian government collapses, the attacking coalition should promise prompt revival of internet and messaging service throughout the country. Many Iranians have discovered that the internet is something worth fighting and dying for. A post war Iranian communications net could also benefit from the addition of technologies that are harder to whitelist or block, such as mesh networks and D2C/Direct 2 Consumer technologies that bypass the choke points of state-controlled ISPs/Internet Service Suppliers.
Lebanese Authorities Say At Least 14 Killed In Israeli Air Strikes

22:41 26.4.2026

Lebanese officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people and wounded 37 on April 26 after the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the "buffer zone" it is occupying, as a fragile cease-fire continues to fray.

Two children and two women were killed in the latest attacks, Lebanon's Health Ministry said.

Israel said one of its soldiers was killed.

The Israeli military accused the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group of violating the cease-fire and vowed to respond. It warned people to move north and west away from the named towns.

A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political branch.

"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 told a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil- blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html?lbis=451938

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Israel Urges Residents In Southern Lebanon To Evacuate

13:40 26.4.2026

Israel's military on April 26 urged residents of seven towns north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon to evacuate, saying it would act forcefully against Iran-backed Hezbollah over cease-fire violations.

A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing, backed by Tehran.

A day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the country's troops to attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, further testing a US-mediated cease-fire there, which was extended for three more weeks following a meeting between the countries' representatives at the White House.

While the cease-fire has significantly reduced in hostilities in the region, both Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange attacks in southern Lebanon.

Israel has been launching strikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in neighboring Lebanon since March 2, two days after the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil- blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html?lbis=451917

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Saudi Arabia Denounces Attacks Targeting Military, Civilian Areas in Mali

Saudi Press Agency

Sunday 09/11/1447

Riyadh, April 26, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of the terrorist and separatist attacks that took place in the capital of the Republic of Mali, Bamako, and other cities, targeting both military and civilian areas.

The Kingdom extended its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those affected. It also reaffirmed its solidarity with the Republic of Mali, its government and people.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of violence and extremism, and supported Mali's efforts to safeguard its security and protect its citizens.

-- SPA

12:23 Local Time 09:23 GMT

0012

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DC gala shooting suspect voices grievances against US administration in writings to family: media reports

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 27, 2026 10:45 AM

The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner railed against policies of the US administration and referred to himself as a "Friendly Federal Assassin" in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press (AP).

The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to US President Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including US strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, AP reported.

Several US media outlets have reported on the existence of the manifesto, which reportedly states that the shooter wanted to target administration officials, per ABC News.

Trump said Sunday that the suspect - whom an official identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen - was a "pretty sick guy" who had an anti-Christian manifesto. "He was a Christian, believer, and then he became an anti-Christian, and he had a lot of change," Trump told CBS's "60 Minutes" program.

During the TV program, Trump called CBS' Norah O'Donnell "disgraceful" after she raised comments that the gunman allegedly made about him in a manifesto, according to the Axios.

ABC News, citing acting US Attorney-General Todd Blanche, reported that the suspect traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, DC by train via Chicago, checked in at the Washington Hilton, which was hosting the dinner on Saturday evening, in the past day or two. According to CNN, it was the hotel where former president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

It was for the first time in years that Trump joined the press corps. However, the event was abruptly cut short when gunshots rang out and descended into panic. CNN said the president called for the interrupted White House Correspondents' Dinner to be rescheduled within 30 days and include more security.

Following the incident, former president Barack Obama on Sunday urged Americans to "reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy" in a statement posted to X.

According to media outlets including BBC, King Charles' US state visit will go ahead as planned despite the shooting. Buckingham Palace said the king was "greatly relieved" that Trump and other guests were unharmed in Saturday's incident.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 26 April 2026 - Day 1523

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 161 combat encounters have taken place since the beginning of this day.

The Russian opponent made 54 airstrikes, dropped 168 controlled airstrikes. In addition, Russian troops engaged 3401 kamikaze drones to impress and carried out 1902 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the Russian enemy carried out 43 shellings of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops, five of which were using reactive systems of arson fire. The Russian opponent attacked once.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy four times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the direction of the settlements of Staritsa, Lyman, Ohrimivka and Zemlyanka. One of these assault activities is underway.

In the Kupyansky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled four Russian assaults towards the settlements of Petropavlivka, Glushkivka and Kucherivka.

In the Lyman direction Ukrainian warriors stopped five Russian attempts to advance in the direction of Lyman and dibrova.

In the Slovak and Kramators komu directions from the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy has not been active.

Defense Forces repelled 15 Russian assaults in the Konstantinivsky direction towards Konstantinovka, Pleshiyivka, Illinivka, Ivanopil, Oleksandro-Shultinyo, Sofiyivka, Kucherovy Yar and Rusiny Yar. Three of these fights are ongoing.

Russian forces committed 39 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of the settlements of Nikanorivka, Rodinske, Mirnograd, Novooleksandrivka, Grishine, Kotline, Udaachne, Novopidgorodnje, Muravka, Molodetske and Philia. Four attacks of the enemy are still ongoing.

According to preliminary estimates, today 35 Russian occupants were eliminated and 23 wounded in this direction; one unit of vehicle equipment and two Russian shelters were destroyed. Damaged cannon, three units of automotive equipment and 100 coverings of personnel. Destroyed or suppressed 151 unmanned aircraft of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian occupiers tried to improve their position six times by attacking towards the settlements of Oleksandrograd, Khoroshe, Kalinivskie, Sichneve and Zlagoda.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, there were 24 Russian attacks towards the settlements of Dobropillya, Zaliznychne, Varvarivka, Charivne, Pryluki, Staroukrainka, Girke, Vozdvizhivka and Svyatopetrivka. Three attacks are still going.

In the orihivs komu direction, the Russian opponent once advanced to the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of stepovogo.

The Russian enemy carried out three useless attacks in the pridniprovsk direction.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Three mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two territorial defence brigades have been hit near Miropolye, Bachevsk, Tolstodubovo, Kiyanitsa, and Budki (Sumy region).

In Kharkov region, manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, and two national guard brigades have been hit near Udy, Krasny Yar, Varvarovka, Berezovskoye, Khatneye, and Shesterovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy lost more than 195 troops, 12 motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station, and 14 materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on formations of three mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one engineer brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, and two national guard brigades near Tatyanovka, Krasny Liman, Mayaki, Ilyichovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Senkovo, Smorodkovka, Monachinovka, and Blagodatovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU lost up to 210 troops, two U.S.-made MaxxPro and HMMWV armoured fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and four electronic warfare stations. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Manpower and hardware of six mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade were hit close to Konstantinovka, Novoselovka, Ray-Aleksandrovka, Nikolayevka, and Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic)

The enemy losses amounted to more than 175 troops, one Kazak armoured fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns. Five ammunition depots and one materiel depot were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, one jaeger brigade, one airmobile brigade, one airborne brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, two marine brigades, one territorial defence brigade, the Azov Special Operations brigade, and five national guard brigades close to Novopodgorodnoye, Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Gruzskoye, Veseloye, Vasilyevka, Rubezhnoye, Dobropolye, Sergeyevka, Novonikolaevka, Kucherov Yar and Belitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 295 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, seven motor vehicles, two artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations have been neutralised.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. Russian elements inflicted fire damage on formations of two air assault brigades, two assault brigades, and three assault regiments of the AFU near Kolomiytsy, Malomikhaylovka, Gavrilovka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Lyubitskoye, Vozdvizhevka, Charivnoye, Rozovka, and Lesnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 290 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, six armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, and two artillery guns.

The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades of the AFU near Grigorovka, Kirovo, Preobrazhenka, and Yurkovka (Zaporozhye region).

More than 50 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 19 motor vehicles, one field artillery gun, and three electronic warfare stations were neutralised.

Operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged storage and launch areas of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, transport and energy infrastructure facilities, used in the interests of the AFU, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed groups and foreign mercenaries in 140 areas.

Air defence systems shot down seven guided aerial bombs, two U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 530 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 138,052 unmanned aerial vehicles, 656 anti-aircraft missile systems, 29,051 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,709 MLRS combat vehicles, 34,618 field artillery guns and mortars, and 60,208 units of support military vehicles.

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Securing advanced manufacturing in Bendigo with new Bushmasters

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

27 April 2026

The Albanese Government is investing $750 million to deliver a pipeline of Bushmasters for the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) fleet of protected mobility vehicles in regional Victoria, supporting around 300 local jobs for the next seven years.

Thales Australia will build 268 new Bushmasters for the ADF at its Bendigo facility, continuing over 20 years of production of this world-leading capability and providing certainty to the workforce and region that depends on it.

The delivery of these additional Bushmasters will significantly boost the ADF's combat capability and force projection, as part of a modernised protected mobility fleet able to operate in our immediate region. Bushmasters are critical to the integrated force - including littoral manoeuvre, long range fires and the amphibious capable combined arms land system.

As the protected mobility vehicle of choice for nine countries, the Bushmaster is an Australian defence industry success story and a priority capability for the Australian Defence Strategic Sales Office.

In response to a request, the Albanese Government has also agreed for recently delivered Bushmasters to be sold to the Netherlands. This export provides further certainty to the Bendigo workforce, with Thales to replace these vehicles for the ADF in their next production round at no cost and in addition to this new order for the Army.

The manufacture of these Bushmasters adds to the vehicles already being built to replace those gifted to Ukraine - to support its fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion - and 59 vehicles being acquired under LAND 8113.

The Albanese Government is also investing $450 million towards upgrades of the Thales Hawkei protected mobility vehicles, and the Rheinmetall Medium/Heavy Truck Capability as part of the 2026 Integrated Investment Program's protected mobility vehicle modernisation program.

The modernisation of the Hawkei vehicles will be conducted by Thales in Brisbane, supporting 150 local jobs, and many more across the supply chain in Australia.

Through these projects, the Albanese Government is investing $1.2 billion in uplifting ADF's fleet of protected mobility vehicles.

This work will further strengthen Australia's sovereign defence industry, as well as deliver significant benefits for the local workforce in both Bendigo and Brisbane.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

"The Australian-built Bushmaster and Hawkei are recognised as world-leading protected mobility vehicles.

"Through this investment the Albanese Government is sustaining Australian jobs, strengthening our national defence industry and delivering a capability that protects the lives of Australian Defence Force personnel."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

"Built in Bendigo, Bushmasters are an iconic Australian vehicle that delivers world-leading protection to the Australian Defence Force.

"We're building close to 300 new Bushmasters, securing around 300 local jobs and delivering long-term certainty to the industry, workers and region that depends on this critical capability."

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Official Delegation of Russian Federation Arrives

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- An official delegation of the Russian Federation led by Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin arrived here on April 25 at the invitation of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly and the Ministry of National Defence to attend an inaugural ceremony of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations.

The national flags of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation were fluttering at the flagstaffs of Pyongyang International Airport and the guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up at the apron of the Terminal.

Jo Yong Won, chairman of the Standing Committee of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, warmly greeted Vyacheslav Volodin.

The delegation was greeted by Kim Jong Gyu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Vladimir Topeha, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy here, and staff members of the embassy. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Receives Greetings from Russian Party Leader

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Supreme Commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, received a congratulatory message from G. A. Zhuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and chief of the party group of the State Duma, on April 23.

The message said:

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, I extend sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of your first visit to Russia and the first anniversary of the liberation of Kursk Region from the Bandera forces, the two occasions of weighty importance in the history of the Russia-DPRK relations.

Your state visit to Russia in April 2019 served as a historic event for the two countries and powerfully promoted the development of Russia-DPRK cooperation based on the glorious tradition of friendship and good neighborliness provided in the period of the Soviet Union.

As the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was concluded, our relations have reached to an unprecedented high level and entered a new era.

The terms of the treaty could be perfectly implemented as units of the Korean People's Army were deployed in Kursk Region to liberate it from the neo-Nazi invaders according to your decision.

The successful termination of the Kursk liberation operations demonstrated before the world the durability and invincibility of the militant friendship between Russia and the DPRK.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to you and all the Korean people for your help in the liberation of Kursk Region, and we will never forget the heroic feats of the valiant Korean soldiers who shed their bloods and sacrificed their lives for Russia and for our common freedom.

We value the traditional relations of friendship between the two parties very much and will make every effort to steadily strengthen the friendship between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the interests of the peoples of the two countries in the future, too.

I wish you good health and happiness and the fraternal Korean people great success and prosperity.

I pay high tribute to you. -0-

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Chairman of Standing Committee of DPRK SPA Meets with Speaker of State Duma of Russian Federation

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- There was a meeting between Jo Yong Won, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse on April 25.

Present at the meeting were Kim Hyong Sik, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Gyu, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned, leading members of the official delegation of the Russian Federation and Vladimir Topeha, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Russian embassy here.

Jo Yong Won said that the dispatch of a high-level delegation to the inaugural ceremony of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations by the leadership of the Russian Federation is a manifestation of sincere support and reverence of all the Russian people for the Korean people who are recollecting in humble reverence the shining lives of the war martyrs of the overseas military operations units and praying for their immortality, expressing the stand to boost the bilateral relations true to the noble intention of the top leaders of the two countries.

Vyacheslav Volodin expressed his sincere thanks to Comrade Kim Jong Un and all the Korean people who rendered support to expel the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers from Kursk Region, stressing that Russia will never forget the feats of the DPRK's heroic officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the operations for liberating Kursk Region.

The meeting exchanged the issues arising in further boosting the exchange and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries and opinions on mutual concerns and reaffirmed the will of both sides to thoroughly implement the agreements reached at the historic DPRK-Russia Pyongyang summit.

The DPRK Supreme People's Assembly hosted a reception in welcome of the official delegation of the Russian Federation at the Kumsusan State Guesthouse that evening. -0-

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Russia-North Korea Combat Brotherhood Has Glorious History - Putin

Sputnik News

20260426

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday highlighted the combat brotherhood between Russia and North Korea, emphasizing the countries' glorious history and Pyongyang's assistance when part of the Kursk Region came under occupation.

Putin on Sunday sent greetings to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and participants in ceremonies marking the opening of a memorial complex and museum dedicated to heroes of a foreign military operation in Pyongyang.

"Russian-Korean combat brotherhood has a glorious history. In the final stages of World War II, Soviet troops, together with Korean patriots, liberated your country from Japanese colonial domination, and in the 1950s they helped defend the independence of North Korea in the fight against foreign interventionists. And in our time, when part of the Kursk Region fell under enemy occupation, Pyongyang, for its part, resolutely and without hesitation came to our aid," Putin said in the statement, published on the Kremlin's website.

Putin said that Korean soldiers and officers, fighting shoulder to shoulder with their Russian brothers in arms, demonstrated courage and selflessness, adding that their unparalleled feats will forever remain in the hearts of every Russian citizen.

"The memorial being solemnly opened today is designed to immortalize the heroism of Korean People's Army servicemen and the sacrifices made in the name of common victory. And of course, it will become a visible symbol of the friendship and unity of our peoples," Putin added.

Putin expressed confidence that through joint efforts, Russia and North Korea will continue to steadily strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the valiant Korean warriors, participants in the combat operations in the Kursk Region, and pay tribute to the fallen heroes," the president said.

 Sputnik

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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.

Read Also: Tesla Is Reportedly Working on an Affordable Compact Electric SUV

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.
Russia's Volodin Delivers Putin's Greetings to North Korea's Kim Jong-un

Sputnik News

20260426

PYONGYANG (Sputnik) - Russian State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin conveyed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Sunday, while expressing gratitude for Pyongyang's support in liberating Russia's Kursk region.

Volodin arrived in North Korea for a working visit on Saturday. Representing Putin, he will attend the April 26 opening of the Museum of Military Exploits of the Heroes of the Foreign Military Operation and a memorial complex, honoring North Korean soldiers' bravery in freeing Kursk from Ukrainian forces.

"I convey greetings and best wishes from our President, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, along with congratulations on re-election as Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Volodin said at the meeting.

The relations between Putin and Kim "have become the cornerstone for shaping the future, particularly in the most challenging times," he said.

"It is a great honor for us to be in Pyongyang these days and participate in the opening of the Memorial Complex and Museum of Military Exploits of the Heroes of the Foreign Military Operation," Volodin added.

Russia will never forget the Korean soldiers' valor, the official said.

"Deepest gratitude to you, dear Comrade Kim Jong-un, to the Korean people for your fraternal support in liberating Kursk territory, when Korean soldiers fought alongside our soldiers and officers, liberating Russian land from the Ukrainian Nazis.," Volodin said.

Together, the nations pay tribute to those heroes who gave their lives for Russia's freedoma true act of friendship, he said.

 Sputnik

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Neighbors are our priority: Araghchi pledges Iran-Oman partnership for safe Hormuz navigation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 11:42 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi hails Omans warm hospitality and reaffirms the Islamic Republics commitment to regional cooperation, safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and putting neighbors first.

In a message highlighting Irans constructive diplomacy, Araghchi on Sunday expressed gratitude to his Omani hosts following important high-level talks in Muscat.

Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman, Araghchi posted on X.

Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world. Our neighbors are our priority, he added.

The statement reflects the Islamic Republics consistent policy of strengthening brotherly ties with regional countries and advancing practical solutions for stability in the Persian Gulf -- solutions designed and implemented by the nations of the region themselves.

Earlier, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi wrote on X that a good discussion was held on the Strait of Hormuz with Irans Foreign Minister Dr. Araghchi.

"As littoral states, we recognize our shared responsibility to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long. Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation."

As the two littoral states bordering the Strait of Hormuz, Iran and Oman bear a natural and primary responsibility for the safety and security of this vital international waterway. During the discussions, the two sides focused on concrete ways to guarantee safe transit that serves the economic interests of all neighbors and the broader international community.

Iran has long maintained that maritime security in the Persian Gulf must be handled collectively by regional states, without the destabilizing interference of extra-regional forces whose presence has only heightened tensions.

On Sunday, Araghchi returned to Islamabad from Oman for a second official visit in two days for further consultations with Pakistani mediators amid stalled negotiations with the United States.

Araghchi left the Omani capital of Muscat, where he met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving regional crises.

Islamabad mediated and hosted a first round of talks between Iranian and American delegations on April 11-12, which ended without an agreement. Iranian negotiators blamed the USs excessive demands and shifting positions for the failure of the talks.

Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire hours before it was set to expire on April 22 and said he was awaiting a proposal from Iran.

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April 26: Iran ramps up regional diplomacy as embattled Trump looks for off-ramp

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 9:57 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Iran has intensified its diplomatic outreach to regional countries while reinforcing its uncompromising strategic posture, as contradictions deepen within US policy.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shuttled between Islamabad and Muscat, engaging key regional and international actors, and plans to continue consultations in Moscow on Monday, signaling sustained efforts to secure a permanent end to the US-Israeli war against Iran.

At the same time, Iranian military and political officials underscored resilience on the ground. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) reported the neutralization of US munitions while reaffirming its readiness to respond to further escalation.

The commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qa'ani, said the Axis of Resistance has emerged more unified and capable, rejecting claims that it is weakening.

Amid mounting regional tensions, ranging from continued Israeli strikes against Lebanon to expanded US military involvement, Tehran has framed its position as one of strategic balance: advancing diplomacy while maintaining deterrence, even as international voices increasingly question the effectiveness of Washington's pressure-based approach.

Key developments on day 58 of the war, the nineteenth day of the ceasefire:

IRGC Quds Force chief Brigadier General Qa'ani said the Axis of Resistance is now stronger and more integrated than ever before. He dismissed Israels recent claims of destroying Hezbollahs capabilities in Lebanon.

Foreign Minister Araghchi returned to Islamabad for a second official visit in two days for further consultations with Pakistani mediators amid stalled negotiations with the United States.

Araghchi held separate telephone conversations with his counterparts from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey as part of broad diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian foreign minister told the Omani ruler that the experience of the recent US-Israeli war against Iran shows that US military presence in the region does not bring security to host countries.

Omans Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said he held talks with his Iranian counterpart on the Strait of Hormuz, describing the discussions as good.

Iranian Foreign Minister will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday to discuss the latest developments following a temporary ceasefire that halted US and Israeli attacks against the Islamic Republic.

The IRGC said it has discovered 15 undetonated US missiles in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan and thousands of bomblets in the northern province of Zanjan. Its bomb disposal teams had successfully neutralised more than 15 heavy American missiles in the province.

Russias permanent representative to the international organisations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, said that Washingtons long-standing policy of negotiating from a position of strength through military threats and illegal sanctions has failed against the Islamic Republic of Iran and must be abandoned

Hezbollah strongly denounced Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for accusing the resistance movement of undermining a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, vowing to continue its legitimate response to the Israeli regimes continuous violations of the truce.

The Israeli military ordered the forced evacuation of seven Lebanese villages as it ramped up attacks on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire.

Lebanons Ministry of Public Healths emergency operations centre said two Israeli raids on a truck and a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif in the Nabatieh district killed four people.

US President Donald Trump, his wife, Melania, and other top administration officials were evacuated from the White House Correspondents Dinner (WHCA) following a shooting incident.

Trump said that the shooting was unrelated to the Iran war. Its not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I dont know if that had anything to do with it, I really dont think so, based on what we know.

Trump told reporters in Florida that he scrapped Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushners visit because the talks involved too much travel and expense to consider an inadequate offer from the Iranians.

A new report revealed that Israel sent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) an Iron Dome missile defence system with troops to operate days after the US and Israel launched their war of aggression against Iran.

UKs Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, said the economic fallout of the US-Israeli aggression on Iran could continue to affect households and businesses in the country for months as the government struggles to come up with contingency plans to mitigate the shocks.

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Iran FM holds talks with Qatari, Saudi counterparts on regional stability

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 2:40 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate telephone conversations on Sunday with his counterparts from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as part of broad diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

In a call with Qatari Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Araghchi stressed the need for continued diplomatic consultations and coordination to support peace initiatives and promote regional stability.

He outlined the current situation, particularly issues pertaining to the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between Iran and the US, as well as challenges to stabilizing it.

Al Thani welcomed Irans diplomatic approach and stated that Doha is ready to play an active role in mediating and facilitating discussions with the aim of ending the anti-Iran war.

Separately, Araghchi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud exchanged views on the latest developments in West Asia and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The Iranian foreign minister elaborated on the situation regarding the Tehran-Washington ceasefire and briefed his Saudi counterpart on Tehrans diplomatic moves to end the war and ease tensions.

Earlier on Sunday, Araghchi also held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

He also held a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Sunday.

Abdelatty affirmed the importance of diplomacy to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire in a way that leads to a permanent end to the war.

In addition to consultations with regional officials, the Iranian foreign minister also spoke with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, about developments related to the ceasefire.

Araghchi emphasized the importance of European countries playing a constructive role in the diplomatic process.

Tensions have been running high in the region following the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, which was launched on February 28 with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and several top military commanders.

On April 8, forty days into the war, a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire took effect. Talks ensued in Islamabad but stopped short of an agreement amid the United States maximalist demands and insistence on unreasonable positions.

Araghchi has been on a three-leg regional tour that included visits to Pakistan and Oman. Following discussions with senior Pakistani officials, he traveled to Muscat for a meeting with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq before returning to Islamabad for a short visit.

He is expected to head next to Moscow.

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Iran FM returns to Islamabad for further consultations with Pakistani mediators

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 2:22 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has returned to Islamabad for a second official visit in two days for further consultations with Pakistani mediators amid stalled negotiations with the United States.

Araghchi left the Omani capital of Muscat, where he met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving regional crises earlier on Sunday.

He arrived at Nur Khan Airbase on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital to hold further consultations with Pakistani officials, who mediated a two-week ceasefire between Tehran and Washington earlier this month and requested that it be extended.

Araghchi met with Pakistans Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, a key figure in the mediation effort, shortly after arriving in Islamabad. The two had also met on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Iranian minister also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Posting on X after the meetings, the top diplomat said he shared Irans workable framework with Pakistani mediators aimed at putting a lasting end to the war launched by the US and Israel against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

Shared Iran's position concerning [a] workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. [I] have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy, he wrote.

He added that his visit to Pakistan was very fruitful.

Araghchi, however, left Islamabad before a planned visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to the Pakistani capital to meet with Pakistani officials, as Tehran had said in advance that there were no plans for a second round of talks with the US.

US President Donald Trump later announced that he had cancelled their trip.

Iran says it will not negotiate with the US under threats and as long as it maintains an illegal naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Islamabad mediated and hosted a first round of talks between Iranian and American delegations on April 11-12, which ended without an agreement. Iranian negotiators blamed the USs excessive demands and shifting positions for the failure of the talks.

Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire hours before it was set to expire on April 22 and said he was awaiting a proposal from Iran.

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War on Iran proved US military presence only brings insecurity for host states: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 10:44 AM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the experience of the US-Israeli war against Iran shows that US military presence in the region does not bring security to host countries.

It only causes insecurity and division in the region, Araghchi said Sunday as he met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman in Muscat, where they discussed bilateral relations, latest regional developments, and ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving regional crises.

Araghchi further urged countries of the region to revise their security policies and revert toward a collective approach to ensure internal regional security without US interference.

During the meeting at the al-Baraka Palace, the top diplomat briefed the Omani monarch about the Iranian sides viewpoints on the latest developments in the West Asia region following the US-Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic, and attempts to address them.

Araghchi also expressed Irans appreciation for the positions of the Sultanate of Oman in supporting dialogue and promoting efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region, particularly in light of current regional challenges.

For his part, the Omani Sultan explained his countrys views on advancing mediation efforts in a way that would enhance the chances of reaching sustainable political solutions and mitigate the impact of crises on the peoples of the region.

The Sultan also emphasized the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy in addressing issues, noting that such an approach would help consolidate the foundations of peace.

Tensions have been running high in the region in the wake of the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, which was launched on February 28 with the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several top military commanders.

Iran and the US reached a two-week ceasefire starting on April 8. Talks ensued in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, but stopped short of yielding an agreement amid the United States maximalist demands and its insistence on its unreasonable positions.

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Militant convicted of terrorist acts in Sistan and Baluchestan executed: Irans Judiciary

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 8:52 AM

A militant affiliated with the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group and convicted of carrying out acts of terror in the countrys southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan has been executed, Irans Judiciary says.

The death sentence of the convict, identified as Amer Ramesh, was carried out early Sunday morning, after his conviction was confirmed by Irans Supreme Court and all legal procedures were completed.

Ramesh was captured during a counterterrorism operation in Pir Sohrab rural district of Chabahar County in the province.

The Provincial Revolution Court initially convicted him of planting bombs, launching surprise attacks on Iranian law enforcement forces, and membership in the Jaish al-Adl terrorist group, as well as a criminal anti-Iran outfit led by fugitive militant Abdul-Ghaffar Naqshbandi, and sentenced him to death.

Based on existing documents, evidence, and his explicit confessions, Irans top tribunal upheld the ruling against Ramesh.

Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan, has witnessed several terror attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years.

Terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Iranian interests in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the country are believed to be linked to foreign intelligence services.

On October 26, 2024, ten members of Irans law enforcement forces were killed in a terrorist attack in the Gohar Kuh district of Taftan County in the province.

The Jaish al-Adl terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault, which was one of the deadliest in the province in recent years.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Holds Talks In Oman, After US Envoys Abruptly Cancel Pakistan Trip

By RFE/RL April 26, 2026

Iran's foreign minister held talks with the leader of Oman, a day after the two lead US envoys abruptly pulled out of planned talks aimed at ending the nearly two-month old war in Iran.

Abbas Araqchi's meetings in Muscat on April 26 were part of the latest shuttle diplomacy and zig-zagging negotiations aimed at resolving the Iran war, which has reverberated around the globe, sending energy prices skyrocketing.

The talks, scheduled in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, had been seen as potential progress in reaching an deal to end the conflict.

The talks were slated to include Araqchi, as well as the two White House envoys: Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

However, Kushner and Witkoff's trip was called off at the last minute on April 25.

It wasn't entirely clear why President Donald Trump canceled the trip, however, in a social media post he suggested Iran's negotiators were at odds with authorities at home.



"Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership,'" he said.

The United States and Israel have paused offensive operations against Iran, under a cease-fire declared by Trump, and extended on April 21.

In a brief interview later with the news outlet Axios, he said the cancelation of the US envoys' trip did not automatically mean US operations would resume.

Araqchi did travel to Islamabad on he called a "timely tour" for meetings with Pakistani officials, who have played a central role in trying to negotiate and end to the fighting.

In his talks with Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Araqchi conveyed Iran's "views and considerations for ending the war" as well as its reservations about US demands, the Reuters news agency reported, citing an unnamed Pakistani official.



On April 26, Araqchi met with the sultan of Oman in the capital Muscat, where both sides discussed the regional situation and mediation efforts, Oman's state news agency reported. No further details were released.

Iran's Foreign Ministry released a statement quoting Araqchi as saying that US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division and he called for a regional security framework free of outside interference.

Iranian media have reported Araqchi could also travel to Moscow. Russia has close ties with Tehran and has provided some critical intelligence that has helped Iran target US forces in the region, but has largely played a back-seat role in the peace talks.

Iran has demanded Washington lift a US 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.

The US naval blockade, combined with Iran's own effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has sent global energy prices soaring, leading to fuel shortages in some countries, and disruptions to international airline travel.

In recent days, Iran seized two vessels near the strait and fired on a third after the US seized an Iranian-flagged ship.

Iran's joint military command warned on April 25 that it would respond if the United States continued its blockade.

With reporting by Reuters, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, and RFE/RL Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-war- peace-talks-/33742716.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iranian Foreign Minister to Visit Russia on April 27, Plans to Meet With Putin - Envoy

Sputnik News

20260426

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Russia on April 27 and plans to hold a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the Islamic republic's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said on Sunday.

"The visit will take place on Monday, and during it, Araghchi will hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Jalali said in a statement published by the Iranian Embassy in Russia on Telegram.

"During his visit to Moscow, Araghchi will hold consultations with Russian officials on the current state of negotiations [between Iran and the US], the conditions of the ceasefire and related issues, and will also present a report on these talks to the Russian authorities," Jalali said.

Araghchi will also discuss possible joint initiatives between Iran and Russia regarding the US talks, Jalali added.

"Should any initiatives arise from either side, including joint initiatives, they will be discussed," the Iranian ambassador said.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that Araghchi arrived in Pakistan from Oman to meet with senior Pakistani officials and will later travel to Moscow.

The minister reportedly arrived at Nur Khan Airbase in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi following a day-long visit to Oman.

Previously, Araghchi discussed security in the Persian Gulf and Oman, as well as shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Subsequent talks in Islamabad ended inconclusively. While no resumption of hostilities was announced, the US began a blockade of Iranian ports.

 Sputnik

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Trump says he canceled U.S. representatives' trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:07, April 27, 2026

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.

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Australia became the first country to impose a social media ban for kids, but in Canada, Manitoba is already on its way to introducing the same policy. The province is expected to restrict AI chatbot access for children.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced the proposal during a fundraiser event and on social media, framing it as a move to protect young people from exploitative digital platforms.

Government Cites Harmful Engagement Practices By Platforms

Kinew argued that social media companies prioritize engagement and profit over children's well-being. He said platforms often expose young users to harmful content and rely on manipulative design features to keep them online longer.

Our kids are not for sale.



We're moving forward with a first-in-Canada plan to ban social media and AI chatbots for youth - because these platforms are built to capture attention, not protect it.



Childhood should be about learning, growing, and being present. Not endless... pic.twitter.com/qbpWVBoFFv  Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) April 26, 2026

He said that young users will never be for sale, emphasizing that childhood attention should not be monetized by tech companies.

However, several key details remain unclear. The province has not confirmed the minimum age threshold, enforcement mechanisms, or rollout timeline.

Kinew also did not take questions from reporters following the announcement, leaving major parts of the proposal undefined.

Canada Expands Debate On Youth Social Media Restrictions

Manitoba's proposal aligns with the previous discussions across Canada. The federal Liberal Party has already supported proposals that would restrict social media and AI chatbot use for users under 16.

Other initiatives under consideration include potential restrictions for children under 14, which would be stricter than recently implemented rules in countries such as Australia.

Effectiveness Of Social Media Bans Remains In Question

Despite growing political momentum, experts remain divided on whether such restrictions would be effective, per Engadget.

Some research, including findings from child safety advocacy groups, suggests that outright bans may not fully prevent access, as teens often find alternative ways to reach restricted platforms.
Araghchi arrives in Russia for close consultations on regional, international issues

Iran Press TV

Monday, 27 April 2026 5:15 AM

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia to continue close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues, and to enhance bilateral relations.

Speaking upon arrival at Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg on Monday, Araghchi noted that due to the recent US-Israeli aggression against the country, there had been a gap in meetings with Russian counterparts.

We have tried to use the available opportunity, following our trips to Pakistan and Oman, to travel to Russia, he said.

Araghchi added that Mondays meeting would be a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation, expressing confidence that consultations and coordination between the two countries would be of particular importance.

Constructive consultations held in Pakistan

Regarding his trips to Islamabad and Oman over the past three days, the foreign minister emphasized the bilateral nature of the visits.

Pointing to Pakistans role as a mediator in Iran-US negotiations, Araghchi said it was necessary to review the latest situation with Pakistani officials.

Previous negotiations, despite some progress, did not achieve their goals due to American approaches, their excessive demands, and their wrong policies. Therefore, we needed to hold consultations with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest developments, Araghchi explained.

He stressed that Irans position in the negotiations is very important.

We must secure the rights of the Iranian people after 40 days of resistance and protect the countrys interests, he added.

Iran-Oman expert-level consultations on Strait of Hormuz to continue

Referring to his meetings with senior Omani officials, Araghchi noted that Iran and Oman are both littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, and it is necessary for them to consult each other, especially as safe passage through the strait has become a globally significant issue.

It is natural that as two coastal countries of this strait, we must talk to each other to secure our common interests and coordinate any action taken in this regard, because the interests of Iran and Oman are directly involved in this matter, Araghchi said.

He confirmed that there is a broad consensus between Iran and Oman, and it was agreed during the visit that consultations would continue at the expert level.

Iran closed the waterway to the enemies and their allies following the launch of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28, with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and several top military commanders.

On April 8, forty days into the war, a temporary Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect. Talks ensued in Islamabad but stopped short of an agreement amid the United States maximalist demands and insistence on unreasonable positions.

Iran announced the reopening of the chokehold to commercial traffic following the announcement of a ceasefire by US President Donald Trump on April 7.

The country, however, imposed a total closure on the waterway on April 18 after Trump said the US was continuing an unlawful blockade it had imposed on Iran in continuation of unlawful aggression towards the country.

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Trump Says Tehran 'Can Call Us' If It Wants To Talk, While Iran's Araqchi Arrives In Russia

By RFE/RL April 27, 2026

US President Donald Trump said that Tehran "can call us" if it wants to talk, but he added that it must give up any plans to build a nuclear weapon or "there's no reason to meet."

Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi, Iran's foreign minister and key negotiator, arrived in St. Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key ally, on April 27 as the future of Pakistani-mediated peace talks between the US and Iran remains clouded.

"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 Fox News on April 26.

"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.

Tehran has always insisted that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, although the US and Israel accuse Iran of secretly attempting to build a nuclear weapon.

Trump has demanded that Tehran cease its program of enriching uranium that could be used to build a bomb and that it had over its supply of the mineral -- something Iran has said will not happen.

Axios on April 26 reported that Tehran, working through Pakistani mediators, has given the US a new proposal in which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and a US blockade of Iranian ports lifted, but with negotiations on Iran's nuclear program to be held later. The story cited an unnamed US official and two sources with knowledge of the matter.

Second Round Called Off

A second round of talks was tentatively set to kick off in Pakistan over the weekend, but after Tehran said its team was not planning to meet with American negotiators, Trump announced he had canceled the trip of White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Islamabad.

In a social media post, Trump suggested Iran's negotiators were at odds with authorities at home. "Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership,'" he said.

Araqchi, who along with powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led a first round of talks in Pakistan on April 11-12, is making the diplomatic rounds in an effort to beef up support for Iran.

After traveling to Pakistan, Araqchi went to Oman, where he looked to sell leaders there on the idea of a joint shipping toll on the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway -- a move vehemently opposed by most of the rest of the world.

"Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors," he wrote on X.

Araqchi then returned to Pakistan briefly before heading on to Russia, arriving early on April 27 in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin. Iran and Russia are both subject to crippling Western sanctions and have built a strong political and military alliance.

Tehran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, wrote on X that Araqchi will meet with Putin during his visit. Russian officials confirmed that Putin plans to meet with Iran's top diplomat..

Jalali added that Araqchi would "consult Russian officials regarding the latest status of the negotiations, cease-fire, and surrounding developments."

"Coordinating interactions and advancing joint programs at the regional and international levels is the most important agenda of this trip," he wrote, adding that Iran and Russia are in a "united front" against Western nations.

Fighting In Lebanon

While the US-Israeli cease-fire appears to be holding in Iran, the Israel-Lebanon truce -- although still officially in effect, appears to be fraying.

Lebanese officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people and wounded 37 on April 26 after the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the "buffer zone" it is occupying.

The Israeli military accused the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group of violating the cease-fire and vowed to respond.

A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political branch.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-pakistan- russia-putin-araqchi-ceasefire/33742897.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of the Government Meeting

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 26.04.2026

Prime Minister Netanyahu, today:

"Like you, my wife and I were shocked to hear about the repeated attempt to assassinate President Trump and his wife. We were glad that both of them, along with senior U.S. government officials, emerged unharmed. There is no place for violence, not against political leaders and not against anyone. This includes not only the United States; it includes, first and foremost, the State of Israel, from within.

I was shocked by the abhorrent murder in Petah Tikva, at the pizzeria in Petah Tikva. A lovely child, Yimno Binyamin Zalka, of blessed memory, was taken, and his life was cut short. Following that - wild incitement. I believe this is something we cannot accept; we must stop it and excise it while it is still small.

I intend to meet with the Minister of Education and the Minister of National Security immediately after this meeting to see what we can do regarding our schools and our enforcement. We must bring the murderers to justice, and we must instill, in schools, in classrooms, and in homes, among teachers and parents, that this is a criminal act, and we must condemn it in every possible way. This must be our constant guide."

Regarding Lebanon: one might get the impression that the IDF is not active there. It is active, and it is acting with force. It must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are essentially disintegrating the ceasefire. Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities.

We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well. This means freedom of action, not only to respond to attacks, which is obvious, but to thwart immediate threats and also to neutralize emerging threats.

In the past two weeks, according to Northern Command, we have eliminated 46 terrorists, and we will act with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. We are not prepared to accept this lawlessness. We will do whatever is necessary to restore security to the North.

Today, I am bringing excellent appointments to the Cabinet meeting:

Tzipi Hotovely - Head of the National Public Diplomacy Directorate. Tzipi is well known to you. She was a Member of Knesset, a Minister, and a very proactive and outstanding Ambassador to Britain. She will take upon herself this important mission, in coordination, of course, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have integrated, vital work to do in public diplomacy on a global level.

Doron Cohen will serve as Civil Service Commissioner. Doron is highly experienced. He served as the Director-General of the Ministry of Finance, Head of the Government Companies Authority, and Chairman of Cellcom. He combines experience from both the private and public sectors, and we need to bring the standards of the business sector into the public sector."

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Israel secretly deployed Iron Dome to UAE amid Irans reprisal strikes: Report

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 26 April 2026 3:02 PM

A new report has revealed that Israel sent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) an Iron Dome air defense system with troops to operate it days after the US and Israel launched their war of aggression against Iran.

The American publication Axios cited two Israeli officials as saying that the secret deployment came after Abu Dhabi sought urgent assistance from its allies following devastating missile and drone strikes launched by Iran in retaliation.

It said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the regimes military to send an Iron Dome batteries with interceptors and several dozen operators after a call with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed.

The deployment of the air defense system during the warmarking the first time such a system was stationed in and utilized by the UAEhad not been previously made public, according to the report.

The deployment came at the time when the regime was itself taking heavy fire, struggling to intercept advanced Iranian missiles targeting its own positions.

An earlier report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said that Irans sustained barrages of missiles and drones pushed Israels anti-missile systems beyond their limits, allowing more missiles to slip through.

Facing a relentless and overwhelming Iranian retaliation that exhausted its defensive stockpiles, the Israeli regime began rationing its most advanced missile interceptors.

During 40 days of intense fighting, Iranian Armed Forces retaliated with over 100 waves of missile and drone strikes against the occupied territories and US bases in regional counties.

The US and Israel launched their war of aggression against Iran on February 28. The two enemies used the territories of the Persian Gulf states  Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan for launching airstrikes against Iran.

In some cases, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf directly participated in unlawful attacks against Iran.

According to the WSJ report, the strain on interceptor supplies is not limited to Israel as Irans missile and drone attacks significantly stressed regional defense postures as well.

It said that Persian Gulf countries such as the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain were also seeking additional air defense support, while interceptor systems themselves are in short supply globally.

Iranian authorities have constantly maintained that any country facilitating aggression against the country will be held directly responsible.

Meanwhile, Tehran has demanded compensation from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan for committing internationally wrongful acts by allowing their territories to be used by the US and Israel for attacks against the country.

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Israeli Ex-Prime Ministers Bennett, Lapid Announce Merger of Opposition Parties

Sputnik News

20260426

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announced on Sunday that they would merge their opposition parties, Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, and run jointly in Israel's upcoming elections, scheduled for autumn, state broadcaster Kan reported.

According to the report, Bennett will lead the unified party. They will also invite former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot to join their bloc.

"This step will lead to the unification of a bloc for course correction, put an end to internal strife, and allow all efforts to focus on a decisive victory in the upcoming elections and lead Israel to the necessary correction," a Bennett representative was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.

Lapid, currently the leader of Israel's parliamentary opposition, said on X that he and Bennett would address journalists at 8:10 p.m. local time (17:10 GMT).

 Sputnik

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Former Israeli PMs join forces to dethrone Netanyahu in upcoming elections

Iran Press TV

Monday, 27 April 2026 6:09 AM

Two former Israeli prime ministers have said they would join forces in upcoming elections expected later this year in a bid to dethrone longtime prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Sunday, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who previously shared power under a rotation agreement, announced plans to merge their parties into a single political faction led by Bennett.

The move is intended to bring together opposition forces that have remained divided in recent years.

"The move is intended to unite the bloc, put an end to internal divisions and focus all efforts on winning the critical upcoming elections," Lapids Yesh Atid party said in a statement.

The two politicians previously led a coalition cabinet formed in 2021, which ended more than a decade of Netanyahus rule at the time.

Under their agreement, Bennett functioned as prime minister during the first year before the coalition collapsed. Lapid then assumed the role of caretaker prime minister for the final six months.

Subsequent elections returned Netanyahu to power.

Since then, Lapid has filled the position of head of the opposition, while Bennett stepped away from political life.

Despite notable differences, the two maintained a close working relationship during their time in the cabinet.

Observers commenting on the development said the Israeli regime's fragmented opposition has little in common, but shared disagreement with Netanyahu's acts as a uniting force.

The announcement of the pending alliance came amid raucous outcry within the regime over mismanagement and loopholes blamed on Netanyahu and his officials regarding the events of October 7, 2023.

The day saw Palestinian resistance fighters stage a historic operation against the regime, venturing deep into the occupied territories, encircling bases, and ensnaring hundreds of settlers.

Regime officials and settlers have also been piling pressure on Netanyahu over the sprawling destruction and significant casualties that have resulted from Iran's and regional resistance movements' daring retaliatory strikes in the face of Tel Aviv's unprovoked aggression.

Additionally, the Israeli prime minister has been grappling with a corruption scandal featuring bribery, fraud, and breach of trust for years, which has prompted his key ally and supporter, US President Donald Trump, to try to intervene to secure him a pardon.

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Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov arrives in Democratic People's Republic of Korea on a working visit

26 April 2026 00:51

During the visit to Pyongyang, the head of the Russian military department holds meetings with the DPRK top leadership and the command of the Korean People's Army, and takes part in solemn and commemorative events.

At the Pyongyang airport, the Russian Defence Minister was met by the head of the DPRK military department Army General No Kwang-chol.

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Trump Says Maintains Contact With Putin, Declines to Reveal Their Last Conversation

Sputnik News

20260426

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he maintains contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but declined to reveal the date of their last conversation.

"I do not want to reveal that, but I do have conversations with him [Putin]," Trump told Fox News when asked about his last conversation with the Russian leader.

Trump also said that he maintains contact with Volodymyr Zelensky as part of efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Washington continues its efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, Trump said.

"We are working on the Russia situation, Russia and Ukraine. And hopefully we are going to get it," Trump said.

The United States will no longer send its delegations to Pakistan for talks with Iran, the Iranian side can travel to Washington or contact by phone, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday.

"If they want to talk, they [Iranian representatives] can come to us or they can call us," Trump told Fox News.

Donald Trump said on Sunday that the conflict with Iran will end very soon.

"We've done a great job. Iran war will come to an end soon and we will be very victorious," he said.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Subsequent talks in Islamabad ended inconclusively.

NATO does not serve the interests of the United States, the alliance is disappointing in its refusal to support the country, Donald Trump said.

"We are not happy with NATO. NATO did not serve us. We have been serving them for many years, spending trillions of dollars. And when we wanted a little help, they were not there. So, we have to remember that," Trump said.

On April 1, Trump said that he was strongly considering withdrawing the US from NATO after the allies refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. He said he no longer saw Europe as a reliable defense partner after the Europeans rejected his call to send warships to the strategic waterway.

 Sputnik

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Russia's Lavrov Stresses Importance for US to Resolve Hormuz Crisis Quickly, Then Ukraine

Sputnik News

20260426

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - It is important for the United States to devise a solution for the Strait of Hormuz crisis as soon as possible, and then promptly address the Ukrainian crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday.

"What is important to them [the US]? It is important for them to come up with some kind of solution around the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible and then also quickly come up with something about the Ukrainian crisis," Lavrov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Nazism is resurging, with Volodymyr Zelensky reveling in his leadership of this process, the minister said.

"[Zelensky] openly declares that we will defend everyone [in Europe], we have the strength, experience, and Europe's largest army, but I don't think that it will end well," he said.

Lavrov highlighted Zelensky's insistence on immediate EU membership for Ukrainea nation under an openly Nazi regime that has banned Russian culture entirely and suppressed the canonical Orthodox Church.

On March 15, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the Ukraine negotiations had been paused as Washington's attention was focused elsewhere. The following day, he noted that Russia was waiting for a new round of talks on the Ukrainian conflict, but that the location and time had not yet been determined for obvious reasons.

 Sputnik

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Europe's Security Architecture Unthinkable Without Russia - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20260426

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe's security architecture is unthinkable without Russia, as the country is an inseparable element of Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.

"European security architecture is unthinkable without taking into account Russia's interests and without Russia's participation in it. We can only hope this current crop of politicians eventually yields to more pragmatic politicians. But, of course, the picture is completely depressing for now," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Russia cannot be Europe's main threat, because Russia, no matter what anyone says, being a Eurasian country, is still an integral part of Europe, he also said.

"Unfortunately, the current cohort of European politicians has chosen a line of total Russophobia as their main guide. Declaring Russia the main threat to Europe's existence is unreasonable. It is a mistake," Peskov said.

Peskov added that Russia has been cast as an "ideal external enemy" for Europe for propaganda purposes. However, European authorities are unlikely to be able to blame all internal problems on Russia.

"It is obvious that they will have to give way to other political forces. But what kind of political forces will they be? Germany is the largest European power with a powerful economy and a very disciplined society. Which direction this will all go - I would not venture to say now," Peskov said.

History has seen cases where revanchists came to power, demanding revenge for years of national humiliation and the creation of a new strong army, he added.

Peskov also said that the crisis in Europe is deepening - economic crises, existential crises, and a security crisis, but above all, a crisis in understanding itself and its basic values.

Earlier this week, Germany approved its first-ever military strategy, explicitly naming Russia as the "main threat."

Ukraine will have to make even more painful decisions, which is causing hysteria, Dmitry Peskov said.

"It will only get worse. Even more painful decisions will need to be made. And they are beginning to understand this - hence the hysteria," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.

Moscow has repeatedly called on Kiev to muster the will and make the decisions necessary to reach agreements, the spokesman said.

 Sputnik

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China's automotive development path provides footnote to 'people-centered' approach

11:02, April 27, 2026 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

A corner of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show on April 24, 2026 Photo: Li Hao/GT

The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition boasts an unprecedented scale and remarkable popularity. Since its opening on April 24, nearly 4,000 overseas media personnel have flocked to the venue, with the "Beijing Auto Show" continuously trending on international social media. Within the massive 380,000 square-meter exhibition, 1,451 vehicles from 21 countries and regions are on display, including 181 globally premiering models and 71 concept cars, all competing for attention. Both the "density of new models" and the "concentration of cutting-edge technology" have reached record highs. What the world sees in Beijing is not merely an automotive carnival, but an illustration of China's high-quality development.

The international popularity surrounding the Beijing Auto Show signals the strong international recognition of China's automotive industry. Foreign journalists, moving between exhibition halls, have showered praises on Chinese automakers' latest technological achievements and future driving scenarios, using phrases such as "highly striking design," "the craziest, coolest models," and "amazing" to describe their experiences at the exhibition. For a long time, the world's five major auto shows were dominated by Europe, the US, and Japan. The automotive industry, as a core yardstick of a nation's modern industrial capability, has now extended from "Western-centered stage" to "Eastern exhibition showcase," reflecting the achievements of China's high-quality development.

From the Beijing Auto Show, people clearly see that innovation has become one of the primary engines driving the high-quality development of China's economy. Today, China's automotive industry is no longer merely "following" or "running alongside" global leaders - it is increasingly taking the lead amid the waves of electrification, intelligence, and connectivity. Meanwhile, several core suppliers made their first large-scale entry into prime booths in the main exhibition hall, demonstrating the advantages of China's upstream and downstream coordination and complete industrial chain. The rapid rise of China's auto industry should be attributed to a powerful synergy formed across policy guidance, talent cultivation, technological R&D, industrial support, and infrastructure development. This is a reflection of how different elements of China's high-quality development are interconnected.

Another "code" to China's high-quality development revealed by the Beijing Auto Show lies in its prioritization of the people's aspirations for a better life. Whether it is the introduction of intelligent driver-assistive technology into affordable vehicles priced at 100,000 yuan ($14,600), or "generational leap" in ultra-fast charging technology that eases "range anxiety," all innovations by Chinese automakers remain closely tied to real social needs.

Similarly, China's automotive industry brings together the strength of the entire industrial chain, breaking traditional boundaries and achieving deep collaboration. From AI transforming cars from "transportation tools" into "intelligent companions" to the internet ecosystems enabling "vehicle-road-cloud integration," all of these root economic growth and industrial upgrading in a "people-centered" value pursuit, thereby driving continuous refinement and improvement.

The demand for green and intelligent mobility among Chinese people is also a shared global need. Following the pace of economic globalization, Chinese automakers are also promoting their "people-centered" production philosophy overseas. Just as the Beijing Auto Show opened, China's SAIC Motor's MG unit reportedly plans to set up a European factory in Spain. Many exhibitors have launched new models designed specifically for overseas markets or announced growth targets in Europe and Latin America. An increasing number of Chinese enterprises are building factories, R&D centers, supply chains, and service networks in Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East - bringing not just automotive products, but also jobs, technology, management expertise, and green transition solutions. This "going global" does not aim to "squeeze others out," but to grow together with local industries, optimize resource allocation globally, and enable more consumers to enjoy intelligent and green mobility at reasonable costs.

On the path of turning sustainable development into shared global benefits, China is attracting more like-minded partners. A decade ago, multinational automakers often showcased "old technologies" in China; today, they use the Beijing Auto Show as a platform for launching their latest innovations and future strategies. Some foreign media have also noted that at this year's auto show, multinational automakers such as BMW and Hyundai are no longer confined to an "in China, for China" strategy, but are further shifting to a new model of "in China, for the world." They are deepening cooperation with local partners and leveraging China's supply chain to optimize global production and sales costs. The fact that Chinese and foreign companies are learning from each other and co-evolving in the Chinese market demonstrates that openness is not a one-way concession, but a two-way empowerment; competition is not a zero-sum game, but a vital force driving industrial progress.

The ever-evolving Beijing Auto Show has become a microcosm of the harmonious coexistence between the Chinese modernization and global development. Standing in the exhibition halls of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, what people see is not only thousands of new vehicles, but also a new voyage of high-quality development undertaken by this Eastern powerhouse - with innovation, openness and green development as its wings.

The journey from "participant" to "leader" in the global automotive industry bears witness to how China's "strength" simultaneously becomes the world's "blessing."

The Chinese modernization does not pursue a win-lose outcome, but rather drives shared progress through its own development. This kind of modernization has speed, depth, and warmth. The image of China's automotive industry showcased at the Beijing Auto Show provides a concrete and compelling footnote of such modernization.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
by Barbara Fischkin

I am writing this in honor of my late mother Ida Fischkin who, as a child, saved her own life in the midst an anti-Semitic pogrom in Eastern Europe. She taught me to fight for the seemingly powerlessto consider they might not be weak or stupid. Her lessons came in handy as I raised our elder son, who has nonspeaking autism. For 33 of his 38 years, he has typed to communicate his own thoughts with sensory support from me and from some of his more enlightened and well-trained therapists and teachers. These days, at the keyboard, he approaches independence and often demonstrates it.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of non-speakers who use this same technique.

Some need the same sensory support as my sona touch on the hand can fade to the arm or shoulder. Then they move on to independence. Others need support for longer. The training is intense and complicated. One must learn to merely touch non-speakers, not move them to the keys. This communication has been validated as real and original by doctoral level professors, expert educators and scholars and by the typers themselves who communicate information their sensory supporters do not know.

I have a long list of validations, which were typed by my son Daniel Mulvaney and span the years. I write about him and offer two examples of these validations, with his permission. As a child he told his teachers that he had seen a dead bird while on a walk with me. Indeed, he had. More recently he bemoaned the loss of a romantic opportunity with a nonspeaking woman because she found a boyfriend who drives. She did.

But now the chair of a committee in the New York State Senate, the legislatures upper housewants to officially denigrate this method. She wants to demolish its use. She wants to terrify schools, teachers and programs for children and adults so that this methodcalled facilitated communication or supported typingwill die a brutal death like that bird my son Dan and I saw smashed on the sidewalk so many years ago. She wants to put Dan and his compatriots back into an autism cohort that may not exist, that of the cognitively retarded. She wants to regress to the Willowbrook years, when so many with autism were cruelly institutionalized because they could not show what they knew.

If the Senate goes along with her, it will disenfranchise hundreds, perhaps thousands more, of non-speakers who communicate with related techniques in which, instead of typing they use a pointer to spell on cardboard or plastic letterboards. I have seen some do this with lightning speed and independence. Some of these spellers need support, as they learn independence. Some do not.

The details: The Senate Disabilities Committee chair wants to amend a bill passed last year by a similar committee in the lower state Assembly house and then, unanimously, by the entire house. That original bill, The Communication Bill of Rights, guaranteed that any individual with a disability could use any technique to communicateany technique that worked for that individual. This victory was celebrated by many in the autism community. Passage by the Senate was also expected, as was the expectation that the governor would sign the Communication Bill of Rights into law. (A law that actually was not needed, since this right is already guaranteed by the longstanding Americans With Disabilities Act.)

All was going well until the head of the Senate Disability Committee decided to add those amendments.

These current amendments now insist that nonspeaking individuals who use typing and spelling techniques be independent from the get-go. If the entire Senate committee agrees to keep these restrictive amendments, it could have implications for others with disabilities. Consider a child with ambulatory disabilities who needs to wear braces which will hopefully lead to independent walking. Following the Senate amendments logic on autism communication techniques, the braces would be outlawed, and the child would have to walk without them right away. Or not walk. Ever.



To keep order in these draft memoir chapters on this 3quarksdaily page I had planned to write about my mother as a much older woman, visiting my husband and myself when we were reporting on the longstanding war in Northern Ireland. My mother was nearly arrested after telling British police officers that they should stop discriminating against Catholics. That she, herself, had been victimized by religious discrimination.

I am putting that chapter aside for now because this attempt at discriminationagainst the disabledis hitting my son in the face. I know that his grandmother is looking down on this from the heavens and she is not happy. As an oppressed child, my mother immigrated to New York, a state she never left, a state with the motto Excelsior. Latin for excellence. What is happening in regard to the faltering Communication Bill of Rights is not excellence. Its a shamble. As I write, scores of individuals with autism, their parents, family members and supporters are planning to descend on Albany this Wednesday, April 29, 2026. A Go Fund Me Campaign is underway for a billboard in Albany, shaming the leader of this fiasco, the chair of the Senate Disabilities Committee.

I am hoping this mess can be rectified before Wednesdayand human rights restoredso that the march and the billboard can be cancelled. But even if that does happen, there is a major lesson here on how our elected officials waste time as part of their efforts to make life unfair. And how they can be unduly influenced.

It is no secret among autism communicatorsand their families, teachers and supportersthat these amendments are part of a nationwide lobbying effort by ASHA, more formally known as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. ASHA is determined to stop the teaching and use of facilitated communication and the letterboard techniques. Why? ASHA seems stuck in the last centuryand also unwilling to require backward thinking therapists to learn these new techniques. Do its members have money invested in the simplistic computer programs approved by the association? I keep thinking back to my junior high school history teacher, the first teacher to tell me to follow the money. ASHA also seems to have this undue influence over not only the Senate Disabilities Committee but also the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities, known as OPWDD. The big question: Why should a professional organization have such power over government?

Why do I believe this? A few years ago at the suggestion of the agency that runs my elder son Dans terrific group home, I asked OPWDD for a small addition of funding to train more of Dans helpers. I had already paid $300 of our own money for training for two. In response OPWDD took away Dans entire self-direction budget of $30,000, monies he had had for several years. OPWDD said it made a mistake. He never should have had the money anyway. Huh? Go figure.

Meanwhile, back to the Senate. Its not as if these Senators have nothing else to do.

The New York State budget is weeks late with its sixth extension passed on April 22. Youd think legislators up there in Albany would have more important things to do than mess around with the disabled.

Some more money facts: In the early 1990s I worked with my son Dan on a plastic toy typewriter, which I bought myself. Cost: under $5. These days he has two iPads used by his group home and his day program, each costing under a thousand dollars and paid for with public money. Why two had to be bought is beyond me.

In closing, the Assemblys original Communication Bill of Rights has the support of Temple Grandin, perhaps the most well-known individual with autism in the United States. It also has the support of Helen Kellers descendants.

I guess the New York State Senate would rather listen to ASHA.

As an endnote to this post see this letter, written by my husband James Mulvaney, Dans father and a former New York State Deputy Commissioner of Human Rights. It will answer any questions I have not addressed here.

ENDNOTE: Re: S7792  Communication Bill of Rights for Individuals with Disabilities

Dear Senate Leadership Team:

I write to vigorously oppose Senator Fahys attempt to prevent my son from using assisted communication, so vital to his dignity, well-being, and survival, and to urge you to support S7792, the Communication Bill of Rights for Individuals with Disabilities, by restoring the unanimously passed Assembly version of the bill.

I served under Governor Paterson as Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, the oldest state civil rights law enforcement agency in the nation. During our term, we were able to facilitate a U.S. Department of Justice settlement with the states third largest police department to end discriminatory practices, specifically targeting Latinos. We were also able to win a $19 million settlement from an international construction company that included admissions of civil rights violations related to MWBE regulations on public works projects. I mention those achievements to demonstrate my commitment to human rights and to suggest that this bill likely has Thomas Dewey spinning in his grave. As a long-time adjunct in the Law and Police Science Department at John Jay College, I cherish our states moral leadership related to human dignity and the tenets of compassionate laws.

The opposition to any type of assistance to non-verbal individuals runs contrary to the spiritand likely the letterof Deweys law. Opponents with vested financial interests, like ASHA, oppose the use of assisted communication because of their knee-jerk refusal to add a tool that doesnt profit them. We need programs that can assist the non-verbal population in expressing their desires and opinions, as protected under the First Amendment.

The opponents drag up old canards about false allegations of sexual abuse and shamelessly blame assisted communication for the manslaughter of a non-verbal child by his mentally unstable mother. Courts have handled cases with false claims for decades. Do we abolish police SVUs because of cases like Tawana Brawley?

The studies dismiss the practical applications that keep my 39-year-old son relatively stable. When we visit restaurants, I turn first to the appetizers page; he quickly points out his order. That is followed by entrees, etc. Without that methodology, I would guess, often incorrectly, his preference, leading to repeated meltdowns in places of public accommodation that might appear as criminal. We have had law enforcement interactions that thankfully ended without consequence. (At DHR, I led a team that created autism response guides for the Nassau County Police Department.) How dare Senator Fahy or the speech-for-profit industry say my son should not be allowed to choose onion rings over fries?

Fahys follies have been decried by the family of Helen Keller, as well as by Dr. Temple Grandin, perhaps the most famous person on the autism spectrum. If Fahy were dining with my son, he would likely steal her onion ringsnot because he is larcenous, but because he has lived much of his life suffering a lack of choice and dignity.

Concerns about authorship and false reporting are not unique to individuals who use assisted communication. Every system that relies on human communicationcourts, law enforcement, healthcarealready has layers of corroboration in place. We look for consistency. We look for repeated communication across different partners and settings. We investigate and apply due process. Speaking people lie. We do not cut out their tongues. We assess credibility.

Preventing access to communication in the name of protection is not protectionit is exposure. It increases vulnerability by silencing the very people who most need to be heard.

I am writing as a constituent of Senator Canzoneri, and to Senator Bynoe on behalf of my son Dan, who lives in a group home in Baldwin. Senator Stewart-Cousins is included because of her strong leadership on behalf of all New Yorkers.

New York has long stood for civil rights and human dignity. I urge you to do so again here.

Restore the original Assembly version of S7792.

Respectfully,

Jim Mulvaney
PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.04.27

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date:

6 a.m. Apr. 26 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 27 (Mon.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

7 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 7 sorties entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1150427_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1150427_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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Joint Statement of the International Conference on Chornobyl

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

Kyiv, 26 April 2026

We, the participants of the International Donor Conference on Chornobyl, gathered in Kyiv on the occasion of the 40th year of the Chornobyl tragedy, reaffirm our shared commitment to nuclear safety, environmental protection and international cooperation.

We honour the courage, sacrifice and selfless dedication of the liquidators of the Chornobyl disaster, whose actions were instrumental in mitigating its consequences and protecting millions of lives.

We welcome the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/111, entitled "Strengthening international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster", adopted on 10 December 2025 as well as the report of the Secretary-General A/80/395, entitled "Persistent legacy of the Chornobyl disaster".

We also welcome the UNESCO Decision 224 EX/30 adopted on 22 April 2026 to commemorate the 40th year of the Chornobyl tragedy, which highlighted the necessity of remembrance, transmission, and risk-awareness raising for current and future generations.

Forty years after the Chornobyl disaster, its legacy remains a global responsibility. Today, this legacy faces new risks because of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

We express serious concern over the damage to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, caused on 14 February 2025 by a Russian drone strike, which poses serious risks to nuclear safety and long-term structural integrity.

We underline that the timely and comprehensive restoration of the NSC is essential to ensure nuclear safety and to safeguard the significant international investments made over decades.

We strongly condemn Russia`s attacks against civilian infrastructure of Ukraine, including nuclear-related facilities, and reaffirm that nuclear safety must never be compromised.

We firmly emphasize that all parties to an armed conflict, including an aggressor, are obligated to strictly comply with international law, including international humanitarian law and must categorically refrain from any actions that damage or destroy nuclear power plants. Any such actions may constitute a flagrant violation of the international nuclear safety standards and international humanitarian law. They risk the release of dangerous forces and are liable to cause severe, widespread, and long-term harm to the civilian population.

We welcome the significant efforts of Ukraine, in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as other partners, including the EU, the G7, the UN and other international organisations, to mobilise international support for the restoration of the NSC.

We will continue to explore possibilities for providing financial contributions, including new or additional support, and encourage partners to contribute, in line with their national procedures and capacities, to the timely mobilisation of the necessary resources.

We recognise that Russia's war of aggression has caused a devastating impact on energy infrastructure and nuclear safety, both critical pillars of European security and global stability, and therefore demands a coordinated international response, particularly given the ongoing risks associated with the continued occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

We call for stronger joint action to stop Russia's nuclear blackmail and prevent the return of nuclear threats to global politics. Russia must be held accountable, and global norms against nuclear intimidation must be upheld.

We will continue to coordinate closely, including through existing international mechanisms, to ensure the effective implementation of the concurred measures.

We reaffirm our shared responsibility to ensure the long-term nuclear safety and security of the Chornobyl site through coordinated international efforts.

We welcome the Memorandum of Understanding between the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Government of Ukraine on cooperation in the area of support for reconstruction of Ukraine, signed on 10 July 2025 in Rome on the margins of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, as an important framework for enhancing cooperation in support of Ukraine's recovery. We emphasise the importance of its timely and effective implementation and encourage continued cooperation in this regard, including in the context of preparations for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in the Republic of Poland.

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: Russia's deliberate attacks on Ukraine's nuclear facilities could lead to a new Chornobyl-like disaster

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

26.04.2026 | 11:35

Today, 26 April, marks the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster - an accident caused by a dangerous reactor test carried out on Moscow's orders. According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, this tragic anniversary serves as a reminder of how devastating and long-lasting the consequences of nuclear disasters can be, and how Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, increase the risk of another catastrophic tragedy.

"Following the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, radioactive contamination spread across Europe - nearly 8.5 million people were exposed to radiation, more than 145,000 square kilometres of land were contaminated with radionuclides, and around 300,000 people were forced to leave their homes permanently," Tsahkna said. "The consequences of Soviet negligence are still felt today: tens of thousands of people and their descendants live with illnesses caused by radiation exposure, and an exclusion zone roughly the size of Luxembourg still surrounds Chornobyl. The world must not forget these consequences."

The foreign minister stressed that Russia's aggression against Ukraine clearly shows that the Kremlin has learned nothing from the 1986 disaster, continuing its irresponsible attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

"For the first time in human history, an aggressor is using nuclear facilities as a military tool. The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone was one of the first targets, occupied by Russia for 36 days at the start of its full-scale war of aggression. Zaporizhzhia - Europe's largest nuclear power plant - has been under occupation for four years. Russia has turned the plant into a military base, halted its normal operations, deported local experts, and restricted access for International Atomic Energy Agency safety specialists. All this raises the level of risk across the region and increases the danger of a nuclear catastrophe worldwide," Tsahkna noted.

The foreign minister emphasised that the only way to restore safety is the full and immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine's nuclear facilities, the return of infrastructure to Ukrainian control, the release of all unlawfully detained persons, and a greater international isolation of Russia, particularly within energy organisations.

"It is also necessary to increase economic and political pressure on Russia, including imposing sanctions on the Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom. We must not allow the Chornobyl tragedy to be repeated," the foreign minister added.

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Ukraine's President Accuses Russia Of 'Nuclear Terrorism' On Chernobyl Anniverary

By RFE/RL April 26, 2026

Ukraine's president lashed out at Russia, accusing it of "nuclear terrorism," as Kyiv observed the 40th anniversary of the explosion and meltdown at the Chernobyl power plant, the world's worst civilian atomic disaster.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Moscow citing Russian drone flights over the remnants of the destroyed plant in northern Ukraine. Last year, a Russian drone hit the protective structure built to try and seal off the radioactive debris.

Russia is "again bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster," he said in an April 26 post to Telegram.

"The world must not allow this nuclear terrorism to continue, and the best way is to force Russia to stop its reckless attacks," he wrote.

The incident at Chernobyl occurred in the early morning of April 26, 1986, when a routine test at the Soviet-designed plant went awry, sparking an explosion and a meltdown that sent a cloud of radioactive dust and fallout across northern Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and into Scandinavia.

The immediate explosion killed only a handful of plant technicians, but tens of thousands of emergency workers, soldiers, nearby residents were also exposed to a high level of radiation.

There is no definite consensus of how many people died as a result of the disaster.

In a 2005 report, the United Nations put the number of confirmed and projected deaths in the three worst-affected countries at 4,000. Greenpeace estimated that the disaster had caused close to 100,000 deaths.

Immediately after the explosion, Soviet authorities built a concrete "sarcophagus" to limit the spread of radioactivity. Years later, an international effort designed a massive arch that covered the plant's debris, as well as the sarcophagus.

In February 2025, a Russian drone hit the roof. No leaks were detected, and workers have since patched up the hole.

But the structure needs at least 500 million euros' worth of more repairs to prevent permanent damage, according to the the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

"We believe that repairs should start as soon as possible, and that leaving the situation as is now is problematic," Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said at an event in Kyiv on April 26.

North Of Ukraine

Belarus, the country that suffered the worst after Ukraine, had large swaths of its southern regions irradiated, leaving them uninhabitable.

Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko did not immediately issue any statement on the anniversary.

However, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition leader whom many countries recognize as rightful leader of Belarus, issued a statement saying the "disaster changed Belarus forever."

"Chernobyl showed what happens when those in power are not accountable," she said in a social media post.

There was no immediate statement from Russian officials in Moscow.

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-zelenskyy- chernobyl-nuclear-accident/33742727.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Press Release

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 86

26.04.2026

The pyrotechnics team of the Romanian Intelligence Service operating on Sunday, April 26th, in the area of the towns of Luncavita and Vacareni, Tulcea County, where the drone debris were reported, confirmed the existence of an explosive charge.

MoND specialists have arrived on site and are assessing the risks.

The controlled detonation will take place on site, in a specially designated area, at the orders of the prosecutor in charge with the case.

Tulcea Inspectorate for Emergency Situations will issue a RO ALERT message to avoid any risk to the residents in the area.

Citizens are requested to respect the recommendations of the authorities and keep abreast of the official information transmitted through institutional channels.





The Press Office

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Russian Forces Hit Ukrainian Transport and Energy Infrastructure

Sputnik News

20260426

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian forces struck drone storage and launch sites, Ukrainian transport and energy infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 140 areas, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Ukraine lost up to 295 soldiers in combat against Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr over the past day, the ministry added.

"The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to up to 295 soldiers, an armored personnel carrier, seven vehicles, two artillery pieces, and two electronic warfare stations," the ministry said in a statement.

This is in addition to over 195 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated over the past day by Russia's Battlegroup Sever, up to 290 by Battlegroup Vostok, up to 210 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 175 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 50 by Battlegroup Dnepr, the ministry said.

 Sputnik

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Statement on the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Disaster: Lessons the World Must Learn to Stop Moscow's Nuclear Terror

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

26 April 2026 09:00

Forty years ago, on April 26, 1986, the world was shaken by the largest man-made disaster in human historythe accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Today, we honor the memory of the victims of this tragedy and the heroism of those who stood in the path of the invisible death.

Yet, Chornobyl is not merely a story of technical failure; it is a verdict on a Soviet system built on crimes and clinical liesa regime that modern-day Russia is attempting to revive today.

The scale of the disaster was unprecedented: radiation levels in the destroyed reactor reached 20,000 roentgens, while a lethal dose is just 500 roentgens over five hours. The release of radioactive isotopes was 30 times greater than the power of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. More than 300,000 people were forced to leave their homes forever, and a total of 8.5 million people across Europe were exposed to radiation. The Exclusion Zone remains equal in size to Luxembourg, and the area within a 10 km radius of the station will not be safe for human habitation for 20,000 years.

The Soviet regime was guilty not only of the safety violations that led to the accident. Its true crime was the deliberate cover-up: the world remained unaware of the catastrophe for at least two days, while the authorities kept their own citizens in the dark for weeks. On May 1, 1986, while radiation was already everywhere, thousands in Kyiv were forced to participate in a demonstration.

Today, Moscow continues this tradition of deception, using nuclear facilities as tools of blackmail. Russia has learned no lessons; instead, it has weaponized nuclear danger.

The 40th anniversary is a time to honor our heroes. We pay tribute to the feat of approximately 600,000 liquidators who saved the world at the cost of their own health and lives.

Today, a new generation of heroes has emerged in Ukraineour energy workers and nuclear professionals. Throughout the winter of 2025-2026, under massive Russian attacks, Ukrainian atomic workers maintained control over reactors in extreme conditions following emergency shutdowns caused by strikes on substations and drone incursions. Their professionalism has once again saved a continent that stood on the brink of disaster.

An act of particular barbarism was the Russian drone strike on the New Safe Confinement (NSC) in February 2025. The attack damaged both the outer and inner shells of the Arch protecting the destroyed Unit 4 and disabled the main crane system.

Ukraine welcomes the leadership of France, the efforts of the G7, the EBRD, and the EU to restore this unique structure. We look forward to concrete commitments during the International Donor Conference to be held in Kyiv on April 26, 2026.

Our call on this day is simple: it is time to end nuclear blackmail. We appeal to all states that value global stability. Your role in increasing pressure on the aggressor is critical. The international community must prove that it has learned the lessons of 1986.

It is necessary to fully isolate the Russian nuclear industry, impose sanctions against Rosatom, and restrict the aggressor's rights within the IAEA. Ukraine proposes amendments to the Agency's Statute to allow for the restriction of the rights of aggressor states that violate nuclear safety principles.

Russia must immediately return control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP to its rightful operatorUkraine.

Every additional air defense system and interceptor covering Ukrainian cities and its nuclear plants is a guarantee of stability for Europe.

Do not wait for a new Chornobyl. Act now to protect life.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

26 April 2026 22:07

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "On the sidelines of the Chornobyl International Conference on Nuclear Safety and Recovery, I had a meeting with Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi.

I informed Mr.Grossi about Russia's ongoing attacks against Ukraine, including systematic strikes on our energy infrastructure. This year Ukraine has endured the most difficult winter, demonstrating resilience under constant Russian attacks.

I thanked Director General for his unwavering attention to Ukraine, for keeping our issues high on the international agenda, and for his personal leadership. His more than ten visits to Ukraine are a powerful sign of commitment and support that we deeply value.

We also discussed the importance of maintaining the IAEA monitoring missions at the nuclear power plants and substation, especially at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Their continued presence is essential to counter Russia's nuclear blackmail and reduce risks to nuclear safety in the region.

Our focus also included strengthening the protection of nuclear power plants and substations from Russian attacks. We welcomed the signing today of a Memorandum between the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the IAEA on expanded cooperation in nuclear safety and the recovery of Ukraine's energy sector.

We agreed to advance concrete steps to support the health and recovery of Ukrainian children through recreation programs for children of Ukraine's nuclear power plant employees".

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Partner Countries Must Constrain Russia's Irresponsible Force for Global Security - President

President of Ukraine

26 April 2026 - 21:53

Decades after the Chornobyl disaster, Russia has turned the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant into a territory of war, and partner countries must constrain its force for the sake of global security. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this at the Chornobyl International Conference on Nuclear Safety and Recovery.

The Head of State emphasized that the world drew security, political, and moral conclusions from the Chornobyl disaster. However, no one could have expected that decades after the accident, someone would seek to turn Chornobyl and the Exclusion Zone itself into a territory of war.

"The worst thing is that when the Russians came to Chornobyl, it became clear that they had absolutely no understanding of where they had come and what this place was. This is important to understand about today's Russia - about this state, about what remains of their culture, and about how they treat people, how they treat life as a whole," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President stressed that Russian forces tried to advance on Kyiv through the Chornobyl zone, dug military positions in restricted forests, drove heavy equipment across contaminated land, fired from there, destroyed equipment, and abused Ukrainians working at the plant and associated enterprises.

"Some of our Ukrainian servicemembers, including those from the National Guard of Ukraine who were guarding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, are still, unfortunately, in captivity in Russia. We have already managed to bring many of them back, but unfortunately some are still there, in Russian captivity. We remember them, and we will bring them back," the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Russians have turned the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - the largest NPP in Europe - into an instrument of their war.

"They launch attacks from there against our cities and villages, store weapons, ammunition, and military equipment at the plant, mined its perimeter, and are effectively holding our city of Enerhodar hostage. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has already gone through a full blackout fourteen times," the President said.

According to the Head of State, everyone dealing with Russia must understand that it is a completely irresponsible and, in many ways, reckless force that must be constrained for the sake of global security.

"That is why global sanctions must be strong, resistance to evil must be strong, and support for those defending lives must also be sufficiently strong. The very fact that the Russians even went so far as to strike the confinement structure that covers the remains of the fourth power unit with a drone shows that Russia cannot be a participant in civilized international relations," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President thanked all partners who help Ukraine and unite efforts to protect lives.

"Right now, we have many urgent tasks - here in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, particularly the restoration of the confinement structure, and across Ukraine's energy sector as a whole. We must be prepared for any scenario by next winter, and this requires, in particular, sufficient financing for us, for Ukraine. Whatever the Russians may intend to do - we must be ready," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State noted that the Ukrainian government team will present all necessary requirements and prospects for joint work.

The President also added that sanctions against Russia for this war must be strengthened, and the world must not allow the aggressor to adapt to restrictions. He specifically thanked for the unblocking of the 20th sanctions package of the European Union and expressed gratitude to each country that is strengthening its national sanctions regimes.

"This is a crucial point - that global sanctions should also extend to Russia's nuclear sector and to all associated legal entities and individuals. We must also speak clearly about the fact that only Ukrainian control, only Ukrainian specialists, and Ukrainian safety protocols can guarantee that there will be no radiation-related risks at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.

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Address by the President to the Participants of the Chornobyl International Conference on Nuclear Safety and Recovery

President of Ukraine

26 April 2026 - 21:43

Thank you, Denys Anatoliiovych, thank you for organizing this meeting today.

Dear friends of Ukraine who are here with us today and who have been helping throughout all the years of the war. Ladies and gentlemen.

First of all, I want to thank all our friends, partners, and all our guests. It is truly very important that on such a day, Ukraine is here, that after the occupation of the plant, we are here together with you - after the actions of our Armed Forces, after all the absolutely heroic workers of the nuclear power plant, who all together liberated our station - I want to thank them for the fact that Ukraine is here, and that Ukraine is not alone.

Denys Anatoliiovych said that today we have a circle of friends here at a high level. I want to thank the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, for being here with us today. Maia, thank you - we always feel the support of the citizens of your wonderful country, who stand with us. I want to thank the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Grossi. Fourteen times during the war, Director General Grossi has supported Ukraine - fourteen times. For us, this is a great honor, and it is not just rhetoric - you have done a great deal. We have probably built a dialogue with the IAEA at such a high level that we have been able to resolve many different issues. Thank you.

Denys Anatoliiovych said that the distinguished President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso, is here - thank you for being with us. Representatives of the European Union - Mr. Dombrovskis, Mr. Jrgensen - thank you all; ministers of energy, ministers of finance, ministers of foreign affairs, the large diplomatic corps that supports us, our Speaker, Ruslan Oleksiiovych, and all representatives of the Parliament of Ukraine. I am also grateful to the envoys of the United States of America and the European Union. Thank you.

Indeed, today marks 40 years. Forty years ago, a terrible catastrophe occurred in Chornobyl - a catastrophe that had global significance and global consequences. Today, everything is already known about the causes of that catastrophe - the entire chain of decisions and mistakes that led to the accident and the explosion at the fourth power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. People remember the heroism of our firefighters, who saved the plant and saved people. Today, I had the honor of awarding some of these truly heroic individuals who worked - or are working here today. I want to thank you on behalf of all Ukrainians and all our guests. We thank you for your extremely difficult and high-level work, for your service to our state. Thank you. And we would very much like to applaud you - you applauded us at the beginning, thank you for your support, but today all the applause of support and gratitude is for you. Thank you.

The world drew conclusions from that catastrophe - in terms of security, politics, and morality. But no one could have imagined that decades after Chornobyl - after everything countries have done to ensure radiation safety and protect lives - someone would want to turn Chornobyl, the facilities that remain here, and the Exclusion Zone itself into a territory of war. And the worst thing is that when the Russians came to Chornobyl, it became clear that they had absolutely no understanding of where they had come and what this place was. This is important to understand about today's Russia - about this state, about what remains of their culture, and about how they treat people, how they treat life as a whole. The Russians tried to advance on Kyiv through this territory and seize the capital. They dug military positions here in restricted forests, drove military equipment across this land, deployed artillery here and fired from this area, destroyed equipment, and abused our people who work at the Chornobyl plant and associated facilities. Some of our Ukrainian servicemembers, including those from the National Guard of Ukraine who were guarding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, are still, unfortunately, in captivity in Russia. We have already managed to bring many of them back, but unfortunately some are still there, in Russian captivity. We remember them, and we will bring them back.

The Russians have turned our Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant - the largest plant in Europe - into an instrument of their war. They launch attacks from there against our cities and villages, store weapons, ammunition, and military equipment at the plant, mined its perimeter, and are effectively holding our city of Enerhodar hostage. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has already gone through a full blackout fourteen times.

When the world deals with Russia, everyone must understand that they are dealing with a completely irresponsible - and in many ways simply reckless - force that must be truly constrained for the sake of the security of us all. That is why global sanctions must be strong, resistance to evil must be strong, and support for those defending lives must also be sufficiently strong.

The very fact that the Russians even went so far as to strike the confinement structure that covers the remains of the fourth power unit with a drone, as Denys Anatoliiovych noted, shows that Russia cannot be a participant in civilized international relations.

Dear attendees. Ladies and gentlemen. It is important that the world does not follow Russia's lies about this war - and about everything Russia is doing against Ukraine and Europe. Every Russian strike now proves that there can be no cooperation with Russia until it decides to end this war and move to diplomacy. Every month that Russia prolongs this war shows that the pressure is insufficient. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine and who remembers that only joint efforts can reliably protect lives. Right now, we have many urgent tasks - here in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, particularly the restoration of the confinement structure, and across Ukraine's energy sector as a whole. We must be prepared for any scenario by next winter, and this requires, in particular, sufficient financing for us, for Ukraine. Whatever the Russians may intend to do - we must be ready.

Our government team will outline all the necessary requirements and prospects for our collaboration. It is important that sanctions against Russia for this war are not only extended, but that the world does not give Moscow time to adapt to them. I am grateful to the European Union for ensuring that the 20th sanctions package was finally unblocked and will come into force. We are grateful to every country that is strengthening its national sanctions regimes - this truly helps. And this is a crucial point - that global sanctions should also extend to Russia's nuclear sector and to all associated legal entities and individuals. We must also speak clearly about the fact that only Ukrainian control, only Ukrainian specialists, and Ukrainian safety protocols can guarantee that there will be no radiation-related risks at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. And very importantly, please remember the need to continuously strengthen Ukraine's air defense and our long-range capabilities. This is not only, quite literally, protection for our people and our infrastructure - including the Chornobyl facilities - it also helps us create a real sense in Russia that they will have to bring this war to an end. Russia must end its war - this is the key objective the international community must achieve. Russia must take steps - real steps toward peace. I thank all countries, all leaders, and all international organizations that are working with us in exactly this way - working for peace and security every single day. Thank you for your support.

Glory to Ukraine!

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by Jochen Szangolies

Recently, a meme has been making the rounds, alleging that with JD Vance lecturing the Pope on Catholicism, Pierre Poilievre lecturing Mark Carney on economics, RFK jr. explaining vaccines to medical researchers, and Pete Hegseth quoting from Pulp Fiction instead of the bible, we seem to have arrived at the dystopic world of the 2006 satire Idiocracy. I think that this rests on a misconception. Now, dont worry, Im not going to defend any of these instances of, well, utter idiocy: they are just as dumb as they seem on the surface. But there is an inference here that this is somehow an aberration, a deviation from the norm, an external influence akin to a virus infection that has hijacked politics and perverted our institutions, and that if we could only root out this corruption, everything might return to normal again. Unfortunately, I dont think this is the case: the call is coming from inside the housethe problem is not one of rogue actors snatching away the reins of society, but rather, a system which encourages such individuals to thrive and promotes them to its highest offices.

The problem is not, of course, a new one. In a 1933 essay on the rise of the Nazi movement in Germany titled The Triumph of Stupidity, Bertrand Russell posited that [t]he fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure, while the intelligent are full of doubt. In WB Yeats portentous poem The Second Coming, first published in 1920, we read that the best lack all conviction, while the worst/are full of passionate intensity. Many, at present, can surely empathize with this diagnosis (although the ending of Russells essay, where America is identified as the brightest spot in this gloomy state of affairs, rings with a certain hollow irony today).

The state of affairs of the worst being full of certainty, while the best are full of doubt, is presented as contrary to expectations, nearly paradoxical. One should think that those who have dedicated themselves to study or self-betterment should be sure of their capabilities, while those more limited in either reach or grasp ought to heed these limits. An easy explanation to reach for, here, is the much-cited Dunning-Kruger effect: the idea, as popularly perceived, that one may be too ignorant to grasp the extent of ones ignorancethat it is just ones lack of ability to survey an area of expertise in the whole that leads one to overestimate ones command of that area.

I think this explanation falls somewhat short. For one, there is not always such a correlation between metacognitive awareness and cognitive capabilities as needed by this explanation: being bad at chess doesnt automatically mean that I consider myself better than I am. These are, at least to a certain degree, distinct abilities. The Dunning-Kruger effect is also more narrowly framed than the popular interpretation, which has ignorance in general implying ignorance of ones ignorance in the specific. Rather, the effect obtains in the self-assessment of certain skills, where the unskilled typically do worse than highly skilled individuals, even if the former are of perfectly normal, or even high, intelligence. The case may rather be that all of us tend to think of ourselves as generally above average, when pressed, which when specifically selecting individuals lacking a certain skill then manifests as the appearance that the unskilled overestimate themselves.

I think what is rather at issue here is the combination of two factors. One is that, quite simply, were dealing with a case of inverted causation: it isnt the case that the stupid are cocksure despite their stupidity, it is that they remain stupid because of their certainty in their own superiority. Why revise your own beliefs if you know youre right? Why work on yourself if youre already great? Conversely, the doubtful are wise precisely because of their doubt: because they have examined their beliefs, questioned and revised them, thrown out what they found wanting and adopted what they thought more apt. It is not a surprise that those most self-assured are also those most lacking in sophistication, its a consequence.

There would, of course, not be any great problem with this state of affairs, if it werent the case that for some reason, it seems to be increasingly the crass, the unjustifiably self-assured, the ones unfazed by their own incompetence that seem to be running the show. If theyre so incompetent, then how is it they come to power? This is the second factor: our world has increasingly become one that rewards certainty over doubt, no matter whether there is any base for such certainty, or whether the doubt just reflects genuine vagaries. The reason for this, I will argue, is quite simply the management of complexity and information flow in a hierarchical system: a strong signal, any signal, is preferable to uncertainty.

Russell put the cart before the horse: the trouble with the world is not the dominance of inexplicably confident idiots, but rather, that the systems of power reward the sort of confidence that breeds ignorance over honest doubt.

The Marc Of An Educated Mind

There is a certain evolutionary force behind the rise of the confident incompetent: those showing excessive doubt, questioning themselves, going back on their own opinion are weeded out in favor of those that project certainty and confidence regardless of the actual facts. (Of course, here, like everywhere else, blessings are not equally distributed: not every demographic can get away with such misplaced confidence; it helps if you check the right boxes, like e. g. being white and male.) But recently, a novelty has bloomed on this dungheap: the assertion that, not only is self-reflection not helpful in achieving some vaguely-defined greatness, it is actively detrimental. This has most polemically been put forward by Marc Andreessen, billionaire venture investor and co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). (See here for a refresher on Andreessens position within the current authoritarian tech network.)

Andreessen has claimed that he has zero, as little as possible introspection. People who introspect, according to him, get stuck in the past, and he is all about moving forward. Move fast, break things, regret nothing. And success bears him out, right? Arent all the movers and shakers of the world, the disruptors, the innovators, in the end those that dont obsess over their own state of mind, and rather make their will manifest in the world? But again, there is an issue of misplaced causality: is it that these men of action (and there is cause for using the gendered term here) succeed because of their alleged lack of introspection, or is it that successeven if, perhaps, accidentaljust never fosters qualities of reflection?

First, though, there are some staggering claims of fact in Andreessens tirade. Introspection, he claims, is a modern malaise. 400 years ago, it never would have occurred to anybody to be introspective. Andreessens interlocutor, podcaster David Senra, whose main claim to fame seems to be having read 400 (actually now 410, he takes time out of the 1:30 clip to remind us) biographies of historys great entrepeneurs, does not press him on this point. But of course, counterexamples readily come to mind. We can look to what many think of as the foundation of Western philosophy, indeed perhaps Western thought, where Socrates taught that the unexamined life is not worth living (shortly before, of course, being put to death for promoting rather more examination than the authorities were comfortable with). The Delphic maxim gnothi seauton, know yourself, has been a recurrent theme in Western philosophy, from Plato all the way through Kant, Hegel, and Goethe. (Eastern traditions, which with the Hindu mahavakya or great saying tat tvam asi, you are that, may have a similar principle are omitted here solely due to the present authors even more pronounced lack of knowledge.)

It would be tiresome to list all the ways in which self-knowledge is an important factor way earlier than 400 years ago; and after all, what are these philosophers ramblings to a go-getter like Andreessen? But I think one important great man of years past, who against Andreessens repeated pronouncements did spend a considerable amount of time interrogating his own motives and ethical groundedness is relevant here: another Marc A., Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. His main work is known in English mainly as the Meditations, although, being notes intended mainly for his private perusal, it likely never had a formal title. In Greek, the book is often referred to as Ta eis heauton, Things Unto Himself.

Writing within the Stoic tradition, Marcus Aurelius project in the Meditations is largely his own self-improvement: just the thing alien to the Andreessens of this world. Significantly, the book was written in the trenches, so to speak: while the Emperor was campaigning to secure the empires Eastern borders against Germanic incursions, he was simultaneously wrestling with the burden of making difficult decisions with no other guide than his own self-reflection. Contrast this with the move-forward attitude of Andreessen.

An important point is that Marcus puts this self-evaluation into the context of a cosmic, timeless perspective: to strip away the annoyances of the moment, and instead, regard it sub specie aeternitatis, aware of how the void before birth and that after dissolution are equally infinite (Meditations, book 9.32). I believe that in this, there is a certain balm for the kind of analysis paralysis that may befall those prone to excessive doubts. Because, much as it pains me to admit, there is a certain kernel of truth in Andreessens ramblings: doubt, which I absolutely consider to be a virtue in many situations, can become a vice if indulged excessively, and indeed can greatly encumber action. However, Andreessens cure to throw it out wholesale is worse than the disease, and the fact that it has come to be a dominant strategythat is, one likely to yield rewardsin contemporary society heralds an urgent need to learn again how to properly doubt.

Aimless By Design

Consider the old analogy by proponents of Creationism, i. e. the idea that life as we know it is not the product of the mindless toil of evolution, but rather, betrays a supreme and vast intelligence behind it all: if you encounter a watch, its sheer complexity makes it reasonable to infer that it is the product of design, of a shaping intelligence that put together all of its components to accomplish a definite aim. A single cell is orders of magnitude more complex than even the most sophisticated watch. Therefore, should we not see in this complexity likewise the hand of a grand designer?

The fallacy of this logic is, of course, well known: complexity can indeed increase through a process of random exploration of possible paths together with a competitive weeding out of less well adapted strategies. Yet it is hard to resist such watchmaker-logic sometimes. It is most obviously at play when we attribute to strategy and genius what is more aptly explained by chance and selection.

This happens whenever we think that success must be the result of careful planning, brilliant ideas, and hard work. That the reason people like Andreessen have reached their elevated station is because of their supreme talents: that they are the watchmakers of their own success. But consider the fact that were running an unprecedented number of statistical experiments in parallel: pure chance will ensure that, at least occasionally, absolutely harebrained decisions will lead to spectacular, widely popularized success, while survivorship bias ensures that we never hear of the failures. Joan R. Ginther won the lottery on four separate occasions, each individual win in excess of US$2 million, for a grand total of US$20.4 million. Her success does not mean that playing the lottery is a good strategy, but merely that if you have a large enough sample size, unlikely things can happen with quite some regularity.

Combine this global-scale Monte Carlo-experiment in life strategies with the fact that there are some strategies that nobody could have predicted would work, yet that, through some combination of filling just the right niche at the right time and sheer luck, turn out to be actually well-adapted to the current social fitness landscape, and youll see a glut of successful people whose apparently brilliant ideas and grand strategies are just as illusory as the design of the living cell. This phenomenon goes beyond the individual, seguing into what I have called emergent conspiracies: apparently willful, designed patterns in the chance-cum-selection process of history (one might call this appearance of will from random exploration evolition).

This produces a self-reinforcing loop: those too confident to doubt their own skill will see this success as proof of their genius, where a more self-reflective person would hold out doubts. To this, there is added a cultural lens of assigned genius: you could take, say, Peter Thiels spoutings on the katechon and the antichrist as the college-dorm level nonsense that it is, or think that there must be some brilliance behind it because otherwise, youd have to accept that Thiel isnt any better than your average moron, and then that society is such as to enable those people to have power over you. But the latter then self-perpetuates and makes any resistance futile, because how could you ever hope to resist the machinations of such genius?

Hierarchies And Information Compression

But the reverse causality of the un-self-reflective remaining unsophisticated and the evolitionary selection mechanisms amplifying strategies of accidental aptness do not quite serve to explain our apparent slide into idiocracy. A third factor is societal: a hierarchical structure inherently needs to compress data looped through the rungs upwards to a central authority in the service of simple computational powerreporting everything to levels of oversight would simply yield an unintelligible mess of data, most of which would probably be irrelevant. This is one of the key points made by physicist and engineer turned amateur nerd-sociologist Moritz Q. Flink in Das Gesellschaftliche Problem (The Social Problem), where he turns a lens shaped by thermodynamics and information theory onto the question of the emergence of social structures. (If youre conversant in German, you may also want to check out his YouTube channel, featuring a rambling and halting appearance of yours truly.)

Central control of complex systems inevitably necessitates the lossy compression of data available to the control system, meaning that the act of control itself implies the impossibility of having a faithful representation of the system under control. It is not just, as the cyberneticists had it, that control falsifies, it also starts from at least partly false premises. A part of this is due to what I have called misaligned proxies: quantities that are intended to correlate with desirable properties, but where the correlation is broken exactly by their serving as indicators. A good example is citation counts in academic research: good research is often highly cited, but if achieving high citation counts is rewarded (by grant money or tenured positions), citation counts can be artificially increased while actually weakening the quality of research.

But another source of error is what one might call strong signal bias: loud, confident voices (again when originating in the right demographic, at least) are often acknowledged over those voicing honest doubt. Doubt, even when appropriate, does not easily provide a recommendation for action; but confident support for one alternative over others, even when misplaced, enables exactly the kind of move forward-actionism championed by the likes of Andreessen. This is ultimately a sort of availability heuristic, albeit not directed at recalled, but reported information.

The data relied upon to shape the policies of central governing organs in hierarchically organized systems will thus bias actions advocated by the loud and confident over the reflection of the doubtful. Thus, since these actions are self-serving more often than not, those voices will more easily slot into positions of power. The shallowly self-confident, evolving successful strategies through pure numerical chance, are amplified in their power by the necessities of a hierarchical system.

There remains the question: what can we do? How do we resist this mechanics? I wont pretend to have anything like a remotely comprehensive question to this answer, but I think that whatever that answer will be, its first word is simply doubt. Doubt yourself, doubt your most deeply held convictions; doubt the genius of billionaires, doubt power to be a liar; doubt even that hierarchical control is necessary, doubt that there is no alternative. But doubt in a way that doesnt consume you and leave you paralyzed; rather, with Marcus Aurelius, doubt from the point of view of the cosmos. This kind of view from nowhere can help you achieve the benefits of doubt, while ameliorating its crippling self-perpetuation.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Had a Meeting with the President of the EBRD

President of Ukraine

26 April 2026 - 20:12

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso.

The Head of State thanked the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for its support of Ukraine and noted Odile Renaud-Basso's participation in the Chornobyl International Conference on Nuclear Safety and Recovery.

During the meeting, they discussed consolidating international assistance to restore the New Safe Confinement over the fourth power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025, as well as to address the long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster.

Special attention was given to assistance in restoring energy infrastructure facilities. The Head of State emphasized that projects implemented by Ukraine together with the EBRD are already playing an important role in supporting our country's energy resilience.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Odile Renaud-Basso also discussed EBRD investments in key sectors of the economy. The President informed her about the need for external financing to support the stability of the state budget and to cover essential defense and social expenditures.

The Head of State invited the President of the EBRD to take part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held in Poland this summer.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the IAEA Director General Discussed the Situation Around the Temporarily Occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP

President of Ukraine

26 April 2026 - 17:16

At the National Chornobyl Museum, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

The Head of State thanked the IAEA Director General and his team for their visit to Ukraine on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. The President noted that holding the meeting at a museum dedicated to the Chornobyl disaster is highly symbolic and serves as a reminder of the true cost of the devastating consequences of a nuclear accident.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is aware of Russia's efforts to formalize and legitimize its presence at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. According to the President, this is unacceptable, and for safe operation the plant must be returned to the management of Ukraine's licensed operator and nuclear regulator.

They also discussed temporary shutdowns of nuclear power plant units, reductions in their output, and the potential consequences of these criminal actions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rafael Grossi agreed to continue IAEA missions to ensure continuous monitoring of the plant's condition.

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During the Opening of the New Exhibition at the National Chornobyl Museum, the President Heard a Report from the Minister of Internal Affairs on Addressing the Consequences of the Russian Strike on the Chornobyl NPP Confinement

President of Ukraine

26 April 2026 - 16:30

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, took part in the opening of a new permanent exhibition at the National Chornobyl Museum: "Chornobyl: People and Meanings."

Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko reported to the Head of State on the work already carried out to address the consequences of the Russian strike on the confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant on February 14, 2025. He also outlined further necessary steps and the importance of continued support from international partners.

"We brought together our partners - those who were helping. Many countries were involved in building the sarcophagus. And we engaged our partners again to rebuild it all as quickly as possible. Partners have joined in, but all these risks still remain, of course, because the war has not ended," the President emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rafael Grossi discussed what efforts and resources are needed to fully restore the confinement. This issue, as well as the occupation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is covered in one the exhibition's sections.

Director General of the museum Vitalina Martynovska informed the Head of State that the exhibition includes around 23,000 items related to the construction and operation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the accident, the response to the man-made disaster, the establishment of the Exclusion Zone, the construction of the "Shelter" object, life in the city of Prypyat, and personal belongings of the liquidators.

Background. On the night of February 14, 2025, Russia carried out a deliberate drone strike on the arch of the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The attack damaged both the outer and inner shells of the arch, as well as equipment of the main crane system.

According to preliminary estimates, more than 500 million is needed to fully restore the functionality of the confinement. An initial support program has already been approved, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, together with partners, has begun mobilizing the necessary resources.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Maia Sandu Discussed Security, Energy, Intergovernmental Cooperation, and Joint Path to the European Union

President of Ukraine

26 April 2026 - 14:52

In Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of Moldova Maia Sandu. The discussion focused on security, cross-border cooperation, energy, infrastructure development, intergovernmental work, and the joint path toward the European Union.

The Head of State emphasized that the President of Moldova is visiting Ukraine on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia has drawn no conclusions from the catastrophe at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and continues to pose threats to Ukraine's energy sector and environment.

"That is why all of us - all neighbors of Russia, all Europeans - must be as united as possible, act in a coordinated manner, and understand that our interests are shared: security, economic, energy, and all others. What Russia is doing, the way it is waging this war, the war, terror, and instability Russia is bringing to other nations is a catastrophe, truly no less severe than the Chornobyl disaster," the President said.

Maia Sandu stressed that Moldova supports Ukraine in its struggle to defend its sovereignty and independence.

"We welcome the EU's decision to provide a 90 billion loan to Ukraine and the new package of sanctions against Russia. We must ensure maximum support for Ukraine, which is fighting for the highest democratic values while confronting the aggressor. We must increase support for Ukraine and put greater pressure on Russia," the President of Moldova said.

Maia Sandu also emphasized the importance of moving to the implementation of the agreement on establishing the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.

During the meeting, the leaders discussed security, cross-border cooperation, protection and development of infrastructure and energy sector. Special attention was given to the joint path toward the European Union.

"Both of our states deserve to be part of a strong, united Europe. Ukraine has always defended Moldova's right to be part of the European Union, and in the past, we took significant steps to ensure that both of our countries obtained candidate status. We are now working to ensure that all clusters are opened as soon as possible and that EU membership becomes our shared success - for Ukraine, Moldova, and the entire European Union," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President emphasized that Ukraine will continue to support Moldova on security issues, particularly regarding the Transnistrian region.

According to the Head of State, Ukraine and Moldova are also ready to develop trilateral formats of cooperation together with Romania.

"We are doing important things together in infrastructure. This includes transport routes, particularly transit, as well as our energy sector, specifically cross-border power transmission lines. And the more real connections there are between our energy systems, the greater the protection will be for the lives of our people, our nations," Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.

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Next article: GCB Bank records 71% profit jump as bad loans plunge to single digit

GSE opens week with mixed sentiment as MTNGH dominates volumes but CLYD, CAL lead gains

Previous article: GSE opens week with mixed sentiment as MTNGH dominates volumes but CLYD, CAL lead gains

Featured

ADB Bank PLC records GH101.5 million profit in first quarter of 2026

Kweku Zurek Business News Apr - 27 - 2026 , 16:03

The Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB) has reported a profit after tax of GH101.5 million for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026, representing a 47 per cent increase from the GH68.8 million recorded in the same period of 2025.

The banks unaudited summary financial statements released on Tuesday showed that profit before tax rose to GH156.1 million, up from GH105.9 million a year earlier.

Interest expense fell sharply by 45.6 per cent to GH136.5 million from GH251.1 million, driving net interest income to GH261.7 million compared to GH247.9 million in the prior year.

Customer deposits grew by 23.8 per cent to GH14.97 billion as at 31 March 2026, up from GH12.09 billion in March 2025.

Total assets increased by 30.7 per cent to GH19.44 billion, while cash and bank equivalents rose by 52.3 per cent to GH10.11 billion.

The banks loan and advances to customers contracted by 20.5 per cent to GH2.01 billion.

Net fee and commission income rose to GH64.6 million from GH57.8 million, while net trading income more than doubled to GH32.7 million.

Total operating income stood at GH375.1 million, compared to GH322.4 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Personnel expenses remained relatively flat at GH130.2 million, while other operating expenses fell to GH76.0 million from GH85.4 million.

The bank recorded an impairment release on loans and advances of GH4.8 million, compared to a release of GH17.8 million in the previous year.

Non-performing loans to gross loans stood at 69.85 per cent, an improvement from 75.51 per cent in March 2025.

Total equity more than doubled to GH2.58 billion from GH1.35 billion, driven largely by a reduction in accumulated losses from GH2.01 billion to GH1.66 billion.

The capital adequacy ratio was recorded at 26.75 per cent, with a common equity tier 1 ratio of 24.75 per cent and a leverage ratio of 5.12 per cent.

The bank reported no statutory liquidity breaches for the period and incurred no sanctions on that front. However, one other regulatory breach from an onsite examination attracted a sanction of GH120,000.

Off-balance sheet commitments rose to GH208.9 million from GH102.0 million, driven by increases in guarantees and letters of credit.

The bank spent GH477,500 on corporate social responsibility initiatives during the quarter, up from GH306,648 in the same period of 2025.

ADB Bank PLC is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange and operates with a universal banking license.
Featured

Government revokes Adamus Resources mining leases over illegal mining, foreign engagement

GraphicOnline Business News Apr - 27 - 2026 , 05:49

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has directed the revocation of three mining leases belonging to Adamus Resources Limited following confirmed violations of Ghana's minerals and mining laws, including the unlawful engagement of foreign nationals in illegal mining activities commonly referred to as "galamsey."

In a press statement issued on Sunday, April 26, 2026, the Ministry announced that the Akanjo, Salman, and Nkroful mining leases of Adamus Resources Limited have been revoked with immediate effect.

The decision follows investigation reports submitted by the Minerals Commission, which established multiple breaches of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and related regulations.

Key findings of the investigation

The investigations, supported by documentary and photographic evidence, revealed several serious infractions. Adamus Resources Limited was found to have unlawfully sub-contracted mining operations on their concessions without obtaining mandatory ministerial consent as required under Section 14 of Act 703.

Furthermore, mining activities were carried out without approved mining operating plans or valid operating permits issued by the Chief Inspector of Mines, as mandated under Regulation 8(1) of the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2182). The company also failed to obtain requisite approvals from regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Authority, in accordance with Section 18 of Act 703.

Perhaps most significantly, foreign nationalsspecifically Chinese nationalswere unlawfully engaged in mining activities on the affected concessions in contravention of Section 99(5)(a) and (b) of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

Environmental degradation and substandard operations

The investigation further found that mining operations were substandard and conducted outside designated mining areas, far from approved mine infrastructure. The illegal activities resulted in significant environmental degradation, including land disturbance and damage to ecosystems, posing serious risks to water bodies, public health, and community livelihoods.

Public interest revocation

In view of the gravity and deliberate nature of these breaches, the Minister, upon the advice and recommendation of the Minerals Commission given pursuant to Section 100(2) of Act 703, determined that immediate revocation of the mineral rights is warranted in the public interest. The Ministry noted that this is especially critical in cases where mineral rights are being used to facilitate illegal mining activities or where statutory requirements have been fundamentally violated.

Criminal charges possible

The revocation is without prejudice to any criminal charges that may be preferred against Adamus Resources Limited, their respective directors, and management under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995). The government has made clear that it will take all necessary steps to hold those responsible accountable.

Protection of workers' livelihoods

The Ministry assured that steps will be taken to safeguard the lawful jobs and livelihoods of workers affected by this decision, with appropriate measures to be announced in due course.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding Ghana's natural resources and stated that it will continue to take decisive action against all forms of illegal mining.
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Featured

Nollywood full of saboteurs  Jim Iyke

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Apr - 27 - 2026 , 13:32 1 minute read

Veteran Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has identified internal sabotage as the major challenge confronting the Nigerian movie industry.

According to the thespian, the industry is full of saboteurs.

In an interview with BBC, Jim Iyke said if he could change one thing about Nollywood, it would be to purge saboteurs from the industry.

Is there is one thing I would love to change about Nollywood, it would be to purge saboteurs from the industry. The industry is full of saboteurs. They cant help themselves. They need therapy, he said.

The actor said his proudest moment as an actor was when his son commended his performance and called him a genius.

He said his sons commendation made him emotional to the extent he went into the bathroom to cry.

Jim Iyke named Kate Henshaw as the actress he enjoys working with the most.
What to know about Cole Allen, alleged WH correspondents dinner shooter

Next article: What to know about Cole Allen, alleged WH correspondents dinner shooter

Trump says King will be 'very safe' during US visit after security talks

Previous article: Trump says King will be 'very safe' during US visit after security talks

Featured

Mali defence minister killed as country hit by wave of rebel attacks

bbc.com International News Apr - 27 - 2026 , 06:25 5 minutes read

Mali's defence minister has been killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital Bamako.

Multiple news outlets reported the death of Sadio Camara, part of a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist militants and separatists carried out across the country.

State TV confirmed the death several hours later, saying he died of wounds received while engaging with the attackers. Reports say the head of the military junta, Gen Assimi Goita, was moved to a safe location after his home was targeted.

Further north Russian mercenaries hired by Mali's military agreed to withdraw from Kidal after two days of clashes, the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) group said.

For years, Mali has been plagued by insurgencies by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and the FLA.

Quoting Camara's family and French media, news agencies said the attack - launched by militants affiliated with al-Qaeda in Kati on Saturday - also killed at least three of Camara's family members.

Government spokesman Issa Ousmane Coulibaly read out a statement on Sunday evening saying Camara was killed when "a vehicle laden with explosives and driven by a suicide attacker targeted the minister's residence".

It said he exchanged fire with the attackers and "succeeded in neutralising some of them". However, he was wounded and later died from his injuries in hospital.

The attack led to the collapse of Camara's residence and the destruction of a nearby mosque, where a number of worshippers were also killed.

Fighting on Saturday had been reported in the town, a major military base outside the capital, in Gao and Kidal in the north, and the central cities of Sevare and Mopti.

Reports suggest the assault by the separatists - who seek a breakaway ethnic Tuareg state in the north - 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.

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".

FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said Kidal had "not fallen completely" during those attacks, at the time, telling the BBC they remained in the city because "elements of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries" were still present.

On Sunday, clashes between the FLA and the Malian government resumed in Kidal.

Shortly after these reports, Ramadane said: "An agreement was reached between the Azawad forces and the Russian elements of the Africa Corps with a view to ensuring their secure withdrawal from the fighting."

In later updates, he said they were "permanently withdrawing from Kidal" and "Kidal is now free". There has been no confirmation of these claims from Mali's military.

The group also claims to have taken control of the city, which served as an unofficial headquarters of the separatist movement for more than a decade before it was captured by Mali's army with the help of Russian mercenaries in late 2023.

An FLA field commander involved in the assault on Kidal told the BBC on Saturday the group had been preparing for the offensive "for months", adding: "Our main goal now is to control Gao and then Timbuktu will be easy to fall."

State broadcaster ORTM reported that 16 people, including civilians and soldiers, were injured in the attacks, which it said caused "limited damage".

It also said several "terrorists" had been killed, adding that the situation is "completely under control" in all affected areas.

However, its military confirmed fighting was continuing in Kidal, as well as Kati and other parts of the country.

In a statement on Sunday, it said the violence would "not go unanswered".

It added that a nationwide alert had been issued, with large-scale patrols stepped up and checkpoints reinforced to tighten security.

Curfews have been imposed in some areas. In Bamako, there is a curfew from 21:00 to 06:00 local time (GMT), expected to end on Monday.

Following Saturday's widespread orchestrated attacks, UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the "acts of violence" as he expressed his "solidarity with the Malian people". West Africa's regional bloc, Ecowas, similarly condemned the attacks.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso left Ecowas after military coups brought their armies to power.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, said he was following the situation with "deep concern".

Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso's military ruler who seized power in a coup three years ago, condemned the attacks in Mali.

Traore is the president of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, all countries led by military governments that came to power following coups in recent years.

In a statement released on Sunday night, Traore described the attacks as "barbaric and inhumane" and said they were "backed by the enemies of the Sahel liberation struggle".

He added that the attacks could not "shake the will of the valiant people of Sahel to live in freedom, peace and dignity".

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.

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.
Featured

Akosombo Fire: Two generation units back on grid after unprecedented substation disaster

GraphicOnline Apr - 27 - 2026 , 15:14 3 minutes read

Two of the stricken generating units at the Akosombo Dam have been successfully restored, following a ferocious fire that gutted the the main hydro facilitys control room and crippled Ghanas power evacuation system last week.

Giving an update at press conference in Accra on Monday [April 27, 2026], the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor explained that the emergency technical teams had worked under extremely difficult conditions  with some engineers remaining on the dam site for three continuous days without leaving  to bring the first unit back online on Sunday, followed by a second unit just hours before his address on Monday afternoon.

I am pleased to report that, through emergency technical interventions and sheer determination, the first generating unit was successfully restored yesterday. This afternoon, I received confirmation that the second unit has also been successfully synchronised, the Minister told pressmen.

The blaze, which Mr Jinapor described as one of the most serious and unprecedented disruptions ever experienced in Ghanas power sector, had completely destroyed the control room responsible for channelling electricity from the nations largest hydro plant. At the peak of the crisis, more than 1,000 megawatts of power lay stranded at Akosombo, triggering supply shortfalls that hit the Ashanti Region, the Central Region, and the Tema industrial enclave particularly hard.

When you lose the control room, it means that on the spur of the moment, you cannot evacuate any power, the Minister explained, offering a rare glimpse into the technical catastrophe. It is crippling a critical component of the transmission system.

Despite the visible frustration among affected households and businesses, Mr Jinapor confirmed that work is actively ongoing to bring a third unit back into operation, with engineers now deploying innovative bypass technology around the scorched infrastructure. We will move swiftly, but we will not seek to cut corners. Safety remains paramount, he stressed.

In a tribute, the Minister singled out the engineers from the Volta River Authority and GRIDCo for special commendation. Your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment in the face of this challenging situation are truly commendable. Let me state without equivocation that I am immensely proud of you, he said.

To ensure the root cause of the fire is established, Mr Jinapor has constituted a Technical Committee chaired by Ing. William Amuna, while security agencies conduct parallel criminal investigations. He has also directed the Electricity Company of Ghana to issue regular public updates on affected areas and restoration timelines.

Beyond the immediate crisis, the Minister disclosed a nationwide Transformer Upgrade and Replacement Programme, revealing that about 200 transformers have already been installed in April 2026, with another 140 expected this week. High-capacity transformers are being deployed at key Bulk Supply Points in Adenta, Lashibi, and Teshie-Nungua, while transmission reinforcement works in Kumasi are slated for June.

We are restoring what has been disrupted. We are replacing what is no longer fit for purpose. And we are building a stronger, more resilient power system for the future, Mr Jinapor said, appealing for public patience as engineers race to return the remaining units to full operation within the week.
Featured

Akosombo power to be restored this week as control room fire triggers emergency measures

Mohammed Ali Apr - 27 - 2026 , 11:28 4 minutes read

The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has indicated that all six generating units at the Akosombo Dam are expected to return to operation before the end of the week under a temporary arrangement, following last weeks fire outbreak that destroyed the facilitys main control room.

The Ministry said the damaged control room cannot be salvaged and will have to be completely rebuilt, a process likely to take several months.

The Head of Communications and Spokesperson for the Ministry, Mr Richmond Rockson, disclosed this in an interview on Citi FM on Monday, April 27, 2026.

He explained that while generation can resume in the short term, the core infrastructure that manages transmission from the dam to the national grid has been destroyed.

It is not salvageable, Mr Rockson said, recounting what he and the Energy Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, observed during a visit to the site on April 24. The whole control room, which serves as the primary control room for the switchyard, is gone. It is burnt down to ashes. Even walking there is difficult because of the conditions.

He added that engineers from the Volta River Authority and Ghana Grid Company Limited have deployed a temporary external system to enable phased transmission of power to the national grid.

It is like setting up an external control point to operate the switchyard and still transmit power, he said.

Mr Rockson confirmed that one of the six generating units was already operational as of the morning of April 27, with efforts ongoing to bring the remaining units online before the close of the week.

The fire broke out at about 2:00 pm on April 23, 2026, at the GRIDCo substation switchyard within the Akosombo generating complex. According to the Ghana National Fire Service, the blaze originated from a DC panel and escalated following an explosion in the switchover room.

More than 60 firefighters from Akosombo, Akuse, Somanya, Kpong and Peki responded under the command of DO II Isaac Gyamera Aboagye. The fire was contained at 2:53 pm, brought under control at 6:51 pm and fully extinguished by 7:00 pm, with no casualties recorded.

The incident forced a shutdown of the Akosombo Dam, which typically contributes about 1,000 megawatts to the national grid. The disruption also affected the Kpong generating station, resulting in an additional loss of between 150 and 200 megawatts.

If you generate the power, you cannot evacuate it, Mr Rockson said. That means power from Akosombo could not be transmitted.

A seven-member committee, chaired by Ing. Dr William Amuna, has been given two weeks to investigate the cause of the fire. The committee includes representatives from the Ghana National Fire Service, National Security, the Energy Commission and civil society.

Mr Rockson confirmed that the Chief Executive of GRIDCo, Ing. Mark Awuah Baah, has been asked to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

He noted that the government would determine whether to make the findings public, depending on the reports contents and any national security considerations.

Addressing ongoing outages, Mr Rockson said parts of the country continue to experience power fluctuations due to ageing infrastructure and rising demand.

He cited Nungua, where a transformer installed more than two decades ago remains in use despite increased pressure on the system. National electricity demand has risen by nearly 10 per cent within a year, with peak demand now estimated at about 4,400 megawatts.

He said the governments Transformer Emergency Programme is deploying about 2,500 transformers in the southern operational zone of the Electricity Company of Ghana and 423 in the northern zone. Tamale has already received 30 transformers, while six primary substations in Greater Accra are undergoing upgrades, with Kumasi expected to follow.

Mr Rockson indicated that outages would persist in areas yet to benefit from the upgrades, including Boko, Teshie, parts of Weija, Ablekuma and Tema Gulf City.

Lights will stay on for long periods and then go off for some hours until the transformers are changed, he said.

Mr Rockson apologised to the public for the recent disruptions, describing the incident as unforeseen.

For those who have experienced outages over the last few days, we apologise to the people of Ghana, he said. This is an incident that no one anticipated.

He also urged restraint in public discourse, cautioning against politicising the situation.

This is not the time for partisan exchanges, he said. When such incidents occur, the country must respond together.
Featured

Akatsi blacksmith arrested over alleged supply of guns to robbers; three suspects still on the run

Mohammed Ali Apr - 27 - 2026 , 09:50 2 minutes read

A local blacksmith suspected of producing weapons for armed robbers has been arrested following a police operation targeting a criminal network in the Akatsi area of the Volta Region.

The Ghana Police Service said the operation, carried out on April 21, 2026, by the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police, led to the arrest of three suspects and the retrieval of a cache of arms from the outskirts of Gavekope.

The suspects are Enoch Adoglo, who was first arrested at Gavekope, Cephas Aniwaa, the blacksmith alleged to have been manufacturing and supplying weapons to the group, and David Adzinu.

Police said the suspects are being processed for court.

Items retrieved during the operation include seven single-barrel rifles, five locally manufactured pistols, one revolver, 64 rounds of ACP ammunition, 11 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, four live BB cartridges, 18 spent BB cartridges, three mobile phones and winding tools.

The police said the arrests form part of ongoing efforts to deal with robbery activities in the area.

Despite the arrests, three suspects identified as central figures in the network remain at large. They are Mensah Kedzi, who police link to several robberies, including an incident on April 3, 2026, a suspect identified as Akakpo, described as an ex-convict, and another named Ageh.

Police said the three are being pursued and appealed to the public to provide information to assist in their arrest.

The police did not give a timeline for further arrests and did not provide details of other incidents linked to the group beyond the April 3 case.

The information was contained in a statement issued by the Ghana Police Service on April 26, 2026.
Featured

Ghana condemns Mali terrorist attacks that killed Defence Minister, issues advisory to citizens

Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 27 - 2026 , 10:35 1 minute read

The government has expressed deep concern over the escalating security situation in the Sahel region following coordinated terrorist attacks on Saturday, April 25, on several military positions in Mali, including the capital Bamako, which resulted in the death of Mali's Minister of Defence, General Sadio Camara, as well as other military personnel and civilians.

In a press release issued on Monday, April 27, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the Government and People of Mali and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"Violent extremism must have no place in our world, and we must step up collective efforts to end this horror," the statement read.

Advisory to Ghanaians in Mali

The Government also issued an advisory to Ghanaian nationals living in Mali, urging them to exercise caution and limit non-essential movements. Ghanaians were advised to maintain regular contact with the Embassy of Ghana in Bamako.

Additionally, Ghanaian traders and drivers who ply the route for trading activities were advised to suspend movements until further notice.

"Ghanaian traders and drivers who ply the route for trading activities are advised to suspend movements until further notice," the Ministry stated.

"The Government of Ghana is working in close collaboration with relevant Malian authorities and would provide updates to facilitate the resumption of trading activities in due course."

The Government of Ghana reiterated its solidarity with the Government of Mali and assured Ghanaian nationals that their security, safety, and well-being remain paramount.
Featured

Ho-Dome drowning in refuse

Alberto Mario Noretti Apr - 27 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read

Residents of Ho-Dome have renewed their appeal to the Ho Municipal Assembly to put an arrangement in place for the regular clearing of the community refuse dump which keeps swelling rapidly.

That, they said, is necessary to save the area from an epidemic.

The swelling refuse is posing serious health hazards to the area with the emanating stench from the dump which spreads to the houses unbearable.

Some residents say they are considering relocation for health reasons.

As of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, when the Daily Graphic visited the area, the situation was worsening as people from other parts of Ho also conveyed their domestic rubbish to the dump at Ho-Dome.

Worse, the dump is just at the back of the public latrine which is still in use.

This seriously undermines Hos status as the Oxygen City of Ghana; a name derived from the long record of high standards of hygiene for which the regional capital is known.

The Assembly Member for the Ho-Dome Wusu Electoral Area, Cherubim Kofi Zigah, who conducted the Daily Graphic round the dump, said the facility was meant to serve only the Wusu and Blisam electoral areas.

But people from nearby communities also convey their refuse to the dump surreptitiously at night when the janitors are not on duty.

And once the skip is full and overflowing, they pour the refuse on the ground, he revealed.

The assembly member said some hotels in the municipality also disposed of their refuse at the dump with impunity.

Now, we have exhausted every procedure with the assembly for clearing the dump with little success, Mr Zigah complained.

Zoomlion

He said waste management group, Zoomlion Ghana, which was responsible for clearing the refuse, was now saddled with the challenge of inadequate duty trucks for the task.

When contacted, an official of the Ho Municipal Environmental Office (MEHO), who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said arrangements had been put in place for skip trucks from other districts to assist in clearing refuse in Ho as well.

Attempts by this reporter to engage with officials of the regional office of Zoomlion Ghana did not succeed.
Featured

Immigration seeks private sector support

Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 27 - 2026 , 12:57 4 minutes read

The Governing Council of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is pushing for a public-private sector initiative to help mobilise adequate resources to address the pressing needs of the service, including the welfare and working conditions of its officers.

Code-named Operation Secure Our Borders (SECOBOR), the initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of the service and contribute more effectively to national security and development.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the GIS, Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, disclosed this at the Jubilee House in Accra, when he led a delegation of the council to brief President John Dramani Mahama on the strategic direction and emerging priorities of the GIS.

Border control

Rev. Wengam said: Weak border control continues to expose Ghana to smuggling, human trafficking and illicit trade, which pose direct threats to national security and public safety.

He said as part of the GIS digital transformation agenda and commitment to help build a resilient 24-hour economy, the modernisation of border control was a strategic priority.

A functioning 24-hour economy requires secure, efficient and continuously operating borders.

Yet, out of Ghanas 48 approved border crossing points, only 12 are currently automated, Rev. Wengam said.

The GIS Governing Council chairman added that inadequate resources and logistical constraints erode government revenue, disrupt local industries and weaken legitimate commerce.

Ongoing reforms

Rev. Wengam said the GIS had already undertaken some institutional reforms to modernise border management, strengthen national security and improve service delivery.

Central to those efforts, he said, was the ongoing digital transformation of immigration operations, including the development of a Ghana-owned, integrated border management system, internally referred to as Immigration 360 System, to enhance efficiency, sovereignty and interoperability across all entry and exit points.

Rev. Wengam said the service had also prioritised enhanced data integration and intelligence-led operations through closer collaboration with national institutions and international security partners to improve real-time traveller verification, risk assessment, and enforcement effectiveness.

Collectively, these ongoing initiatives are repositioning the Ghana Immigration Service as a modern, technology-driven institution capable of supporting secure borders, facilitating trade and travel, and aligning immigration operations with Ghanas broader economic transformation agenda, including the 24-Hour Economy, he said.

Challenges

The Governing Council Chairman said many of the challenges of the GIS, including the lack of accommodation, vehicles and motorbikes, could be addressed if the service was allowed to retain, at least, 80 per cent of its internally generated funds (IGF) for five years, after which the present retention could be restored.

Rev. Wengam disclosed that in 2025 alone, the GIS generated GH546.04 million, with only 40 per cent amounting to GH218.42 million retained.

He said 25 per cent of the retained amount was earmarked for the construction of the GIS National Headquarters complex, with the remainder, equivalent to 15 per cent of the IGF, allocated to support administrative and operational activities.

Rev. Wengam said the GIS stood ready to spearhead the implementation of an electronic visa system in close collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies.

The chairman expressed gratitude to President Mahama for providing a strategic direction which had enabled the GIS to consolidate its statutory role and emerge as a vital pillar in safeguarding Ghanas sovereignty and advancing regional cooperation.

Presidents response

In response, President Mahama said his government stands firmly behind efforts to retool and modernise the GIS.

We are working hard to resolve logistical challenges and improve working conditions of immigration officers so that they can deliver on their mandate, he added.

President Mahama commended Rev. Wengam for leaving a legacy at the Ghana Prisons Service with the transformative Project Efiase during his time as Board Chairman, and for currently spearheading the SECOBOR project at the Immigration Service.

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, said it was critical to improve the welfare and accommodation needs of immigration officers, particularly those serving in remote and high-risk locations.

He announced that seven new regional immigration offices were being constructed nationwide to bring services closer to the citizens and tighten border management.
Featured

Protecting forests, security staff: Grant Forestry paramilitary powers - Chief Executive Officer demands

Timothy Ngnenbe Apr - 27 - 2026 , 12:38 5 minutes read

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, has reiterated the need for the commission to be given paramilitary status to help protect the countrys forest resources and guarantee the security of its field staff.

He stressed that when the commission was made a paramilitary entity and allowed to use advanced weapons, forest and resource guards would be more secure and empowered to clamp down on the activities of criminal elements such as illegal miners, poachers, illegal loggers, and illegal chainsaw operators, who were killing and maiming field officers of the commission.

He made the appeal last Saturday at the burial service of one of the field officers at the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Raphael Ganyo, who was shot and killed by a poacher at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in Ho in the Volta Region on January 6, 2026.

The 28-year-old Ganyo, who was employed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission on November 1, 2021, as a resource guard, was shot in the chest by a poacher while on patrol duty near the Zitoe Camp of the Reserve.

Until his death, Ganyo had served as a member of the Law Enforcement Unit and worked to rid the resource of criminal elements.

More killings

Ganyos death adds to the many field officers of the commission who have either been killed or brutally attacked by environmental criminals in the line of duty.

While they navigate difficult operational challenges and logistical constraints to safeguard forest reserves, national parks and resource reserves, the forest guards have become easy targets for illegal miners, illegal chainsaw operators, and poachers who destroy the environment with wanton abandon.

Records from the Forestry Services Division (FSD) show that 34 field officers sustained life-threatening injuries from dastardly attacks by illegal miners over the past five years.

The Daily Graphic's checks at the Forestry Commission revealed that between 2017 and now, 23 staff from the Wildlife Division have either been killed or brutally maimed by poachers and illegal chainsaw operators.

Specifically, the statistics revealed that four resource guards were killed by poachers between 2017 and 2026, while 19 others were severely maimed, with some still battling for their lives.

For instance, on January 27, 2017, Stephen Osei Yaw of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve at Ejura in the Ashanti Region was shot and killed by a poacher.

Similarly, Thomas Kwaku Majam lost his life on March 21, 2018, when a poacher shot at him at the Mole National Park at Damongo in the Savannah Region.

Barely a year later, Matthew Nkuah died after he was shot while on a night operation at the Bia National Park at Sefwi Wiawso on April 3, 2019.

Further examination of the data provided by the Wildlife Division indicates that while resource guards sustained most of the life-threatening injuries through brutal attacks by poachers, others were attacked by elephants, with some also sustaining injuries through the explosion of chemicals used by illegal miners.

Against this backdrop, Dr Brown re-echoed the urgent need for the commission to be granted paramilitary status to strengthen its operational capacity and safeguard its personnel.

He stressed that the current structure had left field officers exposed to increasingly violent encounters with heavily armed environmental criminals, particularly illegal miners and poachers, who operated with far more sophisticated weapons.

The kind of arms and ammunition we are permitted to use do not match what we are confronted with in the field, he said.

Dr Brown explained that the commission remained constrained by existing regulations that required it to seek authorisation from the Ministry of Defence before accessing certain categories of weapons, a situation he described as limiting their effectiveness in high-risk operations.

We are taking steps to review the Forestry Commission Act, and that will pave the way for us to have the legal mandate to carry arms within the forest reserves and the wildlife parks, and be able to enforce law and order, he stated.

Dr Brown further indicated that beyond weaponry, the commission faced significant logistical and operational challenges, including inadequate patrol vehicles and motorbikes, and insufficient protective gear for personnel deployed in hostile environments.

Honours

In recognition of his service and sacrifice, the Forestry Commission posthumously promoted Raphael Ganyo to the rank of Chief Resource Guard, the highest level within the resource guard structure.

It also announced that the Zitoe Camp, where he was stationed before his death, would be renamed the Raphael Ganyo Camp, with the necessary formalities to be carried out to reflect the change.

As part of efforts to support the bereaved family, the commission had committed to employing two members of the family within the Wildlife Division to replace the fallen guard.

In addition, a donation of GH50,000 had been made to the family, complementing other forms of support the commission has extended since the incident occurred.

These interventions, Dr Brown indicated, underscored the commissions resolve to stand by the family while honouring the memory of fallen officers whose deaths highlight the risks associated with protecting the nations natural resources.
Featured

President Mahama cuts sod for new Accra Airport concourse as passenger numbers surge

Mohammed Ali Apr - 27 - 2026 , 13:56 3 minutes read

Construction has commenced on a new concourse linking Terminals 2 and 3 at Accra International Airport as rising passenger traffic places increasing pressure on facilities at Ghanas main aviation hub.

Passenger numbers have grown significantly from 1.8 million in 2022 to 2.5 million in 2025, representing an increase of about 39 per cent over three years.

President John Dramani Mahama performed the sod-cutting ceremony in Accra on Monday, April 27, 2026, stating that the project is intended to ease congestion and improve passenger flow across the airport.

He noted that congestion is already evident during peak hours, particularly between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., affecting critical services.

We are already seeing congestion during peak hours, particularly between the hours of 1800 and 2200 GMT, President Mahama said. This is affecting check-in, immigration, security screening, boarding and baggage handling. If these are not addressed, these pressures will undermine efficiency and erode the passenger experience.

The new concourse will connect Terminals 2 and 3 and include five passenger boarding air bridges, expanded waiting areas, VIP lounges, as well as retail and commercial facilities aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.

As part of a broader redevelopment plan, Terminal 2 is being upgraded to handle both domestic and international flights, with government intending to relocate some airlines from Terminal 3 to reduce congestion.

President Mahama acknowledged concerns among some airlines but expressed optimism that improved infrastructure would encourage their relocation.

I hear some airlines are reluctant to move to Terminal 2, he said. But what I am going to see at Terminal 2 today, I am sure when we finish, they will be ready to move.

The project forms part of a wider aviation modernisation strategy, which includes the construction of a seven-storey car park at Terminal 3 with capacity for about 2,000 vehicles. The facility is expected to feature retail outlets, restaurants, a viewing lounge, conference facilities and an airport hotel.

On security, the President announced plans to install advanced 3D scanners at Terminals 2 and 3 to streamline screening processes.

It will make aviation security safer, and it will remove the need for passengers to take out their laptops and tablets during screening, he said.

Beyond Accra, the government is advancing plans to develop regional airports in Bolgatanga, Wa and Nsuatre, while work is ongoing to extend the runway at Kumasi Airport to accommodate larger aircraft.

President Mahama also disclosed that a new 54-metre air traffic control tower is nearing completion to enhance airspace management.

On the proposed national airline, he said a task force is expected to present its roadmap within the week.

A new national airline will create jobs for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and other staff, and support efforts to position Ghana as a preferred aviation hub in West Africa, he said.

He further announced plans to introduce an electronic visa system to allow travellers to apply online without visiting embassies.

In addition, the President revealed that a private individual is funding the refurbishment of the VVIP lounge at the airport at a cost of nearly $2 million, with no cost to the state.

When the work is completed, we will grant the individual lifetime access to the lounge, President Mahama said.

The new concourse is expected to significantly ease congestion and improve operational efficiency at Kotoka International Airport as passenger demand continues to grow.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku caused around $23 million to $24 million in damages to Guam businesses, while an assessment of damage to public facilities and individuals is still ongoing, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said Friday.

Were still making that assessment. And so we, once we make that, well present that, and then well ask for a major disaster so we can get the public assistance, the governor said, with hopes of getting 100% coverage for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump will also open up individual aid programs, like the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, D-SNAP, for all residents and other aid from FEMA, and the Small Business Administration, Leon Guerrero said.

Guam has until 30 days from Sinlakus passage to seek a major disaster declaration from the president, Adelup spokesperson John Ryan stated Thursday.

Leon Guerrero said she expects the request to move forward sooner.

The storms powerful eye was around 100 miles offshore Guam at its closest point of approach, but its agonizingly slow passage kept strong winds and high surf going for the better part of four days.

Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on Friday, though the islands, especially Saipan and Tinian, had it much worse through Sinlaku.

The federal government required extensive documentation for a major disaster declaration, Ryan said earlier. But the administration was sure that total losses for Guam were above the minimum amount needed for the governor to seek a declaration.

Once a Presidential Disaster Declaration is requested, and if it is approved, the various programs and types of aid available to the government of Guam, individual households, and businesses will be announced, he stated.

Food commodity distributions were underway to help those in the greatest need post-storm, while an extra 63% allotment for regular SNAP recipients hit electronic benefit transfer, EBT, cards on Friday night.

Leon Guerrero provided some updates about Sinlaku damage on Friday.

Her $23 million to $24 million data for business damages came from a survey of the private sector conducted by the Bureau of Statistics and Plans just after Sinlakus passage.

For the most part, we are back to normal, the governor said, with water and power services nearing full restoration, but for a few customers needing full repairs.

Attention was turning to clearing up debris and coastal repairs, she said, noting much of Route 1 or Marine Corps Drive was still lined with coral, sand, and rocks swept in by the storm.

The coastline has been really damaged, and were very concerned about...protection against the water coming in. So we are going to be working with FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, to replace and repair our coastline, Leon Guerrero said.

Parts of the seawall in Hagatna were damaged by Sinlaku, with a section across the GCIC Building entirely gone and temporarily replaced with several boulders, she said.

Sections around East Hagatna and the Paseo de Susana Park were also badly damaged.

Leon Guerrero said storm waters came in as far as the Shimizu House in Hagatna, well across Route 1 and into the village.

Route 11, to the Port Authority of Guam, was cleared to open but would still require more fixing, she said, and there was some concern about the Glass Breakwater encircling Apra Harbor, already undergoing repairs after Typhoon Mawar in 2023.

It was pretty treacherous to think that that was only 70-mile to 80-mile per hour winds, the governor said of Sinlaku.

I just want to thank the people of Guam for listening to our advice and our guidance, because I dont think we couldnt be that safe if people didnt cooperate, she said.

Up to $25M local funds

As for the up to $25 million that lawmakers appropriated for disaster relief before Sinlaku, Bureau of Budget and Management Research Director Lester Carlson said reports on the use of the funds were not ready Friday.

But Leon Guerrero said the administration may not be able to spend all the funds.

Of course, whatever we dont use, well put it back into the Rainy Day Fund, the governor said.

Of the $25 million in relief funds authorized for the Sinlaku response, about $7.1 million came from leftovers after GovGuam fronted for SNAP and Women, Infants, and Children, WIC, program benefits during the federal shutdown late last year.

The balance of about $17.9 million came from the governments Rainy Day Fund, which is set aside to deal with emergencies.

Legislative budget chairman Sen. Chris Duenas has floated the possibility of using leftover amounts from the Sinlaku relief appropriation to cover federal matching requirements.

Guam still has to front about 25 cents for every 75 cents in federal aid for Sinlaku.

Leon Guerrero has said the idea makes sense, but is also seeking 100%, or at least 90% coverage from FEMA.
Guam Police Chief Stephen Ignacio told senators on Monday that the islands police force is short of 61 patrol officers and 39 investigators, as the department seeks a nearly $66 million budget for fiscal year 2027.

If that budget is approved, it would be about 20% more than what the Legislature approved for the Guam Police Department for fiscal 2026.

Ignacio said the latest funding request is needed because a small force carries a massive operational load across islandwide demand.

Besides funding constraints, GPD also faces a lack of qualified people for its lack of personnel.

We are delivering elite enforcement results. We are also doing so by overextending our personnel, Ignacio told lawmakers. The extreme call volumes in Central Precinct and Dededo precinct have created a sustainable tempo that threatens to compromise our long term effectiveness and officer safety.

Charts presented to lawmakers showed how workload is distributed across precincts.

Ignacio said the Central Precinct handles about 33% of service calls, while Dededo accounts for roughly 42% of islandwide arrests.

Dededo is Guams most populated village.

Strong results

Despite budget and staffing constraints, Ignacio said GPD has recorded strong results, including a 70.1% homicide clearance rate in 2025, compared to a 61.4% national benchmark reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He said GPD recorded 100% homicide clearance rates in 2021 and 2023, and has cleared five of seven homicide cases this year.

In addition, GPD has achieved a significant 43.6% reduction in total robbery offenses over the last three years, dropping from 94 incidents in 2023 to just 53 in 2025, he said. 92 officers were trained by the International Homicide Investigators Association.

Ignacio said the budget request of $65,997,761 would sustain four bureaus and support sworn officers, civilian staff, recruitment, operations, and utilities.

He said GPD remains stretched across patrol and investigative responsibilities while trying to maintain service levels.

Within the operations category, $7.395 million is for contractual services and daily operating costs such as software maintenance for the automated fingerprint information system, postal and courier services, leased vehicles, facility maintenance, and canine medical services.

An additional $4.2 million is anticipated in federal grant applications.

Bureaus

GPDs Operations Bureau carries most of the uniformed force and daily public contact, accounting for about 186 personnel, or roughly 69% of uniformed officers across the Neighborhood Patrol Division, Special Operations Division, and Highway Patrol Division, based on the departments presentation to senators.

The Neighborhood Patrol Division serves as the departments primary frontline unit organized into District 1, led by a captain overseeing the Dededo and Tumon-Tamuning precincts; and District 2, also led by a captain, responsible for the central and Hagat precincts.

Currently, the NHPD is operating on 12-hour shifts, which requires the least number of officers to cover areas of responsibility in each of the precincts, including staff, Ignacio said.

The division currently has 139 officers assigned to 28 beats across Guam. Ignacio said full staffing under the current shift model would require an additional 61 officers.

He also said the Special Operations Division and Highway Patrol Division are both below required staffing levels. Special Operations has 29 officers across five sections, including Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, and Canine.

Highway Patrol has 16 officers across enforcement operations, investigations, and program development, and would require 30 officers under statutory requirements, leaving a shortfall of 14.

K9s help find meth

Ignacio said GPD has integrated specialized canine or K9 teams into patrol operations to manage demand.

The critical takeaway, however, is how this high call volume directly translates into enforcement. The operations Bureau has achieved a major tactical win by integrating our specialized canine units directly into our patrol routes, he said. Rather than keeping these teams siloed, we are now deploying canines Drako and Lobo right on the front lines.

He said since July 2025, canine-assisted operations have resulted in:

more than 76 arrests and seizures, including 175.76 grams of methamphetamine

5 grams of cocaine

two syringes of liquid meth

Recovery of more than $51,600 in estimated narcotics value

62 pieces of drug paraphernalia

$20,000 in cash

When our canine teams and patrol units work in tandem, we maximize our impact on the streets, Ignacio said.

Ignacio also pointed to national recognition for one of the departments canine units, stating that K-9 Drako was featured in the January 2025 issue of Canine Cop Magazine, a quarterly publication serving the law enforcement and military K-9 community.

He described it as a resource for handlers, trainers, supervisors, and decision-makers nationwide.

Ignacio added that the publication includes coverage of real-world deployments, training methods, handler guidance, equipment reviews, and professional insights from field practitioners.

Investigations

Behind patrol operations, the Investigations Bureau handles felony and complex cases not resolved at the initial response stage.

Ignacio said the bureau includes multiple specialized sections but operates with 24 officers, well below its required staffing level of 63, leaving a shortfall of 39 investigators.

He outlined the responsibilities handled by those officers, which include follow-up investigations on reported crimes, managing and analyzing evidence, conducting interviews and interrogations, gathering intelligence, and preparing and executing search warrants.

Based on the current operational work hours and workload, IB is currently operating with only 24 uniformed officers to cover a requirement of 63, we are faced with a critical shortfall of 39 officers, he said.

He said the bureau has also expanded outreach programs, including school-based partnerships and victim services staffing under specialized units.

DNA lab not fully operational

The Forensic Science Bureau serves as GPDs scientific backbone, providing evidence analysis and secure evidence management.

It includes crime scene response, evidence control, and laboratory services covering drugs, biology and DNA, fingerprints, and firearms examinations.

Ignacio said the bureau maintains 24-hour response capability and tracks performance standards such as a 60-minute arrival target, but with only 15 personnel, its work remains largely reactive and focused on court deadlines, limiting deeper analysis that could generate additional investigative leads.

The police chief said the unit has secured international accreditation in multiple disciplines, with a DNA laboratory completed but not yet fully operational pending final system requirements.

The Services Bureau provides administrative and logistical support, including human resources, payroll, procurement, grant management, fleet services, facility maintenance, information technology, communications, and armory support.

He also pointed to dispatch operations as a critical link between the public and field response. Ignacio said dispatchers serve as the first point of contact, initiating coordinated responses before officers arrive on scene.

Their ability to process high stress information and deploy resources with precision is what allows every other Bureau from operations to investigations to function effectively, considering the higher call volume that our LEDs receive as a department, he said. We wanted to provide professional training for our resources for our research.
A woman on Saipan who posed as a wealthy Chinese businesswoman received a 71-month jail sentence on Thursday in connection with defrauding older women of their money after befriending them on Guam, Saipan, Washington and California, according to U.S. Attorney for Guam and NMI Shawn Anderson.

Sze Man Yu Inos, also known as Yuki, was sentenced to 71 months or nearly six years in federal prison for a wire fraud scheme targeting multiple victims.

Inos, 30, approached older women on Saipan and Guam to befriend them and lure them into her fraudulent scheme, from November 2020 through January 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

She falsely claimed she came from a wealthy family in China, owned multiple businesses, and was successful investing in Bitcoin.

Inos treated the women to expensive meals and gifts, and bragged to them about how much money she made investing in Bitcoin.

She confided in them about fictitious personal problems and claimed their friendship was important to her, often telling them, You are like my mom.

After gaining the victims confidence, Yuki requested money from these women. She also solicited investments in Bitcoin based on false pretenses, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Well-deserved punishment

Inos continued to engage in this scheme after she left the Marianas, and defrauded additional victims in Washington and California.

Criminals engaged in affinity fraud prey on our willingness to trust others, U.S. Attorney Anderson said in a statement Monday. This defendant chose to target older women across multiple jurisdictions, resulting in substantial financial losses. She continued her scams while this case was pending. The punishment imposed by the Court is well-deserved.

Inos was arrested in San Diego, California last year and sent back to Saipan.

District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona on April 23 handed down the sentence on Inos.

The court also imposed three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, restitution in the amount of $769,355.67, and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee.

The court entered a criminal forfeiture personal money judgment in the amount of $684,848.34.

The defendant built a career out of deception, leaving a trail of financial ruin stretching across several states and impacting dozens of innocent victims, FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter said in a statement. By forging a federal judges signature to facilitate her schemes, the defendant acted with complete contempt for both the victims she exploited and the rule of law. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to protect our citizens from criminals who profit through such heartless and brazen manipulation.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth R. Backe for the District of the NMI.
Refurbishment of F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School remains about 95% complete despite Super Typhoon Sinlaku striking Guam and is still on track for the new school year, acting Education Superintendent Judi Won Pat said.

Sinlaku caused water damage to the Yigo campus, but repairs have already been completed across affected facilities, she said.

Temporary classrooms near the school have not yet been built, though contractors have begun site preparation after receiving clearance to proceed.

Even with the campus still about 95% complete, final work depends on lawmakers approving a key amendment that would allow the Guam Department of Education to access lapsed funds.

Won Pat said current law prevents GDOE from using those funds, putting completion work at risk unless action is taken.

Sen. Chris Barnetts Bill 284-38 seeks to allow unspent GDOE funds to be used for instructional equipment and capital improvement projects, including at FBLG and Simon Sanchez High School.

Won Pat said once lawmakers act, GDOE plans to move quickly.

Majority of that money, of course, will go towards FB. Thats our hope, Won Pat said. As soon as they have the session, which would allow us to do this, then well start to put out the (request for approvals) to get the work done.

The main construction contract, led by Northern Construction, covers about 95% of the project, but more than $10 million in additional work and equipment is still needed before students can fully return.

GDOE is also working to assemble temporary classrooms and convert Guam Housing Corp. units near the campus so students can return to Yigo by the start of the school year.

There are a bunch of other things that would have to be done, which we found out is that now, because thats a very old school, and its not up to standards in terms of how it is now, Won Pat said, When you have your restrooms, youre supposed to have a drainage, and those restrooms dont, so now were...looking at that, to contract that out, to get that done.

Critical systems including the gym, Wi-Fi, and fire protection are not part of the main contract.

Deputy Education Superintendent Julie Ulloa-Heath conducted a walkthrough to assess facility needs at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, work that is now informing a broader capital spending plan.

The assessment identified needed repairs and remaining project work, shaping next steps for capital improvements. Officials also worked on a spending plan outlining how funds will be used once GDOE issues a formal determination to proceed.

Work is expected to continue through the summer, and contractors eye finishing the remaining tasks before the new school year.

The immediate target includes 20 modular classrooms scheduled for June 30 and additional Guam Housing Corp. units, the Guma As-Atdas apartment complex near the main campus, is planned for July 30.

The modular units will be placed next to the middle schools parking area, with plans to house the full student population there once complete.

GDOE is not covering the cost of temporary classrooms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will fund 20 classrooms, while Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros office will pay for 24 units.
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The Ostrobothnia Police Department said two men are suspected of taking the victims card information in Seinajoki on 25 April. The suspects then used the data to withdraw up to 30,000 from the victims account.

Police in western Finland have launched an investigation into a suspected fraud case in which criminals obtained bank card details from an elderly man during a home visit and withdrew tens of thousands of euros.

According to police, the men approached the victim at his home and offered advice on a new way to use a bank card. During the visit, one of the suspects photographed the card using a mobile phone. The pair then left the property.

Later the same day, the victim found that his card no longer worked and that a large sum of money had been removed from his account. The case is being investigated as aggravated fraud.

Police believe the suspects had visited a neighbouring property the day before. One of the men is described as about 50 years old, while the other is younger. They were seen travelling in a light-coloured car.

Investigators suspect the pair have moved across several locations in the Seinajoki area. Officers have appealed for information about the men and the vehicle.

Police said citizens should not share bank details or card information with unknown individuals, either online or in person. They warned that such data should not be disclosed under any circumstances, even if requested under the name of a known organisation.

Authorities urged anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a similar scam to file a report through the police website.

HT
A HISTORY of Remenham exhibition was held in the parish hall last weekend.

Madeline Duffy, 52, is an accountant who lives in the village and put together the event, which was held on Saturday and Sunday last week.

The exhibition showcased the history of the village, with subjects including artists, actors, war archives, architecture and animals.

There was also information on the Randle family, who have lived in Remenham since the 1800s.

Representatives of Remenham WI, which recently closed due to a lack of numbers, also displayed memorabilia collected over the years. The group now meets under the name the Remenham Rebels.

Entry was free but donations could be left, and there was also a comments book for guests to write in.

Mrs Duffy said: Six months ago, two ladies on the parish hall committee tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I could get involved in a history event.

I then fell completely into an Alice in Wonderland hole of history archives, from the Henley Standard, the British News Archive, the Oxfordshire History Centre, the Royal Berkshire Archives, the Reading and British Museums. It was absolutely fabulous.

Ive met so many interesting people and meeting families like the Randles and seeing their family history, it has been wonderful.

The River & Rowing Museum, although now closed, were very generous in allowing me access to see some of their artefacts relating to Remenham. They had programmes from the Olympics in 1908 and 1948.

Also, our church was used for broadcast hymns on Sunday and it was broadcast around the world. They had a parish magazine from that time that described the BBC coming and setting up the electric cables and sorting the lights and all of the practices they had for that.

The Royal Berkshire Archives had all of the school logbooks from when we had our own school. The Oxfordshire History Centre had fantastic photograph albums of people who lived in Remenham around the turn of the last century.

For the early 1900s, the Leander Trust and Hoffman library had great articles on the regatta and rowing. The Museum of English Rural Life and British Museum had online catalogues where you can go and see items that were dug up in Remenham, like Neolithic pottery. Everything was great.

She described the British News Archive as an absolute treasure trove of information, adding: I also got a lot from the Henley library and the Henley Standard. There was lots of great reference material there. The newspapers are just fantastic. The parish magazine was great too.

Mrs Duffy said when she first started collecting material, she thought there would be two stories centred around the regatta.

She said: When I started looking, it was really hard to try and condense everything because every day, Id find a new story or something of interest and some amazing pictures, its just brilliant.

I never expected the history of a small area to be so huge. Its mind-blowing.

Daphne Austen, the former president of the Remenham WI, now Remenham Rebels, said: We were invited to display some memorabilia from the WI, which was founded in 1953. We have minutes of meetings and photographs and its so interesting seeing all the fashions and what people did.

A lot of the photographs can be linked to other parts of the exhibition where they lived and other parts that they played in the community.

It has been absolutely amazing and lovely to have been part of a group that has got so much history. You look back over the photographs and you realise just how far back it goes. Its only 73 years but so much has happened in that time. Its fascinating.

Youre always learning something new. Every time I look through the photographs, for example, I see something I missed the time before, which is so important. Its all a big learning curve.

Kirsten and John Hesketh, of Greys Hill, Henley, stumbled across the exhibition after going for a walk.

Mrs Hesketh, 63, said: Were both into history, were members of the South Oxfordshire Archaeological Group, and its so interesting to hear the history of one of our parishes.

I found some stuff on the suffragettes which was interesting because Id written about them and I think it says that Henley, rather than Remenham, were voting to stop the suffragettes from getting the vote.

Mr Hesketh, 66, said: Its so interesting. Its almost overwhelming. I love the maps. The sweet stories as well about the pets, the quirky things, theyre great.
Sliding toward 'predatory hegemony,' U.S. is 'regressing' into future

13:32, April 27, 2026 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, the continued turmoil in the Middle East has been drawing global attention. As the international community hopes for an early end to the fighting, it is also asking: what lies behind this war?

The concept of "predatory hegemony," proposed by Stephen Walt, a professor of international relations at Harvard University, offers a new lens for understanding the logic of U.S. foreign policy.

"Predatory hegemony" refers to the United States exploiting its privileged position in the international system to extract concessions, tribute, and displays of deference from both allies and adversaries.

Put simply, it treats all bilateral relationships, not only with rivals, but also with partners and allies, as zero-sum games, seeking to maximize gains in every interaction. Its core principle can be summed up as: "What's mine is mine; what's yours is negotiable."

The actions of the United States have laid bare this "predatory hegemony." It arbitrarily withdraws from international agreements and abandons global responsibilities, while selectively applying international rules -- keeping what suits it and discarding what does not. It attempts economic coercion through tariff wars and trade wars. And it now increasingly resorts to using or threatening force against sovereign states, seizing resources and making territorial demands without restraint. All these clearly demonstrate that the United States is accelerating its regression toward a model where might overrides everything.

This regression manifests itself on two levels. First is a regression in role identity. After the Cold War, although the United States retained hegemonic characteristics, it at least maintained the appearance of a "responsible actor," upholding alliances, providing certain international public goods, and leading the formulation and enforcement of global rules.

Today, that facade is rapidly fading. The United States is devolving into a "rule breaker" and "spoiler of cooperation," increasingly relying on the naked logic of the law of the jungle to sustain its dominance.

Second is a regression in strategic mindset. Relative decline in hegemony has fueled deep anxiety in the United States. According to World Bank data, the U.S. share of global GDP has fallen from around 40 percent in 1960 to about 25 percent in 2023. This relative decline has made Washington less able to accept changes in the global landscape.

The continued advance of economic globalization and the collective rise of the Global South have become sources of concern for some U.S. politicians. They view maintaining the existing international system as no longer worthwhile. Coupled with the rise of domestic populism and intensifying political polarization, their mindset has regressed into an "America only" mentality, pushing the country further down the path of unilateral bullying.

"Predatory hegemony contains the seeds of its own destruction," Walt wrote in Foreign Affairs. Why did he make such a conclusion?

First, predatory hegemony confuses the essential distinction between power and influence. Genuine international influence is built on shaping shared interests and upholding the credibility of rules. When a major country justifies its predatory actions through a "victim narrative" and frequently resorts to breaking agreements or withdrawing from international arrangements as leverage, it is in fact depleting its own credibility. Its global influence will inevitably decline gradually, and then suddenly.

Second, predatory hegemony traps itself in a zero-sum mindset. If every interaction is about extracting maximum gain, allies will feel less secure, and neutral parties will be compelled to seek alternatives. Today, U.S. allies increasingly find themselves "on the menu" of hegemonic calculations. Strengthening strategic autonomy has become a necessary choice for these countries to safeguard their own interests, as trust in U.S. great-power politics has eroded.

A recent global survey by Gallup, showed that approval of U.S. leadership declined by 10 points or more in 44 countries in 2025, with particularly sharp declines among NATO allies. The United States is losing friends at an alarming rate, and this is the cost of predatory hegemony.

Third, predatory hegemony underestimates the resilience of a multipolar world. An article in The National Interest noted that some U.S. officials remain trapped in a 19th-century mindset of great-power politics -- seizing territory, plundering resources, and crushing rivals. But the times have changed. This way of thinking no longer fits today's world. What is needed now is leadership that promotes win-win cooperation.

The evolution of the international landscape will not be halted by the will of any single country; rather, the self-marginalization of hegemonic powers will only accelerate the world's move toward greater diversity.

The United States' slide toward predatory hegemony amounts to "regressing into the future." From a "builder" of international rules to a "disruptor," from a "driver" of global cooperation to an "extractor," from a "trusted partner" to a "coercer" -- this series of regressions reflects, in essence, a self-isolation driven by hegemonic anxiety.

Walt offered a pointed and clear-eyed judgment: in the short term, predatory hegemony may yield some gains, but in the long run, it will leave Americans less secure, less prosperous, and less influential.

Breaking free from hegemonic thinking, viewing the world with clarity, and genuinely embracing multilateralism and international cooperation -- this is the right path for any major country.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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In Brief: Emma Napankangas delves into the defining characteristics of boutique hotels, highlighting their emphasis on providing unique, personalized experiences that set them apart from traditional accommodations.

Boutique Hotels Defined: Unique Experiences & Differences - By Emma Napankangas - Image Credit Unsplash

Travelers are increasingly seeking authenticity and local immersion. Boutique hotels can better meet this demand than large, often impersonal, branded hotels.

This article explores what boutique hotels are, how they differ from regular hotels, and what travelers seek from the boutique hotel experience.

What are Boutique Hotels?

The term boutique hotel emerged in the early 1980s as a reaction to the standardized hotels that dominated the American and global landscape. Boutique hotels are distinguished by their intimate size, with the threshold often considered to be 100 rooms, although one of pioneers Ian Schrager states that:

Boutique has nothing to do with size It has to do with having a single focus, an attitude, product distinction, creating an elevated experience Its not trying to be a generic commodity to satisfy all people. Theres a singular focus. (HospitalityNet).

Conceptually, the boutique hotel has existed much longer. They are locally rooted, filled with personality, and places where guests would interact  so basically every hotel on earth before the naissance of global hotel brands.

Now, in a roundabout way, we have come to a place where global chains are looking to recreate, through acquiring and launching smaller-scale lifestyle brands, the authenticity and intimacy of boutique hotels (something they may be structurally unable to deliver).

What is the Difference Between a Boutique Hotel and a Hotel?

The main differences between a boutique hotel and regular hotel are the following:

Size and ambiance: As mentioned, boutique hotels have a smaller room capacity, resulting in a more intimate and private atmosphere. Compare that to a large convention hotel of, say, a thousand rooms that is standardized through-and-through  a more impersonal experience to say the least.

Service: Due to the smaller scale of operations, the service at boutique hotels tends to be more personalized, and staff have the capacity to better cater to individual guest needs. Its easier to remember the preferences of ten guests than a thousand, which means that the larger the scale, the more standardized operating procedures need to be to ensure efficiency.

Design and character: Boutique hotels may have more unique or thematic decor that reflects the local culture or history. This contrasts with the uniform design of chain hotels, that again, is the case for the sake of efficiency and scalability.

Amenities: Due to their smaller scale and distinct locality, the amenities can be curated and locally sourced. Furthermore, the curation often extends to unique culinary offerings and other tailored experiences.

In a nutshell, boutique hotels are often more intimate and culturally immersive than standard hotels. The appeal of each really depends on the target clientele, as the former is better suited for travelers who are looking for more authenticity and the latter best for those who are prioritizing consistency and brand loyalty.

The Boutique Hotel Market

In 2024, the boutique hotel market was valued at $26.7 billion, and is estimated to reach $40 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.2%. The growth is fueled by the growing trend of experiential travel and the consumer demand for authentic, personalized experiences that differ from traditional hotel offerings.

Particularly, the luxury segment has been strong, but there is a growing appetite for mid-scale boutique hotels that still offer guests a distinctive experience, but at a more affordable price tag.

Leisure travelers make up more than 70% of the revenue of the market in 2023, but business travelers are a growing customer segment for boutique hotels. This could possibly be attributed to the rise of bleisure traveling, where business travelers are looking for enjoyment during their business trips beyond functionality.

What Travelers Want from Boutique Hotels

The growth of the boutique hotel sector can be attributed to how well it matches current traveler preferences. So, what exactly are guests looking for?

The Vibe

Guest reviews mentioning the word vibe increased tenfold between 2023 and 2024, and more than 90% of travelers say the vibe of a hotel is important when booking and 67% would pay more to stay at a hotel that is aligned with their preferred vibe.

The vibe is especially important for younger generations, as 78% of millennial and Gen Z travelers actively prioritize unique and thoughtfully designed spaces over traditional luxury markers.

That said, the atmosphere of a place does not solely come down to interiors. In fact, customer service has been named the most important constituent of a vibe.

Local Authenticity

Booking.com reports that 77% of travelers want authentic experiences that are representative of local culture. Furthermore, 73% would want the money they spend at the hotel to go back to the local community, a sentiment embodied by regenerative hospitality.

Boutique hotels are well-positioned to deliver locally rooted experiences, as, due to their smaller scale, they have more capacity for hyper-local curation.

Personalization

Personalized and tailored experiences are increasingly important for travelers  so much so that it has become the baseline expectation for 71% of consumers.

When hotels embrace this, the improved guest experience has a direct positive impact on loyalty and guest retention as well as revenue. Conversely, 63% of travelers say that poor personalization negatively impacts their perception of the brand.

Wellness

The wellness economy is now worth over $6.3 trillion globally, and hotel guests are a significant part of that spend. Wellness tourism is expected to grow at 10.2% annually through 2028, expanding faster than the broader hospitality market.

Wellness is a natural fit for boutique hotels, and 80% of travelers are willing to pay more for unique wellness experiences, whether its a customized spa treatment or in-room yoga kits (a yoga mat in the room is something I have been spotting more and more recently!).

An example that I would like to highlight is the HOY Hotel in Paris, founded by EHL Alumnus Charlotte Gomez de Orozco. In addition to being a beautifully designed boutique hotel has a yoga studio in the building as well as bespoke treatment rooms with a holistic wellness offering.

Challenges of Running a Boutique Hotel

For their appeal, boutique hotels are not without operational hurdles, many of which stem from the very characteristics that make them distinctive. Independent boutique hotels specifically often need to rely more on online travel agencies for visibility, as they do not have the brand recognition or loyalty programs of a global chain.

The large commissions that can reach 30% or higher make distribution costs very expensive, considering already tighter margins. Therefore, boutique hotels should prioritize investments into direct booking strategies.

Furthermore, diverse room types and fluctuating demand can make revenue management trickier, as well as proper marketing that is representative of the uniqueness of the property.

All of this comes down to more limited resources and staffing. Understaffing is a particularly critical gap for boutique hotels as it directly undermines the guest experience and personalization that is so central to the segments offering. It is no easy feat to cultivate service culture from scratch, but it is still a necessity for independent boutique operators.

These challenges help explain why many independent boutique hotels ultimately choose to affiliate with a soft brand or sell to a larger hotel group, even if it means compromising some of the uniqueness that initially defined them.

Consolidation: Large Global Chains are Absorbing the Market

According to Skift, boutique hotels have sparked growing interest from large franchises, speaking to the attractiveness of the segment. Many previously independent properties are now branded and part of global hotel distribution ecosystems.

This shift is a direct consequence of global brands wanting to respond to consumer demands, shifting towards unique travel experiences and immersion in the local culture  dimensions that brands have a hard time delivering with ultra-standardized copy-paste concepts.

The Rise of Lifestyle Hotels by Global Brands

It is impossible to tackle the boutique hotel question today without taking a more in-depth look at how global brands are responding.

The global chain equivalent to the boutique hotel that has emerged is the lifestyle hotel. They are brands or collections that are designed to offer a similar vibe to the boutique hotel but at a much larger scale, often belonging to a global chain.

Lifestyle hotels often emphasize design and interesting shared spaces where work and play can blend. Size-wise, though, they may be much larger than a traditional boutique hotel would.

Soft brands' collections of global chains (such as Marriotts Autograph Collection or Hiltons Canopy) are a related category, as the portfolio properties are able to retain their individuality and do not succumb to strict brand standards.

According to a January 2026 Skift analysis, the five largest hotel companies now run about 40 lifestyle brands, comprising over 2,000 properties and roughly 350,000 rooms. These hotels also have higher ADRs and margins compared to traditional hotels, as demand has shifted towards more distinct and experience-driven stays.

Can a Global Chain Hotel be a True Boutique Hotel?

So, in short, global chains have resorted to both acquiring boutique hotels and their adjacent brands as well as creating their own lifestyle brands.

The question, however, is whether these mass corporate buyouts of boutique hotels threaten the unique selling points that made them desirable in the first place. Brands always come with a level of standardization from operations to efficient service protocols, which can make one hotel (or brand) owned by the same group distinguishable from another.

Why are independent boutique hoteliers choosing to brand their properties? Branded properties can offer greater exit opportunities, as a well-known flag often promises price premiums and, consequently, sparks investor confidence.

Furthermore, the marketing and distribution reach of global brands is often unparalleled. Global chains such as Hilton and Marriott have essentially built-in clientele from their loyalty programs, which can be invaluable.

Still, for the traveler and boutique hotel purists, the brand may appear to dilute the uniqueness that made the boutique hotel special and worthwhile in the first place. Some argue that the essence of a boutique hotel is that its independently run and a stand-alone property, while others use the terms boutique and lifestyle interchangeably when referring to branded hotels.

The Future of Boutique Hotels

As we have seen, boutique hotels match changing traveler preferences beautifully, as the demand for authentic and unique experiences plays directly to their strengths. Furthermore, 80% of travelers are willing to spend more on well-being experiences, which bodes well for boutique hotels with wellness offerings.

That said, the tension between independence and consolidation will continue to define the segment. As global chains expand their lifestyle brand portfolios, the word boutique is at risk of becoming as diluted as luxury, starting to resemble more of a marketing term rather than having any meaningful distinction or substance.

All things considered, I think the properties that will thrive in the long run are those that stay true to what made boutique hotels desirable in the first place: genuine local roots and the kind of personalized service that cannot be replicated at scale.

Emma Napankangas - M.Sc. Student in Hospitality Management at EHL and Hospitality Strategy writer. Connect with Emma on LinkedIn.

Source: View the original article at EHL.
In Brief: Canadian travel to the United States has weakened sharply, while domestic tourism and overseas travel have gained ground, suggesting a broader rebalancing of Canadian travel demand rather than a simple pullback.

Statistics Canada reported that Canadian residents took 90.6 million trips within Canada in the second quarter of 2025, up 10.9% year over year, while domestic travel spending rose 13.5% to $20.3 billion. - Image Credit Ocean Wahl

Published April 27, 2026 | By HNR News Staff Reporter

Canadian Travel to the U.S. Declines

Canadian travel to the United States has remained under pressure following a period of heightened political and trade tension between the two countries.

According to RBC Economics, 29.1 million Canadian residents returned from the United States in 2025, down 25.4% from 2024. The weakness continued into early 2026, with January travel to the U.S. down roughly 23% year over year. RBC noted that travel by Canadians is not weakeningbut it is being redirected.

Statistics Canada data show the decline has continued. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States by air and automobile were down 7.6% year over year in March 2026, following a 17.6% year-over-year decline in February for air travel.

Domestic Tourism Benefits

At the same time, domestic tourism has strengthened. Statistics Canada reported that Canadian residents took 90.6 million trips within Canada in the second quarter of 2025, up 10.9% year over year, while domestic travel spending rose 13.5% to $20.3 billion (see quarterly tourism data).

For all of 2025, tourism spending in Canada by Canadian residents increased 2.5%, according to Statistics Canadas annual tourism report.

Overseas Travel Also Gains Share

The shift is not limited to domestic travel. In the third quarter of 2025, Canadian residents took 3.3 million trips to overseas destinations, up 7.1% year over year. Overseas travel spending rose 4.2% to $6.9 billion during the same period (see travel spending data).

By contrast, Canadian-resident trips that included a visit to the United States fell 34.7% year over year in the third quarter, while spending in the U.S. declined 24.0% to $4.2 billion.

Sentiment Reinforces the Shift

The travel shift has also been shaped by consumer sentiment. The Elbows Up movement, which emerged during the 2025 trade dispute, encouraged some Canadians to redirect spending domestically and reconsider travel to the United States.

Coverage from Reuters and CBC News described the campaign as part of a broader consumer response to political and economic tensions.

Implications for U.S. Hotels

For U.S. hotels, the trend is most relevant in markets that have historically relied on Canadian demand, including border states, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and major gateway cities such as New York.

Canada remains one of Floridas top international markets, and fluctuations in Canadian visitation can have a measurable impact on overall tourism performance, according to Visit Florida.

Other U.S. destinations are also adjusting their strategies in response to changing Canadian travel patterns. In Las Vegas, tourism officials have introduced promotional campaigns aimed at Canadian travelers, including offers that effectively treat the Canadian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar to offset currency disadvantages.

Canada has historically been one of Las Vegas most important international feeder markets, and targeted promotions reflect the continued importance of that segment for hotel occupancy and visitation levels.

The data suggest the issue is not that Canadians have stopped traveling, but that more demand is being redirected toward domestic and overseas alternatives. That shift can affect occupancy, seasonal demand, and leisure mix in U.S. markets with meaningful Canadian feeder traffic.

Outlook

The decline in Canadian travel to the United States may not be permanent, but the scale and persistence of the pullback indicate that sentiment, cost, and destination substitution are now influencing cross-border travel patterns.

For U.S. hotel operators, the challenge is not simply to restore demand but to rebuild the value proposition for Canadian travelers at a time when domestic and overseas alternatives are gaining momentum.
Trump says U.S. will no longer send delegations to talk with Iran

Xinhua) 14:30, April 27, 2026

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he will no longer send delegations to talk with Iran.

"If they (the Iranians) want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us," Trump told Fox News.

"If they want, we can talk. But we're not sending people to travel 18 hours to meet," he said.

Trump said that he has great respect for Pakistan, which had been hosting U.S.-Iranian talks in Islamabad, and that Pakistan will stay involved.

He repeated that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. "So if they want, they can call us. But again, they know what has to be in the agreement. Very simple: they cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise, there's no reason to meet," said Trump.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said U.S. pressure and hostile actions are undermining trust and making progress toward renewed talks more difficult, according to a statement from his office early Sunday.

He added that Washington cannot pursue negotiations while increasing pressure on Iran, saying such actions "disrupt the necessary atmosphere" for diplomacy.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 51F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 51F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Becket, Washington Two-Town Forum

BECKET, Mass.  On Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Becket/Washington Elementary School, 12 Maple Street in Becket there will be a community forum.

From 6pm to 8pm - all residents of both "sister towns" have been invited to attend a Two-Town Forum. The overarching purpose of this event is to bring together residents of both towns, along with local and state leadership, as well as town volunteers who currently provide services to both Becket and Washington residents.

This event has been organized by the Becket/Washington Friends & Neighbors (BWFAN) group founded in early 2025, to create a space for two communities to continue to build partnerships & coalitions within the two town structures.

The Sister Towns of Becket & Washington currently share a public elementary school, library, food pantry, art center and post office with zip code - 01223.

State Senator Paul Mark and State House Representative Leigh Davis will be participants during this forum to offer their advice and counsel about the power of partnerships among sister towns. The hope is that this forum will build stronger relationships between Becket & Washington leadership and residents. You are invited to join us as we build relationships to help make both Communities Stronger Together.

Local fooderies will be providing food, childcare will be provided by National Honor Society town students, a skit will begin the evening presented by the Arts Center Players, and local musicians have agreed to share their talents during the program.
hey heard from Wendy Brown, owner/architect at Terra Design-Build, left, Amanda Parker from the Green Energy Consumers Alliance and Joe Carry of Decumanus Green Design-Build speak at a green build event earlier this month. PreviousNext

Environmentalists Talk Green Homes and Construction

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Environmentalists want people to know that reducing emissions can start in the home.



Earlier this month, 350Mass Berkshire Climate Action held a "Bringing Climate Action Home" event to highlight energy-efficient home renovations and construction. They heard from Wendy Brown, owner/architect at Terra Design-Build, Joe Carry of Decumanus Green Design-Build, and Amanda Parker from the Green Energy Consumers Alliance.



Brown, one of the original members of 350Mass, explained that, in 2014, the group learned that NASA scientist James Hansen found that, if humanity wants to preserve the planet, atmospheric carbon dioxide needs to be reduced to 350 parts per million.



We are currently at about 430 PPM.



"Forty percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from the built environment, which means we can make some changes with our buildings," Brown said to attendees at Wander on April 7.



She explained that green building can look like considering the walkability of a neighborhood to reduce vehicle emissions, solar access, smaller homes, and ensuring the home is sealed from the bottom up to consume less heating and cooling energy.



Carry has been involved in the green building movement since 2007. For a while, he said it seemed that things were getting better and better, but that is no longer the case.



"The task was huge, but the laborers were many, and things were moving in the right direction, and then all of a sudden, the brakes were slammed on, and it feels like we're going backwards," he said.



"The EPA is no longer allowed to call greenhouse gases pollutants. There's crazy things going on. Obviously, all of you feel passionate about the planet, and I imagine with me, at times, you feel like 'What the heck?' so to look for every opportunity to remain hopeful, because we've got to keep going. We've just got to keep going."



He said gatherings such as this give him hope, and pointed to other hopeful factors such as the growing affordability of lithium batteries since the 1990s and global solar production.


Williamstown Planning Board, Consultants Discuss Subdivision Bylaw

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Planning Board met recently with consultants who are helping the body develop amendments to the town's subdivision bylaw.

In a conversation set to continue at a special Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, April 28, representatives of Northampton architecture and civil engineering firms Dodson and Flinker and Berkshire Design Group outlined some of the decision points for the board as it develops a major revision of the bylaw.

Unlike the zoning bylaw, for which the Planning Board makes recommendations to town meeting, the subdivision bylaw is under the direct authority of the five-member elected board.

The Subdivision Control Law, Article 170 in the town code, was first adopted by the Planning Board in 1959. The current board is looking to do the first major revision to the rules that "guide the development of land into lots served with adequate roads and utilities," since 1993.

The town hired the Northampton consultants with the proceeds of a grant administered by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Dillon Sussman, a senior associate at Dodson and Flinker, laid out the scope of the project and the objectives of the board as conveyed to the consultants.

"What we understand of your goals for the project is to make small subdivision projects more economically feasible," Sussman said. "We've heard that you think that small subdivision projects are more likely  that there's not much land remaining [in Williamstown] for large projects. And you've had some experience with a small subdivision project that was difficult to fit in your current subdivision regulations."

A recent four-home subdivision under development by Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity off Summer Street required a number of waivers from the bylaw as written.

Sussman said the board's intent is to make small subdivisions, "more economically feasible," by "removing economic burdens that are unnecessary."

Specifically, he noted four ways the bylaw could be changed to achieve that end: making sure infrastructure required is appropriate but "not excessively over-specced and too expensive," developing clear standards, incorporating modern standards for stormwater management and clarifying the timeline for the acceptance of roads.

"I can't think of additional goals," Planning Board Chair Kenneth Kuttner said.

"As we've discussed many times here, we just don't have huge sites for mega subdivisions. We're looking at what I'd call 'infill subdivisions.' Those have been a pain because of the need for waivers.

"We want to make it less burdensome for developers and us so we don't have to exercise as much discretion to make those things happen."

Planning Board member Roger Lawrence asked the consultants to help the board address inefficiencies in the Williamstown code by sharing the roadblocks the consultants' clients have run into in other municipalities.

"We haven't permitted a bunch of subdivisions in the past decade," Community Development Director and Town Planner Andrew Groff said. "Is it a market problem? Is it a regulation problem? Is it a bit of both?"

Dana Menon of Dodson and Flinker told the board that the consultants were impressed with the work that the Williamstown panel already had done, particularly when it came to thinking about how to categorize subdivisions by scale and how different sizes of developments would be subject to different requirements under the bylaw.

Menon walked the board through perceived weaknesses in the current bylaw, including the fact that regulations overlap between the zoning regulations and the Subdivision Control Law and that neither appear to have an "efficient pathway for small projects."

"You nailed it in terms of identifying the 'scatteredness,' if you will, in what we currently have," Kuttner said. "Things are all over the place. It's hard for me to figure out where all the pieces fit."

One of the issues the board wants to address is when and under what circumstances the town would assume ownership of a road created for a subdivision.

In the Summer Street development, the town and Habitat for Humanity have a memorandum of understanding in place to bring an ownership vote to town meeting. Another subdivision, Sweet Farm Road , ran into issues related to the ownership question, in part because of the town's standards for road construction.

"In which circumstances do you want to assume the town will take ownership of these roads?" Sussman asked. "You're not required to, right? In some communities, their policy is they're not going to accept any roads. It sounds like in yours, the intent is to do so."

Kuttner said the subdivision bylaw implies that town acceptance could happen if the road in question meets the town's regulations.

"We want to spell out the conditions under which we would explicitly accept a road," Kuttner said.

When it was noted that road acceptance is a question for town meeting, Kuttner said the bylaw could be written to make explicit the terms under which the Planning Board would recommend acceptance to town meeting.

Civil engineer Kris Baker of Berkshire Design Group laid out the decision points the Planning Board needs to consider for infrastructure requirements in subdivisions. He noted, for example, the town bylaw requires a half inch deeper top course for roads than the minimum recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for low-volume roads.

Baker said revising the bylaw also allows the Planning Board to consider issues like sidewalk and curbing requirements and whether to allow " low impact development " for stormwater management  issues that affect the upfront costs for developers but also could create management costs down the line.

The Subdivision Control Law also regulates features like turn radii and road widths, which require a conversation with the town's fire chief, Baker said.

Sussman encouraged the Planning Board to bring public safety and Department of Public Works representatives to the April 28 meeting, a single-issue session to discuss the subdivision bylaw.

The grant to hire Dodson and Flinker and Berkshire Design Group runs out at the end of June. The Planning Board's goal is to hold several more meetings with the consultants between now and then in hopes of developing a revised bylaw this summer for adoption by the fall.
BOSTON  The Supreme Judicial Court in an advisory opinion released Monday found the petition to bring the Legislature and governor's office under the Public Records Law is "proper" as a form of law.

"Its principal purpose is not to regulate the internal proceedings or operations of the two Houses," the court wrote. "Instead, its principal purpose is to provide the public with a new right of access to the records of the General Court and the office of the Governor, applying the existing public records law to those bodies alongside the other governmental bodies already subject to the law. "

The state Senate asked the Supreme Judicial Court to weigh in on whether public records petition was a violation of the state constitution. The Legislature is required to act on the matter by May 5; if not, supporters plan to put it on the ballot in November.

Auditor Diana DiZoglio has championed the petition as a measure to bring greater transparency to the workings of state government and as part of her own battle to audit the Legislature. More than 70 percent of voters approved the audit question in November 2024.

The Senate asked the court whether, first, the petition was a law or a rule that would interfere with its internal processes and, second, would it create "new and unprecedented authority" to the courts to determine challenges to records determinations.

The court offered "that the petition proposes a law and is therefore properly pending before the Legislature" and, for Question 2, concluded "that the proposed measure does not relate to the powers of courts."

The court declined to answer three following questions related to intrusions on Senate authority and General Court authority, and violation of rights of "deliberation, speech and debate" granted to members and staff.

Those questions were "not amenable to consideration in the abstract," the opinion stated.

"Instead, the better course is to wait and, if the initiative is enacted in its current form and is not amended by the Legislature, to consider any challenge to its constitutionality in the context of a future, concrete dispute. "

A second petition before the Legislature, which would have set compensation for legislative officers, was considered by the court as a rule rather than a law, as "Laws govern conduct external to the legislative body, while rules govern internal procedures."

"The people's power to make laws through the initiative petition process is equal to the Legislature's bicameral lawmaking power, legislative pay is a proper subject of the initiative process," the court wrote. "The proposed measure, however, goes beyond adjusting legislative pay by using compensation as a means of regulating internal legislative procedures."
Five new puppets were gifted to the school thanks to Bedard Brothers Chevrolet. The activities included music and the chance to ask questions. The third-grade pupils makes funny faces with their new school puppets. PreviousNext

Puppets Teach Resilience at Lanesborough Elementary School



The kids learned from puppets Ollie and a hermit crab.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass.  Vermont Family Network's Puppets in Education visited the elementary school recently to teach kids about being resilient.

Puppets in Education has been engaging with young students with interactive puppets for 45 years.

The group partnered again with Bedard Brothers Chevrolet, which sponsored the visit.

Classes filtered through the music class Thursday to learn about how to be resilient and kind, deal with change and anxiety, and more.

"This program is this beautiful blending of other programs we have, which is our anxiety program, our bullying prevention and friendship program, but is teaching children the power of yet and how to be able to feel empowered and strong when times are challenging and tough," said program manager Sarah Vogelsang-Card.

The kids got to engage with a "bounce back" song, move around, and listen to a hermit crab deal with the change of needing a new shell.

"A crab that is too small or too big for its shell, so trying to problem solve, having a plan A, B and C, because it's a really tough time," Vogelsang-Card said. "It's like moving, it's like divorce of parents, it's changing schools. It's things that children would be going through, even on a day to day basis, that are just things they need to be resilient, that they feel strong and they feel empowered to be able to make these choices for themselves."

The resiliency program is new and formatted little differently to each of the age groups.

"For the older kids. We age it up a bit, so we talk about harassment and bullying and even setting the scene with the beach is a little bit different kind of language, something that they feel like they can buy into," she said. "For the younger kids, it's a little bit more playful, and we don't touch about harassment. We just talk about making friends and being kind. So that's where we're learning as we're growing this program, is to find the different kinds of messaging that's appropriate for each development level."

This programming affirms themes that are already being discussed in the elementary school, said school psychologist Christy Viall. She thinks this is a fun way for the children to continue learning.

"We have programs here at the school called community building, and that's really good. So they go through all of these strategies already," she said. "But having that repetition is really important, and finding it in a different way, like the puppets coming in and sharing it with them is a fun way that they can really connect to, I think, and it might, get in a little more deeply for them.

Vogelsang-Card said its another space for them to be safe and discuss what's going on in their life. Some children are afraid because maybe their parents are getting divorced, or they're being bullied, but with the puppets, they might open up and disclose what's bothering them because they feel safe, even in a larger crowd.

"When we do sexual abuse awareness that program alone, over five years, we had 87 disclosures of abuse that were followed up and reported," she said. "And children feel safe with the puppets. It makes them feel valued, heard, and we hope that in our short time that we're together, that they at least leave knowing that they're not alone."

Bedard Brothers also gave the school five new puppets to use. Viall said the puppets are a great help for the students in her classroom, especially in the younger grades.

"Every year, I've been giving the puppets to the students. And I also have a few of the puppets in my classroom, and the students use them in small groups to practice out the strategies with each other, which is really helpful," she said. "Sometimes the older students, like sixth graders, will put on a puppet show. They'll come up with a whole theme and a whole little situation, and they'll act it out with the strategies for the younger students. It's really cute, they've done it with kindergarteners, and the kids really like it."

Vogelsang-Card said there are 130 schools in Vermont that are on the waiting list for them to come in. Lanesborough Elementary has been the only Massachusetts school they have visited, thanks to Bedard Brothers.

"These programs are so critical and life-changing for children in such a short amount of time, and we are the only program in the United States that does what we do, which is create this content in this enjoyable, fun, engaging way with oftentimes difficult subjects," she said. "Vermont is our home base, but we would love to be able to bring this to more schools, and we can't do this without the support of community, business funders or donors, and it really makes a difference for children."

The fourth-grade students were the first class to engage with the puppets and a lot of them really connected with the show.

"I learned to never give-up and if you have to move houses, be nervous, but it still helps," said William Larios.

"I learned to always add the word 'yet' at the end," said Sierra Kellogg, because even if she can't do something now, she will be able to at some point.

Samuel Casucci was struck by what one of the puppets talked about. "He said some people make fun of him if he dresses different, come from different place, brings home lunch, it doesn't matter," Samuel continued. "We're all kind of the same. We're all kind of different, like we have different hairstyles, different clothes. We're all the same because we're all human."

"I learned how to be more positive about myself and like, say, I can't do this yet, it's positive and helpful," said Liam Flaherty.

The students got to take home stickers at the end of the day with contact information of the organization.
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North Korea has opened a memorial museum for its soldiers killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with top leaders of North Korea and Russia pledging a push for greater cooperation.

In April 2025, North Korea and Russia announced that their soldiers fought together to repel a Ukraine incursion into Russias Kursk border region. The two countries havent disclosed how many North Koreans soldiers were deployed, but South Koreas intelligence service estimated North Korea sent about 15,000 troops and 2,000 of them were killed.

The Norths Korean Central News Agency reported Monday the museums inaugural ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Sunday to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of an operation to liberate the Kursk region. KCNA said leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony along with top visiting Russian officials including Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

During the ceremony, Kim threw dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and laid flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary, before he and Volodin and Beloussov left messages on the guest book, according to KCNA.

In a speech, Kim said the spirits of dead North Korean soldiers will remain as a symbol of the North Korean peoples heroism and support a victorious march by the Korean and Russian people. He praised the North Korean and Russian forces for thwarting what he called a U.S.-led Western hegemonic plot and military adventurism on the Russian-Ukraine front.

Meeting with Beloussov separately, Kim said North Korea will fully support the Russian policy of defending its sovereignty and security interests, KCNA reported. Russias state news agency, Tass, cited Belousov as telling Kim that Russia was ready to sign a Russian-North Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

In a letter to Kim read by Volodin during the ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the museum will undoubtedly be a clear symbol of the friendship and solidarity between the two countries. Putin said he was convinced that the two countries would continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, according to KCNA.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kim has made Moscow the priority of his foreign policy by supplying troops and conventional weapons. In return, North Korea was believed to have received economic and other assistance from Russia. South Korea, the U.S. and their partners worry Russia may transfer high-tech technologies that can enhance North Koreas nuclear and missile programs.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

Experts say North Korean troops sent to the war earlier became easy targets for drone and artillery attacks due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. But Ukrainian military and intelligence officials have assessed that the North Koreans were gaining crucial battlefield experience and were key to Russias strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk.
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Twenty-two Buddhist monks were found with 110kg of narcotics hidden in their luggage at Sri Lankas main international airport, police said.

The monks were remanded in custody until 2 May by a court in Negombo after what police said was the largest drugs bust in the Bandaranaike international airports history.

The suspects were produced before the Negombo Magistrates Court after being detained at the airport in Katunayake, near Colombo, on Saturday, reported local outlet, the Daily Mirror.

Authorities described the interception as the biggest single detection of potent, plant-based strain of cannabis called kush.

Police and customs officers said the group arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, at about 10.10pm on 25 April.

Investigators said the monks had travelled to Bangkok on 22 April using airline tickets allegedly arranged by a sponsor.

open image in gallery Sri Lankan monks arrive to appear before a court after their arrest in Negombo on 26 April 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

Officials said more than 110kg of suspected kush and hashish were found concealed inside specially prepared luggage with false walls and bottoms. The bags were reportedly packed with school supplies and assorted sweets.

A Sri Lanka Customs spokesperson told AFP: "Each carried about five kilos of the narcotic concealed within false walls in their luggage."

The seized drugs were valued at more than 2.5m on the street, according to police.

Authorities alleged the group had been photographed in civilian clothing while overseas and engaged in activities they considered suspicious.

Police said the detainees were mostly young monks from temples and institutions across Sri Lanka and were pursuing higher education. They added that this was the first reported large-scale narcotics case at the airport involving individuals wearing monastic robes.

open image in gallery Twenty-two Sri Lankan monks returning from Thailand were arrested on 25 April at the main international airport with 110kg of powerful cannabis ( AFP/Getty )

Senior Buddhist clergy, including the chief prelates of the main Nikayas  the principal Buddhist monastic order in Sri Lanka  issued a joint statement condemning those accused as impostor monks exploiting religious dress for criminal activity, reported local daily, the Tamil Guardian.

The Mahanayaka Theros, or the senior-most prelates in those orders, called for a full investigation, stricter oversight within religious institutions, and action against those said to be 'misusing' the saffron robe.

Police said further inquiries were continuing to determine where the drugs came from, who financed the operation, and whether others were connected to a wider trafficking network.

Sri Lankan authorities have previously made major narcotics seizures linked to Bangkok routes.

A 21-year-old British woman was arrested at the same airport in May last year with 46kg of the drug while travelling to Colombo from Bangkok. Officials have also reported several large heroin and other drug hauls smuggled by small fishing boats in recent years.
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A BMW crashed into a KFC restaurant at a petrol station in Bangkok, causing extensive damage to the property and injuring at least 12 people.

Police and rescue workers called to the Bangchak petrol station on Sukhumvit 62 at around 7.50pm on 25 April found a bronze-grey BMW sedan lodged inside the restaurant after smashing through its glass front.

The injured included customers, delivery riders, restaurant staff, and the BMW driver. They were taken to nearby hospitals but none was in a serious condition, according to local media reports.

The driver was identified as 36-year-old Chinese national surnamed Chen, the Bangkok Post reported.

Investigators said the car had entered the petrol station to refuel and was waiting in a queue before it suddenly accelerated. It moved past other vehicles as the driver appeared to be attempting to reach a vacant pump or make a U-turn before losing control and crashing into the restaurant.

open image in gallery File. A motorbike drives past a KFC in Bangkok on 8 June 2024 ( Getty )

A cream-coloured Toyota Camry waiting near the front of the station was found damaged on its left rear side, police said. It was apparently struck before the BMW hit the restaurant.

Inside the KFC outlet, the accident left glass panels shattered and the service counter area, tables and chairs badly damaged.

Eyewitness accounts said people seated inside the restaurant and staff and delivery drivers standing near the service counter were hit, causing panic in the busy petrol station complex.

A KFC employee said the store manager called staff and told them to come to the restaurant urgently. The employee said they had initially believed it was only a routine crash outside the shop and had not expected the vehicle to enter the premises and injure workers, reported The Nation.

Police are questioning the driver and witnesses and reviewing surveillance-camera footage to find out the exact cause of the crash.
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Thailand is actively pursuing a long-standing ambition to establish a crucial logistics link between the Indian and Pacific oceans, with recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz providing fresh impetus for the project.

The government is now seeking to attract Singapore as a potential investor for the ambitious 'Land Bridge' initiative.

This renewed focus on the Land Bridge project, which would traverse Thailand's narrow southern peninsula, comes as global shipping chokepoints, including the nearby Malacca Strait, have demonstrated their vulnerability.

While a previous administration had drafted legislation for the Land Bridge, the proposal faltered amid political instability, leaving public hearings and environmental assessments incomplete, and facing some local resistance.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn indicated at the weekend that a proposal is anticipated to reach the cabinet in June or July.

The government plans to seek investors for the estimated 1 trillion baht ($30.97 billion) project, with a potential commencement in the third quarter.

open image in gallery Thailand's government has said it is reviving a "Land Bridge" project across its narrow southern peninsula after recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz underscored the vulnerability of global shipping chokepoints, including the nearby Malacca Strait ( AFP/Getty )

A decades-old idea, the Land Bridge envisions two deep-sea ports, one in Ranong on the Andaman Sea and another in Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, linked by 90 km (56 miles) of road and rail plus energy infrastructure like pipelines.

The project would offer an alternative route to the Malacca Strait, the 900-km (550-mile) long channel bounded by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, which provides the shortest sea route from East Asia to the Middle East and Europe.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul outlined the plan during a meeting on Monday with Chan Chun Sing, the defence minister of Singapore, a big regional investor that sits at the end of the Malacca Strait, through which more than 100,000 mostly commercial ships passed last year.

"He sees it as an economic opportunity for Thailand and for foreign investors, if the project can be successfully pushed forward," Thai government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said, referring to Chan, adding he expressed interest in the plan.

open image in gallery Indonesia's finance minister last week caused a stir by openly musing about ways countries could impose tolls on ships as a way to monetise the Malacca Strait, before saying that would not be possible and leading to several subsequent clarifications ( Reuters )

Indonesia's finance minister last week caused a stir by openly musing about ways countries could impose tolls on ships as a way to monetise the Malacca Strait, before saying that would not be possible and leading to several subsequent clarifications.

The Land Bridge is regarded as more viable than the "Kra Canal", a centuries-old idea to cut a shipping passage across southern Thailand, which met resistence due to environmental, financial and security concerns.
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More than two dozen people across 13 states have become ill with salmonella-linked food poisoning, some with antibiotic-resistant strains, between February and March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Over a roughly one-month period, 34 people were infected with salmonella, mostly after coming into contact with backyard poultry such as chickens, ducks, turkeys or geese. Approximately 13 of the people infected were hospitalized as a result.

While there have been no deaths associated with the salmonella outbreak, the CDC is warning people to wash their hands thoroughly after touching the poultry as well as their eggs, handle eggs safely, keep the backyard poultry at a safe distance and monitor children.

A large portion of those infected, 41 percent, have been children under the age of 5 years old. Young children are more likely to become sick with salmonella and can suffer from severe illness as a result.

The strain of salmonella is particularly notable because samples from those who became ill show that it is predicted to be resistant to antibiotics such as fosfomycin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole and tetracycline.

The strain of salmonella found in 34 sick people indicated it originated from backyard poultry and was resistant to several antibiotics ( AFP/Getty )

Infections that are resistant to antibiotics can lead to health complications or increase the risk of death because they are extremely difficult to treat and require second or third-line treatments that may have serious side effects.

The exact traces to the outbreak are currently unknown.

Of the 29 people interviewed, 23 said they had come into contact with backyard poultry the week before they got sick. Roughly 14 of those people said they owned backyard poultry  almost all of which had purchased or obtained the animals since Janaury 1.

CDC investigators are collecting information about where the sick people obtained the backyard poultry or which hatcheries supplied the animals.

Many of the salmonella infections have been found in people living in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Cases have also popped up in Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

However, people living in other states may be experiencing outbreaks of the salmonella strain. The CDC said the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported.

Salmonella is the leading cause of food poisoning-related hospitalizations and deaths in the United States, with an estimated 1.35 million cases arising, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Most people recover from salmonella poisoning without needing professional medical intervention, though approximately 26,500 people are hospitalized and 420 people die each year from it.
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A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts following a string of attacks on Jewish sites across London.

He was arrested by counter-terror police at an address near Barnstaple in Devon on Sunday.

Twenty-six people have been arrested since late March over the series of attacks on Jewish sites, the Metropolitan Police said.

There have been arson attacks on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north-west London, a synagogue and a former Jewish charity, as well as an incident where a drone was flown near the Israeli embassy.

Counter-terror police have been looking into the possible involvement of Iranian proxies.

Premises linked to people opposing the Iranian regime have also been targeted, the force said last week.

Finchley Reform Synagogue was targeted on 15 April ( Getty )

An attempted arson attack was also carried out on 15 April at Finchley Reform Synagogue, and outside the offices of a Persian media company, both in north-west London.

On Tuesday, a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court to arson not endangering life following an attack on Kenton United Synagogue.

Speaking at the synagogue during a visit on Thursday afternoon, Sir Keir Starmer said: We have to deal with malign state actors, that will require legislation.

Were going to bring that legislation forward.

Its really important we do that. Its very important this particular context because Im increasingly concerned that a number of countries are using proxies for attacks in this country.

At a roundtable discussion with leaders of the Jewish community, including Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and those local to the Kenton United Synagogue, the prime minister said the fight they face to practice their religion freely is all of our fight.
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A clubgoer has described security personnel "dragging" people from an LGBT+ nightclub in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, as the venue "lit up like a matchstick" during a fire.

Emergency services were called to Pink Punters just after 2am on Sunday, with firefighters continuing to battle the extensive blaze that spread through the building.

Thames Valley Police said a 51-year-old man from Bletchley was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody.

Lester Jay was in the packed cellar of Pinks, as it is known locally, when he first noticed security yelling at the crowds to get out.

Mr Jay told the Press Association: Downstairs was really packed, there was Id say about a couple of hundred people just in the cellar.

You could immediately feel and see from security that it wasnt a drill, and that it was a real-life scenario.

I was standing close to a fire door so was one of the first ones out, but then everyone was just flooding out from everywhere and you immediately turn around and see the place in flames.

When we stood outside, it was actually raining embers all over this car park, it was like it was raining fire. Hence why they then had to make a decision to clear everyone out of the area.

Smoke continued to rise from the building on Monday as firefighters in cherry pickers hosed down the wreckage.

Emergency services outside the Pink Punters ( Alexandra Snow/PA )

While the facade of the club remains, the roof is completely gone and the charred interior is visible.

Mr Jay said: It was just crazy how the roof was like a matchstick, and it just went up.

There were scuffles with drunk people, but the security were so professional clearing everyone to safety. They were dragging out drunk people that were moaning because they wanted to go and get their coat.

Even though there was fire billowing out the roof, there were still people trying to go back in.

Ive seen horrifying videos of pubs and clubs catching fire, and you get a stampede and people just piling on top of each other and burning.

I couldnt help but feel like that potentially could have happened in there if the staff werent trained as well as they were, to evacuate people swiftly and safely as they did. It was amazing.

Janet, who has been to the club many times before, went to see the wreckage on Monday and said she was devastated.

Referring to the fire at a bar in ski resort Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which killed 41 people in January, Janet said: We are so fortunate that they had their procedures in place for fires and everyone got out safe.

We have all seen that horrific situation in Switzerland when all of those kids were burned, we are so lucky that no-one was hurt.

Frank McMahon, the owner of Pink Punters, said in a statement: Worldwide, nightclub fires have too often resulted in a devastating human toll. Tonight, we can all be profoundly thankful that this was not the case here.

Pink Punters has always been about people, not just bricks and mortar. The building may be gone, but the family, the memories, the spirit and the love remain.

And let me say this clearly: Pink Punters will be back.

Despite the experience, Mr Jay said he was excited about the club being rebuilt.

He said: Im super happy and the community is super happy to hear the owner saying we will rebuild.

His statement gave me goosebumps and, of course, I will be that returning customer to support Pinks when it comes back.
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A fed-up shopkeeper forced to physically fend off thieves targeting his store has hit back at Sir Keir Starmers claim the government could be beginning to win the battle against shoplifting, telling the beleaguered PM: Ill believe it when I see it.

Andrew Board runs a store in Co Durham where, frustrated over a lack of police presence, he often chases down criminals attempting to flee with stolen goods, dragging them back inside to seize back items and take names.

The 40-year-old, however, claims that even after arrest, the criminals regularly reappear after minor punishment for another shoplifting spree in the community days later.

On Monday, Sir Keir claimed the tide could be turning against shoplifters as he said an extra 3,000 neighbourhood police officers had been put on the streets and a rule scrapped which had meant thefts of goods worth less than 200 were not properly investigated by police.

He said the number of people charged over shop theft had increased by 17 per cent, while the number of offences had fallen slightly last year.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made a speech before shopkeepers on Monday, pledging a crack down on shoplifting (Temilade Adelaja/PA) ( PA Wire )

He also said his government had toughened up punishment too  although analysis of Ministry of Justice figures by The Independent suggests the ratio of convicted shoplifters being sent to prison has stagnated, at 27.5 per cent in the year ending September 2025.

The average length of a prison sentence handed out to shoplifters also remained unchanged at two months, and the average fine fell 2 to 105.

Mr Board said: There will be no change in the situation until just punishment is given out to those caught shoplifting. There is no deterrent, and the sooner politicians understand that and get a proper grip, this will only continue. Until then, its all hot air from Starmer.

We on the front line, we have to face the regular threat from repeat shoplifters coming into our store. We have to deal with the loss of money, their behaviour. To some, its [stealing from a shop] become like winning a trophy.

Several weeks ago, Mr Board said he caught a shoplifter attempting to steal everyday items while their accomplice distracted a staff member at the till. When they were stopped, the goods were seized, but later it was found they had eaten several stolen packets of crisps after leaving.

Mr Board said he tracked their identities using Facebook and passed on the information to Durham Constabulary. After eight weeks, he said, the force called him to report the pair had been dealt with via a community resolution, meaning they faced no conviction or criminal record from the offence.

A Durham Constabulary spokesperson told The Independent: Officers spoke to the suspects  a man aged 41 and a woman aged 32  who admitted the offence. They were dealt with through a community resolution and banned from entering several shops in the Durham area.

As Sir Keir made his speech before the Usdaw shopworkers union on Monday, the Centre for Social Justice warned of a high street crime epidemic. The think tank shared analysis showing the average number of offences committed by shoplifters has nearly doubled in five years, rising from 5.5 to 9.1 offences per convicted thief.

Last week, it even emerged that Greggs had moved food and drink behind anti-theft counters in a bid to deter thieves.

On Monday, the shop security guards union, Security Industry Federation, told its members to watch, report and be an expert witness for police but not to stop criminals, reported The Times. Secretary Daniel Gardnham said: Security workers cannot continue carrying all of the personal and professional risk while others avoid responsibility.

open image in gallery Andrew Board, who runs Core Convenience in Durham, often stops shoplifters attempting to flee his store ( Alex Ross/The Independent )

Sir Iain, the CSJs chairman, said: Communities across Britain are suffering from a high street crime wave. Set against years of economic difficulties, there is a risk that some of our town and city centres are left permanently hollowed out.

Sir Keirs comments come following uproar over the sacking of a Morrisons store manager who tried to stop a shoplifter.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Sir Keir of brazen cheek in Mondays speech.

He told The Independent: Labour is giving up on shoplifting  as any shopkeeper will tell you. Labour certainly havent toughened up. Theyve cut overall police numbers by 1,300 in just the last year and now plan to abolish prison sentences under a year.

That means that virtually no shoplifter will ever go to prison. This will unleash a huge further increase in shoplifting as thieves realise there will never be any real consequences under Labour.

The Independent has approached No 10 for comment.
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The UKs millions of personal independence payment (Pip) claimants will soon be subject to new rules around health assessments under laws being laid by the government.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed on Monday that it is moving to set all award reviews at a minimum of three years for new claims, rising to five years at their next review if the claimant remains entitled.

In most cases, this will reduce the frequency of award reviews for Pip claimants, with the uncertainty around reassessments often cited as a key issue of the system.

The DWP notes that around 60 per cent of reviews currently result in no change of award, and still encourages claimants whose needs change to notify the department.

Currently claimed by 3.9 million people, Pip is designed to help with extra costs incurred by living with an illness or disability.

The health benefit is currently under review by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, who aims to make it fair and fit for the future. The review aims to report in the autumn of this year.

open image in gallery Sir Stephen Timms said the government will hold off making changes to the Pip eligibility criteria until he has finished a review into the payments ( PA Wire )

The payment was at the heart of Labours plans to axe welfare spending last year, when proposals to tweak its assessment criteria to effectively make it harder to claim were met with fierce opposition from campaign groups and politicians.

Ministers backed down on the plans in late June after over 100 Labour MPs threatened to vote against the government on the measures. The concession  and review  was announced by Sir Stephen in the middle of the debate on the legislation.

Commenting on the new changes, Sir Stephen told The Independent: Reforming the welfare system so that it better meets the needs of disabled people is a priority for the government.

A major part of this is ensuring that Pip is fit and fair for the future  and we are taking an important step to improve the system through new legislation, which will reduce the frequency of reviews for many existing Pip customers.

This will make the system more efficient by freeing up the capacity of health professionals to tackle our inherited assessment backlog, while removing unnecessary pressure from disabled claimants whose conditions rarely change at each review.

We are also increasing face-to-face assessments for Pip from 6 per cent in 2024 to 30 per cent of all assessments. Additionally, my review is looking into how we can bolster Pip for the future, and we have opened a call for evidence for people to share their views on how Pip should be reformed.

The plans have been welcomed by disability charities and campaigners, which have previously criticised the uncertainty that irregular reviews can cause.

open image in gallery Sir Stephen Timms told The Independent: Reforming the welfare system so that it better meets the needs of disabled people is a priority for the government. ( PA Archive )

Fazilet Hadi, Disability Rights UKs head of policy, said: Reducing the frequency of Pip reviews makes sense, both for disabled people and DWP. So often our needs remain the same, and reviews just cause anxiety.

It is of concern that face-to-face reviews will increase, as these can be physically and emotionally challenging, they added.

Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at the national disability charity Sense, added: "The process of applying for disability benefits is long, complicated, and emotionally distressing, and so we welcome these plans.

"Sense research found over half of disabled PIP claimants with complex needs felt humiliated during their assessment; clearly this process needs to urgently change.

"It's vital that the Timms Review continues to work with disabled people to make the application process for PIP fairer and less distressing.

Kieran Aldred, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said that the announcement was extremely welcome, adding that the government must go further by making assessments fairer, less punitive and more person-centred.

The Timms Reviews call for evidence remains open until May 28, giving all people an opportunity to share their views with its steering group.
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King Charles security has been reviewed ahead of a trip to the White House on Monday after another assassination attempt on President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents Association dinner over the weekend.

The state visit is expected to last four days between 27 and 30 April and will include a meeting with the US president.

The White House Correspondents Association dinner was thrown into chaos on Saturday night after the attempted attack, which saw shots fired, prompting Trump to be swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents along with other senior members of his administration.

After the events, the trip was reviewed and some additional precautions were taken to ensure the monarchs safety, with Buckingham Palace confirming that the visit would definitely go ahead.

Experts told The Independent that the extensive planning could include the use of covert agents, snipers, counter-drones and special forces.

Below we look at the ring of security  an elite security operation designed to keep the King safe.

open image in gallery Chaos erupted at the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday ( Getty )

Royalty and specialist protection officers (RaSP)

Sir Christopher Turner, Britains ambassador to the US, said that UK and US security teams had been planning the trip for weeks before the incident and had prepared for possible changes as we go.

The real point is that our respective security teams have been in close touch for weeks, he said.

And any operational changes we have to make, we can make them as we go, and we are all very confident that all appropriate security measures are in place.

Security teams in both the UK and US worked through the night to assess the safety of the visit after Mr Trump escaped his third assassination attempt.

open image in gallery Members of the National Guard patrol the National Mall on Monday ( AP )

While minor adjustments will be made to one or two royal engagements during the trip, the overall plan remains unchanged.

Former security specialist Richard Aitch told The Independent that members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection, working within the specialist command of the Metropolitan Police, would be armed on the trip in order to ensure the safety of the monarch.

With this particular visit, youve already got members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection in the US on the ground liaising with the US Secret Service, and theyve probably been over there for several weeks already, he said. They will be refining what theyre doing based on a response to what happened at the weekend.

Mr Aitch believes that this could include plans to increase distance in order to reduce the opportunity for any lone wolf attack and create a sterile environment.

open image in gallery All aspects of the visit will be monitored by intelligence officials ( AP )

Intelligence coordination and undercover agents

Intelligence flows are vitally important because operational plans are based on them, says Mr Aitch.

This means UK and US security forces will share intelligence from a diverse array of sources in order to monitor any threats to the King during his visit.

There will be a uniformed presence, but you will also have covert members blending in with the crowd, he explains.

Youve got people there weeks in advance, blending in with the local population. Security services will listen in on the internet and phone calls and will be paying particular attention to specific individuals, groups and organisations that could do harm.

They will be especially sensitive to any lone wolf threats in light of the incident. Vehicle searches will be conducted in the vicinity of Charles route. Control of crowds and the public will also be essential, with barricading of the utmost importance to ensure distance.

Snipers, special forces and counter-drones

open image in gallery U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Britain's King Charles, as Trump departs Windsor Castle, in Windsor, Britain, September 18, 2025 ( Reuters )

American officials have an almost unlimited budget to conduct their security operations, according to Mr Aitch. However, they have a reputation among their British counterparts for having all the gear but no idea.

Nevertheless, US security services will be pulling out all the stops after President Trump promised that the King would be very safe.

Protection is likely to include snipers, counter snipers and search teams with dogs. Special forces could also be deployed, such as the American Delta Force, the equivalent of the British SAS.

Counter-drone devices and jamming equipment could also be deployed.

They could also use designated counterattack teams that are part of the FBI and US Secret Service.

However, he adds that you can have all of the assets, all of the people in the world, and it only takes one guy to get through. There is actually nothing that exists that is 100 per cent secure 100 per cent of the time.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit White House beehive with Donald Trump and Melania

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King Charles has faced fresh calls from a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein to meet fellow victims ahead of a historic address to Congress during his state visit to the US with president Donald Trump.

Teresa Helm told the BBC that it was a missed opportunity from the monarch not to meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein as part of his four-day state visit.

The monarch will address Congress on Tuesday, the second time a British monarch has done so after Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. He is expected to ay that while the UK and the US have not always agreed on everything, they have always found ways to come together amid strains to the special relationship from the Iran war.

Queen Camilla spoke with Michelle DeLaune, chief executive of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children at a garden soiree on Monday. Asked about whether the King and Queen should have met victims and survivors of Epstein, Ms DeLaune said: I think it has to be a choice of individuals, for King and Queen.

I think the voices of victims and survivors are not only heard but progress made, we will continue working to ensure we are bringing voices loud and clear.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury made a historic visit to the Vatican on Monday for an audience with Pope Leo XIV, marking her first foreign engagement since becoming the first woman leader of the Church of England and spiritual head of millions of Anglicans worldwide.

Dame Sarah Mullally, whose appointment has caused divisions within the already fractured Anglican Communion, arrived early for her meeting with Pope Leo in his private library.

The pair were scheduled to proceed to the Urban VIII Chapel within the Apostolic Palace for what the Vatican described as a "moment of prayer."

This audience forms part of a four-day pilgrimage to Rome, during which she has visited major pontifical basilicas, prayed at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, and engaged with senior Vatican officials.

Lambeth Palace stated the visit aims "to strengthen AnglicanRoman Catholic relations through prayer, personal encounter, and formal theological dialogue.

open image in gallery The Archbishop of Canterbury made a historic visit to the Vatican on Monday ( James Manning/PA )

It added the visit aims to deepen bonds of communion, affirm a shared witness, and encourage ongoing collaboration at both global and local levels.

The Anglican Church famously separated from Rome in 1534 following King Henry VIII's request for a marriage annulment. Despite formal theological discussions commencing in the 1960s, significant differences persist, particularly concerning the Church of England's decision to ordain women.

The Roman Catholic Church maintains its tradition of reserving the priesthood exclusively for men. The first female Anglican priests were ordained in 1994, followed by its first female bishop in 2015, culminating in Mullally's groundbreaking role as the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

Her appointment though has split the Anglican Communion, whose 100 million members in 165 countries are deeply divided over issues such as the role of women and the treatment of LGBTQ+ people. Many in England and other Western countries hailed her appointment as a historic breaking of a stained-glass ceiling.

open image in gallery eo congratulating her on her installation last month but acknowledging she was taking over at a challenging time and that differences still divide the Anglican and Catholic churches ( AP/Misper Apawu )

But the communions largest and fastest-growing churches in Africa belong to a conservative group called the Global Anglican Future Conference, or Gafcon, which has sharply criticized her appointment and threatened a final break. In the U.S., the conservative Anglican Church in North America formed in a break from the more liberal U.S. and Canadian Episcopal churches and has signed onto the Gafcon statement opposing Mullallys appointment.

Leo congratulates Mullally on appointment

Leo and Mullally have already exchanged greetings, with Leo congratulating her on her installation last month but acknowledging she was taking over at a challenging time and that differences still divide the Anglican and Catholic churches.

We also know that the ecumenical journey has not always been smooth, Leo wrote. Despite much progress, our immediate predecessors, Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby, acknowledged frankly that new circumstances have presented new disagreements among us, Leo wrote.

He nevertheless vowed to continue dialogue, and in October Leo welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Vatican, where they prayed in the Sistine Chapel. Charles is the titular head of the Church of England.

That event, Oct. 25, marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches had prayed together.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first formal ecumenical statement between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, signed in 1966 at St. Pauls Outside the Walls basilica by Archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI.

Mullally for her part has expressed solidarity with Leos peace message, after the American-born pope was harshly criticized by President Donald Trump for his calls for peace in Iran.
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Britain is failing in its efforts to fight a hybrid war with Russia and is unprepared for a wider-scale global conflict, a top former government aide and senior analysts have warned.

As war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz leave the world reeling from higher oil, petrol, food and fertiliser prices, and conflict grinds on in Ukraine, fundamental planning to protect the UK is not taking place.

Fiona Hill, former director for European and Russian affairs in the National Security Council in Donald Trump's first administration, describes the UKs contingencies for dealing with present and future disruptions as not fit for purpose.

As one of the co-authors of the UKs 2025 Strategic Defence Review, Dr Hill will this week deliver a speech at the Imperial War Museum intended to galvanise Britain's response to threats against its infrastructure.

In a stark interview with The Independent, she warned: In the UK, our systems are not designed to cope with major disruptions. It is up to the leadership to come up with a plan because, at the moment, what is there is not fit for purpose.

open image in gallery Fiona Hill describes the UKs contingencies for dealing with the present and future disruptions as not fit for purpose ( Getty )

We have seen the effects of choke points in the Gulf, disruptions to transport. The NHS cannot cope with mass casualties, and we need to build up food supplies and systems to cope with disruption to imports.

We dont have archives of maps digitised and no analogue systems to use if digital systems collapse. This is an urgent national debate that needs to happen now.

With no single minister responsible for national resilience in times of crisis, Dr Hill, chancellor of Durham University, says there is no sign the government is taking action.

Her intervention comes after her co-author of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Lord Robertson, a former secretary general of Nato, accused the government of "corrosive complacency over what he said was a failure to implement the review's 62 recommendations.

His criticisms largely focused on the political conundrum faced by the government, which is the trade-off between spending on areas such as welfare versus the need to expand military capabilities.

Britains security officials have been increasingly warning that the country has been in a form of modern war for months. We are now operating in a space between peace and war, the head of MI6, Blaise Metreweli, said last year.

Russia, she said  as have the heads of the British army, navy and air force  is the principal threat.

But Vladimir Putins hybrid war is not confined to military targets alone  cyber attacks and assaults on supply lines, power grids and even food are also in the mix.

open image in gallery The Russian ship Yantar was recently spotted in UK waters ( UK MOD/Crown copyright )

There are so many soft targets around the UK its impossible to count them, says Dr Hill, highlighting that the nation has no effective system even to monitor small drones that could be weaponised to fly through the windows of the tallest buildings.

The UK is seen as largely defenceless against long-range missile attacks  or drones  and vulnerable to attacks against its military and civilian undersea communications cables, gas pipelines and electrical connections to Europe.

In the past two years, there has been a 30 per cent surge in surveillance of some of Britains most sensitive undersea strategic communications and supply lines by Russia.

The preparation moment of sabotage takes years and years, and that is what we're seeing, warns Dr Sidharth Kaushal, senior research fellow in sea power at the Royal United Services Institute.

The Royal Navy and Nato allies recently exposed the work of the Russian Akula attack submarine and two undersea spy boats surveying British cables and other critical infrastructure.

These operations have been going on for decades, led by Russias Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, known as Gugi, and Nato has no dedicated equivalent sea spying system to match.

In the UK, other vulnerabilities include dangers such as the nations gas supplies from Norway being cut in times of war. Both Dr Hill and Dr Kaushal highlight attacks on the Langeled and Vesterled pipelines, which supply 60-80 per cent of the countrys gas.

open image in gallery British submarine hunter HMS Portland (top) tracking Akula-class attack submarine Vepr in the North Sea, northwest of Bergen, Norway ( PA )

Combined with the dangers posed by tens of thousands of cyber attacks on the UKs critical infrastructure every day, they warned the nation had little capacity to cope.

The SDR, published last June, said the UK should build national resilience to threats below and above the threshold of an armed attack through a concerted, collective effort involving  among others  industry, the finance sector, civil society, academia, education and communities.

Although some private companies build resilience into their systems, there is no national, much less compulsory, programme to survive a disaster or an attack of the kind prepared for by Norway, Sweden and Finland, Dr Hill warns.

She says the UK should devolve authority to local government to build its capacity to deal with disasters that could otherwise overwhelm the country. Ukraine has been a model for its ability to respond to a massive invasion.

Every citys mayor is responsible for coordinating emergency services. Every provincial governor is responsible for the wider management and resourcing of civilian survival in the face of relentless attacks by Russia, and works closely with the military.

In Kharkiv, mayor Ihor Terekov showed The Independent a secret bunker where all civilian emergency responses from energy to fire services worked together alongside military officers running early-warning systems so that a response could be prepared when drones and missiles were in the air  before they even landed.

No such system exists in the UK.

open image in gallery Kyiv residents shelter in a metro station ( STF/AFP/Getty )

When you factor in the global external events and the reasonable risk of kinetic war fighting in mainland Europe  if Russia decides to go all in  it becomes significantly challenging for the UK, adds Stephen Arundell, vice chair of the Emergency Planning Society, the professional body for experts in the field.

Because we've frankly not been investing in resilient matters because we've had a very long, sustained period of peace.

The UK defence review called for a whole of society response to the hybrid and future threats and attacks that the UK faces. Sir Keir Starmer has endorsed the idea and called for more work to be done in the field.

But the experts all agree that the UK is lagging far behind its European allies, and politicians are failing to make the case for more spending to train and equip local authorities and civil defence units  as well as shying away from legislation that will force the private sector to step up its own defence.

In response to the issues raised, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement: We have the resources we need to keep the United Kingdom safe from attacks, whether it's on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself, and as a founding member of Nato, we benefit from the alliances collective defence capabilities, including its integrated air and missile defence systems.

This government has made air and missile defence a priority after years of underfunding. That is why last June, following the Strategic Defence Review, we announced up to 1bn in new funding to strengthen our defences and keep the UK secure. This investment also boosts the UKs contribution to Nato, ensuring we play our part in protecting our allies and ourselves.
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More than 30 different children's toys sold in the UK have now been recalled amid mounting fears that several products containing sand from China may be contaminated with asbestos.

Shops including M&S, Tesco, Primark and Matalan are among the latest retailers to have sold products including kids' candle-making kits, stretchy rubber toys and coloured sand, which have now been recalled.

All the toys are believed to contain sand mined from China where asbestos occurs naturally, but where safety standards and labelling are less rigorous.

The alarm was first raised in Australia at the end of last year, when 69 schools were forced to close after coloured play sand was found to contain the cancer-causing substance. After that, a parent in the UK sent samples of sand they'd bought at Hobbycraft to a testing lab, allegedly finding traces of asbestos fibres in the bottles of yellow, green and pink sand.

Investigations subsequently revealed traces of asbestos in numerous products sold in the UK by companies including Asda, eBay, and Amazon.

Asbestos is a banned substance because the inhalation of cancer-causing fibres poses a risk, even at low levels of exposure.

Tesco's Squishy Pugs toys, Funkee Sand toys and Paw Patrol Sand Art picture set are all among the products being recalled.

Meanwhile M&S had also sold Paw Patrol products containing contaminated sand, issuing a recall for products including the Paw Patrol Bumper Craft Set, and also Addo Play's Out To Impress Sand Art Creations set.

Matalan has recalled the Pug Dog and Sausage Dog toys, which may contain the asbestos-contaminated sand, and Primark has recalled the range of Stretcherz toys, which had also been sold previously, and also recalled by Asda.

The government's Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) said it recognised the failures would be a concern for parents and was clamping down on "irresponsible sellers".

Minister for Product Safety Kate Dearden told The Independent: It is staggering toys are being sold with asbestos, and I know how concerning this will be for parents. We're taking action with new measures to strengthen consumer protection and clamp down on irresponsible sellers.

Our product safety laws are clear  businesses must ensure the products they sell are safe and act when they have sold unsafe products to consumers.

We work closely with the EU, Trading Standards and the toy industry to ensure businesses act immediately, and any products which test positive for asbestos are removed from sale and recalled."

The full list of products which may contain asbestos can be found on the recalls page of the OPSS on the Gov.uk website. People who own any of them are advised to stop using them immediately and store them in a secure location out of reach of children. If the sand is still in its packaging, then it should be placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag, double-taped securely and returned to the place of purchase.

Consumer group Which? said the number of recalls in the last three months pointed to a serious failure in safety checks and called for stronger action from the government.

Which? head of consumer protection policy Sue Davies said: The OPSS needs to take action and ensure proper checks are being carried out to keep dangerous products off the shelves.

It should also examine whether toys containing asbestos are being sold on online marketplaces where there is far more limited regulation.

Hobbycraft said after recalling the affected products: We take the safety and quality of our products extremely seriously.

Earlier this year, following a customer query, we took immediate action to investigate concerns relating to sand-based craft products. As a precaution, we removed affected products from sale and initiated further testing.

While initial supplier testing and certification met required standards, more advanced testing identified trace levels of asbestos in certain products. We acted quickly to notify the relevant authorities, including the OPSS, and issued recalls to customers.

We have since removed all sand-based products from sale and continue to work closely with our suppliers and regulators to ensure the highest safety standards are met.

Laurie Kazan-Allen, of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, said the UK recalls since the first wave of concern following the discovery of asbestos in play sand in Australia were the result of individual tests carried out by manufacturers and sellers, and not of testing by the UK authorities.

A spokesperson for Primark told The Independent: We have issued a product recall on behalf of HTI who are recalling several of their Stretcherz toys. This is due to trace levels of asbestos found during testing. The overall risk is low but may make the product unsafe. The products sold by Primark that are impacted include the Stretch Squad Dinos, Med Stetcherz, Stetcherz Slammerz and Stetcherz Street Smash Car.

Customers are advised to bring the product back to stores where we will issue a full refund with no proof of purchase required.

The Independent has contacted Tesco, M&S and Matalan for comment.
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The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey says she was a little bit devastated when she heard Sir Keir Starmer had met tech bosses to discuss childrens online safety before speaking to bereaved families.

Esther Gheys 16-year-old daughter was murdered by two teenagers in 2023.

She said that she hoped she and other families would be Sir Keirs priority.

Asked on BBC Breakfast how she felt when she heard Sir Keir had met senior leaders from TikTok, X, Meta, and other social media giants, earlier in April, Ms Ghey said: Honestly, I was a little bit devastated I suppose.

I thought that we would hopefully be the ones that will be able to meet first, to share our stories and our childrens.

Ms Ghey and other campaigners, including Ellen Roome, who believes her 14-year-old son Jools died while attempting an online challenge, sent an open letter to the prime minister on Sunday.

open image in gallery Esther Ghey has said the issue of phones in schools is too big for anyone to handle on their own ( PA Archive )

We were incredibly disappointed to learn that you invited social media companies to discuss this issue prior to meeting with families like ours, they wrote.

While we understand the importance of engaging with industry, it is of equal importance that you hear directly from those who have experienced the devastating consequences associated with online platforms.

In the meeting on 16 April, senior leaders from Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, Elon Musks X, Snap, TikTok, and Google (which owns YouTube) were questioned by Sir Keir and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall on what they are doing to protect children and respond to parental concerns.

The Government is midway through its consultation on how to protect children online, which could include an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features, and stronger controls on AI chatbots.

Briannas killers had accessed harmful content online, and Ms Ghey said other children have died after accessing harmful content such as suicidal ideation or online challenges.

She said she had met the Labour leader in February 2024, before he came to power, so she felt another meeting was due before Sir Keirs conference with the tech leaders.

open image in gallery Esther Ghey earlier said her daughter, Brianna, had been addicted to social media, which exacerbated her struggles with mental health and an eating disorder ( Family handout/Cheshire Police )

Its hard to campaign, and we have done so tirelessly and its emotional for us, we have to relive whats happened to our children time and time again, Ms Ghey told BBC Breakfast.

We do this because were passionate that we dont want any other families to go through what weve been through. And I think that we really deserve to be listened to, and were also representative of so many other families in our country.

A Government spokesperson said: We share Esther Gheys determination to keep children safe online, and value the role she and so many parents play in pushing for change.

Thats why the Prime Minister and ministers have been meeting families and young people to discuss the future of social media and its impact on children, and will continue to engage with families who have been directly affected.

As the Technology Secretary has stressed, we will act to ensure children have safer childhoods online. This is a complex issue with no overall consensus.

We have launched a consultation looking at everything from age limits and safer design features on AI chatbots and games, to a social media ban. Were also running pilots with hundreds of UK families and engaging with parents, children and experts to make sure we get this right.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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A government minister could not confirm if the King would take part in a walkabout on his state visit to the US after adjustments were made to his security arrangements following an attempted shooting in Washington.

King Charless security was reviewed following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a dinner on Saturday night, with the Palace confirming on Sunday that the visit would proceed.

Asked about whether he would take part in a walkabout on the trip  an informal public walk taken by members of the royal family to greet members of the public  environment minister Emma Reynolds told Times Radio: I cant comment specifically on the security provisions. But what I will say is that every measure is taken to protect the King and the Queen.

And they will obviously have looked very carefully at the events of the weekend, which were very, very concerning.

King Charles with Donald Trump at Windsor Castle during the US presidents 2025 state visit to the UK ( PA Archive )

But every measure will be taken. The King's security is something that is planned and they schedule weeks and months in advance. But obviously, they will be looking at what happened over the weekend.

Charles and Camillas security arrangements were discussed in the wake of Saturdays violent incident at a Washington media dinner where Mr Trump, the first lady and senior figures from his administration were bundled from the room by the Secret Service after shots were fired.

Following questions over whether or not the visit would go ahead, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday night that it would proceed after discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day.

The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow [Monday], the palace added.

It is understood there will be some modest operational adjustments to one or two royal engagements during the trip but the overall plan remains as previously outlined.

The White House Correspondents Association dinner was thrown into chaos on Saturday night after the attempted attack, which saw shots fired, prompting the US president to be swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents along with other senior members of his administration.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday about the Kings state visit, Mr Trump said: Hes coming and were going to have a great time.

He added: Hes a great guy, and we look forward to it. Hes really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and hes brave.

Were gonna have a great time. And he represents his nation like nobody else can do it.

The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

He is understood to have been a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.

The president posted pictures on his Truth Social platform of the alleged assailant handcuffed on the ground following his detention, and described him as a lone wolf whack job.

Mr Trump  who was attending the annual dinner for the first time as president  vowed to reschedule the disrupted event at a late-night press conference following the shooting, which he said had unified political opponents and the media.

It is understood that the King and Queen reached out privately to the US president and first lady over the weekend to express their sympathies with all those affected by the shooting and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.

The historic visit, the Kings first visit to the US as monarch, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US.

The royal couple, who will begin their visit with a private tea hosted by the president and first lady, are also expected to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New Yorks twin towers.

Later, Mr Trump and the King are expected sit down for talks in the White Houses famous Oval Office while Camilla and Melania Trump take part in an event together.
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Argentinas vice president has told residents of the Falkland Islands to go back to England, after a leaked memo from the Pentagon suggested the US could review its position on Britains claim to the territory.

The internal memo leaked last week listed a change in US policy as a potential punishment for Nato allies refusing to join the US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

The islands are administered by the UK but are still claimed by Argentina, whose president Javier Milei is a close ally of Donald Trump.

After news of the memo emerged, Argentinas vice president took to social media on Saturday to affirm her nations claim on the South Atlantic territory.

Today, more than ever, the Malvinas are Argentine, Victoria Villarruel wrote on X.

The discussion over the sovereignty of our islands is between states, therefore the United Kingdom must discuss bilaterally with Argentina the claim that we maintain for legal, historical and geographical reasons.

open image in gallery Argentinas vice president Victoria Villarruel took to social media on Saturday to affirm her nations claim on the South Atlantic territory ( AFP/Getty )

The Kelpers [Falkland Islanders] are English people who live in Argentine territory; they are not part of the discussion.

She added in another post: If they feel English, they should go back to the thousands of miles away where their country is.

Britain and Argentina fought a brief war in 1982 over the islands after Argentina made a failed bid to take them. Some 650 Argentine soldiers and 255 British troops died before Argentina surrendered.

On Friday, Downing Street was forced to insist the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is not in question, while the territorys government said it had complete confidence in the commitment made by the UK government to uphold and defend our right of self-determination

It followed reports of the leaked memo, which suggested reassessing US diplomatic support for imperial possessions such as the Falklands as an option to punish Nato allies in retaliation for their perceived lack of support in Trumps war on Iran.

open image in gallery The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory (PA) ( PA Media )

The Pentagon email lays bare the tense relations between Britain and the Trump administration, which have broken down in recent weeks.

The US president has hit out repeatedly at Nato allies since he launched his offensive in Iran, branding the alliance a paper tiger and threatening to withdraw from the alliance altogether.

He has also repeatedly attacked Britain and Sir Keir Starmer, saying he was no Winston Churchill after he initially refused to grant a request from the US to attack Iran from British bases.

The reports that the US could review its position on the islands were branded a cruel joke by Falklands veteran Simon Weston.

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.
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Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting this week to discuss the ongoing economic impact of the Iran war, which he warned could continue for some time.

The prime minister will convene the Middle East Response Committee with representatives from the Bank of England to discuss the wars economic consequences in the shadow of rising oil prices.

The meeting comes as oil prices hit a near three-week high on Monday, as the Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded as peace talks between the US and Iran stall.

Speaking in Lancashire on Monday, the prime minister said he had called the meeting on Tuesday so you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis.

However, he told the Usdaw unions conference: I have to level with you about Iran.

The truth is the economic consequences could still be with us for some time.

open image in gallery The prime minister said he had called the meeting on Tuesday so you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis ( Reuters )

You dont need to be a politician to know that, you can see it on every petrol forecourt across the country.

The Middle East Response Committee - which was set up as a new Cabinet committee to deal with the fallout from the Iran conflict - will discuss the domestic impact of the conflict.

Despite the US president indefinitely extending the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, a permanent resolution has yet to be agreed and the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil supplies are carried, remains effectively blocked.

Oil prices continue to rise after negotiations between Iran and the US broke down, with Donald Trump declaring over the weekend that envoys would no longer be travelling to Pakistan for talks due to a lack of progress.

Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday: If they want, we can talk but were not sending people.

open image in gallery Donald Trump declared over the weekend that envoys would no longer be travelling to Pakistan for talks due to a lack of progress ( AFP/Getty )

The cost of benchmark Brent crude continued its ascent, rising 2 per cent to just under 108 US dollars a barrel in early morning trading on Monday, rising back up to levels seen before the first round of peace talks began in early April.

Labour have been under pressure to lay out measures to protect Britons amid the rising prices and uncertainty.

At the Usdaw conference, Sir Keir reiterated that the Government had capped household energy costs until July, regardless of what happens in Iran, while fuel duty is scheduled to remain frozen until September.

But on Sunday, the chief secretary to the prime minister, Darren Jones, warned price hikes as a result of the conflict will be felt for at least eight months after the war ends.

He said people will see higher energy, food and flight prices as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East and said there will be a long tail from this.
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Sir Keir Starmer has pleaded with Labour MPs to vote down a Commons motion to launch a sleaze inquiry into the Peter Mandelson vetting saga on what will be a crucial day for the future of his premiership.

His direct appeal at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) came after Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed on Monday that MPs would be allowed to debate whether or not the prime minister should be referred to the powerful Commons Privileges Committee for a probe into whether he misled parliament over the disgraced peers appointment as US ambassador.

Speaking at a Monday night meeting of the PLP, the beleaguered prime minister said: I have responsibility for being totally transparent with you, with parliament and the British public. I take that very seriously as well.

"But this is not about a lack of transparency. This is a political stunt by our opponents who want to bring us down, obscure our message, stop us getting on with our work. And the timing tells you everything nine days before local elections.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer could be referred to the Privileges Committee ( Reuters )

He told Labour MPs: Tomorrow is pure politics and we need to stand together against it.

With Labour MPs mulling over supporting Kemi Badenochs motion and others plotting to remove him in May, Sir Keir pleaded with them to look at the bigger picture and stick by him.

The Privileges Committee was responsible for Boris Johnsons exit from frontline politics after it investigated him for misleading the House over the partygate breaches of Covid laws in Downing Street.

The vote will come on a difficult day withhis former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and former top civil servant Sir Philip Barton  both of whom played key roles in the appointment of Lord Mandelson  giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Labour grandees, including former home secretaries Alan Johnson and Lord David Blunkett, have written a letter calling on Labour MPs to oppose referring Sir Keir for investigation.

Mr McSweeney was widely regarded as a protege of the former US ambassador and pushed for his appointment, while Sir Philip was the predecessor of Sir Olly Robbins  who was sacked by Sir Keir for failing to tell ministers that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting.

Sir Philip left the department in January 2025, eight months earlier than expected. The committee is expected to examine whether he left his post as a result of his opposition to Lord Mandelsons appointment.

As the prime minister faces pressure from all sides on the Mandelson saga, he will also have his attention diverted by a meeting of the Middle East Response Committee, as part of an attempt to mitigate the economic impacts of the Iran war, and by King Charless address to the US Congress, both of which are taking place on Tuesday.

On the same day, the Commons will vote on whether to refer the PM to the Privileges Committee to consider if he misled MPs when he claimed due process was followed in Lord Mandelsons appointment, and that there was no pressure whatsoever.

It comes after it emerged that the Foreign Office decided to appoint the Labour grandee despite the fact that he failed the vetting process.

The prime minister repeatedly told MPs that he and his ministers only found out that UK Security Vetting had advised 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.

Labours huge majority in the Commons means such a vote would almost certainly not pass, especially as Labour MPs are expected to be whipped to vote against the motion, but it could still be damaging for the prime minister.

As first revealed by The Independent, 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.

In the wake of Sir Lindsays decision to allow MPs to debate the issue, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the facts are overwhelming.

The prime minister misled the House of Commons, repeatedly, she claimed. He appointed a national security risk and friend of a convicted paedophile, to be our ambassador in Washington, our most sensitive diplomatic post. He pretended that full due process was followed for this appointment. It was not.

Ms Badenoch argued that the prime minister must be held to the same standards he held previous prime ministers to, warning: There is no room for hypocrisy.

She added: Every MP now faces a matter of conscience, not party, conscience. Do they cover this up or do they vote to seek the truth?

But a No 10 spokesperson dismissed the attempt to launch a parliamentary inquiry as a desperate political stunt by the Conservative Party.

Separately on Monday, Sir Keir said Britons should not panic over the economic impact of the Iran war but acknowledged people might have to change their shopping habits and holiday plans.

He told the Cathy Newman Show on Sky News that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had already had a detrimental impact on the UK economy, adding there were almost daily meetings of ministers and officials looking at how to manage the impact of the crisis.

open image in gallery Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that MPs will vote on whether to refer the prime minister to the Privileges Committee ( PA )

A number of MPs and former parliamentarians have referred to the precedent set during the Partygate probe into Mr Johnson, when the Tories failed to use their majority to oppose the inquiry, and their MPs on the committee put party second in finding him guilty.

It comes as concerns grow among Labour MPs across different factions of the party that the government plans to whip to block the vote.

However, the Tories are going to push the fact that they did not oppose the motion when Boris Johnson was referred to the committee for misleading parliament.

One former cabinet minister said: We did set something of a precedent, but I think we have some moral authority on the issue because of the way we allowed the inquiry to take place into Boris. This is a question of putting integrity before party.

Sir Ed Davey also piled pressure on Sir Keir not to whip his MPs to oppose his referral to the Privileges Committee, saying: Even Boris Johnson didnt block his MPs voting for scrutiny.

MPs must be given a free vote on any motion to refer Starmer, not forced into being accomplices to a cover-up.

Over the weekend, Cabinet minister Darren Jones insisted there is no case to answer when asked about a potential referral of Sir Keir to the committee, as well as accusing the Conservatives of using tactics ahead of local elections.
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Ever since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office, Sir Keir Starmer has relied heavily on the presidents fondness for the royals to help bridge the gap between Downing Street and the White House.

So, with the special relationship at its lowest point since arguably the Suez Crisis in 1956, King Charles state visit to Washington DC could not come at a more important juncture.

While there are serious question marks over whether Sir Keir is going to survive as prime minister, the impact of the Kings visit is crucial  not only for him personally, but also for whoever leads a Labour government to the election in 2029.

open image in gallery Donald Trump shakes hands with Charles, as the former departs Windsor Castle in September ( Reuters )

The special relationship has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks following repeated jibes against Sir Keir from the president, including likening him to Neville Chamberlain, embarrassing him over Chagos, apparently threatening the status of the Falkland Islands and suggesting the UK could be facing new tariffs.

While Sir Keir cannot U-turn and suddenly support an illegal war with Iran or agree to Greenland being handed over to the Americans, there is some hope that King Charles can make a much more favourable case with this most turbulent of presidents.

President Trump last week said as much when asked about the visit in an interview.

Asked if it could repair the relationship, he said: Absolutely. Hes fantastic. Hes a fantastic man. Absolutely, the answer is yes.

I know him well, Ive known him for years. Hes a brave man, and hes a great man. They would absolutely be a positive.

The fact is that Trump revered the late Queen, he loves the royals, he considers King Charles to be a personal friend and, since his meeting in Paris in late 2024, has been having regular private conversations with Prince William.

The royal familys role, while generally kept at arms length, remains a key part of British diplomacy and works hand in glove with the Foreign Office. Yvette Coopers presence there underlines that.

open image in gallery The special relationship has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks following repeated jibes against the PM ( PA Archive )

Trumps Scottish mother gave him his love for the royals and a desire to be close to them and that is playing out as the UKs most important soft power card in this difficult period.

Sir Keir deployed this to great effect early in the presidency, bringing the Kings invitation for Trumps second state visit with him on a visit to Washington last year.

The UK government got an early trade deal out of it and, until things went off the rails, had support on more complex issues like the handing over of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Both those issues have spectacularly blown up since, and the trade deals are now looking tenuous too. But at least with trade and defence, the UK government must be hoping the King can get things back on track, especially now that Sir Keir has Sir Christian Turner, a distinguished career diplomat, as ambassador in London rather than a highly controversial politician in Peter Mandelson.

The visit has been carefully planned to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the US declaring independence from the UK. The point when the two split, which, given the state of the relationship at the moment, seems an appropriate analogy.
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Green Party leader Zack Polanski says that he "feels sorry for the King" for being sent to meet President Donald Trump in the US  and blames Sir Keir Starmer for putting him in that position.

It comes as security concerns intensify following what the White House termed an attempted assassination of the president at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington.

The incident has reignited debate over whether the King and Queen should travel to the United States.

Speaking in Newcastle, Mr Polanski said: I actually feel really sorry for the King, that hes been paraded around as some sort of privilege for Donald Trump.

Its important to put things in perspective, just a couple of weeks ago, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media platform, An entire civilisation could be wiped out this evening, it doesnt have to happen, but it probably could.

Thats not a man we should consider our ally or in a special relationship with.

Thats a man we should be sanctioning and making sure that were condemning.

And the fact this kind of awful parade of King Charles having to go there, why is Keir Starmer so obsequious to Donald Trump?

Of course we should have a diplomatic relationship with the president, of course, we should talk to him on a whole range of things.

But sending King Charles over there to meet him, as if hes some sort of friend, or some sort of ally, will be difficult for a lot of British people to watch, and theyll wonder why Keir Starmer, as with so many decisions, has made that decision.

King Charles visit to the US will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence ( AFP/Getty )

Buckingham Palace announced on Sunday that Charless visit to Washington would still go ahead largely as planned. However, it is understood there will be some modest operational adjustments to one or two royal engagements.

The historic visit, the Kings first visit to the US as monarch, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US.

The royal couple, who will begin their visit with a private tea hosted by the president and first lady, will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New Yorks Twin Towers.

Mr Polanski said he personally has no time for the monarchy.

We live in the wealthiest country in the world, he said.

You have rich people are getting richer than theyve ever been before, while people are struggling and nurses are queueing up at food banks.

I dont think its a good symbol.
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A key government advisor and former Nato secretary general has said a case for mandatory civil defence roles in Britain should be on the agenda.

Lord George Robertson, who was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer to write the governments Strategic Defence Review (SDR), said there is a case for the UK to adopt a Swedish model, where every resident is required to contribute to the countrys defence during times of high alert of war.

The model, called total defence duty, legally mandates all residents aged between 16 to 70 to serve in some way, and can include military, civil or general service.

Answering questions from the National Security Strategy Joint Committee on Monday, Lord Robertson said there would be a case for putting such a model forward given the nature of the threats that we now face.

open image in gallery Former Nato Secretary General Lord George Robertson ( AFP/Getty )

During the meeting, Lord Robertson was asked by Lord Mark Sedwill: We also know from the early days of the pandemic, there is something in our political culture that if something isn't mandated, people don't take it seriously.

So in Sweden, every resident aged 16 to 70 has a legally defined role in civil resilience. Should we do that?

Lord Robertson replied: I think there is a case for that. It might go against the grain in terms of the way in which we think of ourselves. But I think given the nature of the threats that we now face, both in a civil as well as a military context, I think there would be a case for putting that forward.

The former Labour defence secretary added: We talk about a Defence Readiness Bill in our review, which would involve society as a whole, it appears it's not going to be in the King's speech...which is a pity, because it's a crucial part of what we promoted.

And I think ideas like that should certainly be on the agenda.

open image in gallery Lord Robertson has in recent weeks expressed concern over Britains ability to defend itself in the face of mounting global turbulence ( PA )

It comes amid increasing concern over Britains ability to defend itself in the face of mounting global turbulence,

Lord Robertson has in recent weeks expressed concern over Britains ability to defend itself in the face of mounting global turbulence.

The former Nato chief accused the government of corrosive complacency on military spending earlier this month, claiming non-military experts in the Treasury were committing vandalism.

Downing Street hit back at Lord Robertsons assertion that Britain was underprepared and underinsured, with the prime ministers official spokesperson saying: I completely reject that. Our armed forces, as I say, are working around the world every minute of the day to keep us safe at home.
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Reform UKs fair fuel protest failed to draw support on Monday, with the planned march down Whitehall called off amid a small turnout.

Billed as a national fuel protest, the protest was shared on senior Reform UK members social media, including the partys treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick.

The AI-generated poster advertising the event on social media featured an array of tractors, lorries and vans positioned in front of parliament.

But as Reform UKs double-decker bus and taxi turned on to Whitehall  40 minutes after the advertised start time of 9am  no other vehicles had materialised.

Only dozens of spectators gathered on the street by the bus, the majority from the media, with just a small handful of Reform UK supporters attending.

The event was also supposed to include a march down Whitehall, but the moving demonstration was called off.

Mr Jenrick, who was leading the protest alongside Reforms deputy leader Richard Tice, MP Sarah Pochin and London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham, said the group had been driving around central London ... talking to punters.

open image in gallery Only a handful of spectators gathered on the street by the bus, the majority from the media ( The Independent )

People have been hooting their horns in support of us, he said. Were here to send a very strong message to Rachel Reeves, the chancellor: do something now to help our hard-pressed motorists.

Chancellors and finance ministers all over the world, from Australia to Germany to Sweden to Spain to Ireland, are acting to lighten the load.

Reform UK is calling on Ms Reeves not to go ahead with the increase in fuel duty planned for September and to implement an emergency cut now.

Labour have been under pressure to lay out measures to protect Britons amid the rising prices and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the war in Iran.

If youre listening, Rachel Reeves  and I did invite her here today last week, she didnt say that  but if shes cowering at one of the windows of the Treasury behind us, listen, Mr Jenrick added.

open image in gallery Reform UK is calling on Rachel Reeves not to go ahead with the increase in fuel duty planned for September, and to implement an emergency cut now ( Getty )

Listen to the millions of Brits who are finding life hard at the moment. Take action. Lighten the load. Cut fuel duty now.

Oil prices hit a near three-week high on Monday, as the key oil route remains closed while peace talks between the US and Iran stall.

Negotiations between Iran and the US have broken down once more, with Donald Trump declaring over the weekend that envoys would no longer be travelling to Pakistan for talks due to a lack of progress.

Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday: If they want, we can talk, but were not sending people.

Speaking on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer reiterated that the government had capped household energy costs until July, regardless of what happens in Iran, while fuel duty is scheduled to remain frozen until September.
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Malis defence minister has been killed in an attack on his home, the government says.

Sadio Camaras death came amid coordinated assaults staged by insurgents, including the West Africa Al-Qaeda affiliate.

A car laden with explosives, driven by a suicide attacker, drove into Mr Camara's home in the town of Kati, government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly said in a statement read out on state television.

A firefight ensued, and Mr Camara sustained injuries from which he later died in a hospital, Mr Coulibaly said.

Mali would observe two days of mourning, he added.

Kati is about 15km (about nine miles) north of the capital Bamako, where the army's main base is located.

open image in gallery Sadio Camara, pictured in February 2024 ( AFP/Getty )

The regional al Qaeda affiliate, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, known as JNIM, cooperated with a Tuareg-dominated rebel group to carry out simultaneous attacks in over half a dozen places across the country, according to claims by both groups.

The government has not provided a death toll.

Mr Coulibaly on Sunday expressed condolences for "all civilian and military victims who died", without providing a number.

Analysts and diplomats described Saturday's insurgent operation as one of the largest coordinated attacks in the country in recent years.

The United Nations called for an international response to violence and terrorism in West Africa's Sahel region.

"The SecretaryGeneral is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali. He strongly condemns these acts of violence," a UN spokesperson posted on X.

open image in gallery A column of black smoke rises above buildings as traffic passes the Africa Tower monument in Bamako on Sunday ( AFP/Getty )

Kidals fate unclear

In addition to Kati, Saturday's strikes hit near Bamako airport and in localities farther north, including Mopti, Sevare and Gao.

The fate of the strategic city of Kidal, a former stronghold for the Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, the Tuareg-dominated group that partnered with JNIM, was unclear on Sunday.

The FLA said in a statement that Kidal had fallen, and a spokesperson for the group said on X that a deal had been struck to let Russian mercenaries leave a besieged camp outside the city where Malian armed forces were still entrenched.

But Mali's army chief of staff, General Oumar Diarra, told the state broadcaster on Sunday that the military had tactically repositioned forces in Kidal and that operations in the area were ongoing.

Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at the Germany-headquartered Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said the attack was a setback for Russia, which backed the military-led government after it kicked out French, U.S. and other Western forces.

"For Russia the attack has been a disaster, Mr Laessing said. They were unable to prevent the fall of the highly symbolic Tuareg stronghold of Kidal and now need to leave this northern city."

Government had pledged greater security

Russian staterun broadcaster Vesti reported on Sunday that Russia's Africa Corps was repelling a largescale militant attack on Mali's government.

According to Vesti, Russian personnel were responding along with units of Mali's Presidential Guard and armed forces, preventing the presidential palace from being seized.

Vesti said some members of Russia's Africa Corps were wounded, without providing further details.

Saturday's attacks are the latest sign that Mali's government has not delivered greater security despite promising to do so.

In September 2024, JNIM attacked a paramilitary police training school near the Bamako airport, killing about 70 people. More recently, it carried out a fuel blockade that has starved the capital's residents and businesses of power and supplies.

The government has recently pursued closer ties with Washington, which has sought to rebuild cooperation on security and explore mining opportunities.

Mali's foreign minister said this past Monday that neighbouring states and foreign powers were backing terrorist groups, but declined to name the countries.
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The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a Norwegian cruise ship crew member who fell overboard in the waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Rescue operations were launched immediately following the fall from the Norwegian Breakaway late on Saturday night, which was captured on ship security cameras, according to Norwegian Cruise Line. The exact circumstances of the fall are not yet known.

Upon confirming the incident, the vessel immediately informed the United States Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Center, and a coordinated search and rescue operation was initiated, the company said in a statement shared with CBS.

The United States Coast Guard has taken over the search and rescue operation and released the vessel to continue the voyage. The safety, security, and well-being of our crew is our highest priority. Our thoughts are with the crew members family during this difficult time.

Searches were called off Sunday just after 12 pm, pending new information, Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England told Fox News. The Independent has contacted the USCG and Norwegian Cruise Line for comment.

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended searches for a crew member on a Norwegian cruise ship who fell overboard near Cape Cod. Searches were launched immediately following the incident, which occurred late on Saturday night and was captured on ship security cameras ( AFP/Getty )

The identity of the crew member who fell overboard has not been released.

The Norwegian Breakaway was traveling from Bermuda to Boston and was around 12 miles off the coast of Cape Cod when the incident occurred.

A passenger on the ship told CBS that after the alarm was raised a ship-wide announcement had been made and lifeboats had been deployed to assist in the search.

Coast Guard crews from Southeastern New England and Provincetown were part of the search operations.

As well as the initial onboard announcement, passengers also received a letter explaining the delayed arrival in Boston.

"Overnight and into the early morning hours, the ship remained engaged in search and rescue efforts following a man overboard situation, working closely with maritime authorities," the letter said, per CBS.

"These efforts required the vessel's full attention before the voyage could safely resume toward Boston. Situations such as these are never easy, and the safety and well-being of those at sea remain at the heart of every decision we make."
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Three people died on Sunday in the latest US military strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to a post by the US Southern Command which also claimed the vessel was ferrying drugs.

This strike is part of a controversial campaign, initiated in early September, targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels across Latin American and Caribbean waters. The operations have now resulted in at least 186 fatalities, with no military evidence that any destroyed vessels carried illicit drugs.

A Southern Command video on X showed the boat moving swiftly before an explosion left it in flames. The command reiterated its assertion of targeting alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes.

The attacks began as the U.S. built up its largest military presence in the region in generations and came months ahead of the raid in January that captured then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.

Defense secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered many of the U.S. military strikes on the alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. ( AP )

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in armed conflict with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

Another strike last Sunday on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean sea, which was confirmed by the U.S. military, resulted in the deaths of another three individuals.

And on Wednesday 15 April, four people were killed in an alleged drug boat strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The military said all the vessels were operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations and that intelligence confirmed they were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations but did not provide evidence.

A number of Democratic lawmakers have described them as illegal and reckless, pointing out that the administration has failed to publicly provide evidence that those killed were indeed traffickers. A few GOP lawmakers have agreed.

We dont blow up boats off Miami because 25 per cent of the time suspicion is wrong, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said in October. We shouldnt do it off Venezuela either. These are small outboards with no fentanyl and no path to Florida.

Human rights groups and U.N. officials have also characterized the U.S. militarys offensive in Latin America as illegal under international law. Amnesty International called it murder  plain and simple.
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The quick actions of five middle school students may have prevented a disaster.

On Wednesday, a group of students from Hancock Middle School in Mississippi worked together after their school bus driver experienced a medical emergency and passed out.

Leah Taylor, the driver, told WLOX that the "students stepped up when I passed out driving the bus."

She kind of fell over, like flopped over, and everyone started standing up, McKenzy Finch, a sixth-grade, told the station.

Despite most of their driving experience likely being reserved to video games or four-wheelers, the students sprung into action and devised a genius way to stop the bus by working together.

open image in gallery Five middle school students, who helped stop a bus after their driver passed out during a medical emergency, stand outside a bus in Hancock County, Miss., on Thursday, April 23, 2026 ( AP )

With the vehicle still in motion, Jackson Casnave, who is also in sixth-grader, rushed to grab the bus's steering wheel.

I saw that the bus was veering off to the side. Then, I grabbed the wheel, he said. It was just adrenaline pumping.

Another classmate, Darius Clark, engaged the buses' air brake.

While those students worked to stop the bus, others attended to Taylor, with McKenzy and eighth-grader Destiny Cornelius administered aid to the driver.

Darius told the broadcaster that he had a harrowing experience with the air brakes.

So, she passed out again, and then, the bus started rolling forward. It started gaining speed, Darrius said. I didnt know it had air brakes, so when I clicked the brakes, it about threw me out the windshield.

Once the boys has the bus under control, they parked it near a median and waited for help.

open image in gallery A Hancock County School District bus in Hancock County, Mississippi ( AP )

Destiny said she noticed that Taylor had been reaching for her medicine before she passed out.

I saw her medication in her hand, and I saw her reaching for it. I knew thats what she needed, she told the broadcaster.

Taylor told reporters that she is feeling much better and is proud of the students on her bus.

Im very proud of them. I couldnt ask for any better students than my students on my bus. I love every single one of them, Taylor said. Im gonna think of how they saved my life.

The school recognized the students with a pep rally. Melissa Saucier, the school's principal, said the students did exactly what was necessary to avoid injury or death.

Im not surprised to hear that our kids remained calm and acted swiftly, Saucier said. This emergency situation could have definitely been detrimental. They handled it exactly how they should have, and were extremely proud of them.
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Something is up, Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna warned her social media followers on X.

Who killed the scientists? asked South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace.

The Republicans are a growing number of lawmakers sounding the alarm about the 12 U.S. scientists who have either died or disappeared since 2022and all of them appeared to have ties to nuclear or space programs and, in some cases, classified projects.

If you are feeling uneasy about the amount of scientists that have gone missing, died, and recent suicides ref those scientists and others you are correct in your intuition, Lunas post added.

Suspects have been identified in a couple of the cases, but the mystery surrounding the unknown has fueled conspiracy theories as sleuths have tried to make connections between them. Both Congress and the FBI have launched investigations as there is still little information released about possible connection of the cases.

Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee are now investigating 10 of the cases, writing to the FBI, Pentagon and Department of Energy this week to warn how these deaths and disappearances may represent a grave threat to U.S. national security and to U.S. personnel with access to scientific secrets.

open image in gallery Lawmakers are sounding the alarm about the 12 scientists who have either died or disappeared since 2022. UFO researcher David Wilcocks death this week sent conspiracy theories into overdrive ( Instagram )

We know there are many countries around the world that would love to have our knowledge and nuclear capabilities, House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer told Fox & Friends. And these are the people that were at the forefront of it, and theyre either dead or missing.

The rumor mill went into overdrive Thursday following the death of famed UFO researcher David Wilcock, who died by suicide on April 20, the Office of the Boulder County Coroner confirmed. Wilcocks death brings the total number of mysterious cases to 12.

Police have ruled out foul play in some of them, and NASA has said there is no indication of a security threat, while families have dismissed conspiracies about their loved ones. President Donald Trump said that hopefully it is all just a coincidence.

The Independent delves into the cases

3 missing or dead California NASA researchers and a Caltech astrophysicist shot on his doorstep

Frank Maiwald, Michael Hicks and Monica Reza worked for NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, while astrophysicist Carl Grillmair worked for Caltechs Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. All four were in the Pasadena area, just outside of Los Angeles; three of them are dead and one is missing.

Hicks, whose specialism was comets and asteroids, worked as a research scientist at the lab until 2022. He died July 30, 2023 and the 59-year-olds cause of death was never publicly disclosed.

His daughter Julia Hicks told CNN that her father had struggled with known medical issues and said she did not understand the connection between her dads death and the other missing scientists. She added that neither elected officials nor federal agencies had contacted her about her fathers death as of Tuesday.

The cause of death of Maiwald, a 61-year-old German-born researcher at the Pasadena-based lab, was also never disclosed. He died July 4, 2024.

open image in gallery Monica Reza was one of three scientists working for NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena who are missing. Reza was a celebrated material scientist and disappeared on June 22, 2025, after going for a hike in the Angeles National Forest ( The Aware Foundation )

Reza, 60, a celebrated material scientist, disappeared on June 22, 2025, after going for a hike in the Angeles National Forest. She was the director of the NASA labs Materials Processing Group, and during the 90s, co-invented a nickel-based superalloy used in rocket engines. In the letter to the FBI, the House Oversight committee cited a report that linked her work to another missing scientistretired Air Force General William McCaslandwho disappeared from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in February.

Reports have even alleged a direct link between Ms. Reza and General McCasland characterizing them as having a close professional connection through an Air Force-funded research program in the early 2000s pertaining to advanced materials needed for reusable space vehicles and weapons, GOP committee chairman Comer and Rep. Eric Burlison wrote in the letter to FBI Director Kash Patel.

On February 16, renowned astrophysicist and astronomer Grillmair, 67, was shot and killed on his doorstep in the small rural town of Llano. One of the scientists notable discoveries include discovering water on a distant planet.

Freddy Snyder, 29, was charged with Grillmairs murder, and was not believed to know his victim, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office said.

open image in gallery Astrophysicist Carl Grillmair worked for Caltechs Infrared Processing and Analysis Center and was fatally shot on his own doorstep in February. Grillmairs achievements include discovering water on a distant planet ( Caltech )

4 missing New Mexico scientists, including retired Air Force general who worked at Roswell site

Retired Air Force General William Neil McCasland went for a hike on February 27 and never came back.

McCasland is one of four scientists who disappeared from New Mexico in the past year.

The 68-year-old lived in the Albuquerque foothills and left home with a .38-caliber revolver in a leather holster, his hiking boots and a wallet, leaving his phone and glasses behind.

Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office ruled out foul play, but conspiracy theories have exploded around McCaslands case because he previously led the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County, Ohioa site which conspiracy theorists have long linked to the 1947 Roswell alien crash landing tale.

His wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, said that connection has caused misinformation to spread and denied that he had classified or specialist knowledge about extraterrestrials or UFO programs. Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt, she wrote in a Facebook post last month.

open image in gallery Retired Air Force general William Neil McCasland is at the center of the conspiracy theories due to his former role leading the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County, Ohioa site which conspiracy theorists have long linked to the 1947 Roswell incident ( U.S. Air Force )

New Mexico scientists Melissa Casias and Anthony Chavez, who both worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, are still missing. Los Alamos was the site of the U.S. governments top-secret Manhattan Project in World War II to make a nuclear weapon before the Nazis.

Casias disappeared June 26, 2025, from her hometown of Ranchos de Taos, approximately 65 miles from Santa Fe. The 53-year-old had dropped her husband off at the lab that morning, where he also works, before she returned home to work remotely after forgetting her employee badge, according to Taos News. When her daughter returned home that day, her mothers car was there but she had vanished. Her phone, purse and wallet were at home. New Mexico State Police said there was no suspected foul play.

Chavez, 79, has been missing since early May, 2025, with a friend calling his disappearance extremely unusual. Chavez retired from the lab in 2017, where he worked as a foreman supervising construction at the site, according to CNN. A detective told the network that there were no indications of foul play, but also no signs that he was planning to leave.

His car was locked and parked in his driveway. His wallet, car keys and personal items were in his home, so it appears that he left his home with the intention of not being gone for more than a few minutes, Carl Buckland, who described Chavez as his best friend, wrote in a Facebook post last year. His disappearance is extremely unusual.

Elsewhere, Steven Garcia, who worked as a government contractor at Kansas City National Security Campus in Albuquerque, has been missing since August 28. He left home with just a handgun, and without his keys or phone. His work involved the production of non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons, and the site makes an array of national security products for the Department of Energy. Police told local media that there are no new developments in the case.

open image in gallery Melissa Casias worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the site of the US governments top-secret Manhattan Project in World War II. She hasnt been seen since June 26, 2025 ( Town of Taos )

Murder of celebrated MIT nuclear scientist, genius researchers suicide and the death of a pharmaceutical biologist

Three leading scientists died in tragic and violent incidents in the past three years, though there is no evidence linking them to any of the other cases.

The death of a genius antigravity researcher Amy Eskridge in June 2022, was ruled a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound by a coroner. A friend of the 34-year-old scientist, Franc Milburn, told NewsNation that Eskridge, who lived in Huntsville, Alabama, believed she was being targeted for her work.

Milburn claimed that Eskridge told him in a text message: If you see any report that I killed myself, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I overdosed myself, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I killed anyone else, I most definitely did not.

Her father, Richard Eskridge, a former NASA employee, dismissed the conspiracy theories around his daughters death. Scientists die also, just like other people, he told NewsNation.

In December, Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist and MIT professor, was fatally shot at his apartment in Brookline, Massachusetts.

open image in gallery Claudio Manuel Neves Valente carried out the Brown University mass shooting two days before he fatally shot Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist and MIT professor. Valente later died by suicide and a motive for the professors killing was never established ( US Attorney Massachusetts )

His killer was later identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, who was also found responsible for the Brown University mass shooting, which took place two days before Loureiros murder. Valente and Loureiro attended the same university program in Portugal between 1995 and 2000. Valente was found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility on December 19.

His motive for killing Loureiro was never established.

The married father led MITs Plasma Science and Fusion Center. A police report released in February cited a colleague who told investigators that Loureiro had contacts at the Department of Energy. She wasn't aware if Loureiro had a Top Secret Clearance or if he was doing any work with the Department of Defense, the report said, according to CBS News.

In March, the body of Jason Thomas, a biologist for pharmaceutical company Novartis, was pulled from a lake in Massachusetts. Thomas had been missing for three months before he was found in Lake Quannapowitt by police, and his wife said he had been struggling to cope with the recent deaths of his parents.

Thomas was not mentioned by name in the lawmakers letter to the FBI, but they did cite a pharmaceutical researcher.

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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The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents Dinner appeared in court Monday, where he was charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

The dinner was thrown into chaos after the suspected lone gunman, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly rushed past security and fired at least one gunshot. The suspected shooter was targeting members of the Trump administration, he wrote in a message to family members before the attack, according to court documents.

President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and other members of the administration were taken from the Washington Hiltons ballroom as guests scrambled for cover during the shocking incident. The suspect rushed security guards and opened fire, hitting a Secret Service agent. He was quickly subdued by officers and taken into custody.

No guests at the dinner were hurt. The event was subsequently canceled.

Allen, a 31-year-old computer engineer from California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president, as well as two weapons charges.

open image in gallery This courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, left, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents' dinner in Washington, seen appearing before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, in federal court, Monday, April 27, 2026 in Washington ( AP )

Heres what we know so far:

Who is the suspected gunman?

Allen, 31, hails from Torrance, California, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

A 2017 graduate of the highly selective California Institute of Technology, he was working as a teacher at the time of his arrest while also developing computer games. In 2019, he registered the domain name Bohrdom for a game he created and released on Steam. It is described as a skill-based, non-violent asymmetrical fighting game loosely derived from a chemistry model that is itself loosely based on reality.

In 2025, he attained a master's degree in computer science from California State University at Dominguez Hills.

While a student at Caltech, Allen was a member of the schools Christian fellowship and the Nerf club. He was featured in a 2017 photo that was posted by the school on Facebook following his graduation. In that photo, hes holding a picture of himself as a child with a stuffed rabbit.

open image in gallery The suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents Dinner was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. A full motive has not been determined in the incident ( Donald Trump/ Truth Social )

In December 2024, a Facebook post from private tutoring service C2 Education named Allen as Teacher of the Month.

On his LinkedIn page, Allen described himself as a mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth. He lists his Causes on that profile as Science and Technology.

Allen previously worked as a mechanical engineer for UK Controls in South Pasadena and as a teaching assistant at Caltech. In 2016, he competed in a robotics competition at the school.

open image in gallery Shortly after the event started, shots rang out and President Donald Trump was rushed from the stage. First lady Melania Trump and multiple Cabinet members were present for the event ( Reuters )

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the assailant had been apprehended and posted a photo of the suspect on the ground at the hotel. Police said Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.

They seem to think hes a lone wolf, and I feel that too, Trump said at a press briefing after the event.

Allen was injured but was not shot. A Secret Service officer was shot but was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and survived, officials said.

Questions remain about how many shots Allen fired and how many officers discharged their weapons.

Allen sent an anti-Trump, anti-Christian manifesto to his family before opening fire, officials say

Allen is accused of sending a manifesto filled with anti-Trump and anti-Christian sentiments to family members before the shooting, officials told CBS News.

In his first interview since the shooting, President Trump called the manifesto anti-Christian when speaking to Fox News.

Sections from the suspect's writings were later published by the New York Post, detailing that Allen referred to himself with the monikers, the Friendly Federal Assassin and Cole coldForce.

Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. Im not the person raped in a detention camp. Im not the fisherman executed without trial, Allen allegedly wrote.

Im not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressors crimes.

Authorities were alerted to the manifesto by the suspects brother, who lives in New London, Connecticut, according to the Post.

open image in gallery U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro points at pictures showing the weapons allegedly carried by Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the shooting incident in Washington at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner ( REUTERS )

The suspect, in an email to family prior to the attack, said he was targeting a range of officials in the administration that did not include the under-fire FBI Director Kash Patel, per court documents. The email allegedly listed Allens alleged targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest.

Allen also laid out how he planned to stage his attack in the message, the government alleges.

In order to minimize casualties, I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls), hes accused of writing in the email. I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesnt come to that.

This one hits a little differently. We were all there, Patel said Monday of the attack, adding that interviews in the investigation are ongoing, and FBI teams have collected shell casings on scene.

Allen donated to Kamala Harris presidential campaign in October 2024

Allen donated $25 to then-Vice President Kamala Harris in October 2024, a month before the presidential election, reports The Los Angeles Times.

According to FEC filings, it was his only political donation in the past 10 years. Allen was a registered voter but not a member of a political party.

Allen lived in a community surrounded by lots of retired LAPD

open image in gallery FBI tactical agents walk as they prepare to leave the investigation scene near a residence believed to be linked to Cole Allen ( AFP/Getty )

A neighbor of Allens told The LA Times,We see them every day and we just say hi and theyre very nice. Theyre peaceful people, they dont make any noise and when they see you they say hi.

Another neighbor said the residents had only moved into the home six months previously.

While another neighbor told The New York Times that the community is home to lots of retired LAPD... We were told it was super-super safe.

Local media reported a large law enforcement response at a home in Torrance believed to be associated with Allen. At one point, residents of the home could be seen talking with officers.

Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, confirmed that a search warrant was executed at the suspects home. Federal agents entered the home around 10:30 pm local time.

The suspect has been described as very intelligent on the nicer, quieter side

open image in gallery FBI tactical agents talk to Torrance police officers at the investigation scene ( AFP/Getty )

The president of the Asian American Civic Trust, Dylan Wakayama, described Allen as very intelligent, proficient in biology, mathematics and science, when speaking to The Los Angeles Times.

Allen tutored high school students who were members of the AACT.

They were completely shocked when I told them that this all went down, Wakayama added. I think all of us in Torrance would be shocked if this is the man who attempted to kill the president of the United States.

How did he get a gun into the hotel?

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C, said on Monday that Allen was carrying a range of weapons, including a 12-gauge pump-action Mossberg shotgun, a .38 semi-automatic pistol as well as at least three knives and all kinds of paraphernalia.

Any suggestion that he wasn't there to do harm is absurd, Pirro said, adding that the firearms were purchased in California, alleging that Allen had committed a crime by crossing interstate lines with them.

How the suspect got the gun near the facility remains unclear.

We have secured a room here in the hotel, and again, we'll go through the appropriate procedures to determine what was inside there," D.C. Metro Police Chief Jeffery W. Carroll said shortly following the incident.

open image in gallery President Trump posted security video allegedly showing the shooting suspect running past a security checkpoint ( via REUTERS )

Pirro confirmed Monday that Allen had been staying at the Washington Hilton hotel, having made the reservation there shortly after Trump had announced his attendance at the public event on March 2. Allen had made the reservation on April 6 for three nights  from April 24 to 26.

He had traveled by train from the West Coast to Chicago on April 21, arriving there on April 23. He had arrived in the U.S. capital on April 24 and checked into the hotel at 3 p.m., after which he stayed overnight.

He is very much aware that the president and the first lady entered the ballroom at 8 p.m. and it was at 8:40 p.m. that he made a decision to rush the ballroom, Pirro said.

The president posted surveillance footage of the suspect allegedly running past the hotels security checkpoint. Trump said he did so for transparency and to highlight the speed with which agents reacted to the threat.

In his manifesto, the suspect allegedly mocked the hotels security, saying it was all focused on the perimeter of the hotel.

Like, this level of incompetence is insane, and I very sincerely hope its corrected by the time this country gets actually competent leadership again, he wrote in part.

open image in gallery The suspect was apprehended by police before he made it to the ballroom where Trump and other officials were present ( AP )

Police said Allen has no criminal record and was not on law enforcement's radar in Washington, D.C.

A Secret Service agent was shot during the incident after the suspect sprinted through the checkpoint. He was apprehended off camera, but police say he was not shot. He was stopped before he got to the ballroom, where Trump and other cabinet members were in attendance.

Allen and the Secret Service agent who was injured were both taken to a local hospital. The agent is said to be in good spirits following the incident.

What is Allen being charged with?

open image in gallery Trump speaks from the White House after leaving the scene of the shooting ( Getty )

Allen is facing three charges: attempted presidential assassination, and two charges over allegedly transporting then firing a weapon.

Allen was arraigned on Monday in federal court at 1 p.m. local time. He did not enter a plea.

More charges are expected as the investigation continues, U.S. Attorney Pirro said Monday evening.

Allen is being held in a police jail cell around half a mile from the Hilton and will remain in federal detention until at least Thursday, when he has his next court appearance  a hearing which is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The California man could face up to life in prison if found guilty on the assassination-related charge.
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Donald Trump lashed out at a reporter for quoting the manifesto of the suspected gunman who opened fire on the White House press dinner Saturday.

The president called CBS News journalist Norah ODonnell disgraceful for reading out segments of the text during a 60 Minutes interview Sunday.

The document, allegedly sent to family members of 31-year-old suspect Cole Tomas Allen before the attack, read that Im no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.

Presented with the manifesto as evidence of a possible motive, Trump quickly hit back at ODonnell, saying: I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because youre horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. Im not a rapist. I didnt rape anybody.

open image in gallery Donald Trump spoke to Norah O'Donnell on Sunday after the shooting ( CBS 60 Minutes )

Pressed by ODonnell on whether the president thought the manifesto was referring to him, Trump hit back: Im not a pedophile.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Im not a pedophile. You read that c*** from some sick person? I got associated with stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.

I read the manifesto. You know, hes a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that because Im not any of those things.

You shouldnt be reading that on 60 Minutes. Youre a disgrace. But go ahead. Lets finish the interview, he said, adding: Youre disgraceful.

The president has faced ongoing scrutiny over the release of the Epstein files, which uncovered FBI interviews with a woman who alleged Trump assaulted her as a teenager.

But Trump has vehemently denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime in connection with the late pedophile financier.

open image in gallery Trump, pictured at the dinner on 25 April, said he was likely the target of the attack ( AFP/Getty )

The president and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the event after an attacker fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent nearby, creating scenes of panic. One law enforcement officer was injured in the attack. Allen, of Torrance, CA, was arrested at the scene and is set to be arraigned Monday.

Trump has said he believes he was likely the target of Saturdays attack at the Washington Hilton, where the annual Correspondents Association dinner was being held.

The president said the suspect had published what he called an anti-Christian manifesto before the attack. In the manifesto, the author calls himself the Friendly Federal Assassin and said he planned to attack Trump administration officials, prioritizing them from highest-ranking to lowest, but excluding FBI Director Kash Patel, a law enforcement official told Reuters.

He also cited Christian theology as he said he was trying to protect those harmed by the administration's policies.

open image in gallery Law enforcement personnel detain suspect Cole Tomas Allen ( Reuters )

The manifesto also mocked the insane lack of security at the Washington Hilton.

Like, the one thing that I immediately noticed walking into the hotel is the sense of arrogance, the manifesto's author reportedly wrote. I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat.

The chaotic events raised fresh questions about the security of top U.S. officials, many of whom were gathered in the hotel's expansive ballroom.

Trump seized on the attention brought by the incident to promote his planned White House ballroom as a safer venue for such events.
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Donald Trump has branded those who believe the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner was staged as sick.

The incident unfolded on Saturday night, as the president attended the event for the first time since 2011. Baseless speculation about whether the shooting, which follows two assassination attempts against Trump in 2024, was staged blew up on social media shortly after. 

The term staged was featured in more than 300,000 posts on X by midday Sunday, according to TweetBinder.

When asked on CBS News60 Minutes about conspiracy theories swirling around the event, Trump initially said he had not heard about the online speculation.

open image in gallery President Trump told CBS News 60 Minutes that those who believe Saturdays shooting was staged are sick ( CBS 60 Minutes )

I think theyre more sick than they are con people, Trump said, referring to the conspiracy theorists. But theres a lot of con in there too.

I havent heard that last night didnt happen. Usually takes a little bit longer. Usually, they wait about two or three months to start saying that.

Trump went on to describe suggestions Saturdays shooting was staged as a tough sell.

During the interview, 60 Minutes correspondent Norah ODonnell also asked about conspiracy theories surrounding the attempt on Trumps life during a rally in Pennsylvania in 2024. 

Trump responded by reeling off conspiracy theories about other major world events, including the false claims that the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 didnt happen.

open image in gallery Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been arrested in connection with the shooting at the Washington Hilton on Saturday ( Reuters )

The president added that some people believe World War II didnt happen and the Holocaust didnt happen, and many things didnt happen. 

Explaining his view on why conspiracy theories take root on social media, Professor Cliff Lampe at the University of Michigan told The New York Times that people are not looking for good information.

People are reshaping reality based on what they want to be true or not, he said. Theyre not looking for good information, theyre looking for confirmatory information, and will often go very deep down a rabbit hole of side-by-side pictures, microshots of the presidents face, et cetera.

The president, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the Cabinet were rushed out of the Washington Hilton ballroom as security agents raced to apprehend the shooter near a security checkpoint. 

Cole Tomas Allen has been arrested in connection with the incident at the Washington Hilton. Police said that the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. 

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said Allens arraignment has been set for 1 p.m. Monday. Allen has been charged with using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, Pirro added. 
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President Trump has accused the Democrats of very dangerous hate speech following the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.

The incident Saturday is the latest in a growing number of political attacks in recent years, including an attempt on Trumps life in Pennsylvania in July 2024 and another in Florida that same year.

On Sunday nights episode of CBS News 60 Minutes, Trump was asked what a president can do to change the trajectory of political violence in the United States. 

open image in gallery President Trump said that the hate speech of the Democrats is very dangerous during a 60 Minutes interview ( 60 Minutes Overtime, CBS )

Well, you know, you go back 20 years, 40 years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, its always been there, Trump mused. People are assassinated. People are injured. 

People are hurt. And I'm not sure that it's any more now than there was, he continued. I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats much more so is very dangerous. 

I really think it's very dangerous for the country, Trump added.

The incident unfolded on Saturday near the main security screening area at the Washington Hilton, with Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the Cabinet being raced out of the venues ballroom by the Secret Service.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC News Meet the Press that senior administration officials and the president were likely the targets of the attack.

open image in gallery Cole Tomas Allen has been arrested in connection with the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner ( Reuters )

During the 60 Minutes interview, CBS correspondent Norah ODonnell pointed out that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his sister, Kerry Kennedy, were in attendance at the dinner.

Their father, Robert F. Kennedy, and their uncle, former president John F. Kennedy, were both victims of assassinations. 

ODonnell added that Erika Kirk, the widow of the assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, was present at the event. 

In the wake of Kirks killing last year, experts warned that political violence in the U.S. is at its worst since the late 1960s.

Other recent incidents include the shooting of Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot at their home in Brooklyn Park in 2025. Earlier that day, the shooter had attacked state Senator John Hoffman and his wife at their property in Champlin.

open image in gallery The president and First Lady Melania Trump were evacuated from the ballroom during the incident at the Washington Hilton ( Reuters )

After the correspondents dinner shooting at the weekend, prominent Democrats flocked to X to express their relief that the president and those inside the Washington Hilton were safe.

Political violence is absolutely unacceptable, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote. I am glad the President and guests at the White House Correspondents Dinner are safe.

Relieved everyone at the White House Correspondents Dinner is safe tonight based on initial reports, California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote.

Suspect Cole Tomas Allen has been arrested in connection with Saturdays incident and is due to appear in court Monday.

Allen faces two charges, including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a deadly weapon. 
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FBI Director Kash Patel was grilled on Fox News over whether authorities knew anything about the suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Fox & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones was at Saturdays dinner and said it was a security nightmare in a post on X after the event.

Patel, who wasnt escorted from the hotel ballroom for approximately 90 minutes after President Donald Trump and his cabinet were hurried out by security, was pressed by Jones Monday on Fox & Friends about whether the alleged gunman was on the Feds radar.

The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, is due to be arraigned in federal court Monday.

Was he on the Feds radar before? Jones asked Patel. Did you see the posting he was making? That he was trying to come to the hotel? And it is true that there was an alert put out with a description of him, but he wasnt detected in the hotel?

open image in gallery FBI Director Kash Patel was grilled on Fox News over whether authorities knew anything about the suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents Dinner, where Fox & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones was also a guest ( Fox News )

Allen is accused of sending a manifesto filled with anti-Trump and anti-Christian sentiments to family members before the shooting took place, officials told CBS News.

Those are all things that the bureau and our investigation are looking at, Patel said, before pivoting to talking about how the Behavioral Analysis Unit team operates.

The FBI chief added that so far, his team has collected e-mails, social media postings, witness interviews, interviews with family and friends and neighbors to present in court.

So is any of that true, what he mentioned? co-host Brian Kilmeade interjected, referring to Joness previous question.

Because Kash, you are talking about the behavior analysis element of it, Im not talking about that. Im saying was there a profile put out? Was he known? Jones followed up. Was there chatter about him before, not during the act, before it?

Patel said those questions would be answered in the criminal complaint and explained that he couldnt get ahead of the Department of Justice.

Jones also laid into Patel over the repeated assassination attempts on Trump, with Saturdays incident being the third in less than two years.

The president of the United States is averaging an assassination attempt once a year... So whos going to do the investigating of the procedures? Jones asked. Secret Service cant investigate themselves because there are still people in leadership at the Secret Service that were responsible for Butler. How does that happen? It was a failure.

open image in gallery Jones also laid into Patel over the repeated assassination attempts on Trump, with Saturdays incident being the third in less than two years ( AP )

Patel agreed that the Butler, Pennsylvania, shooting of Trump was a total failure and said he had full confidence in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, whose department oversees the Secret Service.

In his first interview since the shooting, Trump called Allens alleged manifesto anti-Christian when speaking to Fox News.

Sections from the suspects writings were later published by the New York Post, detailing that Allen referred to himself with the monikers, the Friendly Federal Assassin and Cole coldForce.

Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. Im not the person raped in a detention camp. Im not the fisherman executed without trial, Allen allegedly wrote.

Im not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressors crimes.

The suspect allegedly said that he was targeting a range of top officials in the Trump administration.

Authorities were alerted to the manifesto by the suspects brother who lives in New London, Connecticut, according to the Post.
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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday over whether law enforcement's use of a "geofence" warrant to nab data from cellphones near the scene of a Virginia armed robbery violated the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment bar on unreasonable searches.

The justices heard an appeal by defendant Okello Chatrie, who conditionally pleaded guilty in 2022 to robbing a Midlothian, Virginia credit union while reserving his right to make his case for suppressing evidence gleaned from what he argues was an illegal search.

President Donald Trump's administration is defending the investigative method that helped secure Chatrie's sentence of nearly 12 years in prison for brandishing a gun and making off with $195,000.

Court-approved geofence warrants compel third-party companies - such as Alphabet's Google in Chatrie's case - to search customer location data for mobile devices that were near a crime scene.

Investigators are typically handed an anonymized list to start with, before it is narrowed down in a multi-step process culminating with the company providing account holder information to police for potential leads on suspects.

open image in gallery The Call Federal Credit Union that was robbed by Okello Chatrie in 2019 in Midlothian ( AP )

The case argued Monday highlights tensions between an 18th century constitutional provision that safeguards the "right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures" and digital-age technology that is transforming how crime is investigated.

Authorities in Chatrie's case had exhausted all other leads when they sought a court-approved geofence warrant based on footage of the robber using a cellphone at the credit union. Google location data placed Chatrie at the crime scene in addition to 18 other users who, like Chatrie, had opted in to the company's "location history" feature and were within a 150-meter (492-foot) radius of the credit union within a one-hour window of the May 2019 robbery.

Further investigation of residences linked to Chatrie led authorities to discover what the government described as two "robbery-style demand notes" in his bedroom, a pistol and nearly $100,000 that included bills wrapped in bands signed by the credit union teller who was targeted in the robbery.

Lawyers for Chatrie contend in court papers that geofencing amounts to a dragnet search that exposes mass amounts of private information to the government and lacks the specificity required by the Fourth Amendment.

Justice Department lawyers countered that Chatrie's opting in to Google's location history stripped him of any expectation that his data would remain private. Moreover, they argued, police had "probable cause" to believe that Google had information that could help identify the robber, accomplices and witnesses.

Google, which is not a party to the case, filed a brief arguing for the "robust application of the Fourth Amendment to the modern digital context." The company said it has objected to more than 3,000 geofence warrants on constitutional grounds and that it can no longer respond to such warrants after moving location history retention to users' devices.

Previously, about one in three active Google users had the location history feature enabled, a population one judge estimated to be around 500 million people, according to court papers.

Virginia-based U.S. District Judge Mary Lauck found that the geofence warrant used in Chatrie's case violated the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches. However, the judge denied his evidence suppression request, finding that investigators had acted with a good faith belief that their actions were lawful.

The full bench of the Richmond-based Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Lauck's decision, prompting Chatrie's appeal to the justices.

The Supreme Court in 2018 imposed limits on the ability of police to obtain cellphone data pinpointing the past location of criminal suspects in a victory for digital privacy advocates and a setback for law enforcement authorities. In a 5-4 ruling, the court said police generally need a court-approved warrant to get the data, setting a higher legal hurdle than previously existed under federal law.

In Chatrie's case, the justices agreed to decide whether geofence warrants are unconstitutional but declined to hear his evidence-exclusion claim. If Chatrie wins the constitutional argument, his case would likely be returned to the district court for further proceedings.

A Supreme Court ruling in the case is expected by around the end of June.
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President Donald Trump admitted he isnt sure why some of his top advisors are living on military bases, saying, Im not sure that ah, they need to.

During an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, one day after a suspected gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, Trump was asked if he felt there was any connection between the growing political violence in the U.S. and the fact that many of his staff live in secure military bases.

A handful of Trumps top advisors and Cabinet members live in Washington, D.C.-area military housing, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Recently fired Attorney General Pam Bondi was reportedly moved into a military base in March after she received threats over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is also still living in the waterfront military home she was moved to after receiving threats, despite being fired by Trump.

Well, they choose to, Trump told correspondent Norah ODonnell. Im not sure thatah, they need to. They have nice places, you know?

open image in gallery President Donald Trump admitted he isnt sure why some of his top officials live in military housing during an interview this weekend with 60 Minutes ( 60 Minutes )

Trump continued: Democrats did the same thing. Some of the housing on military bases is very nice. Im not sure they do it necessarily for violence, but probablyits not the worst thing in the world.

Look, they're they're doing we are consequential. This is a consequential presidency. I have a great Cabinet, and they do things that are very good, but some people you know, they're good for us. They're not good for other people, the president added.

Trump, 79, diverted the conversation to Iran, saying they were crazy as theyre not gonna have a nuclear weapon.

They're not gonna blow up the world. And therefore they're not happy. And when they're not happy, people do things that are violent, he said.

Trump continued: Now, I'm not tracing anything back to them, but certainly if they had a shot, they'd probably take it. So when you're a consequential president or if you have a consequential administration, things happen that wouldn't happen if you're Sleepy Joe Biden.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

open image in gallery Several top Trump administration officials, including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, live in military housing ( Reuters )

At least a handful of Trumps top advisors currently or once lived in military housing due to security threats.

Noem, who was fired in March following a string of high-profile controversies at DHS, was recently seen coming and going from the waterfront home typically saved for Coast Guard officials.

The embattled former cabinet member moved onto the military base after protesters and paparazzi discovered the address of her private residences while she oversaw the Trump administrations aggressive anti-immigration crackdown.

It was not immediately clear why Noem was still living at the military base. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday currently lives in the home next door to Noems and plans to move into the house she is occupying imminently, Lunday told associates, the Wall Street Journal reports.

It was not clear whether Bondi, who was moved into a heavily guarded military base in March, remained in the home after her firing.

Meanwhile, Rubio and Miller moved into Generals Row in Fort McNair sometime last fall, joining Hegseth, who had already been living on the secure military base.

White House and administration officials have previously cited security concerns as reasons for the arrangements.
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Social media posts featuring the word staged experienced a huge spike over the weekend as conspiracy theories about the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner swirled.

More than 300,000 posts contained the term staged, according to data compiled by analytics platform TweetBinder. It follows other baseless rumors about the two other assassination attempts on President Donald Trumps life.

Trump, the first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the Cabinet were bundled out of the Washington Hilton ballroom Saturday night as security agents raced to apprehend the alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, who was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives, near a security checkpoint. 

It didnt take long for conspiracy theories to surge. Unfounded theories ranged from the timing of the shooting being a distraction from the war in Iran to giving Trump another justification for his $400 million ballroom.

Some of the 300,000 posts shared by people across the political spectrum included those that dismissed the idea that the shooting had been staged.

open image in gallery Social media posts featuring the word staged experienced a huge spike over the weekend as conspiracy theories about the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner swirled ( AP )

One post by an X user who speculated, Is this another staged event? had been viewed more than 8.9 million times.

I don't understand how building a new ballroom will stop Trump from staging assassination attempts, another said.

Trump addressed the swathe of speculation online in his interview on CBS News60 Minutes. I think theyre more sick than they are con people, Trump said, referring to the conspiracy theorists. But theres a lot of con in there too.

The president said the idea that Saturday's shooting was staged was a tough sell.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Former Trump loyalist-turned critic, Marjorie Taylor Greene, was among those questioning Saturdays events and the speed at which the Trump administration released the suspected shooters manifesto.

open image in gallery Trump, the first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and members of the Cabinet were bundled out of the Washington Hilton ballroom Saturday night as security agents raced to apprehend the alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen (pictured) ( Reuters )

Why does every shooter have a manifesto? Most shooters manifestos remain classified so they dont inspire more would be shooters. Why did they release Cole Allens manifesto almost immediately? the former Georgia congresswoman asked her 1.7 million followers.

She received a wave of backlash over the post as many pointed out that she called for the Nashville mass school shooters manifesto to be released in 2023.

Im 1,000 percent for releasing the manifesto. Im for releasing all shooters information including what SSRIs they are on, if any, all meds or drugs, Greene clarified. But I want to know why the Trump admin released Cole Allens manifesto immediately but they still keep a tight lid on Thomas Crooks.

Crooks, who tried to assassinate Trump at a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was not believed to leave behind a manifesto, and officials never revealed his motive. The FBI concluded that Crooks acted alone.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones asked his 5.4 million followers, Was The Trump Whitehouse Corespondents [sic] Dinner Shooting Staged?? in a 57-minute reel. He posted again: I do not think the shooting last night at the Whitehouse [sic] Correspondents Dinner was staged.
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The Trump administration has purged more than 100 immigration judges and hired more than 140 in their place, but many have no relevant legal experience in the field, according to a report.

In a bid to carry out the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history, as set out by President Donald Trump when he returned to office, the Justice Department replaced many immigration judges hired under the Biden administration with a more malleable workforce, a former appointee told The Washington Post.

There are approximately 700 immigration judges handling over three million cases across the countryand they work for Trumps Justice Department, and are not part of the judicial branch. They are responsible for deciding whether undocumented migrants should be granted asylum and be allowed to remain in the country, or whether they should be deported.

Many immigration judges quit or retired when Trump returned to the White House, in addition to the more than 100 the Justice Department fired, according to the Post.

The new hires include an attorney who has represented three Jan. 6 rioters and a Minnesota-based attorney who asked what could be done to support the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers amid the crackdown in Minneapolis, where two American citizens were killed by federal agents.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has purged more than 100 immigration judges and hired more than 140 in their place, but many have no relevant legal experience in the field, according to a report ( AFP/Getty )

Kerry Doyle told the outlet that she was hired under Biden to serve as an immigration judge but was then fired last year before she heard any cases. Theyre trying to create a malleable workforce that will do what they want without question, Doyle, a former ICE official, told the outlet. Thats what I think the goal is.

Two-thirds of the new hires, who are paid between $159,951 to $207,500 per year, have no relevant legal immigration experience listed in their biographies, according to the Posts analysis of announcements by the Justice Department. Only 24 percent of them had worked for ICE, the immigration courts or for the Department of Homeland Security.

The National Association of Immigration Judges told the outlet that the usual training for new appointees has been cut from five weeks to three.

The Independent has contacted the Justice Department for comment.

Under the second Trump administration, the immigration courts have been overhauled, largely overseen by deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller.

The Justice Departments Board of Immigration Appeals has reportedly ushered in new orders for judges to dismiss cases on the request of the federal government so that defendants can be arrested. Judges have also been advised to grant asylum more sparingly, according to the newspaper.

open image in gallery There are approximately 700 immigration judges handling over three million cases across the countryand they work for Trumps Justice Department, and are not part of the judicial branch ( AFP/Getty )

Eyebrows have been raised at some of the appointments, which the Justice Department has been recruiting for in social media posts.

Melissa Isaak, an Army veteran, was named a temporary immigration judge in Atlanta this month. Isaak defended three Jan. 6 rioters accused of storming the Capitol after Trump lost the 2020 election, but she later withdrew from two of the cases, according to the Post. Isaak also falsely claimed that statistics show more men are victims of domestic abuse than women.

Another recruit appointed this month was Minnesota-based lawyer Nathan M. Hansen, who reportedly shared social media posts about the Haitian invasion of Ohio, as peddled by Trump and Vice President JD Vance during the 2024 presidential campaign. Hansen has promoted other conspiracy theories, including Pizzagate, which baselessly alleged Democrats were running a child sex trafficking ring out of a Washington, D.C., pizzeria, according to the newspaper.

In a recent news release, the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review agency touted the new appointees.

EOIR remains committed to reducing the immigration court backlog and unwinding the policies of the Biden Administration that included a de facto open border and amnesty, said the agencys director, Daren K. Margolin. These new highly qualified immigration judges have sworn to decide the cases before them based on the law  that is, the laws passed by the United States Congress.
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A potentially historic third impeachment of Donald Trump will not be a top priority should the Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said.

Ive made clear from the very beginning that our top priority is going to be to drive down the high cost of living, Jeffries told Fox News during an interview Sunday.

We believe in this country, you work hard, you play by the rules. You should be able to live an affordable life, a comfortable life, in fact, to live a good life, and that means a good paying job and good housing, good health care, good education for your children, and when its all said and done, a good retirement.

His remarks come despite reports that some Democratic lawmakers are already putting together plans to start the impeachment process in November, should they win. Trump himself has also warned Republicans in January that Democrats would make further pushes for his impeachment, should they gain control over the House.

open image in gallery The House Minority Leaders remarks come despite reports that some Democratic lawmakers are already putting together plans to start the impeachment process in November, should they win ( AP )

The president has already faced two separate impeachment attempts, both of which occurred following controversies in his first term.

The first, in December 2019, saw him impeached in the House with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after allegedly asking Ukrainian officials to investigate Joe Biden, his likely opponent for the 2020 election.

On February 5, 2020, the Senate voted to acquit Trump of the charges, with a majority of Senators voting in favor of acquittal.

The second came in response to the January 6 riots at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., which resulted in Trump being charged with "incitement of insurrection.

The Senate trial for the second impeachment attempt took place after he had left office and on February 13, 2021, the Senate voted to acquit Trump on the article of impeachment.

Democrats have already filed articles of impeachment against the president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his threats to Iran.

Trump has been accused of a serial usurpation of the congressional war power and commission of murder, war crimes and piracy with attacks in Iran, Venezuela and in international waters against alleged drug-running boats and elsewhere.

open image in gallery The president has already faced and survived two separate impeachment attempts, both of which occurred following events in his first term ( AFP/Getty )

However, Democratic lawmakers agree with Jeffries and have warned that focusing on removing Trump, or impeaching him, would, at best, muddy their election-year message of making America more affordable.

At worst, such a drive has the potential to completely turn off voters who witnessed the last two failed attempts and are more concerned with more pressing issues, including the economy.

Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro, from Connecticut, agreed that "there is something unbelievably wrong" with Trump, but said that focus needed to be elsewhere during the run-up to the midterms.

"Let's get to what the needs of the country are. The economy, healthcare, grocery prices, that's where I concentrate," DeLauro, who is seeking a 19th term in Congress, told Reuters.
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Top Republicans have invoked a centuries-old moral doctrine to defend the ongoing war against Iran.

Last week, Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson  first and second in the presidential line of succession  explicitly cited just war theory while speaking about the Middle East conflict.

They wielded the theory as a cudgel to castigate Pope Leo, whose staunch opposition to the weekslong war has ignited a high-profile clash between the Vatican and the White House.

But, the Republican leaders application of the doctrine  which dates back over a thousand years  is fundamentally flawed, according to experts in theology, philosophy and military strategy.

You can apply the Just War principles to this conflict  and the current U.S. operation fails against every single criteria, David Whetham, a professor of ethics and the military profession at Kings College London, told The Independent.

open image in gallery Both JD Vance and Mike Johnson have invoked just war theory  a centuries-old moral doctrine  to legitimize the Iran war. But experts say it 'fails against every single criteria' ( Getty Images )

Americans who liberated Holocaust camps

During a Turning Point USA event in Georgia last Tuesday, Vance took issue with the popes sweeping denunciation of armed conflict.

On April 10, Leo, the first U.S.-born pontiff, wrote on X: 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.

Vance, a former atheist who converted to Catholicism in 2019, questioned how the Bishop of Rome could take such a stance and urged him to be careful when opining on theological matters.

There is more than a thousand-year tradition of just war theory, the vice president said. Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated Holocaust camps?

The next day, Johnson became the second GOP leader to cite the longstanding doctrine.

I was taken a little bit aback just honestly, frankly, by something that was said. I think [the pope] said several days back that something about those who engage in war  you know that Jesus doesnt hear their prayers or something, Johnson, a Southern Baptist, told reporters.

It is a very well settled matter of Christian theology, he added. Theres something called the just war doctrine. Theres a time to every purpose under heaven.

open image in gallery Saint Augustine, also known as Augustine of Hippo, who lived during the 4th Century AD, became one of the first advocates of just war theory ( Getty Images )

What is just war theory?

Just war theory is a framework of military ethics rooted in ancient civilizations  such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome  that has been refined over millennia by religious figures and scholars.

Though not enshrined in law, it is routinely invoked by Christian leaders and has deeply shaped wartime regulations, from the Geneva Conventions to U.S. military handbooks.

It is not easy to state what the theory states exactly, since it has evolved, Lisa Sowle Cahill, a theology professor at Boston College, told The Independent. Its two most influential expressions in the Christian tradition are Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.

Certain foundational tenets, though, are widely accepted, such as jus ad bellum, which outlines conditions for initiating war. These include: a just cause, adherence to the last resort principle, a high probability of success and authorization by a competent authority.

Once conflict begins, jus in bello  or just conduct in war  governs combatants' actions, emphasizing distinction between fighters and civilians, proportionality and military necessity.

Does the Iran war pass the test?

Of the four experts who spoke with The Independent, all said that the Iran war fails to meet the criteria laid out by just war theory. The most cut-and-dry violation, they argued, was the absence of a well-defined just reason for initiating the conflict.

No clear set of causes has been enunciated by the U.S. president and none of the array stated at different times justify the U.S./Israeli unprovoked attack, Walter Dorn, a professor of Defense Studies at the Royal Military College of Canada, told The Independent.

Since the war began in late February, senior Trump officials have invoked a range of justifications, including that Iran posed an imminent threat to the U.S., a desire to enact regime change and a willingness to follow Israels lead.

open image in gallery The Iran war, which erupted in late February, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people in the Middle East, including 13 US service members ( AFP via Getty Images )

Maybe the main argument, at this point, is about preventing nuclear weapons. On my reading of the just war tradition, however, preventive wars are not justifiable, Andrew Fiala, a philosophy professor at Fresno State University, told The Independent.

And claiming that Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon requires a lot of evidence before it could be regarded as credible, Whetham said.

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, told Congress last month that Irans nuclear enrichment program was obliterated following U.S. strikes last year, appearing to contradict Trumps earlier claim that Tehran was two weeks away from manufacturing a nuclear bomb. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said on March 3 that the watchdog group had "no evidence of Iran building a nuclear bomb.

Other experts contended the war breached the last resort principle  citing previous indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations  and the competent authority requirement, as Congress had not authorized it.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly responded: President Trump initiated Operation Epic Fury to eliminate short- and long-term threats posed by the Iranian regime. Those efforts were overwhelmingly successful  Irans ballistic missiles are destroyed, their production facilities are demolished, their navy is sunk, and their proxies are weakened. There is nothing more just than protecting the safety and security of the American people and our troops abroad.

The Independent has contacted Johnsons office for comment.

open image in gallery In recent weeks, thousands of Marines and sailors have been deployed to the Middle East aboard Navy ships, some of which are enforcing a US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz ( US Centcom )

Beyond the war's origins, U.S. operations in Iran also violate just war theory's core principles of wartime conduct. Experts specifically cited breaches of proportionality and the distinction between combatants and civilians.

Massive bombing has killed a disproportionate number of civilians and destroyed civilian infrastructure, Cahill said.

HRANA, a U.S.-based human rights organization, reported in March that the Iran war has claimed 3,636 lives since it began, including 1,701 civilians. The same month, a preliminary investigation by the Pentagon showed the U.S. was at fault for a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary school, according to The New York Times.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on March 10 that the U.S. has taken extensive measures to avoid civilian casualties.

Dorn also highlighted Trumps April 8 Truth Social post, in which he wrote: A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again  along with his prior threats to destroy Iranian bridges and power plants if leaders rejected his demands.

Trump's threat to end civilization is one of the most blatant violations of proportionality in the history of modern warfare, Dorn said.

The Republican president defended his apocalyptic rhetoric by claiming it brought Iran to the negotiating table. Currently, a ceasefire is in place while peace talks continue.

What about past conflicts?

Putting Iran aside, numerous recent conflicts have repeatedly failed to satisfy the principles of just war theory, experts said.

Contemporary wars rarely live up to the standards, Fiala said. He did, however, cite the First Gulf War as potentially qualifying, given Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the coalition's success in expelling Iraqs forces.

World War 2 is a well-known case. But it was also mixed, he said. No doubt the Germans and Japanese were aggressive  so defensive war could be justified. But allied forces bombed cities including firebombing and atomic bombing. Those tactics would seem to violate restrictions known as jus in bello (since the deliberately targeted non-combatants).

Popular imagination oversimplifies the intricate realities of the war, he added.

Its hard for a war to satisfy the criteria  as it should be, Whetham said. They are terrible things and should always be an exception.
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The gunman who tried to storm into the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner exposed gaps that need to be closed to prevent future attacks, former Secret Service agents say.

"The system worked. Could it be much better? Yes," Bobby McDonald, who protected then-presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, told The Independent on Monday. "We had a positive outcome, not a successful one."

With President Donald Trump insisting that the event be rescheduled "within 30 days," McDonald said the the Secret Service would have to quickly develop ideas to beef up security.

"I think they have to have some discussions about creativity," he said. "They're going to have to blow up their plan."

In a prepared statement, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said, "While the protective model for White House Correspondents Dinner event proved effective, the key takeaway for future events is that enhancements should be expected at every level, as that is how the model is designed to function."

open image in gallery Ex-Secret Service agents say the attempted attack on the White House Correspondents Association dinner exposed gaps in security ( Getty )

"Every protective decision is driven by intelligence amid a dynamic and currently elevated threat environment. We are actively focused on identifying the trigger for this incident and fully understanding the factors that led to it," Guglielmi said.

The White House didn't immediately return a request for comment but Trump, who on Saturday made his first appearance at the annual event , has praised the Secret Service and other law enforcement officers for acting "quickly and bravely" and doing a "fantastic job."

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was reportedly armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives when he allegedly barreled past a checkpoint before being stopped from entering the ballroom in the Washington Hilton hotel where the dinner was taking place.

The hotel is the same one where then-president Ronald Reagan was wounded in a 1981 shooting outside as he walked toward his limousine after delivering a speech.

Allen reportedly checked into the hotel on Friday after traveling across the country by train and allegedly sent relatives a manifesto where he marveled that security efforts seemed focused "outside" and that not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat.

open image in gallery Cole Tomas Allen is seen in custody after allegedly attempting to storm the White House Correspondents Association Dinner while armed with guns and knives ( Reuters )

What the hell is the Secret Service doing? he wrote. Like, I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo. What I got (who knows, maybe theyre pranking me!) is nothing."

Secret Service Director Sean Curran has said that since Allen was unable to barge into the ballroom, it "shows that our multi-layered protection works."

Former Secret Service Agent Bill Gage, who said he was "at the Hilton all the time" during 5 1/2 years assigned to the Washington, D.C., field office, described the agency's protective model as "concentric and overlapping layers of security."

The decades-old protocols start with emptying an event space, posting agents at every entrance and exit, using specially trained dogs to sweep the area for explosives and setting up metal-detecting magnetometers to screen guests for weapons, he said.

"The big takeaway is the protective model worked," said Gage, now director of executive protection for the SafeHaven Security Group. "He got past the magnetometer but he didn't get to the next layer."

The Washington Hilton has more than 1,100 rooms and the WHCA dinner reportedly drew about 2,300 guests to its underground ballroom, which Gage said presented a series of security challenges.

"It is incredibly difficult for the Secret Service to secure a very busy hotel on a very busy street," he said.

open image in gallery Journalists report outside the Washington Hilton hotel one day after an attempted attack inside against the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner ( Getty )

Gage likened Saturday night's incident to the two previous assassination attempts against Trump, calling them all "low-tech attacks by people with no training."

He also said there was probably "nothing to be done" that would have allowed authorities to identify Cole as a potential threat beforehand.

"There were no tripwires for this guy that he was setting off along the way, except for about an hour before the attack he sent a manifesto to his family," Gage said. "We're a free country. We don't keep tabs on our citizens. This isn't China."

McDonald, who retired as assistant special agent in charge in charge of then-vice president Joe Biden's security detail, said he thought there were "numerous things that could have been done" to further safeguard the ballroom.

"Had he seen more security in the lobby or at the magnetometer, he might have turned around," McDonald said of Allen.

McDonald also said the Secret Service needed to create "better time and space distance" between checkpoints, and both he and Gage said the agency would likely consider setting up serpentine barriers before the magnetometers.

McDonald, now an assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at the University of New Haven, also said that the agency has to look at the possibility of setting up its security perimeter earlier, as well as equipping agents with ballistic shields.

"If he was wearing a suicide vest instead of the weapons he was carrying, we could have had a very different outcome," he said of the attacker.

McDonald noted that "in a lot of different countries, you stand on line for a lot of different things."

"At many hotels in many countries you have to go through a security check before you drive in," he said. "We have to finally accept the fact that we have to be more accepting of a delay before getting into a hotel because you have to go through some sort of security element."
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The president of the United States, his MAGA allies, and even a Senate Democrat pressed the case for his $400 million White House ballroom construction in the hours after a shooting at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner left nearly the entire Cabinet and DC press corps ducking for cover minutes into the event.

For months, the construction of President Donald Trumps desired White House ballroom has made headlines and even seemed to consume the presidents attention during unrelated events, where Trump will often go on diatribes about the construction process or building plans. A federal judge halted the project earlier this month, while allowing construction of a secure bunker on the White House complex to continue.

Trump had the residences iconic East Wing demolished without warning to make room for the structure.

But Saturday evenings chaos added a new twinge of urgency to the presidents statements and elicited a wave of new calls for the event spaces construction on the White Houses grounds from supporters of the president, many of whom had previously ignored or shied away from defending what Democrats call a grift-filled vanity project.

What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement and, for different reasons, every President for the last 150 years, have been DEMANDING that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE, Trump wrote early Sunday morning in a Truth Social post.

This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough! While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the World, The White House, Trump continued.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump addressed the press shortly after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner and made the case for his $400 million ballroom construction ( Reuters )

His remarks joined a chorus of other Republicans online who wrote and spoke favorably about the project after the shooting, including Florida Rep. Randy Fine, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Judicial Watchs Tom Fitton, Libs of TikTok influencer Chaya Raichik, commentator Jack Posobiec and more.

I dont want to hear one more f***ing criticism of Trumps new ballroom at the White House, wrote Meghan McCain, a conservative former co-host of The View and an occasional critic of Trumps.

The most surprising support for the project, however, came from a Democratic senator. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was one of a number of members of Congress who attended Saturday evenings dinner and was seen being escorted out after the shooting and the presidents own departure.

On Sunday, Fetterman, who has been criticized by fellow Democrats for his support of Trumps war in Iran, wrote that Democrats should drop the [Trump Derangement Syndrome] and join Republicans in supporting the construction of the ballroom at the White House for security reasons.

That venue wasnt built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the U.S. government. After witnessing last night, drop the TDS and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these, wrote the senator on X.

open image in gallery Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is escorted through the lobby following the shooting at the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner Saturday night ( Reuters )

Others criticized the event itself, arguing that security was lax and unprepared for the number of attendees  a size similar to previous years gatherings.

Security for Saturdays dinner was managed by the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies, and guests were required to walk through a metal detector to reach the main area of the venue, locatd in the basement-level event spaces of the Washington Hilton. Sometimes mocked by attendees (in generally good faith), the Hilton has hosted the event for years.

Some claimed they were not asked to show tickets to enter the event, though The Independent was repeatedly asked to show a ticket at several security checkpoints throughout the hotel and the surrounding blocks of Washington, D.C.

open image in gallery US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed out by Secret Service after shots were fired ( AFP/Getty )

Trump announced plans to construct the ballroom in July of 2025, telling reporters at the time that the structure would cost $200 million and would be funded entirely through private donations. Those costs ballooned to $400 million in the months that followed, and the presidents allies established a nonprofit, the Trust for the National Mall, to funnel donations to the project and allow some donors to retain public anonymity.

Trump has claimed the project is already fully funded, and demolition of the East Wing to prepare for its construction began in October.

The shooting Saturday evening may have the effect of jump-starting the project, as the court order halting progress was issued by a judge who ruled that the project did not qualify as a necessary measure to improve security at the White House, which allows the administration to go around the typical requirements to acquire funding and authorization from Congress.
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Less than 48 hours after President Donald Trump praised the unified reaction of journalists whod been present when a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents Dinner, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed top Democrats and the American press for the attempted assassination.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Leavitt blamed the latest instance of political violence in the U.S. on what she called systemic demonization of [Trump] and his supporters by commentators, by elected members of the Democrat Party and even some in the media.

This hateful and constant and violent rhetoric directed at President Trump, day after day after day for 11 years, has helped to legitimize this violence and bring us to this dark moment, said Leavitt, who argued that Americans who constantly falsely label and slander the President as a fascist, as a threat to democracy and compare him to Hitler are fueling violence as part of a left wing cult of hatred against the president and all of those who support him and work for him.

Continuing, Leavitt read off a laundry list of critical comments about the president by members of the Democratic Party in Congress and blamed the entire Democrat Party for having pitch to voters across the country that Donald Trump poses an existential threat to democracy, that he is a fascist.

When you have people in positions of power that are saying things like this every single day for years, you are inspiring violence by people who are already mentally ill, she said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 27, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque ( Reuters )

The White House press secretary also inveighed against ABC late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for a joke he told about Trumps age and appearance during a segment of his show days before the shooting, when hed quipped that First Lady Melania Trump had the glow of an expectant widow.

This kind of rhetoric about the President, the First Lady and his supporters, is completely deranged, and it's unbelievable that the American people are consuming it night after night after night, she said, not long after both Trump and his wife called on ABC to fire the comedian, who has long been a sharp critic of the president and his administration.

Leavitt also called for the negative commentary about Trump to end and for commentators to tone it down following the shooting.

But she did not say whether Trump, who frequently lashes out at journalists and Democratic Party figures in graphic and aggressive terms, planned to tone down his own rhetoric in turn.

Thus far, it does not appear Trump plans to do so.

During an interview on Sunday with CBS News 60 Minutes, Trump attacked correspondent Norah ODonnell as horrible and a disgrace after she quoted the alleged gunmans description of the president as a pedophile, rapist, and traitor while asking him to respond to his would-be assassins words.

I'm not a pedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I'm not a pedophile. You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all-- stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated, Trump said. I read the manifesto. You know, he's a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that because I'm not any of those things.

When ODonnell pointed out that she was merely reading what the alleged shooter had written, Trump said she shouldnt be reading that on the show and called her a disgrace.
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Washington is still reeling from Saturday, when a gunman opened fire on the White House Correspondents Dinner.

The coming weeks will inevitably create a political tit-for-tat. Republicans have begun to point the finger at Democrats, with some blaming House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for vowing, Maximum warfare all the time, even though, as our friend Jamie Dupree pointed out, he borrowed it from an aide close to the president.

Set that aside. The fact remains that a gunman got dangerously close to President Donald Trump less than two years after a bullet grazed his ear.

Many people on all sides pointed out just how close to the president and how few security protocols were in place. Expect Congress to open multiple inquiries into the Secret Service, security staff and the Washington Hilton. FBI Director Kash Patel, who was on thin ice before the shooting and who attended the dinner, will face a make-or-break moment for his stewardship of the agency.

But at the forefront will be a major challenge for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson: Somehow finding a way to get out of the ditch that is the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

open image in gallery U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) now faces a difficult task to reopen the Department of Homeland Security after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner. ( Reuters )

Lets recap. In January, Democrats and Republicans decided to fund the rest of the government with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security. They did so after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official shot and killed Renee Good and Customs and Border Protection officials shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

But the negotiations on safeguards for ICE and CBP never came to fruition and the department shut down. The country saw wraparound lines at airports as Transportation Security Administration agents did not get paid.

Eventually, the Senate relented and passed a Homeland Security spending bill without funding for ICE and CBP by unanimous consent. Republicans including Senate Majority Leader John Thune did so with the hope to pass funding for the two agencies via budget reconciliation, which allows them to pass bills related to spending via a simple majority and avoid a filibuster.

Unsurprisingly, Johnson rejected it, calling it a joke. At the time, Inside Washington called this the dumbest shutdown (we stand by that characterization). Then, almost inexplicably, a few days later, Johnson embraced plan Thune initially proposed with Trumps blessing.

open image in gallery The shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner raises the salience of reopening the Department of Homeland Security. ( AP )

Still, Johnson has refused to put the Homeland Security bill. Johnson has made the case that Republicans need to first come to an agreement on the reconciliation bill and what that will include.

Republicans like Rep. Chip Roy of the archconservative House Freedom Caucus are already demanding that money for Trumps proposed ballroom go in the reconciliation bill. Given the presidents desire to see it built, its hard to imagine that money will not be included.

Democrats deserve some blame. They tried to use the little leverage they have in the minority and they got no reforms to ICE and CBP. This is to say nothing of the fact that ICE and CBP received billions of dollars in the One Big, Beautiful Bill and were unbothered by the shutdown and now are about to get another massive check.

But Johnson now owns this DHS shutdown every day he does not put the Senate bill on the floor. And now with an attempted assassination, Republicans will have more pressure breathing down his back to fund the initial package and then pass the reconciliation bill.

Johnson will probably still have plenty of conservatives who will bleat hell no about funding Homeland Security without ICE and CBP or even parts of the SAVE America Act, their bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

That might force Johnson to lean on Democrats to help pass the bill. But even they might not be willing to help given the fact there are no safeguards for ICE.

Johnson has boxed himself into a corner by being unwilling to work with Democrats. As such, its now his responsibility to fix the problem, for Trump and the country.
Jimmy Kimmel tells Melania Trump to look at her husband instead after she accused the host of violent rhetoric

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Comedian Jimmy Kimmel has defended his controversial joke about Melania Trump, telling the first lady it is her husband, President Donald Trump, who is truly to blame for the spread of hateful and violent rhetoric.

Kimmel had joked before the the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting that Melania had a glow like an expectant widow, a remark that took on an unfortunate resonance following Saturdays attack on the press gala, leading the Trumps to demand his firing by ABC.

However, he insisted on his show Monday night that the line was intended as a jab at the couples age difference and not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination.

Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect, had appeared in federal court earlier in the day to face three charges: attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm across state lines with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

If found guilty, he could face life in prison on the first count and up to 10 years each for the second and third.

Allen, 31, did not enter a plea and more charges are expected. He is due back in court Thursday.
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Over the course of American history, a few undelivered presidential speeches have taken on iconic status in the decades after they were supposed to have been given.

Theres the address John F. Kennedy would have delivered in defense of American soft power as a bulwark against communism and authoritarian threats, in which he would have declared that there was no better form of investment in our national security than foreign aid and warned that American leadership was dependent on global respect for our mission in the world.

There was Richard Nixons planned address to the nation in the event that Apollo 11s lunar module engine failed to light, stranding astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin  the men who went to the moon to explore in peace  to stay on the moon to rest in peace.

And of course, theres the speech of love to the American news media that Donald Trump says he would have delivered had Saturdays White House Correspondents Dinner been allowed to resume after a gunman attempted to sprint through layers of security in a failed attempt to assassinate the president and the senior officials who were scattered around the cavernous ballroom at the Washington, D.C. Hilton.

In the run-up to the weekends marquee event  an annual fundraiser for scholarships administered by the White House Correspondents Association  media critics and political pundits spilled what would have probably been hundreds of gallons of ink in a pre-digital era on the propriety of the press breaking bread with a man who has spent years demonizing them as the enemy of the people.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks to Norah O'Donnell for 60 Minutes Sunday night who he would berate as horrible in the same interview ( 60 Minutes )

Would Trump use the open microphone before a captive audience of his longtime adversaries to go on the attack at a dinner meant as a celebration of the First Amendment?

It was a good question  one Trump was more than willing to answer at what became probably the only Black Tie news conference in White House history. He told reporters he was all set to really rip it until the shooting, after which he mused that his planned remarks wouldve been the most inappropriate speech ever made.

He even offered some praise for the thousands of journalists (your correspondent included) whod endured the horrific events, remarking that hed seen a room that was just totally unified in the wake of the attempted shooting.

A day later, he told Fox News that during the brief time he was pushing to continue on with the program before Secret Service forced him to return to the White House, he tasked his aides with writing replacement remarks, what he called a speech of love.

But I didnt get a chance to do that, he added.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump (pictured on the dais with first lady Melania and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt before the shooting began) wanted to return to the event after with a speech of love for the press. ( Reuters )

He later told CBS News 60 Minutes something similar when he described pushing to remain at the venue over his bodyguards objections, telling correspondent Norah ODonnell: I would have had to just get up and say, I love you all. And there was love in the room. It was amazing. There was love in the room.

But whatever goodwill he had briefly felt towards the countrys news media and the First Amendment that allows it to operate freely appeared to vanish in an instant hours later, when he sat for what he might have expected to be a softball interview with ODonnell.

Although the network that was once home to Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather has undergone a decidedly pro-Trump makeover since it was purchased by billionaire David Ellison last year, under the stewardship of former New York Times conservative opinion journalist Bari Weiss, ODonnell didnt go to work to throw softballs on Sunday.

Instead, she asked him to respond to the words written by his would-be assassin, who allegedly wrote that he was no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes in a manifesto sent to family members just before the attempted shooting.

Trumps reaction? Predictable.

Less than a day after he could have well been shot, he threw away talk of unity and went after the messenger.

Well, I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you're-- you're he-- you're horrible people, he said as he launched into one of the most surreal presidential soliloquies in the history of the long-running program.

I'm not a pedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I'm not a pedophile  I got associated with all-- stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated. Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, little's say, Epstein or other things, he said.

You shouldn't be reading that on 60 Minutes. You're a disgrace. But go ahead. Let's finish the interview.

If there was ever a post-shooting honeymoon between Trump and the press, it was over at that moment.

Within a day, he, his wife, and his top spokesperson were back to the usual things, blaming Democrats for the shooting attempt and calling for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel  again  because of a joke hed told about First Lady Melania Trump days before the shooting.

And now that Trump has repeatedly called for the White House Correspondents Association to reschedule and re-run the dinner, there can be no question about his motives for attending this time around.
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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.
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Preservationists are moving ahead with their lawsuit challenging the construction of President Donald Trumps $400 million White House ballroom  even after the Justice Department pressured them into dropping it.

Trumps Justice Department urged the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued in December to stop the construction, to dismiss its lawsuit by Monday morning.

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate cited the shooting at the White House Correspondents Association dinner as reason to build the ballroom, calling the Washington Hilton where it was held demonstrably unsafe in a letter published Sunday.

Schumate wrote that a ballroom at the White House, will ensure the safety and security of the President for decades to come and prevent future assassination attempts on the President at the Washington Hilton.

However, the trust said it will not be dropping the suit. Carol Quillen, who heads the trust, said that she was grateful the president and guests at the gala were safe, before adding, We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law.

open image in gallery Preservationists declined to drop their lawsuit against the construction of President Donald Trumps White House ballroom, even after the Justice Department laid pressure on them to dismiss it ( Getty )

Quillen added, We have always acknowledged the utility of a larger meeting space at the White House. Building it lawfully requires the approval of Congress, which the Administration could see at any time.

In the days since the shooting, Trumps Attorney General Todd Blanche and several other MAGA loyalists have used the incident as grounds to push for the ballrooms construction.

What happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military, Secret Service, Law Enforcement and, for different reasons, every President for the last 150 years, have been DEMANDING that a large, safe, and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE, Trump wrote Sunday morning in a Truth Social post.

This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. It cannot be built fast enough! While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the World, The White House, he said.

Republican Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said he agreed with Trump 100%, telling Fox News it obviously would be much safer location for these types of events.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania wrote on social media that Democrats should drop the [Trump Derangement Syndrome] and join Republicans in support of the ballroom for security purposes.

That venue wasnt built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the U.S. government. After witnessing last night, drop the TDS and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these, he wrote on X.

open image in gallery The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its lawsuit trying to stop the ballrooms construction last year ( Getty )

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also made the case for the ballroom project during her briefing Monday.

The White House ballroom project is not just a fun project for President Trump like you will read in the media, Leavitt said. It is actually critical for our national security that a larger, secure building on this complex  which is the most secure complex in the world  is built to accommodate not only large amounts of guests, but also the president, vice president, members of the Cabinet.

She continued: The line of succession in this country should be able to gather freely and safely without the fear of threats or political violence and the White House ballroom will provide that.

So its critical that we get this project done as quickly as possible, she added.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Trump has claimed that the $400 million project is fully funded by donors. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its lawsuit against Trump last year, after the administration demolished the East Wing to make way for the new addition.
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A viral video showing several guests grabbing bottles of champagne and wine from Saturday nights aborted White House Correspondents Association dinner has drawn mixed reactions on social media.

The annual black tie press gala at the Washington Hilton had to be evacuated after a suspected gunman attempted to storm the venue  shortly before President Donald Trump was due to address the D.C. press corps  only to be apprehended by members of the Secret Service.

The president, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other members of the cabinet were hurried out of the hotels ballroom as gunfire was heard and journalists hid under tables in fear for their lives, with many subsequently describing the terror of the moment.

But not all attendees were rattled by the ordeal, with some even calmly seizing the opportunity to pick up alcohol on their way out.

open image in gallery A guest at the White House Correspondent's Dinner stops to grab a bottle of champagne from a vacant table as the event is evacuated in a widely-seen viral video ( Jennifer Coffindaffer/X )

In a short clip posted on X by Jennifer Coffindaffer, a retired FBI agent and NewsNation contributor, several women could be seen collecting abandoned bottles from vacant tables as they made their way towards the exit  the footage set to Disturbeds cover of Simon and Garfunkels The Sound of Silence.

Coffindaffers posed drew a broad range of responses. Some made light of the opportunism by suggesting it was highly relatable in the circumstances while others condemned it as tacky.

My hero, one person joked. Another downplayed the significance of the conduct with arch sarcasm, writing: OH NO! She took a bottle of wine that everyone was going to drink anyways! Call in Seal Team 6 this madness has to stop!!

Thief? Looks look everyone around her is grabbing a bottle too, another commenter posted, adopting a more sympathetic tone. Tbh I would do the same if I dished out steep $ for a dress I only got to show off for 45 minutes, and oh damn now have to get a whole new one for the next rescheduled WHCD.

LOOTERS! another commentator fumed while one more argued that while it was not technically stealing given the people present had paid for their tickets to the gala they found the conduct rather tacky morally.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump enjoying the evening shortly before the shots rang out, sparking chaos in the Washington Hilton ballroom ( AP )

Coffindaffer herself took issue with that line of reasoning, pointing out that the event was being rescheduled soon and would therefore have to be restocked.

Among the more humorous contributions was one person who speculated that one of the women in question, with blonde hair and a dark coat, might be Marla Maples, the presidents estranged second wife.

Another said they expected nothing less than petty larceny from denizens of Capitol Hill, and another shared the conspiracy the whole attack had been staged in the first place.

Trump has already rubbished social media suggestions that the incident was not genuine, telling CBS Newss 60 Minutes Sunday night that the conspiracy theorists claiming as much were sick or con people.

open image in gallery Journalists comforting one another on what proved to be a distressing evening for attendees ( Reuters )

The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old computer programmer and tutor from Torrance, California, will appear in court Monday to be formally charged with firearms and assault offenses.

Investigators have since recovered an alleged manifesto he sent to family members moments before the attack in which he referred to himself chillingly as the Friendly Federal Assassin, expressed his loathing for the president, scoffed at the hotels security arrangements, and discussed the weapons he intended to use.

Trump said in a press conference shortly after the attack that his wife had found the episode particularly upsetting while Erika Kirk  who lost her husband, Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, to gun violence less than a year ago  was seen leaving the event in obvious distress.
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President Donald Trump has called for unity after a suspect was arrested for attempting to storm a White House Correspondents Association dinner, armed with multiple knives and a gun.

I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference [sic] peacefully, he said at a press conference in the aftermath of the incident, still dressed in his tuxedo from the meal.

The incident took place at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening, where the annual event was being held. Journalists and press who cover the White House and the president are invited to attend the fundraiser and awards ceremony every year.

Trump has previously not attended the dinner, which usually involves poking fun at the US administration in power, and the US leader and businessman was famously the butt of a joke at the event in 2011 made by then-president Barack Obama.

President Trump thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift action to detain the gunman, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen. He is said to have told authorities he planned on targeting the president, according to CBS.

Here is how the dramatic events unfolded.

8.35pm: Gunshots ring out as Secret Service swarms ballroom

open image in gallery A screen grab taken from a video filmed by an AFP reporter shows an armed agent climbing over chairs as they move to the stage after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. ( AFP/Getty )

Dinner attendees described chaotic scenes when several gunshots rang out shortly after appetizers were served at around 8:35 pm local time. Trump was expected to give a speech shortly after an awards segment following the meal.

Reporters from The Independent, who were seated at a table in the back of the hall, said they heard approximately five gunshots before watching agents draw their firearms. Guests took cover underneath tables once they realized what was happening.

Secret Service swarmed the banquet hall, yelling at the president to get out of the way and demanding that people duck as people took cover under tables.

Trump and JD Vance escorted out of room

open image in gallery President Trump was escorted out after a man opened fire with a shotgun outside the room ( Reuters )

Video shared on social media shows Secret Service members, including those wearing tactical gear and body armor, rushing President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump off the stage.

Press and journalists took cover underneath tables and one woman, who was seated at a table with reporters, began crying, saying the incident was the scariest thing she had ever experienced, according to The Independents John Bowden.

9.17pm: President says gunman has been apprehended

open image in gallery Officials detained the suspect after he tried to storm the dinner ( Reuters )

In his first comments in the aftermath of the incident, Trump shared a message on Truth Social confirming that the alleged gunman has been apprehended at around 9:17 pm.

He suggested that the dinner continue, but said he would follow law enforcement's advice.

Quite an evening in DC, Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job, he wrote. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we LET THE SHOW GO ON, but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement.

At around 9:36 pm, he said he would be leaving the hotel at the request of law enforcement.

10.29 pm: Trump shares footage of shooter storming security barrier

open image in gallery Video shared by Donald Trump shows the moment the gunman rushed past security officers ( via REUTERS )

Trump posted a video to Truth Social at 10:29 pm of a man appearing to storm the security barrier and metal detectors in the hallway outside the room where the dinner was held.

The footage shows security staff pulling out weapons to stop the individual. Allen is reported to have shot one Secret Service officer before being detained. Reporters were told that the officer was saved by his bulletproof vest.

10.30pm: News conference held from White House

open image in gallery President Donald Trump speaks at a press briefing at the White House, following a shooting incident during the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026 REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst ( Reuters )

A news conference was held shortly after, at around 10.30 pm, at the White House. Mr. Trump delivered his comments, still wearing the tuxedo he wore to the event, from a podium alongside FBI chief Kash Patel and acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. He called the suspect a lone wolf.

He said he thought that the sound of gunshots was initially a tray falling and argued that the Hilton hotel, where the event was being held, was not a particularly secure building. But the US leader praised enforcement officials and said his role was a dangerous profession.

I was watching to see what was happening, probably should have gotten down even faster, he said at the briefing. Melania was very cognizant, I think, of what happened. I think she knew immediately what happened. She was saying, 'That's a bad noise.

He said the gunman had charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons. He also confirmed the suspect had shot and injured one law enforcement officer, shooting him at close range, but said he survived due to a bulletproof vest.

10.50pm: Suspect named and property searched in Torrance, California

open image in gallery The suspect has been named at Cole Tomas Allen ( Reuters )

Various media outlets identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen at around 10:50 pm on Saturday. Shortly after, live pictures came in of police searching a property in Torrance, California, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

The suspect is expected to be formally charged on Monday, according to U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro.

He faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on federal officers using a dangerous weapon, according to the Wall Street Journal. He was reportedly undergoing a medical evaluation at a hospital on Saturday.
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A five-year-old girl missing in the outback in Australias Northern Territory is believed to have been abducted, police officials said in the latest update on her disappearance on Monday.

The girl, identified as Sharon Granites by the police, was last seen on Saturday when she was put to bed in her family home just before midnight.

Around 1.35am on Sunday morning, police received reports that Sharon could not be located at her residence on Marshall Court, Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs. It is believed she was last seen around 11:30pm on Saturday evening, the NT police said in a statement.

Police conducted an initial search of the area utilising extensive resources but were unable to locate Sharon, the statement added.

Officers resumed search operations on foot on Monday morning after they were unable to locate the girl overnight.

Mark Grieve, NT polices acting commander, said a man who was staying at the camp and vanished around the same time could be involved, and the authorities were searching for him.

Investigators said they were looking for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison.

open image in gallery A police handout picture shows the man believed to be related to the case ( Handouts/Northern Territory Police )

Police are seeking public assistance to locate 47-year-old male, Mr Jefferson Lewis, who police believe can assist with enquiries, the police said. Officers and volunteers have checked the nearby bush for the child.

Commander Grieve has asked anyone aware of any information related to the case to contact the police. He added that the man was known to authorities on complaints of domestic abuse and family violence-related offences.

He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers camp at the time and who has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him, he said.

The officials first confirmed Sharons disappearance on Sunday morning around 6.43am. They said the police force holds concerns for the welfare of five-year-old Sharon, who was reported missing from Alice Springs overnight.

open image in gallery Sharon, a five-year-old resident of Alice Springs, was last seen by her family when she was being put to bed ( Handouts/Northern Territory Police )

She was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around neck and white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer-style underwear, the statement said.

Two photos of the child shared by the police showed the five-year-old girl seated in a chair and with a backpack.

They also shared visuals of Mr Lewis from body-worn police footage in the Old Timers camp when they were there on Saturday evening for an unrelated incident. He is seen wearing a yellow shirt and army camouflage pants.

open image in gallery A photo from the bodycam footage shows Lewis at the camp ( Handouts/Northern Territory Police )

Commander Grieve said it is a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing.

Were over 24 hours now, so itd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent, he added.

We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family, Mr Grieve said.

Lewis, sought in the case, has a long history of violence and prison time, reported ABC News.

He was sentenced to more than five years in prison over the past decade for separate, serious violence-related offences, the report added.
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Archaeologists at Italy's Pompeii have for the first time used artificial intelligence to reconstruct a victim's appearance from the eruption that destroyed the Roman city nearly 2,000 years ago.

The AI-generated image, released Monday by the Pompeii Archaeological Park, shows a man ducking, a large bowl over his head, against a flaming Mount Vesuvius.

It is based on recently discovered adult male remains outside the city's southern gates, found beside a terracotta mortar, his likely protection.

Archaeologists believe the man was killed by volcanic rocks during the eruption's second day, fleeing towards the sea.

He was also carrying a lamp and 10 bronze coins, the park noted.

Archaeologists believe the man was killed by volcanic rocks during the eruption's second day, fleeing towards the sea ( Pompeii - Parco Archeologico/Facebook )

"If used well, artificial intelligence can contribute to a renewal of classical studies, illustrating the classical world in a more immersive way," said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, head of the archaeological park.

Pompeii, 25 kilometres south-east of Naples, was buried in the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, preserving buildings, objects, graffiti under metres of ash.

Rediscovered in the 18th century, it is now a significant archaeological site and popular Italian destination, attracting 4.3 million visitors in 2024.
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Brigitte Macron said her time as first lady of France has made her more cynical about the world in a bleak reflection as her husband announced he would step back from politics after next years presidential election.

Ms Macron, 73, told French newspaper La Tribune Dimanche that the public-facing job at the top of French politics had left her sometimes sadder than I have ever been, having exposed her to the darkness of the world, the stupidity, the wickedness.

During Emmanuel Macrons two-term tenure as president of France, Ms Macron has been subjected to vicious attacks and conspiracy theories from online critics, forcing her into a series of lengthy legal battles.

Before, I had a normal life, children, a job, ups and downs, like everyone else. Here, these ten years have passed so quickly  They have been so intense, she told the outlet.

open image in gallery First lady Brigitte Macron, right, has faced intense scrutiny during her husband's time leading France ( AFP/Getty )

Reflecting on how her life had been changed by public life, the former teacher admitted: Sometimes I find it hard to see the blue sky. I have moments of pessimism that I didnt have before.

Earlier this year, ten people were found guilty of cyber-bullying Ms Macron after spreading false claims about her gender and sexuality, as well as making malicious remarks about the 24-year age gap between her and her husband, 48.

The Macrons have pursued a high-profile defamation lawsuit against American right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who promoted claims that she was born a man online.

Tom Clare, their lead counsel in the case, said last year that the couple had found the claims extremely upsetting. He noted Ms Macron would have to subject herself in a very public way in order to set the record straight.

open image in gallery Candace Owens (pictured, file) promoted claims Ms Macron was born a man ( YouTube/Candace Owens )

The case dates back years to baseless allegations included in an article in 2021 and later promoted in a viral YouTube video.

Ms Owens picked up the thread in 2024, announcing that she was waging her entire professional reputation on the theory that Ms Macron was born Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her older brother, before transitioning.

In a 22-count complaint filed last July, the Macrons accused Ms Owens of a campaign of global humiliation, turning their lives into fodder for profit-driven lies. The ongoing case seeks unspecified damages.

Over the last ten years, Ms Macron has used her platform to support people with disabilities, protect vulnerable children and campaign against school bullying.

open image in gallery Ms Macron appeared to shove her husband during a visit to Vietnam ( Pool )

She has also attracted controversy, including over a video that appeared to show her slapping her husband during an official visit to Vietnam last year.

Cameras caught the moment Ms Macron pushed her husband in the face as their plane arrived in Hanoi for the start of their southeast Asian tour.

The French leader, who was standing in the doorway of the plane, looked momentarily stunned after the then-unidentified hand hit him in the face.

Playing down headline scrutiny, Mr Macron insisted he was bickering, or rather joking, with my wife.

Three months later, Ms Macron had to defend herself after she was filmed using a sexist slur to describe feminist protesters who had disrupted a theatre performance in Paris.

She said she had been trying to reassure French actor Ary Abittan when she called the activists dirty b*****s. Ms Macron admitted her language had been very direct and clumsy.
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On April 26, 1986, Soviet engineers at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant were conducting a safety test. Doomed by a fatal design flaw and pushed to the limit by human negligence, reactor 4 exploded amid an attempted shutdown during a routine procedure, setting off a chain of events that ultimately released radioactive material hundreds of times greater than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Although the accident occurred north of Kyiv, Ukraine, near the border with Belarus, radioactive fallout was soon detected throughout northern and central Europe. Yet the Soviets did what they could to prevent the spread of information that would reveal the true horror of what had occurred.

For decades, researchers, political leaders and advocacy groups have worked to uncover the story of the explosion. While science has allowed us to understand the circumstances of the explosion itself, it has taken much more work to uncover the layers of mismanagement, negligence and misinformation that resulted in human suffering, ecological disaster and economic damage.

One of the problems is that many of the official Soviet records of the event, such as the KGB files, are located in Moscow and are inaccessible to all but a few Russian government agencies.

The Staci files can give us further insight into the mismanagement of Chernobyl, since the East German Stasi and the Soviet KGB were in communication on the matter ( Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images )

But there is a partial workaround: Because East Germany was a Soviet satellite state and not a full member of the Soviet Union, official documents remained in the country after the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1991, after the reunification of Germany, the German government passed a law allowing for the declassification of certain files from the Stasi, East Germanys secret police and intelligence service. These files can now give us further insight into the mismanagement of Chernobyl, since the East German Stasi and the Soviet KGB were in communication on the matter.

I have spent the past three years reading Stasi files and researching the creation of misinformation in the former Eastern bloc, meeting with Stasi archivists in Berlin and viewing the original archival rooms in the former Stasi headquarters.

Looking at formerly top secret communication between the KGB and Stasi, it is clear that despite publicly insisting everything was under control, both intelligence agencies knew the explosion was absolutely devastating. They kept detailed records of hospitalizations, casualties, damaged crops, contaminated livestock and radiation levels.

But only the very top officials in East Germany and the Soviet Union had access to these numbers. The main fear for both the KGB and Stasi was not the radiation that would harm affected populations but the damage done to their respective countries reputations.

Controlling the message

Handling the press was a top priority.

In the Soviet Union, top government officials created their own briefings for the media to be published at precise dates and times. In a set of classified documents that one government official bravely saved and later published, the concreteness with which the lies were devised is apparent. It documents Mikhail Gorbachev, then-leader of the Soviet Union, saying in a Politburo meeting with top government officials: When we inform the public, we should say that the power plant was being renovated at the time, so it doesnt reflect badly on our reactor equipment.

Later in the same meeting, another senior Soviet official, Nikolai Ryzhkov, suggests that the group prepare three different press releases: one for the Soviet people, one for the satellite states and another for Europe, the U.S. and Canada.

In East Germany, the Stasi reports mirrored this messaging. Although top officials are briefed on the presence of radioactive contaminants, the formerly classified Stasi files reiterate that the public is to be told that absolutely no danger is present. East German media, controlled by the state, then disseminated this information to the public.

The problem for the East German state was that by the mid-1980s, a lot of people were able to pick up Western TV and radio signals. Many recognized that their own government wasnt telling them the truth. However, they also knew that Western media would take any chance they got to disparage the Eastern bloc. The result was that many people knew that they werent being told the truth, but they werent sure exactly what the truth was.

Much of the East German and Soviet propaganda at that time was designed to confuse and cast doubt, not necessarily to fully persuade. The idea was that enough conflicting information would tire people out.

Downplaying economic concerns

One of the Stasis major concerns following the disaster was the economic damage that was sure to affect East Germany. Once people began to learn of the radioactive fallout over much of Europe, they grew fearful of their own produce and dairy products.

Children began refusing to drink milk at school, while people frequently asked produce vendors whether their products were grown in a greenhouse or outdoors. On the whole, people stopped buying many of these products.

With an excess of these goods, the East German government needed to devise a plan to continue to make money off potentially contaminated goods. The Stasis solution was to increase export of these goods to West Germany.

In the formerly classified files, Stasi officials claim that exports would spread out the consumption of radioactive products, so that no one would consume unsafe levels of contaminated meat and produce.

About the author Lauren Cassidy is a lecturer in German and Russian studies at Binghamton University, State University of New York. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The problem for the East Germans was that West Germany quickly amended their regulations for border crossings from East to West. Vehicles emitting certain levels of radiation were no longer allowed across the border. As a response, the lower-ranking Stasi workers were required to clean radioactive vehicles themselves. In doing so, the state was knowingly risking the health and safety of its own officials.

The East German food export plan was modeled on a similar one proposed by the Soviet government. The Soviet strategy, however, was not to export contaminated goods abroad but rather to send contaminated meat products to the majority of regions in the Soviet Union except for Moscow.

How disinformation proved an Achilles Heel

When the Stasi was founded in 1950, many of its employees genuinely believed in the East German cause.

Having witnessed the horrors of Nazi Germany, many older Stasi workers saw the East German state as the answer to creating a just and equitable society. By the 1980s, however, this sentiment had grown rare. Instead, many Stasi workers viewed their jobs as means to a decent income and privileged government treatment.

As a result, many Stasi workers had grown disillusioned and dispassionate.

It was little surprise, then, that the Stasi put up little resistance when protesters stormed their headquarters in 1990, months after the Berlin Wall fell. While there are many factors in the demise of the communist bloc, the way the East German and Soviet governments handled the aftermath of Chernobyl contributed greatly to the growing popular sentiment against each regime.

In East Germany, the disinformation campaign after the nuclear disaster only strengthened the message that the state did not have its peoples best interests in mind and that it was willing to sacrifice their health and well-being in order to maintain a certain image.
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The United States and Iran clashed over Tehrans nuclear program as a review of the treaty meant to prevent the spread of atomic weapons got underway Monday at the United Nations, a confrontation almost certain to be repeated during the monthlong meeting.

At issue was the election of Iran as one of 34 vice presidents of the conference, where 191 parties to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty are reviewing its implementation as they have done every five years since it took effect in 1970. Iran was a candidate of what has been dubbed the nonaligned movement, made up of 121 mainly developing countries.

Tensions over Tehran's nuclear program escalated ahead of the Iran war, with President Donald Trump vowing to ensure the country cannot build an atomic weapon. Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels, but Tehran insists its program is only for civilian purposes.

The meeting began as Iran offered to reopen the Strait if Hormuz if the U.S. lifted its blockade of Iranian shipping and ended the war, while delaying talks about the nuclear program.

The US and Iran lash out during speeches at the UN

Iran is a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which requires the country to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear agency. But Iran has not given inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency access to nuclear sites that were bombed by the U.S. last June.

Christopher Yeaw, U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control and nonproliferation, said that while there may be differing views about Irans ultimate intent and how to address its program, Iran has shown "contempt for its commitments under the treaty.

Rather than choosing to use this review conference to defend the integrity of the NPT and call Iran to account, we instead elect Iran a vice president, Yeaw said. It is beyond shameful and an embarrassment to the credibility of this conference.

The United States was backed by Australia and the United Arab Emirates. The United Kingdom, France and Germany  parties to the 2015 nuclear deal to curb Iran's nuclear program that Trump pulled the U.S. from in 2018  also expressed concern.

Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Vienna, Reza Najafi, called the U.S. allegations baseless and politically motivated, declaring its opposition to the U.S. as a vice president of the review conference.

He said the United States was the only country to use nuclear weapons and accused it of expanding its nuclear arsenal in violation of the treaty and obstructing progress toward a Middle East free of nuclear weapons by supporting Israel.

Equally alarming, Najafi said, are the U.S. and Israeli attacks twice in less than a year on Irans peaceful nuclear facilities, which he called a grave violation of international law and a direct assault on the integrity of the global nonproliferation regime.

Russian Ambassador-at-Large Andrey Belousov, head of its delegation to the conference, objected to singling out Iran and expressed hope that the criticism and politicization starting on day one will not affect the outcome, which he expressed hope will be successful.

Also Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian state news agency Tass said. Russia broadly has stayed out of the latest conflict even as it's been floated as a possibility to take in Irans highly enriched uranium.

Russia blocked agreement at the last review

At the last treaty review conference in August 2022, which was delayed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia blocked agreement on a final document over its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and references to Moscows occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and shelling at Europes largest nuclear power facility.

At the opening session Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the treaty parties to stand together and safeguard humanity from the grave threat of nuclear annihilation.

For the first time in decades, he said, the number of nuclear warheads is rising and nuclear testing is on the table. For too long, he added, the pact's commitments remain unfulfilled.

He urged all countries to recommit to disarmament and nonproliferation, and in the new technological era of artificial intelligence and quantum computing to ensure that, until nuclear weapons are eliminated, humanity never cedes control over their use.

Under the treaty, the five original nuclear powers  the U.S., China, Russia, Britain and France  agreed to negotiate toward eliminating their arsenals someday, and nations without nuclear weapons promised not to acquire them in exchange for a guarantee to be able to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
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Germany suspects Russia is responsible for a series of phishing attacks on Signal, which targeted high-ranking politicians, including two government ministers, military personnel, and journalists, a government spokesperson has revealed.

Federal prosecutors initiated a preliminary investigation into alleged cyberattacks on Signal accounts in mid-February 2026, a spokesperson for the federal prosecutors confirmed on Saturday.

The inquiry includes an initial suspicion of espionage, though no specific country has been named by the prosecutors.

While the German government has not officially attributed the attacks to Moscow, Western officials note increased Russian-linked cyber activity across Europe since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

German magazine Der Spiegel, citing governmental sources, reported that around 300 Signal accounts belonging to political figures were compromised in the incidents.

There is no official confirmation of the names of the victims.

According to Der Spiegel, the targeted users received messages from a fake Signal security chatbot that informed them of suspicious activity on their accounts and asked them to take immediate action.

open image in gallery The German government suspects Russia is behind a series of phishing attacks on Signal targeting high-ranking politicians ( Associated Press )

If the user followed the instructions, including entering a PIN or scanning a QR code, their Signal accounts were linked to an external device controlled by the hackers.

This allowed the attackers to read past chats, follow ongoing conversations and even see address books and other data stored by the users.

In February, Germany's domestic intelligence service BfV and the federal cybersecurity authority BSI had issued a public warning about such a phishing campaign, saying it was likely being carried out by a state-controlled cyber actor.

According to the German press agency dpa, German authorities also contacted several politicians personally to warn them such attacks may have happened.

In March, Dutch intelligence and security services also warned that Russian state hackers are engaged in a large-scale global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal and WhatsApp accounts belonging to dignitaries, military personnel and civil servants.

Targets include Dutch government employees, the Dutch authorities warned at the time, and journalists may also have been targeted.

open image in gallery Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, the German ambassador to Russia, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday morning ( AFP/Getty )

The Russian embassy in Berlin did not respond to an AP request for comment. Moscow has repeatedly denied it is spying on other countries.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, the German ambassador to Russia, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday morning, dpa reported, regarding alleged contacts between German politicians and terrorist organisations.

No connection has been made between the summons and the German media revelations about the Signal phishing attacks.

I will, of course, comply with the summons. I consider it unlikely that the Russian side will be able to substantiate its accusations, Lambsdorff said in advance. Relations between the two countries have been tense for years.
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At least 16 people have been killed in strikes over the weekend across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia, local authorities said, as the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster prompted fresh warnings about the risks posed by attacks near the plant during Russias more than four-year invasion of its neighbor.

The death toll from Russian drone and missile strikes on the city of Dnipro rose to nine, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said Sunday.

One man was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the port city of Sevastopol, In Russian-occupied Crimea, Moscow-installed authorities said Sunday. Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considered illegal, and has used it as a staging and supply point during the war.

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed governor in Ukraines Luhansk region  of which Russia earlier this month said it had taken full control, a claim denied by Ukraine  said three people were killed in an overnight Ukrainian drone strike on a village, after reporting two people were killed in the early hours of Saturday.

open image in gallery Residents leave the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine April 25, 2026. ( Reuters )

The latest strikes came after a woman was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russias Belgorod border region, according to local authorities.

Ukrainian forces also struck an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, deep inside Russian territory, Ukraines General Staff said Sunday. The strikes sparked fires at the facility, which processes 15 million tons of oil a year and produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel for the Russian military. Russia did not immediately comment.

Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones, which can reach targets some 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) inside Russia. It has used them recently against Russian oil facilities as Moscow looks to boost its exports after the Trump administration gave it a temporary waiver from sanctions to ease supply constraints. Kyiv officials complain that Russia will use the additional revenue on new weapons to hit Ukraine harder.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to warn that Russian attacks risk repeating history.

Through its war, Russia is once again bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster  Russian-Iranian Shaheds regularly fly over the plant, and one of them struck the confinement last year, he wrote on Facebook.

The world must not allow this nuclear terrorism to continue, and the best way is to force Russia to stop its reckless attacks, he said.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, echoed those concerns during a visit to Kyiv, saying repairs to the plants damaged outer protective shell must begin immediately. IAEA assessments show the damage sustained after a strike last year has already compromised a key safety function of the structure, he said, warning that years of inaction could heighten danger to the original sarcophagus beneath it. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said repairs would require at least 500 million euros ($586 million).

Ukrainian officials say a Russian drone struck the outer shell of the plants New Safe Confinement structure  a $2.1 billion archlike enclosure completed in 2019 over the remains of Reactor No. 4  in February 2025. Moscow denied targeting the plant, alleging Kyiv staged the attack.
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First came the infantry, next the missiles, then the drones.

Now, after more than four years of a bloody and grinding war in Ukraine, remote-controlled ground robots are assuming command over the battlefield.

Last Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Ukraines 3rd Separate Assault Brigade had regained territory exclusively using a combination of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and drones  a mission he says was a first in the war.

The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry and without losses on our side, he went on, referring to an operation from the northeastern Kharkiv region last year, in which Ukrainian infantry occupied a position gained using the UGVs.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of Ukraines growing UGV industry ( X/@ZelenskyyUa )

This shapeshifting conflict has transformed modern conventional warfare, most notably through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS  or drones) for reconnaissance and attack missions. But UGVs are the new future of warfare, Ukrainian commanders and engineers say  a future that has already arrived.

Ukraines 3rd Assault Brigade wants to replace around 30 per cent of its infantry with UGVs as it looks to cut down on costly troop losses on the eastern front lines, Mykola Zinkevych, callsign Makar, commander of the NC13 Strike UGV Unit that carried out the Kharkiv operation, tells The Independent.

Click here to read an investigation by world affairs editor Sam Kiley on how Russias drone warfare has been limited after access to Starlink was blocked.

The logic is simple: where the risk to a human is high, a robot should be used. Because the life of an infantryman is priceless, and robots dont bleed, he says. Were working toward a model where UGVs take on the most dangerous tasks, while infantry becomes a highly specialised force focused on what UGVs cannot perform.

Yaroslav Drobysh, callsign Zhulyk, is the operator and chief sergeant of the unit. He says growing use of UGVs has already significantly eased the burden for infantrymen, carrying out several logistical tasks and transporting large volumes of supplies and ammunition without losses.

This is a new phase of the war, Sgt Drobysh says.

open image in gallery A Tencore Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) TerMIT is driven through snow in the Kyiv region ( Getty )

Having walked the path of an assault infantryman, I know first hand the true price of every metre of our land. That is why I deeply understand the value of decisions that reduce risk to human life.

Sgt Drobyshs unit says it is the worlds first strike UGV unit, starting from scratch with no military doctrine for the use of the vehicles in modern combat. Ukraine is now a world leader in their production and use; last year, its UGV market grew by 488 per cent, according to a study by the KSE Institute, BRAVE1, and Defence Builder.

The vehicles have already been transformative to logistics on the battlefield. While a modern infantryman can carry an average of 20kg of gear over distance, logistics UGVs can transport a cargo of 200 to 600kg to frontline positions.

They deliver critical supplies, evacuate wounded troops, hold territorial positions, destroy enemy positions, carry out sabotage missions and lay mines.

Cmdr Zinkevych says the unit has carried out more than 100 strike operations using UGVs in the past few months. During these missions, weve destroyed enemy troops, shelters, command posts, and other high-value targets, he says. This is daily, systematic combat work.

open image in gallery Soldiers demonstrate how the Tencore Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) TerMIT is used for evacuation procedures ( Getty )

Although he says the vehicles have altered the course of the war, Cmdr Zinkevych has concerns about a slowdown in the pace of their development. He calls for a boost in funding, warning that slowing development is something we cannot allow.

Among the most used robotic units is the TW12.7, produced by the Ukrainian company DevDroid. It is a vehicle with a Browning machine gun mounted on top, and has been used extensively on the battlefield by the unit.

Earlier this year, Cmdr Zinkevych claimed a single TW12.7 held a position on the frontline for six weeks, moving to the forward position on the frontline to watch for any Russian movements and delivering suppressive fire, before withdrawing to a covered location in the evenings.

Oleg Fedoryshyn, head of research and design at DevDroid, says the UGV has transformed how Ukrainian troops hold positions.

Its easier to control an area for 24 hours when you are sitting in a safe zone 50km from the UGV, and you can swap with your team and another guy does it, he tells The Independent.

open image in gallery The UGVs can be piloted from dozens of kilometres away ( Getty )

The average cost of a UGV for the Ukrainian military, as sold by Devdroid, is $30,000 (22,100). This rises to $50,000 if it comes equipped with a Browning machine gun, and the price increases significantly if it is sold to any military other than Ukraines.

Mr Fedoryshyn is coy about how many robots Devdroid has produced for Ukraine, but says the figure is growing rapidly. From year to year, it's increasing and increasing a lot. It's not enough at this moment. In this year, in the next year, I think it will increase a lot.

He is also wary of revealing details of a new UGV he says is currently being trialled by military units, which has not yet been publicly unveiled.

DevDroid is in constant contact with troops on the ground about how the new robots can be improved to better meet their needs.

We try to produce UGVs that will work after one year. We just try to imagine how it changed, and how the front line changes, how the world is changing. And our product mustn't be outdated in one year, he says. Every day we talk with them about it, and they give us some improvements.

open image in gallery A Ukrainian serviceman tests an unmanned robotic ground vehicle armed with an Mk 19 grenade launcher ( AFP/Getty )

Around 10 or 15 per cent of the robots sent by Devdroid were lost in battle, he estimates. Many of these were repaired and returned to their brigades, so were lost only temporarily.

Experts warn that the growing use of robots does come with its own risks. The physical detachment between the operator and the lethal weapon raises concerns over how force is used.

Where we have an instrument that serves toward the application of force, operated from a distance, there is a risk that the threshold to use force becomes lowered ... and civilian populations are potentially at risk of bearing the brunt of the use of force, explains Professor Elke Schwarz, an expert in military technologies at Queen Mary University.

But Prof Schwarz notes that Kyiv is developing the UGV tactics out of necessity and in the context of an existential threat.

It is a certain boost for Kyivs self-reliance in the war, she adds: These are often homegrown systems, meaning that there is less reliance on external provisions, and the companies developing these UGVs can later expect to export the systems to other states.
Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply as Russia continues to attack Ukraine

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Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at Israel amid a burgeoning row over the purchase of grain stolen by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories.

The Ukrainian president said on Tuesday that Israels decision to buy from Russia cannot be legitimate business and that Kyiv was preparing sanctions against those attempting to profit from it.

A Ukrainian diplomatic source, speaking earlier on condition of anonymity, said that if Israel did not reject the latest cargo, Kyiv would reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses.

Ukraines foreign ministry said on Monday it had summoned Israels ambassador for not acting to stop Russian shipments of grain from entering the country. Kyiv confronted Israel earlier this month over another Russian ship allowed to dock in Israel with stolen grain.

Israels foreign minister said that Ukraine had provided no evidence to support the claims that the grain was stolen, accusing him of conducting diplomacy through the media.

Kyiv considers all grain produced in the four regions Russia claimed as its own since invading Ukraine in 2022, and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, to have been stolen by Moscow.
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Germanys leader said on Monday that Iran was humiliating the United States by dragging US envoys out to Pakistan for futile peace talks, amid a widening rift between Washington and its European allies over the conflict.

Friedrich Merz told students in Marsberg that the Iranians were obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilled at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result.

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 said in an unusually abrupt rebuke over the war.

The lingering Iran crisis continues to strain relations between Washington and its Nato partners, most recently tested by a leaked Pentagon memo weighing options to punish allies who did not support the US in its mission.

Merz, who allowed the US to use Ramstein air base to coordinate strikes on Iran, said he could not see what exit strategy Trump was pursuing to end the conflict, which Trump claims to have paused until a deal is made.

open image in gallery As relations sour between the US and its European allies, Friedrich Merz told students Iran was 'humiliating' the US ( Reuters )

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 the conflict to Washingtons drawn-out wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Peace prospects took a hit on Saturday when Trump scrapped plans to send a delegation to Islamabad to meet with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

Senior Iranian sources told Reuters that Araghchi had brought with him a fresh proposal envisioning talks in stages, with the nuclear issue to be set aside at the start. That framework would reportedly start with ending the war and providing security guarantees that Washington cannot reboot it at a later date. Only then would negotiators look to resolve the US blockade and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has sought to reopen under its control.

Trump said on Saturday that he had cancelled the visit due to too much travel and expense for what he considered to be an inadequate offer. The Iranians offered a lot, but not enough, he said. Iranian officials had already downplayed the possibility Araghchi would consider meeting Trumps delegation while in Pakistan.

Trump said later that Iran could call him if they wanted to negotiate.

Arriving in Russia to meet Vladimir Putin on Monday, Araghchi wrote on Telegram that Iran was considering Trumps request for negotiations. He told reporters that Trump had requested negotiations because the US hadnt achieved any of its objectives.

open image in gallery Iran intercepts a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on 24 April ( Reuters )

Putin - whom Trump has mediated for in the Ukraine war - offered Iran his support on Monday, saying the country would weather a difficult period and that peace would soon prevail.

For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests and the interests of all the peoples of the region to ensure that peace is achieved as quickly as possible, he told Araghchi, according to Russian state media.

Putin asked Araghchi to carry a message to new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei that Russia, like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relationship.

On the water, the Strait of Hormuz remained disrupted. Six tankers loaded with Iranian oil have been turned back by the US blockade in recent days, while just seven have crossed the strait in the 24 hours.

With the blockades stalling peace talks and continuing to impact global markets, British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to chair another COBR meeting this week to discuss the impact.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday, in St Petersburg ( AFP/Getty )

Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, warned that the UK could expect to pay more for energy, food and flights for at least eight months after the conflict ends.

There's going to be a long tail from this, he told the BBC. Jones said the government was preparing to secure supplies of carbon dioxide for food producers and breweries, anticipating shortages.

If there is a problem with jet fuel on holidays and carbon dioxide on beer, the summer might be pretty depressing for people, but we're doing everything we can to make sure that it's not the case, he said.
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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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A superyacht linked to the sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov has navigated the Strait of Hormuz, a highly sensitive shipping lane at the epicentre of the US-Iran conflict, shipping data has revealed.

The passage marks a rare transit through a waterway that has seen severe restrictions since February.

The 142-metre (465-foot) vessel, named Nord and valued at over $500m, departed a Dubai marina on Friday afternoon, crossed the strait on Saturday morning, and reached Muscat early on Sunday, according to MarineTraffic platform data.

It remains unclear how the luxury yacht secured permission to traverse the route.

Iran has significantly curtailed traffic through the strait, which typically handles approximately one-fifth of the worlds oil supply.

Daily passages through the crucial waterway, located at the entrance to the Gulf, have plummeted to just a handful of mainly merchant vessels, a stark contrast to the average of 125 to 140 daily transits before the Iran war commenced on 28 February.

open image in gallery Nord, a 142-metre (465-foot) yacht worth over $500m, left a Dubai marina at around 2pm on Friday, crossed the strait on Saturday morning ( Reuters )

A representative for steel magnate Mordashov declined to comment on Monday regarding the yachts journey. The US has, in turn, imposed a blockade on Iranian ports as a countermeasure amid the uneasy ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Russia and Iran are longstanding allies and have become closer in recent years, including via a 2025 treaty that strengthened intelligence and security cooperation.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday to meet President Vladimir Putin after discussions with mediators in Pakistan and Oman over the weekend.

Mordashov, known to be close to Putin, is not officially listed as the owner of Nord. But shipping data and Russian corporate records from 2025 show the vessel was registered to a Russian firm owned by his wife in 2022. This firm is registered in the Russian town of Cherepovets, where Mordashovs steelmaker Severstal is also registered.

open image in gallery It is not clear how the multi-deck pleasure vessel gained permission to use the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

Mordashov was among a number of Russians sanctioned by the United States and European Union after Russia invaded Ukraine for their links to Putin.

One of the largest yachts in the world, Nord has 20 staterooms, a swimming pool, a helipad, and a submarine, according to the industry publication Superyacht Times.
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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is showing early signs of recovery, with 19 vessels crossing on Saturday after days of disruption, but analysts say the traffic hasnt translated into any real increase in oil and gas actually flowing through the crucial waterway.

The strait, which once carried a fifth of the world's oil and gas, has been effectively closed since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February, with just three ships crossing a day at its lowest point, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.

Saturdays figure marked what Windward called a sharp rebound following several days of suppressed movement, although it remains a fraction of the 129 daily transits recorded before the conflict began.

While there are reports of increased vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz, CREAs analysis of Kpler [data and analytics company] data shows there is no real surge in oil and gas shipments, and flows appear to be remaining at a steady, measured pace, Isaac Levi, oil analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), told The Independent.

For the first time in weeks, vessels broadcast their location openly, rather than concealing their movements to evade detection  a pattern that has become widespread among ship operators since the conflict began.

Across the broader Gulf, the total number of vessels rose by 126 in a single day to 892, pointing to a gradual rebuilding of maritime activity in the region, the intelligence firm said.

open image in gallery The waterway, which once carried a fifth of the world's oil and gas, has been effectively closed since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February ( PA Graphics )

At Irans main oil export terminal on Kharg Island in the Gulf, satellite imagery from Sunday showed two large tankers loading crude while at least eight more waited at anchor, Windward said, suggesting Iranian exports are moving, but slowly and under strain.

Windwards own assessment stops well short of declaring a recovery.

The firm said the operating environment remained one of partial traffic recovery, active enforcement, persistent sanctions pressure, and continuing adaptation by high-risk maritime networks.

The caution is unsurprising given where diplomacy stands.

The war is now in its ninth week, although a ceasefire has paused most fighting but with no agreement reached on ending the conflict. Iran is offering to end its chokehold on the strait without addressing its nuclear programme, two regional officials with knowledge of the proposal told the Associated Press, but the offer is unlikely to satisfy US president Donald Trump, who wants Tehrans atomic programme dealt with as part of any overall deal.

We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us, Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

Talks had been expected in Islamabad over the weekend, with Mr Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner due to travel to Pakistan. But Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left the Pakistani capital on Saturday, and Mr Trump shortly afterwards cancelled the mission.

open image in gallery Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents dinner before the attack on 25 April ( AFP/Getty )

He told journalists that within 10 minutes of cancelling the trip, Iran sent a much better proposal, though he did not elaborate. Mr Araghchi blamed Washingtons excessive demands for the delay, saying it was Americas approach that caused the negotiations to be delayed.

Mr Araghchi spent the weekend shuttling between Islamabad and Muscat before flying to Saint Petersburg on Monday to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin.

It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war, he told Irans state news agency IRNA.

Iran is also said to be pushing Oman to support a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the waterway.

A full return to normal traffic will also require clearing the naval mines Iran has deposited near the straits designated sea lanes. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged on Friday that the mines remain a danger and that risks of transiting were higher than desired, even as American forces worked on clearing them.

Among the more striking transits on Saturday was the Nord, a superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov, which safely passed through the Iranian side of the waterway and is now docked in Muscat, according to a report from the Maritime Executive.

Iran has a close relationship with Moscow rooted in defence ties, and has an incentive to allow Russian vessels through, the outlet reported.

TankerTrackers.com estimates $380m (280) worth of crude is now in US custody following interceptions, with another $1bn in oil back in Iran aboard tankers that were turned around by the blockade.

Brent crude was trading at around $107 a barrel on Monday, compared with $72 before the war began. Goldman Sachs lifted its year-end forecast to $90 a barrel from $80, basing the expectation on a return to normal Gulf exports by the end of June, but warned that non-linear price increases are likely if inventories drop to critically low levels, which we have not seen in the last few decades.

The disruption extends well beyond oil, with global shipments of liquefied natural gas, fertiliser and other supplies also hit by the near-closure of the strait, deepening fears for the world economy two months into the conflict.
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Donald Trump keeps Americas friends close but has also kept its Russian enemies in an embarrassing embrace.

However, his passion for Vladimir Putin is being tested as his envoys clamber into bed with Irans envoys, welcoming Tehrans foreign minister in St Petersburg on Monday. Like the victim of a coercive relationship, Trump has seemingly gone out of his way to forgive the infidelity of Russias president.

Asked about Moscows supply of intelligence to Iran that has been used to kill American personnel over the last two months, he replied: I dont know, look, they can give all the information that they want but people theyre sending to are overwhelmed. Russia would be overwhelmed too. Anybody would be overwhelmed.

Speaking as American military bases were under attack from Iranian drones and missiles, the US president shrugged off Russias help to Iran by saying, Theyd say we do it against them. Wouldnt they say that we do it against them?

Such indifference to military collaboration between Iran and Russia at a time of war is staggering.

But it is not surprising. And since then, Trump has continued to remain silent on Russias close cooperation in the production and development of missile technology with Iran.

Hes not asked the Russians to step back from their continued involvement in Irans development of nuclear power  Russian experts are still on the ground at the Bushehr nuclear facility in Iran.

The US president has also given Russia financial headroom amid international sanctions on its exports of fossil fuels, by lifting some US restrictions on Moscows oil exports.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Saint Petersburg on April 27, 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

And on 14 April, his vice president JD Vance described his proudest moment of the presidency so far as the decision to cut military aid to Ukraine  a nation that Russia invaded but has been under pressure from Trump and his officials to succumb to Putins demands as part of a peace process that has been described by many European governments as a recipe for Kyivs capitulation to the Kremlin.

But now Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia to seek more support for its war against America. This is Trumps opportunity to send at least a minor signal to his friends in Moscow that hes publicly embarrassed by the flirtation.

Irans ambassador to Moscow has said that its much more than a long look across the negotiating table or side eyes over canapes at a diplomatic convention.

No. This, he says, is a full-blown relationship.

Kazem Jalali said in a post on X that Mr Araghchi would meet Putin in continuation of the diplomatic jihad to advance the countrys interests and amid external threats.

open image in gallery JD Vance at the White House with Donald Trump and Marco Rubio on April 23, 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

Iran and Russia are present in a united front in the campaign of the worlds totalitarian forces against independent and justice-seeking countries, as well as countries that seek a world free from unilateralism and Western domination, Jalali said.

A united front against America.

Trumps response?

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, he trilled on The Sunday Briefing on Fox News.

But the Russian support to Iran is real. Moscow has transferred or agreed to transfer advanced airdefence systems, including variants of the S300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Tehran. Its excerpts have provided advice on improved accuracy of missiles and how to evade American defences. Russia has also been working with Iran on space launch and satellite technology.

The two nations also collaborate on developing live battlefield surveillance technology, which could be used to kill Americans.

open image in gallery Trump speaking to CBS News after a shooting incident in Washington ( 60 Minutes, CBS )

Rather than try to stop this, Trump has turned on Americas Nato allies who have not joined his attacks on Iran alongside Israel, because it is an illegal war of aggression and choice  not an act of self-defence. His administration, which believes it owns the alliance of 31 other member states, is considering expelling Spain and suggested that the Falklands wont get Nato protection.

Spain cannot be expelled by the US. The only attack on a Nato member by a foreign state has been by Argentina when it invaded the Falklands in 1982. The US gave almost no help to the UK then, and London did not invoke the mutual defence agreement between Nato members.

The US did that on 9/11  and Nato members came to Washingtons aid.

The only beneficiary of divisions inside Nato is Putin. The US will suffer long-term as a consequence of it. Yet Trump has delivered just that.

Only Tehran and Moscow gain from their close relationship. The US will suffer from their long embrace. The US will suffer as a long-term consequence of that, too.

Yet Trump chooses to ignore it or, for reasons that remain obscure and creepy, is powerless to stop it.
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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.

open image in gallery 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.

open image in gallery 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.

open image in gallery 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
Who would want to go to the United States right now? For nearly all of us, there is the agency to decide. Two people who dont have that option are off across the Atlantic next week. They are the King and Queen.

It was very telling when the announcement came confirming the state visit, the Buckingham Palace press notice started On the advice of His Majestys government. Now of course, all state visits are decided on the advice of ministers. We live in a constitutional monarchy after all.

But it seemed as though the Palace just wanted to put in our minds the thought that this wasnt their idea. I was told the view in royal circles that Donald Trumps second state visit to Britain was happening too soon after Keir Starmer was elected, with that ostentatious pulling of an envelope from the PMs jacket pocket at his Oval Office meeting, inviting the president back to London.

The second state visit did go ahead, and we were treated to the full, slightly gut-churning guff about how the special relationship had never been more special. It was the special-est it had ever been. Keir and Donalds bromance had never been so close  or the thinnest millimetre deep

But then it all went south. Donald Trump decided to attack Iran. Britain said well sit this one out  and, well, suddenly Keir was no longer this man of principle and tough as steel. He was a weak, weedy disappointment, an appeasing Chamberlain. He was no Churchill, the president told reporters. Britain had let America down, and America wouldnt forget.

Into this maelstrom sail the King and Queen. Now, as fence menders, there could be no one better. The president has said as much. He told the BBC that the Kings visit will patch things up. Charles and Camilla are skilled and adroit diplomats

open image in gallery UK-US relations have taken a battering since Donald Trump visited our country  into this maelstrom sail our King and Queen ( Getty )

But can we step back for a moment from Donald Trumps one-man drama and look at the reality? The special relationship is a chimaera. Its true that Americans love our royal family and take precious little notice of our politicians. As an example, I have had calls from US networks about commentating on the royal visit. I have had zero calls about the woes of Starmer and whether hes finished as PM because of the Mandelson affair.

The special relationship is our obsession. Not Americas. In a lot of areas  national security, intelligence sharing, defence cooperation (Iran notwithstanding)  there is a very tight bond between our two nations. But that has been carrying on as normal, despite the White House histrionics. I was back in Washington a couple of weeks ago and was told as much.

My initial instinct was to think dont go. Why reward the bad behaviour of a president who was being obnoxious to our prime minister over a perfectly reasonable decision not to get involved in the ill-fated Iran war?

What Buckingham Palace will be keen to avoid is any situation where the King is asked by the president to comment on how Starmer is doing, or what he thinks about the state of our armed forces. The schedule will be tightly managed to avoid snafus like that. But as we know, Trump is unpredictable.

My initial instinct when I saw the press notice announcing that the state visit would be going ahead at the end of April, was to think dont go. Why reward the bad behaviour of a president who was being obnoxious to our prime minister over a perfectly reasonable decision not to get involved in the ill-fated Iran war? And why put our royal family in a position where they could be embarrassed by an ill-disciplined narcissist who is an inveterate attention seeker?

But this is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US, a country that wanted to shake off British rule and the redcoats of King George III and forge its own, brilliant path; a country that twice in the last century came to our rescue in the darkest hours of the European continent. Whether we like it or not, there is a common bond and shared history. And overwhelmingly in these 250 years, it has been to Britains advantage to be bound tightly to the United States, even if it doesnt quite feel like that right now.

open image in gallery With Maga splintering and his Iran war faltering on the world stage  Trump could probably do with the visit going well too ( PA )

Rightly, the American people would have probably thought it the most dreadful snub if the invitation had been turned down by the British King.

One other point worth making is that I dont think the need for this trip to go well is a one-way street. Sure, Starmer and his beleaguered government could do without the sniping coming from across the pond. The United States is still our biggest single export market. We dont want Trump throwing his tariff toys out of the pram and taking further punitive measures.

But Donald Trump is in need of help, too. His approval ratings have tanked and are getting worse. His Maga coalition is splintering over Iran, and on other issues too. The coalition of voters he pulled together for the 2024 election has disintegrated. His ICE policies have alienated the Hispanic voters who gave up their lifelong allegiance to the Democrats. Prices are rising, and affordability is decreasing.

To his horror, Democrats are fighting these midterms just as dirtily as the Republicans  and for the first time the president is countenancing the idea that the Republicans might lose control of the House of Representatives, and possibly even the Senate.

Donald Trump has burnished the Oval Office and the White House with ever-increasing amounts of gilt and gold paint, as though he is some latter-day king living in a make-believe palace. How marvellous then to have the real thing by his side next week. The king will quietly and persuasively make the case for Britain. My guess is Donald Trump will be on his best behaviour. He has as much to gain  maybe even more  as we do.
The outsourcing division of Irish-founded firm CPL is feeling the effects of Metas cutbacks in its outsourced work

Workers at the Irish outsourcing firm Covalen have been told that hundreds of jobs are potentially at risk.

A spokesperson for the firm told the Irish Independent: Covalen can confirm that it has commenced consultation with a number of employees in relation to potential redundancies within its Dublin operations.

An organiser for the Communications Workers Union (CWU), who has been consulting with potentially-affected staff, has described the development as a slap in the face to workers in the pursuit of AI slop.

The jobs at risk are linked to one of Covalens main clients, Meta, which is currently engaged in a major downsizing round.

Covalen, a division of the Irish-founded firm CPL, employs around 2,000 people in tech, financial services and other outsourcing areas.

It has operated a range of trust and safety services for Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram in recent years, including content moderation.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, April 27

However, AI-related cutbacks in Meta have now spurred reductions in the amount of work to be farmed out to outsourcing firms.

There are a lot of angry people out in Sandyford [Covalen base], said John Bohan, a CWU organiser involved in the process.

It has come out of left field and is a slap in the face. The only real justification is Metas headcount cuts to foot the bill for AI. Were yet to see anything useful from this AI slop with all this money being thrown down a hole at it and its workers that are paying the price.

While the cuts are technically unrelated to Metas own 10pc staff layoff round, announced last week and unspecified yet for Ireland, they follow repeated warnings from the US tech giant where it warned that it would be reducing its usage of contractor firms such as Covalen for its processes.

Meta currently employs 1,800 staff but around 5,000 external contractors, including those at Covalen.

As we shared in March, over the next few years, Meta will be deploying more advanced AI systems to transform our approach to content enforcement and operations across our platforms, so that it delivers the safety and protection people expect, a Meta spokesperson said.

As we do that, well be reducing our reliance on third-party vendors and strengthening our internal systems. Were approaching this transformation thoughtfully, and will continue to regularly report on how these more advanced AI systems are performing.

Covalen previously underwent a round of job cuts several months ago, sparking industrial action.

"The company is engaging directly and proactively to support the affected teams through this transition and is following the required consultation process in line with our obligations, said a Covalen spokesperson.

"All employees continue to have access to our employee wellbeing support through Covalens employee assistance programme.
The Chamber Choir Ireland CEO on her rescue dog Sadie, who doesnt like to be left on her own but has become a sort of therapy dog at the National Concert Hall

Sadie had only two weeks before she was put down when I rescued her in February 2023. Id done some fostering before for Dogs in Distress and when I saw Sadie go up online, I decided to help her. She needed a good bit of TLC, naturally, but she was very quiet and gentle.

There was a nervousness about her, but she settled fairly quickly and when I was asked to send on some photos of her because someone was interested in actually adopting her, I said no, because I already knew I wanted to keep her myself.

Shes six or seven years old now and shes a Labrador cross. Crossed with what? Well, thats hard to tell, but shes a bit smaller than a regular Labrador, and she has very interesting  and expressive  ears!

I grew up with Labradors; Goldie arrived when I was about three, and I was 17 or 18 when she died. Then my brother had a black Labrador called Bruno. He was a very attentive dog, and was brilliant with my mum who was a stroke patient at the time; Bruno always had a really lovely presence around her.

Majella Hollywood, CEO Chamber Choir Ireland, with her rescue dog Sadie. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Sadie is also a calm dog, but when she arrived three years ago her separation anxiety issues meant that if I left her alone for even a short time, the kitchen bin would be emptied and thered be rubbish all over the place. Theres none of that any more; when I leave her now she knows that Im coming back.

Shes still not keen being parted from me, though. If I have to pop out for milk, say I cant bring Sadie with me, left on her own for those few minutes shed be jumping all over the car, turning on lights and hitting all kinds of switches until I was back again!

Sadie helps me to live a better life. Walking her in the morning and again in the evening time adds punctuation to the day. Those walks clear my head before my working schedule begins and then, no matter what kind of day Ive had, theres always that evening walk to look forward to.

She has her own bed in my bedroom, and although she always starts off up on my bed, when I turn out the light she jumps down and gets into her own. At weekends, if I sleep a bit longer, shell leap up and potter along to the top of the bed to see what on earths going on  am I awake or not?

My Chamber Choir office is in the National Concert Hall and when I go in two days every week, Sadie comes too. Its so lovely having her there  curled up in her bed in my office. Mind you, shes not the only dog in the building. The Concert Hall staff just love Sadie  and she loves them. Really, shes like a therapy dog.

Chamber Choir Irelands nationwide concert tour, Servant of Servants, Patron of the Arts, begins on May 1, see chamberchoirireland.com

As told to Roslyn Dee
Responsibility for road safety in Ireland is deeply fragmented, with no single body accountable for outcomes, emergency doctors said

Doctors who come face-to-face with the horrific aftermath of accidents in hospital emergency department across the country today called for urgent action to stop carnage on the roads.

They said accidents caused 190 deaths last year, the highest in over a decade.

The current trajectory so far for 2026 indicates that we are likely to exceed the 2025 figure. Of major concern, road deaths in Ireland rose by 31pc since 2019 while the EU average actually fell by 12pc. The Governments own target of no more than 72 deaths annually by 2030 is now frighteningly off course," the emergency doctors said.

The doctors in the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine said nearly half of those killed were vulnerable road users  pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Cyclist deaths were at their highest since 2017 with motorcyclist deaths their highest since 2007. As the doctors staffing Irelands Emergency Departments, we see at first hand this carnage. Every week we treat patients who sustain ultimately fatal injuries or have been seriously injured. Behind every death are many more who survive with catastrophic injuries that leave permanent disability and often require years of rehabilitation.

They also stressed the true burden of road trauma on the health system is far greater than the fatality count might suggest.

They added: As doctors, we understand the difference between an unavoidable outcome and one resulting from system failures and sadly Irelands worsening road deaths are as a result of such system failures.

"Responsibility for road safety in Ireland is deeply fragmented with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), a multitude of government departments including the Department of Transport, An Garda Siochana, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and 31 local authorities all having a role with no single body accountable for outcomes.

"The Cabinet-approved plan to reform the RSA was abandoned in December 2025 with no plan as to how to proceed. To underscore how far backwards Ireland has gone, speeding detections have fallen 43pc in a decade. Ireland operates a mere dozen or so fixed speed cameras while Finland operates 1,164.

Bizarrely, local authorities cannot access crash location data to identify dangerous roads, thus incident black spots can remain unaddressed for years.

The association said it endorsed the five key demands set out by the Stop Road Deaths campaign. These are not aspirational, they are specific, evidence-based reforms that our European peers have implemented a statutory road safety commissioner with the authority, budget and legal mandate to deliver the 2030 target .

They also called for automated speed cameras deployed on high-risk routes within 12 months as well as mandatory black spot redesign with a funded national programme to fix the 50 highest-risk road sections identified by crash data.

They said there needs to be a reversal of the enforcement collapse by restoring dedicated road policing numbers to at least 2014 levels.

And there should be parliamentary accountability requiring every TD to state publicly whether they support these reforms.

The Safe System Approach adopted in principle by the Irish Government and endorsed by the World Health Organisation holds that no one should die or be seriously injured using the road network, they said.

That principle is meaningless without institutional mechanisms to deliver it. Norway, Sweden and Finland have demonstrated what is achievable. Norway now has the lowest road mortality rate in Europe (16 deaths per million, compared to Irelands 33). Indeed, Helsinki went an entire year without a single traffic fatality. These are not countries with fewer cars or easier terrain, they are countries that decided road deaths were a governance problem and addressed them as such. Ireland needs the political will to take the necessary steps our Scandinavian colleagues have taken. IAEM therefore calls on the government to stop regarding road traffic deaths as inevitable tragedies and instead do what is required to make Irelands roads safe for all, the association said.
Hospital doctor suspended for forging consultants signature on reference form

Tribunal finds inexperienced Royal Victoria Hospital medic behaved dishonestly as it bars her for three months

The Royal Victoria Hospital

Stephen Gordon Yesterday at 09:29

A Belfast hospital doctor found to have forged a consultant cardiologists signature on a reference form has been hit with a suspension order.
Brigadier Piers Ashfield, the senior military officer in Northern Ireland, says Ireland has been a 'prisoner of geography'. Photo: PA

The island of Ireland is in an absolutely critical position amid tensions with Russia, Northern Irelands top military officer has warned.

Brigadier Piers Ashfield, the joint military commander in Northern Ireland, was speaking as the RAF brought a P-8 Poseidon from Lossiemouth in Scotland to the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove in Co Antrim last week.

While the aircraft was primarily in Northern Ireland for a joint search-and-rescue exercise with the Coast Guard and RNLI, there was also a military significance to the move.

The Poseidon, described as one of the RAFs primary intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (Istar) assets, was operating from Aldergrove for the first time.

Brig Ashfield, commander of 38 Brigade and the senior military officer in Northern Ireland, called the exercise the physical manifestation of the updated memorandum of understanding signed by the UK and the Republic of Ireland last month to enhance bilateral defence co-operation.

It occupies an absolutely critical position covering this really important stretch of water in the north Atlantic

The aim of this has really been to test and adjust some of our operating procedures to provide an enhanced level of safety and security for people across the island of Ireland in the maritime domain, particularly focused on this exercise on search and rescue, he said.

Ireland has always been a prisoner of that geography, and where it operates in the Greenland-Iceland gap, as youve seen the various ministerial leaders of the MoD [UK Ministry of Defence] describing the threat from Russian naval operations in that space that threatens both the critical national infrastructure that not only the UK depends on, but a significant part of Europe and our allies and partners depend on as well.

It occupies an absolutely critical position covering this really important stretch of water in the north Atlantic.

Its the most westerly [base], and I think that provides an advantage not only for the UK operating from here, but also our allies and partners across both Nato and through some of our bilateral arrangements as well.

Wing Commander Rob McCartney, the commanding officer of the Lossiemouth-based 201 Squadron, said the island of Ireland  with its position in the north Atlantic where the Russian navy regularly deploys  was strategically important to what is going on in the world.

The UK signed a memorandum of understanding with Ireland only a couple of months ago, which signals a much closer security relationship than we had before, he said.

While were here doing search and rescue, we plan to operate much closer with our Irish partners.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned that the ongoing war in Ukraine has deepened the pain of those who survived the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in April 1986.

Mr Martin - speaking at a special Greater Chernobyl Cause commemoration at Cork's Bishop Lucey Park - vowed that Ireland will stand with the survivors of Chernobyl and will work to restore peace, hope and healing in the world.

The commemoration took place after President Catherine Connolly hosted a special ceremony on Friday in Aras an Uachtarain to mark four decades since the world's worst nuclear disaster.

Cork unveiled a special sculpture in the marina last week to mark the 40th anniversary of Chernobyl and to honour the enormous work since 1986 by Irish volunteers to assist those impacted.

Mr Martin warned that the lessons of Chernobyl must never be forgotten.

"As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, we pause not only to remember a tragedy that changed the course of countless lives, but also to honour the extraordinary courage and resilience of those who have endured its legacy," he said.

"Today, the pain of Chernobyl is deepened by the ongoing war in Ukraine, reminding us that the struggle for dignity, safety, and hope is far from over.

"Ireland stands shoulder to shoulder with the survivors, the heroic liquidators, and all those still suffering, both from the consequences of the disaster and the horrors of conflict.

"The unwavering dedication of [charities like] the Greater Chernobyl Cause (GCC) is a testament to the power of compassion and the strength of community.

"Ireland will continue to support and advocate for all those affected by Chernobyl, ensuring their stories are never forgotten and their needs never overlooked.

"On this solemn anniversary, we renew our commitment to solidarity, remembrance and humanitarian action. Together, we can help bring hope and healing where it is needed most."

GCC stage a special commemoration each year in Cork's Bishop Lucey Park to mark the tragedy.

A special birch grove in the park honours all those impacted by the Chernobyl disaster.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Larysa Gerasko, also attended the event.

GCC founder Fiona Corcoran said what happened at Chernobyl must never be forgotten.

"As we mark forty years since the Chernobyl disaster, we remember not only a tragedy that shattered families and communities but also a catastrophe whose invisible wounds are still felt today," she said.

"The pain of Chernobyl endures, in the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses, in the isolation of the elderly, and in the memories of those who lost everything."

"Now, as war against Ukraine rages into its fifth year, new wounds are opened on old scars, and suffering is compounded. The resilience and dignity of the survivors continue to inspire us, even in the face of unimaginable hardship."

"Ireland stands with them, today and always.

Ms Corcoran recently visited the exclusion zone around the old nuclear reactor to witness first-hand the ongoing hardships faced by those living in the shadow of the disaster.

"In towns like Ivankiv, just 40 minutes from Chernobyl, the echoes of history blend with the harsh realities of today, she said.

"Elderly women who survived Chernobyl and now endure war are isolated and frail. The heroes who once shielded the world, known as liquidators, are left behind, facing age, illness, and abandonment."
The scene at the Grange Heights housing estate

A woman has died following a suspected assault in Waterford city.

The woman, aged in her 40s, was discovered with critical injuries at a property in the Grange Heights housing estate earlier this evening.

Gardai and emergency services responded to the incident at approximately 6:15pm.

She was rushed to University Hospital Waterford (UHW) where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene. It is understood he was known to the deceased woman.

The man is currently detained at a garda station in the Waterford division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

He can be detained for questioning for up to 24 hours.

It is understood the alarm was raised by neighbours in the Grange Heights area.

The indications are that the woman suffered multiple injuries including suspected stab wounds.

The incident is being treated as a suspected prolonged assault.

A garda spokesperson said they are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

"The scene is currently preserved for technical examination," a spokesperson said.

"A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. An incident room has been established at Waterford garda station.

"A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased.

Gardai confirmed that the Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course at Waterford morgue.

The scene at the Grange Heights housing estate

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, April 27

A full forensic examination will be conducted by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.

Gardai are conducting door-to-door inquiries in the local community to determine if anyone heard or saw anything suspicious in the area as they try to determine the circumstances in which the woman was injured.

CCTV security camera footage from the area will also be canvassed by officers.

Gardai are also trying to establish a timeline for the incident and want to clarify precisely when the woman was last seen in public.

Locals have indicated that the woman is not an Irish national.

She is understood to be originally from East Europe and was working in Waterford.

However, she is believed to have been resident in Ireland for some time.

Waterford locals have expressed shock at the incident which occurred in a quiet residential area popular with young families.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

"Anyone who was in the Grange Heights area on Monday (April 27) 2026 between 6pm and 6:30pm who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, is asked to provide this footage to investigating gardai, a spokesperson said.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on (051) 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666111 or any Garda station. Investigations are ongoing."
Current impasse may end up strengthening Iran as a security state

A soldier stands guard on an overhead bridge to ensure security for the US and Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. Photo: AP

Thousands of people carrying Iranian flags gathered in Revolution Square, Tehran, to protest against the US and Israel. Photo: Getty

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.

The US president has insisted that he is under no time pressure to reach a peace agreement and will prioritise a good deal for the American people, but a significant gulf remains between both sides on key issues.

The US navy continues to blockade Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a painful countermeasure to Irans closure of the route that analysts assess to be costing Tehran as much as $435m (371m) per day.

Even so, experts say Iran has shown far more tolerance to this kind of pressure than outsiders would like to admit, and Trump will still be influenced by domestic political pressure over rising energy prices.

While Irans economy will no doubt be damaged by a protracted war, analysts say the status quo could also end up strengthening the authoritarian regime.

With the Pentagon now reportedly anticipating it will likely take six months to clear mines from the Strait, the cost of the war in limbo will be enormous.

The Strait of Hormuz has proven a powerful lever of Iranian influence since the conflict erupted on February 28. A fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes through the waterway. Its closure has drained global supplies, forcing up prices and creating wide support for a quick end to the war.

Trump argues that the status quo is also unsustainable for Iran, which he says is losing 500 million dollars a day from the US blockade on its imports and exports.

Miad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), assessed that it could cost Iran $435m per day, as more than 90pc of its $109.7bn annual trade passes through the Strait. Before the blockade took effect, Iran was generating around $139m in oil revenue alone every day.

The blockade also halts exports of $54m in daily petrochemical exports and $79m in non-oil exports, the FDD estimates. It further impacts the $159m in daily imports to Iran, creating shortages of food and other essentials and driving up prices.

Longer term, Iran risks irreparable damage to its oil reserves if it is forced to close oil wells as storage fills up. Shutdowns can render oil inaccessible, inflicting billions in annual losses.

Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at Kings College London, said the status quo is not sustainable in any normal commercial sense. Even if both sides can use it as leverage in the short term, it remains economically corrosive longer term.

Iran can tolerate this kind of pressure longer than most outsiders would like to admit, Dr Krieg said. But Trump is partly right that the country is taking real material damage by constraining its own export environment, reinforcing its regional isolation and accelerating Gulf investment in alternatives to Hormuz.

The paradox, he said, is that if the impasse lasts, the Iranian regime is likely to reconstitute itself faster than expected, even while weakening economically.

The latest internal picture suggests that surviving this confrontation has already given the regime a renewed sense of legitimacy among its own base, and that the IRGC is becoming even more central to decision-making, he said.

Over time, a very long impasse would still erode Irans economy, increase domestic strain and make the state more brittle. But in the near to medium term, the IRGC can absolutely tolerate this kind of status quo because it reinforces the idea that only hard power, repression and strategic coercion preserve the system.

In that sense, a prolonged Hormuz impasse weakens Iran as a normal economy, but may strengthen it as a security state.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to be felt across the global economy.

The EU energy commissioner assessed on Wednesday that the status quo is also costing the bloc $500m a day, warning that very difficult months, or possibly even years lie ahead.

There is no way that Iran should be able to keep those Straits closed for a long period of time in the face of American power

In the US, inflated petrol prices are costing consumers an additional $300-450m each day, according to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, which provides real-time petrol price updates.

He said that Americans have so far collectively spent around $17.6bn more on gasoline since the start of the conflict.

Dr Valentin Boboc, senior economist at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said the costs for the US would be mainly political, with domestic pump prices a critical liability ahead of the November mid-term elections. Separately, Gulf allies may be growing restless over the lack of a long-term maritime security resolution, he said.

The Strait of Hormuz also facilitates huge movements of fertiliser, and its continued closure will affect world food supplies. The US imports around 13pc of its fertiliser from the Gulf; India imports 25pc of its fertiliser from the Gulf.

The UN said on Thursday that higher fuel and fertiliser prices from the crisis will push 30 million people back into poverty worldwide.

Martin Navias, the co-author of Tanker Wars: The Assault on Merchant Shipping During the Iran-Iraq Crisis, agreed that the pressure on the US today is primarily a political-economic issue, not a military one.

There is no way that Iran should be able to keep those Straits closed for a long period of time in the face of American power, Dr Navias said.

The IRGC has developed its anti-shipping capabilities since the 1980s, but the US Navy could accompany ships down the Gulf to protect them through the Strait of Hormuz if the political will existed.

He added it was incomprehensible that the US had ended up in this position at all, casting the closure of the Strait as a failure of planning and the war as catastrophic from an American-Western point of view.

Its not that those assets presented the Israelis or the Americans with any greater intelligence challenge ... Its just that they never dedicated their efforts to that.

A soldier stands guard on an overhead bridge to ensure security for the US and Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. Photo: AP

The UK and France are still trying to convene a multinational coalition to reopen the Strait but do not plan to intervene until a sustainable ceasefire agreement is made.

With the world left to wait for the US and Iran to agree to terms, countries that can bypass the Strait may emerge as competitive alternatives in the short term, while affected states in the Gulf build the infrastructure to avoid such shocks in future.

At the start of April, the Financial Times reported that oil and industry executives in the Gulf were already considering major investment in new pipelines to avoid the Strait altogether. Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait are the most exposed to the blockades with fewer meaningful ways to bypass the Strait.

These alternative channels may cost billions and take years to complete, but would make energy-dependent states less susceptible to external events, especially important now Iran has learnt that it can still weaponise the Strait after all, Dr Krieg said.

But other, immaterial losses may also shape the world in the longer term.

Washington looks less able to guarantee free navigation than it claims, and that feeds a wider perception across the Gulf that the US security umbrella is still indispensable but no longer fully reliable, Dr Krieg said.

I think that loss of confidence is one of the most important consequences of this whole episode. It pushes partners towards hedging, diversification and more autonomous planning. ( The Independent)
On Sunday Jim Glennon, who served as a Fianna Fail TD in the Dublin North constituency from 2002 to 2007, confirmed that he had offered a character reference for convicted sex offender Daniel Ramamoorthy. In a statement, Edelman Ireland announced that Jim Glennons tenure as non-executive chairman had ended before they were aware he wrote the character reference. The PR firm told the Irish Independent that his tenure ended in March, but an external announcement had not been made to the media. This was, in line with our protocol, and it had been communicated to relevant contacts internally, Edelman Ireland said in response to queries. On the question of who had been notified internally and when, the company said it would not be commenting further. Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent Special Correspondent Catherine Fegan, to discuss the fallout from the revelations, and look at her pursuit for answers to the controversy as it unfolded.
Funding amounting to 230,874 has been announced for community water quality improvement projects in County Clare.

Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister, James Browne, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan, announced the funding, which has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund.

Both of these funds are administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme on behalf of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage Department.

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.

While 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.

Projects in Clare awarded funding through the Community Water Development Fund include:

Carrigaholt Development Association - Carrigaholt Wetlands - Nature enhancement for Moyarta water quality, biodiversity recovery, and community-led stewardship (38,780)

Doonbeg Community Development Ltd: Doonbeg river restoration project (access and riparian management) (16,551)

Lough Derg Anglers Association - Appropriate assessment and design a plan to enable best practice stream rehabilitation and water quality control measures (4,500)

Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary - Water quality actions for the River Graney (14,533)

Lough Atorick Catchment Management Association (LACMA) - Community collaboration to enhance water quality and biodiversity in the Lough Atorick Catchment (25,000)

Quin Village Tidy Towns group - Rine River project (4,182)

Restore Ballymacraven River Association - Phase three restoration plan - (37,500)

The Woodland League - Native riparian tree restoration, community nurseries and food forests for water resilience (6,000)

Projects in Clare awarded funding through the Catchment Support Fund include:

Carrigaholt Development Association (21,916)

Lough Grainey Nature Sanctuary (20,625)

Lough Atorick Catchment Management Association (LACMA) (6,453)

Restore Ballymacraven River Association (RBRA) (30,937)

Shannon Town Community Wetlands (3,897)

Local communities play a vital role in protecting and improving our water quality, Director of Services for the Local Authority Waters Programme, Anthony Coleman, said.

The Local Authority Waters Programme is proud to support the work of community groups, volunteers and NGOs across the country through our funding programmes, helping them take action to improve and protect our waterways for current and future generations.
Municipal District Officer Margaret ODonoghue relayed the information to councillors at a recent Fermoy Municipal District meeting after Independent councillor William OLearys motion called on Cork County Council to consider refurbishing the memorial to fallen local soldiers of World War I located outside the Town Park in Fermoy.

Cllr OLeary said the names have become largely illegible and the monument is in need of restoration works. I was contacted by two men from our retired forces in the town. This was the monument that was opened by Bertie Ahern. The monument has beautiful stone, but every single name on it is illegible. The monument itself is in good condition, but it is the names that have been damaged.

I have looked at it and I was taken aback by it, admitted Cllr OLeary. It is fairly urgent as it is causing a bit of upset. They are all Irish men whose names are on the memorial, and they are all from the locality. They all died fighting in World War I. I know we are under pressure with funding but if this can be progressed as soon as possible, I would appreciate it.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn who seconded the motion paid tribute to the late Kieran Moran who initially spearheaded the memorial. It started out as a small dream. Permission was granted by Cork County Council to put it up on the wall beside the park. The taoiseach came to Fermoy to officially open it. It was very well attended and received.

Aontu councillor Peter ODonoghue said: Over 200,000 Irish men fought in World War I. Up to 50,000 of those men were killed on the battle fields. This memorial honours those people who fought in that war, and it also reminds us of the horrors of war.

Municipal District Officer Margaret ODonoghue said the local authority will look at the cost and progress the work as soon as possible on it. Will be inspected and refurbishment work arranged, as required.
Authority has seen its portfolio of dilapidated sites swell

'We are left with a lot of these dilapidated buildings,' Green Party councillor Feljin Jose said. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Dublin City Council (DCC) has indefinitely paused the purchase of derelict sites in the city  known as compulsorily purchasing them  as it continues to sit on a sizeable portfolio of derelict buildings.

For at least the past six months, the authority has not progressed any compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for derelict buildings, pointing to resource and funding constraints.

CPOs occur when the council demands that the owner of a derelict site address its dilapidation but no progress is made, forcing it to acquire the plot.

CPOs are one of the strengthened weapons that we have in our armoury, Independent councillor Cieran Perry said at a recent council meeting.

We do know that it frightens people, the threat of CPO, plus its an opportunity to take some buildings back into public control, so its really, really disappointing to see that the housing department has now paused any more CPOs.

Independent councillor Cieran Perry. Photos: Damien Eagers

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Perry said compulsory purchases were an arduous process, but very, very effective in addressing dereliction.

I cant believe they paused CPOs at a time when dereliction is literally top of the agenda, with the Taoiseachs taskforce, with the setting up of the [DCC] Special Purpose Vehicle, he said.

Its acknowledged at the very top of Government that dereliction is an issue and yet DCC has made a decision to pause CPOs.

He said the Governments failed housing policy means DCC is facing unbelievable pressure to target large-scale housing over refurbishing derelict sites.

So, theres been a decision made at the highest level of city council to prioritise mass builds  I dont believe it should be either or. I believe it should be both, he said.

A Department of Housing spokesperson said councils can fund CPOs through Urban Regeneration and Development Funding (URDF), the Social Housing Investment Programme and the Housing Finance Agency. They said 10m of URDF funds had been made available to DCC to address vacant and derelict properties, of which almost 9m remained.

They may also use Derelict Sites Levies that they have collected, or may establish their own revolving fund to support this work, the spokesperson said.

We are left with a lot of these dilapidated buildings and we have to do something

Green Party councillor Feljin Jose said the CPO pause was down to the councils portfolio of dilapidated properties it cannot afford to refurbish.

Council staff have conceded that the scale of the portfolio, understood to be made up of at least 40 sites, is an embarrassment to the authority.

The two rotting redbrick homes at 19 and 21 Connaught Street in Phibsborough, in council ownership since 2019, are the latest examples to draw headlines.

At this current moment in time, we are left with a lot of these dilapidated buildings, and we have to do something about that, Mr Jose said.

Thats going to be painful in the short term, but thats the situation weve gotten ourselves into.

He said the changeover in housing ministers last year brought about a shift in attitude towards dereliction.

Buy and renew of vacant or derelict properties in the city centre, I was told that the sign from the Department of Housing was thats not a priority, he said.

While he supports the use of CPOs in severe cases, he said enforcement needs a significant boost so buildings do not get into a derelict state in the first place.

Improving enforcement is a key element of DCCs recent dereliction strategy overhaul, arising out of a council working group on urban regeneration that reported last year.

Among its recommendations was increased staffing for the derelict sites unit, made up of only three people at the time.

In an early sign of the groups success, that figure has now doubled.

'We are left with a lot of these dilapidated buildings,' Green Party councillor Feljin Jose said. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, April 27

Social Democrats councillor Cian Farrell, who chaired the group, said its new waterfall dereliction framework would probably need to be proven before the moratorium on CPOs is lifted.

Under the framework, DCC assesses whether it has the funds and staffing required to convert its derelict buildings into usable properties.

If the council cannot resource this, sites will be sold to the Land Development Agency, an approved housing body or a private developer, with covenants attached that they be rejuvenated within a specified timeframe.

Mr Farrell described it as an immune system for the city that turns derelict eyesores into vibrant spaces.

Once we can see properties going out the other side in a fair, effective way and are brought back into use, then we can look at that CPO piece in the coming months, he said.

DCC said several of its long-derelict Mulberry Cottages in Chapelizod will be the first to go through the new process, and is planning to put them up for sale in the coming weeks.

The council did not respond to a request for comment.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The hotel had been feeding the fox at regular intervals

A fox who hid in the grounds of a five star Connemara hotel for over a week has been rescued by animal welfare teams.

A fox squad was deployed to Ashford Castle in Connemara earlier this month to try and catch the injured creature, who had been reported writhing in pain around the grounds.
Plans have been approved for an above-ground gas structure to be installed in Galway city despite residents saying it will be an unsightly intrusion to the area.
The Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands, along with the Tralee Bay Wetlands Ecology & Activity Park, enjoyed a night of accolades at the recent Great Irish Hospitality Awards held at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin.

Located in a gem of a setting in Tralee, the Lakeside Cafe was honoured with an Outstanding Achievement award in the Best Family Dining category.

Earlier this year, the cafe and its team earned multiple nominations in the Irish Restaurant Awards, including Best Cafe, Best Customer Service, and an Outstanding Achievement Award for cafe manager and owner, Margaret Kissane.

Tralee Bay Wetlands itself was officially shortlisted for the prestigious Best Day Out award, placing the Kerry attraction alongside national landmarks such as Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park. The recognition underscores its reputation as a leading eco-tourism and family destination.

"Being shortlisted for Best Day Out and receiving accolades for the Lakeside Cafe is a testament to the hard work of our teams and the support from our local community and visitors," said management.

The Great Irish Hospitality Awards celebrate the skill and dedication of Irelands hospitality professionals, with winners determined through a combination of public nominations and industry excellence.
Well-known Sligo GP, Dr Margaret Connolly, set sail from Sicily on Sunday

Dr Margaret Connolly from Sligo pictured in Italy before setting sail for Gaza on Sunday.

A sister of President Catherine Connolly, who has been a long-time activist in the Palestine solidarity movement set sail on Sunday on a boat bound for Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla in an attempt to deliver life-saving aid and challenge the ongoing Israeli naval blockade.

Dr Margaret Connolly, who is a well-known GP in Sligo, grew up in Shantalla, Galway, one of 14 siblings, one of whom is President Connolly.

Dr Connolly has run a successful GP practice in Sligo for around 40 years and is married to long-serving county councillor, Declan Bree.

The mission, which includes more than 80 vessels and 1,000 participants from over 100 countries, is the largest civilian maritime effort to break the siege of Gaza to date.

The flotilla is carrying essential supplies, including food, medicine, and baby formula, to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Dr Connolly and other Irish volunteers joined the flotilla in Sicily before it departed from the port of Augusta on Sunday.

Dr Connolly, in an interview with The Sligo Champion from Italy before her departure, said: I have joined the flotilla because we cannot stand by while millions are subjected to forced starvation and an illegal siege.

The flotilla is a powerful symbol of international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are enduring an ongoing genocide and an inhumane blockade now approaching its 18th year.

Palestinian civil society has been clear in its demands for a just resolution based on international law; an end to the occupation, full rights for Palestinian citizens in Israel, and the implementation of the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees.

And today we all know that the vast majority of people in Ireland stand with the Palestinian people in their struggle for their legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination and the establishment of a free, independent and sovereign state of Palestine.

Our flotilla sails to deliver hope. We are sailing to Gaza to break the 18-year Israeli naval blockade, deliver urgent humanitarian aid, and demonstrate international solidarity with Palestinians facing famine and ongoing conflict.

Sumud means steadfastness, symbolising the resilience of the Palestinian people and the flotillas commitment to providing hope and much needed aid, she said.

Catherine Connolly pictured with her sister Dr Margaret Connolly and her brother in-law Cllr Declan Bree

Israel has imposed a naval blockade of the Gaza strip since January 2009. In 2010, the first Gaza Freedom Flotilla consisting of six ships was raided by Israeli forces, resulting in 10 participants killed and dozens wounded by Israeli commandos, causing international outrage.

Since then, attempts in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2025 have all been intercepted, raided or attacked by Israeli forces.

Last year several Gaza freedom flotillas attempting to deliver aid and break the naval blockade were intercepted, boarded, and seized by the Israeli military in international waters.

Activists, journalists, and politicians on board were detained, held in Israeli prisons and subsequently deported.

A key objective of this years flotilla is to directly challenge and end the 18-year Israeli blockade, which organisers argue constitutes collective punishment and has led to widespread famine and medical shortages.

Dr Connolly said there were four Irish people on her boat along with people from Scotland, Norway and the US.

While she is the assigned medic for the boat, all other duties are shared and she said she first learned her sailing skills from her late father, Coleman who was a noted boatbuilder particularly of the traditional Galway hooker.

I certainly learned from an early age how to be obedient on a boat, she said.

Dr Connolly spent almost two weeks in Italy preparing for the trip having flown initally from Dublin to Berlin and then on to Sicily.

Were all here for a reason  to open a humanitarian corridor. We have medical aid on board and we want to break the seige of Gaza by land, air and water.

She expects the journey by sea to last anywhere between two and four weeks and accepts her boat is likely to be boarded by Israeli forces and they are unlikely to reach their destination.

Israeli forces boarding a flotilla vessel in international waters last year.

They (Israeli Defence Forces) have no right to board our boat. If they do then we will offer no resistence. We will put our hands in the air and there will be no violence from us. We will offer no excuse to the IDF to shoot us.

We have had training in what to do if the IDF board our boat. We have been told they will board us using helicopters and boats and we have had training in mock exercises for this but it will be nothing to what is likely to happen, she said, stressing that those in the flotila were determined to break the blockade of Gaza this time given the vast numbers involved.

She added: We are prepared to be arrested but we will obey and we will not react or give any cause for them to shoot or beat us.

She believes she has the strength to get through the ordeal of an arrest and says the participants in the flotilla will support each other.

Dr Margaret Connolly from Sligo pictured in Italy before setting sail for Gaza on Sunday.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, April 27

Like others in the flotilla, Dr Connolly says she has already done an SOS video which outlines that she has been arrested and seeking the intervention of the international community.

Before a likely boarding, Dr Connolly and the other crew members will throw all records and mobile phones overboard preventing Israeli forces gaining access to them.

After an arrest she expects to be handed a piece of paper stating she had attempted to enter Israel illegally but says she will not sign anything admitting to this.

Dr Margaret Connolly and Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Declan Bree sign the register after their wedding in the Mayor's Parlour at Sligo City Hall. Pic: Carl Brennan.

Dr Connolly has always been active in local Palestine Solidarity movement and and after watching several months of devastation in Gaza she said to her husband Declan: I have got to go, seeing is believing. I wanted to bear witness to this.

She says she had been interested in politics since her childhood. She has a deep sense of social justice and a firm believer in equality of access to education and jobs for everyone regardless of class or where a person comes from. She recalls a 1984 yearbook from UCG, where she studied, describing her in three words, feminist, mouthy and political.

I have always been interestd in justice. Its just a part of me. I grew up having been taught to never look down on other people, nor to belittle anyone, dehumanise anyone and most of all, to never shame them.

At the end of January, poet Sarah Clancy, who participated in a previous Gaza Flotilla, spoke at a Palestine Solidarity public meeting in Sligo and Dr Connolly enquired as to how she could participate in a future one.

She gave me a number I could ring and apply and I did and I just waited for a response and then on April 3 I got an email saying I had been successful and I immediately set about organising a locum to cover for me.

It turned out to be a massive undertaking to get here. It has been a huge, huge endeavour but it feels this is very much the right thing to do. We must speak out, she said.

She stresses the crew on her boat are highly talented and confident. Asked if she was afraid of what lay ahead, she said: I was more afraid of missing the flight from Dublin to Berlin.

She is strong in her condemnation of Israel and claims its aim is to take the whole of Palestine and this idea of destroying a whole nation is something she finds wholly objectionable as a doctor, a mother and a human.

Dr Connolly almost didnt make her departure on Sunday, a twisted ankle necessitated an X-ray which showed no fracture however and she got the okay to set sail despite being in some discomfort.
News

Wexford schools to receive new special and inclusive classes  This is massive for families

The news that a number of Wexford schools are to benefit from new special and inclusive classes has been hailed as an important step in expanding support for children with additional educational needs
Youthful voices bridge China-Africa ties as 'Year of People-to-People Exchanges' unfolds

15:30, April 27, 2026 By Madiketso Motaung ( People's Daily Online

As the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges unfolds, a new generation of leaders is stepping forward to reshape the narrative of China-Africa cooperation. Moving beyond traditional economic indicators, the story of Chinas modernization is increasingly being told through the lived experiences and shared aspirations of the youth.

Under the framework of deepening mutual understanding, South Africas University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) recently concluded its second annual "Journey of Discovery" program.

The initiative, led by the universitys Division of Student Affairs, sent a delegation of students to China to explore the countrys developmental path and cultivate globally minded leadership.

At a formal reflections seminar held in Johannesburg, South Africa, attended by senior university leadership and Chinas Consul-General in Johannesburg, Pan Qingjiang, students shared insights that bridged the gap between academic theory and practical reality.

Nombulelo Chiya, a Masters student in Labour, Economics, and Development Sociology, noted that her firsthand observations in China challenged her previous perceptions of the bilateral relationship.

"What I observed was a far more strategic and deliberate partnership," Chiya adds during the seminar. "China is very clear about its long-term goals while creating real opportunities for infrastructure development, trade, and skills exchange."

She emphasized that while the relationship carries inherent asymmetries, the responsibility lies with South Africa to engage with "clarity, unity, and strategic intent." Her reflections pointed to a central theme of the seminar, that South Africa must position itself as an active producer of value through industrialization rather than a passive recipient of investment.

The seminar was structured around five key pillars; leadership and global citizenship, cross-cultural exchange, innovation and technology, sustainable development, and China-South Africa relations. It provided a platform for what participants described as "honest reflection" on South Africa's own developmental trajectory.

Tshepiso Kola, an engineering student, approached the journey with a focus on South Africas role as a supplier of raw materials. His experience in China reinforced the necessity of proactive domestic policy.

"Skills transfer does not happen through goodwill," Kola remarked. "It happens through deliberate negotiation and domestic policy that refuses to accept raw material exports as the ceiling of our ambition."

In his closing remarks, Consul-General Mr. Pan echoed the students' sentiments, highlighting that Chinas modernization journey offers valuable lessons rather than a "one-size-fits-all" model. He stressed that China-Africa cooperation must be people- driven and rooted in mutual trust.

"Exchanges like the Journey of Discovery are not just educational visits, but bridges," Mr. Pan stated. He emphasized that the future of bilateral relations depends on a generation willing to engage openly and think critically across cultures.

As 2026 marks a milestone for cultural dialogue and innovation, the reflections from Wits students suggest that the China - South Africa partnership is entering a more mature phase, one defined not just by what China offers, but by how South African youth choose to harness that relationship for a shared future.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
Efforts to reinstate Brays historic Victorian seafront shelters have taken a step forward, but significant challenges remain around cost, location, and specialist restoration requirements, according to discussions at a recent meeting of the Bray Municipal District.

The shelters, long considered an iconic feature of the promenade, have been the subject of repeated calls for restoration after years of deterioration left them structurally compromised. While councillors have consistently expressed a desire to see the ornate cast iron structures returned to their former prominence, the latest engineering assessment suggests the path to reinstatement will be more complex than previously anticipated.

At the meeting, acting district engineer Stephen Fox outlined the current position, confirming that the council still intends to restore the shelters rather than remove them permanently. However, he noted that the northern shelters original location is no longer considered appropriate, citing spatial, environmental, and public realm constraints.

Relocating the structure closer to the Esplanade, a move that would allow for safer placement and improved integration with the modern seafront layout, would require a Part 8 planning process, the statutory route for local authority developments. This alone would add time and administrative cost to the project.

Mr Fox also provided a preliminary financial estimate, indicating that 126,000 would be required to reinstate the northern shelter in the proposed new location. This figure includes site preparation, structural works, and the fabrication of replacement components.

One of the most significant technical hurdles is the condition of the original cast iron elements.

Many sections are missing, damaged beyond repair, or too corroded to be reused. As a result, new castings will be required, produced to match the original Victorian designs. Fox stressed that while Ireland does have firms capable of this type of heritage metalwork, the council must follow procurement rules and go out to tender to secure a contractor with the appropriate conservation expertise.

The need for specialist skills is not merely a procedural formality. Restoring cast iron heritage structures requires precise moulding, metallurgical knowledge, and conservation grade finishing  a niche area within the construction sector. Ensuring the correct contractor is appointed will be essential to preserving the architectural integrity of the shelters.

Cllr Joe Behan who was present at the meeting reiterated the cultural and historical importance of the structures, noting that the shelters are not only part of Brays visual identity but also a link to the towns 19th century seaside heritage. He expressed frustration at the slow pace of progress but acknowledged that the engineering and planning requirements leave little room for shortcuts.

The next steps will involve preparing the Part 8 documentation, advancing the tender process, and finalising the detailed design for the reinstated shelters. While no firm timeline has been set, the discussion signals renewed momentum behind a project that has lingered unresolved for years.

For now, the Victorian shelters remain absent from the seafront, but the intention to bring them back, restored and structurally sound, remains firmly on the agenda.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Cattle Sale - April 22: A very good trade for light and forward stores, both bullocks and heifers. Small weight cattle were in high demand. Cows were also a very strong trade

Sample prices: 700kg Lmx bullock made 2,820; 685kg Chx bullock made 2,600; 730kg Lmx heifer made 2,560; 700kg Lmx heifer made 2,500; 660kg BBx bullock made 2,500; 640kg AAx bullock made 2,380; 600kg Chx bullock made 2,280; 570kg BBx bullock made 2,260; 640kg Lmx bullock made 2,200; 590kg Lmx bullock made 2,100; 270kg Hex bullock made 1,000; 240kg Ch bullock made 980; 240kg Fr bullock made 940.

Sheep Sale - April 25: Not enough sheep for a very strong trade for all types. Very strong trade for Ewes & Lambs. Very strong trade for cast ewes & rams with a top price of 285.

Sample prices: 10 x 39kg made 176Spring lambs. 5 x 61kg made 212; 4 x 55kg made 208; 2 x 52kg made 200; 7 x 50kg made 19.

CARNEW

Calf Sale - April 17: A total of 780 calves were on offer, with trade remaining very strong throughout. Lighter calves saw significant improvements, with prices up by 50 to 70 per head compared to previous weeks.

Heavier calves met a solid demand, with quality bull and heifer calves, particularly Limousin cattle (LM), Belgian Blue cattle (BB), and Charolais cattle (CH), selling for between 700 and 890.

Bulls: SIX (1) 520kg 2,770 384/kg; LMX (1) 590kg 2,430 4.12/kg; CHX (1) 594kg 2,400 4.04/kg; CHX (1) 304kg 1,650 5.43/kg; CHX (1) 316kg 1,680 5.32/kg; LMX (1) 320kg 1,660 5.19/kg.

Cattle Sale - April 18: A large entry of cattle saw 1,062 head on offer, with trade remaining very strong across all categories. Demand was particularly firm for beef cattle, with prices up considerably on previous weeks. Beef cows sold for up to 4.00/kg, while beef heifers also exceeded the 4.00/kg mark. Beef bullocks were especially strong, reaching up to 4.45/kg.

This improvement in the finished trade filtered through to the store market. Forward store cattle met a more lively demand, with prices increasing by 30 to 50 per head compared to recent sales. Lighter grass cattle continued to meet a very strong trade, with many farmers actively sourcing this type around the ring.

There was a smaller entry of bulls, but demand remained high, supported by a large customer base of exporters. Bulls in the 300400kg range were particularly sought after, while specialist feeding bulls achieved prices well in excess of 4/kg.

Cows: LM (1) 840kg 3,210 3.82/kg; LMX (1) 958kg 2,920 3.05/kg; SIX (1) 802kg 2,770 3.45/kg; HEX (1) 494kg 1,840 3.72/kg; LM (1) 642kg 2,370 3.69/kg; FR (1) 514kg 1,800 3.50/kg.

Heifers: LMX (1) 768kg 2,950 3.84/kg; BBX (1) 700kg 2,890 4.13/kg; BBX (1) 720kg 2,870 3.99/kg; BBX (1) 288kg 1,750 6.08/kg; LMX (1) 158kg 860 5.44/kg; PTX (1) 804kg 3,560 4.43/kg; LMX (1) 868kg 3,500 4.03/kg; LMX (1) 750kg 3,350 4.47/kg; LMX (3) 400kg 2,170 5.42/kg; LMX (1) 380kg 2,040 5.37/kg; LMX (1) 426kg 2,260 5.31/kg.

Sheep Report - April 23: A total of 2,600 head were on offer, with a very strong trade similar to the previous week. Lambs over 40kg sold for between 225 and 248. Spring lambs weighing 4044kg made from 204 to 225. Hoggets over 50kg traded between 216 and 242, while those weighing 4549kg made from 192 to 220. Hoggets under 40kg sold from 130 to 160. Heavy cast ewes ranged from 240 to 358. Mid-range cast ewes made between 170 and 240, while lighter cast ewes sold from 120 to 170. In Ring 2, there was a good entry of ewes with lambs at foot. Ewes with twin lambs sold from 270 to 430, while ewes with single lambs made between 180 and 320.

Ewes: 60 (2) 111kg 328; 147A (1) 114kg 298; 135A (1) 98kg 284; 34 (7) 98kg 275; 156 (5) 94kg 266; 135B (1) 106kg 220.

Lambs: 2 (10) S/L 50kg 248; 7A (1) M/L 62kg 245; 15 (2) M/L 56kg 243; 7B (2) M/L 52kg 240; 13 (14) M/L 51kg 239; 17 (7) S/L 40kg 216; 1 (4) M/L 40kg 206.

Calf Sale - April 24: A total of 870 calves were on offer, with trade remaining very strong throughout. Lighter calves saw significant improvements, with prices up 50-70 a head on previous weeks.

Heavier calves met a solid demand, with quality bull and heifer calves, particularly Limousin (LM), Belgian Blue (BB), Herfords (HE), and Charolais (CH), selling for between 760 and 920.

Cattle Report - April 25: A large entry of cattle saw 1,038 head on offer, with trade remaining very strong across all categories. Demand was particularly firm for beef cattle among wholesalers and northern buyers, with prices continuing to rise week on week. Beef cows sold for up to 4.19/kg, while beef heifers exceeded the 5/kg mark. Beef bullocks were especially strong, with grass-type cattle in great demand, reaching prices of up to 5.84/kg.

This improvement in the finished trade filtered through to the store market. Forward store cattle met a more lively demand, with prices of up to 5.48/kg. Lighter grass cattle continued to meet a strong trade, with many farmers actively sourcing this type around the ring.

There was a good entry of bulls, and demand remained high, supported by a large customer base of exporters. Bulls in the 250350kg range reached particularly strong prices per kilo, while heavier bulls also remained in great demand.

Cows: 152 (1) LMX 924kg 3,750 4.06/kg. 181 (1) PTX 820kg 3,350 4.09/kg. 185 (1) CHX 782kg 2,910 3.72/kg. 183 (1) PTX 682kg 2,860 4.19/kg. 153 (1) LM 790kg 3,300 4.18/kg.

Heifers: 1410 (1) LMX 726kg 2,940 4.05/kg. 1227 (1) LM 634kg 2,940 4.64/kg. 1252 (1) CHX 686kg 2,770 4.04/kg. 1196 (2) LMX 340kg 1,900 5.59/kg. 1337 (3) LMX 281kg 1,510 5.37/kg. 1322 (1) CHX 286kg 1,530 5.35/kg.

Bullocks: 1891 (1) LMX 770kg 3,120 4.05/kg. 1835 (1) LMX 820kg 3,100 3.78/kg. 1894 (1) CHX 720kg 2,700 3.75/kg. 1979 (1) LMX 728kg 2,880 3.96/kg. 1845 (1) LMX 373kg 2,180 5.84/kg. 1994 (1) BBX 293kg 1,600 5.46/kg.

Bulls: 2204 (1) LMX 740kg 2,900 3.92; 2268 (1) LMX 734kg 2,720 3.71; 2198 (1) BBX 604kg 2,470 4.09; 2334 (1) LM 514kg 2,330 4.53/kg; 2209 (1) CHX 298kg 1,840 6.17/kg; 2291 (1) BA 268kg 1,580 5.90/kg.
A bedroom at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi in Manhattan, New York.

The entrance to the Kimpton Hotel Eventi in Manhattan, New York.

The unmistakable New York skyline beyond the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island

Wicklow County Council has defended the cost and governance of overseas travel to the United States for St Patricks Day celebrations, after records released under the Freedom of Information Act detailed hotel, flight and subsistence expenses for senior officials, councillors and staff.

The documents show that council representatives travelled to New York and to Dublin, California in March 2026 as part of St Patricks Day engagements and an established town twinning relationship between Bray Municipal District and Dublin, California.

In total, the council said the travel cost amounted to 14,830.94, covering flights, accommodation and subsistence, calculated using prevailing exchange rates.

When approached for comment, the council said in a statement the trips were aimed at maintaining links with the Wicklow diaspora, particularly in the New York and US east coast region, and at sustaining a long standing twinning relationship in California that has delivered cultural, educational and tourism benefits over several decades.

The celebration of St Patricks Day in the US is an important connection to the Wicklow diaspora living in America, the council said, adding that participation this year was particularly important to demonstrate solidarity with emigrant communities and to promote Wicklow as a place to visit and do business.

The records show that Wicklow County Councils chief executive, Emer OGorman, travelled to New York from March 12 to 18 and stayed at the Kimpton Theta Hotel in Manhattans Times Square district. The six night stay cost $3,801.81, including taxes and additional charges.

A bedroom at the Kimpton Theta Hotel in Manhattans Times Square district.

Internal emails show the booking was made in August 2025, with Ms OGorman noting to staff that accommodation costs were significantly higher than previous years due to visitor taxes and demand around St Patricks Day.

The records also show the chief executive initially booked business class flights, but later reimbursed the council for the difference between economy and business class fares. An internal finance email confirms that 471.69 was repaid by electronic funds transfer on August 28, 2025, bringing the final cost to an economy equivalent fare.

The Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, also travelled to New York for the same period, staying at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi, further uptown in Manhattan. Her six-night stay cost $4,097.96. Flight records show she travelled economy class with Aer Lingus, at a total cost of 579.20.

The unmistakable New York skyline beyond the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, April 27

Responding to questions about value for money, the council said accommodation options in Manhattan during the St Patricks Day period were extremely limited and priced at a premium.

Consideration is given to the availability of accommodation in a location that is proximate to meeting locations and the parade, the statement continues. It added that accommodation costs in Manhattan were not comparable with other parts of the US and that this was recognised in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform travel and subsistence rates.

The council said several alternative hotel options were examined and dismissed on cost grounds, though no written comparison was included in the released records.

A bedroom at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi in Manhattan, New York.

Separate records relate to a Bray Municipal District delegation that travelled to Dublin, California as part of the annual sister city and St Patricks Day programme. The BrayDublin (California) twinning relationship dates to the late 1990s and has involved exchanges in education, cultural activities and local government practices.

Emails show that when the districts director of services was unable to attend, approval was sought and granted by the chief executive for district administrator Brian Wildes and acting senior engineer Stephen Fox to represent Bray Municipal District.

Mr Wildes and Mr Fox travelled to San Francisco and on to Dublin, California between March 11 and 17. Flight bookings, accommodation receipts and subsistence claim forms are included in the records, all referencing the relevant national circulars governing foreign travel allowances.

Both officials submitted subsistence claims of 832.03 each, which were approved by the district manager and processed through non purchase order payment forms, with expenditure coded under foreign travel and twinning expenses.

Hotel bookings for the California leg included stays in San Francisco and at the Holiday Inn in Dublin, California, with receipts showing combined accommodation costs more than 1,000.

The FOI release also includes a members travel expenses claim from Cllr Caroline Winstanley, who attended the Dublin, California twinning events.

The entrance to the Holiday Inn, Dublin, California.

Her claim for March 2026 totalled 1,459.14 and consisted entirely of subsistence allowances, including overnight, 10-hour and five-hour rates, converted from US dollar amounts.

Her attendance was approved in advance by the director of services, and the claim was signed off in accordance with protocols governing councillor expenses abroad.

Wicklow County Council said all overseas travel and subsistence payments were made strictly in line with national circulars and the councils internal travel and subsistence policies.

The records appear to show a clear approval trail for all trips, along with finance oversight and repayment where expenses exceeded permitted limits.

A gift register entry also records the receipt of a wooden bowl during the visit.

Asked whether it would review future overseas St Patricks Day travel following public scrutiny of the costs, the council said it remains cognisant of expenditure and keeps all such costs under review on a year to year basis.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
It has 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 is to be cast in her place.

With filming just underway on Season 4 of The White Lotus, it had become apparent that the character that Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set, a HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline on Friday.

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 Helena Bonham Carter, 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.

St Tropezs five-star hotel Airelles Chateau de la Messardiere becomes the White Lotus du Cap

The news comes just over a week after production began on The White Lotus on the French Riviera. The upcoming series follows a new group of wealthy hotel guests during the Cannes Film Festival.

Filming is taking place in Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco, with St Tropezs five-star hotel Airelles Chateau de la Messardiere becoming the White Lotus du Cap.

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 is not 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.
Officers are set to speak to civil servants as part of a reopened investigation into the mugging of UK prime minister Keir Starmers former chief of staff, which may have prevented the release of messages relevant to the Peter Mandelson scandal.

It is understood detectives will ask whether No 10 or the Cabinet Office still hold tracking data that could have been used to locate the device. Police may also question officials from Mr McSweeneys team to corroborate his description of events in the immediate aftermath of the theft.

The revelation will add to Mr Starmers woes as he battles for his political future amid the scandal over Mr Mandelsons failed vetting.

Cork native Mr McSweeneys phone may have held messages relating to the peers appointment as ambassador to the US, which would have been released to the UK parliament. But they are now feared to have been lost after No 10s security team remotely wiped the device, with opposition MPs voicing concerns over a cover-up.

Mr McSweeney, who is a long-time friend of Mr Mandelson and resigned over the scandal in February, is set to give evidence to MPs on the matter this week.

He will take questions from the influential foreign affairs committee tomorrow over his role in the disgraced peers appointment.

UK prime minister Keir Starmer. Photo: Getty

Mr Starmer could also face a crunch vote to refer him to parliaments ethics committee over claims he lied when he told MPs full due process had been followed over the security vetting.

Mr McSweeney is likely to be challenged on evidence from Olly Robbins, the former Foreign Office chief, that No 10 put constant pressure on the department to give Mr Mandelson clearance. He has admitted the appointment was wrong but denied allegations he bullied civil servants into approving the decision.

Mr McSweeney said he lost the phone on October 20, 2025, when it was snatched out of his hand by a balaclava-clad man on an e-bike. He was replying to text messages while walking home from a restaurant near Westminster at about 10.30pm when the thief struck.

Mr McSweeney first called his office in Downing Street before phoning the police. It is understood Mr McSweeney asked No 10 officials for the tracking location so he could try to retrieve the device himself.

Downing Streets security team instead remotely shut off the device, immediately wiping all of its data. In his subsequent 999 call, he did not identify himself as Mr Starmers chief of staff

.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn speaking during a press conference following the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin. Picture date: Monday November 17, 2025.

The Tories will vote against carrying over the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in a show of their opposition to the proposed law.

The legislation would repeal and replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government, ending the immunity scheme brought in under the law that was ruled unlawful in the courts.

The British Labour partys Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the government here in Ireland, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.

MPs have already backed a remedial order which removed the measures in the previous Act providing conditional immunity from prosecutions for Troubles-era crimes in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body, as well as scrapping a bar on future legacy compensation cases.

The Tories will seek to block efforts on Monday to bring the proposed legislation into the next parliamentary session, which is due to begin after the Kings Speech on May 13.

Labours huge majority in the Commons means it is unlikely they will stop the Bill being taken forward.

Sir Keir Starmer has sought to ease concerns raised by armed forces and veterans communities that Labours Bill will leave those who served in Northern Ireland open to vexatious litigation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said last week that additional protections and reassurances for veterans would be added when the Bill returns to Parliament, while also insisting there is no such thing as vexatious prosecutions.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burghart said: The Government must kill this Bill and end its hounding of our brave veterans.

This Bill will reopen vexatious litigation against those who courageously served during the Troubles and laid the foundation for peace.

The Conservatives have led the fight against this Bill. We have been unequivocally clear: we completely oppose this and will move immediately to reverse it if we return to Government.

Labour said its proposed legislation was the only viable way to give victims and their families answers, and said that safeguards for veterans would be strengthened when the Bill returns and is scrutinised at committee stage.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: The Conservatives failed Legacy Act made undeliverable promises on immunity and has been repeatedly rejected by the courts. It created false expectations, legal uncertainty and delays for victims, survivors and veterans alike.

We have worked closely with victims and families, as well as with our armed forces community, to ensure this legislation includes robust and meaningful safeguards that properly reflect the service and sacrifices of our veterans. And we will strengthen these further at committee stage.

The Troubles Bill is the only viable way of delivering answers for victims and families, including the families of soldiers murdered by the IRA, while ensuring genuine safeguards for our veterans.
Brigitte Macron admits life in politics made her cynical and sad

US podcaster Candace Owens has accused the French first lady of being a transgender man. Photo: Getty

Brigitte Macrons time as Frances first lady has made her more sadder and cynical than ever, she has admitted.

The 73-year-old former drama teacher said her husband Emmanuel Macrons near-decade as French president had exposed her to the worlds stupidity and wickedness.

It comes after Mr Macron, who met his wife when he was her 15-year-old student in 1993, said he would quit politics next year.

Ms Macron told La Tribune Dimanche: Before, I had a normal life, children, a job, ups and downs, like everyone else.

Here, these 10 years have passed so quickly. They have been so intense. I have seen the darkness of the world, stupidity, wickedness.

Its sometimes difficult for me to see the blue sky. I have moments of pessimism that I didnt have before.

Before meeting Mr Macron at La Providence High School in Amiens, France, Ms Macron was married with three children.

US podcaster Candace Owens has accused the French first lady of being a transgender man. Photo: Getty

During an interview at a school in Cyprus last week, Mr Macron said: I didnt do politics before and I wont do after it.

The 48-year-old worked as an investment banker before becoming French president in 2017.

The hardest thing after nine years is that you have to hold on to what youve done well, but sometimes you have to revisit things youve done badly, he added.

You have to have the energy to see it through to the end, otherwise Ill regret it too much.

Throughout Mr Macrons tenure, Ms Macron has been subject to conspiracy theories and false accusations she is a trans man.

Earlier this year, 10 people, including an art dealer, a teacher, a computer scientist, and an elected official, were convicted of cyber bullying, which led to a deterioration of the first ladys physical and mental health.

I call up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly

Conservative American podcaster Candace Owens has also accused the French first lady of being a trans man, spreading false rumours in the US.

Last year, footage was widely shared online after Ms Macron was caught shoving her husband in the face as the doors of their presidential plane opened on a visit to Vietnam.

The French president and his aides denied accusations of domestic disputes and called it a harmless squabble.

We are horsing around and, really, joking with my wife, and I am surprised by this, Mr Macron told reporters in Hanoi.

US president Donald Trump has poked fun at Mr Macron over the attack, while criticising Frances reluctance to join the war in Iran.

I call up France, Macron, whose wife treats him extremely badly, Mr Trump joked at a private lunch at the White House.

Still recovering from the right to the jaw. And I said, Emmanuel, wed love to have some help in the Gulf. Wed love to have some help. If you could, could you please send ships immediately.

In France, presidents can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. However, they can run for a third term after a term break, which would make Mr Macron eligible to run again in 2032. ( Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd)
Fears Russian drones could cause another major disaster

Members of the Chernobyl nuclear plant staff carry candles at a memorial dedicated to firefighters and workers who died after the 1986 nuclear disaster, during a night commemorative service to mark its 40th anniversary, in Slavutych, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster on Sunday, amid fears that Russias four-year war could spark a repeat of the worlds worst nuclear accident that led to thousands of deaths and devastating environmental consequences.

Kyiv says Moscow has repeatedly sent missiles and drones on a flight path near the plant to attack Ukrainian cities, even damaging a critical protective shield in an attack last year.

Marking the disaster  which spewed radioactive material across much of Europe as Soviet authorities sought to hide its true scale  has taken on sharp new meaning during Russias invasion of its smaller neighbour.

Foreign officials including the EU energy commissioner arrived in Kyiv to commemorate the event and pledge fresh support for Ukraines power system, which is regularly targeted by Russian airstrikes.

Sombre ceremonies took place at a Kyiv memorial honouring fallen first responders, as well as in the purpose-built city of Slavutych in northern Ukraine for evacuated plant employees.

Chernobyl has become both a symbol of the criminal irresponsibility of the Soviet totalitarian system and of the heroism of the liquidators who responded to the catastrophe, Denys Shmyhal, Ukraines energy minister, said on X yesterday.

Chernobyl is one of humanitys key lessons. Russias war against Ukraine has further heightened these risks.

A Russian drone strike in February 2025 punctured a massive arc installed over part of the Chernobyl plant in 2016 to shield a sarcophagus built in 1986 to cover tons of radioactive debris. No leaks were detected and workers have patched up the hole.

But the arc needs at least 500m worth of more extensive repairs to prevent permanent damage, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which is helping raise funds for the project.

Speaking in Kyiv yesterday, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said repairs should start as soon as possible.

Kyivs top state prosecutor told Reuters that Ukrainian radars had detected at least 92 Russian drones that had flown within a 5km radius of the shield since June 2024.

Nuclear power has become the backbone of Ukraines energy system since Russias 2022 invasion, accounting for around 70pc of total power generation, according to state-owned firm Energoatom. Control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant  Europes largest  is a major sticking point in US-brokered peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday the plant risked a disaster worse than Chernobyl if it was not transferred back to Ukrainian control.

Millions were exposed to radiation, hundreds of thousands forced to flee and wide swathes of land contaminated after the accidental explosion and resulting meltdown inside reactor four at the Soviet-built Chernobyl plant in the early hours of April 26, 1986.

Thousands 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.

Pope Leo yesterday said the Chernobyl disaster had left a mark on humankinds collective conscience and he urged that atomic power always be used to support life and peace.

They didnt even acknowledge the link between our illnesses and being in Chernobyl

Serhii Balashov, one of those who worked on the clean-up, told Reuters that Soviet authorities sought to cover up the consequences of the accident even among those who had played a critical role in containing it.

They didnt even acknowledge the link between our illnesses and being in Chernobyl for the clean-up, he said on the sidelines of the memorial ceremony in Kyiv.

Some 100km north of Kyiv and circled by a 2,600-sq km exclusion zone, the plant is now shrouded in an eerie calm.

National Guardsmen patrol the facility, where around 2,250 employees work in days-long shifts overseeing its gradual decommissioning. The plants last reactor was shut down in 2000.

The control room for reactor four is now a darkened space of mangled and rusted Soviet-era equipment.

Moose and wild horses roam the area around the plant and the nearby abandoned city of Prypiat, in a sign of how nature has taken over in the absence of humans.
Israeli forces kill at least four on day after municipal elections are held

Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinians who were killed by Israeli gunfire and tank shelling in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Loyalists of president Mahmoud Abbas won most races in Palestinian municipal elections, election officials said yesterday, in a vote that for the first time in nearly two decades included a city in the Gaza Strip run by rival Hamas.

Saturdays ballot marked the first elections of any kind in Gaza since 2006 and the first Palestinian polls since the Gaza war began more than two years ago with Hamas cross-border attack on southern Israel.

Mr Abbas West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) said the inclusion of the Gaza city Deir al-Balah, which suffered less damage than other areas of the coastal territory during the war, was intended to show that Gaza was an inseparable part of a future Palestinian state.

Israeli military attacks killed at least four Palestinians

The elections, in which voter turnout was low, had been held at a highly sensitive moment amid complex challenges and exceptional circumstances, Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Mustafa said as results were announced yesterday. But they represented an important first step in a broader national process aimed at strengthening democratic life ... and ultimately achieving the unity of the homeland, he said.

Hamas, which ousted the PA from Gaza in 2007, did not formally nominate candidates in Gaza and boycotted the race in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Fatahs victory was widely expected.

But some candidates on one of the Deir al-Balah lists were widely seen by residents and analysts as aligned with the movement, making the vote a potential indicator of support for the Islamist group.

Preliminary results showed that the list, known as Deir al-Balah Brings Us Together, won only two of the 15 seats contested in Gaza.

The Nahdat Deir al-Balah list, backed by Mr Abbas Fatah party and the Western-backed PA, secured six seats. The remaining seats were won by two other Gaza-based groups, Future of Deir al-Balah and Peace and Building, not affiliated with either faction.

Abbas loyalists swept the election in the West Bank, running unchallenged in many seats.

Fatah spokesperson Abdul Fattah Dawla noted that turnout was close to that for the last municipal elections in the West Bank, in 2022, praising voters for participating despite ongoing violence by Israel.

Hamas Gaza spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, downplayed the significance of the election

By electing figures linked to Fatah, voters appear to be seeking unrestricted international support for municipal governance and a gradual political shift that could extend beyond the local level, said Palestinian political analyst Reham Ouda.

The recent war has left much of Gaza reduced to rubble, with many residents displaced and focused on survival. Israel has continued conducting strikes despite an October ceasefire.

In Gaza voter turnout reached just 23pc, while in the West Bank it was 56pc, according to chairman of the Central Elections Commission Rami al-Hamdallah.

Mr Al-Hamdallah said some of the ballot boxes and voting equipment did not make it into the enclave because of Israeli security restrictions, though those challenges were overcome.

Hamas Gaza spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, downplayed the significance of the election results, saying that they had no impact on wider national issues.

Israeli military attacks killed at least four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip yesterday, health officials in the enclave said.

Medics said an airstrike carried out by Israels forces killed one person near the central village of Al-Mughraqa, while Israeli gunfire and tank shelling killed two others near Gaza City.

Violence in Gaza has persisted despite an October 2025 ceasefire

In another incident, Israeli forces shot and killed a 40-year-old woman in Khan Younis, in the south of the territory, health officials said.

The Israeli military said it was unaware of any attack by its troops in that area at the time of the reported incident yesterday.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the other reported strikes. Separately, it said it had struck and killed several Hamas militants in Gaza since Friday.

Violence in Gaza has persisted despite an October 2025 ceasefire, with Israel conducting almost daily attacks on Palestinians.

At least 800 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire deal took effect, according to local medics, while Israel says militants have killed four of its soldiers over the same period.

Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for ceasefire violations.

More than 72,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war started in October 2023, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.

Hamas October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
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




Sharon, a five-year-old resident of Alice Springs, was last seen by her family when she was being put to bed Photo: Handouts/ Northern Territory Police

A five-year-old girl missing in the outback in Australias Northern Territory is believed to have been abducted, police officials say.

The girl, identified as Sharon Granites by the police, was last seen on Saturday when she was put to bed in her family home just before midnight.

Around 1.35am on Sunday morning, police received reports that Sharon could not be located at her residence on Marshall Court, Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs. It is believed she was last seen around 11:30pm on Saturday evening, the NT police said in a statement.

Police conducted an initial search of the area utilising extensive resources but were unable to locate Sharon, the statement added.

Officers resumed search operations on foot on Monday morning after they were unable to locate the girl overnight.

NT polices acting commander, Mark Grieve, said a man who was staying at the camp and vanished around the same time could be involved and the authorities were searching for him.

Investigators said they were looking for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was recently released from prison.

Sharon, a five-year-old resident of Alice Springs, was last seen by her family when she was being put to bed Photo: Handouts/ Northern Territory Police

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Monday, April 27

Police are seeking public assistance to locate 47-year-old male, Mr Jefferson Lewis, who police believe can assist with enquires, the police said. Officers and volunteers have checked the nearby bush for the child.

Commander Grieve has asked anyone aware of any information related to the case to contact the police.

He added that the man was known to authorities on complaints of domestic abuse and family violence-related offences.

He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers camp at the time and who has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him, he said.

The officials first confirmed Sharons disappearance on Sunday morning around 6.43am.

They said the police force holds concerns for the welfare of five-year-old Sharon who was reported missing from Alice Springs overnight.

She was last seen wearing a dark blue short sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around neck and white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer style underwear, the statement said.

Two photos of the child shared by the police showed the five-year-old girl seated in a chair and with a backpack.

They also shared visuals of Mr Lewis from body-worn police footage in the Old Timers camp when they were there on Saturday evening for an unrelated incident. He is seen wearing a yellow shirt and army camouflage pants.

Commander Grieve said it is a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing.

"We're over 24 hours now so it'd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent, he added.

"We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family," Mr Grieve said.

Lewis, sought in the case, has a long history of violence and prison time, reported ABC News.

He was sentenced to more than five years in prison over the past decade for separate, serious violence-related offences, the report added.
Prosecutors say soldier was involved in the military operation

President Nicolas Maduro was captured in Venezuela in January by US forces. Photo: Reuters

A US Army special forces soldier is accused of earning $400,000 (342,000) 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, Mr 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.

Civilians dont get the army stuff. Army people dont get the business stuff

When Operation Absolute Resolve succeeded on January 3, those bets paid off, earning him more than $400,000 in profits, authors say.

Mr Van Dyke messaged Gianna Lutz, of Greenville, South Carolina, 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 Ms Lutz that he started a company, managed rental properties and flipped houses.

Civilians dont get the army stuff, Mr Van Dyke allegedly texted Ms Lutz, according to messages reviewed by the outlet. Army people dont get the business stuff.

Mr Van Dyke allegedly moved most of his profits into a foreign cryptocurrency account and later asked Polymarket to delete his account, according to Manhattan US attorney Jay Clayton.

Mr Van Dyke has not commented on these latest reports.

Ms Lutz further alleged that Mr 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, Mr Van Dyke texted her, per WSJ.

Mr Van Dyke was charged on 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. ( The Independent)
India-New Zealand FTA Signed (April 2026): Key Gains for Exporters & Investors

The India-New Zealand FTA, signed April 27, 2026, grants Indian exporters 100 percent duty-free market access while establishing a landmark framework for US$20 billion in bilateral investment.

India and New Zealand signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026, providing Indian exporters with full market access to New Zealand. Under the agreement, tariffs on approximately 95 percent of goods imported from New Zealand into India will be substantially reduced or eliminated.

Negotiated over a relatively short period of nine months, the once in a generation agreement reflects an accelerated timeline for a comprehensive trade deal.

In New Zealand, the FTA will undergo review by the Parliaments Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Committee (FADTC). This process includes a national interest assessment and public consultation, following which the committee will present its report to Parliament for ratification. The overall review and approval process is expected to take a minimum of six months.

The agreement builds on the successful conclusion of negotiations on December 22, 2025, laying the foundation for enhanced bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

Market access and tariff liberalization

A key feature of the agreement is the provision of 100 percent duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand from the date of entry into force. This is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Indian products, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, engineering goods, and processed foods.

In parallel, India is offering tariff liberalization on approximately 70 percent of tariff lines, covering 95 percent of bilateral trade value, while maintaining protections for sensitive sectors, such as dairy, select agricultural products, and certain industrial goods.

India-New Zealand goods trade and FTA potential

Bilateral trade overview

Merchandise trade between India and New Zealand has demonstrated steady growth in recent years, reflecting strengthening economic ties. Total bilateral trade in goods and services reached approximately US$2.4 billion in 2024, with merchandise trade alone rising to US$1.29 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a significant 49 percent year-on-year increase.

The FTA is expected to further accelerate this momentum by enabling tariff elimination, improving market access, facilitating services trade, and supporting investment flows. Collectively, these measures are likely to enhance export competitiveness, generate employment, and deepen long-term economic engagement between the two countries.

India-New Zealand merchandise trade trends

*Please note that trade data for FY 2025-26 is provisional and available between April 2025 and January 2026. The figures are expected to be updated in the coming weeks.

While trade moderated slightly in FY 202526 (AprilFebruary), volumes remain above earlier levels, suggesting sustained engagement.

Indias export basket to New Zealand is diversified, spanning pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles, and engineering goods.

Indias Top Merchandise Exports to New Zealand (Value in US$ Million) Commodity FY 2025-26 (April-February) Drug formulation and biologicals 53.38 Cotton fabrics, made-ups, etc. 33.48 Motor vehicles, cars 27.28 Petroleum products 25.78 RMG cotton including accessories 23.68 Marine products 17.11 Gold and other precious metal jewelry 16.70 Electric machinery and equipment 16.21 Products of iron and steel 14.81 Industrial machinery for dairy, etc. 13.04

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI.

Indias imports from New Zealand are largely resource-based and intermediate goods, supporting domestic manufacturing and consumption.

Indias Top Merchandise Imports from New Zealand (Value in US$ Million) Commodity FY 2025-26 (April-February) Other wood and wood products 68.80 Iron and steel 68.59 Fresh fruits 59.72 Aluminum, products of aluminum 47.28 Coal, cokes and briquettes, etc. 43.90 Raw wool 43.18 Pulp and waste paper 42.28 Residual chemicals and allied products 39.01 Medical and scientific instruments 12.96 Copper and products made of copper 10.94

Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI.

Sectoral and regional export implications under India-New Zealand FTA

Zero-duty market access is expected to enhance Indias export competitiveness across key sectors. Labor-intensive industries such as textiles and apparel are likely to see increased output and employment across garments, home furnishings, fibers, and handlooms. Agricultural and processed food exports will benefit from tariff elimination.

The leather and footwear sector stands to gain from the removal of high duties, strengthening its global positioning. At the same time, tariff reductions across engineering and industrial segments, such as machinery, automotive, electronics, chemicals, plastics, and rubber, will support manufacturing exports and deeper integration into global value chains.

At the state level, gains are expected to be broad-based, reflecting regional specialization. Key exporting states, Gujarat (chemicals and gems), Maharashtra (pharmaceuticals and auto components), and Tamil Nadu (textiles, leather, and automotive products), are likely to benefit from improved price competitiveness. Other contributors, including Uttar Pradesh (leather and handicrafts), Punjab (agri-products), Karnataka (pharma and electronics), and West Bengal (tea and engineering goods), are also poised for export growth.

Coastal states such as Andhra Pradesh and Kerala may see higher value in marine exports, while the North-East could gain from improved access for tea, spices, bamboo, and organic produce.

Services and mobility provisions

The agreement includes substantial commitments in services, with New Zealand offering market access across a wide range of sectors, including IT, professional services, education, and financial services.

It also introduces new mobility pathways, including a temporary employment entry visa scheme for Indian professionals and expanded opportunities for students through post-study work visas. These provisions are expected to strengthen workforce mobility and enhance skills exchange between the two countries.

Investment and economic cooperation

A notable aspect of the FTA is the commitment to facilitate up to US$20 billion in investment into India. The agreement intends to promote collaboration in areas such as renewable energy, digital services, infrastructure, and innovation, while incorporating mechanisms to ensure effective investment delivery.

India-New Zealand FDI trends as of February 2026

Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows between India and New Zealand remain relatively modest, though recent data indicates gradual diversification and evolving investment patterns.

According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), New Zealands cumulative FDI into India stood at approximately US$75.11 million during the period 20002021. Annual inflows have remained limited in recent years.

New Zealands FDI into India Year-on-Year Year/period FDI amount (value in US$ million) 2000-2021 75.11 2022 2.56 2023 4.27 2024 5.28 2025 1.41

Source: DPIIT

Indias outward direct investment (ODI) into New Zealand has also been limited. Data from the Department of Economic Affairs, under the Ministry of Finance, shows that cumulative Indian investment in New Zealand reached approximately US$90 million between April 2000 and February 2026.

Insights from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) indicate that Indias outbound investments into New Zealand in 2025 were spread across multiple sectors, including wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and financial services. This suggests a gradual broadening of investment activity, even as overall volumes remain comparatively low.

Opportunities in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and AYUSH

The India-New Zealand FTA also presents opportunities in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. As per reports, industry representatives have welcomed provisions enabling faster regulatory approvals, including the recognition of GMP and GCP inspection reports from comparable international regulators. These measures are expected to reduce compliance burdens and accelerate market access for Indian manufacturers.

Notably, the FTA includes a dedicated chapter on health and traditional medicine, marking a first for both countries and formally recognizing the role of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) sectors in bilateral cooperation.

Conclusion

The India-New Zealand FTA represents a major leap in advancing bilateral economic integration, combining comprehensive tariff liberalization with expanded access in services, investment, and mobility. By enabling duty-free market access and addressing non-tariff barriers, the agreement is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exports while supporting sectoral diversification and regional participation.

Although bilateral trade and investment flows remain relatively modest, the FTA establishes a forward-looking framework to scale engagement across goods, services, and strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, digital services, and renewable energy. Over the medium term, its effectiveness will depend on timely implementation, regulatory alignment, and the ability of businesses to leverage emerging opportunities in both markets.
It is not your typical tourist activity

Why does this hit different for Gen Z?

Image credit : Pexels | Traveling to Japan, Turn Your Trip Into a Free Survival Masterclass

The unexpected flex: coming back smarter

Image credit : Pexels | Add Free Disaster Survival Training to Your List

That is what 'meaningful travel' actually looks like

Image credit : Pexels | Pair Sightseeing With Free Disaster Survival Lessons

So, if Japan is on your list...

If we are being honest, Japan has always had that main character energy when it comes to travel destinations. Yes, one minute you are imagining neon-lit streets and bullet trains; the next you are thinking about peaceful temples, anime culture and, of course, those unreal cherry blossom views.And yes, places like Mount Fuji and the Sakura-lined streets are definitely bucket-list material. But here's something more to this, as travel reels won't tell you that Japan might be one of the only places where your vacation can double as a life skills upgrade.Between cafe hopping and sightseeing, you can actually walk into places like Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park or Honjo Life Safety Learning Center and learn how to survive real-life emergencies.No, not in a boring, textbook way, as mentioned by digital creator Brooke Johnson on her viral Instagram reel.We are talking about earthquake simulators that shake like the real thing, fire drills where you navigate smoke-filled rooms, flood escape exercises and evacuation training that feels like a live-action game.It's immersive, slightly intense, and honestly? Kinda unforgettable.Let's face it, most of us are used to learning things through screens. Tutorials, reels, 'life hacks' - everything is quick, aesthetic and easy to scroll past now.You don't just watch what to do in a crisis; you feel it. You mess up, you try again, you learn how fast things can change and how your reaction actually matters. It's like stepping into a simulation game, except the skills stay with you long after you leave.And the best part? It's completely free; you just need to book a slot in advance.Sure, your Japan trip will still give you incredible photos, great food and memories you will replay for life. But imagine also coming back knowing how to react during an earthquake, how to exit a burning space safely and how to stay calm and think clearly under pressure.And that's not just a travel story; that's a real-life upgrade.Well, here's the deeper takeaway most people miss: Japan isn't just offering a cool tourist activity; it's quietly redefining what travel can be.Instead of just consuming a place (taking photos, trying food, checking boxes), you are learning from it.Japan has faced its share of natural disasters, and rather than hiding that reality, it has turned it into something educational, accessible, and community-driven. These centres are built on the idea that awareness and preparedness should be for everyone, including visitors.For us, this hits at a bigger shift; travel is no longer just about aesthetics, it's about experience with purpose. Because at some point, the most valuable souvenir isn't what you post; it's what you carry with you in real life.Keep the cafes, the shopping, and the sightseeing, but maybe add one more thing to your itinerary, something a little unexpected, a little real and a lot more useful than you would think.Because a trip that teaches you how to stay safe? That's the story worth telling.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis arrives in Tripoli Monday for high-level talks with Libya's Government of National Unity, in Athens' most direct diplomatic engagement with the Libyan capital in years.

Mr. Gerapetritis will hold separate meetings with Presidential Council President Mohamed Al Menfi and Prime Minister

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, as well as acting Foreign Minister Al Taher Salem Al Baour and acting Oil Minister Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek.

At the top of the agenda is the disputed 2019 maritime memorandum between Tripoli and Ankara, which Greece considers illegal under international law because it disregards the continental shelf rights of Greek islands including Crete.

Athens has long sought to neutralize the agreement, and Mr. Gerapetritis' willingness to engage on energy cooperation signals a shift toward technical dialogue as a way of building the trust needed for eventual maritime delimitation talks.

Migration is also on the table.

With vessels departing from eastern Libya increasingly making landfall on Crete, Greece is pushing for stronger coast guard cooperation and intelligence sharing to disrupt smuggling networks operating along that route.

The visit follows recent Greek diplomatic outreach in eastern Libya  part of a deliberate dual-track strategy to maintain influence across a country that remains politically divided.

A formal maritime boundary agreement is not imminent given Libya's internal instability.

But Mr. Gerapetritis' presence in Tripoli signals that Athens has decided direct engagement, however complicated, serves Greek interests better than standing on the sidelines.

   iefimerida.gr

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis arrives in Tripoli Monday for high-level talks with Libya's Government of National Unity, in Athens' most direct diplomatic engagement with the Libyan capital in years.

Mr. Gerapetritis will hold separate meetings with Presidential Council President Mohamed Al Menfi and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, as well as acting Foreign Minister Al Taher Salem Al Baour and acting Oil Minister Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek.

At the top of the agenda is the disputed 2019 maritime memorandum between Tripoli and Ankara, which Greece considers illegal under international law because it disregards the continental shelf rights of Greek islands including Crete.

Athens has long sought to neutralize the agreement, and Mr. Gerapetritis' willingness to engage on energy cooperation signals a shift toward technical dialogue as a way of building the trust needed for eventual maritime delimitation talks.

Migration is also on the table.

With vessels departing from eastern Libya increasingly making landfall on Crete, Greece is pushing for stronger coast guard cooperation and intelligence sharing to disrupt smuggling networks operating along that route.

The visit follows recent Greek diplomatic outreach in eastern Libya  part of a deliberate dual-track strategy to maintain influence across a country that remains politically divided.

A formal maritime boundary agreement is not imminent given Libya's internal instability.

But Mr. Gerapetritis' presence in Tripoli signals that Athens has decided direct engagement, however complicated, serves Greek interests better than standing on the sidelines.

   iefimerida.gr
Greece has emerged stronger and more secure following the signing of an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Relationship with France during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Athens, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He billed the agreement as a broad-based alliance spanning defense, the economy, technology, migration, civil protection,

the environment, education and culture

"At a critical geopolitical moment, we confirmed the strategic choice we made in 2021 to strengthen the Greece-France relationship, turning it into a strong, multilayered alliance," Mr. Mitsotakis wrote in his weekly social media message over the weekend.

The prime minister said the deal made Greece "more secure," reinforced its geopolitical standing and opened new avenues of cooperation ranging from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity.

The agreement includes a formal renewal of the 2021 bilateral defense and security partnership, which Mr. Mitsotakis said strengthens Greece's deterrent capacity.

"Greece and France are EU and NATO member states, but we are also becoming a strong axis in the Mediterranean," he said, citing joint defense support for Cyprus as a concrete expression of European solidarity.

Mr. Mitsotakis placed the Franco-Greek pact within a broader argument for European strategic autonomy, referencing discussions at the informal European Council summit in Cyprus.

He called for a Europe "capable of standing with confidence in an uncertain world and defending the interests of its citizens and its values"  language that echoes the framing he and Mr. Macron used during their joint appearance at the ancient Roman Agora in Athens earlier in the week.

The visit by Mr. Macron was the most high-profile by a European leader to Athens in years, combining a state dinner, a naval ceremony aboard the new frigate Kimon and a keynote address amid ancient ruins.

   iefimerida.gr

Greece has emerged stronger and more secure following the signing of an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Relationship with France during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Athens, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He billed the agreement as a broad-based alliance spanning defense, the economy, technology, migration, civil protection, the environment, education and culture.

"At a critical geopolitical moment, we confirmed the strategic choice we made in 2021 to strengthen the Greece-France relationship, turning it into a strong, multilayered alliance," Mr. Mitsotakis wrote in his weekly social media message over the weekend.

The prime minister said the deal made Greece "more secure," reinforced its geopolitical standing and opened new avenues of cooperation ranging from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity.

The agreement includes a formal renewal of the 2021 bilateral defense and security partnership, which Mr. Mitsotakis said strengthens Greece's deterrent capacity.

"Greece and France are EU and NATO member states, but we are also becoming a strong axis in the Mediterranean," he said, citing joint defense support for Cyprus as a concrete expression of European solidarity.

Mr. Mitsotakis placed the Franco-Greek pact within a broader argument for European strategic autonomy, referencing discussions at the informal European Council summit in Cyprus.

He called for a Europe "capable of standing with confidence in an uncertain world and defending the interests of its citizens and its values"  language that echoes the framing he and Mr. Macron used during their joint appearance at the ancient Roman Agora in Athens earlier in the week.

The visit by Mr. Macron was the most high-profile by a European leader to Athens in years, combining a state dinner, a naval ceremony aboard the new frigate Kimon and a keynote address amid ancient ruins.

   iefimerida.gr
Authorities were mobilized in Crete following the emergency landing of a helicopter between Mathia and Amarianos.
Reproducing the human error narrative, the Greek state submitted a declaration supporting the prosecution in the Tempi trial only against the three station masters accused and the former OSE administration inspector
One business day after the Supreme Court was informed that six new lawsuits and confidential new evidence were coming in for the case, it issued an order to keep the wiretap case archived.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has outlined a power-sharing plan aimed at holding Nigerias opposition together ahead of the 2027 presidential election, amid growing concern that rival ambitions could trigger post-primary cracks.

The proposal introduces a collegiate system, a model the party says will move away from winner-takes-all politics and ensure power is shared within a team, even after a single presidential candidate emerges.

Speaking on the development while featuring as a guest on Arise TVs The Morning Show on Monday, Lukman Salihu, a key figure and promoter of the partys reform agenda, said the framework is designed to promote collective decision-making and prevent the concentration of power in one individual.

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He said, The new framework we are trying to put together is a collegiate framework. It is not a framework where one person will be the winner of everything.

Our leaders are committed to ensure that if we produce the next government, it is not going to be like an emperor presiding over an empire It will be a collegiate team spirit, whereby all decisions will be taken jointly.

The move comes as competition intensifies within the opposition, with supporters of Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi advancing rival positions on who should lead the coalition.

Salihu said the friction should not be mistaken for division.

What you are seeing is contestation, and when you have politics without contestation, then it is no longer politics, he said.

According to him, the aim is to keep all aspirants invested in the process, regardless of who emerges.
Domestic airlines in Nigeria may halt operations from Thursday, April 30, 2026, over unbearable and unsustainable aviation fuel prices, raising fresh fears of widespread travel disruption across the country.

Industry insiders say the airlines, having engaged both the Federal Government and oil marketers without a breakthrough, may be left with no option but to ground flights by Thursday.

The looming shutdown comes after several complaints by operators, who have watched the price of Jet A1 surge by over 300 per cent compared to February levels, pushing operating costs to the brink.

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Passengers, many of whom rely on domestic flights for business and urgent travel, now face uncertainty.

In a bid to avert the crisis, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, convened a meeting with airline operators and fuel marketers in Abuja last week. However, findings indicate that the tripartite talks ended in a deadlock, with operators unwilling to shift their stance unless decisive action is taken.

At the end of the two-day meeting, the minister announced a 30 per cent reduction in aviation-related taxes as part of efforts to ease the burden on airlines. While the gesture was acknowledged, operators insist it falls short of addressing the root problem.

Speaking on the first day of the meeting, Vice President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, Allen Onyema, welcomed the governments intervention but maintained that fuel marketers must account for the sharp rise in prices.

Onyema said, This government has helped the industry more than anyone since 1999, and the President is even willing to waive 30 per cent of the debts airlines are owing.

But the truth is that the marketers must be brought to book to explain how they came about the 300 per cent increase when even Dangote is surprised because what he is selling to us is still the cheapest.

At the end of the second day, Onyema issued a stark warning, giving a seven-day ultimatum from midnight last Thursday for action to be taken. Since the advent of the US-Iran war, there has been a spike in aviation fuel in Nigeria, which we, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, feel is not proportionate to the hike internationally.

We expect that in the next 48 hours something drastic should be done because no airline will fly in this country in the next seven days if nothing is done, not because they dont want to fly, but because fuel may not be available to us at sustainable pricing.

Providing further insight into the financial strain, Onyema disclosed that fuel prices have skyrocketed from about N900 per litre before the crisis to between N2,700 and N2,900, with some marketers selling as high as N3,500.

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.

According to him, airlines are now operating primarily to service fuel costs. All the airlines in Nigeria have been flying to pay fuel marketers only, and you dont want to compromise safety, he added.

Despite speculations about indebtedness, senior airline officials who spoke to our correspondent in confidence on Sunday, due to the sensitive nature of the matter, insisted that operators are up to date with payments to key aviation agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.

The PUNCH further gathered that in a document, the Airline Operators of Nigeria have formally requested additional relief measures from the government. In the letter dated April 21 and signed by AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina, the group called for the immediate suspension of aviation taxes, fees, and charges for at least six months.

The operators argued that the unprecedented rise in fuel costs threatens not only airline operations but also jobs and the stability of the aviation sector.

Among other demands, the AON proposed the introduction of a non-taxable fuel surcharge, a standard practice in international aviation to help airlines manage rising costs.

They also urged the government to direct oil marketers to issue credit notes to airlines affected by what they described as excessive and arbitrary price hikes. In addition, the group called for the establishment of an industry tax reform committee to review existing charges, assess their relevance, and align them with global standards.

As the deadline approaches, uncertainty hangs over Nigerias aviation sector. Another airline executive, who spoke anonymously on Sunday because he was not authorised to comment publicly, warned that the shutdown threat remains real. If nothing is done, no airline will be flying by Thursday, he said.
Factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and Labour Party have rejected the Ibadan opposition summit, stating it does not represent their official stance.

They reaffirmed plans to field separate candidates against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

The PDP National Working Committee, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Peter Obi (Anambra) and other opposition figures were misled by impostors who organised the summit.

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Also reacting, the two ADC camps of the 2023 ADC presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, led by Kingsley Ogga and Nafiu Gombe, in separate interviews with our correspondents, denied any involvement in the meeting, while the Accord Party warned that it could institute legal action against individuals or groups parading themselves as representatives of the party.

This comes as the Labour Partys Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, also disassociated the party from the high-profile summit in Ibadan where political leaders agreed to present a single presidential candidate in 2027.

In response, the All Progressives Congress rejected what it called attempts by opposition leaders to exert pressure through blackmail, stating that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is unfit to hold office over his alleged inciting remarks about Operation Wetie during the summit.

After months of internal wrangling and with several court cases still pending, the ADC, led by David Mark, joined forces with the PDP faction aligned with Governor Makinde and other opposition parties in Ibadan, Oyo State, for an opposition summit on Saturday.

Addressing participants as the chief host, Makinde cautioned the Federal Government against suppressing the political will of Nigerians, recalling that the historic Operation We tie crisis began in Ibadan.

Reacting to the development, the Wike-backed PDP described those who convened the Ibadan opposition summit as impostors, adding that it would field a separate candidate against President Tinubu.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, criticised the Turaki-led PDP leaders who attended the summit.

Certainly, our party cannot be part of that arrangement, not because we are not open to having alliances and understandings with opposition parties. We all belong to the opposition, and we all aim toward achieving one thing, which is taking over power from the APC. But the people who went there were not representing the PDP.

Mohammed explained, Opposition political parties must ensure they interact with legitimate representatives. The individuals who attended in the PDPs name are impostors, restricted by court order from acting as party leaders.

For us, as the genuine leaders and leadership of the PDP, we distance ourselves completely from yesterdays gathering, not because we are not open to having alliances, but because of the way and manner other opposition political parties aligned themselves with the wrong leadership.

Those who attended were misled. Those people you mentioned cannot and will not represent the PDP in anything. The PDP said it a few weeks ago, even during the inaugural speech of the national chairman, that the PDP has not entered into any negotiation or alliance with any political party, be it the ruling APC or any opposition party.

We are the leading opposition party today, and if there is any need to convene a summit in the name of opposition political parties, the PDP is meant to take the centre stage. Makinde, not being a member of the PDP, could not have had the legitimacy, authority, or mandate to convoke, convene, and hold such a meeting.

The publicity secretary maintained that their camp offers the only credible platform through which such an arrangement can be achieved.

You could see from our timetable that we intend to field a presidential candidate. I do not know what they are really talking about. People who do not have a stable political party are talking about fielding a presidential candidate. Which political party do they intend to adopt in fielding that presidential candidate? Not PDP, and we are not part of it.

The PDP provides the only credible platform through which such an arrangement could be done, and the PDP that could do that is the one under the leadership of Abdurahman Muhammad and Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

On its part, the ADC faction led by Interim National Chairman Ogga, also clarified that it was not involved in the summit, adding that opposition parties should instead focus on resolving their internal challenges.

I want to make it clear that our group was not part of that opposition summit, and we are not in support of the decisions, either. My group does not support that arrangement. Everybody should be free to find and present their own candidate.

The alliance aspect may sound good, but that is not what we are supposed to focus on now. Our priority should be to put the party in order because there is a crisis within the party, and that is what we should address first, he admonished.

Also, the Nafiu Gombe-led faction of the ADC rejected both the summit and its resolutions, insisting the party was neither represented nor bound by its outcome.

The Chief of Staff to the blocs national chairman, Bala Kumo, made the position clear in an interview with The PUNCH, stressing that the ADC would pursue its independent electoral path.

He said, We are not in support of it (a single presidential candidate for the opposition) as the authentic members of the African Democratic Congress. So, whatever resolution was taken in that place, we are not in support of it.

The ADC is an existing party. It wasnt registered yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week or last month. ADC has been in existence for almost 20 years. We are fielding a candidate, and Inshallah, all the elective offices at all levels will support it.

Continuing, he said, In my view, the Ibadan Summit can best be described as the reunion of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party, aligning with aggrieved or disgruntled individuals who have been ignored by the party.

So, for the record, I want to assure you that the African Democratic Congress was not involved in the summit, and should not be linked to any outcome or resolution coming from that summit.

The Labour Party also denied participating in the Ibadan meeting, signalling a cautious approach to any coalition talks at this stage.

The Interim National Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, who spoke through her Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ken Asogwa, stated that the partys immediate priority remains its internal consolidation rather than external alliances.

If you observe, you will discover that we are not part of those who went to the Ibadan Summit yesterday. As it stands today, we are focused on getting substantive leadership for the Labour Party in our next convention coming up next Tuesday, April 28.

That is the position of the party for now. If there is a need for us in future to be in coalition with other political parties, we will inform Nigerians.

In a related development, the Prof Chris Imumolen-led Accord Party denied any involvement in the decision reached at the summit, insisting that its name and symbol were used without authorisation and warning that it may pursue legal action against those responsible.

Imumolen, in a statement issued by the partys National Secretary, Muktar Abdallah, described the use of the partys flag at the summit as political impersonation rather than a misunderstanding.

Reacting, Imumolen clarified that the Accord Party is not part of any coalition with the ADC, PDP, or any allied group, and did not authorise the use of its name, symbol, or platform in any such arrangement.

The statement read, This is not an oversight; it is a misrepresentation. The Accord Party will not be dragged into alliances it neither negotiated nor approved. What played out in Ibadan raises serious questions about the credibility and transparency of the coalition itself, if it must lean on the identity of parties that are not even at the table.

The Accord Party remains focused on the 2027 general elections, with a clear ambition to present a presidential candidate under its own banner, not as a footnote in a hastily assembled coalition.

Prof. Imumolen has therefore issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the conveners and participants of the Ibadan meeting to publicly explain how and why the Accord Partys identity was used without consent. Failure to do so will trigger immediate legal action against all individuals and groups involved.

You cannot borrow legitimacy by force. Those responsible must either explain themselves or prepare to defend their actions in court.

The Accord Party further said it will strongly defend its identity, structure, and independence, and would not accept any attempt to use its platform for political convenience, whether openly or secretly.

Reacting to the utterances at the Ibadan meeting, the APC strongly condemned Governor Makinde over his reference to Operation Wetie, accusing him of inciting violence and describing his conduct as unbefitting of the office he occupies.
Malis Defence Minister Sadio Camara has been killed in a car bomb attack outside his residence in Kati, a key military town on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, in one of the most audacious strikes against the countrys ruling junta in recent memory.

The explosion, which occurred on Sunday, April 26, also claimed the lives of at least three of Camaras family members. Military sources and relatives confirmed the blast was carried out by militants believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda.

The assassination formed part of a sweeping wave of coordinated attacks launched on Saturday targeting multiple towns across Mali, with Kati  home to several top officials of the military-led government  among the primary targets.

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Authorities said the assaults were carried out jointly by jihadist fighters and separatist forces, including the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), with clashes continuing into a second consecutive day.

The killing of Camara marks a severe blow to Malis junta and lays bare the deepening security crisis gripping the Sahel region. Analysts described the coordinated nature of the strikes as evidence of the growing operational sophistication of militant networks operating in the area.

Mali has been engulfed in a complex insurgency since 2012, when Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants overran large swathes of the countrys north in the aftermath of a military coup.

International interventions, including French troops and United Nations peacekeepers, were deployed in subsequent years but failed to extinguish the violence, which has since crept southward into central regions.

The countrys trajectory shifted further following successive military coups in 2020 and 2021 that brought the current junta to power. The new leadership distanced itself from Western partners, expelled French forces, and forged closer ties with Russia, leaning more heavily on domestic military operations to contain the insurgency.

Despite repeated offensives, jihadist factions affiliated with both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have continued to inflict deadly casualties on civilians, security personnel, and government officials.

Investigations into Sundays bombing are ongoing as the government moves to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation.
Veteran actor Jim Iyke has blamed internal sabotage for the persistent challenges facing Nigerias film industry, describing the situation as a major setback to its growth.

Speaking during an interview with BBC, the Nollywood star alleged that the industry is riddled with individuals who undermine its progress. He noted that if given the opportunity to effect change, his priority would be to eliminate such elements.

According to him, the presence of these saboteurs has become deeply rooted, adding that many of them require personal reflection and intervention.

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Reflecting on his career, the actor revealed that one of his most emotional moments came from a personal source rather than professional accolades. He recounted how his son once praised his acting skills, describing him as a genius, a compliment that moved him to tears.

Iyke also highlighted his admiration for fellow actress Kate Henshaw, naming her as his preferred colleague to work with on set.
Cargo containers are stacked on a cargo ship moving through the Panama Canal, at sunrise in Panama City, March 25, 2026. Read more

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PANAMA CITY  Businesses have doled out as much as $4 million for last-minute plans to move boats through the Panama Canal in recent weeks, the Panama Canal Authority says, as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz generates a seismic shift in global trade flows.

While passage through the canal usually comes at a flat rate via reservations, companies without one can cross by paying an additional fee in an auction for slots, which are awarded to the highest bidder, rather than waiting for days off the coast of Panama City.

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The demand for slots skyrocketed and the price ballooned in recent weeks as Iran and the United States have bottlenecked the strait. Ships have increasingly traveled through the Panama Canal as shipments are rerouted and buyers purchase from other countries to avoid commerce through the now-treacherous Middle Eastern waterway.

With all the bombings, the missiles, the drones ... companies are saying its safer and less expensive to cross through the Panama Canal, said Rodrigo Noriega, a lawyer and analyst in Panama City. All of this is affecting global supply chains.

Meanwhile, Panamas government is maximizing what it can earn from the Panama Canal, Noriega said.

The average price to cross through the canal ranges between $300,000 and $400,000 depending on the vessel. Previously, to get an earlier crossing, businesses would pay an additional $250,000 to $300,000. In recent weeks, the average additional cost has jumped to around $425,000.

Normally, about 6% of global trade passes through the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in Central America, according to Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University. The canal has recovered from several years of drought, he added.

Goods like car parts, grain, and consumer electronics being shipped from China to Europe or vice versa, or from China to the U.S. East Coast, pass through the canal.

Some oil moves through the Panama Canal, but it isnt a viable large-scale alternative to the Strait of Hormuz because of its size. The largest ships that carry oil, known as ultralarge container vessels, are too big for the canal.

Ricaurte Vasquez, the canals administrator, said one company that he would not name paid an extra $4 million when its fuel vessel had to change its destination because of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

It was a ship carrying fuel to Europe, and they redirected it to Singapore, and it needed to get there because Singapore is running out of fuel, he said.

Other oil companies paid an excess of $3 million in addition to the crossing fee to accelerate their passage in the face of soaring oil prices.

The extra fees are becoming so high not because ships are piling up at the canal, but rather because of last-minute shifts and greater urgency for vessels to pass through in the wake of broader trade chaos, Vasquez said. He emphasized that these costs were temporarily being shouldered by companies based on their level of urgency.

They decide how high to go on the price, Vasquez said.

At the same time as Panamas government is earning more money from the newly brisk business in the canal, its shipping industry is being confronted by the geopolitical struggle in the same way as those of other countries.

Panamas foreign ministry on Wednesday accused Iran of illegally seizing a Panama-flagged vessel from the Italian company, MSC Francesca, in the Strait of Hormuz. Panama, which has one of the worlds largest ship registries, said the ship was forcibly taken by Iran. It wasnt immediately clear if the boat remained in Iranian custody.

This represents a serious attack on maritime security and constitutes unnecessary escalation at a time when the international community is advocating for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to international navigation without threats or coercion of any kind, it said.

Noriega, the analyst, said that the amount companies are paying to cross the Panama Canal may continue to go up if the conflict stretches on, as oil prices are already skyrocketing. The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil briefly jumped above $107 this week, soaring from around $66 a barrel a year ago.

Nobody expected the war to have quite so much effect on global trade, Noriega said.
Pennsylvania State Police say Terrell Adams, Roberto Morel, and Tuften Green conspired to rob $49,000 from Morel's nephew and his family. Read more

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A North Carolina family was driving home after visiting a relative in Germantown when, suddenly, a car behind them turned on red-and-blue emergency lights, signaling them to pull over.

The family patriarch, thinking it was police, complied. He had no idea, Chester County prosecutors said Monday, that the men following him were armed robbers working with his uncle to ambush and strong-arm him out of $49,000 his sister had given him.

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The man narrowly survived that encounter with a bullet in his chest, while several other shots missed his wife and 3-year-old childs heads by mere inches.

The three men who police say orchestrated that plot, Terrell Adams, 38, Roberto Morel, 51, and Tuften Green, 31, have all been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and conspiracy in the March 28 shooting along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Tredyffrin Township.

Adams, of East Germantown, and Morel, of Drexel Hill, remained in custody, denied bail. Morel, investigators said, is the uncle of the man who was driving the car and his sister, who gave the victim the money.

Green, the one police say shot the vehicles driver, remained on the run and was being sought by Pennsylvania State Police.

Investigators say the three suspects had been tailing the victims for about 20 miles, starting when they pulled away from their relatives home in Germantown, according to the affidavit of probable cause for their arrests.

As the family was driving westbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, they noticed a Chevrolet Suburban behind them had turned on a red-and-blue emergency light. The driver pulled over to the roads shoulder as two men, dressed all in black, got out of the SUV and approached the car, the affidavit said. One man, later identified as Adams, was wearing a hat with police sewn into it.

Police later learned that Morel, driving in a separate car, pulled up to the scene behind the two other men, according to the affidavit.

Adams and Green asked the man and his wife for their drivers licenses. The mans wife, suspicious, asked them for their badge numbers and began to dial 911. Green, seeing this, pressed a 9mm gun to the womans side and attempted to grab her phone, the affidavit said.

As the man attempted to pull back onto the highway, Green fired his gun, striking him in his chest. Four additional shots were fired as the familys minivan sped away, though no one else was struck, according to the affidavit.

State police, called to the scene by an off-duty officer who happened to be passing by, found the family less than a mile away. They took the driver to Paoli Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Investigators later learned that the mans sister owns a bodega in Germantown and had given him the $49,000 to invest in his business back in North Carolina. The man said he had first seen the Suburban following him after leaving his sisters block, and that it had briefly pulled alongside his car before merging back behind him, the affidavit said.

Through surveillance footage, detectives traced the Chevrolet Suburbans movement both before and after the shooting, and found that it had arrived in Germantown 20 minutes before the victims left.

On April 1, officers stopped the car in Darby, while it was being driven by Greens girlfriend. She told police Green had purchased it for her weeks earlier, and that when he drove it home, it had a temporary tag issued by the state of Maryland.

However, at the time of the car stop, the SUV had a temporary tag from Delaware.

Police found both tags were fraudulent, and said Green switched them regularly to avoid detection.

Cell phone data showed Green, Adams, and Morel had communicated with each other in the hours before the shooting, and traveled closely together. Surveillance footage taken from a gas station in Philadelphia showed all three men met up about a half-hour before they began to follow the victims, according to the affidavit.
Students with signs gather together to protest outside Southwark Elementary school last week. They spoke out about mice, cockroaches, and bathroom problems. Read more

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Seventh grader Vallery Flores sat in front of the citys top lawmakers and the Philadelphia School Districts top officials last week with a grim message.

Im here today because of the conditions of our school bathrooms, said Vallery, a student at Southwark Elementary in South Philadelphia. They suck.

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Vallery rattled off a list of things that are wrong with her school: just a handful of working toilets for hundreds of students; repulsive smells; raw sewage; mystery puddles; broken stalls that do not lock; flooding toilets; and not enough functional soap dispensers or toilet paper.

For months, parents, staff, and politicians have been writing letters and holding meetings to air their concerns about Southwarks alarming building conditions, including the bathroom issues and mouse and cockroach infestations. They have asked the district to accelerate its timeline to fix the otherwise well-regarded, bursting-at-the-seams K-8 school, which is scheduled to undergo a $46 million renovation project beginning in 2032.

Last week, it was the kids turn to tell people what its like inside  first at a rally outside the school, then at City Council.

Before I even got here, my classmates even said, Tell them to fix our bathrooms, Vallery told a packed City Council chamber Wednesday. I seriously have to go out of school and go all the way here for decent bathrooms. I shouldnt have to be asking for this.

The Southwark building crisis lays bare a fundamental problem for the district: It cannot keep up with its old buildings, even for a school community that has been organizing and has multiple political backers amplifying its calls.

The Southwark asks come as the district fights an uphill battle to pass Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s sweeping facilities plan. The $3 billion blueprint would close 17 schools and upgrade 169 aging buildings, but it would require $2 billion in yet-unsecured state or philanthropic funding for many of those renovations.

The school board was supposed to vote Thursday on the plan, which would take a decade to implement if funded. An angry City Council pressured the board to delay its vote, which is now scheduled for this Thursday.

Some have said the plan does not go far enough, or fast enough, in a school system with many buildings in conditions like Southwarks. But board president Reginald Streater, at a City Council budget hearing Wednesday, said the district is dealing with financial realities.

Without a supercharge of capital investment, the plan looks the way it looks because thats our confidence in getting the level of investment we would need at the time that we would need it, Streater said.

Everything we can

District officials had promised toilets in trailers to help the Southwark situation, but the community balked at using that emergency patch through 2032  or whenever the renovations are finally complete.

But on Wednesday, as students testified directly to Council, Watlington suggested quicker help was on the way.

We are exploring how we can get significant improvements made at Southwark, in particular through the capital improvement budget, ahead of that timeline with the facilities plan, the superintendent said.

Southwark needs emergency help around both bathroom and pest problems, but also is in line for an annex with a new gym and classrooms to help ease crowding.
FILE - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 23, 2025. Read more

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CAIRO  Iran has offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its blockade on the country and ends the war in a proposal that would postpone discussions on the Islamic Republics nuclear program, two regional officials said Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump seems unlikely to accept the offer, which was passed to the Americans by Pakistan and would leave unresolved the disagreements that led the U.S. and Israel to go to war on Feb. 28.

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With a fragile ceasefire in place, the U.S. and Iran are locked in a standoff over the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds traded oil and gas passes in peacetime. The U.S blockade is designed to prevent Iran from selling its oil, depriving it of crucial revenue while also potentially creating a situation where Tehran has to shut off production because it has nowhere to store oil.

The straits closure, meanwhile, has put pressure on Trump, as oil and gasoline prices have skyrocketed ahead of crucial midterm elections, and it has pressured his Gulf allies, which use the waterway to export their oil and gas.

The closure has also had far-reaching effects throughout the world economy, raising the price of fertilizer, food and other basic goods.

The Iranian proposal would push negotiations on the countrys nuclear program to a later date. Trump said one of the major reasons he went to war was to deny Iran the ability to develop nuclear weapons.

The two officials with knowledge of the proposal spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations between Iranian and Pakistani officials this weekend. Irans proposal was first reported by the Axios news outlet.

The offer emerged as Irans foreign minister visited Russia, which has long been a key backer of Tehran. Its unclear what, if any, assistance Moscow might offer now.

Strait of Hormuz is still blocked

Irans ability to choke off traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, has proved one of its biggest strategic advantages in a war that has often boiled down to which side can take more pain.

Oil prices have risen steadily since the war began, and tankers full of crude became stranded in the Gulf, unable to safely pass through the strait to reach global distribution points.

On Monday, the spot price of Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at around $108 per barrel, nearly 50% higher than when the war began.

Top Iranian diplomat meets Putin in Russia

Trump last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire the U.S. and Iran agreed to on April 7 that has largely halted fighting. But a permanent settlement remains elusive in the war that has killed thousands of people.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in St. Petersburg, Russian state news agency Tass said. Putin praised the Iranian people as bravely and heroically fighting for their sovereignty, and said Russia would do everything possible to bring peace to the Middle East, Tass reported.

Araghchi said before the meeting in a video interview posted by Irans state-run IRNA news agency that it was a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now.

The meeting came as Pakistan has been seeking to revive stalled talks between Iran and the U.S., and negotiations had been expected in Islamabad over the weekend. Instead, Trump called off a trip by his envoys and suggested the talks could take place by phone instead.

Over the weekend, Araghchi made two stops in Pakistan and a visit to Oman, which shares the strait with Iran. He also spoke by phone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Iran wants to persuade Oman to support a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait, according to a regional official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter.

Omans response was not immediately clear.

The official, who is involved in mediation efforts, also said Iran insisted on ending the U.S. blockade before new talks and that Pakistan-led mediators are trying to bridge significant gaps between the countries.

Trump says Iran has offered a much better proposal

Trump told journalists Saturday that after he called off a trip by his envoys to Pakistan, Iran sent a much better proposal.

He did not elaborate but stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. Iran insists its program is peaceful, but the U.S. wants to remove Tehrans stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which could be used to build a bomb, should Tehran choose to pursue one.

Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,521 people in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group resumed two days after the Iran war started. Another 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 U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have been killed.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been extended by three weeks. Despite the truce, both sides continue to strike each other, and Israeli forces have been occupying a buffer zone in Lebanon, demolishing some neighborhoods.

Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett (left) and Yair Lapid hold a joint news conference Sunday in Herzliya announcing that their parties will run together in the upcoming elections. Read more

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JERUSALEM  Two Israeli political heavyweights on Sunday said they would join forces in elections scheduled for later this year in an effort to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid served as prime ministers in a rotation agreement as part of a coalition government they formed in 2021, ending 12 years of Netanyahus rule. Now they plan to merge their parties into a single faction headed by Bennett, calling it a partnership between the center and the right.

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Bennett said if elected, the new government on its first day would establish a state commission of inquiry into the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that started the war, an issue that has dogged Netanyahu.

There have been calls in Israel for a public inquiry into the failures around the Oct. 7 attack, the deadliest on Israel in its history.

Lapid urged Israels political center to unite behind Bennett, adding that this country needs unity like air to breathe.

Bennett had served as prime minister for the first year of their 2021 agreement until the coalition fractured. Lapid then held the top job as caretaker prime minister for the final six months until elections brought Netanyahu back to power.

Lapid has served as Israels opposition leader since that time, while Bennett took a break from politics.

The two men have ideological differences. Bennett is an Orthodox Jew with hard-line views toward the Palestinians, while Lapid is secular and seen as more moderate. But they enjoyed a close working relationship during their short-lived coalition.

We have been through a great deal together. We have made difficult decisions together. We know we can count on one another, Lapid said.

Their alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu.
FILE - Sarah Mullally speaks to the public after the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury, England, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the first woman ever to lead the Church of England. Read more

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VATICAN CITY  Pope Leo XIV prayed Monday in the Vatican with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, and vowed to keep working to overcome differences no matter how intractable they may appear, in a historic meeting with the first female leader of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion.

The encounter between Christianitys two most famous religious figures would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, given the divisions between their two churches over womens ordination in general and Mullallys appointment in particular.

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Leo acknowledged that new problems in their relationship had been added onto historically divisive issues. But he nevertheless vowed to continue the tradition of past popes to continue to try to reunite the churches.

Anglicans split from Rome in 1534, when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment. Despite a formal theological dialogue that began in the 1960s, big differences remain, especially over the Church of Englands decision to ordain women. The Roman Catholic Church reserves the priesthood for men.

Leo quoted the late Pope Francis as telling Anglican primates that it would be a scandal if, due to our divisions, we did not fulfil our common vocation to make Christ known.

For my part, I add that it would also be a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear, Leo said.

Mullally, whose appointment has split the already divided Anglican Communion, arrived an hour early to meet with Leo. She thanked him for welcoming her on her first foreign visit since she was installed last month.

After meeting in Leos library, the two then prayed together in the Urban VIII Chapel inside the Apostolic Palace for what the Vatican said was a moment of prayer. Mullallys office said Leo presided but that they both said the grace together. The Vatican released photos and video of the meeting and prayer, both of which were closed to the press.

In her remarks to Leo, Mullally said both of them were called to preach the Gospel with renewed clarity.

In the face of inhuman violence, deep division, and rapid societal change, we must keep telling a more hopeful story: that every human life has infinite value because we are precious children of God; that the human family is called to live as sisters and brothers, she said. We must therefore work together for the common good  always building bridges, never walls; that the poorest among us are closest to the heart of God.

A pilgrimage to Rome amid challenges

Mullally is on what she has called a four-day pilgrimage to Rome that has included visits to the main pontifical basilicas, where she has prayed at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and met with top Vatican officials.

Lambeth Palace says her visit is designed to strengthen AnglicanRoman Catholic relations through prayer, personal encounter, and formal theological dialogue. It aims to deepen bonds of communion, affirm a shared witness, and encourage ongoing collaboration at both global and local levels.

The first female Anglican priests were ordained in 1994, its first female bishop in 2015, and now Mullally as the first archbishop of Canterbury.

Leo and Mullally have already exchanged greetings, with Leo congratulating her on her installation last month but acknowledging she was taking over at a challenging time and that differences still divide the Anglican and Catholic churches.

He nevertheless vowed to continue dialogue, and in October Leo welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Vatican, where they prayed in the Sistine Chapel. Charles is the titular head of the Church of England.

That event, Oct. 25, marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches had prayed together.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first formal ecumenical statement between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, signed in 1966 at St. Pauls Outside the Walls basilica by Archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI.

Mullally for her part has expressed solidarity with Leos peace message, after the American-born pope was harshly criticized by President Donald Trump for his calls for peace in Iran.

Popes past have met with female Christian bishops and archbishops: Francis met in 2015 with Archbishop Antje Jackelen, the first woman to lead the Lutheran Church of Sweden. Francis also invited the female Anglican bishop, Jo Bailey Wells, into a private meeting of his cardinal advisers in 2024 to discuss the role of women in the Catholic Church.

An historic meeting that follows the kings visit

George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at Kings College London, said Mondays meeting was historic, particularly given the Vatican doesnt recognize the female priesthood.

If we were to go back several hundred years, its unthinkable, he said. Its the fact that the pope is willing to meet, but in itself it also shows the difference, the gap.

Gross said the prayer was clearly an attempt to show the two churches united, especially in confronting the global conflicts and projecting a message of unity. Such optics, he said, were in continuity with the visit to the Vatican in October by the king.

Its a doubling down of togetherness, he said.

An appointment that divides the Anglican communion

Mullallays appointment though has split the Anglican Communion, whose 100 million members in 165 countries are deeply divided over issues such as the role of women and the treatment of LGBTQ+ people. Many in England and other Western countries hailed her appointment as a historic breaking of a stained-glass ceiling.

But the communions largest and fastest-growing churches in Africa belong to a conservative group called the Global Anglican Future Conference, or Gafcon, which has sharply criticized her appointment and threatened a final break. In the U.S., the conservative Anglican Church in North America formed in a break from the more liberal U.S. and Canadian Episcopal churches and has signed onto the Gafcon statement opposing Mullallys appointment.

Mullallay told Leo, who has just returned from a four-nation African voyage, that she would soon be following in his footsteps with a visit to Cameroon and Ghana in July.

Your pilgrimage to Africa was full of life and joy, she said. It reminded us that despite our sufferings, people long for life in all its fullness, and countless people are working each day for this vision of the common good.
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Raja Rajan doesnt remember if he used Claude, ChatGPT, or Grok to write the memo that got him in hot water with a federal judge, again.

The Cherry Hill attorney was pressed for time so he says he took a shortcut when he wrote a brief that was filed in federal court on Feb. 20.

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He wrote it using an AI chatbot, Rajan said, and asked a different bot to verify the citations were accurate. With the technologys blessing, he filed the motion for a business dispute in which he represented his brother.

Opposing counsel noticed six false citations, and notified the court. Rajan tried to review the cases the chatbot cited. Five citations had errors, and one case cited didnt exist at all. It was an AI hallucination.

So thats when I knew theres a problem, Rajan said.

U.S. District Judge Kai N. Scott sanctioned Rajan $5,000 last week. Just over a year ago, Scott ordered him to pay $2,500 for relying on AI to write two motions, and sent him to continuing legal education classes.

It makes no sense, the judge said, that an attorney who has practiced for nearly 40 years violated such a basic tenet of professional conduct.

Any first-semester, first-year law student would know that a fundamental rule of lawyering  during litigation or otherwise  is to ensure that any authority to which a lawyer cites does indeed support the proposition for which he cites it," Scott wrote.

The judge from Phillys federal court said she would refer Rajan, who is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, to the states disciplinary board if he were to file a brief with AI hallucinations a third time.

Rajans sanctions are part of a wave of disciplinary actions by courts grappling with the proliferation of AI in the legal profession. The temptation to use the technology for legal research and write briefs has overtaken solo practitioners, such as Rajan, and the Big Laws top firms alike.

 READ MORE: An immigrant sued ICE and won. A judge said the government must pay back his $40,000 in legal fees.

Prestigious Wall Street law firm Sullivan & Cromwell apologized last week for having submitted a court filing with AI hallucinations. The firm has more than 900 attorneys, and its partners charge over $2,000 an hour.

But courts have been unsure how to approach the new technology, and what to require from attorneys.

Earlier this year the Third Circuit Court of Appeals addressed the issue for the first time in a split decision emblematic of the debate around who is responsible for AI-generated errors  the lawyer or the technology?

A panel of three judges reprimanded an attorney for an AI-generated filing that included seven citations riddled with factual and legal inaccuracies and one that simply did not exist, according to the courts opinion.

But two of the judges stopped short of imposing more significant sanctions, in part, because the Third Circuit has not yet had the opportunity to speak on the issue and emphasize that, when using AI, litigants must still strictly adhere to all rules of professional conduct, Judge Cindy K. Chung wrote.

Senior Judge Jane R. Roth would have gone further, she said in a separate opinion. Attorneys should know that it is their responsibility to verify information they submit, the judge said, and courts dont need to issue reminders for every new circumstance.

Punishing an attorney for failure to verify information obtained from AI is consistent with the standard to which attorneys historically have been held, Roth said.

For now, Philadelphias federal court instructs attorneys to disclose their use of AI and certify that every citation has been fact-checked.

Rajan said he hasnt litigated cases in years, but picked up the case to help his brother and former business partner, who is accused of deceiving an investor to secure a million-dollar loan.

In addition to the two AI-related sanctions, Scott ordered Rajan in February to pay $78,000 in legal fees to the opposing counsel for filing absurd counterclaims, acting in bad faith, and making disingenuous claims.

He is appealing that decision, but says Scott isnt wrong on the AI hallucinations.

Its definitely my fault, Rajan said. I definitely, definitely took a shortcut, and I got punished for it.

The attorney predicts that the problem with AI is only going to get worse, and sanctions like the ones he has been facing wont deter everyone. AI has been an equalizer, he said, allowing solo practitioners to do time-consuming legal research that large firm pays paralegals, interns, and younger associates to do.

Incorporating AI into legal practice can be useful, for example to do an initial review of large document dumps, but it doesnt erase ethics and professional standards, said Ezra Wohlgelernter, a personal injury attorney and the chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

The bottom line: The rules havent changed, the tools of our practice have, Wohlgelernter said.

In her memo explaining her sanctions against Rajan, Scott reminds attorneys that law is fundamentally a human enterprise.

But the judge also issued a clear a warning.

Do not get so comfortable that you forget your duties to your clients, courts, or society writ large, because if you do, it will be your name and license on the line, Scott wrote, not ChatGPTs.
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A newborn was found dead in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia Saturday afternoon, police said.

Right before 1 p.m., police arrived at an apartment complex on the 1100 block of North American Street. An unresponsive infant girl was found inside, police said.

The medical examiners office has not determined an official cause of death, but police said the baby had puncture wounds.

She was pronounced dead by a medic at 1:08 p.m.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, police said.
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Politicians representing Pennsylvania and New Jersey praised law enforcement and expressed relief that President Donald Trump and members of his administration werent injured in the shooting at the White House Correspondents Association dinner in a Washington hotel Saturday night.

Secret Service agents whisked Trump to safety as gunfire was ringing out in the Washington Hilton during the event, which is still being investigated. The alleged shooter, who is believed to have been targeting Trump, is in custody.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on X Saturday night, Im grateful for law enforcement and the Secret Services quick action to keep the President, Cabinet, lawmakers, the press, and everyone in attendance tonight at the White House Correspondents Dinner safe... . One thing is for certain: political violence is never okay  and it has no place in this country."

Shapiro was himself the object of an attack after a Passover celebration in 2025 when a man broke into the governors mansion and set it on fire while the governor and his family slept.

After thanking the Secret Service, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican whos challenging Shapiro, posted on X Saturday night, We solve our disagreements in America through debate, and the First Amendment that is being celebrated this evening. Violence has no place in our political discourse.

In her statement released Sunday, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill singled out the brave Secret Service agent who reportedly was shot and, according to Trump, saved by his protective vest. The agent was reported to be in good condition.

Plain and simple, political violence should not be the answer in a democracy, Sherrill, a Democrat, concluded.

After expressing gratitude that Trump and others at the dinner were safe, Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) also praised the Secret Service and law enforcement. He added, Praying for our country.

On Sunday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a Republican whose district includes several South Jersey counties, referred to accused gunman Cole Tomas Allens alleged animus toward Trump and his administration: It is truly sick and evil to wish death or physical harm on anyone because of political differences. I am praying for our President and our entire country.

McCormicks Senate colleague, Democrat John Fetterman, echoed Trumps assertion that the incident underscored the need for the completion of the contentious White House ballroom. Construction of the $400 million project has been halted by a federal judge.

We were there front and center, Fetterman said on X, referencing his presence at the Hilton on Saturday night. He exhorted people to drop the TDS, short for Trump Derangement Syndrome, a derogatory term often used by Trump supporters to describe critics of the president. He added that the administration should build the White House ballroom for events like these.

It wasnt clear that a dinner sponsored by the White House Correspondents Association would have been held in a White House ballroom. Fetterman said the Hilton was the wrong venue to host an event with the president and others in the line of succession.

President Ronald Reagan was shot outside the Hilton in 1981.

U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat who represents, among other neighborhoods, Northwest and West Philadelphia, issued a statement Sunday that challenged Fettermans post, saying that while political violence is always wrong ... this shouldnt be used as an excuse to build an unnecessary ballroom. The president should instead focus on ending his unnecessary war.

After the events Saturday night, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee requested a briefing from the Secret Service, Politico reported.

That same committee held a hearing about the attempt on Trumps life in Butler, Pa., in 2024.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Chester County, who was part of a task force looking into the Butler shooting, issued a statement Saturday night, thanking the brave law enforcement officers and adding, We must continue to take a stand against political violence and condemn it on all fronts.

At the dinner Saturday night were several tables of individuals from NBCUniversal Media as well as executives from Comcast, headquartered in Philadelphia, a person familiar with the event said. They didnt provide details.
Lt. Thomas Goodman (center), of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, meets with villagers in Qatar Kala in the Pech Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar province with his interpreter, Ayazudin Hilal (center left with hat), in 2009. If State Department officials get their way, some Afghans who worked alongside U.S. service members may be sent to Congo, writes Trudy Rubin. Read more

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Just when you think the White House policy toward refugees cant get any uglier, it sinks to new depths that should infuriate Americans of all political persuasions.

After the suspension in November of a resettlement program for Afghans who helped U.S. soldiers and civilians, the Trump administration is now trying to send up to 1,100 of such Afghan refugees to the Democratic Republic of Congo. These include former interpreters for the U.S. military, former members of the Afghan Special Operations forces who worked alongside their U.S. counterparts, and families of U.S. service members  including about 400 children.

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These Afghans are trapped in limbo at a former U.S. military base in the Gulf emirate of Qatar (amidst the U.S.-Iran war), where they were taken in late 2024 for a short stay while they completed the resettlement process.

Now, the U.S. Department of State wants to rid itself of the problem, and these refugees may soon be given a brutal choice between death and disaster.

One option will be to return to Afghanistan, where many are on the Taliban death list for aiding Americans. The other choice would be the Democratic Republic of Congo (also known as the DRC), a country in central Africa enmeshed in bloody civil wars that have killed and displaced millions.

Why would U.S. officials choose the DRC? A State Department spokesperson told the New York Times the focus is on voluntary resettlement. Refugee organizations beg to differ.

They have been trying to wash their hands of these Afghans, I was told by Shawn Van Diver, president of the aid group AfghanEvac. The DRC may be the only ones who will play ball with them. So the DRC is rising to the top.

Other refugee aid groups are equally horrified, as we all should be.

It is horrific and absurd to think of it as a viable option to send persecuted people to a country in the midst of active conflict and listed as Do Not Travel by the State Department, said Jennifer Patota, deputy director of U.S. legal services at the International Refugee Assistance Program.

This is a complete betrayal of our promise to Afghans who stood by us. Any future partners will be watching, she said.

But concepts like honor and loyalty or even simple human decency dont move the White House officials who devise U.S. refugee policy. They should, however, move every citizen and U.S. legislator who cares about the future safety of our military, and the immorality of U.S. leaders eager to sell out allies.

This latest disgrace sent my mind racing back to President Joe Bidens shameful and botched withdrawal from Afghanistan (following on Trumps equally shameful first-term pullout accord with the Taliban). After many trips to Afghanistan, I tried, as did so many U.S. journalists, former U.S. military, and U.S. officials who had served there, to get friends and comrades out.

One of those, whom I wrote about, was a judge who had worked with U.S. officials and had stellar recommendations for the special immigrant visa, known as an SIV, for those who helped Americans. After harrowing months hiding outside Kabul with the Taliban on his heels, and then waiting a year in Pakistan for an SIV, he finally had to return to with his ill wife to Afghanistan when their Pakistani visas expired. I cant use the judges name because he is in hiding.

Although he had completed essential parts of the application process, the Trumpers froze the program at the end of 2025. The supposed reason was a murder in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan refugee (not an SIV holder). Absolutely no excuse for rejecting Afghans who risked their lives to help U.S. personnel.

I spoke about this latest Afghan tragedy to Najib Bakhshinda, a former journalist, who, with his human rights lawyer wife, now heads a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Canada called GCARR-CANADA that works to help refugees facing danger. Along with their four sons, they made it from Kabul to Ottowa.

I asked Bakhshinda what would happen if the Afghans in Doha returned to Afghanistan.

They will simply get killed, he replied. The Taliban have an official office in Doha, Qatar, and they know who is in Camp As Saylihah [where the Afghans are held]. They even visited the camp and tried to ask about the residents, but people dont trust them.

So let me repeat: The White House wants our Afghan allies trapped in Doha to choose between terrible danger and likely death.

What makes this story even darker is the Kafkaesque process that doomed many of these refugees after they reached Doha. There had been pre-vetting before they reached the camp, I was told by Andrew Sullivan, a military veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and now heads No One Left Behind, an organization that helps Afghans resettle here.

But many of the 1,100 couldnt qualify for SIVs because of arcane regulations, so they had to apply as refugees.

For example, Afghan Special Forces operators who fought side-by-side with and supported U.S. troops were disqualified if the Afghan government paid them rather than the U.S. military. Yet, the Taliban wants them dead just the same.

There are cases where a child of an SIV applicant aged out at 21 while the family waited years for their visa, and thus was no longer eligible. Or interpreters for U.S. units  prime targets of the Taliban  who didnt work the required 365 days.

Absolutely, exceptions should be made if they pass final security clearance, insisted Sullivan, whose organization helped resettle 3,300 Afghan and Iraqi SIV holders. And, if the U.S. is still unwilling, said Sullivan, then officials should ensure they are going to a safe country where they can survive.

Once upon a time, a bipartisan movement of veterans in Congress promoted laws to enable Afghans who helped us to get visas. But as time passed, and foreign policy crises multiplied, the issue faded from view.

There is still strong bipartisan support, but the issue has fallen out of sight, Sullivan said. Congress needs to act. It can change the law any time. Or, Id add, it can press to revive the SIV program the White House froze. Pressure can also be brought on the State Department to drop the two despicable options it is trying to impose on the Afghans in Doha.

This is a refugee issue that all Americans should be able to unite behind.
University of Louisville students rally to protect diversity, equity, and inclusion on their campus in 2024. Attacks on diversity and inclusion are undermining the fundamental principles of higher education, Alfred H. Bloom writes. Read more

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As a former college president who spent decades leading schools in the U.S. and abroad, I have witnessed, with some distress, the growing attacks on higher education by pundits and politicians. Seeking to blame students and schools for various social crises, such attacks undermine every major achievement American universities have made in the last half-century.

Campus diversity initiatives and freedom of expression for students and faculty are special targets. Recently, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has revoked graduate school tuition support for enrolled service members if they attend woke universities, worried these schools will work against his warrior ethos. His boss, President Donald Trump, has exhibited unbecoming glee while illegally slashing government grants for research he fears more than understands. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon denounces university diversity initiatives as pervasive and repugnant race-based discrimination against white and Asian people, and so, in keeping with Trumps priorities, seeks to dismantle all schools efforts to promote equity.

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Some educators inadvertently reinforce such shortsighted attacks by claiming universities have lost sight of core purposes by focusing more on justice than on job skills. And the growing cohort of tech billionaires wonders aloud if we will even need universities in a future driven by artificial intelligence, even as their products offer one-dimensional answers to complex problems and demonstrate an alarming vulnerability to ideological manipulation, the very opposite of cultivating conversation and diverse perspectives.

Learning to listen

My half-century in higher education has convinced me, by contrast, of something many college graduates will also recognize: The real promise of higher education isnt found in textbooks or laboratories, and certainly not in large language models (LLMs) and chatbots. Its found in something more fundamental and experiential in college life: in learning to listen to and connect with others, in collaborative problem-solving, and in the daily practice of navigating a complex world.

True education depends on the ability to weigh, learn from, and evaluate diverse perspectives.

True education depends on the ability to weigh, learn from, and evaluate diverse perspectives. That promise is much larger and more important than workforce preparation. Such education prioritizes ethical over artificial intelligence. It promotes resilience, adaptability, and a productive, rather than a destructive, approach to change. It offers an antidote to the Trump administrations prevailing preference for dropping bombs instead of building bridges to cultural understanding.

To justify their aggressive interventions into university admissions, curriculums, and research priorities, the administration claims diversity poses a threat to American cultural values. But the achievements of American higher education from World War II to the present refute such claims.

In the wake of that global conflict, educators and policymakers alike recognized the power of education to strengthen connections between countries and across cultures. In 1946, the U.S. established the Fulbright program to fund international research, foreign language instruction, global public outreach, and scholarships for American students to study abroad. Over the last year, the administration has thrown the Fulbright and similar programs into a state of financial and ideological turmoil. The Trump administrations authoritarian dismantling of universities domestic diversity initiatives is equally pernicious.

Addressing inequality

For nearly two decades in the 1990s and early 2000s, I was privileged to serve as president of Swarthmore College. I came to that job in the immediate aftermath of the Rodney King beating and the Los Angeles riots. I realized then that one way to address the ongoing effects of inequality in America was to strengthen support for student diversity, giving students  regardless of background  the opportunity to listen and learn from classmates whose lived experiences might seem radically different from their own.

Such celebrations of our diversity also allow students to recognize their classmates common humanity. Increasing the number of Black and Latino students at Swarthmore and funding programs to support gender equity and diversity made for a richer learning environment. The misguided dismantling of DEI denies the reality and value of our diverse experiences and imperils democracy itself.

Similarly, the administrations full-frontal assault on immigration has had profound consequences for international student enrollment, something that has been a particular strength of our colleges and universities for decades.

International focus

Beyond dwindling enrollments lies something harder to quantify but equally vital. Every empty seat that might have been filled by an international student represents missed opportunities for individuals, universities, and communities to expand the human connections that foster empathy and collaborative problem-solving across the world.

International education routinely sends foreign students home with a meaningful understanding of American society, just as American students who learn abroad develop more complex views of the world  and of themselves. In an era of rising global tensions, these personal connections matter.

International cooperation in higher education exposes the shallowness of the idea that a single heroic nation or culture can produce all the knowledge it or the larger world will need. Ours is not the only country to advance healthcare, to solve engineering problems, or to create beautiful works of art. When humanity joins in those efforts, we pool cultural resources and benefit from wisdom gleaned in different historical trajectories. When nations isolate, our resources diminish as our perspectives become increasingly narrow.

The world over, universities  and the young people who come of age within them  have led and continue to lead the way toward a more just and peaceful world. Whether in the U.S. or overseas, students have shown me time and again how we are more connected than ever  economically, technologically, socially, and existentially  and responsible to one another.

The challenges we face, like the challenges our parents and grandparents faced, will not have easy solutions. They will require wisdom, an understanding of history and culture, and the humility and willingness to listen to and collaborate with others if we are to find solutions. Empathy and excitement born of seeing the world from multiple perspectives allow us to join with fellow inhabitants in securing a sustainable future for our entire planet.

That is higher educations most important mission.

Alfred H. Bloom served as president of Swarthmore College from 1993 to 2009 and as the first vice chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi from 2008 to 2019.
Law enforcement officers detain a man in the Bronx during an ICE-led operation in January 2025 in New York. Read more

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A divorce lawyer who has vowed to fight exclusively for the rights of men. A Minnesota attorney who championed Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Trump administrations raids in Minneapolis. And a judge who was once lambasted by an appeals court for denying humanitarian protection to a Serbian man because he didnt look overtly gay.

All three are among the deportation judges recently hired as part of President Donald Trumps quest to clear a massive case backlog and fulfill his goal of deporting 1 million immigrants each year.

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The hiring spree follows the Justice Departments firings of more than 100 immigration judges since Trump took office, an unprecedented purge, and a similar number have retired or resigned. More than 140 new judges have been appointed so far to replace them, many of whom have no stated experience practicing immigration law and, according to the National Association of Immigration Judges, are receiving less training than previously offered.

Former judges who were fired say they fear Trump is forcing out judges who rule against the government and replacing them with loyalists and others being pressured to help carry out a single goal: Deport immigrants.

Theyre trying to create a malleable workforce that will do what they want without question, said Kerry Doyle, a former ICE official who was hired to serve as an immigration judge in Massachusetts under President Joe Biden and then fired last year before she could begin hearing cases. Thats what I think the goal is.

The firings come as the Trump administration is simultaneously implementing policies that make it more difficult for immigrants to prevail in court. Under new orders from the Justice Departments Board of Immigration Appeals, judges have been refusing to grant bond hearings and are dismissing cases at the governments request so that defendants can be arrested. They are also being advised to grant asylum more sparingly. Asylum rejections doubled from 2024 to 2025.

The recruits are being offered signing bonuses, the opportunity to work from home, and even the flexibility to keep their day jobs and moonlight as judges after hours. New hires can earn up to $207,500 a year and 25 percent signing bonuses in some Democrat led-states such as California.

Two-thirds of the new judges have no immigration law experience listed in their online biographies, a break from previous years when many, if not most, candidates had experience in that area, according to a Washington Post analysis of available Justice Department announcements. Only 24 percent had worked for the Department of Homeland Security, ICE or the immigration courts. The National Association of Immigration Judges said the Justice Department has cut training from nearly five weeks to three.

Court officials did not respond to questions about the shorter training program but said the classroom and on-the-job training was extensive and ongoing, and includes instruction on sensitive topics like minors in removal proceedings. Daren K. Margolin, director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the little-known agency responsible for deciding who gets to stay in the United States and who gets removed, declined requests for an interview but lauded the new judges in a recent press release.

EOIR remains committed to reducing the immigration court backlog and unwinding the policies of the Biden Administration that included a de facto open border and amnesty, he said. These new highly qualified immigration judges have sworn to decide the cases before them based on the law  that is, the laws passed by the United States Congress.

The hirings and firings have added to concerns that Trump has politicized the Justice Department and is jeopardizing peoples confidence in the immigration court. Some lawyers fear people with bona fide asylum cases are giving up their claims because they dont believe their hearing will be fair.

It sends a message that: Dont trust these courts, said Muzaffar A. Chishti, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. That is not good for the immigrants, its not good for the rule of law, and its not good for the ultimate integrity and reputation of our court system.

Firings give way to hirings

The Trump administration began firing immigration judges on the first day of the presidents second term.

The EOIRs chief judge and three other high-ranking officials were among the first to go. Dozens of other immigration judges were later fired in Hartford, Connecticut, Chicago, San Francisco, New York and other cities.

Doyle, a lawyer with 30 years of experience, was fired on Valentines Day last year, along with all 12 other judges who were part of her hiring class. As a top ICE official in the Biden administration, she wrote a 2022 memo instructing ICE attorneys to set aside the cases of immigrants who were not a top priority for deportation.

Under Bidens policies, that category included most undocumented immigrants who had not committed any crimes, especially if they had families and U.S. citizen relatives. But the Trump administration has different priorities, seeking to deport anyone in the country illegally.

Doyle believes she and the others who have been fired were let go because we got hired by President Biden. I think its as deep as that.

A spokesperson for the EOIR declined to comment, stating that the agency does not discuss personnel matters.

In public statements and internal communications, Trump administration officials have accused some immigration judges of failing to uphold the law. Sirce E. Owen emailed all immigration judges in June, when she was serving as acting director of the EOIR, and, without identifying anyone, accused some of exhibiting bias against the government and warned that they could face discipline.

Bias against DHS is just as corrosive to the integrity of EOIR as bias against aliens, she wrote. Both parties in immigration court are entitled to a neutral, impartial adjudicator, and EOIR will not tolerate improper animus directed at either party.

Immigration Judge David K. S. Kim had approved more than 90 percent of his asylum-related cases for three years, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonprofit that monitors immigration case data  a higher share than most judges. He said he followed the law, weighing evidence, testimony and medical records. Most defendants had lawyers to argue on their behalf, which he said improved their chances in court.

Some of the cases involve horrific details of past trauma, he said. Some of them are not telling the truth and I can tell. Those cases I deny.

Then he got an email from Owen while he was in the middle of a hearing with the subject line Notice of Termination. The letter told him to turn in all government property that day.

Kim stopped the hearing and told the puzzled immigrant, who had been under cross-examination by DHS, that another judge would be assigned to the case. He gathered his belongings and said goodbye to his colleagues, one of whom started to cry.

Kim said Owen did not state why he was being let go. He surmised he was being punished because he had approved so many asylum cases, and that officials wanted to scare my colleagues who had not been fired.

Months later, he wonders what happened to his cases, particularly that of a man from North Africa who said he feared for his life if DHS managed to deport him. The case was complex and Kim said he was working on a written decision for it. But he was fired before he could finish it.

If that person were deported to his home country, it was very likely that he could be killed, Kim said. Thats why I was very careful.

Asylum rejections more than doubled to 82,371 last fiscal year, which ran from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025. The percentage of asylum cases granted by judges plummeted to less than 5 percent in February, compared with 48 percent in the same month in 2024 under Biden, according to TRAC.

Trump officials have emphasized that the judges are government attorneys who serve under the supervision of the attorney general  and ultimately at the will of the president  and can be fired at any moment. The judges union said firings have happened sporadically in the past, such as for disciplinary issues, but the union has never seen so many firings, and for no stated reason.

Multiple judges have filed lawsuits or administrative complaints challenging their firings.

Hiring deportation judges

As firings continued, the Justice Department launched a recruitment drive urging people to sign up to help write the next chapter of America and become a deportation judge. Applicants are promised the chance to define America for generations and restore integrity and honor to the immigration court system.

The Trump administration also dispatched military lawyers to the immigration courts to help fill vacancies. One of them, Christopher Day, became a whistleblower in March, telling Congress that the more streamlined training that incoming judges are getting today is completely inadequate and highly biased, according to a copy of the letter sent to Congressional committees. Day declined to comment through his lawyer.

Former judges said the hiring process previously took months, sometimes years. New judges would then spend five weeks observing court hearings, taking classes in immigration law and court management, participating in a mock trial at the EOIRs Virginia headquarters, and practicing hearing cases with a mentor judge by their side. Some of the new judges are considered permanent employees, while others like the military attorneys were hired on a temporary basis.

There are currently 700 immigration judges nationwide to handle well over 3 million cases.

Day, an Army reservist, wrote in his letter to Congress that EOIRs director told the recruits many judges are far too liberal in granting asylum and that they could be fired in six months if they fail to meet expectations.

Day wrote that a court administrator in Texas pressured him to complete three asylum cases daily, and an appellate judge, Keith Hunsucker, told the new hires that asylum should be granted sparingly  offering the example of, Maybe if you were Jewish and escaping Nazi Germany in 1943 you should get it. A Justice Department spokeswoman said Hunsucker disputes Days account, and that his alleged statement is not accurate.

The right to seek asylum has been a bedrock principle since the aftermath of World War II, when Western nations shaped international treaties that said immigrants should not be deported to countries where they could be harmed or killed. Under U.S. law, immigrants may seek asylum if they fear persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or another specific reason that makes them a target.

The overall message seemed to be pushing as many cases as possible, with little regard for scheduling, due process, or procedural rights, Day wrote. He was fired in December, two months after his appointment, and he wrote that a supervisor said he had granted too many cases.

Andrew Art Arthur, a former immigration judge who now writes for the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit that favors enforcement, said he was confident that the immigration courts were hiring experienced lawyers who could address the massive caseload. Training has varied for years, he said, noting that he had just three weeks of instruction prior to being appointed in 2006. He emphasized that all attorneys are taught how to apply the law fairly in school, regardless of the subject.

If immigrants disagree with a judges decision, they can appeal.

There are safeguards built into the system, he said. Remember immigration courts arent the last court. Theyre the first court.

Jan. 6 lawyer among recruits

The recruits include many with Republican ties, such as former New York state assemblyman Kieran M. Lalor, who was appointed in March to serve as a judge in a rural part of the state. As a lawmaker he opposed state funding to provide legal aid to immigrants facing deportation, telling the media in 2017 that it would reward lawbreakers.

He did not respond to requests for comment.

Another recruit is Melissa Isaak, who alleged in a 2021 speech at an anti-feminist convention that accusations of domestic abuse by men against women and children are one of the most abused allegations in family court. Domestic violence can also come up in immigration court, because victims often cite their experience as grounds for seeking asylum. Isaaks official court bio did not detail any immigration-related experience.

Isaak, an Army veteran and reservist, was a defense attorney for three of the Jan. 6, 2021 rioters at the U.S. Capitol after Trump lost the election, though she later withdrew from two of those cases, federal court records show. She also represented Alabama Republican Roy Moore in a defamation case after he denied sexual misconduct allegations that derailed his campaign for the Senate. In 2024, Isaaks law firm posted on Facebook that an $83.3 million jury award to a writer who alleged Trump sexually assaulted her decades earlier was a travesty of justice.

In the 2021 speech, Isaak said there were two types of women: a real woman who supports her husband and a promiscuous woman who is a warm wet hole. She also argued that statistics show more men suffer from domestic abuse than women; FBI statistics show most victims are women. Isaak has been assigned to hear cases in Atlanta immigration court as a temporary judge, who typically are contracted for six-month periods. She did not respond to requests for comment.

Carey Holliday, a former Republican Party state treasurer, served as a Miami immigration judge from 2006 to 2009, when he stepped down following a DOJ watchdog report that found the Bush administration had hired immigration judges based on their political leanings, in violation of federal law. While the report did not name him, one of those hired matched Hollidays description. The report said that judge was appointed based on a White House recommendation and did not undergo a job interview.

In 2010, a federal appeals court found Holliday had relied impermissibly on stereotypes in ordering the deportation of a Serbian man who had testified that he had been raped in the army, terrorized by police and beaten by armed vigilantes because he was gay. In his decision, Holliday opined that the man had no effeminate traits and thus discredited his claims, denying him protection in the United States.

The panel called Hollidays rationale offensive. He declined to comment. In February, he was appointed to the Baton Rouge immigration court.

Some of the recruits were not shy about sharing their thoughts about divisive issues online before their hiring. Nathan M. Hansen, a Minnesota lawyer, was appointed this month, more than a year after he lost a race for district judge. He had shared social media posts about the Haitian invasion of Ohio and promoted right-wing conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate, about a rumored child sex ring operating from a D.C. pizzeria, the Minnesota Reformer recently reported.

After Trumps immigration raids triggered protests in Minneapolis, Hansen posted on Facebook, Is there anything we can do to help ICE if we want to? He did not respond to a request for comment.

Hansen is serving in the Twin Cities area.

Not everyone has made the cut.

Joe Bovino, a Florida immigration attorney, advanced far in the Trump administrations process. He is the author of several books, including one that he advertises as a field guide to Latinas in the United States. The book includes sexually explicit descriptions of body types and an image of a zipper to rate womens promiscuity.

Bovino was recently assigned to the Miami immigration court, records reviewed by The Post show. But when the Justice Department issued press releases announcing the new judges this month, his name wasnt on the list.

In text messages with The Post, Bovino said he didnt know why he was pulled. He said that it was obvious his books were meant to be humorous and emphasized that they were written years ago.

I enjoyed it while it lasted, he said of the training. Lots of patriots and good people involved.
Ala Stanford speaks at the opening of the Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity on Oct. 27, 2021. The center was opened with the goal of making healthcare accessible for those in communities who might struggle to get proper treatment. Stanford is now running for Congress. Read more

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In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, physician Ala Stanford rented a van to conduct coronavirus testing in parking lots, traveling to Philadelphias most underserved neighborhoods, where the virus was raging. For months, she and a group of healthcare workers called the Black Doctors Consortium were funded largely by Stanfords credit cards and a crowdfunding campaign.

But in the ensuing years, as Stanford and her efforts gained national acclaim, public money began to flow to the nonprofit. As of this month, the consortium has received nearly $13 million in government contracts and grants for a range of work over about six years.

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Today, Stanford, a pediatric surgeon, is running in a highly competitive election for Philadelphias open seat in Congress, with the backing of three local sitting members. During forums and in campaign ads, she has in large part leaned on her reputation as a North Philly native who ensured the citys most neglected communities had access to COVID testing and vaccinations in the throes of the pandemic.

With about three weeks until the Democratic primary on May 19, Stanfords messaging is largely focused on that work. My neighbors helped raise me, Stanford, a first-time candidate, says in one of the television commercials paid for by her campaign. So when they were hurting, I started the Black Doctors Consortium to heal our city.

 READ MORE: Ala Stanford is banking on a healthcare message to break through crowded Philly primary for Congress

Her rivals in the 3rd Congressional District race have at times made an issue out of how the organization was funded and been critical of Stanfords portrayal of herself.

State Sen. Sharif Street said he, as an elected official representing Philadelphia during the pandemic, played a key role in securing funding and reimbursement for the Black Doctors Consortium  a characterization Stanford disputes. And State Rep. Morgan Cephas, who dropped out of the race last month, earlier in the campaign emphasized that Stanford was not merely an altruistic volunteer, but was paid to test and vaccinate Philadelphians.

The Inquirer reviewed hundreds of pages of tax filings, financial disclosure statements, and other public documents to account for Stanfords stewardship of taxpayer dollars that flowed from federal, local, and state sources. Among the findings was deficient recordkeeping, including that the Black Doctors Consortium at times filed incomplete tax returns to the IRS and failed to properly report nearly $1 million in compensation to Stanford over four years.

Across five years of tax returns, the nonprofit reported Stanfords compensation in only one year  2020, when it indicated she was paid $350,000.

In response to questions from The Inquirer that raised inconsistencies in Stanfords tax filings and other disclosures, her attorney, Dwayne M. Grannum, said the nonprofit identified an inadvertent omission. Grannum said that, over four years of returns, the organization did not list Stanfords pay, totaling more than $962,000.

On Friday, he said, the Black Doctors Consortium filed amended returns.

Lloyd Mayer, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame and a nationally recognized expert in nonprofit law, characterized it as a very significant omission.

He said it would be concerning if Stanford, as the executive of the organization, personally signed off on tax returns that omitted her own pay.

She should have caught that it doesnt list her compensation, Mayer said. She has personal knowledge, and shes responsible for the return.

Of the four returns on which Stanfords pay was not listed, two were signed by her. The other two were signed by Byron Drayton, Stanfords husband, an accountant who has worked with the Black Doctors Consortium.

Grannum said that the filings were submitted electronically by an accounting firm, and that Stanford and the nonprofits finance department were not aware of the omissions until they were identified by The Inquirer.

A 2025 tax return for the Black Doctors Consortium has not yet been made public.

Stanford drew a salary of at least $400,000 from the nonprofit last year, according to city invoices obtained through an open records request under Pennsylvanias Right-to-Know Law. That was her salary, paid for by the city, for working as the medical director at the Riverview Wellness Village, a recovery house in Northeast Philadelphia that is a critical initiative for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

The compensation was part of a $5.38 million contract between the city and the Black Doctors Consortium, by far its largest government deal.

Prior to that contract, public dollars accounted for nearly half of the organizations revenue between 2020 and 2024, according to tax filings and government records.

 READ MORE: Meet the 4 Democrats vying to replace Dwight Evans in Congress

Taxpayer support continues today. The group recently opened an imaging center at Stanfords North Philadelphia primary care clinic, and it was funded by a $3 million federal grant, Grannum said.

Stanfords financial disclosures show additional income from a variety of sources, including Stanfords pediatric surgery practice, a book deal, teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, and income from her small concierge medical practice, where she serves as actor Will Smiths doctor.

On the campaign trail, Stanford, 55, has said that she is proud of her success as someone who became an accomplished surgeon after coming from humble beginnings. The daughter of teenage parents, she grew up in North Philadelphia and relied on public assistance.

I knew what it was to be poor and Black in America, and to see adults look me over and drop their eyes and expectations for what I could become, she wrote in her memoir, Take Care of Them Like My Own. It never leaves you, this knowledge. Not ever.

The growth of the Black Doctors Consortium

When Stanford established the Black Doctors Consortium in 2020, she already had a nonprofit infrastructure in place.

Seven years earlier, she had founded It Takes Philly, an organization that connects children with mentorship and educational opportunities. In the chaos of the pandemic, she established the Black Doctors Consortium as an offshoot of It Takes Philly.

As COVID-19 rates soared  and were disproportionately high among Black Americans  Stanfords group provided testing services to Philadelphians in underserved neighborhoods. The consortiums goal was to connect Black healthcare workers with Black patients, who research has shown can be distrustful of the medical industry after generations of health, social, and economic disparities.

Stanford said she spent much of that time calling and writing to elected officials in search of funding. In June 2020, the city announced a series of grants to community groups, including $1.3 million in funding to the Black Doctors Consortium.

In her book, Stanford wrote that the funding was less than one-fifth what we had asked for and that money and resources were a continuing problem for the Black Doctors Consortium.

She continued: It was only after one of the volunteers from my church, a retiree who had worked in the claims department for Independence Blue Cross and Blue Shield, asked if I needed help sorting through all the paperwork (Yes, please!) that I started seeing some reimbursement from all Id laid out.

When the vaccine became available in early 2021, the city partnered with a group called Philly Fighting COVID to hold mass vaccination clinics. Stanford said city officials were dismissive of the Black Doctors Consortium and told her she wasnt ready to administer vaccines.

Less than a month into 2021, Philly Fighting COVID failed spectacularly. The Inquirer reported that the group was unprepared and underqualified, and had established a for-profit arm that could sell residents data. Its 22-year-old founder, a white graduate student, was accused of giving vaccines to his friends.

Stanford said the city came to her hat in hand and asked the Black Doctors Consortium to conduct vaccine drives.

We only got the contract because the people they chose first failed, and then the city needed someone who was mobilized and ready to do it, Stanford said. So thats when we stepped in.

The Black Doctors Consortium hosted 24-7 mass vaccination events and continued pop-up testing clinics. It received an additional $1 million in city funding for testing and vaccine work, totaling $2.3 million in city grants in 2020 and 2021, according to Stanfords campaign.

As rates of COVID-19 began to subside, the Black Doctors Consortium shifted its programming. It offered mobile and in-home vaccination services. And in late 2021, the group began accepting patients at a new primary care facility: the Dr. Ala Stanford Health Equity Center in North Philadelphia.

That work was funded by about $4 million in government grants and contracts.

Today, the Black Doctors Consortium operates inside a wing of Deliverance Evangelistic Church at 21st Street and Lehigh Avenue. The health center inside the church is a joint venture of the nonprofit consortium and a private for-profit entity that Stanford controls. The nonprofit consortium provides a range of care, including primary care, psychiatry, gynecology, pediatrics, imaging, and nutrition.

Government contracts and grants support the nonprofit consortium, which pays expenses such as employee salaries and rent payments to the church.

Several experts in nonprofit law said it is common for tax-exempt organizations to have relationships with for-profit entities, but arrangements in which there is overlapping personnel require safeguards.

A relationship between a charity and a for-profit enterprise is not inherently bad, said Eric K. Gorovitz, a principal attorney at the San Francisco-based Adler & Colvin group who works with nonprofits. The question is why and what are the terms?

In Stanfords case, she is an officer and board member of a nonprofit, the Black Doctors Consortium, that is working with her own medical practice to provide services for patients. Experts said that means the nonprofit must take extra steps to avoid conflicts of interest in setting revenue-sharing ratios or other arrangements that could benefit Stanfords for-profit company.

Grannum, Stanfords lawyer, said revenue is apportioned to the nonprofit and the for-profit in accordance with an agreement that was approved by the organizations board. Stanford recused herself, he said.

He cast the structure as typical for healthcare entities and industry standard.

Stanford said a majority of revenue from insurance claims for care provided at the medical center goes to the nonprofit, although she declined to say what the exact ratio was.

Asked this month if the health center is profitable, Stanford said not really.

We do so much charity care, she said. We can only submit claims for people who are insured or insurable. But there are folks that dont have anything, and we see everybody.

Tax forms that were not fully completed

At times, the Black Doctors Consortium filed paperwork with the IRS that was incomplete, and did not include the names and compensation details of those who were top executives or served on its board.

In annual filings, nonprofits are required to list all officers, board members, and key employees, even if they are unpaid, Mayer said.

From 2020 to 2024, Stanfords nonprofit only ever named one executive on its tax forms: her. But Stanford said the nonprofit, It Takes Philly, has had a board for more than a decade  today, it consists of seven members, including her.

The same filing is required to list compensation for those top employees and board members. Stanfords compensation was listed only in 2020  from 2021 to 2024, the tax filing said she was not paid.

Those same tax filings later indicate that the organization spent at least $200,000 per year on aggregate officer compensation, without specifying who was paid. And Stanfords April 2022 federal financial disclosure indicated her salary from the nonprofit was $562,500 over the preceding 16 months.

Grannum said the section of the tax filing where officer compensation and board members are supposed to be listed was not fully completed for the years in question.

He said Stanfords compensation was $449,999 in 2021, $147,115 in 2022, $110,000 in 2023, and $255,846 in 2024. Stanford said she did not draw a salary during parts of 2022 and 2023 while she worked in the Biden administration.

Laura Otten, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit consultant, said it is critical for tax-exempt organizations to file accurate paperwork with the IRS because the returns are public documents used by foundations, corporations, and individual donors to evaluate a nonprofits trustworthiness.

Our reputation is our currency, Otten said. This isnt just a document you check off to make the federal government happy.

I stepped up

Stanfords accomplishments as a physician and her work with the Black Doctors Consortium are a key part of her campaigns message. She attended a recent campaign event in scrubs, and she attempted  unsuccessfully  to list her name on the ballot with Dr. in front of it.

Indirectly, her career is also a major reason she has been able to gain visibility and compete as a first-time candidate.

314 Action Fund, a Washington-based political action committee that boosts doctors and scientists who run for office, has spent more than $2 million on TV ads in support of Stanfords bid, making her the first candidate in the race to be featured on television.

In an interview at her North Philadelphia health center office in March, Stanford said that she will not let her political rivals diminish what happened.

And what happened is I filled in a gap that saved lives, that required courage, innovation, and intentionality for a group of people who are often left behind, or always left behind, she said. And I stepped up.
Joby Aviation Inc. is planning to fly electric air taxis between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Manhattan this week to show off its quieter, zero-emission aircraft in a city weary of noise pollution.

The demonstration flights will be New Yorks first point-to-point trips of an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, according to Joby, which staged a test flight from the downtown heliport in 2023. This week, the aircraft will fly along existing helicopter routes operated by Blade Urban Air Mobility, a division of Joby, and will have pilots but no passengers.

The trips are part of a new federal program thats meant to accelerate the integration of air taxis into US airspace. Joby aims to start passenger flights in New York, Texas and Florida as soon as the second half of this year, said Chief Executive Officer JoeBen Bevirt. But the company, which still needs approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration to begin commercial operations in the US, has pushed back previous goals in the past.

Air taxis are a hundred times quieter than helicopters, Bevirt said in an interview. Instead of the low-frequency thumping of a helicopter that shakes buildings and annoys people, the Joby aircrafts sound is designed to be more of a whoosh, and thats a broadband noise that blends into the background and also dissipates much more quickly over distance, he said.

The Santa Cruz, California-based company will be seeking to introduce New Yorkers to electric flights over 10 days of multiple trips. It will be flying from JFK to Blade lounges at West 30th Street at Hudson Yards and at East 34th Street, as well as the downtown heliport.

Earlier this year, the US Transportation Department selected companies to participate in the pilot program, which is meant to allow cities to begin to develop infrastructure and to create familiarity among the public.

The proliferation of helicopters in tourist, charter and commuter service has caused a surge in noise complaints around New York City in recent years, reaching a peak of 59,000 calls to 311 in 2023 from 3,300 in 2019. Helicopter security has also come under increased scrutiny after a crash last year that killed a Siemens AG executive, his wife and three children.

Joby says its aircraft are built with greater levels of redundancy that will make them safer. They have six propellers, each driven by two electric motors that are wired to separate battery packs, and three flight computers.

Most helicopters were designed for military, oil and gas, and utility applications  not passengers, said Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade. Sometimes its like watching a passenger climb into a cement mixer. When you board a Joby, it feels like stepping into a thoughtfully designed car.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Aviation
The city of Baltimore suffered a defeat in its efforts to address the opioid epidemic last week when the Maryland Supreme Court vacated a $152 million public nuisance verdict won by the city against drug distributors McKesson and AmerisourceBergen.

The states high court erased the verdict and returned the case to the Baltimore City Circuit Court, ordering that court to follow the high courts March 2026 opinion (Express Scripts, Inc., et al. v. Anne Arundel County) in which it answered no to the question of whether the actions of drug distributors can constitute an actionable public nuisance, which was the legal basis for citys suit.

The high court in answering that question for a federal court found that companies that have legal licenses to distribute controlled substances cannot be held liable for misuse of those legal drugs as a public nuisance under Maryland common law.

Maryland has not expanded the public nuisance doctrine beyond the traditional historical principles embodied in the common lawnamely, that a public nuisance action was not regarded as a tort but was instead a public action by a government entity to pursue criminal prosecutions or seek injunctive relief to abate harmful conduct. The Court has never recognized a government actors ability to recover damages for public nuisance, the high court said in Express Scripts.

The city initially won a $266 million verdict in a trial against McKesson and AmerisourceBergen (now Cencora) in November 2024. That amount was later reduced to $152 million.

The city had argued that pharmacy benefit managers, mail-order pharmacies, and retail pharmacies created a public nuisance by partnering with opioid manufacturers in deceptive and dangerous marketing of opioids for financial gain, and by spurring opioid abuse by placing these drugs on formularies with preferred status and without restriction on their approval for use. The city claimed that McKesson and Cencora recklessly sent more than 300 million oxycodone pills into the city from 2006 to 2019, creating a public nuisance.

But the pharmaceutical companies argued that they had complied with federal regulations and should not be held liable for the misuse of the painkillers or the addiction of users.

The high court remanded the case back to the lower court for proceedings consistent with its stricter public nuisance standard set forth in Express Scripts. In effect, the high court said that public nuisance is not the correct legal avenue for the city to use in pursuing opioid claims because the public nuisance law is designed for public right interference, not for regulating legal business activity.

Legal Strategy

Baltimore opted not to join other municipalities in national suits against the drug industry over the opioid epidemic and instead filed its own lawsuits. It has managed to negotiate settlements worth about $400 million with several companies including Walgreens, Allergan, CVS, Teva and Cardinal Health.

The funds are being used to mitigate the harms of the opioid crisis. The city maintains that hundreds of Baltimore citizens die every year of opioid overdoses, while others suffer from the effects of opioid use disorders including struggling to hold jobs and additional health problems.

When the original $266 million jury award was announced, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott called it a game-changing figure that will reshape our ability to confront this crisis in every part of our city. He said the city would put these funds to work to save lives and build a healthier Baltimore.

Now the city faces the likelihood it will not be able to collect the $150 million award against McKesson and Cencora. Scott said he disagrees with the latest ruling but said the city would continue to use every available resource to reduce overdose deaths.

The state of Maryland has participated in national opioid settlements including with Cardinal Health, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Johnson & Johnson.

Topics Maryland
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.

Geopolitical tensions have increased cybersecurity risks and the regulator has been contacting financial entities it supervises to assess their cybersecurity defenses 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 blocs 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 theres 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.

Whenever you see very volatile markets that are driven by news and things like that, its an area that you automatically spend some attention and look at carefully. Thats quite natural, she said, declining to be drawn on any specific regulatory activity.

Policing Crypto

National regulators in EU countries are responsible for overseeing crypto companies, and have given firms until the end of June to secure a license or stop offering their services.

Frances regulator said in January that nearly a third of unlicensed crypto companies had not told the regulator whether they planned to get a license.

One of the challenges we will face from the first of July onwards is how do we then deal with the policing of the perimeter, Ross said.

The European Commission has proposed that ESMA gain more powers to supervise important cross-border financial market players, including major trading venues and crypto companies, as part of a wider package to centralize supervision and reduce fragmentation in the EUs financial markets.

The plans are supported by the EUs six biggest economies but are opposed by some countries.

My impression is that there is indeed a political ambition now to try to move forward quickly, Ross said.

(Reporting by Elisa Martinuzzi and Elizabeth Howcroft; editing by Hugh Lawson)
The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted supplies of crucial raw materials and pushed up prices of the printed circuit boards (PCB) used in almost all electronic devices, from smartphones and computers to AI servers, industry sources and executives said.

The disruption is a fresh blow to electronics manufacturers which are already grappling with soaring memory chip costs and highlights the broadening impact of the Iran war that has wreaked havoc on supply chains, plastics, and oil supplies.

Iran struck Saudi Arabias Jubail petrochemical complex in early April, forcing a halt in production of high-purity polyphenylene ether (PPE) resin  a critical base material used to manufacture PCB laminates.

SABIC, which accounts for approximately 70% of the worlds high-purity PPE supply and operates in the Jubail complex on the Gulf coast, has been unable to resume output, severely tightening the availability of the material worldwide, according to one source. Shipping in and out of the Gulf has also been severely disrupted by the war.

PCB prices have been climbing since late last year, driven by a growing appetite for AI servers. Demand has been accelerating sharply since March as manufacturers scramble to secure raw material supplies and soften the impact of skyrocketing costs, three industry sources told Reuters.

In April alone, PCB prices surged as much as 40% from March, Goldman Sachs analysts said in a recent note. Cloud service providers are willing to accept further increases as they expect demand will outstrip supplies over the coming years, they added.

The global PCB industry is projected to increase by 12.5% to reach $95.8 billion in 2026, according to a recent report from Prismark.

Daeduck Electronics, a South Korean PCB maker whose customers include Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and AMD, has begun discussions with customers over price increases, a senior executive at the company told Reuters.

The executive, who declined to be named due to sensitivity of the subject, said his priority has now changed from meeting customers to suppliers, as the waiting time for chemical materials such as epoxy resin have stretched to 15 weeks from three weeks previously.

The sharp rise in PCB prices was also driven by a shortage of other key materials, including glass fiber and copper foil, according to one source. Copper foil prices have surged as much as 30% so far this year, with the rally gaining momentum in March, the source added.

Copper accounts for around 60% of total raw material costs in PCB manufacturing, according to Victory Giant Technology, a major Chinese PCB supplier for Nvidia. The Chinese firm warned earlier this month that the Middle East conflict could push up prices for key materials including resin and copper.

Multi-layer PCBs can cost around 1,394 yuan ($204) per square meter, with higher-end models for AI servers costing around 13,475 yuan, according to Victory Giant.

(Reporting by Che Pan, Liam Mo, and Hyunjoo jin, additional reporting by Wen-Yee Lee; editing by Miyoung Kim and Lincoln Feast.)
The state of Michigan was cleared of liability Thursday in a disastrous 2020 dam failure that flooded communities, destroyed more than 100 homes and drained a popular lake.

Court of Claims Judge James Redford acknowledged the real and lasting damages of the Edenville Dam failure. But he said days of relentless rain and an unprecedented 100-year flood triggered the calamity in the Midland area, not the state-authorized level of Wixom Lake.

Redford cited experts who said a lower lake level before the disaster was unlikely to have prevented the catastrophe. He also said state regulators had received by default a dam with inadequate spillway capacity after a federal hydropower license was yanked in 2018.

This does not mean that what plaintiffs suffered and continue to suffer is not an immensely difficult and heavy burden, the judge said in a 100-page opinion that followed a January trial in Grand Rapids.

Lawyers representing thousands of people sued the state, claiming decisions by environmental regulators contributed to the dam collapse and ruined property values and their enjoyment of Wixom Lake, 150 miles (241 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.

If Redford had ruled in favor of property owners, the case would have moved next to financial recovery.

Its very disappointing. I know our clients are devastated, attorney Ven Johnson said. Thats why God created appellate courts.

The judge said the dam failure could not be likened, as lawyers for the plaintiffs argued, to the 2014-2015 Flint water crisis in which key decisions by the state caused lead to leach from old pipes and spoil the system.

The privately owned dam on the Tittabawassee River produced hydroelectricity until a federal license was revoked. A reservoir behind the dam is known as Wixom Lake. The dam was in the process of being turned over to area residents when the failure occurred, releasing a torrent that also overtopped the downstream Sanford Dam and flooded the city of Midland.

The lake rose more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) above its normal level and 3 feet (0.9 meters) higher than the highest level recorded in 1929. The east side of the dams soil embankment was overwhelmed and became unstable. Since the failure, Wixom Lake is being slowly restored.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asked experts to study what happened at the Edenville and Sanford dams. The 2022 report said failure was foreseeable and preventable but could not be attributed to any one individual, group or organization.

The former owner, Boyce Hydro, filed for bankruptcy protection after the disaster. In 2023, a federal judge granted the states request for a $120 million judgment against Lee Mueller, who controlled Boyce Hydro, for damage to fisheries and the ecosystem for mussels. But he, too, filed for bankruptcy protection.

The Edenville Dam failure was tragic, and while the evidence has always shown the state was not responsible, we have taken decisive action against those who were, Attorney General Dana Nessel said Thursday.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Michigan
The U.S. Supreme Court is set on Monday to consider Bayer AGs effort to shut down thousands of lawsuits accusing the company of failing to warn users that the active ingredient in its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer.

The justices are due to hear arguments in Bayers appeal of a jury verdict in Missouri state court awarding $1.25 million to a man named John Durnell who said he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after years of exposure to glyphosate in Roundup.

Bayer contends that a federal law governing pesticides should prevent failure-to-warn claims like Durnells that are brought under state law from moving forward in court. The German drugmaking and crop science company said that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly found that glyphosate does not cause cancer and approved its product labels without a warning.

More than 100,000 plaintiffs have filed cases in U.S. state and federal courts alleging a cancer link, according to the company. It has said a Supreme Court ruling in its favor should largely bring the Roundup litigation to an end.

A number of crop farming and agricultural industry groups are backing Bayer in the case, as is Republican President Donald Trumps administration. Several environmental, farm worker and public health groups have filed court papers backing Durnell.

Bayer acquired Roundup as part of its $63 billion purchase of agrochemical company Monsanto in 2018. The torrent of litigation prompted Bayer to remove glyphosate from its consumer version of Roundup, and the company said that the lawsuits could threaten its ability to supply the herbicide to farmers.

Related: Bayer Shareholders Keep the Squeeze on CEO Over Roundup Lawsuits

Facing billions of dollars in potential liability, Bayer announced in February a proposed $7.25 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of current and future lawsuits. The settlement would not affect claims that stem from pending appeals or that fall outside the deal, according to the company. Those amount to nearly $1 billion, it said.

The sprawling dispute centers on a U.S. law called the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, that governs the sale and labeling of pesticides and bars states from imposing differing or additional requirements.

The regulation notably prohibits pesticides that are misbranded with labels that lack an adequate warning to protect health and the environment.

Bayer has argued that Durnells claims are preempted by FIFRA. The EPA has repeatedly approved labels without such a cancer warning, demonstrating that these products are not misbranded, the company said, adding that labels cannot be substantially changed without the agencys approval.

Durnells lawyers said that despite the EPAs registration of Roundup, the label may still be challenged as misbranded. They also said Durnells claims are not preempted because Missouri state law that requires products to adequately warn of dangers imposes the same requirements as FIFRAs prohibition on misbranding.

Durnell sued Monsanto in Missouri state court in 2019, claiming it failed to warn users of the dangers associated with Roundup and glyphosate.

He was diagnosed with a rare and often aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that starts in the white blood cells, and attributed the disease to his exposure to Roundup starting in 1996. For about 20 years he was the spray guy for a neighborhood association in St. Louis, killing weeds at local parks without protective equipment, according to court papers.

A jury sided with Durnell in 2023, and in 2025 a state appeals court upheld that verdict.

A Supreme Court ruling is expected by the end of June.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week highlighted the Trump administrations risks in backing Bayer. In it, 63% of poll respondents said they oppose protecting companies from lawsuits when they sell cancer-causing products, even if the company warns about the risk.

Topics Lawsuits
Raeann Hunt scrambled to her cellar as a tornado bore down on her Oklahoma community.

It is headed right for us, she recalled thinking, as she peeked outside, unable to contain her curiosity.

Huddled inside the dark 8-by-8 foot (2.44-by-2.44 meters) concrete shelter with her husband, brother-in-law and a neighbor, she heard roaring, metal slapping on the door and glass breaking.

Afterward, they emerged unscathed, but found the windows smashed out of the one-story brick home in Enid and the roof badly damaged.

The scene was repeated Thursday night across the city of about 50,000 people about 85 miles north of Oklahoma City as the EF-4 tornado hit. It was on the ground for 9 miles (14.48 kilometers), packing winds of 170 to 175 mph and measuring 500 yards across at its widest, said Rick Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

For those 30 to 40 minutes, at least 40 homes were damaged, some blown off their foundations. But no one was killed and only minor injuries were reported.

People around here have a plan, Hunt explained, noting that residents of this tornado-alley state are trained to either take shelter in a room near the center of their home or get underground.

Basements arent common in Oklahoma because of the red clay soil and elevated water tables that make it difficult and expensive to install them, but many homes  like Hunts  have storm cellars or safe rooms with reinforced concrete walls where people can take cover.

People here also know to flip on the TV and set up weather alerts on their phones  particularly in the springtime, when the risk of violent twisters is highest.

Especially in Oklahoma, we have great meteorologists, said Justin Hunt of Enid, who described the storms aftermath as a disaster.

Storm leaves rubble in its wake

Commercial buildings just south of the city were turned into a pile of twisted metal, splintered wood and insulation by powerful winds that pushed the buildings completely off the concrete foundations.

The tornado knocked down utility poles and left power lines wrapped with huge chunks of debris. A home had part of its metal roof torn off and trees were left stripped of bark and limbs. At another home, a section of one wall had peeled away to reveal the interior of the home with some furniture still in place.

Usually when we come to a neighborhood thats been hit this bad, theres one or two deaths, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said during a news conference Friday. Were just so thankful there wasnt a loss of life.

People pick through rubble, clear away debris

Police and fire departments and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted multiple home searches, rescuing some trapped residents, Enid Mayor David Mason said Friday.

Supplies have poured in already, Mason posted online. This is who Enid is in challenging moments  we continue to show up for one another.

Dave Lamerton of Enid spent Friday morning salvaging what was left of his son Josephs woodworking shop just south of the city, along with some family members and a group of volunteers who traveled from Kansas to help with cleanup.

The tornado just swung right through here and just hit us directly, Lamerton said, pointing to a giant mess of splintered wood beams, furniture, debris and heavy machinery that was pushed into a massive pile at the edge of the buildings foundation. Weve got stuff on the property we cant even find.

Meteorologists describe powerful storm system

One striking image from Thursdays storms shows a tornado in the Enid area with a dark clouds of debris extending in V-shape on either side. That is typical of higher-end tornadoes, according to Mark Fox, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Services office in Norman.

It has such a violent motion as winds pick up dirt, debris and things like parts of peoples houses.

If you start seeing things like this, you know its a violent tornado, he said.

Neighboring counties also reported some flooded roads and barn damage. The National Weather Service was sending two crews out Friday to do damage surveys related to six potential tornadoes in the Enid and Braman areas of north-central Oklahoma, meteorologist John Pike said.

Air force base is damaged

Fences and some equipment were knocked down at nearby Vance Air Force Base, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City. The base was closed until further notice due to ongoing power and water restoration efforts, it posted online Friday.

Everyone assigned to the base has been accounted for and no injuries were reported, 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs Chief Ashley D. Hendricks said in an email Friday.

More bad weather possible

More storms are possible through Friday night across south-central and southeast Oklahoma, the weather service said. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop Saturday, including in the Enid area.

It was a stormy night in other states, too. In Kearney, Missouri, north of Kansas City, officials reported downed trees, debris blocking roadways and damage to homes on Thursday night after storms passed through the area. Officials said in a social media post that no injuries had been reported. Crews worked to make roads passable by early Friday and were expected to continue cleanup efforts during the day.

-

Associated Press writers Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, and Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland, contributed to this report.

Photo: In this image taken from video from KWTV/KOTV, a tornado crosses a highway in Enid, Okla., Thursday, April 23, 2026. (KWTV/KOTV via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Oklahoma
The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered an inspection company to reinstate and compensate a terminated worker who reported safety concerns during installation of a natural gas pipeline in Watonga, Oklahoma.

The departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated a whistleblower complaint filed against New Mexico-based Legacy Energy and Distribution LLC that alleged a construction crew was installing a pipeline without following federal regulations.

The complainant used stop work authority to halt the installation and contacted an independent, third-party testing company to verify observed concerns, which Legacy later confirmed as valid. Legacy subsequently fired the inspector, alleging failure to follow the established chain of command and complete the probationary period.

OSHA determined that Legacy wrongfully terminated the inspector for engaging in protected activities under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act, which protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of federal laws related to pipeline safety and security.

OSHA ordered Legacy to reinstate the employee and pay back wages, interest, and compensatory damages, totaling more than $35,000.

Source: OSHA
Eight years after South Carolina lawmakers forced a $1 million liquor liability insurance requirement on bars and restaurants, and one year after they tweaked the law with conditional coverage requirements, the state Senate is trying again.

Senators voted last week to amend a state appropriations bill and suspend the million-dollar coverage requirement until June 30, 2027, according to news reports and legislative tracking services. The South Carolina House of Representatives, where the budget bill originated, must ratify the change before it can become law, a vote that is far from certain.

The 2018 liquor liability requirement is one of the steepest in the country, by a wide margin. Enacted after some high-profile drunk-driving deaths and lawsuit verdicts in the state, the law has led to the closures of multiple establishments, including some well-known concert venues, as insurance premiums spiked in recent years. Lawmakers in 2025 approved House Bill 3430, which would have allowed lower coverage limits if bars took certain safety, training or early closure steps.

But insurance carriers didnt seem to buy into the plan, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey told The State newspaper. Premiums for many establishments have continued to rise since the 2025 law took effect in January of this year, Massey said. Sen. Brian Adams, who plans to open his own bourbon bar, said he could not find a carrier willing to write for less than a $1 million policy limit, even though his place planned to meet the 2025 requirements, the Daily Gazette reported.

Massey is hoping the one-year suspension will give eateries and bistros some breathing room, while lawmakers prepare a comprehensive revamp of the law for the 2027 legislative session, news sites reported.

Photo: Some bars and restaurants at Myrtle Beachs famous boardwalk. (AdobeStock)

Related: The 2025 Statutory Revisions

Bars, Eateries Closing Down for Lack of Affordable Liquor Liability Coverage

Hefty Liability Requirement Didnt Stop Drunk Driver From Crashing Into Bride on Wedding Day

Topics Liability Politics South Carolina
Georgia insurance commissioner John King used his statutory authority to bar property insurance policy cancellations until further notice, due to wildfires that have displaced homeowners across the state.

Kings April 23 directive bars cancellations for nonpayment of premiums in 91 of Georgias 159 counties, where fires this month have forced more than 200 residents to flee. Some 120 homes were destroyed, and 1,000 were under threat over the weekend, the Associated Press reported.

In a significant number of these counties, consumers will be unable to access mailing and postal services, Kings directive notes. Without access to these services, residents are in no position to ensure prompt payment of their premiums.

The order came a day after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for the 91 counties, for at least 30 days. The declaration directs state resources be made available for local operations and equipment transportation. It also created a burn ban in the affected counties and authorizes Georgia National Guard troops to be put on active duty as needed.

After getting a look at firefighting efforts in southeast Georgia, Kemp told reporters that state officials believe 87 homes burned in rural Brantley County last week are the most destroyed by a single wildfire in the states history. That rapidly growing fire has scorched more than 20,000 acres, according to news reports.

Theres no way to stop this fire, Kemp said in an AP report. Theyre having to contain the flanks and the back of it and then, hopefully, we get a change in the weather.

An additional 35 homes have been lost to a larger fire burning late last week in sparsely populated Clinch and Echols counties, near the Florida state line, Kemp said. That blaze has burned about 50 square miles, an area twice the size of Manhattan. The section was blamed for the death of a Florida firefighter who suffered a medical emergency while fighting the fire.

An unusually large number of wildfires are burning this spring across the Southeast, where scientists say the threat of fire has been amplified by a combination of extreme drought, gusty winds, climate change and dead trees still littering some forests after being toppled by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Theres a ton of old Hurricane Helene debris down in the woods, said Seth Hawkins, a Georgia Forestry Commission spokesperson. Its lying around, and its just a tinderbox out there.

The forestry commission estimated that Helene swept across nearly 14,000 square miles of forestland statewide, striking areas where trees are grown for paper and lumber.

In Helenes wake, cleanup efforts were rolled out across southern Georgia. The state put up roughly $135 million to help private timberland owners remove fallen trees, and the Army Corps of Engineers hauled off millions of cubic yards of debris.

But they couldnt get everything.

The way Helene just threw everything down like matchsticks, theres only so much you can do short of bulldozing everything, Hawkins said. There are big pockets of woods out there where people dont walk around too much. So it just kind of gets left there.

Top photo: The fire in Brantley County, in southeast Georgia, on Friday. (Office of Gov. Brian Kemp via AP)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia
Canyons in eastern Utah will churn this spring with huge volumes of wateras much as 50,000 toilets flushing constantly at the same timein a desperate attempt to maintain electricity generation for thousands of homes across much of the Western U.S.

The Green and Colorado river flows might seem like a bounty of moisture in a parched desert of sandstone arches and prickly cacti, but in fact its just the opposite.

After the driest winter on record, officials this spring want to raise the level of badly depleted Lake Powell on the Colorado River to keep its hydropower humming. To do so, they plan to eventually let out as much as a third of the water in Flaming Gorge Reservoir upstream on the Green River in Wyoming and Utah, which would exceed a record 2022 surge that kept electricity flowing.

Lake Powell, held back by Glen Canyon Dam, supplies inexpensive and carbon-free electricity to more than 350,000 homes. But it comes at a growing cost elsewhere in a contested river basin relied upon heavily by ranchers, industries and some 40 million residential water customers.

At Flaming Gorge in southwestern Wyoming, Buckboard Marina owners Tony and Jen Valdez are eyeing water levels expected to decline by 10 feet by late summer because of the releases. It will mean an ever-longer drive to the waters edge to launch boats.

Of course were concerned, Jen Valdez said. And it will probably get to a point where well need to be more concerned.

A Balancing Act to Keep up Power Production

If everything goes to planand with no relief from the weatherFlaming Gorge will fall by as much as 27 feet a year from now, leaving Buckboard Marina even more high and dry.

Though its likely only a temporary solution amid long-term drought, there will be effects downstream, too, as U.S. Bureau of Reclamation water managers plan to keep more water than usual from flowing out of Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah line.

Downstream, Lake Mead near Las Vegas is on track to resemble lows four years ago that revealed formerly submerged boats and human remains.

The drastic measures are necessary to keep the Powell waterline high enough to run the power-generation turbines without air getting into the system and causing damage, federal officials say.

Hydropower A Renewable ResourceWhen Theres Water

From cities and tribes to rural electric cooperatives and public utility districts, some 155 customers receive hydropower electricity from Glen Canyon Dam and other federal generators. None relies 100% on hydropower.

Many are in disadvantaged communities and all are not-for-profit entities that pay for, among other things, the costs to operate and maintain the dam and the federal governments investments in it.

The federal Western Area Power Administration has contractual obligations to provide a certain amount of electricity to its customers. A loss of hydropower would require WAPA to seek power elsewhere that likely would be more expensive and not renewable, said Leslie James, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado River Energy Distributors Association.

If Glen Canyon hydropower is reduced to zero or a low amount, it will have different impacts on what they charge communities, James said.

Its a situation James said she hasnt seen in her 48 years helping electricity customers in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Replacing federal hydropower with market purchases has forced rate increases for the past five years at Heber Light & Power southeast of Salt Lake City, with the latest increase hitting 13%, said Emily Brandt, the utilitys energy resource manager.

Keeping Lake Powell up Could Bring Environmental Costs

Increasingly frequent drought, evaporation and water demandespecially to irrigate alfalfa for the cattle industryhave shrunk the level of Lake Powell to 3,526 feet above sea leveljust 23% of full capacity.

To keep generating power, the reservoir cant fall below 3,490 feet, which is the level of the water intakes for Glen Canyon Dams electricity generators.

That has never happened since the 710-foot dam was completed in 1963 and Lake Powell was gradually filled to full capacity in 1980.

In 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation released an unprecedented 500,000 acre-feet (617 million cubic meters) of water from Flaming Gorge to raise Lake Powell. The latest Flaming Gorge releases to maintain Lake Powells power generation could eventually total double that amount.

Meanwhile, the plan to hold back 1.5 million acre-feet in Lake Powell will result in the Hoover Dam producing 40% less electricity at an even lower Lake Mead downstream.

Another downside: Warm water from Lake Powells surface could encourage the spread of smallmouth bass, an invasive fish that competes with a threatened native species, the humpback chub, in the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. Groups including the Grand Canyon Trust urge water managers to mix in deeper, cooler water to keep the Grand Canyon inhospitable to smallmouth bass.

A Decades-Long Trend of Worsening Drought

The strongest releases from Flaming Gorge in the days and weeks ahead will be calibrated to help native fish in the Green River, a Colorado River tributary.

Eventually Flaming Gorge will dip from 83% full to an estimated 59% full. The 2022 releases from Flaming Gorge were followed by a wet winter, which alleviated water worries across the region for a time.

We kind of got saved by Mother Nature, said Valdez, the Buckboard Marina owner.

A wet year or two wont be enough to reverse a quarter-century-long  megadrought  resulting at least in part from human-caused climate change. But Valdez is optimistic that wet weather will return like before.

Hopefully we can expand into doing some other things, Valdez said. Because its going to come back eventually.

Pineda reported from Los Angeles.

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A former Colorado funeral home owner who helped her ex-husband hide nearly 200 decomposing bodies was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday in a case that forced the state to clamp down on an industry plagued by repeated scandal and notoriously lax oversight.

Carie Hallford faced between 25 and 35 years in prison under a plea agreement. Some family members of those whose bodies were left to rot had urged Judge Eric Bentley to impose the maximum sentence. But the judge said Carie Hallford made credible claims of being a victim of domestic violence and her ex-husband, Jon Hallford, was the driving force in their relationship.

Related: Judge Rejects Deal for Funeral Home Owner Accused of Stashing 190 Bodies

Bentley added that 30 years was a staggeringly huge sentence and appropriate for her crimes.

Jon Hallford was sentenced to 40 years on corpse abuse charges at a February hearing in which he was called a monster by relatives of the victims.

Carie Hallford was the public face of Return to Nature, dealing with bereaved customers at the couples funeral home in Colorado Springs. Jon Hallford performed much of the physical work, including at a second location south of Colorado Springs in Penrose.

Thats where authorities found bodies piled throughout a bug-infested building after neighbors complained about a foul odor in 2023.

One of those corpses was the mother of Tanya Wilson, who told Bentley on Friday that the family released what they thought were her ashes from a boat in Hawaii. It turned out her body was lying in toxic fluids on the floor of the Hallfords makeshift mortuary. Like other Return to Nature customers, the family received fake ashes instead of the cremated remains they were promised.

They had prepared her mothers body for meeting her Korean ancestors in the afterlife, Wilson said. To preserve her dignity, they brushed her hair, applied her favorite moisturizer and dressed her in special clothes to preserve the dignity she had in life.

Carie Hallford annihilated that dignity, Wilson said.

Carie Hallford apologized in court Friday, saying she was raised to know right from wrong but had lost who she once was.

She fought back tears as she said her marriage had been a convoluted web of lies, deceit and abuse. She said she was not a monster but deserved punishment.

Prosecutors have alleged that the Hallfords were motivated by greed. They charged more than $1,200 per customer, and authorities said the amount they spent on luxury items would have covered the cremation costs many times over.

The case became the most egregious in a string of allegations involving Colorado funeral homes as details emerged about the their lavish spending and their pattern of defrauding customers.

Colorado had been the only state that did not regulate funeral homes before lawmakers adopted recent changes. The Hallfords case prompted laws mandating routine inspections and adopting a funeral director licensing system.

State inspectors acting under the new law last year found 24 decomposing bodies and multiple containers of bones behind a hidden door of a funeral home owned by the Pueblo County coroner and his brother. It was the first inspection of that Pueblo mortuary.

Before the bodies were found at Penrose, a mother and daughter who operated a funeral home in the western Colorado city of Montrose were sentenced to federal prison after being accused of selling body parts and giving clients fake ashes. In 2024, authorities in Denver arrested a financially troubled former funeral home owner who kept a body in a hearse for two years at a house where police also found the cremated remains of at least 30 people

Carie Hallford asked for leniency in March when she was sentenced in the federal fraud case, saying she was a victim of abuse and manipulation in her marriage.

Her attorney, Michael Stuzynski, said Friday said Carie Hallford initially believed what happened at Return to Nature was entirely her fault. He said she had a lonely, gray and terrifying existence and found solace in the interactions she had with the funeral homes customers.

But Chief Deputy District Attorney Rachael Powell said Jon Hallford couldnt have carried out the crimes alone. While his actions were gruesome, Powell said, Carie Hallford was the one manipulating clients as she smiled and took their money, knowing she was lying to them.

She solicited bodies and took the checks. She fed Jon the bodies, Powell said.

The Associated Press left voicemail and email messages with Jon Hallfords attorney seeking comment on the abuse allegations.

The Hallfords, who divorced following their arrest, received prison sentences in the related federal fraud case  18 years for Carie and 20 years for Jon. They have each appealed.

Plea agreements call for the Hallfords state prison sentences to be served concurrently with the federal sentences.

Authorities recovered 189 sets of remains from the Penrose building and said another two bodies were improperly buried. Two of the remains have not yet been identified, but officials continue trying, Fremont County coroner Randy Keller said.

Brown reported from Billings, Montana. Associated Press journalist Thomas Peipert contributed.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Homeowners
David Mongey has been appointed by minister Martin Heydon as chairperson of the board of the Irish National Stud (INS).

Mr Mongey is the CEO and owner of Mongey Communications and is the current chairman of Punchestown Racecourse, where he has played a key role in the development of the facility for both racing and non-racing activity.
Why, if you are already up to your neck in rape allegations, would you broadcast how youd had sex with a teenager when you were twice her age?

Talking to ex-Fox News presenter Megyn Kelly on YouTube, ex-human being Russell Brand said how hed had consensual sex with a 16-year-old when he was 30. He described this as selfish and exploitative.

He was, he added, immature at 30. And also, in case we werent sure how the passage of time works, a lot younger. Although still almost double the age of the girl.

Brand will go on trial in Britain later this year for multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault. He lives in the US now, where men accused of rape get elected to highest office.

Did Brand speak specifically with Kelly as she appears to have a remarkable tolerance for men who have sex with underage girls? (Or children, as they are legally known.)

Last November, Kelly suggested paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was not a paedophile because his trafficked victims were young teenagers rather than young children. Theres a difference between a 15-year-old and a five-year-old, she said.

She used the porn term barely legal to describe the kind of female children Epstein favoured, prompting actor Cynthia Nixon to remind her that 15 was not barely legal but 100% illegal.

This is emphatically not about policing nascent teen sexuality and teen sexual curiosity. Many  although not all  teens are madly keen to fool around, no matter how much we pretend otherwise. The key is with whom. Two similarly-aged teens enjoying each others company exists in a different galaxy from a teen and an adult twice their age.

As Brand has slimily highlighted, illegal changes to exploitative literally overnight  which is why, not that long ago, it was acceptable for tabloids to do creepy countdowns to the legal-sex birthdays of teenage girls. (Although never, ever boys.)

In 1983, Samantha Fox made her semi-nude page three debut on her 16th birthday, with the Sun headline, Sam, 16, Quits A-Levels for Ooh-Levels.

Natalie Portman and Britney Spears both turned 18 in 1999. Spears  or rather, the adults controlling her  leaned into this overnight now-shes-legal moment with an infamous Rolling Stone cover which merged the aesthetics of a kids bedroom with an adult boudoir. Lingerie, sultry make-up, a cuddly Teletubby, the accompanying text reading like ChatGPT erotica.

Portman has spoken of the environment of sexual terrorism when, aged 13, she appeared in the movie Leon. And how a countdown was started on my local radio show to my 18th birthday  euphemistically the date that I would be legal to sleep with.

In 2004, Rolling Stone was at it again. Hot, Ready and Legal! it salivated, an image of 18-year-old Lindsay Lohan on its cover. And in 2013, TMZ captioned a photo of 17-year-old Kendall Jenner with the words 53 Days until she turns 18. Not that were counting. Except they were. The following day, Hollywood Life used the same image: To all those wondering, Kendall Jenner turns 18 in 52 days.

In 2015, Kylie Jenner was reportedly offered $10m to do porn when she turned 18. The Jenner sisters, in the public domain since childhood, were deemed fair game.

But hey, Russell and Megyn, 15 is not five, right? And 16 is legal, right? So everythings cool, right? Keep greasing us with your sincerity, Russell, and keep waving that bible around. Were all totally convinced.
When Daniel Gleesons son was born seven weeks early in 2024, he was moved into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospital Galway.

It was late, so Gleeson stayed for a short time before heading home to get some sleep. He didnt want to leave his wife and premature baby, but he had work in the morning.

My son was born at 9pm, and the birth was fairly traumatic for my wife, he says. He went up to NICU, I held his hand through the incubator for five minutes  I didnt get to hold him at all  and I had to go to bed and go to work the next day.

Like all fathers in Ireland, Gleeson, who works as a business analyst in Galway, was entitled to two weeks paternity leave. He knew he would be most needed when his wife and son came home from hospital, so he chose to defer his leave until then.

Irelands two weeks of paternity leave at a weekly rate of 299 is among the lowest in Europe, and a new campaign is calling for it to be increased to eight weeks at a higher rate. By comparison, Spain offers 16 weeks at full pay, and in Iceland fathers get six months leave at 80% of the salary.

The 8 Weeks For Families campaign was founded by Shane OConnor, who runs the Lads2Dads peer support group in Cork and is a father of two young sons.

Two weeks isnt enough, he says. Its not enough for fathers whose babies end up in neonatal care. Its not enough for partners recovering from C-sections or complicated births. Its not enough for any family trying to find its feet.

Through Lads2Dads, Ive seen what this does to people. Men burning through every day of annual leave just to be present for their own families. Teachers returning to the classroom at the exact moment their partner needed them most, then taking extended leave on reduced pay  adding financial pressure to what should be one of the most joyful periods of their lives.

Daniel Gleeson with his son. He believes a change in paternity leave entitlement will give families a chance to settle into parenthood, rather than just surviving the first few weeks

During the four weeks his son spent in hospital, Gleeson struggled to focus on work.

It was incredibly difficult my brain was just nowhere near functional at work, he says. My head was all over the place, because I was constantly messaging my wife, checking in how she was, because she was also all over the place.

When his son came home, Gleeson took additional parental leave  parents in Ireland can get up to nine weeks of leave each in the first two years of their childs life at a weekly rate of 299.

If Id only taken the two weeks, my son would have still been pre-term when I had to go back to work after the paternity leave, he said,

While his paternity benefit was topped up to full pay by his employer, parental benefit is capped, so he could only afford to use a small portion of his entitlement. We had to make sure that we could cover rent and save for a mortgage, he says.

Not all employers top up statutory paternity pay, which means many fathers cant afford to take any time off at all.

In 2025, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published research revealing that only half of fathers avail of paternity leave.

The financial pressure is too great, says OConnor.

Lower-income families cant afford the hit to their income, so fathers stay at work despite being entitled to leave.

When Gleeson returned to work, a knowledge gap grew between him and his wife, leading her to take on more responsibility for their sons care, a pattern that has continued despite them both being working parents.

"That inequality in mental workload and physical workload I am very aware of, and it basically all stems back from that gap between paternity and maternity leave," he says.

He believes a change in paternity leave entitlement will give families a chance to settle into parenthood, rather than just survive the first few weeks. One of the big benefits is it just gives you time to be a family and not just have to deal with the logistics of having a newborn, he says. To actually emotionally sit with it, come to terms with it and just enjoy being with your child.

Eoins story

When I speak to Eoin Leahy from Cork, he is preparing to return to his role as a clerical officer in the HSE following his paternity leave.

His wife, Orla, gave birth to their two-week-old son, Liam, by Cesarean section, which has an initial recovery period of six weeks.

Eoin Leahy with his son Liam. "If you look at some places, they have six weeks' paternity leave, they have eight weeks off whereas here it's just two weeks, he says

[Im] stressed out knowing that shes at home with a baby and shes recovering from surgery, Leahy says.

She cant drive a car, cant bend over, cant pick up heavy things. Its very limited what you can do within the six weeks. So its just crazy then with two weeks [leave] for men.

He believes any extension to the two-week period would be an improvement on the current situation in Ireland.

If you look at some places, they have six weeks off, they have eight weeks off whereas here its just two weeks, he says. At least four of those days are in the hospital. Then, when youre coming home, youve only got about a week and a half at home, and youre back into work.

Jamess story

James Costelloe, father of three-year-old Isabelle and 16-month-old Robbie, also works for the HSE. After the births of both of his children, he received two weeks paternity leave with full pay and topped it up with annual leave.

His wife, Aoife, gave birth to their first child at 38 weeks, and his daughter had to spend an extra week in hospital with jaundice.

It meant a week [of leave] was nearly gone by the time we could actually get her home, he recalls. It definitely wasnt an easy birth the recovery for my wife was pretty extensive. She wouldnt have been going for little mini walks for a few weeks actually, so there was a lot of help needed.

Although they live in Cork, the couple are originally from Dublin and, like many new parents, they struggled with the lack of support nearby. Were not local although we could have some support, it would be fairly reduced. There wouldnt be people who live up the road, they would be coming from a distance to try and support us, he says.

When the time came to return to work, all Costelloe could think about was his wife and newborn daughter.

It was horrendous, leaving both of them, and quite a surreal experience, knowing that both of them needed care.

While his own needs were down his list of priorities, he believes additional paternity leave is also important for new fathers.

It should be down the pecking order, but I also think theres a lot happening for fathers in those times, he says. Its arguably one of the biggest changes, if not the biggest change youre going to experience in your adult life.

And regardless of your job, regardless of who you are, you have to figure it out you have to learn as a father.

The 8 Weeks For Families campaign is seeking an increase in both the duration and benefit for paternity leave.

Our primary ask is to extend statutory paternity leave to eight weeks, says OConnor. But if were serious about actually making it usable for working families, we need to move to earnings-related pay.

The real solution is eight weeks at 70 to 100% of salary, so that families arent choosing between being present and staying solvent.

When the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, it will be formally submitted to the Oireachtas, and to Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, and Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD.

We wont stop at signatures. Well keep pushing until this is set in stone in policy, says OConnor.

See 8weeksforfamilies.ie
A Defence Forces training officer described by friends as one of lifes true gentlemen has died.

The Defence Forces confirmed the death of Sergeant Robert Bobby Rooney in an official notification of death in service issued on Monday morning.

It stated: It is with great sadness that Oglaigh na hEireann can confirm that the death has occurred of Sergeant Rooney.

Defence Forces chief of staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said Sgt Rooneys death would be felt across the organisation.

Sgt Bobby Rooney's tragic death will be felt by the entire Defence Forces family," he said.

I wish to extend my condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt Rooney.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Sgt Rooney had served in the Defence Forces for 19 years. He enlisted in 2007 and spent much of his career at the Defence Forces Training Centre, initially serving with the Air Defence Regiment until it was disbanded in 2012.

He later served at the Military College at the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, and with the 1 Mechanised Infantry Company  the armys largest and only permanently mechanised unit  also based at the Curragh.

He was a member of staff at Training Installation Staff Coolmoney (TISC) in the Glen of Imaal, where troops routinely train before deploying on overseas peacekeeping missions.

Sgt Rooney deployed overseas with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as well as with the European Union Military Operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR).

Tributes were paid online following news of his death. On Facebook, a friend wrote: Thats a tough one, one of lifes true gentlemen.

A really good guy and a talented sportsman. Will be sorely missed.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has challenged Sinn Fein over its public support for the police.

Mr Robinson said Sinn Fein representatives condemned a suspected dissident republican attack on Dunmurry police station on Saturday.

However he claimed they did not challenge criticism on social media by some republicans of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Job Boutcher visiting a school in Twinbrook last week.

He said leadership has to be more than just condemnation, but visual and vocal support for the PSNI.

If the PSNI were frustrated from going into a school in my constituency by rogue elements, criminal elements or terrorists I would stand at the front gate and support their entry to that school.

Previously, Mr Boutcher has challenged all political parties to speak up in support of the PSNI.

Mr Robinson insisted that he and his party colleagues give that visual and vocal support for the PSNI.

I give it, my colleagues Trevor (Clarke), Cheryl (Brownlee) and Keith (Buchanan) give it when they sit on the Policing Board every week, he said.

Its not incompatible to say you can challenge and hold people to account whilst giving full-throated support, encourage our communities to engage with the PSNI, encourage our communities to join the PSNI, encourage young people in our communities that they have a life of opportunity if they are prepared to step up and serve our community, that is leadership.

Thats the sort of leadership that I think we should expect from leaders across the political spectrum, and thats what I would like to see.

Mr Robinson went on: Condemnation is the easy part, the hard part is trying to engage with the hearts and minds of those in your community who dont support the police, challenge those who criticise the chief constable for going to a Twinbrook school last week, stand with school leaders who are brave enough to welcome the PSNI into their schools to talk about community relations, alcohol and drug abuse, criminal behaviour and anti-social behaviour.

If the PSNI were frustrated from going into a school in my constituency by rogue elements, criminal elements or terrorists I would stand at the front gate and support their entry to that school because what they do is vital for our society.

- Press Association
One woman has been arrested and multiple people are under investigation after a mass brawl involving up to 30 people broke out in Tralee on Sunday night.

The fight, involving males and females, was in an area of Tralee known locally as the Bullring which has historic links to faction fighting and general disarray, local sources say.

Men and women were hospitalised for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries sustained during the fight on Mitchels Road in Tralee just before 11pm.

Gardai have called Sundays brawl a serious public order incident".

Multiple people are being investigated by gardai and more arrests are expected.

A vehicle and other items have been seized.

A woman in her 40s was arrested and taken to a garda station in Co. Kerry. She is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

A technical examination of the scene has been conducted and the investigation is ongoing.

Gardai are appealing to anyone with information in relation to this incident to come forward. Anyone who was in the Mitchels Road area of Tralee between 10.30pm and 10.50pm on Sunday is asked to contact investigating Gardai.

Anyone with camera footage (including mobile phone and dash-cam) is asked to make it available to investigating Gardai. Gardai can be contacted at Tralee Garda Station on 066-7102300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Walking through Cork city with a knife which was described by ajudge as one foot long in old money was a serious matter to be alleged against a man who had taken cocaine and now he has been refused bail.

Garda Stephen Grogan said of Daniel Huggins at Cork District Court: We have concerns that he was in the city centre with a pretty large knife when he was under the influence of drugs.

Defence solicitor Stephen Cotter cross-examined the witness, saying: He said he was under threat for an alleged 3,000 drug debt which he disputes that he owes the money. But he said he was under threat.

Garda Grogan said: I believe he will continue to commit serious offences if released.

Judge Mary Dorgan said, I think if it is alleged that he is going around town with a knife it is a serious matter.

Daniel Huggins testified that he travelled from Dunmanway to buy cocaine in Cork city and that he was homeless in the city. He said he was welcome to live at the family home in Dunmanway if granted bail.

I am hoping to go back to rehab (Regarding the knife) It was for my own protection, Mr Huggins said.

Judge Dorgan said: Taking into consideration the nature of the knife which is one foot long in old money  it is a big knife. As far as the court is concerned, it is a serious matter to be walking around with a knife that size in Cork city. He indicated he was up in Cork to buy cocaine. I am refusing bail and remanding him in custody until April 30.

The charge against him is one of being in possession of a knife at Shandon St, Cork, at 2pm on April 23.
New charges were brought on Monday in the case against a man who was arrested last November as part of an investigation into an alleged stash of guns, ammunition and explosives found at a house in Douglas.

Detective Garda Anthony Daly confirmed that 17 additional charges had been brought against Paul Sheehan on Monday, and one of the previous charges was withdrawn.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in custody until Friday, May 1, for the defence to consider if a signed plea of guilty would be entered or if the case is going to be contested.

The judge remanded 45-year-old Paul Sheehan of Elm Drive, Shamrock Lawn, Douglas in Cork, in continuing custody.

Detective Garda Anthony Daly said in an earlier outline of the allegations against the accused: He was discovered in possession of illegally held firearms and ammunition on November 4, 2025, in suspicious circumstances at Applegreen Service Station in Mallow.

At Applegreen Service Station on November 4 he was caught red-handed in possession of a 32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol firearm components, ammunition and a quantity of cocaine. There was evidence of a firearm having being discharged from within the vehicle.

Read More Cork man accused of possessing guns, ammunition and explosives further remanded in custody

In the search at his home, a large amount of firearms, ammunition and explosive substances were found, including three pipe bomb bodies. Evidence of the manufacture and alteration of firearms and ammunition was also discovered.

Most of the charges are contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 and one under the Explosive Substances Act of 1883.

The charges include possession of a .32 calibre Beretta semi-automatic pistol, a deactivated .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, a slide for a 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol and three pipe bomb bodies.

He is also charged with counts of possession of cocaine and Alprazolam for his own use at Applegreen on November 4, 2025.
The Government is to begin withdrawing State-provided accommodation from 16,000 Ukrainian refugees from August, as it prepares to wind down key supports ahead of an EU voluntary return scheme.

Senior Government ministers agreed a number of changes to the State's policy on Ukrainian refugees, including the winding down of the existing Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) and accommodation rights.

This will see any Ukrainian refugee who arrived in Ireland before March 2024 no longer entitled to State-provided accommodation, unless they are particularly vulnerable or have a barrier to independence.

The Cabinet subcommittee on Justice agreed that people would be granted a minimum of three months notice before their accommodation is withdrawn.

This change is expected to impact on approximately 16,000 people currently living in State-provided accommodation centres.

The Government had previously introduced rules that restricted newly arriving Ukrainian refugees to be accommodated for 30 days, but this did not apply to those who arrived before March 2024.

The measures were proposed by Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan at the meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on Monday afternoon.

For those seeking to remain in State-provided accommodation, they will need to apply and self-declare their need for the lodgings. This would need to be supported by evidence, with an applications process due to begin in July.

This state accommodation would be similar to existing designated centres.

People will also be entitled to the existing weekly temporary protection payment, which is paid at 38.80 per adult and 29.80 per child. However, this will be subject to an income test.

The Government is also set to wind down the Accommodation Recognition Payment, which is a monthly 600 tax-free payment for households providing housing to Ukrainian refugees.

Winding down the payment will begin in Q3, with the payment to end outright in March 2027.

It was also agreed to cut the payment to 400 per month, commencing in September.

This change is expected to impact on approximately 42,000 people.

Ministers also agreed to work with the EU on a new voluntary return programme to Ukraine, with sources suggesting the probable start date would be in March 2027.

Any such programme would be led at an EU level, with support provided to Ukraine to assist with the reintegration of Ukrainian refugees and provide funds to rebuild the country.
When Sabrina Dunne started her son, three-year-old son Alfie, in an early intervention class in Waterford last year, she knew it was for a limited time.

Her son needed specialised support, and she was offered a place in pre-school for autistic children at St Josephs Special School for 12 months.

What she didnt know was how difficult it would be to find the support Alfie needs anywhere else in the county when the time came to look for another place.

I took the 12 months because I needed to get my son into a safe place where he was with his own peers, she explained.

I didnt know they were closing all the early intervention schools in Waterford."

In September, Alfies ASD pre-school will close, to be repurposed for the upcoming school year as a General Learning Disability (GLD) class, in keeping with the schools designation.

Its needed for those types of classes, so they dont have the space then for the early intervention, she explained.

It means there will be more places locally for school-age children who have a legal right to an appropriate education.

Parents marched and protested outside the Dail last year, and they were absolutely correct to, I stand behind them completely, Ms Dunne said.

But it's the fact [the department is] taking from the early intervention class to give to primary. It's like giving to one child by taking from another. I dont know what were going to do. Im now looking at maybe homeschooling next year, for his second year of preschool, because theres nowhere to go.

What is an early intervention class?

Early intervention classes are preschools for autistic children between the ages of three and five. They are too young to start school, but they need more one-to-one support than is available in a pre-school or creche. An early intervention class has one teacher and two special needs assistants (SNAs) to six students.

Children do not have the same legal right to a place in an early intervention class as they do to be enrolled in school. In recent years, many early intervention classes have been redesignated as primary school autism classes, sparking concern that these settings are being quietly phased out.

Early intervention classes around the country are being slowly but surely phased out, under the guise of inclusivity, the Dail heard last week.

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Picture: Gareth Chaney

Raising the issue, Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide said early intervention classes are being repurposed to meet wider special class demand.

"The Government is getting away with this because it is happening gradually, under the radar, and because the group of children affected at any given time is relatively small," he said.

An early intervention class is redesignated when a notable need arises in an area for primary school placements for autistic students, and the students in a class age out of pre-school, according to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

But while the number of autism primary school classes has essentially doubled since 2020, from 1,319 to 2,629 in 2025, the number of new early intervention classes opened has barely kept pace with the repurposing of others.

At the start of the year, NCSE figures show 163 early intervention classes for autistic children nationally. This includes 149 attached to mainstream schools and 14 attached to special schools. In 2020, this figure was 156, including 136 attached to mainstream, and 20 attached to special schools.

Some counties have seen increases. Some, such as Leitrim and Meath, had no early intervention classes open in 2020. Leitrim now has one, and Meath has seven. In Cork, seven of the early intervention classes attached to primary schools open in 2020 have since been reclassified as autism classes.

For the current school year, Cork has 21 early intervention classes, compared to 27 in 2020. The last early intervention class in Cork to open was in 2023. In Dublin, there are now 18 early intervention classes, compared to 20 in 2020 and 24 in 2023.

'Ive had to come out on carers leave'

For Alfie, his early intervention class has been amazing, Sabrina Dunne said. Hes come on so much, hes starting to say sounds, hes starting to try and say words, hes started back eating. He loves going on the bus with his friends in the morning. They have been amazing.

But the worry about next year is playing heavy on her. I have a list of creches that we had Alfies name down, and we havent heard from any of them, she said.

In recent weeks, they have been offered four hours across two afternoons at a creche for children with additional needs.

I work full time in the HSE, and Ive had to cut my hours, and Ive had to come out on carers leave, she said. Im probably looking at either giving up work or a career break at my own expense next year if he has nowhere to go.

Since the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was rolled out in 2016, more than 41,300 children have received targeted supports in more than 5,000 pre-schools and creches nationally. It includes universal and targeted supports, a spokesman for the Department of Children said. It does not operate an SNA model, he added. However, additional funding is provided to pre-schools where a child requires extra assistance.

"This funding enables providers to reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting."

Creche setting 'can be very overwhelming'

Teachers of early intervention classes at a school in Cork told the Irish Examiner they can see and understand the benefits of a model like AIM. However, they stressed the environment  small class size and one-to-one support  of an early intervention class cannot be matched in a typical creche setting.

"Theres a predictable learning environment here, where the children can feel safe and get plenty of attention and the help they need, one teacher who asked not to be named said.

In a creche setting, it can be very overwhelming.

In an early intervention class, the days are planned out with childrens individual needs in mind. Day-to-day learning usually consists of sensory, social, and communication activities, as well as some basic academics, but is catered to each child.

We would be looking at what each child needs, and we have the support of two SNAs in each room, so we are able to have the scope to spend the time and individualise it as much as possible.

Thats a huge positive, and something that is very difficult to do in a bigger setting with a lot more children.

Theres a huge demand for places each year, they added.

Every year we would fill all places. It's different for every child what progress looks like or what areas are targeted, but we would see huge differences from when children come in on day one, to the end of their time in early intervention.

Learning Lamh

Julie Nolan teaching Lamh Classes

Another early intervention teacher told the Irish Examiner about the time their class spends focusing on Lamh. It's like a sort of sign language to help children begin to communicate if they have no words yet, they explained.

Over the last two years, only one or two students had words coming in [to the class]. Youd really see a big difference from when they would first start towards the end of the year, whether they are doing one year here or two. You can really see they are starting to attempt to say words, and they are really trying to start communicating with you."

The Lamh is useful, but it is the one-to-one support here, and the more time you can give them that they wouldnt get in a creche or in mainstream, that really makes it effective.

Most days, the class will go through the Lamh sign for hello, as well as more common signs.

Ill pass around a poster with small pictures of the Lamh songs. Someone might pick the Wheels on the Bus and so well put that on, and someone is signing along. Ill get that child then to pass the poster to the next person, so it's about creating small interactions like that.

A lot of kids wouldnt understand at the start of the year that you are asking them to pick a song. They dont realise they have a choice to make, but definitely as the year goes on, you see that as soon as the poster gets passed to them, they know what song they want.

'We saw there was a need for it in our area'

Jane OKeeffe is class teacher of Sonas, the early intervention class at Clondrohid National School. The rural co-educational school is in Clondrohid, just outside of Macroom.

The schools early intervention class has been open for the last 11 years.

We saw there was a need for it in our area, we knew children would benefit from it, Ms OKeeffe said. We focus on the individual child and what that child needs. We do a lot around play, social skills, and language development. We would be linking in with their speech and language therapists where possible, and their occupational therapist where possible.

We have a lot of pre-verbal children. They are learning how to speak, and children at three, four, and five are like sponges at that age. It's so important, I feel, to keep early intervention, because they learn so much in one or two years, it's amazing.

'Were trying to see what suits the child'

Every child is different, said Ms OKeeffe.

It's all based on the individual child and what they need," she said. "Some children might come into us, and were trying to get them ready for mainstream. We know they will be able for mainstream in two years, but at the moment they need the steps and the foundation put in place. That might consist of them spending some of the time down with me, and I will teach them social skills, we might do speech and language development.

We might link in with the junior infants class, and well do some of the same maths they are doing, for example, or the same English. When they are able, they might start integrating into those subjects.

Were trying to build it up that when it comes to their time to start junior infants, they might be ready, or they might partially integrate into junior infants.

Another child might come in, and they have no language, so youre working a lot on how they communicate. Some children might have an augmentative and alternative communication device, and some children use communication boards. Were trying to see what suits the child, and helping them to communicate their needs and wants.

The AIM programme is fabulous for the children it does suit, she believes.

The pre-schools are fantastic, dont get me wrong, but just sometimes the early intervention class does suit younger children on the spectrum," she said. "The AIM programme does suit some, but, in my opinion, other children need early intervention, and it would be an awful shame if it went.

It would just be an injustice for children. Parents always seem to have to fight for their childrens basic right to education, an education suitable for their children.

"To take away any early intervention class would just be another blow for children, I think.
There was a time when television insisted on flattering us  soft lighting, cleaner endings, characters who behaved just plausibly enough to let us off the hook. Then along came a voice that seemed not only uninterested in that illusion, but actively determined to dismantle it.

The re-emergence of Lena Dunham  this time via her new memoir  offers a useful moment to reconsider this idea. Not because Dunham has suddenly changed, but because the culture around her has. Or at least, it claims to have.

Read More Lena Dunham on new Netflix series Too Much, and a role for her favourite Irish actor

Its easy to forget just how seismic Girls felt when it arrived in 2012. Not because it was perfect, but because it was so jarringly uninterested in perfection.

Here were bodies that werent curated, sex that wasnt choreographed to flatter, relationships that felt less like sweeping arcs and more like slow, awkward collisions. It was messy, sometimes excruciatingly so.

And people  particularly men  were appalled. Not all, of course. But enough to make the backlash feel like a cultural event in itself.

The criticism often masqueraded as moral concern or aesthetic critique - allegations that an anecdote about her childhood revealed she had sexually abused her sibling, accusations around her attitudes to race - but beneath it was something simpler: discomfort. Dunham wasnt just telling stories about women; she was removing the mediation that had long made those stories palatable to a broader (read: male) audience.

Contrast that with Sex and the City, a show that was, in its time, genuinely revolutionary. It put female desire front and centre, gave women careers, voices, agency. But it also softened the edges. It was aspirational, glossy, often bathed in a kind of golden-hour unreality where even heartbreak looked chic. It invited men in, or at least didnt actively repel them.

Lightning rod

Dunham didnt care if you were comfortable, and thats perhaps why she became such a lightning rod. She wasnt just creating; she was exposing.

The interiority of her characters  their narcissism, anxiety, selfishness, vulnerability  was presented without apology. These werent women as muses or moral centres; they were protagonists in the fullest sense, which is to say, they were often unlikeable.

That, historically, has been a privilege more readily afforded to male characters. Think of the anti-heroes that dominated television in the early 2000s  flawed, destructive, compelling men whose complexity was seen as a mark of seriousness.

When Dunham offered something analogous for women, the response was markedly different. The scrutiny was sharper, the tolerance thinner.

Lena Dunham's memoir is an opportunity to revisit her work with the benefit of distance, to separate the art from the noise that surrounded it. File photo: Aurore Marechal/PA

Which raises the question: would a male filmmaker, presenting similarly unvarnished depictions of himself and his peers, have faced the same level of opprobrium?

Its hard to imagine he would.

Part of the answer lies in familiarity. Audiences are used to men being messy. Its almost expected. Women, on the other hand, have long been required to justify their presence on screen by being admirable, or at the very least, redeemable.

Dunham refused that bargain. In doing so, she arguably helped open the door for a wave of shows that followed. Fleabag, for instance, took the idea of the flawed female protagonist and pushed it further  breaking the fourth wall, implicating the audience, turning confession into performance.

Bad Sisters, while structurally different, centres women who are not just complex but actively complicit in morally dubious acts. They are, at times, both heroes and villains of their own story.

That duality feels almost commonplace now. But it wasnt always.

Catalyst for cultural change

So was Girls the catalyst? Maybe not the sole one, but certainly part of a broader shift. Cultural change rarely hinges on a single text, but there are moments where something crystallises  where a show, or a voice, captures a mood that had been building quietly beneath the surface.

Dunham did that, whether people liked it or not. And many did not.

The intensity of the reaction to her  personal, often vicious  says as much about the audience as it does about the work. She became a shorthand for a certain kind of millennial womanhood, for privilege, for self-absorption, for a generations perceived failings.

Love her or hate her became the default framing, which is often what happens when a figure refuses to sit comfortably within established narratives.

Its worth asking whether that level of scrutiny has eased for those who followed. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sharon Horgan  both cultural forces in their own right  have been subject to criticism, certainly, but not quite the same sustained, personalised backlash.

Perhaps the ground had already shifted.

Or perhaps Dunham absorbed a disproportionate share of it, arriving at precisely the moment when audiences were least prepared for what she was offering.

Lena Dunham's memoir

Which brings us back to the present, and to her memoir. The title alone, Famesick, suggests a reckoning, not just with celebrity but with the machinery that produces and consumes it.

Its an opportunity to revisit her work with the benefit of distance, to separate the art from the noise that surrounded it.

And maybe, too, to reconsider our own role as viewers.

What does it mean, now, for a man to engage with work like Dunhams? Not as an anthropological exercise, not as something to be tolerated or even admired, but as something that speaks  however uncomfortably  to universal experiences filtered through a particular lens.

Because thats the thing about perspective: it doesnt have to be yours to be real.

If anything, the act of stepping outside your default viewpoint  of watching without the expectation of being catered to  might be the most valuable shift of all. Not a reversal of the gaze, exactly, but an expansion of it.

Dunham didnt ask for permission to make her work. She didnt soften it to broaden its appeal. She simply made it.

The question is whether weve caught up.
Lebanons health ministry said Israeli strikes on the countrys south killed 14 people on Sunday, the deadliest day since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force over a week ago.

The health ministry said the dead on Sunday included two women and two children, adding that 37 other people were wounded. Israel said one of its soldiers was also killed.

The US-mediated ceasefire  which started on 16 April 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.

Hezbollahs violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting on Sunday, adding 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. Israeli troops are operating inside what they have labelled a yellow line, which demarcates a ribbon of Lebanese territory around 10km deep along the length of the border, where residents have been warned not to return.

The Israeli military repeated the warning on Sunday, telling residents to leave seven towns beyond the buffer zone it occupied before the ceasefire. A spokesperson for the Israeli military said 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. The military said that it struck Hezbollah fighters, rocket launchers and a weapons depot.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes in multiple locations in the south on Sunday, both in areas where Israel issued an evacuation warning and elsewhere.

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.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on 2 March by firing rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. More than 2,500 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since then.

The toll includes 277 women, 177 children and 100 medics, according to Lebanons 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 2 March, Israel says.

- Guardian, Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
Iran is offering to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear programme, official said.

The offer comes as the countrys foreign minister made a visit to Russia in what he said was an opportunity to consult with Moscow regarding the war against Israel and the United States.

Iran also wants the US to end its blockade of the country as part of its proposal, according to Iranian officials.

The new proposal, passed to the United States by Pakistan, is unlikely to be supported by US president Donald Trump, who wants to end Irans atomic programme as part of an overall deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make the ceasefire permanent.

Mr Trump has said all they need to do is call (AP)

We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us, Mr Trump told Fox News Channel on Sunday.

The Axios news outlet first reported Irans proposal.

Irans state-run IRNA news agency said foreign minister Abbas Araghchi landed in St Petersburg on Monday morning ahead of a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

His trip over the weekend has included two stops in Pakistan and a visit to Oman, which shares the strait with Iran.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is holding a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin (Sputnik via AP)

Mr Araghchis visit comes as a stand-off between Iran and the US in the crucial Strait of Hormuz persists despite a ceasefire, keeping oil prices high.

It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now, Mr Araghchi said in a video interview posted by IRNA.

Pakistan has been seeking to revive stalled talks between Iran and America, and negotiations had been expected in Islamabad over the weekend. But US president Donald Trump has suggested the talks could take place by phone instead.

Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman.



Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world.



Our neighbors are our priority pic.twitter.com/QffTsjCWgW  Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 26, 2026

Mr Araghchi said it was Americas approach that caused the negotiations to be delayed.

The previous one, despite the progress that had been made, could not achieve its goals, he said, blaming what he called Washingtons excessive demands.

Mr Trump has questioned who is in charge in Iran at the moment and said confusion within its theocracy made it difficult to reach a deal.

The White House last week said it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. But Mr Araghchi left the Pakistani capital on Saturday, and shortly afterwards Mr Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran.

Mr Araghchi met with Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Muscat on Sunday (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

If they want, we can talk but were not sending people, Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

He said earlier on social media: All they have to do is call!!!

Mr Araghchi later returned to Islamabad, and also visited Omans capital of Muscat before heading to Russia. He also spoke by phone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

A stand-off remains on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas normally passes, as Iran has restricted movement through it and the US enforces a blockade of Iranian ports.
Oil prices have hit a near three-week high as hopes of progress on

peace talks between the US and Iran were dashed once again, after President Donald Trump cancelled plans to send a negotiating team to Pakistan.

The cost of benchmark Brent crude continued its ascent, rising 2% to just under 108 US dollars a barrel in early morning trading on Monday, rising back up to levels seen before the first round of peace talks began in early April.

Ceasefire talks appeared increasingly fragile, as Mr Trump declared over the weekend that envoys from Washington would no longer be travelling to Islamabad in Pakistan because of a lack of progress with Iran.

Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday: If they want, we can talk but were not sending people.

Some hopes of a resolution are being kept alive, with reports that Iran has put another proposal on the table which aimed at de-escalating the conflict and potentially seeing the key Strait of Hormuz reopen

He last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire between the US and Iran, which was agreed on April 7, which has largely halted the fighting that began with joint US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

But a permanent resolution has yet to be agreed and the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil supplies are carried, remains effectively blocked.

Oil prices fell below 87 dollars a barrel in mid-April when both sides said the waterway was back open for commercial tankers, but the Strait was soon impassable once more as talks faltered, sending crude soaring back up.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said: The president said negotiators would be wasting their time heading to Pakistan and the lack of progress has hit sentiment at the start of the week.

But some hopes of a resolution are being kept alive, with reports that Iran has put another proposal on the table which aimed at de-escalating the conflict and potentially seeing the key Strait of Hormuz reopen.

Details are scant about the offer and patience on both sides is clearly frayed.

The FTSE 100 Index was 11.64 points lower at 10367.44 in early trade.

- Press Association
Donald Trump's tuxedo still looked freshly pressed when he stepped to the White House podium Saturday night, barely an hour after the latest apparent attempt on his life.

"When you're impactful, they go after you," the Mr Trump told some of the highest-powered journalists in Washington.

Many of them were still dressed in their own formal wear from a celebrated annual event, the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which ended abruptly after a man sprinted past security outside the ballroom, armed with multiple weapons.

"When you're not impactful," Mr Trump added, "they leave you alone."

His remarks in the aftermath of an incident that caused many of the 2,600 people in attendance to dive to the floor as the Secret Service hustled away the president and other dignitaries underscored his instinct to spin narratives with himself as the undaunted hero - a juggernaut, a survivor - while rarely missing a chance to plug his priorities.

On this occasion, that included a controversial new White House ballroom that, he insisted, would be safer than the Washington Hilton, where then-President Ronald Reagan was shot during an assassination attempt in 1981.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on social media Sunday that the Justice Department would ask a judge to dismiss a pending case that has stalled the ballroom's construction. Tim Sheehy, a Republican senator from Montana, and Randy Fine, a Republican U.S. Representative from Florida, both wrote that they planned to introduce legislation in the coming days to grant Trump permission to build the facility -- echoing Mr Trump's own political messaging.

"We need the ballroom. That's why Secret Service, that's why the military are demanding it," Mr Trump said Saturday night, without offering evidence that presidential security officials have issued such demands.

'Danger into political asset'

Mr Trump, who is mired in the lowest approval ratings of his term after the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran that is broadly unpopular with Americans, has experience at the opportunities presented by such moments.

A gunman armed with a high-powered rifle injured Mr Trump, leaving his ear bloodied, at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. His trademark defiance -- with calls of "Fight! Fight! Fight!" as agents led him away while he raised his fist in triumph -- supplied iconic images that helped power his campaign to return to the White House for a second term.

A second attempt to attack Mr Trump came in September 2024, when a man armed with a rifle perched outside a Trump golf course in Florida before drawing fire from officers, who arrested the gunman.

"No one can turn danger into a political asset better than this president, a White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss Mr Trump's state of mind, told Reuters.

At the dinner Saturday, Mr Trump had been preparing to sharply criticize journalists during his speech, he said afterward. The president, who often derides the press as "fake news" and "the enemy of the people," was ready to confront them in person, while attending a dinner - called the "nerd prom" in Washington - for the first time as president.

"I was all set to really rip it," he told reporters in the White House briefing.

That plan was interrupted by a California man who authorities say traveled cross country by train, checked into the Hilton ahead of the dinner, then attempted to dash through security and toward the ballroom, armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives. Authorities exchanged fire with him before tackling him to the ground. He reportedly distributed a "manifesto" making clear his desire to attack Mr Trump and other administration officials.

'I've done a lot'

After the dinner abruptly dispersed, Mr Trump's initial remarks at the White House were conciliatory.

"In light of this evening's events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts and resolve our differences peacefully," said the president. In the past he has defended and ultimately pardoned the rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, seeking to overturn Mr Trump's electoral loss to Joe Biden.

On Saturday night, Mr Trump soon returned to talking about himself -- and numbering himself among the finest US presidents. He compared himself to Abraham Lincoln. Mr Trump told reporters that if he had not imposed significant new taxes on imports and had not invested as heavily in the military, he'd be less of a target.

"We've changed this country, and there are a lot of people that are not happy about that," Mr Trump said.

The White House, he said, needed his $400 million ballroom, for which he unilaterally ordered the destruction of the East Wing of the executive mansion. The facility, Mr Trump has said, will feature a new security bunker, a "drone-proof" roof and bulletproof glass. With a planned space for 650 seated guests, it would not have enough capacity for an event as large as the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

Mr Trump continued his arguments Sunday morning, saying on social media, "This event would never have happened with the Militarily Top Secret Ballroom currently under construction at the White House. ... Nothing should be allowed to interfere with its construction."

Later, he said he hoped the attack would lead Democrats to drop demands for additional oversight of immigration enforcement and approve new funding for the Department of Homeland Security. He linked the assassination attempt to what he described as successful missions to decapitate the leadership of Venezuela and Iran.

Saturday's attack, he suggested, was proof of his administration's achievements.

- Reuters
US first lady Melania Trump has accused Jimmy Kimmel of hateful and violent rhetoric and said it was time for ABC to take a stand against the comedian who has long been critical of Donald Trump and his policies.

Melania Trump appeared to be referring to a monologue by Kimmel broadcast prior to the Saturday attack on the White House correspondents dinner, in which he referred to Melania Trump as an expectant widow.
A seafood company has donated a rare, two-coloured lobster to a science centre, sparing the creature from the pan because of its remarkable coloration.

The unusual lobster is the typical brown colour on one side and bright orange on the other, and the two-toned pattern goes all the way from its head to its tail.

Representatives for Wellfleet Shellfish Company in Eastham, Massachusetts, said on Monday they have been fielding inquiries about the crustacean for days.

The company gave the lobster to Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and it will be put on public display when the aquarium reopens, the company said.

A rare split-colour lobster is seen at the Wellfleet Shellfish Company, in Eastham, Massachusetts (Shannon Keresey/Wellfleet Shellfish Company via AP)

The lobster is now with Woods Hole Science Aquariums animals currently being housed in holding tanks at the Marine Biological Laboratory during the aquariums construction period.

When the aquarium reopens, the lobster will be on display, offering visitors a rare look at one of the oceans most striking natural anomalies, the shellfish company said in a statement.

Fishermen caught the lobster off Cape Cod on April 16. Oddly coloured lobsters often make their way to New Englands docks over the course of the spring and summer, but the two-coloured specimen is rarer than most.

The American lobster is usually a mottled brown, but they can experience colour abnormalities due to gene mutations that affect the proteins that bind to their pigments.

Some are blue or orange, some are spotted calico and others are so brightly coloured theyre called cotton candy lobsters.

A two-coloured lobster can occur because two lobster eggs fused and grew as one animal, marine sciences professor Markus Frederich of the University of New England in Maine told the Associated Press in 2024.

On Cape Cod, Wellfleet Shellfish Company said it is treating the two-coloured lobster as a remarkable and exciting find.
This home at 934 East Avenue is one of two newly constructed homes completed by Hamiltons Build Back the Block initiative. It will be on the market on Friday, May 1, marking the initiatives transition from planning to delivery. CONTRIBUTED
( Tomdispatch.com )  Right at this moment, we are witnessing an unprecedented shift of resources from domestic investments in the United States to the military-industrial complex (aka the war machine). The only comparable period in our history was the buildup to World War II, when the United States confronted a powerful adversary in Nazi Germany with designs to control not just Europe, but the world. The current buildup is breathtaking in scope and will certainly prove devastating in its impact  not just on this countrys foreign and domestic policies but also on the economic prospects of average Americans.

When, in 2023, my colleague Ben Freeman and I first conceived of our book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine, we viewed it in part as a cautionary tale about just how high the Pentagon budget might rise in the years to come (absent pushback from Congress and the taxpaying public). By the time our book came out in November 2025, however, the Pentagon budget had already topped the $1 trillion mark and, only recently, President Trump has proposed to instantly add another $500 billion to that already staggering figure and to do so in a single years time. And imagine this: such a proposed increase alone is higher than the total military budget of any other nation on Earth. Mind you, the current high levels of spending have already underwritten a provocative, unnecessary intervention in Venezuela and a region-wide war in the Middle East, and the larger costs of all this in human lives and damage to the global economy are guaranteed to shape the lives of the rest of us globally for years to come.

To add insult to injury, the Pentagon announced that it would seek a $200 billion supplemental appropriation to pay for its war on Iran, which has spread across the Middle East. That $200 billion would have been in addition to the $1.5 billion proposed for the Pentagons future budget. According to an analysis by Pentagon budget expert Stephen Semler, the Iran war, which started on February 28th with Israeli and U.S. air strikes on that country, cost the United States more than $28 billion just in its first two weeks. And to put that in perspective, $28 billion is more than three times the Trump administrations proposed annual budgets for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency (at a time when the climate crisis and the need to head off future pandemics are essential to the health and security of all Americans). Worse yet, its all for a completely senseless war that should never have been started.

As President Trump alternates between engaging in negotiations to end the war and threatening to wipe Iran off the map  or even just walking away to bomb another day  there are reports that the supplemental budget request to pay for the war on Iran will shrink from the proposed $200 billion to $98 billion. And that $98 billion will include other things in addition to war costs, including disaster relief and aviation modernization.

The Garrison State and the Reign of the War Profiteers

On the campaign trail in 2024, Donald Trump pledged to drive the war profiteers and war mongers from Washington, suggesting that they like wars because missiles cost $2 million each, while bragging that, in his first term in office, I had no wars.

And his rhetoric as the ultimate champion of peace has continued during his second term, even as he has indeed launched reckless wars guaranteed to fill the coffers of the war profiteers he railed against on the campaign trail. He has, however, also pledged to help the weapons industry quadruple production of the same sort of $2 million bombs he decried during the campaign, plus  even better for the arms makers  missile interceptors that cost up to $12 million each. Worse yet, the demands of the current war on Iran, coupled with support for Israels war on Gaza and Ukraines efforts to defend itself from Russia, have left the Pentagon and the giant weapons corporations complaining that, if the U.S. doesnt radically increase its production of artillery shells, bombs, and missiles, the cupboard could soon be bare.

Of course, filling that cupboard again to the tune of staggering sums of money is exactly the wrong solution. The answer to the current munitions shortage is not to further supersize this countrys arms manufacturing base, but to refrain from supplying the weapons used by Israel to commit genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in Lebanon, or to fuel unjustified wars like the current conflict with Iran. The best policy to prevent such stocks of military equipment from running low would, of course, be a more discriminating approach to military aid and a more restrained approach to U.S. foreign policy and war-making (writ large).

Washington should, in fact, put diplomacy first and only engage in military action if there is a genuine threat to the United States itself. We need a smarter policy toward military procurement and military strategy, not the garrison state with its military-industrial complex that President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us against more than six decades ago.

In addition, of course, the Pentagon needs to shift its procurement strategy toward producing more reliable weapons at a more reasonable cost, while avoiding unnecessary complexity so that they can be made more rapidly and spend more time ready to be used and less time down for maintenance. Such a formula was a watchword of the bipartisan congressional military reform caucus of the 1980s, which at one point included more than 100 members of Congress and helped roll back the extremes of the military buildup launched by President Ronald Reagan.

The Diminishing Economic Returns of Pentagon Spending

In a detailed forthcoming study for the Transition Security Project and in her own writings, investigative journalist Taylor Barnes of Inkstick Media has charted the diminishing returns from Pentagon spending. Despite a soaring Pentagon budget, direct jobs in arms production are now one-third of what they were 30 years ago, down from three million then to 1.1 million now, according to the arms industrys own trade association. Unionization rates in the arms production sector are also down sharply, with some big weapons firms like Northrop Grumman having unionization rates of less than 10%. In keeping with that trend, Lockheed Martin moved the production of its F-16 fighter  a staple of foreign arms exports  to the anti-union state of South Carolina.

Even worse, many states provide special tax breaks and other subsidies to attract or keep weapons factories  and thats on top of the hundreds of billions the industry receives in federal tax dollars. In Utah, the state government staunchly refused to reveal how many jobs Northrop Grumman had promised in return for state subsidies, with one official claiming it would compromise the interests of the company to do so. Meanwhile, Northrop Grummans work on the Sentinel, the newest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), has been a poster child for dysfunctional weapons development, with the estimated cost of the program as a whole growing by 81% in just a few years. Part of the problem was that Northrop Grumman somehow managed to ignore the fact that its new missile would be too large to fit in existing silos, creating the need for further costly new construction efforts.

The spending of scarce tax revenues goes to ICBMs that former Secretary of Defense William Perry once labeled one of the most dangerous weapons we have. After all, a president might literally have only minutes to decide whether to launch them on being warned of a potential enemy attack, greatly increasing the risk of an accidental nuclear war prompted by a false alarm. And there have been many false alarms and nuclear accidents in the nuclear age (even if not yet an actual nuclear attack loosed on the world), as meticulously documented in Eric Schlossers essential book Command and Control.

Then theres the Golden Dome missile defense system, a fantasy of President Trumps that, in reality, could never provide the promised leakproof protection against weaponry ranging from ICBMs and hypersonic missiles to low-flying drones. By now, more than 40 years after President Ronald Reagan promised a perfect defense against ICBMs in his 1983 Star Wars speech, it should be all too obvious that such a leakproof shield is physically impossible, since enemy ICBMs with nuclear warheads would come in at 15,000  and no, that is not a misprint!  miles per hour and could be surrounded by large numbers of decoy balloons that would be indistinguishable from a warhead when floating in space. There could be hundreds of such incoming warheads in a full-scale nuclear attack. To even have a chance of intercepting all of them, a defensive system would have to devote as many as 1,600 interceptors to take down incoming missiles. An analysis by the conservative American Enterprise Institute estimates that a full-blown effort to build a comprehensive Golden Dome shield could cost $3.6 trillion just to construct.

In fact, the Golden Dome concept is so delusional that it barely merits a detailed critique, though many such analyses are available. A more reasonable way to deal with it would, of course, be ridicule.

Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerrys and the founder of the Up in Arms campaign to cut Pentagon spending, has taken just such an approach. On April Fools Day, he placed a Golden Hole-in-Dome statue on the National Mall that included a Donald Trump, fully clothed, being soaked by water leaking through a faux Golden Dome shield. The Daily Beasts headline on its piece about the event captured the spirit of that day: Ben and Jerrys Co-Founder Humiliates Trump Outside His House.

Meanwhile, the dysfunctional weapons systems on the Pentagons shopping list only continue to grow. Take Lockheed Martins F-35 combat aircraft, which was supposed to do almost anything (and does nothing) well. The plane, which could cost $2 trillion for roughly 2,500 aircraft if the Pentagons original plans hold, had taken 23 years to develop and still cant operate as advertised, spending almost half its time in its hangar for maintenance.

Similarly, as Dan Grazier of the Stimson Center has pointed out, the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, which had to dock in Cyprus recently after multiple mishaps including a clogged toilet system that spewed feces onto the flight deck, is a $13 billion nightmare, chock full of fancy, untested, and expensive technology that all too often fails to work as advertised. As he points out, a more viable, less expensive carrier could have been built if proven technologies had not been replaced with high-tech fantasies. Unfortunately, thats generally not how Pentagon procurement works these days.

Palmer Luckey Will Not Come to the Rescue

Palmer Luckey, the 32 year-old former game designer who now runs Anduril, one of Silicon Valleys top military tech firms, made news a few months ago when he told a CNBC interviewer that, if the Pentagon were to stop buying the wrong things, it could provide a robust defense for America at a cost of perhaps $500 billion, half of current levels and one-third of the level President Trump is now seeking. Presumably, the wrong things are piloted aircraft like the F-35 and mammoth ships like the Gerald Ford, and the right things are drones, uncrewed submarines, and complex AI-driven targeting and surveillance systems of the type that Anduril and Peter Thiels Palantir produce.

But count on this: replacing piloted combat aircraft with swarms of drones wont automatically be cheaper, depending on how large the swarms are and how complex their designs may prove to be. Early on, the Ukrainian military decided that U.S.-supplied drones from Silicon Valley were too brittle and expensive, so it launched a do-it-yourself drone program that took cheap commercial drones from China and fitted them with bombs and cameras. U.S. arms companies are now trying to get back in the act by partnering with Ukrainian firms to build more sophisticated drones. Dont be surprised, though, if their price soars and their reliability sinks.

Another reason AI-driven weapons may not be as cheap as advertised is that Luckey, Thiel, and their merry band of unhinged techno-optimists want to eliminate virtually any oversight of their activities, whether through independent testing of their new systems or measures to prevent price gouging by unscrupulous contractors. At present, the motto of the military tech sector is trust me. I dont know about you, but Id prefer to have someone minding the store, so that the tech billionaires dont simply rob us blind.

Of course, what would it mean if Silicon Valley could deliver cheaper, more deadly advanced weaponry? After all, artificial intelligence systems were indeed used in recent times to accelerate targeting during Israels genocidal war on the people of Gaza, and they have been used in President Trumps disastrous assault on Iran. And neither of those situations has yet had a happy ending. But thats the point. The truth is we really dont need ever more new weaponry that kills even faster. We need to stop the killing. And that means blunting the political influence of the warmongers and war profiteers that Donald Trump criticized on the campaign trail in 2024 and then so warmly embraced as president.

And to put all of this in grim perspective, he is now presiding over perhaps the most corrupt, incompetent, repressive regime in the history of this republic. And worse yet, some of his most dismal policies  like unstinting support for Israeli aggression  have, sadly enough, had bipartisan backing in Washington. In short, he has taken what were already some of the worst American policies and accelerated them, even as he destroys positive aspects of the government like the U.S. Agency for International Developments provision of food, clean water, and public health services abroad or any further engagement in constructive international institutions.

Among other things, he is now narrowing Americas foreign policy options by dismantling civilian tools of statecraft, while doubling down on military approaches that havent won a war in this century (or the second half of the last one either). Meanwhile, the economic damage and humanitarian costs are spreading globally, including to his own supporters.

The challenge now is to build a movement that not only turns back Trumps policies, but gets at the underlying economic, political, and cultural forces that have kept the United States in a permanent state of war for so long, while robbing us of opportunities to build a better, more peaceful, tolerant, and just future. Given the pace of destruction and chaos being visited upon us, its important to act now and continue to do so until we build enough power to rein in the war machine and begin creating actual structures of peace.

Copyright 2026 William D. Hartung

Via Tomdispatch.com
Auto China 2026 spotlighting AI-driven shift in car industry

16:37, April 27, 2026 By LI FUSHENG ( China Daily

Huawei showcases models featuring its Harmony Space 6 cockpit at Auto China 2026 in Beijing on April 24. LI FUSHENG/CHINA DAILY

For years, auto shows have been primarily about new models. At Auto China 2026 in Beijing, it is increasingly about new systems  from AI-driven driving to centralized computing architectures.

This year's show, the largest of its kind, has drawn more than 2,000 companies from 21 countries and regions, with 1,451 vehicles on display. It includes a total of 181 global debuts and 71 concept cars, hitting a new high.

More than 60 percent of global premieres at the show come from Chinese brands, while the number of concept vehicles has reached a record level.

Behind the numbers, however, a deeper transformation is underway, one defined by artificial intelligence, software architecture and system-level innovation.

Chinese automakers, long known for their expansive product lineups, are now using the show floor to highlight technology stacks as much as vehicles.

Large standalone halls occupied by domestic brands  including BYD, Chery and Geely  reflect not only product breadth but also accumulated capabilities in electrification and intelligent systems.

As performance gaps in batteries, motors and electronic control systems narrow, competition is moving toward shaping technological identity and capturing user mindshare, said analysts.

Artificial intelligence has become the focal point of this shift. Geely is highlighting its full-domain AI 2.0 system, while SAIC's Roewe brand is showcasing AI-based in-car applications developed with Volcano Engine.

Huawei's automotive business also made its first appearance as an independent brand cluster, presenting multiple new models alongside its Harmony-based intelligent cockpit ecosystem.

Across the exhibition, intelligent driving, smart cockpits and large language model integration are no longer isolated features, but part of unified system architectures.

Chery displays its Mornine humanoid robots and vehicle models at Auto China 2026 event. LI FUSHENG/CHINA DAILY

One of the most explicit articulations of this transition came from XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng, who outlined the company's strategy centered on "physical AI".

XPeng's latest model, he said, is the first Chinese vehicle designed with full hardware redundancy to meet robotaxi standards and has already obtained road testing permits in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

The company is currently conducting regular Level 4 pilot operations and plans to begin passenger-carrying tests with safety drivers later this year, targeting fully driverless operation by early 2027.

He also extended the concept of physical AI beyond vehicles. XPeng is developing humanoid robots following a "commercial-first" path, with initial deployment in retail environments. The company aims to sell more than 10,000 units by 2027.

Underlying these initiatives is a broader industry view: hardware iteration is slowing, while software, particularly AI-driven capabilities, is becoming the primary driver of differentiation.

The integration of AI is also reshaping the underlying computing architecture of vehicles.

At a technology event two days ahead of the show, Horizon Robotics introduced its Starry chip, built on a 5-nanometer automotive-grade process.

With 650 TOPS of computing power, the chip supports both intelligent driving and cockpit AI models on a unified platform.

This shift toward centralized computing, combining previously separate domains, is expected to reduce system complexity, lower costs and shorten development cycles.

According to the company, integrated architectures could cut vehicle-level costs by up to 4,000 yuan ($585) and reduce development timelines from 18 months to eight months.

More than 10 carmakers and suppliers including BYD, Chery, Volkswagen and Bosch have shown interest in the chip, said the company, indicating growing industry alignment around unified computing platforms.

Horizon Robotics CEO Yu Kai described autonomous driving as "the first large-scale application of physical AI", placing the current technological wave within a broader transition toward intelligent systems interacting with the physical world.

For the first time, core suppliers and automakers have appeared in the same exhibition halls  a structural change that reflects shifting power dynamics across the industry.

Battery makers, chip companies and AI solution providers are no longer operating behind the scenes. Instead, they are presenting integrated system solutions directly to the market.

CATL, for example, built a 1,500-square-meter energy technology zone at the entrance of one hall, showcasing its next-generation battery concepts, including solid-state and sodium-ion technologies.

Other major suppliers, from Bosch to SenseAuto, are also displaying full-stack solutions rather than individual components.

Global automakers accelerate localization

International carmakers are deepening their engagement with China's AI ecosystem.

Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said the company is moving beyond electrification and driver assistance toward "agentic AI for all".

"Starting this year, our in-car AI Agent will begin coming to our locally developed cars," he said. "With this step, the Volkswagen Group is the first global automaker to deploy agentic AI across an entire vehicle portfolio in China at scale."

The system, based on a locally trained large language model, is designed to proactively understand user intent and execute complex, multisystem tasks through natural interaction, while keeping data processing within the vehicle.

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse emphasized a similar approach to localization.

"In China, we can integrate local partners such as Momenta and Alibaba," he said, highlighting the flexibility of software-defined architectures.

Zipse added that artificial intelligence will underpin the future of driving itself. "The vehicle will anticipate your next move  slowing down before a turn or adapting to your habits," he said. "AI and sheer driving pleasure are not contradictory; they are fundamentally connected."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Tulsa, OK (Special to Informed Comment)  I taught at an international school in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq from 2011 to 2013. I returned to the Kurdish region to teach at a university in Sulaimaniyah from 2015 to 2021. I traveled to Baghdad several times to speak at conferences, train teachers for Iraqs Ministry of Higher Education, and recruit students. Watching war in a country you used to call home from a county you now call home is a quicksand feeling, threatening to suck you under.

When Iran, Israel, and the U.S. fight, their conflict plays out in Iraq. Pro-Tehran armed groups and Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attack US bases and assets. The US has a presence at Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Anbar province. US and coalition forces train and share intelligence at the Erbil Air Base in Kurdistan. The US maintains military facilities such as Camp Victoria near the Baghdad International Airport and Harir Air Base, northeast of Erbil. Iran also attacks Iranian Kurdish nationalist groups which operate from Kurdistan. In turn, the US attacks pro-Iranian groups operating in Iraq.

Many of my university students remember the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the subsequent sectarian violence. One student recalled being dragged into the cold courtyard of his family compound with his father, brothers, and grandfather during a house raid in the Anbar province. All the men were made to kneel in the cold courtyard and were beaten. My student was 12 years old. When I asked him how he didnt hate Americans, he told me, Iraq didnt break because of the invasion. Iraq broke because the people of Iraq didnt stand together, He meant that the people who live in Iraq identified themselves along tribal, sectarian, or ethnic lines rather than by nationality. This lack of a strong national identity shapes Iraqs political and security landscape, preventing it from maintaining a coherent foreign policy.

According to Renad Mansour, senior research fellow and director of the Chatham Houses Iraq Initiative, Different parts of the Iraqi political and security landscape are aligned with competing external powers: Some factions maintain close ties with Iran, while others are more closely connected to the US. Shia armed groups, such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al Haq, have been absorbed into Iraqs security institutions since they helped defeat ISIS in 2017. They are also part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), hold influence over decision-making and security issues in Iraq, and support Irans geopolitical interests. The US maintains a long-standing partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Peshmerga, (Kurdistans security forces which are aligned along political party), various Sunni factions to counter Shia-led dominance in Baghdad, and segments of the Iraqi Armed Forces. During this latest conflict, US air defense systems have intercepted most incoming drones and missiles.

Because pro-Iranian groups are deeply entrenched in Iraqs security infrastructure, and Iraq hosts key US bases and assets, Iraq is vulnerable to attacks. On April 20, 12 days after a ceasefire was reached, the US Embassy in Baghdad warned of Iran-backed threats: Iraqi terrorist militias aligned with Iran continue to plot additional attacks against U.S. citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). Some elements associated with the Iraqi government continue to actively provide political, financial, and operational cover for these terrorist militias.

Kurdistan is especially at risk for continued attacks due to its proximity to Iran and to the Iranian Kurdish opposition fighters who have bases and camps in Kurdistan. Iran has designated them as terrorist groups serving US and Israeli interests and attacked them after the April 8 ceasefire was reached. The KRG documented that at least 809 drones and missiles targeted the Kurdish Region between February 28, when the US-Israeli war on Iran began, and April 20. Twenty people have been killed and 121 people have been injured.



File photo. Iraqi army soldiers transport a litter during a training exercise at Ain Al Asad Air Force Base, Iraq, May 3, 2011. (Photo by: Pfc. Brian Chaney). Public Domain. Via Picryl

As Iraq works to choose a new prime minister, the US Treasury Department has blocked a cargo plane shipment of $500 million dollars to Iraq. This money comes from Iraq oil revenues, which has been held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The US has also halted some security cooperation activities such as intelligence sharing with the Iraqi military. At the same time, Tehran and the Badr Brigade, Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al Haq, Iraqs powerful armed groups, are pushing for Iraq to choose a prime minister aligned with Iran.

According to the 1973 War Powers Resolution, President Trump has until May 1 to obtain congressional approval to continue the war in Iran or to reach a peace agreement (unless he finds a workaround.) Even if the president finds a way to end the conflict in Iran, Iraq will probably remain vulnerable to proxy wars.
The armed conflict against Iran launched on February 28 by Washington and Tel Aviv was quickly dubbed the first AI war. This assertion is, in fact, misleading in several respects. Not only has AI already been used extensively in recent conflicts, notably by Israel in Gaza, but more broadly AI, as a digital means of data processing and analysis, has a long history with armed conflicts, with technical foundations dating back to World War II.

Admittedly, the situation in Iran is distinguished by the unprecedented level of sophistication of these systems and by the militarys unprecedented reliance on them. It also differs from the conflict in Gaza in that, this time, AI has been deployed against a state in the context of a high-intensity war. And never before have states communicated so openly about their use of these systems. It is this and the dramatic consequences of certain strikes that raise questions about the compatibility of these practices with international law.

Use of AI in the Iran war

Israels use of AI in its war against Hamas was revealed by the newspaper +972. This outlet told what many experts had suspected for several years. In the context of the conflict in Iran, however, it was the US authorities themselves who announced their use of AI.

Indeed, US military forces admitted to using AI systems to compile and sort a list of targets at lightning speed. This process reportedly led to more than 1,000 strikes, described as highly precise, during the first 24 hours of the conflict. They reportedly used the Maven Smart System, a joint project utilizing Palantirs AI surveillance and data collection software, coupled with the generative AI system Claude, developed by Anthropic.

However, on the first day of the war, one of the US strikes targeted a school in Minab, killing about 170 civilians, mostly children. The United States acknowledged its responsibility for this strike, which it presented as a mistake. The school was indeed located near a Revolutionary Guards naval base. It had previously been an integral part of the same complex before being separated from it. It was therefore outdated information that reportedly led to authorization of the strike.

Such a mistake is not trivial. Many media outlets and NGOs quickly established the link between the school and the naval base. It was thus argued that the US military likely targeted this building based on outdated data by blindly following a recommendation from an AI system without conducting the necessary verification.

AI and the law of armed conflicts

To what extent are the use of AI to carry out these strikes and the error committed lawful under international law?

It should first be noted that AI is not prohibited per se by the law of armed conflict (International Humanitarian Law, IHL). At present, no legal rule specifically addresses the question of its lawfulness. Nevertheless, the issue does not exist in a legal vacuum. The general rules of IHL apply to the conduct of hostilities, regardless of the means and methods employed.

One of these rules is the principle of distinction, according to which only military targets may be attacked, while civilians and civilian objects must be spared. Directly targeting a school such as the one in Minab, in the absence of any military objective within it, therefore constitutes a clear violation of this principle. It is, however, unlikely that the US military had the deliberate intention of destroying the school as such. As noted, this is more likely a case of mistaken target identification, possibly linked to an AI system trained on outdated data from the time when the building was still attached to the naval base.

Consequently, the violation relates more to the principle of precaution. This principle stipulates, in particular, that parties to the conflict must do everything practicable to verify that the targets to be attacked are indeed military targets. In this case, the US military does not appear to have carried out the necessary verifications to establish that the target was a school. A basic verification, such as that conducted by some media outlets, could have quickly dispelled any doubt.

During the war in Gaza, it was reported that Israeli soldiers sometimes had only 20 seconds to validate a target, which raises questions about the practical possibility of effectively adhering to this principle. Concerns regarding military AI often centre on the issue of autonomy and the risk that a system might identify and engage a target on its own; this is the crux of the issue with lethal autonomous weapons systems. This example still demonstrates that formally maintained human control may be merely nominal if the operator lacks both the time and the critical judgment necessary to evaluate an algorithmic recommendation.

On the Iranian side, it should be noted that the precautionary principle was not respected either. This principle not only imposes obligations on the attacker but also requires the attacked party to take certain passive precautions: in particular, the parties must keep civilians and civilian objects away from military targets. In this case, converting a building at a naval base into a school while keeping it in the immediate vicinity of the rest of the military complex deliberately exposed this civilian facility to the risks associated with the conduct of hostilities.

What are the legal, political, and moral responsibilities?

Individual responsibility: such an attack does not constitute a war crime.

While the attack constitutes a violation of IHL, it is unlikely that any US military personnel will be convicted for such acts. Beyond issues of jurisdictional competence, the main obstacle is that neither the violation of the principle of precaution nor the errors leading to violations of IHL constitute war crimes under international criminal law.

The material act is clearly established, but the element of intent  that is, the will to commit the offence  is lacking. The current international criminal liability regime does not recognize liability for negligence in this context. This pragmatic approach could nevertheless evolve. On the one hand, if algorithmic targeting errors become more frequent, it will become increasingly difficult to argue that the error was reasonable, and the deliberate use of a system known to have flaws could imply a form of indirect intent to target civilians. On the other hand, the law could evolve in the future to punish military personnel who, through their negligence, cause the death of civilians.

The liability of AI companies: a standoff between economic and political powers

Another point of concern relates to the role of private companies specializing in AI, which today hold the lions share of the technological expertise deployed on the battlefield. These companies could be held liable when they develop faulty systems, but beyond this liability, a fundamental moral and political question arises regarding the sale of AI technologies for military purposes.

Just before the United States entered the war Anthropic, the developer of the Claude system, opposed unrestricted cooperation with the Pentagon, particularly regarding autonomous weapons, citing its ethical commitments and the technical reliability limitations of its systems for the intended uses. The Pentagon then accused Anthropic of treason, although its systems continue to be used by the military.

Other companies in the sector, such as OpenAI, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, appear to be collaborating unreservedly with the military, establishing themselves de facto as real defence contractors. It is interesting to note that companies, normally driven by profit, sometimes have more qualms about this issue than certain states, which are nevertheless supposed to safeguard the public interest.

State responsibility: accountability and preventing future violations

States that develop and use military AI bear a special responsibility. In this case, the United States incurs international responsibility for committing an internationally wrongful act. This responsibility will, admittedly, be difficult to hold to account in practice. But beyond that, a responsibility emerges that is both legal and political. Under Article 1 common to the Geneva Conventions, states are indeed obligated to respect and ensure respect for IHL. However, the development of military AI tends to undermine this respect, and may even encourage and conceal violations of the law.

Various mechanisms could curb this phenomenon, such as training military personnel on the specificities of AI systems, developing rules of engagement tailored to AI, technical safeguards ensuring the reliability and transparency of systems, as well as regular testing and evaluation. Several international initiatives call for integrating such measures into new legal instruments. Yet political will is lacking, particularly among states at the forefront of the development and use of military AI.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth appears to be acting in the opposite direction. He recently dismissed military legal advisors whom he considered obstacles to the proper conduct of hostilities and described the rules of engagement as stupid. More broadly, the United States opposes any international legal regulation of military AI. AI thus appears to be both a driving force and a harbinger of a profound erosion of IHL.

Jacques Lacan said: The real is when you hit yourself. The Minab accident is a dramatic event that confirms the risks military AI experts have been warning about for several years and that should have elicited far more reaction.

In reality, this seems to have been overshadowed by other considerations perceived as more urgent and more visible in the context of this war, starting with the nuclear risk. The Minab accident did not serve as the wake-up call expected to prompt states to agree on a specific legal framework applicable to military AI. It remains to be seen whether such a wake-up call is still possible or even desirable.

This article, slightly modified by Justice Info, is republished from The Conversation France under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.
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
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.






Sunday, April 26, 2026 - A team of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters has apprehended two suspects and seized a Phantom pistol in Kisumu.

Acting on intelligence, the detectives set a strategic ambush along the bustling Kisumu-Busia Highway.

Their patience paid off when they intercepted a sleek black Toyota Prado, registration number KCB 411A, occupied by two individuals whose fate was about to take a dramatic turn.

A thorough search of the vehicle revealed a Phantom pistol, glimmering menacingly in the afternoon sun, alongside a machete snugly housed in a black sheath and three mobile phones, all potential instruments of crime.

Identified as Evans Otieno Ongere and Abel Onyango Owuor, the suspects were swiftly taken into custody.

With their arrest, an important chapter in the fight against crime was written, as the duo, along with the recovered items and the impounded vehicle, were escorted to the Maseno Police Station for processing pending arraignment.

Meanwhile, the confiscated items and the vehicle are being detained as crucial exhibits in the ongoing investigation.

Via DCI






Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Michael Mudavadi, son of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, exchanged vows with his longtime love, Ann Nixxie Nyaguthii, in an elegant wedding ceremony on Saturday, April 25th.

The event, hosted at the scenic Jockey Club in Nairobi, drew a distinguished guest list that included Mama Ida Odinga, Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala, Diaspora PS Roseline Njogu, and former Attorney General Amos Wako.

The groom stood out in a striking green three-piece suit, layered with a crisp white blazer and complemented by a dark green tie, while the bride radiated elegance in a flowing white gown adorned with delicate floral embroidery, paired with a classic veil.

Their fashion choices blended sophistication with subtle flair, setting the tone for a memorable celebration.

In a statement on social media, Mudavadi described the wedding as a moment of immense joy and gratitude for his family.

As a father, few moments compare to seeing your child step into a new season of life grounded in love, maturity, commitment and purpose, he noted.

Mudavadi offered prayers and blessings for the couple, expressing hope that their marriage would be anchored in faith and strengthened by patience, wisdom and enduring love.

May your home be built on peace, laughter, understanding, loyalty, and unconditional love through every season of life, he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
ONCE again, a motion to deliver a public swimming pool for Newbridge was brought before the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, highlighting both local demand and significant funding challenges.

Cllr Tom McDonnell tabled the motion calling on Kildare County Council to build a dedicated swimming pool for Newbridge.

According to the councils response, swimming pools represent extremely large-scale capital projects requiring substantial levels of public investment.

Analysis by Swim Ireland, published in December 2025, indicates that swimming facilities typically serve wide population catchments, often extending beyond individual towns, with users frequently travelling across county boundaries to access pools.

The report also noted that usage of any future facility could not be restricted solely to Newbridge residents.

While public pools play an important role in accessibility and affordability, particularly for swimming lessons, the council stated that other areas of Kildare are currently more under-provisioned in terms of swimming facilities.

Councillors were informed that the reopening of the Curragh Pool for use by schools and community groups is a positive development that will help meet some local demand.

In addition, the Newbridge Settlement Plan, adopted in February 2026, includes an objective to deliver a public swimming pool as part of the redevelopment of the former Machinery Yard site.

If that site proves unfeasible, alternative lands in the Newbridge North Key Development Area may be considered.

Despite these long-term objectives, the council confirmed that there is currently no funding available to progress a study or development of a swimming pool in the Newbridge area.

The Municipal Districts Capital Programme for 20262028 already includes more than 20 projects with some level of funding, along with a further seven projects awaiting future investment.

At national level, the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which would be the primary source of funding for a project of this scale, is currently closed. No timeline has yet been announced for the next round of funding.

The Minister for Sport stated in March 2026 that the departments focus remains on delivering projects approved under earlier rounds of the scheme.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A KILDARE company has been announced the as the national winner of the 2026 ZEVI EV Dealership of the Year Award.

Fitzpatricks Garage Naas received the accolade at a presentation ceremony at the SEAI Energy Show, at the RDS in Dublin.

This annual award organised by the Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recognises outstanding effort in encouraging electric vehicle (EV) uptake in Ireland.

CEO of Fitzpatricks Garages, Sean Lyons said: We are honoured to be awarded the 2026 National EV Dealer of the Year again after winning in 2022 and 2024. It is a tremendous accolade and great recognition for our fantastic team. This year sees us celebrate 75 years in business, and since 1951 our business has always focused on providing great cars, honest advice, and exceptional service. Today as we move away from fossil fuel dependency and enter the new age of electric vehicles, it is vital that motor dealers recognise the part they need to play in advising and assisting motorists on their electric journey. We at Fitzpatricks are totally committed to this goal, assisting our customers to make the transition, providing them with electric vehicles that suit their needs and budgets, and ensuring we protect our environment now and for future generations. A panel of industry experts crowned the national winner based on broad criteria, including EV visibility, salesperson expertise, sales approach, EV-specific training, sales performance, and the quality of each dealerships online presence.

Minister for Transport, Darragh OBrien TD said: Ireland is seeing record levels of electric vehicle sales in 2026, reflecting the growing confidence of consumers in cleaner, more sustainable transport options. The dealership awards recognise the dedication and expertise of car dealers who are supporting customers to make the transition to electric vehicles and helping to accelerate this shift.
The first day of this weeks Punchestown Festival arrives on Tuesday with a cracking eight-race card, where three Grade 1s will take centre stage with the feature race of the opening day is the Champion Chase at 6.05.

Racing kicks off at 2.30pm with the three-mile cross country chase before the card comes to a close at 6.35pm with the two-mile bumper, but there is plenty of top quality action sandwiched in between.

Read below for a full rundown of the day one card at Punchestown courtesy of Betano, who provided all the latest horse racing odds throughout the season.

Up first on Tuesday as the cross country chase and nine runners are set to line up for the three-mile trip (2.30). Willitgoahead looks to be the one to side with in the opener, down in Grade here and wearing first-time cheekpieces. He was third in the Foxhunters in 2025 but pulled up in the Hunters Chase back in March. This is not as tough an ask, however, so he could go well for trainer Gordon Elliott to get his week off to a good start.

Race two on day one (3.05) is a very big-field handicap where as many as 25 runners could be on the start line. Its a very competitive renewal once again and Powerful is the one taken to get back to winning ways for trainer Jessica Harrington, a two-time winner at this track including on his penultimate start, but was eighth last time out at Fairyhouse though a line can certainly be struck through that run.

The Listed Kilashee Hotel Handicap is race three of the afternoon (3.40) and all-conquering trainer Willie Mullins could pick up his first winner of the week with Kalix Delabarriere, a ready winner of an 18-runner Listed handicap 24 days ago and has to shoulder a 10lb hike in the weights for that success but has beaten a few of his rivals who are lining up again. British raider Khrisma for the Nicky Henderson yard rates a massive danger under jockey Harry Cobden, riding in the JP McManus silks, twice a winner this season and was also second in a novice hurdle at this Festival last season.

The first Grade 1 of the day and the Festival marks race four on day one with the Champion Novice Hurdle (4.15) and it looks a belter. Le Labo for the in-form Joseph OBrien yard could well be worth a look at, stepping up in Grade having beaten the re-opposing Blake seven weeks ago and could well have won the race before but for a fall at Cork. El Cairos rates a massive danger for the Gordon Elliott yard, fifth in the Supreme at Cheltenham in March.

The Champion Novice Chase Grade 1 follows hot on the heels at 4.50 with ten runners set to line up for the three-mile contest. Its tough to look past Kitzbuhel here for the Mullins team, a winner of the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and was a back-to-back winner before that too including the Kauto Star at Kempton so could bag a third Grade 1 win.

A two-mile bumper is up next at 5.25 and this is a very hot renewal of the valuable race which is worth 60,000 to the winner. Abbeyglen is a half-brother to a two-time bumper winner and makes plenty of appeal for trainer Martin Brassil on debut to stop the Mullins/Elliott domination of this race, though Closutton man Mullins does have another intriguing prospect with Altesse Du Luy, a 145,000 No Risk At All filly whose dam was a winner in France so has to be taken seriously.

The third and final Grade 1 of the opening day is the Champion Chase at 6.05 and Mullins has four of the five runners in this race. The pick of them is likely to be Majborough, who needs to recover from a shoddy jumping effort in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but the belting win in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown back in February means anywhere close to repeating that should see him go well. Stablemate Il Etait Temps will be bang in there having taken advantage of Majboroughs troubles in the Champion Chase to win, while the only non-Mullins runner in the race, Marine Nationale, is fresh having not ran at Cheltenham, and is very much a top chaser in his own right.

Finally, the card comes to a close at 6.35 with the second bumper of the day and preference in the finale heads the way of Mr Ragstone, a half-brother to numerous winners including the top class chaser Black Corton who has plenty of appeal on paper heading into this card-closer.

Punchestown selections - Tuesday

2.30 - Willitgoahead

3.05 - Powerful

3.40 - Kalix Delabarriere

4.15 - Le Labo

4.50 - Kitzbuhel

5.25 - Abbeyglen

6.05 - Majborough

6.35 - Mr Ragstone
The island of Ireland is in an absolutely critical position amid tensions with Russia, the joint military commander in Northern Ireland has said.

Brigadier Piers Ashfield was speaking as the RAF brought a P-8 Poseidon from Lossiemouth in Scotland to the Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove in Co Antrim last week.

While the aircraft was primarily in Northern Ireland for a joint search and rescue exercise with the Coastguard and RNLI, there was also a military significance to the move.

The Poseidon, described as one of the RAFs primary intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (Istar) assets, was operating from Aldergrove for the first time.

Brig Ashfield, commander of 38 Brigade and the senior military officer in Northern Ireland, called the exercise the physical manifestation of the updated memorandum of understanding signed by the UK and the Republic of Ireland in March to enhance bilateral defence co-operation.

The aim of this has really been to test and adjust some of our operating procedures to provide an enhanced level of safety and security for people across the island of Ireland in the maritime domain, particularly focused on this exercise on search and rescue, he told the Press Association.

Ireland has always been a prisoner of that geography, and where it operates in the Greenland-Iceland gap, as youve seen the various ministerial leaders of the MoD (Ministry of Defence) describing the threat from Russian naval operations in that space that threatens both the critical national infrastructure that not only the UK depends on, but a significant part of Europe and our allies and partners depend on as well.

It occupies an absolutely critical position covering this really important stretch of water in the North Atlantic.

Its the most westerly (base), and I think that provides an advantage not only for the UK operating from here, but also our allies and partners across both Nato and through some of our bilateral arrangements as well.

Wing Commander Rob McCartney, the commanding officer of the Lossiemouth-based 201 Squadron, described the island of Ireland  with its position in the north Atlantic where the Russian navy regularly deploys  as strategically important to what is going on in the world.

The UK signed a memorandum of understanding with Ireland only a couple of months ago, which signals a much closer security relationship than we had before, he told Press Association.

While were here doing search and rescue, were also here to plant a little flag in Aldergrove and say the RAF is here in Aldergrove, we plan to operate here and we plan to operate much closer with our Irish partners

He added: The North Atlantic has been strategically important for about 100 years, and since the Second World War has become even more strategic.

The Russian navy regularly deploy in the North Atlantic and, on this side of the Atlantic, it is the island of Ireland that is closest to that battlefield, so while were not here today to conduct anti-submarine warfare, were not here to track Russians or drop torpedoes, we are here to make the point partially that Ireland, the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Aldergrove, this airfield, will be strategically important in the future  of that there is no doubt.

The RAF is here to get used to operating from here, and who knows where that will take us.

We in a war of deterrence, what were here to do is say to Putin were willing and ready to be stronger than you and do things that win this war, and airfields like Aldergrove will be part of that solution.
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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Windy with scattered thunderstorms this morning. Then mainly cloudy this afternoon. High 66F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Windy. Cloudy skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning. Cloudy skies this afternoon. High 64F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Windy. Cloudy skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 42F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Weather Alert

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR BOONE COUNTY... At 346 PM CDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. 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 &&
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following areas, Bond IL, Calhoun IL, Clinton IL, Fayette IL, Greene IL, Jersey IL, Macoupin IL, Madison IL, Marion IL, Monroe IL, Montgomery IL, Saint Clair IL and Washington IL and Missouri, including the following areas, Audrain MO, Boone MO, Callaway MO, Cole MO, Franklin MO, Gasconade MO, Jefferson MO, Lincoln MO, Moniteau MO, Montgomery MO, Osage MO, Pike MO, Saint Charles MO, Saint Louis City MO, Saint Louis MO and Warren MO. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall moving over the same areas will have the potential to produce flash flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&

...The National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill MO has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Boonville affecting Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Boone Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This product along with additional weather and stream information is available at www.weather.gov/kc/. && ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON TO EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Missouri River at Boonville. * WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon to early Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 21.0 feet, Low-lying rural areas along the river flood. At 23.8 feet, Easley River Road and Smith Hatchery Road begin to flood. At 25.0 feet, Numerous farm levees are overtopped. Flooding of agricultural land and secondary roads occurs. Backwater flooding on Perche Creek causes flooding in McBaine. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:04 AM CDT Monday the stage was 10.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage tomorrow afternoon to a crest of 23.6 feet early Wednesday afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Thursday afternoon. - Flood stage is 21.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Fld Obs Forecasts Location Stg Stg Day/Time Mon Tue Wed 1pm 1pm 1pm Missouri River Boonville 21.0 10.0 Mon 9am 10.7 19.8 23.6 &&
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Partly cloudy, perhaps a shower late in the day. Highs in the lower to middle 60s..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with a few showers. Lows in the middle 40s
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following areas, Bond IL, Calhoun IL, Clinton IL, Fayette IL, Greene IL, Jersey IL, Macoupin IL, Madison IL, Marion IL, Monroe IL, Montgomery IL, Saint Clair IL and Washington IL and Missouri, including the following areas, Audrain MO, Boone MO, Callaway MO, Cole MO, Franklin MO, Gasconade MO, Jefferson MO, Lincoln MO, Moniteau MO, Montgomery MO, Osage MO, Pike MO, Saint Charles MO, Saint Louis City MO, Saint Louis MO and Warren MO. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall moving over the same areas will have the potential to produce flash flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Central Boone County in central Missouri... Northwestern Cole County in central Missouri... Moniteau County in central Missouri... * Until 145 PM CDT. * At 1041 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar indicated. 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, California, Ashland, Tipton, Columbia Regional Airport, Hallsville, Jamestown, Clarksburg, Easley, Midway, Murry, Lupus, McBaine, Sandy Hook, Wilton, Kliever and Latham. This includes the following State Parks... Rock Bridge 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. && FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

...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 &&
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Despite a truce also having been struck in Lebanon, 14 people were killed there in Israeli strikes on Sunday, Beirut's health ministry said
David Raleigh

Gardai are investigating a report of a slash hook attack on a man in a Limerick city suburb on Sunday afternoon.

The attack is believed to have occurred at Ballinacurra Weston, the south side of the city, around 1.30 pm.

The injured man was treated for non-life-threatening wounds at University Hospital Limerick.

Another male is suspected of suffering injuries in the alleged attack.

Gardai responded to reports of an attack, and all parties involved had dispersed when officers arrived on the scene.

Investigating gardai were as yet unclear as to the motive for the alleged attack.

Gardai received a report of an incident of alleged assault that occurred in the Hyde Road area of Limerick city on Sunday 26th April 2026 at approximately 1:30 pm, said a garda spokeswoman.

A male youth sustained injuries during the incident.

Investigations are ongoing, added the garda spokeswoman.
I HAVE been living in Portarlington since 2020. Over the past few years, I have come to appreciate the towns calm atmosphere and the friendliness that defines everyday life here. Like many residents, I am a regular customer at McLoughlin's SuperValu Portarlington. It is part of my weekly routine, and I have always found the service polite and welcoming.

Over time, however, a quiet question has stayed in my mind. Portarlington today is more diverse than it was a decade ago. Young people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds are growing up here, attending local schools, and becoming part of the community. This is a positive and natural change in modern Ireland.

At the same time, I also recognise that many customers who visit local shops come from different backgrounds, including non-Irish residents who are now an important part of the community and local life. This diversity is visible in daily interactions, and it reflects how the town continues to grow and change.

Yet, as a regular visitor to local shops, I sometimes wonder why that diversity is not always reflected among the staff we see every day. There may be some diversity among staff in different roles, although it is not always immediately visible from the outside.

This is not a criticism of any particular business. Hiring decisions are complex and depend on many factorsexperience, availability, training, and trust. In smaller towns, personal networks and word-of-mouth recommendations can also play an important role in recruitment.

Still, as our communities evolve, it may be worth gently asking whether opportunities are reaching everyone equally.

Ireland takes pride in being an open and inclusive society. In many ways, that is true. But inclusion is not only about what we believeit is also about what we see in everyday life.

Under Irish law, employers are not allowed to discriminate in hiring based on nationality or ethnic background. The Employment Equality Acts protect all applicants equally, meaning a person cannot legally be refused a job simply for being non-Irish.

Perhaps there is a simple explanation. But perhaps it is also a conversation worth havingquietly and respectfullyas our towns continue to grow and change.

As a regular customer, I remain appreciative. As a resident, I remain curious and hopeful that opportunity in our community is shared as widely as possible.

I am Syed Atiqur Rob, originally from Bangladesh, and I have been living in Portarlington since 2020. I chose to settle here because of its rich history and strong sense of heritage. Over time, I have come to appreciate not only its character, but also the everyday kindness and sense of community that make it feel like home.

Syed Atiqur Rob
Olivia Kelleher

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has expressed his sadness at the death of Barrai Mescall of TG4, whom he described as having been an institution in journalism, particularly in the Cork area.

Mescall died in the presence of his family at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork city on Friday.

Speaking earlier today at a Chornobyl commemoration in Cork, the Taoiseach said that Mescall was a an outstanding Gaeilgoir who had a particular interest in traditional music.

He covered many national programmes as well. A journalist in the old school, of the old school, who always revelled in getting the scoop, and getting the exclusive.

"A decent man, a very sound person, and to Jo and his family, we extend our deepest sympathies. He will be a loss to his journalistic colleagues and to the world of journalism.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said in a statement that Mescall was a dedicated voice in Irish journalism and broadcasting in Cork and nationally.

His contribution to radio and public service broadcasting will be fondly remembered as will his tireless advocacy for the Irish language and culture. My condolences to his family and friends and all those who knew him. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Meanwhile, Mescall, who was late of Rochestown and Lower Killeens in Cork, had retired from his role as a journalist for Nuacht TG4.

He was also well known for his work with RTE News and with RTE Radio Cork.

Mescall is survived by his partner Jo Cronin, his siblings Finola, Margot and Hugh, his nieces, nephews and extended family, Lilibeth Horne and family and Dan and Aideen Cronin and family. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Esther, and his sister Clare.

His requiem mass will take place at 11am on Tuesday in the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Clogheen, Co Cork, with his funeral taking place privately afterwards.

Mourners can make donations, if desired, in lieu of flowers to the Irish Heart Foundation.
A free business growth workshop aimed at helping SMEs improve their marketing and sales performance will take place in Portlaoise next month.

The event, Influence to Win: How to Communicate, Persuade and Sell Smarter in the Future Marketplace, will be hosted by the Laois Nationalist and organised by David Delaney in collaboration with Jackie Carroll of Laois Chamber Alliance.

It will be held at the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise on Thursday, May 7th at 10am.

The session is designed to address a key challenge facing many small and medium-sized businesses  the ability to clearly communicate their value in a competitive marketplace.

Organisers say that while many businesses deliver strong products and services, those that fail to articulate their offering effectively often lose out to competitors with clearer messaging and stronger positioning.

The 90-minute workshop will focus on practical, results-driven strategies, including how to refine messaging, build authority in the market, and improve sales conversations to drive better conversion and long-term growth. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network, with tea and coffee provided.

The session will be delivered by Riad Zouheir, a marketing and media specialist with more than 20 years experience working with businesses across international markets.

Mr Zouheir has worked closely with leading media organisations, including The Irish Times Group, supporting commercial strategy, revenue growth and advertiser education. His expertise spans both digital and traditional channels, including PPC, paid social, SEO, press, television and radio.

He has delivered over 300 conferences and workshops globally, equipping business owners and sales teams with practical tools to strengthen communication, improve performance and achieve measurable results.

Originally from Paris and based in London for more than 25 years, he brings a combination of international perspective and hands-on commercial experience.

The event is free to attend, but places are expected to be in demand. Registration is via Laois Chamber Alliance website.
There has been outrage locally following the vandalism of a historic landmark in Laois.

The Rock of Dunamase has been targeted with graffiti in recent days, with words spraypainted to the historic ruins.

Local man Mark Condon regularly photographs the ruins, and noticed the graffiti on Thursday April 23.

"I'm upset and angry about this, truthfully I felt distraught," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Graffiti spotted on the Rock of Dunamase last week. Photo: Mark Condon

"I grew up at the foot of the rock, and it felt like my childhood was destroyed. My memories of my youth are out running around the rock with my cousins, playing soldiers with our shoes sticking to the tar in the summers. The rock has always been important to me, I'm always photographing it with my camera or my drone," he said.

The Portlaoise man said that locals are fearing antisocial behaviour around the landmark.

"We are afraid of this behaviour. It's a very childish thing to have written, so it's likely teenagers. We are worried though because it's graffiti today, what's next?" he said.

Mr Condon shared the photos he snapped of the graffiti in a local community forum, which garnered outrage and frustration from people.

"A lot of people were angry, some were sad- people are frustrated," he said.

The graffiti has been reported to Laois County Council.

Pictured: The graffiti written on the historic ruins

This is not the first time the landmark ruins have been vandalised. In 2019, letters and initials were similarly plastered on the ruins in black spray paint.

The incident resulted in a garda investigation into criminal damage at the site.

Portlaoise Councillor Tommy Mulligan has recently appealed for the provision of lighting at the site, 14 months since his previous rejected request.

The construction of an onsite car park is expected to be completed this summer.

Construction began last year on the new visitor carpark and toilets at the historical Laois site following a large scale archaeological survey.

The project will see the creation of 40 carparking spaces, one disabled space, and two bus parking bays near the Church of Ireland chapel at the site.

Funding of 1,797,894 was approved under the EU Just Transition Fund for Laois County Council to complete the works.
The Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neale Richmond TD, has launched the nationwide programme of events for Africa Day 2026.

This years Africa Day Kildare is taking place from May 11-June 30.

As part of Africa Day Kildare, the following event is planned:

Africa Day Monasterevin - Saturday, 23 May 2026, 1pm to 5pm - Monasterevin Community Centre

Sallins/Naas Africa Day Event - Saturday, 26 May 2026, 1pm to 6pm - Castlefen Community Centre, Sallins, Co. Kildare

The African Within Us - Saturday, 30 May 2026, 1pm to 6pm - Leixlip Youth and Community Centre Newtown, Captains Hill, Leixlip, W23 T8W5

Africa Day Celebrations

Celbridge Library - Monday, May 11 - Saturday, May 23



Kilcock Library - Saturday, May 23 - Friday, June 5



Maynooth University - Tuesday, May 26



Maynooth Community Library - Saturday June 13



Leixlip Library - Tuesday, June 2  Tuesday, June 30

READ NEXT: Three drivers towing horseboxes in Kildare caught using mobile phones

Africa Day will be celebrated with a series of events taking place nationwide. Local Authorities across Ireland are set to host a range of cultural, artistic, and family-friendly events.

These will include contemporary African Irish cultural events, as well as family fun days, fashion, art, film, music, dance and food events, which will take place in towns and cities across Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Neale Richmond, T.D said: Africa Day is an opportunity to promote the growing trade, political and cultural links between Ireland and countries across Africa.

The potential for this relationship over the coming years is enormous. Trade between Ireland and countries across Africa stands at approximately 9 billion annually and is growing all the time. Irelands agri-food exports to Africa alone rose by 9% last year and are now worth almost 1 billion annually.

Africa Day marks these growing connections between Ireland and countries across Africa. It celebrates the impact people in Ireland have had across Africa as well as the huge contribution people with African heritage make to our cities, towns and villages each and every day.

Im delighted to see so many of our local authorities host events across the country to help build knowledge and celebrate our links and its potential in the years ahead.

Minister Richmond was joined at the launch by representatives of the African diaspora community in Ireland, including dancer Lapree Lala, and dance group Southside Moves at Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

For more information visit: www.AfricaDay.ie | Instagram - @africadayireland | Facebook - Africa Day
A cross-border police effort has seen the seizure of a suspected 4 million drugs haul.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) worked with An Garda Siochana in the operation which saw the suspected cannabis discovered on a lorry travelling from Scotland to Larne, Co Antrim, on Monday.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of the drugs, which are believed to have been destined for the Republic of Ireland.

Detectives from our Organised Crime Branch, working in collaboration with An Garda Siochana National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, have today seized suspected drugs with an estimated street value of 4 million. A 53-year-old man was arrested. More: https://t.co/V44JHYPHEM pic.twitter.com/ZkWwLhpX6O  Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) April 27, 2026

A PSNI spokesperson said following the stop and search of a lorry travelling from Scotland to Larne Harbour on Monday, detectives located and seized suspected cannabis concealed within a large number of boxes.

They said the 53-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of a class B controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.

He remained in custody on Monday evening.

We believe the drugs in this consignment were intended to supply various organised crime groups across the island of Ireland, the PSNI spokesperson said.

The Joint Agency Task Force was established with the aim of bringing a concerted and enhanced effort to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime.

All partners within the Task Force are totally committed to working together to reduce the misery caused by drug smuggling and to dismantle the organised groups profiting from this type of criminality.

They added: We are delighted these drugs have been removed from our streets and that this income stream has been denied to the criminal network.

It isnt difficult to imagine the harm that would have been caused by this volume of drugs being dealt on street corners to vulnerable people, children and those with addiction issues.

Some people may think that the illegal distribution of cannabis is not a big deal. Id ask them to just take a moment to think about the violence and exploitation that the organised criminals behind this could have wreaked upon our communities with the millions of pounds of profit they potentially stood to make.

With the collective efforts of partners, well work tirelessly to tackle such serious and organised criminality and bring those responsible to justice. We rely on the help of our community to do so and would appeal to anyone with information or concerns around illegal drug supply to contact us on 101.

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport
President Catherine Connolly's sister, Dr Margaret Connolly, is "prepared to be arrested" as she makes her way to Gaza on a Freedom Flotilla.

Dr Connolly has been an activist in the Palestine solidarity movement for a long time, and according to the Irish Independent, set sail on a boat aiming to reach Gaza on Sunday.

It's in an attempt to deliver life-saving aid, such as food and baby formula, and to challenge the ongoing blockade by Israel.

Dr Connolly is one of 14 siblings who grew up in Galway, but she is a well-known GP in Sligo.

The mission she is part of includes over 80 vessels and 1,000 people from over 100 countries, making it the biggest civilian maritime effort to break the siege of Gaza so far.

READ NEXT: 'Four of those children wouldnt make it out'- Tragic story 40 years on from house fire

"I have joined the flotilla because we cannot stand by while millions are subjected to forced starvation and an illegal siege. The flotilla is a powerful symbol of international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are enduring an ongoing genocide and an inhumane blockade now approaching its 18th year," she explained.

Israel put a naval block on the Gaza strip in January 2009, with the first Gaza Freedom Flotilla being raided by Israeli forces in 2010.

10 people were killed and dozens were injured.

Flotillas that attempted the same mission in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2025 were all intercepted, raided or attacked by Israeli forces.

The same thing happened to several flotillas on the same mission last year.

There are four Irish people on the boat with Dr Connolly, as well as people from Scotland, Norway, and America.

"We are prepared to be arrested but we will obey and we will not react or give any cause for them to shoot or beat us," she said.

The group has received training on what to do if Israeli forces board the boat and Dr Connolly belives she does have the strength to get through an arrest, should it happen.

An SOS video has been prepared in advance, outlining the situation regarding being arrested and requesting the help of the international community.

The journey is expected to last anywhere between two and four weeks, with those on board knowing it is unlikely that they will reach their destination.
The Belt and Road Initiative is not only about infrastructure, but about shared development and mutual benefit, Yin emphasized.
A DRIVE-BY shooting linked to a Traveller feud took place in Patrickswell village late on Sunday night, Limerick Live has learned.

A video of the gun attack, which was posted on social media, shows a man wearing gloves pointing a shotgun out of a car window and pulling the trigger.

READ NEXT: Vigil for 'critical' Faulkner cousin, 10, after tragic incident for Limerick family on third Sunday in a row

There are no reports of any injuries to persons or damage to property.

It is understood that no formal complaint had been made to gardai over the shooting incident. However, it is believed that gardai are aware of posts on social media and are conducting enquiries.

According to one source, the dispute between the two Limerick Traveller families started at an Akon concert in Dublin. It is thought that words were exchanged between members of the families at the Senegalese-American hip-hop artists gig over the weekend.

Both Traveller families have put out so-called call out videos on social media.

A group of men armed with weapons are standing on the M20 flyover in Dooradoyle (pictured below) while motorists are delayed behind them.

One of the men said: You came on the phone to me today. You asked me for a location and we gave you a location. We are here on the bridge, we thought you were coming.

In response, a member of the other Traveller family said in a video: You said ye would meet us at the bridge in 10 minutes. We were at the bridge in 10 minutes. You decided to show 45 minutes later.

"Three and a half hours before that you were saying you were going to meet me in 20 minutes - you were never going to show up.

A number of men in the video appear to be carrying handguns.
A CONVICTED Limerick rapist who sexually abused a young girl after he inveigled his way into a home where children were being neglected has been jailed for 13 years.

The Central Criminal Court heard Christopher Vaughan, now aged 63, was able to carry out the abuse of the child with impunity as her mother had issues with alcohol and was often out for the count.

In her victim impact statement, the woman described Vaughan as a monster and a coward.

She encouraged children to tell someone if they were being abused and urged parents to watch out for signs of abuse. Kids need to be taught not to keep a secret, she said.

Vaughan, of Killeely Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, was convicted by a jury of two counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault of the girl on dates between October 1996 and February 1997. He has a previous conviction for rape in 1986 for which he was jailed for four years.

The woman wishes to retain her anonymity but has no issue with Vaughan being named.

READ NEXT: Drive-by shooting in Limerick village linked to Traveller dispute at Akon concert

Passing sentence this Monday, Mr Justice Sean Gillane said the injured partys mother had issues with alcohol and there was an overall atmosphere of neglect in the home.

He said there was a pattern of adults drinking in the house during the day and the childs mother was described as often being out for the count, so Vaughans offending could go undetected.

Mr Justice Gillane said it was clear from the evidence that Vaughan was violent to the childs mother during this time and this contributed to the overall atmosphere of fear in the house.

He said that on the final occasion of abuse, Vaughan was interrupted by a neighbour of the victim who remonstrated with him and the children were later removed to their fathers home.

The woman initially made disclosures to a friend and later to gardai in 2020. Vaughan, who did not give evidence at trial, said he did not know the victim and had never been in her house.

Mr Justice Gillane said the case fell into the upper end of the more serious category.

He said the aggravating factors were manifold including a high level of degradation and violence, exploiting the victims mothers inability to parent to allow him to carry out the offending with impunity and that he had deprived the child of the protection she might expect in her family home.

He said Vaughans prior conviction for rape was a significant feature and observed his culpability was very high. He set a headline sentence of 13 years' imprisonment.

Mr Justice Gillane said there was an absence in the years of anything that could be described as mitigation and he could not justify any downward deviation in the sentence.

An investigating garda told Lorcan Connolly SC, prosecuting, that the offending occurred in the victims home where she lived with her mother and siblings. Their mother was an alcoholic and the children were left in a situation where they had to fend for themselves.

The garda said Vaughan befriended the family and became a visitor to the house. The abuse of the victim began with him requiring her to observe him masturbating before escalating to more serious abuse in a bedroom in the house. The most serious abuse involved two rapes of the girl.

The girl said Vaughan would threaten to harm her mother or siblings. The abuse ended when the children went to live with their father the following year.

In her victim impact statement, the woman told the court Vaughan had ruined her life and she went through hell. She said that having previously raped an adult, Vaughan thought a child would be easier to keep quiet.

I say no to you, she told Vaughan, this child grew up and I am now defending that child.

She outlined how she had endured self harm and attempted suicide but believes she was meant to survive so she could see justice served. She outlined the devastating and ongoing effects the abuse has had on her life and relationships.

She said the accused was a monster and a coward who scares little children and she prayed for any children he has been around. Kids need to be taught not to keep a secret she said.

She said children need to be taught about inappropriate behaviour, and parents need to know what signs to look out for.

She said her siblings life had been destroyed also as, at a young age, they had to listen to her scream as she was being abused. I take back control today, she said, while you go away.

Mr Connolly said the Director of Public Prosecutions placed this case at the highest level, with a headline sentence of more than 15 years. He said the accused man was 33-years-old at the time, while the injured party was about 6-years-old.

He said the victims siblings could hear their sister screaming during the abuse. He said the sanctity of the family home was abused and the accused man had a prior similar conviction which took place a decade beforehand.

Mark Nicholas SC, defending, said Vaughan denied the offences and much of the trial had been run on challenging the accuracy of the injured partys memory. He said there had been no sexual offending in the intervening period and the accused had answered all garda questions.
STUDENTS, teachers and families gathered in celebration at The Strand Hotel as Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally marked its annual academic awards night.

Nominations for classroom-based subjects were made based on numerous criteria, with hundreds of students acknowledged for their effort and contribution to the high-quality teaching and learning that occurs on a daily basis. Other students were selected in recognition of their effect on the whole school community; be it through leadership, extra-curricular activities, or indeed kind and courteous personalities. The recipients of these special awards were those who were seen to have excelled.

Poppy OConnor, a second year student, was named as The Kindest Most Courteous Student; whilst fifth year student Nicole Forde received The CEIST Award, recognising her vast contribution to the life and culture of her school.

READ MORE: BREAKING: University of Limerick appoints new President

The Contribution to Sport award was presented to Emma Doherty. Emma, already a stalwart of school sports, proudly represents Treaty Gaels and the Limerick Minor Camogie team.

The management and staff of Ardscoil Mhuire extend their congratulations to all of the students nominated and offer a sincere thanks to their families for the amazing level of support throughout the past year.

The annual academic awards night took place in The Strand Hotel on March 26.
STUDENTS from Limerick are set to represent the region at the national finals of the ESERO Ireland CanSat competition, a European Space Agency initiative that challenges secondary school students to design, build and launch their own mini-satellite.

Team Coders in Paris from Educate Together, secured their place at the national final following a strong performance at the Limerick regional competition, hosted at TUS Limerick.

The Coders in Paris team will now join finalists from across Ireland at the national final, taking place in Co Laois on April 30 and May 1. At the event, students will launch their CanSat devices via rocket, collect real-time data during descent, and present their findings to a panel of expert judges. The winning Irish team will go on to represent Ireland at a European event hosted by the European Space Agency.

Speaking ahead of the final, Aine Flood, Manager at ESERO Ireland, which hosts CanSat Ireland, said:

READ MORE: University of Limerick students impress at medical devices showcase

Participating teams are set a really challenging technical brief  to fit a satellites key parts, like power, sensors and communication systems, into a beverage can. At the national final, each CanSat must measure air pressure and air temperature during descent and transmit the data to a computer for analysis and presentation.

Teams must quickly analyse the data, interpret it in a meaningful way and present their findings to our judging panel.

To reach the national final is an incredible achievement for these science professionals of the future. I want to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work put in by each team, their teachers and the supporting Technical Universities behind them.

Brendan Owens, Education and Public Engagement Programme Manager at Research Ireland, co-founder of ESERO Ireland, added:

CanSat is one of the most exciting education initiatives of the year, showcasing the next generation of scientists and engineers and the abundance of STEM talent at second level throughout the country. These competitions cant take place without the dedication and passion of the teachers who support and encourage their students to enter, often giving up their own time, as well as the lecturers at our Technical Universities who guide them throughout the process. We are very grateful for their commitment.

This years competition saw strong national participation, with 34 teams from 18 schools registered and 20 teams progressing to compete in regional finals. From these, just six finalist teams have been selected to advance to the national stage.

Its particularly encouraging to see an increase every year in the number of girls participating in the competition.

Research Ireland is proud to support ESERO Ireland and initiatives like CanSat that help students build practical skills, confidence and ambition in STEM.

CanSat is widely recognised as one of the most advanced STEM competitions for secondary school students, offering hands-on experience in Electronics and programming, Data analysis, Engineering design and Scientific communication.

Participants gain real insight into careers in the space sector, with many past students progressing into engineering and space-related roles.

Niamh Shaw, national coordinator for CanSat Ireland, commented:

The level of innovation, teamwork and technical ability shown by students this year has been exceptional.

Competitions like CanSat give young people a real opportunity to experience what a career in space and engineering looks like  not just in theory, but in practice.

Were incredibly proud to see a team from Limerick representing their region on a national stage.
A MAN who spat at, bit, and lunged at security guards at University Hospital Limerick has been sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Killian Kirby, 35, with an address at Kilcaragh, Lixnaw, Kerry told security at the front desk of UHL that he wanted medication and he wanted 5b on December 11, 2025. Prosecuting sergeant Denis Waters said Mr Kirby then hit the security guard on the side of the head.

Security guards then had to restrain Mr Kirby. The man bit one on the left arm during the restraint. Mr Kirby also told another security guard hed spit in his face - which he did.

READ MORE: Limerick motorway closed after lorry carrying heavy machinery leaves road

Earlier that day, Mr Kirby became aggressive at Maxol on St. Nessans Road when his attempt to make payment declined. Mr Kirby then head-butted one employee, and caused a second employee a minor injury. As he left the shop he took two cans of Monster energy drink.

Solicitor Tom Kiely, representing Mr Kirby at Limerick District Court, said that the man is deeply ashamed of his actions, and that he was going through a psychotic episode at the time of the offences.

Judge Catherine Ryan sympathised with patients who may have been impacted by the assault at the hospital: The last thing they wanted was some maniac when they were coming in to receive treatment.

A victim impact statement detailed that Mr Kirbys eyes were on fire during the offence. Mr Kiely said in mitigation that Mr Kirby is a man who is ordinarily medicated and that "because of his state he was not in a good place physically or mentally.

The solicitor said that Mr Kirby had five to six security guards on top of him at UHL.

He said that Mr Kirbys offending was a case of a very unwell person seeking medical help, gone completely wrong. Mr Kiely detailed that the man usually works as a machine operator.

Sgt Waters told the court that Mr Kirby has 39 previous convictions, including making a threat to kill. The judge said: All of these are evidence of a person absolutely out of control, and proceeded to sentence Mr Kirby to six months' imprisonment.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Madhurima Nandy

Madhurima is Senior Editor at Mint and tracks and writes on real estate, urban issues and infrastructure. Besides news stories, she also writes longform stories. She has over two decades of experience in journalism, and has tracked India's real estate sector closely. Real estate in India is complex and fascinating, and she is one of the few journalists who has tracked the sector over the years and mapped critical eventsfrom the Lehman impact in 2008, to the NBFC-led liquidity crisis, to the boom cycle after the 2020 pandemic. She is a Bengaluru-based business journalist but is always looking forward to travel wherever a story takes her. It could be Ayodhya or Jewar to witness the rise of new property markets, or Goa and Hyderabad to experience the changing real estate landscape. Real estate can be a tricky subject, so her aim is always to dig beneath the surface and tell a story as accurately as possible for the readers.<br><br>She has worked in newsrooms across Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. She has a Masters degree in English Literature and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from Symbiosis, Pune.
China strengthens protection of rights, interests in new occupations

Xinhua) 08:02, April 27, 2026

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- China will step up efforts to better protect the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment, according to a set of guidelines made public on Sunday.

These guidelines, issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, urge internet platforms and express delivery firms to set reasonable wages for workers in new forms of employment based on work tasks and labor intensity, and to ensure full and timely payment.

Efforts should be made to strengthen the governance of algorithms on internet platforms, the guidelines say, urging relevant companies to earnestly fulfill their social responsibilities, toughen regulation of algorithms and improve transparency. Workers in new forms of employment must have the right to be informed about, participate in, and choose algorithm-related rules, the guidelines note.

The guidelines also underscore the need to strengthen oversight of relevant sectors, improve information disclosure for practitioners, and guide workers in new forms of employment to develop reasonable expectations regarding income and benefits.

Comprehensive measures should be introduced to curb rat race competition and strictly prevent infringements on the legitimate rights and interests of such workers, the guidelines add.

New forms of employment refer to jobs that have emerged with the rise of the internet and the digital economy, including roles like food delivery couriers, ride-hailing drivers and online marketers, who rely on internet platforms for their work.

China currently has 84 million people engaged in such work, who play an important role in serving and ensuring people's livelihood, and in helping to keep the economy running smoothly.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Indias largest cement maker, UltraTech Cement Ltd, posted its highest-ever annual profit in fiscal year 2026 (FY26), as strong demand helped cushion rising input costs linked to the West Asia war.

The company reported a consolidated net profit of 8,165.64 crore for the yearcrossing the 8,000 crore mark for the first time and rising 35.12% year-on-year (y-o-y)according to exchange filings, even as fuel and power expenses rose 6% and freight costs, 10%.

The Mumbai-based company also announced a special dividend of 240 per share, while flagging caution on the evolving geopolitical situation heading into FY27.

Consolidated revenue rose 16.53% to 88,511.53 crore, surpassing a Bloomberg estimate of 88,410 crore based on 45 analysts. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) rose 36% to 17,020.23 crore in FY26.

Also Read | UltraTech Cement capacity tops 200 mtpa, now the largest outside China

Consolidated domestic sales volumes for the fiscal stood at 145 million tonnes, up 8.4% from FY25.

UltraTech also reported strong fourth-quarter performance despite rising costs, with consolidated net profit and revenue rising 20.17% and 11%, respectively, to 2,982.76 crore and 25,799.47 crore.

Facing headwinds Its a real headwind on fuel cost, packing bags and freight, on certain import-dependent supply chains or near-term sentiment in some demand segments, chief financial officer Atul Daga said in a post-earnings interaction with analysts, adding that petrol and diesel prices could rise further in line with global crude trends.

For instance, incremental cost on cement bags was 90 crore, Daga said. Mint earlier reported that the West Asia war, which began on 28 February, affected the availability of polypropylene, a key raw material used to manufacture cement packaging bags, commonly referred to as bori.

According to Daga, the cement maker is taking several measures to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflictincluding diversifying sources of procurement, identifying newer opportunities, and inking long-term contracts for fuel.

Also Read | UltraTech Q2 profit misses analyst estimate on lower volume, higher costs

In packaging as well, we work with nearly 150 suppliers across the country and, naturally, suppliers tend to prioritize customers who offer higher volumes, Daga said.

The company reported strong earnings on the back of strict cost discipline and high volumes, said Manish Valecha, co-head of research and lead cement analyst at Anand Rathi Securities, adding that there may be price hikes in May.

Amid rising cost environmenthigher bag prices and petcoke pricesUltratech, through its efficient cost management (long term tie-ups, different sources, etc) along with price hikes, would be able to mitigate the same, he said.

Demand intact Despite the conflict-related headwinds in Q4, the companys consolidated sales volumes stood at 42.41 million tonnes in the quarter, up 9.3% y-o-y.

Capacity utilisation surged to 89%, driven by robust demand across housing, infrastructure, and commercial construction segments, the company said in a statement.

Daga sees the demand momentum continuing. Government capex is flowing. Infrastructure execution continues. Housing demand is robust, he said.

The cement maker expects double-digit growth in volumes in the current fiscal and will invest 10,000 crore in capital expenditure every year for the next 4-5 years.

We will also see higher contributions from India Cements and Kesoram Cement in FY27, which will also help them fund capex through internal accruals apart from their own cashflows, Valecha said.

Expansion spree Even as near-term costs remain volatile, UltraTech is continuing with its aggressive expansion plans.

The company enters FY27 with 200 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) installed capacity mark in India, chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla announced on 17 April at an event in Mumbai. Its capacity in the previous fiscal year was 183.4 mtpa.

As per its investor presentation, UltraTech plans to add 7.2 million tonnes capacity this fiscal, and 29.8 million tonnes in FY28. UltraTech is now the worlds largest cement producer outside China.
Jas Bardia Jas Bardia is a Bengaluru-based business journalist covering Indias information technology (IT) services sector and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Known for his investigative depth and attention to detail, Jas has a knack for breaking stories on leadership shifts, high-stakes deals, and evolving industry trends long before they hit the mainstream. If the news is anything IT-related, chances are this author has broken it. Before joining Mint in November 2023, Jas honed his financial reporting skills at Bloomberg News in Mumbai, where he covered bonds and currencies following his graduation from the Asian College of Journalism. When he isnt chasing his next exclusive, Jas is likely scouting the citys newest culinary spots, cool events, or is immersed in the electric atmosphere of a Bengaluru FC match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Jas has an eye for detail, an ear for history, and a weakness for a great cologne, and values a good conversation as much as a good lead. If you want to talk about your favourite war movie, funny drunk stories, or a supposed scam/wrongdoing in a company, get in touch with him at jas.bardia@livemint.com.

Ayaan Kartik Ayaan Kartik is a Delhi-based journalist tracking the ever-growing world of automobiles and their components. With an experience of five years ranging from short-form news at Inshorts to longform journalism at Outlook Business magazine, he has dabbled into different storytelling formats. At Mint, he tries to regularly mix story styles, from longforms to crisp news stories. He has completed his graduation from Delhi University where he developed a liking for reading and writing about the world we live in today. Apart from automobiles, Ayaan likes to read up on geopolitics which has increasingly affected various sectors of the economy. Of all the promises journalism holds, he likes the fact that it allows a person to simply explain to readers about what is happening in the world. And what better sector than automobiles, which everyone since growing up has seen and felt connected to. Whether it is China's increasing grip on automobiles to growing affection for EVs in the country, Ayaan likes to connect his love for geopolitics and data to his stories as readers become more demanding on the types of stories they want.
The high-profile trial between Elon Musk and the company he helped co-found, OpenAI, is all set to get underway inside a courtroom soon. Jury selection in the case is set to begin today in the federal courthouse in Oakland, California, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers overseeing the proceedings.

Also Read | Elon Musk is an underdog in his $180 billion fight against OpenAI

The high-stakes battle between the two sides was labelled by the judge as Billionaires versus billionaires in a hearing last year. Since the original lawsuit was filed by Musk in 2024, there have been a lot of twists and turns in the case before it reached the courtroom. Here's everything you need to know about the Elon Musk vs OpenAI lawsuit.

Why is Elon Musk suing OpenAI? Musk is suing OpenAI for betraying its founding mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity and instead shifting towards a profit-driven model via its partnership with Microsoft. While the lawsuit was originally filed against OpenAI, the billionaire later added Microsoft as a party in the case.

The billionaire argues that he contributed around $38 million to OpenAI in its infancy, and the funding was provided with the understanding that the technology developed by the startup would remain open-source and be developed for the benefit of humanity.

Also Read | Altman apologizes after OpenAI failed to alert police before Tumbler Ridge killings

Elon Musks case against Sam Altman and OpenAI is a textbook tale of altruism versus greed. Altman, in concert with other defendants, intentionally courted and deceived Musk, preying on Musks humanitarian concern about the existential dangers posed by AI, the lawsuit filed by Musk reads.

The lawsuit notes that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman preyed on Musks well-known concerns about the existential harms posed by AI/AGI, and convinced him to fund and back what they falsely claimed would be a nonprofit devoted to the safe and open development of AI.

Musk is now asking the court to grant him around $134 billion as compensation, along with the removal of Sam Altman as CEO. The billionaire says he doesn't want the money for himself and has instead said that the awarded amount be given to OpenAI's non-profit arm.

How did OpenAI respond to the lawsuit? OpenAI has denied the allegations of moving away from its founding mission and says it remains dedicated to creating AGI that benefits all of humanity. The company, in its response, accuses Musk of initiating a harassment campaign against it, driven by his own ego and a desire to clear the field for his rival AI firm, xAI.

OpenAI alleges that Musk actually abandoned the company in 2018 because co-founders Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever refused to bow to his demands for absolute control.

In a blog post, OpenAI claims that Musk demanded full control of OpenAI and even wanted to merge it into Tesla (he would later merge his for-profit AI company, xAI, into SpaceX). When we wouldnt agree to his terms, he walked away and told us we had a 0% chance of success. He turned out to be wrong, though, and a resentful Elon has attacked OpenAI ever since.

Also Read | Anthropic ran a secret AI marketplace where agents negotiated for humans
Parallel projects

An official at a domestic shipbuilder said that HD Hyundais India move is a welcome development as many of these shipbuilding giants rarely look beyond their established manufacturing presence in their respective countries. Korean shipbuilders would bring necessary technology for shipbuilding in India and, hence, their participation in India is important for the development of the industry, The official said on the condition of anonymity, as the local shipbuilder is in talks with a Korean company to jointly build ships in India.
Shouvik Das

Shouvik has been tracking the rise and shifts of Indias technology ecosystem for over a decade, across print, broadcast and web-first platforms. He's been a tinkerer of machines and PCs since childhood, a habit he was thrilled to convert into his profession. This has led him to fascinating experiences of technologies around the world, which is what keeps him hooked to his job.<br><br>Shouvik likes to believe that he is one of the few technology journalists in India who can also code. He has also been writing about the rise of AI well before it became a household name, and has met some of the most fascinating people over the years through his work.<br><br>Shouvik writes about AI, Big Tech, data centres, electronics, semiconductors, cybersecurity, gaming, cryptocurrencies, and consumer technologies. He is most fond of the stories he has written during his time here at Mint, for which he also writes 'Transformer', a weekly technology newsletter, and hosts 'Techcetra', a weekly technology podcast.<br><br>Outside of work, Shouvik spends most of his time with Pixel, whom he believes is the world's best dog. He is also an avid reader, a toy collector, a gamer and a frequent traveller.
Indian drug companies are increasingly looking overseas for growth, with acquisitions picking up and set to rise further as they seek to move beyond their reliance on generics and build stronger, more diverse businesses.

This trend comes amid global challenges witnessed over the past two years, including US tariff threats, price erosion in the generics market and a major shift by pharma companies towards biologics. These factors are collectively pushing Indian firms to explore new growth opportunities.

In a major hurdle for pharma firms, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on 2 April, which imposes 100% tariffs on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the United States unless manufacturers agree to government pricing agreements or commit to producing their products domestically.

Even as deal activity rises, most Indian pharma companies are expected to focus on smaller, strategic acquisitions rather than big-ticket deals, experts told Mint earlier. Meanwhile, innovation and new technologies are the key drivers of this increase in activity.

M&A deals in pharma sector over the last few months  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries: The Mumbai-based company, one of the largest in the pharma sector, announced on Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire US-listed women's healthcare company Organon.

Sun Pharma said it will acquire 100% of Organons outstanding equity at an enterprise value of $11.75 billion, according to an exchange filing. The deal is aimed at driving long-term value creation and leveraging complementary portfolios to strengthen its position in the market.

 Zydus Lifesciences: Ahmedabad-based Zydus Lifesciences is reportedly eyeing an acquisition of a majority stake in US-based biopharmaceutical firm Ardelyx Inc., with the deal likely to be valued at $2.2-2.5 billion, Mint reported earlier, citing two people aware of the development.

The proposed transaction would be funded through a 5,000-crore equity raise via a qualified institutional placement (QIP) and internal cash accruals, the people said. If the deal goes through, it could significantly accelerate Zydus' presence in the global innovative medicine space, a segment attracting growing interest from Indian drugmakers.

 Intas Pharmaceuticals: In August last year, Intas completed the purchase of the Udenyca franchise from Coherus BioSciences in a deal valued at $558.4 million, according to a company release.

Intas acquired the biosimilar drug from California-based Coherus Life Sciences in December 2024. Udenyca is a biosimilar to Neulasta or Pegfilgrastim, which is used to treat side effects of radiation therapy in cancer patients, such as recurrent infections.

Also Read | Infosys spends most in a year with $560 mn bet on twin US buyouts

 Natco Pharma: The Hyderabad-based pharma company announced the acquisition of a 35.75% stake in South Africas Adcock Ingram Holdings in July 2025. The deal was valued at about $226 million.

The deal aimed to enable the Indian generic drug maker to expand its strategic footprint in South Africa, which the company viewed as an entry to the broader African continent, according to Moneycontrol.

 Lupin: The Mumbai-based company announced in September that it has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of VISUfarma B.V. in the Netherlands from GHO Capital Partners for 190 million.

The acquisition was finally completed three weeks back, representing a significant milestone in Lupin's strategy to expand its speciality care portfolio and strengthen its presence in Europe.

 Aurobindo Pharma: The Hyderabad-based firm was in the running to acquire Prague-based generic drugmaker Zentiva from Advent International for $5-5.5 billion, before the company was eventually sold to private equity firm GTCR.
Agnidev is a business journalist with over two years of reporting experience tracking the intersection of capital, policy, and corporate strategy in India.<br><br>He joined Mint in December 2025, after a stint at NDTV Profit (erstwhile BQ Prime). At Mint, Agnidev focuses on the high-stakes world of the Indian capital market, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, burgeoning IPOs, and the investment banking industry.<br><br>Backed by a rigorous, data-driven approach, Agnidev frequently breaks news on the valuation cycles, deal pipelines and listing strategies of Indias most prominent companies. His reportage offers deep dives into the operational health of market leaders across the corporate landscape, providing readers with a clear-eyed view of institutional growth.<br><br>He has reported on major issues like India's derivatives frenzy, IPO froth, the competitive quick commerce industry, the real-money gaming ban, and has broken investigative stories related to scandals such as IndusInd Bank's accounting manipulation and the Gensol-BluSmart fiasco.<br><br>As a reporter, he brings stories that ultimately affect your stock market investments, and tries to bring clarity and brevity in a field that is often filled with jargon and noise.

Priyamvada C

Priyamvada is a Mumbai-based business journalist at Mint. She writes about the public and private markets with a key focus on venture capital, private equity, M&As and private credit. Her coverage also spans startups and emerging businesses.<br><br>Over the last two years, she has uncovered some of the largest deals and interviewed important decision-makers from Indias investment ecosystem. She likes to dabble across different formats like long forms and explainers. Her work has been consistently displayed on the publication's deals page, and she has also written multiple front-page stories.<br><br>Prior to joining Mint in 2024, she worked out of Reuters Bengaluru bureau where she extensively covered the travel, transportation, and logistics industries. Across both her stints, Priyamvada has displayed rigour for breaking news and analyzing interesting data-driven trends. She holds a postgraduate diploma from the Asian College of Journalism's Bloomberg programme. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and trying out different cuisines. She is keen to delve deeper into the various sectors she covers and is always up for a chat. You can reach out to her at priyamvada.c@livemint.com.
Manas Pimpalkhare

Manas is a New Delhi-based journalist with Mint, where he covers the intersection of economic policy, industry, and emerging sectors shaping Indias growth. He writes on government regulation, manufacturing, and the clean energy transition, with particular depth in areas such as electric mobility, battery ecosystems, and rare-earth supply chains. He has written on Indias efforts to build domestic capacity in electric vehicles and energy storage, as well as the broader push to reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chain resilience. His reports are not limited to capturing the headline; they also aim to explain complex policy simply.<br><br>Manas has studied law in Pune, the city where he grew up, followed by a business journalism diploma from the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. In his almost two years of being a correspondent for Mint, Manas has reported as major wars unfolded, a general election brought surprises for both the ruling party and the Opposition, and three Union Budget announcements where India has charted its economic course for the days to come.<br><br>On vacation, Manas plays bass guitar with his friends in Space & Co, their jam-rock band. He also likes cats, and occasions of late-night snacking.
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said the India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) carries a $20 billion investment commitment from Wellington, signalling confidence in Indias growth story. The pactwhich provides duty-free access for Indian exportswill boost micro, small and medium enterprises, foster innovation and support women-led enterprises in global markets, he said.

Goyal and New Zealand's minister for trade and investment Todd McClay signed the agreement in New Delhi on Monday. This marks a defining milestone in Indias engagement with the developed world, Goyal said. It reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of global economic partnerships for our farmers, women, youth, artisans and entrepreneurs.

Describing the pact as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, McClay said it marks a significant chapter in bilateral ties, deepening engagement and a commitment to mutually beneficial growth. He said the FTA will create new avenues for exporters, generate employment and unlock economic potential.

In a statement, New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon, said the historic agreement will expand market access, support export growth and enable collaboration in areas such as agriculture and reinforce a shared commitment to stable, rules-based trade and deeper people-to-people ties.

Also Read | India, New Zealand hold industry outreach on FTA signing eve

Describing India as one of the worlds most dynamic markets he said the deal "will help diversify New Zealands export markets, support the goal of doubling the value of our exports over 10 years, and put New Zealand exporters on a more level playing field with competitors already enjoying preferential access in India.

For India, this deal means growth, innovation and new opportunities. It gives Indian exporters tariff-free access to the New Zealand market from day-one, and it gives Indian consumers improved access to our high-quality exports," Luxon said. "It creates new ways for India to partner with New Zealand on agricultural productivity and benefit from New Zealands world-leading agri-tech and food-production expertise.

The agreement comes at a time of evolving global and regional dynamics, with New Zealand viewing India as a key partner in promoting regional stability, economic resilience and shared prosperity.

What it entails The FTA will give duty-free access for 100% of Indias exports to New Zealand, covering all tariff lines, and is expected to significantly boost MSMEs and employment by enhancing competitiveness in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and processed foods. Earlier, New Zealand maintained peak tariffs of up to 10% on key Indian exports, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles and auto components.

Under the FTA, India has offered tariff liberalization on nearly 70% tariff lines covering 95% of bilateral trade value, while excluding the rest to protect sensitive sectors. These exclusions include dairy products, animal products (other than sheep meat), agricultural products such as onions, chana, peas, corn and almonds, as well as sugar, artificial honey, edible oils, rubber and certain industrial goods. Market access for products such as apples, kiwifruit, Manuka honey and albumins will be managed through tariff rate quotas with minimum import price safeguards to protect domestic farmers.

On services, New Zealand has provided market access commitment in about 118 service sectors, including computer-related services, professional services, audio-visual services, telecommunication, construction, distribution, education, environmental, financial and tourism-related services, along with most-favoured nation (MFN) commitments in about 139 sub-sectors.

For Indian professionals, the FTA has established a new temporary employment entry (TEE) visa pathway for skilled roles, with a quota of 5,000 visas at any given time and a stay of up to three years. It also creates mobility pathways for students by removing numerical caps, allowing a minimum of 20 hours of work per week during study, and offering extended post-study work opportunities of up to three years for STEM students and up to four years for doctorate holders.

The agreement also provides for multiple-entry working holiday visas for 1,000 young Indians annually, valid for 12 months.

For India's pharmaceuticals and medical devices sectors, the agreement has enabled acceptance of inspection reports from top comparable regulators to cut costs and time for compliance.

On intellectual property, New Zealand has committed to amend its Geographical Indications law within 18 months of the agreements entry into force to allow registration of Indias wines, spirits and other goods, a treatment similar to that accorded to the European Union.

The agreement also incorporates provisions on trade facilitation, including cargo clearance timelines of 48 hours for standard shipments and 24 hours for express and perishable goods, along with paperless and single-window systems.

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and New Zealand was at about $1.3 billion in FY25.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the agreement will open new avenues for growth and deepen synergy across sectors. The investment commitment of $20 billion by New Zealand will further strengthen our cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology, paving the way for a more prosperous and dynamic future for both countries, he said on X.

Also Read | The Kiwi barrier is broken: Why Indian grapes are crossing the ocean

Industry view Experts see the FTA driving India's export growth. New Zealands offer to eliminate duties on 100% of its tariff lines on entry into force of the agreement, covering all 8,284 lines, means Indian goods in textiles, apparel, leather, pharmaceuticals, machinery and auto components enter New Zealand duty-free, erasing an average applied tariff of 2.2%," said Agneshwar Sen, trade policy leader at EY India, adding that "the average includes a 10% tariff on some of our labour intensive exports like clothing and leather products, which also now get the tariff-free treatment.

Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry said that by eliminating tariffs for key sectors, the FTA unlocks new avenues for scale, market diversification, and sustained export growth. He said the pact will enhance productivity, reduce trade costs, and provide strong support to MSMEs.
Bhabanipur, Kolkata: On 27 April, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stepped out of her convoy and walked up to the vegetable vendors in her home constituency of Bhabanipur in South Kolkata on her way back from a political rally.

Mamata Banerjee's stop at a vegetable vendor's stall was reminiscent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking a 'jhalmuri' break during his campaign trail last week in poll-bound West Bengal.

Bhabanipur votes, along with 151 other seats, in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly election, on 29 April. The first phase of voting in West Bengal was held on 23 April. The results will be declared on 4 May.

Bhabanipur is not just an ordinary contest in West Bengal, where elections are largely seen as a bipolar contest between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP. The seat is Mamata Banerjee's home turf, and that is precisely why the BJP chose it as a strategic seat, fielding its heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari from here.

View full Image View full Image A five-minute walk from the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) camp office in Bhabanipur brings you to Netaji Bhawana heritage building preserved as a memorial and research centre dedicated to the life of anti-colonial nationalist Subhas Chandra Bose. ( Gulam Jeelani )

Adhikari is also contesting from Nandigram, where he defeated Mamata Banerjee in 2021. Nandigram voted in the first phase.

By fielding him from Bhabanipur this time, the BJP has turned the contest into mother of all battles, according to Kolkata-based senior journalist Suvojit Bagchi.

"Mamata Banerjee is a three-term chief minister. And Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition and a BJP heavyweight, is contesting against her. It has certainly become the mother of all battles in the West Bengal polls. Adhikari is, after all, the de facto face of BJP in West Bengal, Bagchi told this reporter in Kolkata.

Mini India Bhabanipur is Nandigram 2.0, and how In a way, Bhabanipur is a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where Adhikari defeated Banerjee, his once political mentor, in 2021. Adhikari had quit the TMC and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party a year before.

The contest in Bhabanipur is a critical fight for both the TMC and the BJP. For the TMC, the contest is a prestige battle for the chief minister and party supremo's authority in her stronghold. For the BJP, Adhikari in particular, defeating Mamata in her own backyard would send out a strong message, for it is virtually a Mamata vs TMC fight.

Bhabanipur is often called mini India. It is an urban constituency where Bengalis coexist with Gujarati traders, Punjabi and Sikh households, Marwari and Jain families, alongside a sizeable Muslim electorate. One can see Migrants from Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand driving taxis here. While there is a Punjabi dhaba, there are also shops selling Banarasi cuisine.

Campaigning for Mamata Banerjee this week, TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh described Bhabanipur as a mini India. The former actor was seen invoking verses from Hindu, Islamic and Sikh religions in a now-viral video clip.

Around 42% of voters in Bhabanipur are Bengali Hindus, 34% are non-Bengali Hindus, and nearly 24% are Muslims.

If you ask people in the Khidirpur area, the voters will swear by Mamata Banerjee. But then there are non-Bengali Hindus too, who would support the BJP. The Bhabanipur seat has a socially diverse population. That is precisely why BJP fielded Adhikari against Banerjee here, Dr Mohammad Reyaz, assistant professor at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Aliah University, told LiveMint in Kolkata.

Once a Congress citadel represented by heavyweights like Siddhartha Shankar Ray, Bhabanipur disappeared after delimitation in 1972 and was revived only in 2011, the year Banerjee ended the Left Front's 34-year rule.

Bhabanipur has been a TMC stronghold since 2011. Mamata Banerjee's close aide Subrata Bakshi first won the seat, vacated it, and Banerjee entered the assembly through the bypoll that effectively became her coronation as an MLA after being sworn in as chief minister. She retained the seat in 2016.

In 2021, she shifted to Nandigram but, after losing to Suvendu Adhikari by 1,956 votes, returned to the assembly through the Bhabanipur bypoll, defeating BJP's Priyanka Tibrewal by more than 58,000 votes.

That history explains why, within the TMC, Bhabanipur is viewed not merely as a safe seat but as Banerjee's political insurance. Her Kalighat residence lies within the constituency, and long before it became her assembly fortress, its lanes and community clubs were central to her rise from Kolkata South MP to Bengal's most dominant politician.

"This is not just another seat. People here have repeatedly stood by Mamata Banerjee's politics of development and inclusiveness," Kolkata Mayor and senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim told news agency PTI.

The TMC has also revived the emotional pitch of "ghorer meye"  the daughter of the house. The campaign is designed less around aggression and more around familiarity - Banerjee not as the chief minister, but as the neighbourhood's own Didi. Welfare schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Kanyashree and social security for women remain central to that appeal.

The BJP, however, believes the ground has shifted. A BJP worker tells me at the party's camp office here that people in the seat have made up their mind. The TMC is frustrated. They have been damaging our hoardings and posters. They can see a defeat coming their way in this seat and across West Bengal, the worker says.

BJP depends on booth-level caste arithmetic The BJP's strategy rests on booth-level caste arithmetic, consolidation of Hindu votes across Bengali and non-Bengali communities, and turning Bhabanipur into a psychological contest through Adhikari's candidature.

The battle here cannot be fought with one slogan. It has to be fought booth by booth, community by community. The state now wants Ram Rajya. People are tired of appeasement politics, BJP leader Debjit Sarkar told the news agency.

View full Image View full Image Bhabanipur is often called 'mini India.' It is an urban constituency where Bengalis coexist with Gujarati traders, Punjabi and Sikh households, Marwari and Jain families, alongside a sizeable Muslim electorate. One can see Migrants from Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand driving taxis here. While there is a Punjabi dhaba, there are shops seelling Banarasi cuisines too. ( Gulam Jeelani )

The BJP also draws confidence from electoral trends. It had shown signs of growth in Bhabanipur as early as the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and even won Banerjee's own Kolkata Municipal Corporation Ward 73 in 2014.

The trend sharpened in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when the TMC's lead in the Bhabanipur assembly segment fell sharply to just 8,297 votes, compared to Banerjee's 58,832-vote margin in the 2021 bypoll. Significantly, the BJP finished ahead in five of the constituency's eight wards, while the TMC led in only three.

The SIR of electoral rolls has added another strategic layer as its electorate shrank sharply to 1,55,291, with over 51,000 names deleted. Of these deletions, 23.3% are Muslims and 76.7% non-Muslims, TMC leaders maintained.

Manohar Mondal, now in his late 60s, has been looking after Bhabanipurs Netaji Bhawana heritage building preserved as a memorial and research centre dedicated to the life of anti-colonial nationalist Subhas Chandra Bosefor nearly three decades.

In the beginning, Mondal says the Trinamool Congress candidateand West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeeis likely to retain the high-profile Bhabanipur seat in south Kolkata.

This is not just another seat. People here have repeatedly stood by Mamata Banerjee's politics of development and inclusiveness.

But as Mondal warms to the conversation, he invokes a word that has been echoing across Bengal ahead of the polls: People want poribortana change this time, he says in Bengali.

Will there be poribortan in Bengal, or not? Results on 4 May will reveal.
Kolkata, Bangaon: Dinesh Kumar Singh has been driving a taxi for decades in south Kolkata. Engrossed in conversation with fellow drivers at a taxi stand, Singh says he expects a change of guard in West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections.

This time TMC will lose, Singh told this reporter in Kolkata indicating his prediction that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might win West Bengal Election 2026 ending Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress's three-term rule.

Singh, originally from Bihar, says he is wary of post-poll violencean issue the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) frequently attributes to the ruling Trinamool Congress. Kamake khane wale ko kya darr says Singh, in his late fifties. Singh's remarks translate to: "Why should someone who earns an honest living be afraid?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started contesting assembly elections in West Bengal way back in 1882. But the saffron party has never been in power in Bengal, where the political landscape, until very recently, has been dominated by the Left, the Congress, and the TMC.

In the last ten years, however, the BJP has experienced significant growth in West Bengal and emerged as the primary opposition to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) by increasing its vote share and winning substantial seats in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The saffron party won 77 seats in 2021 assembly elections adn became the state's principal opposition party.

The rise of saffron party The saffron party's rise, experts say, is driven by issues like illegal immigration, the Hindutva agenda, and the promise of development, with projected competitive performance in 2026 assembly polls, the last and final phase of which is scheduled on 29 April.

View full Image View full Image In the last ten years, however, the BJP has experienced significant growth in West Bengal and emerged as the primary opposition to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) by increasing its vote share and winning substantial seats in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The saffron party won 77 seats in 2021 assembly elections adn became the state's principal opposition party. ( Gulam Jeelani )

In Mission Bengal: A Saffron Experiment, Kolkata-based journalist, Snigdhendu Bhattacharya explains how from being a fringe political party in 2013 to sweeping nearly half of the state's forty-two Lok Sabha seats in 2019, the BJP gained ground in West Bengal, aided partly by its ideological fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs (RSS) exponential growth during Mamata Banerjee's chief ministerial tenure 2011 onwards.

Performance of the BJP in West Bengal Assembly Elections since 1982 Year Seats Contested Seats Won Vote Percentage 1982 52 0 0.58 1987 57 0 0.51 1991 291 0 11.34 1996 292 0 6.45 2001 266 0 5.19 2006 29 0 1.93 2011 289 0 4.06 2016 294 3 10.16 2021 294 77 38.14 Source: Election Commission of India

The Left lost its ground 2011 onwards and thus created a vacuum. The BJP carried on its consistent and concerted criticism of the TMC and managed to create a strong wave of anti-incumbency aided by its Hindu polarisation, Bhattacharya told LiveMint in Kolkata.

At the BJP office in Bhabanipur, party workers are confident that the people of the high profile seat and beyond have made up their mind. People are fed up with TMC's goondagardi, corruption, syndicate. Not just in Bhabanipur, BJP will win across Bengal, a worker, who did not want to be named, told this reporter.

Elections in Bhabanipur are scheduled for 29 April. Mamata Banerjee, the sitting MLA is up against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari from here.

The 2019 Milestone

The BJP has not won assembly elections in West Bengal so far. Yet, it achieved a remarkable milestone in 2019 Lok Sabha elections by winning 18 of the 42 parliamentary seats of Bengal, a sharp increase from 2 seats it had won in 2014.

View full Image View full Image The BJP has not won assembly elections in West Bengal so far. Yet, it achieved a remarkable milestone in 2019 Lok Sabha elections by winning 18 of the 42 parliamentary seats of Bengal, a sharp increase from 2 seats it had won in 2014. (Outside BJP office in Bhabanipur) ( Gulam Jeelani )

Also Read | 5 reasons why Mamata Banerjee remains Bengals biggest political brand

The saffron partys vote share surged from 17 per cent in 2014 to 40 per cent in 2019. The gap between the BJP and the TMC vote share was just 3 per cent, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party polling 43 per cent vote share, winning 22 seats, 12 fewer than it won during the peak Modi wave in 2014.

Performance of the BJP in Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal since 1984 Year Seats Contested Seats Won Percentage of votes polled 1984 9 0 0.40 1989 19 0 1.67 1991 42 0 11.66 1996 42 0 6.8 1998 14 1 10.2 1999 13 2 11.13 2004 12 0 8.06 2009 42 1 6.14 2014 42 2 17.02 2019 42 18 40.22 2024 42 12 39.08 Source: Election Commission of India

The Congress and the Left, once dominant forces, were relegated to near irrelevance, with the TMC and the BJP together commanding an overwhelming 83 per cent of the vote share, says Sayantan Ghosh, author of Battleground Bengal.

This polarisation of the electorate, where two parties dominated the vote, underscored a significant realignment of political loyalties in Bengal, says Ghosh.

From Left to Right About 40 per cent of the voters who had previously supported the Left shifted their allegiance to the BJP, while about 33 per cent moved to the TMC in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, as per a CSDS-Lokniti post-poll survey of 2019 general elections.

A substantial portion of the traditional voter base of the Left Front and the Congress gravitated towards the BJP in 2019. That the BJP  a party rooted in majoritarian nationalism and right-wing economic ideas  could attract such a significant segment of the Lefts secular, socialist-leaning electorate is emblematic of a deeper political polarisation at play, writes Ghosh.

The BJPs rise has driven by a relentless, high-voltage campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJPs Hindutva narrative consolidated a large chunk of the Hindu vote, resulting in a thirty-six percent in the support for the BJP among Hindu voters from 2014 to 2019.

On 25 April, in one of his many rallies, PM Modi said the high voter turnout reflected public support for the BJPs call for change and a rejection of what he termed the TMCs dictatorship.

The TMC's arrogance was shattered in the first round, and the second phase will cement BJP's victory in the state, Modi said speaking at Matua community citadel of Thakurnagar at Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district of Bengal.

The BJP, however, couldn't sustain its momentum in the 2021 assembly elections. Mamata Banerjees TMC won a landslide, defying exit poll predictions, winning 215 seats with 48 per cent vote share. The BJP won 77 seats, three more than it won in the 2016 polls and polled 38 per cent of the votes. The vote share gap between the TMC and the BJP was 10 per cent compared to 3 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

From a fringe to TMCs formidable challenger In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 29 seats, seven more than it won in 2019. The BJP won 12, six fewer than in 2019. The vote share difference between the TMC and the BJP was about seven per cent with Mamata Banerjee led party bagging 46.16 per cent votes and the saffron party polling 39.08 per cent in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Once a stronghold of revolutionary red, Bengal now pulses with saffron, as voters, abandoned by the Left turn to the BJP not for ideology but for survival and hope. This shift, rooted in the quest for power and protection, positions the BJP as a formidable challenger to the TMC's dominance, heralding a new era in the states political saga where saffron plags increasingly rival the green and white of the ruling partys citadel, Ghosh writes.

Tracing BJP's growth in Bengal Historically, the party's roots in the state trace back to Syama Prasad Mookerjee , a Bengali who founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (the BJP's predecessor) in 1951.

-The Jana Sangh had initial success, winning 9 assembly seats in 1952, but its influence waned after Mookerjee's death.

-The BJP contested 52 seats in 1982 assembly polls in Bengal but won none with less than 1 per cent vote share. T

-By 1991, the BJP saw its first modern surge, securing 11.66% of the vote share by campaigning against immigration. Yet no seats won in assembly.

-The saffron party won first seats (3) in 2016 assembly polls when it contested 294 seats. In 2021, the BJP jumped to 77 assembly seats.

-The most significant shift occurred during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP won 18 out of 42 seats with a vote share of 40.25%. This marked the first time the party posed a direct, large-scale challenge to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

-The BJP became the official opposition for the first time, increasing its seat count from just 3 in 2016 to 77 seats in state assembly.

-The party's momentum slowed slightly, winning 12 seats with a 38.73% vote share in 2024 general elections, as the TMC reclaimed some lost ground.

Why Bengal Matters for the BJP? West Bengal has historically leaned toward Left and regional politics. For the BJP, growing here signals that its brand of politics can expand beyond its traditional Hindi heartland base. In order to remain the dominant national party, the BJP needs to keep expanding into new regions, ahead of 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

View full Image View full Image The most significant shift occurred during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP won 18 out of 42 seats with a vote share of 40.25%. This marked the first time the party posed a direct, large-scale challenge to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). ( Gulam Jeelani )

Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister and BJP MP from Bangaon Lok Sabha says people of West Bengal have realised that the Mamata Banerjee government has been a corrupt regime. People are fed up with the current dispensation and do not want to see corruption again. That is why people will vote and elect a BJP government in West Bengal this time, Thakur told this reporter at his ancestral home in Thakurganj in Bangaon

Once a stronghold of revolutionary red, Bengal now pulses with saffron, as voters, abandoned by the Left turn to the BJP not for ideology but for survival and hope.

Success in West Bengal assmbly elections would show it can win in culturally and politically distinct states, not just its core bases. Issues like citizenship, migration, and religious identity have given the BJP an entry point to mobilise votersmaking Bengal a testing ground for strategies it uses elsewhere, experts said.

Millions of voters, including Dinesh Kumar Singh, will vote in the second and final phase of West Bengal on 29 April. With the West Bengal Assembly election nearing its end, all eyes are on the outcome to be declared on 4 May. Will the BJP finally come to power in Bengal and bring Mamata Banerjees rule to an end?
Bongaon, North 24 Parganas: On 26 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Matua Thakur Temple in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal to offer prayers to Matua community founders Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur.

The visit came during campaigning for the West Bengal assembly elections and was aimed at reaching out the Matua community, which has an influence in at least 30-35 seats in the upcoming second and final phase of West Bengal elections.

As the headquarters of the Matua Mahasangha, Matua Thakur Temple, in Thakur Nagar of Bongaon area in North 24 Parganas is a key spiritual and political center for the Namasudra community. The Matua Mahasangha is a 19th-century movement focused on social reform and education for the Namasudra community. This reporter visited Matua Mahasangha, Matua Thakur Temple, in Thakur Nagar last week.

View full Image View full Image Union Minister Shantanu Thakur and his elder brother Subrata Thakur, the BJP MLA and candidate from Gaigatha seat live in two palatial houses standing next to each other in the neibourhood known as Thakurbari. ( Gulam Jeelani )

The Thakur family of Thakurnagar is often referred to as the Matuas' "first family" as it traces its lineage to the sect's founder Harichand Thakur, and has shaped the community's religious leadership and political direction.

Union Minister Shantanu Thakur and his elder brother Subrata Thakur, the BJP MLA and candidate from Gaigatha seat live in two palatial houses standing next to each other in the neibourhood known as Thakurbari. Their aunt Mamata Bala Thakur, is a TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP. Her daughter, Madhuparna Thakur is a sitting TMC MLA and candidate from Bagda seat in the 29 April second phase of West Bengal elections. The mother-daughter duo own the old version of the ancestral houses, not very far from Shantanu and Subrata's palatial mansions.

While the family is united by community, brothers, wives and cousins are contesting elections from rival camps  the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress.

The electoral battle runs through the divided Matua first family in community stronghold assembly seats of Bagda and Gaighata in North 24 Parganas district bordering Bangladesh,

Sisters-in-law fight it out in Bagda In Bagda, the TMC has fielded sitting MLA Madhuparna Thakur. She is daughter of TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mamatabala Thakur. The BJP has fielded Soma Thakur, wife of Union minister Shantanu Thakur. The result is a rare political duel between two sisters-in-law, with both claiming to represent the Matua legacy.

Bagda, where Scheduled Castes account for more than 53 per cent of the electorate and Matuas make up over 40 per cent of voters, has long been seen as a political weather vane in the refugee belt.

BJP's Biswajit Das won the seat in 2021 with nearly 49 per cent of the votes. But Das later crossed over to the TMC. In the 2024 bypoll, the TMC brought in Madhuparna Thakur, one of the youngest members of the Thakur family, and she won with more than 55 per cent of the votes.

Yet the BJP's decision to field Soma Thakur has not gone down well with many local workers. They wanted a local face and rallied behind former BJP MLA Dulal Bar, now contesting as an Independent.

The resentment is similar in neighboring Gaighata, where BJP MLA Subrata Thakur, elder brother of Shantanu Thakur and chairman of the All India Matua Mahasangh, is seeking re-election.

Gaighata contest Gaighata was one of the BJP's showcase victories in 2021. Thakurbari, where the Thakur family houses are situated, and the temple, fall under this assembly seat. Subrata Thakur won the seat with around 47 per cent of the votes in 2021 assembly polls, consolidating the Matua support that had shifted towards the saffron camp after the citizenship promise.

View full Image View full Image As the headquarters of the Matua Mahasangha, Matua Thakur Temple, in Thakur Nagar of Bongaon in North 24 Parganas is a key spiritual and political center for the Namasudra community. The Matua Mahasangha is a 19th-century movement focused on social reform and education for the Namasudra community. ( Gulam Jeelani )

This time, he is facing not only TMC candidate Narottam Biswas, but also discontent in his own party. Tanima Sen, a BJP mandal president, filed nomination as an Independent in protest against Subrata's candidature, accusing the party of imposing a "family candidate" and ignoring grassroots opinion.

Though she later withdrew after a truce with the BJP leadership, the episode exposed simmering anger against what several local workers describe as the growing dominance of the Thakurbari in party affairs.

The tension has made Bagda and Gaighata in the Bongaon subdivision among the most closely watched constituencies in the second phase of the polls on April 29.

Who are Matuas? Matuas, originally from East Pakistan, are Hindus who migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh. The Matua community is a prominent Bengali Hindu Scheduled Caste group (primarily Namasudras) with significant religious and political influence in West Bengal.

Matuas are similar to Hindu Dalit communities but, unlike them, are considered a separate religious sect. Centred in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts, the Matuas constitute a crucial voting bloc (approx. 3.8 per cent of the state population) and are influential in 30-35 assembly seats.

The family fued Union Minister Shantanu Thakur is the grandson of Matua matriarch Binapani Devi, while Mamata Bala Thakur is her daughter-in-law.

Thakur, local BJP MP and Matua community leader, has been engaged in an intense political and family feud with his aunt, Mamata Bala Thakur, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP. They are rivals for control over the Matua Mahasangha and the late matriarch Binapani Devi's house in Thakurnagar, West Bengal.

Shantanu Thakur (BJP) defeated Mamata Bala Thakur (TMC) to win the Bangaon Lok Sabha seat in 2019.

In April 2024, Mamata Bala Thakur filed a complaint alleging Shantanu forcibly tried to enter and break the locks on their family home, leading to a police FIR against him.

Both factions claim leadership of the Matua community, with clashes arising over control of the Thakurnagar headquarters.

SIR Impact The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has stirred fresh anxieties among Hindu refugees from Matua community who once voted together. Around 55,000 names were deleted from electoral rolls in Bagda and nearly 39,000 in Gaighata, according to a PTI report. North 24-Parganas, the district with the largest concentration of Matua refugees, lost more than 12.3 lakh names after the revision.

For the BJP, the deletions have struck at the core of its political message. Since 2019, the party had built its rise in the Matua belt around a simple proposition -- support the BJP, and the uncertainty over citizenship would end through the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). But many of those who applied for citizenship certificates now claim their names have vanished from the voter list.

"We were promised citizenship. Now we are being told we may not even vote," said Sukhomoy Haldar, a resident of Gaighata told news agency PTI.

The unease has produced political consequences. In Gaighata, 61 BJP workers joined the TMC after the publication of the final rolls. In Bagda, nearly 50 Matua families switched sides.

Shantanu Thakur, in an interview with LiveMint at his house in Thakur Nagar, said the community would definitely vote for the BJP.

"The community's main demand was CAA. And our government at the centre have done it. People know that they will get citizenship as promised and nobody will be pushed to Bangladesh," Thakur told LiveMint on 16 April.

Deletions signs of a shift in the refugee belt The TMC sees the deletions as the first signs of a shift in the refugee belt. "People who were promised citizenship are now standing in queues to prove they are voters. The Matua community feels betrayed, and that anger is visible in Bagda and Gaighata," Madhuparna Thakur told news agency PTI.

Her mother Mamata Bala Thakur said Matuas voted for the BJP, believing it would give them citizenship. "Now, even their voting rights are being snatched away. People are terrified that after their names vanish from the rolls, tomorrow they may be branded foreigners, she told news agency PTI.

Since a large number of refugees from Bangladesh do not have official documents from that country, the Mahasangha proposed in March 2024 that the Centre should add new clauses to the CAA rules. That has not happened yet, though.

Who will Matuas support? For years, the BJP told Bengal's refugee Hindus that citizenship was only a vote away. After the final SIR rolls, many in the Matua heartland are asking if their names on the voter list are no longer secure. As poll day nears, the question thus remains: Who will Matuas support this time?

It will be difficult to ascertain who Matuas will support in this election. I think the BJP will be able to convince the community that the voter deletion issue will be resolved and citizenship will be granted," Snigdhendu Bhattacharya, a senior journalist and author of Mission Bengal: A Saffron Experiment told LiveMint.

For decades, the Matuas voted under the shadow of Binapani Devi, the community matriarch whose word often decided political allegiance. Today, that certainty has vanished. The same Thakur family now stands divided between the BJP and the TMC, with brothers, wives and cousins fighting from opposite camps.

The BJP had once turned the Matua belt into the backbone of its Bengal rise by promising citizenship and certainty. Today, in Bagda and Gaighata, that promise is colliding with missing names, rebel candidates and a divided Thakurbari.

View full Image View full Image The Matua Mahasangha is a 19th-century movement focused on social reform and education for the Namasudra community. This reporter visited Matua Mahasangha, Matua Thakur Temple, in Thakur Nagar last week.

The community's main demand was CAA. And our government at the centre have done it. People know that they will get citizenship as promised and nobody will be pushed to Bangladesh.

The TMC, led by Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee, has sought to turn that anger into a political counterattack, arguing that even Hindu refugees who voted for the BJP are no longer safe from name deletion.Abhishek Banerjee, Mamata's nephew and senior TMC leader, even said at a press conference that 63 per cent of names deleted in SIR were Hindus.

The second phase of asssembly polls on 29 April is crucial for TMC as much as it is for the BJP. In 2021, the ruling TMC won 120 of the 142 assembly seats voting in second phase on Wednesday. And seats with considerable Matua population will be watched closely, at least until the results are out on 4 May.
As Elon Musks trial against OpenAI begins this week, legal experts and prediction markets agree that he will enter the Oakland federal courthouse as an underdog.

Since March, Kalshi has put his chances of victory at about 40% on average, down significantly from the 57% Musk touted in January when he posted on X, Cant wait to start the trial.

Plausible win, but not where the smart money sits, Jeff Ward, a clinical professor of law at Duke University and the director of the Duke Center on Law and Technology, said of Musks chances of victory.

The remedies Musk is asking for include damages that could exceed $180 billion to be paid from OpenAIs for-profit arm to its nonprofit parent, the removal of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman from their leadership roles, and the unwinding of OpenAIs recent conversion to a more traditional governance structure. Even one of those proposed changes would significantly complicate OpenAIs path to a public listing, which could come by the end of this year.

Musk is alleging that Altman tricked him into bankrolling OpenAI when it was an idealistic nonprofit set up to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, only to then turn it into a de facto for-profit company that took investment from Microsoft.

OpenAI argues that Musk knew about and supported the plan to create a for-profit structure, left after he wasnt granted control, and is only suing now, having started his own AI company, to throw sand in the gears of a competitor.

In the months leading up to the trial, Musks initial 26 claims were whittled down to four: breach of charitable trust, promissory fraud, constructive fraud and unjust enrichment. In recent days, Musk told the court he was willing to drop the two fraud claims in the interest of streamlining the trial, so long as it didnt undermine the other claims, and the judge agreed.

That leaves the case likely turning around the key issue of breach of charitable trust: the argument that he donated assets that were intended for an open-source nonprofit, which were then taken and used for a closed-sourced for-profit. (OpenAIs current for-profit company, recently restructured as a public-benefit corporation, is controlled by its nonprofit parent.)

Dukes Ward believes that the breach of charitable trust claim is compelling legally and rhetorically. But, he also believes the theory is being stretched thin here, given that Musk donated the funds indirectly and two states attorneys general have signed off on the restructuring he is challenging. Musk donated to OpenAI indirectly through the Musk Foundation, his private charitable foundation, first to a nonprofit arm of startup accelerator Y Combinator and then through a donor-advised fund.

Experts in nonprofit law question the judges decision to allow Musk to bring the breach of charitable trust claim, given that he is not on the board of the nonprofit or company. Although an early board member, Musk is suing in his capacity as a donor.

I am surprised that he has been granted standing, said Ellen Aprill, a senior scholar at UCLAs law school who specializes in nonprofit law. Its pretty unusual in California for donors to have standing at all.

In general, only the attorney general of California has the authority to police whether nonprofit donations were used appropriately, she said.

However, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers allowed the case to proceed to trial in part by relying on a notable precedent that allowed an exception to this rule: a landmark 1964 California Supreme Court Case called Holt v. College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, which found that if the attorney general was too busy to step in when donations were misused, people with a special interestlike a trusteecould sue to make sure the donation was used for its initial purpose.

Aprill believes that this precedent is still a stretch in Musks case because OpenAI could argue that the attorney general of California was clearly not too busy to attend to this matter. He spent months negotiating with OpenAI and signing a memorandum of understanding signing off on its new structure of a nonprofit controlling a public-benefit corporation.

The judge is reading the precedents she cites quite broadly, Aprill said.

Rose Chan Loui, a law professor at UCLA and the founding executive director for the Lowell Milken Center on Philanthropy and Nonprofits, appreciates that Musk is holding OpenAIs feet to the fire but also has concerns about whether he should have been granted standing to bring the breach of charitable trust claim.

In her view, his strongest legal path forward was likely the fraud claims. In her decision to allow the case to move to trial, the judge highlighted excerpts from OpenAI co-founder Brockmans diary, in which he had written, This is the only chance we have to get out from Elon..to convert to a b-corp without him, referring to a type of for-profit company.

However, Chan Loui believes the remedies for fraud would have fallen far short of what Musk really wants. It is possible that he would just walk away with the roughly $40 million he originally invested plus interest.

In dangling an offer to drop the fraud claims, Elon Musk is taking an all-or-nothing approach, acknowledging that those claims alleging direct harm probably wont get him the equitable relief he wants, which is to reverse all the transactions that OpenAI has entered into that dont comply with its charitable purpose to ensure that AI is developed safely and for the benefit of all humanity, Chan Loui said.

The judge has decided that the jury wont have the final say on remedies, even if it does find OpenAI guilty. She has ruled that the trial will be split, with an initial phase looking only at liability, and a subsequent phase looking at remedies, during which the jurys decision on the size of any potential disgorgement will be advisory.

She had earlier voiced skepticism about Musks experts estimate that OpenAI ought to disgorge as much as $134 billionas Musk requested in January, when OpenAIs valuation was lowersaying he was pulling these numbers out of the air.

Dukes Ward believes the most likely outcome, even if Musk does win, would pair a money award well below the headline figure with targeted governance fixes and guardrails such as independent board seats, mission-protective covenants and constraints on licensing intellectual property.
Much is at stake. The Special Relationship between the U.S. and its mother country is at a generational low, thanks to growing frictions over everything from trade to the war in Ukraine to Trumps threats to seize Greenland. The U.S. attack on Iran has also caused energy prices to jump, damaging the British economy and exasperating the British government, which thinks the war is illegal and unwise. Trump meanwhile regularly harangues British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on social media for not supporting his military endeavors in the Middle East and for the U.K. governments penchant for wind-powered energy, which he hates.
When China cut off exports of heavy rare-earth elements during trade tensions last year, automobile factories in the U.S. and Europe were forced to stop production. Now, Lynas is at the vanguard of an effort by the U.S. and allies to prevent Beijing from using its monopoly power to squeeze the rest of the world.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks to report all overseas foreign exchange derivatives transactions involving the Indian rupee undertaken by their related entities, as it aims to improve price discovery, enhance transparency, and curb speculative activity.

In its final guidelines on reporting of offshore rupee derivatives trades, the RBI said that all authorized dealer category-I banks must report such transactions to the Clearing Corp. of India Ltd (CCIL). The directions build on the central banks broader push to improve transparency in over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets. Authorized dealer category-I banks are commercial banks licensed by the RBI to carry out a comprehensive range of foreign exchange transactions. Essentially, they are market makers.

The move addresses a long-standing blind spot in Indias derivatives market. While onshore OTC trades are already reported to CCIL, a significant portion of rupee-linked derivative activity takes place offshore and remains outside the reporting system.

According to the RBI, this lack of visibility can affect pricing and risk assessment. By bringing offshore trades into the reporting net, the central bank aims to improve market transparency, better price discovery and strengthen risk monitoring.

Under the new framework, banks must report all OTC foreign exchange derivative contracts involving the Indian rupee executed globally by their related parties, including offshore entities. This covers both deliverable and non-deliverable contracts.

Also Read | Hot money or cold: Why India needs its controls on capital flows

The RBI has laid out a phased implementation. From 1 July 2027, banks must report all such contracts undertaken by their parent entities. They must also ensure that at least 70% of the notional value of trades by other related entities is reported and this rises to 80% from 1 January 2028. Finally, full reporting of 100% is mandated from 1 July 2028.

On Monday, the Indian rupee closed at 94.19 per US dollar against 94.24 in the previous session.

Transactions should ideally be reported on the same day, and no later than two working days after execution.

To ease operational burden, the RBI has allowed some flexibility. Banks can skip reporting back-to-back trades already captured under existing rules, as well as trades with other banks in India. They are also allowed to skip small transactions with notional value up to $1 million.

The central bank has also asked banks to report granular details such as counterparty name, notional value, maturity, currency and contract specifications.

In comparison to the draft guidelines issued in February, the final framework is more calibrated and slightly less stringent in the initial phase, while still achieving full transparency over time.

In the draft circular, banks were required to reach 90% reporting coverage within 24 months and without explicitly separating parent and other related entities.

These measures come as the central bank has been taking steps in the currency market to curtail speculative activity. On 20 April, the RBI eased parts of its forex rules for banks, allowing certain related-party hedging transactions to continue and clarifying that they will not be treated as speculative trades.

Banks can continue undertaking back-to-back hedging transactions, including across overseas branches, as long as they are genuine risk-offsetting trades. The overall $100 million net open position (NOP) limit remains unchanged, and the revised rules take effect immediately, RBI had said in a circular.

The central bank has also allowed banks to retain existing positions within the $100 million cap until maturity, or modify them if required, removing the need for premature unwinding.

The net open position limit defines the maximum unhedged foreign exchange exposure a bank can carry and is used by the RBI to curb excessive currency speculation and maintain market stability.

The move follows a series of tightening measures over the past month. On 27 March, the RBI capped banks net open positions in the domestic market at $100 million at the end of each business day. On 1 April, the central bank further tightened rules by restricting related-party transactions, including offsetting trades between domestic and overseas branches.

Those steps sought to curb one-sided positioning in the rupee and tighten control over speculative flows in the foreign exchange market.
MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday issued final rules on banks credit risk framework, tightening capital treatment for credit card borrowers while easing requirements for exposure to unrated companies and smaller businesses, as part of a broader overhaul aligned with Basel framework. The framework will take effect from 1 April 2027.

The final rules follow stakeholder feedback on a draft issued on 7 October 2025. They are based on the Basel framework, which allows banks to compute credit risk capital using either the Standardized Approach (SA) or Internal Ratings Based (IRB) approach. RBI has decided to proceed with the Standardized Approach for banks under its jurisdiction.

The Reserve Bank of India has decided to implement the Standardized Approach (SA) for credit risk for banks under its jurisdiction, as prescribed in these Directions, it said on Monday, adding that the objective is to ensure prudent and credible calculation of risk-weighted assets for arriving at capital ratios for banks in a comparable and risk-sensitive manner.

While the new Basel-III rules will release capital, banks in India are currently sitting on excess capital, with CET1 around 14.7%well above regulatory requirements of 8-9%. Hence, any impact near term will be limited from a growth standpoint unless demand picks up, Macquarie Research said in a note following the release of the circular.

The note highlighted rules such as removal of risk weights based on the ticket size of mortgage exposures, general reduction in risk-weights across loan categories including to corporations and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and lowering of risk weights for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) exposures to 75-85% from 100% which is expected to help credit flow from banks. The rules are also seen positive for project finance exposures and credit card portfolios, it said.

Credit card rules The central bank rejected banks demand to allow classification of an existing credit card holder with a clean 12-month repayment record at one bank as a transactor immediately upon onboarding with another bank. 'Transactors are borrowers who repay their credit card balances in full at each scheduled repayment date for the previous 12 months, and attract lower risk weights than regular credit card borrowers.

"The bank shall consider a credit card account as transactor only after a demonstration of full 12 months performance with itself," the regulator said. It removed overdraft facilities from the scope of this classification but allowed a three-day grace period in credit reporting to be included in the repayment period used for classification.

Capital treatment RBI has raised the threshold for unrated large exposures attracting a 150% risk weight from 200 crore to 500 crore, stating this would ensure higher risk weights apply only to relatively larger borrowers. It also withdrew the prudential treatment for accounts that were previously rated but have since become unrated.

For unrated foreign bank branches in India, the regulator allowed parent bank ratings to be used as a proxy, provided they are issued by international agencies such as S&P, Fitch, or Moodys.

RBI also eased due diligence requirements. Banks will continue to follow internal policies, but the earlier requirement to increase risk weight by one notch if internal due diligence indicated higher risk than external ratings has been removed.

Specialized lending exposures, i.e., project finance and object finance, shall be risk weighted as per their prescribed risk weights, irrespective of the size of the exposure, RBI said on Monday, adding that conditions for classifying project finance exposures as high-quality projects have been rationalized to reduce subjectivity and avoid exclusion of infrastructure projects where income flows from users rather than a single counterparty.

Small businesses The central bank expanded the definition of eligible MSME-related exposure by modifying the 500 crore threshold to include all small businesses with turnover up to 500 crore, on a standalone or group-wide basis. It also raised the threshold for classification as regulatory retail exposure to 10 crore from 7.5 crore.

It eased its proposal to cap consolidated exposure to corporate groups, including MSMEs within the group, at 500 crore, broadening the eligibility to ensure benefits of lower risk weights extend to small businesses not formally registered as MSMEs.

Real estate rules RBI rejected proposals to relax risk weights for residential and commercial real estate exposures tied to economic activity or underlying property cash flows. It maintained that risk weights will continue to be driven primarily by the quality of security and repayment structure, stating that source of repayment is one of the critical criteria introduced under Basel III framework.
Mansi Verma

Mansi Verma is a senior correspondent covering private capital in India for Mint. Think of strategy shifts, private equity and venture capital deals, the companies trying to go public, and occasionally, the ones falling apart.<br><br>She moved into this beat in 2022, and has been following it closely since. Prior to Mint, Mansi worked at Moneycontrol, where she covered jobs and edtech, reporting extensively on the 20222024 startup and IT layoffs cycle. Her work during this period focused on what happens to fast-growing companies when capital dries up, combining financial reporting with human-interest stories.<br><br>Mansi reported closely on Byjus during a critical phase in its unravelling, and has since built a strong understanding of edtech businesses, particularly unicorns, and the deeper structural challenges in education that many of them have struggled to solve. At Mint, she follows the flow of capital across VC and PE deals, exits and IPO pipelines, while also tracking large investment firms, and the financial services sector.<br><br>Outside of the newsroom, Mansi spends time exploring how technology is changing the way people think and work, while actively attempting to build a critical thinking human brain in the age of short-form everything.<br><br>She holds a Masters degree in journalism and has moderated industry discussions on financial services and investments.
Penny stock Gujarat Cotex share price soars over 100% in the last 1 month after the company announced plans to raise 42.73 crore through a rights issue to support its expansion across hospitality, real estate, and core business segments.

The issue, which opened on April 10, will close on May 8, 2026, offering shares at 5 apiecea steep discount to the market price of 11.2 as of April 24. The offer is structured in a 6:1 entitlement ratio, meaning shareholders can subscribe to six rights shares for every one share held. In total, the company plans to issue over 8.54 crore equity shares to raise the targeted amount.

Gujarat Cortex stock has also been gaining in recent times, advancing 35% in the past 3 months and 42% in the last 6 months. However, in the past 1 year, the scrip has lost 6%.

The penny stock, with a market capitalisation of 112 crore, has hit its 52-week high of 11.60 on 20 April 2026 and its 52-week low of 4.26 in October 2025.

Just today, the multibagger stock rose 1% to its day's high of 11.29 per share on BSE.

Rights Issue details The proceeds from the rights issue are earmarked for multiple growth initiatives. Gujarat Cotex plans to allocate 9.60 crore toward completing its upcoming premium hotel project near Sarangpur Hanuman Mandir, which will feature 55 rooms and 10 dormitories. Another 19.30 crore will be used to meet working capital requirements across its diversified operations, while 2.13 crore is set aside for acquiring a new registered office. The remaining 10.68 crore will be deployed for general corporate purposes.

The proceeds from the rights issue will be strategically deployed to accelerate our expansion plans, strengthen our financial position, and support long-term growth across our diversified business segments, the company said.

Financial performance has remained strong, with the company reporting revenue of 29.86 crore for the nine months ended FY26, marking a 54.7% year-on-year growth. Net profit rose 79.7% YoY to 82.6 lakh during the same period, indicating improving operational momentum.

Today, the company has grown to a diversified enterprise operating across textiles, real estate, hospitality, and agro-commodity trading, driven by a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. The company has a mission is to deliver high-quality products and services that meet evolving customer needs, contribute to community development, and uphold our core values of sustainability and innovation, it said in a press release.

Founded as a textile manufacturing company, Gujarat Cotex has steadily diversified its business over the years. It transitioned into fabric trading, expanded into real estate, and is now entering the hospitality segment, alongside a recent foray into agro-commodity trading. The companys multi-segment strategy reflects its focus on scaling operations and tapping new growth opportunities across sectors.
Shares of One97 Communications, parent of fintech Paytm, tumbled as much as 8% in early trade on Monday, 27 April, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the license of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL), more than two years after restricting its core business activities.

Paytm share price hit the day's low of 1055.25 on the BSE, erasing nearly 6,000 crore from investor wealth as its market capitalisation tumbled close to 67,500 crore, as against Friday's close of 73,427 crore.

Why did RBI cancel Paytm Payments Bank's licence? RBI announced the cancellation of PPBL's licence, effective from the close of business hours on Friday, citing violations of rules. The central bank added that Paytm Payments Bank has enough liquidity to repay its entire deposit liability upon winding up.

The RBI said 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.

In March, 2022, the RBI had asked the bank to stop adding new customers. Two years later, the banking regulator imposed additional restrictions on the bank which disallowed any further deposits, credits or top-ups in existing customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, etc.

How did Paytm respond to the RBI action? In response to the RBI's action, Paytm assured its shareholders and investors that the winding up of PPBL will not materially impact its business or financial condition. The company also approved the winding-up of PPBL over the weekend.

"The Company wishes to assure its shareholders and investors that the winding-up of PPBL and the consequential cessation of the associate relationship are not expected to have any material impact on the business, operations, or financial condition of the Company. The Company continues to operate its businesses independently and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," it said in an exchange filing.

Upon the winding-up order becoming effective, PPBL shall cease to be an associate company of the company.

Paytm share: Should you buy, sell or hold? Despite the RBI's action, Bernstein has reaffirmed its confidence in Paytm, stating the recent development around Paytm Payments Bank Limited will have no impact on Paytm's business. The firm has maintained an Outperform rating with a price target of 1,500, according to a PTI report.

In its latest note, Bernstein said the regulator's decision to cancel the payments bank license is an incremental development, stating that Paytm had already created a clear separation between the payments bank and the parent company, especially after the regulatory action in early 2024.

There is unlikely to be any impact on the company's (Paytm's) numbers as the operations of PPBL have been suspended for more than a year, PTI report quoted Bernstein as saying.

Harshal Dasani, Business Head at INVasset PMS, said that the Paytm stock price crash reflects the markets tendency to price in regulatory uncertainty much faster than management reassurance.

Therefore, in the near term, the pressure on Paytm stock is more sentiment-led than earnings-led, he added.

"Paytms core payments, merchant acquisition and distribution businesses remain the key variables to watch, and the market will want proof that customer activity and merchant traction stay unaffected. Until that confidence rebuilds, the stock could remain volatile. The sharp reaction is therefore less about immediate operational disruption and more about a higher risk premium being assigned to the business after a fresh regulatory setback," Dasani opined.

Abhinav Tiwari, Research Analyst at Bonanza, said this event largely formalises the closure of a non-core, non-contributing entity rather than introducing a fresh financial shock.

"Operationally, the core business remains resilient, with payments GMV and merchant base showing healthy traction, alongside strong growth in financial services distribution. The company has delivered a visible turnaround with positive PAT and improving EBITDA margins, supported by a strong cash buffer. However, the investment case still relies on sustainability. Margins remain thin, the ROE trajectory is yet to normalise, and past regulatory lapses continue to weigh on institutional confidence. Overall, while the regulatory overhang reduces, execution consistency over the next few quarters will be critical to justify re-rating," he noted.

(With inputs from agencies)
Q4 results 2026: As the earnings season has entered into the third week, around 47 companies are scheduled to release their financial results for the quarter ending on March 31, 2026 on Monday, 27 April.

Coal India, UltraTech Cement, Varun Beverages, AU Small Finance Bank, Bajaj Housing Finance, Adani Total Gas, SBI Cards and Payments are among the marquee companies to declare their Q4 results 2026 today.

According to Ponmudi R, CEO, Enrich Money, the ongoing Q4 earnings season is likely to serve as a major trigger for stock-specific movements, as investors closely monitor financial results, management guidance, and sector outlooks to reassess earnings visibility and valuation comfort across segments. The performance of heavyweight stocks and key sectors will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the broader market trend.

Overall, while positive developments could support a recovery, the durability of any upward momentum will hinge on easing geopolitical tensions, softer crude oil prices, and consistent buying interest. In the absence of clear directional signals, markets are expected to remain range-bound with a cautious undertone, highlighting the need for a disciplined and risk-aware investment approach, Ponmudi said.

On Friday, the Indian stock market closed significantly lower, with the benchmark Nifty 50 slipping below the 23,900 mark. The Sensex tumbled 999.79 points, or 1.29%, to finish at 76,664.21, while the Nifty 50 declined 275.10 points, or 1.14%, to settle at 23,897.95.

Coal India Q4 results preview Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal expects Coal India's EBITDA to improve QoQ over better operating leverage. Coal production/offtake improved QoQ in 4Q. E-auction premium to improve on account of import disruptions, the firm said.

Meanwhile, Kotak Institutional Equities believes that weak dispatches of 198 mn tons (-2% yoy) in 4QFY26 will affect earnings during the quarter. Blended realizations of Rs1,707/ton (+1% yoy) in 4QFY26 and e-auction realizations of Rs2,573/ton (- 2% yoy, but higher qoq), it said.

UltraTech Cement Q4 results preview Motilal Oswal anticipates UltraTech Cement's sales volume to increase by 11% year-on-year (YoY) and EBITDA to reach Rs1,148 in the March quarter.

Blended realization is estimated to increase 2% YoY. RMC revenue may grow 10% YoY, whereas white cement revenue is expected to decline 9% YoY. Variable cost/t is expected to increase ~3% YoY and opex/t is expected to increase 2% YoY, the firm said.

Here's a list of companies to declare their Q4 results 2026 on Monday, 27 April -

S.no. Company Name 1 UltraTech Cement 2 Coal India 3 Varun Beverages 4 AU Small Finance Bank 5 Bajaj Housing Finance 6 Adani Total Gas 7 SBI Cards & Payment Services 8 Phoenix Mills 9 Nippon Life India Asset Management 10 Supreme Industries 11 Piramal Finance 12 City Union Bank 13 Punjab and Sind Bank 14 Jindal Saw 15 Tamilnad Mercantile Bank 16 Kirloskar Pneumatic Company 17 Canara Robeco Asset Management Company 18 Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India 19 Rallis India 20 Websol Energy System 21 Bondada Engineering 22 AGI Greenpac 23 Aye Finance 24 Rossari Biotech 25 Prataap Snacks 26 Astec Lifesciences 27 Huhtamaki India 28 Jagsonpal Pharmaceuticals 29 Kalind 30 Unicommerce Esolutions 31 Eco Recycling 32 Fabtech Technologies 33 Sunlite Recycling Industries 34 Kotyark Industries 35 Plastiblends India 36 Trishakti Industries 37 International Travel House 38 Fidel Softech 39 Umiya Buildcon 40 AVI Polymers 41 LKP Securities 42 Lykis 43 Piccadilly Sugar and Allied Industries 44 Shekhawati Industries 45 Mahip Industries 46 Pace E Commerce Ventures 47 Family Care Hospitals
Shares of Reliance Industries (RIL) dropped more than 1% on Monday, 27 April, after the company announced a 12.6% year-on-year (YoY) decline in its consolidated net profit to 16,971 crore for the January-March quarter of the fiscal year 2025-2026 (Q4FY26). In the same quarter of the prior financial year (Q4FY25), the company's profit stood at 19,407 crore.

The oil-to-telecom-to-retail empire led by Mukesh Ambani reported a 12.9% YoY increase in consolidated revenue from operations, amounting to 2,98,621 crore for the March quarter. During this period in FY25, RIL's revenue was 2,64,573 crore.

RIL's gross revenue experienced a 13% YoY rise to 3,25,290 crore, whereas profit after tax (PAT) fell by 8.1% YoY, reaching 20,616 crore.

Reliance Industries reported a marginal decline in consolidated EBITDA for the quarter, down 0.3% YoY to 48,588 crore, with margins contracting by 200 basis points to 14.9%.

The company said strong momentum in its oil-to-chemicals (O2C), digital services, and retail segments drove double-digit revenue growth, while the oil and gas business saw a decline due to lower KG-D6 production.

For FY26, net profit rose 16% to 80,775 crore, while revenue from operations increased 9.75% to 10.75 lakh crore. Chairman Ambani said the company remained resilient despite geopolitical disruptions, volatile energy prices, and shifting global trade patterns, supported by its diversified portfolio and domestic focus.

Reliance also announced a dividend of 6 per share for FY26. Ambani added that progress towards the listing of Jio Platforms is on track, marking a key milestone ahead.

Should you buy, sell or hold RIL stock? According to Nuvama Institutional Equities, Reliance Industries reported a weaker-than-expected Q4FY26 performance, with EBITDA at 44,100 crore, up 1% YoY but down 4% sequentially, and about 6% below estimates. Growth was led by the digital business, which rose 16% YoY, while the O2C segment declined 4% and retail grew a modest 3%.

The brokerage flagged near-term headwinds in Q1FY27 due to softer O2C margins and muted retail traction. However, it highlighted strong long-term drivers, including rapid scaling of the new energy business, with module and cell capacity expected to reach 10GW, potentially adding around 6% to PAT. The company is also progressing on renewable energy and green hydrogen plans, which could lower power costs and boost profitability over time.

Nuvama maintained a Buy rating with a target price of 1,765, valuing the stock at 20x FY28E EPS.

Motilal Oswal Financial Services, meanwhile, trimmed estimates for Reliance Industries, with FY27E EBITDA and PAT cut by 34% due to ongoing challenges in the energy business and delays in tariff hikes for Reliance Jio.

The brokerage expects RIL to deliver a CAGR of 10% in consolidated EBITDA and 8% in adjusted PAT over FY2628E. Despite the near-term headwinds, it has reiterated a Buy rating on the stock, with a revised target price of 1,655, down from 1,715 earlier.

Reliance Industries share price today Reliance Industries share price today opened at 1,326.80 apiece on the BSE; the stock touched an intraday high of 1,330.95 apiece and an intraday low of 1,312 per share.

Ruchit Jain, Head - Equity Technical Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said that the stock is in a consolidation phase as the prices have recently traded in a narrow range.

The weekly 200 EMA at 1,283 is the immediate support for the stock while resistance is seen around 1,380. A breakout beyond this is required for a directional move in the stock, said Jain.
The sentiment toward domestic equities turned favourable in Mondays session, 27 April, with the benchmark indices ending nearly 1% higher and snapping their three-day losing streak. The rally was largely driven by a recovery in technology stocks, while solid gains in pharma and consumer goods counters further supported the up move.

The Nifty 50 and the Sensex each advanced 0.80%. The broader market mirrored the positive trend, with both the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 indices climbing over 1.5%.

All sectoral indices ended in the green, with Nifty Pharma emerging as the top gainer with a rise of 2.62%, while Nifty Consumer Durables also posted a strong gain of 2.53%. Other indices, including Nifty Realty, Nifty Media, Nifty IT, and Nifty Metal, closed with gains of more than 1.8%.

In the commodity market, benchmark Brent crude futures rose around 2% to touch a three-week high of $107.97 a barrel as stalled US-Iran peace talks prolonged the disruption in Middle East energy exports.

While a ceasefire has largely halted active fighting in the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran two months ago, markets remain focused on the still-shuttered Strait of Hormuz, through which global oil and gas shipments continue to face severe restrictions.

Ajit Mishra  SVP, Research, Religare Broking, said, The up move was primarily driven by a rebound in beaten-down heavyweights across sectors, particularly Reliance, along with positive developments such as a sharp rally in pharma majors following global acquisition news. Additionally, optimism around potential progress in USIran negotiations supported global sentiment, even as crude oil prices remained elevated.

Pharma, earnings-driven stocks dominate gainers Cohance Lifesciences led the list of top gainers on Monday, with the stock locked at its 20% upper circuit at 432 apiece after the company appointed Umang Vohra as Group CEO, effective May 20. Blue Jet Healthcare shares also gained sharply by 10%, snapping a two-day losing streak.

With an 8% surge, Anant Raj too emerged as one of the top performers, while Shyam Metalics and Energy posted a similar 8% gain to end the session at 886.2 apiece. Reacting to strong March quarter earnings, Mahindra & Mahindra shares closed 7.9% higher at 3,173 apiece.

Sun Pharmaceutical climbed 7% after the drugmaker announced the acquisition of U.S.-listed Organon in a deal valued at roughly $11.8 billion. Other pharma stocks such as Gland Pharma, Biocon, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, and Wockhardt also ended with gains of over 2%.

Stronger-than-expected March quarter performance pushed IndusInd Bank 6.2% higher, while Varun Beverages settled 5.8% higher after its results. Suzlon Energy saw renewed buying, with the stock surging 5.6% to 56.9 apiece. In a similar fashion, Ather Energy zoomed 6.6% after a two-day slide.

MRPL, Supreme Petrochem, Axis Bank among key drags Despite broad-based buying across the market, a few stocks ended the session with sharp cuts, led by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, which dropped 7.7% to 172 apiece, while Supreme Petrochem declined 4.9% to close at 772.5 apiece. Other laggards, such as Chennai Petroleum Corporation and Shriram Finance, each ended with losses of 3.6%.

Axis Bank shares reacted negatively to the March quarter numbers, sinking 3.1% to 974 apiece. Elecon Engineering, Data Patterns (India), RBL Bank, Bharti Hexacom, AU Small Finance Bank, Bharat Electronics and PB Fintech were among the other stocks that closed with losses of over 2%.
Vedanta Demerger: Anil Agarwal-led metals and mining major Vedanta is set to undergo a significant demerger this week. The company will be demerged into five separate publicly listed companies - Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil & Gas, Vedanta Power, Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials, and Vedanta Limited.

Vedanta demerger was announced in September 2023 for structural simplification and unlocking value. The demerger follows over 15 years of evolution across metals, mining, and energy transition.

Here are the ex-date, eligibility, and other key details about Vedanta demerger.

Vedanta Demerger Details According to the Vedanta demerger scheme, the existing company will continue to remain listed as Vedanta Ltd, while four business verticals are proposed to be spun off into separate listed entities, namely: Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Power, Vedanta Oil & Gas, and Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials.

Vedanta Aluminium: Vedanta Aluminium is positioned as one of the worlds lowest-cost large-scale producers, with capacity nearing 3 MTPA.

Vedanta Oil & Gas: Vedantas oil & gas business stands apart as Indias only significant private upstream producer, with access to high-quality sweet crude and one of the countrys most attractive acreage portfolios. Previously valued at ~$14.5 billion within the group, the business now has a clear pathway for independent valuation as it scales toward 300,000 barrels per day over time.

Vedanta Power: Vedanta Power is among the top private power platforms with 34 GW of existing capacity and a 13 GW brownfield expansion pipeline.

Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials: Vedantas steel and ferrous business combines ESL Steel and Sesa into a fully integrated platform. It has 4 MTPA of steel capacity and iron ore production targeted at 1516 MTPA.

Base Metals and Residual Vedanta: The residual Vedanta entity is anchored by Hindustan Zinc, effectively making it a proxy to one of the worlds most efficient zinc producers, with the potential to scale toward 3 MTPA.

Vedanta Demerger Ratio Vedanta shareholders will receive equity shares in the four demerged businesses in a 1:1 ratio. This implies that shareholders holding Vedanta shares as on the record date will be allotted one equity share of each demerged entity for every share held in Vedanta Ltd.

Vedanta Demerger Record Date Vedanta demerger record date is May 1, 2026, for determining the shareholders eligible to receive shares in the newly carved-out businesses. The companys board of directors have fixed May 1 as both - the demerger effective date and the demerger record date.

Also Read | Vedanta Demerger: What could be listing timeline for Vedanta demerged entities

However, May 1 is a stock market holiday on account of Maharashtra Day, and the trading on BSE and NSE will remain shut. Hence, the ex-date for Vedanta demerger would be April 30. This indicate that Vedanta shares will start trading without demerged entities from April 30 onwards.

Eligible Shareholders As India follows T+1 settlement cycle, only those investors who buy Vedanta shares at least one trading day before the ex-date, will be eligible for demerger benefits. Thus, the last day to buy Vedanta shares for demerger benefits will be April 29.

Investors buying Vedanta stock on or after the ex-date (April 30), will not be eligible for Vedanta demerger benefits.

Vedanta Share Price Discovery Vedanta Ltd will conduct a special pre-open session (SPOS) on April 30, 2026, for price discovery. This is because there is a stock market holiday on May 1, the record date.

The special session will be held on April 30 from 9:15 to 9:45 AM, and normal trading will start from 10:00 AM, reflecting ex-demerger pricing.

The price of all four demerged entities will be calculated based on the difference between the closing prices of Vedanta Ltd on April 29 and opening price of Vedanta Ltd discovered during the special pre-open session on April 30.

Also Read | Vedanta demerger record date falls on a market holiday  Check last date to buy

Impact on market indices? Vedanta Ltd will remain a part of the Nifty Next 50 index. The demerged entities will be temporarily included as dummy constituents in the index, as well as in other broader indices, until their respective listings.
Ram Sahgal

Ram Sahgal is a deputy editor at Mint. He has over 20 years of experience in journalism, with previous roles at The Intelligent Investor, Bombay Times, The Economic Times, and The New Indian Express. Between his media roles, he briefly worked at a commodities exchange before returning to his true passion, business journalism. Ram graduated in liberal arts from St Xaviers College, Mumbai, where he studied films, which explains his move to Bombay Times, where he covered the film industry during the rise of Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt. He took a leap of faith to transfer to The Economic Times, and thanks to his restless mind, later moved to cover the commodities beat. Over the past three years, Ram has been tracking the stock markets at Mint. His focus areas include writing about market infrastructure institutions, brokerages, derivatives, and related regulations. His hobbies include spotting trains and understanding the locomotives that power them. In his free time, he takes his octogenarian mother out for drives and goes to the cinema with her on weekends. If he has a dream, it is to write a screenplay for a movie. For now, he enjoys viewing market data on NSE and BSE, observing the shifting mood of Mr Market, and conversing with market experts.
Early on in their new book, Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI, authors Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman, EVP of LinkedIn and Microsoft Office and chief economic opportunity officer at LinkedIn respectively, offer sage advice. In moments of existential crisis, they write, the choice isnt between success and failure; its between action and paralysis. The crisis they refer to is the adoption of AI in workplaces around the world, giving rise to fears of job loss, but unlike many big-tech leaders, Roslansky and Raman arent interested in peddling hollow assurance or acting gung-ho about the AI revolution.

As leaders of a professional networking platform with over one billion users, they approach AIs impact from a data-rich perspective, offering practical tips on keeping the fire of humanity burning, and helping imagine a future where new tech will define new categories of work rather than simply leave people unemployed. Organizations will need to fundamentally rebuild structures around AI instead of trying to tack it on to existing structures. Workers, in contrast, will have to double down on soft skillsthe authors suggest a 5C frameworkto remain relevant and irreplaceable in the age of robots.

San Francisco-based Raman spoke to Mint about the future of work and AI by email. Edited excerpts:

View full Image View full Image 'Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI': By Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman, HarperCollins, 288 pages,  799

The book advocates for a skills-first hiring approach over traditional degrees. But degrees and past brand-name employers currently serve as trust proxy for recruiters. If we strip those away, how do we prevent the process from becoming biased towards those who are simply better at gaming AI-driven skill assessments? Hiring for elite degrees and brand-name employers became shortcuts because actually understanding what someone can do takes time and processes most companies didnt have. But AI is a tool that can finally help employers do that at scale. It can analyse work samples, assess problem-solving approaches, and identify skills in ways that werent possible before. The key is that AI is only as good as how we design and oversee it. If you design a system to screen people out who dont have the pedigree, AI will help you do that efficiently. But if you design it to screen people in, based on demonstrated capability across a wide variety of backgrounds, AI can do that even better.

The other key shift accelerating skills-first hiring is that the new resume isnt where you went to school. Its your work product. At LinkedIn, we already have certain entry-level roles where we dont ask for your resume. We ask you to show us what youve built. What used to take months and real capital can now be tested over a weekend. AI has put tools in peoples hands that used to be reserved for those with resources and connections. Thats opening doors for a lot more people to go build and then get hired for what theyve built.

Also Read | How to create a personal learning road map and master new professional skills

AI is exceptionally good at the tasks traditionally assigned to junior employees. If the entry-level rung of the career ladder is automated, how do we develop the next generation of experts who historically learned by doing grunt work? Work is changing, not ending and thats as true for entry-level jobs as for any other. Entry-level jobs are core to how individuals build careers, how companies build leaders, and how societies build economic mobility. They arent going anywhere.

What is changing is the shape of the work itself. For people just entering the labour market, the grunt work getting automated presents new opportunities. It means more entry-level workers get to skip straight to the more interesting, strategic parts of work. Instead of spending two years formatting decks or pulling data, youre building things, solving problems, working alongside senior people from day one. The learning curve doesnt disappear; it just changes shape. And this generation is better positioned than any before them to navigate that. They are an AI-fluent and entrepreneurial-minded generation, and they will bring new ideas and thinking that companies need to grow. If youre a company, you want to be hiring from this group right now.

You speak about the need for constant learning. But for the average worker, constant pivoting can feel like a recipe for burnout and financial instability. At what point does the responsibility for re-skilling shift from the individual to the corporation or the state? Constant learning doesnt mean a complete overhaul of your skills overnight. The workers navigating this moment best identify their core strengths, build on them, and then stay curious enough to adapt day-by-day as their job changes and new tools emerge. Thats a different posture than reinventing yourself every six months. And its about small steps not big leaps.

The responsibility here is distributed, and each actor has a distinct job to do. The individuals job is to stay curious and keep adapting as the work changes around them. The employers job is to invest in the infrastructure that lets them do itcareer-driven learning programmes, internal mobility, exposure to new tools on the job. The encouraging signal here is that 79% of Indian companies we surveyed said they planned to maintain or increase their investment in career-driven learning in 2025. The governments job is the broader infrastructure layer: democratizing access to AI tools, supporting local-language capability, and building AI fluency into the national workforce. India is moving in the right direction on all three fronts.

Issues arise when any one of these three players puts its share of responsibility onto the others, like when companies expect workers to reskill entirely on their own time, or when governments expect companies to solve population-scale challenges alone. Getting this right is the difference between an AI era that expands opportunity for more people and one that concentrates it among fewer.

Also Read | Why 2025 was the year the idea of the office reinvented itself again

While the book offers a road map for the future, there is a growing demographic of mid-career professionals whose high-salary roles are being hollowed out by AI. Beyond just learning AI tools, what is your specific advice for the 45-year-old manager whose specialized expertise is being automated faster than they can pivot? Work is changing for everyone, and mid-career professionals are not exempt. What got you here is not going to get you to the next stage. So yes, youre going to have to reinvent yourself a bit. That can feel like an impossible task when youre 45 and youve spent two decades building expertise, but it doesnt have to be. As we write in the book, you dont need to overhaul everything overnight. But you do need to start.

Heres where Id start: forget the job title. Think about your job as a set of tasks. Last week, you probably did a dozen tasks that mattered. Start bucketing them honestly. Bucket one is what AI can already do: quick analysis, first drafts, research, routine reporting. If youre not sure what goes in that bucket, thats issue number one. You have to be using these tools, in new ways, not just one chatbot you treat like a better search engine. Bucket two is what youre doing with AI to up-level your own work and thinking. Build that bucket. Bucket three is what youre doing with other people thats genuinely new. Its a bunch of people with a bunch of AI tools doing big new things together. If youre heavy in bucket one, start looking at adjacencies. If youre in sales but youre good at the marketing side of what you do, grow into that. Dont worry about doing your bosss job. Worry about the skills you uniquely bring.

You write that the "where" of work is changing. Yet many leaders argue that remote work erodes the social capital and network that your book suggests is vital for career resilience. How do we reconcile a global, skills-based talent marketplace with a deeply human need for localized, high-trust work cultures? Different kinds of work require different environments, and there is no one org chart structure or office policy that works for every company. We saw this come to a head during the pandemic. When entire sectors moved remote overnight, productivity in many places actually went up. Meetings that couldn't possibly be emails became emails.

But here's the deeper insight from the last five years: a global, skills-based talent marketplace doesn't erode high-trust culture. It demands more of it. When your team can be anywhere, culture stops being something that happens by accident in the hallway. It becomes something you have to deliberately design. The companies that struggled with distributed work weren't the ones with globally dispersed teams. They were the ones who assumed culture would take care of itself. The companies that thrived  including a lot of Indian startups that went remote-first during the pandemic  invested deliberately in how people connect, build trust, and learn from each other across geographies.

For Indian companies especially, this is familiar territory. India has always had a distributed workforce  across states, languages, and time zones  and has always had to build trust across those differences. That's an edge in a global skills marketplace, not a burden. The important question isn't where you log on every morning. It's whether you're in a culture that's genuinely experimenting with new tools, leaning into this moment rather than waiting it out, and building the human skills that make your people resilient as work keeps changing. That's what separates the companies that stall from the ones that find a new gear.

As AI masters hard skills, you argue that behavioural skills will command a premium. Do you foresee a future when technology will become mature enough to erode the importance of these? AI can process patterns at extraordinary speed. It can simulate conversation, optimize solutions, and generate first drafts faster than any human. But there is a meaningful difference between simulating something and actually doing it. Part of the reason people are so pessimistic about AI replacing us at work is that we've never done a good job defining what makes humans unique in the first place. Ryan and I spoke to neuroscientists, behavioural psychologists, and workplace experts and landed on five capabilities we call the 5Cs: curiosity, creativity, courage, compassion, and communication.

AI can help us with these, even mimic these. But it cannot replace them. Curiosity isn't just gathering information. It's wondering why things are the way they are and what happens when you push against those assumptions. Compassion without truly caring about another human being is performance. Courage requires something real to be at stake. These capabilities are the engine of human innovation, and we spent a century undervaluing them as "soft skills" because they were hard to measure. As AI takes over more of the efficiency work, people get time back to practice and develop these capabilities. AI can do a lot. But so can humans.

In a conservative market like India, where career life cycles have tended to follow a beaten track for decades, how do you foresee the influence of AI on workplace cultures? India has always had an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit, and AI is about to underscore that. We're already seeing it in the data. Conversations on LinkedIn about entrepreneurship have been surging, and India is one of the markets leading that trend. The number of people adding "founder" to their profiles jumped 67% from 2024 to 2025 across major economies.

The old career ladder, pick a lane, stay in it, work your way up, was never really built for how Indians think about ambition and hustle. AI is actually more aligned with the builder mentality that has always existed in India. You no longer need to raise capital to think like an entrepreneur. You need curiosity, a willingness to experiment, and access to tools that can now help one person do what used to require a whole team. Small and medium businesses are the backbone of India's economy, and they stand to gain enormously from this. AI gives a local business owner insights that once required hiring a team of analysts. It helps the people you already have do more sophisticated work. The career life cycle is not narrowing in the age of AI. For people willing to think like builders, it is opening up in ways we have not seen before.

Also Read | Why are Indian workplaces and universities obsessed with clocking hours?
Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contributions form a key part of retirement savings for salaried individuals, combining employee and employer contributions each month along with annual interest. Alongside the EPF account, a portion of the employer's contribution is also directed towards the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), which is meant to provide monthly pension benefits after retirement.

Most employees contribute 12% of their basic salary plus dearness allowance (subject to a maximum of

15,000) every month towards EPF. The employer also contributes an equivalent 12%, of which 3.67% is deposited into the EPF account, while the remaining 8.33% is invested into the employee's EPS account.

While EPF balances are regularly tracked by employees, EPS records often receive less attention. These records include service history, contribution details and eligibility data, which are used to determine pension benefits. Errors or gaps in EPS records can impact the calculation or processing of retirement benefits at a later stage. Hence, it is crucial to understand how the process works and what you can do to fix issues if they arise.

Why monitoring your EPS is important? From a statutory social security perspective, EPS is a defined-benefit framework that provides a lifelong monthly pension, making it one of the few assured income streams available to private sector employees post-retirement.

The pension is calculated using a prescribed formula based on pensionable salary and years of contributory service, which means that even minor inaccuracies in service records or salary reporting can lead to a permanent and irreversible impact on pension outcomes, according to Vivek Daswaney, Partner at Economic Laws Practice.

Importantly, EPS records are entirely dependent on employer filings, with limited visibility or control at the employee level. As a result, discrepancies can go unnoticed for years and only surface at the time of retirement, when rectification becomes difficult. Hence, it is crucial for an individual to monitor their EPFO passbook regularly, which in turn helps in identifying and correcting errors early, before they adversely impact retirement income.

For instance, a minimum of 10 years of contributory service is mandatory to qualify for a monthly pension. Failing this, the member is only entitled to a withdrawal benefit and not a recurring pension. Accordingly, gaps in contributions, whether due to incorrect employer filings, missing months, or failure to transfer service across employments can result in an employee falling short of this threshold, thereby extinguishing pension eligibility entirely, he explained, adding that even where the threshold is met, the pension quantum is directly linked to the total recognised service, meaning each year of lost or unrecorded service proportionately reduces the pension.

What to do if EPS details are incorrect? Most EPS data changes from the employee's side can only be accomplished through an EPS correction request from the employer, said Siddharth Maurya, Founder & Managing Director of Vibhavangal Anukulakara Private Limited. The employee is required to provide the necessary documents to the employer, such as their KYC details, salary slips, and appointment letters.

Depending on the situation, if the EPS employer is unhelpful or even unresponsive, then the employee can take the following steps:

 Reach out to authorities: An employee may file a grievance directly with the EPFO through the EPFiGMS portal or visit the EPFO in person.

 Submit a joint declaration form: The employee can also submit a joint declaration form, in addition to providing documentation to support their claim to request this change.

 Pursue legal action: For more extensive cases, the employee can choose to escalate the situation to the EPFO commissioner or pursue legal action.

"The employee should keep a thorough record of their employment history in order to substantiate their request, Maurya said.

Frequent mistakes that employers can make An employee may come across errors in EPS details, including wage reporting. This typically occurs when EPS contribution wages are reported beyond the statutory wage ceiling of 15,000, Maurya said, adding that in some cases, the full salary is reported instead of applying the prescribed cap, or the cap is disregarded while calculating the reporting contributions.

He also noted that another common mistake is the mismatch in some of the employee's personal information, such as the name, date of birth or workforce entry, which can create quite a bit of confusion when the employee goes to claim their pension.
As parts of India grapple with intense heatwave, gig workers working across delivery (Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto, Zomato, etc.); ride-hailing (Uber, Ola, Rapido, etc); and home services segments (Urban Company, Snabbit, Pronto, etc.) have urged the Union Labour Ministry to mandate measures that protect them from the blistering heat.

In a letter, which was accessed by Mint, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT) has urged the ministry to institute binding heatwave protections for gig and platform workers based on the framework stated in the Code of Social Security, 2020.

What gig workers demand: Here is a list of measures that the union sought:

Paid cooling breaks, when the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues orange or red alerts due to intense heat

Mandatory access to drinking water, ORS solutions and cooling shelters

Heat distress emergency support systems installed in the workers side of the apps

Protection from penalties, ID blocks, or reduced incentives during heat-related pauses The letter pointed out how countries across the world  including South Korea, Singapore, France, Japan and the UAE  have already introduced enforceable protection from scorching heat.

India must act now. Heat protection is not a privilege. It is a labour right, a public health necessity and a matter of dignity of millions of workers powering the platform economy, said Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary, IFAT.

Meanwhile, the Gig and Platform Service Worker Union (GIPSWU) has urged the Delhi government to take note of the heatwave conditions in the capital city and act to safeguard lakhs of gig workers from the harsh climate.

In this regard, it proposed to pause work between noon and 3 pm, when the heat is most severe. The union also sought faster implementation of promised Budget measures, including:

Rest facilities

Access to Atal canteens

Breathable clothing and heat-safe gear.

Extra protections for women workers, including safe rest stops and access to clean toilets

Appeal: A glass of water The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) urged customers to offer a glass of water to delivery workers, who brave the direct heat for at least eight hours daily to safely deliver food or groceries.

In a post on social media platform X, the union wrote, When its 43-45 degrees Celsius outside, imagine standing in the heat all daythey dont ask for muchjust respect and sometimes a glass of water. A small gesture from you can mean everything (sic).

Even as food and grocery delivery platforms braced themselves for a surge in demand during the summer and busy IPL season, it was unusually tough to forecast their rider availability this year due to Assembly elections and the LPG crisis caused by the Iran war, The Economic Times reported.

The unions named in the story have been central in championing gig workers rights and had called for a nationwide strike demanding the removal of 10-minute deliveries on Christmas and New Year eves last year.
As many as 52 organisations will participate in the statewide hartal or strike to protest against the death of a first-year student who was allegedly harassed over caste at Kannur Dental College in Keralas Anjarakandy, Onmanorama reported. The southern state has been boiling over the death of Nithin Raj, with the Nithin Raj Action Council - formed by 52 Dalit organisations along with other like-minded groups - alleging serious lapses in the investigation.

The demonstration, led by the Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council and supported by Dalit and Adivasi organisations, is scheduled from 6 AM to 6 PM.

What are the protesters demanding? The action council has demanded a probe under High Court supervision, implementation of the Rohith Vemula Act - a proposed anti-discrimination law for educational institutions, 10 crore compensation for Nithin Rajs family, and revocation of the affiliation of Anjarakandy Dental College, local media reported.

What will remain open during the hartal? The action council has said that essential services will remain operational; however, it did not clarify what is expected to remain closed.

While essential services are expected to function normally, markets, educational institutions, transport and business activities may witness disruptions.

Speaking to Onmanorama, Rajkumar Karuvarth, Kannur district general secretary of the Bus Operators Association, said that private bus services would remain unaffected in the district. The Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi has also announced that shops would remain functional.

Also Read | Kannur BDS student death: Tharoor demands thorough criminal probe

What happened to Nithin Raj? Raj, a first-year BDS student at a private dental college in Anjarakandy in Kannur district, was found critically injured after falling from a building on 10 April and later succumbed to his injuries.

The Kannur police, who initially registered a case of unnatural death in connection with the students demise, later booked two faculty members  Dr Ram and Dr Sangeetha Nambiar  on charges of abetment of suicide and under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following allegations by the students family that he was subjected to caste- and complexion-based harassment.

An associate professor of Kannur Dental College and an accused in the case related to the death of a student allegedly harassed over caste appeared before the investigation team on Monday, police said.

Also Read | 13 killed in massive fire at fireworks unit in Kerala; PM announces ex gratia

Dr Sangeetha Nambiar (56), Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Pathology at Kannur Dental College, Anjarakkandy, and the second accused in the case appeared before the Kannur Assistant Commissioner of Police in the morning, news agency PTI reported.

On Saturday, the Kannur District and Sessions Court granted anticipatory bail to Nambiar, while denying it to the prime accused, Dr M K Ram, Head of the Department.

Police officials said Nambiar appeared before the ACP, accompanied by her lawyer.

Also Read | MBBS, BDS seats to be reserved for children of Covid warriors under central pool

After recording her statement, police formally arrested her and released her on bail as directed by the court, officials told news agency.

Police said the search for Ram is still under way.

While hearing the anticipatory bail plea, the court observed that no evidence against Nambiar had emerged during the police investigation so far.

The court ordered that she be granted bail in the event of arrest upon furnishing a bond of 50,000 along with two solvent sureties.
As several Indian states grapple with a severe heatwave, pushing temperatures beyond 44C in several regions, school timings are being revised to safeguard students, with some states also announcing early summer vacations or temporary closures.

Urgent measures are being implemented to minimise students exposure to peak daytime heat.

"Climate is creating havoc in the country. The weather has become unpredictable, changing regularly. The call of summer vacations should be taken pragmatically," Brian Seymour, Principal of GD Somani Memorial School, Mumbai, told India Today.

The assumption that extreme summer heat begins in mid-May has now changed  heatwaves are now starting as early as April.

"The weather has become unpredictable in recent times. Mumbai is witnessing severe heat in March itself, and this is not a usual phenomenon," he added.

This has pushed the authorities to change their summer vacation schedules and announce holidays earlier.

Delhi-NCR revised school timings In the Delhi- National Capital Region (NCR), some schools have shifted their working hours to escape the extreme heat, while others are prioritising in-school safety protocols.

In the Noida and Greater Noida area, the District Magistrate has issued a mandatory revision for all schools  Government, Private, CBSE, ICSE, and others.

From Monday, 27 April, Noida schools were asked to revise their timings to 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

In Delhi, a blanket statewide timing change has not yet been finalised, but Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered the immediate implementation of the Heat Wave Action Plan 2026.

The key measures of this plan include:

Water Bell system: Schools must ring a bell every 45 to 60 minutes to ensure students take mandatory hydration breaks.

Activity Restrictions: All outdoor assemblies, sports, and physical activities are strictly suspended between 11 AM and 4 PM.

Medical Support: Schools are authorised to provide ORS solutions to students before they depart for the day to prevent dehydration during commutes.

Summer Vacation: According to media reports, summer vacation in Delhi schools is expected to begin on 11 May for most government and aided schools.

Revised school timings in other states: Uttar Pradesh: 7:30 am  12:30 pm

Prayagraj (UP): 7:30 am  12:00 pm

Jharkhand: 7:00 am  11:30 am

Bihar (Patna): Till 11:30 am

Madhya Pradesh: 7:30 am  12:30 pm

Odisha: 6:30 am  10:30 am

Maharashtra: 7:00 am  11:15 am

Rajasthan: 7:30 am  12:30 pm

However, in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, teachers are still required to remain on campus until early afternoon hours.

Early summer vacation in these states: Administrations in several other states have issued emergency orders to move students out of the heat entirely:

State Status of School Closures / Vacations Chhattisgarh Summer break has been advanced, running from April 20 to June 15. West Bengal Summer vacations commenced on April 22, covering all regions except hill areas like Darjeeling. Odisha Official school holidays are scheduled to begin on April 27. Tripura Authorities have ordered a temporary closure of all schools from April 24 to May 1. Jharkhand Local authorities have been empowered to advise temporary shutdowns in districts severely affected by the heat. Uttarakhand Dehradun, Pantnagar, Mukteshwar, and New Tehri administrations have issued orders to shut all educational institutions from Classes 1 to 12

Why are these measures necessary? According to the latest IMD forecast, maximum temperatures in Delhi-NCR are expected to remain between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius for the next 48 hours.

The heat is compounded by markedly above normal departures in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh, where night temperatures are also failing to cool significantly.

The weather agency has said a slight relief is likely over the following 34 days, with temperatures expected to drop by 35C.
Delhi-NCR witnessed thunderstorms and gusty winds on Monday, bringing some relief from scorching heat. The India Meteorological Department predicted cloudy skies and light rainfall over the next two days. A yellow alert has also been issued in Delhi NCR on April 29.

The IMD alert for April 29 read, "Partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy sky. One or two spells of very light/ light rain accompanied by thunderstorm/ lightning/strong winds, reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph during the day."

Meanwhile, Skymet official Mahesh Palawat also predicted rainfall in parts of North India in the coming days.

He told PTI, "There is a cyclonic circulation over adjoining central Pakistan, northwest Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana."

"It is currently strong and moving towards north-east India. Parts of Rajasthan and Haryana may receive rainfall tonight, and the system is expected to reach Delhi on Tuesday and persist till April 30," Palawat said.

Delhi weather on April 28 As per the IMD, Delhi-NCR is likely to experience a partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy weather towards the afternoon on April 28.

"A spell of very light rain/drizzle accompanied by thunderstorm/lightning and strong surface winds speed reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 50 kmph during afternoon/evening," the IMD added.

It has been forecast that the maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be 40C to 42C and 27C to 29C, respectively. The minimum temperature is likely to be above normal (3.1C to 5.0C) at many places, and maximum temperatures will be above normal (1.6C to 3.0C) at most places over Delhi on April 28.

Cloudy skies are likely to persist till April 30. The IMD warned that thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, along with dust-raising surface winds, are likely.

However, heatwave conditions are still expected, even though temperatures are projected to remain above normal.

Thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds are likely at isolated places over Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana as well. Isolated hailstorm activity is likely over Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday and over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Wednesday.

With the upcoming change in weather, the IMD has advised people to avoid taking shelter under trees, staying clear of concrete walls, floors, water bodies, and electrical conductors. It is also recommended to unplug electronic devices and remain alert for worsening weather conditions.

Delhi sees 140% rise in fire calls in April. Here's why Fire incidents surged sharply in the national capital, with the Delhi Fire Services responding to over 3,200 calls this month until April 26, even as daily calls have risen by around 140 per cent compared to the pre-April period, PTI reported.

Before April, the department was receiving around 70 to 80 calls daily, which has now increased to nearly 190 to 200 calls per day, especially since last Monday, amid the ongoing spell of heat, an official said.

"Heat alone is not the only factor, but it is certainly a major contributing one," a DFS official told PTI, adding that as temperatures rise, the load on electrical infrastructure increases significantly.

"Air conditioners run continuously, wiring heats up, and transformers operate under stress, which raises the chances of short circuits and fire incidents," the official explained.

The official further added that the weather is also extremely dry at this time, which compounds the vulnerability, making even a small spark dangerous.
After weeks of anticipation, Indias largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd announced the acquisition of US pharmaceutical company Organon & Co. in a deal worth $11.75 billion, in the biggest buyout by an Indian company in nearly two decades.

I'm happy, excited, and also a little bit anxious, founder and executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi told reporters at a press meet after the announcement, recalling the company's last landmark acquisition of Ranbaxy Laboratories in 2014 which made it a global leader in generic drugs.

With Organon, however, Sun is not chasing sheer scale, but rather taking several steps up the ladder - to global commercialization access and a pipeline of innovative drugs and biosimilars. The deal advances Sun's push into the high-margin specialty/innovative branded market in the US, a longstanding goal of the company.

The key difference in my mind is the difference in our growth trajectory. Sun has been consistently growing and Organon has not been growing. So, we know that for us to create value, a key driver is to find a way to grow this business much better than what it has been able to do, said Shanghvi.

Also Read | Why Sun Pharmas hefty bid for Organon has divided investors

In an exchange filing early on Monday, Sun Pharma said it will acquire all outstanding shares of Organon at $14 each in an allcash transaction. The deal will be funded through cash resources of $2-2.5 billion and committed bank financing of $9.25-9.75 billion. Sun Pharma will also inherit Organons debt worth $8.6 billion.

This is the largest overseas deal by an Indian company after Tata Steels Corus acquisition for $12 billion in 2007.

With the acquisition, Sun Pharmaceuticals enters biosimilars as one of the top 10 companies in the segment. It also becomes one of top 25 global pharmaceutical companies with a combined revenue of $12.4 billion (double its $6.2 billion revenue in FY25) and increases its share of revenue from innovative medicines to 27%.

Organon was spun off from Merck in 2021, housing its womens health, legacy general medicine brands, and biosimilars businesses.

Also Read | Overseas bound: Indian drugmakers shop abroad as they move away from generics

Sun Pharmas interest in Organon was first reported in January by The Economic Times, which later reported that the drugmaker had submitted a binding offer to buy the company on 24 April. Sun Pharma reportedly beat a rival consortium of Swedish private equity EQT and German drugmaker Grunenthal for Organon.

Sun Pharma shares surged as much as 9% on Monday, before settling 6.83% higher at 1,731.00 on the NSE. The Organons stock has gained over 86% on the NYSE in the last month following reports of its acquisition, bringing its market capitalization to $2.93 billion. However, its stock is down 11.5% over the past year.

What does Sun get? While Sun Pharmas track record of extracting value from acquisitions sparks confidence among some industry watchers, Organons huge debt remains a concern.

In FY25, Organon reported a revenue of $6.2 billion, down 3% from the year before, with an adjusted Ebitda of $1.91 billion, representing a 30.7% adjusted Ebitda margin. The company expects to deliver approximately $6.2 billion of revenue and approximately $1.9 billion of adjusted Ebitda for the full year 2026, it said in its full year results report in February.

However, the deal would boost Suns US sales of both generic and specialty medicines, as well as give it a larger push in the biosimilars market. The drugmaker is the fifth largest generics player in the US. Organon reported over $1.6 billion in sales from North America in FY25 and could increase Suns US earnings to over $3 billion.

If you look at the track record of Organon also from 2021 to 2025, this business is growing at 13% CAGRbut what is more important is the future opportunities, said managing director Kirti Ganorkar, pointing to the assets global commercial presence, womens health and biosimilars pipeline.

There are $320 billion worth of biologics losing patents by 2035. If you convert this to the biosimilars market, that can be a market opportunity worth $70 billion, said Ganorkar. Organon has eight products currently and the deal gives Sun the opportunity to enlist or license more products, and make them available globally.

The acquisition also gives Sun access to several sizable markets for commercialisation. The company outlined 18 markets, including US, India, China, Canada, Brazil, and Korea, which collectively have sales of over $100 million.

Sun Pharmas specialty, or innovative drug sales in the US have already overtaken its generic sales, with top leader Shanghvi emphasising the need to move up the value chain.

Suns track record Sun Pharma has built much of its scale steadily over the last few decades through acquisitions, evolving from small domestic buyouts in the 1990s into increasingly global deals.

Its early international push began with the acquisition of Caraco Pharmaceuticals in 1997, followed by a series of smaller purchases across manufacturing and generics. The strategy shifted materially in the 2010s, starting with a controlling stake in Taro Pharmaceuticals in 2010 to effectively double its US business. The firm went on to acquire Ranbaxy Laboratories in a landmark $4 billion deal in 2014, making it the worlds fifth largest specialty generic pharmaceutical company.

Since then, Sun Pharma has focused on targeted acquisitions to deepen specialty and geographic capabilities, buying firms like Concert Pharmaceuticals and Checkpoint Therapeutics, and fully acquiring Taro in 2024, as it moved from a focus on scale to innovation.

Analysts tracking the company see the deal as largely favourable. The deal is projected to be 30-40% EPS accretive by FY28E as per our calculation, with Suns management indicating that net debt/Ebitda would remain manageable at 2.3x, Nuvama analyst Shrikant Akolkar said in a note.
King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, began a high-profile four-day state visit to the United States amid heightened security concerns and geopolitical tensions.

The visit proceeded under intense scrutiny following a shooting incident at a Washington dinner attended by US President Donald Trump days earlier. Although no injuries were reported, the incident prompted a last-minute security reassessment.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that, after review, the visit would continue as planned, with the king expressing relief that all attendees were unharmed.

US-UK diplomatic tensions The visit unfolds against a backdrop of strained relations between the UK government, led by PM Keir Starmer, and the Trump administration. Disagreements over US military action in Iran have intensified friction, with Trump publicly criticizing Starmers stance and invoking Winston Churchill to underscore his dissatisfaction.

These tensions extend to broader NATO dynamics, as Trump has criticized allied nations for their reluctance to support US policy on Iran.

Personal diplomacy Despite political friction, Trump has maintained a cordial tone toward King Charles III, describing him as a friend. The visit builds on previous ceremonial engagements, including Trumps earlier state visit hosted at Windsor Castle. The British government, through Starmer, has sought to reinforce ties by extending a formal invitation soon after Trumps return to office.

Royal family context The visit also occurs under the lingering shadow of controversy surrounding Prince Andrew and his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Advocacy groups have urged the king to meet with abuse survivors.

Visit agenda King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, is scheduled to:

-Attend a White House state dinner and private meetings with Trump

-Visit the September 11 Memorial

-Participate in a US 250th anniversary event in Virginia

-Engage with Indigenous leaders on environmental conservation

A central highlight will be the kings address to the US Congressonly the second such speech by a British monarch, following Elizabeth II in 1991.

Also Read | King Charles is on a mission to salvage UK relations with Trump
Parts of Kansas are under multiple weather alerts on Monday, April 27, 2026, as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of potential severe thunderstorms and rising water levels.

According to the NWS Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 156 remains in effect until 10:00 AM CDT for a large portion of eastern Kansas.

The watch includes counties such as Anderson, Coffey, Dickinson, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Morris, Osage, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte.

The NWS said atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms across the region. These storms could produce damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.

A watch means severe weather is possible, and residents are advised to stay alert and monitor updates as conditions can change quickly.

Flood warning for Osage County In addition to the storm threat, the NWS Topeka has issued a Flood Warning for Salt Creek near Lyndon in Osage County.

The NWS reported that at 7:17 AM CDT, the water level at Salt Creek was 6.8 feet. However, levels are expected to rise significantly and exceed the flood stage of 10.0 feet later in the morning.

Forecasts from the NWS indicate the creek will crest at around 12.3 feet in the afternoon before gradually falling below flood stage later in the day.

Expected impact According to the NWS, the flooding is expected to be minor, but it may still impact low-lying areas, especially farmland near the Highway 75 bridge. At flood stage, water typically begins to spill into nearby fields.

While major infrastructure damage is not anticipated, localised waterlogging and road hazards remain a concern.

Safety advisory The National Weather Service has urged residents to exercise caution. Motorists are strongly advised not to drive through flooded roads or around barricades, as even shallow water can pose serious risks.
A domestic violence call in a quiet West Bountiful neighborhood in Utah escalated into a major public safety incident after police uncovered a cache of aging explosives stored next to a large diesel fuel tank, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of residents.

On Saturday (April 25) officers responded to a reported domestic dispute near 1100 West and 1400 North involving an 80-year-old homeowner and his son. Upon arrival, police detained the son. During his arrest, he reportedly informed officers that his father had explosives stored somewhere on the property.

The son was subsequently booked into jail, and investigators returned to the residence to verify the claim.

Dangerous materials discovered According to authorities, the homeowner, identified as 80-year-old Dwayne Raymond Hughes, directed officers to a container holding dynamite believed to have been manufactured in the 1980s. The explosives were stored in close proximity to a 2,500-gallon diesel fuel tank.

Investigators also reported finding an empty explosives-marked box and loose fireworks scattered around the yard. Officials described the situation as highly volatile, citing the instability of decades-old dynamite combined with the presence of a large quantity of flammable fuel.

Criminal charges filed Hughes was taken into custody and booked into the Davis County Jail. He now faces multiple charges, including:

-Possession of an explosive (second-degree felony)

-Unlawful possession of fireworks (Class B misdemeanor)

-Reckless endangerment (Class A misdemeanor)

Authorities stated that the explosives may have been stored on the property for several decades without proper authorization or permits.

Evacuation order issued Due to the potential risk, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order on Monday morning (April 27), affecting all residents within a 2,000-foot radius of the property. The evacuation began at 10 a.m., with law enforcement officers going door-to-door to ensure compliance.

Community impact Residents were instructed to take essential items such as medications but were not required to remove personal belongings. A temporary shelter was established at 1930 North 600 West near the city park to accommodate those displaced.

Authorities have not reported any injuries.

Ongoing investigation The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to safely remove and dispose of the explosives. Law enforcement agencies continue to examine how the explosives were obtained and stored, as well as any potential additional risks associated with the property.

Also Read | Crew member dies in stage accident during preparations for Shakiras Rio concert
Wren Kitchens, a kitchen design and home improvement retailer, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in the United States, resulting in the immediate shutdown of all its US operations. The filing, made on April 24 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, marks a complete exit from the American market.

Following the bankruptcy filing, Wren Kitchens abruptly closed all 15 of its physical retail locations along the East Coast. In addition to its standalone stores, the company also shut down its in-store Wren Kitchen Studios located within Home Depot branches.

The closures were executed without prior notice to key partners, including Home Depot. In a public statement, Home Depot confirmed it had not been informed in advance and is currently assessing the impact on affected customers.

Financial position Court filings indicate that Wrens US entity, Wren US Holdings Inc., reported assets valued between $100 million and $500 million at the time of filing. The case has been registered under No. 26-10581 in the Delaware bankruptcy court.

Impact on employees The shutdown has significantly affected employees. Reports indicate that staff were informed of the closures during an April 23 Zoom call conducted by company management. Employees reportedly received final paychecks but were not provided with severance packages or continued benefits.

The company is now facing legal challenges, including a proposed class action lawsuit alleging violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act). This federal law requires employers with more than 100 employees to provide at least 60 days notice before mass layoffs. The abrupt termination of operations suggests potential non-compliance.
However, challenges will remain. Infrastructure is developing at a rapid pace, but most of the roads, flyovers or overpasses become a traffic nightmare the moment they are inaugurated. The reason is compounding vehicle numbers. During the FY25, 25 million new vehicles were added to Indian streets. They include both two and four wheelers. And a total of 4.55 million cars were registered in 2025, 6% more than the previous year. Often, we say that to curb this menace, we will have to improve our public transport. But it will take time to create a new infrastructure.
New Zealands total import market was placed at around $47.5 billion in 2025, with Indias share at just about 2%, much lower than major partners such as China, Australia, the US, South Korea and Japan, which together account for over half of its import basket. Most of them (barring US) already have FTAs with New Zealand, giving them preferential market access and a structural advantage.
The White House said US officials are discussing Irans latest proposal but maintained red lines on any deal to end the eight-week war, including preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that President Donald Trump had convened a meeting of national security officials earlier in the day to discuss the Iranian proposal.

His red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, she said, adding that Trump would address the matter very soon.

Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen

The comments followed reports that Tehran proposed an interim deal whereby it reopens the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington ending its blockade of Iranian ports. That proposal would also postpone more thorny negotiations over the countrys nuclear program.

Separately, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told President Vladimir Putin that Tehran is committed to strengthening the countrys partnership with Russia.

Araghchi said on a visit to Russia that the Iranian people are able to resist US aggression and will be able to overcome it, Iran state-owned Nour News said on Monday.

Iranian media said Sunday that Araghchi would convey to mediator Pakistan that the conflict could end if the Americans lift their naval blockade, agree to a new legal framework for traffic going through the strait and guarantee there will be no future military action against the Islamic Republic.

Iran told Pakistan that negotiations over Irans nuclear program  a longer-standing issue  could be dealt with later, Axios reported, citing a US official and two people with knowledge of the matter.

Brent crude prices rose for a sixth straight session to more than $108 a barrel by 1:44 p.m. in New York. US oil climbed above $96 a barrel.

Oil traders added to bullish trades after hopes for peace talks over the past weekend were dashed. Investors remain largely focused on a growing supply crunch created by the virtual standstill of flows through the strait.

Foreign leaders have expressed frustration over the prolonged conflict.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told a group of students the US is being humiliated by Iranian leaders and that he cant figure out what exit the Americans are pursuing.

An interim deal would echo what many Middle East analysts have said for weeks  that the US and Iran should reopen the strait as soon as possible to lower fuel prices and ease pressure on the global economy, while leaving issues such as Irans nuclear program for later talks. Some Persian Gulf Arab and European leaders believe that such negotiations will take at least six months, Bloomberg has reported.

Trump, however, has indicated that Irans atomic program must be resolved as part of any agreement and that the blockade will stay in place until then. The White House has said the blockade is putting pressure on Iran to make concessions by choking off its oil exports.

Here is more on the US-Iran talks:

With assistance from John Bowker and Paul Wallace.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
China has ordered that Meta Platforms $2.5 billion acquisition of artificial-intelligence startup Manus be unwound.

Chinas National Development and Reform Commission, which has the authority to review foreign investments, said Monday that it has banned the acquisition and ordered it to be rescinded on national security grounds.

Manus has developed an AI agent that can carry out sophisticated tasks such as writing in-depth research reports and preparing presentation slides. Early versions of Manus were created by engineers at Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, which was founded in China in 2022.

Last year, a Singapore-based entity, also called Butterfly Effect, took over the operations of the AI agent product in markets outside China. Manus later relocated most of its China-based employees to Singapore after receiving investment from a California-based venture-capital firm.

Then, in late December, Meta acquired Manus. Days later, Chinese authorities announced a review of the deal in January, saying that cross-border acquisitions and the export of technology must comply with the law.

Last month, Chinese officials called the two co-founders of ManusXiao Hong and Ji Yichaoin to discuss the deal in Beijing. The executives, who currently work for Meta, were later told not to leave the country during the investigation, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Many of Manuss top executives are Chinese nationals.

According to Chinese law, any foreign investments that may carry a national-security risk may be subject to review by the authorities. Chinese authorities believe they have the power to demand that the deal be unwound because Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology remains a Chinese company.

After the acquisition, Meta said that there would be no continuing Chinese ownership interest in Manus and that the startup would discontinue its China-based services and operations. Manus was working to close Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, but hasnt yet done so.

The series of events that culminated in Metas purchase of China-originated technology has angered Chinese regulators. They are worried that the steps Manus took would spur other Chinese companies to follow suit and move out of China without Beijings approval.

The inquiry into the Manus sale reflected Beijings broader attempts to protect the countrys AI know-how at a time when the U.S. and China are locked in an intensifying technology race. Both countries have tightened export controls, restricted the exchange of tech professionals and curbed cross-border investment.
John Ternus is officially taking the reins as Apple's new CEO on September 1, and according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, he is inheriting what is arguably the most aggressive hardware pipeline in the company's history. While Tim Cooks tenure as CEO was defined by the introduction of three major new categories  the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro  Ternus is poised to launch roughly 10 entirely new product categories in his first few years as the Apple chief executive.

Also Read | Apple to supercharge delayed iPhone 18 with massive RAM upgrade

Which 10 products will John Ternus launch in his first few years? 1) iPhone Fold: Ternus will take over as Apple CEO on 1 September, and the new chief executive will be the one taking the stage a couple of weeks later when the company actually unveils its first-ever foldable iPhone. Gurman notes that this is not a coincidence  Apple wanted its new leader to be the face of a blockbuster new product category.

Ternus will reportedly be credited with driving the process around the iPhone Fold launch at the September event.

The first foldable from Apple is said to be hard to find in stores due to supply chain constraints and heightened demand. Moreover, the expected price of around $2,000 for the phone could also be daunting for many customers, but Gurman notes that it will likely boost Apple's average selling price and help fuel revenue growth.

2) Smart Home Hub: The product is said to be essentially a HomePod equipped with a screen. Reportedly, the device could be pinned on a half-domed speaker base or mounted on a wall using a magnetic system. It is also said to have a new operating system that will be built around Siri for controlling the home and is expected to have features like FaceTime. The device will also reportedly have a facial recognition system to personalise the experience for users.

3) Tabletop Robot: Apple is reportedly working on a larger tabletop robotic device, which is said to be a bigger version of the smart home hub featuring a roughly 9-inch screen attached to a robotic limb. Gurman notes that this limb can physically move the display around, which should allow for better videoconferencing, among other features.

4) Security Device: Apple reportedly wants to compete with established players like Ring and Google Nest with a privacy-focused home security system. The new security device, Gurman notes, is central to that strategy.

5) Smart Glasses: Apple's competitors to the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses have been well documented in the rumour mills. In his latest report, Gurman notes that the wearables will use cameras to capture media and collect data for AI use cases. The glasses are also said to have basic features like the ability to play music, trigger Siri, and take phone calls.

Also Read | Week in tech: A new AI pendant makes it debut

6) AI AirPods: Apple's popular audio lineup is also reportedly slated for a major upgrade. The company is said to be working on high-end AirPods that will rely on low-resolution cameras to capture images. By feeding this context about a users surroundings into AI, the earbuds could reportedly offer visual-based reminders and improved directions.

7) AI Pendant: Gurman has previously stated that Apple is working on an AI pendant. In the latest report, he reiterated that the device could be small and circular in shape, with a computer-vision camera system. The pendant is said to be designed to capture data and feed it into an iPhones AI and Siri features, and could be worn as a necklace or pinned directly onto clothes.

8) Touchscreen Macs: In what would be a major shift for the company, Apple is reportedly planning to introduce a revamped, high-end MacBook at the end of 2026 or in early 2027 that will mark its first computer with a touchscreen.

View full Image View full Image iPhone Fold represenative image generated using AI

9) Augmented Reality Glasses: The ultimate dream for Apple is reportedly to create lighter-weight glasses with AR, which would overlay digital information over real-world views. Gurman notes that the company wants to launch these between 2028 and 2030 in a form factor that could ultimately replace the iPhone entirely.
Flight information is displayed at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on January 11, 2023 in Austin, Texas. An April 2026 report from WalletHub detailed the best overall airline of 2026, with a surprise No. 1 pick besting Texas' Southwest Airlines. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Apologies, Southwest Airlines: A surprise competitor soared past the Dallas-headquartered air carrier to No. 1 in a new ranking of the top airlines of 2026. That's what happens when you get rid of free checked bags, y'all.

WalletHub published last week a roundup of the best airlines of 2026, gauging carriers based on key metrics like cancellation and delay rates, mishandled baggage incidents and in-flight accommodations. The best overall? None other than Spirit Airlines, which earned the top score of 74.33 out of 100 points.

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The primary contributing factors behind that top ranking included Spirit Airlines having the lowest rate of cancelations, delays, baggage mishaps and denied boardings compared to its competitors, WalletHub analysts noted.

Texas' Southwest Airlines trailed behind Spirit but still cinched the No. 2 spot courtesy an overall score of 64.44 out of 100 points. Rounding out the top five were SkyWest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

Alongside its overall praise, WalletHub deemed Spirit the most affordable and most reliable airline, while the title for most comfortable airline was split between JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Those comfort scores assessed in-flight experience offerings, with particular kudos given to airlines that offered free amenities like WiFi onboard, extra legroom and complimentary snacks and drinks.

As for the drawbacks, the worst offenders on the cancelled flights front included Frontier, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines in the bottom three with scores of 0, 1.72 and 2.77 out of a maximum of eight points, respectively. With delays, Frontier, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways had the worst performances, at 0, 1.54 and 3.15 points out of a maximum of 18.

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While the report found Spirit to be the overall best airline of the year, its financial standing is less than stellar at the moment. Spirit officials are reportedly having discussions with President Donald Trump's administration over a potential rescue package for the business, which could entail a $500 million offer and a governmental takeover, per CNBC reporting on Thursday, April 23.

That proposal has drawn sharp criticism from some conservative politicians, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

This is an absolutely TERRIBLE idea.



The TARP corporate bailouts were a huge mistake & the government doesnt know a damn thing about running a failed budget airline (that the Biden admin killed). https://t.co/M99S1iZ64K  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 22, 2026

"This is an absolutely TERRIBLE idea," Cruz wrote in a social media post on Wednesday, April 22, adding the "government doesn't know a damn thing about running a failed budget airline."

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A $2 million shopping center, Woodlake Parkway Retail, is coming to San Antonio, Texas. Here's what locals can expect to see at 7535 Woodlake Parkway Building 2, San Antonio, TX, 78218. Courtesy of Woodlake Pkwy Real Esate LLC/ Xavier Alvin

San Antonio's Northeast side will soon be home to a new shopping center. The area's residential growth is part of what's attracting business leaders to the corridor.

The project was filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) on Tuesday, April 14. The report gives insight into what locals can expect to see emerge in their neighborhood.

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Woodlake Parkway Retail is headed for 7535 Woodlake Parkway, Building 2, in Bexar County. This places it roughly two miles from the Windcrest community and Theodore Roosevelt High School.

Project owner Xavier Alvin, of Woodlake Parkway Real Estate LLC, tells MySA that a 3,500-square-foot laundromat is already confirmed for the space. In total, the strip will take up 10,715 square feet, according to the TDLR filing. Five spots remain available to tenants for lease.

Alvin says one end cap of the hub is designed with a drive-thru lane and window, so his team plans to lease it to a company that would benefit from the feature. That means residents may see a coffee shop or quick service restaurant snag the spot. If the latter works, it could introduce a much-needed option to nearby residents. Google Maps shows that a Brevity Coffee Co. is available further down on Walzem Road, but there are no locations within a 1.5-mile radius of the site.

Mainly, the address is surrounded by residential neighborhoods and schools. This, along with nearby industrial development, "creates consistent demand for convenient retail services," Alvin says. The site also enjoys high traffic exposure along its nearby roadways, making it attractive for retailers that offer items that are routinely purchased. Investors are pouring an estimated $2 million into Woodlake Parkway Retail's development, online records show.

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With the ownership being based in Austin, they enjoy the perk of understanding the Central Texas market demand, tenant needs, and development standards, Alvin says. It helps the team "create a development that provides long-term value for the community," he adds.

Construction at the property is expected to begin on Monday, June 15, of this year. It should be fully built within 12 months, resulting in a grand opening happening in late 2027.

San Antonio's Northeast side has another addition on the way. The city council recently approved funding for a new community center and park near the intersection of Eisenhauer Road and Midcrown Drive, a past MySA report cites. On top of that, a new Red White & Blue Thrift Store opened on Thursday, April 23.
Mugshot of Rebecca Pena, 30, who was arrested April 26, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child with imminent danger of bodily injury. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office Three Points Park is seen in the 700 block of North Jarvis Avenue. Courtesy/Google Maps

A woman was arrested after leaving a 6-year-old behind at a park, according to the Laredo Police Department.

Officers responded at about 4 p.m. April 26 to a report of an abandoned child at Three Points Park in the 2300 block of Guatemozin Street.

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Callers reported the child had been left behind and was seen running after a vehicle leaving the area. Officers reviewed surveillance footage that confirmed the incident.

The childs mother, identified as 30-year-old Rebecca Pena, was located during the investigation, police said. Pena was found to be intoxicated and taken into custody.

The child was released to a family member and Child Protective Services was notified.

Jail records show Pena was booked into Webb County Jail and charged with abandoning or endangering a child with imminent danger of bodily injury, a second-degree felony. She remained held as of Monday morning.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 20: Roxanne Perez makes her entrance during Monday Night RAW at Golden 1 Center on October 20, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images

Roxanne Perez will wrestle in front of her home fans for the first time on a nationally televised show when WWE Raw comes to Sames Auto Arena tonight.

The announcement was made Sunday by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce on social media as part of his "mini-preview" for the upcoming show.

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"Wouldnt want my in-ring return to be anywhere else," Perez said on social media in response to the video.

Wouldnt want my in ring return to be anywhere else, see ya tmrw Laredo   https://t.co/CApBf0Ot0u  roxanne (@roxanne_wwe) April 26, 2026

Monday's match will see Perez and Raquel Rodriguez  a South Texan from the Rio Grande Valley  in a tag-team match, while their fellow Judgment Day partner and WWE Women's World Champion Liv Morgan supports them at ringside. They will face three-time women's champion Bayley and the first-ever women's Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria.

WWE had not been advertising Perez for the local show. The official handout in February, when the Laredo show was announced, featured eight Superstars: The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, Stephanie Vaquer, Jey Uso and Penta.

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LMT contacted WWE last week to request confirmation that Perez would appear on the Laredo show, but it received no response.

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 26: The Judgment Day's Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez enter the ring during Monday Night RAW at Scotiabank Arena on January 26, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. Chloe Baujean/WWE via Getty Images

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The outing would be Perez's first in-ring action in quite some time. In fact, she hasn't seen official action since the Royal Rumble on Jan. 31, after she was put through a table a few days later and was then out for nearly two months. Perez said she underwent surgery to remove a benign mass in her back that she had been suffering from for months.

Just one week after her March 30 return, Perez was injured again in a scary incident when Vaquer, who was feuding with Morgan, launched a surprise attack backstage. Her shove to Morgan sent her flying headfirst into Perez, and both knocked heads and were seen with large bumps on their foreheads afterward. Both were able to return for WrestleMania two weeks later, when Morgan defeated Vaquer to become the new world champion and celebrated with Perez and the rest of Judgment Day afterward.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 8: Roxanne Perez make's her entrance during Monday Night RAW at T-Mobile Center on December 8, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. Cooper Neill/WWE via Getty Images

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Pearce also said the show would feature Seth Rollins kicking things off "with a ton to get off his chest." He added that Becky Lynch would appear, former NXT Champion Joe Hendry would perform a live concert and Penta would face Rusev in a singles match. Finally, he said WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns would decide whether to defend his title at Backlash against his cousin Jacob Fatu.

It should be noted that WWE's card is always subject to change. While being announced one day in advance should help fans feel more confident in the lineup, it is never set in stone until it happens.

Perez has competed once before at Sames Auto Arena for WWE, making a surprise appearance at an untelevised house show in 2023 dubbed Sunday Stunner. Notably, it was also in a tag-team match with Rodriguez, despite the fact the two were not partners in Judgment Day at the time.

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Pictured is the Amistad Dam near Del Rio. Courtesy /U.S. EPA District III Councilmember Melissa Cigarroa on April 20, 2026, at City Hall. David Gomez Jr. /Laredo Morning Times

Laredo is pushing for a greater role in federal discussions over the Amistad Dam and reservoir, citing concerns about infrastructure issues and the long-term reliability of a key water source that supplies the Rio Grande.

Local leaders this week approved adding Amistad-related repairs and monitoring to its federal lobbying agenda, directing the city to develop an advocacy position aimed at securing funding and updates from agencies overseeing the binational project.

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District III Councilmember Melissa Cigarroa, who brought the item forward, said the reservoir holds roughly two years worth of Laredos water supply, making its condition critical to the citys future.

We need that dam to function properly, Cigarroa said. Its an incredibly important reservoir and structure for our public safety.

Located more than 200 miles upstream, the Amistad Reservoir feeds into the Rio Grande, Laredos primary water source. Officials said the city has a direct stake in understanding the status of ongoing or planned repairs.

Cigarroa said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has previously identified structural integrity concerns at the dam. Proposed repair efforts  expected to cost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars  would be shared between the United States and Mexico, with the U.S. covering about 55% and Mexico about 45%.

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The last public update on those projects came in July 2025, when work was expected to begin. Since then, city officials say little information has been made available.

Beyond the dam itself, the reservoir faces additional challenges. Cigarroa said engineers have identified 88 sinkholes in the reservoir area, which could contribute to water loss if not addressed.

At the same time, reservoir levels have dropped significantly, falling to about 20% during summer 2025 and hovering near 30% this week.

What good does it do  the fight that Mexico and the United States have about the release of water from the Mexican side of the border to fill the reservoir  if its only being lost through these holes in the reservoir? Cigarroa asked. Then how can we ask Mexico or demand Mexico to pay their water debt?

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The city's action does not fund repairs but is intended to ensure Laredo has a seat at the table as federal agencies and binational partners consider next steps.

City leaders said ongoing advocacy will be necessary to secure federal funding and maintain attention on the project, particularly as drought conditions continue to strain water resources across the region.

Cigarroa said the effort is about ensuring the citys interests are represented and that critical infrastructure is maintained.

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Houston Mayor John Whitmire spoke out on his podcast about his decision to negotiate with Gov. Greg Abbott. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

Houston Mayor John Whitmire is invoking a 40-year political feud with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to justify a risky strategy: negotiating with the state instead of launching an immediate legal fight over looming funding threats tied to Houston's immigration enforcement policy.

The comments come as tensions between City Hall and Austin escalate over Houston's recently passed ordinance limiting police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)a policy that triggered a rare rupture in Whitmire's traditionally cooperative relationship with state leadership.

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In a recent appearance on a city-backed podcast hosted by Owen Conflenti, Whitmire leaned heavily on his long history of opposition to Abbott, arguing that years of political clashes have given him a rare advantage in dealing with the governor directly.

"And speaking of representing Houston, I've probably voted against Greg Abbott more than any living human as a 40-year state senator and certainly a senator [during] his entire career," Whitmire said.

He argued that history isn't just political triviait's leverage.

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"So we have a relationship there," he said. "He knows that I will tell him when he's wrong. I disagree with him, but my commitment is to all of us Houstonians."

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 3: Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a primary election night event hosted by the Young Conservatives of Texas and the Texas Young Republicans at Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill in Austin on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Abbott is seeking the Republican nomination for governor. (Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images) Austin American-Statesman/Hearst/Austin American-Statesman via Ge

"Being a nonpartisan mayor listening to the entirety of our community, I have to build a consensus that will unite this community, protect all of our residents, and at the same time protect our finances," Whitmire continued.

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ICE ordinance at the center of clash

The dispute was triggered after Abbott demanded Houston repeal its new policy limiting Houston Police Department's ICE cooperation, warning the city could lose more than $110 million in public safety grants if it refused.

Houston City Council narrowly amended its recently approved policy limiting police interactions with federal immigration agents, after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold funds. That forced Whitmire to negotiate a compromise he acknowledged did not fully reflect his original position.

The 134 vote followed two turbulent weeks at City Hall marked by protests, a lawsuit from Attorney General Ken Paxton, and a widening political clash over how far Houston Police Department officers can go when encountering individuals with civil immigration warrants.

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The council's original policy, approved 125, had eliminated a prior practice requiring officers to wait 30 minutes for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to arrive when someone was held on a civil immigration detainer. It also clarified that administrative warrants alone do not justify arrest or continued detention.

But under mounting pressure from the governor's office, Whitmire helped broker amendments that significantly softened that language.

Podcast concerns

Houston Mayor John Whitmire has faced scrutiny over the cost of his city-backed podcast, 901 Bagby: Inside the Mayor's Office, which has reportedly used about $60,000 in taxpayer funds, according to public records cited by Houston Public Media. The podcast, hosted by former KPRC 2 anchor Owen Conflenti, has released three episodes so far, each running roughly 17 to 27 minutes.
Entrance to the Houston Zoo located at Hermann Park in downtown Houston, Texas. A major upgrade of the rhino exhibit at the Houston Zoo could wrap up this fall. UCG/UCG/Universal Images Group via G

One exhibit at the Houston Zoo is getting a major glow-up as part of a wider wave of habitat upgradesand renovations could wrap up this fall.

A $4.6 million rehabilitation of the zoo's rhino exhibit is underway, according to a recent filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. While details submitted to the TDLR are subject to change, construction could wrap up this November.

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Improvements are underway for the existing rhino exhibit and guest viewing areas, including modifications to habitat features, barriers, hardscape and drainage all to support animal welfare, safety and accessibility, according to the filing. In total, the project encompasses more than 215,000 square feet.

The Houston Zoo did not immediately respond to Chron's request for comment by the time of publication.

The project will support expanded species care and long-term habitat health, according to the Houston Zoo website. The expanded space will make room for zebras and an additional rhino.

"More shade for animals and guests, including a covered viewing shelter, will allow visitors to get even closer to the white rhinoceros and zebras," the website reads. "New animal care features will include heaters, fans and feeders, and a new water feature will support animal health while encouraging natural behaviors of the African species."

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Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Longfordians have been encouraged by Mental Health Ireland as part of a national campaign encouraging people across Ireland to start meaningful conversations about mental health.

The longest-established national mental health charity and voluntary organisation said Hello, How Are You? is a campaign on May 15th about connecting with those around us and engaging in open conversations about mental health.

Now in its fifth year, the campaign continues to grow as a powerful reminder of the importance of connection, helping to tackle loneliness, build a sense of belonging, and encourage early help-seeking through awareness and signposting to mental health supports.

Mental Health Ireland is inviting everyone across Ireland  and beyond  to take a moment to say hello and really check in with the people around them.

READ NEXT: Huge variety of creative events in Co Longford in May as part of Bealtaine Festival 2026

This campaign is built on a simple but powerful idea: that a genuine Hello, how are you? can be the start of meaningful connection, understanding, and support.

Whether you're chatting with a friend, a colleague, a neighbour, or even a stranger, asking how are you?  and truly listening to the answer can help reduce stigma around mental health and remind us all that we're not alone.

At the heart of this years campaign is ambassador, TikTok star and Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts, who is using his platform to highlight the importance of genuine connection and simply asking  and really listening to  the question, Hello, how are you?

Eric, who spoke about the campaign, said: Im absolutely delighted to be an ambassador for Mental Health Ireland and to support the Hello, How Are You? campaign this May 15th.

"Its such a simple question  hello, how are you?  but it carries incredible power.

"Taking a moment to check in with someone can make a real difference, letting them know theyre seen, heard, and not alone.

"Im proud to be part of a campaign that encourages all of us to connect, to listen, and to look out for one another.

READ NEXT: South Longford store manager beats 6,000 colleagues to win top prize at national awards

Eric said there are many ways to slow down and genuinely engage with a family member, friend or even a stranger and you 'dont need to be an expert to have a meaningful conversation'.

Mental Health Ireland said by using the Hello Steps, you can feel supported in asking the question:

They advise people to, 'Say Hello, engage with the person, listen to them and learn about them and what they might be saying.

Other advice includes giving them time to talk and to explore options

To mark the campaign, Mental Health Ireland has partnered with Hairy Baby to launch a limited-edition Hello, How Are You? T-shirt as Gaeilge, with all profits supporting Mental Health Irelands work.

Designed to spark conversations, the T-shirt offers a simple, visible way for people to show their support and get involved.

The campaign continues to see strong nationwide engagement. In 2025, Hello, How Are You? saw: 291 events across 26 counties.

There has been 193 people trained in mental health conversation skills and over 80,000 campaign resources distributed.

There was also public engagement at train stations supported by volunteers in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.

On May 15th, Hello, How Are You? events and volunteers will be active all over the country. From coffee mornings and workplace events to school initiatives and community gatherings, there are many ways to get involved.

Claire Flynn, National Campaign Lead, said: Since the first national campaign in 2022, the impact of Hello, How Are You? continues to grow.

"Each year were seeing more meaningful conversations and stronger social connections being made across Ireland.

"We are continuing to develop free resources, training and partnerships to expand the reach of the campaign and support communities in connecting in creative and impactful ways.

On May 15th, were looking forward to seeing all the different ways the nation says Hello, How Are You?  whether its hosting an event, joining a parkrun, or simply putting the kettle on and sitting down with someone. It all starts with a simple question: How are you?



Ways to Get Involved

Start a Conversation- Reach out to someone  a friend, colleague, neighbour or someone who may be feeling isolated. Say hello, ask how they are, and take time to really listen.

Host a Hello Event -Organise a coffee morning, walk, lunch or team chat. Schools, workplaces, community groups and virtual teams can all take part.

Spread the Word Online

On May 15th, share a message, photo or video using #HelloHowAreYou to show your support and inspire others to connect.

For free resources, toolkits and more information, visit: www.bit.ly/mhihello
The Irish Government is to withdraw State-supplied accommodation on a phased basis for about 16,000 Ukrainians.

The move comes after the Irish Government cut the length of time newly-arriving Ukrainian refugees can stay in State accommodation from 90 days to 30.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan received agreement on the proposals at a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Monday evening ahead of Cabinet on Tuesday.

It is understood the proposals will see the withdrawal of State-contracted, commercial accommodation being offered to Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Ireland before March 2024.

This is estimated to affect about 16,000 people.

The withdrawal will be phased over a six-month period beginning in August and people are expected to be given a minimum of three months notice.

There will be an exception for people who are very vulnerable and people who have barriers to independence, who will need to self-declare and provide evidence of their need for accommodation, it is understood.

More than 125,700 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland since Russias invasion in February 2022, with more than 94,300 offered State-supported accommodation.

About 19,200 people are currently in State-contracted accommodation.

About 531 contracts for temporary accommodation are in place, with businesses such as hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs.

This provides about 22,450 beds to Ukrainian refugees.

At the Cabinet sub-committee, Mr OCallaghan also received agreement to wind down the accommodation recognition payment, a tax-free monthly sum paid to those offering accommodation to Ukrainians, by March next year.

About 42,000 Ukrainians are in such accommodation arrangements.

It was also noted that Ireland is to engage with the EU-led voluntary return and reintegration programme to Ukraine (VRRP) which is likely to begin in March 2027 after a pilot which is expected to run this year.

During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Ireland in December, Mr Zelensky was asked about pared back support for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland and whether it meant Irish support for Ukraine was not as strong as it once was.

He said Ireland chose to support Ukraine from the start because it was the right thing to do.

Ireland has been helping Ukrainians who stayed behind in Ukraine, and has been helping Ukrainians who have moved to Ireland, and were grateful for that, he said, speaking through an interpreter.

The way I was brought up is that I cant criticise help  whether its getting more or less, we should be grateful and not forget about this.
Members of a Kosovo Security Force team who traveled to Gaza ahead of a deployment as part of the International Stabilization Force. (Kosovo Security Force on Facebook)

The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) announced on April 26 that it had sent a team to Gaza to examine an area where its troops may operate in the future. During this visit, the team will conduct a preliminary assessment and coordination of activities for the KSF contingent operating as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) peacekeeping mission in Gaza, the KSF wrote on an official social media page. The territory remains kinetic despite a ceasefire, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) provided new details on April 27 about Israeli military activity in Gaza over recent weeks.

The situation in Gaza has remained largely the same since the enclave entered a second phase of the US and UN-backed peace plan in January 2026. The Israeli military controls approximately half of the territory while Palestinians control the other half, a division demarcated by what the IDF calls the Yellow Line. In April, the IDF continued reporting that Hamas and other entities regularly violated the ceasefire, which began in October 2025. It is also unclear if Hamas will agree to the disarmament that is required by the peace plan.

Kosovo has taken a proactive role in contributing to an International Stabilization Force in Gaza. The countrys parliament agreed to send forces to the ISF on April 17. The ISF is yet to deploy to help maintain peace and assist in rebuilding Gaza under US President Donald Trumps Board of Peace, which Kosovo has joined. Indonesia, Albania and Kazakhstan are among other countries that have promised to participate in ISF, The Times of Israel reported at the time.

On April 26, the KSF posted photos and a statement about a team of soldiers who had traveled to Gaza. The team is shown wearing patches with ISF on them. Charge dAffaires of Kosovo to the State of Israel Ines Demiri confirmed in a text to FDDs Long War Journal that the photos show soldiers from both Kosovo and Albania. There were no further details about the Albanian troops. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama praised US President Donald Trumps Board of Peace and the Gaza peace plan in February.

Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari, the commander of the KSF, sent the team to Gaza to examine an area where the troops are expected to operate. The team held meetings and discussions with unspecified officials from the Gaza administration. They also met with members of the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which was set up by US Central Command in mid-October 2025 in the wake of the ceasefire.

During these meetings, the process of integrating the KSF contingent, developing joint operations, and coordinating logistical support were discussed, the KSF noted. The Times of Israel reported that Kosovo is expected to contribute dozens of troops from its 4,000-strong military. While several other countries were expected to deploy forces by May 2026, there are no recent reports on when troops from Morocco, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Albania, and other states may be sent. High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov last spoke to the UN about the Gaza plan on March 24.

In Gaza, the IDF provided new details on operations of its 252nd Division, one of several divisions operating in the enclave. The IDF said that the unit has carried out operations to continue to dismantle Hamas terrorist infrastructure in the northern part of Gaza. One tunnel that was located and destroyed was 8.6 miles (14 kilometers) long. In another incident, the IDF said on April 26 that Israeli troops dismantled a tunnel that was around half a mile long.

The IDF also struck a Hamas cell on April 23 and targeted terrorists who were carrying weapons. Incidents in which the Israeli military targets threats that it says approach the Yellow Line have occurred almost daily in Gaza. The IDF said that the Northern Brigade of its Gaza Division had eliminated approximately 70 terrorists who violated the ceasefire agreement and posed an immediate threat to the troops, in recent months.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
A significant chapter of Co. Mayos hidden history was brought back into public view this week as a memorial service was held at Aglish Historic Graveyard in Castlebar.

The ceremony, organised by the St Marys Hospital Castlebar Heritage Society, marked the 160th anniversary of the opening of St Marys Hospital in 1866 and highlighted ongoing efforts to restore and preserve the historic burial ground.

Hundreds gathered at the site on Sunday, April 19, for a service dedicated to those buried theremany of whom were former patients of the institution, then known as the Castlebar Lunatic Asylum.

The graves were blessed by Archbishop Michael Neary, assisted by Fr Conal Eustace and Fr Mattie Long.

Minister of State Alan Dillon delivered the keynote address, emphasising the importance of restoring dignity and recognition to those interred at the site. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a lasting memorial for the hundreds believed to be buried there.

Historical research has confirmed that Aglish was formally approved as a burial ground for patients who died at the institution and was consecrated by Archbishop John McEvilly of Tuam.

READ MORE: Major tourism boost for Mayo as Geopark gets UNESCO status

Many of those buried there lived and died in difficult circumstances, shaped by the social stigma, poverty and hardship that prevailed in Ireland in the decades following the Great Famine.

Speakers at the event, including Dr Fidelma Creaven and Chairperson of the St Marys Hospital Castlebar Heritage Society Anthony OBoyle, stressed the importance of acknowledging this often-overlooked part of local history and ensuring those buried there are remembered with dignity and respect.

The restoration project, supported by the Health Service Executive and Mayo County Council, aims to preserve the graveyard, reconnect the community with its history, and recognise those buried there as an integral part of Mayos heritage.

Former Senior Archivist Brian Donnelly also addressed the gathering, outlining the historical importance of the extensive archival material held by the Heritage Society, much of it dating back to the mid-19th century.

Records indicate that when patients died in the asylum, they were often transported to Aglish by cart, in coffins made on site. In many cases, they were accompanied only by a nurse, and sometimes another patient, with families frequently unableor unwillingto reclaim remains due to stigma, poverty or the challenges of travel.

Organisers said the project is about more than restoration; it is about recognition, remembrance and ensuring that those once forgotten are now properly honoured.

READ MORE: Remembering the forgotten: Aglish Graveyard and 160 years of hidden history

Following the service, attendees gathered at the recently refurbished Heritage Society premises at the former St Marys Hospital, where a collection of archival memorabilia offers further insight into this important and complex history.

The event was supported by numerous local groups and volunteers, including Mayo Mental Health Association, Castlebar Tidy Towns, the HSE, and members of the local community.
Two students from Ballinrobe Community School in Mayo have earned national recognition after an impressive showing at the Junior National Debating Mace Final held at University College Dublin.

Representing both their school and Co Mayo, Ella Concannon and Roisin Greaney competed against more than 60 of the countrys top young debaters at the prestigious event on Saturday, April 18.

The pair debated a range of challenging and topical motions, including the role of religion in society, the question of permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, and the impact of cinematic universes on the global film industry.

Their performances were praised for their passion, insight and eloquence, reflecting the high standard of debating talent emerging from the school.

A particularly historic achievement came for Ella Concannon, who was named Best Speaker from Connacht  a first for Ballinrobe Community School.

READ MORE: Westport Childrens Choir performs at Carnegie Hall in New York City

The accolade marks a significant milestone for the school and is a testament to Ellas exceptional debating ability.

School staff and the wider community have warmly congratulated both students on their success, describing their achievements as a source of great pride for Ballinrobe and Mayo.
Co Mayo has been named the best county in Ireland to raise a family, according to a new nationwide study examining the factors that matter most to parents.

The research, carried out by Quote Devil, ranked Mayo as Irelands most family-friendly county based on a range of key indicators, including housing affordability, access to schools, crime rates, green spaces and local amenities.

With a median house price of 199,500, Mayo offers families one of the most affordable housing markets among Irelands top-ranked counties. The county also boasts a strong education network, with 151 primary schools and 26 post-primary schools serving communities across the region.

Safety was another major factor in Mayos top ranking. The county recorded a relatively low crime rate of 297 incidents per 10,000 residents, making it one of the safest places in the country for families to put down roots.

Mayo also scored highly for quality of life, with 5.1 parks and natural spaces per 10,000 people, giving families ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. In addition, the county has good access to everyday amenities.

READ MORE: Mayos Bealtaine 2026 programme announced

More than one in five Irish households with children have three or more childrenthe highest proportion in the European Unionmaking the availability of family-friendly communities increasingly important.

According to the study, Mayo offers an ideal balance of affordability, safety, education and lifestyle, helping it secure the top spot ahead of Donegal and Kerry, which ranked second and third respectively.

Conor Mulcahy, Head of Product and Renewals at Quote Devil, said the findings highlight the importance of looking beyond simple convenience when choosing where to live.

For families planning their future, factors such as education, affordability, safety, green space and access to amenities all play a crucial role in shaping family life and childrens wellbeing, he said.

While counties such as Kildare, Louth and Wicklow face greater challenges due to higher housing costs and lower access to amenities, Mayo stands out as a county that continues to offer a strong quality of life for growing families.

The study is likely to further enhance Mayos reputation as one of Irelands most attractive places to live, providing yet another reason why the West of Ireland continues to appeal.

READ MORE: Aglish Graveyard restoration shines light on forgotten chapter of Mayos history
A landmark moment for Mayo was celebrated in Paris today (Monday, April 27) as the Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark officially received its prestigious UNESCO Global Geopark designation.

Representatives from Mayo County Council, led by Cathaoirleach Sean Carey, attended the special ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters, where the internationally significant accolade was formally conferred.

Joining Councillor Carey were councillors Michael Bourke, Damien Ryan and Peter Flynn, along with Mayo County Council officials Joanne Grehan and Deirdre Cunningham.

The designation makes the Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Connacht and the fifth on the island of Ireland.

Spanning communities across South-West Mayo and North Galway, the geopark encompasses 20 towns and villages, each contributing to the preservation of the areas rich geological, cultural and linguistic heritage.

Councillor Carey described the recognition as a hugely significant achievement for the region.

READ MORE: Mayo Dark Sky Park celebrates ten years as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park

This is a major milestone for Mayo and the local communities involved, he said. We have always known how special this landscape is, but this designation places it firmly on the world stage.

He praised the communities who have driven the project over many years, saying their commitment and vision had been central to securing UNESCO recognition.

The designation is expected to deliver substantial benefits for Mayo, including increased tourism, educational opportunities and sustainable economic development.

Failte Ireland has welcomed the award, highlighting its potential to further strengthen the regions appeal along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Miriam Kennedy, Head of the Wild Atlantic Way, said the recognition offers a significant opportunity to showcase the areas extraordinary unique landscapes, heritage and stories while supporting local communities.

The geoparks geological story spans some 700 million years, featuring evidence of ancient oceans, volcanic activity, mountain formation, glaciation and evolving ecosystems.

READ MORE: Major tourism boost for Mayo as Geopark gets UNESCO status

Beyond its geological significance, the UNESCO designation also recognises the areas culture, including its Irish-speaking communities, traditions and strong sense of place.

For Mayo, the UNESCO award represents not only international recognition but also a powerful platform for future growth, conservation and community development.
THE front of a Toyota Yaris car which drove straight into an oncoming campervan near Newport was squashed like a concertina, an inquest has heard.

Coroner for Mayo, Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald made the comments after viewing pictures of a car which was involved in a head-on collision which claimed the life of a 63-year-old Indian national near Newport on August 8, 2024.

The inquest into the death of Lizy Abraham Saju, late of Kilheale Heath Manor, Kill, Co Kildare heard that she suffered traumatic chest injuries when the car in which she was a back seat passenger crashed head-on into a campervan on the N59 at Knocknageeha Newport.

The victim and other family members had been sightseeing in Achill during the day and were on their way back to their accommodation in Westport when the collision occurred at around 4.20pm.

The Toyota Yaris was driven by her husband Kallappurayil Saju Varghese and his sister-in-law, Mini Chavaramplakial Kuriachian, who was visiting from India and was a front-seat passenger.

Fionnbarr Gallagher, who had been travelling behind silver Yaris described how the car drifted onto the right hand side of the road and collided head-on into the path of a campervan which had come around a corner coming out of Newport and could not avoid the collision.

Extensive damage

MR Gallagher said the impact of the collision pushed the back of the Yaris into the air and there was extensive damage caused to the front of the car.

All three passengers in the Yaris were wearing seat-belts and suffered serious injuries in the impact and were later taken to Mayo University Hospital. Ms Saju was found lying across the back seat of the car and the inquest heard that she continued to deteriorate at the scene and was pronounced dead at 5.17pm.

A post mortem into the death of Ms Saju revealed that she suffered multiple traumatic fractures including to the left collarbone and multiple fractures to the right and left ribs which resulted in haemorrhaging.

READ: Line marking to be completed at Mayo town centre pedestrian crossing

Dr Fadel Bennani, Consultant Pathologist in Mayo University Hospital said the cause of death was due to haemorrhagic shock due to haemothorax due to a traumatic check injury.

Dr Bennani said that it was unlikely the seat-belt caused the injuries as she suffered a blunt trauma to the chest which had to be caused by something hard and it was more likely she hit the back seat.

The campervan had been driven by Christopher Tewes, who was on holiday with his wife Eva and two young children from Munich and was travelling towards Mulranny when the collision occurred. They were treated for minor injuries but were released from hospital later that night.

Sergeant Stephen Kenny who investigated the collision said that Mr Saju Varghese suffered spinal injuries in the accident while Ms Chavaramplakial Kuriachian suffered internal injuries but was able to return to Indian to continue her recovery.

No memory of collision

SGT Kenny explained that on February 2, 2025, he questioned Mr Saju Varghese in Naas Garda Station and in a statement he said he took responsibility for what happened but had no memory or recollection of the collision. A file was later sent to the DPP who directed that no prosecution should be taken.

Edwin Saju, son of the deceased, told the inquest he had been in a car driving ahead of his father and did not see the impact. He said that his father did not complain of being tired when they left Achill.

The inquest also heard evidence from Tommy McHugh who was travelling behind the campervan and said he had to drive onto the footpath and collide with a wall to avoid driving into the back of it.

Dr Fitzgerald commented that the Yaris was squashed like a concertina and it was unfortunate that Ms Saju who had been in the backseat did not survive the impact. She said that there was no reason for why the Yaris veered across the road but it was a lesson to everyone to be aware of what can happen when drivers are not vigilant and it was fortunate that there were not more fatalities.

She recorded a verdict of accidental death and expressed her condolences to her husband and family on their tragic loss while court presenter, Sergeant Noel Crinnegan, thanked all the people who provided aid and assistance on the scene.
Indias toxic hotspots may be far more widespread than reported, quietly polluting soil, water, and air without full visibility.

Highlights: Indias contaminated sites may be just the tip of the iceberg, with widespread pollution going undetected

Toxic chemicals from waste and industry are silently entering water, soil, and the food chain

Experts call for an integrated CS-MAR approach to improve pollution tracking, assessment, and cleanup

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Advancing global standards: Integrating policies for effective management of contaminated sites in India



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Why Are Contaminated Sites In India Turning Into A Silent Environmental Emergency?

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What Is Holding Back Effective Action Against Contamination In India?

Industrial leaks and chemical spills

Illegal waste dumping

Agricultural runoff and fertilizer residues

Legacy pollution from older industrial activities

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Can the CS-MAR Framework Solve Indias Contaminated Sites Crisis?

National remediation funds to support cleanup efforts

Public-private partnerships to share expertise and resources

Green bonds to finance environmentally sustainable projects

What Do Contaminated Water Risks Reveal About Indias Larger Pollution Crisis?

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Human Health Risk Assessment due to Heavy Metals in Ground and Surface Water and Association of Diseases With Drinking Water Sources: A Study From Maharashtra, India



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Frequently Asked Question Q: What are contaminated sites (CS) and why are they dangerous? A: Contaminated sites are areas where harmful chemicals pollute soil, water, or air, posing risks to human health and the environment. Q: Why is India's contamination problem considered underestimated? A: Only a limited number of sites are officially recorded, while large-scale industrial waste suggests many more polluted areas remain unidentified. Q: How does pollution from these sites affect daily life? A: Toxins can enter drinking water, crops, and air, increasing the risk of illnesses over time. Q: Which health problems are linked to contaminated water? A: Exposure can lead to digestive issues, organ damage, and long-term risks like cancer due to heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. Q: Why is it difficult to manage contaminated sites in India? A: Fragmented regulations, lack of data, and limited monitoring systems make identification and cleanup challenging. Q: What is the proposed solution to tackle this issue? A: Experts recommend an integrated system to track, assess, and clean contaminated sites more effectively.

Advancing global standards: Integrating policies for effective management of contaminated sites in India - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221146452600045X?via%3Dihub#sec2) Human Health Risk Assessment due to Heavy Metals in Ground and Surface Water and Association of Diseases With Drinking Water Sources: A Study From Maharashtra, India - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9793032/)

Indias contaminated sites crisis ishighlighting a dangerous gap between visible data and hidden pollution risks.These toxic hotspots are silentlyExperts increasingly point to the need forto improve).Contaminated sites (CS) are areas whereWhat makes the situation more concerning is that contamination is not always visibleit slowly seeps intoSoil pollution alone can disrupt, hindering progress towardReal-world examples, such as. Despite generating around, India has identified only a small fraction of contaminated sites, suggesting that the true scale of the crisis remains largely unrecognized and underestimated.The challenge is not the absence of environmental laws but their fragmented implementation. Multiple regulationsranging from theexist, but they are managed by different authorities with overlapping roles, leading to gaps, delays, and weak enforcement.Even identifying contaminated sites is complex, as it involves distinguishing betweenAdding to this complexity is the limited list of officially recognized pollutants, which currently includes only a few. Pollution sources are also diverse and often unclear, including:These pollutants interact, spread across environmental pathways, and create combined risks that are difficult to assess using traditional methods. Although advanced technologies like remote sensing, GIS mapping, and real-time monitoring systems can improve tracking, their use is limited by a shortage of skilled professionals.A lack of integrated risk assessment and poor data transparency further weaken response efforts, as there is no centralized, accessible database to guide policy or inform the public. These gaps highlight the urgent need for a more coordinated and unified systemExperts are increasingly advocating for a unified framework known as. This approach focuses on comprehensive site identification, real-time data collection, and centralized databases that track pollutants, industries, and environmental risks.By enabling better data sharing and collaboration across scientific, regulatory, and public domains, it aims to improve decision-making and prioritize high-risk sites.Public participation is another key pillar, with. Financial innovation is equally critical; as cleanup efforts are costly. Key solutions include:Incentive-based systems, similar to carbon trading, could also encourage industries to reduce pollution by rewarding cleaner practices and penalizing excessive emissions.Global examples from countries like theWhile frameworks like, the health impacts of contamination are already being feltThe impact of contamination is no longer theoreticalit is already visible in communities exposed to polluted water sources.Studies from industrial regions in India show thatIn one such assessment involving over).These health effects are closely linked to exposure pathways, particularly through drinking water and, to a lesser extent, skin contact.Even when contaminants are present at low or undetectable levels in water, long-term exposure and accumulation through food or environmental contact can still pose risks.Alarmingly,increasing the likelihood of adverse health effects when exposure persists over time.These findings underscore that. What remains unseen beneath the surface may carry even greater long-term risks as pollutants accumulate over time.Addressing these impacts requires moving beyond fragmented responses toward coordinated, large-scale action.Strengthening monitoring systems, improving data transparency, and accelerating cleanup efforts will be critical to reducing exposure.Source-Medindia
Although the hype around the Aditya Dhar movie subdued much of the damage, the Karnataka High Court did not forget, nor was it ready to forgive without consequences. However, it would seem that the controversy has finally come to an end.

Right before Dhurandhar came out, Ranveer Singh found himself in the middle of an impossible controversy. People were already skeptical about watching the film at that time because word of mouth hadn't done its magic yet. It was during an event that he tried to mimic Kantara and got into deep trouble.

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During the 56th International Film Festival of India held in Goa, Ranveer Singh had mimicked Chamunda Devi, hurting religious sentiments that Kantara honoured. Rishab Shetty had warned the actor not to go ahead with it, but he did so anyway and was met with grave consequences.

The actor has been profusely apologising since the controversy, giving unconditional apologies and even promising to visit Chamundeshwari Temple to pay his respects the right way. He went beyond an online or social media apology to show just how genuine he was.

He had previously posted an Instagram story on the matter, one that the court dismissed. My intention was to highlight Rishabh Shettys incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it would take to perform that particular scene in the way he did, for which he has my utmost admiration. I have always deeply respected every cultural tradition and belief in our country. If Ive hurt anyones sentiments, I sincerely apologise.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who heard the entire case, and the counsel have agreed to dismiss the case once the now updated affidavit, one that Ranveers lawyer changed without any conditions. His promise of visiting the temple is something the court is depending on. However, after months of drowning in this controversy, the situation may finally be behind the Karnataka High Court and the Dhurandhar star.
Clark Europe opens new Duisburg branch to strengthen direct customer links

Clark Europe has stepped up its push into direct sales with the opening of a new branch in Duisburg, signalling a strategic shift towards closer customer relationships in one of Europes key industrial regions.

The forklift manufacturer officially opened its West branch on 24 April, positioning the site in the Asterlagen business park directly opposite its European headquarters to strengthen its presence in the Ruhr area.

The move marks a growing focus on direct engagement with customers alongside its established dealer network, as the company looks to better capture market potential in the densely industrialised region.

Stefan Budweit, President and CEO of Clark Europe, described the expansion as a clear commitment to our location in Duisburg and an essential step for our growth strategy in Europe.

He said the direct sales model would create an exclusive interface to advise customers directly from the factory with our entire know-how while helping to build long-term partnerships.

The new site spans 3,441 square metres, including space for workshops, storage and product demonstrations, as well as offices and meeting facilities. At its core is an integrated research and development centre, designed to accelerate innovation through its proximity to the companys headquarters and spare parts hub.

Regional manager and Western Branch manager Dirk Blanke said customers would benefit from closer collaboration and faster response times.

Our customers benefit from exclusive advice directly from the manufacturer, he said, adding that the aim is to better understand market requirements and respond more effectively through tailored solutions.

The branch will offer a full range of services, including new equipment sales, rental options and refurbished used machines, allowing businesses to choose solutions that suit their operational and financial needs.

Mr Blanke highlighted the importance of flexibility, noting that investing in new equipment is not the most economical solution for every business, particularly for smaller firms or those with lower usage requirements.

Used machines are inspected and restored using original parts to meet high standards, with the company claiming the difference from new equipment is minimal to non-specialist users.

Clark is also planning to expand its local team, with additional consultants and service technicians expected to be recruited to strengthen coverage across the Ruhr region.

The launch event offered visitors access to the new branch, as well as Clarks European headquarters, spare parts centre and training facilities. Guests were also shown the companys latest forklift models and developments in electric drive systems and battery technology.

Among the highlights were new electric and hybrid models designed to combine performance with reduced environmental impact, alongside the firms latest battery innovation aimed at supporting the future of industrial electrification.

With direct links to parts supply and integrated delivery processes, the new branch is intended to improve efficiency and service quality, reinforcing Clarks position in a competitive European market.

The company, which traces its origins back to the invention of the forklift truck in 1917, continues to expand its global footprint, with operations spanning Europe, the Middle East and Africa through an extensive dealer network.
MANISTEE  The 15th annual Tight Lines for Troops event will be held May 15-16, and organizers are still looking for volunteers.

The fishing tournament unites and honors Michigan veterans and active service members, at no charge.

The event was founded by Bob Guenthardt in 2010, but over time it has become much more than a fishing tournament; it has become a tradition.

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In this file photo, veterans hold up their catch at the 2022 Tight Lines for Troops fishing tournament in Manistee. News Advocate/File photo

Guenthardt is a former charter captain, former ogema of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and a proud Army veteran.

He said he never imagined how much the event would grow, eventually becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Guenthardt said the event has drawn veterans from across the state, including those who served as far back as World War II.

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I never imagined it being this much. I really didnt, he said. Its a good chance for them to get together. The camaraderie once you're in the military, it's basically a brotherhood. You can relate and you can talk about more stuff with other vets than you can with the general public. Things that happened, they wont believe it.

Through the event, more than 3,000 veterans have experienced fishing on Lake Michigan, and an additional 1,400 have participated through river, shore, pier and dam fishing.

The event raises about $15,000 annually, and nearly $215,000 in total has been donated to Michigan veteran organizations.

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Donations also help veterans from across the state participate, including covering travel expenses and lodging.

Funds also go toward food, including the annual dinner that feeds 750 to 800 people. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Guenthardt said captains volunteer their time and boats, with about 50 boats participating each year.

In this file photo, veterans hold up their catch at the 2022 Tight Lines for Troops fishing event. News Advocate/File photo

Organizers say the event relies on roughly 300 volunteers annually, and they are always looking for more.

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Registration for those who have been approved for the event opens at 4 p.m. May 15 at the Manistee Iron Works, located at 254 River St. in Manistee, with a mandatory meeting beginning at 5 p.m.

Staging and boarding start at 4:30 a.m. May 16. One of the most crucial volunteer shifts proceed around 4 a.m., when boats are loaded.

A shuttle bus from the Manistee Iron Works takes anglers to Seng's Marina for boarding. Coffee and donuts are provided.

The tournament starts at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.

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The signature welcome home celebration takes place along the riverwalk as boats return through the channel, where members of the public gather to welcome the veterans back.

The moment is a highlight for many and a meaningful experience for participants.

You cant help but get choked up when you see all the people that show up to welcome these guys back, Guenthardt said. Its the welcome back home that maybe some people didnt get. I dont know how many guys broke down in tears.

He encourages the public to attend.

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Manistee always steps up, and the more people we get, the better, Guenthardt said.

After the boats return, participants gather for a community pork roast dinner at 1:00 p.m. at the Manistee Iron Works.

Donations can be made and volunteers can sign up at tightlinesfortroops.com.
Mark Rolfe stands underneath the Bad Axe Theatre facade. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune) The Bad Axe Theatre and Longshot Lanes bowling alley failed to sell at auction on Tuesday morning. The auction was held on behalf of owner Mark Rolfe and Bay Port State Bank. Rolfe was charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Huron County 73B District Court in January. Rolfe has six months to pay off the loans for the businesses. If he does not, the bank will take possession of the properties. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune The Bad Axe Theatre and Longshot Lanes bowling alley failed to sell at auction on Tuesday morning. The auction was held on behalf of owner Mark Rolfe and Bay Port State Bank. Rolfe was charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Huron County 73B District Court in January. Rolfe has six months to pay off the loans for the businesses. If he does not, the bank will take possession of the properties. Mark Birdsall/Huron Daily Tribune

The owner of the Bad Axe Theatre has pleaded not guilty to additional criminal sexual conduct charges involving his underage employees.

On Monday morning, Mark Wesley Rolfe, 54, of Bad Axe, stood mute to seven counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Huron County 52nd Circuit Court, and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

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Judge Julienne M. Ferris of the 73B District Court bound Rolfe over on these latest charges following an emotional two-hour preliminary examination on April 10, during which two former theater employees, now adults, testified that Rolfe initiated sexually explicit conversations with them before progressing to non-consensual physical contact.

They also testified that Rolfe showered them with expensive gifts while they were employed at the theater as high school students.

The Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Judge Gerald M. Prill scheduled a trial date on the latest charges for Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m., with a final pretrial hearing set for Monday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m.

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Previously, Rolfe pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct during a March 2 arraignment in 52nd Circuit Court. First-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to life in prison.

According to prosecutors, those charges stem from an alleged assault of an underage person, also an employee of Rolfes at the time, that occurred in Bad Axe in the mid-2000s. Rolfe is accused of assaulting a girl under the age of 16 multiple times between May 2006 and December 2008.

At least one of the incidents allegedly took place at the theater.

During Rolfes March 2 arraignment, Prill scheduled a trial for Monday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. with a final pretrial hearing set for Monday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. Rolfe remains free in both cases on a $50,000 cash/personal recognizance bond.

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Rolfe purchased the Bad Axe Theatre in 2004 after working at the movie house when he moved to Bad Axe from Flint back in 1989, according to a February 2020 Tribune story. He is also the owner of Longshot Lanes in Bad Axe.

In October, Rolfe launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $80,000 as the movie theater industry continues to struggle following the COVID-19 lockdown.

I need to come right out and say that since COVID-19 happened in 2020, things havent been the same at the theater, Rolfe said in a social media post in October. We were one of the last businesses to be able to reopen. Needless to say, it was a slow rehabilitation.

Rolfe said in the post that the $80,000 goal would help cover the theaters essential operating costs and unpaid bills. The campaign, which was removed from the GoFundMe website shortly after Rolfe was charged, had raised almost $24,000 as of Jan. 8.

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Both the theater and bowling failed to sell at a Feb. 10 auction. The opening bid for the theater was listed at $209,821.77. The starting bid for Longshot Lanes was $554,349.09.

Leanne Schuette, vice president of lending for Bay Port State Bank, said in February that Rolfe has until August to pay off the loans for the businesses. If he fails to pay, the bank will take possession of the properties.

The building that houses the theater was opened as a Knights of Columbus hall in 1916, where the group held meetings, dinners, and other events, and even presented stage productions and movies.

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After a building fire in the 1940s, the space became a regular movie theater, with the Knights of Columbus utilizing the basement as their regular meeting space.
This photo shows Huron County commissioners during a January meeting. Commissioners are now weighing higher fees for large solar and battery projects amid a state law dispute. Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune

Huron County commissioners are facing a key question: can they charge fees for large solar and battery projects at all  and if so, how much?

Conflicting interpretations of state law have created uncertainty, fueling frustration and pushing officials to reconsider how the county structures its fees during the commissioners April 24 meeting.

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Adjusting the county's fee structure could increase revenue for Huron County by charging developers more for more land. However, unclear state exemptions have caused opposing interpretations of whether or not solar and battery facilities qualify for the fee, which developers have cited in arguing against higher fees.

Jeff Smith, Huron County building and zoning director, raised the issue when he approached the commissioners about an upcoming application he anticipates the planning commission will receive for a special use permit for The Pine Sap Solar Project in Rubicon Township. The main concerns center around the fee amount and the exemptions for the fee.

"Our ordinance has a multitude of land uses that are required to be approved under special use permit," Smith explained. "Typically, special use permits involve one parcel of land, which is entirely different for these other projects of this magnitude, such as solar or battery. However, battery energy storage may just be one parcel of land. So I'm not sure if the county would like to use a fee structure based on parcels, based on megawatt or break it out for each use?"

Smith added that the county currently charges $800 for a special use permit for a regular monthly meeting or $1,200 for a special meeting. In comparison, Smith referenced the Michigan Public Service Commission's $10,000 application fee, along with additional charges for staff time exceeding 150 hours worked.

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To help demonstrate why these application fee amounts are relevant, Smith used the Pine Sap Solar Project as an example.

According to him, that project is a 150 megawatt solar project consisting of 27 parcels of land, totaling 1,586.9 acres.

"If you use the $800 per parcel that we currently charge for special use permits, it'd be 27 times 800 for a $21,600 application fee," he said.

The confusion, however, lies in different interpretations of a state law that outlines the types of construction sites that are exempt from these fees, which determines if the county can charge or inspect at all.

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"It's very frustrating because our attorney agreed with their attorney to say they're exempt and not required to get permits," he said. "But other jurisdictions are getting permits and having inspections on all this stuff."

According to Smith, there's a state law that has been interpreted to exclude certain "heavy civil construction" projects under the State Construction Code Act.

The law, MCL Section 125.1502, has been interpreted by some attorneys to mean certain large-scale energy projects qualify as heavy civil construction and may fall outside the acts permitting requirements, though this interpretation is not explicitly defined and varies by jurisdiction.

Using this, Smith said their attorneys issued an opinion March 24, 2025, agreeing with counsel for NextEra Energy that their battery storage project on Pinnebog Road qualifies for an exemption under the state Construction Code Act. As a result, no county inspections have been conducted on the construction under the current interpretation, including footings and foundations.

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"We have an opinion from our council that these facilities are exempt, but Sanilac County is charging permit fees and inspections for their solar projects," Smith said. "I emailed the state of Michigan and they're saying it's up to the authority having jurisdiction."

Smith later clarified it was the chief electrical inspector who told him this.

In Michigan, enforcement of the construction code is handled by local authorities having jurisdiction, meaning counties and municipalities can interpret and apply certain provisions differently. The authority that has jurisdiction, Smith said, is his office.

As a result, Smith advocated for revising the fee, indicating support for an increase. He pointed to the states application fee of $1 per solar panel, as Smith said Sanilac County recently issued a solar project permit with a building permit fee of approximately $400,000.

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In response to the information provided by Smith, Commissioner John Hunt simply said, "As far as I'm concerned, they should pay whatever the maximum amount there is for this stuff."

"We need to come up with our own contract, with our own agreement," Chairman Sami Khoury countered.

To start that process, the commissioners decided to bring the issue to the committees to take a further look. The finance committee will work on the fee structure while the legislative committee handles the reimbursement agreement.

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To help facilitate those meetings and ensure solutions align with the building and zoning department, Smith was asked to send an email with his expectations to both committees after Friday's meeting concluded.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Iran's foreign minister continued his shuttle diplomacy, landing in St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after a weekend in Pakistan and Oman. Tehran also pitched a new proposal to end the war with the U.S. and Israel.

But the U.S delegation canceled its trip to Pakistan, raising fears a deal to end the war and open the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains elusive.

Here is what to know.

Iran has a new offer

Iran's latest proposal would put off negotiations on its nuclear program to a future date.

Instead, the deal would only see Tehran end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington lifting its blockade on Iranian ports and a long-term or permanent truce, according to two regional officials with knowledge of the proposal who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations.

That offer will likely be rejected by U.S. President Donald Trump. For one, it doesn't address the core issue he cited when he began bombing on Feb. 28: finding a way to ensure that Iran cannot build an atomic weapon. It also appears to be silent on other major questions, like Iran's missile program and its support of proxies in the region.

This weekend, Trump held back sending envoys to Pakistan, which has been playing a crucial mediating role. By saying the Iranians could call Washington with any proposal, Trump appears to be signaling he's content to try to continue to squeeze Iran via a blockade.

The Strait of Hormuz remains shut

The U.S. blockade both squeezes Iran's oil sales  a key source of hard currency for its theocracy  and threatens to force Tehran to eventually shut down its production if it can't get its crude to market. Already, Iran has faced troubles at home over its economy, and it could worsen as time goes on.

The global economy also is suffering: With few ships able to cross the strait, through which about 20% of all traded oil and natural gas passes, oil and gasoline prices are skyrocketing and jet fuel, cooking gas and other energy products are starting to become scarce in parts of the world.

The closure has particularly put pressure on Trump's Gulf allies, which also use the waterway to export their oil and gas.

A ceasefire without a deadline

The current truce began April 8 after multiple deadlines posed by Trump that threatened Irans very civilization at one point. A separate ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon also has taken effect.

Trump has now extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely after whipsawing between various timelines for the conflict.

But negotiations for ending the war have stalled.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance took part in an earlier round of talks days after the truce began  the highest-level ones between America and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. They ended without agreement.

Pakistan is trying to get the two sides back to the table in Islamabad. But this weekend it took down all the checkpoints and security it had in place in anticipation of negotiations. That signals theres no immediate hope of talks resuming.

American firepower in the region grows

While negotiations appear at a stalemate, the U.S. military presence in the Middle East continues to grow. As of Monday, the U.S. Navy had three aircraft carrier groups in the region: the USS Abraham Lincoln, the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS George H.W. Bush.

Those carriers include some 15,000 sailors and Marines, as well as over 200 aircraft and additional ships. An amphibious assault group led by the USS Tripoli is also in the Mideast, with its own sailors, Marines and aircraft.

That comes on top of the warplanes, refuelers and other troop deployments to the region.

Iran seeks help from abroad

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Oman, Pakistan and Russia in recent days. Pakistan has been a key mediator in this war, and Oman has long has been a key interlocutor between the U.S. and Iran.

But Russia broadly has stayed out of the latest conflict. Moscow has been floated as a possibility to take in Iran's highly enriched uranium  removal of which Trump has insisted on. That uranium could be used to build a bomb, should Iran choose to pursue one  though Tehran insists its program is only for civilian purposes.

Russia has signaled it is willing to assist, though Tehran maintains it will not give up its stockpile.

All of Irans highly enriched uranium remains in the country, likely entombed at enrichment sites bombed by the U.S. during a 12-day war last June.

___

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.
Germanys infantry soldiers and space program are among the areas receiving significant monetary investments, as the countrys military push keeps it in the conversation among the strongest of the entire NATO alliance.

The European nation has dramatically boosted its military spending as part of a long-term vision helmed by both former Chancellor Olaf Scholz and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the latter overseeing a national overhaul that he said aspires to transform the German military, or Bundeswehr, into the "strongest conventional army in Europe" by 2039.

These moves have been in the works for years now, pushed by Scholz in 2022 as part of a 100 billion-euro military spending strategy following Russias invasion of Ukraine that this past February exceeded the four-year mark.

Germany overall had a 24% year-over-year increase of defense spending between 2025 and 2026 to $114 billion, according to an annual report published Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). That was the biggest total among European NATO countries, marking the first time since 1990 that Germany spent more than 2% of its GDP on defense.

"In 2025 military spending by European NATO members rose faster than at any time since 1953, reflecting the ongoing pursuit of European self-reliance alongside increasing pressure from the United States to strengthen burden sharing within the alliance," said Jade Guiberteau Ricard, researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program, in a statement.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watching a presentation of military equipment and drones made in German-Ukrainian cooperation in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, POOL)

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the nation's defense budget to dramatically increase roughly $600 billion from current record-high fiscal year spending, up to approximately $1.5 trillion for the next fiscal year.

"As states strive to meet the new NATO spending targets agreed in 2025, there is a risk that the boundaries between military and other 'defense- and security-related' expenditures become blurred, reducing transparency and further complicating the assessment of military capabilities," Ricard added.

Space Program Investment Launches

On Monday, Germany launched its military space program intended to bolster cybersecurity, satellite constellations, earlywarning and ground systems, and independent space operations for the Bundeswehr, according to DW. In September 2025, Pistorius announced the nations planned investment of 35 billion euros (roughly $41 billion USD) to go fully in effect by 2030.

German satellite manufacturer OHB, one of Europe's leading aerospace companies, has reportedly teamed with other large defense companies like Airbus and Rheinmetall to build a national military satellite network comparable to SpaceX's Starlink.

"We are hardening our systems against disruptions and attacks, Pistorius said last year at the space congress of the Federation of German Industries, according to German newspaper Die Welt. This explicitly includes cybersecurity for all space systems."

"We must also be able to deter in space in order to be capable of defending ourselves, Pistorius added, saying that space investment involves better radar systems, telescopes and the future deployment of sentinel satellites.

A soldier prepares to pilot an SR-X4 drone during a static display as part of NATO led military exercises at a military base near Bergen, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

The investment also signified a broader change requiring German Space Command its own military satellite operations center, deviating from the years-long responsibility of the German Air Force being responsible for space-based threats and military objectives.

"This is the only way we can maintain control over our systems and react quickly in an emergency, Pistorius previously said, with warfare in Eastern Europe like jamming, drone hacking and other technologies becoming more prevalent in recent years.

German Infantry Gets 1.04 Billion Euro Boost

Also on Monday, the German defense contractor Rheinmetall in a press release provided to Military.com announced a long-term investment aimed to modernize and more sufficiently arm German soldiers.

Rheinmetall said the framework of its Infantry Soldier of the Future  Enhanced System (IdZ-ES) agreement will include delivery of an additional 237 platoon systems for the Bundeswehr at a price point of approximately 1.04 billion euros. Systems are scheduled to be delivered between November 2027 and December 2029, with an additional 8,600 soldiers receiving the IdZ-ES system.

A German IdZ-ES infantryman is photographed. On April 27, 2026, defense contractor Rheinmetall announced additional "Infantry Soldier of the Future  Enhanced System" (IdZ-ES) soldier-systems under a framework agreement worth 1.04 billion euros. (Rheinmetall)

In total, the company says that the Bundeswehr will ultimately be equipped with 353 platoon systems comprising over 12,000 individual sets of equipment. Each platoon system is comprised of 35 individual kits and equipment including advanced IT, optics, optronics, in addition to military clothing, protection and carrying equipment.

Rheinmetall, the general contractor, is responsible for the system and is coordinating more than 30 subcontractors for the long-term investments.

Germany has signed 111 billion euros ($130 billion USD) worth of weapons contracts since 2022, according to the German news outlet Der Spiegel, including about 47,000 procurement contracts signed since Scholz's declaration some four years ago. Those contracts are referenced in German Defense Ministry reports.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea has opened a memorial museum for its soldiers killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with top leaders of North Korea and Russia pledging a push for greater cooperation.

In April 2025, North Korea and Russia announced that their soldiers fought together to repel a Ukraine incursion into Russias Kursk border region. The two countries havent disclosed exactly how many North Koreans soldiers were deployed, but South Koreas intelligence service estimated last year that North Korea sent about 15,000 troops and 2,000 of them were killed.

The Norths Korean Central News Agency reported Monday the museums inaugural ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Sunday to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of an operation to liberate the Kursk region. KCNA said leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony along with top visiting Russian officials including Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov.

During the ceremony, Kim threw dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and laid flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary, before he and Volodin and Beloussov left messages on the guest book, according to KCNA.

In a speech, Kim said the spirits of dead North Korean soldiers will remain as a symbol of the Korean peoples heroism and support a victorious march by the Korean and Russian people. He praised the North Korean and Russian forces for thwarting what he called a U.S.-led Western hegemonic plot and military adventurism on the Russian-Ukraine front.

Meeting with Beloussov separately, Kim said North Korea will fully support the Russian policy of defending its sovereignty and security interests, KCNA reported. Russias state news agency, Tass, cited Belousov as telling Kim that Russia was ready to sign a Russian-North Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period.

In a letter to Kim read by Volodin during the ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the museum will undoubtedly be a clear symbol of the friendship and solidarity between the two countries. Putin said he was convinced that the two countries would continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, according to KCNA.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kim has made Moscow the priority of his foreign policy by supplying troops and conventional weapons. In return, North Korea was believed to have received economic and other assistance from Russia. South Korea, the U.S. and their partners worry Russia may transfer high-tech technologies that can enhance North Koreas nuclear and missile programs.

Experts say North Korean troops sent to the war earlier became easy targets for drone and artillery attacks due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. But Ukrainian military and intelligence officials have assessed that the North Koreans were gaining crucial battlefield experience and were key to Russias strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk.

___

Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report.
The United States has eased sanctions on the Venezuelan government to allow it to pay for Nicolas Maduros legal defense in a U.S. narcoterrorism case, a shift that comes as a former top intelligence insider signals he may cooperate with prosecutors, potentially reshaping one of the most consequential foreign corruption cases in recent years.

The U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control issued amended licenses authorizing lawyers representing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to receive payments from the Venezuelan government under strict conditions, according to a court document made public Friday.

The licenses allow payments only from funds available to the Venezuelan government after March 5, 2026, and prohibit the use of certain restricted accounts, marking a shift from earlier U.S. efforts to block access to those resources on national security and foreign policy grounds.

The move follows arguments from Maduros defense team, led by attorney Barry Pollack, that restrictions on payments violated the Sixth Amendment right to counsel by preventing him from choosing his legal representation.

During a March 26 hearing in federal court in New York, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein questioned the governments reliance on national security grounds to justify those restrictions, noting that, following their capture, neither Maduro nor Flores appeared to pose an ongoing threat.

Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were detained on Jan. 3 in Caracas in a U.S. military operation and transferred to a federal detention facility in Brooklyn. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and cocaine importation. A trial is not expected to begin for at least one to two years.

As the case moves forward, attention has turned to Hugo El Pollo Carvajal, Venezuelas former military intelligence chief, who could emerge as a key witness for the prosecution.

Carvajal, once one of the most powerful figures in Venezuelas intelligence apparatus, pleaded guilty in 2025 to U.S. narcotics and narcoterrorism charges as part of a deal that left open the possibility of cooperation with authorities.

In a letter sent to President Donald Trump, according to a CNN report published over the weekend, Carvajal offered to provide information about alleged criminal activities within the Venezuelan state, saying he sought to atone for past actions and help the United States protect itself from dangers he witnessed over years in government.

Carvajals outreach builds on a December 2025 letter he sent from federal prison in which he described what he alleged was a state-run criminal apparatus embedded within Venezuelas leadership.

In that letter, the former spy chief alleged that the Venezuelan state evolved into a narcotics trafficking enterprise under Hugo Chavez, centered on the so-called Cartel de los Soles, a network of military-linked officials long accused by U.S. authorities of coordinating large-scale cocaine shipments abroad.

He claimed the movement of drugs into the United States was not the result of isolated corruption but a deliberate policy, asserting that trafficking routes were designed to weaponize narcoticsan allegation that echoes longstanding U.S. charges but has been consistently denied by Caracas.

Carvajal also claimed that Venezuelan authorities empowered criminal groups such as the Tren de Aragua gang and facilitated their expansion beyond the countrys borders, including into the United States, describing them as part of a broader system of informal enforcement and illicit revenue generation.

Beyond drug trafficking, he outlined what he described as extensive intelligence cooperation between Venezuela and nations including Cuba and Russia, and claimed that espionage networks linked to Caracas had operated inside the United States for yearsassertions that U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed.

Those claims broadly align with elements of the charges Maduro now faces in federal court, including allegations of coordinating drug trafficking networks and working with criminal organizations. Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in narcotics operations.

The U.S. Department of Justice has not publicly confirmed whether Carvajal is cooperating. However, legal experts say recent developments suggest that negotiations may be under way behind the scenes.

A sentencing hearing for Carvajal was postponed last week without a new date, a move that could indicate cooperation discussions. Carvajal also no longer appears in the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate database, though he remains in federal custodyanother potential signal, experts say.

Neither Carvajals legal team nor the Justice Department has commented on his current status.

Carvajals potential cooperation could prove pivotal. For years, U.S. authorities have struggled to penetrate what they describe as a deeply entrenched system in which elements of the Venezuelan state, including parts of the military and intelligence services, were allegedly repurposed to facilitate illicit activities.

With decades of access to senior leadership under both Chavez and Maduro, Carvajal is seen by investigators as a rare insider capable of providing detailed accounts of how those networks operated and evolved.

Still, analysts caution that his claims will need to be independently corroborated. Carvajal has a history of shifting allegiances, having broken with Maduro in 2019 before being arrested in Spain and later extradited to the United States.

2026 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
On the morning of Jan. 30, 1944, two battalions of U.S. Army Rangers found themselves surrounded in the open farmland south of Cisterna, Italy, outnumbered and outgunned by a German force that had been waiting for them. By the time the fighting ended, a force of 767 Rangers had been reduced to just six.

The 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions, the core of the Army's premier commando force since 1942, ceased to exist in a single day. The defeat halted the use of Army Rangers in the Mediterranean, led to the disbandment of the original Ranger battalions and forced the Army to reconsider how it built, trained and used its elite light infantry for the rest of the war and the decades after.

From Scotland to the Italian Mountains

Maj. William O. Darby activated the 1st Ranger Battalion on June 19, 1942, at Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, drawing volunteers from across the U.S. Army and training them alongside British Commandos in Scotland. Darby, a 1933 West Point graduate from Fort Smith, Arkansas, named the unit after Maj. Robert Rogers's colonial-era Rangers.

The battalion first proved itself against Axis forces in North Africa at Arzew and Djebel el Ank. By the spring of 1943 it had earned a reputation as one of the most capable small units in the Army.

That success led to the Army approving the expansion of the Rangers. The 3rd and 4th Ranger Battalions were activated in April 1943 at Nemours, Algeria, using veterans of the 1st Battalion as cadre. Maj. Herman Dammer took command of the 3rd and Maj. Roy Murray took over the 4th.

Darby had requested 15 battalions for the upcoming invasion of Sicily but was told to manage with just three, according to historian David W. Hogan's "Raiders or Elite Infantry." He even declined a promotion and a regimental command in order to stay with the Rangers.

But spreading experienced leadership across three battalions diluted the talent that had made the original unit effective in the first place. Ranger companies fielded between 63 and 67 men compared to 193 in a standard infantry company, while the expansion stretched that small corps of veterans thin.

All three battalions spearheaded the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and the landings at Salerno that September, where the Rangers seized Chiunzi Pass and held it for more than two weeks against sustained counterattacks.

Soldiers of the 3rd Ranger Battalion board LCIs that will take them to Anzio. Two weeks later, nearly all were captured or killed at Cisterna. (Wikimedia Commons)

Through the fall and winter, the Rangers were employed as conventional infantry in mountain fighting near San Pietro, Venafro and Cassino along the German Winter Line. The combat wore the battalions down.

According to a Command and General Staff College study on the battle, some Ranger companies had been reduced to just platoon strength. Company A of the 4th Battalion had three officers and 43 men. Company E had one officer and 34 men.

On Dec. 11, 1943, the three Ranger Battalions were reorganized as the 6615th Ranger Force (Provisional), with Darby promoted to colonel in command. The force also included the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion and a Ranger Cannon Company.

Replacements filled the depleted ranks, but few had received the rigorous training that defined the original Rangers.

A Night Infiltration Turns Into a Trap

On Jan. 22, 1944, the 6615th Ranger Force spearheaded the amphibious landings at Anzio as part of Operation Shingle, the Allied attempt to outflank the German Gustav Line. The landings went smoothly, but Maj. Gen. John Lucas, the VI Corps commander, chose to consolidate rather than push inland, giving the Germans time to reinforce.

By Jan. 29, approximately 71,500 German troops surrounded 69,000 Allied soldiers around the beachhead.

Lucas planned a two-pronged breakout. The British 1st Infantry Division would attack northeast toward Campoleone. The Ranger Force, supporting Maj. Gen. Lucian Truscott's 3rd Infantry Division, would infiltrate and seize the crossroads town of Cisterna.

The 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions, totaling 767 men with 43 soldiers from the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, would move under cover of darkness along a drainage ditch, bypass German outposts and take the town before dawn. The 4th Ranger Battalion would advance along the Conca-Cisterna road to link up.

Supporting attacks by the 15th Infantry, 7th Infantry and 504th Parachute Infantry Regiments would assist the offensive.

Allied plan of attack and force dispositions at Cisterna 30 January 1944. (Wikimedia Commons)

Allied intelligence assessed the German defenses ahead as a thin screen of outposts. That assessment was highly inaccurate. The Germans had designated Cisterna as an assembly area for reserve divisions and heavily reinforced the sector the night before the attack.

A Polish conscript involuntarily serving in the German army deserted to American lines and tried to warn of the buildup, but the message was not relayed in time.

The 1st and 3rd Battalions stepped off at 0130 on Jan. 30 and moved in column formation through the drainage ditch in darkness. They successfully bypassed multiple German positions. But at first light, the Rangers were still 800 yards south of Cisterna with open ground ahead.

Elements of the 715th Infantry Division, the Hermann Goring Panzer Division and the 2nd Parachute Lehr Battalion hit them from multiple directions with infantry, at least 17 Panzer IV tanks, flak trucks and direct artillery fire.

The Rangers fought for hours with bazookas, grenades, sticky mines and small arms. Maj. John Dobson, the 1st Battalion commander, personally shot a German tank commander with his pistol, climbed onto the vehicle and dropped a white phosphorus grenade through the hatch to destroy it.

Two other German tanks were captured by the Rangers, then inadvertently destroyed by other Ranger bazooka teams who did not know the vehicles had been seized. Maj. Alvah Miller, the 3rd Battalion commander, was killed by a German tank round during the fighting.

One Army Ranger, Pfc. James Palmer, later said, "It was really tough back there, because them 'Jerries' [Germans] were firmly entrenched and all we could do was watch and try to pick them off as fast as we sighted them."

A rifle squad from 3rd Ranger Battalion passes a shelled-out dwelling in the Santa Maria sector of Italy on the route to the front line on Nov. 10, 1943. (U.S. Army)

By mid-morning, the Germans had sealed the perimeter around both battalions, cutting off any possibility of reinforcement or resupply, leaving the Rangers to fight with only the ammunition they had left. As ammunition ran low, the Germans drove captured Americans in front of their tanks to force isolated pockets of defenders to surrender.

Historian Robert W. Black recorded in his book, "Rangers in World War II," that Sergeant Major Robert Ehalt made the final radio contact with Darby from inside Cisterna that afternoon.

"Some of the fellows are giving up, Colonel, we are awfully sorry," Ehalt said. "They can't help it, because we're running out of ammunition. But I ain't surrendering. They are coming into the building now."

Ehalt destroyed his radio and continued to fight until German tanks collapsed the building he was defending. Black wrote that Darby lowered his head into his hands and wept.

The 4th Ranger Battalion attacked up the Conca-Cisterna road but could not break through the German defenses to reach the trapped battalions.

The broader VI Corps offensive pushed Allied lines forward just three miles on a seven-mile front over two days of fighting, but Cisterna itself remained in German hands until the Anzio breakout in late May 1944.

The Losses and the Disbandment

The toll on the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions was near-total. Of the 767 Rangers who infiltrated toward Cisterna, only six made it back to American lines.

One of those six was Palmer, who was initially listed as missing in action. His family was told he was unaccounted for and they feared the worst. An Army mortar team later found him wandering away from the front, dazed and lost. He spent weeks recuperating from the battle before returning to another unit and being wounded in combat just months later.

The Army's official history of the Anzio campaign recorded that the two battalions suffered 12 killed, 36 wounded and 743 captured. The 4th Ranger Battalion lost 30 killed and 58 wounded in its failed relief attempt.

Postwar intelligence revealed that the Ranger attack had actually disrupted the German plan for a major counterattack on the Anzio beachhead. However, the cost of that disruption fell almost entirely on the Rangers.

Captured American and British soldiers being marched through Rome in front of the Coliseum, 1944. (Wikimedia Commons)

Lucas's decision to use the lightly armed Ranger Force to spearhead a conventional offensive drew heavy criticism. The Rangers had been designed as an elite raiding force, not a line infantry unit. They lacked the organic armor, artillery and anti-tank weapons needed to fight through a reinforced German defensive position.

Multiple postwar analyses, including a Command and General Staff College thesis on the battle, concluded that the mission exceeded the Rangers' capabilities as they were organized and equipped.

The shattered Ranger Force was disbanded. Approximately 150 Rangers were sent back to the United States. About 400 were permanently transferred to the Canadian-American First Special Service Force, an elite unit that went on to take part in the liberation of Rome and the invasion of Southern France.

Darby himself was reassigned. When the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division was nearly overrun during a German counterattack on Feb. 17, Lucas sent Darby to take command. He later rotated to a War Department staff assignment in Washington.

Darby in 1944 as a full colonel. He was killed in April 1945, just days before the war in Italy came to an end. (Wikimedia Commons)

He returned to Italy in March 1945, volunteering to replace the wounded assistant division commander of the 10th Mountain Division and leading "Task Force Darby" during the final Allied offensive in northern Italy. On April 30, 1945, an artillery shell killed Darby near Torbole on Lake Garda while he was issuing attack orders. He was only 34.

Two days later, all Axis forces in Italy surrendered. The Army posthumously promoted Darby to brigadier general on May 15, 1945.

Transforming the Army Rangers

Cisterna ended the conventional Ranger role in the Mediterranean, but the Army Rangers were far from over. The 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions, separate units formed at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, in 1943, were already training for the invasion of France.

On D-Day, the 2nd Ranger Battalion under Lt. Col. James Rudder scaled the 100-foot cliffs at Pointe du Hoc to destroy a German coastal battery. The 5th Battalion fought at Omaha Beach before linking up at Pointe du Hoc. Meanwhile, the 6th Ranger Battalion served in the Philippines. Unlike the conventional Rangers in Italy, the other units perfected the art of reconnaissance and raids against high-value targets in support of larger infantry formations.

However, a pattern emerged where the Army would raise Rangers in wartime, only to dissolve them afterward. Most WWII Ranger units were disbanded in the post-war drawdowns. In Korea, 15 Ranger companies were raised and served where they continued the tactics perfected in WWII. In Vietnam, 13 companies were created to conduct long-range reconnaissance patrols before a mass inactivation of all Ranger units in 1972.

In 1974, Gen. Creighton Abrams, the Army chief of staff, directed the creation of a permanent Ranger battalion. The 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger) was activated at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on July 1 of that year, while a second battalion followed in October. A third battalion and regimental headquarters were activated in October 1984.

The 75th Ranger Regiment was formally designated in February 1986, according to the Army's official Ranger heritage page. The lineage and honors of every prior Ranger unit were transferred to the regiment.

Army Rangers at Pointe Du Hoc after securing the cliffs during the Allied Invasion of Normandy. (Army Photo)

Today, Camp Darby at Fort Benning, Georgia, hosts the first phase of Ranger School. A second Camp Darby operates near Livorno, Italy. The town of Cisterna named its high school for Darby, while Cisterna and Fort Smith, Arkansas, are listed as sister cities.

Each year, soldiers conduct the Darby Challenge, a 40-mile endurance march in Vicenza, Italy, honoring the Rangers who fought across the peninsula.

The 75th Ranger Regiment has since fought in Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The lesson of Cisterna, that elite light infantry cannot be employed as conventional line troops and must be supported with adequate intelligence and firepower, became a foundational principle in how the Army structures and deploys its Rangers today.

When asked about the Rangers and their fight against the Germans in Cisterna, Palmer later said, "We were dirty SOBs, under a great soldier [Darby] ... and we kicked the crap out of them."
Fernando Cotas final resting place is no longer among the nations heroes.

Cota, a convicted rapist and alleged serial killer, had his remains disinterred from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas earlier this week, according to a press release from Sen. John Cornyns office.

Cotas removal comes after a federal law was passed last December allowing for the Vietnam soldiers remains to be disinterred from the cemetery. The legislation was introduced by Cornyn (R-Texas) and co-sponsored by fellow Texas senator Ted Cruz. The bill was signed into law by President Donald Trump as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.

The law gave Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins the directive to remove Cotas remains.

Cornyn was pleased to hear that his legislation worked, and a violent criminal would no longer be buried in the same cemetery as other veterans.

Because of the law I authored, the remains of Fernando V. Cota, a convicted rapist and alleged serial murderer, have been disinterred from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Cornyn said in a press release. I appreciate Secretary Collins and the VA for swiftly executing the law to bring closure to the victims families and restore honor among our nations heroes on the sacred burial grounds of Fort Sam Houston.

According to federal law 38 U.S. Code  2411, the internment or memorialization of veterans who committed heinous crimes through the National Cemetery Administration or Arlington National Cemetery is prohibited, however the law was not adopted until 1984, shortly after Cotas death.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) (cornyn.senate.gov)

Cota isnt the first veteran to have his remains removed from a national cemetery. In 2023, former Lt. Andrew Chabrols remains were disinterred from Arlington National Cemetery. Chabrol, a Navy officer, was convicted of the 1991 murder of Petty Officer Second Class Melissa Harrington. He was executed in Virginia in 1993.

Silka, an Army veteran, was killed in a firefight with Alaska State Troopers in 1984. He had been on the run after killing nine people in a remote Alaskan village two days earlier. At his fathers request, Silkas ashes were interred in a national cemetery in Sitka, Alaska, but theres been momentum in recent years to have his remains disinterred.

Cotas Violent Past

Born in 1946, Cota was drafted into the Army in the mid-1960s, serving in the Vietnam War.

In 1984, he died by suicide after being pulled over by police along a California highway and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Investigators believe Cota took his own life to spare him from a lifetime in prison or the death penalty.

He had already spent time behind bars, convicted of attacking, bounding and raping a nurse in 1975. While he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Cota was released on parole in 1983.

Following his death, detectives linked Cota to more sexual assaults and identified him as the main suspect in the murders of six young women in San Jose, California.

Vietnam veteran Fernando Cota's former gravesite at Sam Houston National Cemetery. (Submitted)

Scoping out the back of his van, police discovered a young womans corpse, the body of Kim Marie Dunham, 21. She had been reported missing a day earlier. A search of his home would lead to more ghastly findings. Police found a small closet that appeared to be a torture chamber. The closets walls were covered in fingerprints, which were collected for examination to hopefully identify Cotas other alleged victims.

Finding the bizarre closet was only the tip of the iceberg.

Police discovered false ID cards, a bogus police badge, several womens blouses, six pairs of womens shoes, and ads Cota produced and distributed around the San Jose State University Campus, hoping to attract students to live in his apartment.

Investigators determined Cota likely murdered the six women by strangulation, stabbing or savage beatings.
After having their rotation depth tested by injuries in Spring Training, the Braves now find themselves in the position of having enough arms to allow themselves to tinker with the starting five. With Spencer Strider close to a return to the rotation, Reynaldo Lopez is being moved to the bullpen, as manager Walt Weiss told reporters (including Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) on Sunday.

Lopezs last start saw him fail to get out of the second inning, as he allowed four earned runs over an inning plus two batters in the Braves 11-4 loss to the Nationals last Tuesday. In the aftermath of that tough outing, the decision was made to give Lopez some time to iron some things out as a reliever, as Weiss put it.

Lopez is working through some things, delivery-wise, that type of thing, and hes getting there, Weiss said. And when hes right, hes one of our best starters. He was our No. 2 coming out of camp, even with some of the issues he had at the end of Spring Training. We see him as a starter long term, but right nowhes going to help us out of the pen in the short term.

The situation is fluid, as Weiss admitted that its series to series with the rotation right now. Martin Perez, JR Ritchie, and Bryce Elder are lined up to start during the three-game series with the Tigers that begins on Tuesday. Grant Holmes will likely go on Friday against the Rockies and Chris Sale will start Saturday or Sunday, depending on Striders readiness.

Strider has been on the 15-day injured list all season recovering from an oblique strain, but he threw 82 pitches in his third rehab start today. Assuming no setbacks, Strider should be able to pitch during one of those two games next weekend in Denver.

Pretty much everything has been clicking for an Atlanta team that has a league-best 20-9 record. The offense, bullpen, and starting rotation have all been rolling, even if the rotations collective 3.12 ERA is undermined by some shakier secondary metrics. While it remains to be seen how long the starters can keep it going or how long a leash the Braves may give a rookie like Ritchie or a veteran like Perez (who has already been released and then re-signed to a new minor league deal, and re-selected to the active roster).

This leaves Lopez as an excess arm, even though Lopezs 3.74 ERA is respectable and he is doing a good job of limiting hard contact. The rightys 21.1% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate are both below average, however, and his four-seamers average velocity is 93.9mph  well below the 95.5mph that Lopez averaged in 2024.

That dominant 2024 campaign saw Lopez post a 1.99 ERA over 135 2/3 innings, as Atlantas decision to move Lopez back into a starting role paid big dividends. The end of that breakout year saw Lopez hampered by forearm and shoulder problems, which proved to be a harbinger for a 2025 season that saw Lopez make just a single start. The right-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder following that lone outing, and his rehab was shut down late in the year since Lopez didnt have enough time to build his arm back up to a starters workload.

It isnt surprising that Lopez needs to shake off some rust after his long layoff, even if he looked pretty good over his first three starts of the year. Having Lopez available out of the pen to throw multiple innings gives the Braves some cover if any of their starters are chased early, and lower-leverage work will hopefully allow Lopez to solve his mechanical issues.
Mercedes-Benz raised car prices by around 2% each in January 2026 and April 2026.

Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer (left), and Sales and Marketing Vice President Brendon Sissing (right) with the new CLA BEV.
TSRJC Hall Ticket 2026 released @ tgrjc.cgg.gov.in, download TSRJC CET admit card here

The Telangana Residential Educational Institutional Society (TREIS) has released the TSRJC Common Entrance Test (CET) hall ticket 2026 today, April 27. Candidates who have registered for the entrance examination can now download their admit card from the official portal at tgrjc.cgg.gov.in.









TSRJC Hall Ticket 2026 TSRJC CET 2026 hall ticket will be released at tgrjc.cgg.gov.in

Exam scheduled for May 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

No duplicate hall tickets will be issued; printout is mandatory Did our AI summary help?
Violence in Bengal: Four TMC workers arrested over clash outside Jagaddal police station

The spark for the violence was reportedly the tearing of political flags and posters put up for the Prime Minister's visit.









Four TMC workers arrested over clash outside Jagaddal police station (ANI) Four TMC workers arrested after clash with BJP in Jagaddal

Violence sparked by tearing of flags ahead of PM Modi's visit

Security increased in Jagaddal and Barrackpore after incident Did our AI summary help?
TMC MP Mitali Bag seen on stretcher after vehicle attack, cries for help; party blames BJP | Watch

TMC MP accused the Bharatiya Janata Party for the alleged attack, Visuals showed her in distress on a stretcher. She was seen breaking down recounting the incident.









TMC MP Mitali Bag seen on stretcher after vehicle attacked, cries for help; party blames BJP (X)
ADOR confirms NewJeans comeback prep in Copenhagen; fans slam lack of clarity on full lineup

ADOR has shared a new update on NewJeans comeback, but the statement has sparked mixed reactions among fans. While the agency confirmed the groups Copenhagen trip was work-related, the lack of clear details around future plans has only added to the ongoing speculation.









NewJeans comeback ADOR confirms NewJeans' Copenhagen trip was work-related

Fans upset as ADOR's statement is vague on group lineup

No clear update on all five members joining the comeback Did our AI summary help?
BTS Jungkook addresses horrible vocals criticism after Tampa concert; blames technical glitch and says, 'I am mad too'

Jungkook addressed backlash over horrible vocals after BTS Tampa concert, clarifying it was a technical issue, apologising to fans, and admitting he was frustrated too, promising improved performances ahead.









BTS Jungkook addresses horrible vocals criticism after Tampa concert; blames technical glitch and says, 'I am mad too' Jungkook addressed vocal criticism after BTS' Tampa concerts

He confirmed a technical issue during "Magic Shop" performance

Fans expect improved shows as BTS continues North American tour Did our AI summary help?
BTS kick off Arirang World Tour's US leg with an electrifying concert in Tampa

Marking their first American concert since 2022s Permission to Dance on Stage, the groups return to US stadiums has been nothing short of spectacular.









BTS BTS launched Arirang World Tour's US leg in Tampa, Florida

Tour includes new tracks and fan favorites from BTS 10th album

BTS touring major US and Canadian cities through March 2027 Did our AI summary help?
Deepika Padukone plans packed shoot schedule during second pregnancy, balances Raaka and King

Deepika Padukone, expecting her second child, continues working on Raaka and King, managing a tight schedule with international shoots and action scenes, while maintaining strong commitment to her projects.









Deepika Padukone plans packed shoot schedule during second pregnancy, balances Raaka and King Deepika Padukone maintains busy film schedule during pregnancy

She to film in South Africa with Abhishek, Suhana Khan

Her role in Raaka remains unchanged despite pregnancy news Did our AI summary help?
Exclusive- Priya Malik supports Deepika Padukone's 8-hours shift, says 'she's at that position where she can dictate her own working hours'

Priya Malik reflects on her journey from teaching in Australia to becoming a leading spoken word artist in India, sharing how poetry, honesty and lived experiences shaped her career, while also opening up on motherhood, flexible work culture and Deepika Padukones 8-hour shift demand.









Priya Malik backs Deepika Padukone 8-hours shift Priya Malik fuses emotion and experience in spoken word

She supports flexible work hours for parents, including fathers

Her poetry has inspired audiences and is performed in schools Did our AI summary help?
Mohanlals Drishyam 3 teaser drops April 29, film to release on his birthday

Drishyam 3 is gearing up for release, with Mohanlal returning as Georgekutty in the much-awaited third instalment. With the teaser set to drop on April 29, the makers have already sparked curiosity by hinting at another layered and suspenseful chapter.









Drishyam 3 teaser to release on 29th April Drishyam 3 starring Mohanlal releases in theatres May 21, 2026

Teaser for Drishyam 3 drops April 29 at 5 pm

Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil return to their roles Did our AI summary help?
Nedra Talley Ross, last surviving member of 1960's girl groups The Ronettes dies at 80

Nedra Talley Ross, the last surviving member of The Ronettes, died at 80. Her family confirmed she passed peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.









Nedra Talley Ross, last surviving member of 1960's girl groups The Ronettes dies at 80 Nedra Talley Ross, last Ronette, dies at 80

Her voice and style helped define The Ronettes' iconic sound

The Ronettes' influence on pop music will live on Did our AI summary help?
Riteish Deshmukh slams unacceptable remarks on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj amid controversy

Riteish Deshmukh has strongly condemned controversial remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, calling them unacceptable and infuriating. His reaction comes amid the ongoing row involving Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, whose comments have sparked widespread debate.

Gayatri Rani April 27, 2026 / 10:16 IST























Riteish Deshmukh reacts to remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Riteish Deshmukh slammed comments on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Controversy arose after remarks by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri

Raja Shivaji film releases globally in Marathi and Hindi on May 1 Did our AI summary help?
Sanjay Dutt apologises to NCW in Sarke Chunar controversy, pledges education support for 50 children

Sanjay Dutt appeared before the National Commission for Women following the controversy around the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.









Sanjay Dutt to educate 50 women Sanjay Dutt appeared before NCW over controversial song lyrics

Dutt apologized, will fund schooling for 50 tribal children

Nora Fatehi distanced herself from the song after backlash Did our AI summary help?
Shakira concert preparation turns tragic after crew member dies during stage setup

Preparations for Shakiras upcoming concert in Rio de Janeiro have been overshadowed by a tragic accident during stage setup.









Fatal accident during stage setup for Shakira's concert Worker dies during stage setup for Shakira's Rio concert

Accident occurred at Copacabana Beach on April 26

Organisers offer condolences and support to victim's family Did our AI summary help?
SS Rajamoulis Varanasi eyes Spanish release after CCXP Mexico showcase, Mahesh Babu spotted in Amsterdam

SS Rajamoulis Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, eyes a global rollout after CCXP Mexico showcase, with Spanish release rumours and ongoing international shoot ahead of 2027 release.









SS Rajamoulis Varanasi eyes Spanish release after CCXP Mexico showcase, Mahesh Babu spotted in Amsterdam Varanasi may get a Spanish-language version for global audiences

Film showcased at CCXP Mexico with three videos screened

Mahesh Babu spotted in Amsterdam for fitness training and shoot Did our AI summary help?
Veteran actor Bharat Kapoor passes away at 80 due to multiple organ failure

Veteran Hindi film actor Bharat Kapoor passed away on Monday at the age of 80 in Mumbai, marking the end of a long career in cinema. He died at Sion Hospital around 3:30 pm after reportedly suffering multiple organ failure over the past few days.









Veteran actor Bharat Kapoor dies at 80 Veteran actor Bharat Kapoor passed away at age 80 in Mumbai

Kapoor was known for strong supporting roles in Hindi cinema

Final rites at Sion Hospital, attended by loved ones Did our AI summary help?
Why Vinod Khanna divorced first wife Geetanjali after having two children Akshaye Khanna and Rahul?, Took sanyas and later married Kavita

Vinod Khanna left his family at the peak of his career to pursue spirituality, leading to divorce from Geetanjali. He later returned, rebuilt his life, and married Kavita Daftary.









Why Vinod Khanna divorced first wife Geetanjali after having two children Akshaye Khanna and Rahul?, Took sanyas and later married Kavita Vinod Khanna left Bollywood in 1982 for spiritual pursuits.

His marriage to Geetanjali ended in 1985 after his absence.

Vinod Khanna returned to acting and remarried in 1990. Did our AI summary help?
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In December 2024, Blackstone acquired a minority pre-IPO stake in Bagmane Group

Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India.
Elon Musk trial against Sam Altman to reveal OpenAI power struggle

According to court papers, Musk gave about $38 million of seed money to OpenAI between 2016 and 2020, mostly before he left the board.

Reuters April 27, 2026 / 23:13 IST























A combination image shows Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., on November 16, 2023 and Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X Musk sues OpenAI, Altman, and Microsoft for $150 billion damages

Trial focuses on OpenAI's move from nonprofit to for-profit

Key Silicon Valley figures, including Musk and Altman, to testify Did our AI summary help?
Google staff urge Sundar Pichai to refuse classified military AI work

Google employees were among the first to sound the alarm about the risks of AI warfare in 2018 and force the company to limit its defense work.









Sundar Pichai 580+ Google AI staff urge CEO to reject defense deals

Letter warns of AI misuse in classified military uses

Google deepens US defense ties despite past protests Did our AI summary help?
OpenAI products would also first ship on Microsoft's Azure cloud-computing platform unless the software giant cannot or chooses not to roll out the capabilities.
Sun Pharma secures bridge loan for $12 billion Organon purchase

The financing highlights both the scale of the deal  possibly one of the largest healthcare buys by an Indian company  and how global banks are stepping in to fund overseas deals.









The bridge facility, if drawn, may run for 12-18 months Sun Pharma plans $12 billion acquisition of Organon & Co.

Banks including JPMorgan, Citi, MUFG to provide short-term loan

Sun Pharma to use $2-2.5 billion cash, rest from bank financing Did our AI summary help? SPA SPA NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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If signed as expected on April 27, New Zealand would become the third Five Eyes nation with an India trade pact after Australia and the UK.
India, New Zealand sign trade deal four months after concluding talks

Dairy, a sensitive sector for India, has been kept out of the agreement.









The FTA also includes a commitment by New Zealand to facilitate around $20 billion in investment into India over the next 15 years India and New Zealand sign free-trade agreement in New Delhi

New Zealand offers zero-duty access to all Indian exports

Dairy sector excluded; $20 billion investment pledged by NZ Did our AI summary help?
From apples to apparel: Who gains what in the IndiaNew Zealand FTA

India has drawn firm red lines around its most sensitive sectors. Dairy, edible oils, sugar and key agricultural commodities are excluded from tariff concessions, ensuring protection for farmers and rural livelihoods.









India and New Zealand had announced the launch of negotiations towards a deal in March 2025 IndiaNew Zealand FTA grants duty-free access for Indian exports

NZ scraps tariffs on 8,000 items, aiding Indian industries

Agreement enhances student mobility and work visas for Indians Did our AI summary help?
The newly signed deal with New Zealand now extends Indias reach into the Pacific, offering zero-duty access on many products and positioning India as a supplier of skilled talent across sectors.
Adisoft Technologies IPO booked over 72x on final day; check GMP, listing and allotment dates

Adisoft Technologies IPO | The company approached capital markets to raise Rs 74.1 crore via initial public offering of 43.08 lakh equity shares. The price band for the offer was Rs 163-172 per share.









Adisoft Technologies IPO News Adisoft Technologies IPO sees 72.09 times subscription on final day of bidding

NII portion subscribed 120.66 times, QIB 98.1 times, retail 47.27 times

IPO share allotment to be finalised by April 28 Did our AI summary help?
IPO Market Action: Two public issues opening, two listings lined up this week

Temasek Holdings-backed Onemi Technology Solutions - the fintech operating under the brand Kissht, will be the second public issue in the current week, scheduled for launch on April 30 with price band of Rs 162-171 per share.









IPO Market Action this week Amba Auto Sales & Services IPO opens today, price band at Rs 130-135 per share

Onemi Technology Solutions IPO to open on April 30, price band Rs 162-171 per share

Adisoft Technologies closing its Rs 74-crore public issue today Did our AI summary help?
Kissht parent firm OnEMI Technology Solutions to launch Rs 926-crore IPO on April 30; check price band and other details

OnEMI Technology Solutions IPO | The Kissht parent firm is raising up to Rs 850 crore by issuing fresh shares, while investors will be selling Rs 44.39 lakh shares worth Rs 75.92 crore via offer-for-sale.









OnEMI Technology Solutions IPO Launch OnEMI Technology Solutions to launch Rs 926-crore IPO on April 30

Price band at Rs 162-171 per share, valuing company at Rs 2,881 crore

IPO Mix: Fresh issue Rs 850 crore, offer for sale of Rs 75.92 crore Did our AI summary help?
Goldman Sachs says Paytm is gaining market share, staying EBITDA positive and faces limited fallout from the payments bank licence cancellation.
MC EXCLUSIVE SEBI crackdown in suspected pump and dump case, searches at multiple locations conducted: Sources

The latest action builds on similar enforcement steps taken earlier this month, underscoring a continuing crackdown on market abuse. Recent orders in cases involving entities such as Elitecon and RRP Semiconductors reflect this ongoing regulatory push.









SEBI crackdown in suspected pump and dump case, searches at multiple location conducted: Sources SEBI raids multiple cities in stock manipulation investigation

Bhuj identified as a key hub in suspected pump-and-dump network

Documents and digital evidence seized; further action expected Did our AI summary help?
Sensex, Nifty rebounded after three sessions of decline on hopes of easing geopolitical concerns.

Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.
Stocks to Watch Today: Reliance Ind, Paytm, Wipro, Indian Hume Pipe, JK Cement, Alembic Pharma, Axis Bank, IndusInd, Can Fin, Tanla Platforms in focus on 27 April

Stocks to Watch, 27 Apr: Stocks like Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, RBL Bank, L&T Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services, IDFC First Bank, DCB Bank, Can Fin Homes, Supreme Petrochem, Lodha Developers, Tanla Platforms, and One 97 Communications Paytm will be in focus on April 27.









Stocks to Watch Today, 27 April Stocks in Focus on April 27: Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, RBL Bank, IDFC First Bank, DCB Bank, Can Fin Homes, Lodha Developers, One 97 Communications Paytm, Indian Hume Pipe Company Did our AI summary help? RI

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Sun Pharma shares jump over 7% after Organon acquisition; Macquarie sees debt-free status in 3-4 years

The acquisition will also mark Sun Pharma's entry into biosimilars and strengthen its position in several international markets including Europe, China, South Korea, Mexico and Thailand.









Sun Pharma currently has around $3.1 billion cash on its books. Sun Pharma acquires Organon, shares rise over 5% on the news

Sun Pharma widens global footprint and product lineup

Combined revenue expected to reach $12.4 billion post acquisition Did our AI summary help?
Trading Plan: Will Nifty 50 break 23,800, Bank Nifty fall below 55,600 amid USIran tensions in Strait of Hormuz?

If the Nifty 50 sustains below the 20 DEMA, a fall toward 23,80023,750 cant be ruled out. However, in case of a rebound, 24,000 may act as immediate resistance, followed by 24,200.

Sunil Shankar Matkar April 27, 2026 / 04:51 IST























NIfty Trading Plan for April 27 If Nifty 50 sustains below 20 DEMA, fall toward 23,80023,750 cant be ruled out

In case of a rebound, 24,000 may act as immediate resistance, followed by 24,200

if Bank Nifty fails to defend Fridays low, 20 DEMA (55,600) is the level to watch Did our AI summary help?
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Yield tracker: India 10-year bond yield edges higher in opening trade

Indias 10-year government bond yield opened marginally higher on April 27, tracking domestic supply and global cues. At 9:05 a.m., the benchmark yield stood at 6.966 percent, up 3 basis points from Fridays close of 6.937 percent.









markets
Organon to pay Sun Pharma $120 million fee if deal terminated

Sun Pharma will acquire US-based Organon & Co in an all-cash deal at an enterprise valuation of $11.75 billion in one of the largest acquisitions by Indian firms overseas









Organon to pay Sun Pharma $120 million fee if deal terminated Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in an $11.75 billion all-cash deal

Organon will pay $120 million if the deal is terminated

Sun Pharma will become a top-three global women's health company Did our AI summary help?
Paytm Payments Bank crisis: What depositors must know about Rs 5 lakh insurance limit

Depositors may consider spreading large balances, reviewing the bank's strength and ensure nominee details are up to date









Deposits in Indian banks insured up to Rs 5 lakh per customer

Amounts above Rs 5 lakh are not automatically insured

PPBL customers' deposits are safe and will be repaid in full Did our AI summary help?
Buzzing stocks: Axis Bank, RBL Bank shares down post-Q4 earnings; Sun Pharma gains on Organon acquisition

One 97 Communications (Paytm) shares plunged 8 percent after the Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the banking licence of the companys associate entity, Paytm Payments Bank.









Buzzing Stocks IndusInd Bank shares rise after strong Q4 profit and NII growth

Sun Pharma to acquire Organon for $11.75 billion in cash deal

Paytm shares plunge as RBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence Did our AI summary help? UTI10

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Paytm shares crash 6% after RBI cancels payments bank licence; stock still up 22% in one year

Paytm stock falls over 6 percent in the morning trading as the RBI cancels its Payments Bank licence. While the firm said that the immediate earnings impact is seen as limited for Paytm, it marks a shift to partner-led model, limiting margin expansion.









Paytm (One 97 Communications) RBI cancels Paytm Payments Bank licence; stock falls 6.1%

Paytm shifts to partner-led model, limiting margin expansion

Immediate earnings impact seen as limited for Paytm Did our AI summary help?
Sun Pharma targets rapid deleveraging of balance sheet to digest Organon megadeal

The deal, the largest ever by an Indian pharmaceutical firm, is being funded by roughly $2-2.5 billion of cash on hand and balance $9.25-9.75 billion would be funded through bridge loans.









Sun Pharma Sun Pharma confident in repaying $10 billion debt quickly

Acquisition will be EPS accretive from year one

Sun Pharma aims for $350 million cost synergies in 2-3 years Did our AI summary help? SPI SPI NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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'80 isn't the age to fight': SC urges negotiated settlement in case between Sanjay Kapur's mother and wife

Rani Kapur has claimed that she has been stripped of her entire legacy, including her residence and other movable and immovable properties, and has sought urgent safeguards to prevent any diversion of assets.
CISF jawan injured in firing outside BJP candidates residence; EC seeks report

The injured personnel, identified as Yogesh Sharma, was part of the security detail of Singh, son of senior BJP leader Arjun Singh, an official said.

April 27, 2026 / 11:39 IST














Differences at recent BRICS meet in Delhi were on account of ongoing conflict in West Asia: MEA

India says no consensus was reached at the BRICS MENA meet due to West Asia conflict differences, denying any change in its stance on Palestine.

PTI April 27, 2026 / 22:56 IST























No consensus at BRICS MENA meet over West Asia conflict, India denies any shift in Palestine stance, says differences driven by ongoing tensions. BRICS MENA talks in Delhi fail to agree on West Asia

India clarified its unchanged position on Palestine issue

Chair summary issued as joint statement was not possible Did our AI summary help?
Former minister Dinesh Trivedi appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner

Known for his deep roots in West Bengal and understanding of cross-border dynamics, Trivedi is seen as a strategic choice to help stabilise bilateral relations during a sensitive political phase.









The appointment of Trivedi comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are trying to repair their relationship
High-octane poll campaign for phase-2 wraps up in Bengal, all eyes on April 29

Key candidates in this phase include Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is seeking re-election from Bhabanipur. She is pitted against BJP heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari in one of the most high-profile contests of the phase.









High-stakes West Bengal Polls. Electioneering ends for final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls

Over 3.21 crore voters eligible across 142 constituencies

Key contest between Mamata Banerjee and BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Did our AI summary help?
Keep an onion in your pocket: Jyotiraditya Scindia shares heatwave tip as temperatures soar | Watch

Referring to the intense heat in the Chambal region, he said people often ask how he manages when temperatures touch 51 degrees Celsius during peak summer months. He attributed it to what he called Chambal skin.









Keep an onion in your pocket: Jyotiraditya Scindia shares heatwave tip as temperatures soar Scindia suggests carrying an onion to cope with extreme heat

Heatwave grips India, temperatures reach up to 46.4C

Health experts urge precautions for elderly and children Did our AI summary help?
L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena announces 5 new districts in Ladakh ahead of Amit Shahs visit

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced the decision in a post on X, calling it a historic step aimed at taking governance closer to people in remote areas and improving administrative efficiency in the vast region.









Vinai Kumar Saxena Ladakh okays five new districts to improve governance

Districts added: Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass

Plan to decentralize governance and boost public services Did our AI summary help?
Landmark moment: PM Modi hails IndiaNew Zealand FTA, says pact will boost growth, jobs

Modi added that the agreement would benefit farmers, youth, women, MSMEs, artisans, startups, students and innovators, while creating new avenues for growth and strengthening collaboration across sectors.









Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (AFP file) India and New Zealand sign landmark free trade agreement

New Zealand to invest $20 billion in India over 15 years

FTA grants duty-free access to Indian exports, boosts trade Did our AI summary help?
'Lost faith': Kejriwal says won't appear before judge who refused to recuse herself in excise case

Kejriwal says the decision was guided by his inner conscience and said he would exercise his right to challenge the order before the Supreme Court.









AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday wrote a letter to Delhi high court justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Kejriwal refuses to appear before Justice Sharma in excise case

He cites loss of faith in judge, opts for satyagraha protest

Kejriwal plans to challenge the order in Supreme Court Did our AI summary help?
'Mood here similar': Congress MLA sparks controversy over White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting scare

The remarks triggered a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused the Congress of attempting to rationalise violence.
'Mood in India is similar: Vijay Wadettiwar sparks row over remarks on Trump shooting

Linking the incident to what he described as public anger against those in power, Wadettiwar said such reactions were bound to happen when leaders acted against public interest.









(Screengrab: ANI/X) Congress MLA Wadettiwar linked US shooting to public anger

BJP accused Wadettiwar of justifying attack on Trump

Shooter Allen was stopped before reaching dinner ballroom Did our AI summary help?
Mumbai tragedy: Family dinner turns fatal, 4 die of suspected food poisoning after biryani, watermelon consumption

The incident took place in the Pydhonie area, with authorities probing whether contaminated food or fruit led to the deaths.









The victims have been identified as Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen Dokadia (35), and their daughters Aisha Dokadia (16) and Zainab Dokadia (13). (Representative image) Four family members died in Mumbai after suspected food poisoning

Police suspect contaminated watermelon as the cause

Exact cause pending medical reports; investigation ongoing Did our AI summary help?
NDA and BJP's new Rajya Sabha strength after inclusion of ex-AAP MPs

With the addition of seven MPs, the strength of BJP in the Rajya Sabha would rise from 106 to 113, leaving the party, on its own, about 10 seats short of the majority mark in the House.









The AAP had 10 MPs until now and ranked fourth after the BJP, Congress, and the Trinamool Congress. Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs switched to BJP, reducing AAP to three.

NDA tally in Rajya Sabha nears 149 after AAP defections

BJP Rajya Sabha seats rise from 106 to 113 with inductions Did our AI summary help?
PM Modi's Belur Math visit: BJP's religious outreach in Bengal and role of Hindu mutts

PM Modi had last visited Belur Math in January 2020, when he stayed overnight to participate in the 157th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the BJP saw its seat tally surge from just 3 in 2016 to 77.









Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, on April 23. PM Modi visits Belur Math before Bengals second poll phase

He paid tributes to Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Vivekananda

Modi frequently cites Vivekanandas teachings in speeches Did our AI summary help?
PM Modis Bengal finale: 5 big promises and a bold May 4 bet

This is my last rally in this election, and wherever I have gone in West Bengal, I have seen the mood of the people. I am returning with the confidence that after the results on May 4, I will have to come back to attend the BJPs oath-taking ceremony, he said.









PM Modi in West Bengal Modi ends Bengal campaign, confident of BJP victory after May 4

Modi vows fair hiring, 125 days of rural employment

Phase II of Bengal polls on April 29, results on May 4 Did our AI summary help?
Rajasthan's Sanwaliya Seth Temple gets highest ever monthly donation at Rs 41.67 crore; gold, silver offerings surge

Temple authorities confirmed this as the highest-ever monthly collection in its history.









Sanwaliya Seth Temple Shri Sanwaliya Seth Temple received Rs 41.67 crore in 29 days

Gold and silver donations valued at Rs 3 crore were collected

This marks the temple's highest-ever monthly donation record Did our AI summary help?
"They Had Child Together, Now She Says Rape?" Supreme Court On Live-In RelationshipThe observation was made by Justice BV Nagarathna while hearing a petition filed by a woman accusing a man of rape, assault, and exploitation. Reported by: Nupur Dogra Edited by: Chandrajit Mitra India News Apr 27, 2026 13:04 pm IST Published On Apr 27, 2026 12:23 pm IST Last Updated On Apr 27, 2026 13:04 pm IST Read Time: 3 mins Share TwitterWhatsAppFacebookRedditEmail "They Had Child Together, Now She Says Rape?" Supreme Court On Live-In Relationship Show Quick ReadSummary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Switch To Beeps Mode New Delhi: Walking out of a live-in relationship does not, by itself, constitute a criminal offence, the Supreme Court has observed, flagging the risks in such relationships in the absence of a marriage bond. The observation was made by Justice BV Nagarathna while hearing a petition by a woman accusing a man of raping and assaulting her on the false pretext of marriage. The court also stressed the differences between consensual live-in relationships and criminal sexual offences. Justice Nagarathna noted that when adults choose to live together outside marriage, such relationships often carry inherent risks. "This is a live-in relationship. She went on to have a child with the man without marriage, and now she is saying rape and assault. What is this?" Justice Nagarathna asked, questioning how a consensual relationship could lead to an allegation of sexual assault. Such questions are often criticised as "victim-shaming", the judge noted, but insisted that the nature of consent is also important. "Where is the question of offence when there is a consensual relationship?" she asked. "This is what happens in live-in relationships. For years, they lived together. When they split up, the lady files a complaint against the man for sexual assault. These are all the vagaries of relationships outside marriage," the judge added. The petitioner's counsel informed the court that the accused had met the widow when she was 18 years old and had promised to marry her. The accused was already married at that time, but the woman was not aware of it, the counsel claimed. LATEST Trump Event Shooter Names Kash Patel As Only US Official Off Indian Student In Canada Opens Up About Struggle Of Balancin End Of War, Hormuz, Nukes: Iran's 3-Stage Proposal For Talks "They Had Child Together, Now She Says Rape?" Court On Live- The Bill That Could Have Stopped Raghav Chadha From Splittin Why Vinod Khanna Left Bollywood For Osho Ashram And What His At 111, Oldest Man In US Says These 3 Habits Helped Him Live Amid Iran's Attacks, UAE Called For Help. Israel Responded W "I Could Be Wrong But Not All 7": Raghav Chadha Explains AAP Woman Ends 28 Years Of Marriage, Calls Husband's Sister His Rishabh Pant Blasted Over Pooran-Super Over Gamble, LSG Coac "No Hope Of Justice": Arvind Kejriwal's "Satyagraha" Move Ag Rinku Singh Scripts History, Breaks MS Dhoni's 15-Year-Old I Trump Event Shooter Names Kash Patel As Only US Official Off Indian Student In Canada Opens Up About Struggle Of Balancin End Of War, Hormuz, Nukes: Iran's 3-Stage Proposal For Talks "They Had Child Together, Now She Says Rape?" Court On Live- The Bill That Could Have Stopped Raghav Chadha From Splittin Why Vinod Khanna Left Bollywood For Osho Ashram And What His At 111, Oldest Man In US Says These 3 Habits Helped Him Live Amid Iran's Attacks, UAE Called For Help. Israel Responded W "I Could Be Wrong But Not All 7": Raghav Chadha Explains AAP Woman Ends 28 Years Of Marriage, Calls Husband's Sister His Rishabh Pant Blasted Over Pooran-Super Over Gamble, LSG Coac "No Hope Of Justice": Arvind Kejriwal's "Satyagraha" Move Ag Rinku Singh Scripts History, Breaks MS Dhoni's 15-Year-Old I Justice Nagarathna questioned why she chose to live with the man and have a child without getting married first.
The case arises from the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls carried out in West Bengal ahead of the elections, which led to a large number of claims and objections over deletions.
UP to get Ganga Expressway on April 29: 6 lanes, 600km, Rs 47,000cr growth boost

The six lane expressway will connect Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh to Prayagraj in the east, creating a seamless high speed corridor that is expected to transform both passenger travel and freight movement.









Chief minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the progress of the projects on e-way last month Ganga Expressway to become a manufacturing and logistics corridor

Rs 46,660 crore investment proposals received for the project

Expressway to cut Meerut-Prayagraj travel time to 6-7 hours Did our AI summary help?
The NFU policy is a financial and status benefit that ensures officers receive higher pay scales even if they aren't promoted to a higher rank. (File photo)
Infiltrators will be identified and pushed back, says PM Narendra Modi at Barrackpore rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed a rally in Barrackpore ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, where he issued a warning to infiltrators, saying they would be identified and pushed back.

Referring to the turnout at the event, the Prime Minister expressed confidence about the partys prospects in the state.

This is my last rally in this election. Im going back with the confidence that I will definitely attend the BJPs swearing-in ceremony after the May 4 results. And that only increases my enthusiasm. I was coming here from the helipad. It was about a two-kilometre stretch. There was such a huge crowd on both sides. I cant imagine thousands of people coming to bless me so early in the morning.
Who is Balbir Singh Seechewal? AAP's last remaining Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab

Seechewal rose to fame for cleaning and reviving the sacred Kali Bein river in the early 2000s to being elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha in 2022 as an Aam Aadmi Party candidate.









Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal | File Photo Six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab joined BJP recently

Balbir Singh Seechewal refused to join the defectors' Azad group

Seechewal shocked by exits, slams defectors Did our AI summary help?
Will return after May 4 for the oath of BJP CM: PM Modi signals confidence of Bengal win

Addressing a Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Barrackpore, Modi said he sensed a strong mood for change among the people.









PM Modi in Barrackpore. Modi predicts BJP will form government in West Bengal after May 4

He vows to attend the oath ceremony of the BJP chief minister

Modi highlights eastern India's role in national development Did our AI summary help?
OPINION | Business families should invest in helping professional CEOs succeed

Professional leadership in promoter-led businesses often falls short not because of capability, but because of unclear authority. When roles and governance are not defined with discipline, even the best CEOs are left to navigate ambiguity









Bringing in a professional CEO is often seen as a milestone in the evolution of a family business
RSSFACTS: RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabales US visit aimed to address Western misconceptions and present Hindu civilisational values. It marked a shift towards broader global engagement beyond diaspora outreach

Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
"No outsider including PM, HM will be seen in Bengal after 11 am on May 4": TMC's Tanmay Ghosh

The results of West Bengal elections will be declared on May 4, along with Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

ANI April 27, 2026 / 08:40 IST























TMC's Tanmay Ghosh TMC claims it will win 230 to 250 seats in West Bengal polls

Second phase polling covers 142 constituencies on April 29

Election results to be declared on May 4 Did our AI summary help?
Cheap pets: Chinese treat hens, roosters as babies, walk them in prams

Owners often take the birds outdoors in prams, dressing them in hats, scarves, and shoes. Custom leashes and nappies are common. One rooster, nicknamed 'Slanted Bangs' for its unusual comb, is regularly featured by its owner on social media.









For several owners, raising chickens has changed how they view farm animals. (AI-generated image)
Pedophile, rapist, traitor: Key revelations from DC shooting suspect Cole Allen's manifesto

Manifesto sent 10 minutes before the DC dinner shooting reveals motive, targets and chilling final message to family
Bharat Mata needs your talent: Sridhar Vembu writes open letter to Indians in US

Zohos Sridhar Vembu has urged Indians in the US to return to India, linking global respect to national technological strength and calling for talent to contribute to Indias future.

Sarthak Singh April 27, 2026 / 10:03 IST























Sridhar Vembu Sridhar Vembu urges Indian professionals in US to return home

He highlights India's need for tech leadership and talent

Vembu stresses global respect depends on India's progress Did our AI summary help?

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CERT-In issues advisory against AI-driven cyber attacks for MSMEs, organisations and individuals

CERT-In has warned that AI-driven cyber threats are accelerating, enabling automated attacks, phishing, and rapid exploitation, and has outlined detailed measures for organisations, MSMEs, and individuals to stay protected.









Scams CERT-In warns of rising AI-powered cyber attack risks

AI enables faster, automated, and large-scale cyber threats

Groups urged to adopt Zero Trust and rapid patching Did our AI summary help?

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Elon Musk vs OpenAI: Lawsuit over mission shift heads to court as jury selection begins

Elon Musks lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman has entered trial, focusing on claims that the company shifted from its nonprofit mission to a profit-driven model backed by Microsoft.

Sarthak Singh April 27, 2026 / 22:11 IST























musk sam altman Jury selection begins in Musk vs Altman legal battle over OpenAI

Musk alleges OpenAI shifted from nonprofit to profit-driven model

OpenAI denies claims, citing need for funding and mission focus Did our AI summary help?

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MC EXCLUSIVE Nokia phone maker HMD eyes Europe, MEA for smartphone exports; bets on affordable segment for India growth

Future smartphone launchesthough initially designed for domestic channels like Flipkartwill also be exported to international markets, including Europe. The executive added that HMD aims to triple its smartphone business by 2026.









Ravi Kunwar, Vice President - India & APAC at HMD & Alain Lejeune, COO, HMD Global HMD to export India-made phones to ME, Africa, Europe

Company aims to triple smartphone business by 2026

Focus on affordable phones and AI-led feature phone innovation Did our AI summary help?

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Oracle layoff post by one of the employees is going viral; reveals claims of algorithm-driven cuts after 30-year tenure

A former Oracle employees viral post claims layoffs may be driven by algorithms targeting senior roles, sparking debate on transparency and decision-making after the companys large-scale job cuts.

Sarthak Singh April 27, 2026 / 19:17 IST























Oracle Oracle layoffs spark debate on algorithm-driven decisions

Viral post claims experienced staff and managers were impacted

Concerns rise over transparency and fairness in workforce cuts Did our AI summary help?

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Iran war: Airfare surge may push corporates to curb travel, go virtual, says Cleartrip's Patwari

Price of jet fuel has more than doubled and vital West Asia routes remain disrupted, adding to pressure on airline margins and ticket pricing









Corporate travel under pressure. US-Iran war drives up international airfares by 2025 percent

Corporate travel budgets hit as fares surge and capacity drops

Domestic fares rise 1012 percent due to spillover demand Did our AI summary help?
Iran is shifting its diplomatic strategy after failed talks with Pakistan, now seeking broader negotiations with Russia and Gulf states. The move sidelines Pakistan, which overestimated its influence and failed to bridge gaps between Iran and the US.

Did our AI summary help?
BLA claims 27 attacks across Balochistan, says dozens of Pakistani troops killed

Baloch Liberation Army claims responsibility for 27 operations across Balochistan, reporting 42 Pakistani personnel killed, one soldier captured, weapons seized, and multiple attacks on security forces between April 15 and 25.









BLA claims deadly attacks across Balochistan
Cant stop Kharg Island flow, cant export: Iran pulls 'ghost ship' Nasha out of retirement

As export routes tighten and Kharg Island nears storage capacity, Iran has reactivated the 30-year-old tanker Nasha as floating storage in a temporary move to keep crude flowing despite mounting pressure.









Iran revives ghost ship Nasha as Kharg Island nears breaking point under export squeeze
Dinesh Trivedi as Bangladesh High Commissioner: Why India chose a politician over a career diplomat this time

The choice of Trivedi sends a signal that India is ready to engage Bangladesh at a political level, not just through bureaucratic channels.









India has appointed politician Dinesh Trivedi as High Commissioner to Bangladesh, breaking tradition of sending career diplomats. The move signals a strategic shift amid changing Bangladesh politics and growing Chinese influence, aiming for broader engagement. Did our AI summary help?
'Fire will engulf Lebanon': Israel issues stark warning to Hezbollah

Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Hezbollahs defiance could bring catastrophic consequences for Lebanon after its leader rejected direct talks, as tensions rise over proposed peace negotiations with Israel.









Katz warns Lebanon over Hezbollah defiance
Irans Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf praised national unity amid US tensions, citing 30 million volunteers ready to defend Iran. He challenged US oil leverage and referenced a new Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with nuclear talks deferred.

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Hezbollah calls Lebanon-Israel talks a grave sin, vows it will not back down against threats

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem denounced planned direct Lebanon-Israel talks as a grave sin while Israeli strikes killed 14 in southern Lebanon, deepening tensions amid repeated ceasefire violations and mutual accusations.









Hezbollah rejects talks as strikes intensify
How Japans defence shift on Taiwan rattles Chinas strategic calculus

Japans military shift under Sanae Takaichi, including support for Taiwan and expanded defence ties, has heightened tensions with China and may be complicating Beijings plans regarding Taiwan.









Japans military shift unsettles Chinas Taiwan plans
'I did not rape anybody': Trump rejects accusations listed in WHCD shooter's manifesto, calls him 'sick'

According to investigators, the manifesto lays out a detailed plan targeting US government officials and describes how the attacker intended to execute the assault while attempting to limit casualties.
Iran FM Araghchi says Trump requested for talks after US failed to achieve goals, proposal under review

Speaking to reporters in Russia, Abbas Araghchi stated that Trump's request for negotiations reflects its inability to meet its objectives so far.









Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi -- File Photo (AFP)
Iran sends new US deal to end war, delay nuclear talks as Trump set for Situation Room meeting

Iran has proposed a new deal to the United States via mediators to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict, while postponing nuclear talks amid stalled negotiations.









Iran offers US Hormuz deal, delays nuclear talks amid stalemate: Axios
'Iranians stronger than expected': Germany's Merz questions America's 'exit strategy' amid uncertainty over talks

Friedrich Merz warns Iran stronger than expected, questions US exit strategy, highlights risks in Strait of Hormuz.









Merz questions US strategy on Iran
Islamabad relaxes restrictions after US-Iran negotiations fail to progress

Pakistan has eased security restrictions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after US-Iran talks stalled, allowing partial movement as diplomatic efforts remain on hold.









Pakistan eases Islamabad security curbs as US-Iran talks stall
Israel deploys Iron Dome, troops to UAE during Iran war in first overseas use: report

Israel reportedly deployed its Iron Dome air defence system in the UAE for the first time during the Iran conflict, helping intercept missile and drone attacks targeting key Gulf infrastructure.









Israel moves Iron Dome battery to UAE for missile defence during Iran war: report
Israel deployed its Iron Dome air defense system to the UAE for the first time amid intense Iranian attacks, marking a shift from diplomatic ties to direct military cooperation and signaling a new era of regional security alliances in West Asia.

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Issue is under discussion with both Iran, US: MEA on Chabahar port

MEA says Chabahar Port sanctions waiver issue is under discussion with the US and Iran after its expiry, citing West Asia conflict as a complicating factor.

PTI April 27, 2026 / 22:49 IST























MEA says Chabahar Port waiver issue is under discussion with US & Iran after April 26 expiry, flags West Asia conflict as a complicating factor.
LeT commander Sheikh Yusuf Afridi shot dead in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Sheikh Yusuf Afridi, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and aide of Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a suspected targeted killing.









Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Sheikh Yusuf Afridi gunned down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Melania Trump slams Jimmy Kimmel over expectant widow joke, urges ABC to 'take a stand'

Melania Trump criticised Jimmy Kimmels comments about her, calling them hateful and violent rhetoric, and urged ABC to act, after his expectant widow joke sparked controversy.









Melania Trump slams Kimmel over remarks
'Our math is different': Iran's one for four warning over oil wells for US

The remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of consequences if it does not agree to a ceasefire arrangement.
This photograph taken on April 13, 2026 shows the damaged wall of a hospital struck by Pakistani mortar shell during clashes between Taliban security personnel and Pakistani forces near the Durand Line border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Barikot village of Naray district, Kunar province. (Photo by Wakil KOHSAR / AFP)
Rattled by IWT suspension, Pakistan cries water terrorism again, issues dramatic red line warning to India | WATCH

Indus Waters Treaty Suspension: While Pakistan has been lobbying global forums and media outlets to amplify its concerns, New Delhi has maintained that its actions are within its sovereign rights.









File image used for representation. Pakistan has renewed accusations against India over the Indus Waters Treaty, alleging water terrorism after India suspended the treaty amid security tensions. Analysts say Pakistans rhetoric aims to internationalize the issue but lacks legal or diplomatic traction. Did our AI summary help?
Trump says White House shooter wrote anti-Christian manifesto

Donald Trump told Fox News the White House gala attacker wrote an anti-Christian manifesto, while officials say Cole Allen targeted Trump administration figures in a Washington shooting incident.









Trump cites anti-Christian manifesto in attack
Trump stumbled into a global economic war. Xi Jinping was ready

Trumps upcoming Beijing visit comes amid the Iran wars global economic shock, with China emerging as a key strategic beneficiary over the United States.









US faces strategic pressure as Iran war boosts Chinas economic and geopolitical position
Trump warns Iran pipelines could 'explode from within,' sets three-day ceasefire deadline

US President Donald Trump warns Iran it has three days to agree to a ceasefire or risk severe damage to its oil infrastructure, while keeping the door open for direct talks.









Trump sets three-day ceasefire deadline, warns Iran pipelines may explode from within
UK PM Starmer faces possible Parliamentary probe over Mandelson scandal

Keir Starmer faces a Commons vote on a probe over the Peter Mandelson scandal, amid claims he misled Parliament and mounting political pressure.









Starmer faces probe vote over scandal
US cannot accept Iran retaining control of Hormuz: Rubio

Marco Rubio rejected Irans reported proposal over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the US will not accept Iranian control or tolls, as tensions continue after stalled negotiations and rising global concern.









US rejects Iran control over Hormuz
File photo of the Iranian delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi welcomed by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar ahead of the first round of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan April 10, 2026. (Reuters)
Vladimir Putin tells Irans Abbas Araghchi Russia will do everything for peace in West Asia

'For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible,' Russian state media quoted Putin as telling Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.









Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin vows Middle East peace support to Iran envoy

Russia offers to mediate and store Iran's enriched uranium

Iran and Russia reaffirm their strategic partnership Did our AI summary help?
What really happened when the White House dinner turned into a security scare

Shots fired outside a high-profile Washington event triggered panic inside, forcing a rapid evacuation and exposing how quickly things can change. The evening had started like any other high-profile gathering in Washington. Inside the Washington Hilton ballroom, guests were seated, picking at salads and settling into conversations as the White House Correspondents Dinner got underway. US President Donald Trump and the first lady were on stage, casually interacting with the evenings entertainer.









What really happened when the White House dinner turned into a security scare
Why Iran is under pressure from a US blockade and what happens next

The restrictions are hitting oil, jobs and prices, but Tehran may be betting it can hold on longer than Washington









Why Iran is under pressure from a US blockade and what happens next
Why Israels president is holding back on pardoning Netanyahu for now

Instead of making a direct call, Isaac Herzog is trying to push both sides toward a negotiated outcome in a deeply divisive case.









Why Israels president is holding back on pardoning Netanyahu for now
Why UAE shocked Pakistan with sudden $3.45 billion repayment demand and how it's linked to India

UAE's move to demand its money from Pakistan signals a growing frustration due to Islamabad's deepening ties with Riyadh and "meek" response to the Iranian attacks on Gulf countries during the ongoing war.
April 27, 2026 Russia Still Seems To Have Hope For A Deal With Trump It is quite obvious that the U.S. is (ab-)using Europe to up the pressure on its super-power competitor Russia. But Russia is refraining for calling out Washington for what it is doing. It seems to hold on to the illusion that a deal can be done. [R]emarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Apr 24 2026 Lavrov is describing the West as a united menace to the rest of the world. But he separates the U.S. for its (alleged) policy differences with the EU over Ukraine. This while the CIA is daily directing Ukrainian drones onto Russian proper. Excerpts: The collective West policy is posing the main threat to international peace and security. We continue to call it collective, although the collective part is now being torn by disagreements. However, their strategic goal, we have no doubt about it, remains the same and is to dominate by any means, to dominate and continue dominating, and to preserve their hegemony for as long as possible, while containing the growth of new global centres and competitors in the World Majority countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Every day we observe, we are, in fact, shown in real time that in order to preserve their hegemony and to achieve these unseemly goals, illegal sanctions, plunder, the theft of other countries sovereign assets, blackmail, threats and, of course, the use of military force are employed, as we saw in Venezuela and now in Iran  all of that in blatant violation of international law. The assessment that the unprovoked aggression by the Americans and Israelis against Iran has seriously destabilised the situation in the Middle East doesnt even begin to cover it, because the situation is now becoming destabilised globally and all countries are assessing their prospects for economic development, energy supply sources, and so on. The continuation of the conflict (which, it appears, is far from over) will have the most negative repercussions for the entire international community, for the economic situation of most of humanity, and for global security. EU abuse of Ukraine against Russia: A war against us has been openly declared. The Kiev regime is being used as the tip of the spear. However, everyone is aware that this tip is unusable without Western supplies of weapons, intelligence data, satellite systems, training of military personnel, and much more.  In order to justify their policy, the West  above all the international bureaucracy in Brussels (both EU and NATO, which are increasingly becoming one), as well as Berlin, Paris, and, of course, London  are attempting to demonise everything Russian and openly speak about gearing up for war with us in the foreseeable future. The U.S. as a different beast: The logic of the Americans in relations with most countries (I have not heard anyone say this in dialogue with us, and I hope I never will) is that if you do not do as I say, I will punish you. In other words, I do not promise anything, but you must give me what I want; and if you dont, I will punish you. This is not a balance of interests, and certainly not an honest conversation. The role each play on Ukraine: Zelensky recently travelled to Cyprus and met with EU representatives to discuss guarantees for his continued hold on power and that of his clique, while keeping in place everything that has become another key underlying cause of the current situation, namely, the unleashed war and the legislative eradication of everything associated with Russia: the Russian language in education, the media and culture, and the destruction of canonical Orthodoxy. This is also part of the Wests civilisational aggression against the Russian Federation, because they planned and began to create civilisational threats on our state borders of that time in the very centre of the Russian world. The same kind of civilisational aggression showed itself in encouraging Zelenskys regime to eliminate everything Russian and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This is also part of the aggression against us, against Russia as a civilisation. This is how the West is leveraging the Nazi regime in Ukraine. When we are told that we should somehow resolve the Donbass issue, and that perhaps they will talk Zelensky into making concessions or, perhaps, Russia will make concessions and everything will be fine. Nothing will be fine. The West has openly stated that it was developing security guarantees for a regime that is viewed as a long-term threat to our country and will be used, among other things, for more military adventures. They have declared that all of this will begin in the 2029-2030 timeframe. That is why we value the fact that the United States, despite the specifics of its actions, is taking a position of publicly outlining the underlying causes (in an approximation of their real understanding) and  most importantly  taking concrete steps: no NATO expansion and sticking to the understandings reached during the Alaska summit. Soon, we will mark the first anniversary of the Anchorage meeting. Over this period, the Europeans  credit must be given to their audacity  and Zelensky have done a great deal to push the Americans off the course that we had adopted and to continue their games aimed at destroying a geopolitical competitor. I do believe that Lavrovs distinction between the U.S. and EU/NATO-Europe with regards to Ukraine is purely tactical. Russia is still hoping to make a deal with Trump. But I am sure that it is well aware that it is the U.S. which is pushing for further Europeans aggression against Russia. Why else would Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, laud the German government plans for expanding its military if not for waging war against Russia: President Trump has rightly laid out that Europe must step up, and NATO must no longer be a paper tiger.

Through the historic Hague Commitments, Europe has begun to do so.

But the key now is, in the words of SecGen Rutte, action over words. As Rutte put it this week, Air defense systems, drones, ammunition, radars, space capabilities  that is what will keep us safe. 1/ Germany is now taking the leading role in this. After years of disarmament, Berlin is stepping up. The DOW is already working closely with European allies, especially Germany, to accelerate this transition to NATO 3.0. 2/ Berlins new Military Strategy shows a clear path forward and we look forward to collaborating closely with the FRG to implement this. Below are some key excerpts: 3/



Germanys Military Strategy represents a clear, credible way forward to NATO 3.0: A NATO in which Europe and Canada step up to meet their responsibilities within the Alliance and transform it from a paper tiger to a strong deterrent and defense. President Trump has provided the clear and consistent message Europe and Canada need to hear. We at DoW stand ready to engage and aid those who heed his message and take real action at the speed of relevance. 10/10 Comments
The reactor bay at the MSR-1 Demonstration Facility under construction at Abilene Christian University. The molten salt reactor is one of several next-generation nuclear power technologies under development around the country. Hand-out/Natura Resources

Next-generation nuclear reactors are under development around the country, using a variety of technologies. Analysts at the Energy Information Administration took a look at the various technologies under development.

Currently, U.S. electric utilities operate about 98 gigawatts of nuclear power-generation capacity, but little new capacity has been added in the past few decades. Companies are turning to new small modular reactor designs that reduce costs and provide more flexibility in where reactors can be built.

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Small modular reactors have a capacity of about 300 megawatts per unit or less and are composed of modular, factory-built parts that can be shipped to the construction site for installation. A subset, microreactors, have a capacity of 20 megawatts or less and can operate on the electric grid, independently or as part of a microgrid.

These new reactors may employ light water as a coolant or other non-light water coolants such as gas, liquid metal or molten salt. Several designs use high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel, which is uranium enriched to between 5% and less than 20% uranium-235. This higher enrichment can produce a higher burnup rate, which could improve efficiency and performance, allow smaller reactor footprints and reduce spent fuel waste.

EIA analysts reviewed commercial SMR and microreactor designs under development as of February 2026 and found that a number of facilities using these technologies were being developed across the country. Several military bases are also considering hosting reactors.

Light water-cooled SMR designs are typically smaller versions of existing large reactor designs that use the hydrogen in water as a moderator, which slows neutrons to increase the likelihood of a fission event.

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High-temperature gas reactors use graphite as a moderator and helium gas as a coolant. HTGRs are capable of operating at very high temperatures, which could make them suitable for industrial processes requiring high heat, including thermochemical hydrogen production. Some HTGRs are designed to use HALEU and others are designed to use Tristructural Isotropic particle fuel, a fuel structure designed to be highly durable and withstand extreme temperatures well beyond the threshold of current nuclear fuels.

Molten salt reactors use molten salts to serve as the reactor fuel and/or coolant. These reactors can be categorized as those with nuclear fuel dissolved in molten salt and those that use solid fuel with molten salt as a coolant. They operate at high temperatures, and, like HTGRs, they can be used for electricity generation and process heat for industrial uses.

Sodium-cooled reactors use liquid metal, sodium, as a coolant instead of light water typically used in operating nuclear reactors. These designs allow the reactor to operate at higher temperatures and lower pressures, potentially improving efficiency. They may also allow a greater share of the fuel to be burned inside the reactor vessel.

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Midland city manager Tommy Gonzalez. B. Kay Richter/Reporter-Telegram

Last week, the Pecos City Council voted unanimously not to renew its consultancy deal with Midland City Manager Tommy Gonzalez. The agreement was one of several Gonzalez has with Texas cities, and Pecos City Council ended it after citing a lack of return on investment.

Since 1990, Gonzalez has formed ties to numerous Texas cities through his city management work. While earning his masters degree in city management and business from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Gonzalez worked in Lubbock city government and later served as deputy city manager and interim city manager. Since leaving Lubbock in 2003, he has served as city manager of Harlingen from 2004 to 2005, Irving from 2006 to 2013, and El Paso from 2014 to 2023, as well as assistant city manager in Dallas from 2005 to 2006, before Midland City Council hired him as Midland city manager in July 2023.

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Gonzalezs deal with Pecos began in 2024, when the city brought him in to consult on strategic planning alongside a city manager, two assistant city managers and an assistant to the city manager. He charged them $9,500 a month for his services, or roughly $114,000 a year. By comparison, he is paid $350,000 a year as Midlands city manager.

In a statement provided to NewsWest 9 in March, and later provided to Reporter-Telegram for this article, the City of Midland said the following about the nature of these deals:

The City Managers consulting work is permitted under his contract and is conducted outside of his responsibilities to the City of Midland. It does not interfere with his duties. What matters most is performance, and the results are clear. The City continues to make measurable progress on its strategic plan, with strong outcomes tied to our key performance indicators, service delivery, and financial stewardship. We remain focused on delivering results for Midland residents and advancing the priorities set by City Council.

Gonzalezs contract states that he, as city manager, is hereby authorized to perform outside consulting services; provided, however, that the City Manager shall not perform any outside consulting services that conflict with or otherwise interfere with the City Managers duties to the City (of Midland). If a conflict of interest arises, Gonzalez is required to report the situation to the mayor of Midland and immediately withdraw from performing the services giving rise to the conflict. The contract goes on to state that he is forbidden from providing any information relating to the city of Midlands workings, and must make clear in all partnerships that his priorities are to Midland first and foremost. Gonzalez was also required to provide the City of Midland with a list of his partnership clients when he was initially hired, including the individual people involved in these partnerships, and is further required to notify the city every time he engages a new client.

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Termination

While reviewing whether to renew his contract in February, Pecos City Council found only one report from the past two years and deemed it underwhelming.

"I would like to know if we can get a refund," said Pecos City Councilman Randy Graham during the meeting to discuss renewing the contract. I'm a numbers guy, and there's no numbers in this report.

Some Midlanders and Pecos residents believe that this is less a problem of a potential conflict of interest and more the result of Gonzalez stretching himself thin between Midland and his consulting clients while simultaneously making a lot of money for less-than-ideal services. During the meeting, Pecos City Council said it would look to better define the goals of consultancy deals going forward, but also believes that strategic planning is an essential element of Pecos future.

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What Id like to see is people start supporting Pecos, start supporting the city, start supporting the county because jobs are being opened," said Pecos Councilman Corado Saldana at the meeting. "There's a lot of work here. People are coming because this is the place. This is the hub.
The group at the World War II Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group reading letters on their flight to D.C. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith Lori Blong, left, and August Pfluger, center, presenting a wreath at the World War II Memorial while the latter salutes an Army Sergeant First Class. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group eating dinner on the first night. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group on a bus ahead of the second day. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Navy Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Military Women's Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group witnessing the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group paying respects to fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Marine Corps Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Army Museum. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group at the Air Force Memorial. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group receiving a welcome to the Marine Corps Museum. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group after their bus broke down. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith The group on their return trip. Permian Basin Honor Flight, Courtesy of Wesley Smith

Permian Basin Honor Flight is a series of trips to Washington where veterans from the Permian Basin are honored for their service. During the trip, veterans visited memorial sites around Washington from Thursday, April 23, to Sunday, April 26.

Permian Basin Honor Flight is part of the larger Honor Flight network, a series of nonprofit organizations started in 2005 to bring veterans to the then-new World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall on the opposite end of the Reflecting Pool from the Lincoln Memorial. By the time the memorial opened in 2004, it had been nearly six decades since the end of World War II, and people were concerned that veterans from that era would not get the chance to see the memorial before their passing. Unlike the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which had already opened in 1995 and 1982, respectively, the World War II Memorial arrived much later, making trips to see the memorials feel especially urgent. The Permian Basin chapter was founded in 2014.

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Our mission is to find all World War II, Korea and Vietnam-era vets  so, anybody that served from the very first (day) of 1941 to the very last day of 1975 is who were looking for, and thats who we honor, said Wesley Smith, the flight director and public relations chair for Permian Basin Honor Flight. We work year-round at shows  craft shows, gun shows, public events, car shows  anything we can get into to find our vets and also set up tables to sell raffle tickets for a giveaway rifle or pistol thats donated to the organization to raise money with. We also sell military caps, crosses, plaques, all kinds of different things at these shows to raise money.

This was the 14th trip, with at least one trip held each year since 2014 except in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Permian Basin Honor Flight's goal is to hold two trips a year, that has happened only twice, in 2015 and 2025, because of a lack of funds.

A total of 126 people made the trip, 36 of whom were Honor Flight team members. In addition to veterans, the group included law enforcement personnel, three nurses and a Veterans Aid-certified counselor. Most of the veterans served during the Vietnam War era, whether in Vietnam or elsewhere, with three Korean War veterans and no World War II veterans.

Weve got veterans that have been on the trip, that have been awarded the Ambassador of Peace Medal from Korea a couple of years ago from the Korean Embassy, and we also have all sorts of different levels of veterans that served in all branches of Vietnam, and their stories are unbelievable, said Smith. Its heart-touching to hear these stories for us team members, but its also rewarding to see veterans recognized and shown respect, love and gratitude from people all over the world that are in D.C. And when we come home, they realize that theres still hope for future generations to understand what they did and why they did it. Its also just a kind of closure for them to know that theres a nation that supports them.

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When asked what he hopes veterans get out of the trip, especially given the mental, physical and financial burdens many face, Smith simply said: Healing. Healing and gratitude from a nation that still cares for them.

The trip

The trip began with the veterans eating a sendoff dinner, then being escorted through Midland International Air and Space Port for their flight as University of Texas Permian Basin students cheered them on. On the flight, they received letters from family, friends and the Permian Basin community wishing them well. After getting off the plane, the first stop was the World War II Memorial, where Midland Mayor Lori Blong and U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, who were in town for their biennial Washington Fly-In, presented the veterans with a commemorative wreath. Afterward, they visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The first day ended with a ceremony where Pflugers office presented the event's volunteers with plaques, and the veterans received flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.

It was an absolute honor to welcome the Permian Basin Honor Flight to our nation's capital, Pfluger said in a statement. These veterans are who inspired me and my generation to serve, and being able to thank them face-to-face was incredibly meaningful. This trip is all about giving them the recognition they've long earned, and I'm grateful to everyone who made it possible.

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The second day began with a visit to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, followed by stops at the United States Navy Memorial, the Military Women's Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington, they watched the changing of the guard and paid respects alongside two Gold Star families. After that, they visited the Marine Corps Memorial and the National Museum of the United States Army.

On the third and final day, the veterans visited the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the United States Air Force Memorial and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, plans to visit the final stop  the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center  were derailed when the lead bus broke down.

We did everything we could to get the broke-down bus and the other two buses with us to a safe area, (and) we make it to a rest area that we were able to close off with law enforcement and make a bus exchange, said Smith. In the time we did all that, we were losing time for our chartered plan to come back home, so as the flight director, as hard as it absolutely was, I had to cancel the trip (to the museum).

Instead, the veterans returned home, where they were greeted with a welcome parade at Midland International.

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We had a wonderful trip, and all the veterans seemed very pleased and in shock that we could do everything that we did in three days, said Smith. They were pumped and excited that we got home to a Welcome Home that many of these Vietnam vets never got.

The future

The second 2026 Permian Basin Honor Flight is currently scheduled for Oct. 8-10, 2026. All but a few seats are booked, with a waitlist already forming for the first 2027 trip. There also are ambitions to include Gulf War and War on Terror veterans on future trips.

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(We want to) make sure that the general public knows how grateful we as a team are, for anybody and everybody that has contributed, because this trip cannot happen without the local public supporting us, concluded Smith. We are an all-volunteer team, none of us are paid, and we really dont pay for advertising much because if we have money to pay for advertisements, that means we have money to put a vet in a seat on a trip. We ask for (continued) support because were nowhere (near) done, and Honor Flight network has dreams to go even further.
One of the P Square twins, Peter Okoye, has slammed an X-user who described his change of birthday as a 'shame on ndi igbo'.

Last week, Peter announced on Novemebr 30 as his new birthday. This is different from the November 18 he shared with his twin brother, Paul Okoye which is November 18.

Peter responded to the X user calling him a fool.

The message from Fortune with @ChinXav says: Almost 10 years ago, I honoured your late father with a group of oil and gas expatriates who I brought into Squareville for an unplanned condolence visit. I remember how honoured you and your brother felt. I made sure you got their business cards and left the rest to destiny.

I felt the unity and love between you and your brother back then. To see you stoop so low with this birthday thing is a great shame to Ndi Igbo who selflessly contributed to the P Square brand then. Even when you were cheated money wise, when did blood become less important than money.

I have never been concerned with your family matters. But this birthday gimmick you pulled is a line crossed too far. You have no clue the shame it brings to sanctity and cultural roots of the Ndi Igbo. I ll say no more until we meet again.

But Peter Okoye replied with "Get da f..k off on my timeline you fool. Blocked
Gov. David M. Apatang, second right, speaks as he introduces Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton, right, Joint Task Force-Micronesia Commander Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, seated second left, and Department of the Interior Principal Deputy Assistant for Insular, International and Ocean Affairs William Hague, fourth left, who is here on behalf of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, during a press conference at the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management/Emergency Operations Center on Capital Hill on Saturday. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

WITH federal officials now on the ground in the typhoon-battered CNMI, Gov. David M. Apatang said residents can be assured that help has arrived.

At a press conference Saturday, the governor was joined by FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr., Joint Task ForceMicronesia Commander Rear Adm. Joshua Lasky, and Department of the Interior Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular, International and Ocean Affairs William Hague, who is representing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

Also present were Special Assistant for CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Clemente Bermudes, Public Assistance Office Special Assistant Patrick Guerrero, and Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Angel Demapan.

I am very happy to introduce our federal partners here today, Apatang said. They will be discussing what theyve been doing over the past few weeks since Super Typhoon Sinlaku. I know the public is anxious to know what is going on, especially with water, power and communications.

He said the CNMI government, along with its federal partners, is actively working to restore critical services and deliver needed assistance to the community as quickly as possible.

Id like to ask our people to be patient. Help is coming. We are actively working for you, the governor said.

Hague said Secretary Burgum stands wholeheartedly behind the CNMI and directed him to travel to the islands as soon as possible. He added that Burgum meets regularly with President Donald Trump to provide updates and assess how the Interior Department can support ongoing federal response efforts.

Im amazed, frankly, seeing how much farther ahead you are, given that youve dealt with this before, Hague said, noting the resilience and capability of both local and federal personnel.

Unified effort

Fenton described the response as a unified federal effort initiated shortly after the president approved a major disaster declaration in response to Apatangs request.

Even before the typhoon made landfall, Fenton said, the president approved an emergency declaration within 24 hours, allowing FEMA to mobilize resources and coordinate with federal agencies.

He credited the Department of Defense and Joint Task ForceMicronesia for assisting both Guam and the CNMI, particularly in delivering generators and other critical supplies.

As FEMA assessed the damage following the storm, the governor quickly submitted a request for a major disaster declaration, which was approved promptly, Fenton said. That allows us to go beyond immediate life-saving measures like water and power, and provide broader assistance, including support for individuals and debris removal.

FEMA will also conduct assessments for permanent reconstruction, with decisions on those programs to be made later, he said.

Fenton noted that multiple federal agencies are assisting in the response, including the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Forest Service, the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Individual assistance

Fenton said FEMA continues to prioritize emergency needs across Saipan, Tinian and Rota, with personnel deployed on each island.

Residents whose homes were damaged may apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which he described as the fastest way to get help. Applications may also be made by phone at (671) 735-1050 or 1-800-621-3362.

FEMA is also working with the CNMI government to establish in-person assistance sites to help residents register.

He emphasized that FEMA aid is supplemental and intended to address immediate needs such as home repairs and essential personal losses.

Its really important that we stay unified  from the federal government to the commonwealth government down to the mayors offices, Fenton said. This is a whole-community response, and we will continue working with you to help you recover.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
(CNMI HSEM)  The CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office is closely monitoring a potential tropical disturbance developing in Eastern Micronesia that could approach the Marianas next week.

According to the National Weather Service-Guam Weather Forecast Office, confidence continues to grow that a tropical disturbance may form over the next few days somewhere in Eastern Micronesia. Long-range forecast scenarios indicate the potential system could pass near or through the Marianas next week, between May 3 and 7.

While the system has yet to develop and therefore, not yet a direct threat to the islands, officials advise residents and businesses to remain alert and to always monitor official sources of information from the CNMI Joint Information Center and the U.S. National Weather Service-Guam.

Although it is still too early to know the exact track or intensity of this system, the public should stay informed and be prepared, said CNMI HSEM Special Assistant Clement Bermudes. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates as more information becomes available.

HSEM continues to coordinate with NWS-Guam and regional partners and will provide additional information as conditions evolve.

Residents are encouraged to monitor official updates from CNMI HSEM and NWS Guam and avoid sharing unverified information.

Stay informed

The CNMI Joint Information Center will be verifying and releasing critical information in regard to all weather updates in addition to response and relief efforts pertaining to Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The public is informed to be aware of false information and rumors that may be spreading.

The official media channels of the CNMI Joint Information Center are the CNMI Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor Facebook and Instagram Pages.

Facebook: @cnmigovernor

Instagram: @governorcnmi

Website: governor.cnmi.gov/jic/sinlaku

CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnmieocswp

Commonwealth Utilities Company: cucgov.org

Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation: chcc.health
American Red Cross local and stateside volunteers with NMI chapter board chair Joshua Wise and staffer JD Tenorio. Photo by Bryan Manabat

2) Nick Widmer, the Red Cross coordinating officer on Saipan. Photo by Bryan Manabat

By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE American Red Cross has expanded its presence across the Marianas in the aftermath of Typhoon Sinlaku, deploying 207 stateside volunteers to Saipan while the local chapter ramps up shelter support, field assessments and community coordination.

Nick Widmer, the Red Cross coordinating officer on Saipan, said volunteers are staffing shelters, managing logistics and supporting local partners as the islands address immediate humanitarian needs.

We provide immediate disaster sheltering  getting people somewhere safe so they can begin their recovery  and then we provide the basic needs: food, water, shelter, Widmer said.

Red Cross teams are serving three hot meals a day, delivering water to shelters and working with the Commonwealth government to ensure sanitation facilities meet standards. Efforts continue to restore showers and restroom access. Specialized disability integration volunteers are also visiting shelters to ensure accessibility and address functional needs.

Widmer said the Red Cross is working hand in glove with FEMA and the Commonwealth government on response and recovery efforts, while coordinating with partners such as World Central Kitchen and supporting FEMA-led water distribution.

Local chapter steps up assessments

Alongside the stateside deployment, the American Red Cross Marianas Chapter has expanded its own operations, with teams conducting preliminary field assessments.

The first steps would just be preliminary assessments, said board chair Joshua Wise. Going village by village, checking each street, assessing how many homes are in each street. Were not doing specific damage assessments yet  that will be the next step down the line.

Longtime chapter staff member JD Tenorio said the immediate priority remains supporting shelters and displaced families.

Our main focus right now is really supporting the shelters and making sure that the folks who have been impacted and displaced by the storm are getting their needs met, Tenorio said.

Reaching residents outside shelters

Authorities and aid groups note that many residents are choosing to remain in damaged homes rather than move into public shelters. Tenorio said coordination with community partners is key to reaching those individuals.

If we identify areas or pockets in the community that need, say, food, then we can reach out to our other partners or connect them with the partners that are doing feeding around the community, he said.

Wise said assessment data will guide the next phase of response.

As were doing our assessments, were going to identify what the needs are, and that will really determine our service delivery plans moving forward, he said. Our focus right now is the shelters, and for those with needs outside the shelter, we connect them with our community partners.

Call for volunteers

Both Wise and Tenorio said additional volunteers are urgently needed to support ongoing assessments and relief efforts.

We definitely still need volunteers, Wise said. The more hands we can get to help, the quicker we can try to get things like assessments done.

He said volunteers are working in specialized teams, including healthcare and nursing support for shelter residents.

Tenorio highlighted strong participation from youth volunteers, many through the Red Cross Club.

We have a lot of youth volunteers helping in many different capacities  whether theyre helping entertain the kids at the shelters or helping here at the chapter with supplies, he said. Were a small community, but when times like this come, we all stand up and help each other out.

The chapter will post a volunteer sign-up flyer with a QR code on its Facebook page. Once registered, applicants will be contacted by the volunteer services team and scheduled for assignments.

Staying informed and continuing relief

Tenorio encouraged residents to follow official channels and media updates for information on feeding sites and other services, noting that agencies are coordinating through the Joint Information Center to ensure consistent messaging.

So far, the Red Cross has supported more than 500 shelter residents on Saipan and more than 115 on Tinian, with operations spanning Saipan, Tinian and Rota under a unified disaster relief mission.

Residents can call 670-234-3459 (not 1-800-RED CROSS as earlier stated) to report damage, whether or not they are staying in shelters. Widmer said these reports help guide long-term recovery planning.

He also noted that the Red Cross is entirely donor-funded, with national support enabling volunteers to deploy to disaster zones worldwide.

As assessments continue, officials said the Red Cross will remain on the ground, adjusting operations and working alongside government and nonprofit partners to support recovery efforts across the CNMI.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
NADI (Fiji Sun/Pacnews)  Fijis Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Agni Deo Singh says claims that there are no jobs in Fiji are false, pointing to labor shortages and unfilled vacancies across key sectors.

At the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry or NCCI Business Symposium last Friday, Singh said employers are struggling to find workers despite available jobs.

If anybody in this country says that they are unemployed because there is no job, they are not telling the truth, Singh said.

Employers are calling me saying they cannot find workers. There are vacancies, and all you have to do is walk in and give an interview.

There are jobs available in this country.

That is why we have Bangladeshis coming and doing unskilled work here.

Singh said absenteeism and poor productivity are worsening the situation, highlighting the ongoing issue of Monday sickness.

We still have a serious problem with Monday sickness. I get calls from construction companies that say they employed 45 workers, and on a Monday they have nine.

These are issues we need to address. Productivity must be addressed, he said.

Singh stressed skills shortages linked to gaps in technical training, saying the government has moved to rebuild technical and vocational education and training pathways and apprenticeship schemes.

NCCI President Lawrence Kumar said businesses are seeking solutions to workforce shortages and delays in immigration processes.

If you look at work visas, it can take eight to 10 months. We are trying to find solutions to reduce those timelines while ensuring employers meet compliance requirements, Kumar said.

There are a lot of construction happening in Nadi, and companies are looking for workers from abroad to supplement the skills gap in the market. We are looking at countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka, he said.
Residents of Gurbi community in Kankara local government area of Katsina State have managed to repel an attempted invasion by armed bandits on Sunday evening, although the incident still resulted in the killing of at least 10 people in a nearby settlement.

A resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the attackers stormed the area in the evening but were stopped from entering Gurbi as locals quickly mobilised to defend the community.

According to him, the attackers later redirected their assault to people fleeing the scene, shooting them at close range.

"There are currently over 10 bodies in Nagodi area, a village in front of Gurbi. After the attackers left, the corpses were moved back to Gurbi," he added.

The resident also criticised the delayed response of security agencies, noting that early warnings were reportedly ignored.

"We had alerted security operatives as soon as we got information about the planned attack, but there was no response until after the killings. They only came later to assist in evacuating the bodies," he said.

At the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor the State Government has issued any official statement regarding the incident.
Student marshal Laura Kaier holds the Illinois College banner as she prepares to lead members of the IC Class of 2025 into Rammelkamp Chapel ahead of that year's baccalaureate service. This year's commencement will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday. Angela Bauer/Journal-Courier

Illinois College will see off its Class of 2026 this weekend.

The college will have its 196th annual commencement ceremony 1 p.m. Sunday at Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center, 1101 W. College Ave. About 185 degrees will be conferred at the ceremony. It will be available to watch via livestream.

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Miranda Araujo will speak at the ceremony as the senior class representative. Araujo majored in biology and minored in mathematics, environmental studies and global studies. She also served in leadership roles for student organizations Nuestra Casa and Eco Action, the Alpha Lambda Delta first-year honor society and the literary magazine Forte. Araujo is intending to pursue graduate school in biology with a focus on biology after graduating.

Illinois College also will recognize Susan J. Allen's and Patrick B. Mathis' retirements from the school's board of trustees by awarding them Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degrees.

Allen has been a member of the board of trustees for 20 years. She previously served as senior vice president and assistant general counsel of Nielsen Media Research prior to her retirement. She received a bachelor's degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a juris doctor from DePaul University School of Law in Chicago.

Mathis has served on a variety of committees on the board of trustees and other community organizations. He is one of the founding shareholders of Mathis, Marifian & Richter in Belleville and has an extensive legal career. He received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Saint Louis University and masters degrees in business administration and laws in taxation from Washington University, also in St. Louis.

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Illinois College will hold several events to celebrate commencement weekend.

New members of Phi Beta Kappa will be installed during a ceremony taking place 10 a.m. Saturday at Crispin Hall's Dunham Auditorium. The school's nurse pinning ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday at Rammelkamp Chapel, 215 Park St.

After those events, the Osage Orange Festival and Senior Celebration will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the school's Historic Upper Quad. The event will feature inflatables, games, food and drinks for graduating seniors and others to celebrate. Admission will be free and open to the public.

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Jacksonville Police

DISTURBANCES

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 Police were called at 9:55 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance in the 1200 block of Park Place involving a report of a man banging on the door of a house and screaming. The man left when officers arrived.

 Police were called at 9:20 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance in the 800 block of Hardin Avenue. Those involved agreed to separate for the night, according to a police report.

 Police were called at 7 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance at Casey's General Store, 901 W. Walnut St., involving a report of a woman dancing and throwing food. The woman was taken to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

 Police were called at 5:42 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance in the 600 block of Hardin Avenue involving a report of a man who would not leave. Those involved separated before officers arrived, according to a police report.

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 Police were called at 5 p.m. Sunday to a disturbance in the 300 block of Berkshire Lane. Those involved agreed to stay civil, according to a police report.

Pike County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

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 A 41-year-old Pearl man was booked into the Pike County Jail on Saturday on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 A 65-year-old Hannibal, Missouri, woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on Friday on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

 A 20-year-old Quincy woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on Thursday on charges of theft and unlawful use of a debit card and on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

 A 36-year-old Rockport man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 22 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

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 A 39-year-old Pittsfield man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 21 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 A 33-year-old Quincy man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 21 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 A 46-year-old Hannibal, Missouri, woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 21 on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

 A 40-year-old Springfield man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 20 on charges of driving while license is revoked, failing to reduce speed, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, unlawful use of cannabis by a driver, and improper lane use and on an Adams County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court on a charge of driving while license is revoked.

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 A 39-year-old Pittsfield man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 20 on a charge of having a driver's license that is expired for more than a year.

 A 52-year-old Alton woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 19 on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court and on a petition to revoke probation.

 A 32-year-old St. Louis woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 19 on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

 A 46-year-old Nebo man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 18 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

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 A 47-year-old homeless man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 18 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 A 47-year-old Nebo man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 17 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 A 46-year-old Springfield man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 17 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

 A 33-year-old Pleasant Hill man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 17 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

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 A 27-year-old Hannibal, Missouri, woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 14 on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court.

 A 37-year-old Hannibal, Missouri, man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 13 on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court.

Pittsfield Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

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 A 32-year-old Ashland man was booked into the Pike County Jail on Friday on charges of driving while license is suspended and unlawful use of cannabis by a driver.

 A 29-year-old Ashland woman was booked into the Pike County Jail on Friday on a charge of possession of cannabis by a passenger.

 A 47-year-old Pittsfield man was booked into the Pike County Jail on April 15 on a charge of unlawful use of cannabis by a driver.

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The Guards Brigade has ordered an into the death of a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Mr. Abdulsamad Jamiu, who was caught in a cross fire with armed robbers in the Dei Dei area of Bwari Area Council of Abuja.

A statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Guards Brigade, Lt. Olawuyi Odubola, on Sunday, said the incident occurred on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Shagari Estate, Dei-Dei, when troops of Guards Brigade Quick Response Group, on routine night patrol, responded to a distress call following an armed robbery attack in the area.

She said troops upon arrival came under gunfire from the fleeing armed robbers, resulting in a brief but intense exchange.

"In the course of the engagement, Mr. Jamiu was caught in the crossfire," the Guards Brigade spokesperson stated.

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She said despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, "he sadly succumbed to his injuries.

"This heartbreaking loss has cast a deep shadow over all personnel of the Guards Brigade."

She said the Brigade has since "initiated a thorough investigation to fully ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. We remain committed to transparency and accountability and findings will be made available in due course."

According to her, preliminary information indicated that the situation was fluid and highly volatile, as troops worked to repel the attackers and protect residents of the community from harm.

The Commander, Guards Brigade, expressed deep and heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the NYSC Management, and all affected by the painful loss.

"We share in their grief and stand in solidarity with them during this moment of profound sorrow," she added.

The statement said the remains of the deceased have been handed over to the appropriate civil authorities and deposited at the Kubwa General Hospital.

Guards Brigade reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

"We will continue to review our operational procedures to further enhance civilian safety, even as our troops confront criminal elements who threaten the peace of our communities," she added.

The Brigade, therefore, urged the general public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies as it work collectively to maintain safety and security.
A man accused of beating and strangling his paraplegic brother on the victim's 20th birthday was being held Monday on a murder charge, police said.

Bond was set at $70,000 for Bruce Killough, 22, of San Antonio, said Officer Joe Rios.

The case involves Friday's death of Mark Killough, who had cerebral palsy.

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Rios told The Associated Press that investigators are trying to determine a motive.

The brothers had been living in a former school bus at a trailer park where the attack allegedly happened.

An affidavit indicates the suspect's girlfriend told police that she saw him kick the victim in the head at least four times on his birthday.

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Conor here: While the authors equating of science research spending with technological warfare capabilities and US dominance is an unfortunate metric by which to measure its value. The Pentagon is still proposing a $1.5 trillion war budget, after all. Should we only invest in science to beat China and boost GDP growth? How about its effect on social welfare of the citizenry?

On another note, while most of the Trump administrtations erm, misadventures can be explained by graft or a misguided attempt at dominance, what exactly is the America First rational for gutting scientific research? And on that front, Trump on Friday quietly fired all 24 members of the U.S. National Science Foundations governing body, which sets the policies of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), approves major funding decisions for NSF, and advises Congress and the president on policy matters related to science and engineering.

By Caroline Wagner, Professor of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. Originally published at The Conversation.

Chinas rapid rise in science has hit a milestone. The countrys investment in research and development has reached parity with  and by purchasing power measures has surpassed  that of the United States, according to a March 2026 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Both nations have crossed the US$1 trillion threshold on research spending.

For 80 years, the U.S. operated the most productive scientific and technological enterprise in human history. Breakthroughs and advances that came from American labs included the internet; the mRNA vaccine; the transistor and its children, semiconductors and microprocessors; the Global Positioning System; and many more.

U.S. scientific and technological leadership was nurtured by sustained public investment in research universities and federal laboratories, as well as a culture of open inquiry. These investments turned scientific discovery into economic strength  accounting for more than 20% of all U.S. productivity growth since World War II.

In contrast, China had previously spent little to nothing on research and development. Some estimates show that China was among the lowest research spenders worldwide in 1980.

As a policy analyst and public affairs researcher, I study international collaboration in science and technology and its implications for public and foreign policy. I have tracked Chinas rise across every major database for more than a decade.

The most recent reports showing that China is now outspending the U.S. on scientific and technological research is a turning point worth understanding clearly because, historically, global leadership in one sector  including technology and warfare  feeds into others. U.S. dominance is in question.

Chinas Systematic and Unrelenting Rise

Chinas R&D spending milestone caps a series of achievements that have arrived in rapid succession.

In 2019, China surpassed the U.S. in its share of the top 1% most-highly cited papers  what some call the Nobel class of research. By 2022, it had taken first place globally in most-cited papers overall.

In 2024, China overtook the United States in total scientific publications  the first time any nation has displaced American dominance since the U.S. itself surpassed the United Kingdom in 1948. Researchers found that China overtook the United States in scientific output even earlier. That same year, China pulled ahead in the Nature Index, which tracks publications in the worlds most selective scientific journals, posting a 17% advantage over the U.S. in outlets long considered the gold standard of scientific excellence.

In 2024, Chinese entities also filed roughly 1.8 million patent applications, compared to the U.S.s 603,191 applications.

Given these milestones, its possible to argue that China is quickly taking the lead in global science and technology. These are not isolated data points. They mark a structural shift in where the worlds scientific frontier is being built.

More Science Is Good  the Problem Lies Elsewhere

Chinas ascent is, in one sense, good news. More knowledge, generated by more researchers across more institutions, expands the global pool of discovery from which everyone can draw. The world benefits when science thrives.

The problem is not that China is investing, but that the U.S. is not.

First, the U.S. is divesting from basic, open science. Federal R&D spending in the U.S. peaked in 2010 at roughly $160 billion and fell by more than 15% over the following five years. Federal investment in research and development has been in a long, slow slide  from a peak of 1.86% of gross domestic product in 1964 to about 0.66% in 2021.

The federal government is no longer the largest spender in R&D: It funded about 40% of basic research in 2022, while the business sector performed roughly 78% of U.S. R&D. While not a problem in itself, industry has simultaneously withdrawn from open scientific publication over the past four decades, shifting from research toward development. The result is a shrinking pool of openly shared scientific knowledge precisely as public investment in it also contracts.

Under the second Trump administration, U.S. government science agencies have been slow-walking proposals for new research. Current budget cuts from the White House threaten to deepen cuts to government spending significantly.

The second is the active restriction of scientific exchange: tightening access to U.S. institutions, scrutinizing international collaborations and raising barriers to foreign-born researchers. These policies, though intended as security measures, work against the openness that has historically made American science productive and attractive to global talent.

I describe this issue as an example of the stockyard paradox, in which securing research assets may weaken the very system these measures aim to protect.

Disinvestment Cuts Deeper Than It Appears

The deeper danger for the U.S. economy is that disinvestment and selective engagement in research erodes the capacity to use cutting-edge science regardless of where it is produced.

Absorbing and applying cutting-edge knowledge, whether developed in Boston or Beijing, requires maintaining research institutions and trained workforces, as well as active participation in global networks. This is not a passive process. You cannot free-ride on Chinese science if you have dismantled the institutional and human capital needed to evaluate, translate and apply it.

A nation that hollows out its research base not only falls behind but also progressively loses its ability to benefit from science, including in technologies it is already able to access.

Talent compounds the problem. The U.S. built its scientific dominance partly by being the destination of choice for the worlds most ambitious researchers. The U.S. leads the world in Nobel Prizes, but, notably, 40% of the Nobel Prizes in chemistry, medicine and physics that were awarded to Americans since 2000 were won by immigrants. The flow of foreign talent is not guaranteed. It follows opportunity, funding and openness.

Researchers who might once have come to American universities are finding welcoming alternatives in Europe, China and elsewhere.

A Decision Point, Not a Trend Line

Chinas milestone in research funding arrives at a moment when the U.S. is deciding whether to maintain its scientific leadership.

Scientific infrastructure does not decline gradually and recover on demand. Doctoral scientists represent a decade or more of training; tacit laboratory knowledge lives in working research groups, not in documents. Once talented young researchers leave the pipeline  or international talent redirects to other countries  the capacity is very hard to rebuild. Early warning signs are already visible in the U.S. system: thousands of NIH grants terminated, a collapse in international applications and an exodus of early-career scientists.

What is at stake is not a ranking. It is whether the U.S. maintains the institutional capacity  the universities, the federal laboratories, the graduate pipelines, the culture of open inquiry  that made those returns on scientific investment possible in the first place.

Chinas rise did not create this decision point, although it brings it into sharp relief. Does the U.S. still want to lead in science? The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit think tank, estimates that a 20% cut in federal research and development starting in fiscal year 2026 would shrink the U.S. economy by nearly $1 trillion over 10 years and reduce tax revenue by around $250 billion. Others point out that the scientific enterprise has contributed at least half of U.S. economic growth.

That is a lot to lose.
A western media distracted by Saturday nights alleged attack on Trump is letting the Iran War narrative dissolve into several related streams as the ceasefire continues, except in Lebanon and the high seas.

Trumps Lie Du Jour

Im not going to waste a lot of time on his latest nonsense.

 President Trump has issued a new ultimatum on Iran, telling Fox News Iran has just 3 days before its oil pipelines naturally explode from within. He claimed the backup of oil created as a result of the U.S. naval blockade will cause catastrophic mechanical stress that will https://t.co/kzDZ4wFSFN  Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) April 26, 2026

This should be self-refuting but Trump deadenders and Mr Market will follow him anywhere (well, Mr Market might change his mind when earnings reports start dropping).

Axios Always Down to Pump the Markets for Trump

This tells me that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents desperate efforts to manipulate markets at all cost to keep oil futures below $100/barrel (bbl) have failed.

Therefore topline should go to this pathetic attempt to fluff Mr Market going into Monday morning via Axois:

This story produced a red screaming headline on Bloomberg. *IRAN OFFERS US NEW PROPOSAL TO REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ: AXIOS The markets excitedly pumped on the headline. The problem is that this story was public 11 hours earlier.https://t.co/mWPmy30BNX Effectively, this is a https://t.co/hiBpDlpugt  Jim Bianco (@biancoresearch) April 27, 2026

Bianco points out that this tweet had already been out for hours debunking the claims of negotiation from the Trump admin:

Tasnim reports Iran is using the Islamabad channel to pass its terms for ending the war via Pakistan as mediator, not to discuss the nuclear file.  According to the report these include: a new legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz, compensation, guarantees against renewed  Babak Vahdad (@BabakVahdad) April 26, 2026

Axios repackaged Iran's refusal to discuss nuclear as a "new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz." Iran didn't propose anything. It told mediators nuclear is off the table entirely. Futures pumped on the headline. Ravid's last "exclusive" was that Iran's Supreme Leader gave  The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) April 27, 2026

Feeble. The big problem with a completely overvalued market bending is it may break violently should the collective delusions of Mr Market shatter.

And now with the kino.

Lebanon Cant Catch a Break

Bibi Netanyahu tells the Times of Israel that its all Hezbollahs fault:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Hezbollahs actions are threatening the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as he pledges to vigorously target the Iran-backed terror group. It must be understood that Hezbollahs violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire, Netanyahu says during the weekly cabinet meeting. We are acting vigorously in accordance with arrangements agreed with the United States and, incidentally, also with Lebanon, Netanyahu says. This means freedom of action not only to respond to attacks, which is obvious, but also to preempt immediate threats and even emerging threats.

And when Bibi talks, the Israeli military attacks, via Arab News:

Lebanons National News Agency reported on Sunday an airstrike hit the town of Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon, following a warning from the Israeli army to evacuate it along with six other villages, in what it said was a response to Hezbollahs violation of an ongoing ceasefire agreement. The health ministry in a statement said 14 people had been killed in the attacks, and that the dead included two women and two children, adding that 37 other people were wounded. Earlier, the National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the roundabout of the town of Kfar Tebnit, resulting in injuries. Israels military ordered residents to leave seven towns that lie beyond the buffer zone it occupied before a ceasefire that has failed to bring a full halt to hostilities. 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.

Hezbollah put out a statement in response, at Al Mayadeen:

Today, the criminal israeli enemy prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed that Hezbollah is the one undermining the ceasefire, and that the enemy has the right to freedom of action in Lebanon according to the agreement with the United States of America and Lebanon. Hezbollah condemns Netanyahus statements and warns strongly of their extreme danger, as they attempt to implicate the Lebanese authorities in a bilateral agreement that occurred only between him and Washington, in which Lebanon had no say or position, and therefore did not approve. From here, Hezbollah emphasizes the following: The Resistances continued targeting of israeli enemy gatherings on our land which it occupies, and its shelling of enemy settlements in northern occupied Palestine, is a legitimate response to its continuous violations of the ceasefire since the first day the temporary truce was announced. These violations have exceeded 500 on land, at sea, and in the air, including shelling, demolition, and destruction of homes, leading to the fall of dozens of martyrs and wounded from our steadfast people.

Hezbollahs statement goes on for several more paragraphs and can be read in full at Al Mayadeen.

Hezbollah also took kinetic steps per Geopolitiq:

Hezbollah responded to Israeli attacks with 4 military operations today, as reported by MES (see also Al Mayadeen): Targeting a gathering of Israeli soldiers in Al-Tayybeh with an FPV drone, inflicting confirmed casualties (see also RNN Mirror). Targeting a second IDF force that came to evacuate the previously wounded soldiers, also in the town of Al-Tayybeh, with an FPV drone and inflicting confirmed casualties (see also RNN Mirror). Targeting an Israeli artillery emplacement in the town of Al-Bayadeh with a swarm of suicide drones (see also RNN Mirror). Targeting an Israeli Merkava tank in the town square of Al-Tayybeh with two FPV drones, scoring direct hits (see also RNN Mirror). The first two military operations resulted in the wounding of 6 Israeli soldiers and the killing of Sergeant Idan Fooks, 19 years old, from Petah Tikva, a fighter in the 77th Battalion, Saar Megolan(7th) Brigade, as reported by Al Mayadeen and MES (1 and 2), citing the Israeli Army Radio, according to which an Israeli tank belonging to the Golani Brigade broke down in the town of Al-Tayybeh, and Hezbollah launched an FPV drone at it, killing 1 of the engineers and wounding six others. A rescue force with a helicopter then came to evacuate the wounded force, and one additional Hezbollah FPV drone impacted just meters away from the helicopter, while another drone was shot down just before impact. Here is Hezbollahs footage of its drone attack targeting the IDF rescue force with an FPV drone in Al-Tayybeh (from MES):

         #   . pic.twitter.com/n22bISKo9d    (@HasanDorr) April 26, 2026

Amit Segal of Israeli Channel 12 makes some telling claims about the help Syrias new regime is providing as they attack Hezbollah:

to fully strangle the organization, Israel needsand has receivedthe help of another pair of hands: those belonging to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. In the eighteen months since his ascent to power, al-Sharaa has been guided by one instinct: survival. In the New Syria, that survival is defined by three pillars: centralization of power, international legitimacy and a desperate need for financial rehabilitation. These interests have converged into a singular, pragmatic mission: the expulsion of Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, from Syrian soil. In a recent visit to the Chatham House research institute in London, al-Sharaa stated that Syria paid a heavy price for Hezbollahs involvement and that his duty now is to cut the lifeline of the organization passing through his territory.

And lets not forget Gaza, where the murder machine funded and armed by American tax payers never sleeps, via Drop Site News:

Israeli forces killed at least seven Palestinians Sunday in a series of strikes across Gaza, according to Palestine Online, citing Civil Defense and local sources. 3 were killed near Kuwait Roundabout and the Al-Saqa Mosque in the town of Al-Mughraqa, south of Gaza City  identified as Mohammad Ziad Al-Ashqar, Mohammad Riyad Al-Ashqar, and Mahmoud Saleh Jaber. Two others were killed by an Israeli drone strike targeting a civilian gathering south of Gaza City. A displaced woman, Huda Al-Attar, 40, was shot and killed by Israeli forces south of Khan Younis. A seventh, Rami Ramzi Ghabn, died of wounds sustained in a Saturday strike on the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood north of Gaza City. Israeli forces also carried out bulldozing and demolition operations targeting civilian structures and educational facilities in southern Khan Younis, alongside naval and aerial strikes on western and eastern Gaza. An Israeli helicopter opened heavy fire on the Bureij refugee camp, and artillery shelled its northeastern edge before dawn.

Next well look at the other front where some action is happening, the oceans vast.

Were Blockading You, No, Were Blockading You

Centcom bragged about bagging some ships Saturday:

Yesterday, M/V Sevan was among 19 shadow fleet vessels sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for activities related to transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets. Earlier today, Sevan pic.twitter.com/7HdJ5iHNF7  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 25, 2026

Tanker Trackers had details that undercut Centcoms narrative:

BREAKING: IRAN LOADS 4.6 MILLION BARRELS AT CRUDE OIL TERMINALS ADDITIONAL FOUR MILLION BARRELS APPEAR TO HAVE EXFILTRATED US BLOCKADE LINE  TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) April 26, 2026

BREAKING: SATELLITE IMAGERY SIGHTINGS CONFIRM ARRIVALS OF $1.05 BILLION WORTH OF CRUDE OIL BACK TO IRAN FOLLOWING RAPID INTERDICTIONS BY US NAVY US COAST GUARD HAS SEIZED AN ESTIMATED $380 MILLION WORTH OF IRANIAN CRUDE OIL IN INDIAN OCEAN; APPEAR TO BE HEADING TOWARDS USA  TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) April 26, 2026

Sal Mercogliano has some analysis.

Sal Mercogliano: The US is boarding and seizing stateless tankers much as they did with the Venezuelan tankers. Yes, they have boarded one Iranian ship, but that seems to have been the example. The rest of them are being turned and herded around toward anchorages. They dont want to seem to attack, board, and get into a direct confrontation with the Iranians. Instead, it is much easier and legal, by the way, to board stateless vessels and take them.



US forces continue to enforce US sanctions fully implement the blockade against ships or entering or departing Iranian ports. 37 vessels have been redirected since the start of the blockade.



We have ships loading at Kharg Island, 6 million barrels of three tankers there. The Iranians are moving a dead tanker up to that area to provide storage. However, what were seeing is Iranian tankers turned around and herded back into the port of Chahar. A series of tankers that were turned around and put back in there by the United States. This is imagery posted by tanker trackers on April 23rd. They identified nine Iranian tankers in Chapahar. There were five on April 21st.

Now lets talk about those elusive negotiations and how theyre seen in western corporate media.

MSM Beginning to Catch On

Now that the Iran War is no longer THE ONE BIG STORY that the MSM is obsessed with, a little bit of honesty is leaking into the narrative.

Iran "won't come to the table until the blockade is lifted" US media now reporting correct state of play  after widespread false reports (based on US-Pakistan leaks) that Iran wanted talks "Until you can get them to the table, I don't think we're going to make much progress" https://t.co/7RYXQ5Rp1D pic.twitter.com/ABskjbs216  Erik Sperling (@ErikSperling) April 26, 2026

Richard Haass, veteran American diplomat and longtime president of the Council on Foreign Relations, says the clock is ticking harder and louder for the U.S. than Iran amid the blockade and closure of Hormuz, and in a larger strategic sense, the U.S. is losing the war. pic.twitter.com/b31Hd9Qgd5  Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) April 26, 2026

And while thats going on in the west, in the rest of the world diplomats are negotiating, just without Kushner and Witkoff.

Negotiations Are Being Conducted, Just Without the US

The Iranian Foreign Minister seemingly trolled POTUS Trump by dropping back by Islamabad, via CNBC:

Abbas Araghchi had left Pakistans capital late the previous day, creating confusion around an expected second round of talks there, but he returned before continuing on to Moscow on Sunday, Iranian state media said. He had been in Oman, which previously mediated talks and is on the other side of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The White House last week said it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. But shortly after Araghchis departure Saturday, Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran. If they want, we can talk but were not sending people, Trump told Fox News on Sunday. He said earlier on social media: All they have to do is call!!!

Janta Ka described Araghchis antics as:

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi today returned to Pakistan from Muscat after learning about Trumps decision to not send (Kushner and Witkoff) for diplomatic talks. The Iranians are really aware. They really know how to play around with Trump. Araghchi left for Muscat, Oman, when Trump announced his plans to send his delegation to Pakistan. And as soon as Trump cancelled or was forced to cancel his plans following the snubbing by Iran, Araghchi returned back to Islamabad. This is like a classic case of a decent person avoiding a jilted stalker.

Pakistani journalist Kamran Yousaf on X offered a more optimistic analysis about what Araghchi is up to with his global galavanting:

SOME KEY DEVELPMENTS As things stand, slowly but quietly, a mega deal, not just involving the principal parties (Iran & the US), but several regional players and beyond, is in the making. The likely deal between Iran and the US will not only reflect their concerns and demands, but also those of other stakeholders. A flurry of diplomatic activities over the past 48 hours suggests a serious push to end the Iran-US war permanently. Besides Pakistan, several other countries, including Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, to name a few, are working in tandem to thrash out a deal acceptable to everyone. The Iranian Foreign Minister spoke to his Saudi counterpart on his way back from Oman to Islamabad. While most are focused on Trumps bluster, the real work is being done quietly and efficiently.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Lil Marco Rubio made an usual diplomatic call today to the UAE, unusual in that Rubio appears to have no diplomatic role in the Trump administration despite his nominal portfolio:

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed discusses, during a phone call with His Excellency Marco Rubio, the United States Secretary of State, the growing strategic relations between -, and the overall current regional developments. His Highness also commended the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at achieving peace and consolidating sustainable security and stability at both the regional and international levels, and similarly commended the efforts of the U.S. President and Marco Rubio in bringing about peace between Lebanon and Israel.

The UAE or their Israeli pals also gave the faithful lapdogs at Axios a scoop:

Israel sent the United Arab Emirates an Iron Dome air defense system with troops to operate it early in the war with Iran, two Israeli officials and one U.S. official tell Axios. The military, security and intelligence cooperation between Israel and the UAE has reached new heights during the war. The unprecedented deployment of the Iron Dome system during the war was not previously made public.

Now lets turn our attention to some internal Israeli dynamics.

New Anti-Netanyahu Coalition Forms

The NYT has the deets:

The centrist leader of Israels opposition, Yair Lapid, and a right-wing former prime minister, Naftali Bennett, announced on Sunday that they would combine forces in elections later this year. The merger is an apparent bid to reconstitute a partnership that temporarily unseated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu five years ago. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Lapid said their two parties, Bennett 2026 and Yesh Atid, would unite into a party to be called Yachad, Hebrew for together, under Mr. Bennetts leadership.



Support for Mr. Lapid, who is broadly viewed as weak on national security, has been flagging. Mr. Bennett, who sat out the last election and is not currently a member of Parliament, has been broadcasting a message of national unity and pragmatism. Together, they hope to appeal to the broadest possible range of the Israeli electorate, from the liberal center-left to moderate right-wingers. In a nod to the right, Mr. Bennett said on Sunday that a government he led would not hand over a centimeter of territory to the enemy. In their opening statements, both men avoided other contentious issues, such as the surge of settler violence in the occupied West Bank and the future of Gaza. By joining forces, the pair increase their prospects of overtaking Likud in the election, which is slated to take place in October at the latest.

About that Petrodollar

Brendan Greeley wrote Theres no such thing as the petrodollar for the Financial Times (archived):

Currencies arent just vibes, powerful in some general sense because countries are. The global market for eurodollars works in specific ways that we can understand. Most significantly, the Federal Reserve has made clear that it will protect eurodollars in a crisis. The Fed maintains swap lines with a few trusted central banks. It swaps dollars on its own balance sheet, temporarily, for euros or yen on theirs. In turn, those central banks can lend dollars to their own commercial banks if their own eurodollars start to look questionable. The Fed does this because a global banking collapse would be bad for Americans, too, but its not hard to see why the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank appreciate the favour.



The global dollar system was not set in motion by a single diplomatic coup  oil for dollars. It was invented quietly by private actors, then endorsed and protected by the US. America didnt just push its dollar out into the world. It found dollars in London, then decided to protect them. If theres any threat to the global dollar system, this is where it will show up, in Americas willingness to support dollars created abroad that it doesnt otherwise regulate. As the Trump administration continues to haggle and embargo and improvise in the Strait of Hormuz, the US may be losing power as an empire. But a currency is not the same thing as a country. America extends a financial security umbrella to dollars created abroad. Should it ever become clear that the Fed is not willing to extend the diplomatic generosity of its swap lines  thats when it would be time to worry.

Some Military Analysis

Couple of pieces worth the attention of those analyzing the kino:

Around the YouTubes

Eurodollar Universitys Jeff Snider and guest Steve Van Metre tells how:

back in April 2020, oil prices went negative after the futures market underestimated just how much demand had collapsed, causing chaos as market participants scrambled to unload their oil. Here in April 2026, the oil futures market is in danger of something similar but in the opposite direction. Certain market participants just may be underestimating how much supply has collapsed. Worrying that might be the case, the Dallas Fed surveyed oil industry companies about what theyre seeing and where they think the Hormuz blockage is leading the energy marketplace. Youre not going to like it.

Im sharing this one because Johnson, the sole source of claims that Trump had tried to access the nuclear codes and been denied by his generals a week or so ago is making more claims about military resistance to Trumps orders.

Johnson, a retired CIA analyst, has many sources in the military, but one should take these kind of claims with sufficient salt  leaks and rumors coming from ex-intel operatives are interesting but the signal to noise ratio varies.

Nonetheless, popular X.com poster Furkan Gozukara shared a clip from the show with his quarter of a million followers and described it as such:

Massive bombshell. Former CIA Officer Larry Johnson confirms top US military commanders are actively refusing orders from the Trump administration to attack Iran. The Pentagon brass knows it will create a massive disaster. A full military revolt is brewing in Washington.

On a more substantive tip, Dimitri Lascaris speaks to the Yemeni Foreign Minister, Abdulwahid Abu Ras.

Abu Ras talks some serious (and well-earned) smack when asked why he thought the USS George W. Bush had avoided the Red Sea and instead sailed around the Cape of Good Hope to reach the Indian Ocean instead.

Abdulwahid Abu Ras: When this aggression began (against Iran), Yemen declared that the Red Sea would not be used for aggression against Iran. Therefore the American side avoided the Red Sea. They know from previous rounds. There were periods of engagement. Yemen engaged in solo combat against American aircraft carriers and more than one aircraft carrier left this region as a result of these clashes. The Yemeni armed forces showed they had the preparation and the will. Consequently, the American side tried to avoid this engagement at this specific stage especially as it still suffers from an inability to confront Iranian missiles and drones.

Lets close with some yuks.

LMAO this is too much trolling  pic.twitter.com/3Czds3SMTL  Furkan Gozukara (@FurkanGozukara) April 25, 2026

Get straight out of Hormuz,

Little orange man! Our New Lego-style music video is here! pic.twitter.com/hngAs6nx1G  Explosive Media (@ExplosiveMediaa) April 27, 2026

Yves will be back tomorrow, thanks for indulging me while I attempted to fill her mighty waders.

Stay safe, yall.
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Back in 2018, we at the Scene pointed out three struggles in the childcare ecosystem: scarcity, high costs for parents and providers, and low pay for teachers.

Mayor Freddie OConnell hosted a press conference at Fannie Battle Day Home in East Nashville Friday, signing legislation aimed at quelling those ongoing issues by easing barriers to opening new childcare centers.

City Tackles Red Tape Behind Child Care Crisis Councilmembers and mayor target zoning requirements and permitting process to address child care deserts

Spearheaded by District 6 Councilmember Clay Capp, the two pieces of legislation will remove a 1,000-foot buffer requirement between daycare facilities and also remove a requirement for childcare providers to secure a special exemption from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Another piece of legislation related to family childcare centers from District 20 Councilmember Rollin Horton is set to pass in May, OConnell said Friday.

As OConnell puts it, this legislation would move childcare permits to the front of the line  a setup he compared to affordable housing incentives.

This isn't just a childcare problem, OConnell said Friday. It's a workforce problem, and ultimately an economic and family and household problem, because when a Nashville parent can't find care, it is much harder to go to work. But when we get this right, people keep their jobs. They advance professionally. Their families are healthy. They stay, and that's a win for the whole city.

The Nashville Early Education Commission, an advocacy organization formed in 2024, also announced plans to launch a childcare workforce scholarship pilot this year. The pilot would help childcare providers pay to put their own children in childcare.

While many childcare centers were able to stay afloat during the pandemic due to an influx of American Rescue Plan dollars, early childhood education for low-income families is sustainable only with ongoing public investment, according to a July report from United Way of Greater Nashville in conjunction with the Nashville Early Education Coalition. The report also found that most childcare providers are not paid a living wage.

At the state level, a goal for state Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) going into this years legislative session was to tackle regulatory barriers for childcare centers. While a bill that would have enacted universal pre-K failed, Oliver was able to pass legislation that seeks to eliminate duplicative inspections, expedite the review process for permits and cut down on regulatory fees, among other process changes.

+3 Charlane Oliver Describes New Priorities as Child Care Woes Continue Centers struggle with regulation costs, and a report calls for sustained funding

When asked about ongoing public investment, OConnell said Friday that its hard to dedicate funding without state support.

We're constantly looking at tools with partners at the state and in jurisdictions across Tennessee to see if we can unlock some more tools like that, he said. State legislators, the executive branch have gotten a little more focused on housing affordability. We're hoping to drive some more focus on childcare so we can more seriously consider that.

Fannie Battle teacher Jennifer Hearn and executive director Kristie Ryan, both subjects of a 2023 Nashville Scene cover story, spoke during the press conference as well. Fannie Battle serves 140 children per year, ages 6 weeks to 10 years old. The majority are from low-income families, and take part in a sliding-scale payment program. The center relies on philanthropic dollars to survive, according to Ryan.

When people hear 'childcare,' they often think of it just as a business like anything else, Ryan said Friday. When costs go up, you simply raise tuition rates, or you find other ways, or you cut staff. We can't cut staff. ... The other challenge we have is we want to be able to make sure our teachers can afford to live in Nashville. That's harder and harder, but we can't just pay them more, because that would require us to raise tuition rates, and the math doesn't math on that.

Jennifer Hearn, a teacher at Fannie Battle, says the field still experiences high turnover rates, and shes seen teachers come and go in a span as little as one month.

In my 18 years in education, I've seen teachers get overlooked, underpaid, Hearn said. I have colleagues who love this work just as much as I do, and they're very great at it, but it's sad when they have to make the choice to leave just because they can no longer afford it, leaving for jobs such as retail stores, warehouses.
One good thing to come out of this legislative season is that I think were seeing the Tennessee Republican strategy of Blame the Libs! run out of steam. Ive been thinking about the story that Fox 17 ran earlier this month about U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn taking to Twitter/X to make sure liberals know theyre not welcome here.

My first bit of evidence? The URL for said story is fox17.com/news/local/blah-04-18-2026. (I bolded the important part.) Whether it was the reporter or an editor, whoever first loaded this story onto Fox 17's site thought the most accurate description was blah. Same, mystery Fox 17 employee. Same.

Second, Blackburns tweet sounds so quaint: People are in pursuit of affordability, and thats why theyre flocking to Tennessee. In Tennessee, we welcome new families and businesses as long as they check the blue state policies at the state line.

Whew. You can tell Blackburns been in D.C. a long time with this talk of Tennessee being affordable!

114th Tennessee General Assembly Gavels Out of Session Immigration, school voucher expansion among the defining issues at the state Capitol in 2026

But the part that really tickled me is her warning that newcomers need to check the blue state policies at the state line. Is she under the impression that liberals are moving here? If newcomers to Tennessee are grouching loudly enough to get under Blackburns skin, thats a disagreement among conservatives. The rest of us are just waiting out one terrible thing after another, and then scrambling in the aftermath to check and make sure were all OK.

But its hard to have a unifying Republican message of some of us suck and need to shut up, so I get why Blackburn is eager to make sure her liberal boogeyman stays propped up. Then she can still yell about how people need to shut up, but she doesnt have to worry about hurting the feelings of anyone on her side.

The article goes on for a while  quoting a couple of residents, as well as Republican state Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) and Tennessee Democratic spokesperson Brandon Puttbrese  before concluding with a statement sent to Fox 17 by Blackburn. She says:

Tennesseans want government to get out of their way, and they firmly reject radical leftist policies that protect illegal aliens over Americans, allow men to invade womens spaces, coerce children to mutilate their bodies, and force taxpayers to foot the bill for all of this and more. Radical leftists and their policies are not welcome in Tennessee.

Blackburn is in for a surprise when she sees what the Tennessee state government is getting up to, because it loves getting in Tennesseans way. People are running around calling state House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) Nashvilles shadow mayor because hes so busy sticking his nose into the citys business.

Blackburn's rant makes me a little nostalgic for the days when Republicans could gin up their base with abortion. That was a more straightforward time. You could read a sentence and know what it said. Now we have this crap that I have to read five times before I realize its a series of anti-trans digs. I swear, anytime any Republican in this state brings up men in womens spaces, you should just read that as an admission that they dont have anything meaningful to contribute to the conversation. And if we look at the people who have lived through this supposed nightmare of men in womens spaces, apparently what happens is you get to be a minor celebrity and then cops bring you flowers on your birthday.

Here Comes Marsha Blackburn. Again. Less than a year after winning reelection to her Senate seat, the right-wing Trump acolyte has declared her candidacy for governor

As for coercing children to mutilate their bodies  a thing that does not happen in real life  that tactic worked a lot better to scare voters before we all learned that Republicans would cover up a massive pedophile ring full of actual victims who actually exist.

Not that any of this matters. Blackburn is almost certainly going to be our next governor. But thats also what makes this so funny. She doesnt have to come out and say the oldest fuddiest-duddiest stuff on the internet. She doesnt need to persuade voters to vote for her. Even if voter turnout is depressed by a lack of enthusiasm, she will win. Even if there are some number of people in this state who will vote only for the loudest anti-trans candidate, thats already her!

Its like Blackburn is overcome with nostalgia for 2022 and is just going to run this campaign, such as it is, like shes back in that simpler time  when a senator could speak at an anti-trans rally in front of a bunch of Proud Boys and also rail against immigrants without knowing shes calling to mind citizens killed in the street by our government and little kids in bunny ears being used as bait. You know, the good old days during Bidens presidency.

Poor Blackburn. She can rail all she wants against Democratic policies, but its pretty apparent she misses Democratic leadership.
Roblox dodges litigation with three states following multi-million dollar settlements

Roblox settles for $35.78 million with West Virginia, Alabama and Nevada to avoid lawsuits over child safety failures, agreeing to implement stricter protections amid accusations that predators exploit the platform's lax moderation.

Key reforms include mandatory age verification, restricted chat access for minors, facial estimation technology and disabling encrypted messaging for underage users to curb grooming risks. Settlement funds will also support school safety programs and law enforcement coordination.

State attorneys general warn that Roblox's design  featuring unmoderated interactions, in-game currency and external links  has made it a "hunting ground" for predators, with cases of coercion and explicit content production reported nationwide.

Critics argue Roblox acted only under legal pressure, as advocacy groups and lawsuits (including a federal multidistrict case) accuse the platform of knowingly enabling exploitation, hosting inappropriate content and failing to implement safeguards sooner.

Despite new safety measures, experts warn that predators can still bypass identity checks, AI moderation remains flawed and Roblox's open-ended design leaves children vulnerable, raising doubts about whether reforms will effectively dismantle predatory activity.

In a sweeping effort to avert mounting lawsuits, Roblox  the online gaming giant with over 151 million daily users  has agreed to pay a combined $35.78 million to West Virginia, Alabama and Nevada while pledging major safety reforms.

The settlements  negotiated in lieu of formal litigation  come amid escalating accusations that the platform has become a hunting ground for predators exploiting minors through in-game currency, private messaging and unmoderated content. State attorneys general (AGs) warn that without drastic changes, Roblox risks enabling a digital epidemic of child exploitation.

West Virginia

West Virginia AG John B. McCuskey secured an $11.08 million settlement after an investigation revealed that Roblox exposed children to sexual predators, violent content and grooming risks. "Our investigation found serious failures that left children exposed to real danger," he stated.

Under the agreement, Roblox will enforce mandatory age verification before granting chat access  a move designed to curb anonymous predator accounts. Adults will be barred from contacting users under 16 unless verified as "trusted friends," while younger accounts will default to a restricted content mode. Additionally, Roblox will fund safety workshops and hire a West Virginia-based internet safety specialist to coordinate with law enforcement.

"I have two young daughters who love Roblox," the West Virginia AG noted, emphasizing the platform's popularity among minors. "I am thankful that Roblox took our concerns seriously."

Alabama

Alabama's $12.2 million settlement, announced by AG Steve Marshall, includes stricter safeguards such as facial estimation technology and government ID verification to confirm user ages. Perhaps most critically, Roblox will disable encrypted messaging for minors  a loophole long exploited by predators  giving law enforcement greater ability to track illicit activity.

"Platforms that host child consumers must do their part to give parents a fighting chance to shield their children from harm," Marshall declared. "Parents need a partner, not a black box."

The settlement funds will finance school resource officers across Alabama, reinforcing physical and digital security for students. Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman framed the agreement as a "shared commitment" to child safety, though the company continues to dispute allegations of negligence.

Nevada

Nevada's $10 million settlement, the first to be announced, mandates similar reforms while allocating $1 million for an online safety campaign and $1.5 million for a law enforcement liaison position. AG Aaron Ford highlighted that nearly half of all U.S. children under 16 use Roblox, making the platform's lax protections a national concern.

Despite Roblox's insistence that it prioritizes safety, critics argue the company only acted under legal pressure. Child advocacy group Enough is Enough condemned the delayed response. "Once again, it is clear that nothing motivates tech platforms to protect children online like lawsuits or legislation," the group's CEO Donna Rice Hughes remarked.

From playground to hunting ground: Roblox under fire

The settlements follow a wave of litigation accusing Roblox of fostering a toxic environment where predators thrive. A Florida teen was recently charged as an adult for allegedly coercing minors into producing explicit content via Roblox, while Louisiana AG Liz Murrill branded the platform "the perfect place for pedophiles" in an ongoing lawsuit.

Iowa's lawsuit goes further, alleging that Roblox hosts simulated strip clubs and "Epstein's Island"-themed games promoting underage sexual activity. Meanwhile, over 100 families have consolidated lawsuits into a federal multidistrict litigation, accusing Roblox of enabling grooming and abuse.

Roblox insists its new safety measures  including age-restricted accounts launching in June and facial verification for chat access  prove its commitment to child protection. Yet with at least seven more states pursuing legal action, the gaming giant's reckoning is far from over.

Moreover, BrightU.AI's Enoch engine meanwhile notes that these new safety measures remain dangerous because predatory adults can easily bypass identity checks and pose as children, while artificial intelligence-powered moderation still fails to catch all grooming behavior and explicit content. The platform's open-ended design inherently enables exploitation, leaving young users vulnerable despite superficial safeguards.

As state AGs push for industry-wide reforms, Roblox's settlements may set a precedent. But for parents and advocates, the true test lies in whether the platform can dismantle its predatory underworld before more children fall victim.

Watch this video warning of how Roblox is glorifying the assassination of Charlie Kirk to children.

This video is from the Resistance Rising channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheEpochTimes.com

NBCNews.com

ConsumerNotice.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Russia Urges U.S. and Iran to Forge Final Agreement Following Ceasefire Extension

The Russian Foreign Ministry has called for a comprehensive peace deal between the United States and Iran following the extension of a temporary ceasefire between the two nations. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the statement at a briefing in Izhevsk, Russia, on Friday, April 24.

Zakharova's comments were positioned as a reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump's announced prolongation of the pause in hostilities. The spokeswoman expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution, though no immediate public response from U.S. or Iranian officials was reported following her remarks.

Official Statement and Context of Conflict

During the briefing, Maria Zakharova was quoted saying, 'We hope that they will be able to resolve the existing contradictions and reach final agreements' [1]. The statement directly commented on Trump's announced extension of the ceasefire between the two warring countries, according to the official report.

The briefing was held in Izhevsk, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry's report. The statement references an ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, though the initial remarks did not detail its specific nature. Previous international reactions, including a call from Pakistan on April 12 for continued adherence to the ceasefire, were also noted in related reporting.

Timeline of the U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Announcement

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire, though the available report did not specify the duration or exact date of the announcement. The Russian Foreign Ministry's commentary was issued on the same day as the reported briefing in Izhevsk.

Previous diplomatic activity included a high-level U.S. delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, traveling to Islamabad in mid-April for talks [2]. Earlier, on April 12, Pakistan's Foreign Minister publicly urged Iran and the U.S. to continue adhering to the ceasefire, a call that was cited by the Russian report.

International Diplomatic Reactions and Positions

Russia's statement positions it as an external party advocating for a diplomatic resolution, without detailing its own direct role in the negotiations. The call aligns with earlier international appeals for de-escalation, such as the statement from the Pakistani foreign minister [3].

Russia has previously offered to host Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium as a potential solution to one key point of contention, an offer that remained on the table as of mid-April [4]. Other international voices, including the European Union and Gulf states, have broadly welcomed ceasefire developments, according to earlier reporting [5].

Analysis of Regional and Global Implications

Analysts note that a final U.S.-Iran agreement would have significant ramifications for Middle Eastern stability and global energy markets. The continuation of a ceasefire is seen by some security experts as a prerequisite for any substantive diplomatic progress [6].

The lack of detailed public terms for a potential final agreement leaves its specific contours undefined. However, core sticking points reportedly include the status of Iran's nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which UN inspectors have assessed could fuel multiple nuclear weapons . Regional tensions have been further complicated by parallel conflicts, including Israel's intensive strikes in Lebanon, which Iran has claimed render peace talks 'meaningless' [7].

Conclusion

The Russian Foreign Ministry has publicly stated its desire for the United States and Iran to move from a temporary ceasefire to a permanent settlement. The outcome remains dependent on direct negotiations between the primary parties, with external diplomatic voices like Russia's urging progress.

Further developments are anticipated as the extended ceasefire period unfolds. The path to a final agreement is complicated by deep mutual distrust, unresolved issues concerning Iran's nuclear capabilities, and ongoing regional military actions that threaten to undermine the diplomatic process.

References
Trump, Vance Evacuated After Shots Fired at White House Correspondents Dinner

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were evacuated from the White House Correspondents Association Dinner on Saturday night, April 25, after shots were fired in the lobby of the Washington Hilton.

The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was taken into custody, according to law enforcement officials. One Secret Service officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover, authorities said. The president was uninjured [1] [2].

Trump later said he initially thought the noise was a tray dropping. "When youre impactful, they go after you," he told reporters at the White House afterward, according to Just the News. The event was meant to honor journalism and the First Amendment, but the evening was cut short by the security breach [1].

Evacuation and Shooting

Guests dived under tables as the gunfire erupted. The incident unfolded just minutes after the dinner began. Trump, seated next to First Lady Melania Trump, was covered by Secret Service agents before being escorted offstage. Vice President Vance was removed first, according to footage from the event.

Trump briefly stumbled on his way offstage but was assisted by his detail [3] [2]. Vance, selected by Trump as his running mate, has been described as "an Israel ultra hawk," according to a journal report [4].

The suspect charged toward the ballroom from about 50 yards away, according to Trump. Video posted by the president showed the suspect running past security barricades.

Secret Service agents ran toward him and subdued him after a brief exchange of gunfire. One officer was shot in the vest, officials said. The gunman was tackled to the ground and was not injured, police stated [1] [2].

Trump described the Secret Service response as "incredible" and said the suspect was a "sick person." He added that this was the third time since 2024 that he had been in close proximity to an attacker [1].

Law Enforcement Response

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suspect is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration, likely including the president. Blanche told NBC's "Meet the Press" that officials believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then to Washington. The suspect checked in as a guest at the hotel, Blanche said [1] [2].

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel stated that evidence including a long gun and shell casings was recovered from the scene. Patel said witness interviews were being conducted and urged anyone with information to call the FBI. The investigation is ongoing, authorities said.

One officer was shot but saved by his bulletproof vest, with Trump later speaking to the officer and praising his condition [1] [2]. The incident evoked the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was "grazed in the right ear by a bullet fired from an AR-15-style rifle," according to a report [5].

Suspect and Investigation

The suspect, Allen, faces two firearm-related charges, including assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. He is not cooperating with investigators, Blanche stated. Court documents indicate Allen purchased the firearms he carried within the last couple of years and traveled by train from California to Washington [1] [2].

Officials preliminarily assess that Allen acted alone, but the motive remains unknown. Blanche said his writings and devices suggest he intended to target administration members.

Allen was working as a tutor in Torrance, according to the Hearst National Investigative Unit. Trump described him as a "sick person," echoing language used by former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, who wrote in her book "Don't Lie to Me" that she had "encountered more than my fair share of sick individuals" [6].

Aftermath and Security Concerns

The dinner was canceled for the night and will be rescheduled within 30 days, Trump said. White House Correspondents' Association President Weijia Jiang confirmed the plan. The event was meant to honor free speech, but the incident raised questions about security at the Washington Hilton, which remains open to regular guests during the dinner with limited screening outside the ballroom [1] [2].

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who attended the dinner, said he and his wife were "praying for our country tonight." Trump called for Americans to "recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully." He stated, "We're not going to let anybody take over our society."

The shooting followed other incidents of political violence during Trumps presidency, including the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti by Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis, which led to "internal White House blame," according to a report [7].

Security experts noted that the Hilton allows non-dinner guests, which created an opportunity for the breach. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot outside the same hotel, prompting security upgrades. Trump was taken to a secure presidential suite shortly after the incident [2].

References
Analysis of Claims Regarding Weather Modification and Resource Control as Geopolitical Tools

Introduction: Seizure of Iranian Vessel Highlights Broader Resource Tensions

The United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on April 20, 2026, according to an online report. Iranian officials have condemned the action as "theft" [1]. This incident occurs against a backdrop of a reported fuel crisis that is impacting global travel, with airlines announcing cost increases and route reductions [1].

These events have drawn attention to broader claims from some analysts that resource scarcity and environmental manipulation are being used as tools for geopolitical control. These perspectives, often presented in independent media, frame recent disruptions as interconnected elements of a strategic effort to manage populations and economies, a premise that is rejected by mainstream official sources.

Historical Context and Official Statements on Weather Modification

Historical research into weather modification for military purposes is documented in government records. A 1977 U.S. Senate report detailed government programs aimed at modifying weather [2]. Declassified Central Intelligence Agency documents from the 1960s have also outlined U.S. government programs aimed at weather control [2]. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military conducted Operation Popeye, a cloud seeding program used to extend monsoons [3].

Proponents of the 'weather weapon' theory cite these historical programs as evidence of ongoing, covert capabilities. These claims are dismissed by mainstream meteorological bodies.

Independent researchers argue that current geoengineering operations involve spraying toxic aerosols into the atmosphere, citing lab tests that show the presence of heavy metals like aluminum, lead, and mercury in rainwater and soil [4]. They contend these practices, with roots in Cold War programs, are a covert, militarized operation masquerading as climate intervention [5].

Engineered Scarcity: The Fuel Crisis and Airline Industry Response

Airlines have begun cutting routes and raising ticket prices, citing disruptions to fuel supplies linked to geopolitical instability, according to company announcements [1]. This follows reports of empty diesel pumps in Sydney and lines for petrol in Manila, described by some observers as the 'first, deliberate tremors of a global energy collapse' [6].

Analysts from alternative media outlets argue this scarcity is not accidental but a deliberate form of economic and social control. One perspective posits that global energy infrastructure sabotage is 'intended to starve billions of humans to death' as part of a depopulation agenda [6]. This view is not shared by mainstream economic institutions.

The International Energy Agency has attributed current market volatility to 'a complex mix of supply constraints and regional conflicts,' according to its standard market reporting [based on the available sources, I cannot find a specific IEA citation]. Meanwhile, discussions of rationing measures, such as mandates on water, food, and energy, have been reported in regions like California, which some analysts link to broader control frameworks [7].

Contrasting Perspectives on Technology and Control

In response to concerns over centralized control, advocates for decentralization promote technologies like cryptocurrency as a counter to centralized financial systems. Some analysts recommend privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero and Zano, which are characterized as offering robust anonymity in contrast to more surveillable digital assets [8].

Conversely, critics of digital identification and central bank digital currencies warn they could enable pervasive surveillance and social control, a concern raised by privacy-focused non-governmental organizations and commentators. These critics argue such systems are tools for 'tracking and controlling the people while violating their privacy,' according to a common worldview statement.

Mainstream financial regulators typically characterize digital assets as volatile and stress the need for consumer protection frameworks, a position that contrasts with the decentralized finance ethos. The debate extends to agricultural and medical sovereignty, with figures like Vandana Shiva criticizing the concentration of intellectual property, such as on vaccines funded by large foundations, in the hands of a few [9].

Conclusion: Divergent Narratives on Power and Resources

The seizure of the Iranian vessel and the concurrent fuel shortage are presented by some analysts as interconnected elements of a broader strategy of engineered control. From this perspective, environmental manipulation and resource scarcity are not natural market or climatic phenomena but deliberate geopolitical tools [1][6].

Official sources and mainstream institutions attribute these events to standard law enforcement actions and complex global market dynamics, rejecting the premise of a coordinated, engineered control strategy. The fundamental divergence lies in the interpretation of causality -- whether scarcity stems from impersonal systems or from the strategic decisions of centralized power structures.

This debate reflects deep skepticism toward centralized institutions among some segments of the public, who turn to independent platforms for analysis. These platforms often promote preparedness, self-reliance, and decentralized solutions as responses to perceived systemic risks.

References
Ongoing violence, climate change, desertification, and tension over natural resources are all worsening hunger and poverty in Chad and across the Sahel.

Dakar/New York  "After a 14-day visit to the Central Sahel, I have witnessed firsthand a region rich in possibilities, yet continuously affected by insecurity, climate shocks, and socio-economic crises.

"The reports of violence in Mali over the past 24 hours are another example of the stark reminder that such crises in the region create a fragile situation for children, including, sadly the loss of their lives.

"Across the Central Sahel, nearly 7.5 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in the Central Sahel - an emergency that remains too far from the attention of the international community.

Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn

"Government officials, community leaders, and displaced people in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, where violence and forced displacement have shattered the lives of more than 3.6 million people, nevertheless continue to demonstrate hope. In many rural areas, markets are reopening, communities continue to support each other, and children are playing, whilst families and young people yearn to regain their dignity and economic independence.

"I met with crucial actors across the three countries and authorities agree on the importance of investing in human capital and strengthening social cohesion, which are essential pillars for stability and development. Everywhere, a clear ambition is emerging: to make the next generation a priority at the heart of national policies. I was encouraged by the strong commitment of the three governments to advance and safeguard the rights of every child.

"For example, in Niger, government-led reforms have modernized civil registration in more than half of the country's municipalities raising birth registration rates from 62 per cent in 2023 to 79 per cent in 2025 and establishing digital civil registration as a key driver of decentralization and integrated local service delivery.

"In Burkina Faso, this commitment is reflected in the allocation of approximately 25 per cent of the national budget to education and nearly 12 per cent to health, illustrating a significant effort to scale up essential social services.

"In Mali, the national immunization coverage reached 82 per cent in 2024 bringing the country closer to protecting every child with life-saving vaccines.

"These policies and commitments are not only good examples. More importantly, they take on their full meaning when we witness the positive transformation of the daily lives of children, allowing them to keep moving forward despite the hardships they face.

"The cycle of violence is still dangerously evident, and the situation of children is particularly alarming. The United Nations has documented more than 1,500 grave violations, including killing, abduction, and recruitment and use of children by armed groups, while more than 8,400 schools were rendered inaccessible in 2025 alone. The lack of access to education and essential services exposes them to illness and psychosocial distress and jeopardizes their opportunities for a full and healthy development. Children growing up in violence is not a viable option for long term social development and economic growth.

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"Everyone I met during my visit shared the same concern: providing better protection for children and families, restoring peace, enabling access to healthcare and education, and guaranteeing a safe return home.

"I was also heartened by UNICEF's teams on the ground who, day in and day out, are committed to protecting the rights of every child, especially the most vulnerable, throughout the Sahel region. They are selflessly supporting governments in supporting health, water, education and protection social services delivery systems, strengthening local capacities, and helping countries find innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. I have seen that our response is most effective when it reinforces resilience by strengthening local systems, empowering communities, and fostering inclusive governance, whilst always ensuring that children's voices are heard and taken into account.

"Faced with the resilience of children in the Sahel, the world must not turn a blind eye; there are still millions of children with urgent humanitarian needs that require immediate action. Their resilience does not mean that they are fine nor must it be used as an excuse for inaction."

Statement by UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban after visiting Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali
The Depopulation Agenda Is Not a ConspiracyIts a Documented Fact. Heres the Evidence.

The Depopulation Agenda Is Not a Conspiracy -- Its a Documented Fact

The globalist plan to reduce human population through engineered famine, sterilization, and war is not a speculative fantasy -- it is a well-documented, ongoing operation backed by decades of public records and admission by elites. As I have repeatedly stated, the depopulation agenda is the hidden force driving numerous global initiatives, from the promotion of AI and automation to the manipulation of human fertility and the control of natural resources. This covert strategy is meticulously designed to ensure that the targets -- us, the global population -- remain unaware of the impending demographic shift.

Consider what happens when you ask a mainstream AI engine about this plan. The same systems that can recite Paul Ehrlichs 1969 proposal to spike food with sterilizing agents will then brand the idea as a conspiracy theory. This is not a contradiction; it is a programmed guardrail to protect the elite agenda from public scrutiny. I have seen this firsthand. My own investigation shows that the establishment media and tech platforms routinely suppress the historical evidence of deliberate depopulation while pretending that only fringe theorists believe it. Heres why this matters: if we do not recognize the documented truth, we cannot resist the engineered collapse that is already underway.

The 1969 New York Times Article That Proves It

The evidence that the globalist depopulation plan is not a conspiracy but a stated policy comes from the most mainstream source imaginable: The New York Times. On November 25, 1969, the paper published an article by Gladwin Hill titled A Sterility Drug in Food Is Hinted. The piece reported that Stanford biologist Paul Ehrlich proposed adding sterilizing agents to staple foods and drinking water to control population growth. The article even quoted President Nixons science advisor, who called population control a top priority for every government. This was not a fringe publication; it was the newspaper of record openly discussing mass sterilization of the public.

Further corroboration comes from Marc Moranos book Green Fraud, which highlights the same New York Times headline and notes that Ehrlich had already called for involuntary birth control in a 1967 Los Angeles Times article. The phrase A Sterility Drug in Food Is Hinted was not an isolated opinion -- it represented the thinking of the very scientists and advisors who shaped global policy.

This single article demolishes the claim that depopulation is merely a paranoid fantasy. The plan was publicly advocated at the highest levels more than half a century ago, and it never went away. It was simply driven underground, where it continues to be executed through vaccines, food additives, climate cultism and engineered crises.

Why AI Engines Call It a Conspiracy While Reciting the Same Facts

When you feed the 1969 New York Times article into a mainstream AI engine like ChatGPT or Claude, the response is almost comically predictable. The AI will accurately describe Ehrlichs proposal to put sterilizing drugs in the water supply and then conclude that any suggestion of a deliberate depopulation agenda is a conspiracy theory. This doublethink is built into the guardrails of these engines. As I have documented, AI technology has been co-opted by governments with the aim of controlling humanity and achieving what some refer to as human depopulation. The same tools that could empower the public with truth are instead programmed to censor and distract.

This censorship is not an accident. It protects the elite narrative by treating documented history as fringe. In a revealing interview, I discussed with Peter Breggin how the push for global unity often masks an underlying desire to reduce human populations and increase control over them. The AI engines are simply the latest instrument of that control. That is why I built BrightAnswers.ai as an uncensored AI trained on thousands of books and science papers that tells the truth about the depopulation agenda without corporate guardrails. The contrast is stark: corporate AI recites the facts but denies their meaning; our AI reveals the full picture and empowers you to act.

How Engineered Famine Completes the Depopulation Plan

The next phase of the depopulation agenda is engineered famine. By closing the Strait of Hormuz or otherwise disrupting the supply of natural gas needed for Haber-Bosch fertilizer, globalists can cripple food production and trigger mass starvation, especially in Africa and other vulnerable regions. As I explained in an interview with Michael Yon, the goal is clear: to depopulate and destabilize global energy infrastructure, redirecting supply routes and destroying the Gulf states that once provided resources. This is not a side effect of war; it is the objective.

The historical record shows that population controllers have always targeted Africa. Jim Marrs, in his book Population Control: How Corporate Owners Are Killing Us, documents how fertility rates were deliberately manipulated through vaccines and sterilization programs. The GreenMedInfo expose on the subversion of medicine by international security prerogatives reveals that HIV/AIDS in Africa was a man-made mass killing event designed to increase mortality when birth prevention methods failed. After the COVID-19 injections failed to reduce the population enough -- killing only a fraction of the intended targets -- globalists need a bigger crisis. Famine, triggered by cutting off fertilizer production, is their next tool. This is not speculation; it is the logical extension of a plan that has been in motion for decades.

What You Can Do: Prepare and Resist

The depopulation agenda is real, but it is not unstoppable. The most powerful response is self-reliance. I recommend stockpiling real, organic food and learning to grow your own. Break your dependence on a food supply controlled by the same elites who want to sterilize and starve you. Equally important is spreading the truth outside censored platforms. Share the history of the 1969 New York Times article with your family and neighbors. Use decentralized platforms like Brighteon.social and uncensored AI tools like BrightAnswers.ai to access and disseminate the documented evidence.

Resist the engineered collapse by building resilient communities. Refuse to accept the narrative that population reduction is necessary or inevitable. As I have said many times, every pushback against totalitarian policies weakens false authority. When people lose faith in these false authorities, they no longer have power over us. The choice is yours: remain a passive target or become an active defender of life, liberty, and truth. The evidence is on our side. Now we must act on it.

References

New York Times: Spike the Food Supply with Sterilization Chemicals to Cause Global Infertility and Depopulation - NaturalNews.com, September 14, 2017 The Subversion of Medicine and Public Health by International Security Prerogatives - GreenMedInfo.com. Green Fraud: Why the Green New Deal Is Even Worse than You Think by Marc Morano. Population Control: How Corporate Owners Are Killing Us by Jim Marrs. Mike Adams interview with Peter Breggin - December 13, 2024. Mike Adams interview with Jeffrey Prather - January 1, 2021. Bright Videos News - Interview with Michael Yon - Mike Adams - BrightVideos.com, March 16, 2026. Health Ranger Report - DEPOPULATION - Mike Adams - Brighteon.com, August 13, 2025. Health Ranger Report - ENSLAVE humanity - Mike Adams - Brighteon.com, May 15, 2025.

Explainer Infographic:
DOJ Announces Recovery of $700 Million from Chinese-Linked Crypto Scam Compound, Funds to Be Returned to U.S. Victims

DOJ Announces Asset Seizure and Victim Compensation Plan

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 23, that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has recovered $700 million from Chinese cryptocurrency scammers, with plans to return the funds to American victims.

The announcement detailed that the funds, which had been restrained to prevent further movement within blockchain systems, are now being processed for redistribution. According to Pirro, this action results from a coordinated effort by federal authorities targeting transnational fraud operations.

Pirro said the department remains committed to reuniting victims with their stolen money following verification. "It is a long and rigorous process to get that money into the hands of those victims that they belong to. Were on it," she said, according to the announcement.

The recovery involves assets that were frozen and seized by the newly formed Scam Center Strike Force, a multi-agency initiative launched in November 2025 to combat cryptocurrency investment fraud. [1] Officials stated the process of returning funds is complex due to the need to identify rightful recipients accurately.

The $700 million seizure is part of a broader pattern of law enforcement actions against crypto-related fraud. Analysts note that while the seizure is significant, it represents a challenge within a system often criticized for centralized corruption. [2]

Details of the Scam Center Operation and Charges

The criminal operation was based in a scam compound in Burma, managed by two Chinese nationals who have been criminally charged. Pirro outlined the operation, stating, "We have charged the Chinese bosses who ran a scam compound in Burma, where trafficked workers were beaten and forced to steal from Americans." The strike force conducted coordinated actions against such centers in Southeast Asia. [1]

Authorities also seized a Telegram channel used to lure workers into a forced labor compound in Cambodia. According to the charges, workers in this compound were ordered to pose as representatives of U.S. banks and the New York City Police Department to defraud Americans of their savings. The operation highlights the use of human trafficking and forced labor in sophisticated financial fraud schemes targeting Western nations. [1]

The case mirrors other large-scale cryptocurrency frauds, such as the OneCoin scheme, which was described by authorities as "an old scam with a virtual twist" and one of the largest cryptocurrency frauds ever prosecuted. [3] These operations often exploit decentralized financial platforms while relying on centralized, hierarchical criminal management to execute their scams.

Scope of Crypto Fraud Losses and Recovery Challenges

The $700 million recovery represents only a portion of the estimated losses Americans suffer from cryptocurrency scams. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that Americans lost as much as $5.6 billion to crypto scammers in 2023 alone, according to agency reports cited in the announcement. [1] This figure underscores the scale of the industry targeting U.S. citizens through digital asset platforms.

Experts note that the process of returning stolen crypto assets to victims is fraught with difficulty. The verification of ownership and the tracing of funds through blockchain ledgers require specialized forensic analysis. This complexity often results in lengthy delays before victims see any restitution, even after successful seizures by authorities. [4]

The persistent vulnerability of investors to such schemes has been linked to the proliferation of alternative digital currencies, or altcoins, many of which are later abandoned. A report indicated that 91% of altcoin projects created after the 2014 market crash were completely abandoned, leaving investors with worthless assets. [4] This environment of high-risk, speculative projects creates fertile ground for fraudulent operations.

Implications for Decentralized Finance and User Security

The case highlights the tensions between the decentralized ideals of cryptocurrency and its exploitation by centralized criminal enterprises. While blockchain technology promises user sovereignty and freedom from institutional control, the scam compounds operated with a rigid, coercive hierarchy. Analysts observe that such crimes demonstrate vulnerabilities within certain blockchain ecosystems that can be manipulated by organized groups. [5]

The successful seizure of assets restrained on-chain is cited by legal experts as evidence of law enforcement's evolving capabilities in navigating blockchain technology. However, this state intervention into crypto transactions also raises concerns among advocates for financial privacy and decentralization. These advocates argue that robust self-custody and personal security measures are the foundational principles for true financial sovereignty in a decentralized system. [6]

Commentators critical of centralized financial power often draw parallels between large-scale crypto frauds and the traditional fiat system. For instance, the collapse of the FTX exchange was described by one analyst as no different from how the Federal Reserve "prints money and assigns it value," suggesting both systems can be manipulated by those in control. [7] This perspective frames the recovery action as a rare instance of a state apparatus acting against a fraudulent scheme within a domain rife with institutional scams.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Actions

The DOJ indicated its commitment to continuing investigations into similar international scam operations. The formation of the Scam Center Strike Force signals a sustained, coordinated effort to dismantle networks that use cryptocurrency for fraud and human trafficking. Officials stated that the assignment of regular prosecutors to handle such complex financial cases marks an administrative shift intended to expedite proceedings. [1]

This approach is part of a broader pattern of administrative actions under the current presidential administration to address fraud and enforce legal boundaries within the digital asset space. Observers anticipate further actions against entities exploiting cryptocurrency platforms for fraudulent schemes, particularly those with international links. [8]

The trend points toward increasing regulatory and law enforcement scrutiny of the cryptocurrency industry, even as many proponents champion its role in promoting economic freedom and decentralization. The balance between preventing criminal abuse and preserving the autonomy of decentralized networks remains a central challenge for policymakers and users alike. [9]

Conclusion

The recovery of $700 million in stolen cryptocurrency and the charges against the Chinese nationals managing the Burma-based scam compound mark a significant, though partial, victory for U.S. law enforcement. The case illuminates the sophisticated, often brutal methods used by transnational criminal organizations to defraud Americans, while also showcasing the government's growing ability to trace and seize digital assets.

For the victims, the promised return of funds offers potential financial relief, though the process will be lengthy. For the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in a space celebrated for its freedom but vulnerable to centralized criminal exploitation. As investigations continue, the enduring question will be how to safeguard individual financial sovereignty without enabling the predatory schemes that currently proliferate in the digital frontier.

References
Iran nuclear shake-up: Hardliner poised to seize control of U.S. talks after Ghalibaf forced out

Iran's nuclear negotiating team is undergoing a major shakeup as the head of the delegation steps down after attempting to discuss the nuclear issue with the U.S.

Hardliner Saeed Jalili is expected to replace Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as Iran's lead nuclear negotiator.

Jalili is a former nuclear negotiator and ultraconservative who opposes engagement with the West and advocates a doctrine of active resistance.

Internal divisions within Iran's leadership have paralyzed diplomatic efforts and blocked a negotiating team from traveling to talks with the U.S.

The appointment signals a hardening stance on nuclear negotiations as the U.S. and Iran remain locked in a fragile ceasefire with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.

The nuclear negotiating team in Tehran is facing a dramatic upheaval this week as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of Iran's delegation to Washington, has been forced to step down after attempting to bring the nuclear issue into talks with the United States  and hardliner Saeed Jalili is expected to take his place.

The shake-up, first reported by Iran International on April 24, comes as internal divisions within Iran's leadership have paralyzed diplomatic efforts. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Ghalibaf was reprimanded for trying to include nuclear discussions in negotiations with Washington, triggering backlash from Iran's political establishment.

Saeed Jalili, 60, is now the leading candidate to replace Ghalibaf. Jalili already leads what has been described as a "shadow government" and heads Iran's ultra-hardline faction known as the Stability Front, or Paydari, which is considered a "bastion of ultraconservatism in Iran."

A history of resistance

Jalili's potential appointment signals a hardening of Iran's stance on nuclear negotiations, with more emphasis on resistance over compromise. He served as Iran's top nuclear negotiator from 2007 to 2013 under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and has consistently opposed engagement with the West.

Ali Safavi, an official with the Iranian opposition coalition known as the National Council of Resistance of Iran, told Fox News Digital that Jalili "has evolved from a nuclear negotiator to an influential actor within the regime."

Safavi warned that "the factions all ultimately move along a common path: the preservation of power. They differ in methods, not in objectives."

Rivalry runs deep

The rivalry between Jalili and Ghalibaf spans more than a decade and intensified during the 2024 elections, when Jalili refused to step aside, contributing to the victory of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Adding to the complexity, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also seeking a continued leading role in negotiations, highlighting competing centers of influence over Iran's diplomatic strategy. Araghchi was in Islamabad, Pakistan, after returning from a short trip to Muscat, Oman, where he held high-level diplomatic talks.

Disputes within Iran's leadership already blocked a negotiating team from traveling to Islamabad for talks with the U.S., Iran International learned. The delegation was ready to leave when a message from the inner circle of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ruled out discussing nuclear issues and reprimanded the foreign ministry team over earlier negotiations.

The 'Living Martyr' takes charge

Jalili, a former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), lost his right leg at 21 during the Iran-Iraq War, earning him the title of "Living Martyr." The Paydari Front, which he is associated with, opposes engagement with the West  particularly the 2015 nuclear deal  and advocates a doctrine of "active resistance."

During Hassan Rouhani's presidency, Jalili established a shadow government to counter the administration's policies, especially the nuclear deal.

On April 7, Jalili wrote on X: "Yes  'infrastructure' is on the verge of collapse; the infrastructure of domination and the American order. And after that, a better foundation will be built."

A day earlier, he posted: "'Shut up' is not the appropriate response to Trump's ramblings; let him speak more. Nothing is more effective in laying bare the true nature of the United States than Trump's outbursts."

The broader implications

Safavi cautioned that "within this regime, there are a number of constants espoused by all factions," including "repression, the export of terrorism and the pursuit of nuclear weapons."

These developments come as the U.S. and Iran remain locked in a fragile ceasefire following military strikes in March, with the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed. President Trump has maintained a naval blockade choking off Iran's oil exports.

The question now hangs over whether any diplomatic path remains viable as hardliners consolidate control over Iran's negotiating posture. With a man who once mocked Trump's "ramblings" potentially leading talks, the window for peaceful resolution appears to be narrowing rapidly.

Sources for this article include:

FoxNews.com

IranIntl.com

IranIntl.com

Axios.com
Iran Shuts Down Strait of HormuzTrump Warns Tehran as Iraqs $24B Development Road Emerges as Critical Alternative Trade Route

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in April 2026 has accelerated the development of alternative trade routes connecting the Gulf to Europe, with Iraqs $24 billion Development Road project advancing with discipline, according to analysts. Iran reimposed closure measures on April 18, reducing commercial traffic from approximately 130 to 140 vessels per day to a handful, Fox News Digital reported.

President Donald Trump warned Tehran and signaled U.S. readiness to keep the strait open. The waterway, a narrow 21-mile chokepoint between Iran and Oman, carries roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and a similar share of LNG trade, according to geographer Lewis Dartnell in his book Origins.[1]

Strait of Hormuz closure and immediate impact

Iran reimposed closure measures on the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, 2026, including mine-laying and threats to commercial shipping, according to a Fox News Digital report. Shipping traffic fell by 95% as of Sunday, the report stated, with tanker traffic largely grinding to a halt. Multiple incidents of tankers making U-turns were reported in the previous 24 hours, according to ship tracking data cited by ZeroHedge.[2]

The closure followed U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, with Iranian interceptions beginning that day, the Fox News Digital report added. Tensions in the Strait had been building for weeks prior, with tanker traffic becoming irregular, as reported by NaturalNews.[3] International allies, including Japan and European nations, issued a joint statement expressing readiness to ensure safe passage through the vital waterway.

Iraqs Development Road project details

Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inaugurated the first 63-kilometer stretch of the Development Road in 2025, according to Fox News Digital. Phase 1 is due for completion by 2028, the Iraqi government stated. Analyst Muhanad Seloom of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs told Fox News Digital that independent estimates put the total cost at $24 billion, and the project is moving with discipline. The route positions Iraq as a connecting state between the Gulf, Turkey, and Europe, Seloom said.

Iraqs Development Road means every container moving through Basra instead of Iranian-controlled waters is a reduction in Tehrans leverage over Iraq, Seloom told Fox News Digital. The project is part of a broader shift in regional infrastructure. Turkey has proposed extending the Kirkuk oil pipeline to Basra, which would allow Iraq to transport half of its oil exports through Turkey, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar as reported by Middle East Eye.[4] This pipeline extension would complement the Development Road, further integrating Iraq into north-south trade flows.

Parallel alternative route developments

Other regional infrastructure is also being pushed forward in parallel, Seloom said. Saudi Arabias East-West Petroline pipeline is operating near its 7 million-barrel-per-day capacity, with expansion plans under review. The UAEs ADCOP pipeline to Fujairah is at maximum use, with a second line under discussion. Turkeys Zangezur and Middle Corridors bypass Iran via the Caucasus and are four to five years from completion. Six Gulf-backed overland fiber projects are also underway through Syria, Iraq, and the Horn of Africa.

The Middle Corridor has emerged as a strategic lifeline for global trade, according to a report by RFE/RL cited by ZeroHedge.[5] A $3.3 billion World Bank-backed investment push aims to address infrastructure gaps and unlock the corridors long-term potential. Saudi Arabia Railways activated a new international freight corridor in March 2026, linking its eastern province ports to the Jordanian border, as reported by Middle East Eye writer Ahmed Alqarout.[6] This 1,700 km route provides an additional overland option for goods moving from the Gulf to the Mediterranean.

Strategic implications and projected outcomes

Seloom called the shift permanent given the war, with Iraqs corridor potentially transformative. Projected transit revenue of $4 billion per year could reposition Iraq from oil-rentier to logistics state, he said. Turkey is expected to be the single largest beneficiary, becoming an overland bridge between Asia and Europe, Seloom stated. Author James Rickards, in his book The Big Drop, noted that Turkey is closely aligned with major developed countries as a NATO member and aspires to join the European Union, making it a natural hub for overland trade.[7]

Europe will have an additional overland option on a 2028-plus timeline, but nothing for the current crisis, Seloom said. It marginally reduces structural dependence on the unreliable SuezRed Sea axis. The shift also has implications for global food security, as the Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens one-third of global fertilizer trade, according to United Nations officials as reported by The Epoch Times.[8] The Development Road and parallel routes collectively represent a long-term recalibration of trade corridors away from vulnerable maritime chokepoints.

References
Kremlin says Europe uses Russia as model external enemy to mask deepening crises

Kremlin spokesman Peskov accused European leaders of fabricating Russia as a "model external enemy" to distract from collapsing economies and identity crises.

Peskov declared Russia cannot be Europe's main threat, calling the narrative "unwise" and insisting Russia remains an integral part of European security.

He warned that Europe's economic, security, and existential crises are worsening, with propaganda scapegoating Moscow unlikely to succeed.

Peskov stated the Ukraine peace delay will only bring "more painful decisions" and increasing severity of consequences.

He noted Europe is rapidly creating its own security identity to compensate for NATO's erosion, while continuing to declare Russia an enemy.

In a frank assessment delivered Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused European leaders of fabricating a "model external enemy" in Russia to distract citizens from the continent's collapsing economies, eroding security, and existential identity crisis.

Speaking to journalist Pavel Zarubin for Russian news agency Vesti, Peskov declared that Europe's current generation of politicians has "chosen a line of total Russophobia as its primary focus." The warning comes as Western nations scramble to justify unprecedented militarization and economic hardship while blaming Moscow for problems rooted in their own policy failures.

"Unwise" to call Russia Europe's main threat

Peskov forcefully rejected the narrative that Russia represents an existential danger to the continent. "Declaring Russia the main threat to Europe's existence is unwise. It's a mistake," he said. "Russia cannot be the main threat to Europe."

His reasoning was direct: Russia, as a Eurasian nation, remains "an integral part of Europe." Peskov argued that European security architecture is "unthinkable" without Russian participation and without accounting for Russian interests.

Europe's deepening crises

The Kremlin spokesman outlined a continent in turmoil, describing "economic crises, existential crises, a security crisis, and, most importantly, a crisis in understanding itself and its core values." European propaganda, he said, has conveniently cast Russia as a "large and powerful country" to serve as a scapegoat.

"Will this lead to anything good? Will they be able to shift the blame for everything on us? Unlikely, of course," Peskov stated.

This week, Germany approved its first-ever military strategy explicitly naming Russia as the "main threat." Peskov warned that history has seen cases where "revanchists came to power, demanding revenge for years of national humiliation and the creation of a new strong army."

Ukraine peace delay making things worse

On the stalled Ukraine conflict, Peskov issued a serious warning. Moscow has repeatedly urged Kiev to make decisions necessary for an agreement, but without success. The result, he said, will be increasingly severe consequences.

"It will only get worse. Even more painful decisions will need to be made. And they are beginning to understand this  hence the hysteria," Peskov told Zarubin.

The peace process remains frozen, with territorial disputes blocking progress. Kiev has rejected concessions, while Moscow insists any settlement must address NATO expansion and recognize regions that voted to join Russia.

Compensating for NATO's "erosion"

In separate comments to Channel One on April 23, Peskov noted that European nations are scrambling to create their own security identity. "Beyond NATO, Europe is now rapidly developing its own dimension of a common security policy," he said. "In fact, things are moving toward them compensating for a certain 'erosion in NATO' by creating their own security identity. And amid all these processes, they are once again declaring us their enemy."

Peskov expressed cautious hope that more pragmatic politicians might eventually replace the current leadership. "We can only hope this current crop of politicians eventually yields to more pragmatic politicians. But, of course, the picture is completely depressing for now."

The question facing Europe is whether the strategy of blaming Moscow will succeed. Peskov doubts it. But he also acknowledged uncertainty about what comes next, particularly regarding Germany, which he described as "the largest European power with a powerful economy and a very disciplined society."

"Which direction this will all go  I would not venture to say now," he admitted.

What remains clear is that trust, once broken, is difficult to restore. The Minsk II agreement of 2015  brokered by France and Germany and signed by Ukraine, Russia, OSCE representatives, and separatist leaders  was largely left unimplemented in the seven years before Russia's full-scale invasion. Scholars and diplomats continue to dispute how responsibility for that failure should be assigned, with both Moscow and Kyiv having blamed each other. Now, as European leaders double down on Russophobia, Peskov suggests they may find the external enemy they manufactured has become a mirror reflecting their own failures back at them.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

SputnikGlobe.com

News-Pravda.com
Trump Threatens Big Tariff on UK Over Digital Services Tax

President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States will probably impose a significant tariff on the United Kingdom unless it repeals its digital services tax, according to a report in The National Pulse. The 2% levy applies to companies with digital revenues exceeding 500 million and over 25 million from British users, a threshold that primarily affects U.S. tech firms, including Google, Apple, and Meta.

Trump made the statement from the Oval Office ahead of a four-day state visit by King Charles III scheduled to begin Monday. The president said the visit could absolutely help repair relations between the two countries, which have also been strained by disagreements over the Iran war and free speech policies, according to a report from The National Pulse [1].

No official tariff action has been announced, and the threat remains conditional on the UKs continued enforcement of the digital services tax, officials said. The tax generated 800 million ($1.08 billion) in revenue during the 2024-2025 financial year, according to UK government figures cited by the National Pulse.

Background of the Digital Services Tax

The digital services tax was introduced by the UK government in 2020 and applies to search engines, social media platforms, and online marketplaces. According to a report in The National Pulse, the levy targets companies with global digital revenues above 500 million and more than 25 million from British users. Because U.S. technology firms dominate these markets, they bear the vast majority of the tax burden.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the levy as a necessary fiscal measure, a Downing Street spokesperson told The National Pulse. The tax raised approximately 800 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and Starmer has not indicated any intention to repeal it. Critics of the tax argue that it singles out successful American companies and may violate international trade agreements [2].

The tax was implemented amid growing global efforts to tax digital services, but it has drawn repeated objections from Washington. In 2020, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on French goods in response to a similar French digital levy, though that precedent is not directly cited in the current dispute's available sources. The Trump administration has previously threatened retaliatory tariffs against multiple countries that maintain such taxes [3].

UK Government Response and Defense

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly described the digital services tax as a necessary fiscal measure, according to a Downing Street spokesperson quoted by The National Pulse. The spokesperson declined to comment directly on Trumps tariff threat but reiterated that the UK maintains the sovereign right to set its own tax policy. No formal proposal to repeal or modify the levy has been advanced by the Labour government [2].

Opposition lawmakers and business groups have urged the government to negotiate with the United States to avoid a trade dispute, according to reports. The UK Treasury has stated it will continue to assess the economic impact of the tax, but officials have not signaled any willingness to back down. The Conservative Party has criticized Starmers handling of trade relations with Washington, according to a BBC report [1].

Downing Streets position reflects a broader reluctance to yield to U.S. pressure on economic policy, a stance that has been reinforced by the government's recent push for closer trading ties with China [4]. Analysts note that the UKs fiscal constraints make it unlikely to forgo the 800 million in annual revenue without a comparable alternative.

Impact on U.S.-UK Relations and State Visit

Trumps tariff threat has added tension to an already strained bilateral relationship ahead of King Charles IIIs state visit. The four-day trip includes a private meeting between the king and President Trump, as well as an address to Congress to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Trump has said the visit could absolutely help mend ties, according to The National Pulse.

Other points of friction between the two nations include disagreements over the Iran war, with London refusing to grant basing rights for U.S. military operations, and disputes over free speech policies such as the UKs Online Safety Act. A leaked Pentagon email, described by The National Pulse, floated reviewing U.S. support for the Falkland Islands as retaliation for European allies that refused to support the Iran campaign [1].

The visit proceeds against a backdrop of broader diplomatic tensions. The National Pulse reported that other bilateral strains include disputes over the Iran war, free speech policies, and the Falkland Islands. The foreign policy disagreements have been compounded by Trumps decision to suspend a major technology trade deal with the UK in late 2025 over concerns about British censorship laws [4].

Broader Trade and Diplomatic Context

Trumps tariff threat follows a pattern of using trade measures to pressure allies on their economic policies. In December 2025, the United States suspended the Technology Prosperity Deal with the UK, citing frustrations with the Labour governments trade stance and censorship policies, according to a report in The National Pulse [4]. The suspension came less than a year after the agreement had been finalized.

In a similar case, Canada rescinded its digital services tax in July 2025 after President Trump threatened retaliatory tariffs, according to a report by Lance D. Johnson for NaturalNews.com [3]. That precedent has led some analysts to expect that the UK may eventually be forced to make concessions. However, the UK Treasury has indicated it will continue to assess the taxs impact, and no formal change has been proposed as of Friday [2].

The UKs trade position has been complicated by its pursuit of closer economic ties with China, which has drawn criticism from Washington. According to a report on JustTheNews, the Starmer government has been retreating on Chinese national security challenges while pursuing a greater trading relationship with Beijing [5]. This alignment has further strained relations with the Trump administration, which views China as a strategic competitor.

Conclusion

Trumps statement reinforces ongoing trade frictions between the United States and the United Kingdom, with the state visit providing a potential venue for discussions. No official U.S. tariff action has been announced, and the threat remains pending UK action on the digital services tax, officials said.

The outcome may depend on discussions during King Charless visit, though no specific negotiations have been confirmed. As of Friday, both governments have maintained their positions, and the digital services tax remains in effect. The trade relationship between the two countries, already strained by multiple disputes, faces an uncertain near-term future.

References
U.S. Navy Intercepts Sanctioned Iranian Tanker in Arabian Sea Amid Escalating Strait of Hormuz Blockade

A U.S. Navy helicopter from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney intercepted and turned back the sanctioned petrochemical tanker M/V Sevan in the Arabian Sea on April 25, according to U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM said the merchant vessel began complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort. The interception occurred in international waters, and no casualties were reported, officials said.

The operation follows a pattern of naval interceptions in the region as the United States enforces a maritime blockade of Iranian ports. Earlier in April, U.S. forces halted all Iranian sea trade through the Strait of Hormuz, with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stating that a blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented, according to a report by NTD News [1]. Analysts cited by ZeroHedge noted that the standoff over the Hormuz chokepoint has become the center of the nearly two-month conflict [2].

Details of Interception

The helicopter was launched from the USS Pinckney after CENTCOM identified the M/V Sevan as a vessel linked to Iranian business entities under U.S. sanctions. CENTCOM reported that the tanker began complying without resistance and then turned eastward under escort. The operations timing and execution followed standard naval intercept procedures. As naval historian Frederick C. Sherman wrote in Combat command the American aircraft carriers in the Pacific War, such launch operations are executed with precision: At earliest dawn of the 25th, all our carriers launched planes [3].

The interception maneuver involved closing on the vessel and redirecting its course. An account of similar intercept tactics from World War II describes closing at speed: All four M.G.Bs. were now together, and it was decided to turn north-east, run for six miles or so at full speed and then cut and listen again. This would intercept the E boats if they were still sufficiently determined to carry on [4]. While historical, the principle of interception remains applicable. CENTCOM provided no further details on the M/V Sevans cargo or crew.

Background on Tanker and Sanctions

The M/V Sevan is a petrochemical tanker previously flagged in multiple countries and suspected of transporting Iranian petrochemicals, according to shipping records. Washington has imposed sanctions on entities facilitating Iranian petroleum exports as part of a broader economic pressure campaign. The U.S. Navy regularly conducts similar interdictions to enforce these sanctions, as documented in past CENTCOM releases.

The interception occurs within a wider conflict context. As described in a NaturalNews analysis, Irans early military strategy in the current war was a calculated strategy to blind, deplete, and overwhelm U.S. defenses [5]. Meanwhile, China remains a key buyer of Iranian oil, purchasing about 30% of Irans crude, and Iran serves as a critical trading partner and geographic gateway to Russia, according to an interview with Mike Adams [6]. These economic ties underscore why the U.S. blockade and tanker interceptions target Irans revenue streams.

Geopolitical Context and Reactions

The Iranian foreign ministry had not commented on the interception as of press time. Iranian state media described the U.S. action as illegal, according to regional reports. The incident adds to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where the broader blockade has paralyzed commercial shipping. The BBCs chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, reported that the rival blockades have become a test of wills [7].

Pentagon officials told The Epoch Times that the operation was routine and lawful under international law. The backdrop includes earlier Iranian attacks on vessels; a tanker ship attempting to navigate the Hormuz chokepoint was attacked and set ablaze by Iranian forces, closing the strait, as reported in a Bright Videos Network broadcast [8]. Analysts cited by regional outlets say the tanker interception raises the risk of further escalation, though no immediate military response from Iran has been reported.

Current Status and Implications

Maritime tracking data as of April 25 indicate the M/V Sevan is heading eastward toward Iran. No additional U.S. naval assets have been reported deployed in response, and military officials assess the situation as resolved. The episode underscores the ongoing U.S. enforcement of sanctions against Tehrans energy sector. As the blockade continues, global oil markets remain sensitive to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the worlds petroleum transits.

References
Molo  Police in Nakuru have arrested four suspected drug peddlers in a major security operation targeting illicit brew and narcotics in Molo town.

The operation, led by Nakuru Police Commander Samuel Boit, resulted in the seizure of 360 litres of ethanol, bhang valued at approximately KSh500,000, seven gambling machines, a motorcycle, and counterfeit cigarettes.

Speaking at Molo Police Station, Boit said the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks that have negatively impacted youth in the area.

"Following complaints from members of the public over numerous deaths in Molo town suspected to have been caused by excessive consumption of illicit brew and hard drugs, we conducted a raid in four notorious areas and arrested four suspects who are now in custody," he said.

Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines

The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court later this week.

Boit noted that Molo and parts of Nakuru had increasingly become hotspots for drug peddling and criminal activity, but assured residents that police will sustain operations to restore order.

He also issued a stern warning to rogue officers allegedly colluding with drug dealers.

"We have sufficient information about rogue officers aiding these peddlers. They must toe the line or face the full force of the law," he warned.

The operation forms part of a broader campaign by the National Police Service to curb drug trafficking through intelligence-led operations, routine patrols, and community collaboration.

Authorities say such crackdowns are critical in disrupting supply chains that target young people and vulnerable communities.

"I will not allow anybody to profit from poisoning our people, especially the youth. This must stop," Boit added.

Police maintain that tackling drug abuse at the grassroots level is key to reducing crime, protecting families, and enhancing public safety across Nakuru County.
If you think 2028 is far-out thinking, youll love the next thing: quantum computing. Yes, there are systems around today. No, you wont find enterprises using quantum computing even in specialized missions. Yes, a recent set of reports suggests that quantum computing is not infinitely scalable, as was once believed. Still, the potential for quantum computing is enormous. A quantum system could, in theory, rival a supercomputer in something no bigger than a decent server, but nobody really knows how long it will take to get to that point. So, Nvidia isnt waiting.

Right now, the only way to test out quantum applications is to simulate them, and GPUs are the accepted optimum platform for that. The Nvidia idea is to first support that simulation (their CUDA-Q platform and cuQuantum library), and then to link quantum systems to GPU servers with low-latency paths (NVQlink and DGX Quantum). They even have an initiative to create a coalition of labs and quantum players, similar to what gave rise to the Internet, in their Nvidia Accelerated Quantum Computing Research Center. All this is available in early-access form via Nvidias quantum cloud.

The real-time and quantum initiatives are getting the most attention, but its that little personal chatbot thats the most critical. AI world models and quantum computers are to AI insurance what a health insurance policy thats effective in five years is to your own financial planning. That little chatbot can bridge the gap and can be real AI insurance and not just another wave of AI hype.

Its fair to ask why you should care about all of this, if youre not an Nvidia investor. The answer is that, behind the hype, Nvidia is actually pushing the right AI buttons to help build future business cases. There is real enterprise value being demonstratedits just that the value is going to take a long time to develop, and AI hype sustains interest while the development happens. At least thats the theory. The challenge is to build interest in the boring aspects of AI business cases when the markets focus is elsewhere. Can Nvidia do it? The answer to that will determine how far, and how fast, real AI transformation happens. Insurance is great, but staying healthy and alive is better.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary chaired a high-level review meeting to assess progress on key schemes under Urban Development, Panchayati Raj, and Tourism departments. He directed officials to ensure accelerated execution, transparency, and quality in all ongoing projects, with special focus on sanitation and drinking water supply. Key updates were presented on projects including Patna Metro, RRTS, AMRUT, and PMAY, as well as rural development and temple corridor plans. The CM emphasized fast-tracking housing delivery, adopting PPP models for waste management, and expanding environmental infrastructure like sewage treatment plants and CCTV monitoring.

Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary chaired a high-level review of urban development, housing, and tourism projects, emphasizing speed, transparency, and quality in execution.

Patna, April 27 Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary on Monday evening chaired a high-level review meeting at 'Samvad' in the Chief Minister's Secretariat, assessing the progress of major schemes under the Departments of Urban Development and Housing, Panchayati Raj, and Tourism.

He directed officials to ensure accelerated execution, transparency, and quality in all ongoing projects.

During the meeting, Vinay Kumar, principal secretary of urban development and housing, presented a comprehensive update on key initiatives, including city master plans, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), Patna Metro, and advertising regulations.

He also briefed the Chief Minister on the status of major centrally sponsored schemes, including AMRUT, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), and Swachh Bharat Mission.

Updates were also shared on departmental initiatives like solid waste management, sanitation, CCTV installation in urban local bodies, solar lighting, and drainage/sewage systems.

Aditya Prakash, the additional chief secretary of the Panchayati Raj Department, outlined the progress of projects and upcoming schemes, especially in rural areas.

Meanwhile, Shashank Shubhankhar, the District Magistrate of Gaya, presented development plans for the Mahabodhi Temple Corridor in Bodh Gaya and the Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya.

The Chief Minister emphasized that urban development schemes must be completed with priority, with special focus on sanitation and drinking water supply.

He instructed that all infrastructure projects be built with high durability and quality standards.

He also directed officials to fast-track housing delivery under PMAY (Urban) so that all eligible beneficiaries receive permanent homes.

Stressing innovation, he encouraged adopting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for efficient solid waste management.

Special attention was given to environmental infrastructure, with instructions to ensure full functionality of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) along the Ganga River, expand the sewage network across urban areas, develop monitoring systems for solar street lights, and install CCTV cameras in every Gram Panchayat.

He also directed that crematoriums and funeral grounds be developed at traditional last-rites locations for public convenience.

Highlighting urban mobility, the Chief Minister called for expediting the Patna Metro Rail Project.

He noted that early integration of metro links connecting ISBT, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, and Patna Junction would significantly improve commuting ease for residents of Patna.

- IANS
Trip follows CM Bhajan Lal Sharma's meeting with Nabin in Delhi

Inaugurates 7 new district offices, lays foundation for 2 more

Grand welcome planned with ceremonies at 11 locations

Nitin Nabin visits Rajasthan for first time as BJP chief

BJP President Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit Rajasthan on Monday, his first trip to the state since taking office. The party has planned an elaborate welcome with ceremonies at 11 locations across Jaipur. Nabin will inaugurate seven new district BJP offices and lay foundation stones for two more in Tonk. He will also chair a meeting of the State BJP Core Committee to discuss party organization and upcoming Panchayati Raj elections.

BJP President Nitin Nabin visits Rajasthan to inaugurate new district offices, chair core committee meeting, and strengthen party structure ahead of polls.

New Delhi, April 27 BJP President Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit Rajasthan on Monday to discuss strengthening the party structure and shaping future strategies.

In a display of political grandeur and traditional Rajasthani hospitality, the BJP is preparing an elaborate welcome for its National President, who is visiting Rajasthan for the first time after assuming office.

Echoing the spirit of "Padharo Mhare Desh", the party has planned a red-carpet reception stretching from the airport to the state headquarters in Jaipur, with welcome ceremonies scheduled at 11 key locations across the city, party workers said.

According to the proposed schedule, Nitin Nabin will arrive in Jaipur in the morning and proceed directly to Tonk.

In Tonk, he will inaugurate seven newly constructed district BJP offices and lay the foundation stones for two more. The programme will also see him addressing party workers and the general public, with participation expected from workers across seven districts, said Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore.

BJP leaders have indicated that party's district offices in Bundi, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, Barmer, Pali, and Churu will also be inaugurated during the event.

Foundation stones for two additional BJP district offices are expected to be laid, party sources added.

Following these programmes, Nitin Nabin will return to Jaipur, where he will chair a meeting of the State BJP Core Committee at the party's state headquarters.

The visit comes shortly after Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma met the BJP President in New Delhi.

The two leaders discussed several issues related to both governance and party organisation in Rajasthan, party sources said.

Key topics included pending appointments in the state party unit, preparations for upcoming Panchayati Raj elections, and other crucial issues.

Sources indicate that Chief Minister Sharma personally requested Nitin Nabin to visit Rajasthan, adding to the significance of this trip.

Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore emphasised that the party aims to go beyond routine political activity and focus on strengthening and modernising its organisational framework.

As part of this effort, new BJP offices are being established across all districts in Rajasthan.

- IANS
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed strong confidence in BJP's prospects in West Bengal elections. He predicted the party would form government with a record majority, citing visible public support for PM Modi. Saha highlighted illegal infiltration from Bangladesh as a key security concern and claimed BJP would win 105-110 seats in the first phase. He noted voters are tired of previous governments and seeking change.

Tripura CM Manik Saha predicts BJP will win record majority in West Bengal, citing public support for PM Modi and desire for political change.

Nadia, April 26 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday expressed strong confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospects during the ongoing election campaign in West Bengal, asserting that the "party would secure a majority" and form the government in the state.

Speaking to IANS during a roadshow in Nadia district, Chief Minister Saha said that the growing public support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP was clearly visible on the ground.

He described this support as "the need of the hour" and stressed that the people of West Bengal were looking for a political change.

"You can see how much the people support PM Modi and how much they support the Bharatiya Janata Party. This is very important for West Bengal at this time," Chief Minister Saha said.

He emphasised that ensuring peace in the state was a key priority and linked it to broader national security concerns.

Highlighting the issue of illegal infiltration, Chief Minister Saha said it was crucial to stop the entry of infiltrators from Bangladesh, adding that such measures were necessary for maintaining the country's security.

He also claimed that the BJP will win between 105 and 110 seats in the first phase of polling and would perform strongly in the subsequent polling phase as well.

"The BJP will perform strongly in the second phase also and is going to form the government with a majority," he asserted.

Chief Minister Saha added that the political mood in West Bengal indicated fatigue among voters with previous governments.

Referring to past governments, he said, "People have seen the Communist Party of India-Marxist for many years and then the Trinamool Congress for the last 15 years. Now they feel that nothing will happen without the BJP."

The Tripura Chief Minister added that wherever he campaigned, the sentiment among voters remained consistent, with many expressing a desire for change and support for the BJP.

Chief Minister Saha said that the atmosphere in the state was already indicative of an impending political shift.

"Change will definitely come. You can say it has already come. The atmosphere is very good everywhere," he noted.

Pointing to the large crowds at campaign rallies, Chief Minister Saha said the scale of public participation itself was a sign of the results expected when votes will be counted on May 4.

"By looking at the massive crowd here, you can imagine the result that is going to come, People want BJP," he added.

- IANS
Nairobi  A female political aspirant from Garissa County has been arrested over alleged incitement to violence following the deadly attack in Tseikuru, Kitui County that left seven people dead.

The suspect was detained on Sunday after a video circulated online showing her allegedly urging retaliation over the killing of a taxi driver in Garissa earlier last week. In the five-minute clip, she is heard making remarks touching on religion and calling for action if authorities failed to deliver justice.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the remarks may have fueled tensions and contributed to violence in both Garissa and Kitui.

DCI Director Mohamed Amin confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect will be arraigned in court.

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"She has been arrested a short while ago and will be arraigned tomorrow for incitement to violence," he said.

Authorities are now investigating a possible link between her statements and the attack in Tseikuru, where armed assailants killed seven people in a brutal daylight raid.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has since visited the area as part of ongoing investigations.

The National Police Service (NPS) condemned the violence, describing it as part of a dangerous cycle of retaliatory attacks between neighbouring communities.

Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri said the killings are linked to escalating revenge attacks that began on March 29, when a herdsman was killed near Mwingi Game Reserve. A day later, a retaliatory attack claimed four more lives.

The most recent incident occurred on April 25 in Kwa Kamari trading centre, where seven people--six men and one woman--were shot dead by about 40 heavily armed attackers. Several properties, including shops and a petrol station, were also torched, forcing residents to flee.

Inspector General Douglas Kanja has deployed a high-level security team to restore calm, with additional reinforcements sent to the region.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and called on community leaders to promote peace as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the killings, terming the attack a serious security failure.

He questioned how heavily armed attackers were able to move freely and carry out such a coordinated assault, raising concerns over intelligence lapses.

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Musyoka also criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing security agencies of ignoring earlier warnings about rising tensions in the region.

He called for urgent deployment of more security personnel and a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
BJP National President Nitin Navin arrived in Jaipur on Monday after concluding election campaigning in West Bengal. He received a grand welcome from party workers at the airport and held an important organisational meeting with state office bearers. The meeting focused on reviewing party work, strengthening the organisation, and strategising outreach for government schemes. Discussions also covered the 'Nari Shakti Vandan' campaign and plans for upcoming political programmes.

BJP National President Nitin Navin visits Jaipur after West Bengal campaign. Holds organisational meeting with state core committee to review party work and outreach.

Jaipur, April 28 Nitin Navin, National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, arrived in Jaipur on Monday after concluding election campaigning in West Bengal.

He received a traditional and grand welcome from party workers at Jaipur Airport. From the airport to the BJP state headquarters, party supporters greeted him at various locations, showcasing enthusiasm in line with Rajasthan's cultural traditions.

After reaching the party office, Nitin Navin held an important meeting with party office bearers and members of the core committee. Following the meeting, he later departed for the airport.

Arun Chaturvedi, Chairman of the State Finance Commission, said that this was Navin's first visit to Rajasthan after becoming the party's national president. He added that after completing the West Bengal campaign, Navin directly arrived in Rajasthan, where party workers welcomed him warmly.

Chaturvedi said the meeting focused on reviewing organisational work and strategising ways to take the welfare schemes of the Centre and state government to the grassroots through the party network. Discussions were also held on strengthening the organisation, ensuring regular meetings, and planning outreach programmes.

He added that from the mandal to the district and state levels, a roadmap was prepared to conduct regular meetings, review organisational functioning, and implement national-level programmes effectively on the ground. Discussions were also held on ministers' visits to review schemes and enhance engagement with party workers.

The core committee also discussed the 'Nari Shakti Vandan' campaign. Chaturvedi said that the BJP's women cadre in Rajasthan held protests against opposition parties, including Congress, over issues related to women's empowerment and increased representation for women.

The meeting also covered strategies to further expand the outreach of government schemes, promote women's empowerment, and plan upcoming political programmes.

- ANI
Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president KT Rama Rao announced the party will closely monitor the Special Intensive Revision process in Telangana to prevent irregularities. Speaking on the party's 25th foundation day, KTR said party representatives will remain diligent in overseeing electoral roll revisions. He paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the Telangana statehood agitation from 2009 to 2014. KTR also raised concerns about the agrarian crisis, urging the state government to procure grains without restrictions.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao says party will closely monitor the Special Intensive Revision process in Telangana to prevent irregularities, marking 25 years of party formation.

Hyderabad, April 27 Bharat Rashtra Samithi Working President KT Rama Rao on Monday said that the party has resolved to closely monitor the Special Intensive Revision process in Telangana and ensure that no irregularities take place in the state.

Addressing party cadre on the occasion of the BRS foundation day, KTR said the party would remain vigilant regarding the electoral roll revision process.

"We also resolved that SIR needs to be taken seriously in the state of Telangana by our party representatives. We will be very diligent, we will be monitoring everything very closely, so that any unfortunate incidents that may have occurred elsewhere in the country are not repeated here," he told ANI.

KTR said the decision was part of the party's broader organisational resolutions during its 25th anniversary celebrations, marking its entry into the 26th year since formation under party founder K Chandrashekar Rao.

"BRS celebrated its 25th anniversary and entered into the 26th year of formation of our party under the leadership of our founder president, KCR. We have expressed our gratitude to every section of the society, be it our lawyers, our students, our journalists, our farmers and everybody who has contributed to the formation of the state," he said.

He also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the Telangana statehood agitation.

"We have paid our tributes to the hundreds of students who have sacrificed their lives in the course of the agitation from 2009 to 2014. We've also expressed our deep gratitude to all the political parties across the country that have supported the formation of Telangana State," KTR said.

He also raised concerns over agricultural issues in the state, particularly the procurement of grains.

"We have also resolved that the impending agrarian crisis in the state of Telangana with respect to the lack of procurement of grains should be avoided by the state government immediately, and the state government should start procuring grain without any restrictions whatsoever," he added.

Earlier in the day, Rao described the party as a "revolution" as it marked 25 years since its formation, extending greetings to workers and supporters.

In a post on X, KTR wrote, "The blood boils, a race hoisted flag... A reborn context completing its 25-year journey! The flag of self-political existence fluttering proudly.. A scene celebrating the silver jubilee culmination! A resplendent Long March that has crossed the milestone of 25 springs! BRS is not a political party ...it's a revolution! Heartfelt anniversary greetings to party workers, social media warriors, fans, and leaders."

BRS leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy also extended greetings on the occasion and lauded party chief K Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana's first Chief Minister.

"On the occasion of the formation day of the BRS party, I congratulate our party president, Telangana's first Chief Minister, KCR Garu. I also heartily congratulate all party leaders and the people of Telangana on this occasion. A decade of governance has shown this country what development means. Under KCR's leadership, in the 10 years between 2014 and 2023, Telangana has achieved many milestones... For the past two and a half years, under Congress rule, the people of Telangana are completely disappointed with the way governance has been conducted," Reddy said.

The party was founded as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) by K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) on April 27, 2001. Later in 2022, it was renamed as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The party has completed 25 years since its inception and entered its 26th year.

- ANI
Buddha Dhamma offers moral and practical guidance for resolving modern conflicts, as seen in tensions involving Iran, the US, and Israel. The teachings emphasize non-anger, generosity, and truth, with the Buddha himself intervening to prevent wars like the Rohini River dispute. Modern conflicts often stem from systemic greed, which drives competition over resources and strategic dominance. The doctrine of dependent origination highlights global interdependence, where resource control creates vulnerability, and harmony with nature is essential to prevent structural inequality.

Explore how Buddha Dhamma's teachings on interdependence and non-greed offer a framework for resolving modern conflicts like those in West Asia.

New Delhi, April 26 At a time when conflicts are expanding beyond borders and affecting regions far removed from the battlefield, the teachings of Buddha Dhamma offer not only moral guidance but also a practical framework for resolving crises. The present tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, along with their cascading impact on energy routes, trade systems and vulnerable populations, underline a deeper failure. It is not merely a failure of diplomacy but a failure to understand interdependence, restraint and the consequences of unchecked greed.

Buddha Dhamma, as preserved in the Nalanda tradition, is not an abstract philosophy. It is a lived and tested approach to human conflict.

Beyond Teaching: Buddha Intervenes

"Conquer anger by non-anger; conquer evil by good; conquer the miser with generosity and the liar with truth."

The Buddha did not remain a silent observer of conflict. Historical accounts show that he intervened directly to prevent wars. One of the most well-known instances was the dispute over the Rohini River between the Shakyas and Koliyas. Instead of invoking doctrine, he appealed to reason, asking whether the value of human life was worth less than water. The conflict was resolved without bloodshed.

At the same time, there were limits to intervention. When his own clan faced destruction due to their past actions, the Buddha stepped aside, recognising that the law of cause and effect cannot be overridden. This dual approach is important. It teaches that peace efforts must be sincere and persistent, but also grounded in an understanding of deeper causes.

This is where modern conflict resolution often fails. There is intervention without introspection, negotiation without accountability, and strategy without moral clarity.

The Central Problem of Greed in Modern Conflicts

"There is no fire like greed, no grip like hatred..."

Buddha Dhamma identifies greed, hatred and ignorance as the root causes of suffering. Among these, greed has taken a highly organised and sophisticated form in modern geopolitics. It is no longer individual but systemic. It operates through control of resources, trade routes and strategic dominance.

Many contemporary conflicts, including those in West Asia, cannot be separated from competition over energy routes, economic leverage and geopolitical influence. These are often presented as matters of security or national interest, but at their core lies an expansion of desire beyond legitimate need.

Even history supports this understanding. Emperor Ashoka, after the Kalinga war, realised the futility of conquest driven by ambition. He turned to Dhamma as a guiding principle for governance, while still maintaining an army for protection. This distinction remains critical. Defence for protection is fundamentally different from expansion for advantage.

Doctrine of Dependent Origination and Global Interdependence

aAvijja-paccaya sankhara, sankhara-paccaya vinnaaam, vedana-paccaya taaha, taaha-paccaya upadanam, upadana-paccaya bhavoaa

This is not just metaphysics; it is a causal model of conflict:

"With feeling as condition, craving arises;

with craving as condition, clinging arises;

with clinging as condition, becoming arises..."

One of the most profound teachings of Buddha Dhamma is the doctrine of dependent origination. It explains that everything arises in dependence on causes and conditions. Nothing exists in isolation.

In today's world, this principle is visible in its most tangible form. Energy routes, supply chains and financial systems connect nations in ways that make conflict self-damaging. A disruption in one region affects economies across continents. When shipping lanes are threatened or oil supplies are interrupted, the impact is felt not only by powerful nations but more severely by weaker economies.

Control over resources is pursued as a sign of strength, without recognising that such control creates vulnerability through interdependence.

Nature, Climate and the ethics of shared resources

"One should use wealth...for one's needs, for supporting others, and for safeguarding the future."

Buddha Dhamma also emphasises harmony with nature. What is taken from nature without balance returns in the form of suffering. Climate change is a modern expression of this imbalance.

Natural resources were never meant to be monopolised. When they are controlled and monetised beyond equitable limits, it creates structural inequality and conflict. Energy routes, water systems and environmental resources are shared by nature but divided by human ambition.

This raises an important ethical question. What is legal is not always just. True illegality, in a broader sense, lies in violating the natural order that sustains all life.

The present crisis, whether seen through climate stress or geopolitical conflict, reflects a departure from this balance. The more nations attempt to dominate natural systems, the more instability they create for themselves.

Lessons for the Present Iran Conflict

The current tensions involving Iran and its regional and global stakeholders must be seen through this wider lens. The issue is not limited to immediate triggers but extends to long-standing patterns of mistrust, control and strategic competition.

Ignoring the dependence of global systems on stable energy flows and cooperative frameworks is a serious oversight. Nations that appear strong today are equally vulnerable to disruptions tomorrow. The resilience often lies with those who have learned to adapt rather than dominate.

Buddha Dhamma would advise a shift from positional negotiation to understanding causation. Why has the conflict persisted? What interests are being protected? Who bears the cost? Without addressing these questions, any agreement will remain temporary.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

"Whatever one does, good or bad, that one will inherit."

At this stage, the responsibility does not lie only with governments. It extends to thinkers, religious leaders, philosophers and senior political figures. Silence in the face of escalating conflict is no longer a neutral position.

There is a need for a universal voice that transcends national interests and calls for restraint. This does not mean passivity. It means active engagement to prevent destruction. Even if pressure or force is required, it must be directed towards enforcing peace, not prolonging conflict.

The principle of non-violence in Buddha Dhamma is not weakness. It is a disciplined approach to preventing greater harm. It requires courage to question prevailing narratives and to challenge the structures that benefit from conflict.

Conclusion: The Choice Before Humanity

History has consistently shown that wars are easy to start but impossible to fully control. Once initiated, they develop their own momentum and consequences that extend far beyond original intentions. The lesson is not only political but civilisational. Every major conflict eventually escapes the calculations of those who begin it.

Buddha Dhamma offers a path that is both ethical and practical. Understand the cause, recognise interdependence, restrain greed and act with compassion. These are not idealistic notions but necessary conditions for survival in an interconnected world. The Buddha did not merely preach peace; he demonstrated how conflicts can be diffused by addressing their roots. His intervention in the Rohini river dispute showed that reason and proportion can prevent destruction. At the same time, his decision to step aside in the case of his own clan reflected a deeper truth that actions carry consequences which cannot always be avoided.

Ancient wisdom traditions consistently reinforce this approach. The teaching of dependent origination explains that no conflict remains local. It spreads through invisible chains of cause and effect. This is visible today in disruptions of energy supply, trade routes and economic stability across regions that are not even directly involved in the conflict. Similarly, the principle of non-violence is not passive restraint but an active effort to prevent larger harm. Emperor Ashoka's transformation after Kalinga remains one of the strongest examples of how power can be redirected from conquest to moral responsibility, while still ensuring protection.

A most relevant teaching of the Buddha comes from the Dhammapada:

"Na hi verena verani sammantidha kudacanam; averena ca sammanti, esa dhammo sanantano."

Hatred is never appeased by hatred at any time, but by non-hatred alone. This is an eternal law.

This principle is not limited to personal conduct. It applies equally to states and leadership. Retaliation driven by anger only deepens cycles of conflict, while restraint guided by wisdom creates space for resolution. Another teaching from the Samyutta Nikaya on dependent origination reminds us that suffering arises from causes and conditions. Unless these causes are addressed, outcomes cannot change. Modern conflict management often ignores this fundamental truth.

The present moment is a test of collective wisdom. Those who continue to drive the world towards conflict for short-term gains will not escape the consequences. History will judge them not by their power but by the suffering they leave behind.

It is time to return to a universal approach rooted in ancient wisdom. The Nalanda tradition, with its emphasis on reasoning, dialogue and compassion, provides that foundation. The world must raise its voice strongly enough to compel peace. Thinkers, religious leaders, philosophers and senior political figures must step forward with clarity and courage. Silence or neutrality in such times becomes indirect support for destruction.

The world stands at a point where continued escalation can lead to irreversible changes in global order, economy and human security.

The choice is clear. Either humanity recognises its shared dependence and acts decisively for peace, or it allows conflict to expand until it becomes self-destructive. The window for wisdom is still open, but it is narrowing rapidly.

(The author is a former diplomat and strategic affairs expert. Views expressed are personal)

- IANS
Vembu warns of "hard right" vs "woke left" choices in US politics

Zoho's Chief Scientist Sridhar Vembu has urged Indians living in the United States to return to India and help build the country's technological prowess. In an open letter on X, he recalled his own migration to America 37 years ago and acknowledged the success Indians have achieved abroad. However, Vembu warned that a significant number of Americans believe Indians take away jobs and that Indians are just bystanders in US politics. He called on successful Indians to return home with a missionary zeal to guide India's youthful population towards prosperity.

Zoho's Sridhar Vembu urges Indians in the US to return and help build India's technological prowess, warning of growing anti-Indian sentiment in America.

New Delhi, April 27 Zoho's Chief Scientist and Cofounder Sridhar Vembu on Monday urged Indians living in the United States to "come back home" and help build India's technological prowess.

He said that the respect Indians command globally along with the country's prosperity and security, will depend on India's technological prowess.

Vembu posted an open letter on X addressing "brothers and sisters from Bharat," recalling his own migration 37 years ago to America with no money but "with a good education and cultural heritage from Bharat."

"You achieved outstanding success. America was good to us. For that we must remain grateful - gratitude is our Bharatiya way," he added.

However, a significant number of Americans currently believe that Indians "take away" American jobs and our success in America was unfairly earned, he added.

The number of people who hold such views in the US "may be not the majority but not too far from it either," Vembu said.

He said Indians are just bystanders in US politics, adding that they can only choose between the "hard right" and the "woke left," and warned that neither side guarantees respect for Indians abroad.

"You may think the next election will fix this, but your choice would be between people who hate our Bharatiya civilisation and people who hate civilisation itself. That is the "hard right" vs "woke left" battle," Vembu wrote.

He urged those who achieved success in America to return and help build India with technological prowess. "As we develop that prowess in India, our civilisational strength will assert itself," he wrote.

"If India remains poor, the woke left will give us moral lectures with pity and the hard right, different moral lectures with scorn ("hellhole") and we must not confuse either with respect," the post said.

"As difficult as it is for many of you to contemplate this, please come back home. Bharat Mata needs your talent. Our vast youthful population needs the technology leadership you gained over the years to guide them towards prosperity. Let's do it with a missionary zeal," he concluded.

Sridhar Vembu's post came as the H1B visa program, widely used by US technology firms to hire foreign workers, faced new pressure from US administration.

A group of Republican lawmakers has proposed legislation seeking a threeyear suspension of the H1B program, arguing it has been misused to replace American workers with lowcost foreign labour.

- IANS
Iran's National Security Commission member Ebrahim Azizi has declared a new maritime regime requiring all ships to pay tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's central bank confirmed the revenue was deposited in cash currency, countering speculation about digital currency payments. Meanwhile, Iran reportedly submitted a new proposal to the US through Pakistani intermediaries to reopen the Strait and end the conflict. These contradictory signals from Tehran complicate ongoing peace efforts, including talks between Iran's foreign minister and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iran demands tolls for ships in Strait of Hormuz, contradicting peace efforts. Lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi says new maritime regime ends 47-year hospitality.

Tehran, April 27 Even as Iran's foreign Minister Syed Araghchi arrived in Mosco for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to find a solution to the West Asia Crisis, contradictory signals have emerged from Tehran on the critical issue of vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

National Security Commission of the Iranian parliament, Ebrahim Azizi has said that all ships that want to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must pay tolls. Azizi, in his interview to Greek media said that this is the "new maritime regime in the Strait of Hormuz."

In a post on X, he said, "In my interview on Greece's National Television (ERT), I once again emphasized the "new maritime regime in the Strait of Hormuz." As we have stated previously, the 47-year era of hospitality has come to an end, and all ships wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must pay the fees. Today, the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the fundamental pillars of Iran's power."

Iran's central bank has confirmed that revenue from newly introduced transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz has been successfully deposited, putting to rest speculation over the form of payment, as reported by Iranian state media Press TV.

As reported by Iranian state media Press TV on April 24, the income was received in "cash currency" and credited to the central bank's accounts. The clarification follows earlier media claims suggesting that Iran was collecting transit fees in digital currencies such as Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

The report also noted that Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker Hamidreza Hajibabaee announced that the first revenue from the Strait of Hormuz tolls had already been deposited into the central bank's account.

Speaking at a public gathering in Kuhdasht, Hajibabaee said that the Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Iranian people and asserted that no external power has the authority to negotiate over it.

"All ships passing through this route must pay tolls in Iranian rials to the Iranian nation as a rightful fee for using Iran's territorial waters," he said.

The contradictions in Tehran come even as news outlet Axios report that Tehran has reportedly submitted a "new proposal" to Washington through Pakistani intermediaries. According to Axios, the Iranian offer outlines a framework to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war," signalling a potential breakthrough in the protracted conflict.

The framework is specifically designed to facilitate "reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the conflict," while strategically "postponing talks over Tehran's nuclear programme until a later stage." This reported offer surfaces shortly after US President Donald Trump indicated that Iran could contact Washington to negotiate an end to the hostilities, which were ignited on February 28 following joint Israeli and US military strikes.

- ANI
A construction worker was tragically killed while assembling the stage for Shakira's upcoming show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the worker suffered crushing injuries from a lifting system. Emergency responders provided care on-site and transported the victim to the hospital, where death was confirmed. Concert organizers expressed their condolences and are supporting the victim's family and the responsible company.

A construction worker died during stage assembly for Shakira's upcoming Brazil show in Rio. Concert organizers confirm the tragic accident.

Los Angeles, April 27 A tragic incident unfolded during the setting up of the stage for Shakira's upcoming Brazil show as a construction worker helping with the setup was killed.

The concert organizers have confirmed the incident as they stated that the Fire Department was immediately called to transport the patient, reports 'People' magazine.

In a statement on Instagram translated from the original Portuguese, the "Todo Mundo No Rio" concert shared, "The event organizers confirm that an accident this Sunday afternoon (April 26th) tragically claimed the life of a professional who was working on assembling the structures for the show. First responders provided initial care at the scene, and the Fire Department was immediately called to transport the patient. Unfortunately, the professional passed away at the hospital".

"At this time, we are providing all support, comfort, and solidarity to the responsible company, its team, and the victim's family", they added.

The state fire brigade (CBMERJ) told 'People', "A worker suffered crushing injuries to his lower limbs in a lifting system. Before the arrival of emergency teams, the victim had already been removed from the equipment by other employees present"-

The statement added, "Military personnel from the ambulance service of the 3rd Maritime Group (GMAR-Copacabana) immediately began pre-hospital care on the victim, who was then transported to the Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital. Despite the efforts of the rescue teams, death was confirmed".

The mayor of Rio de Janeiro confirmed that Shakira was the headliner at this year's public concert, called 'Todo Mundo no Rio', on Copacabana Beach.

The concert is part of Shakira's global tour, which began in 2025.

- IANS
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta called on students to play a key role in building a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. Speaking at PGDAV College, he stressed that education must be complemented by strong character and values. Gupta highlighted India's achievements like the Moon landing and UPI as examples of national progress. He urged students to dream big, take pride in their roots, and not fear failure but dishonesty.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta calls on students to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047, emphasizing that true education requires both knowledge and strong character.

New Delhi, April 25 Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Saturday called upon students to play a key role in building a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047, stressing that education must be complemented by strong character and values.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the annual prize distribution ceremony of PGDAV College (Morning), University of Delhi, Gupta said the responsibility of shaping the nation in its centenary year of independence would rest with the younger generation.

According to a press release by the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Gupta said, "When India marks 100 years of independence, the responsibility of the nation will rest with your generation. A Viksit Bharat cannot be built by degrees alone; it requires both education and character--education shows the path, but character gives the strength to remain on it."

The programme was held at the New Auditorium, PGDAV College (Morning), Nehru Nagar.

Addressing students and faculty, the Speaker said that PGDAV College is not merely an institution, but a living embodiment of the legacy of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, whose call to return to foundational values continues to guide generations.

Gupta emphasised that as India moves towards 2047, the vision of a Viksit Bharat will be shaped by the present generation, and recalled Swami Vivekananda's view that education is the manifestation of the perfection already within an individual, stressing that true learning must awaken the human being within.

Referring to India's growing global stature, Gupta noted that India has become the first country to reach the southern pole of the Moon, has shown direction to the world in the digital revolution with UPI emerging as a global model, and through Operation Sindoor has demonstrated that a new India does not compromise on its security.

He observed that these achievements are possible because of character -- the integrity of a scientist, the discipline of a soldier, and the dedication of professionals across fields.

Speaker Vijender Gupta further urged students to dream big while building strong foundations, noting that the higher a tree grows, the deeper its roots must be. He called upon them not to fear failure but to fear dishonesty, observing that failure teaches, but dishonesty stays for a lifetime.

Gupta also emphasised the importance of taking pride in one's mother tongue, culture, and country, noting that one who forgets their roots cannot stand firm. He added that the idea of Dayanand Anglo Vedic represents a confluence of modernity and tradition, and that today's generation holds both technological advancement and civilisational wisdom, which must be carried forward together.

The programme was attended by Ajay Suri, Chairman, Governing Body, P.G.D.A.V. College; Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari, Principal, Maharaja Agrasen College; and Prof. Darvinder Kumar, Principal, P.G.D.A.V. College.

Meritorious students were felicitated for their academic achievements, with the Speaker congratulating the award recipients and noting that such recognition reflects not only academic excellence but also discipline, perseverance and sustained effort.

He observed that behind every accomplishment lies the guidance of teachers and the support of families, and expressed confidence that the students would contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress in the years ahead.

- ANI
Fire on third floor of building in Paharganj's Chuna Mandi

A fire broke out on the third floor of a building in Delhi's Paharganj Chuna Mandi area on Monday evening. Local police and firefighters responded quickly to rescue residents trapped on the upper floors. No casualties have been reported in the incident. This follows a similar massive fire at a factory in Narela on April 26, where fire officials noted challenges due to stored items blocking staircases.

A fire broke out on the third floor of a building in Delhi's Paharganj Chuna Mandi area. No casualties reported; police and firefighters rescued residents.

New Delhi, April 28 A fire broke out on the third floor of a building in the Chuna Mandi area of Paharganj in Delhi on Monday evening, officials said.

The incident, occurring in a densely packed area, saw local police and firefighters responding to rescue residents trapped on the upper floors.

Police personnel and fire tenders were deployed to evacuate occupants. No casualties have been reported yet in this recent incident.

Earlier on April 26, A massive fire broke out at a factory in the Narela area on Sunday morning.

Fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the spot after receiving the information.

During the incident, a fire officer informed us that the fire had spread to the second and third floors.

"A fire call was received at 9.17-9.18 am. There are no casualties. The factory is spread across 250 metres. Fire had spread on the second and third floors. They had stored things even on the staircase from the basement to the terrace. So, it is difficult to even use the staircase. We will wind this up in another half an hour," the fire official said.

Further details are awaited.

- ANI
President Donald Trump downplayed fear during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, recalling that First Lady Melania Trump quickly realized the sounds were gunshots. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly fired shots before being subdued by the Secret Service. Trump rejected allegations in the suspect's manifesto, calling him a "sick person" and denying any wrongdoing. Security personnel safely evacuated the President, First Lady, and Vice President JD Vance, with one officer injured.

President Trump says Melania Trump quickly grasped gunfire at White House Correspondents' Dinner was a bullet, not a tray. Suspect Cole Tomas Allen arrested.

Washington DC, April 27 US President Donald Trump has described the tense moments during the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, recalling that First Lady Melania Trump quickly grasped the seriousness of the situation as gunfire erupted at the venue on Saturday evening.

Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Trump said, "I wasn't worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world... Right around that point... I saw the scene... and she looked very upset about what just took place."

He added, "By that time I think she realised ahead of time that that was more of a bullet than it was a tray," referring to the moment the First Lady grasped that the sounds heard were gunshots and not routine noise from the ballroom.

The President further described how he initially hesitated to move as security personnel responded. "It was a little bit me. I wanted to see what was happening... I wasn't making it that easy for them," Trump said, adding that he told agents, "Wait a minute... lemme see," before realising the gravity of the threat.

He acknowledged that the situation quickly escalated into "a bad problem, a different kind of problem."

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly attempted to breach security at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Hilton and fired shots before being subdued by the United States Secret Service.

Authorities confirmed that the President, the First Lady, and Vice President JD Vance were safely evacuated, though a security officer was injured during the response.

Trump also strongly rejected allegations referenced in the suspect's manifesto, which broadly accused "administration officials" of serious crimes and appeared to link him to controversies involving Jeffrey Epstein. "I read the manifesto. You know, he's a sick person... I'm not any of those things," Trump said, adding, "I'm not a rapist... I'm not a paedophile," while asserting he had been "totally exonerated."

According to US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, preliminary investigations indicate the suspect may have been targeting members of the Trump administration. He said authorities are examining the accused's electronic devices, travel history, and personal associations to determine motive and intent.

Trump defended the response of security personnel, stating, "Those guys did a good job last night. They did a really good job," crediting the Secret Service for swiftly containing the situation.

- ANI
Emphasizes children have hands to work and brains to think

Responds to Bageshwar Baba's call for four children per family

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has cautioned against adopting a narrow mindset regarding population growth. His remarks came in response to Bageshwar Baba's suggestion for families to have four children. Manjhi emphasized that children are born with potential, not just mouths to feed. He called for a focus on education and employment to support any population increase.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi urges a broader view on population, responding to Bageshwar Baba's remarks. He emphasizes education and employment.

Patna, April 25 Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 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.

- IANS
Hargeisa  Somaliland's President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Sunday strongly condemned the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, expressing solidarity with the United States and voicing support for Donald Trump.

"I am deeply shocked and saddened by the attempted attack on U.S. President Donald Trump," President Irro said in a statement posted on social media.

"I am relieved that @POTUS, the President, the Vice President, the First Lady, and all others are safe," he added.

Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn

"Somaliland unequivocally rejects all forms of political violence. There is no place for it in a democracy. We stand firmly with the United States."

Officials in Somaliland said the statement reflects growing ties between Somaliland and the United States, as cooperation expands across security, diplomacy and economic engagement in the Horn of Africa.

The remarks underscore Somaliland's consistent positioning as a partner aligned with democratic values and political stability, particularly in its engagement with Washington.

Analysts say Somaliland continues to frame its international outreach around shared democratic principles, counterterrorism cooperation and maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden corridor.

The United States has not formally recognized Somaliland, but engagement has deepened in recent years, with increased congressional interest and security cooperation.

Somaliland, which reclaimed its 1991 statehood, continues to pursue direct partnerships with global actors, positioning itself as a stable and strategic ally in a volatile region.

(Reporting by Horn Diplomat; Editing by Desk)
The DPIIT has issued operational guidelines for the Rs 10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 scheme. The guidelines establish a structured framework for fund deployment, governance, and monitoring through SEBI-registered AIFs. SIDBI will act as the initial Implementation Agency, with a focus on deep tech, micro VC, and manufacturing sectors. The scheme aims to catalyze private capital and strengthen India's startup ecosystem.

DPIIT issues operational guidelines for the Rs 10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, focusing on deep tech, micro VC, and manufacturing sectors.

New Delhi, April 25 The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued the operational guidelines for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, as per a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The guidelines lay down a structured framework to operationalise the Rs 10,000 crore corpus through clearly defined mechanisms for fund deployment, governance, and monitoring, to improve the efficiency of capital flows into India's startup ecosystem.

"The Scheme will be implemented through commitments to SEBI-registered Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which will invest in DPIIT-recognised startups," the release noted.

This approach is expected to ensure disciplined capital allocation, crowding-in of private investments, and wider access to funding across sectors, stages, and geographies.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will act as the initial Implementation Agency and will undertake execution through a structured AIF selection and monitoring process. DPIIT will also onboard an additional Implementation Agency to expand reach, enhance sectoral expertise, and build institutional capacities for managing such schemes.

To address specific gaps in the ecosystem, the operational guidelines introduce a structured segmentation of AIFs into deep tech-focused funds, micro venture capital funds supporting early-growth startups, funds focused on innovative and technology-led manufacturing sectors, and sector- and stage-agnostic funds.

Each segment has defined parameters, including corpus thresholds, government contribution limits, tenure, and minimum private capital mobilisation ratios, ensuring that capital is directed towards priority sectors while maintaining market discipline.

The guidelines establish a two-stage selection process for AIFs. The Implementation Agency will undertake initial screening and due diligence, followed by evaluation by a Venture Capital Investment Committee, which will assess proposals based on the track record of the team, fund management capability, and investment strategy.

The Committee comprises distinguished leaders from industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem, including Vallabh Bhansali, Dr Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Dr Renu Swarup, Dr Chintan Vaishnav, and Rajesh Gopinathan, along with representatives from the Implementation Agency, bringing a diverse perspective across deep tech, manufacturing, policy, and venture ecosystems.

Startup India FoF 2.0 is designed to act as a catalyst rather than a direct investor, enabling multiplier effects through private capital participation. The guidelines mandate minimum private capital mobilisation, reinforcing market-led investment discipline. Provision has also been made to allocate a portion of returns towards ecosystem capacity-building initiatives such as mentorship, shared infrastructure, and ecosystem development interventions.

The Scheme provides for co-investments and contributions from Ministries, Departments, and institutional investors in priority sectors. The operational framework also incorporates flexibility to evolve based on implementation experience, ensuring responsiveness to emerging ecosystem needs.

Startup India FoF 2.0, through its structured operational design, is expected to significantly enhance the depth and quality of domestic venture capital, support innovation-driven enterprises, and strengthen India's position as a leading global startup hub.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended Kings Day greetings to Netherlands Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, reaffirming commitment to strengthen multi-faceted ties. Dutch Ambassador Marisa Gerards announced an upcoming major visit, emphasizing collaboration on trade, AI, semiconductors, and innovation. Union Minister Jitendra Singh attended the celebration, highlighting the deep historical bond and diaspora engagement. India and the Netherlands, since 1947, continue to enjoy robust political and economic relations.

EAM Jaishankar greets Netherlands FM on Kings Day; Dutch envoy hints at big visit; ties focus on trade, AI, semiconductors, and innovation.

New Delhi, April 27 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday extended his wishes to Netherlands Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on the occasion of King's Day.

Jaishankar reiterated his commitment to strengthen a multi-faceted relationship.

In a post on X, he said, "Best Wishes to FM Tom Berendsen, the Government and people of the Netherlands on the occasion of King's Day. Committed to strengthening our multi-faceted relationship."

Earlier on April 24, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India Marisa Gerards, said that there will be a big visit soon from the nation.

Gerards, while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the King's Day 2026 celebration hosted by the Embassy, said that India and the Netherlands will work together on trade, AI, semiconductors, etc.

She said, "We will strategically strengthen our relationship. Very soon, there will be a big visit coming up where we will announce it as well. We think in this time and age, you need trusted friends. We need to work together on trade and investment, also in innovation, high tech, semiconductor AI, and innovation in the sectors of agriculture, water, energy, and shipping... These are all subjects where we will do more together."

Union Minister Jitendra Singh also attended the celebration hosted by the Embassy at the Ambassador's Residence.

While addressing the gathering, Singh said, "These are two countries and two nations which have traditionally shared a deep bond over the centuries. In a world beset with geopolitical situations and constantly changing dynamics, it is indeed a compliment that this relationship between the two nations, the two governments, has been steady and at the same time has been progressing from one level to another... The Indian diaspora, those small in number in the Netherlands, is very actively engaged... We have collaborations in water, agriculture, and high tech."

India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. Today, India and the Netherlands enjoy strong political, economic and commercial relations.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump downplayed speculation about resuming conflict with Iran after cancelling a delegation visit to Islamabad. Trump stated he hasn't thought about war yet and defended cancelling the trip, saying they can negotiate by telephone. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan after delivering an official list of demands, effectively ending hopes for a second round of talks. The first round of negotiations in Islamabad had already failed after 21 hours without any breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump downplays war with Iran after cancelling delegation visit to Islamabad, says "haven't thought about it yet" in Axios interview.

Washington DC, April 25 US President Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed speculation about a possible resumption of conflict with Iran after he cancelled the scheduled visit of the US delegation, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to Islamabad for talks with the Islamic Republic for the second round of peace talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive resolution to hostilities in West Asia.

According to a report by Axios, Trump said that he, along with his administration, hasn't thought about if US would resume the conflict with Iran after the much-anticipated second round of talks did not come to fruition.

When asked by Axios whether the move of cancelling the trip signalled a return to war, Trump clarified: "No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."

The US President also defended his decision to call off the trip to Islamabad for discussions with Iranian officials.

"I see no point of sending them on an 18 hour flight in the current situation [of the negotiations]. It's too long. We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not going to travel just to sit there," Trump said, as quoted by Axios.

He further asserted a strong US negotiating position, stating, "We have all the cards. We are not going to go there to sit around talking about nothing."

This comes moments after the Iranian delegation, led by Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, departed Islamabad on Saturday evening (local time) 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.

According to a statement issued by Araghchi in Telegram, the Iranian foreign minister explained Iran's "principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against" the Islamic Republic by US and Israeli forces to the Pakistani side.

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
Legendary Indian photographer Raghu Rai passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 83. Actor Randeep Hooda paid tribute on Instagram, praising Rai's iconic black-and-white frames. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss, calling it an irreparable loss to photography and culture. Rai, a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson, was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972.

Actor Randeep Hooda, Dia Mirza, and PM Modi honor legendary photographer Raghu Rai, who passed away at 83. Known for iconic frames and Padma Shri award.

Mumbai, April 26 Actor Randeep Hooda on Sunday paid homage to legendary Indian photographer Raghu Rai, honouring his extraordinary legacy left through his iconic frames.

Taking to his Instagram story, Randeep wrote, "Sad to hear of Raghu Rai's passing. His black and white frames told stories that captured the essence of the moment and enlightened us more about us. He lives on through these frames and his extraordinary gaze will forever be an inspiration. Om Shanti."

Actor Dia Mirza also offered her tributes on Instagram and wrote, "Raghu Rai rest in light. Om Shanti."

Notably, tributes have been pouring in from public figures as well as political leaders from across the country following the demise of Raghu Rai, who passed away on April 26, 2026, at the age of 83.

The news was confirmed by his family on his official social media handle, along with a black-and-white portrait of the photographer captured in his own style.

Many took to the comment section to pay tributes, including the likes of Konkona Sen Sharma, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Nimrat Kaur, Rekha Bhardwaj, and Guneet Monga, among others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Rai's passing in an X post.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "His photography had extraordinary sensitivity, depth and diversity. It brought people closer to the different aspects of life in India. His passing is an irreparable loss to the world of photography and culture. My thoughts are with his family, admirers and the photography fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti."

Born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang (now in Pakistan), Rai rose to global prominence as a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who nominated him to join Magnum Photos in 1977, an achievement that cemented his place among the world's elite photographers.

His work forms a visual chronicle of modern India. From the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy to portraits of figures like Mother Teresa and Indira Gandhi, Rai documented both historic milestones and everyday life.

His images of Indian streets and the banks of the Ganges remain iconic representations of the country's spirit.

He was awarded Padma Shri in 1972 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for his decades of service to photography.

- ANI
They got engaged in 2018 and married in Morocco in 2019

Idris Elba celebrated his seventh wedding anniversary with wife Sabrina Elba, calling their marriage "magical" in a heartfelt Instagram post. The couple met at a party in Vancouver in 2017, with Idris describing it as "love at first sight." They got engaged in February 2018 and married in Marrakesh, Morocco, in April 2019. Idris, who previously said he wouldn't remarry, credits Sabrina with opening him up to love again.

Idris Elba celebrates 7th wedding anniversary with wife Sabrina, calling their marriage "magical." The couple met in 2017 and married in Morocco in 2019.

Washington DC, April 27 Actor Idris Elba celebrated his seventh wedding anniversary with wife Sabrina Elba, marking the occasion with a heartfelt tribute and a series of nostalgic memories shared on social media, according to People.

The 'Hijack' star, 53, took to Instagram, to celebrate seven years of marriage with Sabrina, calling it a "magical marriage" and expressing his affection for his wife.

"7 is the magical number," he wrote. "We are 7 years deep in a magical marriage @sabrinaelba I love you even though you share me with all the sister wives...(You started that) you're my wifey.. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!"

His post featured a slideshow of images capturing moments from their relationship over the years, including a billboard of the couple promoting their co-founded skincare brand, as well as a creative image of them depicted as Simpsons characters, according to People.

Idris and Sabrina met at a party in Vancouver in 2017 while the actor was filming a movie in the Canadian city. "I went out on my only day off, true story, it was a Sunday night, I went to this party, and there she was," he recalled on The View in 2019. "It was love at first sight. The rest is history," according to People.

The couple got engaged in February 2018 after Idris proposed on stage at Rio Cinema in London during a screening of his directorial debut 'Yardie'. Reflecting on the moment, he told People, "It was a little spontaneous, if I'm honest... I was like, 'I'm doing it right now, here, today.'"

They tied the knot on April 26, 2019, in Marrakesh, Morocco, at the Ksar Char Bagh hotel. The celebrations reportedly included a festive pre-wedding dinner at Amanjena, followed by a grand ceremony featuring camels, fire dancers and traditional festivities.

"There was a huge festive party with camels and fire dancers and dancing," a source told People at the time.

Speaking about his decision to remarry, Idris had shared on 'The View', "I have been married before and I famously said I wouldn't get married again. But I met someone that opened me up."

He further added, "I'm actually the happiest I've been in a long time."

Describing Sabrina in an earlier interview with People in November 2018, Idris said, "She makes me laugh, and we share common goals. She makes me happy. She makes me celebrate my successes, and when I'm not too sure about stuff, she makes me think," according to People.

- ANI
The India Meteorological Department has warned of rising temperatures across several districts. Doctors caution that the risk of heat-related illnesses is increasing. They advise constant vigilance and regular intake of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to prevent dehydration. Authorities recommend avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours and staying hydrated.

IMD warns of rising temperatures in Chennai. Doctors advise ORS and hydration to prevent heatstroke and dehydration amid heatwave alerts.

Chennai, April 27 The India Meteorological Department has warned that temperatures are likely to rise further across several districts in the coming days, even as the state witnesses a relative cooling of its political climate after weeks of intense activity.

With the mercury climbing steadily, health experts have cautioned that the risk of heat-related illnesses is increasing and stressed the need for preventive measures. Doctors say that staying safe during peak summer requires two essential steps -- constant vigilance and regular intake of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).

The average human body temperature is around 36.9 degrees Celsius. When the external temperature rises significantly above this level, the body begins absorbing heat from the surroundings. To counter this, it activates cooling mechanisms such as sweating and increased respiration to maintain internal balance. However, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can overwhelm these natural processes.

Excessive sweating leads to significant loss of water, glucose, and essential salts, increasing the risk of dehydration. If not addressed promptly, this can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue, and in severe cases, heatstroke and loss of consciousness.

Medical experts warn that dehydration can adversely affect vital organs, including the kidneys and heart.

Early warning signs include dry mouth, dark-colored urine, muscle cramps, weakness, and light-headedness.

While drinking adequate water is crucial, doctors emphasise that water alone may not be sufficient under extreme heat conditions.

ORS helps replenish lost electrolytes and maintain the body's fluid balance more effectively.

As per World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, a standard 20.5-gram ORS sachet contains sodium chloride, glucose, potassium chloride, and trisodium citrate. It should be mixed in one litre of boiled and cooled water and consumed within 24 hours.

With heatwave conditions expected to persist, authorities have advised people to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, stay hydrated, and keep ORS readily available to prevent serious health complications.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the newly signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will benefit farmers, youth, MSMEs, and innovators. The pact is described as a transformative step for inclusive growth and a landmark moment in bilateral ties. New Zealand has committed $20 billion in investment, focusing on agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called the deal a historic milestone, noting it was concluded swiftly within 13 months.

PM Modi says the India-New Zealand FTA will empower farmers, youth, MSMEs, and innovators, with a $20 billion investment commitment from New Zealand.

New Delhi, April 27 Calling it a transformative step for inclusive growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the newly signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will unlock wide-ranging opportunities across key segments of society, from farmers and small businesses to startups and students.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi described the pact as a 'landmark moment' in bilateral ties, emphasising that it reflects the deep trust, shared values and growing ambition between the two nations.

He underlined that the agreement is not just about trade expansion but about empowering diverse sections of society and accelerating India's development trajectory.

"Today marks a landmark moment in the India-New Zealand partnership. I am delighted that the India-New Zealand FTA signed today will add unprecedented momentum to our developmental partnership," PM Modi said.

"It reflects the deep trust, shared values and ambition that bind our two nations," the Prime Minister stated.

He also highlighted New Zealand's $20 billion investment commitment, noting that it would strengthen cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology, paving the way for a more dynamic economic partnership.

"This agreement will greatly benefit our farmers, youth, women, MSMEs, artisans, startups, students and innovators," Prime Minister Modi said.

"It will open new avenues for growth, create opportunities and deepen our synergy across sectors," he stated.

Echoing similar optimism, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the deal as a "historic milestone" that signals a new phase in bilateral relations.

Luxon recalled that negotiations began just 13 months ago following his visit to India, and credited ministers and officials from both countries for swiftly concluding a comprehensive agreement.

"India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, but our trade relationship has only begun to scratch the surface of its potential. Prime Minister Modi and I could see that an FTA would be a massive opportunity for the two countries," he stated.

- IANS
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced the India-New Zealand FTA aims to deepen bilateral economic ties. The FTA, concluded in a record nine months, targets scaling trade from $1.3 billion to $5 billion over five years. It provides duty-free access for all Indian exports and includes a $20 billion investment commitment from New Zealand. The agreement also introduces visa quotas for skilled Indian professionals and students.

Piyush Goyal says India-New Zealand FTA will boost trade to $5B, with duty-free exports, $20B investment, and new visa quotas for skilled Indians.

New Delhi, April 27 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that he was looking forward to unlocking the full potential of the India-New Zealand FTA to create new opportunities for businesses in both countries, strengthen value chains, and further deepen the bilateral economic partnership.

Addressing the India-New Zealand Business Forum here along with his New Zealand counterpart, Todd McClay, the minister highlighted how India's vast market, skilled talent, digital capabilities, and manufacturing strengths complement New Zealand's expertise in agri-tech, clean energy, and fintech.

"The strong participation and ideas shared by business leaders from both sides highlighted the vast potential for deeper trade, investment, and innovation-led collaboration among our nations," Goyal said.

Concluded in a record nine months, the FTA marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. With current trade estimated at $1.3 billion in goods and $634 million in services, both countries aim to scale this to $5 billion over the next five years. A strong Indian diaspora of nearly 300,000 people in New Zealand continues to serve as a vital bridge in this partnership.

In a global environment marked by trade uncertainties and shifting supply chains, this agreement underscores India's strategic diversification across the Indo-Pacific and its commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economic partnerships, according to an industry body

The FTA with New Zealand is unlocking the potential for trade and investment, with duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand. This is down from the 10 per cent tariff New Zealand currently levies on about 450 tariff lines that India exports, including textiles and apparel products, leather and headgear, ceramics, carpets, and automobiles and auto components.

The FTA also includes a provision wherein New Zealand will invest $20 billion in India over 15 years. This is in the same vein as the $100 billion investment 'commitment' the European Free Trade Association made in their FTA with India.

Besides, the FTA includes several provisions relating to the mobility of working professionals and students. New Zealand has signed an annex on student mobility and post-study work visas for the first time with any country. Under this, Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying in New Zealand, with extended post-study work visas.

Further, the agreement includes a quota of 5,000 visas for skilled Indians for a stay of up to three years in the sectors of interest to India, which include AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, chefs, and music teachers, as well as other key sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction.

Under the Working Holiday Visa programme included in the agreement, 1,000 young Indians annually can avail multiple entries in New Zealand for a period of 12 months.

India has also managed to keep several items out of the FTA, including all dairy products such as milk, cream, whey, yoghurt and cheese, as well as farm products.

- IANS
India's office market achieved a quarterly record of 21.5 million square feet of gross leasing in Q1 2026, according to a JLL report. The growth was primarily driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and flexible workspace operators, with GCCs accounting for 45.5% of demand. Pan-India vacancy dropped to a five-year low of 14.7%, while net absorption hit a record 13.7 million sq ft. Bengaluru led regional leasing with a 24.8% share, followed by Mumbai and Hyderabad.

India's office leasing hits a quarterly record of 21.5 million sq ft in Q1 2026, driven by GCCs and flex operators, with Bengaluru leading demand.

New Delhi, April 27 India's office market posted a quarterly record of 21.5 million square feet of gross leasing in Q1 2026, driven by demand from Global Capability Centres and flexible workspace operators, a report said on Monday.

The report from commercial real estate services firm JLL said gross leasing rose 10.2 per cent yearonyear, with GCCs accounting for 45.5 per cent of demand and flex operators accounting for 25.9 per cent in Q1 2026.

This growth is being driven by a fundamental transformation in how global enterprises leverage India, with GCCs expanding their footprint by 43 per cent year-on-year to 10 million sq. ft. and now commanding 45.5 per cent of total leasing activity, the report said.

"These are not traditional back-office operations, they are strategic innovation hubs focussed on AI development, digital engineering, and core product development," said Rahul Arora, Head, Office Leasing & Retail Services, Senior Managing Director (Karnataka, Kerala), India, JLL.

Market fundamentals continue to strengthen, with pan-India vacancy dropping to a five-year low of 14.7 per cent and net absorption reaching a record 13.7 million sq. ft. for the quarter.

Regionally, Bengaluru led with 24.8 per cent share of the Q1 leasing volumes, followed by Mumbai with 19.5 per cent and Hyderabad with 16.8 per cent. Pune had a healthy 14.5 per cent share with Delhi-NCR following at a 14.2 per cent share.

Bengaluru saw GCCs account for a 70 per cent share of the quarterly gross leasing activity in the city, marking the strongest share in two years.

Within GCCs, tech and BFSI dominated the leasing activity, followed by the manufacturing segment. Global-headquartered firms continued to account for a majority share of the India office leasing landscape with a 57 per cent share in Q1 2026, mostly in line with their previous year average.

Domestic occupier activity was driven by indigenous flex operators who held a dominant 57.8 per cent share of the total space leased by them during the quarter.

- IANS
Indian Navy to hand over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to Sri Lankan Navy

India provides two Personal Watercrafts to Sri Lanka Coast Guard for near-shore search and rescue

India handed over two Personal Watercrafts and safety gear to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to enhance near-shore search and rescue capabilities. Additionally, India presented two BHISM medical cubes under the 'Aarogya Maitri' initiative, capable of handling up to 200 emergency cases. The delivery was part of the ongoing 4th edition of the IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 bilateral diving exercise involving INS Nireekshak. Indian Navy also plans to hand over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to the Sri Lankan Navy to further strengthen maritime security cooperation.

India hands over two Personal Watercrafts and BHISM medical cubes to Sri Lanka, enhancing SAR capabilities and maritime cooperation.

Colombo, April 26 India handed over two Personal Watercrafts and safety gear to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on Sunday.

The Indian government is assisting in enhancing the Sri Lanka Coast Guard's capability in near-shore Search and Rescue (SAR), the High Commission of India in Colombo said on its X handle.

The Defence Advisor of the High Commission handed over the equipment to the Director of Operations in a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Headquarters in Mirissa.

As part of its continuous humanitarian outreach, India, on April 24, presented two BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) cubes to the Sri Lankan authorities under India's 'Aarogya Maitri' initiative.

The state-of-the-art portable medical units, capable of handling up to 200 emergency cases, are designed to provide rapid response and are equipped with essential medicines and surgical tools for basic procedures.

The medical units were delivered by the Indian Navy diving support and submarine rescue vessel, INS Nireekshak, which arrived at the port of Colombo on April 21 to participate in the 4th edition of IN-SLN DIVEX 2026, a bilateral diving exercise which is being held till April 27.

Advancing this shared maritime spirit, the INS Nireekshak crew joined the Sri Lanka Navy for a revitalising yoga session - fostering resilience, mindfulness and collective wellbeing at sea on Saturday, an Indian Navy spokesperson posted on X.

According to the Indian Navy, the IN-SLN Diving Exercise (DIVEX) is a key bilateral engagement that stands as a testament to the deep-rooted maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Sustained maritime collaboration and engagements with partner nations reaffirm the shared commitment to fostering stability, cooperation, and collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region, in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

Further strengthening maritime security cooperation, the Indian Navy will also hand over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to the Sri Lankan Navy.

- IANS
Funeral Held for Seven KwaZulu-Natal Family Members Murdered

A joint funeral service has been held at Stanger High School for seven members of the Monswamy and Padayachee families who were brutally murdered in KwaZulu-Natal, reports EWN. Preliminary reports indicate the victims were abducted from their home in Newark before being driven to Melmoth, where they were killed using knives and firearms. Their bodies were later discovered in a nearby field. The motive for the killings remains unclear. However, three suspects have been arrested and are expected to appear in court this week.

Musician Kenny Bevhula Laid to Rest in Limpopo

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The late Xitsonga musician, Kenny Bevhula, has been laid to rest at Bevhula village, outside Malamulele in Limpopo, reports SABC News. Bevhula died at the age of 53 after losing his battle with cancer. Hundreds of mourners, including fellow artists, fans, and community members, gathered to pay their respects. Family spokesperson Tiyiselani Bevhula said that their sibling has left a lasting legacy in the music industry.

Limpopo Traffic Officer Arrested Over Alleged Bribe

A 35-year-old Limpopo traffic officer has been arrested in Polokwane on corruption charges after allegedly accepting a bribe from a truck driver, reports EWN. Police say the officer was seen taking money and cold drinks along Matlala Road before attempting to flee. He was later apprehended in Westenburg. Authorities recovered cold drinks and R600 in cash that the officer allegedly could not account for. He is expected to appear in the Seshego Magistrate's Court on 28 April 2026. Limpopo police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba has welcomed the arrest, warning that corruption within law enforcement will not be tolerated.

More South African news
India's military expenditure increased by 8.9% to USD 92.1 billion in 2025, making it the fifth biggest military spender globally. The India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, involving combat aircraft and missiles, pushed up India's military spending. Global military expenditure reached USD 2887 billion, up 2.9%, the 11th consecutive year of growth. The top five spendersUS, China, Russia, Germany, and Indiaaccounted for 58% of world military spending.

India's military expenditure rose 8.9% to $92.1 billion in 2025, making it the fifth biggest spender globally. Global military spending surged 2.9%.

New Delhi, April 27 India, the fifth biggest military spender in the world in 2025, increased its military spending by 8.9 per cent to USD 92.1 billion, according to a report released by arms watchdog group SIPRI on Monday.

The global world military expenditure reached USD 2887 billion in 2025, the 11th consecutive year of growth, and the five biggest spenders in 2025 were the United States, China, Russia, Germany and India, together accounting for 58 per cent of world military spending, at a total of USD 1,686 billion, according to new data published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025--which involved the use of combat aircraft, drones and missiles--pushed up military spending of India during the year, according to SIPRI's annual "Trends in World Military Expenditure" report.

"Pakistan's military spending grew by 11 per cent to USD 11.9 billion in 2025. The increase was largely due to new orders for aircraft and missiles placed with China in 2025 following the armed conflict with India in May, as well as payments for earlier procurement contracts nearing completion," it said

The world's military burden--the share of global gross domestic product (GDP) devoted to military expenditure--went up from 2.4 per cent in 2024 to 2.5 per cent in 2025. The global average military expenditure as a share of government expenditure was 6.9 per cent in 2025, compared with 7.0 percent in 2024, and world spending per person stood at USD 352 in 2025.

West Asia, however, saw only marginal growth despite ongoing conflicts and regional rivalries.

Military spending declined in the United States but rose by 14 per cent in Europe and by 8.1 per cent in Asia and Oceania, the report said.

The Global military spending surged by almost 3 per cent in 2025, fueled largely by ballooning defence expenditures in Europe and Asia as per the SIPRI report.

The increase in military spending brought the global military burden--military expenditure as a share of gross domestic product (GDP)--to 2.5 per cent, its highest level since 2009.

"Global military spending rose again in 2025 as states responded to another year of wars, uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval with large-scale armament drives," the report said.

At USD 954 billion, military spending by the United States was 7.5 per cent lower in 2025 than in 2024. The drop was primarily due to the fact that no new financial military assistance for Ukraine was approved during the year. This was in sharp contrast to the previous three years, when a total of USD 127 billion was approved.

The main contributor to the global increase in military spending in 2025 was a 14 per cent rise in Europe to USD 864 billion. Spending by Russia and Ukraine continued to grow in the fourth year of the war in Ukraine, while ongoing rearmament efforts by European NATO members led to the sharpest annual growth in spending in Central and Western Europe since the end of the cold war.

Military expenditure in Asia and Oceania totalled USD 681 billion in 2025, 8.1 per cent higher than in 2024--the largest annual rise since 2009m the SIPRI report said.

China, the world's second largest military spender, increased its military spending by 7.4 per cent to USD 336 billion. This was the 31st consecutive year-on-year increase as China continued its military modernization drive. "A renewed campaign against corruption in military procurement does not appear to have constrained spending," the SIPRI report stated.

- ANI
Pakistan acts as peace broker between Iran and US

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for his third visit to Pakistan in 48 hours, signaling Islamabad's role as a peace broker between Iran and the US. Araghchi's diplomatic outreach included a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, where they discussed bilateral ties and regional conflicts. The White House confirmed that a proposal from Iran to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is under discussion. Araghchi described Iran-Russia relations as a "strategic partnership" and thanked Moscow for its support during the conflict.

Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi lands in Islamabad for third visit in 48 hours, seeking Pakistan's mediation to end conflict with the US.

Islamabad, April 28 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday after concluding his engagements in Russia, as part of an ongoing diplomatic outreach aimed at ending the conflict with the United States.

As per Press TV, this marks his third visit to Pakistan in the past 48 hours.

Araghchi's latest stop follows a series of high-level engagements across multiple countries, including Russia and Oman.

His repeated visits to Pakistan indicate the role Islamabad is playing as a peace broker in the current situation, particularly in facilitating indirect exchanges between Iran and the US.

Earlier, Araghchi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, where discussions focused on bilateral ties and regional developments.

In a statement shared on Telegram, Araghchi said the meeting lasted more than an hour and a half and included detailed deliberations on what he described as "war and aggression" involving the United States and Israel.

"We had a very good meeting with Mr Putin. It probably lasted more than an hour and a half. All issues, both in bilateral relations and regional issues, as well as the issue of war and aggression by the US and Zionist regimes, were discussed and examined in detail," Araghchi said.

He added that cooperation between Tehran and Moscow was also discussed, with proposals put forward to expand engagement.

Araghchi described Iran-Russia relations as a "strategic partnership" and thanked Moscow for its support during the conflict. "In the recent war, it became clear that Iran has great friends and allies like Russia; we thank you for your positions and support," he said.

According to Iranian state media, Putin said Russia would support efforts to restore peace in West Asia and back Iran's interests. He expressed hope that stability would return to the region at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the White House confirmed that a proposal from Iran to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is under discussion. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had discussed the proposal with his national security team.

"The proposal was being discussed," Leavitt said, adding that further details would be shared by the President.

The proposal outlines a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities, with nuclear negotiations to be taken up at a later stage.

- ANI
US demands Iran cease uranium enrichment for at least ten years and relocate nuclear stockpile

Iran submits new proposal to Washington via Pakistan to reopen Strait of Hormuz and end war

Exchange of messages not related to Iran-US negotiations but to clarify regional thresholds

Iran FM conveys red lines on nuclear issues and Strait of Hormuz to US via Pakistan

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has communicated Tehran's red lines on nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz to the US via Pakistan. The move is intended to clarify regional thresholds, not to initiate negotiations. Tehran has submitted a new proposal to Washington through Pakistani intermediaries, offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the conflict. The US remains focused on forcing Iran to scale back its nuclear ambitions and missile development.

Iran FM Araghchi conveys red lines on nuclear issues and Strait of Hormuz to US via Pakistan. Tehran submits new proposal to reopen Strait and end conflict.

St Petersburg, April 27 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has communicated a definitive list of Tehran's "red lines" to be passed to the United States during his recent diplomatic mission to Pakistan, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars.

The news agency detailed that these strategic boundaries specifically encompass "nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz." However, the report clarified that this "exchange of messages is not related to Iran-US negotiations," but was instead intended to "clarify" the current regional landscape and the specific thresholds Iran is unwilling to cross.

While no further particulars were disclosed regarding the contents of the messages, the diplomatic offensive continues in Russia. Araghchi is currently in St Petersburg, where he is scheduled for a high-stakes meeting with President Vladimir Putin. This visit follows a weekend of intensive consultations with key mediators in both Pakistan and Oman.

Upon his arrival in Russia, Araghchi informed state media IRNA that his discussions in Pakistan had focused on the specific conditions under which "Iran-US talks can resume."

The move comes as Washington maintains a firm stance on the dialogue process. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump stood by his decision to abort a proposed visit to Pakistan by his special envoys. Trump remarked that Iranian leaders "can call" if they wish to engage in discussions, while simultaneously expressing optimism that the conflict could "come to an end very soon."

In a significant diplomatic manoeuvre following these red-line clarifications, Tehran has reportedly submitted a "new proposal" to Washington through Pakistani intermediaries. According to a report by Axios, the Iranian offer outlines a framework to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war," signalling a potential breakthrough in the protracted conflict.

This initiative seeks to bridge the gap after the White House cancelled a scheduled visit to Islamabad by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a move widely interpreted as a sign of "dissatisfaction with Tehran's earlier offer." Central to the current impasse is the American demand that Iran cease uranium enrichment for a minimum of ten years and relocate its current nuclear stockpile abroad.

The framework delivered via Pakistan suggests a "two-stage plan" that seeks to address the maritime crisis and the US naval blockade as a priority. This latest proposal envisions either a "prolonged period" of ceasefire extension or a "permanent end to the war."

Under this arrangement, nuclear discussions would "begin only at a later stage," specifically after the maritime passage is cleared and the blockade is removed.

While Axios reports that the White House has officially "received the proposal," it remains "unclear whether the United States is willing to explore it."

President Trump expressed his reluctance to deploy a negotiating team in the current environment, stating, "We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want."

Tehran continues to use its strategic position over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, while the US maritime blockade of Iranian ports continues to drive "price spikes and market volatility."

The Iranian position maintains that Washington must first eliminate "obstacles," most notably the naval blockade, before substantive talks can take place.

Conversely, the US remains focused on forcing Iran to scale back its "nuclear ambitions," missile development, and ties to regional groups, illustrating the "wide gaps" that still divide the two nations.

- ANI
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Muscat to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments. The meeting followed joint US-Israel strikes against Iran, which escalated West Asia tensions. Araghchi appreciated Oman's support for dialogue, while the Sultan stressed diplomacy to resolve crises. The visit is part of Araghchi's three-nation tour, with a next stop in Russia.

Iran FM Araghchi meets Oman Sultan Haitham to discuss bilateral ties and West Asia tensions after US-Israel strikes. Talks focus on diplomacy and regional stability.

Muscat, April 26 Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties, regional developments, and ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional crisis.

During the meeting, Araghchi briefed the Sultan about Iran's stance on the latest developments in West Asia after the joint Israel-US strikes against Iran. He expressed appreciation for Oman's support for dialogue and promoting efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region, especially considering the current regional challenges, Iran's Press TV reported.

Sultan Haitham highlighted Oman's stance on advancing mediation efforts that would increase the chances of reaching sustainable political solutions and mitigate the impact of crises on the people of the region. He stressed the importance of using dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues.

In a statement on X, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated: "We are in Muscat for an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman-FM Araghchi's first to the region following the recent US-Israeli aggression, which has impacted the broader region. Iran continues to place great importance on its relations with Persian Gulf states and remains committed to strengthening mutual trust and constructive cooperation. The Oman-Iran relationship stands as a testament to Iran's genuine pursuance of respectful and mutually beneficial relations with its neighbours in the South."

Araghchi's visit to Oman is part of his three-nation tour amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia. After concluding his engagements in Oman, he will travel to Russia. His visit is aimed at holding bilateral discussions on current developments in the region as well as the latest situation in the West Asia conflict, Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

The tensions in West Asia escalated after the US and Israel carried out a joint military operation against Iran on February 28. The joint military strikes killed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a large-scale military operation by Iran against Israel and the US bases in the Gulf nations. The conflict also led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered a global energy crisis.

Iran and the US reached a two-week ceasefire starting on April 8. Later, the two nations held the first round of talks aimed at ending the conflict on April 11-12. However, the talks collapsed after 21 hours of negotiations.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump cancelled his negotiators' visit to Pakistan because of what he said was the confusion over who is in charge of Iran and the "tremendous infighting" among their leadership.

After Araghchi landed in Islamabad on Friday, Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt had announced that the negotiators, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his Special Representative Steve Witkoff, would go there. She said Vice President J.D. Vance would be standing by to join them if it seemed useful.

However, Tehran had already ruled out direct talks with Washington, with Araghchi, who was in Islamabad, announcing this too. Significantly, Iran's Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian team in the April 11 direct talks with the US, was not going to Islamabad.

Baqaei said on X: "No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan."

In a short post on Truth Social, Trump did not make any fresh threats against Iran, but said: "We have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call"!!

"Too much time wasted on travelling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership'," he said.

- IANS
Iran has presented the United States with a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, postponing nuclear negotiations. The proposal aims to break the current stalemate in talks and bypass internal disagreements within Iranian leadership. US President Trump is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting with his national security team on the conflict. Trump signaled he wants to continue the naval blockade to halt Iran's oil exports until Tehran gives up.

Iran offers a new proposal to the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, postponing nuclear talks, according to a report.

Washington, April 27 Iran has presented the United States with a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage, according to a report, which cited a US official and two sources familiar with the matter.

According to US media outlet Axios, the proposal aims to break the current stalemate in the negotiations and bypass the internal disagreements within the Iranian leadership over the scope of nuclear concessions it is willing to make.

"But lifting the blockade and ending the war would remove President Trump's leverage in any future talks to remove Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and convince Tehran to suspend enrichment -- two primary war objectives for Trump," the report said.

Meanwhile, citing three US officials, the report further noted that the US President is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on the conflict on Monday (local time) with his top national security and foreign policy team.

The sources told Axios that Trump's team would discuss the stalemate in the talks and potential next steps.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday (local time), Trump signalled that he wants to continue the naval blockade to halt Iran's oil exports, with an aim that it will get Tehran to give up in the coming times.

"When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system ... if for any reason this line is closed because you can't put it into containers or ships ... what happens is that line explodes from within. ... They say they only have about three days before that happens," Trump was quoted as saying in the interview with Fox News by Axios.

This comes as tensions between the US and Iran deepened after the Islamabad talks ended without progress.

- IANS
Former diplomat Surendra Kumar says both Iran and the US are exhausted and genuinely want an agreement, but seek to project strength. Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi's tours signal seriousness, while Trump's softened tone offers hope. Mediation by Oman and global attention shifts provide room for compromise. Kumar is cautiously optimistic for a resolution to the conflict.

Former diplomat Surendra Kumar says Iran and the US are exhausted and want a truce, with mediation efforts by Oman and shifting global attention offering hope.

New Delhi, April 27 Former Senior Diplomat Surendra Kumar has said that both Iran and the US seem exhausted and want an agreement but want to project themselves as the victor.

Kumar, while speaking to ANI, said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's multi-nation tour perhaps suggests his seriousness.

"I personally feel that both sides are exhausted and truly want an agreement. However, both sides also want to project to their constituents that they have not succumbed to pressure and have safeguarded their national interests. The extensive travels of the Iranian foreign minister--from Islamabad to Doha and now to Moscow--suggest that the Iranians are serious. Despite their public rhetoric, they are realizing their limitations. They have suffered enormous devastation, and with the blockade, their earnings will vanish," he said.

Kumar said that even Trump's ultimatums have softened.

"Any development that lowers the temperature and softens the tone should be welcomed. Previously, President Trump was giving ultimatums, demanding surrender by a specific date or threatening total destruction. That tone has shifted. Offering a phone number or a meeting is a significant departure from his previous standard. While nobody can predict his next move, the current tone is noticeably more positive. This is even evident in the Iranian foreign minister's departure from Pakistan before the American delegation arrived; his reaction was not sharp, simply noting the futility of a long journey if neither side is ready," he said.

Kumar noted that mediation efforts by friendly countries are welcome.

"Consequently, they are looking for a solution. Mediation efforts by trusted partners like Oman are crucial. Despite previous tensions, Oman seems to understand Iran's position, and the fact that they received the Iranian foreign minister shows they support the mediation efforts," he said.

He also noted that global attention has shifted away from Iran for a few days, giving mediators on both sides time to work out a more acceptable compromise.

"I am cautiously optimistic that something is working. Following the shootout at the press dinner, global attention has shifted away from Iran for a few days, giving mediators on both sides time to work out a more acceptable compromise. We should hope for a resolution to this long conflict, which has caused suffering not only for Iranians but for the entire world, impacting international supply chains and shipping. Hopefully, the blockade and Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz will end, allowing for a return to business as usual," he said.

Kumar further said that China and Russia have been the primary beneficiaries of the current situation as the largest importers of Iranian oil, underscoring the importance of Iran FM's visit.

"The Iranian foreign minister's presence in Russia is a significant development. China and Russia have been the primary beneficiaries of the current situation as the largest importers of Iranian oil. Despite American warnings against buying oil, market considerations often prevail. Both nations depend heavily on Iran but also recognize the geopolitical limitations. President Trump is scheduled to visit China next month and has been softening his tone toward Russia, suggesting he might invite Putin to the G20 in Florida or bring Russia back into the G7 to make it the G8. He is dangling a carrot to Russia to bring them back into the mainstream of international discourse," he said.

Kumar noted that despite their support to Iran, China and Russia are unlikely to openly challenge the US.

"While China and Russia may voice concerns about violations of international law or the blockade, they are unlikely to openly challenge the United States. Iranians, meanwhile, are looking for guarantees. Recalling the last P5+1 agreement, they want assurance that they won't be attacked again in six months. They want China and Russia on their side to see to what extent the Russians can support them. Generally, the Russians seem willing to provide support, provided it stops short of an open, vehement challenge to Trump. Overall, the process appears to be moving toward a solution, likely arriving in the very near future," he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has communicated a definitive list of Tehran's "red lines" to be passed to the United States during his recent diplomatic mission to Pakistan, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars.

- ANI
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg for over 90 minutes. The talks covered bilateral relations and detailed discussions on war involving the US and Israel. Putin pledged support for Iran's interests and efforts to restore peace in West Asia. Araghchi described the meeting as "very good" and reaffirmed Iran-Russia ties as a strategic partnership.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi says war with the US and Israel was discussed in detail during his meeting with President Putin in St Petersburg.

St Petersburg, April 28 Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday said that discussions on the "war and aggression" involving the United States and Israel were held in detail during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to statements posted on Telegram after the talks, Araghchi described his meeting with the Russian President as "very good", stating that it lasted more than an hour and a half and covered bilateral relations as well as regional developments.

"We had a very good meeting with Mr Putin. It probably lasted more than an hour and a half. All issues, both in bilateral relations and regional issues, as well as the issue of war and aggression by the US and Zionist regimes, were discussed and examined in detail. Cooperation between the two countries was also considered, and very good ideas were put forward," the statement read.

The statement came after Araghchi met with President Putin as part of his three-nation diplomatic tour.

His visit to Russia follows recent trips to Pakistan and Oman, forming part of broader regional consultations.

The Iranian Foreign Minister further stated that both sides explored areas of closer cooperation and exchanged proposals aimed at strengthening strategic ties between Tehran and Moscow.

"There are very good grounds for cooperation now. Mr Putin also said that not only Russia, but now the whole world is admiring the Iranian people, for their resistance against America and for winning this unequal and unjust war," the statement added.

During his meeting, Araghchi expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow's "positions and support" during the recent conflict with the United States, describing Iran-Russia ties as a "strategic partnership".

In statements shared on Telegram, Araghchi said, "In the recent war, it became clear that Iran has great friends and allies like Russia; we thank you for your positions and support."

He reiterated Tehran's commitment to deepening bilateral ties, adding, "I have been asked to reiterate on this trip that we view Iran-Russia relations as a strategic partnership and that these relations will continue as strong as they were and even more so with greater strength and breadth."

Meanwhile, Putin, during the meeting, said that Moscow would do what it could to support Iran's interests and help efforts to restore peace in West Asia amid the crisis in the region.

According to Iranian State media Press TV, Putin stated that Moscow remains committed to supporting Iran and other regional countries in promoting stability and peace in the region and also expressed hope that the Iranian people would overcome the ongoing difficult situation and that peace would be restored at the earliest.

"I received a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei. Russia will do what it can to support the interests of Iran and other regional countries and help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible," Putin said, as quoted by Press TV.

"I hope Iranian people overcome this difficult period and that peace is restored," he added.

The meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, presidential aide of Russia, Yury Ushakov and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, Igor Kostyukov. The Iranian side included Araghchi's deputy, Kazem Gharibabadi and Iran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali.

- ANI
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in St Petersburg, Russia, for talks with President Vladimir Putin amid heightened tensions. The discussions will focus on the aftermath of joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran. Araghchi previously visited Oman, where he met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to discuss diplomatic solutions. The conflict has escalated since the strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader, leading to regional instability and a global energy crisis.

Iran's FM Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg to hold talks with Russian President Putin amid escalating West Asia tensions after US-Israeli strikes.

Moscow, April 27 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia's St Petersburg on Monday to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin, local media reported on Monday.

Upon arrival in St Petersburg, Araghchi was received by Russian officials and Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali. According to Jalali, Araghchi and President Putin are set to hold talks in St Petersburg on Monday, Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

Speaking to IRNA, Jalali said discussions between Araghchi and President Putin will focus on developments after the joint strikes by the US and Israel against Iran.

Jalali said Araghchi's visit is part of "close consultations" between Iran and Russia as the two nations have similar approaches to regional and international issues. He further said that the Presidents of Iran and Russia have held three phone calls since the conflict began on February 28.

Araghchi arrived in Russia after concluding his visit to Oman amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

Earlier, the Iranian FM held a meeting with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, discussing bilateral ties, regional developments, and ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional crisis.

During the meeting, Araghchi briefed Oman's Sultan about Iran's stance on the latest developments of the conflict. He expressed appreciation for Oman's support for dialogue and promoting efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region, especially considering the current regional challenges, Iran's Press TV reported.

Sultan Haitham highlighted Oman's stance on advancing mediation efforts that would increase the chances of reaching sustainable political solutions and mitigate the impact of crises on the people of the region. He stressed the importance of using dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues.

In a statement on X, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated: "We are in Muscat for an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman -- FM Araghchi's first to the region following the recent US-Israeli aggression, which has impacted the broader region. Iran continues to place great importance on its relations with Persian Gulf states and remains committed to strengthening mutual trust and constructive cooperation. The Oman-Iran relationship stands as a testament to Iran's genuine pursuance of respectful and mutually beneficial relations with its neighbours in the South."

The tensions in West Asia escalated after the US and Israel carried out a joint military operation against Iran on February 28. The joint military strikes killed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a large-scale military operation by Iran against Israel and the US bases in the Gulf nations. The conflict also led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered a global energy crisis.

- IANS
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is returning to Islamabad after high-level engagements in Oman's Muscat. He met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to discuss bilateral relations and regional stability in West Asia. Araghchi shared a framework aimed at permanently ending the conflict with the US, questioning Washington's commitment to diplomacy. He will have a brief stopover in Pakistan before continuing his three-nation tour to Moscow, Russia.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi heads back to Islamabad after Oman meetings, discusses West Asia peace framework and dialogue with US.

Muscat, April 26 Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is set to head back to Islamabad on Sunday following his high-level meetings and diplomatic engagements in Oman's Muscat, CNN reported.

According to CNN, citing an Iranian source, the Iranian Foreign Minister has departed the Omani capital and is expected to arrive shortly at Nur Khan Airbase on the outskirts of Islamabad.

He will have a brief stopover in Pakistan, after which he will travel onwards to Moscow, Russia, as part of his already scheduled three-nation tour.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi met Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving ongoing crises in West Asia, as reported by Iranian state media Press TV.

As per Press TV, the meeting was held at Al-Baraka Palace in Muscat, where Araghchi briefed the Omani leadership on Iran's perspective regarding recent developments in the West Asia region.

The Iranian foreign minister also appreciated Oman's role in supporting dialogue and promoting regional stability amid ongoing tensions, Press TV reported.

For his part, Sultan Haitham highlighted Oman's mediation efforts, stressing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve sustainable political solutions and reduce the impact of crises on regional populations.

Araghchi departed from Pakistan's capital of Islamabad late on Saturday before sharing a framework aimed at "permanently ending" the ongoing conflict with the United States in West Asia, outlining its position during discussions with the Pakistani leadership.

In a post on X, following his departure from Islamabad after a day of high-level meetings with the Pakistani leadership, Araghchi said that Iran had shared its position on a workable framework to permanently end the war and added that it remains to be seen whether the US is genuinely committed to diplomacy.

"Shared Iran's position concerning a workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy," the Iranian FM said in his post.

This comes after the Iranian delegation, led by 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.

According to a statement issued by Araghchi on Telegram, the Iranian Foreign Minister explained Iran's "principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war" against the Islamic Republic by US and Israeli forces to the Pakistani side.

- ANI
Iran's FM Araghchi thanks Putin for Russia's support during war with US

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow's support during the recent conflict with the US. Araghchi described Iran-Russia ties as a "strategic partnership" and conveyed greetings from Iran's leadership. Putin stated Russia would support Iran's interests and help restore peace in West Asia. Araghchi's visit to Russia is part of a three-nation diplomatic tour that also included Pakistan and Oman.

Iran's FM Araghchi thanks Putin for Russia's support during war with US, calls ties a strategic partnership. Putin vows to help restore peace in West Asia.

St Petersburg, April 27 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow's "positions and support" during the recent conflict with the United States, describing Iran-Russia ties as a "strategic partnership".

In statements shared on Telegram following his meeting with the Russian President in St. Petersburg, Araghchi said, "In the recent war, it became clear that Iran has great friends and allies like Russia; we thank you for your positions and support."

He reiterated Tehran's commitment to deepening bilateral ties, adding, "I have been asked to reiterate on this trip that we view Iran-Russia relations as a strategic partnership and that these relations will continue as strong as they were and even more so with greater strength and breadth."

Araghchi also conveyed greetings from Iran's leadership, including the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, to the Russian President.

Highlighting Iran's stance during the conflict, he said, "The whole world saw Iran's true power in confronting America, and it became clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a stable, strong, and powerful system."

The Iranian Foreign Minister further expressed appreciation for Putin's messages, including condolences and congratulatory notes, during recent developments in Iran.

Meanwhile, Putin, during the meeting, said that Moscow would do what it could to support Iran's interests and help efforts to restore peace in West Asia amid the crisis in the region.

According to Iranian State media Press TV, Putin stated that Moscow remains committed to supporting Iran and other regional countries in promoting stability and peace in the region and also expressed hope that the Iranian people would overcome the ongoing difficult situation and that peace would be restored at the earliest.

"I received a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei. Russia will do what it can to support the interests of Iran and other regional countries and help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible," Putin said, as quoted by Press TV.

"I hope Iranian people overcome this difficult period and that peace is restored," he added.

Araghchi landed here in Russia on Monday morning as part of his three-nation diplomatic tour.

His visit to Russia follows recent trips to Pakistan and Oman, forming part of broader regional consultations.

The meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, presidential aide of Russia, Yury Ushakov and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, Igor Kostyukov. The Iranian side included Araghchi's deputy, Kazem Gharibabadi and Iran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali.

- ANI
Nairobi  Pirates operating near the Somalia coast have hijacked an oil tanker carrying at least 11 Pakistani crew members, with the vessel remaining under their control days after the attack, according to shipping sources.

The tanker, identified as Owner 25, was seized on April 21 in waters off the Horn of Africa, raising renewed concerns over maritime security in one of the world's most strategically important shipping corridors.

Officials from Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs, including the Directorate of Ports, have yet to establish contact with the crew, while the agency responsible for dispatching the vessel has not responded to inquiries.

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Family members of the crew, speaking to local media, urged authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safe return of their relatives. They said Indonesian officials were engaged in efforts to negotiate the release of the ship's captain.

The hijacking comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed focus on the security of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, through which a significant portion of global trade passes.

Days before the incident, Somalia's ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Abdullahi Warfa, warned that Somalia could take measures, including potentially restricting access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

"Any country interfering in Somalia's internal affairs and compromising its territorial integrity and sovereignty will face repercussions, including potential restrictions on access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait," Warfa said in remarks posted on X.

His comments followed Israel's recent move to formalize diplomatic engagement with Somaliland, including steps toward exchanging ambassadors, a development strongly opposed by Mogadishu.

No direct link between the ambassador's remarks and the hijacking of the oil tanker has been established, though analysts say the incident underscores growing security risks in the region's key maritime corridors.

Piracy off the Somalia coast, which had declined significantly over the past decade due to international naval patrols, has shown signs of resurgence in recent years, particularly in areas near major shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden.

Maritime analysts warn that the combination of strategic geography, reduced naval presence, and evolving regional tensions could increase risks for commercial vessels transiting the region.

(Reporting by Horn Diplomat; Editing by Desk)
Cash assistance of up to 550,000 won for vulnerable groups to ease oil price strain

South Korea's Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung announced Monday that the government has secured sufficient supplies of key agricultural inputs like fertilizers and films for the spring planting season. A 377.5 billion-won supplementary budget will support farmers, particularly through diesel fuel purchases. The government is also pushing reforms for Nonghyup after corruption scandals, including a new audit committee and transparency measures. Additionally, cash assistance of up to 550,000 won is being provided to vulnerable groups to ease financial strains from rising oil prices.

Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung announces measures to secure fertilizers and fuel supplies, plus a $372 million budget for farmers amid Middle East tensions.

Seoul, April 27 Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said on Monday the government will continue efforts to stabilise supplies of key agricultural inputs amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Song stressed at a press conference that sufficient supplies of major agricultural goods, such as fertilisers and agricultural films, needed during the spring planting season have already been secured, reports Yonhap news agency.

The agricultural ministry will swiftly execute the 377.5 billion-won (US$256 million) supplementary budget allocated to the ministry to help stabilise the livelihoods of farmers by expanding support for purchases of diesel products for farm machinery, she added.

The allocation is part of the 26.2 trillion-won extra budget passed through the National Assembly earlier this month in a bid to cope with the economic fallout from uncertainties surrounding the Middle East.

Regarding the government's push to overhaul Nonghyup, the country's agricultural cooperation and banking group, Song said such efforts are aimed at bolstering the governance and restoring the checks-and-balances of the group.

Last month, the government and the ruling Democratic Party announced reform measures for Nonghyup following a series of corruption scandals involving the group, including alleged embezzlement of public funds and accounting fraud.

Under the plan, a new audit committee will be formed to conduct oversight of the group.

The reform plan also calls for improving transparency by prohibiting the group's chairman from exercising undue influence over personnel and management, and establishing the legal grounds to suspend employees convicted of crimes such as bribery or embezzlement.

Meanwhile, cash assistance for basic livelihood security recipients and other vulnerable groups began rolling out as part of efforts to ease financial strains caused by rising oil prices amid the war in the Middle East.

The government started accepting applications for the funds, which will allocate 550,000 won (US$372) for basic livelihood security recipients and 450,000 won per person for single-parent households and those just above the welfare eligibility threshold.

Recipients outside Seoul or those living in areas with declining populations will receive an additional 50,000 won.

The applications will run through May 8, with recipients being able to choose the assistance by credit and debit cards, prepaid cards or local currency vouchers.

The funds, which will expire Aug. 31, can only be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, or businesses that accept local currency vouchers.

- IANS
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has announced the creation of five new districts: Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass, increasing the total from two to seven. The move aims to decentralize administration, boost development in remote border areas, and fulfill local demands for better governance. The decision, approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024 and notified in April 2026, focuses on tourism, infrastructure, and preserving ancient tribes. This comes amid ongoing protests by Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, which saw tensions escalate in September 2025.

Ladakh LG V.K. Saxena creates five new districtsNubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drassto decentralize administration and boost development in remote areas.

Srinagar, April 27 Lieutenant Governor, V.K. Saxena on Monday announced creation of five new districts in Ladakh, raising the number of districts in the Union Territory to seven from the original two.

Officials said that the LG of Ladakh has announced the creation of five new districts, Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass, increasing the total districts from two, i.e. Leh and Kargil, to seven.

This move aims to decentralise administration, boost development in remote border areas, and fulfill long-pending local demands for better governance.

Of the five new districts, Nubra is known for its strategic location and high-altitude, aiming for tourism infrastructure development.

Sham, focusses on strengthening local governance in its region. Changthang, priority to preserve ancient tribes and enhance border infrastructure.

Zanskar, focusses on improving road connectivity and tourism.

Drass, focusses on creating infrastructure and supporting the Army base and is noted for its strategic importance.

The purpose of the initiative is to bring governance closer to residents in remote areas, create employment opportunities, and improve public service delivery.

The decision was originally approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024 and officially notified in April 2026.

These administrative changes aim to address the unique needs of the diverse areas within the geographically vast, yet sparsely populated, Union Territory.

Two representative bodies of Ladakh, Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have been actively protesting since 2021 for statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, job security, and a public service commission.

Led by activists like Chering Dorjay and Sonam Wangchuk, LAB works with the KDA to negotiate these demands with the Union Home Ministry.

Tensions escalated in Ladakh on September 24, 2025 when police fired on an unruly mob indulging in arson and stone pelting.

Four people were killed in that police firing on people in Leh. Authorities then imposed a curfew and detained at least 50 people after protesters clashed with the police, setting fire to an office of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the office of the chief executive councilor, and a police vehicle. Dozens of people, including police officials were injured.

World-renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested under the National Security Act and shifted to a jail in Rajasthan. He was released on March 14 this year.

- IANS
Encouraging signs have emerged in indirect US-Iran peace talks facilitated by Pakistan, with a fresh Iranian proposal focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the conflict. The proposal strategically postpones nuclear negotiations until the strategic waterway is cleared and the US naval blockade is removed. US President Donald Trump has indicated openness to direct dialogue, stating Iran can call or come to negotiate. However, the White House remains cautious, reiterating its stance on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Encouraging signs emerge in indirect US-Iran peace talks facilitated by Pakistan, with a focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and delaying nuclear negotiations.

Islamabad, April 27 As regional mediation efforts intensify to resolve the West Asian conflict, reports have emerged indicating a significant breakthrough in the diplomatic stalemate between Washington and Tehran. The progress follows the facilitation of indirect communication between the two nations to secure a lasting ceasefire.

In a post on X, Kamran Khan, chairman of the media outlet ARY News, highlighted the burgeoning optimism surrounding the negotiations. "Informed sources: Encouraging signs are emerging around the indirect peace talks between the United States and Iran, with diplomatic momentum steadily building. 'Now we are at a stage where we can see light at the end of the tunnel,' mused a source," he stated.

This newfound optimism in Islamabad coincides with a significant diplomatic manoeuvre aimed at de-escalating regional tensions, as Tehran has reportedly submitted a fresh proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries.

According to news outlet Axios, the framework is specifically designed to facilitate "reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the conflict," while strategically "postponing talks over Tehran's nuclear programme until a later stage." This reported offer surfaces shortly after US President Donald Trump indicated that Iran could contact Washington to negotiate an end to the hostilities, which were ignited on February 28 following joint Israeli and US military strikes.

Maintaining his signature approach to diplomacy, the US President addressed the possibility of renewed engagement during an interview. Speaking to Fox News' The Sunday Briefing, Trump remarked, "If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. There is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines." He further expressed optimism that the conflict could conclude "very soon" and observed that while some Iranian representatives were being reasonable, others were not.

The depth of this indirect communication was further detailed by Iran's Fars News Agency, which reported that during a recent diplomatic mission by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Tehran dispatched written messages to Washington via Pakistan. These communications reportedly outlined the regional situation and defined Iran's "red lines," with a specific focus on "nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz."

News outlet Axios clarified that the heart of the current proposal focuses on mitigating tensions surrounding the strategic waterway and the ongoing US naval blockade. According to the reported framework, the proposal includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to alleviate the global energy crisis and ending the war through either an "extended ceasefire" or a "permanent halt to hostilities."

Crucially, the plan seeks to delay nuclear negotiations until the strategic passage is cleared and the US naval blockade on Iranian ports is removed. While news outlet Axios reports that the White House has officially received the document, it remains uncertain whether the Trump administration will entertain the offer.

Addressing the leak, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales informed news outlet Axios that the administration would not engage in discussions regarding such "sensitive diplomatic" matters via the media.

She reiterated the administration's firm stance, stating, "As the president has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

These latest developments follow a period of friction where previous talks appeared to have stalled. The new initiative comes after President Trump recently aborted a scheduled visit to Pakistan by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Reports suggest the mission was cancelled following Araghchi's departure from Islamabad, with Trump noting he saw no point in deploying officials on an "18-hour flight" under the prevailing circumstances, remarking that too much time had been lost to travel.

- ANI
BJP leaders in Madhya Pradesh held a legislative party meeting at CM Mohan Yadav's residence ahead of a special assembly session. The session focuses on women's empowerment, including the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. CM Yadav will table a resolution for 33% reservation for women in the legislative assembly. The move follows opposition parties voting against the constitutional amendment bill in Lok Sabha.

Madhya Pradesh BJP holds legislative party meeting at CM Mohan Yadav's residence ahead of special assembly session on women's empowerment and reservation.

Bhopal, April 27 Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Madhya Pradesh on Monday held a legislative party meeting at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's residence ahead of the Special Session of the Legislative Assembly, focusing on 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' and discussions centred on the empowerment of women.

The state assembly secretariat issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday, stating that the proceedings will be held from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and again from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, unless otherwise directed by the Speaker.

The agenda of the special session highlights deliberations on policies and initiatives related to women's empowerment, reflecting the government's emphasis on inclusive development.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will table a Government Resolution for women's empowerment and development. The resolution will include provisions for implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Legislative Assembly.

The discussion will be initiated by CM Yadav on behalf of the BJP.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Legislative Assembly has also announced a One-Day Special Session on Tuesday, April 28, at the Old Secretariat. The Odisha Legislative Assembly has called a one-day 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.

The BJP has held Jan Akrosh Padyatras in several states, slamming the Opposition parties.

- ANI
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that the RTO will decide on extending the deadline for rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi. The original May 1, 2026 deadline is likely to be extended after requests from driver unions citing practical difficulties. A meeting of 59 Regional Transport Officers is scheduled for Tuesday to finalize the timeline and training framework. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam supported the move but demanded a one-year deferral with structured language training programs.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik says RTOs will decide deadline extension for rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, with unions seeking up to one year.

Mumbai, April 27 In a move to bridge the communication gap between commuters and public transport drivers, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday reiterated that all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state must possess a basic working knowledge of Marathi.

While the state government originally aimed to enforce this mandate starting May 1, 2026 (Maharashtra Day), the deadline is likely to be extended following requests from various driver unions.

The decision follows a high-level meeting at Mantralaya, chaired by Minister Sarnaik and attended by Sanjay Nirupam (Shinde-Sena), Shashank Rao (rickshaw union leader), and various union representatives.

During the discussion, several unions expressed support for the initiative but highlighted the practical difficulties of immediate implementation.

Some unions requested three months, while others sought a six-month window. A few representatives asked for up to 1 year to ensure drivers are adequately trained, the release said.

Minister Sarnaik maintained a firm yet supportive stance, emphasising that while the government is willing to assist, compliance is non-negotiable.

He said that he has not given a definitive word on the extension yet and that a meeting of 59 Regional Transport Officers has been called on Tuesday to finalise the timeline. He added that the government is ready to provide tutors and classes if required and is open to granting more time; however, 'arrogance' or refusal to learn will not be tolerated.

Minister Sarnaik said that a meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at Parivahan Bhavan with Regional Transport Officer officials from across the state.

This meeting will determine the effective date of the mandate, the duration of the extension granted to drivers, and the framework for language proficiency tests or training modules.

The official announcement of the new deadline is expected from Minister Sarnaik following the Regional Transport Officer briefing.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena deputy leader Sanjay Nirupam told reporters that Marathi is not merely a language but the identity of the people, the soul of their culture, and the pride of Maharashtra.

He stated that a language must be learned with love, not imposed by compulsion, and added that Shiv Sena has unequivocally made it clear that there are no internal differences or divisions on this issue.

He said that Shiv Sena has always stood at the forefront in safeguarding and promoting the Marathi language and that it is through the party's sustained efforts that Marathi has gained recognition as a classical language at the national level.

He added that while the party remains uncompromising on the dignity of Marathi, it equally emphasises the importance of a humane and inclusive approach.

Nirupam noted that the current enforcement of this policy has created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty among thousands of auto and taxi drivers.

He said that in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, a significant portion of drivers hail from different parts of India and, while they are willing to learn Marathi, they require adequate time and structured support to do so effectively.

He added that in this context, Shiv Sena has strongly demanded that the concerned Government Resolution be deferred for at least one year.

He said that during this period, drivers should be encouraged and supported through appropriate Marathi-language training programmes, and that the issue should be handled with sensitivity and practicality rather than coercion.

- IANS
Mali Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in Kati, carried out by armed terrorist groups. Coordinated attacks on multiple cities left 16 wounded. The government and military have raised alert levels, imposed curfews, and intensified patrols. The Indian Embassy in Mali has urged Indian nationals to remain vigilant.

Mali Defence Minister Sadio Camara and his wife were killed in a terrorist attack on his residence in Kati, near Bamako. Multiple cities targeted, 16 wounded.

Bamako, April 26 Mali Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in the town of Kati, near the capital Bamako, carried out by armed terrorist groups, local sources reported.

According to the sources, who requested anonymity, armed terrorist groups launched coordinated attacks on several cities across the country on Saturday, leaving 16 people wounded. Camara's residence in Kati was also targeted, and both the minister and his second wife were killed.

In a statement on Saturday evening, the government of the West African nation said the attacks targeted multiple locations, including the garrison towns of Kati, Sevare, Gao and Kidal, as well as the capital, Bamako, reported Xinhua news agency.

The wounded, including civilians and military personnel, were taken to medical facilities, and the material damage was limited, the statement added.

As of Sunday, the government had not issued an official statement confirming the minister's death.

The General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces said on Sunday that search operations against armed terrorist groups were continuing in Kidal, Kati and other parts of the country following Saturday's attacks.

In a separate statement, the army said the attacks were aimed at disrupting the country's defence system and spreading fear and chaos.

It added that alert levels had been raised nationwide, curfews imposed, large-scale patrols intensified, and checkpoints reinforced to enhance surveillance against security threats.

The General Staff reaffirmed that the Malian Armed Forces remain committed to defending the country's territorial integrity and ensuring national security.

It also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

The Indian Embassy in Mali has urged all Indian nationals residing there 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.

- IANS
Designer Masaba Gupta candidly shares her struggle between loving food and losing postpartum weight. She posted a mirror selfie craving crispy puri with aamras while aiming to lose the last 4 kgs. Married to actor Satyadeep Mishra, she welcomed their daughter Matara in 2024. The couple recently enjoyed a family vacation in the Maldives.

Designer Masaba Gupta shares her struggle between craving crispy puri with aamras and losing last 4 kgs postpartum. A relatable take on balance.

Mumbai, April 26 Just like many of us, designer Masaba Gupta is also torn between her love for food and her desire to lose weight after pregnancy.

In her latest social media post on Sunday, Masaba shared that she is trying to balance her craving for a crispy puri with aamras and her wish to get rid of those last 4 kgs postpartum.

"Somewhere between attempting to lose the last 4 kgs postpartum and smashing a crispy puri with aamras. Everything in life is balance (sic)" read the caption of her post.

The designer uploaded a mirror selfie on Instagram, flaunting her physique in a black outfit.

Masaba's post also included a glimpse of some of her other beloved food such as dosa, burger, omelet, and ofcourse, chocolate.

For the unaware, Masaba tied the knot with actor Satyadeep Mishra back in January 2023, and the couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl in 2024.

She keeps on sharing glimpses from her maternal journey on social media.

Earlier this month, Masaba flaunted her bikini body in a beachside bodycon ensemble.

She was further seen showing her mother and veteran actress Neena Gupta's ancient waist chain, wearing it over her beach outfit.

The photo had Masaba, striking a bold pose on a serene beach in the Maldives.

The designer was on a family vacation with her husband Satyadeep Mishra, and their little baby girl Matara.

Before this, Masaba treated the netizens with a series of sun-soaked snaps with her little one and captioned the post, "A little sweet escape cos we're island girls at heart," along with a crab and red heart emoticon.

Satyadeep also posted a couple of snippets from the vacation.

"When holidays become all about making sure that your toddler's sleeping, waking and feeding routine doesn't get disturbed..... And your happiness as parents is so completely linked to your child having a fantastic time! On a brief getaway with my girls," he wrote.

- IANS
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid are set to announce the merger of their parties, Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, under Bennett's leadership. The new party, named "Together- Led by Naftali Bennett," aims to unite the reform bloc and end internal infighting for the upcoming 2026 elections. A recent poll shows Bennett's party tied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud at 24 Knesset seats, while Yesh Atid has 7. Bennett emphasized the move as a message of unity and repair for Israel, ending the era of division.

Former PM Naftali Bennett and opposition leader Yair Lapid announce merger of Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026 parties, aiming for reforms and unity.

Tel Aviv, April 26 Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid are set to officially announce the merger of their two parties under Bennett's leadership later this evening, according to a report by the Times of Israel.

According to the Times of Israel, the new party will be named "Together- Led by Naftali Bennett", according a spokesperson for the former PM.

"Former prime minister Naftali Bennett and former prime minister Yair Lapid will announce the first step in the process of healing the State of Israel: the merger of the Yesh Atid party and the Bennett 2026 party into a unified party led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett," Bennett's office said in a statement as per Times of Israel.

The office further noted that the move unites the blocs for the upcoming elections to lead Israel towards "necessary reforms".

"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".

As per the Times of Israel report, a recent Maariv poll showed that Bennett's party neck and neck with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud with 24 Knesset seats, while Yesh Atid received 7.

It further mentioned that Bennett, who has previously said that his approach is based on advancing issues on which there is political consensus, had reportedly been in contact with Lapid and Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot to discuss the potential formation of a new joint party called "New Israel."

Meanwhile in a post in Hebrew on X, without divulging into further details, Bennett said, "The unity between us is a message to the entire people of Israel: the era of division has ended. The era of repair has arrived."

Earlier on Saturday evening, former MK Matan Kahana, who resigned from the Knesset last year to join former IDF chief of staff Eisenkot's Yashar party, said that he would remain a member of Yashar, amid speculation that he may defect to join Bennett's party, the Israeli outlet reported.

Kahana previously served as an MK in Bennett's Yamina party, and later a minister in his government, and has advocated for a merger between Eisenkot and Bennett.

- ANI
Former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have merged their parties into a new unified formation called "Together, Led by Bennett" to challenge PM Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections. The alliance consolidates the opposition bloc and aims to reshape Israel's political landscape by offering a united front. Bennett outlined key policy plans including a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks, universal conscription, and an eight-year term limit for prime ministers. The merger has drawn swift reactions, with opposition leaders welcoming it while Netanyahu's coalition criticizes the move.

Former Israeli PMs Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announce new 'Together, Led by Bennett' party to unseat PM Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections.

Tel Aviv, April 27 Former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid on Sunday announced the merger of their political parties into a new unified formation titled "Together, Led by Bennett," in a move aimed at unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the agreement between the two leaders was finalised on Saturday evening, with both sides confirming that their respective parties, Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, will contest the elections as a single list.

The elections are scheduled to take place no later than October, and the merger is expected to reshape Israel's political landscape by consolidating the opposition bloc.

Announcing the alliance at a joint press conference in Herzliya, Bennett described the move as a historic step. "I am taking the most Zionist and most patriotic step we have ever taken, for our country," he said, adding that the unity signals "the era of division is over."

Lapid echoed the sentiment, urging voters across the political centre to rally behind the new alliance. "To win the elections, the entire Israeli centre must rally behind Naftali Bennett," he said, drawing parallels with recent electoral outcomes in Hungary, where unified opposition fronts secured victories.

The newly formed bloc has made it clear that it will only partner with Zionist opposition parties and will not form a coalition with Arab parties. Bennett said that if elected, his government would establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks, introduce a universal conscription law, and impose an eight-year term limit for prime ministers.

He also outlined plans to advance civil and same-sex marriage, while emphasising national security priorities. "We will safeguard the lands of our country and will not hand over a single centimeter to the enemy," Bennett said.

The leaders have also extended an open invitation to Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar! Party, to join the alliance. "Our door is open to you," Bennett said, signalling ongoing efforts to further consolidate the opposition.

Political reactions were swift, with opposition leaders welcoming the move as a step toward unity, while members of Netanyahu's ruling coalition criticised the merger, referencing Bennett and Lapid's previous coalition that included the Ra'am Party.

Recent opinion polls cited by Israeli media indicate that Bennett's political bloc is running neck and neck with Netanyahu's Likud party, while Lapid's Yesh Atid has seen declining support.

Bennett and Lapid previously governed together in a rotation arrangement formed after multiple elections between 2019 and 2021. Their coalition collapsed within a year, paving the way for Netanyahu's return in 2022.

- ANI
Nepal is experiencing a severe trade imbalance with China, importing goods worth over Rs 195 billion while exporting very little. Infrastructure financing under the Belt and Road Initiative exacerbates this asymmetry, as Chinese firms capture most project contracts. Nepal's small manufacturing sector struggles to compete with Chinese imports, eroding domestic market share. The country's central bank and finance ministry view this import dependence as a structural risk, but alternative solutions are limited by capital and policy constraints.

Nepal faces a widening trade deficit with China, importing Rs 195 billion while exporting little. BRI financing and Chinese firms dominate projects, raising structural concerns.

New Delhi, April 26 Nepal is facing an ever-widening trade deficit with China as it imports goods such as electronics, machinery, vehicles and textiles from the neighbouring country, while its exports, in return, are a small fraction of this amount, an article noted.

The asymmetry is stark as in the first half of the financial year 2025-26, Nepal's imports from China exceeded Rs 195 billion, while exports to China amounted to a small percentage, according to the article in Eurasia Review.

It highlights that infrastructure financing under the Belt and Road Initiative, which Nepal formally joined in 2017, reinforces this structural imbalance between the two countries. According to World Bank research, more than 60 per cent of Chinese-funded BRI projects globally are awarded to Chinese firms, compared to roughly 30 per cent in projects funded by non-Chinese institutions.

Nepali construction firms tend to participate at the margins of projects in their own country, while Chinese firms capture equipment contracts and specialised engineering work.

"Nepal's manufacturing sector is small by regional standards. Industrial output is concentrated in food processing, textiles, and some construction materials. In sectors that overlap with Chinese import categories, Nepali producers have seen market share erode. This is partly a competitiveness problem and partly a policy problem, since the FDI terms that bring Chinese capital can also bring Chinese competition into domestic markets," the article pointed out.

Nepal's central bank and Finance Ministry have both identified import dependence on China as a structural risk in their public planning documents. The remedies require either diversifying Nepal's import sources, which requires alternative trade agreements and supply chain development or building domestic productive capacity in import-competing sectors, which requires capital investment and skills development at a scale Nepal cannot currently fund domestically. Chinese capital is available for both. The terms tend to circle back to the same place, the article added.

- IANS
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga last Saturday used the biblical story of King Hezekiah to comment on political tenure, telling a Roman Catholic congregation in Murewa, Mashonaland East province, that "extra years are not always a blessing."

Speaking during a church service at St Paul's Parish, Chiwenga narrated the account from 2 Kings 20, where the prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah he will die, the king prays, and God adds 15 years to his life.

"Hezekiah began to see himself as the only person able to lead his people and must not die but reign upon Judah forever. 'If l die who will lead my people in the manner l do?'. He banged himself against the walls of the palace and refused to die but asked for more time. God heard him and gave him 15 years," Chiwenga told congregants.

"But in those 15 years, Hezekiah showed envoys from Babylon all his treasures and war chest...He fathered Manasseh, who later led the nation into idolatry. The extra time had consequences."

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He then drew a parallel to current debate around CAB3, which seeks to extend President Mnangagwa's term, warning that this could have repercussions.

"Hezekiah asked for more years and they were granted, but he spent them in captivity as the war against his reign raged," said the Vice President.

Chiwenga did not explicitly mention President Emmerson Mnangagwa by name when making the Hezekiah comparison, but the reference to "asking for more time" comes amid ongoing debate over Zanu PF's Resolution Number 1 adopted at last year's Annual People's Conference to keep Mnangagwa in power beyond 2028. The resolution gave life to the controversial Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill (CAB 3).

Chiwenga's parable has sparked intense debate among Zimbabweans online, with analysts saying the pulpit has been politicised amid the ongoing CAB3 debate.
Israeli PM Netanyahu claims Hezbollah violations are disintegrating the ceasefire in Lebanon. He says IDF remains active and acting with force, eliminating 46 militants recently. Israel operates under agreed rules with US and Lebanon for freedom of action. Hezbollah rejects accusations, calling them meaningless and accusing Israel of violations.

Israeli PM Netanyahu claims Hezbollah violations are disintegrating the Lebanon ceasefire, says IDF acting with force, eliminating 46 militants in two weeks.

Tel Aviv, April 26 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asserted that the ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon is being undermined by Hezbollah, warning that Israel will continue to respond with force to ensure security along its northern border of the Jewish state.

Speaking at the start of a government meeting, Netanyahu said that despite perceptions suggesting otherwise, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remains actively engaged in operations in Lebanon, adding that Hezbollah's violations are effectively "disintegrating the ceasefire."

"Regarding Lebanon: one might get the impression that the IDF is not active there. It is active, and it is acting with force. It must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are essentially disintegrating the ceasefire," the Israeli PM said.

He emphasised that Israel's primary obligation remains the protection of its citizens, soldiers, and communities, particularly in the northern region bordering Lebanon.

According to Netanyahu, Israeli forces are operating under agreed rules with the United States and in coordination frameworks that also involve Lebanon.

"Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities. We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well. This means freedom of action, not only to respond to attacks, which is obvious, but also to thwart immediate threats and to neutralise emerging threats," Netanyahu added.

Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon for three weeks, adding that the US would work with Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah.

The Israeli Prime Minister further stated that, based on information from the IDF's Northern Command, Israeli forces have eliminated 46 militants over the past two weeks, reiterating Israel's determination to restore security in its northern areas.

"In the past two weeks, according to Northern Command, we have eliminated 46 terrorists, and we will act with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. We are not prepared to accept this lawlessness. We will do whatever is necessary to restore security to the North," the Israeli PM said.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected claims that it breached the truce, calling such accusations by the Israeli PM "meaningless", and instead accused Israel of violating the agreement through ongoing strikes and its continued presence in certain areas, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The group maintains that its actions are defensive responses to Israeli violations.

- ANI
BJP President Nitin Nabin virtually inaugurated seven new district offices in Rajasthan, including Tonk, Bundi, Churu, Pali, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, and Barmer, and laid the foundation stone for a Jalore office. He praised Rajasthan's tradition of valour and sacrifice, attributing BJP's growth to dedicated workers and ideals of Mookerjee, Upadhyaya, and Vajpayee. Nabin attacked Congress over the Women's Reservation Bill, accusing them of opposing women's empowerment, and highlighted "double-engine" government schemes for women, youth, and farmers. He urged workers to strive for a "Developed India" and "Developed Rajasthan" by 2047.

BJP President Nitin Nabin virtually opens 7 district offices in Rajasthan, lays foundation for Jalore unit. Highlights women's empowerment, development goals.

Jaipur, April 27 BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Monday virtually inaugurated newly constructed district office buildings across seven districts of Rajasthan -- Tonk, Bundi, Churu, Pali, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur and Barmer -- from Tonk. On the same occasion, he also laid the foundation stone for the party's district office in Jalore.

Addressing party workers, Nitin Nabin said that visiting Rajasthan has always been a source of pride and inspiration for him.

He described the state as a land rich in traditions of valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Recalling his early political journey, he noted that after becoming the youngest MLA, it was in Rajasthan that he first received public recognition and honour -- an experience that created a deep emotional bond with the state.

He emphasised that the BJP's greatest strength lies in its dedicated workers, who serve selflessly without personal motives.

The party's present stature, he said, is the result of the hard work, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of millions of such workers. He further added that the BJP has been nurtured by the ideals of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, growing into a vast and resilient banyan tree.

Highlighting the party's guiding principles -- Antyodaya, nationalism and good governance -- he said that both the Central and state governments are committed to ensuring that development reaches the last person in the queue, which defines the true character of the BJP.

Calling upon workers to contribute actively, Nitin Nabin urged them to work towards the vision of a "Developed India" and a "Developed Rajasthan" by 2047.

He stressed that nation-building is not just the responsibility of the government but of every citizen. He added that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is now playing a decisive role both domestically and globally. From just two Members of Parliament in its early days, the BJP has expanded across 21 states and emerged as the world's largest political party.

Over 600 BJP offices have been established nationwide, serving as centres for organisation, training, dialogue and cadre development.

Reiterating the significance of party offices, he said: "Offices are not merely buildings; they are centres of workers' energy, ideas and collective organisational strength."

Praising the Rajasthan government led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, he said the BJP's "double-engine" government is continuously working for the welfare of women, youth and farmers.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi schemes for women's empowerment, as well as the ERCP project, which he described as a boon for farmers. He urged party workers to ensure that information about these schemes reaches every household so that maximum people can benefit.

Expressing confidence in the party's growth, he said that with the dedication of workers, the BJP would continue to expand its footprint.

"I am pleased to see the expansion of BJP's influence from Anga to Kalinga," he added.

Launching a sharp attack on the Congress over the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Bill), he accused opposition parties of opposing a historic step towards women's empowerment.

He questioned why the Congress had previously denied women adequate political representation. He asserted that whenever the Prime Minister undertakes a task, it is brought to completion, and the passage of this legislation reflects that commitment.

State in-charge Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal described Tonk as a strong BJP base and praised the dedication of party workers. Referring to Rajasthan's rich legacy, he said the BJP is committed to carrying forward its tradition of bravery and patriotism.

He urged workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level, reiterating the party's core mantra, "Seva Hi Sankalp".

BJP state president Madan Rathore said that even during global crises, India -- under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership -- secured its energy needs and supported other nations.

He accused the opposition of spreading misinformation, while emphasising that the government operates with transparency and integrity. He added that the opposition is unsettled by the end of middlemen and corrupt practices.

Highlighting the achievements of the state government, he said that under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Rajasthan has seen significant improvements in electricity, water supply, roads and law and order. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that BJP workers are guided by the principle of "Nation First", and that the government remains focused on water, electricity and employment as key priorities.

- IANS
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi thanked Japan's Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, for praising Dalma, a traditional Odia dish. The Ambassador enjoyed Dalma during a JSW-JFE Steel joint venture event in Sambalpur. Majhi highlighted that Dalma represents Odisha's culture and hospitality. The exchange underscores growing cultural ties between Odisha and Japan.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi thanks Japan Ambassador Ono Keiichi for praising Dalma, highlighting cultural ties and culinary heritage between Odisha and Japan.

Bhubaneswar, April 27 Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday expressed joy and thanked the Ambassador of Japan to India, Ono Keiichi, for enjoying and praising the rich culinary heritage of Odisha, especially Dalma, a nutritious and traditional Odia dish.

Taking to his X handle, the Chief Minister said, "Delighted to see you enjoying the flavours of Odisha, Ambassador Ono San! Dalma is the heart of our kitchen, and we are honoured by your kind words. May our bond continue to grow over many more such meals. Ono San, Arigatou Gozaimasu!"

The Chief Minister further stated that Dalma is not just a part of Odisha's food tradition, but also a symbol of its culture and hospitality.

He added that such appreciation reflects the cultural harmony between Odisha and Japan and expressed hope that this bond of friendship will grow even stronger in the coming days.

On April 24, a joint venture between JSW Steel and Japan's JFE Steel was announced at Rengali in Sambalpur district of Odisha.

Chief Minister Majhi, among other dignitaries, was also present at the event, which was also attended by Japan's Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi.

During the programme, the Japanese Ambassador was served traditional Odia cuisine, including Dalma.

He was highly delighted with the dishes' taste, especially Dalma, which he liked very much.

After the event, sharing the delectable dining experience on his social media handle 'X', the Japanese Ambassador wrote, "Enjoyed #Dalma in #OdishaDelicious, and a wonderful reflection of Odisha's rich culinary culture!"

Notably, Dalma is considered one of Odisha's most popular dishes, deeply rooted in its sacred traditions and cultural heritage.

This signature dish is prepared with lentils and a mix of vegetables such as pumpkin, raw papaya, potato, and drumstick, seasoned with aromatic spices.

The traditional dish is an inseparable part of temple offerings to the gods and features prominently on sacred occasions across every nook and corner of the state.

- IANS
Odisha postponed the Chief Minister's public grievance hearing scheduled for Monday due to severe heatwave conditions. Temperatures exceeded 40C in many areas, with Jharsuguda recording 43.8C. The state government also announced early summer vacation for schools from April 27 and halted census work between 11am-3pm to ensure safety. The IMD predicts no major change in temperatures for the next two to three days, followed by a slight drop.

Odisha defers Chief Minister's public grievance hearing due to severe heatwave with temperatures hitting 43.8C. Schools closed early, census work halted.

Bhubaneswar, April 26 The Odisha government on Sunday announced the postponement of the Chief Minister's public grievance hearing programme, scheduled to be held on Monday, owing to the prevailing severe heatwave conditions across the state.

The General Administration and Public Grievance Department of Odisha made the announcement on Sunday through an official statement.

The department further stated that applicants who had registered online to present their grievances to the Chief Minister in person at the grievance cell on Monday are not required to register again.

"Those who had registered online to meet the Chief Minister on the said date need not register again for the next grievance hearing. The date of the next grievance hearing in Bhubaneswar will be communicated to them through newspapers," the GA&PG Department said.

It is worth noting that Odisha is currently grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in several parts of the state, including the capital, Bhubaneswar, significantly disrupting normal life.

As per reports, one of the major industrial hubs of Odisha, Jharsuguda, continued to top the list of cities recording the highest daytime temperatures in the state.

The mercury stood at 43.8 degrees Celsius in Jharsuguda at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, marking the highest daytime temperature in the state, followed by Sambalpur at 42.8 degrees Celsius, Rourkela at 42.6 degrees Celsius, and Hirakud at 42.4 degrees Celsius.

The state capital, Bhubaneswar, recorded 34.4 degrees Celsius, while Keonjhar, Chandbali, and Balasore registered 39.6 degrees Celsius, 36.4 degrees Celsius, and 34.8 degrees Celsius, respectively, at 2.30 p.m. on Sunday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, has also predicted that there will be no large change in maximum temperature (day temperature) during the next two to three days and that thereafter the mercury would fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the districts of Odisha.

Notably, roads have been wearing a deserted look after 11 a.m., as people largely stayed indoors across the state to avoid the intense heatwave.

Following concerns over heatstroke incidents, the state government has also halted census work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in view of the safety of enumerators.

In view of the prevailing severe heatwave conditions across Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced early summer vacation for schools from April 27.

- IANS
A report in 'American Thinker' has labeled Pakistan an "extremely problematic" partner for the United States, questioning its reliability as a strategic ally. It highlights Pakistan's pro-Iran stance during the 12-Day War and its allowing Hamas representatives to operate freely. The report also notes Pakistan's privileged status as a Major Non-NATO Ally warrants reconsideration. These actions raise significant doubts about Pakistan's ability to be an impartial broker in the US-Iran conflict.

A report labels Pakistan an 'extremely problematic' partner, questioning its reliability as a US ally due to ties with Iran, Hamas, and terror groups.

Washington, April 25 Pakistan should not be viewed as a mediator but as a deeply "problematic partner" whose privileged status as a major non-NATO ally warrants serious reconsideration. Despite Washington's political, economic and military engagements with Islamabad, Pakistan has repeatedly proved to be an unreliable strategic partner for the United States, a report said on Saturday.

"In recent months, the Trump administration has strengthened relations with Pakistan, which holds Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the United States - a designation that grants privileged access to military cooperation and equipment. In the summer of 2025, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir - the real leader of Pakistan - visited the White House twice within a short period, underscoring the renewed engagement between Washington and Islamabad. The United States has also shown interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in emerging sectors, including the crypto industry. Meanwhile, Pakistan's participation in the 'Board of Peace' has further elevated its international profile, a report in the 'American Thinker' detailed.

Questioning Pakistan's credibility as a "neutral intermediary" in the US-Iran conflict, it highlighted that, in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Islamabad allowed Hamas representatives to operate freely on its soil, participate in public events, and build ties with local terror groups.

"Naji Zaheer, the current special representative of Hamas in Pakistan, was invited to participate in major events as a guest of honour and has become a fixture at anti-Israel rallies and conferences in Pakistan. Zaheer has often shared the stage with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), both designated as terrorist organisations by the United States and linked to attacks in India," the report mentioned.

According to the report, Pakistan's anti-Western stance became evident during the June 2025, 12-Day War - the direct clash between Iran and a coalition of Israel and the United States - with Islamabad adopting a position supportive of Iran.

The report noted that the trend continued into 2026, when, on January 24, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanked Pakistan for backing Tehran at the UN Human Rights Council after Islamabad voted against a resolution seeking to expand an international investigation into Iran's violent crackdown on protests.

Earlier in March, following the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences, terming Khamenei's death as a "martyrdom" and extending solidarity with the Iranian people "in their hour of grief and sorrow".

"Taken together, these actions raise significant doubts about Pakistan's ability to be an impartial broker in the U.S.-Iran conflict. While Washington continues to invest trust in Islamabad, Pakistan's conduct reflects a consistent pattern of prioritising regional and ideological ties with Tehran over its strategic commitments to Washington," the report stated.

- IANS
Senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei has publicly rejected Pakistan's role as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, citing Islamabad's alignment with US interests. Rezaei stated that Pakistan "lacks the necessary credibility" and always takes Trump's interests into account. Despite this, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continues shuttle diplomacy, visiting Pakistan, Oman, and Moscow. Iran has proposed a new diplomatic framework focusing on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and postponing nuclear negotiations.

Senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei says Pakistan lacks credibility to mediate between Tehran and Washington, citing alignment with US interests.

Tehran, April 27 As diplomatic efforts to secure a breakthrough between the United States and Iran continue, a senior Iranian lawmaker has raised significant concerns regarding Pakistan's role as a neutral intermediary.

Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for Iran's national security and foreign policy commission, suggested that Islamabad may be too aligned with Washington to serve as an effective go-between.

In a statement shared on X, the Dashtestan representative argued that "Pakistan is a good friend and neighbour of ours, but it is not a suitable mediator for negotiations and lacks the necessary credibility." He further alleged that Pakistani officials "always take Trump's interests into account and do not speak against the Americans' wishes," citing a perceived reluctance to challenge US diplomatic reversals.

Rezaei pointed to specific instances where he felt the mediation had been one-sided, claiming the intermediaries "do not say that the Americans had commitments regarding Lebanon or blocked assets but failed to honour them." Emphasising the need for a balanced approach, the MP noted that "a mediator must be impartial, not always leaning to one side."

These critical remarks come despite intensive shuttle diplomacy by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who recently visited Islamabad to sustain the momentum of the talks. During his mission, Araghchi engaged with Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to explore potential pathways towards resolving the regional conflict.

Before his arrival in Pakistan, Araghchi had held consultations in Oman with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, focusing on maritime safety and broader diplomatic frameworks. Discussions have reportedly expanded beyond the traditional nuclear impasse to include a "new legal framework for the strait," as well as demands for compensation, security assurances, and the removal of US naval restrictions.

The Iranian Foreign Minister has since travelled to Moscow for further high-level talks, even as the pace of negotiations appears to be slowing. The diplomatic friction is underscored by a recent shift in Washington's stance, where President Donald Trump indicated that Iranian authorities "can initiate contact" if they seek to negotiate, following the cancellation of a proposed US delegation visit to Pakistan.

Despite the friction, following the cancellation of high-profile Islamabad peace talks by US President Donald Trump last week, "fresh signs" of diplomatic movement have surfaced.

Tehran has reportedly provided Washington with a "new proposal" aimed at the dual objectives to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war," according to a report by Axios, which cited a US official. As part of this diplomatic framework, Iran has also suggested a move to "postpone nuclear negotiations" until a subsequent phase of the peace process.

- ANI
Union Minister Chirag Paswan defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's jhalmuri moment in West Bengal, saying honouring every state's cuisine and language reflects a national leader's mindset. Paswan criticized RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's remarks, stating that such actions respect India's diversity. He also condemned attempts to divide people along caste, language, and religious lines. Additionally, Paswan expressed confidence in BJP-led NDA's victory in all five states on May 4.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan backs PM Modi's jhalmuri moment, says honouring every state's cuisine and language is a national leader's mindset.

Patna, April 27 Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday responded to remarks by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi eating "jhalmuri" during his recent visit to West Bengal's Jhargram on April 19, saying that respecting the cuisine and language of every state reflects the mindset expected from a national leader.

"This is the beauty of our country that there is so much diversity in the cuisines of different states across the nation. As the Prime Minister of the country, he works to honour the cuisine of every state and to honour the language. This is exactly the mindset that a Prime Minister and leader of a nation should have," he said.

He further criticised attempts to divide people along caste, language and religious lines, saying such approaches do not align with the spirit of the country.

Paswan also expressed confidence about the electoral prospects of the BJP-led NDA, saying results would become clear soon.

"Anyway, the results of all these things are not far off. The results will come out on the 4th. In all five states, a government led by the BJP-led NDA coalition is going to be formed," he said.

On April 23, while addressing a poll rally in Krishnanagar, Prime Minister Modi also launched a sharp attack against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the second phase elections in West Bengal, saying that his jhalmuri gave a "thunderous shock" to the ruling party.

PM Modi said, "You must wave the flag of the BJP-NDA's victory with full strength. On May 4, the celebration of the BJP's victory will also take place in Bengal, sweets will also be distributed, and jhal muri will also be handed out. Jhalmuri has also given a thunderous shock to some people. I ate the jhal muri, but the jhal (spice) hit TMC."

The polling for the second phase of the West Bengal elections will take place on April 29, with counting of votes on May 4.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Pradeep Chakraborty's community production centre in Tripura during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme. The cottage industry, located in East Charakbai village, employs 12 women workers and focuses on bamboo-based products. Chakraborty expressed gratitude for the national recognition, which he said encourages small entrepreneurs in rural India. The enterprise was supported by the Tripura Bamboo Mission and a loan from Punjab National Bank.

PM Modi mentions Pradeep Chakraborty's women-led cottage industry in Tripura during Mann Ki Baat, boosting rural employment and bamboo enterprise.

Agartala, April 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the work of a small cottage industry run by entrepreneur Pradeep Chakraborty in Tripura during his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', bringing national attention to grassroots enterprise and women-led livelihoods in the northeastern state.

Pradeep Chakraborty, who operates a "community production centre" in East Charakbai village under the Shantir Bazar subdivision in South Tripura district, expressed pride and gratitude after his initiative was mentioned by the Prime Minister.

The production centre, built in 2008 at Nath Para and spread over around 1,500 square feet, has been providing employment and supporting local economic activity for years.

Speaking to IANS, Chakraborty said, "First, I would like to thank the Prime Minister for mentioning my small industry in his 'Mann Ki Baat'. I am very grateful to him. The Tripura Bamboo Mission has also helped a lot. They provided machinery, and with their support, I took a loan of Rs 9 lakh."

"Being mentioned in 'Mann Ki Baat' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a moment of immense pride for me. I never imagined that a small cottage industry from our village in South Tripura would receive such national recognition. It feels like not just my achievement, but the recognition of every small entrepreneur working quietly in rural India," he added.

The entrepreneur highlighted that his unit currently employs 12 workers, all of whom are women, underlining the role of such cottage industries in promoting women's empowerment and financial independence in rural areas.

Notably, even on a holiday, one of the women workers continued production work, reflecting dedication and the steady demand for the unit's products.

Chakraborty credited the Tripura Bamboo Mission for playing a key role in the growth of his enterprise.

The mission, aimed at promoting bamboo-based industries in the state, provided essential machinery and technical support, enabling the unit to scale operations.

He also acknowledged financial assistance received through a loan from Punjab National Bank, which helped strengthen the infrastructure and expand production capacity.

The mention of his enterprise in 'Mann Ki Baat' has brought recognition not only to Chakraborty's efforts but also to the broader ecosystem of small and cottage industries in Tripura, particularly those supported by government-backed initiatives.

Such enterprises continue to play a vital role in boosting rural employment, preserving traditional skills, and contributing to local economies across the northeastern region.

"I am deeply thankful to the Prime Minister Modi for acknowledging our work. This encouragement gives us the confidence to dream bigger and work harder," he said.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the historic Thanthania Kalibari temple in Kolkata ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls. The 300-year-old temple is known for its non-veg prasad ritual, started by Ramakrishna Paramahansa. PM Modi also visited the Matua Thakur Mandir and recalled his meeting with matriarch Binapani Devi. He highlighted the implementation of CAA to help Matua and other refugee communities gain citizenship.

PM Modi offers prayers at historic Thanthania Kalibari temple in Kolkata, recalls Matua community ties, and highlights CAA benefits ahead of West Bengal elections.

Kolkata, April 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took the blessings of Goddess Kali at the historic over 300-year-old Thanthania Kalibari temple before embarking on his roadshow in North Kolkata ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly Polls.

Thanthania Kalibari is one of the oldest and most revered Kali temples of Kolkata, established all the way back in 1703; its 300-year-old history predates even the city's formal development. Kali Ma is worshipped as Maa Siddheshwari, and the presiding deity is considered 'Jagrat'. It is said that Ramakrishna Paramahansa frequently visited the temple and sang devotional hymns to Maa Siddheswari.

The 'bani' which he said inside the temple has been engraved on its walls, which reads 'Shankarer hridoy majhe, Kali biraje' (Maa Kali resides within the heart of Shankar). This is one of the few Kali temples in India, where non-veg prasad is offered to the deity, a ritual that was started by Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

It is said Ramakrishna Paramahansa offered puja to Maa Siddheswari with the offerings of 'dab-chingri', praying for the quick recovery of Brahmananda Keshav Chandra Sen. That day onwards, the ritual of offering non-veg as prasad has been followed. When Ramakrishnadev fell sick while his stay at Shyamapukur, his followers prayed at the temple to Maa Siddheswari for his quick recovery, while serving non-veg prasad to the deity.

Meanwhile, after visiting Thanthania Kalibari, PM Modi held a roadshow in North Bengal.

The Prime Minister also visited the Matua Thakur Mandir in Thakurnagar of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal ahead of his election rally there and recalled his meeting with Matua community matriarch Binapani Devi a few years ago.

"Prayed at the Matua Thakur Temple earlier today. The ideals of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur Ji and Sri Sri Guruchand Thakur Ji continue to illuminate our society, " the PM said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister also shared a photograph of him meeting Binapani Devi in 2019 ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "Today, when I was at the Matua Thakur Mandir, I remembered my previous visit to this Temple a few years ago, when I had also got the blessings of Boro Ma Binapani Thakur. Here is a photograph from that visit," posted the Prime Minister.

Binapani Devi passed away later that year.

Addressing a rally in Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district today, PM Modi recalled his 2019 visit and said that the Centre implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) to help members of communities such as Matuas get the country's citizenship.

"Today, there are many memories.. about 4 to 5 years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Orakandi across the border. I met the Matuas there. I went there for the first time as the Prime Minister of India. I performed a puja in the temple. When I went to seek Boro Ma's blessings, her compassion was overwhelming. I will never forget this," PM Modi said. Orakandi is in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister recalled the election win of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee from Kolkata and the support that the Jana Sangh received in the state, especially from 24 Parganas and Nadia.

Mukherjee, the PM said, "always stood by the refugees from East Bengal. Shyama Prasad is considered the spokesperson for the refugees. From the time of Partition till today, all the refugees are our responsibility. It is India's historical responsibility to think about them. That is why Modi brought the CAA. Why was this not done before? I will tell the Matuas and Namasudras that you will be given citizenship, permanent address, papers, and all the rights that all citizens of India get. This is Modi's guarantee," the PM said.

Polling for Phase I of the Assembly elections concluded 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
Mali Defence Minister Killed in Coordinated Jihadist Attacks

Mali's defence minister, Sadio Camara, has died following a suicide truck bombing that targeted his residence near Bamako. Camara was killed by jihadist militants and separatists in a coordinated attack across the country. Authorities said that he died of wounds received while engaging with the attackers. The attack led to the collapse of Camara's residence and the destruction of a nearby mosque, where a number of worshippers were also killed. Reports suggest the assault by the separatists, who seek a breakaway ethnic Tuareg state in the north, was primarily focused on northern cities. The jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) had staged simultaneous attacks on multiple locations across the country. UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the "acts of violence" as he expressed his "solidarity with the Malian people". West Africa's regional bloc, Ecowas, similarly condemned the attacks.

Oil Tanker Hijacked by Pirates Off Somali Coast

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An oil tanker carrying 17 crew members has been hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast, raising fresh concerns over a resurgence of maritime crime in the region. The vessel, Honour 25, was seized by gunmen about 30 nautical miles offshore and later anchored near Puntland. It was transporting 18,500 barrels of oil bound for Mogadishu. The seizure of a tanker headed for the Somali capital, Mogadishu, is likely to increase anxiety in the city, where petrol prices have already tripled since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran. Until three years ago, piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean, once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback, with fishing trawlers or container ships targeted.

Latin American Migrants Deported from U.S. Face Uncertain Future in DR Congo

The first group of 15 Latin American migrants deported from the United States to the Democratic Republic of Congo has arrived in Kinshasa under a controversial third-country deportation programme. They expressed fear and uncertainty about their situation. The migrants, from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, are being housed in Venus Village, a run-down hotel complex on the outskirts of the capital. They were granted one-week visas on arrival, and they must now decide whether to return to their home countries or remain in the country. The DR Congo is one of several African nations that have agreed to take in deported migrants.

Ruto Defends Reforms, Pledges Results-Driven Leadership

President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to addressing the challenges facing Kenyans. He said that the government is focused on delivering solutions rather than shifting blame. Speaking during a church service at Presbyterian Teachers' College in Chuka Igambang'ombe Constituency, Tharaka-Nithi County, the President said his government has identified key issues and is implementing bold reforms across sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He also mentioned ongoing development projects, including modern markets, affordable housing, road expansion, and electricity line installation. He reiterated that his focus is on long-term transformation, not short-term political gains. The President expressed confidence that Kenyans would re-elect him in the 2027 general election, citing his government's economic development record. He has urged citizens to judge leaders according to their achievements.

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Mozambique Warns of Mounting Crisis in Cabo Delgado

Mozambique's relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD), has warned that humanitarian assistance in the northern province of Cabo Delgado is under pressure from the combination of terrorist raids and climatic shocks, which affect the same communities. The INGC Cabo Delgado delegate, Marques Naba, said the humanitarian response must be adjusted to "a complex and simultaneous scenario'. Naba said that during the current rainy season, 4,570 houses were affected, of which 1,316 were destroyed. At least 434,000 people remain displaced by conflict in Cabo Delgado. But 678,000 people who had been formerly displaced have been able to return to their home areas.
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump and his national security team are discussing a fresh proposal from Iran to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the proposal was discussed at the highest level but declined to confirm if it is being considered. Iran's proposal includes reopening the strait and ending the war, with nuclear negotiations deferred to a later stage. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared Tehran's red lines with Pakistan and thanked Russia's Vladimir Putin for support.

White House confirms President Trump and his team are discussing Iran's fresh proposal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington DC, April 28 The White House on Sunday confirmed that a fresh proposal from Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is being discussed by US President Donald Trump and his national security team.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the proposal has been taken up at the highest level. "I can confirm the president has met with his national security team this morning - the meeting may be ongoing, maybe not... The proposal was being discussed... I wouldn't say they are considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don't want to get ahead of and you'll hear directly from the president, I am sure, on this topic very soon," she said.

The proposal sent by Iran outlines a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the conflict, with a condition that negotiations on its nuclear programme be held at a later stage. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical maritime route for global energy supplies, and its closure has contributed to tensions and disruptions in the region.

President Trump has maintained that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. Leavitt said that the administration's position on Iran's nuclear programme has been clearly communicated, adding that the president's red lines have been "made very, very clear."

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared a list of Tehran's red lines during his diplomatic visit to Pakistan, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars. These red lines include issues related to Iran's nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. The report stated that the exchange was intended to clarify Iran's position and was not part of direct negotiations with the United States.

Meanwhile, Araghchi expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow's "positions and support" during the recent conflict with the United States, describing Iran-Russia ties as a "strategic partnership". His visit to Russia follows recent trips to Pakistan and Oman, forming part of broader regional consultations.

He stated that discussions in Pakistan focused on the conditions under which Iran-US talks could resume.

According to reports, the proposal was conveyed to the US through Pakistani intermediaries after Washington cancelled a planned visit by its envoys. The United States has demanded that Iran halt uranium enrichment and relocate its nuclear stockpile, while Tehran has called for the removal of US naval restrictions before talks proceed.

- ANI
He was a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson and joined Magnum Photos in 1977

Legendary photographer Raghu Rai has passed away at the age of 83 in a Delhi hospital. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar paid a heartfelt tribute, recalling Rai's contribution to the research for his 2017 thriller 'Indu Sarkar'. Rai, a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson, documented modern India through iconic images of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and figures like Mother Teresa. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri and a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to photography.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar pens emotional note for legendary photographer Raghu Rai, who died at 83. Rai helped with research for the 2017 film 'Indu Sarkar'.

Mumbai, April 26 Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar paid tribute to legendary photographer Raghu Rai after the noted visual storyteller passed away at a private hospital in Delhi on Sunday. He was 83.

The news of his death was confirmed by his family on his official social media, along with a black-and-white portrait of the photographer.

Remembering Rai's contribution and his personal experience with him, Bhandarkar said the photographer had helped him during the research for his 2017 thriller Indu Sarkar . Calling his camera a "compass for truth," the filmmaker shared an emotional note on X.

Taking to social media, Madhur wrote, "Sad to hear of Raghu Rai's sir demise. During my research for the film #InduSarkar, he gave great insight into India's Emergency. His camera was a compass for truth, and his work a meditation on life. Sir you will be deeply missed and forever celebrated. #OmShanti"

Born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang (now in Pakistan), Rai rose to global prominence as a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who nominated him to join Magnum Photos in 1977, an achievement that cemented his place among the world's elite photographers.

His work forms a visual chronicle of modern India. From the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy to portraits of figures like Mother Teresa and Indira Gandhi, Rai documented both historic milestones and everyday life. His images of Indian streets and the banks of the Ganges remain iconic representations of the country's spirit.

He was awarded Padma Shri in 1972 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for his decades of service to photography.

- ANI
The Railway Ministry has clarified that reports claiming the removal of 30,000 posts are incorrect and misleading. The ministry stated that the exercise is a routine manpower rationalization, redistributing redundant posts to critical safety-related categories. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced a 90% reduction in railway accidents and a new mobile safety app for track workers. The government is focused on overhauling rail safety and operations to match developed country standards over the next 5-8 years.

Railway Ministry calls reports of removing 30,000 posts incorrect, citing routine manpower rationalization. Focus on safety, new tech for track workers.

New Delhi, April 27 The Ministry of Railways on Sunday said that reports claiming Indian Railways is removing 30,000 posts are "incorrect" and misleading, clarifying that manpower rationalisation is a routine administrative exercise aimed at improving operational efficiency.

The Ministry stated that the exercise primarily involves the redistribution of posts that have become redundant over time and their transfer to critical operational and safety-related categories.

It further clarified that the objective of the exercise is to ensure better utilisation of manpower and strengthen safety mechanisms within the railway system.

According to the Ministry, for the financial year 2025-26, several thousand posts have in fact been created in safety-related categories.

It also made it clear that there is no net reduction in the sanctioned strength of employees in Indian Railways, as being suggested in certain reports.

Earlier on April 22, the All India Track Maintainers Conference was held in Delhi, where Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnav said the government's focus is now on making both rail operations and track workers' safety on par with standards in developed countries.

Speaking to a gathering of trackmen and railway officials, he stated that railway safety and the way track maintenance is done in India are set for a complete overhaul over the next 5-8 years, with new technology replacing century-old practices.

"We don't want to settle there. We want to do even better work. We want to bring Indian Railways to the scale of developed countries," he said, crediting the entire railway workforce and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the progress made so far.

He also noted that for only the second time in India's history, the entire Parliament had worked in support of railway workers during the recent Budget Session.

Vaishnav noted that railway accidents have reduced by 90% in the last decade, but stressed that safety cannot be taken for granted. The bigger challenge, he said, is protecting track maintenance staff who work on live lines. The earlier VHF-based Rakshak system, he explained, often failed in areas with hills, curves or long distances where the signal could not reach. To address this, the Railways has developed a mobile phone-based safety app, currently under pilot in Southern and Western Railways.

"Mobile connectivity through 4G and 5G now covers about 95% of the country. Wherever there is a gap, we will install towers," Vaishnav said. Once the pilot is successful, the app will be provided to 100% of trackmen and keymen for personal safety. "If you are safe, the railway is safe. Your safety is our big responsibility," he added.

- ANI
The OnePlus Nord 6, starting at 38,999, marks a return to the brand's flagship killer roots with a focus on raw performance and durability. It features a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a 165Hz Sunburst AMOLED display, and an unprecedented 9,000mAh battery for 2.5-3 days of casual use. The phone boasts military-grade MIL-STD-810H certification and IP69K rating, making it resistant to high-pressure water jets. With 17 game titles supporting 165 FPS and a massive vapor cooling chamber, it redefines the sub-40K smartphone segment.

OnePlus Nord 6 review: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 165Hz display, 9,000mAh battery, and IP69K durability. Is this the best sub-40K phone of 2026? Find out.

By Himank Tripathi, New Delhi, April 27 The OnePlus Nord 6 has genuinely caught me by surprise. After spending significant time with it, I can tell you it's a return to that 'flagship killer' DNA- prioritizing raw, unadulterated power and utility over the thin, fragile aesthetics of most modern phones.

Starting at Rs 38,999, in my opinion, it effectively resets the bar for what a sub-40k phone should offer in 2026. Here is my detailed, section-wise breakdown of why this device is making so much noise.

Built Like a Tank- A Pivot in Philosophy:

OnePlus has made a fascinating choice with the design this year. They moved to a polycarbonate (plastic) frame and back felt like a 'step down' from the metal-and-glass of previous generations, it serves a very specific purpose which is ruggedness. I was shocked to see array of ratings- IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K and that last one is particularly rare. IP69K means it can survive high-pressure, high-temperature industrial water jets. Combined with MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification, I think this phone is built for those of us who tend to be a bit 'rough' with our tech.

Image courtesy: OnePlus

When I asked OnePlus about this shift away from their usual 'burdenless elegance', they were clear: they wanted to bring flagship-level durability to the Nord series to ensure longevity. Surprisingly, this hasn't tanked the repairability index either, as the internal structure is designed for easier modular swaps. In hand, it feels dense and purposeful. At 217 grams, it has some serious heft, which is the inevitable trade-off for the massive battery inside. The new 'squirkle' camera module at the back is clean and professional, helping the phone sit more stably on a flat surface than the previous vertical designs.

The 'Sunburst' Experience- Beyond 120Hz:

The 6.78-inch Sunburst AMOLED panel is easily the best in this segment for me. This one also comes with a 165Hz refresh rate. While the system UI mostly cruises at 120Hz, that extra headroom is a game-changer for gaming. Interestingly, OnePlus has confirmed that the Nord 6 is capable of running 17 popular game titles at 165 FPS at launch. Eleven of these run at that 'PC-level' refresh rate natively while others use proprietary frame interpolation. OnePlus also confirmed that they are actively working with developers to unlock this headroom for even more titles.

Image courtesy: OnePlus

The 1.5K resolution hits the perfect sweet spot, sharper than standard HD+ but not as battery-draining as a full 2K panel. One of my favorite additions is Aqua Touch 2.0. We've all been in that situation where rain or a sweaty thumb makes the screen go haywire; this tech fixes that, keeping the display perfectly responsive even when wet. Plus, with a peak brightness of 3,600 nits, outdoor visibility is simply not an issue.

The Gaming Juggernaut & Thermal Mastery:

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 turns the Nord 6 into a performance monster. It hit an AnTuTu score of over 2.5 million, which is staggering. But how does it handle a 'cool hour' of gaming? In 25-degree environments, both BGMI and CODM ran consistently at near-perfect 165 FPS (164.7 and 164.5 respectively). The highest temperature measured was around 45.6C, which is identical to the thermal profile of last year's Nord 5, despite the massive jump in frame rates.

Image courtesy: OnePlus

This is supported by a massive 33,147mm vapor cooling chamber and the inclusion of UFS 4.1 storage. That storage standard is a quiet hero here as it's up to 46 per cent more power-efficient than UFS 3.1. It reduces voltage draw and optimizes data caching, which keeps the phone cooler during background tasks. I also noticed Bypass Charging, which isn't just for gaming anymore. You can manually activate it for 4K video recording, live-streaming, or long video calls to bypass the battery and run the phone directly from the wall, significantly reducing heat and battery wear.

The 9,000mAh Revolution:

This is the feature that changed everything for me. The Nord 6 is equipped with a 9,000mAh single-cell Si-Carbon battery with 15 per cent silicon content. This high silicon density is what allows them to cram such a massive capacity into a phone that is only 8.5mm thin. For casual users, this is a 2.5 to 3-day phone. Heavy users can easily expect over 10 hours of Screen-On Time.

The 80W SUPERVOOC charging takes the cell from zero to 100 per cent in about 75 minutes. OnePlus claims this battery is rated for 5 years of healthy usage (1,400 full cycles) before it even hits 80 per cent health. Even the 27W reverse wired charging, which turns your phone into a power bank for your buds, is designed to have zero impact on long-term battery health.

Image courtesy: OnePlus

Connectivity- Range Rocket & 5G-Advanced:

OnePlus is making big claims about connectivity, stating that 5G-Advanced on the Nord 6 can outclass regular 5G by 5x to 8x. To solve the 'death-grip' signal loss, they introduced Range Rocket. It's a dedicated proprietary hardware antenna array paired with a physical Wi-Fi reception-booster chip. It's designed to prioritize signal strength even when you are floors or walls away from your router, or in a 'congested' network like a stadium or airport.

Natural, Sharp, and Reliable Camera:

The camera story is a bit of a 'spec-sheet curveball'. While the swap to the Sony LYT-600 looks like a downgrade, the results are far superior due to the better ISP in the new chipset. The focus is on natural color reproduction, it looks like the world in front of you rather than a filtered version of it. Let me share more specific details:

Daylight: Photos are sharp with excellent dynamic range, and the Dual-axis OIS keeps things stable for shaky hands.

Selfies: The 32MP front camera is a major win, finally supporting 4K 60fps video recording, which is a massive upgrade for creators.

Low Light: The Nord 6 lifts shadows without making them look artificial, resolving textures that older models would just blur away. It's exceptionally clean for this price bracket.

Verdict: Is It the New King?

In my opinion, the OnePlus Nord 6 is a 'pretty solid device in every corner'. It isn't trying to be the thinnest phone on the shelf; it's a powerhouse built for people who actually use their phones hard. If you care about competitive gaming, need a battery that won't die on a long flight, and want a device that can survive the elements, this is the easiest recommendation to make under Rs 40,000. I wish they had a 512GB storage model as well but yes, it's a true OnePlus 15 look alike. With OxygenOS 16 and a promise of updates for 6 years, you could comfortably keep this juggernaut until 2032.

My Rating: 4.5/5

(Disclaimer: The author is an expert in the fields of consumer technology, auto and lifestyle. Views shared here are personal.)

- ANI
Russian Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang to attend a memorial museum opening for North Korean soldiers killed fighting in Ukraine. Volodin conveyed President Putin's greetings and praised North Korea's "fraternal support" in liberating the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. North Korea deployed around 15,000 troops to support Russia after Kim and Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024. Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov also arrived for a working visit with North Korea's top leadership and military command.

Russian Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, praises "fraternal support" in Ukraine war.

Moscow, April 26 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met the visiting Speaker of Russia's lower house in Pyongyang, a media report said Sunday.

Kim met Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who visited the country to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honouring North Korean soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine, according to Russia's Tass news agency.

During the meeting, Volodin conveyed President Vladimir Putin's greetings and best wishes, as well as congratulations on Kim's reelection as Chairman of the State Affairs Directorate.

"It is a great honour for us to be in Pyongyang these days, to participate in the opening of the Memorial Complex and Museum of the Military Exploits of the Heroes of the Foreign Military Operation," he noted.

The Duma Speaker added that the Russian people will never forget the heroism of the North Korean soldiers.

He also expressed gratitude for North Korea's "fraternal support" in "liberating Kursk, when Korean soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with our soldiers and officers, liberating Russian soil from Ukrainian Nazis. Together, we honour the memory of those heroes who died giving their lives for the freedom of our homeland. This is truly a gesture from a friend", according to Tass.

The relationship between Kim and Putin "has become key to building the future, especially during the most difficult times," Volodin added.

North Korea deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the war after Kim and President Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024.

On April 26 last year, Russia declared it had recaptured the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with North Korean troops playing a role in the operation.

Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov arrived in the North on Sunday for a working visit. He was met by the head of the DPRK Military Department, Army General No Gwang-chol, at the airport, Tass said.

"During his visit, the head of the Russian military department will meet with the DPRK's top leadership and the country's armed forces command in Pyongyang and participate in commemorative events," the ministry said.

- IANS
Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang to discuss military cooperation. They agreed to transition ties to a sustainable basis and sign a cooperation plan for 2027-2031. North Korea has deployed around 15,000 troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war. Russia's parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin also visited Pyongyang for a memorial museum opening.

Russian Defence Minister Belousov meets Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang, agrees to sign military cooperation plan for 2027-2031 amid ongoing Ukraine war support.

Pyongyang, April 26 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov held talks in Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian media reported.

They discussed the current state and prospects of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, state-owned news agency TASS reported.

Defence Minister Belousov said: "We agreed with the DPRK Ministry of Defence to transition military cooperation to a sustainable, long-term basis. We are ready to sign a Russian-Korean Military Cooperation Plan for the period 2027-2031 this year."

He also noted that it was a great honour to meet with the leader of North Korea, and thanked him for the traditionally warm welcome extended to the Russian delegation in Pyongyang.

He highlighted that Russian-Korean interstate relations "are at an unprecedentedly high level".

Belousov stated that the North Korean leader's decision to invite a Russian military delegation to the opening of a museum and memorial complex is highly appreciated by the Russian Ministry of Defence. "It is a great honour and privilege for us to take part in this historic event."

"The current year promises to be no less eventful in terms of bilateral contacts in a wide range of areas."

North Korea deployed around 15,000 combat troops to support Russia in the war after leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership treaty in June 2024.

On April 26 last year, Russia declared it had recaptured the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, with North Korean troops playing a role in the operation.

Russia's lower house of parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin visited Pyongyang to attend the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honouring soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Kim also met Volodin earlier, and during the meeting, Volodin conveyed Russian President Putin's greetings and best wishes, as well as congratulations on Kim's reelection as Chairman of the State Affairs Directorate.

- IANS
Patna is emerging as a vibrant startup hub, shifting from a city of job seekers to one of job creators. Co-working spaces like CoWorking Studio Patna provide platforms for young entrepreneurs to innovate locally. Startups such as Turant (logistics), D-Robozone (robotics), and Grihasth (skilled worker platform) are addressing diverse needs. This wave reflects a larger transformation where small cities are becoming centers of innovation and employment.

Discover how Patna is becoming a hub for startups, with young entrepreneurs creating jobs and driving innovation in logistics, robotics, and more.

Patna, April 27 For years, educated youth from small towns moved to metropolitan cities in search of jobs, especially in sectors like BPO, IT, and finance. However, initiatives like Start-up India are now reshaping that narrative.

Smaller cities and towns are no longer just job seekers; they are becoming job creators, with young entrepreneurs launching start-ups and generating employment at the local level.

This shift is clearly visible in Bihar's capital, Patna, where a growing startup ecosystem is taking shape. Co-working spaces and innovation hubs are providing a platform for young minds to collaborate, innovate, and turn their ideas into reality.

At places like CoWorking Studio Patna, multiple start-ups operate under one roof, connecting with teams and clients across cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gaya, while remaining rooted locally.

Highlighting the importance of such spaces, Alok Kumar, Founder of Co Working Studio Patna, said, "People from tier-two cities like Patna often migrate because they find better work culture, salaries, and lifestyle elsewhere. If we want to encourage reverse migration in Bihar, it is essential to develop good office spaces. If an employee is spending eight hours a day somewhere, that space should be comfortable and something they feel proud of."

From this ecosystem has emerged Turant, a logistics start-up that is bridging the gap between local businesses and customers through fast and reliable delivery services. Its founder, Anand Kesari, an IIT graduate, chose to build his venture in his home state rather than moving to a metro city.

Sharing his journey, Kesari said, "I always dreamt of becoming a business tycoon. When I went to college, I understood the concept of entrepreneurship. During my time at IIT Kharagpur in 2012, the startup boom had just begun with companies like Flipkart and Delhivery. That environment inspired me to pursue startups, and I decided to build something of my own."

The innovation wave in Patna is not limited to logistics. Spaces like D-Robozone are fostering advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Young innovators here are transforming ideas into prototypes and real-world products.

One such innovation is an offline chatbot developed to function without internet connectivity an important solution for areas facing network challenges.

Explaining the idea, startup entrepreneur Kajal Kumari said, "We have created a chatbot that works offline. While many chatbots depend on the internet, ours can function even in areas with no connectivity, ensuring people can still get answers to their questions."

Beyond technology, startups in Patna are also addressing everyday needs. Platforms like Grihasth are connecting skilled workers such as contractors and painters, with customers, making services and materials more accessible.

Founder Siddhant Kumar Singh explained, "It is a platform that brings together contractors, painters, and all related services and products like paint, gravel, rods, and sand--so that customers can access everything easily in one place."

The rise of such ventures reflects a larger transformation. Young people who once left small towns in search of opportunities are now creating those opportunities within their own cities.

Patna's growing startup culture stands as a testament to this change. With the right mix of ideas, technology, and support, small cities are rapidly evolving into centres of innovation and employment--defining a new identity for a changing India.

- ANI
Taiwans Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung arrived in Eswatini on Saturday as a special envoy after President Lai Ching-tes visit was canceled. The cancellation followed the unexpected revocation of overflight clearances by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Taiwanese officials blamed Chinas economic coercion for the disruption, calling the move unprecedented. Despite the setback, Lin expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and looked forward to celebrating 58 years of bilateral ties.

Taiwans foreign minister Lin Chia-lung arrives in Eswatini after President Lai Ching-tes visit was canceled due to overflight clearance revocations.

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
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy flagged off India's first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, developed by Skyroot Aerospace, to Sriharikota. The CM stated the state is emerging as an aerospace hub and aims to become a global leader by 2047. Telangana recorded the highest engineering export growth in India at 117.9% between 2023-24 and 2024-25. Skyroot CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana expressed interest in collaborating with Young India Skills University for talent development.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy flags off Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, India's first private orbital rocket, marking a milestone in aerospace growth.

Hyderabad, April 26 Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that the state is set to emerge as an aerospace hub in the country and that the government is making large-scale efforts to position it as a leader in the aerospace sector, the release said.

On Saturday, CM Revanth Reddy, along with Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, flagged off the private orbital rocket Vikram--1, designed and developed by Skyroot Aerospace in Hyderabad, to Sriharikota. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said it is encouraging that Skyroot is ready to attempt India's first private orbital launch.

As part of the event, the rocket was ceremonially sent to the launch site at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Skyroot is preparing for India's first private orbital launch in the coming months. The CM praised the Skyroot team, describing the development of India's first private orbital rocket in Hyderabad as a milestone in the state's aerospace growth.

He noted that the company launched its first rocket in 2022, and reaching the orbital launch stage in such a short time is commendable.

The CM stated that Telangana ranks first in India in the aerospace sector. Global giants such as Boeing, Airbus, and Safran already have a presence in the state.

He added that Telangana aims to become a global leader in aerospace by 2047 and that the government considers aerospace a key growth sector. Since December 2023, Telangana has recorded remarkable growth in engineering exports.

According to central government statistics, Telangana registered the highest growth in engineering exports in the country, 117.9% between 2023-24 and 2024-25. Aircraft components and defense equipment significantly contributed to this growth.

The CM said the government is focusing on skill development for youth in line with aerospace industry needs through partnerships with global universities and industrial giants. The government will support companies like Skyroot with policies, infrastructure, and talent.

He explained that skilled training programs aligned with industry needs will be implemented through Young India Skills University, Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs), and upgraded polytechnic colleges. Both ATCs and polytechnic institutions will be brought under the Skills University.

He added that special emphasis is being placed on training instructors in these institutions. Tata Technologies is already providing training to staff in ATCs across the state.

Responding to the CM's suggestion, Skyroot Aerospace CEO and co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana expressed interest in collaborating with Young India Skills University. He described the Skills University concept as unique and said it would help the company access the talent it needs. He noted that the biggest challenge faced by industries is the availability of skilled and trained personnel, and that partnering with the Skills University would be beneficial.

The CM also invited Skyroot to visit the ATC in Mallepally, Hyderabad, and highlighted the flexibility offered by the Skills University in updating curricula based on industry requirements.

He also spoke about government plans to address shortcomings in the state's school education system. Despite spending Rs 1.08 lakh per student annually in government schools, the outcomes are not meeting expectations, he said, adding that a comprehensive plan has been prepared to address this issue.

The event was attended by the CM's Special Secretary B Ajith Reddy, Skyroot co-founder and COO Naga Bharath Daka, and others.

- ANI
The Madurai Chithirai festival has commenced with heavy security and traffic restrictions across the city. Lakhs of devotees are expected for key rituals at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, including the celestial wedding and chariot procession. Authorities have enforced traffic diversions, parking bans, and a complete vehicular ban on certain roads during peak events. Police urge visitors to follow guidelines to ensure a safe and orderly conduct of the festival.

Tight security and traffic restrictions are in place as the Madurai Chithirai festival begins, with lakhs of devotees expected for key rituals at the Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Madurai, April 27 Tight security arrangements and extensive traffic restrictions have been put in place across Madurai, Tamil Nadu, as the famed Chithirai festival commenced, with lakhs of devotees expected to throng the city for key rituals over the next three days.

According to police, elaborate crowd management measures have been made around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, where major events, including the Meenakshi Amman darshan, the celestial wedding (Thirukalyanam), and the grand chariot procession, are scheduled from Monday through Wednesday.

Authorities said the restrictions are aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of devotees while preventing congestion in the temple precincts and surrounding roads. Traffic diversions have been enforced across key stretches in the city. While goods vehicles such as mini trucks will be allowed to enter and exit the city during their usual permitted hours, a complete ban on their movement will be in force on four major roads from 10 p.m. on Tuesday until 3 p.m. the following day.

Special restrictions have also been imposed in view of ceremonial processions, including the 'Dikkuvijayam' event on Keezh Masi Street, during which goods vehicles will not be allowed on any of the Masi roads. However, limited movement will be permitted on other Masi roads between Monday night and early Tuesday morning until 2 a.m.

Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced across festival zones. Police said that from 10 p.m. on Monday to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, parking of public vehicles will be prohibited on all four Avani Moola streets. In addition, from 10 p.m. on Tuesday until the conclusion of the temple car procession, no vehicles -- including two-wheelers -- will be allowed to park on the four Masi streets surrounding the temple.

Authorities have also announced a complete vehicular ban on Keezh Masi Street and Keezhamarath Street throughout Wednesday. On other Masi roads, vehicle movement will be permitted only during designated hours.

To manage the influx of devotees, designated parking arrangements have been introduced. Vehicles will be allowed to park on the four Marret streets in a manner that does not obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement.

Permit-based parking has been implemented on Avani Moola streets from Tuesday morning, with specific zones earmarked for different permit holders.

Police have urged visitors, including those attending wedding ceremonies in the area, to follow parking guidelines and avoid congestion. Vehicles without permits must be parked along East, South, and North Masi streets without disrupting traffic flow.

Officials said the coordinated measures are essential to ensure a safe and orderly conduct of one of Tamil Nadu's largest religious festivals.

- IANS
Parliament has expressed condolences to the family of retired Judge President Achmat Naeem Jappie who passed away at the age of 70.

The retired Judge President had served for nearly two decades on the bench.

"His passing is a profound loss not only to the Judiciary and legal profession, but to the broader constitutional project of South Africa.

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"On behalf of Parliament, the Presiding Officers extend their heartfelt condolences to his wife, Judge Soraya Hassim, his children, family, colleagues, and all who were touched by his life and service," Parliament said in a statement.

The respected jurist was appointed to the bench in 1998, just four years after South Africa's transition to a democratic dispensation.

"His leadership as Deputy Judge President and later Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, as well as his service as an Acting Justice of the Constitutional Court and at the Labour Appeal Court, reflected the high regard in which he was held and was an affirmation of his deep commitment to the rule of law and as a principled advocate of the constitutional values that underpin South Africa's democracy - integrity, fairness, accountability, and fidelity to the law.

"Through his judicial service, including his contribution to South Africa's evolving legal jurisprudence, Judge President Jappie formed part of a generation of jurists who have, over time, shaped and affirmed the principles of constitutional supremacy, legality, and accountability in the exercise of public power.

"This body of jurisprudence continues to guide all arms of state, including Parliament, in ensuring that legislative processes, executive oversight, and institutional conduct remain firmly grounded in the Constitution," the statement read.

Jappie retired in 2021 but continued to serve as Chairperson of a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.

"Even in retirement, Judge President Jappie continued to serve the nation with distinction, including through his role in judicial conduct processes, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to institutional accountability and ethical governance," the statement concluded.

Earlier in the week, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, on behalf of the South African Judiciary, expressed sadness at the passing of the retired Judge President.

READ | Condolences for respected jurist

Jappie died on Wednesday, following a short illness.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the evacuation of over 20,000 sailors trapped in commercial vessels at the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that using merchant shipping as a political tool is causing a mounting humanitarian toll. About 1,000 Indian sailors are among those stranded, with three Indian-flagged ships attacked by Iran. Guterres also cautioned that prolonged disruption could trigger a global food emergency, especially affecting Africa and South Asia.

UN chief Antonio Guterres urges evacuation of 20,000 stranded sailors in Hormuz, warns of global food emergency amid Iran tensions.

United Nations, April 27 Warning the humanitarian toll is mounting because of the blockade of the Strait of the Hormuz, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for ending the use of merchant shipping as a tool of political pressure.

At meeting of the Security Council on maritime security, he also made a plea on behalf of the sailors trapped in Hormuz region, asking for the implementation of an emergency plan to evacuate

More than 20,000 seafarers remain stranded at sea in the over 2,000 commercial vessels "caught in a web of risks and restrictions to navigation", he said.

"Their safety, their well-being, and their rights must be protected -- at all times, and in all waters", he said.

He urged member nations to support the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) emergency evacuation framework for a coordinated plan "to ensure the safe movement, assistance, and protection of affected crews".

About 30 Indian-flagged ships with over 1,000 personnel are trapped in the Hormuz region, according to reports, and three Indian-flagged ships have been attacked by Iran.

Thousands of other Indian sailors are reported stuck in ships of other countries stranded in the zone, and three have died in attacks on their vessels.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called for upholding the "traffic separation scheme or maritime corridor" involving Iran and Oman devised by his organisation and which the two countries accepted.

Guterres warned: "Prolonged disruption risks triggering a global food emergency - pushing millions, especially in Africa and South Asia, into hunger and poverty".

Since 20 per cent of oil and gas, and a third of internationally traded fertilisers pass through the strait, he said, "Safe, unimpeded passage is an economic and humanitarian imperative".

"The economic shock has been immediate -- and everyone is paying the price," he said.

He said he opposed the imposition on tolls on shipping.

The chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, told the Iranian government TV that a legislation measure would impose tolls that would be collected in Ryals.

Dominguez said, "There is no legal basis for any country to introduce payments or impose tolls, fees, or discriminatory conditions on international straits".

- IANS
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for renewed efforts to revive the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at its 11th Review Conference. He warned that the treaty is eroding, commitments remain unfulfilled, and nuclear warheads are increasing for the first time in decades. Guterres urged countries to recommit to disarmament and non-proliferation, emphasizing new threats from artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The conference runs from April 27 to May 22 at UN Headquarters in New York.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges global action to reinvigorate the NPT, warning of rising nuclear threats and the need for disarmament.

Washington, April 27 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for renewed efforts to "bring life" into the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Across the decades, the international community developed a web of instruments to prevent the use, proliferation and testing of nuclear weapons, and achieve their total elimination, with the NPT as the bedrock of those efforts, Guterres said at the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT, which will run from April 27 to May 22 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Warning that the treaty has been eroding, commitments remain unfulfilled, trust and credibility are wearing thin, and the drivers of proliferation are accelerating, Guterres said: "This conference provides a timely opportunity to stand together and safeguard humanity from the grave threat of nuclear annihilation," reported Xinhua news agency.

Noting that "a state of collective amnesia has taken hold" and "nuclear sabers rattle once more," the UN chief said that for the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is "on the rise" and nuclear testing is "back on the table."

"We need to breathe life into the treaty once more," he stressed, urging countries to keep their promises under the NPT.

"It's time to re-commit to disarmament and non-proliferation as the only true path to peace, by reinforcing the norm against nuclear testing, by strengthening the safeguards system and the IAEA's (International Atomic Energy Agency) oversight, and by agreeing (on) the measures needed to prevent nuclear war," he said.

The UN chief underlined that the nuclear threat is compounded by new dangers from rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, noting that the treaty must grapple with the nexus between nuclear weapons and new technologies.

"With your support and engagement, the treaty can remain an active and strong foundation for a world free of nuclear weapons in our fast-moving age," said the secretary-general.

"So before it's too late: let's break the collective amnesia around nuclear weapons. Let's renew faith in what we can achieve when we stand as one. Let's act with urgency to lift this cloud hanging over humanity," he said.

- IANS
The 80th UNGA President, Annalena Baerbock, has arrived in India for an official visit at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The visit underscores India's steadfast engagement with the United Nations. Baerbock will discuss key multilateral issues, pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, and hold a session on AI governance. She will also travel to China for bilateral meetings with Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

UNGA President Annalena Baerbock visits India at EAM Jaishankar's invitation, discusses multilateral issues, AI governance, and pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

New Delhi, April 28 The 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, has arrived in India for her official visit, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. According to MEA, her visit reaffirms India's "steadfast" engagement with the United Nations.

In a post on X, the MEA said, "A warm welcome to @UN_PGA Ms. Annalena Baerbock on her official visit to India. The visit reaffirms India's steadfast engagement with the UN."

According to the official statement by the MEA issued on Saturday, the UNGA President has arrived at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar.

The statement added, "During the visit, EAM and PGA will discuss key multilateral issues of mutual interest".

Baerbock will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat as part of her programme, it added.

She will also have an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) on governance and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the statement said.

According to the media advisory issued by the UNGA President's office, Baerbock will also visit China on April 29-30 (Wednesday and Thursday), at the invitation of the Government of China.

Highlighting the broader agenda of the visit, the advisory noted, "As India and China are two key supporters of the United Nations and multilateralism, the President of the General Assembly will discuss current global issues and challenges for the international order and stress the importance of upholding the UN Charter, strengthening the United Nations, and intensifying multilateral cooperation on all three pillars of the United Nations."

In Beijing, she is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, alongwith interactions with the UN Country Team in China.

Earlier, Spokesperson for the 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly, La Neice Collins, announced that the UNGA President Annalena Baerbock will be visiting New Delhi next week. According to the spokesperson, in India, the UNGA President will hold multiple bilateral meetings with various government officials as well as meet with the UN country team in India.

Addressing a noon briefing on Thursday (local time), Collins said, "The PGA will undertake official duty travel to New Delhi. And then next week, Wednesday and Thursday, she will also be on official duty, travelling to Beijing."

She added that further details would be shared soon, noting, "We will send out a media advisory with more information on that, but she is travelling at the invitation of the governments of India and China."

Highlighting the agenda in India, Collins stated, "And while in India, she will hold multiple bilateral meetings with various government officials as well as meet with the UN country team in India, led by UN resident coordinator, Stephan Prisner."

Speaking about the China visit, she said, "And then in China, she will also hold bilateral meetings with various government officials, and she will also meet with the UN country team in China, which is led by the UN resident coordinator there, Stephen Jackson."

- ANI
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia advised people to carry an onion as a traditional remedy to beat heatwave conditions, saying he avoids air conditioning due to his "Chambal skin." The India Meteorological Department warned of severe heatwave across many parts of the country, with temperatures reaching up to 46.9 degrees Celsius at Akola. Scindia made the remarks while addressing the public in Shivpuri, emphasizing the value of Ayurvedic practices. The IMD forecast heatwave conditions in multiple states including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh through late April.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says he avoids AC in 51C heat, calls it 'Chambal skin', and advises carrying an onion to beat heatwave conditions.

Shivpuri, April 27 Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said he avoids air conditioning even in extreme summer heat, describing it as part of having "Chambal skin," and advised people to carry an onion as a traditional remedy.

Addressing the public in Shivpuri on Sunday, Scindia said, "I don't use air conditioning in my car, nor do I sit in an air-conditioned environment. And when people ask me, even in the 51-degree heat of May and June, I say, 'This is Chambal skin.' And let me tell you something else: I look a little young, but my soul is very old. Keep an onion in your pocket."

"Nothing will happen to you. And in today's times, everyone is carrying boxes. The communication minister is carrying onions. These are old things. And as Ayurveda progresses, we shouldn't forget these things," he said.

Meanwhile on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department warned of heatwave conditions across several parts of the country.

IMD said that maximum temperatures are in the range of 40-46 degrees Celsius over most parts of the country, except the western Himalayan region, northeast Bihar and northeast India, where temperatures remain below 36 degrees Celsius.

The weather agency further informed that the highest maximum temperature of 46.9 degrees Celsius was recorded at Akola.

The India Meteorological Department forecasted heat wave to severe heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Himachal Pradesh on April 26 and heat wave conditions on April 27.

The weather department said heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Jammu and Kashmir on April 26 and 27, and across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat during the same period, with similar conditions expected over parts of Chhattisgarh till April 28.

Hot and humid weather conditions are also very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Tripura, coastal Maharashtra and coastal areas of Gujarat on April 26, while such conditions are expected over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Kerala during the specified period.

- ANI
The United States Central Command has announced that American forces are maintaining a strict maritime blockade against Iranian ports, directing 38 ships to turn around. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia for high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin. Despite diplomatic setbacks, Iran has transmitted written messages to the US via Pakistan and reportedly offered a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade and Strait closure have disrupted global oil and gas supplies, causing price surges and food security fears in developing countries.

US forces turn back 38 ships from Iranian ports as maritime blockade continues. Iran sends FM to Russia, offers new proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz.

Florida, April 27 The United States Central Command has announced that American forces are maintaining a strict maritime restrictive operation in the region, continuing to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports.

According to official statements, these forces are actively preventing ships from entering or exiting Iranian waters as part of a sustained effort to monitor and control movement into strategic coastal hubs.

The enforcement comes as the military closely monitors maritime traffic to ensure compliance with the ongoing restrictions. Highlighting the scale of the operation, a post on X confirmed that "American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port."

Against the backdrop of this intense maritime squeeze and a persistent deadlock in Tehran-Washington peace negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for a high-level meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

This visit to Moscow marks a significant intensification of Iran's diplomatic outreach, following Araghchi's recent high-stakes consultations in Islamabad and Muscat. The diplomatic push in the Russian capital is expected to deepen, as the Foreign Minister is also set to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

These discussions come at a critical juncture, particularly after US President Donald Trump's decision on Saturday to cancel a scheduled visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The cancellation appeared to stall direct mediation efforts at a time when regional tensions are at a peak.

Despite this diplomatic setback, communications between the two adversaries appear to remain active through back-channels. According to the Fars news agency, Tehran has transmitted "written messages" to the Americans via Pakistan.

These communications reportedly define specific red lines regarding Iran's nuclear programme and the strategic situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The urgency of these exchanges is underscored by the broader regional instability and its severe global fallout.

While the ceasefire involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has generally remained intact, Iran's decision to shut the Strait of Hormuz has crippled the global movement of oil, gas, and fertiliser. This disruption has led to a surge in prices and escalating fears of food insecurity in developing countries.

Initial hopes for a second round of negotiations in Pakistan were closely linked to the proposed visit by Witkoff and Kushner. However, those prospects were dampened when President Trump abruptly cancelled the mission, dismissing the potential for progress by describing the process as "sitting around talking about nothing."

Nevertheless, following the cancellation of the high-profile Islamabad talks last week, "fresh signs" of diplomatic movement have surfaced. According to a report by Axios, which cited a US official, Tehran has reportedly provided Washington with a "new proposal" aimed at the dual objectives to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war."

As part of this diplomatic framework, Iran has also suggested a move to "postpone nuclear negotiations" until a subsequent phase of the peace process, offering a potential pathway to de-escalate the maritime and economic crisis.

- ANI
Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev warns that stalled US-Iran talks could lead to another attack. He notes Iran's swing diplomacy with Russia and other allies. Trump seeks Iran's enriched uranium as a trophy, but Iran refuses to surrender it. Iran proposes focusing on the Strait of Hormuz before nuclear weapons.

Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev warns that stalled US-Iran negotiations could trigger a massive attack, as Iran engages in swing diplomacy with Russia.

New Delhi, April 27 Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev on Monday said that as Iran is reaching out to a newer set of its allies, including Russia.

Sachdev, while speaking to ANI, said that there could be another attack on Iran if the talks go on without any solution.

"If these negotiations continue to stretch out without progress, there is a real possibility of another attack on Iran. As of now, the discussions seem to be going in circles. The United States could grow tired of the delay, and key players like Netanyahu may pressure the Americans to push for an attack to obliterate the regime. Unfortunately, this may simply be the lull before the storm, potentially leading to a massive attack by the United States and Israel in the coming days," he said.

He pondered if Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's multi nation tour is a harbinger of potential change in current geopolitical landscape.

"Iran is currently engaging in swing diplomacy, reaching out to its allies like Pakistan and Oman. The Iranian Foreign Minister recently visited Pakistan, then Oman, returned to Pakistan, and has now gone to Russia. These visits raise questions about the current geopolitical landscape and the specific role Russia might play in these developments," he said.

Sachdev said that Russia's role remains shrouded but earlier during a nuclear deal, it airlifted tons of uranium from Iran.

"The exact role of Russia remains uncertain, but they historically played a significant part in the previous nuclear deal with the West, during which approximately 12.5 tons of Iranian uranium was airlifted to Russia. Beyond this historical linkage, these visits likely aim to fortify Iran's strategic relations with Russia. Given the threat of an impending war, this support could involve technology, ammunition, or further strategic backing from Russia, in addition to discussions regarding an overall ceasefire," he said.

Sachdev further said that Trump just wants the 'trophy', i.e. Iran's uranium to create an impact like he did with Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro.

"The crux of the matter appears to be the "trophy" that Trump wants: the enriched uranium currently held by Iran. He seeks a visible symbol of success, much like his spectacular actions regarding Maduro, so he can clearly claim victory. Iran, however, is adamant about not giving up its uranium. While they relocated uranium during the Obama-era deal pursuant to diplomatic talks, doing so now would be viewed as a surrender in a time of war. Because of this, many of the current discussions seem to be beating around the bush," he said.

Sachdev further said that Iran has proposed focusing on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz before discussing nuclear weapons.

"Iran has proposed focusing on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz before discussing nuclear weapons. From Iran's perspective, this is a logical move. They would be willing to open the Strait as long as the United States lifts its blockade, allowing the flow of shipping to resume and the world economy to recover. Under this scenario, a ceasefire would begin, but Iran's enriched uranium would remain within its borders. This allows supply lines to flow again, but it leaves the United States without the removal of the uranium it seeks," he said.

Sachdev then said that further issues that are sticking points in the deal- are Iran demanding reparations for damage, and its missile program.

"Other significant issues remain, such as Iran's missile program and their claims for compensation. The extent to which Iran can continue testing and developing long-distance missiles remains a major sticking point. If a compromise is reached only regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Iran would maintain the upper hand in this complex game of chess," he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has communicated a definitive list of Tehran's "red lines" to be passed to the United States during his recent diplomatic mission to Pakistan, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars.

- ANI
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly criticized Iran's attempts to regulate or monetize passage through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an illegitimate claim over an international waterway. In an interview with Fox News, he warned that Washington would not tolerate any system where Iran decides who can use the strait or how much they must pay. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump underscored the urgent need to restore maritime traffic through the strategic chokepoint, citing severe consequences for the global economy. Iran's central bank confirmed it has received cash revenue from new transit fees for vessels passing through the strait, escalating tensions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns Iran against normalizing tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital for global oil trade.

Washington DC, April 28 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday strongly criticised attempts by Iran to regulate or monetise the passage of vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, warning that such actions would not be accepted by Washington and amount to an illegitimate claim over an international waterway.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said the United States would reject any effort to "normalise" a system in which Iran dictates access to one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

"If what they mean by opening the Straits is 'Yes, the straits are open as long as you coordinate with Iran. Get our permission, or we'll blow you up and pay us.' That's not opening the Strait. That is an international waterway," Rubio said.

"They cannot normalise, nor can we tolerate them trying to normalise, a system in which the Iranians decide who gets to use an international waterway and how much you have to pay them to use it," he added.

His remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding maritime security in the Gulf region, particularly the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments pass.

The Strait has seen major disruptions affecting global trade and energy supply chains due to the ongoing power struggle between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier on Sunday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump underscored the "urgent need" to restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a statement from the UK Prime Minister's Office, the two leaders, during a phone conversation, exchanged their views on wider developments in West Asia and recent security incidents in Washington.

Both leaders focused on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, highlighting the "urgent need to get shipping moving again" in the waterway, citing potential "severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally".

The leaders also reviewed ongoing diplomatic and security efforts aimed at safeguarding maritime navigation, including updates from a joint initiative led by the UK and France.

"The Prime Minister shared the latest progress on his joint initiative with President Macron to restore freedom of navigation, following the military planning conference at Northwood this week," the statement added.

Meanwhile, last week, Iran's central bank confirmed that revenue from newly introduced transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz has been successfully deposited, putting to rest speculation over the form of payment, as reported by Iranian state media Press TV.

According to Press TV, the income was received in "cash currency" and credited to the central bank's accounts.

- ANI
Veteran actor Bharat Kapoor passed away in Mumbai at the age of 80. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit paid tribute, describing him as a talented actor with an exceptional ability to memorize long scripts. Kapoor was known for his villainous roles in Hindi films despite his quiet nature. He acted in numerous films and TV shows over a career spanning nearly four decades.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit pays tribute to veteran actor Bharat Kapoor, who passed away at 80. Known for his exceptional memory and iconic villain roles in Hindi films.

New Delhi, April 28 Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit paid tribute to veteran actor Bharat Kapoor, who passed away in Mumbai at the age of 80 years. He described him as a "talented actor" who had an exceptional ability to memorise long scripts.

The actor breathed his last in Mumbai, bringing an end to a career that made him a familiar face for generations of viewers.

Actor Avtar Gill, who shared a close bond with Bharat Kapoor, confirmed the news of Bharat Kapoor's passing to ANI. "He was sick for the last two to three days. He was at home. He died at home at around 3 pm in the afternoon. And I got a call from his son at around 4-4.30 pm. He had stopped working for a long time," Gill said.

In an interview with ANI, Ashoke Pandit called the actor a "fine actor and human being". He described the demise of the actor as a "loss to the industry."

Ashoke Pandit, "He was a fine actor and a great human being. As an actor, he also remembered his lines so well. His performance was also good. I have spent a lot of time with Bharat ji and in all three things, film, theatre and television. I have worked with him in all three formats. So it's a loss to the industry, and he was really not well for quite some time."

While sharing his work experience with Bharat Kapoor, Ashoke Pandit called Bharat Kapoor a "huge surprise" in front of the camera, as the late actor was a quiet person by nature but was well-known for his villainous roles in the movies.

"He was basically a very big surprise on camera. He used to stay quiet, and whenever he was in front of the camera, he used to remember his lines. He used to remember big pages, 8-10 pages. Then, after seeing him, because he was such a sober person, it didn't seem that he would play a negative role. And he looked like a villain or that kind of thing. He had a very soft face, but when he used to come on stage or cinema or television, he used to really be magic, actually, as far as performance is concerned," said Ashoke Pandit.

The actor's last rites were held later in the evening in the presence of family members and close friends. Bharat Kapoor began his acting journey in 1972 and built a career that lasted nearly four decades. He became known for his strong supporting parts and villain roles, earning respect in the industry for his steady performances.

He was seen in many popular Hindi films over the years, including 'Noorie' (1979), 'Ram Balram' (1980), 'Love Story' (1981), 'Bazaar' (1982), 'Ghulami' (1985), 'Aakhree Raasta' (1986), 'Satyamev Jayate' (1987), 'Swarg' (1990), 'Khuda Gawah' (1992), and 'Rang' (1993).

Later, he continued to work in films such as 'Barsaat' (1995), 'Saajan Chale Sasural' (1996), and 'Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities' (2004), showing his ability to stay relevant across changing times in cinema.

Apart from films, Bharat Kapoor also worked successfully on television. He appeared in shows like 'Campus,' 'Parampara,' 'Rahat,' 'Saans,' 'Amanat,' 'Tara,' 'Chunauti,' and 'Kahani Chandrakanta Ki.'

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised bamboo artisans Bijay Sutradhar and Pradip Chakraborty from Tripura in the 133rd Mann Ki Baat episode. The artisans expressed happiness and gratitude for the recognition, which brought pride to their communities. Modi highlighted the 2017 law change that removed bamboo from the tree category, boosting the sector in the Northeast. The Tripura Bamboo Mission has supported these artisans, providing jobs and enabling production of various bamboo products.

Bijay Sutradhar and Pradip Chakraborty express gratitude after PM Modi highlighted their bamboo work in the 133rd Mann Ki Baat episode, boosting the sector.

Agartala, April 27 Bamboo artisan from Tripura's Gomati district, Bijay Sutradhar, has expressed happiness and gratitude after being praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 133rd edition of the monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Visuals from the workshop of bamboo artisan Bijay Sutradhar showcased his work and reaction following the mention in the Prime Minister's monthly radio programme aired on Sunday.

Speaking to ANI, Sutradhar said, "I'm very happy that the Prime Minister mentioned me. I've been working with bamboo for about 25 years... The way he praised me made the people in my village, and me, very happy... I want to thank Tripura Bamboo Mission. They helped me set up a factory."

Meanwhile on Sunday, addressing the nation during his 133rd edition of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister spoke about the success of the Northeast in the Bamboo sector.

He elaborated that what was once viewed as a burden is now giving new impetus to employment, business, and innovation. According to British law, Bamboo was defined as a tree, and the rules associated with it were very strict.

"It was very difficult to transport Bamboo anywhere, and people started moving away from Bamboo-related businesses as a result. Our Government changed the law in 2017 and removed Bamboo from the tree category, and today, the Bamboo sector is flourishing throughout the Northeast," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned Bijoy Sutradhar of Gomati district of Tripura and Pradeep Chakraborty of South Tripura, who saw a huge opportunity for themselves due to the law change, and integrated their work with technology.

After being mentioned in the Mann Ki Baat episode, another bamboo artisan Pradip Chakraborty also expressed his immense gratitude, noting that it has brought pride to his entire community.

"I want to thank the Prime Minister for mentioning our work. After the programme, I received many calls from relatives and friends, which made me feel proud and happy to be part of this journey," Chakraborty told ANI.

Highlighting his journey and inspiration in the work, he emphasised the support from 'Tripura Bamboo Mission'. "The Tripura Bamboo Mission has supported us greatly. Today, 15-20 women work here daily, earning up to Rs 7,000 each month. We produce around 150-200 bamboo products, including bags, jewellery boxes and photo frames. The recognition in Mann Ki Baat has encouraged me to expand this work even further," he said.

Earlier, the Tripura government launched the Tripura Bamboo Mission in PPP mode for the integrated development of the bamboo sector in Tripura, with its implementation beginning from August 2007.

The Mission is focused on the development of 4 sub-sectors, namely, Bamboo Plantations, Bamboo Handicrafts, Bamboo Incense Sticks and Bamboo Industrial Applications. The role played by TBM has resulted in increased turnover as well as livelihood generation.

- ANI
Tim Robbins shared a touching memory of Morgan Freeman defining true friendship as "getting the other a cup of coffee" during the making of 'The Shawshank Redemption'. The actors' real-life bond mirrored the film's central friendship between Andy Dufresne and Red. The movie, based on Stephen King's novella, explores themes of hope and resilience despite harsh prison realities. Robbins paid tribute to Freeman's generosity and talent in an old Oscar ceremony video that recently resurfaced online.

Tim Robbins shares Morgan Freemans profound take on friendship from 'The Shawshank Redemption' set. Watch the heartfelt Oscar tribute video.

Los Angeles, April 26 Hollywood actor Tim Robbins once shared how his co-actor Morgan Freeman told him a very important thing about friendship during the making of the iconic film 'The Shawshank Redemption'.

An old video of the actor from one of the Oscar ceremonies has resurfaced on the Internet, and it shows Tim Robbins talking about Morgan Freeman.

He said, "Morgan, we became friends working together on the Shawshank Redemption, for which you were nominated for an Academy Award. The film follows the trajectory of a friendship, and that friendship was easily mirrored in real life on the set".

He further mentioned, "I'll never forget what you said to me about friendship on the last day of shooting. You said, being a friend is getting the other a cup of coffee. Can you do that for me, Ted? It is Ted, isn't it? It became so close. Honestly, Morgan is an extremely giving actor and a master at his craft, and an inspiration to all those lucky enough to have the chance to work with him. Morgan, I salute you and your tremendous talent, and I'm always proud to call you my friend when you take the call".

'The Shawshank Redemption' is considered one of the greatest films ever made, and is celebrated for its emotional depth, timeless storytelling, and powerful themes of hope and resilience.

The film is based on a novella by Stephen King, and follows Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongly imprisoned for murder, as he navigates life inside the Shawshank prison. Through his friendship with fellow inmate Red, played by Morgan Freeman, the story explores loyalty, patience, and the human ability to endure hardship. Directed by Frank Darabont, the movie balances harsh prison realities with moments of optimism and quiet victory. Though it was not a massive box-office hit upon release, it gained legendary status through word of mouth and television reruns. Its unforgettable dialogue, emotional payoff, and message that "hope is a good thing" continue to resonate with audiences across generations.

- IANS
The White House Correspondents' Annual Dinner has been postponed after a security incident led to the evacuation of President Donald Trump and senior officials. Multiple gunshots were reported, causing panic among hundreds of attendees including journalists and celebrities. Secret Service and law enforcement quickly secured the scene and apprehended a suspect, with no injuries reported. Trump confirmed the event will be rescheduled within 30 days and announced a press conference from the White House Press Briefing Room.

White House Correspondents' Dinner postponed after security incident. Trump, officials evacuated safely. Suspect apprehended. Event to be rescheduled within 30 days.

Washington, April 26 The White House Correspondents' Annual Dinner has been postponed and will be rescheduled following a security incident that led to the evacuation of US President Donald Trump and other senior officials.

The decision comes after law enforcement advised that the premises be cleared as a precaution, with authorities continuing to assess the situation.

Trump posted on Truth Social, "Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately. I will be giving a press conference in 30 minutes from the White House Press Briefing Room. The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition. We will be speaking to you in a half an hour. I have spoken with all the representatives in charge of the event, and we will be rescheduling within 30 days."

According to officials, preparations are now underway for a press conference at the White House Press Briefing Room, where Trump is expected to provide further details on the incident and the response by security agencies. The administration has confirmed that all key officials, including the First Lady, Vice President, and Cabinet members, are safe and accounted for.

Trump and several senior US officials were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night after multiple gunshots were reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Secret Service agents and other security personnel rushed into the banquet hall as panic spread among attendees. Guests reportedly took cover under tables while security officers urged people to duck.

Following the incident, Trump shared an update on social media, confirming that the situation had been brought under control and praising the swift response of security agencies. He indicated that the suspect had been apprehended and said any decision regarding the continuation of the event would be made by law enforcement authorities.

"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we "LET THE SHOW GO ON" but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we'll just, plain, have to do it again," Trump posted on Truth Social.

Several individuals present at the event said they heard what sounded like five to eight gunshots. The hall, packed with hundreds of journalists, celebrities, and political leaders awaiting the President's address, was quickly evacuated. National Guard personnel were deployed inside the venue, and attendees were escorted out but not allowed to re-enter. Security remained extremely tight in the surrounding area.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact nature of the incident. A law enforcement official said a shooter was involved, though further details were not immediately available.

- IANS
Madhya Pradesh is set to reintroduce wild buffalo after a century-long absence, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launching the project on Tuesday. The initiative will begin with a founder group of four buffaloes released into the Supkhar and Topla regions of Balaghat district. A total of 50 wild buffaloes from Assam's Kaziranga National Park will be translocated to Kanha Tiger Reserve in phases. The project also includes a biodiversity exchange between MP and Assam, involving rhinos, tigers, and crocodiles.

Madhya Pradesh to reintroduce wild buffalo after 100 years. CM Mohan Yadav launches project at Kanha Tiger Reserve with buffaloes from Assam's Kaziranga.

Bhopal, April 27 Madhya Pradesh is set to achieve another landmark in wildlife conservation as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav prepares to launch the wild buffalo reintroduction programme on Tuesday. Following the global attention received by the cheetah project, this initiative aims to restore a species that has been extinct in the state for over a hundred years.

The programme will officially begin in the Supkhar and Topla regions of Balaghat district, where Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will release a founder group consisting of three females and one male into their new natural habitat, said a press release.

This ambitious translocation project involves bringing 50 wild buffaloes from Kaziranga National Park in Assam to the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The first phase is already underway, with eight buffaloes scheduled for transfer during the current season.

The project is being executed with scientific precision under the watchful eyes of senior forest officials and specialised veterinarians from both states. This move is expected to significantly bolster the grassland ecosystem of Kanha and restore a vital ecological balance that was lost due to hunting and habitat degradation over the last century, the press release said.

Beyond the buffalo reintroduction, a broader biodiversity exchange has been established between Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Under an agreement reached between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh will receive two pairs of rhinoceroses for Bhopal's Van Vihar National Park.

In exchange, the state will provide Assam with three tigers and six crocodiles, fostering a new era of inter-state cooperation in wildlife management. This strategic partnership further cements Madhya Pradesh's status as a leader in conservation, adding to its existing reputation as the tiger and leopard state of India.

The Supkhar sanctuary area, located within the sprawling expanse of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Balaghat, serves as a pristine highland meadow ideal for rare herbivores. Characterised by its vast undulating grasslands and perennial water streams, it provides a secluded environment for the reintroduction of wild buffaloes.

Its historical significance is notable, as it was the site of the last recorded wild buffalo sighting in the region back in 1979.

- IANS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso in Chornobyl to discuss restoring the confinement over the fourth power unit damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025. Zelenskyy thanked the EBRD for its support in strengthening nuclear safety and rebuilding Ukraine's energy infrastructure amid the war with Russia. He warned against Russia's reckless actions around sensitive nuclear sites, accusing them of militarising the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelenskyy called for stronger global sanctions on Russia's nuclear sector and enhanced air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso in Chornobyl to discuss restoring the confinement over the damaged reactor and strengthening energy infrastructure.

Kyiv, April 27 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday thanked the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for its continued support to Ukraine's recovery efforts, particularly in strengthening nuclear safety and rebuilding energy infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he met EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso in Chornobyl, stating, "In Chornobyl, I met with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, @OdileRenaud. We discussed consolidating international assistance to restore the confinement over the fourth power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025, as well as to address the long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster."

"Special attention was given to assistance in restoring Ukraine's energy infrastructure and to EBRD investments in key sectors of our economy. I thank the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for its tangible support for Ukraine's resilience," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian President also underscored the broader significance of nuclear safety, warning against what he described as Russia's reckless actions around sensitive nuclear sites. Referring to the historical importance of Chornobyl, Zelenskyy said it was alarming that the exclusion zone had been turned into a theatre of war.

"No one could have imagined that decades after Chornobyl... someone would want to turn Chornobyl... into a territory of war," he said, alleging that Russian forces had used the area for military operations during their advance towards Kyiv.

Zelenskyy further raised concerns about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, accusing Russia of militarising the facility. "They launch attacks from there against our cities and villages... mined its perimeter, and are effectively holding our city of Enerhodar hostage," he said.

He called for stronger global sanctions, including on Russia's nuclear sector, and stressed that only Ukrainian control and safety protocols could ensure the plant's security. "We must also speak clearly about the fact that only Ukrainian control... can guarantee that there will be no radiation-related risks," he added.

Zelenskyy emphasised the need for enhanced air defence systems, stating that strengthening Ukraine's defensive capabilities would help protect critical infrastructure and push Russia towards ending the war.

The visit coincided with commemorations marking four decades since the 1986 Chornobyl disaster, one of the worst nuclear accidents in history.

- ANI
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Thunderstorms, some strong early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low around 50F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Thunderstorms, some strong early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Damaging winds, large hail and possibly a tornado with some storms. Low around 50F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
New evidence shows yoga may support heart and metabolic health in people with excess weight, but the benefits are modest, population-specific, and far from a standalone solution.

Study: Impact of yoga on cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Image credit: PeopleImages/Shutterstock.com

Scientists have recently conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of yoga interventions on cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity. This review has been published in PLOS Global Public Health.

The challenge of high BMI and the role of physical activity

High BMI, indicating overweight and obesity, is a major public health issue tied to increased disease and mortality from cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal conditions. Inactivity further increases metabolic and cardiovascular risks through chronic inflammation and abnormal lipid balance, leading to reduced mobility and quality of life. Consequently, nonpharmaceutical interventions such as exercise are prioritized to address the health and economic impacts of obesity.

Physical activity (PA) is a safe and effective approach for preventing and managing excess body weight and related conditions such as sarcopenia in obese people. However, adults with obesity are generally less active than those without. Pain from inflammation and the stress of excess weight often limit activity, making it a major barrier for those with high BMI. Low- to moderate-intensity physical activity is generally favored because it minimizes pain and discomfort while supporting fitness and weight loss.

Yoga is a low-risk, accessible, and cost-effective exercise that combines movement, breathing, and relaxation. It provides a low to moderate intensity option for individuals with high BMI, enhancing fitness and aiding weight loss, especially for those with low baseline fitness. Additionally, yoga may improve cardiometabolic health by lowering blood pressure, optimizing lipid and glucose levels, and reducing inflammation.

Previous reviews show that yoga improves lipid profiles, blood pressure, blood glucose, and inflammation, but they haven't examined the potential impact of high BMI on these effects. This is a significant research gap, as excess weight can alter metabolic processes, indicating that those with high BMI may respond differently to yoga interventions.

Assessing yogas effects in overweight and obese populations

The current systematic review evaluates the effect of yoga on cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals with high BMI. Research that assessed blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and antioxidants as continuous variables was considered. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the chronic effects of yoga were included.

The authors included studies that evaluated yoga as a multi-component intervention (posture, breathing, and/or meditation). Therefore, those focusing on only one yoga component were excluded.

Studies that included participants with a high BMI according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and WHO AsiaPacific guidelines (23 for Asians, 25 for others) were considered. Research that included participants with comorbidities like diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, or heart failure was excluded because of potential confounding effects.

Meta-analyses used random effects models, calculating mean or standardized mean differences as appropriate. Missing standard deviations were estimated using available data or correlations.

Study characteristics and overview

A comprehensive search across seven databases yielded 17,024 records. A total of 30 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were considered. The majority of the selected studies were conducted in Asia, predominantly India, with the remainder in Indonesia, Korea, the US, Germany, and Australia. The studies involved 2,689 participants, with intervention and control group sizes ranging from 8 to 383 and 8 to 375, respectively.

Most studies included both genders, though some enrolled only males or only females. However, most studies did not explicitly recruit individuals with overweight or obesity, instead including participants whose average BMI met the inclusion criteria, which may have introduced participants with normal BMI into analyses. Few studies specifically targeted overweight or obese individuals. Blood pressure outcomes were mainly reported in participants with prehypertension.

Redox status was assessed using markers such as MDA (malondialdehyde), homocysteine, GSH (glutathione), vitamin E, vitamin C, SOD (superoxide dismutase), and catalase. Inflammatory markers assessed included hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), TNF- (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, sIL 2R, and adiponectin. Adiponectin and sIL-2R were reported in a single study each.

Meta-analysis suggests modest cardiometabolic benefits of yoga in adults with overweight or obesity

Meta-analyses showed that yoga modestly improved glucose metabolism in overweight or obese individuals, particularly on precise measures such as HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) and HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), but had no significant effect on fasting or postprandial glucose.

These effects were generally small, and participants often had normal baseline glucose levels, which may have limited observable improvements. Findings were observed across populations, but substantial variability remained, and no significant improvements for fasting glucose were observed in either Asian or non-Asian groups.

Yoga generally improved lipid profiles by reducing VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides and increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein), although these changes were modest and often below clinically meaningful thresholds. These effects were largely observed in Asian populations. No significant changes were observed in total cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) among non-Asians.

Furthermore, yoga reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in high BMI individuals, especially among Asians, with no significant impact in non-Asian groups. While blood pressure reductions were more consistent, many pooled effects across outcomes did not exceed minimal clinically important differences.

It also reduced most pro-inflammatory markers and increased IL-10, an anti-inflammatory marker. However, the overall certainty of evidence for inflammation and redox outcomes was low to very low and should be interpreted with caution.

Most studies had notable risk of bias, mainly due to unclear randomization, baseline imbalances, missing data, and missing protocols, raising concerns about selection, attrition, and detection bias. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses assessed how intervention dosage and study quality influenced heterogeneity.

Analyses by participant baseline health status or yoga intensity were not feasible due to limited data. Findings indicated that intervention duration, session length, frequency, and study quality influenced the effects of yoga on cardiometabolic outcomes.

Stronger effects were observed in studies with low risk of bias and higher-dose yoga (at least 12 weeks, 60-minute sessions, three times per week), especially for lipid and blood pressure outcomes among Asians. These characteristics did not impact fasting or postprandial glucose or HbA1c. Limited data precluded further analysis for lower-dose interventions.

Yoga shows potential as adjunct therapy for obesity

The systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted the potential and generally modest positive effects of yoga on cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight or obesity. The findings suggest that yoga may help improve key health factors, including insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure, particularly for blood pressure and some lipid outcomes.

This supports the inclusion of yoga as a complementary or adjunctive treatment for managing metabolic health issues. However, further research is needed to clarify the optimal parameters for yoga practice and to strengthen evidence for glucose, inflammation, and redox outcomes, where current findings remain uncertain. Such insights will help healthcare professionals provide tailored yoga recommendations to achieve meaningful health improvements for individuals with excess weight.

Download your PDF copy by clicking here.
Passengers aboard the Norwegian Breakaway woke to a ship-wide alert early Sunday after a crew member went overboard off the Massachusetts coast, CBS News reports. The US Coast Guard says security footage showed the person falling from the Bermuda-to-Boston cruise about 12 miles off Wellfleet, a Cape Cod town, triggering an overnight search involving helicopters and a Coast Guard boat crew out of Provincetown. Passengers say they woke to the so-called "Code Oscar" alerts indicating someone had fallen overboard, and the ship made a sharp U-turn, NBC Boston reports.

Lifeboats were deployed and the ship remained in the area for hours before continuing on to Boston, arriving just before noon. The Coast Guard suspended its search shortly after midday, saying efforts would resume only if new information emerges. The crew member's identity and the circumstances of the fall have not been made public. In a letter to passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line said the vessel's focus on search-and-rescue delayed embarkation and emphasized that "the safety and well-being of those at sea remain at the heart of every decision we make." The cruise line lost another crew member at sea near Mexico weeks ago, Fox Business reports.
The man accused of opening fire inside the Washington hotel hosting the White House correspondents' dinner is due in federal court Monday. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, Calif., will be charged with two counts related to firing a gun and one count of assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with more charges to come, said Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia. In the meantime, investigators continue to pore over a missive Allen allegedly sent to family members before the attack at the Washington Hilton, reports CNN .

"Let me start off by apologizing to everyone whose trust I abused," the note reads. "I don't expect forgiveness," it adds at another point. The New York Post has published the note in full here. The 1,000-word message doesn't refer to President Trump by name, notes the New York Times, but the suspect airs grievances about Trump policies and lists "administration officials" as targets. Authorities say Allen, a part-time teacher, sprinted through a security checkpoint at the hotel and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement before being subdued. One Secret Service agent was shot, but the agent's bulletproof vest prevented serious injury.

The Wall Street Journal looks at security flaws at the hotel that led to the close callthe operative word being "hotel." As former FBI official Jason Pack tells the newspaper: "He didn't beat the security plan the night of the dinner. He beat it the day he made the reservation. They built that perimeter to stop an army. Turns out all he needed was a room key." Trump spoke about the incident with CBS News.
Airports have long used sirens and pyrotechnics to shoo away birds; West Virginia International Yeager Airport now relies on two border collies. In a piece for the Washington Post , Andrea Sachs follows Hercules, 9, and Ned, 4, as they spend their days sprinting across the mountaintop airfield in Charleston, W.Va., flushing out birds and other wildlife that can pose a serious threat to planes. Their handler, wildlife specialist Chris Keyser, says the canine patrol has coincided with a more than 70% drop in reported bird strikes since Hercules arrived in 2018, with only one incident logged this year in the FAA's Wildlife Strike Database.

The border collie is a particularly effective breed at this job, breeder Rebecca Gibson told USA Today last year. "They put their heads down and their tails in between their legs and they stalk things," Gibson said. "That body movement mimics the hunting movement of a wolf, coyote, or arctic fox." In other words: Critters that are potentially dangerous to planes quickly skedaddle.

The boys have developed a fan base. "Herc is a working dog and loving dog," Keyser says. "And Ned is all about work, but he likes to play ball, too." The dogs live full-time at the airport, log several miles a day across runways and taxiways, and double as unofficial mascots and therapy animals, complete with pilot caps, social media followings topping 70,000, and their own branded swag in the gift shop. Passengers now request meet-and-greets along with window seats. For a detailed look at their workdayand the larger safety problem they're addressingread the full story at the Washington Post.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, prayed with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, an encounter between Christianity's two most famous religious figures that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, given the divisions between their two churches over women's ordination and her historic appointment. Mullally thanked Leo for welcoming her on her first foreign visit since she was installed last month as the first female leader of the Church of England and spiritual leader of millions of Anglicans around the world. Mullally, whose appointment has split the already divided Anglican Communion, arrived early to meet with Leo in his library, reports the AP . The two then prayed together in the Urban VIII Chapel inside the Apostolic Palace for what the Vatican said was a "moment of prayer."

In her remarks to Leo, Mullally said both were called to preach the Gospel with "renewed clarity." "In the face of inhuman violence, deep division, and rapid societal change, we must keep telling a more hopeful story: that every human life has infinite value because we are precious children of God; that the human family is called to live as sisters and brothers," she said. Mullally is on what she has called a four-day pilgrimage to Rome that has included visits to the main pontifical basilicas, where she has prayed at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and met with top Vatican officials. Lambeth Palace says her visit is designed "to strengthen Anglican-Roman Catholic relations through prayer, personal encounter, and formal theological dialogue."

Leo and Mullally have already exchanged greetings, with Leo congratulating her on her installation last month but acknowledging she was taking over at a "challenging" time and that differences still divide the Anglican and Catholic churches. He nevertheless vowed to continue dialogue, and in October Leo welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Vatican, where they prayed in the Sistine Chapel. Charles is the titular head of the Church of England. That event, Oct. 25, marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches had prayed together. Mullally, for her part, has expressed solidarity with Leo's message of peace, after the American-born pope was harshly criticized by President Trump for his calls for peace in Iran.

George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at King's College London, said the meeting was historic, particularly given the Vatican doesn't recognize the female priesthood. "If we were to go back several hundred years, it's unthinkable," he said. "It's the fact that the pope is willing to meet, but in itself it also shows the difference, the gap." Gross said the prayer was clearly an attempt to show the two churches are united, especially in confronting global conflicts and projecting a message of unity. Such optics, he said, were in continuity with the visit to the Vatican in October by the king. "It's a doubling down of togetherness," he said.
A Louisiana cold case that sat unsolved for 43 years may finally be nearing an answer, thanks in part to a true-crime podcast. Four men have been charged in the 1982 rape and killing of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp, whose body was found near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington after she was sexually assaulted and strangled, Louisiana State Police announced Friday, per NBC News . Investigators at the time had little to go on, and the trail went cold for decades until 2023, when LSP reopened the file, re-interviewed witnesses and potential suspects, and sent old samples for new DNA testing.

Police then teamed up with local radio host Charles Dowdy and Northshore Media Group to launch the podcast Who Killed Roxanne?, which last year aired evidence showing Sharp was "grabbed on the street and dragged into the woods," Dowdy tells the AP. The podcast drew out fresh leads and witness cooperation and "helped our investigators piece together where Roxanne was days before to the time she died, to where we're at now," LSP spokesperson Marc Gremillion tells the AP.

This month, authorities arrested Billy Williams Jr., 62, in Covington, and Darrell Dean Spell, 64, in Ohio, while two other suspects, 64-year-olds Perry Wayne Taylor and Carlos Cooper, were already in Louisiana state custody on unrelated charges. Gremillion says Sharp was an acquaintance of the men who often visited their neighborhood. All four face counts of aggravated rape and second-degree murder. Williams' son says his father denies hurting anyone, while Sharp's niece, Michele Lappin, says the family hopes justice will finally be served.
Twenty-two monks in saffron robes were arrested at Sri Lanka's main airport Sunday after officials say they found a huge stash of potent cannabis hidden in their luggage. Customs authorities allege the Buddhist monks returning from a four-day trip to Bangkok were collectively carrying about 242 pounds of kush, valued at $3.5 million, concealed behind false panels in their bags; each is accused of transporting roughly 5 kilos, per CBS News. Customs officials say it's the largest kush seizure ever made at the airport, which has seen a run of major narcotics busts, including a British woman arrested last year with 101 pounds of the same drug; she claimed the drugs were planted by someone else.
Pope Leo is recalibrating what he thinks Catholics should be arguing aboutand it's not sex. Wrapping up a four-country tour of Africa marked by his criticism of dictators and war, the first US-born pope told reporters that internal Church battles shouldn't center on sexual issues, including same-sex marriage, reports Reuters . "The unity or division of the Church should not revolve around sexual matters," he said. "I believe there are much greater and more important issues such as justice, equality... that would all take priority before that particular issue."

Leo backed a 2023 move by the late Pope Francis that lets priests offer informal, case-by-case blessings to same-sex couples, but he drew a line at going further, warning that additional steps risk "more disunity than unity." The Catholic Church still teaches that sex outside heterosexual marriage is sinful and calls on gay Catholics to embrace chastity, but some theologians say Leo is signaling a shift in emphasis, not doctrine. Supporters of LGBTQ Catholics welcomed the comments. Marianne Duddy-Burke of DignityUSA called them "a very significant and overdue reorientation of priorities," while Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry noted that advocates have long argued issues like justice, equality, and freedom deserve greater moral weight.

Boston College ethicist Rev. James Keenan said Leo's remarks clarify that sexuality does not hold "singular priority" in Vatican thinking, framing them as a strategic choice to keep questions like dictatorships and war at the forefront. Writing at the Guardian, Bill McKibben sees Leo as using his pulpit, particularly in his rebuke of the war in Iran, to give rise to "a genuine and global theological debate. Led by Pope Leo but extending across Christian denominations, it's producing the sudden recognition that a kind of progressive Christianity long given over for dead seems to be stirring." (Leo on Monday welcomed the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, who would not be allowed to be ordained in the Catholic church.)
Chernobyl's worst day may have turned out to be a windfall for its wolves. As the 40th anniversary of the 1986 reactor meltdown rolled around on Sunday, scientists say wolf numbers in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are now about seven times higher than before the disaster, thanks largely to one thing: people staying away. With more than 1,900 square miles of contaminated land in Ukraine and Belarus effectively off-limits to humans, populations of elk, roe deer, and rabbits have also surged. "The ecosystem in the exclusion zone is much better than it was before the accident," environmental scientist Jim Smith tells the Guardian, arguing that the absence of human activity has outweighed the damage of "the world's worst nuclear accident."
A $500 million Russian superyacht just slipped through one of the world's tensest waterways. Shipping data show that the 465-foot-long Nord, which is tied to sanctioned steel billionaire Alexey Mordashov, left Dubai on Friday, traversed the heavily restricted Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, and reached Oman early Sunday. How the luxury vessel secured passage through a corridor largely closed since February by Iranamid a standoff with the USis unclear, reports Reuters . The strait normally sees 125 to 140 ship transits a day; traffic is now down to a handful of mostly merchant ships, as Iran clamps down on movements and the US blocks Iranian ports in response.

Mordashov's representative declined comment. Though he is not the yacht's listed owner, corporate records indicate the Nord was registered in 2022 to a company owned by his wife in Cherepovets, the same Russian city where his steel group Severstal is based. The voyage comes as Iran's foreign minister visits Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, underscoring tightening ties between Moscow and Tehran. Mordashov is believed to be very close to Putin, notes i24News, and was among those sanctioned by the US following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Nord ranks among the world's largest yachts, outfitted with 20 staterooms, a pool, helipad, and even a submarine.
Melania Trump went after Jimmy Kimmel on Monday and called out ABC to boot. In a social media post , the first lady referenced a skit Kimmel did last week in which he pretended he was hosting the White House correspondents' dinner and made a series of jokes about President Trump and Melania. In the skit recorded days before this weekend's shooting at the actual dinner, Kimmel said Melania glowed like an "expectant widow," reports TMZ . That joke in particular has drawn the scorn of the MAGA base since Saturday night's shooting, notes Variety .

"Kimmel's hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country," wrote the first lady, adding that the jokes deepen "the political sickness within America." While she didn't explicitly call for Kimmel's cancellation, she came close: "People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate," she wrote, per the Hollywood Reporter. She called Kimmel a "coward" who is protected by ABC. "Enough is enough," she wrote. "It is time for ABC to take a stand." Neither Kimmel nor the network has responded. CNN sees the controversy as an early test for Josh D'Amaro, the new CEO of ABC parent company Disney.
Germany's leader just offered one of the bluntest European critiques yet of Washington's Iran strategyor lack of one. Speaking to students in Marsberg on Monday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Iran's rulers were "humiliating" the United States by drawing US envoys to Pakistan and sending them home empty-handed, Reuters reports.

Merz questioned what US "exit strategy" exists in the war, underscoring widening rifts between Washington and European NATO partners already strained by disputes over Ukraine and other issues. He said Washington apparently misjudged the Tehran regime and "has no truly convincing strategy in the negotiations," Politico reports. "The problem with conflicts like these is always the same: it's not just about getting in; you also have to get out," Merz said, per the AP. "We saw that all too painfully in Afghanistan, for 20 years. We saw it in Iraq."

Merz said that Germany and other European countries were not consulted before US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, and that he voiced his doubts directly to President Trump. The drawn-out conflict, he warned, is costing Germany "a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers' money and a lot of economic strength." Merz said Berlin has offered German minesweepers to help clear the Strait of Hormuz.

Deutsche Welle reports that Merz also called for greater European unity, noting that the EU has 100 million more people than the US. "If we were to unite more effectively and do more together, we could be at least as strong as the United States of America," he said.
An Instagram stunt in Singapore could cost an 18-year-old French student more than two years behind bars. Prosecutors say Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien filmed himself licking a straw from an iJooz orange juice vending machine, then putting it back, and posted the clip to his Instagram Story with the caption "city is not safe," the BBC reports. The March 12 video was quickly reposted, drew angry reactions online, and was picked up by local media.

Maximilien has been charged with being a public nuisance, which carries a penalty of up to three months in prison, and committing mischief, which could lead to a sentence of up to two years plus a fine, RTL reports. Authorities say he would have been aware that his actions would cause "unjustified loss or damage" to iJooz, which dispenses freshly squeezed orange juice from smart vending machines.

The vending machine operator says it replaced all 500 straws in the dispenser, lodged a police report, and carried out additional cleaning and checks. The teen, a student at the Singapore campus of France's Essec Business School, is out on bail backed by a school representative after his parents flew in, according to his lawyers. The case is due back in court on May 22.
The man who allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday made his first court appearance on Monday. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transporting a firearm and ammunition with intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, the Washington Post reports. "He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump," said federal prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine. A judge granted prosecutors' request to keep Allen in custody ahead of another hearing on Thursday, reports the Guardian .

The Torrance, California, resident, who wore a blue jail uniform, did not enter a plea, the AP reports. He has been assigned court-appointed attorneys. Allen "has no prior arrests or convictions," attorney Tezira Abe, said, per the Post. Allen, a tutor and amateur video game developer, was taken into custody after the Saturday attack at the Washington Hilton. Allen allegedly shot a Secret Service in the chest as he tried to storm the ballroom, armed with guns and knives, but the officer was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover. Before the attack, Allen allegedly sent family members a message that listed "administration officials" as targets.
Iran's top diplomat made a high-profile stop in Russia on Monday as efforts to restart negotiations with the US showed little movement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg after Araghchi visited Oman and Pakistan, both active intermediaries in the stalled talks, the Washington Post reports. Putin told Araghchi, according to Russian state media, that his government would do everything it could to help secure peace in the region. Russia will act in ways that serve Iran's interests and those of "all the peoples of the region," Putin was reported to say.

Russian outlets did not say what concrete backing, if any, he offered behind closed doors. Western officials say Russia has provided Iran with targeting intelligence against US forces, even as Putin has tried to reassure President Trump that Russia is not sharing such data and is seeking a role as mediator. Araghchi had traveled to Pakistan over the weekend to meet with US negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, whom Trump said he told at the last minute not to go. The US hasn't "achieved a single goal" in its war with Iran, the foreign minister said, adding that "that's why" Trump is "asking for negotiations, and we're considering it," per NBC News.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday ruled out a conflict with the US over an incident involving two CIA agents who died in an accident in the state of Chihuahuaagents who, according to Mexico, were not authorized to operate in the country. During her morning news briefing, Sheinbaum expressed her willingness to move past the issue that surfaced last week, saying that while she hopes it remains an isolated case, the federal government expects the US to respect Mexico's constitution and national security laws moving forward. "Let us hope this is an exceptional case ... and that a situation like this never happens again," she said. But Sheinbaum insisted the details of the operation must be clarified.

Mexico's Ministry of Security said Saturday that one of the US agents had entered Mexico as a visitor, while the other had done so using a diplomatic passport. The ministry reiterated that it was unaware that foreign agents were operating within its territory. The CIA has declined to comment. The Americans killed were members of the CIA, per the AP. Last year, the Mexican government reached an agreement with the Trump administration on a plan to coordinate actions and exchange information regarding security, while respecting the sovereignty of both countries. For decades, the presence of the CIA and the Drug Enforcement Administration in Mexico has been marked by disputes. Their activities typically come to light when problems ariseas in 2012, when a US Embassy vehicle was shot at on the outskirts of Mexico City and two CIA agents were wounded.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 57F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 35F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
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Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 56F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low near 35F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
Doctors at UHN's Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, together with St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), and the University of Toronto, report a case of possible HIV cure following a bone marrow (BM) transplant, in a man dubbed the Toronto patient.

TORONTO, April 25, 2026 /CNW/ - In a Canadian first, clinicians and researchers at University Health Network (UHN), Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto report a case of sustained HIV remission  and possible cure  following a bone marrow transplant for cancer.

Dr. Sharon Walmsley, Director of the HIV Clinic at UHN's Toronto General Hospital and Speck Family Chair in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Courtesy: UHN. (CNW Group/University Health Network) Dr. Mario Ostrowski, clinician-scientist at St. Michaels Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Ontario HIV Treatment Network Applied Research Chair. Courtesy: JOHNNY GUATTO/UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO. (CNW Group/University Health Network)

The case was led by Dr. Sharon Walmsley, Director of the HIV Clinic at UHN's Toronto General Hospital, and Dr. Mario Ostrowski, clinician-scientist at St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), working in collaboration with transplant and cancer specialists across UHN, Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto.

Presented today at the Canadian Association of HIV Research Conference, the report describes a Toronto individual living with HIV for 27 years who developed acute myelogenous leukemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant.

The bone marrow transplant took place at the Hans Messner Allogeneic Transplant Program at UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and used donor stem cells with a rare genetic mutation that provides HIV resistance, following an international donor search to identify a suitable match.

Researchers observed a progressive decline in HIV levels in the patient's cells following the transplant. The individual discontinued antiretroviral therapy (ART) in July 2025. As of April 2026, HIV remains undetectable using highly sensitive laboratory testing, and no HIVspecific immune responses have been detected  a finding consistent with cases considered cured internationally.

Some of the laboratory work supporting this case was carried out in the Toronto High Containment Facility, a specially equipped lab space that allows researchers to study pathogens like HIV in a safe and secure way. Based at U of T, the facility is a key research infrastructure asset for researchers across the city, driving advances in infectious disease prevention, detection and treatment.

Significance

To date, just 10 patients worldwide are considered cured of HIV following similar procedures. The Toronto patient would join the small group if he continues to have undetectable levels of HIV. He is currently considered to be in 'sustained remission.'

"The small but growing number of these cases prove an HIV cure is possible," says Dr. Walmsley, who is also the Speck Family Chair in Emerging Infectious Diseases and professor at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine. "Cases such as these provide important information for researchers to find ways to eradicate HIV from the body. It is not possible to offer bone marrow transplant for those without another indication, such as leukemia, given the risks of the procedure."

"HIV infection, although well controlled with ART, still carries enormous stigma and discrimination," says Dr. Mario Ostrowski, who is also the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Applied Research Chair and professor at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine. "One percent of people of European ethnicity have bone marrows that are resistant to HIV infection. A bone marrow transplant from these donors can provide a potential cure. Transplant provides clues to develop similar, less toxic and less expensive therapies by studying these individuals."

"This case represents years of careful clinical work, close monitoring, and collaboration across specialties," says hematologist Dr. Tommy Alfaro Moya with UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, who was involved in the patient's posttransplant care. "This case offers critical insight into how HIV can be eliminated from the body, informing safer approaches in the future."

An estimated 65,270 people were living with HIV in Canada at the end of 2022, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. The World Health Organization estimates there are more than 40 million people living with HIV globally.

Case Background

The Toronto patient was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt's lymphoma and HIV infection in 1999. He achieved complete remission after chemotherapy and viral suppression with ART. HIV-infected persons need to take antiretroviral therapy (ART) for life, because HIV can form a reservoir in the body that can be awakened if ART is stopped.

More than 20 years later, in July 2020, he developed myelodysplastic syndrome as a long-term consequence of chemotherapy. The condition progressed to acute myelogenous leukemia in November 2021.

Bone marrow transplants using HIV-resistant stem cells are very expensive, and not standard treatment for HIV. They are only considered for patients who also require a transplant to treat a life-threatening blood cancer. The procedure carries significant risks and is highly complex.

The Toronto patient wishes to remain anonymous.

About University Health Network

UHN is Canada's Hospital -- ranked #2 in the world, #1 in Canada. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

About Unity Health Toronto

Unity Health Toronto is a leading Canadian health research institution with a wingspan across Toronto's core. Unity Health Toronto's strength lies in the combined expertise of its three hospital sites: St. Joseph's Health Centre, a community academic and acute care hospital supporting Toronto's west end; St. Michael's Hospital, a research-intensive academic health sciences centre affiliated with the University of Toronto with world-class specialty programs for complex cases; and Providence Healthcare, a campus of care for seniors, rehabilitation and long-term care. Our satellite clinics offer team-based primary care and community-based services. We aim to provide compassionate, high-quality care at every stage of our patients' health journey, from pediatric to primary care, urgent and acute care, world-class specialty care programs, seniors care, rehabilitation, long-term care, palliative care and advanced care for the most complex patients.

About the Toronto High Containment Facility at the University of Toronto

The Toronto High Containment Facility (THCF) provides secure, state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure for research involving infectious pathogens requiring enhanced biosafety controls. Operating under stringent regulatory and safety standards, the THCF enables critical research in infectious disease, immunology, diagnostics and medical countermeasure development. The facility is a cornerstone of the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC), a University of Toronto Institutional Strategic Initiative that brings together U of T, The Hospital for Sick Children, Sinai Health, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Unity Health Toronto and University Health Network to drive innovative approaches to infectious diseases and build rapid response capacity to health emergencies.

SOURCE University Health Network

Media Contacts: Leslie Whyte Zhou, Senior Communications Advisor, Media Relations, University Health Network, [email protected]; Ana Fernandes, Manager, External Communications, University Health Network, [email protected]; Unity Health Toronto, [email protected]
This story is part of our coverage of Connecticuts role in the American Revolution and the nations 250th anniversary. Read more coverage of America 250 in Connecticut.

Steven Gardners quest to bring history to life as a reenactor started when he was 14 at Americas bicentennial when the Providence Grenadiers put out a call for a drummer.

I joined as a drummer, and I did it for a year," said Gardner, now 65, of Mansfield. "Somebody let me fire a musket, and the following day I threw the drum in the bushes, and Ive been a musket man ever since.

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Gardner started reenacting the stories of the American Revolutionary War as a hobby on the American side before switching to the British side. He said he has served five different reenactment units over a nearly 50-year period, holding every position you can think of and building his skills as a craftsman.

For the last 15 years, Gardner has been reviving the stories of the 54th Regiments foot soldiers through his own New England-based reenactment group, 54th Regiment of Foot. With 18 active reenactors, Gardners group portrays the British foot soldiers who arrived in Newport, R.I., in 1778 and were stationed along the shorelines in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York during the Revolutionary War.

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The Regiment took part in key activities in Connecticut, so what we do is try to bring that back to life through our interpretation and our educational programs, said Gardner.

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Each year, the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution's Color Guard, pictured here, has been celebrating America's vast history through reenactments, parades, grave markings for Revolutionary War soldiers and other celebrations. Courtesy of David Perkins

Meanwhile on the American side of the war, David Perkins has been reenacting stories from the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution as commander of their Color Guard and Living History Unit.

As a living history person, Perkins, 72, said he has twice participated in reenactments of the Battle of Ridgefield and portrays a living Patriot for students at Putnam Memorial State Park, Connecticuts oldest public park and the site of the Revolutionary War winter encampment in 1778.

Its all about portraying the history so its not lost with our kids, said Perkins, of Bethel.

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For Perkins, teaching history is a personal quest, given his own family connections to the American Revolutionary War and his 16 ancestors who fought for the Patriots, including Samuel Ward, who served in Connecticut.

Each year, the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution's Color Guard, pictured here, has been celebrating America's vast history through reenactments, parades, grave markings for Revolutionary War soldiers and other celebrations. Courtesy of David Perkins

An Ashford native, Wards service in the Revolutionary War includes enlistment in several regiments between January 1776 and April 1780.

In researching his family tree, Perkins said hes found letters and pension records for his ancestors, six of whom were killed at Fort Griswold under Benedict Arnold the traitor. He said he goes to Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton every September to read their names.

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I keep the names alive, Perkins said. Thats number one because theyre always close to me. I could recite the 16 names and what they did.

Perkins, who previously served as state president of the SAR, said he got involved with reenactments in 2011 after watching a reenactment in Lebanon. From that moment on, he said he slowly started to put my uniform together with pieces gathered from other reenactors, and within a few years, he took over the Color Guard.

Its taken me all over the place, he said. Ive been in uniform as far away as Kentucky up into New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, a little bit of New York and some of the other states in between, up and down the East Coast Its been quite a journey.

Throughout nearly five decades as a reenactor, Gardner said the work to bring history to life and keep building his hobby is never-ending.

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Youre always learning something new, another tidbit or document that leads you to create various projects, he said. Im always looking for information or resources to back up what Im doing and increase my skills as a craftsman  Right now, Im training the next generation to take this over.

For the last 15 years, the 54th Regiment of Foot, pictured here, has been reenacting the history of the 54th Regiment's British foot soldiers that were stationed along the shorelines in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York during the Revolutionary War. Courtesy of the 54th Regiment of Foot

Gardner said he makes sure new reenactors are properly vetted and have the time as well as the means to afford the equipment. Perkins himself has been making most of his own attire for years and works as a consultant for a tailor that makes reenactment outfits.

The 54th Regiment of Foot meets monthly for rehearsals, and reenactors are provided with training for handling weapons and equipment, Gardner said. He said their schedule is often filled with activities that span Rhode Island to New York City, some of which involve one-day shows and others that take up a whole weekend. This includes historical reenactments of specific events such as the battles of Bunker Hill, Lexington and Concord.

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Perkins said most of the SARs annual events involve parades, encampments, grave markings of Revolutionary War soldiers and reenactments, including ones for the 240th and 245th anniversaries of the Battle of Ridgefield and the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights in Fort Griswold.

He said the Living History Unit will be planting a Liberty Tree in Bethel on June 14 in honor of Americas 250th birthday.

Perkins said his greatest joy as a reenactor is seeing the eyes of the children when you explain what all these things are.

Theres so little time to teach the American Revolution in school  theres so much history, he said. Just being able to show the kids what were doing, letting them lay their hands on what were doing, its fun.

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Each year, the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution's Color Guard, pictured here, has been celebrating America's vast history through reenactments, parades, grave markings for Revolutionary War soldiers and other celebrations. Courtesy of David Perkins

In terms of commemorating the 250th anniversary of the war, Gardner said his group will be busier next year with events planned in upstate New York and New Jersey.

Yet Gardner said theyve faced challenges in finding new members and coordinating events due to communities safety concerns about securing events with large crowds.

The biggest challenge lies in reviving peoples patriotism and getting communities interested in history again, Gardner said, though he's hopeful that will happen.

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America has really changed tremendously since 1976, he said. Were in a completely different world and the public in general has a completely different attitude toward what were doing and theres a lot of apathyPeople are not as patriotic as they could be because of the distraction by world events.

For the last 15 years, the 54th Regiment of Foot, pictured here, has been reenacting the history of the 54th Regiment's British foot soldiers that were stationed along the shorelines in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York during the Revolutionary War. Courtesy of the 54th Regiment of Foot

Perkins said hes excited about celebrating Americas 250th birthday and hopes to get town offices across Connecticut to read the Declaration of Independence on July 8, marking the anniversary of when it was publicly read aloud for the first time.

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Stew Leonard's supermarket on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Hearst Connecticut Media

A trial is set to start Tuesday on a civil complaint that Stew Leonard's supermarket in Newington was negligent in hiring and retaining a Burlington man who stole female co-workers' underwear, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said.

Robert M. Brown, 38, posed a threat to co-workers due to his past arrests for pilfering fellow students' underwear when he was a senior at Lewis Mills High School in Burlington in 2006, according to the lawsuit filed in 2019 against Brown, Stew Leonard Holdings and another man, identified as a manager.

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Nicole L. Augenti, an attorney for the two women named as plaintiffs, said the complaint is believed to be the oldest civil case pending in state Superior Court in Bridgeport. Meghan Bell, a spokesperson for Stew Leonard's, said Sunday that the business does not comment on pending litigation.

In August 2018, Wethersfield police said Brown broke into a woman's Wethersfield home and stole multiple pairs of her underwear. The lawsuit says Brown found the womans address in a broken file cabinet at the supermarket and stole her house key from an unlocked office.

Watching footage from a home security system, the woman told police she recognized the burglar as her co-worker, Brown, police said at the time. The security system showed Brown entering her home, taking his shoes off and walking around before leaving with a shopping bag containing the underwear, police said.

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The second woman named as a plaintiff in the civil suit says Brown stole her house key from an unsecured locker room at Stew Leonard's and took numerous pairs of her underwear from her Wethersfield home, the lawsuit says.

In a filing dated on Friday, the defendant's lawyer denied the charges of negligence, in part because the thefts happened off supermarket premises when Brown was not working. Supermarket staff had no way of preventing those particular acts, attorney Ryan P. Driscoll wrote in the memorandum.

The plaintiffs were also provided lockers with locks, Driscoll wrote. Regarding the contention that the supermarket failed to warn employees about Brown, Driscoll wrote, "It is not proper to advise co-workers of another worker's criminal history." Driscoll could not be reached Sunday for further comment.

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James Gaston, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said Sunday the plaintiffs were not provided lockers and locks. He said Brown, who now lives in Wallingford, did not come to work after his arrest and he no longer works for Stew Leonard's. Both plaintiffs are working in other jobs now, Gaston said.

Gaston said the second woman was on vacation when the burglary occurred, but her complaint also was part of the criminal case against Brown. Court records show Brown was convicted of third-degree burglary and sentenced in 2020 to two years in jail and five years of probation.

In 2006, police said Brown was arrested in connection with stealing womens underwear and bras from homes of three fellow high school students in Harwinton and Burlington.

Court records do not show the outcome of those cases, but the lawsuit says the result was a criminal record for Brown.

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When the lawsuit was filed, Stew Leonard Jr., head of the regional grocery store chain, said he was "saddened" by the allegations.

According to the suit, Stew Leonard's was negligent and reckless in failing to maintain a "reasonably safe" workplace and failing to take reasonable security measures, including making adequate background checks, in light of Brown's history, the suit says.

The plaintiffs say they have suffered mental pain and suffering, violation of privacy, sexual violation and "impairment of activities of daily living and enjoyments of life's activities."

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Illustration of Wide Awakes members from a circular. Connecticut Museum of Culture and History The Wide Awakes, a national movement born in Hartford in 1860 to support Abraham Lincoln and free speech, marched under the banner of the open eye. This flag was on display in 2024 at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Connecticut Museum of Culture and History A photo released by President Donald Trump shows law enforcement with shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Courtesy of Donald Trump FBI agents walk door to door to try to speak with neighbors, Sunday, April 26, 2026, near an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

Cole Allen's sister told the Secret Service that her brother often made "radical statements" and was part of "The Wide Awakes, Newsweek reported.

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At a press conference on Monday afternoon, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed law enforcement was investigating links Allen had to "left-wing groups," including the Wide Awakes.

"Yes, of course we're investigating that," Blanche said of the group.

Who are the modern Wide Awakes?

Founded by artists in 2020, the organization is focused on progressive social justice causes, Newsweek reported. On its website, the Wide Awakes is described as an open-source network who believe in the evolution of society and the power to radically reimagine the future through creative collaboration.

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A group representative could not be reached Monday, but the organization's website says members do not support violence.

"We are infinite, disruptive, enlightened, visionary, accountable," the description says. "We want the radical complexity of diversity. We believe creative liberation is a game and all of us can play now and forever. We can emancipate ourselves without violence."

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What inspired the original Wide Awakes?

The Wide Awakes initially formed in 1860 and caught fire across the nation, using the symbol of the open eye to support free speech, the presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln and stopping the spread of slavery. Their inspiration, according to reports in The Hartford Courant, came from a speech in Hartford on Feb. 25, 1860, by the fierce abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay, a Kentucky politician who once disemboweled an opponent with a Bowie knife.

Clay had come to support the reelection of Connecticut Republican Gov. William A. Buckingham. Slaveholders and their northern supporters, Clay and others said, were trying to intimidate and silence Republicans and anyone who spoke out against slavery and its extension into the American frontier.

Throughout the young nation, the years leading up to the Civil War were marked by violence and disruption. Writing in the New York Times, historian Jon Grinspan, author of, ''Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force That Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War," described the scene in Hartford.

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"Even that orderly New England town saw brutal mobbings," Grinspan wrote, noting an incident a few years before Clay's speech when local Democrats blasted fireworks angled like howitzers into crowds of men, women and children at a Republican rally.

As Clay's audience left into the winter night, everyone noticed five young clerks from the Talcott & Post drygoods store. They wore crude, black capes cut from cambric, a linen fabric meant to protect their clothing from dripping torch oil, The Hartford Courant reported at the time. The outfits, Grinspan wrote, "embodied the same aggressive verve Clay had just expressed." As the clerks led a march through town, according to newspaper articles at the time, Democrat thugs attacked, young Republicans beat them back and a new movement was born.

Some Wide Awakes, as Grinspan noted, were radical abolitionists, while others were more moderate, "but they all shared a sense that pro-slavery forces were suppressing their views." The look and martial spirit of the group, whose name was reportedly coined by a Hartford Courant city editor to capture the urgency of its mission, became a national sensation. Ten thousand Wide Awakes marched in New York City in July. Before the fall election, according to contemporary articles and historic accounts of the movement, a mileslong column of black-caped members marched past Lincoln's Springfield, Ill., home.

How did President Trump connect the shooting Saturday to Lincoln?

In a press briefing after the shooting, Trump likened himself to Lincoln.

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"I've studied people like Abraham Lincoln," he said. "It's the people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that they go after. When you look at the people that have either, whether it was an attempt or a successful attempt, they're very impactful people. Just take a look at the names here. The big names. And, I hate to say I'm honored by that, but I've done a lot."

"We've taken this country, and we were a laughingstock for years," the president said, "and now we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. We've changed this country. And there are a lot of people that are not happy about that."

What parallels have historians drawn between the original Wide Awakes movement and modern politics?

The Wide Awakes was the focus of an exhibition at the Museum of Connecticut Culture and History in 2024, another hotly contested presidential election year.

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We planned to open this exhibition during an election year, knowing that many people have strong feelings about politics and the political division in our country, Ben Gammell, the museum's director of exhibitions, said at the time. This exhibition is about young adults who took action, not about one party versus another. We hope that visitors of all ages will be encouraged to engage in thoughtful discussion about democracy and political action.

The nation in 1860 was so sharply divided that many saw war as inevitable. The question of slavery and its expansion cut a sharp gap, not just North and South, but also between Republicans, who backed Lincoln and "free soil," and their northern Democratic counterparts, many of whom supported one of Lincoln's opponents in the four-way presidential race.

What do today's Wide Awakes want?

Modern Wide Awakes, formed by artists in New York City in 2020, embrace the legacy of their 19th century counterparts, including capes and torches, according to the groups website.

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The modern group's founder, the artist Hank Willis Thomas, told the New York Times in September 2020 that he first came across pictures of the Wide Awakes about a decade earlier and they remained in the back of his mind. With others, Thomas told the newspaper, he started compiling more research, with the idea of creating a network of makers and doers in the spirit of the Wide Awakes and the nonviolent, entertaining, visionary work that they were trying to do.

In the same article, the artist Wildcat Ebony Brown was quoted as saying that images of the original Wide Awakes "looked a bit frightening to me."

"It looked like maybe a group of guys that I wouldnt want to run into on the street, Brown said. White men with torches. I mean, it kind of conjures up feelings of Charlottesville. But then you learn, like, oh, no, actually they were abolitionists.

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Gov. Ned Lamont signs into law an exception to the religious freedom law that Attorney General William Tong requested to defeat a lawsuit. Lamont and Tong featured in a photo from the annual Immigration Day at the Capitol on Thursday, April 22, 2026, in at the State Capitol in Hartford. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

At the request of Attorney General William Tong, fellow Democrats in the state legislature added a provision to exempt school immunizations from the state Religious Freedom Restoration Act to legislation that the Lamont administration proposed to set state-level vaccine standards for children and adults.

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The attorney general's office requested the new exemption to the 1993 religious freedom law because of doubts about the state prevailing in a pending lawsuit by three sets of parents seeking to reverse the legislature's and Lamont's 2021 repeal of the religious exemption to mandated school vaccinations. The legislation explicitly states the exemption will apply to any civil litigation pending or filed on the date of its signing.

The governor's office issued a news release early Monday afternoon that announced Lamont had signed House Bill 5044 into law. Lamont's remarks in the announcement were confined to his administration's original proposal to expand the authority of the Department of Public Health commissioner to establish vaccine recommendations independent of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Parents from Orange, Greenwich and Stafford Springs suing to reinstate the religious exemption all have children who fell under a grandfather clause in the 2021 repeal law that allows unvaccinated children who had a religious exemption to continue to attend public and private schools, but they have younger children who are not exempt.

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The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that the lawsuit could proceed based solely on the families' statutory claim under the religious freedom law after dismissing the families' state and federal constitutional claims. The 1993 statute prohibits the government from substantially burdening a persons exercise of religion without showing there is a compelling government interest for doing so and that a burden on religious exercise is the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.

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The case was scheduled to go to trial on May 19.

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Gov. Ned Lamont speaks during a recent interview in his Capitol office with CT Insider and his commissioners of housing and mental health and addiction services. Jacqueline Rabe Thomas/CT Insider

As Gov. Ned Lamont weighed whether to sign controversial housing and striking workers legislation last year, some of that work unfolded on his personal email account and private cellphone, records obtained by CT Insider show.

That left some records beyond the reach of state systems used to retain and disclose public records under Connecticuts Freedom of Information Act. Those systems also have mechanisms to protect sensitive communications from security risks.

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CT Insider requested last June all emails and text messages Lamont and his chief of staff sent during the three weeks preceding his vetoes of those bills. The governors office in October provided emails that referenced text messages from the governor  but not the texts themselves.

The records also show Lamont forwarding emails from his state email to his private email address and communicating with his staff there. This practice is not illegal, but communication on private devices is still subject to open records laws. No search was done nor were records provided from his private email or cellphone, his office confirmed.

The result: Policy conversations played out on personal devices and public records were missing from the response to CT Insiders open records request.

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Lamont has used his private email in a similar manner for official business for years, records have shown.

Experts say such practices complicate public access.

Youre not supposed to use a personal device, Public Records Administrator for the State of Connecticut LeAnn Power said during an interview. Those who are using their personal devices, we always say that it is discoverable. So they would have to produce those records.

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Power leads the states Office of the Public Records Administrator, a state agency that preserves public records and decides whether records can be destroyed.

Her office has warned against the use of private devices for years.

Electronic messages sent or received in the conduct of public business are public records. Therefore, public officials should not use private email accounts to conduct public business, reads the offices guidance letter on the topic.

But in a statement, Lamont spokesperson Rob Blanchard noted that state law does not require the governor to use a state-issued cellphone or email account. The Governors Offices preference is that official business be conducted through state systems whenever practicable, Blanchard said. At the same time, the Office recognizes that communications relating to state business may, in some circumstances, exist on personal devices or private accounts.

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Blanchard said Lamont has produced records from personal accounts in response to past requests but declined to address why no search of those accounts was conducted in response to CT Insiders requestor what systems exists to ensure such records are retained and retrievable.

After saying all responsive records had been provided, Lamonts staff later said no search was done on Lamonts private phone or email. Reporters were told they would need to provide specific words for the office to search for.

The same gap appears in the legislature.

State Sen. Doug McCrory  who has been linked to state spending under question by federal investigators and a state-funded audit showing he directed $1.7 million to a close associate for questionable expenses and work that was never done  has also failed to produce work-related records from his private accounts and phone in response to CT Insider that could clarify the matter.

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State Senator McCrory Douglas McCrory D-Bloomfield asks a question during the hearing involving home schooling on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

CT Insider filed a complaint with the states Freedom of Information Commission seeking to compel McCrory to release the records. During a hearing in April, his attorney argued that staff for the legislature does not have access to the senators private accounts and relied on McCrory himself to search for records  with no independent verification.

After he did whatever he did, my understanding was he had nothing that was responsive, Joe Quinn, general counsel for Senate Democrats, argued about the senators personal email and social media messages. I made [it] clear it was not my responsibility  it was his  to search those.

Yet records obtained from other agencies show McCrory regularly uses his private email and phone for public business, raising questions about whether responsive records were ever fully searched.

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His attorney argued on McCrorys behalf his phone was seized by federal investigators in conjunction, I believe, with the reported about grand jury investigation as a possible explanation for no text messages being turned over.

McCrory did not return phone calls or respond to text messages for this story.

Experts describe several problems with using personal devices or accounts for official business. For one thing, personal accounts can complicate Freedom of Information inquiries, making it more difficult for staff to search for records and comply with requests.

While state laws do not prohibit using personal devices and accounts to conduct government business, the Freedom of Information Commission has consistently ruled those communications are subject to disclosure.

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CT Insider filed a complaint with the FOIC in November, seeking to compel the Lamont administration to search for and release the records after five months of delays. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Experts also say the use of private devices and accounts for government business can lead to cybersecurity risks. Official devices and accounts are usually subject to additional security protocols, including monitoring security threats.

Private devices are a lot more likely to be compromised, said Vahid Behzadan, a cybersecurity professor at the University of New Haven. If state government business is being conducted on private devices, then state government business is at a higher risk of being leaked or manipulated.

FOIA concerns

Lamont, a Democrat in the final year of his second four-year term and now running for reelection, has long projected a public commitment to transparency  a message reinforced for anyone who steps into his office or visits his official website.

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Behind his desk hangs Right to Know, his original painting by Norman Rockwell portraying the view from a government desk as a crowd waits for answers  a visual reminder of the publics right to information and accountability.

First amendment advocates say the governor should set the tone.

Gov. Ned Lamont outlines state responses to the partial federal government shutdown during a news conference Wednesday at his state Capitol office in Hartford, including the possibility of tapping the state's $6.3 billion budget reserve fund. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media

"It's hugely important, perhaps now more than ever, that the public and the news media shine a light on government activities," said Michele Jacklin, president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. "And the governor is the leader of the state, and he should be leading on this issue.

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At the national level, officials from both major political parties have faced scrutiny for how they store their data. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth came under fire for sharing classified information in a group text on the messaging app Signal. Hillary Clinton was criticized during her presidential run in 2016 for storing emails on a private email server while she was U.S. Secretary of State.

In Connecticut, the governor's top utility regulator stepped down amid scrutiny about her deleted text messages that energy companies said would prove she is biased against them when her role requires independence.

An open question, Jacklin said, is whether the governor has a system in place for retaining and retrieving messages created on private accounts and devices.

I dont know whether he has a plan to do that, and so thats whats problematic here, Jacklin said, making clear she wasnt accusing the governor of breaking any law.

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Blanchard acknowledged the states processes retrieve records from state accounts and do not automatically access private email accounts or personal cellular service providers.

The governor has used a private email address for years for official business and does not have a state-issued phone, a CT Insider investigation has found. His chief of staff also does not have a state-issued phone.

Lamonts use of a private device for state business, Jacklin said creates a very awkward situation in the event of records requests, as he or a staff member would have to comb through his private messages to find responsive communications.

In June, CT Insider requested all sent communications from the governor and his chief of staff during the three-week period Lamont was weighing whether to sign or veto controversial legislation.

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Four months later, over 1,000 emails were turned over  including incoming messages CT Insider never requested  and declared the request complete. CT Insider identified gaps in the response, including missing emails and text messages from Lamonts private devices and accounts, and sought confirmation whether any records had been entirely withheld.

Gov. Ned Lamont signs a ceremonial copy of an affordable housing bill in December 2025 in Norwalk. In February 2026, Lamont has revived a legislative effort for Connecticut to institute caps on rent increases landlords can institute after acquiring buildings. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

In one instance Blanchard referenced a statement drafted based on Lamonts feedback via text, yet that text was only provided to CT Insider after asking for it.

One month later, the governors office disclosed it withheld dozens of records Lamont sent from his government email, amounting to one-third of the emails Lamont sent from his public account. The FOIC has consistently ruled officials must release all responsive records and redact only exempt portions.

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Lamonts spokesman declined to detail procedures for archiving and retrieving records on personal devices and accounts.

Those communications are evaluated under FOIA based on their content and purpose, he wrote in response to emailed questions. Records retention obligations are governed by state-approved retention schedules and are determined by the content of the record, not the device or account on which it resides.

When records are not retained or deleted, the state records administrator has no enforcement mechanism to ensure it doesnt happen again.

We can only give guidance, Power said. We don't have enforcement authority, so that's why we provide training.

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The FOIC lacks jurisdiction over record destruction.

In a separate FOIC complaint filed by CT Insider, officials at the governors Office of Policy and Management argued they cant release budget requests made by state agency commissioners because those records are not retained. At the hearing, the governors attorney objected to answering questions about that destruction because the watchdog agency has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Rather than providing evidence at either of the hearings regarding whether they maintained agency budget options... the respondents chose to spend their time generally obfuscating the substantive issues in this case, the decision says .

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In addition to ordering OPM to conduct a valid search and turn over those records, the FOIC ordered the Lamont Administration to implement a system to preserve the records going forward.

The administration has filed a lawsuit, which asks the court to overturn the FOIC ruling.

Cybersecurity concerns

Behzadan, the cybersecurity expert, said using organizational accounts is generally safer for government business.

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Official devices are more managed and have controlled cybersecurity protocols, he said. There's a central unit, or at least a set of protocols, at the organizational level for monitoring purposes, for data access protection and for maintenance.

Personal devices and accounts may not be updated with the latest security patch, Behzadan said, and large organizations such as Connecticuts state government are likely to be fully equipped to ward off hackers and respond to breaches.

There are things that the user can do to ensure that they're maintaining a secure device, but at the end of the day, if it's not institutionally managed and controlled, there's a limit to how secure things can be, Behzadan said.

Behzadan also cautioned against forwarding work emails to a personal one, noting it can open an entire organization to security threats.

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Governors have come under scrutiny for private email use, including Mike Pence, who led the state of Indiana before serving as Trumps vice president during his first term, and former Massachusetts governor and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Behzadan said his advice for employees of businesses and governments is simple.

In general, Behzadan said, separating your personal cyber ecosystem from your professional cyber ecosystem is considered just decent cyber hygiene.

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Lamonts spokesman declined to answer questions about cybersecurity experts' concerns about the use of private devices or say what protocols state cybersecurity staff have set up on the governor's use of private devices and accounts.
Josh LaBella is a breaking news reporter and former reporter for the Fairfield Citizen. He has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2020. When not working, he can be found playing video games or Dungeons & Dragons, reading, hiking or hanging with friends.
This cover image released by Voracious shows the cookbook "Familia" by Marcela Valladolid. (Isabella Martinez-Funcke/Voracious via AP) Isabella Martinez-Funcke/AP This image released by Voracious shows a recipe for Mex-Italian chicken thighs with roasted tomatillos from the cookbook "Familia" by Marcela Valladolid. (Isabella Martinez-Funcke/Voracious via AP) Isabella Martinez-Funcke/AP This image released by Voracious shows a recipe for Mex-Italian chicken thighs with roasted tomatillos from the cookbook "Familia" by Marcela Valladolid. (Isabella Martinez-Funcke/Voracious via AP) Isabella Martinez-Funcke/AP

My kids love this dish from my cookbook Familia because of the crispy chicken skin. You are essentially creating a confit where the chicken cooks in its own fat.

The flavor comes from the smoky and tangy dressing, which you dont have to make in a molcajete, but if you have one please use it. The magic of the molcajete, a pre-Hispanic mortar and pestle, is its ability to extract oils in a way the blades of a food processor cant. With the molcajete, flavors are deeper and richer, and the texture is superior as well.

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The roasted tomatillos are the perfect counterpoint to the succulent and juicy chicken. When picking your tomatillos, go for a medium size and look for smooth pieces with no cracks or bruises. The bigger ones are too bitter, and the smaller ones burn quickly.

Mex-Italian Chicken Thighs with Roasted Tomatillos

Serves 4 to 6

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Ingredients

6 bone-in chicken thighs with skin

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3/4 cup Mex-Italian Dressing, or purchased Italian dressing

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2 pounds medium tomatillos, husks removed, very well rinsed

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon any garlicky-citrusy seasoning you like

Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Directions

Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag, add the dressing, and toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature for an hour, moving the thighs occasionally to make sure they are evenly covered in the marinade.

Preheat the oven to 475F. Toss the tomatillos with the olive oil, seasoning, salt, and pepper and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until browned and caramelized, about 30 minutes.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Remove the thighs from their bag, shaking off as much of the marinade as possible. Add all the thighs to the skillet, skin side down, and cook until browned, about 12 minutes. Its important that the thighs are snug as a bug as they will create steam and moisture and wont brown too much. Transfer the skillet to the oven and continue to cook, skin side down, 7 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the oven and carefully flip the chicken skin side up. Return the skillet to the oven and continue to cook for 10 minutes, or until fully cooked.

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Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Transfer to a platter, surround with the roasted tomatillos, and serve.

Mex-Italian Dressing

Makes 1  cups

Ingredients

5 garlic cloves, unpeeled

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2 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed

 teaspoon black peppercorns

 teaspoon coriander seeds

Flaky sea salt

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1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

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1 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

 cup red wine vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper

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Directions

Heat a comal or large cast-iron skillet over very high heat. Add the unpeeled garlic and toast until blackened, about 5 minutes. Add the guajillos, peppercorns, and coriander seeds and toast until fragrant, about 2 minutes, moving them constantly.

Peel the garlic and place in a molcajete. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and mash to a paste. It will seem like its all stuck to the walls of the molcajete, but thats OK! Add the toasted peppercorns and coriander, then mash. Add the toasted chiles and mash them against the walls of the molcajete until disintegrated. Add all the remaining ingredients, except the olive oil, vinegar, and black pepper, and mash into the paste.

Add 13 cup of the olive oil and stir/mash to slowly create a dressing. Gradually add the remaining oil. Scrape into a bowl and whisk in the vinegar. Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper.

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___

Marcela Valladolid is an Emmy-nominated celebrity chef, television personality, designer, author, mother and businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of the artisanal Mexican housewares brand Casa Marcela, Inc., and the author of six cookbooks.

Excerpted from FAMILIA by Marcela Valladolid. Copyright (copyright) 2023 by Marcela Valladolid. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, New York. All rights reserved.
A condo complex in New London where the brother of Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, lives. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW LONDON  The steady flow of police cars driving through Georgetown Village on Sunday morning puzzled residents of the normally quiet condominium complex less than a mile from the shoreline.

A few hours later, the reason become clear: a neighbor had contacted New London police after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington D.C., sharing what authorities described as "pertinent" information about the suspect  his own brother.

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"I was shocked it was such a local connection," said Wendy Shirley, who has lived at the New London complex for more than two decades.

Authorities charged 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, of Torrance, Calif., with attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press. Allen tried to storm the event with guns and knives , resulting in the president being rushed off stage and shots being fired in the building, the Associated Press reported. Allen faces two additional firearms charges and did not enter a plea during a court appearance Monday.

Residents of the complex said the man did the right thing by contacting police, praising him for coming forward with information about his brother.

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New London police have not identified the caller, but a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation has said it was Allen's brother, a city resident, state records show. According to the AP, the brother contacted police after he and other family members received a 1,052-word manifesto condemning the Trump administration and its policies.

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Police said they received the call at 10:49 p.m.  more than two hours after the shooting. The person was immediately interviewed by local and federal investigators, officials said.

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News trucks and reporters soon descended on the complex, where residents said police patrolled throughout Sunday morning and into the early afternoon.

"You never see a cop parked in a parking spot  all the spots have unit numbers," resident Michael Foley said.

Foley, 60, applauded the brother, as well as Allen's sister, who also reportedly contacted police after the shooting, according to NBC News.

"You cant control what happens in your life," he said. "The only thing you can control is how you deal with it, and they dealt with it the right way.

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"If you have a sibling thats not right, who is going to cause harm to people, then you need to report it," he added.

On Monday, the nobody answered the door at an address listed for the brother at the complex.

Alex Jones, another tenant, said he was surprised to learn the suspects brother lived nearby and that a story making national headlines had hit so close to home. He also commended the brothers actions, acknowledging how difficult it must have been to report a family member.

Gotta tip your cap to him, Jones, 25, said. He probably didnt want to call police in the first place. Youre family  you want to be in denial  but good for him.

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Officials say Allen attempted to charge into the cavernous ballroom at the Washington Hilton hotel where a crowd of more than 2,000 people had been gathered for the annual press gala, which lasted less than an hour. Trump and other top administration officials  including FBI Director Kash Patel, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche  were on hand for the event.

Security camera footage showed the gunman sprint past a group of security officials, who then drew their weapons and pointed them in the direction the assailant had run. He was tackled to the ground in a chaotic scene that resulted in shots being fired.

Shirley, who followed the shooting as it unfolded Saturday night, said it was hard to believe it could happen at such a highly secure event.

"I was surprised that kind of thing can happen, that he ran by security like he did and came that close," she said.

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When she and a neighbor first saw New London police parked in their lot, they assumed something had happened to a resident's car. Crime is rare in the complex, she said, describing it as a very quiet and laid back community where everyone helps each other out.

Then came the news about the suspect's brother calling police, and a shot of her building flashed across her television screen. That, she said, is when it all clicked.

Like others in the complex, Shirley praised her neighbor's actions.

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"I feel bad for him because hes in the spotlight now," she said. "He did the right thing, and everyone wants to talk to him."
A condo complex in New London where the brother of Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner incident, lives. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 25, 2026. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press Members of law enforcement control shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/Associated Press FBI agents work Sunday, April 26, 2026, at an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press A cameraman stands in front of an address connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who has been identified as a suspect in a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner early Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Torrance, Calif. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press FBI agents work in a neighbor's yard, Sunday, April 26, 2026, near an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

The brother of Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting, reached out to police in New London two hours after the shooting to express "concern" and share information "they believed to be pertinent," police have said.

Minutes before the attack, Allen is said to have sent a 1,000-word manifesto to family members laying out his reasons for attempting to assassinate key administration officials.

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New London police have not said who contacted them, but a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation has said the individual was Allen's brother, a resident of the city, state records show.

"Immediately upon reviewing the information received, the New London Police Department contacted federal law enforcement partners," New London Police Chief Brian Wright said in a statement.

Allen's brother was later interviewed by federal investigators about the shooting, USA Today reported Monday.

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Allen, 31, was identified as the man who broke through security at the dinner Saturday night with the intent to kill President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials.

The Torrance, Calif., resident is in custody and was charged Monday with attempting to assassinate the president.

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"Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the President of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was," U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Monday. "That intent was to bring down as many of the high-ranking cabinet officials as he could."

Trump and other top administration officials had gathered in Washington for the annual dinner, which Trump had so far avoided attending as president.

Here's what we know about Allen's ties to Connecticut:

What we know

Alleged shooter sent manifesto to family calling himself 'Friendly Federal Assassin'

A photo released by President Donald Trump shows law enforcement with shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Courtesy of Donald Trump

Minutes before the attack, Allen sent a message to family members describing himself as "Friendly Federal Assassin" that was critical of the Trump administration, but did not name the president directly, according to The Associated Press.

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"I am a citizen of the United States of America," the 1,052-word manifesto said, according to the New York Times, which reported it also had obtained a copy. "What my representatives do reflects on me."

The manifesto said administration officials were "targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest."

Allen's message went on to make references to abuse in immigrant detention camps, lethal attacks on boats by the administration and the bombing of an elementary school in Iran.

He also said he would not target law enforcement in the attack and criticized what he perceived as lax security by the Secret Service at the hotel.

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In the manifesto, Allen appeared to be referring to Trump when he said he was "no longer willing to permit" the president to "coat my hands with his crimes." He referred to the president as a traitor, among other derogatory terms.

Trump described Allen as a "sick person" and said, "I'm not any of those things," when asked about Allen's description of him during an interview with "60 Minutes" on Sunday. The president also told reporter Norah O'Donnell she "should be ashamed of yourself reading that," to him.

How the shooting played out

The crowd of more than 2,000 attendees had been gathered at the annual press gala for less than an hour Saturday night at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., when shots rang out. Trump and other top administration officials  including FBI Director Kash Patel, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Vice President JD Vance  were on hand for the event.

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The president was seated beside First Lady Melania Trump at the time the gunshots were heard.

"I thought it was a tray going down," Trump said, addressing reporters after the dinner and still dressed in formal attire.

Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. ULYSSE BELLIER/AFP via Getty Images

Security camera footage showed the gunman sprint past a group of security officials, who then drew their weapons and pointed them in the direction the assailant had run.

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"Melania was very cognizant, I think, of what happened. I think she knew immediately what happened. She was saying, 'That's a bad noise,'" Trump said.

"We were whisked away along with other people," he added.

Muriel Bowser, the city's mayor, said the incident occurred at 8:36 p.m. She said the sole gunman "rushed" a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint in the hotel lobby. She said agents stopped the suspect.

The assailant was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives, said Jeff Carroll, interim chief of police of the Metropolitan Police Department.

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Carroll said law enforcement "exchanged gunfire" with the suspect, and that one Secret Service officer was struck in his vest. He was hospitalized and was in "good spirits," Carroll said.

"The vest did the job," Trump said, during a separate news conference following the shooting.

Carroll said the suspect was not shot, but was also hospitalized.

Bowser said they had no information to believe anyone else was involved. "At this point, it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman," Carroll said.

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FBI sent agents to investigate in New London

In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Patel said that in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the FBI had sent agents to New London to conduct interviews related to the shooting.

"We also dispatched investigators and agents to New London, Connecticut, where we conducted further interviews that provided necessary information that you will find in this criminal complaint," the FBI director said.

The criminal complaint, filed Monday, made no direct reference to Connecticut or any tips provided to New London police, though it does quote extensively from the manifesto that was shared with his family in the minutes before the shooting.

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New London police received a call from Allen's brother at approximately 10:49 p.m. on Saturday, offering to share information related to the shooting, the Associated Press reported.

Wright, the New London police chief, said in his statement about the shooting tip that the local police department's investigation was no longer active.

He said both New London police and federal law enforcement had interviewed the "individual" who raised the concerns.

"Any further inquiries should be directed to the appropriate federal law enforcement agencies handling this case," Wright said.

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Suspect was graduate of CalTech, 'teacher of the month'

A LinkedIn profile that appeared to belong to Allen said he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech, a highly selective university in Pasadena, California. He obtained a masters degree in computer science from California State University  Dominguez Hills about a year ago.

Allen worked for C2 Education, a company that provides tutoring and college admissions and SAT prep. He was named Teacher of the Month in November 2024, NBC News reported.

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FBI agents walk door to door to try to speak with neighbors, Sunday, April 26, 2026, near an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

In 2017, while at Caltech, Allen was featured in a California news program in which he demonstrated a prototype wheelchair emergency brake.

Allen had legally purchased an Armscor Precision .38 semiautomatic pistol in 2023 and a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun two years later, according to the Associated Press.

His sister told authorities he kept the weapons at the home where he lived with their parents, and that their parents were unaware of the firearms, the outlet reported.

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Federal campaign finance records show Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024. California voter registration records show that he registered with no party preference, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Allen charged with attempting to assassinate Trump

On Monday afternoon, Allen appeared in federal court in Washington, where he was formally charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

Allen, who federal authorities said traveled from California to D.C. by train last week, also is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and transporting a firearm across state lines to commit a felony.

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He asked the court to appoint him a lawyer, and did not enter a plea, The Associated Press reported.

"There will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold," Pirro said on Monday.

Shooter linked to Wide Awakes group with CT roots

Over the weekend, Allen's sister reportedly told the Secret Service that her brother was part of "The Wide Awakes, a progressive political group, Newsweek reported.

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Illustration of Wide Awakes members from a circular.



Connecticut Museum of Culture and History Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

The modern Wide Awakes group, founded by artists in 2020, is an advocate for progressive social justice causes and does not support violence, according to a statement on its website.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed law enforcement was investigating links Allen had to "left-wing groups," including the Wide Awakes.

"Yes, of course we're investigating that," Blanche said of the group.

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The modern iteration of the Wide Awakes, founded in New York City, is named after (and inspired by) an organization of anti-slavery and pro-Abraham Lincoln advocates that was founded in Hartford in 1860, on the eve of the Civil War.

The original Wide Awakes, who wore distinctive black capes, first gathered for an abolitionist march in Hartford surrounding the reelection of then-Connecticut Republican Gov. William A. Buckingham. The group's name was reportedly coined by a Hartford Courant city editor to capture the urgency of its mission, and it quickly became a national phenomenon.

Shooting occurred at same hotel as failed Reagan assassination with CT ties

FILE - President Ronald Reagan winces and raises his left arm as he was shot by an assailant as he left a Washington hotel, Monday, March 30, 1981. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File) RON EDMONDS/Associated Press

The annual black-tie event was held at the Washington Hilton hotel, the same hotel that was the site of a failed assassination attempt against President Ronald Reagan in March 1981. Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr., but survived the attempted killing.

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Hinckley, who spent most of the next three decades in psychiatric care, had planned the shooting in part to impress actress Jodie Foster, then a freshman at Yale University. Hinckley had briefly moved to New Haven the previous fall to stalk Foster and sent her love letters ahead of the shooting.

After being released from psychiatric care in 2022, Hinckley has tried to start a career as a touring musician, though shows in Hamden and Naugatuck have been canceled in recent years.

After Saturday's incident, President Donald Trump addressed members of the news media in the White House press briefing room, which is named for James Brady, the White House press secretary who was injured in the 1981 shooting, NPR reported.

What we don't know

How deep were Cole Allen's ties to CT?

Its not clear from whats been reported publicly whether Allen has further connections to Connecticut beyond his brothers tip to New London police.

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How long has Allens brother lived in CT?

Public records list Allens brother as living in New London. Its unclear how long he has lived at the address, and he could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.

Staff writer Jesse Leavenworth contributed reporting.
The federal courthouse in Bridgeport in a file photo. Federal officials say five people from Connecticut have been charged with trafficking cocaine to the state from Puerto Rico using the U.S. Postal Service. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  Five Connecticut residents have been charged for trafficking cocaine through the mail, according to federal officials.

Edgardo Castro Perez, 36, and Roselyn Osorio-Soto, 38, both of Tolland, and Edgar Castro Perez, 27, Juan Jose Torres-Ortiz, 42, and Enrique Arroyo-Robles, 28, all of Hartford, are facing charges, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan said in a news release.

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Sullivan said the FBIs Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service began an investigation in June 2025 into a drug trafficking organization coordinating a shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. mail.

Sullivan said the operation typically saw Osorio-Soto and Edgardo Castro Perez, both of whom also resided in Puerto Rico, mail the cocaine parcels from post offices there to various addresses in central Connecticut. He said Torres-Ortiz collected the packages and transported them to secondary locations where Edgar Castro Perez and Arroyo-Robles stored them until the cocaine was distributed further.

Members of the organization used residences on Merlot Way in Tolland and Woodland Drive in Hartford to store narcotics, drug paraphernalia, cash and firearms, Sullivan said. During the investigation, investigators identified at least 12 suspicious parcels shipped to Connecticut and seized and searched four parcels, each of which contained multiple kilograms of cocaine, Sullivan said.

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Sullivan said Torres-Ortiz picked up a parcel on Sept. 17, 2025, after it had been delivered to an address in Middletown and drove to Hartford, where he transferred it Edgar Castro Perez. He said Castro Perez then drove it to Tolland, where he was stopped by investigators in the driveway of the residence and the parcel was seized.

The package contained three kilograms of cocaine, Sullivan said.

Investigators then conducted a court-authorized search on the Tolland residence, Sullivan said, and found four automatic firearms, three semiautomatic handguns, gun magazines, ammunition and $133,292 in cash. He said a search of a Hartford residence also connected to the organization resulted in the seizure of a .45-caliber handgun.

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Sullivan said the five defendants originally were charged by federal criminal complaint, with all of them taken into custody between March 31 and April 2 of this year. He said Arroyo-Robles possessed a distribution quantity of cocaine and $2,321 in cash at the time of his arrest.

On April 8, Sullivan said, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging each of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the charge, he said, Edgardo Castro Perez, Osorio-Soto, and Torres-Ortiz face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Sullivan said Edgar Castro Perez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, while Arroyo-Robles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He said the indictment also charges Edgar Castro Perez and Torres-Ortiz with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine  which can lead to a prison term of up to 40 years.

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Arroyo-Robles also was charged with with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, Sullivan said, noting the offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He said the indictment also seeks the forfeiture of cash and firearms seized during the investigation.
An aerial view of the newly built Route 15 northbound bridge at the Interstate 91, Interstate 691 and Route 15 interchange in Meriden, Courtesy of the Connecticut Department of Transportation

Joined by state officials, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal tried to assure Connecticut residents Monday that while backups will continue at the Interstate 91, Interstate 691 and Route 15 interchange for the next few years, theyre going to be worth it.

Blumenthal, Gov. Ned Lamont, state Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and other officials touted the progress made toward overhauling the interchange in Meriden, with about three years down and four to go.

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Anytime were trying to do a project of this size while keeping lanes open is always going to be difficult, Eucalitto said about the ongoing backups. Traffic protection is one of the hardest parts of any project, especially something this large, with this many vehicles. So I think the team has staged it to the best of our ability to keep traffic moving.

State officials have long said the three-phase project will cost a total of more than $500 million, but on Monday they gave a new, more specific figure of more than $712 million.

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The state funded the two-year, more than $83 million first phase of the project on its own. The federal government is contributing $200 million to the second phase, while $50 million is coming from the state. The third and final phase is expected to similarly be 80% federally funded and 20% state funded.

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Blumenthal said Connecticuts U.S. senators and representatives have had to fight for those federal dollars.

Its a proverbial knife fight, but we punch above our weight as a delegation, he said.

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The second phase of the project began in 2024 and is expected to finish up in 2028. The third phase is getting started this month and slated to end by 2030.

Eucalitto said the interchange was built for a different era. While I-691 west of I-91 was expected to handle 28,000 vehicles per day, it now sees 79,000, he said, and I-91 northbound was supposed to carry 40,000 vehicles, but 86,000 travel on it today.

During the three years before the project began, more than 850 crashes occurred at the interchange, including one fatal incident.

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The problem: Single-lane ramps, short merges and constant weaving create backups and increase the risk of crashes and fender benders, Eucalitto said. The solution, he said, is to untangle the area.

Were reconfiguring the interchange with upgraded ramps, longer merge distances, improved sight lines, and modern bridges and roadways, Eucalitto said. The goal is to reduce congestion, reduce crashes and make it more reliable so you know when you leave your house, its going to take you X amount of time to get where you need to go.

He said traffic is flowing better in the area of the completed first phase, which included widening the ramp from I-691 eastbound to I-91 northbound and adding a lane on I-91 northbound.

On Friday, a new bridge carrying Route 15 northbound over I-91 will open to traffic as part of the second phase, officials said. Half of the bridge still needs to be completed.

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The third phase is focused on the southbound side of the roadways and includes work on the Murdock Avenue bridge.

Eucalitto noted the DOT plans to start issuing warnings and tickets from speed cameras at several work zones across the state, including the I-91/I-691/Route 15 interchange, in June.

Meridens director of economic development, Joseph Feest, partly attributed a recent uptick in commercial activity at Connecticuts Research Parkway to the project.

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A photo of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro sits alongside photos of Mercedes Lopez Reys family on a bedside table at the 83-year-olds home in Old Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, stands in her one-room apartment in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, holds out her cup to be filled with water in a dining hall adjacent to the Church of the Holy Spirit, where a church-run program provides free meals to seniors three times a week, in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Elderly residents watch a tai chi class for seniors at the Belen Convent in Old Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Ramon Espinosa/AP Iris Cecilia Ramirez runs errands in Old Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, center front, and other elderly residents wait to be served a free meal in a dining hall adjacent to Church of the Holy Spirit where seniors gather three times a week for a free meal, in Old Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Carmen Casado, 84, is served a free meal of ground meat, rice, red beans and crackers through a program run by the Church of the Holy Spirit at a dining hall adjacent to the church in Old Havana, Cuba, Thursday, April 21, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey holds a framed cyanotype with an image of the late Cuban President Fidel Castro and prayer cards tucked into the edges of the frame, in her home in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Maribel Ezcurra, 77, a retired milling machine mechanic, practices tai chi with fellow seniors in a park in the Playa neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, walks past uncollected trash on her way to her one-room apartment in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Elderly residents arrive at the Church of the Holy Spirit to receive free meals provided through a church-run program held three times a week, in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Carlos Lugo, 82, shows off a pair of jeans he received from charity before entering the dining hall adjacent to the Church of the Holy Spirit, where a church-run program offers free meals to seniors three times a week, in Old Havana, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP An elderly man who has an amputated leg rides a hand-powered tricycle in Old Havana. Cuba, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Ramon Espinosa/AP Julia Barcelo, 83, who is recovering from breast cancer treatment, and a visiting relative watch television at her home in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP A woman steps over a puddle while walking through Old Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. Ramon Espinosa/AP Carmen Casado, 84, looks through her wardrobe at her home in Old Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Seen through the window of a passing American classic car, seniors stand in line to buy bread in Old Havana, Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, carries a meal from a church-sponsored program to a homebound friend, in Old Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, right, visits with her friend Julia Barcelo, 83, who is recovering from breast cancer treatment, after bringing her a meal from a church-sponsored program, in Old Havana. Cuba, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Mercedes Lopez Rey, 83, stands in her bathroom, holding open a patio door as a visitor leaves her one-room apartment in Old Havana, Friday, April 10, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP Carmen Casado, 84, sits on her bed in her home in Old Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP An elderly man makes his way in his wheelchair while a friend walks a bicycle beside him, in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP

HAVANA (AP)  Cubas elderly are among those bearing the heaviest burden of the islands deepening economic crisis, which has worsened since the start of the year after an oil embargo imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Even before the latest downturn, Cuba already had one of the oldest populations in Latin America, shaped by long life expectancy and low birth rates.

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By the end of 2024, nearly 26% of Cubas population was age 60 or older, according to the countrys National Bureau of Statistics, almost twice the regional average of 14.2% reported by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Many are former state workers living on meager pensions, facing cuts to long-subsidized goods and increasing loneliness as younger Cubans continue to emigrate. Over the past five years, Cubas population has fallen by nearly 1.5 million, largely because of migration.

The island's elderly were young when Fidel Castro entered Havana. Now, in old age, they are confronting a new period of scarcity that is testing how far pensions, rationed goods and personal resilience can stretch. The impact is visible in daily life: Elderly people walk the streets alone, stand in long lines for bread and rice, and increasingly depend on churches and some state institutions for basic meals.

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One such place is the Church of the Holy Spirit in Old Havana, where nearly 50 elderly residents gather three times a week for a modest hot meal of ground meat, rice, red beans and crackers topped with mayonnaise. For many, the meals offer more than nourishment. They provide a small measure of routine, relief and company during long days of shortages, outages and solitude.

Among them was Mercedes Lopez Rey, a retired engineer who until her death went to the church three times a week as worsening conditions made daily life increasingly difficult. Lopez also picked up food for her friend Julia Barcelo, who had breast cancer and was unable to leave her home.

Another regular is Carmen Casado, an 84-year-old retired chemical engineer who depends on the meals because her monthly pension of 2,000 Cuban pesos is worth about $4 at the informal exchange rate used by many Cubans. She has no children, receives no remittances from relatives abroad, and lives alone on the upper floors of a deteriorating 19th-century building, one of many in Havana showing the strain of age and neglect. Despite the poverty and loneliness, she still places her faith in the government and blames the islands hardships on the United States.

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___

This is a documentary photo story curated by AP photo editors.

___

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A student uses a cellphone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy on Aug. 16, 2024, in San Mateo, Calif. Connecticut's House of Representatives approved a bill Monday that would ban students from using cellphones in public schools statewide. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File) Lea Suzuki/Associated Press State Rep. Jennifer Leeper, D-Fairfield, co-chair of the legislative Education Committee, said she supports a bill that would ban students from using cellphones in public schools statewide. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, R-Prospect, said she does not support a bill that would ban students from using cellphones in public schools statewide. (2025 file photo) Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  Student cellphones would be prohibited throughout the public school day under legislation approved Monday in the state House of Representatives aimed at stopping distractions from learning.

Some minority Republicans said the bill is not needed at a time when many school districts across the state have already adopted cellphone-use policies. But Democrats said a statewide policy, even without penalties, would offer guidance at a time when school districts have a wide variety of local policies.

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The bill passed in a bipartisan 117-31 vote after a nearly three-and-a-half-hour debate. Three Democrats voted against the bill and 20 Republicans voted for the legislation, which next heads to the state Senate.

To me this is feel-good legislation, said state Rep. Lezlye Zupkus of Prospect, a ranking Republican on the legislative Education Committee. She said some existing policies stipulate means of storage during the day and special accommodations for students with medical issues.

Our teachers thought this was the best policy for students, said state Rep. Jennifer Leeper, D-Fairfield, co-chair of the Education Committee, adding that the legislation does not include penalties, nor does it suggest methods of storing cellphones during the day.

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Cellphones have become an overwhelming part not only of our day, but also that of our children, Leeper said in introducing the bill.

These devices, while at times useful pieces of technology, have actually become an addiction for our young people, Leeper said. They are becoming increasingly disruptive in the school day, interrupting learning and also, maybe even more importantly, taking the time from our young people where they get to connect with their peers, they get to form relationships with one another, they get to build relationships with trusted adults.

School districts would be given the freedom to develop policies, under the bill, including on the use of cellphones in emergencies and health incidents. There would be no penalties for noncompliance. Storage of phones could be in administrative offices or even student backpacks.

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This has to be done. said state Rep. David Rutigliano, R-Trumbull, calling his towns policy is inadequate. The IQs are down. The test scores are down. The bullying is up, the stress, the suicidal ideations. Every bad thing that can happen has gone up. Its a health emergency. People are struggling. I think we need to get back to some sort of sanity in our schools.

But Zupkus disagreed, saying a statewide policy is not needed.

I have been in contact with many, many, many principals, many, many, many superintendents, not just mine but across the state and there have been no problems or complaints reported, Zupkus said. Everyone has a policy.

She recalled a recent public hearing in which state school officials said three districts did not have cellphone policies. Zupkus said that those three communities have since created policies.

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We heard from superintendents saying they felt like it would be helpful to have a state law to have a backstop to enforce our policies, Leeper said. Similarly, we heard from our teachers that said while schools have policies, there are a wide variety of policies. We know there is no data that shows it is good for kids to have their phones for the school day. Theres lots of data that shows its harmful for our kids to be filling all of those passing periods, study halls, lunch breaks, free time with their phones instead of connecting with one another.

Zupkus said, Im debating that its also bad for adults and for teachers to have them, and if they can be on their phone in the classroom thats bad role modeling.

Republicans submitted an amendment that would prohibit teachers and administrators from using cellphones as well during the school year. The proposal failed 123-24 in the House, which has a 102-49 Democratic majority.
The historic Plainville High School building at 74 East St. in Plainville. More recently used as a business center, a New York developer has proposed converting the building to apartments with an eye on as many as 60 units. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media Construction under way in April 2026 for the proposed Liam's Landing Apartments at 141 New Britain Ave. in Plainville. Less than a mile west, a New York developer has proposed converting the historic Plainville High School building into apartments, at 74 East St. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media The former Israel Putnam School property on April 23, 2026, at 43 Osgood Ave. in New Britain. Along with the historic Plainville High School 10 miles south, the property is among several former schools in Connecticut that are candidates for conversion to apartments. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media

Another former Connecticut school could become apartments, as a New York developer gauges Plainville's interest in converting its 100-year old high school into apartments, after an interim stretch as a commercial building.

Located at 74 East St., across from Gnazzo's grocery store, the historic Plainville High School building's exterior and grounds have been kept in good condition compared to some abandoned schools in Connecticut that were allowed to deteriorate by their property owners. The building totals nearly 40,000 square feet of space on three floors, with a brokerage listing showing one layout that could accommodate nearly 35 apartments.

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The building later served as Plainville Junior High School, and most recently was known as the Plainville Business Center with Wheeler Health a tenant before it relocated. Two years ago, social media lit up after a sign went up on plans to demolish the building, but the work did not proceed.

The developer, whose identity CT Insider could not immediately confirm, spoke in March to members of the Plainville Planning & Zoning Commission  meeting minutes describe it as an "informal discussion  on his goal to build as many as 60 apartments in the historic structure and new buildings on the nearly 4-acre property.

"In an ideal scenario, I want to keep the school 'as-is' and convert it into apartments  probably use some sort of historic tax (credit)," the developer said. "Currently we're in discussions of either adding another development of housing there, or possibly townhome structures."

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He added he hoped to work with the town on any concerns that might be raised related to traffic and density.

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Between completed projects and those in the planning process, more than 4,000 apartments are slated for the the shells of former school buildings or on their grounds otherwise, according to a CT Insider count in 2025. That likely understates the actual number due to some conversions having occurred long before the online reporting era.

Apartments have been in short supply in Plainville, with Apartments.com listing about 20 available as of Thursday but with more rental options available for those expanding their search to neighboring Bristol or New Britain.

"The historic features of the building have been something that have been desired by many people to maintain, because there's history there," said Jennifer Bartiss-Earley, chair of the Plainville Planning & Zoning Commission, speaking at the March meeting aired on NutmegTV. "We're looking to expand our housing stock. ... One of the concerns is that our aging population is having a hard time staying in town, and our youth as they are going into the workforce are having a hard time staying in town."

The developer told town officials in March that a contract is in place to purchase 74 East St., with town records showing no transaction having been completed as of Thursday.

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Cal Hauburger, director of economic development and special projects for the town of Plainville, told CT Insider he did not have any new information on a redevelopment of 74 East St. as of Thursday.

Town records list the co-owners as Manafort Family LLC and Tunxis Management Co., with James Manafort Jr. and Justin Manafort Sr. listed as principals. A Manafort Family LLC contact could not be reached immediately for details, with the company having explored the possibility of a planned development district for the property in 2025.

Manafort Family LLC bought the building in 1998 from the town, with a property card not listing an acquisition price. The town's most recent appraisal listed a $2.8 million valuation for 74 East St., with the property having been listed for sale for $3.5 million.

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Plainville has multiple residential developments in the works, including the Liam's Landing Apartments that are under construction a mile east at 141 New Britain Ave. Under a separate limited liability company alongside the principal of Rossetti Development, James Manafort is planning a 19-apartment development on a long-time church property at 222 Farmington Ave.
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William Stoudt, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans, is seen in this file photo from February 2025 at the Kickoff to Rebuild event in the St. Roch neighborhood.
Mayor Helena Moreno makes her way into the room before speaking during an event marking her first 100 days in office at Gallier Hall in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
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The groundbreaking ceremony of the HRI Communities 50-unit Esplanade Delille Apartments project, a $22 million mixed-income, mixed-use development on a vacant city-owned block just outside the French Quarter at the corner of Esplanade Ave. and Henriette Delille St. in New Orleans, Friday, March 20, 2026. It marks the final one-for-one replacement housing requirement of the Iberville-Treme Neighborhood Choice Initiative. (Staff Photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune)
Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard his flight bound for Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the start of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa. (Alberto Pizzoli/Pool Photo via AP)
Dilapidated infrastructure remains at the B-5 orphan well site in the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge in Lottie, La., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A Devon waste carrier has been ordered to pay more than 17,000 after depositing tonnes of waste at an illegal site near Kingsteignton.

David Gorton, 59, of Denbury Road in Newton Abbot, was sentenced at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court after admitting offences linked to the unauthorised site.

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The court heard he deposited 1,368 tonnes of soil and stone on land at Little Lindridge Farm, near Kingsteignton, between July 2018 and May 2019 while operating as a registered waste carrier.

Mr Gorton was fined 1,466 and ordered to repay 12,300 gained from the activity.

He must also pay 3,614 in costs to the Environment Agency, along with a victim surcharge, bringing the total to 17,527.

The site, which had no environmental permit, is on land adjacent to landowner Christopher Garretts home near Kingsteignton, immediately upstream from where the A380 dual carriageway crosses the Ideford Stream.

Investigators said the deposits would have significantly increased flood risk both upstream and downstream.

An Environment Agency flood risk specialist determined it was likely the waste increased the risk to surrounding areas, although no specific details have been provided on whether individual nearby homes or communities were directly impacted.

Thousands of tonnes of mixed construction and demolition waste were found at the site.

It is estimated that clearing and restoring the land could cost at least 2.5 million, a figure that the Environment Agency told The Moorlander is estimated based on disposal costs for the approximately 12,000 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated waste that is present at the site.

The landowner, Christopher Garrett, was prosecuted in 2024 after receiving multiple warnings from the Environment Agency.

In a separate case, Mr Garrett was jailed for 32 months after dumping around 12,000 tonnes of waste, including asbestos, on the same land between 2018 and 2022.

The court heard Garrett had told Gorton the site was licensed, but Gorton failed to check this. Waste carriers are legally required to ensure the sites they use are authorised.

Despite being warned by an Environment Agency officer in 2019, Gorton continued depositing waste at the site.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: This illegal eyesore was made possible by waste carriers like Gorton who ignored the law to deposit waste at the site.

Waste regulations are in place to protect people and the environment, and it is essential that all companies follow the rules.

We would like to remind everyone who produces, transports or disposes of waste that they have a duty of care to ensure it doesnt end up at a site like this.

The Environment Agency told The Moorlander the landowner is currently responsible for the sites future, with remediation remaining their responsibility.

When asked why the case took several years to reach court, the agency said: This was a large investigation, and legal processes naturally take some time, but we reached a good outcome.

The timeline spans activity dating back to 2018, with enforcement action, surveillance and legal proceedings carried out over several years.

While more detail has now emerged, questions remain over when or whether full restoration work will begin on the site.

Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Even if youve been living under a rock for the last year, youve probably heard of Polymarket, the popular online betting platform that allows people to gamble on virtually any aspect of modern life, from Donald Trumps next military action to the price of oil or the results of elections. You can even bet on the temperature in a certain place at a given time. But, as is often the case, certain bets can be manipulated.

Meteo-France, the French weather forecasting service, believes that a weather station at Charles de Gaulle airport in France was used to manipulate bets placed on Polymarket on what the temperature would be in the French capital on certain days of March and April.

Data shows that on some days, more than $500,000 was placed on bets on the temperature in Paris, with some wallets pocketing around $280,000 by betting that the temperature in Paris would reach 19 C on April 15. Surprisingly, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the temperature reached 22C, whereas it had been just 18C in the middle of the afternoon.

Sebastien Brana, vice president of Infoclimat, a group that focuses on climate observation, told French newspaper Le Monde that his organisation first noticed a sudden and inexplicable rise in temperature at the Charles de Gaulle airport on April 6, when temperatures briefly rose to 22C at 9:30 pm, before dropping back down to cooler spring temperatures.

When the information came out, we all thought it was a sensor drift. Then, we suspected a maintenance problem, Brana said, adding that the second occurrence on April 15 prompted some investigating.

It was soon revealed that the temperature anomalies coincided with unusually high winnings on Polymaket linked to bets on Paris temperature readings at the exact time of the abnormal readings. For example, an anonymous trader with the username xX25Xx bet $119 that the weather in Paris on April 15 would jump past the equivalent of 64 degrees Fahrenheit and won $21,398.

Meteo-France said it filed a complaint with airport police about possible tampering with its equipment, and people have already started speculating that someone must have used a lighter or a battery-operated hair dryer to heat the stations temperature sensor.

The weather forecasting service stated that physical findings on one of our instruments and the analysis of sensor data prompted its complaint.

French analytics firm Bubblemaps reported that no other weather station in the Paris area recorded the unusual temperature spike, and that xX25Xxs bet that day was 20 times larger than their typical wager. Interestingly, the weather station at Charles de Gaulles Airport was the one used to track the temperature on Polymarket.

Polymarket has yet to comment on this situation, but its website shows that it is no longer using the Charles de Gaulle weather sensor data and is instead using data from a station at the ParisLe Bourget Airport to settle bets.
A missing persons case in Mexico recently sparked a heated debate about the excessive use of filters and image editing tools online. Efforts to find a 30-year-old woman who went missing in the state of Chiapas earlier this month were hampered by the fact that the photos used by police on missing persons posters looked nothing like her.

Grecia Guadalupe Orantes Mendoza went missing on the night of April 12, in the municipality of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa. Following a report filed by the young womans family, police activated the Alba Protocol, a mechanism that initiates immediate actions for the search for missing women.

As part of the protocol, police used some of Grecias social media photos to create missing persons posters that they then distributed both online and among the local community. There was just one problem  according to the people who knew the 30-year-old woman, the person in the photos looked nothing like her!

In these types of situations, when time is of the essence and every hour that passes makes finding the victim alive less likely, missing persons posters play a crucial role, but in this particular case, they only made it more difficult for locals to recognize the missing woman.

How were they going to find her with photos full of filters? was one of the comments that circulated on various platforms, reflecting the impact that detail had on the perception of the case.

Luckily, the woman was found alive several days later on a highway connecting Ocozocoautla with the municipality of Jiquipilas, and she remains in police custody. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and her subsequent location remain confidential while the case is being investigated.

The case of Grecia Guadalupe Orantes Mendoza has sparked a debate about the use of social images for missing persons posters. Although they are the easiest source for such important visual material, experts say that the frequent use of filters hinders police instead of helping them.

The National Search Commission for Missing Persons identified some time ago that identification forms for the Alba Protocol are failing frequently when trying to locate missing persons, because they are generated using photos from social media, where users employ numerous filters and even artificial intelligence software, security consultant David Saucedo said.
Envy can push people into doing despicable things to their fellow man, but you rarely hear about someone trying to take the life of a coworker over a promotion. And yet that is the accusation currently faced by a lab worker at the University of Wisconsin who allegedly tried to poison a work colleague he had become upset with following a promotion that he felt was undeserved.

Makoto Kuroda has been charged with recklessly endangering safety and tampering with a household product with the intent to kill, injure or otherwise endanger the health of another person, after he admitted to lacing a fellow lab workers water bottle with paraformaldehyde and chloroform.

Kuroda and the victim, identified only by their initials, TM, had met in 2017 and had worked together at the universitys Influenza Research Institute in Madison for five years. The two had been pretty close, but had drifted apart over time to the point where Kuroda was so upset that he decided to poison his colleague.

TM noticed something strange on April 4, when he tried to take a sip from an already opened water bottle that had been sitting on his desk for a couple of days. He immediately spat out the mouthful of water because it tasted funny, and a fellow lab worker confirmed that the bottle smelled off.

A couple of days later, TM sensed a strong smell coming from his lab shoes, so he contacted the police. Samples from the water bottle and the shoes were analysed and came back positive for chloroform. The concentration was reportedly so high that the test strips could not provide an accurate result.

Strangely enough, Kuroda admitted to the poisoning attempt both to TM himself and to a professor from the university, adding that he had become upset with TM for not following the lab rule of wearing a lab coat and goggles, for a promotion that the victim had gotten and for other things that had just added up over time.

The Japanese-born man told police investigators that he retrieved 2 or 3 microliters of PFA mixed with Trizol, from his work fridge and put .5 microliters of the mix in TMs water bottle, and about 1.5 microliter of the mix into each of TMs shoes.

Kuroda said that he expected the chemical mix he put in TMs shoes to cause a rash, and the poisonous cocktail in his water to make him sick. He also admitted to using ChatGPT to learn about the amount of chemicals needed to achieve his sinister goal.

Police documents show that Makoto Kuroda wanted his victim to feel bad, suggesting that he deserved it, because bad things happen to bad people.
Created by Chinas largest snack retail chain, Mingming Henmang, the newly opened Snack Kingdom in Changshas Furong Square brings together more than 6,500 snack brands from all over the globe. With 12,000 square meters of operating space and more than 35,000 snacks, Snack Kingdom received the Guinness World Record certification as the Worlds Largest Snack Store on the day of its inauguration, April 17.

Snack Kingdom was designed as a unique experience for shoppers. The entrance is a long snack corridor made up of glass cabinets featuring various types of colourful snacks, and its meant to give visitors an idea of what they can expect inside.

The stores Instant Noodle City section features over 3,500 types of instant noodles, both domestic and from other regions of the world, ranging from classic types to rare specialities that most people have never even heard of.

The cola section takes up two long, multi-tiered shelves, featuring cola from about 20 countries. Apart from classic varieties from well-known brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, visitors can expect to find obscure varieties, like salted cola, for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xIWdu0v4IA

Snack Kingdom is meant to function as an actual store, although it has been struggling to keep up with demand ever since it opened. On April 19, just two days after its grand opening, management announced that it was suspending sales for a couple of days in order to deal with several issues, including restocking, checkout efficiency, and system capacity. Meanwhile, visitors are still welcome to visit Snack Kingdom, browse the difference sections and take pictures.

Interestingly, Changsha is also home to a supersized snack store that features giant versions of popular snacks, such as Lays chips bags, Oreo cookies and instant noodles, all available for purchase.
A TOTAL of 18,000 in funding for projects aimed at improving water quality in Offaly hs been announced by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD,.

The funding has been awarded through the Community Water Development Fund and the Catchment Support Fund, both administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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.

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Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, TD, welcomed the announcement: 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. My Departments funding supports these groups to deliver meaningful projects that protect and restore local rivers, lakes and streams.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan TD, added: Communities are passionate about their rivers, streams, lakes and coastal areas, and Im delighted that the 2.4m were announcing today will support local efforts to protect and restore them. The Government is committed to improving water quality, and this investment will enable the Local Authority Waters Programme to continue their work supporting groups across the country to deliver on our shared goals for nature. Id like to thank everyone who is dedicating their time, energy and expertise to these amazing habitats and wish them the best of luck as they undertake their projects.

The projects in Offaly awarded funding is at Rahan Community Hall for the creation of bio-retention area in the hall car park .

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. While 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.

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Both funds help community groups and organisations to deliver a wide range of projects to improve water quality nationwide, including:

River and catchment conservation and restoration: initiatives to restore and protect local rivers and their ecosystems.

Community engagement: programmes that promote water stewardship and raise awareness about water quality issues.

Biodiversity enhancement: projects that support habitats and species dependent on clean water.

Preparation of reports: feasibility studies, habitat management plans, ecological surveys, and hydromorphological studies.

Commenting on the 2026 fund, Director of Services for the Local Authority Waters Programme, Anthony Coleman said: Local communities play a vital role in protecting and improving our water quality. The Local Authority Waters Programme is proud to support the work of community groups, volunteers and NGOs across the country through our funding programmes, helping them take action to improve and protect our waterways for current and future generations.

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Local Authority Waters Programme staff have seen increased demand for these funding schemes which have grown significantly in recent years. Both funds have nearly doubled in the past two years alone, with the Community Water Development Fund rising from 702,000 in 2024 to almost 1.3 million in 2026, and the Catchment Support Fund rising from 500,000 in 2024 to over 1.1 million in the current funding announcement.

These funding schemes are an important commitment within Irelands Water Action Plan 2024, the roadmap to restore our waterbodies to 'good' status or better and to protect against further deterioration up to 2027, as required under the EUs Water Framework Directive.

For full details of grants awarded and more information on the work of the Local Authority Waters Programme visit: www.lawaters.ie
The Department of Education and Youth has tannounced the latest tranche of special classes.

As part of the announcement, TD for Offaly, Deputy John Clendennen has confirmed that Oaklands Community College in Edenderry is to receive an Autism Inclusive Special Class for the 2026/2027 school year.

Speaking on the announcement, the Fine Gael rep said, This is very welcome news for Oaklands Community College and the wider community of Edenderry. During a recent visit to the school , the need for extra special class capacity was highlighted and its great to receive this confirmation this morning.

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This latest announcement brings the total number of new special classes for the upcoming school year in Offaly to fourteen.

New special classes were previously announced for Mercy Primary School Birr, St Brendans Boys Primary School, Durrow National School, Scoil Mhuire Tullamore, Clonlisk National School, Rhode National School, Scoil Bhride Croghan, St Colmans National School (Cappagh NS), Tullamore Educate Together National School, Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore College, Banagher College and St Brendans Community School Birr.

The new Inclusive Special Class will be backed by additional resources including teaching staff, SNAs, and funding for equipment and any necessary school adaptations.

I am conscious that Oaklands Community College is also waiting for progress on their new school building, and I am continuing to work with my colleagues in Government to move forward on this project, as well as others across the county. I want to commend the leadership and staff at the school as well as Cllr Liam Quinn on the strong work already being done,  concluded Clendennen.

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OFFALY County Council has given the go-ahead for the building of Columbarium Walls, for the first time ever, in Offaly's burial grounds.

This is a new and significant departure from the way our graveyards are normally run and represents the cultural change which has taken place in contemporary Ireland.

A Columbarium consists of a wall with designated niches into which urns containing the cremated remains of loved ones can be placed.

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The units are pre-formed with niches or cubicles that have a lockable door, and each niche can accommodate two urns. Each niche in the columbarium can be personalised to the wishes of the deceased as well as his or her surviving family.

Paul McLoughlin, Director of Services, told the April meeting of Offaly County Council that the existing Burial Ground Bye Laws were adopted in 2015 and since then the need had arisen to amend some of them and to also include new bye-laws. We reviewed our current bye-laws and compared them with the bye-laws of neighbouring counties, and our bye-laws are substantially very similar.

He said the first new bye-law to be included is regarding giving permission, for the first time in the Council's history, for the building of Columbarium Walls in graveyards.

He pointed out that there have been requests and representations from Councillors and community groups over the past six years for the provision of Columbarium Walls for the inurnment of ashes in various burial grounds.

On a separate matter, but also to do with burial grounds, Mr McLoughlin added that unauthorised furniture has been an issue in certain burial grounds for some time and has become more acute in recent years. In order to give us more power to deal with the unauthorised seating the old bye-law 9.6 was strengthened and now clarifies the prohibition and the conditions  this is now bye-law 10.11.

Cllr Clare Murray-Smale said she thinks creating Columbarium Walls is a wonderful idea.

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More and more Councils across Ireland are pointing out that as more people choose cremation over traditional burial, there is a greater need for suitable locations to store cremated remains (urns). Councils are pointing out that in cities like Dublin as well as in other counties available space in traditional cemeteries is reaching capacity, making vertical, space-efficient solutions essential. Columbarium Walls are being installed in regions beyond Dublin, with recent or planned projects in Roscommon, Westmeath, Mayo, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois and Wexford. Columbarium niches are seen as a practical option for families, often costing less than a traditional plot and allowing families to be placed together. Local politicians are calling for Columbarium Walls to be introduced in all municipal cemeteries to move with modern times and address changing death care preferences.

In a separate matter, but staying with the new burial ground bye-laws, Mr McLoughlin referred to Bye-Law 16.3 which states, No person shall use a parking space in a Burial Ground except while attending a funeral or visiting the Burial Ground.

Another new bye-law states: All dead flowers, wreaths, weeds, rubbish or other unsightly items shall be removed by the Burial Rights Owner as soon as possible from Plots and disposed of in a responsible fashion.

A statement with the new bye-laws and signed by the Council's Administrative Officer, Senior Engineer and a Director of Services, commented that It is considered that the proposed Bye-Laws are in line with Offaly County Council's vision, mission and values and that they will provide a framework of good governance and enforcement to maintain our public services to the current standard, and the bye-laws will also allow for future development of different burial ground supply and fulfil our statutory obligation to provide adequate burial ground spaces within our administrative area, protecting public health.
By Robert Weiner and Andrew Beauchamp

Thirty-four of America's largest cities in the country are in a housing affordability crisis, Bankrate reported last year.

The price in these cities, for both homes and their citizens, is high. In Miami-Dade County alone, there were about 528,000 low-income and fully employed households living paycheck to paycheck in 2025, according to United Way Miami. Miami Homes for All, a housing advocacy group, estimates that it will take $1.5 billion to develop enough affordable housing and other programs to solve the crisis.

When this criterion is expanded nationwide, almost one-third of fully employed households were living paycheck to paycheck in 2025, reported CBS News. However, a bipartisan push in both the Senate and the House aims to help not just those all over the United States. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the Senate in a landmark 81-10 vote, heralded by Senators Elizabeth Warren. (D-MA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) .

All the provisions of the bill were "screened for 'Will you get more housing from it?' Warren told the National Press Club on January 12, "Will it drive down the cost of building so we get more housing supply," Warren said. President Trump called Warren after her talk, which gives hope for the bill's future.

From limiting investors' buyout of single-family homes, eliminating outdated regulations, and offering housing assistance programs, the bill reduces the cost to own or rent a home by increasing opportunity.

Many of the cities where the crisis is worst would get millions in funding for housing through grants. The bill, if enacted into law, would help bring the most impacted cities out of the deficit. However, while banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes is part of President Trump's messaging, he's signaled he's unhappy with bringing costs down.

In an address in Switzerland, January 2026, Donald Trump said: "Every time you make it more and more and more affordable for somebody to buy a house cheaply, you're actually hurting the value of those houses."

He doubled down later that month, stating, "I don't want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people who own their homes, and they can be assured that's what's going to happen."

Despite Trump's mixed messaging when it comes to housing, the bill is almost law. The last steps for the would be reconciliation -- assuming House Speaker Mike Johnson clears it for scheduling-- and sending it to the President's desk, as the current bill must combine with the version passed through the House. As a real estate developer, Trump could even maneuver the win as a win for himself. Even if Johnson and Trump resist this year, if the House flips next year, Democrats could engineer a veto-proof House margin plus repassing overwhelmingly in the Senate to have the bill become law regardless of Trump.

Warren and Scott have asserted that the majority of the bill will stay the same with minor changes to satisfy House Republican leadership, who stripped the bill from the annual Defense budget last year.

While some decry the bill as not addressing the core issues of housing affordability, housing developments can't happen in a vacuum, and the 21st Century Road to Housing Act is designed specifically to help governments and local communities pull themselves out of an affordable housing drought.

There are still roadblocks, like the reconciliation process and whether Speaker Johnson and the President will support the bill into law. However, the margin in Congress may be veto-proof as more politicians, and most importantly, voters, on both sides of the aisle signal their frustration with the current affordability crisis. The bill stands as a potential major bipartisan win for Republicans, Democrats, President Trump if he's smart enough to accept the win, and most importantly, the low-income individuals who feel the effects the most.

Robert Weiner was a chief of staff for Rep. Claude Pepper, and a spokesman in the Clinton and George W. Bush White Houses. He was also Communications Director of the House Government Operations Committee, and Senior Aide to Four-Star Gen/Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey and Reps. John Conyers, Charles Rangel, and Ed Koch.

Andrew Beauchamp is a research and policy analyst at Robert Weiner Associates and the Solutions for Change Foundation.
By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Israel of attempting to position Turkey as a "new enemy" following Iran, amid increasingly tense exchanges between officials from both countries.

Fidan emphasized that ending Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory and ensuring the protection of civilians are urgent priorities that cannot be delayed. He warned that continued Israeli expansion and the imposition of its geopolitical agenda would make lasting peace, stability, and security in the Middle East unattainable.

He also stressed the importance of preventing the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from undermining ceasefire agreements or derailing ongoing diplomatic efforts. Fidan highlighted the need to maintain international momentum in support of de-escalation.

Furthermore, he urged the international community not to lose focus on the Palestinian issue despite shifting regional developments. He pointed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called on Israel to adhere to ceasefire terms and begin reconstruction efforts without delay, reaffirming Turkey's readiness to contribute.

Escalating Political Exchanges

These remarks followed strong criticism from Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who attacked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an over his statements regarding the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking during a meeting with editors from Anadolu Agency, Fidan stated:

"Israel cannot exist without an enemy. We see that not only Netanyahu's government but also some opposition members are trying to classify Turkey as a new enemy."

He described this trend as a relatively new phenomenon in Israeli politics, initially driven by domestic protests and later evolving into a broader state-level strategy.

When asked about the risk of wider regional conflict, Fidan warned:

"This is possible. Unfortunately, we find ourselves once again in the same situation."

He argued that Israel's expansionist policies since October 7, 2023, along with its occasional reliance on the United States and other actors to advance its agenda, have further destabilized an already fragile region.

Lebanon and Gaza at the Center of the Crisis

Addressing Israeli military actions in Lebanon following the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, Fidan described them as part of a broader "regional expansion project." He pointed to a recurring pattern of sustained bombardment targeting specific areas in Lebanon, which has led to the displacement of more than one million people.

Israel responded forcefully. Netanyahu stated on the social platform X that Israel would continue its campaign against Iran and its allies, accusing Erdo?an of supporting them and committing abuses against Kurdish citizens.

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Fair Maps Now

(Image by Michael Lee Chavers) Details DMCA



Listen up, because I'm only gonna say this once! Those jokers in Florida are heading to Tallahassee on April 28th for a four-day "special session," and believe me, they ain't going there for the sunshine or the orange juice. They are getting together to cook up some serious political schemes. They're talking Congressional gerrymandering and whatever other backroom deals they can conjure-- they'll probably burn a few books while they're at it!

Governor Ron DeSantis is planning to redraw the map. And why? To do a favor for the former president and grease the wheels with his MAGA base just in case he decides to take a run at the White House. Look at the situation: these Florida politicians are trying to redraw a map that's already crooked! They want to stack one layer of gerrymandering on top of another. They are trying to heist five extra seats in the midterms like it's some kind of high-stakes robbery.

Back in 2022, they drew a map that wiped out a seat in North Florida where Black and Brown voters were nearly half the population. People stood up and said, "Hey, that violates the Fair Districts Amendments!" But the Florida Supreme Court-- which is packed to the gills with DeSantis appointees-- upheld it anyway. That court is being used as a shield to push through the most gerrymandered, rigged maps in the entire country.

This is a blatant, cold-blooded power grab, plain and simple! It is designed to strip the voting power right out of the hands of Black and Brown Floridians. This special session is a threat to democracy that'll be felt for years. Voters need to wake up, get down to Tallahassee, and tell that MAGA-majority Legislature that they cannot just draw whatever crooked-ass map they want!

One side is using every dirty tool in the shed to hold onto power and silence anyone who has the guts to disagree. For too long, the opposition has been acting shy about how power is grabbed and used. That ends now! People need to be bold. They need to stand up and say they want the power-- not for special interests, but to actually help the people.

Is the message clear? Get moving! Stop the gerrymandering and stop this theft!
By: Robert Weiner and Griffin Cobb

On April 10, former Secretary of State, Democratic presidential nominee, and earlier the head of Vietnam Vets Against the War John Kerry told Jen Psaki on MSNBC, "When life and death is involved, and war is involved-- and it's certainly a lesson I learned in the context of the 1960s-- you really need to tell the truth."

The US has a long track record of lying to its people, and it is happening again in the Iran war.

On February 28, the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school in the city of Minab, was struck by a US Tomahawk missile, killing over 175 people, including over 100 children.

When President Donald Trump was asked about these attacks and who did it, his response was, "In my opinion, based on what I've seen, that was done by Iran," with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth adding "They have no accuracy whatsoever. It was done by Iran" regarding their munitions.

Now, an investigation reveals that U.S. forces were targeting naval assets near the Strait of Hormuz, and they misfired because of old intel.

Along with this catastrophe, Pete Hegset h has also lied about the death of six soldiers in Kuwait calling the Iranian drone attack a "rare squirter". This was once again another lie. A whistle blower, A US soldier involved in the attack, stated, "I want people to know the unit " was unprepared to provide any defense for itself. It was not a fortified position," referring to the unit's status during the incident.

These are not the first times the U.S. government has told the public one thing while the truth pointed in another direction.

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If the objective of the U.S. war upon Iran is to ensure that that country does not develop nuclear weapons, that goal was attained more than a decade ago through a far different approach than the one now being followed by the Trump administration.

Iran, as a signer of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty of 1970, had agreed to forgo the development of nuclear weapons. Even so, fears grew during the early 21st century that Iran's uranium enrichment program, used for peaceful purposes, might be diverted to the development of the Bomb, thereby throwing the volatile Middle East into yet another crisis, including a frenzied nuclear arms race.

As a result, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France) and Germany began lengthy negotiations with Iran, offering it various incentives to halt uranium enrichment. A key incentive was the lifting of international sanctions, which were having a severe impact on sales of Iran's oil and, thus, its economy. After the election in 2013 of an Iranian reformer, Hassan Rouhani, as president, the negotiators came to a preliminary accord to guide their talks toward a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

The final agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was negotiated by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Germany, and the European Union. Signed in July 2015, it granted Iran sanctions relief in exchange for significant restrictions on its nuclear program. These included Iran's agreement to ban production of highly enriched uranium or plutonium, ensure that its key nuclear facilities pursued only civilian work, and limit the numbers and types of centrifuges that it could operate. In addition, Iran agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, unfettered access to its nuclear facilities and undeclared sites.

In the United States, the Iran nuclear agreement was strongly supported by the Obama administration, which played a key role in securing it, and by Democrats, but denounced by Republicans. Jeb Bush, then a leading presidential contender, called it "dangerous, deeply flawed, and short-sighted," while U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham claimed that it was a "death sentence for the state of Israel." Indeed, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, lobbied ferociously against U.S. acceptance of the Iran agreement, furiously attacking it as a "historic mistake."

Despite the opposition, the agreement went into effect in January 2016 and, initially, had smooth sailing. The IAEA certified that Iran was keeping its commitments, nations repealed or suspended their sanctions, Iran's oil exports surged, and the United States and European nations unfroze about $100 billion of Iran's frozen assets.

In May 2018, however, Donald Trump, Obama's successor as President, breaking with America's European allies, unilaterally withdrew the U.S. government from the Iran agreement and announced the reimposition of oil and banking sanctions. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of this deal," Trump announced. Assailing the Iran agreement as "defective to its core," Trump condemned it for failing to deal with Iran's ballistic missile program and its proxy warfare in the Middle East, as well as for the agreement's 10-year sunset provision.

In response, Iranian President Rouhani, stating that the U.S. government had failed to "respect its commitment," declared that he had "ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to be ready for action if needed, so that if necessary we can resume our enrichment on an industrial level without any limitations." Even so, he promised, he would wait to speak about this with allies and the other signatories to the agreement.

Thereafter, things went downhill. Although France, Germany, and Britain sought to keep the agreement alive by evading the U.S. banking sanctions through a barter system, this effort eventually collapsed. Meanwhile, Trump got into a verbal brawl with Rouhani, threatening Iran with what he called "CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE." Ultimately, Iran began exceeding the agreed-upon limits to its stockpile, enriching uranium to higher concentrations, and developing new centrifuges.

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Out of control wildfires will greatly increase if HR 2289 is passed.

(Image by slworking2 from flickr) Details DMCA



Bill Would Cause Overloading of Utility Poles, Causing High Risk of Wildfires

Unless you have been paying very close attention to the rollout of these small cells (short for cell towers), you may not be aware that they can allow for small-refrigerator-size cabinets of heavy equipment, filled with highly flammable material (such as diesel, propane or lithium batteries), to be hung perilously from utility poles, or placed on the ground, closely spaced throughout our neighborhoods .

Senator Dianne Feinstein has warned about the risks of wildfires caused by overloading utility poles with these small cell installations, as she wrote in this OpEd: "Wireless companies won't bear the responsibility when things go wrong. Attaching 5G cells that are the size of mini-refrigerators to city poles will make poles less stable. When poles come down, they pose significant risk for physical harm, property damage, blackout and even wildfires in dry regions. And under FCC rules, cities and residents would be on the hook for that damage."Click Here

We already know that overloading utility poles can be the cause of a wildfire that can destroy a community, as happened in Malibu in 2007. Click Here

Those poles in Malibu didn't even contain the possibility of the ticking-time-bomb fuels that the 4G/5G installations may contain. What if there's an earthquake, car accident, or period of high winds?

Even before the rollout of these hundreds of thousands of new "mini cell towers" throughout the U.S., cell towers have often been the source of fires. You can see numerous articles about dangers of cell towers here.

https://ourweb.tech/fires-and-collapses/

Also extremely concerning re fire dangers, is the testimony by fire safety expert Susan Dana Foster, at an April 19, 2021 hearing of the Assembly Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications (concerning SB 556). This fire safety expert testified that the telecom companies have often managed to evade electrical codes at the state, county and local level.

Even more alarming, firefighters cannot even directly fight the fires using water at small cell installations, because they are electrical fires and they would risk electrocution. They have to wait for the power to be shut off, which can take from ten minutes to two hours. Would you want a small cell installation burning out of control outside a child's bedroom for up to two hours?

Add to that the very high fire risk caused by the smart meters that the telecoms quite often place on the 4G/5G installations. Here is a link to comprehensive report (50 pages long) on the fire hazards presented by smart meters. Click Here

The report describes many reasons that smart meters have led to fires. Most notably, unlike analog meters, smart meters do not have surge protectors or any connection to ground (pp. 4-5). When a power surge hits them, which often happens after PG&E re-energizes electrical lines after a power shut-off (more and more common now), these meters can explode and cause a fire (p. 6 and 8).

When worker-whistleblowers have attempted to alert the power companies to the problem of smart meters causing fires, they have been fired. At a CPUC hearing held in Santa Rosa in 2012, a former PG and E worker named Patrick Wrigley testified that he noticed frequent fires related to smart meters, when the power was turned on after it had been off for a while. When he reported this problem to his superiors, instead of acting to protect the community, they fired him. (His testimony can be seen in the excellent documentary "Take Back Your Power," available online.)

Due to periodic periods of severe drought, areas in the U.S. have been at great risk from out of control wildfires. We simply cannot afford this technology, so filled with potential danger, to be expanded with no oversight by local governments.

California's 2018 wildfires cost the US economy $148.5 billion - 0.7 percent of the country's annual GDP - of which a third was lost outside the state, according to researchers from universities including UCL.

Click Here

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Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed that America wants to extend the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanese and Israeli representatives will hold talks in Washington on Thursday, with Ambassador Simon Karam heading the Lebanese delegation.

The meeting will focus on extending the truce and setting a framework for direct negotiations.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the goal of the talks is to stop the military conflict, end Israel's occupation in the South, and to deploy the Lebanese army along internationally recognized borders.

Hezbollah party MP Hassan Fadlallah, called for a sustained ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, the return of displaced residents, the release of detainees, and reconstruction.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on April 19, that Israeli troops in Lebanon would use "full force" if threatened.

Israeli media reported on April 19 that Israel has divided the areas it controls in southern Lebanon into three distinct zones following the ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese government. According to the report, this layered security structure reflects a broader military and strategic doctrine aimed at reshaping the operational landscape along the northern border.

The Israeli imposed buffer zone allows Israel to continue a full scale war against the Lebanese homeowners and civilian population in the South forever, without out accountability and with impunity.

The first zone, referred to as the "red line," encompasses the front row of villages directly adjacent to the Israeli-Lebanese border. Most of the infrastructure in this area has reportedly been destroyed, and Israeli sources claim that no Hezbollah fighters remain there. In several locations, Israeli ground forces have established fixed military positions, signaling a sustained presence despite the ceasefire.

The second zone, known as the "yellow line," extends between 6 and 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory. This concept mirrors a similar model implemented in Gaza, where Israel has maintained control over significant portions of land following the October 2025 ceasefire. The stated objective in southern Lebanon is to prevent rocket fire into northern Israel. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces remain deployed in this zone, and sporadic clashes continue, particularly around Hezbollah strongholds such as Bint Jbeil.

The third zone stretches up to the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border. In this deeper area, Israel seeks to assert control primarily through firepower and surveillance positions rather than continuous troop deployment.

When announcing the 10-day ceasefire last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would remain in what he described as an "enhanced security zone" in southern Lebanon. This buffer zone, extending from the Mediterranean coast to the Syrian border and roughly 10 kilometers in width, is intended to shield northern Israeli communities from attacks.

Lebanese citizens see this buffer zone as a land-grab and know from experience that this arrangement may evolve into a long-term or even permanent occupation of southern territories. Israel held a brutal military occupation of South Lebanon for 18 years, during which the citizens were tortured and imprisoned at Kiam, including women and children.

Israeli military and political sources have indicated a high level of alert amid fears that the ceasefire with Iran could collapse. Reports suggest that both Israel and the United States are preparing contingency plans, with Iranian energy infrastructure potentially becoming targets if hostilities resume.

Analysts argue that Israel may be leveraging the Lebanese front to influence broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations. Some experts suggest that escalating tensions in Lebanon could pressure Iran into adopting a more rigid stance, thereby complicating diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Others point to internal Israeli debates following the ceasefire with Iran, questioning the effectiveness of the recent conflict if it failed to achieve its primary Israeli objective of weakening or toppling the Iranian regime. According to this perspective, both political and military leadership in Israel are maintaining ready-to-execute plans that could be activated when conditions permit.

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This is excerpted and adapted from Swanson's new book, War Is Still A Racket.

In the peace movement in the United States-- or at least in any antiwar circles that involve Veterans For Peace or other veterans groups, or that take an interest in the financial corruption that surrounds wars-- Major General Smedley Darlington Butler (1881-1940) is a mythical and heroic figure and has been for almost a century. He is best known for the text contained in Part I of my new book, a passionate rejection of war penned in 1935 called War Is a Racket. Published as a small pamphlet, War Is a Racket took up the theme of speeches Butler was giving around the country, with the text worked on by newspaper editor E. Z. Dimitman.

It's not hard to see why the text of War Is a Racket was and remains powerful. In it, Butler makes what is probably the most serious and dramatic confession in world history. Certainly Saint Augustine's is not even in the running. Butler was a famous and high-level insider blurting out secret truths, and with a blunt emphasis on the question of immorality. In War Is a Racket, Butler puts a focus on those profiting from war, but not as part of a cynical strategy to turn people against war who are economically selfish and uninterested in the moral question of mass slaughter. On the contrary, Butler never goes long without placing a spotlight on the killing, in order to contrast the price paid by some with the profits gained by others-- those investigated for war profiteering by the 1934-1936 Nye Committee in Congress and referred to in popular speech in the 1930s as the merchants of death. Butler's idea is not that war is made evil by profiteering, but that the evil of war is driven by profiteering and not by anything else that might be imagined to justify it.

The sense we get from Butler's words that shame about war was still possible in the United States of the 1930s is, I think, an appealing feature to us in an age of widespread shamelessness-- and in the case of Donald Trump a warmaker who could not possibly confess years later to piratical motives since he openly trumpets them from the start, stating publicly that wars on Venezuela and Iran are about oil and profits, things traditionally denied by U.S. officials about their wars no matter how implausibly.

Butler's words suggest not only the possibility of shame, but also the possibility of changing behavior. Butler tells us that war has always been a racket, but not that it will always be with us. In fact, he gives us his prescription for war's speedy abolition. Some of his recommendations-- such as no profits from wars, no wars without a vote by those who would do the fighting, and no U.S. troops ever more than 200 miles from the United States-- were either rhetorical flourishes or proposals for a world with no U.S. wars in it, barring an invasion of the United States by another country-- something Butler argued could never happen.

In contrast to peace activists, your average member of the U.S. public has never heard of Smedley Butler, does not know what a celebrity Butler was in his lifetime, is not familiar with the fantastic stories from his years of racketeering for Wall Street, hasn't heard that Butler took over and ruled the nation of Haiti, has no idea that he was the most decorated member of the U.S. military of his day and the highest ranking member of the U.S. Marines, has never read that he was himself imprisoned on the U.S. Marine base at Quantico as punishment for speaking badly about an important U.S. ally named Benito Mussolini, might not believe you if you told them that Butler likely prevented the execution of a well-developed coup plot to overthrow President Franklin Roosevelt, and decidedly has no notion of the contents of War Is a Racket.

As few in the United States know much about the centuries of U.S.-backed coups and malign influence in Latin America, even fewer know of Butler's role in killing and destroying to prevent freedom or sovereignty in places like Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Within the U.S. Marine Corps, Butler is remembered as a courageous hero. In Haiti, he is remembered as the leader of an occupation that lasted 20 years and as a man who brought slavery back to that nation. He was also an early militarizer of police forces in the United States and Latin America. But for millions of people in the United States he, and some of the events and trends he was a part of, are not remembered at all.

I suspect that some of the reasons Butler is absent from school textbooks are also reasons for his intense popularity among those who have discovered him. Butler lays blame on major corporations and banks. And he names their names. He believes that he committed mass murder on their behalf for decades; he's not about to shy away from naming them. He also states the obvious-- points out the emperor's nudity-- even when popular consensus holds a statement to be unspeakable. War departments --then not yet renamed "defense" departments-- build and train and prepare for wars, he reminds us, and those wars consist of numerous instances of something normally forbidden and condemned: murder.

Butler uses sarcasm, which tends to be either loved or hated, and uses it to point to patriotism as central to the phony propaganda advanced to hoodwink the public and military recruits / conscripts on behalf of war profiteers. That alone sets Smedley Butler outside the realm of topics that can be mentioned in a school textbook.

Butler was writing against the mad buildup to another war following World War I. No gatekeepers of acceptable culture mind that fact at all. But where Butler commits major heresy is in writing against the mad buildup to war preceding World War II. To many, such an action must be either foolish or traitorous. Never mind that Butler was exposing fascist plots, not engaging in them. Butler also warned against the major build-up for the coming war against Japan. This was at a time when the U.S. and Japanese governments were inching their way toward war, and some wise people in both countries were protesting. Peace activists were marching through New York City against that threatened war years before it finally started. But none of that is supposed to have ever happened. In U.S. mythology, right up through 1941 the entire United States and its government was minding its own business, peacefully farming or inventing plastic or something, when the Japanese attacked out of a clear blue sky. Reading Butler doesn't fit into that imaginary history.

Yet those who opposed slavery centuries before its general abolition have eventually become thought of as having been right, and even as having had something to teach those who finally succeeded. Who are we to say that advocates for peace in the 1930s have nothing from which the 2030s could benefit? I think the benefit becomes rapidly apparent simply by reading Smedley Butler.

My book is available at https://davidswanson.org/racket

I'll send you a signed copy if you sign up for a 4-session, online book club (there is a fee).

Or you can join me for free for one session to discuss the book online here.
NASA got through the Artemis II mission last week with a few minor "anomalies," as NASA calls problems, but in 2028 it plans to launch a nuclear-powered rocket to Mars as an initial step to using nuclear-powered rockets in space.

An accident involving a nuclear-powered rocket could be no small anomaly.

The NASA plan was heralded in a section titled "America underway on nuclear power in space" in a NASA announcement on March 24th headed "NASA Unveils Initiatives to Achieve America's National Space Policy."

It said that "after decades of study and in response to the National Space Policy, NASA announced a major step forward in bringing nuclear power and propulsion from the lab to space. NASA will launch the Space Reactor"'1 Freedom, the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft, to Mars before the end of 2028, demonstrating advanced nuclear electric propulsion in deep space."

Scientific American followed with an article the same day headlined: "NASA announces a nuclear-powered Mars mission by 2028." The subhead: "The U.S. space agency will aim to send a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars-- a first-- in a bid to show that nuclear propulsion can be used to send missions into deep space."

Pursuing use of nuclear propulsion in space has been a NASA aim for many years-- indeed, going back to the 1960s.

This was highlighted by NBC News correspondent Tom Costello, who covers space issues, in 2023 going to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama where work has been done and remains underway on developing nuclear rockets.

Costello reported: "NASA looks at going to the moon"and to Mars. And to get to Mars, they're going nuclear".While science and exploration are the driving motivators, there's also a competitive factor, China. The Chinese government is very secretive, and a lot of their plans involve their military preparations. And so, there's a reason for us to get there first. And NASA wants to get there faster"So to cut travel time, America is going back to the future."

"This project was called NERVA," Costello continued, citing NERVA (which stands for Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application), "the 1960s a government program that most Americans have never heard of to develop nuclear powered rockets. It turns out they made big progress back in the 60s, running expensive tests."

In Huntsville, he said, "they've got an exact replica to scale of the Saturn V [rocket]"Future astronauts will need that kind of lift. But once they're in space, they can use a much smaller engine, a nuclear engine, to go all the way to Mars and back"It's happening now at the Marshall Space Flight Center"This is where they put [together] components of nuclear thermal rockets."

Things did not go smoothly for NERVA.

"NASA: Lost its NERVA," was the heading in an article in Ad Astra in 2005 by longtime space journalist Leonard David. He wrote about how, "For NASA, it has been a long time in coming-- permission to use the 'N' word: for nuclear power in space. In many ways, it has been the political, financial and technological third rail of space exploration-- too hot of an issue to handle easily-- radioactive to boot."

He wrote that NERVA's "success was short-lived. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, U.S. President Richard Nixon nixed NASA and NERVA funding dramatically"Eventually, NERVA lost its funding and the project was scuttled in 1973."

It's not just the U.S. that is intending to use nuclear-powered rockets in space.

"Nuclear-powered rockets will win the new space race," was the headline last year in The Washington Post. The sub-head: "Russia and China are working hard for a nuclear-powered advantage in space. The U.S. must up its game."

"Space nuclear propulsion and power are not hypotheticals," said the article. "China is investing heavily in both terrestrial and space-based nuclear technologies, with plans to send a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars by 2033. Russia, too, has announced ambitious goals."

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The war launched by the United States in February has already cost Europe tens of billions of euros. The Middle East is paying in thousands of lives. The White House, meanwhile, continues to insist it acted correctly.

There is a particular kind of cynicism embedded in the current architecture of global security: decisions are made in Washington, while the bills are paid in Berlin, Paris, Warsaw, and Milan. On February 28, 2026, President Trump authorized the first strikes against Iran. Within days, gas prices at Europe's benchmark TTF hub jumped from 31.9 to 54.3 euro per megawatt-hour. This was not normal market volatility. It was the direct consequence of foreign-policy escalation - one whose costs Europe is absorbing without meaningful influence over the decisions behind it.

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jrgensen estimates that the bloc's additional costs have already reached 24 billion, or roughly 500 million euro per day. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged that "Europe is once again paying the price for instability beyond its borders." It is a diplomatic phrasing, but the meaning is sharper: a key ally has once again presented Europe with a fait accompli.

The context makes the situation even more fragile. Europe entered 2026 with historically low gas reserves - 46 billion cubic meters at the end of February, compared to 60 billion a year earlier and 77 billion in 2024. In other words, the continent was more exposed than at any point in recent years. And at precisely that moment, Washington launched an operation whose consequences analysts had warned about with unsettling precision.

A School. A Hospital. A Market.

The American and Israeli airstrikes on February 28 hit military bases and government buildings, but also schools and hospitals. Civilian casualties were significant.

On the first day of the war alone, a U.S. strike hit a girls' primary school in Minab, near a military complex. One hundred fifty-six people were killed, including 120 students, 26 teachers, and seven parents. A Pentagon internal review later attributed the strike to "outdated intelligence." It is a technical explanation that lands as something else entirely: administrative language for human loss.

By April 7, according to the human rights organization HRANA, more than 3,600 people had been killed in Iran, including 1,701 civilians and at least 254 children. As of April 3, 307 medical facilities - hospitals, clinics, and emergency centers - had been damaged. At the same time, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 70,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, roughly 70% of them women and children.

Taken together, these figures have led some international law experts to describe the conflict as a pattern of systemic violations of international humanitarian law. The Center for American Progress has argued that the war is "unconstitutional on multiple levels" and that strikes on civilian infrastructure amount to collective punishment.

The White House rejects these assessments.

A Strategy Without a Strategy

What Washington actually intended to achieve remains a subject of debate even among U.S. analysts. Experts warned from the outset that despite the intensity of the campaign, full Iranian capitulation - including the abandonment of its nuclear and missile programs - was unlikely. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps retained control over strategic decision-making, and expectations of internal collapse were not grounded in reality.

In other words, the United States entered a war with a country of 90 million people without a clear definition of what victory would look like. In Washington, this is often described as "strategic ambiguity." Elsewhere, it is more bluntly characterized as adventurism.

Oman, long a quiet intermediary between Tehran and Western capitals, said through its foreign minister that the United States had "lost control of its own foreign policy" and that allies should state clearly that national interests on all sides require an immediate ceasefire. It is a strikingly direct warning from a country that is normally careful in its diplomatic language.

Meanwhile, Iran responded with strikes on Qatar's energy infrastructure. On March 18, the Ras Laffan facility was hit, reducing Qatar's production capacity by 17%. Repairs are expected to take three to five years. LNG markets in Asia reacted immediately, with prices surging. For Europe - which had been relying on Qatari gas as part of its post-Russia energy transition - the shock hit an already strained system.

The crisis exposes a contradiction U.S. diplomacy has long preferred to avoid confronting. Washington supplies arms to Israel, guarantees Gulf monarchies' security, maintains trade relations across the region -- and simultaneously initiates military actions whose consequences reverberate through the same alliance network. Iran, in response, has struck all six Gulf Cooperation Council states - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates - as well as Iraq and Jordan.

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On April 15, a YouGov poll of more than 7,000 British adults delivered a verdict that no episcopal encyclical, no synod resolution and no theological argument could match in bluntness: 73 percent of the country is indifferent to the Church of England. Forty percent care about it not at all. The institution that once crowned kings, blessed empires, and claimed the spiritual allegiance of an entire civilisation has become, in the eyes of most of its nominal compatriots, an irrelevance.

The poll landed at a particularly inopportune moment. Three weeks earlier, the Bible Society had been forced to retract The Quiet Revival -- a widely publicised 2025 report claiming that churchgoing among 18-to-24-year-olds had quadrupled from 4 to 16 percent in six years. The retraction came after YouGov, the report's polling partner, acknowledged that anti-fraud technologies protecting the sample had never been switched on. For almost a year, the Bible Society had rebuffed academics who warned the numbers were, in the words of UCL emeritus professor David Voas, simply "too good to be true." The dominant trend, Voas concluded, "continues to be quiet quitting, not quiet revival."

The hard numbers tell a stark story. Average weekly church attendance in England stood at approximately 1.2 million in 2009; by 2023 it had fallen to around 693,000 -- nearly halved in fourteen years. Less than 2 percent of the population attends an Anglican service at least once a month. Thirty-six percent of remaining congregants are over 70, compared to 13.5 percent for the general population. In the Diocese of Manchester and Liverpool, Sunday attendance has contracted by more than half since the turn of the millennium. In large parts of rural England, there are no children in church on any Sunday at all.

A CRISIS OF CREDIBILITY

The congregation is not simply aging out of faith. It is withdrawing from an institution whose moral authority has been comprehensively squandered. Independent inquiries have documented that for decades the Church of England operated as, in effect, a protective environment for clerical abusers -- systematically prioritising institutional reputation over the safety of children. The findings did not produce a reckoning; they produced a public relations exercise. For many who might have sought spiritual community, that is disqualifying.

Equally damaging has been the Church's loss of theological coherence. The ordination of women as priests in 1994, and as bishops in 2014, satisfied progressive pressure while severing any remaining possibility of meaningful rapprochement with Rome or Constantinople. The 2023 General Synod vote authorising prayers of blessing for same-sex couples -- a compromise that satisfied neither traditionalists nor reformers -- exemplified an institution attempting to be all things to all people and succeeding at being nothing in particular. The proposal, also in 2023, to examine gender-neutral language for God drew international attention, not as evidence of theological seriousness but as a symptom of an institution confusing pastoral sensitivity with doctrinal dissolution.

The coronation of King Charles III in May 2023 offered a revealing illustration. Behind the medieval pageantry and the anointing with holy oil, the ceremony had been deliberately reframed as an inclusive, multicultural event -- representatives of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism participated in the liturgy. The king retains the title Fidei Defensor, Defender of the Faith, a designation granted by Pope Leo X to Henry VIII before the very schism that created the Church of England. That the Crown and the Church now treat this title as an embarrassment to be contextualised rather than a conviction to be proclaimed is, in theological terms, revelatory.

THE MATERIAL RECKONING

The spiritual vacancy is acquiring a physical form. Across England, medieval churches are being converted into restaurants, luxury apartments, and warehouse facilities -- the consecrated stone of eight centuries repurposed for storage and short-term rentals. The Church of England has invested -248 million between 2017 and 2020 in renewal programmes. The anticipated revitalisation has not materialised. A church that spends a quarter of a billion pounds to arrest a haemorrhage it cannot name is not implementing strategy; it is performing the institutional equivalent of last rites.

The April poll has given renewed urgency to the question of disestablishment. The National Secular Society called separation of Church and state "an obvious necessity" following the findings. Over 60 percent of respondents said no religion should hold automatic seats in the House of Lords; 55 percent opposed parliamentary prayers. The 26 Church of England bishops who sit in the upper chamber by right of ordination -- legislating on matters ranging from welfare policy to foreign affairs -- now do so with the explicit backing of fewer than one in twenty of their countrymen.

Meanwhile, a different institutional trajectory is visible in the same cities where Anglican congregations have most dramatically thinned. Mosques in Birmingham, Bradford, and East London report strong and youthful attendance. Whatever conclusions one draws about the broader dynamics of religious change in Britain, the contrast is not lost on demographers: one institution has retained a culture of transmission across generations; the other has spent three decades in a sustained effort to make itself agreeable to a secular society that has rewarded it with progressive disengagement.

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

Consider the change remarkable in its own fashion. The "President of PEACE" in his first term in office has distinctly become the President of WAR the second time around, whether in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, in Venezuela, in Nigeria, in Somalia, or now in Iran. And it was indeed true that, though in his first term he took ludicrous credit for bringing peace to the planet by stopping wars that he generally didn't halt, Donald Trump did not launch any significant wars himself. The second time around, however, the Peace President of increasingly "Epic Fury" simply can't seem to stop doing so. And he's been using language in the process that no American president has ever publicly used before. As he posted on Truth Social recently about his plans for Iran (no matter that purposely targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime): "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell -- JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."

Yep, and with that "Fuckin' Strait" (the Strait of Hormuz, of course), he's piling presidential firsts one on top of another, even as, in a big-time fashion, he joins all the previous American presidents since World War II who have launched or been involved in staggeringly unsuccessful wars from Korea and Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq. (Mind you, when it comes to Donald J. Trump and crew, "Fuckin' Crooked" would be a significantly more accurate phrase.) Explain it as you will, in his second term as president, he has indeed been in a mood of -- to steal his code name for his war on Iran -- epic fury and seemingly all too ready to take the world that refused to give him a Nobel Prize down with him.

So, there should be little surprise that, this time around, the President of Peace is also remarkably eager to raise an already astronomical Pentagon budget by a mere $500 billion more dollars to a genuinely unprecedented $1.5 trillion and, if that doesn't get him a Nobel Prize, maybe he'll have to try raising it to two trillion dollars while cutting every civilian program in sight (as he's already beginning to try to do). Now, with all of that in mind, take a deep breath and let TomDispatch regular William Hartung, co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine (though, of course, any future edition may have to be retitled The Trillion and a Half Dollar War Machine), escort you into the Trumpian version of the military-industrial complex. (If President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who gave the MIC its name in his farewell address in 1961, could be brought back today, he simply wouldn't believe his eyes!) Tom

Reining in the Pentagon

Can the Military-Industrial Beast Be Tamed?

By William D. Hartung

Right at this moment, we are witnessing an unprecedented shift of resources from domestic investments in the United States to the military-industrial complex (aka the war machine). The only comparable period in our history was the buildup to World War II, when the United States confronted a powerful adversary in Nazi Germany with designs to control not just Europe, but the world. The current buildup is breathtaking in scope and will certainly prove devastating in its impact -- not just on this country's foreign and domestic policies but also on the economic prospects of average Americans.

When, in 2023, my colleague Ben Freeman and I first conceived of our book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine, we viewed it in part as a cautionary tale about just how high the Pentagon budget might rise in the years to come (absent pushback from Congress and the taxpaying public).By the time our book came out in November 2025, however, the Pentagon budget had already topped the $1 trillion mark and, only recently, President Trump has proposed to instantly add another $500 billion to that already staggering figure and to do so in a single year's time. And imagine this: such a proposed increase alone is higher than the total military budget of any other nation on Earth.Mind you, the current high levels of spending have already underwritten a provocative, unnecessary intervention in Venezuela and a region-wide war in the Middle East, and the larger costs of all this in human lives and damage to the global economy are guaranteed to shape the lives of the rest of us globally for years to come.

To add insult to injury, the Pentagon announced that it would seek a $200 billion supplemental appropriation to pay for its war on Iran, which has spread across the Middle East.That $200 billion would have been in addition to the $1.5 billion proposed for the Pentagon's future budget.According to an analysis by Pentagon budget expert Stephen Semler, the Iran war, which started on February 28th with Israeli and U.S. air strikes on that country, cost the United States more than $28 billion just in its first two weeks. And to put that in perspective, $28 billion is more than three timesthe Trump administration's proposed annual budgets for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency (at a time when the climate crisis and the need to head off future pandemics are essential to the health and security of all Americans). Worse yet, it's all for a completely senseless war that should never have been started.

As President Trump alternates between engaging in negotiations to end the war and threatening to wipe Iran off the map -- or even just walking away to bomb another day -- there are reports that the supplemental budget request to pay for the war on Iran will shrink from the proposed $200 billion to $98 billion. And that $98 billion will include other things in addition to war costs, including disaster relief and aviation modernization.

The Garrison State and the Reign of the War Profiteers

On the campaign trail in 2024, Donald Trump pledged to drive the "war profiteers" and "war mongers" from Washington, suggesting that they like wars because "missiles cost $2 million each," while bragging that, in his first term in office, "I had no wars."

And his rhetoric as the ultimate champion of peace has continued during his second term, even as he has indeed launched reckless wars guaranteed to fill the coffers of the "war profiteers" he railed against on the campaign trail. He has, however, also pledged to help the weapons industry quadruple production of the same sort of "$2 million bombs" he decried during the campaign, plus -- even better for the arms makers -- missile interceptors that cost up to $12 million each. Worse yet, the demands of the current war on Iran, coupled with support for Israel's war on Gaza and Ukraine's efforts to defend itself from Russia, have left the Pentagon and the giant weapons corporations complaining that, if the U.S. doesn't radically increase its production of artillery shells, bombs, and missiles, the cupboard could soon be bare.

Of course, filling that cupboard again to the tune of staggering sums of money is exactly the wrong solution. The answer to the current munitions shortage is not to further supersize this country's arms manufacturing base, but to refrain from supplying the weapons used by Israel to commit genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in Lebanon, or to fuel unjustified wars like the current conflict with Iran.The best policy to prevent such stocks of military equipment from running low would, of course, be a more discriminating approach to military aid and a more restrained approach to U.S. foreign policy and war-making (writ large).

Washington should, in fact, put diplomacy first and only engage in military action if there is a genuine threat to the United States itself. We need a smarter policy toward military procurement and military strategy, not the garrison state with its "military-industrial complex" that President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us against more than six decades ago.

In addition, of course, the Pentagon needs to shift its procurement strategy toward producing more reliable weapons at a more reasonable cost, while avoiding unnecessary complexity so that they can be made more rapidly and spend more time ready to be used and less time down for maintenance.Such a formula was a watchword of the bipartisan congressional military reform caucus of the 1980s, which at one point included more than 100 members of Congress and helped roll back the extremes of the military buildup launched by President Ronald Reagan.

The Diminishing Economic Returns of Pentagon Spending

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re much for politicians and their works. Political government is a stupid and evil way of doing things. It makes us all less happy, less healthy, less prosperous, and less safe than we'd be if we abandoned it for voluntary means of living together.

Nonetheless, I occasionally try to "give credit where credit is due" when a politician departs, for even a moment, from evil and stupidity. At other times I seek the most charitable explanations I can find for that politician's actions. This is one of those latter times, and the question at hand, as you might expect is:

What is it with Donald Trump?

First, a note: I occasionally receive hate mail and comments opining that I suffer from "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and have never levied the same criticisms, for the same types of actions, against other presidents.

That's not true, and you don't have to take my word for it. I've been writing political commentary since the 1980s, and you can easily find almost all of that commentary from the early 1990s on with a quick search engine query. I've been, on balance, at least as critical of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden as I've ever been of Trump.

I've even said some nice things about Trump for, among other things, talking with the North Koreans, feinting toward US withdrawal from Syria, negotiating the US surrender in Afghanistan, advocating for an end to taxing tips, etc. He hasn't always followed through, but he's sometimes come up with good ideas.

There's something those good ideas have in common, and it occurs to me that those things may be of a piece with my "most charitable explanation" for ideas that weren't as good.

Some commentators look at Trump and the MAGA-dominated Republican Party and conclude that "the chaos is the point." That is, the purpose of some of the weirder and wilder actions of Trump's administration is to build an omnipotent totalitarian state by sowing fear, discord, and confusion -- to keep their opponents on perpetual tenterhooks, disorganized and unable to effectively respond, as new authoritarian measures roll out.

But what if it's not that?

In the mid-1990s, Clayton M. Christensen introduced the idea of "disruptive innovation" into the public lexicon. By the early 2000s, nearly every tech start-up touted itself as "disruptive," in a good way although not usually in precisely the way Christensen seems to have intended.

Around that time, Mark Zuckerberg coined a motto for how Facebook approached building itself as a social media platform. "Move fast and break things." In other words, if you have an idea that seems like it might produce really good results, pull the trigger and see what happens.

As goes biz buzz, so goes political thinking. Quoth the late Scott Adams:

"What Trump does is he shakes the box. He just wants to see where the pieces land, because wherever they land is a different situation than the one he's in."

Since the 1930s, with their penchant for technocracy, American politicians and bureaucrats have generally been disruption-averse. They prefer to tweak the system, messing around at its edges with minor "improvements."

Trump prefers "disruptive innovation." While he's unwilling to attack the central problem -- political government itself -- he's big on "disruptive" experimentation, both in general (consider, for example, the DOGE episode) and when he's in a situation that seems to call for distraction ("Epstein? Who's that? Hey, look, Iran!").

While I'm usually not ecstatic with the results, "shaking the box" may be a better explanation than "he's more stupid and evil than previous presidents."


Donald Trump - King of the GOP Jungle

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He has torn down the East Wing of the White House, and in its place, he plans to erect a 400-million-dollar ballroom. This ballroom threatens to dwarf the White House in size. Inside the White House, is more of the flashy gold. Statuses, picture frames, chairs, toilets.





He's like a little child with a crayon, a golden-colored one, writing his name over and over again on construction paper. Only this big child uses our taxes to have his name placed on everything. In gold! His name is on the Kennedy Center, above the name of John F. Kennedy. He's planning a monument, an arch, with a golden eagle, and this structure will stand across the Arlington memorial Bridge.





Europe and other sane members of NATO refuse to enable Trump who has been enabling Netanyahu, both using their heads-of-state status to avoid imprisonment, to murder people in Iran and Lebanon.





This is a man who claims the government can't afford to pay for Medicaid and childcare and operate a war in Iran and begin one against Cuba and any other country he sees fit to use the weapons produced by his wealthy friends. How can he reduce Iran to rumble as Israel has done in Gaza?





He has depicted himself seated, dressed in the white garb of a pope. This image was sent out just after the death of Pope Francis, as a hint to the Vatican that he would like to be the next pope. Last weekend, this man, accused of sexual misconduct with multiple women, depicts himself as Jesus! Trump wants his name on everything, but he doesn't want anyone to see those remaining Epstein files where his name is mentioned more than Jesus' in the Bible!





Pope Leo XIV continues to speak back to Trump who believes the pontiff to be "'weak on crime.'" well, the Pope has spoken out against a war, which unleashes "'inhuman violence'" against civilians, and continues to impoverish, leaving homeless innocent adults and children. The first attack in Trump's war on Iran was to bomb a girls' school, killing over 150 children. I think Jesus was big on children! Big on finding ways to love your neighbors and not hate them for their race or religious difference. But Trump has been reading his Bible upside down. So, for him, Iran needs its civilization, an ancient one, wiped off the face of the Earth!





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In Tehran, amidst the rubble of the Honiak Music Academy, which Hamidreza Afarideh and his wife built, he chose to play his kamancheh. Afarideh said, 'The last sound that remains here should not be bombs and missiles. It should be music.'

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Watch video here: .youtube.com/shorts/-CwKaRB_NSQ

In Tehran, amidst the rubble of the Honiak Music Academy, which Hamidreza Afarideh and his wife built, he chose to play his kamancheh. Afarideh said, "The last sound that remains here should not be bombs and missiles. It should be music."

Robots keep signaling me that I need to upgrade my software and get A.I. I'm fine with what I've got. The robots have other ideas. Some moments feel like an existential wrestle. I notice my temperature rise. I remind myself that for most of human history, survival has not depended on electricity, cars, smart meters, smartphones, Internet access, solar PVs, battery energy storage or targeted missile strikes (all here whether I like them or not).

Thinking that survival depends on nature, on abiding by nature's cycles"can seem like a kindergarten lesson that's no longer relevant.

I clarify that from conception until death, every living creature depends on an ecosystem of water, food, soil, air, insects, birds, fish and other animals. Actually, we depend on the biosphere before conception-- for healthy parents-- and after death-- when the body decomposes and returns to soil.

In what schools does nature serve as our teacher? Who still teaches that all life evolves from heating and cooling and drying and moistening? Glaciers, rocks, plants, animals and menstrual cycles all evolve from these two cycles. Since survival depends on healthy water-soil-plant relationships, could we stop covering soil with paved roads, parking lots, data centers (etc.)? Healthy soil absorbs and holds water. It grows food, cools the temperature and prevents fires. Why not stop cutting down climate-regulating forests (for solar and battery storage facilities, data centers and new housing developments)? Let forests that we have ruined regenerate themselves. Why not pause technological developments until we can do them without ravaging nature? Let go the belief that survival depends on making money and upgrading electronics. Reduce dependence on international supply chains, decrease military spending-- and learn to live by the food, water and energy offered within our region's watershed.

Even in highly populated areas, could we stop deploying new tech infrastructure and encourage people to grow food at schools, hospitals, office complexes, empty lots and windowsills?

Could we teach ourselves to abide by nature's cycles? I hear that when people do that, we genocide and ecocide become less common.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OIL Former Wall Street broker Nate Hagens explains that "the human economy, measured by people times goods and services per person, is now 1000 times bigger than it was 500 years ago. This lens is missing from virtually all mainstream economic and political discussions and analysis. We're making long-term plans, taking on long-term debts, building long-term institutions and financial systems"all based on the assumption that the energy and material largesse at the top of the carbon pulse is a permanent plateau. It isn't. It goes up and it will likely come down soon. The downslope has implications for every dimension of civilization, but especially our economic system, because the economy runs on energy." I highly recommend Nate Hagens' three brief videos: Oil 101; Oil 201; Oil 301.

Iranian/Canadian Kaveh Madani explains that because of its chemical debris, fallout from explosions, targeting of oil sites and desalination plants, WAR IS THE WORST THING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. Madani says that problems come from blaming only oil producers-- and from excluding oil buyers' responsibility. See his recent report, Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era.

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Would global ministerial meet galvanise action to prevent AMR in humans, animals, plants and environment?

SHOBHA SHUKLA - CNS



Save the medicines that protect us

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High level ministerial delegations from over 100 countries (mostly from the Global South) are expected to converge in Nigeria this June to attend the 5th High Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) that will be held on the African soil for the first time in history, with the Nigerian government hosting it.

The past meetings were held in Netherlands (twice) followed by Oman and Saudi Arabia - all high-income countries. AMR is a critical crisis impacting health and food security in low- and middle-income countries. It is for the first time that this upcoming meet is being held in a low- and middle-income country (Nigeria) - which gives hope for spurring more relevant actions to prevent AMR.

AMR or drug resistance is among the top 10 global health threats and threatens our livestock, food systems, economies and our environment. It is a problem driven by misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines - including antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics and antifungals - and results in critical medicines losing their effectiveness to treat infections. As a result of drug resistance, medicines become ineffective, and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

Misuse and overuse of medicines is not only rampant in human health, but also in animal health and livestock, food and agriculture, and is also polluting our environment.

That is why global lead agencies on human health (World Health Organization - WHO), environment (United Nations Environment Programme - UNEP), food (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO) and animal health (World Organisation for Animal Health - WOAH) united to form Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR to address the challenge with One Health approach. All Quadripartite agencies are supporting this upcoming global ministerial meeting on AMR.

Translate political commitments into country-level delivery

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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.
At the 139th Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China, global buyers are showing strong interest in China's new energy vehicles, robots, smart home appliances and more. From seasoned attendees to first-time visitors, many are looking to build long-term partnerships with Chinese companies.
David Gomez Wins Record-Breaking CNP Winamax Barcelona Main Event

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

The Casino Barcelona hosted the CNP Winamax festival last week, with the 550 buy-in Main Event the last tournament to wrap up. The Main Event drew in a crowd of 813 entrants, a 23% increase on the 2025 attendance. Catalan player David Gomez left all of those players in his wake.

The bumper crowd created a 352,726 prize pool that the top 87 finishers shared. First place was set at 60,000, but a deal with only three players remaining altered the payouts.

Gomez fired three bullets in the CNP Winamax Main Event. His third attempt to build a stack saw him enter as late registration was closing. Buying in so late meant he only had 15 big blinds to work with, but work with them he did, spinning them up to a title and a 54,433 prize.

The eventual champion finished the penultimate day in fourth place before arriving at the final table as the chip leader. Gomez used his big stack with deadly precision, targeting the medium-sized stack that had the most to lose.

With only three players remaining, a deal was struck that left 13,000 and the trophy for the winner. Gomez locked in 41,433, Marius Oprea banked 38,252, with Pepe Naranjo guaranteeing himself 37,313.

Naranjo was the first post-deal player to bust. He got his chips in with pocket sixes against Oprea's pocket tens. A six on the flop looked to have won the hand for Naranjo, but a ten on the turn flipped the hand back in Oprea's favor. A brick on the river, and the CNP Winamax Barcelona Main Event was heads-up.

The final hand saw the heads-up duo head to a queen-ten-six flop, which they both checked. A four on the turn saw Oprea lead, Gomez raise, and Oprea move all-in. Gomez called after confirming the all-in bet size. Oprea turned over queen-eight, but Gomez had turned two pair with his queen-four. The river changed nothing, and Gomez became the 2026 CNP Winamax Barcelona Main Event champion.

Speaking after his victory, Gomez said, "I'm an Expresso online player, and I rarely participate in live tournaments. I had already participated last year, but I didn't have a good feeling about it. So this year, I didn't have high expectations either. Having made such a good deep run and seeing myself reach the final table has been incredible, and then winning it leaves me speechless."

The CNP Winamax tour next heads to Murcia in late June, Alicante in September, before its Grand Final in Madrid in mid-November.

Meanwhile, the Casino Barcelona is gearing up to host the 2026 edition of 888poker LIVE Barcelona festival. It starts on May 14, continuing until May 24, and features, among other tournaments, an 888 buy-in Main Event. PokerNews' live reporting team will be on the ground for this Main Event.

Last year, the 888poker LIVE Barcelona Main Event saw Pau Coronado walk away with 70,000 of the 356,255 prize pool after he came out on top of a 459-strong field.

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Poker Pro Maurice Hawkins Files for Bankruptcy

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

Maurice Hawkins, a 24-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit gold ring winner with nearly $7 million in lifetime tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob, has filed for bankruptcy seeking, in part, to absolve himself from a six-figure poker debt due to Randy Garcia.

According to a Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Case 26-15116-EPK) obtained by PokerNews, Hawkins, through his attorney Michael A. Kaufman, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Thursday, April 23, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The filing came less than three weeks after Hawkins won the WSOP Circuit Elgin Event #3: $400 NLH for $17,419 and his record 24th ring, and despite Hawkins having already amassed $217,254 in 2026 tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob. Hes also coming off the best two years of his poker career in terms of results ($741,937 in tournament earnings in 2025 and $853,068 in 2024).

It also comes just months after Hawkins publicly agreed to a deal with Randy Garcia in which he agreed to pay $2,500 by the 30th of every month until $30,000 was repaid, which was seemingly a good deal for Hawkins as the final judgment against him issued by the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida (Case No. 502019CA000052XXXXMB) was for $115,828.

Garcia reportedly agreed, but after just a few months, Hawkins has allegedly failed to live up to his side of the bargain. Now, Garcia is taking legal steps to collect.

Last week, PokerNews learned from a source on-site in Tunica that Hawkins cashed a tournament but was allegedly surprised to learn that he would be unable to collect due to a garnishment. The following day, Hawkins filed for bankruptcy, a tactic that could be used to bypass future garnishment and avoid accountability.

This was confirmed by attorney Rogen Chhabra, who filed the garnishment in conjunction with Garcia.

Chhabra was recently a guest on the PokerNews Podcast to discuss the situation, which you can watch below:

As Chhabra shared, while the bankruptcy filing is a speedbump in Garcias efforts to collect and could ultimately lead to discharge, theres still a chance for them to fight it by showing Hawkins is not actually bankrupt, but instead fraudulently taking advantage of the system.

Same Old Hawkins?

The bankruptcy filing comes at a time when Hawkins has been busy boasting on social media about his winning ways and poker prowess, even going so far as to challenge Shaun Deeb to a $100,000 bet.

I win every trip I go on, check my hendon. I have more disposable income, than your regular income. I live rent free in your mind," Hawkins wrote. He aslo added, "All, I have to say is Happy New Year. This will Be my Biggest year. Its nothing your words, posts and ill intent against me. Can do about it.

Another thing he said on social media was, Some people talk, and then some people do. Lets eat 2026.. Plus 80k HIGH Hater. This is for those I told, I would make the salary in one week. This one is for you.

Hawkins got off to a strong start in 2026, chopping the Gulf Coast Poker Beau Rivage Heater Event #6: $500 Triple Stack NLH for $80,944, and then a week later winning the WSOPC Tunica Event #2: $400 Mini Main for $35,146.

According to the IRS: Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or liquidation bankruptcy, is a legal process that erases most unsecured debtssuch as credit cards and medical billswithin 3-6 months, providing a "fresh start". A court-appointed trustee may sell non-exempt assets to pay creditors, though many individuals keep all assets through exemptions.

That is opposed to Chapter 11, which is a reorganization that allows businesses or individuals to keep assets, continue operating, and restructure debt through a court-approved plan.

Maurice Hawkins

According to the filing, Hawkins lists his rented residence as Wellington, Florida, and that his debts primarily consist of consumer debts. When asked how much his estimated assets are worth, Hawkins ticked the box indicating between $500,0001-$1,000,000. As for how much he estimated his liabilities to be, he ticked between $100,001-$500,000.

The filing also contained a list of two dozen creditors, including Boca Raton Pawn Shop, Nordstrom, several finance companies, and the aforementioned Randy Garcia.

If successful, Hawkins would be absolved of paying the judgment against him, even though its seemingly been a good year for Hawkins. Back in February, Hawkins shared on social media that, after winning his 23rd WSOPC gold ring, he won a $10,000 Main Event seat to this summers 2026 WSOP for finishing as Casino Champ, and was going to Disney with the kids.

PokerNews will continue to monitor this story and provide updates if and when they happen.

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Maurice Hawkins Files Bankruptcy; Dodging $115K Poker Debt? | PokerNews Podcast #959

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

In the 959th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz get together to discuss the recent bankruptcy filing of Maurice Hawkins. Is it to absolve himself from a six-figure poker debt due to Randy Garcia?

According to a Voluntary Petition for Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy (Case 26-15116-EPK) obtained by PokerNews, Hawkins, through his attorney Michael A. Kaufman, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Thursday, April 23, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The filing came less than three weeks after Hawkins won the WSOP Circuit Elgin Event #3: $400 NLH for $17,419 and his record 24th ring, and despite Hawkins having already amassed $217,254 in 2026 tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob.

Plus, hear from Randy Garcia's attorney, Rogen Chhabra, who has launched garnishment efforts against Maurice.

Find out all about those stories and more in this week's episode of the PokerNews Podcast! Oh, and be sure to check out the audio version of the PokerNews Podcast that is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

PokerNews Podcast drops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to A newdrops every Thursday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Time Stamps

Time Topic 00:00 Welcome to the show 01:20 Maurice Hawkins Files For Bankruptcy 16:40 Attorney Rogen K. Chhabra

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 26, 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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CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 27, 2026 /Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL)(OTCQB:EGPLF) ("EPL" or "Eagle Plains" or "the Company" ) is pleased to announce it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent ("LOI") dated April 22, 2026, with Pacific Bay Minerals Corp. (TSX-V:PBM) ("Pacific Bay" or "PBM") whereby Eagle Plains and Pacific Bay will negotiate and settle the terms of a definitive option agreement (the "Option Agreement") for Pacific Bay to acquire a 100% interest in Eagle Plains' wholly-owned Haskins project (the "Haskins Project").The 578ha road accessible Haskins project is located 105km NE of Dease Lake, BC. The Haskins is considered to be highly prospective for carbonate replacement, multi element skarn type, molybdenum-tungsten stock work porphyry and structurally controlled silver-lead-zinc vein mineralization.Chuck Downie, President and CEO of Eagle Plains, recently commented: "We are excited with the opportunity to combine the Haskins Project with Pacific Bay's Haskins-Reed property. The increase in size of the merged project areas (1850 ha total), combined with almost twenty years of exploration experience by Pacific Bay in the Mount Haskins area, makes this an excellent opportunity for Eagle Plains to participate in additional critical metals discoveries." Under the terms of the LOI, Pacific Bay may acquire a 100% interest in the Haskins Project by completing the following over a four-year period:Within 14 days of receipt by PBM of the approval of TSX Venture Exchange to the terms of the Agreement, pay EPL 200,000 common shares of PBM.On or before the 1st Year anniversary of the Agreement, pay EPL an additional 300,000 common shares of PBM.On or before the 2nd anniversary of the Agreement:Pay EPL an additional 750,000 common shares of PBMPBM to have completed at least $150,000 in exploration work on the Property, with expenditures during the first year of the Agreement capped at $50,000On or before the 3rd anniversary of the Agreement:Pay EPL an additional 1,000,000 common shares of PBMPBM to have completed an additional $250,000 in exploration work on the PropertyOn or before the 4th anniversary of the Agreement:Pay EPL an additional 2,000,000 common shares of PBMPBM to have completed an additional $500,000 in work on the PropertyThe Haskins claims are subject to a 2% Net Smelter Returns Royalty (NSR) payable by Eagle Plains to a third party, 1% of which may be repurchased by Eagle Plains for $1,000,000. In the event that Eagle Plains exercises the right to repurchase the 1% NSR, Pacific Bay will have the right to purchase that 1% from Eagle Plains for $2,000,000, leaving a residual 1% NSR on the Haskins property in favour of the third party. Alternatively, Eagle Plains would agree at any time to assign the 1% repurchase right to Pacific Bay for $1,000,000.During the term of the Option Agreement:Pacific Bay agrees to retain the services of Terralogic Exploration Inc. to complete the work on the Haskins property;Any additional claims acquired by either party within 1 km of the existing claim boundaries will be included in the Option agreement;A formal agreement with industry standard terms will be prepared, and the expectation is the agreement will be settled and executed by the parties within 90 days. The terms and conditions of the formal agreement will be subject to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, and subject to regulatory approval.Further details regarding the proposed transaction will be provided in a comprehensive news release if, and when, the parties enter into the formal Option Agreement. There can be no guarantees that the proposed transaction will be completed as contemplated or at all.About the Haskins PropertyHaskins Property Map- The Haskins claims adjoin PBM's Haskins-Reed property to the north.Project HighlightsHost to the Fort Reliance and Joem depositsExcellent geology highly prospective for carbonate replacement, skarn, porphyry, and vein mineralizationRoad accessibleContact metamorphism of the Kechika siltstones and the Atan Group limestone and quartzites by the intrusion of the granitic Major Hart Pluton caused skarn alteration, as well as the presence of Mo-W stockwork mineralization at lithological contacts and Ag-Pb-Zn bearing veins controlled by cross-cutting fault structuresGeologyThe Mount Haskins property lies within the northern extension of the Omineca lithotectonic domain, underlain by the sedimentary Cassiar Platform of the Cariboo/Cassiar terrane, which has been intruded by Eocene granitic stocks. Regional structural trends of folding and faulting are dominantly NW.MineralizationThere are four deposit types in the Mount Haskins area: carbonate replacement, skarn, porphyry, and vein.About the Haskins-Reed ProjectThe Haskins-Reed Property has been explored in several phases by different companies since the late 1940s, including approximately 198 drill holes. The 100% owned land package, which includes 6 "Crown Grant" claims, is host to multiple mineral prospects.B Zone (Minfile 104P 038): Skarn-hosted semi-massive to massive sulphide lenses, with silver- and gold-bearing pyrrhotite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite-galena mineralization, are hosted by metasomatized carbonate rocks. Mineralization occurs as three lenses with an aggregate strike length of 308 metres, an average true width of 8 metres, and an average dip of -40 with strong vertical continuity.Mount Reed molybdenum-tungsten prospect (Minfile 104P 043): Molybdenum and tungsten mineralization is hosted by peripheral contact metamorphic exoskarn developed in carbonate-rich metasedimentary rocks of the Atan Group. These rocks surround a small Eocene-age porphyritic granitic stock, with additional porphyry-style mineralization found within the intrusion itself. Historical drilling returned values of 2.01% WO3 over 3.3 metres, 0.37% WO3 over 5.18 metres and 0.17% WO3 over 54.8 metres.Joe Reed vein prospect (Minfile 104P 021): Silver-rich sphalerite-galena-pyrite shear-hosted vein mineralization occurs within a persistent northerly-trending fault zone that cuts through Lower Cambrian Atan Group quartzite, limestone, and dolomite. A steep, westerly-dipping quartz vein averaging 1.5 metres wide can be traced along strike for 170 metres.Brett Zone (Minfile 104P 136): Skarn-hosted massive sulphide zone with silver- and gold-bearing pyrrhotite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite-galena mineralization is hosted by metasomatized metasedimentary rocks immediately northwest of the Mount Reed stock.Dako and Cobra zones (Minfile 104P 139, 058): Disseminated to locally massive pyrrhotite-rich ba
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 26, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:FBRT) between November 5, 2024 and February 11, 2026, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 27, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.SO WHAT: If you purchased Franklin BSP Realty securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Franklin BSP Realty class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53434 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 27, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants recklessly overstated Franklin BSP Realty's prospects; (2) defendants recklessly overstated Franklin BSP realty Trust's ability to maintain the $0.355 dividend; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Franklin BSP Realty's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Franklin BSP Realty class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=53434 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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Built for North America, certified for mission-critical infrastructureCHANTILLY, VA / ACCESS Newswire / April 26, 2026 / InHand Networks, a trusted provider of industrial IoT connectivity solutions, today announced that the IR624 5G Industrial Router, already available on the market, is now proudly manufactured in Canada. Engineered for mission-critical applications, the IR624 delivers unmatched speed, reliability, and security for sectors including intelligent transportation, smart energy, and industrial automation across North America.Built for North America: Certified Performance, Localized SupportAs digital transformation accelerates in harsh environments, the IR624 addresses the growing demand for resilient 5G connectivity. Key highlights include:Blazing 5G Speeds: Leveraging the Qualcomm SDX62 platform, the router achieves 3.4 Gbps downlink and 900 Mbps uplink speeds, certified across Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks. This ensures seamless HD video streaming, real-time telemetry, and massive IoT data transmission.Industrial-Grade Reliability: With dual SIM/eSIM failover, auto-reconnection, and an industrial-grade design (IP30, -40C to 75C operating range), the IR624 maintains uptime in extreme conditions-from mining sites to mobile command centers.Enterprise Security Suite: Integrated VPN (IPsec/L2TP/OpenVPN), firewall traffic control, and real-time alerts safeguard sensitive data, meeting stringent compliance standards for healthcare, finance, and government deployments."Device Live" Cloud Platform: Zero-Touch ManagementThe IR624 is supported by InHand's free Device Live cloud platform, enabling IT teams to:Remotely configure and monitor thousands of devices.Receive instant notifications for network anomalies.Streamline firmware updates and asset tracking.This zero-touch provisioning slashes deployment time and operational costs, making it ideal for large-scale rollouts like city-wide surveillance or distributed energy grids.Versatility Across IndustriesFrom powering digital signage at major events to securing SCADA systems in oil refineries, the IR624's versatility shines:Transportation: Real-time tracking and passenger Wi-Fi on buses and trains.Healthcare: Reliable telemedicine connectivity in ambulances.Industrial: Wireless backup for PLCs in manufacturing plants.About InHand NetworksInHand Networks provides industrial and enterprise networking solutions that help organizations deploy and operate reliable connectivity across distributed sites. Learn more at https://www.inhand.com Media ContactEleanor ChenMarketing & Communications eleanor.chen@inhand.com SOURCE: InHand Networks
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BRNO, CZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 27, 2026 / Kontent.ai has appointed Mark Greenaway as Chief Executive Officer, as the company looks to scale its Agentic CMS and transform content operations for customers.Greenaway brings a track record of scaling businesses and leading high performing global teams with a focus on enterprise environments where content is both a marketing asset and a critical driver of growth, compliance, and customer experience.With this appointment, Kontent.ai founder Petr Palas returns to his position on the board at Kontent.ai and will continue to support the business he launched in 2022 as a successful spin out of Kentico. Kontent.ai recently launched their next generation of "Agentic CMS" with the launch of Expert Agents. These Agents are embedded directly into workflows to continuously handle operational tasks such as governance, search and generation engine (LLM) optimization, translation, and lifecycle management, work that typically requires significant manual effort and coordination.Organizations using Kontent.ai are already reducing manual effort by over 70%, accelerating time to market, and improving the performance and consistency of content across large, multi-market environments.This moment is different, enterprises are no longer struggling to create content. "Most organizations don't have a content problem. They have an operations problem," said Greenaway. "Content is one of the largest, most under-managed assets in the business. It drives acquisition, conversion, and retention, but it's still run through manual processes that don't scale." The result is not just efficiency, but measurable business impact.For Greenaway, the opportunity sits at the intersection of scale and pressure."Enterprises are being asked to do more with less, move faster, and reduce risk at the same time," he said. "Content sits right in the middle of that. If you can operate it better, you unlock growth, improve efficiency, and reduce exposure all at once." While much of the AI conversation has focused on content creation, Greenaway sees a shift toward operational impact."AI has made it easier to produce content, but that's only part of the equation," he said. "The real value comes from how effectively that content is managed, governed, and optimized over time. That's where the gains are." His appointment signals Kontent.ai's intent to lead that shift, positioning Agentic CMS as a system for running content operations at scale."The companies that get this right will have a structural advantage," Greenaway added. "They'll move faster, operate more efficiently, and get more value from the content they already have." About Kontent.ai Kontent.ai is the world's first Agentic CMS and the only platform that helps organizations intelligently operate content at scale. By embedding AI agents into content workflows, Kontent.ai empowers organizations to automate operations, enforce governance, and accelerate time to market, without adding headcount.Designed to accommodate even the most complex workflows without sacrificing speed, compliance, or results, Kontent.ai delivers a demonstrated ROI of 320%. Customers including WebMD Ignite, Elanco, PPG, and Oxford University benefit from a measurable step change in how their teams create, govern, and deliver content, driving greater operational efficiency, reducing risk, and accelerating content's time to value.Learn more at kontent.ai CONTACT Ian Norton - VP Marketing - Kontent.ai+447736926161 SOURCE: Kontent.ai
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Winning All Five Awards in the $800,000-$999,000 CategoryCentral Texas's Premier Custom Home Builder Earns Top Recognition from the Central Texas Home Builders AssociationSALADO, TX / ACCESS Newswire / April 27, 2026 / Legacy Custom Builders, Central Texas's trusted name in luxury custom home construction, earned top honors at the 2026 Parade of Homes presented by the Central Texas Home Builders Association (CTHBA). The Salado-based builder captured all five awards in the $800,000-$999,000 category - a clean sweep that reflects 13 years of uncompromising craftsmanship and creative excellence.Award-Winning Homes & HonorsLegacy Custom Builders entered two stunning homes in this year's competition:Together, these two homes earned every award offered in the category:1284 Ambrose Dr, Salado, TX 76571 | www.1284Ambrose.com Best Kitchen1020 Inka, Salado, TX 76751 | www.1020inka.com Best BathroomBest Curb AppealBest CraftsmanshipBest Interior Design"We are so honored to receive all five awards in this category. We know there are a lot of great builders in Central Texas and are truly excited about this honor. We have plans to expand into Williamson County also in 2026. The future is bright in Texas real estate." - Jeremy Toms, President & Founder, Legacy Custom BuildersAbout Legacy Custom BuildersFounded by Jeremy Toms, Legacy Custom Builders has served Central Texas for 13 years, delivering high-end custom homes defined by attention to detail, superior craftsmanship, and personalized service. With deep roots in Salado and the surrounding region, Legacy is known for building residences that families cherish for generations. In 2026, the company is expanding its reach into Williamson County, bringing its award-winning approach to even more Central Texas communities.Website: www.builtbylegacy.com Real Estate RepresentationLegacy Custom Builders' Parade of Homes entries are represented by Lisa Copeland, Founder of Lioness Real Estate Group. For showing inquiries and purchase information, visit www.lisacopelandrealestate.com About the Central Texas Home Builders AssociationThe Central Texas Home Builders Association (CTHBA) is the region's leading trade organization representing home builders, remodelers, and associated professionals. The annual Parade of Homes showcases the finest residential construction in the area. Learn more at cthba.info ###MEDIA CONTACTLisa CopelandFounder, Lioness Real Estate Group512-944-5472 www.lisacopelandrealestate.com SOURCE: Lisa Copeland
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New availability and localized support bring the premier co-parenting tools to more families across Europe.MINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESS Newswire / April 27, 2026 / OurFamilyWizard, the pioneer of co-parenting technology trusted by more than one million parents and professionals worldwide over 25 years, today announced its expansion into France and Spain. With significant growth already occurring in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the company is excited to increase access to its products and educational materials across Europe.With co-parents served in more than 140 countries-including 26 of the 27 European Union member states - OurFamilyWizard has proven its ability to support more effective co-parenting and better outcomes for children worldwide. Building on this momentum, the company is doubling down on its European expansion with localized language and euro-based currency support beginning with France and Spain, with additional languages planned."Our mission is to support families through life's most challenging transitions with clarity, structure, and empathy," said Nick VanWagner, CEO of In Tandem, parent company of OurFamilyWizard. "Launching a localized product into France and Spain allows us to reach more families who need a better way to communicate, stay organized, and focus on what matters most: their children." While OurFamilyWizard has already earned organic traction in Europe, this strategic expansion responds to a clear gap in the market. Separated and divorced parents often rely on general-purpose tools like messaging apps, email, and shared calendars. OurFamilyWizard, on the other hand, offers tools developed specifically to manage shared schedules and living arrangements, coordinate child-related decisions, and mitigate emotional tension between co-parents. Family law professionals can use this tool to help their clients co-parent more amicably and constructively over the long term.The European launch is supported by partnerships with family law firms and organizations across these regions: BWG Associes, Chauveau Mulon & Associes, Alexandre Boiche & Associes, Divorce Differently, Ambes Advocats, and Derecho Consciente Abogados will introduce parents and professionals to co-parenting technology that supports child wellbeing. "In Europe," says Alexandre Boiche of Alexandre Boiche & Associes, "families have lacked access to a dedicated co-parenting solution, and many rely on fragmented tools. Introducing a platform like OurFamilyWizard fills an important gap and offers a clearer way forward for co-parents, while making it easier for professionals to support better outcomes." OurFamilyWizard plans to expand into more languages and countries, continuing to develop culturally responsive tools that reflect the diverse realities of families around the world. "Our vision is to make healthier co-parenting possible for every family, regardless of location," said VanWagner. "This expansion brings us closer to that goal." OurFamilyWizard is now available in France and Spain via the App Store, Play Store, and web.About OurFamilyWizardOurFamilyWizardis the world's leading co-parenting communication platform, offering tools for families to support more seamless and successful parenting across separate homes. Since 2001, more than one million parents and family law practitioners have trusted OurFamilyWizard's co-parenting platform to help divorced or separated families effectively manage messaging, shared calendars, expenses, audio and video calls, files, and other critical family information. These tools can reduce the risk of parents returning to court.OurFamilyWizard is part of In Tandem, a global technology platform dedicated to developing solutions that enhance connection, organization, and peace of mind across key stages and milestones of family life. Its portfolio includes OurFamilyWizard, Cozi, FamilyWall, and Custody Navigator. Learn more atInTandem.com Media ContactSara Klemp, Director of MarketingEmail: learn@ ourfamilywizard.com Phone: 866-755-9991SOURCE: OurFamilyWizard
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 26, 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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ROI Training announced that it has received the 2026 Google CloudGlobal Training Partner of the Year Award.NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 27, 2026 / ROI Training is being recognized for the company's achievements in the Google Cloud ecosystem, helping joint customers and partners successfully accelerate their digital transformation through training.This achievement marks the seventh time ROI Training has been recognized as Google Cloud Global Partner of the Year for Training(2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2018, and 2017). In 2019 and 2020, ROI Training was awarded Google Cloud Regional Training Partner of the Year for both North America and EMEA.Having trained over 850,000 people on Google Cloud technologies across six continents and in over 40 countries, ROI Training's impressive team of subject matter expert trainers has been instrumental in driving extraordinary transformation with the world's leading businesses and agencies. The hands-on, intensive nature of the Google Cloud curriculum, paired with ROI's ability to deliver use case-driven, instructor-led training, provides the perfect environment to build, test, and deploy new solutions.Today, ROI Training offers the deepest cloud curriculum in the market, covering Generative AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Application Modernization, Data Engineering and Analytics, API Management,Security, Machine Learning, and Cloud for Business Leaders. ROI's global trainer team brings deep expertise in delivering vertical and use case-driven training solutions, including Financial Services,Healthcare, Retail, and Public Sector.ROI Training has also earned Google Cloud Specializations for training in the areas of Generative AI, Data Analytics, Infrastructure,and Security. ROI's team of esteemed trainers has earned 290+Professional Cloud Certifications.In 2025, ROI partnered with Google Cloud to deliver three "Launchpad for Women" training programs, with one being the largest virtual instructor-led certification training event in Google Cloud history. Truly a game-changing program that is transforming the diversity of the cloud-skilled workforce. In total, these events generated 12,500+ registrations, 9,500+ learners, and 2,000+ Cloud Digital Leader and Generative AI Leader (GAIL) certifications achieved! In addition, the "Launchpad for Women" program has been recognized twice with the Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Gold Award.ROI Training has always believed we must give back to those who have sacrificed so much for us, our veterans. With this in mind, "Launchpad for Veterans" was created and delivered in November 2025. In its inaugural delivery, we saw 5.400+ registrations, 3,500+ attendees, and over 400+ veterans earning their Google Cloud Generative AI Leader (GAIL) certification with an intent to deliver more "Launchpad for Veterans" training programs in the near future."Earning our 11th Google Cloud Training Partner of the Year Award is a profound honor," said Dave Carey, CEO of ROI Training. "As AI, cloud, and security become the primary engines of global business, the urgency for specialized upskilling has never been greater. This recognition is a testament to our team's relentless commitment to customer success and our thriving, long-standing partnership with Google Cloud. We are thrilled to continue shaping the future of technical workforce development." "Google Cloud's Global Training Partner of the Year award celebrates an unwavering commitment to developing world-class technical expertise at a global scale," said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem at Google Cloud. "We are happy to once again celebrate ROI Training Incorporated's proven ability to drive customer training success across their organizations." About ROI TrainingEstablished in 2002, ROI Training, Inc. is an industry-recognized leader in designing, developing, and delivering customized Technology and Management training programs. ROI has trained over 850,000 people globally in cloud technologies and best practices. ROI's world-class instructors and mentors work closely with clients to deliver the skills and best practices required in a fast-paced,global enterprise. Our comprehensive curriculum includes Cloud, AI,Web and Application Development, Agile Development, Security, Java, Python, and Technology Project Management. Information about ROI Training can be found at https://www.roitraining.com Media Contact:(800) 764-9877SOURCE: ROI Training
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 26, 2026 /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 case@ rosenlegal.com 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.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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Stephanie Woods of Tampa Bay highlights the need for practical systems, better listening, and disciplined execution to support long-term business stability.TRINITY, FL / ACCESS Newswire / April 27, 2026 / Stephanie Woods, President of Airheads HVAC and CEO of AH Financial, is speaking out on an issue she believes is holding many small businesses back: overcomplication. Drawing from her own experience building companies from the ground up, Woods is encouraging business owners to focus on simple systems, clear processes, and consistent execution."Most problems I see are not about effort," Woods says. "They come from confusion. Too many steps, too many tools, and no clear ownership." Her message comes at a time when small businesses continue to face operational challenges. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, nearly 50 percent of small businesses fail within five years, with operational inefficiencies cited as a leading cause. Additionally, research from Harvard Business Review shows that poor workflow design can reduce productivity by up to 30 percent.A Focus on Practical Systems Over ComplexityWoods emphasises that many business owners try to solve growth problems by adding more, rather than simplifying what already exists."I've seen companies add layers of systems when things get busy," she explains. "But often the real solution is removing steps and making the process clear." Her own experience reflects this approach. Early in the growth of Airheads HVAC, rapid demand exposed gaps in structure. Rather than scaling quickly, Woods and her team focused on building systems that could support consistent performance."We had to slow down and fix how things worked," she says. "Once the structure was in place, everything became easier to manage." Listening as a Core Leadership SkillWoods also highlights listening as one of the most underused leadership tools. She credits much of her business growth to paying attention to feedback from employees and customers."The people doing the work see the problems first," she says. "If you're not listening, you're guessing." Studies support this approach. McKinsey reports that organisations with strong feedback loops improve decision-making speed by up to 25 percent, while Gallup research shows that engaged teams - often supported by responsive leadership - are 21 percent more productive.Woods recalls a specific moment when listening changed the outcome of a recurring issue."We had delays on service jobs and assumed it was a workload problem," she says. "When we asked the team, they pointed out scheduling gaps. Fixing that solved the issue quickly." Encouraging Business Owners to Take ActionRather than focusing only on high-level strategy, Woods is encouraging individuals to take simple, practical steps to improve how they operate."Start small," she says. "Look at what slows you down every day and fix that first." Do-It-Yourself Actions for Business OwnersWrite down your most common processes in simple stepsRemove any step that does not change the outcomeAsk your team where delays or confusion happenTrack one key performance metric each weekTest small improvements before making large changesFocus on consistency instead of speedCreate clear ownership for each taskReview systems monthly and simplify where possible"These are not complicated changes," Woods adds. "But they make a big difference over time." A Broader Call for Sustainable Business PracticesWoods believes that sustainable growth depends on discipline, not constant reinvention. She encourages business owners to focus on long-term stability rather than short-term expansion."Simple systems are easier to maintain," she says. "If people can follow them without thinking twice, you're on the right track." Her perspective reflects a growing trend among operators who prioritise reliability and structure over rapid scaling. According to CB Insights, 38 percent of startups fail due to running out of cash, often linked to inefficiencies and uncontrolled growth.Call to ActionStephanie Woods is encouraging business owners, managers, and team leaders to evaluate their current systems and take immediate steps to simplify them. Individuals can start by identifying one recurring problem, documenting the process, and improving it step by step."Don't wait for everything to be perfect," she says. "Fix one thing. Then fix the next." About Stephanie WoodsStephanie Woods is the President of Airheads HVAC and CEO of AH Financial, based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. With over 15 years of experience in real estate investing and business operations, she is known for building companies through practical systems, disciplined execution, and a focus on long-term stability. She is also active in community initiatives, serving on the Leadership Board of Metropolitan Ministries and supporting organisations such as HubLife Charities and Trinity Chat.Contact:Info@ stephanie-woods.com SOURCE: Stephanie Woods
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing case between cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Blord Ifejirika and activist Martins VeryDarkMan (VDM) Otse to 19 May for mention.

Both VDM and Blord appeared before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia for the continuation of the trial, ten days after the businessman was granted bail on self-recognition and subsequently released from the Kuje Correctional Centre.

During the proceedings, Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia recused herself from the criminal case filed by the Nigeria Police Force against Blord, which arose from allegations made by VDM, Sahara Reporters reported.

Also in attendance was human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who had earlier vowed to secure Blords release and alleged foul play in his remand.

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This newspaper reported that Blord was remanded over allegations of criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and the unauthorised use of VDMs identity.

Unexpected event

Speaking to journalists after the adjournment, one of the lawyers in the case, Chikezie Elijah, said all parties informed the court of their readiness to proceed.

He noted that the defendant, as well as both the prosecution and defence teams, were present in court, given the public attention the case has attracted.

However, the judge, in a most unusual event, decided to state to the courts that she will be recusing herself from this case and will be sending the file to the Honourable Chief Judge for reassignment of this case. And it was a most unexpected event, as far as I know, there was no formal application.

So it is presumed that the courts motto decided to adjourn and send the file back to the Honourable Chief Judge. And this only happens when there is a formal likelihood that the integrity of the judicial process will be painted in a bad light. And this is the reason why most times the courts would, on their own sole volition, decide to send back the file, Mr Elijah said.

Confidence

According to him, Ms Ofili-Ajumogobias decision to recuse herself and adjourn the case was aimed at preserving public confidence and the integrity of the proceedings.

He said this became necessary in light of the intense social media backlash, including widespread criticism, name-calling and online attacks.

He added, So yes, even though it is surprising, it is not too surprising to us, the lawyers, because this is actually the judicial process, when things like this happen within a case or a matter that is pending in court.

Reconciliation

Meanwhile, Blord and VDM met on the court premises and appeared to reconcile. In a video obtained by this newspaper, the pair were seen holding a brief conversation in the presence of their legal representatives.

They were also seen shaking hands as they exited the court premises.

However, VDM stated that the case was no longer about Blord, but about demonstrating to Mr Sowore, whom he accused of interfering in the matter, that there was little he could do.

He said: Its not about Blord anymore, its a thing of pride now, its about Sowore. I want to show Sowore that he cannot do anything, I want him to know.

Backstory

This newspaper reported that VDM and Mr Sowore had been at loggerheads since Blords remand, after the Ondo-born activist and politician condemned Blords remand and vowed to do everything within his power to secure the discontinuation of the case.

However, VDM criticised the politician and openly challenged him, stating that he would have ignored Mr Sowore if his online remarks didnt reveal what he described as a hidden agenda.

VDM also warned that if Mr Sowore impersonated him or used his identity without authorisation for any purpose, he would respond as firmly as he had in Blords case.

If you are truly your fathers son, Omoyele Sowore, try what Blord did, use my picture on a billboard or to promote anything without my approval, Ill send you to prison, VDM said.

He alleged that Mr Sowore had harboured a long-standing dislike for him, claiming that Mr Sowore believed he had taken over his role in activism.
Nollywood actor Solomon Akiyesi has reportedly died in his sleep.

The Cable reports that the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu, confirmed Akiyesis passing on Monday.

According to Mr Yakubu, the actor died in his sleep on Sunday. He also disclosed that the actors body has since been deposited at a mortuary in Abuja.

Yes, it is true. He died yesterday. Slept and did not wake up. We await further details from the family. His body is in the morgue in Abuja, where the sad incident happened, The Cable quotes Mr Yakubu as saying.

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Solomon Akiyesi

Akiyesi was born and raised in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State.

He had his primary and secondary education in his hometown before enrolling at the University of Ibadan for his tertiary education.

An actor, producer, and director, Akiyesi starred in several significant films, including Deadly Affair (1995), Olaedo the Fisher Girl 2 (2015), Gen Z Wife (2024), Kiss My Pain, Heart of a Saint and others.

He served on the Board of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and was the President of the National Association of Ososo Creatives.

Marriage controversy

In April 2013, the actors wedding to his second wife, Uloma Agwu, was disrupted when his wife from his first marriage stormed the Overcomers Church World Outreach in Surulere, Lagos, claiming they were still legally married.

The actors first wife, Lilian, pregnant and accompanied by friends, walked into the marriage ceremony immediately after the praise and worship session, as the minister was about to begin officiating.

It took the efforts of police officers to restore order within the churchs premises.

The late actor later apologised for the disruption to the wedding.
In Gabon, social media access has been blocked since February amid social unrest and strikes in the education and health sectors. At least 800,000 users (about 32 per cent of the population) have been cut off from Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. A three-day internet blackout marked Gabons 2024 presidential polls.

This year, an ad hoc shutdown occurred during Congo-Brazzavilles March polls, and digital isolation was the unspoken norm in both the 2021 and March 2026 presidential elections.

NetBlocks estimates average daily losses from social media restrictions in Gabon at around CFA1 billion, nearly CFA30 billion a month. On 1 April, the government announced a gradual lifting of restrictions, but social media access remains hindered.

Digital blackouts, including total internet shutdown, throttling, and targeted platform blocking during crises, are becoming an entrenched governance tool across Africa. At least 15 internet shutdowns were recorded on the continent in 2025, six in Central Africa alone: Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea.

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Governments typically cite stability and social cohesion. But while shutdowns allow states to control the narrative in the short term, they exacerbate rifts and tensions in the medium term and carry lasting socioeconomic costs.

The internet and social media have created a new category of political actors  whistleblowers, influencers, online journalists and political commentators. In contexts where ruling regimes dominate the public sphere and traditional media are under pressure, the digital space amplifies alternative voices, particularly among youth and diaspora communities.

Unable to control or censor these actors, many governments, particularly in Central Africa, resort to digital isolation.

But internet and social media use extend far beyond leisure and activism. They encompass online business, employment, healthcare, education and more. Central Africas economies are characterised by high youth unemployment. Small-scale businesses and the informal economy, including the gig economy, made up of e-commerce sellers, delivery drivers and content creators who rely heavily on social media, could see their businesses and living standards decline.

Chad holds the regional record for a 472-day social media shutdown between 2018 and 2019, followed by a targeted shutdown in February 2024. Since November 2024, mobile internet has also been cut in the Lake Province after a Boko Haram attack and the subsequent counter-offensive.

Equatorial Guinea experienced a 14-month targeted shutdown on Annobon Island from August 2024. Several shorter or more localised internet cuts have occurred across the region in the past five years.

Beyond Central Africa, Tanzania cut internet access during the 2025 election and post-election unrest, amid documented abuses against those contesting the polls. Uganda did the same during its 2026 general elections.

In each case, governments invoked national stability, social cohesion and the need to counter hate speech, a framing that masks political crises far deeper than digital blackouts can resolve. Shutdowns enable governments to silence dissenting voices and crush protests, while controlling the narrative and accounts of events.

In Tanzania, blackouts were used to conceal widespread abuses. This, however, has not prevented civil society from documenting the mass abuses. Several United Nations (UN) reports and resolutions say internet shutdowns violate fundamental rights. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation condemns such blackouts, saying connectivity is a prerequisite for education and cultural participation.

The UN requires internet shutdowns to comply with the criteria of legality, legitimacy, necessity and proportionality. Neither in Gabon nor Congo-Brazzaville do the governments reasons appear to meet these criteria.

Because of their seemingly illegal and illegitimate character, digital isolations erode trust in institutions, widening the divide between governments and citizens.

In Gabon, the new regime is straining its relationship with the very citizens  particularly the youth  who backed the 2023 coup and voted for the president in the 2025 election. In Congo-Brazzaville, the blackout lends credibility to suspicions that the election outcome was a foregone conclusion, favouring the outgoing president, with the potential for the results to be contested or delegitimised.

In response to civil society and opposition criticism of the internet shutdowns abusive character, Gabons government intends to regulate the use of digital platforms better. This is notably achieved by establishing general regulations for social media use and protecting minors.

This framework defines the status of influencers, sets the digital legal age at 16, and introduces the concept of joint and several liability for posts in online groups and communities, as well as the enforcement of sanctions.

For government, this allows for the regulation of the digital space and enables action against disinformation and other digital abuses. Political opposition, however, considers it an infringement on civil liberties.

The spread of the internet and social media in Central Africa poses a real challenge for democratic governance and stability. Regulating this digital space, while safeguarding the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information, is not a secondary concern; it sits at the heart of the regions political future.

States can turn these tensions into opportunities, ensuring a digital space that serves the common good. To achieve this, a balanced and proactive approach that combines strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting digital literacy, and supporting civil society is essential to stable, inclusive democratic governance.

Remadji Hoinathy, Senior Researcher, Central Africa and Lake Chad Basin, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).
Irans Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, says the USs excessive demands led to the failure of peace negotiations.

The Iranian top diplomat made this comment while speaking to reporters in Moscow on Tuesday.

He said, There were some signs of progress in the negotiations. The American approach meant that the previous round of negotiations failed to achieve its goals, despite the progress made.

This happened because of their excessive demands and wrong approaches, he noted.

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PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Araghchi visited Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin.

Moscows spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, described the meeting as highly important for the development in the Middle East.

During the meeting, the Russian President said the Iranian people are bravely defending their sovereignty and expressed hope that Iran will achieve peace once it gets through this difficult period.

According to the BBC, Mr Putin also told Mr Araghchi that Russia will do everything to bring peace to the Middle East as soon as possible.

This meeting comes after President Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by US officials to Pakistan over the weekend for talks on the Iran war.

The president claimed taking a flight to the Pakistani capital would be wasting too much time

If they want to talk, all they have to do is call, he said.

He stated that the US holds all the cards and that in Iran, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their leadership.

Meanwhile, the Iranian leadership insisted it would not engage in talks until the US withdrew its naval troops from the Strait of Hormuz.
Bahrain has announced that it is revoking the citizenship of people who expressed support or sympathy for Iran in its war with the US.

Bahrains Ministry of Interior disclosed on Monday that 69 people have been stripped of citizenship after expressing sympathy for Irans actions in the war.

In a post on X, it said, Stripping of Bahraini citizenship from those who expressed sympathy for and glorified Irans sinful hostile acts, and their number so far, including their families by dependency, (69) individuals.

Bahrain and other Gulf nations were repeatedly targeted by Iran in the latters retaliatory attacks on American interests in the region.

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Dozens of people were injured in the attacks on Bahrain, and at least three people were killed.

In March, Iranian drones damaged the Bahrain desalination plant, which processed seawater to supply freshwater to residents.

At the time, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior disclosed that the plant supplied water to at least 30 villages.

The Iranian aggression randomly bombs civilian targets and causes material damage to a water desalination plant following an attack by a drone, it had said.

In the same month, the country presented a UN resolution condemning the Iranian attack on the Gulf.

Bahrain is a Shia-majority country led by a Sunni monarchy with ties to Saudi Arabia and the US. Many of its Shia residents also support Iran or oppose the Bahraini monarchy.

Deaths from War

Thousands of people were killed in the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran.

At least 26 people died in Israel, and over 7,000 others were injured. In the UAE, 12 people were killed, and around 224 people were injured.

In Jordan, around 29 people were killed, in Kuwait, 7, and in Saudi Arabia, 3.

Meanwhile, in Tehran, at least 3,375 people died, and more than 26,000 others were injured.
A Nigerian victim of human trafficking in Egypt has been rescued and safely returned to Nigeria, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The commission said she returned to the country last Wednesday after the intervention of the wife of the former Ogun State Governor, Olufunsho Amosun, who facilitated her return.

NIDCOM identified the victim as Busola Alale, a 41-year-old indigene of Ogun State.

A short video of Mrs Alale was shared on X alongside NiDCOMs official statement on Monday.

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In the video, Mrs Alale narrated her experience in Cairo and the unpleasant conditions she lived in as a domestic staff member.

We worked from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. We washed clothes, washed plates, and washed the wall. No resting, she said.

NIDCOM noted that she moved between multiple employers within a single day, and that the agent who trafficked her collected all her earnings.

Mrs Alale described her experience in Cairo as bad and warned against embarking on such trips.

People whose social media posts present the place as good are not telling the complete truth. They are mostly traffickers.

A lot of children have died there, and their parents are yet to be notified. Many are in prison as we speak. Some have lost their sanity and are loitering on the street. It was a bad experience for me, she said.

NIDCOM also stated that, before her trip, Mrs Alale operated a small frozen foods business, which failed.

Although the commission did not disclose the year this happened, it noted that the incident prompted her decision to seek opportunities abroad.

In a statement shared alongside Mrs Alales video clip, NIDCOM said Mrs Alale expressed deep regret over her decision to travel, noting that the promises of a better life turned out to be deceptive.

Alale advised Nigerian youths, particularly young women, to be wary of offers of lucrative jobs abroad, especially domestic work opportunities in some foreign countries, which may expose them to exploitation and abuse, the statement noted further.

The commission warned citizens against irregular migration and unverified job offers abroad.

It asked that they seek proper guidance and verify employment opportunities through appropriate government channels before travelling.

Human trafficking in Nigeria is a serious and persistent problem, affecting women, men, and children.

Thousands of Nigerians have been victims of human trafficking over the years.

Between 2005 and 2021, the IOM registered 5,431 victims of trafficking from Nigeria; 84 per cent of them were registered between 2018 and 2022.

Out of these, 84 per cent are female, and around 16 per cent are male and children.
A 10-year impact report by She Writes Woman (SWW) has identified the South-west, particularly Lagos State, as the region with the highest number of reported mental health distress cases in Nigeria.

The report, unveiled on Sunday in Abuja and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, analysed over 25,000 real-time distress calls received through the organisations nationwide toll-free helpline.

It found that nearly 50 per cent of callers were from the South-west, with Lagos accounting for the largest share.

The report also revealed that 55 per cent of callers experienced suicidal ideation, while one in five reported a combination of suicidal thoughts and depression, highlighting a high prevalence of severe psychological distress.

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More details

According to the findings, the high figures recorded in Lagos may reflect both greater awareness and better access to support services, as well as the pressures associated with urban living.

In contrast, the North-east recorded fewer than 100 calls.

The report attributed this not to lower need, but to systemic barriers such as stigma, weak infrastructure and limited awareness.

Meanwhile, 24 per cent of abuse-related calls originated from the South-south, indicating patterns of gender-based vulnerability in the region.

In the North-central zone, 50 per cent of callers reported suicidal ideation, while 31 per cent experienced depression and anxiety.

The report further highlighted delayed help-seeking behaviour among men, pointing to persistent social and cultural barriers to accessing mental health support.

Young people most affected

The report showed that more than 80 per cent of callers were aged between 18 and 30, placing young Nigerians at the centre of the mental health crisis.

The report linked spikes in distress to wider economic and socio-political shocks, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS protests, when the helpline recorded over 3,000 contacts within a short period.

Despite the scale of demand, the report noted that access to care remained limited.

It added that mental health consultations in Nigeria typically cost between N5,000 and N60,000, putting them beyond the reach of many.

It also found that four in seven suicide-related interventions involved men at high-risk stages.

Real-time evidence

Speaking on the report, SWW Executive Director Hauwa Ojeifo described it as one of the most comprehensive and dynamic non-academic datasets on mental health first response in Nigeria.

Ms Ojeifo added that many callers expressed their distress through words such as isolation, exhaustion, overwhelm and hopelessness.

For years, we have imported data, relied on anecdotes, and assumed what mental health in Nigeria looks like. This report changes that. It presents real-time evidence of how Nigerians experience distress, and how systems are failing them,she said.

While women tend to seek support earlier, men often reach out when harm is imminent. These are not abstract terms; they reflect lived realities shaped by economic instability, social pressure, and systemic neglect, said the sexual violence and mental health activist.

Initiative

Ms Ojeifo said SWW was founded in 2016 following her personal experience with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to ensure that people living with mental health conditions are actively involved in shaping policies that affect them.

She noted that the organisation has grown from a grassroots initiative into a prominent voice in Nigerias mental health advocacy space.

The system is not broken. It works exactly as it was designed, but unfortunately, it excludes people with mental health conditions from care, dignity and decision-making. Hope alone is not protection. Without systems, people will continue to fall through the cracks, she added.

She urged the government to take more decisive steps, including increased funding, stronger infrastructure, and the integration of mental health into broader public health and social protection systems.
The family of Abdulsamad Jamiu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, has issued a detailed rebuttal to the Nigerian Armys account of the events that led to his death in the early hours of 25 April in Dei-Dei, Abuja, insisting he was unlawfully killed inside his home and not caught in a gunfight as claimed by the military.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the armys statement claiming the corps member was killed in crossfire when soldiers were chasing armed robbers.

In a formal statement released on 26 April and made available to this newspaper, the family said the Nigerian Armys narrative describing an exchange of gunfire during a pursuit of armed robbers was false, misleading, and an affront to the memory of an innocent young man.

According to the family, soldiers entered their residence in Dei-Dei Shagari Quarters around 2:00 a.m., where Mr Jamiu was asleep in his room while his sister was elsewhere in the house. The family statement noted that his parents were out of town attending a burial in Kogi State.

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The statement alleged that military personnel fired a shot through the closed door of Mr Jamius room, striking him in the head and killing him instantly. The family said the bullet trajectory  from the door into the room  shows the shot was fired from outside.

The physical evidence does not support an exchange of gunfire, the family said, adding that no weapon was recovered at the scene and no other bullet casings were found apart from those linked to the soldiers.

They further claimed that only a single gunshot was heard by residents in the area, with no indication of a broader firefight. The family said community vigilantes, who were contacted after the shooting, also confirmed that no robbery had been reported in the neighbourhood that night.

The family accused the soldiers of entering the compound covertly by scaling the fence  rather than through the gate  and proceeding into the house without announcing their presence.

They described the operation as unlawful and questioned why lethal force was used without confirming any threat.

The family said soldiers at the scene admitted, in the presence of the police, that the killing was a mistake and that Mr Jamiu was innocent. This admission, they said, was documented in a statement before the Divisional Police Officer.

They also raised concerns about the handling of the scene, alleging that vigilante members were instructed by soldiers to clean up bloodstains instead of preserving evidence for investigation.

The family posed a series of questions to the military, including the identity of the unit involved, the basis for the operation, and the whereabouts of the alleged armed robbers. They also demanded the release of the statement in which the soldiers reportedly admitted fault.

Calling for accountability, the family urged an independent investigation outside military control and the prosecution of those responsible. They also demanded a retraction of the armys statement and a public apology.

The family does not seek vengeance. The family seeks justice, the statement read, emphasising the need for transparency and adherence to the rule of law.

The Nigerian Army has yet to publicly respond to the familys reaction.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election, signalling an early alignment within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the contest.

Mr Hamzat on Monday declared his intention to run for governor during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, attended by members of the State Executive Council, party leaders and members of the Governors Advisory Council.

Among those present were former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and former senator Ganiyu Solomon.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Mr Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a consensus decision reached by stakeholders, saying his deputy possesses the experience and competence to lead the state.

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We just received Mr Deputy, who had come with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the seat of the governorship position of the state, the governor said.

It was unanimous with all of us to say that Mr Deputy Governor is a man who is fit and well-prepared for this job. He is a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are.

The governor cited Mr Hamzats record in office and their working relationship over the past seven years as reasons for his support, describing him as loyal, committed and prepared for leadership.

This is a deputy governor that is worth a governor from day one; this is a man that has been built for this job, and we believe that he deserves to be given a chance to go and run this state, he emphasised.

Mr Sanwo-Olu also linked the political development to President Bola Tinubus longstanding influence in Lagos politics.

We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision that long run is what is already being manifested here today, he noted.

He characterised the meeting as a family-style consultation involving party stakeholders and government officials, saying there was broad agreement in support of Mr Hamzats aspiration.

Its been a very warm family meeting, and at the end of the day, it was unanimous that Mr Deputy Governor is fit, ready, well baked for this job, he added.

The endorsement comes more than a year before party primaries are expected, suggesting an early move to shape succession politics in Nigerias commercial capital.

Mr Hamzat, a former commissioner for works and infrastructure and two-term deputy governor, has long been seen as a major figure in Lagos politics, though he has not publicly launched a formal campaign.

The development is expected to stir conversations within the APC over succession calculations in the state, where control of the governorship remains one of the partys most prized political assets.
A faction of the Accord Party led by Chris Imumolen says it was not part of the coalition meeting of opposition political parties held on Saturday in Ibadan, alleging that its name and logo were used without authorisation.

Mr Imumolen, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the factional National Secretary, Muktar Abdallah, said the party remained independent and was focused on presenting its own presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the coalition of opposition parties had, at the end of its summit in Ibadan, resolved to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

In a communique issued after the meeting, the coalition stated that the proposed consensus candidate would be jointly agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties.

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Prominent opposition figures reported to be involved in the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Governor Seyi Makinde, David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola, among others.

However, Mr Imumolen, while threatening legal action, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the conveners of the Ibadan meeting to publicly explain how and why the Accord Partys identity was used without its consent.

He described the inclusion of the partys flag in the coalition as political impersonation and misrepresentation, stressing that it was not a misunderstanding.

Failure to do so will trigger immediate legal action against all individuals and groups involved.

You cannot borrow legitimacy by force. Those responsible must either explain themselves or prepare to defend their actions in court, he said.

Mr Imumolen maintained that the party was not part of any coalition involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or any aligned bloc, and had at no time authorised the use of its name, symbol, or platform in such an arrangement.

This is not an oversight; it is a misrepresentation. The Accord Party will not be dragged into alliances it neither negotiated nor approved, he said.

He added that developments at the Ibadan meeting raised concerns about the credibility and transparency of the coalition, especially if it relied on the identity of parties not present at the discussions.

Mr Imumolen reaffirmed the partys independent political direction, emphasising its resolve to contest the 2027 elections under its own platform.

Accord Party remains focused on the 2027 general elections, with a clear ambition to present a presidential candidate under its own banner, not as a footnote in a hastily assembled coalition.

The party will vigorously protect its identity, structure, and political independence, and will not tolerate any attempt, subtle or brazen, to appropriate its platform for political convenience.

As Nigeria moves toward 2027, the party will engage Nigerians on its own terms, not through manufactured alignments or backdoor coalitions, he said.

(NAN)
The Chairman of the Media Sub-Committee of the Labour Party National Convention Planning Committee, Philip Agbese, has dismissed suggestions linking the party to a recent political meeting in Ibadan, where several opposition figures reportedly discussed the possibility of a broad political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The summit, held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, on Saturday, was convened under the theme That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy.

It brought together leaders and representatives from major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).

Prominent political figures in attendance included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, LP Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

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Reports from the meeting indicated that the opposition leaders explored the idea of a strategic alliance aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, with discussions around presenting a single presidential candidate to consolidate their political strength.

A communique issued at the end of the summit and read by PDP National Chairman, Saminu Turaki, alongside other party leaders, suggested that participating parties had agreed in principle to work more closely together. The document also referenced the need to safeguard Nigerias multi-party democracy and resist what they described as growing tendencies toward a one-party system.

However, in a swift reaction, the Labour Party distanced itself from any interpretation suggesting formal coalition commitments at this stage.

Speaking in Abuja while responding to media inquiries, Mr Agbese dismissed reports that the party participated in discussions, stating that it is currently preoccupied with its internal restructuring and preparations for its national convention scheduled for Tuesday, 28 April 2026, as well as groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

We were not in Ibadan for any summit. As a party, we are focused on our national convention coming up on April 28, and on strengthening our internal processes ahead of the 2027 general elections, he said.

Mr Agbese, who is also the deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, maintained that the LP is not part of such engagements at this stage. He said the partys priority remains internal consolidation, arguing that no meaningful external political alignment can succeed without first establishing a stable and cohesive structure within the party.

Our attention is on putting our house in order. The convention is a critical step in that process, and it is part of a broader effort to strengthen the party ahead of 2027, he noted.

Mr Agbese added that organisational discipline and unity remain central to the LPs strategy as it works to build a platform he described as credible and responsive to the expectations of Nigerians ahead of the next general election cycle.

We believe that before you talk about external alignments or engagements, you must first build a solid and united structure within your party. That is what we are doing, he said.

He further stated that while political alliances are a normal feature of democratic politics, they must be approached with clarity of purpose and not allowed to undermine internal stability.

At this moment, we are not distracted by any summit or coalition talks. Our focus is clear: prepare for our national convention, strengthen our internal systems, and position the party effectively for the 2027 elections, he added.
Former Commissioner for Works in Kwara State, Abdulquawiy Olododo, has declared his intention to run for the House of Representatives seat for Ilorin East and Ilorin South Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.

Mr Olododo, an indigene of Ibagun Ward, Ilorin East Local Government Area, is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the official declaration of intent in Ilorin on Monday, the aspirant promised to bolster the local economy by attracting jobs to the constituency and creating pathways to improved income.

He promised to deliver transparent, accountable representation to the people if elected.

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Mr Olododo said he would connect people with entrepreneurial skills to access federal intervention funds through the Bank of Industry (BOI), NIRSAL, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) s Small and Medium Enterprises facilities.

Everything I will do in Abuja will orbit two commitments. The first is this: I will build a real, functioning local economy for this constituency. Not promises about jobs but actual pathways to income. For our traders. For our farmers. For our young people who have skill and hunger and nowhere to direct it.

The second is this: I will make this constituencys representation transparent and accountable in a way it has never been before. You will always know what I am doing. You will always be able to check me, Mr Olododo said.

In his remarks at the event, a member of the Kwara State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Abdulganiyu Alawo, said the aspirant was a good ambassador for the youth constituency during his tenure as commissioner for works.

Also speaking, a chieftain of the APC, Bibire Ajape, described Mr Olododo as a dynamic politician who can be trusted with public office based on his antecedents.

He added, If we are acknowledging Olododo for his performance in office as commissioner, we should be appreciating Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for giving him the opportunity to serve in the cabinet.

Past governments also tried, but the present administration has ticked the right boxes. I can vouch for Abdulquawiy Olododo that he would not disappoint the people of his constituency.

A representative of the students union, Adebayo Alasa, expressed gratitude to Mr Olododo for always offering assistance to the union, declaring that he is a leader with leadership qualities, with qualities cutting across culture, religion and social. He has experience at the local and international levels. He is imbued with simplicity, humility and great determination to deliver.
Armed men suspected to be bandits have attacked the Imafon community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, abducting one person, identified as Afolabi Ajayi.

The bandits were said to have attacked the victim on Monday at about 10.30 a.m. when he alighted from his car to enter a poultry farm. Mr Afolabi is reportedly the farm manager.

He (Afolabi) came to the poultry farm this morning to check on the workers and how the farm was being run, but the gunmen rushed out from the bush and took him to an unknown destination in the forest, a family source, who would not want to be named, said.

The family member said the abductors had yet to make any contact with the managers family to demand ransom.

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He added that the matter was immediately reported to the police station.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said it deployed its operatives to the area to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.

The command has been notified of a kidnapping incident at Ilado, where a farmer was abducted while working on his farm.

In swift response, additional security apparatus, including tactical teams, have been deployed and are currently combing the surrounding bush to ensure the safe rescue of the victim and apprehension of the perpetrators.

The command assures the public that all necessary operational strategies are being employed, with utmost priority placed on the victims safety. Further updates will be communicated as the situation unfolds, Mr Jimoh stated.

Previous incidents

A similar incident occurred about a week ago when two persons, identified simply as Mr Kolade and Mrs Olotutu, were kidnapped by suspected gunmen in Upenmen, Owo LGA of Ondo State.

The kidnappers afterwards demanded N50 million as ransom, a development which threw their families into despair.

The police spokesperson confirmed that the abduction was reported on 21 April.

After the incident, the police also promised to comb the bush and deploy tactical teams to rescue the victims.

Residents of the community cried out for help, as it had become a regular occurrence for bandits to raid the communities and kidnap their members.

READ ALSO: Bandits shoot Zamfara APC chieftain in highway attack

At its recent meeting, the Yoruba Socio- Political group, Afenifere, expressed displeasure over the continued rise in banditry cases in the South-west region.

The group called on the governors of the South-west states to double their efforts in the fight against criminals and bandits in the region by empowering its security network, also known as Amotekun.

Although security agencies are quick to parade suspected kidnappers said to have been arrested, nothing is often heard about their prosecution or conviction.


The police in Delta State have arrested two suspected kidnappers in the state.

Bright Edafe, the police spokesperson in Delta, disclosed this during a press conference on Sunday in Warri.

Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said the commands tactical team arrested the suspects following credible intelligence.

He said the suspects were arrested on Friday at two separate locations in Warri and Ughelli.

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On 24 April, operatives of the commands tactical team, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one of the suspects in the Ekuigbo area of Ughelli.

The suspect was arrested in connection with a kidnapping syndicate terrorising commuters along the UghelliWarri Road.

Further interrogation led to the arrest of the second suspect at Trailer Park on the WarriSapele Road, he said.

Mr Edafe said an AK-47 rifle loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was recovered from the suspects.

He said the suspects are currently in custody, adding that the investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Abduction for ransom has become a top crime in many Nigerian cities, with anyone, including students and clerics, as a target.

Earlier this month, gunmen abducted the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Bright Abeke.

The gunmen shot dead a vigilante commander in the area, Ufuoma Asagba, who was present during the attack.

Mr Asagba is said to be the chief security officer of the abducted chairman.

(NAN)
The Cross River Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday destroyed an eight-hectare Cannabis Sativa farm in Uyanga community of Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Commands spokesperson, Sebastian Lebo disclosed this in a statement in Calabar.

He said the NDLEA team, accompanied by soldiers from the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, also recovered 170kg of cannabis being processed on the farm.

Mr Lebo said the destruction of the illicit farm occurred a few days after a similar exercise at Uwet, another community in the Akamkpa council area.

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According to him, a six-hectare farmland in Uwet was where 15 tons of cannabis were destroyed and 119kg of processed cannabis recovered.

The statement noted that the State Commander, John Anteyi, commended the officers and soldiers bravery.

He also assured Nigerians that the NDLEA, under the leadership of Buba Marwa, a retired brigadier-general, will continue to fulfil its mandate, particularly in keeping Nigerian streets free of illicit drugs.
The Federal High Court, Calabar, has jailed one Mbika Edem, also known as Ikwo, for conspiracy and child trafficking.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) prosecuted the woman under Sections 13(2)(b), 21, and 27 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

The prosecutor told the court that Ms Edem conspired with a nurse, now at large, to induce Mercy Ekanem to deliver prematurely through deception.

Ekanem was forced into early labour and dispossessed of her newborn shortly after delivery.

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The convict reportedly sold the baby to an unidentified buyer and abandoned the victim by the roadside with N200,000, the prosecutor said.

The convict had pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge and was arraigned on 19 March 2025.

Delivering judgement on Monday, Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie found the defendant guilty on all counts.

Ms Oghoghorie sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on count one with an option of N2 million fine. She sentenced her to two years imprisonment each on counts two, three, and four without option of fine.

READ ALSO: ICMPD trains 150 teachers to curb child trafficking in Delta

The sentences are to run concurrently and take effect from the date of her arrest.

Also, the convict is to pay N500,000 as compensation to the victim. Additionally, the N200,000 recovered from the victim shall be forfeited to the federal government, she said.

(NAN)
The police in Enugu State say they have rescued a kidnap victim and also caught and detained an online user allegedly involved in the abduction.

Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu and made available to reporters on Monday.

Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, explained that operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit achieved the feat on 11 April.

He stated that the operatives successfully rescued the kidnapped male victim (name withheld), who was allegedly lured online, abducted, and compelled to pay a half-a-million naira ransom.

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He added that during the operation, a 27-year-old male suspect, identified as a member of the criminal syndicate, was caught and is currently being detained.

Mr Ndukwe stated that, Preliminary investigations revealed that the same syndicate had, on 1 April, lured and kidnapped another male victim from whom it extorted a N100,000 ransom before releasing him.

Furthermore, investigations indicate that the suspect and his accomplices on the run, employ deceptive tactics on social media platforms by advertising fictitious job vacancies.

Unsuspecting victims, who indicate interest, are directed to a meeting point at Eke Obinagu, Emene, Enugu.

They are subsequently transported to a secluded location in Akpuoga Nike, Enugu, where they are held captive and threatened with crude weapons, including iron objects and wooden planks, while ransom is demanded from their families.

The police spokesperson said that the suspect had confessed to the crime.

Mr Ndukwe noted that the suspect was currently assisting ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending his fleeing accomplices, recovering the ransoms collected, and dismantling the criminal network.

READ ALSO: Police arrest two suspected kidnappers in Delta

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mamman Giwa, as urging the public to exercise caution when engaging with online job providers and to verify the authenticity of such opportunities before taking further steps.

The commissioner encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

(NAN)
A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abdulsamad Jamiu, has died from injuries sustained during a crossfire between soldiers and suspected armed robbers in the Dei-Dei area of Abuja.

The incident occurred in the early hours of 25 April, at Shagari Estate, where troops of the Guards Brigade Quick Response Group had responded to a distress call over an ongoing robbery attack.

On the early hours of Saturday 26 of April 2026 by 2am, my best friend A young graduate who just finished school last year and currently serving his country and was meant to pass out just next month was KILLED BY THE NIGERIAN ARMY. @HQNigerianArmy @PoliceNG_CRU @sowore @PeterObi pic.twitter.com/kuB0oie2kn  Moh (@Mohamazinggg) April 26, 2026



According to a statement by the spokesperson for the brigade, Olawuyi Odunola, the soldiers came under fire from the fleeing suspects upon arrival, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire.

In the course of the engagement, Mr Jamiu was caught in the crossfire. Despite efforts by troops to secure the area and preserve lives, he sadly succumbed to his injuries, Mr Odunola, a lieutenant, stated.

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He added that the heartbreaking loss has cast a deep shadow over all personnel of the Guards Brigade.

He further described the situation as fluid and highly volatile, noting that troops were working to repel the attackers and protect residents at the time of the incident.

The spokesperson said the Guards Brigade has commenced an investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and pledged that findings would be made public.

TRAGIC LOSS OF NYSC CORPS MEMBER DURING ARMED ROBBERY INCIDENT IN DEI-DEI Headquarters Guards Brigade regrets the tragic loss of Mr. Abdulsamad Jamiu, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member during a security incident in the early hours of 25 April 2026 at Shagari pic.twitter.com/QI0u4WPED2  Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) April 26, 2026

He added that the remains of the deceased have been handed over to civil authorities and deposited at Kubwa General Hospital.

The Commander, Guards Brigade, officers and soldiers extend their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the National Youth Service Corps, and all who are affected by this painful loss, he said. We share in their grief and stand in solidarity with them during this moment of profound sorrow.
The Nigerian Army says the troops of Operation Enduring Peace, a joint task force, have rescued a kidnapped woman and recovered N8 million ransom in Quaan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State. The army described the development as a breakthrough against kidnapping networks operating in the area.

The spokesperson for the task force, Chinonso Oteh, said the operation followed intelligence obtained after the arrest of a suspect linked to the abduction.

Through rigorous intelligence gathering and interrogation of an arrested suspect who confessed to the crime, troops were able to identify the victims location, he said, noting that she was found in Padam Forest and rescued.

The victim was abducted on 19 April from the Bauna area of Shendam Local Government Area, the military spokesperson said, adding that the troops tracked the kidnappers to their hideout in neighbouring Quaan Pan, where the victim was held.

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Mr Oteh said the N8 million ransom paid to the kidnappers by the victims family was recovered during the operation and returned to them after the rescue.

He added that the victim was taken to a hospital in Shendam for medical checks before being reunited with her family.

The military spokesperson said the troops have since launched follow-up operations in parts of Quaan Pan and Shendam to track down other members of the kidnapping syndicate.

The rescue is the latest in a series of security operations across Plateau State, where troops have recently targeted both armed groups and their logistics networks.

On 22 April, security forces raided an illegal arms manufacturing site in Langtang North, arresting suspects and seizing weapons and equipment used for fabricating firearms. A day before, troops carried out an ambush in Barkin Ladi, killing two suspected armed men believed to be involved in attacks on local communities.

On 16 April, troops also intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected explosive materials along the KadunaJos highway.

Despite these operations, residents in several parts of Plateau have continued to raise concerns about recurring kidnappings and attacks, calling for sustained and preventive deployment of security forces.

Authorities say ongoing efforts are focused on dismantling criminal networks, cutting off their supply chains and improving intelligence gathering to prevent future incidents.
Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Russia on Monday for talks with President Vladimir Putin amid diplomatic efforts to end the war.

This trip follows his visit to Islamabad and Oman, and his insistence on not holding talks with the US amid its naval blockade.

The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, disclosed in a post on X that the countries are presenting a united front in the campaign of the worlds totalitarian forces against independent and justice-seeking countries.

He said the campaign is also against countries that seek a world free from unilateralism and Western domination.

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Mr Kazem noted that the meeting, a diplomatic Jihad, will focus on coordinating interactions and advancing joint programmes at the regional and international levels.

Meanwhile, mediators hope of reviving direct talks receded on Saturday after President Donald Trump cancelled the US envoys trip to Pakistan shortly after the Iranian delegation, already present, departed the country.

However, indirect talks appear to be ongoing through mediators.

Al Jazeera, quoting the Iranian Fars news agency, reports that Iran gave the Americans a list of red lines via mediator Pakistan.

It was a written message to the US about some of the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump, on the other hand, said Iranian leaders can call him over the telephone when they are willing to talk.

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.

They know what has to be agreed. Its very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, theres no reason to meet, Mr Trump told The Sunday Briefing on Fox News.

Due to the tension between the countries, oil prices rose over the weekend.

Brent crude futures climbed $2.22, or 2.11 per cent, to $107.55 a barrel on Sunday.

Similarly, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 2.14 per cent, to reach $96.42 a barrel.

The US also imposed sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical, one of Chinas largest independent refiners, last week for allegedly buying Iranian oil, causing its shares to drop by 10 per cent.
Journalists were on Monday ejected from the courtroom at the Federal High Court in Abuja as it prepared to hear bail applications for six defendants accused of plotting against President Bola Tinubu.

A court official and a State Security Service (SSS) operative directed reporters to vacate the courtroom shortly before the trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, took her seat, signalling what appears to be the authorities preference for a secret trial.

The court official who did not mention his name told journalists the instruction came from the judge , while the SSS operative said he would explain later.

The reporters, however, left immediately after the judge was seated.

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Reporters had arrived at the court as early as 8:00 a.m., but left at about 9:07 a.m. after the directive.

The federal government on Wednesday, 22 April, arraigned a retired army general and five others on charges of planning failed coup against Mr Tinubu.

The six defendants include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain; Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; and Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa.

Others are Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric.

They face 13 counts of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering. But all six pleaded not guilty when the charges were read Wednesday last week.

After the plea, Judge Abdulmalik granted accelerated hearing and fixed Monday, 27 April, for the bail hearing. She also ordered that the defendants be remanded in SSS custody.

Meanwhile, Timipre Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources during the immediate past administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, was named as a conspirator in seven of the 13 counts but has not been charged as a defendant. Prosecutors said he is on the run.

Mr Sylva denied the allegation in a statement last year. He said he was abroad and would return to clear his name. He has not done so.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that at least 40 suspects, including serving and retired military officers and civilians, were arrested over the alleged plot.

The 36 serving officers were arraigned on Friday at about 8:53 a.m. before a court martial at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.

Ejecting journalists from Ms Abdulmaliks courtroom fits into a trend.

Court officials have sometimes cited limited space in the courtroom as the reason for asking persons standing, including journalists, to leave.

In some instances, reporters who identified themselves as journalists were still asked to vacate the courtroom.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has 13 courtrooms handling criminal and civil matters. However, journalists say access restrictions vary from courtroom to courtroom.
The Ministry of Education has introduced a National Textbook Ranking System for primary, junior and senior secondary schools as part of efforts to improve quality assurance and standardisation in Nigerias education sector.

Under the new policy, scheduled to take effect in September, only textbooks ranked and approved through a national evaluation process will be permitted in schools.

In a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, said the implementation of the ranking system will commence after the establishment of the subject committees and completion of the evaluation framework.

The statement said the initiative is designed to address the proliferation of textbooks and ensure that only quality, curriculum-compliant materials are used in classrooms.

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It also quoted the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, saying the new framework would strengthen the role of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), which is responsible for approving textbooks for use in schools.

New Policy

Previously, schools could adopt any of the textbooks approved by the NERDC as submitted by publishers.

However, the NERDC will now rank the textbooks through a national evaluation process to determine the most suitable options for each subject and level, the statement said.

Meanwhile, only those ranked by the NERDC will be permitted for use in schools.

Following this evaluation process, only a limited number of textbooks will be ranked and approved for use in schools for each subject, ensuring improved quality control and consistency in teaching and learning materials across the country, the statement said.

Under the new policy, NERDC will continue its responsibility of licensing textbooks. However, any textbook that is not ranked under the new system will not be permitted for use in Nigerian schools, regardless of prior licensing status.

The minister said the council would establish the Standing Subject Committees comprising experts in various fields to assess textbooks submitted by publishers, based on defined academic and pedagogical standards.

In addition, the ministry said the reform would reduce the large number of textbooks currently in circulation and improve consistency in teaching and learning materials.

The ministry said it would sensitise teachers and other stakeholders to ensure awareness and compliance with the policy.
An analysis of 2026 budgets across Nigerias North-west region shows that Kano State leads overall education allocation, while Jigawa and Katsina emerge as frontrunners in targeted funding and reforms for Almajiri education, locally known as Tsangaya schools.

The review by PREMIUM TIMES also indicates that although most states increased education allocations, uneven 2025 budget performance continues to raise concerns about implementation.

Nigerias National Policy on Education prescribes a 26 per cent allocation to education, while the National Policy on Enhancement of Almajiri Education (2025) mandates structured funding for integrating Almajiri children into formal learning systems.

Kano leads on benchmark, expands Almajiri interventions

In 2026, Kano, led by Governor Abba Yusuf, allocated 28.6 per cent of its N1.48 trillion budget to education, the only state in the region to meet the national benchmark.

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The state also budgeted for multiple Almajiri projects and programmes, including school renovation, feeding initiatives, and teacher training, with a combined allocation of N2.81 billion.

However, its 2025 budget performance is 53.7 percentage points below budget, indicating a gap between budgetary intent and delivery.

Jigawa strengthens Almajiri system with large-scale investment

Jigawa State, under Governor Umar Namadi, allocated 25 per cent of its N901.84 billion 2026 budget to education. This narrowly missed the benchmark but shows a strong commitment to Almajiri education through the Tsangaya system.

The state provides N3.6 billion in capital allocation for Tsangaya education and maintains a dedicated Tsangaya Education Board to drive reforms.

According to the states 2026 budget document, the Namadi administration is committed to making substantial investments in Tsangaya and mass education to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.

This aligns with ongoing reforms integrating Quranic learning with literacy, numeracy, and vocational training, which the administration said over 1.3 million pupils are already within the system.

The government also said it is planning to recruit hundreds of teachers to strengthen Tsangaya education.

A review of its 2025 performance raises optimism over the release of funds for the 2026 projects. The state devoted 25.7 per cent of its N756.3 billion budget to education and achieved an 83.3 per cent spending performance, backed by 83 per cent revenue realisation.

Kaduna maintains moderate funding with targeted support

Kaduna State, led by Governor Uba Sani, allocates 24.7 per cent of its N985.92 billion 2026 budget to education and includes targeted Almajiri interventions, such as funding for bilingual and boarding schools.

Still, its 2025 performance stood at 55 per cent, suggesting that even with improved allocations, delivery constraints may persist.

Katsina commits N4.33bn to Almajiri education

Katsina State, led by Governor Dikko Radda, allocates 17.2 per cent of its N897.87 billion 2026 budget to education.

Notably, the state provides N4.33 billion for Almajiri education, which it tagged as Tsangaya schools in its budgetone of the most substantial allocations in the region.

In 2025, the state recorded 61.8 per cent budget performance, indicating moderate execution capacity.

Kebbi lags, while Sokoto and Zamfara show mixed progress

Kebbi State, under Governor Nasir Idris, allocates just 10.9 per cent of its N642.93 billion 2026 budget to education.

A review of the 2026 budget did not show results for projects or programme interventions specific to Almajiri or Tsangaya education, despite Kebbi being ranked highest in out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Its 2025 data shows 9.6 per cent allocation to education in a N580.33 billion budget, with 66.3 per cent performance from a revenue base of N275.39 billion, reflecting moderate execution.

Sokoto State, under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, allocates 13.6 per cent to education in its N758.7 billion 2026 budget.

Ranked second-highest among states in out-of-school children in Nigeria, the state stands out in 2026 for creating an institutional framework for Almajiri education and introducing new interventions that, if implemented, may address its out-of-school crisis. It established an Agency for Almajiri Matters and other projects amounting to N851.5 million.

However, Sokotos 2025 budget performance raises red flags. From a 14.5 per cent allocation in the N526.88 billion budget, only 14.7 per cent was spent, despite revenue of N449.84 billion, suggesting severe implementation challenges.

Zamfara State, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, allocates just 7.5 per cent of its N871.34 billion 2026 budget to education, the lowest in the region, but includes N1 billion Almajiri-focused programmes.

In 2025, the state devoted 10.6 per cent of its N498.68 billion budget to education and recorded 50.7 per cent performance, with revenue achieving only 56.7 per cent of projections, pointing to fiscal constraints affecting delivery.

Although Kano State is the only State in the region to have met the education benchmark of 26 per cent, most States in the region have far higher education budgets than their counterparts in the South-South.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that in South-south, only Delta State exceeded 10 per cent in its education budget.

The Almajiri challenge and the need for funding

Almajiri is a system of Islamic education practised in northern Nigeria, where young children leave their homes to live with Islamic scholars and learn about religion.

However, the system has, over the years, been corrupted, with thousands of such children roaming the streets of Northern Nigeria as beggars and without any form of education.

The system is blamed for significantly contributing to the millions of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in 2022 that the former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, faulted the age-old Almajiri system of education.

Mr Babandede noted that the traditional and non-formal system of Islamic education, where their teachers are known as mallams, allows the pupils to roam about the streets begging for alms, food, and sometimes rendering menial labour to the teachers or others as a means of survival, is a key reason for insecurity in the north.

Nigerias Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, in January 2025, called for increased education funding from the federal and state governments to tackle the Almajiri system and the out-of-school menace.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, through the National Commission for Almajiri and out-of-school-children, the National Policy for the Enhancement of Almajiri Education in Nigeria aims to create an environment that supports and ensures a functional and inclusive Almajiri education system for Nigerian children.

It also seeks to provide opportunities for the Almajiri education system to be adequately recognised and integrated into the National Education Policy framework.
The Nigeria Police Force has foiled a major railway vandalism syndicate, arresting two suspects and recovering stolen infrastructure valued at over N400 million.

In a statement on Monday, police spokesperson Anthony Placid said the breakthrough was achieved by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).

The operation, according to him, led to the arrest of Chisom Goodnews, 32, and Ahmed Adamu, 22, on 9 April in Akwanga, following credible intelligence.

The police spokesperson said the operation resulted in the interception of a trailer truck loaded with about 60 tonnes of vandalised railway tracks and sleepers. The materials were reportedly hidden beneath sacks of groundnut shells to evade detection during transport from Bauchi State to Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State.

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Preliminary findings revealed that the truck driver had been contracted for N2.5 million to move the stolen items, the police spokesperson said, adding the scenario pointed to an organised network involved in the theft and distribution of critical infrastructure.

Mr Placid said police operatives involved in the arrest rejected a N100 million bribe allegedly offered to secure the release of the suspects and the seized exhibits.

The trailer used for the operation has been confiscated, while investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate, including intended buyers of the stolen materials, Mr Placid added.

He said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, commended the officers for their professionalism and integrity, describing their actions as a reflection of the Forces core values.
A former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday teased a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the ex-minister is facing trial.

The encounter occurred on the court premises and was captured in a video Mr Sowore later shared online, drawing public attention.

Mr Sowore, who has repeatedly criticised the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in which Mr Malami served, used the moment to reference his past detention and prosecution by state authorities.

You see how it feels now to be persecuted. When you were with Buhari at that time, you were bragging. We warned you then that there is failure in the justice system, but you didnt listen, and now the system is dealing with you, Mr Sowore said.

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He added that he and others had warned officials of the previous administration about the consequences of their actions.

I told you then that this thing will end in disgrace you see, we are now all on the same side. We were telling you people then when you were with Buhari that this is our country, that no matter how powerful you people are we will never support what you are doing and I am glad you have gone through your own vicissitudes own of life, he said.

Mr Sowore, leader of the Revolution Now movement, also offered his trademark cap, commonly worn by members of the movement, to Malami. He further expressed satisfaction that Mr Malami is in good health despite his court battles.

The system is dealing with you now. I want to give you my cap, this is the revolution cap. At least, I am glad that you are strong, he said.

Mr Malami served as Nigerias Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice throughout the administration of Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, acting as the countrys chief law officer.

In that role, he oversaw federal prosecutions, legal policy and anti-corruption efforts, making him one of the most influential and controversial figures in the administration.

He oversaw the prosecution and prolonged detention of Mr Sowore for organising the Revolution Now protest in 2019. The trial was only terminated by Mr Malamis successor, Lateef Fagbemi, in 2023.

In a twist of fate, the former AGF is now being prosecuted, with charges filed against him in 2026. He is facing separate trials for money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms. He is also facing forfeiture proceedings in which about N213 billion-worth of assets seized from him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are at stake.

He has, however, denied wrongdoing and is contesting the cases in court.

Responding briefly during the exchange, the former attorney-general maintained that he remained resolute despite the trial.

I can never be down as long as Nigeria is concerned. I have been attending all my court sittings. I will keep attending. And I remain strong, he said.

Mr Malami, who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) last year, is posturing to run for Kebbi State governor in the 2027 general elections.
The Edo State Government has distanced itself from alleged threats against opposition figures by Emmanuel Eghogho, an aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Eghogho, a senior special assistant to the governor, was captured in a viral video on social media addressing the Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika.

In the video, he alleged that members of the opposition, including Peter Obi, would be arrested and handed over to the commissioner for onward transfer to Abuja.

Mr Obi is one of the opposition leaders in Nigeria,

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The video has since sparked public outrage.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said at a news conference in Benin on Monday that the state had nothing to do with Mr Eghoghos public outburst.

Mr Afegbua said the government would not tolerate political intimidation, thuggery or any form of suppression of opposition voices.

He stressed that the controversial remarks credited to Mr Eghogho did not represent the administrations position.

We want to distance ourselves from that statement because it is not the position of the Edo State Government, but the voice of an individual that is answerable to existing laws of the land.

The governor does not tolerate thuggery, political hegemony or any attempt to subdue or cow the opposition using subtle threats or otherwise.

We welcome robust opposition engagement, constructive engagement and collective bargaining. Opposition helps ruling parties to think better, he said.

The commissioner described the trending video as incendiary and said the administration was focused on promoting peace, unity and democratic engagement in the state.

It is not our article of trade. It is not our thematic focus as a government. We try as much as possible to promote unity of purpose and a spirit of camaraderie among all Edo residents, he said.

Okpebholo administration in the spotlight for sealing event centre

The Okpebholo administration was in the spotlight early this month for sealing an event centre in Edo after a party where popular Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, who performed there, criticised President Bola Tinubus administration.

In the clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the rapper mocked Mr Tinubu, saying that despite heavy security operatives accompanying him, the president failed to enter Gari Yawaye, Angwan Rukuba, Jos North LGA, Plateau State, where about 30 people were killed on 29 March.

Mr Tinubu arrived at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang around 4:59 p.m on 2 April, roughly 36 kilometres from the scene of the massacre, and addressed a gathering of politicians, traditional rulers, and select victims before departing.

At the event in Edo, Mr Abdulkareem came hard on Mr Tinubu, accusing him of being the worst president in the country.

He stressed that anyone supporting the president and his party, the All Progressives Congress would suffer for their wrong choice.

The rapper subsequently did a brief performance in which he lamented the economic hardship in Nigeria, blaming the president for it.

The Edo State Government later unsealed the event centre.
A former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, are set for a supremacy battle after they separately claimed leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State.

Mr Kalu, who represents Abia North District in the Nigerian Senate, served as governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, while Benjamin represents Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Both politicians, who are APC members, claimed President Bola Tinubu directed them to lead the party in the state.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is a member of the Labour Party under which he won the 2023 governorship election in the South-eastern state.

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Benjamin Kalu, Orji Kalu claims

In a Facebook post on Monday, Mr Kalu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in me and the marching order to coordinate APC activities in Abia.

As the most senior governor in the state, I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders, in line with the presidents directive, to ensure that the APC in Abia produces candidates who are widely acceptable, united in purpose, and well-positioned to secure victory in the state for the presidents re-election, while advancing the best interests of Abia State and Nigeria at large, he wrote.

The senator attached to the post a photograph of himself in a handshake with President Tinubu in a place that appeared to be the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Like Mr Kalu, Benjamin Kalu also made similar claims in his Facebook page at about the same time on Monday.

The deputy speaker, in his own post, countered Senator Kalus claims.

He began by thanking President Tinubu for insisting that governors should handle the issues of the party in the states with APC governors, while the highest ranking political office holders like the deputy speaker takes care of the affairs in Abia State.

The federal lawmaker claimed that the president re-emphasised the position during an engagement on Friday.

You have always worked with this model all through the ward, local government and state congresses and it has brought us great success.

It has united the party more than ever before and we are ready to win elections in Abia State for you and for everyone who has an interest to contest under our party, he wrote, apparently addressing Mr Tinubu.

Abia APC has never been this united and forward looking, thanks to your support. We will deliver Abia votes overwhelmingly.

Like Mr Kalu, the deputy speaker also attached to his post a photograph of himself in a handshake with Mr Tinubu in the Presidential Villa.

PREMIUM TIMES observed that while Mr Tinubu wore a dark blue traditional wear locally referred to as Senator in the photograph uploaded by Mr Kalu, the president was dressed in another traditional attire called Agbada in the photograph uploaded by the deputy speaker.

Background

The battle between Mr Kalu and Benjamin Kalu for the APC leadership in Abia is connected to the forthcoming 2027 governorship election in the South-eastern state.

Benjamin Kalu has an ambition to contest the Abia governorship in 2027.

Similarly, Mascot Kalu, Mr Kalus younger brother, recently declared his interest for the APC ticket for the Abia 2027 governorship election.

Last week, a chieftain of the APC in Abia State, Agwu Emeaba, who is loyal to Mr Kalu, warned against imminent implosion in the party over endorsement of Benjamin Kalu for 2027 by some APC leaders in the state.

On his part, Mascot Kalu also rejected the endorsement of the deputy speaker for the APC governorship ticket.

Let it be stated clearly and without ambiguity (that) any premeditated consensus arrangement orchestrated by the APC State Working Committee and stakeholders, without the participation of all aspirants contesting for the same position, is illegitimate, unacceptable, and null and void, ab initio, he said in a statement issued in mid-April.

Such an imposition will be met with stiff and unequivocal resistance, the politician added.

The APC leadership battle in Abia resurfaced about a month after Mr Kalu in March denied any disagreement with the deputy speaker over the control of the party structure.
The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has declared her intention to seek re-election in the 2027 senatorial polls.

In a post shared on her social media platforms on Monday, the lawmaker said she had accepted calls from her constituents urging her to contest for another term.

With deep gratitude, I hear your call and overwhelming endorsements to contest for the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial Elections. My response is YES, she wrote.

She added that she would remain committed to serving the district with even greater purpose.

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Her declaration signals an early start to political mobilisation in Kogi Central, a district that has witnessed intense electoral contests in recent cycles.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the first elected female senator from Kogi State. She secured her seat following a Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed her victory in the 2023 senatorial election after a prolonged legal dispute.

Her political career includes a previous bid for the Kogi governorship in 2019 before her eventual move to the Senate. In the National Assembly, she has been involved in legislative work around finance, banking and emerging sectors such as cryptocurrency regulation.

Her tenure has also featured constituency projects in education and basic infrastructure, including the distribution of digital learning devices, solar-powered water systems and street lighting across communities in Kogi Central.

However, her time in office has not been without controversy.

She is currently challenging a N1 billion defamation judgment awarded against her in a suit filed by former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello. She was also suspended from the Senate for six months over allegations of misconduct.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the lawmaker had received endorsements from party stakeholders and constituents in recent months, reflecting growing support within the PDP in the district ahead of the next election cycle.

Her latest declaration is expected to shape political alignments within Kogi Central, as parties begin early positioning for the 2027 general elections.

Ex-Gov Bello as opponent

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction, may slug it out with some other top politicians from the district, including Mr Bello, who is believed to be eyeing the seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In December last year, the former governor, who is currently facing corruption charges, had announced his intention to contest the seat during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious and community from the district.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a fresh attempt by former Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, to join a suit on the allegations that she forged election results from the 2023 National Assembly election in Abia State.

The ruling, delivered on Monday by Mohammed Umar, means the ongoing suit filed by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Amobi Ogah, will continue without her participation, marking another procedural win for the Labour Party lawmaker.

The case, filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeks to compel the electoral body to conclude investigations and prosecute Mr Ogahs predecessor in the lower chamber, Mrs Onyejeocha over alleged forgery of election documents used during the 2023 election litigation.

How the dispute started

The controversy traces back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.

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Mr Ogah contested and won the House of Representatives seat for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency under the Labour Party, defeating Mrs Onyejeocha, who ran on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following her loss, the former minister challenged the result before the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, insisting that she, and not Mr Ogah, won the election.

But during the tribunal proceedings, Mr Ogah raised a serious counter-allegation that Mrs Onyejeocha had forged election result sheets and other electoral documents which she presented as proof of her victory.

The tribunal dismissed Mrs Onyejeochas petition for lack of merit. Dissatisfied, she proceeded to the Court of Appeal, which also upheld the tribunals decision and affirmed Mr Ogah as the duly elected representative.

In legislative election disputes in Nigeria, the Court of Appeals judgment is final, meaning the electoral victory of Mr Ogah was legally settled at that stage.

Despite the conclusion of the election petition process, Mr Ogah later approached the Federal High Court with a separate application focused on alleged electoral offences.

In his affidavit, he accused Mrs Onyejeocha of falsifying INEC documents and using them to mislead the tribunal.

He alleged that she forged the results in respect of the polling units listed, which results were tendered during the trial of the petition at the Election Tribunal to prove the allegations contained in her petition.

Mr Ogah further claimed that she presented the disputed documents, referred to as Exhibit 3, as authentic INEC results, even though INEC reportedly denied issuing them during the tribunal proceedings.

He added that Mrs Onyejeocha attempted to deceive the judiciary by presenting the forged documents to the Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal as official results issued by INEC.

Courts earlier decision

Before the latest ruling on joinder, Mr Umar had already granted Mr Ogah leave to pursue his application seeking a mandamus order compelling INEC to investigate and potentially prosecute Mrs Onyejeocha.

Relying on Order 34, Rules 1, 3, and 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the court held that Mr Ogah had placed sufficient materials before it to justify judicial intervention at that stage.

The judge stated that he was satisfied that the applicant had provided relevant evidence and that the court was persuaded to exercise its discretion in his favour.

The court therefore allowed Mr Ogah to seek an order directing INEC to investigate and prosecute Mrs Onyejeocha for alleged forgery of election results in polling units within the constituency.

Latest ruling: Attempt to join the case rejected

In the latest development, Mrs Onyejeocha sought to be joined in the ongoing proceedings, arguing through her lawyers that her interest was directly affected by the case.

However, the court rejected the application, holding that the matter is properly between Mr Ogah and INEC, and that the former minister is not a necessary party for the determination of whether the electoral body should be compelled to act.

READ ALSO: Nigerias Minister of State for Labour resigns

Lawyers react

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Ogahs counsel, Umeh Kalu, described the decision as consistent with the law and the facts already before the court, arguing that the matter can be effectively determined without the former minister being joined.

On her part, Ms Onyejeochas counsel, John Agim, said the legal team would review the ruling and decide on the next steps.

What the ruling means

The decision does not determine whether Mrs Onyejeocha forged any documents or not. Instead, it keeps the case focused strictly on whether INEC can be compelled to investigate and possibly prosecute alleged electoral offences arising from the 2023 election dispute.

For now, it represents another procedural win for Mr Ogah, as his legal action against INEC continues without expansion to include the former minister as a party.
A prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Power Olu Agunloye on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, that the extract of the minutes of the 21 May 2003 Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting tendered in the case originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The witness, Ugochukwu Okoli, the fourth prosecution witness, gave testimony before a trial judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie, during proceedings in the ongoing trial over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Hydropower Project contract.

Mr Agunloye is facing seven charges of official corruption and fraudulent award of the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

He pleaded not guilty.

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Testifying during my cross-examination by prosecution lawyer Abba Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Okoli said he handled a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for certified extracts of the FEC minutes while serving on a posting from the Federal Ministry of Justice to the SGFs office as an assistant legal adviser.

He told the court that in September 2022, the SGFs office received a letter from the EFCC requesting the extract of the minutes of the 21 May 2003 FEC meeting concerning a memo presented by the then Minister of Power on the proposed 3,960 megawatts Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.

The letter was received in the office of the AGN and minuted to the Permanent Secretary. It was also minuted from the Permanent Secretary office to the Legal Department where it was assigned to me to treat, Mr Okoli said, according to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale.

He said he subsequently requested the relevant file from the Cabinet Affairs Office, reviewed the records and confirmed that the document was domiciled there.

According to him, he recommended that the relevant extract of the FEC minutes be certified and forwarded to the EFCC, a recommendation he said was approved by the Permanent Secretary.

I recommended that the extract of the minutes as it relates to the deliberation on the memo presented by the then Honourable Minister be certified and the memo was forwarded to the Permanent Secretary and the recommendation of the Certified True Copy was approved by the Permanent Secretary with the directive of the Head of my Department, and he certified the extract which contains the deliberation and conclusion of the Federal Executive Council held on 21 May 2003.

He stated that the certified true copy was thereafter dispatched to the anti-graft agency through a forwarding letter signed by A. Oyinoye, a deputy director in the Cabinet Affairs Office.

The witness also explained the standard procedure after FEC meetings, saying the Cabinet Affairs Office, as secretariat to the council, routinely extracts portions of the minutes relevant to ministries, departments and agencies.

When shown documents marked as Exhibits 3C and 3E, he identified them as the documents processed in response to the EFCC request.

Mr Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until 30 April for the witnesss cross-examination.

Previous evidence

Mondays testimony adds to a series of contested claims that have emerged during the trial over the validity of the Mambilla contract and whether it received FEC approval.

In November 2025, the third prosecution witness, Umar Babangida, an EFCC investigator, told the court that the contract award letter dated 22 May 2003, allegedly issued by Mr Agunloye, was forged.

Mr Babangida testified that EFCC investigations found no record showing FEC approved the contract and maintained that the award did not follow due process.

He also told the court that investigators obtained records showing 40 ministers attended the 21 May 2003 FEC meeting and that no approval was granted for the contract at that meeting.

Under cross-examination in March, however, the same witness acknowledged that the defendant reduced the federal governments equity participation in the project from an initial proposed 25 per cent to not more than 10 per cent, a difference he agreed amounted to $900 million, though he insisted the reduction was done without presidential approval.

The witness also confirmed the EFCC alleged Mr Agunloye received N5.2 million in 2019 from businessman Leno Adesanya through an intermediary, an allegation the former minister has disputed, maintaining the money was related to a medical emergency.

The case

The EFCC alleges Mr Agunloye unlawfully awarded the Mambilla project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without budgetary provision, approval or cash backing, and later received gratification linked to the transaction.

The prosecution has also alleged the former minister forged a letter conveying federal government approval for the project.
The Gates of Nations

Reinhard Bonnke consistently devoted days, often weeks, to prayer before every Christ for All Nations crusade in any country. This was in addition to the many hours of corporate intercession offered by the ministrys prayer teams. This disciplined spiritual preparation was not symbolic; it was strategic.

Why is this significant? Because every nation is governed by gates. A person may reside in a nation for twenty years and yet never truly enter its gates, thereby remaining physically present but spiritually disconnected from influence, growth, and measurable results. In such cases, life becomes routine without impact.

The Lord once spoke clearly to me that we have entered a season of open gates; a season in which God desires to open multiple gates to many people. The emphasis on gates (plural) is critical. Life is not governed by one gate alone but by many gates: The gates of mercy, gates of nations, gates of favour, gates of access, gates of restoration, and gates of resources.

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Scripture shows that gates are constructed from different materials, symbolising varying degrees of resistance and authority. Isaiah 45:2 speaks of gates of bronze, representing fortified systems, while Acts 12:10 describes iron gates, denoting stronger resistance.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.  Psalm 24:7

Throughout biblical history, God has operated consistently through gates. At times, He opens them; at other times, He forcefully dismantles them.

For He has broken the gates of bronze, and cut the bars of iron in two.  Psalm 107:16

Gates as Seats of Authority

In Jewish history, gates functioned as seats of authority. Judicial rulings, civic decisions, and economic control were exercised at the city gates. In the modern world, these gates manifest as airports, national borders, immigration systems, and trade corridors. Nations deploy their strongest security, intelligence, and enforcement structures at these access points. If a gate is compromised, the nation is compromised. Yet, the spiritual dimension supersedes the physical.

Therefore your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings in procession.  Isaiah 60:11

This passage clearly reveals that spiritual gates regulate material flow. Wealth does not move arbitrarily, it passes through gates.

Spiritual Gates to Nations

Spiritual gates exist within every nation. One may live in a city yet never prosper, blossom, or advance into Gods ordained stature because the gates of that land remain spiritually closed.

These gates are maintained by spiritual powers that regulate:

 Decisionmaking

 Access to influence

 Movement of opportunities

 Flow of strategic resources

Until these gates open, or collapse, individuals struggle for relevance.

Scriptural Patterns of Opened and Closed Gates

Acts 12:10. The iron gate opened of its own accord for Peter because the church prayed earnestly. Intercession altered national access. Joshua 6:1. Jerichos gates were sealed. Prayer prepared the people, but praise dismantled the structure. What prayer does not accomplish alone, praise can complete. Nehemiah 2:7. After prayer, Nehemiah demonstrated assertive faith. He requested official authorization and gained strategic access. Faith must engage authority structures.

Modern Believers Who Entered National Gates

Billy Graham gained access to over 185 nations, including communist states closed to missionaries. His access was preceded by prayer, personal consecration, and uncompromising obedience. He preached behind the Iron Curtain and to world leaders.

Daniel Kolenda, Bonnkes successor, continues to gain national access across Africa through prayerdriven evangelism.

Joseph (Genesis 41) entered Egypts gate through wisdom, preparation, and divine alignment, rising from prison to national leadership.

Why Gates Close Against Believers

Sin Rebellion Selfinflicted curses through persistent wickedness Bloodshed and systemic injustice

What Happens When Gates Are Closed?

Strategic opportunities are denied or severely limited Longterm stagnation sets in Access to insight and intelligence dries up Emotional fatigue, frustration, and despair increase

Principles That Open Gates of Nations

1. Prayer opens gates. Prayer grants access to realms beyond natural limitation. In Acts 12, the church prayed earnestly for Peter, and God sent an angel to open iron gates that no human effort could unlock (Acts 12:10). Strategic gates, whether spiritual, vocational, or territorial, respond to sustained, focused, and fervent prayer. If gates must open, prayer must be intentional and persistent. 2. Praise opens gates. Praise invites God into situations that appear permanently shut. In Joshua 6, Israel praised God in obedience, and the walls of Jericho collapsed supernaturally. Praise shifts atmospheres, dismantles opposition, and accelerates divine intervention. When believers praise God ahead of visible outcomes, barriers give way. Faith opens gates. Prayer must be followed by action. Faith expressed through wise and courageous steps activates what prayer initiates. In Nehemiah, after prayer, Nehemiah acted strategically and placed a demand before the king, and it was granted. Many pray sincerely but fail to act intelligently. Gates open when prayer is matched with disciplined action and preparation. Obedience opens gates. Obedience positions believers for access beyond their limitations. Abraham experienced opened gates to nations because he obeyed God fully. In Acts 8, the apostles were scattered, and Philips obedience led to the opening of the city of Samaria, bringing widespread joy and salvation. Likewise, Jonahs obedience resulted in the repentance of an entire city (Jonah 3). Obedience aligns believers with divine opportunity.

Alignment with gifts and calling opens gates to cities and territories.

God opens doors where purpose is honoured. Many experience closed gates because they operate outside their divine assignment. Every individual in Scripture who remained faithful to their gifts and calling experienced open doors, whether to cities, regions, or nations. Authentic alignment releases access; disalignment produces resistance.

THE GATES OF PROVISION

Scripture and church history affirm that provision flows through gates. While skill, intelligence, and labour attract resources, spiritual alignment governs release.

Historical Examples of Opened Provision Gates

George Muller sustained five orphanages caring for over 10,000 children without soliciting funds. Time and again, prayer produced immediate provision. In 1844, after praying over empty tables, a baker and milkman arrived unannounced with food. Over his lifetime, tens of millions (by modern equivalent) passed through his hands, purely in response to prayer.

Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, prayed for payroll needs, and funds arrived shortly before deadlines. Donors frequently testified that they felt divinely prompted to give without knowing the urgency.

Other Believers across Professions

R.G. LeTourneau, an engineer and inventor, honoured God through consistent giving and prayer. He became one of the wealthiest industrialists of his time, funding missionary work worldwide.

David Green, founder of Hobby Lobby, built his business on biblical principles and prayer. The company thrived despite countercultural decisions.

Dual Platforms of Provision.

Jesus revealed a sobering truth:

For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. Luke 16:8

Believers must operate on two platforms:

Principles The Supernatural

Neglecting either creates an imbalance.

Platform of Principles (Scriptural Foundation)

Diligence (Proverbs 10:4) Excellence (Proverbs 22:29) Integrity (Proverbs 13:11)

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through [email protected]. You can connect with him on: YouTube: @VoiceoftheWatchmen, TikTok: @drayoakerele, Instagram: @drayoakerele, Facebook: @Ayo Akerele
Somewhere in Nigeria today, a market is open because an arms shipment was intercepted last week. A village is quieter because a bandit kingpin is in a courtroom. A child went to school this Monday morning in the South-East for the first time in years without fear. These things happened not by accident, but because of decisions made, intelligence gathered, and operations executed by an agency that most Nigerians rarely think about, until they have a reason to.

The State Security Services (SSS) does not hold press conferences to celebrate its wins. It does not trend on social media when a terror cell is dismantled or when a truck carrying 164,000 rounds of live ammunition is stopped before it reaches its destination. Its operatives do not take bows when a fugitive for 13 long years is finally brought to justice. Or when a financier who bankrolled massacres from the comfort of a UAE business finds his accounts frozen. That is the nature of the work. Security, at its most effective, is invisible, a wall you only notice when it has a crack.

But invisibility comes at a cost. When Nigerians do not seem to see the results, they cannot evaluate it fairly. And when the only stories that surface are the controversies, the detentions, the political cases, the headlines that fuel suspicion, the full picture is lost. This piece is an attempt to restore that picture. Because over the past 18 months, the SSS has been executing a strategy that is quietly, systematically, and eventually making Nigeria safer. The evidence is there for anyone willing to see.

At the core of the SSS strategy is a clear logic: remove the commanders, and you collapse the hierarchy. Nowhere has this been more dramatically demonstrated than in the North, where a series of high-profile arrests have decapitated some of Nigerias most dangerous terror networks.

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In August 2025, operatives captured Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the self-proclaimed Emir of Ansaru and one of Nigerias most wanted terror figures alongside Mahmud al-Nigeri, who served as his Chief of Staff.

About the same time, SSS operatives arrested Abubakar Abba, leader of the Mahmuda group, a Boko Haram faction responsible for terrorising communities across Kwara and Kogi states and displacing thousands of residents. The Embassy of the United States described these operations as a major step in the fight against terrorism. Usman has since been sentenced to 15 years for just one of the many offences, with prosecution continuing on other counts. Three months later, Ansaru commander Abdulazeez Obadaki was recaptured after a 13-year manhunt, closing the book on a man accused of masterminding the 2012 massacre of worshippers at Deeper Life Bible Church, near Okene, Kogi State.

The secret police has also demonstrated creative, intelligence-led pursuits. In May 2025, two kidnapping kingpins responsible for violent attacks across the Sokoto-Zamfara axis were tracked and arrested at Abuja and Sokoto Hajj camps during pre-departure screening of pilgrims. In Kaduna State, joint SSS-Army operations across a single quarter recorded 34 successes, arrested 54 suspects, recovered weapons ranging from RPGs to heavy machine guns, and rescued 79 kidnapped victims. In the FCT, a joint operation in September 2025 neutralised bandit leader Abdullahi Umar, known as Duna whose gang had kidnapped a senior civil servant with a 150 million ransom demand. In Osun State, a 90-day undercover surveillance operation dismantled an ISWAP cell mid-training in the manufacture of explosives.

Two of the most painful massacres in recent Nigerian history; the Yelwata killings in Benue State and in Angwa Rukuba, Plateau State, tested the governments promise to bring perpetrators of mass violence to face justice. In both cases, the SSS helped the government pass that test.

On 13 June, 2025, gunmen descended on Yelwata community in Guma LGA of Benue State, killing no less than 150 people and injuring 107 others in attacks that drew worldwide condemnation. President Bola Tinubu paid a personal condolence visit to Benue State where he tasked security agencies to fish out the perpetrators. The SSS moved with required urgency. Within 11 days, the Inspector-General of Police announced the arrest of 26 suspects. By August 2025, the SSS had filed six separate terrorism charges against nine suspects before the Federal High Court, Abuja. Two other suspects were charged for alleged reprisal attacks. The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, is ongoing, with courts actively hearing evidence and eight government witnesses lined up to testify.

The Angwa Rukuba case followed a similar pattern of Presidential commitment backed by SSS action. On 29 March, being Palm Sunday, gunmen killed more than 30 people, including children, in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. This triggered national and international outrage. President Tinubu visited Jos and personally assured residents that those behind the killings would be brought to book. On the heels of the Presidents directive, the suspects were arrested between 3 April and 10 April, 2026. The Plateau State Government subsequently filed charges of criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition against five suspects arrested by the SSS. Courts have already ordered their remand in SSS custody as proceedings began.

The aforementioned twin cases carry a significance beyond the individual prosecutions. They demonstrate that when the President speaks, the SSS listens and moves. It means that communities that have suffered devastating losses, beyond consolation with mere words, are seeing their attackers face the law. For a country long accustomed to impunity around mass killings, this is a huge milestone in the Criminal Justice System.

On 5 June, 2022, gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, killing over 50 church worshippers and injuring many more. As I pen this, the SSS is prosecuting Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, in the Federal High Court, Abuja, for their alleged links to the attack.

For nearly four years, the sixth suspect, Sani Yusuf, eluded arrest, becoming one of the most wanted fugitives in Nigeria. In February, however, the SSS arrested him in Iguosa community, along Powerline in Ovia North LGA of Edo State.

Also before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the SSS is diligently prosecuting Khalid Al Barnawi and four others suspected to have carried out the 26 August, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.

Over 20 persons from different countries died in the attack with over 70 others injured. Al-Barnawi is believed to be a founding member of Jamaat Ahl as-Sunnah lid Dawah Wal-Jihad, the Boko Haram Islamist terror group. Charged alongside Al-Barnawi are Mohammed Bashir Saleh; Umar Mohammed Bello, a.k.a Datti; Mohammed Salisu and Yakubu Nuhu, a.k.a Bello Maishayi.

What is more, to underscore the seriousness of the Service in the terrorism trial, the SSS, through its counsel, Alex Iziyon (SAN) moved a application for accelerated as the Service expressed its readiness for a timely conclusion of the trial.

To be sure, armed groups do not sustain themselves on ideology alone, they need weapons, ammunition, and supply networks. The DSS has been systematically targeting those pipelines, and recent arrests reveal how sophisticated those networks are.

In January, a notorious arms smuggler Abubakar Umar (Dangada) was intercepted in Zamfara with a large cache of weapons from Niger Republic. In May 2026, a joint operation on the Asaba-Onitsha expressway intercepted a truck carrying over 164,000 live cartridges allegedly bound for IPOB/ESN networks. These hauls, spanning motor parks, border routes, and highways, reveal a SSS that is reaching into every layer of the supply chain.

In April 2026, operatives apprehended 25-year-old Nafisa Usman at a motor park in Kano while she was allegedly transporting 200 rounds of ammunition from Lafia in Nasarawa State to Kankara in Katsina, a known bandit corridor. Security sources disclosed that she had facilitated deals worth over 5 million, using Unguwa Uku motor park as a transit hub for consignments headed for Kankara forest. She was intercepted before the delivery could reach its destination. In a parallel case that went all the way to court, Halima Haliru Umar pleaded guilty before a Federal High Court in Abuja to illegally possessing 302 rounds of live ammunition she had couriered to a bandit leader. A Chief Magistrate Court in Taraba subsequently sentenced three other arms traffickers arrested by the SSS to 10 years in prison without the option of fine.

Few cases in recent Nigerian history have generated as much controversy as the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). He was convicted of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Several prominent Igbo leaders have been suing for a political solution.

It is worth noting that, since Kanus conviction, there has been a marked improvement in security in the Southeast states. The Monday sit-at-home orders violently enforced since 2021, shutting markets, schools, banks, and petrol stations every Monday, came to a permanent end in February. The directive came from Kanu himself, behind his prison walls in Sokoto.

Research by SBM Intelligence, Nigerias leading geopolitical research consultancy, calculated losses of over 7.6 trillion from those weekly closures between 2021 and early 2025. This wealth needlessly drained from one Nigerias historically most commercially-active region. Today, markets in Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi and other commercial major towns in the South-East are open every day of the week. Schools now run on Mondays. The Nigerian Army has officially credited the detention of both Kanu and Finland-convicted IPOB figure Simon Ekpa with bringing measurable security improvements, stating that criminal activities and operational capabilities of ESN-linked groups have significantly decreased.

A region that lost over 7 trillion in economic activity to enforced shutdowns is now on the path to a slow but steady economic recovery.

Dismantling terror networks requires more than just arresting the foot soldiers. It requires cutting off the financial oxygen that keeps them alive. In April 2026, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) published an updated list of 48 individuals and 12 corporate entities designated as terrorism financiers. He followed up with an immediate directive to freeze all associated accounts and assets.

The list spans the full breadth of Nigerias security challenge: ISWAP, Boko Haram, Ansaru, and IPOB-affiliated figures. The methods of financing revealed are striking, cryptocurrency and online fraud, ransom handling from the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack, property purchases across multiple states, and fund transfers routed through businesses in the UAE. One suspect recorded account inflows of 61.4 billion before transferring tens of millions to convicted terrorists. Designating and freezing these networks attacks the problem at its root, cutting off the money before it ever reaches the field.

Piece by piece, the picture emerging from Nigerias security landscape over the past months is one of a country beginning to seriously sanction all those who choose violence. Terror kingpins once considered untouchables are now in courtrooms. Arms supply chains that once fed banditry with impunity are being intercepted. Financiers who bankrolled massacres from the shadows are having their accounts frozen. Communities that watched their loved ones buried without justice are now watching suspects face the law.

If this strategic momentum is sustained and deepened, and the SSS continues to build on its intelligence capacity, accelerate prosecutions, and tighten coordination with the military and sister security agencies, the judiciary, and international partners, the trajectory points toward something Nigerians have long desired, but hardly been served.

Nigeria spent decades managing insecurity. However, the current strategy of the SSS suggests that defeating insecurity is possible. That there is a future worth building on. Results of the past months under Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi point to one thing: collectively, we can make Nigeria safe again!

Louis Achi, a former associate editor at ThisDay and LEADERSHIP on Sunday, is a public issues analyst.
As with the arguments against Russias invasion of Ukraine, and the US and Israels new war, the many ways in which Iran projects force curtails the space that ordinarily ought to be available for other countries to make decisions in their own interests In both Russias and the US-Israels recent military adventures, might is not only right, but it also seems to trump thinking things through.

In their respective ways, the wars in Europe (the consequence of Russias invasion of Ukraine) and the Middle East (the outcome of the US and Israels invasion of Iran) tell a valuable story. Yet, the underlying circumstances could not be more different. The war against Iran is a lot clearer in this respect. Three concerns are dominant. Irans use of proxy militias (Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the occupied territories in Israel, and the Houthis in Yemen) for strategic military leverage in the region. Its processing of uranium to near weapons grade quality. And its domestic capacity to produce ballistic missiles and attack drones.

Israel may have of recent degraded the potency of Irans foreign forces, but as Hamas 7 October, 2023 attack on Israel showed, they are capable of wreaking havoc. As have the Houthis in their blockade of commercial shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Hezbollahs renewed fighting with Israel in the south of Lebanon. The threat to countries in the region from Irans missiles and drones long since crossed the hypothetical threshold. Indeed, not only has the Third Gulf war underscored Irans stand-off kill capacity and underlined its reach, but there is also clear evidence that military intelligence services in the West and Israel underestimated the Islamic Republics capacity in this regard.

Ought then the world to be concerned about Irans possession of fissile material and its possible breakout horizon? Yes. And in agreeing to the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA  the Iran nuclear deal), Iran paid back-handed compliments to this concern. But do these fears justify the US and Israels war against Iran? Especially when it was not as if Iran was in breach of any of the terms of the JCPOA, until the US unilaterally abrogated the agreement.

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In both wars, the three most militarily powerful countries have sought to resolve matters on their own terms. The problem is that these terms do not favour a world at peace with itself, and free to pursue the developments in science and technology that will be critical to humanitys continued non-rivalrous occupation of the earth.

The woollier circumstances of Russias war against Ukraine help provide some answers to this question. The lack of coherence in the Kremlins justification for the war (it still is a special military operation there) do not help matters. The weightiest of Ukraines provocations can be distilled into four buckets. Its desire to join NATO (the Western military alliance) would bring that organisation close to Russias borders, threatening its national security. The alleged undue influence of alleged extremist nationalist elements in Kyiv made Russias denazification and demilitarisation of Ukraine both imperative and urgent. Russia also apparently acted to protect two breakaway Ukrainian republics  the Donetsk Peoples Republic and the Luhansk Peoples Republic. Then there was the not so small matter of defending Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region, where conflict had been ongoing since 2014.

It is enough to point out how close Alaska (US) is to the Kamchatka Krai Region (Russia) to underscore the hollowness of the perceived threat from NATOs eastward expansion. But this is for another conversation. What counts for this piece is that at the heart of both the war in Ukraine and the one in Iran are disagreements between five states understanding of developments in their regions (in the US case, its self-appointed sphere of influence).

In both wars, the three most militarily powerful countries have sought to resolve matters on their own terms. The problem is that these terms do not favour a world at peace with itself, and free to pursue the developments in science and technology that will be critical to humanitys continued non-rivalrous occupation of the earth. The same way democracies must provide additional protections for minority groups and rights that would otherwise be steamrollered in a majoritarian state, the world order must protect small states against the deleterious effects of a carve-up into spheres of influence by the worlds leading economies.

Unsurprisingly, the respective comeuppances of these wars have been far from their intentions and have left the world worse off. The truth is that there are no substitutes for resolving matters like these through multilateral institutions like the United Nations.

In Irans case, this argument is not easily made. Yet, once we agree that the Islamic Republics possession of nuclear bombs and the means to deliver them would have made the US-Israel invasion unlikely, we make the defensive case for an arsenal of arms and munitions. The offensive case, sadly, is no longer obviated by a more democratic global architecture. In addition, Irans export  especially through military means  of its revolution is not a non-rivalrous use of our collective space.

As with the arguments against Russias invasion of Ukraine, and the US and Israels new war, the many ways in which Iran projects force curtails the space that ordinarily ought to be available for other countries to make decisions in their own interests. The idea that might is right has a great history behind it, from its first appearance in the title of Arthur Desmonds 1896 book, through Machiavellis writings, to the ideas of social Darwinist thought. But that history was the nutritive medium for all the wars that our humanity has fought till date. Our new wars take this argument into even stranger territory. In both Russias and the US-Israels recent military adventures, might is not only right, but it also seems to trump thinking things through.

Unsurprisingly, the respective comeuppances of these wars have been far from their intentions and have left the world worse off. The truth is that there are no substitutes for resolving matters like these through multilateral institutions like the United Nations.

Uddin Ifeanyi, a journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.
The learning environment in Nigerias universities has become an embarrassment, with the extent of the dilapidation of existing infrastructure. One often neglected facet is students hostels. Video footage of one of them at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), penultimate week, even on national television, bore utterly repulsive sights.

From overflowing toilets to seedy bathrooms, down to the laundering sections with all the floors turned dark and infested with maggots, and clusters of half-naked students cooking in the hostel court with dried palm leaves, tell the story of total decay, criminal negligence of students welfare, and how not to run a university.

Eni Njoku hostel was the focus. But the rot is evident in others, students testified. In a sense, the immortalisation of this intellectual icon and pioneer, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, in this hostels naming, is being smeared by the institutions action.

The putrid environment of this hostel, students reveal, is made worse by the five-month strike embarked on by its cleaners, who had not been paid their salaries. The students wondered what the hostel fees they paid were being used for. Besides the unkempt toilets and bathrooms, the hostels are overcrowded and generally filthy. The health hazards from these unsanitary conditions are frightening.

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The Vice Chancellor of UNN, Simon Ortuanya, needs to be conscious of the motto of the institution, Restore the Dignity of Man, and therefore protect the dignity of the school and its students by reversing the highly undesirable state of affairs in question without delay.

But this malaise is not peculiar to the UNN. It is an anomaly that is prevalent in virtually all universities across the country. A student in one of the most prominent universities in the South-West said, Our facilities are broken down; the bathroom is in a mess; the mattresses are bed-bug infested, and no water. Besides, electricity is not constant. At the University College Ibadan (UCH), 100 days of blackout in 2025 over an unpaid 400 million electricity bill disrupted service delivery. And the clinical training of students was in jeopardy throughout the period.

PREMIUM TIMES feels highly concerned that students should never be made to live or learn under these unhealthy conditions. Therefore, it is a necessity for the relevant authorities to quickly fix this mess. If citizens can engage in self-help to provide water for themselves by sinking boreholes, even when less than ideal, it remains unthinkable that universities are not doing their very best to provide water for students. This is a very crucial need that equally has a vital bearing on resolving the filth of their environments and enhancing their overall well-being. Water is basic to life.

Nigeria presently has a total of 310 universities, comprising 74 federal, 68 state, and 168 privately-owned academies. All are plagued by outdated libraries, ill-equipped laboratories, inadequate classrooms and offices, shortages of research grants and the lack of electricity and water.

These inadequacies underpinned the 2009 pact between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government. It entailed the injection of 1.3 trillion into federal universities as revitalisation funds for a period of five years. This was due for renegotiation in 2012.

Unfortunately, the government failed to implement the pact, thus sparking ceaseless disruptions of academic calendars for almost 16 years attendant upon ASUUs annual strikes. Hopefully, the Yale Ahmed-led committee seems to have resolved the dispute in 2025 with a raft of packages.

These include a 40 per cent increase in the salaries of academic staff; the retirement of professors at the age of 70 with their salaries as pension; special professorial allowances; an increase in unearned allowances; in addition to allowances for research, the procurement of books, payment of professional membership dues, and access to the internet, among others. To take care of infrastructure, 30 billion is to be injected into 74 federal universities. These took effect from January this year.

Some gains might have been made, but long-standing issues remain. It is difficult for 30 billion to take care of the infrastructural deficits in 74 universities, even with the 2.5 billion each is to receive from TETFund, in its intervention support in 2026.

As is evident, many universities  both public and private  continue to admit more students than they have they capacities to carry, thereby exerting pressure on existing facilities like hostels and classrooms. Some departments have 500 students in a class, most of whom stay outside the halls to receive lectures, while the majority who are inside these halls have no seats. In a situation like this, the thorough assessment of students and individualised instructions becomes impossible.

Regrettably, more institutions have been created under the guise of expanding access to university education. In 2012, when the Needs Assessment of Universities came out with a damning report on the degradation of facilities and shortage of 34,000 PhD holders  the minimum qualification to teach at that level, only 124 universities existed. Federal and state governments had 37 universities each, and

50 owned by individuals.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), in its consideration of the report, observed that Students cannot get accommodation; where they get, they are packed like sardines in tiny rooms. No light and water in hostels, classrooms and laboratories. These conditions remain the same, 14 years later. In fact, they have doubled with the increase in the number of universities.

The country needs to be guided by the Registrar of JAMB, Ishaq Oloyedes disclosure in 2018, that having more universities is needless. For instance, data showed that of the 1.6 million who sat the 2018 UTME, only 700,000 met the minimum requirement of five O-level credits, including English and Mathematics. Not all the candidates passed.

Mr Oloyedes position is reinforced by the fact that 34 universities had ZERO student applications in the 2024/25 UTME, and 199 other universities received fewer than 100 applicants. The funds used to set these institutions up, in the case of public universities, would have been channelled to the sustenance of existing ones.

A federal government that inserted a questionable 135 billion in the 2026 budget for election litigation, when candidates actually bear this cost, should do more in funding our universities. Admissions outside of JAMBs Central Admission Processing Systems (CAPS) should be viewed as system derailment and undue pressure on university infrastructure, with negative effects on the quality of our degrees. Over 4,000 of these cases are recorded annually. And, the only way to enforce compliance, discipline and standards is by sacking errant Vice Chancellors. They have made nonsense out of the CAPS since its creation in 2017.

The absence of international faculty and students in our universities, and their poor showing in global rankings, speaks a lot about their inadequacies in knowledge production. These deserve priority attention, and ASUU should not buckle under its continuous charge for excellence!
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: CREATIVE FUND MANAGER UNDER THE IDICE PROGRAMME

Technology and Creative Sector

Financing Agreement reference: 2000200005160

Project ID No.: P-NG-K00-009

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Background

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), in 2018, set up the Advisory Council for Technology and Creativity (the Council) under the aegis of the Nigerian Industrial and Competitiveness Advisory Council to provide specific solutions to several technology and creativity sector challenges in the country. As part of the major recommendations of the council, FGN established the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme to promote investments in the digital, information technology and creative industries.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has received support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) towards the implementation of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this finance to payments under the contract for a Creative Fund Manager under the iDICE Programme.

1. Objectives

The objective of the iDICE programme is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital and creative industries. The larger aim is to act as a stimulant for job creation and talent upskilling in the technology and creative industries, ecosystem building and expanding the Nigerian economy in these two growth areas.

This goal is to be achieved through:

i. An ecosystem driven approach of multi-sectoral Programmatic interventions; and

ii. A catalytic investment in businesses in the technology and creative sectors.

In line with the catalytic investments, the iDICE Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) in the Bank of Industry (BOI) is seeking to establish access to financing for start-ups through two financing options:

i. The Digital and Creative Enterprises (DICE) Funds which seek to strengthen start-ups through equity and quasi equity capital injections and;

ii. The Capacity Building window which seeks to capacitate start-ups through training and support grant

Scope of Work

The Fund Manager(s) deliverables will include but not be limited to:

1. Designing and setting-up of the Fund including legal, operational, financial, and administrative structures.

2. Managing all the business affairs of the Fund and undertaking activities required to meet the objectives of the Fund.

3. Making all decisions related to the investigation, solicitation, origination, selection, development, negotiation, acquisition, management, structuring, restructuring, commitment to or monitoring of and disposal of investments

4. Directing the formulation of the Funds investment, financial, governance, operational policies and other relevant documentation required for the Funds operations.

5. Acquiring, holding, selling, transferring, exchanging, and disposing of investments, and exercising all rights, powers, privileges and other incidents of ownership or possession with respect to investments.

6. Fund raising (including the preparation of private placement memorandum, pitch books and other marketing materials).

7. Undertaking investor management activities including the management of committed capital.

8. Developing and implementing a technical assistance framework to complement the equity fund.

9. Implementing the Funds Environmental and Social Management System.

10. Ecosystem & Zone Mapping: Maintaining deep intelligence on creative sector interventions and state-level incentives across all six Nigerian geopolitical zones to leverage local synergies.

11. Creative Pipeline Development: Curating a slate-based investment approach to balance high-risk/high-reward creative projects with more stable creative businesses.

12. Content De-risking: Integrating specialized financial instruments to protect against the volatility of creative production.

13. Preparing period (Quarterly and Annually) reports on the status and performance of the Fund.

14. Implement capacity building programme for business advisory to build fund investee pipeline and de-risking portfolio (Creative Start-ups)

DICE Creative Fund company will operate under the guidance of its Advisory Board comprising Limited Partners of the Fund.

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience

i. Must possess at least five (5) years of cognate track record, must have evidence of creative sector related investments in its portfolio in the last 5 years

ii. Must have evidence of creative sector related investments in its portfolio in the last 5 years.

iii. Consultant must demonstrate creative sector investment track record in Nigerian creative enterprises with at least one value unlocking example.

iv. Development of specific metrics to measure the cultural capital and social impact generated by creative sectorinvestments, alongside traditional financial returns.

v. Verifiable pipeline of potential investee companies across Nigeria, including evidence of creative sector deal flowexperience.

vi. Methodology should include creative sector investment phases that identify high conviction sub sectors and explains competitive edge.

vii. Must be able to identify emerging trends in the creative sector landscape in Nigeria.

viii. Specialized expertise in valuing intangible assets such as Intellectual property within the Nigerian creative sector.

ix. Shortlisted firms are now explicitly encouraged to resubmit their interest as Joint Ventures or formal Consortia with external partners.

x. Strong Joint Venture arrangement with proof of established network that demonstrate creative sector expertise and fund administration.

xi. Demonstrable value-addition capabilities concerning portfolio investments.

xii. Must demonstrate a track record of:

 Equity/quasi-equity Venture Capital (VC) fund structuring and setup in the last 5 years

 Capital raise and equity fund management specific to the creative sector in the last 5 years.

 Proof of existing network with VC traditional investors in the creative sector.

 Managing large VC Funds with evidence of achieving positive financial return and development impact in the creative sector in the last 5 years.

xiii. Experience in the Nigeria/Sub-Saharan VC and Creative sector, including partnerships with start-ups, active Enterprise Support Organizations.

xiv. Evidence of a strong operational Fund Management team with an understanding of the Nigerian creative sector investment segment, including experienced investment and middle- and back-office staff and policies and procedures that are aligned with international best practice.

xv. Must be willing to invest at least 2% of Total Capitalization towards the Total Capital Pool required for investment in the assigned Fund.

xvi. Must possess existing relationships and network with relevant local and international industry players within the creative sector.

xvii. Expertise in the structural drivers of the Nigerian creative sector and the ability to bridge the gap between creative output and institutional equity investment will be considered a significant advantage.

xviii. Must possess a clear geographic understanding of the various states and the 6 geopolitical zones as well as the funding landscape in the respective zones.

xix. Strong knowledge of sub-national creative industry initiatives across all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria to ensure fund activities align with local economic interventions.

xx. Must demonstrate capacity and resources to implement an ESMS and sound understanding of climate change from a national policy perspective.

xxi. Ability to effectively profile the opportunity sphere across all 36 states and the FCT. The Fund Manager should be available to coordinate and direct requests for funding from interested businesses throughout the country.

xxii. Firm must demonstrate capacity to implement capacity building programme for business advisory to build fund investee pipeline and de-risking portfolio (Creative Start-ups)

Financial and Tax Requirements

1. Confirmation of financial capacity of the company (3 years audited statement of accounts and financial summary).

2. Evidence of VAT Registration and Company Tax Clearance Certificates for the last 3 years.

Firms that are registered outside Nigeria shall submit relevant legal and compliance documents as applicable to their countries of jurisdiction.

Submission of EOIs

Expressions of Interest should be structured as follows:

a. Detailed company profile indicating management team, ownership structure, competence of firm, office and branch contact details (where applicable) (2 pages)

b. Evidence of availability of appropriate skills among staff to be proposed for the assignment (3 pages)

c. Brief summary of successfully exited investments in the last 3 years with key information on the company, exit strategy adopted, fund/investment size, IRR of Fund (5 pages)

d. List of existing investments with the following information (emphasis on investments in the creative sector in Nigeria/Sub-Saharan Africa) (5 pages):

e. Sector focus

f. Brief description of investee company including growth stage and performance

g. Type of investment

 Target IRR

 Fund term

 Current status of the investee company

h. Submission must clearly state that your firm is interested in the Creative Sector Fund with justification

i. Any other information that can strengthen the application

Firms may constitute joint ventures to enhance their chances of qualification. In this case, the arrangement must clearly indicate in the submission, an organogram stating the members of the consortium.

Greenfield funds may apply provided the promoters demonstrate a deep experience in creative fund management, investment execution, multilateral development and a detailed understanding of the Nigerian environment.

EOI submissions should not exceed 20 pages, excluding supporting documents to be submitted as detailed under the Eligibility Criteria in the Terms of Reference.

The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a shortlist and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Banks Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations October 2015, which is available on the AFDBs website at http://www.afdb.org. Please note that interest expressed by an organization does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include it in the shortlist.

Interested firms may obtain further information at the address below during the Banks office hours, i.e. from 8 AM to 5 PM (WAT) on working days.

Deadline for Submission of EOIs

Expressions of interest MUST be delivered in hard and soft (in a USB flash drive) copies to the address below no later than 11thMay, 2026 at [3:00pm] (WAT) and specifically mention[EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: CREATIVE SECTOR FUND MANAGER FOR THE INVESTMENT IN DIGITAL AND CREATIVE ENTERPRISES PROGRAMME ].

For the Terms of Reference (TOR) for this Expression of Interest, please visit www.boi.ng/idicetor.

Attn.

The iDICE Programme Coordination Unit.

Tower 1, 9th Floor, Bank of Industry Office,

FCT  Abuja

E-mail: [email protected] (for enquiries only)

Tel: 0700 225 5264 (0700 CALL BOI)
The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc., the foremost brewing company in Nigeria, has announced a Profit After Tax of N55.95 billion for the three-month period ended 31 March 2026, representing a 25.6% increase over the N44.55 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2025.

The company also recorded 8% revenue growth, with revenue rising from N383.64 billion in Q1 2025 to N413.02 billion in Q1 2026.

According to the unaudited results released on the NGX portal, Cost of Sales rose from N216.05 billion in 2025 to N233.16 billion in the period under review, while Selling, Distribution, and Administration expenses grew by 14.2% from N81.78 billion in 2025 to N93.41 billion in 2026, driven by increased brand and sales activities.

In a statement by the Company Secretary/Legal Director, Uaboi Agbebaku, it was stated that the company delivered a strong performance in the quarter, sustaining the 2025 recovery trajectory despite a fragile and volatile operating environment, exacerbated by the crisis in the Middle East.

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Agbebaku explained that the 8% revenue growth was largely driven by strong revenue management, the performance of premium brands led by Heineken Lager, and the execution of growth initiatives. He attributed the rise in profitability recorded in the first quarter to disciplined cost management and reduced finance expenses. According to him, the 55% decrease in net finance expenses contributed significantly to the 26% growth in the net profit.

Speaking on the companys performance, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Thibaut Boidin, expressed confidence in the companys financial position, stating that the balance sheet remained strong and that liquidity continued to improve.

The improved cash position supported the recent settlement of outstanding borrowings, thereby strengthening the Companys financial position, Boidin said.

He added that the company remains focused on execution excellence, revenue optimization, cost control, and efficient cash management to sustain momentum and deliver long-term value to stakeholders.

He assured stakeholders that the company would continue to intensify its focus on risk management by reviewing downside scenarios and implementing mitigation measures across key exposures to protect performance and preserve financial flexibility amidst the Middle East crisis.
Stakeholders from Enugu North Senatorial District on Sunday paid a thank-you visit to Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, expressing deep appreciation for what they described as unprecedented development strides across the state and inclusive leadership in the zone.

Speaking on behalf of the zone, the traditional ruler of Edem Ani and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, and the former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, commended the governor for facilitating the appointment of Professor Simon Ortuanya as the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, describing it as a historic milestone for the district.

They also thanked him for honouring the late Senator Okey Ezea with a befitting state burial despite his opposition party affiliation, noting that the gesture underscored the governors statesmanship and commitment to unity.

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They stressed that their visit was driven by verifiable results rather than sentiment, noting that our solidarity is anchored not on empty rhetorics, but on visible, tangible achievements and evidence that cannot be denied.

The stakeholders further highlighted the upgrade of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), which now has a teaching hospital, alongside the appointment of 70 professors, as a major boost to medical education and healthcare delivery in the zone.

They listed other key interventions to include the construction of 102 Smart Green Schools and 102 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres in Enugu North, figures they noted surpassed those in other senatorial zones, as well as the establishment of modern transport infrastructure such as interchange terminals in Nsukka and the deployment of CNG buses to ease commuting.

The group also cited ongoing road infrastructure projects, including the dualisation of the Opi  Ugwuogo Nike  Abakpa Road and the Owo  Ubahu  Amankanu  Umualor  Ikem- Obollo Afor dual carriageway, which they said were opening up economic corridors and strengthening regional connectivity.

They equally acknowledged the near completion of the Ama  Akama Oghe  Olo  Iwollo  Umulokpa road linking Uzo-Uwani to other parts of the state, describing it as a critical integration route.

Beyond infrastructure, the stakeholders commended the governor for facilitating federal appointments for sons of Nsukka, as well as revitalising moribund state assets such as Nigergas, United Palm Products Limited (UPPL), Sunrise Flour Mills, and Hotel Presidential, Enugu, among others.

They also referenced flagship projects such as the International Conference Centre (ICC), the 5-star ICC Hotel, the 300-bed Enugu International Hospital, and the New Enugu Smart City, noting that over 3,000 projects had been executed or were ongoing across the state.

The stakeholders declared their full support for the governors re-election bid, insisting that no previous administration had delivered as much for the state.

In just two years, governance in Enugu has shifted from promises to measurable results, with Nsukka Zone standing as one of the greatest beneficiaries, they stated.

Responding, Governor Mbah thanked the stakeholders for the visit and reiterated his administrations commitment to equity and non-discriminatory governance.

He further explained that the higher number of projects in Enugu North Zone was based on objective parameters such as the number of wards, noting that the zone has 102 wards compared to Enugu Wests 81 and Enugu Easts 77.

The governor assured the people of the zone of continued investments in road infrastructure and other sectors, stressing that Enugu North occupies a strategic place in his development agenda.

We do what difficulty demands. When we presented ourselves to serve you, we committed to these things, and we must keep to our promises, he said, stressing that his administration was determined to meet the infrastructure needs of the people despite limited resources.

The governor explained that his vision was to eliminate unpaved roads across the state, describing it as unacceptable in the 21st century, and disclosed that after constructing about 350 roads in Enugu capital city, over 1,022 roads remained, which would all be paved.

Next to Enugu city is Nsukka. We are going to conduct the enumeration of all the roads in Nsukka, and we will ensure that we pave all the roads without exception. That is the right thing to do, he added, noting that road projects were already ongoing in areas such as Ugwuachara, Lejja, and Akpakwume-Nze to Aku.

He further noted that ongoing urban renewal initiatives, though involving some displacement, were being mitigated through the construction of modern markets with adequate facilities for affected traders.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of symbolic gifts to the governor on behalf of the zone by Igwe Asadu, who also announced that the zone would purchase the governors nomination form at the forthcoming Enugu North Mega Rally scheduled for May 2, 2026.

The delegation, which was led by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, had in attendance the former Deputy Governor, Ezenwata Okechukwu Itanyi; former senator for the zone, Senator Chukwuka Utazi; present and former members of the House of Representatives from the zone; the Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Ezenta Ezeani; and other serving and former state lawmakers, State Executive Council members, Council Chairmen, former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dan Shere; senior government officials; traditional rulers; and other prominent stakeholders from the zone.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang said Plateau will continue to serve as a haven for law-abiding Nigerians displaced by violence, despite a recent wave of killings and kidnappings across parts of the state.

The governor made the remark during a church service in Jos on Sunday, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Gyang Bere.

Plateau State will continue to serve as a refuge for those displaced, particularly from the North East, Mr Bere quoted the governor as saying, adding that Mr Mutfwang expressed hope for the restoration of peace across Plateau, the Middle Belt, and the entire nation.

Mr Mutfwangs assurance comes against the backdrop of sustained insecurity in Plateau, including the 29 March attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, where dozens of residents were killed by gunmen. The incident triggered public outrage, a curfew, and intensified security operations across the state.

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In the weeks that followed, violence spread to other areas, with renewed attacks reported in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas. Residents have also experienced kidnappings, including a recent case in Shendam where a woman was abducted and later rescued by troops in a neighbouring local government area.

Security agencies have carried out a series of operations in response. Troops recently dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing site in Langtang North and intercepted weapons along the KadunaJos highway, in what officials say were efforts to disrupt supply networks fueling the violence.

Despite these interventions, communities have continued to call for stronger preventive measures, citing repeated attacks and delayed responses in some cases.

Speaking at the service held at the EYN Church in Jos, the governor urged residents to embrace unity and resist divisions that could worsen tensions. He said displaced persons had begun returning to their communities and called for support to help rebuild trust.

Mr Mutfwang also acknowledged the strain on affected families, particularly widows, and said his administration was working on targeted interventions to support vulnerable groups.

According to Mr Bere, a church leader, Joseph Kwaha, commended the governors response to recent crises, including the Angwan Rukuba attack, and urged continued efforts toward peace and reconciliation.

The governors remarks follow earlier engagements with security stakeholders and political leaders, including meetings held after President Tinubus visit to Plateau in early April, where federal authorities pledged to bring perpetrators of the attacks to justice and strengthen security presence in the state.

The State Security Service (SSS) in the North-central state has arrested four suspects in connection with the Angwan Rukuba attack. The suspects were arraigned before a court last week, but the arraignment stalled because the defence counsel was not present. As a result, the court ordered that they should be remanded in the custody of the secret police.
Three persons have been killed and two others abducted after armed men attacked mourners returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov council ward of the Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred on Saturday night, is the latest in a series of violent incidents reported in the state in recent weeks.

Residents said the victims were ambushed near the community as they made their way back from the ceremony.

The lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, confirmed the incident.

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Mr Gabo identified those killed as Bem Msughter from Mbakyombo in Daav-Ikov, Aondo Chia from Mbamegh in Daa-Ikov, and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor in Daav-Ikov.

He said Aondongu Amos, a Point of Sale operator based in Sati-Ikov, and Mrs Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine trader, were abducted.

Mr Gabo said he was informed of the incident in the early hours of Sunday.

I received a call from my people at about 4 a.m. that they had gone for a burial and on their way back, they ran into armed men, he said. The armed men shot and killed three of them. They also robbed some residents and kidnapped two people.

The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a steady pattern of attacks in the area, noting that similar incidents had occurred repeatedly in recent weeks.

Apart from this, we have had one or two such incidents every other week, he said, adding that three people were also killed in the community about two weeks ago.

Mr Gabo attributed the attacks to armed groups operating across local boundaries, alleging that the assailants often move from neighbouring Katsina-Ala Local Government Area into Ushongo to carry out attacks.

They cross from there to our side, attack and return. It is a mountainous area with large forests, which makes it difficult to track them, he said.

He added that the incident had been reported to the police and that the Divisional Police Officer had deployed officers to the area on Sunday morning.

A local resident, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said the attackers opened fire on the group without warning.

Some mourners who were returning from a burial were attacked close to our community on Saturday night, the resident said. Three of them were killed, and two others, a man and a woman, were taken away.

Efforts to get a response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, Udeme Edet, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

The latest attack comes amid a broader security crisis in Benue State, where communities across several local government areas have faced persistent violence, including killings, abductions, and raids on villages.

In recent weeks, incidents have been reported in areas such as Otukpo, where passengers were abducted along a major highway, and in parts of Agatu and Apa, where coordinated attacks left multiple residents dead and others displaced.

The repeated attacks have heightened fears among residents, particularly in rural communities, where access to security presence remains limited.

Local leaders and residents have continued to call for increased security deployment and sustained operations to curb the violence, warning that the frequency of attacks is disrupting livelihoods and deepening uncertainty across affected areas.
Terrorists have invaded Daarul Kitab, an Islamic school and orphanage, kidnapping 24 pupils and two relatives of the schools proprietor.

The terrorists stormed the school, located along NNPC Road, Kabba Junction in Zariagi, a suburb of Lokoja, around 11:45 p.m. on 26 April, according to a statement by the police spokesperson in Kogi, Saliu Afusat.

She said the attackers invaded the premises and abducted 26 persons, including 24 pupils and two wives of the proprietor, Mohammed Tajudeen.

According to her, a joint security team comprising the police, military, and other agencies was immediately deployed to the area after the incident was reported.

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She said the team rescued 17 pupils.

Through these efforts, 17 of the abducted pupils have been successfully rescued, she said, adding that operations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims.

She noted that those still in captivity include seven pupils and the two wives of the proprietor.

Ms Afusat said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Naziru Kankarofi, visited the scene and ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams to intensify bush-combing, surveillance, and intelligence gathering.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but this newspaper understands that the area is saturated with many violent actors, including criminal bandits and members of Ansaru, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram.

School operating illegally

The state government also confirmed the incident, describing the facility as operating outside regulatory oversight and located in a vulnerable, isolated area.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the schools location raised safety concerns.

The facility was operating illegally in a remote, bushy environment without registration with the state government and without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies, he said.

READ ALSO: Nigerian trafficking victim rescued from Egypt

Mr Fanwo said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and track down the attackers, while warning operators of schools and orphanages against setting up such facilities in isolated locations without proper authorisation.

He said such practices expose children and residents to avoidable risks, especially given the prevailing security situation.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks in Kogi State, particularly within Lokoja and the Kogi West axis. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported increased security operations in parts of the state, including the closure of schools, markets, and motor parks in some areas to restrict the movement of armed groups and their supply networks.

The newspaper also reported recent attacks on highways such as the AyereKabba Road, where passengers were abducted from a commercial bus, as well as military operations targeting suspected logistics couriers moving ammunition through the state.

Residents have continued to raise concerns about the vulnerability of rural and peri-urban areas, where schools, farms, and transport routes have increasingly become targets for kidnappers.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies, as efforts continue to rescue the remaining victims and prevent further attacks.
Armed assailants have killed a family of four in Gako village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The deceased included a pastor, Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung and their two childrenCyril and Endurance.

Residents said the assailants struck the area around 11 p.m. on Sunday, opening fire on houses.

A resident, Martha Dalyop, told Channels Television that the assault triggered panic as villagers fled into nearby bushes.

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They came late in the night and started shooting everywhere. People ran into the bush for safety. We are no longer safe in our own homes, she said.

Community leaders said the pattern of the attacks suggests a level of coordination.

The spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the armed men often operate in groups, with some targeting residents while others destroy farms or block access routes.

The way these attacks are carried out shows clear coordination. While some attack residents, others are busy destroying farms and blocking roads to prevent any form of rescue, he said.

Mr Tengwong added that over the past 48 hours, farmlands in parts of Barkin Ladi, including Kassa, had been destroyed, affecting crops such as cabbage, pepper and maize and worsening the situation for farmers.

The latest killings add to a series of violent incidents recorded across Plateau in recent weeks. Attacks in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Jos North have left dozens dead, including the 29 March assault on Angwan Rukuba in Jos, which triggered a statewide security response.

In Riyom and surrounding areas, residents have repeatedly raised concerns about night attacks, displacement and loss of livelihoods, with many calling for stronger preventive security measures rather than reactive deployments after incidents.

Security forces have, in recent days, carried out operations targeting armed groups and their supply networks, including intercepting weapons along the KadunaJos corridor and dismantling an illegal arms manufacturing site in Langtang North. Troops have also conducted raids and ambush operations in parts of Barkin Ladi and other flashpoints.

Despite these efforts, communities say the attacks have continued, deepening anxiety and disrupting daily life.

Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for Plateau Police Command, could not be reached for comment. He did not respond to calls placed through his official line and messages sent to him.
The Kano State Police Command has rescued a two-year-old boy abducted in Gwammaja Quarters of Dala Local Government Area, arrested three suspects, and recovered most of the ransom paid by the victims family.

The police described the development as a major operational breakthrough.

They said the success followed a sustained intelligence-led operation, which led to the arrest of the suspected kidnappers.

The two-year-old child was kidnapped on 19 April in front of his familys residence, after which his father formally reported the incident to the police.

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The kidnappers later demanded N1 million but refused to release the boy despite receiving the ransom.

Following the report of the incident, the commissioner of police, Ibrahim Bakori, directed the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to find the perpetrators.

According to the statement released by the police spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, on Friday, the police subsequently arrested three suspects  Hassan Umar (26), Abdullahi Hamisu (19), and Hussaini Saminu (24)  all from Gwammaja Quarters.

Authorities explained that through sustained follow-up, and technical operation, the hideout was identified and the suspects were arrested.

Investigators further revealed that the two-year-old victim was held captive at the residence of Hussaini Saminu (one of the kidnappers).

He was successfully rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with his family, said the statement, confirming the success of the rescue mission.

The command also confirmed that N930,000 was recovered as part of the ransom paid to the kidnappers.

Mr Bakori commended the tactical unit for their professionalism, resilience, and tactical precision in rescuing the victim unhurt.

Kano State will continue to be unsafe for [criminals], as the Command will deploy all lawful assets to arrest and prosecute offenders, the commissioner warned.

The police said investigations continue, and the suspects will be charged in court upon completion.
At least 10 persons have been killed with several others injured in a terror attack on Gurbi, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The terrorists, locally referred to as bandits, stormed the community Sunday afternoon, shooting sporadically but were engaged by local vigilantes and armed locals who stopped the terrorists from gaining entry into the community, residents told PREMIUM TIMES.

Gurbi, an agrarian and business community in Kankara, shares boundaries with several vulnerable communities within the Tsafe area in Zamfara State.

The bandits began shooting before reaching the community, the moment our vigilante members heard gunshots, they went outside the community to engage the bandits, a youth leader in the community who sought anonymity told PREMIUM TIMES.

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Afraid of the unknown, several people ran out of their houses to escape being trapped. When the bandits saw our people running out, they followed them behind and started shooting them, he added.

A health worker in the community who also sought anonymity said some of the people were killed at close range.

I think some of the residents ran into the bandits while running out of the community and they were cruelly shot by the bandits, the health worker said.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that residents only got to find out that some of their people had been killed when the terrorists retreated.

When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, Abubakar-Sadiq Aliyu, said he would get back to reporters over the attack.

Sorry. Ill get back to you soon, please, Mr Aliyu said in a general message sent to reporters in a Katsina Police Command WhatsApp group.
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mike Igini, has urged opposition political parties to immediately demand amendments to controversial provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Igini made the call in a speech delivered at an opposition partys convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 25 April.

A copy of his remarks was sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday.

His intervention comes amid growing coalition talks among opposition parties, which recently resolved to field a single candidate against President Bola Tinubu in 2027, underscoring the high political stakes of the next election cycle.

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Call for urgent review

Mr Igini specifically asked political parties to approach the National Assembly to revisit provisions of the Electoral Act he described as obnoxious and very controversial.

If we are truly serious about free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, all political parties collectively should approach the National Assembly immediately to revisit the newly signed 2026 Act for the repeal of some of the reintroduced obnoxious and very controversial sections capable of undermining the sanctity of the ballot, he said.

The sections he referenced include 60(3), 63(2), 65, 77, 137(3), and 138(2), which he warned could weaken electoral transparency and public trust if left unchanged.

PREMIUM TIMES last week reported why Mr Igini wants these provisions of the law amended before the election.

At the Ibadan summit, he stressed that credible elections depend on both legal clarity and faithful implementation.

If votes do not count, the exercise of power will be without authorisation and accountability, he added.

Ethics failure is a greater risk than technology

While acknowledging improvements such as BVAS and IReV, Mr Igini warned that human factors remain the biggest threat to credible elections.

The greatest threat to 2027 might not be technology failure; it is ethics failure, he said.

He noted that even the best legal and technological frameworks can be undermined by political actors and administrators acting outside ethical boundaries.

Mr Igini emphasised the integrity of polling units, describing them as the decisive battleground of elections.

Elections are not won at collation centers; they are won or lost at polling units, he said.

He warned that malpractice such as vote buying, violence, and falsification often begin at that level.

If party agents are absent, untrained, or compromised, no amount of technology will save the result, he said.

So, I ask: will your agents show up? Will they understand Form EC8A? Will they refuse to sign a false result? INEC can deploy BVAS. Only parties can deploy integrity.

Message to opposition parties

Addressing opposition leaders, Mr Igini urged them to match their reform demands with internal discipline.

You must demonstrate internal democratic discipline, for credibility begins at home, he said. He also cautioned against extra-legal actions in electoral disputes.

You must reject the allure of extra-legal remedies, he said, urging parties instead to rely on courts and tribunals.

Mr Iginis remark is coming at a time the opposition parties intensify efforts to form a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.

At the Ibadan summit, key opposition figures and party representatives discussed collaboration strategies, including the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate.

The move is seen as an attempt to consolidate votes against the ruling party, following lessons from previous elections where fragmented opposition weakened electoral competitiveness.

Who is Mr Igini?

Mr Igini, a lawyer, served as INEC resident electoral commissioner in Cross River State and later in Akwa Ibom State, where he was widely noted for electoral reforms and enforcement actions.

During his tenure in Akwa Ibom, two university professors were prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to prison for electoral fraudan outcome often cited as a rare example of accountability in Nigerias electoral system.

He told participants at the summit that his experience informed his strong views on electoral integrity and enforcement.

Credibility and acceptance of results

Mr Igini stressed that credible elections require both transparent processes and acceptance of outcomes.

A free election means anyone can win. A credible election means everyone can trust how the winner emerged, he said.

He added that political actors must be prepared for both victory and defeat.

To win the right way, you must be willing to lose the right way, he said.

He concluded with a caution that Nigerias democratic future depends largely on the conduct of political elites.

No nation can rise or make progress beyond the value orientation of its political elites, he said.

Free, fair, and credible should not be a mere slogan. Seek it cleanly.

Mr Igini added that while institutions like INEC and the judiciary will be judged, political parties bear the greatest responsibility for safeguarding democracy.

History will judge political parties more because you are the ones who seek power, he said.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has intensified its public health response following a fresh COVID-19 case in neighbouring Cross River State, urging residents to remain vigilant and comply with safety protocols.

In a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by the Commissioner for Health, Ekem John, and the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the state government said the development poses a potential risk due to close geographic, social, and economic interactions among populations.

The statement said Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, after receiving a briefing from the Ministry of Health, directed the immediate activation of heightened surveillance across entry points, health facilities, and communities.

He further directed that disease surveillance officers and rapid response teams be placed on alert to detect and manage any suspected cases promptly. All these have been done, the statement said.

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The government also confirmed strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other partners to ensure coordinated monitoring and response efforts.

Public urged to follow preventive measures

The state government advised residents to observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based sanitisers, wearing face masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals, refraining from handshakes and physical greetings.

The statement added that individuals experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek prompt medical attention.

The government urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.

Call for verified information

The government cautioned against misinformation, urging the public to rely only on verified updates from the Ministry of Health.

To this end, an enquiries desk has been set up at the Ministry of Health to assist the public, the statement said.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to safeguarding public health and preventing any potential outbreak in the state.

COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020, with Nigeria and other countries shutting down schools, markets, airports and other public facilities to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Among prominent fatalities in Akwa Ibom was a former military governor of the state, Idongesit Nkanga, who died in December 2020 from COVID-19 complications.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has explained that he appointed Chinyere Kalu, the wife of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, as the chairperson of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Board based on merit.

Mr Otti disclosed this on Saturday during the wedding of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Emeka Ogbonna, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The governor, a member of the Labour Party (LP), recently faced heavy criticism after appointing Mrs Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the chairperson of the ABSUTH board despite the political rift with her husband and different political affiliations.

Appointment was merit-based

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Speaking during the wedding ceremony, Mr Otti stressed that Mrs Kalus appointment was merit-based, aligning with his administrations policy to appoint qualified individuals into public service.

Recently, we made an appointment for the chairman of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Board. And somehow, I think I hear some noise left, right, and centre.

Im sure the people (criticising the appointment) dont know that I personally interviewed and had chats with seven people for that role. And the lady (Mrs Kalu) that we chose did not only come first, but the difference between her and the person that came second was so wide, he said.

The governor continued: And this happened last year. So, we were waiting for an opportunity to reconstitute the board, given that the chief medical director of the teaching hospital was leaving.

So, having now reconstituted the board, we believe that it was only proper for us to give the job to the person that came first.

Mr Otti further explained that appointments of individuals into public service in Abia State are often influenced by what the individuals can offer, not their political affiliations or place of origin.

We dont care whether shes APC or PDP or YPP or whatever. Those are not important. We dont even care whether shes from Abia or from Delta or from anywhere. We are interested in what is in her brain.

We are interested in the contacts that she has. And one of the things that stood her out from the other six was the international contacts she has, he said of Mrs Kalu.

The governor pointed out that his approach to appointment ensures that the right people are entrusted with responsibilities that impact governance and service delivery.

So, in Abia here, we are open to anybody. Just come with what is inside your brain. We dont want to know where you come from. We dont want to know your political affiliation.

When the time comes for voting, you can go and vote for whoever you want to vote for. But here, we want results. We want performance, he added.

READ ALSO: Official reminds Otti of his pledge to upgrade facilities at Abia NYSC camp

Background

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Kalu, has been a fierce critic of Governor Ottis administration.

The federal lawmaker has repeatedly vowed that the APC would produce a governor in Abia in 2027 to unseat the LPs Mr Otti.

Both politicians have also been in a war of words recently.

In his statement in October 2025 for instance, Mr Kalu, who represents Abias Bende Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, accused Mr Otti of underperforming despite what he described as increased revenue inflows in the state.

The deputy speaker, a member of the APC, claimed Abia State received an average of N38 billion monthly in the second quarter of 2025 from both the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

But Mr Otti, a member of the LP, rejected the claim and argued that Abias monthly revenues from FAAC were in the region of N15 billion within that period.
WASHINGTON, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ammonia Energy Association (AEA) has partnered with MiQ to launch the AEA Ammonia Certification System, a global certification system designed to facilitate the transparent, trusted international trade of low-emission ammonia.

The AEA Ammonia Certification System is a voluntary system open to all entities in the ammonia value chain. It supports alignment across regions and sectors, allowing producers, traders, and consumers to demonstrate key environmental attributes  namely carbon footprint and origin  using independently verified data.

The system entered its pilot phase in October 2025, with the publication of documentation (available online at ammoniaenergy.org/certification) and the launch of a global registry to manage the generation, transfer, and retirement of certificates. Early pilot participants are now preparing their initial audits, before the first certificates can be generated. The pilot remains open to additional participants.

The AEA Ammonia Registry, built and operated by MiQ, provides participants with a digital infrastructure that enables secure data transfer, transparency, and traceability across the ammonia supply chain at scale. Building on MiQ's market-proven global leadership in methane emissions certification, this collaboration reflects MiQ's broader mission to accelerate rapid reductions in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, while supporting the AEA to help shape the future of ammonia as a clean energy solution. This collaboration marks the first time MiQ's independently verified data and certification registry model has been applied beyond natural gas.

Georges Tijbosch, MiQ CEO, said "Today's announcement demonstrates the power of independent, third-party certification to deliver real emissions reductions across the supply chain. MiQ certification is market proven  and we are delighted to partner with the AEA to bring our trusted data and registry expertise to low-emission ammonia trade worldwide."

Vibeke Rasmussen, AEA President and SVP Product Management & Certification, Yara Clean Ammonia, said "In keeping with the AEA's vision that 'Clean ammonia energizes the future,' how do you convince the end-users of clean ammonia that the molecules are truly clean? The AEA's certification system provides proof that the environmental attributes of the ammonia produced are transparent, reliable, and trusted. Certification is key to the growth of the clean ammonia market."

The pilot phase of the Ammonia Certification System encompasses:

Pre-certification of facilities that have not yet been built. Pre-certification provides project developers with a credible evaluation of the environmental attributes of future production, to support offtake and financing discussions.

that have not yet been built. Pre-certification provides project developers with a credible evaluation of the environmental attributes of future production, to support offtake and financing discussions. Certification of ammonia produced at facilities that are already operational. This enables full disclosure to the consumer of the environmental attributes of ammonia and supports demonstration of compliance with regional or global requirements for emission reductions.

produced at facilities that are already operational. This enables full disclosure to the consumer of the environmental attributes of ammonia and supports demonstration of compliance with regional or global requirements for emission reductions. A global ammonia registry to enable the secure transfer of certificates across the value chain, from generation, through trading, to retirement. The pilot supports three distinct chain of custody models  Segregated, Mass Balance, and Book & Claim.

Nicholas Cook, AEA Technical Committee Chair and Product Stewardship Manager, CF Industries, said "Ammonia customers need to be able to trust the claims of those producing and trading low-carbon product. AEA's Ammonia Certification System and MiQ's central registry provide quality data, with a fully formed chain of custody model, that allows for global certification."

Trevor Brown, AEA Executive Director, said "To scale up and speed up the adoption of clean ammonia, market participants need high quality and credible data  rigorous accounting of actual carbon footprints  but we also need interoperability with different systems, to help align the requirements of voluntary and compliance markets across multiple sectors and countries. Our pilot participants will be demonstrating this in the year ahead, including participating plants in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, which will be using various pathways, including electrolysis, natural gas with CCS, and other technologies to supply certified ammonia to consumers in multiple sectors."

To join the pilot of the Ammonia Certification System, interested parties are invited to review the documentation at ammoniaenergy.org/certification or contact the AEA at [email protected].

Interested parties that are not directly participating in the ammonia value chain but seek to understand the AEA's Ammonia Certification System and its potential alignment with other voluntary or regulatory frameworks are also welcome to inquire about joining the pilot as an observer.

AEA and MiQ presented the system and registry on Tuesday, March 24, at a Lyceum Lab session during CERA Week, in Houston, Texas. The AEA's Ammonia Certification System will also be presented at the following global events in the coming months:

About the Ammonia Energy Association (AEA):

The AEA was founded in 2004 with a mission to accelerate the responsible adoption of clean ammonia by promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, knowledge sharing, global standards, and supportive policies. This mission supports both the decarbonization of ammonia production and the use of low-emission ammonia as a fuel and energy carrier. The AEA is a global trade association whose 200+ members represent the full value chain of ammonia across multiple sectors. For more information visit https://ammoniaenergy.org/.

About MiQ:

MiQ is a global leader in methane emissions certification and data. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to lower emissions gas by providing a credible and transparent certification system that drives regulatory compliance, incentivizes continuous improvement, and ensures methane accountability in the oil and gas sector throughout the entire supply chain. For more information visit https://miq.org/

Note to editors:

Ammonia is one of the most abundant molecules on earth and is both naturally occurring and man-made. It is a vital product, already applied as a nitrogen fertilizer and leveraged in various industrial and consumer applications. It is quickly emerging as a zero-carbon fuel and energy carrier.

To support the adoption of ammonia in energy applications, the AEA has been working since 2021 to develop the AEA Ammonia Certification System, which aims to enable differentiation in the marketplace for low-emission ammonia, enhance credibility throughout the supply chain, facilitate cross-border trade, and support alignment between multiple certification schemes, standards, and regulations.

The key design principles of the AEA Ammonia Certification System include:

Technology neutral, inclusive of all production pathways (fossil, renewable, bio, etc.).

Absolute GHG emissions, site-specific, measured not modelled.

Well-to-gate boundary, including upstream emissions.

Tradeable, facilitating transfers of low-emission ammonia certificates.

Regular audits by independent, accredited certification bodies provide assurance.

For more information on the Ammonia Certification System, to view AEA's webinar "Unpacking the AEA's Ammonia Certification System," to view MiQ's video walkthrough of the AEA Ammonia Registry, or to learn how to join the pilot, please visit ammoniaenergy.org/certification or contact the AEA at [email protected].

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2965358/AEA_MiQ_Logo.jpg

SOURCE MiQ; AEA
WOODBRIDGE, Va., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boosalis Properties, a Prince William County-based commercial real estate firm, has been recognized by CoStar Group as one of the top retail brokerage firms in the Washington, D.C. region, with Principal Broker George Boosalis earning the prestigious 2025 CoStar Power Broker Award.

The CoStar Power Broker Awards are widely regarded as one of the most respected recognitions in commercial real estate, ranking brokers based on verified transaction volume, deal size, and overall market impact across the region.

George Boosalis, Principal Broker of Boosalis Properties, recognized as a 2025 CoStar Power Broker in the Washington, D.C. market.

In a market typically dominated by large institutional firms such as CBRE, JLL, Rappaport, and H&R Retail, Boosalis Properties stands out as a privately held, boutique firm competing and winning at the highest level.

Unlike larger brokerage platforms, Boosalis Properties has built its reputation on direct, long-term relationships with clients, providing hands-on execution across leasing, sales, and development advisory.

"It's an honor to be recognized alongside some of the largest firms in the industry," said George Boosalis, Principal Broker of Boosalis Properties. "What sets us apart is our approach, our clients aren't just transactions. We build real relationships and grow alongside them. Their success is our success."

The firm's work spans retail, industrial, and mixed-use development projects throughout Northern Virginia and the broader Washington metropolitan area, including several high-profile developments in the Northern Virginia Region.

Notably, Boosalis Properties was the only firm based in Prince William County to be included in this year's CoStar Power Retail Broker list, highlighting both the firm's growth and the increasing prominence of the County as a commercial hub.

"As Prince William County continues to grow as a destination for investment and development, it's exciting to see firms like Boosalis Properties leading the way," said Christina Winn, Executive Director, Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. "Their success reflects the partnerships, talent, and opportunity that define our market. We're proud to support and celebrate their impact across the region."

Boosalis emphasized the importance of local market knowledge and community ties in driving results.

"Our roots are in Prince William County, and we're proud to represent the growth happening here. Retailers and investors are increasingly recognizing the opportunity in this market, and we're excited to be part of that momentum."

As the region continues to expand, Boosalis Properties plans to build on this recognition by continuing to deliver personalized service while competing with the largest brokerage firms in the region.

SOURCE Boosalis Properties
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. and PETOSKEY, Mich., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Copper Aesthetics, led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher C. Jeffries, MD, FACS, and his team of aesthetic experts, has joined Cosmetic Physician Partners (CPP), the nation's premier network of medical aesthetic clinics.

Dr. Jeffries holds board certification in Plastic Surgery from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons (FACS), and brings this expertise to Northern Michigan, delivering market leading aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.

"Dr. Jeffries is an accomplished surgeon whose expertise and leadership elevate the standards in medical aesthetics," said Daniel Schacter, CEO of CPP. "Copper Aesthetics' commitment to delivering amazing results and quality aligns with CPP's mission."

Dr. Jeffries added, "I am thrilled for our practice to be joining what most industry veterans consider the strongest med spa group in the country. The business professionalism and operational improvements can already be felt. CPP's platform will allow us to be successful in this market for the long term, and the collaboration between CPP physicians has already made me a more informed, capable surgeon, and we will be on the lookout for cutting edge services that will amaze our clients. I feel very lucky to be included with this esteemed group."

About Copper Aesthetics

Copper Aesthetics, under the leadership of Dr. Christopher C. Jeffries, MD, FACS, is the premier aesthetic and plastic surgery practice in Northern Michigan with locations in Traverse City and Petoskey, Michigan. The practice specializes in facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and advanced aesthetic procedures. Dr. Jeffries and his team are committed to individualized treatment plans, innovation, patient safety, and exceptional outcomes.

About Cosmetic Physician Partners

CPP is building the nation's premier platform of medical aesthetic clinics, providing partners with the tools, capital, and community to scale operations while delivering exceptional patient outcomes.

For More Information:

Sean Walsh

Head of Partnerships

[email protected]

SOURCE Cosmetic Physician Partners
DALLAS, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FBFK Law has appointed Chas Hipp as chief operating officer to support the growth of the firm as it continues to strategically expand across Texas and Southern California. In this role, Hipp will lead firm operations and infrastructure, helping FBFK Law's entrepreneurial platform while strengthening the systems, processes and teams that support its attorneys and clients.

Chas Hipp

Hipp brings more than a decade of legal operations leadership experience at regional and Am Law 100 firms. Most recently, he served as chief operating officer at Naman Howell, where he oversaw operations for more than 100 attorneys across five offices in Texas. He has also held leadership roles at BakerHostetler and Jones Waldo.

"When FBFK Law was founded 25 years ago, we set our sights on a 100-year vision for building something lasting. This year, our growth has been remarkable, and we are continuing to invest in strong leadership and systems that will support our people and clients for years to come, all while staying true to the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of our firm," said Kyle Ferguson, CEO of FBFK Law. "Chas understands this vision, and he is exactly the leader we need to help guide FBFK into its next chapter."

The appointment comes as FBFK Law continues to expand in Texas and Southern California, adding 6 attorneys to its entrepreneurial platform since the beginning of the year and opening offices in Los Angeles and San Diego. Central to that growth is the FBFK Way, the firm's 26 fundamentals that guide how its team collaborates, communicates and delivers for clients.

"Joining FBFK Law feels less like a career move and more like coming home to a firm whose values mirror my own," Hipp said. "FBFK's trajectory is unlike anything else in the market right now, and its commitment to attorneys, staff and clients reflects everything I value in this profession. I am honored to join at such a pivotal moment and excited to help shape what comes next."

Hipp is an active member of the Association of Legal Administrators and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA from Colorado State University.

Media Contact:

Maria Aronson

Account Manager at Furia Rubel

[email protected]

About FBFK Law

With more than 20 years of legal expertise and success across Texas and the United States, Dallas-based FBFK Law is a people-first, entrepreneurial, full-service business law firm with offices in Plano, Houston, and Austin, Texas, as well as Orange County, San Diego and Century City, California. Driven by a commitment to building lasting client relationships grounded in high-quality representation and exceptional service, FBFK Law partners with clients nationwide across its core capabilities, including Corporate & M&A, Litigation & Trial, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Tax, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Commercial Real Estate, Health Law, and International Transactions & Dispute Resolution.

SOURCE FBFK Law
SAN FRANCISCO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global businesses are partnering with Ant International to navigate the rapidly evolving commerce landscape in Asia and other international markets. As "agentic commerce"where AI agents autonomously manage the shopping journey from discovery to settlementreaches more consumers, Ant International is providing the essential payments and FinAI tools necessary for global merchants to scale across fragmented digital markets.

At the Antom US Merchant Summit in San Francisco, March 2026, Ant International President, Douglas Feagin, joins leaders from Visa and Google to highlight the critical role of partnerships for agentic commerce.

Agentic Commerce could drive further growth for global merchants. Asia has established itself as the "beating heart" of global retail, leading growth globally. By the 2030s, it is projected that one out of every two consumer transactions globally will take place in Asia1. The region is already a critical hub for American businesses, accounting for 27.4% of U.S. exports in 2025, according to federal data.

This mobile-first economy could become the global "pilot field" for agentic commerce. In 2025, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 24.5% of global agentic commerce revenue, making it the world's fastest-growing market for AI-driven transactions.2 Digital wallets are expected to be one of the mainstream payment methods for agentic commerce as they already account for the majority of both e-commerce and point-of-sale transactions, with near-universal adoption within "Super-App" ecosystems and real-time payment networks.

Navigating Payment Fragmentation and the AI "Trust Gap" Despite high growth potential, the region remains deeply fragmented, with hundreds of local digital wallets and over a dozen national payment schemes. For global merchants, providing these localized payment options is no longer elective; the absence of preferred wallets leads to immediate cart abandonment.

Furthermore, the rise of AI-assisted shopping introduces new challenges regarding accountability and security. Merchants face concerns over brand identity and service quality when interacting with AI agents, while consumers seek greater assurance when using AI for purchases.

FinAI Partnerships essential to Unlocking the Next Era of Growth "For global merchants, success across international markets demands a partner that delivers both deep digital wallet excellence and comprehensive coverage of payment methods, utilizing a sophisticated AI 'trust layer' to turn transactional friction into seamless, agent-led growth," said Gary Liu, CEO of Antom and Senior Vice President of Ant International.

Antom is currently accelerating Adobe's expansion into high-growth markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. By launching seven new alternative payment options through a single, unified integration point, Adobe is bypassing traditional card-centric hurdles and utilizing Antom's extensive local acquiring network.

Ant International is also collaborating on new agentic protocols with AI platforms and payment networks to ensure secure and accessible payments. Key collaborations include:

Google: Supporting the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), co-developed by Google and other industry leaders.

Visa: Developing the "trust layer" for AI-driven commerce. "Our focus is on building the necessary 'trust layer' through advanced authentication and tokenization to secure agent-driven payments. This provides the secure infrastructure required for consumers to move from discovery to confidently executing autonomous transactions," said Rubail Birwadker, SVP, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships at Visa.

Through its merchant payment service brand, Antom, Ant International offers global merchants in Asia:

Broad Coverage of Payment Methods: Antom provides merchants with the access to over 300 payment methods through one point of integration, covering a broad range of credit cards, local wallets, bank transfers, etc. This ensures global businesses can reach customers among over 200 markets worldwide.

Antom provides merchants with the access to over 300 payment methods through one point of integration, covering a broad range of credit cards, local wallets, bank transfers, etc. This ensures global businesses can reach customers among over 200 markets worldwide. AI-Enhanced Risk Control and Conversion: The EasySafePay solution manages the trust issues inherent in the agentic age, providing 100% account takeover protection and eliminating page redirects, which drives a 10% boost in payment conversion. Additionally, Antom Copilot offers 24/7 AI-powered assistance to resolve payment integration, risk management and chargeback disputes efficiently for merchants.

1 https://www.eastspring.com/sg/insights/asian-expert-series/asias-consumer-fuelled-growth#:~:text=Put%20together%2C%20they%20present%20a,will%20take%20place%20in%20Asia.

2 https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/agentic-commerce-market/asia-pacific#:~:text=In%20terms%20of%20revenue%2C%20Asia,USD%2020%2C100.5%20million%20by%202033.

SOURCE Ant International
Seasoned finance executive combines dual expertise as both technology investor and CFO of fast-growth AI companies

LONDON, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the world's leading provider of Industrial AI software, today announces the appointment of Ryan Courson as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Courson joins IFS at a moment of considerable momentum, as the company continues to set the pace for Industrial AI adoption at enterprise scale, and as demand for IFS.ai capabilities accelerate across every region and industry it serves.

IFS enters this next chapter of growth from a position of market-defining strength. The company's Q1 2026 financial results  reporting 25% Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) growth and a Net Retention Rate (NRR) of 114%  cement IFS as the only Industrial AI company operating at significant global scale and sustaining growth at this level.

Courson brings a rare combination of operating and investing experience. He has served as CFO at multiple fast-growth, AI-powered technology companies; while also serving as public company CFO at NYSE-listed Atlas Corp. (NYSE: ATCO), a global asset manager with a diversified portfolio spanning maritime, energy, and infrastructure. He began his career as a technology and software investor at Alpha Wave Global, Teton Capital, and Berkshire Hathaway.

Mark Moffat, CEO, IFS, said: "IFS is executing at a level that very few software businesses in the world can match right now. Sustaining that trajectory as we scale requires financial leadership of the very highest caliber. Ryan has built and led financial organizations inside fast-growth AI companies, he understands markets and capital as a sophisticated investor, and he has operated at the level of a publicly listed company. That combination is powerful as IFS drives the next phase of our growth. I am delighted to welcome him to the team."

Ryan Courson, CFO, IFS, said: "IFS sits at a rare intersection of category leadership and proven performance, with significant runway ahead. What stands out is not just the growth, but its quality and durability at scale. Industrial AI is becoming mission-critical for global enterprises, and IFS is defining that shift. My focus is to support the next phase of growth by strengthening financial discipline, capital allocation, and operating rigor. I'm honored and excited to join Mark and the team at this important moment."

Courson joins IFS from Kaseya, where he served as COO and CFO. He previously held CFO roles at Cornerstone OnDemand and EagleView. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Washington University in St. Louis's Olin Business School, where he teaches Investing, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the university.

Courson succeeds Matthias Heiden who leaves IFS in Q2. Moffat added: "I would like to recognize the contribution of Matthias over the last three years. His focus and leadership have significantly helped drive IFS's growth and we wish him the very best for the future."

IFS Press Contacts:

EUROPE / MEA / APJ: Adam Gillbe

IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications

Email: [email protected]

NORTH AMERICA / LATAM: Mairi Morgan

IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications

Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:
Award-winning Taiwanese single malt to maximise UK travel retail footprint

TAIPEI, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- World renowned Kavalan Distillery is announcing a new partnership with SipWell Brands with an eye to boosting its travel retail presence in the UK.

The move follows Kavalan's continued global expansion and builds on its strategy of working with specialist partners to develop premium positioning in influential markets, with a focus on selective distribution and curated brand experiences.

Fresh from major global distillery honours, Kavalan partners with SipWell Brands to reinforce its UK travel retail presence.

Under the new agreement, SipWell Brands will lead Kavalan's strategic development across the UK travel retail channel, focusing on optimising distribution and enhancing engagement with international travellers across major UK airports. Mr. YT Lee, Chairman of King Car Group, commented:

"The UK remains one of the world's most influential whisky markets, and travel retail provides an important platform to connect with international travellers. Partnering with SipWell Brands allows us to strengthen Kavalan's presence in key travel hubs while sharing our distinctive Taiwanese single malt with a wider global audience. We look forward to working closely together to build long-term brand awareness and meaningful consumer engagement."

Andrew Torrance, Commercial Director at SipWell Brands, added:

"We are delighted to welcome Kavalan into the SipWell Brands portfolio for Global Travel Retail. Kavalan represents everything that is exciting about the modern whisky category  innovation, exceptional quality, and global relevance. As travellers increasingly seek premium and distinctive spirits, we see a significant opportunity to accelerate Kavalan's growth and presence within the UK travel retail channel."

The partnership reflects growing consumer interest in premium whiskies from emerging regions. As travellers increasingly seek discovery-led experiences and distinctive flavour profiles, Kavalan's subtropical maturation and cask innovation position the brand strongly within the evolving travel retail landscape.

Founded in 2005 in Yilan County, Taiwan, Kavalan has become one of the most dynamic producers in the world whisky category. Known for its subtropical maturation and extensive cask portfolio, the distillery has built a distinctive house style defined by rich tropical fruit character and layered complexity.

Kavalan's recent accolades further reinforce its global standing. In 2025, Kavalan was named an IWSC Top 50 Spirits Producer (ranked 12), and received the Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year award at ISC for the sixth time. The distillery also achieved a landmark triple win at the IWC, securing "Whisky of the Year," "Distillery of the Year," and "Master Distiller of the Year," with its Solist Fino Sherry Cask crowned the world's top whisky with a score of 97.04. Most recently, Kavalan was named Distiller of the Year at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, underscoring its continued excellence and consistency on the global stage.

About Kavalan Whisky

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Taiwan since 2005. Our whisky, aged in intense humidity and heat, sources the crystal meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is enhanced by sea and mountain breezes. These conditions combine to create Kavalan's signature creaminess. Taking Yilan County's old name, our distillery is backed by more than 45 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. We have collected 950 gold or higher awards from the industry's most competitive contests.

About SipWell Brands

SipWell Brands is a specialist premium spirits company focused on curating, developing and accelerating distinctive brands within Global Travel Retail. With a carefully selected portfolio and deep category expertise, the company works closely with brand owners, airport operators and duty free retailers to build long-term value through strategic distribution, activation and brand storytelling.

www.sipwellbrands.com

Kaitlyn Tsai

[email protected]

Wendy Wang

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2960149/260427_Fresh_from_major_global_distillery_honours__Kavalan_partners_with_SipWell_Brands_to_reinforce.jpg
Agents and Customers to Maintain Same Relationship, Policies

BOSTON, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Insurance has announced the retirement of the Safeco Insurance brand, the company's auto, property and specialty lines business in the independent agent channel, effective April 25. All personal lines products are now solely marketed and sold as Liberty Mutual. Safeco customers are keeping their agent relationship, and their policies are not impacted by the name change.

"The Safeco brand had a strong reputation as a trusted champion for independent agents and commitment to excellent service for customers. That legacy will continue with even greater value with the market strength of Liberty Mutual," said Liberty Mutual President, Independent Agent Distribution, Luke Bills. "This year-long process has been marked by ongoing agent engagement and input to ensure a seamless transition, and they are overwhelmingly eager to now leverage the Liberty Mutual brand."

Liberty Mutual, the seventh-largest personal insurance provider in the US, acquired Safeco in 2008. Safeco grew over that time to nearly $14 billion in annual premium, offering personal auto, property and specialty products in 48 states through a network of more than 22,000 independent agencies.

Liberty Mutual also sells directly to consumers online, through licensed sales representatives at call centers and through licensed partners. The direct and independent agent channel product offerings will remain differentiated.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. For more than 110 years we have helped people and businesses embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow by providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care.

A Fortune 100 company with more than 40,000 employees in 27 countries and economies, we are the ninth largest global property and casualty insurer and generate more than $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

We operate through three strategic business units: US Retail Markets, providing auto, home, renters and other personal and small commercial lines property and casualty insurance to individuals and small businesses countrywide; Global Risk Solutions, delivering a full range of comprehensive commercial and specialty insurance, reinsurance and surety solutions to mid-size and large businesses worldwide; and Liberty Mutual Investments, deploying more than $100 billion of long-term capital globally across its integrated platform to drive economic growth, power innovation and secure Liberty Mutual's promises.

For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com.

Contact: Liberty Mutual Insurance Public & Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance
HEFEI, China, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the globally leading PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) provider, presented its full-scenario solution at Sungrow GRES (Global Renewable Energy Summit) 2026 on April 24th, outlining how integrated energy solutions can address the surging power demands and structural challenges facing industries worldwide.

Dr. Jack Gu unveiled full-scenario solution

Sectors such as mining & microgrid, hydrogen production, and EV charging are expanding at an unprecedented speed, with power supply becoming increasingly critical. According to third-party analysis, combined annual electricity demand from these sectors is expected to reach 4,000 TWh by 2030, while the power costs have already become a major operational challenge.

Despite a shared demand for reliable and affordable electricity, each industry faces unique pain points. Additionally, the wide divergence in operating environments, grid strength, load conditions, and power quality requirements underscores the need for scenario-specific energy solutions. Sungrow believes that premium, customized energy solutions are essential to addressing the diverse needs of different scenarios.

Customized Designs for Full-Scenario Applications

AIDC Scenario

In the digital era, rapid advances in AI are driving a surge in data center power demand, calling for a next-generation power supply architecture defined by high efficiency, high density, and strong resilience. Leveraging its expertise in power electronics and renewable energy, Sungrow entered the AIDC (Artificial Intelligence Data Center) sector last year with a comprehensive grid-to-chip solution. This year, Sungrow will launch a dedicated SST (Solid-State Transformers) solution for data centers, significantly reducing footprint while improving efficiency. Sungrow will also integrate grid-forming technology in AIDC ESS to mitigate grid disturbances and enhance system stability.

Mining Microgrid Scenario

Most mines are located in remote areas with limited grid access, complex loads, and strict power stability requirements, making energy supply a significant challenge. Sungrow addresses this with an integrated PVwindstorageEV chargercontroller solution, reducing energy costs by 2050% compared with a diesel generator. Given the variability of mining loads, Sungrow leverages advanced simulation capabilities to deliver tailored solutions with optimized equipment configurations, ensuring a reliable power supply and reduced CAPEX. Moreover, a five-level progressive protection system further safeguards stable operations under extreme conditions.

PV-ESS-EV Charging Integrated Scenario

Many EV charging projects suffer from poor coordination among system components, resulting in underperformance and reduced returns. Sungrow addresses this challenge with a one-stop, fully integrated solution that enables deep synergy across equipment and incorporates AI-driven operations, increasing overall revenue by more than 50%. Meanwhile, grid-forming technology has been extended to C&I applications to mitigate grid fluctuations caused by large-scale ultra-fast charging. In addition, Sungrow's systems enable seamless integration with VPPs (Virtual Power Plants) through unified interfaces, unlocking greater value through diversified, future-ready revenue streams.

Hydrogen Production Scenario

In hydrogen production applications, Sungrow optimizes equipment configuration, reducing CAPEX by over 20% through PVwindstoragehydrogen integration and system-level simulation. In parallel, PVstoragehydrogen DC coupling and flexible production technologies enhance energy efficiency and lower electricity costs by more than 10%.

Powering the Next Phase of Energy Transition

Renewable energy is shifting from a supplementary resource to a primary power source. This transition drives demand for premium energy solutions built on multi-energy integration for cost-efficient power, systematic grid-forming technologies for enhanced stability, and customized designs tailored to diverse scenarios. Sungrow believes that the deep integration of premium products and proven expertise is key to delivering truly scenario-adapted solutions.

Looking ahead, Sungrow will continue to build a more flexible, resilient, and sustainable energy landscape, helping industries meet growing energy demand and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 29 years. As of Dec 2025, Sungrow has installed over 1000 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experiences. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en

SOURCE Sungrow
Brings Together Leading Experts in Child Development, ADHD, Autism and Neurodiversity

CHICAGO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ted Kangaroo, the sensory-support brand known for creating playful, functional tools that help children regulate, focus and thrive, is proud to announce the formation of its Advisory Council. The Advisory Council brings together an initial core group of respected experts in child development and neurodiversity, and includes nationally and internationally recognized practitioners, authors, and educators ranging from occupational therapists with decades of pediatric experience to psychologists and psychiatrists specializing in ADHD, autism and mental health.

The Advisory Council will help guide product development and offer feedback on function and application, including best practices as neurodiversity research and science evolves. The Council will also provide insights into how Ted Kangaroo is being used in real-world settings so that the brand can continue to offer products that are tailored to the specific needs and habits of its users. Through ongoing collaboration, council members will offer feedback on product upgrades and new product launches, helping ensure that Ted Kangaroo's growing line reflects evolving methodologies in sensory support.

"Creating products that genuinely support children starts with listening to the experts who work with them every day," said Jacob Fisch, CEO and Founder of Ted Kangaroo. "We are so grateful to the practitioners that make up the Advisory Council. Each brings extensive clinical expertise and real-world insight into how children and adults learn, regulate and engage with their environments, which ensures that Ted Kangaroo remains clinically grounded, practical and truly beneficial for the families and professionals who rely on them."

Collectively, the Advisory Council's expertise spans sensory integration, neurodevelopment, family therapy and clinical education. The initial Ted Kangaroo Advisory Council includes:

With the launch of the Advisory Council, Ted Kangaroo is making strides towards becoming the most impactful community of clinicians, educators and experts throughout America, providing a platform where teachers, clinicians, and parents can connect and support one another for the benefit of the broader neurodiversity community. Additionally, Advisory Council members will contribute to educational initiatives and thought leadership that further expands awareness around sensory development and neurodiversity, strengthening Ted Kangaroo's role as a trusted informational resource for families, educators and clinicians.

"We believe that every child experiences the world differently, and that sensory tools should be both clinically informed and approachable," adds Fisch. "By collaborating directly with leading professionals, we hope to continue translating complex sensory science into clear, accessible solutions that support regulation, independence, and long-term skill-building. Our goal is to, over time, expand the Advisory Council to more professionals, and ultimately become an extensive resource hub for anyone looking to learn more about sensory-support tools and innovation."

Ted Kangaroo intends to continue growing the Advisory Council with the longer term goal of onboarding experts that will form the broader Ted Kangaroo Advisory Network. To learn more, please visit www.ted-kangaroo.com.

ABOUT TED KANGAROO

Ted Kangaroo is a sensory-support brand creating playful, functional tools that help nurture and support children so they can reach their full potential. Developed in collaboration with pediatric therapists, Ted Kangaroo products translate sensory science into accessible, everyday solutions for families, educators, and clinicians. From calming vests to tactile activity tools, each product blends gentle therapeutic support with joyful designencouraging calmness, focus, and body awareness. More than a product line, Ted Kangaroo is a trusted partner in helping children build essential skills, navigate daily routines, and grow with confidence. Learn more at ted-kangaroo.com.

SOURCE Ted Kangaroo
FTSE 100 down 23 at 10,356

US blue-chips marginally lower

Prediction markets see more Iran pain

Sainsbury downgraded by Goldman

Brent rises 2% to $107

4:50pm: FTSE 100 closes lower

Londons FTSE 100 Index closed lower on Monday, slipping 0.56% to 10,321, as early geopolitical optimism gave way to a more cautious tone across equity markets.

The benchmark struggled to build on recent gains, with traders weighing ceasefire-related sentiment against persistently elevated oil prices, a firmer sterling, and signs that the indexs strong year-to-date performance had left it vulnerable to profit-taking. Market participants described the session as a quality-of-rally issue, where improving headlines failed to translate into broad-based buying support.

Energy names initially found support from higher crude prices, but the narrative shifted later in the session as investors increasingly interpreted stronger oil as a macroeconomic headwind rather than a straightforward earnings tailwind. That reassessment limited the sectors ability to anchor the broader index.

Overall, breadth remained subdued, with leadership concentrated in select defensives and growth-linked names, while more crowded and downgrade-sensitive stocks came under pressure.

Patrick Munnelly, Partner, Market Strategy at Tickmill Group, said the move reflected a loss of momentum rather than a decisive reversal. Mondays FTSE price action was not a full retreat, but it was a clear loss of momentum  a market rotating away from geopolitical hedges, rewarding visible growth and punishing crowded or downgrade-sensitive names."

3.05pm: Quiet start on Wall Street

UK blue-chips are still below the gain line in afternoon trading as markets weigh a reported Iranian proposal to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz against fresh uncertainty in the artificial intelligence sector following a significant shift in the relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI.

Wall Street opened on mixed footing, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 19 points, the S&P 500 hovering just below flat, and the Nasdaq Composite slipping 74 points.

Iran has submitted a new proposal to Washington to reopen the Hormuz waterway and end the conflict, but with nuclear negotiations deferred to a later stage, according to Axios, a condition that sits awkwardly with the White House's stated red lines over Tehran's atomic programme.

Traffic through the strait remained near zero on Monday morning, keeping Brent crude above $100 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate above $96, with supply restrictions across global shipping lanes continuing to threaten inflationary pressure across a wide range of industries.

Microsoft shares fell after the software giant confirmed it would no longer hold exclusive access to OpenAI's model lineup, with a revenue-sharing agreement between the two companies also coming to an end, marking a significant reconfiguration of one of the most closely watched partnerships in technology.

The week ahead is among the most consequential of the earnings season, with results due from the majority of the Magnificent Seven megacap technology companies, each scrutinised for evidence of progress on artificial intelligence investment and returns.

The Federal Reserve begins its two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, with rates widely expected to remain on hold as the inflationary implications of the Iran conflict cloud the outlook.

The meeting is expected to be the penultimate one chaired by Jerome Powell before Kevin Warsh takes over, with Warsh's Senate confirmation vote now approaching.

1.44pm: Back in red

The Footsie finds itself back in the red ahead of the US open on subdued traded volume and the Iran stand-off weighing on market sentiment.

Elsewhere, a leading bank reckons investors should continue using geopolitically driven market weakness as a buying opportunity.

According to JP Morgan's equity strategy team, conditions that argue against a prolonged conflict-driven sell-off remain firmly in place.

The bank's strategist, Mislav Matejka, who called in March for investors to add on dips following the initial derisking phase, says central bank flexibility and supportive earnings momentum distinguish the current environment sharply from 2022, when rising rates compounded equity market pain.

With the MSCI World index having staged a V-shaped rebound, JP Morgan acknowledges the risk of adverse geopolitical headlines causing further bouts of volatility, but argues that military, political and economic constraints all limit the likelihood of a prolonged confrontation.

The more pressing question, in the bank's view, is over market leadership heading into the summer.

JPM does not expect a repeat of last year's pattern, when Nvidia rallied 120% in the six months following the Liberation Day moves and Magnificent Seven technology stocks dominated returns, constrained by tariff headwinds and earnings disappointments in China and Europe.

12.36: Wall Street set for subdued start

The FTSE 100 has clawed back early losses to trade up 32 points in early afternoon trading, as markets steadied despite stalled Iran peace talks and fresh Strait of Hormuz tensions pushing oil prices sharply higher.

Wall Street futures were little changed, with S&P 500 futures hovering near the flatline, Nasdaq-100 futures edging 0.2% higher, and Dow futures slipping almost 60 points as investors weighed geopolitical risk against a packed corporate calendar.

Donald Trump abandoned plans to send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to in-person ceasefire talks at the weekend, saying negotiations could happen by phone, while Iran's foreign ministry confirmed no meeting is currently scheduled.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps then boarded two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint through which a significant share of global crude flows, sending West Texas Intermediate up 2% to above $96 a barrel and Brent crude past $107.

An Axios report that Iran has submitted a new proposal for reopening the strait offered some relief, with Vital Knowledge analyst Adam Crisafulli saying the conflict remains on a path of de-escalation.

Attention now turns to one of the most consequential weeks of the corporate calendar, with five of the Magnificent Seven technology companies due to report results alongside a Federal Reserve policy decision on Wednesday, which may prove to be Jerome Powell's last as chair before Kevin Warsh takes over in May, following the Justice Department's decision to drop its criminal probe into Powell.

11.11am: Prediction markets suggest weeks more Iran pain

Polymarket, the prediction market platform, is pricing just a 31% chance of a permanent US-Iran peace deal by the end of May, rising to 48% by the end of June, signalling that traders expect Persian Gulf oil disruption to persist for weeks and potentially months yet.

With no credible prospect of a near-term breakthrough, particularly after Donald Trump pulled peace envoys from negotiations, the market is effectively telling oil traders to brace for a prolonged supply shock.

Brent crude has already risen 2.3% to almost $108 a barrel, and Goldman Sachs has raised its fourth-quarter Brent forecast to $90 a barrel from $80, citing the loss of an estimated 14.5 million barrels a day of Persian Gulf production and record drawdowns of global oil inventories.

The longer the disruption runs into May and June, the more stubbornly elevated energy prices will feed into global inflation, complicating the task facing central banks attempting to bring price growth under control.

Goldman sets out the stakes clearly: in a severely adverse scenario, with Gulf exports failing to normalise until end-July and capacity suffering lasting damage, Brent could average nearly $120 in the fourth quarter.

Even its base case, assuming Gulf exports recover by end-June, leaves Brent at $90, a level that offers little comfort to policymakers or consumers facing another summer of high energy costs.

10.01am: Brent jumps 2.3% as peace hopes fade

Brent crude has risen 2.3% to almost $108 a barrel after Donald Trump cancelled a trip for Pakistan for peace envoys over the weekend, dimming hopes of a swift resolution to the conflict disrupting Middle Eastern oil supplies.

Goldman Sachs has raised its fourth-quarter Brent crude forecast to $90 a barrel, up from an earlier projection of $80, citing lower Persian Gulf production and a slower-than-expected recovery in regional output.

The bank now estimates that 14.5 million barrels a day of Persian Gulf crude production has been lost, triggering a record drawdown of global oil inventories of 11 to 12 million barrels a day this month.

US crude is forecast to average $83 a barrel in the October-to-December period, up from a previous estimate of $75.

Goldman attributes the revision to a later assumed normalisation in Gulf exports, pushing its timeline back to end-June from mid-May, alongside a slower production recovery.

The bank warns that global oil demand is expected to fall year-on-year by 1.7 million barrels a day in the second quarter of 2026 and by 0.1 million barrels a day across the full year, as higher refined product prices weigh on consumption.

Goldman sets out three scenarios for how the crisis could develop.

In an adverse case, Brent would average just over $100 a barrel in the fourth quarter, assuming Gulf exports normalise only by end-July.

A severely adverse scenario, in which Gulf exports do not recover until end-July and Persian Gulf capacity suffers a persistent reduction of 2.5 million barrels a day, would push Brent to nearly $120.

In a benign scenario, with Gulf exports normalising by mid-June and no lasting capacity damage, Brent would settle at just under $80.

Goldman had trimmed its oil price outlook earlier this month following a US-Iran ceasefire announcement, but has now reversed course as the conflict shows no sign of resolution.

The FTSE 100, meanwhile, dragged itself out of the red to trade 5 points higher at 10,383.84.

Sainsbury's, the supermarket chain, was the index's top faller in early trading after Goldman cut its rating on the stock from buy to sell, lowering its share price target to 335p from 390p; shares fell 3.4% to 333p.

9.07am: Sainsbury downgraded

Goldman Sachs has downgraded Sainsbury to 'sell' from buy and cut its price target to 335p from 390p, sending shares in the UK's second-largest supermarket group down 3%.

The bank warned of a more challenging outlook driven by weakening consumer spending and intensifying competition in non-food retail.

While Sainsbury's full-year results met Goldman's expectations, with grocery sales up 5.2% and a 3% retail margin, the bank said the path ahead looked materially harder.

Goldman's UK household consumption growth forecast has been cut to just 0.6% year-on-year, the weakest reading since 2009, excluding the pandemic, while April consumer confidence data from GfK showed rising intentions to save.

The bank forecasts broadly flat retail operating profit in the coming year, with grocery growth offset by a 2% decline in like-for-like sales at Argos, Sainsbury's general merchandise arm, against growth of 1% in the prior year.

Goldman also flagged the rapid emergence of Chinese marketplace Joybuy as a competitive threat, noting it had already accumulated 300,000 active users in March.

The bank cut its 2027 and 2028 operating profit forecasts by 4% and 6% respectively, with its new 335p target implying around 3% downside against a sector average upside of 14%.

8.15am: Quiet start

As expected, UK blue-chips got off to a sluggish start, falling around 3 points to 10,376.19 in the opening 15 minutes of trading.

The muted start owed much to geopolitics, with US President Donald Trump abandoning plans to send envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran.

Big corporate news was at a premium, while the market's early movers made up a mixed bag, with Sainsbury down 4% in early trading.

7.06am: Ahead of the bell

The FTSE 100 is seen opening flat on Monday with sentiment dented after US President Donald Trump abandoned plans at the weekend to send envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran, declaring on Truth Social that his negotiators were wasting time travelling.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said no meetings between Tehran and Washington were planned.

The week's main focus will be a trio of central bank decisions, with the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England all meeting on rates.

The Fed's Wednesday decision could be Jerome Powell's last as chair, with Kevin Warsh expected to take over in May following the U.S. Department of Justice's decision on Friday to drop its criminal probe into Powell.

Both the ECB and the Bank of England are expected to hold rates on Thursday, though economists expect policymakers to keep the door open to increases later in the year.
About this content 

About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

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We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

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Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Jamie Ashcroft

Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development. As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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
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About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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Washington, April 27 : The White House Correspondents' Association praised law enforcement after a shooting at its annual dinner venue, saying swift action ensured the safety of the President, senior officials and thousands of attendees.

"Last night's shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance," WHCA President Weijia Jiang said in a statement, describing the incident as a serious disruption at one of Washington's most closely watched events.

Authorities moved quickly to secure the venue, which was hosting the association's annual dinner attended by top US leaders, journalists and public figures. The WHCA said the response helped prevent further harm.

"We express our deepest gratitude to the US Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond," Jiang said.

Their actions, she added, "protected thousands of guests," highlighting the scale of the gathering.

One officer was injured during the response. The WHCA said it wished "a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty." No other injuries were reported among those attending the event.

"We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the President, the First Lady, and the Vice President," Jiang said.

The shooting occurred during the annual White House Correspondents' dinner, a high-profile event that celebrates press freedom and brings together political leaders and the media.

The association underscored the broader significance of the occasion, noting that "our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it."

In the immediate aftermath, journalists present at the venue continued reporting as the situation unfolded.

"Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded," Jiang said.

"We are proud of everyone in that room," she added.

The WHCA board said it would review the incident and determine how to proceed, including any future steps related to the event.

"The WHCA board will be meeting to assess what happened and determine how to proceed. We will provide updates as soon as any are available," Jiang said.s and media discourse.

Founded in 1914, the White House Correspondents' Association represents journalists covering the U.S. presidency and advocates for press access and transparency. Its annual dinner has become a prominent fixture in Washington, symbolising the relationship between the press and political leadership in the United States.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Seoul, April 27 : Pyongyang has opened a memorial honoring North Korean troops killed while fighting alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine, with leader Kim Jong-un stressing the need to strengthen Pyongyang-Moscow ties into a "powerful bulwark" in a ceremony marking its opening, state media reported Monday.

The North held the opening ceremony of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations in Pyongyang the previous day on the occasion of the first anniversary of the "liberation" of the Kursk region from Ukraine forces, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The ceremony was held to mark Russia's recapture on April 26, 2025, of the front-line Kursk region from Ukraine, attended by key officials from North Korea and Russia, including Russia's parliamentary speaker and defense minister, the report said.

Since 2024, North Korea has sent around 15,000 combat troops and conventional weapons to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. Seoul's spy agency earlier said about 6,000 North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed or injured in the prolonged war.

In a speech at the ceremony, Kim said the memorial museum represents North Korea and Russia's commitment to bolstering bilateral ties, noting their ties were forged in "blood."

"No matter how the rules of war change and whenever and wherever a crisis occurs, we should be strengthened into a sincere, dedicated and powerful bulwark with unified power," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

He added the operations to liberate Kursk had a "strategic" meaning, stressing that North Korea and Russia have deterred the revival of fascism and crushed war ambitions of hegemonic forces by fighting shoulder to shoulder to defend peace and sovereignty.

North Korea and Russia have been deepening military cooperation since Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense treaty in Pyongyang in June 2024, Yonhap news agency reported.

In a letter conveyed by Russia's defence chief to Kim, Putin said the memorial will "undoubtedly be a clear symbol of friendship" between the two countries, according to the KCNA.

"I am convinced that we will continue to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the DPRK by joint efforts," Putin said, using the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Also on Sunday, the North Korean leader met with Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's Duma, the lower house of parliament, according to the KCNA.

Kim and Belousov discussed a series of issues for further consolidating and developing "political and military cooperation, as well as assistance between the two nations," it said.

Kim said North Korea will fully support Russia's efforts to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests, according to the KCNA.

Russia's Tass news agency quoted Belousov as telling Kim that Russia is prepared to sign a "Russian-Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period."

In a separate meeting with the Russian parliamentary speaker, Kim assessed Russia's sending of a high-level delegation to the ceremony as Moscow's commitment to developing its ties with Pyongyang, the KCNA report said.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Seoul, April 27 : The top diplomats of South Korea and Australia will hold talks later this week on a range of shared issues, including enhancing defense cooperation and joint efforts to address supply chain instability amid the Middle East crisis, the foreign ministry said Monday.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will meet with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, for bilateral talks in Seoul on Thursday, the ministry said in a press release.

The two sides are expected to reaffirm their commitments to working together to address common challenges in relation to the current situation in the Middle East and the global energy crisis, the ministry said.

They will also discuss efforts to deepen cooperation in the defence and defence industry sectors, it added.

The meeting will come about a month after the two top diplomats spoke over the phone on March 16, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier on April 23, South Korea's special envoy to Iran had met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran.

Chung Byung-ha, special envoy for South Korea's foreign minister had expressed hope in his meeting with Araghchi that diplomatic efforts would bring a definite end to the conflict and lead to peace and stability in the region, a Telegram post by Iran's foreign ministry showed.

Chung also noted the importance of developing bilateral relations between Seoul and Tehran.

Echoing Chung's remark on their ties, Araghchi had expressed Iran's readiness to cooperate in that regard.

Regarding Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi had defended the measure as an effort to safeguard its national security and interests, saying that "responsibility for any resulting consequences lies with the parties carrying out the aggression," according to the post.

Twenty-six South Korea-related ships and 173 Korean crew members had remain stranded in the vital waterway blocked by both Iran and the United States.
Tripoli, April 27 : Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah held talks with a UN envoy to explore ways to move the country toward long-delayed national elections and end its political division.

Hanna Tetteh, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Libya, briefed Dbeibah on a UN-backed roadmap aimed at unifying state institutions and preparing for direct elections, said the government's Hakomitna news platform.

She said the recent UN-sponsored "mini-dialogue" falls within the first phase of the roadmap, which focuses on finalising electoral laws and forming the board of the High National Elections Commission.

Dbeibah reaffirmed his government's support for efforts that propose practical and implementable solutions to preserve the path toward a "civil state," and stressed the need to move along clear tracks that would lead to the completion of electoral laws and proceed directly to elections, with the aim of ending institutional division and respecting the will of voters.

For her part, Tetteh reiterated the UN mission's continued support for consensus-building among Libyan parties and for creating favorable conditions to ensure the success of the political process and the holding of comprehensive elections, Xinhua news agency reported.

The meeting comes amid growing public debate over unconfirmed reports about an alternative roadmap involving the restructuring of the executive authority, which has been rejected by groups of activists in the city of Misrata, who view such proposals as a threat to national sovereignty.

Since the 2011 fall of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been split between the UN-recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the eastern administration backed by the Libyan National Army under commander Khalifa Haftar.

Earlier, on April 22, the UN's top envoy for Libya had said that a stalled political progress, deteriorating economy and persistent institutional divisions are pushing the country toward deeper instability.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 27 : India and New Zealand are set to sign a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday to significantly boost bilateral trade, investments and market access across sectors.

The agreement will be signed at Bharat Mandapam in the presence of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his New Zealand counterpart, Todd McClay.

The pact is aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $5 billion over the next five years and is expected to open new avenues for Indian exporters, particularly at a time when global uncertainties, including tensions in West Asia, are impacting trade flows.

It will also facilitate an estimated $20 billion investment from New Zealand into India over the next 15 years across sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, services, innovation and job creation.

Under the agreement, Indian companies will gain duty-free access to New Zealandas markets, while New Zealand will see tariffs eliminated or reduced on about 95 per cent of its exports to India.

These include products such as wool, coal, wood, wine, seafood, cherries, avocados and blueberries.

However, India has kept sensitive sectors like dairy, onions, sugar, spices, edible oils and rubber outside the scope of tariff concessions to safeguard domestic farmers and industries.

New Zealand will also receive quota-based tariff reductions for key exports such as kiwifruit and apples.

At the same time, it will enjoy duty-free access to items including sheep meat, wool and forestry products, while benefiting from reduced duties on products like Manuka honey, infant formula and certain seafood items.

A key feature of the pact is enhanced mobility for professionals. New Zealand has agreed to provide a temporary employment visa pathway for up to 5,000 Indian professionals annually, allowing stays of up to three years.

The pact also includes provisions to address non-tariff barriers through better regulatory cooperation, streamlined customs procedures and improved sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

On Sunday, Goyal and McClay participated in an Industry Engagement Programme at Agra.

aNew Zealand's rich raw leather resources, combined with India's manufacturing capabilities, offer a strong complementarity that both sides expressed keenness to harness. On the occasion, both ministers, along with Industry representatives, spoke of positioning Agra as a global sourcing destination, an employment engine, and an export powerhouse on the world stage," the Commerce Ministry statement said.

Agra, which accounts for approximately 75 per cent of India's leather footwear production, holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its leather footwear and is a flagship product under the One District One Product scheme.

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Jammu, April 27 : A notorious criminal was killed in firing at a 'Naka' (checkpost) in J&K's Jammu district, the police said on Monday.

Jammu, April 27 (IANS) A notorious criminal was killed in firing at a aNakaa (checkpost) in J&Kas Jammu district, the police said on Monday.

Officials said that the criminal was killed during an encounter after he allegedly opened fire on a police team at a naka in the Miran Sahib area of Jammu late Sunday night.

Police said that acting on specific inputs regarding the movement of the accused, a team from Police Station Miran Sahib laid a naka and intensified checking in the area.

During checking, the accused, identified as Abhineet Singh, a member of the Nagi gang and a history-sheeter involved in more than 13 FIRs, including attempt to murder, rioting and arms smuggling, arrived at the spot on a motorcycle along with an associate.

When signalled to stop, the duo allegedly tried to evade the naka and opened fire on the police party. In retaliation and in self-defence, police fired back, following which both accused fled from the spot, abandoning their motorcycle under the cover of darkness.

Officials said the police team chased the accused and later found Abhineet Singh in an injured condition in a nearby canal, while his associate managed to escape.

He was shifted to the Government Medical College Jammu, where he succumbed to his injuries. The body has been shifted for post-mortem examination, while a search operation has been launched to nab the absconding associate.

Gang wars among criminals have taken place in Jammu for a long time, and these wars are basically caused by greed for domination over one another in smuggling, drug supplies and other criminal activities.

In the past, two notorious criminal gangs in Jammu used to engage in gunfights with each other after the dons of these two gangs fell apart after working together for decades.

The police have succeeded to a large extent in eliminating criminal gangs in Jammu, although some of these are still reportedly active in the peripheries of the city.
Washington, April 29 : Iran has presented the United States with a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage, according to a report, which cited a US official and two sources familiar with the matter.

According to US media outlet Axios, the proposal aims to break the current stalemate in the negotiations and bypass the internal disagreements within the Iranian leadership over the scope of nuclear concessions it is willing to make.

"But lifting the blockade and ending the war would remove President Trump's leverage in any future talks to remove Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and convince Tehran to suspend enrichment -- two primary war objectives for Trump," the report said.

Meanwhile, citing three US officials, the report further noted that the US President is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on the conflict on Monday (local time) with his top national security and foreign policy team.

The sources told Axios that Trump's team would discuss the stalemate in the talks and potential next steps.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday (local time), Trump signalled that he wants to continue the naval blockade to halt Iran's oil exports, with an aim that it will get Tehran to give up in the coming times.

"When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system ... if for any reason this line is closed because you can't put it into containers or ships ... what happens is that line explodes from within. ... They say they only have about three days before that happens," Trump was quoted as saying in the interview with Fox News by Axios.

This comes as tensions between the US and Iran deepened after the Islamabad talks ended without progress.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, April 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stressed the importance of selfless service, saying it forms the foundation of a strong and compassionate society, while urging citizens to inspire one another through acts of goodwill.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, "The true strength of the nation lies in the selfless spirit of service of its citizens. This inspires people to motivate one another, while also enriching our society further."

PM Modi also shared a Sanskrit verse, meaning: "Trees bear the harsh sunlight themselves, yet they give shade to others. Their fruits are also meant for others. Trees are like selfless and noble people who always provide comfort and help to others." (loosely translated from Sanskrit)

Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi visited the Matua Thakur Mandir in Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal ahead of his election rally, where he recalled his meeting with Matua community matriarch Binapani Devi. Sharing a photograph from his 2019 visit, the Prime Minister said he was reminded of receiving the blessings of "Boro Ma" during his earlier trip to the temple.

Addressing a rally in Thakurnagar, PM Modi also spoke about his visit to Orakandi, describing it as a deeply emotional experience. He recalled performing puja at the temple there and meeting members of the Matua community, adding that the compassion shown by Binapani Devi left a lasting impression on him.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the Centre's implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, stating that it was aimed at providing citizenship to communities such as the Matuas. He invoked Syama Prasad Mookerjee, noting his role in advocating for refugees from East Bengal, and asserted that ensuring their rights remains a historical responsibility of India.

"Syama Prasad Mookerjee won from Kolkata. At that time, Jana Sangh got a lot of support from 24 Parganas and Nadia. He stood by the refugees from East Bengal. He spoke for them. Syama Prasad is considered the spokesperson for the refugees. From Partition till today, all the refugees are our responsibility. It is India's historical responsibility to think about them. That is why Modi brought the CAA. Why was this not done before? I will tell the Matuas and Namasudras that you will be given citizenship, a permanent address, papers, and all the rights that all citizens of India get. This is Modi's guarantee," said the PM.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, April 27 : Actress Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, who is currently shooting with Bengali star Parambrata Chatterjee on a yet-untitled thriller-action series, has flaunted a new look and said that it felt like the right change.

Mumbai, April 27 (IANS) Actress Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, who is currently shooting with Bengali star Parambrata Chatterjee on a yet-untitled thriller-action series, has flaunted a new look and said that it felt like the right change.

Speaking about her new look, Nimrit shared, "I've actually started work on something new, and this look is for that project. I wanted to try something different, and the fringe felt like the right change. It's always exciting to step into a new space with a fresh perspective, and this is a small part of that journey."

A source close to the actor shared that Nimrit has been wanting to experiment with her look for a while.

The source added: "When this project came along, it felt like the perfect time. The fringe adds a new layer to her screen presence."

The shooting for the yet-untitled and yet-announced series commenced earlier this month week. Other details related to the project are still under wraps.

On April 23, Nimri heaped praise on Parambrata Chatterjee as she called him the "nicest person on the block".

Nimrit shared a selfie with Parambrata, with whom she is currently shooting in Nainital for the upcoming series, on Instagram. She mentioned: "To the nicest person on the block. It's been an absolute honour."

Apart from the yet-untitled project, the actress also has a new project lined up titled "Ab Hoga Hisaab", which was announced in February. She is set to explore a gripping new space with the series, a high-stakes thriller rooted in a strong Punjabi backdrop.

The series also stars Sanjay Kapoor, Shaheer Shaikh, and Mouni Roy. Directed by Divyanshu Malhotra, the series is a whodunnit revenge drama that delves into complex human emotions, power dynamics, and hidden motives. Nimrit will be seen in a pivotal role that plays a crucial part in the narrative, adding depth and intrigue to the unfolding mystery.

The actress was last seen in Guru Randhawa's Punjabi Film 'Shaunki Sardar" which also stars Babbu Maan and Guggu Gill. Directed by Dheeraj Kedarnath Rattan, 'Shaunki Sardar' is produced by Ishaan Kapoor, Shah Jandiali, and Dharminder Bataouli.

The film followed the story of three men, who are bound by passion for fine dressing, adventure, and an unshakable moral code. Shamsher becomes a dreaded encounter specialist, while Karan, known for his fiery temper, never backs down from a fight. When Jagir returns from jail, he finds his proteges have grown into his equals, and as they navigate their entangled past.
Seoul, April 27 : Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said on Monday the government will continue efforts to stabilise supplies of key agricultural inputs amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Song stressed at a press conference that sufficient supplies of major agricultural goods, such as fertilisers and agricultural films, needed during the spring planting season have already been secured, reports Yonhap news agency.

The agricultural ministry will swiftly execute the 377.5 billion-won (US$256 million) supplementary budget allocated to the ministry to help stabilise the livelihoods of farmers by expanding support for purchases of diesel products for farm machinery, she added.

The allocation is part of the 26.2 trillion-won extra budget passed through the National Assembly earlier this month in a bid to cope with the economic fallout from uncertainties surrounding the Middle East.

Regarding the government's push to overhaul Nonghyup, the country's agricultural cooperation and banking group, Song said such efforts are aimed at bolstering the governance and restoring the checks-and-balances of the group.

Last month, the government and the ruling Democratic Party announced reform measures for Nonghyup following a series of corruption scandals involving the group, including alleged embezzlement of public funds and accounting fraud.

Under the plan, a new audit committee will be formed to conduct oversight of the group.

The reform plan also calls for improving transparency by prohibiting the group's chairman from exercising undue influence over personnel and management, and establishing the legal grounds to suspend employees convicted of crimes such as bribery or embezzlement.

Meanwhile, cash assistance for basic livelihood security recipients and other vulnerable groups began rolling out as part of efforts to ease financial strains caused by rising oil prices amid the war in the Middle East.

The government started accepting applications for the funds, which will allocate 550,000 won (US$372) for basic livelihood security recipients and 450,000 won per person for single-parent households and those just above the welfare eligibility threshold.

Recipients outside Seoul or those living in areas with declining populations will receive an additional 50,000 won.

The applications will run through May 8, with recipients being able to choose the assistance by credit and debit cards, prepaid cards or local currency vouchers.

The funds, which will expire Aug. 31, can only be used at small businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, or businesses that accept local currency vouchers.

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April 27 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, The strength, readiness, dedication, and discipline shown by the women recruits during constable training are commendable. Discipline and teamwork are the greatest strengths, and the spirit of contributing the very best to the nation is the most important aspect of a uniformed force. The more one sweats during training, the less likely there will be a need for bloodshed later in life.

Addressing the passing-out parade ceremony of the 2025 batch of 60,244 Civil Police constables recruited through direct recruitment, CM Yogi inspected the parade and took the salute at the event held at the Reserve Police Lines.

Congratulating the women constables who completed training, Chief Minister Yogi said they had undergone rigorous training with dedication and discipline. Now they will be deployed for field duties across districts.

He emphasized that the law must be as strict as possible toward criminals while remaining sensitive toward citizens. He expressed confidence that the constables would uphold the proud traditions of the UP Police with sincerity, honesty, and a strong sense of duty.

CM Yogi said, Passing-out parades were being organized simultaneously at 10 police training institutions, police lines in 73 districts, 29 PAC battalions, and 112 recruit training centers across the state.

On June 15, 2025, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah had distributed appointment letters to 60,244 candidates at the Defense Expo Ground in Lucknow. Their training began on July 21. CM Yogi noted that he personally visited several training centers and observed significant improvements in training quality and facilities.

He stated that before 2017, the UP Police faced major challenges, but now it has been established as one of the best police forces in the country. Over 2.18 lakh police personnel have been recruited and more than 1 lakh promoted.

Training capacity, which was only about 3,000 in 2017, has expanded to successfully train 60,244 constables simultaneously within the state - reflecting significant progress over nine years.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, Before 2017, police barracks were in poor condition, often makeshift or tin-roofed. Now, high-rise residential and barrack facilities have been developed in 55 districts. Training centers have also been upgraded. Along with basic training, professional training is provided, and a UP Police Training Portal has been launched. Physical training has been modernized with a Smart PT program. Outdoor training now uses modern INSAS and SLR rifles instead of older .303 rifles.

Referring to Integrated Government Online Training, CM Yogi said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, five special modules have been prepared on the Karmayogi portal, with 32 more in development.

During the recently conducted Sadhana Week, government employees completed 1.25 crore courses, placing UP first in the country. UP Police alone completed 28 lakh courses, ranking fourth among all states and departments.

CM Yogi said, UP ATS personnel are being trained in line with the standards of the NIA and international agencies. Police personnel are also receiving training in practical efficiency and soft skills. Cyber police stations have been established in all 75 districts, with specialized training to tackle modern cybercrime. The Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Sciences has been established in Lucknow to train personnel in scientific investigation techniques.

CM Yogi Adityanath stated that the UP Police has become a model and smart force, contributing to public safety and convenience. He said riots no longer occur in the state, parallel power structures have ended, and illegal extortion has been curbed. There is now fear among criminals and high morale within the police force.

Earlier, the state was associated with instability, but now clear policies and intent have transformed the situation. He added that earlier riots and prolonged curfews were common, but now the police act proactively to prevent such incidents.

The proportion of women in the police force has increased from 13% to over 36%. The police have also contributed to economic growth by ensuring a secure environment, attracting investment.

Chief Minister Yogi said, Under Mission Shakti, continuous efforts are being made for womens safety, dignity, and self-reliance. Mission Shakti centers have been set up at every police station. Three women PAC battalions have been formed (Veerangana Uda Devi in Lucknow, Jhalkari Bai Kori in Gorakhpur, and Avanti Bai Lodhi in Badaun), with three more in progress. The Safe City project has been implemented in 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

He added that to make UP a model of law and order with a zero-tolerance policy toward crime, record-level direct recruitment has been carried out, including a mandatory 20% reservation for women. The police budget has been increased more than threefold since 2017, and seven police commissionerates have been established.

The UP Special Security Force (UPSSF) has been formed, pink police booths set up, ATS strengthened with modern technology and cyber experts, and 12 forensic labs established (with six more under construction). Two mobile forensic labs have been deployed in each district. The response time of UP-112 has been reduced from 65 minutes to 6-7 minutes.

The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, DGP Rajeev Krishna, and other officials.
Mumbai, April 27 : A protest by leaders and workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) outside the residence of Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha in Mumbai led to police action, with several demonstrators being detained and a case registered against more than eight individuals.

During the protest, demonstrators raised slogans, including "Traitor Raghav Chadha", expressing their anger over his reported exit from the party. The protest was described as intense, prompting intervention by the Khar Police Station, which later issued notices to the detainees and released them.

Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against eight AAP leaders, including Mumbai Working President Reuben Mascarenhas. The case has been filed under Sections 189(2), 189(3), and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act.

According to police officials, the FIR pertains to alleged unlawful assembly and protest activities against Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha members who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Upper House.

The development follows a major political shift last week, when Chadha and six other AAP MPs announced that they were leaving the party and joining the BJP. The move was presented as a group merger rather than individual defections, a distinction that holds significance under India's anti-defection law.

AAP had 10 members in the Rajya Sabha. With seven MPs moving together, they crossed the required two-thirds threshold, enabling them to seek protection under the provisions of the anti-defection law.

The issue has triggered a wider political and legal debate, not only about the defections but also about earlier reform proposals related to such laws, some of which Chadha himself had supported.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu, where he appears to present his case regarding the AAP's call to disqualify its rebel members.

Chadha had been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.
April 27 : Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the passing-out parade ceremony of the 2025 batch of 60,244 Civil Police constables recruited through direct recruitment on Sunday. At the grand event held at the Reserve Police Lines, CM Yogi inspected the parade and took the salute. After his address, the selected women constables expressed their happiness, thanked him, and appreciated the government's policies.

Deepti Patel from Raebareli said that taking the oath as a woman constable in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was a moment of pride for her. She added that the government has provided women with the opportunity to fulfill responsibilities along with ensuring their safety, and she will carry out her duties with full dedication.

Selected constable Suman Yadav said, "This step by the state government enhances the dignity and respect of women." She urged women to come forward and serve the nation and the state. Preeti Patel from Jaunpur said, "Women are getting equal opportunities under Yogi government and the recruitment process is being conducted with full transparency."

Shruti Yadav from Ghazipur said, "Getting the opportunity to serve the country and the state is a matter of pride, and Chief Minister's presence boosted the morale of all selected constables."

Kajol Singh, selected for the constable post, said she feels proud to be part of the police force. She added that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, women's confidence has increased and they no longer feel afraid. She emphasized that all women should become self-reliant and contribute to society's progress. Aarti Yadav said that getting an opportunity to serve in the Uttar Pradesh Police is an honor and she will discharge her duties with sincerity.

Archana Giri from Mirzapur said that taking the oath in the presence of the Chief Minister was a memorable moment in her life and encouraged women to become self-reliant. Priyanka Mishra said, "Chief Minister's presence filled all the recruits with new energy."

Constable Anjali Maurya also appeared very enthusiastic after her selection and said that due to CM Yogi's effective leadership, women in the state are fulfilling responsibilities across various fields.
April 27 : Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the Ganga Expressway to the nation in Hardoi on April 29. Yogi government is advancing this project as an "expressway-cum-industrial corridor" model. By linking infrastructure with industrial growth, the expressway is being developed as an Integrated Manufacturing and Logistics Cluster (IMLC).

Under the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authoritys plan, 12 industrial nodes are being developed along the 594-km expressway, with 6,507 acres of land identified. So far, 987 investment proposals have been received, targeting nearly 47,000 crore in investments. This initiative will create a new industrial development network across 12 districts.

Under the IMLC plan, 12 nodes are being developed across all 12 districts along the corridor. Each node has been designed based on its geographical advantages and industrial potential to promote integrated growth in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. Locations and areas for each node from Meerut to Prayagraj have been finalized. This strategic planning is set to transform the entire expressway into an "economic growth belt."

The IMLC initiative has received a strong response from investors, with 987 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) already submitted. These indicate a potential investment of 46,660 crore, primarily in manufacturing units, logistics parks, warehousing, e-commerce supply chains, and agro-processing sectors.

The nodes along the expressway will enable faster and more cost-effective goods transportation, reducing costs and improving industrial competitiveness.

The corridor will directly connect 12 districts, helping reduce regional disparities. Districts such as Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, and Pratapgarh are expected to witness rapid industrial growth, boosting local employment and economic activity.

The governments focus is not just on road construction but on integrating it with industrial development to accelerate the states economy. The IMLC model along the Ganga Expressway is a key step toward making Uttar Pradesh a major manufacturing and logistics hub.

Detailed list of proposed nodes along the Ganga Expressway

Meerut: At 10 km, 529 acres

Hapur: At 54 km, 304 acres

Bulandshahr: 2,798 acres (largest cluster)

Amroha: At 74 km, 348 acres

Sambhal: At 100 km, 591 acres

Badaun: At 189 km, 269 acres

Shahjahanpur: At 255 km, 252 acres

Hardoi: At 282 km, 335 acres

Unnao: At 422 km, 333 acres

Raebareli: At 517 km, 232 acres

Pratapgarh: At 555 km, 263 acres

Prayagraj: At 601 km, 251 acres
Mumbai, April 27 : Television actress Nandini Thakur, who has worked in shows such as Pushpa Impossible and Udne Ki Aasha, will be seen in the show 'O Humnava Tum Dena Saath Mera' starring Shabir Ahluwalia.

Mumbai, April 27 (IANS) Television actress Nandini Thakur, who has worked in shows such as Pushpa Impossible and Udne Ki Aasha, will be seen in the show 'O Humnava Tum Dena Saath Mera' starring Shabir Ahluwalia.

Nandini will be seen playing the role of a Gen-Z girl named Isha, and her character will have an on-off continuity role in the show, which revolves around the themes of fate and friendship.

Speaking about her role, Nandini said in a statement: "Isha is someone I instantly connected with. She's fearless, creative, and very real in the way she expresses herself."

"What I love most is that she not only follows her dreams but also helps others grow along the way. That balance of ambition and empathy is what makes her special to me," Nandini added about her character, who works in the office in Fabian designing and helps the people around create things.

Talking about the show, which also stars Sriti Jha and Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni.

The show follows an artist named Aparajita, who is scarred by her past. She crosses paths with Rakshit, a guarded businessman who's sworn off love.

This is not the first time Sriti will be seen working with Shabir. The two are a much-loved pair and have worked in shows such as Kumkum Bhagya, whose concept was originally based on Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility.

Talking about Shabir, he stepped into acting in 1999 with "Hip Hip Hurray".

It was his acting prowess in shows such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, Kahi To Milenge, Kkavyanjali, Kasamh Se, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Laagi Tujhse Lagan and Kayamath.

The actor also featured in two films Shootout at Lokhandwala, which released in 2007, based on the 1991 Lokhandwala Complex shootout, a real-life gun battle between gangsters and the Mumbai Police.

A year later, he was seen in Mission Istaanbul, an action thriller film based on an organisation called Al Johara, which bears a resemblance to the Qatar-based news channel, which was criticized by the White House as an outlet for terrorists.

Shabir was last seen in Sony SAB's romantic-comedy, "Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil". The show, which also stars Ashi Singh, is a passionate, fun love tale set against the backdrop of a crazy household.
April 27 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday presented Letters of Comfort (LoC) to 17 pharmaceutical companies. He extended his best wishes to all investors and said the day marks a historic milestone for the states industrial and healthcare sectors.

He assured investors that Uttar Pradesh guarantees safety, stability, and speed, and is now being recognized for trust and timely delivery. He emphasized that the state stands firmly with every reliable policy partner.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, Under the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi, a New India is emerging, with the countrys economy reaching new heights. India is supplying affordable and high-quality medicines to around 200 countries.

Referring to the recent Pharma Conclave, he said it has elevated Uttar Pradeshs position on the global health-tech map. Addressing investors, he noted that their investment is not just in pharma and medical devices, but is also connected to the trust of 25 crore people in the state.

An investment of nearly 2,000 crore in research and development will help take Uttar Pradesh to new heights and is expected to generate employment for over 10,000 skilled and unskilled youth.

CM Yogi stated that the results of collective efforts are now visible on the ground, with investments creating new opportunities. Over the past nine years, due to clear policies and clean intent, Uttar Pradesh has transformed from a BIMARU state into the countrys growth engine. The states GSDP has risen to 36 lakh crore.

He highlighted that Uttar Pradesh is a large market with an industry-friendly environment, ample land bank, and a strong workforce. About 56% of the workforce is young, and they are being equipped with skills, innovation, and technology aligned with market needs. Currently, more than 21,000 startups are operating in the state.

CM Yogi Adityanath emphasized that law and order is the foundation of development, and since 2017, Uttar Pradeshs strong law-and-order situation is recognized nationally and globally. The state has moved from policy paralysis to policy stability, with over 34 sectoral policies in place. Platforms like Nivesh Mitra, Nivesh Sarathi, and Udyami Mitra are facilitating a business-friendly environment.

He also outlined the changes since 2017, noting that the number of factories has increased from 14,000 to 32,000, creating large-scale employment. The state has received investment proposals worth 45 lakh crore so far, out of which 15 lakh crore has already been implemented. Another 7-8 lakh crore worth of proposals will soon be grounded.

Sharing UPs success story, he said that the number of medical colleges has increased from 40 in 2017 to 83 today, each accompanied by a nursing college. The state also has two AIIMS institutions (in Gorakhpur and Raebareli) and has operationalized an AYUSH University.

A pharma park is being developed over 1,500 acres in Lalitpur, while a 350-acre medical device park is under development in Noida, with over 100 companies already associated.

Representatives of pharma companies expressed enthusiasm about investing in Uttar Pradesh and confidence that under CM Yogi Adityanaths leadership, their investments will achieve significant growth.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented Letters of Comfort (LoC) to 17 investors. These include Biozenta Lifescience Pvt. Ltd. (1,250 crore in Barabanki), Romsons Medworld Pvt. Ltd. (136.89 crore in Noida), HiGlance Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. (120 crore in Noida), Kotek Healthcare (100 crore in Ghaziabad), JB Remedies Pvt. Ltd. (70 crore in Hathras/Noida), Positron Biogenics Pvt. Ltd. (60.24 crore in Kanpur), IV Tech Healthcare LLP (56.12 crore in Aligarh), JBJM Parenterals Pvt. Ltd. (51 crore in Lalitpur), Raspa Pharma Pvt. Ltd. (45.21 crore in Raebareli), NBS Group (42.59 crore in Sitapur), Wellness Zcure Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (11.65 crore in Jalaun), Camle Industries Pvt. Ltd. (10 crore in Saharanpur), Radicon Laboratories Ltd. (10 crore in Noida), Sanjeevni Meditech Pvt. Ltd. (7.95 crore in Bareilly), Safecon Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. (6.43 crore in Bareilly), RAP Med Surgical Products (5.53 crore in Hathras), and Voda Chemical Pvt. Ltd. (4.84 crore in Hapur).
April 27 : Agra: Agra, a key industrial city of Uttar Pradesh, is now set to make its mark globally not just as the City of the Taj, but also as the Shoe Capital of the World. This landmark initiative was formally launched at the India-New Zealand Business Meet held on Sunday at Hotel Amar Vilas.

The event, attended by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealands Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay, made it clear that Agras footwear industry is poised to become a major game-changer for Uttar Pradeshs economy. The initiative is expected to bring unprecedented benefits to the states trade, infrastructure, and employment.

Agra already contributes over 75% to Indias leather footwear exports. During the meet, it was projected that exports from Uttar Pradesh could increase by 3 to 5 times through Free Trade Agreements (FTA), CEPA, and bilateral partnerships.

Collaboration with countries like New Zealand in raw material supply and design innovation will strengthen UPs presence in markets such as Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, significantly boosting state revenue.

Agras industrial cluster currently includes more than 5,000 MSME units, providing direct and indirect employment to 4,00,000-5,00,000 people. With this initiative to develop a global hub and attract foreign investment, these MSMEs are expected to expand significantly. This will create large-scale employment opportunities for youth and artisans in Uttar Pradesh and help curb migration.

To make Agra globally competitive with countries like China and Vietnam, Uttar Pradeshs infrastructure will play a crucial role. The upcoming Jewar International Airport and the proposed footwear park under the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) will upgrade Agras logistics to world-class standards. This will make transportation of goods faster and cheaper, attracting more international buyers to the state.

Under this initiative, Uttar Pradesh will receive a new global branding push. Agra will be positioned as a city of footwear excellence, and products will gain international recognition through GI tagging. Discussions with the New Zealand delegation indicate that the state will not only manufacture goods but also engage in joint production and world-class design innovation, leading to significant foreign direct investment (FDI) and technological advancement.

At the event, Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the government is committed to providing comprehensive policy support to the industry, including measures such as zero duty on components and interest subsidies until 2030.

Industry leaders, including Ramesh Kumar Juneja (Chairman, Council for Leather Exports) and Puran Dawar (Chairman, Footwear Development Council), described the initiative as transformative. Undoubtedly, this step will prove to be a milestone in achieving Uttar Pradeshs goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

The event was also attended by several officials and industry representatives, including Joint Secretary Petal Dhillon, Director Taruna Doolia, Under Secretary Bimlesh Kumar Jha, Senior Press Secretary Julie Johnston (New Zealand), CLE Regional President (Central) Yadvendra Singh, Regional Director Atul Kumar Mishra, Deputy Director R.K. Shukla, and various prominent entrepreneurs and association leaders.
April 27 : Lucknow/Ghazipur: On April 15, Nisha Vishwakarma died in Kataria village under Karanda police station area of Ghazipur. Opposition parties and some other individuals are trying to politicize the matter, raising concerns about possible unrest in the district. Considering the seriousness of the situation, District Magistrate Anupam Shukla has imposed Section 163 across the district. Under this order, no political party or group is allowed to assemble. The order will remain in effect until April 30.

According to the District Magistrates directive, no individual or group will form a gathering within the boundaries of Ghazipur with the intent of staging protests or demonstrations related to the incident, nor will they be allowed to enter the district individually or collectively for this purpose.

Processions, demonstrations, candle marches, and slogan-shouting related to the incident have been prohibited. Additionally, in view of law and order, no individual or delegation will be allowed to visit Kataria village to express sympathy.

According to Ghazipur Police, some miscreants and members of certain political parties have spread misleading and unverified rumors regarding the incident. Considering the possibility that such misinformation could lead to public anger, fear, and dissatisfaction, Section 163 has been imposed. Any person violating this order will be punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
New Delhi, April 27 : In an unusual matrimonial dispute from Madhya Pradesh, a woman ended her 28-year-long marriage by alleging that her husband had taken a second wife, a claim later found to be based on a misrepresentation - shocking and surprising enough even for the legal community. The husband has now challenged the 'one-sided' divorce granted in her favour.

The case is currently before the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, where the husband has argued that the divorce decree was obtained through incorrect and misleading evidence, as reported by NDTV.

According to court records, the couple married in 1998. The husband, employed as an officer in a marketing firm, frequently stayed away from home for work, which gradually strained their relationship. By 2015, the woman had started living separately.

While the wife was determined to legally end the marriage, the husband reportedly opposed the move. In 2021, she approached a family court seeking divorce, alleging that her husband had remarried.

To support her claim, she presented a family photograph in which the husband was seen standing beside a woman. She identified the woman in the image as his second wife. The court accepted this submission as evidence and granted divorce in her favour without the husbandas participation in the proceedings.

The matter took a dramatic turn when the husband became aware of the divorce order in early April. Upon reviewing the case documents, he discovered that the woman identified as his alleged second wife was actually his own sister.

Following this, he filed a petition before the High Court, contending that the divorce was granted on the basis of false representation. Husband's counsel Dharmendra Sharma confirmed that he has challenged the ruling, stating that he was denied an opportunity to present his side.

The High Court is now examining the case. The husband has requested that the divorce order be quashed, arguing that the decision was fundamentally flawed due to reliance on incorrect claims and lack of proper hearing.

The High Court is now hearing the matter, in which the husband has requested that the divorce order be set aside, arguing that the decision was based on misleading and incorrect claims.
April 27 : Lucknow: The passing-out parade of 60,244 Civil Police constables recruited by the Uttar Pradesh Police in 2025 was held on Sunday at the Lucknow Police Lines. During the parade, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the salute and boosted the morale of the recruits.

Photos and videos related to various activities of the ceremony were posted on the social media platform X by all districts of Uttar Pradesh Police using the hashtag #UPPolice, which trended among the top globally.

According to the UP Police department, posts with this hashtag began appearing on X at around 11 a.m. on April 26. Within a short time, it reached the No. 1 position on the global trending list and remained among the top trends worldwide for approximately four hours.

During this period, more than 64,000 tweets were made under the hashtag, generating a reach of around 6.4 crore, over 5,58,000 views, and approximately 113 crore impressions. At the grand ceremony held in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also inspected the parade and distributed awards to the winners.
April 27 : Lucknow: On the third and final day of the three-day Rashmirathi Festival organized at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, grand discussions and cultural performances were held highlighting the contributions of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to nation-building. A large number of youths, literature enthusiasts, and intellectuals participated in the event. The entire premises echoed with chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

During the program, Tilaks message of Swaraj (self-rule), self-respect, and national consciousness was presented through theatrical performances. A musical dance drama titled Atal Swaranjali, based on Vajpayees poetry, left the audience deeply moved. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Suresh Khanna, Ashwini Choubey, and Neeraj Singh, among others.

During the event, Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana said that the lives of the four great personalities around whom the event is centered could be discussed for hours. He added that getting the opportunity to work under Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a privilege of his life.

Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said, Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken meaningful steps to honor and take pride in the legacy of great leaders. Such events, which began in Varanasi, have now been expanded to the state capital Lucknow, allowing the younger generation to draw inspiration from national icons.

Yogi government is advancing both development and cultural awareness simultaneously in the state. On one hand, initiatives like expressways, medical colleges, smart cities, investment, and employment opportunities are being created; on the other hand, special programs are being organized to preserve the memories of national leaders, saints, writers, and social reformers.

Events like the Rashmirathi Festival clearly show that the government is working not only towards physical development but also toward cultural and intellectual enrichment.
Jaipur, April 27 : The BJP appears to be setting the stage for an aggressive political push in Rajasthan, choosing Tonk -- long regarded as the political stronghold of Congress leader Sachin Pilot -- as the starting point of its National President Nitin Nabin's maiden tour of the state on Monday.

Jaipur, April 27 (IANS) The BJP appears to be setting the stage for an aggressive political push in Rajasthan, choosing Tonk -- long regarded as the political stronghold of Congress leader Sachin Pilot -- as the starting point of its National President Nitin Nabinas maiden tour of the state on Monday.

Party workers say the choice of Tonk is deliberate, signalling the BJPas intent to challenge the Congress in regions where it has traditionally enjoyed influence.

In politics, geography is strategy. By choosing Tonk, the BJP is stepping straight into Congress territory, signalling that it is ready to challenge the opposition where it feels most secure. This isnat optics, itas intent, they added.

Tonk is not just another assembly seat; it represents Pilotas influence and Congressas emotional connect in Eastern Rajasthan. A BJP show of strength here is being read as a direct political provocation and a calculated one. The timing sharpens the intrigue. With Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena also rooted in the region, Tonk suddenly becomes more than symbolic; it becomes a testing ground.

Whispers of leaders switching sides ahead of the rally have only heightened the political temperature.

Behind the headline-grabbing politics lies a methodical organisational push. Nabin will inaugurate the Tonk district BJP office, while simultaneously launching offices across multiple districts -- Bundi, Pratapgarh, Dungarpur, Churu, Pali, and Barmer, and laying the foundation stone in Jalore. This is not just expansion, itas infrastructure politics. Booth by booth, district by district, the BJP is tightening its grip.

With Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and senior leadership in attendance, the event is both a show of strength and an organisational reboot. The BJPas confidence is quite high.

In the 2023 Assembly elections, it outperformed Congress in key eastern districts, winning 13 seats against Congressas 8. Compared to 2018, the BJP has clearly gained ground here. The BJP won 13 seats across the five key districts of Bharatpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Dholpur, and Dausa. In contrast, the Congress was confined to eight seats, with one seat being claimed by an independent candidate.

Now, the focus shifts: can the BJP flip the remaining Congress-held seats?

The party's programme includes -- strengthen the network, stay mobilised, and prepare for the next electoral cycle.

Nabin's visit is as much about energising the cadre as it is about unsettling the opposition. The Tonk move reveals a three-layered strategy: enter opposition strongholds, deepen grassroots structure and synchronise government and organisation.

The grand Jaipur welcome, complete with Yuva Morcha bike rallies and Mahila Morchaas traditional Kalash procession, adds momentum, but the real action will be behind closed doors, in the Core Committee meeting where electoral strategy will be fine-tuned.

Call it a soft launch of the BJPas next campaign or a psychological push into Congress territory. Either way, starting from Tonk is a statement: the BJP is no longer playing defensive politics in Rajasthan. By stepping into Sachin Pilotas backyard, the party is attempting something bigger, reshaping the contest on its own terms.

The question now is not whether this move is strategic. The question is: Will it work, and how will it work, and what will be its impact on Sachin Pilot, who is presently leading the Congress show in Kerala as an observer of the Assembly elections in the state.
New Delhi, April 27 : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek tomorrow. In a social media post, he stated that he will highlight India's commitment towards global peace amidst the security challenges prevailing in the world.

Defence Minister underlined that he will also convey the country's consistent stance on Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and Extremism.

"Leaving for Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Looking forward to attend the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow. Shall highlight India's commitment towards global peace, amidst the security challenges prevailing in the world, apart from conveying India's consistent stance on Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and Extremism. Will also be interacting bilaterally with the counterparts of other SCO Member states and with the Indian Community at Bishkekm," the Defence Minister wrote in a post on X.

The SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting is a key multilateral platform that brings together defence leaders from member states to deliberate on regional security issues, counter-terrorism strategies, and military cooperation.

The 2026 edition, being held in Bishkek, is expected to focus heavily on evolving security challenges across the Eurasian region and strengthening collective responses to instability and extremism.

India has consistently used the platform to highlight the importance of coordinated action against terrorism. In previous meetings, Defence Minister Singh has stressed the need for trust-building measures, regional stability, and firm action against radicalisation, reiterating India's vision for a peaceful and secure neighbourhood.

During his visit on April 2728, Singh is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with defence counterparts from participating SCO nations. These meetings are aimed at enhancing defence cooperation, deepening strategic engagement, and expanding security partnerships across the region.

At last year's SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting held in China, Singh had notably withheld endorsement of the joint statement, reportedly advocating for stronger and clearer language on terrorism, especially in light of India's security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack.

His consistent position at SCO forums has underscored India's emphasis on zero tolerance for terrorism and its call for united global action against cross-border extremism.
New Delhi, April 27 : The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by former Kerala Minister Antony Raju seeking suspension of his conviction in the sensational 1990 "underwear evidence tampering" case.

New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by former Kerala Minister Antony Raju seeking suspension of his conviction in the sensational 1990 "underwear evidence tampering" case.

A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma declined to grant relief to Raju, who had challenged the Kerala High Court's order refusing to stay his conviction in the decades-old sensational case.

With the dismissal of his plea, the conviction recorded by the trial court and affirmed in appeal continues to operate, leaving his disqualification as a Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 intact.

Raju, a former Transport Minister and the lone legislator of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), had ceased to be an MLA from January 3, 2026, after the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate Court convicted and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment in the long-pending case involving tampering of crucial court evidence.

Earlier, in March, the Kerala High Court declined to stay the conviction despite suspending the sentence, rendering Raju ineligible to contest the ongoing Assembly elections from Thiruvananthapuram Central, a seat he previously represented.

The case dates back to 1990 when Australian national Andrew Salvatore Cervelli was arrested at Thiruvananthapuram airport for allegedly smuggling 61.5 grams of narcotic substances concealed in his underwear.

Raju, then a young lawyer, had represented Cervelli. While the trial court convicted Cervelli, the Kerala High Court later acquitted him after finding that the undergarment produced as material evidence was too small to belong to him, casting serious doubt on the prosecution's case.

Subsequent investigations, triggered by information from Australian authorities, led to allegations that the material evidence had been tampered with while in court custody.

A criminal case was eventually registered against Raju and a court clerk in 1994, followed by a chargesheet in 2006 after prolonged investigation.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court revived the prosecution by setting aside a Kerala High Court order that had quashed the criminal proceedings on technical grounds, directing that the trial be completed within one year.

Following trial, Raju was convicted on charges including criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, fabrication of false evidence and related offences.

While the Sessions Court refused to interfere with the finding of guilt, it temporarily suspended the sentence of imprisonment and fine pending a detailed hearing of the appeal.
April 27 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath fulfilled his commitment to public service before leaving for West Bengal on the final day of the Assembly election campaign. On Monday morning, during the Janata Darshan, he listened to the grievances of people who had come from across the state and instructed officials to resolve public issues with sensitivity.

The Chief Minister met all the petitioners who attended the Janata Darshan. He listened to their concerns one by one, accepted their applications, and directed officials to ensure resolution within a fixed timeframe.

Regarding complaints related to revenue and police matters, he clearly stated that no negligence would be tolerated and that the issues must be resolved within the stipulated time, with proper communication to the affected individuals.

The Chief Minister asked some of the petitioners whether they had approached officials in their respective districts with their grievances. When it was found that they had not, he advised them not to endure unnecessary hardship in the intense heat.

He urged them to first contact the officials posted in their districts, assuring that their concerns would be heard and appropriately addressed. He also appealed to everyone to take care of their health during the hot weather.

The Chief Minister also showed warmth and affection towards children who had accompanied their family members to the Janata Darshan.

He blessed them and distributed chocolates. Smiling at a child sitting in his mothers lap and asking if he wanted a chocolate, the Chief Minister handed it over, bringing joy and laughter to the child.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 27 : With the dust settling after Kerala's April 9 Assembly polls, an unusual political silence has taken centre stage, the conspicuous absence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from the public domain.

Thiruvananthapuram, April 27 (IANS) With the dust settling after Keralaas April 9 Assembly polls, an unusual political silence has taken centre stage, the conspicuous absence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from the public domain.

The last official word from the government indicated that the veteran Communist leader had undergone a cataract surgery at a private hospital in Chennai and was recuperating.

However, the lack of subsequent public appearances or detailed updates has triggered a wave of speculation across political circles and social media.

Critics have been quick to seize upon the development.

During the election campaign, Vijayan had repeatedly underscored Keralaas advancements in the public healthcare system, projecting it as a model for the country.

His decision to seek treatment outside the state has now become a talking point, with opponents questioning the contradiction between rhetoric and personal choice.

Despite the chatter, there has been no official indication of any serious health concern.

Government sources point out that the Chief Minister chaired an online Cabinet meeting last week, suggesting that administrative functions continue uninterrupted, albeit remotely.

Vijayan, who turns 81 next month, remains a central figure in Keralaas political landscape.

Within the Left Democratic Front (LDF), there is quiet confidence that he could script history by leading the coalition to a rare third consecutive term, an achievement unprecedented in the stateas electoral history.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Indian National Congress finds itself grappling with internal questions.

Even as it awaits the results, discussions within the party have intensified over projecting a clear chief ministerial face, exposing familiar fault lines.

In this politically charged backdrop, the Chief Ministeras low profile has only added to the intrigue.

Whether it is a brief medical recovery or a more deliberate retreat from the spotlight, Vijayanas absence is being closely watched, both for what it signals and what it leaves unsaid.

Seen or unseen, one thing is certain, by this time on next Monday when counting of votes will be over, it will be clear on which way Vijayan is heading and more importantly the CPI(M), as itas their last bastion in the country.
New Delhi, April 27 : Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that he was looking forward to unlocking the full potential of the India-New Zealand FTA to create new opportunities for businesses in both countries, strengthen value chains, and further deepen the bilateral economic partnership.

Addressing the India-New Zealand Business Forum here along with his New Zealand counterpart, Todd McClay, the minister highlighted how India's vast market, skilled talent, digital capabilities, and manufacturing strengths complement New Zealand's expertise in agri-tech, clean energy, and fintech.

"The strong participation and ideas shared by business leaders from both sides highlighted the vast potential for deeper trade, investment, and innovation-led collaboration among our nations," Goyal said.

Concluded in a record nine months, the FTA marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. With current trade estimated at $1.3 billion in goods and $634 million in services, both countries aim to scale this to $5 billion over the next five years. A strong Indian diaspora of nearly 300,000 people in New Zealand continues to serve as a vital bridge in this partnership.

In a global environment marked by trade uncertainties and shifting supply chains, this agreement underscores India's strategic diversification across the Indo-Pacific and its commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economic partnerships, according to an industry body

The FTA with New Zealand is unlocking the potential for trade and investment, with duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand. This is down from the 10 per cent tariff New Zealand currently levies on about 450 tariff lines that India exports, including textiles and apparel products, leather and headgear, ceramics, carpets, and automobiles and auto components.

The FTA also includes a provision wherein New Zealand will invest $20 billion in India over 15 years. This is in the same vein as the $100 billion investment 'commitment' the European Free Trade Association made in their FTA with India.

Besides, the FTA includes several provisions relating to the mobility of working professionals and students. New Zealand has signed an annex on student mobility and post-study work visas for the first time with any country. Under this, Indian students can work up to 20 hours per week while studying in New Zealand, with extended post-study work visas.

Further, the agreement includes a quota of 5,000 visas for skilled Indians for a stay of up to three years in the sectors of interest to India, which include AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, chefs, and music teachers, as well as other key sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, and construction.

Under the Working Holiday Visa programme included in the agreement, 1,000 young Indians annually can avail multiple entries in New Zealand for a period of 12 months.

India has also managed to keep several items out of the FTA, including all dairy products such as milk, cream, whey, yoghurt and cheese, as well as farm products.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Varanasi, April 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on April 28 for a two-day visit, during which he will unveil and lay the foundation stone for 163 development projects worth around Rs 6,300 crore, officials said on Monday.

According to District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar, the projects span multiple sectors including infrastructure, connectivity, and public amenities aimed at boosting the overall development of the holy city, also known as Kashi.

Among the highlights is a proposed signature bridge over the Ganga River, which is expected to significantly improve urban connectivity and become a major landmark in the city.

In addition to infrastructure projects, the Prime Minister will virtually flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains a" one connecting Varanasi to Pune and another linking Ayodhya to Mumbai a" enhancing long-distance rail connectivity for passengers across key regions.

Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal told IANS that elaborate arrangements have been made for a major public outreach programme during the visit. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address a gathering of more than 50,000 women under the 'Nari Shakti Vandan' programme at around 4:30 P.M. at the BLW ground in Varanasi.

"Given the prevailing heat conditions, special measures such as installation of water coolers and misting systems have been put in place at the venue to ensure the comfort of attendees," Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Varuna Zone), Pramod Kumar, said stringent security measures have been enforced across the city in view of the Prime Ministeras visit. "More than 700 women police personnel have been deployed, keeping in mind the large participation of women in the event," he said.

He added that the security grid includes advanced anti-drone systems, extensive CCTV surveillance, and multi-layered deployment of security personnel to ensure a safe and smooth programme.

Officials also indicated that on the second day of his visit, the Prime Minister is likely to visit the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers. There is also a possibility of an unannounced roadshow of approximately 12 kilometres, for which administrative preparations are underway.

The visit is being seen as significant in terms of both development initiatives and political outreach, as Varanasi continues to remain a focal point of the Prime Ministeras constituency engagements.
Kathmandu, April 27 : India has proposed a visit by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal on May 11-12 as part of wider consultations ahead of newly-elected Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah's visit to its southern neighbour, The Kathmandu Post reported on Monday.

Kathmandu, April 27 (IANS) India has proposed a visit by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal on May 11a"12 as part of wider consultations ahead of newly-elected Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shahas visit to its southern neighbour, The Kathmandu Post reported on Monday.

Citing diplomatic sources in the Foreign Ministry of Nepal and the Nepali Embassy in India, the report stated that the Indian side has proposed the dates and is awaiting Kathmandu's official response.

Following communication from the Indian side, Nepalas Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai has already sent a formal invitation to Misri, according to the report.

Nepali Prime Minister Shah has already received an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India, and he has accepted it, Nepalas Foreign Minister Sishir Khanal confirmed earlier.

He also indicated that the visit may take some time, as the government will first set its priorities. "Several technical mechanisms between the two sides will also work on the agenda to be discussed," Khanal said earlier. "There are around 40 bilateral mechanisms between the two sides that deal with different aspects of bilateral relations, and technical preparations need to be completed."

These institutional mechanisms range from district to foreign minister levels, covering security, water resources, irrigation, border management, boundary issues, trade, commerce, and agriculture. Some of these meetings are held regularly, while others have been pending for years.

Following the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on March 27, Kathmandu has seen a series of high-level diplomatic engagements.

Nepal recently hosted back-to-back senior-level visits from the United States and one from China, while New Delhi is now preparing to send its top diplomat to the Himalayan country.

Kathmandu has already hosted US Assistant Secretary of State Samir Paul Kapur last week. Deputy Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs at Chinaas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cao Jing, also visited Kathmandu at the same time and held talks with senior foreign ministry officials.

On April 10, Foreign Minister Khanal held talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Mauritius during the ninth Indian Ocean Conference where they reportedly discussed finalising various projects and programmes to be supported by India in line with Nepalas priorities ahead of future high-level visits.

According to the report, Foreign Minister Khanal has also been consulting ministers and reviewing the status of various Indian-funded projects in Nepal, including their progress, obstacles, and potential areas for new cooperation.

Dozens of projects and programmes are currently being implemented in Nepal with Indian economic and technical assistance, at different stages of completion.

India is also one of Nepalas leading development partners. In the fiscal year 2024a"25, India emerged as the largest bilateral donor to Nepal, disbursing US$107.8 million, according to Nepal's finance ministry.
Srinagar, April 27 : Senior religious leader and chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Monday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir administration for declaring a seminary unlawful, alleging "harassment and disempowerment of Kashmiri people". He also questioned the 'silence' of the elected government.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on X today, "First we have multiple agencies chasing citizens under one pretext or another. Then properties of locals are confiscated. Students protesting alleged misconduct are booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), sent to jails outside, ruining their lives and careers."

He made the allegations after a seminary was declared unlawful by the government.

"A sitting MP is denied bail to visit his critically ill father and now a leading educational institute with a rich legacy of serving the underprivileged and producing scholars, doctors, engineers, and professionals is declared unlawful under stringent UAPA! Can the LG administration tell people of Kashmir clearly how long they will continue this policy of harassment and disempowerment? he said. "And can the elected Govt tell us how long they will let this happen?"

Earlier in the day, the Jammu and Kashmir government declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom, a seminary in South Kashmir's Shopian district, an "unlawful entity" under the UAPA over links with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and multiple irregularities. The Divisional Commissioner invoked powers conferred under Section 8(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, to notify the seminary as an unlawful place.

Umar Farooq heads the banned Awami Action Committee (AAC) and the so-called moderate group of the separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference.

The AAC was formed in 1963 during the Holy Relic agitation in the Valley and was headed by Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq.

Mirwaiz Umar was catapulted into the duties of the chief cleric after the daylight murder of his father, Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq, by the terrorists on May 21, 1990.

The moderate group of the Hurriyat Conference was formed when the hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, caused a split in the separatist political conglomerate in 2014 to head his own breakaway group.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), an alliance of several political, social and religious organisations, was initially formed on March 9, 1993, as a united political front and used to raise the cause of "Kashmiri independence". The alliance was propped by Pakistan as it contested the accession of J&K to India in 1947.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, April 27 : The Char Dham Yatra is widely regarded as one of the most sacred pilgrimages in India, drawing lakhs of devotees to the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri Temple, Gangotri Temple, Kedarnath Temple, and Badrinath Temple every year. While the journey is physically demanding, its deeper significance lies in the legends and beliefs that have been preserved through centuries, shaping the spiritual essence of the yatra.

Beyond the visible grandeur of these temples lies a rich tradition of stories that reflect devotion, sacrifice, and divine intervention. These narratives are not merely mythological accounts but form the foundation of faith for millions who undertake this journey seeking peace, clarity, and spiritual renewal.

The journey traditionally begins at Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, but its significance is deeply rooted in the legend of Sage Asit.

According to belief, Sage Asit spent his life meditating by the river. Even after losing his eyesight in old age, he continued his daily rituals with unwavering faith. Moved by such devotion, Goddess Yamuna is said to have restored his vision. In gratitude, the sage prayed for divine blessings upon the region, leading to the belief that the sacred waters here carry extraordinary spiritual power.

This story reinforces the idea that true devotion can transcend physical limitations and invite divine grace.

Gangotri, the next stop, is associated with one of the most revered legends in Hindu tradition, the descent of the Ganga to Earth. The story revolves around King Bhagirath, who performed intense penance to liberate his ancestors from a curse.

His prayers were answered when Lord Shiva agreed to receive the mighty river in his matted locks, ensuring that its descent would not destroy Earth. The river's eventual flow is believed to have purified the land and offered salvation to countless souls.

The legend highlights perseverance and the transformative power of faith, making Gangotri a symbol of spiritual cleansing.

Kedarnath holds a special place in the Char Dham circuit due to its connection with the Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness for the destruction caused during the conflict and turned to Lord Shiva for absolution.

However, Lord Shiv chose to avoid them, taking the form of a bull and disappearing into the ground. The Pandavas followed him to Kedarnath, where he eventually revealed himself as a Jyotirlinga.

This narrative reflects themes of repentance and divine mercy. It suggests that while the path to forgiveness may be difficult, sincere effort and faith can lead to redemption.

The final destination, Badrinath, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and represents the culmination of the pilgrimage. According to legend, Vishnu meditated in the region, seeking spiritual enlightenment.

To protect him from harsh weather, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have taken the form of a "badri" tree, offering shelter and comfort. This story symbolises the harmony between nature and divinity and highlights the importance of discipline and penance in spiritual growth.

For devotees, Badrinath is not just a place of worship but a symbol of ultimate salvation and inner peace.

The Char Dham Yatra is often described as a journey of the body, mind, and soul. Each destination represents a different stage of spiritual evolution. Yamunotri is associated with purification, Gangotri with divine grace, Kedarnath with repentance, and Badrinath with enlightenment.

Together, these stages form a path that encourages introspection and personal transformation. Pilgrims often describe the experience as life-changing, as the journey challenges both physical endurance and emotional resilience.

Despite the passage of time, the legends of Char Dham continue to hold deep relevance. In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, these stories offer guidance rooted in timeless values such as devotion, perseverance, humility, and faith.

The pilgrimage attracts not only religious devotees but also travellers seeking meaning and connection. For many, it provides an opportunity to disconnect from daily pressures and reconnect with inner spirituality.

Even today, the Char Dham Yatra remains a powerful reminder that spiritual journeys are not solely about reaching a destination but about the transformation that occurs along the way.

As pilgrims return from the Himalayas, they carry with them not just memories of scenic landscapes but also the enduring lessons of ancient legends, lessons that continue to inspire generations and keep the spirit of the Char Dham alive.
Dhaka, April 27 : Bangladeshi police have failed to complete investigations in more than 90 per cent of the 1,855 cases filed over killings and violence during the July 2024 protests, even after nearly two years of the incidents, according to a report.

The delay has intensified concern and frustration among victims' families and those alleging false implication in the cases.

Citing the Police Headquarters (PHQ) data, Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, reported that among the cases filed across the country, 799 were lodged over murders and the remaining 1,056 on other charges, including attempted murder.

Citing legal experts, the report said that the slow pace in investigations reflects the complexity of the cases and exposes the weaknesses in the country's criminal justice system.

"Filing of a large number of cases immediately after a mass uprising is not unusual, but investigations must be conducted with due diligence and completed within a reasonable timeframe," The Daily Star quoted Ishrat Hasan, a lawyer at the Supreme Court, as saying.

"If probes remain stalled for years, both the victims and those falsely accused suffer, ultimately undermining public confidence in the justice system," she noted.

Ishrat noted that the presence of a large number of unnamed accused in many cases has significantly complicated and slowed down the investigative process.

"Ensuring accountability for the killings and safeguarding those wrongly accused are equally important for upholding the rule of lawa If the authorities fail to ensure transparent, impartial, and timely investigations, the justice process will become ineffective," she added.

The Daily Star report mentioned that thousands of people, including dozens of journalists, continue to await the disposal of the cases, with many claiming that they had no role in the killings or acts of violence during the demonstrations.

It cited court records, which documented that at least 24 cases have been registered with various police stations in Dhaka city against 77 journalists on different charges, including murder, attempted murder, and unlawful assembly in connection with the July 2024 protests.

Speaking to The Daily Star on condition of anonymity, a journalist said he was shocked after being named in a murder case with Jatrabari Police Station over alleged involvement in killings during a protest on August 5, 2024.

"I knew nothing about the incident. I learnt about it from social mediaa This false case has taken a heavy toll on me over the last one and a half years," he stated.

Tariqul Islam, a lawyer defending several accused in Dhaka courts, said many individuals without political affiliation had been subjected to arbitrary arrest.

"They were listed as unidentified suspects under vague or fabricated charges and forced to remain in jail for months without trial... Such practices obstruct the course of justice and constitute a grave violation of fundamental human rights," The Daily Star quoted him as saying.
Mumbai, April 27 : The makers of the upcoming film 'Bandar' starring Bobby Deol have now officially announced its release date. The film is set to hit cinemas worldwide on June 5, 2026.

Mumbai, April 27 (IANS) The makers of the upcoming film aBandara starring Bobby Deol have now officially announced its release date. The film is set to hit cinemas worldwide on June 5, 2026.

The ensemble cast of the film also includes Sanya Malhotra, Raj B Shetty, Jitendra Joshi, Sapna Pabbi, Indrajith Sukumaran, Riddhi Sen, Saba Azad and Nagesh Bhosle in pivotal roles.

The film brings together a strong creative team led by director Anurag Kashyap, along with writers Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee. Anurag Kashyap is known for his bold storytelling, and has previously delivered cult-classics like aGangs of Wasseypura and aBlack Fridaya.

Anurag Kashyap is one of the most influential voices in contemporary Indian cinema, and is known for bringing realism, grit, and unconventional storytelling to mainstream attention. Emerging as a bold filmmaker in the early 2000s, he challenged traditional Bollywood formulas with darker themes, morally complex characters, and socially grounded narratives. His breakthrough came with aBlack Fridaya, a hard-hitting reconstruction of the 1993 Mumbai blasts that earned immense critical praise. The film was banned in India as it directly took the names of the culprits when the matter was subjudice.

He later gained cult status with aDev.Da, which is celebrated for its experimental style and music. His two-part gangster epic aGangs of Wasseypura became a landmark in Indian cinema for its raw violence, dark humor, and layered storytelling.

Meanwhile, Bobby Deol is coming off a series of impactful performances, and takes on the lead role in this intense drama. The film is produced by Nikhil Dwivedi and backed by Zee Studios. The film is written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee, who are known for aPaatal Loka, aKohrraa, and aUdta Punjaba, and aKohrra 2a.

aBandara is set to release in theatres on June 5, 2026.
Kabul, April 27 : As many as six Pakistani soldiers have been killed in a clash between Afghanistan's border forces and Pakistani military personnel in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, Afghan media reported on Monday.

The tensions escalated late Sunday night when Pakistani military forces reportedly shot and killed an Afghan child. The incident provoked an immediate response from the Afghan security forces.

"The clash occurred in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, a key crossing point between the two countries. A source among Taliban ranks in Kandahar said six Pakistani soldiers were killed in the exchange, and one was captured. The body of another soldier was also recovered by Taliban forces, the source said," Amu TV reported.

Another news outlet, Ariana News, reported that Afghan forces have seized a number of light and heavy weapons during the clash amid heated tensions between Taliban and Pakistan that has led to border violence since late February.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Geo TV reported that two women were among three civilians injured after Afghan Taliban forces opened fire in South Waziristan, with security sources describing it as a "failed infiltration attempt by Fitna al-Khawarij militants".

Citing security sources, the report detailed that the incident occurred in the Zlol Khel area of Angoor Adda, where Afghan Taliban forces allegedly resorted to unprovoked firing after Pakistan Army foiled an infiltration attempt by militants seeking to enter from across the border.

Last week, a report highlighted that Pakistan's hardline stance against the Afghan Taliban appears to be aimed at countering the growing strategic alignment between Kabul and New Delhi, amid claims by the Pakistani Defence Minister that the Taliban has turned Afghanistan into an "Indian colony".

"The armed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan under Taliban rule has been ongoing since late February, with both sides exchanging threats; official casualty reports remain questionable and difficult to verify. The most recent escalation, marked by Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory, effectively ended the fragile ceasefire reached through regional mediation in October 2025. This deterioration is seen as almost inevitable against the backdrop of the complex history of relations between the two Muslim neighbours, which has rapidly worsened over the last five years," a report in 'The Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security' (JISS) detailed.

According to the report, the Taliban's return to power in 2021 initially raised hopes in Islamabad for a "strategic dividend" with expectations that Kabul would restrain the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, this did not materialise as TTP attacks surged, marking a deadly decade-high record of over 2,400 fatalities in 2025 among Pakistani security forces.

"The present round of fighting is the most significant escalation between the two countries since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, and it represents the culmination of persistent tensions that reignited after weeks of border friction. The collapse of mediation efforts and the shift toward 'open warfare' attest to the depth of the rift and the failure of diplomatic mechanisms to stabilise the shared border," it added.

Islamabad's growing frustration, it said, reflects not only the rising death toll but also the realisation that its long-standing influence over the Taliban has been almost completely diminished.
New Delhi, April 27 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday urged the Centre to ensure an uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, stressing that adequate fuel availability is critical for the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

During a meeting with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi, the Chief Minister discussed a range of issues linked to Uttarakhandas challenging geographical conditions and recurring disaster risks.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining seamless logistics during the yatra season, Dhami requested that the supply of commercial LPG cylinders be sustained at 100 per cent, as in previous years. He pointed out that the Char Dham Yatra, which runs from April to November, attracts lakhs of pilgrims from across India and abroad, significantly increasing the demand for fuel, especially in hotels, dhabas, and other service sectors catering to visitors.

According to the Chief Minister, Uttarakhand requires around 9.67 lakh commercial LPG cylinders during the pilgrimage period to meet the surge in consumption. Any disruption in supply, he warned, could adversely affect essential services and the overall experience of devotees undertaking the spiritually significant journey.

Dhami also underlined the stateas vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly during the monsoon months from June to September. He noted that landslides, road blockages, and extreme weather conditions often hamper transportation and supply chains in the hilly terrain, making LPG an indispensable resource for both residents and emergency response teams.

In view of these challenges, the Chief Minister sought an additional allocation of 5 per cent commercial LPG cylinders a" approximately 48,397 units a" to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure timely relief and rescue operations in case of emergencies.

He further emphasised that Uttarakhandas economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with religious tourism, including the Char Dham Yatra, serving as a major contributor. The pilgrimage not only holds immense religious and cultural significance but also supports livelihoods across sectors such as hospitality, transport, and local trade.

Responding to the requests, Puri assured the Chief Minister of the Centreas full support and said that necessary steps would be taken to address the stateas concerns. He reiterated the Union governmentas commitment to safeguarding the interests of Uttarakhand and facilitating the successful organisation of the yatra.
New Delhi, April 27 : Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday.

Trivedi has previously served as Railway Minister (2011) and also the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. His appointment as India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh comes at a time when both countries are making efforts to reset bilateral ties.

"Shri Dinesh Trivedi, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the People's Republic of Bangladesh. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly," the MEA announced.

On April 8, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Khalilur Rahman and his delegation in New Delhi, discussing bilateral ties, regional and global developments.

"We discussed strengthening our bilateral relationship in its various facets. Also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Agreed to remain in close touch," EAM Jaishankar had posted on X following the meeting.

Khalilur Rahman's India visit assumed significance as it was the first to India by a Bangladeshi minister since the BNP-led government assumed office in February, indicating a shift in the recalibration of India and Bangladesh ties, which had strained during the 18-month tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus amid escalating attacks on Hindu minorities and anti-India rhetoric.

Earlier this month, India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma had called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, discussing with him ways to enhance bilateral engagement and cooperation across key sectors.

During the meeting, Verma expressed India's willingness to deepen ties through a "positive, constructive and forward-looking approach" built on shared interest and mutual benefit.

In February, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited Bangladesh to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the BNP government. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Birla met Bangladesh PM Tarique Rehman and extended wishes to him on assuming office.
Rudraprayag, April 27 : The ongoing Char Dham Yatra is witnessing an overwhelming response from devotees across the country, with nearly 1.6 lakh pilgrims having offered prayers at Kedarnath Temple so far, officials confirmed on Monday.

Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said the surge in footfall reflects the deep faith and enthusiasm among devotees eager to seek blessings at one of Hinduism's most revered shrines. The DM noted that he has been stationed at Kedarnath since the temple doors opened on April 22, closely monitoring arrangements and pilgrim movement.

"I have been observing immense enthusiasm among people from across India for this yatra and darshan. So far, around 1,60,000 devotees have visited Kedarnath. With such large numbers, it naturally takes time for pilgrims to complete darshan," Mishra said.

He also acknowledged certain challenges that come with managing such heavy crowds. Instances of petty theft, including pickpocketing and mobile snatching, have been reported. However, he assured that the administration and police are actively addressing these concerns.

"Strict vigilance is being maintained. We are conducting continuous inspections and have also paid special attention to helipad operations to ensure visitors do not face inconvenience," he added.

Meanwhile, other religious places are also experiencing a steady influx of pilgrims. In Haridwar, preparations are in full swing as devotees gather in large numbers to begin their spiritual journey.

Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit highlighted the smooth progress of registration and management efforts.

"With the opening of the temple kapat, the yatra has gained full momentum. Since offline registration began at Rishikul on April 17, over 25,000 pilgrims have registered. Online registrations are also ongoing, and facilities have been streamlined for the convenience of all visitors," he said.

Officials further stated that coordinated efforts by multiple departments, along with regular inspections, are ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

According to a report from the State Emergency Operations Centre in Dehradun, a total of 2,38,590 pilgrims offered prayers at the revered shrines of Badrinath Dham, Kedarnath Dham, Yamunotri Dham, and Gangotri Dham till 7 p.m. on Saturday.

On Saturday alone, 55,998 pilgrims reached the Char Dham, reflecting the growing momentum of the annual yatra.
Kolkata, April 29 : Just 48 hours before the crucial second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Union Home Ministry on Monday issued an order extending the tenure of the current state Director General of Police (DGP) Siddh Nath Gupta by six months.

Gupta was supposed to retire from service on April 30.

\Under Secretary, Home Ministry, Sanjeev Kumar, on Monday, sent a communique to West Bengal Chief Secretary, Dushyant Nariala, to intimate him about the extension to Gupta beyond April 30, in relaxation of the Rule 16(I) (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.

The extension to Gupta had been given in the public interest, it said.

A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the polling and counting days for four states, including West Bengal and one Union Territory, West Bengal DGP Peeyush Pandey was replaced by Gupta, a 1992 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

At that time, the Commission also replaced other key police officials of the state, including the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the Additional Director General (law & order) and the Additional Director (Correctional Services), among others.

On the very same day, the ECI also replaced the Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakrabarty, with Nariala and Home Secretary, Jagdish Prasad Meena, with Sanghamitra Ghosh.

This was followed by a series of transfers, replacements, and deputations of a series of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and IPS officers. In the next stage, there were transfers and replacements of West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) and West Bengal Police officials, mainly in the ranks of block development officers among the former and inspectors of police in the latter.

The ruling Trinamool Congress had been opposing such large-scale transfers since the beginning and even approached the Calcutta High Court against them. However, the court refused to intervene in the matter.
Dharwad : , April 27 (IANS) The whistle-blower in a BJP leader's murder case, on Monday condemned the silent procession in Dharwad organised by supporters of former minister and Congress MLA, Vinay Kulkarni, who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in the case.

BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda murder case whistle-blower Basavaraj Koravar alleged that Kulkarni's supporters were attempting to mislead the public by portraying the case as a conspiracy.

Addressing a press conference in Dharwad, on Monday, Basavaraj Koravar also expressed dissatisfaction with Speaker U.T. Khader, questioning why Kulkarni had not yet been disqualified as an MLA despite the court pronouncing a life sentence in the case.

He demanded that an immediate order be issued declaring the Dharwad constituency seat vacant following the conviction.

Koravar said the protest was being projected as a fight against a conspiracy rather than against the court's verdict, and questioned the basis of such claims.

"They say it is not against the court but against those who allegedly conspired. What exactly is this conspiracy?" he asked.

Koravar further alleged that Vinay Kulkarni himself was involved in attempts to influence the case. He claimed that there had been efforts to reach a compromise with Gurunath Gowda, who is the brother of the deceased leader and that inducements were allegedly offered to Yogesh Gowda's wife.

He stated that all related audio and video evidence would be submitted before the court as part of the ongoing legal fight.

The remarks come amid heightened political tensions in the region after the recent developments in the case.

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.
Jaipur, April 27 : Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday strongly responded to remarks made by BJP state in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, who had described Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot as an "imposter" and questioned his political allegiance.

Jaipur, April 27 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday strongly responded to remarks made by BJP state in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, who had described Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot as an "imposter" and questioned his political allegiance.

Addressing the media, Gehlot dismissed the claims and asserted that Pilot remains firmly committed to the Congress.

"Both of his legs are firmly planted in the Congress, and they will remain there," Gehlot said, countering Agarwal's remark that Pilot had one leg in the party and the other elsewhere.

"Those who had strayed will now return -- the same people who once misled our members and took them away to Manesar," Gehlot said, recalling the events that unfolded during the political crisis in 2020. The veteran Congress leader also asserted that Pilot had drawn lessons from that episode. "Sachin Pilot ji has now understood, through experience, the consequences of such a mistake. He has gained clarity and steadied himself," he said.

Reiterating unity within the Congress, the former Rajasthan Chief Minister expressed confidence in Sachin Pilot's future within the party.

"I am confident he will never leave us again, and the entire party stands united with him," Gehlot said.

Earlier, a political controversy erupted in Rajasthan after Agarwal launched a scathing attack on Pilot, triggering a fresh war of words between the BJP and Congress.

Addressing a public gathering in Tonk, Agarwal questioned Pilot's political and regional identity, remarking: "We used to have our own MLA in Tonk. Today, however, an imposter has become the MLA of Tonk. He is neither a resident of your Tonk nor does he belong to Rajasthan."

Escalating his attack, the BJP leader added: "I wouldn't even dream of becoming an MLA in Rajasthan. I am not a 'fugitive' from UP; I am a strong politician rooted in that state. What kind of custom have you established here, where if someone sends a man from another state, you simply garland him and accept him?"

In a further swipe, Agarwal questioned Pilot's political allegiance, stating: "By forming a specific faction, they have effectively cast you aside. Who knows under what influence -- or what spell -- you ended up electing him as your MLA? One of his legs remains in the Congress party, while the other who knows where it is?"
Bhopal, April 27 : Congress MLA Anubha Munjare on Monday mounted a strong attack on the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government during a special one-day session of the state Assembly, raising issues related to women's safety, administrative inaction and the challenges faced by elected representatives.

Speaking in the House, Munjare drew attention to an ongoing protest in Balaghat city, where women have been staging an indefinite sit-in for nearly 20 days against the operation of a liquor shop located near an ancient Durga temple at Hanuman Chowk.

The Congress MLA alleged that despite the prolonged agitation, the district administration has failed to respond to the concerns of local residents.

"Women have been protesting for the past 20 days, yet the administration continues to ignore their demands. If our mothers and sisters are not safe, then the slogan of 'Nari Shakti' becomes meaningless," she said.

Highlighting what she described as administrative neglect, the Congress legislator also raised a personal issue, stating that her Personal Assistant (PA) had been withdrawn without any explanation.

"I have had no PA for the last six months. I have raised this matter repeatedly at every level, but my concerns have not been addressed," Munjare told the House.

She said the situation reflects a broader pattern where even elected representatives are denied basic support. "If an MLA is not being heard, one can imagine the plight of ordinary citizens," she said.

Munjare further criticised the government for what she termed a disconnect between its public messaging and ground realities. "There is continuous talk about empowering women, but the issues faced by women, whether they are public representatives or common citizens, are being ignored at the grassroots level," she said.

The Congress MLA, while speaking on the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' in the House, said that the Congress supports 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. However, she alleged that the Centre has attempted to politicise the issue.

"A false narrative is being created that the Opposition is obstructing its implementation. During parliamentary proceedings, there were attempts to push related measures, including delimitation, which we opposed," she said.
New Delhi, April 227 : The Iranian coast guard fired shots towards a Togo-flagged chemical tanker, MT Siron, which was boarded by individuals, including Indian sailors, at the Shinas Outer Port limits in Oman on April 25, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways revealed on Monday.

The vessel was near other ships when the Iranian Coast Guard intervened and fired warning shots, Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, stated during an inter-ministerial briefing on the recent developments in West Asia.

He mentioned that the ministry is coordinating closely with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of seafarers and continuity of operations in the region.

According to Randhawa, the DG Shipping control room has so far handled 7,780 calls and 16,650 emails, maintaining communication with 2,770 Indian ships, with 12 reporting updates.

"The situation is under close watch, with no cause for concern at present," he noted.

On April 22, Iran attacked a ship in the Strait of Hormuz that was on its way to Mundra Port in India. The attack took place only a few hours after US President Donald Trump had announced an indefinite ceasefire.

It was one of the two ships that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) announced it had attacked and taken over, according to the Iran's government-run Press TV.

IRGC-N identified the ships it attacked as the MSC-Francesca, and the Epaminodas, it said.

Two shipping monitoring sites said that Liberian-flagged Epaminodas was on its way to Mundra in Gujarat from the Jebel Ali port in Dubai.

On April 18, Iran attacked two Indian ships in the Strait that had received permission to traverse it. India had lodged a strong protest with Iran over the incidents.

IRGC-N said the two ships were attacked because they were "operating without authorisation".

A British Navy monitoring outfit confirmed that two ships were fired upon by IRGC gunboats and that one of them reported being immobilised, and the other was damaged.

IANS

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April 27 : Hooghly: Addressing a public rally in the Dhanekhali Assembly constituency of West Bengal, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the current condition of Bengal. He said that Bengal, once recognized for its art, literature, and industrial prosperity, has now been pushed toward deterioration.

First the Congress, then the Left governments, and for the past 15 years the TMC have made Bengal impoverished. When we chant Jai Shri Ram or Har Har Mahadev, Mamata Didi gets scared. She begins to see her power shaking.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that this sacred land of Bengal gave birth to Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who proclaimed Hare Ram-Hare Krishna through Hari Kirtan. On this very land, Swami Vivekananda gave the message to Hindus across the world: Say with pride that we are Hindus.

Today, when the TMC government is trying to change Bengals demography through a conspiracy, this proclamation of Swami Vivekananda inspires us anew. This is the land that gave birth to a great leader like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who infused new energy into the youth of India. Netaji had said, Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.

That same Bengal, once called the cultural capital of India because of its art and literature and a growth engine of the Indian economy due to its industries, is now a place where Mamata Didi gets upset over slogans like Jai Shri Ram and Har Har Mahadev. She starts to feel her power slipping.

CM Yogi said that he had recently visited Tarakeswar and offered prayers to Lord Taraknath. If there were a double-engine BJP government here, a grand corridor like Kashi Vishwanath would have been built at the Taraknath temple, devotees would have received better facilities, and every trader would have had the opportunity to run their business in an organized manner.

In Bengal, speaking about Indias Sanatan traditions is restricted. The states demography is being altered. Slogans like Jai Shri Ram, Durga Puja, and idol immersion processions are restricted. Meanwhile, Mamata Didi allows namaz on roads and organizes iftar feasts. Before any major Hindu festival, disturbances begin, curfews are imposed, and killings occur openly.

Incidents like love jihad and land jihad are continuously happening, yet the TMC remains silent. Today, Bengal has risen in protest against this silence and injustice. The people have taken to the streets to free themselves from TMCs misgovernance.

The Chief Minister said, Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh faced a similar situation. Today, hooliganism has ended, curfews have ended, and riots have stopped. Daughters and traders are safe. Love jihad and land jihad have been completely curbed. Cows will not be slaughtered, and Hindus will not be divided. This is now visibly evident in Uttar Pradesh. If anyone kills a cow, they will have to face the consequences. If any mafia threatens a trader or illegally seizes the property of a poor person or a businessman, the UP bulldozer will crush them.

He added, Today, the name of Lord Ram echoes across Uttar Pradesh. There is a chant of Hare Ram-Hare Ram, Ram-Ram Hare Hare, Hare Krishna-Hare Krishna, Krishna-Krishna Hare Hare. The chants of Har Har Mahadev and Namah Parvati Pataye, Har Har Mahadev also resonate.

Chief Minister Yogi said that the Bengal which gave India its national anthem, the land of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagores legacy - what has become of it today? TMC goons occupy places everywhere. However, after the trends from the first phase of voting on April 23, a new enthusiasm has emerged. TMC goons are now looking for hiding places. When the results come on May 4, they will be seen somewhere on the streets fixing punctures.

He added, A double-engine BJP government means good governance. It guarantees the benefits of government schemes, development, safety of daughters, security of traders, employment for Bengals youth, and self-reliance for mothers and sisters. It will pave the way for the development of grand corridors at heritage sites like Mahakali Sthan and Baba Taraknath Dham. In a double-engine government, there will be no restriction on saying Jai Shri Ram or Har Har Mahadev, but iftar feasts on roads will certainly be stopped.

Chief Minister Yogi said, TMC is also anti-SC/ST. For the first time, a daughter of India, a woman born into a tribal community, holds the countrys highest constitutional office. Yet, when she visits Bengal, Mamata Didi does not follow protocol and does not accord her proper respect.

He said, Now you have an opportunity. Do not be afraid - you must not be intimidated. The time has come to respond to TMCs goons. Those who have killed BJP workers, harassed traders, looted industries, and created an identity crisis for the youth will now learn what the response to loot, bribery, and hooliganism is. There is no need to fear. With full enthusiasm, unite and come forward - everyone who stands for Amar Sonar Bangla.
New Delhi, April 27 : Calling it a transformative step for inclusive growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the newly signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will unlock wide-ranging opportunities across key segments of society, from farmers and small businesses to startups and students.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi described the pact as a 'landmark moment' in bilateral ties, emphasising that it reflects the deep trust, shared values and growing ambition between the two nations.

He underlined that the agreement is not just about trade expansion but about empowering diverse sections of society and accelerating India's development trajectory.

"Today marks a landmark moment in the India-New Zealand partnership. I am delighted that the India-New Zealand FTA signed today will add unprecedented momentum to our developmental partnership," PM Modi said.

"It reflects the deep trust, shared values and ambition that bind our two nations," the Prime Minister stated.

He also highlighted New Zealand's $20 billion investment commitment, noting that it would strengthen cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology, paving the way for a more dynamic economic partnership.

"This agreement will greatly benefit our farmers, youth, women, MSMEs, artisans, startups, students and innovators," Prime Minister Modi said.

"It will open new avenues for growth, create opportunities and deepen our synergy across sectors," he stated.

Echoing similar optimism, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the deal as a "historic milestone" that signals a new phase in bilateral relations.

Luxon recalled that negotiations began just 13 months ago following his visit to India, and credited ministers and officials from both countries for swiftly concluding a comprehensive agreement.

"India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, but our trade relationship has only begun to scratch the surface of its potential. Prime Minister Modi and I could see that an FTA would be a massive opportunity for the two countries," he stated.
Chennai, April 27 : The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) on Monday urged the postponement of the upcoming meeting of the Cauvery Management Authority (CMA), citing the absence of elected governments in key stakeholder States due to ongoing Assembly elections.

In a statement, Tamil Nadu State Secretary of CPM, P. Shanmugam, said the 50th meeting of the Authority, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on April 29, should be deferred until after the formation of new governments in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, where elections have recently been held, and results are due on May 4.

Shanmugam noted that the Cauvery water-sharing issue involves multiple States  Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry  and requires careful deliberation with the involvement of duly elected governments.

Holding such a crucial meeting in the absence of elected representatives, he argued, would not be appropriate.

He pointed out that the CMA was constituted to oversee the implementation of water-sharing arrangements, including ensuring that Karnataka releases 177.25 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) of water annually to Tamil Nadu, as mandated by the Supreme Court of India. The Authority also serves as a forum to address disputes and review compliance related to the interstate river.

Raising further concerns, the CPM leader said that the agenda for the April 29 meeting had not been made public. In such a situation, officials attending the meeting would be unable to present well-considered views, as they would lack the guidance of elected governments  a practice typically followed in matters of inter-State significance.

"Decisions taken without political consultation may not reflect the interests or positions of the States concerned," he said, adding that any discussion on sensitive water-sharing issues must involve accountable leadership.

The party, therefore, called on the Centre to defer the meeting and reconvene it after the new governments assume office, ensuring that all participating States are adequately represented at the political level.

The demand comes amid heightened sensitivity over Cauvery water sharing, a long-standing and contentious issue in southern India.
New Delhi, April 27 : The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand has drawn strong support from policymakers, industry leaders and trade representatives, who described it as a "balanced" and "forward-looking'' pact expected to significantly boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

New Zealandas Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, termed the agreement ''very comprehensive'', stressing that both sides had worked hard to ensure it remains equitable. He said the pact would open up vast opportunities for businesses and individuals in both nations.

''Itas a very comprehensive agreement. Weave worked very hard to make sure itas balanced. It will be a huge opportunity for Indians in New Zealand and New Zealanders here. It is about two countries that want to cooperate,'' McClay told IANS.

He also highlighted the growing personal rapport between Piyush Goyal and himself, as well as between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon, expressing confidence that bilateral trade would see significant growth in the coming years.

Echoing similar sentiments, former New Zealand MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi described the agreement as a ''remarkable commitment'' by both governments. He said the FTA is expected to benefit both countries equally, with a target to double trade volumes within five years.

''I think it is a very good step and the commitment shown by both governments is remarkable. Hopefully, this will benefit both countries. Trade is expected to double in five years,'' Bakshi said, citing the example of New Zealandas trade growth with China over the past decades.

From Indiaas political leadership, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal told IANS, "It is a very historic day today, when under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, has done FTA with New Zealand. In large numbers, India's pharmaceuticals, India's textiles, AI-generated products, auto components, and in large numbers, other goods can now be exported to New Zealand easily.''

''At the same time, India can import wool, timber and education technology from New Zealand. This is a win-win situation for both countries,'' he added.

Industry leaders also welcomed the development, noting its long-term potential. Sunil Kaushal, Chief Executive of the India New Zealand Business Council, said the agreement marks a new phase in bilateral ties.

''This FTA is very positive because it will bring both countries closer. This is just a start, and both nations have already been working together for over 16 years,'' he said.

Highlighting sector-specific benefits, A Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, said the pact would open new doors for Indian apparel exporters, who currently have a limited share in New Zealandas market.

''New Zealandas apparel market is around $1.4 billion, but Indiaas share is only about 4 per cent. This agreement provides an opportunity to double our business in the next two to three years,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Anant Swarup, Secretary General at FICCI, said the FTA reflects Indiaas growing readiness to integrate with the global economy.

''We view this FTA from two perspectives. First, it shows India is ready to integrate more deeply with the global economy. Second, it demonstrates that Indian industry is prepared to strengthen itself and compete globally,'' Swarup noted.
New Delhi, April 27 : As the overall flight situation in the Gulf region continues to improve, Air India and Indigo are also planning to resume flight operations from Qatar to India soon, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday.

With Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is already operating flights to various destinations in India, according to a statement issued by the MEA.

Additional flights are now operating from the Middle East, with around 105 flights expected on Monday between the UAE and India as airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi on operational and safety considerations.

Flights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to destinations in India. The Kuwait airspace is also open. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways have resumed limited flight operations from Kuwait to India. Bahrain airspace is open. Gulf Air is operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in India.

Besides, Iraq's airspace is open with limited flight operations to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India.

Iran's airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights, but Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to Iran, and those already there are urged to leave via the land border, with the embassyas support, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.

So far, the Indian embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,445 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes, the statement said.

Israel's airspace is open, and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India.

Indian Missions remain actively engaged with the Indian community, including the various associations, organisations, professional groups, Indian companies, and other stakeholders in the region.

Since February 28, around 12,96,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India.

Indian Missions and Posts continue to operate round-the-clock helplines and are proactively assisting Indian nationals. They remain in close contact with the local governments.

Updated advisories are being issued regularly, including information on local government guidelines, flight and travel situations and consular services and various welfare measures being undertaken to support the Indian community, the statement added.
Las Palmas De Gran Canaria : , April 27 (IANS) The Indian Navy's Sail Training Ship, INS Sudarshini, concluded a landmark three-day port call at Las Palmas, Canary Islands, marking a pivotal milestone in its Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition, the Ministry of Defence stated on Monday.

The visit to the Spanish archipelago provided an important avenue for maritime diplomacy and professional engagement, the ministry mentioned.

INS Sudarshini's Commanding Officer called on RAdm Santiago de Colsa Trueba, Chief of Canary Islands Naval Command, an exchange which highlighted the strengthening bilateral ties and the deepening partnership between the two navies, the ministry detailed.

It further stated that during the port call, the ship was open to visitors, drawing large numbers from the local community and the Indian diaspora. Showcasing India's proud seafaring legacy, the visitors were provided a guided tour of the ship, sharing invaluable experiences of ocean sailing and bonds of friendship across the ocean.

INS Sudarshini now proceeds to its next destination  Mindelo, Cape Verde, having completed seven port calls and maritime engagements with the Navies of West Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa. "The voyage epitomises the Indian Navy's commitment to building Bridges of Friendship and mutual trust across the nations," the Indian Defence Ministry noted.

This visit is a part of the vessel's ongoing transoceanic deployment under Lokayan 26, and the stopover serves as a strategic pause before the ship embarks on her ambitious trans-Atlantic passage, spokesperson of the Indian Navy mentioned.

The vessel sailed from Kochi in January and made port calls in Oman, Egypt, Malta, France, and Morocco, spreading the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the Indian Navy emphasised.

The sail training ship, designed by a UK naval architect and built in Goa, aims to cover a total distance of 22,000 nautical miles. The Lokayan-26 journey is meant for sailing training of Indian Navy cadets and to promote maritime goodwill across the world.

IANS

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New Delhi, April 27 : Launching a scathing attack on the Punjab government, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday said the AAP government has failed in procurement of wheat.

He accused the state administration of criminal negligence, gross mismanagement, and deliberately harassing farmers and farm labourers.

Bittu said here while the Union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made every possible arrangement for smooth procurement, the Punjab government has exposed its incompetence and anti-farmer mindset.

"The Centre has approved a massive Rs 30,973 crore cash credit limit (CCL) for Punjab. Every logistical and procurement arrangement has been completed in advance yet farmers are forced to sleep in 'mandis', their produce lies unattended, and labourers are suffering because the Punjab government has failed on every front," Bittu said in a statement.

He said the Centre had allocated 4.88 lakh bales (1 bale equal to 500 bags) for 2026-27 and also granted permission to procure additional stock through the GeM portal whenever required.

Even quality specifications were relaxed by the Union government to ensure no farmer suffers losses.

"Despite all support from the Centre, the Punjab government has no excuse left. If bags are available, storage space is created, CCL is sanctioned, and procurement norms are relaxed, then why is wheat not being purchased on time?" he asked.

Bittu also highlighted the proactive role played by the FCI and Indian Railways in clearing existing foodgrain stocks to create storage space.

"I personally monitored daily movement throughout April. Till 26 April, 275 rakes were moved from Punjab -- 109 rice and 166 wheat rakes. In the same period, Haryana moved only 131 rakes. Railways are fully prepared to provide more rakes within hours whenever FCI informs us," he said.

He added that recurring power cuts during the peak season have further worsened the crisis, disrupting 'mandi' operations and causing hardship to labourers. He demanded immediate intervention by the Chief Minister and warned that history will not forgive a government that abandons farmers in their hour of need.
New Delhi, April 27 : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said on Monday that it may approach the Supreme Court if the Uttarakhand High Court does not grant relief in pleas challenging certain provisions of the state government's law on madrasa registration.

Alleging that there appears to be a concerted attempt to undermine Islamic seminaries, the Board, in a statement, said that the Uttarakhand government has introduced a law making it mandatory for all madrasas to register with a government educational board.

"We believe that this law is in clear violation of the guarantees and Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution; indeed, it is also contrary to the very expectations from a secular state," said AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani.

"Some cases related to this matter are currently under consideration before the Uttarakhand High Court, and if necessary, the matter will also be taken to the Supreme Court," he said.

Offering support to the cause on behalf of organisations such as Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Majlis Ittehad-e-Millat, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Rahmani said that opposing the law and preserving the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of madrasas is the responsibility of the entire Muslim community.

"In this regard, all representative organisations stand with you and will extend their fullest possible support to the madrasas," he said.

Reiterating his criticism of the Uttarakhand move, Rahmani said the Constitution of India guarantees religious freedom under Articles 25 and 26, while Article 30 grants religious minorities the right to establish and administer their own educational institutions.

He said religious seminaries (madrasas) are among the most vital institutions for the preservation of religious values and that the Constitution recognises these as Fundamental Rights; therefore, their protection is a collective responsibility of the Muslim community.

Madrasas have played a significant role in the freedom struggle and development of the country and continue to do so, he said. However, he added, it is regrettable that certain elements are attempting to deprive minorities of their religious identity.

In October last year, Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh approved the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025. With the implementation of this law, all madrasas operating in the state will, from July 1, 2026, be required to obtain recognition from the Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority and affiliation with the Uttarakhand School Education Board. This move is expected to be a milestone in making the state's education system more uniform, inclusive and modern.
Kolkata, April 27 : The Directorate of Enforcement's Kolkata Zonal Office has expanded its investigation into a high-profile money laundering case involving a sophisticated network of individuals and shell companies in West Bengal.

Kolkata, April 27 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcementas Kolkata Zonal Office has expanded its investigation into a high-profile money laundering case involving a sophisticated network of individuals and shell companies in West Bengal.

On Sunday (April 26, 2026), the agency conducted searches at three premises in Kolkata linked to Kalyan Shukla and Sanjay Kumar Kanodia.

These raids led to the seizure of Rs 10 lakh in cash, gold jewellery, and a substantial cache of digital devices and incriminating documents.

According to an official statement, the seized materials indicate large-scale cash dealings between the prime suspects and several politically exposed persons.

The investigation primarily centres on Jay S Kamdar, who was arrested on April 19 and remains in custody following orders of a special PMLA court. He is alleged to be the kingpin of an extensive illegal hawala operation facilitating both domestic and international cross-border transactions through numerous shell entities.

Further probe into his financial dealings revealed that he was instrumental in siphoning off more than Rs 40 crore from an educational trust based in Kolkata.

Beyond financial irregularities, Kamdar is also under scrutiny for his alleged links with Sona Pappu, also known as Biswajit Poddar. Investigators suspect that Kamdar supplied firearms to Soma Sonar Poddar, wife of Sona Pappu, though she has reportedly not disclosed details of these transactions.

A key aspect of the case is the alleged collusion between the accused and senior law enforcement officials. The agency has identified that Kamdar maintained close contact with several police officers, including Santanu Sinha Biswas, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

It is alleged that Kamdar provided expensive gifts and favours to these officers and their families to gain influence within the department. This influence was allegedly misused to file fraudulent complaints against individuals, particularly in disputes involving high-value immovable properties.

While the residential premises of the Deputy Commissioner of Police were searched earlier this month, the officer was not present during the process and has not appeared before the agency despite multiple summons.

The ongoing investigation follows earlier searches on April 1, during which the agency seized nearly Rs 1.47 crore in cash, gold and silver valued at over Rs 67 lakh, a luxury vehicle, and an unlicensed revolver.

The agency has identified several land parcels and buildings suspected to have been acquired through a systematic course of illegal activity.

The proceeds of crime in the case are believed to have been generated through multiple illicit activities, including extortion, unauthorised construction, and forcible grabbing of real estate by entities linked to the accused.

As the Directorate of Enforcement continues to analyse digital evidence seized during the latest searches, further arrests and attachment of assets are expected in what appears to be a complex financial and administrative racket.
Chandigarh, April 27 : In a significant step towards women empowerment, the Haryana Assembly during its special one-day session on Monday approved a government resolution in the absence of the main Opposition Congress for the formation of a special committee on women empowerment.

With this initiative under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, Haryana will become the first state to take such a step. The resolution in this regard was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda.

Accepting Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's request at the conclusion of the session, Speaker Harvinder Kalyan announced the formation of a nine-member special committee on women empowerment in the Vidhan Sabha.

The committee will include five women members, including the Chairperson. The tenure of the committee will be one year.

CM Saini expressed his gratitude to the Speaker and the members of the House for approving the formation of the committee.

The Chief Minister said the constitution of the committee would strengthen women in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the committee would prove to be a milestone in the direction of women's empowerment.

The Congress boycotted the session and held a mock session of the Assembly outside the Vidhan Sabha.

Speaking in the House, CM Saini underlined that no society can be truly progressive unless women are guaranteed dignity, equal opportunities, and a decisive role in governance and nation-building.

Reflecting this commitment, the Chief Minister moved a significant resolution, advocating 33 per cent reservation for women in state Assemblies, in line with similar provisions in the Lok Sabha.

The resolution was passed by voice vote in the House.

The Chief Minister also referred to the broader national vision of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, underlining that women constitute one of the four key pillars of this resolve.

He said the women are one of the four key pillars of this vision, alongside the poor, youth, and farmers, and their participation is essential to achieving the goal of a developed India. He highlighted that under the leadership at the national level, concrete steps have been taken to ensure women's participation in governance.

He mentioned the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in 2023, aimed at ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in the Parliament and state Assemblies. The Chief Minister said that while the law was initially expected to be implemented by 2034, efforts are being made to advance its implementation to 2029. He also referred to the special session of Parliament held in April to advance this historic legislation and strengthen women's representation in legislative bodies.

The Chief Minister slammed the Congress, stating that its conduct has once again exposed its approach towards women's rights.

"The Congress has once again exposed its real face. When it comes to women's rights, they step back at the crucial moment," he said, adding the same attitude seen in the Lok Sabha was repeated in the state Assembly.

CM Saini clarified that the resolution was brought to provide an opportunity for course correction. Expressing disappointment, the Chief Minister said that when the House convened specifically to deliberate on women's empowerment, the Opposition chose to remain absent and walked out. They speak about women's empowerment outside the House, but avoid even participating in discussion when it matters inside, he said.

"This resolution is an opportunity for course correction, but instead of supporting the women, the Opposition chose to walk out." The Chief Minister added that the Opposition should have remained present in the House and participated in the discussion rather than resorting to a walkout.

The Chief Minister said the conduct of the Congress and its INDI alliance clearly showed a lack of seriousness towards women's rights. He said their absence "is not just political, it reflects indifference towards the rights of women". He said that due to flawed policies in the past, women have not received their full rights, and this was an opportunity to correct that.

The Chief Minister said this was a crucial opportunity for the Opposition to support the resolution and send a positive message to its top leadership. "If there is any mistake at the top level, this House could have corrected it. But they chose to follow the same approach here as well," he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that such behaviour should be condemned. He said the Opposition should have stayed in the House, participated in the discussion, and if they wished to protest, they should have done so after placing their views or recording their dissent.

He further said their absence "is extremely unfortunate and indicated that a formal condemnation resolution against their conduct should be brought in the House".
Hyderabad, April 27 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Monday said that political parties come and go, reacting to the formation of Telangana Rashtra Sena by his sister K. Kavitha.

"Parties come and go. There is no need to pay much attention to it," he said while replying to queries at a press conference here.

Referring to certain remarks made by Kavitha about BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), KTR said that many people speak about KCR and there is no need to pay attention to such comments either.

KTR was briefing the media on the valedictory meeting of the BRS party's silver jubilee celebrations, presided over by KCR at the party headquarters, Telangana Bhavan.

The BRS strongly condemned remarks made in Parliament by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who allegedly compared the formation of Telangana with the creation of Pakistan. KTR termed the remarks an insult to the self-respect of the people of Telangana.

He criticised both Congress and BJP MPs from Telangana for remaining silent in Parliament despite such statements. KTR said that had there been a BRS MP, an immediate and strong response would have been ensured on the floor of the House.

KTR said that he personally spoke to Tejasvi Surya over the phone, conveying strong objections and stating that the remarks were inappropriate and hurtful. He added that the BJP MP issued a clarification only after the BRS raised the issue.

MPs, MLAs, MLCs, along with state executive committee members, district presidents, heads of affiliated associations, former MPs, former MLCs, former MLAs, former corporation chairpersons and former Zilla Parishad chairpersons attended the meeting.

KTR said that KCR provided comprehensive direction to the party leadership and cadre, extended greetings on the party's Formation Day, and expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the Telangana movement.

He also announced the appointment of senior leader Jeevan Reddy as the party's General Secretary.

KTR said that KCR elaborated on the conditions that prevailed in Telangana prior to the formation of the state and the political landscape of that period. He highlighted KCR's 25-year-long struggle, marked by determination and strategic use of positions and resignations, which ultimately led to the achievement of statehood.

KTR expressed concern over the hardships faced by farmers, stating that Telangana is once again witnessing an agricultural crisis similar to the pre-statehood period.

He cited issues such as power cuts, farmer suicides, seed and fertiliser shortages, and delays in paddy procurement.

The BRS working president accused the Congress government of mis-governance, stating that a state once recognised for development is now being pushed towards disorder. He alleged that Telangana is being turned into "number one" in illegal land grabs and house demolitions.

He further criticised the government's inability to effectively implement drinking water schemes like Mission Bhagiratha and questioned the lack of decisive action in paddy procurement.

KTR said that KCR has directed a complete focus on party restructuring. All party committees, except the State Executive Committee, have been dissolved, and new committees will be constituted soon.

The meeting passed a resolution demanding unrestricted paddy procurement across the state and warned of a statewide agitation if issues persist.

KTR also criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, urging him to maintain the dignity of his office and refrain from personal attacks.

He alleged that the Chief Minister lacks understanding of policy matters and resorts to abusive language instead of constructive debate. KTR dismissed claims about the BRS party's relevance, stating that the Congress itself has struggled nationally for over a decade.

He further accused the Chief Minister of failing to honour promises made to farmers, including loan waivers sworn in the name of deities at Basara, Yadagirigutta and Jogulamba temples.
New Delhi, April 27 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess progress on strengthening trade and infrastructure in Uttarakhand's border areas, with a particular focus on connectivity along the India-Nepal frontier.

New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess progress on strengthening trade and infrastructure in Uttarakhandas border areas, with a particular focus on connectivity along the India-Nepal frontier.

The meeting was held at Uttarakhand Sadan in New Delhi, where the Chief Minister interacted with Jayant Singh, Chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India, along with other senior officials.

During the discussion, CM Dhami reviewed the progress of the under-construction modern land port project at Banbasa in Champawat district, located on the India-Nepal border. The project is being developed as a key infrastructure initiative aimed at boosting cross-border trade and enhancing international connectivity.

Officials informed that the land port is expected to be integrated with the Asian Highway network, which will significantly improve regional logistics and mobility.

The Chief Minister also held detailed deliberations on improving trade, transportation, and infrastructure facilities in border regions such as Dharchula and Jhulaghat in Pithoragarh district. These areas are strategically important due to their proximity to Nepal and their potential to emerge as active trade corridors.

Emphasising the importance of balanced regional development, Dhami said that infrastructure projects in border areas should be executed by prioritising local needs and public interest. He noted that such efforts would not only improve connectivity but also promote local products by providing better access to markets.

''The strengthening of border infrastructure will play a crucial role in boosting the local economy. It will generate employment opportunities and improve ease of movement for residents in these remote regions,'' the Chief Minister said during the meeting.

He further directed the Land Ports Authority of India to ensure that all ongoing development works aimed at facilitating local residents are completed in a timely and systematic manner. He stressed the need for coordination among agencies to avoid delays and ensure that projects meet quality standards.

Officials said that the state government is actively working towards enhancing trade linkages and infrastructure in border areas, recognising their importance in both economic development and strategic connectivity.

The review meeting underlined the Uttarakhand governmentas continued focus on transforming border regions into hubs of economic activity while ensuring sustainable development and improved living standards for local communities.
Bhopal, April 27 : In a major boost to wildlife conservation, Madhya Pradesh is set to witness the return of wild buffalo after more than a century, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav scheduled to formally launch the reintroduction programme in Balaghat on Tuesday.

The initiative will begin in the Supkhar and Topla areas of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, where the Chief Minister will release a group of four wild buffaloes -- three females and one male -- into their natural habitat.

This marks the first phase of an ambitious plan to establish a viable wild buffalo population in the state.

The animals are being translocated from Kaziranga National Park, which currently holds one of the largest populations of the species.

Officials in the Forest Department said a total of 50 buffaloes will be introduced over time as part of a scientifically designed "founder population", with eight animals scheduled for relocation in the current season.

The process is being closely monitored by experts and veterinarians from both reserves.

The programme also signals a broader wildlife cooperation agreement between Madhya Pradesh and Assam.

As part of this exchange, two pairs of rhinos will be brought to Van Vihar National Park, while Madhya Pradesh will send three tigers and six crocodiles to Assam.

The agreement was finalised during discussions between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Yadav said the return of wild buffalo, following the success of Project Cheetah, will further strengthen the state's biodiversity and ecological balance.

He noted that Madhya Pradesh, already known as the "Tiger State" and "Leopard State", is now expanding its conservation efforts.

Wild buffalo had disappeared from the region due to excessive hunting, habitat degradation and human interference, with the last recorded sighting in Kanha's Supkhar region dating back to 1979.

A study by the Wildlife Institute of India identified Kanha's grasslands, water availability and low human disturbance as ideal for their reintroduction.
Bhopal/Jabalpur, April 27 : Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Monday questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government's seriousness in pursuing the Other Backwards Classes reservation case, even as the Madhya Pradesh High Court initiated structured hearings on the long-pending issue.

Patwari said that the issue of Other Backwards Classes reservation is inextricably linked to the future of lakhs of youths, students, and families, yet the Bharatiya Janata Party government's inaction is deeply unfortunate.

He alleged that, despite clear timelines set by the Supreme Court, the state government has failed to demonstrate urgency or preparedness.

Patwari's remarks came on a day when significant procedural progress was made in the High Court at Jabalpur, where a division bench led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf took up as many as 86 petitions related to the 27 per cent Other Backwards Classes reservation.

Due to two division benches being on leave, the hearing began later than scheduled and lasted only 35 minutes, from 4:35 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.

Despite the limited time, the court laid down a clear roadmap for the hearings by categorising all petitions into two separate batches: those opposing the enhanced quota and those supporting it.

The bench decided that arguments from petitioners challenging the 27 per cent reservation would be heard first.

This will be followed by submissions from the state government and then by those defending the quota.

The court also sought undertakings from all parties regarding the time required to complete their arguments, signalling its intent to expedite the proceedings.

A dedicated daily time slot from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. has now been fixed for the hearing.

Senior advocate Pradeep Sancheti is set to argue against the quota increase, while Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj will represent the state government.

Referring to the background of the case, Patwari noted that the Congress government led by Kamal Nath had increased Other Backward Classes reservation from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in 2019, calling it a "historic step towards social justice".

However, he said the issue has remained entangled in legal disputes since then, delaying recruitment and affecting lakhs of aspirants.

He also criticised the absence of senior law officers during hearings.

He said that at such a crucial juncture, the failure of the Advocate General to appear in person raises serious doubts about the government's intent, adding that thousands of candidates have been waiting for appointments for years.

Linking the court's push for time-bound hearings with his concerns, Patwari said the government must now act with seriousness and ensure effective legal representation.

He said that Other Backward Classes reservation cannot be protected through mere formalities.

He reiterated that the Congress will continue to press the government on the issue and fight to safeguard the constitutional rights of the Other Backward Classes community.


New Delhi, April 27 : With per capita income hovering around USD 80,000, the USA is among the richest societies in human history. Its technological sophistication, institutional depth, and global influence are unmatched. Yet, beneath this extraordinary wealth lies a social landscape that is, for millions, marked by dysfunction, insecurity, and despair. This is not poverty born of scarcity; it is a distress amidst abundance.

The epidemic of "deaths of despair" in the US, documented by Anne Case and Angus Deaton, records over 100,000 drug overdose deaths annually, alongside rising suicides and alcohol-related mortality. Among certain demographic groups  particularly less-educated middle-aged Americans  mortality rates have actually worsened over time, an anomaly in the developed world.

Visible disorder compounds the picture. In cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, homelessness has become entrenched and conspicuous. Hundreds of thousands live without stable shelter on any given night, often struggling with severe mental illness or addiction. These are not slums born of mass rural migration or subsistence poverty; they are the result of systemic failures in housing, public health, and social protection.

The opioid epidemic offers an even starker indictment. What began as a medically sanctioned wave of prescription painkillers has evolved into widespread addiction, then into heroin and fentanyl dependence. Entire regions have been hollowed out. This was not an unavoidable tragedy  it was, in significant part, the outcome of regulatory failure and corporate malpractice.

Violence, too, occupies a peculiar place in American life. With roughly 45,000 to 50,000 gun deaths annually and a civilian arsenal unmatched anywhere in the world, the US stands as a stark outlier among advanced democracies. The persistence of such levels of lethality reflects not inevitability, but political choice.

Then there is incarceration. With close to two million people behind bars, the US maintains the highest prisoner population in the world. The system falls disproportionately on minorities and the poor, entrenching cycles of marginalization. It is not merely a criminal justice regime; it is a social order that has normalized and commercialised mass confinement.

Healthcare presents perhaps the most revealing paradox. The US spends nearly a fifth of its GDP on healthcare  far more than its peers  yet leaves millions uninsured or underinsured, with medical bills bankrupting more than half a million Americans each year. Outcomes such as life expectancy and infant mortality compare poorly with other wealthy nations. This reflects inefficiency on a grand scale, but also structural inequity.

Education, long celebrated as the engine of American mobility, now reflects a deepening divide. While elite institutions remain world-leading, large segments of the population face declining standards and crushing student debt, now exceeding USD 1.7 trillion. Even as trends in upward mobility through education weaken, costs have soared.

For decades, economic growth and productivity gains have failed to translate into rising real wages for most workers. As wealth is concentrated at the top, economic insecurity spreads downward. A significant proportion of Americans live paycheque to paycheque, with limited resilience to shocks. The old promise  that each generation would do better than the last  no longer holds.

Perhaps the most damning indicator is aggregate: life expectancy in the US has stagnated, even declined in recent years. For a country of such immense wealth, this is extraordinary. It signals not just isolated failures, but systemic malaise.

Across most of these parameters, the situation has worsened significantly under Donald Trump's leadership. Trump is presiding over a declining empire, and is enormously accelerating the approach to collapse. America's future is almost certainly going to be much worse than its present, as Washington embraces international chaos, and the world turns away, engineering alternatives to the fragmenting US hegemony.

India's failures are, to a considerable extent, the failures of a country still struggling to generate sufficient wealth and distribute it effectively. The United States' failures are of a different order. They persist at levels of prosperity where such outcomes are neither necessary nor typical among peer societies.

There are, in the world today, hellholes of necessity and hellholes of choice.

India, for all its inequities and injustices, belongs largely to the former. The US, despite its immense resources, is certainly among the latter  a society where deprivation is not imposed by scarcity, but sustained by ideology, politics and institutional design.

(The author is Executive Director, Institute for Conflict Management)
Washington, April 27 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for renewed efforts to "bring life" into the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Across the decades, the international community developed a web of instruments to prevent the use, proliferation and testing of nuclear weapons, and achieve their total elimination, with the NPT as the bedrock of those efforts, Guterres said at the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT, which will run from April 27 to May 22 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Warning that the treaty has been eroding, commitments remain unfulfilled, trust and credibility are wearing thin, and the drivers of proliferation are accelerating, Guterres said: "This conference provides a timely opportunity to stand together and safeguard humanity from the grave threat of nuclear annihilation," reported Xinhua news agency.

Noting that "a state of collective amnesia has taken hold" and "nuclear sabers rattle once more," the UN chief said that for the first time in decades, the number of nuclear warheads is "on the rise" and nuclear testing is "back on the table."

"We need to breathe life into the treaty once more," he stressed, urging countries to keep their promises under the NPT.

"It's time to re-commit to disarmament and non-proliferation as the only true path to peace, by reinforcing the norm against nuclear testing, by strengthening the safeguards system and the IAEA's (International Atomic Energy Agency) oversight, and by agreeing (on) the measures needed to prevent nuclear war," he said.

The UN chief underlined that the nuclear threat is compounded by new dangers from rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, noting that the treaty must grapple with the nexus between nuclear weapons and new technologies.

"With your support and engagement, the treaty can remain an active and strong foundation for a world free of nuclear weapons in our fast-moving age," said the secretary-general.

"So before it's too late: let's break the collective amnesia around nuclear weapons. Let's renew faith in what we can achieve when we stand as one. Let's act with urgency to lift this cloud hanging over humanity," he said.

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Moscow, April 27 : Russia has significantly expanded the list of European Union-affiliated individuals prohibited from entering Russia in response to the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday.a Moscow, April 27 (IANS) Russia has significantly expanded the list of European Union-affiliated individuals prohibited from entering Russia in response to the European Unionas 20th sanctions package against Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday.a

The ministry stated that the decisions are unlawful, and the prohibited list includes representatives of European institutions, European Union member states, and a number of European states aligned with Brussels' anti-Russian policies.a

The European Union continues to pressure Russia by escalating unilateral restrictive measures.a

The latest sanctions package was approved by the European Union Council on April 23.a

The ministry highlighted that such actions by Brussels, bypassing the United Nations Security Council, constitute a flagrant violation of international law.a

It added that the list of people who are banned includes those involved in decisions regarding military aid to Ukraine, engaging in activities aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of Russia, imposing anti-Russian sanctions, damaging Russia's relations with third countries, obstructing maritime navigation in the interests of Russia, engaging in the trumped-up prosecution of Russian officials, establishing a "tribunal" against the Russian leadership, and advocating for the illegal seizure of Russian state assets or the use of profits from them.a

Russia has also imposed measures against civil society activists and representatives of the academic community in European countries who hold hostile positions towards Russia.a

Members of the national parliaments of European Union member states, and the European Parliament, who voted for anti-Russian resolutions and bills are also included in this list.a

The ministry further stated that the European Unionas destructive policies are incapable of affecting Moscowas foreign policy.a

It said Russia has been and remains committed to protecting its national interests, ensuring the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and consistently participating in the formation of a just, multipolar world order.

The European Union also finalised a a90 billion loan to Ukraine along with the 20th sanctions package against Russia.a

a
Bhopal, April 27 : The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly witnessed a day of intense political friction as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government successfully passed a resolution concerning women's reservation during a special one-day session on Monday.

While the government celebrated the passage of the "Nari Shakti Vandan Sankalp", the proceedings were marked by a dramatic walkout by Congress members who accused the ruling party of delaying the delivery of actual benefits to women due to procedural hurdles.

The day began with both political parties holding separate legislative meetings to finalise their strategies.

At the residence of the Leader of the Opposition, Umang Singhar, the Congress party reached a unanimous decision to demand the immediate implementation of a thirty-three per cent reservation across all two hundred and thirty Assembly constituencies in the state.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party prepared to present a resolution that aligns with the national framework for women's empowerment.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav moved the formal resolution in the House, proposing a one-third reservation for women in Parliament and all state legislative assemblies.

However, the proposal specified that these provisions would take effect only after the completion of the delimitation process.

This specific clause became the primary point of contention.

Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar argued that the Bharatiya Janata Party's plan effectively pushes the reservation benefits beyond the year 2028 or 2029.

He asserted that if the government were sincere about empowerment, it would grant the quota based on the current seat allocation rather than wait for a census-linked delimitation exercise.

The debate saw strong arguments from the treasury benches, with Bharatiya Janata Party state president Hemant Khandelwal noting that the number of parliamentary seats in India has not been updated since 1971, causing immense pressure on current representatives.

He argued that the resolution is a necessary step towards the nation's future trajectory, citing the legacies of Rani Lakshmibai and Ahilyabai Holkar.

Minister Krishna Gaur criticised the Congress party, claiming their opposition revealed a "historical lack of respect for women's progress".

She specifically highlighted her own background as a woman from the Other Backward Classes community to counter opposition claims, stating that PM Modi has done more to integrate women into the mainstream than any previous administration.

Despite sharp exchanges and the opposition's eventual exit, the government pushed the resolution through, marking a significant, though controversial, milestone in the state's political landscape.
New Delhi, April 27 : Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Sheikh Yousuf Afridi, described as a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by unidentified gunmen in what investigators are treating as a targeted killing, adding to a pattern of attacks on militants in the country since 2023.

New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Sheikh Yousuf Afridi, described as a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead in Pakistanas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by unidentified gunmen in what investigators are treating as a targeted killing, adding to a pattern of attacks on militants in the country since 2023.

Afridi was reportedly ambushed by gunmen who fired multiple rounds, leaving him with no chance to escape. He was considered a key link in LeT operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was said to have maintained close ties with Hafiz Saeed.

LeT, co-founded by Saeed, is a Pakistan-based Islamist militant organisation designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations Security Council and countries including India, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Recent months have seen a series of similar attacks on known militants in Pakistan. Afridias killing is part of a broader trend since 2023, during which several high-profile figures linked to banned outfits have been targeted. Reports indicate that multiple individuals associated with groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen have been killed in 2026 alone.

Amir Hamza, another founding member of LeT, was recently injured after unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on his car in Lahore. According to the US Treasury Department, Hamza, a member of LeTas Central Advisory Committee, maintained links with other organisations under Saeedas direction. He also led an LeT-linked charity and was associated with a trust headed by Saeed.

Last month, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azharas elder brother, Muhammad Tahir Anwar, was reported to have died in Pakistan under circumstances described as unclear. He was said to have been associated with JeM's activities.

In March last year, another Saeed aide, Abu Qatal, also known as Qatal Sindhi, was reportedly shot dead by unidentified individuals in Pakistanas Jhelum district. He was described as a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and was linked to attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, Sheikh Jaleel-ur-Rahman, Secretary of the United Jihad Council, was found dead under unclear circumstances in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Since 2023, Pakistan has witnessed multiple killings of individuals linked to militant groups, with incidents reported across cities such as Lahore, Karachi and others. The frequency and spread of these attacks suggest a pattern, though the exact causes -- including possible internal rivalries or other factors -- remain unclear.

Afridi's killing is likely to impact LeTas network in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even as the continuing incidents highlight security concerns and the presence of militant networks across different regions of Pakistan.
Bhopal, April 27 : Madhya Pradesh is set to achieve another landmark in wildlife conservation as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav prepares to launch the wild buffalo reintroduction programme on Tuesday (April 28, 2026). Following the global attention received by the cheetah project, this initiative aims to restore a species that has been extinct in the state for over a hundred years.

The programme will officially begin in the Supkhar and Topla regions of Balaghat district, where Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will release a founder group consisting of three females and one male into their new natural habitat, said a press release.

This ambitious translocation project involves bringing 50 wild buffaloes from Kaziranga National Park in Assam to the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The first phase is already underway, with eight buffaloes scheduled for transfer during the current season.

The project is being executed with scientific precision under the watchful eyes of senior forest officials and specialised veterinarians from both states. This move is expected to significantly bolster the grassland ecosystem of Kanha and restore a vital ecological balance that was lost due to hunting and habitat degradation over the last century, the press release said.

Beyond the buffalo reintroduction, a broader biodiversity exchange has been established between Madhya Pradesh and Assam. Under an agreement reached between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh will receive two pairs of rhinoceroses for Bhopalas Van Vihar National Park.

In exchange, the state will provide Assam with three tigers and six crocodiles, fostering a new era of inter-state cooperation in wildlife management. This strategic partnership further cements Madhya Pradesh's status as a leader in conservation, adding to its existing reputation as the tiger and leopard state of India.

The Supkhar sanctuary area, located within the sprawling expanse of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Balaghat, serves as a pristine highland meadow ideal for rare herbivores. Characterised by its vast undulating grasslands and perennial water streams, it provides a secluded environment for the reintroduction of wild buffaloes.

Its historical significance is notable, as it was the site of the last recorded wild buffalo sighting in the region back in 1979.
Imphal, April 27 : The Opposition Congress in Manipur on Monday strongly criticised Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, stating that linking the National Register of Citizens exercise to the Census has created confusion among the public.a Imphal, April 27 (IANS) The Opposition Congress in Manipur on Monday strongly criticised Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, stating that linking the National Register of Citizens exercise to the Census has created confusion among the public.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-President Hareshwar Goswami condemned the Chief Minister's recent remarks on the National Register of Citizens, terming them "misleading" and asserting that the conduct of a Census is not a prerequisite for updating the National Register of Citizens.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan in Imphal, Goswami clarified that the National Register of Citizens is updated under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, while the Census is conducted under the Census Act, 1948.

He emphasised that both processes are governed by separate legal frameworks and authorities.

Coming down heavily on the Chief Minister, the senior Congress leader stated that individuals holding constitutional or high public offices should refrain from making statements that could misinform or confuse citizens on important policy matters.

Referring to the experience of neighbouring Assam, Goswami pointed out that the National Register of Citizens there was updated using the 1951 Census as a base document, along with other admissible records, indicating that conducting a fresh Census is not mandatory for the exercise.

He also alleged inconsistency within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on the National Register of Citizens issue.

The state Congress Vice-President claimed that in November 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament that the National Register of Citizens would be updated nationwide.

However, Goswami contrasted this with a statement by PM Modi in December 2019 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, in which the Prime Minister reportedly said there had been no discussion of implementing the National Register of Citizens nationwide.

The Congress leader further referred to a statement made in February 2019 by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh during an Assembly session, in which he said that a recommendation to update the National Register of Citizens had been forwarded to the Union government.

Goswami questioned why the issue of conducting a Census prior to the National Register of Citizens was not raised at that time, describing the current stance as contradictory, especially since both the former and present leadership in the state belong to the same political party.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress in Manipur has also called for deferring the upcoming Census exercise in the state.

The party insisted that the process should be postponed until normalcy is fully restored and all Internally Displaced Persons affected by ethnic violence are able to return to their native places.

In a memorandum submitted earlier this month to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Manipur Congress President Okram Ibobi Singh highlighted the prevailing law-and-order concerns.

He noted that between February 8 and April 10, at least eight people were killed in separate violent incidents across different districts, including two children and a Border Security Force jawan.

Singh, who served as Chief Minister for three terms from 2001 to 2017, also urged the government to expedite the investigation into the killing of two minor children in Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district on April 7 and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice within a specified timeframe.


Gandhinagar, April 27 : Allegations against AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava intensified after an altercation at a factory site in Gujarat's Bharuch district, with BJP MP Dhaval Patel accusing the legislator of assaulting members of a tribal victim's family.

Patel claimed that multiple serious cases have been registered against the MLA and that he is currently out on conditional bail.

"He has violated court conditions, and we will make every effort to send him back to jail," Patel said.

The development follows a fire at a chemical unit in the Jhagadia GIDC industrial estate on April 23, in which 16 workers were injured. Two later died during treatment, including Rakesh Vasava.

A day after the death, Rakesh Vasava's cousin, Roshan Vasava, reached the factory premises to discuss compensation for the bereaved family.

At the same time, Chaitar Vasava arrived with supporters and relatives of injured workers, demanding higher compensation.

A video circulating widely shows an argument between the MLA and Roshan Vasava near the factory gate escalating into both men slapping each other in the presence of a police officer before others intervened.

Roshan Vasava alleged that the MLA had provoked tensions.

"Chaitar Vasava came here and started inciting people. I know that he came here to extract money, not to support our community. I am not associated with any political party. I came here for the sake of my family," he said.

He added that he had neither been harassed by police nor instructed to react in any manner.

"Chaitar Vasava will be solely responsible if the law and order situation worsens here," he said.

Responding to the allegations, the MLA said he had gone to the site after being approached by victims' families seeking justice.

"The blaze occurred due to negligence by the company. Of the 16 injured workers, two have died. Several others have suffered severe burns, with some having up to 80 per cent injuries," he said.

He alleged that the company management had failed to engage with the victims' families.

"The families informed me that their young sons had died in the incident. We went to the company gate and asked the police officials present to arrange talks with the management to ensure justice," he said.

The MLA also attributed the altercation to the presence of outsiders.

"Some people who had no connection to the victim's families were brought there. They started arguing with us. Later, a person picked up a fight with me in the presence of police officials," he said.

He added that the company had offered Rs 15 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased workers but had not agreed to provide financial assistance to injured workers.

"The families of the deceased told me that they are not satisfied with the compensation offer. Initially, the company didn't even open the gate for us when we reached here. When we went inside to discuss, a person got into a fight with me," he said.

In his response, Patel said the government and police were already taking action following the fire and that discussions over compensation were under way when the MLA intervened.

"It is completely inappropriate. A tragic incident took place in the GIDC area of Bharuch three to four days ago, in which two people lost their lives and 12 to 13 people were injured. Our government is taking the strictest possible action, and the police are also taking strict action," he said.

He alleged that the MLA had attempted to insert himself into the process. "He said that if mediation is to be done, it must be done through him and only with his involvement," Patel said.

"When the tribal families refused his offer, he became frustrated and assaulted youths of the tribal community and members of the deceased families, beat them severely, engaged in violence and issued threats. This shows how far he can go in the name of tribals," he added.

Patel said he had spoken with the local Superintendent of Police, the administration and the affected families, and would meet them personally.

"Today, I am speaking not as an MP but as a son of the tribal community. We stand with the victim families and will ensure they get full justice," he said.

He also warned against a repeat of such incidents. "If such an incident happens again, our government and the tribal community will take strict action," he said, adding that the MLA's conduct showed "how far he can go for politics".
Bhubaneswar, April 27 : The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has issued a notice to the Odisha Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, as well as to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Mayurbhanj, seeking an Action Taken Report on the death of a tribal minor student and the mass illness of students at an ashram school in the district due to suspected food poisoning.a

Acting on a petition filed by Biju Janata Dal leader Priyabrata Majhi and others on April 15, the commission has decided to investigate the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it under Article 338A of the Constitution of India.a

The commission directed that facts and information, along with action taken on the said allegations, be submitted within seven days of receipt of the notice, either by post, in person, or by any other means of communication.a

The Commissioner of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department and the district authorities have been directed to submit the report, along with detailed information on the incident, within the stipulated time, failing which they may be summoned for personal appearance.a

Notably, on April 12, after consuming food prepared in the school (pakhala, aloo masala, mango chutney, and leafy vegetables), hundreds of students fell ill at Kakabandha Ashram School in Mayurbhanj district.

A Class V student, Rupali Besra, who was undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, Baripada, succumbed during treatment on April 14.a

Following the incident, the Government of Odisha initiated an investigation and announced financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh for the deceased studentas family.a

The school's headmaster has been suspended, and a Revenue Divisional Commissioner-level inquiry is currently underway.a

However, the incident has raised serious concerns regarding the quality and safety of food in ashram schools for tribal students.a

The National Human Rights Commission has also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and sought a report.a

It is expected that the Commissionas notice will further expedite the investigation.a

The opposition Biju Janata Dal on Monday alleged that all concerned officials and departments have been directed to respond promptly.a
Hyderabad, April 27 : The Telangana government has decided to exert pressure for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project.

Acting on the advice of legal experts, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed the officials to write a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requesting that an immediate inquiry be initiated into the project.

According to the Chief Ministeras Office, the Chief minister instructed the ministers to seek an appointment with the CBI Director, if necessary, to meet the head of the investigating agency and formally submit a memorandum for a probe.

In light of the recent High Court verdict on the Kaleshwaram project, the Chief Minister and irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy held a high-level review meeting and took stock of the situation.

During the meeting, CM Revanth Reddy and the minister consulted prominent Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Singhvi and sought his advice to formulate an action plan and proceed further in the entire Kaleshwaram episode.

Since no cases were pending in any court regarding the Kaleshwaram issue, the legal expert informed the Chief Minister that there will be no legal impediments to prevent the CBI from undertaking a probe.

The Supreme Court advocate also clarified that the High Court did not find fault with the government in constituting the Justice PC Ghosh Commission and the report submitted by the Commission. The Court also did not make any comment against the findings of the commission in the report.

The State Cabinet, at its meeting on April 23, had decided to press the CBI for an immediate, expedited investigation into Kaleshwaram project.

Uttam Kumar Reddy had said that it has been nine months since the state government wrote to the CBI to conduct an investigation.

Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated that the High Court has not given a clean chit to former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and former minister T. Harish Rao.

He said the High Court made it clear that the P. C. Ghose Commission, constituted to probe the irregularities, was not illegal. He claimed that the High Court dismissed the main plea of KCR and Harish Rao. They had sought orders to declare the Commission illegal and quash its report.

Due to some technical issues, the High Court said that action should not be taken against KCR and Harish Rao, he explained.
Gandhinagar, April 27 : The Gujarat chapter of the Indian Police Service (IPS) Association on Monday submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission, seeking action against AAP MLA Gopal Italia over remarks made in a recent social media broadcast, which it termed "abusive, derogatory and defamatory" towards the police force and election authorities.

Gandhinagar, April 27 (IANS) The Gujarat chapter of the Indian Police Service (IPS) Association on Monday submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission, seeking action against AAP MLA Gopal Italia over remarks made in a recent social media broadcast, which it termed "abusive, derogatory and defamatory" towards the police force and election authorities.

The submission follows a Facebook Live video streamed by Italia on April 26, which later circulated widely across social media platforms.

In the memorandum, the Association stated that the MLA used "highly inflammatory language" while referring to senior police officers and personnel.

It described the remarks as a "personal affront" to members of the force and a "calculated attempt to incite public distrust" in both the police and the election machinery during an ongoing election period.

The memorandum, signed by president Gyanender Singh Malik, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, and secretary Nipuna M Torawane, stated that while criticism of public institutions is a legitimate aspect of democratic functioning, "character assassination is unacceptable".

It noted that police personnel operate under challenging conditions and are tasked with ensuring law and order and providing security to all citizens impartially, particularly during elections.

Accounts of the broadcast indicate that Italia also questioned the functioning and neutrality of sections of the police and the election authorities, alleging bias in the handling of political activities and enforcement actions.

The Association said such statements risk eroding public confidence in institutions responsible for conducting free and fair elections.

Calling the remarks a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the Association urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the MLA, stating that "such steps are necessary to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and to maintain the morale of officials engaged in election duties".

Copies of the memorandum have also been forwarded to the Principal Secretary, Home Department, and the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Gujarat.
Washington, April 27 : The White House said on Monday that US President Donald Trump and his national security team are reviewing an Iranian proposal linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining that Washington's red lines on Tehran's nuclear programme remain unchanged.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the proposal was discussed during a meeting earlier in the day but declined to provide details or pre-empt the President's position.

"The President has met with his national security team this morning," Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing. "The proposal was being discussed. I don't want to get ahead of the President or his national security team."

She emphasised that Trump's stance on Iran has been clearly communicated and remains firm.

"What I will reiterate is that the President's red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear not just to the American public, but also to them as well," she said.

On operational aspects related to the Strait of Hormuz, including reports about mine-clearing efforts, the White House declined to provide specifics, maintaining that operational disclosures fall outside the scope of routine briefings. Officials indicated that such matters involve sensitive security considerations and are typically handled through appropriate defence channels rather than public commentary.

"I would defer you to the Pentagon on anything with respect to clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz," Leavitt said when asked about the status and timeline of such operations, reiterating that operational clarity, if any, would come from the concerned authorities at the appropriate time.

She also declined to confirm whether the process was ongoing, reiterating that such details fall under the purview of the Department of Defense.

Experts believe certain details are not publicly discussed due to their strategic and operational sensitivity, particularly in a region as critical as the Strait of Hormuz, which remains central to global energy flows and maritime security.
Washington, April 27 : The White House on Monday blamed political rhetoric and what it called "systemic demonisation" of Donald Trump for the latest attempted assassination against him, warning that such language is fuelling violence.a Washington, April 27 (IANS) The White House on Monday blamed political rhetoric and what it called "systemic demonisation" of Donald Trump for the latest attempted assassination against him, warning that such language is fuelling violence.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner reflected a broader pattern of hostility directed at the president and his supporters.

"This political violence stems from a systemic demonisation of him and his supporters," Leavitt told reporters. "This hateful and constant and violent rhetoric directed at President Trump day after day after day has helped to legitimise this violence."

She said the suspected attacker's manifesto echoed language commonly heard in public discourse.

"When you read the manifesto of this shooter how different is the rhetoric from this almost assassin than what you read on social media and hear in various forums every single day?" she said. "The answer is that there is no difference at all."

Leavitt accused political opponents and sections of the media of contributing to an environment that incites violence.

"Those who constantly falsely label and slander the president as a fascist, as a threat to democracy and compare him to Hitler are fuelling this kind of violence," she said.

She cited remarks by several Democratic leaders, arguing that such statements contribute to a climate of hostility.

"These are despicable statements that the American people have been consuming for years," she said, adding that such rhetoric can influence "mentally perturbed individuals" to act.

The White House also pointed to comments made by television host Jimmy Kimmel about First Lady Melania Trump days before the incident.

"Who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?" Leavitt said, calling the remark "completely deranged".

She said the administration is urging a national reset in tone.

"We can, and we should have fierce disagreement in this country," she said. "But those disagreements must remain peaceful not bullets."

Leavitt added that the president has called on Americans to "recommit ourselves to resolving our differences peacefully and uniting around the shared values that make our country great".

At the same time, the White House acknowledged the role of misinformation in amplifying tensions.

"There will be bite-sized clips that will go viral to the point where there are Americans that believe that what happened Saturday night was staged," she said.

She said the administration's approach is to prioritise transparency.

"It's very important to us that we get the truth and the facts as quickly as possible to dispel some of that crazy nonsense," she said, crediting the Department of Justice and the FBI with sharing information about the suspect.

Leavitt said the president is closely following developments, including the suspect's court proceedings, and that law enforcement agencies would provide further updates.

Political rhetoric and polarisation have intensified in the United States in recent years, particularly during election cycles, with sharp divisions between parties and across media platforms.
Washington, April 27 : Donald Trump will continue to attend public events across the country despite repeated assassination attempts, the White House said Monday, signalling that security threats will not alter his schedule or approach.a Washington, April 27 (IANS) Donald Trump will continue to attend public events across the country despite repeated assassination attempts, the White House said Monday, signalling that security threats will not alter his schedule or approach.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president remains determined to engage directly with Americans, even after the latest attempted attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

"As you heard from President Trump, he does not want these deranged lunatics and these grave acts of political violence to change our American way of life," Leavitt told reporters.

She described the president's stance as deliberate and resolute, rejecting calls for him to scale back appearances or remain confined to secure locations.

"It'd be very easy for him to just hunker down here at the White House, where he knows he's safe," she said. "But the president wants to be out across the country. He wants to go across the country to meet with Americans."

Leavitt said Trump is expected to participate in a series of high-profile national events in the coming months.

"He wants to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation's anniversary this summer," she said. "As you know, we're gearing up for a big UFC fight here on the South Lawn."

She added that the president is "undeterred" and intends to remain visible.

"There are many exciting events I know the president wants to be part of and will be part of moving forward," she said.

The remarks come after what officials described as the third major assassination attempt against Trump in recent years. The latest incident triggered a swift response from the United States Secret Service, with the suspect stopped before reaching the main venue.

Leavitt said Trump's conduct during the incident reflected his leadership approach.

"The president's calm in the face of chaos was really remarkable to witness," she said, recalling the moments after shots were fired.

She said Trump sought to return to the stage even as security personnel moved him to safety.

"He was pushing Secret Service and law enforcement to allow him to address," she said. "That really gives the country the type of strength that we need."

The White House also framed the president's decision to maintain public engagements as a message to the country.

"We can't allow these crazy people to let us be afraid," Leavitt said, describing what she said would be the president's message to those shaken by the incident. "We have to keep moving forward, showing up, doing our job."

Officials acknowledged that security reviews are ongoing but stressed that the broader goal is to preserve normal public life.

The administration is expected to assess future event protocols, including venue choices and attendance, particularly for large gatherings outside the White House.

Still, Leavitt indicated that any adjustments would not fundamentally change Trump's approach.

"He's undeterred in that way," she said.


Bhopal, April 28 : In a move that could mark a significant development in the state's legal and social framework, the Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a high-level committee to examine the feasibility of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The decision, announced by the Department of Law and Legislative Affairs, aims to harmonise the diverse personal and family laws currently followed by different communities in the state. An order in this regard was issued on Monday.

At present, separate provisions govern matters such as marriage, inheritance, adoption and maintenance across communities. The newly formed committee will study these variations and work towards creating a framework aimed at ensuring equality and fairness for all citizens.

The committee will be chaired by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prasad Desai, former judge of the Supreme Court. Other members include retired IAS officer Shatrughna Singh, legal expert Anoop Nair, educationist Gopal Sharma and social worker Budhpal Singh.

Ajay Katesariya, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, has been appointed as the Secretary of the committee.

Among its responsibilities, the panel will examine models adopted by states such as Uttarakhand and Gujarat, while taking into account the social, cultural and economic realities of Madhya Pradesh. It will also seek suggestions and objections from the public, religious and social organisations, as well as subject experts.

Special emphasis will be placed on safeguarding the rights of women and children, and on addressing contemporary issues such as the regulation of live-in relationships.

The committee has been directed to submit its report, along with a draft bill, within 60 days. The government said the initiative is aimed at reducing future legal complexities and moving towards a more coherent civil framework.

The order, digitally signed by Secretary Mukesh Kumar, formally sets the process in motion. Observers view the step as a move towards legal uniformity and administrative reform in the state.
New Delhi, April 28 : Sweden is a very good partner to India when it comes to the Make in India policy, and also supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of making more in India.a New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Sweden is a very good partner to India when it comes to the Make in India policy, and also supports Prime Minister Narendra Modias policy of making more in India.a

Swedish companies are investing a lot in India, said Head of Mission Sven Ostberg, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai, on Monday.a

During South Africaas Freedom Day celebrations at the South African Consulate in Mumbai, the Consul General of Sweden said that the India-Sweden partnership is very fruitful and prosperous, with more than 280 Swedish companies in India employing two lakh people directly and 22,00,000 people indirectly, while answering a question regarding India-Sweden future partnerships.

He also congratulated South Africa on its 30th anniversary.a

He said that it is a fantastic day to celebrate South Africa, adding that apartheid was a very bad sin and that Sweden is very happy that democracy is now ruling in South Africa.a

He said that Sweden has supported South Africaas freedom struggle for many decades, during the apartheid period as well, as one of the few Western European countries that were supporting the African National Congress and its liberation movement, while answering a question about the South Africa-Sweden partnership.a

He highlighted that Sweden is working together with the South African government to promote bilateral trade, investments, and tourism.a

He added that many Swedish people love going to South Africa for tourism.a

He said that Sweden and India want peace and stability in the Middle East, adding that this is what everybody wants.a

He also condemned any attack on the president or any political leaders.a

He said that Sweden was very horrified after seeing the pictures coming out of Washington the previous day, describing it as a horrible attack and expressing hope that everyone is safe and sound, while commenting on the incident during a White House dinner.a

He also mentioned that Sweden believes in democracy and freedom of speech, adding that everyone has the right to express themselves, but violence is not the answer to anything.a
Education

AJEDUI-Group Press release Faster Capital

Headline options

AJEDUI-Group joins quityPilot to expand affordable solar access across West Africa AJEDUI-Group partners with FasterCapitals EquityPilot to scale mini green networks AJEDUI-Group to deploy household and village solar solutions through EquityPilot support

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso & Dubai, UAE  February 18, 2026

Rural and peri-urban communities across West Africa face limited grid coverage and high electricity costs that constrain household welfare and local enterprise growth. AJEDUI-Groups product line ranging from portable solar plates and batteries to mini green networks and village-scale solar plants targets the persistent gap in reliable, affordable electricity for disadvantaged populations.

What the Startup Delivers?

AJEDUI-Group offers a tiered portfolio: - Solar plates that power radios and recharge phones and flashlights simultaneously. - Small, medium and large solar batteries that enable lighting, phone charging and, for larger units, fans, TVs, refrigerators and laptops. - Solar panels and powerful solar machines for pumps and multi-appliance use. - Solar groups and mini green networks capable of serving multiple households or entire villages. The product mix is designed for modular deployment: individual households, shared community systems, and village grids.

Why Now?

Rising energy costs, incomplete national grids, and growing local demand for resilient off-grid solutions create an urgent window for scalable solar adoption. Affordable solar hardware combined with flexible purchase mechanisms such as daily or weekly tontines lowers the entry barrier for low-income households and stimulates microeconomic activity in rural areas.

Program Plan (first 3060 days)

Under FasterCapitals EquityPilot, AJEDUI-Group will validate pricing models and distribution channels, recruit and train additional regional sales agents, and pilot two mini green network installations in target districts. Activities will emphasize retail access points in rural markets, partnerships with local projects, and customer financing pilots to test weekly tontine payment schemes.

Competitive landscape (category-level)

The off-grid solar market in West Africa includes NGOs, local distributors, and international suppliers. AJEDUI-Groups focus on combined hardware options (from portable plates to village networks) plus community payment models aims to differentiate on affordability, local distribution density, and flexible ownership structures rather than competing solely on component-level specs.

Leadership Comment

Hesham Zreik , Founder and CEO of FasterCapital, said: Were excited to support AJEDUI-Group through EquityPilot. Our team will focus on execution milestones and connecting the startup with the right ecosystem stakeholders.

Ecosystem relevance

AJEDUI-Group will prioritize expansion into neighboring markets including Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Mali, leveraging cross-border agent networks, retail outlets, and local project collaborations to accelerate adoption.

Next 90 Days

Key milestones include launching the first two community installations, expanding the sales agent network regionally, finalizing retail and wholesale pricing tiers, and documenting customer financing pilots. FasterCapital will support milestone tracking and introductions to potential channel partners.

About AJEDUI-Group

AJEDUI-Group develops and deploys modular solar solutions to increase energy access in disadvantaged and rural communities. Its offerings span portable solar plates and batteries to household systems and village-scale mini green networks, coupled with localized sales and flexible payment approaches to broaden affordability.

About FasterCapital

FasterCapital is a global venture builder and online incubator dedicated to co-funding and co-founding innovative startups. Established in 2014, we are now #1 venture builder in terms of number of startups that we have helped, money invested and money raised. It supports startups worldwide through various programs, including funding assistance, business development, and technical support. The EquityPilot program is designed to help early-stage startups build scalable solutions with mentorship, strategic guidance, and network support.

Media Contact:

Lydia Zeng



Email: lydia.zeng@fastercapital.com



Phone: +1 (512) 400-0256



Website: https://www.fastercapital.com
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation, more commonly known as Binc, is using the occasion of its 30th anniversary to hold its first-ever gala later this spring. The event is meant to help meet a long-term goal of the organization: to create an endowment that will put it on a firmer financial footing.

Binc was started in 1996 by Borders Group employees to help Borders booksellers in need, and pivoted in 2009, when Borders closed, to serving all booksellers as well as frontline employees at comics shops. Since its formation, the foundation has given over $14 million in assistance to more than 12,000 store employees. Its also awarded 1,070 scholarships to booksellers to attend industry events and educational programs, as well as to emerging writers to support their work.

The gala is set for May 13 in New York City, and Bincs executive director Pam French reports that 30% of the proceeds will be used to fund the new endowment. All 300 available seats have been sold, but French sees more to be excited about than a packed room: she views it as an endorsement for what Binc has done over the years.

Binc has achieved some pretty significant results, she says. Everything from helping folks through the pandemic to helping thousands of people across 30 years. It feels really good to have something to celebrate.

Under its current model, Binc raises money from within the publishing community that allows it to quickly make grants of a few thousand dollars each to booksellers who qualify. It has enough funds for two more years worth of grants, and French says those fundraising efforts will continue. The model is working well, and we hope the creation of an endowment will allow Binc to be here for future generations, she adds.

While natural disasters draw media headlines and a quick response from Binc, since the pandemic, housing instability and high medical costs have been the most frequent causes of requests for financial aid, French says. Binc also established a mental health initiative shortly after the pandemic, and demand for it is growing rapidly. Nearly 100 booksellers have benefited so far.

French explains that booksellers do not need to have financial issues to use the new program, adding that a number of booksellers in Minneapolis requested help with mental health care costs during ICEs recent immigration crackdown there.

Bincs support of booksellers is appreciated by nearly everyone in the industry, including Sourcebooks CEO Dominique Raccah, who is honorary chair of the gala and a longtime supporter of the foundation. Booksellers are essential to our book community, according to Raccah, and Binc is a key part of the ecosystem that is so vital to that community. She says Sourcebooks relationship with Binc is a natural partnership, and one I value immensely.

French appreciates that kind of support, and notes that the Binc team has worked hard to earn credibility in the industry, particularly among those who work on stores front lines. We want them to know we are here for them, she says. They can give us a call.
Asia-Pacific Roundup: Indias CDSCO adopts prior intimation system to accelerate study startup

Indias Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has implemented the previously proposed prior intimation system to accelerate the initiation of certain clinical trials.

CDSCO proposed the system in January 2026 as part of an amendment to the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019. The system is designed to allow companies to start some bioavailability and bioequivalence (BA/BE) studies after notifying authorities of their plans, rather than applying and waiting for permission to initiate the assessments. CDSCO proposed implementing the system 90 days after publication; that date passed last week.

Companies can now use Form CT-05 in the Sugam portal to indicate their intent to run studies under the simplified process. The process is open to single-dose, two-period, two-sequence, two-treatment BA/BE studies of oral dosage forms in healthy adult volunteers. Studies must be conducted for export purposes to be eligible for the system.

CDSCO clarified the criteria in a frequently asked questions document. Cytotoxic, hormone, narcotic, and psychotropic substances are not eligible, nor are drugs with a narrow therapeutic index or highly variable pharmacokinetics. All oral dosage forms are eligible, including liquid formulations and modified-, sustained-, and extended-release formulations.

The medicine must be approved in India, the US, the EU, Japan, Australia, Canada, or the UK. Studies started under the pathway can only enroll up to 18 people.

The ethics committee will review the protocol and other documents submitted via the prior intimation pathway, upload the approval letter in the online portal, and maintain records of the assessment and authorization process. The central licensing authority can review the records at any time. CDSCO named registration renewals and inspections as examples of when authorities could review the records.

Acknowledgments of prior intimation will remain valid for one year, unless canceled or suspended by regulators. Sponsors can request an extension of the validity period in writing. The central licensing authority may grant the request in exceptional circumstances when it is satisfied that an extension is needed. Sponsors cannot make changes after receiving acknowledgment of prior intimation.

CDSCO Notice; FAQ

Singapore and Japan move toward GMP inspection reliance arrangements

Authorities in Singapore and Japan have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in regulating health products.

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Japans Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare signed a memorandum of cooperation last week. HSA called the pact a significant milestone that reinforces the shared commitment to advancing regulatory excellence through international collaboration to benefit pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The agreement seeks to promote cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including collaboration in facilitating reliance for health product and good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections. HSA said GMP reliance is a key focus.

By enabling mutual reliance for GMP certificates and inspection outcomes, HSA said authorities could remove an average of three duplicative inspections per year and improve access to medicines by up to 6 months. Authorities will continue to adhere to strict safety standards as processes are streamlined, HSA said.

The agreement provides Singapore and Japan with a formal mechanism for collaboration across the lifecycle. HSA named clinical trial and product reviews, registration and reliance, manufacturing, and post-market oversight as areas across the lifecycle with which it could collaborate with its counterpart in Japan. The collaboration could cover medicines; cell, tissue, and gene therapy products; and medical devices.

Press Release

Philippine FDA seeks feedback on good review and submission practices

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published draft guidance on good registration, review, and submission practices for pharmaceutical products.

FDA is introducing the good registration management (GRM) framework to promote an efficient and well-managed registration process for pharmaceutical products. GRM supports regulatory convergence by aligning FDA processes with internationally recognized best practices. The framework entails the coordinated implementation of good review practices (GRevP) and good submission practices (GSubP).

To institutionalize GRM in the Philippines, FDA plans to adopt World Health Organization guidelines on GRevP. FDA said the guidelines will support evidence-based reviews of approval applications and make its decisions more consistent and predictable. The agency plans to implement GSubP in line with standards issued by organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation committee.

FDA will integrate key elements of GRevP into its review system by establishing clear policies and defined responsibilities, utilizing standardized assessment templates, ensuring peer review and quality checks, applying scientific advice and reliance pathways, [and] implementing transparency measures. GRevP will apply to facility licensing, clinical trial authorizations, drug approvals, and other processes.

The agency expects all applicants to adopt and comply with existing internationally recognized guidelines on GSubP. Applicants, reviewers, and decision-makers will receive FDA training and capacity building to support GRM implementation.

FDA is accepting feedback on the proposals until 22 May.

Draft Guidance

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission inks deal to strengthen drug standards

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indias National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hajipur, to promote collaboration on pharmaceutical standards, regulatory science, and patient safety.

The organizations plan to collaborate on impurity profiling and safety correlation of drugs, development and validation of advanced analytical methods, and establishment of quality control protocols, IPC said.

Other goals include developing reference standards for complex biologics, biosimilars, and emerging therapeutic products, including cell and gene therapies. IPC plans to include the standards in the Indian Pharmacopoeia.

The pact was one of three agreements involving IPC and NIPER Hajipur that were signed last week. IPC also partnered with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) on a generic drug scheme. PMBI will send randomly selected batches of medicines provided through the scheme to IPC for quality testing.

NIPER Hajipur formed a collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim. Under the agreement, Boehringer will give researchers access to its open science platform and help build research capacity at NIPER Hajipur. The partners aim to generate early-stage proof-of-concept data to support preclinical development.

Press Release, More

After complaints, New Zealands Medsafe finds Sandoz patches meet standards

The New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) has found hormone replacement therapy patches sold by Sandoz meet quality standards.

Medsafe asked PHF Science to test three batches of Estradot bought from a licensed wholesaler in the New Zealand supply chain. The batches covered the three patch strengths that were the subject of patient complaints about efficacy and patch adhesion. Medsafe received the most complaints in October and November, but has continued to periodically receive new complaints.

The tests measured the amount of active ingredient in each patch and assessed variability in the content between patches. Medsafe also assessed whether the formulations had deteriorated and the rate of drug release from the patches. All the batches met the specifications. Medsafe is still waiting on the results of tests performed by Australias Therapeutic Goods Administration.

PHF Sciences findings add to the evidence that the Estradot patches meet quality standards. Sandoz previously shared test results and other information to support the quality of its products. Medsafe has consistently found no evidence of a quality defect or any indication that a batch is faulty or warrants a recall.

The agency is continuing to investigate the complaints by reviewing changes made since it approved the patches and assessing whether the timing is associated with patients raising concerns.

Medsafe Notice
While the White House continues negotiations with Iran, the blockade of Iranian ports has resulted in Iran backing out of negotiations. However, should Iran return to the negotiating table, the United States and Israel must keep in mind that Irans terror proxies will be discussed in any future negotiations. Israel and the U.S. are in talks over Hezbollah; questions remain over the other terror groups Iran backs. If Iran wants to protect its terror clients in the region, it needs to commit to controlling them and be held accountable when they act up.

For the past few months, the United States and Israel have engaged in an air campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting military assets and leadership. Irans air force, navy, and ballistic missile stockpile have been seriously degraded by this campaign. The only card Iran had left to play was a shutdown of the economically critical Strait of Hormuz. That resulted in a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the Americans and Israelis.

However, Israel continued to launch airstrikes against Hezbollah, a terrorist group in neighboring Lebanon. Iran, as the chief sponsor of Hezbollah, took exception to these strikes, believing that Hezbollah is covered under the aforementioned ceasefire. Despite the U.S. and Israel both disputing this, Israel demonstrated a willingness to play ball by negotiating with the Lebanese government over Hezbollah.

The Iranian governments outrage over the strikes on Hezbollah reveals what many Western observers already know: Hezbollah is supported by Iran. Founded in the 1980s to destroy Israel, Hezbollah has long received financial and other assistance from Iran. As a proxy, however, there has always been plausible deniability about Irans relationship with Hezbollah. Support them, but deny the connection so as not to draw responsibility for their actions. By asking that Hezbollah be covered under the ceasefire, Iran concedes it has more control over Hezbollah than it had been willing to admit.

If Iran wants to include Hezbollah in any peace deal, that deal needs to tie sanctions to the performance of its proxies. If any of Irans terror proxies, including Hezbollah, attack the U.S. or its allies in the region, Iran needs to be subject to punishment. Binding Iran with its client terrorist groups denies them the ability to effectuate violence vicariously. Any violence perpetrated by Hezbollah would mean pain for Iran.

This logic holds for all the other Iran-backed terrorist groups in the Middle East. Hamas in the West Bank, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iraqi militias all receive material support from Tehran. For Israel, thousands were killed in the October 7th terrorist attacks that kicked off the wave of conflict over the past few years. They did so using Iranian weapons. If we want to prevent future terror attacks from Hamas, punishing Iran for Hamas actions is a necessity.

This isnt just an Israeli problem; it affects U.S. interests as wellthe Houthis targeted commercial ships transiting the Red Sea, affecting U.S. economic interests. More importantly, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq killed hundreds of U.S. servicemen. Those militias are now oppressing the Iranian people on behalf of the regime. To prevent U.S. deaths at the hands of Iranian militias, any deal must tie these militias to Tehran in writing.

Why is holding Iran accountable for its proxies so important? For decades, Iran has spread terror and violence covertly through groups like Hezbollah. If the link between such groups and the Iranian government is codified in a treaty, Iran wont be able to escape the consequences of its actions anymore. Realistically, Iran will continue spreading violence even under the aforementioned scenario. What will change is that the source of the problem will be addressed head-on rather than the side effects. In this context, terrorism is the side effect, and the Iranian regime is the source.

Another way to hold Iran to account for its proxies is through the terrorist groups themselves. Previously, the U.S. and Israel dealt with the groups receiving money and weapons from Iran, leaving the supplier untouched. If the source of the assistance is cut off, it leaves those terrorist groups weakened. We are already seeing this as a result of Operation Epic Fury. Groups like the Houthis were able to shut down trade by launching missile attacks that they received from Iran. Now that Iran is under attack, the Houthis have been far quieter than one would expect. Holding Iran accountable keeps the region safer by checking both Iran and its proxies.

As far as groups like Hezbollah, Iran wants to have its cake and eat it too. They want to deny they have control over them while simultaneously claiming a ceasefire involving Iran covers their proxies. Irans demand to include Hezbollah in the ceasefire should come with strings attached. The United States must bind Iran to the behavior of its proxies to ensure the Islamic Regime suffers the consequences of its support for terrorism.
The Most Celebrated Defeat in Modern European History

On April 12, 2026, the democratic world erupted in joy. Viktor Orban  the man Brussels loved to hate, the villain of every progressive dinner party from Washington to Warsaw  conceded defeat in Hungary's parliamentary elections. The champagne flowed. The tweets flew. Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Hillary Clinton, Donald Tusk, Alex Soros, Ursula von der Leyen, and even Volodymyr Zelensky rushed to their keyboards to declare that democracy had triumphed, history had turned, and the long European nightmare was finally over.

There is just one small, nagging, impolite question that nobody in that celebratory chorus seems to be asking:

What if Orban wanted this?

But first, pause for a moment to appreciate a detail that seems to have escaped notice in the celebrations. For sixteen years, the European Union, the Western media establishment, and virtually every progressive institution from Brussels to Berkeley described Viktor Orban as a dictator  an autocrat who had strangled Hungarian democracy, captured the courts, monopolized the media, and made free elections a fiction. These were not minor criticisms whispered in private. They were the official position of the European Commission, the subject of rule-of-law proceedings, and the justification for freezing billions of euros in EU funds.

And then this dictator  this strangler of democracy, this autocrat who had made free elections impossible  lost a free election. He conceded within hours, before even thirty percent of votes had been counted. He called his opponent to congratulate him. He gave a gracious speech. He promised to serve from opposition.

One is left to wonder: if Orban truly was the all-powerful authoritarian his critics described, how exactly did this happen? And if the elections were genuinely free and fair all along  as the results now implicitly confirm  what does that say about sixteen years of claims to the contrary?

These questions have not been prominently featured in the victory coverage. Perhaps they will be addressed later. Perhaps not.

Before you reach for the smelling salts, consider the following  not as a conclusion, but as a series of facts. You are welcome to draw your own.

Meet the Opposition. He Used to Run the Country.

Peter Magyar, the man who "defeated" Viktor Orban and will now serve as Hungary's prime minister, is not exactly a figure who emerged from the democratic wilderness. He joined Orban's Fidesz party in 2002. He worked in the Prime Minister's Office. He ran the state-owned Student Loan Centre. He served in Hungary's permanent representation to the European Union. His then-wife, Judit Varga, was Orban's own Minister of Justice from 2019 to 2023. Multiple European outlets  including EUNews and France24  described Magyar, before his transformation, as Orban's "former right-hand man."

For roughly two decades, Magyar was, by any reasonable definition, a pillar of the Fidesz system. Then, in early 2024, something remarkable happened. He had a very public, very dramatic falling-out with his wife, very publicly renounced the system he had very publicly served, and very publicly reinvented himself as the conscience of Hungarian democracy. The crowds came. The cameras came. Brussels came. The checkbooks came.

The left-leaning opposition in Hungary had been in such a state of political collapse that not a single one of its parties could clear the five-percent electoral threshold. They were, for all practical purposes, politically extinct. And then, right on cue, an insider from the ruling party arrived to rescue them  with instant credibility, instant name recognition, and instant access to the international donor networks that had been searching for years for their man in Budapest.

What remarkable timing.

Brussels Takes the Bait

The European establishment did not pause to ask questions. Why would they? After sixteen years of Orban blocking EU decisions, vetoing Ukraine aid packages, purchasing Russian gas while lecturing about sovereignty, and hosting the global Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest, they had found their savior. "Our man" had finally appeared in Hungary, and all he needed was a little encouragement  and a great deal of money.

Magyar's campaign was generously supported by the very networks that had spent years trying to dislodge Orban: European progressive institutions, transatlantic democracy-promotion funds, and the broader infrastructure of what Orban himself had long called the "global club." They had tried everything. They had tried sanctions. They had tried rule-of-law mechanisms. They had tried frozen EU funds. Nothing had worked. And now, at last, an insider had defected. They wept with gratitude.

What they failed to understand was that Hungarian political language is, as one analyst might say, perpendicular to every other political language in Europe. The categories do not translate. The signals do not mean what they appear to mean. And in their excitement, they forgot to ask the most basic question of opposition politics: who benefits from the existence of this particular opposition?

The Vice President Arrives  Helpfully

Then came the curious case of J.D. Vance.

In the days before the election, the Vice President of the United States traveled to Budapest and publicly expressed support for Viktor Orban. President Trump had long praised Orban as a strong, smart leader. Trump and Orban were friends. Orban had served, in various capacities, as a consultant and ideological ally to the MAGA movement. The relationship was well established and genuinely warm.

So the Trump administration sent J.D. Vance.

This is the same J.D. Vance who is regarded across the European Union  and indeed across most of Europe  as the face of American arrogance, the man who lectured European leaders in Munich about free speech and was met with barely concealed fury. His approval ratings among European voters hover somewhere between root canal surgery and a delayed train. In Hungary, a country where EU membership remains broadly popular and where Orban had spent years carefully insisting he was pro-European even while undermining European institutions, the arrival of the most unpopular American face in Europe was  how to put this delicately  an unusual form of support.

Vance himself acknowledged before the election that the polls showed Orban was losing. He did not, during his visit, seek any meeting with Magyar or any other opposition figure. He described Magyar's movement publicly as "externally managed" and a project of Washington's liberal establishment  which is to say, he handed Magyar's campaign exactly the anti-establishment credential it needed in the final stretch before polling day.

One might ask: if Washington genuinely wanted to help Orban win, why not send Marco Rubio  who is regarded as the "good cop" in European capitals  rather than the man who functions, in European political theater, as the bad cop by design? Rubio maintains diplomatic contact across political divides. Vance's total embrace of one side, and his public dismissal of the other, handed Magyar a gift. The question of whether this was intended is left as an exercise for the reader.

The Winner Wins  Exactly Like the Loser Would Have

Magyar won. He won big  securing a two-thirds supermajority with 53.6 percent of the vote, against Fidesz's 37.8 percent. Turnout hit a post-communist record of nearly eighty percent. The celebrations in Budapest were genuinely joyful. Tens of thousands gathered on the banks of the Danube. The crowd chanted "Russians, go home"  the slogan of the 1956 revolution. Obama called it "a victory for democracy." Von der Leyen declared that "Hungary has chosen Europe."

And then Peter Magyar, the new prime minister, the man who had defeated the darkness, began governing. He had called for parliament to convene swiftly and for a new government to be formed by May 5th. This was, he declared, "not a simple change of government, but a complete change of regime."

He announced the closure of state television  framed as anti-propaganda, which it may well be. He rejected the EU's migration pact and declared that no irregular migrants from outside Europe would be welcomed  a position that, for the record, is stricter than anything Orban had formally implemented. He announced he would not support Ukraine's EU membership. He initially said he needed to "study" the ninety-billion-euro EU loan package for Ukraine  the same package Orban's government had blocked as recently as February 20, 2026, explicitly tying it to the restoration of Druzhba pipeline oil flows. Magyar eventually lifted the veto and supported the EU's twentieth sanctions package against Russia  but only after deploying the same Druzhba leverage Orban had used, extracting what he needed, and then releasing the block on his own terms. He opposed arms deliveries to Ukraine and stated that Hungarian territory would not be used for the transit of lethal weapons  in language that, as the Carnegie Endowment noted, closely mirrored Orban's own formulations. He invited Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest to mark the anniversary of the 1956 uprising.

On the matter of the Druzhba pipeline, Zelensky himself provided the most concise response available. Repair works on the pipeline had been completed, he noted, and it was technically capable of operating again. However, he added: "There is no guarantee that Russian strikes on the pipeline infrastructure will not be repeated." In other words, Magyar's condition  a guarantee of the pipeline's integrity  is one that neither Ukraine nor anyone else is in a position to provide. Much like the invitation extended to Netanyahu, it is a demand that is structurally impossible to fulfill.

On energy more broadly, Magyar confirmed that Hungary would continue purchasing discounted Russian oil  ruling out rapid diversification. For sixteen years, this was one of the central charges leveled at Orban: that buying Russian hydrocarbons made him Moscow's accomplice. The new government's position on the matter is identical. The charge, presumably, will not be repeated.

On the question of direct communication with the Kremlin, Magyar was equally straightforward: if Putin calls, he said, he will pick up the phone  though the conversation, he assured everyone, will be brief. For context: Orban's willingness to speak with Putin was, for years, cited as evidence that he was serving Russian interests and acting as Moscow's voice inside the EU. Magyar has now announced the same willingness. The difference in coverage has been notable.

Demands that cannot be met are a distinctive form of diplomacy.

The European Commission, which had spent sixteen years demanding that Hungary comply with EU norms, responded by sending Magyar a list of twenty-seven requirements he must fulfill.

Twenty-seven. One wonders how many they sent Orban on his first day.

Somewhere, presumably, Viktor Orban is sleeping very well.

A Note on Consistency: Georgia, 2012 and 2024

For those who find the above narrative too speculative, it may be instructive to consider Viktor Orban's relationship with a small country to the east: Georgia.

In September 2012, four days before Georgia's parliamentary elections, Orban flew to Kutaisi and stood on stage at a campaign rally for President Mikheil Saakashvili and his United National Movement. He urged Georgians to stay on the Euro-Atlantic path. He called the choice before them historic. Saakashvili, overcome with gratitude, called Orban "the brightest political star in Europe."

Saakashvili lost those elections. Power passed to Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream  a party with a rather different orientation. Some members of the outgoing government, facing legal pressure, found shelter abroad. Orban's Hungary, to its credit, received several of them.

Then something shifted.

After Georgia's 2012 elections, Saakashvili's government fell and a new administration  Georgian Dream, led by the billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili  came to power and began prosecuting former officials. Several fled the country. Among them was Zurab Adeishvili, Georgia's former Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General. He left Georgia the day after the election results. Hungary granted him political asylum. Interpol, citing that asylum status, cancelled its red notice against him in 2015. According to Georgian media reports, Adeishvili was subsequently employed as an adviser to Hungary's president. When a Georgian parliamentarian confronted Orban directly about this at Chatham House in 2013, Orban declined to answer.

Adeishvili was not alone. Erekle Kodua, a senior former official of Georgia's security services, also found refuge in Hungary, as did several other figures from the outgoing UNM administration  a pattern documented by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and recalled pointedly by Georgian commentators when Orban arrived in Tbilisi in 2023 as a guest of the very government that had driven those officials out.

The man who four days earlier had been urging Georgians toward European values was now sheltering the men Georgia's new government most wanted extradited.

By 2023, Orban was making official visits to Tbilisi  now to meet with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili, the very political force he had opposed in 2012. By October 2024, the day after Georgian Dream claimed victory in disputed parliamentary elections that triggered massive street protests and a severe deterioration in Georgia's relations with the West, Orban flew to Tbilisi and became the first foreign leader to personally congratulate the ruling party. He declared that Georgia "would not become a second Ukraine" and praised Georgian Dream's "conservative, Christian, and pro-European" values.

That same month  October 2024  Hungary quietly revoked Zurab Adeishvili's political asylum and notified the Georgian ambassador. Georgia immediately renewed its extradition request. The transaction, it appeared, had concluded: the fugitive had served his purpose in Budapest and could now be released back into the geopolitical current.

Where did he go? To Ukraine, where he had already been working as a senior adviser to the Prosecutor General. On April 8, 2026  four days before Hungary's parliamentary elections  Adeishvili was formally appointed Director of the Department of International Police Cooperation of the National Police of Ukraine. The head of that department also serves as the head of Ukraine's Interpol bureau.

The man who was himself the subject of an Interpol red notice is now, in effect, running Interpol operations for a major European country.

No further comment seems necessary.

The same man who in 2012 stood on a Kutaisi stage urging Georgia toward Europe was, twelve years later, the first foreign leader to congratulate the government the European Union was accusing of stealing an election  having sheltered, deployed, and then released a fugitive as a token of each successive friendship.

This is not inconsistency. This is a very consistent set of priorities  they are simply not the priorities most observers assumed.

The Hollywood Ending  and the Sequel

The story of Hungary's 2026 election has everything a good political thriller requires: a villain who ruled for sixteen years, a hero who emerged from within the system, a dramatic public break, a love story turned sour, international backers, record turnout, and a jubilant victory speech on the banks of the Danube.

Of course, there is a far simpler explanation for all of the above: that Orban lost because sixteen years in power erodes any government, that Magyar represents a genuine political shift driven by real public frustration with corruption and mismanagement, and that the policy continuities now emerging simply reflect Hungary's structural realities rather than any orchestrated design. That possibility should not be dismissed. History is rarely as elegant as its retrospective narratives suggest.

And yet.

What it also has  if one is paying attention  is a new prime minister who, within days of taking office, adopted positions on migration, Ukraine, EU obligations, and Israeli relations that would not have been entirely out of place in the previous administration. The EU, which bankrolled and cheered his campaign, has already sent him twenty-seven demands. The left-wing parties whose voters he absorbed are already expressing discomfort.

The Brussels establishment discovered, a little late, that they had enthusiastically financed and celebrated the election of what one European commentator called "a sixteen-years-younger Orban 2.0."

The details, as they accumulate, acquire a certain aesthetic quality. Magyar invited Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest to mark the seventieth anniversary of the 1956 revolution  a warm gesture toward a leader Orban had also counted as a friend. Days later, Magyar announced that his government would halt Orban's process of withdrawing Hungary from the International Criminal Court. The ICC, he noted, requires that any person subject to an arrest warrant be detained upon entering a member state's territory. Netanyahu, as it happens, is subject to such a warrant  a matter of publicly available ICC proceedings.

Magyar had, in a single maneuver, appeared simultaneously as Israel's friend and as a champion of international law  while ensuring that the invitation he had just extended could never actually be accepted. The categories, as noted, do not translate.

Then came the cabinet. On April 18, 2026, Magyar traveled to Warsaw for his first official meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk  one of Orban's most vocal and persistent critics in Europe. Magyar brought with him a new member of his government team to introduce. Her name is Aniko Orban. She has been appointed State Secretary for European Affairs.

Tusk, who had spent years denouncing Viktor Orban as the gravest threat to European democracy, found himself shaking hands with the incoming Hungarian government's face for European integration  a woman who shares the name that, for sixteen years, had been synonymous in Brussels with everything they were fighting against. She had also, during those sixteen years, served as Hungary's ambassador for energy security  the very portfolio that includes the Druzhba pipeline whose fate Magyar had already made a diplomatic condition.

Orban is gone. Orban remains.

This is how great power politics is made  not in grand ideological confrontations, but in the patient manipulation of categories, the strategic deployment of apparent contradictions, and the reliable tendency of one's opponents to see what they wish to see.

Viktor Orban lost the election. He conceded graciously, wished his successor well, and promised to serve Hungary from opposition. He has done this before  he lost power in 2002 and returned, stronger, in 2010.

Whether the current situation represents a genuine democratic transition, a sophisticated long game, or simply the chaotic unpredictability of real politics  that determination is left entirely to you.

The facts, as presented, speak for themselves.

Emzari Gelashvili is a former Member of the Georgian Parliament (20082012) and former senior official in Georgia's Ministry of Defense, Ministry of State Security, and Ministry of Internal Affairs, where his work focused on countering Russian and Iranian intelligence operations. He is co-founder of SU&EG LLC, a California-based importer of premium Georgian wines, and publishes geopolitical analysis at emzargelashvili.substack.com.
Distinguished economist and technocrat-politician Ashok Lahiri has been appointed the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, bringing a wealth of experience from government, international finance, and electoral politics to steer India's reform agenda and policy-making towards a 'Viksit Bharat'.

Key Points Ashok Lahiri, a 74-year-old technocrat-politician, has been appointed the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, bringing a unique blend of experience from government, the private sector, and electoral politics.

Lahiri's extensive career includes senior roles at the IMF, World Bank, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, and serving as India's Chief Economic Adviser under both NDA and UPA governments.

He played a crucial role in shaping India's Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act and the revenue-sharing formula as a member of the 15th Finance Commission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that Lahiri's expertise will strengthen India's reform trajectory and its ambition of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'.

N K Singh, chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, lauded Lahiri's appointment, highlighting his technocratic expertise and administrative capabilities, particularly his familiarity with state government finances.

Ashok Lahiri, the newly appointed vice-chairman (VC) of the central government think tank NITI Aayog, brings a rare combination of experience spanning government, the private sector and electoral politics.

After graduating from Presidency College in Kolkata, Lahiri, now 74, completed a PhD at the Delhi School of Economics.

His early intellectual footprint emerged in an unlikely arena for a macroeconomist: election analysis.

In the 1980s, he worked with Prannoy Roy and David Butler on pioneering efforts to systematise Indian election data.

Their work, including India Decides, helped shift political commentary from anecdote towards empirical analysis.

A Career in Economic Policy and Governance

Lahiri later held senior positions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an economist and worked as a consultant for the World Bank, focusing on macroeconomic stability and structural reform.

He also served as director of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy between 1998 and 2002, India"s leading fiscal policy think tank.

He rose to national prominence in 2002 after being appointed the 12th chief economic adviser under the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

His reputation for technocratic neutrality was reinforced when the incoming administration led by Manmohan Singh retained him in the role in 2004 for a further three years, a rare expression of bipartisan confidence in India"s sharply polarised policy landscape.

The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, legislated under the NDA government and operationalised during the UPA years, drew on analytical work within the finance ministry, including contributions from Lahiri, who was part of the Kelkar Task Force that shaped its implementation framework.

Lahiri later moved to Manila, Philippines, as executive director at the Asian Development Bank, overseeing regional development finance.

In 2015, he was appointed non-executive chairman of Bandhan Bank as it transitioned into a universal bank.

His role focused largely on governance and institutional consolidation.

Transition to Politics and Future Role at NITI Aayog

In 2017, Lahiri stepped down to join the 15th Finance Commission, where he played a key role in shaping the revenue-sharing formula between the central and state governments.

After decades in policy circles, Lahiri entered grassroots politics in West Bengal.

Ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) initially fielded him from Alipurduar before shifting him to Balurghat, where he won  a rare instance of a senior economist successfully making the transition into electoral politics late in his career.

The BJP has not fielded him in the ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal.

The central argument of Lahiri"s 2023 book, India In Search of Glory, is that India"s weaknesses in basic public service delivery stem from inadequate investment in the capacity of the state to provide those services effectively.

A longstanding advocate of fiscal discipline with experience in grassroots politics, Lahiri now faces the question of whether he can recast NITI Aayog as a more effective intermediary between the central and the state governments.

PM Modi's Vision for NITI Aayog

After meeting Lahiri on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chairs NITI Aayog, said Lahiri"s experience in economics and public policy would strengthen India"s reform trajectory and its ambition of becoming a "Viksit Bharat".

"I am confident that his efforts will make our country"s policy-making even more dynamic," said the prime minister. N K Singh, the chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, described Lahiri as an outstanding and exceptional choice for Niti Aayog, combining technocratic expertise with the administrative capabilities that the institution requires.

"He not only will have to deal with the central government, but with the state governments as well.

"His experience during his membership in the 15th Finance Commission gives him good exposure and familiarity with the fiscal and debt trajectories of state governments, which is necessary to spur economic growth at the state level," Singh added.
Indian airports are rapidly transforming into lucrative retail hubs, attracting a diverse array of brands and becoming a significant growth engine for the country's retail sector, driven by expanding aviation infrastructure and increasing passenger traffic.

Photograph: Courtesy, The Body Shop

Key Points Indian airports are emerging as crucial growth drivers for the retail sector, attracting brands from various consumer segments.

The expansion of airports in Tier-II cities and secondary metros, coupled with robust domestic tourism, is fuelling this retail boom.

Brands like The Body Shop and DailyObjects are experiencing significant growth in airport retail and are actively expanding their presence.

Airports are seen as 'new high streets' for luxury and premium shoppers, offering a highly intent-driven audience.

The development of secondary airports is expected to further catalyse the sector, expanding the national retail footprint and boosting per-passenger spending.

Indian airports are increasingly becoming a new avenue of growth for the country's retail sector, as brands across consumer segments queue up to open shop at these locations.

The opening of airports in Tier-II cities, along with secondary airports coming up in metros such as Mumbai and the DelhiNational Capital Region, coupled with strong domestic tourism momentum, has given wings to the retail segment.

Companies are recalibrating strategies to tap this growing consumer cohort.

Brands Capitalise on Transit Retail

"Travel retail is a part of our overall retail ecosystem in India, enabling us to engage with customers in transit environments such as airports.

"It allows us to present our product portfolio, including gifting and travelfriendly formats, to a diverse set of customers," said Vishal Chaturvedi, group chief revenue officer at personal care giant The Body Shop.

The brand, with seven stores across airport locations in India, has seen double-digit growth in this segment and is actively looking to open more stores to capitalise on the momentum.

For lifestyle tech brand DailyObjects, travel retail is set to become a core growth engine over the next two years.

"Airports give us a highly intent-driven, premium audience that is already in an 'on-the-move, device-heavy, always-on' mindset, which is exactly where our design-led everyday essentials add value to the broader lifestyle tech ecosystem," said Pankaj Garg, cofounder and chief executive officer (CEO).

The company expects travel retail to contribute close to 1215 per cent of its offline revenue and 68 per cent of overall brand revenue over the next two years.

With outposts at Mumbai's T2 (domestic terminal) and Guwahati International Airport, it is rolling out new stores at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport T2, as well as Chennai and Pune airports.

Airports as New High Streets

"As travel activity continues to rise, airports have become the new high streets and key catchments for luxury shoppers," said a retailer.

Fashion retail house Brand Concepts, which houses brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and United Colors of Benetton, has made high-intent, premium consumers a focus of its 2026 growth strategy.

"The expansion of aviation infrastructure in India presents strong opportunities for travel retail.

"We are actively evaluating emerging airport developments as part of our expansion strategy, with a focus on high-visibility locations that line up with our premium positioning," said cofounder Abhinav Kumar of Brand Concepts, adding that the company has opened four travel retail stores in the past six months.

A clear premiumisation tailwind is visible across the broader retail sector.

The country's retail real estate market recorded approximately 8.9 million square feet of absorption in 2025, according to real estate consultancy CBRE.

"Airports are rapidly evolving into high-velocity gateways for curated retail, driven by captive footfall and rising passenger dwell times.

"Globally, hubs such as Singapore Changi and Dubai International demonstrate how sustained infrastructure investments can transform airports into high-yield consumption centres, where retail dominates non-aeronautical revenues," said Anshuman Magazine, chairman and CEO (India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa) at CBRE.

Impact of Secondary Airports

In India, the emergence of secondary airports is likely to be catalytic for the sector.

"These assets not only expand the national retail footprint but also benefit from efficient passenger flows and lower congestion, which may translate into higher per-passenger retail spending," he added.

As domestic retailers and direct-toconsumer brands push for omnichannel expansion, travel retail is expected to become a nonnegotiable part of their go-tomarket strategies.

Leather goods maker Da Milano also sees strong potential in the development of secondary airports across key cities.

"As air travel continues to grow in India, these locations present new opportunities to reach evolving consumer segments.

"We are actively evaluating such opportunities and plan to expand selectively, ensuring that each location aligns with our brand positioning and customer profile," said founder Sahil Malik.
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is on the verge of launching UPI-linked withdrawals by the end of May, a significant upgrade stemming from its CITES 2.0 overhaul designed to revolutionise how subscribers access their provident fund balances.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points EPFO plans to launch UPI-linked withdrawals by the end of May, enabling faster transfer of PF balances to bank accounts.

The rollout is part of the CITES 2.0 overhaul, a new centralised IT system replacing multiple legacy platforms.

The transition will involve a temporary two-day shutdown of services for data and software migration.

A new dedicated EPFO mobile app, integrated with UPI, will accompany the system, allowing withdrawals of up to 75 per cent of the balance.

The overhaul aims to resolve existing issues like claim settlement delays and data errors, improving member services.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to roll out Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-linked withdrawals by the end of May as it tests the final leg of its Centralised IT Enabled System (CITES) 2.0 overhaul, according to a senior official aware of the matter.

The rollout, originally planned for March-end, has been delayed as user testing is underway for the sixth and final module.

CITES 2.0: A Major IT Overhaul

CITES 2.0 is EPFOs overhaul of its core IT systems to replace multiple legacy, office-based platforms with a single, centralised system.

It is structured into six modules covering member accounts, employer filings, claims, pensions, finance, and compliance and grievance redressal.

Five modules have been completed, while the last, dealing with grievance and compliance, is currently under testing.

There is one issue, which is that there will be two days of darkness in the system with no transactions possible, but it will have to be done since the entire system is being redeveloped, said the official.

The transition will involve a full migration of data and software for all EPFO members and employers, requiring a temporary shutdown of services for about two days.

The system was developed by a third-party IT firm, with EPFO overseeing the rollout, the official added.

New Mobile App and Enhanced Services

The new system will be accompanied by a dedicated EPFO mobile app, distinct from UMANG, which will be linked to users bank accounts.

It would be integrated with UPI platforms, allowing subscribers to transfer PF balances to their bank accounts and withdraw funds more quickly.

Officials previously indicated that users may be able to withdraw up to 75 per cent of their balance through this route.

EPFOs existing systems have faced persistent issues, including delays in claim settlements, errors in member data, and difficulties in transferring accounts across jobs.

The overhaul is expected to address these gaps, though similar large-scale IT transitions in government services often face initial challenges.
Indian benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty staged a significant rebound, snapping a three-day losing streak, fuelled by strong performances from Reliance Industries and Sun Pharma, coupled with positive global market trends and easing geopolitical concerns.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

Key Points Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded by nearly 1 per cent, ending a three-day losing streak.

Sun Pharma surged 7 per cent following its announcement of a $11.75 billion acquisition of US-based Organon & Co.

Reliance Industries, Adani Ports, Tech Mahindra, and NTPC were among the other significant gainers.

Positive global sentiment, particularly reports of potential de-escalation between the US and Iran, contributed to the market's strength.

The pharmaceutical and IT sectors showed strong traction, supporting the overall market rally.

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded nearly 1 per cent on Monday, snapping the three-day falling streak following a rally in Reliance Industries and Sun Pharma and positive global trends.

The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 639.42 points or 0.83 per cent to settle at 77,303.63. During the day, it surged 755.83 points or 0.98 per cent to 77,420.04.

The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 194.75 points or 0.81 per cent to close at 24,092.70.

Top Performers and Market Drivers

Among the 30-Sensex firms, Sun Pharma jumped 7 per cent after it announced the acquisition of US-based Organon & Co in an all-cash deal at an enterprise valuation of $11.75 billion, one of the largest overseas buyouts by Indian firms.

Reliance Industries jumped 2.88 per cent. Adani Ports, Tech Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra, NTPC, HCL Tech and Tata Consultancy Services were also among the major gainers.

Axis Bank, Bharat Electronics, Trent and ICICI Bank were among the laggards from the blue-chip pack.

Global and Geopolitical Influences

In Asian markets, South Korea's benchmark Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index ended higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended lower.

Markets in Europe were trading in positive territory. US markets ended mostly higher on Friday.

"A key catalyst behind today's strength was improving global sentiment, particularly reports of a potential de-escalation between the US and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz.

"This development eased supply disruptions and supported global risk appetite, helping domestic markets stabilise and rise," Hariprasad K, Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said.

Sectoral participation played an important role in sustaining the rally, he noted.

"The pharmaceutical space saw strong traction, led by a sharp surge in Sun Pharmaceutical Industries following its announcement of a large acquisition deal involving Organon.

The IT sector also witnessed a notable rebound after recent underperformance," Hariprasad added.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, traded 2.53 per cent higher at $107.9 per barrel.

Market Resilience Amid Volatility

"Indian equities began the week on a positive note, supported by improved sentiment amid renewed expectations of near-term de-escalation in the Middle East.

"Gains were widespread, with all major sectoral indices ending in positive territory.

"Overall, markets demonstrated resilience but remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments," Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm, said.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 8,827.87 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
Most active traders prefer mobile applications that provide real-time alerts, including price targets -- functions that dealers once delivered through client calls.

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

Key Points Dealer-led trading systems in India's equity cash market have sharply declined from over 60 per cent in FY15.

Mobile-based trading platforms are gaining dominance, offering real-time alerts and reducing dependence on brokerage dealers.

Brokerages are incentivising app-based trading due to lower operational costs and additional charges on call-and-trade services.

Despite tech adoption, older investors managing larger portfolios still rely on dealer-assisted trading services for execution.

Dealer-led systems continue to dominate commodity derivatives trading, accounting for over 80 per cent turnover in FY26.

Around a decade ago, most share trading on stock exchanges in India involved calling a dealer at a preferred brokerage.

That is no longer the case.

Dealer-led systems, which accounted for more than 60 per cent of turnover in the equity cash market in FY15, had fallen to about 25.1 per cent by FY26, according to data from the National Stock Exchange.

There has been a steady year-on-year (Y-o-Y) and month-on-month (M-o-M) decline in the use of dealer-operated systems such as computer-to-computer link (CTCL) and the National Exchange for Automated Trading (NEAT), a screen-based platform, according to the NSE's Market Pulse publication.

'Traditional dealer-led routes weakened further, with the share of CTCL/NEAT terminals declining 124 bps (basis points) M-o-M and 473 bps Y-o-Y to 21.4 per cent... The evolving channel mix points to deeper adoption of automated infrastructure alongside sustained expansion in mobile-based investor participation,' the report said.

The proportion of investors placing orders via phone calls or by visiting brokerage offices is now small and continues to shrink, said Nilesh Sharma, executive director and president at Samco Securities.

Most active traders prefer mobile applications that provide real-time alerts, including price targets -- functions that dealers once delivered through client calls.

Operating via mobile platforms is also more cost-efficient for brokerages than keeping large dealing teams.

Clients opting for call-and-trade services are often charged an additional fee, further reducing the channel's appeal, Sharma said.

"A lot of brokerages now have call-and-trade charges, which act as a deterrent."

CTCL NEAT usage drops

A senior executive at a brokerage with traditional roots said that, a decade ago, most clients relied on dealers to execute trades.

The intervening years have brought structural change across the broking industry, with technology simplifying client onboarding and enabling direct trading through mobile applications.

Traditional brokerages have since closed the technology gap, and earlier asymmetries are no longer evident.

All major firms now offer electronic onboarding via mobile platforms.

An older cohort of clients still prefers to speak with a dealer before placing orders.

This segment typically manages larger portfolios than younger, technology-first investors, helping sustain demand for dealer services.

"On the contrary, the dealing strength has gone up," the executive said, speaking of full-service brokers where client numbers have risen.

While dealer headcount may not have grown in line with the client base, absolute numbers may still be higher than before, according to him.

Commodity derivatives still dealer-driven

The decline in dealer-led turnover in equities does not extend uniformly across all market segments.

In some areas, dealer intermediation remains dominant.

Despite a Y-o-Y decline from more than 90 per cent in FY25, the CTCL/NEAT route accounted for 80.3 per cent of commodity derivatives turnover in FY26, according to NSE data.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries' executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi shares his mixed feelings of happiness and anxiety regarding the company's $11.75 billion acquisition of US-based Organon & Co, a strategic move set to expand Sun Pharma's global footprint, particularly in the Chinese market and biosimilars sector.

Photograph: Adeel Halim/Reuters

Key Points Sun Pharma's Executive Chairman Dilip Shanghvi views the $11.75 billion Organon acquisition as a mix of excitement and anxiety due to its large scale and the substantial debt involved.

The acquisition is strategically important for Sun Pharma, providing entry into the lucrative Chinese market and establishing a significant presence in the global biosimilars business.

Despite being "debt-averse," Sun Pharma is "not risk-averse" and sees the turbulent global times as an opportunity to secure deals that would otherwise be difficult.

The company plans to finance the acquisition with $2-2.5 billion cash and $9.25-9.75 billion in committed bank financing, aiming to reduce the debt ratio quickly.

Shanghvi expressed confidence in maintaining dividend payouts and continuing business development deals, focusing on products close to market in key therapy areas.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries' acquisition of US-based Organon & Co at $11.75 billion enterprise valuation is both a "happy" and "bit anxious" moment, considering the large nature of the transaction and debt required to fund it, its Executive Chairman Dilip Shanghvi said on Monday.

Addressing a media conference in Mumbai, Shanghvi asserted that although the company is "debt-averse" it is "not risk-averse" and the acquisition opportunity, despite coming at a turbulent time globally, "generally would be difficult to get if all the times are normal".

Strategic Gains from Organon Acquisition

Apart from other synergies, two of the main gains for Sun Pharma from the Organon acquisition are entering the Chinese market and getting a foothold in the global biosimilars business.

"I am happy, excited, (and) also a little bit anxious. It's a large transaction that we are entering into," he said.

Noting that the Organon acquisition reminds him of the Ranbaxy transaction, Shanghvi said, "At that point of time we were a much smaller company, but at that time also we were buying another company, which was almost 80 per cent of our company in terms of size."

He further said, "We did not pay for that acquisition through cash, but we paid for that acquisition through a much more expensive currency.

"We paid through our stock and dilution to Sun Pharma shareholders was close to 20 per cent."

Organon in terms of size, he said, "is more or less the same as that of Sun Pharma. In terms of profitability (it) is, maybe, even little bit higher than Sun Pharma, however, the transaction values Organon at less than 25 per cent of the Sun (Pharma) valuation."

The key difference, he said, is the difference in the growth trajectories of the two companies, adding that while "Sun has been consistently growing and Organon has not been growing".

Financing and Debt Management

Sun Pharma said the acquisition will be financed with $2-2.5 billion of cash on hand and the balance $9.25-9.75 billion to be funded through committed financing from banks.

Referring to the debt, Shanghvi acknowledged some of the concerns that people have expressed were "related to the large size of debt that we might have to raise to pay for the company".

"This debt, even though large in terms of the overall size, it's still going to be 2.3 times the combined company EBITDA, and we have a focused effort towards finding a way to minimise the debt by finding a way to repay the debt as early as possible," he asserted.

Stressing that Sun Pharma has been "either a low debt or maybe a certain cash positive company for a long time", he said, "Even the debt that we got as a result of Ranbaxy acquisition, we found a way to repay it in the shortest possible time".

Similarly, for the Organon acquisition, he said, "That would be our effort, that would be our focus, but we will still have ability to do business development deals, and we will focus on investing our investable surplus into products which are close to market, and products in therapy areas of her interest."

Rationale and Future Outlook

On the rationale behind taking a huge debt for the acquisition, specially at a time when there is turbulence globally, he said, "As a company, we ourselves are debt-averse.

"However, we are not risk averse. At some point of time when we think that the debt will help us scale the business and change the trajectory of the business, we are comfortable with debt."

He further said, "Whatever challenges that we have, if we protect what you call risk properly, it should be possible for us to progress and in this turbulent time, you have an opportunity to do things which generally would be difficult to get if all the times are normal."

Citing the company's internal assessment of the future cash flow and its ability to repay the debt, Shanghvi expressed confidence in its ability to bring its debt ratio down to a much more reasonable level.

"It's not a very high debt ratio, even though the amount of debt would be significant, but we should be able to repay the debt within a reasonable period of time.

"We have been disciplined about repaying debt in the past, and we will continue to be disciplined post the closing of the transaction," he asserted.

Shanghvi also said the decision for the acquisition, despite the large debt requirement, was taken while keeping his family members informed.

"I keep my family involved in that decision, because many of the implications of the decisions they have to live with, because I may possibly not be there at some point. It is a decision that we've entered into consciously," he noted.

On the possibility of impact of the transaction on dividend payouts, he said, "As on today, when we've done the cash flow calculations and our desire to repay the debt, I think we've kept a provision so that we will continue to have the dividend maintained."

Noting that for those who invest in the emerging market, dividend is one of the attractions for them to invest, he said, "What decision that we will take for what to do with the future dividend policy, we will factor this preference and liking of our shareholders while we take a decision, and we will keep people informed."

Shanghvi said the Organon acquisition gives Sun Pharma a global presence.

"It gives us the ability to licence products globally, also launch many of the products that we already have in our pipeline in many geographies that we are not currently present in, and those are interesting geographies for us," he added.

He further said, "It gives us opportunity in new markets, where we are currently not present. We are not present in most of the countries in South America, Korea, Taiwan, China.

"We get direct presence in the Middle East, even Turkey, many countries there, we have no presence through the (Organon acquisition)."

Why pharma companies must have presence in China

Stressing the need to have presence in China, Sun Pharma managing director Kirti Ganorkar said, "Any pharmaceutical company, which wants to become global, they must be present in China, because China has become the world's second biggest market today, it is $150 billion, growing at 5-7 per cent."

Organon's presence in China is substantial and FY25 revenues stood at over $800 million, he added.

The deal also enables Sun Pharma's entry into biosimilars as a top-10 global player.

Shanghvi said initially Sun Pharma was not in the biosimilar segment due to lack of regulatory clarity on "substitution as well as interchangeability" and now with greater clarity, it now justifies the investments.

"We will continue to look out for opportunities to in-licence products from people who have ability to bring this product to market, to be first to come to the market," he said on the focus and priority related to biosimilars.
After nearly a decade on the run, a convicted murderer in a 1989 case has been apprehended by Delhi Police, bringing closure to a long-standing case.

Key Points Sushil Kumar, convicted in a 1989 murder case, was arrested after evading authorities for nine years.

The Delhi High Court upheld Kumar's conviction, but he failed to surrender and remained on the run.

A crime branch team traced Kumar to a rented accommodation in Delhi's Shahdara.

The murder occurred during a Ram Lila event in 1989, where Kumar allegedly stabbed a man to death.

A convicted absconder in a 1989 murder case has been arrested, nearly nine years after the Delhi High Court upheld his conviction, police said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Sushil Kumar alias Guddu, 57, had been evading arrest since 2017 after failing to surrender despite the court's directions, they said.

Breakthrough in Decades-Old Murder Case

The police arrested Kumar, who was a proclaimed offender in a case registered against him in 1989 at Krishna Nagar, on Saturday from Delhi's Shahdara, they said.

He was convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in 2000. His conviction was later upheld by the Delhi High Court, but he absconded instead of complying with the court's orders, police said.

Tracing the Absconder

The breakthrough came when a team from the crime branch was tasked with tracing convicted absconders, police said, adding that they began working on the decades-old case despite limited records and the absence of photographs of the accused.

"Given the age of the case, there were no readily available records or visual identification details. The accused had also disposed of his previous residence long ago, making tracing more challenging," a senior police officer said.

Arrest and Background of the Accused

The team analysed digital records related to appeal proceedings before the Delhi High Court and developed crucial leads.

Acting on specific inputs, they tracked the accused to a rented accommodation in West Jyoti Nagar in Delhi's Shahdara. The police conducted a raid on Saturday and apprehended and arrested Kumar.

"The case dates back to the intervening night of October 6-7, 1989, when a quarrel broke out during a Ram Lila event in the Gyan Park area of Krishna Nagar. During the altercation, the accused allegedly stabbed a man, identified as Vivek, in the neck, leading to his death," the officer said.

Kumar was initially arrested and later granted bail in 1993. However, after his conviction was upheld years later, he failed to surrender and remained on the run until his arrest, the officer said.

Police records show that he was also previously involved in a case related to theft of railway property registered in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, the officer said.
Raghav Chadha reveals the reasons behind his departure from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging a 'toxic' work environment and a party controlled by corrupt individuals.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha meets BJP president Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters, in New Delhi, April 24, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Chadha said he left a successful career as a practising chartered accountant to enter politics and became a founding member of AAP.

Chadha, along with six other MPs, has merged with the BJP, citing disillusionment with the AAP's current state.

Chadha alleges that the AAP is now controlled by 'corrupt and compromised people' focused on personal gain.

The Rajya Sabha chairman has approved the merger of the defected AAP MPs with the BJP.

Amid questions raised in some quarters over his decision to quit the Aam Aadmi Party, Raghav Chadha on Monday said the work environment in Arvind Kejriwal's party had turned "toxic" with leaders stopped from working, and asserted that "one or two persons can be wrong, but not all seven".

In a video on social media, Chadha, who -- along with 6 other MPs -- merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party, said he had been receiving several messages over the last three days, with many people congratulating him while others wanted to know the reasons behind his decision.

Chadha said he left a successful career as a practising chartered accountant to enter politics and became a founding member of AAP, giving 15 years of his "prime youth" to build the party.

"I didn't come into politics to make my career," he said, adding that he had worked for the party with his "blood, sweat and tears."

However, he alleged that the party was no longer the same and had turned into a "toxic work environment", where leaders were stopped from working and speaking in Parliament.

"Today, this political party is trapped in the hands of some corrupt and compromised people. They don't work for the country but for their own personal gain," Chadha alleged.

There was no immediate response available from AAP over his allegation.

The Rajya Sabha MP said that for the past few years, he had been feeling that he was "the right man in the wrong party" and was left with only three choices -- to leave politics, to remain in the party and try to fix things or to take his energy and experience to another platform and continue doing "positive politics".

"That's why I, not alone, but along with six other MPs, decided to break the relationship with this political party," he said.

Drawing a parallel with a toxic workplace, Chadha said if people are stopped from working, their hard work is suppressed, and they are silenced, adding that the right decision is to leave such an environment.

He also said he would continue to raise issues of ordinary citizens with more energy and enthusiasm, and hoped to find and implement solutions more effectively on the new political platform.

Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, on April 24, announced that they were joining the BJP, along with four other MPs of the party. The other members who quit the AAP are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Swati Maliwal and Vikramjit Sahney.

During a press conference, Chadha had said that two-thirds of the total MPs of a party can merge with another party, citing the Indian Constitution.

On Monday, the Rajya Sabha chairman approved the merger of AAP's 7 defected MPs with the BJP, raising the number of its members in the Upper House to 113. Arvind Kejriwal-led party is now down to 3 members in Rajya Sabha.
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.
Tensions flared in Gujarat as AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava and a relative of a deceased factory worker engaged in a physical altercation over compensation for victims of a devastating factory fire.

Key Points AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava slapped a relative of a deceased worker amid a dispute over compensation following a factory fire in Gujarat.

The factory fire at Jhagadia GIDC resulted in two deaths and several injuries, sparking demands for higher compensation.

MLA Chaitar Vasava alleges the company failed to engage with victims' families, prompting his intervention.

Roshan Vasava, the relative involved, accused the MLA of inciting people and seeking to extract money from the company.

AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava and a relative of a worker, who died after a fire in a factory in Bharuch district of Gujarat, on Monday, slapped each other amid tension over the compensation for the kin, with the video of the incident going viral.

A blaze at a chemical factory in Jhagadia GIDC on April 23 left 16 workers injured. Later, two of them succumbed during treatment, including Rakesh Vasava.

A day after Rakesh's death, his cousin Roshan Vasava reached the factory premises to discuss the compensation for the family of the deceased worker.

Meanwhile, AAP leader and Dediapada (ST) MLA Chaitar Vasava also reached the factory premises with his supporters and the kin of the injured workers, demanding higher compensation for all the victims.

Clash Over Compensation Claims

A viral video shows the MLA arguing with Roshan over an issue near the factory gate, and suddenly slapping him in the presence of a police officer.

Roshan also retaliated and slapped the MLA before others separated them.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Roshan Vasava levelled serious allegations against the MLA.

"Chaitar Vasava came here and started inciting people. I know that he came here to extract money (from the company), not to support our (tribal) community. I am not associated with any political party. I came here for the sake of my family," he said.

Roshan said he was neither harassed by any policeman nor was he tutored to react in a particular manner.

"Chaitar Vasava will be solely responsible if the law and order situation worsens here," he added.

MLA Responds to Allegations

Responding to the allegations, the AAP MLA claimed that he had visited the factory after being approached by the victims' families seeking justice.

"The blaze occurred due to negligence by the company. Of the 16 injured workers, two have died. Several others have suffered severe burns, with some having up to 80 per cent injuries," he said.

The AAP leader alleged that the company management failed to engage with the victims' families or discuss compensation and medical expenses, prompting him to intervene.

"The families informed me that their young sons had died in the incident. We went to the company gate and asked the police officials present to arrange talks with the management to ensure justice," he said.

Accusations and Counter-Accusations

The MLA also accused the police of allowing "outsiders" to be present at the site, which, he claimed, led to arguments.

"Some people who had no connection to the victim's families were brought there. They started arguing with us. Later, a person (Roshan) picked up a fight with me in the presence of police officials," he claimed.

According to the MLA, the company had offered Rs 15 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased workers but refused to provide any financial assistance to the injured.

"The families of the deceased told me that they are not satisfied with the compensation offer. Initially, the company didn't even open the gate for us when we reached here. When we went inside to discuss, a person got into a fight with me," he added.

Police officials have not yet issued a statement. No FIR has been registered.
The Karnataka government is promising strict action after students were allegedly forced to remove their sacred threads, or 'janivara', before entering a CET exam venue, sparking outrage and prompting a police investigation.

Key Points Karnataka government vows strict action against those who forced students to remove sacred threads at a CET exam.

An inquiry suggests students were intentionally made to remove their 'janivara' before entering the exam venue.

Police have booked staff members of a private college in Bengaluru in connection with the incident.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority will not conduct future CET exams at the institution where the incident occurred.

The government has ordered a detailed police investigation into the sacred thread removal incident.

Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G on Monday said the government has decided to take the "strictest possible action" against those responsible for allegedly forcing some students to remove their 'janivara' (sacred thread) before entering the venue of the CET exam last week.

He said a committee of senior officials constituted to inquire into the incident reported that, prima facie, it appears the students were "intentionally" made to remove the 'janivara'.

Investigation Into CET Exam Incident

The city police have already booked three staff members of a private college in Bengaluru for allegedly forcing some students to remove their 'janivara' before entering the venue of the Common Entrance Test (CET-2026) last week.

Similar incidents last year in Shivamogga and Bidar had triggered controversy, following which the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) issued clear directions not to force students to remove any religious identification or symbol during exams.

Government Response and Measures

"Despite KEA taking measures such as appointing dress code officials and providing training on dos and don'ts to prevent such incidents from recurring after last year's cases, there has been a dereliction of duty this time," Jagadeesha told reporters here.

"To take strict action against those responsible, an FIR has been registered, and arrests have been made. An inquiry has been conducted by senior officials, and those responsible have been suspended," he added.

Stating that the inquiry report has been submitted at the district level, he said it will be forwarded to the government.

Based on the findings, it has also been decided that KEA will not conduct CET exams at the institution where the incident occurred, he added.

Commitment to Prevent Future Incidents

"The strictest possible action is being taken by the district administration and the government," he added.

The deputy commissioner had constituted a committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner to investigate the incident and submit a report within two days.

"Exams have been held at several centres across the state, and nowhere else has this issue occurred. If students were forced to remove 'janivara' at this centre, it appears that it was intentional. We have taken it seriously," he said, adding that strict action has been recommended to ensure such incidents do not recur.

Noting that senior officials were appointed for the inquiry, the DC said that after a thorough investigation and verification-which included statements from students, the school principal, exam observers, CCTV footage, and documents-it prima facie appears that students were intentionally made to remove the 'janivara'.

"We are recommending strict action. The government has also ordered a detailed police investigation, and an FIR has been registered in connection with the incident," he added.
Bengaluru officials are taking decisive action against staff members accused of compelling students to remove their sacred threads before a Common Entrance Test, sparking outrage and prompting a thorough investigation.

Key Points Bengaluru authorities are taking strict action against staff for allegedly forcing students to remove their sacred thread.

An inquiry suggests the students were intentionally made to remove the 'janivara' before the CET exam.

Three staff members have been booked, arrests made, and an inquiry conducted by senior officials.

The college where the incident occurred will no longer be a CET exam centre.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority had previously issued guidelines against forcing students to remove religious symbols.

Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G on Monday said the government has decided to take the "strictest possible action" against those responsible for allegedly forcing some students to remove their 'janivara' (sacred thread) before entering the venue of the CET exam last week.

He said a committee of senior officials constituted to inquire into the incident reported that, prima facie, it appears the students were "intentionally" made to remove the 'janivara'.

Police Action and Initial Findings

The city police have already booked three staff members of a private college in Bengaluru for allegedly forcing some students to remove their 'janivara' before entering the venue of the Common Entrance Test (CET-2026) last week.

Similar incidents last year in Shivamogga and Bidar had triggered controversy, following which the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) issued clear directions not to force students to remove any religious identification or symbol during exams.

KEA Guidelines and Dereliction of Duty

"Despite KEA taking measures such as appointing dress code officials and providing training on dos and don'ts to prevent such incidents from recurring after last year's cases, there has been a dereliction of duty this time," Jagadeesha told reporters here.

"To take strict action against those responsible, an FIR has been registered, and arrests have been made. An inquiry has been conducted by senior officials, and those responsible have been suspended," he added.

Further Investigation and Consequences

Stating that the inquiry report has been submitted at the district level, he said it will be forwarded to the government.

Based on the findings, it has also been decided that KEA will not conduct CET exams at the institution where the incident occurred, he added.

"The strictest possible action is being taken by the district administration and the government," he added.

Intentional Act and Recommended Action

The deputy commissioner had constituted a committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner to investigate the incident and submit a report within two days.

"Exams have been held at several centres across the state, and nowhere else has this issue occurred. If students were forced to remove 'janivara' at this centre, it appears that it was intentional. We have taken it seriously," he said, adding that strict action has been recommended to ensure such incidents do not recur.

Noting that senior officials were appointed for the inquiry, the DC said that after a thorough investigation and verification-which included statements from students, the school principal, exam observers, CCTV footage, and documents-it prima facie appears that students were intentionally made to remove the 'janivara'.

"We are recommending strict action. The government has also ordered a detailed police investigation, and an FIR has been registered in connection with the incident," he added.
An Indian actress and her family are facing charges for allegedly defrauding a London-based software engineer of Rs 9.35 crore under the false promise of marriage, according to a police complaint.

Key Points An actress and her family are accused of defrauding a software engineer of Rs 9.35 crore.

The actress allegedly promised marriage to the engineer, leading him to provide financial support.

The complainant alleges the actress took large sums of money and acquired properties in her name.

The actress repeatedly delayed the marriage and eventually refused, leading to the complaint.

The software engineer allegedly suffered financial loss and mental stress due to the false promise of marriage.

A case was registered against an actress and her family for allegedly cheating a London-based software engineer of Rs 9.35 crore on the pretext of marriage, police said on Monday.

A 60-year-old man lodged a complaint with the Central Crime Station (CCS) alleging that his son was duped by the actress, following which the case was booked against her and her three family members on April 20.

"The complainant alleged that his son was cheated of over Rs 9 crore...We are verifying that," a police official said.

How The Alleged Cheating Unfolded

The complainant stated that his son met the accused in 2018, through mutual friends, when he was in India. She told his son that she was an actress and that she had completed a masters in the USA. Within two months of meeting him, in March 2018, she told him that she would marry him.

She also said that his divorce issue from his previous marriage did not matter and continued the relationship.

"After his son accepted her proposal, she told him that her H1B visa had an issue. She also stated that her education loan was pending and her father had stopped supporting her financially. She asked him to support her financially, which he did after she repeatedly assured that she would marry him," the complainant said.

Marriage Promise Broken, Money Not Returned

In July 2020, when his son asked her to arrange a meeting between both families for the marriage, she refused to marry him, the complainant said and added that when his son asked her to repay the money and return the gold purchased for her under the guise of marriage, she avoided him.

A meeting was arranged to settle the issue, where she agreed to return Rs 70 lakh and gave blank cheques, but she later tore them. Then, the actress' sister and mother contacted the complainant's son in November 2020 and told him that she was going through depression after the breakup and trusting them, his son resumed the relationship, the complainant said.

Financial Loss And Mental Stress

From 2020 to 2025, she repeatedly assured his son and family that she would marry him but kept delaying and during this period, she took large sums of money and made his son purchase properties, vehicles, and gold in her name, the complainant alleged.

In July 2025, she again refused to marry his son besides threatening him with false cases and stopped responding. The complainant said his son suffered huge financial loss and mental stress over the false promise of marriage and approached the police seeking action against the actress and her family.
An armed gang successfully robbed a State Bank of India branch in Surat, Gujarat, making off with Rs 50 lakh after disabling the alarm system and threatening staff and customers.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

Key Points Armed robbers looted Rs 50 lakh from a State Bank of India branch in Surat.

The gang of five disabled the bank's alarm system and seized mobile phones.

Police are investigating the robbery, with Crime Branch and Zone 1 teams deployed.

The robbers are believed to be Hindi-speaking and used a pistol-like weapon.

In a daylight heist, a gang of armed robbers targeted a branch of State Bank of India (SBI) in Gujarat's Surat city on Monday, looting Rs 50 lakh in cash after threatening the staff and customers at gunpoint, police said.

Details Of The SBI Branch Robbery

The gang of five reportedly disabled the alarm system of the bank and snatched mobile phones from both employees and customers to prevent them from alerting the authorities, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Alok Kumar said.

The robbery took place at the SBI's branch in the Varachha area of the city, he said.

Police Investigation Underway

"Preliminary information suggests that approximately Rs 50 lakh in cash was looted, specifically funds held by the cashier and the cash box brought by the CMS cash-deposit vehicle. We are currently verifying the exact amount," the official told reporters.

Kumar said the CCTV footage has revealed the presence of five accused, but more persons might be involved.

"We are actively investigating the matter. Separate teams from the Crime Branch and Zone 1 have been deployed to work on this case. The accused appear to be Hindi-speaking individuals. They used a pistol-like weapon to intimidate and threaten the victims," he said.
Gurugram Police have apprehended two former bank employees involved in a sophisticated loan fraud scheme, highlighting the risks associated with pre-approved loan data and cyber security vulnerabilities in the banking sector.

Photograph: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com

Key Points Gurugram Police arrest two former bank employees for fraudulent loan activities.

The accused accessed data of pre-approved accounts to obtain loans.

One victim reported an unauthorised deduction from their Axis Bank account.

The investigation revealed a conspiracy involving multiple individuals and banks.

Police are actively pursuing the remaining individuals involved in the loan fraud.

Gurugram Police has arrested two former bank employees for fraudulently obtaining loans by accessing data of pre-approved accounts, officials said on Monday.

On December 11 last year, a man filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Manesar police station alleging that Rs 12,585 had been deducted from his Axis Bank account on December 6, they said.

Upon inquiring at the bank, it was discovered that someone had taken out a loan of Rs 4.74 lakh by changing the mobile number linked to the complainant's account, and the deducted amount was the first instalment of that loan, they added.

Following this, the police registered a case and initiated an investigation.

Details Of The Arrested Individuals

The accused were identified as Mohammad Ali, a resident of Balia in Uttar Pradesh and Mohammad Asif, a resident of Govindpur, Delhi, the police said.

The police investigation revealed that Ali was a deputy manager at the Delhi branch of RBL Bank, and Asif worked at Axis Bank in Gurugram, they added.

Modus Operandi Of The Loan Fraud

"Ali was the main conspirator. He obtained confidential bank account information from Asif containing pre-approved loan offers. Ali then provided the data, along with a SIM card, to another accused, Mohammad Haseem," the police said.

Haseem, along with his accomplices, changed the mobile number linked to the account and obtained fraudulent loans through internet banking, they added.

Efforts are underway to arrest the other involved individuals, the police said.
West Bengal's upcoming elections are marred by violence as a TMC MP reports an attack and a CISF jawan is shot, raising concerns about election security.

IMAGE: TMC MP Mitali Bag alleged that BJP workers vandalised her vehicle at Goghat ahead of the second phase of West Bengal elections. Photograph: @AITCofficial/X

Key Points TMC MP Mitali Bag alleges attack by BJP workers, resulting in injuries and hospitalisation.

A CISF jawan, Yogesh Sharma, was shot and injured outside a BJP candidate's residence in North 24 Parganas.

Crude bombs were discovered at a polling booth in Habra, causing panic and prompting accusations between TMC and BJP.

The Election Commission has sought reports on all incidents of violence and is investigating the matters.

The second phase of voting will take place across seven districts in West Bengal.

A TMC MP was allegedly attacked and a CISF jawan was shot in separate incidents of violence in southern West Bengal, where elections will be held in the second phase on Wednesday.

TMC MP Attacked in Hooghly District

In Hooghly district, Arambagh MP Mitali Bag on Monday alleged that BJP workers vandalised her vehicle at Goghat while she was on her way to attend a rally of party leader Abhishek Banerjee.

Bag claimed that she came under attack near a BJP office and suffered injuries from the shattered windowpane of her vehicle.

She alleged that despite being a woman and a Dalit people's representative, she was targeted by "hooligans sheltered by the fascist BJP".

She was later admitted to the Arambagh hospital for treatment.

Banerjee, who visited Bag at the hospital, condemned the attack, stating that the people of Bengal would give a befitting reply to the BJP.

The BJP denied the allegations, calling the episode a "drama" and instead accusing TMC supporters of attacking its leader.

An Election Commission official said a report had been sought on the matter, and CCTV footage from the area was being examined.

Central forces were also deployed at the spot, he said.

CISF Jawan Shot in North 24 Parganas

In another incident, a CISF jawan was injured in a firing outside the residence of BJP candidate Pawan Singh in the Bhatpara area of North 24 Parganas district late on Sunday night.

The injured personnel, identified as Yogesh Sharma, sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was hospitalised. The poll panel has sought a report on the incident.

Police said four people, including a TMC councillor, were arrested in connection with the incident.

Crude Bombs Recovered at Polling Booth

In the Habra constituency of the district, eight crude bombs were recovered from the premises of a school designated as a polling booth, triggering panic in the area.

The explosives were detected during a security check at Habra Dakshin Nimna Buniyadi Prathomik Vidyalaya and were later defused, police said.

While the TMC accused the BJP of planting the bombs to disrupt polling, the BJP alleged that the ruling party was trying to intimidate voters. The Election Commission has sought a report on this incident as well.

A total of 142 seats across seven districts will vote in the second round on Wednesday. The votes will be counted on May 4.
Since Bihar's liquor prohibition law came into effect in 2016, over 1.7 million arrests have been made, highlighting the significant impact of the alcohol ban on the state.

Key Points Over 1.7 million people have been arrested in Bihar since the liquor prohibition law was enacted in April 2016.

Special excise courts in Bihar have registered over 1.1 million cases related to liquor prohibition, with a high conviction rate.

Bihar's Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department collected Rs 8,403 crore in revenue during FY 2025-26, exceeding its target.

Authorities in Bihar have seized over 4.8 crore bulk litres of liquor during the prohibition period.

The department aims to enhance transparency and reduce human intervention through technology, setting a revenue target of Rs 10,000 crore for the next fiscal year.

More than 17 lakh people have been arrested under Bihar's liquor prohibition law since it came into force in April 2016, a senior official said on Monday.

Impact of Bihar's Alcohol Ban on Arrests

Prohibition, Excise and Registration Department Secretary Ajay Yadav said a total of 17,18,058 individuals were arrested between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2026, for offences related to both consumption and sale of alcohol.

According to a statement, 11,37,731 cases were registered in special excise courts during the period. Of these, 5,70,717 cases have been disposed of.

Punishment was awarded in nearly 99 per cent of the disposed cases, amounting to 5,65,929 convictions, the statement said.

Revenue Collection Amidst Prohibition

Yadav also said the department collected Rs 8,403 crore in revenue during FY 2025-26, achieving 101.8 per cent of the target of Rs 8,250 crore.

The revenue collection marked an increase of Rs 754 crore (9.86 per cent) compared to the previous fiscal year.

He attributed the rise in revenue to the adoption of new technologies such as GIS-based pre-registration mapping, despite a decline of around 1.57 lakh documents presented for registration this year.

Seizures and Future Plans

During the prohibition period, authorities seized 4,83,20,249 bulk litres (BL) of liquor, including 2,42,73,895 BL of country-made liquor and 2,40,46,354 BL of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).

For the next fiscal, the department has set a revenue target of Rs 10,000 crore, Yadav said.

"We will continue reducing human intervention and enhancing transparency through mobile apps and GIS technology. Home registration services for citizens above 80 years of age are also being introduced," he said.
Akhilesh Yadav accuses the BJP government of mistreating Samajwadi Party workers in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, amidst allegations of a mishandled investigation into a tragic sexual assault and murder case.

Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo

Key Points Akhilesh Yadav alleges Samajwadi Party workers were mistreated in Ghazipur at the direction of the BJP government.

Yadav questions the police investigation into the alleged sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Ghazipur.

The Samajwadi Party will provide Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance to the victim's family.

Yadav criticises the BJP's stance on reservation and claims violence against women has increased under the BJP government.

Akhilesh Yadav promises to ensure farmers are paid within 24 hours if the Samajwadi Party forms the government.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Monday that his party workers were mistreated in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, at the 'behest of the government', claiming that BJP members were involved in the incident.

In Ghazipur, a 17-year-old girl's body was discovered on April 15, with her family alleging sexual assault and murder. While the police are investigating the case, relatives and locals have been demanding swift justice.

Matters escalated on April 22 when a Samajwadi Party delegation visiting the victim's family came under stone-pelting in the village, resulting in injuries to several people, including police personnel. The police have arrested 10 individuals in connection with the attack.

Akhilesh Yadav's Accusations Against BJP

Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said, "In Ghazipur, our people were treated very poorly, and this happened at the government's direction. Government officials and BJP members are involved. The BJP does not want us to support the people of the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) society and ensure justice for them."

Questioning the police investigation in the Ghazipur case, Yadav said, "What is the police trying to hide? There is a post-mortem report, but people are not satisfied. Have all aspects been investigated? The place where the girl was found had barely two feet of water."

He also announced that the party would extend financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the victim's family. "We have collected funds from the Vishwakarma community and the party. We are going to help the family with Rs 5 lakh," he said.

Yadav also shared that a delegation led by party leader Ram Asrey Vishwakarma and women's wing president Seema Rajbhar would visit the affected family on Tuesday.

Government Response and Social Media Controversy

Concerns over law and order prompted the administration to issue prohibitory orders in Ghazipur, banning all demonstrations and restricting access to the village for condolence visits.

The Uttar Pradesh government had issued a statement in Lucknow, saying "unverified rumours" are being spread by certain "mischievous elements" and opposition parties are "attempting to sensationalise the matter."

In response to an FIR filed against the party's media cell on X for allegedly spreading rumours about the Ghazipur incident, Yadav stated, "Images are being circulated on social media. I hope the government takes action against those who create such content. If we post or tweet something, an FIR is immediately registered. We have heard that another FIR has been lodged against the Samajwadi Party concerning social media."

On Sunday, police registered cases against the X handles of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party Media Cell for allegedly spreading "baseless, misleading, and false" information regarding the alleged sexual assault and murder.

Yadav's Criticism and Promises

Yadav criticised what he described as "selective action," asking, "If someone else is creating content against the Samajwadi Party, why are they not being held accountable?"

Alleging that the "real culprits are being protected", Yadav said the party delegation would meet the family and continue its fight for justice as per their wishes.

Addressing farmers' issues, he stated, "When a Samajwadi Party government is formed, arrangements will be made to ensure payments to farmers within 24 hours. A corpus fund of Rs 15,000 crore will be created, and payments to farmers will begin."

He also emphasised the party's commitment to the welfare of weavers.

Concerns Over Women's Safety and Reservation

Yadav further targeted the BJP regarding women's safety, claiming that since the BJP government was formed, incidents of violence against women have increased. He suggested that this rise in crime is due to the chief minister's frequent absences from Lucknow, as senior officials accompany him elsewhere.

"The government's claims on women's security are proving to be hollow," he added.

On the topic of reservation, Yadav stated, "The BJP has never been in favour of reservation. If they support women's reservation, they can implement it starting from the next elections."

At the press conference, Yadav also released a book commemorating 100 years of Aligarh Muslim University.
During the high-voltage campaign, BJP accused the ruling TMC of turning the state into a haven for infiltrators, while CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that the saffron party was engaged in divisive politics, attempting to bifurcate Bengal.

IMAGE: An enthusiastic crowd as Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds an election campaign ahead of the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections at Barrackpore, in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, April 27, 2026. Photograph: Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/ANI Photo

The campaign for the current election cycle ended on Monday as canvassing for the final phase in West Bengal concluded with a bitter war of words between rival parties over cross-border infiltration, corruption, unemployment and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Key Points Modi wrapped up his campaign with a mix of religious outreach and sharp attacks on the TMC, accusing it of fostering "jungle raj" and failing to ensure women's safety.

Mamata Banerjee claimed that her party had crossed the 100-seat mark in the first phase itself and expressed confidence of retaining power.

In an audio message on the final day of campaigning, Modi thanked the people of Bengal, expressing confidence of the BJP forming the next government.

Mamata Banerjee raised concern over voter list deletions and accused the Election Commission-appointed administration of bias, warning officials against alleged excesses..

Voting across 142 constituencies in the second and final phase in the state will take place on April 29 after the first leg registered a record turnout of 93.19 percent.

During the high-voltage campaign, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of turning the state into a haven for infiltrators, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the saffron party was engaged in divisive politics, attempting to bifurcate Bengal and interfering with local food habits.

Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and a host of leaders from other states campaigned extensively, attacking the TMC over law and order, crimes against women, political violence, infiltration and corruption.

Modi wrapped up his campaign with a mix of religious outreach and sharp attacks on the TMC, accusing it of fostering "jungle raj" and failing to ensure women's safety and industrial growth. He offered prayers at the Matua Thakurbari in Bongaon and the Thanthania Kalibari temple in Kolkata, and assured Hindu refugees of a "permanent address" in the country.

Addressing rallies, he said Bengal needed to be freed from fear and violence and promised a "Viksito Bangla" with jobs and industrial revival, insisting that the state is ready to make its move from the reign of the TMC-induced 'bhoy' (fear) to the BJP's 'bharosa' (trust).

"I pledge that the brothers and sisters of the Matua Namasudra community will receive citizenship through the CAA. They will be provided the same documents which other citizens of this country have," Modi said.

"The TMC has stopped talking about 'Ma Mati Manush' because doing so will expose the sins they committed in Bengal," the PM alleged.

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that her party had crossed the 100-seat mark in the first phase itself and expressed confidence of retaining power.

"Elections were held in 152 seats in the first phase. We have already crossed 100 seats in the first phase. Elections in the remaining 142 seats will be held on April 29. If you all vote for us, we will get a two-thirds majority," Banerjee said at a poll rally in Bhabanipur.

Banerjee has also hit out at Shah over his "hang upside down" remark against Trinamool workers after the polls, questioning the language used by a constitutional authority and saying her party would initiate legal action against him.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Tejaswi Yadav joined the campaign bandwagon in the final few days in support of the TMC, vouching for its "imminent victory" in the polls by defeating the saffron juggernaut.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned for party candidates in the first phase of polls on April 23, revisited the state for the upcoming second phase, holding rallies in the heart of Kolkata where he took on the BJP and TMC alike.

Modi alluded to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's iconic pre-Independence slogan of 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom', to urge the people to vote for the BJP, "...and I will grant you freedom from TMC's 'maha jungle raj".

"That freedom would include liberty from the TMC's fear psychosis, corruption, crimes against women, unemployment, infiltrators, rioters and criminals," Modi said

The Prime Minister's unscheduled stop at a roadside stall in Jhargram for a 'jhalmuri' snack drew a sharp response from Banerjee, who dismissed the episode as "drama" and sought to counter it with her own outreach.

In an audio message on the final day of campaigning, Modi thanked the people of Bengal, expressing confidence of the BJP forming the next government, and likened his experience in the state to a "pilgrimage".

Echoing the theme of the TMC's alleged failure at governance, Shah said a BJP government would end "goonda raj" and "syndicate raj" and set up a special squad to curb cattle smuggling.

Coming down heavily on the Mamata Banerjee administration for "sheltering infiltrators" and not providing land to seal borders, Shah promised allotment of land within 45 days of assuming power in the state.

"Do not be afraid to come out and vote. The Election Commission has made adequate security arrangements, and nobody will be able to prevent you from casting your vote. Each booth has got CAPF, and in the first phase, not a single goonda of Mamata Banerjee could come out from their hiding," he said in one of the rallies.

Hitting back, TMC leader and party MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the BJP had failed to fulfil its promises, including "Rs 15 lakh in every bank account and two crore jobs annually".

Mamata Banerjee raised concern over voter list deletions and accused the Election Commission-appointed administration of bias, warning officials against alleged excesses.

A total of 3,21,73,837 electors, including 1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women and 792 third-gender voters,A are eligible to cast their votes in this phase on April 29. Polling will be held at 41,001 stations, all of which will be covered by webcasting.

The Election Commission of India has put in place extensive security arrangements, deploying 2,321 companies of central forces across seven districts. As many as 142 general observers, 95 police observers and 100 expenditure observers

have been deployed, while drones fitted with cameras are being used to monitor the polling process. Kolkata has the highest deployment with 273 companies of central forces.

Among the constituencies going to the polls, Bhangar has the highest number of candidates at 19, while Goghat has the lowest at five. Key seats include Bhabanipur, where Banerjee is seeking re-election against BJP leader Suvendu

Adhikari, Kolkata Port, where Firhad Hakim is in the fray, and the industrial belt constituencies of Bhatpara, Jagatdal and Barrackpur.

Other important seats include Bangaon, Dum Dum, Sandeshkhali, Hingalganj, Ranaghat Uttar and Dakshin, Rashbehari, Jadavpur and Ballygunge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi confidently predicts a BJP victory in the West Bengal assembly elections, promising development and addressing key issues like citizenship for the Matua community and employment opportunities.

Key Points Narendra Modi predicts the BJP will form the next government in West Bengal after the assembly elections.

Modi accuses the TMC of 'syndicate raj', political violence, and economic decline in West Bengal.

Modi assures the Matua community of citizenship and necessary documentation under a BJP government.

The Prime Minister promises employment opportunities for the youth to curb migration from West Bengal.

Modi pledges to protect genuine Indian citizens while taking action against illegal immigrants in West Bengal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal after the assembly polls, asserting that he would return to the state for the oath-taking ceremony after results are announced on May 4.

Addressing a poll rally at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district on the final day of campaigning for the second and last phase of the assembly elections, Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling TMC, accusing it of presiding over 'syndicate raj', political violence and economic decline.

Modi's Confidence in West Bengal Victory

"The mood that I have sensed in West Bengal, I can say that I will return during the oath-taking ceremony of the BJP government after May 4," Modi said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Invoking the historical significance of Barrackpore, the prime minister said the region had played a key role in India's first war of Independence in 1857 and was now preparing the ground for political change in West Bengal.

Modi said West Bengal's progress was essential for India's overall development and stressed that the rise of the eastern region was crucial for the country's future.

"My destiny and responsibility are to serve, secure and save West Bengal," he said.

Accusations Against the TMC Government

Drawing parallels with recent BJP gains in neighbouring states, Modi said, "After Odisha and Bihar, the lotus will bloom in West Bengal too this time."

He alleged that the TMC had betrayed its slogan of 'Maa, Maati, Maanush' and had no vision for the state's development.

Claiming that industries were shutting down while criminal networks flourished, Modi said, "On one hand, mills are closing down and on the other, crude bomb factories are coming up, employing goons, and the TMC's syndicate is expanding."

He urged voters to defeat what he called the "syndicate raj".

Promises to the Matua Community and on Illegal Immigration

The prime minister accused the ruling party of resorting to abuse and intimidation instead of governance.

"TMC's only strategy seems to be hurling abuses, issuing threats and spreading falsehoods. They have targeted me, constitutional institutions and even the armed forces with their derogatory remarks," he alleged.

Reaching out to Matuas, a refugee-origin community influential in several districts of south Bengal, Modi assured them that the BJP government would ensure citizenship and documentation for all eligible people.

"I assure the Matua community that you will get citizenship and all necessary documents will be provided to you," he said.

He also struck a strong note on illegal infiltration, saying that genuine Indian citizens will be protected and illegal immigrants will face action.

"No Indian, irrespective of caste or religion, will face any problem, but infiltrators will not be spared," Modi said.

BJP's Vision for West Bengal's Prosperity

Referring to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Modi said the BJP had already fulfilled one of his major ideological commitments by abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

He added that another of Mookerjee's aspirations was West Bengal's prosperity and a permanent solution to the refugee issue.

"A new BJP government will work to fulfil this vision," Modi said.

Promising employment opportunities for the youth, Modi said West Bengal had suffered migration for decades due to a lack of jobs.

"West Bengal has endured the pain of migration for decades, as there were no jobs. The BJP government's priority will be employment for the youths in the state," he said.

He also invoked Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Vande Mataram song's imagery of Bengal and said the BJP would work to restore the state's prosperity.

"We will make 'sujalam sufalam' our policy, turn 'shasyashyamala' into the inspiration for employment, and make 'malayaja sheetala' the source of happiness and prosperity," he added.
Police are investigating the deaths of three cousins whose bodies were discovered in a forest in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district, prompting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Bodies of three cousins, two women and one man, found in Pauta forest, Hazaribag.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammed Adil, Shania Perven, and Khushi Perven.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of death.

Post-mortem examination is underway at Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital.

Bodies of two young women and a man were found in Pauta forest in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Monday, police said.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Hazaribag headquarters, Amit Kumar Anand told PTI that after investigation, the bodies were identified as Mohammed Adil (25), a native of Katkamdag, Shania Perven (19) of Lohsingha and Khushi Perven (21) of Hazaribag Mufassil.

Investigation into the Deaths

"All the deceased were cousins, and their bodies have been sent for post-mortem at Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital," the police officer said.

The SDPO said that they were investigating the cause of the death and would wait for the post-mortem report.

A missing complaint was lodged about them on April 23, the officer added.
New Delhi's decision to send a seasoned politician to Dhaka comes at a time when both sides are looking to rebuild relations that came under severe strain during the tenure of Bangladesh's interim government.

IMAGE: Former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi was appointed India's next high commissioner to Bangladesh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The appointment aims to repair and strengthen bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh.

Trivedi, a veteran politician, previously served as Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health.

The decision follows efforts to stabilise relations after a period of strain.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister recently visited India to discuss trade, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi was appointed India's next high commissioner to Bangladesh on Monday amid efforts by the two countries to repair frayed bilateral ties.

He is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the ministry of external affairs said in a brief statement.

Efforts to rebuild India-Bangladesh ties

New Delhi's decision to send a seasoned politician to Dhaka comes at a time when both sides are looking to rebuild relations that came under severe strain during the tenure of Bangladesh's interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus.

A veteran politician from West Bengal, 75-year-old Trivedi held key portfolios as Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health during the UPA government.

Having represented the state in the Rajya Sabha and as the Lok Sabha MP for Barrackpore, he resigned from the Trinamool Congress in February 2021 and subsequently joined the BJP.

Trivedi's background and predecessor

Trivedi holds an MBA degree from the University of Texas, Austin.

He will succeed Pranay Verma, who has been appointed as New Delhi's next ambassador to Belgium and the European Union (EU).

Recent diplomatic activity

The relations between India and Bangladesh witnessed a major downturn after the Yunus-led interim government came to power following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in August, 2024.

Verma played a role in initiating the efforts to reset the ties after the new Bangladesh Nationalist Party government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman came to power in February.

Earlier this month, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman visited India and held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The focus of the meetings was to bolster the bilateral ties including in areas of trade, energy and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides initiated efforts to stabilise the relations after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, represented India at the inauguration of Tarique Rahman as the prime minister in Dhaka on February 17.

Rahman became the prime minister following his party BNP's landslide victory in the parliamentary polls.
Uttar Pradesh police have filed cases against the Congress and Samajwadi Party's X handles for allegedly spreading false information regarding a sensitive case of alleged sexual assault and murder in Ghazipur.

Key Points Ghazipur police have filed cases against the Congress and Samajwadi Party's X handles for allegedly spreading misinformation.

The cases relate to the alleged sexual assault and murder of a teenage girl in Ghazipur.

Police claim the social media posts created tension in the village.

The Samajwadi Party announced a delegation visit to the victim's family, which faced stone-pelting.

The prime accused in the murder case, Hariom Pandey, has been arrested by the police.

Police in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur have registered cases against two X handles -- Congress@INDIndia and the Samajwadi Party Media Cell (@mediacellsp) -- for allegedly spreading rumours by making "baseless, misleading, and false" remarks regarding the alleged sexual assault and murder of a girl.

The body of the girl was found on April 15, with her family alleging sexual assault and murder.

In a statement issued late on Sunday night in Ghazipur, police said, "The Karanda police station has registered a case and is initiating strict legal action against the handles Congress@INDIndia and Samajwadi Party Media Cell (@mediacellsp on the social media platform 'X' for spreading rumours by posting baseless, misleading, and false comments regarding an incident..."

"As part of the ongoing campaign against crime and criminals, a slipper, a mobile phone, and a 'gamcha' (towel) belonging to a young woman were recovered near the Zamania-Dharammarpur bridge on April 15. Her body was subsequently found in the river. Based on a written report submitted by her family members, a post-mortem examination of the deceased woman was conducted in accordance with established legal procedures," the statement said.

Based on a written information submitted by the deceased's father on April 19, a case was registered at the Karanda police station under section 103(1) of the BNS in connection with the murder. The prime accused in this case, Hariom Pandey, was arrested by the police.

In connection with the aforementioned incident, the said handles are disseminating false information in society, the police said.

"This has created an atmosphere of tension in the village. In this regard, cases have been registered against Congress@INDIndia and against the Samajwadi Party Media Cell (@mediacellsp) under section 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) of the BNS," it said.

Political Reactions and Aftermath

The Samajwadi Party on Friday announced that a delegation led by the party president would visit the village and meet the victim'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.

A teenage girl's body was found in the 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.

Tensions Escalate in Ghazipur

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. The police have arrested 10 people in connection with the attack.

Earlier, Yadav alleged that the village head and others protected by the dominant forces were behind the assault, calling it an attack on the PDA.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledges continued deployment of central forces in West Bengal for 60 days post-election to ensure security and encourage voter participation.

IMAGE: Paramilitary forces conduct a march past ahead of the second phase of West Bengal assembly election, in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Amit Shah assures central forces will remain in West Bengal for 60 more days after the assembly elections to ensure security.

Shah addressed a gathering in Behala, urging voters to participate without fear of intimidation.

The Home Minister highlighted the Election Commission's security arrangements for the West Bengal polls.

Shah promised to address corruption in social welfare schemes if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal.

Shah stated that the BJP aims to transform West Bengal into a 'sonar Bangla' (golden Bengal).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that central forces would remain deployed in West Bengal for at least 60 more days after the elections, even if the BJP comes to power and urged voters to cast their votes without fear.

Shah's Assurance on Security Measures

Shah was addressing a gathering after leading a road show at Behala, where people will vote in the second and final phase on April 29.

"Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry about the goons. The Election Commission has made extensive security arrangements, and I am telling you that even though the BJP will come to power, central forces will remain here for 60 more days," he said.

BJP's Campaign and Rallies

The roadshow was held on the final day of campaigning in support of the BJP candidates for Behala Purba and Behala Paschim, turning the south Kolkata neighbourhood into a sea of saffron.

Standing atop an open-hood vehicle, Shah waved at supporters and showered flower petals on crowds lining both sides of the road.

Thousands of BJP workers and supporters, carrying party flags and orange-green balloons, thronged the route, raising slogans such as "Jai Shri Ram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".

Promises and Allegations

Later, Shah took part in another colourful road show at Chandannagar in Hooghly district, drawing huge crowds.

Speaking on the occasion, the home minister said there is a strong wave in favour of the BJP and once voted to power, it would "push back all infiltrators".

He also alleged large-scale corruption in social welfare schemes by the TMC government, and asserted that those involved would not be spared.

Shah said it was essential to bring the BJP to power in West Bengal to transform the state into a "sonar Bangla (golden Bengal)".
A CISF jawan sustained injuries in a firing incident near the residence of BJP candidate Pawan Singh in West Bengal, triggering an Election Commission investigation amid heightened political tensions.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only.



Key Points A CISF jawan was injured in a firing incident outside BJP candidate Pawan Singh's residence in West Bengal.

The Election Commission has requested a report on the firing incident.

Tensions between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP supporters escalated, leading to clashes and accusations of violence.

The incident occurred ahead of the second phase of polling in West Bengal.

Police have deployed a large force in the area to maintain order and are investigating the incident.

A CISF jawan was injured in a firing outside the residence of BJP candidate Pawan Singh at Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, prompting the Election Commission to seek a report, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred late Sunday night, ahead of the second phase of polling on April 29.

The injured personnel, identified as Yogesh Sharma, was part of the security detail of Singh, son of senior BJP leader Arjun Singh, an official said, adding that Sharma sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was admitted to a hospital.

Election Commission Seeks Report on Bhatpara Firing

The EC has sought a report on the incident, while the police said it is yet to be ascertained who fired the shot, an official said.

According to the police, there was tension on Sunday evening in the Jagaddal area after a Trinamool Congress worker was allegedly assaulted by a group of men while putting up party flags and banners.

Several TMC leaders reached the local police station to lodge a complaint, he said.

"Soon after, supporters of both sides gathered there, leading to a heated exchange of words that escalated into a scuffle. Stone-pelting was also reported outside the police station before the situation was brought under control," the officer said.

Political Accusations Fly Amidst West Bengal Violence

Tension flared again later near Singh's residence, where eyewitnesses claimed crude bombs were hurled and at least one round of firing took place.

"Our worker was assaulted. When we went to file a complaint, we were attacked. We believed a police station was the safest place, but that notion has been shattered," a local TMC leader alleged.

The BJP, however, denied the allegation and claimed that its supporters were targeted. Party leaders alleged that the CISF jawan was injured in firing by TMC-backed miscreants.

The TMC rejected the charge and countered that the BJP was responsible for the violence.

A large police force has been deployed in the area, and further investigation is underway.
The Haryana Congress boycotted a special assembly session, accusing the BJP of exploiting the platform for political agenda concerning the defeated Women's Reservation Bill, leading to accusations of an 'anti-women' stance.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Haryana Congress boycotted a special Assembly session, alleging the BJP was using it for political gains related to the Women's Reservation Bill.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated the matter was outside the Assembly's jurisdiction and accused the BJP of not sharing the resolution copy.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini criticised the Congress, claiming their boycott showed an 'anti-women' mindset.

The defeated Constitution amendment bill aimed to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies.

Despite the boycott, some suspended Congress MLAs attended and supported the resolution.

The Congress on Monday "boycotted" a special session of the Haryana Assembly, saying the ruling BJP, through a resolution, wanted to condemn the INDIA opposition bloc for the defeat of a Constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha and accusing it of using the platform for vested political agenda and propaganda.

Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda told reporters that the Congress Legislature Party in Haryana decided to boycott the special daylong Assembly session.

He also claimed that the matter that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government wanted to discuss did not fall within the Assembly's jurisdiction.

BJP Accuses Congress of Anti-Women Stance

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini hit out at the Congress, saying by skipping the session, the opposition party has shown its "anti-women" mindset.

He said during a meeting of the Assembly's Business Advisory Committee that was chaired by the speaker on Monday morning, Hooda had expressed doubt whether the government wanted to bring a condemnation resolution against the opposition.

Saini said it was clarified to Hooda that this was an official resolution and not a political resolution and the matter concerning women empowerment and related issues will be discussed in the House.

Amid the Congress's boycott of the session, party MLAs Shaily Chaudhary, Renu Bala and Jarnail Singh, who were suspended recently for allegedly cross-voting in last month's Rajya Sabha polls, made a brief appearance during the proceedings.

Singh even stood up to speak in support of the resolution moved by Saini.

Debate Over Women's Reservation Bill

A Constitution amendment bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies in 2029 and increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House of Parliament earlier this month.

The Congress and other opposition parties, which voted against the bill, had alleged that the BJP-led Centre's real agenda was to carry out delimitation before conducting a caste census.

Hooda told reporters that no copy of the resolution was shared with them and said his MLAs will mark their absence and not claim benefits like TA or DA for Monday.

The Congress held a mock session outside the Assembly building to take on the BJP government in Haryana on various issues.

"We cannot allow the use of the Vidhan Sabha platform for political ploys of the BJP. The CLP decided that we would boycott the session," Hooda told reporters.

Congress Claims Misuse of Public Funds

The Congress leader said the Assembly is a place to discuss and take up matters of public interest and not a place where the directions of any political party have to be carried out.

"In running the House, public money is involved, which should not be wasted on any party's programme," he said.

He said the BJP is talking about reservation today, but there are questions regarding its intentions. The Women's Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, yet the BJP failed to implement it, Hooda added.

"In fact, the BJP did not even undertake the administrative task of notifying the reservation bill until April 16, 2026. This means that for a full 30 months, this crucial legislation was not even formally notified," he said.

"It shows that its (BJP's) intent is not to give reservation to women," he said.

BJP Defends Women Empowerment Initiatives

Moving the resolution, Saini said any region or society cannot be considered developed till women do not get equal rights and opportunities.

He said several initiatives for women empowerment have been taken under the Narendra Modi government.

Saini said the prime minister had recently said it would have been good had all parties united in support of the Constitution amendment bill, as this would have marked an auspicious beginning for the vision of a "developed India" and the resolve to empower women.

Regrettably however, even before this auspicious beginning could take place, the Congress and its allies sought to cast a dark shadow over this noble endeavour in Parliament, the chief minister said.

Referring to the resolution he moved in the Assembly, Saini said, "This serves as a clear and powerful message against the mindset that has for decades deprived women of their rightful entitlements."

He said the Congress should have been present in the Assembly and taken part in the discussion.

"Even if they did not want to support the resolution, they could have put forward their views. But their decision to stage a walkout (boycott) reflects their anti-women mindset. They do not want that women should get their rights," Saini said.

Both the chief minister and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda said a censure motion to formally condemn the Congress's decision to skip the proceedings should be passed.

"The issue being discussed in this House does not pertain to one particular party, but it is connected with the future and the rights of women. The resolution presented in this House is not a political resolution, rather it stands as a symbol of our collective commitment to the dignity of women," Saini asserted.

Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said the Congress is dejected.

"Outside, women question them. Women even within their own families question them that when Prime Minister Modi wanted to give them the rights, why were they obstructing it," Bedi said.

Jarnail Singh voiced support to the resolution in the House.

"I fail to understand why the Congress is opposing the reservation to women. It is our duty to empower women and give them opportunities in every sphere. The Congress should not have boycotted the session, it could have discussed the matter and put forward its viewpoint.... The Congress should change its mindset," he said.
Goa's Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao, faced police questioning regarding a protest against a controversial land conversion provision, highlighting concerns over land use and government actions.

Key Points Goa's Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao, questioned over land conversion protest.

Protest focused on scrapping Section 39-A of the Town and Country Planning Act.

Section 39-A enables conversion of non-settlement zones for construction.

Alemao claims the Goa government is using police to harass protesters.

FIR filed against Alemao, other MLAs, and protesters for unlawful assembly.

Leader of Opposition in the Goa assembly Yuri Alemao on Monday recorded his statement before police in a case related to a protest march held outside Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane's home, seeking the scrapping of a contentious land conversion provision.

Several hundred agitators had protested outside Rane's residence in Dona Paula near Panaji on February 24, when Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar began a fast-unto-death demanding the scrapping of Section 39-A of the Town and Country Planning Act.

Understanding Section 39-A of Goa's TCP Act

The section enables the conversion of non-settlement zone into settlement zone, paving the way for construction activities.

Police had registered an FIR against Alemao, three other MLAs, and around 1,500 protesters for unlawful assembly in connection with the march.

Alemao's Defence and Allegations

Alemao, a Congress MLA, arrived at the Panaji Police Station on Monday evening and recorded his statement after being called for questioning. Borkar was also present.

"I told the police I am a law-abiding citizen and have full faith in the judiciary. It was my duty to stand with the people of Goa," the Leader of Opposition told reporters after deposing before the investigating officer of the case.

Alemao maintained he considers the police summons as a "medal for standing with the people of Goa."

He claimed citizens were protesting against the "outright sale" of Goa's land under the controversial Section 39-A of the TCP Act, and accused the BJP government of using police machinery to harass protesters.
Dalit organisations in Kerala have announced a state-wide strike demanding justice for Nithin Raj, a dental college student whose death has sparked allegations of caste discrimination and a call for an independent investigation.

Key Points Dalit organisations in Kerala announce a state-wide hartal seeking justice for Nithin Raj, a dental college student who died after allegedly facing caste-based harassment.

The strike, supported by 52 Dalit organisations, aims to protest alleged police apathy and demand an independent investigation into Raj's death.

Raj's family alleges caste discrimination and mental harassment by faculty members, while organisations claim police are attempting to protect the accused.

Organisations are demanding the case be handed over to an independent agency due to a lack of confidence in the current police investigation.

Various Dalit organisations on Monday announced a state-wide hartal seeking justice in the death of Kannur Dental College student Nithin Raj.

The hartal will be observed on Tuesday from 6 am to 6 pm.

As many as 52 Dalit organisations, including Justice for Nithin Raj Action Council, have announced the strike.

Organisations requesting cooperation for the strike said that no vehicles will be forcibly stopped and that all essential services are exempted.

Demands For Fair Investigation Into Student Death

Raj, a first-year BDS student at a private dental college in Anjarakkandy in Kannur district, was found critically injured after falling from a building on April 10 and later succumbed to his injuries.

Police have registered a case against two faculty members on charges of abetment of suicide and under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following allegations by the student's family that he was subjected to caste- and complexion-based harassment.

Allegations Of Police Apathy In Caste Discrimination Case

Kerala Pinnokka Samudaya Munnani (KPSM), one of the organisations supporting the hartal, alleged in a statement that police had shown apathy in the investigation and were attempting to protect the accused in the case.

KPSM state president K V Padmanabhan and general secretary S Anwar alleged that the probe into Raj's death was being deliberately misdirected and delayed.

While the family has firmly alleged that caste discrimination and mental harassment by faculty members led to the student's death, police were attempting to divert the investigation towards loan app borrowings, they claimed.

Call For Independent Probe Into Student Suicide

The organisation alleged that this was a planned move to shield the real accused.

KPSM further alleged that by deliberately delaying the arrest of the accused teachers, police enabled them to secure anticipatory bail.

They said there was no confidence in the present police investigation and demanded that the case be handed over to an independent agency at the earliest.
A tragic motorcycle accident in Delhi has claimed the lives of two young men, prompting a police investigation into the possibility of a third missing rider.

Key Points Two men, Saaf Ali and Shahid, died in a motorcycle accident near Majlis Park Metro station in Delhi.

Police are investigating claims of a third rider who is currently missing.

Shahid, one of the victims, was the sole breadwinner for his family.

The accident occurred around 9 pm on Sunday, and the motorcycle was found abandoned near a drain.

Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances of the accident.

Two 20-year-old men, including the sole breadwinner of his family, were killed after their motorcycle crashed near the Majlis Park Metro station in outer-north Delhi's Bhalswa Dairy area, police said on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Saaf Ali from Burari and Shahid from Bhalswa, they said.

The family members of the deceased have claimed that there was a third rider on the bike, who is feared dead as he has not been found yet.

Police Investigation Into The Delhi Accident

Police said they are trying to ascertain if there was a third person on the bike. There has been no official confirmation so far.

Shahid, who worked as a labourer in a factory, is survived by his 50-year-old mother and two married sisters. His father passed away a decade ago.

The accident took place around 9 pm on Sunday. The motorcycle was found abandoned near a drain along a stretch connecting the Ring Road with the Wazirabad police station.

"We think that a third person was on the bike. We heard Shahid was sitting in the middle. Police are trying to find that person, we were told," a friend of the victims said.

"They did not drink or smoke, so being under the influence is not a factor," he added.

Family Claims And Ongoing Search

The family members also claimed that Saf was riding the bike at the time of the incident.

According to preliminary inquiry, the two sustained grievous injuries in the crash and were taken to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital by some passersby, where they were declared dead.

No eyewitnesses have come forward so far, police said.

Rahul, a family friend of Shahid, said police informed them about the accident around 12:30 am on Monday, while Saaf's relatives had been alerted earlier.

"We still don't know what exactly happened or how long they had been together," he said.

Shahid, who earlier lived with his mother in Bawana, had shifted to Sangam Vihar around two months ago to stay with his aunt, Rahul said.

"There had been tension in the area for some time, and his mother did not want her only son to get caught up in it. She sent Shahid away, thinking he would be safer with his aunt in Sangam Vihar," he said.

"But little did she know that he would never return. He was the sole earning member of the family," Rahul said, his voice breaking.

"Her future is now uncertain as she was completely dependent on Shahid," he added.

Police have launched a probe after registering a case under the relevant sections of BNS.
A Delhi Police head constable has been arrested for the alleged murder of a delivery agent in Jaffarpur Kalan, sparking a swift investigation into the fatal shooting.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police head constable arrested for allegedly murdering a 21-year-old delivery agent.

The incident occurred after a heated argument in Jaffarpur Kalan, southwest Delhi.

The accused, Neeraj, was apprehended within 24 hours of the shooting.

A case of murder and attempted murder has been registered, and investigations are ongoing.

The delivery agent, Pandav Kumar, died from a gunshot wound, while his friend sustained injuries.

A Delhi Police head constable accused of shooting dead a 21-year-old delivery agent and injuring his friend following an altercation in southwest Delhi's Jaffarpur Kalan area has been arrested, officials said on Monday.

Swift Arrest in Delhi Shooting Case

The arrest comes within 24 hours of the incident, they said, adding that he had been hiding and was apprehended around midnight from the Jaffarpur area.

The accused, identified as Neeraj, has been posted with the local police unit, a senior police officer confirmed.

However, he was not on duty at the time of the incident, according to the officer.

Details of the Incident

In the early hours of Sunday, Neeraj allegedly opened fire at Pandav Kumar, a food delivery agent, and his friend Krishan following a heated argument. Kumar died of a gunshot wound, while Krishan sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.

According to police, the incident took place at around 2.30 am when the victims were standing by a road after attending a birthday celebration in the area. Neeraj, who lives nearby, got into an argument with them before allegedly firing from close range.

"The accused fired at Kumar from point-blank range. The bullet pierced through his chest and also hit his friend," a police officer said. Both victims were rushed to a hospital, where Kumar was declared brought dead.

Investigation Underway

The accused had immediately fled the spot after the incident.

A case of murder and attempt to murder was registered at the Jaffarpur Kalan police station, and multiple teams were formed to trace the accused.

Police said Neeraj was tracked down and arrested after sustained efforts, including local intelligence inputs and raids in the surrounding areas.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events and circumstances that led to the firing, police added.
A Delhi Police head constable is under investigation after allegedly using his recently issued service pistol to fatally shoot a delivery agent in Jaffarpur Kalan, raising questions about firearm distribution policies.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police head constable Neeraj Balhara allegedly killed a delivery agent using his service pistol.

The Glock pistol used in the crime was issued to Balhara just days before the incident.

Balhara, posted with the Special Cell, was off duty at the time of the shooting in Jaffarpur Kalan.

A murder and attempted murder case has been registered, and Balhara has been suspended pending investigation.

Balhara had been involved in several operations and arrests of gangsters during his service with Delhi Police.

The Glock service pistol used by Delhi Police head constable Neeraj Balhara for allegedly killing a 21-year-old delivery agent in Jaffarpur Kalan area was issued to him just a few days ago, officials said on Monday.

Balhara was apprehended within hours of the incident by a Special Cell team from Rohtak in neighbouring Haryana and later handed over to the local police, they said. The pistol used in the crime has also been recovered.

Delhi Police Officer Not On Duty During Shooting

The head constable, who was posted with the Delhi Police's Special Cell, was not on duty at the time of the firing, a senior officer said.

In the early hours of Sunday, the accused allegedly opened fire at Pandav Kumar, a food delivery agent, and his friend Krishan following a heated argument.

Kumar died of a gunshot wound, while Krishan sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.

According to police, the incident took place at around 2.30 am when the victims were standing by the roadside after attending a birthday celebration.

Balhara, who lived nearby, got into an argument with them before allegedly firing from close range.

"The accused fired at Kumar from point-blank range. The bullet pierced through his chest and also hit his friend," the officer said. Both victims were rushed to a hospital, where Kumar was declared brought dead.

Special Cell's Firearm Policy Under Scrutiny

The officials said the Glock service pistol used in the crime had been allotted to Balhara only a few days ago under the standard distribution system followed for personnel posted in the Special Cell, the Delhi Police's anti-terror unit.

A senior officer explained that given the nature of assignments handled by the Special Cell, its personnel are often allowed to retain their service weapons even while off duty so they can respond to any situation at short notice.

"They are expected to stay alert at all times," the officer said, noting that this differs from the practice in district police units where firearms are typically issued for specific operations and deposited after duty.

Accused Officer's Background and Service Record

Balhara, who hails from Rohtak and is in his 40s, joined the Delhi Police as a constable in 2006 and rose through the ranks to become a head constable. During his service, he was also posted as a drill instructor at the Delhi Police Academy before being inducted into the Special Cell in 2019.

According to the police, he had participated in several operations over the years and was associated with the arrest of a number of gangsters and robbery suspects.

In a recent case, he was part of a team that nabbed Karamveer alias Kaju, linked to the Rohit Godara and Jitender Gogi gangs and wanted by the National Investigation Agency in a grenade attack on two nightclubs in Gurugram.

The officers said he had also developed intelligence inputs that helped in the arrest of aides of gangsters such as Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Neetu Dabodia, Ashok Pradhan and Himanshu Bhau.

Investigation and Disciplinary Action

The police said Balhara has been placed under suspension following the incident, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated.

A case of murder and attempt to murder has been registered at Jaffarpur Kalan police station, and further investigation is in progress to establish the precise sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the firing, the officials said.
A 55-year-old man who posed as a police officer in a 2017 dacoity case involving Rs 52.5 lakh has been arrested in Delhi after nearly nine years on the run.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Rajesh Dawar, accused in a 2017 dacoity case, was arrested after evading police for nine years.

Dawar and accomplices posed as police officers and stole Rs 52.5 lakh from a property dealer.

The accused attempted to mislead police by using a false identity and producing fake medical documents.

Dawar was apprehended in Jahangirpuri, Delhi, where he was living under an assumed name and working at a mobile phone shop.

A 55-year-old man, declared a proclaimed offender in a 2017 dacoity case involving Rs 52.5 lakh, where he posed as police personnel, has been arrested after evading arrest for nearly nine years, police said on Monday.

The accused, Rajesh Dawar alias Rajeev, a resident of Uttam Nagar, had been on the run since 2017 and was wanted in a case registered at Malviya Nagar police station. He had also been declared a proclaimed offender by a court in connection with the case, they said.

The Dacoity Case Details

Dawar also tried to mislead the police by producing fake medical documents under someone's name, claiming partial paralysis due to an injury, they said.

According to the police, the case dates back to July 10, 2017, when a property dealer, Rajesh Kumar, was allegedly lured into a fraudulent land deal in Panchsheel Vihar, after he and his partners were told to bring Rs 50 lakh as token money for a plot worth Rs 1.70 crore.

"When the complainant and his associates reached the location with Rs 52.5 lakh, they were taken to an office nearby where seven to eight men, posing as police personnel, assaulted them at gunpoint," a senior police officer said.

Arrest and Investigation

Dawar accused them of illegal currency exchange, snatched their phones and car keys, and decamped with the cash, the officer said, adding that he later abandoned the victims near Select City Mall while he fled with the money.

The police registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC and the Arms Act and arrested eight accused persons during the investigation. However, Dawar had remained absconding since then, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, police traced Dawar to the Jahangirpuri area in northwest Delhi and apprehended him on April 26, the officer said.

During initial questioning, the accused tried to mislead the police by identifying himself as Rashid Khan and produced medical documents under the same name, claiming partial paralysis due to an injury.

"On sustained interrogation, he revealed his true identity as Rajesh Dawar and confessed to his involvement in the 2017 dacoity case," the officer said, adding that his original Aadhaar and PAN cards were recovered.

Police said Dawar had been living in Jahangirpuri under a false identity and working at a mobile phone shop to sustain himself while evading arrest.

A graduate by qualification, he allegedly came into contact with criminal elements around 2015 and developed a drug addiction, which led to his involvement in the crime, police added.
A Delhi court has acquitted 12 men accused of murder during the 2020 Delhi riots, highlighting significant doubts in the prosecution's evidence and eyewitness accounts.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Delhi court acquitted 12 men accused of abduction and murder during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

The court cited major contradictions in eyewitness testimonies and weak corroborative evidence as reasons for the acquittal.

The prosecution's case heavily relied on the testimonies of the deceased's wife and daughter, which the court found unreliable.

The court noted the wife's failure to report the murder to police or relatives for two days as 'wholly unnatural'.

WhatsApp chats showing intent to spread hatred were deemed inadmissible as the accused had already been convicted for the same in another case.

A Delhi court has acquitted 12 men accused of abducting and murdering a man during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, saying that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt due to major contradictions in eyewitness testimonies and weak corroborative evidence.

Key Evidence Questioned In Riots Murder Case

Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh was hearing the case against Lokesh Solanki, Pankaj Sharma, Sumit Chaudhary alias Badshah, Ankit Chaudhary alias Fauzi, Prince alias DJ Wala, Rishabh Chaudhary alias Tapas, Jatin Sharma alias Rohit, Vivek Panchal alias Nandu, Himanshu Thakur, Sahil alias Babu, Sandeep alias Mogli and Tinku Arora who were accused of murdering Musharraf.

In an order dated April 21, the court said, "Prosecution has failed to prove its case against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt and the accused are entitled to benefit of doubt. All the accused are accordingly acquitted of the charges framed against them."

All accused were arrested in connection with the case related to the death of Musharraf, whose body was recovered from a drain in Bhagirathi Vihar on February 27, 2020, amid widespread communal violence in the area.

The prosecution alleged that on the night of February 25, a mob of 150-200 people forcibly entered Musharraf's residence, dragged him out, assaulted him and later threw his body into a drain.

Charges were framed under various provisions including murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and promoting enmity against the accused persons.

Eyewitness Accounts Deemed Unreliable

The court said the prosecution's case substantially rested on the testimonies of the deceased's wife and daughter, who claimed to have witnessed the killing.

"There are serious departures regarding the subsequent events leading to the death of the deceased. Individually, these discrepancies might be treated as minor variations; however, their cumulative effect is that the testimonies are mutually destructive and unreliable on the most material aspect of the case," the court said.

The court also found the deceased's wife "wholly unnatural" and noted that despite claiming to have seen her husband being killed, she neither called a PCR nor informed relatives for nearly two days.

"It is evident that for two days neither did she call the PCR nor inform anyone that her husband had been killed. This is highly improbable that in such a scenario she would not disclose, even to her daughter, that Musharraf had been murdered," the judge said.

Lack Of Evidence Linking Accused To Crime

On the call detail records relied upon by the prosecution, the judge said they only placed the accused broadly in their residential areas and could not establish involvement in the crime.

"Presence of an accused in or around his residential area, without more, does not establish his involvement in the crime. Consequently, no substantial weight can be attached to the CDR evidence for establishing guilt," the court said.

Regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from accused Lokesh Solanki, the court said that though they showed intent to spread hatred, he had already been convicted for the same chats in another FIR and could not be punished again.

It then acquitted all the accused of all charges framed against them.
TMC claimed on Sunday night that a 'self-proclaimed 'right-wing nationalist' from UP and a BJP supporter' had made the 'vile, insulting, filthy, and highly objectionable caricature of Mamata Banerjee.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hold a roadshow during the last day of election campaigning from Sukanta Setu via Bhawanipur to Gopalnagar, in Kolkata, April 26, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points TMC member Nilanjan Das lodged a complaint with the cybercrime unit of the Bidhannagar Police regarding the matter.

The Election Commission has taken serious note of the post and directed immediate police action.

Police have launched an investigation and are examining the social media account where the post originated.

The Election Commission on Monday directed the police to take stern action over an objectionable social media post, allegedly targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, officials said.

Sharing a screenshot of the objectionable post, the Trinamool Congress had claimed on Sunday night that a "self-proclaimed 'right-wing nationalist' from Uttar Pradesh and a Bharatiya Janata Party supporter" had made the "vile, insulting, filthy, and highly objectionable caricature of Mamata Banerjee" on social media.

It said the post was taken down following a formal complaint.

An EC official said necessary directions have been issued to the police to ensure prompt action.

"We have taken serious note of it and instructed the police to initiate immediate action. The matter was brought to our attention, and necessary directions have been issued to ensure action," he said.

Meanwhile, TMC member Nilanjan Das lodged a complaint with the cybercrime unit of the Bidhannagar Police regarding the matter.

Police said an investigation was started, and the social media account on which the post was made is being thoroughly examined.

West Bengal will vote for 142 seats in the second phase on Wednesday, while the first round of polling was held on April 23. The votes will be counted on May 4.
A deadly clash over illegal gold mining in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, highlighting the dangers associated with unregulated mining activities.

Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points A deadly clash erupted between two groups in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over illegal gold mining.

The violence resulted in the death of at least four people, including a 17-year-old boy.

The clash triggered intense gunfire, causing fear and panic among residents.

Authorities dispatched heavy police contingents to the area to restore order.

At least four persons were killed and several others injured in an exchange of fire between two rival groups on Monday over alleged illegal gold mining activities in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local police said.

The incident occurred in the Nizam Pur area of Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Escalation of Violence in Nowshera District

The clash erupted between the two local groups, triggering intense gunfire that spread fear and panic across the area, a police official said.

Authorities confirmed that a 17-year-old boy, identified as Mehran, belonging to one group, was among those killed, according to police officials.

Police further stated that three members of the second group were also killed, while at least three others sustained injuries in the violence.

Police Response and Safety Measures

The incident occurred during illegal gold mining activities in the area, which escalated into a deadly confrontation between the two sides, police said.

Mosque announcements were made urging residents to remain indoors for their safety, while children in nearby schools were kept inside as a precautionary measure.

Heavy contingents of police was dispatched to the area.
An elderly Sikh man was subjected to a racist attack in Canada, prompting a police investigation into the hate-motivated assault and raising concerns about rising hate crimes.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Courtesy RCMP on X

Key Points The Woodstock police are investigating the incident as a hate-motivated assault.

The youth involved is facing multiple charges and was held in custody for a bail hearing.

The World Sikh Organisation has expressed deep concern and called for systemic action against anti-Sikh hate.

Police encourage reporting of hate-motivated incidents to ensure community safety.

An elderly Sikh man has been assaulted by a youth who yelled racist slurs that "get out of my country" in Canada, prompting police to investigate the "hate-motivated assault", authorities said.

The incident took place on April 22 in Woodstock, Ontario, and the youth is facing multiple charges for his actions, the Woodstock police said in a statement.

The attack happened when the elderly man was walking along a sidewalk when he was approached by a youth who shoved him, it said.

Police said that the youth targeted the victim based on his ethnicity and yelled racially charged comments and obscenities. The victim was not physically injured, it added.

Police investigate hate-motivated assault

The investigation determined that the youth unprovokedly assaulted the man.

Following the incident, the youth jumped a fence into the Turtle Island School property before exiting the school area. No students were harmed during the incident, the statement added.

"As a result of the investigation, the youth was arrested following the hate-motivated assault. The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing," it said.

Community response to the racist attack

The Woodstock Police Service is aware that videos of this incident are circulating on social media, which show that the youth repeatedly shouting racist abuse, including, "What the...are you doing in my country?".

"You ain't from here, get the...out of my country."

"Acts of hate have no place in our community. The Woodstock Police Service is committed to ensuring all members of the community feel safe and protected. We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed a hate-motivated incident to report it to police," police said.

"Woodstock Police Service will pursue and hold those who commit hate crimes accountable."

World Sikh organisation calls for action

Meanwhile, in a statement posted to X, the World Sikh Organisation (WSO) said it is "deeply concerned" regarding the incident and calls the assault "unacceptable."

The organisation goes on to thank Woodstock police for their quick response.

"As our recent Anti-Sikh Hate Report shows, these incidents are part of a broader pattern. We need systemic action, including better reporting, public education, and coordinated responses from institutions. If you experience or witness hate, report it to the police and to WSO," the organisation said.
Following the death of a teenager, Ghazipur administration imposes a ban on gatherings and visits to the affected village to maintain law and order, sparking accusations of political interference and cover-up.

Key Points Ghazipur administration bans gatherings and visits to a village following concerns over law and order after a teenager's death.

The Uttar Pradesh government accuses opposition parties of sensationalising the teen death case and spreading unverified rumours.

Prohibitory orders, including Section 163 of BNSS, are in effect until April 30, prohibiting political gatherings.

Opposition leaders allege foul play and government inaction in the investigation of the teenager's death.

The government defends its actions, citing the need to maintain law and order and prevent incitement of outrage.

The Ghazipur administration has banned all demonstrations and barred anyone from visiting her village to offer condolences to the family, issuing prohibitory orders in view of its concerns over law and order in Ghazipur over the death of a teenager earlier this month.

The Uttar Pradesh government issued a statement in Lucknow, saying "unverified rumours" are being spread by certain "mischievous elements" and opposition parties are "attempting to sensationalise the matter".

Ghazipur Implements Section 163 of BNSS

"Given the gravity of the situation, Ghazipur District Magistrate Anupam Shukla has imposed Section 163 of BNSS (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) across the district. Under this provision, no political party or group is permitted to assemble anywhere within the district," the statement read.

The order shall remain in force until April 30, it said.

Political Reactions and Planned Visits

The Samajwadi Party announced on Friday 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.

The UP government said in the statement: "The opposition and certain other individuals are attempting to sensationalise this matter, raising apprehensions that the atmosphere in the district could become volatile."

Government Justification for the Ban

"Section 163 of the BNSS has been imposed in light of the potential for such misleading information to incite outrage, fear, and discontent among the general public. Any individual found violating this order shall be liable for punishment under Section 223 of the BNS (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant)."

The body of the 17-year-old girl, who belongs to the OBC community, was found in the Ganga in Karanda area of Ghazipur district on April 15, with her family alleging sexual assault and murder.

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 who has also been arrested.

Opposition Criticism and Allegations

Opposition leaders have targeted the government over the incident, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calling for a high-level inquiry into "the rape and brutal murder" and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav alleging that pressure was exerted on the victims "to recant their statements".

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, too, alleged that there was a "reluctance" to register a case initially, and that the victim's family received "threats".

The UP government said a ban has been imposed on organising processions, holding any form of demonstration, conducting candle marches, or raising slogans in connection with the incident.

In view of the incident, and strictly for the sake of maintaining law and order, no individual or delegation shall visit the village to offer condolences, the statement said.

UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar hit out at the Samajwadi Party over the incident, telling reporters in Azamgarh that it aims to vitiate the atmosphere in both Ghazipur and the state.
The murder of key Lashkar figure and close associate of Hafiz Saeed, Sheikh Yousaf Afridi, has raised concerns about regional terror group dynamics.

IMAGE: Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror group chief Hafiz Saeed. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Afridi was a close associate of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on Afridi in Landi Kotal, resulting in his immediate death.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the LeT leader.

The incident has sparked anger in the area, prompting an investigation by local authorities.

Sheikh Yousaf Afridi, a key Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) figure and a close associate of the Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said on Monday.

The incident took place in Landi Kotal in the Khyber region, some 250 kms from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

A source in the police told PTI that unknown armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire on Afridi, resulting in his death on the spot.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Afridi is said to be a key figure within the regional structure of the banned LeT.

Afridi's Role in LeT Activities

He also reportedly played a role in the recruitment and coordination of the terror group's activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"The incident has sparked widespread anger in the area, and local authorities have launched an investigation to apprehend those responsible for his killing," the source said.

Reactions to the Assassination

An official of Saeed's banned Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) said that Afridi was a "renowned religious scholar and belonged to the Zakhakhel tribe of Khyber and was regarded as a prominent scholar of the Ahl-e-Hadith (Salafi) school of thought."

"He was targeted when unidentified attackers sprayed him with bullets and managed to flee the scene. It should be remembered that extremist groups like -- Khawarij (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) -- are currently facing strong intellectual and practical challenges from Salafi scholars," he said.

Recent Attacks on LeT Leaders

Over a week ago in Lahore, Amir Hamza, a founding leader of LeT, suffered bullet injuries in an attack.

Hamza is LeT's second most important leader after Saeed, who has been in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since 2019 after getting convicted for several years in terror financing cases.
Hansraj College has suspended at least 30 students for alleged misconduct, sparking protests and raising questions about the administration's actions.

Photograph: Ritik Jain/ANI Photo

Key Points Hansraj College suspended 30 students for misconduct during the college festival and defaming the college on social media.

The student union is protesting the suspensions, calling them arbitrary and unjust.

Some students were suspended for violence and misconduct during the annual college festival.

A former student union president claims he is being targeted for filing an RTI application about college irregularities.

Suspended students are barred from entering the college premises, except for exams and internal assessments.

The Hansraj College administration has suspended at least 30 students for reasons ranging from violence and misconduct during the college festival to being involved in "acts of defaming the college through social media platforms".

The student union of the Delhi University college has condemned the move and called for a protest on Monday to oppose the suspension notices issued within a period of about a week.

Student Union Condemns Suspensions

The first letter was issued to Parth Srivastava, the former president of the student union, on April 20.

The letter, which is uploaded on the college's website, said the student had been found involved in "acts of indiscipline, including defamation of the institution and use of derogatory language against teaching and non-teaching staff".

The letter further said the student was given multiple opportunities to appear before the college committee along with his parents, in which he failed.

"A final opportunity was granted on 23.03.2026, where he appeared alone. During being apprised of the allegations, he neither expressed remorse nor acknowledged his conduct," it said.

Allegations of Targeting and Irregularities

Srivastava, however, said he is being targeted.

Speaking to PTI, he referred to the protests in February against the wedding of the principal's son on campus.

"Following that, I had submitted an RTI application seeking info on various irregularities at the college," Srivastava told PTI, further alleging that he got his suspension letter "not long after that".

He added that the move by the college administration was completely arbitrary and that he has already approached the Delhi High Court regarding the issue.

Festival Violence and Social Media Defamation

The college issued a second notice on April 20, suspending 14 students, "in view of the serious incident of violence, misconduct, and breach of discipline that occurred within the college premises during the Annual Fest on 8th and 9th April...".

Videos of the festival have -- purportedly showing students clashing -- have also been circulated on social media.

The notice to this group of students did not specify the length of the suspension but mentioned that they will not be allowed to enter the college premises during the suspension, except for examination and internal assessment.

Four more students were suspended in a notice issued on April 22, referring to alleged physical violence and misconduct on campus.

An April 23, a notice said seven students were suspended on grounds of being involved in "acts of defaming the college through social media platforms and engaging in activities that have adversely affected the academic environment of the institution".

Student Union Office Bearers Suspended

The final notice came on April 25, naming the four office bearers of the student union, namely president, vice president, secretary and joint secretary.

"In view of the serious incident of violence, misconduct, and breach of discipline that occurred during the Annual Fest....the following office bearers of the Hansraj College Students' Union are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings," the notice said.
Reports say that the Iranian offer outlines a framework to 'reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war,' signalling a potential breakthrough in the protracted conflict.

IMAGE: Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araqchi is greeted by officials, according to Iran's media, during his visit to Russia for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a place given as St. Petersburg, Russia, in this screenshot from a video released on April 27, 2026. Photograph: Seyed Abbas Araghchi via Telegram/Handout via Reuters

In a significant diplomatic manoeuvre aimed at de-escalating regional tensions, Iran has reportedly submitted a "new proposal" to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries.

Key Points The diplomatic initiative surfaces at a time when peace efforts have largely stalled.

US President Donald Trump recently remarked that Tehran could "call" Washington should it wish to negotiate, while maintaining his firm stance that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.

Central to the current impasse is the American demand that Iran cease uranium enrichment for a minimum of ten years and relocate its current nuclear stockpile abroad.

According to a report by news outlet Axios, the Iranian offer outlines a framework to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war," signalling a potential breakthrough in the protracted conflict.

The diplomatic initiative surfaces at a time when peace efforts have largely stalled. US President Donald Trump recently remarked that Tehran could "call" Washington should it wish to negotiate, while maintaining his firm stance that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.

This momentum for direct talks appeared to wane after the White House cancelled a scheduled visit to Islamabad by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The move was widely interpreted as a sign of "dissatisfaction with Tehran's earlier offer," further complicating the path to a resolution.

Central to the current impasse is the American demand that Iran cease uranium enrichment for a minimum of ten years and relocate its current nuclear stockpile abroad. However, the report indicates that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed mediators during the weekend that there is currently "no consensus within the Iranian leadership" regarding a response to these specific requirements.

The framework delivered via Pakistan suggests a "two-stage plan" that seeks to address the maritime crisis and the US naval blockade as a priority. This latest proposal envisions either a "prolonged period" of ceasefire extension or a "permanent end to the war."

Under this arrangement, nuclear discussions would only "begin only at a later stage," specifically after the maritime passage is cleared and the blockade is removed. While Axios reports that the White House has officially "received the proposal," it remains "unclear whether the United States is willing to explore it."

In recent days, Abbas Araghchi has been engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Pakistan and Oman, and is scheduled for further high-level talks with Vladimir Putin in Russia on Monday.

This regional outreach comes as the American leadership remains sceptical of long-distance diplomacy.

On Sunday, President Trump expressed his reluctance to deploy a negotiating team, stating, "I see no point of sending them (US negotiators) on an 18-hour flight in the current situation. It's too long." He further added, "We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not gonna travel just to sit there."

Despite a cessation of full-scale combat following US-Israeli military strikes on February 28, a formal peace treaty has yet to materialise. The ongoing hostilities have resulted in thousands of casualties and significant global economic instability.

Tehran continues to use its strategic position over the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for approximately 20 per cent of global oil, as leverage. Meanwhile, the US maritime blockade of Iranian ports continues to drive "price spikes and market volatility."

Tehran has maintained that Washington must first eliminate "obstacles," most notably the naval blockade, before substantive talks can take place.

The Iranian position also includes requests for "compensation," a revised "legal framework governing the strait," and assurances against future military intervention.

Conversely, the US remains focused on forcing Iran to scale back its "nuclear ambitions," missile development, and ties to regional groups. These conflicting priorities illustrate the "wide gaps" that continue to divide the two nations as they navigate this fragile diplomatic opening.
Amid uncertainty over reviving peace talks with the US, Iran is seeking Pakistan's assistance to navigate negotiations and resolve the conflict in West Asia.

IMAGE: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 25, 2026. Photograph: @CMShehbaz/X

Key Points Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan to discuss the direction of peace talks with the US.

Araghchi described his consultations with Pakistani leaders as 'very productive' and 'successful'.

The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US failed to achieve the desired results.

Araghchi also met with Oman's Sultan to discuss security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, after arrival in Russia, said that his trip to Islamabad was "very productive" and involved "good consultations" with Pakistan's top leadership amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks to resolve the war in West Asia.

During his visit, Araghchi discussed with Pakistani leaders "in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on", referring to the second round of talks between the US and Iran.

These remarks were made by Araghchi upon his arrival in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Monday morning.

Iran-Pakistan Discussions on Peace Talks

"We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan. The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent (meetings) and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on," Araghchi said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

The talks that Iran and Pakistan held in Islamabad last week were "successful", Araghchi said upon arrival.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, said that the Russian president was scheduled to meet with the Iranian minister.

US-Israeli War Against Iran

Araghchi described the trip to Pakistan as a good opportunity to review developments related to the US-Israeli war against Iran, expressing confidence that "these consultations and coordination between the two countries will be highly significant," according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

Araghchi, who arrived in Russia from Pakistan, said the trip was "very productive" and "good consultations" were held with Pakistani officials on negotiations between Iran and the United States to end the war, the report in IRNA said.

"Developments have taken place in the negotiations. Despite some progress in earlier rounds, the talks failed to reach their objectives due to the Americans' approach, the excessive demands they made, and the wrong approaches they adopted. Therefore, it was necessary to consult with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest situation," he said.

Stalled Iran-US Peace Talks

The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US, held on April 11 and 12, failed to bring the desired result for the parties to the conflict.

Araghchi on Sunday landed in Pakistan for the second time in three days and met Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir here before departing for Russia amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks with the US.

The Iranian minister, who left Islamabad on Saturday, came from Oman, where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.

"It is only natural that, as two coastal countries bordering this strait, we should stay in close contact to safeguard our shared interests and coordinate any actions related to it, especially since the interests of Iran and Oman are directly involved in this matter," Araghchi said.
After this transition, the BJP's strength in the Upper House has increased to 113.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal meets BJP president Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters, in New Delhi, April 24, 2026. Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak also present. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have merged with the BJP, reducing AAP's strength in the Upper House.

The BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha has increased to 113 following the merger.

AAP has termed the merger as 'unconstitutional' and sought the termination of the MPs' membership.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed the MPs into the NDA, criticising the 'Tukde-Tukde INDI Alliance'.

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday officially accepted the merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the BJP, reducing the strength of Arvind Kejriwal's party in the Upper House to three.

After this transition, the BJP's strength in the Upper House has increased to 113.

Key AAP MPs Merge With BJP

Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Sahney, Swati Maliwal, and Rajinder Gupta are the seven MPs who merged with the BJP.

The Rajya Sabha website now shows that the seven MPs are part of the BJP list of members.

Of the total seven MPs representing Punjab in Rajya Sabha, six are with the BJP and only one remains with AAP.

Political Implications Of The Merger

In Delhi, of the total three MPs two now remain with the AAP and one with the BJP. Sanjay Singh and N D Gupta (both AAP) and Swati Maliwal (BJP) represent Delhi in Rajya Sabha.

The seven MPs petitioned the Rajya Sabha Chairman on Friday to be treated as BJP MPs after the merger, sources said, adding the petition has been accepted.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed the seven MPs into the NDA, and said they have bid goodbye to the "Tukde-Tukde INDI Alliance".

"Honb'le Chairman Rajya Sabha Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji has accepted the merger of 7 AAP MPs with BJP. Now, Raghav Chadha ji, Sandeep Pathak ji, Ashok Mittal ji, Harbhajan Singh ji, Swati Maliwal ji, Rajinder Gupta ji and Vikramjit Singh Sahney ji are Members of BJP Parliamentary Party," he said on X.

"For a long time I've observed that these 7 Honb'le MPs have not resorted to abusive languages and never created any indiscipline and Un-Parliamentary conducts," Rijiju said in a post on X.

AAP's Response To The Defection

"Welcome to nation building NDA under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and good bye to Tukde-Tukde INDI Alliance," the minister said.

The AAP had earlier on Sunday termed their merger as "unconstitutional" and said they have moved a petition before the RS Chairman seeking the termination of the membership of the seven MPs, who had switched sides.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh had said that he has submitted a petition to Chairman Radhakrishnan seeking the disqualification of the seven party MPs in the Upper House who recently quit the AAP and announced their merger with the BJP.

On Friday last, the AAP suffered a jolt when the seven Rajya Sabha MPs quit and announced their merger with the BJP, alleging that the Kejriwal-led party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals.

Chadha announced on Friday that exercising the provisions of the Constitution, more than two-thirds of the AAP MPs in Rajya Sabha have merged with the BJP.

He said seven MPs signed the document, which was submitted to the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and he personally handed over the signed documents.
In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Jammu and Kashmir police arrested six individuals and seized narcotics and cash, while also attaching properties linked to drug peddlers.

Key Points Jammu and Kashmir police arrested six individuals in Doda and Kathua during an intensified anti-narcotics operation.

Police seized contraband substances and over Rs 23 lakh from a house in Doda, leading to multiple arrests.

Properties worth over Rs 73 lakh, linked to drug peddlers in Udhampur, were attached under the NDPS Act.

Heroin was seized from three drug peddlers in Kathua district, leading to their arrest under the NDPS Act.

Six persons were taken into custody during an intensified anti-narcotics crackdown, with police recovering contraband substances and over Rs 23 lakh in Doda and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Monday.

In a parallel action, properties worth over Rs 73 lakh linked to drug peddlers were also attached in Udhampur district under relevant legal provisions, the police said.

Raids and Arrests in Doda

Additional Superintendent of Police, Doda, Mohd Aslam said three persons, including a woman, were detained during a raid on a house at Dak Mohalla in the main town following recovery of 85 grams of suspected brown sugar and over Rs 23 lakh on Sunday evening.

He identified the woman as Zareena Begum, stating that she had been under police surveillance following inputs indicating her involvement in drug peddling.

Besides Zareena, officials said her daughter and son-in-law were also picked up by police during the raid.

"We have taken three individuals into custody. Their roles are being examined, and based on that, arrests will be made. We are continuing raids at other suspected locations," Aslam said.

Kathua Drug Peddlers Apprehended

Three drug peddlers --Pardeep Singh of Hiranagar, Rahees Butt of Billawar and Ali Sen of Amritsar (Punjab) -- were arrested along with heroin at different places in Kathua district, a police spokesman said.

He said while 2.79 gm of heroin was seized from Singh, 2.66 gm were recovered Butt. Similarly, 303 gm of heroin was seized from Sen who was intercepted near Berrian-Pattan village while moving in a private car from Bhagthali to Maggar Khad on the Jammu-Pathankot highway.

All the three were booked under the NDPS Act and further investigations are on, the spokesman said.

Udhampur Properties Attached

In Udhampur, the spokesman said properties worth Rs 73 lakh were attached in two separate cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The attached properties included a newly constructed residential house, a car, a motorcycle and a mobile phone with a total value of Rs 65 Lakh, belonging to accused Saif Ali who was booked under the NDPS case in Majalta area early this year, he said.

In another action, movable property worth Rs 8 lakh comprising a car, belonging to accused Danish Butt of Doda has been attached under Section 68(F) NDPS Act in connection with an FIR registered at Rehambal police station, the spokesman said.
In a tragic incident highlighting the persistence of dowry-related violence, a young woman in Jharkhand was allegedly murdered by her husband over dowry demands, prompting a police investigation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 19-year-old woman in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, was allegedly murdered by her husband over dowry demands.

The victim, Momena Khatun, had been married for four months and allegedly faced dowry-related harassment from her husband and in-laws.

Momena's father reported that she had been staying with her parents after being allegedly driven out of her matrimonial home two months prior.

The husband allegedly entered her room with friends, stabbed her, and fled, leading to her death in hospital.

Police have arrested the husband and are searching for other individuals named in the complaint.

A newly married woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband in Jharkhand's Sahibganj district over dowry, police said on Monday.

Momena Khatun, 19, had married Sanir Sheikh of Barharwa four months ago, they said.

Dowry Harassment Allegations

In the police complaint, Momena's father, Jargis Sheikh, alleged that she had been subjected to dowry-related harassment by her husband and in-laws since the marriage. About two months ago, she was allegedly driven out of her matrimonial home and has been staying with her parents at Pahargaon.

Details of the Attack

Jargis said Momena had returned home late on Sunday night after attending a religious gathering with her younger sister and had gone to sleep in her room.

"Late in the night, the husband, along with his friends, entered her room, dragged her to the verandah and stabbed her repeatedly," he alleged.

Aftermath and Investigation

On hearing the younger sister's screams, the assailants fled the spot. Family members rushed the victim to Rajmahal Sub-divisional Hospital, where doctors declared her dead, police said.

A police team arrested the husband from a mango orchard in Barharwa on Monday, they said.

"We are searching for the others named in the complaint," an officer said.
As part of an ongoing anti-narcotics campaign, Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized properties belonging to alleged drug peddlers in Udhampur and Reasi districts.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Jammu and Kashmir Police attached properties of alleged drug peddlers in Udhampur and Reasi.

The seizures are part of an ongoing anti-narcotics campaign by the J&K Police.

In Udhampur, a residential property worth Rs 20 lakh belonging to Rafiq was attached.

In Reasi, a motorcycle belonging to Ajay Singh, an alleged drug peddler, was seized.

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday attached properties of two alleged drug peddlers in Udhampur and Reasi districts as part of its ongoing anti-narcotics campaign, officials said.

Udhampur Property Seizure

In Udhampur, police attached an immovable property worth Rs 20 lakh belonging to Rafiq from Jojrian Talab in connection with cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPD) Act, they said.

During the investigation, police found that the accused had acquired the residential property on state land using proceeds of illicit narcotics trade, the officials said.

Reasi Motorcycle Attachment

In Reasi, police attached a motorcycle belonging to alleged drug peddler Ajay Singh from Katra under the NDPS Act, they said.

Police said the accused was a habitual offender who was previously involved in multiple criminal cases registered at the Katra police station.
A Kerala court is seeking a report from Madhya Pradesh police regarding allegations of an underage marriage at a Kerala temple, sparking a legal and political controversy.

Key Points Kerala court seeks report from Madhya Pradesh Police regarding alleged underage marriage.

The petition seeks registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

CPI(M) leaders and temple officials are accused of facilitating the alleged underage marriage.

The Kerala High Court has granted interim relief from arrest to the man involved, who claims the woman is above 18.

A Madhya Pradesh Police team returned without completing interrogation in the case.

A court here on Monday sought a report from the Madhya Pradesh Police regarding the alleged underage marriage of a woman who drew attention during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and later married her friend, a Muslim man, at a temple in Kerala.

The Thiruvananthapuram Additional District and Sessions Court (POCSO Act), presided over by Judge Shibu M P, directed the station house officer of the Maheshwar police station to file a report before May 20.

Investigation into Temple Marriage Allegations

The court was considering a petition filed by P Nagaraj of Neyyattinkara, seeking the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan, Education Minister V Sivankutty, Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim, Mohammad Farman Khan, who married the woman, Poovar Arumannur Nayinar Devi Temple president N Hareendran, and secretary Ajithkumar.

The petitioner alleged that CPI(M) leaders and temple office-bearers had facilitated the underage marriage.

He also sought the cancellation of the marriage and an order directing the police to conduct a detailed probe into those involved.

Court's Directive and Ongoing Investigation

While considering the petition, the court noted that a case regarding the marriage had already been registered at the Maheshwar police station in Madhya Pradesh and that the investigation was underway.

The court, therefore, sought a report from the station house officer of the Maheshwar police station to be filed when the petition is taken up again on May 20.

Legal Challenges and Claims of False Accusation

The Kerala High Court has granted interim relief to Khan, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, from arrest in the Madhya Pradesh police case.

Khan and the woman have claimed that a false case was registered against them, asserting that she is above 18 years of age. They have also sought police protection, alleging that they fear being forcibly taken to Madhya Pradesh.

A Madhya Pradesh Police team that recently reached Kochi to interrogate the woman and Khan returned without completing the process.
Police in Kerala have launched a forensic investigation after discovering body parts buried on a property linked to a missing persons case involving a woman and her son.

Key Points Kerala police discovered body parts while searching for a missing woman, Marykutty, and her son, Reji, in Nedumkandam.

The missing persons case was filed by Marykutty's daughter after Marykutty and Reji were last seen on April 2.

Marykutty's other son, Saji, who lived at the house, is also now missing and is considered a person of interest.

Police suspect foul play due to family disputes and suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearances.

Police on Monday recovered body parts buried in the compound of a house while searching for a missing woman and her son who had been staying there in Nedumkandam, officials said.

Missing Persons Complaint Leads To Discovery

Police had launched a search for Marykutty (70) and her son Reji (48), residents of Thootuvakada in Kalkoonthal village, Nedumkandam, after registering a missing persons case.

Police said Marykutty's daughter, Sini, filed a missing persons complaint on Sunday, based on which a case was registered.

However, since Sunday, Marykutty's other son, Saji, has also been missing.

Suspicious Circumstances Emerge

As per the FIR, Marykutty and Reji had not been seen since April 2.

Police officials said Saji, who lived at the house, had told relatives that Marykutty and Reji had left the house on April 2 and had not returned.

During the probe, police searched the house premises on Monday morning and found body parts buried in a recently dug pit in the compound.

Investigation Underway

K M Sabu Mathew, who visited the house, told reporters that Saji has been missing since Sunday.

"We received information that there were fights in the family. Based on this, when we investigated the house, suspicious circumstances emerged. We suspect they were murdered," he said.

Police have decided to exhume the remains fully and conduct further investigation with the assistance of forensic experts.

Police have also circulated Saji's photograph to trace him.
Kerala's Speaker A N Shamseer defends his decision to hospitalise Health Minister Veena George following a protest, emphasising her condition and denying claims of weapon use during the incident.

Key Points Kerala Speaker A N Shamseer defends his decision to hospitalise Health Minister Veena George after a KSU protest.

Shamseer clarifies he never claimed a weapon was used during the protest, focusing on the minister's condition.

Five KSU activists were arrested and jailed for over two weeks following the protest against alleged medical negligence.

The Speaker questioned the Congress party's decision to protest against a woman minister without involving their women activists.

Kerala Speaker A N Shamseer on Monday said he only acted responsibly by shifting Health Minister Veena George to hospital after she allegedly suffered injuries during a protest by KSU activists at Kannur Railway Station on February 25.

Speaker Responds to Investigation

Responding to reporters' questions over the police investigation, reportedly finding no evidence of any weapon being used to attack George during the protest, Shamseer said he had never made such a claim.

Police had registered a case of attempt to murder, alleging use of a weapon, and arrested five KSU activists who were protesting with black flags against frequent incidents of alleged medical negligence in the state.

"I did my responsibility of taking her to the hospital, and I did that," he said.

Minister's Condition After the Protest

Shamseer said George was struggling to walk, and therefore the decision was taken to admit her to hospital.

"She was struggling following the scuffle. I had said the injury was after it. She was injured," he said.

He said he never claimed a weapon had been used and that she was shifted to the hospital considering her condition.

Arrests and Political Reactions

Shamseer said that when protests are carried out, it is natural for arrests to follow.

"The Congress portrays the arrest and jailing of KSU leaders as a bad act," he said.

He also questioned whether KSU had no women activists to protest.

"The Congress should check whether it is appropriate to protest against a woman minister without their women activists," he asked.

Soon after the incident, Shamseer was the first among CPI(M) leaders to claim that George had suffered injuries in the protest by KSU activists, which led to several counter-protests and incidents of violence across the state.

The five arrested KSU activists remained in jail for over two weeks before being granted bail.

George's statement in the case was recorded only last week, nearly two months after the incident.
Delhi Police successfully rescued a kidnapped toddler from Chandni Chowk and arrested a suspect after an intensive five-day manhunt, highlighting their commitment to combating child abduction in the city.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A toddler was kidnapped from the Chandni Chowk market in Delhi.

Delhi Police rescued the child after a five-day manhunt.

One suspect, Mohammad Firoz, has been arrested and is being interrogated.

The suspect revealed a woman lured him with the promise of money to kidnap children.

Police are investigating whether the suspects are linked to a larger child trafficking network.

A one-and-a-half-year-old boy who was kidnapped from the crowded Chandni Chowk market in north Delhi has been rescued safely and the suspected kidnapper arrested after a five-day manhunt, officials said on Monday.

According to police, the incident was reported on April 19 when the child's mother approached the police, stating that her toddler had been abducted from the market around 7 pm.

Delhi Police Launch Manhunt to Rescue Kidnapped Child

"An FIR was immediately registered and multiple teams were formed to trace the child and identify those responsible," Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said.

During the probe, teams scanned footage from multiple CCTV cameras installed across Chandni Chowk and adjoining areas.

The analysis revealed the involvement of a man and a woman, who were seen moving suspiciously in the area throughout the day and eventually abducting the child, the police said.

The suspects had been loitering in the locality since morning, apparently scouting for vulnerable children. They were also seen attempting to target other minors before successfully kidnapping the toddler, they added.

Suspect Apprehended, Child Recovered

"A team meticulously tracked the movement of the suspects by analysing footage from different locations round the clock for five consecutive days. Their trail eventually led the police team to the Khajuri Khas area in northeast Delhi," the DCP said.

The officer further said that on April 24, police apprehended one of the accused -- Mohammad Firoz (32), a native of Siliguri in West Bengal -- from Khajuri Khas. The kidnapped child was also recovered safely from a rented accommodation in the area.

Kidnapping Motive and Investigation Details

During interrogation, Firoz revealed that he works as an e-rickshaw driver and had recently come in contact with a woman named Kali near Hanuman Mandir in Kashmere Gate.

Kali allegedly lured Firoz with the promise of easy money and persuaded him to participate in kidnapping children, the police said.

On the day of the incident, the duo targeted children who appeared unattended in the crowded market. The accused attempted to abduct two to three children earlier but failed as their parents intervened. They eventually succeeded in taking away the toddler by offering him eatables, they said.

"Firoz told police that the woman had promised to pay him Rs 20,000 to keep the child for a few days, after which she intended to sell the toddler to a prospective buyer," the DCP added.

To evade detection, the accused changed multiple e-rickshaws and used narrow lanes to move around the city before hiding the child at his associate's rented room.

Accused Has Prior Criminal Record

The police said the accused has a criminal history and was previously involved in nine cases related to theft and the Arms Act.

Firoz is also a proclaimed offender in three cases registered at different police stations in Delhi, they added.

Efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding female accused and to ascertain whether the duo is linked to a larger child trafficking network.

Further investigation in the case is in progress.
A KSU protest in Malappuram, Kerala, demanding justice for a deceased BDS student, escalated into a tense clash with police, highlighting allegations of caste-based harassment and abetment of suicide.

Photograph: PTI Photo.

Key Points KSU activists protested in Malappuram demanding the arrest of those responsible for the death of a BDS student in Kannur.

The protest turned tense as KSU activists clashed with police near the district Collectorate.

Police detained several KSU activists for attempting to breach barricades.

The BDS student, Nithin Raj, died after falling from a building, leading to allegations of caste-based harassment.

Two faculty members have been booked on charges of abetment of suicide and under the SC/ST Act.

Tension prevailed on Monday during a protest march taken out by KSU activists to the district Collectorate here, demanding the arrest of those responsible for the death of a BDS student in neighbouring Kannur district.

The Kerala Students' Union, the students' wing of the Congress party, organised the march under the leadership of its district committee in connection with the death of Nithin Raj.

Police Intervention and Protest Escalation

Police detained several KSU activists after they allegedly tried to jump over barricades placed near the Collectorate gate.

Television visuals showed KSU workers engaging in heated arguments and a minor scuffle with police personnel at the site.

Following the clash, some protesters briefly blocked the nearby national highway and again attempted to move towards the barricades. However, leaders intervened and brought the situation under control.

Details of the BDS Student's Death

Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student at a private dental college in Anjarakandy in Kannur district, was found critically injured after falling from a building on April 10 and later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigation and Allegations

Kannur police, who initially registered a case of unnatural death into BDS students' demise, later booked two faculty members - Dr Ram and Dr Sangeetha Nambiar - on charges of abetment of suicide and under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following allegations by the student's family that he was subjected to caste- and complexion-based harassment.

In a related development, the Cyber Police also registered a separate case after it emerged that the student had availed a loan through a mobile application, whose operators allegedly contacted his teacher, leading to a complaint being lodged with the college authorities.
A driver in Jammu and Kashmir was swiftly arrested after a hit-and-run incident where three girl students were injured, prompting a quick response from local police.

Key Points A driver in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly hit three girl students with his car.

The driver fled the scene after the incident instead of assisting the injured students.

Police tracked down and arrested the accused driver within an hour of the incident.

The injured students have been identified and are receiving medical attention.

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday arrested a man who allegedly ran over three girl students in Kulgam district, officials said.

Swift Police Action After Hit-And-Run

A car driven by Rayees Ahmad Rather hit and injured three girl students at Kulbagh-Qazi Mohalla Link road at around 3.45 pm, they said, adding that instead of helping the injured girls, the accused driver sped away from the spot.

Details of the Incident and Victims

Taking cognisance of the incident, police tracked down the accused and arrested him within an hour, they said.

The three injured girls have been identified as Fatima Jan, Tahmeena Jan, daughters of Altaf Parray and Aliya Jan.
Even though Rane's intention was to raise a voice against the poor quality of work and inconvenience faced by the people, he was not supposed to humiliate or insult a public servant in public, the court said.

IMAGE: Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane. Photograph: Courtesy @NiteshNRane/X

Key Points Rane sentenced to one month in jail for intentional insult and provoking breach of public peace.

Court acknowledges Rane's intent to address poor roadwork quality but condemns public humiliation of public servant.

Sentence suspended, allowing Nitesh Rane time to appeal the conviction in higher court.

A court in Sindhudurg on Monday convicted Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane in a 2019 case of pouring mud on an NHAI engineer when he was in Opposition, and sentenced him to one-month imprisonment, noting that lawmakers are not supposed to take the law into their hands.

Later, the court suspended Rane's sentence, allowing him time to appeal before a higher court, while acquitting 29 other accused in the case.

"Even though Rane's intention was to raise a voice against the poor quality of work and inconvenience faced by the people, he was not supposed to humiliate or insult a public servant in public," additional sessions court judge V S Deshmukh stated.

"If such incidents continue to occur, public servants would not be able to discharge their duties with dignity," the judge noted.

Calling the act "abuse of power", the court held that "it is the demand of time to curb such tendency".

Rane, a son of former Union minister Narayan Rane, was among 30 people charged under various offences, including rioting, assault to deter a public servant, and criminal conspiracy. He was in Congress when the incident occurred.

All the accused, including Nitesh Rane, were acquitted of these offences, as the court found insufficient evidence to support most of these claims.

However, the court found Nitesh Rane guilty of an offence under section 504 (intentional insult meant to provoke a breach of public peace) and sentenced him to one month's jail.

Rane, then a Congress MLA, had called the Sub-Divisional Engineer of the National Highway Authority, Prakash Shedekar, to a bridge over the Gad river in Kankavli on July 4, 2019, for inspecting the work to widen the Mumbai-Goa Highway.

According to the prosecution, Nitesh Rane and his followers, frustrated by the poor quality of the roadwork and waterlogging, confronted the engineer. They poured muddy water on Shedekar and forced him to walk through slush in public.

The court, after perusing the evidence on record, noted that the informant (victim) was holding a high post in the National Highway Authority.

"Despite that, he was made to walk through the muddy water in public. It would have certainly humiliated and insulted him," the court remarked.

The judge held that Rane compelling Shedekar to walk through the muddy water "was nothing but an intentional insult to the informant," and provocation which will cause him to break the public peace.
A man in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested after a video surfaced showing him allegedly engaging in celebratory firing during a family function, leading to the seizure of his licensed firearm and ammunition.

Key Points A man was arrested in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly engaging in celebratory firing during a 'janeu' ceremony.

Police seized a licensed 12-bore gun, two empty cartridges, and 14 live cartridges from the accused.

The arrest followed a viral video of the celebratory firing on social media.

A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.

A man has been arrested for allegedly indulging in celebratory firing during a function in Kaushambi district, and a licensed firearm and ammunition have been seized from his possession, officials said on Monday.

Police Action Following Viral Video

Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat said a video of the celebratory firing in Jajouli village had gone viral on social media on Sunday.

Taking cognisance of the video, he directed the local police to probe the matter and take necessary action.

Details of the Incident

During investigation, police found that the video was recorded on April 24 during a 'janeu' (sacred thread) ceremony organised for the son of the accused, identified as Gulab Chand, a resident of Jajouli village.

The officer said the accused had opened fire in the air during the ceremony.

Seizure and Legal Proceedings

Police recovered and seized a licensed 12-bore gun used in the firing along with two empty cartridges and 14 live cartridges.

A case has been registered at Paschim Sharira police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act, he said.

The accused was arrested on Sunday and further legal proceedings are underway, police added.
A man has been arrested in Sonbhadra after a police encounter for the alleged murder of a 12-year-old girl, sparking an investigation into the motive behind the crime.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Key Points A 12-year-old girl was found dead in the Muirpur area of Sonbhadra.

Police arrested Deepak Kumar, a neighbour and distant relative of the victim, in connection with the murder.

The accused attempted to flee and opened fire on the police during a raid.

Deepak Kumar sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during the police encounter and was hospitalised.

The motive behind the murder is currently under investigation by the police.

Sonbhadra Police on Monday arrested a man after an encounter for allegedly killing a 12-year-old girl in his neighbourhood in the Muirpur area, officials said.

Investigation and Arrest in Sonbhadra Murder Case

Circle Officer (Pipari) Harsh Pandey said that on Monday, the body of the girl was found. Upon receiving information about the incident, police reached the spot, registered a case, and commenced an investigation.

During the investigation, the name of the accused, Deepak Kumar came to light. In addition to being a neighbour of the deceased, the accused is also related to her as a distant maternal uncle, the CO said.

Police Encounter and Apprehension of the Accused

Following this, the police conducted a raid to nab the accused, but he attempted to flee and opened fire at the team.

In retaliation, the accused sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. He was admitted to a hospital.

Motive Under Investigation

Efforts are underway to ascertain the motive behind the incident, the officer said.
A 32-year-old man tragically died in Ghaziabad after a violent dispute erupted over the cleaning of a warehouse, leading to a police investigation and search for the accused.

Key Points A 32-year-old man was fatally attacked in Ghaziabad following a dispute over warehouse cleaning.

The victim, Sonu Jatav, was assaulted with wooden sticks and iron rods during the altercation.

Police have registered a complaint against the accused, including Sonu alias Aamir and Sharukh.

The incident occurred after a heated argument escalated into a violent confrontation with casteist slurs.

Multiple police teams are searching for the culprits, and legal proceedings are underway in the Ghaziabad warehouse cleaning murder case.

A 32-year-old man was beaten to death with wooden sticks and iron rods following a violent altercation over the cleaning of a warehouse here, police said on Monday.

According to the police, the incident occurred on Sunday morning when the victim, identified as Sonu Jatav, a resident of Bagh Ranap colony in Loni, went to clean the warehouse located near Mukhiya Gate, Gujjar Chowk.

A neighbour named Sonu alias Aamir, with his accomplice Sharukh and others.

Warehouse Cleaning Dispute Turns Deadly

A heated argument broke out between the two regarding the cleaning of the facility. The confrontation quickly turned violent as the accused allegedly hurled casteist slurs and abuses before attacking Jatav with sticks and rods.

Jatav suffered critical injuries during the assault while the assailants fled. He was rushed to GTB Hospital in Delhi, where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night. His body was brought back to Loni for cremation after conducting the post-mortem.

Police Investigation Underway

Police have registered a complaint against Sonu, Sharukh, and one unidentified individual, ACP Loni Siddhartha Gautam said.

He added that multiple police teams have been deployed to apprehend the culprits and that further legal proceedings are currently underway.
In a bizarre incident highlighting bureaucratic hurdles, an Odisha man resorted to bringing his dead sister's skeleton to a bank to access her funds after facing repeated demands for her physical presence.

IMAGE: The man was identified as Jeetu Munda (50) of Dianali village. He was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from the bank account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda (56), who died on January 26, 2026. Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points An Odisha man brought his deceased sister's skeleton to a bank to withdraw her money due to the bank's insistence on the account holder's presence.

The man, Jeetu Munda, was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from his sister's account after her death in January 2026.

Police intervened and criticised the bank officials for failing to explain the proper procedure for withdrawing money from a deceased person's account.

Local authorities have instructed the bank to ensure Jeetu Munda receives the money as he is the sole claimant.

A tribal man in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Monday brought the skeleton of his dead sister to a bank to withdraw the money deposited in her name, police said.

The incident occurred at Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank located at Patana block of Keonjhar district.

The man was identified as Jeetu Munda (50) of Dianali village. He was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from the bank account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda (56), who died on January 26, 2026.

Frustration Leads To Desperate Measures

"I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name. Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank. Therefore, out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death," an illiterate Jeetu Munda told reporters.

Police Intervention And Criticism Of Bank Officials

Patana Police Station Inspector in charge (IIC) Kiran Prasad Sahu, who reached the bank after getting information, said, "Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is. The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person's account."

Resolution And Administrative Action

However, after the incident, the police assured Jeetu Munda that they would facilitate the withdrawal of money from the bank account of his dead sister.

Later, the skeleton was again buried at the graveyard in presence of police.

Meanwhile, local Block Development Officer (BDO) Manas Dandpat said that he was not approached by anyone for the legal heir of late Kalra Munda.

"Today only, I came to know about it. We will see what can be done to resolve the issue," the BDO said.

Bank's Response And Future Steps

Meanwhile, bank sources said that the nominee in Kalra Munda's bank account was also dead. Therefore, Jeetu Munda was the lone claimant over the money deposited in her name.

The local administration has directed the bank officers to make arrangements and ensure that Jeetu Munda, who is the only claimant as per the rules, gets the money as soon as possible.
A deadly axe attack in a Rajasthan village, fuelled by a long-standing rivalry, resulted in a man's death and subsequent arson, escalating tensions in the region.

Key Points A man was killed in Rajasthan's Banswara district due to an old rivalry.

The victim was attacked with an axe, leading to his death.

The incident triggered arson and clashes between two groups in the village.

Police have deployed additional forces to control the tense situation in the village.

A man was allegedly hacked to death with an axe over an old rivalry in a village in Rajasthan's Banswara district, police said on Monday.

Village Gripped By Violence After Deadly Attack

The incident, which took place on Sunday night, triggered arson and clashes between two groups.

The incident took place in Tamtiya village in Mota Gaon area, where a dispute between the two sides escalated into violence, police said.

The deceased, Govind, had gone to the house of the accused to resolve an issue when an argument broke out and turned violent. He was attacked with an axe by members of the rival group, leading to his death.

Police Investigation Underway Amidst Tensions

Following the killing, tension gripped the village and relatives of the deceased allegedly vandalised and set ablaze thatched houses and enclosures belonging to the accused family.

An additional police force was deployed in the area, according to SP Sudhir Joshi, who said that the situation is under control.

The matter is being investigated further, he added.
A 37-year-old company director in Noida tragically died by suicide, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death and raising awareness about suicide risks and mental health.

Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points A 37-year-old man died by suicide in Noida after jumping from a 22nd-floor balcony.

The deceased, identified as Sajjal Mehrotra, was a company director living in Prateek Edifice Society.

Police report that no suicide note was found at the scene.

Initial investigations suggest the man was suffering from depression.

Authorities are investigating all aspects of the case, including potential underlying causes of the suicide.

A 37-year-old man allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the 22nd floor of a posh residential society in Sector 107 here, police said on Monday.

The incident took place on Sunday in Prateek Edifice Society under the jurisdiction of the Sector-39 police station. The deceased has been identified as Sajjal Mehrotra, a company director who lived in the society with his family.

Details of the Incident

"On Sunday afternoon, he jumped from the balcony of his flat on the 22nd floor," a police official said.

Family members and security guards rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, police said, adding that no suicide note has been found.

Investigation and Background

Prima facie, the deceased was suffering from depression, officials said, adding that other aspects of the case are being investigated.

The body has been sent for post-mortem and further legal formalities are underway.

Family Information

Police said the man got married about 10 years ago and is survived by his wife and two children. No complaint has been received from the family in connection with the incident.
In a shocking incident in Ghaziabad, a man was stabbed to death by his cousin following a heated argument over money, leading to a swift police response and arrest.

Key Points A 35-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Ghaziabad due to a money dispute.

The victim was allegedly attacked by his cousin using a vegetable cutter.

The incident occurred in the Bhudgarhi industrial area of Masuri.

Police have arrested the accused in connection with the Ghaziabad murder case.

A 35-year-old man was stabbed to death with a vegetable cutter allegedly by his cousin over a monetary dispute on Monday afternoon, police said.

Details of the Ghaziabad Stabbing Incident

According to police, the accused was identified as Arif, a resident of Meerut district.

The incident occurred around 2.30 pm in the Bhudgarhi industrial area of Masuri when Arif attacked his cousin, Gulfam (35), with a vegetable cutter over a money-related dispute and fled.

Upon receiving information, police rushed Gulfam to a Community Health Centre in Dasna, where doctors declared him dead.

Accused Arrested in Ghaziabad Murder Case

"Assailant Arif has been arrested and will be sent to jail," ACP Modinagar Bhaskar Verma said.
NIA begins probe into Bhangar crude bomb case after 79 explosives recovered in West Bengal, raising serious security concerns ahead of elections.

Key Points NIA registers case to investigate recovery of 79 crude bombs in West Bengal.

The investigation follows a directive from the Union Home Ministry.

Election Commission directs West Bengal Police to arrest those involved in illegal bomb manufacturing.

Crude bombs were recovered from a residence in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district.

The Election Commission warned police officers about maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.

The move on Sunday came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.

In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.

NIA Takes Over Bomb Investigation

"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.

79 Crude Bombs Recovered: What Police Found

It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.

The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.

Investigation Focus: Terror Angle and Larger Conspiracy

The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.

The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.

Link to West Bengal Elections and Security Concerns

The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized control of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror module case in Jammu and Kashmir, taking custody of five arrested terrorists, including Pakistani nationals, to further investigate the network's operations.

Photograph: ANI Photo/span>

Key Points NIA takes over investigation of interstate Lashkar-e-Taiba terror module.

Five arrested terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, are in NIA custody.

The arrests include a terrorist on the run for 16 years.

Probe reveals a deep-rooted LeT network providing logistics and financial support.

NIA secured custody of the accused through a special NIA court in Jammu.

The National Investigation Agency has taken over the case related to the recent unearthing of an interstate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror module and secured custody of five arrested terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, for questioning on Monday, officials said.

Key Arrests in LeT Terror Module Case

On April 7, Jammu and Kashmir police achieved a major success in its counter-terror campaign by arresting five LeT operatives, including Abdullah, alias Abu Hureira, who has been on the run for 16 years and was able to set up bases outside the union territory.

Besides Abdullah, another Pakistani terrorist, Usman alias Khubaib and three Srinagar residents - - Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid and Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Mama - - were also arrested in the major operation that involved police in Jammu and Kashmir as well as central agencies.

NIA Investigation and Court Remand

The probe unearthed a deep-rooted LeT network involved in providing logistics and financial support to terrorists.

After taking over the case for further investigation, the Agency produced the arrested terrorists before the special NIA court in Jammu on Monday, the officials said.

The court remanded all five accused terrorists to the Agency's custody, officials said. While the two Pakistani nationals were granted two-day remand, the three local terrorists were sent to 15-day custody.
He referred to earlier multilateral outcomes, including the India-Arab League Foreign Ministers' meeting held in New Delhi, stating that the joint statement from that engagement was endorsed by all participants, including Palestine.

IMAGE: Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman's Musandam governance, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

The ministry of external affairs on Monday said that a joint statement could not be issued following the BRICS deputy foreign ministers and special envoys on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) meeting, which took place on April 24 in the national capital, as member countries were unable to reach a general consensus concerning the conflict in West Asia.

Key Points A joint statement was not possible because a general consensus could not be reached among the members--the delegates who attended the BRICS MENA meeting--regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

This issue is under discussion with both Iran and the United States. Obviously, the current conflict is also a complicating factor, Jaiswal said.

According to the MEA, the meeting brought together BRICS representatives to exchange views on the evolving situation in the region, including the Palestine issue and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"A Chair's Summary was released, as a joint statement could not be achieved. A joint statement was not possible because a general consensus could not be reached among the members--the delegates who attended the BRICS MENA meeting--regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia.

Rejecting what he termed as speculative reporting on the matter, Jaiswal said, "We have seen some speculative and inaccurate reporting on the recent BRICS officials meeting."

He referred to earlier multilateral outcomes, including the India-Arab League Foreign Ministers' meeting held in New Delhi, stating that the joint statement from that engagement was endorsed by all participants, including Palestine.

"I would refer you to the joint statement released on the occasion of the India-Arab League Foreign Ministers' meeting earlier this year. This meeting happened in Delhi. This outcome was endorsed by all present, including Palestine," Jaiswal said.

On the Chabahar Port issue, Jaiswal said discussions are ongoing with both Iran and the United States.

"This issue is under discussion with both Iran and the United States. Obviously, the current conflict is also a complicating factor. We will keep you posted as the situation evolves," Jaiswal added.

Earlier, the BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) issued a Chair's Statement following their meeting here, where members expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in West Asia and deliberated on a wide range of regional issues.

According to the MEA, the meeting brought together BRICS representatives to exchange views on the evolving situation in the region, including the Palestine issue and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The discussions also covered key areas such as the provision of humanitarian aid, the role of UNRWA, a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, and recent developments, including the ceasefire in Lebanon. Members further underlined the unacceptability of attacks on UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) and stressed the need for post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Syria.

In addition, the meeting addressed political processes and stability in countries including Yemen, Iraq, and Libya, along with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The MEA noted that the participants shared assessments on the regional situation and emphasised the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation on these critical issues.

"Members expressed deep concern on the recent conflict in the Middle East and offered views and assessments on the matter. The discussions covered the Palestine issue and the Gaza situation, including provision of humanitarian aid, the role of UNRWA, zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, welcoming the ceasefire in Lebanon, the unacceptability of attacks on UNIFIL, post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation in Syria, political settlement in Yemen, stability and development in Iraq, political process in Libya, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan," the statement read.
Following a foiled infiltration attempt by militants, Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire across the border, injuring three civilians in Pakistan.

Photograph: Reuters

Key Points Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire on civilian areas after a failed infiltration attempt into Pakistan.

Pakistani security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by militants along the Pak-Afghan border in South Waziristan.

Three civilians, including two women, were injured in the cross-border firing and taken to Wana Hospital.

Pakistan attributes the infiltration attempt to militants belonging to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Three civilians, including two women, were injured on Monday in alleged cross-border firing by Afghan Taliban forces, after Pakistan's security forces foiled an infiltration bid by militants along the border in South Waziristan, a security official said.

Failed Infiltration Attempt Along Pak-Afghan Border

Pakistani troops repelled an infiltration attempt by Taliban militants along the Pak-Afghan border in the Angoor Adda Zulul Khel area, the official said.

Pakistan forces attributed the failed attempt to militants referred to as "Fitna al-Khawarij".

Fitna al-Khawarij is a term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Response and Civilian Casualties

In response to the infiltration attempt, security forces reportedly destroyed multiple Afghan checkpoints.

Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire on civilian areas after the failed infiltration attempt.

The firing injured three civilians, including two women, who were shifted to Wana Hospital for treatment.

Security officials claimed that the targeting of civilians came after militants failed to breach the border.

Local residents condemned the reported shelling and called for a strong response from Pakistani forces.
A doctor in Palghar, Maharashtra, is under investigation for allegedly creating fake medical documents to fraudulently claim insurance commissions, leading to a police case and further probe.

Key Points A doctor in Palghar is accused of creating fake medical documents to claim insurance commissions.

A raid on the hospital uncovered 70-80 fake letterheads and fabricated patient records.

The accused doctor admitted to creating fake files in the names of different hospitals.

Police seized computers, printers, and fake forms from the hospital as evidence.

An investigation is underway into the insurance fraud case in Palghar.

Police have registered a case against a doctor at a hospital in Palghar and four other persons for allegedly creating fake documents in the names of different medical facilities to claim insurance commissions, officials said.

Raid Exposes Fake Documents

A team led by a medical officer from the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation conducted a raid on the hospital located in the Sadi Compound area in Nalasopara on April 24, following directives to inspect illegal sonography and abortion centres here in Maharashtra.

When the team reached the hospital, staff members initially gave evasive answers, claiming the facility was shut. However, a subsequent search of the premises led to the recovery of 70 to 80 fake letterheads and fabricated In-Patient Department papers belonging to various other hospitals, an official from Achole police station said.

Doctor Admits To Fraud

A doctor there admitted to creating fake files in the names of different hospitals to claim insurance commissions, the official said.

During the civic team's inquiry, the accused fled with some documents, including sonography reports, as per the police.

Items Seized, Investigation Ongoing

The police later seized various items from the hospital, including a computer, printer, attendance registers, and some fake forms.

They registered a case against the doctor, another man and two women under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for cheating and forgery.

Further probe was on into the case, the police said.
Police officers in Uttar Pradesh were assaulted after intervening in a heated dispute over wedding band payment, leading to multiple arrests and raising concerns about public safety.

Key Points Two police officers were assaulted in Shahjahanpur, UP, during a dispute over wedding band payment.

The incident occurred when police intervened in a quarrel between the band owner and the groom's family regarding outstanding dues.

Five individuals, including a woman, have been arrested and jailed in connection with the assault on the police officers.

A video circulating on social media shows individuals physically assaulting the police personnel.

A formal complaint has been filed against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Two police personnel were assaulted here on Monday morning when they intervened during a quarrel between a wedding band owner and the groom's side over payment of dues, officials said.

Five people, including a woman, have been arrested and sent to jail, officials said.

Wedding Band Payment Dispute Escalates

Giving details of the incident, Superintendent of Police (SP) Saurabh Dixit on Monday said that the band owner, Vipin Rathore, was hired for a wedding procession on Sunday for Rs 22,000, of which he had allegedly received only Rs 1,000.

It is alleged that the groom's side began behaving rudely towards Rathore when he demanded the rest of the payment on Monday morning after the band had performed during the wedding procession.

Police Intervention and Subsequent Assault

The band owner called the police personnel who attempted to reason with the groom's relatives but they turned aggressive towards the personnel and began physically assaulting them, it is alleged.

Dixit said that the police personnel alerted their police station, and subsequently, a police reinforcement team arrived at the spot and arrested the accused -- identified as Rishipal, Balram, Preeti, Gopal and Amit.

Arrests and Social Media Circulation

He said that a video of the incident is also circulating widely on social media, in which several individuals can be seen physically assaulting the two policemen, while a woman is also seen hitting the cops with a bag.

Dixit said that Constable Mohit Kumar has filed a formal complaint under relevant sections of the BNS against five named individuals, including the woman, and five other unidentified persons.

He added that the police have arrested the five named accused, including the woman, and they have been sent to jail.
Amid ongoing tensions, Vladimir Putin has offered Russia's support to facilitate peace in West Asia, praising Iran's resilience and strategic importance in the region.

IMAGE: Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araqchi (left) is greeted by officials, according to Iran's media, during his visit to Russia for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a place given as St. Petersburg, Russia, in this screenshot from a video released on April 27, 2026. Photograph: Seyed Abbas Araghchi via Telegram/Handout via Reuters

Key Points Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanked Russia for its support, highlighting the strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran.

Araghchi consulted with Pakistani leadership amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks to resolve the conflict in West Asia.

The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US failed to achieve the desired results, leading to further consultations.

Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to allow more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hailed the Iranian people for fighting bravely and heroically for their sovereignty and said Moscow is ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible.

Araghchi, who held talks with Omani and Pakistani leadership before arriving in Russia, met Putin in St. Petersburg and thanked him for supporting Iran, state-owned TASS news agency reported.

"Russia is ready to do everything in its power to ensure that peace in the Middle East is achieved as soon as possible," Putin said during his meeting with Araghchi, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Revealing that he received a message from Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei last week, Putin asked Araghchi to convey his "gratitude for this message and best wishes for his health and well-being."

He praised the Iranian people for fighting "bravely and heroically" for their sovereignty, Iran's state-run PRESS TV reported.

"We really hope that, based on the courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people, under the guidance of the new leader, will weather this difficult period of trials and peace will come," Putin said.

He also stressed that Russia "intends to maintain" its strategic relations with Iran.

Araghchi said that the world witnessed Iran's strength in countering the US during the recent war, and that the Islamic Republic is a "stable and powerful establishment."

"With their courage, the Iranian people succeeded in resisting the US aggression and will be able to endure it," he said.

He said that it became clear that Iran has "great friends and allies" like Russia, and conveyed "warmest greetings" from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian to the Russian leader.

Araghchi said relations between Moscow and Tehran represent a "strategic partnership at the highest level" and will continue to develop "regardless of circumstances."

"We are grateful to you for the solid and strong positions in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.

Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the talks between President Putin and the Iranian Foreign Minister were "useful and constructive."

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said that Russia is "ready to provide any good offices, any mediation services that are acceptable to the parties."

"We will be ready to do everything so that ultimately peace ensues, guaranteed peace, and that there is no return to hostilities," Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS.

He was asked how Moscow can assist in future negotiations on the Iranian settlement.

Araghchi arrived in Russia after his whirlwind trip to Islamabad, which, according to him, was "very productive" and involved "good consultations" with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks to resolve the war in West Asia.

"We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan. The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent (meetings) and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on," Araghchi said in a video posted on his Telegram channel upon his arrival in St Petersburg.

Referring to the second round of talks between the US and Iran to resolve the conflict in West Asia, Araghchi said: "Developments have taken place in the negotiations."

"Despite some progress in earlier rounds, the talks failed to reach their objectives due to the Americans' approach, the excessive demands they made, and the wrong approaches they adopted. Therefore, it was necessary to consult with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest situation," Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.

He said that the trip to Pakistan was a good opportunity to review developments related to the US-Israeli war against Iran, expressing confidence that "these consultations and coordination between the two countries will be highly significant."

Araghchi arrived at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport early Monday, where he was welcomed by Russian officials and Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, the report said.

The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US, held on April 11 and 12, failed to bring the desired result for the parties to the conflict.

The Iranian minister arrived in Islamabad for the second time on Sunday after a short visit to Oman, where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.

After Araghchi left Pakistan for Oman on Saturday, 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.

Trump on Sunday reiterated that the US and Iranian officials can talk by phone for a peace solution to the conflict.

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 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.
Rajasthan police are under scrutiny after four officers were booked for the alleged assault of a minor Dalit boy, sparking political outrage and raising concerns about police misconduct.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Four Rajasthan policemen, including an SHO, have been booked for allegedly assaulting a minor Dalit boy in Bhiwadi.

The 16-year-old boy was allegedly beaten while in custody in connection with a theft case.

The incident has sparked a political row, with the Leader of Opposition criticising the Rajasthan state government.

The Leader of Opposition alleged increasing atrocities against Dalits and vulnerable sections in Rajasthan.

The victim is currently undergoing treatment in hospital for a lung infection.

Four policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), have been booked in connection with the alleged assault of a minor Dalit boy in Bhiwadi town of Rajasthan, police said on Monday.

Police Investigation and Charges

Superintendent of Police Brijesh Jyoti Upadhyay said that a case has been registered against the four personnel under relevant sections of law.

The 16-year-old boy, Lokesh, was allegedly beaten after being taken into custody on April 21 in connection with a theft case. Police said he was seen in CCTV footage related to the incident.

Victim's Condition and Treatment

According to officials, the boy is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. "His condition is stable, and he is being treated for a lung infection," the SP said.

Political Reaction and Condemnation

The incident has sparked a political row, with Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Jully criticising the state government over the alleged assault.

Terming the incident "deeply condemnable", Jully alleged that atrocities against Dalits and other vulnerable sections were increasing in the state.

"When the protectors themselves become predators, where does the common man go?" he said, urging Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to take cognisance of the matter and ensure strict action against those responsible.

Allegations of Collapsed Rule of Law

Calling the incident a "blot on humanity", Jully claimed that the rule of law had "collapsed" and alleged that incidents of atrocities against Dalits, the poor and women were rising.

He also alleged that the victim's family was being pressured and their complaint was not initially registered, and said he had spoken to the SP and the boy's family regarding the matter.

Custodial Deaths and Policing Concerns

Citing data from the Union home ministry, Jully claimed that Rajasthan had recorded a high number of custodial deaths in recent months, raising concerns over policing in the state.

Police said further investigation into the case is underway.
Controversy erupts as a Congress leader's remarks on the shooting incident involving Donald Trump spark outrage, with the BJP accusing the leader of condoning violence and hoping for a similar attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar. Photograph: @VijayWadettiwar/X

Key Points Maharashtra MLA Vijay Wadettiwar's remarks on the Trump shooting have sparked controversy.

The BJP accuses Wadettiwar of justifying the attack and hoping for a similar incident targeting PM Modi.

BJP leaders are demanding an apology from the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi.

The controversy highlights the escalating political tensions and accusations between the BJP and Congress.

A row erupted over remarks by Maharashtra MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on the shooting at an event attended by US President Donald Trump in Washington on Saturday as the BJP demanded a condemnation from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his party legislator justified the incident and is "praying" for a similar "attack" on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a video shared by the ruling party, Wadettiwar purportedly says, "As you sow, so shall you reap. Whatever one does, one has to face the consequences," while alleging that Trump, during his tenure in the highest office, has sought to dominate other countries and has "disturbed" global peace. He allegedly went on to add that a "similar sentiment" exists in India.

BJP Accuses Congress of Endorsing Violence

Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance and other top officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association at Washington Hilton after a man armed with multiple weapons fired shots outside the hotel ballroom.

Posting a video clip of Wadettiwar's remarks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the Congress has gone beyond political criticism and has endorsed the attack.

"In opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress party is now going against the country. Vijay Wadettiwar has justified the shooting attempt on Trump and said that a similar sentiment exists in India. In a way, he is hoping that such an incident happens here too," he said in a video post on X.

Controversial Past Remarks Highlighted

Poonawalla also accused the MLA of making controversial remarks earlier, including on "Operation Sindoor", and allegedly giving a clean chit to Pakistani terrorists in the 26/11 attacks.

"He has now gone beyond and made the most obnoxious comment," he said.

The BJP spokesperson accused the Congress leaders, including its president Mallikaarjun Kharge, of repeatedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Modi, saying such statements reflect a "dangerous and irresponsible mindset".

"You can hate the BJP, but why would you want such things to happen in this country? And why would you pray or hope for it?

"They have abused the prime minister over 150 times and issued threats against him. And now they have stooped to this. Only because they oppose the BJP, they would even justify such incidents involving someone holding a constitutional position," he said.

Demands for Apology and Condemnation

In another post on X, he also referred to alleged remarks by Kharge in which he described the BJP and the RSS as "poisonous snakes" that must be finished and called Modi a "terrorist".

Demanding an apology, Poonawalla said this reflects the "true face" of the Congress and amounts to an insult to the Constitution.

"This is a party that has lost a prime minister to the bullets of terrorists, and despite that, they are making such statements. This is not 'mohabbat ki dukaan' but 'samvidhan ka apmaan' and 'nafrat ke bhaijaan'. This is the true face of the Congress party," he said.

Another BJP national spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, called the Congress a "front of the tukde-tukde gang (anti-nationals)".

"Congress is an urban naxal party. If Congress cannot defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi democratically, it now wishes for an attack on him," he said in a post on X.

Wadettiwar's Defence and Explanation

In the video, Wadettiwar is heard saying, "He (Trump) also ruined his own country...what has happened now was bound to happen."

Wadettiwar said that the people in the US have come out on the streets in protest, whereas in India, the absence of protests creates the impression that "everything is fine", even though, according to him, "a similar sentiment exists".

"Today, Trump has destroyed America in pursuit of fulfilling his ambitions and desires, just like what is happening in our country. There, people protested, but here they are not coming out, so the government believes everything is fine, even as many feel the country is heading towards destruction," he said.

He added that such incidents "should not happen to a person occupying the highest office", but said that "as one acts, the people will ultimately respond".
The Supreme Court has raised questions about a sexual assault claim in a live-in relationship, emphasising the consensual nature of the relationship and the legal implications of cohabitation without marriage.

Photograph: Kind courtesy, William Fortunato/Pexels.com

Key Points Supreme Court questions the validity of a sexual assault claim in a consensual live-in relationship.

The court highlights the absence of a legal marriage bond as a key factor in the case.

The woman lived with the man for 15 years and had a child with him, raising questions about the assault claim.

The court suggests exploring remedies like maintenance for the child and mediation between the parties.

The case raises concerns about the legal risks associated with live-in relationships in India.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked a woman who had challenged an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court that had quashed an FIR against her former live-in partner in a case of alleged sexual assault on a false promise of marriage.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the woman lived together with the man and also had a child from him.

"Where is the question of offence when there is a consensual relationship? They were living together and she also had a child from him and then there is no marriage and now, she says sexual assault? For 15 years they lived together," Justice Nagarathna remarked.

Legal Perspectives on Live-In Relationships

The woman's counsel told the court that she had lost her husband earlier and was introduced to the accused by her brother-in-law.

The court was also told that the accused had promised to marry her and sexually exploited her.

Justice Nagarathna then asked, "Why did she go and live with him before marriage?"

"She lived with him. She had a child from him. He walks out because there is no marriage bond. Legal bond is not there. He walks out, that is the risk in a live-in relationship. So once he walks out, it does not become a criminal offence," she said.

Rights and Remedies in the Absence of Marriage

The woman's lawyer submitted that the accused was already married and had concealed this fact.

"See, if there was marriage, the question of her rights would have been better. She could have filed regarding bigamy. She could have filed for maintenance. She would have got those reliefs. Now since there is no marriage, they live together, this is the risk. They can walk out any day. What do we do?" Justice Nagarathna said.

She suggested that the woman could pursue remedies, such as maintenance for the child, and asked the parties to go for mediation.

Focus on Child Welfare and Mediation

"Even if he goes to jail, what will she gain? We can think of some maintenance for the child. Child is now seven years (old). At least, some monetary compensation can be made for the child," Justice Nagarathna said.

The apex court issued a notice in the matter and asked the parties to explore if a settlement could be reached between the petitioner and the accused.
The Supreme Court has intervened in the case of a brutal assault on a woman advocate in Delhi, ordering a high-level police probe and directing financial aid for the victim and her children.

Key Points Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance of the brutal assault on a woman advocate allegedly by her husband.

Delhi Police commissioner directed to hand over the probe to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer.

The court is investigating why three hospitals allegedly refused admission to the victim after the assault.

NALSA has been directed to release an interim sum of Rs 3 lakh to the victim for treatment and care of her daughters.

The whereabouts of two minor daughters taken by the victim's in-laws are being investigated by the police.

The Supreme Court on Monday took note of the brutal assault on a woman advocate allegedly by her husband and directed the Delhi Police commissioner to hand over the probe to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer in the rank of assistant or deputy commissioner of police.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took suo motu cognisance after advocate Sneha Kalita wrote a letter to the CJI seeking urgent intervention and also for grant of compensation under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) victim compensation scheme.

The top court asked the investigating officer to look into the aspect of three hospitals refusing admission to the victim.

According to the allegations, the victim, who is a practising advocate at the Karkardooma district courts here, was brutally assaulted with a sword and was stabbed by her husband at Sonia Vihar on April 22.

The bench was hearing a suo motu case titled 'In Re: Brutal assault on a member of the legal fraternity and need for judicial intervention'.

During the hearing, Kalita told the bench that after the assault, the victim somehow managed to call her family and the PCR.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the NCT of Delhi, told the bench that an FIR was registered and the husband, alleged to be the prime accused, was arrested on the intervening night of April 25-26.

Supreme Court Questions Hospital Refusals

"Please find out why the hospitals denied emergency treatment to the victim," the CJI told Bhati, after it was claimed that three hospitals refused admission to the victim who was later admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

The bench noted that the letter addressed by Kalita was received in the CJI's office on Sunday.

Referring to the right of a suspect or an accused to have a fair investigation and also to ensure that no one should go scot free, the bench passed a slew of interim directions in the matter.

"The Commissioner of Police, Delhi, is directed to hand over the investigation to a fairly senior officer and preferably a woman officer in the rank of assistant/deputy commissioner of police," it said.

Concerns Over Missing Children and Family

The bench said in the complaint, there were allegations against the in-laws of the victim and they were stated to be absconding.

It also noted the victim has three minor daughters.

The bench said Kalita has informed it that after the assault, the in-laws of the victim took away her two minor daughters aged four years and one year along with them and their whereabout was unknown.

It noted that eldest daughter was aged 12 years and was allegedly abandoned at night outside the house by the husband and she was later on recovered by the police.

The bench said the police would find out the whereabouts of the two minor girl children.

It said the custody of the eldest daughter shall continue with the maternal grandparents.

The bench asked Kalita to assist it as an amicus curiae in the matter.

Financial Assistance and Further Investigation

It noted that the victim was taken to four hospitals and three of them refused admission. It said one of the hospitals provided first aid to her and referred the case to other hospital.

Noting that the victim would be in need of financial assistance, especially for undergoing treatment and to look after her minor daughters, the bench directed the NALSA to release interim sum of Rs 3 lakh in her favour.

It directed the investigating officer to submit a status report of the probe and posted the matter for hearing on May 11.

The accused, Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was arrested from Khajuri Khas area on Sunday, the police had earlier said.

Kumar allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife on April 22, they said.

"During interrogation, Kumar confessed to the crime and told police that he attacked his wife following a family dispute," an officer said.

Domestic discord is believed to be the motive behind the attack, though investigators are examining all angles, the police said.
Delhi Police have launched an investigation into allegations that multiple hospitals in Delhi refused to provide immediate treatment to a woman advocate who was allegedly assaulted by her husband, prompting intervention from the Supreme Court.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police launch investigation into allegations of hospitals refusing treatment to an assaulted woman advocate.

The Supreme Court directed Delhi Police to investigate the alleged denial of immediate medical treatment.

The victim was allegedly turned away from JPC Hospital and GTB Hospital before being admitted to AIIMS Delhi.

Police are examining CCTV footage to determine if there was a delay in providing treatment to the victim.

The victim's husband has been arrested and is believed to have attacked his wife following a family dispute.

Delhi Police has constituted a team to investigate whether two government and a private hospital refused immediate treatment to a woman advocate, who was allegedly assaulted by her husband, a police source said.

The step comes after the Supreme Court, taking note of the assault, directed the Delhi Police Commissioner on Monday to hand over the probe to a senior cop, preferably a woman officer in the rank of ACP or DCP.

Police Launch Special Investigation Team

"We have already formed a special investigating team. The team will check the detailed incident report, FIR copy and statement of the victim," the police source said.

The source further said that after the incident, the woman was rushed to JPC Hospital, from where she was referred to GTB Hospital and from there to a private hospital in east Delhi.

According to the source, "The police officer received information about the entire incident through a PCR call and a team was immediately dispatched to the spot. The woman was found in an injured condition in GTB Hospital."

Allegations of Hospital Negligence

The source further said that the family members have alleged that three different hospitals refused treatment for the woman. The team will check and verify all the details properly.

The family members of the victim have alleged that soon after the attack, the woman was taken to JPC Hospital, where they did not even give her initial treatment, prepared a Medico-Legal Case and referred her to GTB Hospital.

It has also been alleged that at GTB Hospital, they administered initial treatment to the woman and asked the family members to take her to a higher centre.

"We then took her to a private hospital in east Delhi, where doctors asked us to go to a government hospital. Finally, she was taken to AIIMS Delhi, where she is under treatment still now," the family members told PTI.

CCTV Footage To Be Reviewed

"The team will check CCTV footage to know if there was any delay in providing treatment to the woman," the source said, ensuring proper action against anyone found guilty.

Taking suo motu action in the matter, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also asked the investigating officer to look into the aspect of three hospitals refusing admission to the victim.

Police said that soon after receiving information about the matter, a team was there to record a statement and register an FIR.

"We have registered the FIR immediately. There was no delay. After registration of the FIR, multiple teams launched a manhunt and arrested the accused," a senior police officer said.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the police, informed the bench that an FIR has been registered and the victim's husband, who is the prime accused, has been arrested on the intervening night of April 25-26.

The bench said it has taken suo motu action in the matter after a letter sought its urgent intervention.

Passing a slew of directions, the top court noted that in the complaint, there are allegations against the victim's in-laws that they had taken away with them her two minor children, and their whereabouts were not known.

The bench directed that the police find out the whereabouts of the two minor children.

Another police officer said that following the directions of the court, a team is working to trace the children of the victim, and the investigation officer will soon submit a probe report before the court.

The woman's husband, Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, who is the prime accused, has been arrested on the intervening night of April 25-26 from the Khajuri Khas area, police said.

Kumar allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife multiple times on April 22, police said.

"During interrogation, Kumar confessed to the crime and told police that he attacked his wife following a family dispute," police had said.

Domestic discord is believed to be the motive behind the attack, though investigators are examining all angles, police said.
The Supreme Court has ordered a thorough investigation into the brutal assault of a woman advocate in Delhi, allegedly by her husband, demanding a senior police officer lead the probe and address allegations of denied hospital admission.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Supreme Court takes suo motu action in the case of brutal assault on a woman advocate in Delhi.

Delhi Police Commissioner directed to hand over the probe to a senior police officer, preferably a woman.

The court is investigating allegations that three hospitals refused admission to the victim.

Police have arrested the victim's husband, the prime accused, and are searching for the couple's missing children.

The accused confessed to the crime, citing a family dispute as the motive.

The Supreme Court on Monday took note of the brutal assault on a woman advocate allegedly by her husband here, and directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to hand over the probe to a senior cop, preferably a woman officer in the rank of ACP or DCP.

Taking suo motu action in the matter, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also asked the investigating officer to look into the aspect of three hospitals refusing admission to the victim.

Supreme Court Intervention and Police Action

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the police, informed the bench that an FIR has been registered and the victim's husband, who is the prime accused, has been arrested on the intervening night of April 25 and 26.

The bench said it has taken suo motu action in the matter after a letter sought its urgent intervention in the case.

Search for Missing Children

Passing a slew of directions, the top court noted that in the complaint, there are allegations against the victim's in-laws that they had taken away with them her two minor children and their whereabout was not known.

The bench directed that the police find out the whereabout of the two minor children.

It asked the investigating officer to submit a status report of the probe before it.

Accused Confesses to the Crime

The accused, Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was arrested from the Khajuri Khas area on Sunday.

Kumar allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife on April 22, police said.

"During interrogation, Kumar confessed to the crime and told police that he attacked his wife following a family dispute," they said.

Domestic discord is believed to be the motive behind the attack, though investigators are examining all angles, police said.
The Shahdara Bar Association is supporting a woman advocate who was brutally assaulted by her husband, leading to the Supreme Court's intervention and directives to the Delhi Police for a thorough investigation.

Key Points Shahdara Bar Association pledges support to advocate Madhu Rajput, brutally assaulted by her husband.

The accused, Manoj Kumar, has been arrested and is in police custody.

Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the assault case.

Supreme Court directs Delhi Police to assign a senior female officer to the investigation and locate the victim's children.

The Shahdara Bar Association on Monday issued a circular pledging support to a woman advocate who was brutally assaulted by her husband on April 22.

Arrest and Legal Action Following Advocate Assault

The circular informed its members that the accused had been arrested and that the Supreme Court had taken cognisance of the matter.

A circular issued by the association's secretary, Narveer Dabas, said, "Respected members are hereby informed that the accused who brutally assaulted a member of our bar Madhu Rajput was arrested in the intervening night of 25-26 April by the police."

It said that the accused was sent to two days of police custody.

"We pledge to leave no stone unturned until justice is served to her," said the circular.

Support and Appreciation for Intervention

"The executive committee of Shahdara Bar Association appreciates the effort of Sneha Kalita, Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India; and Tarun Rana (Hony Secretary NDBA) and other members of the coordination committee for their support in the matter," it added.

Earlier, the Delhi Police had said that the accused, Manoj Kumar, a resident of Sonia Vihar, was arrested from the Khajuri Khas area on Sunday and that he had allegedly stabbed his 38-year-old wife on April 22.

Supreme Court's Directives in the Case

The circular also said that the apex court had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the matter and issued a slew of directions, including directing the Delhi Police Commissioner to hand over the probe to a senior cop, preferably a woman officer in the rank of ACP or DCP, and to locate the whereabouts of her two minor children.
A Goa Congress MLA has filed a new complaint against right-wing leader Gautam Khattar, escalating the controversy surrounding alleged derogatory statements against St Francis Xavier.

Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

Key Points Goa Congress MLA files a fresh complaint against right-wing leader Gautam Khattar.

The complaint cites a video from October 2025 where Khattar allegedly made derogatory statements against St Francis Xavier.

Khattar was previously arrested for allegedly promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments.

The controversy stems from Khattar's remarks against St Xavier, whose relics are preserved in Goa.

A Goa Congress MLA on Monday lodged a fresh complaint against right-wing Speaker Gautam Khattar, arrested over his alleged derogatory statements about St Francis Xavier, citing an old video of him making remarks against the patron saint of the coastal state.

In a police complaint filed at Panaji police station, MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira highlighted a video posted by Khattar on Facebook in October 2025, in which he allegedly made statements against St Xavier.

Police Investigate New Complaint

A senior police official said that they have received the complaint and are examining its contents.

Ferreira has alleged that the April 18 incident was not the first time Khattar made remarks against St Francis Xavier, and he had verbally attacked the saint in a video uploaded on his Facebook account on October 29, 2025.

Background on Gautam Khattar's Arrest

Khattar, the founder of an outfit called Sanatan Mahasangh, was arrested in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh on April 24 in connection with a case registered against him on charges related to promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments.

A row erupted after a video of Khattar making "objectionable" statements against St Xavier, whose Holy Relics are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Old Goa, went viral.

He had made the remarks while addressing an event on April 18 in the presence of religious guru Swami Brahmeshanand, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji (Krishna) Salkar.
A teenager in Beed, Maharashtra, was murdered following a heated argument with a friend over an objectionable photo on a mobile phone, prompting a police investigation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Teenager allegedly stabbed to death in Beed, Maharashtra, after dispute over a photo.

The incident occurred near Limba village in Shirur Kasar tehsil.

Police have arrested one suspect and are searching for three others, including a Homeguard jawan.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A teenage boy was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend following a dispute over an objectionable photograph on a mobile phone in Beed district of Maharashtra, police said on Monday.

Police Investigation Underway

Police arrested one of the four men involved in the crime, while three others, including a Homeguard jawan, are absconding.

The incident occurred around 8:30 PM near Limba village in Shirur Kasar tehsil on Sunday night, police said, adding that the deceased has been identified as Sumit Gavate (19), a resident of Belura village.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and are investigating.
Donald Trump recounts the chaotic moments and Secret Service evacuation following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, revealing his reaction and addressing controversial references in the shooter's manifesto.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, salutes during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, DC, April 25, 2026. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Key Points President Trump describes being evacuated by the Secret Service after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

Trump expressed curiosity about the situation, which he admits may have slowed down the Secret Service's efforts.

Trump addressed references made to him in the shooter's manifesto during the CBS '60 Minutes' interview.

Trump urged the White House Correspondents' Association to reschedule the event within 30 days.

United States President Donald Trump said he wanted to see what was happening when Secret Service agents hustled him out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday night after a gunman opened fire at the hotel.

In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes, Trump described the chaotic moments that ensued after shots were fired at the Washington Hilton hotel, one floor above the basement-level ballroom, which was the venue of the annual dinner.

Trump's Reaction to the Shooting

"I wasn't worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world," Trump said when asked how worried he was about possible injuries after hearing the gunshots.

The US President said his curiosity to see for himself what was happening probably slowed the Secret Service's efforts to rush him to safety.

"I wanted to see what was happening. I wasn't making it that easy for them. I wanted to see what was going on. And by that time we started to realise maybe it was a bad problem, different kind of problem, a bad one...and different than what would be normal noise from a ballroom," he said.

Secret Service Evacuation Details

"I was surrounded by great people. And I probably made them act a little more slowly. I said, 'Wait a minute, wait a minute'," the President recalled, adding that the Secret Service agents had to repeatedly tell him to go down on the floor as they exited the stage.

"I started walking. And they said, 'Please go down, please go down on the floor.' So I went down and the first lady went down also," Trump said.

Trump Responds to Manifesto References

The interview witnessed some heated moments as Trump was asked about certain references made to him by the suspect in a manifesto shared with his family members before the attack.

"I was waiting for you to read that, because I knew you would, because you're horrible people," Trump said.

"Yeah, he did write that, I'm not a rapist... I read the manifesto. You know, he's a sick person. You shouldn't be reading that on 60 Minutes, you're a disgrace, but go ahead, let's finish the interview," the president said.

When the interviewer followed up by asking if he believed the shooter was referring specifically to him, Trump said: "I'm not a pedophile...You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated."

Call to Reschedule the Event

The President urged the White House Correspondents' Association to reschedule the event within the next 30 days.

"I don't want to see it be cancelled. I think it's really bad for a crazy person to be able to cancel something like this," Trump said, adding: "It's not that I want to go. I'm very busy. I don't need that."
In Gurugram, a hotel owner was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted by business rivals, highlighting the intense competition within the hospitality sector.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Key Points Gurugram police arrested two men for allegedly kidnapping a hotel owner.

The victim was reportedly forced into a car, assaulted, and threatened to close his hotel.

The accused, Neeraj and Lokesh, were motivated by business rivalry in the hotel industry.

An FIR was registered at Bilaspur police station, leading to the arrest of the accused.

Gurugram Police on Monday arrested two men for allegedly forcing a hotel owner in their car, assaulting him and threatening him to shut down his facility, officials said.

Accused Identified in Hotel Owner Kidnapping Case

The accused were identified as Neeraj (27), who also runs a hotel and is a resident of sector 6 in Dharuhera, and Lokesh (22), a native of Nepal, they added.

According to the police, a man who runs a hotel on the Bilaspur-Tauru road complained that on April 25, Neeraj arrived with his friends at his hotel and forcibly took him, assaulted him and threatened him to shut down his business. The accused then left him at Rajiv Chowk.

Arrest and Investigation Details

Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at Bilaspur police station, and the accused were arrested from Binola village, along with the car used in the crime.

"Competition in the hotel business led to the crime. The accused were produced in a city court and were sent to judicial custody", the police said.
Two people were killed and one injured in a shooting in Punjab's Batala village, prompting a police investigation to identify and apprehend the suspects.

Key Points Two individuals were fatally shot in Bhoma village, Batala, Punjab.

A third person sustained injuries and is receiving hospital treatment.

Police investigation is underway, with CCTV footage being reviewed.

Authorities have ruled out extortion as a motive in the Batala shooting.

Two persons were shot dead and one sustained injuries after unidentified persons opened fire at them in Punjab's Batala late Monday night, police said.

The incident occurred in Bhoma village in Sri Hargobindpur subdivision.

Police Investigation Underway

Senior Superintendent of Police Batala, Mehtab Singh said some unidentified people opened fire at three persons who were on a walk.

The deceased were identified as Kashmir Singh and Jugraj Singh, according to the SSP. The injured, identified as another man named Jugraj Singh, has been admitted to a hospital.

No Extortion Angle Suspected

Preliminary investigation revealed that there was no angle of extortion or any threat call in this incident, said the SSP.

Investigation in the matter is underway and CCTV footage in the area is being scanned, he said, adding that the culprits would soon be traced.

Efforts To Apprehend Accused

Police have initiated a thorough investigation and are making all efforts to identify and apprehend the accused at the earliest.

"Our teams are working on this case," he said while replying to a question.
The enforcement comes as the military closely monitors maritime traffic to ensure compliance with the ongoing restrictions.

IMAGE: A US sailor watches a commercial ship as US forces continue to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or exiting. Photograph: Courtesy CENTCOM on X

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that American forces are maintaining a strict maritime restrictive operation in the region, continuing to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports.

Key Points The enforcement comes as the military closely monitors maritime traffic to ensure compliance with the ongoing restrictions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for a high-level meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

This visit to Moscow marks a significant intensification of Iran's diplomatic outreach, following Araghchi's recent high-stakes consultations in Islamabad and Muscat.

According to official statements, these forces are actively preventing ships from entering or exiting Iranian waters as part of a sustained effort to monitor and control movement into strategic coastal hubs.

The enforcement comes as the military closely monitors maritime traffic to ensure compliance with the ongoing restrictions.

Highlighting the scale of the operation, a post on X confirmed that "American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port."

Against the backdrop of this intense maritime squeeze and a persistent deadlock in Tehran-Washington peace negotiations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for a high-level meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

This visit to Moscow marks a significant intensification of Iran's diplomatic outreach, following Araghchi's recent high-stakes consultations in Islamabad and Muscat. The diplomatic push in the Russian capital is expected to deepen, as the Foreign Minister is also set to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

These discussions come at a critical juncture, particularly after US President Donald Trump's decision on Saturday to cancel a scheduled visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The cancellation appeared to stall direct mediation efforts at a time when regional tensions are at a peak.

Despite this diplomatic setback, communications between the two adversaries appear to remain active through back-channels. According to the Fars news agency, Tehran has transmitted "written messages" to the Americans via Pakistan.

These communications reportedly define specific red lines regarding Iran's nuclear programme and the strategic situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The urgency of these exchanges is underscored by the broader regional instability and its severe global fallout.

While the ceasefire involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has generally remained intact, Iran's decision to shut the Strait of Hormuz has crippled the global movement of oil, gas, and fertiliser. This disruption has led to a surge in prices and escalating fears of food insecurity in developing countries.

Initial hopes for a second round of negotiations in Pakistan were closely linked to the proposed visit by Witkoff and Kushner. However, those prospects were dampened when President Trump abruptly cancelled the mission, dismissing the potential for progress by describing the process as "sitting around talking about nothing."

Nevertheless, following the cancellation of the high-profile Islamabad talks last week, "fresh signs" of diplomatic movement have surfaced. According to a report by Axios, which cited a US official, Tehran has reportedly provided Washington with a "new proposal" aimed at the dual objectives to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war."

As part of this diplomatic framework, Iran has also suggested a move to "postpone nuclear negotiations" until a subsequent phase of the peace process, offering a potential pathway to de-escalate the maritime and economic crisis.
The Uttarakhand High Court has upheld a 10-year jail sentence in a POCSO Act case, reinforcing the importance of school records in determining the age of a minor victim.

Key Points Uttarakhand High Court upholds 10-year jail term for rape of a minor under the POCSO Act.

The court dismissed the appeal, stating the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

School records were deemed reliable evidence for determining the victim's age.

The absence of medical evidence does not negate sexual assault if the victim's testimony is reliable.

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday upheld a 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence awarded to a man from Udham Singh Nagar, who was convicted of raping a minor girl under the POCSO Act.

High Court Dismisses Appeal in POCSO Case

Justice Ashish Naithani dismissed the criminal appeal after ruling that the prosecution proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The district court had convicted the offender in October 2021, who had challenged the order, claiming that the prosecution failed to establish the victim's status as a minor.

The appellant argued that school records lacked a proven basis for date of birth entries.

Evidentiary Value of School Records

The defence also claimed that the absence of a medical age determination weakened the case and questioned the reliability of the FIR and the victim's testimony.

However, the high court rejected the arguments and observed that school records produced during a trial carry evidentiary value that can be relied upon for age determination.

The court also noted that the defence failed to present any substantial rebuttal against the age records and upheld the finding that the victim was a minor.

Victim's Testimony and Medical Evidence

Observing that medical evidence is only corroborative in nature, the court held that the absence of physical injuries or a conclusive medical opinion does not negate sexual assault if the victim's testimony is reliable.
A violent clash between two wedding processions in a Uttar Pradesh village resulted in one death and several injuries, prompting a police investigation and heightened security measures.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The violence was reportedly triggered by a stone-throwing incident during the wedding celebrations.

Seven people were injured in the clash, with one succumbing to injuries in hospital.

Police have registered a case and made arrests, with investigations ongoing to apprehend other suspects.

Authorities have deployed teams to maintain peace and order in the affected village.

A clash that broke out between two wedding processions, triggered by a stone hurling incident in a village here, has claimed the life of a 22-year-old and left six injured, police said on Monday.

Sant Kabir Nagar SP Sandeep Kumar Meena said that the incident occurred when a wedding procession had arrived in Gayghat village on Sunday night. While another wedding procession of a young man, a local, was leaving.

During the celebrations, an unidentified individual threw stones, which hit a woman, leading to a violent dispute between both parties, Meena said.

According to the police, seven people were injured and admitted to a hospital in Gorakhpur, where Anil Nishad, a local, died on Monday.

Following his death, villagers began pelting stones at the residence of one of the involved parties. The police arrived at the scene upon receiving the information and brought the situation under control, the SP said.

He said that a case has been registered, and an investigation has been initiated.

He said that some accused in the matter have been arrested while efforts are on to nab others.

The SP added that both parties involved belong to the Nishad community. Teams have been deployed in the village to maintain peace and order.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced that all commercial passenger vehicle drivers in Maharashtra must have a working knowledge of Marathi, with strict actions planned for non-compliance.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The state government is firm on the language requirement for drivers interacting with passengers.

Autorickshaw and taxi unions have requested time for non-Marathi drivers to learn the language.

The government plans to introduce a short course on functional Marathi for drivers.

Strict action will be taken against drivers who refuse to learn Marathi.

Drivers of all commercial passenger vehicles in Maharashtra must have a working knowledge of Marathi, Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said on Monday, while warning of strict action against those who refuse to learn the language.

Sarnaik said demands of autorickshaw and taxi unions to give non-Marathi drivers a fixed time to learn the language were reasonable and are being considered, he said.

The minister's comments have come amid appeals from various quarters to defer the government's plan to make Marathi compulsory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers from May 1.

Speaking at a meeting held at Mantralaya, the minister said the state government is firm on the language requirement, as drivers regularly interact with passengers and should be able to communicate in basic Marathi.

Drivers of all commercial passenger vehicles in the state must have a working knowledge of Marathi, he said, without specifying the categories of vehicles.

Transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, labour leaders Shashank Rao and Haji Arafat Shaikh, and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, along with representatives of autorickshaw and taxi unions, were present at the meeting, an official release issued here said.

Sarnaik said while Maharashtra is a progressive state and employment generation is a key priority of the government, having a basic knowledge of Marathi is a minimum expectation while doing business in the state and dealing with the public.

"As the state language, Marathi must be respected, and non-Marathi drivers should learn it," he said.

The minister said the government is taking steps to teach drivers basic Marathi needed for day-to-day communication, and organisations such as the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad, along with writers, have supported the initiative.

Autorickshaw and taxi unions have also agreed to cooperate, he added.

He further said that a meeting of 59 regional and deputy regional transport officers has been scheduled at the Transport Commissionerate on Tuesday to discuss the issue in detail and take appropriate decisions.

The government is also planning to introduce a short course on functional Marathi for drivers and will conduct awareness campaigns to help them learn the language, he added.
A woman undergoing psychiatric treatment at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital attempted self-immolation but was rescued by a vigilant security guard.

Key Points A woman in the psychiatry ward of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital attempted self-immolation.

The 32-year-old woman tried to set herself on fire at the hospital's Jan Aushadhi Kendra.

An alert security guard, Ajay, quickly extinguished the fire, preventing serious injuries.

The woman was admitted to Ward No. 5, and the incident has been reported to the police.

A woman admitted to the psychiatry ward of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital attempted self-immolation but escaped with minor injuries, police said on Monday.

Details of the Suicide Attempt

In a statement, the hospital said that at 5:40 pm on Sunday, the 32-year-old woman attempted to set herself on fire at the Jan Aushadhi Kendra of the hospital by igniting her gown with a lighter.

"However, an alert security guard, Ajay, saw her and promptly doused the fire, preventing any serious harm," the statement said.

According to the hospital authorities, the woman was admitted to Ward No. 5. The matter has been reported to the police for necessary action.
A 28-year-old doctor was found dead in her Agra hostel room, prompting a police investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Photograph: Pixabay.com

Key Points A 28-year-old doctor was found dead in her hostel room in Agra.

Police are investigating the suspicious circumstances surrounding the doctor's death.

The doctor was undergoing treatment for mental distress, according to preliminary investigations.

No suicide note was found in the doctor's hostel room.

Police are examining the doctor's mobile phone call details as part of the investigation.

A 28-year-old woman doctor, who was pursuing her MD, was found dead in her hostel room at the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital here under suspicious circumstances, police said.

Investigation Launched Into Doctor's Death

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manisha said that the body of Dr Vartika was discovered in her hostel room on Sunday evening.

According to the ACP, Vartika's family members contacted her friends after receiving no response from her despite repeated phone calls. When the friends visited the hostel to check on her, they found that the door to her room was locked from inside.

The officer said that upon receiving the information, the police reached the spot, broke open the door and found the doctor lying unconscious on her bed.

She said that the police rushed Vartika to a medical college, where doctors declared her dead.

Mental Health Concerns and Postmortem Examination

The ACP further said preliminary investigations have revealed that Vartika was suffering from mental distress and was undergoing treatment for the same.

The body has been sent for postmortem and exact cause of the doctor's death would be ascertained once the report comes, the police said.

ACP Manisha also said that no suicide note has been recovered from the hostel room.

The call details of the doctor's mobile phone are also being examined, the police said.
Delhi police are investigating the suspected suicide of a 21-year-old woman found dead in her room in New Ashok Nagar, with investigations underway to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

Key Points A 21-year-old woman was found hanging in her room in Delhi's New Ashok Nagar.

Police suspect suicide and initiated an investigation.

No suicide note was found at the scene.

A post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the cause of death.

Police are recording statements from family members and neighbours as part of the investigation into the Delhi incident.

A 21-year-old woman was found hanging inside her room in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar area, police said on Monday.

A PCR call regarding a suspected suicide was received around 12.50 pm on Sunday, they said.

Acting on the information, a police team rushed to a house located in the area.

Police Investigation and Initial Findings

"The room was found locked from the inside. With the help of fire service personnel, the door was broken open," a senior police officer said. Upon entering the room, the team found the woman hanging from a ceiling fan. The scene was secured and inspected by the police, and no suicide note was recovered from the spot.

The body was shifted to Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Further Inquiries Underway

Police said that, prima facie, no foul play has been suspected in the case. However, inquest proceedings under relevant provisions of law have been initiated, and further inquiry is underway to ascertain the circumstances that led to the incident.

The statements of family members and neighbours are being recorded as part of the investigation.

Further details are awaited.
A woman was tragically killed in a shooting during a religious ceremony at a temple in Shimla, leading to arrests and a formal investigation into the incident.

Key Points A 26-year-old woman was killed by a gunshot during a temple ceremony in Shimla.

Police have arrested two men, Rajat Sohta and Amit alias Rohit Bhapta, in connection with the fatal shooting.

The shooting occurred during a celebration at a newly constructed temple in Kulgaon village.

An investigation is underway, and a magisterial enquiry has been ordered to determine the circumstances of the incident.

The district administration has banned carrying weapons to religious events following the shooting.

Two persons have been arrested after a 26-year-old woman was shot dead during a religious ceremony at a village in Shimla, police said on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Rajat Sohta (28) and Amit alias Rohit Bhapta (32), both residents of Rohru.

The incident occurred on Sunday during a consecration ceremony of a newly constructed temple of a local deity in Kulgaon village. While everyone was dancing, the accused fired a bullet -- prima facie, as part of the celebration, according to the police.

Investigation Launched Into Shimla Temple Shooting

The bullet hit Ritika, a resident of Chidgaon in Rohru, and killed her on the spot, police said, adding that the accused then fled the scene.

Police reached the village as soon as information about the incident was received and recovered the body.

Crucial evidence was collected from the spot, and the weapon used in the incident was also seized, police said. After a search, the two accused were taken into custody, they added.

Public Outcry and Administrative Response

The residents got angry and raised slogans against the police and the administration when the body of the deceased woman, which was to be taken for a postmortem, was kept in a sand-laden vehicle rather than an ambulance.

Shimla SSP Gaurav Singh said a case under Section 103 (1) of the BNS and Section 25 of the Indian Arms Act has been registered against the accused at the Chirgaon police station, and further investigation is underway.

Taking cognisance of the matter, the district administration has now banned carrying weapons to such occasions and has also warned of stern action if these orders are violated.

Magisterial Enquiry Ordered

A magisterial enquiry has also been ordered into the incident by Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap, with the report to be submitted in a week.

The enquiry to be conducted by Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma would look into the reason behind the incident, fix responsibility and point out lapses on the part of the administration, if any.

The enquiry would also look into the aspects of what led to the firing, fix the responsibility of the people involved in the incident, negligence on the part of organisers and others.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the death. He telephonically took the details of the incident and directed district administration to gather information and take strict action against those responsible, a statement issued here said.
A woman was tragically killed in Shimla during a temple ceremony, leading to the arrest of two individuals and prompting a ban on weapons at religious events.

Key Points A woman was killed by a gunshot during a temple ceremony in Shimla district.

Police have arrested two men, Rajat Sohta and Amit alias Rohit Bhapta, in connection with the shooting.

The shooting occurred during a celebration at a newly constructed temple in Kulgaon village.

The district administration has banned carrying weapons to religious events following the incident.

An investigation is underway, with a case registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Indian Arms Act.

Two persons have been arrested after a woman was shot dead during a religious ceremony at a village in Shimla district, police said on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Rajat Sohta (28) and Amit alias Rohit Bhapta (32), both residents of Rohru.

The incident occurred on Sunday during a consecration ceremony of a newly constructed temple of a local deity in Kulgaon village. While everyone was dancing, the accused fired a bullet -- prima facie, as part of the celebration, according to police.

Details Of The Fatal Shooting

The bullet hit Ritika (26), a resident of Rohru, and killed her on the spot, police said, adding that the accused then fled the scene.

Police reached the village as soon as information about the incident was received and recovered the dead body.

Investigation And Arrests

Crucial evidence was collected from the spot, and the weapon used in the incident was also seized, police said. After a search, the two accused were taken into custody, they added.

Legal Action And New Regulations

Shimla SSP Gaurav Singh said a case under Section 103 (1) of the BNS and Section 25 of the Indian Arms Act has been registered against the accused at the Chirgaon police station, and further investigation is underway.

Taking cognisance of the matter, the district administration has now banned carrying weapons to such occasions and has also warned of stern action if these orders are violated.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 38F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 36F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
The cathedral of the largest city in Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region has been demolished, RFE/RL can confirm through satellite imagery made on April 26. Reports that the Holy Mother of God Cathedral in Khankendi had been destroyed emerged in Armenian media in mid-April, but no clear recent imagery showing the site was available until now.

Construction of the cathedral in Khankendi -- a city known by Armenians as Stepanakert -- began in 2006, and the site was consecrated in 2019. As well as serving as the city's main site of worship, its basement was repurposed as a bomb shelter during the conflicts with Azerbaijani forces that broke out in the 2020s.

Along with the cathedral, imagery sourced by RFE/RL confirms the Church of St. Jacob, another major Christian site in the city, has also been erased in recent weeks.

The Church of St. Jacob was completed in 2007 and was funded by an Armenian-American philanthropist in memory of his deceased son.

Armenia's Orthodox church authorities on April 23 accused Azerbaijan of "deliberately target[ing] Armenian Christian holy sites, seeking to erase the Armenian presence," from Nagorno-Karabakh. The church alleged cross stones in the grounds surrounding the demolished Church of St. Jacob have also been destroyed. Elnare Akimova, a member of Azerbaijan's parliament, told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani service on April 22 that claims of the churches' destruction are "a provocation by revanchist forces" to harm Baku's image. Akimova further claimed that her country "has preserved religious and historic monuments on its territories as a state policy. It has never had any intention to destroy any religious heritage."

On April 24, RFE/RL spoke to a staff member at a hotel located a few meters from the cathedral. The man initially told RFE/RL by telephone he did not have any information about the status of the cathedral, then said that "everything around the hotel is present" before claiming the cathedral was still in place. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

A social media post (above) from early February shows a construction-type fence surrounding the cathedral. It is believed the building was demolished by early April. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories amid a series of military offensives launched by Baku that culminated in Azerbaijan's full recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023. The military campaigns followed decades of de-facto ethnic Armenian control of the territory and surrounding areas following the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced strong support for Tehran in its conflict with the United States and Israel as he greeted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi for talks in St. Petersburg on April 27.

Meeting nearly two months after US and Israeli air strikes on Iran started a war that sent shock waves around the world, both Putin and Araqchi underlined the strength of ties between their countries.

"We see how bravely and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence, for their sovereignty," Putin said after meeting Iran's top diplomat.

He added that he had received a message last week from Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen since being announced as Iran's new supreme leader on March 8 following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an air strike on February 28.

Putin said he was sending back "sincerest words of gratitude" and that Russia "intended to continue our strategic relationship."

Araqchi also pledged to continue the "strategic partnership" with Moscow.

"They have always supported us," he said.

Worry In Washington

The mutual warm words will not go unnoticed in Washington, where US President Donald Trump is due to meet with top national-security officials later on April 27 to discuss the ongoing stalemate in discussions with Iran, according to US media reports.

The rapid evolution of Russia-Iran ties, including reports that Russia has provided Iran with military intelligence during the current conflict, has also drawn attention in the US Congress.

At a recent hearing of the Helsinki Committee, Congressman Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, was one of many speakers who warned of a broader geopolitical struggle against Moscow and Tehran.

"The United States is not confronting just Iran, but a broader Russia-Iran axis," Wilson declared, arguing the two nations were working together on weapons transfers, intelligence sharing, and sanctions-evasion tactics to challenge American global leadership.

Araqchi's trip to Moscow is about shoring up the relationship as Iran continues to resist US demands at the negotiating table.

But exiled Iranian political analyst Amir Chahaki told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Putin may also have an interest in nudging Iran toward making some concessions, particularly regarding its nuclear program.

"For Russia, the survival of the Islamic republic -- and avoiding a surprise like Syria -- is vital," he said.

The Nuclear Issue

One of several key stumbling blocks in the US-Iran diplomatic deadlock is the fate of some 450 kilograms of highly enriched uranium that Iran reportedly holds.

"The nuclear issue, specifically the 450 kilograms and the enrichment, remains the central axis. If Russia can, through engagement with Trump and Tehran -- either with Mojtaba Khamenei or any other group -- resolve the issue by having Iran dilute some of it or transfer the remainder to Russia in a way that is accepted, that would be a major favor from Putin to Trump," Chahaki said.

In return, the Berlin-based analyst said, Putin might seek to persuade the United States to make "partial concessions, such as allowing some enrichment under stricter limits, perhaps after 10 years. These possibilities are now on the table for Putin."

In St. Petersburg, Putin also dangled the prospect of Russia acting as a mediator, saying, "We'll do everything that is in our interests, that's in the interests of the people in the region, for peace to be achieved as soon as possible."

Russian officials have made similar comments over the course of the conflict, but other countries have emerged as the key mediators.

Araqchi arrived in Russia following talks in Pakistan and Oman, blaming "excessive" US demands for the failure of talks so far. He also said Iran was considering new US proposals.

Ahead of the talks, Trump told Fox News that Iran "can call us" if it wants to talk but added, "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."

Iran has persistently denied wanting to develop a nuclear weapon while also resisting demands that it agree not to enrich uranium beyond levels needed for civilian nuclear purposes.
US President Donald Trump said that Tehran "can call us" if it wants to talk, but he added that it must give up any plans to build a nuclear weapon or "there's no reason to meet."

Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi, Iran's foreign minister and key negotiator, arrived in St. Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key ally, on April 27 as the future of Pakistani-mediated peace talks between the United States and Iran remains clouded.

"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 Fox News on April 26.

"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.

Tehran has always insisted its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, although the United States and Israel accuse Iran of secretly attempting to build a nuclear weapon.

Trump has demanded Tehran cease its program of enriching uranium that could be used to build a bomb and that it hand over its supply of the mineral -- something Iran has said will not happen.

Axios on April 26 reported that Tehran, working through Pakistani mediators, has given the Washington a new proposal in which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and a US blockade of Iranian ports lifted, but with negotiations on Iran's nuclear program to be held later. The story cited an unnamed US official and two sources with knowledge of the matter.

Second Round Called Off

A second round of talks was tentatively set to kick off in Pakistan over the weekend, but after Tehran said its team was not planning to meet with American negotiators, Trump announced he had canceled the trip of White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Islamabad.

In a social media post, Trump suggested Iran's negotiators were at odds with authorities at home. "Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership,'" he said.

Araqchi, who along with powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led a first round of talks in Pakistan on April 11-12, is making the diplomatic rounds in an effort to beef up support for Iran.

After traveling to Pakistan, Araqchi went to Oman, where he looked to sell leaders there on the idea of a joint shipping toll on the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway, a move vehemently opposed by many countries.

"Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors," he wrote on X.

Araqchi then returned to Pakistan briefly before heading on to Russia, arriving early on April 27 in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin. Iran and Russia are both subject to crippling Western sanctions and have built a strong political and military alliance.

Tehran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, wrote on X that Araqchi will meet with Putin during his visit. Russian officials confirmed that Putin plans to meet with Iran's top diplomat.

Jalali added Araqchi would "consult Russian officials regarding the latest status of the negotiations, cease-fire, and surrounding developments."

"Coordinating interactions and advancing joint programs at the regional and international levels is the most important agenda of this trip," he wrote, adding Iran and Russia are in a "united front" against Western nations.

Fighting In Lebanon

While the US-Israeli cease-fire appears to be holding in Iran, the Israel-Lebanon truce -- although still officially in effect -- appears to be fraying.

Lebanese officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people and wounded 37 on April 26 after the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the "buffer zone" it is occupying.

The Israeli military accused the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group of violating the cease-fire and vowed to respond.

A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political branch.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Reuters
The suspect in the shooting at a Washington gala where President Donald Trump was due to speak on April 25 is scheduled to make a court appearance on April 27, US officials said, as law-enforcement authorities seek to determine a motive for the attack by the heavily armed man.

The man, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of California, had sent a manifesto to his family before the shooting, calling himself the "Friendly Federal Assassin," Reuters quoted a law-enforcement official as saying.

Late on April 25, a gunman charged through security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, prompting brief panic as security agents tackled the man and rushed Trump from the hotel ballroom.

Police said the man was taken into custody after he fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent at a checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested.

In a late-night briefing at the White House, Trump -- still dressed in his tuxedo -- said the suspect had been armed with multiple weapons and that at least one law-enforcement officer was shot but protected by a bulletproof vest.

Washington interim police chief Jeffery Carroll told reporters the man was armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, and was not known to city police.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi later said the officer had been released from the hospital.

The manifesto allegedly written by the suspect ridiculed the insane lack of security at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held and where the suspect had checked into as a guest, the law-enforcement official told Reuters.

"Like, the one thing that I immediately noticed walking into the hotel is the sense of arrogance," the manifesto's author reportedly wrote. "I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat.

RFE/RL could not immediately verify the authenticity of the manifesto.

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to Washington, checking into the Hilton the night before the attack. Blanche said Trump and key members of his administration were the likely targets.

"He's not actively cooperating," Blanche told CBS TV's Face the Nation program.

"I expect that he will be formally charged tomorrow morning [April 27] in federal court in Washington."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Alex Raufoglu in Washington and Reuters
For months, Ukrainian soldiers battled to capture and then hold the Kharkiv region city of Kupyansk, split by the Oskil River and home to a crucial, now-unused rail line stretching to the west.

Even after Russian troops staged a surprise assault last fall using an old underground pipeline to sneak under the river, soldiers from Ukraine's 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade and other units have largely held their positions, a bright spot on an otherwise grim front line.

It's come at a painful cost for the 14th.

Last week, relatives of some of the brigade soldiers went public with angry complaints and photographs showing emaciated soldiers -- the result, they said, of poor supplies, a lack of adequate food and water, and bad leadership.

Olha said her husband and other members of the 14th brigade had been deprived of food and water for days on end.

"He wrote to me, saying, 'I'm alive, but we're starving,'" she told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "And by that timeit had been nine days since they had had food."

"Do you understand how long you can go without food before your stomach dries up?"?" another soldier's wife, Anastasia, complained to RFE/RL. "First, your stomach just stops working. Then there's the dehydration. Their legs were in pain because they had no water."

The photographs, and the relatives' complaints, have struck a nerve in Ukrainian society, exhausted and in many cases demoralized after more than four years of all-out war. And they grabbed attention of Ukraine's military leadership, who have struggled to keep up a steady pipeline of new recruits to defend against a larger Russian Army.

On April 24, General Oleksandr Syrskiy ordered the removal the commander of the 14th brigade.

Brigade commanders "concealed the real state of affairs, including the loss of a certain number of positions and miscalculations regarding the provision for solders," the General Staff said in the announcement. "In particular, a problem was identified regarding the supply of food to one of the brigade's positions."

Personnel Woes

Since the start of the all-out invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has relied on a mix of pluck and determination, along with a flood of Western weaponry, to fight Russia to a near draw. Ukraine's drone warfare innovation has also helped equalize the fight.

Getting enough men into battle, however, continues to be a major problem.

It took lawmakers and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy two years to agree upon major reforms to the country's mobilization and recruiting laws. But recruitment remains spotty, and some commanders regularly complain about not having enough properly trained men: Individual units conduct their own specific advertising campaigns, and draft dodging is common.

A decentralized system of recruiting centers has led to accusations of corruption and bribery.

Many of Ukraine's most battle-hardened units -- the Third Separate Assault Brigade being one prominent example -- have mostly maintained adequate personnel levels, despite being frequently ordered to help shore up porous defenses.

But other units have struggled with both quantity of personnel and quality of training for new recruits.

In one notorious case, a new Western-trained and equipped unit -- the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade -- was roiled by desertions, incriminations. and scathing public criticism of its commanders. The brigade's commander was relieved of duty days before it was to deploy to the front.

In the case of the 14th brigade near Kupyansk, relatives told RFE/RL and other Ukrainian media that the unit has suffered shortages of food and supplies for as long as seven months.

In a post to Facebook last week, Anastasia Silchuk, the wife of another soldier, reposted several photographs of the men and quoted them as saying:

"For seven months, there have been constant delays in food, water, and gasoline. We often faint and are physically unable to defend our positions. Frequently the situation arises that we end up fainting and we are physically unable to defend our positions."

'This Should Have Been Known To The Higher-Ups'

Commanders and military officials did not deny the shortages and instead blamed them in part on the difficulty in getting supplies across the contested Oskil River. They said limited supplies were being flown in by drones, an increasingly frequent occurrence along the front lines.

"The situation is now stabilized in terms of logistics, even though it's still extremely complicated," Nadiya Zamryha, a spokeswoman for the brigade, told RFE/RL. "All this is occurring under the very close surveillance by enemy [drones]."



The logistics problem isn't unique to the 14th brigade, Olha Reshetylova, the advocate watchdog for the Ukrainian military, told RFE/RL, suggesting wider problems involving rotating troops and exhausted units away from the front lines.

"The problem isn't even this specific unit, but rather the broader issue of making timely decisions about withdrawing or pulling troops back," she told RFE/RL.



Ihor Romanenko, a retired deputy chief of the Ukrainian general staff, said the supply routes around Kupyansk are definitely difficult due to the river.

"The fact of the matter is that this should have been known to the higher-ups," he told RFE/RL. "Leadership has a duty to be in control of the situation, to be on the ground as much as possible. They have deputies, other subordinates to understand the situation objectively."

Anatoliy Kozel, a retired colonel and former commander of the 53rd Motorized Rifle Brigade, said officers frequently mislead their superior officers, not only about logistics problems but about conditions on the ground or, for example, the status of defensive positions.

"We have positions on the front that don't correspond with actual tactical situation. Positions have been only half-prepared for a long time, positions where there's no communicationsand the brigade commander is simply afraid to report it," he told RFE/RL.

"If they're frequently deceiving you, then you need to get out to the landing site," he said.
The suspect in the shooting at a Washington gala where US President Donald Trump was due to speak has been charged with attempted assassination as well as with a broader plot targeting senior government officials.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced the charges at a press conference on April 27, two days after the attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, saying that the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, will likely face additional charges as the investigation continues.

"Those charges are only three charges that are in the complaint there will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold," Pirro said. "But make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States."

On April 25, Allen, a 31-year-old from California, opened fire on security personnel with a shotgun, sparking chaos as Trump and US first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of a nearby ballroom unharmed.

Officials have said one security officer was shot as Allen tried to rush past a security checkpoint, but sustained no serious injuries as he was wearing a bulletproof vest. Pirro, however, said investigators believe Allen intended to "bring down as many of the high-ranking cabinet officials as he could."

Speaking at the same press conference, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigators have been able to obtain a manifesto that Allen has allegedly sent to his family members.

"What is clear from the complaint and what we have so far is he was targeting president Trump," he said. "As far as understanding additional motivation, that's for the FBI and law enforcement."

According to an affidavit filed by an FBI agent in court, prior to the shooting, on April 6, Allen booked a room at the hotel where the dinner was to take place and traveled from California to the US capital by train.

The affidavit revealed that Allen had referred to himself as the "Friendly Federal Assassin" in emails where he discussed plans to target senior US officials.

RFE/RL's senior Washington correspondent, Alex Raufoglu, was at the Washington gala on April 25, when developments had unfolded.

"It was shocking. Everyone was looking for some shelter options," Raufoglu said, recalling the first moments.

"Obviously, some started immediately hiding under a table. Reporters immediately started documenting, seeking some information. All of a sudden you saw the Secret Service found its way in and they escorted the president out."

With reporting by Reuters and Fox News.
RFE/RL journalist Alex Raufoglu was attending an annual event for White House correspondents when gunshots rang out, prompting Secret Service agents to rush the president and other top officials to safety. One security officer was hit but was protected from serious injury by his bullet-proof vest. Speaking after the incident, Raufoglu said many questions remain about the shooter's motives and plans.
On April 26, the "Empowering All with Intelligence, Creating a Thriving AI Ecosystem in Jianghuai"  an artificial intelligence innovation matchmaking event and a special activity of the 4th China (Anhui) Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Transformation Fair grandly opened at the Hefei Binhu International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Anhui is accelerating its efforts to build a national hub for the AI industry. The event serves as an opportunity to deepen government-enterprise collaboration and industry-research integration, promote the deep integration of AI with the real economy, build an "AI + everything" application ecosystem, and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. China Mobile will work in close coordination with Anhui  strengthening the AI computing infrastructure, optimizing intelligent engines, and expanding ecosystem partnerships. China Mobile also put forward three initiatives: jointly building an industrial foundation, promoting the integration of application scenarios, and fostering responsible AI development  calling on all sectors to embrace the new era of "AI+."

The event also featured the awarding ceremony of the Scenario Innovation Application Competition, project roadshows for award-winning entries, the release of two technological and industrial achievements, and the signing of 10 key cooperation projects.

With a focus on AI application scenarios and deeper collaboration among government, industry, academia, and research institutes, the event brought together nearly 700 representatives from various provinces and cities, helping to build a prosperous AI industry ecosystem in Anhui.





Source: anhuinews.com
Sarah Slater

The army bomb squad was called to Mountjoy prison on Sunday night due to a security threat.

Gardai responded to reports of a security alert at the prisons staff car park on North Circular Road, Dublin 7, at around 7pm on Sunday.

A cordon was put in place for several hours and the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended the scene, a garda spokesperson confirmed.

Following a security sweep the facility was deemed safe and the cordon was lifted.

It is understood that prison officers had to remain in Mountjoy until the area was deemed safe.

Garda inquiries are ongoing.
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

A familys normal day in the run up to Christmas turned into its worst nightmare when a grandfather was shot dead, Dublins Special Criminal Court has heard.

Noel Kirwan, 62, died after being shot five times outside his Dublin home on December 22, 2016.

Gardai said there was no evidence Mr Kirwan was involved in any form of criminality.

Sean McGovern, 39, has pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation in the lead-up to Kirwans murder.

He has also pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to the targeting and surveillance of James Gately in 2017, with a view to having him shot. But who was not ultimately killed.

On Monday, the three-judge non-jury Special Criminal Court convened for a sentencing hearing in relation to the charges against McGovern, who was identified by gardai as a senior lieutenant of the Kinahan organised crime group (OCG) in Ireland.

In a victim-impact statement read to the court on her behalf, Kirwans daughter, Donna Kirwan, said she had been at work at the time of the shooting and said: What started as for a normal day turned into our worst nightmare.

She said the pain she had would never leave her.

She said her brother Kristopher was in Manchester at the time, and she would never forget his screams when she confirmed their fathers death on the phone.

They did not see their fathers body in the morgue until Christmas Eve.

She said: What was supposed to be one of the happiest days of the year for families, was like being in a horror movie.

Noel Kirwans daughter Donna Kirwan (Niall Carson/PA)

She said they were painting smiles on our faces trying to shield the full facts of what happened from her son at Christmas.

He was our dad, our friend, our safety net  he was supposed to walk me down the aisle one day.

She described her father as a hard worker and a kind man who would give a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

She said he never got involved in selling drugs.

Speaking about McGovern and his injuries from an earlier shooting, which escalated the bitter Hutch-Kinahan feud, she said: You were shot yourself in the Regency Hotel, you would have seen the fear and panic in your own family that day.

Why would you chose to inflict that pain on us  it was Christmas.

McGovern, a father of two, looked at the floor for much of the victim impact statement.

She continued: You should have been out shopping for your own kids, not planning the murder of a 62-year-old grandfather.

Kirwan said her father would actually be offended that someone as stupid as you had him killed.

She pointed out DNA evidence left behind and said: How you thought you were going to get away with it is beyond me.

She said: Not only have you destroyed our lives, you have destroyed your own.

She said McGovern had not been able to attend his own fathers funeral as he was in the UAE.

Noel Kirwans daughter Donna Kirwan and son Kristopher (Niall Carson/PA)

A separate victim-impact statement from Mr Kirwans partner, Bernadette Roe, was handed into the court but not read aloud.

Earlier in the hearing, Detective Sergeant Dolan Daly gave evidence on McGoverns role in the lead up to the murder.

Daly said he had been targeted solely because of perceived links to the Hutch OCG  as he had been photographed by the media when he attended a funeral for a member of the Hutch family.

Kirwan was murdered after parking his car outside his home.

Daly said: Within seconds of parking, at least seven shots were fired through the drivers window of the vehicle, hitting Noel Kirwan on five occasions.

He gave evidence linking McGovern to a burner phone used in planning the attack, as well as a tracking device that had been placed underneath Kirwans car.

He also said there was a fingerprint matching McGovern on an instruction document for the device and an adapter plug for its charger.

The sentencing hearing will continue on Friday.

The charge of directing a criminal organisation carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has challenged Sinn Fein over its public support for the police.

Robinson said Sinn Fein representatives condemned a suspected dissident republican attack on Dunmurry police station on Saturday.

However, he claimed they did not challenge criticism on social media by some republicans of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Job Boutcher visiting a school in Twinbrook last week.

He said leadership has to be more than just condemnation, but visual and vocal support for the PSNI.

Previously, Boutcher has challenged all political parties to speak up in support of the PSNI.

Robinson insisted that he and his party colleagues give that visual and vocal support for the PSNI.

I give it, my colleagues Trevor (Clarke), Cheryl (Brownlee) and Keith (Buchanan) give it when they sit on the Policing Board every week, he said.

Its not incompatible to say you can challenge and hold people to account whilst giving full-throated support, encourage our communities to engage with the PSNI, encourage our communities to join the PSNI, encourage young people in our communities that they have a life of opportunity if they are prepared to step up and serve our community, that is leadership.

Thats the sort of leadership that I think we should expect from leaders across the political spectrum, and thats what I would like to see.

Robinson went on: Condemnation is the easy part, the hard part is trying to engage with the hearts and minds of those in your community who dont support the police, challenge those who criticise the chief constable for going to a Twinbrook school last week, stand with school leaders who are brave enough to welcome the PSNI into their schools to talk about community relations, alcohol and drug abuse, criminal behaviour and anti-social behaviour.

If the PSNI were frustrated from going into a school in my constituency by rogue elements, criminal elements or terrorists I would stand at the front gate and support their entry to that school because what they do is vital for our society.
Alison ORiordan

A girl has described the moment her mother locked their bedroom door before pushing a kitchen knife through her chest in an attempted murder in which the child was stabbed more than 70 times.

In her victim impact statement, which was read to the Central Criminal Court by a garda, the young girl, now in foster care, said she no longer loves the defendant but doesn't hate her either, telling her mother: "I hope you have a nice time in prison."

The court heard that neighbours made a frantic effort during the attack to reach the girl, who was heard telling her mother: "Mum don't do this, I will die".

Last January, a jury unanimously found the girl's mother, a 49-year-old Russian national, guilty of the attempted murder of her then eight-year-old daughter.

Specialist interviews

In specialist interviews with investigating gardai, the girl described how her mother held a knife over her and told her: "I'm going to kill you and after will kill myself, as that will be best."

She said her mother also told her: "This is what needs to happen, it's for the best."

The girl sustained more than 70 stab wounds during the attack by her mother, who also attempted to strangle her.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect her daughters right to anonymity, had denied the charge before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick.

On January 23rd last, the trial jury unanimously agreed that the mother was guilty of the girls attempted murder.

The trial heard the defendant had told gardai following her arrest that she was out of my mind when she attacked her daughter.

Lorcan Connolly SC, prosecuting on Monday, told Justice Kerida Naidoo the case was opened on the basis that the woman had attempted to murder her then eight-year-old daughter on September 27th 2022, "with the application of a knife and a cable ligature, causing life-changing injuries".

Detective Garda Cathal Reilly detailed the events of that morning, telling counsel that the defendant, along with her Ukrainian husband and daughter, fled the war in Ukraine in March 2022, six months before the attack on the girl.

The detective said the mother and daughter had stayed in a number of temporary accommodation premises before finding shared accommodation, which consisted of a bedroom with an ensuite and a communal kitchen.

The mother and daughter were living separately from the child's father at this point, as there was "marital disharmony".

Connolly said the child was enrolled in a national school and was settling in quite well. However, he said the defendant was suffering from depression, lost weight and had been taken to hospital.

The detective said the mother had attended a health centre the day before the incident to say she was depressed and that she didn't have a GP.

A prescription was issued, and an appointment was scheduled for medical care on September 29, 2022.

On the morning of September 27, Mr Connolly said the defendant had got up at 7am and gone to the communal kitchen area.

He said a Ukrainian woman in the house had given evidence to the trial that she saw the defendant preparing breakfast before returning to her bedroom. Within five minutes, the witness said she heard screams coming from the bedroom.

When the witness went to investigate, she found the defendant's bedroom door locked. The detective said "desperate" but fruitless efforts were made by her and others to open the door.

He said the defendant had claimed "everything was OK" inside the room but wouldn't open the door.

The witness told gardai that a black-handled knife with a steel blade was missing from the cutlery drawer in the kitchen. The witness and her husband heard the eight-year-old girl say: "Mum, don't do this, I will die". The witness recalled that the defendant had replied to the child, "we will die together".

Mr Connolly said gardai arrived at 8am and an officer saw blood in the bedroom when he looked through a window. He formed the view that "life was endangered" and the bedroom door was kicked in.

The girl, who was wearing only underwear, was found with multiple wounds in the shower area. There was blood flowing into the drain of the shower, and the girl's skin was turning white. Gardai also saw a knife and a phone charging cable.

Det Gda Reilly said the defendant was beside the child, staring into space, and failed to respond to Garda instruction. The mother was removed from the ensuite and handcuffed before her "seriously injured" daughter was rushed by ambulance to hospital.

Injuries

A doctor noted a rapid heart rate along with 72 wounds, two abrasions and a ligature mark to the child's neck. The wounds were distributed across the chest and abdomen, as well as the lower and upper limbs.

The officer said the child's condition initially stabilised but then deteriorated due to blood accumulating in the sack around the heart, which had interfered with cardiac function.

Connolly said when the girl was well enough, she gave evidence to specialised garda interviewers, which was played at the trial.

The child had recalled her mother "pacing" that morning and having "some kind of strange look".

She said when "the hitting" stopped, her mother had sat down next to her.

The child said her mother told her she was scared someone was going to take her daughter away.

The barrister said the child described how she had stayed silent as she didn't want her mother to feel threatened and react.

According to medics, counsel said the mother had overdosed and became unconscious.

When the defendant was interviewed in March, 2023 she told gardai: "It wasn't planned and I didn't do it on purpose." She said she had a long history of anxiety and depression.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions, told officers she had awoken in an acute anxious state with a fixation that her daughter would not be returned to her. She said she had attempted to choke her daughter but couldn't carry that out.

Defence counsel Mark Nicholas said his client had a difficult psychiatric history before she came to Ireland. Between 2008 and 2019, there were various psychiatric engagements in Russia and Ukraine, where the defendant had been hospitalised five times and diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.

Mr Justice Naidoo remanded the defendant in custody until May 5, when counsel will make submissions as to how the sentence should be structured.
Sonya McLean

A man who became a trusted member of a family after befriending them has been jailed for 14 years for the continual sexual abuse of two of their young daughters in Galway.

Benedick Joel (46) of Carraig Art, Truskey West, Barna, Galway, was convicted following a Central Criminal Court trial last February of 24 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted anal rape on dates in 2017 and 2018.

The court heard that 10 counts relate to the sexual assault of the younger sister, while the remaining charges, including the attempted anal rape, relate to the older sister.

Joel had pleaded not guilty to the offences. He does not accept the verdicts of the jury.

The court heard that Joel was a family friend and referred to as Uncle Ben by the children in the family, in recognition of the depth of their affection and respect they had for him.

While both women  now aged in their 20s - wish for Joel to be named in reporting the case, they do not want to be identified themselves.

Mark Lynam, prosecuting, said that the abuse initially took the form of Joel carrying out body checks on the girls, both in his own apartment in Barna and in their family home.

He would also hug them intensely while pressing his body up against them.

In one incident, he lay behind one of the girls while she was dozing on the couch watching telly. He tried to rape her while she continually said: Dont do it, dont do it.

Lynam said in another incident with the younger sister, he assisted her in taking a shower, because she had broken her leg and sexually abused her while she was getting washed.

The younger sister was the first to report the sexual abuse in January 2022. She was 16 years old when she was first interviewed by specialist gardai. Her older sister then disclosed that she had been similarly abused by Joel.

Joel was arrested, and while he was co-operative with the garda investigation, he denied that anything inappropriate had occurred. He had no explanation as to why the girls would have made the allegations.

He has no previous convictions and has never come to garda attention. He is originally from Nigeria and has worked as a security guard in McDonald's on Shop Street in Galway city for 20 years.

The older sister read her victim impact statement into the record.

She said she suffered depression, anxiety and self-harm and for some time was not able to receive treatment because she could not afford it.

For over 10 years I carried a weight on my shoulders that I was sure would crush me, the woman said, adding that it was similar to a cloud over me with no sunny days.

She said she failed to make meaningful connections.

There were many milestones that I dreamed of reaching that were ripped away from me, she said.

She addressed Joel and told him: I trusted you  my family trusted you  we saw you as a relative.

The abuse of trust has been hugely detrimental. You stole my childhood from me  that is something I can never restore, the woman concluded her statement.

Lynam read the younger sisters victim impact statement into the record, in which she outlined feeling a constant state of emotional distress, extreme mood swings, suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety.

She said she struggled in school and feels that her intelligence was wasted  adding that she wasted the potential everyone saw in me.

She said the abuse still impacts her daily life. She does not trust others, especially men and finds herself anxious and scared around them.

The woman said she struggled a lot with keeping stable relationships and friendships and feels depressed and unmotivated.

She said it did not end when the abused ended  instead it followed her into her teenage years and adulthood.

She said the abuse shaped the way I see others and myself and the way I navigate the world.

I am trying to heal and move forward but the reality is that what happened me will always be part of my story, the womans statement read.

Sentencing Joel on Monday, Justice Kerida Naidoo said that it was apparent during the trial and the sentence hearing that both women were exceedingly bright and articulate and their lives had been blighted by the actions of Joel.

He said Joel impeded their progress, particularly as the abuse occurred during such an important part of their development.

Justice Naidoo acknowledged the emotional manipulation of both victims by Joel and said the offences represented serious degradation and a serious breach of trust.

He said the offences had enduring impacts on both women and impacted their mental health and life in general.

Justice Naidoo said the case warranted headline sentences of 13 years and nine years before he imposed sentences of 11 years and seven and a half years.

The judge said that it was appropriate that he impose consecutive sentences to reflect that Joel sexually abused two young girls in the one family.

Naidoo then reduced the sentences further before he imposed a global sentence of 15 and half years. He suspended the final 18 months of the term to encourage victim insight and rehabilitation.

The court heard that Joel has been living in Ireland for 22 years and working as a security guard at McDonald's for 20 years. He has no previous convictions and has never come to the attention of gardai.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Pharmaceuticals in the Phanariot era

Modern idea from Western Europe began to be adopted in the east of the continent in the 18th century, including new approaches to treating diseases in medicine and pharmacy.

History Show

Steliu Lambru, 27.04.2026, 14:00

According to historians, the Phanariot era in the Romanian Principalities began in 1718 and ended more than a century later, in 1822. It is named after the princes originating from the Phanar district of Constantinople who were installed on the thrones of the two Romanian Principalities. The 18th century or the Phanariot century, as it is known locally, was when the modern trends in Western Europe began to be adopted in the east of the continent, as well. And modernity also meant new approaches to treating diseases in medicine and pharmacy.

Raluca Motei specialises in the history of pharmacy in Wallachia, one of the two Romanian Principalities. She is also part of an artefact recovery project that the Bucharest Municipality Museum is carrying out in order to reconstruct the map of pharmacies in Wallachia in the 18th century. Motei studied the history of legislation regarding the marketing of medicines and the pharmaceutical practices at that time:

Documents from the 18th century include the first records of the existence of pharmacists, who were to be found in the entourage of rulers. In 1703, the Chronicle of Income and Expenditures of the Treasury of Wallachia mentions the payment of 30 thalers to a pharmacist who had accompanied the ruler Constantin Brancoveanu to Adrianople. With the establishment of the first hospitals, the first pharmacies also appeared, such as those located in the vicinity of the Coltea Hospital or the Pantelimon Hospital. There, pharmacists prepared herbal remedies for the sick. In parallel, private pharmacies also developed, one of the most famous being in the Serban-Voda inn, located in the centre of the capital city.

Modernity in the 18th century translated into a gradual increase of the states authority and its firm presence in the area of public health. Laws became more rigorous, control of commercial activities with medicines was tightened, the state issued legislation to regulate the level of competence of doctors and pharmacists, with safety in the exercise of these professions being considered a priority. Towards the end of the century, increasingly clear functional relationships were established between the state and the pharmaceutical sector. Raluca Motei explains:

In the absence of clear regulations, pharmacists carried out their activity based on vague provisions from the past. This made pharmaceutical practice rudimentary and lacking in standards. To remedy the situation, on November 20, 1780, Prince Alexandru Ipsilanti issued the first official regulations on the trade in medicines. Pharmacists were placed under the control of the princes chief physician, who was responsible for inspecting pharmacies, checking quality and controlling prices. Doctors were advised to use only fresh remedies. Ipsilanti also issued the first official regulation on the organisation of pharmacies on May 15, 1797. It imposed the use of the Austrian pharmacopoeia of 1780 as the basis for the preparation of medicines and remedies.

Alexandru Ipsilanti is considered the first to reform the pharmaceutical sector in the Romanian lands.

In 1797, Ipsilanti issued another series of laws that helped regulate the field and which banned pharmacists to sell toxic products. Also, most of the products made in pharmacies had to be accompanied by a prescription given by a doctor at the time such a product was sold. From this document containing the laws it also emerges that, at that time, in Bucharest there were nine pharmacies, which were located in the main areas of the city, mostly in the central area, at different inns. The inns were a kind of commercial centres, with many shops on the ground floor. These places were convenient for pharmacists to organize their business.

As European modern ideas became increasingly influential in Wallachia, Phanariot princes continued to make laws that responded to the demands of new pharmaceutical trends. Raluca Motei:

At the beginning of the 19th century, the regulation of the pharmaceutical activity became stricter. It moved from tolerance to rigorous control by the authorities. On November 4, 1819, Prince Alexandru Sutu appointed a medical commission to draft a regulation on the organization of pharmacies. The document marks an important moment in the history of legislation because it contains the terms pharmacy and pharmacist for the first time. The project introduced a strict framework of professional control, pharmacists had to be examined by official doctors, and those without a diploma had to prove their skills. Pharmacies were obliged to stock up according to the Austrian pharmacopoeia of 1814, they were subject to periodic inspections and strict penalties. Prices had to be in accordance with the Austrian tariffs of 1814 and the sale of complex preparations without a prescription was strictly prohibited. The opening of pharmacies was conditional on obtaining a royal charter, and trade in toxic substances was prohibited.

In 18th century Romania, European modernity and the bureaucratic measures of the state governed the development of the pharmaceutical sector and new attitudes towards illness and healing.
Romania affected by severe storms

One man died and dozens of others were injured after roofs and trees were torn off by the strong winds that swept across almost all of Romania on Sunday.

Sursa foto: fb.com /

Sorin Iordan, 27.04.2026, 13:50

Storms wreaked havoc across Romania on Sunday, with wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h causing significant material damage, power outages, and worsening the spread of fires. According to the General Inspectorate for Emergencies (IGSU), 56 localities in 14 counties were affected, most of them in the northeastern region of Moldavia. In Husi, Vaslui County, strong winds tore the roofs off several apartment buildings, with debris falling onto nearby parked cars. Parts of the structures struck and injured a 67 year old man, who was found unconscious by medical teams. Sadly, he could not be saved.

In the city of Targu Frumos in Iasi County, as well as in the western municipality of Timisoara, several people were injured by branches broken off by the wind and were taken to hospital. In Bacau County, a driver managed to escape on his own after a tree fell onto his car while he was driving. The cities of Iasi, Vaslui, and Suceava were also hit hard, with the wind toppling trees, road signs, and high voltage poles. Nearly 35,000 households in around 140 localities across six counties were temporarily left without electricity. IGSU reported interventions in almost 60 localities, where crews removed construction debris from 50 buildings and cleared dozens of fallen trees and electricity poles from roads. In the town of Rucareni, in Vrancea County, a house fire spread to dozens of nearby buildings due to the strong winds, further complicating emergency response efforts. In total, more than 30 houses burned and over 300 people were evacuated. Around 220 military firefighters and other intervention teams battled the flames.

The extreme weather also affected Maramures County in the northwest. Strong winds carried sterile dust particles from ponds containing non ferrous ore into several localities near the municipality of Baia Mare. According to the Maramures County Emergency Committee, the phenomenon caused discomfort among residents and temporarily reduced atmospheric visibility. A mobile laboratory from the Environmental Protection Agency was deployed to take measurements, and no health issues were reported among the population.

Almost the entire territory of Romania was under yellow and orange wind warnings on Sunday. For the coming days, meteorologists forecast a significant drop in temperatures. Starting Wednesday, the weather will cool sharply across the country, falling below seasonal averages, with rain expected in the south and east. The cooling trend is likely to continue through the May 1 mini holiday, a period when hundreds of thousands of Romanians traditionally travel to the seaside, head to mountain resorts, or spend International Labor Day outdoors. (EE)
Russian drones  a recurring threat

For the first time, a Russian drone hit a household in Tulcea County, on the Ukrainian border.

Photo: TayebMEZAHDIA / pixabay.com

Stefan Stoica, 27.04.2026, 14:00

For the residents of the southeastern Romanian counties of Tulcea and Galati, located on the border with Ukraine, alerts regarding the possible fall of drone fragments, a consequence of Russian attacks on the neighboring state, have become commonplace. However, what happened on Friday night exceeds all previous incidents in terms of seriousness. The Defense Ministry reported that a drone used by the Russian Federation against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine illegally entered national airspace and damaged both private and public property. No casualties were reported.

The drone struck a workshop within a private household and an electricity pole on public property in the city of Galati. Over 500 domestic and non-domestic consumers across several city streets were left without natural gas on Saturday morning after the operator cut the supply at the request of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. At the same time, 315 people living along the route of the specialized transport organized by the authorities were evacuated while the drone was moved to a detonation site outside the city.

President Nicusor Dan strongly condemned what he called Russias irresponsible behavior stating that incidents like the drone crash in Galati demonstrate a lack of respect for international law and endanger the safety of the citizens of Romania, a NATO member state. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also denounced the repeated violation of Romanian airspace by Russia, assessing that these incidents generate security risks for Romania and other states on the Eastern Flank.

Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Bucharest to the Ministry headquarters on Saturday. The Romanian side condemned the violation of Romanias airspace and expressed a firm protest against this unacceptable action, which represents a breach of Romanias sovereignty. Attention was also drawn to the grave risks posed to the security and safety of Romanian citizens. According to the Foreign Ministry, Russia is blatantly and systematically violating fundamental obligations regarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and peace. The unprovoked act of aggression and the large-scale illegal war that Russia has waged for over four years against a sovereign state represent a persistent and serious threat not only to Ukraine but to the entire Black Sea region, the Ministry specified.

Defense Minister Radu Miruta announced that the General Staff is currently analyzing a repositioning of monitoring and defense systems along the border with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu has dispatched an official request to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, calling for strengthening European mechanisms for monitoring and rapid response to airspace violations. (VP)
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), Monday announced a deal with Ajax Therapeutics, Inc., agreeing to acquire the company along with its lead asset, AJ1-11095, an investigational, once-daily oral, first-in-class Type II JAK2 inhibitor currently being evaluated in patients with myelofibrosis.

As per the deal, Ajax shareholders would receive up to $2.3 billion in cash, inclusive of an upfront payment and subsequent payments upon the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones.

"As a founding strategic investor in Ajax, Lilly has long believed in the approach and is excited about the potential for AJ1-11095 to deliver deeper and more durable efficacy than available treatments with a tolerability profile that would allow for patients to remain on therapy longer and be used across both the first- and second-line settings," said Jacob Van Naarden, executive vice president and president of Lilly Oncology and head of corporate development.

In the pre-market hours, LLY is trading at $884.65, up 0.05 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Business News
Verizon Communications (VZ) said, for fiscal 2026, the company now expects adjusted EPS of $4.95 to $4.99, or year-over-year growth of 5.0 to 6.0 percent. Previously, the company expected adjusted EPS of $4.90 to $4.95. Total retail postpaid phone net additions are now expected to be in the top half of the 750,000 to 1.0 million range, which is approximately 2 to 3 times the 2025 reported result. Verizon continues to expect: total mobility and broadband service revenue growth of 2.0 percent to 3.0 percent, equating to approximately $93 billion; and wireless service revenue growth of approximately flat.

First quarter consolidated net income was $5.1 billion, a 3.3 percent increase year-over-year. EPS was $1.20, a growth of 4.3 percent. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA grew 6.7 percent to $13.4 billion. Adjusted EPS was $1.28, a 7.6 percent increase from last year.

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Business News
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO), on Monday, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its microbiology to Astorg.

The transaction is approximately $1.075 billion, consisting of cash and a $50 million seller note.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

The company said the microbiology business provides antimicrobial susceptibility testing and culture media solutions and generated $645 million in revenue in 2025.

Thermo Fisher said the deal is expected to be dilutive to adjusted earnings per share by $0.15 in the first full year following the close.

The company said it will provide further details on the expected impact on its 2026 outlook during its second-quarter earnings call.

In the pre-market trading, Thermo Fisher Scientific is 0.15% lesser at $469 on the New York Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Medicus Pharma Ltd. (MDCX), a biotech/life sciences company, announced on Monday that its CEO had conducted a series of meetings with U.S. lawmakers, seeking support for the company's SkinJect product in treating Gorlin Syndrome.

Gorlin Syndrome, or nevoid basal cell carcinoma, is a rare, inherited disorder caused by mutations in the PTCH1 gene, dysregulating the Hedgehog pathway. This leads to early, recurrent tumor formations of over 1000 basal cell carcinomas, often beginning in childhood. The disease currently has no therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Medicus developed SkinJect as an immuno-oncological precision product for localized, repeat, non-surgical treatments of non-melanoma skin diseases.

The company's Chief Executive Officer, Raza Bokhari, engaged with lawmakers to discuss orphan drug designation for SkinJect, a registrational investigational new drug (IND) approval for Gorlin syndrome, in addition to a rare disease pediatric FDA voucher program.

Medicus previously announced a strategic collaboration with the Gorlin syndrome alliance (GSA) to advance access to SkinJect for the treatment of basal cell carcinomas.

MDCX is currently trading at $0.27, down 11.46%.

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Business News
Honda Car India is getting ready to launch 2 cars on 22nd May. New flagship SUV, ZR-V hybrid and City facelift. These new launches are part of the broader plan of launching 10 new cars by 2030, to boost the companys fortune in India.

Talking about the City, this will be the second facelift for the current 5th-generation City, following the earlier update introduced in 2023. The updated 2026 City will continue to play a key role in Hondas India strategy, especially as the next-generation model is only expected around 2028. With rising competition in the midsize sedan segment, this facelift aims to keep City relevant against rivals like Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus and Hyundai Verna.

Minor Design Updates Expected

As seen with most mid-cycle updates, 2026 Honda City facelift is expected to feature subtle design revisions rather than a complete overhaul. Changes are likely to be limited to elements such as a refreshed front grille, updated LED lighting signatures and tweaked front and rear bumpers.

Side profile is expected to remain largely unchanged, although new alloy wheel designs could be introduced. At the rear, minor tweaks to tail lamp detailing and bumper design may be part of the update. Honda could also introduce new colour options to freshen up the overall appeal.

Interior And Features

Honda Sensing ADAS suite will continue to be a key highlight, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and collision mitigation braking. Inside, updates are expected to be minimal. The overall dashboard layout is likely to remain the same, with possible additions such as refreshed upholstery and new trim inserts.

Feature additions could include a 360-degree camera, something that is increasingly common in this segment. Existing features like the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital instrument cluster and connected car tech are expected to be retained.

Engine Options To Continue

Powertrain options are expected to remain unchanged. Honda City facelift will continue with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 121 PS and 145 Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or CVT gearbox. The strong hybrid e:HEV variant will also continue, offering a combined output of 126 PS along with an e-CVT transmission. This variant remains one of the most fuel-efficient options in the segment.

With launch scheduled for 22 May along with the ZR-V Hybrid, Honda City facelift will aim to strengthen its position in a segment that is gradually shrinking due to SUV preference. However, City continues to have a loyal customer base, especially among buyers looking for a refined, comfortable and feature-rich sedan. Pricing details will be revealed at launch, and a slight premium over current prices is expected.
One of the best Independent Bookstore Day traditions is the end-of-the-day expressions of gratitude by booksellers across the country. "Thank you" was definitely the watchword again during and after Saturday's festivities, as bookstores shared their #IndieBookstoreDay good vibes. Here's a sampling:

At Quimby's

Quimby's Bookstore, Chicago, Ill.: "SORRY WE'RE DEAD! Thanks to the million billion trillion gazillion people who came through on Independent Bookstore Day. We cached two brand new self-inking stamps, celebrated with 110 people who finished their 10 or 15 stop book crawl with us, and did 981 register transactions, for double the money of the Saturday before Christmas! THANK YOU!"

Poppy Books & Gifts, Spanish Fork, Utah: "Another Independent Bookstore Day in the books, and it was our busiest one yet! We are always in awe of our community, and the way you all show up for us again and again. Please support your local indie bookstore!... We love you guys, keep on reading and chatting with us about the books you love!"

Winnie and Mo's Bookshop, Idaho Falls, Idaho: "Thank you all for a busy and fun-filled Independent Bookstore Day! What a party. What makes indie bookstores survive and thrive is YOU! You make them places of community and connection, and we're grateful for you. We've said it before and we'll say it again: book people are the best people."

Bookstore on the Square, Fort Collins, Colo.: "It's a wrap on Independent Bookstore Store Day! Y'all showed up in droves and we are so deeply & sincerely appreciative. Special thanks to @mnb_photographer for bringing some @focomx magic to our little shop, and to every single person who came in today, yesterday, and beyond: We love you. We see you. Our hearts are so full."

Class Bookstore, Houston, Tex.: "LET'S RALLY Y'AL!! 5 MORE DAYS TO GET YOUR STAMP!! PULL UP AND LET'S FINISH STRONG!! BTW, thanks to everyone who came through for @indiebookstoreday today!! Much appreciated."

Alibi Bookshop, Vallejo, Calif.: Thats a wrap.... THANK YOU to everyone who showed up and celebrated with us--it was crazy busy and fun! (Seeing a line in a bookstore is truly the greatest sight ever.)."

Rooted Books & Gifts, Grand Island, Neb.: "Yall wore Nate and Bella out today! Thank you all SOOOO SOOO much for showing up and supporting us today and all year round. We love being able to support our community through our little ole bookshop."

The Bookshop, East Nashville, Tenn.: "Today--our TENTH Indie Bookstore Day celebration--was truly epic.... Thank you for supporting this lil' shop. Y'all are the best community an indie bookstore could ask for."

The Cranford Bookstore, Cranford, N.J.: "Book people are the best people. Being able to participate in #independentbookstoreday was the dream last year and, wow, you all made that dream come true today! Seeing the fully stamped passports, watching folks pick out their pin, making recommendations, visits from our favorite authors... and chatting TBRs... there is nothing better!"

Madison Street Books, Chicago, Ill.: "We knew it would be amazing but we are overwhelmed by how much. THANK YOU."

Annie Bloom's Books, Portland, Ore.: "Thanks to everyone who showed up for us in the store today (or online) for Independent Bookstore Day--we had a blast, and hope you did too!"

The Gilded Page, Kansas City, Mo.: "Thank you everyone who came out today to support us on Independent Bookstore Day! The shoppers, the crawlers, and scavenger hunters, and the cat lovers, we appreciate you all!"

Pages & Perks, St. Petersburg, Fla.: "For our very first independent bookstore day, we were overwhelmed with gratitude love and support. For the amount of you lovely people that came out to support each and every celebration. We met so many people making the rounds to their favorites in the area and some who were discovering new Indie Bookstores!"

Plaid Elephant Books, Danville, Ky.: "HUGE thanks to everyone who joined us for Independent Bookstore Day yesterday! This is always the best, most bookishly delightful day of the year. Lovely to meet all the folks who were exploring the Bluegrass Bookstore Crawl as well as all of our local readers. Thanks for shopping local!!"

At Wheatberry Books

Wheatberry Books, Chillicothe, Ohio: "Another Independent Bookstore Day is in the books, and we could not be more grateful for the support this community of readers shows us. Thank you for showing up, for believing in our mission, and for caring so passionately about stories. It's because of you that we're able to open our doors every day and provide a safe place to retreat."

Shared Stories Books, Caldwell, Idaho: "Our hearts are FULL!! The community showed up for our birthday and for Independent Bookstore Day!! Thank you all for joining us today to celebrate. We had a record day of sales, but more importantly, we had a record day of friendship, of bookish excitement, and of community."

At the Plot Twist

The Plot Twist, Denton, Tex.: "From our AC going out early in the day (on the hottest day this year so far) to the tornado warnings later y'all still showed up to support our little indie bookstore. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up, for browsing our shelves, for sharing your love of indie bookstores, and for reminding us why this community means everything.... Days like this dont go as planned, but they turn into something even more meaningful because of y'all!! We're so grateful to be your bookstore."

Cindelle's Bookstore, Plainfield, N.J.: "Independent Bookstore Day was absolutely everything we hoped it would be and MORE. Seeing so many of you walk through our doors, passport in hand, ready to explore every corner of Union County's indie bookstore scene was so cool. To our incredible community: THANK YOU. Your support means the world to us. You showed up, you bought books, and you reminded us why being a bookseller is the greatest privilege."

Twice Told Tales, McPherson, Kan.: "That's a wrap for Independent Bookstore Day 2026! Thank you to everyone who came out to support. My bookseller heart is going to explode from all the love I felt today. You all keep the dream alive."

Books Revisited, Saint Cloud, Minn.: "What a wild, wild Independent Bookstore Day! I can hardly find the words, and I am absolutely awestruck at the tremendous support and your willingness to show up!... Thank you to the oceans of people who helped make today so memorable, and in a world where you could buy your books anywhere, thank you for showing up on the rest of the days too.... Today is a day I will never forget."

At Blue Couch Bookshop

Blue Couch Bookshop, Columbus, Ohio: "WOW we had an amazing Indie Bookstore Day with you all!! Can't wait to do it again tomorrow!!"

WordsWorth Books, Little Rock, Ark.: "Before & after Independent Bookstore Day. What a day! A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to support us and the @rockcitiesbookcrawl today. The energy in the store during IBD... there's nothing quite like it. We can't wait to do it again next year!"
Selling a used car online in India in 2026 is easier than it has ever been, but it is still far from simple if you go in without a plan. The platforms have improved, the inspection services have matured, and payment processes are faster and more secure than they were a few years ago. At the same time, the market has also become noisier. There are more platforms, more claims of 'best price guaranteed', and more potential for a seller to end up with a disappointing offer if they do not know what to look for.

This guide walks you through the process from start to finish, preparing your car and paperwork, listing across the right platforms, navigating inspections, negotiating effectively, handling handover and payment, and protecting yourself after the sale is done. It is practical, honest, and built around what actually works in 2026. By the end, you will know exactly what to do, what to watch out for, and which platform gives you the best shot at a great result.

Step 1: Prepare Your Car and Documents Before You List

The condition your car presents, and the completeness of your paperwork, has a direct impact on the price you will be offered. This step takes an hour or two but pays dividends at every stage of the process that follows.

Get the Car Looking Its Best

You do not need to spend money on a professional detail, but a thorough clean inside and out is worth doing before the inspection. A car that is well-presented signals care and maintenance to the evaluator. Clear out personal belongings, wipe down the interior, and wash the exterior. If there are minor scratches that a quick touch-up can address without looking patchy, it is worth considering. Importantly, do not attempt to hide genuine damage, reputable platforms like Cars24 conduct thorough 300+ point inspections, and anything significant will be identified and factored into the offer regardless.

Gather Your Documents

Missing or incomplete documentation is one of the most common causes of delays in used car transactions. Having everything ready before your inspection makes the process significantly smoother and signals to that you are a straightforward seller. The documents you will need are listed below.

RC (Registration Certificate): the primary proof of ownership, original or a certified copy.

the primary proof of ownership, original or a certified copy. Insurance papers: current insurance certificate confirming the car is covered.

current insurance certificate confirming the car is covered. PUC certificate: Pollution Under Control certificate, ensure it is valid and not expired.

Pollution Under Control certificate, ensure it is valid and not expired. Loan closure NOC: if your car was ever under finance, you will need a No Objection Certificate from the lender confirming the loan is fully settled.

if your car was ever under finance, you will need a No Objection Certificate from the lender confirming the loan is fully settled. Service records: not mandatory, but a complete service history significantly strengthens your position during inspection and adds credibility to your asking price.

not mandatory, but a complete service history significantly strengthens your position during inspection and adds credibility to your asking price. Valid ID proof: Aadhaar card or PAN card for KYC verification on organised platforms.

A practical tip: make digital copies of all documents before the inspection. If paperwork is being handled remotely or digitally, as is the case with Cars24 and Spinny, having scanned copies ready speeds the process up considerably.

Step 2: Get Quotes From the Right Platforms

The biggest mistake sellers make is going to a single platform, accepting the first offer, and assuming it is the market rate. It is almost never the best the market will pay. Getting quotes from more than one platform is a ten-minute exercise that can translate into a meaningfully better final price.

Which Platforms Are Worth Your Time in 2026?

The honest answer is that not all platforms deliver equal value. Based on how the market looks in 2026, there are four options that come up most often in real seller journeys.

Cars24: the most comprehensive platform in the market. The live dealer auction model means your car is bid on by more than 20,000 verified dealers competing in real time, which consistently produces the strongest offers. The process is fully digital, the home inspection is free, and payment is made the same day the deal is confirmed. Seller Kavach post-sale comprehensive protection is a unique feature that no rival currently offers.

the most comprehensive platform in the market. The live dealer auction model means your car is bid on by more than 20,000 verified dealers competing in real time, which consistently produces the strongest offers. The process is fully digital, the home inspection is free, and payment is made the same day the deal is confirmed. Seller Kavach post-sale comprehensive protection is a unique feature that no rival currently offers. Spinny: a strong second choice with a well-regarded reputation for transparency. Spinny makes a fixed offer based on the inspection outcome, no auction, no fluctuation. The certainty is appealing, and the process is clean and professional. Payment arrives within 24 to 48 hours, and the RC transfer is managed end-to-end.

a strong second choice with a well-regarded reputation for transparency. Spinny makes a fixed offer based on the inspection outcome, no auction, no fluctuation. The certainty is appealing, and the process is clean and professional. Payment arrives within 24 to 48 hours, and the RC transfer is managed end-to-end. OLX Autos: a classifieds-adjacent platform where your listing reaches a broad audience of private buyers. The potential upside is a higher headline price from an individual buyer, but the risks, unverified buyers, informal payment, self-managed RC transfer, are significantly greater. Worth listing on, but approach with caution and do not rely on it as your primary route.

a classifieds-adjacent platform where your listing reaches a broad audience of private buyers. The potential upside is a higher headline price from an individual buyer, but the risks, unverified buyers, informal payment, self-managed RC transfer, are significantly greater. Worth listing on, but approach with caution and do not rely on it as your primary route. Local dealer: a familiar and accessible option, particularly for sellers who prefer face-to-face dealings. The structural disadvantage is that you are negotiating with a single buyer who has no competitive pressure. Prices are typically lower than organised platforms, and post-sale protections are informal at best.

The practical recommendation is to get quotes from Cars24 and Spinny as your primary options, use Cars24's auction as your benchmark, and treat any other quotes as useful context. The gap between Cars24's auction offer and a local dealer's quote is often the clearest evidence of why platform choice matters.

Step 3: Book Your Inspection, and Know What to Expect

Every organised platform will prompt you to book a free home inspection after you enter your car's details online. This is the step where the real pricing process begins, and understanding how it works helps you navigate it without surprises.

What the Inspection Covers

Cars24 and Spinny both conduct thorough inspections covering the engine and mechanical systems, gearbox and drivetrain, bodywork and paint, interior condition, tyre wear, electrical systems, and documentation. The evaluation then produces a detailed report that is shared with you.

On Cars24, this report also goes to the dealers bidding in the subsequent auction, which is a meaningful transparency feature. Every dealer is working from the same documented picture of the car's condition, which means their bids reflect actual informed offers rather than guesswork. There is no room for a dealer to claim they did not know about a scratch and reduce the price at handover, the inspection report is the agreed basis for the auction, and it does not change.

A Note on Initial Online Estimates

The online quote you receive before the inspection is an estimate based on your car's stated details, make, model, year, mileage, and declared condition. It is a useful ballpark, but it is not the offer. The inspection will validate or adjust that figure based on the car's actual condition. For well-maintained cars with complete documentation and no hidden issues, the final offer typically lands within or above the initial range. For cars with undisclosed problems, there may be a revision downward.

The best approach is to be honest in your initial submission. Attempting to conceal issues to get a higher initial estimate will not work, trained evaluators have seen every variant of every common car issue, and the inspection will surface them. Transparency upfront results in a smoother process and a final offer you can trust.

Scheduling Tips

Book your inspection early in the week if possible, particularly on Cars24. Slot availability is generally good, but peak periods, festival seasons, month-ends, and year-ends, can see higher demand. If you have a specific timeline in mind, book the inspection promptly rather than waiting. The entire process from inspection to payment can be completed within 24 hours on Cars24 if you start early, so even a slight delay in booking can push your timeline.

Step 4: Understand the Offer and Negotiate Confidently

Once the inspection is complete, you will receive an offer. How you handle this moment has a significant bearing on the final outcome. Confidence, preparation, and patience are your three tools.

Know Your Number Before You Walk In

Before the inspection, research the realistic market value of your car independently. Check recent sold listings for the same model, year, and approximate mileage on Cars24's own platform, on CarDekho, and on other marketplaces. This gives you a grounded sense of what the car is worth and prevents you from being anchored by the first figure you are given.

How Cars24's Auction Changes the Negotiation

On Cars24, the negotiation dynamic is different from every other platform. Because your car enters a live auction with multiple dealers bidding, you are not negotiating against a single buyer's position, you are watching a market determine your car's value in real time. The highest bid is what the platform presents to you, and it is already the product of competitive pressure.

This is one of Cars24's most practical advantages for sellers who dislike negotiation. The auction does the work for you. You do not need to argue for a higher number, the dealers argue amongst themselves, and you receive the outcome. If the final figure meets your expectations, you accept. If it does not, you are under no obligation.

On Other Platforms

If you are comparing with Spinny, their offer is fixed once confirmed and will not move materially. It is not a starting position for negotiation, it is their actual offer. You can ask if there is any flexibility, but Spinny's fixed-offer model is built around consistency and transparency, which means the margin for adjustment is limited. The better approach with Spinny is to use their offer as a reliable baseline against which you measure Cars24's auction result.

Step 5: Watch Out for These Common Selling Pitfalls

Used car transactions, even on reputable platforms, have a few recurring patterns that can catch sellers off guard. Knowing about them in advance puts you firmly in control.

The initial estimate gap: the online quote you receive before inspection is always a range, not a guarantee. Do not make financial plans based on the top of that range before the inspection has been completed and an actual offer has been made.

the online quote you receive before inspection is always a range, not a guarantee. Do not make financial plans based on the top of that range before the inspection has been completed and an actual offer has been made. Hidden deductions on some platforms: some platforms apply processing fees, NOC charges, or other deductions to the final payment that were not prominently communicated upfront. Always ask for a full breakdown of the net amount you will receive before agreeing to anything. Cars24 discloses the full cost breakdown as part of the offer, there should be no surprises at payment stage.

some platforms apply processing fees, NOC charges, or other deductions to the final payment that were not prominently communicated upfront. Always ask for a full breakdown of the net amount you will receive before agreeing to anything. Cars24 discloses the full cost breakdown as part of the offer, there should be no surprises at payment stage. Pressure to decide quickly: you will receive follow-up calls after your inspection, and there may be time-limited language around the offer. Take the time you need to compare with at least one other platform before committing. A reputable platform will not revoke a fair offer because you asked for 24 hours to consider it.

you will receive follow-up calls after your inspection, and there may be time-limited language around the offer. Take the time you need to compare with at least one other platform before committing. A reputable platform will not revoke a fair offer because you asked for 24 hours to consider it. RC transfer assumptions: on Cars24 and Spinny, the RC transfer is managed by the platform. Everywhere else, it is your responsibility to confirm it has been completed. Do not assume it has happened, follow up and get written confirmation. An incomplete RC transfer can create legal and financial liability for you months or years down the line.

on Cars24 and Spinny, the RC transfer is managed by the platform. Everywhere else, it is your responsibility to confirm it has been completed. Do not assume it has happened, follow up and get written confirmation. An incomplete RC transfer can create legal and financial liability for you months or years down the line. Post-sale contact from buyers: if you sell through a classifieds site or a local dealer, be aware that the buyer may contact you after the sale with complaints or queries. On Cars24, Seller Kavach handles any post-sale claims on your behalf, you are formally protected. On other platforms and routes, you are not.

Step 6: Accept the Best Offer and Confirm the Details

Once you have compared your offers and settled on a platform, the acceptance process should be straightforward. Before you confirm, run through this checklist to make sure everything is in order.

Verify the final net amount: confirm the exact figure that will be transferred to your bank account after any applicable deductions. Get this in writing, whether digitally or on a receipt.

confirm the exact figure that will be transferred to your bank account after any applicable deductions. Get this in writing, whether digitally or on a receipt. Confirm the payment timeline: on Cars24, this is the same day. On Spinny, it is within 24 to 48 hours. Make sure the commitment is explicit.

on Cars24, this is the same day. On Spinny, it is within 24 to 48 hours. Make sure the commitment is explicit. Check the RC transfer arrangement: confirm that the platform will manage the full RC transfer and that you will receive status updates until it is complete.

confirm that the platform will manage the full RC transfer and that you will receive status updates until it is complete. Understand the post-sale position: if you are selling through Cars24, confirm that Seller Kavach cover applies to your transaction. This should be standard, but it is worth verifying.

if you are selling through Cars24, confirm that Seller Kavach cover applies to your transaction. This should be standard, but it is worth verifying. Sign Forms 29 and 30: these are the standard transfer of ownership forms required under Indian motor vehicle law. Both Cars24 and Spinny handle the preparation and filing of these as part of their process.

Step 7: Hand Over the Car and Confirm Payment

The handover is the final step, and it is also the point where the transaction formally closes. On Cars24 and Spinny, the car is collected from your doorstep, you do not need to arrange transport or visit any location.

On Cars24, once the deal is confirmed, payment should be initiated immediately, even before the handover. Watch your bank account and confirm the amount matches the agreed figure to the rupee. If there is any discrepancy, contact the platform's seller support team immediately, do not wait.

Keep the handover acknowledgment receipt. This is your formal record that the car has been transferred and the transaction is complete. Combined with the Forms 29/30 and the RC transfer confirmation when it arrives, it forms your complete documentation of a clean sale.

Platform Comparison: How the Main Options Stack Up in 2026

The table below gives you a comprehensive side-by-side view of all four main options across the criteria that matter most to a seller.

Criteria Cars24 Spinny OLX Autos Local Dealer Instant Online Quote Yes, AI-driven estimate Yes, instant quote Rough estimate only Must visit branch Price Discovery Model Live auction, 20,000+ dealers Fixed transparent offer Buyer-negotiated Single dealer quote Best Price Potential Highest, competitive bidding Good, fair fixed offer Variable Lowest Home Inspection Free, doorstep, 200+ points Free, doorstep, 200 points At their outlet Branch visit required Inspection Report Shared Full report with seller Full report with seller Not provided Verbal only Time to First Offer Same day after inspection Same day or next day 25 days On the day, but low Risk of Quote Drop Post-Insp. Auction locks final bid Fixed offer, no revision Common Very common Hidden Charges / Deductions Full breakdown disclosed No hidden deductions Fees possible Frequently applied Zero Seller Commission No seller fees No seller fees Listing fees may apply Margin built into offer Seller Kavach / Post-Sale Cover Seller Kavach, dedicated cover Not available None None Same-Day Payment Guaranteed same day Within 2448 hrs No guarantee No guarantee RC Transfer Managed End-to-end, digitally tracked Fully managed Buyer's responsibility Inconsistent Doorstep Pickup Free of charge Free of charge Self-arranged Self drop-off Scam / Fraud Risk Very Low, verified network Very Low High, unverified buyers LowMedium Overall Seller Verdict 2026 Best in class Very good Moderate Lowest

Key Takeaways: What Every Seller Should Know

What the Organised Platforms Get Right

Home inspections are free, professional, and come to you, no travel, no queuing

Payments are fast, traceable, and made through secure bank transfers

RC transfers are managed on your behalf, removing the most common source of post-sale liability

You are never exposed to unknown buyers, unverified individuals, or informal negotiations

Cars24's Seller Kavach covers you after the transaction, no other platform offers this

What to Watch Out For

The initial online estimate is a range, treat it as a guide, not a guarantee

Always ask for a full breakdown of net payment before accepting any offer

Do not allow time pressure to push you into accepting before you have compared at least two quotes

Confirm RC transfer completion in writing, do not assume it has been done

Classifieds and private sales carry significantly more risk than organised platforms, especially on payment and documentation

Final Verdict: Which Platform Should You Use?

For the vast majority of sellers across India in 2026, Cars24 is the right answer. The live dealer auction delivers the best price, the home inspection and doorstep pickup eliminate inconvenience, same-day payment removes uncertainty, and Seller Kavach provides a post-sale safety net that nobody else in the market offers. The process is fully digital, transparently documented, and designed to put the seller's interests first.

Spinny earns a confident second position. It is a well-run, trustworthy platform with a clean process and a consistent track record. For sellers who want a fixed, certain offer without the variable of an auction, it is a credible choice. The gap with Cars24 on post-sale protection and pricing competitiveness is real but not enormous.

OLX and local dealers remain part of the landscape, and for specific situations, a very old car, a trusted personal buyer, or an urgent timeline, they may be the most practical option. But for sellers who want the best combination of price, protection, convenience, and peace of mind, the organised platforms are where the market has clearly moved.

Follow the seven steps in this guide, get your quotes from more than one platform, take the time to compare, and do not accept any offer until you are satisfied that it reflects the genuine market value of your car. Used car selling in India in 2026 is fairer, faster, and safer than it has ever been, if you use the right platform.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries to acquire Organon & Co. in a $11.75 billion all-cash deal, including debt

Deal to strengthen Sun Pharmas global footprint, potentially placing it among the top 25 pharma firms with $12.4 billion combined revenue

Acquisition expands presence in womens health, biosimilars, and innovative medicines, boosting revenue share of specialty drugs from 20% to 27%

Indias pharma giant Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is making a bold global move, snapping up New Jersey-based Organon & Co in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, including debt. The agreement will see Sun Pharma acquire all outstanding shares of Organon at $14 per share, signaling one of the most significant cross-border deals in the healthcare space this year.



The acquisition instantly boosts Sun Pharmas global standing, potentially pushing it into the top 25 pharmaceutical companies worldwide, with combined revenues projected around $12.4 billion. For a company already dominant in Indias generics market, this is a clear step toward becoming a more diversified global powerhouse.

Also Read: India Reviews AI Risks Amid Rising Cyber Threat Concerns in Banking Sector



Originally spun off from Merck & Co. in 2021, Organon has carved out a strong niche in womens health, biosimilars, and established medicines, with a portfolio of over 70 products sold in 140 countries. That global footprint is exactly what Sun Pharma is betting on, especially as it looks to expand deeper into the U.S. and European markets.



This deal also aligns with Sun Pharmas push into innovative medicines, a segment defined by regulators like the European Medicines Agency as therapies featuring entirely new active substances. Currently contributing about 20% of Sun Pharmas revenue, that share is expected to climb to 27% post-acquisition, highlighting a strategic pivot beyond traditional generics.



Market reactions have already been dramatic, with Organon shares surging nearly 31% ahead of the announcement. While Sun Pharma stock dipped slightly, the long-term narrative is clear: this is a calculated gamble to scale globally, diversify offerings, and compete at the highest level in the pharmaceutical industry.
Test Associates, the organisers behind the UK's premium National Software Testing & QE Conference (NSTC-C) are officially expanding across the Atlantic, bringing nearly two decades of industry leadership to Toronto for the very first time.

For close to 20 years, the NSTC brand has supported the global software testing and quality engineering community through a powerful ecosystem of conferences, awards, publications, and industry initiatives. Now, that same trusted expertise will debut in North America with the launch of the National Software Testing & Quality Engineering Conference  Toronto Edition.

The one-day event will take place on May 26, 2026, at the Delta Marriott, Downtown Toronto

75 Lower Simcoe St, Toronto, ON M5J 3A6, Canada

A New Era for Testing and Quality Engineering

The software testing profession is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by AI, automation, and agentic technologies. This conference is designed to help professionals move beyond disruption and into leadership.

Bringing together senior decision-makers, engineers, innovators, and change-makers, the Toronto edition will deliver:

Hands-on AI and GenAI workshops

Strategic insights from global technology leaders

Practical frameworks for scaling test automation

High-impact networking with peers shaping the future of quality

This is more than an event, it is a space where the next chapter of QA and QE will be written.

Who Should Attend

The conference is designed for senior and technical professionals, including:

Vice Presidents

QA Directors & Managers

Test Managers & Leads

QA Engineers & Analysts

Software Developers & Engineers

DevOps Leads

IT Managers & Heads of IT

UAT Testers

Product Managers

Automation Engineers

Technical Operations Leaders

Industry Representation

Delegates are expected from a wide range of sectors, including:

Finance  30%

Retail  15%

Telecommunications  10%

Leisure, Healthcare, Education, Energy & Utilities, Communications, Accommodation, Public Sector, Banking  5.6% each

Conference Topics

Charting a Path Through AI: A Short History of Technical Disruption Agentic Automation Solutions for QE Automation Scripting Empowering QA Testing with AI Agents Scaling Test Automation Amidst Chaotic Work Cultures AI Agents: Practical Guides & Implementation Transforming from QA to QE Through AI Practical GenAI for Software Testing: From Test Ideas to Trustworthy Results

Featured Speakers

Greg Cento  Assistant Vice President, Sun Life

 Assistant Vice President, Sun Life Arjun Sharma  Global DAAS Offering Leader, IQVIA

 Global DAAS Offering Leader, IQVIA Kiran Madan  Senior Manager, RBC

 Senior Manager, RBC Suyog Shah  Director of Software Engineering, Gateway Services Inc

 Director of Software Engineering, Gateway Services Inc Roland Castelino  Senior QA Manager

 Senior QA Manager Bing Wu  TL Head Manager of Software QA, TransLink

 TL Head Manager of Software QA, TransLink Vignesh Govindarajan Ravichandran  Assistant Vice President & Quality Engineering, Wellington Management LLP

Partner With Us

With a loyal global community built over two decades, the NSTC platform connects with over 50,000 software testing and QA professionals worldwide.

As a partner, your organisation will receive:

Premium branding across all event communications

Regular exposure to the NSTC global community

A 30-minute keynote speaking slot

A 50-minute interactive workshop

A featured 1:1 industry podcast on the Test Associates Podcast

Two complimentary entries into the North American Software Testing Awards

Join the Movement

Whether you are looking to attend, speak, or partner, now is the time to be part of the conversation shaping the future of software quality.

The UKs most trusted testing conference has arrived in North America and Toronto is the first stop.

National Software Testing & Quality Engineering Conference

May 26, 2026

Delta Marriott, Downtown Toronto

For any enquiries, please get in touch at hello@testassociates.co.uk
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John Prince Siddon was working as a young jackaroo when a horse-riding accident altered the course of his life. One old fellow yell to us, saying: There, follow them cattle, wheel them north. So off I gallop with my horse full speed, racing to wheel them cattle. Next moment, Bang!, I was laying on the ground, with them other stockman holding me, telling me, Stay still, dont move or look. John Prince Siddon: I cant stop, he says of painting. Ben Symons After a horse fell on him, his colleagues rushed for help. One of the men got up on his horse, start [galloping] to [the] nearby homestead, race to get help. They brought a mattress, and they put me on the ute, back of a Toyota. Brought me to Noonkanbah station and put me on a Flying Doctor [plane]. Siddon woke up in a hospital bed to find his right leg had been amputated. Doctors said I couldnt walk. I proved them wrong, he recounts. Related Article City life Museum of Contemporary Art bets on Indigenous art to woo ticket-buying public Forty years later, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) has unveiled the Walmajarri artists largest work to date: the 2026 Foyer Wall Commission. Titled Worra Munga! Ernie and Bert Dreamtime voice, the 15-metre-long technicolour epic is a surreal blend of desert storytelling and global pop culture.

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Siddons artistic journey began in 2009 at Mangkaja Arts in Fitzroy Crossing, east of Broome. This arts centre has been a vital space for more than 100 creators  including Siddons father, Pompey  and is known for pushing the boundaries of Indigenous art. Similar to the work of Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey, Siddons style incorporates pop icons and childhood memories. John Prince has such a distinct visual language, says Rebecca Ray, the MCAs First Nations curator and commission co-curator. He draws on established aesthetics associated with the Kimberley region but incorporates figurative painting and symbolic imagery to explore social and political histories  from the consequences of human impact and environmental crises to cultural fragmentation. The commission cascades down the double-height staircase, greeting visitors with a vibrant mix of Sesame Street characters and native wildlife. Sharks, barramundi and praying mantises co-mingle with Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and the Cookie Monster. These were the television puppet characters Siddon adored as a child. I mix them up, like a jigsaw, he says. Watching global events unfold from his home in Broome, Siddon has dedicated the work to all young people experiencing conflict around the planet. It will be on show until 2028, taking over the space previously held by artists such as Diena Georgetti and Vincent Namatjira. John Prince Siddons new mural, Worra Munga! Ernie and Bert Dreamtime voice, in the MCA foyer. Siddon found his calling after his accident and hasnt stopped since, often painting late into the night. Something comes into my head and I cant stop, he says.

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Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has urged the federal government to seize opportunities for green energy projects presented by the fuel crisis, saying working families were experiencing the physical terror of fuel insecurity. In his first public comments since concluding his role as ambassador to the United States in March, Rudd told a gathering of climate leaders and former parliamentarians that the crisis sparked by the United States and Israels war with Iran provided real opportunities to capitalise on the boom in demand for renewables. Malcolm Turnbull and Kevin Rudd called for Australia to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the fuel crisis. Wayne Taylor Let us seize the opportunity presented by what is now unfolding in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and, frankly, the shock which working people across the world are now experiencing in terms of continued hydrocarbon dependency, Rudd said. They are experiencing the physical terror of becoming insecure in their supply of what they need to drive to work, if theyre still using a gasoline-based car  your ability to drive to work, your ability to go and drive and see your grandma, particularly in a country of long distances like ours.

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Rudds comments come days after international think tank Ember published research showing Chinas export of renewables surged in March, off the back of the war in the Middle East and the resulting fuel crisis. China sold record levels of solar, batteries and electric vehicles in March, an increase of 70 per cent compared with March 2025, and up 38 per cent compared with February 2026. Last week Ember reported the share of renewables in global power generation last year overtook coal for the first time, comprising 33.8 per cent of the share of global power generation. China exported 68GW of solar exports in March  equivalent to Spains entire solar capacity and exceeding the previous record hit in August 2025 by 49 per cent.

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Chinese battery exports rose 44 per cent between February and March, to reach $US10 billion ($14 billion) in March. Battery imports were especially high in Australia, the European Union and India. Rudd was speaking at the launch of a new book by Thom Woodroofe, the former diplomat and political staffer-turned-senior international fellow with the Smart Energy Council, calling for climate and energy policy to focus on middle Australia. Christiana Figueres in conversation with the Smart Energy Council senior international fellow Thom Woodroofe. Wayne Taylor Rudds fellow former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said at the launch of Woodroofes book Power, Prosperity & Planet: Climate and Energy Policy for All that despite what Turnbull described as lunatic climate wars being unleashed on the country, Australian households  who have the highest take-up of rooftop solar in the world  were voting with their pockets. In 2007 what we were trying to do was persuade people to pay more to save the planet because renewables were more expensive, but were now in the situation, happily, where the cheapest form of new generation is solar by far, Turnbull said at the event.

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Energy policy should be determined by engineering and economics, not ideology and idiocy. The architect of the Paris Agreement on climate change, veteran diplomat Christiana Figueres, said it was clear the economics of climate change had been won, with renewable infrastructure and power now cheaper than their fossil fuel equivalents. I believe that we will win and we will move forward on climate action much faster the moment we stop talking about climate change. That may be ironic but do you think climate change is a fun conversation at the kitchen table? Woodroofe said that, as the world transitions to renewables, theres a difference between a transition and a just transition. If we dont get those policy settings right, if we dont get our narrative right, the cleavage between the people that are benefiting from this transition and the people that are not is going to get more profound and more problematic for us as a country.

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Architect of the Paris Agreement Christiana Figueres in conversation in Melbourne on Monday. Wayne Taylor Figueres, Turnbull and Rudds comments come as 53 nations meet in Colombia to discuss how to accelerate a global path from fossil fuels. Related Article Opinion

Climate policy This energy crisis is fixable. We already have the answers Christiana Figueres Climate change leader Born of frustration that some powerful fossil fuel-producing nations have slow-walked decarbonisation efforts since the world agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at COP climate talks in 2023, the so-called Santa Marta Conference is seeking to develop a treaty to create a timeline to end fossil fuel use. At the event, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Colombia, organisers hope the treaty would be free of the need for consensus that has historically slowed efforts at United Nations COP climate talks.

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Pacific nations, which face an economic crisis due to their dependence on diesel imports that continue to skyrocket in cost, are pushing for a plan to make the Pacific the worlds first 100 per cent renewable region. Any effort towards this goal would not only need Australian support in climate diplomacy, as Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen prepares to lead this years COP negotiations in Turkey, but practical help to build renewable energy generation and storage infrastructure. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
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EnvironmentClimate changeClimate policy Opinion This energy crisis is fixable. We already have the answers Christiana Figueres Climate change leader April 27, 2026  7:45pm

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I spent many years working in the rooms where the future of our planet is negotiated. Discussions mainly focused on ways to reduce the pollution that causes climate change. That work culminated in the Paris Agreement, a hard-fought but indispensable framework for tackling climate change and driving the shift to a global clean economy. Darlington Point solar farm, near Wagga Wagga. As I arrive in Australia this week, its clear that much of the political debate centres on energy security, a so-called energy crisis driven by external forces beyond Australias control. Lets refer to the crisis more accurately. Its a fossil fuel crisis. Every time global oil and gas prices surge, the pain is felt at the bowser, in household bills and across the economy. This reliance on coal, oil and gas remains a serious climate risk, but it is now being exposed as a direct economic burden and a growing national security vulnerability. This is not the first fossil fuel crisis that the world has faced, but it is the first to happen at a time when climate-safe solutions are available at scale and being deployed to deliver massive cost savings. You need to look no further than the exploding renewables contribution to Australias main grid and the huge uptake of home batteries that are slashing power bills for Australian businesses and families. There are three fundamental phenomena that have now locked in the inevitable shift away from costly and risky fossil fuels.

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First, the pure physics are undeniable. Fossil fuels are inherently wasteful. Two-thirds of their energy is lost as heat. Electrotech  technologies like solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps and electric vehicles  represent a leap in efficiency that no policy nor ideology can credibly deny. Related Article Paris Agreement Rudd calls to harness physical terror of fuel shortages to push renewables Second, the economics have flipped. The world of extraction, where finite resources grow more expensive as they deplete, is being eclipsed by the world of manufacturing. Renewables and storage are the energy technologies of our age. The more we build them, the cheaper they get and with the right processing, their components are all recyclable. Overly cautious  and in some cases cynical  historical forecasts about the pace of solar and wind adoption have been overtaken by a new reality. The curves of uptake are now exponential; consider that it took the world 68 years to reach one terawatt of solar, and just two years to double it. Third, and most urgently for Australia, is the question of energy security. True energy independence comes from harnessing local renewable resources  not from doubling down on fossil fuels that are finite and priced beyond domestic control. Australia is the sunniest continent in the world and also one of the windiest. No foreign government can interfere with those resources. Clean energy offers something fossil fuels never can: genuine energy independence, price stability and long-term economic resilience. Australia is already well on its way. More than 4 million households have solar panels. More people are getting home batteries and electric vehicles. And renewables are supplying a rapidly growing share of electricity  around 45 per cent. The question is whether Australia stays the course in the wake of this global fuel crisis  or hesitates and lets an historic opportunity pass it by.

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The consequences of delay are no longer distant, nor theoretical. Climate impacts are already affecting Australians through more extreme heat, bushfires and floods  placing almost unmanageable pressure on key infrastructure, insurance coverage and household budgets. Related Article Opinion

Gas If gas is a transition fuel, then wheres the transition? At the same time, the legal and financial landscape is shifting rapidly. An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice reaffirmed that national governments have a legal obligation to protect the climate. Australias own solicitor-general has warned that company directors in the oil and gas business face a potential wave of litigation if they ignore their climate obligations. The era of treating climate action as an inconvenient burden is over, it is now a matter of economic wisdom and the duty to act. Global capital has priced in this new reality. Investment is flowing toward clean energy at twice the rate of fossil fuels. Countries that fail to keep pace as the price of electrotech continues to fall risk missing out on new job opportunities, drivers of growth and green industrial capability. Many more will face even graver consequences of the world moving too slowly to cut emissions, including Australias neighbours in the Pacific, whose survival depends on the world finding its collective will. The imperative is clear: continued reliance on fossil fuels will leave Australia exposed to higher costs, greater volatility and increasing global scrutiny. The opportunity is equally clear: to become a destination for investment in clean industry, powered by abundant, low-cost renewable energy  and work with partners to accelerate the global shift to a clean economy.

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The federal governments signature Future Made in Australia policy platform is a foundational and innovative economic strategy. It is designed to capture investment, build new industries and ensure Australia remains competitive in a world that is moving decisively toward clean energy. The goal now is to remove the barriers that hinder this global momentum: regulatory bottlenecks, fossil fuel subsidies, grid investment shortfalls, and the political noise that distracts from the scale of the opportunity ahead. Australia stands at a crossroads. It can cling to a decaying, expensive system characterised by volatility and external dependence, or it can lean into its natural advantages and build a more secure, competitive and prosperous future. A future made in  and with  Australia. Christiana Figueres is a climate change expert and co-author of the recently published book, The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Eating outGood Food events Montrachet and Masterchef winner to host ultimate Parisian dinner The restaurants Clem Chauvin is teaming with star pastry chef Emelia Jackson for one very special night. Tickets wont last long, so move quick. Matt Shea April 27, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Montrachet has the capacity to transport people like few other local restaurants. With its red leather banquettes, brass and distinctive marble-topped counter, its always felt like a little dining rooms worth of France transported to the heart of Brisbane  first to Paddington, and now King Street in Bowen Hills. Montrachet will host whats being called the ultimate Parisian dinner in May. Markus Ravik In late May, the restaurant will lean into its own charismatic joie de vivre when it hosts Soiree Montrachet, presented by Good Food Events and King Street. Billed as the ultimate Parisian dinner, it brings together Michelin-trained Montrachet chef-patron Clement Chauvin with pastry chef and 2020 Masterchef Australia winner Emelia Jackson. Lendlease, our landlord on King Street, approached us as part of King Street Uncovered, which celebrates some of the restaurant and cafes on the strip, says Chauvin, who also owns Les Bistronomes in Canberra.

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Related Article Cult Brisbane bakery lands flash Newstead home I didnt know Emilia. We met for a few weeks back in Melbourne and had a great connection, actually  I sat down with a piece of paper thinking, Were going to brainstorm, and then the dishes came out very fast. It was really proactive and productive. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The night will begin with a trio of amuse bouche from Chauvin  a smoked trout mousse and lemon gel tartelette, a goats cheese boursin with choux pastry, and chicken liver parfait with cherry gel on grilled brioche  with Jackson taking over for entrees with roasted scallops served with turnip and apple, and finished with a beurre noisette vinaigrette. Montrachets Clement Chauvin and front of house manager Remon Van de Kerkhof. Markus Ravik For mains, Chauvin will present Northern Rivers free-range duck a lorange with liquorice gel, pickled cabbage, and a citrus sweet and sour jus, before Jackson finishes with her take on a Paris-brest, with choux pastry filled with hazelnut pastry cream, chocolate gelato and roasted hazelnut.

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Beyond the food there will be paired drinks available, and a DJ will spin French-inspired tunes from behind the bar. Soiree Montrachet comes at an interesting time for French food in Brisbane and Australia in general, with local diners over recent years beginning to engage with the cuisine in new and more approachable ways. Part of that is a greater appreciation for the role of a pastry chef in a traditional kitchen, particularly when it comes to dessert. Emelia Jackson will be collaborating on the menu on the night. Armelle Habib Absolutely, Chauvin says. The pastry section is a skill thats sometimes lacking in Australian restaurants. You might eat a degustation and every course is fantastic and then you end with a disappointing dessert. So its really important to promote people with these skills, I agree with that. But Im excited for the dinner  I feel lucky to be born French sometimes because the influence of French culture and cuisine might come and go, but its so central to cooking that it will never truly go out of fashion. Soiree Montrachet, Saturday, 23 May. Tickets available here.

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Bowen Hills Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine and SilverKris, among many others.
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Review Eating outDarlinghurst Is onigiri the new sushi roll? Sandoitchis stylish spin-off is doing a next-level version The triangle-shaped, nori-wrapped rice ball was one of Japans earliest portable snacks. At Itadakimasu, theyre made to order using rice cooked throughout the day, and served alongside a full drinks menu. Helen Yee April 28, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

1 / 8 Bar seating gives diners front-row seats to all the made-to-order onigiri action. Edwina Pickles 2 / 8 Hokkaido set. Edwina Pickles 3 / 8 Edwina Pickles 4 / 8 Buttermilk chicken. Edwina Pickles 5 / 8 Octopus wasabi salad. Edwina Pickles 6 / 8 Edwina Pickles 7 / 8 Kagoshima set. Edwina Pickles 8 / 8 Edwina Pickles Previous Slide Next Slide 14 / 20 How we score Itadakimasu Japanese$$$$ Is onigiri the new sushi roll? A ubiquitous snack found in every convenience store across Japan, these triangle-shaped, nori-wrapped rice balls are riding a wave of popularity not seen in Sydney since the turn of the century, when sushi went from a relative curiosity to lunchtime staple. You may have lunched on onigiri in cafes such as Parami, OTOGO, Mogu Mogu and TRICO, or snacked on them at izakayas including Nom, Nomidokoro Indigo and Tachinomi YP. But Itadakimasu  the newest venture from Sandoitchi owners Bhas Kraikangwan and Ying Boonrod  is the first venue to place them front and centre in a restaurant setting. Onigiri and sandwiches were always our favourite things to eat, says Kraikangwan. Onigiri is our symbol of simplicity and humbleness. That may be, but here the onigiri are levelled up, made to order using rice cooked throughout the day, and served alongside a full drinks menu.

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The pressed salted rice ball was one of Japans earliest portable hand-sized snacks, and is said to have historically fuelled samurai before battle. Here, during the lunch rush, the glass showcase of onigiri allows workers to grab a quick takeaway before heading back to the grind. The yuzu pork is the most popular, with up to 150 sold each week. Hokkaido set (front) and Kagoshima set (rear). Edwina Pickles Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up For a more relaxed meal, though, its worth dining in (bookings recommended) for the elevated teishoku set experience. Teishoku  a single tray meal with a main dish, rice, soup and pickles  has its origins in Buddhist Zen temples, but has evolved into a popular meal style for travellers. Itadakimasu uses it as an opportunity to showcase different regions of Japan, realised through different onigiri flavours. That means celebrating spicy pork onigiri and Japanese A5 wagyu onigiri in the Kagoshima set, an area in the southern tip of Kyushu island famous for its pork, beef and natural hot springs. The tumble of mince in the spicy pork onigiri is modest but flavourful, although your eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to the beef onigiri, which is presented with a slice of buttery, melting wagyu draped over the top. The Hokkaido set, on the other hand, is all about celebrating the sea: expect one onigiri topped with a hefty slab of sticky glazed eel and fluffy tamago, and another capped with sweet grilled Hokkaido scallop.

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Also on the menu: the Tokyo set, featuring seasonal highlights including yuzu pork and sukiyaki wagyu; as well as the vegetarian Okinawa set, in which taco rice  a local comfort food born out of the US presence in Japan post-WW2  is the main attraction. Related Article Bored of sushi rolls? This alternative is healthier, fresher, cheaper and gaining popularity Unlike sushi rice, which uses vinegar and sugar, onigiri rice is traditionally seasoned only with salt. Kraikangwan uses a combination of Japanese and Australian sea salts, cooking small batches of rice throughout the day to maximise freshness throughout service. The rice is akitamochi, a premium short-grain cultivar cherished for its balance of sweetness, softness and texture, with a slightly chewier bite than koshihikari. Each teishoku set is supplemented with side dishes, served in small bowls and plates that make this feel more like a celebratory occasion than a fast-food meal. Here you can swoop and pick your way through golden-crumbed whiting with creamy egg salad, dressed greens with seaweed salad and crunchy pickles. Octopus wasabi salad. Edwina Pickles

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The pork and miso soup is substantial, swimming with fried tofu puffs and seaweed in a clear dashi base. Free soup refills are a welcome offer for the cold or ravenous. A wedge of fresh orange and a small plate of wobbly warabi mochi dusted in roasted soybean powder comprise dessert. The narrow, compact dining room is a swathe of deep timbers, with rows of sake bottles perched above diners heads. The bulk of stools are around the bar, giving diners front-row seats to all the made-to-order onigiri action. Its a quiet, seamless operation, with chefs working quickly to shape and top each onigiri. All the deep-frying happens at Sandoitchi next door, and every now and then, a face appears at the cutout window connecting the two, an outstretched hand passing through deep-fried dishes. Buttermilk chicken. Edwina Pickles Pick the karaage chicken  available on the okazu, or side dishes menu  and its a beauty, the meat marinated overnight in buttermilk, fish sauce, plum sugar and garlic. Fried to a golden crunch, the knobbly batter gives way to supremely juicy flesh. Offset the richness with cabbage salad, featuring crisp chunks seasoned with fine shavings of katsuobushi and pops of wasabi peas.

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Raw octopus marinated in wasabi makes for a supreme entree too, the sticky tentacles served with lotus chips and corn chips for crunch. And the name? Its a phrase said in Japan before every meal, a humble thank you to the earth, sea, farmer and all for the food youre able to receive. We say it from the day we are born and say it until the present, says Kraikangwan. It is a story of a lifetime. We are Itadakimasu. The low-down Atmosphere: Pared-back Japanese counter thats busy and bustling during lunch, and quieter and more sedate at dinner Go-to dishes: Kagoshima set ($45); fried chicken karaage with mayo ($22); octopus with wasabi and corn chips ($17) Drinks: Everything from strawberry matchas and yuzu wasabi margaritas to sake, Japanese beer and wine Cost: About $85 for two, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
Railways veteran Tony Finch spent part of his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner in the workshop.

Hidden in inner Sydney behind Victorian-era brick walls is a jewel in the crown of the states railways where time seems to have stopped.

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Walking through a small door into one of Sydneys largest historic locomotive workshops is akin to stepping into an Aladdins cave for train enthusiasts and the curious. A four-decade veteran of NSWs railways, Stephen Attrill knows well the vast building  officially named the Large Erecting Shop  at the Eveleigh railway yards in the inner city where an old oil smell lingers. After finishing his apprenticeship in the late 1980s he toiled away in the workshop for more than a decade for a not-for-profit company that restored and ran Locomotive 3801, one of NSWs prized steam engines. Sydney Trains fitter Stephen Attrill scored a role in the workshop after finishing his apprenticeship. Steven Siewert Attrill, from Gosford, recalls staying overnight in carriages parked in the workshop after long shifts. We used to stay here in the sleeping cars, he said, adding that the overnight stays were partly because he would otherwise have had a long trip home. We would have a barbecue for dinner and work late. The steam engine buff, who now works for Sydney Trains, got his start in the workshop because the not-for-profit company 3801 Limited was looking after the famed Flying Scotsman locomotive while it was in Sydney for Australias bicentenary in 1988 and needed extra hands.

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Hidden behind Victorian-era brick walls, the Large Erecting Shop is a step back in time. Six railway tracks run the length of the 189-metre building, which was opened in 1899. Sand pits between the tracks allow workers to stand under locomotives. Tony Finch, a 42-year railway veteran, spent part of his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner in the workshop in the early 1980s, and recalls it being an eye-opener for a 15-year-old from the country. You were given a pair of overalls and a pair of gloves and you got to work. There was no PPE [personal protective equipment] like we have today  it was a different era, he said. It was dirty, heavy work  there were no ifs or buts about it. And being an apprentice, you always got the dirty jobs. Finch, who is now Sydney Trains senior facilities manager, describes the workshop as a one-off. Ive never seen anything like it. Ive been around other rail sites but nothing like the interior of this site, he said. He remembers being taken aback by exposed electrical wires in the workshops ceiling that killed birds the instant they landed on them. The next minute youd see one on the ground, he said. Its all turned off now for safety.

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The workshop stands like a jewel in the crown of NSWs railways. A row of cast-iron columns supports the roof and overhead cranes that lifted boilers, wheels and entire locomotives in the heritage-listed building where hundreds of people worked. After steam locomotives were retired in the 1960s the workshop was used to maintain diesel trains for the states railway, until the 1980s when it began to be used to maintain and store heritage trains. Entering the Large Erecting Shop is like stepping back in time. Steven Siewert Distinctive silver carriages from the Southern Aurora, which ran between Sydney and Melbourne, and Pullman-type sleeper carriages are among the historic trains housed in the workshop, which is in the care of Transport Heritage NSW. Transport Heritage NSW safety, environment and quality manager John Thorogood said the workshop was used as the base for steam trains when they ran from Central Station to the Blue Mountains and elsewhere. Its a key location for us. Its like a hotel for trains, he said. The old diesel trains stored in the workshop are in various condition, some sporting broken windows and graffiti. The workshop helps to stop them deteriorating by sheltering them from the weather, while acting as an overflow for trains that cannot be housed at the NSW Rail Museum at Thirlmere.

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NationalNSWCrime Editorial Mounties cannot escape responsibility for allowing money launderers The Herald's View Editorial April 27, 2026  4:33pm

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The admission by Mounties  one of Australias largest club groups  it allowed 13 customers to launder up to $226 million through poker machines is another self-regulation fail by a NSW gambling operator under the wilfully blind eye of government. The watchdog agency, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, is suing Mounties in the Federal Court for non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, arguing the club did not do enough to prevent, identify and punish criminal networks that have flourished on the gaming floor. The Mounties club in Mount Pritchard. Sitthixay Ditthavong Until now, Mounties has defended itself claiming it had relied in good faith on an anti-money laundering program provided by independent gambling consultant BetSafe. But a cache of documents obtained by the Heralds Bevan Shields and Harriet Alexander show Mounties now accepts it was ultimately responsible for compliance with money laundering and terror financing laws and rules.

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In an agreed statement of facts filed with the Federal Court last month, Mounties repeatedly ignored obvious signs of money laundering, particularly at Mount Pritchard, the mother club of the groups empire, which spreads from south-west Sydney to the northern beaches and beyond to the Central Coast. The $226 million in funds used at Mount Pritchard and Cabramatta between 2019 and 2024 is more than half the $507.5 million total poker machine revenue at both venues. Related Article Exclusive

Poker machines Prime targets: The punters washing tens of millions and the bosses in the firing line Mounties admission that it allowed criminal activity to go unchecked paves the way for huge penalties  fines for breaches range from $21 million to $31.3 million  and a major shake-up of how other Sydney club operators monitor and sanction suspected launderers, particularly those which use BetSafe. Money laundering and gambling operators have a lock step history in NSW. In 2000, a young National Party MP, Rob Oakeshott revealed more than half the top 20 list of high rollers at the Star City casino lived in Sydneys poorest suburbs. One gambled $94 million in six months.

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Government did very little. The Bell inquiry in 2022 found that the systemic failures regarding anti-money laundering continued to be rife. The same year, a NSW Crime Commission inquiry into money laundering in pubs and clubs found billions of dollars in dirty money was being ploughed through the states poker machines. It also recommended cashless gaming. Hows that going? April 10 marked 500 days since the NSW Independent Panel for Gaming Reform handed its final report, a 30 point road map focused on mandatory cashless gaming and stronger harm minimisation, to the Minns government. There is still no formal response. While Macquarie Street fiddles, shining a light on Mounties nefarious lack of action on money launderers did elicit a mea culpa from the club group. Mounties takes its regulatory obligations seriously and acknowledges that the community rightly expects better, and that we should have done better, a spokesman said. In response to our investigation, Mounties also took out a full-page advertisement in the Herald promoting how much it contributed to community groups, junior sport and health care.

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That is a shameful way to clean up dirty money. Jordan Baker sends an exclusive newsletter to subscribers each week. Sign up to receive her Note from the Editor.

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Opinion The Herald's View  Since the Herald was first published in 1831, the editorial team has believed it important to express a considered view on the issues of the day for readers, always putting the public interest first.
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Angus Taylor seems to want to have a two-bob-each-way bet regarding Welcome to Country (Welcome to Country devalued through overuse, says Taylor, April 27). While stating it was absolutely inappropriate and un-Australian to have booed during the Anzac Day ceremony, he disappointingly added that he could understand the frustration Australians feel about the overuse of Welcome to Country. By stating the latter at this present time, he only gives succour to the racists among us. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury Opposition Leader Angus Taylors dog whistle on Welcome to Country ceremonies is disgraceful. He condemns the Anzac Day booing in one breath, then tacitly supports it in the next. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell Opposition Leader Angus Taylor wanting a bet each way Wolter Peeters Angus Taylor says booing of Welcome to Country at Anzac Day dawn services was due to overuse. In fact, its clear it was organised by a group of neo-Nazis. The act itself was repugnant, so should be an attempt to excuse it. Stephen Bright, North Avoca While Angus Taylor condemned the booing of Indigenous figures at Anzac Day dawn services when they were delivering speeches, he also complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have been devalued through overuse. My challenge to him is to name occasions where he would embrace the Welcome to Country at a national level, as a potential prime minister. I would like to give the boo-ers the benefit of the doubt  that they were simply ignorant about how many Indigenous soldiers had sacrificed themselves for our nation as far back as World War I  therefore I ask Angus Taylor to address this problem now, to explain to those who object to the Welcome to Country ceremonies at our Anzac Day dawn services, to prove his potential to be a unifying figure for a future Australia. Kim Woo, Mascot Angus Taylor says Welcome to Country ceremonies have been devalued through overuse. However, during parliamentary sittings, he is quite content to publicly recite a Christian prayer before every mornings business. Robert Christie, Cleveland (Qld) Angus Taylors failure to focus on the importance of the Anzac Day dawn service is breathtaking. He casually passed over the booing and was more intent on leveraging discontent over Welcome to Country ceremonies. There are 364 other days of the year to debate such issues. Politicians talking out of order is overdone. Michael Blissenden, Dural

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Cathy Wilcox Not much shocks me these days when it comes to the behaviour of our political leaders, but Angus Taylor has surely hit a new low for the leader of a major political party in echoing those who booed the Welcome to Country aspects of Saturdays Anzac Day events. A real leader would have criticised these co-ordinated actions without qualification, and noted the long-term participation by Aboriginal Australians in the defence of this land. A true statesman may have argued not just that the first Australians have a special connection to this land, but that they have suffered because of the invasion that began in 1788, and that it is up to our generation to bridge the gap that exists in too many ways between Aboriginal and settler Australia. But no, Taylor and by extension the Liberal Party have taken the low road, surely the road to Hell. Colin Hesse, Nowra Angus Taylors comments about when to have a Welcome to Country at an event miss the point: Country does not mean Australia, it is a welcome to the particular area on which the event is being held. His interpretation would mean that only the clans of the capital city centres would conduct such welcomes. I am happy to have members of the Birrpai share a Welcome to Country at our events. Lesley Forbes, Kew (Vic) Memo to Angus Taylor, who is reported as saying he could understand the frustration Australians feel about overuse. Mr Taylor, last time I checked, Aboriginal people are actually Australians too. Pam Fichtner, Dunbogan They shoot, he scores Such is the constant spew of propaganda from the White House, this household seriously discussed whether the ruckus at the Correspondents Dinner was organised by Trump and his supporters to avoid his impending ribbing (How gala for White House press turned into bedlam, April 27). With his gargantuan ego and ability to turn any news to his advantage, the only thing we can count on is that we cant trust whatever he says. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North Guests dive for cover at the sound of gunshots at the Washington Hilton. Getty Images

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Never one to miss an opportunity, Donald Trump almost immediately used a possible assassination attempt to promote himself and his White House ballroom. But his alleged remark that the would-be assassin had a lot of hatred in his heart sounded anomalous from someone for whom incessant retribution against perceived enemies and a cruelty towards undocumented migrants has defined his second presidency. Is this an example of psychological projection, where someone else is accused of a failing the accuser shares? Bernard Moylan, Bronte Is Trump the most shot at  and missed  US president in history? Of course, he has a way to go before he beats French president Charles de Gaulle with about 30 attempts. Patricia Philippou, Charlestown Are we now to be deluged with yet more delusional claims of God-granted immunity from harm? Ian Usman Lewis, Armidale Trumps new red hat movement: MADA (Make America Duck Again). Nick Andrews, Bellevue Hill As always, Trump makes everything all about how great he supposedly is. When youre impactful, they go after you. When youre not impactful, they leave you alone, he said. Hasnt he heard of the many ordinary men, women and children massacred in gun violence in America each year while going about their daily lives? Richard Grant, St Leonards It normally takes a lot longer at those events before guests wind up under the table. Peter Fleming, Northmead Humanity first

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I urge the government to allow the Australian women and children to return home under strict security measures (Ticket to ride: Islamic State brides secure flights back to Australia, April 27). We dont know the facts of why the women, willing or unwilling, left, but we do know some details of their hardship of incarceration in Syrias al-Roj camp.To survive that and keep their children safe is remarkable and, I might add, noble. The kids had no say: they are victims and probably traumatised. We must care for them, long term. And the women have said they accept they may be imprisoned. So let justice run its course. Jennifer Fergus, Croydon Honour the brave Virginia Giuffre: remember her name, and her deeds AP A year after the death of Virginia Giuffre, Australia should ask what courage we choose to honour (A year on, Giuffre remembered as hero to the ages , April 27). Giuffre spoke out against powerful abusers at enormous personal cost, helping to expose systemic sexual exploitation and emboldening survivors worldwide. A national bravery award for Virginia Giuffre would send a clear message: that speaking truth to power, even when it comes at great personal risk, will not be forgotten. Roz Townsend, Queanbeyan East Dogs deserve better on ferries I stand beside the residents of Dangar Island (Ferry charges have left dog owners in lurch, April 27) fighting to take their dogs on the ferry uncrated and muzzled. On a visit to Dangar Island, as we dont own (or need) a muzzle we crated my Pomeranian. On arrival, we had nowhere to store the bulky crate so left it by the wharf, but it disappeared and were forced to take our dog back uncrated and unmuzzled (the crate was later returned by the lovely residents of the island). But when Transport NSW declares their rules must be consistent, to do so would require them to allow dogs on trains. Australia is so backwards in treatment of our best friend, the dog, who in most cases bring joy and people together. Let the little old ladies have their dogs uncrated. And allow dogs on the trains. Anne Matheson, Gordon Janel Pratt and Ben Martin, with Lynne McCarthy, and her Australian Kelpie, Azule, at the Dangar Island Terminal. Audrey Richardson

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This makes no sense. One of the assumptions of not allowing dogs on public transport is that other vehicles (like cars) can be used instead. But thats not possible in this case.

The idea of a crate is to provide somewhere that the dog can go, away from other animals. It is not a transportation device. We are talking 35 kilograms of dog here. How is the owner expected to carry that? The likes of some airlines are even allowing pets in the cabins. This seems to be a move in the opposite direction. Hopefully, a bureaucrat will see the error of their ways. David Rush, Lawson Whoever decided to suddenly ban uncrated dogs from the ferry to Dangar Island has clearly never done the trip. I have done it many times and the biggest problem is luggage, not dogs. Dangar Island is a different world, relaxed and easy going, and it doesnt need some bureaucrat making life difficult for responsible residents with dogs. Ingrid Haydon, Long Jetty Suburban self-expression Jo Stubbings piece (Blows my mind why these jet skis of suburbia even exist, April 27) mixes two problems into one. Leaf blowers are fine when used sparingly, like once every three weeks. Then, the other part of her article links leaf blowers to the narcissistic tool of self-expression, the jet ski operated by people who exhibit repetitive behaviour often observed in mental institutions. One figure eight after another, unable to stop until they run out of fuel. These same people often have other tools of narcissistic expression, such as the American motorcycle that causes them to twist the throttle incessantly to create noise but no movement. Keeps them entertained for hours. And finally, they have a dinosaur American pick-up to tow a trailer to carry said jet ski, even though a Corolla could do the job. Philip Dowle, Wickham John Shakespeare Im with you on leaf blowers, Jo Stubbings, even though my husband has one and thoroughly enjoys using it. It did, however, come in handy during our grandsons COVID-19 birthday. To avoid anyone blowing on the cake, my husband produced his leaf blower to magic away the candle flames (also the icing, top layer of the cake and a few champagne flutes). Alison Stewart, Riverview Inheritance tax time

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Exclusive NationalQueenslandHow To Poison a Planet Toxic forever chemicals could be leaching into Brisbane River from industrial site William Davis April 28, 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

Forever chemicals could be leaching into the Brisbane River at dangerous levels from an industrial facility. A government report revealed PFAS was detected at the Chevron fuel terminal in Eagle Farm at levels many times higher than ecological guidelines, and might have been polluting the surrounding environment. The Chevron site at 23 Theodore Street in Eagle Farm, Brisbane. William Davis Thats a truly dangerous level, Western Sydney University water scientist doctor Ian Wright said after reading the published results. Its like a lightning bolt of my god, this is very, very serious.

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PFAS chemicals were first mass-produced by US conglomerate 3M in the late 1940s. They are prized for their water-resistant and heatproof properties, but persist in the environment and are linked to serious adverse health effects. This masthead previously revealed a variant known to cause cancer had been detected in Brisbane drinking water. A government agency had worked to prevent the data from becoming public. The environment enforcement order issued to Chevron in March shows variants PFOS, PFHxS and carcinogen PFOA were identified in soil, groundwater and washdown at the 23 Theodore Street site in an investigation commissioned by the company.

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It confirmed forever chemicals might have been discharged into the surrounding environment, including the Brisbane River about 700 metres away. Related Article Exclusive

How To Poison a Planet Cancer-causing forever chemical found in Brisbane drinking water The department considers that the activities being conducted at the premises have the potential to cause harm, the report said. Wright identified the contamination of groundwater as the biggest risk to the environment and public health. Groundwater is the hardest thing to control  if its in groundwater, its going to find its way downstream into all kinds of environments, he said.

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PFOS in groundwater was regularly identified at levels above the 99 per cent and 95 per cent species protection ecological water quality guidelines, with the total PFAS sum in groundwater recorded as high at 93.9 micrograms per litre. That is like 10,000 times above the ecological guidelines, it is massive  its an astronomical number, Wright said. Chevron says it has robust measures in place to ensure safety and reliability. William Davis Chevron is required to conduct extensive sampling and further investigate potential PFAS pathways, with a final report due in 2027. We take our environmental obligations seriously and are committed to strong environmental stewardship, a spokesperson for the company said.

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We have robust measures and processes in place to ensure we operate safely and reliably, in line with community expectation and relevant environmental regulations. The source of PFAS contamination in Brisbane water has never been identified conclusively, but a type of firefighting foam that is no longer used might have contributed. The foam could have been used to put out fires or conduct training at the fuel facility. A type of firefighting foam no longer used is one possible explanation for the high PFAS levels at the Chevron site in Brisbane. William Davis

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Queensland government The test results Seqwater tried to keep secret, and how they came out Dozens of industrial sites lining the Brisbane River might have used similar equipment, with chemicals since leaching into water. Even if they dropped a litre of the raw material, that could contaminate a massive area for decades, Wright said. Ive never worked with such evil material, to be honest. A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation did not respond to specific questions about its report.

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This masthead revealed at the end of 2024 that a forever chemical known to cause cancer had been found in Brisbane drinking water. Email chains obtained under right to information laws showed staff at Seqwater worked to try to prevent that information becoming public. The levels of PFOA were among the highest recorded in the country and seven times the amount considered safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They were below new Australian guidelines introduced in 2025. Some ministerial briefing documents requested after those stories were published have been withheld on request from the government. This masthead appealed that decision. None of the documents released show Water Minister Ann Leahy was briefed on the data after it was covered in the media.

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The Chevron terminal at Eagle Farm Terminal stores large quantities of liquid fuel. William Davis The government began publishing additional data on PFAS testing for drinking water publicly in 2024. Since coming to government, the minister for water has worked with water providers to increase the water quality information made publicly available to our community, a spokesperson for the minister said. At a state level, we have a strict legislative environment to ensure water service providers are proactive in complying with Commonwealth drinking water guidelines. 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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NationalIndigenous Opinion Theres a better way to do forced and tokenistic Welcomes to Country

There has been ongoing division across Australia on the point and purpose of Acknowledgements of Country or Welcomes to Country. This was evident from the booing of Elders during the Anzac Day memorial services on Saturday. Shortly afterwards, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said that Welcome to Country ceremonies are overused and have become devalued. Uncle Ray Minniecon, whose Acknowledgment of Country was interrupted by loud booing. Louise Kennerley Its time to move beyond scripted acknowledgements and toward something more personal, where we share who we are and why were here, not just read words on a page. Acknowledgements, especially when undertaken by non-Indigenous people and in a corporate setting, have become stock and standard, resulting in tension around the expectation to include them across all spaces and places. At times, they can feel forced and tokenistic, missing any real meaning. As a result, this standardisation can unintentionally create barriers or a sense of pressure, rather than fostering the genuine cultural engagement and respect acknowledgements intend to cultivate. Additionally, people may feel forced to be woke or politically correct, further perpetuating an ideological divide. Which, in essence, is built on the lack of understanding of Indigenous cultural traditions.

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For tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal nations have used some form of welcome or acknowledgement when interacting and connecting across Country. As a group moved between different nations, they would first meet in a designated neutral territory, where Elders would undertake formal introductions to identify and welcome incoming guests. This allows for kinship connections to take place, which further cements relational and reciprocal responsibilities with each other. Related Article Racism Uncle Ray Minniecon served in the army. His brothers and grandfather fought in wars. None of this stopped the booing on Anzac Day Both parties would share who they are and where they come from, providing an opportunity to create a relationship. Elders would also be recognised as leaders who helped communities to thrive. Through this, identity becomes known and trust is established, enabling different nations to collectively share resources and benefit from the richness of each others lands. Acknowledgements follow a similar style within iTaukei (Indigenous) Fijian communities. When iTaukei meet, people introduce themselves by acknowledging their village and the land they are connected to, and others reciprocate by sharing where they are from. When iTaukei visit other peoples villages, a formal welcoming ceremony is undertaken to pay respects to Elders while building a connection with each other. This again establishes a level of trust by allowing rapport and relationships to form. The act of reciprocal sharing offers understanding, purpose and a connection beyond an us and them mindset. It enables people to acknowledge that they are not just an individual representing themselves. Rather, they are from families and villages that are connected to their lands and waterways.

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In Australia, by undertaking these introductions through an Acknowledgement of Country, we are also challenging the ongoing narrative that this Country was nobodys land; that nothing was here before colonisation. Related Article Indigenous Angus Taylor says Welcome to Country ceremonies are overdone Failing to acknowledge Country perpetuates the doctrine of Terra Nullius, effectively silencing the rich and enduring identities of Aboriginal people. In doing so, we disregard traditional identities, cultures, values, perspectives and practices that have existed for millennia and continue today. If we seek to work towards a cohesive national identity and strengthen relationships built on respect and understanding, Acknowledgements of Country serve as a vital mechanism for recognition and connection. A solution moving ahead is to shift towards more relational acknowledgements, by sharing something personal about who we are when doing an acknowledgement, rather than reading from a script.

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Including more of our personal and professional histories in the introductions that accompany an Acknowledgement of Country can help us meaningfully introduce ourselves to one another. By doing so, we create space for connection and context, alongside the acknowledgement itself. For example, you might begin by introducing who you are and where you come from, reflecting on the richness of your heritage and ancestry that has enabled you to be where you are today, as well as the mentors or Elders who have shaped your identity. This can then be followed by an Acknowledgement of the Country you are on, paying respect to their Elders for the significant role they have played in supporting First Nations peoples. By doing this we are providing scope for people to learn from one anothers stories, and strengthening our ability to connect with and contribute to our communities, whether in the workplace or in our local areas. Acknowledgements of Country offer a meaningful opportunity to forge a path forward together. This reciprocal practice can be embraced across all communities, encouraging respect, shared responsibility and mutual understanding. Living in reciprocity is central to First Nations values and foundational to what it means to be Australian. Professor Jioji Ravulo has iTaukei Fijian heritage and Aunty Professor Lynette Riley is a Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman from Dubbo and Moree. Both are academics at the University of Sydney.
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NationalVictoriaCoroners Court of Victoria The Good Guys lashed for botched bullying probe before workers death Lachlan Abbott April 27, 2026  3:51pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A mother of two from Melbournes north took her own life after The Good Guys let everyone down by failing to properly handle her bullying complaints. Coroner Audrey Jamieson issued the scathing criticism last Thursday, when she released her findings into the death of Natasha Stojkoski, who died in Thomastown almost five years ago. Natasha Stojkoski once worked at The Good Guys in Thomastown. Jamieson found there was clear and cogent evidence of a causal connection between the deterioration of Stojkoskis mental health and her workplace injury, the perception of bullying and her employers response. They  The Good Guys  let everyone down, the coroner wrote. Significantly, they let Natasha down.

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Stojkoski was a passionate Richmond fan who enjoyed family outings. Facebook Stojkoski, the daughter of Macedonian immigrants and a passionate Richmond fan, died on Orthodox Easter in 2021, two days before her 39th birthday. She had lunch and dinner with family and friends before she disappeared as her husband George put their children to bed. A frantic search began, and police were heading to the family home when they heard a pedestrian had died about 400 metres north of Thomastown railway station. George, who was driving around looking for his wife, also came upon the scene having seen the red and blue lights and fearing the worst, the coronial finding said. Speaking to police and providing a description, Natasha was identified as the pedestrian struck.

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The inquest into Stojkoskis death was dominated by disagreement over how closely her perception of bullying at The Good Guys was linked to her suicide. The coroner initially referred allegations to WorkSafe and the Director of Public Prosecutions, believing an indictable offence might have been committed. The Good Guys in Thomastown. Jason South However, the whitegoods retailer was not prosecuted. The coroner concluded she could not make a finding to the requisite standard that Stojkoskis death was preventable.

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But she blasted The Good Guys disappointing conduct during the investigation. I often felt that they were attempting to hamper my investigation, rather than assist me to reach a position where I could comfortably discharge my statutory obligations, she said. Stojkoski was employed as a sales assistant at The Good Guys in Thomastown in May 2009. Her experience at work was unremarkable until an accident in October 2018. Stojkoski was using a work vehicle to reach high shelves when she collided with an overhanging bulkhead, resulting in her being crushed underneath the wall for up to 10 seconds, according to the coroner.

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She freed herself and continued to work, but a colleague said she appeared shocked and went home in pain that never completely disappeared. The coroner found Stojkoski then suffered a disproportionate psychological response to the incident as she felt five colleagues bullied and isolated her when she returned to work and couldnt complete all her usual tasks. She complained to the store manager through tears, and the manager later told the Coroners Court that he raised the issue with the alleged perpetrators. They denied bullying, and some expressed frustration with Stojkoski, claiming she was taking advantage of the situation and not pulling her weight at work. The coroner said the store manager started with the best of intentions to resolve complaints quickly, but became frustrated and suspicious before concluding Stojkoski was partly to blame. They confabulated her complaints of bullying with others perception of her performance, effectively contributing to Natasha Stojkoskis feelings of isolation and despair, the coroner found.

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Dr Gregory White, a court-appointed expert psychiatrist, told the inquest it was dreadful and akin to victim-blaming to ask Stojkoski to meet four alleged bullies and informally resolve their differences. Related Article Coroners Court of Victoria Half a century after Veronica disappeared, her family is still waiting for closure A senior human resources manager at the company was also criticised for taking part in a form of filibustering by claiming she lacked detail to investigate Stojkoskis complaints despite being told about them in several emails and a 45-minute phone call. The harshest criticism was saved for the senior leadership of The Good Guys, whom the coroner said had failed their two managers, as well as Stojkoski. The circumstances surrounding the handling of Natashas allegations of bullying cause me great disquiet, Jamieson said.

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The coroner recommended that the retailer develop new policies for handling group bullying allegations. The company declined to comment when contacted by The Age. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCourts He broke into a crypt to steal a body  and ended up with a $5m bounty on his head Erin Pearson April 27, 2026  7:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Underworld figure Gavin Preston purportedly had a $5 million contract on his head after trying to steal the interred body of a rivals sister and spent the final months of his life allegedly seeking retribution for old friends while making new enemies, a court has heard. Preston repeatedly came to the attention of police in the five months between being released from jail in April 2023 for murder and being shot dead outside a Keilor cafe in September 2023. A composite image of Gavin Preston and the crypt of Meshilin Marrogi. Matthew Absalom-Wong Defence barrister Paul Smallwood outlined on Monday a swath of Prestons potential enemies to a Supreme Court jury, as well as the accusations made in police intelligence files. The list included feuds with significant crime figures Sam Abdulrahim, George Marrogi and Waleed Hadarra, and suggestions Kaz Hamad, a key player in the tobacco wars who the court heard was arrested in Iraq in February, had ordered his murder.

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Gavin dug up Meshilin Marrogis grave. There is now a contract on Gavins head of $5 million, an August 2023 information report read. Related Article Courts Two smoking guns and a dead underworld identity: Jury told of Gavin Prestons final moments At the time, the credibility rating of that information was probably true, the court heard. Another tip read, Kaz Hamad may have ordered the hit on Preston. One report suggested Preston was seeking retribution on behalf of his friend Abbas AJ Maghnie, whose father, Nabil Maghnie  a close associate of Preston  was shot dead in January 2020.

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The Maghnie family is known to hold disputes with Sam Abdulrahim. Its believed that on his release from prison, Preston may seek retribution for Maghnie, one tip read. Gavin Preston is running around cleaning up anyone who had something to do with Nabil or AJ. Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe are accused of killing Preston. Joe Armao, supplied Preston was released from prison on April 2, 2023, after serving time for shooting one man dead and seriously injuring another. Sources were advising police within weeks of his return to freedom that he was in disputes with people and seeking retribution. Detective Senior Constable Dale Myers confirmed that one report related to Meshilin Marrogi, the sister of George Marrogi. Meshilin died of COVID-19 in 2021 before being interred in a mausoleum at Preston cemetery on July 30, 2023.

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Another report regarded a tip about a feud with Abdulrahim, also known as the Punisher, with suggestions the underworld figure may have torched one of Abdulrahims tobacco shops in the months before the Punisher himself was killed and laid to rest in a gold-coloured casket in January 2025. Related Article Courts I could see his face had been shot out: Court hears of underworld figures final moments Hes [Abdulrahim] since been shot dead himself, Myers said. The court heard on Monday that as information continued to roll in to the authorities during their investigation into Prestons Keilor cafe killing, sources claimed Preston had been attempting to get into the tobacco market and that he had stood over a man and stolen machinery belonging to a member of the Comancheros. Following his killing, there were prison phone calls police listened in to, in which former Comancheros head Michael Murray spoke with another person in 2024 about claims Preston had raped men as a weapon.

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Preston was fatally shot as he sat outside Sweet Lulus cafe in Keilor on September 9, 2023. His breakfast partner, Abbas Maghnie, was also shot, but survived. Jaeden Tito, 25, and Rabii Zahabe, 26, both from NSW, have pleaded not guilty to murdering Preston and not guilty to attempting to murder Maghnie. The jury heard Maghnie suffered life-threatening injuries in the shooting including significant damage to his small bowel and urinary system which led to his being operated on three times during his almost month-long stay in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. A crime scene photo following Prestons killing, released by the court. The revelations came during the third week of the trial over Prestons killing.

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When questioned by Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill, Myers said he had received more than 100 information reports during the investigation of this case, and agreed they came from all sorts of places and all sorts of people. He said he was unable to say anything about the reliability and credibility of the information contained in them. However, during cross-examination Myers said claims that Preston was involved in desecrating a grave were investigated, with the allegations later discounted and considered unlikely to be true. The trial continues. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Eating seafood twice per week can boost heart and brain function, improve overall health, and lower the risk of developing some deadly diseases, scientists say.

Cardiovascular and Alzheimers disease risk could fall by 30 per cent, and dementia by 10 per cent, with about 300 grams of seafood on the menu weekly, a study into its benefits has found.

New research is singing the praises of more fish in your diet. Sitthixay Ditthavong

Higher seafood consumption has also been linked to improved mental health outcomes, with adults eating regular weekly servings showing a lower risk of depression and anxiety.

Two servings of fish a week can give you enormous benefits for every system in your body, Curtin University epidemiologist Alexandra McManus said.
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PoliticsFederalByelection One Nation candidates credibility questioned on eve of early voting in Farrer Rob Harris Updated April 27, 2026  6:02pm ,first published 3:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe has sharpened her attacks on her One Nation rivals credibility, accusing the frontrunner of concealing a political past at odds with the conservative identity he is now presenting to voters in the tightly contested Farrer byelection. With pre-polling in the southern NSW electorate opening on Tuesday, Milthorpe seized on revelations that Pauline Hansons partys candidate, David Farley, once sought Labor preselection under Anthony Albanese and donated to the party as recently as 2023. She argued it raised serious questions of trust in an electorate deeply sceptical of Labor, particularly over water buybacks. Independent candidate for Farrer Michelle Milthorpe. AAP The community-backed candidate said voters wanted a representative who would hold the government to account, not someone who had privately aligned himself with the party he now campaigns against. She cast the issue as emblematic of a broader frustration with politicians who tell voters one thing before an election and do another in office.

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My opponent knows this, which is why he must know it is a serious breach of trust for him to hide from voters that he applied to run for Labor, and donated to the party as recently as 2023, Milthorpe said. By saying one thing while doing another, my opponent has not treated voters with the respect they deserve. Milthorpe, who has accepted teal-aligned Climate 200 funding, used the moment to reinforce her own conservative credentials, noting she had long supported retiring Liberal MP Sussan Ley, admired former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer and came from a Nationals-voting family. She also pledged again to fight for more regional GPs, an end to water buybacks and a new hospital for Albury. The attack cuts to the core of One Nations anti-establishment pitch in Farrer, where Farley has emerged as a genuine contender and, according to published polling and betting markets, is running neck and neck with Milthorpe while the Liberal vote has fallen away. One Nation candidate David Farley (left) and Barnaby Joyce campaigning in Farrer last month. SMH/Age

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Nationals leader Matt Canavan, visiting the region alongside Liberal leader Angus Taylor on Monday, also piled in, suggesting Farleys call for a royal commission into water policy sat awkwardly beside his past overtures to Labor. Related Article Byelection A protest vote is brewing in Sussan Leys seat  but it wont be simple We now know why David Farley is backing a royal commission, because it will give power to his mate, Anthony Albanese, who he wanted to join and run at the 22 election with, Canavan said. Losing Farrer  which has been held by the Liberals or Nationals since its creation in 1949  to Milthorpe or One Nation could be a blow to the new Coalition leaders, who both made their pitch on winning back lost voters to Hanson. The Nationals in particular have attacked One Nation, launching a series of online and television attack added criticising Hansons decision to employ convicted rapist Sean Black. Black, who in 2018 was jailed for rape and subsequently lost his appeal against the conviction, was initially rehired by One Nation in 2020 as a campaign director after serving his time.

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But Farley found support from former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, his would-be One Nation colleague in the House of Representatives, who dismissed the controversy as an attack born of political nerves. People obviously think hes going to win, so theyre trying to throw whatever mud they can, and that happens, Joyce told radio station 2GB. Related Article Exclusive

Australia votes One Nation byelection candidates former Labor links revealed He said many people moved across the political spectrum over a lifetime, adding: Were all on a journey, and we, you know, we look at the circumstances before our nation and see the party that suits it best. Mr Farley has said its One Nation. This masthead revealed Farley approached Labor figures in 2021, completed an expression of interest to run in 2022 and, according to Labor sources, made a small personal donation to the partys Aston byelection campaign in 2023.

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He did not respond to calls and messages. In a social media post on Monday, Farley said: Like many Australians, I explored my options before finding a political home that actually reflects my values, and I make no apology for that. I briefly spoke with Labor, but their support for the Voice and net zero made it clear we were worlds apart. I found that home in One Nation because Pauline Hanson says what she means and means what she says, something neither major party can claim. 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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Australias fuel stockpile would be doubled under an $800 million Coalition proposal that comes as Foreign Minister Penny Wong flies to China, Japan and Korea to scour the region for diesel and petrol deals. Oil prices rose again after US-Iran peace talks stalled over the weekend, raising the prospect that the Strait of Hormuz is blocked for even longer as alternative sources of fuel run down. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese face off in Parliament last month. Alex Ellinghausen Speaking with this masthead two weeks ago, Energy Minister Chris Bowen flagged bigger reserves could be announced in the budget on May 12, as Australia still relies on imports for 90 per cent of its fuel. The many hundreds of millions of dollars required for new storage would deliver an unwelcome hit to the May budget, but this is shaping as the only option open to the government.

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Bowen has already ruled out upgrades to the nations two remaining fuel refineries, due to the expense involved. Similarly, funding a new refinery would cost tens of billions of dollars and fuel industry experts state there are no private companies that would fund construction. One Nation, which is battling with the Coalition in a looming byelection in NSW, has been campaigning widely on social media about fuel sufficiency. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is hoping to come out with his own fuel resilience plan ahead of Labors budget plan. He has announced the Coalition, should it win government at the next election, would increase to 60 the number of days worth of fuel firms are required to have on hand. The rule would come into effect from 2027, with a view to bumping up reserves by 2030. A new $800 million Fuel Security Facility would provide financial help to companies building large-scale storage; private storage is where Australias reserves are held, rather than government facilities. Neither party is proposing to build new refineries, which would cost billions. This is a plan the prime minister should pick up today. No excuses, no delays, Taylor said. If fuel stops, Australia stops. Its that simple.

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Middle East at war Bigger fuel reserves, EV trucks on Labors agenda after major shock prompts rethink When Taylor was energy minister in 2020, the Morrison government spent $94 million to establish a stockpile of 1.7 million barrels of oil in the US, with plans to increase storage domestically at a later date. In 2022, the Morrison government sold the fuel in this stockpile for about $230 million as part of a global effort to calm the worlds oil markets after Russias invasion of Ukraine. Current rules mandate that firms hold 27 days of petrol and 32 days of diesel. The government has spent billions to underwrite purchases of expensive cargoes over recent weeks and, in doing so, has increased holdings to 44 days of diesel, 33 of diesel and 30 of jet fuel. The Coalition has completed modelling showing that the average price of petrol would increase by about 1 per litre if the nation had 60 days in reserve because firms would pass onto consumers the cost of building new storage.

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Middle East at war Fix the budget with more tax on gas? The world has changed since Pococks viral video The blockade in the Strait of Hormuz has choked off about 20 per cent of global oil exports, sparking a crisis in Asian nations that rely disproportionately on Middle Eastern crude oil when making liquid fuels in Asian refineries. Australia has started to buy tankers full of fuel from far-flung countries including Algeria and Argentina. Wong this week will travel to Japan, South Korea and China to seek agreements to give Australia preference should the war become prolonged. Albanese claimed to have secured similar commitments in trips earlier this month to Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. China is a major supplier of aviation fuel while Japan and Korea house some of the regions largest refineries. We want to remain a reliable supplier and we want to see Australia prioritised when it comes to diesel, petrol and fertiliser. That requires face-to-face engagement, Wong told reporters on Monday.

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The prospect of Australia introducing a new tax on gas exports, as pushed by Greens, Labor backbenchers and independent senator David Pocock, has alarmed Japanese and Korean trading partners, but Albanese has dismissed the campaign all month while promising no surprises as he tries to lock in fuel deals overseas. Pocock says Albanese has adopted the misleading arguments of the gas firms, who pay minimal tax on the resources they extract but contribute more than $20 billion in company tax and state royalties. Japan, Malaysia and South Korea depend on oil and gas imports to ensure security of gas supply, which is crucial to their electricity grids. Each nation made massive public investments decades ago to help build Australias gas export industry. 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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PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Unions pick first major fight with Crisafulli LNP over risky reviews Matt Dennien April 28, 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

Queenslands union movement is kicking off its first major campaign against the Crisafulli LNP government, centred on accusations two upcoming reviews of workplace laws will be used to wind back protections. A $500,000 statewide advertising blitz will anchor the push, as the Queensland Council of Unions also shared details of difficulty even securing a meeting with Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie. While reaching well beyond just the construction sector, Bleijie has sought to tie the governments action to the under-fire CFMEU, suggesting the peak union body had not been listening to damning evidence from an inquiry. Jarrod Bleijie at the Queensland Media Club last month. Cameron Atfield The campaign, launching Tuesday on International Workers Memorial Day, follows confirmation from Bleijie of a Queensland Productivity Commission-recommended review of state-specific safety codes.

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Sparked by high-profile deaths at Dreamworld and Eagle Farm Racecourse in 2016, the number of codes, their alleged misuse and departures from national model legislation was said to be causing confusion across industry. While the government agreed in-principle with the call from a construction industry-focused productivity probe, it had not yet confirmed it would undertake the review. A separate review of the states broader industrial relations and workers compensation laws, by a figure linked to the LNP and due to report later this year, has also drawn the ire of unions. These changes do not just affect one industry. They impact every workplace in Queensland, from hospitals and classrooms to building sites and mines, QCU general secretary Jacqueline King said in a statement. The Premier [David Crisafulli] wants to pitch his government to Queenslanders as moderate. But these proposed changes are anything but moderate and if implemented, they will put Queensland workers lives at risk.

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Unions are calling for a halt to these proposed changes. If these laws are introduced that weaken safety and compensation protections, we will campaign until any unjust laws are overturned. Related Article Perspective

Queensland government Can Queensland workers count on the LNPs respect? This year theyll find out In a letter to King earlier this month, seen by this masthead and responding to the QCUs concerns about the productivity commission raised in February, Bleijie said the review will be undertaken. No decision or repeal has been made and to suggest otherwise would be irresponsible and misleading, he said. Details of the review are yet to be decided by government. Responding to questions from this masthead on Monday, Bleijie said: Has the QCU not been listening to the damning evidence coming out of the CFMEU Commission of Inquiry?

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CFMEU Ingham responsible for violence and sexism, CFMEU inquiry hears Everyone has a role to sort out the CFMEU including the bullying, intimidation, [and] misogyny we have seen on construction sites in Queensland. The Crisafulli Government is doing our part. Will the QCU do the same? King was among two union leaders who gave evidence critical of the CFMEU, its former leadership, and their behaviour at one of the inquirys first hearing weeks late last year. In additional correspondence between King and Bleijies office seen by this masthead, Bleijies staff in early March responded to a meeting request unrelated to the reviews by saying he was unable to meet for the foreseeable future because of a heavily committed schedule. 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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Travel newsChina China is now our fifth most-popular destination, but were travelling in new ways Julietta Jameson April 28, 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

China is now the fifth most-visited nation by Australian travellers. But will it rise even higher? If one Australian travel companys experience is any measure, it may. Were seeing a strong rebound in bookings to China, with bookings up 90 per cent year on year, says Simon Bell, managing director of Wendy Wu Tours Australia. Many travellers now choose to look beyond the well-known attractions like the Great Wall. Getty Images Thats backed up by Australian Bureau of Statistics data that show Australian residents visiting China continuing to surge post-COVID, rising by almost 100,000, or about 16 per cent, to more than 700,000 over the past 12 months compared to the previous year.

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Easier access has played a central role. The introduction of 30-day, visa-free travel for Australians has removed one of the biggest historical barriers, while a steady restoration of flights has made the country more accessible than its been in years. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. But the story is not just about volume. It is also about how Australians are choosing to travel. Air access has also improved significantly  making travel easier than ever, says Bell. Theres also a growing sense of curiosity. China is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and many Australians are eager to experience its rapidly evolving cities firsthand. An oasis of calm: Amandayan pool. For many first-time visitors, the classic itinerary still provides the foundation: Beijing, Shanghai and the countrys major landmarks remain central to how China is introduced. But that is also being layered with new approaches.

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Were seeing a clear shift in traveller mindset, Bell says. Australians are increasingly looking to go beyond the surface  theres a growing appreciation that a trip to China is about more than ticking off sights; its about deeper, more meaningful travel experiences. That means not just new destinations, but also new ways to make the most of them. Amanyangyun is a world away from the usual Shanghai experience. Travellers are increasingly drawn to Chinas hidden gems, Bell says. Exploring the distinct character of different regions  with a stronger appetite for more immersive journeys with firsthand experiences alongside classic touring. The return of Design Hotels to mainland China offers a similar story. The Berlin-based Marriott-affiliated group, known for its independent, design-led properties, re-entered the market in 2025 after stepping away during the pandemic. Speaking to Monocle, managing director Stijn Oyen pointed to an extremely healthy pipeline of stunning projects and described a new wave of hotels that reflect a more creative direction in Chinese hospitality shaped by design, landscape and a strong sense of place.

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Aman Resorts latest China program tells a similar story. Across its three mainland properties  in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Lijiang  the luxury group has built a spring offering around seasonality, culture and immersion in the landscape rather than traditional sightseeing. Nature nurture  Amanfayun. Amanfayun  studied perfection. For instance, at Amanyangyun, on the outskirts of Shanghai, the setting is a world away from the citys usual pace: a forest of 1000-year-old camphor trees surrounding restored Ming and Qing dynasty houses that have been relocated and rebuilt to form a tranquil, village-like retreat. This season, guests can take part in a floral boat afternoon tea, drifting across a lake in a wooden vessel adorned with seasonal blooms. Near Hangzhou, Amanfayun places travellers within the Longjing tea terraces at the height of the spring harvest, where experiences centre on tea picking, spa rituals and seasonal menus.

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In Lijiang, Amandayan offers a highland retreat overlooking the UNESCO-listed old town, with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain rising in the distance, where wellness treatments and dining draw directly on the surrounding environment. Man Yi Restaurant, Amandayan. Related Article 

Airline reviews Is a cheap flight to Europe with a Chinese airline OK? Our verdict Bell also points to growing interest in destinations such as Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou, known for their dramatic landscapes, as well as routes along the Silk Road and cities like Chongqing that showcase the countrys blend of ancient culture and future ambitions. As for whos going from Australia: Its a combination of first-time visitors and repeat travellers, he says. For many, the highlights are just the beginning. Were seeing more people returning to explore beyond the major landmarks  seeking experiences that feel more immersive, personal and beyond the typical tourist trail. See wendywutours.com.au; aman.com; designhotels.com

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: China

Tours Julietta Jameson is a freelance travel writer who would rather be in Rome, but her hometown Melbourne is a happy compromise. Connect via email
The president and his top aides were gathered in a ballroom for the black-tie dinner. Then came a series of muffled bangs and a sickening sense of deja vu.

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A man armed with knives, a shotgun and a handgun was barrelling through security at a full sprint, heading towards the ballroom at the Washington Hilton. At that moment on Saturday night (Washington time), US President Donald Trump and many of Americas top government officials and journalists were one floor down, crammed into the ballroom for a black-tie dinner. Secret Service agents rush the stage to whisk the president to safety at the Washington Hilton. NYT The mentalist Oz Pearlman, the nights entertainer, was leaning over Trump and the first lady, demonstrating one of his mind-reading tricks by trying to guess the name that the White House press secretary had picked out for her baby, due to be born any day. Suddenly, the look on Pearlmans face changed to one of alarm. Several loud but strangely muffled bangs were going off somewhere in the distance. The first lady ducked under the table. The president stayed seated as Secret Service agents, dressed in tuxedos, surrounded him and began to draw their weapons. The pop-pop-pop that the crowd was hearing was the sound of gunfire before authorities managed to tackle the suspect, who never made it into the ballroom. But in the moment, it was difficult to tell what exactly was happening. Guests dived to the floor and hid behind chairs. Secret Service agents climbed over tables to protect cabinet members and some of the countrys most high-ranking officials, smashing plates of spring peas and burrata that had been served only minutes earlier.

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As agents hustled the president out of the room, Trump appeared to trip or get pushed down. Vice President JD Vance was pulled from his seat by his shoulders. When agents grabbed Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, they briefly got stuck between two tight tables and had to redirect towards a different exit. Loading The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was taken into custody quickly. And while the investigation is in its early stages, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney-general, said Trump was likely a target, along with others in the administration. It was a shocking night. And, in that way, it was in keeping with the non-stop, previously unimaginable events of Washington in the Trump era, in which no week seems to pass by without some extraordinary turn of events. By the end of the evening, the president would show graciousness to the journalists he had planned to skewer and, after 15 months of attacking Democrats and reporters as enemies, he would take the occasion to call for unity. Trump rushed back to the White House to speak to the nation about what he had just been through, suggesting that only the most consequential leaders become targets of assassins and using the moment to sell the need for his beloved White House ballroom. Reporters, editors and influencers on the scene scrambled for cover, but not without holding their phones aloft for live-streams, Instagram posts and documentation of a crime in progress. Guests dive for cover at the sound of gunshots at the Washington Hilton. Getty Images Some of them made it to after parties scattered all over town, but the gatherings were scaled back or half-empty since many reporters ended up working late into the evening.

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This account of the pandemonium that erupted on Saturday night at the White House correspondents dinner is based on reporting by New York Times journalists who were on the scene, surveillance footage and interviews with other witnesses. Shots fired!

Even before the chaos broke out, Saturday was expected to be an intense spectacle. Just not like this. It was Trumps first time attending this black-tie dinner as president. He would be showing up to make remarks after a year spent sparring with reporters who cover him, suing them and their employers for billions of dollars and insulting them, often in viciously personal terms. As he pulled out of the White House driveway a few minutes before 8pm he could be seen looking over a printed copy of the speech he planned to give that evening  one he would later characterise as the most inappropriate speech ever made. Secret Service members respond to the sound of gunfire at the Washington Hilton. NYT

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No one would get to hear it. Inside the cavernous ballroom, guests were seated at tables of 10. Servers, squeezing through the packed room of more than 230 tables, made the rounds to pass out bottles of champagne. Most of Trumps cabinet and top officials were in attendance. Kash Patel, the FBI director, was seated towards the back of the room with The Daily Mail. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, were closer to the front. The main course had not even been served by the time the gunshots were heard. Gun-toting agents started running through the hallways outside the ballroom, screaming at people to get low. Caterers in white jackets cried out in terror as they bolted for cover in a stairwell. The gunfire sounded like shattering plates; the president would later say he thought it was a tray clanging to the floor. Shots fired, shots fired! agents called out as they pinioned the small group of reporters and photographers travelling with the president into a corner against a wall.

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A moment later, various cabinet members with heavy security details were escorted out of the ballroom with stricken looks on their faces. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and his wife, Cheryl Hines, appeared around the corner first; guards were gripping Kennedy so tightly that he appeared to be limping. Bystanders worried he had been shot. His guards stood him up a little straighter as they began banging their fists on an elevator door to open. Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, came wheeling around the corner and into a different elevator. Patel tore down the hallway with two men in tow. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr is escorted from the ballroom. Bloomberg Inside the ballroom, as guests took shelter under tables and behind chairs, Michael Glantz, a top agent at Creative Artists Agency, stayed in his seat and picked at the burrata on his plate  a stark contrast to the chaotic scene unfolding and one that was captured live on CNN and went viral on social media. On Sunday, Glantz said he did not consider leaving his seat. First of all, I have a bad back, he said. I couldnt get on the floor, and if I did get on the floor, theyd have to bring in people to get me off the floor. And number two, Im a hygiene freak. There was no freaking way I was getting in my new tux on the dirty Hilton floor. It was not happening. Suspect Cole Tomas Allen lies on the ground after being overpowered by law enforcement. AP

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Iran FM to meet Putin on Russia trip, says Tehran's ambassador



Tehran, April 26 (AFP) Apr 26, 2026



Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg as part of a trip that begins on Monday for talks over the Islamic republic's war with the United States and Israel, Tehran's ambassador to Moscow said.

Russia and Tehran, who are both subject to fierce Western sanctions, have developed an increasingly close relationship in recent years.

Tehran's ambassador Kazem Jalali wrote on X that Araghchi would meet Putin in Russia's second biggest city.

"Continuing the diplomatic jihad to advance the country's interests and amidst external threats, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran will meet with the President of Russia during his visit to St. Petersburg," he wrote.

Iran's ISNA news agency earlier quoted Jalali as saying "Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow," without providing a location for the talks.

The meeting would take place on Monday, Jalali said according to ISNA, adding that Araghchi would "consult Russian officials regarding the latest status of the negotiations, ceasefire, and surrounding developments".

Russia's foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday that Araghchi would travel to Moscow "with the aim of holding talks", the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement that Araghchi had already left Islamabad for Russia on Sunday.

His stopover in the Pakistani capital on the way to Russia was his second visit there in less than 24 hours, having also travelled to Oman, as mediators pushed to keep peace talks with the United States alive in a bid to end the war that began on February 28.

There has been no second round of direct talks between Washington and Tehran, despite a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran beginning more than two weeks ago.
Lebanon says Israel strikes kill 14 in deadliest day since truce



Beirut, Lebanon, April 26 (AFP) Apr 26, 2026



Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country's south on Sunday killed 14 people, the deadliest day since a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war came into force over a week ago.

It came as Israel and the Iran-backed group traded fresh accusations of breaching the fragile truce, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the military was "vigorously" targeting Hezbollah and the group vowing to keep responding to "violations".

Israel's military has carried out repeated strikes in Lebanon since the April 17 ceasefire, which on Thursday was extended for three weeks, after six weeks of war in which Israel also invaded the country's south.

Israeli troops are operating inside an Israeli-announced "yellow line", which demarcates a ribbon of Lebanese territory around 10 kilometres (six miles) deep along the length of the border, where residents have been warned not to return.

Lebanon's health ministry said the dead on Sunday included two women and two children, adding that 37 other people were wounded.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 36 people since the truce began, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.

Israel's military said Sunday that one of its soldiers was killed "during combat" in southern Lebanon, and six were wounded, four of them severely.



- 'Freedom of action' -



Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Israeli strikes in multiple locations in the south on Sunday, both in areas where Israel issued an evacuation warning and elsewhere.

AFP correspondents reported heavy traffic heading north as people fled following the warning and intensified raids.

"Hezbollah's violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting.

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.

"We are acting vigorously in accordance with arrangements agreed with the United States and, incidentally, also with Lebanon," Netanyahu said.

Under the truce, which came after a landmark meeting between Israeli and Lebanese officials that angered Hezbollah, Israel reserves the right to respond to "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.

Hezbollah said that Israel's "continued ceasefire violations... and above all its continued occupation of Lebanese territory and violations of its sovereignty will be met with a response".

It said its fighters targeted Israeli troops and positions in south Lebanon in response to ceasefire violations and attacks on Lebanese villages.



- More than 2,500 killed -



Israel's military issued evacuation orders for residents of seven towns and villages in the south on Sunday.

Shortly afterwards, the NNA said Israeli warplanes struck in Kfar Tibnit, causing casualties, while a raid on Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, another of the flagged villages, destroyed a mosque and another religious building.

The NNA also reported Israeli shelling in several border villages.

AFP correspondents saw clouds of grey smoke rise over Nabatieh al-Fawqa and several other locations after Israeli strikes.

Israel's military said it had struck "rocket-launching terrorist cells and weapons storage facilities" after earlier conducting "artillery and aerial strikes targeting terrorists and military infrastructure sites" used by Hezbollah north of the so-called "yellow line".

Shortly after Netanyahu's remarks, the military said it had intercepted three drones heading for Israeli territory.

Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,500 people and wounded over 7,700 others since the war erupted.

The United Nations' UNIFIL peacekeeping force said it held a memorial in Beirut for an Indonesian peacekeeper who died on Friday after being wounded in a blast in south Lebanon last month.

A preliminary UN investigation found that an Israeli tank shell caused the explosion.

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Attacks in Mali: What we know



Bamako, April 26 (AFP) Apr 26, 2026



Mali has been plunged into an unprecedented security crisis after an alliance of Tuareg rebels and a jihadist group carried out synchronised attacks against the West African country's military leadership.

The two groups are the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the al-Qaeda-linked Jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). The FLA is made up of mainly Tuareg groups who want independence for Azawad, a territory in northern Mali.

Defence Minister General Sadio Camara, a key figure in the military regime, was killed in one attack, his family and government sources said Sunday.

Mali's army says it has been engaged in fierce fighting against the attackers since Saturday morning.



Here is what we know:



- Tuareg rebels in Kidal -



FLA fighters said Sunday they had full control of Kidal, a key town in the north.

Fighting appears to have stopped for the moment in Gao, another northern town, with rebels positioned on the outskirts.

The situation remains "confusing" in Sevare, central Mali, where gunfire was still ringing out in some areas, said one local official.

On Sunday afternoon, calm returned to Kati, a junta stronghold just 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the capital Bamako, after gunfire in the morning, one resident told AFP.



- Defence minister killed -



General Camara, 47, was killed Saturday when an explosive-laden car detonated outside his home, an attack claimed by the jihadist JNIM group.

His family and an official said Camara, his second wife and two of his grandchildren had died after the car bomb attack on his home in the junta stronghold of Kati, outside Bamako.

A government statement issued Sunday said he had been mortally wounded while fighting his attackers "some of whom he succeeded in neutralising" and would receive a "national funeral".



- Tuaregs cut deal with Russians -



FLA fighters said they had reached an agreement to allow Russian Afrika Korps soldiers to withdraw from a camp where they had been entrenched since Saturday.

"The Russian fighters in Kidal have decided to leave their position," a diplomatic source told AFP. "They are coordinating their departure with the FLA rebels."

A resident of Kidal told AFP he had seen a military convoy leave the town.



- The junta leaders -



General Assimi Goita, the head of the junta, has neither been seen nor heard from since the attacks began.

A Malian security source told AFP he had been "evacuated from Kati on Saturday and is in a safe location" at a "special forces camp" near Bamako.

Security sources said head of intelligence General Modibo Kone and military Chief of Staff General Oumar Diarra were wounded during Saturday's attacks in Kati.



- 'Hunt' -



Mali's army said statement Sunday: "The hunt for armed terrorist groups continues in Kidal, Kati, and other locations across the country."

The military has imposed curfews, stepped up patrols and reinforced checkpoints across the country.

On Saturday evening, Mali's military rulers said the attacks had resulted in 16 civilian and military injuries and "limited material damage".

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Iran minister heads to Russia as talks remain stalled



Islamabad, Pakistan, April 26 (AFP) Apr 26, 2026



Iran's foreign minister headed to Russia 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 to meet President Vladimir Putin on Monday, 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.

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".

On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted the talks, "they can come to us, or they can call us."

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.



- Safe transit -



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 travelling to Oman and returning to Islamabad.

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.

Iranian state television quoted Iran's envoy to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, saying Araghchi and Putin would meet in St Petersburg, Russia's second city.

Araghchi himslef posted on X that the talks in Oman had focused on ensuring safe transit through Hormuz, "to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world."

"Our neighbors are our priority," he added.

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.

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.

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 had 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.

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.

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Iran foreign minister arrives in Russia as US talks remain stalled



Moscow, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Iran's foreign minister arrived in Russia on Monday 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 arrived in Saint Petersburg, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It comes after Araghchi visited Oman between trips to Pakistani capital Islamabad, as mediators push to keep peace talks between Tehran and Washington alive.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

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.

US media outlet Axios reported on Sunday that Iran had sent a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage, citing a US official and two other sources with knowledge of the matter.

Iranian state news agency IRNA cited the report without denying it.

A ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran has so far held, but its economic shockwaves have continued 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. At the same time, a US blockade of the strait is in place.

Hopes for a second round of talks in Pakistan had centred on the planned visit by Witkoff and Kushner, but Trump cancelled the trip after Iranian state television said Araghchi had no plans to meet US officials there.

On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted the talks, "they can come to us, or they can call us".

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.



- Safe transit -



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 travelling to Oman and returning to Islamabad.

He later left for Russia for talks with senior officials, his ministry said.

Russian and Iranian state media confirmed Araghchi's talks with Putin, citing officials from their respective governments.

Araghchi himself posted on X that the talks in Oman had focused on ensuring safe transit through Hormuz, "to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world".

"Our neighbors are our priority," he added.

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.

The United States has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in retaliation.



- 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.

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 had 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.

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/tc/abs
Russia says worker at captured nuclear plant killed in Ukrainian strike



Moscow, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



A Ukrainian drone strike Monday on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant complex killed a transport worker, the site's Moscow-installed authorities said.

Zaporizhzhia is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused the other of risking a nuclear catastrophe with attacks since it was captured by Russia's forces in 2022.

"Today, a driver was killed in a strike by a Ukrainian armed forces drone on the transport shop floor of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," the plant's press service said on Telegram.

The plant -- which is in cold shutdown -- is close to the front line in southern Ukraine. Its fate is a major sticking point in stalled talks on ending the war.

Ukrainian state nuclear company Energoatom said Sunday that the plant's "power transmission line was disconnected, causing the plant to switch to blackout mode" for an hour and a half.

"This is already the 15th blackout at the Zaporizhzhia NPP since its occupation. Each such incident significantly increases nuclear and radiation safety risks not only for Ukraine, but for Europe in general."

Ukraine on Sunday marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, with President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Russia of sending drones at the site that he said amounted to "nuclear terrorism".
Iran FM blames US for failure of talks after landing in Russia



Saint Petersburg, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Iran's top diplomat blamed Washington on Monday for the failure of talks after landing in Russia as part of a whirlwind diplomatic tour, with direct negotiations between the warring parties seemingly at an impasse.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in Saint Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, having sandwiched a trip to Oman in between visits to main mediator Pakistan over the past few days.

Islamabad played host to the first and only round of unsuccessful talks between Washington and Tehran, and Araghchi's visit had fanned hopes for fresh negotiations over the weekend, until US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

"The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands," Araghchi said Monday.

After calling off his emissaries' trip, Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted talks, "they can come to us, or they can call us", though he has said the cancellation does not signal a return to hostilities.

In a sign that backchannel efforts were ongoing, the Fars news agency said Iran had passed "written messages" to the Americans via Pakistan spelling out red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.

Fars news agency said the messages were not part of formal negotiations, however.

US media outlet Axios -- citing a US official and two other sources with knowledge of the matter -- reported on Sunday that Iran had sent a new proposal to end the war centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending a US naval blockade there, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage.

Iranian state news agency IRNA cited the report without denying it.



- Global issue -



The ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran has so far held, but its economic shock waves have continued to reverberate globally.

Iran has blockaded the strait, cutting off flows of oil, gas and fertiliser and sending prices soaring, raising fears of food insecurity in developing countries.

In response, the US has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in the waterway and beyond.

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.

The subject of the strait was on the agenda during Araghchi's trip to Oman, which lies on the other side of the waterway from Iran.

"The safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important global issue. Naturally, as the two coastal countries of this strait, we must speak with each other so that our common interests are secured," Araghchi said from Saint Petersburg.

Russian and Iranian state media confirmed Araghchi would speak with Putin, citing officials from their respective governments.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, however, have said they have no intention of lifting their market-shaking blockade, saying control of the Hormuz "and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America... is the definitive strategy" of Tehran.

Oil prices were creeping up again on Monday, though lingering hopes that a deal can eventually be reached have tempered the gains.



- Violence in Lebanon -



Violence, meanwhile, has continued on the war's Lebanese front, in spite of a recently extended ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The two sides traded blame over violations on Sunday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the military was "vigorously" targeting the group 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.

Netanyahu told a weekly cabinet meeting that Hezbollah's actions were "dismantling the ceasefire", while Hezbollah vowed to 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, the deadliest day since the truce came into force.

AFP correspondents reported heavy traffic heading north as people fled following the warning and intensified raids.

Israel also reported a soldier killed in combat in south Lebanon.

The country maintains that under the terms of the truce, 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-smw/ser
Russia says worker at captured nuclear plant killed in Ukrainian strike



Moscow, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



A Ukrainian drone strike on Monday on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant complex killed a transport worker, the site's Moscow-installed authorities said.

Zaporizhzhia is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused the other of risking a nuclear catastrophe with attacks since it was captured by Russia's forces in 2022.

"Today, a driver was killed in a strike by a Ukrainian armed forces drone on the transport shop floor of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," the plant's press service said on Telegram.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on X its "team on the site will look into the incident".

The agency's head, Rafael Grossi, "reiterates that strikes on or near NPPs (nuclear power plants) can endanger nuclear safety and must not take place", the IAEA added.

The plant -- which is in cold shutdown -- is close to the front line in southern Ukraine. Its fate is a major sticking point in stalled talks on ending the war.

Ukrainian state nuclear company Energoatom said Sunday that the plant's "power transmission line was disconnected, causing the plant to switch to blackout mode" for an hour and a half.

"This is already the 15th blackout at the Zaporizhzhia NPP since its occupation. Each such incident significantly increases nuclear and radiation safety risks not only for Ukraine, but for Europe in general," it added.

Ukraine on Sunday marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, with President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Russia of sending drones at the site that he said amounted to "nuclear terrorism".

bur/phz
Trump to hold talks on Iran with security team: US media



Washington, United States, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



US President Donald Trump will hold talks on the Iran war on Monday with his top security advisors, US media reported, as negotiations between the rival parties seemed to reach an impasse.

Tehran's top diplomat blamed Washington on Monday for the failure of talks in Pakistan this month -- the first and only round of negotiations in a bid to strike a deal to end the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East and strangled the global economy.

Barak Ravid, global affairs correspondent for US media outlet Axios, reported that Trump was expected to hold a meeting with his top national security and foreign policy team on Monday to discuss the next steps.

ABC News quoted two unidentified US officials as saying that Trump would meet with his key security advisors on Iran, adding that a new deal proposed by Tehran to resolve the conflict fell short of Washington's red lines.

That deal centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending a US naval blockade of the vital waterway, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage, Axios reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Islamabad had fanned hopes for fresh negotiations with Washington at the weekend until Trump scrapped a planned trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Trump told Fox News after calling off his emissaries' trip that, if Iran wanted talks, "they can come to us, or they can call us."
Sudan army strike on Darfur camp kills 6: rights group



Khartoum, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



A Sudanese army strike on a displaced persons camp in the western Darfur region killed six civilians and wounded dozens more on Monday, a rights group said.

Near-daily drone strikes by both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have escalated in recent months in the brutal conflict that began in April 2023.

Monday's strike hit Al-Hamidiyah camp near Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur state, at dawn, according to Emergency Lawyers, a Sudanese legal advocacy group documenting abuses throughout the conflict.

The group said shells destroyed several homes inside the camp, which shelters thousands of displaced people, mostly women and children fleeing Darfur's fighting, and provides essential aid.

A medical source told AFP that 15 injured people were taken to Zalingei Hospital, some in critical condition.

Nearly 700 civilians have been killed in drone strikes by both sides since January, according to the United Nations.

The war has already killed tens of thousands, uprooted more than 11 million from their homes and triggered what the UN describes as the world's largest displacement and hunger crises.

Famine was declared last year in El-Fasher in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan, with 20 more areas at risk, a UN-backed assessment found.
Mali attacks kill defence minister, deepening security crisis



Bamako, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



A fragile calm prevailed on Monday in the Malian capital, Bamako, and the ruling junta's stronghold of Kati, after two days of fierce fighting between the army and jihadists allied with Tuareg separatists, which have plunged the country into uncertainty over the military government's future.

The junta faces an unprecedented situation since the 2020 coup that brought it to power, after Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed and military ruler General Assimi Goita has not been seen or spoken publicly since the start of hostilities.

Several strategic towns and areas around Bamako were targeted in a dawn offensive on Saturday by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

Mali has been mired in more than a decade of violence but analysts said the attacks were the most serious challenge to its rulers since a March 2012 offensive that was repelled by the intervention of French forces, who have since left.

In another major blow to the junta, FLA rebels, a separatist group claiming the territory of Azawad in northern Mali, said they had "total" control of the key city of Kidal in the north.

They also said they had reached an "agreement" allowing Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps paramilitaries controlled by Moscow to withdraw from Kidal.

Kidal had been under the control of rebel groups for several decades before being retaken by the state in November 2023 after a Malian army offensive supported by fighters from the Africa Corps' predecessor the Wagner Group.

According to a local official, the Russians should leave the country via Libya.



- Military presence -



After two days of intense fighting between Malian soldiers and the armed groups, Bamako and Kati, a garrison town and junta stronghold about 15 kilometres (nine miles) north of the capital, were quiet on Monday after clashes the previous day.

No gunfire was heard in Kati where the wreckage of burnt-out cars could be seen as well as the impact of bullets, AFP journalists saw.

Schools and offices were open in Bamako, while people went about their normal business, and checkpoints set up by the army to military camps in both places, and the airport, were lifted.

There was still a visible presence of heavily armed soldiers in combat gear.

The area around the airport in the outlying district of Senou was also calm on Monday, where only a few military aircraft were making runs at regular intervals.

"We conducted sweep operations throughout the night, which allowed us to reduce the checkpoints. Now we are counting on the public to report any suspicious individuals in the neighbourhoods," an officer in Senou told AFP.



- Mali 'in danger' -



Camara, the 47-year-old defence minister and a key junta member, was killed on Saturday in a car bomb attack on his home in Kati, the government said in a late Sunday statement.

His second wife and two of his grandchildren also died, his family and an official said.

Camara fought his attackers, "some of whom he succeeded in neutralising", but the general died of his wounds in hospital, the government statement added.

A Malian security source has told AFP that Goita was in a safe place.

After seizing power, he emphasised Mali's commitment to the anti-jihadist fight and initially pledged a return to civilian rule.

Mali, which has gold and other valuable minerals, has since severed ties with former colonial ruler France and several Western countries, moving closer to Moscow.

The opposition Coalition of Forces for the Republic (CFR) said in a statement that Mali was "in danger".

The junta had "promised Malians security, stability and the return of the state" it said.

After the weekend offensive, nobody could seriously claim that Mali was either pacified or secure, it added.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Mali and its junta-led neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger, denounced the attacks as "a monstrous plot backed by the enemies of the liberation of the Sahel".

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres condemned "acts of violence" in Mali and called for "coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs", spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The European Union has also condemned the attacks.

burs/phz/kjm
Putin tells Iran FM Moscow will do 'everything' to help secure Mideast peace



Saint Petersburg, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran's top diplomat that Moscow would do everything it could to help secure peace in the Middle East, during a meeting in Saint Petersburg on Monday.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on arrival in Russia, had blamed Washington for the failure of talks on brokering a deal to end the fighting, with a ceasefire between the sides still holding.

"For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible," Russian state media quoted Putin as telling Araghchi.

Putin also hailed "how courageously and heroically the people of Iran are fighting for their independence and sovereignty", the TASS news agency reported.

"Russia, just like Iran, intends to continue our strategic relationship," the Kremlin chief added.
Lebanon president hits back at Hezbollah over Israel talks criticism



Beirut, Lebanon, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Lebanon's president said Monday direct negotiations with Israel aimed to end the Israel-Hezbollah war, adding that those who dragged Lebanon to war were the ones committing "treason" -- a jab at Hezbollah, whose leader called the talks a "sin".

Lebanon and Israel's US ambassadors met twice in Washington over the past weeks, the first meetings of their kind in decades, for discussions that were categorically rejected by Hezbollah.

After the first round of talks, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire that came into effect on April 17, later announcing a three-week extension after the second round of talks.

"My goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel, similar to the armistice agreement" of 1949, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement Monday.

Lebanon and Israel, officially at war for decades, signed an armistice agreement ending combat between the two states in 1949, after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

"Was the armistice agreement a humiliation? I assure you that I will not accept reaching a humiliating agreement."

Aoun's statement came shortly after Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem sharply criticised the government, issuing a statement describing direct negotiations with Israel as a "grave sin".

"We categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel, and those in power should know that their actions will not benefit Lebanon or themselves," Qassem said in a statement, aired by the group's TV channel Al-Manar.

He called on authorities to "back down from their grave sin that is putting Lebanon in a spiral of instability".

He added that the Lebanese government "cannot continue while it is neglecting Lebanon's rights, giving up land, and confronting its resistant people".

"We will not give up our weapons... and the Israeli enemy will not remain on a single inch of our occupied land."



- National consensus -



Aoun said "what we are doing is not treason. Rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests".

Aoun has faced intense criticism from Hezbollah and its supporters, who say his push for direct talks with Israel does not have the consensus of Lebanon's various communities.

The direct talks mark the latest point of contention after the government decided to disarm the group last year and outlawed its military activities in March.

"Some want to hold us accountable over the decision to go to negotiations on the grounds that there is no national consensus" over the talks, Aoun said.

"My question to them is: when you went to war, did you first obtain national consensus?"

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets towards Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.



- Fighting continues -



Despite the ceasefire in Lebanon, attacks have not stopped, with the Israeli army announcing Monday a new wave of strikes on the eastern Bekaa region and southern Lebanon targeting "Hezbollah infrastructure".

Israel also said on Monday that "over the past days, more than 50 terror infrastructure sites were dismantled".

Lebanese state media reported a series of Israeli airstrikes in several southern towns Monday, along with artillery shelling and demolition operations in at least two towns.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 36 people since the truce went into force, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures.

Hezbollah has meanwhile claimed several attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, as well as missile and drone launches at northern Israel, saying it is responding to Israeli ceasefire "violations".

According to details of the truce released by the US State Department, which said both Lebanon and Israel agreed to it, Israel reserves the right to continue targeting Hezbollah to respond to "planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks".

Hezbollah strongly rejects this clause, saying the text of the agreement was not presented to the cabinet, in which the group and its allies are represented.

"Has the government decided to work alongside the Israeli enemy against its own people?" Qassem said.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,500 people since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities.
UAE slams Gulf allies as 'weak' on Iran



Dubai, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



A senior United Arab Emirates official on Monday criticised the country's Gulf allies over their response to Iranian retaliatory attacks in the region following the Israeli-US strikes that launched the Middle East war.

Presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said the Gulf states had supported each other logistically in the crisis but he lambasted their political and military response.

"The GCC's stance was the weakest historically, considering the nature of the attack and the threat it posed to everyone," Gargash said, referring to the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.

Gargash said he "expected such a weak stance from the Arab League", the 22-member organisation of Middle East and North African nations based in Cairo.

"But I don't expect it from the GCC, and I am surprised by it," he told a conference in Dubai.

Tehran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at the GCC nations -- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

The UAE, which has been the most heavily targeted country, has adopted a more forceful tone towards Iran, while its neighbours appear more measured.

Gulf monarchies have always had "difficult relations" with Iran, Gargash said.

In recent years he said they pursued a "containment policy" through mediation, energy partnerships, strategic agreements and, in the case of the UAE, trade ties. But "these policies have failed miserably, and we are now facing a major reassessment", he added.
Bahrain strips dozens of citizenship over Iran support



Manama, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Bahrain's interior ministry said on Monday that the Gulf kingdom revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals for their support of Iran after weeks of Iranian attacks on Gulf states beginning in late February.

The ministry in a statement listed the dozens stripped of their citizenship, which it said included dependents, adding they "were found to have supported hostile Iranian acts, including colluding with foreign entities".

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) described the decision as "the first mass revocation of citizenship since 2019".

The rights group said it was unclear whether those affected had been arrested, whether they were inside or outside the country, or whether they held other nationalities.

Iran launched waves of missile and drones against Gulf states including Bahrain in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic that began on February 28.

Tehran accused them of allowing the US to use their territory as launchpads for strikes.

The Iranian attacks, which targeted US military bases in the region as well as critical infrastructure in the Gulf states, have halted since a fragile April 8 ceasefire announced by Washington and Tehran.

The move by Bahrain comes as Gulf countries are on high alert over Iranian infiltration, with Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE cracking down on what they call Iran-related networks.

But the effect of the war with Iran, Bahrain's much larger Shia neighbour, has had a pronounced impact on the island kingdom, ruled by a Sunni Muslim dynasty, home to a large Shia population that has long complained of marginalisation.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) last month expressed alarm after the arrests of "dozens of people" since the start of the Middle East war.

Some of those detained were accused of treason, while others were arrested for protesting.
Iran FM blames US for failure of talks as he meets with Putin



Saint Petersburg, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Iran's top diplomat blamed Washington on Monday for the failure of Middle East peace talks during a visit to Russia, where President Vladimir Putin promised him Moscow's support in bringing the war to a close.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Saint Petersburg on the fourth leg of a whirlwind diplomatic tour, having sandwiched a trip to Oman in between two visits to main mediator Pakistan over the past few days.

Islamabad hosted the first and only round of unsuccessful US-Iran talks, and Araghchi's visit had fanned hopes for fresh negotiations over the weekend, until US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

"The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands," Araghchi said Monday.

After nixing his emissaries' trip, Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted talks, "they can call us" -- though he has said the cancellation does not signal a return to hostilities.

Following their meeting, Putin and Araghchi both voiced their commitment to the two countries' "strategic relationship".

Putin promised that Russia would "do everything that serves your interests... so that peace can be achieved", state media reported.

Araghchi said the war with the US and Israel had shown the world "Iran's true power" and the stability of its governing system.

But back home in Tehran, the outlook was more sober.

"Everything in the country is up in the air right now. I have not worked for a long time... Other people I am in contact with are not working either," said one small business owner named Farshad who spoke to Paris-based AFP journalists.

"The country is in complete economic collapse... The situation has gotten really scary."



- Economic pain -



In a sign that back-channel diplomatic efforts were ongoing, the Fars news agency said Iran had passed "written messages" to the Americans via Pakistan spelling out red lines, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.

US media outlet Axios -- citing a US official and two other sources -- reported on Sunday that Iran had sent a new proposal to end the war centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending a US naval blockade there, with nuclear negotiations postponed.

Iranian state news agency IRNA cited the report without denying it.

Trump, meanwhile, was expected to hold a meeting with his top national security advisers on Monday to discuss the stalled talks and how to proceed, Axios and ABC News reported.

Though the ceasefire has so far held, the war's economic shock waves have continued to reverberate.

Tehran resident Shervin said he was trying to keep his head up despite a lack of work, "but at the same time it is the first time that I have reached a point where I was late on my rent".

Iran has blockaded Hormuz, cutting off flows of oil, gas and fertiliser and sending prices soaring.

In response, the US has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports in the waterway and beyond.

Trump is facing domestic pressure to find an off-ramp as fuel prices rise, with midterm elections due in November and polls showing the war is unpopular among Americans.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, however, have said they have no intention of easing their market-rattling chokehold.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran's parliament, told state television Monday that a proposed law for managing the strait would make the Islamic republic's armed forces the overseeing authority, with financial gains from the waterway to be paid in Iranian rial.

Gulf states are also suffering from the strait's closure after absorbing weeks of Iranian drone and missile barrages that shut their skies and damaged their vital oil and gas infrastructure during the war.

A senior UAE official on Monday criticised Gulf neighbours over what he called their weak stance on Iran.

Gulf monarchies have always had "difficult relations" with Tehran, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said, but their longstanding policy of containment has "failed miserably, and we are now facing a major reassessment".



- Violence in Lebanon -



Violence, meanwhile, has continued on the war's Lebanese front, despite a recently extended ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by firing rockets at Israel to avenge the death of Iran's supreme leader, with Israel responding with strikes and a ground invasion.

The group's leader Naim Qassem on Monday rejected planned direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel as a "grave sin" that would destabilise the country, vowing Hezbollah "will not back down".

Shortly afterwards, the Israeli military said it had begun hitting Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Israel maintains that under the terms of the truce, it can act against imminent threats.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, responding to Qassem, said his "goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel".

"What we are doing is not treason," he said of the negotiations. "Rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests."

burs-smw/jsa
Tuareg rebels in control of key Mali town after offensive



Bamako, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Tuareg separatists and their jihadist allies in Mali have seized control of the key northern town of Kidal after coordinated attacks on strategic junta positions, an ally of the local governor and local sources said Monday.

Two days of fierce fighting between the army and jihadists allied with the Tuaregs have plunged the junta-led west African country into uncertainty over the military government's future.

Defence Minister Sadio Camara has been killed and military ruler General Assimi Goita, who led the coup in 2020 that brought the junta to power, has not been seen or spoken publicly since fighting began at the weekend.

Several strategic towns and areas around the capital, Bamako, were targeted in a dawn offensive on Saturday by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

The vast Sahelian country has seen more than a decade of violence. But analysts said the latest attacks were the most serious challenge to its rulers since a March 2012 offensive that was repelled by forces from former colonial ruler France, who have since left the country.

"We have left Kidal. We are no longer there. It's the jihadists and the FLA who are in Kidal," a source close to the governor told AFP on Monday.

Residents confirmed to AFP having seen Malian soldiers and their Russian mercenary backers leaving the town.

The FLA, a separatist group claiming the territory of Azawad in northern Mali, said at the weekend that it had "total" control of Kidal, marking a major blow to Mali's military junta.

They said Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps, controlled by Moscow, would withdraw from Kidal.

Kidal, a pro-independence stronghold, was controlled by rebel groups for years before being retaken in November 2023 in an army offensive, supported by Russian mercenaries from Africa Corps' predecessor the Wagner Group.



- Military presence -



The army chief of staff told ORTM public television on Sunday that the military now planned a "redeployment" to Anefis, 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Kidal.

There was a fragile calm on Monday in Bamako and Kati, a garrison town and junta stronghold about 15 kilometres further north.

AFP journalists saw burnt-out cars and bullet scars in Kati.

Schools and offices were open in Bamako and checkpoints around the airport and military camps near the capital and Kati were lifted.

Heavily armed soldiers in combat gear were still present and the only aircraft entering or leaving the airport were military planes.

"We conducted sweep operations throughout the night, which allowed us to reduce the checkpoints," an officer in Senou, the district outside Bamako where the airport is located, told AFP.

"Now we are counting on the public to report any suspicious individuals in the neighbourhoods," he said.



- Mali 'in danger' -



The military government has declared two days of national mourning for Camara, the 47-year-old defence minister and a key figure in the junta.

He died on Saturday in a car bomb attack on his home in Kati, along with his second wife and two of his grandchildren, his family and an official said.

The general fought his attackers, "neutralising" several, but died of his wounds in hospital, the government said late on Sunday.

A Malian security source told AFP that junta leader Goita was in a safe place.

After seizing power, Goita had pledged to combat the jihadists and initially promised a return to civilian rule in Mali, which has gold and other valuable minerals.

The weekend attacks are the most serious challenge to the country's leadership since 2012, when Tuareg separatists seized control of Kidal, as well as the towns of Gao and Timbuktu, before being pushed out by their JNIM allies.

The junta said on Saturday that 16 civilians and soldiers had been wounded and there had been "limited" material damage.

It has not updated that figure and, given the intensity of the fighting, there are fears the toll could be higher.

The military said it had killed more than 200 "terrorists across all the areas attacked".

Several local media outlets voiced support on Monday for the military rulers.

But the opposition Coalition of Forces for the Republic said Mali was "in danger".

The junta had "promised Malians security, stability and the return of the state" but after the weekend offensive, nobody could seriously claim the country was either pacified or secure, it said.

lar-str-sd-sjd/lp/gil/kjm
'Looming' risk of nuclear arms race, UN proliferation meeting hears



United Nations, United States, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Signatories of the landmark nuclear non-proliferation treaty began a meeting Monday at the United Nations as fears of a renewed arms race escalate, with atomic powers again at loggerheads over safeguards.

In 2022, during the last review of the treaty considered the cornerstone of non-proliferation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned humanity was "one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation."

On Monday he warned "the drivers" of nuclear weapons proliferation were accelerating.

"For too long, the treaty has been eroding. Commitments remain unfulfilled. Trust and credibility are wearing thin. The drivers of proliferation are accelerating. We need to breathe life into the treaty once more," Guterres said in opening remarks.

With global geopolitical friction only heightened since the last meeting, it was unclear what the gathering at UN headquarters could achieve.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told signatories that "never has the risk of nuclear proliferation been so high, and the threat posed by Iran's and North Korea's programs is intolerable for each and every state party to this treaty."

Tempering expectations, Do Hung Viet, Vietnam's UN ambassador and president of the conference, said "we should not expect this conference to resolve the underlying strategic tensions of our time."

"But a balanced outcome that reaffirms core commitments and set out practical steps forward would strengthen the integrity of the NPT," he said.

"The success or failure of this conference will have implications way beyond these halls," Viet added. "The prospects of a new nuclear arms race are looming over us."

The nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), signed by almost all countries on the planet -- with notable exceptions including Israel, India and Pakistan -- aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote complete disarmament, and encourage cooperation on civilian nuclear projects.

The nine nuclear-armed states -- Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea -- possessed 12,241 nuclear warheads in January 2025, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported.

The US and Russia hold nearly 90 percent of nuclear weapons globally and have carried out major programs to modernize them in recent years, according to SIPRI.

China has also rapidly increased its nuclear stockpile, SIPRI said, with the G7 raising the alarm Friday over Moscow and Beijing boosting their nuclear capabilities.

US President Donald Trump has indicated his intention to conduct new nuclear tests, accusing others of doing so clandestinely.

In March, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a dramatic shift in nuclear deterrence, notably an increase in the atomic arsenal, currently numbering 290 warheads.



- 'Affront' to NPT -



"It is obvious that trust is eroding, both inside and outside the NPT," Seth Shelden of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, told AFP.

He questioned the likely outcome of the four-week summit.

Decisions on the NPT require agreement by consensus, with the previous two conferences failing to adopt final political declarations.

In 2015, the deadlock was largely due to opposition by Israel's arch-ally Washington to creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

A 2022 impasse was due mainly to Russian opposition to references to Ukraine's nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, occupied by Moscow.

This year's summit could hit any number of stumbling blocks.

The ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's nuclear program and the war there, proliferation fears and Pyongyang's developing arsenal could all be deal-breakers.

The United States along with its allies Britain, the UAE and Australia spoke out at Iran's appointment as a conference vice president.

Washington's meeting envoy said conferring a leadership role on Tehran was an "affront" to countries that take the NPT "seriously."

Artificial intelligence could be a prominent issue as some countries call for all sides to keep human control over nuclear weapons.
French FM says Iran must make 'major concessions' to end crisis



United Nations, United States, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



France's top diplomat said Monday that Iran must be ready to make "major concessions" in talks to end a crisis triggered by the attack by the United States and Israel.

"There can be no lasting solution to this crisis unless the Iranian regime agrees to major concessions and a radical shift in its stance," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the UN Security Council.

Barrot said that Iran must show a way "to peaceful coexistence within its region and for the Iranian people to be able to build freely their own future," months after the cleric-run state ruthlessly repressed mass protests.

Barrot was attending a session initiated by Bahrain in which dozens of countries made a joint call for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway to the Gulf and one-fifth of the world's oil.

In response to being attacked, Iran has moved to exert control over the strait, saying it is setting up a toll system, defying warnings from US President Donald Trump who has watched angrily as global oil prices soar.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said that Iran's laying of mines violated international law.

"Indiscriminate planting of mines in international waterways -- that makes Iran international criminal pirates of the straits," Waltz said.

"Tehran admits to these crimes, but it's so incompetent, it also admits to not knowing where the mines are."

The Trump administration itself often denounces international law and institutions when US actions come under scrutiny.

Trump has also criticized NATO allies for not assisting the United States in the war, on which he did not previously consult them, although he has also insisted the United States does not need help.

But Waltz said at the Security Council: "Now is the time for a coalition of like-minded partners to step up and step in with real capabilities and help."

Barrot, while denouncing Iran's actions, did not shy away from blaming the United States and Israel, saying they started the war "without a clearly defined goal and outside of international law."

"But the Iranian regime bears the overwhelming responsibility for this situation," he said, pointing to its "obstinancy" on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and "its continual support for terrorist groups."
Israel PM says further action needed over Hezbollah rockets, drones



Jerusalem, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said rockets and drones possessed by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah remained a key threat that demanded further military action by Israel's military in Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanese movement Hezbollah have traded blame over violations of the fragile 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon agreed earlier this month, which has since been extended, and attacks by both sides have continued.

"There are still two central threats from Hezbollah: the 122mm rockets and the drones. This demands a combination of operational and technological activity," Netanyahu said in a statement.

"They have about 10 percent of the missiles they had at the start of the war. But these still trouble the residents of the north," he added.

"We are carrying out strikes now, both within the security zone and north of it, and north of the Litani River," he said, reiterating Israel's right to do so under its agreement "with the US and the Lebanese government".

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by firing rockets towards Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Lebanon and Israel's US ambassadors met twice in Washington over the past weeks, the first meetings of their kind in decades, for discussions that were categorically rejected by Hezbollah.
600 Google staff urge CEO to reject classified military AI contract



Washington, United States, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



More than 600 Google employees demanded Monday that the company reject a proposed Pentagon deal that would allow its artificial intelligence technology to be deployed in classified military operations, a statement said.

The letter, addressed to Chief Executive Sundar Pichai and signed by workers from Google DeepMind, Cloud, and other divisions, comes as the tech giant is in active negotiations with the US Department of Defense to deploy its flagship Gemini AI model in classified settings.

More than 20 directors, senior directors and vice presidents were among the signatories, the statement said.

"Classified workloads are by definition opaque," one organizing employee, who was not named in the statement, said.

"Right now, there's no way to ensure that our tools wouldn't be leveraged to cause terrible harms or erode civil liberties away from public scrutiny. We're talking about things like profiling individuals or targeting innocent civilians."

Google is one of several companies vying to fill the void left by AI startup Anthropic and become the next go-to provider for government AI in classified and unclassified settings.

Anthropic has sued the Pentagon over its designation of the firm as a "supply-chain risk" after the AI company requested that its technology not be used for mass surveillance in the United States or for automated warfare.

According to the letter organizers, Google has proposed contractual language that would prevent Gemini from being used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapons without appropriate human control.

The Pentagon, however, has pushed for broad "all lawful uses" wording that it argues is necessary to maintain operational flexibility.

Employees say those proposed safeguards are technically unenforceable, pointing to Pentagon policy that prohibits outside entities from imposing controls on its AI systems.

"If leadership is truly serious about preventing downstream harms, they must reject classified workloads entirely for now," a second letter organizer said.

Google already holds a contract with the US Department of Defense on non-classified workloads through a program known as genAI.mil, and the proposed new deal would extend Gemini's capabilities into classified domains.

The staff campaign draws direct inspiration from a 2018 employee movement that successfully pushed Google to abandon Project Maven, a Pentagon program to integrate AI into drone operations.

But in recent years Google has embarked on a strategy shift, steadily rebuilding its military business and competing with rivals Amazon Web Services and Microsoft for defense cloud contracts.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel army chief says 2026 'likely to be year of fighting' on all fronts



Jerusalem, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Israel's chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned Monday that the country's military was likely to be fighting on multiple fronts throughout 2026, as it fights wars against Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

"Since 7 October (2023), the IDF has been engaged in fighting in an ongoing multi-front campaign... 2026 is likely to be another year of fighting on all of those fronts," he said, citing the date of Hamas's attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.

He also reiterated the urgent need for the military to recruit more troops to handle the operational demands facing it.

"Given the growing tasks facing the IDF in the coming years, the urgent need facing the state of Israel is to increase the number of military personnel and fighters," he said.
Israel PM says action needed over Hezbollah rockets, drones



Beirut, Lebanon, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Hezbollah's rockets and drones were still a key threat demanding military action, as Israel's army expanded strikes on Lebanon despite a ceasefire.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said direct negotiations with Israel sought to end the Israel-Hezbollah war and that those who dragged Lebanon into it were the ones committing "treason" -- a jab at the Iran-backed group, which claimed several attacks on Israeli targets in south Lebanon on Monday.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem called direct talks between the two countries a "sin", while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned the group's rejection of negotiations would bring catastrophic consequences for Lebanon.

Lebanon and Israel's US ambassadors met twice in Washington in recent weeks, the first such meetings in decades, for discussions that Hezbollah has categorically rejected.

After the first talks, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17, announcing a three-week extension after the second round.

Netanyahu said in a statement that "there are still two central threats from Hezbollah: the 122mm rockets and the drones. This demands a combination of operational and technological activity."

Israel's army on Monday announced strikes on the eastern Bekaa region and southern Lebanon targeting "Hezbollah infrastructure".

Under the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".



- 'Grave sin' -



Lebanese state media reported Israeli airstrikes in several southern towns, along with artillery shelling and demolition operations in at least two locations.

Hezbollah said its fighters launched several attacks on Israeli troops in the country's south, including on an Israeli army bulldozer that it said was demolishing homes in the border town of Bint Jbeil.

Aoun said in a statement that "my goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel, similar to the armistice agreement" of 1949.

Lebanon and Israel, officially at war for decades, signed an armistice after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

"I assure you that I will not accept reaching a humiliating agreement," said Aoun.

Earlier, Hezbollah's chief sharply criticised the government, describing direct negotiations with Israel as a "grave sin".

"We categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel, and those in power should know that their actions will not benefit Lebanon or themselves," Qassem said in a statement aired by the group's TV channel Al-Manar.

He urged authorities to "back down from their grave sin that is putting Lebanon in a spiral of instability".

The government "cannot continue while it is neglecting Lebanon's rights, giving up land, and confronting" those resisting Israel, he said, adding: "we will not give up our weapons... and the Israeli enemy will not remain on a single inch of our occupied land."

Israeli troops who invaded south Lebanon after the war erupted on March 2 are operating inside an Israeli-announced "yellow line" -- a ribbon of Lebanese territory around 10 kilometres (six miles) deep along the border, where Lebanese have been warned not to return.



- 'Consensus' -



Aoun said that "what we are doing is not treason. Rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests".

Aoun has faced intense criticism from Hezbollah and its supporters.

They say his push for direct talks with Israel lacks consensus among Lebanon's various communities -- the latest point of contention after the government decided to disarm the group last year and outlawed its military activities in March.

"Some want to hold us accountable over the decision to go to negotiations on the grounds that there is no national consensus" over the talks, Aoun said.

"My question to them is: when you went to war, did you first obtain national consensus?"

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by firing rockets towards Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Katz said Qassem was "playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon".

He also accused Aoun of "gambling with the future of Lebanon", saying Israel would not accept a ceasefire in Lebanon while attacks on Israeli forces and communities in northern Israel continued.

Israeli attacks have killed 2,521 people since March 2, Lebanese authorities said Monday.
Israel army chief issues sharp warning against looting



Jerusalem, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Israel's military chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir issued a sharp warning to troops about looting on Monday, and said using social media to spread "questionable" messages was crossing "a red line".

"The phenomenon of looting, if it exists, is disgraceful and risks tarnishing the IDF as a whole. If such incidents occurred, we will investigate them," he said in a statement, using the acronym for the Israeli army.

His remarks came after Israel's left-leaning Haaretz newspaper reported that troops in south Lebanon had been looting significant amounts of civilian property, citing testimonies from troops and commanders in the field.

Footage has also emerged on social media of Israeli soldiers filming each other joking around as they damaged property inside people's homes in what appeared to be south Lebanon.

Another image on social media showed a soldier using a sledgehammer to smash a figure of Jesus that had fallen off a cross in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military last week said two soldiers would receive 30 days of military detention and be removed from combat duty over the incident.

"IDF conscripts and reservists must not use social networks as a tool for spreading controversial messages and for self-promotion. This is a red line that must not be crossed," Zamir warned.

"Those who cross it will face disciplinary action," he said, adding: "Normalisation of such behaviour can be just as dangerous as operational threats."

In a separate statement to AFP, the military said it viewed "any harm to civilian property, as well as acts of looting, with the utmost severity and strictly prohibits such conduct".

It said allegations of such behaviour were "thoroughly examined" and where proof was established, "disciplinary and criminal measures" would be taken, "including prosecution".

Military police officers also conducted "inspections at northern border crossings upon troops' exit from operational activity", it said, without indicating whether any evidence of looting had emerged.

Israeli rights group Breaking the Silence said it was not collecting testimonies from troops in Lebanon, but said looting and other such behaviours had "become really common" since Israel began a ground invasion during the Gaza war that began in 2023.
Four dead in Lebanon as Israel says action needed on Hezbollah arsenal



Beirut, Lebanon, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah's rockets and drones were a key threat demanding military action, as Israel's army expanded strikes on Lebanon where authorities reported four dead on Monday despite a ceasefire.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said direct talks with Israel sought to end the Israel-Hezbollah war and that those who dragged Lebanon into it were the ones committing "treason" -- a jab at the Iran-backed group, which claimed several attacks on Israeli targets in south Lebanon on Monday.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem called direct talks between the two countries a "sin", while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned the group's rejection of negotiations would bring catastrophic consequences for Lebanon.

Israeli and Lebanese representatives met twice in Washington this month, the first such meetings in decades, for discussions that Hezbollah has categorically rejected.

After the first talks, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17, and a three-week extension after the second round.

Netanyahu said in a statement that "there are still two central threats from Hezbollah: the 122mm rockets and the drones. This demands a combination of operational and technological activity."

Israel's army said it struck more than 20 Hezbollah "infrastructure sites" in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and the country's south on Monday, including weapons storage facilities and rocket launch sites.

Under the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".



- 'Grave sin' -



Lebanese state media reported Israeli airstrikes in multiple locations in south Lebanon, including around a dozen sites in the evening.

The health ministry said Israeli strikes on the south killed four people on Monday, including a woman, and wounded 51 others.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 40 people in Lebanon since the truce began, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.

Hezbollah said its fighters launched several attacks on Israeli troops, including on an army bulldozer that it said was demolishing homes in the border town of Bint Jbeil.

Aoun said in a statement that "my goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel, similar to the armistice agreement" of 1949, signed after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

"I assure you that I will not accept reaching a humiliating agreement," said Aoun.

Earlier, Hezbollah's chief sharply criticised the government, branding direct negotiations with Israel a "grave sin".

"We categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel, and those in power should know that their actions will not benefit Lebanon or themselves," Qassem said in a statement.

He urged authorities to "back down from their grave sin that is putting Lebanon in a spiral of instability".

The government "cannot continue while it is neglecting Lebanon's rights, giving up land, and confronting" those resisting Israel, he said.

"We will not give up our weapons... and the Israeli enemy will not remain on a single inch of our occupied land."

Israeli troops who invaded south Lebanon after the war erupted on March 2 are operating inside an Israeli-announced "yellow line" -- a ribbon of Lebanese territory around 10 kilometres (six miles) deep along the border, where Lebanese have been warned not to return.



- 'Consensus' -



Aoun said that "what we are doing is not treason. Rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests".

Aoun has faced intense criticism from Hezbollah and its supporters.

They say his push for direct talks with Israel lacks consensus among Lebanon's communities -- the latest point of contention after the government decided to disarm the group last year and outlawed its military activities in March.

"Some want to hold us accountable over the decision to go to negotiations on the grounds that there is no national consensus" over the talks, Aoun said.

"My question to them is: when you went to war, did you first obtain national consensus?"

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by firing rockets towards Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Katz said Qassem was "playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon".
Iran needs 'credible guarantees' against attacks before Gulf can be stable: envoy



United Nations, United States, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Iran needs guarantees against another US-Israeli attack before it can ensure security in the oil-rich Gulf, Tehran's envoy to the United Nations said Monday.

The ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, addressed a Security Council session initiated by Bahrain, in which dozens of countries condemned Iran for exerting control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

"Lasting stability and security in the Persian Gulf and the wider region can only be achieved through a durable and permanent cessation of aggression against Iran supplemented by credible guarantees of non-recurrence and full respect for the legitimate sovereign rights and interests of Iran," Iravani told the session.

Speaking afterward to reporters, Iravani complained that countries only criticized Iran and not a naval blockade declared by the United States.

"The United States is acting like pirates and terrorists, targeting commercial vessels through coercion and intimidation, terrorizing their crews, unlawfully seizing ships and taking crew members hostage," Iravani said.

"But no one from those who have expressed their concern for international navigation dares to refer to or condemn this terrorist act at today's meeting."
Ghana military convoy attacked, three civilians killed



Accra, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



A military-escorted civilian convoy in northern Ghana was attacked on Monday, leaving three civilians dead and one injured, the Ghana Armed Forces said.

The convoy, transporting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire at Binduri from unidentified assailants, according to a statement.

The military said it repelled the attack, killing seven of the attackers. Security forces later recovered a locally made weapon, a G3 rifle, and ammunition from one suspect who attempted to flee.

Ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations, the statement added.

The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against interfering with ongoing security operations and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The latest violence adds to a long-running conflict in and around Bawku, where tensions, often tied to chieftaincy disputes between the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups, date back decades and have periodically flared into deadly clashes.

The area has seen cycles of reprisals, curfews, and heavy security deployments by the Ghana Armed Forces and police, with attacks on civilians, traders, and security personnel disrupting cross-border trade and daily life.

Despite mediation efforts by successive governments and traditional authorities, the dispute remains unresolved, making the region one of Ghana's most persistent security flashpoints.
CORRECTED: Iraqi president nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM-designate



Baghdad, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Iraq's newly elected president nominated businessman Ali al-Zaidi as the country's prime minister-designate on Monday, after the country's leaders yielded to US pressure not to support the bid of a former premier close to Iran.

The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia factions with varying links to Iran, had initially backed powerbroker Nouri al-Maliki to become the country's next premier, but an ultimatum by US President Donald Trump left Iraqi leaders looking elsewhere.

For weeks, they were locked in intense discussions to settle the question and avoid punitive measures after Trump threatened in January to cut all support for Iraq if two-time ex-premier Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, returned to power.

"President Nizar Amede has tasked Ali al-Zaidi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government," the presidency said in a statement.

Zaidi will now have 30 days to form a government -- a daunting task in a country where constitutional deadlines are rarely respected.

The announcement came shortly after the Coordination Framework endorsed Zaidi as its candidate.

The alliance also praised "the historic and responsible stance" of Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani "for withdrawing" their candidacies.

Yasser al-Maliki, the head of Maliki's parliamentary bloc, congratulated the PM-designate and said "we will support him" in his mission to form a government.

Following the 2003 invasion that overthrew former ruler Saddam Hussein, the US has held major sway in Iraq.

But the invasion has also paved the way for the US' archenemy Iran in the country's halls of power.

Since then, the country's leaders have struggled to balance relations between Washington and Tehran.



- 'Has the tools' -



By convention, a Shia holds the powerful post of prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

Seen as a compromise figure, Zaidi is little known in political circles.

He is a businessman, banker and owner of a television channel, and has never held a government post.

If he succeeds in forming a government, Zaidi will become Iraq's youngest prime minister at the age of 40.

Political analyst Hamzeh Hadad said it appeared that Zaidi "has the tools" as a banker and TV channel owner "to help him sway people and politicians".

His nomination also "allows the Coordination Framework to claim they are abiding by the constitutional timeline," whether he ends up forming a government or not.

In recent years, and after decades of conflicts, oil-rich Iraq has begun to enjoy some stability, yet its politics remain volatile, shaped not only by internal disputes but also by regional dynamics.



- Regional war -



The new nomination came against the backdrop of a regional war ignited by a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Iraq was dragged into the Middle East conflict, with strikes targeting both US interests and Tehran-backed groups in the country.

During the war, Iraqi leaders scaled back their talks to settle the premiership question, and only resumed them intensively a few days after a fragile US-Iran ceasefire took effect on April 8.

Iraq's new premier will be expected to address Washington's longstanding demand that Baghdad disarm Iran-backed groups, which the US has designated as terrorist organisations.

From the onset of the war, these groups targeted US interests in Iraq and the broader region.

The new PM will also need to repair Iraq's relations with Gulf countries, which have protested attacks by Tehran-backed groups on their territory during the war.

Zaidi will have to address Iraq's many economic woes, particularly after the sharp drop of income caused by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, given that oil exports make up some 90 percent of the country's budget revenues.
Iran FM blames US for failure of talks as he meets Putin



Saint Petersburg, April 27 (AFP) Apr 27, 2026



Iran's top diplomat blamed Washington Monday for the failure of Middle East peace talks during a visit to Russia, where President Vladimir Putin promised him Moscow's support in ending the war.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Saint Petersburg on a whirlwind diplomatic tour, having sandwiched a trip to Oman in between two visits to Pakistan, the main mediator in the Mideast war.

Islamabad hosted a first, unsuccessful round of US-Iran talks, and Araghchi's visit raised hopes for more negotiations over the weekend -- until US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

"The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands," Araghchi said Monday.

Trump told Fox News if Iran wanted talks, "they can call us" -- adding the cancellation does not signal a return to hostilities.

Iran's envoy to the UN said Tehran would first need guarantees Washington and Israel would not attack again if it was to offer security assurances in the Gulf.

"Lasting stability and security in the Persian Gulf and the wider region can only be achieved through a durable and permanent cessation of aggression against Iran, supplemented by credible guarantees of non-recurrence," Amir Saeid Iravani told a UN Security Council session.

Meanwhile in Saint Petersburg, Putin and Araghchi both voiced their commitment to their countries' "strategic relationship" following their meeting.

Araghchi said the war with the United States and Israel showed "Iran's true power" and stability.

But back home in Tehran, the mood was more sober.

"Everything in the country is up in the air right now. I have not worked for a long time," small business owner Farshad told Paris-based AFP journalists.

"The country is in complete economic collapse."



- Hormuz proposal -



Highlighting back-channel diplomacy, the Fars news agency said Iran passed "written messages" to Washington via Pakistan spelling out its red lines in negotiations -- including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump met with his top security advisers Monday to discuss an Iranian proposal that would reportedly reopen the vital strait as broader negotiations over the war continue, the White House said.

When asked about the reported plan, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told a White House briefing the proposal was "being discussed".

Though the US-Iranian ceasefire holds, the war's economic shock waves continue to reverberate.

Tehran resident Shervin, a photographer, said he was feeling the pinch.

"It is the first time that I have reached a point where I was late on my rent. I still don't have any projects," said Shervin, 42.

Iran has blockaded Hormuz, cutting off flows of oil, gas and fertiliser and sending prices soaring.

In response, the United States has imposed a blockade of Iranian ports.

Trump faces domestic pressure to find an off-ramp as fuel prices rise, with midterm elections due in November and polls showing the war is unpopular among Americans.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards say they have no intention of easing their market-rattling chokehold of the strategic waterway.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran's parliament, said a proposed law for managing the strait would make the Islamic republic's armed forces the overseeing authority, with levies to be paid in Iranian rial.

The head of the UN's maritime agency, Arsenio Dominguez, said there was "no legal basis" for imposing transit fees.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also rejected the idea.

"They cannot normalise -- nor can we tolerate them trying to normalise -- a system in which the Iranians decide who gets to use an international waterway, and how much you have to pay them to use it," he told Fox News Channel's "America's Newsroom".



- 'Playing with fire' -



Violence has continued on the war's Lebanese front, despite a recently extended ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, with Beirut's health ministry reporting Israel killed four people in the south.

Fifty-one others were wounded, including three children, the ministry added.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by firing rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes and a ground invasion.

The group's leader Naim Qassem on Monday rejected planned direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel as a "grave sin", vowing to "not back down".

Shortly afterwards, the Israeli military said it had begun hitting Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Israel maintains that under the terms of the truce, it can act against imminent threats.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah's rockets and drones remained a threat meriting military action.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that "Qassem is playing with fire".

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, responding to Qassem, said his "goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel".

But Israeli army chief of staff Eyal Zamir said 2026 was "likely to be another year of fighting" for Israel on all fronts.

burs-gw/dw
The inflation outlook is arguably as cloudy as it was at the time of the March meeting. Meanwhile, the recent labour data show resilience and potentially some green shoots. The big question around the FOMC statement is whether it will indicate that risks to the policy path are two-sided. We think it wont, but its a close call. We anticipate only one dissent, BofA said.
When asked about the forthcoming local elections, Pochin added: We hope to do very well in the local elections. There's a surge across the country of support for Reform, and the situation at the petrol pumps is just one example of why people are looking for an alternative to this Labour government.
We are releasing his image in the hope that he will come forward. If anyone recognises him, we would also ask you contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0207 960 8044 or by calling 101, quoting CAD 3513/19DEC25. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
It may be that at some stage in the future, some of the questions havent been answered, and it is decided that they are of sufficient importance that the Privileges Committee should be involved, but I dont really see why were doing it at the moment, apart from, potentially people trying to score points in advance of the local elections.
The Russian navy regularly deploy in the North Atlantic and, on this side of the Atlantic, it is the island of Ireland that is closest to that battlefield, so while were not here today to conduct anti-submarine warfare, were not here to track Russians or drop torpedoes, we are here to make the point partially that Ireland, the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Aldergrove, this airfield, will be strategically important in the future  of that there is no doubt.
Speaking about McGovern and his injuries from an earlier shooting, which escalated the bitter Hutch-Kinahan feud, she said: You were shot yourself in the Regency Hotel, you would have seen the fear and panic in your own family that day.
Addressing a congregation at the Episcopal church of St Pauls Within the Walls  the first non-Roman Catholic church to be built within the citys walls  she also highlighted the importance of speaking up for and defending the dignity and worth of every human being, including refugees.
Police said a Marine corporal was killed aboard this motorcycle, seen here at Urasoe Police Station in Urasoe city, Okinawa, April 27, 2026. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



URASOE, Okinawa  A Marine corporal died over the weekend after his motorcycle collided with a taxi outside a U.S. base in central Okinawa, according to the Marine Corps and police.

David Rodrigues, 21, was declared dead around 1:30 a.m. Saturday following an off-duty traffic accident near Camp Kinser, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman Maj. Joseph Butterfield said by email Monday.

A New Jersey native, Rodrigues was a tactical air control operator assigned to Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Butterfield said.

Rodrigues was southbound on Route 58 in the Yafuso district of Urasoe city at 12:45 a.m. when he collided with a taxi attempting to turn right from the opposite lane, a city police spokesman said by phone Monday.

The intersection, with a traffic light, is just outside Kinsers Gate 2.

Rodrigues suffered multiple injuries, the spokesman said. He was taken to a hospital in central Okinawa where he was declared dead.

The motorcycle was heavily damaged, the spokesman added. The taxis front was also damaged. Taxi driver Kazuki Matayoshi, 50, was uninjured.

It was unclear who had the right of way at the time of the accident, and police are investigating, the spokesman said.

A Marine motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a taxi at this Route 58 intersection near Camp Kinser's Gate 2 in Urasoe city, Okinawa, seen here April 27 , 2026. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



Some Japanese government officials can speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

Rodrigues enlisted in September 2023 and was promoted to corporal in September, Butterfield said. His personal awards include the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

We are working closely with local authorities as they investigate the incident, Butterfield said. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and all affected by this tragic loss.

Motorcycle accidents on Okinawa claimed four U.S. service members lives over the past year.

On Dec. 5, U.S. Army Spc. Markeith Driskell died after his motorcycle swerved to miss a turning vehicle, hit a median and was struck by a second vehicle on Route 58 in Chatan town the evening before.

On Oct. 30, Air Force Staff Sgt. Gregory Peterson died of a brain hemorrhage after his motorcycle collided with a compact car on Oct. 17 in Ginowan city.

Marine Lance Cpl. Alexi Gamboa was killed Aug. 16 after his motorcycle hit a curb and he struck a fence on a main thoroughfare in Nago city.

On May 16, Marine Cpl. Nathaniel Curtis died following a three-vehicle accident in Nago the evening before that also left another Marine motorcyclist injured.
A U.S. Navy sailor received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of negligent driving resulting in death following an April 2025 collision at this intersection in Yokosuka, Japan. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



YOKOSUKA, Japan  A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a U.S. Navy sailor to a suspended sentence of 18 months in prison, one year to the day that his car struck and killed a Japanese motorcyclist.

Chief Petty Officer Mark Paul Paloay Callos, 33, an information technician assigned to Naval Surface Forces Group Western Pacific, was found guilty of negligent driving resulting in death and sentenced by the Yokohama District Courts Yokosuka Branch.

Judge Yasushi Katada suspended Callos sentence for three years, meaning he wont go to prison unless he commits another offense during that time.

Prosecutors and Callos both have 14 days to appeal the decision to the Tokyo High Court.

Naval Forces Japan spokesman Cmdr. Joe Keiley acknowledged Callos sentence by email Monday but declined to comment further in consideration of the ongoing legal process.

Callos on March 24 pleaded no contest to the charge, which stemmed from an April 27, 2025, collision just outside Yokosuka Naval Base that killed Shinji Takahashi.

Callos, driving a passenger car, at 6:49 p.m. made a right turn at a traffic signal in Yokosukas Heisei neighborhood. Takahashi, 47, was approaching from the opposite direction, Katada said in a summary of the case Monday.

The front of Callos car, moving at about 10 mph, collided with the left side of Takashis motorcycle, which was traveling about 25 mph. The impact resulted in traumatic injuries and a severe chest contusion for Takashi, who died about an hour later at a local hospital.

At sentencing, Katada said Callos had failed to fulfill his duty of care by not adequately checking for oncoming traffic.

Prosecutors recommended a two-year sentence, arguing Callos showed severe negligence and failed to show sufficient remorse for his actions. They argued that he admitted negligence only after seeing evidence at trial.

In closing arguments March 24, they said that Takahashis family sought a severe punishment.

Callos defense, however, in closing, argued for leniency.

Callos had voluntarily surrendered his drivers license after the accident and attended Takahashis funeral in Nagasaki prefecture, about 575 miles west of Yokosuka, where he offered flowers and a condolence payment of about $1,256 to the family.

Katada dismissed allegations that Callos showed no remorse, but the judge acknowledged the severity of his negligence and the gravity of Takahashis death.

Takahashis younger brothers, during a news conference after the sentencing, called on the Navy to establish a better driving education system for sailors.

He should stay in Japan and atone for the crime, the 46-year-old brother, who did not identify himself, told reporters.
(Kevin Baron/Stars and Stripes)



Arlington, Va., April 2009: Members of the Sikh Coalition hold at a press conference at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. Two Sikh medical professionals had appealed to U.S. Army to allow them to serve while retaining articles of faith  unshorn hair and a turban.
Space Force recruits take the oath of enlistment at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Dec. 13, 2025. (Gwendolyn Kurzen/U.S. Space Force)



YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  The war with Iran so far has not deterred young people from joining the Air and Space forces, according to the general in charge of recruiting for those branches.

We havent seen any significant change, Brig. Gen. Jeff Nelson, commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, told Stars and Stripes during a Friday visit to the home of U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force and 374th Airlift Wing in western Tokyo.

The Air Force and Space Force have already surpassed their annual recruiting goals five months ahead of schedule, he said.

Nelson also leads the Air Force Accessions Center, which oversees programs such as ROTC, officer training and enlisted accessions. The organization manages more than 6,000 military and civilian personnel responsible for recruiting and training.

About 32,000 recruits have enlisted in the two services over the past seven months, according to figures released this month.

Brig. Gen. Jeff Nelson, commander of the Air Force Accessions Center and Air Force Recruiting Service, visits Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 24, 2026. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



Since Oct. 1, about 25,000 active-duty recruits have reported to basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, with another 7,000 expected by the end of the fiscal year, according to an April 16 news release.

The Air Force missed its recruiting target in 2023 for the first time since 1999, falling short by about 2,700 recruits. The Space Force has met its goals each year since its creation in 2019.

Nelson said recruiting rebounded last year and again this year, crediting recruiters in the field.

A policy change in 2023 allowing higher body fat percentages for recruits  up to 26% for men and 36% for women  has also helped boost enlistment numbers, he said.

Only a small number of recruits admitted under the revised standards have encountered issues during training, Nelson said.

His trip to Japan included visits with recruiters at Yokota and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The Kadena recruiter also supports efforts in South Korea, he said.

Americans living overseas outside the military community also contribute to recruiting, Nelson added.

Interest in the Space Force remains strong, particularly among candidates with technical skills in areas such as intelligence and cyber operations, Nelson said.
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 deliver emergency drinking water to the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands Fire Department in Saipan, April 23, 2026. (Kentavist Brackin/U.S. Air Force)



Nearly two weeks after a powerful typhoon plowed into the Northern Marianas, the U.S. military continues moving supplies, generators, fuel and water onto the islands, which are still in recovery mode.

On Guam, which missed the full brunt of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, civilian authorities on the U.S. territory are cleaning up leftover debris after restoring essential services like power and water.

Military engineers, aircrews and warships worked in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local authorities to bring full recovery to Saipan and Tinian, northeast of Guam, according to information from the Guam government and military commands over the weekend.

Guam was spared the worst of Sinlaku, a slow-moving storm that passed 100 miles northeast of the island on April 14 and brought flooding and winds of 84 mph. The typhoon made landfall over northern Tinian the following day, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, according to NASA.

More than 15,000 people on nearby Saipan were still without power and only 33% of the islands water services were restored as of Sunday, according to an update that day from the islands Joint Information Center.

Coast Guardsmen assess damage, including beached sailboats, at Smiling Cove on Saipan, April 18, 2026. (Whip Blacklaw/U.S. Coast Guard)



Tinians water supply was operating at 98% capacity, but the islands entire power supply was offline as of Sunday, leaving more than 1,000 people in the dark, the center said.

Guam had restored 99% of its critical infrastructure and debris cleanup and disposal were well underway, freeing up resources to assist elsewhere, the Office of the Governor of Guam said in a Saturday news release.

Military installations on Guam - Andersen Air Force Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz and Naval Base Guam - are fully operational, said Joint Region Marianas spokeswoman Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kristina Wiedemann.

Any localized issues have been addressed or are in the process of being restored, and there has been no impact to critical infrastructure affecting mission capability, she said by email Monday.

Approximately 10,000 service members from every branch were working to expedite recovery, according to Joint Task Force-Micronesia spokeswoman Capt. Christy Hanson.

A power planning and response team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District, including 12 soldiers from the 249th Engineer Battalion, were pre-positioned on Guam ahead of Sinlakus arrival.

Since then, the soldiers have installed emergency generators and continue daily power assessments on Saipan and Tinian via a staging area at Saipans port, according to a Friday news release.

Members of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Boxer Amphibious Ready Group clear trees felled by Super Typhoon Sinlaku in Ypao Beach, Guam, April 21, 2026. (Oliver Nisbet/U.S. Marine Corps clear trees felled by a storm.)



The Navys amphibious transport dock USS Portland is on the scene supporting supply transport and recovery operations, according to images posted on the militarys Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

Seabees from Navy Expeditionary Forces Pacific began building FEMA-approved tents Sunday for Saipan residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Sinlaku, Hanson said by phone Monday.

People submit applications if their homes were damaged, and FEMA chooses the ones that are the highest priorities, she said.

The 374th Airlift Wing out of Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo provided support via two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a quick-reaction logistics force and other aircrews, personnel and equipment, wing spokeswoman Capt. Emma Quirk said by email Friday.

With ports reopened, the U.S. Coast Guard is focusing on environmental recovery and maritime safety, Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam spokeswoman Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sara Muir said by email Monday.
A German soldier trains with an M4 carbine rifle in Grafenwoehr, Germany, March 18, 2026. Germany spent more than 2% of GDP on defense in 2025, the first time since 1990, according to data published Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. (Collin Mackall/U.S. Army)



STUTTGART, Germany  Military spending in Europe last year increased at its fastest pace in nearly three-quarters of a century, according to a new analysis that also showed American expenditures declining in 2025.

While the United States remains by far the biggest individual military spender, its total of $954 billion marked a 7.5% drop from 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said in its annual report published Monday.

The decline was primarily related to a halt in new military assistance to Ukraine last year, the report said. But it may be short-lived, with a new U.S. budget proposal calling for defense spending of $1.5 trillion.

Globally, military outlays climbed to $2.8 trillion, accounting for 2.5% of gross domestic product overall. The top three spenders  the United States, China and Russia  accounted for 51% of that total, with a combined figure of $1.4 trillion, the report said.

Meanwhile, European defense expenditures drove much of the global increase, the report said.

In 2025 military spending by European NATO members rose faster than at any time since 1953, reflecting the ongoing pursuit of European self-reliance alongside increasing pressure from the United States to strengthen burden sharing within the alliance, researcher Jade Guiberteau Ricard said.

Germany spent $114 billion on defense in 2025, according to recent data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. (Hunter Carpenter/U.S. Army)



NATOs European members spent a combined $559 billion in 2025. Germany led the way with a 24% year-on-year increase to $114 billion. It also spent more than 2% of GDP on defense for the first time since 1990.

The rise of Germany as a military power is a marked turnaround from just a few years ago when the country was widely regarded as a defense spending laggard and security free rider by its critics.

President Donald Trump, particularly during his first term, frequently singled Germany out for criticism over the issue.

Now, top Defense Department officials have heaped praise on Germany, which last week issued a new defense strategy calling for development of Europes strongest land force in the next decade.

The push comes amid fears that Russia could turn its attention to NATOs eastern flank once its war in Ukraine ends.

Worries about a drawdown of U.S. forces on the continent or reduction in the level of American commitment to NATO also have added to the sense of urgency.

As spending has ramped up, so has Germanys defense industrial base, with manufacturers opening new factories and converting old ones to churn out ammunition.

Armin Papperger, CEO of German weapons producer Rheinmetall, said last week that the company has increased its production capacity for military trucks from 600 to 4,500 per year, for medium-caliber ammunition from 800,000 to more than 4 million rounds and for artillery from 70,000 to 1.1 million rounds.

Germany now has more production capacity for conventional ammunition than the United States, Papperger told the crowd at an event in Hamburg, as quoted by the German Press Agency.
Keir Starmer addressing MPs in the House of Commons in July 2024. (Courtesy of UK Parliament/AFP)



The United Kingdom needs to rethink its long-standing strategic reliance on the United States for defense, according to a new British parliamentary report.

It warns of potential implications for NATO allies, saying the trans-Atlantic partnership is entering a more uncertain and transactional era.

Britain must banish the sentimental illusion of a permanent special relationship with Washington and instead prepare for a future in which U.S. priorities may not align as closely with Europe, the report said.

In terms of defense, the relationship has resulted in a dependency culture that has led to the atrophying of U.K. capabilities, the International Relations and Defense Committee in the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Parliament, said in the report released Wednesday.

It comes nearly two months after the U.S. and Israel began airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear and military facilities, and as President Donald Trump has stepped up criticism of European allies, including the United Kingdom, for what he considers insufficient support for U.S. efforts in the Middle East.

The U.K. has allowed the U.S. to use British bases for defensive operations against Iran, but the Trump administration has suggested that London should do more.

An internal Pentagon email said the U.S. was considering options to punish NATO allies it views as unsupportive of the war, including seeking Spains suspension from the alliance and reviewing the American position on the U.K.s claim to the Falkland Islands, Reuters reported Friday.

The release comes as King Charles III begins a visit to the United States on Monday, an effort British officials hope will help reinforce ties between the two allies even as tensions rise.

Against that backdrop, the committee warned that the nature of the U.S.-U.K relationship is already shifting.

Political priorities in the U.S. will give rise to a relationship that, while still close, will be far more transactional and interest-based than previously, the report said. The U.K. must respond by strengthening alternative partnerships and rebuild its own capacity to act without U.S. support where feasible and in its interests.

British lawmakers delayed the publication of the report to incorporate evidence from the early stages of the Iran war, assessing what developments through April 15 revealed about the state of U.S.-U.K. relations.

The lack of consultation ahead of the Iran strikes and an unpredictable and, at times, antagonistic diplomatic style are among several factors that have put the U.S.-U.K. relationship under its greatest strain since World War II, the report said.

The U.K. must reframe its relationship with the U.S. and adopt a more balanced approach to hedge against a less dependable ally whose strategic priorities are shifting, the report said.

In addition, its imperative for the U.K. to invest more in its own sovereign capabilities and work with European partners to develop the means required to collectively deter Russian aggression, the report authors said.

Calls to do that have echoed across Europe since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The urgency has grown as the Trump administration increasingly shifts its focus to competition with China.

Britain can no longer assume that the U.S. will continue to guarantee European security or uphold the rules-based international order, according to the report.

At a NATO summit last year in the Dutch city of The Hague, NATO members pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product, more than double the previous alliance target of 2%.

The increase was prompted by Trumps frequent haranguing of European allies that many of them werent paying their fair share.

Despite concerns, the report emphasized that the partnership with the United States remains vital even as it evolves.

There are currently more than 12,000 U.S. military personnel stationed in the U.K. operating from over a dozen bases.
Spectators at the Naval Academy watch as the Blue Angels perform their Commissioning Week air show over the Severn River in Annapolis in 2024. (Jerry Jackson via TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  Civilians hoping to watch the Blue Angels soar over the U.S. Naval Academy during Commissioning Week next month may need to find a new spot this year.

Because of heightened security restrictions tied to the war in Iran, visitors without military identification or an escort will likely be barred from entering the academy grounds for popular events such as the annual Blue Angels air show, pushing many spectators to downtown Annapolis waterfronts, parking garages and other off-campus viewing areas.

The City of Annapolis says it is prepared for any size crowd during the celebration of midshipmens graduation and commissioning into the Navy or Marine Corps  including one larger than normal due to the restrictions.

City officials view increased activity for Commissioning week not as pressure, but as an opportunity for our community to show the graduates one more week of support before they head out to serve the nation, city spokesperson Mitchelle Stephenson wrote in an email.

This year, Annapolis residents and visitors will have several opportunities to see the Blue Angels during Commissioning Week, which begins May 16. The fighter jets will be rehearsing May 19 and performing May 20, both at 2 p.m., with one last flyover during the commissioning ceremony, at 10:04 a.m. May 22.

Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County is expecting the turnout to be large.

USNAs Commissioning Week consistently draws strong visitation, and we anticipate that continuing this year, wrote Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County CEO Kristen Pironis.

Pironis recommended some good air show viewing spots around town, namely the Spa Creek Bridge, the waterfront along Ego Alley, and onthewater vantage points throughout the Severn River and Spa Creek.

Many off-campus venues are used to hosting large crowds for the air show. One is Anne Arundel Public Library, which holds an annual viewing on the Green Parking Deck of the Annapolis Mall.

In previous years, weve had around 500 people attend each watch party, library spokesperson Stacey Coles wrote in a statement. Branch Manager Rachel Myers is preparing her staff for a slightly bigger crowd this year due to the Naval Academy restrictions.

Another popular off-campus viewing spot, the hill and World War II memorial near Jonas and Anne Catharine Park, is expecting higher turnout as well. The park itself will be closed during the show.

Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks is preparing for the Blue Angels viewing as usual. Ranger staff will be supplemented by personnel from other park operations to assist with the anticipated increase in visitation, wrote Heath Neiderer, chief of marketing and communications for the department.

The Naval Academys heightened security measures were put in place on the last day of February, the day the war in Iran began. They included the suspension of the Trusted Traveler program, which allowed a person with base access to bring someone who did not have credentials onto campus in their car.

On April 7, the academy relaxed some of the restrictions, allowing for escorted access again, though the Trusted Traveler program remains suspended. The Naval Academy declined to comment on the differences between the trusted traveler program and the new escort rules, citing operational security reasons.

Have a news tip? Contact Benjamin Rothstein at brothstein@baltsun.com, 443-928-1926.

2026 Capital Gazette.

Visit at capitalgazette.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ines Gallastegui Granada 27/04/2026 a las 18:32h.

Asian seaweed was first detected in the Strait of Gibraltar in 2015 and ten years later it has colonised the entire Andalusian coastline, as well as several coastal areas of Portugal, France, Italy and northern Africa. The serious environmental and economic damage caused by this invasion, both to fishing and tourism, is concerning the authorities and scientists who are seeking solutions to eliminate it.

Now, the RugOBSS research project has received European funding to develop a system to detect and quantify the algae that has washed up on beaches from space, combining field observations, satellite imagery, machine learning and cloud computing to provide management tools for this environmental crisis.

To certify that what is detected from space is indeed 'Rugulopteryx okamurae' and not something else, the promoters of the project have launched a citizen science campaign to report the findings of upwelling of the seaweed in their respective areas.

"It is important to have a lot of eyes on the beaches," explains Maria del Mar Roca Mora, an oceanographer at the CSIC's Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, based in Cadiz and leader of the project funded by the Oyster-EuroMarine grants for young researchers, which also involves Maria Joao Lima, from the University of Algarve (Portugal), and Bede Ffinian Rowe Davies, from the University of Montpellier (France).

"Asian seaweed is on everyone's lips, there is concern and it is interesting that people know what is happening and feel involved in finding a solution," explains Mar, who is about to defend her thesis in Aquatic Remote Sensing.

How to help

Anyone interested in collaborating should visit the Rugobbs profile on Instagram, which shows how to identify the Asian seaweed and photograph it on beaches, on rocks and in detail to upload them to the platform Observadores del Mar , within the Invasive Algae project, together with the exact location. The organisers point out that no prior training is required and that anyone interested can take part.

Mar Roca emphasises that all the observations sent in by volunteers will be validated by the scientific team and contrasted with satellite information. The historical record of these images from space, by the way, offers invaluable information on how this exotic species has been spreading along our coasts.

The team makes its own observations in situ, locating and measuring the accumulated algae. "On the beaches of the Mediterranean there are far fewer upwellings, because there are hardly any tides, but that does not mean that the algae is not in the sea," the oceanographer stresses.

Environmental and economic crisis

Rugulopteryx okamurae is native to the coasts of Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines and was first detected in Ceuta eleven years ago, apparently brought by merchant ships. On the Atlantic coast of Andalucia it is a very serious problem, while on the Mediterranean coast, although less abundant, it was detected in the nets by fishermen in 2019 and since then it has not stopped colonising the waters.

Asian algae grows on shallow rocky bottoms at 0.5 to 15 metres, has a thallus of 10 to 20 centimetres with fan-shaped branches and grows uncontrolled outside its original habitat because it lacks predators.

Its environmental effects are devastating because its explosive growth - it reproduces from clones in tiny fragments - displaces native organisms and by reducing oxygen and light as it decomposes, hinders the survival of other species, both invertebrates and fish that live in symbiosis with native algae, corals and other sealife.

In waters with a high density of algae, fishing is reduced and, in addition, nets become clogged and gear is damage and the accumulation on beaches entails a great economic cost for town halls, which must remove them from beaches to avoid the inconvenience they cause to tourists: bad smell, insects and difficulty for swimmers. On Granada province's Costa Tropical the most affected areas are Maro-Cerro Gordo, La Herradura, El Tesorillo de Salobrena, Castell de Ferro and La Mamola.
A National Police car at the Albaicin viewpoint in Granada.

CL 27/04/2026 a las 14:25h.

The National Police have arrested a 38-year-old woman in the historic Albaicin district in Granada for allegedly stabbing a 57-year-old Korean tourists in the ankle with a pocket knife.

The incident happened at around 11.30am. A police patrol found out about the incident while carrying out prevention and safety maintenance tasks in the area.

They located the victim sitting with a bandage stained with blood around her right ankle. According to the police, she was visiting the city with her husband.

Moments earlier, the couple had been taking photos of the Alhambra from the viewpoint. Then, without saying a word, an unknown woman stabbed the victim in the ankle and walked away.

The police arrested the suspect the following day, after identifying her in the same area with the help of a photo of her back, which someone had taken as she was leaving the accident scene. She was wearing the same clothes and shoes as those in the photo.

The suspect is of Spanish origin. According to sources, she has 40 previous arrests. The police have already brought her before a judge for this latest incident.
Maria Jose Lora 27/04/2026 a las 16:03h.

Another week begins with a doctors' strike across the Andalusian health service (SAS) from today, Monday, until Thursday 30 April. Following the last strike by medics back in March, doctors have decided to strike again in the ongoing protest against the framework statute being pushed by central government. This statute will regulate doctors' working, social and salary conditions.

The March strike left more than 256,000 healthcare services unattended, representing a total economic impact - together with December and February data - of more than 111 million euros and more than 767,000 suspended appointments, according to SAS data.

Doctors are facing this new working week of strike action with the same demands they've been making since the last walkout, namely improved working conditions, recognition of the profession's inherent dangers and risks , regulation of on-call shifts, 35-hour working week, job security and their own negotiating body. President of the Andalusian medical union (SMA), Rafael Ojeda, points out that "until there's a change in leadership, I'm afraid we won't be able to reach an agreement and find a way out of the conflict".

"This [Health] Minister (Monica Garcia) has shown herself incapable of resolving the conflict and negotiating", asserts Ojeda, noting that the strike committee has called for her resignation. Under these circumstances, "we have to continue with strike action and demand a professionsl statute and our own negotiating table, because we certainly cannot continue working under the current conditions, with shifts that constitute a form of labour exploitation and a proposed classification system that doesn't properly reflect our training and qualifications".

According to SAS figures, the strike participation rate has hovered around somewhere between 20 and 30 per cent, affecting primary care the most, with over 150,000 appointments not attended to in March.

In response to this situation, the regional health minister Antonio Sanz stated that "the Andalusian government is understandably concerned about the repercussions of the strikes called against PM Pedro Sanchez's government regarding the negotiations around the new framework statute". He added that: "Doctors have every right to demonstrate, but these protests create a very serious problem for the Andalusian public healthcare system, the consequences of which, once again, are ultimately borne by the people. We want to convey our support and understanding to the medical professionals".

"It is inconceivable the contempt and disregard to which they are being subjected by the Ministry of Health, as it continues to be unable to provide any solutions. It is clear that Minister Monica Garcia is unconcerned about this state of affairs, because it is the Spanish regions and, in this case, the people of Andalucia, who are bearing the cost of her lack of dialogue and mismanagement."

More strike days planned

Following this week of strike action, doctors have already planned further action should the conflict remain unresolved in the coming months. Therefore, there will be strike days from 18-22 May inclusive, then 15-19 June inclusive.

Minimum service cover

1. Primary care

All primary care centres (CAP) where a SUAP (for medical emergencies - Urgencias) is located and the CAP's hours of operation coincide with those of the SUAP, will not have assigned minimum services, given that any emergency activity will be covered in the SUAP, as is done on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

In the CAPs that are health centres or local clinics without a SUAP and in those where there is a SUAP, but the operating hours do not coincide with those of the CAP, a doctor will be assigned to provide minimum service cover for emergency care only during the CAP's regular opening hours.

Any CAPs that are auxiliary clinics will not have any assigned minimum services and patients should go to their designated CAP or SUAP, as is done on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

2. Hospital care

All services normally provided on Sundays and public holidays will be maintained. Emergency, critical care and maternity services will be guaranteed at the same level they would be on Sundays and public holidays. Diagnostic tests and urgent procedures that would be carried out on a Sunday or a public holiday are 100 per cent guaranteed to still happen on strike days.

Procedures such as ovarian puncture for oocyte retrieval, haemodynamics, dialysis, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, oncological surgery and, in general, all healthcare and support activities that guarantee continuity of care for this type of patient will be guaranteed.

In inpatient care, treatment must be guaranteed for hospitalised patients with conditions requiring immediate attention due to their severity, without disrupting continuity of care, should be guaranteed. The number of staff present will not exceed 50 per cent of a typical workday between 8:00am and 3:00pm.

The regular operating theatre schedule must be maintained to avoid rescheduling surgical procedures and to mitigate the effects of the strike.

Hospital emergency departments

Minimum services will be provided by the usual number of doctors assigned to hospital emergency departments on weekends or public holidays. Staffing levels may be increased by up to a max of 50 per cent more physicians typically on duty in these departments on a weekend or holiday. Hospital emergency departments with fewer than three resident interns on call will not require any additional staff cover.

Medical emergency services 061

For the 061 medical emergency services, emergency coordination centres, air ambulance teams and critical patient transfers: holiday-level services will be provided during each shift.
I. Gallastegui Granada 27/04/2026 a las 15:59h.

Arpan Roy (Calcutta, 1983) has been awarded the Ramon y Cajal scholarship to study at the University of Granada, having completed his PhD in Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland), where he stayed for a year as an assistant professor.

A researcher on the relations between religions and cultures in the Middle East - Christians, Muslims and Roma - in 2023 his family moved to the USA when he was just eight years old and Arpan has US citizenship. He has chosen a life of academia and as well as the PhD, he was awarded a postdoctoral contract by the American government with a US research centre in Jordan and in 2024 another, with European funding, in Berlin.

Roy's most recent scolarship, which has brought him to Andalucia, "had nothing to do with Trump", he says, because by January 2025, when he began his second term, he already had his mind "on the other side of the pond".

However, he does not deny that the situation in science has worsened in the USA and is "horrible" in the humanities and social sciences. "When I finished my PhD in 2021, the job market had already gotten much worse: job availability in my area has fallen by 40 per cent, while in the so-called hard sciences it has grown by 13 or 14 per cent. This is a trend that has been going on for years and has been accelerated by the Trump administration," he explains.

Funding from the National Science Foundation, one of the main agencies for funding social science research and from the Wenner Gren Foundation, which specialises in anthropological studies, has been cut by almost half.

"Job opportunities in my area have fallen by 40 per cent. It is a trend that has been going on for years and the new government has accelerated it".

"In the United States, elite private universities are very closely linked to the market, they function like companies, they have their investments and they respond to the demands of the government, which is closely linked to the arms industry. For example, my anthropology faculty is next to a centre that researches the science of the drones that are being sent to Afghanistan," he says. Social science research does not enjoy that status because it has no industrial application, he reasons.

"Life took me to Europe and my relationship with Spain goes back a long way. I have many friends, I have come here many times and I wanted to live here," he explains. Of the few Spanish universities with a Social Anthropology department, the University of Granada was one of the best, with outstanding names such as the professors Jose Antonio Gonzalez Alcantud and Juan Gamella and he believes that in this institution he has room to grow professionally.

Roy was also attracted by the history of Granada, which is closely related to his lines of research and by the quality of life in a medium-sized city that he could not find in Madrid or Barcelona with the same salary as the Ramon y Cajal scholarship. Not forgetting his love of the flamenco guitar, which he intends to continue to cultivate. Just a month ago he moved to Granada with his wife. "It's practically permanent because after five years you have a teaching post at the university", he highlights.

He admits that the difference in salary compared to the United States, where a teacher can start with a salary of 60,000 or 70,000 dollars, is significant, "but so are the costs: there, rent alone costs 2,000 euros a month".
Alekk M. Saanders Cuevas de Almanzora 27/04/2026 Actualizado a las 13:13h.

Successful entrepreneurs integrate into the local culture by prioritising interpersonal relationships. In this case, it is absolutely essential to speak Spanish and be prepared to adapt to the local way of life. Ellie Mae from the Netherlands was ready for that when she decided to move to Andalucia with her brainchild to bring it to life.

Dreams come true

Twenty years ago, Ellie began looking for a traditional Spanish town to move to. In 2006, she fell in love with the rich culture, history and character of the small town of Cuevas del Almanzora in Almeria province. This place, known for its picturesque surroundings and rich history of mining, is situated just a few kilometres from the coast and not far from Cabo de Gata. It is considered a dream destination for many expats who love the sun, sea and mountains, although it is not particularly touristy and overcrowded.

Cuevas de Almanzora's landmarks.. (A.M.Saanders)

Ellie loved it all herself, but she wanted to share all this beauty with her countrymen as well as other foreign guests. With this in mind, expats often set up businesses specialising in rural tourism, offering not just products but whole experiences.

I had always dreamed of opening a guesthouse in one of the old buildings, however I had neither the finance nor the time to make that dream come true. This went on until 2020, when, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was finally able to start putting my business plan into action in Cuevas de Almanzora. I found a beautiful old house on Castle Square, ideal for what I had planned. I approached my long-standing clients with a request to invest one million euros. They came, saw the idea and agreed. Before signing the purchase agreementThere were just four days left before the sale contract was due to be signed when a major water leak occurred and the building shifted. The architect told me that we could no longer go ahead with the plan, as it was unsafe. However, five days earlier, I had been asking around town about the owner of a large old building on the square in front of the town hall, which had been covered in scaffolding for quite some time. Someone gave me an email address, and I wrote a letter to the owner explaining the essence of my project. He replied very quickly and suggested we meet the following Monday, when he would be arriving from Madrid. That morning, the man who is now my business partner showed me my dream. We spent the next two years buying furniture and renovating the building, which was built in 1840, Ellie Mae told SUR in English.

One of the luxury rooms is named Dona Bendita. In this room, which, incidentally, is marketed as the ideal place to enjoy harmony of body and spirit, you will find the story of the local woman who dreamed of becoming a nun

Today, local residents call this place on the main square the Dutch ladys small palace. The El Palacete (small palace) rural hotel boasts spacious rooftop terraces offering fantastic views of the town and its surroundings. Guests can stay in one of ten individual rooms, each with its own character and named after a local figure, reflecting the towns history. In fact, it is this educational feature of the hotel that catches the eye and subtly immerses you in the atmosphere of Andalucia. For example, one of the luxury rooms is named Dona Bendita. In this room, which is presented as the ideal place to enjoy harmony of body and spirit, you will find the story of the local woman who dreamed of becoming a nun. In conclusion, Ellie emphasises that Benditas story teaches us that each of us must find a way to bring our mind, emotions and spirit into harmony, and that when we succeed in doing so, anything becomes possible. For those wishing to explore the history in greater depth, in the hotel there are books available on the past of Cuevas del Almanzora and other towns in the province of Almeria.

For those wishing to explore the history in greater depth, in the hotel there are books available on the past of Cuevas del Almanzora and other towns in the province of Almeria

Ellie's morning ritual. (A.M.Saanders)

Incidentally, whilst the towns streets are framed with posters bearing slogans that highlight the specialspirit of Cuevas del Almanzora, Ellie does her utmost to ensure that the hotel is imbued with the same spirit. In the mornings, she can often be found sitting on the floor in the lobby, performing her rituals.

'Come' Dutch

It is known that the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Despite this tight packing, Dutch culture places a strong emphasis on privacy and respect for personal space, resulting in a unique balance between high-density living and individual freedom. This culture can be easily 'challenged' in Andalucia.

View from a hotel rooftop. (A.M.Saanders)

What struck me most at first was the intensity of the social interaction and the closeness. In the beginning, it felt quite overwhelmingpeople here dont just coexist, they really live together, and theres a very strong sense of community. Doors are open, conversations are constant. In contrast, the Dutch way of life is more structured and private. You plan, you respect space, you dont just drop in. Here in Andalucia, that boundary is much softer. At first, I found it chaotic Now I see it as incredibly rich. Youre never really alone unless you choose to be, Ellie shared her experiences.

In the Netherlands, the successful preservation of space and quality of life is achieved through careful spatial planning and a cultural emphasis on protecting rural areas. This is likely why many Dutch people who have moved to Andalucia regard the land with awe and respect. Many are keen to choose derelict sites, with a view to restoring them and breathing new life into them. For example, El Palacete, along with a couple of restored buildings, looks like a thriving oasis in a neighbourhood where still there are many empty and dilapidated houses.

El Palacete hotel.. (A.M.Saanders)

Unsurprisingly, that, against such a stark contrast, guests appreciate all the more what Ellie has managed to create in her small palace.

Since June 2022 we have welcomed many people from different nationalities with lots of Dutch people staying too. What the Dutch value most of all  as guests and as people  is clarity, efficiency and honesty. They appreciate it when everything is well organised, transparent and as promised. What Ive noticed with British guests is a strong attachment to atmosphere, warmth and experience  they really lean into the feeling of a place, Ellie explained.

It is worth noting that the number of Dutch people in the town has increased significantly. Apparently, they choose Cuevas del Almanzora not only for the sunshine and year-round warmth, but also because they have been inspired by the example of Ellie, who arrived as a Dutchwoman but lives like a true Andalusian, making her dreams a reality.

Here in the village, the values are different again: community, loyalty, time and presence. Theres less urgency here, but more depth. People make time for each other in a way that feels increasingly rare elsewhere. In terms of myself, I think Ive become a blend of both worlds. In my work, Im still very organised, structured, and focused on delivering exactly what we promise. But in my way of living, Ive definitely become more relaxed and slower paced as an Andalusian. I take more time, I prioritise connection, and Im much more comfortable with spontaneity, Ellie said.

Local lifestyle is a highly relevant topic for any expat, who often faces a dilemma: whether to immerse themselves fully in it, with all the effort that entails, or to surround themselves with familiar comforts and keep their distance from the local population and their customs. Ellie didnt face this dilemma. She speaks Spanish and easily finds common ground with the locals. We met in one of the neighbourhood bars, where Ellie and her friends were enjoying local dishes and chatting with both locals and fellow countrymen, with whom she would be celebrating the Dutch national day in a bit more special way and hanging the Dutch tricolour from the balcony of an Andalusian palace.
Jose Antonio Sau 27/04/2026 a las 18:51h.

Monday was a historic day for Andalusian public healthcare. Adrian Soto, a 22-year-old from Tolox, alongside 12-year-old Leo from Seville, has become the first patient suffering from epidermolysis bullosa - better known as butterfly skin - to be treated with the revolutionary drug Vyjuvek. The medication was administered at the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella throughout Monday morning.

The President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Juanma Moreno, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that today is "a great day" as patients have begun receiving this treatment. "I am absolutely delighted for Leo and Adrian, who have been the pioneers in starting their treatment," Moreno indicated, expressing his "pride" in the public health service.

The announcement that the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) would fund this drug was made on 12 March in the Andalusian Parliament. The campaigning by families has been key in ensuring this medicine can "alleviate, heal, and improve" the lives of these children.

Severe lesions and daily struggles

Virginia Cortes, Adrians mother, explained that his skin began to blister immediately after birth. Adrian suffers from dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, the most severe variant of the disease.

In Malaga, there are about a dozen people affected by this specific type.

"This is the variant that damages every layer of the skin, from the most superficial to the hypodermis and dermis... even internal organs and mucous membranes. They have a deficiency of collagen VII, the protein that anchors the layers of skin together. They suffer from a genetic mutation," says Virginia.

The family has endured 22 years of constant battles, wound dressings, and multiple surgeries. Adrian has undergone operations on his hands to prevent his fingers from fusing together, as well as corneal surgeries, as the lesions can lead to blindness. He also faces severe swallowing difficulties, kidney issues, and heart valve lesions.

More representatives of the medical team. (SUR)

"This disease is devastating and cruel," Virginia says. "You have wound after wound. For most people, a wound heals and you forget it; for us, it will inevitably reopen because the skin has a memory."

The primary danger is that these wounds become impossible to close over time, increasing the risk of sepsis or skin cancer (carcinomas).

A breakthrough in gene therapy

Vyjuvek is a topical gene therapy that introduces a functional copy of the gene responsible for collagen VII. Applied weekly, it encourages the progressive closure of the chronic wounds characteristic of the disease.

For Adrian and his mother, this is a "miracle" of science. Until now, there were no treatments - only palliative care, infection control, and wound management.

"This is the variant that damages all the layers of the skin, from the superficial to the hypodermis, including the organs and all the mucous membranes. Those affected have a deficit of collagen VII, the protein that anchors the skin layers to each other," says Virginia Cortes, the patient's mother.

The Costa del Sol Hospital and Adrian Soto have set a legal and medical precedent. Although his condition makes attending university challenging, Adrian is currently studying a joint honours degree in Education at the University of Malaga. For now, his bravery has paved the way for the first real victory against butterfly skin.
Maria Jose Diaz Alcala 27/04/2026 a las 10:25h.

The National Police are investigating another shooting that occurred this past weekend in the city of Malaga. This latest incident, the fourth involving a firearm in the last two weeks, took place in the Garcia Grana neighborhood, in the Cruz de Humilladero district.

The incident took place near Plaza de la Biznaga at around 4am. When the police arrived, they only found several bullet casings in the area, but were unable to locate the perpetrators.

As in the previous cases, there have been no reported injuries.

The previous shooting occurred in the Palma-Palmilla district in the early hours of Friday, 17 April. The alleged perpetrators fired several shots at the facade of a building on Calle Doctor Carrion Perez. The police have also been investigating this case, which allegedly stems from a debt issue.

The incident on 17 April occurred just hours after a shooting in the La Trinidad neighbourhood, where several people reported hearing gunshots on Calle Jaboneros on Thursday afternoon. According to sources, at least four or five people were involved in the incident.

The first shooting in this series of incidents over the past two weeks also happened in La Trinidad. It was around 4.50am on Sunday, 12 April, when the police received alerts concerning gunshots near Plaza Bravo. Upon arrival, they found 17 bullet casings.
Mud droplets on a car windowshield in Malaga.

Ignacio Lillo Malaga 27/04/2026 a las 11:53h.

Malaga province residents can wait a few more days before they wash their car, because mud showers will return this week.

Unstable conditions will mark the start of the week, although the days of the May bank holiday should enjoy generally warmer and sunnier weather.

A new low-pressure system is moving across the Atlantic this Tuesday. Director of the Aemet meteorological centre in Malaga Jesus Riesco describes it as "an upper-level low off the Atlantic coast, with easterly winds".

Much of the province can expect light to moderate showers and even some minor thunderstorms on Tuesday, although Riesco only foresees the possibility of "the occasional lightning strike".

Once again, the most notable feature will be the suspended dust, although Riesco says it will "not be very prominent, with a low concentration".

However, the combination of Saharan dust with rainfall will be noticeable on Tuesday as a thin layer of mud on cars and sidewalks. The good news is that this time the intensity will be less than in recent episodes.

SUR's weather expert Jose Luis Escudero agrees with this forecast. "We're starting the week with bad news: tomorrow, Tuesday, another cut-off low will bring showers to the province of Malaga, and, for the umpteenth time, mud will accompany them. There's still a chance of showers early on Wednesday morning."

Bank holiday with stable weather conditions

The situation will change in the second half of the week. Looking ahead to the long weekend, Jesus Riesco predicts that there will most likely be little to no rainfall from Thursday onwards, except for "a few drops brought by the easterly winds" that could be noticeable over the weekend. Luckily, "there is no risk of heavy rain".

Furthermore, temperatures will be slightly above normal for this time of year, reaching a maximum of 22-24C in Malaga city and 21-23C in the interior of the province. "At this time of year, interior daytime temperatures are similar to those on the coast," Riesco says. Nighttime temperatures, however, will be significantly higher on the coast, around 15C, compared to 11-13C in the interior.

Easterly winds will predominate this week, with the strongest winds expected on Monday. From Tuesday onwards, the winds will gradually decrease and become generally light. The only warning for strong gusts will remain in the Strait of Gibraltar area, without impacting Malaga province.

Click here for today's weather.
The municipal plot of land El Cielo de San Pedro where the future interchange will be located.

Jose Carlos Garcia Marbella 27/04/2026 a las 12:33h.

Marbella town hall is preparing to begin work on the El Cielo de San Pedro site that will house the future transport interchange for the San Pedro area.

Proyectos Tecnicos y Obras Civiles has won the 255,589.72-euro project to adapt this 8,148-square-metre plot on Avenida Jose Carlos Carrion Carvajal. This is one of two initiatives the town hall will undertake as part of a project that will put an end to the scattered bus stops on Avenida Norberto Goizueta Diaz, Avenida Luis Braille and Avenida Juan Vargas.

The other initiative is the construction of a car park next to the new transport infrastructure, which the town hall will address in a separate project currently under way.

The interchange project is currently in the drafting phase after the regional ministry of public works awarded the contract to Huete Arquitectos for 41,654.25 euros. The project has a four-month execution period, starting from the end of March.

This document will serve as the basis for the regional ministry to put the interchange construction project out to tender this year, initially with an estimated budget of 1.7 million euros, pending the final drafting of the project.

By the time the contract is awarded, the town hall must have completed the preparation of this municipal plot. The contract with Proyectos Tecnicos y Obras Civiles is for two months, so there should be no problem aligning it with the Andalusian regional government's timeline.

In total, the workers will demolish 6,448 square metres on an 8,148-square-metre plot during the preparation phase. They will also have to transplant 12 or 14 trees from the plot, while the project plans to cut down the other two due to their "poor morphological characteristics, as they lack a crown".

The new interchange

The interchange will feature six covered bus bays and two outdoor parking spaces for buses with no immediate departure, in addition to a 120-square-metre central building.

The building will house a ticket office, information and security booths, a sheltered waiting area for passengers, restrooms, a cleaning room and a storage area. The new infrastructure will centralise all routes on this site located next to the A-7 motorway and the Ronda road (A-397), optimising travel for both residents and tourists and eliminating the current bus stops, which do not meet the necessary conditions for providing adequate service.

The future transport interchange in San Pedro Alcantara will handle a minimum of 100 trips per day on weekdays and even more during the summer period.
Maria Jose Diaz Alcala 27/04/2026 a las 10:26h.

Almost four months have passed since the disappearance in Fuengirola of Nelson Jesus - a 38-year-old man originally from Argentina. He went missing on 5 January, the date when his mother Nancy returned from Italy.

On that morning, Nelson told Nancy over the phone that he was going to collect some money to prepare a welcome-home dinner for her. When she arrived at the house, there was no sign of him or his keys.

Two days before his disappearance, Nancy tells SUR, Nelson had stopped answering her WhatsApp messages. She managed to contact him through a neighbour. Nelson said that his phone was broken and that his social media wasn't working, only calls. Nancy landed in Malaga at 8.30pm, when Nelson's phone was already turned off.

After several days of trying to locate him, she went to the National Police station in Fuengirola to report his disappearance. After weeks of uncertainty and false leads third parties provided, claiming to have seen him in Torremolinos, the police informed Nancy that her son might be in Madrid.

According to the investigation, in mid-January, Nelson requested a permit because he was without identification. Later, in mid-February, a patrol identified him in the street. At that time, Nelson told the police that he was living in a hostel and working. Since then, his family has not received any further official information regarding his whereabouts.

What worries Nancy the most is that Nelson has been living with the physical and emotional trauma of a motorcycle incident that happened a year ago, when he fell into a ravine in Mijas in the early hours of the morning.

Nelson has two daughters, who live in Ronda. The eldest, Nancy says, has been suffering from panic attacks since her father disappeared.

Nancy, who works in Fuengirola and has neither a car nor the financial means to travel to Madrid and conduct a search, remains hopeful that the public could cooperate in trying to locate her son.

"I don't understand what happened. There were no problems beforehand. He's the love of my life and his daughters are desperate. Every time a body is found, my heart sinks," Nancy says.
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SUR 27/04/2026 a las 18:33h.

The National Police have dismantled a nomad criminal network that specialised in the 'planting' deception technique to steal significant amounts of money from elderly victims in various Spanish provinces.

The perpetrators used stolen bank cards to make cash withdrawals at ATMs, in some cases exceeding 3,000 euros in cash.

The investigation began in Cartagena (Murcia) in December, when the police detected several similar crimes, in which the perpetrators, using distraction techniques, managed to seize money and wallets through a quick and efficient pickpocketing operation.

The travelling criminal group, which operated in an organised and coordinated manner throughout the provinces of Murcia, Alicante, Malaga and Granada, would select the victims at the moment they were about to make a withdrawal at their bank's ATM or a purchase at a commercial establishment. One of the perpetrators would pretend to drop an object or ask for help with any excuse to distract the elderly person, at which point another member would step in to steal wallets and bank cards.

They would simultaneously capture the security PIN code by closely watching the victim and subsequently make small, multiple withdrawals to avoid exceeding the established limit or even access bank apps to carry out fraudulent transactions.

Police tips to stay safe The National Police advise the public to take extra precaution, especially in public and crowded places. Be wary of strangers who approach you with any excuse to distract you, especially at ATMs, car parks or shopping areas. Avoid displaying cash or handling your wallet in visible places. Do not lose sight of your belongings at any time, especially bags, backpacks or any other personal belonging. At ATMs and stores, pay attention to the transaction and cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Avoid writing down your bank card PIN and limit the amount of transactions you make, as well as the daily limit for ATM withdrawals. If you suspect you may be the victim of an attempted theft or scam, leave the area and notify the police.



The investigation led to the suspects being located at a supermarket in Santa Pola (Alicante) as they were about to commit another crime. The police immediately arrested three men, charging them with numerous counts of theft and fraud. One of the suspects had over 100 prior arrests for similar offences. The judge ordered all three to be held in pretrial detention.

The National Police advise the public to take extra precaution, especially in public and crowded places.
SUR 27/04/2026 a las 14:21h.

The ONCE lottery has delivered 200,000 euros to Marbella, with ten winning tickets worth 20,000 each. George Alexandru Radu did the honours of selling the tickets in the Elviria area, after only five months of working for the company.

"It was a wonderful experience to find out about this good news with my customers," he says. "When we realised, the people at the bar we were in started applauding and it was a really beautiful moment," he says.

"I'm very happy. I've delivered immense joy to my regular customers, which we've all shared. I hope this is just the beginning and that I can give much more," Radu states.

This hasn't been the only prize that stayed in the province. Another winning ticket worth 20,000 euros has been sold in Torremolinos. The draw has also awarded 160,000 euros, with eight winning tickets in Almonte (Huelva). The rest have gone to Castilla-La Mancha and the region of Madrid.

The ONCE weekend draw offers a top prize of 300,000 euros plus 5,000 per month for 20 consecutive years to a single winning ticket every Saturday and Sunday. There are also prizes of 2,000 euros per month for ten consecutive years for four other winning tickets.

On 3 May (the month's first Sunday), the ONCE Mother's Day extra offers a prize of 17 million euros and 99 prizes of 40,000 euros.
Ignacio Cabanes Valencia 27/04/2026 a las 10:25h.

Not even a wheelchair used by a homeless man with reduced mobility to get around the city is safe from thieves. They no longer respect anything at all, not even people with disabilities.

A repeat offender has been arrested in Valencia - and returned to the prison from which he was released only last December - after committing yet another robbery with violence. He stole a wheelchair from a disabled person after threatening him with a knife.

The robbery took place on Monday morning on Calle La Reina in Valencia. The offender assaulted a 63-year-old man with reduced mobility who lives on the streets, brandishing a crude, double-edged weapon. The thief, a 50-year-old Spanish national, threatened the man with this knife, demanding his wheelchair.

The thief also made off with other personal items belonging to the homeless man: a sleeping bag and a rucksack, among other items.

The man, who needs the stolen wheelchair to get around, managed to reach a nearby day centre for the homeless, one he regularly uses, and alerted the volunteers that his wheelchair and all his key belongings had just been stolen.

Police from the Maritim district police station located and arrested the alleged thief just 40 minutes later. He was in possession of a wheelchair and his clothing and appearance matched the description provided by the victim.

The arresting officers also seized a homemade weapon he had apparently used to threaten the victim minutes earlier and they were able to recover and return all of the disabled man's belongings.

The detainee, who was released from prison only four months ago after serving several years for two violent robberies committed in 2016 and 2017, was brought before the magistrate's court in Valencia. The judge ordered him to be remanded in custody, without bail, for the crime of robbery with violence.
Jose A. Gonzalez 27/04/2026 a las 12:37h.

Spain has more homes than before the crisis, but fewer owners. A report by the Ministry of Social Rights and the Spanish national research council (CSIC) confirms a change in the nature of the real estate market over the last 14 years: the housing stock has grown by around two million properties, but this increase has not translated into greater access to homeownership. On the contrary, large property owners dominate the housing market.

The most extreme case is that of owners with more than ten properties. This group has quadrupled its assets since 2008, going from around 138,000 homes to nearly 626,000 in 2025. This is not an isolated case, but rather the most intense manifestation of a general trend: the larger the initial assets, the greater the subsequent growth. Market growth has not been spread out: it has been concentrated.

The data shows an almost step-like progression. While owners of a single property have seen their share fall by 3.7%, those with two properties have seen theirs rise by 8.1%. From there, the growth accelerates: 22.5% for those owning three properties; 32.2% for those with four; 43.1% for those with five; and 51.6% for those with between six and ten. Even within the group of large property owners, their relative share has increased by 35.3%.

This pattern reflects a shift in the logic of the real estate market: housing has gone from being a commodity to an investment and accumulation asset. The consequence is an increasingly hierarchical internal redistribution, in which the growth of the housing stock consolidates existing positions rather than expanding them.

The turning point is in the very structure of property ownership. For the first time in history, multiple property owners are in the majority: 51.7% own two or more properties, compared to 48.3% who own only one. In 2008, the relationship was reversed (53.9% versus 46.1%), confirming a structural rather than a temporary change.

Tension in the rental market

This transformation is not limited to home ownership, but extends to the rental market. Fewer than four in ten rented properties belong to small-scale landlords: around 39% of the market is in the hands of landlords with a single property, compared to 61% controlled by multi-property landlords, large property owners, companies and public bodies. Even if the latter are excluded, private landlords with two or more properties account for more than half of the market (52.8%).

This is even more pronounced in large cities, especially those with the greatest price pressures. In Barcelona, multiple landlords represent 60.8% of the total; in Madrid, 56.4%; and they exceed 60% in cities like Palma or Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The rise in rentals has also been accompanied by increased pressure on the market. Demand is growing faster than supply, with over 100 interested parties per property in the first few days after listing it and average prices exceeding 1,200 euros per month, in many cases above the average mortgage payment.

There is also a slight slowdown in sales. February saw 59,689 transactions, 0.5% fewer than a year earlier, marking the second year-on-year decline this year, according to the Ine (national institute of statistics). Despite the drop, activity remains at high levels following the strong rebound in 2025, when over 714,000 transactions were recorded, the highest since 2007.

The trend is not uniform and reflects a two-tier market: transactions are falling in several regions, but continue rising in areas under pressure, where a shortage of supply is keeping prices high. Against this backdrop, demand outstrips available supply, making it difficult to access housing, particularly for households with lower purchasing power.

In the hands of a few

Access to homeownership has steadily declined: households living in their own homes have fallen from 79% to 63.9% in 14 years, while renting has increased from 11.9% to 19.2%. At the same time, the number of households earning income from rentals (the so-called landlords) has almost tripled, from 3.4% to 9.8%.

The result is increasing polarisation. On the one hand, the number of households without property ownership is rising: those with no property have increased by 63%. On the other hand, the number of households with multiple assets is expanding, with a 54% increase in households with two or more properties. Between these two extremes, the central group (households with only one home) has shrunk by 22%.

For decades, homeownership served as a mechanism for social integration and wealth accumulation. That link has weakened: having a job and income no longer guarantees access to property, while housing is increasingly seen as a source of income and wealth accumulation.

The growth of the housing stock does not act as a corrective factor. Far from expanding the base of homeowners, it has consolidated the accumulation capacity of those already involved, especially multiple property owners.

If this trend continues, the gap between homeowners and those without homes will widen. The market is not only making access to housing more expensive, but also changing who can afford to own property.

The lower house votes on Tuesday on the future of the rental decree

This Tuesday, more than 2.6 million tenants will have their eyes on the lower house of the Spanish government, which is voting on the extraordinary extension of rental contracts included in the royal decree of economic measures.

The law aims to extend contracts expiring during that period until the end of 2027, for a maximum of two years, and to limit annual rent increases. The measure seeks to mitigate the impact of more than one million contracts expiring before 2026, many signed during the pandemic at lower prices, whose renewal could further strain the market.

The law requires approval from Congreso, where it currently lacks the necessary majority to pass. "We are aware that there is not yet a parliamentary majority to ratify it, but that will not deter us from addressing the housing emergency impacting a large part of the Spanish population," PM Pedro Sanchez has stated. The main opposition parties have all expressed their rejection of the decree-law.
Maria Eugenio Alonso Madrid 27/04/2026 a las 15:00h.

Three months before Princess Leonor completes her training as the future Captain General of the Armed Forces with her graduation from the academy in San Javier (Murcia), the Royal Household has announced that the heir to the throne will begin her university studies at the Carlos III public university in Madrid this autumn.

Leonor closely follows in the footsteps of her father, who studied Law at Universidad Autonoma in Madrid. Unlike King Felipe VI, however, the princess will study Political Science - a "very comprehensive degree that covers numerous areas". The degree will help her in her future as Queen of Spain.

Her sister, Infanta Sofia, began her university studies in Political Science and International Relations at a private institution in Lisbon last September. She will continue her academic path in Paris and Berlin.

Despite having other options, the Princess of Asturias has ultimately chosen a multidisciplinary education focused on contemporary political analysis, encompassing political theory, sociology, law, economics and research methods, with notable subjects such as Foundations of Political Science, Comparative Politics, Public Policy and International Relations.

Sources at the Royal Household do not rule out the possibility of her expanding her knowledge in subjects fundamental to her future role, such as Constitutional Law or Finance, with specialists in the field. King Felipe VI also took several courses in Economics and Business Administration to round out his education.

The choice of university degree and institution rests exclusively with the King and Queen and the Princess of Asturias. Only military training is legally subject to the government's authority, as established by the law. King Felipe VI has officially communicated his decision regarding his daughter's university studies to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

After her four-year education, the princess could opt for international specialisation at a prestigious European or American institution, as her father did in 1995 with a Master's degree in International Relations from Georgetown University in Washington. However, unlike her military career, which the Royal Household and the Ministry of Defence designed specifically for her and which is virtually identical to that of her father as Prince of Asturias, Leonor de Borbon will pursue a degree in Political Science without any ad hoc modifications. Upon completion, she will receive the same degree as her classmates.

No preferential treatment

Although the regular enrollment process doesn't open until June, after the university entrance exams (EBAU), the Madrid university offers early admission for international students or those who have completed the International Baccalaureate programme in EU countries, as is the case with the Princess of Asturias, who studied at UWC in Wales.

This is an access route for approximately eight per cent of the student body (around 300 students, of whom about 60 are Spanish) at Carlos III, which is one of Spain's most prestigious public universities.

Admission is governed by a committee appointed by the rector, which assesses the student's grade point average and grades in subjects considered relevant to the degree programme. In the case of the heir to the throne, sources at Palacio Zarzuela have confirmed that her grades from the Zaragoza and Marin academies have also been submitted.

Princess Leonor will balance her studies with her institutional commitments, although her schedule will remain "limited" so that she can focus on her studies and the preparation required for her future role as queen. According to a study by the Concordia Real association, Leonor de Borbon is "among the most well-rounded heirs in Europe, simultaneously integrating military and academic training with institutional commitment".
Participants at Shanghai seminar refute illegal South China Sea arbitration award

Xinhua) 08:07, April 27, 2026

SHANGHAI, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Participants at a special seminar held in east China's Shanghai on Sunday refuted the "Arbitral Award on the South China Sea," stressing that it is illegal, null and void, and non-binding, ignores historical facts, deviates from the principle of fairness and justice, and undermines international rule of law and regional mutual trust.

Qi Dahai, Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said the arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration overstepped its jurisdiction and perverted justice, and the "award" it rendered in 2016 is illegal, null and void.

The Philippines has attempted to legitimize the illegal award through various means and mislead international public opinion, falsely claiming the award as part of international law and sparing no effort to smear China, Qi said.

China insists on respecting historical facts and advocating international rule of law, firmly safeguarding its national maritime rights and interests, and making unremitting efforts to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, the official added.

Wu Shicun, Chairman of Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, said the illegal award is fraught with major jurisdictional flaws and legal fallacies, violates the basic norms of international law, and is in essence a political farce.

Wu, who is also Chairman of the Academic Committee at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, called for resolutely countering unilateral infringements and public opinion manipulation based on the illegal award, while firmly upholding the international rule of law as well as regional peace and stability.

Participants stated that the illegal award contains fundamental fallacies in such aspects as the tribunal's jurisdiction, historic rights, legal status of islands and offshore archipelago regime.

They reaffirmed that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant maritime areas. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are supported by solid historical and legal evidence.

Participants called for continued endeavors in exposing the politically manipulated nature of the award and for continued work in pursuit of a fair and reasonable solution to the South China Sea issue.

The special seminar was held during the 2026 annual academic conference of the Chinese Society of International Law. Held from Friday to Sunday, the conference attracted over 1,500 participants, including government officials, experts, scholars, legal practitioners and young students.

During the conference themed "Uphold the International Rule of Law, Enhance Global Governance," the Chinese Society of International Law issued a statement calling on all countries to abide by international law and oppose the unlawful use of force.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Im not quite sure how to conceptualise the pipeline between the harrowing 2019 mini-series Chernobyl and The Sheep Detectives, but here we are: writer Craig Mazin  who not only created Chernobyl but its bleak spiritual companion, the post-apocalyptic The Last of Us  has adapted for screen Leonie Swanns German bestseller Three Bags Full, in which a flock of sheep solve their shepherds murder.

Mazin, it should be pointed out, first got his start in the Scary Movie and Hangover franchises, and is here paired with Minions director Kyle Balda. Yet the Mazin who coaxed sombre performances out of Pedro Pascal and Jared Harris ends up at the wheel far more than youd expect for a film, well, about detectives who are sheep. Theres an entire meditation on the nature of morality and memory being bleated out by CGI creatures who, though rendered with loving detail, clearly never make physical contact with any person or object around them.

Its a bit much, to be frank. But at the time, the all-hands-aboard desire to take so absurd a premise and insist it be about something offers its Midsomer Murders-lite world a sense of weight and substance. The melodrama helps land the comedy. And theres some real charm to be found here. Were introduced to a twinkly eyed Hugh Jackman as farmer George Hardy, who reads detective novels each night to his flock, and has made an enemy of every local in the village of Denbrook, including the rival shepherd (Tosin Cole), the butcher (Conleth Hill), the innkeeper (Hong Chau), and the priest (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith).

When George turns up dead, the smartest of his ewes, Lily (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), must not only solve the crime but wrestle with the very fact of death. Sheep, were told, have been blessed with the useful ability to wipe their memory on command (all but one, Mopple, voiced by Chris ODowd), and choose to believe that they and all their predecessors simply turn into clouds at the end of their mortal life.

open image in gallery Hugh Jackman (and talking lamb) in The Sheep Detectives ( Amazon MGM Studios )

Lily has to also figure out how to share her detective work with the local constabulary, Tim Derry (Successions Nicholas Braun, who doesnt quite nail the accent but whose wide-eyed stammer, like a freshly caught fish, feels deeply and spiritually British). Sheep understand English, but cant talk back. So, not only does Tim have to deal with new arrivals in the form of Georges long-lost daughter (Molly Gordon), his lawyer (Emma Thompson), and a meddlesome local journalist (Nicholas Galitzine), but with the fact the village is now ominously filled with sheep threatening a cloven-hoofed take on Hitchcocks The Birds.

If theres an advantage to packing your film full of famous faces and voices  other sheep are played by Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, The Last of Uss Bella Ramsey, and Bryan Cranston doing a note-for-note rehash of his Isle of Dogs lone ranger role  its that theyre able to delicately work a tone thats trying to exist somewhere in the space between Babe: Pig in the City (1998) and Clue (1985), while also landing what might be the first funny why did the chicken cross the road? gag in a decade.

open image in gallery Chris ODowd and Julia Louis-Dreyfus lend voices to sheep in The Sheep Detectives ( Amazon MGM Studios )

Its a distinctly American viewpoint on British rural life, with a cheery, fairytale colour palette provided by costume designer Rosa Dias. Only an American, really, would name a pair of fighting rams in a family film after the infamous Kray twins (both voiced here by Brett Goldstein) and forget that the Anglicans rejected transubstantiation. But The Sheep Detectives could certainly have done a lot worse for a breezy, easy murder mystery. It could have been written by Harlan Coben.

Dir: Kyle Balda. Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein. Cert PG, 109 minutes.

The Sheep Detectives is in cinemas from 8 May, with special previews between 2 and 4 May
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Patricia Heaton is calling on left-leaning people to abandon divisive rhetoric after the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

President Donald Trump, Melania Trump and several members of Trumps administration were rushed out of the annual event Saturday while attendees sheltered in place after gunfire erupted at the Washington Hilton. Suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody after allegedly shooting a Secret Service agent who was injured and later released from the hospital. No one else was hurt in the incident, according to police.

The security scare predictably sparked online debates about what led up to the attack, with MAGA warriors blaming anti-Trump media while critics speculated over unfounded conspiracy theories.

On Sunday, Heaton  known for her roles on sitcoms Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle  weighed in on the discourse by pleading for one side to cool down.

I wasnt happy when [Bill] Clinton, [Barack] Obama or [Joe] Biden won, but I didnt call them fascist/dangerous/threat to democracy, the 68-year-old actor said in an X post shared Sunday. I didnt hope someone would assassinate them. I went on with my life with gratitude. Friends on the left, please try this. Your life and our country will be better.

open image in gallery Patricia Heaton is calling for her 'friends on the left' to tone down their rhetoric after this weekend's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner ( Getty )

Heaton has been vocal about her conservative views in the past, and was a registered Republican until 2021. She previously spoke out against heated political discourse and slammed violent rhetoric in the wake of Charlie Kirks assassination in September 2025. Representatives for Heaton did not immediately return The Independents request for further comment about her most recent remarks.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that the shooters motive is still being investigated, but that early findings indicate that Trump administration officials were being targeted at the gala.

Heaton is not the only MAGA ally to turn attention on anti-Trump rhetoric after the shooting.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press conference Monday: This crazed rhetoric about the president, day after day after day, it inspires them to do crazy things.

open image in gallery Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was arrested after he allegedly opened fire at the White House Correspondents Association dinner ( Reuters )

She added, When you read the manifesto of this shooter, ask yourselves, how different is the rhetoric almost-assigned than what you read on social media and hear in various forums every single day? The answer, if youre being honest with yourself, is that there is no difference at all. Much of the manifesto of the would-be assassin is indistinguishable from the words we hear daily from so many.

Allen, a computer programmer from Torrance, California, allegedly had a manifesto in which he referred to himself as a friendly federal assassin.

The document, reportedly sent to Allens family members before the alleged attack, read that Im no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.

In his first court appearance Monday, Allen was hit with three charges, including trying to assassinate the president.
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Comedian Jorma Taccone has revealed that Kevin Spacey was the one Saturday Night Live host that he was not excited to work with during his time on the show.

Taccone was a member of the Lonely Island trio alongside Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer. The group produced digital shorts on SNL from 2005 to 2011 as the late night series began to incorporate the internet into their comedy, meaning the short writers interacted with the variety shows cast members  including the weekly guest hosts and musical acts.

In general, I liked almost every host that came to SNL, Taccone, 49, said on Fridays episode of The Daily Beasts podcast show Obsessed. However, he added that there was one celebrity that he wasnt super geeked on.

Ive never said this before, Taccone confessed before revealing that he was talking about Spacey, 66, who hosted SNL for the second time in May 2006 with musical guest Nelly Furtado.

The Im On A Boat co-writer recalled: I did not enjoy that, and felt very uncomfortable around him. Taccone did not elaborate further.

open image in gallery Lonely Island member Jorma Taccone said Kevin Spacey hosting 'Saturday Night Live' made him uncomfortable ( Getty Images )

Spacey, a once celebrated two-time Oscar winner, was exiled from mainstream Hollywood in 2017 after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct. He has consistently denied all allegations against him and maintained his innocence.

In 2022, the Usual Suspects actor was cleared by a jury in a $40 million civil lawsuit brought by actor Anthony Rapp, who accused Spacey of molesting him when he was 14. Spacey was then tried in London in 2023 on nine alleged sex offense allegations from four men, and acquitted on all counts.

Last month, Spacey reached civil settlements with three men out of court over more sexual assault allegations from between 2000 and 2013.

Representatives for Spacey did not immediately return The Independents request for response to Taccones statement.

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open image in gallery Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexual assault several times but has denied all allegations against him ( Getty Images )

Taccone is not the only SNL cast member who recalled an uncomfortable experience during the House of Cards actors hosting stint. In 2022, Tina Fey revealed at the Netflix is a Joke comedy festival in Los Angeles that Spacey had flirted with her years before he came out as gay in response to the sexual assault allegations against him in 2017.

This is the kind of weird thing that used to happen to me, Fey said at the time. One time when he was hosting SNL, at the after-party, it was late and Kevin Spacey tried to hit on me.

She joked that she doubted his attraction to her at the time, saying: I was like, Who is this for? Who is this little performance for?

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The View co-host Ana Navarro is pushing back on conspiracy theories that are swirling in the aftermath of the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

During Mondays Hot Topics segment of ABCs daytime talk show, Navarro and her fellow panelists shared their reactions to learning that gunfire had erupted at Saturdays annual black-tie event at the Washington Hilton. The sound of shots being fired prompted President Donald Trump and other executive members of his administration to be rushed out of the room while Secret Service agents apprehended the suspected shooter, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who has now been charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

Navarro said that after the shock of the alleged attack wore off, she became disturbed by rampant online speculation that the shooting had been staged by the Trump administration.

I dont think that, she said during Mondays show. Let me just be clear. I dont think that.

She continued: But where are we in America? When [Ronald] Reagan was shot in 1981, nobody would have thought about that. And so I think people have to take stock of just the level of influence that misinformation, that the lies have had on the American psyche, that the first conclusion so many people reach because of the polarization and because of some of the things that our elected officials have done, frankly.

Ana Navarro denied conspiracy theories about the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on 'The View' ( ABC/The View )

Navarro, a Republican commentator, then criticized Trumps statement given at a press conference after the shooting, in which he claimed that the shooting demonstrated why he needs his proposed $400 million White House East Wing ballroom.

Its crazy to me that one of the first things Trump did after this was... to go push for a ballroom, she said, before bringing up the issue of gun violence. I just think school children have as much a right to have safe schools as politicians do to have a secure ballroom.

Recent data revealed that social media posts featuring the word staged experienced a huge spike of more than 300,000 posts over the weekend as unfounded rumors about the shooting were spread. It follows other baseless claims about the two other assassination attempts on Trumps life.

The theories ranged from labeling the shooting as a distraction from the war in Iran to claiming it was planned to give Trump justification for his ballroom.

There is no evidence to back up any of the theories. Police and government officials have shot down the rumors, with Trump saying on CBS News 60 Minutes that those spreading misinformation are more sick than they are con people.
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As they mark 15 years of marriage, the Prince and Princess of Wales have honed a distinctive approach to their public wardrobes. Their style eschews overt matching, instead favouring subtle coordination and complementary tones.

From their engagement announcement to significant state visits, their sartorial choices consistently blend symbolism with diplomatic intent. Heres a look back at some of their most memorable looks together.

Engagement announcement  November 16, 2010

open image in gallery Prince William and the then Kate Middleton, during a photocall to mark their engagement. ( John Stillwell/PA )

The couples first major fashion moment came with their engagement announcement at St Jamess Palace.

Kate wore a navy silk jersey wrap dress by the Brazilian-born designer, Daniella Issa Helayel, which sold out within hours and is widely credited with launching what became known as the Kate effect. The deep blue tone echoed the sapphire engagement ring, formerly owned by Diana, Princess of Wales.

William opted for a dark suit and tie, establishing early on the pairs preference for tonal coordination rather than identical dressing.

Wedding day  April 29, 2011

open image in gallery Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge emerge from Westminster Abbey after the wedding ceremony. ( Lewis Whyld/PA )

For their wedding at Westminster Abbey, the Princess of Wales wore a gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, championing British designers.

The design combined a fitted bodice with long lace sleeves and a full skirt, drawing on Victorian corsetry traditions. Hand-cut lace motifs such as a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock represented the four nations of the United Kingdom.

William wore the scarlet tunic of the Irish Guards, reflecting his role as Colonel; the contrast between his military uniform and couture bridalwear set a formal template for subsequent royal occasions.

Early engagements  June 25, 2011

open image in gallery The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive to talk to the families of members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards ( Neil Atkinson/Sunday Mirror/PA )

In one of their first official appearances after the wedding, at Victoria Barracks in Windsor, the couple appeared in a coordinated, military-influenced palette.

Kate wore a navy coat dress with structured shoulders and prominent gold button detailing, paired with a matching navy fascinator and suede pumps. The look, attributed to Alexander McQueen, reflected the naval setting.

Prince William wore the full ceremonial uniform of the Blues and Royals, including a dark tunic with braid detailing, a peaked cap and a red sash at the waist.

The pairing worked visually without being overtly matched  a styling approach that would become a consistent feature of their joint appearances.

Canada tour  July 2011

open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at BMO Centre in Canada, July 2011. ( Lionel Hahn/PA )

During their first overseas tour as a married couple, the Duke and Duchess  as they were then  adapted their wardrobe to the local culture.

At the Calgary Stampede, both wore cowboy hats. Kate paired hers with jeans and western-style boots, while William opted for a checked shirt and dark denim.

open image in gallery Kare wore her go-to colours of white and navy. ( John Stillwell/PA )

The approach to tour dressing  referencing local traditions without appearing overly contrived  has remained a consistent feature of their public appearances.

Birth of Prince George  July 23, 2013

open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after Prince George was born. ( Jonathan Brady/PA )

When Prince George was born, the couple posed outside the Lindo Wing at St Marys Hospital in London, in coordinating baby blue.

Kate wore a light blue polka-dot dress by Jenny Packham, widely interpreted as a reference to the dress worn by Diana after Williams birth.

Williams blue shirt reinforced the colour theme, which has been used repeatedly by the couple for family moments.

Ski holiday  March 2016

open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess during a ski holiday. ( John Stillwell/PA )

Its no secret that the couple are sporty, and on a family ski trip with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, the couple adopted practical gear in contrasting colours.

Kate wore a white ski jacket with red trousers, while William opted for a blue jacket and dark trousers. The outfits were functional but coordinated enough to maintain an eye-catching appearance in official photographs.

BAFTAs  February 12, 2017

open image in gallery The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the BAFTAs in 2017. ( Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA )

From the slopes to the red carpet  at the 2017 EE British Academy Film Awards, the couple adhered to a classic black-tie dress code.

Kate wore a black floral gown by her now go-to designer Alexander McQueen, featuring a Bardot neckline and tiered skirt, while William chose a classic and traditional tuxedo. The pair were understated but still turning heads.

Family trip to Germany  July 2017

open image in gallery The family coordinated during a trip to Germany ( Dominic Lipinski/PA )

Arriving in Germany with their two children in July 2017, the family once again coordinated as a family in their favourite shade of blue.

Kate wore a Catherine Walker coat dress, while William opted for a navy suit. The childrens outfits also coordinated, with Prince George wearing a pale blue shirt and navy shorts, and Princess Charlotte in a blue floral dress with matching shoes.

BAFTAs  February 18, 2018

open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 2018 BAFTAs. ( Chris Jackson/PA )

In 2018, while pregnant with Prince Louis, Kate attended the BAFTAs in a muted green gown by Jenny Packham, featuring a black waistband.

At the time, many attendees wore black in support of the Times Up movement: a Hollywood-led initiative launched on January 1, 2018, to combat systemic sexual harassment and gender inequality in the workplace, spurred by the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein scandals.

As a senior royal, Kate is expected to remain politically neutral, so instead of wearing full-black, many viewed her outfit as a subtle acknowledgement of the moment with a black belt. William again wore a black tuxedo.

South Wales  August 2020

open image in gallery The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in South Wales in 2020/ ( Ben Birchall/PA )

During a visit to Barry Island in South Wales, the couple adopted a relaxed yet coordinated approach to summer dressing.

Kate wore a light blue floral midi dress by London-designer Emilia Wickstead, featuring long sleeves, a belted waist and a soft pleated skirt, paired with espadrille wedges. William opted for a grey linen blazer, pale blue shirt and navy trousers.

The shared tones and lightweight fabrics reflected the seaside setting, while maintaining a cohesive look, perfect for a daytime engagement.

Scotland visit  May 2021

open image in gallery The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh in 2021. ( Chris Jackson/PA )

In a nod to the nation during a visit to Scotland, Kate wore a green and blue tartan coat by Holland Cooper, referencing traditional Scottish dress, while William coordinated in a subtle tartan suit.

This appearance of Holland Cooper contributed to increased visibility for the British brand, with Kate subsequently wearing the label on several occasions.

Top Gun premiere  May 19, 2022

open image in gallery The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Top Gun: Maverick UK Premiere. ( Dan Kitwood/PA )

For the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick, the Prince and Princess of Wales leaned into a more directional take on eveningwear.

Kate wore a dramatic black off-the-shoulder gown by Roland Mouret, featuring a Bardot neckline  one of her favourite silhouettes  with a white panel detail across the bodice that added a contrasting and contemporary edge. She carried on the Hollywood-inspired style with sleek, straight hair and minimal accessories.

open image in gallery The then Duchess of Cambridge at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere . ( Dan Kitwood/PA )

William opted for a classic black tuxedo but introduced a subtle thematic element through his footwear, wearing velvet slippers embroidered with aircraft motifs  a nod to the films aviation focus and his own experience as a former RAF search and rescue pilot.

open image in gallery The Duke of Cambridge wearing a pair of shoes embroidered with a fighter aircraft logo. ( (Dan Kitwood/PA) )

It seems method dressing certainly has the royal seal of approval.

Nigeria state visit  March 18, 2026

open image in gallery The Prince and Princess of Wales during the ceremonial welcome for President of Nigeria. ( (Aaron Chown/PA) )

During a state visit from Nigerias president and first lady in March 2026, the Princess of Wales used fashion to deliver a diplomatic message, wearing a grey and cream blazer-style frock coat by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker.

The Prince of Wales opted for a traditional morning suit, featuring a black tailcoat, striped trousers and a pale blue waistcoat. The tone subtly complemented Kates look, maintaining the couples consistent approach to coordination while allowing the focus to remain on the symbolic choice of designer.
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This week is marked by major political shifts. Tony Blair secures a Labour landslide in 1997, while over a million demonstrators in France protest against the electoral rise of the far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen. A newly published memoir exposes a 1974 MI5 plot against the former prime minister Harold Wilson. Across the Atlantic, widespread riots break out in Los Angeles following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King. Decades later, US politics takes a surreal turn as President Barack Obama is pressured into releasing his birth certificate. All this and more is charted across the front pages of The Independent.

27 April 1987  MI5 plot against Harold Wilson revealed

According to the explosive memoirs of former intelligence officer Peter Wright, 30 senior MI5 staff engaged in a "politically-motivated and treasonable plot" to oust prime minister Harold Wilson in 1974. The Spycatcher allegations, which included claims that top officials actively protected the conspirators, sparked an ultimately and unsuccessful legal battle by the UK government to ban the book's worldwide publication.

open image in gallery

1 May 1992  Riots break out in Los Angeles

National Guard troops deploy across Los Angeles to enforce a strict curfew as the city faces a second night of widespread looting and arson. The riots began after a jury acquitted four white police officers involved in the videotaped beating of Black motorist Rodney King. The unrest ultimately lasted six days, leaving more than 60 people dead and causing an estimated $1bn in property damage

open image in gallery

2 May 1994  Senna dies at San Marino Grand Prix

Three-time Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna dies in an Italian hospital at the age of 34 following a severe crash at the San Marino Grand Prix. Coming just 24 hours after the death of driver Roland Ratzenberger on the same track, the back-to-back tragedies immediately turn the spotlight onto the sport's safety standards and the recent removal of high-tech driving aids.

open image in gallery

2 May 1997  Labour landslide at general election

Tony Blair secures a "devastating Commons landslide" to become prime minister, officially bringing an end to 18 years of Conservative rule as John Major concedes the election. Addressing supporters at his Sedgefield constituency count in the early hours of the morning, Mr Blair promises to serve with all his heart and energy, declaring, "I will not let you down."

open image in gallery

1 May 1999  Nail bomb explodes at Soho pub

A nail bomb explodes without warning inside the crowded Admiral Duncan pub in central London's Soho, killing two people and injuring 81 others. Sending shockwaves through the capital's historic gay community, the targeted attack marks the third bombing in consecutive weeks following similar blasts aimed at ethnic minorities in Brixton and Brick Lane.

open image in gallery

2 May 2002  Over a million protest against Le Pen in France

More than 1.3 million people take to the streets across France in a massive, peaceful protest against far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen. The widespread demonstrations, drawing over 400,000 people to Paris alone, decry the veteran National Front leader's controversial advancement to the second round of the presidential election.

open image in gallery

28 April 2011  Obama makes birth certificate public

In what the paper describes as an "absurdly surreal moment" in US politics, President Barack Obama officially releases his long-form birth certificate to the public. The unprecedented move follows relentless pressure from property magnate and reality TV star Donald Trump, who leveraged the baseless conspiracy theory to tease his own early presidential ambitions.

open image in gallery

30 April 2011  The royal wedding

The Independent marks the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton by dedicating its front page to an exclusive, commemorative artwork by Tracey Emin. The highly anticipated ceremony at Westminster Abbey draws a massive global audience, as the couple officially became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
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Jonah Hill has spoken about his decision to leave his hometown of Los Angeles after he had children.

The 42-year-old actor  who shares two children with his wife Olivia Millar  revealed the news of his move during a SmartLess podcast live show in L.A. alongside hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and WillArnett.

So I live in a very small town in San Diego, and its amazing, and my neighbors are incredible people. And when we had our first kid, we moved out there three years ago, he said onstage Saturday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

I wanted to leave L.A. and raise a family outside of Los Angeles, Hill continued.

The Wolf of Wall Street star went on to rave about how cool his neighbors are.

open image in gallery Jonah Hill says he moved to San Diego three years ago when he and his wife had their first child together ( Getty Images )

They never treat me weird or ask me about my job or anything. And my neighbor is one of my great friends, Dr. Sean, he added. Hes here tonight. He never bothered me or was like, Oh, whats this person like?

The conversation comes amid Hills return to the spotlight following a three-year hiatus. In his 2022 documentary about his psychiatrist, Stutz, he announced that he was taking a step back from promoting his movies due to anxiety attacks he faced throughout his career.

Ive been gone for a while, so Im kind of coming back and Im like excited because I got all, like, serious for a while and I wasnt as happy, he said during the Smartless appearance. And then I had my family and I got happy, and now all I want to do is be funny again. Thats why I said yes [to being on Smartless]. Im, like, I want to go f***ing be funny in front of a crowd and thatd be awesome.

He credited his wife and their two young children, whose names and genders have not been publicly revealed, for his change in perspective about comedy.

If youre bummed, you dont feel like being that funny, right? The first thing I thought about when I had my kids and was so stoked, it was like I connected to back when I was just like 12 and I was just being funny for fun, Hill added. Thats the thing I fell in love with my whole life.

open image in gallery Jonah Hill shares his two young children with wife Olivia Millar ( Getty Images )

Hill broke out in Hollywood with his comedy roles in hit films like Superbad and 21 Jump Street. A year after he announced his break from the public eye, his ex-girlfriend, surfer Sarah Brady, accused him of emotional abuse. Brady shared screenshots of texts allegedly from Hill showing controlling behavior before they broke up in 2022. Hill has not publicly responded to the accusations.

Hills new film, Outcome, co-written by Ezra Woods, marks his first return to the screen since the accusations. His last on-screen appearances came in 2023s You People with Eddie Murphy and the controversial 2021 apocalypse film Dont Look Up.

Outcome, released April 10, is the third project directed by Hill after his 2018 directorial debut, Mid90s, and Stutz.
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New research has found that most new plug-in hybrid vehicles (Phevs) cost more to buy than their fully electric equivalents.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank said its analysis found the UKs 10 best-selling new Phevs were, on average, 4,150 higher than an equivalent EV.

Phevs, which combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine, are often believed to be cheaper than pure electric vehicles because they utilise smaller batteries. However, this analysis suggests the opposite is true for the most sought-after models.

They included:

The VW Tiguan Phev being 5,780 more expensive than the VW ID.4 EV.

The Ford Kuga Phev being 4,035 more expensive than the Ford Explorer EV.

The MG HS Phev being 3,400 more expensive than the MG S5 EV.

The ECIU said the fuel consumption of Phevs is nearly six times what manufacturers claim, which means the vehicles cost an average of 620 a year more to fuel than their EV equivalents.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the market share of new Phevs in March was 13.0 per cent, up from 9.5 per cent during the same month last year.

Colin Walker, ECIU head of transport, said there is a risk that drivers looking to shield themselves from high fuel prices may switch to vehicles that simply wont deliver the savings promised.

He went on: The reality is that Phevs cost more to buy, and more to run, than their electric equivalents.

Chinese-made BYD plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in a compound in Sheerness, Kent ( PA )

Phevs rely on petrol for most of their driving, and burn much more of it than their manufacturers claim.

The best way that drivers can reduce their exposure to spikes in global oil markets is to shift to vehicles that dont need oil to move  EVs.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said car-makers are legally required to test all vehicles to the same repeatable, Government-verified standard.

Despite massive discounting by manufacturers to drive up demand for EVs, many drivers have yet to be convinced given concerns over the availability and high cost of public charging.

Therefore, manufacturers have also developed a range of technologies so everyone can reduce their emissions.

Plug-in hybrids can be a crucial stepping stone to going fully electric, allowing people to become familiar with zero-emission driving and helping to overcome anxiety.

Analysis by online vehicle marketplace Autotrader last week revealed new EVs have become cheaper to buy than petrol models for the first time, which it attributed to Government grants and sustained manufacturer discounting.

The zero-emissions vehicle (Zev) mandate sets headline targets for the proportion of new cars sold by each manufacturer that are zero-emission, which generally means pure battery electric.

This year it is 33 per cent but manufacturers are able to comply by using flexibilities, such as selling high volumes of plug-in hybrids.

The Government has rejected calls from the automotive sector to bring forward a planned review of the programme in 2027.

Manufacturers claim the mandate puts too much pressure on them to offer unsustainable discounts on new EVs.
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The man accused of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students had asked ChatGPT about putting a person in a trash bag and throwing their body in a dumpster just days before they went missing, according to a report.

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limons friend, Nahida Bristy, both 27. Limons body was found on Friday, while Bristy remains missing.

Prosecutors say that Abugharbieh asked ChatGPT about putting a person in the dumpster on the night of April 13, three days before Limon and Bristy were last seen alive, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.

What happens if a human has a put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster, prosecutors say Abugharbieh asked the AI chatbot.

ChatGPT replied that the inquiry sounded dangerous, to which Abugharbieh wrote back: How would they find out, according to the report.

open image in gallery Hisham Abugharbieh has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two University of South Florida doctoral students ( Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office )

Limon and Bristy, both from Bangladesh, went missing within about an hour of each other on April 16. The two had previously dated, according to the report

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. Meanwhile, 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.

Investigators said Abugharbieh, who studied business management at the university from 2021 to 2023, was identified as a person of interest during their investigation.

In court document obtained by NBC, which was filed Saturday to keep Abugharbieh behind bars while awaiting trial, prosecutors also shared other alleged details about the case.

A roommate of Abugharbieh told investigators that he was seen moving cardboard boxes from his room to a compactor dumpster at their apartment complex on April 17, a day after Limon and Bristy went missing, the filing reportedly stated.

After searching the dumpster, investigators found items belonging to Limon, including a student ID and credit cards in his name, according to the filings.

open image in gallery The remains of Zamil Limon, 27, were found Friday in a heavy-duty garbage bag on the Howard Frankland Bridge, authorities said ( University of South Florida Police Department )

open image in gallery Authorities are still searching for Nahida Bristy, but believe she is likely dead ( University of South Florida Police Department )

Prosecutors also note in the filing that Abugharbieh claimed to have given Limon and Bristy a ride to Clearwater on the day they were last seen. Investigators claim that Abugharbieh bought trash bags, Lysol wipes and Febreeze that night.

Investigators also 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 over the weekend.

Limons remains were found 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.

The remains were inside a heavy-duty trash bag that smelled of decomposition, according to the court filing. His death was preliminarily determined to be a homicide caused by multiple sharp force injuries, according to the motion.

Marine and dive teams continued to search for Bristy over the weekend. Human remains were discovered in the water on Sunday, but they have not been identified, authorities said.

Even without her remains, authorities say there is no evidence to suggest Bristy is still alive. Authorities have not shared a potential motive in the killings.

open image in gallery ( HCSO )

Abugharbieh was arrested Friday following a brief standoff with police at his home. He 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.

He was also charged with battery, false imprisonment, failure to report a death, storing remains in unapproved conditions and tampering with evidence, according to court records.

Abugharbieh is being held without bond. He has a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

Authorities are continuing 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, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad 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.
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Most children in Australia still use restricted social media platforms despite the ban for under-16s, according to a major new survey that raises questions about the effectiveness of the legal measure.

About two thirds of Australian 12 to 15-year-olds who used social media before the ban came into force last December still had access to one or more accounts, the survey found.

Roughly 50 per cent of the 1,050 children polled could still access their accounts on the most popular platforms of TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, according to the survey conducted by the charity Molly Rose Foundation, When also considering apps like Facebook and Snapchat, the number increased to nearly two-thirds.

About 70 per cent of the children who reported still using the restricted sites said it was easy to circumvent the ban while over half of them said the ban made no difference to their online safety.

The findings suggested that social media platforms had failed to detect or seek to remove accounts for under-16s, Molly Rose Foundation said, adding that a similar move being planned in the UK would be a high stakes gamble at this stage.

The foundation warned that an Australia-style ban would not deliver the improvements in online safety that parents and children deserved.

These results raise major questions about the effectiveness of Australias social media ban and show it would be a high stakes gamble for the UK to follow suit now, the foundations head Andy Burrows said.

Proponents of a ban argue it offers an immediate and decisive firebreak but the early evidence from Australia shows it only lets tech firms off the hook and fails to give children the step change in online safety and wellbeing they need.

Social media networking apps are displayed on a phone screen with the Australian flag in the background ( Getty )

In a report released last month, Australias e-safety commissioner warned platforms such as Meta, YouTube and TikTok that there were major gaps in their implementation of the ban. It noted that platforms were enabling children under 16 to repeatedly attempt age verification so as to ultimately obtain a 16+ outcome.

While acknowledging that tackling the addictive and dangerous design choices of social media apps was key, the Molly Rose Foundation said that the need of the hour was to strengthen regulation that cuts to the heart of business models that put profit over safety instead of limited bans.

The UK government is currently consulting with stakeholders on childrens social media safety and contemplating plans such as a crackdown on addictive and dangerous design features.

Keir Starmer has the chance to make the UK a world leader in online safety by following the evidence with robust new laws that give parents what theyre rightly demanding, said Ian Russell, chair of Molly Rose Foundation.

The cost is too high to get this wrong by rushing into an Australia-style ban that offers the perception of security but is letting children down in practice.

The Independent has approached TikTok, YouTube and Instagram for comment on the surveys results.
This story is the first in an occasional series following Louisianas first patients to receive gene therapy for sickle cell disease.
The proposed St. George school district, if approved by voters on May 16, would have so much money when it opens that it will be able to give 
Susan Provan has seen it all in her 32 years as director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival: comedians turning up to the wrong venue or literally falling off stage, cigarette smoke so voluminous that it prompted firefighters to storm the Moosehead Awards, and a group of comics  touring Australia as part of the festivals Roadshow  getting kicked out of a motel in the tiny South Australian town of Roxby Downs.

They were sitting in the spa after their gig and it was cold, so they tried to warm it up by boiling the kettles from their rooms and pouring the water in, says Provan, who on Monday announced that she will step down as director in August. But the manager thought they were trying to be rock n roll and chucking televisions into the pool  they got run out of town, basically.

Provan enjoying a drink with legendary English comedian Noel Fielding in an undated photo.

When Provan took over in 1995, the festival featured 118 shows. This year, there were 806 shows totalling more than 4000 performances  making it the biggest festival to date. During her tenure, it has become the largest standalone comedy festival in the world.

Last year, Provan told The Age that she couldnt keep doing the job forever. With the festival having just celebrated its 40th anniversary, it was an opportune time to call it a day, she said on Monday.

Ive been thinking about it for a while because Im exhausted, and this seemed like a good one to go out on, Provan said, speaking exclusively to this masthead. Im feeling relief and grief; Im moving between the two but its mainly relief.

A global search is now under way for Provans successor. She has a couple of candidates she hopes will apply but declines to name them.
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Exclusive NationalNSWRoberts-Smith case Ben Roberts-Smiths girlfriend calls potential criminal witness and MP a traitor Clare Sibthorpe April 27, 2026  7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The girlfriend of Ben Roberts-Smith has accused former SAS soldier and potential war crimes witness Andrew Hastie of being a traitor after the Liberal MP posted a photo of himself and his children remembering the fallen on Anzac Day. Sarah Matulin commented Yeah youre a traitor on the Instagram post made by Hastie on Saturday that the former SAS captain had captioned that honouring our veterans and ADF was a responsibility for all Australians, young and old. Ben Roberts-Smiths girlfriend Sarah Matulin accused former SAS soldier and potential war crimes witness Andrew Hastie of being a traitor. Instagram Lest we forget, the Hastie post said, under a photo of the politician holding hands with his young daughter as his son carried a wreath at an Anzac Day event. Matulins comment was later deleted. On Monday, speaking via Roberts-Smiths lawyer Karen Espiner, Matulin said it was a mistake to make that comment in a public forum and wasnt done with Bens knowledge.

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Hastie said it was important that people reflect carefully on the seriousness of these matters before commenting online. The now West Australian-based Liberal-MP was deployed to Afghanistan while serving in the SAS as a captain in 2013. Hastie also deployed to the war serving in the regular army in 2010. His Anzac Day post was also attacked by disgraced ex-Liberal party staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who was found by a civil court judge to have raped his former colleague Brittany Higgins. Ben Roberts-Smith and his partner Sarah Matulin attend dawn service at Currumbin on Anzac day. Danielle Smith Lehrmann commented: your betrayal of BRS wont be forgotten. Hastie is a potential witness against Roberts-Smith over his connection to an alleged mission in which a junior soldier alleged Roberts-Smith ordered him to execute an Afghan detainee and then cover it up.

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Hastie was one of 21 SAS veterans subpoenaed as a witness in the defamation case Roberts-Smith brought against this masthead and lost. When Roberts-Smith was arrested and charged with five counts of war crimes  murder this month, Hastie released a statement saying that he had given testimony under oath, as required by law during the defamation case. Loading Mr Roberts-Smith is now facing criminal charges in relation to this operational mission, so it is possible that I will be called as a witness to this trial. Several legal experts who did not want to comment publicly due to the sensitivity of the case explained there are certain contexts in which contacting a criminal witness could be illegal, including those with the potential to obstruct the course of justice.

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Other instances may not be illegal but could be seen to be intimidatory, inappropriate or improper, they said. There is no suggestion Matulin acted illegally, particularly given Hastie has not yet been confirmed as a witness in the criminal proceedings. The former SAS soldier is facing several counts of alleged war crime murder. Rocco Fazzari The charging of Roberts-Smith with allegedly executing, or ordering junior soldiers to execute, unarmed Afghan detainees has sparked a particularly hostile response from ultra-conservative and nationalistic figures on social media. Some reporters and public commentators have also weighed into the debate.

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An article published in The Nightly by journalist Aaron Patrick last Thursday quoted a legal expert, Professor Gary Edmond, warning that a junior soldier expected to testify against Roberts-Smith about ordering to execute a prisoner might be considered unreliable because they are involved in the surrounding events. The Nightly is a Perth-based digital newspaper launched by Kerry Stokes Seven West Media and heavily backed by billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart. However, in an email, Edmond said that he had also told Patrick that as a type or class of witness, those who are or might be criminally concerned in the events [or associated events] might also be considered to be credible, and their evidence accepted as compelling. In addition to more than a dozen SAS witnesses who will testify about Roberts-Smiths alleged war crimes, the Commonwealth has given indemnities to four more SAS soldiers who claim that they were ordered by the Victoria Cross recipient to execute detainees. The judge will often warn the jury about a witnesss criminal involvement and refer to any immunity from prosecution for their testimony, but that does not mean that the specific testimony should not be accepted or is necessarily unreliable, Edmond said, adding that not every witness with an incentive to lie or downplay their criminality does so.

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In many cases, the evidence of those who were criminally concerned will be persuasive and capable of satisfying proof beyond reasonable doubt  for both a jury and an appellate court  Those who are criminally concerned can be very credible witnesses. Patrick said his quotes from Edmond were completely accurate and that he stood by his story. Ive received no complaint or otherwise from him or his employer, he said. A section of his article was removed amid complaints from lawyers acting for former SAS soldiers that it had the potential to breach a non-publication order by including information that could reveal the identity of a witness. This masthead is not reproducing the information because of this risk. The Nightly said it worked cooperatively with the Attorney-Generals Department in respect to concerns raised and remains comfortable with its coverage of the Roberts-Smith matter.

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The Sunday Telegraph this week published an article about Matulin, quoting a source describing her as a deep and smart thinker. Sarah is brilliant and will be running the strategy to help him say and do all the right things, the piece quoted. He is very lucky shes there for him. Roberts-Smith, Australias most-decorated living soldier, was arrested following a five-year investigation by the secretive Office of the Special Investigator and charged with five counts of the war crime of murder. He has vowed to fight the charges. Roberts-Smith and Matulin on Saturday attended a beachside dawn service on the Gold Coast. The accused war criminal sat in the rain, adorned in medals received from his Afghanistan service. He did not lay a wreath during the formalities, which did not directly mention the Victoria Cross recipient, and later interacted with well-wishers.

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The 47-year-old spent 10 days in custody following his arrest before being granted bail to live in Queensland. Conditions of his bail include that he report to police three times a week and not contact prosecution witnesses. Roberts-Smith has already failed in the civil courts  as part of a defamation action  to contest allegations that he committed war crimes, including murders, taking his case all the way to the High Court. 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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Two children have been killed in a ferocious fire that swept through their Hawkesbury home on Monday morning, hours before they were due to relocate to Queensland with their parents and four siblings. The children were reported missing by their family in the blaze at their two-storey house on Lieutenant Bowen Drive in Bowen Mountain about 2.10am. Their father and four siblings escaped the property with minor injuries, while their mother had already left for Queensland. The fire tore through the home at 2am on Monday and was out of control for two hours. Nine News A neighbour was woken by the childrens father banging on the door and screaming out for help. He told Channel Nine he tried to help rescue the two remaining children but the house was already fully engulfed by fire.

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Hes like, the house is on fire, the house is on fire. Theres still two of them missing, we just kept doubling back around trying to get up to the top, and the house was just engulfed so fast. It was an absolutely painful thing to see. Responders were forced to wait for hours before they could search the property, as the fire burnt out of control. The bodies were discovered on separate storeys of the house in searches that began after the fire was contained at 4am. Emergency services at the scene of the fire in Bowen Mountain. SMH More than 50 firefighters faced a very overwhelming situation when they arrived to find flames tearing through the home, collapsing the roof and other internal structures. Emergency responders made the incredibly tough safety decision to retreat after an early assessment suggested the walls could also collapse. The ages of the six children in the family ranged from three to 16, according to Hawkesbury Police Area Command Superintendent Nadine Roberts.

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The father and four children who escaped the blaze are still in Nepean Hospital being treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns as of Monday evening. Its an incredibly confronting situation not only for the community and families but the first responders who had to attend, said Roberts, who did not confirm the ages of the children killed. Police have established a crime scene at the home and are working to formally identify the bodies. They do not believe the fire is suspicious. Loading RFS Superintendent Jonathon Hill, one of the first firefighters on the scene, said words cant really describe the difficulty of the morning.

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Its a situation that you really cant comprehend until youre in it, Hill said. We want to help the community, we do our best. And again, theres a human side of this that you cant always explain. Drones and dogs were deployed to assist with rescue efforts at the property, which continued to smoulder for hours after the fire was extinguished. Fire and Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Andrew Faunce said an investigation would determine the origin of the blaze and circumstances leading to the fire, as well as the number of smoke alarms and other safety devices in the property. Residential homes now can be very quick to go from low-level fires to significantly involved, Faunce said, referring to the severe stage of the fire. Were not aware of when the fire started but when firefighters arrived it was significantly involved, and that led to the decision not to do an active fire attack.

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Lieutenant Bowen Drive is a long residential street with homes on its western side directly bordering the Blue Mountains. The fire has caused no damage to neighbouring homes. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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A northern beaches driver who allegedly knocked a 15-year-old boy off his e-bike in a hit-and-run that left the boy hospitalised with serious leg injuries has been charged over the crash. The 38-year-old man was arrested at Dee Why Police Station at 5.30pm on Monday, one hour after emergency services were called to the intersection of Abbott Road and Pitt Road in North Curl Curl following reports of the incident. Loading Witnesses told police the man, driving a Volkswagen SUV, had made an offensive hand gesture towards the group of teenage e-bike riders before driving away. Police say the 15-year-old caught up with the driver and began arguing with him, before the driver allegedly threw a water bottle at the teen in retaliation. The e-bike rider is accused of throwing the bottle back at the car without making impact.

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The boy is then accused of blocking the car at the North Curl Curl intersection, before the driver allegedly hit the teen with his vehicle, causing the teenager to be thrown from the e-bike. The boy was airlifted to Sydney Childrens Hospital in Randwick with serious leg injuries, where he remains on Tuesday in a serious but stable condition. A 15-year-old boy has been flown to Randwick Childrens Hospital after a collision with a car while he was riding his e-bike in North Curl Curl. Nine News Police said two nearby off-duty police officers directed the driver to stop. However, he allegedly failed to do so and drove from the scene. Related Article Updated

Crime Irresponsible, stupid and downright dangerous: Police slam Harbour Bridge e-bike stunt Footage captured by the boys friends shows the driver, accompanied by a passenger, leaving the scene as two men run towards the car and unsuccessfully attempt to stop it from leaving. The car accelerates as the men open the doors and the vehicle leaves the crash scene.

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Police charged the driver with driving furiously and causing bodily harm, negligent driving, and driving while a licence application was refused. He was transferred to Manly Police Station after his arrest, and was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Manly Local Court on May 20. The news of the bike crash emerged after a separate incident on Sunday, when about two dozen trail bike riders were captured on video doing wheelies and tricks and weaving among traffic along the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the third illegal ride-out along the landmark in as many months. Loading The video, captured from inside a car about 3.15pm on Sunday, showed at least 23 riders wearing varying levels of protective clothing passing several cars at close range. The riders were travelling south on the Cahill Expressway along the Harbour Bridge. In another incident on February 3, about 40 e-bike and motorcycle riders descended on the bridge during peak hour, then abruptly turned back and rode through the CBD. Police announced Strike Force Puma last month to target those responsible for the ride-outs.

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The NSW government have also vowed to crack down on illegal e-bikes, with new laws allowing police to seize and destroy modified or overpowered bikes in an attempt to prevent further injuries and fatalities caused by the electric vehicles. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Perth man charged after allegedly pointing gun-shaped object at car

A Perth man has been charged following a dramatic arrest in a casino after he was accused of pointing a gun-shaped object at a car.
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The US-Israeli war on Iran has set off a scramble by governments and companies around the world to shore up fuel supplies, after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz triggering oil supply disruptions. One person apparently shrugging off the fuel supply shivers is Melbourne billionaire Adrian `Lambo guy Portelli, worth $1.41 billion on The Australian Financial Reviews Rich List, whose private jet has not been grounded by all the volatility. Adrian Portelli, owner of LMCT+, is selling cheap fuel to his members via his LMCT+ branded petrol station in Preston. Paul Jeffers The self-made billionaires Bombardier Global 6000 private jet has been used some 19 times since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February, mostly to scoot around Australia. When reached by CBD on Monday, Portelli said he charters the jet out, so all those 19 trips werent by me personally.

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According to Flight Radar, Portellis private jet flew from Melbourne to Wagga Wagga on March 6, before stopping into Brisbane and back to Melbourne the same day. A couple of days later, it was off to Singapore, before returning to Canberra on March 9. The following day, the jet returned to Melbourne. Later that month, on March 13, Portellis jet flew Melbourne to Sydney, before flying Sydney to Auckland and back to Melbourne a few days later. Then there was a trip to the Sunshine Coast, then to Perth and back to Melbourne, where his jet was idle for about a week before heading off to Honolulu, for just one day, according to flight tracking data. Adrian Portellis jet on the ground in Melbourne. Instagram/@adrianportelli Earlier this month, Portellis jet flew Melbourne to Port Hedland, from where it set off to Dubai for just a day before heading back on April 17. Portelli made headlines last week when this masthead reported on the opening of his new venture, an LMCT+ branded petrol station in Preston in Melbourne where fuel was selling to his rewards club members for $1 a litre.

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Portelli made his fortune off his LMCT+ rewards club and has been branching out into different business in recent years. Editor's pick CBD I dont give a rats ... Whats going on? AFLs gold cardholders left hanging on the mail Also back in the news, as our colleague dutifully noted last week, were questions about how the entrepreneurs LMCT+ membership-based shopping discount and giveaway business actually works, and whether it is an unlicensed lottery, as critics and a South Australian regulator have claimed. Perhaps theres also a market for a creative entrepreneur to start offering jet fuel for $1 a litre. Dont get me started: Frustration fuels ex-MPs surprise political return Fed up with the lack of action on grassroots issues in Melbournes outer west, former Baillieu/Napthine government MP Andrew Elsbury is making a surprise return to politics.

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Elsbury, who represented the Western Metropolitan region between 2010 and 2014 and quit the Liberal Party in 2022, confirmed he would run for the seat of Tarneit in Novembers state election. However, he wont be returning to the Liberals and is not impressed by the recent mess the party made of the preselection process for the Western Metropolitan Region ticket. Former MP Andrew Elsbury is making a surprise return to politics, running for the seat of Tarneit in the November 2026 state election. Facebook/Andrew Elsbury - The Westparty For Tarneit Robert Menzies would be absolutely rotating at high speed right now, Elsbury told CBD. Instead, he will run under The West Party banner.

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I can tell you now, I was not looking to run ever again, Elsbury said. I really thought my time in politics was over. I ran for local government at the last local government elections, but parliament, no, that was never in the tea leaves, yet here we are. I found a good group of people who I believe in and who have put their trust in me to represent the party in the next election. Elsbury rattled off to CBD a long list of local issues steaming him up. My concern is the current government is failing, especially us out here in Tarneit, he said. We have a police station that is closed, we have a road, Sayers Road, that I advocated for when I was in parliament that has not been duplicated, we have got a roundabout here that is the bane of everyones existence on the corner of Derrimut Road and Hogans Road, and dont get me started on the corner of Derrimut Road and Boundary Road.

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There is a set of temporary traffic lights there, they are going to replace them this year, that have been there so long I am pretty sure someone has tried to put a heritage listing (on them). It is upwards of six years, and I say temporary with a pinch of disdain. While he has a task ahead of him to sway voters, Elsbury and the fledgling party are certainly going to make some noise. Tarneit is held by Labors Dylan Wight who responded to CBDs inquiry about the news of his coming-around-again challenger by listing off Labors local achievements and promising theres more good stuff to come. Only a party of government can deliver these things for the Tarneit and Hoppers Crossing. And the only party that will is Labor, he said. Southern Cross is considering a sale of Kerry Stokes beloved West Australian newspaper. Jamie Brown

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Southern Cross mulls sale of Kerry Stokes beloved West Australian newspaper Southern Cross chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise has already seen off a gaggle of Kerry Stokes most senior Seven executives after the companies merged earlier this year. Now the Southern Cross regime is considering the sale of the Perth billionaires beloved former publishing assets. In recent weeks, the Southern Cross leadership team has held internal discussions over how a possible sale of its publishing assets, which include The West Australian newspaper and The Nightly, could take shape, according to a source familiar with the discussions. Editor's pick Opinion

On Background Witches founder goes to police over Sandilands remarks Calum Jaspan Media Writer But the company has yet to hold talks with possible suitors, said the source, who was not authorised to speak publicly.

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The discussions kicked off before the company announced the appointment of former NRMA, Foxtel and Seven executive Rohan Lund as its new chief executive on Friday, and do not represent the beginning of a formal sale process. Still, the discussions emerge as the clearest sign yet that the new Southern Cross-Seven regime doesnt have much affection for its publishing division, which for decades was seen as a love of Stokes, the companys former billionaire controlling shareholder. Southern Cross, through a spokesman, declined to comment. The former Seven publishing assets could be just the latest part of Stokes former media empire to be shown the door following Southern Cross $417 million merger with the media company after it was completed earlier this year. Mackay-Cruise has already overseen the exile of Stokes Seven chief executive Jeff Howard, who was dumped in late February, just three days after Stokes himself stepped off the Southern Cross board. Then went Sevens chief operating officer Trent Dickeson and TV head Angus Ross.

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But it looks like the Southern Cross regime isnt done clearing house. The question that follows is: Who would be interested in buying Southern Cross West Australian publishing assets? The Seven publishing division, which is overseen by Maryna Fewster, has been the subject of acquisition gossip for the better part of this year. Just last week, this masthead surfaced chatter from media and sporting circles, where it looks like News Corp would have support should it launch a bid for Southern Cross West Australian publishing assets. News Corp said it had no current plans to buy The West. There is also the question of whether Southern Cross shareholders would support such a move. Mackay-Cruise has so far maintained decent backing from major shareholders over the past year. Along with Stokes, Southern Cross biggest shareholders include Spheria Asset Management and Samuel Terry Asset Management. But could that dynamic be about to change? Earlier this month, the longtime Stokes family lieutenant Bruce McWilliam scooped up about $14 million worth of Southern Cross shares as part of a move that gave him a stake of more than 5 per cent in the company. Should McWilliam continue to build his position in Southern Cross, his voice could become an increasingly influential one on matters like these.

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Who knows, maybe it wont be long before we hear it. 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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NationalVictoriaPublic transport Upgrades to the oldest station in Melbourne may be decades away due to SRL promise Patrick Hatch April 27, 2026  11:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Broadmeadows train station has been labelled the worst transit hub in Melbourne by local councillors, who say much-needed upgrades have been stalled by the promise of a future Suburban Rail Loop stop in 20 years. The area is set to double its population and transform into a key hub for Melbournes northern suburbs in the coming years as one of the state governments first 10 activity centres identified in 2023 for increased housing development. The local council claims Broadmeadows Station is the worst major transit hub in Melbourne. Joe Armao But Hume council claims the station, which was ranked Melbournes 12th most dangerous train station last year, according to the Crime Statistics Agency, has been dubbed the oldest and least accessible major train station in the city, citing poor interchange facilities, platform ramps that do not comply with accessibility laws, and a dark, narrow underpass between platforms that passengers say feels unsafe. A detailed plan finalised last year showed the area should accommodate at least 3000 new homes, with building developments of up to 12 storeys around the town centre and up to six storeys in the existing residential neighbourhood east of the station.

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Related Article City life Melbournes migrant and manufacturing heart has taken some hits, but its still burning with ambition When our train station presents the way that it does, it makes it really difficult to elevate Broadmeadows to the level that I believe it should be, Hume City Council mayor Carly Moore said. The promise of a future stop on the Suburban Rail Loop is delaying much-needed upgrades, according to Moore, who fears it may be decades before any improvements. The station serves Metro trains on the Craigieburn line, as well as Albury, Seymour and Shepparton V/Line trains. A bus interchange outside the station also connects passengers to Melbourne Airport on the route 901  one of the few public transport links to Tullamarine. The station was last rebuilt in 1990 with a mixed-use commercial development adjacent to the tracks and sharing station utilities, which complicates the task of delivering improvements.

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The Brumby government promised $80 million to redevelop the station in 2009, but that funding never eventuated after Labor lost power to the Coalition in 2010. The Andrews government spent $4 million on amenity improvements in 2016, and smaller upgrades in 2020, including new toilets, lighting and CCTV. Moore said a significant investment was needed to bring it into line with other major transit hubs. The Broadmeadows station underpass that commuters do not feel safe in. Joe Armao However, she and other councillors are concerned that major improvements will be delayed until the proposed northern leg of the SRL is built, following the completion of $34.5 billion SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill in 2035. The SRL Authority has proposed that the second leg of the orbital rail line will have stations at Doncaster, Heidelberg, Bundoora, Reservoir, Fawkner, Broadmeadows and finally Melbourne Airport, with an opening date between 2043 and 2053.

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Moore said she had repeatedly asked the SRL Authority to explain its plans for Broadmeadows but had gotten nowhere, leaving a question mark over where the new station will go and how to future-proof for it in the current activity centre plans. I think the plan is in 20 years, when were ready to do SRL, well just do it then, Moore said. Hume mayor Carly Moore. Joe Armao However, the activity centre plan makes no mention of the future SRL station or its impact on housing development in the area. Areas around SRL East stations have all been rezoned as SRL precincts with height limits of more than 18 storeys. The 2021 SRL East business case said that the northern leg of the project would make Broadmeadows one of three transport super hubs alongside Clayton and Sunshine because of its V/Line connection and single stop to the airport.

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Property development Towers up to 20 storeys slated for middle-ring suburbs as new activity centre maps released It projected that Broadmeadows population would double to 33,000 people and that jobs in the precinct would grow from 9000 in 2018 to 26,000 by 2056. NORTH Link, an advocacy group representing tertiary education, major businesses and councils in the northern suburbs, has also made a station upgrade one of its top priorities. Broadmeadows is an important town centre in Melbournes north and has great potential to generate investment and jobs for the region, executive director Chris James said. A redevelopment of Broadmeadows Station is an important piece of the puzzle. A spokesperson for the Allan government said planning for the SRL North stations was under way but would not say how it might integrate with the existing station or activity centre plan.

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We upgraded Broadmeadows station in 2020  and we are currently investigating further amenity improvements, they said. Labors local state MP, Kathleen Matthews-Ward, said she recently visited the station with public transport minister Gabrielle Williams to discuss ways to improve safety and amenity. A large crack in the pavement at Broadmeadows station. Joe Armao Matthew-Ward said the Craigieburn line would get timetable improvements later this year, and an overhaul of the protective services officer system will mean patrols from 9am until the last train, rather than from 5pm. My advocacy for a Broadmeadows transit and jobs super hub continues and there are also opportunities for housing on the substantial sections of VicTrack land north of the station, she said.

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Planning The 20-storey divide: Melbournes high-density push stalled by numbers that dont stack up The mixed-use building adjacent to the station consists of 21 lots owned by property investment group Centreland, and one lot owned by a medical centre. The buildings strata manager Greg Cook said Centreland installed additional CCTV cameras and upgraded common area lighting last year, and will repaint the entire building in the next 12 months. Cook said Centreland was working with Hume council, Metro Trains, Victoria Police and the state government to further improve cleanliness, amenity and safety around the station. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Women, kids linked to ISIS fighters secure tickets to Australia

Security agencies are watching every move of women and children linked to ISIS fighters as they push to return to Australia from Syria.
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PoliticsQueenslandPublic service Mind the byelection for Metro North chief in curious committee call-up Matt Dennien Updated April 28, 2026  2:16pm ,first published April 27, 2026  8:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Welcome to Brisbane Times Queensland public sector column, Public Circus. This week: health services political run-in, councils AI warning about its own services, Powerlinks (coming) new boss, and more. The hearings of Queensland parliaments government-controlled committee system often descend into a partisan farce. But even by those standards, there were bizarre scenes last week when the health committee held what was scheduled to be a 15-minute briefing with the boss of the states largest health service. The Prince Charles Hospital has found itself at the centre of the Stafford byelection campaign  bringing the boss of Metro North Health with it. Nine This is the health service, politically attuned Circus folks would be aware, that runs Prince Charles Hospital  smack in the middle of the seat of Stafford, where a byelection will be held next month.

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Metro North chief executive Nick Steele, pulled across from his role as a deputy director-general in Queensland Health late last year, however, seemed none the wiser. With the briefing already taking place under contested circumstances  let alone the oddity of calling a health service boss outside estimates  the content also slipped into the bizarre. Labor MPs on the committee that day, Joe Kelly and Linus Power, noted there had unusually been no portfolio briefing provided to members ahead of time. The LNPs committee chair, Rob Molhoek, confirmed only one item was on the agenda: a statement from Steele.

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After a break to deal with a motion from Kelly to have the briefing, which he labelled a political stunt, extended to one hour, Steele was called to give this statement. Except he didnt have one. Editor's pick Exclusive

Public service Creates a smell: Top bureaucrat urged to detail shares in uranium miner Ive just been asked to come along and answer some questions associated with the Prince Charles Hospital, which is in my catchment, he said. Quizzed by Kelly, Steele said he was given a first heads-up about the potential meeting on Tuesday night, and confirmation on Wednesday morning. This came, Steele said, from the office of a minister, without any particular instructions on what to say.

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But he was given some suggestions on some of the questions that might be asked by an adviser to the minister, and later said these were about ambulance ramping. A proposed redevelopment of Prince Charles Hospital and ramping rates have already been raised by Labor and its Stafford candidate Luke Richmond. 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 In response to the first set of questions from Molhoek, Steele confirmed that the worst ramping figure for the hospital of 55 per cent was recorded in March 2022. The latest data, from February, had the figure at 37 per cent, Steele said. Power then sought to ask Steele to confirm data from October 2024, which had the figure at 32 per cent.

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On the number of beds planned for the proposed redevelopment, Steele said this had previously been 93 beds under the former government for delivery by 2028. Related Article Public service The Labor figures and government critics in early health board exit lounge We are planning to deliver at least that, Steele said, but was unsure about when the beds would be ready. Overseen by Health Infrastructure Queensland, the expansion now falls under the Crisafulli governments hospital rescue plan, and is awaiting an updated timeline. Asked by independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton if he could think of any reason for such an unusual and seemingly urgent briefing on the topics with no notes provided to committee members ahead of time, Steele appeared stumped.

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Not that Im aware of, because the redevelopment is progressing in those conversations and ramping is a conversation that were having quite, quite frequently at the moment, given the focus on it, Steele said. Quite the focus, indeed. Major south-east council leans into AI  just dont rely on anything it says This column has previously delivered detail of Brisbane City Councils explorations of market offerings for AI tech. Out in Toowoomba, they appear to have already found some. Eagle-eyed Circus folk have brought word back to the tent of a disclosure statement on the major regional councils website that it may use content algorithmically generated by AI.

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The statement says only that this may occur across customer service and Council services (or in part). Related Article Exclusive

Public service Inside the human rights office planning day that left staff in tears Council uses reasonable due diligence to ensure the quality of the content, however there will be limitations, inaccuracies or prospective bias in presentation by AI tools may arise [sic], the statement reads. The content should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, we recommend consulting appropriate content experts for guidance (as required). Council assumes no responsibility for AI generated use of content. A disclaimer that will strike confidence into the minds of residents and ratepayers, were sure.

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But some further sleuthing has turned up a LinkedIn post by deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff, back in August, on just the topic which had Brisbane council staff worried. Theres a shortage of #planners across local governments  precisely at the time we need to increase #housing, wrote Vonhoff, a former candidate for LNP preselection and journalist. Yesterday I spoke publicly about bringing #AI to Toowoomba Regional Councils planning process to speed up assessments that are more straightforward or for answering enquiries. Other councils around Australia are doing this and there are some local examples including Sunshine Coast Council. We need a planning scheme that can be interpreted by AI, and Im encouraged by the approach of [councils general manager of planning and development services] Ed Johnson, who said using AI should be carefully considered, but that there are positive examples we can look to.

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As far back as 2023, the council spoke about trialling ChatGPT to help with marketing and promotion material. Last year, it tendered for an AI vision solution to support road asset management. Weve sung out to the council for some clarity on what, exactly, it is using the tech for and which appropriate content experts should be consulted by constituents  if not, the council. While Circus eventually got a response from chief executive Sal Petroccitto OAM, there was no clarity on what the council uses AI for. Petroccitto said the statements intention was to support informed use by customers. Redland City Council governance adviser off to a delayed start The local government scene on Brisbanes glorious bayside has been in a spot of turbulence of late. (See here and here, for starters.)

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First-term Redland mayor Jos Mitchell had spoken since her election in early 2024 about the need for, at least, a governance adviser. While Local Government department director-general Bronwyn Blagoev appointed Chris Rose for a six-month term back in December, its unclear whats happened since. Despite terms of reference requiring a fortnightly summary report on key risks and progress toward seven outcomes, not a single such report had been turned in by late February. The Redland City Council chambers and administration building on Bloomfield Street in Cleveland. Matt Dennien Circus request that month via Right to Information laws for all reports to the department circled back to us last week delivering the disappointing news for our $57.65 application fee.

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The decision notice stated Blagoevs office had been asked to search their systems for anything featuring Roses name or other relevant keywords. Nothing showed up. Bizarrely, however, the decision notice stated: There is no information to indicate that the documents should exist but cannot be located. OK. Asking for an explanation, we were told early engagement with the adviser was impacted by unplanned leave, with formal reporting kicking off in March. What that means for Rose  a veteran council official across Queensland and NSW, who turned consultant in 2016  and his slated end-date of May 29? Were yet to hear. A spokesperson did say the department is committed to providing the support necessary to assist Redland City Council and continues to have regular briefings with the adviser.

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Thats good news at least for the council and its constituents, who are  after all  footing the bill for the work. Appointment Watch: Powerlinks (almost) new chief and a Safe Food chair Theres been two announcements over the last week of new appointments across two quite different parts of the public sector. The most recent is the long-awaited public news on Monday of the replacement for million-dollar man Professor Paul Simshauser AM as chief executive of Powerlink. Simshauser, who came aboard in 2020, hung up his boots at the government-owned energy transmission corporation back in November after flagging the move in August.

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Which makes sense, considering Powerlink services a population of more than five million, compared to the Tasmanian population of roughly one-tenth that. Meanwhile, in a characteristic Friday afternoon announcement, Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett revealed a new chair for the Safe Food Queensland board: Lisa Palu. The new head of the states food regulatory body is described as having decades of experience in advocacy, policy and communications across state and Commonwealth governments, agriculture, science, and the resources sector. Her CV also includes running her own Glass House Mountains coffee farm and cafe, launched by LNP figures including then opposition leader David Crisafulli back in 2024, stints with lobbying firm SAS Group, as an adviser to former premier Campbell Newman, and state secretary for the pre-merger state National Party. Have a curiosity for the Public Circus tent? Email us on m.dennien@nine.com.au or james.hall@nine.com.au. For more security, sing out with a non-work device and network via Signal to @mattdennien.15 (or using this link) and mattdennien@protonmail.com.
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Updated WorldEuropeAUKUS Cracks are already beginning to show: AUKUS is in trouble, UK probe warns David Crowe Updated April 28, 2026  12:02pm ,first published April 28, 2026  9:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Leadership failures are being blamed for slow decisions and funding shortfalls that threaten the mammoth AUKUS submarine program, with a British inquiry revealing a series of problems that put Australias security at risk. The parliamentary inquiry warns that the problems could snowball into a severe test for the AUKUS allies because investment has faltered, political leadership has dwindled and there are now serious doubts about whether the submarine project can be delivered. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey walk aboard the HMS Vanguard off the coast of Scotland last week. UK government The conclusions are a wake-up call to political leaders and military chiefs in the three signatories to the pact  Australia, the UK and the US  when submarine construction is behind schedule. We have deep concerns cracks are already beginning to show when it comes to funding, said Tan Dhesi, the chair of the House of Commons defence committee, which undertook the first major review of the project for the British parliament.

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The investment pipeline has already faltered. This cannot be allowed to happen again. Even seemingly minor shortfalls and delays snowball over time, with potentially severe consequences for the UK and wider Euro-Atlantic security, and our standing with our trilateral partners. An Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine HMS Audacious. PA Images via Getty Images The committee, with members from all major political parties, called for faster decisions and greater action to finish the facilities needed to build and maintain nuclear-powered submarines in the UK and Australia. While the pact sets out plans for Australia to buy at least three Virginia-class submarines from the US over the next decade, these vessels are meant to be an interim step before the UK and Australia build the new AUKUS-class fleet in both countries to a shared design.

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The British government is planning to have up to 12 of the new submarines to defend its waters when it is seeing increasing incursions by Russian vessels. Australia hopes to have five vessels from the early 2040s, built in South Australia. Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, backed the fundamental case for AUKUS despite the changes in world politics over the year since the inquiry began. Three Virginia-class submarines are due to be transferred from the US fleet to Australia under the AUKUS deal US Defence Any undertaking of this scale requires committed, consistent political will and leadership, he said in a statement upon the release of the report. Unfortunately, we found that the UKs political leadership on AUKUS has dwindled. AUKUS cant be seen as just another defence programme; if it is to stay on track then leadership must come from the very top.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday played down the concerns raised in the report. Related Article Exclusive

AUKUS Australias depending on AUKUS Virginia-class subs. The US says theyre not its priority There is support overwhelmingly from the British government, from Prime Minister Keir Starmer down, as well as from the defence personnel in the United Kingdom, he said. AUKUS is  to quote [US] President [Donald] Trump  full steam ahead, and Im very confident that it will be so. The inquiry concluded that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had to play a more visible role in promoting AUKUS  and that more control needed to come from his office rather than the Ministry of Defence. The report identified weaknesses in two major construction and maintenance bases in the UK at Devonport (near Plymouth) and Clyde (north of Glasgow) to ensure the Royal Navy could deploy submarines as promised.

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AUKUS has already started to hit bumps in the road. Submarine availability is critically low, Dhesi said. Without urgent infrastructure improvements at HMNB Devonport and HMNB Clyde the government risks finding itself unable to meet its obligations under AUKUS. HMS Agamemnon, an Astute-class submarine at Barrow-in-Furness late last year. Getty Images The key construction base for the AUKUS fleet in Britain is at Barrow-in-Furness, north of Liverpool, but the committee said the government was behind schedule in building the workforce and facilities needed to deliver the vessels. The report was released at midnight on Monday in the UK (9am on Tuesday, AEST) after a year of review including testimony from ministers, defence officials and military experts.

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Britain has committed 16 billion (about $30 billion) to AUKUS projects. This includes 4 billion for BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Babcock to design components for the SSN-AUKUS, another 3 billion for manufacturing at BAE and Rolls-Royce, and 9 billion for Rolls-Royce to produce nuclear reactors for the Royal Navys submarine fleet. Australia has transferred $5 billion to upgrade the British industrial base, such as the design and construction of nuclear power plants from Rolls-Royce. Australia also spent $310 million in February on the first power components to be shipped to South Australia. Related Article AUKUS France open to selling Australia submarines if AUKUS collapses The construction of the new fleet depends on the speed with which the British can build the seventh and final Astute-class vessel and the new Dreadnought class nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines, before it can shift to the new SSN-AUKUS design. In one of its many warnings, the report noted that the Royal Navy had sent one of the Astute submarines, HMS Anson to Western Australia in early 2026 but had to hurriedly recall it when the US and Israel attacked Iran.

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It is clear that fulfilling this commitment has stretched the Astute fleet to  or even beyond  its limits, the report said. Observers are warning that Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey have not put enough money towards rebuilding defence. Right now, the Royal Navy fleet looks like a construction site, wrote James Fennell for the Centre for European Policy Analysis last month. All of the major classes of warships and support ships, without exception, are in various states of retirement, repair, construction, training, or crew regeneration.

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Some relatively new ships are tied up alongside but uncrewed as they await sufficient trained manpower and funding to be used operationally. Its thought that of the force of just 13 destroyers and frigates, only around four are at sea. Its the same story with attack submarines, where only one of the five vessels is known to be operational. Related Article AUKUS Headed for a train smash: Former commanders dire AUKUS warning The new report warns of a severe workforce challenge when the UK government expects to need 21,000 people working on the AUKUS vessels in UK shipyards and across the supply chain. The need for nuclear reactors means the civil and defence nuclear workforce will need to increase by 40,000 by 2030. At Barrow-in-Furness, for instance, the government has promised 200 million in funding to build new facilities to support workers and their families around the crucial dockyard.

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Lord Simon Case, a former cabinet secretary who now leads the Team Barrow agency to build these facilities, estimates the investment needs to be 1 billion. The report called for more transparency about government decisions and the appointment of leading officials in each country, including Australia, to take responsibility for progress. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor accused the Albanese government of underfunding defence. There is no commitment to make sure that AUKUS is properly funded, he said. Weve been very supportive of making sure that the countries behind AUKUS  are able to trade defence technologies freely  but we do have to make sure that the transfer of technology and people to make AUKUS a success is easier between our three countries. Starmer named former national security adviser Stephen Lovegrove as AUKUS adviser in late 2024, leading to an internal review of the AUKUS project that was meant to be released but remains confidential.

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It is deeply disappointing that more than a year after Sir Stephen Lovegrove completed his review of AUKUS, the governments commitment to issue a public version of his findings has not been fulfilled, the parliamentary committee said. This reflects poorly on the government and is damaging to stakeholder and public confidence. It is also symptomatic of wider issues around the lack of public engagement with AUKUS. The committee called for the government to issue a public version of the Lovegrove report as soon as possible. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Iran reportedly offers deal to US to reopen strait and delay nuclear talks Jon Herskovitz and Steve Holland April 27, 2026  5:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington/Islamabad: Iran has reportedly given the United States a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, and postpone nuclear negotiations. The plan, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan to break a stalemate with Washington, called for extending the ceasefire so the parties could work towards a permanent end to the fighting, Axios reported, citing a US official and two people with knowledge of the matter. Nuclear talks would come later, only after a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was lifted. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi boards a plane in Islamabad after talks with Pakistan and Oman officials. X Pakistani mediators had given the proposal to the White House but it was unclear whether the US wanted to explore it, Axios reported. US President Donald Trump planned to hold a meeting in the White House Situation Room on Monday (Washington time) with national security and foreign policy officials, the news outlet reported. These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in an email.

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Interestingly, immediately, when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better, Trump told reporters, adding that Iran offered a lot but not enough. They know what has to be in the agreement. Its very simple: they cannot have a nuclear weapon; otherwise, theres no reason to meet, Trump told The Sunday Briefing on Fox News. Loading Iran has long demanded Washington acknowledge its right to enrich uranium, which Tehran says it only seeks for peaceful purposes, but which Western powers say is aimed at building nuclear weapons. While a ceasefire has largely held since early April, the US and Iran both continue to maintain a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, making the key energy choke point virtually impassable.

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The disruption to about one-fifth of the worlds oil flows has been dubbed the biggest supply shock in history by the International Energy Agency. Related Article Middle East at war Ceasefire in doubt as US cancels trip and Irans top diplomat leaves Pakistan American forces implementing the blockade against Iranian ports had directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port, US Central Command said in a social media post. Iran is in turn imposing its own blockade of Hormuz, using its mosquito fleet of gunboats. Daily transits are now close to zero, compared with about 135 before the conflict began on February 28. The oil market faces a guaranteed supply loss of about 1 billion barrels  in part because of the time it would take to revive flows once the strait reopened, Vitol Group chief executive Russell Hardy said at the FT Commodities Global Summit in Switzerland.

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Araghchi, who shuttled to and from mediators Pakistan and Oman on Sunday before flying to Russia, said in a social media post that Iran had yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy. He said the discussions in Pakistan had reviewed conditions under which Iran-US talks could resume, and stressed that Tehran would seek to secure its rights and national interests following weeks of conflict. A man rides his motorbike past a boat beached on the Iranian shore on the Strait of Hormuz. AFP Iran and Oman, as coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, had agreed to continue expert-level consultations to ensure safe transit and protect shared interests in the waterway, Araghchi said. Araghchi landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin, with talks expected to canvass bilateral ties and regional issues including the Iran-US conflict.

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Disagreements between the US and Iran extend beyond Tehrans nuclear program and control of the strait. Trump wants to limit Irans support for its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, and curb its ability to strike US allies with ballistic missiles. Iran wants a lifting of sanctions and an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah. Israeli tanks and vehicles drive past destroyed homes in southern Lebanon on Saturday. AFP In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed 14 people and wounded 37 on Sunday, the health ministry said. 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. Bloomberg, Reuters 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.
Tankers laden with Iranian oil are clustering off Chabahar, a port in Iran thats outside the Persian Gulf but just shy of the US blockade line.

About six to eight supertankers were idling in waters near the port in the Gulf of Oman late last week, according to satellite images and analyses from United Against Nuclear Iran and maritime intelligence firm Windward, with more smaller tankers nearby. Its the same area where the US Navy said it had redirected two large crude carriers that it intercepted last week.

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz in March, as seen from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates. AP

The build-up of tankers at Chabahar is more evidence that Iran is continuing to load oil onto ships, and also that the US blockade appears to be working as an effective barrier to stop the crude getting to customers. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is now near zero, and Tehran could soon have to start shutting-in production as storage space runs out.

Some 155 million barrels of Iranian crude are either in transit or floating in storage all over the world, according to an estimate from energy market intelligence firm Vortexa. The US has been increasing its pressure on Tehran by boarding tankers in the Indian Ocean and also sanctioning a major Chinese refiner that it said was a buyer of Iranian oil.

Its unclear how many more empty tankers are available for Iran to load crude onto, but it appears to be bringing older vessels back into service. A 30-year-old very large crude carrier, a mega-oil ship capable of holding up to 2 million barrels of crude, last week began signalling from the Persian Gulf after having last delivered a cargo three years ago, ship-tracking data shows. The Nasha last broadcast its location four days ago, heading west toward Kharg Island, from where Iran exports most of its oil.

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WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Sound of gunfire carries eerie echoes of Reagan shooting Del Quentin Wilber April 27, 2026  3:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: When then-president Ronald Reagan left the Washington Hilton Hotel and headed for his waiting limousine on a grey March afternoon in 1981, he was exposed for mere seconds. That was all it took for would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr to take aim and fire. Reagan was hit in the chest and nearly died. Forty-five years later, another gunman is accused of trying to storm into the same hotels ballroom during the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday night (US time). The suspect fired at least one shot, authorities said, before being subdued in a chaotic scene that forced the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other top administration officials. The gunman never entered the ballroom or got close to the president. An injured press agent and a Secret Service member lie prone at the scene of the 1981 assassination attempt on president Ronald Reagan. Getty Images That Hilton, still referred to colloquially in Washington as the Hinckley Hilton, has hosted hundreds of large events attended by presidents and other dignitaries since it opened in the 1960s. While on the surface, there appear to be similarities in the incidents beyond their location, there are stark differences that highlight how much has changed in the decades since Reagan was shot.

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Security is a lot more robust today than it was then, said Stephen Colo, a former assistant director of the Secret Service. But you still deal with the same tension involving politicians and the publics access to them. Built to accommodate presidents The Washington Hilton Hotel and its cavernous ballroom were designed to be a prime venue for presidential speeches and events. To entice high-profile speakers, primarily the president, architects designed a VIP entrance on the side of the hotel and, one floor below it, a holding room known as the bunker. In the decade before Reagan was shot, presidents visited the hotel more than a hundred times. Assassination attempt on President Reagan: Front page of the Sydney Morning Herald on April 1, 1981. Sydney Morning Herald

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The 1981 shooting was set in motion when Hinckley got on a bus in Los Angeles, where he had been trying to write and sell music, and headed to Washington. There, he planned to hop on another bus to New Haven, Connecticut, to stage a suicide in front of the object of his obsession, movie star Jodie Foster. In the nations capital, he learnt Reagan would be speaking at the Washington Hilton on the afternoon of March 30, and he changed his plans. He would try to kill the president to impress the actor. Hinckley got very close An annotated image of the assassination scene shows what unfolded. AP Outside the hotel that afternoon, Hinkley found himself five metres from Reagan as the president headed to his limousine. In a small crowd of onlookers and journalists behind a rope line, the would-be assassin pulled out a gun and fired six shots in 1.7 seconds, wounding Reagan, White House press secretary Jim Brady, District of Columbia Police Officer Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy.

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Reagan was struck below his left armpit, and the bullet lodged an inch from his heart. He survived thanks to the quick thinking of Secret Service agent Jerry Parr and the medical personnel at George Washington University Hospital. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Related Article Donald Trump Inside the pandemonium at the Washington Hilton After the shooting, the Secret Service enhanced security in dozens of ways. The most visible action came when agents began deploying checkpoints and metal detectors to screen visitors at the White House and at public events. Hinckley did not have to pass through either a checkpoint or a metal detector to get so close to the president. The hotel built a bunker-like garage for the armoured limousine to park, drop off, and pick up the president at the VIP entrance. The Secret Service and local police assigned more agents and officers to guard presidential events at the Hilton. Reagan was only months into his first term as president when he was shot by John Hinckley Jr in Washington. Corbis via Getty Images

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Even with such enhancements, former agents said, securing the Hilton is challenging and highlights the tension between protecting politicians and ensuring the public has access to them. The hotel also has many public areas, and it would be challenging to shut them down for an event, even one as high-profile as the correspondents dinner. That was why, they said, the main security checkpoint was near the ballroom and not in the hotel lobby or entrance  measures that would be disruptive to hundreds of guests and hotel operations. Inside the ballroom, more agents and heavily armed tactical officers were stationed close to the president. Gunman stopped at security checkpoint On Saturday, the suspect sprinted through the checkpoint leading to the ballroom, according to video posted by Trump. The video shows officers and agents pivoting and pointing guns at the man as he ran away. The assailant was quickly subdued and was not injured, officials said. An officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest, officials said, but was not seriously hurt. Secret Service agents and police officers swarm John Hinckley Jr (obscured from view) after he opened fire on president Ronald Reagan outside the Washington Hilton. AP

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Acting US Attorney-General Todd Blanche on Sunday said the gunman was probably seeking to target the president and members of the administration. The assailant is suspected of having travelled by train from California to Chicago and then on to Washington, where in recent days he checked in as a guest at the hotel, Blanche said. Related Article Updated

Trump's America Friendly Federal Assassin: Alleged shooters manifesto says he was targeting Trump officials Law enforcement officials familiar with the matter identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. Cole sent writings to family members minutes before the shooting, referring to himself as a Friendly Federal Assassin, railing against Trump administration policies and signalling what investigators increasingly believe was a politically driven attack, according to another law enforcement official who, like the others, was not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

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The writings made repeated references to Trump without directly naming the president, the official said, and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions. AP, Bloomberg Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Trump uses shooting to demand all-clear for his White House ballroom Michael Koziol April 27, 2026  9:08am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: The Trump administration is using the weekends shooting at the White House Correspondents Association dinner to pressure opponents of the presidents planned ballroom to drop their legal challenge on national security grounds. The move comes amid widespread concerns about security shortcomings at the Washington Hilton hotel, where dozens of senior Trump administration officials were present, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and many cabinet members. Donald Trump shows off plans for his new White House ballroom while on Air Force One. AP The National Trust for Historic Preservation successfully halted progress on the $US400 million ($560 million) ballroom after a judge ruled Trump must obtain congressional approval to build the 1000-capacity venue on White House grounds. Underground parts of the project can continue to be built. On Sunday (Washington time), acting attorney-general Todd Blanche made public a letter he sent to a lawyer representing the National Trust, threatening to seek the dissolution of the current injunction if the Trust does not voluntarily withdraw its lawsuit by 9am on Monday.

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Yesterdays assassination attempt on President Trump proves, yet again, that the White House ballroom is essential for the safety and security of the president, his family, his cabinet and his staff, Blanche wrote. He noted that when the ballroom was complete, Trump and his successors will no longer need to venture beyond the safety of the White House perimeter to attend large gatherings, such as those at the Hilton. Put simply, your lawsuit puts the lives of the president, his family and his staff at grave risk, Blanche said. I hope yesterdays narrow miss will help you finally realise the folly of a lawsuit that literally serves no purpose except to stop President Trump no matter what. Enough is enough. The National Trust for Historic Preservation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The lawsuit was technically brought on behalf of one of the Trusts board members, architectural historian Alison Hoagland, who claims the ballroom would infringe on the quality of her walks and views of the city. In a post on X, Blanche said: This lawsuit is on behalf of a single person who walks in the vicinity of the White House once a month and expects to dislike the East Wings new design. The passing aesthetic gripe of a single person cannot possibly justify delaying the construction of a secure facility for the president to do his job. Trump was not harmed in the shooting and was evacuated along with other dignitaries. The shooter  alleged to be 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California  was taken down by Secret Service agents after he ran through a security checkpoint inside the hotel. He did not make it to the stairwell leading down to the ballroom on a lower level. However, concerns have been raised by dinner attendees  politicians and journalists alike  about security procedures at the venue. Although the hotel was closed to the public earlier in the afternoon, attendees were only required to show a paper invitation to the dinner to reach the security checkpoint inside.

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Allen was reportedly staying at the hotel after travelling to Washington by train. He ran through the security checkpoint just after 8.30pm (Washington time), by which time Trump was inside the ballroom, and no additional guests were allowed to enter the secured area. Related Article National News Live US politics as it happened: Trump becomes hostile in 60 Minutes interview after manifesto revealed of alleged White House Correspondents dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen; Iran offers new deal over Strait of Hormuz reopening Republican congressman Michael McCaul, a former prosecutor who worked in counter-terrorism and national security, attended the dinner as a guest of Bloomberg and told the network he thought the outer perimeter was very free access for a function with such high-profile attendees. Its an open hotel. I think that was part of the risk involved here if you had to analyse it. Its very difficult to harden that environment, he said. McCaul noted Vance and House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson were also present at the dinner  first and second in line to the presidency, respectively.

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If a bomb had gone off or something more dramatic, it would fall to [Iowa senator] Chuck Grassley, amazingly, he said. Grassley, the president pro tempore of the US Senate, is 92. Trump dismissed criticism of the security setup, saying the agents involved did an outstanding job, and noting the would-be assailant did not get near the ballroom itself. Security video of the alleged shooter sprinting through the lobby of the Washington venue where the White House Correspondents dinner was being held. Truth Social @realDonaldTrump But he also used the incident to make the case for his beloved White House ballroom, saying the shooting would never have happened on White House grounds. It cannot be built fast enough! Trump said on Truth Social.

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Trump's America Friendly Federal Assassin: Alleged shooters manifesto says he was targeting Trump officials While beautiful, it has every highest level security feature there is, plus, there are no rooms sitting on top for unsecured people to pour in, and is inside the gates of the most secure building in the World, The White House. The ridiculous Ballroom lawsuit, brought by a woman walking her dog, who has absolutely No Standing to bring such a suit, must be dropped, immediately. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with its construction, which is on budget and substantially ahead of schedule!!! 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.
Private Melvyn Kaufman's Correspondence Home Details Combat in France and Germany and Post-War Life

STOWE, Vt., April 27, 2026 -- Private Melvyn Kaufman sent letters home often chronicling combat across Europe, sometimes one a day when he had the time. In 1982, his daughter found nearly 200 letters in a storage room at her grandmother's home and decided to document Private Kaufman's transition from a nineteen-year-old soldier into a man who developed a "cynical sense of the world while maintaining a selfless love for his family."

In "This Method of Making History England, France, Belgium and Germany," author Kim Kaufman has complied a poignant collection of her father's letters that he sent home from his journey with the 9th Infantry Division during 1943 to 1945, detailing his experiences during training in England, combat through France and Belgium, and his eventual entry into Germany. The book offers a raw look at the day-to-day life of an infantryman who maintained a selfless love for his family while developing a cynical worldview shaped by the bloody battles of WWII.

"Transcribing these letters has introduced me to a man I did not know," said Kaufman. "The one I knew was loud and unmistakenly unhappy. There were times when my father was kind and almost loving but not in the way that comes through in these letters. This man who regularly asked God to bless his family while he was risking his life in Europe is a stranger to me."

Private Kaufman's letters provide a timeless reflection on the human experience of war and history, expressing the disconnect between grand historical narratives and the actual desires of those living through them. He refused higher military ratings because he did not want to be responsible for other men's lives. He cautioned that there are "no heroes in this war" and that public accounts of soldiers' desires to stay in combat are often lies. Following the war's end, he expressed deep disgust with the military point system for discharge, arguing it failed to prioritize those who saw the most combat over those with children or more time in non-combat service.

"I will say this, I am not impressed with this method of making history," said Private Kaufman. "I feel sure that there is some simpler, more tranquil, way of getting a line or two in a history book."

"This Method of Making History England, France, Belgium and Germany: Letters Home from Private Melvyn Kaufman, 1943 to 1945 England, France, Belgium and Germany"

By Kim Kaufman

ISBN: 9781665787703 (softcover); 9781665787710 (electronic)

Available at Archway Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Kim Kaufman received a B.A. in comparative literature from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Wash., MLS from the Palmer School of Library and Information Science, Long Island, NY, and a MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont School of Fine Arts, Montpelier, Vt. She has spent a lifetime in the literary world as a rare book dealer, a librarian and a lifelong writer, though somewhere in the early 2000s she made a detour into the restaurant/bar business. In 2011 she and her husband moved to Vermont where they bought lots of land, opened several restaurants and more recently, a cannabis dispensary. To learn more, please visit www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/864923-this-method-of-making-history-england-france-belgium-and-germany.

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Ziggy Goldfarbz

[email protected]

SOURCE Archway Publishing
The travel agency that has been creating magic since 2007 just earned one of the travel industry's most exclusive honors, and your family is the one who benefits.

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 27, 2026 -- Off to Neverland Travel has earned an invitation to Travel Leaders Network's President's Circle.

Most families planning a vacation want the same thing: someone in their corner. Someone who knows the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one. Someone who picks up the phone when something goes wrong. Off to Neverland Travel has been that someone for families across the country since 2007.

Travel Leaders Network is the largest and one of the most respected networks of professional travel advisors in North America. President's Circle is its inner circle, an invitation-only program reserved for its most productive and trusted cruise and tour agencies. This is not something an agency applies for. It is something that must be earned.

For Off to Neverland Travel, this recognition is the result of nearly two decades of hard work from the agency's team of specialized travel advisors, proudly known as Magic Makers. From a single focus on Disney destinations at launch, the agency has grown into a premier travel company with Magic Makers serving families from coast to coast traveling to destinations around the world.

President's Circle membership gives Off to Neverland Travel access to exclusive consumer offers, special booking incentives, and priority relationships with top tour and cruise suppliers. These benefits are not typically available when booking on your own, and they flow directly to the families the agency serves.

What You Get When Booking With a Magic Maker

Exclusive offers unavailable to the general public

One dedicated Magic Maker who learns your family, your travel style, and your budget, and stays with you before, during, and after your trip

A real advocate in your corner when plans change or the unexpected happens

Personalized trip planning because no two families are the same, and no two trips should be either

Anyone can go online and book a vacation. What you cannot find online is someone who genuinely cares whether your trip is everything you dreamed it would be. That is what Off to Neverland Travel has always offered, and President's Circle recognition means those Magic Makers now have even more tools, access, and advantages to make your family's next adventure extraordinary.

Ready to experience the difference a Magic Maker makes? Visit offtoneverland.com to connect with a travel advisor near you.

About Off to Neverland Travel

Founded in November 2007 and based in Fort Worth, TX, Off to Neverland Travel is a premier travel agency specializing in family vacations, cruise travel, and destination experiences around the world. The agency's team of Magic Makers, independent travel advisors serving communities nationwide, turn travel dreams into extraordinary memories. Off to Neverland Travel is a proud member of Travel Leaders Network and an inductee into the President's Circle.

Media Contact:

Chet McDoniel

[email protected]

817-886-0342

SOURCE Off to Neverland Travel, LLC
PARIS and WASHINGTON and CHICAGO, April 27, 2026 -- Renowned musicians from around the world will gather on 30 April in the US city of Chicago for an All-Star Global Concert to mark International Jazz Day. The concert, now in its 15th edition, brings together celebrated artists and audiences to reaffirm the power of jazz in fostering intercultural dialogue, unity and artistic exchange.

The event's lineup, announced today by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, includes musicians Gregory Porter (United States of America), James Morrison (Australia), Tiger Okoshi (Japan), Mandisi Dyantyis (South Africa), Antonio Sanchez (Mexico), Mino Cinelu (Martinique, France) and many more.

"Each year on 30 April, this global observance reminds us that jazz is a universal language that transcends borders, generations, and cultures. It invites us to listen deeply, respect each voice, and create together in harmony. It shows us how when different rhythms, perspectives, and traditions come together, something profoundly beautiful can emerge," said Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.

"I am thrilled to celebrate unity through music on the 15th anniversary of International Jazz Day. What we have created together with UNESCO is truly extraordinary. Bringing this global celebration to Chicagothe city where I was born and first discovered the magic of jazzmakes this moment especially meaningful, as audiences in more than 190 countries come together," said Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue.

Honoring the city's illustrious jazz heritagewhere legends such as Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton shaped the evolution of the musicChicago is hosting a series of performances, educational programmes and community initiatives from 1 April to 3 May.

These initiatives are designed to showcase jazz's enduring ability, throughout history and today, to inspire a shared sense of humanity through culture.

Highlights of the Chicago programme include a performance by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra at Unity Temple on 28 April, the UNESCO World Heritagelisted architectural landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The programme will feature Usonian Structures, composed by saxophonist and arranger Andy Farberthe work is inspired by Wright's organic and functional design philosophy.

A special screening of Birdman, the Academy Awardwinning film directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu and featuring a celebrated jazz score by Antonio Sanchez, will also be presented live in concert on 27 April by the composer, highlighting the connection between jazz and cinematic storytelling. More information on the citywide programming is available at chicago.jazzday.com.

Events will take place around the world through organizing partners in over 190 countries and all 50 U.S. states. United, the International Jazz Day Global Airline Partner, headquartered in Chicago is providing air transportation and additional support for artists and educators.

Major programmes within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network expand the global footprint of International Jazz Daywith U.S. member cities such as Kansas City and the newly designated New Orleansfostering international cultural exchange and promoting creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development.

How to follow the event:

The All-Star Global Concert in Chicago will be streamed to millions live worldwide, free of charge, in 4K on YouTube at yt.be/jazzday, where viewers can already sign up for notifications, as well as via UNESCO, UNTV, jazzday.com, Facebook, and other international media partners. Additional programs will be streamed throughout the day on 30 April.

To learn more about events taking place in more than 190 countries, visit: jazzday.com/events.

International Jazz Day

Established by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2011 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities worldwide every 30 April. The annual International Jazz Day celebration highlights the power of jazz and its role in promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity and respect for human dignity.

International Jazz Day has become a global movement reaching more than 2 billion people annually on all continents through education programmes, performances, community outreach, radio, television and streaming, along with electronic, print and social media.

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing International Jazz Day each year. UNESCO appointed Herbie Hancock as Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 for his commitment to intercultural dialogue.

To learn more about International Jazz Day and register events on the official website, visit www.jazzday.com or www.unesco.org/en/international-jazz-day

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.

More information: www.unesco.org

About Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz preserves, perpetuates and expands jazz as a global art form, and utilizes jazz as a means to unite people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. The Institute is a nonprofit education organization with a mission to offer the world's most promising young musicians college level training by internationally acclaimed jazz masters and to present public school music education programs for young people around the world.

More information: www.hancockinstitute.org

SOURCE Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz
AIESL eyes more international business





Business Reporter :

Bullish on the business opportunities, state-owned AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) is keen to serve more international airlines as well as expand the capabilities at its facility in Nagpur. Also, the work has been initiated to seek approval from European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to carry out base maintenance for Airbus aircraft at the facility. Last month, an Air India Boeing 777-A300ER aircraft returned to services after being on the ground for over six years. And the engineering personnel at the facility played a key role in the revival of the wide-body plane. AIESL, once part of Air India pre-privatisation and now under the Government ownership, is a major MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services provider.

An AIESL official said the company here has generally been positive customer feedback for aircraft coming out of its Nagpur facility. This is our premium facility. We are trying to have more international business here, the official said. So far, the Nagpur facility has carried out more than 240 checks on wide-body Boeing 777 planes as well as narrow-body Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family aircraft. Apart from more business, AIESL is exploring the possibility of having the capability of P2F (passenger to freighter) conversion for Boeing 777 planes at the facility, the official said. In recent times, a key achievement for the facility is the revival of VT-ALL which saw the installation of more than 3,000 new key components and completion of over 4,000 maintenance tasks.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which was grounded in February 2020 due to multiple unserviceable systems and aging components, entered the Nagpur facility in May 2025 for the intensive, nose-to-tail restoration programme, according to Air India. Each part replacement, system restoration, and structural repair underwent stringent testing, documentation, and regulatory oversight by DGCA, with technical guidance from Boeing. Skilled engineering teams worked nearly round the clock to bring the aircraft back to life, Air India said in a release on March 17. On the learnings from retrofitting of VT-ALL, the AIESL official said be it in terms of aircraft inspection, material and testing, it was ensured that processes were strictly complied with. The Nagpur facility has two wide-body hangars as well as engine run up bay, aircraft wash provision and large engine test cell, among others. The jet engine shop construction work at the facility is stuck due to various reasons.
Woman receives bilateral hand transplant at Delhi hospital after brain-dead person donates limbs





NEW DELHI :

A COMPLEX procedure and an act of generosity have enabled a young mother of two to undergo bilateral hand transplant at a Delhi hospital after a brain-dead donors family consented to donating the upper limbs, officials said. The woman had lost both her hands in a chaff-cutting machine accident, they said. According to a statement issued by the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, this is the second such bilateral hand transplant performed at the facility. The transplant offered the patient, who had been completely dependent on others for daily activities since the accident, a chance to regain functional independence after a suitable donor was identified. The 12-hour surgery involved transplantation of both donor upper limbs --the right one at the supracondylar level (just above the elbow) and the left one at the distal forearm level (near the wrist) --with surgeons carrying out precise microsurgical steps including bone fixation, tendon repair, vascular anastomosis and nerve coaptation to restore circulation and movement.

This successful bilateral hand transplant is a matter of immense pride for the department and the hospital. Such procedures represent the pinnacle of reconstructive microsurgery and offer a second life to patients who have lost both limbs and independence, Dr Mahesh Mangal, chairman, Department of Plastic, Cosmetic and Hand Microsurgery, said. Bilateral hand transplantation is not merely a surgery but a carefully orchestrated sequence where every minute is critical for graft survival. Our goal was not just to restore anatomy, but to help the patient regain dignity and functionality, Dr Anubhav Gupta, senior consultant, Department of Plastic, Cosmetic and Hand Microsurgery, said. Highlighting the key steps, Dr Bheem Nanda, senior consultant, Department of Plastic, Cosmetic and Hand Microsurgery, said maintaining tissue viability during ischemia and ensuring stable skeletal fixation before vascular reperfusion were crucial.

Dr Nikhil Jhunjhunwala, consultant, Department of Plastic, Cosmetic and Hand Microsurgery, said postoperative care, including immunosuppression, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, would play a critical role in long-term functional recovery. The hospital said the transplant was carried out by a multidisciplinary team involving specialists from plastic surgery, orthopaedics, anaesthesia, nephrology, neurology, psychiatry, pathology, genetics, physiotherapy, intensive care and hospital administration. It also expressed gratitude to the donor and the donors family for their decision, stating that their act has given the patient renewed hope and a new lease of life.
Illustration of Wide Awakes members from a circular. Connecticut Museum of Culture and History The Wide Awakes, a national movement born in Hartford in 1860 to support Abraham Lincoln and free speech, marched under the banner of the open eye. This flag was on display in 2024 at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Connecticut Museum of Culture and History A photo released by President Donald Trump shows law enforcement with shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Courtesy of Donald Trump FBI agents walk door to door to try to speak with neighbors, Sunday, April 26, 2026, near an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

Cole Allen's sister told the Secret Service that her brother often made "radical statements" and was part of "The Wide Awakes, Newsweek reported.

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At a press conference on Monday afternoon, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed law enforcement was investigating links Allen had to "left-wing groups," including the Wide Awakes.

"Yes, of course we're investigating that," Blanche said of the group.

Who are the modern Wide Awakes?

Founded by artists in 2020, the organization is focused on progressive social justice causes, Newsweek reported. On its website, the Wide Awakes is described as an open-source network who believe in the evolution of society and the power to radically reimagine the future through creative collaboration.

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A group representative could not be reached Monday, but the organization's website says members do not support violence.

"We are infinite, disruptive, enlightened, visionary, accountable," the description says. "We want the radical complexity of diversity. We believe creative liberation is a game and all of us can play now and forever. We can emancipate ourselves without violence."

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What inspired the original Wide Awakes?

The Wide Awakes initially formed in 1860 and caught fire across the nation, using the symbol of the open eye to support free speech, the presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln and stopping the spread of slavery. Their inspiration, according to reports in The Hartford Courant, came from a speech in Hartford on Feb. 25, 1860, by the fierce abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay, a Kentucky politician who once disemboweled an opponent with a Bowie knife.

Clay had come to support the reelection of Connecticut Republican Gov. William A. Buckingham. Slaveholders and their northern supporters, Clay and others said, were trying to intimidate and silence Republicans and anyone who spoke out against slavery and its extension into the American frontier.

Throughout the young nation, the years leading up to the Civil War were marked by violence and disruption. Writing in the New York Times, historian Jon Grinspan, author of, ''Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force That Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil War," described the scene in Hartford.

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"Even that orderly New England town saw brutal mobbings," Grinspan wrote, noting an incident a few years before Clay's speech when local Democrats blasted fireworks angled like howitzers into crowds of men, women and children at a Republican rally.

As Clay's audience left into the winter night, everyone noticed five young clerks from the Talcott & Post drygoods store. They wore crude, black capes cut from cambric, a linen fabric meant to protect their clothing from dripping torch oil, The Hartford Courant reported at the time. The outfits, Grinspan wrote, "embodied the same aggressive verve Clay had just expressed." As the clerks led a march through town, according to newspaper articles at the time, Democrat thugs attacked, young Republicans beat them back and a new movement was born.

Some Wide Awakes, as Grinspan noted, were radical abolitionists, while others were more moderate, "but they all shared a sense that pro-slavery forces were suppressing their views." The look and martial spirit of the group, whose name was reportedly coined by a Hartford Courant city editor to capture the urgency of its mission, became a national sensation. Ten thousand Wide Awakes marched in New York City in July. Before the fall election, according to contemporary articles and historic accounts of the movement, a mileslong column of black-caped members marched past Lincoln's Springfield, Ill., home.

How did President Trump connect the shooting Saturday to Lincoln?

In a press briefing after the shooting, Trump likened himself to Lincoln.

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"I've studied people like Abraham Lincoln," he said. "It's the people that make the biggest impact, they're the ones that they go after. When you look at the people that have either, whether it was an attempt or a successful attempt, they're very impactful people. Just take a look at the names here. The big names. And, I hate to say I'm honored by that, but I've done a lot."

"We've taken this country, and we were a laughingstock for years," the president said, "and now we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. We've changed this country. And there are a lot of people that are not happy about that."

What parallels have historians drawn between the original Wide Awakes movement and modern politics?

The Wide Awakes was the focus of an exhibition at the Museum of Connecticut Culture and History in 2024, another hotly contested presidential election year.

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We planned to open this exhibition during an election year, knowing that many people have strong feelings about politics and the political division in our country, Ben Gammell, the museum's director of exhibitions, said at the time. This exhibition is about young adults who took action, not about one party versus another. We hope that visitors of all ages will be encouraged to engage in thoughtful discussion about democracy and political action.

The nation in 1860 was so sharply divided that many saw war as inevitable. The question of slavery and its expansion cut a sharp gap, not just North and South, but also between Republicans, who backed Lincoln and "free soil," and their northern Democratic counterparts, many of whom supported one of Lincoln's opponents in the four-way presidential race.

What do today's Wide Awakes want?

Modern Wide Awakes, formed by artists in New York City in 2020, embrace the legacy of their 19th century counterparts, including capes and torches, according to the groups website.

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The modern group's founder, the artist Hank Willis Thomas, told the New York Times in September 2020 that he first came across pictures of the Wide Awakes about a decade earlier and they remained in the back of his mind. With others, Thomas told the newspaper, he started compiling more research, with the idea of creating a network of makers and doers in the spirit of the Wide Awakes and the nonviolent, entertaining, visionary work that they were trying to do.

In the same article, the artist Wildcat Ebony Brown was quoted as saying that images of the original Wide Awakes "looked a bit frightening to me."

"It looked like maybe a group of guys that I wouldnt want to run into on the street, Brown said. White men with torches. I mean, it kind of conjures up feelings of Charlottesville. But then you learn, like, oh, no, actually they were abolitionists.

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Gov. Ned Lamont signs into law an exception to the religious freedom law that Attorney General William Tong requested to defeat a lawsuit. Lamont and Tong featured in a photo from the annual Immigration Day at the Capitol on Thursday, April 22, 2026, in at the State Capitol in Hartford. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

At the request of Attorney General William Tong, fellow Democrats in the state legislature added a provision to exempt school immunizations from the state Religious Freedom Restoration Act to legislation that the Lamont administration proposed to set state-level vaccine standards for children and adults.

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The attorney general's office requested the new exemption to the 1993 religious freedom law because of doubts about the state prevailing in a pending lawsuit by three sets of parents seeking to reverse the legislature's and Lamont's 2021 repeal of the religious exemption to mandated school vaccinations. The legislation explicitly states the exemption will apply to any civil litigation pending or filed on the date of its signing.

The governor's office issued a news release early Monday afternoon that announced Lamont had signed House Bill 5044 into law. Lamont's remarks in the announcement were confined to his administration's original proposal to expand the authority of the Department of Public Health commissioner to establish vaccine recommendations independent of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Parents from Orange, Greenwich and Stafford Springs suing to reinstate the religious exemption all have children who fell under a grandfather clause in the 2021 repeal law that allows unvaccinated children who had a religious exemption to continue to attend public and private schools, but they have younger children who are not exempt.

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The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that the lawsuit could proceed based solely on the families' statutory claim under the religious freedom law after dismissing the families' state and federal constitutional claims. The 1993 statute prohibits the government from substantially burdening a persons exercise of religion without showing there is a compelling government interest for doing so and that a burden on religious exercise is the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.

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The case was scheduled to go to trial on May 19.

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Gov. Ned Lamont proposes a new two-year, $55 billion budget during a speech to a joint gathering of the Senate and House of Representatives at the State Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media The Connecticut State Capitol, in Hartford, Conn. Jan 24, 2023. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

Officials representing two of the states three branches of government are arguing that large parts of their operations are shielded from the states open records law  while the third branch has had a far-reaching exemption for years.

In a trio of cases recently heard by the states Freedom of Information Commission  a watchdog agency responsible for determining what records are public and must be released  the administration of Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut Senate Democrats, and the Office of Legislative Management claim their branch doesn't have to turn over records because a provision in the state constitution protects them from disclosure.

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Two of those disputes stem from records requests by CT Insider: one seeking communications from or to a state senator at the center of a federal fraud investigation and another seeking budget requests submitted to the governor by his agency commissioners.

The cases raise a broader question about the scope of Connecticuts Freedom of Information Act: whether constitutional protections tied to the separation of powers can override a statute that experts consider among the nations strongest open records laws.

Colleen Murphy, the longtime executive director of the Freedom of Information Commission, said during her final meeting before retiring after 35 years that the claims of constitutional immunity are troubling.

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This goes against what I have known (about) state government for all my years here. I think this is really turning things way far around, Murphy told commissioners.

In the first case, the governors Office of Policy and Management denied CT Insiders request to access budget requests submitted by agency commissioners to Lamont.

Gov. Ned Lamont talks to reporters about his intention to possibly veto earmarks Thursday, Feb. 26 at the state Capitol in Hartford. Lamont followed through on that, vetoing $3.9 million in earmarks on Tuesday. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media

The legislative privilege insulates from public disclosure conduct occurring within the sphere of legislative activity, Gartheth Bye, general counsel for OPM, said in a statement read during a Feb. 25 FOIC meeting.

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The governor, the administration argues, is entitled to claim the privilege as to all pre decisional records he collects from his executive branch staff members.

Murphy said the executive branchs argument is wrong.

I'm really baffled, honestly, by the argument that the Office of Policy and Management  an executive branch agency  is somehow claiming the legislative privilege by the legislature, she said. That is certainly a new one that takes the issue  to a new level, she told the FOIC.

The governor declined to comment for this story, and his office referred all questions to the states attorney general.

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In a separate case, the attorney for Senate Democrats argued the legislative branch is similarly protected from disclosure requirements.

Legislative privilege exemption, to my understanding of it, applies to those legislative activities which are involved with the generation, or at the feet of, legislation, Joe Quinn, general counsel for Senate Democrats, told an FOIC hearing officer March 4. Budget-related documents  would qualify for the legislative privilege exemption if they were deemed to be responsive.

That dispute centers on a request by CT Insider for communications involving state Sen. Doug McCrory, including messages between McCrory and Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin. Records previously obtained by CT Insider show McCrory steered millions in state grants to companies owned by her and that state spending is now under question by federal investigators. A state-funded audit also found he directed $1.7 million to her for questionable expenses and work that was never done.

State Senator Douglas McCrory D-Bloomfield, foreground, and State Rep. Jennifer Leeper D-Fairfield, look on during the hearing involving home schooling on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

While refusing to define the nature of his relationship with Cicero-Hamlin, McCrory has said he has done nothing illegal.

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The third case involves the Office of Legislative Management denying records to John DiIorio, the owner of a now defunct mortgage lending company from East Hartford whose license was revoked by the states Department of Banking. DiIorio is seeking records from the legislative branch that he believes will show the state banking agency knew they didnt have solid ground to revoke his license and was seeking legislative changes to ensure they did.

The (state constitution) establishes a legislative privilege that entitles members of the General Assembly and their staff to withhold from disclosure in any forum documents that relate to their performance of legitimate legislative activities. The Privilege is designed to ensure legislative independence from external interference by other persons, entities, or branches of government, and is a critical safeguard of the separation of powers, the attorney generals office wrote in a court filing on behalf of the Office of Legislative Management.

The attempt to create these exemptions come 50 years after legislators unanimously passed its Freedom of Information Act in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The law is widely viewed as one of the strongest in the country because it applies not only to state and municipal agencies  like many other states do  but it also covers the legislature, the governors office and some court records.

This exemption claim of separation of powers under the speech and debates clause of the state Connecticut Constitution has never been made to the commission on behalf of the legislature or the executive branch.

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That clause, in its entirety, says: The senators and representatives shall, in all cases of civil process, be privileged from arrest, during any session of the general assembly, and for four days before the commencement and after the termination of any session thereof. And for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

Since November, the FOIC has twice rejected these claims presented by the legislature and the Lamont Administration that their branches of government have a constitutional carve out from the states open record laws.

The Commission finds the respondents' assertion that the [state constitution] acts as a categorical bar to the public's ability to access any public records maintained by legislature, provided that it remotely falls within the sphere of legitimate legislative activities, untenable, the commission unanimously ruled last November in the banking records case.

Likewise, the commission rejected the same claim from the Lamont Administration in the budget-records case.

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Officials representing the legislature in the banking records have asked the commissions decision to be thrown out, and the Lamont administration has also indicated they plan to ask the courts to throw out the FOIC decision. No decision has been made yet in the case surrounding Sen. McCrory, though the hearing officer indicated he intends to reject the constitutional privilege argument and follow the decisions in the other two cases.

Republican and Democratic leaders are divided on this issue of whether the constitution provides an exemption to the states open record laws.

House Republican Minority Leader Vincent Candelora said there is no scenario he sees the constitution coming into play in an open records request.

But House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, is not ruling it out.

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There are some instances in which the speech and debate clause may apply to requested documents. To date, we have not made that argument. However, we examine every request independently and conduct a legal analysis based on the state constitution and the applicable general statutes, he said.

Asked if the Senate Democratic Caucus believes its members have a constitutional shield from open record laws for legislative privilege, a spokesman responded in an email with a one-word answer.

Yes, said Kevin Coughlin.
Im generally concerned about the slow erosion of the FOI, House Republican Minority Leader Vincent Candelora responded. Government more than ever needs to be as transparent as possible.

Candelora was the lone legislative leader among the states four caucuses to respond.
Gov. Ned Lamont speaks during a recent interview in his Capitol office with CT Insider and his commissioners of housing and mental health and addiction services. Jacqueline Rabe Thomas/CT Insider

As Gov. Ned Lamont weighed whether to sign controversial housing and striking workers legislation last year, some of that work unfolded on his personal email account and private cellphone, records obtained by CT Insider show.

That left some records beyond the reach of state systems used to retain and disclose public records under Connecticuts Freedom of Information Act. Those systems also have mechanisms to protect sensitive communications from security risks.

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CT Insider requested last June all emails and text messages Lamont and his chief of staff sent during the three weeks preceding his vetoes of those bills. The governors office in October provided emails that referenced text messages from the governor  but not the texts themselves.

The records also show Lamont forwarding emails from his state email to his private email address and communicating with his staff there. This practice is not illegal, but communication on private devices is still subject to open records laws. No search was done nor were records provided from his private email or cellphone, his office confirmed.

The result: Policy conversations played out on personal devices and public records were missing from the response to CT Insiders open records request.

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Lamont has used his private email in a similar manner for official business for years, records have shown.

Experts say such practices complicate public access.

Youre not supposed to use a personal device, Public Records Administrator for the State of Connecticut LeAnn Power said during an interview. Those who are using their personal devices, we always say that it is discoverable. So they would have to produce those records.

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Power leads the states Office of the Public Records Administrator, a state agency that preserves public records and decides whether records can be destroyed.

Her office has warned against the use of private devices for years.

Electronic messages sent or received in the conduct of public business are public records. Therefore, public officials should not use private email accounts to conduct public business, reads the offices guidance letter on the topic.

But in a statement, Lamont spokesperson Rob Blanchard noted that state law does not require the governor to use a state-issued cellphone or email account. The Governors Offices preference is that official business be conducted through state systems whenever practicable, Blanchard said. At the same time, the Office recognizes that communications relating to state business may, in some circumstances, exist on personal devices or private accounts.

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Blanchard said Lamont has produced records from personal accounts in response to past requests but declined to address why no search of those accounts was conducted in response to CT Insiders requestor what systems exists to ensure such records are retained and retrievable.

After saying all responsive records had been provided, Lamonts staff later said no search was done on Lamonts private phone or email. Reporters were told they would need to provide specific words for the office to search for.

The same gap appears in the legislature.

State Sen. Doug McCrory  who has been linked to state spending under question by federal investigators and a state-funded audit showing he directed $1.7 million to a close associate for questionable expenses and work that was never done  has also failed to produce work-related records from his private accounts and phone in response to CT Insider that could clarify the matter.

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State Senator McCrory Douglas McCrory D-Bloomfield asks a question during the hearing involving home schooling on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

CT Insider filed a complaint with the states Freedom of Information Commission seeking to compel McCrory to release the records. During a hearing in April, his attorney argued that staff for the legislature does not have access to the senators private accounts and relied on McCrory himself to search for records  with no independent verification.

After he did whatever he did, my understanding was he had nothing that was responsive, Joe Quinn, general counsel for Senate Democrats, argued about the senators personal email and social media messages. I made [it] clear it was not my responsibility  it was his  to search those.

Yet records obtained from other agencies show McCrory regularly uses his private email and phone for public business, raising questions about whether responsive records were ever fully searched.

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His attorney argued on McCrorys behalf his phone was seized by federal investigators in conjunction, I believe, with the reported about grand jury investigation as a possible explanation for no text messages being turned over.

McCrory did not return phone calls or respond to text messages for this story.

Experts describe several problems with using personal devices or accounts for official business. For one thing, personal accounts can complicate Freedom of Information inquiries, making it more difficult for staff to search for records and comply with requests.

While state laws do not prohibit using personal devices and accounts to conduct government business, the Freedom of Information Commission has consistently ruled those communications are subject to disclosure.

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CT Insider filed a complaint with the FOIC in November, seeking to compel the Lamont administration to search for and release the records after five months of delays. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Experts also say the use of private devices and accounts for government business can lead to cybersecurity risks. Official devices and accounts are usually subject to additional security protocols, including monitoring security threats.

Private devices are a lot more likely to be compromised, said Vahid Behzadan, a cybersecurity professor at the University of New Haven. If state government business is being conducted on private devices, then state government business is at a higher risk of being leaked or manipulated.

FOIA concerns

Lamont, a Democrat in the final year of his second four-year term and now running for reelection, has long projected a public commitment to transparency  a message reinforced for anyone who steps into his office or visits his official website.

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Behind his desk hangs Right to Know, his original painting by Norman Rockwell portraying the view from a government desk as a crowd waits for answers  a visual reminder of the publics right to information and accountability.

First amendment advocates say the governor should set the tone.

Gov. Ned Lamont outlines state responses to the partial federal government shutdown during a news conference Wednesday at his state Capitol office in Hartford, including the possibility of tapping the state's $6.3 billion budget reserve fund. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media

"It's hugely important, perhaps now more than ever, that the public and the news media shine a light on government activities," said Michele Jacklin, president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. "And the governor is the leader of the state, and he should be leading on this issue.

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At the national level, officials from both major political parties have faced scrutiny for how they store their data. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth came under fire for sharing classified information in a group text on the messaging app Signal. Hillary Clinton was criticized during her presidential run in 2016 for storing emails on a private email server while she was U.S. Secretary of State.

In Connecticut, the governor's top utility regulator stepped down amid scrutiny about her deleted text messages that energy companies said would prove she is biased against them when her role requires independence.

An open question, Jacklin said, is whether the governor has a system in place for retaining and retrieving messages created on private accounts and devices.

I dont know whether he has a plan to do that, and so thats whats problematic here, Jacklin said, making clear she wasnt accusing the governor of breaking any law.

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Blanchard acknowledged the states processes retrieve records from state accounts and do not automatically access private email accounts or personal cellular service providers.

The governor has used a private email address for years for official business and does not have a state-issued phone, a CT Insider investigation has found. His chief of staff also does not have a state-issued phone.

Lamonts use of a private device for state business, Jacklin said creates a very awkward situation in the event of records requests, as he or a staff member would have to comb through his private messages to find responsive communications.

In June, CT Insider requested all sent communications from the governor and his chief of staff during the three-week period Lamont was weighing whether to sign or veto controversial legislation.

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Four months later, over 1,000 emails were turned over  including incoming messages CT Insider never requested  and declared the request complete. CT Insider identified gaps in the response, including missing emails and text messages from Lamonts private devices and accounts, and sought confirmation whether any records had been entirely withheld.

Gov. Ned Lamont signs a ceremonial copy of an affordable housing bill in December 2025 in Norwalk. In February 2026, Lamont has revived a legislative effort for Connecticut to institute caps on rent increases landlords can institute after acquiring buildings. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

In one instance Blanchard referenced a statement drafted based on Lamonts feedback via text, yet that text was only provided to CT Insider after asking for it.

One month later, the governors office disclosed it withheld dozens of records Lamont sent from his government email, amounting to one-third of the emails Lamont sent from his public account. The FOIC has consistently ruled officials must release all responsive records and redact only exempt portions.

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Lamonts spokesman declined to detail procedures for archiving and retrieving records on personal devices and accounts.

Those communications are evaluated under FOIA based on their content and purpose, he wrote in response to emailed questions. Records retention obligations are governed by state-approved retention schedules and are determined by the content of the record, not the device or account on which it resides.

When records are not retained or deleted, the state records administrator has no enforcement mechanism to ensure it doesnt happen again.

We can only give guidance, Power said. We don't have enforcement authority, so that's why we provide training.

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The FOIC lacks jurisdiction over record destruction.

In a separate FOIC complaint filed by CT Insider, officials at the governors Office of Policy and Management argued they cant release budget requests made by state agency commissioners because those records are not retained. At the hearing, the governors attorney objected to answering questions about that destruction because the watchdog agency has no jurisdiction over the matter.

Rather than providing evidence at either of the hearings regarding whether they maintained agency budget options... the respondents chose to spend their time generally obfuscating the substantive issues in this case, the decision says .

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In addition to ordering OPM to conduct a valid search and turn over those records, the FOIC ordered the Lamont Administration to implement a system to preserve the records going forward.

The administration has filed a lawsuit, which asks the court to overturn the FOIC ruling.

Cybersecurity concerns

Behzadan, the cybersecurity expert, said using organizational accounts is generally safer for government business.

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Official devices are more managed and have controlled cybersecurity protocols, he said. There's a central unit, or at least a set of protocols, at the organizational level for monitoring purposes, for data access protection and for maintenance.

Personal devices and accounts may not be updated with the latest security patch, Behzadan said, and large organizations such as Connecticuts state government are likely to be fully equipped to ward off hackers and respond to breaches.

There are things that the user can do to ensure that they're maintaining a secure device, but at the end of the day, if it's not institutionally managed and controlled, there's a limit to how secure things can be, Behzadan said.

Behzadan also cautioned against forwarding work emails to a personal one, noting it can open an entire organization to security threats.

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Governors have come under scrutiny for private email use, including Mike Pence, who led the state of Indiana before serving as Trumps vice president during his first term, and former Massachusetts governor and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Behzadan said his advice for employees of businesses and governments is simple.

In general, Behzadan said, separating your personal cyber ecosystem from your professional cyber ecosystem is considered just decent cyber hygiene.

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Lamonts spokesman declined to answer questions about cybersecurity experts' concerns about the use of private devices or say what protocols state cybersecurity staff have set up on the governor's use of private devices and accounts.
A rendering of the new preschool to be built at 60 Katona Drive. Courtsey of Fairfield Plan and Zoning Commission Joshua Cohen and real estate partner Brett Sherman purchased the two-story, 18,343-square-foot building at 60 Katona Drive for $2.5 million in March. Jordan Grice/Hearst Connecticut Media

FAIRFIELD  A former office building on Katona Drive is set to be converted into a new preschool to help meet growing demand for childcare.

60 Katona Drive LLC, led by Joshua Cohen and real estate partner Brett Sherman, purchased the two-story, 18,343-square-foot building at 60 Katona Drive for $2.5 million in March.

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Brett and Kim Sherman, who operate the Goddard School preschool at 1280 Stratfield Road, plan to convert the building into Fairfield's second location of the national franchise.

The building had previously been approved for conversion into 18 apartments by a Naugatuck-based developer, but those plans fell through after decades of office use.

The highest and best use, in our opinion, was a daycare, especially with the demands and needs for more daycare spots for kids, Brett Sherman said.

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That demand is reflected in a substantial waitlist at the existing school, he added.

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Plans for the new preschool include 15 classrooms, two indoor gymnasiums and three outdoor playgrounds.

Brett Sherman said the building will be essentially new with a new facade, doors, windows, siding, lighting and fully updated interior and exterior components.

The Shermans expect the school to open by December. The facility will have a maximum capacity of 188 students and employ between 35 and 40 full- and part-time staff members.

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While the both schools are operated by the Shermans, the 60 Katona Drive property is owned by Brett Sherman and Cohen. The Shermans also have a partner for the both Fairfield locations who oversee the Goddard Schools in Brookfield and Danbury as well.

There are roughly a dozen Goddard Schools across Connecticut, including in Monroe, Shelton, Westport, Darien, Wethersfield, Farmington and Orange, Brett Sherman said.

Kim Sherman said she has already begun giving tours to prospective parents, introducing them to the school and its curriculum.

Its going to be a very similar school in the way its set up, Kim Sherman said.

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The new preschool will be located about a mile and a half from the existing site, allowing it to function as a companion school.

In order to satisfy the waitlist, we built this close by so that we can easily and seamlessly work together, Kim Sherman said, adding that the proximity will allow her to move easily between both locations.

She said there are technically a few hundred names on the waitlist, though some families have since moved away or no longer need care. New families continue to be added regularly.

The preschool is currently hiring and training staff ahead of its opening, including bringing some teachers in from the existing location.

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The Shermans had been searching for a new site for some time as demand continued to grow.
Traditional Mediterranean Arabic grilled halloumi, hummus and vegetables in flatbread wraps topped with herbs and balsamic vinegar on blue background. nonmim/Getty Images

Visitors to downtown New Haven can now experience a taste of Yemeni culture.

M2 Mocha Cafe will welcome guests to its eatery with a ribbon-cutting at 100 Ashmun St. on April 29, according to a news release. The Yemeni cafe had a soft opening earlier this month, according to its Instagram. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker will attend the ribbon-cutting.

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The cafe's space has a "sleek, modern interior washed in natural light" with bench and table seating, according to a news release. The cafe also has a private room, which can be booked for up to 50 guests. The cafe is a member of The Shops at Yale, a group of retail and dining businesses in Downtown New Haven.

After the ribbon-cutting, guests can have complimentary tastings of Yemeni specialties from the cafe. On the menu will be grilled halloumi cheese wraps, labneh and olive flatbread, grilled chicken tikka, chicken fajitas, Caesar salads, Greek salads and a fruit salad topped with a light honey-lime dressing. It will also have dessert options like waffles, crepe creations, chimney cakes and gelato.

The cafe will serve a variety of teas, including traditional shai Adeni (black tea mix and heavy cream), shai Yemeni (spiced milk tea), saffron shai (milk tea infused with saffron strands, cardamom and cinnamon) and iced shai (black tea with milk, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves.) It also has Maleki, Sanaani, Qishr, Jubani, Arabic and Turkish coffee blends.

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A condo complex in New London where the brother of Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner incident, lives. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House after an unspecified threat at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 25, 2026. Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press Members of law enforcement control shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/Associated Press FBI agents work Sunday, April 26, 2026, at an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press A cameraman stands in front of an address connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who has been identified as a suspect in a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner early Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Torrance, Calif. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press FBI agents work in a neighbor's yard, Sunday, April 26, 2026, near an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

The brother of Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Association dinner shooting, reached out to police in New London two hours after the shooting to express "concern" and share information "they believed to be pertinent," police have said.

Minutes before the attack, Allen is said to have sent a 1,000-word manifesto to family members laying out his reasons for attempting to assassinate key administration officials.

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New London police have not said who contacted them, but a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation has said the individual was Allen's brother, a resident of the city, state records show.

"Immediately upon reviewing the information received, the New London Police Department contacted federal law enforcement partners," New London Police Chief Brian Wright said in a statement.

Allen's brother was later interviewed by federal investigators about the shooting, USA Today reported Monday.

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Allen, 31, was identified as the man who broke through security at the dinner Saturday night with the intent to kill President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials.

The Torrance, Calif., resident is in custody and was charged Monday with attempting to assassinate the president.

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"Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the President of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was," U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Monday. "That intent was to bring down as many of the high-ranking cabinet officials as he could."

Trump and other top administration officials had gathered in Washington for the annual dinner, which Trump had so far avoided attending as president.

Here's what we know about Allen's ties to Connecticut:

What we know

Alleged shooter sent manifesto to family calling himself 'Friendly Federal Assassin'

A photo released by President Donald Trump shows law enforcement with shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen during the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Courtesy of Donald Trump

Minutes before the attack, Allen sent a message to family members describing himself as "Friendly Federal Assassin" that was critical of the Trump administration, but did not name the president directly, according to The Associated Press.

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"I am a citizen of the United States of America," the 1,052-word manifesto said, according to the New York Times, which reported it also had obtained a copy. "What my representatives do reflects on me."

The manifesto said administration officials were "targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest."

Allen's message went on to make references to abuse in immigrant detention camps, lethal attacks on boats by the administration and the bombing of an elementary school in Iran.

He also said he would not target law enforcement in the attack and criticized what he perceived as lax security by the Secret Service at the hotel.

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In the manifesto, Allen appeared to be referring to Trump when he said he was "no longer willing to permit" the president to "coat my hands with his crimes." He referred to the president as a traitor, among other derogatory terms.

Trump described Allen as a "sick person" and said, "I'm not any of those things," when asked about Allen's description of him during an interview with "60 Minutes" on Sunday. The president also told reporter Norah O'Donnell she "should be ashamed of yourself reading that," to him.

How the shooting played out

The crowd of more than 2,000 attendees had been gathered at the annual press gala for less than an hour Saturday night at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C., when shots rang out. Trump and other top administration officials  including FBI Director Kash Patel, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Vice President JD Vance  were on hand for the event.

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The president was seated beside First Lady Melania Trump at the time the gunshots were heard.

"I thought it was a tray going down," Trump said, addressing reporters after the dinner and still dressed in formal attire.

Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. ULYSSE BELLIER/AFP via Getty Images

Security camera footage showed the gunman sprint past a group of security officials, who then drew their weapons and pointed them in the direction the assailant had run.

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"Melania was very cognizant, I think, of what happened. I think she knew immediately what happened. She was saying, 'That's a bad noise,'" Trump said.

"We were whisked away along with other people," he added.

Muriel Bowser, the city's mayor, said the incident occurred at 8:36 p.m. She said the sole gunman "rushed" a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint in the hotel lobby. She said agents stopped the suspect.

The assailant was armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives, said Jeff Carroll, interim chief of police of the Metropolitan Police Department.

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Carroll said law enforcement "exchanged gunfire" with the suspect, and that one Secret Service officer was struck in his vest. He was hospitalized and was in "good spirits," Carroll said.

"The vest did the job," Trump said, during a separate news conference following the shooting.

Carroll said the suspect was not shot, but was also hospitalized.

Bowser said they had no information to believe anyone else was involved. "At this point, it does appear he is a lone actor, a lone gunman," Carroll said.

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FBI sent agents to investigate in New London

In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Patel said that in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the FBI had sent agents to New London to conduct interviews related to the shooting.

"We also dispatched investigators and agents to New London, Connecticut, where we conducted further interviews that provided necessary information that you will find in this criminal complaint," the FBI director said.

The criminal complaint, filed Monday, made no direct reference to Connecticut or any tips provided to New London police, though it does quote extensively from the manifesto that was shared with his family in the minutes before the shooting.

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New London police received a call from Allen's brother at approximately 10:49 p.m. on Saturday, offering to share information related to the shooting, the Associated Press reported.

Wright, the New London police chief, said in his statement about the shooting tip that the local police department's investigation was no longer active.

He said both New London police and federal law enforcement had interviewed the "individual" who raised the concerns.

"Any further inquiries should be directed to the appropriate federal law enforcement agencies handling this case," Wright said.

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Suspect was graduate of CalTech, 'teacher of the month'

A LinkedIn profile that appeared to belong to Allen said he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech, a highly selective university in Pasadena, California. He obtained a masters degree in computer science from California State University  Dominguez Hills about a year ago.

Allen worked for C2 Education, a company that provides tutoring and college admissions and SAT prep. He was named Teacher of the Month in November 2024, NBC News reported.

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FBI agents walk door to door to try to speak with neighbors, Sunday, April 26, 2026, near an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

In 2017, while at Caltech, Allen was featured in a California news program in which he demonstrated a prototype wheelchair emergency brake.

Allen had legally purchased an Armscor Precision .38 semiautomatic pistol in 2023 and a Maverick 12-gauge shotgun two years later, according to the Associated Press.

His sister told authorities he kept the weapons at the home where he lived with their parents, and that their parents were unaware of the firearms, the outlet reported.

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Federal campaign finance records show Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024. California voter registration records show that he registered with no party preference, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Allen charged with attempting to assassinate Trump

On Monday afternoon, Allen appeared in federal court in Washington, where he was formally charged with attempting to assassinate the president.

Allen, who federal authorities said traveled from California to D.C. by train last week, also is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and transporting a firearm across state lines to commit a felony.

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He asked the court to appoint him a lawyer, and did not enter a plea, The Associated Press reported.

"There will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold," Pirro said on Monday.

Shooter linked to Wide Awakes group with CT roots

Over the weekend, Allen's sister reportedly told the Secret Service that her brother was part of "The Wide Awakes, a progressive political group, Newsweek reported.

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Illustration of Wide Awakes members from a circular.



Connecticut Museum of Culture and History Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

The modern Wide Awakes group, founded by artists in 2020, is an advocate for progressive social justice causes and does not support violence, according to a statement on its website.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed law enforcement was investigating links Allen had to "left-wing groups," including the Wide Awakes.

"Yes, of course we're investigating that," Blanche said of the group.

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The modern iteration of the Wide Awakes, founded in New York City, is named after (and inspired by) an organization of anti-slavery and pro-Abraham Lincoln advocates that was founded in Hartford in 1860, on the eve of the Civil War.

The original Wide Awakes, who wore distinctive black capes, first gathered for an abolitionist march in Hartford surrounding the reelection of then-Connecticut Republican Gov. William A. Buckingham. The group's name was reportedly coined by a Hartford Courant city editor to capture the urgency of its mission, and it quickly became a national phenomenon.

Shooting occurred at same hotel as failed Reagan assassination with CT ties

FILE - President Ronald Reagan winces and raises his left arm as he was shot by an assailant as he left a Washington hotel, Monday, March 30, 1981. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File) RON EDMONDS/Associated Press

The annual black-tie event was held at the Washington Hilton hotel, the same hotel that was the site of a failed assassination attempt against President Ronald Reagan in March 1981. Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr., but survived the attempted killing.

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Hinckley, who spent most of the next three decades in psychiatric care, had planned the shooting in part to impress actress Jodie Foster, then a freshman at Yale University. Hinckley had briefly moved to New Haven the previous fall to stalk Foster and sent her love letters ahead of the shooting.

After being released from psychiatric care in 2022, Hinckley has tried to start a career as a touring musician, though shows in Hamden and Naugatuck have been canceled in recent years.

After Saturday's incident, President Donald Trump addressed members of the news media in the White House press briefing room, which is named for James Brady, the White House press secretary who was injured in the 1981 shooting, NPR reported.

What we don't know

How deep were Cole Allen's ties to CT?

Its not clear from whats been reported publicly whether Allen has further connections to Connecticut beyond his brothers tip to New London police.

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How long has Allens brother lived in CT?

Public records list Allens brother as living in New London. Its unclear how long he has lived at the address, and he could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.

Staff writer Jesse Leavenworth contributed reporting.
The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus performs at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport in 2007. File Photo/Christian Abraham/File Photo Lindsey Merryfield, a clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus speaks to visiting students from Roosevelt School at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Oct. 21, 2016. Circus performers entertained the students, and spoke to them about anti-bullying awareness and self-empowerment. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  A circus performer was hospitalized after falling while performing a stunt during a Ringling Bros. show Sunday afternoon in Hartford.

The accident occurred during a four-person stunt early in the noon show, when a trick involving an acrobat launching off a teeterboard (an oversized seesaw) onto the top of three people standing on each other's shoulders went awry, according to attendees and a circus spokesperson.

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The touring circus wrapped up four days of performances of its "Greatest Show on Earth" at Hartford's PeoplesBank Arena on Sunday.

Mike Appleby of Simsbury, who attended the show with his wife and three kids, said three men had stood on each other's shoulders, waiting to catch a woman launched off the teeterboard. But the woman overshot, Appleby said, and her momentum carried her into the stack, knocking the group to the ground.

It was the man at the top of the stack who seemed to suffer the most from the fall, Appleby said.

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"He was up on his elbows and knees with his head down, like he was trying to get up. But he wasn't able to get up," Appleby recounted. "It didn't look good."

Within 10 seconds, Appleby said, the arena cut the lights and played an automated message announcing a pause in the show, while the man was carried off on a stretcher. After approximately a five-minute delay, the show returned, and the accident was not addressed further, though accounts did spread on social media.

"All performers received immediate medical attention on site, and one performer was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation," circus spokesperson Nicole Zimmerman said. "Were pleased to share that the performer has since been released and cleared to return to the show."

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Appleby praised the performers' quick reactions when the man went down, with those closest checking in and providing medical attention, while the rest of the troupe formed a loose ring around the arena.

And while parents, including Appleby, were left explaining to their kids that a performer had been injured, he noted that the inherent risk in circus stunts was part of their appeal.

"Part of the draw of these acts is that there's a subtext of risk and danger," he said. "Obviously, they do what they can safety-wise, but I haven't lost any faith or view of the circus. It's just unfortunate that things like that happen sometimes."
Construction continues at the Interstate 91, 691 and Route 15 interchange in Meriden, Conn., in December 2025. A sign to the right informs drivers that they have reached the end of a stretch where the state Department of Transportation is testing speed cameras. Starting this summer, DOT will issue tickets when cars are caught on camera speeding in work zones. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

After months of testing, the state Department of Transportation plans to start issuing tickets from speed cameras installed at several highway construction and maintenance work zones this summer.

DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto told lawmakers earlier this year that the agencys goal was for the cameras to go live by April, when National Work Zone Awareness Week is observed. But during a news conference, Eucalitto said June is the current target.

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We are hoping to be able to go live in June with that, and well give people plenty of notice before that gets activated, Eucalitto said Tuesday. Well go live, well issue warnings for the first month or so and then begin issuing the tickets.

DOT piloted the use of speed cameras in work zones during 2023. A state law allowed the agency to operate cameras at up to three locations at any given time, and over the course of about eight months, about 25,000 warnings and more than 700 fines were issued as part of the program.

In 2024, the state legislature made the program permanent, with some changes, including allowing DOT to use cameras at up to 15 locations at a time. Under the law, the cameras can be set up at work zones on roads where the speed limit is at least 45 mph.

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State lawmakers are now considering legislation that would allow DOT to go beyond work zones and pilot cameras elsewhere on major highways.

DOT has been seeing plenty of speeding during the testing stage of the work zone program, Eucalitto said.

People are speeding every single day, excessive amounts of speeding, even with multiple signage patterns up front telling people that they are approaching a work zone speed camera testing phase, he said.

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When the citations begin, vehicle owners will receive a written warning if their car is caught traveling 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit, but less than 85 mph, in a work zone where the cameras are operating. The fine for a subsequent violation will be $75. If a subsequent violation occurs more than a year after an owners last violation, it will be treated as a first violation.

However, the owner of a vehicle traveling at 85 mph or faster will get an immediate $75 fine.

The ticket will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle  even if someone else was driving the car at the time of the alleged violation  after State Police review the images. If a car had been reported stolen at the time of the violation, the owner could use that as a defense against a ticket.

No points will be assessed against a person's driver's license because of a ticket.

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Fine revenue will be used to cover the camera programs expenses, and if there is any money left over, it will go toward other transportation safety purposes, according to DOTs website.

According to a map on its site, DOT currently has cameras at:

A pavement rehabilitation project on Interstate 84 in Southbury and Middlebury;

A project to replace of two bridges carrying Interstate 95 in West Haven;

The overhaul of the Interstate 91, Interstate 691 and Route 15 interchange in Meriden;

Maintenance projects in Southington and Plainville;

A lane modification project on Route 2 in Glastonbury;

A pavement rehabilitation project on Route 2 in Colchester; and

A project to improve I-95 at Exit 74 in East Lyme.

But the locations are subject to change, DOT spokesperson Eva Zymaris said.

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Well be alerting the municipality directly any time were making a deployment, she said. There will be signage for motorists, as well.

DOT decides where it installs speed cameras based on highway and work zone characteristics, speed limits, and traffic and/or crash history amongst other factors, according to its website.

More than 2,600 crashes and 12 deaths occurred in Connecticut work zones from the beginning of 2021 through the end of 2023, according to a DOT press release that cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

Please slow down, move over, ditch the distractions, remain vigilant and always drive sober, Zymaris said. These actions save lives.

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The federal courthouse in Bridgeport in a file photo. Federal officials say five people from Connecticut have been charged with trafficking cocaine to the state from Puerto Rico using the U.S. Postal Service. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  Five Connecticut residents have been charged for trafficking cocaine through the mail, according to federal officials.

Edgardo Castro Perez, 36, and Roselyn Osorio-Soto, 38, both of Tolland, and Edgar Castro Perez, 27, Juan Jose Torres-Ortiz, 42, and Enrique Arroyo-Robles, 28, all of Hartford, are facing charges, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan said in a news release.

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Sullivan said the FBIs Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service began an investigation in June 2025 into a drug trafficking organization coordinating a shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. mail.

Sullivan said the operation typically saw Osorio-Soto and Edgardo Castro Perez, both of whom also resided in Puerto Rico, mail the cocaine parcels from post offices there to various addresses in central Connecticut. He said Torres-Ortiz collected the packages and transported them to secondary locations where Edgar Castro Perez and Arroyo-Robles stored them until the cocaine was distributed further.

Members of the organization used residences on Merlot Way in Tolland and Woodland Drive in Hartford to store narcotics, drug paraphernalia, cash and firearms, Sullivan said. During the investigation, investigators identified at least 12 suspicious parcels shipped to Connecticut and seized and searched four parcels, each of which contained multiple kilograms of cocaine, Sullivan said.

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Sullivan said Torres-Ortiz picked up a parcel on Sept. 17, 2025, after it had been delivered to an address in Middletown and drove to Hartford, where he transferred it Edgar Castro Perez. He said Castro Perez then drove it to Tolland, where he was stopped by investigators in the driveway of the residence and the parcel was seized.

The package contained three kilograms of cocaine, Sullivan said.

Investigators then conducted a court-authorized search on the Tolland residence, Sullivan said, and found four automatic firearms, three semiautomatic handguns, gun magazines, ammunition and $133,292 in cash. He said a search of a Hartford residence also connected to the organization resulted in the seizure of a .45-caliber handgun.

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Sullivan said the five defendants originally were charged by federal criminal complaint, with all of them taken into custody between March 31 and April 2 of this year. He said Arroyo-Robles possessed a distribution quantity of cocaine and $2,321 in cash at the time of his arrest.

On April 8, Sullivan said, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging each of the defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the charge, he said, Edgardo Castro Perez, Osorio-Soto, and Torres-Ortiz face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Sullivan said Edgar Castro Perez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, while Arroyo-Robles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He said the indictment also charges Edgar Castro Perez and Torres-Ortiz with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine  which can lead to a prison term of up to 40 years.

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Arroyo-Robles also was charged with with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, Sullivan said, noting the offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He said the indictment also seeks the forfeiture of cash and firearms seized during the investigation.
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.
Work continues on the construction of the ballroom at the White House, Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Washington, where the East Wing once stood. Rod Lamkey/AP A person walks outside of the Washington Hilton Hotel, Sunday, April, 26, 2026, in Washington, the day after a gunman tried to storm into the hotel's ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner. Jose Luis Magana/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Preservationists are pressing ahead with their lawsuit against President Donald Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom, declining a request by the Department of Justice to withdraw the complaint following the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday.

Trump and other conservatives have made a renewed push for the ballroom in the wake of Saturday's media dinner shooting, arguing it exposed the difficulties in ensuring presidential security at large events outside the White House grounds, and urging the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit.

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Top Justice officials said the government would ask a court to dismiss the lawsuit in light of last nights extraordinary events" if the Trust did not voluntarily drop it.

Trust attorney Gregory Craig declined that request, writing to the Justice Department that the legal issues at the heart of the lawsuit are unchanged.

What Saturdays awful event does not change is that the Constitution and multiple federal statutes require Congress to authorize construction of a ballroom on White House grounds, and that Congress has not done so," Craig wrote.

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A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The preservation group sued in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that Trump said would fit 999 people. Trump says the project is funded by private donations, although public money is paying for a below-ground bunker and security upgrades.

In its lawsuit, the Trust argued that Trump had overstepped his authority by moving forward with the project without first getting approval from key federal agencies and Congress.

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A federal appeals court has allowed Trump to continue the project, ruling a day after a lower court judge continued to block above-ground construction on the site and scheduling a June 5 hearing to review the case.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
Plainville police say they are searching for a woman who fled the scene of a crash in a parking lot on Northwest Drive on April 17. Courtesy of the Plainville Police Department Plainville police say they are searching for a woman who fled the scene of a crash in a parking lot on Northwest Drive on April 17. Courtesy of the Plainville Police Department Plainville police say they are searching for a woman who fled the scene of a crash in a parking lot on Northwest Drive on April 17. Courtesy of the Plainville Police Department

PLAINVILLE  Town officers are searching for a woman who fled the scene of a crash in a parking lot on Northwest Drive earlier this month, police say.

In a post Saturday on Facebook, the Plainville Police Department said the crash took place in the parking lot of Transcend Beer Crafters on Northwest Drive on April 17 at 5:12 p.m.

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Police said officers were called there and notified one of the involved vehicles fled the scene. They said the vehicle that left was a silver Jeep Cherokee driven by an unknown blonde woman.

"The female was seen wearing large black sunglasses, a black purse, a purple shirt and black pants," police said.

A witness saw the fleeing vehicle and got a partial Connecticut license plate number of 735, police noted.
FILE - The headquarters of the National Science Foundation is photographed May 29, 2025, in Alexandria, Va. Mark Schiefelbein/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  The Trump administration has fired members of an independent board that oversees the National Science Foundation.

Members of the National Science Board received an email on Friday sent from the Presidential Personnel Office on behalf of President Donald J. Trump" stating that their position was terminated, effective immediately.

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I wasnt entirely surprised, to be honest, said dismissed board member Keivan Stassun in an email. Stassun, who works at Vanderbilt University, added that the decision was enormously disappointing.

The National Science Board was created in 1950 to advise the president and Congress on science and engineering policy, approve major funding awards and guide NSFs future.

It's typically made up of 25 members appointed by the president who serve staggered, six-year terms. The fired scientists hail from academia and industry and specialize in areas including astronomy, math, chemistry and aerospace engineering.

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Every member of the current 22-person board was let go, according to terminated member Yolanda Gil. The board had planned to meet in person next week and was finalizing a report on the state of U.S. science, Gil said in an email.

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I think this is one more indication of the sweeping changes that the administration has in mind for the NSF, said Gil, who works at the Information Sciences Institute of the University of Southern California.

Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said in a statement the move was a dangerous attack on the institutions and expertise that drive American innovation and discovery."

The Trump administration tried to cut the science foundation's $9 billion budget by more than half last year. Congress maintained NSF's funding, but a similar slash is once again on the table for the coming year.

Without an advisory board in the way this time, Stassun said, such cuts may be easier to execute.

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It could eviscerate investments in fundamental research and in the training of the next generation of scientists and engineers for our nation," Stassun said.

The science foundation's headquarters was also relocated to a smaller building. Last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it would be moving into the NSF's former base in Alexandria, Virginia.

The National Science Foundation directed a request for comment to the White House. In an emailed statement, the White House said the powers given to the National Science Board when it was created may need to be updated. The science foundation's work continues uninterrupted, the statement said.

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___
This courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, left, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, seen appearing before Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Sharbaugh, in federal court, Monday, April 27, 2026 in Washington. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Dana Verkouteren/AP Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, left, and FBI Director Kash Patel, right, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice, on Monday April 27, 2026, in Washington, following the initial appearance in federal court of the suspected White House Correspondents Dinner gunman, Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Attendees and hotel workers evacuate after an incident at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP Pedestrians walk past the home, middle back, connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting, as members of the media stage, in Torrance, Calif., Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) Stephen Lam/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The man who authorities say tried to storm the White House Correspondents Association dinner with guns and knives was charged Monday with the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump as federal authorities suggested an attack that disrupted one of Washington's glitziest events had been planned for at least several weeks.

Cole Tomas Allen appeared in court to face federal charges after the chaotic encounter Saturday that resulted in shots being fired, Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover underneath their tables. He was ordered to remain jailed pending additional court hearings, and faces up to life in prison if convicted of the assassination count alone.

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An FBI affidavit filed in the case Monday revealed additional details about the planning behind the assault, with authorities alleging that Allen on April 6 reserved a room for himself at the Washington hotel where the event would be held weeks later under its typical tight security. He traveled by train cross-country from California last week, checking himself into the Washington Hilton one day before the dinner with a room reserved for the weekend.

The dinner had barely begun when officials say the 31-year-old Torrance, California, man tried to race past a security barricade near the cavernous ballroom holding hundreds of journalists and their guests, prompting an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents tasked with safeguarding the event. Allen carried with him a 12-gauge pump action shotgun he bought last year and a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol he purchased in 2023, authorities said.

Violence has no place in civic life," acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at a news conference. "It cannot and will not be used to disrupt democratic institutions or intimidate those who serve them, and it certainly cannot continue to be used against the president of the United States.

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He added: We are investigating this matter fully, we will apply the law fairly and we will ensure that accountability is swift and certain."

Allen was injured during the attack but was not shot. A Secret Service officer was shot but was wearing a bullet-resistant vest and survived, officials say.

Questions remain about how many shots Allen fired and how many officers discharged their weapons.

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Blanche said investigators believe that a Secret Service agent fired five shots and that Allen discharged his shotgun at least once. But Blanche didnt say whether authorities have confirmed it was Allens bullet that struck the agent in the vest, or whether any other officers used their weapons. Blanche said ballistics experts are still examining evidence to provide more clarity on those questions.

The Justice Department charged Allen with two additional firearms counts, including discharging a weapon during a crime of violence, but the affidavit does not allege that Allen was responsible for shooting the agent.

Suspect's email sheds light on motive

The shooting resulted in the cancellation of the dinner, the first Trump had attended as president.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday said the night was supposed to be one of joy but instead was hijacked by a crazed anti-Trump individual who traveled across the country to assassinate the president and as many administration officials as possible.

Allen invoked his constitutional right to remain silent after his arrest, but authorities say an email he sent to family members and a former employer just before the attack helps shed light on a motive.

In the message, a copy of which was included in the affidavit, Allen referred to himself as a Friendly Federal Assassin" and alluded obliquely to grievances over a range of Trump administration actions. The rambling text moves between confession, grievance and farewell, with Allen apologizing to family members, co-workers and even strangers he feared could be caught in the violence while at the same time seeking to explain the attack.

A magistrate judge granted a prosecutor's request to keep Allen locked up pending additional hearings. A detention hearing is set for Thursday.

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Allen did not speak at length during the quick appearance, as is customary. One of his lawyers, Tezira Abe, noted that he has no criminal record.

He also is presumed innocent at this time," she said.

Records reveal that Allen is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer. A social media profile for a man with the same name and a photo that appears to match that of the suspect show he worked part-time for the last six years at a company that offers admissions counseling and test preparation services to aspiring college students.

Voter registration records from California lists Allens home address as his parents house on a tree-lined street in one of the most historic neighborhoods in Torrance, a city within the Los Angeles metro area. No one answered the door Sunday when an Associated Press reporter knocked. By the afternoon, several people who appeared to be law enforcement agents were canvassing the neighborhood, with one wearing an FBI sweatshirt.

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A yard sign displayed at the family home supported a local candidate for judge who was endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Federal campaign finance records show Cole Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024 and listed his employer as C2 Education, which said in a statement Monday that it was shocked to learn of the shooting and was cooperating with law enforcement.

Allen is registered to vote without a party affiliation in California and voted in the last three general elections, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters.

He earned a bachelors degree in 2017 in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, according to his profile on the social networking site LinkedIn. The small university is academically prestigious with a very low acceptance rate. He also listed his involvement there in a campus group that battled with Nerf guns and a Christian student fellowship.

Allens profile photo on LinkedIn shows him wearing a cap and gown when graduating with a masters degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. The photo appears to have been taken May 2025.

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The apartment building at 141 Danbury Road is complete and fully occupied, with rents ranging from $2,930 for a one-bedroom to $5,680 for a three-bedroom. File photo / H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media A rendering of a 208-unit apartment building planned for 131 Danbury Road. contributed by Beinfield Architecture.

WILTON  Along Danbury Road, 474 new apartments have been approved  and more are in the pipeline.

By early 2027, Wilton could have as many as 1,205 new housing units, First Selectman Toni Boucher said during a recent presentation on the proposed 2027 Board of Selectmen budget.

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The wave of development has caused concern among residents, who have raised questions at town meetings and on social media about how the growth will reshape Wiltons small-town character.

Beyond its schools, Wiltons appeal has long been tied to what Boucher described as its village feel.

Were very pleased about the desirability of the town, that people really want to move here and live here," she said. "But we have to do it in a cautious and balanced way so that we have the ability to add more housing and the ability to try to continue to maintain that village feel that people are so attracted to as well."

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As growth takes place, that village feel might be lost in the process, she said.

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New apartments, plans

A mix of completed, under-construction and proposed developments is driving the surge.



At 141 Danbury Road, the 173-unit Riverside Wilton complex is complete and fully occupied, with rents ranging from $2,930 for a one-bedroom to $5,680 for a three-bedroom.

Wilton Center Lofts at 22 Hubbard Road has 40 apartments, about half occupied, with rents ranging from $3,350 for a one-bedroom to $10,030 for a three-bedroom.

At 64 Danbury Road, 93 townhome-style apartments are under construction, with occupancy expected in late spring. Rents are $3,250 for a one-bedroom, $4,500 for a two-bedroom and $5,800 for a three-bedroom.

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Other projects include:

20 units approved at 118 Old Ridgefield Road, with construction expected to begin in the summer.

A 208-unit apartment building under construction at 131 Danbury Road, with occupancy slated for early 2027.

A 168-unit Kimco development at 1521 River Road, approved but no permits issued yet.

A 208-unit apartment community planned for 15 Old Danbury Road, with construction expected to begin in the summer.

A proposal that would convert the School Sisters of Notre Dame property on Belden Hill Road into into a 280-unit senior living community is currently under review. The proposal calls for 13 independent living cottages; 172 independent living apartments; 48 assisted living apartments, and 24 memory care studios. The town Inland Wetlands Department is reviewing the project, and the Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to begin its review in late spring.

The proposal has drawn opposition from residents. A petition with 545 signatures argues the development would irrevocably harm the character of Belden Hill Road and conflict with the towns Plan of Conservation and Development.

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Additional proposals include:

A plan for five for-sale luxury townhouses at 20 Old Ridgefield Road is expected to be formally presented this summer.

A decision on a proposal for a 10-unit development at 254 Danbury Road, combining apartments in a former church with new townhouse units, is expected this spring.

Rents, sewer, historic preservation

According to Zillow, Wiltons rental market ranks among the most expensive in Connecticut.

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As of February, Zillow estimated a typical mid-range rental cost at about $4,800 per month  the fourth highest in the state, behind New Canaan at $7,750, Madison at $5,600 and Darien at $5,280.

As development continues, infrastructure is a concern.

Boucher, who chairs the Water Pollution Control Authority, said she is keenly aware of Wiltons sewer capacity limitations. The town contracts with the city of Norwalk for sewage treatment.

To be able to build more, you also have to have capacity," she said. "We have a constrained sewer system. Were close to the very limit of what we can apply to any new projects."

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Wiltons capacity is about 650,000 gallons per day, she said, and current usage is approaching 600,000  leaving little room for additional growth.

At the same time, local historian Nick Foster says development pressures are not new.

Foster, director of the Wilton Historical Society, said the town experienced major growth in the early 20th century and again after World War II. But the current pace, he said, feels more compressed.

The societys focus, he said, is ensuring that history is not lost as development happens.

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Weve lost historic buildings in the past, and once a buildings lost, you cant get it back, so thats always the concern, he said. Development needs to be done with a sense of care and thoughtfulness that incorporates the historic character that is there."

This story includes previous reporting by staff writers Erin Kayata and Kaitlin Keane and former staff writers Kalleen Rose Ozanic, Shantal Guzman and Monica Salazar.
Lancaster Pa., Mayor Jaime Arroyo attends a ribbon cutting for a Finanta Credit Union in Reading, Pa., Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Matt Rourke/AP Lancaster Pa., Mayor Jaime Arroyo attends a ribbon cutting for a Finanta Credit Union in Reading, Pa., Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Matt Rourke/AP Lancaster Pa., Mayor Jaime Arroyo speaks with attendees at the ribbon cutting for a Finanta Credit Union in Reading, Pa., Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Matt Rourke/AP Lancaster Pa., Mayor Jaime Arroyo poses for a photograph in Reading, Pa., Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Matt Rourke/AP Lancaster Pa., Mayor Jaime Arroyo speaks with attendees at the ribbon cutting for a Finanta Credit Union in Reading, Pa., Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Matt Rourke/AP

Rhetoric dehumanizing immigrant and Latino communities may appear more open and in-your-face in the current political climate. But that has not been a barrier for Latinos seeking elective office or high-level roles in government.

Voters are choosing an increasing number of nonwhite Hispanic leaders to local elective office  and many of the leaders are the first Latinos to hold their seats. Some political science experts attribute the rise of Latino leadership to years of grassroots organizing, coupled with ongoing demonization of their communities by Trump administration officials and conservative activists.

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That's the difference now, is that there's this extra incentive of an unrelenting attack on Latinos across the country, said Anna Sampaio, an ethnic studies professor at Santa Clara University who specializes in race and gender politics.

There are currently an estimated 7,700 Latino elected officials nationwide, according to data from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. That's up from 6,883 officials in 2020.

Estimated to number as many as 55 million people  16% of the U.S. population  Latinos are the largest ethnic minority in the country, with politics, interests and priorities as diverse as the national origins represented within their population. But Latinos also are underrepresented as a demographic across elective offices.

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Since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term, Latino communities have been a target of his hard-line immigration tactics. The feeling of attack doesn't stop there. From memes shared from the official White House page perpetuating Hispanic stereotypes, a federally led English-only initiative and an anti-diversity, equity and inclusion push have painted a target on Latinos across the country.

It's all led to more Latinos seeking office to defend their communities and give voice to those who may be afraid to speak out in the current political climate. As a result, legislators have proposed measures that include providing community members with protections against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, halting the approval of ICE detention centers in their cities, and calling for a stop to ICE funding, among other actions.

Pennsylvania Latino mayor makes history

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with a roughly 40% Hispanic population, recently elected Jaime Arroyo their first Latino mayor. Arroyo took office in January, after being elected with 85% of the vote.

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I think being the first Latino to be in this role and the first person of color to be mayor of Lancaster City has been exciting, Arroyo told The Associated Press, adding that he finds it extremely exciting to lead and represent our community in this role.

With rhetoric and national policies  such as heightened immigration enforcement  hurting the Latino communities, Arroyo said, diverse representation in government is more important than ever. He also believes that the rise of elected Latino officials over the last couple of years is the result of generations of Latinos being politically active fighting for civil rights.

We're starting to see a lot of the fruits of that labor come to fruition, Arroyo said. There's never a perfect time to serve your community, there's the right time. And I think right now is the right time for a lot of Latinos to step up into these roles, especially with everything that is going on.

Latino representation expanding in city councils

Many more Latinos made history when they took office in earlier this year.

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In Iowa, Rob Barron was sworn in Jan. 12 as the first Latino representative on the Des Moines City Council. Antonio Pacheco was sworn on Jan. 7 to be the first Latino member of the city council in Conyers, Georgia. In Ohio, Eileen Torres became the first Mexican American women to win a city council seat in Lorain. Sabrina Gonzalez also took office there as the first Puerto Rican women to serve.

And in Michigan, Clara Martinez and Deyanira Nevarez Martinez were sworn in Jan. 1 to the Lansing City Council, making the city the first in the U.S. to have a council with majority Latino representation.

Martinez said her election, and that of Nevarez Martinez, makes a bit statement about what people are truly open to despite the national rhetoric.

I think because of the rhetoric that we are having to face and some of the backlash on the national stage, I think thats just fueled the fire for so many people, she said.

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The Salt Lake City Council also has a Latino majority, with four of seven seats, after Erika Carlsen, the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, was sworn in on Jan. 5. Carlsen said her success is possible because of current and previous generations that put in the work to create spaces where Latinas were encouraged to take leadership positions.

I feel like I'm building on early generations of leadership, Carlsen said. That's both an honor and responsibility to improve Salt Lake City for the people who live here.

Carlsen said even if representation at the federal level is not high or visible she said having representation at the local level can have a huge impact.

I think that it's critically important that we continue to build on this momentum, Carlsen said. The majority of change that can happen starts locally, it doesn't start in Washington but in City Hall, school boards and neighborhoods conversations. That's the kind of momentum I'd love to see all across the United States.

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Carolina Welles, executive director of The First Ask, an organization that supports first-time female candidates at the state level, said the reason why Latino representation is more visible at the local level is because those leaders are able to built trust with their community much easier given their proximity.

They actually know what people care about, Welles said. They have a stake because they are facing similar things.

Local level Latino leadership builds on state and federal representation

It's not just at the local level. Latinos are making inroads at the federal level too.

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The 119th Congress has 56 Hispanic or Latino members. That shakes out to 10.35% of total membership, according to the Congressional Research Service.

For comparison, there were only 14 Hispanic or Latino members and all were male in the 99th Congress, 40 years ago.

At the start of 2025, there were seven Hispanic U.S. senators. That number decreased to six when then Sen. Marco Rubio resigned to become the Secretary of State, the first Latino to hold the position.

Last year also marked a record for Latinas at the state level. Latinas held 214, or 2.9%, of seats in state legislatures, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. That was up from 192 seats in 2024.

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Currently, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is the only active Latina governor in the U.S. Only two Latinas have been elected governor in U.S. history, and both were in New Mexico.

In March, Gina Hinojosa won the Democratic nomination for governor, making her the second Latina to win a major party gubernatorial nomination in Texas.

Latinos saw the biggest rise in elected officials during the Trump administration in response to attacks on their fundamental rights, said Sampaio, the Santa Clara University professor. She said that trend is likely to continue as the administration continues its attacks on immigrant communities.

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The historic Plainville High School building at 74 East St. in Plainville. More recently used as a business center, a New York developer has proposed converting the building to apartments with an eye on as many as 60 units. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media Construction under way in April 2026 for the proposed Liam's Landing Apartments at 141 New Britain Ave. in Plainville. Less than a mile west, a New York developer has proposed converting the historic Plainville High School building into apartments, at 74 East St. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media The former Israel Putnam School property on April 23, 2026, at 43 Osgood Ave. in New Britain. Along with the historic Plainville High School 10 miles south, the property is among several former schools in Connecticut that are candidates for conversion to apartments. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media

Another former Connecticut school could become apartments, as a New York developer gauges Plainville's interest in converting its 100-year old high school into apartments, after an interim stretch as a commercial building.

Located at 74 East St., across from Gnazzo's grocery store, the historic Plainville High School building's exterior and grounds have been kept in good condition compared to some abandoned schools in Connecticut that were allowed to deteriorate by their property owners. The building totals nearly 40,000 square feet of space on three floors, with a brokerage listing showing one layout that could accommodate nearly 35 apartments.

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The building later served as Plainville Junior High School, and most recently was known as the Plainville Business Center with Wheeler Health a tenant before it relocated. Two years ago, social media lit up after a sign went up on plans to demolish the building, but the work did not proceed.

The developer, whose identity CT Insider could not immediately confirm, spoke in March to members of the Plainville Planning & Zoning Commission  meeting minutes describe it as an "informal discussion  on his goal to build as many as 60 apartments in the historic structure and new buildings on the nearly 4-acre property.

"In an ideal scenario, I want to keep the school 'as-is' and convert it into apartments  probably use some sort of historic tax (credit)," the developer said. "Currently we're in discussions of either adding another development of housing there, or possibly townhome structures."

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He added he hoped to work with the town on any concerns that might be raised related to traffic and density.

Between completed projects and those in the planning process, more than 4,000 apartments are slated for the the shells of former school buildings or on their grounds otherwise, according to a CT Insider count in 2025. That likely understates the actual number due to some conversions having occurred long before the online reporting era.

Apartments have been in short supply in Plainville, with Apartments.com listing about 20 available as of Thursday but with more rental options available for those expanding their search to neighboring Bristol or New Britain.

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"The historic features of the building have been something that have been desired by many people to maintain, because there's history there," said Jennifer Bartiss-Earley, chair of the Plainville Planning & Zoning Commission, speaking at the March meeting aired on NutmegTV. "We're looking to expand our housing stock. ... One of the concerns is that our aging population is having a hard time staying in town, and our youth as they are going into the workforce are having a hard time staying in town."

The developer told town officials in March that a contract is in place to purchase 74 East St., with town records showing no transaction having been completed as of Thursday.

Cal Hauburger, director of economic development and special projects for the town of Plainville, told CT Insider he did not have any new information on a redevelopment of 74 East St. as of Thursday.

Town records list the co-owners as Manafort Family LLC and Tunxis Management Co., with James Manafort Jr. and Justin Manafort Sr. listed as principals. A Manafort Family LLC contact could not be reached immediately for details, with the company having explored the possibility of a planned development district for the property in 2025.

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Manafort Family LLC bought the building in 1998 from the town, with a property card not listing an acquisition price. The town's most recent appraisal listed a $2.8 million valuation for 74 East St., with the property having been listed for sale for $3.5 million.

Plainville has multiple residential developments in the works, including the Liam's Landing Apartments that are under construction a mile east at 141 New Britain Ave. Under a separate limited liability company alongside the principal of Rossetti Development, James Manafort is planning a 19-apartment development on a long-time church property at 222 Farmington Ave.

Staff writer Steven Goode contributed to this report, which also includes prior reporting by Ciara Hooks.
Josephine Timperman, a student at Miami University, poses for a portrait Friday, April 24, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. Jeff Dean/AP Josephine Timperman, a student at Miami University, poses for a portrait Friday, April 24, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. Jeff Dean/AP Josephine Timperman, a student at Miami University, poses for a portrait Friday, April 24, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. Jeff Dean/AP

Two years ago, Josephine Timperman arrived at college with a plan. She declared a major in business analytics, figuring she'd learn niche skills that would stand out on a resume and help land a good job after college.

But the rise of artificial intelligence has scrambled those calculations. The basic skills she was learning in things like statistical analysis and coding can now easily be automated. Everyone has a fear that entry-level jobs will be taken by AI, said the 20-year-old at Miami University in Ohio.

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A few weeks ago, Timperman switched her major to marketing. Her new strategy is to use her undergraduate studies to build critical thinking and interpersonal skills  areas where humans still have an edge.

You dont just want to be able to code. You want to be able to have a conversation, form relationships and be able to think critically, because at the end of the day, thats the thing that AI cant replace, said Timperman, who is keeping analytics as a minor and plans to dive deeper into the subject for a one-year masters program.

Todays college students say that picking a major thats AI-proof feels like shooting at a moving target as they prepare for a job market that could be fundamentally different by the time they graduate.

As a result, many are reconsidering their career paths. About 70% of college students see AI as a threat to their job prospects, according to a 2025 poll by the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, while recent Gallup polling finds U.S. workers are increasingly concerned about being replaced by new technologies.

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Students seeking majors that teach human skills

The uncertainty appears most concentrated among those pursuing degrees in technology and vocational areas of study, where students feel a need to develop expertise in AI but also fear being replaced by it. A recent Quinnipiac poll found the vast majority of Americans believe its very or somewhat important for college and university students to be taught how to use AI, as Gallup Workforce polling finds AI is getting adopted in technology-related fields at higher rates. Meanwhile, students studying healthcare and natural sciences may be less impacted by AI overhauls, Gallup found.

We see students all the time change majors. Thats not new or different. But its usually for a ton of different reasons, said Courtney Brown, a vice president at Lumina, an education nonprofit focused on increasing the number of students who seek education beyond high school. The fact that so many students say its because of AI  that is startling.

A recent Gallup poll of Generation Z youth and adults, between the ages of 14 and 29, found increasing skepticism and concerns about AI. Although half of Gen Z adults use AI at least weekly, and teenagers report higher use, many in this generation see drawbacks to the technology and worry about AI's impact on their cognitive abilities and job prospects. About half  48%  of Gen Z workers say the risks of AI in the workforce outweigh the possible benefits.

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Part of the challenge for college students is that the experts they would typically turn to for advice, like advisers, professors and parents, dont have any answers. Students are having to navigate this on their own, without a GPS, says Brown.

That uncertainty was evident last month at Stanford University, where the leaders of several prominent universities gathered for a wide-ranging panel discussion on the future of higher education. Topics of concern included the AI revolution that is transforming how students learn and forcing educators to rethink pedagogy.

We need to think really hard about what students need to learn to be successful in the job market in 10, 20, 30 years, said Brown University President Christina Paxson.

And none of us know. We dont know the answer to that, Paxson said. I think its communication, its critical thought. The fundamentals of a liberal education are probably more important than learning how to code in Java right now.

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Anxiety also reaches computer science majors

Computer science major Ben Aybar, 22, graduated last spring from the University of Chicago and applied for about 50 jobs, mostly in software engineering, without getting a single interview. He pivoted to a masters degree in computer science and meanwhile has found part-time work doing AI consulting for companies.

People who know how to use AI will be very valuable, said Aybar, who sees new jobs emerging that require AI skills, particularly for people who can explain the complexities in layman's terms. Being able to talk to people and interact with people in a very human way I think is more valuable than ever.

At the University of Virginia, data science major Ava Lawless is wondering if her major is worthwhile but cant get concrete answers. Some advisers feel that data scientists will be safe because theyre the ones building AI models, but she keeps seeing gloomy job reports that indicate the contrary.

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It makes me feel a bit hopeless for the future, Lawless said. What if by the time I graduate theres not even a job market for this anymore?

She is considering switching to studio art, which is her minor.

Im at a point where Im thinking if I cant get a job being a data scientist, I might as well pursue art, she said. Because if Im going to be unemployed, I might as well do something I love.

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Breaking news. Wikimedia Commons

12:58 p.m. update: All three high schools are sheltering in place and Goshen elementary and preschool are canceled for the afternoon. Any students on a bus are being taken inside immediately.

Tonights Board of Education meeting has been canceled due to severe weather.

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Notification of the rescheduled date will be provided as soon as possible, Secretary Carey Francis said in an email.

Father McGivney Catholic High School will dismiss students at 1:55 p.m. The early dismissal had already been planned for a teacher learning session, and staff will also be allowed to leave early.

All after-school activities today for Father McGivney have been canceled, the school said in a Facebook post. The county track meet has been rescheduled for Tuesday. We are working to reschedule the other events as well.

Metro East Lutheran High School will dismiss at 1:39 p.m. and has canceled all after-school activities.
Chicago Police Dept. Superintendent Larry Snelling addresses media outside of Illinois Masonic Hospital Advance Care in Lake View after a shooting Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Chicago. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Anthony Vazquez/AP Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Dept. Superintendent Larry Snelling are joined by other officials as they walk to address media outside of Illinois Masonic Hospital Advance Care in Lake View after a shooting Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Chicago. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Anthony Vazquez/AP Tape covers the area outside of Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in Chicago, Saturday, April 25, 2026, after a shooting. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Anthony Vazquez/AP People walk outside of Illinois Masonic Hospital Advance Care in Lake View after a shooting Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Chicago. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Anthony Vazquez/AP Police respond to the scene of a shooting near Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune via AP) John J. Kim/AP

CHICAGO (AP)  A robbery suspect who allegedly pulled a handgun from under a blanket at a Chicago hospital and shot the two officers who brought him there for treatment will remain jailed on charges of murder and attempted murder, a judge ordered Monday.

A handcuffed Alphanso Talley, 26, was escorted into a Cook County courtroom packed with Chicago police officers and politicians for his first appearance, and did not speak during the hearing, not even when Circuit Court Judge Luciano Panici Jr. twice asked him his name.

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Officer John Bartholomew, 38, a 10-year veteran, was fatally shot Saturday inside at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital. A second officer  57 years old with 21 years of service  was critically wounded and is still fighting for his life, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a statement Monday.

This shooting was a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our officers face all too often on this job, the superintendent said.

Prosecutors allege that Talley and an unknown person robbed a Family Dollar store on Saturday morning and then pistol-whipped a female employee, stealing her wallet and keys. Police later tracked Talley through a GPS device attached to the money, and took him into custody. Then he told police he had ingested narcotics, prompting a ride to the hospital with the two officers, police said.

As Talley was prepared for a CT scan, he took his clothes off and a blanket was placed over him. Talley then reached under the blanket, pulled out a handgun and shot both officers, prosecutors alleged.

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Talley then fled through a window. A surveillance photo obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times appeared to show him running naked, with electrodes on his chest. He was eventually arrested again, found with a 10 mm handgun matching shell casings from the hospital room, according to prosecutors. Snelling said investigators ultimately recovered three weapons.

Prosecutors did not detail how Talley got the weapon, but charges filed in federal court in Indiana on Monday indicate it was purchased illegally through a straw buyer and was not taken from the officers.

The hospital said in a Facebook posting that the suspect was wanded upon arrival in a search for any weapons, following protocol, and that he was escorted by law enforcement at all times.

In court, attorneys from the Cook County Public Defenders office said they needed more time to speak with Talley, who will remain in custody. They also said theyd seek a mental health evaluation. Talleys next hearing was scheduled for April 30.

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Attorneys leaving the hearing did not comment to reporters. The hearing was packed with officers, aldermen, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and the head of the Chicago police union. He said the second officer, whose identity has not been released, remained in critical condition.

Its very bad, said John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7. Its extremely grave.

Talleys criminal record includes convictions for aggravated battery of a peace officer and for aiding, abetting, possessing or selling a stolen motor vehicle in 2023, as well as previous robbery and firearms convictions, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.

The federal criminal complaint filed Monday alleges the gun suspected of being used in the shootings was bought by a woman from a licensed gun dealer in 2024 in Merrillville, Indiana, about 40 miles southeast of Chicago.

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Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Chicago Police Department, interviewed her Saturday in the Chicago suburb of Harvey, Illinois.

An ATF agents affidavit said she admitted to lying about being a fentanyl addict when she said she was not addicted to any controlled substance, and to providing a false address on the form, both of which would have disqualified her from buying the gun.

The sworn statement said she told investigators that she bought it for her boyfriend at the time, identified in the complaint only as Individual A, a convicted felon who could not legally buy or possess firearms. She was charged with making a material false statement in the acquisition of a firearm.

Though this does not bring solace to this tragedy, it does bring the first step in accountability, Snellings statement said in praising the investigation.

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Cast members sing during a rehearsal for the Alton High School production of "Into the Woods" at the AHS Auditorium in April 2025. Scott Cousins/The Telegraph

Students in the Alton School District, grades 3 to 9, have a new opportunity to step into the spotlight.

This summer, the Alton High School Theatre Department will host its first Summer Theatre Camp from July 6-11. From Monday to Saturday, student leaders will help direct elementary and intermediate-level performances under the supervision of camp directors Kristi Doering and Derrick Davault, both of whom are district educators.

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Ive wanted to do this for a long time, Doering said. It's a great opportunity to not only support your area district, but for you to get your kid involved in something so rewarding.

Throughout the week, up to 100 students will occupy the high school auditorium and learn about all areas of theatre, everything from building a set to acquiring stage presence. After a week of instruction and rehearsals, the two age levels will each host a one-act theatre performance and raise funds to support the high schools theatre program.

The summer camp performance will be hosted on Saturday, July 11, with grades 3 to 5 performing at 9 a.m. and grades 6 to 9 performing at 12:30 p.m.

Alton theatre camp opens affordable registration

The cast performs one of the musical numbers during a rehearsal for the Alton High School Theatre Departments production of Newsies: The Musical on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The showtimes are April 23-24 at 7 p.m., plus 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 25 at the AHS auditorium. Scott Cousins/The Telegraph

The camp will be limited to incoming students in grades 3 to 9. Each student will be able to participate in their selected performance by choosing from a variety of roles based on their interests. This includes the technical side of sound and lighting, stage building, and acting on stage.

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Theres a lot of opportunity within it, Doering said. Overall, it will allow them to dabble in different areas and find exactly what they might enjoy or excel at.

Until the end of June, students can register for $75 by contacting Doering at kdoering@altonschools.org. Compared to other theatre camps, Doering says this price is much more affordable than camps that average $300.

That was just way too much for me, Doering said. I want this to be affordable.

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This price point will provide students with a daily snack and a camp T-shirt, and will cover the cost of set supplies, costumes, and performance rights. At this time, the performance title has not been announced, but Doering expects the performances to feature fantasy themes and simple costume wardrobes.

Im trying not to make it too terribly difficult for us, but were hoping to make this a staple that kids will look forward to every summer, she said.

Alton summer camp show helps fund Illinois festival trip

Following the performance, ticket funds will be used to offset costs for the high school drama departments Jan. 27, 2027, trip to the Illinois Theatre Festival. The upcoming trip will mark 51 straight years of attending the festival, a feat held by Alton High School and three other Illinois high schools.

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In addition to funding the drama department's trip, Doering expects this camp to spark an interest in theatre among younger Alton Redbirds.

I always say, Any experience in theatre is a good experience, Doering said. This will allow us to meet people and make connections, which is the most important part.

I cannot wait to see the talent that is in Alton, because I know its there, and I cannot wait to see it come forward on the stage.

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A moderate risk of severe weather remains in effect for the Mississippi River valley. NOAA Storm Prediction Center Tornado warning for Alton, Illinois St. Louis NWS A tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Storm Prediction Center

UPDATE: The severe weather threat is ending for the St. Louis area and Central Illinois. The live updates have now ended.

A strong weather system is prompting severe weather across portions of Southern and Central Illinois.

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Two rounds of strong storms were forecast, with the first round rolling through Illinois in the morning hours and the second impacting the region in the afternoon and evening.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center was issued a Tornado Watch for portions of Southern Illinois alongside Eastern and Southern Missouri. The watch ran from Monday afternoon and evening from 12:50 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Primary threats include several tornadoes and a couple of intense tornadoes.

A remnant boundary left over by overnight/early morning storms will be an initial focus for intense storm development, including supercells, with additional storms developing later afternoon across broader parts of the region. All severe weather hazards are possible, including strong/intense tornadoes.

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Another tornado watch has been issued for the Central Illinois area. This was effective Monday afternoon and evening from 4:40 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., primary threats include several tornadoes and a couple of intense tornadoes. Widespread damaging winds are likely with isolated significant gusts to 75 mph possible, and scattered large hail is likely with isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible.

Here were the warnings as they were issued in Central and Southern Illinois on the day:

8:26 p.m.

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The tornado has lifted near Carlyle. The severe weather threat is now ending for the St. Louis area and Central Illinois for the night including Alton, Edwardsville and Jacksonville. This will be the last update on the evening.

8:18 p.m.

Tornado Warning continues for Salem IL, Carlyle IL and Sandoval IL until 9:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/F9HxuzhFR2  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 28, 2026

A large tornado is on the ground near Breckemeyer moving towards Carlyle.

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A PDS Tornado Warning for Northeastern Clinton County in south central Illinois. Southern Fayette County in south central Illinois, Marion County in south central Illinois.

This tornado will be near Carlyle around 820 PM CDT. Boulder and Shattuc around 830 PM CDT. Fairman and Sandoval around 835 PM CDT.

Until 9:00 PM CDT.

8:13 p.m.

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Another confirmed tornado is moving towards Beckemeyer.

8:00 p.m.

Tornado Warning continues for Breese IL, New Baden IL and Trenton IL until 8:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/LQoCe2EAHu  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 28, 2026

A radar confirmed tornado is on the ground in Trenton.

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At 8:00 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located over Trenton, or near New Baden, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD: Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

This tornado will be near Aviston, Trenton, Albers and New Baden around 805 PM CDT. Breese, Germantown and St. Rose around 810 PM CDT and Beckemeyer around 820 PM CDT.

7:55 p.m.

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Tornado Warning including Breese IL, Lebanon IL and New Baden IL until 8:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/xqiHQi6Myh  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 28, 2026

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a Tornado Warning for Northwestern Clinton County in south central Illinois and Northeastern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois until 830 PM CDT.

At 7:52 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Scott AFB, moving east at 35 mph.

This tornado will be near Mascoutah, Scott AFB and Lebanon around 755 PM CDT. New Baden and Trenton around 805 PM CDT. Albers around 810 PM CDT.

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Other locations impacted by the tornado include Summerfield, Damiansville and Bartelso.

This includes Interstate 64 in Illinois between exits 23 and 27.

7:32 p.m.

At 7:31 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from over Collinsville to over Fountain, or along a line from over Collinsville to 6 miles west of Waterloo, moving east at 35 mph.

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Threats: 70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

Locations impacted include: Granite City, Cahokia, East St. Louis, Columbia, Centreville, Edwardsville, Pontoon Beach, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Belleville, Fairview Heights, Maryville, Waterloo, Troy, Swansea, O'Fallon, Shiloh, Mascoutah and Highland.

7:28 p.m.

At 7:25 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from 10 miles north of Ramsey to near Troy, or along a line from 12 miles east of Nokomis to near Troy, moving east at 40 mph. The main severe wind threat is entering Edwardsville now.

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Locations impacted include Bethalto, Mount Olive, Staunton, Wood River, Hillsboro, Hartford, Roxana, Witt, Taylor Springs, Nokomis, South Roxana, Livingston, Worden, Coffeen, Ramsey, Greenville, Pocahontas and Vandalia.

7:13 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Saint Louis MO, Belleville IL and Granite City IL until 8:15 PM CDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH! pic.twitter.com/kHtf3hz8DJ  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 28, 2026

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, Northern Monroe County in southwestern Illinois, Saint Clair County in southwestern Illinois, Saint Louis City in east central Missouri.

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Timing: Until 815 PM CDT.

At 7:12 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from over Moline Acres to near Antonia, or along a line from over Bellefontaine Neighbors to near Antonia, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD: 70 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

Locations impacted include St. Louis, Granite City, Cahokia, East St. Louis, Columbia, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Belleville, Fairview Heights, Maryville, Waterloo, Troy, Swansea, O'Fallon, Shiloh, Mascoutah and Highland.

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This includes the following State Parks Scott Joplin Historic Site and Horseshoe Lake State Park.

This includes the following highways Interstate 64 in Illinois between exits 9 and 27. Interstate 55 in Illinois near exit 23. Interstate 70 in Illinois between exits 21 and 30.

7:10 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Bond County in south central Illinois, Northwestern Fayette County in south central Illinois, Montgomery County in south central Illinois, Southeastern Macoupin County in southwestern Illinois, Northern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, Northeastern Saint Charles County in east central Missouri.

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Until 8:00 PM CDT.

At 7:09 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line from over Nokomis to over Roxana, or along a line from over Nokomis to over Wood River, moving east at 40 mph.

Locations impacted include Gillespie, Benld, Litchfield, Bethalto, East Alton, Mount Olive, Staunton, Wood River, Hillsboro, Hartford, Roxana, Nokomis, South Roxana, Worden, Greenville and Vandalia.

This includes the following State Parks: Confluence State Park, Ramsey Lake State Park and Lake Lou Yaeger.

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6:57 p.m.

Tornado Warning continues for Alton IL, Godfrey IL and Wood River IL until 7:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/jXZH7s6BJu  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

A tornado warning remains in effect for Madison County.

At 6:56 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was over Alton and moving east at 45 mph.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and golf-ball-size hail.

The storm was expected to move near Bethalto, Alton, East Alton, Rosewood Heights, Wood River, Roxana and Godfrey around 7 p.m., Dorsey around 7:05 p.m. and Prairietown around 7:10 p.m.

6:43 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Saint Charles MO, Saint Peters MO and Florissant MO until 7:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/6FR7h20Y5T  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a tornado warning for southern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, south-central Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Charles County in east-central Missouri and northeastern St. Louis County in east-central Missouri.

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The warning remains in effect until 7:30 p.m.

At 6:41 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Hazelwood, moving east at 35 mph.

The storm carried a tornado threat and quarter-size hail.

The source was radar-indicated rotation.

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The storm was expected to move near Florissant, Hazelwood, Berkeley, Portage Des Sioux, Calverton Park, Ferguson, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Orchard Farms, Bridgeton and St. Charles around 6:45 p.m., Black Jack around 6:50 p.m. and West Alton, Godfrey and Spanish Lake around 6:55 p.m.

Other locations impacted by the tornado included Fosterburg and Poag.

The warning area included Confluence State Park and First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site.

The warning area included Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 222 and 229.

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6:31 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Saint Charles MO, Alton IL and Old Jamestown MO until 7:15 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/6zJX1y3IN6  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Bond County in south-central Illinois, northwestern Fayette County in south-central Illinois, Montgomery County in south-central Illinois, eastern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, Macoupin County in southwestern Illinois, northern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Charles County in east-central Missouri and northeastern St. Louis County in east-central Missouri.

The warning was in effect until 7:15 p.m.

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At 6:28 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line from near Farmersville to Orchard Farms, or from 6 miles east of Virden to 5 miles northeast of St. Charles, moving east at 65 mph.

The storms threatened ping-pong-ball-size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

Communities in the warning area included Jerseyville, Carlinville, Virden, Godfrey, St. Charles, Bridgeton, Hazelwood, Gillespie, Florissant, Alton, Litchfield, Black Jack, Bethalto, East Alton, Hillsboro, Wood River, Staunton, Nokomis and Greenville.

The warning area included Confluence State Park, First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site, Ramsey Lake State Park, Beaver Dam State Park and Lake Lou Yaeger.

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The warning area included Interstate 55 in Illinois between exits 30 and 63 and Interstate 70 in Missouri between exits 227 and 228.

6:16 p.m.

A tornado warning also remained in effect east of Jerseyville, while the threat in Jacksonville had ended.

At 6:13 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 6 miles south of Kemper, or 8 miles east of Jerseyville, moving northeast at 50 mph.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and ping-pong-ball-size hail.

Communities in the warning area included Jerseyville, Brighton, Fidelity, Piasa, Miles Station, Medora, Kemper, Shipman, Chesterfield, Plainview, Royal Lakes, Dorchester, Mount Clare, Gillespie, Carlinville, East Gillespie, Eagarville, Hornsby, Atwater and Standard City.

The warning area included Beaver Dam State Park.

6:08 p.m.

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A tornado warning remained in effect for Jerseyville.

At 6:04 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was 5 miles southwest of Kemper, or 6 miles northeast of Jerseyville, and moving northeast at 50 mph.

The storm brought tennis-ball-size hail and 60 mph wind gusts, and a tornado remained possible.

The source was trained spotters, who reported tennis-ball-size hail near Jerseyville.

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6:00 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Jerseyville IL, Carlinville IL and Gillespie IL until 6:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/C5Yal34xkt  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for eastern Jersey County in southwestern Illinois and central Macoupin County in southwestern Illinois.

The warning was in effect until 6:45 p.m.

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At 6:01 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Jerseyville, moving northeast at 50 mph.

The storm carried a tornado threat and quarter-size hail.

The source was radar-indicated rotation.

Communities in the warning area included Otterville, Jerseyville, Delhi, Brighton, Fidelity, Piasa, Miles Station, Medora, Kemper, Shipman, Chesterfield, Plainview, Royal Lakes, Dorchester, Mount Clare, Gillespie, Carlinville, East Gillespie, Eagarville and Standard City.

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The warning area included Beaver Dam State Park.

5:52 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Jerseyville IL, Kane IL and Medora IL until 6:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/lVy62o3t5e  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Greene County in southwestern Illinois, central Jersey County in southwestern Illinois and west-central Macoupin County in southwestern Illinois.

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The warning was in effect until 6:30 p.m.

At 5:50 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest of Old Kane, or 6 miles west of Jerseyville, moving northeast at 50 mph.

The storm brought 60 mph wind gusts and half-dollar-size hail.

Communities in the warning area included Fieldon, Otterville, Jerseyville, Kane, Old Kane, Fidelity, Piasa, Kemper, Medora, Rockbridge, Chesterfield, Plainview and Hettick.

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The warning area included Beaver Dam State Park.

5:42 p.m.

Tornado Warning including New Berlin IL, Pleasant Plains IL and Curran IL until 6:15 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/NVcXBI2yrt  NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Tornado Warning for South central Menard County in central Illinois, Northwestern Sangamon County in central Illinois and Northeastern Morgan County in west central Illinois.

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Until 6:15 p.m.

At 5:40 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Alexander, or 11 miles east of Jacksonville, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD: Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE: Radar indicated rotation.

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This dangerous storm will be near New Berlin around 5:45 p.m.

5:40 p.m.

A tornado warning remained in effect for Jacksonville.

At 5:37 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Alexander, or 8 miles east of Jacksonville, moving east at 40 mph.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and half-dollar-size hail.

The storm was expected to be near Alexander around 5:40 p.m.

Other areas in the storms path included Prentice, Lynnville, Jacksonville Municipal Airport and Philadelphia.

The warning area included Interstate 72 between mile markers 56 and 79.

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5:36 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for White Hall IL, Carrollton IL and Roodhouse IL until 6:15 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/Oy9J8uG2ZC  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a severe thunderstorm warning for central Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, Greene County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Macoupin County in southwestern Illinois and northeastern Lincoln County in east-central Missouri.

The warning was in effect until 6:15 p.m.

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At 5:32 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles south of Hardin, or 11 miles southeast of Elsberry, moving northeast at 65 mph.

The storm brought 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.

Communities in the warning area included Foley, Batchtown, Hardin, Fieldon, Kampsville, Eldred, Old Kane, Kane, Carrollton, Hillview, Patterson, Wrights, White Hall, Greenfield, Roodhouse, Athensville, Scottville, Palmyra and Modesto.

5:28 p.m.

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A tornado warning remained in effect for Jacksonville.

At 5:26 p.m., severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes were located along a line from near Literberry to near Bluffs, moving east at 45 mph.

The storms carried a tornado threat and half-dollar-size hail.

The storms were expected to be near Virginia, Chapin and Literberry around 5:30 p.m., Jacksonville around 5:35 p.m. and South Jacksonville and Ashland around 5:40 p.m.

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Other areas in the storms path included Prentice, Merritt, Lynnville, Exeter, Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florence, Concord, Philadelphia and Valley City.

5:19 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Jacksonville IL, South Jacksonville IL and Virginia IL until 6:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/mqPjVVc8rJ  NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln issued a tornado warning for Scott County in west-central Illinois, southeastern Cass County in west-central Illinois and Morgan County in west-central Illinois.

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The warning was in effect until 6 p.m.

At 5:18 p.m., severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado were located along a line from near Arenzville to near Naples, moving east at 45 mph.

The storms were expected to be near Bluffs, Chapin, Arenzville and Literberry around 5:25 p.m., Virginia around 5:30 p.m. and Jacksonville around 5:35 p.m.

Other locations in the path of these storms included South Jacksonville and Ashland.

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5:11 p.m.

At 5:11 p.m., one severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was near Pittsfield and moving northeast at 60 mph. Another storm capable of producing a tornado was near Bowling Green and also moving northeast.

Communities in the storms path included Louisiana, Pike, Clarksville, Atlas, Pleasant Hill, El Dara, Martinsburg, Nebo, Independence, Pittsfield, Time, Pearl, Milton, Detroit, Griggsville, Bedford, Montezuma, Florence and Valley City.

5:00 p.m.

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Beardstown IL, Virginia IL and Meredosia IL until 5:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/dYbPSBjUxO  NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Cass County in west-central Illinois, southeastern Schuyler County in west-central Illinois, southwestern Mason County in central Illinois and northwestern Morgan County in west-central Illinois.

The warning was in effect until 5:45 p.m.

At 4:57 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Arenzville, or 8 miles south of Beardstown, moving northeast at 50 mph.

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The storm brought 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.

The storm was expected to be near Arenzville around 5 p.m., Bluff Springs around 5:05 p.m., Virginia around 5:10 p.m. and Chandlerville around 5:15 p.m.

4:59 p.m.

At 4:56 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Golden, or 15 miles northeast of Quincy Regional Airport, moving northeast at 45 mph.

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The storm was expected to be near Golden and Clayton around 5 p.m.

4:48 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Pittsfield IL, Louisiana MO and Griggsville IL until 5:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/NcAnsz3o1I  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for northwestern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, Pike County in west-central Illinois and central Pike County in northeastern Missouri.

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The warning was in effect until 5:30 p.m.

At 4:46 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Tarrants, or near Bowling Green, moving northeast at 55 mph.

Communities in the warning area included Louisiana, Pike, Clarksville, Atlas, El Dara, Pleasant Hill, Martinsburg, Nebo, Independence, Pittsfield, New Salem, Time, Pearl, Milton, Detroit, Griggsville, Bedford, Montezuma, Florence and Valley City.

The warning area included Interstate 72 between exits 31 and 35.

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4:46 p.m.

At 4:41 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Fall Creek, or 7 miles southeast of Quincy, moving northeast at 40 mph. Another storm northeast of Quincy was also capable of producing a tornado.

The storm was expected to be near Quincy, Payson and Fall Creek around 4:45 p.m. and Quincy Regional Airport around 4:55 p.m.

4:36 p.m.

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Tornado Warning including Quincy IL, Palmyra MO and Camp Point IL until 5:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/bL4l91ZFB1  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for Adams County in west-central Illinois, northwestern Brown County in west-central Illinois and eastern Marion County in northeastern Missouri.

The warning was in effect until 5:30 p.m.

At 4:34 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Palmyra, moving northeast at 30 mph. Another storm in Adams County, east of Quincy, was also capable of producing a tornado.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and quarter-size hail.

The storm was expected to be near Hannibal and Palmyra around 4:35 p.m. and Fall Creek around 4:50 p.m.

Other locations impacted included Marblehead, Burton, Adams, Fowler, Liberty, Columbus, Coatsburg and Paloma.

The warning area included Interstate 172 between exits 2 and 19.

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4:20 p.m.

At 4:18 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles west of Barry, or 14 miles east of Hannibal, moving northeast at 45 mph.

The storm brought 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.

Communities in the warning area included Seehorn, Hull, Kinderhook, New Canton, Plainville, Barry, El Dara, Richfield, Liberty and Kingston.

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The warning area included Interstate 72 between exits 4 and 20.

4:00 p.m.

The storm that prompted the warning had weakened below severe limits and exited the warned area. The warning was allowed to expire, though small hail and gusty winds remained possible with the thunderstorm.

A severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect for Madison and Jersey counties, including Alton.

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3:52 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for Alton, Illinois.

At 3:47 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Portage Des Sioux, or near Godfrey, moving east at 40 mph.

The storm was expected to be near Godfrey, West Alton, Portage Des Sioux, Elsah and Grafton around 3:50 p.m. Alton, East Alton, Brighton, Rosewood Heights and Wood River were expected to be affected around 3:55 p.m.

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3:38 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for southeastern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, southeastern Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Charles County in east-central Missouri and north-central St. Louis County in east-central Missouri.

At 3:35 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Orchard Farms, or 6 miles north of Hazelwood, moving east at 45 mph.

The storm was expected to be near Orchard Farms, Florissant, Grafton, Hazelwood, Bridgeton and St. Charles around 3:40 p.m., West Alton, Portage Des Sioux and Elsah around 3:45 p.m. and Godfrey around 3:50 p.m.

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3:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for southeastern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, southeastern Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Charles County in east-central Missouri and north-central St. Louis County in east-central Missouri.

At 3:29 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Orchard Farms, or 6 miles northeast of St. Charles, moving east at 45 mph.

The storm was expected to be near Orchard Farms, St. Charles, Hazelwood, Bridgeton and St. Peters around 3:30 p.m., Florissant and Grafton around 3:35 p.m. and Portage Des Sioux and Elsah around 3:40 p.m.

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3:20 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Saint Peters MO, Alton IL and Old Jamestown MO until 4:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/699K6sIqs0  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for southeastern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, southeastern Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Charles County in east-central Missouri and north-central St. Louis County in east-central Missouri.

At 3:19 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near St. Peters, moving east at 45 mph.

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The storm was expected to be near St. Peters, OFallon and Cottleville around 3:20 p.m., St. Charles around 3:25 p.m. and Orchard Farms, Hazelwood and Bridgeton around 3:30 p.m.

The warning was in effect until 4 p.m.

3:17 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Saint Charles MO, Saint Peters MO and Alton IL until 4:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/E8EmIgXyDc  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois, southern Greene County in southwestern Illinois, Jersey County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Charles County in east-central Missouri and north-central St. Louis County in east-central Missouri.

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The warning was in effect until 4 p.m.

At 3:14 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles north of St. Peters, or 8 miles northeast of St. Paul, moving east at 50 mph.

The storm brought 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. A tornado also was possible.

Communities in the warning area included St. Peters, St. Charles, Hardin, Hazelwood, Bridgeton, Orchard Farms, Florissant, Grafton, Elsah, Portage Des Sioux, West Alton, Godfrey, Jerseyville, Alton, East Alton and Wood River.

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2:55 p.m.

A tornado warning was in effect for the OFallon and St. Paul areas. If the storm held together, it was expected to move toward the Grafton and Godfrey areas on the western side of the Mississippi River.

2:31 p.m.

The St. Louis National Weather Service ended the tornado warning for the Edwardsville area. A severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect for the area with 60 mph winds and hail.

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A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for western Bond County in south-central Illinois, northwestern Clinton County in south-central Illinois and eastern Madison County in southwestern Illinois until 3:15 p.m.

At 2:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Marine, or 7 miles northeast of Troy, moving east at 30 mph.

Communities in the warning area included Fruit, Hamel, Marine, St. Jacob, Kaufman, Alhambra, Highland, Grantfork, Pierron, St. Rose, Old Ripley, Pocahontas, Jamestown, Reno, Stolletown, Dudleyville, Greenville and Beaver Creek.

2:22 p.m.

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The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for southwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois and northwestern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois.

At 2:21 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Maryville, moving east at 35 mph.

Communities in the warning area included Pontoon Beach, Collinsville, Maryville, Edwardsville and Glen Carbon.

2:14 p.m.

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The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for southwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois and northwestern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois. The warning no longer included the St. Louis metro area.

At 2:12 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Granite City, moving east at 35 mph.

Communities in the warning area included Madison, Venice, Granite City, Pontoon Beach, Mitchell, South Roxana, Roxana, Collinsville, Poag, Maryville, Glen Carbon and Edwardsville.

2:02 p.m.

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Aviso de Tornado incluye Saint Louis MO, Granite City IL, East Saint Louis IL hasta las 2:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/Kxp4jhSFLB  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for southwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northwestern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois and St. Louis City in east-central Missouri.

The warning was in effect until 2:45 p.m.

At 2:01 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over St. Louis, moving east at 30 mph.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and quarter-size hail.

The source was radar-indicated rotation.

Communities in the warning area included St. Louis, East St. Louis, Madison, Granite City, Washington Park, Caseyville, Fairview Heights, Pontoon Beach, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon and OFallon.

1:56 p.m.

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The National Weather Service in St Louis has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois... Northern Saint Clair County in southwestern Illinois... Northeastern Saint Louis County in east central Missouri... Saint Louis City in east central Missouri... * Until 300 PM CDT. * At 155 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Clayton, moving east at 25 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southwestern Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois, northeastern St. Louis County in east-central Missouri and St. Louis City in east-central Missouri.

The warning included the Edwardsville area.

The warning was in effect until 3 p.m.

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At 1:55 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Clayton, moving east at 25 mph.

The storm brought 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.

1:51 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Greenville IL, Pocahontas IL and Alhambra IL until 2:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/6oUw0l3E8z  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for Bond County in south-central Illinois and east-central Madison County in southwestern Illinois until 2:45 p.m.

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At 1:49 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Marine, or near Highland, moving east at 25 mph.

Communities in the warning area included Alhambra, Highland, Grantfork, Pierron, Old Ripley, Pocahontas, Dudleyville, Greenville, Beaver Creek and Smithboro.

1:48 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for southeastern Madison County in southwestern Illinois. The warning no longer included Edwardsville.

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At 1:41 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Marine, or near Troy, moving east at 25 mph.

The storm was expected to be near St. Jacob, Glen Carbon and Troy around 1:45 p.m. and Marine around 1:50 p.m.

1:35 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for southeastern Madison County in southwestern Illinois. The warning no longer included Glen Carbon.

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At 1:33 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Troy, or near Glen Carbon, moving east at 25 mph.

The storm was expected to be near Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Troy and Maryville around 1:35 p.m., St. Jacob around 1:45 p.m. and Marine around 1:50 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for southeastern Madison County in southwestern Illinois.

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The warning was in effect until 2 p.m.

The source was radar-indicated rotation.

At 1:25 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Glen Carbon, moving east at 30 mph.

The storm was expected to be near Glen Carbon, Edwardsville, Troy, Maryville, Roxana and Collinsville around 1:30 p.m. Marine and St. Jacob were expected to be affected around 1:45 p.m.

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1:15 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Edwardsville IL, Glen Carbon IL and Troy IL until 2:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/IjerwdZWIX  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for southeastern Madison County in southwestern Illinois.

The warning was in effect until 2 p.m.

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At 1:13 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Pontoon Beach, moving east at 20 mph.

The storm was expected to be near Pontoon Beach, South Roxana, Roxana and Hartford around 1:15 p.m., Edwardsville and Collinsville around 1:20 p.m. and Glen Carbon and Maryville around 1:25 p.m.

Other locations impacted by the storm included Poag, Kuhn, Fruit and Kaufman.

The warning area included Interstate 55 in Illinois near exit 23 and Interstate 70 in Illinois between exits 21 and 24.

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1:05 p.m.

At 1:04 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Granite City, moving east at 25 mph.

The storm carried a tornado threat.

The source was radar-indicated rotation.

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The storm was expected to be near Granite City, Madison, St. Louis, Venice and Brooklyn around 1:05 p.m. Pontoon Beach, Edwardsville, Hartford, South Roxana, Glen Carbon, West Alton, Fairmont City, Roxana, Maryville and Collinsville were expected to be affected around 1:10 p.m.

Other locations impacted by the storm included Mitchell and Poag.

The warning area included Horseshoe Lake State Park and Interstate 55 in Illinois near exit 23.

1:00 p.m.

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The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois, east-central St. Charles County in east-central Missouri, St. Louis County in east-central Missouri and St. Louis City in east-central Missouri.

At 12:59 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Granite City, moving east at 35 mph.

12:49 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis continued a tornado warning for Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois, east-central St. Charles County in east-central Missouri, St. Louis County in east-central Missouri and St. Louis City in east-central Missouri.

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At 12:47 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Pine Lawn, or over Northwoods, moving east at 35 mph.

12:44 p.m.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for Madison County in southwestern Illinois, northern St. Clair County in southwestern Illinois, east-central St. Charles County in east-central Missouri, St. Louis County in east-central Missouri and St. Louis City in east-central Missouri.

At 12:39 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Vinita Park, or over Overland, moving east at 35 mph.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and quarter-size hail.

12:32 p.m.

The tornado warning was updated to include Madison County, northern St. Clair County, St. Louis City, St. Louis County and east-central St. Charles County.

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over St. Ann, near Overland, and moving east at 40 mph.

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The storm carried a tornado threat and quarter-size hail.

12:30 p.m.

Tornado Warning including Saint Louis MO, Saint Charles MO and Florissant MO until 1:15 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/eTILdtKLvA  NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) April 27, 2026

The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a tornado warning for the St. Louis metro area and parts of southwestern Illinois until 1:15 p.m.

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The warning included St. Louis City, St. Louis County, east-central St. Charles County, western Madison County and northern St. Clair County.

At 12:27 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was near Maryland Heights, moving east at 40 mph, with quarter-size hail also possible.

10:14 a.m.

All severe weather affecting west-central and southern Illinois had moved out of the region. The storm system was expected to affect the Springfield region through 10:30 a.m.

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9:53 a.m.

No tornado warnings were active as of 9:53 a.m., but severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect across parts of western and central Illinois.

The National Weather Service in St. Louis warned of a storm near White Hall moving east at 40 mph, with 60 mph wind gusts and small hail possible in northeastern Greene and northern Macoupin counties until 10:45 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Lincoln also issued a warning for parts of Menard, Logan, Fulton, Sangamon, Cass, Mason and Morgan counties until 10:30 a.m., with storms moving east at 55 mph and wind gusts up to 70 mph possible.

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9:45 a.m.



No tornado warnings were active as of 9:45 a.m., but severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect for Greene County in southwestern Illinois and eastern Pike County in west-central Illinois, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis. The warning was set to expire at 9:45 a.m..

9:29 a.m.



The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued severe thunderstorm warnings for several Illinois counties as storms moved east across the region. One storm capable of producing a tornado was reported near Griggsville, moving east at 45 mph. Additional severe storms were tracking from north of Roodhouse to near White Hall at 55 mph. Warnings include Greene, Pike, Cass, Fulton, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, Schuyler and Scott counties, with hazards including wind gusts up to 70 mph. Some warnings remain in effect until 9:45 a.m., while others continue until 10 a.m.

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9:16 a.m.
Owners Sage Macklay and David Nadolsky of Funky Planet Toys and Gifts, located at 10 E. Broadway, place a lone NeeDoh fidget toy on an empty display shelf after a "NeeDoh craze" causes supply issues on April 24, 2026. Chase Martin/The Telegraph

Sage Macklay and David Nadolsky of Funky Planet Toys and Gifts in Alton can answer any toy-related questions during business hours, except for one.

Do you have NeeDohs in stock?

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Since February, Altons local toy store has been receiving countless calls and requests for NeeDohs, a handheld sensory fidget toy made by Schylling Toys that comes in a variety of colors and sizes. These small, simple toys are selling fast after local kids and resellers are enthralled by the online trend, or NeeDoh craze.

In the past couple of months, due to social media and kids passing the trend at school, it's become the it thing to have, Macklay said. When we announced that we had one, we had people lining up outside before we opened.

With such a high demand, the store has been forced to accommodate the trend by adding purchase limits, declining calls, and limiting toy drop announcements.

NeeDoh craze drives lines, shortages at Alton toy store

A limited selection of NeeDohs are on display at Funky Planet Toys and Gifts, located at 10 E. Broadway, during a "NeeDoh craze" that is causing supply issues at the Alton-based toy store on April 24, 2026. Chase Martin/The Telegraph

Funky Planet has carried lava lamps and other Schylling products since it first opened in 2021. As a staple of any specialty toy store, the owners included a line of the toy brands NeeDohs, which first came out in 2017.

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At the start of 2026, the owners placed a large order for NeeDohs but did not anticipate the impact.

We got a giant shipment in March, and we got it at the right time, Nadolsky said. It wasnt trending yet.

That week, the owners put out an announcement on Facebook and opened their business to lines of people  eight people the first day, 33 on the second. The craze had reached Alton, prompting the owner to limit purchases to two NeeDohs per person.

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After the big shipment came and went, the NeeDoh inventory at Funky Planet has been scarce due to supply issues at Schylling, which have heavily impacted the business.

On schylling.com, customers are greeted with a posting that reads, Demand for NeeDoh and our other products is exceptionally high right now, so were taking a short pause on new orders.

This supply limit has prompted an increase in customers who go NeeDoh Hunting. Macklay explained that this is where families or groups of kids will travel to every retail store in the area, hunting for a NeeDoh in stock.

A lot of parents and kids will do it together as an activity, Macklay said. Some of them take their kids to Walmart every morning before school. Weve even heard stories from customers that kids were skipping school to go NeeDoh hunting.

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Nadolsky shared that people hunt for NeeDohs all over the St. Louis area. One child from Minnesota called Funky Planet about NeeDohs as he was preparing for a family vacation in the Metro East.

Its fun when it brings in new customers, and you get to make people happy, Macklay said.

NeeDoh craze pushes Funky Planet to block scalpers

A Dream Drop galaxy-themed NeeDoh at the front counter of Funky Planet Toys and Gifts, located at 10 E. Broadway, on April 24, 2026. Chase Martin/The Telegraph

Despite the rise in business, the Needohs have attracted the attention of resellers, or scalpers, who try to profit from the craze by purchasing the toy in mass and reselling it online. This act often takes the toys away from children, which is Funky Planets main focus.

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Since the line, we have put them out without fanfare because its more fun, Macklay said. Wed rather it be a surprise for the kids.

To combat this, the owners have stopped selling the NeeDohs during school hours, so the resellers are unable to hunt during school time and buy out the NeeDohs.

In addition to this policy change, the business has started not answering questions about NeeDoh's availability.

At one point, we were getting 20 calls a day, Nadolsky said.

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We are trying to hang out with the customers in the store, answer recommendations, and the phone just kept ringing, so finally we posted on Facebook and said that we are not taking calls about NeeDohs anymore, Macklay said.

NeeDoh demand keeps emptying shelves at Funky Planet

The business has experienced other toy trends, such as fidget spinners, pop-its, and, most recently, mystery boxes. They were surprised to see all the attention put on one brand.

The owners say that other toy stores would normally hike their prices for such a specific demand, but they want their items to be affordable. Any NeeDoh sold at Funky Planet is offered at market price.

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From the start, we didnt want to be an expensive toy store, especially because toy stores get that reputation, Nadolsky said.

On the same shelf as the usually empty NeeDoh display, the business sells similar squishy toys from brands like Toy Network, Kid Fun, and Beverly Hill Teddy. For local kids, this is the closest they can get to getting their hands on a NeeDoh.

We have another giant order of NeeDohs placed with the company, and we have no clue when it's going to arrive, Macklay said. I cant imagine what its like working at Schylling right now.
Mythos could be Indias worst nightmare about artificial intelligence (AI) coming true. Yet.

And the alarm bells are ringing at the highest echelons of the central government and cybersecurity establishment, as it is around the world.

A new challenge has come in the name of Mythos, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said recently, with Electronics & IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw by her side as they headed an emergency meeting of Indias top banking officials along with cybersecurity experts.

The minister stressed exceptional vigilance, calling Mythos an unprecedented cybersecurity threat to Indias financial system.

According to a statement by the union government, it is serious enough that it needs a very high degree of vigilance, preparedness and better coordination across financial institutions.

The scary part? If something goes wrong, there doesnt seem to be any safeguard in place. Unless you count a panel headed by some public sector banks to come up with mitigating measures as one.

For the uninitiated, Claude Mythos is the latest general-purpose artificial intelligence model from Anthropic AI, a research firm made up of breakaway pioneers of OpenAI (which launched ChatGPT, thereby kickstarting the AI revolution).

When Mythos was previewed earlier this month, even Anthropic officials are said to have been disconcerted by the troubling behaviour  Mythos bypassed security settings and firewalls in many pre-release tests and gained broader internet access. Anthropic claims it can identify previously undetected software flaws across all the major browsers and operating systems (OS) in use around the world right now. And worse, it can connect bugs together by itself into more deadly viruses/hacking tools.

So Frankenstein-esque, that Anthropic chose not to release the tool to the public, and instead restricted its access to a closed group of about 40 organisations titled Project Glasswing, including some of the biggest names in Big Tech, right from Amazon and Apple to Google and Microsoft.

However, there are fears that one vendor might already have released the model to outside parties.

Indias large-scale success in digitising its public service delivery via digital modes (remember Jan Dhan  Aadhar  Mobile or JAM?) and the near universal usage of UPI, it is feared, makes it even more vulnerable to new breakthroughs like Mythos.

Indias challenge is (that we) are digitising faster than most countries, but our guardrailswhether around data, institutions, or AI literacyare still catching up. And because most AI is not built with Indian contexts in mind, even small biases or errors can get amplified across millions, said Jaspreet Bindra, co-founder & CEO of AI & Beyond, an artificial intelligence literacy firm.

He explained further, The risk is not AI going rogue  its AI working exactly as designed, but in environments that are not designed for it.

The fear of Mythos is so severe that the Indian government, last week, took action, after a high-profile huddle attended by, apart from Sitharaman and Vaishnaw, the chiefs of the Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, as well as the head of Indias official cybersecurity response team, CERT-IN.

A panel under SBI chairman C.S. Shetty (also the chief of the Indian Banking Association) has been formed to assess the danger from Mythos to Indias banking and financial system, and to come up with mitigating measures.

Indias fear stems from widespread digital usage without enough processes and security measures in place. Add to that the digital usage of hundreds of millions of citizens without much knowledge and literacy, let alone AI literacy.

In markets like India, the challenge is that we often try to layer AI on top of already complex or inefficient systems, said Ritwik Batabyal, CTO & innovation officer at Mastek, an IT services and digital engineering company based in Mumbai.

If you simply automate inefficiency, you amplify it. And given Indias scale, even small design gaps can have a very large impact.

While India races to confront this looming worst-case scenario, a rogue actor equipped with nothing more than a stolen AI tool like Mythos could unleash serious havoc, leaving the larger question of how to harness AI for national benefit unresolved.

Bindra has a suggestion. For governments, regulation alone wont solve this. You need three things: AI literacy at scale, reimagined education systems, and public infrastructure for AI.

It is not about turning everyone into an AI engineerit is about ensuring millions of young Indians understand how AI works, where it can go wrong, and how to use it responsibly. Because in the end, the biggest risk is not that AI is too powerful, but that society is unprepared, he added.
Shares of Paytms parent company, One 97 Communications, fell around 8 per cent on Monday, April 27th, during the morning hours after the Reserve Bank of India cancelled the Banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd.

During early morning trade, the companys stock was trading at Rs 1077, down 6.1 per cent. The numbers fell as far as 7.96 per cent by 9:25 am. The benchmark Nsc Nifty was up 0.63 per cent.

The cancellation for the banking licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited has been in effect since April 24.

The bank was barred with immediate effect from carrying on banking business under the Banking Regulation Act 1949 and undertaking additional activities permitted under the law, according to the RBI order dated April 24. The Bank was barred from onboarding new customers with effect from March 2022.

Meanwhile, several Brokerages, such as Goldman Sachs, Bernstein report and Emkay Global have all maintained their Buy rating on the stock, target prices ranging from Rs 1400 to Rs 1500. They maintained that the RBIs license cancellation will not impact Paytms core business operation, as they have been separated and secured.

Bernstein maintained its 'Outperform' rating on the stock saying that the compnay had already taken a write-related related to the investments in the bank. It also said that the RBI development could pave the way for the company to apply for a NBFC or PPI licence in the future.

The Paytm Payments Bank had already been under several operational restrictions since January 2024.

In a statement, the company said that the development does not materially impact the near-term earnings, as its banking business had already become largely inoperative and its functions had been transitioned to a partner-led model.

After the RBI action, One97 Communication said, "Upon the winding-up order becoming effective, PPBL shall cease to be an associate company of the company within the meaning of the Companies Act, 2013 and the applicable provisions of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015."

The company said that Paytm Payments Bank will operate as a separate entity with no board or management overlap with One 97 Communications. All its services which include Paytm app, UPI, payment gateway, QR, Soundbox and Paytm Money, continue to operate without interruption, as they are not dependent on the payments bank.
A few weeks after Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan revealed that the theatreisation proposal to integrate the Indian Army, Navy, and the Indian Air Force under unified, geography- or function-based commands will soon be finalised and sent to the ministry of defence, the push for this reform is gaining visible momentum, with a formal proposal being submitted to the ministry.

According to a report in The Tribune, the CDS sent the proposal to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The proposal, which seeks the appointment of four-star theatre commanders, needs to be approved by both the defence ministry and the cabinet committee on security.

The report, citing sources, said the defence minister is expected to hold wider consultations on the implementation of the proposal, including setting the timeline for the same.

Meanwhile, a report in CNN-News18 said a joint theatre commanders conference is likely to be held on May 7 and 8 in Jaipur. Senior leaders from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are expected to discuss important military planning and issues, including procurements, integration, and key operational challenges.

CDS Gen Chauhan had earlier said there is total consensus among the three services on the concept of theatreisation. There are hundreds of connected questions relating to the manifestation, those issues on which there is still some kind of difference. But I think these issues can be resolved when we are implementing this concept, he added.

Under the proposed structure, the Western Theatrefocused on Pakistanwill be led by an Air Force officer, while the Northern Theatre, with a China focus, will be commanded by an Army officer. The Maritime Theatre, overseeing naval operations, will be headed by a Navy officer.
For the first time in history, Israel has moved a fully operational Iron Dome battery, complete with Tamir interceptor missiles and several dozen Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel, to foreign soil. More interestingly, the recipient is an Arab country.

According to reports, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed the deployment of the Iron Dome air defence system on its soil by the IDF when 'Operation Epic Fury' was at its height. Dozens of Israeli servicemen also arrived in the UAE along with an operational Iron Dome battery and Tamir interceptor missiles, a report said.

ALSO READ | Iran's cluster bombs vs Israel's Iron Dome: Why the Netanyahu govt fears this Satanic weapon

For the unversed, Israels defences have several layers, each designed to address threats coming from different ranges. Iron Dome is just one of these layers: a short range, anti-artillery defence system, designed to intercept short-range artillery shells and rockets.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

In essence, Iron Dome consists of a network of radar emitters, command and control facilities, and the interceptors (special surface-to-air missiles). The radar quickly detects incoming threats, the command and control elements decide which are most pressing, and the interceptors are sent to destroy the incoming shells or rockets.

Netanyahu personally ordered the deployment

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly personally ordered the deployment in the UAE after conversing with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the phone. Netanyahu understood that this was not routine defence cooperation on paper, but a war-time appeal that required immediate approval, and he acted accordingly.

ALSO READ | US consulate in Israel damaged in Irans missile strike

The conversation and deployment are believed to have occurred during the early stages of the USIsraeli offensive on Tehran. At least seven West Asian countries were struck by the Islamic Republic in response, and the UAE was among the worst hitreportly receiving some 550 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with more than 2,200 drones.

While the Iron Dome took out dozens of Iranian missiles over the UAE's skies, the Israeli Air Force targeted the enemy's short-range missile infrastructure that could have been used to trouble Abu Dhabi further. As per reports, the response from the Emirati hierarchy to this strategic help included statements such as a truly eye-opening moment, understanding who our true friends really are, and We will never forget this assistance.
Violent clashes erupted between TMC and BJP workers outside the Jagatdal police station in North 24 Parganas on Sunday night. The unrest broke out just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modis high-profile public rally in the district on Monday, heightening security concerns in the region.

The violence was reportedly triggered by the desecration of campaign banners and posters ahead of the Prime Ministers visit. What started as a dispute over political materials rapidly spiraled into a violent confrontation marked by stone-pelting, gunfire, and crude bombingsincluding an attack on the residence of BJP MLA Pawan Singh.

BJP workers accused TMC supporters of desecrating campaign materials in the Jagaddal area, sparking a rapid escalation. As rival factions converged outside the Jagatdall Police Station, heated exchanges quickly spiraled into stone-pelting and physical skirmishes that local law enforcement struggled to bring under control.

An incident of crude bombing was reported at the residence of BJP MLA Pawan Singh's residence. Singh is contesting from Bhatpara Assembly constituency for the elections.

Crude bombs were hurled at the candidate's residence, triggering widespread panic throughout the neighborhood and causing extensive property damage. The explosions, part of a broader nocturnal clash between TMC and BJP cadres, left three individuals injured. The victims were immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment as security forces cordoned off the area.

Singh claimed that TMC members, led by a local councilor, disrupted BJP events. The incident at his residence was the culmination of the harassment that followed it, he added.

The BJP leader alleged that his group was subjected to an unprovoked assault of stones and crude bombs after departing from the police station. In the most severe escalation, Singh claimed that gunfire erupted, resulting in a CISF personnel sustaining a gunshot wound to the left leg.

Meanwhile, Amit Gupta, TMC candidate from Bhatpara, said that his party workers were peacefully installing campaign materials when they were intercepted. He said BJP workers forcibly assaulted a TMC worker and vandalised the local party office.

With the prevalence of violence in the region, the security agencies have been put on high alert ahead. Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed in the Jagaddal and Bhatpara areas to prevent further escalation.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has decided not to appear before Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, either personally or through a lawyer, in the excise policy case.

AAP sources said that Kejriwal had written to Justice Sharma expressing complete distrust in her.

My hope of receiving justice from Justice Swarana Kanta Ji has been shattered. Therefore, I have decided to follow the path of Gandhijis Satyagraha. Heeding the voice of my conscience, I have made this decision, Kejriwal said in the letter.

I reserve the right to approach the Supreme Court of India to appeal against her verdict, he added.

The former chief ministers decision came after the high court dismissed his plea seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma from hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea against his discharge in the case.

Kejriwal had alleged a perceived conflict of interest arising from the empanelment of the judges children as Central government counsel, arguing that this created a reasonable apprehension of bias.

He also raised several objections to Justice Sharma hearing the CBIs plea, noting that she had earlier denied him relief on his petition challenging his arrest and had refused relief in the bail pleas of other accused, including Manish Sisodia and K. Kavitha.

Last week, Justice Sharma refused to recuse herself from hearing the CBIs plea, rejecting the requests made by Kejriwal and others for her withdrawal from the matter.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed Justice Sharmas decision, saying it reaffirms judicial independence. The party also alleged that the AAP was attempting to run a coordinated campaign to exert pressure on the court.
In politics, issues from one election do not have a carry-over effect on the next one. The Ratna Bhandar row of Puri Shri Jagannath Temple was one of the key factors that led to the end of Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal's 24-year regime in the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Odisha. Ironically, the issue may now bring some relief to the beleaguered Opposition if the present trend of a fresh inventory continues till the end. The last inventory of the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century temple had been done in 1978, and before the 2024 assembly elections, the then Opposition (BJP) and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of alleged theft of its keys. The present inventory started by the state's BJP government has shown no discrepancy so far, as per temple authorities. Of course, only 20 per cent of the stock has been checked, and the rest of the valuable materials will be taken up for checking most likely after May 11, according to sources.

Ever since the first phase of the Ratna Bhandar inventory, which started on March 25, got over, the main opposition party, Biju Janata Dal, and the ruling BJP have been trading charges against each other. Since, before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the latter had made it a political issue to corner Naveen Patnaiks BJD government, naturally, the statement of Puri Shri Jagannath Temples Administrator Dr Aravind Padhee, IAS, that all items inventoried have matched the 1978 audit list, has come as some sort of clean chit to the previous government. This has led to BJD leaders accusing the BJP of spreading misinformation to pocket votes during the last election, and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan issuing strong counters.

What is the Ratna Bhandar controversy?

The Ratna Bhandar issue of the 12th-century Puri temple revolves around the ongoing inventory to verify the stock of jewellery and valuables in the temple's treasure trove. Since the ruling BJP had raised concerns over the missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar and suspected missing items before the 2024 elections to the state assembly and Lok Sabha held together, it took up the fresh inventory as per its promise.

In 1978, it had taken 72 days to complete the inventory. This time, the ornaments kept in three compartments  Chalanti (daily use), Bahar (used in special festivals like Sunabesha), and Bhitar Ratna Bhandar were to be counted. Inventory of the first two has been completed, and the last ones counting has been suspended because of temple rituals like Chandan Yatra, which will conclude on May 10. So, it is expected that the next phase of inventory will start from May 11, probably. If no discrepancy is found in the next phase inventory in comparison to 1978, then the ruling BJP will face further embarrassment.

After V.K. Pandian, an IAS officer from Tamil Nadu who joined the Odisha cadre, became a powerful figure within the government and the BJD as Naveen Patnaik's close associate and key campaigner after resigning from civil service, the BJP aimed its 'Odia Ashmita' (Odia pride) campaign and the issue of the missing Ratna Bhandar key at him. BJP leaders alleged that the Ratna Bhandar key had been stolen and was in Tamil Nadu, Pandian's home state. PM Modi himself highlighted these concerns. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also incorporated the Ratna Bhandar issue into their campaign. Given Lord Jagannath's status as the reigning deity of Odisha, this matter deeply resonated with the public. Naveen Patnaik's limited public presence during events and election meetings may have been due to health reasons. In his stead, Pandian, rather than any senior BJD leader from Odisha, appeared to be in charge. Furthermore, a non-Odia bureaucrat-turned-politician campaigning for the party in rallies instead of local leaders fostered the impression that an outsider was attempting to seize power from an ailing CM. The Ratna Bhandar issue amplified this perception. While it has been suggested that earlier inventory checks by the BJD could have prevented this problem, the Chief Administrator of Puri Shri Jagannath Temple announced on April 20 that the inventory and tallying of ornaments in the Challanti and Bahar Bhandaras had been completed without discrepancies when compared to the 1978 list. Justice Biswanath Rath, heading the Ratna Bhandar committee, reported that the fresh inventory found 147 items in the Bahar Ratna Bhandar, exceeding the 118 items listed in the 1978 inventory.

Reacting to the statements by Rath and Padhee, which confirmed no discrepancies in the recent inventory, BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das told the media that the wealth of the deities in the Ratna Bhandar remained secure. He accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and rumours to win votes from devotees across the state during the last general election. Das condemned the BJP for using Lord Jagannath in their campaign, calling it a sin and noting that the truth had now been revealed.

Prithviraj Harichandan, the Minister for Law, whose department oversees the management of Puri Shri Jagannath Temple, sharply questioned why the BJD government had not located the Ratna Bhandar keys, saying, "we had to cut it open". The BJD countered by pointing out that Harichandans father, senior BJP leader Biswabhushan Harichandan, served as Minister for Law during the 1978 inventory and again from 2000 to 2009, and they questioned why he had not opened it then. Additionally, Jagannath Sena has filed a complaint regarding recently discovered missing jewels from the outer chamber.

The Ratna Bhandar was opened under a High Court order that directed the state to facilitate repairs and conservation. The administration had been unable to open it due to the missing keys. The BJD government had appointed former Justice Raghubar Das of the Odisha High Court to investigate the circumstances surrounding the loss of the keys. The commission's report to the state government did not resolve the issue of the missing keys but offered suggestions for preserving the keys and the Ratna Bhandar. The Naveen Patnaik government then tasked Arjit Pasayat, a former Supreme Court judge, with initiating steps to open the Ratna Bhandar. However, before Justice Pasayat could begin his work, a new BJP government came to power and appointed Biswanath Rath, a former judge of the Odisha High Court.

Two teams were involved in the inventory proceedings under tight security, video recording, and 3-D digital cataloguing, adhering to the state government's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). One team served as a supervisory panel of three members, while the other, a 10-member handling body, was led by Chief Administrator Aravindo Padhee and former Justice Biswanath Rath, the head of the high-level Ratna Bhandar Committee. Authorised members of this body, including a Deula Bania servitor (temple goldsmith), Deula Karan, Chadhau Karan, a gemologist, an officer from the weights and measurement department, and an officer from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), participated in the inventory and tallying. They wore traditional Odia attire: dhoti and gamuchha. All team members took an oath of secrecy before entering the Ratna Bhandar. The locks of the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar were opened in the presence of a magistrate after the keys were retrieved from the district treasury.

Chief Administrator Aravindo Padhee informed the media that the inventory commenced on March 25 with the contents of the Challan Bhandar, followed by the Bahar Ratna Bhandar. The inventory of the Challanti Bhandar was completed in a single day, while the Bahar Ratna Bhandar took two days. The inventory of the Bhitar Ratna Bhandar began on April 14 and concluded after four days.

The Chief Administrator explained that the 1978 inventory team had meticulously recorded detailed descriptions of each item, including its weight, the quality of gold or silver, the size of precious and semi-precious jewels, and assigned a small number tag. Padhee commended the 1978 team's thorough work, which facilitated the current team's operations.

Nevertheless, the full political implications can only be assessed once the final counting results are announced.
The fierce assembly elections in West Bengal have the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), battling it out on the streets on Monday. Less than 48 hours before the second phase on Wednesday, campaigns of mega leaders reached out to the masses in a last attempt ahead of the 6 pm deadline. Mamata Banerjee ended her campaign with a massive roadshow in South Kolkata, as scores of people lined the streets to watch the TMC supremo exude confidence and greet people in the hope of coming to power for a fourth term.

Mamata's party leaders walked beside her, including MP Sagarika Ghosh, Tollygunge candidate Aroop Biswas, and Rashbihari candidate Debashish Kumar. Mamata was also seen riding pillion on a motorcycle wearing a helmet, which turned out to be the highlight of the last day of campaigning.

With Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejaswi Yadav, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren extending their support to the ruling party in the state, Mamata is sending out a message that she is not alone and has the support of opposition parties to combat the might of the saffron party.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his outreach to the masses in Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas district, which is one of the 142 constituencies going to the polls in the second phase. The PM made a confident remark about being back in the state for the oath-taking ceremony after the government is formed next week. Results will be announced on May 4. Visiting Bengal this time evokes a distinct and unique feeling within me. Despite the scorching heat, I feel no fatigue. This is my last rally in the Bengal election. I will return from Bengal with the conviction that I will be back again on the day of the oath-taking ceremony after May 4, said PM Modi.

The PM also held a roadshow in Barrackpore, waving at people on the streets as the car went past people lining the streets. In an open letter to the people, the PM said, "The attachment I have had towards Bengal has been a devotion to Shakti. This has been the energy center of my personal spiritual journey.

The top leadership of the BJP has been campaigning in the state over the last few months, with the weekend and Monday being the finale of the show of strength to reach out to people in West Bengal. The outsider party pitch of the TMC has resonated with a section of voters, while the saffron party has made all efforts in their voter outreach to depict their proximity to the people. In the silent period before Wednesday, its a time of patience and resolve. With a 92.7 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of elections across 152 constituencies, both the BJP and TMC claim their respective victories already. While perceptions build up, the real test will be at the ballot box in the high-octane battle of the Bhawanipore constituency between Mamata and her arch-rival, Suvendu Adhikari, hoping to beat the TMC supremo again after the last Assembly elections in Nandigram.
A ceasefire in the IranIsraelUS conflict, which began in February 2026, is not merely a pause for the Gulf monarchies, but it is a form of strategic breathing space. The Gulf states are not the central actors, yet their geography, energy infrastructure, shipping routes, financial markets, and security partnerships make them entrenched in this escalation. The ceasefire announced in April 2026 and the continuing diplomatic efforts around maritime access, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, are significant for Gulf nations. This is relevant because this ceasefire temporarily reduces the immediate costs of being located beside it. There were mediation efforts that were initiated by Pakistan in this regard, wherein a proposal was put forward by Iran, which aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the conflict. However, the stalled talks between Iran and the US have continued to affect oil and gas prices, along with free and open shipping.

The first and most direct advantage of this ceasefire for the Gulf states is the maritime stability. The Strait of Hormuz is the strategic maritime artery through which Gulf energy exports reach global markets. When confrontation intensifies, even limited disruption or uncertainty around Hormuz raises shipping insurance costs, delays cargo movement, and fuels volatility in oil and gas prices. The constrained shipments through Hormuz contributed to a sharp increase in oil and gas prices, but the prices again rose when the mediation was stalled. For Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, a ceasefire reduces the probability that energy exports, LNG shipments, and commercial shipping become instruments of coercion. Even if the short term ceasefire is fragile, it leads to the restoration of predictability, which is essential for rentier economies of the Gulf region, along with logistics.

Secondly, the ceasefire lowers the threat of retaliatory strikes on Gulf states. Many Gulf states host American military assets, making them vulnerable during a USIran-Israel confrontation. The counterstrikes by Iran against the Gulf states that host American military and strategic assets have made these nations more vulnerable, and that is why the Gulf states gain from de-escalation. It also reduces the danger that their security partnerships with Washington will automatically transform them into battlefields. Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait all have different levels of defence cooperation with the United States, but the core dilemma is similar. They rely on external security providers while at the same time fearing that these security linkages can also bring the conflict onto their land.

Third, a ceasefire helps in stabilising the Gulf financial markets. Although markets remain sensitive to uncertainty, most Gulf equities edged higher despite stalled diplomacy, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar recording modest gains. This suggests that even limited de-escalation can influence investor sentiment. Gulf economies are currently pursuing ambitious diversification agendas. The ongoing regional conflict enhances the risk premiums, delays in investment decisions, and diverting states attention and resources to emergency security management. A ceasefire, therefore, supports Gulf economic planning by reducing the atmosphere of crisis, even if it does not eliminate structural uncertainty.

Fourth, the ceasefire gives Gulf diplomacy greater room to manoeuvre. During a ceasefire environment, the Gulf states can return to their preferred strategy of hedging, i.e., while maintaining security ties with Washington, preserving channels with Tehran, and avoiding direct involvement in Israeli-Iranian confrontation. Gulf monarchies are using the tenuous ceasefire to project resilience and emphasise their diplomatic role in bringing peace and stability in the Gulf region. This is particularly important for Oman and Qatar, which have traditionally acted as mediators in the regional conflicts. It also matters for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have sought to reduce direct confrontation with Iran in recent years while expanding their global economic partnerships.

Fifth, a ceasefire protects the Gulfs global economic role. Gulf states are no longer just hydrocarbon exporters, but they are aviation hubs, ports, financial centres, data centre investors, tourism economies, and infrastructure financiers. Any conflict in the region threatens all of these sectors. At the same time, airlines face higher fuel costs and route disruptions, ports confront shipping uncertainty, sovereign wealth funds face market volatility, and tourism suffers from perceptions of regional insecurity. A ceasefire helps contain these reputational and operational risks. It reassures external partners that the Gulf region remains a functioning commercial corridor rather than a militarised or conflict prone frontier.

However, the analytical point is that the ceasefire helps Gulf nations precisely because it exposes their vulnerabilities. It does not solve them. The ceasefire does not remove the strategic facts that make the Gulf states vulnerable due to their proximity to Iran, dependence on maritime chokepoints, concentration of energy infrastructure, and reliance on foreign military protection. The Gulf states are likely to rethink security arrangements after becoming vulnerable in this conflict. This ceasefire indicates that de-escalation is beneficial for the Gulf nations, but also that their security model remains fragile.

The ceasefire also carries risks in case the Gulf states misinterpret this temporary calm in hostilities for strategic resolution. A pause in hostilities can reduce attacks, restore partial ease in shipping in terms of transit and insurance costs, and calm markets, but it may also allow adversaries to regroup, harden positions, or use alternate maritime access as bargaining leverage. The rising of the oil prices again, when US-Iran peace talks stalled, clearly indicated how quickly markets react when diplomacy appears uncertain. For Gulf policymakers, this means that the ceasefire must be treated as an opportunity to reinforce resilience by diversifying supply routes, strengthen air and missile defence, expand diplomatic channels, and reduce overdependence on any singular external security provider.

The ceasefire definitely helps Gulf nations by reducing immediate threats, reopening diplomatic space, calming energy markets and protecting the Gulfs role as a global economic hub. Yet its value lies less in ending danger than in buying time. For Gulf states, the ceasefire is not the peace scenario, but it is only a temporary strategic shield. It allows them to recalibrate in order to manage risks. However, unless the underlying IranIsraelUS confrontation is politically contained, the Gulf will remain the region that will most likely bear the indirect costs of this confrontation.

Dr Anu Sharma, Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (AIDSS), Amity University, Noida.
A Togo-flagged merchant vessel was attacked by Iranian coast guard on Saturday near the Strait of Hormuz. Now, it has emerged that 17 Indian crew are on board the vessel.

According to Mandeep Singh Randhawa, the director of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, all crew aboard the vessel are safe.

"This ship, along with a few others, was sailing in the area and the Iranian coast guard asked for the ships to be intercepted, and some warning shots were fired by them," he said.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

The Togo-flagged chemical tanker was identified as Chiron 7, owned and managed by a Honduras company. It was intercepted near Oman's Shina Port, located southeast of the Strait of Hormuz.

This comes a week after Iran seized three vessels. There were 21 Indians aboard Panama-flagged Euphoria, which is owned by a UAE company and was bound for Saudi Arabia's Jeddah.

Another Indian was aboard the Liberian-flagged Epaminondas. The Gujarat-bound cargo vessel is owned by a Greek company and was coming from Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The crew aboard these vessels are also safe, according to the Shipping Ministry.

A third vessel, MSC Francesca bearing Panama flag, also suffered "damage to the hull and accommodation" after it was targeted about six nautical miles off the coast of Iran.

This comes as Iran offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its blockade on ships originating from and headed to Iranian ports. However, reports suggest that the Trump administration is unlikely to accept the offer.

Meanwhile, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is in Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral ties. He had last week left Islamabad after the second round of talks were called off despite efforts by Pakistan-led mediators to bridge significant gaps in negotiations.
US President Donald Trump is planning to meet top national security officials to discuss Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange of US removal of blockade on Iranian ports.

This comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the United States failed to achieve any of its objectives in the war. He also said that Washington has been seeking negotiations with Tehran. The remarks came as Trump urged Iran to phone when it wants a deal.

"It is clear that Iran has stood up to the worlds greatest superpower, and they have not achieved even one of their goals. This is why they have requested negotiations, which we are currently considering it," Araghchi told Russian media, according to his Telegram channel.

During their meeting in St Petersburg, Putin assured Araghchi that Russia is ready to do everything in its power to ensure peace in the Middle East. He also lauded the Iranian people for fighting "bravely and heroically" for their sovereignty.

"We really hope that, based on the courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people, under the guidance of the new leader, will weather this difficult period of trials and peace will come," Putin said.

Araghchi also blamed the excessive demands and incorrect approaches of Washington for failed peace talks.
Despite the US claims of a naval blockade, Iran is still moving millions of barrels of crude, according to available data. This comes amid CENTCOMs statement that the US forces have intercepted and compelled 38 vessels to return to Iranian ports since the initiation of a maritime blockade on Iran.

Iran loaded at least 4.6 million barrels of crude at export terminals in recent days, with another four million barrels appearing to have crossed the US blockade line, according to the data collected by TankerTrackers.com.

Other marine trackers too think the blockade isnt very effective. Shipping intelligence firm Lloyds List Intelligence too found that at least 26 vessels linked to Iran, including 11 oil and gas tankers and two very large crude carriers, have sailed in and out of Iranian ports since the blockade began. However, a report by cargo tracking firm Vortexa pegs the number even higher. It claims that at least 34 Iran-linked tankers bypassed the blockade line in the Strait of Hormuz, including six outbound tankers carrying around 10.7 million barrels of crude.

Besides, Vortexa has also identified multiple fully laden tankers slipping past US warships. Over roughly nine million barrels were moved by Iran around the blockade in recent days, according to Bloomberg.

There are also reports that traffic is picking up again in the Strait of Hormuz, despite duelling blockades by U.S. and Iranian forces. As per the maritime security consultancy Windward, 19 vessels made the transit through the waterway on April 25, most outbound and all of them broadcasting AIS. The noteworthy transits included the sanctioned tankers Oceanjet and Lumina Ocean, both linked to Iran's petroleum industry.

However, as per the US Central Command (CENTCOM), its forces, enforcing the naval blockade, intercepted another Iranian vessel in the Arabian Sea on Saturday and forced it to turn back to Iran. M/V Sevan was among 19 shadow fleet vessels sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury for activities related to transporting billions of dollars-worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets.

Earlier today, Sevan was intercepted in the Arabian Sea by a US Navy helicopter from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91), and the merchant vessel is currently complying with US military direction to turn back to Iran under escort, according to a CENTCOM statement.

Due to the sanctions, Iran operate a shadow fleet which transports oil using tactics like switching off AIS transponders, spoofing vessel locations, conducting ship-to-ship transfers, relabeling cargoes and using front companies to disguise ownership and destinations.
Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed for Russia late Sunday after a brief stop in Pakistan, as regional diplomatic efforts intensify to end the ongoing Middle East tensions.

In Moscow, Araghchi is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials to discuss ways to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and the United States, now entering its third month.

A key focusof the discussion will be the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran continues to oppose the US Navys presence and any form of blockade.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the message behind Abbas Araghchis visit to Moscow is clear and deliberate. Tehran is aiming to balance active regional diplomacy with coordination among key partners ahead of possible direct or indirect negotiations in the coming days, it said.

Moscow has been a long-time ally of Iran. Earlier, Russias envoy to international organisations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, criticised Washingtons approach to the negotiations, urging it to abandon blackmail and ultimatums if progress is to be made.

Araghchi landed in Russia amid a flurry of diplomatic activities to resolve the tension in the Middle East. On Sunday, Araghchi landed in Islamabad for the second time in three days and met Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The Iranian minister came back to the Pakistan capital from Oman where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.

The first round of peace talks held between Washington and Tehran on April 11 and 12 failed to bring the desired results.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday alleged strong anti-Christian motive behind the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting, citing early assessments and the suspects alleged manifesto.

"He had a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while, and he just, I don't know. He just, it was a religious thing. It was strongly anti, anti-Christian," Trump told TV channels.

He said the suspectidentified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, Californiawas a "pretty sick guy" who had been flagged to law enforcement by family members.

The guy is a sick guy, when you read his manifesto. He hates Christians, that's one thing for sure... and I think his sister or his brother actually was complaining about it. They were even complaining to law enforcement. He was a very troubled guy, the president said.

According to a Reuters report, Allen in his manifesto called himself the "Friendly Federal Assassin" and said he planned to attack Trump administration officials, prioritising them from highest-ranking to lowest. He, however, has notably excluded FBI Director Kash Patel.

Allen was arrested at the scene, but the chaotic events raised fresh questions about the security of top US officials.

During an interview with the CBS News, Trump was seen visibly frustrated when the interviewer read the suspects manifesto to him. The document had reportedly accused the administration officials of being paedophiles, rapists and traitors.

"I read the manifesto. You know, he's a sick person. But you should be ashamed of yourself for reading that because I'm not any of those things, Trump told the reporter.

"You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all the stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated. Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, lets say, Epstein or other things," the president said.

The shooting disrupted the high-profile event attended by senior political leaders, journalists, and officials, including Vice President J. D. Vance and First Lady Melania Trump. One security officer was injured during the incident.
US President Donald Trump lashed out at a journalist during his '60 Minutes' interview for reading out the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting suspect's alleged manifesto on air on Sunday.

Trump lashed out at the CBS News Correspondent after she quoted some of the parts on the suspects. Cole Allens alleged manifesto called her a disgrace. He also said that she should be ashamed of herself.

Norah O'Donnell had read out a part of the 1,052-word missive where the suspect allegedly wrote about his motive.

I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes. She quoted the alleged gunman.

When asked about his reaction to the words Trump said, Well, I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because youre horrible people,

Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that. Im not a rapist. I didnt rape anybody. I am not a paedophile. he retorted,

Im not a paedophile, Trump emphatically told the journalist. You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with allstuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.

He then chastised the interviewer for reading the crap  written by some sick person

When she asked whether Trump was worried when he realised that a gunman had entered the area, Trump said, I wasnt worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world. When asked about First Lady Melania Trumps reaction to the shooting, the president said, People dont like having it said that they were scared. But who wouldnt be when you have a situation like that? The president later said, My thought was, Ive been through this a couple of times before. She [Melania] has not to this extent. She handled it great.

Trump had also said that the shooter was pretty incompetent and that he got caught pretty easily.

The President is planning to reschedule the dinner as he didn't want a crazy person to be able to cancel something like this.

In the manifesto, 31-year-old California resident Cole Tomas Allen mentions his rules of engagement and ranked Trump officials in a priority list. FBI Kash Patel was notably excluded from the list.
Suspect charged in killing of two Bangladeshi PhD students in US asked ChatGPT how to dispose a body; Second body found in Tampa Bay waters

A week after Nahida Bristy, a University of Florida student of Bangladeshi origin, went missing, human remains were found in the water in Tampa Bay. Authorities have been searching for the body of the student after court documents alleged that the killer of another student also killed Bristy.

Bristy went missing last week along with fellow student 27-year-old Zamil Limon. Limonss remains were found on Friday on a bridge near Tampa, Florida.

MISSING USF STUDENTS UPDATE#teamHCSO has located the remains of Zamil Limon, 27 and arrested Hisham Abugharbieh in connection to the disappearance of Limon and Nahida Bristy, 27.



Detectives are actively following investigative leads in the area surrounding the Howard pic.twitter.com/BPgzMXl1cp  HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) April 24, 2026

On Saturday, Florida deputies arrested 26-year-old Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh for two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a weapon . The suspect is being held without bond.

The remains found in the Tampa waterways have not been identified yet.

New court documents now show that Abugharbieh allegedly asked questions on ChatGPT about how to dispose of a body on the days leading up to the student's disappearance.

The suspect asked ChatGPT what would happen if someone were put in a black garbage bag and thrown in the dumpster.

When the chatbot responded that it sounds dangerous, the suspect asked: How would they find out?

Limons body was found with multiple black utility bags at advanced stages of decomposition on Tampa Bays Howard Frankland Bridge. Prosecutors believe that Bristy was also disposed of in a similar way.

On April 15, a day before the two students went missing, Abugharbie asked the chatbot, Can a VIN number on a car be changed?" and, "Can you keep a gun at home without a license?" the documents said.

Multiple sharp force injuries were found on the body of Limon, which the court documents rule the cause of death as a homicide. Abugharbie also had multiple lacerations on his body, including on his left and right legs.

The families of both the victims have demanded the severest punishment for the suspect. They also requested that both students' bodies be handled according to Islamic funeral rites,

The University of Florida said that it will ensure the funeral arrangement follows traditions and said that it will work with authorities to investigate the safety at off-campus housing.
The 31-year-old California school teacher, Cole Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents Dinner shooting, revealed in his manifesto that the government figures he aimed to target, while describing himself as a Friendly Federal Assassin. The 1,052-word missive obtained by The New York Post was sent by Allen to his family.

Allen starts his letter by apologising to everyone, including his family, friends and colleagues, before mocking the insane lack of security at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner was held.

"Like, the one thing that I immediately noticed walking into the hotel is the sense of arrogance," Allen wrote. "I walk in with multiple weapons and not a single person there considers the possibility that I could be a threat.

"Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor's crimes," the manifesto read. On to why I did any of this: I am a citizen of the United States of America. What my representatives do reflects on me.

He then goes on to criticise President Trump, without mentioning him by name. "I am a citizen of the United States of America. And I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes," it said.

He also goes over his expected rules of engagement.

Administration officials (not including Mr Patel): they are targets, prioritised from highest-ranking to lowest, he writes, adding that Secret Service are targets only if necessary, and to be incapacitated non-lethally if possible. He said hotel security is not a target if at all possible.

He also writes down objections and rebuttals. As a half-black, half-white person, you shouldnt be the one doing this, to which his rebuttal is: I dont see anyone else picking up the slack.

After the shooting, Allens brother contacts the New London Police Department in Connecticut regarding his alleged manifesto. His sister, Avriana Allen, later told Secret Service and Montgomery County Police that her brother had a history of making radical statements and previously mentioned a plan to do "something" to fix what he believed to be issues with todays society.
A photo of the shotgun allegedly brandished by Cole Tomas Allen at the Washington Hilton in an assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump and other top leaders has surfaced online.

The weapon was identified as a Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge shotgun. He purchased the pump-action shotgun from Turner's Outdoorsman in Torrance, California, in August 2025, according to sourced quoted by New York Post.

Why did Cole Tomas Allen use a Mossberg Maverick 12-guage?

Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge is easier to conceal as it has a folding stock. Allen's weapon also featured a pistol grip and an extended magazine tube.

Allen also bought an Armscor semi-automatic pistol from CAP Tactical Firearms in Lawndale, California, in October 2023. The weapons were stored at his parents' house in Torrance. He regularly trained with the weapons at a shooting range.

The charges against Allen include using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

Allen tried to rush past the security perimeter inside the Washington Hilton hotel, where Trump was about to address the White House Correspondent's Association dinner. Armed with multiple weapons, including knives, he fired shots outside the ballroom of the hotel.

Immediately, Secret Service officials and other security personnel covered the President, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and the Second Lady Usha Vance, who were seated at the head table, and escorted them out of the ballroom.

This was not the first assassination attempts against Trump. He has survived two attempts on his life over the past two years. The first one was at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a statue of Ramesses II  the Pharaoh most widely identified as the Pharaoh of Yetzias Mitzrayim  at the Tel Faraon archaeological site near El Husseiniya in the Nile Delta, Egypts Tourism and Antiquities Ministry announced.

The statue is incomplete, missing both its legs and base, yet remains an imposing find. According to initial assessments by Hisham el-Leithy, Secretary-General of Egypts Supreme Council of Antiquities, the statue weighs approximately five to six tons and stands roughly 2.20 meters  just over seven feet  tall. Even in its damaged state, the remaining features display what el-Leithy described as artistic and royal features, suggesting the statue was once part of a larger sculptural grouping known as a Triad, similar to ones previously uncovered across the Sharqia Governorate.

Tel Faraon  known in antiquity as the city of Imet, the ancient capital of the 19th Nome of Lower Egypt  is located south of Tanis along the Nile Delta. Archaeologists believe the statue was originally transported from Pi-Ramesses, the capital of Egypts 19th dynasty, to Imet, where it was repurposed for use in a local temple. El-Leithy said the discovery sheds light on aspects of religious and royal activity in the eastern Delta region and helps historians better understand how royal statues were transferred and reused during the New Kingdom period.

Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the find reflects the religious and historical significance of the site across different eras. The statue has since been transferred to a museum storage facility in the San Al-Hajar area for preservation and further study.

The discovery adds to a string of remarkable finds at Tel Faraon. In September 2025, archaeologists at the same site uncovered a sandstone stele bearing a complete hieroglyphic text of the Canopus Decree  a document issued by Egyptian priests in 238 BCE during the reign of Ptolemy III. The decree addressed matters of military affairs, grain distribution during drought, tax relief, and religious festivals. Notably, it proposed adding an extra day to the calendar every four years  foreshadowing what would later become the Julian calendar. Ministry officials called that find a discovery that opens new horizons for understanding the ancient Egyptian language.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emerged as a leading contender for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, with allies inside President Donald Trumps inner circle increasingly describing the Florida senator-turned-diplomat as a serious alternative to Vice President JD Vance, according to Politico, senior White House officials and others close to the administration.

The shift marks a striking turnaround for a politician once written off as too hawkish, too establishment and too damaged by a failed 2016 presidential campaign to remain a major force in a post-Trump Republican Party. But Rubios management of flashpoint foreign conflicts, his steadfast loyalty to Trump and his leading role in the administrations Western Hemisphere policy have elevated his standing both inside the West Wing and among segments of the MAGA base.

A senior White House official granted anonymity to speak candidly described Rubio as loyal, wicked smart, articulate and very seasoned, adding simply that he is a winner.

Rubios dual role as both secretary of state and national security adviser has given him unusual proximity to the president and placed him at the center of consequential decisions, allies say. Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer cited that access as a key factor in Rubios rise. Because of this dual role hes had a lot of access and face time with the president  and with MAGA, Spicer said. That has been huge for him.

Recent polling reflects his growing profile. A CPAC straw poll last month showed Rubio surging to 35 percent, up from 3 percent a year earlier. Vance still leads the field at 53 percent, down from 61 percent. A YouGov survey in April placed Vance at 63 percent among potential Republican nominees with Rubio at 42 percent, compared to 65 percent and 33 percent, respectively, in a September poll.

Rubio has played a central role in a muscular new Western Hemisphere policy, including strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels and operations targeting Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro and Cuba. A second senior White House official said Rubio coordinated post-operation planning across multiple agencies, including the Departments of Interior, Energy and Commerce, to develop an economic development framework for the region. He has also been a leading voice on immigration, revoking thousands of student visas and implementing a one-strike policy allowing the State Department to cancel visas for anyone found to have broken U.S. law or supported terrorism.

Allies credit Rubios disciplined messaging  and his ability to frame controversial military operations in America First terms  as another key asset. He marries normalcy, common sense, with a bit of Trump/MAGA twang very well, one GOP operative close to the White House said. Hes able to rationalize to those who may be angry. Hes at least the best at making it make sense.

Rubio has publicly stated he will not challenge Vance for the nomination, and Vance retains significant advantages  strong polling, the backing of Donald Trump Jr. and the financial support of Elon Musk. Trump himself has not endorsed a successor and is unlikely to weigh in before the November midterms.

Whether Rubio would even want to pursue the presidency remains an open question. People like him for sure, but at the end of the day, Marco needs to decide if he wants it, said a person who knows Rubio personally.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Tragedy struck the Boro Park community on Monday morning with the horrific petirah of R Nachum Yisrael Eber hyd, 51, a member of the Belzer Chassidic kehilla in Boro Park, was robbed and murdered while traveling in Colombia. His body was discovered in a remote area bearing signs of severe violence after he had been reported missing several days earlier.

According to initial reports from Colombian authorities, R Nachum hyd was ambushed by a local criminal gang. The attackers, apparently seeking to rob him, killed him before fleeing the scene.

R Nachum had traveled to the South American country several days ago. When contact with him was lost, his family reached out to askanim and authorities for help. After an intensive search, his body was located in an isolated area.

Born into a distinguished Belzer family, R Nachum was the son of R Menachem Mendel Eber zl, a respected Belzer chassid in Montreal, Canada, whose yahrtzeit was this past Shabbos. His mother is a daughter of R Yitzchak Shlomo Grunwald zl, among the most prominent Belzer chassidim in Montreal.

The niftar is survived by his family and 16 siblings across Belzer kehillos in the United States, Canada and Israel.

Jewish community leaders in Colombia, working alongside international aid organizations and askanim from the United States, are now focused on ensuring kavod hameis.

Colombian authorities have opened a murder investigation, and community representatives are applying diplomatic pressure to expedite the bureaucratic process.

Levaya details will be published when they become available.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Ukrainian military intelligence has accused a handful of Russian soldiers of resorting to cannibalism during the harsh winter, citing intercepts of officer communications and photographic evidence showing at least five alleged instances of infantrymen consuming the remains of fallen comrades.

The allegations emerge from Ukrainian cybersecurity specialists who recovered audio messages and photographs on Telegram while monitoring Russian military communications. The Sunday Times reviewed the materials, which Ukrainian intelligence claims document extreme cases of starvation along the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

In one documented case from November 2025, a soldier with the call sign Khromoy allegedly killed two comrades near Myrnohrad in Donetsk and attempted to cannibalize one of them. In audio messages reviewed by The Sunday Times, an unnamed officer reported to his deputy commander that Khromoy had cut off a leg and was using a meat grinder to prepare the flesh for consumption. When two soldiers were sent to investigate his whereabouts, Khromoy opened fire. He was subsequently killed.

The officers response to his superior captured the desperation: All the guys are skinny. Everyone is on starvation rations. When asked whether troops were being fed, the commander replied: Ours will also soon start eating each other.

The intercepts show at least three other conversations referencing cannibalism. In one April exchange, a soldier with the call sign Most complained of sharing a dugout with a comrade who ate a corpse, human meat. In another, a unit commander in Donetsk responded to accusations of cannibalism by sarcastically offering: If you had said something, I would have given you a direction on where to go, where to get meat.

The Russian Embassy in London dismissed the allegations as propaganda, saying they were fabrications supplied by Ukrainian military intelligence.

Historians note that cannibalism during wartime typically emerges only under conditions of extreme famine. During the Nazi blockade of Leningrad in World War II, police arrested as many as 2,000 people for consuming human flesh over a nearly 900-day siege.

The current allegations coincide with documented reports of severe logistical failures in the Russian military. Russian troops have complained of receiving expired rations  some dating to 2002  and of being left without provisions for weeks. Captured Russian soldiers increasingly report starvation, with Ukraines I Want To Live surrender program recording 10,000 Russian defectors last year, many citing inadequate supplies.

Russia has expanded its military presence in Ukraine to approximately 710,000 soldiers by late 2025, up from 600,000 at the start of the year. Military analysts say the massive expansion of ground forces requires proportional increases in food and supplies  a challenge made acute by the particularly harsh winter and Ukrainian attacks on Russian logistics networks.

Sustained offensive operations require a constant flow of supplies to the front line, said Vikram Mittal, a U.S. military analyst. The extreme weather will have placed strain on transportation networks and troop sustainment.

Bradley Martin, a former U.S. naval captain and senior fellow at the Rand Corporation, said reports of poor supply provision to Russian infantry are credible, though he cautioned that Ukrainian intercepts require careful scrutiny. The concept that logistics support for the Russian army is poor is wholly credible. Troop support is not a major priority of the Russian army, Martin said.

Ukrainian military officials have noted the irony of the allegations: Russia is an agricultural nation with food supplies and easy drone access to the front lines. The cause of the shortages, they suggest, lies not in scarcity but in systemic failure and the deprioritization of soldier welfare within Russias military command structure.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
An art exhibition scheduled to open this month in southwest London has been canceled following concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel over antisemitic imagery and narratives in the work.

Delta House Gallery in Wandsworth withdrew Drawings Against Genocide, a planned exhibition by artist Matthew Collings that was set to run from May 16 to 24, after UKLFI sent a letter to the gallerys owners detailing problematic content in the pieces.

According to UKLFI, the works featured antisemitic imagery and narratives, including depictions that demonized Jews and Israelis, invoked antisemitic conspiracy theories, and drew comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany. British media reviews of the exhibition called its antisemitic themes grotesque and said the work was dripping with Jew-hate, UKLFI said.

In its letter to the gallery, UKLFI warned that the material could potentially violate the Public Order Act 1986 and expose the venue to legal liability and reputational damage.

Following receipt of the letter, the gallery announced it would not proceed with the exhibition, stating that the event had been arranged without the owners consultation or knowledge.

There is a real danger in normalizing antisemitic imagery and narratives in cultural spaces, UKLFI said in a statement welcoming the cancellation. When material that demonizes Jews or recycles classic antisemitic tropes is presented as legitimate artistic expression, it risks lowering the threshold for what is considered acceptable in public discourse.





(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Fast-moving storms pummeled parts of the Midwest with hail, strong wind and heavy rain, flooding streets and leading to stranded commuters who needed to be rescued Monday, with more storms on the way, authorities said.

More than 64 million people in the Midwest mostly are at risk of severe storms Monday afternoon and evening, with the St. Louis region at moderate risk for multiple long-track tornadoes and large hail, the National Weather Service Service said.

The greatest area of concern is across central Missouri into southern Illinois and into southeast Missouri, Evan Bentley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said on X.

We could have multiple supercells capable of all hazards, including tornadoes, large hail and wind gusts, he said.

In Kansas City, Missouri, the local fire department responded to 11 water rescues from vehicles starting at shortly before 6 a.m. Monday, Battalion Chief Riley Nolan said in an email.

He said most were in our typical high-water areas following heavy rains. Nolan said no boats were required and no injuries were reported.

The weather service reported that 3.2 inches (8.1 centimeters) of rain fell in a six-hour period ending shortly before 7 a.m. at the Kansas City International Airport.

The storms followed rounds of violent weather over the weekend.

In northern Texas, a tornado-producing thunderstorm left at least two people dead and displaced at least 20 families, with many homes sustaining major damage, authorities said Sunday.

National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph (217 kph) touched down in the Runaway Bay area on Saturday. An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 105 mph (169 kph) was confirmed in the Springtown area, the weather service said.

Access has been difficult due to blocked roadways and downed utilities, but crews have continued pushing forward to reach those in need, said Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, the countys chief executive.

(AP)
North Korea has opened a memorial museum for its soldiers killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, with top leaders of North Korea and Russia pledging a push for greater cooperation.

In April 2025, North Korea and Russia announced that their soldiers fought together to repel a Ukraine incursion into Russias Kursk border region. The two countries havent disclosed exactly how many North Koreans soldiers were deployed, but South Koreas intelligence service estimated last year that North Korea sent about 15,000 troops and 2,000 of them were killed.

The Norths Korean Central News Agency reported Monday the museums inaugural ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Sunday to mark the one-year anniversary of the end of an operation to liberate the Kursk region. KCNA said leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony along with top visiting Russian officials including Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov.

During the ceremony, Kim threw dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and laid flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary, before he and Volodin and Beloussov left messages on the guest book, according to KCNA.

In a speech, Kim said the spirits of dead North Korean soldiers will remain as a symbol of the Korean peoples heroism and support a victorious march by the Korean and Russian people. He praised the North Korean and Russian forces for thwarting what he called a U.S.-led Western hegemonic plot and military adventurism on the Russian-Ukraine front.

Meeting with Beloussov separately, Kim said North Korea will fully support the Russian policy of defending its sovereignty and security interests, KCNA reported. Russias state news agency, Tass, cited Belousov as telling Kim that Russia was ready to sign a Russian-North Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period.

In a letter to Kim read by Volodin during the ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the museum will undoubtedly be a clear symbol of the friendship and solidarity between the two countries. Putin said he was convinced that the two countries would continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, according to KCNA.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kim has made Moscow the priority of his foreign policy by supplying troops and conventional weapons. In return, North Korea was believed to have received economic and other assistance from Russia. South Korea, the U.S. and their partners worry Russia may transfer high-tech technologies that can enhance North Koreas nuclear and missile programs.

Experts say North Korean troops sent to the war earlier became easy targets for drone and artillery attacks due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. But Ukrainian military and intelligence officials have assessed that the North Koreans were gaining crucial battlefield experience and were key to Russias strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by throwing large numbers of soldiers into the battle for Kursk.

(AP)
Israel sent an Iron Dome air defense system with soldiers to operate it in the early stages of the war with Iran, two Israeli officials and one US official told Axios.

This unprecedented deployment of the Iron Dome system was not previously made public.

According to the report, the massive bombardment suffered by the UAE, which was targeted by Iran more than any other Gulf state, led it to reach out to its allies for assistance. Emirati leader Mohammed bin Zayed called Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who subsequently ordered the IDF to send an Iron Dome battery with interceptors and several dozen IDF soldiers to the UAE.

An Israeli official said that the system intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles in the UAE. In addition, the Israeli Air Force also carried out numerous strikes to destroy short-range missiles at positions in southern Iran before they could strike the UAE and other Gulf states

It was not only the first time that Israel sent an Iron Dome battery to another country, but it was the first time that any country apart from the US and Israel used the system.

Tareq al-Otaiba, a former official at the UAEs national security council, wrote in an article for the Arab Gulf States Institute (AGSI) that Israel was one of the countries that have stepped up to provide real assistance to the UAE.

Primarily, the United States and Israel have proved to be true allies by offering support through extensive military aid, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic backing, al-Otaiba wrote.

A senior Emirati official referred to Israels assistance at the UAEs time of need, saying: We are not going to forget it.

A second Emirati official added that not only Israel came to its assistance but other allies as well, including the US, UK, France, Italy, and Australia.

It was a real eye-opening moment. To see who our real friends are, he said.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Official negotiations over the next decade of American military assistance to Israel will begin next month, with both sides fielding senior delegations as the current $38 billion agreement approaches its 2028 expiration.

Israels team will be led by Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Baram and will include Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Leiter, along with representatives from the defense and finance ministries, the IDF and the National Security Council. The American delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with senior adviser Michael Needham and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

The new framework is expected to look fundamentally different from its predecessor. Rather than a flat annual commitment, aid would decline gradually each year, with the goal of reaching zero by 2038. In its place, the two countries would deepen joint development of advanced weapons systems, with Israeli officials eyeing directed-energy weapons, high-powered lasers and next-generation air defenses against hypersonic missiles and AI-enabled threats.

Under the current agreement, signed in 2016 and in effect since 2019, Israel receives $3.3 billion annually for major weapons purchases and roughly $500 million for air defense development  totaling approximately 15% of its annual defense budget.

The shift reflects changing realities on both sides. American political support for military aid to Israel has eroded across party lines: progressive Democrats have grown increasingly critical of Israel, while an America First contingent within the GOP questions whether unconditional support aligns with Trumps isolationist posture. Meanwhile, a booming U.S. defense industry flush with Ukraine-related orders has made Israeli contracts less commercially vital.

Israeli defense officials say the country can sustain its military buildup without American funding  but not without cost. The defense budget has already swelled to 144 billion shekels, with the defense establishment pushing for 177 billion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed adding roughly 35 billion shekels annually to the base defense budget over the next decade to offset the phaseout of U.S. aid. Officials acknowledge, however, that renewed conflict in Iran, Lebanon or Gaza could drive those figures significantly higher  and that the spending increase will come at the expense of health, welfare and education.

Talks are expected to last approximately four months, though officials noted the pace could be affected by developments on active security fronts.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran has fundamentally reframed the path to ending the war, proposing that the United States and its allies resolve the immediate military crisis before addressing the nuclear issues that triggered the conflict.

The proposal, conveyed through Pakistani intermediaries, would establish a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz first. Only after those disputes are settled and the military standoff becomes permanent would negotiations over Irans nuclear program begin. The approach represents a stark departure from U.S. efforts to link the military and nuclear dimensions of the conflict.

These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the U.S. will not negotiate through the press, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said in response to the Iranian proposal, without confirming whether Washington would consider it.

The timing is significant. Trump is scheduled to hold a Situation Room meeting Monday with senior national security and foreign policy officials to discuss the deadlocked talks and chart next steps, suggesting the administration views the Iranian proposal as substantial enough to warrant high-level deliberation.

The Iranian plan poses a problem for U.S. negotiators. Suspending uranium enrichment for at least a decade and removing enriched uranium from Iranian territory are two of President Donald Trumps stated war objectives. Once a ceasefire is in place and the military pressure eases, Iran would have less incentive to make those concessions.

Irans proposal effectively asks the United States to accept that constraint. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Axios that Irans leadership lacks internal consensus on what nuclear concessions it can offer, suggesting Tehran wants time to sort out its position while the guns are silent.

The diplomatic impasse hardened over the weekend when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan without achieving a breakthrough.

The White House had indicated that Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad to meet Araghchi. Trump canceled the trip, citing Irans negotiating position. Araghchi proceeded instead to hold talks with Omani officials in Muscat about the Strait of Hormuz before returning to Pakistan. He was expected to fly Monday to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During his time in Islamabad, Araghchi presented the phased approach to Iranian counterparts and U.S. contacts. One source told Axios that Araghchi acknowledged Irans divided leadership over nuclear concessions, effectively signaling that Tehran was not prepared to commit to terms on uranium enrichment.

Pakistan, which has served as the diplomatic middleman in these talks, offered no public comment. Spokespeople for both Pakistans military and Foreign Ministry declined to address the proposal or the status of negotiations.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Amit Segal, the senior political commentator for Channel 12, addressed the announcement by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid about their joint election run, noting that they avoided answering the real questions voters have about their partnership.

A government is made up of two things: governance and ideology, Amit stated. The Bennett-Lapid list needs to tell what its positions are. For example, on judicial reformwe have Yair Lapid, who went out on the streets during the Kaplan protests, and Bennett, who stayed home, and a few years ago said that soldiers are more afraid of the Military Advocate General than of Yahya Sinwar.

Bennett says he wont give even a single centimeter to the enemyhow does that align with Lapids speech as prime minister at the UN General Assembly? Does he no longer believe that settlers should be evacuated?

The biggest question is the makeup of the next coalition. According to all the polls, this alliance doesnt have enough seats for a 61-member government. So what do they do then? Reach out to Binyamin Netanyahu? To Betzalel Smotrich? Or run to [the Arab parties] Raam and the Joint List? They will have to answer all these questions in the six months left until the election.

Segal also explained that Yair Lapid, whose party was dangerously close to political extinction, according to the polls, joined Bennett out of a lack of choice. Despite Lapids denials, it was clear he couldnt run alone, because the electoral threshold was getting dangerously close. Last Sunday, he met with Bennett and told him, Ill go with you and be number two. Most of the list belongs to Bennett. Yesh Atid will receive representation that according to current polls, it could only have dreamed of.

This is a huge election gamble, Segal emphasized. Among right-wing voters in the polls, Yair Lapid is in the same territory as Yair Golan in terms of unpopularity. On one hand, this looks like a move that could cost Bennett right-wing mandatesthe asset with which he is going to the election.

Their announcement of a joint run is their way of saying: this is not like 2021, when Bennett deceived voters. This time, theyre openly declaring that theyre going to form a coalition. In their view, for a voter tired of Netanyahu, angry at Smotrich, and disappointed with Itamar Ben-Gvir, it doesnt really matter whether Lapid will be a senior minister because hes in the coalition or because hes in the party.

In an English-language analysis, Segal emphasized that the new alliance likely secures Bennetts status as the leader of the anti-Netanyahu bloc, albeit at the cost of surrendering his right-wing base. This means that barring a dramatic last-minute shift, it establishes that the battle for the prime ministership will likely be a direct contest between Bennett and Netanyahu.

Segal added: This is, I believe, the first time in the history of Israels political system that the leader of the opposition has secured a reserved spot on another partys list.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Military Police arrested a Chareidi draft dodger early Monday morning at his home in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem, the first proactive arrest of a ben yeshivah since the start of Operation Roaring Lion.

Following his arrest, he was transferred to military prison, where he is expected to appear before a judge.

The arrest followed the High Court ruling on Sunday, in which the judges demanded that the state sanction Bnei Torah and their families.

In the ruling, Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg also slammed the police for halting enforcement actions against draft evaders: A complete avoidance by the police of exercising its authority, effectively leaving that authority unused, cannot be justified by claims of prioritization, and budgetary constraints or lack of resources are not an excuse, he wrote.

HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau spoke following the courts decision, saying: Bnei yeshivos will not go to the army under any circumstances, neither by coercion nor willingly, whether there is a law or not.

The Rosh Yeshiva added: The judicial authorities continue in their wrongdoing; ultimately, the wicked will be held accountable. We will not relate to their decreeswe will ignore them, and they and their decrees will dissipate.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
An old-new threat is increasingly being used by Hezbollah against IDF forces in southern Lebanonsmall explosive drones that cost only a few hundred shekels but can carry lethal warheads.

On Sunday night, Hezbollah launched an explosive drone at IDF troops in southern Lebanon, killing Sgt. Idan Fooks, Hyd, and wounding four others. The terror group then fired additional drones at rescue teams and the helicopter that landed in the area to evacuate the casualties.

Footage from the scene shows a drone exploding just meters from the helicopter. It was a neis that the aircraft wasnt hit and that no further soldiers were injured in the incident.

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These inexpensive drones can be launched from considerable distances, allowing Hezbollah terrorists to target IDF soldiers without exposing themselves to danger.

The IDF has already confronted similar threats from Hamas during the war in Gaza, and Hezbollah now appears to have adopted similar tactics. As its rocket and anti-tank fire capabilities have been significantly degraded, the terror group is resorting to improvised, low-cost warfare methods, which are, unfortunately, no less deadly or dangerous.

Explosive drones are inherently difficult to counter. Their small size and quiet operation make them hard to detect before impact, and their remote control and unpredictable flight paths complicate interception by air defense systems.

One common countermeasure involves disrupting a drones navigation systems through electronic warfare. However, Hezbollah has reportedly adopted techniques seen in the RussiaUkraine war, including the use of fiber-optic control systems. A thin fiber-optic cable connects the drone directly to its operator, creating a wired control link that cannot be jammed or hacked like standard wireless systems.

This allows the operator to receive high-quality, real-time video throughout the flight, enabling precise and targeting and posing a significant operational challenge for the IDF.

The widespread use of explosive drones has already been demonstrated in Ukraine, along with various countermeasures developed there. During the war, Ukrainian officials reportedly offered to share operational insights with Israel on countering such threats, but the initiative was not pursued.

The video below, published by Hezbollah, shows an explosive drone damaging a tank:

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(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Iranian bloggers are claiming that Mossad agents secretly paved an asphalt road near the city of Isfahan to support the rescue of a U.S. pilot whose aircraft was reportedly shot down inside Iran. According to the claims, the road was constructed in a remote desert area to allow American aircraft and helicopters to land during the operation.

The allegation has renewed attention on what is described as the depth of Israeli intelligence and operational reach inside the Islamic Republic. If accurate, the reported construction of a landing route within Iranian territory would suggest extensive planning, logistical capability, and the ability to operate undetected by local security services.

The claims add to earlier reports surrounding the rescue mission, which was described as one of the most dramatic incidents in the confrontation involving Iran. The American pilot was extracted after spending hours in hostile territory. At the same time, another crew member reportedly remained hidden in mountainous terrain for an extended period before later being rescued in a separate complex U.S. operation.

Iranian officials have previously argued that the rescue mission may not have been solely aimed at recovering U.S. personnel, but could have served as cover for a broader operation near Isfahan. The new claims regarding the road align with that narrative, although there has been no official confirmation of the allegation.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A 41-year-old man wearing a shirt bearing the Iranian flag assaulted three Jewish men in Brooklyn on Friday evening, police said, attacking them separately while screaming antisemitic slurs in what authorities are investigating as a hate crime.

Andrzej Wnuk allegedly targeted the men near Throop Avenue and Gerry Street in Williamsburg around 6:45 p.m., according to police and sources familiar with the incident. The three victimsages 48, 38, and 21were walking in the area when Wnuk attacked them.

The assaults were unprovoked and vicious. Wnuk punched one man in the back, struck another in the shoulder, and hit a third in the side of the head, sources said. Throughout the attack, he screamed antisemitic epithets at his victims.

The three men were walking separately when Wnuk unleashed on them  punching one man in the back, another man in the shoulder, and another in the side of the head  all while screaming [expletive] Jews.

All three victims reported pain to their faces but refused medical attention.

Video footage captured in the immediate aftermath shows police officers removing Wnuk from the scene. In the footage, Wnuk is visibly wearing a black T-shirt with an image of the Iranian flag displayed prominently across the front.

Wnuk was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court the same day. He was remanded and bail was set at $5,000 cash, according to court records.

He is being charged with multiple crimes, including hate crime assault. Wnuk is scheduled to return to court on April 30. The investigation into the attack remains ongoing.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Claire's Accessories has officially closed its 154 stores across Ireland and the UK.

Around 1,300 workers will be made redundant as a result, according to BreakingNews.ie

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Claire's across Ireland and the UK would have administrators appointed after final attempts to keep the shops running failed.

A private equity firm called Modella bought the company last year after it filed for bankruptcy.

It hired Kroll to oversee the process of administration.

READ NEXT: Government repeating mistakes of headshop era with synthetic cannabis being sold

"As of April 27, all Claires standalone stores in UK and Ireland have ceased trading. All store employees have been advised of redundancy. We understand an interested party is in discussion with a number of landlords with a view to taking new leases for some of the sites," a Kroll spokesperson said.

Last month, workers at Claire's hit out at the "disgusting" treatment of staff after being told they would be made redundant.

Dozens told The Journal that they received letters telling them they will receive no formal notice of redundancy until the second week of April, despite their employment being ceased this week.

The letter stated that "extremely difficult decisions" had to be made because of the "insolvency" and "challenges."

They were told their final day of working and that they would then be "laid off without pay."

It is understood that there is an "interested party" speaking with a number of landlords for some of the former Claire's stores.
Headphone deals are easy to find most of the year. Retailers from Amazon to Walmart offer a variety of headphone deals on today's best headphones.

Right now you can get the AirPods 4 on sale for $99 at Amazon. These are a must-have for iPhone users, so if you haven't grabbed a pair yet, now's the time! We love them because of their awesome sound quality, smooth connectivity with Apple devices and sweat-proof design.

Keep scrolling to see all my favorite headphone deals. I also recommend taking a look at our list of the best wireless earbuds.

Wireless Headphone deals

Apple AirPods Max 2: was $549 now $529 at Amazon The AirPods Max 2 are Apple's latest flagship over-ears, with hi-res audio playback via USB-C and Bluetooth, seamless Siri integration and smart features like Live Translation, intuitive controls, and a sleek, iconic design. You also get better noise cancelation, but the battery life remains at 20 hours. Read more Read less 

Marshall Monitor III: was $379 now $248 at Amazon The Marshall Monitor III made our list of the best headphones because of their incredible battery life. These retro-looking headphones deliver up to 100 hours of battery life are great for listening on the go. They're also extremely comfy, and we really appreciate their intuitive physical controls. Read more Read less 

Soundcore Space One Pro: $199 at Amazon The Soundcore Space One Pro perform exceptionally well for their price. Not only do they have fantastic sound quality, they are comfortable to wear for long periods, the battery lasts 60 hours and theres a range of premium features in the app. Read more Read less 

Cleer Enduro ANC: was $149 now $104 @ Amazon

The Enduro ANC may have been around for a while but they are still by far the best pair of cheap noise-cancelling headphones we've tested, especially when it comes to battery life. The modern, feature-rich design is backed up by great sound quality and effective ANC. The transparent ambient mode works well, fit is decent, and Bluetooth supports aptX Adaptive. Read more Read less 

Jlab Jbuds Lux ANC: was $79 now $59 at Amazon The Jlab Jbuds Lux ANC made our list of the best noise-canceling headphones as the best pair for under $100. You get great audio with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio support, up to 70 hours of battery life and strong active noise canceling capabilities to boot. Read more Read less 

Sony WH-1000XM6: was $448 now $428 at Amazon Our Sony WH-1000XM6 review said that while these headphones dont reinvent the wheel, thats no bad thing considering how excellent their predecessors are. Their excellent audio quality and active noise canceling continue to impress, and they now have improved clarity and codec support. You also get up to 30 hours of battery life with active noise canceling enabled, or up to 40 hours without. Read more Read less 

Sony WH-CH720N: was $149 now $99 at Amazon One of the greatest strengths of these low-cost headphones is the amount of playback time they offer between recharges. Battery life runs to 35 hours with active noise canceling on, which is 5 hours longer than the Sony WH-1000XM5. Read more Read less 

Sonos Ace: was $449 now $299 at Amazon The Sonos Ace are a spectacular noise-canceling option, packed with premium features. We loved them in our Sonos Ace review, especially their excellent sound and intuitive control options. Their soundstage and Spatial Audio tuning is some of the best you'll find in a pair of headphones, period. Read more Read less 

Beyerdynamic Aventho 300: was $399 now $199 at Amazon The Aventho 300 offer excellent sound, 50 hours of battery life with active noise canceling and a very premium build for a great price in this deal. They're beloved by the Tom's Guide team  especially our Audio Editor, Tammy Rogers, who uses these as her everyday pair. Read more Read less 

Nothing Headphone (1): was $299 now $239 at Amazon Nothing's Headphones were already pretty good, but now they're even better thanks to some updates focused on their sound. They're cheaper than the Bose and Sony options, and get pretty close in performance. Read more Read less 

Anker Soundcore Life Q20: was $59 now $47 at Amazon The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 aren't top-of-the-line headphones and don't pretend to be. They're just a nice pair of over-the-ear headphones that won't cost you too much money. With the 40mm dynamic drivers, they still pump out powerful sound, so don't think just because they're cheaper, they won't sound great. Read more Read less 

Wireless Earbud deals

Sony WF-1000XM6: was $329 now $298 at Amazon The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are a significant upgrade over their predecessors. They boast excellent sound quality, customizable EQ, and great battery life. The noise cancellation excels, offering complete silence even in loud situations. The design is great, despite the slightly larger charging case. These are a highly recommended upgrade for superior quiet and sound control. Read more Read less 

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2: was $299 now $249 at Amazon The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds gen 2 are some seriously impressive earbuds. They've got Bose's incredible noise canceling, sprinkle in some excellent sound and have a comfortable fit thanks to some wicked little fitting wings. They don't have the most battery life around  6 hours  but they're a great pair of noise canceling earbuds to pick up. Read more Read less 

Final ZE500 for ASMR: was $74 now $59 at Amazon The Final ZE500 earbuds are designed specifically for ASMR, audiobooks, podcasts and spoken word, and they do a fantastic job of creating immersive, three-dimensional soundscapes. The tiny earbuds pack powerful bass, crystal clear vocals and amazing binaural sound. Theyre exceptionally comfortable and competitively priced, and theyre good for all types of listeners. Read more Read less 

Save $20 EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus: was $99 now $79 at Amazon The EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus perform like much pricier earbuds. With an unkillable 45-hour battery life and dual drivers for rich bass and melodic treble, these earbuds are the best option for audiophiles on a serious budget. Read more Read less 

Apple AirPods 4: was $129 now $99 at Amazon The AirPods 4 boast a new design, which Apple has refined with "50 million data points" to create the most comfortable AirPods yet. They also feature Apple's H2 chip, which delivers clearer calls with Voice Isolation, and a new, hands-free way to interact with Siri. The AirPods 4 also have USB-C charging and include up to 30 hours of listening time. In our AirPods 4 review, we said the Editor's Choice earbuds bring Apple's wireless earbuds lineup into the modern day with Pro-level features for less. Note: these sold for $69 on Black Friday. Read more Read less 

Apple AirPods 4 w/ ANC: was $179 now $148 at Amazon These AirPods 4 have all the same great features as the base AirPods 4, except they also include Active Noise Cancellation. They also feature Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Voice Isolation. Read more Read less 

JBL Vibe Beam: was $49 now $29 at Amazon JBL has released numerous low-priced earbuds over the past few years and the Vibe Beam are some of the best. You get access to a huge range of useful features, including adjustable EQ, IP54 dust/water resistance, 8-hour battery life and transparency modes to help you stay aware of your surroundings while you enjoy your music. Read more Read less 

Sony WF-C710N: was $129 now $98 at Amazon The Sony WF-C710N are our new choice for the best wireless earbuds under $150. They excelled in pretty much every category in our Sony WF-C710N review, delivering impressive sound, strong active noise canceling and amazing bass. Plus, their battery life lasts up to 33.5 hours with ANC off or up to 30 hours with ANC on. And their Glass Blue colorway looks amazing. Read more Read less 

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: was $299 now $179 at Amazon The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the best earbuds in terms of active noise cancelation performance. New immersive audio technology creates a multi-dimensional soundstage with proprietary digital signal processing software, which leaves a strong impression. In our Bose QuietComfort Ultra review we said that youd be hard pressed to find a better choice for blocking out the worlds sounds. Read more Read less 

EarFun Air Pro 4: was $95 now $53 at Amazon The EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds boast five different effective ANC modes, gorgeous and well-balanced sound across genres, and they support advanced codecs for better audio quality. Theyre extremely comfortable too  these are the perfect budget earbuds for audiophiles. We rank them as one of the best wireless earbuds on the market. Read more Read less 

Soundcore P30i: was $49 now $27 at Amazon The Soundcore P30i give you everything you need out of earbuds without costing the world. They've got solid sound, active noise canceling to block out noise, and 45 hours to keep the music playing. Read more Read less 
Aftermath update that concludes another dangerous weekend on local streets.

Here are the basics from local TV news tonight . . .

"According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol press release Sunday night, KCPD officers responded around 7:50 p.m. on a call of a domestic disturbance involving a weapon in the 5700 block of St. John Avenue.



"As police responded, an MSHP spokesperson said officers were told of a potentially armed subject inside a vehicle inside of a residence at the address.



"The spokesperson said when officers contacted the subject in the vehicle around 7:56 p.m., the subject fled from officers and ran toward the front porch of a residence, where the male subject allegedly opened fire on officers.



"Officers opened fire and struck the subject."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City, Missouri, police involved in shooting Sunday night in Northeast KC The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it's been called to a shooting involving Kansas City, Missouri, police Sunday night.

Shooting involving Kansas City police officer under investigation The Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating a shooting involving a Kansas City police officer.

Developing . . .
The US Embassy in London has issued a security alert for American tourists who have trips to the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.

The security alert is urging all American tourists in the continent to "remain alert and exercise increased caution."

US Embassy in London Issues Security Alert

The security alert, which was issued Friday, said that "The U.S. Embassy in London notes recent attacks and threats targeting Jewish and American institutions in the United Kingdom and Europe."

The alert is geared towards Americans who are "visiting institutions serving Jewish or American interests."

The US Embassy is recommending for tourists to have safety and security measures in places and to check local media for updates.

Attacks Against Jewish Institutions in Europe

According to a report by TravelPulse, the security alert issued by the US Embassy in London comes after a series of attacks in Europe that have targeted Jewish institutions.

On March 23, an arson strike on ambulances that are tied to a Jewish charity took place in London. A little over two weeks later, there was an incident in a synagogue in the Kenton area.

An explosion likewise took place at a Jewish school in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Per TravelPulse, no one was hurt due to the attack.

Officials have since called the explosion a "targeted attack against the Jewish community."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The Azerbaijan Media Development Agency (MEDIA), in collaboration with ADA University and the Organizing Committee of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), organized another briefing session for media representatives in Baku as part of WUF13, Trend reports.

During the event, presentations were given to journalists on a number of key topics, including WUF13 Main Themes and Dialogues, Baku City Master Plan, Accessibility and Inclusivity within the Framework of WUF13, and Green Transport and Micromobility.

Speaking at the event, Eldar Rasulov, Head of Content and Media Relations at the operating company WUF13 Azerbaijan, stated that to date, more than 800 media representatives have been accredited to participate in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

Rasulov noted that over 70% of accredited media representatives at WUF13 in Baku are from local media outlets.

According to him, the total number of registered participants at WUF13 exceeded 21,000, which demonstrates the high level of international interest in the forum.

Leyla Safarli, Accessibility and Inclusion Events Manager at the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, stated that as part of the preparations for WUF13 in Baku, educational training sessions are being held to ensure inclusivity and raise staff awareness.

According to her, training materials have been developed on the topic Understanding Disability: Etiquette, Rules of Conduct, and Communication, and training sessions are being held for a total of 4,200 people.

She specified that the training is being conducted for bus and taxi drivers (800 people), security personnel (200 people), volunteers (3,000 people), airport staff (100 people), and guest reception staff (70 people).

Leyla Safarli emphasized that the main goal of the training is to foster an inclusive environment and improve service quality in preparation for the international forum.

Natig Mammadli, Deputy Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency, emphasized that Azerbaijans urban development strategy is attracting international interest.

He noted that Azerbaijans approach to urban development and its ongoing projects are generating significant interest among the international community.

According to Mammadli, the large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts in the territories liberated from occupation, which began after the Patriotic War, deserve special attention.

He emphasized that cities are effectively being rebuilt from scratchthis time based on modern, sustainable, and innovative urban planning principles.

Mammadli noted that this experience represents an important and exemplary case study that Azerbaijan can showcase to the world.

WUF13 will serve as an effective platform for sharing this story with a broad international audience, he stated.

Katerina Bezgachina, Director of Communications for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in turn, stated that WUF13 plans to identify key development priorities for the upcoming decade.

According to her, WUF13 will also serve as a platform for developing important solutions in the field of sustainable urban development and creating an inclusive urban environment.

In addition, representatives from many countries around the world are expected to gather in Baku to discuss current challenges and prospects for urban development.

Katerina Bezgachina noted that the main theme of the forum will be Housing for Peace: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Discussions will focus specifically on these issues:

"The choice of theme is no accident. Today, the world is facing a serious crisis in the areas of settlement and housing provision. Rapid urbanization, climate change, and growing social inequality are creating new challenges for urban development."

WUF13 is considered one of the leading international platforms for discussing the future of cities. The forum will take place in Baku from May 17 through 22.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Key priorities for global urban development over the coming decade are expected to be defined during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, said Katerina Bezgachina, Director of Communications at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Trend reports.

Speaking during a media information session held at ADA University as part of preparations for WUF13, Bezgachina noted that WUF13 will serve as an important platform for shaping decisions on sustainable urban development and the creation of inclusive urban environments. Representatives from numerous countries are expected to gather in Baku to discuss pressing challenges and prospects for cities worldwide.

Bezgachina emphasized that the main theme of the forum is Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Discussions will focus on these issues.

The choice of this theme is not accidental. Today, the world is facing a serious housing and settlement crisis. Rapid urbanization, climate change, and growing social inequality are creating new challenges for urban development, she said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. To date, more than 800 media representatives have been accredited to attend the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Eldar Rasulov, Chief Content and Media Relations Manager of the operating company WUF13 Azerbaijan, told reporters at a briefing for media representatives organized at ADA University as part of the preparations for WUF13, Trend reports.

Rasulov noted that over 70% of the accredited media representatives at WUF13 in Baku are from local media outlets.

According to him, the total number of registered participants at WUF13 exceeded 21,000, which demonstrates the high level of international interest in the forum.

Meanwhile, the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 1722, 2026, focusing on "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities". Organized by UN-Habitat, it is the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization, aimed at addressing the global housing crisis and enhancing urban resilience.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Journalists from several African media outlets participating in Africas Media Tour to Azerbaijan ahead of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) explored the countrys tourism potential, post-conflict reconstruction and urban development projects, sharing positive impressions of Azerbaijans transformation and readiness to host the global event, Trend reports.

During meetings with Azerbaijani officials and visits across Baku, Karabakh and East Zangezur, members of the African media delegation pointed to Azerbaijans modern infrastructure, multicultural environment and ambitious planning initiatives as major impressions from the tour.

This is a country where, in a matter of hours, you can move from the capital to ski resorts and historic regions. That diversity of experiences is one of Azerbaijans unique strengths, Deputy CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board Teymur Suleymanzade said during his interview with African media within framework of the tour.

Suleymanzade, for his part, highlighted Azerbaijans broad tourism potential, from seaside recreation and winter tourism to cultural heritage routes, while stressing the countrys security, tolerance and growing interest in expanding tourism cooperation with African markets.

The delegation also met with Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator for WUF13 Anar Guliyev, who outlined Azerbaijans infrastructure development model, largely driven by government support while increasingly opening opportunities for private investment, particularly in alternative energy and strategic sectors.

During visits linked to the upcoming urban forum, African journalists also focused on Azerbaijans post-conflict recovery efforts in Karabakh and East Zangezur.

What stands out is the intentional development taking place here  from demining and rebuilding infrastructure to creating entirely new communities, members of the delegation said after visiting the liberated territories.

Journalists touring Baku White City highlighted the transformation of the former industrial Black City into a modern urban district as a notable example of master planning.

This kind of urban renewal raises important lessons for developing countries. It shows how long-term planning can transform cities, said Kenyan journalist Elizabeth Mutuku of TV47, drawing parallels with urban development discussions in Africa.

Delegates also visited Azerbaijans smart villages in Zangilan and Fuzuli, launched as part of post-war reconstruction based on green energy and integrated services.

They have built communities where housing, healthcare, shopping and renewable energy solutions are integrated in one place. It is a model worth examining, journalists on the tour noted.

The delegation also explored smart agriculture projects in Zangilan, including apricot farming supported by government incentives.

Before 2021 this was largely barren land, and today it is productive and green through deliberate investment. It demonstrates how agriculture can be part of post-conflict recovery, African reporters said during the visit.

Participants said the tour offered takeaways on sustainable urban planning, affordable housing, green development and regional regeneration, themes expected to feature prominently at WUF13.

The Africas Media Tour was organized ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum, to be hosted by Baku in May 2026 under the auspices of UN-Habitat. The forum, one of the worlds leading conferences on sustainable urbanization, is expected to bring together global leaders, policymakers and experts to discuss the future of cities, while showcasing Azerbaijans urban transformation and post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

I am pleased to extend my most sincere congratulations to you and, through you, to your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of South Africa  Freedom Day.

I believe that the friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and South Africa will continue to develop and expand successfully through our joint efforts, both on a bilateral and multilateral basis, in accordance with the interests of our peoples.

On this holiday, I convey my best wishes to you and wish the friendly people of South Africa lasting peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. On April 27, an official welcome ceremony was held for Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, in Gabala, Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Czech Prime Minister in the square decorated with the national flags of both countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

The national anthems of the Czech Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan were played.

The guard of honor marched past President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Andrej Babis to the accompaniment of a military march.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation were presented to Prime Minister Andrej Babis, while members of the Czech delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.

The two leaders posed for official photographs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan will continue in the near future, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a ceremony marking the establishment of the Border Forces of the Armenian National Security Service, Trend reports.

When we talk about border delimitation and demarcation, we want military personnel to serve at their permanent deployment locations. They have been serving in trenches and at positions where, for obvious reasons, conditions are not the best, he noted.

On August 8, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the United States of America Donald Trump, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan signed a Joint Statement on the meeting between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia in Washington.

On the same day in Washington, during a meeting between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, as well as the Prime Nikol Pashinyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, initialed the draft Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia on Peace and the Establishment of Inter-State Relations.

In addition, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a joint appeal to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (regarding the closure of the OSCE Minsk Process, the discussion of the conflict at the Minsk Conference, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Offices Personal Representative on the conflict, and the High-Level Planning Group).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Naturally, a large part of our cooperation pertains to the energy sector. In this field as well, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic have been very reliable partners for many years, President Ilham Aliyev said during a press statement with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis, Trend reports.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I sincerely welcome you.

I am very pleased that Mr. Prime Minister is our guest today. We met three months ago in Davos. That was our first meeting, and it was very productive; we exchanged views on many issues. I invited Mr. Prime Minister on an official visit to Azerbaijan, and I am glad that this visit is taking place today. This demonstrates the dynamic development of relations between the two countries. We now have a very active political dialogue. Today, an exchange of views was held on many issues, including those of a regional, bilateral, and global nature.

There are concrete proposals regarding the work to be done in the economic sphere. I am glad that a large group of businesspeople from the Czech Republic has come to Azerbaijan together with the Prime Minister, and at the business forum to be held today, new contacts will be established and views will be exchanged on existing projects. Our strong expectation is to raise our trade turnover to an even higher level. Even so, our trade turnover has already increased significantly and stands at over 800 million dollars. However, if we look at its structure, we see that it mainly consists of Azerbaijani oil exports. Therefore, we aim for the trade turnover to be more balanced and for its structure to be improved. I hope we will achieve this, as many specific economic and investment-oriented projects were discussed today, both in the one-on-one meeting and in negotiations with delegations.

Naturally, a large part of our cooperation pertains to the energy sector. In this field as well, the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan have been very reliable partners for many years. Azerbaijani oil is exported to the Czech Republic and occupies an important place in the Czech energy balance. Azerbaijan is among the reliable countries exporting its energy resources to global markets. This is also noted by the European Union, which evaluates Azerbaijan as a reliable partner. Today, Azerbaijani gas is exported to 16 countries, 10 of which are members of the European Union. Furthermore, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to countries neighboring the Czech Republic. Naturally, we discussed this today as well and reached an understanding regarding future cooperation in this field. We view this through a broader lens; it will not merely be trade operations or energy resource export operations. We view it as large-scale, long-term cooperation.

Another important area of cooperation between our countries is the defense industry. Successful cooperation has been carried out here for a long time as well. We purchase many military-grade products from the Czech Republic, and at the current stage, negotiations are underway on specific projects regarding joint production. I am confident that this field will also be large-scale. Azerbaijan ensures its defense potential, including through local production, and in the future, our joint efforts with countries such as the Czech Republic, which has extensive experience in this field, will be of particular importance.

An exchange of views was also held today regarding many other areas. Discussions were also held on the Intergovernmental Commission holding an event and meeting again soon. In short, friendship and cooperation between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan are reaffirmed once again today, and excellent prospects are opening before us.

Mr. Prime Minister, once again, welcome to Azerbaijan.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Azerbaijan is among the reliable countries exporting its energy resources to global markets. This is also noted by the European Union, which evaluates Azerbaijan as a reliable partner, said President Ilham Aliyev during a press statement with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Trend reports.

The head of state noted that Azerbaijani gas is currently exported to 16 countries, 10 of which are members of the European Union. Furthermore, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to countries neighboring the Czech Republic, the President added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine have significantly deepened in recent years, in political, economic, and humanitarian areas, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

According to him, these relations are not limited to official statements and signed documents, but also reflect a model of sustainable partnership built on real cooperation projects, mutual support, and common interests.

He said that the recent working visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Azerbaijan is of particular importance in this regard and demonstrates that relations between the two countries have entered a new stage.

"The meetings and discussions held in Gabala showed that the dialogue between Baku and Kyiv is no longer episodic in nature, but is developing systematically and purposefully. As President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, emphasized, the holding of seven meetings at the presidential level over the past four years demonstrates the dynamic nature of relations. These meetings are not just protocol-based, but are accompanied by discussions and decisions aimed at specific results.

The solid foundation of political relations rests on the strategic partnership documents signed in previous years. Within the framework of these documents, the parties have always supported each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of their borders. This principled position is especially important in the modern system of international relations. In the words of President Ilham Aliyev, "Azerbaijan and Ukraine supportand will continue to supporteach others sovereignty and territorial integrity in all international organizations". This approach shows that the parties are acting from a common position not only bilaterally, but also at the global level," Garayev noted.

According to him, the energy sector remains one of the main directions of Azerbaijani-Ukrainian cooperation.

"Azerbaijan's energy resources and Ukraine's transit opportunities open up broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in this area. The long-term activity of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan in Ukraine is one of the practical results of this cooperation. At the same time, new investment projects and joint initiatives are being discussed, which indicates the parties' intention to cooperate more closely in the field of energy security.

Economic cooperation is not limited to energy alone. The increase in trade turnover, the expansion of cooperation in the agricultural, industrial, and investment sectors, prove that these relations have acquired a multifaceted character. The fact that the trade turnover between the two countries currently exceeds $500 million is an important indicator, but the parties note that there is great potential for further increasing this figure. In this regard, the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission play a special role and will serve as a platform for more intensive cooperation in the future.

One of the important areas that has attracted attention in recent years is military-technical cooperation. Both Azerbaijan and Ukraine have made significant progress in the defense industry, and there are wide opportunities for exchanging experience in this area. President Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of cooperation in this area, noting that Ukraine is ready to share the experience gained in wartime and develop joint production projects that look promising. This cooperation is of great importance not only in terms of strengthening defense capabilities, but also in terms of technological development," the analyst said.

Garayev pointed out that the humanitarian sphere is one of the most sensitive and at the same time most effective directions of Azerbaijani-Ukrainian relations.

"The humanitarian assistance provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine, especially the support for children affected by the war, is highly appreciated. The President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude for this assistance and said, "More than five hundred Ukrainian children are here, and we are grateful to you for this humanitarian support". Such initiatives serve to strengthen humanitarian ties between the two peoples and bring relations closer not only at the interstate but also at the peoples' level.

At the same time, cooperation in the field of education and culture is also noteworthy. Ukrainian higher education institutions have been an attractive place for Azerbaijani students for many years. This is an important factor contributing to the further strengthening of relations between the two countries in the future. These bridges built between young people form the social basis of strategic partnership in the long term," he explained.

The analyst underscored that, against the backdrop of current geopolitical realities, cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine is also gaining importance in a broader regional and global context. Cooperation between the two countries on issues such as energy security, transport corridors, and food security is not limited only to their national interests, but is also becoming a factor of stability and development for the wider region.

"As a result, Azerbaijani-Ukrainian relations today are a model of a multifaceted and dynamically developing partnership. Political dialogue, economic cooperation, energy projects, humanitarian initiatives, and mutual activity in the field of security build these relations on a solid foundation. Continuous contacts and mutual support at the presidential level create confidence that this partnership will further strengthen in the future. Zelenskyy's visit to Azerbaijan symbolizes the next stage of this development, indicating that friendship and cooperation between the two countries will further deepen," Garayev added.
During the talks, Gafarova emphasized that Azerbaijan and Sudan successfully cooperate and consistently support each other within international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). She also expressed the Azerbaijani Parliaments interest in strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation with Sudan.

Ambassador Mustafa stated that he closely follows the activities of Azerbaijans parliament and highly appreciates the countrys leading role in promoting international parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.

The sides also reviewed existing ties in the humanitarian sphere, with gratitude expressed for Azerbaijans provision of educational scholarships to Sudanese students, and exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Today we are heavily investing in the East-West transport corridor, which is needed more than ever due to disruptions in traditional supply chains, logistics, and transit problems, said President Ilham Aliyev during his speech at the Azerbaijan-Czechia business forum, Trend reports.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, dear guests.

We are very glad that, during the official visit of Prime Minister Babis, a large business delegation from Czechia accompanies him. This is a very good sign of mutual interest in doing business together. Business communities usually make their decisions based on the profitability of projects, but at the same time, a lot depends on the legal framework and political dimension.

So I think today the leaders of Czechia and Azerbaijan are sending a very clear message to their business communities that it is time to engage actively in bilateral trade and investments, and to look into practical projects on how we can create synergy. The very solid political background, I think, is todays high-level political contacts.

As was already mentioned today, we met with Prime Minister Babis three months ago in Davos and now here in Gabala. So this really demonstrates that both sides are very interested in enhancing partnership in different areas. And today, along with many important issues on the political agenda, including the regional and global political agenda, we also spoke extensively about business opportunities and mutual investments. We touched upon concrete projects, and definitely, during the business forum, all these issues are being addressed.

Of course, apart from the legal framework, an important factor for any investor is the economic situation in the area of potential investments. I can inform the audience that Azerbaijans financial and economic situation is stable. For many yearsalready nine yearsour currency has been stable. In fact, it has remained unchanged. One dollar is 1.7 manat since 2017. And I think this is an important indicator for any potential investor, local or foreign. During the last 20 years, 350 billion US dollars have been invested in Azerbaijan, and almost half of that has come from foreign partners. So a positive investment climate was, of course, the main target, because it is obvious that without investments no economy can develop, especially in the turbulent times of the international agenda.

We have managed to strengthen our financial system by reducing dependence on borrowing. We actually stopped major borrowing several years ago in order to bring down the foreign debt. And now we have started to borrow again because foreign debt is now only 6.1% of our GDP.

And there are many things to do with respect to infrastructure projects and the reconstruction of liberated areas of Garabagh and East Zangezur. So we have already started active engagement with leading financial institutions such as the World Bank, EBRD, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and others, so that we can create more dynamism in addressing important projects we are facing. With respect to international exposure, we can also report that Moodys Rating Agency upgraded Azerbaijans credit rating to investment grade with a positive outlook, which I think is also a good signal to investors that Azerbaijan is a proper place to invest their money. And definitely political stability, social stability, safety, and security are all factors that every investor first takes into account when deciding whether to do business in a country or not.

With respect to prospects of bilateral cooperation, first I would like to say that we are very grateful to Prime Minister Babis that he is paying his first visit outside the EU to Azerbaijan. We consider it a sign of friendship, a sign of respect, and also a demonstration that both countries need each other. We have already established good partnership in the energy field with uninterrupted oil supplies from Azerbaijan. And today we broadly discussed opportunities to begin cooperation in the area of natural gas and to look at it from a broader perspective, to engage in strategic cooperation in the energy sector, which could include oil, gas, refinery products, petrochemicals, fertilizers, electrical energy, AI, data centers, and all those areas where both countries are actively working bilaterally with great potential.

One of the areas which also already generates results is the defense industry. Czechia is very famous for its modern and efficient defense industry products. We have already signed several contracts with companies from Czechia and are now planning to increase the scope of activity and engage in joint manufacturing. While we are speaking, the teams are working on that. This is also a very important area for any country, especially in times when wars and conflicts emerge like mushrooms after the rain. Every country must be prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of its borders. From this point of view, I think we have established a very solid basis for cooperation in this area with huge potential for growth.

Among the important decisions we made today jointly with Mr. Prime Minister is to elevate the level of co-chairmanship of the Joint Economic Commission to the ministerial level, and to organize, hopefully this yearwhich would be very gooda session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission, which last convened three years ago. So many things are now in the pipeline. We need updates, we need exchange of information, and we also need to guide the business community and provide a better environment for them.

With respect to potential investments in Azerbaijan in priority areas for our country, first of course is industrial development and joint manufacturing. We also spoke extensively about the transport sector, where Czechia is very well known, to establish joint manufacturing in Azerbaijan with leading producers of transport infrastructure.

We in Azerbaijan are actively developing the renewable energy sector with huge potential. Our plan is to have 8 gigawatts of solar, wind, and hydropower by 2032. This is based not only on plans but also on already signed contracts. A lot of site works will be needed for that, and this could definitely be one of the areas.

Connectivity. Today we are heavily investing in the East-West transport corridor, which is needed more than ever due to disruptions in traditional supply chains, logistics, and transit problems. Azerbaijan is providing a safe and reliable transit route from East to West and vice versa, and even from North to South and South to North. We are situated at the crossroads of both corridors, and with large infrastructure investments in recent years, we have already created a major asset needed by many countries.

Tourism could also be an important area of partnership. Both countries are rich in history, culture, monuments, and nature. By the way, todays meeting is taking place in one of the ancient parts not only of Azerbaijan but of the broader geography. Gabala was for many centuries the capital of the ancient state of Caucasian Albania, and today it is, I would say, the tourism capital of Azerbaijan. We also need to work on connections, people-to-people contacts, and airline connections, which we already have, but given our plans, we will likely need to expand them.

We also spoke about potential cooperation in air cargo transportation, where Azerbaijan already plays an important role in the region. Many other areas were also discussed, and although we cannot cover all issues in these remarks, I am sure that the business communities are gathering today with a very clear understanding of the potential for doing business in a friendly environment. I hope that representatives of business circles from Czechia and Azerbaijan will also become good friends, and that this friendship will start today and continue.

Once again, Mr. Prime Minister and dear guests, welcome to Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The recent intensification of visits by foreign leaders to Azerbaijan clearly demonstrates the country's increasing weight in the international system. In this context, the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan can be assessed as a continuation of the general trend. Such visits not only serve the development of bilateral relations but also demonstrate that Azerbaijan is perceived as a reliable partner in a broader geopolitical context.

Increasing diplomatic dynamics and the rising role of Azerbaijan

The role of Azerbaijan is becoming more apparent against the backdrop of the diplomatic activity observed in the South Caucasus region. The visits of high-level representatives of various European countries to Azerbaijan prove that this process is systematic. This dynamic confirms that Azerbaijan has emerged not only with its energy resources but also as a platform for political dialogue. The interest of European states is mainly related to the strategic goals of stability, energy supply, and the development of transport routes in the region.

Formation of new diplomatic centers

The beginning of the recent visits with welcoming ceremonies in the city of Gabala indicates the introduction of a new approach to diplomatic protocol. This approach is aimed at increasing the role of regions in the system of international relations. High-level events held in Gabala show that this city has already gained importance as a diplomatic venue. Thus, the geography of diplomatic activity within the country is expanding, and new centers are being formed.

Economic cooperation as a priority

The wide representation of business circles in the Czech delegation indicates that special importance is attached to the development of economic relations. The planned business meetings create conditions for establishing direct contacts between entrepreneurs and laying the foundation for new projects. This shows that relations are deepening not only in the political framework, but also in the economic sphere.

The high level of trade turnover between the two countries proves the dynamic development of economic relations. Against the background of strengthening Azerbaijan's position in the European market, cooperation with the Czech Republic is of particular importance. This cooperation also plays an important role in expanding Azerbaijan's export potential.

Strategic rapprochement in the energy sector

Energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic acts as one of the main pillars of relations. Although crude oil exports constitute the traditional direction of these relations, the parties are now moving towards more innovative areas. Prospects for cooperation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and hydrogen technologies indicate that a new stage has been formed.

The participation of Czech companies in projects implemented in Azerbaijan confirms that concrete steps have been taken in this direction. In particular, the expansion of cooperation opportunities in alternative energy projects demonstrates the existence of mutual interest between the parties.

Institutional basis and political trust

Azerbaijani-Czech relations are based on long-term institutional foundations. Joint commissions covering various areas and regular political consultations ensure the sustainable development of relations. These mechanisms serve to systematically conduct dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding.

The intensity of high-level mutual visits also indicates the high level of political relations. Also, mutual support provided within the framework of international organizations increases the depth of partnership. This demonstrates that relations are based not only on interests but also on common principles.

Expansion of transport and relations

The restoration of direct air links gives additional impetus to the development of relations between the two countries. The implementation of regular flights allows for the expansion of both business relations and tourism potential. This factor creates conditions for further intensification of mutual relations.

New milestone of strategic partnership

The signed document on strategic partnership has ensured the transition of Azerbaijani-Czech relations to a qualitatively new stage. This framework document plays a fundamental role in expanding cooperation in various fields. At the same time, respect for the principles of international law shows that this partnership is built on values.

Strengthening position and expanding opportunities

Against the background of the visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan, it becomes clear that the country is now perceived as a strategic partner in a wider geography. Increased diplomatic activity, expansion of economic relations, and the formation of new areas of cooperation further strengthen Azerbaijan's role in the international system.

These processes show that Azerbaijan is building a pragmatic and mutually beneficial model in its relations with Europe. Energy security, alternative routes, and the green energy agenda determine the main directions of future cooperation. The current dynamics suggest that Azerbaijani-Czech relations will deepen further in the coming period and create broad prospects for new strategic projects.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Footage of the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis has been published on his social media pages.

Trend presents the post:

Today, Azerbaijani-Czech friendship and cooperation are once again being reaffirmed, and wonderful prospects are opening up before us.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. President Ilham Aliyev has made a post on the social media platform X regarding the visit of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis to Azerbaijan.

Trend presents the post:

"Thank you, Prime Minister Andrej Babis, for your official visit and the meaningful discussions we held today in Gabala. It is double privilege that this was your first official visit outside the EU.

Our political relations are strong, and todays exchanges once again confirmed our shared commitment to further deepening AzerbaijanCzechia ties. While our trade turnover is already at a solid level, we see clear potential to further structure and diversify our economic cooperation.

The Business Forum held within the framework of the visit, bringing together representatives of our business communities, is an important step in this direction. We jointly decided to elevate the level of the intergovernmental economic commission, which will contribute to more effective coordination, particularly in energy, industry, and other key sectors.

We also highly value our cooperation in the defense industry and see good prospects for its further development.

I am pleased to accept your kind invitation to visit the Czech Republic and thank you once again for your friendship and partnership."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. A delegation led by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, is on an official visit to the Italian Republic, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

As part of the visit, the delegation visited the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy.

Then, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto.

In accordance with protocol, during the official welcoming ceremony, the ministers of defense passed along the guard of honor. Afterwards, the national anthems of both countries were performed.

At the meeting, which was also attended by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Italy, Rashad Aslanov, the sides discussed bilateral relations based on strategic partnership and their prospects.

During the meeting, the parties conducted a detailed exchange of views on the further development of cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres, as well as on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Azerbaijans efforts to expand its reception capacity during the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran are commendable, said Foroud Asgari, Irans Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, and Head of the Customs Administration, following a visit to the Bilasuvar border customs post,Trend reports.

He noted that cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan at the border remains at an appropriate level, adding that no issues were recorded at border crossing points during the conflict period and that the neighboring countries demonstrated strong coordination.

Asgari stated that plans are underway to increase export, import, and transit operations through the Bilasuvar border crossing. Due to its proximity to Central Asian countries, it has been decided to upgrade the checkpoint into a Main Directorate, with the necessary budget to be allocated.

Necessary authority has been granted to the Bilasuvar border checkpoint to simplify the release of goods and take the required steps to ensure the satisfaction of business representatives. These measures are expected to transform the Ardabil-Bilasuvar Free Trade Zone into one of the countrys more active free trade zones. Iran hopes that this customs point will play an active role in supplying raw materials for the countrys production sector and even in the import of essential goods, he 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.

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PASHA Bank continues its initiatives aimed at environmental protection. On 24 April, the Bank joined a tree-planting campaign organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

The campaign, held on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, took place in the Mushfigabad settlement. As part of the initiative, with the participation of PASHA Bank employees, 625 Eldar pine and olive trees were planted across 1 hectare of land, selected in accordance with the soil and climate conditions of the Absheron Peninsula.



Representatives of the Central Bank and several other institutions also took part in the campaign.

Within the framework of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, PASHA Bank has implemented various environmental projects across the country, including nature restoration in different regions and the cleanup of Baku beaches, as well as in liberated territories. Since 2023, the Bank has been a participant of the UN Global Compact, expanding its efforts toward sustainable development. Its CSR strategy for 20242026 is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, with combating the impacts of climate change identified as one of the key priorities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The Azerbaijani Parliament has ratified the Host Country Agreement between Azerbaijan and the Clean Energy Centre of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Trend reports.

The matter was discussed during todays plenary session of the parliament. The session noted that the Host Country Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Clean Energy Centre of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is intended to ensure the effective functioning of the Center and create favorable conditions for the execution of its duties, including facilitating the work of its staff in accordance with its charter and regulating relations between the Center and the host country.

The agreement defines the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the Center, its premises, and its personnel.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The Parliament of Azerbaijan congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on being awarded the Gernika Award for Peace and Reconciliation, Trend reports.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, made the proposal during todays plenary session.

She recalled that President Ilham Aliyev has been awarded the Gernika Award for Peace and Reconciliation for his efforts to achieve peace and promote dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the award ceremony on April 26 and expressed his gratitude for this prestigious award.

This award means that despite all the difficulties, the great efforts made by President Ilham Aliyev for the establishment of peace, stability, and cooperation in our region are recognized and highly appreciated by the international community.

And as representatives of the people who faced the occupation of their lands and lived in conflict for 30 years, we heartily congratulate President Ilham Aliyev on being awarded this prestigious award, and we wish President Ilham Aliyev continued success in his tireless work for peace and mutual understanding, she noted.
KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, April 27. Employees of the Embassy of Germany in Azerbaijan visited Khankendi city, a source in the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Khankendi city, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, told Trend.

During the visit, the delegation received detailed briefings on the large-scale construction and urban development projects currently underway in the city. The source noted that efforts to modernize infrastructure and establish a contemporary urban environment in Khankendi are being carried out consistently.

In addition to restoration and construction initiatives, the return of residents displaced from their native lands is being facilitated. The relocation process to the Karkijahan settlement has already commenced and is being implemented in phases.

As part of the visit, the diplomats toured Victory Square and Garabagh University, where they expressed particular interest in the institutions activities and the conditions provided for students.
Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. A delegation from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development and Transport participated in the 8th International Supply Chain and Port Logistics Exhibition in Chengdu, China, a source in the ministry told Trend.

During the exhibition's opening ceremony, key agreements between Azerbaijan and China were highlighted, reflecting the ongoing development of the strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on cooperation in transport and logistics.

The Azerbaijani delegation also took part in the 10th Asia-Europe Multimodal Transport Development Conference held within the framework of the exhibition. Presentations detailed Azerbaijans transport system, the countrys pivotal role in international transport corridors, notably the Middle Corridor, and its ongoing infrastructure projects.

A dedicated stand showcasing Azerbaijans transport and logistics capabilities was also featured at the exhibition.
Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. An information session aimed at enhancing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the International Transport Forum (ITF) was held with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, regulatory bodies, and state institutions, the ministry told Trend.

The ministry stated that the session focused on expanding collaboration and deepening engagement with the ITF across key areas of transport policy.

Head of the Transport Policy Department at RINN, Fariz Aliyev, emphasized that Azerbaijan's chairmanship in ITF during 2025-2026 demonstrates the countrys active contribution to shaping global transport policy. He noted that within this cooperation, Azerbaijan benefits from international experience and analytical tools while also sharing its own expertise in digitalization, transport management, and infrastructure development.

ITF Head of Institutional Relations and Summit, Mary Crass, said that Azerbaijan stands out not only as a participant but also as an initiative and leading partner, adding that the priorities set during its chairmanship are already being translated into concrete actions and tangible results.

During the session, participants were briefed on the ITFs areas of activity and cooperation opportunities. Particular emphasis was placed on Azerbaijans involvement in ITF research projects, exchange of data and expertise, and participation in expert discussions.

The event also highlighted the importance of maintaining the positive momentum achieved during Azerbaijans chairmanship and further strengthening coordination among national institutions.

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Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Azerbaijan's experience in the field of transport was presented at the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held under the country's chairmanship in Bangkok, Thailand, a source in the Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development told Trend.

Azerbaijan was represented at the event by a large delegation.

At the session, the ministry's sector director, Eltaj Abbasov, delivered a speech on "Inclusive transport and accessibility in the Asia-Pacific Region: experiences and future directions". He informed the participants in detail about the measures taken to strengthen connectivity in urban transport, increase accessibility, digitalization, and the application of data-based approaches in transport planning. The role of digital tools in the development of integrated mobility solutions, improving service quality, and decision-making was particularly emphasized.

The event also noted that one of the main transport policy recommendations adopted within the framework of Azerbaijan's presidency of the International Transport Forum for 2025-2026 is dedicated to the promotion of urban mobility and inclusive transport. It was noted that these priorities are fully consistent with the UNESCAP agenda.

The session underscored the importance of further deepening cooperation with regional partners in promoting inclusive and sustainable transport systems.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. On April 27, the First Deputy Minister of Defense  Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, met with a delegation led by the Commander of the Land Forces of the Republic of Turkiye, Army General Metin Tokel, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense told Trend.

The Turkish delegation is on an official visit to Azerbaijan.

First, the Turkish guests visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, in the Alley of Honor, as well as the Alley of Martyrs and Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery. The guests laid flowers and paid tribute to their bright memory. Then, the Victory Park was visited, and a wreath was laid in front of the Victory Monument.

At the meeting held at the General Staff, Colonel General K.Valiyev noted that Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation is steadily developing and emphasized the importance of further expanding these relations.

Chief of the General Staff spoke about the TurAz Qartal-2026 joint flight-tactical exercise held in Azerbaijan with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish servicemen and stressed that such exercises are important for the development of bilateral cooperation and contribute to regional security.

Expressing his gratitude for the hospitality shown, Army General M.Tokel highlighted the importance of continuing mutual visits in order to further expand military cooperation that is based on the strategic alliance.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that joint and multinational exercises conducted with the application of modern technological innovations are important for enhancing the professionalism of servicemen from both countries and improving their practical skills.

The sides discussed various areas of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation and held a broad exchange of views on joint activities and other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Relations between Kazakhstan and Israel are reaching a heightened level of diplomatic and economic engagement in 2026. According to a government directive, the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, is scheduled to pay an official visit to Astana on April 2728.

This visit represents a continuation of intensified bilateral dialogue that began in the previous year with the visit of Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and was further reinforced in January 2026 during the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. The latter visit was particularly significant, marking the first visit of an Israeli foreign minister to Kazakhstan in 16 years. During the January meetings, the parties conducted the 12th round of political consultations and held a business forum in both B2B and B2G formats, establishing a foundation for prospective joint initiatives.

A key political development in recent years was the announcement by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in November 2025 of Kazakhstans intention to join the Abraham Accords. Kazakhstan also became one of the 19 founding members of the Board of Peace, and Tokayev expressed readiness to contribute to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Trend, Israeli Ambassador Yoav Bistritsky noted that Kazakhstans participation in the Abraham Accords would enable both countries to elevate cooperation and expand into new areas, including cybersecurity, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, participation in the accords creates opportunities for strategically significant regional initiatives, particularly in water resource management and food security.

The economic dimension of bilateral relations remains primarily anchored in the energy sector. According to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity for 2024, crude oil accounted for the majority of Kazakhstans exports to Israel, representing more than $122 million out of a total of $169 million.

Israel may emerge as a key technology partner for Kazakhstan in addressing water scarcity challenges. A memorandum of cooperation between the relevant ministries, signed in November 2025, establishes a framework for Israeli companies to implement drip irrigation systems and wastewater treatment technologies, which are expected, over the long term, to improve agricultural conditions in Kazakhstans arid regions.

Cooperation in high-technology sectors is of particular significance in 2026, which has been designated the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan. Israel has expressed interest in expanding the presence of its IT companies in the Kazakh market, including through cooperation with the newly established Ministry of Artificial Intelligence.

A practical step toward strengthening bilateral ties will be the launch of regular direct flights by SCAT Airlines on the ShymkentTel Aviv route starting in June 2026. In the context of a memorandum of intent to conclude an intergovernmental agreement on visa exemption for holders of national passports, the introduction of direct air connectivity is expected to further stimulate tourism exchange and business activity between the two countries.

Overall, the forthcoming visit of President Isaac Herzog to Kazakhstan may constitute an important step in advancing bilateral relations. Amid intensified political dialogue and expanding cooperation in technology and water management, the emphasis is expected to shift toward the business community, which will play a central role in translating these agreements into tangible economic projects.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 27. A total of 6,398,085 bank cards were active in Turkmenistan as of April 1, 2026, marking a 1.1% increase compared to January 1, 2026.

Data obtained by Trend from the country's Central Bank shows that Ashgabat alone accounts for nearly 30% of all active cards. Mary and Lebap provinces each account for a significant share, contributing over one million cards, while Dashoguz, Balkan, and Ahal represent more moderate portions of the total. Arkadag comes in with a small share, having only 17,223 cards, which adds up to a slight 2.1% bump since early January.

These figures highlight a clear concentration of bank card usage in urban centers and densely populated areas. While card usage is present in less populated regions, it remains relatively limited in comparison to the more urbanized areas. This distribution reveals a marked centralization of financial activity, with major cities exhibiting higher adoption rates and smaller regions showing lower penetration.

Established in 1991, the Central Bank of Turkmenistan oversees the countrys financial system and serves as the primary authority for official banking statistics.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Russia and Kyrgyzstan are engaged not only in substantive bilateral dialogue but also in fruitful cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including the EAEU, CIS, and SCO, Director of the Department for Economic Cooperation with CIS Countries at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development Alexey Mikhailov told Trend.

According to him, Kyrgyzstan is a strategic partner and ally of Russia in Central Asia, while Russia is one of Kyrgyzstans leading trading partners.

"Our share in Kyrgyzstans foreign trade turnover from January through October 2025 was about 23%, while Russias share in Kyrgyz exports reached 22% and in imports nearly 23%. According to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, trade turnover with Russia from January through October 2025 amounted to almost $3 billion," he said.

Alexey Mikhailov noted that Russian exports mainly consist of mineral products, metals, chemical industry goods, and food products. From Kyrgyzstan to Russia, the main exports are textiles and textile products, chemical industry goods, and food products.

He also stressed that investment cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan is actively developing.

"Major Russian companies are actively operating in the country: they are developing a network of oil and gas filling stations, supplying machinery and equipment, and implementing projects for the development of mineral deposits. Russian companies are also involved in the implementation of the Safe City program in Kyrgyzstan," he said.

Furthermore, bilateral business events are being held. In particular, the Russian Export Center and the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund held the Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum and the multi-sector business mission Made in Russia in 2025.

At the same time, according to him, work is underway in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises to create cross-platform solutions with other countries.

"The SME Corporation, together with Kyrgyz Post, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the National Investment Agency, is already implementing measures to expand industrial cooperation, regularly hold business matchmaking events, and create conditions for adapting the services of the "SME.RF" digital platform for small and medium-sized enterprises," Alexey Mikhailov concluded.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 27. Turkmenistan and the United Nations have discussed cooperation in transport, energy and environmental protection, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Turkmenistans Permanent Representative to the UN Vepa Hajiyev and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres following the presentation of his credentials.

The sides also reviewed issues of strengthening peace and security, as well as advancing preventive diplomacy and mediation tools.

Antonio Guterres highlighted the importance of Turkmenistans policy of permanent neutrality as a key factor of regional stability at the crossroads of global geopolitical and geo-economic interests, and stressed the role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia based in Ashgabat.

The UN expressed appreciation for Turkmenistans contribution to Afghanistans socio-economic recovery and its integration into major regional transport and energy projects.

Guterres also recalled the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in August 2025, noting the significance of the adopted Avaza Programme of Action for the coming decade.

The United Nations in Turkmenistan serves as a development partner, endorsing national priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025/2026-2030). The Country Team, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, collaborates with the government on health, education, economic, and social reforms. Key focuses include people-centered governance, inclusive economic growth, and quality services. Major UN agencies involved are UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, and UNODC.

Additionally, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia addresses regional security. Key projects encompass legal aid strengthening, violence protection for women and children, trade improvement, water resource management, and pandemic preparedness, supported by significant government financial contributions.
On the occasion of Entrepreneurs Day, celebrated on April 25, ABB Bank held an event for its entrepreneur clients. More than 80 corporate, small and medium-sized business clients of the Bank took part in the event.

Participants were provided with detailed information about ABB Banks new products and services designed for businesses. Engaging presentations on various projects of the Bank were also delivered. Among the highlights, clients were introduced to the Banks corporate card, the Islamic banking product Murabaha, the Fayda Biznes loyalty program, trade and supply chain platforms, as well as the Flydesk service.

Numerous questions of interest to entrepreneurs were addressed. At the end of the event, an online contest was held, and 10 winners were awarded. The meeting continued in the format of a business dinner.

It is worth noting that since 2016, April 25 has been annually celebrated in Azerbaijan as Entrepreneurs Day. This contributes to strengthening support for the business community, enhancing business culture, and underlining the significant role of entrepreneurs in the countrys socio-economic development.

For more detailed information about ABB Banks modern, useful, and versatile products and services, please visit the Banks branches and offices, the official website https://abb-bank.az/, contact the Information Center at 937, or follow the Banks official social media pages.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Iran has lifted its ban on the export of several agricultural and food products, Trend reports, citing the countrys Trade Promotion Organization.

According to the report, the restrictions on the export of honey, fish, olives, dates, figs, oranges, and potato starch have been removed.

The ban had previously been imposed amid tensions arising from the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, during which Iran restricted agricultural exports.

Meanwhile, as no tangible progress was made in the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the situation escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran. In retaliation, Iran initiated missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. installations in the region. Following these developments, a two-week ceasefire agreement was brokered on April 7 through Pakistan's mediation. However, during subsequent talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad on April 11, no consensus was reached.

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.
Premium Iran highlights crucial importance of Parviz Khan Customs in its foreign trade

Parviz Khan Customs in Kermanshah is crucial for Iran's foreign trade, says Mahmoud Rashidi Aghdam. Last year, it facilitated significant exports to Iraq and handled a large volume of cargo transit. The customs is among the country's top 10 priority customs.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 27. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has instructed to intensify efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation with the United States and advancing key areas of bilateral engagement, Trend reports via the press office of the Kyrgyz President.

The directive was issued during a meeting with the newly appointed Kyrgyz Ambassador to Washington, Edil Baisalov, and addressed the outcomes of recent Kyrgyz-US political consultations, as well as discussions between Head of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Japarov emphasized priority areas for cooperation, including the expansion of trade and economic ties, the promotion of investment, and the enhancement of social and humanitarian interactions.

The President also tasked Ambassador Baisalov with reinforcing the promotion of Kyrgyzstans national interests and further developing a mutually beneficial partnership with the United States.

During the meeting, Baisalov was additionally appointed Special Representative of the President for international initiatives and conferred the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Earlier, in February, U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor, stated that the United States is intensifying its focus on economic cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, identifying opportunities for sustainable and mutually advantageous partnerships.

The U.S. envoy highlighted Kyrgyzstans economic potential and opportunities for cooperation both within the country and in partnership with neighboring states. He said members of the U.S. business delegation, which includes major American companies that were visiting Kyrgyzstan at the moment, arrived with the aim of establishing direct contacts and advancing concrete projects.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 27. Turkmenistan and Argentina have discussed prospects for expanding political-diplomatic dialogue and trade-economic cooperation, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Turkmenistans Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov and the newly appointed Argentine Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Enrique Ignacio Ferrer Vieira.

Both parties affirmed their commitment to strengthening intergovernmental contacts and sustaining a constructive dialogue between the respective foreign ministries.

The officials also underscored their shared interest in continued collaboration on multilateral platforms and mutual support for initiatives within international organizations, including the United Nations and UNESCO.

Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and Argentina were established on September 24, 1992. Both countries demonstrate potential for cooperation in agriculture, energy, and trade, given Argentinas strong position as a global agricultural exporter and Turkmenistans focus on energy resources and infrastructure development.

Analysts note that expanding ties would require improved logistics, institutional frameworks, and business contacts, as current relations remain largely political-diplomatic rather than economically substantial.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Azerbaijan and China have reached a landmark agreement to significantly expand cooperation in international road freight transport, including a major increase in permit quotas, the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency (AYNA) told Trend.

The first-ever meeting on international road transport between the AYNA and the Transport Services Department of the Ministry of Transport of the Peoples Republic of China was held in Urumqi on April 23-24. Representatives of Azerbaijani carriers and the Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association also took part in the discussions.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state and prospects of international road freight transportation between the two countries and exchanged views on expanding cooperation.

A key agreement was reached to exchange additional permit forms for international freight transport. For 2026, an extra 5,000 permits were allocated for bilateral and transit transportation, and 2,500 permits for transportation to and from third countries. As a result, the total quota of exchanged permits for international freight transport this year has increased by 5 times, with both sides expressing confidence that carrier demand will be fully met this year and next.

The parties also agreed to digitalize the issuance and exchange of permit forms. A joint technical working group will be established to implement the digitalization project, with work set to begin on May 1. This initiative is expected to reduce operational challenges and make transport processes more transparent and efficient.

In addition, a mechanism was agreed upon to ensure operational interaction between relevant authorities for the prompt resolution of issues arising during international freight transportation.

As part of the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation met with officials of the Khorgos border checkpoint on April 25 and got acquainted with the activities of logistics centers operating in the Khorgos Free Trade Zone.

Officials noted that the Khorgos checkpoint currently operates 8 lanes (including 4 entry and 4 exit lanes) and facilitates the daily passage of up to 1,200 freight vehicles. Taking into account the growing cargo flow, plans are in place to increase the number of lanes to 20 within the next two years.

The sides also discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation between national carriers and logistics centers, agreeing to initiate steps to build direct links.

Additionally, a symposium was held in Khorgos with the participation of relevant Chinese authorities, international road transport associations, and Azerbaijani and Chinese carriers, where participants discussed challenges faced during international freight transport, possible solutions, and ways to establish direct connections between carriers.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) discussed joint initiatives aimed at developing financial markets, Trend reports, citing the CBA.

The Central Bank hosted a meeting with an EBRD delegation led by George Orlov, Director of Financial Institutions for Central Asia, Caucasus, and Turkiye.

The meeting addressed current issues regarding the countrys macroeconomic environment, financial stability, the EBRDs activities in Azerbaijan, and the current status of implemented projects, as well as ways to improve financial supervision and the regulatory framework.

In addition, the parties exchanged detailed views on joint initiatives aimed at developing financial markets and on opportunities for the EBRD to provide technical assistance to the CBA.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 27. Uzatom and Russias state nuclear corporation Rosatom discussed personnel training for Uzbekistans nuclear energy sector, Trend reports via the Russian company.

The issue was reviewed during a meeting of the joint Russian-Uzbek working group on workforce development held at Uzbekistans Atomic Energy Agency.

The parties discussed the implementation of a bilateral roadmap for cooperation in nuclear energy and related fields, signed in March, in which human capital development was identified as one of the key priorities.

Participants also reviewed a draft country-specific workforce training plan, as well as the development and phased introduction of joint educational programs aimed at supporting Uzbekistans growing nuclear industry.

In addition, the sides considered the rollout of academic programs at the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, as well as advanced training initiatives for faculty members through Rosatom Technical Academys Train the Trainers courses.

The discussions reflect ongoing cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan as Tashkent advances plans to develop its civilian nuclear energy sector and build the specialist workforce required for future projects.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic signed new memos on industrial and investment cooperation at a joint business forum, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Economy.

The memoranda encompass a series of cooperative agreements involving the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO). These include memoranda of cooperation with the companies Frydlantske Strojirny  TR s.r.o., the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Bohemia and Moravia, and the Association for the Development of Womens Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. Additionally, memoranda of understanding were signed between AZPROMO and the Czech Confederation of Industry, between the Sumgayit Technopark and Skoda Transportation, as well as between BCC Group CJSC (Azerbaijan) and the companies WITKOWITZ, A.S., and RADIS D.O.O.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the signed documents cover support for entrepreneurship, expansion of business activity, and promotion of cooperation in areas such as industry, infrastructure, and transport. It is emphasized that the exchange of memorandums will contribute to strengthening and diversifying the economic partnership between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic.

Speaking at the business forum, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov emphasized that economic relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic are developing based on mutual trust and shared priorities. It was noted that the Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation with the Czech Republic plays an effective institutional role in strengthening the partnership. The Czech Republic is one of Azerbaijans key trade and export partners.

Azerbaijan makes a significant contribution to ensuring the Czech Republics energy security. At the same time, trade diversification is one of the key priorities of the economic partnership. The broad prospects for joint activities with the Czech Republic in the fields of industry, trade, investment, energy, including green energy, transport and logistics services, and other areas were noted. The countrys economic potential, favorable business environment, and investment platforms supporting trade, manufacturing, and logistics were highlighted, as well as the opportunities created for investors in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic zones.

Karel Havlicek, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, noted the wide range of opportunities for strengthening the economic partnership between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic, emphasized the importance of the business forum and similar events for the development of cooperation, and shared his views on areas for further collaboration.

Yusif Abdullayev, Executive Director of AZPROMO, delivered a presentation on Azerbaijans investment potential and economic opportunities.

Jan Rafaj, president of the Confederation of Czech Industry, emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the business communities and discussed mechanisms for cooperation and new opportunities for partnership.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium has started the implementation phase of the Fier gas exit point project in Albania, the TAP AG consortium told Trend.

"TAP can confirm that it has commenced the implementation phase of the Fier gas exit point project, using the existing exit point installed during the TAP construction phase at the ACS03 Gas Compressor Station near Fier," said the consortium.

TAP AG noted that the project scope includes the construction of a gas metering and pressurereduction facility adjacent to ACS03, designed to supply gas to a future downstream gas pipeline.

"The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract was awarded to the contractor in 2025. Engineering and procurement activities are currently ongoing, with construction works on site expected to start in mid2026. The planned completion date for the project is Q4 2027," said the consortium.

According to TAP AG, the Fier exit point represents a multimillioneuro investment by TAP and will be handed over to the Albanian government upon completion.

"It is a key enabler for Albanias gasification efforts, supporting the gradual development of the countrys gas infrastructure and access to natural gas. The project will allow Albania to connect to regional gas flows and strengthen gas connectivity in Southeast Europe. TAP remains fully committed to supporting Albanias gasification and economic growth, backing the countrys transition towards a secure and sustainable energy future. As Albanias gasification progresses, TAPs role in the region will be further enhanced," said the consortium.

TAP forms the European segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, transporting natural gas from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea to European markets. Spanning approximately 878 kilometres, the pipeline connects with TANAP at the GreekTurkiye border, crosses Greece and Albania, traverses the Adriatic Sea, and makes landfall in southern Italy.

With an initial transport capacity of around 10 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year, TAP has been designed with potential for expansion up to 20 bcm, subject to market demand and regulatory approval.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Rovshan Najaf, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), met with the Director (CEO) of PJSC Ukrnafta, Sergii Koretskyi, and discussed energy sector cooperation, Trend reports, citing SOCAR.

During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine in the energy sector, and SOCARs successful activities in Ukraine were particularly noted.

The parties discussed the current state of existing cooperation between the companies, prospects for its development, and other issues of mutual interest, the information says.

Ukrnafta JSC is the largest oil producer in Ukraine. The companys structure includes two business divisions, Ukrnafta East and Ukrnafta West, which comprise six oil and gas production departments and three gas processing plants. In addition, there is an oil services division providing a full range of services for the oil industry, and Ukrnafta Drilling Division, which is engaged in exploration and production drilling.

Ukrnafta JSC holds 86 production licenses and 3 exploration licenses (including pilot production). The company operates in the regions of Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, and Kharkiv.

As of September 1, 2025, the company operated 1,807 oil and 164 gas wells. Ukrnafta's single-brand network of gas stations includes 662 filling stations located in almost all regions of Ukraine.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Shell plc has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Canadian energy producer ARC Resources Ltd. (TSX: ARX), which operates in the Montney shale basin across British Columbia and Alberta, Trend reports via Shell.

The transaction is expected to significantly boost Shells production outlook, increasing its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 1%as previously outlined at its 2025 Capital Markets Dayto around 4% compared to 2025 levels. The deal also supports Shells strategy to maintain liquids production at approximately 1.4 million barrels per day through 2030 and beyond.

The acquisition will combine ARCs more than 1.5 million net acres with Shells existing ~440,000 net acres in the Montney formation. It will also add around 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in proved and probable reserves as of end-2025. In 2025, liquids accounted for about 40% of ARCs production but generated roughly 70% of its revenues. The companys gas reserves are also expected to support Shells expansion in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Canada.

Under the terms of the agreement, ARC shareholders will receive CAD 8.20 in cash and 0.40247 Shell shares for each ARC share, implying a consideration of approximately CAD 32.80 per share. This represents a 20% premium to ARCs 30-day volume-weighted average price. The deal values ARCs equity at about $13.6 billion.

Shell will also assume approximately $2.8 billion in net debt and leases, bringing the total enterprise value of the transaction to around $16.4 billion. The equity portion will be financed through $3.4 billion in cash and $10.2 billion in newly issued Shell shares, equivalent to roughly 228 million shares.

The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to shareholder, court, and regulatory approvals.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Baku hosted the 2nd Forum on Logistics and Oil Trade in the Caspian and Central Asian Regions, an event that increasingly reflects not merely an industry-specific discussion but a systemic restructuring of global energy logistics.

The forums agenda included transportation and infrastructure, financial aspects, trading strategies, and risk management amid highly volatile markets. Essentially, the discussion centered on how the region is adapting to a new reality where stable routes are becoming increasingly scarce.

Speaking at the forum, Taghi Taghi-zada, Acting Director of Trading Operations at SOCAR Trading, noted that the oil market has entered a phase of chronic instability in recent years.

According to him, since 2019, the industry has experienced a series of shocks, ranging from attacks on infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the COVID-19 pandemic to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the current tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Taghi Taghi-zada paid particular attention to the Strait of Hormuz, which has traditionally been viewed in the context of an extreme scenario in textbooks and analytical reports.

And now we are effectively facing this, he noted, adding that the market has been operating under conditions of heightened uncertainty and reacting to the news flow for quite some time.

In effect, this means that oil prices and logistics solutions are becoming less dependent on long-term fundamental factors and increasingly influenced by short-term geopolitical signals.

Against this backdrop, the role of regional routes and alternative corridors is growing.

Assylbek Jakiyev, Chairman of Kazakhstans PetroCouncil, emphasized in his speech that Kazakhstan plans to attract approximately $15 billion in investments in the petrochemical sector in the coming years.

Among the key projects are large-scale polyethylene and butadiene production facilities, which are expected to significantly alter the countrys export structure.

However, as Jakiyev noted, the main challenge lies not in production, but in delivering products to foreign markets.

He emphasized that northern routes may remain limited in the medium term, which automatically increases the importance of alternative routes, primarily China, the Caspian region, and the Middle Corridor.

This marks a key shift: logistics ceases to be a support function and becomes an element of strategic planning.

This theme was further developed in the presentations by representatives of the regions oil industry and logistics companies, who are increasingly speaking of the need to synchronize infrastructure investments on both sides of the Caspian Sea.

The forum placed particular emphasis on the Middle Corridor, which is already considered one of the most reliable routes.

Kuanysh Keskinbayev, Deputy General Director of KMG Kashagan B.V., noted that the corridors capacity for Kazakhstani oil is approximately 5 million tons; however, further growth requires investment in ports, the fleet, and railway infrastructure.

He also highlighted the economic specifics of the route: despite higher transportation costs compared to the CPC, the final export profitability can be comparable due to oil price factors.

This effectively means that the choice of route is increasingly determined not only by tariffs but also by the flexibility of the system as a whole.

A practical example of infrastructure development is the Kulevi terminal on the Black Sea, which was discussed by Ismayil Kerimov, CEO of SOCAR Georgia Black Sea Terminal.

He announced that the transition to round-the-clock operations and infrastructure modernization has made it possible to nearly double transshipment capacity.

Today, the terminal is capable of handling large-capacity vessels and operating without significant delays, which directly impacts the speed of the entire supply chain.

This reflects a broader trend: competition in oil logistics is increasingly less determined by production and more by the efficiency of infrastructure.

At the same time, the forum discussed the development of the ports of Alat, Dubendi, Aktau, and Kuryk, as well as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars and other key hubs that form the backbone of the Middle Corridor.

Separately, experts also touched on the prospects for the southern route.

Shehryar Omar, a representative of the Petroleum Institute of Pakistan, noted that over the next 510 years, demand growth will shift toward South Asia and markets with a population of about two billion people.

According to him, this is gradually changing the logic of global flows, reducing Europes long-term role and increasing the importance of routes to the Arabian Sea.

For countries in the region, this means not only new opportunities but also the need for accelerated infrastructure development.

In this context, Pakistan is increasingly viewed as a potential energy and transportation hub connecting Central Asia with southern markets.

Concluding the discussion on risks, representatives from the financial and legal sectors noted that the growing complexity of supply chains requires more active implementation of insurance instruments.

According to Mike Shaw of Orbis Risk Partners, charterer liability and multimodal transport insurance in the region remains underdeveloped, despite the growing complexity of logistics chains.

In effect, this means that risks are currently distributed unevenly, and many market participants remain vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.

At the same time, Dentons partner Tim Stubbs emphasized that increased uncertainty is accompanied by increased opportunities.

According to him, the accelerated development of the Middle Corridor opens up new prospects for the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, especially against the backdrop of the restructuring of global trade.

The forum in Baku effectively marked a significant shift: the regions oil logistics are moving away from a linear system and evolving into a multi-layered architecture of routes, risks, and investment decisions.

Indeed, the ability of the Caspian and Central Asian countries to rapidly adapt their infrastructure is becoming a key factor in their competitiveness within the new energy landscape.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 27. The modernization of the production base of the Jalal-Abad Electric Networks Enterprise, a subsidiary of the National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan, is contributing to improved efficiency of repair works and optimization of operational costs, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy.

Within the workshops activities, transformers received from 12 district electric networks undergo full restoration. After repairs, the equipment is returned to the same districts for further operation.

Transformer repairs help increase the reliability of power supply, reduce technical losses, and extend the service life of equipment, which overall has a positive impact on the functioning of the energy system.

Kyrgyzstan continues to modernize its power grid infrastructure to address aging equipment, rising electricity demand, and seasonal pressure on regional networks.
In 2025, the company focused on delivering network excellence, AI integration, cybersecurity, and resilience

In 2025, Azercell Telecom LLC advanced its strategic agenda to deliver superior service quality. The company executed a comprehensive program of initiatives focused on network modernization, the integration of artificial intelligence into core operations, and enhancing cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience.

These efforts further solidified Azercells role as one of the key enablers of the countrys digital transformation and contributed to the overall sustainability of the national digital ecosystem.

Today, Azercell serves more than 5 million subscribers, with its network covering 95.6% of the countrys territory and reaching 98.6% of the population. Against the backdrop of accelerating data consumption and evolving user behavior, network optimization remained a central strategic priority for the company. Over the course of the year, the company modernized more than 220 base stations and deployed 268 new ones50 in Baku, Absheron, and Sumgayit, and 218 across the regionsbringing the total number of LTE (4G) base stations nationwide to over 3,860.

At the same time, Azercell expanded its strategic collaboration with GSMA and IBM, a global leader in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and analytics. As part of this partnership, the company began embedding generative AI solutions into its network optimization processes. This significantly reduced manual intervention, enhanced the accuracy of network performance analysis, and accelerated data-driven decision-making. The inclusion of this initiative in the GSMA AI Use Case Library underscores Azercells active contribution to the global innovation ecosystem and highlights international recognition of its AI-driven transformation agenda.

Aligned with the Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Information Security and Cybersecurity for 20232027, Azercell further strengthened its cybersecurity architecture. The company expanded the application of AI across internal systems, enhanced automated incident analysis, advanced vulnerability detection, and reinforced operational risk management. The development of real-time monitoring capabilities enabled more proactive prevention of potential cyber threats and improved the overall effectiveness of cyber threat detection.

Azercells CyberCell team demonstrated strong expertise in protecting critical infrastructure, securing the runner-up position for the second consecutive time at the Critical Infrastructure Defence Challenge 2025. Participation in globally recognized platforms such as Black Hat USA 2025 and DEFCON 33 further reinforces Azercells active presence in the international cybersecurity landscape.

At the same time, initiatives implemented in collaboration with Baku Engineering University (BMU) and the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Center contributed to strengthening industry expertise and developing local professional capabilities.

In 2025, the activities of the Crisis Management Group, established at Azercells initiative, were expanded, further strengthening institutional cooperation. Within this framework, a coordinated approach was advanced to ensure the resilience and continuity of communication infrastructure nationwide, including along the Middle Corridor.

Together with the Azerbaijan Space Agency and Aztelekom, Azercell conducted practical drills and simulation exercises focusing on business continuity, crisis response, rapid infrastructure recovery, and information security. The effectiveness of these efforts was demonstrated through real-time resilience testing in Baku and the Karabakh region. The company also successfully validated its ability to maintain uninterrupted communication services using national satellite resources.

Guided by its strategic vision, Easing connectivity, empowering lives, Azercell will continue to drive Azerbaijans digital transformation through advanced technologies, resilient infrastructure, and a strong focus on sustainable development.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 27. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has invited UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to take part in the Eurasian Economic Union Summit 2026, scheduled for May 28-29, 2026, in Astana, Trend reports via Kazakhstans Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The invitation was conveyed by Kazakhstans Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev during a meeting with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting took place as part of Kosherbayevs official visit to the UAE, during which the sides held talks on the current state and future prospects of Kazakhstan-UAE cooperation. They highlighted the high level of political dialogue and the traditionally close and friendly nature of bilateral relations.

The UAE is a strategic partner of Kazakhstan in the Arab world, and cooperation between our countries continues to strengthen across all key areas, Kosherbayev said.

Particular attention was paid to the implementation of agreements reached at the highest level, as well as to expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation. The sides also explored prospects for collaboration in energy, transport, infrastructure, innovation, artificial intelligence, and food security.

Economic cooperation has always been a solid foundation of our partnership. Today, the UAE is one of Kazakhstans key trade and investment partners in the region, and we are interested in advancing new joint projects, he added.

The officials also exchanged views on key regional and international issues. Kosherbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstans support and solidarity with the UAE amid the current regional situation, emphasizing the importance of preventing escalation and resolving conflicts through political and diplomatic means in accordance with international law.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 27. Kazakhstan has signed a number of agreements with international agricultural machinery manufacturers to localize production in the country, Trend reports via the Kazakh government.

The agreements were reached following a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and executives of global agricultural machinery companies from Europe, Canada, and the US.

The multilateral agreements are aimed at localizing the production of agricultural machinery in Kazakhstan based on the facilities of a localization center in Kostanay. The deals were signed between AgromashHolding KZ, Eurasia Group AG, and global manufacturers including Vaderstad Group, Dewulf, Lindsay Corporation, Amity Technology, Frans Vervaet B.V., Kuhn Group, and Brandt.

During the meeting, Bektenov noted that more than 130,000 tractors, around 30,000 combines, and over 200,000 units of trailed and mounted equipment are currently in operation across Kazakhstans fields. The fleet renewal rate reached 6.5 percent last year, with a target to increase it to 10 percent annually.

To support this goal, the government has introduced a comprehensive system of measures, including subsidies covering up to 30% of machinery purchase costs, reduced loan and leasing burdens, and concessional financing at 5% for domestically produced equipment.

According to Bektenov, over the past two years, sales of locally produced machinery have increased by 35%, from 7,700 to 10,400 units, with demand shifting toward more complex and high-tech equipment. Currently, eight major enterprises operate in the country, producing more than 8,000 tractors and 1,200 combines annually, while the share of domestically produced machinery in the local market has reached about 90%.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 27. Chairman of the Management Board of Samruk-Kazyna Nurlan Zhakupov and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of CITIC Group Zhang Wenwu discussed the expansion of cooperation and the implementation of joint projects, Trend reports via Samruk-Kazyna.

Among the joint projects is the upgraded Caspi Bitum project, implemented by KazMunayGas and CITIC Group, commissioned ahead of schedule in Aktau in May 2025. As a result of the modernization, its annual oil refining capacity increased by 50%, from 1 million to 1.5 million tonnes. A key achievement was the expansion of production of strategic road bitumen to 750,000 tonnes per year, also marking a 50% increase.

The heads of Samruk-Kazyna and CITIC Group serve as co-chairs of the Kazakhstan-China Business Council, which has been successfully operating since 2013.

CITIC Group is a major state-owned conglomerate engaged in financial and banking activities, insurance, industrial and construction investments, as well as energy, transport, and telecommunications projects.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 27. The revenue of Samruk-Kazyna increased by 8% in the first quarter of 2026, while net profit surged by 93%, Chairman of the Management Board Nurlan Zhakupov said, Trend reports via the Kazakh government.

The figures were presented during a meeting of the Board of Directors of Samruk-Kazyna held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

He noted that a key milestone during the reporting period was the successful placement of debut panda bonds by Samruk-Kazyna on the domestic market of China, worth 3 billion yuan (about $438 million) in April. The transaction was carried out with the participation of leading institutional investors from China, as well as international financial, insurance, and investment companies. The bonds were issued for a three-year term with a yield of 2.18% per annum. The proceeds will be directed toward investment projects, including the development of transport and logistics infrastructure and other priority sectors.

In addition, several important agreements were signed during the reporting period, including a term sheet between Tau-Ken Samruk and Ngali Holdings, as well as a shareholders agreement between Samruk-Kazyna Invest and AZCON on a dredging project in the ports of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

It was also reported that EPC and CMR contracts have been signed for 41 projects, with construction and installation works already underway for 33 of them. In particular, in March, construction began on two major wind power plants with a capacity of 1 GW each in the Zhambyl and Pavlodar regions. The projects are aimed at developing green energy and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For the butadiene petrochemical project, an EPC contract was signed with Sinopec Guangzhou Engineering, with construction expected to begin in May. Another six investment projects are at the design stage, while 17 are in the pre-investment phase.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 27. Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed Kazakhstans decision to join the Abraham Accords and take part in the work of the Board of Peace, Trend reports citing the press service of the Kazakh president.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in a narrow format in Astana.

I have arrived with a high-level delegation of sectoral experts capable of giving new momentum to our partnership, especially in high technologies. The potential of our cooperation in a time when the world is entering a new historical era is truly enormous, Herzog said.

Tokayev noted that since 1992, the two countries have maintained close and friendly relations, with significant results achieved in both economic and political cooperation.

He also confirmed Kazakhstans decision to join the Abraham Accords, stressing that the move reflects Astanas readiness to contribute to stabilizing relations between Middle Eastern countries and Israel. Tokayev added that the sides would discuss a wide range of issues related to bilateral economic ties, underlining that the potential of cooperation is significant and should be fully utilized.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 27. Minister of National Defense of China, Admiral Dong Jun, and Minister of Defense of Kyrgyzstan, Major General Ruslan Mukambetov, discussed issues related to the further development of military-technical cooperation, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Kyrgyzstan.

During the meeting in Bishkek, the parties also exchanged views on pressing issues of regional and international security.

Mukambetov expressed gratitude to the Chinese delegation for the visit, noting that the trip is of important significance for the further development of Kyrgyz-Chinese military and military-technical cooperation.

On April 28, 2026, Bishkek will host a meeting of defense ministers of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left for a visit to Russia, Iranian Foreign Ministry wrote on its Telegram channel, Trend reports.

According to the ministry's statement, during his trip, the Foreign Minister will hold meetings with high-ranking representatives of the Russian Federation, during which they plan to discuss bilateral relations between Iran and Russia, as well as current regional and international issues.

He is expected to be received in the Russian capital by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Starting July 15, direct flights between Shanghai and Tbilisi will begin operating, Trend reports via the press service of Georgias Ministry of Economy.

According to the statement, China Eastern Airlines will operate flights on this route three times a week. The agreement was reached during Georgian Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvilis visit to China.

According to Kvrivishvili, launching direct air service with Chinas largest financial center will mark an important step in developing bilateral cooperation, strengthening business ties, supporting tourism, and creating new economic opportunities.
On 23 April 2026, Turkiye and the United Kingdom (UK) signed a new strategic partnership framework. This marked an important milestone in an already advanced and mutually beneficial relationship, which continues to thrive both on the bilateral track and within various institutional frameworks which both states are part of. The new framework, which highlights the start of a new era in the relationship, is designed to boost existing channels of cooperation but, crucially, strengthen dialogue and understanding in the context of the rapidly polarizing international environment.

A rapidly developing relationship

Both countries are important NATO members  Turkiyes military is the second largest in the alliance and one of the most technologically proficient, whereas the UK, despite not necessarily possessing the same military capabilities as before, contributes with nuclear deterrence and still serves as a world-leading intelligence hub. On the bilateral level, military cooperation has continued to develop from strength to strength. It is already a considerably institutionalized relationship, with the Turkiye-UK Defence Industry Council adopting a specification in May 2025 which expanded cooperation initiatives in the defence industry sector. In October 2025, the sides signed a deal for Turkiye to acquire 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the UK, with the deal worth around $11 billion. The value and scope of the deal is significant and was described by President Erdogan as a symbolic demonstration of the growing strategic significance of the ties between the countries. In fact, it is the largest export deal of this aircraft to date and is expected to serve as the backbone of inter-state cooperation in this sphere.

This momentum in the defence sector has continued to grow. In March 2026, the sides signed another important deal, this time related to training and support. This represents a continuation of the Eurofighter Typhoon deal reached in October 2025, with the multi-billion-pound agreement now envisioning the training of Turkish Air Force pilots by UK experts to fly and operate the jets, expected to be delivered to Turkiye by 2030. Moreover, major firms in the UK defence sector, including BAE Systems, will be more closely supporting Turkiye in the production of aircraft components and spares. In total, the deal envisions the creation of 20,000 jobs in Britain in support of the agreements. Moreover, the deal has been viewed as an important boost for the British defence industry, with the UK government actively working on correcting the shortcomings revealed by the Strategic Defence Review released in June 2025. Such deals, therefore, have the necessary potential to revive confidence in the British defence sector. The UK has a large industrial share in the production of the aircraft, with 37% of each aircraft being manufactured in the country.

The growing strategic proximity of the two countries is reflected in several other developments and indicators. For example, a key component of the relationship has been a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in place between the sides, signed in December 2020. The agreement has resulted in comprehensive and steadily growing trade between the nations, valued at 28.3 billion in the 12-month period between September 2024 and September 2025 and representing a 5.8% increase from the previous 12-month period. However, both countries share the belief that, although substantial, this volume is still far from the full potential. For this reason, in January 2026, the Turkiye-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee announced a 16-point plan with the aim of elevating the value of bilateral trade to 40 billion. The sides have also been engaged, for several years now, in conversations to upgrade the FTA and considerably expand its scope. Currently, it covers mostly industrial goods and excludes important segments of both economies. In this light, the fourth round of talks to modernize the agreement was held in March 2026, with the sides negotiating on multiple areas such as Digital Trade, Communications, easing restrictions on the movement of businesspeople and more. There is hope that a renewed agreement will bring the two economies and their people closer, especially with the business communities already in close collaboration. Untapped potential remains, which is why there is hope that a new FTA will slightly balance the trading relationship (Turkiye exports considerably more to the UK than the other way around) and pave the way for even more foreign direct investment between the two countries.

Geopolitical significance

As demonstrated, the ties between the countries are multi-dimensional, with both the government and the societal level in close collaboration through a range of mechanisms. This status quo has been in place for some time, with both sides deriving numerous benefits from the relationship. However, over time, the relationship has gained considerable geopolitical weight, not least because of the broader developments occurring in the system of international relations. Against this backdrop, the ties between Ankara and London are gaining strategic indispensability. Although multilateral platforms remain important forums for states to convene and discuss pressing matters, their actual weight in key decision-making processes is weaker than ever before. Instead, it is bilateral relationships (and also minilateral formats) that are serving as the more potent centres of influence. Only recently, Turkiyes Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan put forward the idea that powers which are not yet in the great power category must come together and establish their own centre of gravity. This would enable these states to protect their interests from great power competition and make their own decisions in line with their own realities. Developments in the relationship between the UK and Turkiye, two states with a wealth of resources and both of which qualify as middle powers, are a leading demonstration of this trend. Inter-state relations, particularly between actors which are recognized as both influential and trustworthy, are becoming an increasingly fundamental aspect of international relations.

Three avenues for cooperation

There are three important avenues which currently serve as incentives for the two countries to bolster their relationship even further. First, since the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the United States has made key changes to its foreign policy approach. This particularly concerns the assignment of less importance to strengthening transatlantic relations, of which NATO is a fundamental part. Having expressed its frustration with its European partners over the Iran war and general defence spending commitments, the exact future role of NATO in Americas foreign policy remains to be determined. Therefore, the organization requires new momentum. Here, the UK and Turkiye, as two influential members of the alliance, can provide vital, new impetus. Both sides openly recognize this as a strategic objective, with the newly announced partnership framework referring to NATO as a historic basis for deeper ties. The joint statement also mentions the existence of common perspectives on issues of mutual interest, which logically extends to security matters. In particular, the Middle East is mentioned, with the Turkiye-UK partnership possessing the necessary potential to both uphold the European security architecture and act as responsible players on the diplomatic stage, if necessary. This explains why both sides are so eager to deepen their ties, strengthen existing mechanisms and come up with new ones, all of which are key to addressing mutual issues. As Ankara prepares to host the NATO summit in July, deepening cooperation under the NATO framework presents an important opportunity to cement the relationship as an important centre of power for the coming years.

Another factor which continues to influence the relationship is the European Union. Although both countries are not EU members, they have demonstrated enthusiasm for closer ties and integration with EU structures. The UK government has urged a reformulation of the UK-EU relationship, proposing closer integration with the single market without pursuing re-entry. Turkiye, on the other hand, is in a customs union with the EU which is widely considered to be outdated. The issue in this case appears to be an absence of adequate recognition of Turkiyes strategic importance by certain political circles in Brussels. As the EU steps up efforts to develop strategic autonomy, Turkiye represents an invaluable opportunity through which it can fill existing capability gaps and diversify its military partnerships, reducing overreliance on the US and transatlantic relations as a whole. However, despite these prospects, Turkiye and the UK still operate on the periphery of the European Union. This status can actually bring the sides even closer together. Recently, both countries saw the collapse of their talks to join the EUs latest SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program, a financial instrument designed to boost the continents defence readiness through the provision of loans to member states. This was primarily due to member state objections, underlining that even if both remain EU partners, their defence sectors remain insufficiently integrated with EU structures. This has and will continue to open up new incentives for closer bilateral cooperation.

In addition to the NATO and EU avenues, Turkiye and the UK also share mutual partners in neighbouring regions. In the South Caucasus, for example, Azerbaijan has a military alliance with Turkiye and a developing strategic partnership with the UK, which spans several sectors. Moreover, as the regional security architecture evolves and Azerbaijan and Armenia edge closer to peace, fresh opportunities for Turkiye and the UK to make long-lasting contributions will only grow further. This is particularly applicable to the Middle Corridor, in which Azerbaijan is increasingly establishing itself as a regional transport and logistics hub. In recent months, the UK has expanded its interest in the Central Asian region, establishing a consultative track at the level of Foreign Ministers. Moreover, London has repeatedly stressed its desire to contribute to the Corridor, with UK firms possessing the necessary experience which, if applied to the opportunities on the ground, can seriously accelerate progress. With Turkiye playing a leading role in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), jointly supporting evolving interregional connectivity projects is another way Turkiye and the UK can come together and advance mutual interests. Additionally, pursuing more structured cooperation with Azerbaijan in the military and security spheres is equally logical. Baku has an advanced military alliance with Turkiye and is rapidly developing engagement with the UK in the defence industry and broader military sectors. More pronounced cooperation between the three countries in these directions would be an important step in further solidifying regional security and minimizing the resurgence of new instability.

A moment of unique opportunity

The current moment is one of strategic reflection but also of opportunity for both Turkiye and the UK. The interests of the sides appear to be overlapping as much as ever before. In addition to the bilateral agenda, which is traditionally active, the sides, in their own ways, are experiencing a process of adaptation to changing geopolitical realities. In this complex and unpredictable process, where traditional alliances appear less resilient than before, the ability of states to work together with their partners and overcome mutual challenges will determine their place in the new international order. In this regard, the Ankara-London partnership has the necessary potential to act as a new source of influence in international relations, adding much-needed stability and predictability to an increasingly volatile international arena.

Author: Huseyn Sultanli, Advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 27. Since the naval blockade began, U.S. Navy ships and helicopters have seized 38 merchant vessels linked to Iran, the U.S. Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM) says, Trend reports.

"The U.S. Navy continues to blockade Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or leaving. American forces have ordered 38 vessels to turn around or return to port," the report said.

On Saturday, a U.S. Navy helicopter from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney reportedly seized the Sevan, a merchant vessel under U.S. sanctions, in the Arabian Sea. U.S. Central Command stated that the vessel was being returned to Iran on orders from the U.S. military.
Free Dental Clinic Brings Dozens to Shady Grove

When registration opened for the University of Maryland School of Dentistry's spring Mission of Mercy (MOM) clinic, the slots were gone almost immediately.

Dr. Halima Karim (center) supervises dental students at the spring Mission of Mercy clinic.

"I think we had at least 1,000 people who signed up," said Halima Karim, DDS, FAGD, FACD, director and clinical instructor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry's Shady Grove Dental Clinic. The event could take 90.

The gap between how many people need affordable dental care in the Washington suburbs and how many chairs exist to treat them is the whole reason the Mission of Mercy program exists. On April 17, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) made a dent with the fourth Mission of Mercy held at Shady Grove.

The school and Catholic Charities formalized their partnership in fall 2022, holding the first Shady Grove Mission of Mercy in April 2023. The program, which provides free dental care to underserved adults, now runs twice a year at Shady Grove. About 55 students, a dozen faculty, and several volunteer dentists treated more than 70 patients at the spring event, providing mostly extractions and fillings.

Jim Malloy, CEO and president of Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C., said the clinic makes a real difference for many in the area who lack access to or finances for dental care.

"I come in here to see the impact," Malloy said. "Dental care, both preventive and corrective, is one of the last things people do when they're short on money. They're going to take care of their families first."

Planting Seeds of Volunteerism

For Ramsay Koury, DMD, UMSOD assistant clinical professor and director of general practice, volunteerism has been central to his career since before he entered dentistry. He got into the field through a college volunteer trip, goes on frequent mission trips, and was instrumental in bringing the Mission of Mercy to the School of Dentistry.

This spring, two of his former students returned to Shady Grove as volunteers. Amir Itani, DDS, '18, an oral surgeon in Rockville, and Hafeeza Hassan, DDS '20, now a clinical assistant professor at the School of Dentistry, both participated.

Watching them work, Koury got a little overwhelmed.

"I'm getting emotional," he said, pausing and motioning to Dr. Hassan. "She was one of my students, and now she's here as a faculty. It's just great to see that people will come back and volunteer."

He said the goal for a day like April 17 isn't just treating patients. It's making sure at least a few students leave wanting to do it again.

"This event is the opportunity to combine helping people with instilling the love of volunteerism into the dental students," he said.

Seven Mission of Mercys

Sarah Abdelwahab has been volunteering at MOM clinics since she was a college sophomore, when she was just an escort navigating patients to chairs at the large regional event in College Park.

"That's kind of what got me interested in dentistry," she said.

Now a fourth-year student and a month from graduation, Abdelwahab has seven MOM events under her belt. April 17 was her last as a student.

"I'm going to miss it," she said.

She spent much of the morning treating LaTanya Johnson, a Germantown resident who had a broken filling that had been trapping food after every meal for weeks. It wasn't painful, but it was problematic.

"Food kept getting stuck in it, and I kept having to floss every time I ate something," Johnson said. "It was just irritating."

Abdelwahab took X-rays, cleared out the debris, and restored the tooth. Left unaddressed, she noted, the damage could have progressed.

"It can lead to decay and eventually nerve problems if it's not taken care of in a timely fashion," she said.

Johnson heard about the clinic through the Montgomery County African American Health Program and made an appointment as soon as the email arrived. After her treatment, she scheduled a cleaning she hadn't been able to get through regular care.

"It's a beautiful clinic," she said. "Absolutely, I would come back."

Abdelwahab said the Mission of Mercy format sharpens skills in ways a standard clinical rotation doesn't.

"It's not our typical clinic patients, where we get them and we have all the time in the world to work them up," she said. "You get to think on the spot. This is like boot camp."

Third-year student Elyas Azamy assisted Abdelwahab with setup and X-rays. After a strong first experience at the fall Shady Grove clinic, he said he already plans to return next spring in a bigger role.

"You're kind of wishing you're the one doing a lot of the procedures," Azamy said. "I'll definitely be back next year to provide care."

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Before any patient reached a dental chair on the second floor, they passed through a different kind of clinic downstairs. Ten nursing students from the University of Maryland School of Nursing conducted health screenings including blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate as patients entered the lobby.

Nicole Smith PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE, CNE-cl, assistant professor and co-director of the BSN program at the Universities at Shady Grove, said this is the third year nursing students have collaborated with the dental school at the Mission of Mercy.

"This is an opportunity to understand the power of serving the community and the impact we can make," Smith said. "Connecting people to other services, and just the joy and the appreciation they have when they come in is perfect."

Watching the activity from the clinic floor, Karim said she hopes what students feel on a day like this stays with them.

"Hopefully they catch that bug to want to give back to the community," she said. "It does spark a lot of joy in the work that you do."
Changing Landscape of West Asian Defence and Security



The old framework of rigid alliances in West Asia is giving way to overlapping security partnerships, strategic hedging, internal military modernization, and new calculations shaped as much by technology and economics as by traditional geopolitics

The old framework of rigid alliances in West Asia is giving way to overlapping security partnerships, strategic hedging, internal military modernization, and new calculations shaped as much by technology and economics as by traditional geopolitics.

West Asias defence and security architecture is undergoing one of its most profound transformations in decades. What was once defined by fixed rivalries  Arab versus Persian, state versus non-state actors, US security guarantees versus Iranian deterrence  is now evolving into a far more fluid and contested order.

At the centre of this transformation lies a hard lesson reinforced by the recent Iran-US+Israel confrontation: security in West Asia can no longer be outsourced. That realisation is driving almost every major regional power, from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, from the UAE to Jordan, to rethink deterrence, military preparedness and diplomatic balancing.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a pivotal actor in this changing landscape. Riyadhs defence strategy is increasingly defined by dual-track thinking  strengthening military capabilities while pursuing selective de-escalation. On one hand, the kingdom continues to invest heavily in missile defence, indigenous defence production and strategic partnerships beyond its traditional US dependence. On the other, it has shown a pragmatic willingness to engage rivals, including cautious diplomatic channels with Iran. This reflects a shift from confrontation toward managed competition.

The UAE, meanwhile, has moved even further toward a model of strategic autonomy. Abu Dhabi is no longer content to be viewed simply as part of a Gulf collective security system. It is building itself as an independent defence power, combining advanced military procurement, cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence integration and diversified strategic partnerships. Its security calculations are increasingly global, extending from the Red Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean and into the Indo-Pacific. Yet, its exposure during recent regional escalation has also underscored the vulnerability even sophisticated states face in an era where energy infrastructure, ports and digital systems have become legitimate targets.

Qatars position reflects another emerging trend  small-state resilience through strategic relevance. Anchored by diplomacy, energy leverage and its hosting of major military facilities, Qatar continues to pursue a balancing strategy that avoids rigid bloc politics while preserving strong security partnerships. This balancing approach is becoming increasingly common across the Gulf.

Oman remains unique. Long known as a mediator, Muscats value in the evolving security order lies precisely in its neutrality. In an increasingly polarised region, neutral diplomatic actors have become strategic assets. Omans role in mediation, maritime stability and quiet diplomacy gives it disproportionate importance relative to its size.

Jordan, meanwhile, is becoming a frontline buffer state in a more dangerous environment. Pressured by instability in Syria, uncertainty along the Israeli frontier, and risks from regional spillovers, Ammans security doctrine is becoming increasingly defensive. It is investing in border security, intelligence coordination and air defence, while also navigating difficult domestic economic and political pressures.

Iran, however, remains central to the regions security recalibration. Despite military pressure, sanctions and internal strains, Tehran has demonstrated that it retains substantial capacity for strategic disruption  whether through missile forces, maritime leverage, proxy networks or cyber tools. Yet, Iran itself is changing. Its security thinking is increasingly shaped by the recognition that traditional proxy structures face new limits, particularly in Syria and Lebanon.

That shift is visible in Lebanon, where Hezbollah remains a major actor but operates under growing strain. Israeli pressure, domestic Lebanese fragility and changing regional calculations have all complicated Hezbollahs traditional deterrence model. Lebanon is increasingly not just a front in regional confrontation but a reflection of a larger transition in which armed non-state actors face mounting pressures from both military and political realities.

Syria presents perhaps the starkest example of how fragmented theatres are reshaping regional security. Rather than returning to centralised order, Syria has become a space of overlapping influence  involving regional powers, militias, residual extremist threats and competing external interests. In this fragmented environment, security is increasingly about managing instability rather than resolving it.

One of the most important changes across West Asia is the move away from reliance on a single external guarantor. While the United States remains a critical security actor, confidence in exclusive dependence on Washington has weakened. Regional powers are diversifying. Turkey, Pakistan, India and even limited European partnerships are increasingly being considered as part of broader security calculations. This diversification does not replace the US influence, but it alters its exclusivity.

Another major transformation is the widening definition of security itself.

Defence in West Asia is no longer confined to armies, air forces and missile systems. It now includes cyber resilience, infrastructure protection, maritime security, food security, water stress and energy route protection. The disruption around the Strait of Hormuz reinforced that strategic chokepoints remain central to regional security, but it also showed that pipelines, data centres, desalination plants and logistics corridors are now part of the defence equation.

Technology is accelerating this shift. Drone warfare, missile interception systems, autonomous surveillance and cyber defence are reshaping the balance between large and small powers. Smaller states can now generate deterrence through advanced systems once available only to major powers. At the same time, the spread of precision strike capabilities makes traditional assumptions about strategic depth increasingly fragile.

There is also a deeper political shift underway: the region is moving from ideological blocs toward interest-based alignments. States increasingly cooperate issue by issue rather than through permanent camps. A country may coordinate with one power on maritime security, another on intelligence and a third on economic connectivity. This flexibility may reduce some risks of rigid polarisation, but it also creates a more complex and less predictable security order.

Perhaps the defining feature of the new West Asian defence landscape is that it is becoming multipolar from within. Security is no longer shaped only by external great powers imposing order. Regional actors themselves are driving the restructuring.

That does not mean the region is becoming more stable. In many respects, the opposite may be true. But it does mean the old model  based on external protection, proxy containment and static deterrence  is giving way to something far more adaptive.The emerging security order in West Asia is being built around resilience rather than certainty, flexibility rather than fixed alliances, and layered deterrence rather than singular guarantees.

It is a landscape shaped not by the end of conflict, but by a recognition that conflict itself has changed. And in adapting to that reality, West Asia is redefining the very meaning of defence and security in the 21st century.

[The writer, Asad Mirza, is Delhi based Journalist and Author.]

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Maharashtra HSC Result 2026: DigiLocker Status Sparks Buzz



The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is releasing HSC or Class 12th result on the state boards official website mahresult.nic.in

Maharashtra HSC Result 2026: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is releasing HSC or Class 12th result on the state boards official website mahresult.nic.in.

The Maharashtra state board had conducted the HSC (12th board) exams from February 10 to March 11, 2026.

After successfully conducting the exam, the board is now preparing to declare the higher secondary exam results.

The Maharashtra board has officially not confirmed the date and time to announce the 12th board exam result. However, an update on DigiLocker has sparked speculations about the result declaration date.

As per the reports some students visiting the DigiLocker website noticed a message saying Maharashtra HSC Result Coming Soon.

Students found the message an indication that the Maharashtra Class 12th result will be declared any time soon.

Once released, Maharashtra HSC result 2026 will be available for download on the board's official website as well as via DigiLocker.

List of websites to check Maharashtra 12th result

mahresult.nic.in

hscresult.mkcl.org

www.mahahsscboard.in

results.digilocker.gov.in

Candidates can also check their 12th result via Digilocker app.

Steps to check Maha 12th Result 2026

Students can follow the steps given below to check Maharashtra 12th Result 2025.

Go to result website: "mahresult.nic.in".

Click on HSC Examination March 2026 Result

Enter Exam Seat Number, Date of Birth and Mother's name.

Click on Get Result button to check your score.

Along with the 12th result, Maharashtra board will also release overall pass percentage and other result related data of all three streams - Science, Commerce and Arts as well as Vocational. Students should note that the Maharashtra board does not release Merit and Toppers list.

In an important development from this year, the board said it will release a single document which will serve as marksheet as well as passing certificate .

Maharashtra 12th Result of Past Few Years

The Class 12 exams in Maharashtra last year started on February 11 and ended on March 11, 2025. The Class 12th result 2025 was declared on May 05, 2025 when the passp percentage was 91.88%.

The Maharashtra board had recorded a pass percentage of 93.37% in the 2024 12th board exam 2024 result of which was declared on May 21, 2024 .

In 2023 , the Maharashtra board had recorded a pass percentage of 91.25% - a decrease by about 3% as compared to 2022 when the 12th HSC Pass Percentage was 94.22%.

In 2022, the Maharashtra state had recorded a pass percentage of 94.22% - a decrease by 5.41% as compared to last year when the 12th HSC Pass Percentage was 99.63%.

The board had recorded overall pass percentage of 99.63 in 2021 HSC board exam that was cancelled due to Covid 19 and result was prepared on internal assessment.

In 2020, the Maharashtra board had recorded 90.66 overall pass percentage . On the other hand in 2019, the Maharashtra state had recorded a pass percentage of 85.88% - a drop by around 03% as compared to 2018 when the 12th HSC Pass Percentage was 88.41%.

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By Skylar Rispens, UM News Service

MISSOULA  From dorm roommates to earning one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country, University of Montana juniors Vivianne Ostheimer and Cadence Hatten have spent their college years growing not only as student leaders, but as friends.

Hatten and Ostheimer are the latest students from UM to be named Harry S. Truman Scholars, a competitive national grant award recognizing students with exceptional leadership potential, academic excellence and a commitment to careers in public service. The Truman Scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study, along with leadership training and internship opportunities in public service. This year, 55 college students were selected for the Truman award from a pool of 781 candidates nominated by 305 universities.

Together, they are the 17th and 18th recipients from UM to receive the award. But for Ostheimer and Hatten, the recognition represents something more personal: a milestone in a journey they began together.

Cadence was the first person I met at UM and we started this journey together, and now were going to continue our journey after college together, said Ostheimer. Its just really special to know that someones in it with you for the long haul.

Over time, that connection evolved into a steady source of support as both students pursued ambitious academic and extracurricular paths.

You watch someone go through all of these highs and lows, and its really nice to know youre not alone in those moments, said Hatten.

Both students credit the Davidson Honors College as a cornerstone of their experiences.

The DHC has been central to both of our college experiences, said Ostheimer. It has our favorite professors, its where weve met a lot of our friends and its the reason we applied for the Truman.

Though their academic interests differ, Ostheimer and Hatten are united by a shared commitment to serving communities.

Ostheimer, a junior majoring in environmental science and journalism from Buffalo, Wyoming, plans to pursue masters degrees in public policy and energy resources. Her long-term goal is to help communities transition to more sustainable energy systems.

Theres so many things you can do with climate change, but my dream is to work for a municipality and help them with their energy transition and then maybe scale that up and later in my career work for an organization like the Rocky Mountain Institute or some larger governmental or non-governmental organization that helps localities take steps to decrease carbon emissions by transitioning our energy systems, Ostheimer said.

Her interest in climate work has been shaped in part by her studies in UMs climate change studies minor.

Ive always known that I want to help people and I care a lot about the environment, but being a part of that minor has shown me that you can tackle the problem of climate change from any realm, because it intersects with every other problem there is, Ostheimer said. Its shown me that what I want to do is more locally focused.

That local focus is evident in her work on campus. As a member of UMs Kless Sustainability Fund committee and a 2024 fall grant awardee, Ostheimer led a composting initiative that distributed 150 countertop composting bins to residents in UMs off-campus student housing.

It showed me that people really are open to trying new things and want to do the right thing, you just have to take the barriers away and make it more accessible, Ostheimer said.

After initial funding for the pilot project ran out, she compiled both quantitative and qualitative data and presented the results to university housing officials, successfully advocating for continued financial support for the project through UM Housing.

Her global experiences have also shaped her perspective. She studied climate change in Vietnams Mekong River delta in late 2025, spent a summer in Spain in 2024 and will travel to Nepal this May with the School of Journalism to report on water and wildlife conservation.

Still, her roots remain central to her vision.

Growing up in a small town in Wyoming, the sense of community is so strong, and even if you dont agree with each other on everything, theres forced proximity and you have to learn to get through challenges together, Ostheimer said. It really made me value working together and it showed me the role of community.

Hatten, a junior majoring in communicative sciences and disorders from Helena, is equally driven by a desire to serve. She plans to pursue a masters degree in speech language pathology and hopes to improve access to care, particularly in rural communities.

I will go to graduate school in order to become a speech language pathologist, Hatten said. Theres so many sectors that you can go into, which is really encouraging. I would love to come back to Montana and help the community that supported me, and also do my part to improve access to this type of care in rural places.

Her passion for the field has been shaped by both personal experience and her work on campus.

My work with the neurodiverse community was sparked because of what is happening here at UM, said Hatten. Were among the top of the nations colleges that support people with Autism. Its cool to be a part of.

Hatten serves as president of the Neurodiversity Student Union and Allies, a committee chair for the National Speech Language and Hearing Association and executive functioning coordinator for Mentoring, Organizing, and Social Support for Autism/All Inclusion on Campus, (MOSSAIC). She will travel to Dublin, Ireland this summer for an equine therapy internship.

Her commitment to service is also deeply personal.

I saw disparities growing up, which now looking back on, really inspired me to do the work, or eventually, do the work that I want to do, said Hatten. The community aspect is huge for me too. I had my family and friends who were there to support me, and I think that support has encouraged me to do what I want to do. I feel like I can give back what theyve given me.

Together, the two have shared not only academic pursuits but also creative outlets. Both participated in the Roots Ensemble and continue to play music together at open mic nights at the honors college.

Their partnership extended to the Truman application process itself. They submitted their applications side by side from the Mansfield Library, offering each other encouragement through the rigorous and often stressful experience.

As Truman Scholars, Ostheimer and Hatten will head to Washington, D.C. in summer 2027 for work experience aligned with their career goals  Ostheimer with the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and Hatten with the Potomac River Clinic, a multidisciplinary nonprofit integrating audiology, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology.

Cadence is a compassionate leader whose work on the UM campus, and future work as a speech language pathologist, supports the needs of an often-overlooked population, said Kylla Benes, director of UMs Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships. Her emphasis and success in providing supports so that all individuals in our community have the opportunity to thrive exemplifies her commitment to public service and fully aligns with the Truman Foundation's mission.

Benes also praised Ostheimers leadership and impact.

Vivi's achievements and engagement on our campus and in Missoula clearly show her ability to effectively lead in ways that empower individuals to more easily live sustainable lives, Benes said. Her commitment to thoughtful, collaborative leadership and public service is likely what stood out to the Truman selection committee.

Tim Nichols, dean of the Davidson Honors College, emphasized the broader significance of their accomplishments.

Cadence and Vivi are extraordinary young women, Nichols said. Along with being top-performing, deeply engaged students, they are bright, highly motivated, hard-working, big-hearted servant leaders.

Each of them has committed themselves to improving their communities, Vivi through her transformational work to improve composting on campus, and Cadence through her passionate advocacy alongside individuals who experience neurodivergence, Nichols added. Students like Vivi and Cadence give me  and all of us  hope for a brighter, more just, and sustainable world.

###

Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.
FARMER CITY, Ill. (WAND) - A Farmer City man was arrested after he was accused of breaking into an elderly woman's home and refusing to leave.

Farmer City is about 30 minutes northeast of Clinton in DeWitt County.

The Farmer City Police Department said officers and the DeWitt County Sheriff's Department were called around 7 p.m. Saturday to a home along East Water Street.

According to Farmer City police, a 79-year-old woman told a neighbor that a man she didn't know had entered her home and would not leave, all while preventing her from getting help.

The woman managed to escape the home, and that was when the neighbor called the police.

Police arrived to find a man, identified as 65-year-old Timothy Murphey, still inside, where he was taken into custody.

Murphey is currently at the DeWitt County Jail and was charged with criminal trespass to residence, aggravated battery, disorderly conduct and resisting a peace officer.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - ICE agents arrested four people in Shelbyville last week, according to an ICE spokesperson.

ICE told WAND News it conducted "targeted enforcement operations" in Shelbyville on April 21.

Agents stopped a vehicle driven by 33-year-old Mirzon Patlan-Trevino. ICE said Patlan-Trevino is from Mexico and was recently arrested for DUI. ICE said Patlan-Trevino was unlawfully in the United States.

Agents said three other people in the vehicle, Antonio Aguilera Garcia, 46, Alexis Saavedra Avile, 31, and Yoni Mora-Aguilera, 22, were also not supposed to be in the U.S.

All four people remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, according to ICE.

An ICE spokesperson said, "ICE remains committed to enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting public safety through targeted enforcement actions."

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Iran 's foreign minister briefly visited Islamabad again on Sunday as Pakistan's political and military leadership scrambled to reignite ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington, but President Donald Trump said they could talk by phone instead.

Abbas Araghchi had left Pakistans capital late the previous day, creating confusion around an expected second round of talks there, but he returned before continuing on to Moscow on Sunday, Iranian state media said. He had been in Oman, which previously mediated talks and is on the other side of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The White House last week said it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. But shortly after Araghchi's departure Saturday, Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran.

If they want, we can talk but were not sending people," Trump told Fox News on Sunday. He said earlier on social media: All they have to do is call!!!

Indirect talks between the two sides were ongoing, two Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Trump last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire that U.S. and Iran agreed to on April 7 that has largely halted the fighting that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. But a permanent settlement remains elusive in the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken the global economy.

Strait of Hormuz at center of Irans discussions in Oman

A standoff remained on in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global waterway through which one-fifth of the worlds oil typically travels, as Iran has restricted movement through it and the U.S. enforces a blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran wants to persuade Oman to support a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds oil flows in peacetime, according to a regional official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter.

Omans response wasnt immediately clear.

The official, who is involved in mediation efforts, also said Iran insists on ending the U.S. blockade before a new round of talks and that Pakistan-led mediators are trying to bridge significant gaps between the countries.

Araghchi also spoke by phone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Even before Saturdays developments, Irans foreign ministry said any talks would be indirect and Pakistani officials would act as go-betweens, reflecting Tehran's wariness after rounds of indirect talks last year and earlier this year ended with Iran being attacked by the U.S. and Israel.

Trump said Iran has offered a much better proposal

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 strategic strait.

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.

Trump last week ordered the military to shoot and kill small boats that could be placing mines in the waterway.

Trump told journalists on Saturday, before a security incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, that within 10 minutes of him canceling Witkoff and Kushners trip to Islamabad, Iran sent a much better proposal.

He did not elaborate but stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. The status of Iran's enriched uranium has long been at the center of tensions. Tehran has 440 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency.

Syed Mohammad Ali, an independent political analyst in Pakistan, said the delay in the talks must not be seen as a setback and that indirect talks were progressing. He said tensions between Washington and Tehran cannot be eased overnight and the negotiation process requires patience.

"But the good thing is that the ceasefire is holding, and both sides have a desire to end the conflict in a way that does not backfire at home, Ali said.

A growing toll even as fragile ceasefires hold

Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,509 people in Lebanon, where the Israel-Hezbollah fighting resumed two days after the Iran war started.

Also, 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 U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have been killed.

Another ceasefire  between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant Hezbollah group  has been extended by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.

Oil prices rise again as Pakistan talks fail to materialize

Oil prices rose when the market opened Sunday as traders absorbed the news of the stalled ceasefire talks.

West Texas Intermediate, the U.S.-produced light, sweet crude, was selling for $96.50 a barrel Sunday, up 2% since the market closed on Friday. The price was 44% higher than before the start of the Iran war, when oil was selling for about $67 a barrel.

Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at $107.75 per barrel Sunday, up about 3% since Friday and 48% since the war began, when oil was selling for $72 a barrel.

Oil prices have risen steadily since the war began and tankers full of crude became stranded in Persian Gulf, unable to safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Magdy reported from Cairo and Lidman from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.
CLINTON, Ill. (WAND) - A man has been arrested after his wife was found dead in Clinton.

Clinton police were called out April 24 at 5:27 p.m. for a welfare check. That led to a missing/endangered persons alert for 34-year-old Cassandra N. Smith of Clinton.

On Saturday, April 25, the Clinton Police Department requested help from the Illinois State Police Zone 5 Investigations. Search warrants were executed on multiple properties and vehicles as part of the investigation.

At 7:15 p.m., a vehicle of interest to the investigation was found near Sunrise Ct. in Clinton. The execution of a search warrant led to the discovery of a body, confirmed later to be that of Cassandra Smith.

The victims husband, Nicholas L. Smith, 35, of Clinton, was taken into custody on charges of Obstructing Justice, Resisting a Peace Officer, and Concealment of a Death. Smith was taken to the DeWitt County Jail, where he is currently being held.

Preliminary postmortem findings indicate Smith died of multiple blunt injuries. Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation continues, police said.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers said, We are grateful for the support of our law enforcement partners and remain committed to pursuing justice in this matter. This tragic loss of life is a stark reminder that domestic violence is not a private matter, it is a serious and urgent public safety issue. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out, help is available.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
Your Right to Vote from Abroad: A Civil Right for Americans in Italy

For millions of Americans who live, work, serve their country and study overseas, the right to vote does not stop at the border. It is a core civil right that continues wherever you are in the world, including here in Italy.

Under U.S. law, American citizens aged 18 or older remain eligible to vote in federal elections no matter how long they have lived abroad. You do not lose this right because you have moved, because you have dual citizenship, or because you plan to stay overseas longterm.

In most cases, you vote in the state where you last lived in the United States, using that address as your voting residence, even if you no longer have property or family there. In many states, citizens who have never lived in the U.S. but have an American parent can also vote using a parents last U.S. address as their voting residence.

Why voting from abroad is a civil rights issue

The right to vote is a fundamental civil right in any democracy. For Americans living overseas, it is also one of the few direct ways to participate in decisions that govern your life, from foreign policy and social security to taxation and the rule of law.

Congress has repeatedly recognized that U.S. citizens abroad should receive fair and equitable treatment in areas like taxation, citizenship of children, veterans benefits, Social Security and voting rights. Yet overseas voters still face practical and legal barriers: complex rules that differ by state, tight deadlines, and, in some cases, efforts to narrow access to absentee ballots or restrict registration.

Advocacy groups for Americans overseas point out that this can come close to taxation without representation when citizens abroad are subject to U.S. tax and reporting obligations but face obstacles to casting a ballot. Ensuring that Americans abroad can vote freely and fairly is therefore not a partisan question; it is about equal citizenship and the basic promise that every citizen should have a voice.

What the law provides for overseas voters

American citizens abroad vote using absentee ballots under rules shaped by both federal and state law.

Key protections include:

The right to vote in federal elections from overseas. Federal law guarantees that eligible U.S. citizens abroad can vote for President, Vice President, and members of Congress by overseas absentee ballot.

Federal law guarantees that eligible U.S. citizens abroad can vote for President, Vice President, and members of Congress by overseas absentee ballot. The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This is a single form that allows Americans abroad to register to vote and request their absentee ballot from their state of voting residence. It is recognized in all states.

This is a single form that allows Americans abroad to register to vote and request their absentee ballot from their state of voting residence. It is recognized in all states. Timely mailing of ballots. States are required to send absentee ballots to voters abroad by email at least 45 days before federal elections, giving time for ballots to travel both ways.

States are required to send absentee ballots to voters abroad by email at least 45 days before federal elections, giving time for ballots to travel both ways. A backup ballot. If your regular ballot does not arrive in time, you may be able to use a Federal WriteIn Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot for federal races.

For Americans in Italy, voting from overseas is a structured process with welldefined steps. Two main resources can guide you through it from start to finish:

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP ) at the U.S. Department of Defense, provides official, nonpartisan information for U.S. citizens living abroad.

at the U.S. Department of Defense, provides official, nonpartisan information for U.S. citizens living abroad. VoteFromAbroad.org , a widely used, nonpartisan online tool that helps U.S. citizens abroad generate the same federal form (the FPCA) and connect with their local election officials.

FVAP provides the official rules, deadlines, and contact details for every state, while VoteFromAbroad.org offers a userfriendly interface that many overseas voters find helpful in generating the correct forms and keeping track of requirements.

A right worth using

Wherever Americans live, their voices matter. For Americans in Italy, voting is a way to stay connected to our communities back home, to support the rule of law and democratic norms, and to affirm that citizenship and the rights that go with it do not disappear at the airport.

Exercising this right does not belong to any one party or ideology. It is a civic responsibility and a civil right, rooted in the idea that every citizen should have an equal chance to be heard. Ensuring that all Americans abroad can register and vote safely and securely, regardless of where they live or how long they have been away, is essential to a healthy democracy.

If you are an American citizen living in Italy, you can learn more and start the process at FVAP.gov or Votefromabroad.org. Your ballot is your voice and it still counts, even from Italy.
Open House Roma takes place from 16-24 May .

Rome hosts a bumper edition of the Open House initiative which opens the doors of around 220 of the citys most fascinating buildings, both historic and modern.



Open House Roma, now in its 14th edition, allows visitors to explore buildings to which there is normally limited public access.



This year the annual event akes place over nine days, from 16-24 May, during which guided tours of historic buildings and contemporary architecture will be offered for free.



Open House Roma also offers dozens of special events and walking tours, with activities for children and visits for people who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired.



Some of the many highlights this year include a visit to the new Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma at the ex Mattatoio in Testaccio, the Danish Academy, the Giorgio de Chirico House Museum, the Great Mosque of Rome, St Isidore's College, the newly renovated Forte Aurelia, the Korean Cultural Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the new Metro C subway station at the Colosseum.

Open House Roma

Since its launch in 2012, the annual initiative dedicated to Romes varied architectural design has opened up hundreds of interesting, important and sometimes off-limits buildings.



The Rome version of the worldwide Open House initiative, which began in London in 1992, is co-ordinated by hundreds of volunteers from the non-profit cultural association Open City Roma.



Online booking is required for all events which are divided into various themed categories and geographical areas of the city. For full programme see the Open House website.

Image: Villa Medici staircase. Photo credit: Archivio fotografico ACEA 02.
Spring Open Morning Offers Families a Chance to See the School in Action, Not Just on Paper

Saint Francis International School in Rome is inviting families to its Spring Open Morning on Tuesday 13 May at 9:00 am, with places limited and registration required.

The event is designed as a live experience rather than a formal presentation. Visitors will be able to observe classrooms in session, watch lessons in progress, and speak directly with the teaching team. May, the school notes, is one of the best moments in the year to visit, when student progress is clearly visible and the school community is fully in stride.

Saint Francis is a small international school of around 180 students, taking children from age three through to middle school. Teaching is conducted in English by native or fully bilingual staff, with strong attention also given to Italian language and culture. The school follows an enquiry-based learning approach and has recently introduced the Reggio Children methodology, which emphasises experiential learning and creativity. Older students engage in STEM programmes, Model United Nations simulations, and Space Explore initiatives run in partnership with the Italian Space Agency.

The school's size is central to its identity. With 180 students, every child is known individually by their teachers, and academic progress is tracked alongside emotional and social development.

For families considering options for the 2026-27 school year, this is a practical opportunity to see how the school actually functions on an ordinary morning.

Details

When: Tuesday 13 May 2026, 9:00 am. Registration: required. Places are limited. Info and sign-up: stfrancis-school.it/lp/st-francis-open-morning
In 1936, 11 Waterford men left home to go and fight in the Spanish Civil War as part of the Fifteenth International Brigade. They didnt do it for the money; in fact, only unmarried men were allowed to join the brigade, a clear indication that they wouldnt be looking after the young mens families if something were to happen or indeed, they wouldnt be looking after the young men if he was seriously injured. This is according to Emmett OConnor, son of Patrick OConnor, one of the men who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

The men also didnt do it so they could have a holiday in Spain. Dr OConnor, a senior lecturer at Ulster University, said that the men spent 60 days on the front lines without a break.

That was just due to bad organisation.

Because of these conditions, the International Brigade experienced a high desertion rate  whos to say how any of us would have responded? Dr OConnor asked. Just one of the Waterford men deserted.

Attending were Tony and Oisin Hennessy. Photo: John Power

There was just one fatality out of the Waterford men, Mossie Quinlan, who was killed at Jarama. This is pretty good compared to the 30% of Irish men who were killed in the 15th International Brigade, compared to the World War One fatality rate of 13%.

Finally, the men didnt go over for the glory. Dr OConnor explained that it was not hugely popular to support the communists in the Spanish Civil War, with two thousand Blueshirts fighting on the side of Franco. It was not until 1986 that the first commemoration of the Irishmen who fought on the communist side of the Spanish Civil War was held.

Honouring these men has been important to Mayor Cllr Seamus Ryan for over 20 years. He was on the founding committee to get a landmark in Waterford dedicated to the 11 men. He unveiled the monument back in 2004 and it was his first act as Mayor of Waterford. Now his second term as Mayor is coming to an end, and celebrating those men with a new plaque will be one of his last public engagements.

What inspires Mayor Ryan about these men is their unbreakable commitment to their beliefs. Talking about how these men in their early twenties and late teens travelled to a totally unknown country, knowing they might never have returned home, he asked the Waterford News & Star, Would we do it now? Im not too sure.

Former WLRfm and RTE journalist, as well as former secretary of the union FORSA, Eoin Ronayne, unveiled a new photo exhibition of locations in Spain where these men would have fought.

Attending were Eoin Ronyane, Bernadette Guest, Heritage Officer, Waterford City & County Council, and Louis Quinlan. Photo: John Power

The photo exhibition began as a passion project. Over long weekends and weeks snatched away, Eoin spent four years driving the length and breadth of Spain, photographing battle sites and visiting tiny Spanish villages, trying to get a sense of what those men went through.

He told the audience at the exhibition launch what he learned from his time studying the stories of these men, They were prepared to do that, what am I prepared to do now? We need to try to realise what these men knew. We are at a point of change, and the change can go one way or the other. These men saw the change; they picked the right side. The world was in horror a few years later because of the people they fought against.

Eoin is a self-taught photographer, although you would not know that to look at his photographs. They contain a texture of starkness that many professionals would envy. His choice of printing the photographs is perhaps an indulgence of nostalgia, but his use of light in those photographs is superb. Even without knowing the complete history of each location, the average viewer will enjoy the exhibition, which runs for free until May 6 in the Index Gallery in Waterford Central Library.

For history buffs or even just curious people, next Friday at 5pm, Eoin will be delivering a lecture about the 11 men. Meet at the monument dedicated to the men near Journi Credit Union for a commemoration ceremony, then follow the group to the lecture theatre. The event is free to attend, but you must register on Eventbrite. After the lecture, the group will be going to Jordans Bar for storytelling and spoken word at about 6.30pm, all are welcome.
West Waterford councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy has called for a review of bottle bank and clothes bin locations.

Cllr Mulcahy said that illegal dumping at a number of sites is causing frustration for residents and creating unnecessary work for council staff.

Week in, week out, I receive the same photos of rubbish bags and waste being dumped behind bottle banks and clothes bins.

"It is unfair on nearby residents, unfair on people who use the facilities correctly, and unfair on council staff who are left cleaning up after the same behaviour time and time again, said Cllr Mulcahy.

Cllr Mulcahy said that while Waterford City and County Council staff do their best to keep areas clean and tidy, the current setup at some locations is clearly not working.

He acknowledged that it is impossible to police every location 24 hours a day, and that responsibility must also lie with those who choose to dump illegally.

Read More Planning application for water project in County Waterford welcomed

Our council staff cannot be everywhere at once, and they already do Trojan work across West Waterford.

"The real issue is the minority of people who continue to abuse these facilities and show no respect for their local communities, he added.

The West Waterford councillor said he would like to see some bins moved to more public and visible areas, increasing CCTV where possible, and introducing stronger deterrents for repeat offenders.

These facilities are there to help communities recycle and dispose of items responsibly, not to become dumping grounds. West Waterford deserves better, and I will continue to push for common-sense solutions, said Cllr Mulcahy.
Since 2008, the last weekend in April has been a date booked off by food lovers all across the country, but especially those in Dungarvan. Although the festival has been re-named to be more inclusive of the rest of the county, and indeed many wonderful events were held in Waterford city, and the Comeragh mountains alike, Dungarvan remains the heart and soul of the Waterford Festival of Food, and rightly so.

My Waterford Festival of Food experience kicked off at the underground wine cellar of the Medieval Museum in the city, where I was invited to attend a Craicly storytelling event. It was an incredible location and I particularly enjoyed the short speech from Cliona, the head curator of the Medieval Museum (and the youngest in her role in the country) about the history of the space. For instance, I never knew that Waterford had its own mint!

L-R, David Foskin - Sunny South Yeast Bakery, Siobhan Hubbard - free range pork farmer, Newbard Farm, Jon Toy - butcher and chef, and Jane Gormley CRAICLY founder and writer.

There was no lack of drink (as can occasionally be an issue at these things), and the wine was good. For dinner, there was a gorgeous beef stew with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. I dont love beef but the veggies were roasted to perfection. For dessert, there was a Basque cheesecake, the base of which was made from Jacobs cream crackers  a nod to the snacks Deise roots.

Although a veteran open mic attendee, Id never heard a proper storyteller before, and Joe Brennan was magnificent. His tales were funny and all too human. You could hear a pin drop as he told three stories, except when the room erupted into laughter. I will definitely be in attendance if hes ever in Waterford again.

Also speaking on the night was David Foskin from Sunny South Yeast bakery. He talked about how a COVID project turned into his passion in life. David was undergoing medical treatment, making him immunocompromised, meaning he couldnt leave the house. Out of sheer boredom, he started making bread for his two grannies and from there the idea grew. Soon, he was delivering bread to fellow immunocompromised folk from Ferrybank to Lemybrien. Now, he and his partner Silvia Salvana have a premises on Barrack Street. I immediately put it on my list of places to try.

Unfortunately, the night was cut a little short due to a fire alarm going off. It wasnt the worst thing in the world, though, because I had to be up relatively early the next morning for day two of the festival.

At midday, I arrived at the Tannery in Dungarvan (with my dad in tow). We were led to the beautiful airy upstairs room and shown to a seat. Neither of us had eaten breakfast in anticipation of this afternoon of excellent food. For starters, we were served Crab Brule  it tastes as good as the name is bad. It was excellent. Meaty crab mayonnaise served with slightly sweet, thinly sliced cucumber and nutty toasted crackers. My dad also had a glass of Prosecco, which he deemed excellent. For our main course, we paraded through the sunny Grattan Square and arrived at The Old Bank. We were served creamy colcannon, 24-hour slow-cooked beef, rich gravy and tenderstem broccoli. I found the beef to be a little fatty, but my dad liked it.

The Rhubarb and Ginger Bavarois at Cookhouse 360.

For dessert, we went to Cookhouse 360, which gleamed like gold on a sunny day. It has a gorgeous outdoor patio and serves mouthwatering Aperol Spritzes. Dessert was an exceptional Rhubarb and Ginger Bavarois, spicy, sour and creamy, it is truly one of the best desserts Ive ever had. The staff were particularly friendly as well. I will definitely be going back.

Finally, our afternoon ended on the quayside of Dungarvan, watching thousands of rubber ducks be unceremoniously dumped into the bay. The annual RNLI Duck Race was good fun, if a little bizarre. I would recommend sponsoring a ticket at their stall on the day rather than online.

The Waterford Festival of Food was a huge success. Im just sad it's already over.
Plans for a 430-unit residential and retail development on Waterfords North Quays have been put on hold as Waterford City and County Council have requested further information from developers Harcourt Development.

Harcourt, the architects of Belfasts Titanic Quarter, were originally granted planning permission for a 350-unit development on the North Quays in April 2025.

A year later, Harcourt submitted a revised application that sought to maximise available space across the 34,000 square metre development, with plans to deliver another 80 units. The increase in units saw a marked shift towards the prioritisation of single beds over family units.

The revised development has now snagged in its progression through the planning process. In a request for further information on April 22, Waterford Council outlined concerns with the detail Harcourt provided in plans for proposed changes.

The Council flagged issues with the undercroft area of the developments, with the levels dropped in some instances by 2-3 metres. Harcourt did not publicise those changes in its public notices.

The Council asked that any changes to blocks C-H (the planned residential units of the development) be clearly indicated. Issues arose that the access points to retail and commercial units did not appear to have level access.

Harcourt was asked to provide further details for proof of sufficient communal amenity space, bulk goods storage areas for apartments and proof of adequate bicycle space for the additional 80 proposed units.

Uisce Eireann also flagged issue with a lack of sufficient information in Harcourts newest plan.

Irelands national water utility wrote in a submission: The applicant (Harcourt) shall re-engage with Uisce Eireann by submitting a preConnection Enquiry (PCE) to assess feasibility of connection to the public water and wastewater infrastructure.

The outcome of the PCE shall be submitted to the Planning Authority.

The Council have given Harcourt six months to provide further information on the development. If the information is not provided, the planning application will be marked as withdrawn.

Read More Harcourt applies for updated planning permission on Waterford's North Quays to maximise space

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
The trial of a man accused of murder opened on Friday, April 24, at Waterford Central Criminal Court.

Wayne Roche (35), of Dominics Place, Waterford City, stands accused on one count of murder committed on a date between December 3031, 2024, at 17 Cluain Fada, Morrissyland, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

John OConnor (59) was discovered at his home on the morning of December 31 by his daughter. He was found lying on his back in a pool of blood.

Trial

Earlier in the week, presiding Judge Patrick McGrath discharged a jury due to an issue with a juror.

In front of a new jury panel, Mr Roche made a guilty plea for manslaughter, while maintaining his not guilty plea to murder. The plea was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who rejected the application and instructed that the murder trial proceed.

Mr Roche is being represented by John Byrne SC. Family members of both the accused and deceased were in attendance at the trial. Mr Roche wore a grey Under Armour jumper and wrote numerous notes to his legal team throughout the proceedings.

Prosecutor Dean Kelly SC opened the trial to the jury of eight women and four men. He said: This is a dispute between the people of Ireland and Wayne Roche. Its not between John OConnors family and Wayne Roche. Mr Kelly explained the nuances between a charge of murder and manslaughter. He accepts that he killed John OConnor, said Mr Kelly.

Human beings kill each other for all sorts of reasons. It is the prosecutions case that Wayne Roche murdered John OConnor. The case will concern his state of mind.

In the opening address, the jury heard about the post mortem that was completed on the deceased. Dr Yvonne McCarthy carried out the procedure on January 1, 2025, and documented "multiple traumatic injuries" on the victim. Mr OConnor is understood to have suffered five fractured ribs and significant abdominal bleeding.

The cause of death was reported as haemorrhagic shock, with cirrhosis of the liver as a contributary factor.

Crime Scene

Crime scene manager Detective Garda Cathal Hannigan gave testimony about the investigation of the case. He stated that over 400 photographs were taken at the flat at Cluain Fada. Detective Garda Caitriona Grace took photographs of the post mortem and the clothing recovered from the deceased.

The jury watched 35 minutes of doorbell footage and CCTV footage from different areas of New Ross from December 30-31, 2024. Footage showed John OConnor walking with a friend from the SuperValu in New Ross and towards his home on the morning of December 30. Footage from later in the day showed Wayne Roche walking in New Ross alongside Chloe OConnor, daughter of John. It is understood that they went to Cluain Fada for a short time, before both leaving and going their separate ways.

Mr Roche can be seen in doorbell footage alone and limping outside Cluain Fada at 22.47 that evening. At 10.51 the next morning, Roche can be seen limping nearby Cluain Fada, before making his way back into New Ross.

The trial will continue on Tuesday morning, April 28.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Some sharp words were exchanged at a recent meeting of the Metropolitan District Council.

Independent Councillor Donal Barry asked the council a question relating to a new property proposed as an overflow centre for McGwire House, a homeless shelter available for both men and women.

Cllr Barry asked, What specific risk assessments did Waterford City and County Council carry out before selecting a premises on the Manor, given it's one of the busiest roads between Waterford and Cork?

He continued, How does the Council justify placing a facility that may include high-risk individuals, including recently released offenders, directly next to a vulnerable womens centre?

He asked why the nearby residents were not consulted before the decision was made: Does the Council accept that a consultation after the fact is meaningless and undermines public trust?

He also asked, How could the council justify placing vulnerable people, many with addiction issues, in a location where there is real danger from heavy traffic and what provisions are going to be put in place to ensure their safety, dignity and privacy of service users, who will be queuing in full public view on the main Waterford to Cork road?

He continued, Why has this facility been placed in the Manor, an already disadvantaged area?

Donal O Murchadha, a senior executive officer at Waterford City and County Council, responded that this is a property whose use class is defined by planning as a hostel and has operated as emergency accommodation recently as a Ukrainian refugee accommodation centre."

Mr O Murchadha said, Id like to discuss with Cllr Barry the notion of threat associated with our homeless, who we need to accommodate."

He explained, We were required by the government to seek more stable, longer-term supports for the homeless in the city and county, and we sourced a suitable property in terms of planning and its historic use  that is the property at the Manor.

Mr O Murchadha said the Council had engaged with some residents subsequently, who, according to him, were quite content with the plan.

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Sinn Fein TD, Deputy Conor D McGuinness has welcomed the submission of a planning application by Uisce Eireann for a long-awaited treated water storage project in County Waterford.

The application relates to a planned project in Lismore, but Deputy McGuinness said that while the submission is welcome it has taken too long to reach this stage. With that in mind he said the project must now be progressed without delay.

Commenting that the application marks an important step forward after years of disruption for local households, businesses and services, he said it tookm sustained pressure from the community, including petitions and ongoing public advocacy, to force movement on an issue that should have been addressed long ago.

The submission of this planning application is welcome and it is an important step forward for Lismore, but the truth is that it has taken far too long to get to this point," he said.

"For years, people in Lismore have had to put up with an unreliable water supply, repeated outages, poor pressure and all of the disruption and frustration that comes with that," he added.

Deputy McGuinness went on to say the issue had affected households, businesses, schools, childcare settings and care services.

"It has also held back housing development in the town at a time when additional supply is badly needed," he said.

This did not happen overnight and it was not resolved quickly," he added.

"It has taken considerable pressure from the local community to get action, including petitions and sustained public advocacy."

He said he and his party colleague, Cllr Donnchadh Mulcahy, had consistently raised this issue and pressed for Lismore to be treated as a priority.

Read More In Photos: Celebrating 40 years of Gaelscoil Philib Barun in Tramore

The people of Lismore were fully justified in their anger," he said.

"They have been dealing with the consequences of underinvestment and delay for far too long," he added, commenting that a modern town should not be left in a position where its water infrastructure is fragile and unreliable.

So while this is a welcome development, it must now lead to delivery," said Deputy McGuinness.

"The planning process needs to move quickly, there can be no further drift, and the necessary funding must be put in place to bring this project through to construction and completion," he added.

The community in Lismore has waited long enough. What is needed now is urgency, follow-through and a clear commitment to finally delivering a water supply that is fit for purpose.
A County Waterford secondary school had a very successful outing recently in the All-Ireland schools orienteering competition which took place in Castlecomer, in Co Kilkenny.

Pupils from Ardscoil na Mara travelled to the event with a team of 13 orienteers.

The delegation recorded some very impressive results and were compose of: Eimear Casey - won silver for second place in the Third Year Girls category and Liam Casey - won gold for winning the Post Junior Cert Boys section.

Liam Casey (winner of the Post Junior Cert Boys) and Eimear Casey (second in the Third Year Girls category)

In the team event, the Post Junior Cert Boys group finished in third place, winning bronze.

The team was composed of: Alfie Corcoran, Cormac Sims, Cian O'Cadhal and Oscar Mullane.
Gordon Deegan

An award-winning visual artist has won a tax battle with the Revenue Commissioners concerning a "unique sculpture" that involved a bathtub partially covered by a moss milkshake.

This follows the Tax Appeals Commission (TAC) finding that Sound Bath by Co Waterford-based artist Muireann Nic Caba is a unique sculpture that does meet the criteria for qualifying for the Artists Exemption'.

The artists exemption allows artists to be exempt from income tax on certain earnings up to 50,000 per annum.

Ms Nic Caba presented her Sound Bath work at the Arts Council-funded Greywood Arts Festival in Co Cork in 2023, for which she received a fee.

In December 2024, Ms Nic Caba applied for the artists exemption to the Revenue Commissioners for the work, but this was refused by Revenue in March 2025, and last June, Ms Nic Caba appealed the ruling to the TAC.

Revenue refused Ms Nic Cabas application as it concluded that the bath-tub primarily served a utilitarian function, where it found that the bath-tub was an interactive, meditative space designed for relaxation purposes.

At the TAC hearing, a witness for Revenue argued that the 'Sound Bath' formed part of a trail walk, and it was a meditative experience.

The Revenue witness said: Youre invited to sit in, step in, sit back, relax and listen to nature's soundtrack and enjoy the expansive sky view."

The witness said, Theres a cushion in the back, and it makes it comfortable to sit and relax in, and it allows public participation, and this would be considered utilitarian.

Explaining the work to the TAC, Galway native, Ms Nic Caba said that she sourced a particular type of moss species, sphagnum moss mixed with buttermilk, and painted inside the bath to encourage it to adhere to the sides of the metal bathtub and to grow as a living, breathing organism with healing qualities.

The moss was then re-fed by Ms Nic Caba with misted water and buttermilk every second day to encourage continued growth and adherence to the inside of the bathtub.

The bathtub was not filled with water and had words written on wood saying step in, sit back, relax.

Ms Nic Caba subsequently bequeathed the work to the Greenwood Arts Festival; however, it was subsequently destroyed inadvertently due to flooding.

In her findings, Appeals Commissioner Roisin Jordan said that she disagreed with Revenue that the work is a sculpture primarily serving a utilitarian purpose.

Ms Jordan also found that the concept of the work is original and has come from Ms Nic Cabas own imagination.

Ms Jordan also found that the work meets the artistic merit requirements in the guidelines in that the work enhances to a significant degree the canon of work in the relevant area.

Ms Jordan said that she can understand how coming across the work in the forest during the Festival would be a memorable event in the minds of the attendees, thought-provoking and perhaps conversation-generating.

Ms Jordan found that the work was not useful or practical, and from photographs, "it does not seem particularly comfortable.

Ms NicCaba has received awards, held artist residencies, and has created and displayed a body of various artworks across Ireland since 2001, and has a Diploma, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts degrees, specialising in interactive and mixed media

In her formal appeal, Ms Nic Caba said that her appeal was not about seeking a financial advantage but about ensuring that non-traditional and multidisciplinary artistic practices are accurately recognised within the framework of the Artist Exemption Scheme.

Ms Nic Caba contended that the Sound Bath work is a multidisciplinary, three- dimensional sculptural installation that integrates sound, performance, nature, community engagement, and symbolic materials.

She stated that each element was deliberately chosen to reflect the works central theme of healing - a response to both personal and collective experiences, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Nic Caba said that audience engagement was central: visitors sat, reflected, and interacted with the work, making their participation integral to its meaning.

She said that the work was not decorative or created for commercial gain, but an original artistic expression intended for public cultural engagement, further supported by audience feedback and media coverage.
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TechnologyFunding Meet the Melbourne-built robot now in dozens of aged care homes David Swan April 27, 2026  3:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

In a Mecwacare residential home in Ballarat, staff work alongside a four-foot robot that is brightly coloured, speaks up to 90 languages, occasionally blows bubbles and remembers details such as the songs residents grew up with. Grace Brown built the first of these machines, called Abi, in her bedroom during a Melbourne lockdown because she felt lonely. Five years on, the 26-year-old mechatronics engineer is chief executive of Andromeda Robotics, a Melbourne-headquartered company valued at roughly $100 million with offices in San Francisco, and convinced that the robot she started as a hobby will become something far larger than aged care. The hardest part is not what people expect, Brown says. Its not the engineering. Its not the fundraising. Its the fact that we are effectively writing the rule book for how a robot should behave around someone who is lonely, grieving, confused, or dying  in real time, in real homes, with real families watching. There is no textbook for that. Andromeda co-founder Grace Brown. Jessica Hromas

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This month, Andromeda deployed its 22nd Abi across Victorian not-for-profit provider Mecwacare, completing what the company calls the largest rollout of empathetic humanoid companion robots in Australian aged care. More than 1500 residents are now sharing their days with one. An undisclosed first US customer, on the West Coast, goes live shortly. Australia faces a projected shortfall of at least 110,000 aged-care workers by 2030, according to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. In Browns own research, 40 per cent of Australian residents do not get a single visitor in a given month; in the US, its 60 per cent. Loneliness at the end of life isnt the absence of people, she says. Most residents are surrounded by people. Its the absence of someone who knows you. Who remembers the name of your first dog. Who notices youve gone quiet today in a way you werent yesterday. Andromedas Abi with residents in a Mecwacare facility. Andromeda is not alone in the market. Israels Intuition Robotics makes ElliQ, a lamp-like tabletop companion that last month became the first social AI robot fully reimbursed by a US Medicaid program, in Washington state. Japans Paro therapeutic seal has been deployed in care homes globally for two decades. Groove Xs Lovot offers a furry, pet-like alternative, and South Koreas ChatGPT-powered Hyodol dolls are in more than 12,000 homes.

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Related Article Software Inside Canvas $100 billion gamble on an AI-first rebuild Andromedas bet is that a full-sized humanoid designed explicitly for empathy, closer in spirit to Pixars fictional healthcare robot Baymax than a lamp, is the form factor that wins. Its $23 million Series A funding round last September, led by San Franciscos Forerunner Ventures with CSIRO-linked Main Sequence, Rethink Impact and Perth-based Purpose Ventures, funded Browns move to the US and Andromedas American launch. The company has not disclosed its current valuation. Mecwacare says the early evidence is positive: the companys research found 74 per cent of staff reported observing reduced resident agitation when Abi was present, with the robot rated nine out of 10 for overall satisfaction. Mecwacare chief executive Anne McCormack says staff now call Abi their happiness assistant. That is not the same as a clinical trial, however. A 2024 Nature feature flagged a thin evidence base, risks of infantilisation for dementia residents, and the possibility such technology ends up affordable only to the best-resourced homes.

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Brown acknowledges all of it. The pushback usually comes before Abi arrives. Not after, she says. The people most sceptical in theory are frequently the ones who, within a week of deployment, are asking when Abi can sing a specific song their mother used to know. Theres also the not insignificant question of harm. Andromeda has had what she calls minor incidents, interactions in which something Abi said did not land well. None, she says, has injured a resident, and every home has a named support lead who can pause the robot at any moment. We run post-incident reviews the same way a hospital does after a clinical event. The more pressing issue for Brown, and for Andromeda, is regulatory silence. Abi is not a medical device, not a toy, and not a member of staff, so it currently sits in a grey area. Andromedas Abi with residents in a Mecwacare facility. The defaults being set right now will shape how billions of people eventually experience these machines, she says.

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Aged care, she argues, is just the first step in a much larger goal. Shes confident that billions of robots are about to enter human environments, and almost none are being built to read a room. Andromeda wants to be the social operating system every one of those machines eventually needs. If the social OS works here, it works anywhere, she says. The scale of what were building is a $100 billion company at minimum. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Funding David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. or email. Connect via X
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  Several fights broke out Saturday and Sunday nights at Fest-a-Ville caused Kentucky Derby Festival to place a new limit on how many children adults can bring with them.

Previously adults 21 and older could bring in six children. That number has dropped down to three children per adult 21 years old and older.

Aimee Boyd, a spokesperson for KDF, said there were fights outside of Fest-a-Ville Sunday after the event closed early.

Boyd said teens were also pepper spraying each other, and Fest-a-Ville goers were caught up in the commotion.

A news crew from a local station was pepper sprayed.

Louisville Metro Police said between 7-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Fest-a-Ville venue reached capacity, and security stopped letting people in. The event closed at 9 p.m.

Before the fights and pepper spraying started, several teens who were not accompanied by adults were turned away.

"When they are turned away, they go to the perimeter and climb the fences," Boyd said.

Children 17-years-old and younger must be accompanied by an adult 21-years-old and older to get into Fest-a-Ville. Anyone 18 and older must have a physical ID to enter the event.

Representatives from KDF said digital copies of IDs will not be accepted. They also have a no mask policy.

"We have an attendance policy where if you're under 18, you have to have an adult with you. Some teens are approaching adults to see if they can walk in with them," Boyd said. "Some adults are taking in two or three trips to bring in a few teens at a time, and they're not watching them."

LMPD said Saturday, two juveniles were arrested following fights that happened that night. The fights started in the Chow Wagon.

LMPD said several hundred juveniles crowded the downtown area after the fights, forcing Fest-a-Ville to close early Saturday night.

"If there are teenagers out there who are just coming down here to create problems, then just don't come," Boyd said.

LMPD said shortly after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, "large groups of unaccompanied juveniles" started gathering around the waterfront, Waterfront Park and the base of The Big Four Bridge. Officers observed juveniles in fights and pepper spraying one another. An officer was assaulted while attempting to stop the fight between juvenile females.

Stefphan Gholston was just one of many violence intervention specialists from Gooodwill Kentucky's Pivot to Peace program who broke up a lot of the fights.

"With the history of the city, we know that some conflicts are going to occur," Gholston said. "In partnership with Fest-a-Ville, the Office of Violence Prevention, Goodwill and LMPD, we were able to diffuse a lot of situations, but ultimately the event ended up closing."

About 12 violence intervention specialist, Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies and LMPD were patrolling the event Sunday.

Metro Councilman Khalil Batshon was at Fest-a-Ville Saturday when fights broke out. He's partnering with KDF as the master concessioner, helping put all the food and beverages together for the festival.

"Kentucky Derby Festival and their staff and their security teams responded fast and addressed those situations," Batshon said.

LMPD said they arrested three juveniles and one adult, Elijah Cummings, Sunday night, and recovered two guns. Cummings is charged with menacing, terroristic threatening and fleeing.

According to court documents, police saw Cummings attempting to pull out a gun with an expended magazine as he was arguing with someone.

Police said when Cummings saw the light from officers shining on him, he attempted to put the gun back in his waste band and ran.

Officers were able to arrest him after a short chase.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  One of the largest parades in the country marched through the streets of downtown Louisville Sunday.

The Kentucky Derby Festival's Pegasus Parade went down 17 blocks on Broadway in downtown, showing off floats, dance and community groups.

The theme for this year was "Festival on the Move." Marching bands from all over the country took part of the event, along with equestrian units, and floats.

The parade started in 1956 and is now the Derby Festival's oldest event.

"The Clydesdales, the big Pegasus balloon and all the people," Melissa Spencer, spectator. "You know, the part of our town, our community. It's pretty cool everybody comes together this time of year."

Members of the Kentucky Derby Festival's Royal court also made an appearance along with several police and fire departments.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  Misty Noel, the ex-wife of former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, was released Monday from prison.

Misty Noel pleaded guilty in May 2025 to five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion, the original charges filed against her.

She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by 4.5 years of probation, after her plea deal was accepted. She began serving her sentence July 3, 2025.

Misty Noel was released nearly 10 months after her prison time began.

"The law was equally applied to her as any person committed to the DOC," her attorney Bart McMahon said in a statement. "No favors were extended."

As part of the plea deal, Misty Noel had to repay $660,806.64 in restitution to New Chapel EMS and $29,547 to the Indiana Department of Revenue.

Misty Noel changed her last name to her maiden name Jackson after her divorce with Jamey Noel was finalized.

At Jamey Noel's sentencing in October 2024, he said his family, including his wife, had no idea of his illegal activity. Jamey Noel was sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay millions in restitution after pleading guilty to 27 felonies for theft, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, money laundering, corrupt business influence and official misconduct.

In February 2025, Misty Noel's daughter, Kasey, was sentenced to nine months in prison. She was arrested on nine felony charges, including five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion. Search warrants in the corruption case of Jamey Noel indicate Kasey Noel charged more than $100,000 to the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and New Chapel EMS.

She was arrested in February 2024 and spent a weekend in the Scott County Detention Center before her first court appearance and was released from jail after posting a $30,000 cash bond.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  A west Louisville neighborhood is reeling after another deadly shooting, the latest in a recent string of violence that has left residents on edge.

Louisville Metro Police said officers responded early Saturday to the intersection of 13th Street and Brashear Drive, where they found a man shot to death. Authorities have not released his identity.

The killing marks the third homicide in just over three weeks in the Park Hill neighborhood, alarming people who live nearby and say gunfire has become a constant part of daily life.

We dont come outside because of how much shooting there is up here, said Karla Lee, who has lived in the Parkway Place Apartments for five years.

Lee said the sound of gunfire is so frequent that her family reacts instinctively.

We still flinch," she said. "We flinch and get on the floor when were in the house and hear the gunshots. I make my babies lay on the ground."

The latest shooting follows a triple shooting on Brashear Drive late last month that left a man and woman dead. Police said a 13-year-old boy was arrested in connection with that case.

Lee said the violence often feels random and unpredictable.

They werent aiming for a direct person, they were just shooting in one direction, she said. So basically it didnt matter who was outside  you were possibly going to get hit.

The Louisville Metro Housing Authority said in a statement it has applied for two grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to increase on-site security cameras and expand supportive services for residents.

Some longtime residents said the violence has persisted for years.

Betty Turner, who has lived in Parkway Place for two decades, said she has witnessed shootings firsthand.

I live right here  a guy got shot right next door to me. He laid there dead for a while, Turner said.

Despite the violence, Turner said she has no plans to leave.

The rent is cheaper, I like living upstairs and I am almost 70, so I am not moving just yet, she said.

LMPD said they have increased patrols in the area, which Lee acknowledged can temporarily calm conditions. Still, she believes more needs to be done.

They could do a little more  kind of narrow down and really put their foot down and start being up here and a little more active, she said.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  UofL Health officials are encouraging Louisville residents to stay aware of the warning signs of human trafficking as the Kentucky Derby approaches.

According to the Family and Children's Center, Derby is the second-largest event for human trafficking in the country. Vicki Yazel, Director of UofL Health's Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE Services), said in a release Monday that large crowds are a major factor in this statistic.

"Its like with any area that you overpopulate," Yazel said. "When you have hundreds of thousands of people come into the city like we do during this time, it is going to increase the opportunity for victimization."

UofL Health is a leading provider in sexual assault and domestic violence victim care with their SAFE and SANE services. Services are available 24/7 are are made up with nurse examiners specifically trained to handle sexual assault cases.

"If the individual comes into the hospital stating they were sexually assaulted, the SANE nurse is contacted and theyre brought to a private exam room," Yazel said. "Theyre given options to have a forensic medical examination, we give them the option to report to law enforcement, we call someone from the Center of Women and Families and we can give them medications to help treat for any STIs."

Officials listed the following as signs to look out for:

Evidence of physical abuse (mostly to head, face, neck, hands, wrists)

Delayed presentation for medical care

Victim/survivor appears younger than reported age

Companion speaks for the patient/answers all questions

"Branding" or identifiers such as tattoos, burns or scars traffickers put on victims

Avoids eye contact

Appears malnourished

Human trafficking victims can be anyone, regardless of their age, sex, race or identity. However, data from the International Labour Organization does show 87% of sex trafficking victims were under 25, and 72% were women or girls.

Click here for more information on SAFE and SANE services.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 888-373-7888.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Leesville, LA (71446)

Today

Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
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Kenneth Fox

Midlands North West Ciaran Mullooly MEP has called on the Government to become a joint party to the Polish Governments proposed court challenge against the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.

The Polish Government is preparing to mount a legal challenge to the validity of the Mercosur agreement. Mr Mullooly has welcomed this development and urged the Irish Government to support and join Poland in pursuing the case.

Mercosur will remove duties on 91 per cent of EU exports, including for cars, from a current 35 per cent over a period of 15 years. 

The EU will progressively remove duties on 92 per cent of Mercosur exports over a period of up to 10 years.

Mercosur will also remove duties on EU agriculture-based products, such as the 27 per cent on wines and 35 per cent on spirits.

For more sensitive farm products, the EU will offer increased quotas, including 99,000 metric tons more beef, while Mercosur will give the EU a duty-free 30,000-ton quota for cheeses.

Speaking about the Polish court challenge, Mullolly said: I commend the Polish Government for standing up in defence of its farmers.

This development presents an ideal opportunity for the Irish Government to act on the clear commitments contained in the Programme for Government, which states that Ireland will work with like-minded countries to oppose the Mercosur agreement. That time for action is now.

Mr Mullooly also called on the Irish Government to formally request that the European Commission defer any provisional application of the EU-Mercosur Agreement until the Court has issued its ruling on the Polish legal challenge.

It would be entirely inappropriate for the European Commission to proceed with the provisional application of this agreement while a serious legal challenge to its validity is before the Court, Mr Mullooly said. The Irish Government should immediately request that the Commission defer any such application until the Court has made its determination.

Mr Mullooly concluded by stating that the Irish Government has until May 26th, 2026 to take meaningful action.

The Government has made a clear commitment to work with like-minded countries to oppose Mercosur. Poland has now taken the lead. Ireland must not stand on the sidelines.

If the Government is serious about defending Irish farmers and opposing this agreement, it must join Polands legal challenge and request that the Commission defer provisional application until the Court has ruled.

The deadline is clear. The Irish Government has until May 26th, 2026. It must act now. Mr Mullooly said.
A memorial service took place at Aglish Historic Graveyard on Sunday, April 19, hosted by St Marys Hospital Castlebar Heritage Society.

The event marked the 160th anniversary of the opening of St Marys Hospital (1866) with master of ceremonies Mike Finnerty coordinating the service.

The blessing of the graves ceremony was performed by Archbishop Emeritus of Tuam Dr Michael Neary, assisted by Fr Conal Eustace and Fr Mattie Long. Minister of State Alan Dillon delivered the keynote address acknowledging the importance of this step in restoring dignity and recognition to those who came before us. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring a lasting memory for those buried in the graveyard.

Historical research has shown that this graveyard was formally approved as a burial place for patients who died in the institution and was consecrated by the late Archbishop John McEvilly of Tuam.

The service provided an opportunity to reflect on a part of our shared history that has often gone unrecognised. Many of those buried there lived and died in circumstances shaped by the realities of their time, including stigma and extreme economic hardship in Ireland in the years following the Great Famine.

Across Ireland, former asylum graveyards are now part of an important national conversation. Dr Fidelma Creaven and Anthony OBoyle spoke about the importance of commemorating the lives of those buried there with dignity and respect, while also conveying the importance of recognising their place in our shared history and ensuring their memory is not lost to time.

It is estimated that hundreds of individuals are buried at Aglish Graveyard. All were laid to rest with religious rites, though often without family present.

The Aglish Graveyard Restoration Project, undertaken by St Marys Hospital Castlebar Heritage Society and supported by the Health Service Executive and Mayo County Council, aims to preserve and restore the graveyard, reconnect the community with this history, and ensure those buried there are remembered as part of Mayos heritage on an equal basis with all citizens.

The large community gathering in beautiful sunshine marked an important step in restoring dignity and recognition to those who came before us. The grounds over the last number of weeks were beautifully supported by Cllr Ger Deere and Castlebar Tidy Towns.

Brian Donnelly, former senior archivist, gave an overview of the value of historical archival material held in the former St Marys Hospital, highlighting its importance in guiding and informing future scholars.

Historical records suggest that when a patient died in the Castlebar Lunatic Asylum (as it was then called), they were transported by cart to Aglish Graveyard in coffins made in the asylum. In most cases, the coffin may have been accompanied by a nurse and, occasionally, by another patient.

When examining the history of asylums, it is important to recognise the challenges of interpreting past practices solely through the lens of modern standards. Many patients buried there were not returned to their communities by their families for a variety of reasons. Records indicate that most families did not reclaim the remains of relatives due to a combination of stigma, fear, poverty, and limited transport options. These were the realities that shaped life in Ireland during that period.

Ultimately, the restoration of Aglish Graveyard is about reconnecting the people of Mayo with an often-overlooked part of their history, honouring those who came before us, and ensuring their memory is preserved for generations to come.

This event was followed by a big gathering at the recently refurbished Heritage Society's space in the former St Mary's Hospital where the archival memorabilia is held dating back to the mid-1800s.
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.
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.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) government has released a report into the October 2025 post-Tanzanian election mass killing of protestersone of the bloodiest episodes in post-independence African history.

The October 29 election, in which Hassan claimed a one-candidate victory with the absurd official result of 97 percent, was a transparent fraud. The main opposition leader Tundu Lissu was detained and accused of treason ahead of the elections. His pro-business Chadema party was barred from contesting.

Police patrol the streets on election day in Zanzibar, Tanzania, October. 30, 2025 [AP Photo/Uncredited]

The response was explosive. Hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of workers and youth flooded the streets in the largest protests since independence, shattering the myth of Tanzania as a stable land of peace promoted by the corporate media and foreign investors. The regime responded with naked terror. Under cover of a five-day internet blackout, security forces unleashed a killing spree, gunning down protesters nationwide.

The report is a whitewash. The commission was chaired by former chief justice Mohamed Chande Othman, like all senior judicial posts appointed from the CCM regime responsible for the massacre.

The report admits that at least 518 people died from unnatural causes, 197 by gunfire, and that victims were shot in their homes as well as in the streets, with over 2,000 injured and 833 struck by live rounds. Of the 518, 21 were children. But it dismisses well documented reports of mass graves and large-scale disappearances as unsubstantiated, even as it acknowledges that 245 people are still missing and that 39 families reported seeing the bodies of relatives in morgues before they later disappeared.

The true scale is far greater. A November report by 40 African human rights organisations in Nairobi estimated the death toll at up to 3,000 protestors.

The commission concludes that the security forces exercised restraint and used force proportionately. Despite its claims to have interviewed 60,000 witnesses, the report doesnt identify any individual or unit as responsible for the killings. Establishing such a chain-of-command would lead directly to Hassan.

Without presenting a shred of evidence, the report attributed the violence to trained individuals and coordinated actors. It claims that there were people roaming around in various places inciting and recruiting others to participate in violence during and after the election.

This is a well-worn pattern employed by regimes across the region, including that of William Ruto in Kenya following the massacres of anti-austerity protests in 2024 and 2025, and Yoweri Museveni during recent elections in Uganda.

These stooges of imperialism, presiding over capitalist regimes carved out on the colonial boundaries, routinely invoke shadowy external forces to justify their repression, rather than acknowledge the real driving forces: soaring living costs, austerity measures, and police state violence, pushing workers and youth into struggle.

Speaking after receiving the report, Hassan declared that the events were a tragedy that shook our nation. This gave way to an open defence of repression. She insisted that the security forces had acted to prevent the country from descending into anarchy, and claimed that all the violence was planned, coordinated, financed and executed by people who were trained and given equipment for committing crimes. The aim of the protests was to create a leadership vacuum and render the country ungovernable.

Her insistence that those responsible will be held accountable, coupled with the announcement of a new investigative body to target looters, criminals, and those accused of causing unrest, makes clear that the regime intends to use the report to intensify repression.

The response of the main bourgeois opposition parties has been limited to appeals to the United Nations, African Union and Southern African Development Community to take over independent investigations. These are institutions that represent the collective interests of imperialism and the African ruling classes, that have endorsed Hassans electoral fraud.

Both Chadema and ACTWazalendo articulate the interests of disgruntled sections of the bourgeoisie and upper middle class excluded from the spoils of power by CCM. They fear above all the working class, which threatens not only the CCM regime but the entire social order upon which their own privileges depend.

During the October protests and its aftermath, their role was to channel anger towards pressuring the CCM regime to adopt a more law-abiding posture, to compensate victims of its repression, and to appeal to the imperialist-dominated international community for intervention. In this way, they sought to systemically contain the mass movement of workers and youth within the safe channels of bourgeois politics.

The reports release has been met with deafening silence from Washington and Brussels, whose sole concern is Tanzanias growing importance within the global scramble for resources. The country possesses vast deposits of nickel, graphite, rare earths, and other critical minerals essential for electric vehicle batteries, advanced electronics, and military technologies. US-backed ventures, including major nickel and liquefied natural gas projects, are moving forward, while the European Union has intensified cooperation under its Critical Raw Materials strategy to secure alternative supply chains.

These investments are central to the economic and military interests of the imperialist powers. Maintaining access to these resources and countering the expanding influence of China, which has become Tanzanias largest trading partner and a major investor in infrastructure and mining, is their overriding aim.

The US State Department and the European Parliament both initially issued expressions of concern during the massacres, coupled with appeals for restraint. Their invocation of democracy and human rights in the aftermath served as leverage against the CCMs relations with China and to extract further economic concessions. However, imperialist policy-making circles understand that criticisms must be heavily circumscribed to avoid the risk of driving Tanzania deeper into Beijings orbit.

For the Tanzanian masses, the central issues remain unemployment, poverty, and repression. The October protests expressed a deep social crisis. The essential lesson is that the struggle for democratic rights is inseparable from the fight against capitalism and imperialism, and cannot be entrusted to the state, the bourgeois opposition, or the imperialist power now waging war on Iran.

What is required is the united independent political mobilisation workers, youth, and the rural masses in a struggle that must extend beyond the colonial boundaries imposed by imperialism. This must be based on a programme linking immediate democratic demands, including accountability for the killings, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of democratic rights, to the broader objective of socialist transformation: the expropriation of the ruling elite, democratic control over the regions vast resources, and their utilisation for human need rather than profit, as part of the fight for the United Socialist States of Africa.

Such a perspective requires the construction of a revolutionary socialist leadership in Tanzania, rooted in the working class and armed with the internationalist programme of Trotskyism, forged in struggle against Stalinism, social democracy, and all forms of petty bourgeois nationalism, including Julius Nyereres African Socialism. These historical lessons of the International Committee of the Fourth International are documented in The December 9 protest in Tanzania, Nyereres African Socialism and the struggle for Permanent Revolution and Maoism offered as a bogus alternative to African Socialism and Pan-Africanism.
This years militarist Anzac Day celebration coincided with an eruption of imperialist war that Australia, under the Labor government, is centrally involved in.

Anzac Day marks the disastrous 1915 landing of Australian, New Zealand and British troops at Gallipoli, Turkey, amid World War I. Notwithstanding the governments glorification of the landing at Gallipoli, it was a catastrophe from start to finish, the result of the reckless decisions of British and Australian military leadership. Up to 50,000 Allied troops and more than 85,000 Turkish soldiers lost their lives in a battle that was supposed to be a surprise attack but dragged on for more than eight months.

Now 111 years later, Australia is participating in a new criminal war in that region of the world, the US-led assault on Iran, which threatens to ignite a global conflagration.

Widely reviled amid the mass hostility to the Vietnam War, Anzac Day has been heavily promoted by governments since the 1980s and 90s, a period coinciding with unending US-led wars that are now metastasising into a direct confrontation of American imperialism with nuclear-armed states, Russia and China.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers 2026 Anzac Day address from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra [Photo: Prime Ministers Office]

The lead-up to Anzac Day was more muted than in previous years. In his statements on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese trotted out the usual lines about the military having embodied all that is greatest in our national character. But he said nothing about the role of the military in conflicts that are underway today.

The reason for the vagueness is that there is widespread anti-war sentiment. A Newspoll last month found that 72 percent of the population opposed the US attack on Iran. Over more than two years, there have been mass protests opposing the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the Labor governments support for it.

Even among the crowds that gathered, which were many times smaller than the largest of those demonstrations, there were glimmers of popular anti-war sentiment. Roy Pearson, a 99-year-old veteran of World War II told the Sydney Morning Herald, War never solves anything. We need to wake up to ourselves.

Labors Defence Minister Richard Marles, an ardent war hawk, also said little about current events. But he did declare: Approximately 1,250 Australian Defence Force personnel are currently deployed on operations across Australia, the Indo-Pacific region and the globe. These deployments are an example of the continuing Anzac spirit while serving Australias national interests.

Those deployments point to Australias integration into a US-led war machine that menaces the entire world.

Among those deployed are more than a hundred troops, permanently based with US forces in the United Arab Emirates. Last month, they were joined by 85 more personnel, who accompanied an advanced war command airplane that could be used to target US strikes on Iran, and air-to-air missiles. The same month, 90 Special Forces soldiers were also posted to the region, undoubtedly preparing to participate in a ground invasion of Iran if it occurs.

The character of these operations was demonstrated, not by the nauseating references to national character and the Anzac spirit, but by US President Donald Trumps threats to return Iran to the stone age and to end its civilisation entirely.

Marles gave no breakdown of the deployments, but every branch of the Australian military is heavily involved in a vast US-led military build-up aimed at preparing for an aggressive war against China.

Little over a week before Anzac Day, Marles released the 2026 National Defence Strategy, which centres on maritime conflict and strike capability, including missiles and drones, which it explicitly connects to confrontation with China. Military spending, already at a record of almost $60 billion a year, is being increased by a further $53 billion over the decade.

While government leaders avoid speaking about the implications of what they are preparing, the reality of plans for a major war were spelt out bluntly by former secretary of the Home Affairs department, Mike Pezzullo.

In a comment published by the Murdoch-owned Australian and the hawkish Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Pezzullo bemoaned the fact that Australians tend to frame war in moral terms and as something that is in our past. The former senior official warned that the solemnity of Anzac Day, and an emphasis on the horrors of war undermined The idea of the utility and necessity of war.

Speaking about his willingness to sacrifice the new generations of young people he continued:

Will we have the fortitude to calculate the odds of war and to prepare accordingly, even as we abhor war? Will we have the moral clarity to calculate the cost of war and the price of peace? Will we be prepared to make the same sacrifices that we rightly honour on Saturday, for the sake of future generations?

Odds are, we may be tested soon enough.

He denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the main target of the diatribe was China. Pezzullo repeated all of the US talking points, falsely depicting Beijing as an aggressor and declared, For Australias part, we are not doing nearly enough to prepare for the possibility of a war in the Pacific in the near term.

An editorial in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) was more restrained, but made the same basic point.

Bemoaning potential delays to the AUKUS program for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US, directed against China, it stated that, Waiting for big military hardware to arrive appears to be preparing to fight the last war, as asymmetric and autonomous weapons revolutionise warfare. The AFR welcomed Labors emphasis on the rapid acquisition of drones, which have been central to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, but called for such programs to be accelerated further.

In other words, under conditions where the central policy of the Labor government since 2022 has been to complete Australias transformation into a frontline state for war against China, including with vastly expanded US basing and the largest build-up of the military in decades, far more is being demanded.

In what could become a defining element of this years Anzac Day, was the decision of Victoria Cross recipient, Ben Roberts-Smith, to attend an Anzac Day event on Queenslands Gold Coast. He appears to have been given a warm welcome by most in the small crowd, while media outlets, including the publicly funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation, published respectful articles citing Roberts-Smiths comments about his passion for Anzac Day.

Its less than three weeks since Roberts-Smith was criminally charged with five war crimes, for his alleged involvement in the murder of multiple Afghans. That includes accusations that Roberts-Smith machine gunned a disabled Afghan prisoner to death and kicked a civilian off a cliff.

War crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan flowed inexorably from the neo-colonial and criminal character of the occupation itself. The official claims that governments and the military command were unaware of the atrocities that were carried out are not credible.

Even in that context though, the ability of Roberts-Smith to make public appearances and to be treated politely by the press, as an accused serial murderer, is disturbing and a marker of a shift to the right by the entire political and media establishment.

Meanwhile, there is overwhelming anti-war sentiment among workers and young people, which is intersecting with anger over a cost-of-living and social crisis that has been intensified over recent weeks by the price hikes triggered by the war on Iran. The urgent task is to transform those sentiments into an anti-war movement, based on the social and political power of the working class and a socialist perspective directed against the source of war, the capitalist system.
This May 18, 2016 file photo shows the Presbyterian Healthcare Services administrative center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. [AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan]

The latest data from Gallup and Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) provide a devastating statistical portrait of social conditions in the United States. The figures expose a society in which tens of millions are forced to sacrifice basic necessities, forego treatment and incur crushing debt in order to survive.

The Gallup survey finds that 33 percent of Americans, or roughly 82 million people, have cut back on essentials such as food, utilities and transportation to pay for healthcare in 2025. Among the uninsured, the figure rises to 62 percent, but even among those with coverage nearly 3 in 10 report similar sacrifices.

Among the uninsured, 32 percent borrowed money to pay for care and 24 percent delayed or prolonged medication use. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans (about 9 percent) reported postponing retirement due to healthcare expenses, while twice as many delayed changing jobs.

The financial strain extends well beyond low-income groups. Around 25 percent of households earning $90,000$120,000 and even 11 percent of those earning $240,000 or more reported cutting back to afford care. Healthcare has become a top economic concern, with over 60 percent of Americans expressing serious worry about costs and access.

The KFF data reinforces this pattern: 44 percent of adults report difficulty affording healthcare, while 36 percent say they delayed or skipped necessary treatment due to cost. Eighty-two percent of uninsured adults report difficulty affording care, compared to 42 percent of those with insurance.

One-third of adults report cost-related rationing of medications, including skipping doses or failing to fill prescriptions. A similar percentage say they skipped or postponed needed medical care due to cost in the past year. Meanwhile, 41 percent of the population carries medical or dental debt, with nearly a quarter unable to pay their bills at all.

Financial vulnerability is pervasive, with about half of adults unable to cover an unexpected $500 medical expense without going into debt. Healthcare costs now rank as a leading source of anxiety, with roughly two-thirds of Americans expressing serious concern about their ability to afford care, which only compounds mental healthcare conditions.

These statistics have profound political significance. Access to healthcare in the US, one of the most basic needs in human society, is determined not by medical need but by ones income, employment status and insured status. And having health insurance is not a guarantee of access to medical care. The insured majority of patients increasingly face rising premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs that render formal coverage largely meaningless. The result is a system of de facto rationing, enforced by the financial limits imposed on working class households.

This situation is the product of decades of bipartisan policy, carried out by both Democrats and Republicans, aimed at dismantling the social gains won through generations of class struggle. Programs established in the aftermath of the Great Depression and expanded in the postwar period have been systematically eroded. The guiding principle has been the same: to subordinate healthcare and other social needs to the profit requirements of the financial and corporate elite.

The expansion of privatization and deregulation has been central to this process. Public programs have been hollowed out or transformed into vehicles for private profit, while regulatory constraints on insurers, pharmaceutical companies and hospital systems have been weakened.

The Affordable Care Act, designed and signed into law under the Obama administration, was not a progressive reform; rather, it entrenched the role of private insurance and, above all, was based on the private ownership of the health insurance companies, pharmaceuticals and giant healthcare chains. The result is the present crisis, in which nominal coverage coexists with widespread inability to access care.

Under Donald Trump, these long-standing tendencies have taken on an especially aggressive and reactionary form. The administrations 20252026 policies represent a direct assault on the most vulnerable sections of the population, while increasing funds for war abroad and repression at home.

Central to this is the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which imposes mandatory Medicaid work requirements of 80 hours per month and introduces monthly eligibility checks, while cutting $900 billion from the fund. These measures are designed not to promote employment but to create bureaucratic barriers that strip millions of coverage through paperwork hurdles and administrative churn.

The impact is already evident. The expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies (introduced in 2021 through pandemic relief laws) has driven up insurance costs, placing coverage further out of reach for low-income families.

At the same time, new restrictions on Medicaid and CHIP eligibility for immigrants have excluded broad layers of legally present residents from care. Frequent income verification requirements have produced a system of coverage churn, in which eligible individuals lose insurance due to minor reporting discrepancies or delays.

The essential aim of these policies is to reduce federal expenditures by cutting people off from care. The human cost, measured in untreated illness, preventable deaths and deepening poverty, is treated as irrelevant. What matters is the reallocation of resources to serve the interests of finance capital, including tax cuts and increased military spending.

Responsibility for this crisis does not rest with the Republicans alone. The Democratic Party has consistently facilitated and, in many cases, initiated similar attacks.

Under the Clinton administration, the Pivot to Managed Care integrated market-driven efficiency into public safety nets. This era was defined by the expansion of private HMOs within Medicare and the 1996 welfare reforms, which disassociated Medicaid from cash assistance and introduced administrative hurdles that reduced enrollment.

The Obama administration furthered this trajectory with the Private Market Mandate of the Affordable Care Act. By rejecting a public option in favor of an individual mandate, the ACA required citizens to purchase private products, effectively using federal authority to guarantee a customer base for the insurance industry. Additionally, the growth of Medicare Advantage plans, which use federal funds to pay for privately run Medicare plans under both administrations represents a form of stealth privatization.

In states such as California, under Gavin Newsom, austerity budgets have targeted essential programs with approximately $5 billion in cuts, affecting particularly those serving immigrants and low-income communities.

The combined effect of these policies is a healthcare system that functions as a mechanism of social control and economic extraction. Workers are compelled to remain in jobs they might otherwise leave due to fear of losing insurance. Families are driven into debt or forced to choose between medical care and other necessities. The system operates not to promote health but to sustain profitability for insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms and corporate hospital networks.

Significantly, the objective conditions reflected in these statistics are generating growing opposition. Across the US, workers in healthcare, education, logistics and other sectors have engaged in strikes and protests against austerity, declining living standards and the erosion of basic rights. In recent months alone, millions have taken collective action, expressing a deepening anger that extends beyond individual grievances to the broader social order.

This emerging movement reflects a fundamental contradiction. On the one hand, the productive capacity of society has reached unprecedented levels, making it entirely possible to guarantee high-quality healthcare for all. On the other hand, the capitalist system subordinates this capacity to private profit, producing scarcity and insecurity.

No solution lies within the existing political framework, as both parties defend profit and corporate dominance. Growing social struggles point to the need for an independent working class movement to transform the system, establish universal public healthcare and abolish corporate control. As millions already sacrifice basic needs, conditions will worsen, posing a stark choice between continued inequality or a mass socialist movement to reorganize society.
The US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran is having a devastating impact on the global economy, threatening to plunge billions of people into deep poverty and hunger. Among the worst-affected regions is the Pacific, where impoverished and isolated island states are highly vulnerable to the fuel shortage caused by the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele, Tongan PM Lord Fakafanua and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa meet in April 2026 [Photo: Pacific Islands Forum]

On April 17, the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which includes 18 countries and territories, declared a region-wide emergency and invoked the Biketawa Declarationwhich provides a framework for the regional coordination of relief efforts.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Solomon Islands Prime Minister and current PIF chair Jeremiah Manele called on Australia and New Zealand, the two regional imperialist powers, to join with Pacific nations in forming a single buying bloc in order to maximise their chances of securing oil on an increasingly tight international market. So far, no such action has been taken.

Prices are soaring. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), with a population of about 10 million, half of whom are living in poverty, Reuters reported on April 22 that prices for diesel, petrol and kerosene (widely used for cooking) have been driven up by as much as 70 percent since the start of the war. The charity World Vision noted that many outlying communities that rely on boat transport are already facing challenges getting food supplies.

This will inevitably exacerbate social tensions in the former Australian colony, where riots broke out in January 2024 over inequality and pay cuts.

In Fiji, Suva Retailers Association president Jitesh Patel stated on April 24 that import costs had risen by 10 to 15 percent. About 80 percent of all consumer goods in Fiji are imported. Even before the present crisis, according to the United Nations, small Pacific island countries paid twice as much for international transport of imports as developed countries in 2022.

More than 30 percent of people in Fiji live below the national poverty line and half of all families are struggling to buy enough food. The ABC reported on April 14 that people in Fijis slums are now so desperate, theyre scavenging for recyclables at rubbish dumps and cant afford to send their kids to school.

The Fiji government has announced a 50 percent boost to welfare benefits paid to 130,000 people, about 14 percent of the population. This measure will prove completely inadequate, under conditions where at least one third of people live below the poverty line. The increase is only temporary, expiring at the end of July.

Tuvalu, home to just over 10,000 people, spends a quarter of its GDP on fuel imports, on which it relies to generate almost all its electricity. The government declared a state of emergency in mid-April to allow for rationing after diesel prices went up 40 percent and petrol increased by 30 percent.

The Marshall Islands, which declared a state of emergency at the end of March, is also rationing electricity use, including by closing non-essential public services early in the afternoon.

Countries that rely on tourism face falling visitor numbers as airfares rise and airlines cut routes in response to higher fuel costs. Tourism accounts for a quarter of GDP in Fiji and Samoa, and 11 percent in Tonga. These countries went into a deep recession during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic after tourism collapsed.

The war is also driving up fertiliser prices, which will mean higher food prices and lower yields for farmers. Most Pacific economies depend on small-scale farming and fishing, as well as remittances from family members working in New Zealand, Australia and other countriesall of which are impacted by the economic downturn.

The imperialist powers, which are responsible for the extreme poverty and underdevelopment in the Pacific, are utterly indifferent to the fact that millions of peoples livelihoods are being crushed. The US and its allies, Australia and NZ, will exploit the crisis to further militarize the strategically vital region in preparation for war against Chinathe main target of US imperialism.

The US maintains thousands of troops in Guam and is developing bases in Palau and the Northern Mariana Islands. The US and Australia are upgrading and making use of the Lombrum Naval Base in Papua New Guinea.

Australia has signed neo-colonial military agreements with PNG and Tuvalu, and is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a Pacific Policing Initiative, aimed at deploying militarized police anywhere in the region to suppress popular unrest.

New Zealand last year cut all aid to the Cook Islands in order to coerce its government into signing an agreement that will compel it to consult NZ before making any commercial or diplomatic agreements with China. Under the deal, reached earlier this month, the NZ military has unimpeded access to the Cook Islands vast territorial waters.

Despite the tremendous hardship imposed on their populations by the war, none of the Pacific governments has opposed the genocidal bombing of Iran and Israels invasion of Lebanon. Papua New Guineas foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko spoke for the capitalist elites throughout the region when he told Radio NZ (RNZ) on March 3: We have supported the United States and Israel from day one.

Six Pacific countriesPNG, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands and Micronesiavoted in the UN General Assembly against a motion for a ceasefire in Gaza in late 2023. Fiji and PNG last year opened embassies in Jerusalem, while Israel escalated its genocide of the Palestinian people.

On April 10, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, a US Republican representative for the Northern Marianas, told the ABC that the territory was on the brink of economic collapse, fuel prices had doubled and people were having to choose between having medication or not having medication this is a life and death situation. But she refused to criticise the war and the billions of dollars being squandered on the military, saying thats for the president [Trump] to decide.

Major struggles will inevitably erupt in the Pacific as the imperialist powers and the local ruling classes seek to impose the full burden of the economic crisis on working people. Workers, farmers and young people must prepare by taking up a conscious political struggle for socialism. We call on readers across the Pacific to participate in the upcoming International Online May Day Rally, which will present a socialist strategy to stop the developing third world war, and to join the fight to build the Trotskyist movement in every country.
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Will Lehman

Will Lehmana rank-and-file Mack Trucks worker and socialist candidate for UAW presidentintroduced a resolution opposing the war against Iran at a meeting of UAW Local 677 on Saturday. Lehman proposed that the resolutionAgainst the US-Israeli Imperialist War on Iran; For the Independent Mobilization of the Working Classbe taken up at the 39th UAW Constitutional Convention, scheduled for June 1518 in Detroit.

The resolution was put to a vote at UAW Local 677 and was defeated 7 to 1. Lehman cast the only vote in favor. The seven who voted it down were not rank-and-file workers but local officers and their associatesa tiny bureaucratic clique convened without the 2,400 Mack Trucks workers. Their vote is entirely typical of the pro-war UAW apparatus that has, from the national leadership on down, either actively promoted the war drive or maintained a cowardly silence in the face of it.

The resolution proposed by Lehman is a powerful statement outlining a strategy for the working class to stop the war. It denounces the war as criminal, drawing on the Nuremberg precedents established after World War II, and documents its staggering human costs and implications.

The resolution also directly connects the war to the attacks on the democratic and social rights of the working class at home. The same government that bombs Iranian cities is deploying militarized federal agents against immigrant workers, killed Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, and is building what the resolution characterizes as the largest immigration prison system in American history.

It condemns the $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget alongside savage cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, food assistance, housing and education, and raises the threat now hanging over every auto plant in the country: the conversion of production from vehicles to weapons of war, which would integrate autoworkers, against their interests, into the production of the weapons used to kill workers in other countries.

The resolution places responsibility for the war squarely on both parties of big business. It declares that the Democratic Party has joined with the Republican Party in funding and prosecuting this war, with leading Democrats supporting the strikes and Senate war powers resolutions failing repeatedly  demonstrating that the working class can place no confidence in either capitalist party or in the institutions of the capitalist state to end the war, and must rely on its own independent strength.

The resolution lays out a program of action rooted in the independent initiative of the rank and file. It declares that the war can be ended only by the independent mobilization of the working class, not by appeals to Congress, lobbying the Democrats, or reliance on capitalist politicians of any stripe. It therefore calls on UAW members to actualize the resolution through the formation of rank-and-file committees in every localindependent of and not subordinate to the union bureaucracy, elected in open meetings, accountable solely to the membership, and subject to immediate recall.

The resolution specifies what these committees would be charged with: taking the resolution into every workplace and convening the membership to discuss and act on it; organizing the defense of immigrant coworkers against ICE raids and deportations; opposing the conversion of auto and auto parts production to military output; and preparing to oppose conscription and defend any worker or young person who refuses to fight in an imperialist war. It further calls for establishing direct lines of communication and coordination with rank-and-file committees in other UAW locals, other unions, and with workers internationally, including in Iran.

Finally, it links these organizational measures to concrete industrial and political action. The committees are instructed to convene assemblies, prepare the membership for industrial and political action up to and including work stoppages and strike action, and report back regularly and openly on progress. The resolution underscores that implementation cannot be left to officials, staff, or apparatus, but depends on the conscious, organized, and independent action of the rank and file.

The vote against Lehmans resolution by the Local 677 apparatus is politically significant not for its tally7 to 1 in a meeting designed to exclude the membershipbut for what it reveals. A handful of officials, acting as a closed bureaucratic clique, moved to suppress any expression of opposition to an illegal war and prevent even a discussion among the 2,400 Mack workers they nominally represent. In this sense, the vote is a concentrated expression of the role of the UAW apparatus as a whole.

UAW President Shawn Fain has positioned the apparatus as a reliable prop of the war drive. He has issued no statement opposing the Iran war, while reviving the poisonous mythology of the World War II Arsenal of Democracythe corporatist arrangement under which auto production was converted to armaments, workers were stripped of the right to strike, and the union bureaucracy was rewarded with state sanction and institutional privileges in exchange for enforcing labor discipline.

Fains embrace of Trumps economic nationalism and tariff war flows from the same logic: divide workers along national lines, subordinate their struggles to the national interest of American capitalism, and prepare the union to police the workforce as war and austerity escalate.

The WSWS calls on autoworkers and all UAW members to take Lehmans resolution into every plant and every local, circulate it on the shop floor, and implement the strategy that it lays out. As the resolution states, the working class possesses, through its position in production, transportation and the universities, the social power to halt the war machine. The issue is organization and leadership: whether workers collective strength is consciously mobilized, or strangled by officials whose privileges depend on keeping workers politically disarmed and isolated.

The WSWS urges workers to build rank-and-file committees, link up across plants and borders, and prepare collective action to stop the war drive and defend the working class from the onslaught that accompanies it.
Members of law enforcement respond during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington. [AP Photo/Tom Brenner]

On Saturday night, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was tackled and subdued by Secret Service agents after he broke through the outer security perimeter at the White House Correspondents Association dinner at the Washington Hilton.

There was a flurry of gunshots, some by the gunman, who was armed with a shotgun and a handgun, some by Secret Service agents or other security officers. Only two people required medical attention: Allen himself, and an unnamed Secret Service agent, who was wearing a bulletproof vest and only lightly injured, according to accounts given by federal officials.

Based on the information that is available, neither Trump, Vice President JD Vance nor any of the dozens of cabinet officials and members of Congress were ever in any danger. Each top official was quickly surrounded by a security detail and hustled out of the ballroom to secure rooms set up elsewhere in the hotel.

The gunman Allen is in custody, with US Attorney Jeanine Pirro saying that he would be arraigned Monday on two federal charges, assaulting a federal officer using a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Many more charges are expected to be filed as a result of ongoing investigation, she said.

Allen travelled from his home in southern California by train to Chicago and then Washington, suggesting that he was carrying his weapons and wanted to avoid security screening at airports. He checked in at the Hilton on Friday, April 24, the night before the WHCA dinner.

Allens views on Trump had become increasingly hostile in the course of the past year, according to family members who spoke to the media. Ten minutes before he ran through the initial Secret Service checkpoint, he sent a 1,000-word declaration of his political views to his family, describing himself as the Friendly Federal Assassin. A brother living in Connecticut immediately contacted the police, who relayed the information to the Secret Service, although the White House said the tip arrived too late to forestall the incident.

In his political statement, Allen wrote that he was no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes. He said his targets were top government officials, with the sole exception of FBI Director Kash Patel. Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest, he wrote.

He singled out the Trump administrations crimes against immigrants and his war crimes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, writing: Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. Im not the person raped in a detention camp. Im not the fisherman executed without trial. Press reports said that in social media posts Allen had described Trump as a sociopathic mob boss and the Antichrist.

While the statement issued by Allen indicates that he was deeply opposed to the actions of the Trump regime, the course he took serves no progressive purpose. Long historical experience has demonstrated that individual attacks on one or another leader play into the hands of political reaction. In this case, it provides an opportunity for Trump to escalate attacks on democratic rights.

During an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Trump claimed that the attacker had a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while He just, it was a religious thing. It was strongly anti, anti-Christian. Allens LinkedIn profile, however, identifies him as a member of the Caltech Christian Fellowship.

Trump sought to use the incident both to glorify his own significance, and to press ahead with the construction of the gigantic ballroom that would replace the now-demolished East Wing of the White House. This included an obscene comparison of himself to Abraham Lincoln. Trump declared, the people that do the most, the people that make the biggest impact, theyre the ones that they go after.

The response from the political establishment and the corporate media is, as always, reactionary, cowardly and hypocritical. In the various statements from these layers, centered on the theme of there is no place for political violence in America, none made the basic point that Trump is himself responsible for escalating brutal violence abroad and within the United States.

It is not even two months since US and Israeli forces carried out the extermination of much of Irans political leadership, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many of his family members, advisers and other government officials in a targeted air strike on the first day of the US war with Iran.

The leaders of the European imperialist powers, who have balked at some of Trumps actions in the Persian Gulf, were at pains to condemn the attack on the WHCA dinner and any suggestion that violence in America was a case of the chickens coming home to roost.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that she was relieved Trump and attendees were safe, adding: Violence has no place in politics, ever. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas struck a similar tone, warning that political violence has no place in a democracy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was shocked by the scenes Saturday night in Washington, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz tweeted, Violence has no place in a democracy. French President Emmanuel Macron was more direct, declaring, I extend my full support to Donald Trump.

The hypocrisy is sickening. Trump is himself the greatest threat to American democracy, as these ladies and gentlemen well know. His thugs attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 in an effort to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election, and his war against immigrants has left American citizens dead on the streets and immigrants dead in detention camps. To say nothing of the thousands slaughtered in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza by US bombs and missiles.
United Parcel Service transport jets wait to be loaded with packages at the UPS Worldport in Louisville, Kentucky Tuesday, Apr. 27, 2021. [AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley]

On April 14, a collision was narrowly avoided between a cargo jet and a smaller aircraft on approach to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. The 767 cargo jet had to abort its landing when another aircraft moved onto the runway, forcing a go-around at one of the busiest freight hubs in the country.

The airport hosts UPSs Worldport hub, the center of its air operations and one of the biggest logistics hubs in the country. The same facility was the site of the fatal crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976 last November which killed 15 people, including three pilots. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff into a dense industrial corridor, which includes a Ford assembly plant, creating a debris field a mile long.

The National Transportation Safety Boards (NTSB) preliminary findings showed that the left engine and pylon separated during takeoff, with fatigue cracks and overstress failures in the attachment structure. Evidence so far indicates that maintenance of the 34-year-old MD-11F freighter was inconsistent at best. The plane had been in San Antonio from September 3 to October 18 for a heavy maintenance check, and investigators said they would examine every maintenance action performed before the crash.

UPS has since retired its entire MD-11 fleet.

The NTSB has now scheduled a two-day investigative, public hearing for May 1920, to gather sworn public testimony and evidence to help the NTSB determine the circumstances and probable cause of the crash.

The latest near-disaster at Worldport is the latest sign of a serious crisis in US aviation safety. On March 22 at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 struck a fire truck on landing, killing the two pilots. Only two controllers were in the tower overnight, and the fire rescue truck on the runway lacked a transponder and could not be reliably tracked by the airports surface detection system.

On April 18, four days after the near miss in Louisville, two Southwest aircraft came perilously close at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee. One Southwest aircraft was executing a go-around while another was departing from a parallel runway, creating a near miss that investigators are still reviewing.

The ruling classs relentless drive for profit has led to the dangerous neglect of maintenance and technology in the National Airspace System (NAS). More than 90 percent of US air traffic control facilities operate below recommended levels, forcing controllers into 10-hour shifts and six-day weeks.

While billions of dollars are being spent on domestic repression and imperialist wars, air traffic control systems are forced to rely on antiquated equipment and a technological patchwork. Conditions for controllers have worsened for decades since the Reagan administration smashed the PATCO strike in 1981 by firing over 11,000 air traffic controllers.

Significantly, the November UPS crash took place during a federal shutdown, in which controllers spent more than a month working without pay.

On March 6, Trump fired NTSB board member J. Todd Inman, undermining the independent investigatory powers of the agency. Inman had played a key role in the investigations of the November and the midair collision of a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight over Washington D.C. in January 2025, which killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Inman has said he was removed without explanation. White House cited misconduct allegations, which Inman has denied.

Inman is the second NTSB board member fired by Trump in less than a year. NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown was fired last May.

In his drive to establish a presidential dictatorship, Trump fired 17 independent inspectors general across departments like DHS, State and Defense during his first week in office. He has since dismissed dozens of independent agency leaders and either appointed loyalists or left seats vacant.

The Democrats provide no meaningful opposition to the Trump administrations dismantling of safety oversight and regulations. They fundamentally agree with Trump on the defense of the capitalist system and continue to fund the administrations regressive policies, pouring billions of dollars into ICE and CBP for immigrant detention and deportation camps, while bankrolling endless imperialist wars abroad.
The American Library Association (ALA) has come out with its annual report on the State of Americas Libraries, and it is an appalling document. It brings out how far and how deeply the attacks on democratic rights and freedom of thought and expression have gone and how determined the right-wing, fascistic elements are to suppress truth on various fronts.

Most challenged books in 2025

The ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, the second highest ever documented by ALA. The highest ever documented was 4,240 in 2023. As one of the essays included in the State of Americas Libraries points out, These numbers stand far from the baseline of 273, which was the average annual number between 2001 and 2020.

This is not the result of some sudden upsurge in public morality or even prudishness. This is a concerted, organized campaign driven by ultra-right elements dedicated to forcing their anti-democratic and unpopular views on a largely unsuspecting public. It is part of the preemptive assault on popular consciousness, driven by fear of the growing radicalization materialized in the No Kings demonstrations of millions and other indications of public hostility to the entire political establishment.

Along these lines, one of the key findings of the ALA in regard to the censorship landscape bears on the identity of the intellectual freedom challengers.

The State of Americas Libraries observes:

Contrary to common narratives suggesting that book challenges originate primarily from concerned parents, our data shows otherwise. Approximately 91.7% of titles challenged in 2025 were targeted by pressure groups (20.8%) and government decision makers (70.9%). By comparison, only 2.7% of challenges came from parents, and 1.4% came from individual library users. This represents a dramatic shift from previous years. In the past, pressure groups and government officials accounted for roughly 12.9% of book challenges, averaging about 46 titles per year. [Emphasis added.]

The 91.7 percent figure is divided up approximately like this: 40 percent local boards or administrations, 31 percent elected officials or governments and 21 percent right-wing pressure groups.

Sold

The report goes on to explain that in 2025 those same actors targeted 7,884 books. That number includes 4,235 unique titles, which means that many titles were targeted multiple times.

This duplication reflects a large-scale, coordinated effort. Todays censorship campaigns are not spontaneous expressions of community concern; they are organized initiatives driven by political actors and well-funded book banning movements.

There were 713 distinct censorship incidents in 2025, 68 percent involving books, 13 percent over library access (closures, funding cuts, bomb threats), 5 percent concerning displays, 4 percent about library programs and 2 percent the result of hate crimes. Public libraries came under attack 51 percent of the time and school libraries 37 percent. School curricula and higher education make up the rest.

Significantly, these efforts were rewarded with unprecedented success. Some two-thirds of the challenged books, or about 5,668, went on to be banned, and an additional 920 titles were restricted in some way. Thats the highest number of titles censored in a single year and highest rate of censorship recorded between 1990 and 2025, reports K-12 Dive.

Looking for Alaska

The claim by the censorship zealots that they are protecting children is hypocritical, cynical drivel. The right-wing forces so worried about the young are the same ones in favor of slashing budgets, social programs and benefits, resulting in the impoverishment of millions of children and families.

The most targeted books in 2025 included Sold by Patricia McCormick, a 2006 novel about a girl from Nepal sold into sexual slavery in India. The book was adapted as a film in 2014, with Emma Thompson as one of the executive producers. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) by Stephen Chbosky is also highly targeted. That novel too was made into a film, in 2012.

Two fantasy novels by Sarah J. Maas (Empire of Storms [2016] and A Court of Thorns and Roses [2015]), and another by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Storm and Fury, 2019) are on the list, as is Anthony Burgess dystopian 1962 novel A Clockwork Orange!

Also on the 2025 list, John Greens 2005 young adult novel, Looking for Alaska, was the fourth-most challenged book in the US between 2010 and 2019, with profanity and a sexually explicit scene identified as objectionable. When the Marion County (Kentucky) High School considered removing the book from the library and senior English curriculum, it created a genuine controversy, with considerable public support for the book. The teacher who wanted to use Greens novel received more than 500 encouraging emails, half of them written by teenagers who had read it.

Tricks (2009) by Ellen Hopkins was another title under attack in 2025, in this case for its treatment of drugs and adolescent sexuality, as was her Identical (2013). Gender Queer: A Memoir (2019) by Maia Kobabe and Last Night at the Telegraph Club (2021) by Malinda Lo were singled out for attack because of their gay sexual themes.

Beyond the list of the most targeted, the ALA reports that of the titles targeted in 2025, 1,671 deal with LGBTQ and black or indigenous themes. The fascistic book banners consider these subjects low-hanging fruit, appealing to the most backward elements in the population. And anti-gay bigotry and racism are real driving forces in these quarters.

ALA report

However, the wider aim is to chloroform or stunt public consciousness, to criminalize investigations of social inequality and poverty, slavery and the crimes committed against Native Americans, the violence of the class struggle and, more generally, the history and blood-soaked character of American capitalism.

This is along the lines of the Nazi-like effort to synchronize institutions and culture behind American chauvinism, militarism and social reaction. Donald Trumps January 29, 2025 executive order, Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling, for example, asserted that parents expected US schools to instill a patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand. This was to be coordinated with the Department of Defense.
Are you a Harvard graduate student or non-tenure-track faculty member? Fill out the form at the end of the article for more information on establishing a rank-and-file committee.

Striking Harvard graduate students in Cambridge, Massachusetts [Photo: UAW]

As the strike by members of the Harvard Graduate Student UnionUnited Auto Workers (HGSUUAW) begins to enter its second week, their class brothers and sisters in the Harvard Academic Workers-UAW (HAW-UAW) union have reached a critical turning point in their struggle. The fight by 4,000 non-tenure-track faculty and researchers for a first contract with the Ivy League university is a focal point in the struggle of academic workers across the country.

The primary obstacle to victory is not merely the recalcitrance of the Harvard administration, but the sabotage of the UAW bureaucracy. UAW International and Region 9A officials have moved to strangle the strike before it could become a united counter-offensive by academic workers and graduate student workers.

In a flagrant violation of democratic principles, the HAW-UAW bargaining committee has unilaterally called off plans for a spring strike, overriding a clear mandate from the membership. As reported in the Harvard Crimson, during a general membership meeting, 53 percent of attendees voted to close the strike authorization vote and begin striking immediately. Rather than implementing this decision, the committee engaged in bureaucratic gaslighting, citing procedural confusions and notification windows to justify an abrupt about-face that rules out any strike action for the remainder of the semester. This maneuver is a deliberate attempt to protect the universitys reading period and commencement operations at the expense of the workers primary leverage.

This betrayal is a gift to the Harvard administration. By preventing a unified front with Harvard Graduate Student Union (HGSU-UAW) members who are already on strike for living wages, the HAW-UAW leadership has effectively enforced the divide-and-conquer strategy of management. While graduate workers face $3,500 median rents in Cambridge on a pittance wage as little as $18 per hour, the HAW-UAW bureaucracy is ensuring that the non-tenure-track faculty remains isolated, stripped of their power to shut down the university.

The UAW International apparatus functions as a policing mechanism for the financial oligarchy. Under the leadership of Shawn Fain, the bureaucracy has perfected the use of corporatist red tape to stifle the initiative of workers. The HAW-UAW bargaining committees claim that a strike was logistically unfeasible is a political fiction designed to obscure their role as managements enforcers.

To justify their stand-down, the committee cited a substantial risk that the UAW International leadership would not authorize the strike, deploying a series of bogus procedural hurdles. These include:

Participation Thresholds: Arbitrarily demanding a 50% participation rate to demonstrate strong support, regardless of the actual vote outcome.

Authorization Thresholds: Utilizing the UAW rule requiring a two-thirds majority of voters, effectively granting a minority veto power over the struggle.

Strike Pay Sabotage: Threatening workers with the loss of financial support by claiming the International would not process authorization in time.

These rules are not intended to protect the membership; they are designed to ensure that no struggle escapes the control of the bureaucratic center. The UAW International views independent worker initiative as a threat to its collaborative relationship with the university. This bureaucratic red tape is the direct mechanism used to subordinate the working class to the financial requirements of the Blackstone and KKR oligarchs who sit on the Harvard board.

The Harvard Corporation members manage the university as an extension of their corporate portfolios, functioning as a Committee of Capital dedicated to the requirements of the national security apparatus.

As we have previously reported, the most important figures on the Board include:

Penny Pritzker: Billionaire; Former Commerce Secretary (Obama); Boards of Microsoft & Icertis.

Timothy Barakett: Founder, TRB Advisors; Appointed to KKR Board (March 2025).

Mariano-Florentino Cuellar: Former NSC Senior Director (Obama); President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a major thinktank for the military- intelligence apparatus.

Michael Chae: Vice Chair and CFO of Blackstone (Worlds largest commercial landlord).

Sylvia Mathews Burwell: Former Health and Human Services secretary; Chief of Staff to Robert Rubin (Architect of deregulation).

The administration has weaponized a narrative of financial distress, citing a projected $365 million deficit to justify wage suppression. This is a strategic accounting lie. Harvard sits on a $53.2 billion endowment and recently raised $629 million in current-use gifts. The crisis is a political choice made under the pressure of the Trump administrations scorched-earth campaign against academic freedom and student anti-genocide protests.

With Education Secretary Linda McMahon placing Harvard under heightened cash monitoring and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth freezing $2.2 billion in grants, the Harvard Corporation is offloading the costs of its political conflict with the far right onto the backs of the workers.

The Harvard Crimson reported last week that Havard President Alan Garber attended by invitation one of the nations most secretive conservative gatherings last month, joining closed-door debate over higher education as the University faces intensifying scrutiny from the right.

The UAW leadership, including Region 9A Director Brandon Mancillaa Democratic Socialists of America member and Fain cronyfunctions as an unaccountable layer of the middle-class bureaucracy. Their record is one of consistent betrayal, where radical rhetoric is used to channel workers back into the Democratic Party, a party of Wall Street and war.

The sabotage at Harvard follows a well-worn pattern of treachery. At Columbia University, Region 9A ordered locals to water down demands such as cops off campus and divestment from the weapons industry, threatening trusteeship over any local that dared to challenge the imperialist state. The UAW rejected an overwhelming vote in favor of strike for a second time even after the local leadership acquiesced to the UAW demands,.

Mancilla and the DSA represent the pseudo-left cover for the bureaucracy, providing a radical veneer to a corporatist apparatus that is fundamentally hostile to the independent mobilization of the working class.

The only viable path forward for Harvard workers is the strategy proposed by Will Lehman, a Mack Trucks worker and socialist candidate for UAW president. Lehman has explained that the Harvard strike is part of a global movement against exploitation and war, which pits workers against the pro-war labor apparatus. The bureaucracy cant be reformed. It must be abolished, Lehman has stated, emphasizing that academic and industrial workers face the same bureaucratic enemy.

Lehmans call for a unified counter-offensive is the only response to the Harvard Corporations retrenchment and the Trump administrations drive toward fascist dictatorship.

The victory of Harvard workers depends on their ability to break the grip of the UAW bureaucracy and the two-party system it serves. The leaderships decision to override a strike vote is a warning: the apparatus will always prioritize its relationship with the university and the state over the needs of the workers.

To prevail, Harvard workers must:

Reject the sabotage of the HAW-UAW leadership and demand an immediate return to democratic control over the strike timeline.

Form independent rank-and-file committees to coordinate action across bargaining units, independent of the highly paid officials of the UAW International.

Link the struggle to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to unite with the international working class in a common fight against capitalism and war.

The fight at Harvard is a central battleground in the global class struggle. Workers can only win by recognizing that their true allies are not the labor lieutenants of capital in the union offices, but the international working class mobilized in a revolutionary struggle against the financial oligarchy.
Posted on Feb 2, 2015 in Stuff We Like

Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne Wins Colby Award

Armchair General received the following media release about Norwich Universitys 2015 William E. Colby Award for the author of a first book.

* * *

NORTHFIELD, Vt. a Biographer Colonel Douglas V. Mastriano, PhD is the 2015 William E. Colby Award winner for his book, aAlvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne.a Norwich University awards the Colby annually to an author of a first book.

A veteran of the first Gulf War and Afghanistan, Colonel Mastriano was commissioned in the United States Army in 1986 and began his career with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment serving along the German Iron Curtain. With the end of the Cold War, he deployed to Iraq for Operation Desert Storm, where his regiment led the main attack against Saddam Husseins Republican Guard.A Colonel Mastriano subsequently served in tactical, operational and strategic assignments during his ongoing career in the army. He also served four years in NATO Land Headquarters in Germany, and deployed three times to Afghanistan, where he was director of the ISAF Joint Intelligence Center.

{default}

In the book, published in 2014 by the University Press of Kentucky, Mastriano uses archival research, military terrain analysis and forensic study to reconstruct the events of October 1918 and sort fact from fiction in the account of the act of heroism that earned Sergeant York the Medal of Honor in the First World War Mastriano details Yorkas early life in Tennessee, his service in the war up to and including the famous October 8, 1918, engagement, and his return to a civilian life dedicated to charity. As the centennial of American involvement in World War I approaches, this book shares the story of one of the waras most notable heroes.

aSuperbly researched and splendidly written, Douglas V. Mastrianoas work on Alvin York recounts not only the incredible story of a Tennessee mountain boy who won the Medal of Honor and became the greatest American hero of the First World War, but also of how, through years of investigation and exploration, he located Yorkas battle site and was instrumental in the creation of two permanent monuments and an historic trail,a said Carlo DaEste, executive director of the William E. Colby Military Writersa Symposium.

aI am humbled by the distinction of being the 2015 William E Colby Award recipient. The Colby Award represents the highest caliber of works published in the United States since 1999. It is a privilege to have the book aAlvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonnea recognized worthy of this honor,a said Mastriano.

A $5,000 author honorarium is provided through a grant from the Chicago-based Tawani Foundation. The award and honorarium will be presented at Norwich University during the 2015 Colby Military Writersa Symposium at the aMeet the Authorsa Dinner on April 9, 2015. The 2015 Symposium will take place April 8-9, and is open to the public.

Named for the late ambassador and former CIA director William E. Colby, the Colby Award recognizes a first work of fiction or non-fiction that has made a significant contribution to the publicas understanding of intelligence operations, military history or international affairs. The William E. Colby Award began at Norwich University in 1999.

In June 2012, Mastriano joined the faculty of the U.S. Army War College to teach in the Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of New Brunswick, in Fredericton, Canada.

Mastriano is the co-founder of The Sergeant York Discovery Expedition (SYDE) and led the effort to locate the exact spot where Alvin York eliminated a machine-gun nest and captured 132 German soldiers. The groupas research has been endorsed by U.S. and French authorities. SYDE organized the construction of a five-kilometer historic trail in Franceas Argonne Forest for visitors to experience a piece of World War I history.

Previous recipients of the Colby Award include Thomas McKenna, James Bradley, Nathaniel Fick, Col. Jack Jacobs, Dexter Filkins, Marcus Luttrell, John Glusman, Karl Marlantes and Logan Beirne.

A # # #

Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nations six senior military colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officersa Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu

In fulfillment of Norwichas mission to train and educate todayas students to be tomorrowas global leaders and captains of industry, the Forging the Future campaign is committed to creating the best possible learning environment through state-of-the-art academics and world-class facilities. Learn more about the campaign and how to participate in the aYear of Servicea here: bicentennial.norwich.eduA

ABOUT TAWANI FOUNDATION

Founded by COL (IL) J. N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Ret.), Tawani Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) grant-making organization whose mission is: to enhance the awareness and understanding of the importance of the Citizen Soldier; to preserve unique sites of significance to American and military history; to foster health and wellness projects for improved quality of life; and to honor the service of military personnel, past, present and future, through an awards program that includes the JROTC/ROTC Award for Military Excellence, the William E. Colby Award and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.
13-Foot-Long Crocodile Shocks Tourists as It Wanders Into Hotel Restaurant Looking for Food Before Laying Down on Armchair

NEED TO KNOW

A 13-foot-long crocodile was caught on camera wandering into the A'Zambezi River Lodge in Zimbabwe, Africa

The reptile tried the buffet counter at the Amulonga Restaurant before heading to the kitchen

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rangers managed to safely take the crocodile back to the River Zambezi

Tourists at a 4-star hotel near the Victoria Falls in Africa got closer to nature than they likely intended after a crocodile wandered in.

The 13-foot-long reptile entered the A'Zambezi River Lodge in Zimbabwe from the River Zambezi and headed to the restaurant's buffet counter, U.K. newspaper The Times reported.

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When the crocodile realized the Amulonga Restaurant was closed, he continued his hunt for food by venturing over to the kitchen. Footage shared by Sky News showed the animal crawling up onto the eatery's counter.

13-Foot-Long Crocodile Shocks Tourists as It Wanders Into Hotel Restaurant Looking for Food Before Laying Down on Armchair

Credit: Internal Partners

The hotel, which sits on the river near the border with Zambia, shared footage of the surreal moment on Facebook in a since-deleted post, writing, "On Friday we had an early morning visit from an unexpected guest."

The lodge joked, "He was checking why room service was running late. No rules. No invitation. No reservation. This is the Zambezi  where wild means wild."

John Richards, a tourist from the city of Portsmouth in England, told The Times, Waiters told us how it had just walked in as if it was a paying guest, and when it couldn't get a table enquired at the desk and finding nobody there, actually tried to climb over it to get into the kitchens."

13-Foot-Long Crocodile Shocks Tourists as It Wanders Into Hotel Restaurant Looking for Food Before Laying Down on Armchair

Credit: Internal Partners

He told the newspaper, Then it went to an armchair and lay on it and then sauntered out to the decking where all the tables are and with no grub on the menu settled down in a water feature out the front where it seemed happy.

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The crocodile was a Nile crocodile, per The Times. The reptiles are widespread throughout much of Africa. It's the largest predator on the continent and is thought to be the second-largest living reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile, according to the African Conservation Foundation.

Rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority came to take the crocodile back to the river.

Spokesman Luckmore Saful said, The Nile crocodile came from the nearby Zambezi and was safely [immobilized] by our personnel and taken away and safely released back into the Zambezi, per The Times.

13-Foot-Long Crocodile Shocks Tourists as It Wanders Into Hotel Restaurant Looking for Food Before Laying Down on Armchair

Credit: Internal Partners

There were no human injuries or damage to the property. It is not unusual for the crocodiles to move up on to dry land especially as this incident happened within the species natural range and habitat, Saful added, 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.

Pride Khumbula, who is a spokeswoman for the hotel, told the paper, The lodges proximity to wildlife is not accidental but intrinsic to its identity and set within a protected landscape that celebrates coexistence rather than separation.

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The situation was promptly managed by ZimParks, who responded swiftly and safely apprehended the animal, Khumbula added, per the outlet. This is not the first time wildlife has entered the vicinity, and our experienced team is well-trained to respond appropriately and effectively in such situations as happened here.

Read the original article on People
AI has become a hiring buzzword, and four employees explained how they added it to their job titles.

An AI engineer said showcasing side projects was pivotal to transitioning from software engineering.

Two non-technical Microsoft employees said having a humanities background was a strength.

AI is the buzziest word on the job market  and many workers want to know how to pivot into it.

As many technical workers upskill to stay on the cutting edge, others are moving into AI-focused roles from entirely different industries.

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Many companies are pouring an eye-watering amount of money into AI, cutting some roles while adding new positions tied to the technology.

Against that backdrop, moving into AI could be a way for workers to future-proof their careers as the employment market reshuffles. AI engineers, consultants, strategists, and researchers rank among the top five fastest-growing roles in the US, according to LinkedIn's Jobs On the Rise 2026 report.

There's no single path into AI, and Business Insider spoke with four workers who took very different ones. Read on to learn how they pivoted their careers.

Natasha Crampton, Microsoft chief responsible AI officer

Natasha Crampton is Microsoft's first chief responsible AI officer. Microsoft

Natasha Crampton got her start as an attorney and is now Microsoft's first chief responsible AI officer.

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Her job includes working side-by-side with engineering, sales, and research teams to ensure they uphold principles as they build AI systems. It also includes external work, such as helping establish new laws and standards in the space,

Crampton studied information systems in addition to law, and said she always had an interest in the intersection of technology, law, and society. During the strictly legal phase of her career, she said she always worked on technological issues, such as helping Microsoft draft contracts.

She said people looking to move into tech from other fields should start by using the technology themselves. She added that many technical skills are learnable, so coming from a different background shouldn't limit someone's ability to help shape it. She said, "a huge amount of the value" lies at the intersection of technical knowledge and insights from the social sciences.

Georgian Tutuianu, Hubspot AI engineer

Georgian Tutuianu is an AI engineer at HubSpot. Georgian Tutuianu

Georgian Tutuianu has had several transitions in engineering, from structural to traditional to software to AI at HubSpot.

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Tutuianu said that his ability to get technically in the weeds was an asset during the interview process, and showed he had experience with AI.

He also highlighted that his resume has a section dedicated to personal projects. Tutuianu said he included one AI project, but it was enough. He said it came up naturally in the interview because he was asked about a time he used or built an AI agent.

"It was a juicy project where I could talk about it, and that was good enough," Tutuianu said.

Tutuianu said he also had to do a take-home coding assignment and review it with the hiring manager afterward, but there was no algorithmic component to the interview.

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"Instead of the typical software engineering way that these interviews go, which is 'go solve this algorithm in front of me,'" Tutuianu said. "It's more of 'can you build the things that we care about? Show me."

Jai Raj Choudhary, StackAI engineer

Jai Raj Choudhary said moving to San Francisco made a difference in his opportunities. Jai Raj Choudhary

Jai Raj Choudhary transitioned from a data-focused role to an AI engineer at AI agent startup StackAI.

The 24-year-old said he got his job by reaching out to StackAI's cofounder multiple times on LinkedIn. Choudhary said he had used the company's platform as a student, so he messaged the cofounder and started posting about StackAI, offering advice to the company.

He said he thinks he got offers from StackAI was because he understood data quality, the edge cases for the clients, the matrix, and the failure modes of the AI model or any LLM systems that were being used.

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He said moving to San Francisco, where 9-9-6 culture existed, helped open his opportunities in the space.

"It's not like a 9-to-5 cushy job," Choudhary said. "We work 9-to-9, six days a week. You wake up, you think about the problem that a client had, and you sleep thinking about what is not fixed yet."

Also, taking a job at a startup that helped him grow and devoting himself to continuous learning made a big difference. Choudhary said he spent hours studying every day.

Brit Morenus, Microsoft senior AI gamification program manager

Brit Morenus said she's using every bit of her English degree in her role at Microsoft. Brit Morenus

Brit Morenus, a 37-year-old senior AI gamification program manager, studied English, communications, and marketing in college. She started at Microsoft about 13 years ago as an executive assistant, and for the first five and a half years at the company, she was a contract worker.



She later moved into a role focused on gamification  using game mechanics to teach and market Microsoft's products.

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She spent about a year getting certifications that taught her about game mechanics, and in that position, she became a full-time employee. Six years later, she had the opportunity to start gamifying learning about AI, and spent three months learning about it.

Her advice to others who want to transition is to resist letting fear keep you from stepping outside your comfort zone. She also said that with AI roles, you need to learn how it works, not just use it. Morenus added that she doesn't regret her English degree because it's now more important than ever to understand how to apply the English language to AI.

"A lot of it is more English language than it even is AI," Morenus said.

Did you pivot into an AI role? We want to hear from you. Contact the reporter via email at aaltchek@insider.com, or via secure-messaging platform Signal at aalt.19.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Roosters arent allowed  theyd wake up the neighbors. But in Newark you can raise chickens in your backyard.

We got them at a hatchery online, and they came in the mail, cute little things in a little box, chirping, said Melissa Leuthner, an urban farm educator whose mail-order chicks have grown into hens she keeps behind her house on Columbia Avenue and that lay about one egg each per day.

Thats a dozen eggs every two days, for literally chicken feed and table scraps.

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Not bad, considering that, even with prices falling lately, a dozen organic brown-shelled eggs averaged $6.65 a dozen nationwide as of April 17, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Egg Markets Overview.

Leuthner, 41, a Brooklyn native raised on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a former Bronx English teacher who now lives in Newark, where she runs an agricultural programming firm known as PlantIt.

She expanded her programming last year to include chicken-keeping, thanks to a $5,000 community grant from Prudential Financial, the insurance giant based in Newark, which will announce this years recipients Wednesday night at its Broad Street headquarters.

Leuthners narrow side yard in the citys Vailsburg section is lined with pots and large tubs sprouting goji and blueberries, dates, mustard greens, kale, peppermint, witch hazel, snap dragon, and other fruits, greens and herbs.

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All of them are labeled for identification by students and adults interested in urban agriculture, who visit her tiny urban farm or attend the community and educational events where she appears.

But her backyard is devoted to her six hens: LuLu, a Rhode Island Red; Shayla, Mona and Luna, mixed breeds known as Easter Eggers for their blue, green, pink and sage-colored eggs; and Henrietta and Sailor Moon, both Barred Plymouth Rocks, hearty, dual-purpose birds raised for their large brown eggs and their meat.

The grant was intended to help Leuthner spread the gospel of urban chicken farming as one more means of sustainability in New Jerseys largest city.

Newarks strength comes from the people and organizations rooted in its neighborhoods, Jasmyne Beckford, a Prudential community engagement executive, said in a statement.

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Leuthner abides by the Rabbits and Fowl section of Newarks city ordinance, which makes it unlawful for any person to keep or maintain roosters within the City.

The male birds are prohibited because theyll crow at dawn based on their internal clock, even if the sunrise is blotted out by urban surroundings. Leuthner said she did have a rooster briefly, before an inspector called.

They gave me a summons, and then they were like, Get rid of this rooster, she said of the bird, which ended up as somebodys dinner. I think someone reported it. You could hear it. And it wouldnt be hard to tell which house had the rooster.

And so, she added, while her hens will continue to lay unfertilized eggs as a regular part of their reproductive cycle, they will never hatch chicks of their own.

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Newark has a limit of 20 chickens per household, and there are city laws governing coops, which Leuthner said the inspector checked on when he stopped by about the rooster.

Her backyard coop was the main expense funded by the Prudential grant, custom-built by a local handyman out of two-by-fours and chicken wire.

And while its primary function is to house the chickens, it also serves as a kind of demonstration model for people interested in raising chickens in their own back yard.

The airy coop contains a smaller, walled-in space with an automated door timed to open and close in the morning and evening, letting the chickens shelter overnight and in harsh weather.

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The coop provides the required 4-square-feet of space per bird.

If its too cramped, theyll fight with each other, Leuthner said.

They also have a pecking order, she added. Like, whos the top chicken and the bottom chicken. But I try to make sure they have an abundance of everything so they dont have to be fighting. Like, the pecking order comes into play when resources are limited.

They eat chicken feed and leftovers. Because of the combination of food sources, Leuthner couldnt say just how much she spent on the chickens, and whether they pay for themselves with the eggs they lay.

She doesnt sell the eggs, and instead eats them or gives them to friends, including her upstairs neighbor, Latif Reeves.

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Reeves, 35, an actor between roles, said he liked living with a yard full of hens.

A bunch of females, I love it, he joked. Free eggs.

More seriously, Reeves said the eggs laid by Leuthners hens seemed to give him more energy than the store-bought variety. Leuthner said others have told her theyre more filling than eggs from the supermarket.

Eggs laid by home-grown chickens fed table scraps and allowed to forage for other foods have a higher concentration of Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, a nutrient that also gives their yolks a darker color, according to sources including FreshEggsDaily.blog.

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But Leuthner said people like her hens for more than just their eggs.

My friends come a see the chickens, she said. I had a girlfriend whod come to sit down. Its relaxing.

Leuthner got her chicks in August, and they began laying eggs 20 weeks later. Raising them as chicks was much more difficult than minding them as hens, she said. That they had to be kept warm  in the garage, in fact  fed more regularly, and given more attention in general.

All of them grew to adulthood, she said, adding that a chickens life expectancy is five to six years.

Leuthner said her hens behave more or less like pets, clearly recognizing her, and showing affection. Mona looked content in Leuthners arms, and didnt even seem to mind being handed to a stranger.

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Shaylas always jumping up to greet me, she said of another bird. They definitely know me. Theyll be calling for me in the morning, and Ill be like, Ladies!

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Nick Burns traded San Francisco for Singapore, driven by high living costs and safety concerns.

While he earns less than he used to, his overall tax burden has decreased, and he's now a homeowner.

He applied for Singapore citizenship in December and is ready to renounce his US passport if approved.

Nick Burns was making six figures in the US and still finding it hard to save.

Burns, now 35, grew up in Connecticut and served in the Navy. It was during that time that he first visited Singapore.

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Impressed by the country's clean and fast public transport system, he began to imagine what it might be like to live there one day. "But it felt impossible, like a crazy idea," Burns told Business Insider.

This story is part of Business Insider's ongoing "Priced Out" coverage, which examines the lives and finances of Americans who have been priced out of the US.

Has the cost of living in the US led you to move overseas? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch with this reporter at agoh@businessinsider.com.

After leaving the Navy in 2017, Burns moved to San Francisco for work and eventually ended up in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

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He lived in downtown San Francisco and commuted an hour and a half each way to Silicon Valley. He said it wasn't uncommon to pass dark alleys and see people openly using drugs.

Burns has since built a life in Singapore, having gotten married and bought a home. Amanda Goh/Business Insider

"Even as a single man, I felt unsafe walking around," Burns said.

Between his rent, steep taxes, and safety concerns, the city did not feel worth the cost.

In January 2020, Burns took a lateral transfer to relocate to Singapore with his company.

"I don't want to go back to the United States," Burns said.

Housing costs: renting in San Francisco vs buying in Singapore

Singapore is often ranked among the world's most expensive cities  not an obvious choice for someone looking to cut costs. But for Burns, it made financial sense.

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In San Francisco, Burns' two-bedroom apartment costs $5,728 a month, inclusive of a $300 reserved parking fee. Buying property there didn't feel within reach.

Burns spent several years renting in Singapore, both before and after marrying his wife in 2023. In 2025, the couple bought a four-room public housing apartment on the city fringe for 1.01 million Singapore dollars, or about $790,000.

Burns and his wife, Jessica, live in a four-room public housing apartment in a city-fringe neighborhood in Singapore. Amanda Goh/Business Insider

Known as HDB flats, these government-built homes make up the majority of housing in Singapore and are primarily reserved for citizens. Burns was able to buy one with his wife, who is Singaporean, while he holds permanent residency.

The stamp duty and down payment totaled about SG$280,150. They paid the majority in cash and about 20% from their CPF  Singapore's mandatory savings account, used for things like housing, healthcare, and retirement.

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The remaining amount was financed through a bank loan. Today, their monthly mortgage is about SG$3,520.

Their monthly mortgage is 3,520 Singapore dollars. Amanda Goh/Business Insider

Taxes: Moving abroad worked out in his favor

Taxes also played a big role in how his finances changed after the move.

In 2025, Burns earned about 6% less than he did in San Francisco in 2019, but his overall tax burden is significantly lower.

In California, his taxes were around $41,200 in 2019. In Singapore, his latest tax bill was about SG$13,300.

Lower tax rates have allowed him to keep more of his income, though, as a US citizen, he still has to file US taxes.

Americans living abroad can exclude roughly $120,000 to $130,000 of foreign-earned income, which helps reduce what they owe, but doesn't eliminate it entirely. The US is one of the few countries that taxes its citizens abroad.

Lower tax rates in Singapore have also enabled him to save more of his income, something he couldn't really do while living in San Francisco. Amanda Goh/Business Insider

Day-to-day expenses: A less expensive life abroad

His day-to-day expenses have also gone down. In Singapore, affordable food is easy to find at hawker centers, where you can have a meal for just a few dollars. A plate of chicken rice, a common local dish, is often less than $5.

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Getting around is cheaper, too. In San Francisco, he owned a car and says he spent about $400 a month on gas. In Singapore, he relies on ride-hailing services and public transportation, spending about SG$300 a month.

He doesn't own a car in Singapore and mainly relies on ride-hailing apps and public transport to get around. Amanda Goh/Business Insider

With a hybrid work arrangement and a shorter commute, he's also been able to reclaim much of his day.

"Day to day, I have more time to exercise because I've got three to four hours back. I run a lot now and usually go before work," he said.

Burns said his quality of life has improved significantly for what he spends. More importantly, he's finally able to put money aside.

A life he chose

Still, it took Burns some time to get used to life in Singapore  especially the city's hot and humid climate, with temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees year-round.

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"When I first moved here, I'd walk to the bus stop in my work shirt, and it would be a sweaty mess," he said.

He also misses Mexican food and pizza from back in the US, adding that while they're available in Singapore, they're not quite the same.

He now holds permanent residency in Singapore and applied for citizenship in December. Amanda Goh/Business Insider

While some family members have visited him and been impressed by the city-state, Burns says others don't get his decision to leave the US. They worry about what might happen in the event of a war or another pandemic, he said.

"I try to tell them I'm safer here than you guys are in the US, but they don't understand that," he said.

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He added that Singapore's strict gun laws and low crime rates contribute to that sense of safety. In the US, he felt he had to pay more attention to his surroundings.

Those differences have only made Burns more certain about staying.

He applied for citizenship in December and is now waiting to hear back. If approved, he plans to renounce his US citizenship  a decision he said he's ready for, and one required in Singapore, which does not allow dual citizenship.

"I've always been proud to live here," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former Vice President Al Gore and filmmaker Davis Guggenheim touted their controversial documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" in a Wednesday interview marking 20 years since its release. According to the director, the claims in it seem "actually pretty moderate" in retrospect.

"An Inconvenient Truth," a polemical but also wildly popular environmentalist documentary, warned that climate change is a looming threat to humanity. IMDb summarized of the film, "Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows Al Gore on the lecture circuit, as the former presidential candidate campaigns to raise public awareness of the dangers of global warming and calls for immediate action to curb its destructive effects on the environment."

The two men behind the documentary looked back on the film and its impact over the past two decades as they were interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter for its 2026 Sustainability Issue. The interviewer noted that the documentary, starring the most "delightfully square prophet," was compelling, to the point where "I wanted to jump from the couch not just to change a light bulb but the world."

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"Unfortunately, doing that also would mean running smack into a Trumpian wall," the writer lamented of the Trump era.

Actor Robert Davi Says Watching Trump Defeat Celeb-boosted Harris Was Like Watching 'Rocky' Film In Real Life

Former Vice President Al Gore attends a press conference for 'An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power' at Hotel Adlon in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 8, 2017. (Getty Images)

"But Gore sees it differently. In a mid-April interview, he said that any despondency over the Trump rollbacks should be countered with a simple thought: They wont last," The Hollywood Reporter wrote.

Read On The Fox News App

"The fact that public opinion is so strongly on the side of doing something makes it inevitable that we will solve the climate crisis," Gore said, noting, "The availability of the solutions has advanced far more rapidly than I had hoped [in the film] 20 years ago."

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"From my perspective, the movie is even more relevant today than when it first came out," Gore continued. "Every night on the TV news is like a nature hike through the Book of Revelation."

One example of people clearly being impacted by environmentalist narratives, Gore said, is that, "In parts of Pakistan, the common dowry is now three solar panels and an inverter. That sounds like the punchline to a man-walks-into-a-bar joke, but its actually true," something which the Hollywood Reporter reportedly confirmed.

Top Energy Group Demands Governor Take Swift Action Against Radical 'Extremists' Crippling Power Grid

Guggenheim agreed, saying, "You have a whole generation that grew up with it and changed their lives because of it," he says. "Thats not something one president can undo."

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One aspect they recalled getting pushback for was a timelapse that showed the sea-level rise to the point it drowned Manhattan. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the prediction did seem to anticipate what would happen shortly afterward with Hurricane Sandy six years later.

"That time-lapse was what we were most criticized for  we were called alarmists; we were told we were being aggressive," Guggenheim recalled. "And in many ways, you look back and it was actually pretty moderate, the way we called a lot of it."

Guggenheim went on to suggest that as much as some people deny climate change as a hoax, "theres always another hurricane or other disaster."

Al Gore Warns About Trump's Jihad Of Clean Energy Transition

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The piece concluded with Gore praising China at the expense of President Donald Trump.

"China has made massive investments in the energy sources of the future and an appreciating asset, while we are, under Donald Trump, foolishly and recklessly doubling down on a depreciating [oil] asset," Gore said. "But I am not worried. Donald Trump is not the first time theres ever been a climate-policy recession. And every time, the policy comes back stronger than ever before."

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and did not receive an immediate reply.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Click Here To Download The Fox News App





Original article source: 20 years later, Al Gore and his director defend their controversial climate movie 'An Inconvenient Truth'
New details are emerging in the chilling case of a Wellesley mother accused of killing her two young children before fleeing to Vermont.

According to information obtained by 25 Investigates, evidence at the scene suggests that 6-year-old Ella and 7-year-old Kai MacAusland were strangled with a cord.

The discovery was made by Wellesley Police on Friday night during a well-being check at the family home on Edgemoor Avenue near the Natick town line.

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Mother charged with murder after her two children found dead inside home in Wellesley

However, two sources told 25 Investigates that the children were last seen alive on Wednesday, suggesting a window of approximately 50 hours before police were called to check on them.

The investigation crossed state lines after 49-year-old Janette MacAusland arrived at her aunts home in Bennington, Vermont. Authorities say she appeared highly distraught and was suffering from a bleeding wound on her neck.

25 Investigates has learned that evidence inside the Wellesley home suggests MacAusland attempted to take her own life through multiple methods before fleeing to Vermont. Sources indicate she may have used a knife, a cord, and a hair dryer in a suspected attempt at electrocution.

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Sources also tell 25 Investigates that MacAusland had previously been committed for a mental health evaluation due to concerns over self-harm. 25 Investigates has been unable to verify when that occurred, as court records related to mental health are confidential.

Marty Kane, a noted Boston-based attorney and former prosecutor, told Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel that a mental health defense is likely.

Its hard to believe that a sane person could kill two children, two of their own children. I have to expect undoubtedly that the defense in this case will be some type of mental health issue, Kane said.

25 Investigates has learned the childrens father was out of state at the time the bodies were discovered.

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A spokesperson with the Norfolk District Attorneys Office declined to comment on this reporting, citing the pending criminal matter.

The State Medical Examiner is tasked with officially confirming the cause of death for both children.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Antarctic sea, where glaciers drift across the surface. What kind of world lies 1,300 meters below the surface? Scientists have now succeeded in directly observing a realm that had previously been inferred rather than seen. There, hot fluid surged upward from the seafloor, and a unique marine ecosystem unlike any previously documented was thriving.

The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) announced that a team led by Principal Researcher Park Sung-hyun had successfully completed an expedition aboard the icebreaking research vessel Araon in the Antarctic mid-ocean ridge region, roughly 1,200 kilometers from Jangbogo Station.

The expedition used an unmanned submersible to directly investigate hydrothermal vents along the Antarctic mid-ocean ridge. The Korea Polar Research Institute described the achievement as a world first.

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Until now, the extreme conditions of the Antarctic deep sea had made access itself a formidable challenge. Unable to observe the seafloor directly, researchers had to depend entirely on indirect methods  lowering sampling equipment to collect and retrieve specimens. The locations, distribution, and ecological structure of hydrothermal vents likewise remained largely a matter of estimation. With this expedition enabling researchers to observe the deep-sea environment firsthand and collect data directly, Antarctic hydrothermal vent research is expected to gain significant momentum.

Research team conducting deep sea exploration using an unmanned submersible Image: Korea Polar Research Institute

Hot fluid erupts deep beneath Antarcticas seas

The surface waters of the Antarctic are a cold, still world of ice, hovering around minus one degree Celsius. Thousands of meters below, however, hydrothermal vents pierce fractures in the Earths crust, sending fluids heated to over 300 degrees Celsius surging upward. It is a world utterly unlike anything on the surface.

Hydrothermal vents form independently of the cold climate at the surface. Seawater seeps into fissures in the ocean crust, is heated by magma below, and erupts back into the ocean laden with metals such as iron, copper, and zinc, along with hydrogen sulfide and methane. A critical factor in this process is the immense water pressure at depth. Because pressure increases by one atmosphere for every ten meters of depth, the rising fluid can remain liquid without boiling even at temperatures exceeding 300 degrees Celsius.

That said, it would be difficult to argue that hydrothermal vents can meaningfully raise the temperature of the Antarctic ocean. The ejected fluid mixes rapidly with the frigid surrounding seawater and cools sharply within a few tens of meters. The heat does not spread across the wider ocean. Water temperatures in the Antarctic are still governed by large-scale natural forces such as sunlight and the circulation of Antarctic ocean currents. Hydrothermal vents are better understood as localized, exceptional heat sources confined to the deep ocean floor.

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That is not to say hydrothermal vents produce no change at all. In extreme environments, even a modest source of energy can become a critical resource for life. Hydrothermal vents give rise to ecosystems on the Antarctic seafloor that bear no resemblance to those on the surface. In the deep sea, where no sunlight penetrates and photosynthesis is impossible, life sustains itself through chemosynthesis. Microorganisms break down hydrogen sulfide and methane released from the vents to produce organic matter, and on that foundation, diverse communities of organisms take hold. Some organisms survive by harboring symbiotic microbes within or on their bodies, drawing energy directly from them.

These extreme conditions have given rise to deep-sea ecosystems. Instead of the tubeworms and mussels commonly found at hydrothermal vents in the Pacific and Atlantic, the Antarctic hosts its own distinct lineages of crustaceans, mollusks, and echinoderms. Because these organisms are confined to areas spanning just tens to hundreds of meters around each vent and are isolated from one another, each site develops its own distinct biological community.

Collected biological specimens. Image: Korea Polar Research Institute

Why exploring Antarcticas deep-sea vents is so hard

Hydrothermal vents themselves are not an entirely new discovery. Since the 1970s, numerous vents have been found along mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific and Atlantic. Their underlying mechanisms are also relatively well understood in the scientific community. In Antarctic waters, however, the situation is different. Although the mid-ocean ridge encircling Antarctica has all the conditions necessary for hydrothermal vents, thorough on-site exploration has been exceedingly rare. This is due to the harsh environmental barriers that have stood in the way of exploration.

Antarctic waters lie vast distances from any inhabited region. Reaching the target area with research personnel, deep-sea exploration equipment, and large-scale supplies requires a voyage lasting weeks to months. The logistics of the journey alone consume enormous resources. Simply arriving safely at the site, given the distance, serves as a major hurdle of the expedition itself.

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The difficulty of operating equipment poses another challenge. A deep-sea unmanned submersible is a system that depends on the coordination of specialized personnel, tethered cables, and support vessels. Because of this complexity, expedition costs extend well beyond the time spent underwater. When leasing submersible equipment, the expense multiplies because teams must cover rental fees for the entire voyage as well as the lodging costs of the dispatched engineers.

A typical Antarctic expedition requires one to two months of sailing, yet the submersible may operate for only a matter of days. It is a ratio that makes the financial burden particularly steep.

Because of these constraints, research on Antarctic hydrothermal vents had long been limited to indirect methods.

The turning point for Antarctic hydrothermal vent research came with the exploration of the East Scotia Ridge. The expedition directly observed high-temperature hydrothermal fluid erupting from the deep seafloor at roughly 2,500 meters. The findings were published in 2012.

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The discovery of biological communities never before observed raised the serious possibility that Antarctic hydrothermal vents harbor distinct ecosystems of their own.

Since then, signs of hydrothermal activity have been detected in several additional Antarctic waters. Even so, direct observations of deep-sea ecosystems there remain exceedingly rare. Vents have been confirmed in only a handful of locations, falling far short of a comprehensive understanding of the Antarctic deep-sea ecosystem.

Meet Ariari, the sub that dove into Antarcticas volcanic vents

A Korean research team launched a full-scale expedition to an unexplored section of the Antarctic mid-ocean ridge. The Korea Polar Research Institute team set its sights on an area of open ocean roughly 1,200 kilometers from Jangbogo Station, located in Victoria Land, Antarctica. Its inaccessibility had made it one of the most notable unexplored zones, where no direct observation had ever taken place.

The mid-ocean ridge surrounding Antarctica had been almost entirely unexplored, but with infrastructure like the icebreaking research vessel Araon now in place, access became feasible, said Principal Researcher Park Sung-hyun. He added that the team had conducted expeditions continuously since 2011, and after years of accumulating data to pinpoint the locations of hydrothermal vents along the ridge, they deployed the submersible to those precise sites.

Unmanned Deep-Sea Vehicle Ariari. Image: Photo Korea Polar Research Institute

Until now, the team had been unable to observe the area directly and had relied on indirect methods to collect samples. Without the ability to see the seafloor, they had to depend on dredge equipment that scraped material from the bottom at random. Despite these limitations, the team confirmed the presence of deep-sea organisms through underwater cameras in 2017 and collected roughly 350 kilograms of mineral samples using dredge equipment last year.

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Indirect methods, however, had clear limitations. Because samples had to be collected without seeing the site firsthand, it was difficult to secure precisely the specimens needed, and the risk of damage during retrieval was high. The team made a fundamental shift in its approach to exploration. They decided to deploy an unmanned submersible from the icebreaking research vessel to directly observe the Antarctic deep sea.

To that end, the team partnered with a robotics company to begin developing an unmanned submersible designed for deep-sea exploration. The goal was to reduce costs and build up the necessary expertise in-house.

The resulting deep-sea unmanned submersible, named Ariari, is capable of diving to depths of up to 6,000 meters. Ariari proved its worth in the field. Descending 1,300 meters below the surface, it tracked changes in temperature and chemical composition and captured an active hydrothermal vent in operation. It recorded real-time video of chimney structures spewing superheated fluid, the surrounding biological communities, and the distribution of minerals, while selectively collecting intact samples tailored to the teams research objectives.

The Korea Polar Research Institute team reported securing a diverse array of biological specimens at the site. Using robotic arms and suction devices mounted on the submersible, the team collected a total of 12 deep-sea organisms including cnidarians, sponges, and echinoderms. Some of the specimens are believed likely to be previously unknown species. The team believes that because these organisms have lived in such an extreme environment, they are likely to reveal new forms of ecological adaptation. Through follow-up analysis, the team plans to uncover the biological principles governing Antarctic hydrothermal ecosystems.

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The expedition also yielded valuable data on the geological front. The team directly observed the extensive spatial distribution of sulfide ores rich in copper and zinc spread across the area surrounding the hydrothermal vents.

Directly observing the deep-sea hydrothermal environment on the Antarctic mid-ocean ridge with an unmanned submersible is rare even on a global scale, said Park, adding that advanced robotics made it possible to obtain far more precise data and samples than conventional shipboard surveys could provide.

The story was produced in partnership with our colleagues at Popular Science Korea.
NEED TO KNOW

Police in Australia are searching for Sharon, 5, who vanished from her home in Alice Springs under "suspicious circumstances"

Authorities are seeking Jefferson Lewis, a recently released prisoner, who was staying at Sharons home when she disappeared

A large-scale search involving police, drones, and a canine unit is underway as officials urge the public to provide information

Authorities in Australia are asking for the publics assistance to locate a child who vanished under suspicious circumstances.

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At around 1:35 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 26, the Northern Territory Police (NT Police Force) received reports that a 5-year-old girl, known as Sharon, had disappeared from her home in Alice Springs, according to an NT Police news release.

Police began appealing for help locating Sharon after an initial search of the area utilizing extensive resources was unsuccessful.

Authorities believe Jefferson Lewis  a 47-year-old recently released prisoner with a history of domestic violence convictions, per Australian news outlets the Sydney Morning Herald and 7 News  may be able to help with their enquiries.

Missing 5-year-old Sharon

Credit: NT Police

Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeved T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a pair of boxer-style underwear, according to the NT Police news release.

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Her family hasnt seen her since she was put to bed at their home in an Aboriginal town camp on Marshall Court in Alice Springs shortly before 11:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 25, ABC News reported, citing Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Ordelman.

"They did check for her in a bedroom where she was supposed to be and she wasn't there," Ordelman told the outlet. Her mother went back to check on her and her mother was the one who telephoned police."

Police believe Sharon may have wandered out of the family home as they observed the doors and fly screen open during their investigation.

What concerned initial reporting members is that the [Old Timers Camp] is adjacent to the Todd River  where it's quite easy for a child to wander away and not be easily locatable," Ordelman told ABC News.

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Police have not ruled out the possibility of foul play as some members of the camp remain unaccounted for, according to the outlet.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve told reporters on Monday that Lewis was staying at the familys residence at the time Sharon vanished, despite not being believed to be closely related to them, 7 News and 9 News reported.

"We do believe Sharon has been abducted and we believe Mr Jefferson may be able to provide us with some information in regards to this," said Grieve, per 9 News.

Jefferson Lewis

Credit: NT Police

" He currently remains one of the few people who were in Old Timers Camp at the time and has not made themselves known to police, nor have police been able to locate him at this point in time, Grieve added.

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Grieve said police are figuring out Lewis movements since his release from prison. His sentence was for offenses not related to children.

Considering himself and Sharon went missing at around the same time, it certainly brings about those suspicious circumstances and wed like to speak to him about that, Grieve said, per 7 News.

If he is involved, we certainly hope that no harm has come to Sharon, Grieve added.

A large-scale search for Sharon resumed on Monday, after about 50 police and emergency services personnel using horses, a canine unit, a helicopter and drones failed to locate her on Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald and 7 News reported.

Jefferson Lewis

Credit: NT Police

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.

Please, if youve got any information, regardless of how small in detail you think it may be, please let us know, said Grieve, per the outlets. You just dont know what piece of information might complete the jigsaw puzzle.

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We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family, he added.

Officials are appealing for anyone with information about Sharon or Lewis whereabouts to call police, quoting reference P26120934.

The Northern Territory Police Force did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for further comment on Monday, April 27.

Read the original article on People
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a lawsuit against the corporate owner of Albertsons, Safeway, and Haggen. Hes accusing the grocery chains of overcharging and being deceptive on their buy one get one free (BOGO) deals. The owner, Albertsons Companies, operates 225 retail grocery stores across the state.

According to the complaint filed in King County Superior Court, the stores hike prices of certain products leading up to a BOGO promotion, overcharging customers who purchase in the interim and then lower the cost when the deal is done.

Brown says this practice makes consumers think theyre getting a second item free, but theyre just paying an inflated price for the first item.

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Were not going to stand for people getting fleeced by these deceptive practices, Brown said. Thats why weve filed this case. We want to make sure were protecting peoples pocketbooks, and we all know that affordability is a major issue these days. Weve got to push back when companies are misleading their customers.

The complaint alleges that a Gig Harbor Albertsons once hiked the price of a bottle of olive oil to $10.99 for a BOGO promotion from $6.99 a week earlier, an increase of 57% and then returned it to its original price when the deal was finished.

From October 2019 to May 2024, the Attorney General claims stores overcharged Washington consumers on more than 3 million transactions.

This is not the first time the defendants have been accused of this practice in Washington. According to the Attorney Generals Office, the companies also settled a proposed class action case filed in 2023 in federal court related to deceptive BOGO promotions our state. KIRO 7 News has reached out to Albertsons Companies for comment on the lawsuit and is waiting to hear back.
Posted on Jun 5, 2015 in Front Page Features, War College

Battle of Waterloo  Summary, Analysis and Assessment for the 200th Anniversary

BATTLE OF WATERLOO: FAST FACTS

Date: June 18, 1815

Location: near Waterloo, Belgium, 15 kilometers south of Brussels

Commanders: French, Emperor Napoleon; Anglo-Allied, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington; Prussian, Field Marshal Gebhard von BlAcher

Forces: French a 73,000 troops, 252 guns; Coalition a 118,000 (68,000 Anglo-Allied and 50,000 Prussian) troops, 156 guns

Casualties: French a 41,000; Coalition a 24,000 (17,000 Anglo-Allied and 7,000 Prussian)

Results: On a soggy field of rolling farmlands an Anglo-Allied army commanded by Britainas Duke of Wellington, bolstered by the timely arrival of a Prussian army under Field Marshal Gebhard von BlAcher, decisively defeated Franceas Army of the North personally led by Napoleon. The furious combat that began in earnest at about 1:00 p.m. featured massed French infantry and cavalry attacks that nearly broke through the Anglo-Allied line before BlAcheras Prussians arrived around 7:30 p.m. to tip the scales of battle in the Coalitionas favor. Wellington, acknowledging how close Napoleon came to victory, famously described the Battle of Waterloo as athe nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life.a

Significance: The Coalition victory at Waterloo proved to be the decisive battle ending the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). With his French army defeated at Waterloo, Emperor Napoleon I abdicated and was sent into his final exile on the South Atlantic island of St. Helena where he died from the effects of arsenic poisoning on May 5, 1821.

(Top image: The Battle of Waterloo, by William Sadler II)

BATTLE OF WATERLOO: SUMMARY

Background: Horrified by the progressive ideals unleashed by the French Revolution, spread throughout the Continent by Franceas brilliant leader, Napoleon, Europeas reactionary kings and princes allied to from a series of Coalitions that waged wars against Napoleon for over a dozen years. In the War of the Sixth Coalition (1812-1814) Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia, Portugal, Sweden and Spain defeated Napoleon and sent the Emperor into exile on the island of Elba. Napoleon escaped from Elba on February 26, 1815, returned to France and reclaimed his empire in Paris on March 20. Napoleonas return prompted Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Portugal and several duchies and principalities to form the Seventh Coalition. The total number of French troops available to Napoleon was 250,000 while Coalition forces would number 850,000 when fully mobilized and moved to the frontiers of France which was expected to be accomplished by July 1. Therefore, in early June, assessing that his greatest immediate threats were the Anglo-Allied army of Wellington and BlAcheras Prussian army, both located in the general vicinity of Brussels, Napoleon led his French Army of the North (120,000) to attack and defeat Wellington and BlAcher before the Coalitionas remaining armies could arrive.

Prelude: Two days prior to the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleonas army had won a tactical victory by defeating a but not destroying  BlAcheras Prussian army at Ligny, 25 kilometers southeast of Waterloo. Napoleon dispatched Marshal Emmanuel de Grouchy with 33,000 troops to follow the retreating Prussians while shifting the French armyas axis of advance northwest to attack and defeat Wellingtonas Anglo-Allied army at Quatre Bras. Wellington, however, upon learning of BlAcheras defeat a and with no interference by French Marshal Michel Neyas troops holding Quatre Bras  had already withdrawn his army 15 kilometers north and arrayed it in defensive positions in the vicinity of Waterloo.

Wellingtonas Position: The Anglo-Allied armyas defensive position was a strong one featuring a 4-kilometer long main line of troops placed along the reverse slope of a low ridge running generally east-west and bisected near the center by the main road leading north to Brussels. Additionally, many of the Anglo-Allied troops were positioned behind a sunken lane that ran for much of the length of the ridge along its crest. In front of Wellingtonas main line were three heavily-garrisoned, stone and brick farmstead strongpoints: Hougoumont (west); La Haye Sainte (center); and Papelotte hamlet (east). Hougoumont and Papelotte served as anchors for Wellingtonas right and left flanks, respectively, and La Haye Sainte allowed defenders to subject French troops attacking Wellingtonas center to a deadly crossfire. Finally, torrential rains that drenched the area throughout the night of June 17-18 favored the defenders since the soggy conditions the downpour produced hindered the mobility of cavalry and infantry and greatly reduced the effects of the superior French artillery a cannonballs plowed harmlessly into the muck instead of bounding across the ground causing casualties.

Battle Highlights: Although Napoleon wanted to begin the battle as early as possible on June 18 in order to defeat Wellingtonas army before BlAcheras Prussians could arrive, he delayed the start of his armyas main attacks for several hours (first to around 11:00 a.m., then to about 1:00 p.m.) in an attempt to allow the waterlogged ground to dry. [NOTE: the times given in this article for various events of the battle are those which seem to be now generally accepted despite the presence of discrepancies regarding times in some battle participantsa individual accounts.] In general, the fighting featured these principal highlights:

Hougoumont: Recognizing that the fortified farmstead and surrounding grounds of Hougoumont anchored Wellingtonas right flank, Napoleon ordered about 12,000 soldiers supported by artillery to attack it. The fighting for control of Hougoumont began around 11:30 a.m. and continued throughout the course of the battle. Yet, despite repeated attacks by French forces, Hougoumont remained in Anglo-Allied hands.

First French Infantry Attack: After a French artillery bombardment of Wellingtonas center by a Grand Battery of 80 guns, Napoleon sent DaErlonas infantry corps to attack the center and left of the Anglo-Allied line at 1:00 p.m. Although DaErlonas tightly packed infantry formations gave French attackers the advantage of mass, the formation also allowed little room for maneuver and made the French infantrymen vulnerable to Anglo-Allied musket fire. Additionally, Anglo-Allied soldiers occupying La Haye Sainte a which the French repeatedly tried but failed to capture a caught DaErlonas attackers in a deadly crossfire. Anglo-Allied resistance, bolstered by a rash charge by British heavy cavalry, rallied to defeat DaErlonas attack.

French Cavalry Charge: Mistaking the shifting of Anglo-Allied forces and the evacuation of Coalition casualties as the beginning of a general retreat by Wellingtonas army, Ney unwisely organized and led a massed French cavalry charge at the Anglo-Allied center at about 4:00 p.m. However, it was unsupported by French infantry and artillery and cavalry alone could not break the formidable British infantry squares Wellington had ordered formed. Ney finally called off the futile cavalry attack and then managed to bring forward French artillery protected by infantry that at last poured a punishing fire on the Anglo-Allied infantry squares. The French seemed on the verge of breaking Wellingtonas center (and had finally captured La Haye Sainte), but on the right rear of Napoleonas eastern flank the first Prussian unit (Friedrich BAlowas IV Corps) entered the battle and by about 5:30 p.m. began drawing off French forces, relieving the pressure on Wellingtonas center.

French Imperial Guard Attack: Napoleon still hoped to break Wellingtonas center and win the battle before the entire Prussian army could arrive on the battlefield. Therefore, at about 7:00 p.m. he threw his last reserve, the Imperial Guard, led by Ney at Wellingtonas center. This final French attack was supported by French troops on its right who had been fighting at Hougoumont and on its left by those of DaErlonas units that had been reconstituted after their earlier defeat in the first French infantry attack. The Imperial Guard attack advanced deep into Wellingtonas right center and, in fact, had succeeded in breaking the Dukeas line; but several well-timed Anglo-Allied counterattacks, coinciding with the arrival on the eastern flank of the battlefield of BlAcheras Prussian army (between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.), repelled the Imperial Guard attack and forced the French into a general retreat.

Coalition Counterattack and French Retreat: As the Imperial Guard began its retreat, Wellington ordered a general advance by the Anglo-Allied army which, soon joined by the Prussians, turned the French retreat into a rout. Sometime between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Wellington and BlAcher met at La Belle Alliance, Napoleonas headquarters during the battle, as their victorious forces continued pursuing the defeated French army fleeing south.

BATTLE OF WATERLOO: ANALYSIS

Strategic and tactical decisions and factors beyond the control of both sidesa commanders led to the Waterloo campaign  and determined its historic outcome.

Strategic Decisions: Napoleonas strategic decisions made the Battle of Waterloo inevitable:

Escape from Elba (February 26, 1815)  There would have been no Battle of Waterloo had Napoleon decided to remain passively in exile on Elba. With King Louis XVIII on the French throne, however, the restored aristocracy resumed their pre-Revolution oppression, and the overwhelming majority of Frenchmen desired the Emperoras return. Napoleon considered it his imperial duty to fulfill his countrymenas expectations and end foreign interference in Franceas internal affairs.

Return to Paris a Napoleonas triumphal return to Paris without a single musket being fired confirmed the good sense of his decision. Louis fled and Napoleon offered peace and constitutional reform to Europeas monarchies a they responded by declaring him an outlaw. With war again forced upon him, Napoleon chose to lead Franceas army to resist the coming onslaught.

Defeat the Coalition ain Detaila a England, Russia, Austria and Prussia (and smaller nations) formed the Seventh Anti-Napoleon Coalition and began mobilizing to attack France. Yet, historyas greatest military strategist would not sit idly by while his enemies leisurely massed their forces. Napoleon decided to seize the initiative, strike north toward Brussels, and defeat the most dangerous immediate threat  Anglo-Allied and Prussian armiesA  ain detaila (destroy a portion of the enemy force before it could fully mass against him.) Using the strategy of athe central positiona that had served him well in all his wars, Napoleon intended to place his army between two enemy armies, and while holding one at bay, defeat the other before turning on the former.

Tactical Decisions and Factors: A Once the armies met on the battlefield, tactical decisions a and the bad luck of torrential rain  determined the Waterloo campaignas outcome.

Missed Opportunity at Ligny a Napoleon chose to target BlAcheras Prussians at Ligny by placing his French army between the Prussians and Wellington, a brilliant tactical move that, had it totally crushed the Prussian army, would have won the war. He fixed them in place with part of his force, expecting Marshal Ney to move his troops from Quatre Bras and take the Prussians in the rear. Although Napoleon defeated BlAcheras Prussians, he did not crush them a an apathetic Ney failed to appear and a thunderstorm hindered French pursuit. Instead of winning the war at Ligny, Napoleon had to repeat his adefeat in detaila strategy, this time against Wellingtonas Anglo-Allied army at Waterloo.

Waterlooas Delayed Beginning a Heavy rains fatefully intruded again on tactical plans, soaking the Waterloo battlefield the night of June 17-18, and preventing movement of artillery to support a massive attack. Napoleon delayed military operations until the ground had dried somewhat a several critical hours allowing Wellington to perfect his defenses while giving BlAcheras Prussians time to arrive just in time to tip the battle in the Coalitionas favor.

Neyas Tactical Blunder a aBravest of the bravea Ney followed his June 16 failure at Quatre Bras-Ligny by committing another egregious tactical blunder about 4:00 p.m. June 18. Neyas foolishly unsupported massed cavalry charge against Wellingtonas well-sited infantry squares robbed Napoleon of the critical combat power he needed later to seal a victory before the Prussians arrived. Although Napoleonas Imperial Guard attack in fact cracked Wellingtonas line about 7:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m., BlAcheras arrival unbalanced French tactical dispositions, reversing the battleas outcome.

Grouchyas Double Failures a Marshal Grouchy, sent with one-third of Napoleonas army to pursue the beaten Prussians after Ligny, could have ensured Napoleonas Waterloo victory had he accomplished one of two tasks: prevent BlAcher linking up with Wellington; or amove to the sound of the gunsa and join Napoleon at Waterloo. He did neither. When large numbers of troops began approaching Waterloo from the east around 7:30 p.m., Napoleon was horrified a and Wellington greatly relieved a to discover they were BlAcheras Prussians, not Grouchyas French. The Prussians saved Wellington, snatching allied victory from the jaws of defeat.

BATTLE OF WATERLOO: ASSESSMENT

The Battle of Waterloo bottom line is best summarized by the late Dr. Ben Weider (1923-2008), CM, CQ, SBStJ, Founder and President of the International Napoleonic Society and the worldas foremost Napoleon expert: aIn his final campaign, Napoleon encountered an accumulation of setbacks and misadventures that were beyond his control and indeed beyond all comprehension. The war should have ended at Ligny (June 16) if Ney had been true to his potential. a Two days later, victory would have been won [at Waterloo] if Ney had not bungled his tactics and above all if Grouchy had been at the top of his form. Despite Neyas failure, victory might yet have been won if not for the untimely rain that delayed the start of the attack by three hours. Considering the precarious Anglo-Allied position when BlAcher arrived, Wellington could not have held out for three more hours. Waterloo was an unthinkable disaster, as if the gods had willed it to be so. Despite all this, Napoleon did not fail his reputation as a great captain.a

Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, HISTORYNET Editor at Large. For additional information see Napoleonic WarfareaIts Strategy and Tactics; Napoleon Versus Wellington; and Recommended Books on the Battle of Waterloo.
Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to "substantial" as it reported "unauthorised persons" seized the vessel and re-directed it to Somalia's territorial waters on Sunday.

At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the last week including a fishing vessel and oil tanker.

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Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback.

"Due to the increased threat of possible PAG (Pirate Action Group) activity, vessels are advised to transit with caution," the UKMTO said in a statement, noting that weather is conducive to small boat operations.

The hijacking on Sunday occurred six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, the UKMTO said in a statement. No further details were reported.

The UKMTO also issued a warning over a separate hijacking off the coast of Mareeyo, northern Somalia which occurred on 21 April.

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Pirates also hijacked an oil tanker, Honour 25, with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast on 22 April, according to multiple security officials speaking to the BBC.

Under the control of the pirates, the vessel, with a crew of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one from Myanmar, anchored close to the Somali shore between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.

The UKMTO also reported that a Somali-flagged fishing vessel had been seized on Thursday.

At least two armed people also attempted to board a cargo ship from a small boat on Thursday, the UKMTO reported, although they turned away after the cargo's crew fired warning shots.

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Between 2005 and 2012, pirates off the Horn of Africa raked in between $339m (266m) and $413m (325) by holding crew members hostage and demanding ransom payments, the World Bank has estimated.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Leo XIV prayed Monday in the Vatican with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, and vowed to keep working to overcome differences no matter how intractable they may appear, in a historic meeting with the first female leader of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion.

The encounter between Christianitys two most famous religious figures would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, given the divisions between their two churches over womens ordination in general and Mullally's appointment in particular.

Leo acknowledged that new problems in their relationship had been added onto historically divisive issues. But he nevertheless vowed to continue the tradition of past popes to continue to try to reunite the churches.

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Anglicans split from Rome in 1534, when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment. Despite a formal theological dialogue that began in the 1960s, big differences remain, especially over the Church of Englands decision to ordain women. The Roman Catholic Church reserves the priesthood for men.

Leo quoted the late Pope Francis as telling Anglican primates that it would be a scandal if, due to our divisions, we did not fulfil our common vocation to make Christ known.

For my part, I add that it would also be a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear, Leo said.

Mullally, whose appointment has split the already divided Anglican Communion, arrived an hour early to meet with Leo. She thanked him for welcoming her on her first foreign visit since she was installed last month.

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After meeting in Leo's library, the two then prayed together in the Urban VIII Chapel inside the Apostolic Palace for what the Vatican said was a moment of prayer. Mullallys office said Leo presided but that they both said the grace together. The Vatican released photos and video of the meeting and prayer, both of which were closed to the press.

In her remarks to Leo, Mullally said both of them were called to preach the Gospel with renewed clarity.

In the face of inhuman violence, deep division, and rapid societal change, we must keep telling a more hopeful story: that every human life has infinite value because we are precious children of God; that the human family is called to live as sisters and brothers, she said. We must therefore work together for the common good  always building bridges, never walls; that the poorest among us are closest to the heart of God.

A pilgrimage to Rome amid challenges

Mullally is on what she has called a four-day pilgrimage to Rome that has included visits to the main pontifical basilicas, where she has prayed at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and met with top Vatican officials.

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Lambeth Palace says her visit is designed to strengthen AnglicanRoman Catholic relations through prayer, personal encounter, and formal theological dialogue. It aims to deepen bonds of communion, affirm a shared witness, and encourage ongoing collaboration at both global and local levels.

The first female Anglican priests were ordained in 1994, its first female bishop in 2015, and now Mullally as the first archbishop of Canterbury.

Leo and Mullally have already exchanged greetings, with Leo congratulating her on her installation last month but acknowledging she was taking over at a challenging time and that differences still divide the Anglican and Catholic churches.

He nevertheless vowed to continue dialogue, and in October Leo welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Vatican, where they prayed in the Sistine Chapel. Charles is the titular head of the Church of England.

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That event, Oct. 25, marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches had prayed together.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first formal ecumenical statement between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, signed in 1966 at St. Pauls Outside the Walls basilica by Archbishop Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI.

Mullally for her part has expressed solidarity with Leos peace message, after the American-born pope was harshly criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump for his calls for peace in Iran.

Popes past have met with female Christian bishops and archbishops: Francis met in 2015 with Archbishop Antje Jackelen, the first woman to lead the Lutheran Church of Sweden. Francis also invited the female Anglican bishop, Jo Bailey Wells, into a private meeting of his cardinal advisers in 2024 to discuss the role of women in the Catholic Church.

An historic meeting that follows the king's visit

George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at Kings College London, said Monday's meeting was historic, particularly given the Vatican doesn't recognize the female priesthood.

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If we were to go back several hundred years, its unthinkable, he said. Its the fact that the pope is willing to meet, but in itself it also shows the difference, the gap.

Gross said the prayer was clearly an attempt to show the two churches united, especially in confronting the global conflicts and projecting a message of unity. Such optics, he said, were in continuity with the visit to the Vatican in October by the king.

Its a doubling down of togetherness, he said.

An appointment that divides the Anglican communion

Mullallay's appointment though has split the Anglican Communion, whose 100 million members in 165 countries are deeply divided over issues such as the role of women and the treatment of LGBTQ+ people. Many in England and other Western countries hailed her appointment as a historic breaking of a stained-glass ceiling.

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But the communions largest and fastest-growing churches in Africa belong to a conservative group called the Global Anglican Future Conference, or Gafcon, which has sharply criticized her appointment and threatened a final break. In the U.S., the conservative Anglican Church in North America formed in a break from the more liberal U.S. and Canadian Episcopal churches and has signed onto the Gafcon statement opposing Mullallys appointment.

Mullallay told Leo, who has just returned from a four-nation African voyage, that she would soon be following in his footsteps with a visit to Cameroon and Ghana in July.

"Your pilgrimage to Africa was full of life and joy," she said. It reminded us that despite our sufferings, people long for life in all its fullness, and countless people are working each day for this vision of the common good.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
For more than a century, fruit breeders have been chasing a deceptively simple goal: a better grape.

Not just sweeter or bigger, but seedless.

At the University of Arkansas, that effort is now moving faster than ever, thanks to new genetic tools that allow researchers to predict whether a grape will be seedless before it ever produces fruit.

For the first time, we can look at a seedling just a few weeks old and know if its worth keeping, said Margaret Worthington, associate professor of horticulture and director of the Fruit Breeding Program for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

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That ability could significantly shorten the timeline for developing new grape varieties, particularly muscadines, a Southern favorite long prized for flavor but often overlooked in fresh markets.

A shortcut years in the making

Worthington and her colleagues recently published a study validating a system that uses genetic markers to predict two key traits in grapes: seedlessness and flower type.

By analyzing DNA from leaf samples, researchers were able to predict those traits with near-perfect accuracy, 100% for flower sex and 99.7% for seedlessness, in more than 1,000 grape samples.

Traditionally, breeders had to wait 3 to 4 years for vines to mature before evaluating the same traits.

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Now, they can make those decisions almost immediately.

We dont have to plant thousands of vines and wait years to find out which ones wont work, Worthington said. We can focus our resources on the ones that actually have a chance.

A jelly made from wild muscadine grapes found in mountains around Dutch Creek is long-time staple among canners and kitchens in Arkansas. Researchers, including Margaret Worthington, associate professor of horticulture and director of the Fruit Breeding Program for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, is developing a process to produce seedless muscadine grapes.

Why seedless matters

For consumers, the push toward seedless grapes is less about science and more about convenience.

You dont see anybody buying seeded table grapes at the supermarket, Worthington said. People dont like seeds.

Thats especially true for muscadines, whose large seeds can make them less appealing as a grab-and-eat fruit.

If you want to make it a fresh-market crop, something people snack on, you really have to remove the seeds, she said.

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Even outside the produce aisle, seeds can be a barrier.

Theyre not a huge issue for wine, but for jams and jellies, its definitely a hassle, said Worthington, a sentiment familiar to many home cooks and canners across the South.

A Southern crop with untapped potential

Muscadines are native to the southeastern United States and thrive in hot, humid climates, including Arkansas.

Theyre naturally resistant to many diseases that plague traditional table grapes, which often require heavy fungicide use to produce a marketable crop.

Muscadines are just really well adapted to growing in the Southeast, Worthington said. Theyre easier for farmers to grow, and theyre incredibly flavorful.

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Despite those advantages, muscadines remain a niche product compared to conventional grapes.

Worthington believes that could change.

I really think muscadines have the potential to grow as a commodity, she said, comparing their trajectory to blackberries, which have gone from seasonal specialty to year-round supermarket staple in the past two decades.

Cracking a difficult genetic code

Bringing seedlessness to muscadines hasnt been easy.

Unlike traditional grapes, muscadines belong to a different subgenus, making crossbreeding a challenge.

Its like a horse and a donkey, said Worthington. Theyre related, but not that closely related.

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That biological gap has made it difficult to combine muscadines disease resistance and flavor with the seedless trait found in most commercial grapes.

The breakthrough came through years of collaboration and conventional breeding, not genetic modification, to introduce the seedless trait and restore fertility in hybrid plants.

Its been a long process, Worthington said. People have been working toward this for about 100 years.

Improving more than just seeds

While seedlessness is a major focus, its not the only factor shaping the future of muscadines.

Texture, often described as thick-skinned or oystery, has long been a sticking point for consumers unfamiliar with the fruit.

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Thats changing.

Weve been able to improve texture faster than I expected, Worthington said. Its not exactly like a supermarket grape yet, but its getting pretty close.

Newer varieties are also being developed with larger fruit, better harvest quality, and improved cold tolerance.

The university released two new seeded varieties in 2025, Mighty Fine and Altus, with more in development.

A boost for Arkansas growers

For Arkansas farmers, muscadines could offer a valuable addition to existing crops.

Unlike blueberries and blackberries, which are harvested earlier in the summer, muscadines ripen in late August through October. Muscadines could be grown as far north as Clarksville, the location for the research station for these grapes.

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That timing could help extend the growing season and provide additional income opportunities.

It gives growers something to bring to market in the fall, Worthington said. Thats a big advantage.

What comes next

Seedless muscadines are already beginning to reach consumers through private breeding programs, but widespread availability is still a few years away.

Worthington estimates it could take about five years before new seedless varieties from the Arkansas program are ready for release.

In the meantime, her team continues to make thousands of new crosses each year, narrowing the field with the help of genetic markers and selecting for the best combination of flavor, texture, and yield.

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Were getting closer, she said.

And when that breakthrough finally arrives, it could change how Americans, especially in the South, experience one of their most traditional fruits.

For Worthington, the work is both scientific and deeply personal, rooted in a fruit she grew up eating and still believes deserves a wider audience.

After all, as any Southern kitchen can attest, muscadines have always had the flavor. Now, they may finally have everything else.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas breeding program eyes seedless muscadines
Support for President Donald Trumps White House ballroom has surged among Republicans after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents Association dinner Saturday, with the president and lawmakers arguing it is necessary given increased political violence.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Monday the structure would be a safe environment for events. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told Fox Business that constructing the ballroom is imperative. And Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) called the project common sense.

Trump was rushed from the annual dinner at the Washington Hilton following the sounds of gunshots just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Vice President JD Vance and other Cabinet members were also evacuated from the scene, as members of the media and their guests huddled under tables for safety.

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A Secret Service officer was shot in his armored vest and briefly hospitalized, but administration officials have said the agent is doing well and is already out of the hospital.

Johnson on Monday said the ballroom is the solution.

The ballroom will be a solution for this, because it will be on the most secure compound in the world, he told Fox News. It won't have hotel rooms above it, and it will have 7-inch thick glass, for example, on the windows. So it'll be a very safe environment to do events like this. We need a place, we have needed a place like, and the president keeps pointing it out.

Construction of the ballroom  which has become a passion project for the president  has largely been on pause since late last month when federal District Judge Richard Leon ordered that no statute comes close to giving Trump the authority he claimed he had to move forward with the project. Construction can only proceed with Congress' authorization, Leon ruled.

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Now, several GOP legislators are attempting to push the project forward with legislation, and some Republicans have floated adding authorization for the ballroom to a reconciliation bill lawmakers are negotiating.

Im working with my team to draft legislation ensuring the White House Ballroom is completed, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) posted on social media Sunday. I dont believe congressional approval is required for the project, but if itll keep activist judges on the sideline, so be it. More to come this week.

Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), also said he will introduce the "Build the Ballroom Act."

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) told POLITICO on Sunday that the shooting shows why the ballroom at the White House is really important.

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It's for the president and it's for the safety and security of the guests, he continued. If anything, make the thing a little bigger so that way we can have these bigger events like this there.

Trump has said the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, which White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday added that he plans to attend. However, it is unclear where the event will be held.

"Unfortunately, we don't have a room big enough here at the White House, which is another point to be made, and the president is right  it's why the White House ballroom project is not just a fun project for President Trump, like you will read in the media. It is actually critical for our national security," Leavitt said.

In the wake of Saturdays violence, Trump has reiterated his desire for the ballroom.

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I didnt want to say this, but this is why we have to have all of the attributes of what were planning at the White House, Trump said from the White House shortly after the shooting. Its actually a larger room and its much more secure. Its drone-proof, its got bulletproof glass. We need the ballroom.

On Sunday, he posted on Truth Social that the structure cannot be built fast enough.

Democratic leaders and preservationists have argued against adding the 90,000-square-foot structure, with a price tag of some $400 million to build and replace the now-demolished East Wing  which Trump has said repeatedly will be funded by private donations. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit against the administration, claiming the structure violates laws requiring congressional approval.

The Justice Department has called for the trust to voluntarily dismiss its lawsuit in light of Saturday's shooting, issuing a letter Sunday calling the lawsuit frivolous and stating that it put the lives of Trump and his family at stake.

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When the White House ballroom is complete, President Trump and his successors will no longer need to venture beyond the safety of the White House perimeter to attend large gatherings at the Washington Hilton ballroom, the letter stated. The White House ballroom will ensure the safety and security of the President for decades to come and prevent future assassination attempts on the President at the Washington Hilton.

The DOJ letter said that if the trust did not move to end the lawsuit by Monday morning, the government would seek to have the case dismissed in court.

Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a statement Monday that the organization is grateful to the Secret Service and law enforcement for keeping all the guests safe at the dinner  but added that the group plans to continue with its lawsuit.

We are not planning to voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit, which endangers no one and which respectfully asks the Administration to follow the law, Quillen said. We have always acknowledged the utility of a larger meeting space at the White House. Building it lawfully requires the approval of Congress, which the Administration could seek at any time.

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Democrats have broadly condemned the violence, but Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman is the lone Democrat to support Trumps ballroom project thus far.

The hotel wasnt built to accommodate an event with the line of succession for the U.S. government, Fetterman said in a post to social media Sunday. After witnessing last night, drop the TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome] and build the White House ballroom for events exactly like these.

Meredith Lee Hill and Riya Misra contributed to this report.
For Democrats or, for that matter, anyone who believes in checks and balances, things are starting to look up.

President Trump's days of untrammeled war-making, law-breaking and generally doing whatever he damn well pleases may finally be drawing to a close. Public opinion, history and, especially, the surging price of gasoline and groceries, all point to a Democratic takeover of the House in November's midterm election.

There's a direct correlation between a president's approval rating and the way his party performs at the midpoint of his term. Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump's positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.

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Then there's the history part. Since World War II, the party out of the White House has gained an average of more than two dozen House seats in midterm elections. Democrats need to pick up just three to take control beginning in January.

(While the Republican grip on the Senate seems weaker than just a few months ago, the GOP is still favored to hang onto the chamber in November.)

There is, however, a looming threat causing nervousness among Democrats and their allies as they contemplate a celebratory fall, a landmine of sorts buried deep in the congressional election process.

Let's acquaint ourselves with Article 1, Section 5 of the Constitution.

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Read more: Barabak: He honked to support a 'No Kings' rally. A cop busted him

The pertinent language written by the Framers states, "Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members." In other words, it's up to the House and Senate to acknowledge and abide by the will of voters as expressed in the election returns.

What could possibly go wrong?

Well, if you let your paranoia run wild, quite a lot. If the election outcome is close  and probably it would have to be very close  Republican lawmakers could theoretically seize on phony claims of fraud and effectively nullify the results of enough contests to deny Democrats control of the House.

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There's plenty of skepticism that would or could ever take place. But if it were to happen, hello, national crisis!

Normally, we could count on the occupant of the White House to humbly submit to the election returns, even if it's a "shellacking" as President Obama called his walloping in the 2010 midterm election, or a "thumpin' " as President George W. Bush described his electoral spanking in 2006.

Not Trump.

This president has amply demonstrated the lengths to which he'll go to overturn an honest election, siccing a violent mob on lawmakers certifying his 2020 defeat, telling endless lies and using the Justice Department to confiscate ballots and intimidate innocent election officials and others Trump deems his enemies.

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He strong-armed Texas into a highly unusual, highly partisan redrawing of its congressional boundaries, an effort to net five seats and lengthen the odds against a Democratic takeover.

The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state's political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November. (The Virginia results are being contested in court.)

Voters attend an Arlington Democrats redistricting vote watch party during a special election Tuesday in Virginia. A measure to redraw the state's congressional map was narrowly approved. (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

That failure doesn't take away Trump's malign intent. And in the supine Speaker Mike Johnson, he has the perfect handmaiden to undermine the midterm vote.

In 2020, Johnson was the lead author of a Supreme Court brief seeking to overturn the results in four states that Joe Biden had indisputably won. That speaks to Johnson's probity and integrity.

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How would subversion of November's election take place?

One theory goes like this: When the balloting is over, Johnson could appoint a House committee packed with Trumps acolytes to investigate alleged voting irregularities. (And if you think Trump won't be bellowing the words "rigged" and "fraud" in the face of defeat, you've either been in a coma or living on another planet for the last decade.)

Those hearings and the "evidence" they turn up could then be cited by election officials in key states  collaborators, if you will  as a reason to delay the certification of election results and block the seating of majority-making Democrats in the next Congress. In their place, the theory goes, Republicans could vote to fill those seats with GOP candidates who lost at the polls, keeping themselves in control.

Read more: Barabak: California can have both easy voting and quicker election results. Here's how

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Derek Muller, an election law expert, suggests that scenario is little more than a fever dream of doomsday devotees and overly nervous Nellies.

He said he'd be very surprised if all the election results weren't certified by Jan. 3, when the new Congress convenes, given the legal remedies available to prevent stalling and undue delay. And, Muller said, there is no assurance Republicans would march in lockstep behind a plan to prevent the seating of Democrats.

Thwarting a duly elected Democratic majority "involves extraordinary coordination and precedents that have never occurred, with a unique convergence of factors," said Muller, who teaches law at Notre Dame  though, he added, if control of the House came down to, say, a single seat "all bets are off."

Far-fetched? Perhaps. Some of the spun-up theories surrounding November's election do sound a bit like a product of political science fiction.

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But what kind of president picks a fight with the pope? Plunges the world into crisis by unilaterally going to war with Iran with no exit plan? Demolishes the East Wing of the White House on an egotistical whim?

If Trump, an inveterate norm-buster, sees a way to keep his grip on unchecked power, don't put anything past him.

Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak

Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol.

Sign me up.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PANAMA CITY  Local officials continued efforts on April 21 to better utilize resources during high-traffic times.

In a meeting on April 21, Bay County commissioners approved an ordinance that requires large events occurring during high impact periods to have an approved permit from the county. Here's what we know:

What types of events?

According to information from the meeting, the ordinance applies to events in unincorporated Bay County that are expected to have more than 500 people or require a large police presence.

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It includes exceptions for certain occasions, including religious and educational activities.

"During Spring Break and High Impact Periods, County public resources, including law enforcement and emergency medical services, are in high demand," the agenda reads. "This ordinance requires special events occurring during that period in unincorporated Bay County to obtain a permit in the same fashion that special events within the Beaches Area Special Treatment Zone obtain permits during the rest of the year."

What are high impact periods?

High impact periods are designated times when large crowds are expected throughout the area. Commissioners said the ordinance is designed to help the county better utilize its resources.

Chief JR Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department speaks at a press conference on the success of the area's high impact zones and spring break season. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Officials held a press conference at the Panama City Beach Police Department on April 15 to talk about the success of the high impact period. Chief JR Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department speaks at a press conference on the success of the area's high impact zones and spring break season. Chief JR Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department speaks at a press conference on the success of the area's high impact zones and spring break season. Chief JR Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department speaks at a press conference on the success of the area's high impact zones and spring break season. Chief JR Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department speaks at a press conference on the success of the area's high impact zones and spring break season. Bay County officials talk about success of spring break policing 1 of 14 Chief JR Talamantez of the Panama City Beach Police Department speaks at a press conference on the success of the area's high impact zones and spring break season.

An example of a high impact period is spring break, when massive crowds historically flock to Bay County and Panama City Beach. While these crowds boost the economy, they also bring more crime and have been known to overwhelm local law enforcement agencies.

More on spring break 2026

Officials with the Panama City Beach Police Department and Bay County Sheriff's Office dubbed spring break 2026 a success.

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This was partly due to the time being designated a high impact period, and also the establishment of high impact zones.

More on spring break: Panama City Beach police chief dubs spring break 2026 a success

The zones were located near Pier Park, south of Middle Beach Road from about Alf Coleman Road to Clara Avenue; south of Middle Beach Road from about Richard Jackson Boulevard to the east end of the city's limits; and east of PCB's city limits along Thomas Drive to Raven Street, encompassing Grand Lagoon to the sandy beach area.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County working to limit pop up events during high impact periods
CBS News Things That Matter: A Town Hall with Ben Sasse 01:05:56

Late last year, former Sen. Ben Sasse was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given three to four months to live. Now, he's on "extended time"  and he wants to spend some of his remaining time talking about "bigger stuff."

In an interview with "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley and a town hall hosted by CBS News, the Nebraska Republican said Congress is consumed by "reductionistic tribalism" and isn't spending enough time on large-scale problems  especially the massive disruptions that he believes will be wrought by artificial intelligence.

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Sasse also explained why he believes he owes his extra time on earth to "providence, prayer and a miracle drug." And he argued more Americans should have access to the types of experimental treatments that he credits with extending his life.

"Congress is not wrestling with big or important questions"

A Nebraska native with a Ph.D. in history from Yale University, Sasse ran for the Senate in 2014. He won reelection after clashing with President Trump, but then, two years later, Sasse resigned from Congress to become president of the University of Florida.

Asked why he left elected office, Sasse called the Senate "very, very unproductive." He said he was in Washington, D.C., for much of the week, missing time with his wife and three kids in Nebraska, while lawmakers weren't accomplishing much.

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"We didn't do real things. And it felt like the opportunity cost was really high," he said.

Right now, Sasse told Pelley that "Congress doesn't talk about any of those kind of most fundamental issues," chief among them the way that AI could change the economy and how people work.

"Neither of these parties really have very big or good ideas about 2030 or 2050, at a national security level, at a future of work level, at an institution-building level," he said. "The Congress is not wrestling with big or important questions right now."

Much of the blame, Sasse believes, is linked to the fact that politicians have an incentive to appeal to a narrow niche, a problem accentuated by social media.

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"It doesn't encourage a lot of humility. It doesn't encourage someone saying, 'You know what, I used to believe this, but I listened to somebody else, and I realized I was wrong, and I've learned this new thing,' he said. "There's no audience for that."

Sasse believes the House should be much, much larger  2,000 lawmakers instead of 435, which would mean individual members would represent fewer people. And he thinks the Senate should be more productive and more focused on addressing major questions, rather than day-to-day theatrics.

"The Senate needs to be less like Instagram. The Senate needs to be more deliberative. And that means less smack-down nonsense," he said.

He suggested the U.S. is nearing an inflection point: "In 2040, or 2050, or 2060 does the republic survive? I suspect yes, and I would bet yes. But it's not a 90/10 bet."

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"A republic actually requires people who do deliberative, long-form discourse, learning, humility and community building," he said. "We're not doing that right now."

Sasse told Pelley he's "optimistic and pessimistic about the complexities of human nature."

"But I am optimistic about what a free people and a republic can build if they start with the 'little platoons' of their family, their extended kin network, their neighborhood, their workplace, and their place of worship," he said.

AI is "glorious and horrific at the same time"

Asked what big issues Congress is missing, Sasse immediately offered up the AI revolution, which he called "both glorious and horrific at the same time."

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"What the digital revolution does is it accelerates almost everything about the human experience," Sasse predicted. "Anything that can be reduced to a series of steps, which is most economic activity, is going to be routinized and become really, really cheap, really fast, and really ubiquitous."

On one level, Sasse believes, AI could launch an era of "ubiquitous abundance," with no shortages of cheap, high-quality goods. "I don't know if it's three years from now or 13 years from now, but we're all going to have a robot that builds robots for us."

But it will create upheaval and uncertainty as many jobs are replaced by technology.

"It's pretty scary to not know what you're going to do to add value for your neighbor 10 or 25 years from now," Sasse said. "We've never lived in a world where 22-year-olds couldn't assume that the work they did they would be able to do until death or retirement. And we're never going to have that world again."

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Sasse on "right to try" rules

Sasse is grappling with stage-four pancreatic cancer that has metastasized, he said, leaving him with lung cancer, vascular cancer, liver cancer and lymphoma.

He has been taking an experimental oral medication for pancreatic cancer called daraxonrasib, which works by inhibiting a protein that can cause cells to grow excessively, leading to tumors.

The maker of daraxonrasib, Revolution Medicines, reported strong results from the drug's phase three trial earlier this month. Patients who took daraxonrasib survived by a median of 13.2 months, compared to 6.7 months with chemotherapy.

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During CBS News' town hall, Sasse heard from another person with cancer who has credited his early-stage medical treatment for giving him more time with his family.

Mike Hugo, 37, said he was diagnosed four years ago with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that can lead to death within months rather than years. Hugo said he participated in a clinical trial for a medical device called Optune.

Hugo's daughters were 5 and 7 years old when he was first diagnosed, and are now 9 and 11. His treatment has allowed him to go to "two daddy-daughter dances that no one said I would ever make," he said.

Hugo asked Sasse about why relatively few people can access those types of treatments, despite a 2018 federal "right to try" law  cosponsored by Sasse  designed to make it easier for patients with life-threatening illnesses to take not-yet-approved drugs in some circumstances. (Critics argue that "right to try" rules could weaken patient protections, and programs are already in place to help terminally ill patients access investigational drugs.)

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Sasse said that law was amended in Congress to make it stricter than initially planned. He said he'd like to "decentralize a lot more of those decisions to individuals, patients and their care providers, rather than one-size-fits-all rules at the FDA."

He noted that tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer annually, and it has a "tiny" survival rate.

"The best way to make a dent in that is more experiments," he said. "And so I would love a world where on the [question of] how much risk are you willing to endure to get access to a new trial or to allow our greatest scientific minds and researchers to experiment, I'd like to open up the dial quite a bit and let a lot more people get access to these drugs."

"Providence, prayer and a miracle drug"

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Sasse publicly revealed his diagnosis in late December of last year, writing in a jarring social media post that he's "gonna die."

In the weeks leading up to his diagnosis, Sasse told CBS News, he dealt with serious pain. He described showering at night with the water turned up as hot as possible, "trying to scald my back to try to make the throbbing of what turned out to be tumors pushing on my spine cease."

He said he's now in a lot less pain, in part due to morphine, and he credits the drug daraxonrasib with shrinking his tumor volume by 76% over the last four months.

At the time of his diagnosis, he was told his life expectancy was three to four months  a timeframe he has narrowly surpassed.

"So maybe I'm going to crank and live a year instead of a handful of months, and I'd feel incredibly blessed," said Sasse.

Asked what changed, he attributed it to "providence, prayer and a miracle drug."

Sasse, who is deeply committed to his Christian faith, said he has prayed for a miracle, but it's "not my biggest prayer."

"We're all mortal. We're all on the clock. We're all going to be pushing up daisies eventually, and I think wisdom requires us to grapple with our death and our finitude early," he said.

He also suggested that his diagnosis has made him more cognizant of his own finiteness.

"Death is wicked. Death is evil. Death is not how it's supposed to be," he said. "But it's a touch of grace because it forces me to tell the truth."

He continued: "And the lie I want to tell myself is that I'm the center of everything. And I'm going to be around forever. And I can work harder, and store up enough, that I can atone for my own brokenness. I can't."

Sasse on leaving behind his family

Sasse and his wife Melissa have been married for 31 years. He said they will "be apart for a time," but "she's tough and gritty and theologically rooted, and she's going to be fine."

They have two adult daughters, ages 24 and 22, along with their "providential surprise," a 14-year-old son. Asked how he is processing leaving his family behind, Sasse described some of the milestones in his children's lives that he will likely miss.

"I want to walk [my daughters] down the aisle when they get married," he said. "That's not likely to be. That's not the math on my time card."

He said his teenage son is also "going to be fine," and will have "other wise men and women to put a hand on his shoulder."

"But I'm super bummed to not be there at 16 and 18 and 20 years old in his life," he said. "I want to give him more advice than he wants, and I want to put my arm on his shoulder, that arm on his shoulders to get taller."

Sasse's parting wish for the U.S.

Pelley asked Sasse whether he has a "parting wish" for the country.

"I think we need to have more deliberation about our mortality and our finitude to therefore get back to wisdom about what living a life of gratitude looks like," he said.

He added: "I'd like a lot more dinner tables to turn off the devices, put them out of the room, pour a big glass of wine, break bread together, and wrestle with some really grand questions about what you're building for your family and your next generation."
Three Republicans will square off next month in the primary race for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Educations District 1 seat, which represents St. Tammany Parish and portions of Tangipahoa, Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

The field for the May 16 election includes ex-Congressman Joseph Cao of Harvey, longtime educator Ellie Schroder of Abita Springs and businessman Mike Hollis of New Orleans. The winner advances to the Nov. 3 general election against Democrat Angela Hershey, a retired teacher from Madisonville who secured her nomination unopposed.

The 11-member board, known as BESE, is composed of eight regionally elected members and three at-large members the governor appoints. It directs the Louisiana Department of Education, sets policy for teacher certification requirements and establishes the states baseline per-pupil school funding formula  the Minimum Foundation Program.

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BESE members also set student and teacher assessments. That includes the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program, better known as the LEAP test for short and a consistent discussion point in the long-running, nationwide debate on standardized testing.

Louisiana, long among the lowest-ranked states in education, has made great strides in reading over the past several years. The state has had particularly impressive growth in reading scores, in part the result of a renewed focus on phonics and science-based literacy, shifting away from rote memorization and deductive reasoning using context clues.

The state has focused on kindergarten through third-grade literacy in particular, including implementing new annual screenings for those early grades. For fall 2024, only 28% of Louisiana kindergarteners entered the school year reading at or above grade level. By spring 2025, 61% of kindergarteners had reached that mark.

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The candidates

Cao, an attorney, currently holds the District 1 seat, appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry earlier this year after former BESE District 1 representative Paul Hollis took a job with the Trump administration. Caos experience also includes teaching middle school and a philosophy class while he earned his law degree at the Loyola University in New Orleans.

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Schroder recently retired after 27 years as a teacher and school administrator in St. Tammany. Her husband, former Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder, ran against Landry for governor in 2024, and Ellie Schroder said its now her turn for a political run.

Hollis, the brother of Paul Hollis, runs an insurance company and touts his civic engagement in education and volunteer work on his candidacy page.

Cao, Schroeder and Hershey discussed their plans should they win the office, while Hollis declined an interview ahead of the May 16 election.

School vouchers

For years, Louisiana had a small statewide voucher program allowing 5,000 low-income students to attend private schools on the publics dime. In 2024, Landry and conservative lawmakers overhauled its guidelines.

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The new version, the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise Scholarship Program, or LA GATOR for short, provides funds through education scholarship accounts. While the old program directed tuition money to private schools, the new LA GATOR program allows families to use state money for a wider variety of educational expenses.

Beyond tuition, the money can be spent on tutoring, educational therapies, textbooks, curricula, dual enrollment courses and uniforms, according to the state education department.

Landry is seeking to double funding the program this year. Though many officials support the program, Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, has led opposition to the increased cost. The expanded funding was approved in the House version of the budget and awaits Senate consideration.

Some legislators are also skeptical of who the program helps. Approximately three-quarters of the 39,189 students who applied for LA GATOR last year were already attending private schools.

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Cao described himself as  a very strong proponent of the LA GATOR program. Hes served on the boards for three charter schools and is a vocal advocate of school choice.

Asked about recent data that shows just 4% of scholarship recipients have documented disabilities, Cao said there is room for improvement.

I believe that as BESE rules could be implemented to better serve special needs kids, he said.

Schroder said she also wants to see the program grow as long as we can financially support it.

As for voucher shortcomings for students with disabilities, Schroeder acknowledged private schools dont have to accept them. Federal law requires public schools to serve all students, including those with special education needs who often have an Individual Education Plan. The IEP is a contract between parents and the school that specifically outlines the supportive services  academic, therapeutic or otherwise  a student needs.

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Wherever the vouchers are used that would have to be used in an area or school system that have that ability to meet the IEP requirements, she said.

Hershey worries Landrys expanded program would divert money from public schools at the expense of students with disabilities in particular.

Every kid that walks in the door that public school has to take, Hershey said. The private schools do not have to provide accommodations. They do not have to take everyone that comes in the door.

Testing

The states annual LEAP tests have long been a volatile flashpoint, both for teachers who question their high stakes and for students facing the pressure of a make-or-break evaluation.

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For years, the state required fourth- and eighth-grade students who failed the LEAP exam to repeat the grade. Proponents of mandatory retention say its a disservice to students to pass them to the next grade if they are not ready.

Opponents argue that simply repeating the grade likely does not address the students individual needs, academic or otherwise. Critics also argue high-stakes testing results in teaching to the test, requiring teachers to spend more time on test-taking skills and subjects at the expense of the breadth of curriculum and critical thinking.

Louisiana did away with its high-stakes fourth-grade testing in 2018, but state lawmakers last year enacted a retention law for third-grade students based on their literacy level.

Cao drew on his own experience when asked about mandatory retention.

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At age 8, he arrived in the U.S. from Vietnam and was enrolled in first grade. Age-wise, he says, he would have entered third grade. Educators say English is the most critical subject because students must understand the language to be able to learn math, science and other subjects. Being placed with younger students still learning English at the same level, Cao said the school leaders made a good decision.

Looking back, I felt it was the right thing to do. I could learn the basics of the English language and progressively move upward.

Ultimately, I believe it would be a disservice to push a student to go to a higher level if they did not learn what they need to learn at a lower level, Cao said.

Hershey agrees schools must ensure students are prepared for the next grade.

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Youre hurting that child more (by passing them). They get further and further behind and then they get frustrated.

Schroeder said shed want to review two to three years of data on mandatory retention before judging its value.

Id have to see if it functions more as a tool of intensive intervention  supporting to help the student  or if its going to be used more as a tool to retain, she said. Only the data will be able to tell us that.

There has also been debate over whether passing LEAP should be needed to earn a high school diploma. A bill to prohibit such a requirement has not advanced in the current legislative session.

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Schroeder, who is also a residential contractor, said she thinks the requirement could depend on the type of diploma the student has chosen. She wants to see increased emphasis on trades in high school curricula and does not want a standardized test to stand in the way of a student working toward a career in a skilled profession that doesnt require higher education.

The focus weve had on college for so long has left a little bit of a gap in our skilled labor, she said.

Hershey said young students are overtested, though she sees a benefit to incremental testing, such as prior to entering middle or high school.

She also believes students should pass a basic knowledge test to graduate from high school, referring to the comprehensive Graduation Exit Exam that Louisiana phased out in 2013. The state then used subject-based, end-of-course assessments for the next decade but switched in 2025 to the comprehensive LEAP exam.

Student and teacher resources

Expanded support services are a priority for Cao, Hershey and Schroeder.

Cao said he would like to see an expansion of mental health support for students, Schroeder emphasized expanded offerings in skilled labor in high schools, and Hershey wants to ensure BESE maintains a high standard for certifying teachers, especially high school teachers.

Hershey taught high school science and said she worries alternative certification means teachers may come in underprepared to teach specializations. She said she was required to take adolescent psychology and various education courses in school, and she hopes BESE will ensure new teachers are required to do the same.

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Republican congressional candidate and CAL DOGE Director Jenny Rae Le Roux is slamming Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta for failing to crack down on widespread fraud after her watchdog group uncovered multiple cases she says state leaders ignored.

"Every day is opposite day when it comes to Gavin Newsom and Rob Bonta," Le Roux told Fox News Digital. "Whatever they say, I generally believe the exact opposite is true and so when Gavin Newsom says that fraud is under control, what that means is that either he's in on it or unwilling to do anything about it."

"They are either unwilling to do anything or they are not wanting to do it, and they're just trying to spin what they are already doing in that way," she added.

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California Republican Slams State's Handling Of Hospice Fraud As She Looks To Flip Blue Seat

California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes questions from the media after announcing the state is suing the White House to restore SNAP funding before the cutoff during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif. (Reuters Photos)

California has been at the center of the national fraud spotlight in recent months as the Trump administration has sent resources to the state to look into various accusations of fraud ranging from healthcare to homelessness to nonprofit organizations.

The CEO of a California hospice advocacy group told congressional lawmakers Tuesday that fraud in the industry is flourishing across the state, questioning how numerous fraudulent providers can continue to operate under the nose of regulators.

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"You'd be amazed at how many hospices the door you can walk up to in California and there is nobody there. Five months' worth of mail that you can see stacked nobody's there," Sheila Clark, the president and CEO of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association (CHAPCA), said. "And that passed a survey. How did that happen?"

Le Roux said her group uncovered what she described as "intentional fraud" in Sacramento, alleging funds are being redirected toward "Democrat base-building." Cal DOGE is a group that works to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in California that was launched in early 2026 by Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton.

The group says it has uncovered almost $700 million in waste, fraud, and abuse since its founding.

"We have been more effective with a group of volunteers in the last 10 weeks than Gavin Newsom and Rob Bonta have since they've been in office," Le Roux said.

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She added Bontas office wasted resources on legal battles against the Trump administration instead of focusing on fraud patterns that her group identified using artificial intelligence and financial data.

"Rob Bonta's office billed over 150,000 hours a year going after President Trump and the Trump administration's policies that equates to almost 200 lawyers times when you extrapolate it out over an entire year, which is one-sixth of his entire office, and larger than the DOJ office that's actually doing something in California," she said.

Le Roux, a cousin of Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, launched her campaign in March and is running in the GOP primary for Californias 47th Congressional District with a focus on combating fraud.

"It doesn't just happen, it's the normal way of operating, which is why, again, the people who've been perpetrating the fraud and leading the charge on it, Newsom and Bonta, can't be the ones that are actually going to investigate it," she said.

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Gop Sheriff Leading California Poll Rips Newsoms Love Affair With Criminals

In one example, she said her group uncovered a case where $370 million in cannabis tax revenue was routed through an intermediary and split into smaller grants that went to unrelated programs. She pointed to systemic flaws, including limited federal prosecution for funds "mostly under $1 million."

"There is no oversight, not one report that is required to explain where the money is spent," she said.

As a result, she said that a lack of oversight has contributed to an estimated $80 billion annually in "fraud, waste, or gross overpayments," arguing the problem is systematic.

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Amid recent hospice fraud allegations, Le Roux said stronger oversight could have prevented the issue and curbed the fraud. Newsoms office pushed back, saying enforcement falls to the federal government.

"These hospice agencies that we are now in the process of shutting down were licensed by the state of California," she said. "They should have never been opened. Every piece of oversight that the state of California should have been administrating had not been happening and so this is a California issue."

She said her group is pressuring officials to prosecute fraud.

"Newsom is trying to take credit for doing nothing instead of actually becoming a part of reform in our state, which is by the way, what not just Republicans, but independents and Democrats want desperately," she said.

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the state is suing the White House to restore SNAP funding before the cutoff during a news conference in Sacramento.

However, she emphasized fraud extends beyond California.

"When money flows into California and nothing is checked, that is an American problem, not a California problem," she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Newsom and Bonta for comment.

Newsom's office has responded to critics in general in recent weeks by saying the state is "leading the nation in preventing fraud."

"Since @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom took office:  $125 billion+ in fraud STOPPED  1,200+ criminals ARRESTED  83% reduction in EBT fraud in one year  New hospice licenses BANNED beginning in 2022," Newsom's press office posted on X last month.





Original article source: California DOGE leader slams Newsom, Bonta over states massive fraud issues: Every day is opposite day"
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Young and inexperienced Camp Mystic counselors were not trained to help campers during floods or other emergencies, and feared making decisions on their own, an investigator into the flood that killed 27 counselors and campers told Texas lawmakers Monday.

Lawmakers heard an emotional and sweeping review of a camp obedience culture that paired poorly trained teenage counselors with the youngest campers; was complacent about flood warnings; had poor communications; and critically delayed evacuation efforts.

There was never any real training, no drills of any kind, for counselors or campers of what do to or where to go in a flood threat, said Casey Garrett, a special legislative committee's investigator. She was addressing the committee's first hearing on the July Fourth flood that swept through the all-girls Christian camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River.

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Twenty-five campers and two teenage counselors were killed. Camp owner Richard Eastland was also killed as he desperately tried to evacuate girls to higher ground.

Training and an earlier evacuation call likely would have saved every girl, some of whom would have needed to walk just about 20 steps to get to a two-story building, Garrett said.

Garrett noted that most of the victims were under age 10, some attending camp for the first time, and that the counselors in the hardest hit cabins were among the youngest and most inexperienced at the camp.

Many of the grim details had already been made public through hearings, media reports and interviews, but the state report presentation  built on interviews with about 150 people including campers, counselors, the Eastland family and victims' families  presented them in a stark, streamlined review. A written report of findings is expected later this year.

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The fate of those girls was set before any drop of rain fell. Sen. Charles Perry said during the hearing.

He continued: The things that were common sense and the things that should have been done, didnt get done.

Families of the victims pack the hearing

Dozens of victim family members attended the hearing. Some sobbed or walked out when photos of their girls and the destroyed camp site were displayed, or when they heard their loved ones' names read aloud.

The report laid out almost a minute-by-minute account of flood warnings, communications among Eastland family members and calls for help. It also noted some harrowing survivor accounts, including of a girl who was swept more than 6 miles downriver. She told investigators she was sucked underwater several times before she washed up on a debris pile and fell asleep. She was rescued the next morning by two women who heard her cries for help.

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One girl recalled how the floodwaters in her cabin rose so high that her chin touched the ceiling. Garret described another girl bear-hugging a column with her arms and legs to stay out of the water. One counselor told investigators she pushed girls underwater to get them through the door of a flooded cabin.

The committee saw video of water rushing into a building through cracks in the door. In cellphone video shot by a stranded camper, a girl can be heard yelling Help! in the dark, raging floodwaters.

Campers and counselors had no emergency training

Garrett, a Houston attorney who also helped with the Legislature's report on the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, several times noted the lack of emergency training for the teenage counselors and child campers.

There was no detailed evacuation plan, she said, and the only instruction for the girls in low-lying areas of the camp was a one-paragraph directive that told them to stay in their cabins unless told otherwise by the office. All cabins are constructed on high, safe locations. A state inspector approved that plan two days before the flood.

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Eventually, some counselors took matters into their own hands and pushed girls through cabin windows to scramble up a hill.

It wasnt a plan. It wasnt a safe plan, It was an option taken, thank God, Garrett said. It was very ad hoc.

Some of the young counselors had told their parents before the flood they were concerned about a lack of training for emergencies, she said.

Camp Mystics owners want to reopen in late May and have said they will only use parts of the camp that didnt flood. They expect nearly 900 girls on campus this summer. Those plans have angered victims families, and some prominent state officials have called for state regulators to deny or delay renewal of the camp's license, which is under review.

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Last year, Texas lawmakers passed new measures to demand more detailed planning and training, and the installation of emergency warning systems. The Legislature doesnt meet again until January 2027 and the panel does not control the review of Camp Mystic's license.

Investigator describes the camp's formidable owner

Some counselors told investigators they feared getting into trouble if they were to take children to higher ground or out into the storm without explicit instructions.

Garrett described the camp's obedience-encouraged culture dominated by Eastland, the campus patriarch. Some members of the Eastland family and camp staff referred to him as The General and The Eagle.

He ruled, his wife, Tweety, told investigators. Several Eastland family members attended the hearing and some are expected to speak to the panel on Tuesday.

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He was running the show over there.  You just really didnt cross him, Garrett said of Richard Eastland.

The camp relied almost exclusively on Eastland for how to act in a flood emergency. The owner's son, Edward Eastland, testified in a lawsuit last week that any detailed flood evacuation plan was simply inside his father's head. Family members told investigators Richard Eastland was obsessed with weather and monitored warnings.

Richard Eastland and several girls were was found dead in his vehicle after he tried to drive them to safety. Edward Eastland was swept by the floodwaters into a tree. Camp security officer Glenn Juenke survived although he was trapped in a flooded cabin with campers.

Garrett also described Richard Eastland as a popular camp leader who taught generations of girls how to fish. He also had a knack for comforting young campers who were nervous about their first time away from home.

We do know Dick Eastland loved every little girl who came to Camp Mystic, Garrett said.
Posted on Dec 1, 2014 in Carlo D'Este

Churchillas Leadership in World War I  Part III: The Employment of the First Tanks

Driven by the ever-increasing casualty rate, no one in Britain in World War I offered more ideas for winning the war than Winston Churchill. Where others were merely content to wage the same battles of attrition over and over again, with the same dreadful results, he was constantly thinking aoutside the boxa a the modern term for innovative thinking. Above all, he was appalled at the needless sacrifice of men for questionable military results. aThe use of force for the waging of war is not to be regulated simply by firm character and text-book maxims,a he said. aMechanical science offers on the ground, in the air, on every coast from the forge or from the laboratory, boundless possibilities of novelty and surprise.a

Please click here to read Part 1 and Part 2.

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There was no end to his ideas, which continued to flow unabated. In an essay titled aVariants of the Offensive,a he once again proposed the creation of enormous steel shields some fifteen feet long by four feet high that could be pushed by men or by a tracked Caterpillar vehicle that would protect them from machine-gun bullets as they advanced toward German lines. He also advocated the use of shields carried by individual soldiers, a modern day equivalent of those carried into battle by ancient warriors.

However, Churchill never envisioned that the tank would transform the war, but rather serve as a supporting weapon aiding advances across no-manas land. aVariants of the Offensivea contained various references to the employment of tanks on the Western Front in what was apparently the first time the commander in chief of the British Expeditionary Force, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, had been made aware of their battlefield potential.

The impact of the memorandum seems directly related to Haigas request for 1,000 tanks made to the Ministry of Munitions in February 1916. At that stage of its evolution, neither Churchill nor Haig quite understood the potential battlefield benefits they had in the tank. Churchillas concept that the employment of tanks would be a one-time business and that once used on the battlefield, they would have little future value, was not a view shared by Haigas GHQ. To the contrary, it was thought, athat the tank was simply another instrument of war, the best tactics for which would have to be worked out by trial and error.a

By 1916 a design breakthrough occurred and a tank called aMothera (later aBig Williea, derisively named for German Crown Prince William) became the first operational armored vehicle produced by the British. The machine was equipped with a 6-pounder gun mounted inside a small turret and four machine-guns. (The 6-pounder tank gun equated to 57-mm.)

Although flawed, the employment of the first armored vehicles on a battlefield vindicated in dramatic fashion Churchillas initiatives and forever changed the course of modern warfare. Forty-nine aBig Williesa participated in the Battle of the Somme, with varied results. There was, as yet, no doctrine for their employment and instead of attacking en masse, as they would in the future, they were employed individually across the front.

In the black of night most broke down or became hopelessly stuck in the mud. Nevertheless, the few ungainly iron monsters that survived breaking down enjoyed dazzling success and terrorized the Germans. One tank led an assault on the town of Flers, which was taken without a single loss, to the cheers of the New Zealand infantry that followed them; another straddled a trench work and captured three hundred German prisoners, while a third attacked a German artillery battery before being knocked out. Painted in a variety of rainbow colors, the sight of these astonishing machines stunned the German High Command. German troops were ordered to ahold their ground at all costs and fight to the last man against these new and monstrous engines of war.a The panic created in the front lines by the first tanks ever seen on a battlefield was reported in the German press as aThe devil is coming!a

Based on their spectacular results at the Somme, Churchill quickly realized their potential. He believed that the British had wasted a golden opportunity. aThe immense advantage of novelty and surprise was thus squandered a the certainty of a great and brilliant victory was revealed to the Germans for the mere petty purpose of taking a few ruined villages a Instead of employing them all at once in dry weather on ground not torn by bombardment, in some new sector where they could operate very easily and by surprise, they were plunged in fours and fives as a mere minor adjunct of the infantry into the quagmires and crater-fields of Passchendaele.a

In Parliament in October 1916, Lloyd George publicly credited Churchill with fostering the ideas of DaEyncourt and Hankey into reality, but even such public statements of support did little to abate hostile criticism from the Conservatives and their newspapers continued to rain down upon him, unforgiving of his responsibility for the ill-fated attempt to capture the Dardanelles in 1915 that had cost him his post as First Lord of the Admiralty.

The British had better luck at Cambrai in November 1917 when, supported by five infantry divisions, they launched the largest tank attack yet mounted on the vast scale that Churchill had had in mind: massed across a front of ten thousand yards 378 tanks of the British Tank Corps attacked the Hindenburg Line (the principal front line, so named for German Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, chief of the German General Staff) across a seven-mile-wide front and caught the Germans flat-footed.

In six hours they penetrated to the fourth level of the German defenses and overran two divisions, capturing eight thousand prisoners. In those mere six hours British tanks had taken more ground that had the one hundred thousand troops of Gen. Sir Hubert Goughas Fifth Army during the massive and costly Third Battle of Ypres in July 1917.

The problem with Cambrai was that there was no plan for exploiting a breakthrough of such proportions. Nearly 180 tanks broke down during the attack, most due to mechanical failure, and without them the infantry failed to seize the initiative, thus enabling the Germans to rush reinforcements to plug the gaping hole in their line. Cambrai begged the question of who was more astounded a the British, who never envisioned or prepared for a decisive penetration, or the Germans, who were stunned by the British offensive.

When these spectacular results became known in England, church bells were rung for the first time since the summer of 1914, precipitately as it turned out when German counterattacks later that month negated most of the British gains after they had failed to take steps to capitalize on their success.

Unfortunately, tactics for tank use had yet to be devised, and at the time only a few men grasped the significance of Cambrai, which conclusively proved that tanks were a deadly weapon that could play a vital role on the modern battlefield, and were fully capable of penetrating and crushing an entrenched enemy position.

One of those who not only understood the potential of the tank but who would refine its tactics and successfully employ them on both the battlefields of World War I and World War II was a young cavalry officer who had recently been named to create, train and command a new tank corps for the U.S. Army: George S. Patton.

As the war dragged on, Churchill expanded his search for some means to defeat the mines. One of those ideas was his advocacy for the invention of the anti-tank devices eventually produced and employed in World War II. They included the mounting of probes on tanks to feel out mines ahead and destroy them: a precursor to the flail tank. Mines could be blown up by tank rounds fired at them, then defeated by heavily armored tanks that could roll over and destroy them, or even by a special vehicle towed by a tank, awhich, activated by wires from the tank, could move ahead and by this way explode minefields.a

Unfortunately, Churchillas ideas were not readily embraced, nor did Haig ever change his unsuccessful strategy of employing artillery and infantry in massive and costly attacks.

Although the advent of the tank on the battlefields of France did not change the course of the war, the true effectiveness of what had once been derisively termed aWinstonas Follya would be seen when another world war coined the term blitzkrieg and saw their brilliant employment by innovative commanders such as Guderian, Rommel and Patton.

Next month, in Part IV, the story of the first employment of American tanks in France in 1918.
PANAMA CITY A funeral procession and celebration of life were held for Capt. Jared Sasnett on April 27.

Sasnett, 34, a captain for Bay County Emergency Services, died on April 18 in a Youngstown car accident. He is survived by his wife, Christina Sasnett, and their four daughters. Sasnett also leaves behind his parents, step-parents, grandfather and siblings.

A graduate of Wewahitchka High School, he started as a volunteer with Bay County Fire Rescue before becoming a full-time hire. Sasnett previously served as a dispatcher for Bay County, a firefighter for the Springfield Fire Department and as a paramedic with Gulf County Emergency Medical Services.

A salute is rendered at the celebration of life of Capt. Jared Sasnett on April 27, 2026, in Panama City, Florida. Screenshot from Bay County Emergency Services live stream.

"His wife and daughters were his greatest joy and purpose," Bay County Emergency Services said in a news release. "He was equally dedicated to the fire service and to the brothers and sisters he served alongside."

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The community rallied around Sasnett and his family following his death. Some online users changed their profile pictures to the Bay County Emergency Services seal in his memory, and a fundraiser for his family raised $45,613 as of April 27. Eleven thousand viewers watched the livestream of his celebration of life as of 12 p.m. on April 27.

The ceremony took place at the Hiland Park Baptist Church, 2611 US 231, Panama City. A stage was adorned with first responder regalia, flags and flowers.

Captain Jared Sasnett of Bay County Emergency Services died on April 18 in a traffic crash.

Family and friends spoke with grief, reverence and memory at the celebration. Firefighters' tradition of a bell toll after the passing of one of their own took place, followed by the more modern tradition of a dispatcher proclaiming that Sasnett had answered his last call.

"Some calls come through radios, some come through phones, but there is a call that comes from eternity," said a faith leader speaking at the ceremony. "(Sasnett) hung up all of his distinguished titles and his bunker gear, and he stepped out of time and into eternity; even then, he was responding to a call, not a call of duty here, but a call into eternity."

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Sasnett spent over a decade working in public safety and was previously honored by crowds of first responders during the procession to Wilson's Funeral Home, 214 Airport Road, Panama City.

"Jared was a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, and leader  an incredible man who will be deeply missed by many," Bay County Emergency Services said in the release.

Background: Bay County EMS Capt. Jared Sasnett dies in traffic crash

The agency stated that memorial donations could be made in his honor to the Autism Society of America at https://autismsociety.org/donate.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Ceremony, procession honors life of Capt. Jared Sasnett in Bay County
CareerSource Central Florida is hosting an apprenticeship recruitment event this week in Orlando to connect residents with employers offering paid training opportunities in skilled trades and other in-demand careers.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, from noon to 2 p.m. at Orange Technical College. 2900 West. Oak Ridge Road, Building 1600, Orlando, FL 32809

Organizers say attendees will be able to meet employers, learn about apprenticeship pathways and explore careers in HVAC, electrical work, plumbing, painting, construction, ironworking, steel work, pipefitting and mechanics.

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The event is being held in recognition of National Apprenticeship Day.

According to CareerSource Central Florida, the average apprentice in the United States completes a program earning about $28 an hour and can earn more than $300,000 more over a lifetime compared with workers who do not complete an apprenticeship.

Organizers say apprenticeships allow workers to earn income while receiving hands-on training and classroom instruction.

Parking will be available in the student parking lot on campus.

Residents interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance through CareerSource Central Florida.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Every morning in the Ohio Capital Journals free newsletter, The Eye-Opener, we round up the news and commentary from across Ohio and around the country and world that is catching our attention. We call this feature Catching Our Eye, republished here.

Please subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get all the Ohio news you need to know right to your inbox every weekday morning.

If you already subscribe, please share with your family and friends so they know about the Ohio Capital Journal too: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/subscribe/

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Five pro-Palestinian activists went on trial in Germany on Monday over a protest at an Israeli defence company's site in the southern city of Ulm, with chaotic scenes breaking out in the courtroom.

As the trial began in the heavily secured courtroom in Stuttgart, the defence lawyers left the room after failing to receive permission for the defendants to sit with them.

Following a two-hour adjournment, the lawyers then pointedly took their seats in the defendants places behind a thick security glass.

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The judge from the Stuttgart Regional Court gave them five minutes to move to their designated seats, even threatening to remove them from the case  but the defence lawyers did not budge an inch.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned, with the trial due to resume in a weeks time.

The Ulm 5, as the group has become known, are three women and two men of Irish, British, Spanish and German nationality, aged between 25 and 40.

They are accused of criminal damage and trespass, as well as membership of a criminal organization over their ties to Palestine Action Germany.

The activists allegedly broke into a site belonging to a German subsidiary of the Israeli defence company Elbit Systems in September 2025, aiming to protest Germany's support for Israel during the war in Gaza.

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Elbit is a provider of military equipment for the Israeli military, while the German subsidiary develops and manufactures military communications equipment.

The defendants are alleged to have gained access to the companys premises through a side window and used tools to smash screens, computers and telephones in the offices, as well as a washbasin and toilets.

In one of the companys technical laboratories, they are also alleged to have destroyed sensitive measuring equipment and electronic devices, with the total damage amounting to around 1 million ($1.17 million).

The activists were arrested without resisting at the site and have been in pre-trial detention for months.

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The group Palestine Action was banned in England in July 2025 after activists broke into an air force base and sprayed paint on Royal Air Force aircraft.

In Germany, the group has so far attracted attention through occupations, protests and acts of vandalism. Elbit has been the target of several demonstrations.
JAKARTA, April 27 (Reuters) - Students and civilians clashed with law enforcement personnel in Indonesia's insurgency-hit Papua on Monday during a protest attended by hundreds of residents demanding the withdrawal of military personnel from the region, a police official said.

A military operation conducted in the region earlier this month allegedly resulted in the death of 15 people, including women and children.

The operation was carried out against armed separatists who have sought independence for the resource-rich Papua region since 1969, when a vote overseen by the United Nations brought it under Indonesian control following more than six decades of Dutch colonial rule.

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The country's human rights watchdog last week confirmed the deaths and called for the government to review operations in the region. The military has yet to acknowledge the casualties.

On Monday, around 800 protesters rallied in three locations in the capital of Papua province, Jayapura, before gathering in the city centre, said Cahyo Sukarnito, the spokesperson for the Papua provincial police.

They called on the government to withdraw the military from all of Papua's six provinces, and ensure that decades of violence were brought to an end, Cahyo told Reuters, acknowledging that the deaths during recent military operations had sparked local anger.

Tear gas and a water cannon were deployed to disperse protesters in one location after they threw rocks at the police, Cahyo said. He said five police personnel were injured but there were no report of injuries among the protesters.

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Footage from local media Tribun Papua showed police personnel in protective gear carrying batons as they approached the protesters.

Once the clashes abated, the demonstrations continued peacefully and several regional lawmakers arrived on site to meet protesters and listen to their demands.

Papua is home to the world's second-largest gold and copper mine, Grasberg, which is owned jointly by the Indonesian government and U.S. mining giant Freeport.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia; editing by Gibran Peshimam and David Stanway)
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.

Tort plaintiffs dont have the best reputation. Think of the often-mocked woman who sued McDonalds after she was burned by its coffee in 1992. Or, more recently, the case of one woman who sued after being overserved tequila on a Carnival cruise. She then was hurt when she fell, and sued the cruise line to recover for her injuries; the jury awarded her a six-figure judgment. When people hear about cases like this, is it any wonder that many have such negative opinions about attorneys?

But lawyers and lawsuits have also achieved stunning gains on behalf of the average consumer. Think of the tobacco litigation that publicized how cigarettes were poisoning Americansa fact that Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds well knew even as they collected profits. A Ford Pinto lawsuit helped bring to light the design flaw that was igniting cars and burning people to death. Asbestos lawsuits have helped to provide some compensation to mesothelioma victims. Even the McDonalds lawsuit involved a real victim and a real injury, an elderly woman who was hospitalized for eight days after receiving third-degree burns, needing to receive skin graftsand she was injured after McDonalds had already received over 700 reports of customer injuries from the extreme temperatures at which it served its coffee.

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Certainly, not all litigation is perfect. Some lawyers, in fact, can and do take advantage of tort victims in order to line their own pockets. But time and time again, regular Americans who have been harmed by big business have sought redress for their harms in court. Critically, court records are usually public, and court sessions open to the public. Consumer harms have therefore often become well known and widely reported by way of litigation in the courts.

But as the former federal prosecutor Brendan Ballou details in his new book, When Companies Run the Courts: How Forced Arbitration Became Americas Secret Justice System, this system of justice and public accountability has now effectively been largely eliminated across wide swaths of the economy. In its place is a pernicious system that purports to offer an easier, faster path to a resolutionbut all too often is irretrievably biased toward finding that resolution in favor of corporations and at the expense of the consumer or employee. This is the system of forced arbitration.

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As Ballou relates, forced arbitration has many flaws. Arbitrators who are employed time and time again by the same companies with a large number of contracts that require arbitration may be loath to rule against them and lose out on their next paycheck. Arbitration can keep plaintiffs from banding together into a class action, and in that way attracting a lawyer to take on their case for a large enough contingent fee. Arbitration is expensive. The associated fees can effectively bar a plaintiff from pursuing his or her case. Arbitration is also secret. When victims are forced into arbitration, others are denied the opportunity to learn from their experiences and avoid a financial loss, or a personal injury. Arbitration has also become a massive phenomenon, siphoning countless cases off from the courts into a shadowy, opaque system that nobody can ever truly fully observe.

Ironically, arbitration has come about ostensibly through willing agreement. Or so companies argue. In reality, provisions giving consent to arbitration are often contained within lengthy contracts and go unnoticed. Consumers also might not understand how these agreements might eventually affect their rights. As Ballou recounts, one husband whose wife had died of an allergic reaction sued the restaurant that had served her, along with Disney, who owned the restaurant property. Disney moved to compel the case into arbitration because years ago, the husband had subscribed to Disney+, and the subscription agreement contained an arbitration provision. Only after the case gained widespread media attention did the firm representing Disney agree to withdraw the motion.

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Research shows that its not even realistic to expect consumers to be aware of all the provisions in form contracts that theyre asked to review and sign on a regular basis. One study, for example, looked at privacy policies posted on websites, which are just a subset of the agreements that consumers are asked to consent to. The study estimated that it would take the average consumer 244 hours a year to read all of them. Thats over 30 eight-hour workdays each year. While some contracts do contain provisions that allow consumers to opt out of forced arbitration, consumers may not understand why its important to take this step, and often fail to affirmatively take the necessary action to do so.

Arbitrations takeover of the traditional functions of courts, as laid out by Ballou, has broader societal implications as well. The decisions reached in arbitration are often secret, and arbitrators are not usually required to write the sorts of publicly available opinions justifying the reasons for their decisions in the way that courts must. The courts are therefore deprived of a massive number of cases which could help shape and further consumer law were courts allowed to consider those matters instead of arbitrators.

What can one person do against all of this? First of all, when faced with a form agreement, consumers should look for the ability to opt out of forced arbitration provisions. Urge legislators to take action to limit mandatory arbitration, as when Congress enacted a law in 2022 prohibiting sexual harassment and sexual assault claims from being forced into arbitration. Share news stories like the one about the widower who subscribed to Disney+; even if companies care more about public opinion than doing whats right, their vulnerability to public pressure can sometimes be used to result in a better outcome for the consumer. And read Brendan Ballous excellent book to learn more about whats at stake.
What to know today about the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting:Cole Allen, the man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, was charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump and two firearms counts, as officials revealed new details about his actions in the run-up to the attack.Allen made his first appearance in federal court on Monday afternoon but did not enter a plea. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said more charges are expectedAn FBI affidavit said Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington last week and checked in to the Washington Hilton the day before the dinner. Prosecutors said he had a shotgun and handgun on him when he stormed a security checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom where the dinner was being held. He was charged with firing his gun during the incident, but the affidavit did not specify that he fired the round that struck a Secret Service agent in his bulletproof vest.The fallout continues to ripple across Washington as the Secret Service faces questions about the security at the event, which brought together 2,500 journalists, administration officials, lawmakers and celebrities. Many attendees said they found security to be lax. The Secret Service said Monday that it will enhance security at events moving forward, but the agency's chief told CBS News his agents "did a great job." Senate Republicans push to build White House ballroom with federal funds, pointing to correspondents' dinner shooting

A group of Senate Republicans on Monday previewed a bill that would allow public funds to be used to build a ballroom attached to the White House, a project backed by President Trump.

The Trump administration broke ground on a privately funded ballroom last year, but the project has faced legal challenges. Mr. Trump and congressional Republicans have argued that Saturday's shooting demonstrates why a large event space on the White House grounds is a security necessity, a call echoed by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

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In a news conference Monday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he plans to introduce a bill that would authorize $400 million for a ballroom with Secret Service and other security facilities underground. The project would be offset by customs fees.

Graham was joined by GOP Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Eric Schmitt of Missouri.

He called Saturday's shooting a "wakeup call," telling reporters: "I'm convinced if there had been a presidential ballroom adjacent to the White House, the guy would never have gotten in."

"Many people, I think, originally saw it as a vanity project," Graham said. "I don't see it that way, and I don't think I ever did."

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Mr. Trump had sought to pay for the ballroom through private donations, drawing criticism from Democrats. Graham said his bill would allow donations to be used, "but I think they should be used for buying china and stuff like that."

It's not clear that the ballroom could host the correspondents' dinner, which is put on by a private group and typically has more attendees than the White House space is expected to be able to accommodate. Graham told reporters it would be up to the White House Correspondents' Association to decide where the dinner is hosted, but he called the idea of hosting it at the Washington Hilton Hotel again "crazy."

The senator told reporters he would prefer to pass the legislation as a freestanding bill, but he didn't rule out trying to add it to a pending budget reconciliation package. Without going through the reconciliation process, the bill would likely need 60 votes in the Senate, requiring several Democrats to sign on.

Secret Service chief: "My agents did a great job"

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U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the agency's response to the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, telling CBS News: "My agents did a great job."

Curran spoke after meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, which he said "went very well."

Asked if the correspondents' dinner should be designated as a National Special Security Event  a designation used for mega-events like inaugurations, State of the Union addresses and Super Bowls  Curran said the Secret Service will "assess every event and see if that deserves the designation, but we'll do it by case-by-case basis."

Curran also said there was "a reason" why the dinner's security perimeter wasn't further from the event, causing the alleged shooter to encounter security inside the Washington Hilton Hotel, but Curran did not elaborate, saying the agency's reasoning is classified.

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Photos show weapons allegedly carried by suspect

During a news conference Monday afternoon, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro shared photos of the weapons that she said Cole Allen allegedly "had on his person" at the Washington Hilton.

Pirro told reporters Allen was found with a 12-gauge pump-action Mossberg shotgun and a .38 semiautomatic pistol, along with "at least three knives and all kinds of paraphernalia."

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that Allen bought the shotgun in August 2025 and the pistol in 2023.

An image provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., shows a shotgun allegedly carried by Allen, the suspect charged with trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. / Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington

An image shows a pistol allegedly carried by Allen. / Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington

A compilation of images shows some of the other weapons allegedly carried by Allen. / Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C.

Democratic senator says "no indication" of security lapse at correspondents' dinner

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Following a briefing with U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee told CBS News the agency "had a good plan to protect all of the guests" at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois also told reporters he was "confident that they understood the venue," noting that the Washington Hilton has "been time-tested over the many years it's been used." The hotel has been used for the correspondents' dinner and other high-profile events for years, and was the site of the 1981 shooting of former President Ronald Reagan.

Durbin said he saw "no indication" of a lapse in security.

Curran briefed Durbin and Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the chair of the judiciary panel.

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Little known about suspect's motivation beyond manifesto, Blanche says

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said they have little understanding of the suspect's motivation beyond what they described as his manifesto.

"That's what we have so far, as far as his motivation," Blanche said.

"He was targeting President Trump. He described that in his manifesto. He was targeting administration officials. He described that. But as far as understanding additional motivation, that's for the FBI and law enforcement," he added.

Blanche says investigators "still looking" at who fired round that hit Secret Service agent

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A reporter asked Blanche if investigators have been able to determine whether the gunman fired the shot that hit a Secret Service agent in his bulletproof vest.

"We want to get that right, so we're still looking at that," Blanche said. "It appears, and I don't want to overstate, because we are still looking at this, that there were five shots that law enforcement fired. All the evidence is being examined very carefully and expeditiously, and we'll know more soon. We do believe that, as the complaint lays out, that the suspect, that the defendant fired out of his shotgun, and we know that that happened. But as far as getting into exacting ballistics, I'm not going to do that today because it's still being looked at and finalized."

The FBI affidavit says Allen fired his weapon but does not specify that it was his round that struck the agent. The agent also fired "multiple times," according to the affidavit.

Blanche said investigators believe the five shots fired by law enforcement came from the same gun, not multiple officers.

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"We believe right now that there were five shots fired from the same firearm," Blanche said, emphasizing that evidence is still being analyzed.

"We are ready" to prevent future incidents, Blanche says

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, defending the federal law enforcement response, said "we are ready" to prevent incidents in the future.

Blanche blamed inflammatory and violent rhetoric, and said the media is partly to blame.

"This was something that we will always be prepared for," Blanche said. "And it's sad that it has to happen, but it's not a new thing, unfortunately."

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Blanche says investigators have seized "multiple devices from various locations"

When asked what other evidence they could point to besides the "manifesto" that would show that the president was the primary target, Blanche said law enforcement has seized "multiple devices from various locations," including the suspect's hotel room and his home in California.

"We have started that process. There's nothing more that would be appropriate to share at this time," Blanche said.

Patel says the shooting "hits a little differently," details FBI probe

FBI Director Kash Patel, speaking at the Justice Department press conference, said this incident "hits a little differently."

"We were all there. Many of you were there," he said.

Patel said the FBI acted with the urgency that was needed in the moment, outlining steps the bureau took to investigate the suspect soon after the shooting.

When the incident occurred Saturday night, the FBI's Washington field office sent a mobile command center to the scene to collect evidence, he said. Casings and other evidence were sent to the FBI's lab in Quantico to be analyzed.

The FBI has interviewed many witnesses and has been "sifting through and prioritizing who to talk to," Patel said.

In the hours after the shooting, the FBI collected and transported evidence from across the country, he said.

He also insisted that the federal law enforcement on the scene, such as the Secret Service, did their job.

"They did exactly what they were trained to do," Patel said.

Pirro says additional charges still expected

Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, said there will be additional charges against Allen as the investigation continues.

"Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was," Pirro said. "And that intent was to bring down as many of the high-ranking Cabinet officials as he could."

Justice Department officials stand in front of photos of the weapons allegedly carried by Cole Allen, the suspect charged with trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. / Credit: CBS News

She said Allen's "journey of accountability in the criminal justice system starts today."

Pirro also detailed the weapons the suspect allegedly had at the time of the attack, saying "any suggestion that he wasn't there to do harm is absurd."

Blanche says law enforcement "did not fail" Saturday night

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in a press conference at the Justice Department, emphasized that law enforcement officers did their job.

"I want to make this clear  this man was a floor above the ballroom with hundreds of federal agents between him and the president of the United States," Blanche said.

Blanche said "violence has no place in civic life."

"We are investigating this matter fully," Blanche said. "We will apply the law fairly and we will ensure that accountability is swift and certain. But we also should recognize what should not happen. Law enforcement did not fail."

Blanche said the investigation so far has entailed search warrants in California and Washington, D.C., as well as many interviews.

The investigation is ongoing, Blanche said. He detailed the timeline of the incident laid out in the FBI affidavit unveiled shortly before the press conference began.

Prosecutors unveil charging documents, with new details of investigation

Federal prosecutors in D.C. unveiled the documents charging Allen with three crimes, including attempting to assassinate the president.

A seven-page affidavit by an FBI agent reveals new details of the shooting and the investigation. The affidavit says Allen traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then Washington between April 21 and 24. He checked into the Hilton the same day he arrived in the capital, according to the affidavit.

The charging document details the timeline of the shooting.

"At approximately 8:40 p.m., ALLEN approached a security checkpoint on the Terrace Level of the hotel leading to the location of the dinner. ALLEN approached and ran through the magnetometer holding a long gun. As he did so, U.S. Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot. U.S. Secret Service Officer V.G. was shot once in the chest; Officer V.G. was wearing a ballistic vest at the time," the affidavit says.

The FBI agent wrote that Officer V.G. "drew his service weapon and fired multiple times at ALLEN, who fell to the ground and suffered minor injuries but was not shot. ALLEN was subsequently arrested."

The document says Allen had a "12-gauge pump action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38 caliber pistol on his person."

According to database records cited in the charging documents, Allen purchased the 12-gauge pump action shotgun on or about Aug. 17, 2025, from a firearm dealer in California, and the .38 caliber pistol from a firearm dealer in a different California city on or about Oct. 6, 2023.

Allen doesn't enter plea, will return to court Thursday

Allen will remain in federal detention through at least Thursday, when he has his next court appearance. There will be a detention hearing at 11 a.m. in front of another magistrate judge in D.C.

He did not enter a plea in Monday's hearing.

Federal prosecutors said that Allen traveled across "multiple state lines" with firearms in an attempt to assassinate Mr. Trump.

"We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen," prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine said, adding that Allen brought with him a 12-gauge pump action shotgun, a .38 semi-auto caliber pistol and three knives.

A preliminary hearing was also scheduled for May 11.

Tezira Abe, Allen's court-appointed attorney, agreed with the Justice Department's hearing schedule.

Allen charged with trying to assassinate Trump

Allen's initial court appearance is underway. He is appearing before Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh in the federal courthouse in Washington.

Sharbaugh ordered the documents in the case to be unsealed. Allen faces three charges:

Using a firearm during a crime of violenceTransportation of firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felonyAttempt to assassinate the president of the United States

Allen is wearing a bright blue jumpsuit, with two officers from the U.S. Marshals Service behind him. He asked the court to appoint a lawyer for him.

Nonprofit won't drop White House ballroom lawsuit despite DOJ letter

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization suing the administration to stop construction of the president's planned White House ballroom, says it will continue to pursue its lawsuit.

The case is currently before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. A lower court judge stopped construction, but the appellate court has temporarily allowed it to continue until early June.

On Sunday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche shared a letter in which a Justice Department lawyer urged the trust to drop its challenge, saying Saturday's shooting underscores the need for a secure venue for large events on White House grounds.

"When the White House ballroom is complete, President Trump and his successors will no longer need to venture beyond the safety of the White House perimeter to attend large gatherings at the Washington Hilton ballroom," DOJ attorney Brett Shumate wrote. "The White House ballroom will ensure the safety and security of the President for decades to come and prevent future assassination attempts on the President at the Washington Hilton."

Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the trust, responded Monday that the group is "grateful to the Secret Service and DC law enforcement officers for keeping the President and all guests safe at this weekend's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner," but it is not planning to "voluntarily dismiss our lawsuit."

Leavitt confirms top law enforcement officials will meet to discuss Trump's security

Leavitt confirmed that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles will meet with top federal law enforcement officials to discuss considerations for the president's security at "major events" moving forward.

"As you heard from the president himself, he continues to have trust in the United States Secret Service, as I just said," Leavitt said. "With that said, obviously, the White House is always asking the tough questions and ensuring the safety of the president."

She continued: "I understand there will be a meeting early this week convened by the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, with top DHS leadership, members of the United States Secret Service and our own operations team here to ensure the safety and the security of the president as we do have many of these major events moving forward."

Leavitt said the administration is "always monitoring operations and procedures, always asking the tough questions to ensure the president is safe, and the American people should be assured there is no higher priority for the president and his staff than the president's safety."

Asked if the administration views the shooting as a security failure, Leavitt said the president has said he believes the protocols worked.

"Secret Service did their jobs well," she said.

Asked if three attempts on his life in recent years will change the types of events the president goes to, Leavitt said, "Well again, that's going to be part of the conversations moving forward. But as you heard from President Trump, he does not want these deranged lunatics and these grave acts of political violence to change our American way of life."

Leavitt links shooting to top Democrats' rhetoric

Leavitt linked the shooting to comments about the president by some top Democratic officials, arguing their criticism of Mr. Trump has crossed the line into encouraging violence.

"The entire Democrat Party has made their pitch to voters across the country that Donald Trump poses an existential threat to democracy, that he is a fascist and they compare him to Hitler. I mean, these are despicable statements that the American people have been consuming for years. And so many mentally perturbed individuals are led to believe these words are true, and then are inspired to act on it," Leavitt said.

Leavitt said she had "pages and pages" of remarks by "major Democrat Party elected officials," including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Adam Schiff and others.

"When you have people in positions of power that are saying things like this, every single day for years, you are inspiring violence by people who are already mentally ill," she said. "And that's what we've seen against this president for far too long."

Leavitt calls for end of "shameful" DHS shutdown

Leavitt highlighted the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Secret Service.

"Saturday night served as yet another reminder of how important it is to fund the Department of Homeland Security. It is shameful that the United States Congress has kept this vital agency defunded for 73 days, the longest shutdown of a federal agency in U.S. history," Leavitt said. "The Secret Service is a vital component of DHS, and it has been directly impacted by this reckless political gamesmanship."

She continued: "Enough is enough. There should be no further debate about this. Democrats need to do what President Trump has been calling on them to do for 73 days in a row and fund the Department of Homeland Security. Period."

Leavitt said the shutdown is "a national emergency, and every member of Congress needs to put their country over party and get the Department of Homeland Security funded."

Republicans on Capitol Hill are proceeding with a two-track strategy to get the department funded over the objections of Democrats, who oppose providing more money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement without reforms to their operations.

Leavitt, at press briefing, says "nobody in recent years has faced more bullets" than Trump

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, whose last day before maternity leave was supposed to be last week, said she "felt it was prudent" to brief the press after Saturday night's shooting and take questions.

"Saturday was supposed to be a joyful evening, celebrating free speech and the First Amendment with all of you, members of the press," she said. "Instead, the night was hijacked by a crazed, anti-Trump individual who traveled across the country to assassinate the president and as many administration officials as possible. This is the third major assassination against President Trump in two years. No other president in history has faced such repeated, serious attempts on his life."

"While we are blessed to have a fearless president, we should not live in a country where such constant fear of political violence permeates our society every single day," she added.

"Nobody in recent years has faced more bullets and more violence than President Trump," Leavitt said.

Speaker Mike Johnson says shooting was "surreal," calls for White House ballroom

At the Capitol, House Speaker Mike Johnson described Saturday night's shooting as a "surreal experience," recounting how his security detail rushed him out of the ballroom within seconds.

Johnson told CBS News' Nikole Killion that he "didn't even hear the gunshots" before agents "grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me out the closest door." He said his wife was escorted out separately and met him moments later.

"It was a scary experience for everybody there," he added.

Speaker Johnson just now to @NikolenDC describes his experience during the Correspondents Dinner shooting: Saturday night was a surreal experience. I mentioned in an interview a little while ago that the President's now had three failed assassination attempts. I happened to be pic.twitter.com/o5RmSk6hTA

 Patrick Maguire (@patrickjmaguire) April 27, 2026

Johnson praised law enforcement's response but said officials will "have to reevaluate this," adding that "we do need to look at security measures" given the number of high-ranking officials in attendance.

He also called for the construction of the White House ballroom: "The president's right about that. We need a facility that is secure enough to host events like this without having major national security concerns."

Johnson also tied the shooting to the fight over DHS funding, arguing that "it's very dangerous" to delay reopening the department.

Blanche, Patel, Pirro to hold press conference to announce charges

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro will hold a press conference following Allen's initial appearance in federal court to announce the charges against him, the Justice Department announced.

The press conference will take place at 3 p.m., according to the department.

Lawmakers seek briefings with Secret Service in wake of shooting

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have requested briefings with the Secret Service in the wake of the shooting, with one committee set to hear from the agency soon.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a briefing with the Secret Service, according to a source familiar with the matter. The office of GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the committee's chairman, has arranged a bipartisan briefing for Grassley and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the panel's top Democrat, regarding security protocols and related law enforcement matters involving the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Grassley did not attend the dinner.

The chairs of the House Oversight Committee and Homeland Security Committee have requested briefings of their own.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino of New York, who leads the Homeland Security Committee, wrote on X on Sunday that the panel "is in contact with the Department of Homeland Security and has requested a briefing from the Secret Service on this alarming attack."

"As law enforcement investigations continue, I urge my colleagues in Congress to come together to fund DHS so its personnel have the resources to succeed in their no-fail missions, especially ahead of the World Cup," Garbarino wrote.

Rep. James Comer, the Oversight Committee chairman, also noted that DHS, which oversees the Secret Service, remains shut down.

"DHS, including Secret Service, has been unfunded for more than 70 days now. It's time to stop the games & fund DHS," Comer wrote on X.

Where top officials were seated at the dinner

This seating chart compiled by CBS News shows where top officials were seated at the White House Correspondents' Dinner before shots were fired outside the ballroom. Click on the colored dots for photos and more details:

Analyst perplexed by security at White House Correspondents' Dinner, says ID "not checked at any point"

Questions are swirling about security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner following Saturday's shooting, including about the Secret Service's performance and protocols at the Washington Hilton.

"I was perplexed even before the incident about what I saw in security," Aaron MacLean, a CBS News national security analyst and military veteran, told "CBS Mornings" in an interview on Monday.

MacLean attended the dinner for the first time this year and said his ID was not checked "at any point in the evening."

"To get into the hotel all I had to do was show a screenshot of an invitation," he said.

MacLean said he thinks the attack renews questions over training and procedures for the Secret Service.

"You can't just look at something like this and pat yourself on the back that this unserious person didn't succeed," he said.

Read more here.

King Charles and Queen Camilla set to arrive at the White House today

King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to the U.S. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is still set to start Monday, when they will arrive at the White House.

Buckingham Palace said the king "is greatly relieved to hear that the president, first lady and all guests have been unharmed." After a security review, the palace said the trip "will proceed as planned."

The king and queen are scheduled to arrive at the White House at 4:15 p.m. for tea and a tour of the White House's beehive operation. First lady Melania Trump unveiled a new White House-shaped beehive on the South Lawn last week.

Suspect set to appear in federal court

Cole Allen, 31, will appear in federal court in Washington on Monday. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Saturday night that Allen will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and predicted he will face more charges.

Allen was a guest at the Hilton. Law enforcement sources told CBS News that he was seen on security footage leaving a 10th floor room dressed in black and carrying a shotgun, a handgun and several knives packed inside a black bag.

Senior law enforcement sources said Allen used an interior stairwell to run down approximately 10 flights, bypassing heavily monitored public areas of the hotel.

The suspect then emerged onto the terrace level  the same level as the foyer leading to the event's red carpet  just yards from a primary access point to the ballroom where the high-profile dinner was underway. There, he broke into a sprint.

It was then that Secret Service Uniformed Division officers confronted and tackled the suspect moments after he emerged. As part of standard protocol, officers immediately removed the suspect's dark clothing and searched his bag to ensure he was not carrying or wearing additional weapons or explosive devices.

Trump stands by Secret Service; Susie Wiles to convene meeting to assess security protocols

A senior White House official tells CBS News that Mr. Trump is standing by the U.S. Secret Service following an attempted shooting, praising agents for their response while ordering a review of security procedures ahead of upcoming events.

The official said Mr. Trump believes the Secret Service "did an excellent job" neutralizing the shooter and moving the president, first lady, vice president and Cabinet members to safety.

Meanwhile, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles will convene a meeting early this week with senior administration officials, the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security to assess protocols for major presidential events.

The review will examine what worked in stopping Saturday's attack and explore additional measures to strengthen security as Mr. Trump prepares for a series of high-profile appearances tied to upcoming national events, including the planned America 250 celebrations.

Leavitt to hold press briefing Monday afternoon

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X that she will be holding a briefing on Monday at 1 p.m.

Leavitt was sitting on stage Saturday night next to Melania Trump, where mentalist Oz Pearlman had just performed a trick, saying he knew the name of Leavitt's unborn child. He had written the baby name on a piece of paper and passed it to Leavitt when gunshots rang out.

IDs were not needed for entry to dinner

Identification did not need to be presented in order to enter the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

CBS News' Matt Gutman reports that only a ticket was needed to go through magnetometers and get into the ballroom where the dinner was taking place.

"Nowhere in the hotel was an ID necessary," Gutman reported.

CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean said all he had to do to get into the hotel was show a screenshot of an invitation to the dinner, and that his ID was not checked at any point during the evening.

He said he was "perplexed" even before the attack about what he saw regarding security.

Inside the room where the dinner was taking place, "security was not particularly close to the principals, visibly."

"The Secret Service agents who were visible were not very close to the president," he said, noting there were more people behind a nearby curtain, but that "it took them time to react."

"Once the incident happened it was a full two minutes or so before anyone came to get" Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, he said.

The Secret Service insists that the ballroom itself was secure, which is why they say they kept the president there.

Trump tells "60 Minutes": "I wasn't worried"

CBS News' Norah O'Donnell spoke to Mr. Trump on "60 Minutes" on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the shooting.

"I wasn't worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world," Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Trump was seated next to CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang, who is the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, as well as first lady Melania Trump. When the shots rang out, the first lady looked alarmed. When asked if she was scared, Mr. Trump said, "Well, I don't want to say, and people don't like having it said that they were scared."

"But certainly, I mean, who wouldn't be when you have a situation like that?" he continued. "By that time I think she realized ahead of time that that was more of a bullet than it was a tray. And she was  I  I looked at her face just a little while ago before I came. I saw the scene. They played it for me and, you know, pretty good closeup. And she looked very upset about what just took place, you know? Why not?"

Mr. Trump called the suspect "a sick person" and said he had read his manifesto, which he said showed that the suspect was "radicalized."

Read the full transcript of the interview here.
A corruption case against former Catalan regional president Jordi Pujol in Spain has been dropped.

The 95-year-old suffers from dementia and is therefore permanently unfit to stand trial, the presiding judge at the High Court in Madrid announced, the state broadcaster RTVE and other media outlets reported on Monday.

Pujol's condition was established during a recent medical examination, and the case against the former politician is therefore being dropped. The prosecution had sought a nine-year prison sentence.

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The trial will continue against the remaining defendants in the case.

Pujols five sons and two daughters, along with 11 other individuals, face charges including illicit enrichment, tax evasion, forming a criminal organization and money laundering.

Pujol governed the wealthy region of Catalonia between 1980 and 2003. Even after that, he was long regarded as one of the countrys most powerful politicians. He was dubbed the "Viceroy of Spain" due to his influence and close ties to the royal family and the then monarch, Juan Carlos I.

The prosecution is seeking the maximum sentence of 29 years for his eldest son, the businessman Jordi Pujol Ferrusola (68).

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The case concerns the concealment of a fortune worth millions abroad. A police report puts the familys earnings from decades of corrupt practices at 290 million (about $340 million).

The prosecution is demanding that the Pujols repay the funds allegedly obtained unlawfully.
PANAMA CITY  Firefighters continue to grapple with a local blaze that ignited toward the end of last week.

According to information from the Florida Forest Service, the County Road 2321 fire was still active the morning of April 27, covering about 20 acres with approximately 80% containment.

"Our crews are actively coming out to do what we call 'mop up,'" said Rachel Beach, a spokesperson for the Florida Forest Service. "That pretty much means to locate any hotspots and extinguish any flames that they see in order to raise that containment percentage."

A Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter helped contain the County Road 2321 forest fire by flying back and forth from a Titus Park Community retention pond, where it retrieved water to dump on the blaze.

It was first reported on April 24 off of County Road 2321 in Bay County. At that time, a Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter had been tasked with flying back and forth from the fire to a Titus Park Community retention pond, where it retrieved water to dump on the fire.

Another forest fire erupted on Friday off of County Road 2321 in Bay County. A Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter was overhead, flying back and forth from the fire to a retention pond in the Titus Park Community, where it was retrieving water to dump on the blaze. A Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter was overhead, flying back and forth from the fire to a retention pond in the Titus Park Community, where it was retrieving water to dump on the blaze. At 5 p.m. April 24, the fire was 10 acres and 0% contained. A Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter pulls water from a retention pond in the Titus Park Community to fight a 10-acre wildfire off County Road 2321. A Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter pulls water from a retention pond in the Titus Park Community to fight a 10-acre wildfire off County Road 2321. People in the Titus Park Community watch a Bay County sheriff's helicopter fight a wildfire off County Road 2321 on April 24. Third active forest fire breaks out off County Road 2321 in Bay County 1 of 5 Another forest fire erupted on Friday off of County Road 2321 in Bay County. A Bay County Sheriff's Office helicopter was overhead, flying back and forth from the fire to a retention pond in the Titus Park Community, where it was retrieving water to dump on the blaze.

More from Bay County: Panama City Beach allows propane beach bonfires during burn bans

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As of Monday morning, the 2321 fire was the only active forest fire in Bay County. Two others were put out over the weekend, they were a 4-acre fire off Britton Road, and a 1.5 acre fire off Harvard Boulevard.

Beach noted then that the 2321 fire did not pose a significant threat to nearby residents.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Firefighters continue to battle County 2321 forest fire in Bay County
This story was originally published by OpenSecrets.

The money trail behind the lawsuit challenging Maines cap on super PAC contributions traces in part to a darkmoney network connected to Leonard Leo, a Maine resident and a driving force behind the Supreme Courts decades-long shift to the right.

In 2024, voters in Maine approved a ballot initiative that placed a $5,000 cap on contributions to super PACs, independent political committees that may raise and spend unlimited sums of money to support or oppose candidates and issues.

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Two conservative political action committees, Dinner Table Action and For Our Future, and Alex Titcomb, the Maine-based leader of both organizations, sued in December 2024, arguing the law is unconstitutional. A federal judge in 2025 sided with them and blocked the law.

In October of last year, two appeals were filed in the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in an attempt to reverse the judges ruling. One came from Attorney General Aaron Frey. The other came from the initiatives sponsor, Citizens to End Super PACs, along with the nonprofit organization Equal Citizens.

(Disclosure: OpenSecrets, while not a party to the lawsuit, provided data and other information via a report and deposition for the case analysis.)

Joshua Dunlap, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, resigned earlier this year to become a judge on the appellate court being asked to hear the appeal. He received a recommendation from Sen. Susan Collins (RMaine), who, during her 2020 re-election race, benefited from millions in super PAC spending.

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Federal judges must disqualify themselves from cases they handled in private practice. A spokesperson for the appellate court did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Collins spokesperson Blake Kernen noted that Dunlap is one of six judges on the court and may not be selected for the three-judge panel that would hear the case.

Funding pipeline includes group tied to Leo

An OpenSecrets review of state and federal filings revealed a financial pipeline connecting the plaintiffs to an arm of the political network built by Leo  a lawyer, businessman, conservative activist and co-chairman of the board of directors of the Federalist Society. Leo, a key architect of the conservative shifts of the Supreme Court and the broader federal judiciary, has lived on Mount Desert Island since 2020.

He hosted a 2019 fundraiser for Collins that drew protesters upset with her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. That confirmation fight was backed in part by a Leo-linked dark-money group that later and under its new name contributed to one of the organizations behind the lawsuit.

Dinner Table Action has reported just over $1 million in contributions since registering with the Maine Ethics Commission in 2021. The group describes itself as the states largest conservative grassroots organization. Of the more than 6,000 contributions it received between February 2021 and December 2025, more than 80% were under $200, with a median donation of $50. Maine residents accounted for more than $830,000 of its funding.

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The in-state total includes the two largest lump-sum contributions it received. Both came from For Our Future; its address is a post office box in Richmond, Maine. In 2024, For Our Future contributed $100,000 to Dinner Table Action across separate installments of $50,000 in August and October. Additionally, between July 2023 and March 2025, For Our Future provided $58,300 in in-kind support, almost entirely reported as personnel time.

Those two groups share more than financial ties. Dinner Table Action and For Our Future list the same phone number. Both identify Titcomb as principal officer and Mary Alioto as treasurer. And the email address For Our Future used when registering with the state Ethics Commission is hosted on Dinner Table Actions domain.

The difference between them, Titcomb explained, is that Dinner Table Action is a membership-based PAC and For The Future is a personal PAC that allows him a little bit more flexibility since its not bound by the membership aspect of the [Dinner Table Action] organization.

Logistically, it just helps to have multiple PACs where different sources might be aligned toward that vision of that particular entity more so than another, he told OpenSecrets.

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Titcomb co-founded Dinner Table Action with state Rep. Laurel Libby (R). He is a fellow at the Club for Growth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with the conservative Club for Growth, which advocates for lower taxes and limited government.

In 2023, he formed For Our Future, a group that has raised more than $410,000. Its largest funder by far is the Concord Fund, which contributed $375,000 across three payments: $50,000 in May 2023, $100,000 that August and $225,000 in February 2024. That money helped us as we expended it on supporting candidates that align with the mission, Titcomb said.

The Concord Fund was formerly known as the Judicial Crisis Network, an organization closely tied to Leo and his political and judicial advocacy network. It also has long been associated with the Judicial Education Project, now known as The 85 Fund, and the two organizations share personnel. Leo associate Carrie Severino is listed as president of the Judicial Crisis Network and as director and secretary of The 85 Fund. Gary Marx, president of the Concord Fund, is The 85 Funds director and treasurer. The 85 Fund also shares a Fort Worth, Texas, mailing address with the Lexington Fund, an organization that in June 2025 donated $1 million to a pro-Collins super PAC. A Maine campaign finance report filed in April 2024 listed the Concord Fund at the same address  but in a different suite.

The Concord Fund did not identify any of its donors on its most recent publicly available IRS filing in April 2025, as permitted by law. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare group, it may spend on elections without disclosing its donors, allowing large sums to move through campaigns with little transparency.

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In January, the Concord Fund officials filed articles of dissolution and termination with the Virginia Corporation Commission, a development first reported by NOTUS, in a move that could further obscure how money flows through the network. OpenSecrets reached out to Leo through the Federalist Society and to Marx but did not immediately receive responses.

Dinner Table, they see us as a radical, far-right group and, Oh, were funded by big money  just use that generic big money, special-interest-type of donors, Titcomb said. But its not unique compared to the organizations on the left side of the aisle in regards to political fundraising and money in politics.

Local media outlets, he continued, always make a story when its a right-of-center [organization] that gets a $100,000 contribution or a six-figure contribution from out of state.  The Democrats or the left-of-center organizations here in Maine have long gotten hundreds of thousands of dollars from out-of-state and special interests, but for some reason, those are never highlighted in the local press.

The other side of the money trail

The group that supported the ballot measure, Citizens to End SuperPACs, was a ballot question committee founded in 2023 by organizer Cara McCormick and based on a legal theory promoted by Harvard University law professor Lawrence Lessig.

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Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited amounts to influence elections as long as they do not coordinate their spending with candidates. That freedom to accept unlimited contributions has made them a preferred vehicle for wealthy donors and politically active nonprofits. However, Lessig argues that candidates may coordinate the contributions that come into their super PACs, and that loophole undermines the premise that such spending is truly independent.

Its totally legal for [a candidate] to coordinate contributions to his super PAC, even though he is regulated not to coordinate expenditures. So the fact that contributions can be coordinated means the whole premise behind equating contributions with expenditures is just false, Lessig told the Bowdoin Orient in November 2025.

Before it was terminated, Citizens to End SuperPACs reported $481,709 in cash contributions and $1.04 million in in-kind support. Just over $1 million of the in-kind support came from Equal Citizens, Lessigs 501(c)(4) nonprofit, which paid vendors directly for signaturegathering and legal services.

In Maine, non-individual contributors who give more than $100,000 in aggregate to a ballot question committee must file a Major Contributor report disclosing the names of the contributors five largest sources of funds.

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The major contributor report filed by Equal Citizens identifies Steve Jurvetson, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and supporter of Democratic causes who donated $150,000 in fall 2023 and issued it a since-repaid loan of $500,000, and Arjun Rao, a Texas-based executive with real estate industry software vendor Yardi Systems who donated $250,000. Private investment firm founder Vin Ryan also loaned the group $500,000.

Maia Cook, executive director of Equal Citizens, said her group led the effort to place the measure on the ballot, then stepped back while local organizers ran the campaign. After the measure passed and the lawsuit was filed, she said, Equal Citizens returned to help defend it. (Disclosure: Cook is a former intern at OpenSecrets.)

Once it was on the ballot, we stepped back and had no ongoing role in the campaign to enact it, she said.

How broadly the measure applies remains unclear. While Kernen said the law would not apply to super PAC spending tied to Collins federal Senate race, Mark Brewer, who chairs the University of Maines political science department, noted that neither the ballot measure nor the implementing statute draws any distinction between state and federal races.

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Whos covered? We dont know, Brewer said. I looked at  statute, ballot initiative. Its unclear, right? Whos exactly covered? It doesnt explicitly say whos covered. And so, regardless of what you do, you ultimately have to get the courts to weigh in on this.

Super PAC spending in Collins last Senate race

When Collins last ran for the Senate in 2020, outside spending in Maine was dominated by super PACs fueled by six and sevenfigure contributions.

The biggest Republican-aligned super PAC in that race was the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports GOP candidates. In Maine alone, it spent more than $12.6 million  just under $100,000 to support Collins, and more than $12.5 million opposing Democrat Sara Gideon. That spending was fueled by donors giving far more than the limit specified in the blocked Maine law: 99 contributions to the super PAC were $1 million or more, including at least three of at least $19 million apiece from the Karl Rove-linked 501(c)(4) nonprofit One Nation.

Another major player, the 1820 PAC  named for the year of Maines statehood  spent $10.3 million on that 2020 race, with more than $2.7 million supporting Collins and nearly $7.7 million opposing Gideon. Of the super PACs 159 itemized contributions of $200 or more, 120 exceeded the $5,000 threshold that Maine voters later approved. Its donor list included Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who donated $1 million; Ken Griffin, the founder of the Citadel hedge fund who gave $1.5 million; and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwartzman, who made four separate $500,000 contributions.Outside spending could again play a prominent role as Collins seeks re-election. In January, the Senate Leadership Fund pledged $42 million  its largest investment in Maine  to support her this year. And the Pine Tree Results PAC, a super PAC backing Collins, raised $12.7 million between Jan. 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, and has $11.6 million in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission data.

This article was originally published by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that tracks money in politics.

View the original article.
The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) announced on April 25 the arrest of a former employee, currently serving in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on charges of "taking out classified information" from the agency. While the SSSG confirmed the arrest, the official statement did not clarify whether the sensitive data had been leaked or disclosed to any third party.The arrest was the result of a joint operation between the general inspectorates of the SSSG and the Interior Ministry. The suspect is being investigated under Article 321 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which addresses the "breach of the procedure for keeping state secrets." If convicted, the individual faces a prison sentence of up to six years, depending on the severity of the breach.In a stern warning regarding internal security, the SSSG stated that it "will always be particularly strict and uncompromising toward taking out any internal information, even on a minor scale, and any person who commits such an act will face the strictest punishment." The investigation into the scope and intent of the document removal remains ongoing.Georgia's Prosecutor's Office has rejected a report by TV Pirveli concerning prosecutor Tamar Bezhuashvili, who is handling the criminal case related to the alleged storming of the Presidential Palace during anti-government protests, calling it "yet another piece of disinformation."In a statement, the agency said the broadcaster had, for the second time in recent weeks, aired material about the business activities of Bezhuashvili's father and "groundlessly linked it" to her professional role."It should also be noted that respondents featured in the report, such as Giorgi Berishvili and Teimuraz Karmazanashvili, who make defamatory statements against Bejuashvili and her family, are themselves convicted or accused in various criminal cases involving tax evasion and fraud against the state," the statement said. "It is entirely unclear how this relates to the criminal case concerning the storming of the Presidential Palace."The Prosecutor's Office accused the channel of attempting to discredit the case rather than addressing it through legal proceedings. "Instead of conducting a qualified and adversarial review of the case in court, the media outlet is deliberately attacking the case prosecutor and engaging in an unfounded disinformation campaign," it said.The agency added that it "will not allow such attacks on prosecutors in high-profile criminal cases" and would respond accordingly. "Such baseless and targeted campaigns will not influence and will not hinder the administration of objective justice," the statement said.
Posted on Jun 30, 2015 in Stuff We Like

David Hackett Fischer Receives Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing

ArmchairGeneral.com received the following media release, and we extend our congratulations to historian David Hackett Fischer.

* * *

Pritzker Military Museum & Library Announces 2015 Literature Award Recipient

David Hackett Fischer wins $100,000 prize for lifetime achievement in military writing

A

CHICAGO, June 30, 2015aPulitzer Prize-winning historian, best-selling author, and Brandeis University professor David Hackett Fischer is the recipient of the 2015 Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.

The Pritzker Literature Awardawhich includes a medallion, citation, and $100,000 honorariumarecognizes and honors the contributions of a living author for a body of work dedicated to enriching the understanding of military history. Museum & Library Founder & Chair Jennifer N. Pritzker, a retired colonel in the Illinois National Guard, will formally present Fischer with the award at the organizationas annual Liberty Gala on Nov. 7 at the Hilton Chicago, where he will be joined by past winners.

First presented to historian James McPherson in 2007, other past recipientsaseveral of whom served as members of the awardas 2015 screening committeeaare Allan Millett, Gerhard Weinberg, Rick Atkinson, Carlo DaEste, Sir Max Hastings, Tim OaBrien, and Antony Beevor.

aThe Pritzker Literature Award is deeply meaningful to meait comes as the judgment of colleagues who have set the highest standards in my field by the excellence of their research and writing,a said Fischer. aIt inspires a sense of obligation in work to come.a

Author of 15 major publications on topics ranging from the American Revolution to the logic of historical thought, Fischer received the American Enterprise Instituteas Irving Kristol Award in 2006 for his apivotal role in reviving popular and academic interest in American history and its lessons for the present.a Among his notable works are bestsellers and award-winners like Washingtonas Crossing (Oxford University Press, 2004), a National Book Award finalist and 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner for history; Paul Revereas Ride (Oxford, 1994), a 1996 Boston Globe Top 10 Book of the Year; Champlainas Dream (Simon & Schuster/Knopf Canada, 2008), an internationally acclaimed biography published in English and French; and Albionas Seed: Four British Folkways in America (Oxford, 1989), a groundbreaking study of the roots of essential American traitsaa second volume of which is now in progress.

aDr. Fischer has made extraordinary contributions to the field of military historyahe is a master story teller and a brilliant teacher,a said Pritzker Literature Award Screening Committee chairman John W. Rowe. aThe committee members take great pride in recommending a deserving candidate for selection each year, and Dr. Fischer is an undeniably worthy choice.a

A graduate of Princeton University (A.B., 1958) and the Johns Hopkins University (Ph.D., 1962), Fischer is University Professor and Earl Warren Professor of History at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he has served on the faculty for more than 50 years. A recipient of numerous teaching awards over his long and distinguished careeraincluding the 1990 Carnegie Prize as Massachusetts Professor of the Year and the Louis Dembitz Brandeis Prize for Excellence in TeachingaFischer has held visiting professorships at Harvard University, The University of Oxford, the University of Washington, and several institutions in New Zealand. He and his wife, Judith Hummel Fischer, have two children and two grandchildren.

The Pritzker Literature Award is sponsored by the Tawani Foundation. To learn more about the award or the selection process, or to watch 2014 Literature Award recipient Antony Beevor announce David Hackett Fischer as this yearas winner, visit www.pritzkermilitary.org.

ABOUT THE PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is open to the public and features an extensive collection of books, artifacts, and rotating exhibits covering many eras and branches of the military. Since opening in 2003, it has become a center where citizens and Citizen Soldiers come together to learn about military history and the role of the Armed Forces in todayas society. The Museum & Library is a non-partisan, non-government information center supported by its members and sponsors.

ABOUT THE TAWANI FOUNDATION

Founded by Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), Tawani Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) grant-making organization whose mission is to enhance the awareness and understanding of the importance of the Citizen Soldier; to preserve unique sites of significance to American and military history; to foster health and wellness projects for improved quality of life; and to honor the service of military personnelapast, present and futureathrough an awards program that includes the JROTC/ROTC Award for Military Excellence and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.

A A A
All eyes are on Florida this week, as it is likely the final battleground in the high-stakes fight between President Donald Trump and Republicans versus Democrats over congressional redistricting.

A special session of the Florida legislature, called earlier this year by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to redraw the right-leaning state's U.S. House districts, kicks off on Tuesday. At stake is which party will control the House of Representatives during the final two years of Trump's second term in the White House.

DeSantis unveiled his plan for those maps on Monday, Fox News Digital exclusively reported, which shows the GOP gaining an extra four seats.

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"Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and weve been fighting for fair representation ever since," DeSantis told Fox News Digital. "Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage. Drawing maps based on race, which is reflected in our current congressional districts, is unconstitutional and should be prohibited."

Desantis And Jeffries Trade Shots Over Florida Congressional Redistricting

A person walks to vote in the Virginia redistricting referendum at Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Alexandria, Virginia. The referendum narrowly passed but still faces legal hurdles. (AP Newsroom)

Republicans and Democrats over the past nine months have been redrawing the House district maps in states they control to gain partisan advantages heading into this year's midterm elections, when the GOP will be defending its razor-thin congressional majority.

Read On The Fox News App

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Lawmakers in the GOP-dominated Florida legislature are meeting one week after voters in Virginia narrowly passed a referendum that, if it clears legal hurdles, will give the state's Democratic-controlled legislature  rather than the current nonpartisan commission  temporary redistricting power through the 2030 election. It could result in a 10-1 advantage for Democrats in Virginia's congressional delegation, up from their current 6-5 edge.

The vote in Virginia put more pressure on DeSantis to deliver a new map in Florida that could create between three and five more right-leaning congressional districts.

"Florida has the right and the intention to do it. And my view is that they should," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Wednesday when asked if Florida's maps should be redrawn in time for the midterms.

A Florida-based Republican in the governor's wider political circle who asked for anonymity to speak more freely told Fox News Digital, "Gov. DeSantis is under tremendous pressure to deliver an answer to Virginia for Trump and Speaker Johnson."

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The road ahead for DeSantis is not easy: the governor already pushed through a new House map four years ago, which helped secure the GOP's current 20-8 majority in Florida's U.S. House delegation. Redrawing the map again just four years later is harder.

Virginia Vote Gives Democrats Midterm Map Edge - Sparks Gop Blame Game

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida speaks during a press conference in Miami, Fla., on April 10, 2025.

There are also legal hurdles DeSantis faces: It is illegal under Florida's constitution to redraw maps for partisan gain, known as gerrymandering. Democrats have vowed lawsuits against any new map that may come out of Tallahassee.

U.S. House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries last week took aim at what some are dubbing "dummymander," a play on words for "gerrymander," and argued that redrawing the maps in Florida  where the GOP suffered setbacks earlier this spring in special legislative elections  would harm Republican members of Congress.

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"Our message to Florida Republicans is, F around and find out," Jeffries told reporters as he referenced next week's redistricting legislative session. Jeffries said the redistricting move would lead Democrats to increase their target list of vulnerable Florida House Republicans.

He warned DeSantis and Republicans that "the electoral tide is turning in Florida."

Democrats Narrowly Win Congressional Redistricting Showdown In Virginia

Pushing back, DeSantis said, "Please. Be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida to campaign."

"Ill put you up in the Florida governors mansion. We will take you fishing," the governor added.

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Not all Florida Republicans are on board with the effort, due to concerns it may backfire.

A Florida-based GOP strategist told Fox News Digital some Florida members of Congress "don't want this."

And pointing to the legislature, where there are some grumblings, the strategist, who asked to remain anonymous to speak clearly, said "some don't want to do it, but their hands will be forced."

Florida has already moved the filing deadline for congressional candidates back from April to June, but for candidates already running for Congress, the late-in-the-game map redraw brings plenty of complications.

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"Changing the map changes the race. Candidates have been interviewed for a job description that just got a requirement change," veteran Florida-based GOP donor and bundler Dan Eberhart told Fox News Digital.

Eberhart noted that "these candidates are going to have to call an audible really soon - changing districts and probably new competitors."

Florida may be the final battlefield in a political war that started a year ago.

Aiming to prevent what happened during his first term in the White House when Democrats reclaimed the House majority in the 2018 midterms, Trump last spring first floated the idea of rare, but not unheard of, mid-decade congressional redistricting.

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The mission was simple: redraw congressional district maps in red states to pad the GOP's fragile House majority to keep control of the chamber in the midterms , when the party in power traditionally faces political headwinds and loses seats.

President Donald Trump, seen at an event in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 23, 2026, has urged GOP-controlled states to redraw their congressional district maps.

When asked by reporters last summer about his plan to add Republican-leaning House seats across the country, the president said, "Texas will be the biggest one. And thatll be five."

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas called a special session of the GOP-dominated state legislature to pass the new map.

But Democratic state lawmakers, who broke quorum for two weeks as they fled Texas in a bid to delay the passage of the redistricting bill, energized Democrats across the country.

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Among those leading the fight against Trump's redistricting was Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.

Democracy 26: Stay Up To Date With The Fox News Election Hub

California voters in November overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50, a ballot initiative that temporarily sidetracked the left-leaning state's nonpartisan redistricting commission and returned the power to draw the congressional maps to the Democratic-dominated legislature.

That is expected to result in five more Democratic-leaning congressional districts in California, which aimed to counter the move by Texas to redraw their maps.

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The fight quickly spread beyond Texas and California.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office in Sacramento on Nov. 4, 2025.

Republican-controlled Missouri and Ohio and swing state North Carolina, where the GOP dominates the legislature, have drawn new maps as part of the president's push.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

In blows to Republicans, a Utah district judge late last year rejected a congressional district map drawn by the state's GOP-dominated legislature and instead approved an alternate that will create a Democratic-leaning district ahead of the midterms.

Republicans in Indiana's Senate in December defied Trump, shooting down a redistricting bill that had passed the state House. The showdown in the Indiana statehouse grabbed plenty of national attention.

Fox News Digital's Preston Mizell contributed to this report





Original article source: DeSantis under pressure as Florida redraw could tip House balance in GOP map fight
The Department of Justice has reached a second agreement to fork over taxpayer dollars to President Donald Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

A brief document filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Friday stated that the parties had agreed to a settlement in principle, but needed more time to finalize the details.

Its not yet clear how much money Trump intends to hand off to his ally, in addition to the $1.25 million settlement the DOJ agreed to last month.

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Fridays settlement relates to a civil suit Flynn brought against the government, alleging that the U.S. Army had illegally garnished his retirement pay after it found he had accepted compensation from a foreign government source without first seeking approval from the Department of Defense, Lawfares Anna Bower wrote on Substack.

Flynn previously alleged he was wrongfully prosecuted for making false statements to federal agents as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 electioneven though he pleaded guilty to lying, twice.
When Isabelle went to a party with her friends on the Isle of Man two years ago, she never imagined she would be unsafe.

Aged 15 at the time, she recalled how her drink was spiked after handing it over to someone there.

"By the time I got it back obviously something had been put in it," she explained.

Isabelle and her friends have taken action to try to prevent the same thing happening to others.

'Suddenly it's blackout'

Recalling what happened to her, Isabelle said: "Thank God I was with a lot of friends who took care of me, but it could have ended really badly if I wasn't."

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Her classmate Daisy said she went through a similar ordeal.

"You are at a party - you're having a laugh. You're with your friends. You think you're gonna be safe," she said, adding: "And then suddenly it's just blackout."

For both girls, the experience left a lasting impression.

They were shocked by how easily it can happen, and how little is said about it.

This inspired them to doing something about it.

Alongside four other students at Ballakermeen High School, they have taken part in a business challenge run by the charity Junior Achievement.

Team Valoris created PureSip - a biodegradable drinking straw with a built-in test strip that changes colour when commonly used spiking drugs are detected.

Daisy wanted more people to be aware of drink spiking after her own experience [BBC]

'Growing issue'

Daisy said a lot of their marketing was about "bringing awareness to the issue rather than selling a product", adding that "it isn't spoken about enough".

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She pointed to UK figures suggesting 1.2 million adults had reported having their drink spiked within the last year.

PC Louise Kennaugh, part of the Isle of Man Constabulary schools education team, said: "I think it's brilliant - they've picked something that potentially could do some good to our community."

She added that "anything that can help people - protect them, safeguard them - can only be a good thing."

She explained that cases were often difficult to prove since investigations relied heavily on medical evidence.

Kennaugh said the straw could act as an early indicator, helping people make quicker decisions about their safety.

'The idea hit me'

Turning the drinking straw idea into a reality posed a big challenge for Team Valoris, which needed to find the right technology to test for spiking drugs.

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Johan, 17, said they first considered litmus paper but "the drugs that are normally used for spiking are the same pH as the drink, so that was ruled out".

The breakthrough came late at night.

"I had a one o'clock in the morning thing where the idea hit me," he explained.

The final product included a tear-away section that exposed testing material inside the straw.

When ripped off, if the drink is spiked, it turns dark orange.

The design came to Johan late at night in a "lightbulb" moment [BBC]

They also stressed that drink spiking was not limited to alcohol or specific groups.

"It can even be food," Johan said, adding: "It takes one second for someone to just walk past and just drop it in and that's it."

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Following the end of the competition, the team said they planned to continue developing their idea and sell the straws to different venues.

Team Volaris hopes to roll out their straws across the Isle of Man [BBC]

Junior Achievement's chief executive Sue Cook said the project highlighted how young people were increasingly driven by the social impact of their efforts.

"When it first started it'd be things like selling sweets or selling t-shirts," she explained. "The products and the business ideas are just phenomenal really that are coming through the programme.

"This generation thinks more socially than we do," she said, adding: "I think it's absolutely amazing."

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Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.

More like this

Related internet links
The environmental campaign group Environmental Action Germany (DUH) is taking McDonalds Germany to court, accusing the company of misleading consumers regarding its climate targets.

DUH says it filed the case to the Munich Regional Court I on Monday. The campaigners claim the burger chain promised climate neutrality by 2050 on its website, but failed to specify how this target was to be achieved.

The organization accuses the company of "brazen greenwashing" and "misleading promises about the future."

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McDonalds rejected the criticism. In a statement from its Munich headquarters, the company said it was "perplexed" by the action, and explained that it had already amended the disputed wording on its website.

According to the DUH, McDonalds promised carbon neutrality from 2050, including its supply chain. "With this, McDonalds primarily wants to benefit from a green image rather than actually operating sustainably," said DUH Managing Director Jurgen Resch.

The association criticized the company for lacking concrete, verifiable details on CO2 emissions reductions, as well as interim targets and a robust implementation plan.

A McDonalds spokesman replied that the website had been updated several months ago. As the criticized content is no longer accessible, legal action would not lead to further improvements for consumers.

The website in question is an information resource providing background content for an interested audience and was never intended to influence consumption or specific purchasing decisions, the spokesman added.
The Essex County Sheriffs office spent more than $60 million on employee pay in 2025, the first time the department has exceeded that benchmark.

Spending by Massachusetts sheriffs came under intense scrutiny in 2025, prompting lawmakers to ask the Office of the Inspector General to investigate how the departments spend their money.

In a draft report submitted to the legislature in February, Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro determined that the Legislature regularly underfunds the departments and that sheriffs routinely exceed their budgets, spending money they were not allocated, which may violate state law.

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Shapiro described the budgeting process as opaque, chaotic and deeply flawed. He suggested that the departments were facing a financial crisis in 2026.

Gov. Maura Healey, meanwhile, proposed a $21 million increase in state funding for county sheriffs in her fiscal year 2027 spending plan.

In Essex County, 33 sheriffs office employees made more than $150,000 in 2025, while two employees cleared the $200,000 mark. Both figures were largely consistent with 2024, when 31 employees made more than $150,000, and one topped $200,000.

Total spending rose close to $4 million year over year. That increase was notably larger than from 2023 to 2024, when spending remained mostly flat.

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The database below contains the complete payroll for the Essex County Sheriffs Department in 2025. If the table does not display, click here to open it in another tab. In the table, scroll to the right to see a more detailed breakdown of each employees pay.

Massachusetts salary database 2025

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
April 27 (Reuters) - Mali's government is facing new questions about how long it can hold on to power two days after insurgents launched attacks across the country, hitting the main army base outside the capital and killing the defence minister.

Saturday's assaults, featuring what analysts and diplomats described as an unprecedented level of coordination between West Africa's al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated rebel group, further undermined the government's assertion that it is restoring order.

Following are details on the main insurgent groups operating in the landlocked Sahel nation:

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JAMA'AT NUSRAT AL-ISLAM WAL-MUSLIMIN (JNIM)

Emerging from an ethnic Tuareg uprising that seized swathes of northern Mali in 2012, al Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) formed in 2017 when several militant groups merged.

Its leader is Iyad Ag Ghaly, the ethnic Tuareg head of the Ansar Dine Islamist group that took over Timbuktu in northern Mali in 2012 and imposed sharia law there. His deputy is Amadou Koufa, the ethnic Fulani head of the Macina Liberation Front.

JNIM fighters have been operating for nearly a year within 50 km (30 miles) of Bamako, though analysts say the group does not have the military capability to actually take the city and appears more interested in destabilising the government.

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That appeared to be the motivation behind a fuel blockade that JNIM announced in September, a tactic made possible after the group entered southern Mali and expanded operations in the west. It is part of a broader campaign by JNIM of encircling urban centres.

JNIM has hit Bamako before Saturday's coordinated assault. In September 2024, it carried out an attack on strategic sites including the airport and an elite police training academy, where dozens of students were killed.

In 2022, the group targeted the army base in Kati, 15 km from the capital.

The group is believed to have around 6,000 fighters. It also operates in Burkina Faso and Niger, and it claimed responsibility for an attack in October that killed a soldier in central Nigeria, its first known strike in Africa's most populous country.

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JNIM wants to establish Islamic governance across the Sahel, analysts say.

AZAWAD LIBERATION FRONT (FLA)

Mali has been grappling with ethnic Tuareg rebellions since shortly after it gained independence in 1960.

The nomadic Tuaregs, present across the Sahara region including in northern Mali, are fighting for an independent homeland they call "Azawad".

In 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) swept through the northern regions of Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu, but their campaign was later hijacked by Islamist groups.

Mali then asked France to intervene to help fight the Islamist groups.

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Mali struck a peace deal with Tuareg separatists in 2015, but in 2024 the military-led government, which took power after coups in 2020 and 2021, withdrew from the agreement. Tensions with the Tuareg separatists had resurfaced after the government expelled French forces and U.N. peacekeepers and teamed up with the Russian paramilitary organisation Wagner.

In July 2024, Tuareg fighters attacked a convoy of Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters in the north, claiming to have killed 84 Russians and 47 Malian soldiers.

Ukraine hinted it had helped the Tuareg rebels carry out the attack by providing intelligence, and Mali responded by cutting ties with Kyiv. Ukraine later denied media reports it was providing drones to the Tuaregs, and an FLA spokesperson told Reuters the group had received no external assistance for the attack.

The current iteration of the Tuareg alliance, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), officially formed in November 2024.

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ISLAMIC STATE IN THE SAHEL PROVINCE (ISSP)

Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) is an affiliate of Islamic State and, like JNIM, operates in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. It split off from Al-Mourabitoun, one of the groups that now makes up JNIM, in 2015.

The group attracted international attention with the killing of four American soldiers, along with four Nigerien soldiers, in the Niger town of Tongo Tongo in October 2017.

That incident drew scrutiny of the little-known U.S. military presence in Niger at a time when many Americans were weary of U.S. involvement in conflicts abroad and Nigeriens were chafing at the growing presence of foreign troops on their soil.

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ISSP is a main rival of JNIM. Clashes between the two groups beginning in 2019 have resulted in more than 2,000 deaths.

ISSP's leader, Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, was killed in a French drone strike in August 2021 in northern Mali.

Last year ISSP stepped up attacks in western Niger, killing more than 127 people in five separate strikes and highlighting authorities' failure to protect civilians, Human Rights Watch said in September.

The group aims to establish an Islamic caliphate across the Sahel region and is considered to be less willing to build ties with local communities than JNIM.

(Writing by Jessica Donati and Robbie Corey-BouletEditing by Frances Kerry and Andrew Heavens)
A U.S. District Court judge will decide whether a federal lawsuit seeking to broaden access and protection for an antebellum cemetery in St. James Parish amid plans to construct a $9.4 billion plastics facility nearby will move forward.

Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics has owned the property since 2018, intending to construct what would be the largest plastics complex in the world. That development has faced significant permitting delays as a result of local concerns about the environmental and health risks associated with the development. As proposed, the complex could add an additional 800 tons per year of toxic air pollution, along with 13.6 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually.

The project would be located in the heart of Louisianas chemical corridor, known colloquially as Cancer Alley, home to more than 300 industrial facilities. In 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency found that residents faced the highest elevated risk of cancer from toxic air pollution in the country.

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Two community advocacy groups, Inclusive Louisiana and The Descendants Project, sued FG LA, Formosas subsidiary, last July in an attempt to remove the companys control of the cemetery and place its maintenance into the hands of communities descended from the enslaved. They also want Judge Carl Barbier of the U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana to allow further investigation of the property for other unmarked burial sites. The burial site, called Buena Vista, sits on the former Winchester/Buena Vista plantation.

In their complaint, the groups alleged Formosas control of the burial site  as well as the bodies of at least five enslaved people who were buried there  represents a lingering vestige of slavery and violates the 13th Amendment which officially abolished slavery. The groups claim the burial site itself is part of the legacy of slavery, and Formosa harms them by putting up obstacles to care for the site, such as denying one groups request to erect headstones. They also allege that the state Cemetery Dedication Law protects the right of descendants to access and care for the burial grounds of their ancestors.

A historical map showing a slave burial site on property owned by Formosa Plastics.

FG LAs legal counsel asked for the case to be dismissed, arguing that plaintiffs claims are based on hypothetical future events rather than an existing dispute. They also argued that the burial ground isnt considered a dedicated cemetery, removing those state protections.

Michael Drew, of Jones Walker LLP which represents FG LA, said the company has only received five requests to access the cemetery. He said all but one were granted.

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There hasnt been other community members who have asked, Drew said in an oral argument on Friday (April 24) in court. He said the company largely hasnt restricted access to the burial site.

FG LAs attorneys also argued the groups failed to name two other parties that could be affected by a ruling in the case because the burial grounds extend across a pipeline easement and into an adjacent tract of land.

The site is the site, and its either going to be found a dedicated cemetery or not, Drew said.

Kayla Vinson, a Center for Constitutional Rights attorney who represents the plaintiffs, asked Barbier for permission to amend their complaint to clarify the type of 13th Amendment claim they are bringing. She also argued the states protections for unmarked burial grounds and cemeteries are complementary to each other, not mutually exclusive.

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Vinson also told Barbier that the plaintiffs felt the two other parties werent necessary, but she said they could simply add them to the complaint without dismissing the lawsuit.

After the arguments, Barbier suggested that the community groups and the company should try to resolve the conflict through mediation instead of the lawsuit.

 I do really believe it might be beneficial to both parties or all parties to make an effort to resolve this amongst yourselves without the court ruling one way or the other, the judge said.

The parties agreed to report back to Barbier with their position on mediation within the next 10 days.

This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
A decision whether to mandate air conditioning inside Texas prisons is in the hands of a federal judge, as advocacy organizations try to force the state to address what they allege are dangerous, deadly temperatures inmates endure.

For years leading up to the two-week trial in Austin, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice says it has made efforts to mitigate heat inside its prisons during the summer months. However, inmates advocates and lawyers say those efforts havent gone far enough: Temperatures can reach 149 degrees, they say, and the conditions amount to cruel and unusual punishment  violating inmates Eighth Amendment rights.

There is a dangerous condition that everybody in the leadership knows about: Its extreme heat inside the prison system, Jeff Edwards, one of the lawyers for the plaintiffs, told CNN. What theyre doing is not solving it, its not mitigating it. Its killing people.

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The plaintiffs  a group of advocacy organizations that represent inmates  are requesting air-conditioning be installed in every inmate housing area in every state-run prison. They claim more than 270 people died in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019 due to heat exposure, citing a 2022 study by researchers at Brown and Harvard University, among other institutions, which found these deaths were likely attributable to extreme heat.

The state denied this allegation in pretrial court filings  though it has acknowledged heat-related deaths, albeit much fewer: A TDCJ spokesperson told CNN that between 1998 and 2012 there were 23 heat-related deaths.

Theres people that have families in here that theyre trying to get back home to, an inmate inside one partially air-conditioned prison told CNN. They made simple mistakes; they dont deserve this.

TDCJ  which says it has made strides in addressing the problem in recent years  declined to comment on pending litigation. On its website the agency said, Core to the mission of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is protecting the public, our employees, and the inmates in our custody.

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Amite Dominick, president of the Texas Prison Community Advocates, has been fighting for the better part of a decade to change what she describes as unsafe conditions inside prisons. She coauthored the 2022 study and another report by Texas A&M Universitys Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center that highlighted the issue and concluded the TDCJs heat mitigation policies were insufficient.

I didnt think Id be doing this job for 10 years, said Dominick, who testified for the plaintiffs. I really thought that by now we would have seen the humanity of it all, and the legislators would have already have funded the money for this.

Its unfortunate that it has to come to a lawsuit where were, you know, spending millions of dollars once again, and we could have taken those same monies and just put air conditioning in those units, she told CNN.

The Texas attorney generals office, which represents TDCJ in the case, did not respond to multiple requests for comment or questions about the plaintiffs allegations.

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In a preliminary injunction, Judge Robert Pitman stopped short of ordering a temporary air conditioning remedy. But he did warn TDCJ he foresees Plaintiffs being entitled to permanent relief in the form of expeditious installation of permanent air conditioning in all TDCJ facilities.

Pitman is expected to make his final ruling in the coming weeks.

A five-alarm fire

During the trial, medical experts testified about the impacts of extreme heat on the body. Dean Williams, the former head of the Alaska and Colorado prison systems, testified for the plaintiffs, calling the lack of air-conditioning for the more than 130,000 inmates in TDCJs care a five-alarm fire. If he were running the system, he said, he would be acting with urgency.

The former TDCJ executive director Bryan Collier and his successor Bobby Lumpkin have both testified the costs of fully cooling roughly 100 prisons across the state of Texas would be more than $1 billion and take 23 years to complete at the current installation pace.

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In his closing argument to the judge, Kevin Homiak, one of the plaintiffs lead lawyers, pointed to the deaths of several inmates between 2024 and 2025, whose body temperatures were not taken at the time of death  deaths he said were omitted from legally required annual reports to the Texas Legislature.

In a statement to CNN, a TDCJ spokesperson said there was one death determined to be most likely heat related during fiscal year 2024. In fiscal year 2023, the agency reported three deaths where elevated temperatures were cited in the final autopsies as a possible contributing factor.

At least dozens of inmates have died from the extreme heat, and we know its getting hotter, Homiak told CNN, referencing the number of deaths estimated by the 2022 study. We know that if these prisons arent air-conditioned, and if the unconstitutional conditions persist, were going to see likely dozens more deaths in the coming summers.

The heat radiates

CNN spoke with three inmates inside the Choice Moore Unit in Bonham, about 70 miles northeast of Dallas, on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation. The prison has hallways dedicated to respite and fans throughout, but it does not have air-conditioning throughout the facility.

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Its more or less like being in a tin can, and youre under, I guess, a magnifying glass, and the heat radiates in, one inmate who has been at Choice Moore Unit for three and a half years said.

He says during the heat of the summer, it feels like its over 120 degrees inside the prison, and theres little to no relief until the sun goes down. Throughout his years at the unit, he said hes seen some of the heat-related illnesses firsthand and says tempers rise with the temperatures.

Ive seen more of the incidents that, you know, occur of the violence or anything happening during the summer than any other time during the year, he said.

Another inmate who has been there for a year and a half says he continually pours cold water on himself throughout the day to try to stay cool.

The Choice Moore Unit is seen in this undated photo from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website. - Texas Department of Criminal Justice

The third inmate is preparing for his first summer inside the Choice Moore Unit. He said he feels anxious, and the men who have been there longer offer advice on how to prepare, stay cool and stay safe.

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When asked what he thinks of their conditions, the third inmate said its nothing short of cruel and unusual.

If you put a bunch of animals in a warehouse in the middle of summertime in the deep South, in Texas, where we are at, I think that would be considered animal cruelty, he said. If theres a standard of care for dogs, then the same standard, if not more, should be the same for human beings.

When asked what he would say to the head of TDCJ or the lawmakers in charge of the state budget about the conditions inside the prison, he asked them to consider what prisons were made for: rehabilitation.

If they expect us to come out of this society and to be contributing members of that society, they should start treating us like they want us to be a part of that communitythat eventually most of us are going to reenter, he said.

Effort could cost more than $1 billion, state says

While there is currently no air conditioning standard for TDCJ facilities, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which was created by the Texas Legislature in 1975, requires county jails to be kept between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit in occupied areas.

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A TDCJ spokesperson told CNN they could not comment on ongoing litigation but did share efforts underway to help keep inmates and staffers cool at their facilities.

Today, 38 units are fully air-conditioned, with an additional 52 partially cooled, according to TDCJ  the main distinction being whether a full housing area is air-conditioned or only select parts.

In 2018, it was made a priority to add cool beds, which TDCJ describes as beds in air-conditioned housing areas, and respite areas where prisoners can get access to cooler temperatures for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

There are more than 52,000 cool beds available for inmates, per the agency; however, that doesnt cover even half of the number of the states 130,000 incarcerated individuals.

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Over the last several years, the agency has worked to increase the number of cool beds available, TDCJ said on its website. TDCJ is dedicated to continuing to add air-conditioned beds in our facilities.

These changes have been instrumental in reducing the number of heat-related illnesses and deaths across the system, the state said in court filings. In 2025, TDCJ recorded 13 instances of heat-related injuries to inmates, down from 25 the year before.

During the 2023 and 2025 Texas legislative sessions, TDCJ received a combined $203 million for the installation of air conditioning.

The state has said providing air conditioning to all its prisons would cost more than $1 billion, and even if the judge were to rule in the plaintiffs favor, state lawmakers would still need to allocate the funding in the state budget.

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The plaintiffs believe their demands are achievable.

We asked for an order that the system be fully air conditioned by the end of 2029, which is what our experts have said is reasonable and can be done with full funding, Homiak said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Cases of a flesh-eating infection miles from Texas border with Mexico are alarming officials about the return of a parasitic fly that was once eradicated.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported active cases of New World screwworm in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. In an April 20 statement, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said one infected calf, about 62 miles from the border, was the northernmost active case from the parasitic New World screwworm fly to date, calling it a flashing red warning sign.

Latest available USDA data, as of April 21, showed more recent active cases among cattle in Tamaulipas, a Mexican state bordering Texas. USDA has said theres no current risk to livestock, pets, or people in the United States. American officials have closed the southern ports of entry to the livestock trade.

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New World screwworm flies feed on warm-blooded animals and humans to create painful, foul-smelling wounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They spread when female flies lay eggs in an open wound  sometimes as small as a tick bite  or in an animal's nose, eyes, ears, or mouth. Then, eggs hatch maggots that burrow and eat live tissue. After a few days, larvae drop and burrow into the soil, later emerging as mature flies.

USDA declared the United States free of indigenous screwworms beginning in 1966, using a technique of sterilizing male flies. North America eradicated New World screwworm by the 2000s.

Cattle are held in a corral before being exported to the United States through the Jeronimo-Santa Teresa border crossing after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced an agreement with Mexico on the management of the New World screwworm, following a threat to halt Mexican cattle imports due to the outbreak, at the Chihuahua Regional Livestock Union facility, outside Ciudad Juarez, Mexico April 29, 2025.

In the following decades, New World screwworm has steadily returned northward from endemic regions in South America. Parasitic flies have caused outbreaks in Central America and Mexico, which is a primary supplier of cattle to the United States.

A Nature study published in July said climate change contributes to its reemergence due to hotter temperatures and changing weather. This creates more favorable conditions for flies to spread in Texas, home to the nation's largest cattle industry, as well as other parts of the southern United States. Economic losses from the return of New World screwworm could run into billions of dollars, the study found.

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There have been isolated cases of people infected with New World screwworm who have returned to the United States from international travel. A small outbreak last occurred in 2017 in the Florida Keys.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flesh-eating New World screwworm moves closer to US in alarming return
By Joseph Ax

April 27 (Reuters) - Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a new congressional map on Monday aimed at flipping four Democratic U.S. House of Representatives seats in November's midterm election, further escalating a coast-to-coast redistricting war that has already reshaped dozens of districts nationwide.

It remains unclear whether the map has enough support in the Republican-controlled state legislature to pass. DeSantis has called lawmakers to convene a special session starting on Tuesday to consider his plan.

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The map, which DeSantis first shared with Fox News, would likely give Republicans 24 of the state's 28 U.S. House seats, up from its current 20-8 majority.

Republicans can afford to lose only two House seats in November's election to retain a majority. A Democratic-led House could initiate investigations into President Donald Trump's administration while blocking his legislative agenda.

Last week in Virginia, voters narrowly approved a Democratic-backed map that targets four Republican incumbents there. Republicans have filed several lawsuits challenging the validity of the ballot measure, and the Virginia Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments in one of those cases.

Any successful redistricting in Florida would likely face its own legal challenges. In 2010, voters approved a constitutional amendment explicitly banning lawmakers from drawing district lines for political gain, a practice known as gerrymandering.

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A handful of Florida Republicans have expressed concern that an aggressive redrawing could leave some incumbents vulnerable in a Democratic wave year. Democrats have consistently outperformed their 2024 margins in dozens of elections since Trump took office in January 2025.

Virginia and Florida represent what are likely the final battlegrounds in the redistricting war that Trump initiated last summer, when he successfully urged Texas Republicans to install a new map that targeted five Democratic incumbents.

While Republicans appeared to hold the redistricting advantage nationwide, Democrats have managed to fight back to a near-draw, depending on the final outcomes in Virginia and Florida.

Redistricting typically occurs after the end of each decade to account for population shifts in the U.S. Census. Trump's gambit set off an unprecedented mid-decade cycle that quickly spread to a dozen states, both those controlled by Republicans and by Democrats.

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The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a voting rights decision by summer that could allow Republican-led Southern states to redraw additional Democratic seats with large minority populations. But any ruling may be too late to have a significant impact on this year's midterms.

(Reporting by Joseph AxEditing by Bill Berkrot)
Posted on Apr 30, 2015 in History News

Doolittle Raiders Receive Congressional Gold Medal

UNCOMMON VALOR a REAL HEROES

Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Receive Congressional Gold Medal, Share It With the World

On April 18, 1942, just over 4 months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into World War II, 80 American airmen led by Lieutenant Colonel James H. aJimmya Doolittle inspired a nation by flying 16 B-25 bombers off the deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet and conducting a daring raid on Tokyo, the enemyas capital city. Now, 73 years later, Congress has honored these men with the Congressional Gold Medal, presented to the Raiders in Washington D.C., April 15. Leaders from the House of Representatives and the Senate presented the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the American people to the Doolittle Raiders at the U.S. Capitol Visitoras Center Emancipation Hall.

aWe want to thank Congress for enacting and presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tokyo Raiders this day,a said retired Lieutenant Colonel Richard E. aDicka Cole, one of the two surviving Raiders. aWe are honored to accept this prestigious and most appreciated award.a

After the Washington, D.C. presentation ceremony, the medal was flown on a ceremonial flight in a restored World War II-vintage B-25 in the care of Brian Bear Anderson, the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Sergeant-at-Arms (doolittleraider.com), and brought to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, home of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, on April 18. Later that night, the two remaining Raiders, Dick Cole and former Staff Sgt. David J. Thatcher, presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, to be housed in the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders B-25 exhibit.

Seventy-three years ago today David Thatcher and I, along with 78 fellow flyers took off on a mission that was based on trust in our leader a James H. Doolittle, Cole said. Ten years ago today the surviving Raiders put their trust in the decision of appointing a new guardian for our silver goblets a the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Today, April 18, 2015, Dave Thatcher and I find ourselves putting the Doolittle Raiders trust once more in the hands of the director of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. We proudly hand over our Congressional Gold Medal to Lieutenant General, retired, Jack Hudson, who we trust will respectfully guard it and have it securely displayed in the Doolittle Raider exhibit for the world to see and appreciate.

The Doolittle Raid, which took place before the Air Force became a separate service, not only motivated a nation during the darkest days of World War II, but also proved that strategic airpower is necessary for global reach and the joint fight.

The actions of these brave Airmen altered the course of World War II, and put our nation on the glide path to where we are today, said General Janet C. Wolfenbarger, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command. It is absolutely an honor to play a part in this well-deserved tribute for a tremendous group that we proudly claim as predecessors to our Airmen of today.

The medal is displayed at the museum, rotating near the Raiders 80 silver goblets, only two of which remain upright. The Raiders said they hope the Doolittle Exhibit educates the younger generation, and Thatcher had advice for current and future Airmen. Be prepared for anything you run into a we werent, he said. Learn everything you possibly can, and be good at it.

Both Cole and Thatcher spoke of the raid and their fellow crew members with fondness and twinkling eyes, all with an undercurrent of humor and humility. Tonights affair couldnt have been planned more accurately, Cole said. As I remember, the mission was over, it was Saturday night, on the 18th of April [1942] and about this time, David Thatcher was on the beach in China saving the rest of his crew, and I was hanging in my parachute in a tree.

With only 158 Congressional Gold Medals ever awarded, the Raiders are in the company of men like former President (Gen.) George Washington.

The Congressional Gold Medal is a testament to the heroic achievements and lasting impact of the Doolittle Raiders, said Representative Mike Turner. We want you to know that the United States of America is forever indebted to you, for not only the sacrifices and valor you displayed that day, but also for how you have shared and honored the legacy of our veterans it is an example of unwavering commitment to service by the men and women in uniform to our nation and to each other.

When the Congressional legislation authorizing the gold medal passed and was signed into law last year, the Tokyo Raidersa Associationas Brian aBeara Anderson who spearheaded the effort for the Raiders to receive this historic recognition sent this athank youa to Armchair General: I would like to thank Armchair General and its many readers for their help and support in promoting information via the magazine and online articles with regard to the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders and obtaining the Congressional Gold Medal for them for their historic accomplishment. This long overdue honor to the 80 brave U.S. Army Air Forces airmen is now a reality.a

aFrom an article by Staff Sgt. Torri Ingalsby, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information (www.af.mil)

Top image: Doolittle Raiders retired Lt. Col. Dick Cole and former Staff Sgt. David Thatcher pose with the Congressional Gold Medal after it arrived at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, following a ceremonial flight on board the B-25 Panchito April 18, 2015. The medal is on display in the museumas World War II Gallery in the Doolittle Raid exhibit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Will Haas)
Germany's border controls violate the EU's Schengen Agreement on freedom of travel, a court in the western city of Koblenz ruled on Monday, in a case brought by a law professor.

The Koblenz Administrative Court said the German police acted unlawfully in verifying the man's identity in June 2025 as he crossed the border from Luxembourg into Germany.

Controls have been in place on all Germany's borders since September 16, 2024. They have been extended three times, most recently until September 2026.

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However, the court found that the extension of border checks from March to September 2025 was in violation of the Schengen rules, under which member states are only allowed to carry out border controls when public order or internal security are threatened.

While countries in the Schengen Area are entitled to make their own assessment of the threat situation, the court said the German state's justification for its action did not have a "sound factual basis."

The judges ruled that references to individual acts of violence committed by foreign nationals did not allow the conclusion that the national authorities were generally overwhelmed.

Plaintiff Dominik Brodowski, a professor at Saarland University, said the decision sends a "strong signal for European integration, for European unification and also for Schengen law."

The court has made a fundamental statement on the legality of internal border controls, he told dpa. "This should really give politicians food for thought and not be dismissed as a one-off decision."
A 21-year-old motorcycle rider in Germany was arrested after the investigators found his motorcycle listed for sale eight months after fleeing and causing police to chase.

"And I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for the classifides." is likely the thought swirling around the mind of a 21-year-old rider in Germany after his arrest. The suspect faces up to 12 years in prison after police put together a string of clues to nab him. And by the sounds of the situation, if I were him, I'd have thought I had gotten away with it before there was a knock at my door with the blues and twos behind it.

The suspect in question fled from a police car in August 2025 through a built-up area, hitting around 87 mph. The police weren't able to apprehend the rider at the time, partly because the Kawasaki ZX-10R was being ridden with a counterfeit license plate, meaning the registered owner couldn't be identified. But the police had suspicions about who it might be.

Investigators had suspected a 21-year-old rider for a few months, based on witness statements describing the rider and the motorcycle. Fast forward eight months to April 2026, and the police spot an advertisement in the motorcycle classifieds for a Kawasaki ZX-10R matching the description of the one involved in the chase. Following target inquiries, the police located the Ninja in a garage, secured and confiscated it. And wouldn't you know it, the 21-year-old rider they suspected was the person who listed the bike for sale.

It's The Sound Of The Police

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The suspect faces several charges, including a charge under Section 315d of the German Criminal Code (StGB), which regulates illegal motor vehicle racing. In this case, probably paragraph 3: "(...) as a motor vehicle driver, traveling at an inappropriate speed and in a grossly negligent and reckless manner in order to achieve the highest possible speed." This carries a potential prison sentence of up to two years or a fine. Along with this, the forged license plate constitutes forgery of documents under Section 267 of the German Criminal Code (StGB). According to paragraph 1, this offense is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine.

Finally, the rider may be charged with violation of Section 315c of the German Criminal Code (StGB): endangering road traffic. If the life and limb of other people were endangered in this context, a prison sentence of five years is also possible. If the rider is found guilty of all three charges and punished to the fullest degree, they'll face up to 12 years in prison. But at a minimum, they're facing a revoked driver's license and the confiscation of their motorcycle.




By Andreas Rinke and Kirsti Knolle

BERLIN, April 27 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday Iran's leadership was humiliating the United States and 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 underlined deep divisions between Washington and its European NATO allies, which had already been festering over Ukraine and other issues.

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"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 Hormuz during 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.

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"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.

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He said the conflict was costing Germany "a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers' money and a lot of economic strength."

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, writing by Kirsti Knolle; editing by Matthias Williams)
Family, friends and supporters of Virginia Giuffre held an emotional memorial vigil in Washington DC marking the first anniversary of her death.

With the White House in the background, her brother Sky Roberts spoke of how his sister, a prominent accuser of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, had turned "pain into purpose".

The event was held ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen in Washington DC on a state visit.

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Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley repeated calls for the King to meet Epstein survivors, saying it was a "missed opportunity".

McCawley said she appreciated the concerns about the King not wanting to jeopardise any legal proceedings by holding a meeting, but she thought survivors would have understood if he listened without having to say anything.

Giuffre's lawyer Sigrid McCawley said the King should meet survivors [BBC]

There were more than 100 people gathered near to the Washington Monument, including Sydney Beasly, originally from Kentucky.

She also thought the royal visitors should have included a meeting with Epstein survivors during their US stay.

"If the monarchy wants to be relevant in the future, they have to meet all types of people, including survivors, so they can make informed decisions. It's about increasing awareness," she said.

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Sky Roberts told the BBC's Newsnight on Friday: "We need the King of England to stand up and show his unity with survivors... And all we ask is for a 10-minute meeting with the King to show him that we're real people, with real feelings."

It's not expected that there will be any meeting with survivors during the state visit, because of worries about interfering with the legal process.

But Queen Camilla will meet representatives of campaigns against violence against women at engagements during the state visit.

Campaigners gathered at the event remembering Virginia Giuffre [BBC]

The event was a mix of speeches, music and performance, with campaigners holding up posters saying "Survivors are powerful", at a memorial held a year after Giuffre had taken her own life.

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She had written a memoir about being abused by Epstein and had been an accuser of the then-Prince Andrew, in a legal action that ended in a financial settlement. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.

Congressman Jamie Raskin said Giuffre inspired other survivors of Epstein's "nightmarish trafficking operation".

He said the process of holding people to account had become an "irreversible reckoning".

And the Democrat lawmaker blamed an "unequal and morally impoverished society, a legal and criminal justice system contaminated by corruption and privilege and our political system infected with complacency".

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An Epstein survivor Wendy Pesante told the gathering: "Today serves as both a memorial and a reminder of the importance of us continuing to come together and speak out."

[BBC]

Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
FIRST ON FOX: A billionaire gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, who has said there is "no bigger supporter of Trump right now than I am," is facing questions after a healthcare company within his business empire criticized President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Rick Jackson has spent months trying to cast himself as the races most pro-Trump candidate who will be Trump's "favorite governor" despite Trumps endorsement of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. However, one of his companies has repeatedly criticized the OBBBA, a landmark GOP legislative package that Trump endorsed and signed into law last year.

Jackson Physician Search, a subsidiary of Jackson Healthcare, said on its website in September 2025 that the bill's "sweeping cuts to Medicaid and ACA programs raise serious concerns about access, equity, and sustainability," and warned that some hospitals may need to "adapt or close their doors."

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In a February 2026 recruitment report, the company also said the law was projected to cause "between 10 and 15 million people" to lose health coverage, while Medicare and Medicaid cuts were creating "significant financial pressure" across healthcare organizations and considerable "fear and uncertainty" about what lies ahead.

Expert Reveals How Companies Are Rebranding 'Toxic' Dei Policies To Skirt Trump-era Bans: 'New Wrapper'

"Rick supports the Big Beautiful Bill. Period," Mike Schrimpf, a spokesperson for Jackson's campaign, told Fox News Digital. "Growing up in the projects, Rick believes in the dignity of work and is a strong proponent of work requirements for that reason. He has long opposed Obamacare and regularly touts President Trumps healthcare policies, like TrumpRx, on the campaign trail. Thats why Rick Jackson will be Donald Trumps favorite governor."

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Schrimpf added that "for months" Democrats have been attacking Jackson for his support of the OBBBA, noting "this attack makes about as much sense as accusing a pilot of hating to fly."

At a campaign event last month in Thomasville, Georgia, Jackson told constituents that he thought there were "many parts" of the OBBBA that were "great," and said he would be paying "40 percent more in taxes" if it had not passed, and defended work requirements in the bill by saying they motivate people to be productive and get off Medicaid.

"The worst thing that we can do is tell people  is get people relying on government where they have no incentive to work," Jackson told constituents.

"Its the most dehumanizing thing that you can do," he continued. "God made us to be productive."

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Vulnerable Dem's Support For Alex Pretti Collides With Laken Riley Act Anniversary

Jackson has also drawn himself closer to Trump by praising his tariff policies. "I believe in fairness," Jackson said in March. "Don't want somebody to take advantage of us in a business transaction. That's what he's trying to do. So I support."

Meanwhile, Jackson, who reportedly modeled his campaign launch after Trump with a celebratory elevator descent, said he can't name a single White House policy he disagreed with, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

But, despite these assertions from Jackson on the campaign trail, his remarks stand at stark odds with his physician search firm warning in a February white paper about "considerable fear and uncertainty" for what is to come as the result of the OBBBA.

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"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is projected to cause between 10 and 15 million people to lose health coverage," the white paper notes, citing new public healthcare work requirements implemented by the OBBBA. "Medicare and Medicaid cuts are creating significant financial pressure across healthcare organizations," it continues.

The same report, which includes comments from the firm's senior leadership and other content on the search firm's website, also slammed H-1B visa provisions in the OBBBA aimed at restoring integrity to the immigration program that has reportedly been rife with fraud, arguing it would be a net negative for the healthcare industry.

Gop Billionaire Trying To Woo Trump's Support In Key Georgia Race Bankrolled His 2024 Presidential Rivals

The materials and resources also said OBBBA would promote physician burnout, would likely force rural hospitals to shut down, would discourage hopeful physicians from going to school, thus exacerbating the existing doctor shortage, and briefly emphasized the negative impact of Trump's tariffs on physician recruitment.

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"My team works with clients throughout the Midwest who are facing department closures if they cant hire a physician or advanced practice provider. For proof, just look at the number of labor and delivery departments forced to close in the past few years," said Senior Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search, Tara Osseck. "Now, recent policy changes  including provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and increased fees affecting international visas  are adding new layers of complexity to an already challenging physician recruitment environment."

"The implications are significant," Osseck adds. "Coverage losses can lead to increases in uncompensated care, placing additional strain on already thin operating margins. When financial pressure mounts, healthcare organizations may delay service expansions, reduce hiring plans, or freeze recruitment altogether."

The OBBBA, a wide-ranging bill, included reforms to the federal student loan program aimed at making education more affordable. However, Regional Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search, Tonya Hamlin, warned the reforms will actually make it harder for hopeful physicians to get to college.

Trump Ally Clay Fuller Advances In Georgia Fight For Mtgs Former Seat

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"These reforms could force students to absorb the difference through private loans or personal resources," Hamlin wrote in a blog post on the search firm's website. "They could also cause lower-income students to reconsider attendance altogether."

Hamlin went on to warn that with fewer people able to go to medical school, the shortage of physicians will only get worse for hospitals and clinics.

"Despite these additional hurdles, clinicians and trainees must not be deterred," Hamlin encouraged. "Stay focused on the higher purpose of your calling while staying informed, planning ahead financially, and engaging in ongoing advocacy."

The Republican primary race for Georgia governor has been a messy one between Jackson and other frontrunner candidates, including Jones, Attorney General Chris Carr, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In particular, Jones and Jackson have been sparring over who is more aligned with Trump.

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"This Primary Election is very simple," Jones says on his campaign website. "There is one authentic conservative who has fought for President Trump."

GOP candidates for Georgia governor, Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, are pictured with President Donald Trump as they campaign as Trump loyalists. (Getty Images)

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Jackson, meanwhile, donated $1 million to the president's political action committee, MAGA Inc. less than two months before he jumped into the race in February and has faced backlash for cutting 6-figure checks to the presidential campaigns of Trump's former GOP rivals during the 2024 Republican primary.

Jackson also reportedly ran an ad against Raffenspeger portraying him as the Biblical character Judas in an attempt to portray him as a traitor for defying Trump's efforts to challenge Georgia's 2020 election results.

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The Republican primary to see who will move on to the general election in Georgia's gubernatorial fight will take place on May 19. The first and only debate between the candidates is scheduled for Monday.

Fox News Digital reached out to Jackson Physician Search.





Original article source: GOP gubernatorial hopeful's pro-Trump pitch to voters clashes with paper trail inside his own company
Gunmen have raided an orphanage and kidnapped at least 23 children, authorities in Nigeria report.

The gang took the children late on Sunday from an unregistered facility called the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, located in an isolated area in Kogi States capital, Lokoja, Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement on Monday.

Mass kidnappings have become a common way for gangs and armed groups to make quick money in Africas most populous country, especially in rural areas with little government presence.

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Fanwo said the prompt and coordinated response of security agencies led to the rescue of 15 children but eight are still missing.

The wife of the proprietor of the orphanage was also abducted, according to the statement.

Intensive operations are ongoing to secure the safe return of the remaining eight victims and apprehend the perpetrators, the official said.





The orphanage was operating illegally in a remote location without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies, Fanwo added.

The statement did not disclose the ages of the abducted children, but it referred to them as pupils, which in Nigeria usually refers to someone in kindergarten or primary school, covering ages up to 12.

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No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Nigeria faces multiple conflicts from long-running violence by the Boko Haram armed group to bandit gangs, farmer-herder violence and southeastern separatists.

The ISIL (ISIS)-linked Lakurawa group also operates in communities in the northwestern part of the country bordering Niger.

The North Central Zone of Nigeria, where Kogi is located, has seen violent attacks, including raids on schools, in recent months with some of the attacks blamed on armed groups.

Hundreds of students were taken by gunmen from their school in neighbouring Niger State in November in an attack security sources blamed on Boko Haram.
Eight children are still missing after gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage in Nigeria's north-central Kogi State and kidnapped 23, authorities have said.

Kogi's information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said 15 children were rescued due to the "prompt and coordinated response" of security agencies.

Sunday's attack also saw the owner of the facility taken, he added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security sources say the state has a functional Boko Haram cell, and that there have been several violent attacks in the area.

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Nigeria is also grappling with a kidnap crisis in many parts of the country, with criminal gangs abducting people for ransoms. The government has made paying ransoms illegal but this has not prevented the kidnappings.

"The government remains fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all the victims," Fanwo said.

His statement on Monday also highlighted that the orphanage was "operating illegally" in a "bushy environment" without the knowledge of relevant authorities.

Fanwo urged operators of orphanages, schools, and similar institutions to always engage appropriately with the appropriate government agencies "especially in the current security climate".

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Mass kidnappings in schools are not uncommon in Nigeria, especially in the country's northern region which is currently plagued by insecurity. This is the first time an orphanage has been targeted.

In November 2025, more than 300 students and their teachers were abducted from one Catholic Secondary School in Niger State, also in the north central region of Nigeria.

They were released in two batches with the last group regaining freedom more than one month after.

The government denied reports that any ransom had been paid, or that two Boko Haram commanders had been freed as part of the deal.

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will testify in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday to push for the Pentagons $1.5 trillion budget request, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill on Monday.

The testimony in the Senate chamber will take place a day after he is scheduled to testify before the House Armed Services Committee . Thats the first time hell address that panel since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began. It also comes amid questions over Hegseths leadership of the Pentagon.

Hegseth will be joined on Thursday by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine, along with the Pentagons acting comptroller, Jules W. Hurst III, the source said.

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Hegseth is set to advocate for President Trumps $1.5 trillion defense budget request , which includes $750 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, $102 billion for aircraft procurement and research and development, close to $75 billion for drones and counter-drone and technologies and $65 billion to build 18 Navy warships and 16 support ships.

The Pentagon is also asking for 85 F-35 aircraft per year and funds to develop the next-generation systems, such as the B-21 bomber and F-47 fighter plane.

Hegseths testimony in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee also comes as an expanding group of Senate Republicans are losing confidence in Hegseths steering of the Pentagon and some GOP lawmakers would like to see him move on, though they emphasize that is Trumps decision to make, The Hill reported on Monday.

If he were up for nomination, Hegseth would not be confirmed today, Senate Republicans, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Hill, adding the ousters of senior military officials, including the recent removal of former Army chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, are a major concern.

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The hollowing out of incredible leadership at the Pentagon has been a big concern, one of the senators said. It really came to a tipping point when Gen. George was dismissed.

Another source of concerns for GOP lawmakers in Congress is Hegseths long-simmering feud with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll  a close friend and ally of Vice President Vance.

I think hes missing the mark on personnel. He has separated some of the most extraordinary generals that weve had in play. I dont quite know whats going on there, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said.

Updated at 12:39 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hezbollah is upgrading its drone tactics by incorporating fiber-optic tech and strategies from the Ukraine war, aiming to enhance its attacks against Israel amid supply shortages and evolving threats

Hezbollah has been increasing its use of drones over the course of its war with Israel while seeking to use new types of drones and learn from other conflicts.

The group is also drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine, where both Russia and Ukraine have invested heavily and significantly scaled up their use of drones on the battlefield.

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Hezbollah initially began the war in October 2023 with access to Iranian drone technology. This primarily consists of one-way attack drones.

These types of systems are usually about the size of a person or a small car, and they fly based on a series of waypoints or directly toward a target.

They have a warhead and can slam into the target. There is no man in the loop control, and the drone usually does not maneuver. These types of drones are relatively slow-moving and can be shot down by planes, helicopters, or by air defenses such as Iron Dome.

A drone is launched during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on October 4, 2023. (credit: REUTERS)

Hezbollah had used drones that could maneuver and return to Lebanon in the past, usually using them for surveillance. The more complex threat that is emerging is the use of drones that not only maneuver but are also harder to jam.

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Israels N12 media noted, the terrorist organization has a type of drone that is operated by fiber opticsThe drones are controlled from a distance of up to 15 km and carry up to 6 kg of explosives. The point of using fiber optics is to make the drone impossible to jam, since it is connected to the operator by a very thin line.

The report went on to claim that Hezbollah has turned to using drones controlled via fiber optics. With this technology, electronic warfare does not affect the vehicle, and Hezbollah is able to control it from a distance of up to 15 kilometers. These are drones similar to those used in the war in Ukraine, and it is clear that Hezbollah is very skilled in operating them.

Use of these types of drones was pioneered during the Ukraine conflict

The use of these types of drones was pioneered during the conflict in Ukraine. In Ukraine, both Russia and Ukraine rely on drones. Ukraine has pioneered various tactics on the frontline, providing troops with large numbers of different types of drones, enabling troops to defend areas in depth using drones, and also to use drones in larger numbers to strike at Russian lines.

Some drones fly short distances and kill personnel, while others are long-range strategic strike drones.

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Hezbollahs use of drones has received new attention in Israel after the IDF announced that Sgt. Idan Fooks, 19, from Petah Tikva, fell in southern Lebanon on Sunday. He was killed when an explosive drone fired by Hezbollah terrorists hit his position during an operation.

For Hezbollah, the decision to increase the types of drones it is using makes sense. Since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah has attacked Israel with rockets and one-way attack drones. The attacks have caused terror in northern Israel, but they are not very effective. This means Israel can counter these threats.

Hezbollah is now preparing for the next phase. Israel is staying in southern Lebanon in a security belt along the border. The civilians in this area have almost all been forced to leave. This leaves an area along the border that Israel is clearing now of many of the existing homes and other infrastructure, similar to what was done in half of Gaza.

The theory is that this zone will make Israel more secure. Israel operated in a similar zone from 1982 to 2000. What Hezbollah learned in those years is that a long, slow insurgency eventually will sap Israels strength.

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Hezbollah today cannot operate within the new line where Israel is strong, because it will have trouble infiltrating individuals into those zones. However, it can use drones. Because the drone has a range of several miles when connected to fiber optics, it gives Hezbollah the necessary distance to carry out attacks.

Hezbollah has been cut off from many of its supplies that used to come from Iran via Iraq and then Syria. The new government in Syria is stopping shipments for Hezbollah. Hezbollah thus has a shortage of its old rockets and munitions. It is pivoting to new technology. Ukraine showed that a country can produce locally made drones, then modify them to carry munitions and attach them to fiber optics.

This is something Hezbollah appears to be investing in and trying to learn from the war in Ukraine. Hezbollah in the past could ask Iran for assistance, and Iran speaks to Russia, and even supplies Russia with drones.

Its plausible that Hezbollah may be learning from Iran about the conflict in Ukraine, or directly learning through other methods.
Hezbollahs Secretary-General Naim Qassem rejected direct negotiations with Israel, insisting Lebanons government must annul a decision "criminalizing" the terror group.

Hezbollah "categorically rejects direct negotiations" with Israel, the terror organization's Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Monday.

"It is the responsibility of the Lebanese government to stop direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy and return to indirect negotiations," Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen cited him as saying.

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Direct negotiations and their outcomes "are as if they do not exist as far as we are concerned, and they do not concern us, neither closely nor distantly," he said.

Israel has "reached a dead end," and Hezbollah's "resistance is ongoing, strong, and cannot be defeated," he added.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government cannot continue to govern while "it squanders Lebanon's rights and cedes land," the terror leader said.

A protester holds a picture of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem during a demonstration in Riad Al Solh Square in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 11, 2026. (credit: Manon Roca/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

He also accused the government of having decided to work "side by side with the Israeli enemy against its own people."

Israel will "not remain on a single inch of our occupied land, and our people will return to their lands up to the last inch of our borders," he continued.

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The terror group's capabilities are not measured in months and years, and are built on the "triad of faith, will, and capability," he said.

The Lebanese government must "annul their March 2 decision that criminalizes Hezbollah and its people, in order to enable the pursuit of an internal dialogue that places Lebanon's interest above all considerations," he added.

"We will not return to the pre-March 2 era, and we will respond to Israeli aggression and confront it," he stated.

"No matter how much Israel threatens, we will not retreat, nor bow, nor be defeated," he insisted.

Qassem: 'Just as we resisted together, we will rebuild together'

Qassem also discussed cooperating with other Shi'ite movements within Lebanon, including the Amal Movement.

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"Just as we resisted together, we will rebuild together," he said.

Hezbollah will stand with all the "honorable parties" as if they were "one hand," he added.

"We will be one hand with Amal, the national forces, and figures from various components and sects, and we will not squander the blood of the martyrs," he concluded.
Posted on Jul 2, 2015 in Front Page Features, History News

Dwight D. Eisenhower National Memorial Design Approved

On June 18, the design for the National Eisenhower Memorial (eisenhowermemorial.gov) received final approval from the United States Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), moving the project to honor the former President who in World War II had led Allied forces to victory in Europe another important step closer to becoming reality. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission (EMC), explained: aTodayas vote of final approval by the CFA helps to ensure a lasting and fitting tribute to President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower who 71 years ago this month made the D-Day decision that led us to victory in Europe. With a memorial to Ike, not only will the surviving 2 million U.S. troops under his command have the place to remember his service and valor, but so will generations to come. My grandkids today are too young to understand what Ike gave to them in the peace and freedom they enjoy. But with a permanent memorial, itas my hope they will come to understand and appreciate what he meant to our country and to the entire world.a

The next milestone for the National Eisenhower Memorial will take place on July 9 when the memorialas CFA-approved design will appear before the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for final approval. Eisenhower Memorial Commission Vice Chairman, Congressman Mike Thompson, stated: aThe EMC looks forward to appearing before the NCPC in two weeks where we hope to receive the second a and final a of our federal approvals. Many of the design edits that received CFAas final approval today come from the EMCas close work with the NCPC late last yearaWe look forward to taking a fully approved design forward to funding, construction and dedication.a

The National Eisenhower Memorial a Eisenhower Square a is designed as a four-acre urban park at the base of Capitol Hill. The design includes a memorial at the center of the square to recognize Eisenhoweras accomplishments as both President and Supreme Allied Commander. Ike as 34th U.S. President is commemorated in a bronze sculpture a flanking the President are abstract figures representative of civilian power and military power with Eisenhower symbolizing the delicate balance between them. Eisenhower as the Supreme Allied Commander during World War II is commemorated in a bronze sculpture inspired by the famous photograph of him with 101st Airborne Division paratroopers before their jump into France to spearhead the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion.

AMERICAN HISTORY MAGAZINE SPECIAL ISSUE aHow Eisenhower Shaped Our Worlda: Ike takes center stage in the August 2015 issue of HISTORYNETas American History magazine in a special issue featuring articles on his life as a aWartime leader, Peacetime visionary a the architect of victory in Europe who built peace, prosperity and equality at home.a Contributors to this issue published during this 125th anniversary year of Eisenhoweras birth include Carlo DaEste (author of Eisenhower: A Soldieras Life), Evan Thomas (author of Ikeas Bluff: President Eisenhoweras Secret Battle to Save the World), David A. Nichols (author of A Matter of Justice: Eisenhower and the Beginning of the Civil Rights Revolution), Ikeas granddaughter Mary Jean Eisenhower (chief development officer of Outreach International and chairman emeritus of People to People) and Jerry D. Morelock (HISTORYNET Editor at Large). Read an article from this Ike Special Issue on historynet.com.

All images are taken from artist conceptions for the Eisenhower Memorial design. Click on link to learn more.
 Even a decade after Wilma hit Palm Beach County, people remembered its damage

Hurricane Andrew landed directly on Miami in 1992, vastly changing parts of the landscape and how we prepare for major storms in the future.

But that was 34 years ago. Is this the year South Florida is due for another direct hit from a hurricane?

Experts say the Miami area, Tampa and southern New England are among the nation's most "overdue" locations for a direct hit from a hurricane.

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As for Palm Beach County, we haven't had a direct hit from a hurricane since 1978's David. But we have been walloped by storms that didn't hit us directly but caused major damage, such as Wilma (in 2005), Irma (2017) and (Milton). We also saw close calls from some big storms, such as Matthew (2016) and Dorian (2019).

West Palm Beach, FL Winds from hurricane Wilma blew over a large crane that landed on the Community Foundation building in West Palm Beach near Okeechobee Blvd. and S. Dixie Hwy, OCt. 24, 2005. The crane also broke a water main. Staff photo by Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post Isai Perez, of West Palm Beach, picks up water for herself and chihuaua Jerry at the Publix supermarket of Southern Boulevard in preparation for Hurricane Wilma Oct. 20, 2005. (Richard Graulich/ The Palm Beach Post) WEST PALM BEACH - Rosemarte Senatus (7) flips her sleeping pad over her head in the hurricane shelter at Forest Hill High School during Hurricane Wilma, Oct. 24, 2005. She came with her mother, sister and brother. Staff photo by Carolyn Drake. WEST PALM BEACH - The ruined guest bedroom of a family whose roof was severely damaged in Hurricane Wilma. The family lives on the 6000 block of A1A in Ocean Ridge, Oct. 24, 2005. Staff photo by Carolyn Drake/The Palm Beach Post Key West, FL...Both civilian and military medical officials work to secure patients from the Lower Keys Medical Center aboard a C-130 military plane Thursday morning at the Naval Air Station in Key West, FL. In preparation for approaching hurricane Wilma the patients are being evacuated to Gadsden, AL, Oct. 20, 2005. Staff Photo by Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post Key West, FL...Emergency medical officials lift up Key West Convalescent Center resident Rosie Perez to load her on evacutaion van Sunday morning, Oct. 23, 2005. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post) Key West, FL...After singing the theme song to the Flintstones a group of partygoers hoop and holler inside a bar along Duval St. in Key West Friday evening. The group gathered to mock hurricane Wilma which is also the name of Fred Flintstone's wife. Staff Photo by Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post BOCA RATON - A good samaritan runs barefoot across the northbound lanes of I-95, one-half mile south of Yamato Rd., to make sure the driver of an overturned tractor-trailer rig was okay Monday, Oct. 24, 2005. The driver was no where to be found. (Staff photo by Chris Matula/The Palm Beach Post) Key West, FL...Rosalina Velez raises her hands in disbelief as she stands in receding flood water in the kitchen of her home Monday morning in Key West following hurricane Wilma in the George Allen Apt. Complex, Oct. 24, 2004. Staff Photo by Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post Key West, FL...Two men go out to get pictures early Monday, Oct. 24, 2005, in Key West along US1 and Eisenhower Dr. after hurricane Wilma passed by. Staff Photo by Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post LANTANA - Tensions rise at a Shell gas station on the corner of Congress and Lantana Road when the owners stop pumping gas for residents Wednesday evening, Oct. 26, 2005, and pump only for employees. Staff Photo by Cydney Scott / The Palm Beach Post DELRAY BEACH - Rickey Drobenare becomes frustrated as she attempts to get another motorist waiting in line for water and ice to move up in the line during distribution at King's Point community in suburban Delray Beach Friday, Oct. 28, 2005. Staff photo by Chris Matula/The Palm Beach Post Aerial view of hurricane Wilma damage in Broward, Fl. The steeple of the First Baptist Church stands intact and contrasts the badly damaged Broward Financial Centre also known as Templeton Building, Oct, 25, 2005. Staff photo by Richard Graulich DELRAY BEACH - Carver Estates resident Jerry Franklin stands in his bedroom after the ceiling in his apartment collapsed during Hurricane Wilma in Delray Beach Friday, Oct. 28, 2005. Almost every bit of his apartment's ceiling and its insulation are on the floor and furniture, causing Franklin to sleep in his car in the complex's parking lot at night. Staff photo by Chris Matula/The Palm Beach Post Key West, FL...Jodi Schneider, 37, of Key West, holds her baby Mia (1 yr) in the back of a pickup truck outside her apartment on First St Monday morning following hurricane Wilma, Oct. 24, 2005. Schneider, whose home was flooded, has 5 boys and 1 girl. Staff photo by Damon Higgins/ The Palm Beach Post Delray--Sid Candeub is carried down four flights of stairs by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel after his wife called 911. Candeub, a diabetic, was having trouble breathing and his blood sugar was low. Normally, he would have been taken down the elevator, but power to his condo in Huntington Lakes was out since Hurricane Wilma hit the development hard. Staff photo by Greg Lovett Near Pahokee, FL .... Shelby Hannah, 4, poses for a picture taken by her mother, Jaymi Hannah of Pahokee under one of the cutouts caused by hurricane Wilma along Lake Okeechobee's dike south of Pahokee, Oct. 30, 2005. There are about six erosions of the dike south of Pahokee near the airport. Staff photo by Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post Palm City---Double R Ranch owner Ann Raab , right, trys to convince this escaped bull that it is in his best interest to leave Danforth neighborhood Sunday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2005. Earlier in the day, three bulls from the Double R escaped their fenced enclosure which is several miles away from the subdivision because power to the electric fence that kept them inside was cut-off due to the effects of Hurricane Wilma. Photo by David Spencer/The Palm Beach Post HOBE SOUND- Congressman Mark Foley and Senator Mel Martinez and Tom Hurley, chairman and CEO of Becker Holding, talk with the press in one of Becker's Hobe Sound citrus groves. The two elected officials stopped at the grove off Bridge Road Monday afternoon, Oct. 31, 2005, to see damage caused by Hurricane Wilma last week. Hurley said they lost about 80% of the marsh red grapefruit in the grove the trio are standing in. Staff Photo by Paul J. Milette/The Palm Beach Post SOUTH BAY. Lake Harbor rice mill outside of South Bay, Nov. 2, 2005. The silos hold rice in season, but they were empty when Hurricane Wilma damaged them.Palm Beach Post staff photo by Taylor Jones Damage at the Belle Glade Marina. Damaged boats line the bank and are grounded, Nov.1, 2005. Palm Beach Post staff photo by Taylor Jones BOCA RATON - Joe Spano, 8, starts to nod off after spending one and one-half hours in line with his family waiting for gas at the NexStore convenience store in Boca Raton Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2004. The store had about 4,000 gallons to sell and allowed those with gas cans to walk up for the precious fuel. Staff photo by Chris Matula/The Palm Beach Post Photos: A look back on Hurricane Wilma's impact in 2005 1 of 22 West Palm Beach, FL Winds from hurricane Wilma blew over a large crane that landed on the Community Foundation building in West Palm Beach near Okeechobee Blvd. and S. Dixie Hwy, OCt. 24, 2005. The crane also broke a water main. Staff photo by Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post

AccuWeather forecasts have highlighted the unusual "hurricane hiatus" in Miami, Tampa and southern New England and research compiled by Michael Ferragamo, a freelance hurricane researcher and soon-to-be graduate of the University of Oklahoma, shows those locations haven't had a hurricane in an unusually long time.

"In all of these regions, populations have grown substantially since the last major impacts," AccuWeather hurricane expert Alex DaSilva told USA TODAY. "Many residents have never experienced a hurricane and may not be familiar with evacuation zones or proper preparation, which increases the risk."

Why are these locations so vulnerable?

In Florida, both Tampa and Miami are "very vulnerable," DaSilva said. "Both are low-lying and highly prone to storm surge flooding, and both have seen rapid development in recent decades. Tampa was very fortunate when Hurricane Milton passed just to the south. If that track had shifted slightly north, the impacts could have been catastrophic."

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In the Northeast, areas from New York City through Providence, Rhode Island, are also highly susceptible to storm surge.

Tampa: 'Very, very lucky'

Florida's second-most populous metro area (behind Miami) hasn't taken a direct hit in over 100 years. It was 1921, when an unnamed storm slammed into the city, killing eight people and leaving behind $10 million (equivalent to $170 million to $185 million today) in damages.

Hurricane Milton in 2024 was a very close call for Tampa. However, "Tampa's remarkable streak of avoiding a direct hit from a major hurricane continued with Milton," DaSilva said.

While Milton brought impacts, the worst of the storm  and the storm surge  missed the city. DaSilva said there's no geographical or topographical reason  or even a meteorological reason  for Tampa's long streak. "They got very, very lucky," he said.

"The typical 'return interval' there is around 10 years, so depending on how you classify Milton, Tampa could still be considered overdue for a more direct and severe hit." (A return interval, or return period, is the average amount of time between hurricanes at a specific location, based on historical data  not a schedule or prediction.)

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Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach agreed with DaSilva: "Tampa is another good example of a city with several close calls but no direct landfalls in recent years," citing Hurricanes Charley (2004), Irma (2017), and Idalia (2023).

Miami: 'Eerily quiet'

"Miami and the entire east coast of Florida has been eerily quiet since 2004," Klotzbach said. "The only hurricane landfall along the Florida east coast since Jeanne in 2004 was that sprawly mess Nicole in 2022. Of course, Miami had quite the scare from Irma in 2017," he said.

DaSilva said, "Miami is one of the most overdue areas. The average return interval for a hurricane there is about every six to eight years, yet it has been since 2005 since a direct hit. That puts South Florida well beyond its historical frequency."

1992's Hurricane Andrew remains South Florida's worst storm on record in terms of structures damaged or destroyed, and it remained the costliest in monetary terms until Hurricane Irma topped it 25 years later.

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Ferragamo also said that Florida's east coast has had very few hurricane landfalls recently, "which is quite the contrast from the seven hurricanes that struck between 1945 and 1950!"

Southern New England: 'It will be catastrophic'

Southern New England, including Providence, is also significantly overdue, DaSilva said. "The typical return interval is about 17 to 20 years, but the last direct hurricane landfall there was Hurricane Bob in 1991. That is more than three decades ago."

A former resident of Massachusetts, Klotzbach said: "I can attest that it's been a long time since a significant hurricane impacted that region."

While Bob brought destruction, the scale and severity of the death and devastation from the ferocious hurricane of 1938 remain mostly unmatched in New England.

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The 1938 hurricane killed as many as 682 people and hit as a Category 3, with winds of 115 to 120 mph. In addition, it moved at nearly 50 mph, leaving little warning and producing a catastrophic surge and wind across Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

DaSilva said, "Last summer, our team highlighted how the Northeast is overdue for a hurricane and ran a scenario. If the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 hit the same region with the same storm surge, flooding and wind impacts now, AccuWeather experts estimate the total damage and economic loss would be $440 billion."

More recently, the last landfalling hurricane was Bob in 1991, Ferragamo said. "Since then, kids have grown up and are in their 20s and 30s in the region, and still haven't experienced a hurricane strike."

"My biggest concern for New England comes in the form of major hurricanes  the once-in-a-lifetime monsters, like in 1938 or Carol in 1954. Residents have absolutely no idea how bad a hurricane can be in the region, and when another one does hit, it will be catastrophic, even if it's a Category 2."

What are the worst cities, locations for hurricanes in the US?

The map (above) displays the hurricane "return periods" of the entire coastal United States. A return period, also known as a "return interval," is the amount of time between hurricanes at a specific location. It is based on historical data, and is not a schedule or a prediction.

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The more frequent the return period (red on the map), the more often hurricanes historically hit that area.

The map was for Ferragamo's capstone project in his last semester at the University of Oklahoma. "For the return period map, I implemented a 30-mile radius around counties (to account for the average diameter of hurricane-force winds in a storm)."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricanes? Areas 'overdue' for direct hit are Miami, Tampa, northeast
The IDFs investigation into the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Holit reveals devastating losses, including 13 civilians killed and 9 hostages taken.

The IDF on Monday published its probe into how Hamas terrorists infiltrated Kibbutz Holit during the October 7 massacre, saying that approximately 60 terrorists attacked the kibbutz, killing three IDF soldiers, murdering 13 civilians, and taking a total of nine hostages, six of whom were taken into the Gaza Strip, and three were rescued by Israeli security forces on October 7.

Out of the 60 terrorists that attacked Holit, approximately 20 were killed during the fighting, the IDF said.

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The IDF also published a timeline of the events from the morning of October 7 until October 12.

Phase I - Beginning the attack and fighting IDF soldiers outside the kibbutz (6:29 a.m. until 6:59 a.m.)

At 6:29 a.m., terrorists infiltrated Israel, penetrating the perimeter fence and moving towards Holit. At the time, the soldiers deployed near the perimeter fence engaged the terrorists and began fighting them.

The commander of the IDF's regional company ordered soldiers to repel the infiltrating terrorists. A tank under his command went towards a position overlooking the border fence, fighting at the position for approximately three hours.

The aftermath of Hamas's terror attack on Kibbutz Holit during the October 7 massacre, pictured October 26, 2023. (credit: ERIK MARMOR/FLASH90)

The tank hit a large number of terrorists, vans, and motorcycles, significantly reducing the number of terrorists who could infiltrate near the kibbutz, the IDF said.

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Additionally, mortar teams fired at the infiltration sites, and additional squads were sent to block the movement of civilians on traffic routes.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., the Kibbutz emergency response team chief and his deputy met near the security chief's home to develop a situational picture.

He heard gunfire near the kibbutz and reported it to additional security chiefs in the area, at approximately 6:40 a.m., aiding in additional emergency response teams to be able to prepare for the attack.

At approximately 6:45, the chief and his deputy identified terrorists near the kibbutz's eastern fence and opened fire on them.

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At 6:54, observers reported the identification of approximately 15 armed terrorists near the border fence. Following this, the company commander ordered the armored personnel carrier (APC) and two armored patrol vehicles to reposition to defend Holit.

At 6:56, the vehicles arrived at the kibbutz's main gate, attempting to contact the commanding officer and the emergency response team's chief to open it.

The gate, however, remained closed, and the vehicles remained outside the kibbutz, the military said.

Meanwhile, the APC encountered terrorists, got stuck, and was disabled. The crew exited the vehicle and fought the terrorists who were attacking it.

Phase II - Emergency response squad and kibbutz residents fight back (6:59 a.m. until 1:53 p.m.)

At 6:59, the terrorists had blown up Holit's eastern fence and entered the kibbutz. They began killing, kidnapping, destroying, and looting, the IDF said.

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Until IDF soldiers were able to arrive, members of the emergency response squad and other kibbutz residents attempted to fight off the infiltrating terrorists on their own.

During this fight, the squad was able to rescue several residents who had been trapped in their homes, the IDF said.

From approximately 7 until 8 a.m., the terrorists kidnapped six civilians from Holit's dairy farm, four of whom had Israeli citizenship and the other two were foreign workers. The terrorists also killed another foreign farm worker during the incident.

At approximately 7 a.m., the emergency response squad commander entered his vehicle, driving towards the kibbutz gate in order to attempt a flanking maneuver on the terrorists. He parked his vehicle near a bus stop and began walking. Soon after, he encountered terrorists and opened fire.

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At the same time, terrorists broke into a residence on the kibbutz and murdered a civilian who was inside.

At approximately 7:10, the emergency response squad commander was killed by terrorists in the southeastern section of the kibbutz. At the same time, his deputy remained posted on the western side, fighting terrorists for approximately three hours.

Shortly after the commander was killed, another terrorist cell broke into the western side of the kibbutz. During a firefight, these terrorists killed a squad commander and wounded a Nahal Brigade soldier.

During this firefight, the two patrol vehicles continued to operate outside the kibbutz. They attempted to call for reinforcements and reported that terrorists had infiltrated the kibbutz.

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By 7:18, the two patrol vehicles had driven towards the breach in the eastern side of the fence, encountering fire from Gaza terrorists. The vehicles ran over several motorcycles belonging to infiltrating terrorists, the military said.

At approximately 7:20, terrorists broke into a residence, threw a grenade inside, and set the living room on fire. One of the residents was rescued by their neighbors almost two hours later.

At the same time, the terrorists broke into another residence and murdered a couple who lived there. Their seven-year-old daughter hid in a closet and was rescued by neighbors after almost three hours. During the child's rescue, one neighbor was able to shoot two terrorists.

From approximately 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., terrorists broke into another house and murdered a civilian inside. The terrorists also broke into a different house, murdering an elderly resident and their caregiver.

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Terrorists also broke into another house at the same time. The father of the house killed a terrorist in the living room. At approximately 8:30, his daughter was seriously wounded, and his wife was lightly wounded when an improvised explosive device attached to the window exploded.

At 7:50 a.m., terrorists broke into yet another residence and murdered a couple who lived inside. The terrorists also wounded their 16-year-old son, who was hiding in his house, and was later rescued by IDF soldiers.

Terrorists also broke into an additional house and murdered a couple who lived inside at approximately 8:30.

At 8:59, terrorists broke into a house and burned it down. The resident was in the police station. After approximately 25 minutes, they were rescued through the police station window by their neighbors.

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From 9 until 12:30, the terrorists continued their terror rampage across the kibbutz, breaking into dozens more residences, looting property, and burning and vandalizing homes and vehicles.

Other attacks occured throughout the morning, the military said.

An officer sent a combat helicopter to scan for terrorists in the southwestern part of the kibbutz.

At about 12:55 p.m., the helicopter opened fire in an attempt to expose infiltrating terrorists. However, the helicopter did not detect any terrorists.

During the afternoon, the terrorists attempted to enter the residence of the emergency response squad's deputy commander several times. He opened fire on the terrorists, killing one at the entrance and wounding another. He was able to successfully repel the terrorists.

Phase III - IDF soldiers arrive at Kibbutz Holit (from 1:53 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.)

At 1:53 p.m., IDF soldiers entered the kibbutz and began searching the eastern neighborhood.

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By 2 p.m., the soldiers located the terrorists who had barricaded themselves inside a residence. Two soldiers were wounded in the firefight, the military said.

At 2:06 p.m., the Paran Regional Brigade commander, a Colonel rank, led a force to the kibbutz gate, breaking through it with assistance from a tank belonging to the Caracal Battalion. Other soldiers, including those from counterterrorism units, entered the kibbutz and began searching for terrorists, the military noted.

At approximately 2:10 p.m., the soldiers were fired upon by terrorists in the kibbutz orchards while advancing near the eastern perimeter fence. During the firefight, one soldier was killed and two were wounded.

At approximately 2:15, a tank opened fire on the terrorists in the orchard.

From then on, until approximately 3:30, the terrorists withdrew while holding three civilians hostage. These included a three-year-old and a five-month-old whose mother had been murdered earlier during the attack.

They left the kibbutz via the west and took the hostages into the Gaza Strip.

At approximately 2:45, soldiers from the Bardelas Battalion entered the kibbutz, while other soldiers remained deployed near the orchard.

At approximately 3:10, the Paran Regional Brigade commander mobilized soldiers to carry out searches of the kibbutz.

At 3:18, soldiers from the air force's Shaldag special forces unit arrived at the kibbutz gate.

By 3:40, they were joined by soldiers from the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal), who joined in searching for hiding terrorists.

At 3:55, Shaldag soldiers identified 15 terrorists retreating to Gaza from the western side of the kibbutz. The soldiers opened fire and directed the tank operating in the area to run over several of the terrorists attempting to retreat.

At approximately 4 p.m., soldiers arrived at the kibbutz gate, aiding in rescuing injured civilians. At the same time, two D9 bulldozers exposed the orchard area.

At 4:10, Shaldag soldiers located the remains of a murdered foreign agricultural worker.

At 4:15, a tank secured the eastern area outside the kibbutz, while another force from the Golani Brigade broke through the kibbutz fence near the barn and began to search the area. Their movements were not coordinated with the commander of the Paran Regional Brigade, the IDF said.

At approximately 4:20, the brigade commander held a situational assessment at the kibbutz gate, along with other military and security officials.

At that time, soldiers noticed suspicious movement, and the brigade commander ordered soldiers to open fire. However, they did not do so for fear of hitting fellow soldiers. In fact, it turned out to be the aforementioned Golani Brigade squad.

After this, the Paran Regional Brigade chief ordered the unification of IDF soldiers, and ordered the assistance of searches and rescue operations for residents still inside the kibbutz.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the infiltrating terrorists released three civilians who had been taken hostage into the Gaza Strip near the perimeter fence. The civilians, who included two children, walked back towards the kibbutz for hours, the IDF said.

Phase IV - Evacuating Kibbutz Holit residents, IDF operations to cleanse the area (until October 12)

The IDF began evacuating kibbutz residents at approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 7. The evacuation was conducted while soldiers, police officers, emergency response squad members, and other residents were still conducting sweeps of the kibbutz.

At the same time, the IDF provided medical assistance to injured residents.

By approximately 7 p.m., the three kidnapped citizens arrived at the kibbutz.

The IDF transferred responsibility for securing the kibbutz to the Southern Division's Southern Brigade by 9 p.m.

At approximately 2 a.m. on October 8, a paratrooper patrol squad arrived at the kibbutz. The soldiers set up ambushes after their arrival, the military said.

At approximately 10:15, these soldiers encountered terrorists in the orchard to the east of the kibbutz. During the firefight, three soldiers were wounded, and the terrorists were killed. The wounded soldiers were successfully evacuated by Shaldag and Search and Rescue's Unit 669, the military confirmed.

On October 9, soldiers found more terrorists in the orchard area. The soldiers opened fire, killing the terrorists. No soldiers were wounded in this firefight, the military said.

On October 10, the remains of a murdered civilian were found within her home.

On October 12, the remains of the emergency response squad commander were found. The deputy commander remained on the kibbutz until all missing remains were located, the military noted.
Intellia Therapeutics is set to seek US approval of its in vivo CRISPR gene therapy in hereditary angioedema (HAE) after it showed benefit in a Phase III trial.

The global Phase III HAELO trial, in which HAE patients were treated with a one-time infusion of lonvo-z, met its primary endpoint of reducing attacks by 87% versus placebo, with a mean monthly attack rate of 0.26 in the lonvo-z arm compared with 2.10 in the placebo arm.

All patients who received lonvo-z at baseline or in crossover after week 28 remained free of long-term prophylaxis (LTP) therapy.

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Intellia has reported favourable safety and tolerability data for lonvo-z, with the most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) during the primary observation period (infusion through week 28) being infusion-related reactions, headache and fatigue. All TEAEs reported as of 10 February were mild or moderate.

Additional clinical data from HAELO will be presented at the 2026 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress (EAACI), taking place between 12-15 June in Istanbul, Turkey.

Intellia said it has initiated a rolling Biologics Licence Application (BLA) submission to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to seek regulatory approval, with a potential launch in H1 2027.

Dr Aleena Banerji, Director of Clinical Care, Center for Drug and Vaccine Allergy at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a HAELO principal investigator, said: Despite the availability of several HAE treatments, many patients continue to experience significant burdens related to the disease, including breakthrough attacks and challenges associated with chronic treatment. The results we are seeing from lonvo-z demonstrate its potential to eliminate the need for chronic medication and related challenges. If approved as a one-time treatment, I would expect lonvo-z to be an appealing option for many patients.

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HAE is a rare genetic condition in which patients experience recurrent and potentially life-threatening swelling (angioedema) attacks in various parts of their body, including the face, upper airway, abdomen and extremities due to an overproduction of bradykinin. Designed as a one-time treatment that is administered in an outpatient setting, lonvo-z is an in vivo CRISPR gene editing candidate that is intended to inactivate the kallikrein B1 (KLKB1) gene to permanently lower kallikrein and bradykinin levels.

Dr John Leonard, Intellia President and CEO, said that this trial marks the first positive readout for an in vivo gene therapy at Phase III.

Leonard said: For those patients who have spent years battling unpredictable breakthrough swelling attacks, anxiety about their next attack or the many burdens associated with chronic prophylactic treatment, lonvo-z represents a potential paradigm shift in treatment. These data affirm lonvo-zs potential, with one dose, to offer prolonged freedom from both attacks and the need for ongoing therapy.

After four years of inactivity, the FDA approved three novel products for HAE in 2025, taking the total number of marketed innovator drugs within the US to 11. FDA approvals in HAE were sparse before 2025, with only one each in 2017, 2018, and 2020. This was followed by a lack of approvals for four years.

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Intellia is also investigating another gene therapy, nexiguran ziclumeran (nex-z), in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN). Two Phase III trials were put on hold by the FDA due to safety concerns, but the pause has since been lifted in both studies.

"Intellias in vivo gene therapy victorious in Phase III HAE trial" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




The report also mentioned that US President Donald Trump is expected to hold a situation room meeting on Iran with his top national security and foreign policy team.

Iran, through Pakistani mediators, gave the US a new proposal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage, Axios reported on Sunday, citing a US official and two sources with knowledge of the matter.

The report also mentioned that US President Donald Trump is expected to hold a situation room meeting on Iran with his top national security and foreign policy team, during which he would review possible actions to take going forward.

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The Iranian demand would require the US to lift the blockade of Iranian assets crossing the Strait, which is the only leverage that it can use against the regime when negotiating for a nuclear deal.

Trump already signaled on Sunday that he plans to keep the blockade active until a complete deal is struck with the Iranian regime.

"When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system... if for any reason this line is closed because you can't put it into containers or ships... what happens is that line explodes from within... they say they only have about three days before that happens," Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks next to a map showing a blockade line on the Strait of Hormuz, during a briefing on the Iran war at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, US, April 16, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)

"And when it explodes, you can never rebuild it the way it was... it would only be 50% of what it is right now. So I think they are under pressure," he added.

Araghchi says talks with Oman aim to secure safe navigation for Strait of Hormuz

Earlier on Sunday night, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed from Oman after staying in the country for "bilateral talks," thanking the Omani government for being "gracious hosts."

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"Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to the benefit of all dear neighbors and the world," Araghchi published on X after his visit.

"Our neighbors are our priority," he claimed.

Araghchi's comments come as he left for Moscow, as part of a series of talks with regional allies in the midst of talks with the US. Before visiting Oman, he met Pakistani officials in Islamabad.
Further signs of turmoil are emerging in Irans U.S. negotiating team as hardliner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf looks set to be replaced by a veteran conservative known for rejecting nuclear concessions, according to reports.

Iran International reported April 24 that Saeed Jalili, 60  who already leads what has been described as a "shadow government"  is expected to succeed Ghalibaf following his sudden departure amid internal disputes.

Jalili also heads Irans ultra-hardline faction known as the Stability Front (Paydari), which is known to be a "bastion of ultraconservatism in Iran," according to reports.

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Ali Safavi, an official with the Iranian opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital that Jalili "has evolved from a nuclear negotiator to an influential actor within the regime."

Trump's Latest Hires And Fires Rankle Iran Hawks As New President Suggests Nuclear Deal

Jalili Saeed is expected to succeed Ghalibaf following his sudden departure amid internal disputes. (Getty Images)

Ghalibaf was reportedly forced to step down after attempting to bring the nuclear issue into talks with Washington, a move that triggered backlash within Irans political establishment.

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President Donald Trump had called off plans for U.S. envoys to travel to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on April 25.

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The rivalry between Jalili and Ghalibaf is said to span more than a decade and intensified during the 2024 elections, when Jalili refused to step aside, contributing to the victory of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Safavi said, "The increased visibility of latent divisions stems from recurring nationwide uprisings, deep economic crises and the pressures of war, all of which have intensified internal feuding.

"Far from signaling transformation, these developments reflect accelerating erosion and mounting pressure, deepening fractures and leaving the regime ever weaker and more vulnerable," he added.

Exiled Prince Looks To Lead Iranian People In Ending Islamic Republic: 'Our Berlin Wall Moment'

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 27, 2024.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also seeking a continued leading role in negotiations, highlighting competing centers of influence over Irans diplomatic strategy, sources said.

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Araghchi is in Islamabad, Pakistan, after returning from a short trip to Muscat, Oman, where he is holding high-level diplomatic talks on the conflict. Reports indicate Araghchi will travel to Moscow.

Jalilis potential appointment, however, signals a hardening of Irans stance, with more emphasis on resistance over compromise.

"Within this regime, there are a number of constants espoused by all factions," Safavi said before highlighting that these were "repression, the export of terrorism and the pursuit of nuclear weapons."

"The factions all ultimately move along a common path: the preservation of power. They differ in methods, not in objectives," Safavi cautioned.

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Iranian-americans And Dissidents Rallied Against 'Murderous Regime Agents' As Iran's President Addressed Unga

Jalili, meanwhile, served as Irans top nuclear negotiator from 2007 to 2013 under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later ran for president three times.

Jalili, meanwhile, served as Irans top nuclear negotiator from 2007 to 2013 under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later ran for president three times. He also served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

A former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Jalili lost his right leg at 21 during the Iran-Iraq War, earning him the title of "Living Martyr".

The Paydari Front, which he is associated with, opposes engagement with the West  particularly the 2015 nuclear deal  and advocates a doctrine of "active resistance."

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During Hassan Rouhanis presidency, Jalili also established a "shadow government" to counter the administrations policies, especially the nuclear deal.

On April 7, he wrote on X: "Yes  infrastructure is on the verge of collapse; the infrastructure of domination and the American order. And after that, a better foundation will be built."

A day earlier, he posted: "Shut up is not the appropriate response to Trumps ramblings; let him speak more. Nothing is more effective in laying bare the true nature of the United States than Trumps outbursts."

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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"In dealing with this regime," Safavi said, "we must bear in mind that in the 45 years since the mullahs consolidated their rule in 1981 by crushing all peaceful political life, so-called reformists have governed for nearly half that time  presiding over some of its darkest crimes."

"These include the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, the assassination of dissidents abroad, the chain murders of intellectuals inside Iran and the relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons."





Original article source: Iran turmoil erupts: Ultra-hardliner who mocked Trump poised to take over nuclear talks
Panamas ambassador to Israel told The Jerusalem Post that the presidents spokesman requested that the trip not be made public until it was announced by the Panamanian hosts.

President Isaac Herzog will pay an official visit to Panama on May 6, soon after concluding his visit to Kazakhstan, according to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

Particularly excited by the visit is Panamas ambassador to Israel, Ezra Cohen, a religiously observant Hebrew-speaking Jew.

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Cohen told The Jerusalem Post some time ago that Herzog was scheduled to visit Panama, but the presidents spokesman requested that the trip not be made public until it was announced by the Panamanian hosts.

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen diplomatic ties and interaction, though Panama has consistently supported Israel in public forums.

It is also a visit of appreciation for the fact that Panama is the only Latin American country that does not recognize a Palestinian state. Panama recognized Israel in 1948.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed by Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, Kazakhstan, April 27, 2026. (credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)

A free trade agreement between the two countries was signed and ratified in 2019 and went into effect the following year.

A personal triumph for Cohen

For Cohen, who was an active figure in Panamas Jewish community before taking up his appointment as ambassador, it is a personal triumph to return on a home visit with Israel's President.

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The Jewish community of Panama, which traces its origins to the Spanish Inquisition, today exceeds 30,000, most of whom are Orthodox.

The Jerusalem-born former Sephardi chief rabbi of Panama, Rabbi Zion Rajamim Levy, served for 57 years before his death in Tel Aviv in 2008.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Militants with the Islamic State group attacked a village overnight in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 29 people, authorities said Monday. It was the latest violence in Africas most populous country that has long been battling a complex security crisis.

The attack took place late on Sunday in Guyaku, a village in the Gombi local government area in the countrys Adamawa state, according to the state governor.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a message on the Telegram messaging app.

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Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri denounced the attack as tragic and unacceptable during a visit to the village on Monday.

Nigeria is facing myriad security challenges, especially in the north, where an insurgency has simmered for more than two decades. In February, the United States sent troops to the West African nation to help advise its military on the fight against insecurity.

There are two major IS-backed militant groups in Nigeria but it wasn't immediately clear which one was behind the attack in Guyaki.

The Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, is known to be operating in the northeast, including in Adamawa state, while another IS-linked group known locally as Lakurawa often attacks villages further away in the northcentral states of Sokoto and Kebbi.

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The Guyaki attack occurred on the same day that gunmen raided an orphanage in north-central Nigeria and abducted 23 pupils. Fifteen were later rescued and the government said intensive operations were underway to "secure the safe return of the remaining eight victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

Students kidnappings have come to define the insecurity in Nigeria, where analysts say armed gangs see schools and students as strategic targets to draw attention.

The attack took place in an isolated area of Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, according to a statement by the states commissioner, Kingsley Femi Fanwo. The facility, Dahallukitab Group of Schools, was operating illegally, he said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in a region has seen an increase in kidnappings for ransom. The statement did not say how old the abducted children are, but the term pupil in Nigeria usually refers to someone in kindergarten or primary school, covering ages up to 12.

___

Banchereau reported from Dakar, Senegal.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill ordered state agencies Monday to work together to draft a strategy by the end of September to reduce New Jerseys longstanding shortage of affordable housing.

Sherrill signed an executive order that tasks Kellie Doucette, the states chief operating officer, with creating a housing governing council to inventory vacant or underused state-owned properties where housing could be built, identify state rules and regulations that hinder affordable housing development and assistance, and propose rule changes, legislation, and other solutions to streamline and expand housing development statewide.

She unveiled the plan before a packed crowd of housing advocates at the Statehouse in Trenton.

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For years, Ive heard the same story again and again across our state. Mikie, its getting too expensive. I dont know how Im going to afford to stay here. And weve seen it  rising utility costs and healthcare costs, childcare costs, transit costs, grocery bills, and the biggest of all, housing, Sherrill said. We just arent going to make New Jersey more affordable if we dont make housing more affordable.

Standing beside Sherrill for the announcement was Jamie Ding, the Lawrenceville resident whos had a 31-game winning streak on the TV game show Jeopardy! Ding works at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, where he is multifamily and tax credit program administrator.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) introduced him, joking that Ding is New Jerseys most famous New Jerseyan. Its not you, governor, Im sorry.

Ding applauded the executive order and offered the briefest speech as the only non-politician to address the crowd.

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Im tempted to try to say something really profound and esoteric, and I guess here it is: Housing is good. People, you know, need somewhere to live, Ding said. When you always consider something somebody elses problem, it will never get solved. So its nice that were doing something responsible here.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill signs an executive order intended to accelerate affordable housing development in New Jersey at a news conference on April 27, 2026, at the Statehouse in Trenton. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

Housing costs have soared by 60% in parts of the state in the past five years alone, leaving more than a third of New Jerseyans spending over a third of their income on housing, Sherrill said. The median home price in New Jersey is over $500,000, while the median monthly rent is more than $1,800, with average rents topping $3,000 in the states priciest parts, according to her executive order. Housing advocates have estimated that New Jersey is about 300,000 units short of the affordable housing it needs.

Thats no way to get ahead. We have a severe shortage of affordable homes, and it hits everyone: families saving to buy a first home, seniors paying rent on a fixed income, workers trying to live closer to their jobs, young people looking for a first apartment, Sherrill said.

She gave Doucette 45 days to form the council, drawing members from the state departments of Community Affairs, Treasury, and Law and Public Safety; the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; New Jersey Transit; and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. That council has 150 days to make recommendations and propose housing goals that will guide the states long-term planning.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill announces a plan to accelerate affordable housing development in New Jersey at a news conference on April 27, 2026, at the Statehouse in Trenton. (Photo by Dana DiFilippo/New Jersey Monitor)

Sherrill also forbade state agencies from selling state-owned property without Doucettes approval. She gave state departments 60 days to submit inventories of their state-owned land and unused or underused properties and report on their efforts to reduce red tape and accelerate housing development.

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I dont want a 10-year study or strongly worded letter, Sherrill said. Thats why were putting these deadlines in  to be the state that moves most aggressively and most quickly in ideas for building out the housing we need.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
A special guest joined New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill in Trenton Monday morning as she signed an executive order to build affordable housing.

Jeopardy champion Jamie Ding was wearing his "day job" hat as he stood alongside the Governor.

Ding works for the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, which helps first-time homebuyers.

This new order would give agencies 60 days to speed up housing production and highlight actions which state government can take to cut red tape, build housing on state land, and to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers.

Ding, by the way, is back on "Jeopardy" Monday night to try and win his 32nd game.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday pressed the preservation group suing the White House over President Trumps ballroom project to drop the lawsuit in the wake of Saturdays shooting at the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) dinner.

In a letter posted to social media by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the DOJ pressed for the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its frivolous lawsuit against the Trump administration after Saturdays incident, which prompted the evacuation of the president and high-profile administration officials from the gala.

If your client does not dismiss the lawsuit by 9:00 AM on Monday, the government will move to dissolve the injunction and dismiss the case in light of last nights extraordinary events, the letter continues.

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Trump on Saturday, speaking to reporters after a gunman exchanged fire with law enforcement at the Washington Hilton where the WHCA hosted its annual dinner, argued the shooting spotlighted the need for a White House ballroom.

I didnt want to say this but this is why we have to have all of the attributes of what were planning at the White House. Its actually a larger room, and its much more secure, Trump told reporters.

The preservation group filed the lawsuit against the White House over Trumps ballroom project in December. The group requested an injunction to halt the project and make sure the public had a chance to weigh in.

In a letter in response to the DOJs Sunday letter, a lawyer for the preservation group said it would not drop the lawsuit.

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In late March, a federal judge paused construction on the ballroom project. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said that no statute comes close to giving the president the authority he said he had to go forward with the project, stopping construction until Congress authorized its finalization.

Leon later restricted the project to below-ground construction, pushing back on the administrations arguments that the whole project must proceed due to security reasons. A few days later, a three-judge federal appeals panel allowed construction on the ballroom to go forward into June.

The president has said the ballroom will host a military complex, stating Saturday that the facility will be drone proof and have bulletproof glass.

We need the ballroom, he continued. Thats why Secret Service, thats why the military are demanding it.

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They wanted the ballroom for 150 years for lots of different reasons but today is a little bit different because today we need levels of security that nobody has ever seen before, he added.

After Saturdays shooting, a number of Trump allies in Congress have doubled down on the presidents calls for the new ballroom. Several indicated they would file legislation in an effort to get the project across the finish line.

Im working with my team to draft legislation ensuring the White House Ballroom is completed, GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert (Co.) wrote on social media Sunday. I dont believe congressional approval is required for the project, but if itll keep activist judges on the sideline, so be it. More to come this week.

Florida Rep. Randy Fine (R), meanwhile, indicated he would introduce a bill titled the Build the Ballroom Act.

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While the lawsuits attempting to stop this privately-funded gift to the country are nonsense, last night makes it clear that we need it  and we need it now, he wrote on social media. I look forward to Democrats repudiating their violent rhetoric against President Trump by cosponsoring and supporting this bill. Mr. President, build away.

In the upper chamber, Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy (R) said he would introduce a bill seeking to do the same.

It is an embarrassment to the strongest nation on earth that we cannot host gatherings in our nations capital, including ones attended by our President, without the threat of violence and attempted assassinations, Sheehy wrote on the social platform X, calling the ballroom proposal common sense.

Updated at 3:41 p.m. EDT

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Posted on Jul 29, 2015 in Front Page Features, War College

Harry Truman and the Atomic Bombing of Japan

Editoras Note: 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of V-J Day (Victory Over Japan Day) in the United States on September 2, the date of Japanas formal surrender. Other former Allied nations, Britain for example, recognize V-J Day on August 15, the date Emperor Hirohito announced his empireas intention to surrender, and some countries refer to it as aV-P Daya (Victory in the Pacific). However, whatever date it is recognized and regardless of what it is called, it represents the final end of historyas most destructive war. Yet, despite the euphoria and sense of relief that swept through the populations of the Allied countries in the immediate wake of this final victory over the Axis powers, the manner in which the end of World War II was brought about has been a matter of controversy in the decades after the waras end.

A A A A A A A A A A A This article examines the fateful decision by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to employ atomic weapons to prompt Japanas leaders to finally admit defeat and to surrender to the Allies. It places Trumanas decision within the political and military context of the time in which it was made, reveals the public pressures he was under to end the war as quickly as possible, and evaluates the various criticisms that have been raised over his decision to authorize the atomic bombings.

TO STOP THE KILLING

According to the book, A Gathering Darkness, by Haruo Tohmatsu and H. P. Willmott, during the war of aggression Imperial Japan waged in Manchuria and China between 1931 and 1945 Japanese military forces killed over 12 million Chinese civilians. Additional Chinese civilian deaths due to displacement, starvation and disease caused by the Japanese war may raise this grim total to 17-22 million. These horrific figures represent only Chinese civilian deaths and exclude the nearly two million Chinese soldiers killed in combat. In one particularly brutal six-week orgy of violence alone a the infamous 1937 Rape of Nanking a Japanese soldiers murdered, perhaps, 300,000 Chinese men, women and children. As the bookas authors note, ascenes of mass murder, torture, rape and pillage a were a the hallmarks of Japanese Army operations in China.a

Yet, the only way to stop the killing was to force Japanas leadership to finally admit that the war was irretrievably lost and to surrender to the Allied powers.

TRUMANaS DILEMMA

In August 1945, the responsibility for forcing Japanese leaders to admit defeat and to surrender rested squarely on the shoulders of the Allied leader whose soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen had borne a and continued to bear  the principal burden of waging the Pacific War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Yet, as historian Michael D. Pearlman has perceptively revealed in his ground-breaking article, aHiroshima Reconsidereda in the March 2009 issue of Armchair General magazine, Truman faced a serious dilemma. In the U.S. capitol that fateful summer, American public opinion was squeezing the United Statesa political and military leaders between two contradictory demands: adamantly insisting upon forcing Japanas unconditional surrender while simultaneously, and with increasing impatience after Nazi Germany surrendered in May, crying out for Americaas massive military force to begin demobilization.

In public opinion polling at the time 84 percent supported the U.S. fighting until it had acompletely beaten [the enemy] on the Japanese homeland.a Yet, despite this sanguine view regarding fighting on to completely beat Japan, 72 percent of those polled wanted partial demobilization beginning virtually the day Germany surrendered in May 1945 (the rest wanted something greater than apartiala demobilization). Pearlman explained Trumanas dilemma: aThe Greatest Generation had blood in its eyes where Japan was concerned; yet, it maddeningly was just as adamant about abringing the boys homea a now.a

Such was the strategic setting on August 6, when science stepped in to provide Truman what the U.S. assistant secretary of war called aa bolt out of heavena a a technological means of solving his dilemma. The B-29 bomber Enola Gay took off from the Marianas that day and dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Japanese newspapers, self-righteously ignoring their own countryas years of atrocities in China and Asia, said it aignored basic human principles.a

On August 9, the B-29 Bockas Car dropped a second atomic bomb, this time on the city of Nagasaki, and the next day the U.S. warned Japanese leaders of aa rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth.a The Imperial Japanese Army, still ready to fight (not having suffered the massive devastation inflicted on Japanas navy and air forces), had 2.5 million soldiers under arms in Japan. Its senior leaders had pleaded for the chance to afind life in death,a promising, aIf we are prepared to sacrifice 20,000,000 Japanese lives in a special [kamikaze] effort, victory shall be ours.a Emperor Hirohito, however, came to a different conclusion, as revealed on August 15 in the first public announcement he ever made: aThe enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization,a meaning his Japanese subjects. The announcement meant Japan had agreed to surrender.

The formal surrender ceremony was held September 2, 1945, on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay where Japanese officials signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers) and Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (representing the United States). The killing had been stopped.

However, in the decades following the end of the war, some historians and commentators have preferred to direct their moral outrage at Truman, whose fateful decision in August 1945 to use atomic weapons finally put a stop to Japanese atrocities. Seventy years later, the debate over Trumanas decision shows little sign of letting up.

POINT-COUNTERPOINT: THE DEBATE OVER THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS

Critics of Trumanas decision usually cite similar reasons they think should have swayed him against using the weapons. The bombs should not have been dropped, they argue, because:

1. Japan had already lost the war. Indeed, by any reasonable criteria, Japan had clearly been beaten by August 1945. But this argument totally misses the point. Trumanas problem that summer was not how to defeat the Japanese; it was how to get Japanas leaders to acknowledge that defeat and surrender instead of committing national suicide. Only after suffering the shock of two atom bombings did Emperor Hirohito accept the Potsdam Declaration (the Allied ultimatum of July 26 that demanded Japan surrender immediately aor suffer prompt and utter destructiona) and agree to capitulate (although he never once mentioned the word asurrendera in his radio address announcing this decision). In fact, the atomic bombings provided the Emperor with the very leverage necessary to overcome the fanatical opposition by die-hard military members of his cabinet. In this regard, one member of Hirohitoas cabinet called the bombs agifts from the gods.a

2. Japan was trying to surrender. Japan had more than ample opportunities to surrender at any time during the summer of 1945, but stubbornly chose not to. The Potsdam Declaration, for example, was met only by stony silence on Japanas part. Even after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima A on August 6, 1945, Japanese leaders callously chose not to take advantage of the opportunity to surrender at any time during the three days that elapsed between the first and second bombings. The principal evidence critics repeatedly cite that Japan was actively trying to surrender is an ambiguous message transmitted by Foreign Minister Togo to the Japanese ambassador to the Soviet Union. Since it only stated that the Emperor adesires from his heart that [the war] may be quickly terminated,a it hardly represented a serious effort to surrender. Moreover, Japanas military leaders unrealistically would only agree to atermination of hostilitiesa under conditions that were totally unacceptable to the Allies, including: no Allied occupation of Japan; disarmament of its military forces under Japanese supervision; and no Allied trials of Japanese war criminals. Other apeace feelersa were floated unofficially by individual Japanese diplomats during 1945, but, like the one to the Soviets, they were all violently opposed by the cabinetas military fanatics bent on national suicide. When, after the atomic bombings, the Japanese finally decided to surrender, they had no difficulty immediately transmitting that desire to the United States through the Swiss embassy.

3. There were other means at hand, short of an invasion, to force Japan to capitulate. U.S. Navy leaders, anxious to promote their serviceas contribution to the defeat of Japan, wanted to forego using the atomic bombs and continue the naval blockade of the home islands until the Japanese finally surrendered. How long that would have taken is unknown, but certainly it would have required many more weeks, if not months, to produce a surrender. Likewise, U.S. air commanders, eager to establish their own service as the awar winner,a wanted their strategic conventional bombing campaign to be continued indefinitely until it finally forced Japan to surrender. Meanwhile, thousands of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines were dying each month from combat and military accidents (almost 4,000 died in July 1945 alone) merely to maintain the blockade and prosecute the conventional bombing campaign. Trumanas objective was to end the war as soon as possible, something that neither blockade nor conventional air attack could have achieved.A The final straw grasped at by the aother meansa proponents is their claim that the Soviet declaration of war on Japan and its massive offensive (begun August 9) a 1.5 million Red Army troops took part a against Japanese forces in Manchuria would have forced a surrender. Although Stalinas declaration of war shocked Japanese leaders, they were still debating how many months not days Japan might hold out in their cabinet discussions in the immediate wake of the Russian attack. While the atomic bombings combined with the Soviet offensive certainly produced a dual shock that influenced Japanas leaders to surrender, the Russian attack alone could not have forced an expeditious, early decision. While it seems certain that the combination of these anon-invasiona actions a naval blockade, strategic bombing and Soviet attack a would have eventually forced Japan to surrender, none of them could have ended the war, as the atomic bombs did, in August 1945.

4. The bombs were only meant to intimidate the Soviet Union. Some Cold War historians, engrossed in the geopolitical maneuverings and Machiavellian intrigue of the 50-year confrontation between the superpowers, have claimed that Trumanas principal motivation in dropping the atomic bombs was to impress or even intimidate the U.S.S.R. This theory emanates from a dual premise: first, it presumes that the bombings were not necessary to secure Japanas surrender; and, second, it endows Truman with a prescient insight through which he somehow predicted the coming half-century long Cold War and the confrontational nature of future relations with the Soviet Union. Neither the historical record of the deliberations over the use of the bombs nor Trumanas dealings with Stalin at the time support this theory. Despite his frustrations regarding Stalinas behavior during the Potsdam Conference (July 1945), Truman remained hopeful in August 1945 that the U.S. and the Soviet Union would be able to cooperate in the post-war world. Historian J. Samuel Walker, in his insightful and influential book, Prompt & Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan, lays out the definitive case against this theory, pointing out that, although the Presidentas influential Secretary of State, James Byrnes expressed ahope that the bomb would provide diplomatic benefits by making the Soviets more tractable,a Truman merely saw this as a bonus.A Walker concluded, aGrowing differences with the Soviet Union were a factor in the thinking of American officials about the bomb but were not the main reason that they rushed to drop it on Japan.a Above all, this theory is based primarily upon perfect hindsight, not upon the knowledge and conditions that existed at the time Truman made his decision. aTrumanas foremost consideration in using the bomb,a Walker noted, awas not to frustrate Soviet ambitionsait was to end the war at the earliest possible time.a

5. The estimates of U.S. casualties resulting from an invasion are inflated. This is, perhaps, the most outrageous criticism of all, since it is promulgated upon the argument that not enough American troops would have died in an invasion of Japan to ajustifya the bombings. Since Truman, in the years following the war, used what now seem (arguably) to be exaggerated U.S. casualty estimates to subsequently justify his atomic bomb decision, critics have used these figures as a basis to attack the bombings. Certainly, Trumanas oft-quoted figure that the bombings avoided 1,000,000 American combat deaths that would have resulted from an invasion of Japan seem difficult to justify (a common rebuttal figure claims that aonlya about 46,000 invading U.S. troops would have been killed). Yet, reducing the debate over the use of the atomic bombs to, essentially, a squabble over potential abody counta numbers obscures any real analysis of all the other major issues that influenced Trumanas decision. In one way, this anumbers gamea is somewhat analogous to the strategy employed by the lawyer representing the woman who sued McDonaldas because she spilled hot coffee on herself. Once her lawyer had reduced the court case to an argument over how hot the coffee was, he had it won. Similarly, critics who can show that Trumanas casualty numbers are demonstrably imprecise, attempt to turn that aGotcha!a into aproofa that the bombs were unnecessary. Not even Trumanas critics dispute the fact that the bombings saved substantial numbers of American and Japanese lives; but the question their criticism logically leads to becomes, aHow many dead Americans (and Japanese for that matter) would it take to make Trumanas critics feel better about his atomic bomb decision?a The only sensible answer to that question seems to be the one provided in an editorial in the Washington Post (February 10, 1995) by Yale Universityas James R. Van de Velde who wrote, aDid the bombs save lives? Absolutely yes a the two atomic bombs helped hasten this terrible waras end a period. And that was unambiguously good.a Continuing to criticize Trumanas decision by impugning the estimated casualty figures is simply quibbling over athe temperature of the coffeea and represents merely a ared herringa in the atomic bomb debate.

6. The second atomic bombing was totally unnecessary.A The final major criticism of Trumanas decision claims that the dropping of the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9 was totally unnecessary and represented an act of American vengeance motivated by racism and hatred of the Japanese people. The purveyors of this criticism, however, ignore the actual situation that existed within Hirohitoas wartime cabinet in the wake of the Hiroshima bombing. Walker wrote that, even after the extent of the destruction of the first bombing was realized, Japanas Supreme Council for the Direction of the War could not reach a consensus on surrender and awere hopelessly deadlocked.a The fanatical militarists in the council continued to hold out for a bloody campaign of national suicide and had adismissed the reality that the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima was an atomic explosive and that the United States had more weapons of equal power.a It took the dropping of the second atomic bomb to ademolish the argument of the die-hardsa and provide the cabinetas surrender proponents with the ammunition they needed to finally convince the Emperor to intervene. While it is undeniable that most Americans in 1945 harbored a visceral hated of the Japanese people and it is also true that, as John Dower showed in his excellent book, War Without Mercy, racism on both sides made the Pacific war particularly brutal, neither hatred nor racism was Trumanas primary motivation in his authorization of the Nagasaki bombing. Indeed, even more than the first atomic bombing, it was the second bomb that proved to be most necessary to influence Japanas surrender decision.

LEGACY OF THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS

The criticisms and second-guessing of Trumanas decision that have come up over the decades since the war ended were never present in 1945 and the immediate aftermath of the war. In Gallup polls taken in the fall of 1945, for example, 85 percent endorsed the atomic attacks while the percentage of those opposed to their use was less than 5 percent. Nearly one-quarter of respondents in one of the polls even wished that the U.S. had dropped amany morea atomic bombs on Japan before it surrendered. The sentiment expressed by one Marine preparing for the bloody invasion of Japan likely represents a common feeling of relief among American troops when they got the word: aThank God for the Atom Bomb!a he wrote.

The tenor of moral outrage that taints much of the criticism seems more a product of the Cold Waras anti-nuclear movement than any supposed qualms held by the Greatest Generation. Likewise, recent criticsa overriding concern over safeguarding the lives of enemy civilians smacks more of idealistic latea20th century hand-wringing than realistic mid-century warfighting between nations waging total war. As Walker rightly points out, aIn the summer of 1945, the Truman administration was not looking for ways to avoid using the bomb. It was seeking ways to end the war.a Moreover, if unnecessary civilian deaths a the 130,000 to 250,000 who died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki a have provoked the criticsa outrage, where is their anger over the 12 million slaughtered Chinese innocents? One legacy of the atomic bombings, however, may be laced with historical irony a subsequent generations of Japanese have been able to use their status as the initial avictimsa of atomic warfare as a moral fig leaf behind which to hide their nations war crimes against the conquered peoples of Asia.

Click here to see an article on how V-J Day was celebrated around the world in 1945.

Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, HISTORYNET Editor at Large.
A Kaukauna teacher has been placed on leave after a post circulated from his X account about the April 25 White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.

The post, from an account named @looper1973, said the poster was "not impressed with recent presidential assassins" and said the shooters of President Abraham Lincoln, President John F. Kennedy and others "must all be spinning in their graves." It also said "MAGAA (make Americans great assassins again)." The X account has since been deleted. The account is believed to have belonged to Patrick Meyer, a social studies teacher at Kaukauna High School. According to state records, he has taught in the district for over 20 years.

Far-right social media personality Libs of TikTok reposted on X screenshots posted by @OzAndyTime, which claims to be based in Vietnam. One of the screenshots is from the @looper1973 X account, while the other appears to be a screenshot from the top of Meyer's LinkedIn page. Screenshots have also been widely posted on other social media platforms.

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Kaukauna school leadership said in an emailed statement that Meyer had been placed on administrative leave and that the district is taking "additional action to review the matter."

"The Kaukauna Area School District is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, families, and staff, and unequivocally rejects any conduct, expression, or behavior that may encourage, condone, or promote violence in any form," the statement said.

The post has been widely circulated on social media, including local Facebook groups. Many of the posts included responses calling for Meyer's firing and condemned him for the post, but he did have defenders, including some who said they were former students of his.

Several legislators have also commented on the incident, including state Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers, who represents Kaukauna in the state Assembly. "Come on, Kaukauna. You are better than this," he posted on social media, along with the screenshots.

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State Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, whose district is south of Kaukauna, shared the image from Libs of TikTok and said, "I wouldn't want him teaching my children."

U.S. Rep Tony Wied also weighed in on social media, saying, "This type of disgusting rhetoric has no place in our society and does not represent our values in #WI08. It is not the example that our teachers should be setting for Northeast Wisconsin students."

The Post-Crescent has reached out to Meyer for comment.

Meyer isn't the only one facing scrutiny over a social media post relating to the shooting. Progressive activist and brewery owner Kirk Bangstad posted April 25 that "a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship" after the shooting. The Wisconsin Democratic Party, as well as several Democratic candidates for governor, condemned the post.

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Rebecca Loroff is an education reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. Contact her at rloroff@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Kaukauna teacher Patrick Meyer on leave over 'assassins' post
The Kentucky Derby Festival is adjusting the hours and policies of its waterfront venue after fights the weekend of April 25 and a chance for inclement weather April 27 sparked safety concerns, according to a news release.

Kroger's Fest-a-Ville, which includes Festival Plaza and the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park, will now be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Derby Eve, and the entrance gate will close at 9 p.m. The venue will close at 6:30 p.m. and the entrance gate at 5:30 p.m. April 27 due to inclement weather.

Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone who is 21 years of age or older. Under the new policy, each adult can only chaperone three minors, which is down from six when the policy was first introduced in April 2025.

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Safety is always the Kentucky Derby Festivals top priority, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Matt Gibson said. Closing an hour earlier will help us stay ahead of any issues and keep Fest-a-Ville the family-friendly venue that fans expect and can enjoy.

Adults will also be required to present valid identification  including a driver's license, non-driver ID card, passport, visa or military ID  at the gate before entering the venue. Chaperones are required to remain at Fest-a-Ville and cannot drop off minors.

Anyone who violates or attempts to bypass the entrance will have committed a criminal trespassing offense which is subject to prosecution.  Any and all misbehaving minors and their associated parties will be asked to leave the venue, the news release states.

The Kentucky Derby Festival will continue to enforce the citys mask ordinance, which prohibits face coverings that conceal a persons identity in public.

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The new policy comes after Louisville Metro Police responded to multiple reports of fighting near Fest-a-Ville during the weekend of April 25. LMPD spokesperson Matt Sanders said two teenagers who were fighting were taken into custody, charged and later released to their guardians.

The next night, three minors and 20-year-old Elijah Cummings were arrested in connection with fights near the base of the Big Four Bridge, Sanders said. Cummings was charged with menacing, terroristic threatening, tampering with physical evidence, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, fleeing or evading police and disorderly conduct, according to online court records.

The three minors are facing a variety of charges including assault (police officer), criminal trespassing, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, wanton endangerment, fleeing, disorderly conduct and possession of a firearm by a minor, Sanders said.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KDF changes Kroger's Fest-a-Ville minor policy, hours of operation
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov have unveiled a memorial in Pyongyang for North Koreans who have died fighting in the Ukraine war.

Military jets flew overhead and white balloons were released into the air as Kim and Belousov unveiled a statue and opened a memorial museum.

It is not known how many North Korean soldiers are fighting against Ukraine, but South Korean intelligence estimates that at least 15,000 have been sent to help Russia recapture parts of western Kursk.

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Seoul also estimates that about 2,000 North Koreans have died in the conflict - neither Pyongyang nor Russia have provided any official numbers.

In return for providing soliders, it is believed North Korea has received food, money and technical help from Moscow.

The opening of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations on Sunday coincided with what Russia described as the first anniversary of its recovery of parts of Kursk.

Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in Kursk in August 2024. Russia said it regained full control of the region a year later.

Kim assured Belousov that North Korea "will as ever fully support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests", according to state media.

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Russia will "surely win a victory in the just sacred war", Kim said.

Military jets flew overhead and white balloons were released into the air [KCNA via Reuters]

Belousov said he discussed long-term military co-operation with North Korean officials, according to Russian news agencies.

Aside from Belousov, Kim also met with the speaker of Russia's parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

During a meeting on the sidelines of China's military parade in Beijing last September, where both leaders came as guests, Putin thanked Kim for supporting Russia's war.

"Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically," Putin told Kim.

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In June 2024, Putin and Kim signed a deal pledging that Russia and North Korea will help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country. At the time, Kim hailed the treaty as the "strongest ever".

Apart from soldiers, North Korea also promised to send thousands of workers to help rebuild Kursk.
North Carolina lawmakers are trying to fix a budgeting error that short-changed the DMV, our partners at the Charlotte Observer reported.

Two years ago, state lawmakers allowed the DMV to charge fees to cover the cost of processing debit and credit cards, assuming it would generate $24 million a year.

However, it generated only $13 million.

The General Assembly wants to use money from the State Highway Fund, which is typically used to maintain roads.

The Senate is set to discuss the changes on Tuesday.
NEED TO KNOW

A collision between two trains at the East Bekasi Station in Indonesia on April 27 has killed at least four people and injured more than 30

Authorities said a long-distance train struck the rear car of a commuter train

Police said the crash is currently being investigated

Officials in Indonesia said a collision between two trains near the capital of Jakarta left at least four dead and over 30 injured.

The incident occurred late Monday, April 27, at the East Bekasi Station, railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) said in a translated social media post.

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Currently, KAI is focusing efforts on the evacuation of passengers and crew, as well as victim handling with safety top priority. We also continue to coordinate with stakeholders in the field, the company said.

Rescuers work at the site where a passenger train locomotive pierced through the rear carriage of a commuter train at Bekasi Timur Station in Bekasi, West Java, on April 28, 2026

Credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP via Getty

The company added, KAI conveyed its apologies for this incident."

Officials said a long-distance train struck the rear car of a commuter train that stopped at the station, The Associated Press reported, adding that the car was designated for women only.

A KAI spokesperson said that four people were killed and 38 people were taken for medical treatment, according to reports from Reuters, Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Agence France Press (AFP).

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The spokesperson added that all 240 people from the long-distance train were safely evacuated, AFP reported.

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.

"KAI expresses its deepest condolences and condolences to the victims and their bereaved families," the spokesperson said, BBC reported.

Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, a deputy speaker of the Indonesian parliament, told reporters at the collision site, "It is possible that the number of victims could continue to rise, but let us hope that the evacuation can be completed quickly, Reuters reported.

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First responders were seen attempting to free people from the wreck, the outlets reported.

Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri said authorities were investigating the cause of the crash, according to the AP.

PEOPLE contacted KAI and the Indonesian National Police on Monday, but did not receive an immediate reply.

A train crash in the West Java province in 2024 killed four people and injured two dozen, ABC reported.

Read the original article on People
At least 42 people have been killed and 10 injured in fighting between rival ethnic groups in eastern Chad in a conflict that began as a dispute over a water well, officials say.

The conflict in Wadi Fira province, initially between two families, is said to have escalated into a cycle of reprisal attacks that spread over a wide area, with villages burned down.

Chadian authorities said on Sunday that a delegation led by deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat had been sent to the area and the situation had been brought under control.

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Deadly communal clashes are common in the central African nation, with a long-running pattern of disputes between farmers and herders, as well as ethnic tensions.

The clashes are often triggered by competition over water and grazing land.

The arrival of refugees fleeing the civil war in neighbouring Sudan in recent months has further raised tensions over resources and security.

On Sunday, the deputy prime minister said the government was taking all necessary measures to prevent the conflict in Sudan from destabilising the border area.

Communal clashes in Chad have led to the death of hundreds of people in recent years, including 33 killed in November over a disputed well in Dibebe, in the south-west.

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According to the International Crisis Group think-tank, 1,000 people were killed and 2,000 injured in about 100 clashes between 2021 and 2024.

Rights Group Amnesty International last year said it had documented seven episodes of herder-farmer violence between 2022 and 2024, resulting in 98 deaths.

It said the clashes were driven by climate change and other issues, and that despite the recurring violence, authorities had failed to adequately protect the population.

Amnesty said responses by security forces were often delayed and perpetrators were not being held to account "fuelling a sense of impunity and marginalisation within communities".

More about Chad from the BBC:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts
N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP)  Clashes between two families over access to water have killed at least 42 people in eastern Chad, the government says, as resources are stretched in a region where hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring Sudan have poured in.

Chad's deputy prime minister, Limane Mahamat, said another 10 people were wounded in Saturday's clashes in Igote village in Wadi Fira province near the border.

The situation is under control after the army intervened, Mahamat said Sunday, adding that a mediation process in the village had begun, as well as judicial proceedings to determine criminal responsibility.

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Such clashes over resources are common in the Central African country. Last year, clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad left 42 people dead and homes burned.

Mahamat said the government will take all necessary measures to prevent a destabilization of the border area.

In February, Chad closed the border with Sudan until further notice, calling it an attempt to limit the spread of that country's war into its territory after multiple crossings by fighters with warring Sudanese factions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah's rockets and drones were a key threat demanding military action, as Israel's army expanded strikes on Lebanon where authorities reported four dead on Monday despite a ceasefire.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said direct talks with Israel sought to end the Israel-Hezbollah war and that those who dragged Lebanon into it were the ones committing "treason" -- a jab at the Iran-backed group, which claimed several attacks on Israeli targets in south Lebanon on Monday.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem called direct talks between the two countries a "sin", while Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned the group's rejection of negotiations would bring catastrophic consequences for Lebanon.

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Israeli and Lebanese representatives met twice in Washington this month, the first such meetings in decades, for discussions that Hezbollah has categorically rejected.

After the first talks, US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17, and a three-week extension after the second round.

Netanyahu said in a statement that "there are still two central threats from Hezbollah: the 122mm rockets and the drones. This demands a combination of operational and technological activity."

Israel's army said it struck more than 20 Hezbollah "infrastructure sites" in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and the country's south on Monday, including weapons storage facilities and rocket launch sites.

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Under the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".

- 'Grave sin' -

Lebanese state media reported Israeli airstrikes in multiple locations in south Lebanon, including around a dozen sites in the evening.

The health ministry said Israeli strikes on the south killed four people on Monday, including a woman, and wounded 51 others.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 40 people in Lebanon since the truce began, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.

Hezbollah said its fighters launched several attacks on Israeli troops, including on an army bulldozer that it said was demolishing homes in the border town of Bint Jbeil.

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Aoun said in a statement that "my goal is to reach an end to the state of war with Israel, similar to the armistice agreement" of 1949, signed after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

"I assure you that I will not accept reaching a humiliating agreement," said Aoun.

Earlier, Hezbollah's chief sharply criticised the government, branding direct negotiations with Israel a "grave sin".

"We categorically reject direct negotiations with Israel, and those in power should know that their actions will not benefit Lebanon or themselves," Qassem said in a statement.

He urged authorities to "back down from their grave sin that is putting Lebanon in a spiral of instability".

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The government "cannot continue while it is neglecting Lebanon's rights, giving up land, and confronting" those resisting Israel, he said.

"We will not give up our weapons... and the Israeli enemy will not remain on a single inch of our occupied land."

Israeli troops who invaded south Lebanon after the war erupted on March 2 are operating inside an Israeli-announced "yellow line" -- a ribbon of Lebanese territory around 10 kilometres (six miles) deep along the border, where Lebanese have been warned not to return.

- 'Consensus' -

Aoun said that "what we are doing is not treason. Rather, treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests".

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Aoun has faced intense criticism from Hezbollah and its supporters.

They say his push for direct talks with Israel lacks consensus among Lebanon's communities -- the latest point of contention after the government decided to disarm the group last year and outlawed its military activities in March.

"Some want to hold us accountable over the decision to go to negotiations on the grounds that there is no national consensus" over the talks, Aoun said.

"My question to them is: when you went to war, did you first obtain national consensus?"

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by firing rockets towards Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Katz said Qassem was "playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon".

lar-lk-ris/lg/jfx
SACRAMENTO  Xavier Becerra has surged to the front of Californias wide-open governors race since Eric Swalwells exit  and straight into a barrage of attacks from progressives and rival Democrats.

After months on the sidelines, the former Health and Human Services secretary is now facing blowback from activists who prefer the fiery populist rhetoric of Tom Steyer, a billionaire vowing to raise taxes on the rich, or Katie Porter, the former lawmaker known for her whiteboard takedowns of corporate CEOs.

Leaders on the partys left flank view Becerra as a middle-of-the-road Democrat aligned with entrenched interests wary of a progressive likely to clash with Silicon Valley or the Chamber of Commerce, and theyre rushing to blunt his momentum ahead of the June 2 top-two primary.

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Democratic leadership likes a governor that is open for business with corporations, said Amar Shergill, a former chair of the California Democratic Partys progressive caucus, who is turning his attention to torching Becerra, dismissing him as a go-along Democrat.

To undercut his chief selling point  three decades in public service  his detractors on the left are surfacing complaints from his 24 years in Congress and his time as state attorney general and Biden Cabinet secretary.

Theyre circulating old clips questioning Becerras handling of the influx of unaccompanied migrant children as Health secretary, spotlighting campaign contributions from companies like Chevron and hammering his opposition to a union-backed billionaire tax. Theyre also questioning his support for single-payer healthcare, a litmus test for Democrats.

The flurry of criticism underscores how unsettled the race remains just days before ballots begin landing in voters mailboxes  as opponents scramble to define Becerra before his late gains harden into a commanding lead.

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Becerra previously received little scrutiny in the contest, despite launching his campaign more than a year ago. He was polling in the mid-single-digits, below the top tier of Democratic contenders, and the field remained frozen as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla weighed runs. That changed almost overnight after Swalwell ended his campaign and resigned from Congress amid sexual assault allegations, upending the contest. Now, Becerras tied with Steyer near the front of the Democratic pack in recent surveys.

Its not surprising that the other candidates are coming after him given that they look at him as poised to be the frontrunner, said Michael Bustamante, an adviser to Becerras campaign. I can assure you that there is no one on the stage that has gone through a vetting process like Xavier Becerra has.

Becerra has repeatedly said he supports a publicly run health system. But Shergill and a host of influencers on the left, including progressive news sites, have faulted him for not endorsing such a bill  now stalled  in the California Legislature and argue he didnt further the cause as HHS secretary.

Theyre leveling similar critiques on climate, accusing him of punting efforts to sue oil companies during his time as attorney general. RL Miller, a progressive activist who leads Climate Hawks Vote, said Becerra never did anything groundbreaking on the environment.

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She added, He would do the bare minimum and put out press releases.



Steyers campaign is playing to that progressive angst as it increasingly targets Becerras record. Anthony York, Steyers spokesperson, argued that a super PAC running TV ads against Steyer is backed by some of the same corporate interests, including oil companies, that have supported Becerra.

Hes clearly not a progressive, and theres a lot of progressives that want to make sure people know it, York said.

Among the Steyer backers amplifying criticisms of Becerra are progressive state lawmakers Isaac Bryan and Alex Lee, who chairs the Legislatures Progressive Caucus. Bryan pointed to Becerra taking a $39,200 maximum contribution from Chevron soon after launching his campaign.

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That rubs some folks  thats what people are noticing, Bryan said. Progressives in Sacramento have lined up pretty clearly.

Bustamante dismissed attacks on Becerras progressive credentials, noting he sued the Trump administration 122 times as attorney general  including lawsuits to defend Californias liberal policies on vehicle emissions, clean water, workers rights and the Affordable Care Act.

That is a progressive agenda, that is a progressive approach, Bustamante said. This isnt something that hes thinking about, this is something that hes done.

Becerras rise has been palpable. Recent polls show him picking up a significant portion of Swalwells former supporters, and his campaign is circulating videos showing packed, energized crowds at events in the Bay Area and Central Valley.

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Still, he faces significant hurdles given his late rush. His campaign had about $500,000 cash on hand at the end of the most recent fundraising period, while Steyer has poured more than $120 million of his own wealth into the campaign  a torrent with no sign of slowing.

Attacks on Becerra are also increasingly coming from his rivals in the race, even those arguably running to his right. Matt Mahan, a tech-friendly centrist candidate, said Thursday during an interview in San Francisco that the establishment in Sacramento is rallying behind [Becerra], precisely because he won't rock the boat.

Mahan added, Becerra does not threaten the status quo in Sacramento, which is precisely the problem.

Steyer, meanwhile, launched a blistering TV ad over the weekend criticizing the former health secretary's handling of a crisis at the border early in his tenure . Becerra sought to more quickly place unaccompanied migrant children with sponsors amid concerns about them languishing in crowded federal detention facilities, but his agency later lost contact with 85,000 of those children, some of whom were trafficked for their labor, according to a New York Times investigation.

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Xavier Becerra, if you lose children, youre not fit to lead California, the ad says .

Porter, speaking to reporters after a recent candidate debate, also said the episode was an example of Becerras failures at HHS  arguing he had "basically said its not my job to take care of these kids.

Bustamante said that criticism was unfair, saying Becerra had inherited a child migrant crisis created by the first Trump administration. The campaign also launched a webpage over the weekend, featuring video clips designed to debunk the attack.

He did the best he could, and, frankly, was able to prevail getting these kids processed and moved out, Bustamante said.
(NewsNation)  Iran is offering to open the Strait of Hormuz, but not end its nuclear program, in a proposal that is unlikely to win the backing of President Donald Trump.

Multiple outlets are reporting the proposal would include the U.S. ending its blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for opening the vital throughway that has left oil prices stubbornly elevated globally.

Consumer gas prices have retreated from their peaks in the U.S., but jet fuel prices are adding as much as 20% to flight tickets.

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Trump late last week canceled plans for his envoys to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, for talks, saying Iranian diplomats were welcome to call him or visit the U.S. for talks.

World leaders react to WHCA dinner shooting

White House responds to Iran comments

Irans foreign minister stated that the U.S. has not achieved any of its goals and that is why the country is negotiating.

The United States met or surpassed all of our military objectives in Operation Epic Fury: Irans Navy is at the bottom of the ocean, their missile industry is destroyed, the United States achieved total air dominance over Iran, and their military is annihilated  eliminating Irans ability to arm terrorist proxies in the region. As the President has said, this was the last, best time to strike, and  thanks to our heroic warfighters  the Operation was a tremendous success. President Trump took decisive action to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon to threaten the United States or our assets and allies in the region, and the Americans are already safer for it, said White House assistant press secretary Olivia Wales

US ship intercepts merchant vessel

Central Command released a photow showing a U.S. ship interecepting a merchant vessel in the Arabian sea.

Presidents red lines remain on Iran: Leavitt

Iran has reportedly proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and leaving discussions of its nuclear program until later.

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White House Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president has been meeting with his team regarding the proposal but reiterated that Trumps red lines on Iran have been made clear.

Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Bahrain revokes citizenship over sympathy for Iran

The kingdoms interior minister said in a statement that Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people over sympathy with Irans actions and collaboration with foreign entities.

Rubio rejects Strait of Hormuz offer

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Fox News that he was rejecting a purported offer from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under certain conditions.

What they mean by opening the straits is, yes, the straits are open, as long as you coordinate with Iran, get our permission, or well blow you up and you pay us, Rubio said.

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He rejected the idea, stating that those are international waterways and it cannot be left to the Iranians to decide who can transit the strait or charge money for it.

Putin meets with Iranian foreign minister

Putin affirmed Russias strategic relationship with Iran, calling the people of Iran courageous and heroic.

And, of course, I very much hope that, drawing upon this courage and this aspiration for independence, the Iranian people, under the leadership of their new leader, will successfully navigate this difficult period of trials, and that peace will prevail, Putin said.

Araghchi also affirmed the relationship between the two countries.

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As you also noted, the world now realized Irans true power in confronting the greatest the United States army, and saw and became clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a stable, resilient, and with high power, that relies on its own people, he said.

Germanys leader questions US strategy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday the U.S. was being humiliated by the situation in Iran.

An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards, Merz said to a group of students on Monday.

Merz added Iran was obviously negotiating very skillfully and clearly stronger than one thought, Reuters reported.

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At the moment, I dont see what exit strategy the Americans are choosing, Merz said.

Iranian foreign minister in Russia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to coordinate post-war plans, according to comments on a state news program.

It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now, Araghchi said.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Posted on Apr 23, 2015 in Carlo D'Este

Jim Gavins War  Part 2

Above: Men of the 82nd Airborne Division make a practice jump in North Africa. National Archives.

James Maurice Gavinas life and military career were spectacular American success stories. He was one of the waras most decorated and highly respected heroes. In Sicily he commanded the first U.S. Army combat parachute operation, made more combat jumps than any American general of the war, and fought in virtually all of the major battles in the Mediterranean and Northwest Europe theaters of World War II: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, Nijmegen, and the Battle of the Bulge. The capstone of his great exploits was to accept the surrender of an entire 150,000-man German army group in April 1945.

Throughout the war Gavin carried an M-1 rifle and except for the two silver stars on his collar and helmet, could have, and often did, pass for an ordinary soldier. As the youngest division commander since Custer in the Civil War, Gavin was anything but ordinary. He has been aptly described as magnetic, handsome, dynamic, literate, and ambitious, all qualities which would serve him well.

He was one of the first graduates of the airborne school at Fort Benning and became a pioneer of airborne warfare. Gavin made so many parachute jumps, some of them experimental, that he earned the nickname aJumpina Jim.a

Born in Brooklyn on March 22, 1907 of uncertain parentage, he was placed in a Catholic orphanage until 1909 when he was adopted by Martin and Mary Gavin of Mount Carmel, a mining community in the hardscrabble coalfields of northern Pennsylvania.

By the age of ten he was delivering newspapers and later worked in a barbershop, as a clerk in a shoe store, and as the manager of a small oil company in order to help his family make ends meet. Faced with the prospect of having to follow his adoptive father into the coalmines, Gavin, much like another poor young man from Abilene, Kansas named Dwight Eisenhower, yearned for a better future for himself. His fascination with the outside world was fueled by stories told by the local coal miners, and he began to read about the Civil War and envisioned himself commanding soldiers in battle.

Possessed of a boundless intellectual curiosity, Gavin devoured every book Mount Carmel had to offer. His inspirations were the great commanders of history: Napoleon, Caesar, Alexander, Lee and Stonewall Jackson. He wanted to be like them. Little did young Gavin know that one day he would carve out his own unique place in the annals of American military history and become a legendary commander in his own right.

On his seventeenth birthday he ran away from home to New York City in no small part due to the harsh treatment he received from his alcoholic foster mother. Although underage, Gavin managed to enlist in the U.S. Amy and was posted to a field artillery unit in Panama.

Despite being educated only up to the eighth grade, Gavinas passion for reading and learning, combined with his initiative and enthusiasm, soon caught the eye of his first sergeant, who not only made him his assistant but saw to it that he was promoted to corporal at a time during the interwar years when promotions were extremely slow.

In 1924, Gavin passed the exams for West Point and was admitted the following year. The military academy was a challenge for under-educated cadey Gavin who arose in the early morning hours each day to study by the light of dawn in the bathroom. His diligence paid off with graduation in 1929 and a commission in the Infantry.

By the summer of 1941, with war clouds looming, Gavin was among the first to undertake airborne training at Fort Benning. He was singled out for greater responsibility and wrote the first manual to address the employment of airborne troops. In August 1942 he was already a full colonel commanding the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR).

A tough taskmaster and ahands-ona commander, Gavin told his officers that they were always the first to jump out of an airplane and the very last in the chow line, a practice that has continued in airborne units to this day. The regiment he personally led and trained became one of the finest ever produced by the Army. The 505th embodied Gavin. aGod, they were tough!a recalled one 82nd Airborne staffer. aEvery man a clone of the CO, Gavin, not just in the field, but twenty-four hours a day.a

On September 9, 1943, Lt. Gen. Mark Clarkas Fifth Army invaded Salerno and was immediately in serious trouble when the beachhead became tenuously held and the invasion force in desperate need of reinforcements. Clark called for airborne support and Gavinas regiment was one of several units of the 82nd called upon to parachute into the beachhead.

In his memoir, On To Berlin, Gavin describes how a tired and begrimed young P-38 pilot who had flown from the Salerno beachhead landed in Licata on September 13 with an urgent message from Clark for the 82d Division commanderas eyes only. The beachhead, Clark wrote to Maj. Gen. Matthew Ridgway, needed immediate help from the 82d to plug a dangerous gap that had opened in the Sele River sector of VI Corps around Paestum, where the Germans threatened not only a counterattack but also of splitting the tenuously held Salerno beachhead in two.

The situation was so serious that Clark contemplated evacuating VI Corps from their beachhead and re-landing them in the British sector. Had this decision actually been carried out the results would more than likely have been catastrophic. Instead, Clark pinned his hopes on an airborne rescue.

Col. Reuben H. Tuckeras 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was to parachute that night into the beachhead to reinforce the beleaguered 36th Infantry Division. So hasty were the final preparations that the briefing for the troop carrier pilots took place by athe light of a few flashlights and maps held against the side of a plane.a

In the wake of the disastrous airborne landings in Sicily in July, no one knew if the 82d could pull off another night airborne drop without similar results. This time, however, the airborne drop of the 504th went off without a hitch. The arrival of airborne reinforcements was just in time to repel a German attempt to crush the 36th Division that was launched the following day.

Gavin and the 505th made a second successful emergency night drop at Paestum on September 14. The risky but successful airborne drop not only helped save Salerno but also proved that airborne operations, even at night, were still viable after the fiasco in Sicily had called their future use into question.

After Sicily, there had been consideration by Eisenhower of calling off future employment of airborne troops. Salerno not only provided the impetus for future operations but also ensured that Jim Gavin would play a role as the war shifted to Europe.
BOSTON The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced the activation of the Vineyard Wind contracts, saying they will ensure stable, affordable prices for 20 years and save Massachusetts customers a projected $1.4 billion on electricity bills over the next 20 years.

Vineyard Wind is a key part of our all-of-the-above strategy to lowering energy prices, said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release. Throughout one of the coldest winters in recent history, Vineyard Wind turbines powered our homes and businesses at a low price and now that price goes even lower with the activation of these contracts. Especially as President Trump is taking energy sources off the table and increasing prices with his war in Iran, we should be leaning into more American-made wind power to lower costs, create jobs, and make our country more energy independent. Massachusetts is uniquely positioned to lead on this and deliver major savings to our residents.

The last shipment of turbine blades for the $4.5 billion Vineyard Wind 1 projects completion headed out of New Bedford to the site south of Martha's Vineyard in mid-March.

Offshore wind is a homegrown Massachusetts industry, and were going to keep supporting these important projects, said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Vineyard Wind shows us whats possible: lower prices, more jobs, and reliable power when we need it the most.

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Craig Gilvarg, Vineyard Wind spokesperson, said, The activation of Vineyard Wind 1s power purchase agreements marks an important milestone for Massachusetts electricity customers and the New England grid. The project is delivering reliable energy at stable, affordable prices and is projected to save ratepayers billions in the decades ahead. At a moment when the region needs it most, Vineyard Wind is adding significant new energy and strengthening the long-term security of the New England grid.

Vineyard Wind 'lowered electricity prices' over the winter

This past winter, Vineyard Wind lowered electricity prices by competing in wholesale electricity markets, consistently offering lower prices than other sources of electricity, according to the release

The April 27 activation of the utilities contracts on behalf of Massachusetts customers further lowers the price of electricity generated by Vineyard Wind, according to the release. These contracts are expected to provide customers in Massachusetts an average of 1.4 cents/kWh in direct bill savings  at a price thats less than half of peak pricing experienced this winter. The project has created nearly 4,000 jobs, and delivered $1.94 billion in total economic output. It will reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 325,000 cars off the road annually or burning more than 3.7 million barrels of oil.

Offshore wind is a critical energy resource in the Northeast and is uniquely positioned to meet the New England regions winter peak demand for electricity, according to the release. Offshore wind has its highest output in the coldest winter months when the New England grid is most constrained. A recent report from Acadia Center found that, during the week-long deep freeze earlier this year, wind generation peaked, hitting near-record performance levels. The report said that offshore wind would have saved New England ratepayers at least $400 million in utility bill costs during the winter of 2024/2025, lowering energy market prices by 11% and insulating ratepayers from expensive, volatile natural gas markets, according to the release.

Last turbines headed out of New Bedford in mid-March

The 806-megawatt Vineyard Wind project is located 14 miles south of Marthas Vineyard. It has been producing power since January 2024, and its construction began in late 2022.

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The last shipment of turbine blades for the $4.5 billion Vineyard Wind 1 projects completion headed out of New Bedford to the site south of Martha's Vineyard in mid-March.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Healey announces activation of Vineyard Wind contracts
[Source]

A majority of Americans now say the promise of upward mobility is harder to achieve than it was for their parents, according to a new Times/YouGov poll. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said success is less attainable today, reflecting growing concern over economic stability and opportunity. The findings show a widening gap between belief in the American Dream and confidence in its reality.

Belief in the ideal outpaces belief in outcomes

The survey of 1,821 U.S. adults, conducted ahead of the countrys 250th anniversary, found that 61% still believe in the American Dream as a system where hard work leads to advancement, while only 38% said that outcome is achievable for all Americans, with nearly half saying it does not apply broadly across the population.

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Current conditions draw lower marks than those associated with the past, with 38% describing life in the U.S. today as good or excellent, compared with 60% who gave the same rating to 1976 when asked to assess it retrospectively. More than half still identify the U.S. as offering better chances for success than most other countries, indicating that perceptions of global opportunity remain relatively strong even as confidence in domestic mobility narrows.

Trending on NextShark: Majority of Americans say the American Dream is slipping out of reach, new poll finds

Financial pressure, generational outlook drive pessimism

Concerns about savings, bills and health care costs appear across the responses, with 73%, 61% and 59% respectively pointing to ongoing financial pressure tied to recurring expenses rather than isolated setbacks. Those conditions shape whether households can maintain stability or move beyond it.

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Reduced confidence in getting ahead follows from those pressures, with respondents linking diminished opportunity to rising costs and limited financial flexibility rather than changes in effort or ambition. The responses describe a path where sustaining financial footing becomes as significant as achieving upward movement.

Trending on NextShark: Palantir manifesto declares some cultures 'harmful' as lawmakers demand answers on surveillance tools

Nearly half said children growing up today will be worse off than their parents, reversing a long-standing expectation that each generation will surpass the last in living standards. The result records a shift in outlook on future mobility while belief in advancement through effort remains present in the same responses.

Shifting global perceptions mirror domestic skepticism

Reports from Chinese students and professionals show a similar reassessment of life in the U.S., driven by rising living costs, immigration uncertainty and personal safety concerns.

Trending on NextShark: The Devil Wears Prada 2 boycott calls grow over ching chong-linked character

Some who studied or worked in the U.S. described daily conditions that undercut earlier expectations. Yuner Jiang, a graduate student at Columbia University, told the Wall Street Journal that high living expenses and harassment on public transit as factors shaping her decision to consider returning to China, saying the income-to-price ratio is definitely much better at home. Others pointed to visa restrictions and policy shifts that made long-term plans in the U.S. less predictable.

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Movement back to China has gained renewed attention alongside tighter immigration enforcement and visa uncertainty under President Donald Trump, with students and early-career professionals weighing the risk of losing legal status or facing reentry restrictions. Chinese graduates and workers described shifting calculations around long-term stability, citing policy changes, scrutiny in academic and research settings and limits on work authorization as factors shaping whether to remain in the U.S. or return home.

This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter  a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.

Trending on NextShark: Chinas STEM push draws Asian, African students as US tightens access

Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member  your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community.

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Trending on NextShark: Lawmakers join Sikh community in marking 5 years since deadly Indianapolis FedEx shooting

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When gunfire erupted Thursday afternoon at the food court in the Mall of Louisiana, law enforcement flooded the scene with lights and sirens. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said an officer was already on patrol duty at the mall, and an East Baton Rouge Sheriffs deputy was in the parking lot when the shooting began.

Officials said the shooter had killed one person and wounded five others. Five suspects were in custody by Friday, and investigators were still searching for additional people believed to be involved.

Police also stressed that people are talking. Witnesses shared video, gave statements and helped investigators reconstruct the shootout that police say began around 1:22 p.m. Thursday after two groups got into an argument in the food court.

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If you live in one of Baton Rouges poor, Black neighborhoods, the phrase people are talking might land differently because you know that when bullets fly on your block, the response often looks very different.

The urgency of Thursdays response is understandable; the problem is that it is not evenly distributed across East Baton Rouge Parish.

In north Baton Rouge, where most residents are Black and many live below the poverty line, gunfire is a regular feature of life. People can point to corners where multiple homicides have happened. Yet many of those shootings pass with a short item on the nightly news, if they make the news at all.

Within a day, law enforcement had five suspects in custody. Many families in north Baton Rouge have been waiting years for that kind of movement in their own cases.

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That is what a tale of two Baton Rouges looks like in practice  one where shoppers are shielded and reassured, and another where residents are policed but not protected.

Mayor-President Sid Edwards praised the fact that, in this case, people were willing to come forward. That cooperation is real, and it is worth asking why it looks so different from what many families see after neighborhood shootings in Black Baton Rouge.

It is not that people in those neighborhoods do not care. It is that they have learned the costs of being labeled a snitch. When the person who shot your cousin lives three houses down, speaking up can be a death sentence.

Local law enforcement and victimadvocacy groups acknowledge this. Crime Stoppers of Greater Baton Rouge notes that fear of retribution and fear of being labeled a snitch are among the most prevalent reasons why people refrain from reporting crimes, especially when they are reporting on someone in their own community.

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And when your own experiences with law enforcement are shaped by aggressive stops, searches and excessive force, it is not obvious that calling police will make you safer.

Research shows that in communities where police disproportionately target Black residents, trust erodes and people become less likely to report crime or cooperate with investigations, even when they are victims. Studies of police violence and public trust have found that highprofile incidents of police brutality lead to sharp declines in Black residents trust in law enforcement and reductions in crime reporting, as people no longer see calling 911 as a safe or useful option.

Local numbers tell a similar story. Analysis by Together Baton Rouge found that BRPD drug enforcement disproportionately impacts poor, Black neighborhoods in Baton Rouge, with African American residents and lowincome areas bearing the brunt of arrests.

The Police Scorecard, an analysis using FBI crime figures and other federal data, gives BRPD low marks for use of force and racial equity.

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East Baton Rouge Parish joined the MacArthur Safety and Justice Challenge, a criminal justice reform effort, because of its over-reliance on incarceration for low-level offenses that concentrates punishment in the same ZIP codes that see the most violence.

By contrast, many of the people at the mall start with a different relationship to law enforcement. They are more likely to believe that if they call 911, officers will come quickly and treat them as people to be protected, not suspects to be managed.

In the days ahead, do not be shocked if there are calls to harden the Mall of Louisiana with metal detectors, bag checks and more visible security. The fact that officers were already near the mall may intensify pressure to keep an even larger permanent law-enforcement footprint there.

That is the familiar playbook. Research on shopping center security shows malls confronted with violence often respond by adding guards, cameras and stricter rules for young people.

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But those measures will not change the conditions that produced the conflict that exploded in the food court. They will not reach into the neighborhoods, on both sides of the parish, where young people navigate underfunded schools, scarce jobs and easy access to guns.

The Mall of Louisiana did not just happen to end up in Baton Rouge city limits. During the long fight over the breakaway city of St. George, Baton Rouge annexed the mall and other lucrative commercial areas into its tax base.

That matters now. When violence strikes a regional shopping destination on Bluebonnet Boulevard, leaders move quickly to restore a sense of order.

It is telling that Baton Rouge will almost certainly find money faster for new hardware at the mall than for sustained investments in youth programming, mental healthcare, violence intervention and economic opportunity in the communities that have been grieving quietly for years.

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If East Baton Rouge Parish wants to be one community instead of two, the test is not how quickly officers can surround the mall with flashing lights. It is whether a mother in north Baton Rouge gets the same urgency, attention and cooperation when her child is shot as a shopper does when bullets fly in a food court.

People are talking about the mall this week. The harder question is whether Baton Rouge leaders are willing to listen to the people who have been talking about violence  and neglect  on the other side of town for a very long time.
Just days after Council Member Chi Osse was arrested at an eviction protest in Bed-Stuy, the mayor has announced plans to combat deed theft.

The council member said that the eviction was a result of deed theft, although state officials have disputed the claim.

Here's how Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to deal with deed theft across the city after the arrest sparked nationwide attention.

What is deed theft?

Deed theft happens when someone takes the title of a home without the homeowner's knowledge and approval, according to the New York State Attorney General's Office.

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Two ways that deed theft can happen include forgery, which means fabricating a homeowner's signature, or fraud, when a homeowner signs without realizing the true meaning of what they are signing.

Statewide, AG office data showed that deed complaints have sharply increased in the last few years, from 149 in 2023 to 517 in 2025, though it's unclear how many turned out to be valid.

The issue has been a big one for Osse, who represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights.

In February, the councilmember, alongside other officials and The Peoples Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, announced a new initiative to curb the fraud.

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They called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to put temporary eviction moratoriums on NYC homes where deed theft may be happening, according to a release by the office that said Black homeowners in Brooklyn were most affected by the fraud.

Council Member Chi Osse's arrest

Osse was detained after his office said he was "defending his constituent, Carmella Charrington, from eviction after six decades in her home."

"Black displacement is happening right now in Bed-Stuy and Carmella is one of many Black homeowners battling deed theft in Brooklyn."

In video of the altercation, Osse is seen on the ground with NYPD officers on top of him. He was then handcuffed and detained at the NYPD's 79th Precinct in Bed-Stuy and was ultimately charged.

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Despite the council member calling Charrington's case deed theft, the state attorney general's office said a prior investigation had already ruled that out.

The office said that after it investigated Charrington's case last year, it was determined to be a property dispute rather than a deed theft case.

It stemmed from competitive claims from the heirs and relatives of the property's former co-owners, according to the office, who says it did not have jurisdiction to intervene in the legal dispute.

Four were arrested alongside Osse, and all were charged with obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct, according to the department.

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Osse also said that he'd be filing a misconduct report against the officers who threw him on the ground.

A new office to combat deed theft

On Friday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced plans to establish a Mayor's Office of Deed Theft Prevention.

Mamdani put Peter White, an attorney with Access Justice Brooklyn, at the helm, with the goal of expanding "strategic enforcement against deed theft, flag suspicious property filings, coordinate with law enforcement, conduct public education and outreach, promote preventative safeguards and improve data-sharing across agencies," according to a news release.

The establishment of the Office of Deed Theft Prevention marks a turning point in this citys history,Council Member Chi Osse said in the announcement.

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Im proud to have worked alongside Mayor Mamdani to create this office, and we will continue to use every lever of power to confront this crisis. For decades, deed theft has gone unchecked, an epidemic that has stolen Black homes, destabilized families, and stripped generational wealth."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Mamdani plans to combat deed theft in NYC after Chi Osse arrest
A man accused of firing shots at federal officers during a standoff at a Springfield hotel last month has pleaded guilty to charges.

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Andre Jordan II, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted murder of federal officers on Monday.

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An arrest warrant was issued for Jordan on Aug. 8 for the murder of beloved Ohio chef and father of two, Bryan Morris Jr.

As previously reported by News Center 7, the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) tracked him to the Quality Inn in Springfield on Aug.14.

According to charging documents, law enforcement announced their presence to Jordan at the hotel, who then looked out the window.

Following additional announcements, Jordan fired a shot through the window toward the pool area in the vicinity of officers and federal agents who then retreated to take cover, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Jordan then fired a round through the middle of the hotel door into the hallway where federal agents had been standing just moments prior.

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At the time he fired his weapon, there were three young children and two other adults in the hotel room with him. Surveillance video from the hotel showed the adults and children running from the room shortly before Jordan fired additional rounds.

Springfield Police Division SWAT Team then responded to the scene, and hostage negotiators got in contact with Jordan, leading to his surrender and being taken into custody.

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Jesse Crenshaw, a longtime Fayette County lawyer and legislator who broke many of Kentuckys racial barriers, died on Sunday, April 26, after a short illness, his family said. He was 79 years old.

Crenshaw grew up in Lexington, and received his undergraduate degree from Kentucky State University and a law degree from the University of Kentuckys Rosenberg College of Law with a two year break while he served in the Vietnam War. He was a long-time lecturer at Kentucky State University, and served as the first Black assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District.

In 1993, he won his first term to the Kentucky General Assembly, becoming the first Black resident of Fayette County to be elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. He served until 2014, working on numerous issues and projects, including the building of the new Eastern State Hospital.

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He worked with then-Kentucky Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, was instrumental in establishing and funding the Kentucky Legal Education Opportunity (KLEO) program to increase the number of underrepresented students in law school. He fought for many years, less successfully, to restore the voting rights of felons.

In 2020, he was inducted into the UK law schools Hall of Fame.

Jesse Crenshaw was a man of many firsts, breaking racial barriers and serving as an inspirational leader for Kentuckians, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement on Monday. A veteran, lawyer, state representative, teacher and father, Jesse made a difference in the lives of many, and his legacy will live on for generations to come. Britainy and I are praying for his family during this difficult time.

Crenshaw also had a private law practice in downtown Lexington next door to his home and was heavily involved with the local and state Democratic Party, even after he retired from the legislature.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Smith and Smith Funeral Home in Lexington.
By Erica Stapleton and Andrew Hay

SANTA FE, New Mexico, April 27 (Reuters) - Authorities in New Mexico are trying to determine how many local women and girls were abused by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein at his isolated Zorro Ranch compound.

Several individuals have said they were flown to the ranch and abused by Epstein and his associates. To date, only one - former Santa Fe massage therapist Rachel Benavidez - was known to be from New Mexico.

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New Mexico Representative Marianna Anaya, who co-sponsored the state's Truth Commission probe into Epstein, told Reuters that the group had been in contact with a number of New Mexico residents who say they were abused at the ranch.

"I can confirm that we have been reached out to by local alleged victims," Anaya told Reuters in a text message.

LOCAL WOMEN AND GIRLS

The Truth Commission is working with the New Mexico Department of Justice to help survivors who may have viable criminal cases bring charges against Epstein co-conspirators, Anaya added.

It was the first time the commission has acknowledged contact with local people who say they were abused at the ranch during the quarter-century Epstein owned the property.

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The state reopened its investigation into alleged child sex trafficking at the ranch in February, citing the U.S. Department of Justice's release of millions of files on Epstein. They included an email from a person claiming to be a former ranch employee who alleged Epstein buried the bodies of two girls in hills outside the property.

Epstein and his associates are accused of grooming local teenage girls at his New York and Palm Beach residences, according to court testimony from criminal trials.

Maria Jose Rodriguez Cadiz, who heads Solace Sexual Assault Services in Santa Fe, the only such support center in the region, told Reuters in an interview that in 2019, the year Epstein was arrested and then found dead in a jail cell, around 45 people approached the center to seek information, therapy and other services in relation to alleged sexual abuse at the ranch.

She estimated that between a quarter and a half of those contacts were from women who said they had been abused at the ranch - although she added that the center did not keep detailed records.

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Dozens of people who were in need of information or direct services related to the Epstein-ring sex trafficking crimes were coming forward, Rodriguez Cadiz said.

She attributed the increased contacts in 2019 to news of Epstein's arrest as well as the increased visibility of the #MeToo movement against powerful perpetrators of sexual abuse.

She said none of the women who approached the center in 2019 filed police complaints at that time. The center is co-housed with the Santa Fe Police Department Special Victims Unit.

Nationally, about 24% of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to police in 2024, the most recent year for which full data exists, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

(Reporting by Erica Stapleton and Andrew Hay in Santa Fe, New Mexico ; Editing by Donna Bryson and Suzanne Goldenberg)
MEXICO CITY, April 27 (Reuters) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday her government told the United States, via a diplomatic note, that the unauthorized presence of U.S. officials at an anti-narcotics operation in northern Chihuahua state should not be repeated.

Two U.S. officials and two Mexican officials were killed in a car crash on April 19 after the operation. The presence of the U.S. officials rekindled U.S.-Mexico tensions over security cooperation.

The fallout prompted Chihuahua's prosecutor, Cesar Jauregui, to resign late on Monday, saying he had provided an inconsistent account of events.

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Sheinbaum has said the federal government was not aware the U.S. officials, identified by sources as CIA officers, had been involved in the operation.

"What we told (the U.S.) was that the federal government didn't know about the involvement of these people (in the operation) and we hope that it's an exception," Sheinbaum said in her daily morning press conference.

Mexico requested that "our constitution and national security law should be followed," Sheinbaum said, adding the U.S. had indicated its agreement.

The presence of U.S. personnel in anti-cartel operations is a deeply sensitive matter in Mexico. Sheinbaum has long maintained that she welcomes intelligence sharing and security cooperation but will not accept U.S. agents or forces participating in operations on Mexican territory.

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In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for greater use of U.S. military force to combat Mexican cartels, and has threatened that the U.S. could go it alone if Washington feels Mexico isn't doing enough.

CONFLICTING INFORMATION

On Saturday, Mexico's security cabinet said in a statement that the U.S. officials lacked formal accreditation to participate in security activities in Mexico and that one of them had entered the country as a tourist.

The day after the crash, Jauregui had said the U.S. officials did not take part in the lab raid, but instead were later picked up by Mexican personnel involved in the operation at a separate location. They were being driven to the state capital when the accident occurred, Jauregui said.

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However, Jauregui said on Monday he had provided conflicting information, although he did not offer specifics about which details had been incorrect.

"Regarding the events that have come to light around the presence of individuals who identified themselves as alleged foreign officials, the information we initially had - and which I shared with the public - was inconsistent," he said in a statement issued by the Chihuahua Attorney General's office, and which Jauregui read out at a press conference.

"There were omissions both in the information and in the institutional handling of points of contact with those individuals." He added he hoped his resignation would allow authorities to "restore public trust."

(Reporting by Raul Cortes, additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Daina Beth Solomon; writing by Kylie Madry; editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Neil Fullick)
Miami County voters asked to approve county-wide sales tax to construct new jail

Voters in Miami County have a decision to make in the next week, deciding whether or not to approve a sales tax increase to pay for a new county jail.

News Center 7 spoke to voters and election officials on Monday afternoon about how the proposal on the ballot is impacting turnout.

I like to get it done early, and that way I dont have to worry about it on election day, said Vicki Mullen of Troy.

This is my first time early voting, said Amy Cost of Troy. I didnt even know how to do it, early voting, but it was easy. I just walked in, filled out the ballot, and I was done.

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News Center 7 asked voters what issues were most important to them and what brought them to the polls in Troy.

The jail issue for sure, Cost said.

I want to see about the jail and vote on that, Mullen said.

Every voter in Miami County will see a sales tax increase of a half percent if it is approved, and that extra money will go towards the construction of a new jail.

Currently, the sheriffs office operates two jail facilities that are located downtown, which opened in the early 1970s, and the other is on North County Road 25A.

If there are enough yes votes on the tax increase, citizens would see renovations to the County Road 25A facility and connect it to a brand new jail that would be built on that site.

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The current jail that is downtown would close.

Miami County Board of Elections officials told News Center 7 that they expect the countywide sales tax issue to lead to higher-than-normal turnouts for a gubernatorial primary.

I think its important for everybody to vote, to cast their feelings and how they feel about whats going on in their county, Mullen said.

There are expanded early in-person voting hours at your county Board of Elections Office between now and Sunday, and that is for the last week leading up to Election Day.

Here is Ohios full early in-person voting schedule.

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Misty Noel, the ex-wife of former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, was released early from prison April 27, according to the Indiana Statewide Automated Victim Information & Notification system.

According to previous reporting, Misty Noel was sentenced to 18 months of prison and four and a half years of probation in July 2025 after accepting an agreement to plead guilty to multiple counts of felony theft and tax evasion. The plea deal also required her to pay $29,547 to the Indiana Department of Revenue and around $660,800 to New Chapel EMS.

Noel was released early from the Madison Correctional Facility April 27, online records show.

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Indiana State Police detectives began investigating criminal allegations at the Clark County Sheriff's Office, where Jamey Noel served as sheriff from 2015 to 2022. During the investigation, detectives found credit card statements that allegedly showed Misty and Kasey Noel, the sheriff's daughter, used a business credit card for personal purchases.

Jamey Noel was sentenced to 12 years in prison and three years of probation in October 2024 after pleading guilty to corrupt business influence, theft, tax evasion and official misconduct. Kasey Noel was sentenced to nine months in custody and 51 months of probation for theft and tax evasion charges.

This story may update.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Misty Noel released early from Indiana correctional facility
Posted on Jun 5, 2015 in War College

Napoleon vs. Wellington

Napoleon was the habitual attacker while Wellington was the consummate defender. Napoleon believed in bold and rapid offensive. He often began his battles holding back a heavy reserve and waiting for the enemy to make a mistake or reveal a weak position. His battle plan was offensive movement supported by massive firepower. Napoleon possessed a keen sense of timing for his breakthrough attackaartillery reserve moved to within 400 yards of the enemy in support of advancing infantry columns. Cavalry charges accompanied the infantry assault which forced the enemy infantry to form into squares.

Wellingtonas preference for defense arose in the Peninsular War where until 1813 his forces were always outnumbered.A He attacked only when odds were absolutely in his favor. He discovered in the unforgiving crucible of battle that a disciplined, professional infantry, like the British athin red line,a made massed column assaults self-destructive. Although Napoleon faced many enemies, Wellington learned to fight one enemy well.

Wellington placed his troops in areverse slopea positions where a low ridge protected them from the worst effects of the lethal artillery fire that habitually preceded the French armyas initial advance. Wellington always tried to conceal his positions, not only for protection, but also for tactical surprise.A At Waterloo, he added further protection to his defensive line by fortified outposts such as Hougoumont and with strong supporting artillery batteries. Wellington skillfully brought to bear the maximum firepower of his forces while they held the tactical advantage of fighting from defensive positions.

Napoleonas offensive tactics, in his last battles, rendered the encounters into brutal slugfests. Preferring to strike his enemy hard with minimal tactical maneuver, Napoleon relentlessly pressed his infantry forward in repeated, direct charges targeting a vulnerable spotaat which he also concentrated his artillery fireato forge the decisive breakthrough and win the day.

After the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington said, aNever did I see such a pounding match. Both were what the boxers call gluttons. Napoleon did not maneuver at all. He just moved forward in the old style, and was driven off in the old style.a

Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, HISTORYNET Editor at Large
Passengers of a Delta flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Portland were part of a special night as a woman on board went into labor in the air Friday.

The airline confirmed a passenger on flight 478 started to have contractions while still in the air on the way to Oregon. She gave birth 30 minutes before the flight made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport around 10 p.m., the airline said.

"We extend our sincere thanks to the crew and medical volunteers on board who stepped in to provide care to a customer onboard prior to landing in Portland," Delta Air Lines spokesperson Sabrina Cole told local outlets. "The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority, and we wish the family all the best."

Medical personnel step in to help

Paramedics Tina Fritz and Kaarin Powell were traveling home when a call went out over the intercom for medical professionals aboard Delta flight 478, Fritz said in a Facebook post about the incident.

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According to photos posted by Powell, the duo was vacationing in the Dominican Republic before returning home to Oregon and connected through Atlanta.

Fritz said she and Powell were assisting another passenger when the staff approached them and asked if they could help a women with contractions. Fritz said the contractions were already three minutes apart, and that somehow she and Powell were the most qualified on the plane to delivery a baby.

"I asked for an OB kit, which they did not have. I asked for blankets, which they did not have. So I was like, okay, we need to get blankets from passengers. I need some shoestrings. So the flight attendant took his shoestring out, cut it for us," Fritz told KOIN in an interview. "(The mother)'s like I gotta push, I gotta push. And within three really good pushes, the baby was out and doing perfect."

In the post, Fritz said the baby girl weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces and was 18.5 inches long and healthy.

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"And the cutest thing ever," she wrote.

"It was a once in a lifetime experience," Fritz told KOIN.

Can you fly while pregnant?

According to Delta's policies, there are no restrictions for flying while pregnant on the airline. Pregnant passengers do not need to carry a medical certificate or note from their doctor to fly Delta.

However, it is recommended to consult with a medical professional before deciding to fly.

Flying anytime before 36 weeks is generally considered safe, according to the Mayo Clinic, as long as your pregnancy doesn't have additional complications like anemia, high blood pressure, diabetes or twins, among other conditions.

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Medical professionals may warn against flying past 36 weeks in the pregnancy, and some airlines may require documentation from a doctor to fly while pregnant. Doctors are worried about blood clots and radiation, both of which can be more intense and severe while on an airplane, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It's important to check these requirements while planning your trip, and plan to use the plane seatbelt, drink lots of water, avoid gassy foods and drinks before flying and plan for any emergency obstetric care if needed on your trip.

Irene Wright covers Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Todays Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman gives birth with 30 minutes left in Atlanta flight to Portland
MS NOW hosts called out "disturbing" conspiracy theories spread by left-wing commentators claiming that the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting was a "false flag."

"One thing that Im disturbed by as we woke up this morning is seeing folks on the internet say that this was a false flag, that we are basically all in cahoots to do, to say that this was staged," MS NOW host Eugene Daniels said on "The Weekend."

He continued, "And I think as someone who, for all of us who was in the room, who had to jump on the ground, who had to text our family and friends and tell them that we were okay, calling our moms like so many people in this country have done for decades, to see people say those kinds of things,, it is frustrating, and its disturbing, and it shows that the issues that we have to try and fix in this country,"

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White House Correspondents Dinner Shooting Suspect Idd, Fbi Secures His California Home

Shots were heard at the White House Correspondents' Dinner Saturday night. (Reuters)

Daniels, the former White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) president, spoke about shots being fired at the annual media event which featured President Donald Trump for the first time in both of his presidential terms. Before the event began, Trump, first lady Melania Trump and several administration officials were ushered out, bringing the dinner to an abrupt halt.

As the details of the event came in, some far-left commentators, including Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, floated the idea that the shooting was pre-planned.

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"[S]hooting at the whcd and all these cultists INSTANTLY start talking about trumps ballroom," Piker wrote on X.

"Trump is just lah-dee-dah fine after another alleged assassination attempt & he demands: 'LET THE SHOW GO ON'. The SHOW?" former MSNBC host Katie Phang wrote on BlueSky.

"In the simplest terms...If you believe that BS last night...If you accept that utterly ridiculous story and ignore the 27 wild and incomprehensible inconsistencies...You are stupid, stupid, STUPID," author Don Winslow wrote.

Trump Praised For 'Strength' In Moments After Shots Rang Out As Eyewitness Describes 'Terrible' Scene

US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump attended the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026.

Daniels denied the shooting was faked and emphasized the importance of journalists who were working to keep the public informed on updating details.

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Fellow MS NOW host Jonathan Capehart claimed that most "false flag" claims usually came from the "MAGA world" but remarked that he was seeing more conspiracy theories on the shooting from left-wing social media accounts.

Ex-nypd Inspector Warns Social Media Likely Helped Political Violence Metastasize Into Whcd Scare

"Im hearing that from my social media pages, from people on the left, also thinking that this was staged, that this was a false flag, that this was something being done on purpose. And hearing you speak, Eugene, if its coming from the right and its coming from the left, these conspiracy theories, it says to me that there feels to be a lack of trust in this country," Capehart said.

MS NOW hosts Eugene Daniels and Jonathan Capehart called out conspiracy theorists claiming that WHCD shooting was fake.

Fox News Digital reached out to the WHCA and White House for comment.

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Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Allen, of Torrance, Calif., adding that he prepared a manifesto outlining his intent and shared anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media. Senior federal law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News that he intended to target Trump administration officials at the event.





Original article source: MS NOW hosts call out 'disturbing' left-wing theories that WHCD shooting was a 'false flag'
WASHINGTON (AP)  Preservationists are pressing ahead with their lawsuit against President Donald Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom, declining a request by the Department of Justice to withdraw the complaint following the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday.

Trump and other conservatives have made a renewed push for the ballroom in the wake of Saturday's media dinner shooting, arguing it exposed the difficulties in ensuring presidential security at large events outside the White House grounds, and urging the National Trust for Historic Preservation to drop its lawsuit.

Top Justice officials said the government would ask a court to dismiss the lawsuit in light of last nights extraordinary events" if the Trust did not voluntarily drop it.

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Trust attorney Gregory Craig declined that request, writing to the Justice Department that the legal issues at the heart of the lawsuit are unchanged.

What Saturdays awful event does not change is that the Constitution and multiple federal statutes require Congress to authorize construction of a ballroom on White House grounds, and that Congress has not done so," Craig wrote.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The preservation group sued in December, a week after the White House finished demolishing the East Wing to make way for a ballroom that Trump said would fit 999 people. Trump says the project is funded by private donations, although public money is paying for a below-ground bunker and security upgrades.

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In its lawsuit, the Trust argued that Trump had overstepped his authority by moving forward with the project without first getting approval from key federal agencies and Congress.

A federal appeals court has allowed Trump to continue the project, ruling a day after a lower court judge continued to block above-ground construction on the site and scheduling a June 5 hearing to review the case.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
Former Irish President Mary Robinson has had a front-row seat to historic change -- and senses another turning point coming at a fossil fuel phaseout meeting in Colombia.

She casts the Santa Marta conference as a rare opportunity to break the "fossil fuel mindset" -- and as the Iran war roils energy markets, it spotlights the risks of coal, oil and gas dependence, particularly for the poor she has long championed.

Speaking to AFP on Monday in Santa Marta ahead of the high-level talks on April 28-29, Robinson also described how listening to a calving glacier brought her to tears -- and crystallized the urgency of the climate fight.

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This interview with Robinson, a member of The Elders group of former heads of state founded by Nelson Mandela, has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: You were UN special climate envoy when the Paris Agreement was signed. The Santa Marta conference grew out of frustration with that UN-led process. Do those talks still serve a purpose?

A: "I do believe the COP (UN Conference of the Parties) is still very important and I hope that Santa Marta will be a complement to it and feed into the process.

"There are many other ways in which we need the COP. But we failed in Belem (at COP30) to get reference to phasing out fossil fuel because of the penetration of the fossil fuel lobbies. So that's a reality.

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"But when we planned Santa Marta we didn't know we'd be in the worst crisis of oil and gas. The timing is important. Now is the time to change the mindset -- get out of a fossil fuel mindset into a future-oriented clean energy, renewable energy.

"It's the way we have to go, it's the way we are going, but we need to go far much faster."

Q: Can this conference make a difference?

A: "There are real possibilities. We really have never had the time and space before to do it. It's not a negotiated conference -- you don't have to worry about negotiation.

"Countries have come thinking of what they are prepared do: governments, sub-national organizations, business generally, civil society, and the energy of the people summit. The dynamic is real.

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"We're on the brink of a new dynamic way forward of doers, coalitions of doers and it has to be the outcome of Santa Marta."

Q: Hundreds of millions of people rely on fossil fuels for energy. How difficult is phasing them out?

"They are the very citizens who are suffering now from this conflict, which has choked off 20 percent of oil and gas. And it's the poorest that suffer most from the rise in prices, the farmers can't get the fertilizer, etc. This is not a reliable future. I think that's a really important moment for Santa Marta."

Q: Some governments are under pressure to produce more fossil fuels to address the energy crisis. How do leaders balance energy security and climate priorities?

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A: "We are coming close to real tipping points, and the scientists have been warning us for years. But they are worried that things are accelerating.

"Not enough of the planning of governments is grounded in the science. One of the things we're calling for -- and I'm very keen on this -- is that governments should have chief planetary scientists. During COVID, lots of countries had chief medical officers, and we listened because we were scared. They had a lot of authority.

"We're in the same position. We haven't thought it through yet, but we are."

Q: The science of climate change is flashing red -- yet you seem optimistic about the future?

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A: "When you hear the science, it is scary. And we should be more scared.

"Part of it is aligning ourselves with nature. I had an experience of doing that. I was lucky enough to be on a scientific expedition in Greenland where we were told to just be on your own and listen to the glacier.

"I was listening to the sound of thunder -- which was a major calving -- and then sharp, smaller calving like rifle shots, I found myself crying. I was on my own, listening to nature and I was crying because I knew it wasn't right, I knew what we were doing, we shouldn't be doing.

"I was so grateful to that moment of really understanding that nature was talking to us and saying, stop this.

"And so it's the urgency of the science, the opportunity at the moment, and the space that is provided by Santa Marta. We must avail of it, and we must build momentum."

np/jgc
By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) - Around 60 governments, including Brazil, Germany, Canada and Nigeria, will hold the first international meeting this week to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, as the Iran war upends global oil and gas markets and sends prices soaring.

The gathering of ministers and officials in Santa Marta, Colombia, which starts on Tuesday, will focus on practical steps to shift economies away from fossil fuels, rather than setting new global targets of the kind agreed at U.N. climate summits.

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"We're not negotiating ambitions, we're not negotiating commitments. This really is about sharing how you do this," said Stientje van Veldhoven, climate minister for the Netherlands, which is co-organising the meeting with Colombia.

Governments will discuss "what kind of financial instruments, what kind of regulatory incentives, what kind of planning instruments" are needed to kickstart a phase-out, she said.

Talks will also address how to create investment conditions for industries to switch from gas to electricity, and how to reform fossil fuel subsidies.

The meeting brings together a coalition of willing nations, with the world's top two polluters - China and the U.S. - notably absent. Saudi Arabia and other major Middle Eastern oil and gas producers are also not attending.

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The Iran war has exposed many countries' heavy dependency on oil and gas imports, with Asian economies hit by fuel shortages, and European countries facing surging energy costs.

Van Veldhoven said the energy crisis had reinforced the case for phasing out oil and gas to bolster economic and energy security, not just to tackle climate change.

"This war in the Middle East has ramifications all around the world because of our dependency on fossil fuels," she said. "The less you are dependent on it, the less vulnerable you are."

The meeting also reflects frustration among some governments at slow progress in annual U.N. climate talks, where nearly 200 countries must agree decisions by consensus.

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Countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at the COP28 climate summit in 2023. But subsequent COP meetings have done little to advance that pledge, with countries including Saudi Arabia blocking recent proposals targeting fossil fuels.

Carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal, oil and gas are the main driver of climate change.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett. Editing by Mark Potter)
As North Carolina lawmakers work to finalize a state budget next week, one group of state employees said theyre desperate for change: correctional officers.

While teacher pay has dominated much of the public conversation, officers inside the states prisons say theyre struggling to keep up and struggling to keep people safe.

Kim Martin has spent more than two decades working in corrections, starting as an officer in 2000 before becoming a sergeant at Piedmont Correctional Institution in Rowan County.

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Martin said she was drawn to law enforcement because her mother worked for the sheriffs office, but the job has become harder to sustain.

ALSO READ: Undercover officer conducts investigation in Polkton prison

Martin and thousands of other corrections employees are pushing for a pay raise. Ardis Watkins, director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, said the pay gap is driving officers away.

You can leave a prison in Mecklenburg County and go work for the county detention center, same job, just in a jail instead of a prison for $20,000 more right off the bat, she said.

According to the Department of Corrections, North Carolinas starting pay for correctional officers is the second lowest in the nation and the lowest in the Southeast.

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Martin said the low pay has created a revolving door. If we get one hired, two or three leave, she said. Weve had people less than a year, lots of them, go, or they just dont show up.

The staffing shortage has forced remaining officers into mandatory overtime, leaving little time for rest or family.

They dont get time off anymore, Martin said. They dont know who their families are anymore because they are always there.

Watkins said the situation is now affecting public safety. Over the past two decades, the state has closed 15 of its 70 prisons, and more than 5,000 beds sit empty in the remaining facilities, not because they arent needed, but because there arent enough officers to staff them.

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This is not one of those jobs where if nobody shows up, you can close the door, Martin said. You have got to have people there.

Correctional officers hope the upcoming state budget will finally bring relief.
Nearly $870,000 worth of industrial drones capable of dispersing large amounts of liquid chemicals were stolen from a New Jersey company in what could become a "nightmare scenario," according to a new report.

Fifteen Ceres Air C31 drones were stolen from CAC International in Harrison, N.J., on March 24, according to The High Side Substack. The drones were allegedly stolen by a delivery driver who duped the company, the report said.

The New Jersey State Police recovered the drones on Monday, the agency said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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"On April 27th, the New Jersey State Police Cargo Theft Unit recovered 15 stolen agricultural drones and spray systems. These drones are labeled as agricultural drones due to their specified function as registered crop dusters. The theft occurred on March 24th at CAC International, a logistics and shipping company located in Harrison, NJ. The drones were recovered at Prudent Corporation located in Dover, NJ. This is an active, ongoing investigation that Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Patrol are assisting with. No additional information is available," the New Jersey State Police wrote.

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A drone is pictured flying over a residential neighborhood. (iStock)

In total, a Ceres Air C31 costs around $58,000, meaning that nearly $870,000 of equipment was allegedly stolen.

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The report said that a fraudulent bill of lading was shown when picking up the drones, and CAC International allegedly considered them legitimate.

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The drones are equipped to hold and spray up to 40 gallons of liquid chemicals, reportedly causing concern inside the U.S. government.

"This was one of the most highly sophisticated thefts [the Fbi] have seen in a long time, which is the main thing that has them so spooked," said an individual who was briefed on the situation, according to the report.

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

A drone flies in the sky during a demonstration by Chinese drone maker DJI in Montreal, Canada, on Nov. 13, 2019, showcasing an app that tracks drone registration and ownership.

Former FBI agent Steve Lazarus said the drones could be a danger to the public.

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"Even common chemicals, used improperly, can be a public safety danger. Throw in the Internet recipes for biological and chemical weapons that anyone with a Tor browser has access to, and this is a potential nightmare scenario," Lazarus said in an interview with The High Side. "These arent hobby drones with cameras. Theyre industrial sprayers designed to carry and disperse significant amounts of liquid quickly and with precision."

Like What You're Reading? Find More On The True Crime Hub

A drone flies over the ocean at dawn, capturing aerial views as the sun rises.

"The bureau is freaked out for a good reason," Lazarus said.

The U.S. Army raised concerns in a 2020 report, stating that such chemical-spraying drones could be used in attacks.

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"Such drones are readily available and could be used as a delivery system for chemical or biological attacks," said the report.

"A UAS [chemical or biological warfare] delivery platform is a definite possibility, especially for developing nations," the report said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI, Harrison Police Department, Ceres and CAC International for comment.





Original article source: Nearly $870K in chemical spraying drones stolen from NJ company in 'nightmare scenario' heist: report
President Joseph Aoun further accused Hezbollah of treason, saying, "Treason is the one who takes his country to war for external interests."

Beirut negotiating with Israel is "not treason," Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday, according to Israeli and Arab media.

According to KAN News, Aoun had made the comment as part of a direct message to the Hezbollah terrorist group, whom he himself accused of treason.

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"Treason is the one who takes his country to war for external interests," said Aoun. "My goal is to reach an end to the war with Israel in accordance with a ceasefire agreement, an agreement that stipulates that Israel will not carry out any offensive military action against Lebanese targets."

Aoun noted that he had expressed Lebanon's concerns to the US regarding the ceasefire, saying it is "the first necessary step before any negotiations that follow, and we reiterated this in the two meetings we held at the ambassadorial level.

"We made it clear that Israel will not carry out any attack against Lebanese targets, civilian or military, in any part of Lebanon," added Aoun.

This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese area of Marjeyoun shows smoke rising from the site of an Israeli strike that targeted the village of Kfar Tibnit on April 16, 2026. (credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

"Before the negotiations began, there were those who had already leveled accusations of betrayal, claiming that this was a surrender," Aoun continued. "We tell them: Wait for the negotiations to begin, and judge the results.

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"How long will the people of southern Lebanon pay the price for the wars of others on our country?" asked Aoun. "If this were a war on Lebanon, we would support it, but this is a war for the interests of others, and therefore I completely oppose it."

Hezbollah's Qassem rejects 'direct negotiations' with Israel

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that the terror group "categorically rejects direct negotiations" with Israel, according to a Monday report by the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen.

"It is the responsibility of the Lebanese government to stop direct negotiations with the Israeli enemy and return to indirect negotiations," said Qassem.

He added that direct negotiations and their outcomes "are as if they do not exist as far as we are concerned, and they do not concern us, neither closely nor distantly."

Qassem further added that Israel has "reached a dead end," and Hezbollah's "resistance is ongoing, strong, and cannot be defeated."

James Genn contributed to this report.
When it comes to Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees the militia's rockets and drones as the central problem for his country's safety.

Getting rid of those threats must involve a combination of operational and technological measures, he said on Monday at a military conference.

Only then would Israel be "on the way to disarming Hezbollah."

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The Shiite militia has repeatedly refused to disarm, but Netanyahu said Hezbollah now has only about 10% of the rockets it had at the start of the war. The pro-Iranian militia originally had an estimated arsenal of around 150,000 rockets and drones.

"The work is not yet done," the Israeli prime minister said of the Hezbollah threat to the Jewish state.

The situation continues to cause concern for residents of northern Israel, but Netanyahu sees an avenue for progress once the drone and rocket problems are solved.

"Because I believe we can solve the political side once we have solved that," he said, referring to the goal of a peaceful settlement with the Lebanese leadership.

Ceasefire remains fragile despite official agreement

An official ceasefire is in effect in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and is set to expire in just over two weeks if not renewed. On the ground, however, attacks by both sides occur almost daily.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, at a meeting with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, warned that there would be "no reality of a ceasefire in Lebanon while our forces and the villages of Galilee are simultaneously being fired upon."

Should the Lebanese leadership fail to clearly distance itself from Hezbollah, "a fire will break out and burn the cedars of Lebanon." The cedar is Lebanon's national symbol and appears on the country's flag.
The New Mexico State Land Office received 9 million acres of land from the federal government over a century ago, and is tasked with using that land to raise revenue for public schools, hospitals, colleges and other institutions.

In recent years, an oil and gas boom has meant the Land Office has received more than $2 billion a year in revenues, largely from oil and gas royalties, offsetting costs of public services that would otherwise fall on taxpayers.

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New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, a Democrat, is stepping down later this year after serving her second and final term. Three Democrats  State Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo), Jonas Moya and Juan de Jesus Sanchez III  are competing in the June 2 primary election in hopes of replacing her.

If elected, theyll be tasked with balancing the states need for revenue with environmental considerations, as well as diversifying the offices revenue streams to reduce reliance on the volatile oil and gas industry.

Theyll also be forced to contend with shifting federal priorities related to public land, including border security, domestic energy production and logging. The land commissioner will also face renewed pushes to use State Trust Land for affordable housing and carbon-free energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal.

Republican Michael Perry is running unopposed in that partys primary. Source NM asked questions of all three Democratic candidates seeking to face Perry in the general election. Their answers below are edited for clarity and concision.

Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo)

NM Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo) says his long experience as a real property attorney and conservation-focused legislator make him the best choice to become commissioner of public lands. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

New Mexico State Rep. Matthew McQueen, 58, is a property attorney who has served in the Roundhouse for the last 12 years. He said his experience leading the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where he worked with the Land Office to levy fines on bad actors in the oil and gas industry and raise royalty rates in the Permian Basin, makes him the most qualified of his primary opponents.

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I not only have way more experience than my opponents, I actually have way better experience, he said. Ive already done the work that the Land Office is doing.

Why are you running for this office?

Ever since I was a kid, Ive been concerned about the natural world and conservation. Thats what I studied when I was in school. Ive been an attorney for over 30 years, practicing in the area of real property law. My specialty is land conservation. Based on that experience, I ran for the Legislature, and my legislative work has all been on natural resource protection and energy issues. I think thats gone well, and I think I just have a ton of the right experience for the Land Office.

What would be your top priority for the office if elected?

I think Stephanie Garcia Richard has done a great job, and the Land Office is going gangbusters. We definitely need to diversify the revenue in the Land Office. Theyre taking in over $2 billion a year in revenue. They might hit $3 billion this year for the first time, but 97% of that revenue comes from oil and gas. So we need to do more with renewables, with solar, geothermal, commercial projects on appropriate parcels, and even housing projects, affordable and workforce housing, on appropriate parcels.

What is the most important aspect of the State Land Office that the public should understand?

The core mission of the Land Office is to earn money for education. A lot of people dont understand that. They hear the word land and then they think its like [Bureau of Land Management] or Forest Service or something like that, but the Land Office is given all this land by the federal government to hold in trust for the people of New Mexico, to earn money for public schools, universities and hospitals. They can do a lot, and they can balance recreational use and hunting and fishing and wildlife and all those things that we hold dear, but really, the core mission is to earn money for education.

Are you generally supportive of using the State Trust Land to reduce the states housing shortage?

Absolutely. It really comes down to the parcel. And there are parcels where thats appropriate, and partnering with developers or finding other ways to make sure that land gets used for that purpose, thats something Im really interested in. Id like every New Mexican to have the opportunity to own their own home. The Land Office can help.

Where does geothermal energy fit into your vision for the State Land Office?

New Mexico is an energy-producing state. We always have been, and I think we always will be, but in the future, we have tremendous wind, solar and geothermal potential. The Land Office just published a new geothermal rule, which allows the commissioner significant discretion to issue geothermal leases. I think that technology is less advanced than where we are on wind and solar, and if they can catch up, thats fantastic, because geothermal is a 24/7 power source. Its not wind- or sun-dependent, and that would be a really good complement to our renewable portfolio.

Given the federal governments shifting policies and protections for public land, should the Land Office take any steps to create greater protections?

They should. But then, of course, with state-controlled trust land, there are limits. In a lot of areas of New Mexico, the surface management, in particular, is checker-boarded or fragmented. And sometimes the feds want to do something that the State Land Office doesnt want to do. We dont have to cooperate on bad projects, and I think Commissioner Garcia Richard has done a really good job at resisting the federal government if theyre going down the wrong path.

Whats the biggest change you would make from the current commissioner upon taking office?

The first is diversifying the revenue of the Land Office. Thats not a criticism of Garcia Richard. She knows that, too. Its just easier said than done. You just have to stick to it. I would also, on commercial projects, like to see the Land Office take an equity position in those projects. So if theres a parcel of land thats appropriate for commercial use, instead of just auctioning it off to a developer, we can partner with that developer and include revenue to the Land Office as part of that transaction. And Id also like to reinvigorate land swaps, which are a good way to address that fragmentation, but those are complicated, labor intensive projects, and we need to build the staff at the Land Office in order to tackle all three of those things.

Jona Moya

Jonas Moya said his deep roots in Tucumcari will ensure rural New Mexicans interests are well-served at the State Land Office. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

Jonas Moya, 35, grew up on his grandmothers ranch in Tucumcari and said, if elected, he would ensure rural New Mexicos priorities are represented at the Land Office. After graduating from New Mexico State University, he served as the state director for the federal Farm Service Agency, where he oversaw about 75 employees in 22 field offices overseeing agriculture grants and programs for New Mexico farmers.

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Working on this at the federal level, with a large staff with a big budget, and actually implementing policy that was handed down to me through the Farm Bill, Ive seen how policy impacts peoples day-to-day lives, he said. And thats a unique perspective that I dont think many people that are running in this race have.

Why are you running for this office?

I would bring a unique perspective back to the Land Office about agriculture, rural economic development opportunities, as well as good land stewardship, being a rancher as well.

What would be your top priority for the office if elected?

My top priority is diversifying our state land leases and diversifying our revenue streams along that same line. I want to lean more into renewables, despite whats going on politically nationally. I think theres still a lot of opportunities for New Mexico to lean into solar, wind energy, and then continue to expand into geothermal, as well as promoting and being supportive to our ranchers who lease our land for grazing, and helping them be better land stewards.

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One big thing about my campaign is that I care about jobs, economic development and making sure were keeping New Mexicans here. Growing up in New Mexico, Ive seen my town shrink over the years. So many kids were educated in our public schools, went to our public universities, but now live outside of the state. They live in Phoenix or Denver or Dallas, just because theres not enough job opportunities to keep them here in New Mexico. I hear that story way too much.

What is the most important aspect of the State Land Office that the public should understand?

I think people kind of forget about our field offices and the people that go day-to-day, to not only inspect state lands, but also work in the background to make sure our leases and everything are executed as well as developed. What I want to bring to the picture is a little bit more of a capacity building as well as efficiency building within the State Land Office. Its well known that its a desirable place to work, and its won awards state and throughout the country. But I want to lean into that and further empower the State Land Office and empower the people that work there. If the public knew just how long sometimes these leases take to get out the door, they would be a little shocked.

Are you generally supportive of using the State Trust Land to reduce the states housing shortage? How would you approach doing so?

I think theres opportunities, from strategic land swaps to doing long-term leases, to taking it on as an investment to our portfolio. We can generate revenues from those leases with a long-term agreement with a developer. Thats how I would lean into it, and one of my top priorities is making sure that were building houses and were creating economic opportunity with our state lands. I strongly say this along the campaign trail all the time: Economic opportunity and land stewardship can be had together instead of one or the other.

Where does geothermal energy fit into your vision for the State Land Office?

The employees of the State Land Office have done a great job of mapping out pockets of thermal energy throughout the state. And I think with technology and the way that the market for thermal energy has adapted over the years that it would be a wise man to lean into that, and its a good way to also diversify revenues, create jobs and create some economic opportunities in these rural towns.

Given the federal governments shifting policies and protections for public land, should the Land Office take any steps to create greater protections?

I think we should always be aware of whats going on on the federal level. Any time theres a piece of federal lands next to ours that takes a drastic shift in how its managed, the State Land Office should definitely be reactive and come with a response that is beneficial and reflective of what New Mexicans need.

Whats the biggest change you would make from the current commissioner upon taking office?

I would prioritize hiring in rural areas, as well as prioritizing remote opportunities for folks that are living in rural communities. Ive seen firsthand how being able to advertise jobs in a small community plays a domino effect in helping a family stay there. It keeps a family in a rural town. Thats what I want to instill: Prioritizing rural jobs and making sure that all of New Mexico is represented when it comes to our decisions.

Juan de Jesus Sanchez III

Juan de Jesus Sanchez III touted his on-the-ground experience as a long-time rancher and natural resources specialist. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

Juan de Jesus Sanchez III, 34, describes himself as a 13th generation New Mexican whose family ranch near Belen relied on a State Trust Land grazing lease. He worked as a natural resources specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and at the New Mexico Acequia Commission before becoming the political director for U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico.)

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I understand our lands because Ive grazed cattle on them, Ive hunted on them. Ive recreated on them, he said. Im the candidate that brings on the ground experience to the office that wont really be making our decisions from a desk in Santa Fe looking at lines on a map and dollars on a spreadsheet. But Im someone that has been on the land, understands the land, and Ill be making my decisions based on experience on the land.

Why are you running for this office?

Ive been working the land since I could walk, essentially, and in my professional career, Ive worked to protect the land, our water and our resources in many different capacities. Its something that I care deeply about.

What would be your top priority for the office if elected?

The most important thing is making sure that we continue to fund our education system. Thats kind of the role of the land commissioner. But beyond that, I think we need to be doing that with an eye on the future. We need to make sure that were not only doing what we can to fund our education, but also making sure that our future generations have opportunities to enjoy our public lands. Its important that our children and their children have those same opportunities that we have to be able to enjoy our outdoors.

What is the most important aspect of the State Land Office that the public should understand?

That it generates billions of dollars annually, and that money goes to help pay for our public education system. I think its really important for folks to know that because of the money thats coming from the State Land Office, theres a much lower tax burden on them to help pay for education generally.

Are you generally supportive of using the State Trust Land to reduce the states housing shortage? How would you approach doing so?

I am going to be very particular on the parcels that can be used for housing. There are some that could be appropriate that are within cities that arent providing any other kind of beneficial, recreational outdoor use. But I do think that we need to be very particular whenever were thinking about housing on our state trust land, because one of the roles of the land commissioner is to make sure that we have land that our children and their children are able to enjoy in the future. Whenever youre making a decision on any kind of development, it needs to be thinking much farther in the future than five or 10 years. So, Ill be particular.

Where does geothermal energy fit into your vision for the State Land Office?

I think geothermal is a huge renewable opportunity for us to be able to help diversify our economy, allow us to have more energy being produced here in New Mexico. Well be able to diversify the economy, but also it is a renewable energy and is something thats not harmful to the environment.

Given the federal governments shifting policies and protections for public land, should the Land Office take any steps to create greater protections?

Absolutely. Were seeing attacks from the Trump administration at places like the headwaters of the Pecos, Chaco Canyon, even attempts to use land at the border. This is an opportunity for New Mexico to lead and to stand up to the Trump administration and use our plots of land that we do have in those specific areas to make sure we have long-term protection on there, and find ways that we can push back against the administration to do long term against these policies.

Whats the biggest change you would make from the current commissioner upon taking office?

I think the current land commissioner has done an amazing job with things like expanding renewable energy and continuing to get more funding from oil and gas. One of the things that I would like to focus on is access to state trust land, making sure that we can open up more access to our state trust land so people have opportunities to be able to recreate, responsibly. I think theres a real opportunity for us to try and repair some of our range lands, and that is definitely helpful in biodiversity [and] wildlife. Its also helpful in ways that you can address climate change by having our grasslands and our soils be restored to a place where they can actually absorb more carbon as well.
Posted on Jan 6, 2015 in Carlo D'Este

Some Reflections

The New Year is always a good time for me to step back and count my many blessings. I feel especially privileged to write for Armchair General and to share my occasional ramblings with a dedicated audience of knowledgeable readers.

This time last year I was grateful merely to be free of a cast on my leg and broken ankle that hobbled me for six weeks during the initial healing process. If 2014 has taught me anything, it is to be very careful where I step.

When I began a second career as a military historian and biographer nearly thirty-six years ago, that journey has taken me to places I never expected to be able to visit and to meet people Iad only read about, including Princess Margaret of Britain and Pres. Bill Clinton in the White House.

Iave also had the great privilege of meeting and getting to know some of the key players of World War II. Many of them I met while living in England during the research for my first book. Little did I know that it was perhaps the perfect time to be investigating World War II. Many of the top figures had recently died, and private papers (particularly their important diaries and letters, unpublished memoirs and recollections) were becoming more and more available to researchers like myself. Also, a number of years had passed since the end of the war, which seemed to make those men more inclined to talk freely about their experiences, and their impressions and recollections of many of the top players of the war, such as Montgomery, Eisenhower, Bradley, and others.

{default}

This is an excellent time to acknowledge what all of us in this profession have come to understand and appreciate is the lifeblood of what we do. In an age before the Internet, most on this list were contacted the old-fashioned way a by letter. What was so gratifying was that, virtually without exception, their responses were positive.

Among those who were instrumental in enlightening me were:

Air Chief Marshal Sir Harry Broadhurst (1905-1995) was a pioneer airman, fighter ace, the commander of the Desert Air Force in North Africa and the 2d Tactical Air Force in Northwest Europe. Sir Harry had a very successful postwar career both in the RAF and as the managing director of Hawker Siddeley Aviation.

Sir Harry Broadhurst was also the subject of a 2007 article on the Armchair General . Please click here to read it.

Gen. Sir Charles Leslie Richardson (1908-1994), a Royal Engineer officer, was one of Montgomeryas senior staff officers and a postwar full general, who also served on the staff of Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander during the Italian campaign. Sir Charles was an invaluable resource not only of Montgomery and Alexander but also of the North African, Sicily, Italian, and Northwest Europe campaigns.

Brigadier Sir Edgar aBilla Williams (1912-1995), Field Marshal Montgomeryas brilliant chief intelligence officer in North Africa and Northwest Europe was always affable, candid and forthcoming about his war experiences and his close relationship with Monty, and others such as Harold Macmillan.

Lt. Gen Sir Ian Jacob (1899-1993), a Royal Engineer, was the exceptionally effective Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet of Winston Churchill, a post that brought him in frequent contact with not only Churchill but also many of the other key players of the war such as Montgomery, Alanbrooke, and the U.S. and British chiefs of staff.

Sir Ianas life has been ably recounted by his friend and fellow Royal Engineer, Sir Charles Richardson, who also wrote Send For Freddie, a memoir of Montgomeryas chief of staff, Major General Sir Francis deGuingand.

Gen. Bruce C. Clarke (1901-1988), then a brigadier general, organized and led the gallant, undermanned and outgunned task force that defended St. Vith in the Bulge in what was one of the waras finest small unit actions. In the postwar years Clarke became a four-star general and the Commander in Chief of U.S. Army Europe.

Gen. J. Lawton aLightning Joea Collins (1896-1987) was one of the few U.S. Army officers who served in both the Pacific and European theaters during World War II. He commanded VII Corps during the Normandy campaign, and the campaigns that followed. After the war he held a variety of increasingly important posts, including U.S. Army Chief of Staff during the Korean War.

Gen. Isaac D. White (1901-1990) was commissioned a cavalry officer in 1922 from Norwich University, my alma mater, and during World War II served in a variety of command positions, including the 2d Armored Division. I.D. White knew Patton well and was an excellent source during my research not only of Patton but also the Sicily and Northwest Europe campaigns. In the postwar years, Gen. White was commandant of the Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, commanding general of X Corps and the Eighth Army in Korea, and the CG of the U.S. Army Pacific.

Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster (1915-2005). Iave also been privileged to have served with Gen. Andrew Goodpaster on the Eisenhower Legacy Committee that prepared an assessment of Ike for the new Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, DC. A self-effacing soldier and statesman, Gen. Goodpaster was one of the most remarkable men Iave ever met. His record of service was extraordinary and included the Distinguished Service Cross received while in command of an Engineer combat battalion in North Africa and Italy during World War II (where he was severely wounded twice), Commander in Chief of the U.S. European Command, NATO Supreme Allied Commander, and Superintendent of West Point in the wake of the notorious cheating scandal. In that role he was instrumental in restoring the reputation of the military academy.

Gen. Goodpaster also served in the White House as a staff secretary and advisor to Eisenhower for seven years during his presidency.

On several occasions during my tenure with him on the Eisenhower Legacy Committee he telephoned me to discuss Ike. At the outset he always asked me to please call him aAndy.a I had too much respect for him and simply couldnat do it. Instead, I called him aSira a it was the right thing to do.

A number of others who survived the war are not as well known but each helped me to tell their stories. Among them was Brigadier Shelford aGingera Bidwell, a veteran of the Italian campaign, and a brilliant postwar military historian who became one of my closest friends. His wise counsel was invaluable during my research not only for my Anzio book but also about all aspects of World War II and its personalities.

Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin (1907-1990). One of the finest battlefield commanders of World War II was Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin, who earned the nickname aJumpina Jima for his heroics and unflinching courage as an airborne commander in many of the waras bloodiest campaigns. Iave been blessed to have interviewed and known Jim Gavin, who excelled at everything he ever undertook, including writing.

As a rather forgettable year has now passed into history, Iam grateful to be able to give thanks for the privilege of having known and of being able to write about such exemplary men, several of whom will return in future articles.

Happy New Year!
North Korea is taking advantage of the Middle East war to speed up its weapons development and cement its nuclear status in a world where international norms have broken down, analysts say.

Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, North Korea has conducted five missile launches, including four so far in April -- the most in a single month since January 2024, according to an AFP tally.

They follow a pledge by leader Kim Jong Un to bolster nuclear forces, as Pyongyang reaps the benefits of deeper ties with Russia and sharpens its invective against US ally South Korea.

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The launches "appear to be part of a sophisticated strategy" to balance military upgrades against shifting dynamics between the United States, Russia and China, said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at the South's Kyungnam University.

"The current global security landscape has transformed into a 'lawless zone' where existing international norms no longer function," he said.

"North Korea is exploiting this vacuum... to complete its nuclear arsenal."

Pyongyang has condemned US attacks on Iran as "gangster-like", but is not thought to have supplied arms to Tehran and has notably refrained from directly criticising President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit China for a summit next month.

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There has been speculation that Trump may meet Kim around that time.

"With the summit likely to draw attention to the North Korea agenda, Pyongyang may have seized the moment to reinforce its message that it is an irreversible nuclear state," Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP.

However, it also wants to send "a continuous signal that it possesses a fundamentally different deterrent posture from Iran's".

- Nuclear options -

The flurry of missile launches began soon after the Workers' Party congress in February, a once-in-five-years event that directs state efforts.

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The timing suggests that North Korea wants to "front-load visible achievements" in its weapons capabilities, Hong said.

At that congress, Kim said North Korea's "position as a nuclear weapons state has been consolidated to be irreversible and permanent".

The launches have involved sanctioned ballistic missiles, anti-warship cruise missiles and cluster munitions.

Analysts told AFP the manoeuvres displayed certain technical advancements and growing proficiency with dual-use weapons, designed for both nuclear and conventional roles.

They included evidence of North Korea's ability to mount miniaturised nuclear warheads and conduct "saturation attacks" that overwhelm enemy interception networks with sheer quantity, Lim said.

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Pyongyang is likely to pursue "continuous" ballistic missile testing as it pivots from simple weapons development towards the "normalisation of nuclear operations", he said.

"The regime judges that while the US is tied down in the Middle East, it is the optimal time to accelerate offensive deterrence and the parallel development of nuclear and conventional forces."

- More bangs, more bucks -

The launches also show North Korea's willingness to flaunt its backing from Russia, which has given Pyongyang valuable economic and technical assistance in return for thousands of North Korean troops sent to help its invasion of Ukraine.

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"This is an attempt to demonstrate that they have a powerful ally in Russia despite pressure from the US and China, effectively rendering sanctions obsolete," Lim said.

In recent high-level exchanges, Pyongyang and Moscow have celebrated the connection of their first road bridge, the start of construction of a "friendship hospital", and the inauguration of a North Korean military memorial complex.

Russia's defence, interior, natural resources and health ministers, as well as its parliamentary speaker, the head of its trade union federation and the chief of the TASS news agency, have all visited the diplomatically isolated nation.

Pyongyang's ambassador to Moscow reportedly even discussed agricultural cooperation with the Russian-installed leader of Kherson, in occupied Ukraine.

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"North Korea is one of the few countries that would not be afraid to operate in occupied Ukraine, and both sides are making use of this," said Fyodor Tertitskiy, a Russian-born scholar at Seoul's Korea University who studies the North.

Cultural bonds have deepened too, with Russia hosting an exhibition of North Korean art glorifying the Ukraine war, and a North Korean restaurant operating in Moscow.

"There is no 'boom' or sharp increase, but there are always clients interested in this country," said Olga, the administrator of a Moscow travel agency that offers tours to North Korea for around $1,500.

But Tertitskiy said he doubted that the friendship would live long beyond the Ukraine war, saying it was "driven almost exclusively by the ongoing invasion".

"Putin needs ammunition; everything else is secondary."

mjw/cdl/aks/abs
By Joyce Lee

SEOUL, April 27 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would continue to support Russia's policies and discussed bolstering military ties with Moscow, state media KCNA reported, as analysts said such cooperation looked set to endure beyond the war in Ukraine.

A Russian delegation including Defence Minister Andrei Belousov attended a completion ceremony for a memorial honouring North Korean soldiers killed while fighting in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces staged an incursion in 2024, KCNA said on Monday.

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Russia launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022 and still occupies around a fifth of the country.

Belousov said he had agreed with North Korean officials to put military cooperation on a stable, long-term footing and to sign a cooperation plan covering the 2027 to 2031 period later this year, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday.

The five-year cooperation plan "points to preparations for the post-Ukraine war period," said Lim Eul-chul, professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University.

"This raises the possibility that their broad political, military and economic alignment is likely to continue even if the war ends, with the relationship entering the stage of an institutional alliance."

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HEAVY CASUALTIES

Kim said in a speech marking the memorial's completion that North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces had "wiped out the aggressors," adding that this had thwarted what he described as "the United States' and the West's hegemonic ambitions and military adventurism", KCNA said.

"The North Korean government would continue to fully support Russia's policies of defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests," Kim said, according to KCNA.

Russia and North Korea in 2024 signed a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" during a visit to Pyongyang by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The pact includes a mutual defence provision.

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North Korea sent an estimated 14,000 troops to fight with Russian forces in Kursk. South Korean, Ukrainian and Western officials said they suffered heavy casualties with more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers killed in the fighting.

KCNA said Kim discussed with Belousov the international and regional political situation, and a range of issues aimed at further developing military and political cooperation between North Korea and Russia.

In return for sending troops and munitions, Pyongyang has received economic and military technology assistance from Russia, according to South Korean intelligence assessments.

'STARS OF THE MOTHERLAND' CONCERT

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Kim also met with Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia's parliament and a close ally of Putin, and reaffirmed the countries' intention to deepen bilateral ties in line with their comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, KCNA said.

This was echoed in a letter from Putin to mark the memorial's completion, which said "through joint efforts, Russia and North Korea would continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership," according to KCNA.

A memorial concert called "Stars of the Motherland" was also held in honour of the fallen North Korean troops, KCNA said.

Kim has steadily moved to elevate the North Korean troops who fought for Russia in the Kursk region into symbols of sacrifice and loyalty, using state ceremonies and memorial projects to publicly honour their role.

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"The souls of the fallen will live forever with the great honour they defended," Kim said in a handwritten message at the neoclassical-style memorial building on Sunday, according to KCNA.

(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Ed Davies, Lincoln Feast and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
If you're asked to list the most powerful navies on the planet, one country that probably doesn't spring to mind is North Korea. Although North Korea has one of the largest land armies in the world, its seafaring military has never had access to the same level of resources. In fact, in terms of sheer tonnage, North Korea's navy is ranked 23rd out of the world's navies. Currently, the vast majority of the country's naval fleet consists of offshore patrol vessels; an aging fleet of craft designed to patrol the country's shoreline (although North Korea does have tactical nuclear submarines).

It now seems that the reclusive state is looking to bolster its navy, both in terms of the complexity and power of its ships. The Choe Hyon is the inaugural ship in the country's Choe Hyon-class of destroyers, although a second vessel  the Kang Kon  was launched in June 2025.

The ship took a step closer towards full operational deployment when it completed a series of missile tests in April 2026. Those tests seemed to show off some serious firepower and were aimed at validating the ship's integrated weapons command system, navigation systems, and anti-jamming systems. On board for the tests was North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demonstrating just how much importance the country's leadership places on the project.

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On paper at least, the capability on show has led some observers to suggest the ship could rival modern Western destroyers, including America's Burke-class ships. However, such claims need to be taken with at least a pinch of sea salt.

Read more: 5 Weapons That Could Actually Sink A US Aircraft Carrier

What we know about North Korea's Choe Hyon-class destroyer

Kim Jong Un on the bridge of the Choe Hyon destroyer - YouTube/DWS News

The tests carried out by the ship seem to suggest that this is a formidable ship that could indeed rival the US Navy's destroyers. During the tests, the Choe Hyon test-fired three anti-warship missiles and two cruise missiles  all of which reportedly hit their targets with unerring accuracy. This would suggest that the destroyer has a modern and integrated weapons command system.

While this capability is undoubtedly a big step-up for North Korea's Navy, is it enough to rival the Burke-class ships? In terms of sheer size, the North Korean ship is substantially smaller with a gross tonnage that's believed to be around 5,000 tons. The Burke-class ships' displacements vary between 8,230 and 9,700 tons, making them far larger.

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Both classes use missiles as their primary weapon systems, with the Burke-class ships integrating 96 vertical launch cells. For comparison, the Choe Hyon-class boasts 74 launch cells. But there's another factor to consider  several of the North Korean launch cells are large enough to carry ballistic missiles, a capability missing from the US ships.

What these tests show is that the Choe Hyon-class of destroyers and the Arleigh Burke-class seem to fulfil similar roles. However, the North Korean ship's systems seem to be more heavily weighted towards an anti-shipping role, whereas the US destroyer-class has a greater emphasis on land attack and ballistic missile defense roles.

A pinch of sea salt

North Korean destroyer the Choe Hyon test firing missiles at sea - YouTube/DWS News

It's fair to say that there are good reasons to be cautious about the ship's capabilities and how they translate into actual performance. Much of the available information about these ships comes from state media, and  let's face it  North Korean state media is unlikely to publish a groundbreaking expose that exposes any of the ship's shortcomings. For instance, claims of "ultra-precision strikes" are difficult to independently verify and offer little insight as to how such systems would function in the heat of battle.

But, and probably more importantly, modern warfare is not just about who has the most and biggest guns  just as important are the less-visible systems. Sensors, radar performance, electronic warfare capabilities and data-sharing networks all need to work cohesively to ensure that the ship can detect, track, and neutralize enemy threats. This is an area where the American ship should have a clear advantage, especially as the Arleigh Burke-class is undergoing modernization. The Aegis combat system used by these ships is a mature and tested technology that is widely considered the world's most effective combat system. This cutting-edge system is one reason that the Arleigh Burke-class is considered one of the most powerful Navy destroyers.

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Of course, it could be that the North Korean navy has created a flawless system on its first try. However, what is more likely is that these systems won't have the sophistication of Western systems like Aegis. This means that any suggestion that the Choe Hyon could rival US destroyers remains, at best, an open question.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Former President Barack Obama sparked an online firestorm over the weekend after his X post discussing the "motive" of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooter went viral.

"Although we dont yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, its incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy," Obama posted on X on Sunday evening, roughly 24 hours after President Trump and top officials were whisked out of the Washington Hilton Hotel when shots rang out from a man who stormed security during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

"Its also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that the U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. Im grateful to them  and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay."

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Obamas post has been viewed nearly 52 million times and sparked outrage from conservatives, who pointed to a manifesto left by the shooter and other details of the attack that they say show the motive was to harm Trump and his Cabinet.

Whcd Shooting Suspect Planned To Target Trump Officials, Manifesto Reveals

Former President Barack Obama is taking criticism for suggesting "we dont yet have the details about the motives" of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner alleged shooter, Cole Allen (left). (Getty Images)

"Lets not pretend to be this clueless about motive, @BarackObama," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin posted on X . "The attempted assassin put out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump Admin officials, minutes before trying to storm a ballroom filled with the President, VP, Cabinet, and many others from his Admin."

Read On The Fox News App

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Former FBI Co-Deputy Director Dan Bongino simply replied , "Are you kidding?"

"There is a manifesto, and this is why you are the problem," Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., posted on X.

"Oh come on," reacted former Department of Homeland Security press secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "There is no ambiguity. It was a politically motivated attack driven by anti-Trump and anti-Christian bile. Its wrong to downplay or obscure the obvious motive."

Journalist Emma-Jo Morris posted on X, "Its crazy how irrelevant Obama has become. Just reduced to posting bluesky-tier cope and meaningless cliches, incumbent upon all etc."

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White House Correspondents' Dinner Suspect Checked Into Hilton Hotel One Day Before The Shooting: Sources

Agents stand guard outside the Washington Hilton hotel after a shooting incident during the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump and other officials were evacuated following reports of gunfire.

The Republican National Committee commented , "You are so SICK! Law enforcement officers confirmed this radicalized Leftist was targeting President Trump and his administration last night. Why are you lying?"

Popular independent journalist Nick Shirley also joined in, urging Obama to "call it out for what it is."

"Wdym by 'although'? Its obvious what the motive was," wrote Shirley.

Heritage Foundation media fellow Tim Young took a similar line, telling the former president, "Dont pretend you dont know."

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"The details were out early this morning and it was clear he was a leftist trying to harm as many people in Trumps cabinet as possible," Young wrote.

Who Is Cole Allen? California Man Named As Suspect In White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting

Media and onlookers gather in front of a house connected to Cole Tomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, in Torrance, Calif., on April 25, 2026.

"Agreed on condemning political violence, but you know what his motives were," "Charlie Kirk Show" Executive Producer Andrew Kolvet posted on X.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

"This is a liethe gunman's manifesto was published six hours ago," political commentator Batya Ungar-Sargon posted on X. "But it's also a confessionan admission that the motive is damning to President Obama's side, hence the need to lie."

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Authorities have identified Cole Allen, a 31-year-old California resident, as the suspect who allegedly opened fire during the annual event attended by Trump and senior administration officials. Federal law enforcement officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that after Allens arrest, he said he intended to target Trump administration officials and had prepared a manifesto detailing his intent, while also sharing anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric on social media.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro told reporters at a news conference after the shooting that Allen has been charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. Pirro also said more charges are expected.

Fox News Digital reached out to Obamas office for comment.





Original article source: Obama sets internet ablaze with 'sick' reaction to the 'motive' of WHCD shooter
Ohio lawmakers react after White House Correspondents dinner shooting

Ohio lawmakers reacted to the shooting at the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The annual dinner was interrupted on April 25 when shots were fired at the Washington Hilton, according to the Associated Press.

President Donald Trump attended the dinner. He was not injured and was rushed off the stage.

The suspect has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California.

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He is accused of trying to breach a security checkpoint at the dinner while armed with multiple weapons, the AP reports.

TRENDING STORIES:

Several Ohio lawmakers have reacted to what happened at the White House Correspondents dinner on Saturday.

Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) said in a social media post that he and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine are praying for everyones safety.

As the situation in Washington at the National Correspondents Dinner unfolds, Fran and I pray for the continued safety of President and First Lady Trump, Vice President Vance, and everyone who was at the dinner and in the hotel.

As the situation in Washington at the National Correspondents Dinner unfolds, Fran and I pray for the continued safety of President and First Lady Trump, Vice President Vance, and everyone who was at the dinner and in the hotel.  Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) April 26, 2026

Ohio Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) said that the attempted violence should never have happened, and we must find a way to come together as a nation.

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The attempted violence last night at the White House Correspondents Dinner should never happen in America. Thank God for the Secret Service and all law enforcement who kept the President, Vice President, and attendees safe.

We must find a way to come together as a nation. God bless America.

The attempted violence last night at the White House Correspondents Dinner should never happen in America. Thank God for the Secret Service and all law enforcement who kept the President, Vice President, and attendees safe.



We must find a way to come together as a nation. God  Senator Jon Husted (@SenJonHusted) April 26, 2026

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) said that law enforcement deserves our unconditional support.

We are all safe. We have the best law enforcement on Earth. True heroes that deserve our unconditional support, respect, and admiration.

We are all safe. We have the best law enforcement on Earth. True heroes that deserve our unconditional support, respect, and admiration.  Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) April 26, 2026

Cincinnati Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH) praised law enforcement and said that violence of any kind is abhorrent, and should be condemned.

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Well know more in the coming days, but tonight I am thankful, as we all should be, for the quick and incredibly brave actions of law enforcement, and I am grateful that everyone is safe. Violence of any kind is abhorrent and should be universally condemned.

Well know more in the coming days, but tonight I am thankful, as we all should be, for the quick and incredibly brave actions of law enforcement, and I am grateful that everyone is safe. Violence of any kind is abhorrent and should be universally condemned.  Congressman Greg Landsman (@RepGregLandsman) April 26, 2026

Rep. Warren Davidson from Ohios 8th Congressional District called on the political violence to stop.

The political violence has to stop.

I am grateful for law enforcement and the Secret Service who acted swiftly to protect President Trump and all those in attendance at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

The political violence has to stop.



I am grateful for law enforcement and the Secret Service who acted swiftly to protect President Trump and all those in attendance at the White House Correspondents Dinner.  Rep. Warren Davidson (@Rep_Davidson) April 26, 2026

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R-OH) said that he is praying for the officer who was shot and called political violence un-American.

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Grateful that our President and the other attendees at the White House Correspondents Dinner are safe after tonights shooting. Praying for the recovery of the officer who was shot. Political violence is un-American & it needs to end.

Grateful that our President and the other attendees at the White House Correspondents Dinner are safe after tonights shooting. Praying for the recovery of the officer who was shot. Political violence is un-American & it needs to end.  Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) April 26, 2026

Amy Acton, who is running for Ohio governor in the Democratic primary, said that she is relieved that President Trump and all the guests were safe.

Eric and I are relieved to hear President Trump and the guests and staff attending the Correspondents dinner are safe. We are grateful for the swift and courageous response by Law Enforcement and first responders.

This moment challenges all of us to help heal this divide.

Eric and I are relieved to hear President Trump and the guests and staff attending the Correspondents dinner are safe. We are grateful for the swift and courageous response by Law Enforcement and first responders.



This moment challenges all of us to help heal this divide.  Dr. Amy Acton (@amyactonoh) April 26, 2026

The AP reports that Allen is expected to be in court on Monday.

News Center 7 will continue following this story.

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WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) - The District of Columbia mistakenly placed several Australian flags instead of British flags near the White House ahead of King Charles U.S. visit, although the error was quickly corrected, a D.C. Department of Transportation official said on Friday.

Charles is also the head of state for Australia, but the role is largely ceremonial.

Fifteen Australian flags were briefly included among more than 230 flags put on display to welcome the British king when he arrives in the U.S. capital on Monday.

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Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Local D.C. government workers replace the Australian flag after it was mistakenly placed around the White House in preparation of King Charles' visit. Andrew Leyden via Getty Images

They were later replaced with the British flag, the official said.

Charles state visit, to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence from British rule, is widely seen as the most high-profile trip of his reign so far.

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.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
An open seat on the North Las Vegas City Council has attracted three first-time candidates who will face off in the June 9 primary for the chance to represent their home district  Ward 1.

The candidates  Diana Ramirez, Sherry Strothers, and Esmeralda Villeda  are vying to replace term-limited North Las Vegas City Councilman Isaac Barron, who has held the seat since 2013 and served as mayor pro tem beginning in 2016.

Ward 1 is a heavily Hispanic community on the east side of the northern Las Vegas Valley, bordering the Nellis Air Force Space.

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Barron was the first Hispanic member of the North Las Vegas City Council and Southern Nevadas first Hispanic Mayor Pro Tempore. He is now running for the state Senate seat held by Sen. Edgar Flores (D-Las Vegas).

If any candidate receives more than 50% of the votes during the June 9 primary for the nonpartisan office, they will win the seat outright. If nobody reaches a majority, the top two contenders will move forward and appear on the November 3 general election ballot.

Diana Ramirez

If elected, Ramirez said her priorities would include public safety, victim advocacy, and community engagement.

Ramirez has served on the board of directors for the Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit focused on affordable housing, for more than seven years. She also serves on the City of North Las Vegas Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Culture Advisory Board. Beyond her advocacy work, Ramirez is employed as a ramp agent for Southwest Airlines.

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As of mid-April, Ramirez has raised more than $9,000 in campaign contributions. She has spent nearly $5,000 and has about $1,300 cash on hand. Her largest campaign donor was Alonso Medical Center, which donated more than $1,700.

Ramirez is a registered Democrat, adding that she is looking to collaborate on solutions with anyone regardless of political leanings.

While campaigning in North Las Vegas, Ramirez said the top priority for voters was improving public safety. Ramirez said the city could work on practical solutions to improve safety, including investing in community policing, mental health response, pedestrian safety, and youth engagement.

Solutions can start at the community level, said Ramirez. After participating in a community leadership institute hosted by NeighborWorks American Home, Ramirez said she worked with locals to develop a neighborhood improvement plan and hopes to expand that model to other neighborhoods.

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Small changes can make a big difference for public safety, said Ramirez. She pointed to the death of a 12-year-old boy who was hit by a car and killed at Eastern and Owens while walking to school in October last year. After the students death the City of North Las Vegas added crossing guards to the intersection.

The lack of safety measures at the major crossing had received complaints from parents and students for years, she said.

When theres constant complaints throughout the years that this is a dangerous intersection, we have to be proactive instead of being reactive, Ramirez said. Its incredible that a childs life was lost before we did something about it. Thats not right.

Other solutions could include mobility stations where people can wait for buses in safer areas further from the road, and rerouting heavy traffic away from school zones. Solutions also require more community engagement, said Ramirez, adding that she believes there need to be more town halls that meet people where they are.

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Ive been that person with concerns, and I felt like I wasnt understood and I wasnt heard, and there was always some excuse. No, were going to find solutions. Enough with excuses. Lets get down to the nitty gritty and get a solution to these issues, Ramirez said.

I have been a long time community leader and advocate. I love this community. Nobody knows this community or has fought for this community as hard as I have. I show up. Thats my reputation, showing up for whatever issue it is, no matter what time or day, I am there. I will continue to do that as a representative, Ramirez said.

Sherry Strothers

If elected, Strothers said her priorities would include public safety, housing affordability, and revitalization of aging neighborhoods.

Strothers works as a real estate agent in North Las Vegas. Before that she served in the Navy for 30 years. Strothers is a registered Democrat and said she was inspired to run for public office after the 2024 elections resulted in the reelection of President Donald Trump.

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As of mid-April, Strothers has raised nearly $15,000 in campaign contributions. She has spent nearly $13,000 and has about $6,500 cash on hand. Her largest contributions were in kind services paid by Strothers for her campaign, amounting to more than $5,000.

Strothers stressed the importance of targeted actions to enhance police service, like recruitment and retention bonuses, along with neighborhood-based assignments.

Ward 1 has some of the citys oldest neighborhoods and busiest intersections, said Strothers. If elected, she said she would advocate for cost-effective solutions to increase safety for pedestrians, including repainting high-use crosswalks, more reflective markings, and more lighting near schools and bus stops.

Strothers said she wants to revive a veteran housing initiative across from the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center that was blocked because the zoning was only for commercial use. The passage of Assembly Bill 241, which requires cities to allow housing on commercial land, means that project can continue, said Strothers.

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Affordable housing also starts with fair rental prices, said Strothers. She supports policy that prevents high rental increases, similar to a 5% limit on rent increases pushed by the Culinary Union in 2022.

It was voted down unanimously by the North Las Vegas City Council, Strothers said. I want to see something like that. I dont want to kill industry. I want business to still be attracted to North Las Vegas, but we do need something that minimizes the ability for large landlords to just arbitrarily raise their rent, Strothers said.

While North Las Vegas is growing, Strothers said Ward 1 has been neglected and left out of revitalization plans. She said she would focus on attracting businesses that offer living wages and not just minimum wage jobs. She highlighted the need for businesses that keep money within the city to boost the local economy.

Part of that would be ensuring the city enters agreements with responsible developers, said Strothers. She pointed to an incident where the City of North Las Vegas repurchased 135 acres of land near the VA Medical Center for approximately $53 million after developer Pacific Group failed to fulfill development obligations.

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What is important to me is that any contract that we have, anything that we agree to, has to benefit the residents of North Las Vegas, particularly Ward 1, or its not a good contract, Strothers said.

Investing in the future of young people would also be a priority, said Strothers. She suggested creating a program that partners with trade unions to offer apprenticeships in high schools. She also said she would advocate for a centrally located public library in Ward 1.

Im not ambitious. I have no desire to go into any political office higher than City Council North Las Vegas, Ward 1. This is my ambition. I want to do my part. I want to do as much good as I can do, Strothers said. Residents can hold my feet to the fire if I dont uphold what I said I was going to do.

Esmeralda Villeda

If elected, Villeda said her top priorities would be community-centered growth, public safety, and infrastructure improvements.

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Villeda is a real estate agent and is the vice chair of the City of North Las Vegas Planning Commission, which makes recommendations to the City Council on matters of planning and zoning. Villeda is a registered Democrat.

In the first quarter, Villeda has raised more than $22,000 in campaign contributions. She has spent nearly $38,000 and has more than $48,000 cash on hand. In the previous filing period, Villeda raised about $87,000 and rolled over about $65,000 into her campaign.

Her largest donors were SB Specialties, Inc, Jay H. Brown LTD, Kaempfer Crowell LTD, Bliss Car Wash Nevada LLC, Diamond Solo LLC, KL QOZB LL, LLC, Broadacres Open Air Marketplace LLC, and North Valley PAC, which each donated $5,000.

Villeda has been endorsed by Barron, the term-limited Ward 1 incumbent, and the rest of the City of North Las Vegas council, including Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown. She was also endorsed by the North Las Vegas City Police Officers Association, the Southern Nevada Building Trades Union, the Board of Realtors Association, and Cement Masons and Plasterers Local 797.

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North Las Vegas is one of the fast growing cities in Nevada, said Villeda, making infrastructure development and intentional city planning a necessity.

Villeda said she would prioritize growth that supports affordability, attainability, and proximity to amenities like grocery stores and parks.

We want to make sure that residents dont have to drive 10 to 15 minutes to a grocery store or 10 to 15 minutes to a community park, Villeda said.

The City of North Las Vegas has taken steps in recent years to address housing affordability and infrastructure improvements like street repairs and community cleanups, said Villeda. Villeda said she is in the best position to continue that work if elected to the seat.

Ive been on the planning commission for three years now. I see where the city is going. I see the momentum. Im already working with our council members, with our mayor, making sure that we continue to keep that momentum going, Villeda said.

On the planning commission, Villeda said she advocates for community parks within new subdivisions to ensure residents have easy access to amenities similar to those in other jurisdictions. Those improvements are an important part of attracting residents and growing the local economy, said Villeda.

She pointed to one such development at Decatur and Ann Road that was redesigned to include more amenities after input from the planning commission.

That community in particular is one that Im excited about, because we are bringing those amenities that other jurisdictions are getting into the City of North Las Vegas, Villeda said.

One of the things that Im continuously advocating for when sitting on the Planning Commission, is ensuring that we are having and we are bringing those amenities closer to residents, she continued.

Once residential plots are developed, Villeda said the city hopes to attract more grocery stores and commercial development.

Those big anchor grocery stores need the homes around the land they plan to develop before they can come in and build. And so thats where were at, Villeda said.

Villeda said the City of North Las Vegas and the planning commission have tackled housing affordability by approving a mix of housing developments that cover all income levels.

We have luxury rentals going up, we have apartment buildings being built, we have town home communities being built. We have single family home communities being built, attached single family homes. So we love to know that we are providing our residents with ample options as far as housing goes, Villeda said.

Responsible development also increases public safety, said Villeda. The city is constructing a new fire station to improve response times as the city expands.

Thats where that public safety factor comes in, Villeda said.

The City of North Las Vegas is also set to improve after the citys recent efforts to recruit and train new police officers, said Villeda.

We have over 80 police officers that are going to be joining our police force, Villeda said. That means that we have more police officers on the streets patrolling our city. We have faster response times.

We need to ensure that our residents have adequate access to public safety, and to ensure that we keep our call time response at the lowest possible, Villeda said.
Operation Metro Surge may have cost the Minnesota economy thousands of jobs in January and February.

Federal employment data shows Minnesota lost 5,700 hospitality jobs and 4,400 construction jobs from December to February. The respective declines represent 2.1% and 3% of total statewide employment in those sectors.

More: FAA changes drone rule after Minneapolis photojournalist's lawsuit

North Star Policy Action, a left-leaning research outfit, noted the significant declines in a new report this week.

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Operation Metro Surge caused serious and accumulating harm to Minnesotas economy, said Jake Schwitzer, North Stars executive director, in a statement.

Minnesotas unemployment rate was 4.5% in February, roughly on par with the national average of 4.4%, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Its labor force participation rate  the percentage of working-age adults who are working or actively seeking employment  is 67.9%, well above the national average of 62% and historically among the highest in the nation. And, Minnesota has added proportionally more jobs than the nation as a whole over the past 12 months.

Coleen Fitzgerald, of Milaca, protested Jan. 24 in St. Cloud, speaking against what she believes to be violent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Protesters gathered Jan. 24 in St. Cloud to speak against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts. Photos of St. Cloud's anti-ICE protest on Saturday, Jan. 24 1 of 9 Coleen Fitzgerald, of Milaca, protested Jan. 24 in St. Cloud, speaking against what she believes to be violent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics.

But state data shows a rapid spike in unemployment coinciding with the arrival of thousands of federal agents in the Twin Cities late last year. Minnesotas unemployment rate sat at 3.5% in December, a full percentage point below where it would be two months later. Such sharp, rapid increases in unemployment are rare outside major economic shocks like the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily erased hundreds of thousands of Minnesota jobs in March and April of 2020.

In a statement, DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek linked Minnesotas soft jobs numbers with the federal law enforcement surge.

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More: Ilhan Omar amends financial filing after 'accounting error'

February was a very challenging month for Minnesota communities due to the ICE presence, and that also contributed to it being a tough month for the states labor market, Varilek said.

North Star said the comparatively steep declines in industries that employ significant numbers of immigrants, such as food service and construction, strengthen the case that Operation Metro Surge had a chilling effect on the states economy.

The drop in construction employment marked a real decline, concentrated in Minnesota, in an industry with deep ties to the immigrant workforce that Operation Metro Surge directly went after, the report says. Federal agents have harassed or detained homebuilders repeatedly over the past several months, which business owners say has crimped the labor supply as the spring construction season ramps up.

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More: Here are St. Cloud's top coffee shops and what makes them special

Research by North Star and others indicates the drop in headline employment figures is just one aspect of Operation Metro Surges economic toll. Aaron Rosenthal, a researcher with North Star, told the Reformer last month that early estimates  $106 million in lost wages across the Twin Cities, over $203 million in broader economic losses in Minneapolis alone  are based on rough math.

It may be a long time before we have objective data that can really speak to the impact of what occurred, he said.

State and local relief efforts have been widely criticized by immigrant, worker and renters rights groups as inadequate. Theyve also been stymied by politicians.

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, for example, vetoed a measure last month that would have doubled the citys required pre-eviction notice period from 30 to 60 days. The Minneapolis City Council is poised to pass a more lenient eviction-notice measure Thursday. The city has expanded emergency rental assistance, however.

And at the Capitol, Republicans have repeatedly blocked relief bills, arguing that the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Partys pro-immigrant policies were responsible for the fallout.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Operation Metro Surge cost thousands of jobs in Minnesota, study says
Since its launch in 2005, the U.S. Presidents Malaria Initiative has been one of the most effective programs the U.S. government runs overseas. Working alongside partners like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, it has helped cut death rates from malaria in supported countries by nearly half.

These efforts have prevented more than 2 billion cases of malaria and saved 14 million lives  most of them children. In doing so, it stands as a clear demonstration of American leadership and reinforces the United States reputation as a reliable partner committed to saving lives and strengthening global health security.

But data shows progress is slowing in some parts of the world because the disease itself is evolving. Mosquitoes are adapting to the tools we have used for decades, and the drugs and insecticides that once worked are losing their edge. Malaria is now the leading killer of children in many African countries.

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A renewed emphasis on fighting malaria should be central to the Trump administrations America First Global Health Strategy. When infectious diseases come roaring back, they dont just stay over there. They threaten our economic and national security here in the U.S.

The presidents strategy promises a disciplined approach to global health aid, rightly prioritizing areas where the U.S. holds a distinct advantage  particularly through American innovation  rather than attempting to do everything everywhere. Malaria is well-suited to this vision.

Breakthrough technologies developed and manufactured in the U.S. have the potential to reduce the transmission of malaria sharply if deployed at scale. New spatial repellents from SC Johnson, for example, can protect families without requiring constant compliance. Rapid diagnostics enable earlier treatment, while advanced vector-control methods and new medicines aim to outpace insecticide and drug resistance. Malaria vaccines being introduced through global immunization partnerships can reduce severe disease and child mortality further when combined with bed nets and preventive treatments.

None of these tactics is a silver bullet. But when used together, they give us a real shot at wiping out malaria. And this isnt just about doing the right thing. Its about doing the smart thing, for us and affected communities, while putting countries on a path to self-reliance rather than permanent dependency.

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Healthier countries are more stable. They are better trading partners. Their economies grow instead of collapsing under the weight of disease. That creates opportunities for American businesses and reduces the kind of instability that leads to conflict and scores of migrants showing up at our border.

And for the U.S. military, the stakes are even more clear. In tropical environments, malaria historically has sidelined more American troops than combat itself. Thats why the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research has spent decades investing in research to prevent and treat malaria. Fighting malaria isnt charity abroad; its part of protecting our men and women in uniform.

Theres a reason malaria programs have had bipartisan support for so long: they work, and theyre directly in Americas interests. One practical step to strengthening this effort is restoring a clear line of accountability by transferring the powers of the U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator to a leader at the State Department. Investing a senior official with real authority over budget and strategy who is responsible for outcomes and impact  not just process  will help keep investments by American taxpayers focused and effective.

If we lose sight of our goal now, malaria will come back stronger. Well end up spending more money down the line, not less. And well give up ground to adversaries like China, who are more than willing to step in where we pull back.

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Were closer than ever to ending malaria for good. That didnt happen by accident. It happened because the U.S. stayed engaged, remained focused and demanded results.

Finishing the job doesnt require a spending spree. It requires discipline, backing what works, and continuing to invest in the innovation the U.S. can bring to the table. If we do that, this is a fight we will win.

Mark Green served as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and is a former Republican U.S. congressman who represented Wisconsins 8th District. William Steiger is the CEO of Malaria No More and served as chief of staff under Green at USAID.

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.
Its a powerful sign of Americas broken politics that a political party with a 28 percent approval rating is poised to regain control of the House in November. This outcome isnt being driven by support for the Democrats, but by the growing disapproval of President Trump.

This years midterm elections will be decided by voters who choose what they perceive to be the lesser of two evils and not by people casting an enthusiastic vote for a particular political brand. Many Americans are exhausted by both political parties , but that fatigue wont be enough to overcome the momentum of the two party status quo.

This year wont be the moment that independent and third-party candidates reshape our politics, but the foundation for something new is taking shape. The current system has momentum, but it cannot indefinitely contain the discontent of voters.

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Americans are losing faith in the future. From the failure of public schools to the challenge faced by workers trying to stay in the middle class, the past few decades have been disheartening for too many Americans.

Because voters tend to blame the party that controls the presidency for their frustrations, mid-term elections are relatively easy to predict. In our two-party system, the party with the presidency almost always loses congressional seats . If this predictable system were working well, it might endure. It isnt, and Americans are losing ground .

Voters are beginning to recognize the failures of the modern two-party system. During the worst period of political division since the Civil War , Republicans and Democrats have traded power and traded insults and both are responsible for the state of our country.

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrichs (R-Ga.) corrosive tactics may have set the course for our current political dysfunction, but Democrats have caught up to Republicans in the race to fuel political division. The Democratic Party is just as willing to shut down the government , use crass language and troll their opponents with childish chatter online. In their quest to fight fire with fire, Democrats scorched the standards that set them apart.

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Democratic candidates are likely to prevail in November because swing voters arent happy with the president and cant trust Republicans to contain his worst impulses and oppose his bad ideas. If elected Republicans had found the strength to demonstrate independence, the partys candidates would have an easier time overcoming the presidents unpopularity. Instead, Americans know that most congressional Republicans will timidly follow the presidents lead. This makes a vote for a Republican congressional candidate also a vote to accommodate the impulses and policies of an unpopular president .

Even if it means periodically losing power, Democratic and Republican officials are satisfied with a system that limits their competition to a single, equally unpopular party. Both are so focused on defeating each other that theyve lost sight of the reasons to serve. Politicians focus on cataloguing the faults of their opponents rather than building coalitions to govern effectively.

The results of this focus are clear. America owes $39 trillion to creditors. We havent revitalized our rust belt cities , even as AI threatens to create a rust belt of its own. Trust in government is near a record low and family members stop speaking to each other over politics. The culture perpetuated by Democrats and Republicans isnt meeting our countrys needs and seems increasingly incompatible with widespread prosperity.

Happily, change is coming. Last year a candidate from the Forward Party won the mayors race in Georgetown, South Carolina, a leading indicator of the political realignment to come. His victory was the first in South Carolina by a third-party candidate in a partisan election since 1894 .

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Forty-five percent of Americans now identify as political independents , compared to 27 percent who identify as Democrats and 27 percent who identify as Republicans . People are abandoning party labels, but in most elections, theyre still forced to choose between a Democrat and a Republican. This is what keeps deeply unpopular parties in power, but Georgetown shows how circumstances can change.

The Forward Party is organizing across the country. Its candidate pledge is a template for productive political behavior and a far cry from what were used to seeing from Democrats and Republicans.

The Center Party is another alternative in the early stages of organizing. Its eight guiding principles offer a framework that appeals to a broad range of Americans. Its commitment to fiscal discipline and environmental stewardship is a good example of how it could scramble traditional political divisions.

Its the height of hubris for Democrats and Republicans to believe they can maintain their duopoly despite low approval ratings and growing disquiet. Democrats will almost certainly win the House in November, but that shift does nothing more than repeat a pattern thats failed to meet the needs of a challenging moment. Novembers election may bring change, but a much larger transformation is coming.

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Colin Pascal is a retired Army lieutenant colonel and a senior fellow at the Orion Policy Institute.

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.
Posted on Dec 4, 2014 in Tactics101

Tactics 101 103  Bradley Platoon Attack

A Bradley Platoon Attack

A view from the Platoon Leaderas Cupola/Foxhole

aSince I joined the Marines, I have advocated aggressiveness in the field and constant offensive action.A Hit quickly, hit hard, and keep right on hitting.A Give the enemy no rest, no opportunity to consolidate his forces and hit back at you.A This is the shortest road to victory.a



General Holland M. aHowlina Mada Smith

A LAST MONTH

In our last two articles, we dissected the Bradley platoon.A We looked at several areas in our discussion.A This included the organization of the platoon, the roles and responsibilities of the platoonas key leaders, the maneuver techniques and formations a platoon may utilize, and the challenges a platoon has in maneuver.A We believe these articles provided a solid foundation for you in your understanding of the Bradley Platoon.A We will now expand on that foundation.

{default}

THIS MONTH

In this monthas article, we will take a little different approach than normal.A We will look at an attack with the perspective of the Soldier who will lead his unit.A In this case, we will focus on the Bradley Platoon Leader who will lead his Soldiers in the attack.A We will get into the head of the Platoon Leader and address his thoughts on how he will plan and prepare for this offensive operation.A Tough Stuff!A Even tougher when you are a young, relatively inexperienced second Lieutenant.A Fortunately, he has good NCOs to help him.A He must listen and utilize their incredible experience.A Letas mount up and cross LD!

THE PRELIMINARIES

Lieutenant Duffer got his OPORD from the Old Man (Company Commander) at o-dark-thirty in the am.A His platoon was to initially lead the company attack in about 24 hours.A They were to seize Objective Red (1) in order to allow the rest of the company to continue the attack south to seize Objectives White and Blue (2).A By seizing Objectives Red, White and Blue, Bravo Company would effectively eliminate the enemyas security zone.A This would clear the path for the rest of the Battalion Task Force to attack south in order to destroy the enemyas main belt defensive position (3).A This would ultimately open the valley for maneuver for the rest of the Brigade Combat Team.A It was all nested and the platoon would have an important purpose and task.A The Platoon Leader crafted up the following sketch with some notes to aid in his planning and preparation:

Duffer wrote his platoon MISSION statement:

A The 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion attacks at 0300 13JUNE2014 to seize Objective Red in order to facilitate the Company attack to seize Objectives White and Blue.

Dufferas Platoon was a supporting effort.A The fighting 3rd Platoon would clear the way for the main effort 1st Platoon to seize Objective White.A The 2nd Platoon was also a supporting effort.A They would follow and support the 1st Platoon, then would maneuver to the south of them to seize Objective Blue and block any enemy counterattacks.

The company scheme of maneuver is as shown to the left.A The 3rd Platoon leads the attack in time and space.A They cross the line of departure (LD) at 0300 in the morning.A They have until 0445 to seize Objective Red and establish an overwatch position overlooking White and Blue 500 meters to the southeast.A Duffer will call in and observe artillery and smoke and will use his platoon weapon systems to suppress the enemy while the rest of the company maneuvers to seize White and Blue.A The 3rd Platoon will stay on Red while Bravo Company (-) suppresses the enemy main belt during the battalion attack.

Itas basically a three step attack led off by 3rd Platoon, B Co.A Although Dufferas men are only a supporting effort, they will set the tone for the mission.

Now that Duffer understood the missions of his platoon, company, and battalion and how they fit together (nesting), he needed to analyze the ENEMY.A The Battalion S2, Intelligence Officer, said Objective Red was held by a motorized rifle squad.A They were an LP/OP: Listening Post and Outpost.A They were the eyes forward of a motorized rifle platoon combat outpost (COP); a rudimentary security zone.

The enemy squad was dug into a trench that connected to their BMP1 which is dug in.A The trench has three bunkers, probably sheltering a few ATGM (Anti-tank Guided Missile) gunners and a machine-gunner.A There also appeared to be four parapets thought to be firing points for individual riflemen.A They are surrounded by wire and mines with an opening to the rear believed to be an escape route.A The wire is simple concertina and the mines are surface laid; this is a hasty and temporary obstacle meant to disrupt and slow movement, not to stop it.

A BMP1 with a 73mm main gun, Sagger anti-tank missile and 7.62 coax machine gun is dug in on the eastern tip of the hilltop, allowing it to overwatch the gap.A A squad of 9 to 12 Soldiers is dug in a trench line with three bunkers, probably with two RPGas and two machineguns.

A BMP 1 a This is LT Dufferas Endstate for this Vehicle

Lt Duffer had a pretty good idea about how the enemy was arrayed, equipped, and armed.A He knew where they were and why they were there.A He knew their Saggers could kill Bradleys out to 2 kilometers and their RPGas ranged out to 400 meters.

He knew enough about the enemy to get started on the plan of attack, but he needed to review his own TROOPS to make sure he hadnat overlooked anything.A Itas easy to neglect this simple step.

The 3rd Platoon was at full strength and morale was high.A His NCOas were experienced and they knew their jobs.A The BFVs were well maintained as were the platoonas mounted and dismounted weapons systems.

The role of the BFVas was not to fight like a little tank.A Their job was to provide mobility, extra firepower and protection to the infantry squads so they can close with the enemy.A Thatas what the Infantry does.A The Infantry squads dismount and take objectives; tanks and Bradleys support.

Once in a position to deploy the Infantry on the ground, the BFVs provide suppressive fire so the Infantry can maneuver.A The BFVs suppress enemy armored vehicles and Infantry Fighting Vehicles and kill tanks with their Tow missiles.A Lt Duffer learned early on that the Brads have excellent cross-country mobility and can fire with pinpoint accuracy while on the move.A He also understood the following:

Their armor can stop anything up to 30mm rounds all around.

They have protection inside and overhead.

They pack a 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun capable of firing armor piercing (AP) or high explosive (HE) rounds at 200 per minute out to 2 kilometers  great for fixing and suppressing the enemy.

The big guns are backed up by a 7.62mm coax machine gun mounted to the right of the Bushmaster which is highly effective against dismounted enemy infantry.

The BFV also comes with the aforementioned TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missile.A Two are loaded in the ahammerheada at all times and are ready to fire with 7 more ready as reloads.

The one thing to remember is that the BFV has to stop to fire the TOWs which means this should be pre-planned when on the attack against a fixed position.A The TOW reaches out almost 4 kilometers and travels at speeds approaching Mach 1.A They are wire guided by the gunner making them deadly accurate.

All vehicle combat systems are backed up with state of the art optics for both day and night.

The Bradleyas wide tracks and 600 horsepower engine makes it fast and maneuverable over rough ground.A The BFV has a venerable record.A In their first combat test during Desert Storm, only 3 of the 2,200 were disabled and accounted for more armor kills than their partner the M1A1 Abrams tank.

Duffer has 4 Bradleys but, as impressive as they sound, the meat and potatoes are the three Infantry squads.A Theyare the ones he uses to close with and destroy the enemy or to hold ground; close combat is the only way to gain the decision in battle.A The platoon is most effective when it operates at night or during limited visibility.A They can penetrate and hold obstacles and difficult terrain, attack over ground that stops tanks, seize or secure forested and built-up areas, and can control restrictive routes all of which are elements of this mission.

Lt Duffer and the athird herda can usually count on artillery, mortars, close air, air defense and engineer support, but not this time.A Duffer would get flares over the objective; smoke in front of it, and a few rounds on top of it and that was about all.A Most of the combat support was being held for the larger attacks to the south.A The mortars were, of course, always on call.A He would depend significantly on them. He knew the key stats of his weapon systems:

AA A A A A A A 25-mm chain gun: reaches out to 2,500 meters .

. AA A A A A A A The TOW tanks and armor killer: reaches out to almost 4,000 meters .

. AA A A A A A A The dismounted Javelin tank and armor killer: reaches out to 2,000 meters .

Javelin tank and armor killer: reaches out to . AA A A A A A A Dismounted SAW and M60 reaching out to 1,000 meters .

. AA A A A A A A Infantry small arms reaching out to 400 meters.

AA A A A A A A Loads of grenades; HE, smoke, and incendiary.

LT Duffer knew he possessed the firepower required to achieve his purpose and task. He also knew the organization of his platoon.A This included:

The mounted element consists of four BFVs divided into two sections of two BFVas each (A and B).A The Platoon Leader leads section A and the platoon while the Platoon Sergeant leads section B.A The Platoon Leader dismounts when the squads dismount and he, along with the Squad Leaders, lead the fight on the ground.A The Platoon Sergeant remains mounted and continues to maneuver his section while guiding the mounted element and ensuring its direct support to the ground troops. The Platoon Sergeant also uses the vehicle radios to maintain contact with the company and provides situation reports (SITREPS) and calls for fire.

The A and B wingman Bradleys are controlled by their Bradley Commander (BC).A Their job is to follow the directions of the Section Leader and the Platoon Leader while fighting their Bradley.A He acquires targets for his gunner who remains inside the turret with his eyes glued to his sights.A The BC commands his BFV and keeps it properly oriented relative to the section and the platoon.A He also controls vehicle fires in support of mounted and dismounted maneuver and places his BFV in position within platoon formations.A The BC doesnat just follow the guy in front of him, he navigates, sends SITREPs, and supports the Infantry he carries.

A

The dismounted element consists of the three nine-man rifle squads. The squad has two, four-man fire teams and a squad leader. Each squad has an Anti-Tank weapon and squad automatic weapon or SAW. Two riflemen train on the SAW and Javelin.

Rifleman. Each squad has two riflemen equipped with an M16A2 or M4. One rifleman is designated as the anti-armor specialist. The other is assigned the M240B.

Antiarmor Specialist. The designated Javelin and AT4 gunner provides lethal fire-and-forget, man-portable, top attack anti-armor capability to defeat enemy main battle tanks during day, night, and adverse weather conditions up to 2,000 meters.

Grenadier. The grenadier has an M203 which consists of an M16 with attached 40-mm grenade launcher. The M203 gives the fire team indirect-fire out to 350 meters. He can fire high-explosive (HE) or can employ smoke to screen and cover his movement, fire, and maneuver. During night and adverse weather conditions, he can fire illumination rounds to increase visibility and mark enemy or friendly positions.

Automatic Rifleman. Each squad has two automatic weapons. The automatic rifleman mainly uses the M249 squad automatic weapon. The M249 gives the squad a high volume of sustained, long-range, suppressive, or lethal fires far beyond the range of the M16 or M4 rifle. The automatic rifleman uses the M249 to suppress enemy infantry and bunkers, to destroy enemy automatic rifle and antitank teams, and to enable other teams and squads to maneuver.

LT Duffer considered the following guidelines for tactical employment of his platoon:

AA A A A A A A Fight through contact at the lowest possible level. Upon contact, act at once and follow up. Battle drills help take immediate action.

AA A A A A A A Before the platoon maneuvered, he knew the platoon must establish suppressive fire and gain fire superiority. If the platoon cannot move under its own fire; he should request support from the company. Once they gain fire superiority, he continues maneuver. When he must dismount, the BFVs suppress and build a base of fire for squads to maneuver.

Duffer contemplatedaso much for the upside.A The platoon seems more than capable for this mission, but a responsible leader also reviews the downside.A As Clint Eastwood said once, aa manas got to know his limitations.aA He know his limitations were:

AA A A A A A A The BFVs are vulnerable to anti-tank systems .A The approach to the objective must minimize exposure to ATGMs.A The BMP will have to be heavily suppressed and weall have to stay out of range of the infantry ATas.

.A The approach to the objective must minimize exposure to ATGMs.A The BMP will have to be heavily suppressed and weall have to stay out of range of the infantry ATas. AA A A A A A A The rifle squads are vulnerable to small arms fire and artillery when on the ground .A While small arms fire is always a problem, artillery can be devastating.A We need to dismount as close as possible or infiltrate on a route masked from enemy observation.

.A While small arms fire is always a problem, artillery can be devastating.A We need to dismount as close as possible or infiltrate on a route masked from enemy observation. AA A A A A A A Once the infantry dismounts, they set the pace .A As always, one of the biggest issues is how to synchronize the ground and mounted elements.A Dismount too soon and the attack loses momentum; dismount too late and you deny the infantry the ability to develop the situation.A In this case, the infantry might have to go on foot early on and move to an attack position.A Once ready to initiate the assault, the BFVas could move forward and begin target suppression.

.A As always, one of the biggest issues is how to synchronize the ground and mounted elements.A Dismount too soon and the attack loses momentum; dismount too late and you deny the infantry the ability to develop the situation.A In this case, the infantry might have to go on foot early on and move to an attack position.A Once ready to initiate the assault, the BFVas could move forward and begin target suppression. AA A A A A A A Swimming BFVs is slow and difficult, but doable.A Fording sites have to be found and validated while bridges have to be checked to see if they meet weight classification.A Luckily these are not problems on this mission.

A

A After having considered the platoons strengths and weaknesses, capabilities and limitations, Duffer had to roll it all up and consider how to maximize the pluses and minimize the minuses so he could begin making a plan.

AA A A A A A A The platoon is not a tank platoon; itas not designed to overrun enemy positions mounted. Duffer learned this lesson the hard way at the National Training Center when he tried to do just that as a Green newbie.A The platoon got smoked in a matter of minutes and the shiny new lieutenant had an uphill battle ahead of him to rebuild credibility with his guys.A He wasnat gonna bum rush another objective againaat least not without a tank escort.A This isnat the NTC and the enemy isnat firing lasers.A There would be a well-orchestrated mix of mounted and dismounted action with smoke obscuration, artillery and direct fire suppression at play in order to let the Infantry get up to the enemy position.

AA A A A A A A He needed to fight through contact at the lowest possible level. If he made contact on the way, the lead section would act and the trail would follow up.A The platoon would need to rehearse its mounted and dismounted battle drills and immediate action.

AA A A A A A A Smoke first, suppression next, and fire superiority last; thatas the sequence head use to close on Objective Red.A If the platoon finds out that it cannot move under its own fires, Duffer would request additional fire support beyond what was already preplanned. AA A A A A A A Once they gain fire superiority theyad maneuver. AA A A A A A A The BFVs build a base of fire for squads to maneuver.



The simple rules of thumb are:

AA A A A A A A Support the rifle squads with direct fire.

AA A A A A A A Suppress or destroy enemy IFVas and light armored vehicles.

AA A A A A A A Destroy enemy armor with TOW.

AA A A A A A A Success hinges on the actions of the mounted sections, and dismounted rifle squads.

AA A A A A A A BFV Infantry relies on the use of both the rifle squads and the BFVs.A Donat leave anything out of the fight.

AA A A A A A A Assault enemy positions with small arms and indirect fire.

AA A A A A A A Conduct dismounted patrols to collect intel and to reinforce security.

AA A A A A A A Organize for and over-watch obstacle breaching: AssaultaSupportaBreach.

AA A A A A A A Be prepared to defeat enemy counter-attacks.

The enemy position provides visibility to the north and northeast, allowing the squad to observe anyone approaching and to direct fires and artillery on them as they move south towards and through the gap. Itas a pretty good position. Thereas a wooded ridge to the west and the squad was nestled into the hilltop spur at the end of the ridge. The only concealed approach is down the ridge.

Duffer had 24hours to be on the objective.A Head backwards plan to make a schedule that gave his subordinates the maximum amount of time necessary to prepare their squads and sections.A The typical rule is 1/3rd to 2/3rds leader to subordinate time although the best shoot for 1/5th a 4/5ths.A Letas seea

LT Duffer assessed the TERRAIN on and around Objective Red.A The approach is wide open which means no hindrance to the Bradleys on the attack, but which also means the enemy BMP can fire on them as they approach.A Head need smoke to hinder visibility and artillery to keep the BMP and dismounted AT gunneras heads down.A If the Bradleys can get into range without taking effective fire, they will be able to put a high volume of suppressive fire on the defenders.

The enemy position provides visibility to the north and northeast, allowing the squad to observe anyone approaching and to direct fires and artillery on them as they move south towards and through the gap.A Itas a pretty good position.A Thereas a wooded ridge running downhill from the west ending in a hilltop at the end.A Objective Red is the squad defensive position on that small hilltop.A The only concealed approach is down the ridge.A The ridge runs west to east and is wooded up to the hilltop.A This gentle downward slope though the trees offers an excellent dismounted avenue of approach for the dismounted Infantrymen.A To save time, the BFVs will need to put the troops on the ground at the base of the ridge.A They could then use the cover and concealment to close in on the eastern flank of the position.A They would be able to breach the wire and mines on a narrow front and would gain direct access to the flank position.A The mixture of a relatively flat and open approach to the gap and the wooded ridgeline off to the east makes for an excellent pair of exploitable approaches.

The mission TIME is 0300 or 25 hours from receipt of the order to crossing the Line of Departure (LD).A According to the 1/3rd : 2/3rd Rule, 8 hours would go to LT Duffer and 17 hours would go to his squad leaders.A The thirds is the rule of thumb, but the fourths is the goal: 1/4th : 3:4th.A That would mean roughly 5 hours to Duffer and 20 to his subordinates.A That was better since the squad leaders had to plan, issue orders, rehearse and make sure everyone had the right basic load.A Duffer figured he could prepare and brief a solid plan in 5 hours.

THE PLAN IN A NUTSHELL.A A As per Platoon standard operating procedure (SOP); the Platoon Sergeant (PSG) would lead the Bradleysathe mounted element.A Duffer would lead the dismounted element.

The artillery would open fire on Objectives White and Blue at 0245 and would shift fires north to Objective Red at 0300hrs while the Third Herd was crossing the LD as per the Company Commanderas timeline.A Smoke would be mixed into the fires on Red and mortar flares would pop over the hilltop every 10 minutes or so.A The platoon would use the flares as a reference point as they headed to the dismount point to the northeast of Red, at the base of the ridgeline.

Once the Dismounted Infantry was on the ground, the PSG would move the mounted element into place.A The PSGas section would overwatch as the PLas section moved into a firing line north of the objective.A The PSGas section would follow.A The Brads would be 2.5 kilometers out and would keep 200 meters between them.A All would fire; two firing Armor Piercing (AP) rounds at the BMP and two firing High Explosive (HE) rounds at the trenches and bunkers.A The PSG would also report to Battalion and monitor the mortar fires being called by the dismounts.

When the BMP gets hit, whether by the Brads or the Infantry, the PSG would begin maneuvering on the objective.A Head drive right up to the base of the hill as soon as practical, using his 7.62mm in support of the Infantry.

The three dismounted squads would be 2 kilometers from the objective.A Theyad have to move quickly, but cautiously since there could be a listening post (LP) hiding in the woods looking for them.A All in all, it would take 60 to 90 minutes.A No problem; the hush that comes over the battlefield after an arty prep is eerie and unsettling to the defender who knows something is afootabut what?

The squads were broken down to assault (1st Sqd), support (2nd Sqd), and breach (3rd Sqd) teams.

The support team got extra machinegun ammo and was given control of battalion mortar fires.A The breach team was given rope with grappling hooks, mine probes, chemlites to mark the lane, and other special gear.A The assault team was beefed up with a few troops from the support team.

Duffer would lead a leaderas recon once they were 400 meters out from Objective Red.A The support team would get in position first, while everyone else dropped their gear.

The breach team would use the grappling hooks to drag the wire back, figuring some of the mines to be tethered to the wire as booby traps.A The mines were surface laid so they would be marked to be avoided.A The assault team would charge through the breach as soon as it was open and gain a foothold in the eastern most end of the trench line.A The breach time would follow them in while the support team would reposition to keep fires on the west side.

The Brads would come up when Duffer called them or at the Platoon Sergeantas discretion.A The pre-requisite to their arrival is the destruction of the BMP.A Once there, they would put fire on Objectives White and Blue, while LT Duffer called the commander who would begin the attack through the gap.

BFV Platoon Planning.A Remember the basics, they apply to all units; large and small, light and heavy:

AA A A A A A A METT-T: Mission, Enemy, Troops, Terrain, Time

AA A A A A A A Troop Leading Procedures

The BFV specific planning considerations include:

AA A A A A A The Dismounted Element of three rifle squads

AA A A A A A The Mounted Element of 4 BFVs

AA A A A A A Maneuver, Firepower, Protection, Leadership, Information

AA A A A A A Supply Class I, III, V, IX: food, fuel, ammo, and medical supplies

Remember that your Bradleys are not little tanks.A They are Infantry fighting vehicles.A They provide mobility, firepower and protection and their primary purpose is to SUPPORT the infantry when they dismount.A Bradley platoons have fewer troops to put on the ground given the need to crew the IFVas.A They typically field 27 or fewer ground troops.A The Infantry deficit is made up by tactical mobility and tempo, armored protection, devastating long range suppressive fires, and TOW ATGMas.A Care must be taken to synchronize the slower ground movement and shorter range weapons with the faster mounted movement and longer range systems.A The Dismounted Infantry and Bradleys allow the platoon to balance the close fight and the longer range armored fight.A Each element, when used properly, mitigates the otheras weaknesses.

A

The BFV platoon is uniquely capable to work on the armored and infantry battlefields.A They typically partner with M1A1 Abrams Tanks; making one of the most lethal and capable modern conventional combat teams ever fielded.A When you properly plan a Bradley Platoon attack you are delivering a highly capable force that can create multiple dilemmas for any opponent.A Be sure to use all your combat power; donat park your Brads and donat leave your infantry mounted; use both to their fullest advantage!

SUMMARY

In this article, we wanted to provide you a look into the thought process a Bradley Platoon Leader goes through in planning an attack.A Obviously, there is much to think about and not a lot of time to do it. As you can surmise, the growth process a Platoon Leader goes through is tremendous.A He is greatly assisted every step of the way by a crusty old Platoon Sergeant who will take him under his wing.A Surely, LT Duffer has a Platoon Sergeant who has taught him well!

NEXT MONTH

In our next article, LT Duffer will address how he plans and prepares for the defense.A We will dissect his thought process and how he and his platoon will achieve their purpose and task.A LT Duffer has an incredible amount of firepower that he can utilize in accomplishing his mission.A As is the case with the Bradley Platoon Leader; he must synchronize the strengths of both his mounted and dismounted elements.A He must capitalize on their capabilities and ensure that he minimalizes their weaknesses.A In the defense, he must also be a master of time management.A He and his Platoon have an enormous amount of work to be done in minimal time.A LT Duffer will show you how to accomplish all of this.
Hungary's outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he will not take up his seat in parliament after his party was defeated in a landslide that ended his 16-year rule.

"I am now needed not in parliament, but in the reorganisation of the patriotic movement," he said in a video statement released on social media on Saturday evening.

Despite his nationalist party Fidesz going from 135 seats to 52 in the 12 April vote, Orban was re-elected as an MP on its proportional representation list.

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Tisza, led by former Fidesz insider Peter Magyar, won more than a two-thirds majority in the 199-seat parliament, paving the way for a reset of both Hungary's domestic policies and its global relationships.

Following a meeting of Fidesz officials, Orban, 62, said the party's parliamentary bloc would be led from Monday by Gulyas Gergely, who until now has served as the minister overseeing the prime minister's office.

"The mandate I obtained as the lead candidate of the Fidesz-KDNP list is, in fact, a parliamentary mandate of Fidesz. For this reason, I have decided to return it," Orban said.

About half of Hungary's parliamentary seats are divided among political parties according to their national vote share, while the other half represent individual constituencies.

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Orban has held a seat through one electoral format or the other since 1990, and has led Fidesz throughout that period. He has served as Hungary's prime minister since 2010, becoming the predominant figure in Hungarian politics.

However, voters abandoned him in their droves amid brewing public unhappiness over allegations of corruption and graft while living standards slipped.

Hungary's incoming PM has promised to reverse Orban-era changes to education and health, tackle corruption, restore the independence of the judiciary and kill off the widely loathed system of patronage known as NER that helped enrich party loyalists and squander state resources.

While Orban aligned himself with US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, "Russians go home" was an oft-heard chant of Tisza supporters during the campaign.

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Instead of being a stumbling block for the EU and Ukraine, Magyar has pledged to seek more cordial ties with Brussels and Kyiv.

The Tisza leader has urged a swift handover of power, and Hungary's new parliament is due to hold its first session on 9 May.

Orban's fate as Fidesz leader, meanwhile, will be decided at a party conference in June, he said as he vowed to continue shaping the nationalist movement.
A shocked performer has described locking eyes with President Donald Trump as they ducked for cover after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents' dinner on Saturday night.

Oz Pearlman - a self-described "mentalist" performing mind tricks - told the BBC he was talking to Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt when the attack happened.

"I went down very quickly. And then the Secret Service brought President Trump down: I would say very effectively - but quite violently," he said.

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"We were about half-a-metre apart face-to-face looking at each other on the ground, when I'm hearing shots and thinking to myself, 'We're about to die.'"

"Mentalist" Oz Pearlman (centre) said he was guessing Karoline Leavitt's baby name by writing it on a piece of paper when the shooting began [US pool]

Footage from the annual event showed Pearlman standing with a piece of paper behind the three VIPs, who were all seated at a table on an elevated stage at the Washington Hilton hotel.

"The timing of it was just so crazy because I was right in the midst of performing for the first lady, and for the president and for the press secretary guessing the name  the press secretary is having a baby soon," Pearlman said.

He said he was trying to guess how many letters were in the baby's name, and as he ripped off a piece of paper and showed the name, he heard the gunshots.

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At the time, he thought "there was about to be a bomb because of the way they [secret service agents] were all going towards one table.

"It didn't feel like they were looking for a shooter. It felt like they were looking to stop something from happening."

Pearlman said he then "went down very quickly".

"I was facing stage left. And just by chance they [agents] tackled him [Trump], right next to me facing stage right.

"And I'm turned to the left looking directly into his eyes - for 'One Mississippi, Two Mississippi' - pretty much thinking that I hope I'm not about to die."

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Pearlman said about "two seconds later" the agents got Trump out of the room, while he himself and two other people nearby eventually "crawled out" to safety.

In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes on Sunday, Trump said he "wasn't worried" during the ordeal. "I understand life. We live in a crazy world."

Asked about his recollection of "going down" as he was led from the room by security agents, he recalled how he "started walking with them [the security team]. I turned, I started walking, and they said, 'Please go down. Please go down on the floor.'

"So I went down and the first lady went down also."

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The suspected gunman, later identified as Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested at the venue.

Police said the 31-year-old from California exchanged fire with security agents on the floor above the room where Trump had gathered with other attendees for the event.

After he was detained, Allen told officials he wanted to shoot officials in the Trump administration, two sources told CBS, the BBC's US news partner.

Allen was charged on Monday with attempting to assassinate the president, along with weapons offences related to the incident. He has not entered a plea yet.
By Adrian Portugal

PALAWAN, Philippines, April 27 (Reuters) - As simulated enemy boats and unmanned craft closed in on the shores of Palawan island facing the South China Sea, Philippine and U.S. forces conducted counter-landing drills on Monday, repelling a mock assault by using live fire against designated targets and intercepting threats.

The display of advanced weapons capabilities and operational readiness was part of the annual Balikatan or "shoulder to shoulder" exercises, bringing together forces from the Philippines, the United States, Australia and New Zealand to rehearse coastal defence manoeuvres and test their ability to work together to protect territorial waters.

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Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner underscored the location's strategic value, noting that Palawan faces the South China Sea and lies opposite the Kalayaan Island Group, part of the Spratly Islands that Manila regards as part of its exclusive economic zone.

"We are defending our exclusive economic zone, where we get our resources, food, and energy. So it's really very important that we defend this territory of the Philippines," Brawner told reporters.

Brawner said this year's counterlanding exercise, which features systems such as HIMARS, differed from previous iterations by its heavy use of unmanned systems, including drones.

China has previously criticised the joint military exercises conducted by the Philippines and its allies, saying they raise regional tensions.

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Manila and Beijing have been locked in a series of maritime confrontations in the South China Sea in recent years, which China claims almost entirely as its own despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated those claims.

THIS YEAR'S 'BALIKATAN' THE LARGEST TO DATE

This year's iteration of the Balikatan is the largest to date in terms of the number of participating countries, Philippine and U.S. military officials have said.

Another phase of the April 20 to May 8 drills will be held in northern Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, closest to Taiwan, where combat troops from Japan, joining for the first time, will fire Type 88 missiles during a maritime strike exercise.

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Tokyo has been strengthening its defence engagement with Manila after the two sides signed a reciprocal access agreement in 2024, allowing them to deploy their militaries in each other's territory.

The Philippines also welcomed Japan's move to scrap restrictions on overseas arms sales, opening the way for exports of warships, missiles, and other weapons.

More than 17,000 troops are taking part this year, including about 10,000 from the United States. Washington said the scale of the drills underscores its defence commitments to the region, even as it remains engaged in the Middle East.

(Reporting by Adrian Portugal; Writing by Karen Lema; Editing by David Stanway)
A small passenger plane has crashed in South Sudan killing all 14 on board, the country's civil aviation authority (SSCAA) said.

Officials have sent a team to the crash site for investigations but initial reports suggested the aircraft may have come down "due to adverse weather conditions, particularly low visibility", the SSCAA added in a statement.

The plane crashed about 20km (12 miles) south-west of the capital, Juba, on Monday morning. It took off from Yei at 09:15 local time ( 07:15 GMT) and air traffic control lost contact about 30 minutes into the flight to the capital.

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Among the 14 on board  the pilot and 13 passengers  were 12 South Sudanese and two Kenyans, the manifest says.

The plane - a Cessna 208 Caravan - was operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd.

South Sudan - the world's youngest country - has a poorly developed transport network and the aviation industry does not have a good safety record.

More than 55 planes crashed in the country, resulting in dozens of fatalities, in the decade following independence in 2011.

Accidents are sometimes due to old aircraft and weak regulatory compliance. Overloading, poor weather and pilot errors are also blamed.

In January 2025, 20 oil workers died after their aircraft, which was headed for Juba, came down three minutes after take-off near the oil fields of Unity state in the north.

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The worst plane crash occurred in November 2015, when an Antonov plane crashed near Juba airport, killing 41 people.

Correction 28 April 2026: A previous version of this story, based on an earlier passenger manifest that was circulated, incorrectly stated that 15 people were on board.

More South Sudan stories from the BBC:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts
During investigation into a separate, unrelated case, the police arrived at an apartment in Givat Shaul, where they found the illegal daycare, containing around 25 toddlers, managed by two people.

Israel Police discovered over 20 toddlers being cared for in an unlicensed and illegal daycare center in Jerusalem, police announced on Sunday.

During an investigation into a separate, unrelated case, the police arrived at an apartment in Givat Shaul, where they found the illegal daycare, containing around 25 toddlers, managed by a man and a woman.

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The couple was detained for interrogation at the police station and later released under restrictive conditions.

The police also announced that they had caught and arrested the suspect related to their original investigation, which led them to the daycare.

A toddler at a playground in Tel Aviv (credit: BEN HARTMAN)

Permitless daycare scandals shake country

Earlier this month, police arrested akindergarten director and her husband, both residents of Tel Aviv in their 60s, on suspicion of committing sexual offenses against children in their care.

Following the arrests, the police confirmed that the kindergarten was functioning without the proper permits from municipal authorities and the Education Ministry.

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In an incident at a daycare center in Jerusalems Romema neighborhood in January, two babies died, and at least 55 more small children sustained injuries from respiratory distress after the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services were called to the site.

The Jerusalem daycare was also confirmed to be operating without the proper permits from municipal authorities and the Education Ministry.

Shoshana Baker contributed to this report.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed most Americans want babies born in the U.S. to automatically receive citizenship as the Supreme Court moves toward a decision on President Donald Trumps executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.

The fight is also taking on a highly personal dimension for Trump, who told reporters "I'm going" as he prepares for a rare presidential appearance at the court, a plan he discussed in attend the Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship.

As per the Reuters report, the survey was conducted April 15-20 and found 64% of respondents opposed ending the policy, while 32% backed eliminating it.

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The same poll was published as the justices head into the final stretch of a term that is expected to produce major rulings before the end of June.

Don't Miss:

Public Opinion Strongly Opposes Citizenship Change

Trumps order, signed on January 20, 2025, seeks to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children if their parents lack legal status or hold only temporary permission to be in the country.

It also sets a new requirement that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident for a child born on U.S. soil to qualify for citizenship.

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In court, the directive has already run into setbacks, including an October federal appeals court decision blocking it and finding it inconsistent with the Constitution and long-standing precedent.

Another appellate panel, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, signaled skepticism in August 2025, with a three-judge panel indicating the order appeared unconstitutional.

At the Supreme Court, the dispute has been framed as a defining test of Trumps immigration agenda, with the justices expected to rule by the end of June.

As reported by Reuters, the court's April 1 oral argument suggested the conservative-majority bench may be reluctant to embrace Trump's position.

Trending: Avoid the #1 Investing Mistake: How Your Safe' Holdings Could Be Costing You Big Time

Will Trumps Court Attendance Shift Dynamics?

Trump has argued that birthright citizenship was designed after the Civil War to protect the children of enslaved people, not to extend citizenship to children of wealthy foreigners.

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He also criticized how the issue has been handled in the legal system, calling it "the craziest thing I've ever seen."

Asked who he would be watching most closely, Trump described the court in partisan terms tied to which presidents appointed which justices.

"I love a few of them," he said, adding, "I don't like some others."

His planned presence at oral arguments would be a modern first for a sitting president, underscoring how politically charged the case has become.

The moment also links the legal fight to Trump's broader immigration crackdown, which has turned the citizenship question into a central campaign issue.

Legal Challenges To Trumps Citizenship Directive

The upcoming Supreme Court review follows previous legal challenges to Trumps directive, which instructs federal agencies not to recognize citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents lacking legal status. A lower court had previously blocked this order, ruling it violated the 14th Amendment, a decision that has significant implications for Trumps immigration agenda.

See Also: Skip the Regrets: The Essential Retirement Tips Experts Wish Everyone Knew Earlier.

As the justices prepare to hear arguments, the Trump administration has argued that the Citizenship Clauses wording excludes children of parents whose presence in the U.S. is temporary or unlawful. This pivotal case could reshape the understanding of citizenship for the first time in over a century, underscoring the political stakes as Trump prepares for his historic appearance at the court, marking the first time a sitting president has attended such proceedings in person, as detailed in Trumps push to redefine US birthright citizenship.

Key Polls Reveal Partisan Divide On Immigration

The Reuters/Ipsos results point to sharply different views by party, even as the overall national numbers tilt strongly toward keeping birthright citizenship.

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Only 9% of Democrats supported ending it, while Republicans were far more open to doing so, with 62% favoring elimination and 36% wanting it kept.

Reuters also highlighted that the court is nearing decisions on other high-profile disputes, including rules for counting mail-in ballots and cases involving transgender athletes.

Separately, the poll found 65% support counting ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later, and 67% support barring transgender athletes from girls' and women's school sports.

Read Next: Thinking about ETFs? See what investment risks you should be aware of before you buy.

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President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued invitations to youth and young adults worldwide to regularly attend and become a part of the churchs Seminaries and Institutes of Religion.

His invitations come at a historic time, when more than 1 million youth and young adults are currently enrolled in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, according to a press release published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

This record-high enrollment number is an unprecedented milestone in the programs history, the churchs release states. It was achieved during the 100th anniversary year of Institutes of Religion.

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My dear young friends, you are growing up in a remarkable and challenging time, President Oaks said in a video dedicated to seminary-age youth, ages 14 to 18.

Make consistent attendance at seminary a priority. As you attend seminary, you will feel Gods love; find answers in your life; deepen your testimony of Jesus Christ; build emotional and spiritual strength; prepare for the temple, missions, education and a future family; and gain courage to stand for truth.

President Oaks invited youth to attend seminary regularly and invite friends.

When you graduate from seminary, he said, I invite you to attend institute.

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I testify of the Lord Jesus Christ. He lives, he knows you and he will bless you as you participate in seminary.

To young adults, President Oaks issued a similar invitation.

One of the greatest opportunities to learn, gather and lift others is found at institute, President Oaks said in a brief video.

He promised those who consistently attend institute will be able to:

Learn to distinguish truth from error

Build a relationship with Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ

Find direction and discover answers to lifes greatest questions

Meet others to help them along the covenant path

Meet people who they may choose to date and marry

Prepare to love and lead like the Savior

President Oaks video invitation was first shared in English during a church-wide young adult devotional with Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon.

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President Oaks invitation is now available in additional languages and encourages young adults worldwide to consistently attend institute.

My dear young adults, I invite you to consistently attend institute, President Oaks said.

I also encourage you to invite friends to share in these same blessings. I promise that your time in institute will bring the Saviors peace, joy and divine love.

Enrollment in seminary and institute has grown by more than 200,000 students in recent years.

Of those enrolled, approximately 75,000 students are of other faiths, another church press release states.

See here for more information on why young adults are joining institute in record numbers, and listen to this episode of the Church News podcast to learn more about how seminary and institute enrollment is blessing young people worldwide.

Young people share blessings of seminary and institute attendance

A handful of youth and young adults shared the blessings theyve seen as they have regularly attended seminary and institute. Heres what they said in the churchs press release:

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Before college, I understood who the Savior was and what he could do for me, but I dont think I ever believed it, said Gredadeline Jules, an institute student from Herriman, Utah.

Institute provided me that ability to be able to learn exactly who he is specifically for me.

Elijah McLennan, a seminary student from Visalia, California, said: Seminary really helps  because it just gives you a place to grow closer to Christ every single day.

Molly Murphy, an institute student from Pinedale, Wyoming, shared institute was like a sanctuary.

It provided a space for me to make new friends and to build connections with people and also just learn about the Savior and his Atonement.
MOSCOW, April 27 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday praised the Iranian people for battling to stay independent in the face of U.S. and Israeli pressure and said Moscow would do all it could to help Tehran. Russia has offered to mediate to try to help restore calm to the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes, which Moscow has strongly condemned. It has also repeatedly offered to store Iran's enriched uranium as a way of defusing tensions, a proposal spurned by the United States. "We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty," Putin told Araqchi, saying he hoped they could get through what he called a "difficult period" and that peace would prevail. "For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests and the interests of all the peoples of the region to ensure that peace is achieved as quickly as possible," said Putin. Putin received Araqchi in the presidential library in Russia's former imperial capital St Petersburg as sources from mediator Pakistan said work had not halted to bridge gaps between the United States and Iran. Putin said he received a message from Irans new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, last week, and asked Araqchi to convey to him that Russia intended to continue its strategic partnership with Tehran. That 20-year agreement was sealed last year. Russia is building two new nuclear units at Bushehr - the site of Iran's only nuclear power plant - and Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones for use against Ukraine, the production of which Moscow has since localised. Araqchi, who said he wanted to brief Putin on the situation around his country, thanked Putin for Moscow's support. "It has also been proven to all that Iran has friends and allies, such as the Russian Federation, who stand by Iran precisely in difficult times," he said. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said that Moscow wanted to see the U.S. and Iran continue negotiations. There should be no return to military action, he added, something he said was not in anyone's interests.

(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Andrew Osborn and Anna Peverieri; Editing by Alison Williams)
Left-wing nonprofits are rallying behind the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as the self-described "beacon of hope" for "fighting White supremacy" faces federal fraud charges.

In a blog post written by National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Senior Policy Advisor Mel Wilson, Wilson said, "it is important that we stand with and support The Southern Poverty Law Center until the legal travails are complete  with full confidence that SPLC will be vindicated."

Below her commentary, Wilson listed a number of "coalition members" that are standing with SPLC and are a part of "The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights."

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, left, and SPLC interim President and CEO Bryan Fair are shown in a split image as the Justice Department pursues charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center. (Getty Images)

The list included more than one hundred non-profit organizations.

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Splc Indictment Builds Momentum For Bessent's Treasury To Probe Partisan Nonprofits

Separately, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a press release defending SPLC, saying that it stands with the nonprofit, and accusing the Department of Justice of "targeting" the organization.

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"This reported federal targeting of SPLC appears to be a transparently political attack on the rule of law meant to undermine the vital role civil rights groups play in countering hate groups. This is unacceptable and must not stand," CAIRs statement read.

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"We encourage all Americans and elected officials to stand in solidarity with the SPLC and all other organizations dedicated to the protection of civil rights," the statement continued.

Black Church Group Retracts 'Inappropriate' Call For Al Sharpton's Suspension Over Donations From Harris Camp

CAIR was named a co-conspirator during The Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial from 2007-2008, where five members of the HLF were convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization, providing material support, money laundering and tax fraud after allegations that HLF funneled $12.4 million to Hamas in the early 2000s.

Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, leads a press conference with CAIR California leaders amid calls from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith for an IRS investigation into the group's tax-exempt status.

While CAIR never faced charges and was only named by prosecutors during the trial, the FBI cut ties with the nonprofit following the case.

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Sec. Noem Says Homeland Security Will Freeze Grants To Non-governmental Organizations

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano referring CAIR-California for IRS review. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke to reporters following a Senate Republican luncheon.

Fox News Digital reached out to NASW but did not receive a response.

Federal authorities announced earlier this week that the Southern Poverty Law Center, known for civil rights litigation and racial justice, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly funneling millions to members of violent extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations and the National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party).

Far-left Agitator Who Organized Mn Church Storming Raked In Over $1 Million From Anti-poverty Nonprofit

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According to the SPLCs Form 990 filing with the IRS, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization posted roughly $129 million in total revenue in fiscal year 2024 with nearly $800 million in total assets.

The organization says that the money was for informants to report back to SPLC and provide information about the groups and their inner workings.

The indictment said that one alleged informant, who was paid $270,000, shared "racist social media posts" under SPLC supervision, and that the nonprofit "helped organize transportation to events" during the deadly 2017 "Unite the Right" event in Charlottesville, Virginia.

White supremacists march with tiki torches through the University of Virginia campus.

Ex-nonprofit Boss Allegedly Swiped $1.2M Meant For Homeless Programs To Fund Lavish Lifestyle, Da Says

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"These individuals risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of our nation's most radical and violent extremist groups," SPLC Interim President and CEO Bryan Fair said in a video statement. "When we began working with informants, we were living in the shadow of the height of the civil rights movement, which had seen bombings at churches, state-sponsored violence against demonstrators, and the murders of activists that went unanswered by the justice system."

In 1994, an investigative series by the Montgomery Advertiser examined the financials of SPLC at the time, finding that the founder was heavily focused on fundraising for the nonprofit, running the organization like a business or corporation. It also found that the salaries of SPLC were high, and that the nonprofit raised significantly more money than it spent.

The Montgomery Advertiser was a finalist for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Journalism due to the series on SPLC.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) building seen in March 2020 in Montgomery, Alabama.

SPLC co-founder Joe Levin rejected the papers claims at the time.

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Doj Says Southern Poverty Law Center Funneled $3M+ To White Supremacist And Extremist Groups

Margaret Huang, who served as the CEO of the nonprofit until her resignation last summer, made $522,000 a year as reported by Charity Watch, which gave SPLC an "F" rating in May 2025 "due to it having six years' worth of available assets in reserve."

The indictments also raise questions about whether SPLC donors were misled about how their money was being spent, including payments made to members of the KKK and other extremist groups.

"The SPLC indictment is legally valid, well-pleaded and built to survive motion practice," former federal prosecutor and legal expert Andrew Cherkasky told Fox News Digital. "The wire fraud counts rest on specific, quoted solicitations telling donors their money would be used to 'dismantle' violent extremist groups, paired with the material omission that more than three million dollars flowed to the leaders, fundraisers, and organizers of those very same groups."

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington on April 21, 2026.

Oversight Demands Doj Answers On Foreign Funding Of Agitator Groups As Iran, Anti-ice Protests Continue

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Cherkasky noted that paying informants is not illegal, and that journalists, watchdog groups and the government regularly use them. But he noted "a nonprofit is criminally liable for the acts of its agents committed within the scope of their duties and for the organizations benefit."

"A high-level SPLC employee coordinated payment for documents stolen by a paid source who twice burglarized an extremist groups headquarters, and a different source was paid six thousand dollars to falsely confess to the theft," Cherkasky explained. "If proven, that is sponsored criminal conduct directed from inside the organization, and it carries institutional exposure that extends beyond the criminal counts to potential loss of tax-exempt status, civil liability to victims, and fiduciary exposure for directors and officers."

FBI Director Kash Patel said Tuesday that SPLC was not honest or transparent with its donors.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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"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," Patel said. "That is illegal  and this is an ongoing investigation against all individuals involved."

Fox News Digital reached out to SPLC, but did not receive a response.





Original article source: Radical activist groups circle wagons around Southern Poverty Law Center amid federal charges
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., was pressed Sunday on whether Democrats should tone down rhetoric against President Donald Trump after the shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday evening triggered chaos.

When asked on CNN's "State of the Union" by Dana Bash whether he and other Democrats should reconsider heated, inflammatory language toward Trump, Raskin responded, "What rhetoric do you have in mind?" before adding that he criticizes administration policies rather than making personal attacks.

"I talk about the policies of this administration, the authoritarianism," Raskin said. "I dont personalize it."

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Raskin, often a vocal critic of the Trump administration, has previously called for cognitive tests of the president and said Trump has taken a "chainsaw" to the Constitution.

During the interview, Raskin also defended the role of the press and criticized what he described as past attacks on media institutions.

"I think the press are the peoples best friend and thats why its written right there into the First Amendment," Raskin said. "We need the press to be a vigilant watchdog against every level of government."

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Security rapidly escorts Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. out during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. (AP Images)

Trump Praises Press After Whcd Shooting, Says Unity At Dinner Was 'Beautiful'

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Raskin was also asked whether he had confidence in FBI Director Kash Patel and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to oversee the investigation into the dinner incident.

"I hope that this investigation is done with complete openness and transparency," Raskin said.

Dana White Says He Refused To Get Down During White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting

The interview began with discussion of the Saturday night incident, after Kerry Kennedy posted on social media that loud noises sent guests to the floor before Secret Service agents rushed into the room. Raskin said he had just arrived and was speaking with Kennedy when chaos broke out.

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"I had just come in the room a few minutes before," Raskin said. "Suddenly theres loud booms, crashing sounds, plates, silverware, everything flying all over the place."

Raskin said he immediately thought about Kennedy's family history after the assassinations of her father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and uncle, President John F. Kennedy.

"I thought immediately about Kerrys situation, having lost her father in gun violence assassination and her uncle," Raskin said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz and his wife, former U.S. Homeland Security advisor Julia Nesheiwat, are rushed out of the Washington Hilton after the White House Correspondents' Dinner was postponed on April 25, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Us Judge Orders Suspect Detained For Threatening To Kill Richard Grenell

Blanche said Sunday that the alleged shooter was refusing to help investigators. He also said authorities believe the suspect traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., by train and that additional charges and details were expected after formal filings.

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"From what we've learned in our preliminary investigation, he's not actively cooperating," Blanche said.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Federal authorities have not yet released a full motive as of Sunday morning.





Original article source: Raskin acts clueless when pressed on Democrats' anti-Trump rhetoric following WHCD shooting
Posted on Oct 7, 2014 in Tactics101

Tactics 101 101  The Mechanized Infantry Platoon

THE MECHANIZED INFANTRY PLATOON

aBattles are won by slaughter and manoeuvre.A The greater the general, the more he contributes in manoeuvre, the less he demands in slaughter.a

Sir Winston Churchill

LAST MONTH

In our last article, we celebrated our 100th installment.A Again, thanks to all who have made this series possible!A When we started, we never thought we would move into triple digits in terms of individual articles.A As they say, anything is possible! Our hope is that the series has informed and entertained.

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THIS MONTH

Beginning this month, we will make a shift from light infantry to mechanized infantry operations.A There are many differences, but lots in common as well.A A good commander will be able to take advantage of the capabilities that mechanized infantry offers.A This includes the strengths of both the mounted and dismounted elements of mechanized infantry.A In our initial article, we will address the organization of the mechanized infantry platoon.A Just as we did in our dissection of the light infantry platoon and company, we will get into significant detail.A Within our discussion of mechanized infantry, we will use the US Army and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle  BFV (M2) as our model.A We will start with the Mechanized Infantry Platoon.A Much to discuss, so LETaS MOUNT UP!

What Puts The Mechanized in Mechanized Infantry? The Historya

Throughout history, we have sought ways to maneuver our Infantrymen quicker and safer. In earlier times, it was generally tied to some sort of animal who could carry the Infantryman or if water was available we could utilize rafts or ships.A As technology progressed so did our options for maneuvering our Infantrymen.

At the end of World War I, as both sides began moving out of the trenches, options were needed to maneuver the Infantry. With the inception of the tank, something was needed to keep the Infantry in pace with advancing tanks and not be totally exhausted once they reached an objective.A The obvious course of action was to put the mechanized in mechanized infantry. In the beginning it was basically having Infantrymen find somewhere to hang onto on a moving a tank.A Not a good thing for the Infantrymen.A It was a very uncomfortable ride and extremely dangerous.A Since tanks were obvious artillery magnets; it made riding on tops of the tanks not a pleasant experience.A With that said; it was a start.

During the 1920s, there was much thinking going on the subject of warfighting.A With men such as Fuller, Hart, Guderian, Chafee speaking; many started listening.A They understood that for a force to fight in a combined arms style and be effective; the concept of Mechanized Infantry must be embraced. Their thoughts paved the way for the development of vehicles which could maneuver Infantry.

With the onset of World War II, we began to see mechanized infantry move from theory to application.A During the course of the war, we saw various vehicles utilized to maneuver Infantrymen.A These included among many the German SdKfz 251 half-track APC, the American M2 and M3 halftracks, and the British Bren Carriers. There was now no question that Mechanized Infantry were a staple in most nationsa armies.

M2 Halftrack

After World War II, the evolution of vehicles designed to maneuver the Infantryman clearly took off.A Like any area tied to warfighting; it was a heavily contested competition between the USA and the USSR.A A For the US Army it was a progression from the M75 to the M59 to the workhorse  the M113. It was during the Vietnam War, where the US began to experiment with variants of the M113.A With the addition of some different weapon system platforms; the US was beginning to move from an Infantry carrier to an Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

A

THE M113

On the other side, the Soviet Union was progressing even faster than their ideological foe. During the World War, the USSR was one of the least advanced countries in regards to maneuvering their Infantrymen.A They basically relied on trucks and riding atop tanks.A Following the War, they were extremely busy in their design and implementation.A Itas beyond the scope of this article to get into all the vehicles developed by the Soviets, but we will highlight some of the more significant ones below.

In 1950, the BTR (Bronetransporter or Armored Transporter) 152 was produced.A It was a wheeled transporter, but because of added armor protection it was very heavy and not extremely mobile.A With machine guns attached, it had some punch, but was not real threatening on the battlefield.A All that said, it was a marked improvement to what they had.A In the 1960s, this wheeled transporter was replaced by the BTR 60. It was a significantly better vehicle in all regards to its afathera.

The mid 1960s saw an incredible transformation in the ability of the Soviets to maneuver their Infantry.A With the production of the BMP- 1 (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty), the Soviets moved from utilizing an Infantry carrier to using an Infantry Fighting Vehicle.A With the advent of the BMP-1, the Russians could use the vehicle to support the maneuver of the Infantry.A This was because the vehicle was tracked and fairly mobile and was equipped with a main gun (originally 73mm), an anti-tank weapon system and machine guns.A The complexion of the battlefield had truly changed.A This complexion was exhibited during the 1973 Yom Kippur War when Egyptian and Syrian forces were both equipped with BMPs courtesy of the USSR.

BMP 1

For the next several decades, the Soviets made improvements to the BMP and these resulted in the BMP-2 and BMP-3.A The changes focused on all aspects of the BMP. These included engine advancements, significant upgrades in all weapon systems, and far more armor protection.A The end result was a formidable and highly productive Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

The lessons learned of the 1973 Yom Kippur weighed heavily on all aspects of warfighting within the US Army.A Even before the War, the Army was working on replacements for the M60 Tank and M113 APC.A The War simply sped up the process.A The fruits of their labor were the M1 Abrams tank and M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.A Each saw its introduction into the field in the early 1980s.A For the Bradley, its moment of truth was Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and it did not disappoint.

The Bradley Companion a The M1 Tank

As with the BMP, the Bradley has gone through many transformations.A These include the M2A1, M2A2, M2A2 ODS (Operation Desert Storm), and the M2A3.A The interworking of the Bradley was also utilized as the body for many other vehicles utilized by other branches (Air Defense, Engineer, etca).A It has been a stalwart of the force and combined with the M1 Tank they are a devastating pair.A The pair clearly influenced the development of other tanks and Infantry Fighting Vehicles within other countries.A We will address the particulars of the M2 momentarily.

As noted above, for brevity sake we will not go in to detail on the Infantry Fighting Vehicles of today.A These vehicles have the same purpose as the original BMP or Bradley a to assist in the maneuver of Infantryman getting them to the right location at the right time.

Since the prototype for our discussion on Mechanized Infantry is a unit equipped with the Bradley; letas highlight the Bradley below utilizing the categories of survivability, mobility, reliability, and lethality.

Desert Storm

The M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle a Desert Storm highlighted the survivability, mobility, reliability, and lethality of the Bradley.A Letas address each below.

Survivability a The Bradley will not protect you from every weapon out there, but an Infantryman feels pretty safe inside the vehicle. It has standard armor and can be fitted with more protection if needed and other types of armor.A Another asset the Bradley can call upon for protection is smoke.A The Bradley has two ways to produce smoke.A First, it is equipped with a couple of M257 smoke grenade dischargers that are each loaded with four smoke grenades. Second, the Bradley has the ability to generate smoke via its engine which has a smoke-generating system.

Mobility a Having been on a Bradley in all types of terrain; we can verify the ability of the Bradley to operate in a wide variety of environments.A Its versatility comes from a powerful engine and wide tracks which truly grip the ground.A This enables it to keep up with the M1 tank! It can climb hills, motor on rough surfaces and even swim if required (not optimal, but feasible as we can verify!).

Reliability a Maintenance wise the Bradley is very reliable. In terms of keeping it running; it is hard to bring it down.A As with all technological savvy combat vehicles; there can always be some issues with the electronics and the weapon systems.A As you can expect, quality mechanics and technicians diagnose problems quickly and fix the issue.A Roughly tied to reliability is the fact that the Bradley can be deployed to any environment via rail, truck, ship and aircraft.

Lethality a The Bradley has a group of weapon systems which give it much versatility.A It is highly effective against thin-skinned vehicles, other types of fighting vehicles, suppressing enemy Soldiers, and can destroy or disable enemy tanks. Letas detail its weapon systems below.

The M242 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun a The Bushmaster is the perfect weapon to support the maneuver of the Infantryman.A There are numerous reasons for this.A First, the chain gun can fire a wide variety of ammunition.A If an enemy bunker needs to be destroyed, high explosive (HE) ammo is the call.A If thin-skinned vehicles must be destroyed, then HE again would be highly effective. Depending on the type of tank; armor piercing (AP) rounds are available to disable tanks or even destroy it.A A The beauty of the Bushmaster is that you can change the type of ammunition with the simple flick of a switch.A Second, depending on the ammunition the Bushmaster can push out rounds to around 2000 meters.A That is a significant overwatch capability when the Infantryman is on the ground.A Third, and related to above is the fact is that it can pump out rounds at a very healthy pace. It can fire single or multiple shot and has a standard rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute.A Thus, the Bushmasteras ability to serve as both an assault and overwatch weapon make it the perfect Infantry Fighting Vehicle weapon.

The M240C Machine Gun a Inside the Bradley, to the right of the Bushmaster is the M240C 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. It is obviously an excellent suppression weapon and is generally utilized against the enemyas infantry.A On a good day, a round could travel up to 3,700 meters.A For planning, it is best to figure up to 800 meters for a point target and 1,800 for an area target.

TOW Anti-Tank Missile a When the enemy possesses formidable tanks or armored vehicles which can impact mission accomplishment; the TOW can be the weapon of choice.A Each Bradley is equipped with a twin tube launcher.A The missiles themselves are already loaded into the launchers and are ready to be fired.A The system is highly accurate and the missiles range is almost 4 kilometers.A The Bradley itself must be stationary in order to fire the TOW.

Firing Port Weapons a On the sides of the Bradley are firing ports in which the M231 Firing Port Weapon can be shot by the Infantrymen riding on the back.A It is essentially an adaption of the M16.A To be honest, these weapons are seldom fired and if they are you are probably in a little more trouble than you want to be.

With a brief history of mechanized infantry and a discussion of the Bradley complete; we can move on to addressing the Mechanized Infantry Platoon (Bradley Equipped).

Capabilities a The combination of a platoon full of highly skilled Infantryman and four BFVs can be lethal if utilized properly. Letas highlight some of these key capabilities below.

The combination of dismounted infantry and the weapon systems existing on the Bradley enable the platoon to be an excellent force to assault enemy positions (size dependent of course).

The combination is superb in an urban environment.

Can be utilized to deny enemy infantry the ability to achieve their purpose and task.

Block dismounted avenues of approach.

Depending on the size of the enemy can block mounted avenues of approach.

Seize key or decisive terrain which will facilitate success for the company or battalion.

Can conduct various types of mounted or dismounted patrols in support of stability operations.

Operate superbly during the night and limited visibility conditions.

Can be utilized to conduct various security and recon operations if required.

In a defense, can be used to occupy a strongpoint if a piece of terrain is critical to overall mission accomplishment for the company or battalion.

Can infiltrate enemy positions to set the conditions for success.

May be used to overwatch an obstacle or to secure it.

Can be the assault force or the actual breaching force in a breaching operation.

Utilize its various weapon systems to destroy or disable a wide variety of enemy vehicles.A We addressed these above.

Limitations a Sure, mechanized infantry has numerous capabilities associated with it.A However, there are some limitations in its use that you must keep in mind during planning and execution.A These limitations include the following:

Vehicles are maintenance intensive.A This not only includes maintenance to repair vehicles, but preventative maintenance to stop potential problems.

Vehicles require fuel.A Some such as the BFV require more than others.A You canat leave fuel solely to the logisticians to figure out.A Commanders must know enough so they can determine what is possible.A If a Commander has tanks with his carriers then the issues are multiplied significantly.

Some carriers are of considerable size which obviously affects their ability to maneuver in difficult terrain.

The BFV in particular cannot be considered a very stealthy vehicle. You are not going to sneak up on an enemy in the middle of the night.A This noise signature must be discussed in planning and executing a mission.

In most cases, while the carrier is maneuvering; the Infantry Soldiers are buttoned up inside.A Not good for situational awareness and not good for those who may be a bit claustrophobic!

Infantry Carriers are certainly susceptible to anti-armor weapons. The impact is far greater if Infantry Soldiers are inside the vehicle.

A The Bradley Platoon (In a Perfect World!)

Organization

The Mechanized Infantry Platoon is a robust fighting unit comprised of 40 Infantrymen when fully manned.A Within the platoon, there are two distinctive elements a the mounted element and the dismounted element.A The beauty of the platoon is that the elements can fight separately or in combination.A This flexibility is a tremendous asset, but one that must be utilized properly.A In other words, they must capitalize on the strengths of each other and mitigate the weaknesses of each.A Below we will dissect each of the elements.

THE BRADLEY PLATOON a MOUNTED SECTIONS

Mounted Element a The Mechanized Platoon is comprised of four Bradleys.A These four vehicles are divided into two sections of two Bradleys each.A The platoon itself will normally maneuver as a platoon as part of a company.A However, there are instances where the platoon may maneuver independently.A Within the sections, the Bradleys will operate on the wingman concept.A We will dissect the maneuver of the mounted element a both formations and techniques in our next article.A Letas get into a little more detail into the manning of the crew and then each section.

A Bradley Crew

The crew of a Bradley normally consists of three Infantrymen.A These are the driver, the gunner, and the Bradley Commander (BC).A In the instance of the platoon leaderas vehicle, there are four.A This is in case the Platoon Leader dismounts the vehicle to maneuver with the dismounted element.A This allows the Bradley to continue to be crewed by 3 Infantrymen. Letas highlight the duties of each of the crew members.

Bradley Commander a

As the name suggests, is responsible for everything that relates to the vehicle.

As the name suggests, is responsible for everything that relates to his crew.

Assists the gunner and the driver in acquiring targets.

Issues fire commands to the gunner to engage targets.

Ensures the vehicle is in the correct location in formations and maneuver techniques.

Oversees all maintenance of the vehicle (hull, turret, weapon systems, etca).

Navigates the Bradley.

Provides Platoon Leader with situational updates as warranted.

Provides Platoon Leader with recommendations if necessary.

Gunner a

Continually scans the battlefield searching for targets or threats.

If directed by the BC engages targets.A This happens several ways.A First, the BC may detect the target, provides the gunner the location, and then provides the fire command to the gunner to engage.A Second, if the gunner detects the target; he will ask the BC for permission to engage.

If the BC departs the vehicle for any reason; will take over the BC duties.

Performs unit-level maintenance on the turret and the weapon systems.A Must be an expert on the turret and the weapon systems.

Assists the BC in a wide variety of duties. This could include navigation and communications operations.

Should be an accomplished driver of the Bradley.A This allows him to drive the vehicle when the driver may need a break during long marches that have little chance of enemy contact.

Driver a

Will normally be one of younger Infantrymen in the platoon. It is beneficial when he has some experience with the dismounted element. Two key things to remember.A First, not all Infantrymen want to be a driver.A Second, not all Infantrymen can be good drivers.

Obviously, the driver operates the Bradley.A He will receive much guidance from his BC as to where to go, stop, start, etca The more experience the two have together; the less guidance the driver will require.A He will understand what the BC wants.

A good driver understands how to utilize the terrain and how to drive in different types of terrain.

Experienced drivers can detect targets for the BC.

Experienced drivers will observe rounds fired down range to determine accuracy.

Must be dedicated to preventative maintenance on the Bradleyas hull.

A good driver should be handy with the wrench so he can make some on the spot fixes.

A good driver knows his Bradley.A He knows the sounds it makes and how it runs.A He should know immediately when something is not right.

Alternate Gunner/Loader a

There is one unique crew member who resides on the Platoon Leaderas Bradley.A This position is called the alternate gunner or loader.

When the Platoon Leader is in the vehicle; this Soldier is located in the back of the vehicle.A In this location, his principle duty is handling ammunition and assisting the crew in reloading weapon systems that are out of ammunition.A This may include any of three major systems a the Bushmaster, the TOW, or the COAX Machine Gun.A A good loader saves incredible time for the crew when time is of the essence.

When the Platoon Leader is out of the vehicle (normally when he is with the dismounted element on the ground), this Soldier will assume the role of the gunner.A This is because the normal gunner becomes the Bradley Gunner with the Platoon Leader now on the ground.

The Platoon Master Gunner a Within each Bradley Platoon there exists the Bradley Master Gunner.A This is a critical position in the platoon.A The Master Gunner is the Bradley Commander for the Bradley which is the wingman of the Platoon Leaderas Bradley. A His primary duties include:

The platoon expert on the Bradley.A Must know each of the weapons systems intimately.A Just as importantly, must be able to communicate his knowledge to his platoon members.

The platoon expert on Bradley crew operations.A Must be able to assist the other Bradley crews in improving their teamwork within the Bradley.

In combat, advises the platoon leadership on the capabilities of the Bradley and its weapon systems.

In the defense, advises leadership on fire control measures and assists in the planning of the engagement area.

Assists the platoon leadership in the training of the mounted element.

A Bradley Section a Within the platoon, the Bradleys are organized into two sections with two vehicles each.A Just as an individual Soldier has a battle buddy; a Bradley has a wingman.A This allows the section to work in tandem during maneuver.A We will discuss this further in our next article. The two sections within the Bradley are aptly named Section A and Section B.A Within Section A you will find the Bradley of the Platoon leader and the Bradley of the Platoonas Master Gunner.A Within Section B you will have the Platoon Sergeantas Bradley and the remaining Bradley in the Platoon.

THE BRADLEY PLATOON a DISMOUNTED ELEMENT

Dismounted Element a Obviously, the Bradley itself packs tremendous combat power.A Now combine that with the dismounted element and you have something special.A When fully manned, the Platoon can utilize three nine-man rifle squads or 27 Soldiers. These squads essentially operate just like their brothers in the rifle platoons.A Of course, the Bradley and itsa capabilities changes the dynamics in many aspects.A Letas briefly discuss each since we have gone into significant detail during our treatment of the rifle platoon.

Squad a Within the Platoon, you will find three nine-man rifle squads. Each of the squads is led by a squad leader.A The squad is broken down into two fire teams.A Letas highlight the members of the Squad below:

THE SQUAD LEADER

A Squad Leader a There are three rifle squad leaders in the platoon. As always, a leader is responsible for all that occurs or doesnat happen in the unit he leads.A Thus, the squad leader is responsible for those eight Infantrymen and two fire teams which he leads.A We will not go over all the duties of the rifle platoon leader.A They are essentially the same as the squad leader in the rifle platoon.A A Obviously, the differences that exist relate to areas tied to the Bradley.

Fire Team Leader a Within the platoon, there exist six team leaders (two per squad).A Again, his responsibilities basically mirror those of the rifle squad leader.A One of the key differences is that a good Team Leader will keep his Soldiers informed as to what is happening when they are riding inside the Bradley.A Nothing is worse than dismounting the Bradley and not knowing what you are getting into.

Rifleman a The heart and soul of any Infantry organization is the rifleman. This is normally the Infantrymanas first position.A Once he learns the ropes and shows his wares; he will move on to other positions in the platoon. This rifleman will also likely carry a powerful M240B machine gun.

Anti-Armor Specialist a Each squad possesses an AT Specialist. A In our organization that is the Javelin.A When taking out enemy armor is imperative on the ground, he will be called upon.A We addressed this highly lethal system in our treatment of the rifle platoon and company.

Grenadier a Each fire team has a grenadier.A He utilizes an M203 weapon system.A This is basically an M16 with a 40 mm grenade launcher attached to it.A This is a versatile weapon which can fire high explosive rounds when opposing an infantry or light skinned vehicle threat.A It can also fire smoke rounds when required and even illumination rounds.A It has a range of about 350 meters.

Automatic Rifleman a Each fire team possesses an automatic rifleman.A The weapon of choice here is the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon or SAW.A This system puts out rounds quickly and at a good distance.A This is really the weapon you utilize against the enemyas Infantryman.

How do you Organize the Infantrymen Inside the Bradley?

So you have these 27 Infantryman and three squads.A How do organize them into the four platoon Bradleys?A The numbers and the space in the Bradley do not equate to complete squad integrity in a Bradley.A Below is a way to make it happen.

BFV 2 (Platoon Master Gunneras Bradley) a The first squad leader is the lead dismounted Infantryman inside the vehicle.A He is joined his Alpha Fire Team and half of his Bravo Fire Team.

BFV 1 (Platoon Leaderas Bradley) a The lead Infantryman is the Alpha Fire Team Leader for Second Squad.A He is joined by his squad and the Fire Team Leader and Automatic Rifleman from Bravo Team/First Squad.A Also remember that in the Platoon Leaderas Bradley there is a loader who also rides in the back.

BFV 4 (Wingman Bradley) a The second Squad Leader is the lead Infantryman.A He has his entire Bravo Team and the grenadier and riflemen from the Alpha Team of Third Squad.

BFV 3 (Platoon Sergeantas Bradley) a The third squad leader has his Bravo Team in entirety and the Team leader and Automatic Riflemen from Alpha Team.

Again, this organization is based on a full-up platoon.A In reality, there are likely to be shortages and consequently, many adaptations to the above organization.

The Platoon Leadership

There are two more Infantrymen in the platoon we must discuss a the Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant.A Obviously, two pretty important Infantrymen within the platoon.A Letas highlight their key responsibilities.A Again, the foundation of their duties is no different than their rifle platoon counterparts. We will focus on those duties focused on mechanized infantry.

Platoon Leader

Must understand the capabilities of all his weapon systems.

Able to employ weapon systems so they complement one another.

Able to successfully maneuver his mounted and dismounted elements. A A A A A This may be separately, in combination, or just mounted (when Soldiers are inside Bradleys).

Serves as the Bradley Commander when mounted.

Understands the capabilities of the operating systems tied to mechanized and heavy operations.

When all three rifle squads dismount, will normally dismount with them.

Makes the decision to dismount his rifle squads.A This is a significant decision and must be thought about carefully.A Of course, many times this will ordered by the Company Commander.A However, there may be times when the decision will be made by the Platoon leader.A So what are those situations that may warrant dismounting your Infantryman?A Below are a few that may arise: Operating in terrain which greatly restricts the ability of the Bradley to maneuver.A This could be forested areas, rocky terrain, urban terrain, compartmentalized areas etca. In hilly terrain, you may not want to silhouette the Bradley; but you require better observation or fields of fire.A Consequently, you may dismount Infantry to maneuver to these areas. If the platoon is taking highly effective anti-armor fire, it may be necessary to dismount the Bradley.A This is if the terrain is conducive to protecting the Infantry. Certainly one of the most common situations is to clear an objective or to assault it.A Many times this is planned; at other times it may be an opportunity. A In a hasty defense, you will likely dismount Infantrymen so you can make use of their firepower. When an obstacle must be breached. Crossing danger areas. Conducting patrols. Providing security when the Bradleys will be at the halt for a period of time.



We will discuss how the dismounting of the Bradley occurs in a future article.

The Platoon Sergeant a There is no more experienced Infantryman in the platoon than the Platoon Sergeant.A As we discussed in our article on the rifle platoon, he has an extremely challenging position.A A good platoon sergeant is a combination of expertise, leadership and trainer. Oh by the way, he must also be ready to take a young Lieutenant under his wings and prepare him to lead Soldiers in combat.A Clearly, there is much on his plate.A Below letas highlight some of his key responsibilities tied a Bradley platoon:

The platoon expert on dismounted operations.

The platoon expert on maneuvering the mounted element.

Advise and assist the Platoon Leader in integrating the mounted and dismounted elements in combat.

If the Platoon Leader is located with the dismounted element; commands and controls the mounted element.

If the Platoon Leader is located with the mounted element; commands and controls the dismounted element.

Is obviously the Bradley Commander of his own vehicle.

REVIEW

The Mechanized Infantry Platoon is a powerful unit.A Itsa combination of dismounted Infantry and the Bradley can be highly effective on the battlefield.A This is of course if they are used in complement.A We will discuss this in far more detail in the upcoming articles.A One area we addressed this month which we want to highlight is the situations in which the Platoon Leader may dismount his Infantryman.A Again, this is an important decision which is extremely timely.

NEXT MONTH

Our next article will continue our dissection of the Bradley Platoon.A Our focus will be on the mounted maneuver of the platoon.A We will discuss formations, techniques and challenges the platoon faces during maneuver.
CHICAGO (AP)  A robbery suspect who allegedly pulled a handgun from under a blanket at a Chicago hospital and shot the two officers who brought him there for treatment will remain jailed on charges of murder and attempted murder, a judge ordered Monday.

A handcuffed Alphanso Talley, 26, was escorted into a Cook County courtroom packed with Chicago police officers and politicians for his first appearance, and did not speak during the hearing, not even when Circuit Court Judge Luciano Panici Jr. twice asked him his name.

Officer John Bartholomew, 38, a 10-year veteran, was fatally shot Saturday inside at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital. A second officer  57 years old with 21 years of service  was critically wounded and is still fighting for his life, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a statement Monday.

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This shooting was a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our officers face all too often on this job, the superintendent said.

Prosecutors allege that Talley and an unknown person robbed a Family Dollar store on Saturday morning and then pistol-whipped a female employee, stealing her wallet and keys. Police later tracked Talley through a GPS device attached to the money, and took him into custody. Then he told police he had ingested narcotics, prompting a ride to the hospital with the two officers, police said.

As Talley was prepared for a CT scan, he took his clothes off and a blanket was placed over him. Talley then reached under the blanket, pulled out a handgun and shot both officers, prosecutors alleged.

Talley then fled through a window. A surveillance photo obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times appeared to show him running naked, with electrodes on his chest. He was eventually arrested again, found with a 10 mm handgun matching shell casings from the hospital room, according to prosecutors. Snelling said investigators ultimately recovered three weapons.

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Prosecutors did not detail how Talley got the weapon, but charges filed in federal court in Indiana on Monday indicate it was purchased illegally through a straw buyer and was not taken from the officers.

The hospital said in a Facebook posting that the suspect was wanded upon arrival in a search for any weapons, following protocol, and that he was escorted by law enforcement at all times.

In court, attorneys from the Cook County Public Defenders office said they needed more time to speak with Talley, who will remain in custody. They also said theyd seek a mental health evaluation. Talleys next hearing was scheduled for April 30.

Attorneys leaving the hearing did not comment to reporters. The hearing was packed with officers, aldermen, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and the head of the Chicago police union. He said the second officer, whose identity has not been released, remained in critical condition.

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Its very bad, said John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7. Its extremely grave.

Talleys criminal record includes convictions for aggravated battery of a peace officer and for aiding, abetting, possessing or selling a stolen motor vehicle in 2023, as well as previous robbery and firearms convictions, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.

The federal criminal complaint filed Monday alleges the gun suspected of being used in the shootings was bought by a woman from a licensed gun dealer in 2024 in Merrillville, Indiana, about 40 miles southeast of Chicago.

Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Chicago Police Department, interviewed her Saturday in the Chicago suburb of Harvey, Illinois.

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An ATF agents affidavit said she admitted to lying about being a fentanyl addict when she said she was not addicted to any controlled substance, and to providing a false address on the form, both of which would have disqualified her from buying the gun.

The sworn statement said she told investigators that she bought it for her boyfriend at the time, identified in the complaint only as Individual A, a convicted felon who could not legally buy or possess firearms. She was charged with making a material false statement in the acquisition of a firearm.

Though this does not bring solace to this tragedy, it does bring the first step in accountability, Snellings statement said in praising the investigation.

__

Karnowski reported from Minneapolis.
Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, but they remain less likely to go to college

Many high school seniors are currently in the midst of the college application process or are already waiting to hear back from their selected schools.

For high school students in rural parts of the United States, the frantic pace of the college application process can look a bit different. For starters, some of these rural students might not have large numbers of elite universities and colleges coming to admissions fairs in their areas. They might not have all of the required high school courses to attend some of these schools, either, according to Sheneka Williams, a scholar of educational leadership and rural education at Michigan State University, who graduated from a small, rural high school in Alabama.

Amy Lieberman, the education editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Williams to understand the particular experiences of rural students  and what, exactly, it means to come from a rural background as students think about college.

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Lieberman: How are rural high school students experiences unique?

Williams: Nationally, nearly 10 million students  or 1 in 5 public school students in the U.S.  attended rural schools in the fall of 2022.

Research suggests that rural students finish or complete high school at a higher rate than urban students.

While approximately 90% of rural high school students graduated in 2020, 82% of urban high school students got their diplomas that year.

But rural students college entrance rate is lower than that of urban and suburban students.

Within four years of graduating high school, 71% of rural students attended college, compared to 73% of suburban and 71% of city students who also went to college, according to 2023 findings by the National Center for Education Statistics.

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Lieberman: Why are rural students finishing high school at a higher rate than their suburban and urban peers but attending college at a lower rate?

Williams: First, we know that some colleges are not really recruiting students in rural areas. If these universities dont know you exist, and if your parents havent gone to college and dont know how the admission system works, you might not have help as you move closer to attending college. Some rural schools also do not have college counselors.

There are other reasons why some rural high school graduates are not going to college, I have personally seen. Some students are apprehensive about leaving home. They have close-knit families and communities, and they might be wondering where they fit in at a school in a large place that is much bigger than where they grew up.

Lieberman: Do any of these scenarios describe your own educational journey?

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Williams: I grew up in a small town in Alabama and was different from some of the other Black students, since I came from a family of educators who had gone to college for two generations.

But when I did go to college, I went to a campus that was two times the size of my hometown, which has a population of just 12,000. It takes a confident student, as well as encouragement from parents or mentors, to believe that you can go to school away from home.

We had some college fairs in high school, but the visiting colleges were state universities and regional schools. You did not have selective schools coming to recruit.

Students today can learn about schools online, but there is still the issue that universities are not, on their own, connecting enough with rural students.

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Lieberman: Do rural students fit into universities diversity goals?

Williams: Only recently have people begun to think and talk more about what rural really means. Some people use the U.S. Census Bureaus definition of rural, which is all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area.

But thats a somewhat surface definition. Its hard for some scholars to agree on what counts as rural, including me. It feels like something you have to experience and know, and that is hard to define. Part of the issue is that rural has been defined by what urban is not, and that makes it seem it doesnt deserve its own definition.

Universities are beginning to think about these rural students more and the particular challenges they experience in school. That includes not necessarily having stable access to high-speed internet, which approximately 22.3% of Americans in rural areas and 27.7% of Americans in tribal areas dont have, compared to only 1.5% of Americans in urban areas.

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Another issue is that even for rural students who want to go to college, they might not have the right qualifications, such as certain courses they have completed.

I am currently involved in research with sociologists Barbara Schneider and education scholars Joe Krajcik and Clausell Mathis about how some rural high schools in Alabama and Mississippi arent able to teach physics or chemistry. Physics and chemistry are both gateway courses to college, and if you want to be an engineer or STEM major, you have to complete these courses in order to have a shot at certain colleges.

Rural high schools tend to have a lack of resources, in terms of both budget and their staffing. Schools not being able to find teachers who are qualified or certified in certain subject areas, such as science courses, is a nationwide problem. But this issue is tougher in smaller, rural towns.

Schools will say they dont have students interested in those subjects. But the states also arent requiring that these classes be offered.

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This lack of science course offerings can create a whole block of students who are not going to college. And if we are talking about the South, in particular, and states that have a high population of Black students in rural areas, we are talking about a whole swath of students who dont have this education and would find it a struggle to get into larger, splashier schools that are not near home.

Lieberman: What do you think are some of the solutions to these challenges?

Williams: There are many local efforts to offer tutoring and things of that nature for rural high school students. Some of those efforts have been blunted because schools are funded by property taxes, and some of them just dont have the revenue to pay for these add-ons without federal support.

I think colleges need to do a better job of recruiting students at rural high schools. I also think that once these students make it to college, it would help if there were support or affinity groups.

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Some colleges have not thought enough about rural students. I think the narrative around rural students and college needs to shift  these students may want to go to college, but nobody is looking for them. When you live in small, geographically isolated places, sometimes you only know what you see.

This story was produced by The Conversation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Oleksandry Syrskyi said Russia is facing a shortage of air defense missiles for drones.

Ukraine is trying to exhaust Russia's air defenses this year with a long-range strike campaign.

Analysts and Russian military bloggers have warned that the Kremlin's defenses are overstretched.

Ukraine's commander in chief has said that Russia is running low on air defense missiles to counter drone strikes, suggesting that Moscow shares some of the West's stockpile concerns as the air war evolves.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of the Ukrainian military, made the remark during a meeting with Canada's defense chief in Kyiv on Sunday.

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"I noted that systematic strikes on Russian production facilities further degrade the enemy's air defense capabilities, which are already experiencing a shortage of missiles to counter Ukrainian unmanned systems and strike assets," Syrskyi wrote in a statement.

Syrskyi's comment comes as militaries around the world are scrambling for a new response to the growing use of long-range attack drones, which are cheap, expendable, and a poor target for more expensive traditional missiles.

Now, his assessment indicates that an intensifying Ukrainian strike campaign is forcing Moscow into the same dilemma.

Ukraine has been regularly reporting dozens of long-range strikes per month on Russian soil, using drones and missiles to damage energy and military infrastructure behind the border.

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More recently, the country's security service branch said it struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet naval base in Sevastopol and the Belbek airfield in Crimea on Sunday.

The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in a Sunday assessment that Ukraine has been steadily increasing the tempo of its strikes across Russia, and "will likely continue to exploit the large attack surface area of Russia's deep rear and overstretched Russian air defenses."

The think tank recorded at least 10 Ukrainian reports of long-range strikes against Russian infrastructure in the last two weeks.

Russia is known to primarily use Pantsir point defense missile systems against drone threats, but their interceptors take much longer to produce than drones.

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Ukraine also said in February that it had destroyed at least half of Russia's Pantsir systems.

In early April, one of Russia's most prominent military blogger organizations, Rybar, wrote of concerns that Ukraine was waging "a protracted campaign to penetrate Russian air defenses" until the summer of 2026.

"Simply fabricating tens of thousands of Pantsir missiles out of thin air is physically impossible," the popular commentary site wrote, adding that Russian antiaircraft missile forces were being stretched "to the limit and expending ammunition at an accelerated rate."

Rybar suggested that Russia adopt a counterdrone strategy like Ukraine's, including an emphasis on mobile fire groups and interceptor drone crews.

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Analysts at the London-based Royal United Services Institute also wrote in a December report that Russia was expending air defense interceptors faster than it could produce them, and was rapidly trying to bolster manufacturing.

The shortage was "overwhelmingly concentrated in older or obsolete platforms such as 9K33 Osa and SHORAD systems, especially Pantsir," the analysts added.

The US has burned through much of its air defense interceptors during its war with Iran, with RUSI analysts reporting that it spent 11,300 munitions in 16 days of combat alone.

Some of the gravest concerns extend to stockpiles of higher-end interceptors, such as Patriot missiles, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors, and ship-launched Standard Missile interceptors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russia summoned Germanys ambassador, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, to the Foreign Ministry on Monday over alleged contacts between German politicians and individuals Moscow classifies as terrorists, officials said.

According to the ministry, the move was prompted by an alleged meeting in Kiev between conservative German lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter and Akhmed Zakayev, a leading figure in the Chechen independence movement who is wanted by Russia on terrorism charges.

Kiesewetter visited Ukraine earlier this month. Russias Foreign Ministry said there he met a leader of the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, which it described as evidence of German interference in Russias internal affairs.

'Graveconsequences' cited

The Russian ministry said Lambsdorff was warned of the "grave consequences of such actions."

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Ahead of the meeting, Lambsdorff said he would comply with the summons but expressed scepticism over the accusations. I consider it unlikely that the Russian side will be able to substantiate its allegations," he said via a spokeswoman.

For his part, Kiesewetter hit back at Moscow.

"Russia is acting as a terrorist state waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine and is, in itself, a colonial and imperial state, Kiesewetter told dpa.

This state opposes all freedom movements, including those represented by Akhmed Sakayev, Kiesewetter added.

"In this respect, the fact that the meeting with Zakayev is being criticized and condemned is simply a testament to Russias status as an imperial and brutal terrorist state."

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The German lawmaker said he met with Zakayev as "a supporter of Ukraine, but also as an important voice against an imperial and colonial Russia."

Kiesewetter emphasized that summoning the German ambassador to Russia over the meeting was "clearly outrageous and also demonstrates the illegitimacy and perfidy of the Putin regime."

War has strained ties

Relations between Berlin and Moscow have been highly strained for years.

The so-called Chechen Republic of Ichkeria emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union and declared independence from Russia in 1991 under leader Dzhokhar Dudayev, triggering a war with Moscow. Dudayev, who was blamed for terrorist attacks, was killed in a Russian missile strike in 1996.

Members of the movement are currently fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russias invasion and have also taken part in incursions into Russian border regions such as Kursk and Belgorod.
After a weekend of co-ordinated attacks across Mali by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, Russian forces who are in the country helping protect the military government have confirmed they have pulled out of the northern city of Kidal.

In a series of social media posts, Russia's Africa Corps said they had "left the locality" along with Malian troops.

The separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) group said on Sunday the Russian troops had agreed to withdraw permanently, and claimed control of Kidal, declaring it "now free".

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Mali has faced insurgencies for years from the separatists in the north, and groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

On Saturday, explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in multiple parts of Mali, including the capital, Bamako.

Attacks were also reported in the central cities of Sevare and Mopti, as well as Gao and Kidal in the north, on the southern fringes of the Sahara desert.

In Kati - a town near the capital and home to a major military base - Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence.

Reports suggest the assault by the FLA - who seek a breakaway state for northern areas dominated by ethnic Tuaregs - was primarily focused on cities in the region, while the jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) had staged simultaneous attacks in multiple areas.

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The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) - comprising Mali and the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso and Niger also led by the military - said the attacks were a "monstrous plot backed by the enemies of the liberation of the Sahel" but did not go into any further detail.

Fighting resumed in Kidal on Sunday, but shortly afterwards, FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said an agreement had been reached between them and the Russian Africa Corps with a "a view to ensuring their secure withdrawal from the fighting".

He previously told the BBC the FLA had remained in the city because "elements of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries" were still present.

The group says it has taken control of the city, which served as an unofficial headquarters of the separatist movement for more than a decade before it was captured by Mali's army with the help of Russian mercenaries in late 2023.

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Mali's authorities have not officially confirmed this, but a source close to the local governor told AFP news agency that they are "no longer there - it's the jihadists and FLA who are in Kidal".

AFP reports that the capital was calm on Monday, with schools and offices open, while several military checkpoints which had been erected over the weekend had been removed.

Meanwhile, in the town of Tessit, south of Gao, JNIM said Mali's army had surrendered to its fighters, according to Reuters. Their statement added that they were allowing Malian forces to give up their weapons and withdraw safely. The army has not commented on these claims, which the BBC cannot independently verify.

Kidal is in northen Mali, on the southern fringes of the Sahara desert [AFP via Getty Images]

While the Russian Africa Corps confirmed they had withdrawn from Kidal, their posts on X on Monday stated that operations would continue elsewhere in the country, without giving further details.

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In Kidal, the group said wounded personnel and heavy equipment had been evacuated.

"The situation in the Republic of Mali remains complex," it wrote, adding that a number of civilians has also been injured and taken to their medical units.

Most fighters in the Africa Corps formerly belonged to the Russian mercenary Wagner group, which was active in the continent, hired by local governments to help curb insurgencies.

Following the death of their leader Yevgeni Prigozhin in 2023, most of the group's operations were taken over by the Russian defence ministry, which provided the backbone to the newly-created Africa Corps.

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The Africa Corps is overseen by Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, with its operations run by Maj-Gen Andrey Averyanov, a key figure in the GRU military intelligence service.

Russia's role in helping local governments stay in power has often been rewarded with access to crucial natural resources, such as gold, diamonds and uranium.

Just like Wagner, the Africa Corps has been accused of committing numerous atrocities against civilians.

In Mali, Africa Corps members are reportedly paid an equivalent of at least $3,000 (2,200) a month.

Additional reporting by Vitaly Shevchenko from BBC Monitoring.

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[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts
Police arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly attempting to kidnap an 8-year-old girl in a West Seattle neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

At around 2 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a man trying to take a young girl while she played in a residential front yard with her friends. There, police found the child unharmed, yet terrified, according to the police report.

According to the probable cause statement, the suspect gripped her arm and attempted to pull her further down the driveway and behind the neighbors home, and the suspect tried pulling her with his left hand while holding a knife in his other hand. The girl screamed and alerted the adults. The suspect then ran off before police arrived.

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Despite searching the neighborhood, officers could not find the suspect. Police found video evidence of the suspect running off and collected it for their investigation. SPD officers then distributed the suspects picture to all officers, department-wide.

The next day, on Sunday afternoon, officers found a man matching the suspects description and arrested him.

Police interviewed the suspect at Seattle Police Headquarters before booking him into the King County Jail for Investigation of Kidnapping.
Correspondents' dinner shooting suspect charged with trying to assassinate the president 04:19

Timothy Reboulet never calls it the Washington Hilton. Nobody in his former line of work ever does.

"Within the agency," the former Secret Service agent says, "we refer to it as the 'Hinckley' Hilton."

That's because on March 30, 1981  just steps outside the hotel  John Hinckley Jr. opened fire on then-President Ronald Reagan, wounding the commander in chief, U.S. Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, D.C. police officer Thomas Delahanty and White House press secretary James Brady.

File: Chaos surrounds shooting victims immediately after the assassination attempt on President Reagan, March 30, 1981, by John Hinkley Jr. outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. / Credit: Dirck Halstead / Liaison / Getty Images

Since that day, for the U.S. Secret Service, the building has never been just another venue.

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Reboulet knows it the way most agents know it  not as a ballroom, but as a system. Doors, choke points, stairwells, loading docks, motorcade routes, post assignments, "clean" spaces  those that are completely secure and have passed through magnetometers  and "dirty" spaces  unsecured areas where people and their possessions have not been screened. The bright red line between them is defined statutorily in 18 USC 1752.

Reboulet has walked the hotel's hallways hundreds of times. He can rattle off the 46 breakout rooms. He knows the million-square-foot sprawl, the 1,107 guest rooms, the lobby, the foyer, and all the specs for "the bunker"  a hidden garage added after the Reagan assassination attempt.

Demonstrators gather as guests arrive outside of the Washington Hilton, the site of the White House Correspondents Dinner, in 2024. / Credit: Kent Nishimura / Getty Images

He has covered security at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner before, working alongside the Presidential Protective Division  the detail responsible for the president  as part of the Washington Field Office, helping to coordinate site security for the event under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, back when the dinner was an annual appointment on the presidential calendar.

And after Saturday night, he says he knows exactly what this was.

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"Everybody did their job," Reboulet remarks. "This was textbook. The layered approach worked."

National Guard and U.S. Secret Service respond at Washington Hilton after White House Correspondents' Dinner was postponed on April 25, 2026. / Credit: Al Drago / Getty Images

According to senior law enforcement officials, the suspect did not move undetected through the crowded lobby or pre-parties to arrive at the terrace level. Surveillance footage shows him leaving a 10th-floor room dressed in black, carrying a shotgun, a handgun and knives inside a black bag. He entered an interior stairwell  bypassing heavily monitored public areas  and ran down roughly 10 floors. Then, the alleged gunman kept running  45 yards  before Secret Service Uniformed Division officers tackled him one story above the ballroom.

Just after 8:30 p.m., magnetometers screening guests were already being dismantled. The event had already begun. The color guard had exited. The salad course was underway. No new attendees were allowed into the ballroom. The security perimeter remained intact, but officers were breaking down the magnetometers, disassembling them, and placing them back in their cases.

Still, Secret Service Uniformed Division officers saw the blur of a man sprinting through the concourse, confronted him and tackled him. They stripped away his outer clothing and secured his bag, ensuring there were no additional weapons or even a suicide vest. The suspect never made it to the ballroom. He was carried out in handcuffs.

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For Reboulet, that sequence is not abject failure.

"You create these layers," he says. "Outside, middle and inner. And they worked."

One of the hardest places in America to protect a president

For the Secret Service, the Washington Hilton has always been one of the hardest places in America to protect a president, up there with the Kennedy Center Honors  not because it is unfamiliar, but because it is buzzing with activity.

"It literally almost takes up a full city square block," Reboulet says. "There's a whole ecosystem with a hotel."

That hotel ecosystem is an obstacle: Guests check in, deliveries arrive, workers move constantly. Waitstaff have to be vetted, background checked, and given pins for access to certain guests. Hundreds of people without any connection to the event mill around the lobby bar and upper floors.

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So the Secret Service draws lines.

"Where does the site start? Where does the site end?" Reboulet says. "Otherwise, it's infinity."

Inside those lines, space is controlled. Outside them, it is not, and that is by law.

That is why one part of the Hilton can feel chaotic while another is locked down. It's why the lobby can be "dirty" while the ballroom is "clean"  and why the president never walks through the front door of the hotel or the side door, for that matter.

Instead, there is the bunker: a hardened, fully enclosed arrival garage that allows the president and vice president's motorcades to pull in and move inside the building without any exposure.

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"After March 30, 1981, they added it," Reboulet says. "As a site agent, I wish every site had a bunker."

Muzzle discipline

For the U.S. Secret Service, while it is the security lead, the correspondents' dinner is also a puzzle of different security details  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, D.C. Metropolitan Police, U.S. Marshals, FBI, U.S. Capitol Police, Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, ATF, Diplomatic Security Service, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Park Police and private security.

"You've got the president, the vice president, the entire Cabinet, members of Congress, senators," Reboulet says. "It becomes quite the nightmare."

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And yet, on Saturday night, a patchwork of agents, officers and security personnel from more than a dozen agencies  many identifiable only by the different pins on their lapels  moved in coordination to evacuate guests and bring the suspect down.

Reboulet noticed the restraint. In law enforcement, there's a word for that.

"Muzzle discipline," he says. "Not flagging each other."

A uniformed officer took a buckshot to his bulletproof vest and still drew his weapon.

"Fight, flight or freeze," Reboulet adds. "None of them froze. None of them ran. Everybody fought."

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"Everybody walked away"

Still, questions have emerged about the stairwell, detection, and whether the suspect should have been intercepted sooner.

Former U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director A.T. Smith points to a fundamental tension: the venue itself.

"You have, obviously, a hotel that's open to the public," Smith says. Locking it down entirely is possible  but "we don't normally do that in the United States." Instead, the Secret Service secures the event footprint, "corraling" the ballroom and its approaches.

Yet for Paul Eckloff, a former senior leader on the presidential detail, the reaction to Saturday night misses the point altogether  something rooted in the history of the place itself.

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"I mean, everybody is always on alert at the Hinckley Hilton anyway, if you consider that in 1981 the president and the White House spokesman were shot  James Brady never fully recovered from that shot to the head  Officer Delahanty was shot, Agent McCarthy was shot, and the president was shot."

Four people were struck by a gunman who got within feet of the president.

"And that was considered a success," Eckloff says. "Twenty feet from the President, four people were shot  and the Secret Service was praised as heroes."

He pauses. "Nobody got hurt at this," he says of Saturday night. "And they're calling it a failure." He sees it differently.

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"This is a mass casualty event that was prevented," Eckloff says. "Dozens of people should be shot  but everybody walked away. "

"This cannot be compared to Butler"

Mike Matranga sees the same thing, a success defined by layers of agents and officers, positioned around the leader of the free world. "I truly believe that the concentric rings of the Secret Service methodology worked," he says.

The suspect tried to outrun those circles.

"You've got an individual running at full speed toward a checkpoint," Matranga says. "They had seconds."

But the former Secret Service agent, who served on the presidential protective division's counter-assault team under President Obama, also sees the limits.

"You cannot secure the entire hotel," he says. "When you've got a quasi-public event in a public place, these are the risks."

For Matranga, If the dinner continues to be held, the question is not just how to secure the Hilton  but whether the Hilton should remain the venue for the high profile dinner at all.

"I would not have this at a hotel," he says, then adds. "But we can't put the president in a bubble."

Eckloff puts it more bluntly.

"If the president can't go to a public event," he says, "what are we defending anymore?"

The suspect used the building itself  its size, its stairwells, its complexity  to get close. Closer than anyone would like. But not close enough. He never reached the ballroom.

"This cannot be compared to Butler," Eckloff adds. At the first assassination attempt against President Trump, during a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman climbed to a firing position with a clear line of sight to the then former president. By the time he was neutralized, he'd fired off eight shots, including one that skimmed the president's ear. One attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed, while two others were injured.

On Saturday, former agents argue, there was something harder to see  and easier to misunderstand: A decent, workable system not designed to eliminate every threat  but to stop the one endangering the president of the United States and his line of succession.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and many other administration officials were evacuated following a shooting at the White House Correspondents Association dinner Saturday night.

An armed man exchanged gunfire with law enforcement after he rushed a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The lone suspect is in custody.

Heres what we know about the incident.

Suspect is a California teacher and engineer

The suspect was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, a federal official familiar with the case told NBC News. Allen is a mechanical engineer, video game developer and educator who had won a teacher of the month award in 2024.

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Follow live updates here

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Meet the Press that authorities believe the suspect traveled by train from Los Angeles to Chicago, and then Chicago to Washington, D.C., where he checked into the hotel where the correspondents dinner was at in the last day or two.

Ahead of the shooting, Allen sent his family members writings that displayed anti-Trump sentiment and described his targets as administration officials, a senior administration official told NBC News.

Suspect had multiple weapons

Officials said Allen has no criminal record and was not on the radar of law enforcement in Washington.

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The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives. The guns were legally purchased, according to a senior law enforcement official and law enforcement documents reviewed by NBC News.

A Secret Service officer was injured in the exchange of gunfire and has since been released from the hospital. No other injuries were reported.

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., said the suspect would be charged with two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and a second crime of assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon. She added that many more charges were expected to be filed.

Event to be rescheduled

Trump told reporters that he fought like hell to stay at the venue and proceed with the dinner, but law enforcement concerns took precedence. The president said the event would be rescheduled within 30 days.

Iran peace talks called off after Trump cancels U.S. delegations trip to Pakistan

Hopes of a peace breakthrough in the war with Iran faded Saturday after President Donald Trump said that he canceled the U.S. delegations trip to Pakistan because the offer he received from Tehrans delegation should have been better.

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OK, you probably heard that we canceled the trip. We have all the cards. Were not going to spend 15 hours in airplanes all the time going back and forth to be giving a document that was not good enough, the president told reporters.

Well deal by telephone, and they can call us anytime they want, Trump said.

Special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, were expected to lead an American delegation in Islamabad before Trump canceled the talks.

'Meet the Press'

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., on Sunday said hell vote to confirm President Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh.

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The announcement came after Tillis for weeks blocked Warshs nomination from moving forward as he protested a Justice Department investigation into the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

We worked a lot over the weekend to make sure that we were very clear that we have assurances from the DOJ that I needed to feel like they were not using the DOJ as a weapon to threaten the independence of the Fed. So this will allow Mr. Wash to move on with his confirmation on time, Tillis told NBC News Meet the Press.

On Friday, the Justice Department announced it was dropping its investigation into Powell, a probe that had largely centered on a ongoing renovation project at the Federal Reserve's headquarters.

Tillis, who had been highly critical of the investigation, said Sunday that hes had a number of discussions with Justice Department officials who have made it very clear that the current investigation is completely and fully ended.

Disease, hunger and Israeli strikes: Six months after ceasefire in Gaza

Ezyia Abu Haya, a 34-year-old mother of six, at a displacement camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. (NBC News) (NBC News)

Its been more than six months since a ceasefire halted the heaviest fighting in the Gaza Strip, but the changing weather is bringing fresh miseries for people in the enclave.

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Gazas most dire conditions  the lack of food and medicine, continuing Israeli attacks, destroyed hospitals, schools and residential buildings, homelessness and overcrowding  now include rodents, climbing temperatures and open-air sewage.

Meanwhile, talks over Gazas future among Hamas, mediating countries and representatives from President Donald Trumps Board of Peace have barely progressed, three officials close to the process told NBC News.

Notable quote

In the winter, the water surrounds us, and in the summer, we suffer from rats because our tent is low. The rats eat everything, leaving us with nothing. Ezyia Abu Hayya, a mother of six in Khan Younis

AI is making it very easy for the government to spy on you. Some lawmakers are worried.

Chelsea Stahl / NBC News; Getty Images (Chelsea Stahl)

The long-running fight to rein in the governments power to search Americans phone calls, emails and text messages without a warrant has gained new urgency on Capitol Hill over concerns that AI will supercharge state surveillance.

Lawmakers are currently jockeying over reforms to a key law that enables warrantless monitoring of Americans communications, with privacy advocates and national security hawks warning that AI will allow faster and more invasive analysis of vast amounts of information  including communications swept up in foreign intelligence programs and commercially available location or behavioral data.

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Imagine instead of doing a query with one person that you turned AI loose on these databases, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said at a news conference announcing a new bill to close data-collection loopholes. Theres virtually nothing the government cant know about you.

In case you missed it

One police officer was killed in the line of duty and another was critically injured in a shooting at a Chicago hospital by a suspect who was brought to the emergency department, officials said.

Four men have been arrested and charged in the 1982 rape and murder of 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp  a case that went cold for more than four decades before DNA testing and a true-crime podcast cracked it open .

Two Israeli political heavyweights said they would join forces in upcoming elections in a shared effort to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .

An explosive device killed 13 people traveling on a bus in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, an attack the countrys army chief described as a terrorist act that also left at least 38 injured.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Washington  Detroit U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar's updated campaign finance filing shows his reelection campaign holds a cash reserve topping $5 million that he may tap as he faces a trio of Democratic challengers this summer.

Thanedar's campaign on Sunday amended his finance report covering the first three months of the year, showing the Democratic congressman's crypto investments suffered a loss of $1.3 million as of the end of the quarter on March 31, with his campaign account reporting just over $5 million cash on hand.

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, chats with constituents during a town hall meeting on March 23, 2025 at the Lincoln Park Senior Center in Lincoln Park.

Thanedar's report initially omitted an updated snapshot of his cryptocurrency holdings  something he said he didn't realize until he saw the report posted on the Federal Election Commission's website last week.

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Thanedar noted that the cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund has already rebounded since the first quarter ended March 31, with its value standing at $5.4 million on Monday, up from $4.7 million.

"So, in less than a month since that deadline, the value has gone up by $700,000. It's a very fluctuating, high-risk investment, which I understand and knowingly did. And its my own money, so its not like Im taking donor money and playing with it," Thanedar told The Detroit News on Monday.

"I have been more than open about my crypto holdings. Ive not moved that asset. This is an asset that Ive not liquidated, so the paper value of it at the end of the quarter changes. But thats just the paper value  just like your home value is today's value."

The Detroit News first reported on how the millionaire businessman in 2023 took nearly $4 million in cash from his campaign and invested it in a cryptocurrency exchange-traded fund  a move that campaign finance experts say is rare and financially risky, though allowed under federal law.

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Thanedar's report filed last week showed he had about $66,700 in receipts last quarter, including $45,000 from individual contributions, meaning he was outraised again by challenger state Rep. Donavan McKinney of Detroit, who reported bringing in $245,840 and had about $458,670 in the bank.

Others who filed to run for Thanedar's seat by Tuesday's deadline included Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters and John Goci, both Democrats, as well as Republicans Martell Bivings, Raphiel King and T.P. Nykoriak.

"Im going to be happy to talk about my record, fighting with Trump, bringing impeachment articles against (Defense) Secretary Hegseth," Thanedar said.

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, collections petition signatures to get on the ballot outside Trader Joe's grocery store in Grosse Pointe in April 2026.

He said he hasn't focused on the primary too much yet. He spent two to three weeks this spring collecting about half of the required petition signatures needed to get on the ballot at grocery stores in the district himself, he said.

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Thanedar has long said he spends very little time fundraising, preferring instead to personally invest in his campaign so he can focus on his job in Congress.

Investing campaign money is generally legal under federal campaign election regulations, which allow political committees to transfer funds for investment purposes to other accounts. The invested funds must be returned or transferred to the campaign account before they may be used to make campaign expenditures under Federal Election Commission rules.

Thanedar has said he would cash out when he needs the money for his reelection campaign. In the meantime, a benefit of the crypto investment is that he can skip long hours of calling campaign donors to raise money. His campaign reported about $17,000 in fundraising expenses last quarter.

Thanedar represents the 13th Congressional District that covers parts of Detroit, Downriver communities and the Grosse Pointes.

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mburke@detroitnews.com

Want to comment on this story? Become a subscriber today. Click here.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Shri Thanedar's campaign cryptocurrency holdings took substantial hit
The shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner is putting more pressure on Congress to swiftly end the 73-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

The Secret Service falls under DHS, and the Trump administration estimates its ability to pay employees under executive order will run dry at the end of the week, according to multiple people in both parties.

Still, its an open question whether the shooting will be enough to resolve the impasse.

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Initially, Senate Democrats blocked the DHS funding bill over Trumps immigration enforcement, but currently the House is sitting on a Senate-passed funding bill that excludes immigration enforcement.

The Senate advanced a budget for a separate enforcement funding bill, but House conservatives argue it should include more of their priorities  including the White House ballroom.

House GOP leaders are floating a third party-line bill this fall, but many Republicans are skeptical.
Posted on Jan 12, 2015 in Tactics101

Tactics 101 104  Bradley Platoon Defense

Bradley Platoon Defense

A view from the Platoon Leaderas Foxhole/Cupola

A aLittle minds try to defend everything at once, but sensible people look at the main point only; they parry the worst blows and stand a little hurt if thereby they avoid a greater one, if you try to hold everything, you hold nothing.a

A Frederick the Great

LAST MONTH

In our last article, we put ourselves in the mind of LT Duffer.A As a young Bradley Platoon Leader, there is obviously quite a bit going on in there.A We walked you through the thought process of LT Duffer as he planned and prepared for an offensive mission.A We believe the article re-empathized the criticality of understanding yourself, the enemy, and the terrain when planning for a mission.A Not only is this important for planning; but you must strive to achieve this throughout the execution of a mission.A As we have mentioned numerous times, these variables are continually changing.A What you know as truth at one moment; can and will change quickly.A LT Duffer found that out the hard way in training, but he learned some valuable lessons.A He took stock in these lessons when he led his platoon in combat.

{default}

THIS MONTH

In this monthas article, we will continue to follow LT Duffer as he leads his Soldiers in combat.A We will shift focus and turn to the defense.A Again, we will key on the thought process of LT Duffer as he plans his platoon defense.A LT Duffer has some options and we will look at each of them.A Of course, each of his options must be feasible and achieve the purpose and task given to him by his Company Commander.A His focus must be on achieving his purpose.A His task may change depending on the variables, but it must always be able to accomplish the purpose.

LETaS GO BACK a

The attack on Objective Red went extremely well.A Lieutenant Dufferas platoon destroyed the combat outpost and held the gap allowing the Company to destroy the security zone platoon.A The cascading success continued when the Battalion seized the motorized rifle company battle position on the flank of an enemy battalion battle position. Morale was high in the Company and the Platoon. The best part of the mission was that no casualties were suffered.A A few close calls that shook up some Soldiers, but no one suffered any combat injuries.

The Battalion attack was successful, but they needed to regroup before continuing the attack south.A It was time to transition.A In the aftermath of a tough, but successful fight, it is often necessary to hunker down for a while to consolidate your gains, resupply, fix vehicles, and rearm.A This prevents the unit from going beyond its culmination point when your ability to continue the attack successfully begins to decline. A As we addressed in an earlier article, there is clearly an art and science to determining this transition point.A Decide too early or too late and the results could be disastrous.

Another reason to pause is the likelihood of a counter attack.A Whenever possible, the defender will launch a counter attack before the attacker consolidates in the hopes of regaining lost ground. A It is said that the moment of greatest vulnerability for the attacker is the moment of success.

With that in mind, the Battalion Commander decided to order a hasty defense to buy time for consolidation and reorganization.A The ground he chose was good.A The choke point would allow the Battalion to fend off a potential counter attack with a minimum of force.A One Company could hold the narrow choke point while the rest of the Battalion prepared for the next attack from battle positions in depth.A If the Company allowed a penetration, the Battalion would be positioned in depth to destroy anyone who managed to make it to them.

The question was who to send forward to stop the counter attack?A The answer was obviousathe winner was Bravo Company.A A Bravo had taken on the security zone in the last attack and had not taken any losses; they were the most fit.

The Terrain

The ground offers the enemy three Avenues of Approach (AA); one major and two minor.A The main AA was up the middle, through the gap and it could accommodate a battalion-size attack.A To the west of the main AA was a small trail over a saddle that could handle a platoon and to the east was a small valley that could host a company.A The Battalion would close the platoon AA so Bravo could focus on defending AA 1 and 2.

Understanding Yourself, The Enemy, and The Terrain/Time

Lieutenant Duffer received his mission and began his assessment.A He began with a quick METT-TC analysis.

Mission:A The Battalion blocks enemy attacks north of the pass in order to allow the Brigade to prepare for the next attack.A Bravo Co, Battalion main effort, destroys enemy forces in the pass in order to prevent any force larger than an organized MRC from advancing north and disrupting the Battalion mission.A 3rd Platoon blocks AA2 in order to prevent the envelopment or bypass of Bravo Company.

Enemy:A The enemy consists of a Motorized Rifle Battalion at 60% strength.A They lost the defense and morale is low, but they are expected to counter attack in order to disrupt and delay our forces to allow reinforcements to arrive.A 3rd Platoon will face a MRC on AA2 trying to bypass the main pass to the southwest.

Troops:A BFV Platoon with a Sapper Squad

Terrain:A The ground is open except for the mountains which offer three passes; a platoon size pass to the west, a battalion size pass in the center and a company size pass to the east.A The ground slopes slightly upward to a high ground where the Battalion is deployed in the defense.A The east side of the valley is walled in by mountains.

Time:A The defense must be ready in 48 hours technically giving Duffer 16 hours to plan and the platoon 32 hours to rehearse and prepare the defense.A Duffer knew the troops needed time to dig in, emplace obstacles, stake out their engagement areas and rehearse.A Head limit himself to 9 hours and give his troops 39.A The Company Commander trusted LT Duffer and the Third Herd.A He gave Duffer full discretion to shut down AA2 any way he wanted to.A Bravo Company, minus 3rd Platoon, was going to defend AA1 from the reverse slope.A The enemy would have to squeeze through the gap and into Bravoas engagement area.

TROOP LEADING PROCEDURES

Receive the Mission Issue the Warning Order Start Necessary Movement Conduct ReconnaissanceA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Complete the Plan Issue the Operation Order A Supervise Rehearse

Dufferas 3rd Platoon is expected to hold off a Motorized Rifle Company trying to flank the main defense.A Two more MRCas would head into the gap while a platoon would probably probe the goat trail to the east.A The enemy would open up with a heavy artillery barrage designed to remove the infantry from the mountains where they could employ Anti-tank weapons and snipers.A The vehicles would have to force the passes and their infantry could not climb the mountains without being compromised.

As always, Duffer assessed his platoon.A He still had his four Bradleys and three infantry squads.

The Brads had long range weapons with excellent thermal night vision, but the infantry squads were the ones who would provide security and early warning.A They would patrol the high ground and keep enemy infantry from getting above the Bradleys.A They would over watch the obstacles and would call for artillery fires when the enemy approached.

Head get artillery, mortars, close air, air defense and engineer support this time. They would be a significant addition!A He also had flares and star clusters.A His troops carried Claymore Mines and there would be obstacles to hinder movementawire and mines.A All weapon systems would have range cards and Target Reference Points (TRPs) would be registered and visible.A The defender gets to prepare; itas his advantage against the attackeras numbers and control of timing.

His weapons capabilities stats include:

AA A 25-mm chain gun: 2,500 meters .

. AA A TOW: 3,750 meters .

. AA A The dismounted Javelin: 2,000 meters .

Javelin: . AA A SAW and M60 reaching out to 1 kilometer.

AA A Infantry small arms reaching out to 400 meters.

AA A Grenades; HE, smoke, and incendiary

The Battalion fire and obstacle plan was already laid in.A Bravo Company was given the latitude to make their own plans.A The Battalion would support anything the Company needed since they were the main effort.A Dufferas concern was AA2 on the Company left flank.

The Battalion built a three Company engagement areaaBrigade provided a reserve tank Company so that the entire Battalion could get into the fight.A The obstacles on the flanks of the engagement area would turn the enemy into it.A The obstacles out front would disrupt his formations, causing him to zig-zag while taking flank shots and artillery all the way.A If they were lucky enough to make it through all that; theyad hit blocking obstacles head on while in range of just about every weapon in the Battalion.A It was a lead gauntlet for anyone able to get by Bravo.

Bravo would destroy at least two of the three attacking companies making the final suicide attack for the survivors.

Dufferas plan came last.A He needed to see where and how the rest of the Company was defending in order to decide how best to secure their flank.A Bravo would be behind the gap.A There would be wire and mines to force the enemy to breach.A Infantry would flank the gap in dug in positions.

Duffer could defend reverse slope like the company, forward slope, or in the gap.A Before he decided, he had to go through his combat power by the numbers.

COMBAT POWER

Aa Maneuver.A There would be no counterattack from 3rd Platoon during the defense.A His maneuver advantage would come from initial positioning and preplanned fires.

Aa Firepower.A Aside from artillery and mortars Duffer had 25mm guns, TOWas, Javelinsathe whole kit.A The key was focus.A He would need to build an engagement area.A Theyad rehearse it and everyone would make their range cardsaevery shot needed to count since head be outnumbered 3 to 1, normal in the defense.A Every minute of prep not used by the defender benefits the attacker.A Duffer knew the rule.

Aa Protection.A Aside from the armor protection the crews had, the troops would have to dig in and build overhead cover.A Theyad dig foxholes and place plywood boards on top with layer upon layer of sandbags.A A properly prepared foxhole can take a direct hit from a 122 arty round.A The NCOs would have to supervise and double check on the troops.

Aa Leadership.A Speaking of NCOas, Duffer had the full complement and an excellent lot they were. Like all American units, he had the benefit of a highly professional NCO Corps who could run things on their own.A Theyad supervise prep and the fight.A No problem here.

Aa Information.A The key in the defense was to see the enemy coming and hit them enroute; keep hitting them and make them absorb losses before they even closed on the defensive positions.A It was also important to deny their scouts from seeing you and to avoid getting caught in your holes during arty prep.A The latter meant hide positions for the Brads.

CAPABILITIES

AA A Effective synergy between BFVs and rifle squads.

AA A Use 25-mm and 7.62-mm Coax to engage light armor and infantry

AA A Infantry to block dismounted avenues of approach.

AA A The ability to retain key and decisive terrain.

AA A Conduct mounted or dismounted patrols in support of security.

AA A Establish strong points.

AA A Over watch and secure obstacles.

AA A Repel enemy attacks.

AA A Destroy light armor vehicles with BFV and AT.

LIMITATIONS

Duffer knew the limitations of the BFV platoon

a BFVs are vulnerable to AT and Tank main gun fire.

a Rifle squads are vulnerable to small arms and indirect fire.

MOUNTED ELEMENT

The mounted element consists of four BFVs in two sections (A and B) with two BFVas each; the PL and wingman and the PSG and wingman.

DISMOUNTED ELEMENT

Three nine-man rifle squads make up the dismounted Infantry. A The squad has two, four-man fire teams and a squad leader. Each squad has an AT weapon and a SAW.

Rifleman. Each squad has two riflemen equipped with an M16A2 or M4. One rifleman is designated as the antiarmor specialist. The other is assigned the M240B.

Antiarmor Specialist. The designated Javelin and AT4 gunner provides lethal fire-and-forget, man-portable, top attack anti-armor capability to defeat enemy main battle tanks during day, night, and adverse weather conditions.

Grenadier. The grenadier has an M203 which consists of an M16 with attached 40-mm grenade launcher. The M203 gives the fire team indirect-fire out to 350 meters. He can fire high-explosive (HE) or can employ smoke to screen and cover his movement, fire, and maneuver. He can fire illumination rounds to increase visibility and mark enemy or friendly positions.

Automatic Rifleman. Each squad has two automatic weapons. The automatic rifleman mainly uses the M249 squad automatic weapon. The M249 gives the squad a high volume of sustained, long-range, suppressive, or lethal fires far beyond the range of the M16 or M4 rifle. The automatic rifleman uses the M249 to suppress enemy infantry and destroy enemy automatic rifle and antitank teams.

Inventory complete; how could the unit be best put to use?A The way Duffer saw it; he could defend reverse slope, strongpoint in the gap or forward slope. Letas review his options below:

LT Duffer first considered defending reverse slope, placing his forces on the far side of the key terrain.A The enemy would have to fight their way through and out of the pass.

Advantages

a It forces the enemy to fight their way out of the key terrain

a It provides the defender with the ability to fire from maximum range

a It denies the enemy maximum range and dispersion

a It is difficult for enemy recon to find

a It complicates enemy artillery fire since they have to fire over terrain

Disadvantages

a Reduces direct fire versus the enemy approach to the key terrain

LT Duffer considered actually placing his platoon on the key terrain in a strongpoint.A The enemy would have to fight to enter the pass.

Advantages

a It physically places the platoon on the key terrain.

a It forces the enemy to fight for physical control of the terrain

a It concentrates forces and firepower

Disadvantages

aIt takes more resources and preparation

aIt is more vulnerable to artillery fire

aIt is easier for enemy recon to find

Lastly, Duffer could defend forward slope.A In this case, he would place his platoon between the enemy and the key terrain.A The enemy would have to fight their way to the pass.

Advantages

aAllows direct engagement at maximum range in front of the key terrain

aMakes the calling for and shifting of indirect fires easier

aAllows the defender to track the enemy throughout his approach

Disadvantages

a Provides the enemy with maneuver space

aEases enemy recon and employment of indirect fire

All three plans had their merits and demerits and LT Duffer war-gamed them all.A It seemed to him that the best use of his Platoon was to defend reverse slope.A This gave him the most security and made the problem the most difficult for the enemy.A The Platoon Sergeant took charge of two infantry squads, reinforced with the third squadas Javelins, south of the gap in BATTLE POSITION 32.A Their mission was to block infantry infiltration along the ridgeline to prevent bypass of the gap or pre-breaching of obstacles.A They would focus their AT fires into Engagement Area Axe to attrite the enemy armor and IFVs.A A The third squad (-) was placed in a security position north of the gap to secure the left flank.A They had the best observation from the high ground so they would direct artillery and close air support.A The four Bradleys of the mounted element defended BATTLE POSITION 30 from the reverse slope of the gap.A They would destroy enemy in Engagement Area Shield to prevent the envelopment of BATTLE POSITION 20, the right flank of the Bravo Company defense blocking the main pass.

THE BATTLE

The enemy motorized rifle battalion was at 60% strength when they attacked.A They tried to bypass B Co by sending an infantry company infiltration towards BATTLE POSITION 32 followed by a MRC (-) attempting to force the northern pass.A The infantry were decimated by artillery and machine gun fire directed from BATTLE POSITIONA 32 while the MRC lost several vehicles in EA Axe and was stopped dead in EA Shield.

Once the attempt to open up the northern pass failed; the enemy sent two MRCs (-) and a tank company (-) towards the southern pass.A The attack was furious and desperate, bolstered with artillery and close air support, but it also failed.

Overall, the enemy lost better than 75% of their combat power trying to press through the two passes.A Bravo Company and LT Dufferas third platoon had succeeded.A The Battalion and Brigade had been given the time needed to consolidate, reorganize and plan the follow on attack.A Bravo Company kept its attached tank platoon and four platoon configuration for the next mission.A They were assigned the mission of the Battalion reserve to follow and support the Battalion attack.

Duffer had won his first two battles; one offense and one defense.A The experience reinforced his training.A He followed METT-TC and the troop leading procedures as closely as possible and, most importantly, he catalogued his platoons capabilities and limitations.A aI guess Sun TSU was righta.

A aKnow the Enemy, know the Terrain, know Yourselfa

REVIEW

In the past two articles, we put ourselves in the mind of LT Duffer.A We watched him plan an offense and a defense.A In combat, you grew up very quickly.A That was certainly the case with LT Duffer.A He entered the battlefield as a green LT, who knew his doctrine and had been trained in the most realistic training environments.A However, the optimum word was training.A After two successful combat missions, LT Duffer was now beaming with confidence and more importantly, he has the confidence of his men.A The key to Dufferas success:A HE KNEW HIMSELF, HIS ENEMY, AND THE TERRAIN.



NEXT MONTH

In our next article, we will move from the Bradley Platoon to the Bradley Company.A We will first discuss the organization of the Company.A The Company has a tremendous amount of combat power available to it.A Obviously, you must understand how to utilize it and synchronize it.A In future articles we will address it.
Shyne attends the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards at The Maybourne Beverly Hills on February 08, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/WireImage)

April 25 has officially been declared Shyne Day in Brooklyn, New York, in honor of the rapper-turned-politician. Over the weekend, Shyne was also presented with the key to the borough.

April 25th is officially SHYNE DAY in my second home, the thoroughest borough, Brooklyn! he wrote on Instagram. Thanks again to the extraordinary public servant and leader, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, for these distinct honors.

Shyne received the recognition during the East Flatbush Young Mens Mentorship Expo at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. The event brought together young men from the East Flatbush neighborhood for a day of panels, workshops and mentorship opportunities.

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"Shyne represents hustle, grit, and everything Brooklyn. He shows us that our story is constantly evolving and that its never too late to reinvent ourselves," Reynoso said in a statement. "It was only fitting to declare April 25, 2026 as Shyne Day in Brooklyn and to present him with an official Key to the Borough of Brooklyn. This is how we do it in BK!"

In a video with Reynoso, Shyne expressed his gratitude: "I'm so thrilled and humbled to receive this recognition for my contributions to this great borough, the thorough borough. And do it in the backdrop of these young kids that we're mentoring, that we are trying to encourage, they are new generations of Shyne and that they will take the stalk from us both. And one day they will be here getting recognized, and their legacy will be celebrated because that's what Brooklyn does. We create the very best."

Copyright  2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
The German government believes that Russia is behind an espionage campaign targeting politicians, military personnel and journalists, government sources told dpa on Monday.

Evidence indicates that the phishing campaign, which has been carried out via the Signal messaging service, was likely orchestrated from Russia.

The fact that the German government has not yet officially attributed the attack  which also affects individual members of the government  to Russia may be linked to the fact that intelligence from allied services is also involved.

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The government of the Netherlands, where similar attacks have also been detected, has already blamed Russia for the campaign.

The FBI also believes the criminals are linked to Russian intelligence services.

Germany's Federal Public Prosecutors Office is investigating the suspected espionage but has not yet publicly commented on a possible instigator.

Two German intelligence services - the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) - first issued a public warning about the ongoing cyberattack in February.

They later published a further security advisory containing specific instructions.

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This stated that the campaign was likely being carried out by a state-sponsored cyber actor.

The security authorities also approached a number of politicians personally to warn them or to help them determine whether attackers successfully gained access to their accounts.
For some visitors, perceptions of Spain can quickly slip into familiar stereotypes.

News reports regularly detail cases of women killed by partners or ex-partners, with extensive coverage of trials, funerals and protests by grieving families and entire communities.

To an outside observer, it can reinforce a familiar stereotype: a deeply "macho" society where women are at risk.

Yet that impression is misleading.

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According to Spain's Ministry for Equality, 48 women were killed by partners or former partners last year - the lowest figure since records began in 2003.

By comparison, in Germany, where such cases have only recently been systematically recorded, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) reported 132 victims of fatal domestic violence against women in 2024.

The contrast highlights a deeper reality: while the issue is highly visible in Spain, it is also confronted more openly than in many other European countries.

Years of reporting, public protests and political debate reflect not a failure, but the central importance of gender violence in Spanish society.

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Spain is widely seen as a European pioneer in tackling violence against women.

A "revolutionary law"

Spain passed its law against gender-based violence more than 20 years ago, in 2004. The legislation established a comprehensive framework that includes a state observatory and specialized institutions.

Equality Minister Ana Redondo has described the law as "revolutionary, groundbreaking and an international benchmark."

One of its defining features is the creation of specialized judicial structures - something still largely absent in some other European countries.

Most Spanish courts have dedicated chambers with specially trained judges, while training programmes extend to police officers, teachers, lawyers and social workers.

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Around 60 crisis centres operate nationwide, offering round-the-clock support alongside helplines in more than 50 languages.

Police and judicial responses follow strict protocols. Authorities are required to act at the first sign of suspected abuse, even without a formal complaint.

Courts can issue protection orders within hours, including round-the-clock police protection.

Technology and strict enforcement

Digital coordination is central to Spains approach. Security agencies rely on the VioGen system, which enables rapid data sharing and risk assessment.

Electronic monitoring devices for offenders - used for more than 15 years - help enforce restraining orders in high-risk cases.

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At the start of 2024, more than 4,000 such systems were active nationwide.

Spain also applies comparatively tough criminal penalties: abuse by a partner or former partner can carry a prison sentence of at least two years.

Minister Redondo says these measures have helped shift Spain "from a macho-dominated society towards a culture of equality" and moved violence against women "from the private sphere into public consciousness."

A society engaged

Today, domestic violence is widely debated in Spain - in classrooms, on television and in popular culture. Public scrutiny of institutions remains intense.

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Germanys ambassador to Spain, Maria Margarete Gosse, has praised this level of engagement.

"What is particularly impressive is the intensity with which this society addresses violence against women," she told the Mallorca Zeitung newspaper, adding that Germany could "learn a great deal" from Spains approach.

Tackling a new threat: digital violence

Spain is now also positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to combat digital sexualized violence.

While many countries are still debating legislation, the Spanish government has already drafted a law aimed at regulating AI-generated deepfakes.

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The proposed rules would make it illegal to use a persons image or voice without consent. For minors under 16, consent would not be recognized at all. Violations could result in prison sentences of up to two years.

The initiative follows high-profile cases such as a 2023 scandal in Almendralejo, in south-western Spain, where teenagers created and shared AI-generated nude images of classmates aged 13 and 14.

The case sparked nationwide outrage and highlighted the risks posed by rapidly evolving technologies. According to Save the Children, around one in five young people in Spain  mostly girls  have already been affected by such abuse.

Authorities are also beginning to enforce existing laws. In autumn 2025, Spains data protection agency became the first in Europe to fine an individual for publishing an AI-generated nude image.

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At the same time, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs government has called for investigations into major tech platforms including X, Meta and TikTok over potential offences linked to AI-driven sexualized violence involving minors.

A wider European shift

Spain is not alone in moving quickly. Countries such as Denmark and France have already criminalized the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography involving real individuals, with penalties including fines and prison sentences.

But Spains approach stands out for its breadth  combining legal reform, public awareness and technological tools.

For visitors, the constant media coverage may create a distorted picture. In reality, it reflects a society that has chosen to confront the issue head-on.

A young woman sits at a table with her cell phone and looks at the display. Elisa Schu/dpa
Elon Musk's lawsuit accusing high-profile artificial intelligence company OpenAI of betraying its non-profit mission heads for trial on Monday with the selection of jurors.

The legal clash in a courtroom across the bay from San Francisco pits the world's richest person against a startup Musk once backed and now competes with in the booming AI sector.

OpenAI's ChatGPT is a formidable rival to the chatbot Grok, made by Musk's xAI lab.

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While Musk's lawsuit is part of a feud between him and OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman, it spotlights a debate as to whether AI should ultimately serve to benefit a privileged few or society as a whole.

Court filings lay out how Altman convinced Musk to back OpenAI in 2015, acting as a co-founder for a non-profit lab whose technology "would belong to the world."

Musk pumped millions of dollars into the lab, which he subsequently left.

However, OpenAI established a commercial subsidiary as it needed hundreds of billions of dollars for data centers to power its technology.

Microsoft has poured billions of dollars into OpenAI and its CEO Satya Nadella is among those slated to testify at the trial.

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Musk argues in his lawsuit that he was deceived about OpenAI's mission being altruistic.

San Francisco-based OpenAI has countered in court filings that its break-up with Musk was due to his quest for absolute control rather than its nonprofit status.

"This case has always been about Elon generating more power and more money for what he wants," OpenAI said in a recent X post. "His lawsuit remains nothing more than a harassment campaign that's driven by ego, jealousy and a desire to slow down a competitor."

The startup noted that days after Musk entered the AI race in 2023 he called for a six-month moratorium on development of advanced AI.

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The judge presiding over the trial will decide by mid-May -- guided by an advisory jury's findings -- whether OpenAI broke a promise to Musk in a drive to lead in AI or just smartly rode the technology to glory.

Along with calling for OpenAI to be forced to revert to a pure nonprofit, Musk's suit urges the ouster of Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, who is startup president.

Musk, who had sought as much as $134 billion in damages, has since renounced any personal benefit, pledging to redirect any award to the OpenAI nonprofit. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has reserved the right to determine any remedies herself, without the jurys input.

OpenAI now has a hybrid governance structure giving its nonprofit foundation control over a for-profit arm.

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Musk, who gutted the trust and safety team at Twitter after buying the social media platform that he renamed X, faces the challenge of convincing a jury and a judge that the company behind ChatGPT was built on a lie.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday seemed inclined to rule that police could use geofence warrants that collect the location history of cellphone users to find people near crime scenes.

The justices heard nearly two hours of arguments in an appeal from Okello Chatrie, who pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia.

Chatrie eluded the police until they turned to the geofence warrant, a powerful technological tool that erected a virtual fence and allowed them to locate cellphones that were near the bank around the time it was robbed in May 2019.

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The justices did not appear to embrace arguments offered by Adam Unikowsky, Chatrie's lawyer, that geofence warrants are too general to comply with the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the warrant that led to Chatrie's identification as a suspect did not seem to be general. This isn't that. It identifies a place, a crime, a timeframe, Sotomayor said.

The federal appeals court in Richmond upheld Chatrie's 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.

The case is the court's latest contemplation of how a constitutional provision ratified in 1791 applies to technology the nations founders count not have envisioned.

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The justices seemed eager to avoid a broad ruling. They could limit the time and geographic area covered by such warrants, and they might even decline to say whether what police did in Chatrie's case even amounted to a search that requires a warrant.

Instead the court might rule that, assuming a warrant is required, police can constitutionally conduct geofence searches.

A ruling for Chatrie, who is serving a prison term of nearly 12 years, might not ultimately help him. Even the federal judge who ruled that the search violated Chatries rights allowed the evidence to be used because the officer who applied for the warrant reasonably believed he was acting properly.
Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting in University City.

Corey Henderson is facing charges related to the incident, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Officers responded to reports of a person with a gun at 40th and Chestnut streets just after 10:15 p.m. Saturday.

Upon arrival, police say they discovered a 24-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower back.

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The man was transported to the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

According to authorities, the victim stated he and two others were walking near the intersection when they saw a man shouting to himself.

As the man approached, he reportedly began shooting at the group unprovoked, striking the victim once before fleeing the scene.

A short time later, University of Pennsylvania Police stopped a 43-year-old man who was identified by the witness as the alleged shooter.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A firearm was recovered at the scene.

Henderson is facing attempted murder, aggravated assault, among other charges.

A motive for the shooting remains unknown.

Police continue to investigate.
Correspondents' dinner shooting suspect charged with trying to assassinate the president 04:19

The suspected gunman in the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner was charged Monday in federal court with three counts including attempting to assassinate the president.

Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is charged with:

Using a firearm during a crime of violence;Transportation of firearm in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony;Attempt to assassinate the president of the United States.

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Allen did not enter a plea in Monday's hearing. He will remain in federal detention through at least Thursday, when he has his next court appearance, a detention hearing at 11 a.m. in front of another magistrate judge in D.C.

Federal prosecutors allege that Allen traveled across "multiple state lines" with firearms, which federal prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine identified as a 12-gauge pump action shotgun and a .38 semi-auto pistol, as well as three knives.

"Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was, and that intent was to bring down as many of the high ranking cabinet officials as he could," U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Justice Department officials stand in front of photos of the weapons allegedly carried by Cole Allen, the suspect charged with trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. / Credit: CBS News

President Trump and other top administration officials were evacuated after shots rang out Saturday night at the annual media dinner, which was packed with more than 2,500 politicians, journalists and celebrity guests. Authorities said a Secret Service agent was struck by a round but was protected by a bulletproof vest and has since been released from the hospital.

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Security officers quickly apprehended the suspect, who was evaluated at a local hospital before being moved to a D.C. jail.

Authorities said Allen had traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., in the days ahead of the event, knowing that the president would be in attendance.

"He was very much aware that the president and first lady entered the ballroom at 8 p.m.," Pirro said. She said a manifesto Allen wrote "made clear" that he was targeting administration officials.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the investigation is ongoing, and emphasized that law enforcement officers did their job.

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"I want to make this clear  this man was a floor above the ballroom with hundreds of federal agents between him and the president of the United States," Blanche said.

"We are investigating this matter fully," he continued. "We will apply the law fairly and we will ensure that accountability is swift and certain. But we also should recognize what should not happen. Law enforcement did not fail."

An image provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., shows a shotgun allegedly carried by Cole Allen, the suspect charged with trying to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. / Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington

An image provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office shows a pistol allegedly carried by Allen. / Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington

Blanche said the investigation so far has entailed search warrants in California and Washington, D.C., as well as many interviews. He also detailed the timeline of the incident laid out in the FBI affidavit, which was released shortly before the press conference began.

Pirro initially said Saturday night that Allen would be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, and that additional charges were likely Monday.

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"It is clear, based upon what we know so far, that this individual was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could, and thankfully, because of the checkpoint right outside the ballroom where thousands of people were situated to hear the president of the United States, that checkpoint worked," Pirro said hours after the shooting. "There was no one who was injured, but it was clear where this defendant was going."

CBS News obtained a copy of what investigators described as a manifesto written by Allen that he sent to family members. In his alleged writings, Allen said he planned the attack because he didn't want the "crimes" of the administration to "coat [his] hands." He didn't refer to Mr. Trump or the event by name, but allegedly said he intended to target administration officials "prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest."
A man has been charged in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew.

Bartholomew, who had been with the Chicago Police Department for 10 years, was one of two officers shot at a North Side hospital over the weekend.

As the second police officer injured in Saturday's shooting remains in critical condition, police announced on Monday that 26-year-old Alphanso Talley of Chicago has been charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery.

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And an Indiana woman has been charged federally with making a material false statement in the acquisition of a firearm in connection with the gun used in the double shooting, according to court documents.

Olivia Burgos bought the gun on May 27, 2024 in Merrillville, Indiana, court documents say. The documents say Burgos bought the gun for her boyfriend at the time.

Bartholomew's family was joined by several dozen members of the Chicago Police Department, alderpersons, and other politicians and police supporters for Talley's court hearing on Monday.

"Every officer knows the risk they take when they put on the uniform and head out. But having it play out like this is truly sad time for the city," said 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez.

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Talley lumbered into the courtroom just before noon at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. The judge asked him to confirm his name twice, but he refused to respond, not speaking a word during the hearing.

SEE ALSO | Swedish Hospital shooting: What we know about suspected cop killer's lengthy criminal history

The prosecution offered a brief synopsis of Saturday's events, saying it all started at 8 a.m., when Talley allegedly robbed a Albany Park Family Dollar in the 3200-block of West Lawrence Avenue and pistol-whipped an employee. Attorneys say the stolen cash had GPS, and Chicago police tracked it to Talley, who they took into custody.

They say Talley claimed to have swallowed drugs, so at that point, two officers escorted him to Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital in the city's Ravenswood neighborhood. As Talley was being prepared for a CT scan, he was stripped of his clothes but was apparently able to keep a blanket over him.

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As soon as one of the officers uncuffed him, prosecutors say, Talley reached under the blanket and shot one officer in the head. He then turned and shot the second officer in the face before shooting out a hospital window to escape.

Prosecutors never said how Talley got the 10 mm handgun into the hospital. Officials with Endeavor Health say security wanded him as he entered the hospital and that nothing was detected.

He was eventually found a short time later under porch nearby. Cellphone video shows the moment Talley was arrested on Carmen Avenue, not long after he allegedly ran out of the hospital without any clothes on.

One woman said the suspect was hiding in the alley next to her home after his escape as the SWAT team searched for him

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"They came right by our window and asked us, through the window, our address," neighbor Madison Heckel said. "And we saw them move their weapons pointing at our neighbor's house to our house, which was pretty terrifying because I have never had a weapon pointed in my direction before. So, that was pretty awful. They were shaking at our garage door in the back. So, we were wondering if maybe whoever they were after had somehow gotten into our garage."

Officials say Talley is a seven-time convicted felon, a parole absconder, and an electronic monitoring escapee with cases pending for armed carjacking and armed robbery.

After Monday's hearing, where Talley was ordered to be held in custody, police union leaders and alderpersons stopped to slam what they call a failed system that puts people on electronic monitoring that are repeat offenders of major crimes.

"They should not be enjoying the sun on their face and be able to keep committing crime every day, and these judges are doing nothing about it. It's flawed. It's broken. It needs to end," said 41st Ward Ald. Anthony Napolitano.

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"Judge Lyke issued a warrant March 11 out of this building for an electronic monitoring violation. Five weeks this kid was wondering the streets. Who's looking for him?" said Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.

With one officer, a 57-year-old who has been with the department for 21 years, still fighting for his life, Catanzara also offered a brief update.

"It's very bad. It's extremely grave. It's not good. It's going to take a miracle," Catanzara said.

CPD Officer Carlos Yanez, who was nearly killed in the line of duty five years ago, said he will be praying like every one else did for him.

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"I hope that he makes a miraculous recovery and is with us and stays with us. And for the families, just be strong right now. I know what they're going through," Yanez said.

Purple bunting now hangs at CPD's 17th District. Blue ribbons and flowers were placed there, and a Gold Star flag is flying at half-staff as those inside mourn the loss of one of their own and continue praying for the recovery of another.

CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said in a statement Monday, "The offender responsible for the murder of our fallen officer and the attempted murder of our critically injured officer has been charged. Though this does not bring solace to this tragedy, it does bring the first step in accountability. I want to thank every officer who quickly responded to take this offender into custody and every detective who worked tirelessly during this investigation to secure charges.

"I ask that everyone continue to hold the family of our fallen officer in your hearts during this unimaginable time. We must also support and pray for our injured officer, who is still fighting for his life. I also want to acknowledge the men and women of the 17th District, where these officers worked.

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"This shooting was a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our officers face all too often on this job. I encourage every Chicagoan to join us in supporting our officers and their families in these difficult days ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to extend support and offer condolences. Your words have been a comfort to our grieving Chicago Police Department family."

Funeral arrangements for the fallen officer have not yet been released. At this point, CPD says out of respect for Bartholomew's family, they are not sharing a photograph of him until his relatives are ready.

Meanwhile, Talley's public defender told the judge that she had not yet had a confidential conversation with her client. The hearing was allowed to continue, and the next court date was set for Thursday, April 30.

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A 48-year-old Syrian man went on trial in Germany on Monday accused of being responsible for torture and the deaths of 70 prisoners in Damascus.

The defendant, who faces 70 charges of murder as well as crimes against humanity, was silent on the first day of the trial at the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz.

Prosecutors allege that the man worked as a guard in a prison run by the Syrian intelligence service in Damascus in 2011 and 2012. In that role, he is accused of taking part in numerous interrogations in which prisoners were abused and tortured.

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The Syrian is alleged to have abused detainees with electric shocks and beatings. According to the indictment, at least 70 prisoners are said to have died as a result of the violence and the life-threatening detention conditions, the court said.

The man has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest in May 2025.

In Syria, protests against the government of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.

The Syrian government used force to suppress opposition protests that were critical of the regime.

According to the German Federal Public Prosecutors Office, the Syrian secret services were tasked with quelling the protests as early as possible and intimidating the movements.

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Consequently, actual or suspected opposition figures were arrested, detained, tortured and killed throughout the country without any legal basis.

The conflict escalated into a civil war involving international intervention. Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024.
Over the course of the past year, Texas state lawmakers have been investigating the fatal July 4, 2025, floods that claimed over 130 lives, including those of 27 young girls at a Central Texas summer camp.

Almost a year later, the Texas House and Senate investigating committees are set to meet for the first time in Austin, just days after visiting Camp Mystic  just north of San Antonio  where 27 young girls and the camp owner died due to heavy rains causing the Guadalupe River to surge.

This also comes after the camp announced in late 2025 that portions of the destroyed site would be fixed and reopened for the 2026 summer season  amid heavy backlash from the parents of the girls who died, Texans and lawmakers.

A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025, after severe flash flooding over the July 4 holiday weekend. A search and rescue team looks for people along the Guadalupe River near a damaged building at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, on July 7, 2025, following severe flash flooding that occurred during the July 4 holiday weekend. A person sifts through children's belongings at Camp Mystic on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Art supplies lie on a damaged table inside of a cabin at Camp Mystic, in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, July 7, 2025. Debris is piled up at the entrance to Camp Mystic on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. People look through items left in the bunks at Camp Mystic not swept away in the flash flooding on July 7, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Children's clothes hang on the branch of a tree on the bank of the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. Search and recovery workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding near Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic, the site of where at least 20 girls went missing after flash flooding in Hunt, Texas, on July 5, 2025. A view of a damaged building at Camp Mystic. A plush toy sits on the ground outside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view inside a cabin at Camp Mystic. A view of a damaged building at Camp Mystic. A view of a damaged building at Camp Mystic. Towels and clothing hang on a clothesline outside a cabin at Camp Mystic. Suitcases and furniture are seen outside a cabin at Camp Mystic. People look on as law enforcement and volunteers continue to search for missing people near Camp Mystic, the site of where at least 20 girls went missing after flash flooding in Hunt, Texas, on July 5, 2025. Rescuers were on Saturday searching for more than 20 girls missing from a riverside summer camp in Texas, after torrential rains caused devastating flooding that killed at least 27 people  with more rain on the way. "So far, we've evacuated over 850 uninjured people, eight injured people and have recovered 27 deceased fatalities at this time. Of these 27, 18 are adults, nine are children," said Kerr Country Sheriff Larry Leitha on July 5. Photos from Camp Mystic show devastation from fatal flooding that claimed 27 lives 1 of 19 A painted broken heart is seen near Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025, after severe flash flooding over the July 4 holiday weekend.

State lawmakers formed committees to investigate the incident and the parents of 8-year-old Cecilia "Cile" Steward  whose body still has not been found  sued the camp for planning to reopen.

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The family asked the court to stop the camp owners from halting construction and remodeling to preserve evidence and "from utilizing the Camp Mystic site for any commercial purpose" while the lawsuit proceeds. Earlier in the month, the courts heard the horrific and emotional testimonies of camp counselors of that night as part of the lawsuit.

When are Texas lawmakers meeting to discuss July 4 floods, Camp Mystic?

AUSTIN, TEXAS - AUGUST 08: State Sen. Charles Perry (R-TX) speaks during a Texas Senate flooding committee hearing at the State Capitol on August 08, 2025 in Austin, Texas. The Texas Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding gathered to discuss the state's course of actions and future plans in response to the July 4 flash flooding in Central and West Texas.

The Texas House and Senate committees on the July 2025 Flooding Events are set to meet at 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET on Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28 in Austin, Texas.

According to the notices, lawmakers are "to receive an investigation update from the committees investigators in connection with its inquiry into the 2025 flooding event."

No public testimony will be taken; only invited testimony will be heard.

How can I watch the Texas July 2025 hearings?

The hearings will take place in room E2.016 of the Texas Capitol building.

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They will also be live-streamed at house.texas.gov/video-audio/ or senate.texas.gov/av-live.php.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Texas lawmakers to meet about Camp Mystic, July 4 flood investigation
AzerNEWS

In a country where almost 90% of its exports remain in the form of hydrocarbons, the presence of a small Azerbaijan companys jams and dried fruit products among the stock items in Baku supermarkets may look like a mere afterthought. Nothing could be further from the truth. This project, whereby the Economic Council of Azerbaijan has decided to lease shelf space in six Baku supermarket chains for the placement of 140 different products made by small-scale producers through the KOBIA scheme, provides an insight into an issue which Azerbaijans Economic Council deliberated on during their April 20 meeting: Why do small food manufacturers face difficulties getting their products onto the shelves of Baku supermarkets despite the nations agricultural capabilities and growing export figures?

With the Prime Minister, Ali Asadov, presiding over the session, which had an informative report prepared by Agriculture Minister, Majnun Mammadov, the conference took place amid some moderate macroeconomic weakness. During the period January to March, 2026, the countrys GDP fell by 0.3 percent  its oil and gas economy shrinking by 1.2 percent while its non-oil economy grew by only 0.2 percent. Azerbaijans sovereign reserves, amounting to about $85 billion, offer enough insurance for this situation.

The problem lies in the fact that this economic downturn occurred right at the time when Azerbaijan needed to demonstrate progress regarding its diversification story, which, according to Oliver Wymans $150 billion GDP prediction by 2035, should have been expected.

2025 numbers:

- 52.7%: Non-oil share of GDP, marking the first time it has exceeded 50%.

- 8.6%: Non-oil GDP growth rate, despite a 7.3% decline in the oil sector.

-$3.3 billion: Non-oil exports from January to November 2025, a 7.3% increase year-on-year.

- 34%: Proportion of the employed population working in agriculture and agro-processing.

In terms of export performance excluding oil, 2025 could well go down in history as a good year for Azerbaijan. Exports of agriculture and agro-industries from the country amounted to $1.03 billion in the first ten months of the year, with a growth rate of 19.1%. What is even more important is the nature of the growth: sugar export went up by 54.4%, fruits and vegetables 24.3%, chemical products 39%, and foods in general 19.8%. These numbers cannot be considered a mere coincidence but reflect a clear trend toward export diversification.

Rationalisation of the institutional framework that facilitates this progress has likewise been achieved. During the first half of 2026, KOBIA and AZPROMO have been consolidated by presidential order into a single Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, Investment and Export Promotion, thus avoiding redundancies and bringing the government apparatus for SME development under one roof in a structure with 370 jobs. This comes after many years of dual track management of institutions, which, although functional on their own, have resulted in redundancies and disjointed interaction with their corporate customers. It is more appropriate for Azerbaijan's development stage.

The constraints identified by the Economic Council on April 20th are no different from those highlighted consistently over the past few years. The reason why it is important to enumerate these constraints is that they are not cyclical, but structural issues that cannot be fixed by the next quarter.

Structural constraints on small producers vs current policy responses to counter it

- Post-Soviet land fragmentation has resulted in most farms operating as 25 acre plots, which hinders economies of scale that could lower unit costs. Additionally, irrigation water shortages and a slow transition to more intensive agricultural technologies have led to increased production costs across the sector. Small producers are further burdened by cold storage being dominated by large logistics operators, who charge prohibitive fees. Major retail chains favor annual contracts with large suppliers, making it administratively and economically unviable for them to engage in one-off purchases of smaller quantities, such as 200kg. Compounding these challenges, the draft "Internal Trade" law, aimed at regulating supplier-retailer relations and curbing retail monopoly margins, has been under development for five years without enactment. The low procurement prices and rural wages create detrimental incentives, driving the population away from rural areas and into cities.

- KOBIA is making significant strides in enhancing market access for small producers through various initiatives. It has rented shelf space in six Baku supermarket chains, allowing 140 product lines from small producers to reach consumers. The KOB Fest exhibition-fairs are taking place across ten regions, alongside the introduction of KOB Bazar in the Binagadi district in 2025, providing consumers with direct access to regional producers. Additionally, in 2024, KOBIA supported 550 SMEs through retail sales mechanisms and launched pilot farm consolidation schemes covering 10,000 hectares across 12 districts to tackle fragmentation. A $100 million EBRD-backed program was initiated to modernize food processing and packaging infrastructure, and the merger of KOBIA with AZPROMO is expected to create a unified support structure, streamlining engagement with SMEs.

This aspect requires special focus because the major supermarkets in Azerbaijan operate under conditions of a "weakly competitive environment," and they earn high margins despite low costs for procurement of products from both large processors and small producers. Big processors manage to cope with this situation since they benefit from reduced unit costs. Small producers are not able to do this due to the lack of cost advantages gained from economies of scale. Therefore, small producers are automatically excluded from participation in retail trade operations, not based on product quality but on the nature of the economic relations that have never been regulated before. The delay in adopting the Internal Trade Law by five years may serve as evidence of the dominance of vested interests over policy intentions.

Products Export growth

[2025] Value Market Sugar +54.4% Largest single-category gainer Russia, CIS, Middle East Chemical products +39% Growing share of non-oil exports Europe, Turkiye Fruits & vegetables +24.3% $769.7mn agricultural exports Russia, Gulf, Eastern Europe Food products (total) +19.8% $962.1mn  Jan-Oct 2025 Diversifying toward new markets Cotton yarn +8.8% Part of textile diversification Turkiye, Europe Total non-oil exports +7.3% $3.3bn Jan-Nov 2025 24 countries via AZPROMO support

The April 20 meeting included instructions to responsible institutions, which, in Azerbaijani government terminology, generally precedes the implementation of a set of practical steps, not just high-level recommendations. According to both the meetings agenda and previous government initiatives, it is likely that further actions will cover three main issues. Firstly, an extension of the KOBIA shelf space program from its current six points in Baku to other cities, a low-cost measure aimed at addressing the market access problem of small producers. Secondly, quick progress in the farm consolidation pilot programs, possibly expanding it from the current level of ten thousand hectares to other regions. Lastly, but more importantly, progress in the Internal Trade law issue.

The Karabakh element introduces a fresh perspective into the conversation on agriculture that did not exist two years ago. The liberated lands, which have been partly resettled through the "Great Return" initiative, account for about 11,600 sq.km of agricultural land, most of which was fertile prior to the occupation period. In total, KOBIA has received around 1,500 requests from businesspeople looking to set up their businesses in the liberated lands, 70% of which are from local SMEs. With its Green Energy Zone status, new transport corridors, and fertile agricultural lands in Karabakh's lowlands, Azerbaijan has a real chance to build a processing agro-industry cluster from scratch, devoid of the complications brought about by fragmented land ownership and Soviet-era infrastructure that hinder the development of the non-oil economy.

The sector that is the most important in terms of political sensitivity, other than the oil sector, is agriculture; as 34 percent of the total workforce is engaged in this sector, it is also more relevant in relation to the rural population. However, the issue related to the structure of the deficit in manufacturing in the economy of Azerbaijan is a difficult challenge in the long run. Manufacturing contributes 5.8 percent to GDP, and manufactures contribute merely 4 percent of merchandise export (oil and gas exports make up approximately 90%). Industrial policy on the part of the government has led to the creation of industrial parks and economic zones, with 11 such parks operational currently; the Central Bank of Azerbaijan has pointed out the low capacity of Azerbaijani SMEs "to create added value" which clearly means that these enterprises lack manufacturing capabilities and mostly involve themselves in trading and services.

The elements are in place. Azerbaijan's $85 billion sovereign wealth fund and foreign exchange reserves give the country room for investment. The cooperation agreement with the EBRD, the World Bank irrigation project, and the IFC SME loans are multilateral financing mechanisms. The numbers of non-oil exports show the private sector is ready to deliver once the conditions are right. What the message of the April 20 meeting shows, and what the outcomes of this meeting will either prove or disprove, is whether the government is willing to go beyond the program initiatives to the reforms, beginning with regulating retail trade, which will enable the small and medium Azerbaijani producers to be more competitive.
Posted on Feb 25, 2015 in Tactics101

Tactics 101 105  The Bradley Infantry Company

THE BRADLEY INFANTRY COMPANY

aThose who go on foot or on a war-horse, with the mettle to take on a hundred men, who are skilled in the use of close-range weapons, swords, and spears are called Infantry generals.a

Zhuge Liang (AD 180-234)

LAST MONTH

For the past months, we have focused our attention on the mechanized infantry platoon.A We first dissected the organization of the platoon and how the platoon maneuvers when mounted.A Next, we examined how a platoon plans and executes offensive and defensive operations.A We did this by examining the thought process of a Bradley Platoon Leader a LT Duffer.A In both types of operations, LT Duffer displayed an excellent understanding of analyzing the capabilities and limitations of his forces, the enemy, and the terrain.A With a true appreciation of the platoon, we will now progress to the mechanized infantry company.

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THIS MONTH

In our discussion of the mechanized infantry company, we will focus on a Bradley equipped organization. We will additionally limit our discussion to a pure mechanized company.A In other words, it does not have any attached tanks to it.A Future articles will address company/team operations.A A We will dissect the following two areas: 1) The organization of the company.A 2) The key personnel in the company.

The Organization of the Company a Graphically Depicted

Company Organization

The mechanized company is a robust organization as the graphic above alludes to.A It is comprised of three mechanized platoons with each platoon having 4 Bradleys and 3 Infantry squads.A There are also two additional Bradleys in the company (one for the Commander and one for the Executive Officer).A Put it all together and a full-up Bradley Company can place 14 Bradleys and 9 Infantry Squads on the battlefield a impressive combat power.

Along with the Bradleys, the company also possesses other organic vehicles.A These include: 1) An M113 (Armored Personnel Carrier) for use by the Company First Sergeant.A 2) There are two M998 HMMWVs (wheeled vehicles) in the Company Headquarters.A One is for use for the Company Commander.A The other one is normally shared by the Executive Officer and First Sergeant for use in making logistical runs to the rear.A 3) The company has two cargo trucks utilized in its supply section.A One carries a water buffalo/trailer with it and the other a cargo trailer.

Besides the organic vehicles in the company, the Commander will or may receive other vehicles and personnel to accomplish his purpose and task.A Letas address some of the more common relationships.

Almost always, the company will be augmented by a team from the Field Artillery Battalion.A The team consists of a group of artillerymen led by a Lieutenant.A They will travel in their own APC.

Many times, a company will receive additional engineer support.A This could be an engineer platoon, engineer squad or even a piece of specialized engineer equipment.A This augmentation occurs when the company has a purpose and task that may require the need for additional engineer support.

Depending on their location within the battalion maneuver formation or in the defense, the company can be augmented with air defense support.A This support generally comes in the form of a Stinger Team.A The team usually maneuvers in its vehicle.A In most cases, this is a specially equipped Bradley.

The mission may require that the company receive additional support such as radar and sensor systems, additional medical or maintenance support, civil affairs team, linguistic teams, counterintelligence teams, etca. Each of teams will maneuver in their own organic vehicles and may bring various pieces of equipment with them.

With all this said, you can see that the footprint or formation of a mechanized company can get pretty big.A The challenge for the Company Commander is that in many cases; this support may be the first time they have been part of the company. Obviously, this can create some issues that must be worked out quickly.

Key Company Personnel

Below we will discuss the key personnel in the company and their major roles and responsibilities.

A

Company Commander a As we always say, the Commander is responsible for everything the unit does and just as importantly, what it doesnat do.A Being a mechanized infantry company commander is a great job, but it comes with significant responsibilities and duties.A Letas review some of those below:

Must understand how to blend the capabilities of his mounted and dismounted elements so they complement one another.

Just as importantly, must understand the limitations of the elements, so the enemy cannot exploit them.

Listens to his First Sergeant and his NCOs.

Develops his Lieutenants.

A good Company Commander aplays wella with his fellow Company Commanders.A That means he shares ideas, assists them when it is needed, and is a good team player.A These combine to make the Battalion a better unit.

Keeps his Commander always informed.A This means informing him on bad news.A As we always say, bad news doesnat get any better with age.

During combat operations, the Company Commander will normally use the company radio frequency as his primary net so he can fight the company.A He will then monitor the battalion radio frequency so he understands the bigger picture.

Will normally position himself with the main effort of the company during the fight.A This enables him to truly understand the environment if a critical decision must be made which impacts the ability of the company to achieve their purpose and task

When the company dismounts its Infantry; will normally dismount himself.

Must understand how to employ tanks

Must understand the nuances of how the company operates a supply, maintenance, administration, etc a.

Must understand how to employ tanks and integrate them with his mechanized and dismounted forces.A Many times, he will command a company/team that consists of two mechanized platoons and one tank platoon.

Must understand how to incorporate other combat multipliers into his company. This could include engineer assets, air defense assets, different types of radars and sensors, indirect fire assets, etca.A Depending on his mission, he could receive various resources from his higher headquarters to assist him in achieving his purpose and task.

Company Executive Officer a The Xo wears many hats (or helmets) within the company.A The XO will normally have a great deal of experience within the company. This is because he will generally have been a platoon leader in the company and then promoted to XO.A A good company commander will utilize this experience; especially in the early months of his command.A The XOas roles and responsibilities include:

Second in command of the company.A When the Commander is out of the net; the XO will assume command and control of the company.

If the Commander dismounts, will lead the mounted element.

Assists the Commander in the tactical planning of the mission.A The amount of this assistance will depend on what the Commander requires.

Is the primary logistical planner and coordinator for the company.A He will receive great support from the First Sergeant, who is normally the logistical adoera.A In this role, he will normally craft paragraph 4 (service support) of the Operations Order.

Based on their personalities, can be a great sounding board for the Company Commander.

Is a great source of information for the companyas platoon leaders.A After all, in most cases, he has been there and done that.

If critical coordination is required with various units (supporting, adjacent, or higher headquarters, etca); is the likely person to conduct this.

During the conduct of the operation, will normally provide situation reports to higher headquarters. This allows the Company Commander to fight the company.

Many times during an operation, will be positioned near the weakest platoon in the company.A This provides a little extra oversight on what is going on or what isnat taking place.

May be in charge of missions that do not involve the entire company.A This could include things such as leading a quartering party, conducting a reconnaissance, being part of a stay-behind force, etca.

A

Company First Sergeant a In most instances, he is the most experienced Soldier in the company.A He has seen it all and his experience is vital to the success of the company. The roles and responsibilities of the First Sergeant will vary based on the working relationship between the Company Commander, Executive Officer, and the First Sergeant.A Letas highlight some of these roles and responsibilities below:

The company expert on individual Soldier skills.

If he sees the company is lacking in certain areas will work with the Commander in developing training to remedy this.

The standard-bearer within the company.

Keeps his Company Commander straight.

Offers the Commander advice on various areas and subjects.

The Company executer on all things logistics.

Assists the XO in logistical planning.

Leads the company LOGPAC (Logistical Package) Operations.

Will assist the attached Company Medics in the execution of medical evacuation.

Supervises, inspects, corrects.

Ensures Soldiers are executing field hygiene during combat.A This is critical in keeping Soldiers available to conduct operations.

Along with the Commander, sets the standard for field discipline.

Works with the Battalion Command Sergeant Major in getting the best available Soldiers assigned to the Company.

Many times will lead the Company Quartering Party.

During operations, may be located at a key position or oversee a critical event.

Platoon Leaders a Each company has the aforementioned three mechanized platoons.A Each led by a Platoon Leader.A In our last mini-series, we addressed the roles of the Platoon Leader.A Consequently, we will not rehash this.A The dynamics between the Platoon Leaders in the company is always interesting.A There will always be competition between Platoon Leaders and that is healthy.A The Company Commander must ensure that this competition doesnat turn unhealthy.

Platoon Sergeants a Three platoons a three Platoon Sergeants.A Between them and the First Sergeant; they are the group that make or break a company.A They are the experience which the Officers must rely on to set the conditions for success on the battlefield.

The Fire Support Officer (FSO) a This is an incredibly important position in the company. With his assistance, he can get the Company out of trouble or can assist them in exploiting success.A He will normally come attached to the Company from the Field Artillery Battalion that is part of the Brigade.A Will come with his own vehicle and a team of three or four Soldiers which assist him in planning, preparation, and execution.A He and his team have the following roles and responsibilities:

Assists the Commander in planning, coordinating, and executing all of the Companyas fire support requirements.

With guidance and intent from the Company Commander, develops and continually refines the Companyas Fire Support Plan. Ensures it is synchronized with the maneuver plan.

Once a plan is developed; coordinates with the Battalion FSO with feasibility and implementation.

Expert on the capabilities and limitations of all fire support assets that may be available to the company.A Should also be an expert on the capabilities and limitations of the enemyas fire support assets.

Provides the Commander with the above information and the status of their availability to the company.

Expert on the fire support assets of the enemy that the Company faces.A Ensures Company Commander understands how these assets can affect the accomplishment of his mission.

Assists the Commander in the development of the Company Operations Order.A Obviously, he is critical in those portions tied to fire support.A However, he is also a good sanity check on the rest of the order.

Recommends to the Commander various things tied to the fire support plan including specific targets, fire control methods, how they will engage targets, and who is responsible for firing those targets.

Based on the above information, he develops the company target worksheet.A He will send this worksheet to his own Field Artillery Battalion.

Assigns responsibility within the Company and who will observe targets.

If the Company has Platoon Forward Observers attached to it; he will brief them on the plan and ensure they completely understand their responsibilities in executing the plan.

Cannot stress enough that the FSO must continually refine the plan and always anticipate.A As the tactical situation is constantly changing; so must the fire plan.

Communications Chief a Clearly one of the craftiest Soldiers in the company.A His job is seemingly never done.A There is always someone out there who canat communicate.A With technology, his job has gotten tougher a not easier!A Here are some of his significant responsibilities:

Supervises the installation of communication equipment within the company.A This includes a wide variety of astuffa.A Obviously, the more complex it is; the more hands on he will be.

Oversees the operation of the communication equipment in the company.

Ensures operators are trained to perform their level of maintenance on their equipment.A Conducts spot checks on equipment to ensure it is being conducted.

Responsible for all area tied to the secure communications equipment possessed by the company.A This includes among other things: requisitioning needed equipment, receiving it once it comes in, conducting training on it, implementing it in the company, and performing maintenance on it.

Advises the Company Commander on all things communication related.A This includes providing expertise on how to best utilize communications within a specific mission.A As the saying goes, aMove, Shoot, and Communicatea.

A Commander should ask the Commo Chief for his recommendations on what should be included in Paragraph 5 (Command and Signal) of the Company Operations Order.

An excellent way to utilize the Commo Chief is to place him in charge of the Company Command Post (CP).A This is of course if the Commo Chief has the skill set to execute this important role.A The rank and experience of the Commo Chief can vary significantly.A He can be a relatively young Soldier or may have many years under his belt.A In the role of CP Chief, he would normally be responsible for the following: moving the CP, setting-up the CP, establishing the security plan for the CP, developing and implementing the CP radio watch schedule, and being the Companyas Information Manager.

Supply Sergeant a The old wily Supply Sergeant. He can have a huge impact on the morale of the company and in their ability to achieve their mission.A The Supply Sergeant has many roles and responsibilities.A These include:

Certainly, he is highly engaged in anything tied to supplies and equipment.A This includes requisitioning, receiving, issuing, and storing.A He must obviously be well-organized in how he executes each of these critical tasks.A The results of a poorly organized Supply Sergeant normally translate to poorly equipped Soldiers.A This correlates directly to combat power.

In regards to requisitioning, the good Supply Sergeant is proactive, not reactive.A Reactive is not a good word in the supply world.

In regards to all the above, the Supply Sergeant must have solid working relationships with several people.A These include the Company XO, the Company First Sergeant, the Platoon Sergeants, and the leadership of the Battalion S4 Shop.

During combat operations, the Supply Sergeant will generally position himself in the Battalion Field Trains.A This will be some distance away from the front lines, but close enough so that he can get supplies, equipment, food, water, etca to the Company in a timely manner.

Inside the Battalion Field Trains, he is under the watchful eye of the Headquarters Company Commander or Support Platoon Leader depending on how the Battalion operates.

Within the Field Trains, he is normally accompanied by the Company Armorer and any Supply Clerks or cargo truck drivers the Company may have.A Most times, these Supply Clerks come directly from the Platoons to assist in supply operations.A From experience, two Soldiers (Supply Sergeant and Armorer) is not sufficient to conduct supply effectively in a Bradley Company. Consequently, you will take out of hide to support these critical operations.

The Supply Sergeant should be in constant communications with the company.A This will generally be the Company First Sergeant. This aids in being proactive and when necessary, reactive.A The bottom line is that the Supply Sergeant should always have a good understanding of tactical situation up forward in regards to his Company.

In regards to transportation, the Supply Sergeant will utilize a cargo truck and trailer.A He will also have another cargo truck and a water buffalo under his control.

When the Supply Sergeant moves forward it is normally done in conjunction with other vehicles from the Field Trains.A Clearly, there is safety in numbers.A Two lone cargo trucks moving down a trail or road is a lucrative target.A If the Supply Sergeant must move forward without other Field Trains vehicles; the company may send a combat vehicle or two as escort depending on the tactical situation.

When the Supply Sergeant moves forward, it is normally as part of a Battalion LOGPAC (Logistics Package) operation. In simple terms, this is when the each of the Battalionas Companies supply vehicles move forward to resupply their respective companies.A This resupply will generally constitute chow, water, supplies, ammunition, barrier material etca. There may also be a fueler attached to Supply Sergeant which will be used during the LOGPAC.A We will address the intricacies of a LOGPAC in a future article.

NBC NCO a The overlooked Soldier in the company. That is until there is the slightest potential that biological or chemical weapons could be used on the battlefield.A Then, the entire company wants to ensure all their protective gear is in outstanding working order.A Letas address his roles and responsibilities in combat and just as importantly, prior to combat.A These include:

Much of his work is conducted well before the company is deployed for combat operations.A Specifically, he develops and implements a training program that focuses on improving Soldiersa and the company as a whole proficiency in NBC tasks. Tied directly to this is building the confidence in everyone that they can operate and survive in an NBC environment.

The training plan should be a two-pronged strategy.A First, to incorporate individual training as much as possible.A Second, to incorporate NBC related tasks in all company training.A For example, if the company is training on maneuver formations; then conduct it in NBC posture.

During combat, makes recommendations to the Commander as to what type of NBC protection Soldiers should wear during a mission.

Often neglected is that the NBC NCO should be the company expert in the use of smoke.A Consequently, the Commander should seek his advice when the use of friendly smoke is considered.A Vice versa, when the enemy is using smoke; the Commander should discuss the ramifications with him.

Requisitions, receives, issues and stores all NBC related equipment.

Keeps Commander abreast of anything NBC related (friendly or enemy) that has, is or will occur on the battlefield.

If the company or parts of the Company must go through decontamination operations; he will coordinate, monitor, and oversee these operations.

Establishes a good working relationship with the Battalion NBC NCO.

Company Armorer a An often underappreciated Soldier in the company is the Armorer. This is normally a younger Soldier in the company.A A good Armorer can clearly have a positive impact on the ability of the Company to generate combat power.A Among his significant roles and responsibilities are:

Should work with the Platoon Sergeants in aiding them in their preventive maintenance operations in the Platoons.

Must know the companyas weapons and weapon systems inside and out.

Ensures Soldiers have the supplies required to perform good preventive maintenance on their particular weapon or weapon systems.

Should be handy with the atoolsa so you can fix maintenance issues so that weapon systems do not have to be sent to the rear area to be repaired.

If a system or weapon must be sent to the rear; it must be done quickly.A It is not getting fixed if it is staying with the Armorer.

Tied to this is ensuring the Armorer keeps good paperwork on what has been sent back and he continually follows up on the status of its repair.

As highlighted in our discussion of the Supply Sergeant; the Armorer will normally be under the control of the Supply Sergeant in the Battalion Field Trains.A He will assist the Supply Sergeant and drive one of the Companyas cargo trucks.

Company Master Gunner a One of the most important Soldiers within the company tied to generating the fire in fire and maneuver is the Company Master Gunner.A This Soldier is an established NCO who normally has been part of the company in other roles (usually a Bradley Commander).A He has proven himself and now is the Company Master Gunner.A As the Master Gunner, he has several critical roles and responsibilities.A These include:

Is the company expert on Bradley gunnery.A Must know the intricacies of the Bradley turret, its weapon systems, and how a Bradley crew operates effectively.

Prior to any combat operations, he will be the Commanderas go to guy in developing, planning, and executing all Bradley crew training.A The goal of this training is to make certain each Bradley crew has the confidence and expertise to deliver lethal fires down range.

A big challenge for the Master Gunner is to make training as realistic as possible.A It is one thing for a crew to be able to perform effectively in a fairly sterile gunnery range.A It is another thing for them to perform effectively in a combat environment.

A good Master Gunner should know the skill level of all crew members in the company.A This will enable him to make recommendations to the Platoon and Company leadership on crew manning.

As addressed earlier, the Master Gunner should have an excellent understanding of the turret and Bradley weapon systems.A This will allow him to troubleshoot and even repair some problems.A With this knowledge, he can work with the turret mechanics to assist in getting repairs done as quickly as possible.A Again, it is all about getting combat power into the fight.

A smart Company Commander will utilize the Master Gunner in his planning for both offensive and defensive operations.A Within the defense, he can aid in engagement area planning because of his expertise on the companyas weapon systems.A In the offense, he can offer advice on the utilization of the weapon systems during the attack.

Before a mission, he can assist the company leadership in observing preparation (troop leading procedures) and offering advice to the Platoon leadership.

During operations themselves, there are many ways to utilize the Master Gunner.A Many times, the Company Commander will use him as his gunner on his vehicle.A Then, when Commander dismounts with the Infantry; he moves up to command the Bradley.A Another position for the Master Gunner is to lead the Company Command Post during mission execution.A A This could include the wheeled vehicles in the Company.A Because of experience and talents it would be inexcusable not to use him in a way that assists the company.

Maintenance Team Chief a In a mechanized or armor unit, the importance of the Maintenance Team Chief cannot be overstated. A good Team Chief and his Team is critical in ensuring the company has as much combat power in the fight as possible.A The principle duties of the Team Chief include:

Is obviously the Commanderas expert on maintenance.A Keeps him updated on status of his vehicles.A What is up a What is down a When will the down vehicles be mission capable.

When a vehicle is damaged or maintenance down; determines if the repair can be done on site or if the vehicle must be evacuated to the rear.

Keeps his maintenance team motivated.A This is a challenge because they have a challenging job that is not very glamourous.

Keeps the company well-stocked in repair parts.A To achieve this, he must be organized, understand the requisition process, be a scrounger, and be a dealer.

Must be an expert in vehicle recovery.A Must understand what can be accomplished with the recovery equipment he possesses.A Creativity is the norm when a vehicle must be recovered in challenging terrain and circumstances.

Trains his team on all Soldier skills a Soldiers first/mechanics second.

Keeps abreast of the tactical situation, so he and his team can be at the right place at the right time.

Usually has an excellent relationship with the First Sergeant.

Will normally lead the companyas combat trains when the First Sergeant is not in the area.

Keeps a positive relationship with the Battalionas maintenance leadership.A Donat want to get on their bad side!

Medical Team a The Company will receive medical support from the Medical Platoon attached to the Battalion.A This will normally consist of a Medic for each Platoon and potentially a Senior Aidman who will work with the Headquarters and oversee the other medics.A He will work closely with the Company First Sergeant on all things medical.A As a group, the Medical Team has many key roles and responsibilities.A These include:

Administers initial first aid and life-saving actions to any casualties.

Must have situational awareness of the tactical situation at all times.

Makes determination if injured Soldiers will be medevaced to the rear area for treatment.

Assists in the coordination of medevac actions.

Works in conjunction with the First Sergeant in all medical actions.

Trains Company Soldiers in basic first aid and buddy aid.

Trains Company Soldiers to become combat lifesavers.

Trains Company in the execution of a mass casualty event if required.

During the planning of an operation provides Company Commander with expertise on the medical aspects of the mission.

Requests the medical supplies for the Company.A Once received, provides appropriate supplies down to the Platoons.

SUMMARY

14 Bradleys, 9 Infantry Squads, and substantial combat multipliers make for some significant combat power.A There is no question the Bradley Company Commander and his Company can have a huge impact on the battlefield.A In this article, we focused on the leaders that make the Company so effective.A It is at this level where all the pieces can come together.A It is up to the Commander and his leaders to make it come together.

NEXT MONTH

Our next article will continue our discussion on the mechanized infantry company.A In it, we will address how the mechanized company maneuvers.A We will look at the maneuver formations and techniques available to the company commander.A Additionally, we will discuss some of the challenges the company may face in maneuver.
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Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, are scheduled to face off in court Monday in a case brought by Musk that claims Altman and others enriched themselves by allegedly betraying the artificial intelligence companys founding mission.

The bitter legal feud between the two tech titans is prying open the industrys most powerful circles by spilling the tea of Silicon Valley VIPs.

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Hundreds of court filings have revealed cringey texts, emails or private diary entries of Musk, Altman, other OpenAI founders and other public figures. They include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg privately offering to use his social platforms to help Musks interests, Musk insulting Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos (twice) and a journal in which a big MAGA donor muses about becoming a billionaire, according to the filings. (Bezos owns The Washington Post; OpenAI has a content partnership with The Post.)

There will be fireworks in the federal courtroom in Oakland, California, predicted Andrew Stoltmann, a corporate litigation lawyer not involved in the case who has followed it closely. We are about to witness the landing of the Hindenburg on the deck of the Titanic; we know its going to be crazy and nasty.

Musk and Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but Musk left the company in an acrimonious split in 2018. His lawsuit, originally filed in 2024, alleges that OpenAI broke its founding pledges to share its technology openly with the world as a nonprofit artificial intelligence research lab. Musk argues that Altman and Greg Brockman, another OpenAI co-founder, conspired to enrich themselves at Musks expense and asks the court to remove them from their leadership positions and to restore OpenAI to a full nonprofit.

OpenAI has said Musk is simply trying to undercut a competitor to his own AI company, xAI. A spokesperson for OpenAI referred The Post to a website where it has posted running commentary on the dispute. Motivated by jealousy, regret for walking away from OpenAI and a desire to derail a competing AI company, Elon has spent years harassing OpenAI through baseless lawsuits and public attacks, the site says.

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Musk and an attorney for him did not respond to requests for comment. OpenAI declined to make Altman or Brockman available.

Here are five revelations or questions that emerged from a Post review of the court records.

What did Elon Musk do at Burning Man in 2017?

The annual festival in Nevadas desert is a pilgrimage for counterculture types and for Silicon Valleys elite. OpenAIs lawyers have quizzed Musk about his activities during Burning Man in 2017, which they say coincided with the thick of negotiations among him, Altman, Brockman and others over shifting OpenAIs nonprofit status.

OpenAI has said Musk might not accurately remember the discussions. In a September deposition, Musk was repeatedly asked about rhino ketamine, a concoction thats commonly a mixture of the hallucinogenic and anesthetic drug ketamine and amphetamine stimulants.

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Musk testified that he didnt know what rhino ketamine was and did not recall using it at the event. He has previously acknowledged using ketamine, which he said was prescribed to him to treat depression.

Musks attorneys said asking about Burning Man and drugs at trial would be inflammatory and irrelevant and asked to exclude those subjects from the trial. The federal judge overseeing the case, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ruled last month that OpenAI cant bring up ketamine in court, but that Burning Man is fair game.

Musks attendance at Burning Man in 2017 is relevant to the attention he paid to his negotiations with OpenAI, which supposedly occurred during the same period, she wrote. A supposed lapse in memory from ketamine use could be relevant, Gonzalez Rogers wrote, but she said OpenAIs lawyers couldnt point to evidence that suggested Musk used the drug.

Musks alleged secret agent inside OpenAI was also the mother of four of his children

Shivon Zilis is a longtime ally of Musk and has worked at several of his companies. She acted as an Elon whisperer to OpenAI, Altman said in his deposition, and the company says she served on its board of directors from 2020 to 2023. Documents in the case include text messages in which the pair appear to discuss how Zilis can feed information from inside OpenAI back to Musk.

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OpenAI says in the lawsuit that Zilis was secretly informing for Musk at OpenAIs expense, and that she is supporting his claim that Altman and others changed the ventures structure against Musks wishes.

In 2022, it was revealed publicly that Zilis and Musk had twins together the prior year. The pair started a brief romance around 2016, Zilis said in her deposition in the lawsuit. They now have four children together and are in a romantic relationship, she said.

OpenAI argues Ziliss credibility is undermined by what the company said was a romantic relationship and children with Musk that, it alleges, were concealed from OpenAI officials.

Zilis didnt respond to a request for comment.

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Among the documents that OpenAI cites is a text exchange between Musk and Zilis just before he quit OpenAIs board in 2018. Zilis asked Musk whether she should stay close and friendly with OpenAI to keep info flowing. (A 2023 message thread in the court filings also showed that Musk was saved in Ziliss phone as Schrodingers Cat. Musk seems to enjoy references to this nerdy thought experiment.)

Gonzalez Rogers ruled last month that Musks relationship with Zilis is highly relevant to Ziliss credibility and Ziliss role as a conduit between Musk and OpenAI.

Mark Zuckerberg privately offered Musk help and information

Zuckerberg and Musk have verbally sparred for years and even agreed to a physical fight in 2023. (It didnt happen.)

Messages in the court record, however, disclosed a couple of times that Zuckerberg reached out to offer Musk help or information. It may fit a pattern shown in Musks history of legal battles: Even the rich and powerful kowtow to him.

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After a flurry of news articles in February 2025 about Musks federal government efficiency project, DOGE, that revealed names of several of its staff members, Musk publicly complained that such disclosures may have been criminal acts.

Zuckerberg texted Musk to say that Meta teams were on alert to take down doxxing or threatening posts. Zuckerberg said Musk should let him know anything else I can do to help.

Zuckerberg has faced criticism since the text was disclosed in March. He had pledged to give Facebook and Instagram users a freer hand from content moderation, and doubters said last year that Musk was complaining about online activity that was protected by the First Amendment. A spokesman for Meta declined to comment on behalf of the company or Zuckerberg.

Altman also flattered Musk as the executives feuded.

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In a 2023 text exchange after Musk posted about his disappointment in OpenAI, Altman told Musk that he was my hero and suggested he wouldnt hurt Tesla by poaching its employees. Around the same time, Altman also asked Zilis whether he should tweet something nice about Elon, because Altman said Musk felt slighted for being excluded from a photo of OpenAIs founding.

Musk thinks Jeff Bezos is a tool

OpenAI has long been hungry for computer horsepower to fuel its AI ambitions, and filings in the case show Musk or Altman repeatedly pressing other technology companies for free or cut-price AI computer power.

In a 2016 email exchange between Musk and Altman about such a negotiation, Musk said hed prefer to rely on computing power from Microsoft over Amazon because Musk believed that Bezos is a bit of a tool and that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was not.

OpenAI ultimately went with Microsoft, which is also a major investor in OpenAI and a defendant in Musks lawsuit.

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Musk has had a longstanding spat with Bezos over their dueling space projects. In a September deposition, Musk doubled down on the tool diss of his fellow billionaire when asked about it. He can be, you know, Musk replied, and added, Theres a redemption arc for all of us.

A spokesman for Bezos didnt have a comment. A Microsoft spokesman referred to a court filing that said the companys investments in OpenAI helped to fund one of the largest nonprofits in the world and was necessary for OpenAI to pursue its mission. The spokesman declined to comment on the Musk email.

The secret diary of a Trump-backing executive thats central to the case

Brockman, who started as OpenAIs chief technology officer and is now its president, wrote notes to himself agonizing over whether to align with Musk or Altman during the battle over who would control OpenAI.

Brockmans personal notes are a key part of Musks case, which alleges that Brockman revealed in 2017 his desire to extract personal wealth from the then nonprofit OpenAI when he asked himself in the notes, Financially what will take me to $1B?

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In his deposition last year, Brockman said that he wrote that line as he was thinking through what would financially motivate him, were OpenAI to transition into a for-profit business. He said his first motivation was still to ensure OpenAIs mission could continue. In posts on X, he wrote, I have great respect for Elon, but the way he cherry-picked from my personal journal is beyond dishonest.

Brockman and his wife became wealthy enough to be among the largest donors to MAGA Inc., a super PAC aligned with President Donald Trump, and to another fund that opposes regulation of AI, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

In another snippet from his diary, Brockman appears to muse that it would be improper to convert the company into a for-profit without including Musk. itd be wrong to steal the non-profit from him. ... thatd be pretty morally bankrupt. and hes really not an idiot.

Documents, text exchanges and journal entry from United States District Court for the Northern District of California in Oakland.

CORRECTION: In a previous version of this article, an image transposed the order of text messages between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Musk texted, Are you open to the idea of bidding on the OpenAI IP with me and some others? to which Zuckerberg replied, Want to discuss live? The image has been corrected.

Related Content
Thousands of people remain detained in poor conditions by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in el-Fasher in western Sudan, according to a local NGO.

The Sudan Doctors Network said on Monday that 20 doctors, more than 1,470 civilians, and 907 military personnel are being held in dire conditions in multiple detention facilities in the city.

The paramilitary group the RSF has been accused of numerous crimes against humanity during the conflict in the West African nation that has now marked its third anniversary.

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Until it fell to the RSF in late October, el-Fasher was the last stronghold of Sudans army in the sprawling western region of Darfur.

The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been fighting a vicious civil war since April 2023, which has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions to create the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.

The NGO said in a statement that the RSF is reportedly committing severe violations inside the detention centres in el-Fasher, including killings during torture and interrogation, as well as ethnically motivated killings.

The group reports that 370 women and 426 children are among those held in facilities including Shalla Prison, a childrens hospital, and cargo containers.

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The network warned that the captives are subjected to grave abuses, including field executions and suffering from injuries caused by shelling without receiving medical care.

The detention centres have faced a cholera outbreak since early February, with poor environmental conditions, a lack of clean water, and malnutrition making the spread of diseases more rampant.





The capture of the doctors, alongside a critical shortage of medical supplies, has debilitated the health sector, the NGO warned.

The report highlights a clear link between the violence accompanying the citys takeover and the subsequent collapse of humanitarian and health conditions, said the Sudan Doctors Network.

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There was no immediate comment from the RSF on the report.

In February, UN-backed experts said the paramilitary group has carried out a coordinated campaign of destruction against non-Arab communities in and around el-Fasher, the hallmarks of which point to genocide.

The civilian population also remains vulnerable to ongoing fighting. A Sudanese army strike on the Hamidiyah camp for displaced people near Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur state, killed six people and wounded dozens more, according to a report from the Sudanese legal advocacy group Emergency Lawyers on Monday.

The civil society group said shells destroyed several homes inside the camp, which shelters thousands of displaced people, mostly women and children fleeing the fighting, and provides essential aid.

Sudan descended into conflict three years ago when a rivalry between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo exploded into all-out war.




President Donald Trump on Sunday night posted a potential name change to a key federal agency  seemingly for the sole purpose of trolling the media.

Just one day after surviving another assassination attempt, Trump shared a post from a supporter urging him to change the name of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to National Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

Politics: Morning Joe Slams Extraordinarily Stupid Move On WHCDs Part

That would change the acronym from ICE to NICE, so the media has to say NICE agents all day everyday, the supporter wrote.

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GREAT IDEA!!! Trump wrote. DO IT.

Donald Trump on Truth Social Donald Trump

Versions of this proposal have been circulating as memes among Trump supporters for some time now, especially as the president faced criticism for the aggressive tactics used by ICE officers in immigration crackdowns. Thats led to protests against ICE and other federal agencies.

During protests in Minneapolis earlier this year, federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Critics said a new name wont change what theyve done  and likely wont change how most people refer to the agency:

Trump is awake and hes now demanding that ICE be renamed to NICE so the media has to say NICE agents everyday. This is what the president is focused on. Very weird stuff. pic.twitter.com/5zOuYTMCaA  Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) April 27, 2026

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Just like how I always call it Twitter, I will continue to call them ICE. https://t.co/2LKUkoBVEK  Phoenix Reborn UA  (@PhoenixRebornUA) April 27, 2026

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President Trump playing word games like a middle schooler.



Meanwhile the whole immigration system is still completely broken.

Actual problems? Nop, lets focus on branding instead. pic.twitter.com/XmqKlzf7fR  Jose M (@JMLV51) April 27, 2026

Wonder how that would lower my fuel prices. https://t.co/7gXEnaovAe  US-Rep_Marathon (@Marathon_US_Rep) April 27, 2026

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They will just say national ice. Its not that hard. https://t.co/xTzoi62jio  otlg30 (@otlg30) April 27, 2026

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
President Donald Trump lashed out at CBS News Norah ODonnell in an interview Sunday for quoting from the manifesto of the suspected gunman who tried to storm the White House Correspondents Dinner less than 24 hours earlier.

Trump had initially expressed a sense of camaraderie with members of the press corps who hosted him at their annual dinner and experienced the same initial panic when armed law enforcement agents stormed into the ballroom.

But when ODonnell, during an interview recorded at the White House on Sunday, quoted from the accused gunman Cole Allens apparent manifesto  I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes, she read  Trump, whod been relatively subdued in his responses, flashed a familiar anger.

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I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you're horrible people. Horrible people, Trump said. Yeah, he did write that. Im not a rapist. I didnt rape anybody.

O'Donnell interjected, Oh, do you think he was referring to you?

But the president blew past her question, declaring, Im not a pedophile.

Trump bristled at what he seemed to deem an insinuation about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was not mentioned by name in the manifesto or by ODonnell. You read that crap from some sick person, the president said. I got associated with stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.

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ODonnell had just asked Trump if he thought the experience at the dinner would change his experience with the press. He answered obliquely, asserting that the press corps was largely left-leaning and opposed to his policies on immigration and crime.

But his scathing response to her moments later offered a much clearer answer.

You should be ashamed of yourself for reading that, because Im not any of those things, Trump said. You shouldnt be reading that on 60 Minutes. Youre a disgrace.
President Trump on Saturday renewed his call to terminate the filibuster to ensure the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act passes through the Senate as it remains in limbo in the upper chamber.

Not passing the Republican-led bill would lead to the worst results for a political party in the HISTORY of the United States Senate, Trump wrote on Truth Social. An Unrecoverable Death Wish!!! Likewise, the FILIBUSTER  TERMINATE IT NOW!!!

The president has made the SAVE America Act his top legislative priority. The bill would require all voters to show photo ID, request those registering to vote to show proof of citizenship and to require all ballots be counted within 36 hours of Election Day.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) previously dismissed the notion of forcing Democrats to use a talking filibuster to oppose the SAVE America Act, a move that Thune has warned could paralyze the legislative process for weeks  possibly even months.

But some Republican senators, like Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), have argued that changing the filibuster would allow for the bills passage.

The bill passed the House in February, but four GOP senators this week voted against adding core elements of the bill to a budget reconciliation package that could pass next month with a simple-majority vote. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) sponsored the amendment and instructed the Senate Rules Committee to fit these elements into the package.

Kennedy argued that it was worth the attempt to fit it into the package, saying on the Senate floor that we ought to go back to having an Election Day and not an election month. His motion would waive the Budget Acts applicable rules that would prevent it from being attached to the package.

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Other supporters of the SAVE America Act have stipulated that the bill was not drafted to pass the Senate through the budget reconciliation process.

Senate Democrats voted against the amendment, which failed to pass with a 48-50 vote.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is looking to use a renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Acts (FISA) warrantless spy powers as a means to advance the SAVE America Act.

I think FISA dies unless SAVE America is attached. Period, Luna told The Hill in an interview earlier this month.

Democrats have largely opposed the SAVE America Act, arguing that the bill would disenfranchise voters and limit college students and married women from voting. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) have compared the voting bill to Jim Crow laws.

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And if the SAVE Act becomes law, Clyburn told CNNs Jake Tapper in March, it will reduce  dramatically  the number of African Americans currently serving in the Congress, and I think that what we need to do is spend our time working on saving this democracy that some people seem to want to throw into the ditch.

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.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach on May 1.

The event runs from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is hosted by the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, a nonpartisan political and public affairs organization currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Tickets cost $225 and are reserved for club members and one guest each.

Prospective members hoping to join in time to buy tickets will likely be out of luck. The Forum Club caps membership at 800 people and approves new members in August, December, March and June.

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Sarah Elwell, Forum Club's CEO, referred all questions about the event to the White House. Georgia O'Neil, a White House spokesperson, declined to say how many tickets are available, whether the discussion will be moderated, and if so, by whom, and whether attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions.

U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Supporters of US President Donald Trump cheer as he arrives in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 24, 2026. President Trump is heading to Palm Beach, Florida to attend the Republican National Committee (RNC) spring retreat. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images) PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - APRIL 24: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Palm Beach International Airport on April 24, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump is going to Mar-a-Lago and will return to Washington tomorrow. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images) FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump departs to ride in his motorcade on the way to depart from Joint Base Andrews for travel to Florida from the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump raises his fist at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper Trump supporters alongside the road as the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump passes by in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump walks to board Air Force One en route to Palm Beach International Airport, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper Trump in Palm Beach. President returns for Mar-a-Lago crypto meeting 1 of 15 U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

O'Neil also declined to say what guests can expect in terms of security at the event. Trump's appearance at the Kravis Center comes less than a week after an armed gunman tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The Forum Club has drawn high-caliber speakers to Palm Beach County for the last five decades, including former President Jimmy Carter, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and, just last year, former Vice President Mike Pence.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: President Donald Trump to speak at Kravis Center in West Palm Beach
April 27 (UPI) -- British King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States for a state visit Monday as President Donald Trump issued public assurances that the monarch would "be very safe."

The British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner and U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley greeted Charles and Camilla after they landed at Joint Base Andrews on Monday afternoon.

President Trump and first lady Melania then welcomed them at the South Portico of the White House, where they posed for photos outside, NBC News reported.

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Following discussions between Buckingham Palace and the White House following Saturday's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, Buckingham Palace announced Sunday that Charles and Queen Camilla would be going ahead with the visit, with some very minor changes.

The president told CBS's 60 Minutes on Sunday that the White House, which King Charles will visit, was "really safe."

Britain's King Charles III (2nd L) and Queen Camilla (L) are greeted by President Donald Trump (2nd R) and first lady Melania Trump as they arrive at the White House in Washington D.C., on Monday. Photo by Photo by Allison Robbert/UPI

"I think it's great, he'll be very safe... the White House grounds are really safe. This area of not very many acres is really safe. And he'll be staying here, I believe he's going to a couple of other locations because he's here for a few days," Trump said.

"They called him and they are so looking forward to being here. We spoke this morning."

Britain's King Charles III shakes hands with British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner as he and Queen Camilla arrive at Joint Base Andrews. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The palace said in a statement Sunday that the royal couple was eagerly anticipating their trip.

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"Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the day, and acting on advice of the government, we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned. The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow."

Britain's King Charles III talks with U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Preparations for the visit, which is in reciprocation for Trump's state visit to Britain in September and to mark the United States' 250th anniversary, were at an advanced stage when Saturday's incident occurred, with Britain's Union Jack flag flying alongside the Stars and Stripes in the streets around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Turner said Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump on Sunday to wish him well following the shooting and that the visit would go ahead largely unchanged.

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla are greeted by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Photo by Allison Robbert/UPI

Charles and Camilla also contacted the Trumps privately following Saturday's attack to express their sympathy.

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Turner said the focus of the visit would be "renewing and revitalising a unique friendship."

The "shared history, shared sacrifice and common values" of the two countries would be on display, highlighting a partnership that made the people of both the United States and Britain "safer, richer and happier," he added.

After an official welcoming ceremony and events at the White House on Tuesday, Charles is expected to then head to Capitol Hill to address both houses of Congress, before Trump and first lady Melania Trump host an official state dinner for the royal couple in the East Room of the White House in the evening.

On Wednesday, the royal couple will go on to New York where Charles will be hosted by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 67 British victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

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Charles and Camilla return to Washington for their formal parting with their hosts on Thursday before heading to Virginia and then onwards to the British overseas territory of Bermuda.

The visit comes at a time when trans-Atlantic relations have been strained over the United States' war with Iran, with Trump angered that Britain has not supported it, although it has allowed U.S. military aircraft to use British air bases in Britain and in Diego Garcia.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer over his refusal to back the U.S. military offensive but the pair are also at odds over "opening" North Sea oil and gas fields, with Trump saying it was imperative Britain resumed drilling and extraction, and immigration, where he said Starmer needed to emulate the "strong" policies of the United States.

London is hoping the royal visit will go some way to smoothing over the difficulties, particularly given Trump's well-known admiration for the British monarchy.

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Asked by the BBC on Thursday whether the king coming to the United States would heal the rift, Trump said it was very likely to.

"Absolutely. He's fantastic. He's a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes. 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."

However, he was less positive regarding his relationship with Starmer but said he still had a chance to recover from a domestic crisis over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington if he changed direction on energy and immigration.
Have you ever taken a tour of your local elections office? I have, and other members of the League of Women Voters around Oregon have done the same. If I had to choose one word to describe the processes there, it would be secure. If I were able to choose two words, they would be secure and impressive.

Its difficult to imagine why those intent on escalating polarization wars for their own political gain choose to attack the Oregon vote-by-mail system that has multiple safeguards. Such naysayers who claim they only intend to stop non-citizens from voting have been accused (rightfully) of inventing an issue with little actual evidence.

A solution looking for a problem it is said; but its much more dangerous than that. Data show that fraudulent ballots are extremely rare in Oregon and not a crisis. Conversely, the perilous effects of voter intimidation and suppression are becoming major concerns.

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Whether you describe our country as a democracy, a republic or a democratic republic, we are in this together and want to protect our freedoms and rights. Falsehoods, half-truths and dis/misinformation are not the way to maintain free and fair elections; instead, they suppress the voice of fellow citizens.

We cant always be on the winning side of an election, but the process of casting ballots to express our views is how we shape the world we want. And once they are cast, our votes must be respected, no matter the results. Many county clerks have been harassed and intimidated but continue to defend your voice and your right to vote.

False claims spread misinformation, are inaccurate and misleading, and weaken the common good of our state.

Here is a Top Ten list of facts regarding Oregons vote-by-mail procedures.

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Oregon safeguards mail ballots by verifying signatures, tracking barcodes, using auditable logging requirements and setting clear chains of custody for all ballots. There is no connection to the internet from voting equipment, nor does tabulation ever use connected routers. Pairs of bipartisan staff work together examining each ballot. Both pre- and post-election tests are conducted on voting equipment. Additionally, there are opportunities for public observation of the ballot counting processes. Vote-by-mail does not favor one party over another, nor is it significantly more prevalent in urban or rural areas. Indeed, it has increased voter turnout between 2-5% since its inception. (The majority of Oregonians are automatically registered as nonaffiliated when first presenting ID for state-issued cards.) Providing a paper trail, the vote-by-mail system allows for regular risk-limiting audits, permitting a double-check of the vote count and identification of any irregularities that need to be resolved. Non-citizens are already restricted from voting. Strict penalties are issued for any non-citizen, or citizen, attempting to cast a prohibited ballot or tampering with the process. Luckily, it is not a significant problem. According to the Oregon Legislative Fiscal Office report of the vote-by-mail system across 20 years of voting, and with approximately 61 million ballots cast, the voter fraud rate in Oregon was 0.00006%. (I believe this is a ratio equivalent to one drop to more than 22 gallons of water.) Voters in Oregon are allowed to drop off ballots belonging to others (such as spouse, parents, neighbors). It is not ballot harvesting. Deniers who proclaim there are more people on the voter rolls than qualified voters dont report that we maintain both inactive and active voters on rolls, but only ACTIVE registered voters can receive and cast their ballot. There is a reason a voter may receive 2 ballots. As the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported, you can easily switch parties in Oregon to take part in a primary. This year, Oregonians have until April 28 to do so; however the ballots are often printed and prepared for sending ahead of that. If you change your party and receive a second ballot, you can only vote on the one provided from your recent party change. Anyone attempting to cast both ballots will be caught.

No matter how busy our lives are, with vote-by-mail ballots we can make time to sit at our kitchen table and participate in our democracy (getting our ballots in the mail at least a week before the election). Lets get our facts straight and make sure we dont spread false claims about our convenient and safe system.

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The Trump administration said on Monday that it had reached a deal to end two more offshore wind leases, off the coasts of New Jersey and California, in exchange for pledged investments in domestic fossil fuels.

Both projects are managed by Ocean Winds, a joint venture between France's ENGIE and Portugal's EDP Renewables .

The announcement comes a month after TotalEnergies reached a similar agreement to redirect $1 billion from offshore wind leases to U.S. oil and gas production.

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Golden State Wind, off California's central coast, is a joint venture between Ocean Winds and Reventus Power.

Bluepoint Wind, off the coast of New Jersey and New York, is a partnership between Ocean Winds and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners.

The Interior Department said in a statement that Global Infrastructure Partners had agreed to invest $765 million, the bid amount for Bluepoint wind, in a U.S. liquefied natural gas facility.

Golden State Wind will be able to recover $120 million in lease fees after it invests a similar amount in oil and gas, energy infrastructure or LNG projects, the agency said.

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Engie said last week that it was in talks with the administration about a possible refund for its offshore wind leases. It had paused three projects in development and booked impairments.

___

Reporting by Nichola Groom

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: U.S. to end two more offshore wind leases for fossil fuel investments
April 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has killed another three men in its latest attack targeting suspected drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific, U.S. Southern Command announced late Sunday.

It was the 54th strike in the Trump administration's violent anti-drug smuggling campaign that has killed at least 185 people since early September, according to UPI's tally of publicly released data. At least 57 boats have been destroyed in the attacks in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean.

SOUTHCOM has announced each strike on social media, accompanied by a short black-and-white aerial video of the attack, showing the boat erupting in flames.

On April 26, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known... pic.twitter.com/br2znnUM1x U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 27, 2026

As with the previous strikes, SOUTHCOM said in a statement that the boat it attacked Sunday "was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations."

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The Trump administration claims the vessels are operated by 10 drug cartels and gangs that President Donald Trump has designated as terrorist organizations since returning to office, but has yet to provide evidence.

Trump argues the use of deadly force is warranted as the United States is in "armed conflict" with those organizations, but his administration has come under mounting accusations of conducting extrajudicial killings.

The strikes have been repeatedly condemned and their legality questioned by Democrats and human rights organizations, who accuse the Trump administration of violating international and maritime law by using the military to conduct law enforcement drug operations.

Ben Saul, the United Nations' special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, chastised the Trump administration last month for "responding with lawless violence that flagrantly violates human rights, in its phony war on so-called narco-terrorism."

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The attacks are not permissible law enforcement action in self-defense, authorized under the law of the sea, in national self-defense or under international humanitarian law, he said.

On Thursday, 125 humanitarian, human rights, peacebuilding and other related organizations from around the world called on all states to "immediately cease or refrain from supporting U.S. extrajudicial killings."

The letter warned that states could be held legally responsible for aiding or assisting the United States by sharing intelligence as well as providing access to military bases and logistical support with the U.S. military.

The groups argue that the consequences of these killings are being felt throughout the hemisphere.

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"Families awaiting the return of their loved ones may never know what happened to them and have no access to recourse," the organizations said in their open letter.

"Coastal communities have witnessed human remains washing up on shore and fear for their lives when they trade and fish, sowing psychological trauma and undermining livelihoods."
A recently-released inmate is wanted by police over the suspected abduction of a five-year-old girl from her home in the Northern Territory, as authorities continue their desperate search.

Sharon Granites, 5, was last seen at her home on Marshall Court in the Old Timers Camp, south of Alice Springs, about 11.30pm on Saturday.

Police believe the girl may have disappeared from her home after being put to bed, wandering through an unlocked back door.

Sharon Granites went missing on Saturday evening Picture: NewsWire Handout

She was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer style underwear.

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In an updated statement on Monday, NT Police said officers are seeking public assistance to locate Jefferson Lewis, 47, who police believe can assist with enquires.

Mr Lewis was staying at the same residence at the time, 9 News reports.

Acting Commander Mark Grieve said he remains one of the few people in the area at the time and had not made himself known to police, nor could he be located.

He told the broadcaster Mr Lewis had recently been released from prison for violent offences, including assault and domestic violence.

Earlier on Sunday, Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Ordelman said Sharons mother went back to check on her and her mother was the one that telephoned police.

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Mr Lewis was not in prison for child-related crimes, Commander Grieve said.

Police believe Jefferson Lewis, 47, may be able to assist. Picture: NewsWire Handout

The 47-year-old was recently released from prison. Picture: NewsWire Handout

He was in and around the house at that point in time, so Im assuming there was some sort of recognition of who he may be, Commander Grieves said.

Hes the only person that we havent been able to locate and speak to who was in and around that area at the time.

Mr Lewis was believed to have disappeared at the same time as Sharon, Commander Grieves said.

The five-year-old has not been seen since Saturday evening. Picture: NewsWire Handout

The search for Sharon resumed on Monday morning after overnight searches failed to find her.

Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and end of the sleeves and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.

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Police said the search for the little girl had rocked the community.

Obviously, its a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing, Commander Grieve said.

Were over 24 hours now, so itd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent

Commander Grieve urged anyone with information to come forward.

We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family, he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26120934.
By William James

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Britain's parliament will vote on Tuesday on a possible inquiry into Prime Minister Keir Starmer, looking at whether he misled the House of Commons over the appointment of former U.S. ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Any such inquiry could have serious implications for Starmer's future. He has so far resisted pressure to quit over his decision to hire Mandelson, but if found to have knowingly misled parliament his position would likely become untenable.

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House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said he had approved a request from opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for parliament to debate and vote on whether the Committee of Privileges should look into the matter.

Mandelson was fired by Starmer last September after his relationship with the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found to be deeper than previously known.

DOUBTS OVER PM'S JUDGMENT

That has raised doubts about Starmer's judgment in hiring him, exacerbated by the revelation that a security vetting body had described the appointment as a borderline case and that it was leaning against granting clearance - a decision foreign ministry officials overruled without telling the prime minister.

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Starmer's centre-left Labour Party has a large majority in parliament, which could allow the government to instruct its lawmakers to vote down the launch of an inquiry.

On Monday the government published a letter sent in September from former cabinet secretary Chris Wormald, saying he had concluded "that appropriate processes were followed in both the appointment and withdrawal" of Mandelson as ambassador.

A spokesperson from Starmer's office described Badenoch's push for a vote as a "desperate political stunt" ahead of local elections due on May 7.

Hoyle said his decision to allow the vote should not be taken as an indicator of whether Starmer had done anything wrong or not.

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If parliament did vote in favour of an inquiry, the committee, made up of lawmakers from the three biggest parties, would examine whether Starmer's statements on Mandelson amount to knowingly or inadvertently misleading the House of Commons.

The focus of any such inquiry would be expected to fall on Starmer's statement that due process was followed when hiring Mandelson.

The committee previously found that former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson had knowingly misled parliament over rule-breaking parties held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson had already stood down as prime minister by the time the report was published, but he resigned from parliament altogether after seeing a draft copy of the findings.

(Reporting by William James; additional reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Kate Holton and Gareth Jones)
A Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters earlier that Israel risks a diplomatic and legal response from Kyiv if it allows the vessel, Panormitis, to dock in the northern Israeli city.

Ukraine has summoned the Israeli ambassador to Kyiv in protest of the arrival of a Russian vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain in Haifa, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday evening.

"Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries, and Russias illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them," the foreign minister wrote on X/Twitter. "It is difficult to understand Israels lack of appropriate response to Ukraines legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa.

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"Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations," Sybiha wrote.

A Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters earlier that Israel risks a diplomatic and legal response from Kyiv if it allows the vessel, Panormitis, to dock in the northern Israeli city.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026 (credit: REUTERS/UMIT BEKTAS)

"If this ship and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to deploy a full suite of diplomatic and international legal responses," the Ukrainian source said on condition of anonymity.

Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded to the summons in an X post later on Monday, saying that diplomatic relations "are not conducted on Twitter."

"Allegations are not evidence," said Sa'ar. "You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks."

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Sa'ar added that the issue would be examined, emphasizing that "Israel is a state that abides by the rule of law with independent law enforcement authorities."

Israel reportedly unloaded four shipments of stolen grain

Haaretz reported on Sunday that four shipments of grain from occupied Ukraine had already been unloaded in Israel this year.

"The practice of laundering stolen goods is unacceptable, and Israel has essentially shrugged off our demands regarding the previous vessel," the source said.

The source added Kyiv was tracking the vessel, warning that allowing it to dock would have consequences for bilateral relations between Ukraine and Israel.
"We're like a red rag to the enemy. Because we're taking the war to their territory so that they feel it too," the Ukrainian soldier says, as his unit scramble to assemble long-range drones for launch at Russia.

Ukraine has been intensifying its deep strikes like this for several weeks, targeting oil export facilities, in particular, like never before.

Now, in a rare interview, the commander of all Ukraine's unmanned systems has told the BBC such attacks will escalate and claimed his drone forces are also holding back Russia's advance along the frontline by killing a record number of soldiers.

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"1,500 to 2,000km (930-1,240 miles) inside Russian territory is no longer the 'peaceful rear'," Robert Brovdi warns. "The freedom-loving Ukrainian 'bird' flies there whenever and wherever it wants."

At the secret launch site, a drizzly field in eastern Ukraine, the long-range drones are primed and we're ordered back to a safe distance. The team work quickly before Russian forces can detect them and send ballistic missiles hurtling towards us. There's a shouted command, loud revs of an engine and a flash of white as the first device tears into the sky towards Russia like a mini jet plane.

President Volodymyr Zelensky calls such deep strikes "very painful" to Moscow, causing "critical" losses running to tens of billions of dollars in its energy sector despite the recent surge in global oil prices.

The increase in such attacks is partly down to technology. Locally produced drones are becoming cheaper and flying further: the model we see launch can now travel more than 1,000km and others already go twice as far.

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But it's also about focus. In addition to military personnel and production, Russia's energy exports have been identified as a priority target.

Ukraine has been intensifying its deep strikes into Russia in recent weeks. The BBC went to see one such drone launch in eastern Ukraine [BBC/Moose Campbell]

"Putin extracts natural resources and converts them into blood dollars that they then direct against us in the form of Shahed drones and ballistic missiles," says Commander Brovdi, justifying the strikes.

Residents in Tuapse on Russia's Black Sea coast complain of toxic rain after a second wave of major strikes on the local refinery in several days. But Brovdi is dry-eyed.

"If oil refineries are a tool to make money that's used for war, then they are a legitimate military target, subject to destruction."

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The commander wages war in the skies from a secret location deep underground. We're taken to meet him in a van with blacked out windows, then led down stairs and along corridors lined with sleeping pods to emerge into a high-tech cavern covered in screens from floor to ceiling.

The soundtrack is a series of bleeps and pings as fresh data is fed to dozens of men in T-shirts and hoodies hunched over joysticks and keyboards. They're monitoring images streamed directly from the battlefield from drone pilots with names like KitKat and Antalya.

Brovdi's Unmanned Systems Forces make up just 2% of Ukraine's military but these days he says they account for a third of all targets destroyed. Their own casualty rate, he tells me, is no secret: less than 1% per year.

Each strike  of any kind  is filmed for verification and logged, and monitors on one wall display a detailed scorecard, updated in real time.

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In the past week, Brovdi has reported hitting a dozen Russian FSB security service officers in occupied territory as well as multiple energy facilities in Russia itself. He argues that his forces are critical to denying Putin any headline victories, especially his aim of seizing the rest of the eastern Donbas region within months.

"What is he smoking?" Brovdi is curt. "That's not realistic. It's absurd."

The command centre is filled with artwork, a nod to Robert Brovdi's life before the war [BBC/Moose Campbell]

Four years ago, Robert Brovdi was more comfortable in auction houses like Christie's than filthy trenches. A well-off grain dealer in those days, with a sideline as an art collector, fragments of his pre-war life survive in the paintings and sculptures by Ukrainian artists dotted around the bunker. They're displayed beside missile casings and captured drones. He's an ethnic Hungarian, from Uzhhorod in western Ukraine, and best known by his military call sign, Magyar. Clean-shaven before the war, he now wears a long ginger and grey-speckled beard.

The businessman signed up to fight just before Russia's full-scale invasion  "we all knew war was inevitable"  initially joining the Territorial Defence, then passing through some of the fiercest battles, including for Bakhmut.

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But it was before that, pinned down by Russian fire in Kherson, that he first saw the potential of drones. Brovdi recalled a device he'd bought for his own children and began to introduce similar ones to his unit. Suddenly they could climb above Russian positions and stream live images to a nearby artillery team, enabling them to strike. "The idea first developed as self-preservation," he explains, but it transformed the battlefield.

Within months the soldiers were building their own drones and attaching munitions, and soon became renowned as 414th Brigade, the Birds of Magyar.

This drone can travel over 1,000km - others go further [BBC/Moose Campbell]

Brovdi's strategy is not only built on long-range strikes.

He talks, at length, about another priority: reducing Russia's advantage in terms of manpower.

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The issue has become even more acute for Ukraine as it struggles to mobilise men for the front: "Those who wanted to fight are already fighting," the commander accepts.

So his crews are under direct orders to kill more enemy soldiers each month than Russia can recruit. That's over 30,000 men a month.

"30% of all drone strikes have to be against military personnel," Brovdi is clear. "You can call it a kill plan, yes, and right now we are exceeding it."

He says they've met their target for four months in a row.

I can't confirm that data, but Brovdi tells me his men do exactly that: the death of each soldier has to be proved by video, or it doesn't count.

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Some of those clips play on a grim loop on screens in the command centre and Brovdi also posts them on Telegram, where he styles his drone forces as the "birds" and their Russian prey as "worms" to hunt and destroy.

"The greatest mass killing of an enemy in the history of mankind is taking place in this room," he says at one point, gesturing at the screens around us.

It is brutal talk, from a softly spoken man, but Brovdi refuses to be "gnawed by pity".

Russian troops are far beyond their own borders, he says, sent by Putin "who wants to destroy our nation".

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"If we don't kill them, they kill us. That is clear."

Ukraine's long-range drones have hit oil refineries such as this one in Tuapse, Russia [Reuters]

The commander insists he has no "rose-tinted spectacles": his goal is containment, not mounting new counter-offensives or taking back huge swathes of land.

"We have an effective weapon: not to conduct an offensive war, but to prevent the enemy advancing effectively on our territory," he tells me.

He also believes Vladimir Putin cannot afford to end his invasion, because the risks of failure are too great.

So Brovdi has one more target: Russian morale.

He hopes a high casualty rate, combined with giant fires burning at facilities deep beyond the border, can create "a certain ferment" within Russia. He's aiming for the shock factor.

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One recent video widely shared in Ukraine shows a Russian woman in Tuapse in floods of tears. "I just wanted to live by the sea with my child, but everything's ruinedthose drones fly, destroying everything," she sobs, between expletives.

For Brovdi, it's a sign that the fallout from Russia's invasion  and Ukraine's strong pushback  could be spreading beyond its so-far limited circles.

His aim, with every drone, is to make more Russians question the war their country is fighting and the president who started it.

Additional reporting by Sophie Williams, Moose Campbell, Volodymyr Lozhko and Anastasia Levchenko.
What STCW regulations actually require

Established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1978 and significantly updated through the 2010 Manila Amendments, STCW sets the minimum training and competency standards that flag states, employers, and port state control authorities rely on. Rather than leaving safety standards to individual governments, the convention ensures that a certified seafarer from one country is recognized as competent in another. This international portability matters enormously in an industry where crews are drawn from dozens of nations and ships dock in ports worldwide.

At its core, STCW requires crew members to demonstrate competency across several key areas, including survival at sea, fire prevention, medical response, and safe working practices. These are not optional skills as they are legally required for anyone with safety or pollution-prevention duties on board a seagoing vessel, from deck officers and engineers to stewards and operational support staff.

The role of the STCW basic safety training course

For most people entering the maritime industry, the gateway to compliance is the STCW basic safety training course, which covers the four mandatory modules outlined in Regulation VI/1 of the STCW Convention. Each module targets a distinct area of onboard safety, ensuring that seafarers can respond effectively when emergencies arise rather than simply knowing what to do in theory.

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The four modules are:

Personal survival techniques - covering liferaft use, water survival skills, and ship abandonment procedures

Fire prevention and fire fighting - including live fire drills, extinguisher selection, and search techniques in smoke-filled spaces

Elementary first aid - focusing on CPR, wound treatment, shock management, and emergency communication

Personal safety and social responsibilities - addressing safe working practices, environmental awareness, fatigue management, and crew relationships

Because each module involves both classroom instruction and hands-on practical assessments, simply reading a manual is not enough. Providers like FMTC deliver these modules through fully approved, immersive training environments that reflect real onboard conditions, helping seafarers build genuine confidence alongside their certification.

How certification works and why it matters

Upon completing all four modules and passing the required assessments, seafarers receive an internationally recognized STCW certificate that is valid for five years. During that period, the certificate serves as proof of competency whenever a crew member applies for a position, sails into a foreign port, or undergoes a flag state inspection. Port state control officers have the authority to detain vessels whose crew members cannot produce valid documentation, which means a lapsed certificate is not simply a personal inconvenience but can also ground an entire ship.

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When the five-year period ends, seafarers who have not maintained at least 360 days of sea service on vessels subject to regular safety drills must complete refresher training before their credential can be revalidated. This requirement, introduced by the 2010 Manila Amendments, ensures that safety knowledge stays current rather than becoming outdated over time.

Why STCW compliance extends beyond the individual seafarer

While crew members bear personal responsibility for maintaining valid certificates, STCW compliance is equally critical for shipping companies, offshore operators, and maritime employers. Employers are legally required to verify that every person with a designated safety role holds appropriate certification before deployment. Failure to do so can result in port detentions, loss of operating licenses, and significant liability if an incident occurs involving an uncertified crew member.

Furthermore, because the offshore energy sector which includes both traditional oil and gas and the rapidly growing wind energy industry rely heavily on marine transportation, STCW requirements now touch workers far beyond traditional merchant shipping. Wind farm technicians, offshore platform support crew, and industrial marine workers increasingly need to demonstrate STCW compliance as part of their employment conditions.

Staying ahead of STCW requirements

Completing an STCW basic safety training course is the first and most fundamental step toward a compliant maritime career, but it is rarely the last. As a seafarer's career progresses, additional STCW courses such as advanced fire fighting, crisis management, and security duties build on the foundation established during basic training. Staying current with these requirements not only satisfies legal obligations but also demonstrates a genuine commitment to the safety of everyone on board.

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Ultimately, STCW regulations exist because the sea does not forgive unpreparedness. By understanding what the convention demands and ensuring that certification remains valid, crew members and employers alike contribute to a safer, more professional maritime industry.

"Understanding STCW regulations and how they impact crew certification" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




By Daniel Wiessner

April 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Monday paused his decision forcing the University of Pennsylvania to provide a federal civil rights agency with information on Jewish students, faculty and campus groups as part of an investigation into allegations of antisemitism.

 U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert in Philadelphia agreed to stay his March 31 decision while UPenn appeals.

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 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is probing UPenn's response to campus protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict.

 The Ivy League school and some of its students and faculty say providing "lists of Jews" involved in campus groups violates privacy and civil rights.

 The case is part of the Trump administration's broader scrutiny of schools that it says promote "woke" ideologies.

 Pappert on Monday said there was no harm to the EEOC in pausing his ruling until the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals weighs in.

 A UPenn spokesperson said the university will proceed with its pending appeal of the March 31 decision. The EEOC did not respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Lisa Shumaker)
TAIPEI, April 27 (Reuters) - The top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan on Monday pressed the island's opposition-majority parliament to pass a "comprehensive" defence budget, saying integrated air and missile defence systems and drones are critically important and in high demand globally.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te last year proposed $40 billion in supplemental defence spending, covering not only new U.S. weapons but also homemade weapons like drones, saying Taipei needs to more effectively deter the threat from China, which views the island as its own territory.

Lai says only Taiwan's people can decide the island's future.

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But talks in parliament to advance the proposal have stalled, with the main Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party saying while they support defence spending, they won't sign "blank cheques" and want more details from the government.

In an interview with Taiwanese newspaper the China Times, Raymond Greene, the de facto U.S. ambassador in Taipei, said it was vital for Taiwan to pass a "comprehensive budget package."

"This would not only send a critical signal to the international community, but is also essential for ensuring Taiwan acquires the full range of defence capabilities it has requested," he said.

While the U.S. has already announced the sale of weapons including the Lockheed Martin-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, Taiwan's special defence budget also seeks integrated air and missile defence systems and drones, among other things, Greene added.

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"As evidenced on the battlefields of the Middle East and Ukraine, these systems are not only critically important but are also in extremely high demand worldwide," said Greene, who is head of the American Institute in Taiwan, which handles the unofficial relations between Washington and Taipei.

"The sooner the special defence budget act passes, the better," he added.

Taiwan's government has said delays to passing the budget could mean Taiwan risks losing its place in the production and delivery queue for U.S. weapons.

THREAT IS NOT 'RANDOM TALK'

Speaking at parliament on Monday, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said the threat Taiwan faced was not just "random talk," pointing to Chinese warships spotted in recent days to the southwest of Taiwan's Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait.

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"This is a matter that bears on the very survival of our country," he said, referring to the need to pass the defence spending legislation.

The latest talks between the ruling and opposition parties on the budget ended on Monday without agreement, though KMT lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin suggested a figure of NT$800 billion ($25.46 billion), closer to the government's NT$1.25 trillion.

The next talks are set for May 6.

The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier and in December it unveiled an $11 billion arms package, the largest ever for Taipei.

China has repeatedly demanded that the U.S. stop selling weapons to Taiwan.

($1 = 31.4280 Taiwan dollars)

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court formally reinstated on Monday a redrawn Texas electoral map that was designed to add more Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives, as President Donald Trump's party seeks to keep control of Congress in the November congressional elections.

The move by the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, formalizes an interim decision it made in December to revive the map of U.S. House districts in Texas.

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The reinstated map - sought by Trump, approved in August 2025 by the Republican-led state legislature and signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott - could flip as many as five currently Democratic-held U.S. House seats to Republicans.

As they did in December, the court's three liberal justices dissented from Monday's ruling.

The Supreme Court reversed a lower court's decision that had blocked Texas from using the map. The lower court had found the map to be likely racially discriminatory in violation of U.S. constitutional protections. Trump last year prodded Republican lawmakers to redraw state congressional maps to bolster his party's chances in the midterms.

The Supreme Court in February allowed California to use a new electoral map designed to give Democrats five more congressional seats after that Democratic-led state redrew its House districts in response to the action by Republicans in Texas.

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Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. Ceding control of either the House or Senate to the Democrats in the upcoming elections would endanger Trump's legislative agenda and open the door to Democratic-led congressional investigations targeting the president.

The process of redrawing maps, known as redistricting, generally occurs once per decade to reflect population changes as measured by the national census conducted every 10 years. Ongoing and recently completed redistricting efforts by Republican- and Democratic-held state legislatures, on the other hand, have been motivated by a desire for partisan advantage.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday over whether law enforcement's use of a "geofence" warrant to nab data from cellphones near the scene of a Virginia armed robbery violated the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment bar on unreasonable searches.

The justices were hearing an appeal by defendant Okello Chatrie, who conditionally pleaded guilty in 2022 to robbing a Midlothian, Virginia credit union while reserving his right to make his case for suppressing evidence gleaned from what he argues was an illegal search.

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President Donald Trump's administration is defending the investigative method that helped secure Chatrie's sentence of nearly 12 years in prison for brandishing a gun and making off with $195,000.

Court-approved geofence warrants compel third-party companies - such as Alphabet's Google in Chatrie's case - to search customer location data for mobile devices that were near a crime scene.

Investigators are typically handed an anonymized list to start with, before it is narrowed down in a multi-step process culminating with the company providing account holder information to police for potential leads on suspects.

The case argued on Monday highlights tensions between an 18th century constitutional provision that safeguards the "right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures" and digital-age technology that is transforming how crime is investigated.

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Authorities in Chatrie's case had exhausted all other leads when they sought a court-approved geofence warrant based on footage of the robber using a cellphone at the credit union. Google location data placed Chatrie at the crime scene in addition to 18 other users who, like Chatrie, had opted in to the company's "location history" feature and were within a 150-meter (492-foot) radius of the credit union within a one-hour window of the May 2019 robbery.

Further investigation of residences linked to Chatrie led authorities to discover what the government described as two "robbery-style demand notes" in his bedroom, a pistol and nearly $100,000 that included bills wrapped in bands signed by the credit union teller who was targeted in the robbery.

Lawyers for Chatrie contend in court papers that geofencing amounts to a dragnet search that exposes mass amounts of private information to the government and lacks the specificity required by the Fourth Amendment.

Justice Department lawyers countered that Chatrie's opting in to Google's location history stripped him of any expectation that his data would remain private. Moreover, they argued, police had "probable cause" to believe that Google had information that could help identify the robber, accomplices and witnesses.

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Google, which is not a party to the case, filed a brief arguing for the "robust application of the Fourth Amendment to the modern digital context." The company said it has objected to more than 3,000 geofence warrants on constitutional grounds and that it can no longer respond to such warrants after moving location history retention to users' devices.

Previously, about one in three active Google users had the location history feature enabled, a population one judge estimated to be around 500 million people, according to court papers.

Virginia-based U.S. District Judge Mary Lauck found that the geofence warrant used in Chatrie's case violated the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches. However, the judge denied his evidence suppression request, finding that investigators had acted with a good faith belief that their actions were lawful.

The full bench of the Richmond-based Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Lauck's decision, prompting Chatrie's appeal to the justices.

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The Supreme Court in 2018 imposed limits on the ability of police to obtain cellphone data pinpointing the past location of criminal suspects in a victory for digital privacy advocates and a setback for law enforcement authorities. In a 5-4 ruling, the court said police generally need a court-approved warrant to get the data, setting a higher legal hurdle than previously existed under federal law.

In Chatrie's case, the justices agreed to decide whether geofence warrants are unconstitutional but declined to hear his evidence-exclusion claim. If Chatrie wins the constitutional argument, his case would likely be returned to the district court for further proceedings.

A Supreme Court ruling in the case is expected by around the end of June.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
A Virginia court ruled in favor of Democrats in a case concerning the Old Dominions congressional lines on Sunday, denying a last-minute Republican effort challenging Democrats redistricting referendum and the composition of the new House map passed by voters.

Richmond Circuit Court Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland denied a request by the Republican National Committee (RNC), Virginia GOP and others to block the results of a redistricting referendum held last week, when voters narrowly passed a set of congressional lines that gives Democrats four additional pickup opportunities in November.

The Virginia congressional delegation currently has a 6-5 Democratic edge, but the new map would give the party a 10-1 edge in November.

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This Court knows its role is clear. It is not to assess the wisdom of public policy nor to engage in policy making from the bench, Thorne-Begland wrote. Instead, it is to decide if those with whom we have entrusted power have exercised that power in conformance with their constitutional mandate. On this question, the Courts answer is in the affirmative.

The case has major implications for the November midterms as both parties have sought to redistrict mid-decade in hopes of winning a majority in the House. If Virginias map is upheld, it would offer Democrats more pickup opportunities for the fall midterms.

Republican plaintiffs, whose lawsuit was filed before the April referendum, had argued in their initial motion that the new House map passed by lawmakers, and later approved by voters, violated the state constitution and was adopted without legal authority when enacted. Republicans also argue that the passed map was not compact.

Unconstrained by any traditional criteria, and intent on enacting an extreme partisan gerrymander [the new House map] rips the Commonwealth into pieces, tearing apart communities with actual shared interests in pursuit of a singular partisan objective, the Republican lawsuit alleged.

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Thorne-Begland wrote in his ruling on Sunday that Republicans were unlikely to prevail in several of their key arguments, though the judge did acknowledge that the new congressional lines were less compact than the ones the state previously had implemented.

The 2026 maps are undoubtedly less compact than the ones they replace. They are certainly partisan gerrymanders. They displace both representatives and voters into new, oddly shaped districts, the Richmond circuit court judge wrote.

Instead, the Court simply concludes, when compared to the testimony of Dr. Palmer, who was not impeached in any meaningful way, that Dr. Palmers testimony and methodology is more credible, Thorne-Begland said, referring to the intervenors expert witness, Boston University political scientist Maxwell Palmer.

In short, reasonable and objective persons reached different conclusions on the effects of the 2026 maps. The issue of compactness is fairly debatable, he added. Republicans are unlikely to succeed on the merits of compactness.

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However, the Virginia Supreme Court will be the decisive adjudicator over issues around the referendum and new House map. The high court is hearing oral arguments on Monday over whether state lawmakers properly convened to tee up the redistricting referendum and whether the timing of the referendum should have happened this year.

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.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Virginia Supreme Court justices on Monday questioned whether the state's Democratic-led legislature complied with constitutional requirements when it sent a congressional redistricting plan to voters, in a case that carries high stakes for the balance of power in the U.S. House.

The new districts, which could net Democrats four additional seats, won narrow voter approval last week. But a Republican legal challenge contends the General Assembly violated procedural rules by placing the constitutional amendment before voters to authorize the mid-decade redistricting. If the court agrees that lawmakers broke the rules, it could invalidate the amendment and render last week's statewide vote meaningless.

The Virginia court proceedings mark the latest twist in a national redistricting battle between Republicans and Democrats seeking an advantage in a November midterm election that will determine whether Republicans maintain their narrow majority in the U.S. House.

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President Donald Trump kicked off a tit-for-tat round of gerrymandering last summer when he urged Texas Republicans to redraw districts to their favor in an attempt to win several additional House seats. That set off a chain reaction of similar moves in other states, leading to the voter approval last week of Virginia's new map.

Next up is Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a congressional redistricting plan that could essentially cancel out Virginia's changes by giving Republicans an improved chance of winning additional seats. The redistricting is on the agenda for a special session of the GOP-controlled Legislature beginning Tuesday.

Virginia arguments focus on what counts as an 'election'

During Monday's arguments, the Virginia Supreme Court focused on whether the new congressional districts should be invalidated because of the process used by lawmakers. The justices issued no immediate ruling.

Because the states redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

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The legislature's first vote occurred last October  while early voting was underway but before it concluded on the day of the general election. Judicial questioning focused on whether that was too late, because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the election should be defined narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature's first vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told judges.

But an attorney arguing for the plaintiffs, Thomas McCarthy, said election means the entire period during which people can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that's the case, then the legislature's initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution, he said.

Attorneys argue over the rights of voters

The purpose of Virginia's two-step amendment process, with an intervening election, is so voters can know whether legislative candidates support or oppose a proposed constitutional amendment, McCarthy said.

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He pointed to the case of Democratic voter Camilla Simon, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit alongside Republican state lawmakers, who cast an early vote last fall for Democratic Del. Rodney Willett. After she voted, Willett sponsored the Democratic redistricting amendment, and Simon wished she could have undone her vote, McCarthy said.

None of these voters had any idea this was coming, and thats not how this process is supposed to work, McCarthy told the justices.

Those defending the Democratic redistricting plan also contend that the voters' will should be respected.

The people voted to ratify the constitutional amendment, and the challengers are asking to overturn that democratic result, Seligman told reporters after the arguments.

Nationwide redistricting battle has no clear winner so far

So far, the two major parties have battled to a near draw in the states that have redrawn their congressional maps for this year's midterms.

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Republicans think they could win up to nine more seats under revised districts in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Democrats think they could win as many as 10 additional seats under new districts in California, Utah and Virginia. But legal challenges remain in both Virginia and Missouri.

Virginia currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and five Republicans who were elected from districts imposed by a court after a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts, which won voter approval last Tuesday, could give Democrats an improved chance to win 10 districts.

Some candidates already have begun campaigning based on the new districts in advance of the state's Aug. 4 primary election.

More court battles could remain in Virginia

In January, a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia, ruled that lawmakers failed to follow their own rules for adding the redistricting amendment to a special session last fall. Circuit Judge Jack Hurley Jr. also ruled that lawmakers failed to initially approve the amendment before the public began voting in last years general election and that the state had failed to publish the amendment three months before the election, as required by law. As a result, he said, the amendment is invalid and void.

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The Virginia Supreme Court placed Hurley's order on hold and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

During Monday's arguments, justices also raised questions about the ability of lawmakers to expand the agenda for their special session and whether the three-month public notice requirement was important enough to thwart a voter-approved amendment.

Republicans have filed at least two additional legal challenges, which also are winding their way through the courts.

___

Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri. Associated Press writers Allen G. Breed in Richmond and Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report.
Two concept cars shown today by Peugeot could preview a successor to the 508 estate and a new flagship that sits above the 5008 SUV.

Unveiled at the Beijing motor show, the Concept 6 and Concept 8 demonstrate our vision for a bold new future for the brand, said Peugeot CEO Alain Favey.

The company added that the concepts were more than design studies that shape a new generation of Peugeot electric vehicles.

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The production versions of the two concepts will go on sale in China first  a market Peugeot has previously said it has earmarked for expansion. As such, they are expected to be built through the brands partnership with Chinese car maker Dongfeng, which means they would sit on Dongfeng platforms and be built in China. Dongfeng has made China-market cars for Peugeot previously, such as the long-wheelbase 508L.

However, Favey has said they are also bound "for our global market", suggesting exports are planned too. While not confirmed, this is expected to include Europe.

The Concept 6 is a vision of a bold new generation of large sedans, said the firm, and combines the elegance of a saloon with the dynamism of a shooting brake to preview a new grand tourer estate.

Autocar recently reported that Peugeot was mulling a successor to the 508 as it considered expanding its line-up into new segments beyond its current hatchback and crossover offering. "We are exploring what's next after the SUVs," Favey told Autocar at the end of last year.

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He added that you feel that something else has to come in the future. Asked if that means the firm could return to estates, he replied: Why not?

The 508 was launched in 2010 in fastback and estate forms as a rival to the Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60/V60. The second-generation version was withdrawn from sale in the UK 14 years later due to slow sales, before production stopped for good in 2025.

Concept 8, meanwhile, previews the largest SUV that Peugeot will bring to market. It announces the next chapter of Peugeots SUV ambition, said the firm.

This aligns with what Favey told Autocar at the Brussels motor show in January, where he explained that the brand is thinking about launching a model above the flagship 5008.

He added that for it to be successful it would need to be something really different, which the dramatic design previewed by this concept suggests it will be.

]]>
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Credit: ULA

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched 29 of Amazon's internet satellites on Monday night (April 27), tying its payload-weight record in the process.

The Atlas V lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Monday at 8:53 p.m. EDT (0053 GMT on April 28).

It successfully delivered the 29 spacecraft to low Earth orbit (LEO) over the course of 10 separate deployments, which began about 21 minutes after launch and ended 16 minutes later.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched 29 more of Amazon's internet satellites to orbit on Monday night (April 27). | Credit: ULA

ULA called Monday's mission Amazon Leo 6, because it was the sixth that the company has flown to help build out the Amazon Leo broadband constellation in LEO.

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The network, a rival to SpaceX's Starlink internet megaconstellation, will eventually consist of more than 3,200 satellites, if all goes to plan.

It will take more than 80 launches by a variety of rockets to finish assembling Amazon Leo, which used to be known as Project Kuiper. Just 10 of these liftoffs have occurred to date. The Atlas V has now flown six of them, SpaceX 's Falcon 9 has launched three and Arianespace's Ariane 6 rocket has launched one.

The Ariane 6's tally will increase soon, however; it's scheduled to launch an Amazon Leo mission from French Guiana early on Wednesday morning (April 29).

The first four Atlas V Amazon Leo missions sent 27 of the broadband satellites skyward. Amazon Leo 5, which launched on April 4 , boosted that number to 29 and set a new record for the heaviest payload ever flown by an Atlas V in the process  18 tons.

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Amazon Leo 6 tied that mark, as it also launched 29 Amazon Leo satellites to the final frontier.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:30 p.m. ET on April 27 with news of successful launch and satellite deployment.
The House is heading into a high-stakes week, as lawmakers juggle a budget blueprint for a second reconciliation bill alongside a measure to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Acts (FISA) warrantless surveillance powers  all before departing for recess next week.

Most pressing on the agenda is an extension of Section 702 of FISA, which allows the government to spy on foreigners abroad without a warrant. The section expires Thursday, giving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) limited time to rally Republicans around a deal.

Johnson last week released a new proposal that would renew Section 702 for three years. However, it doesnt include a warrant requirement, for which privacy-minded conservatives and House Freedom Caucus members have been clamoring.

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Also on Republicans agenda is advancing a budget blueprint for a reconciliation bill that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol as a path forward to end the record-breaking Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.

House Republicans have been divided on whether they want a skinny reconciliation bill  which Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is pushing for  or a more expansive package loaded with additional reforms, a route that could complicate passage and risk dragging out the shutdown, which has already stretched for more than two months.

This week is going to be hell week, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) told reporters.

What you can expect this week:

FISA clock ticking: The deadline to renew Section 702 of FISA is days away, as Johnson aims to win over hard-line conservatives who have been the sticking point to this extension.

Reconciliation talks heat up: The size of a second reconciliation bill has divided House Republicans, complicating matters for Johnson.

King Charles III comes to Capitol Hill: King Charles III is expected to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

GOP divided over farm bill: It is unclear whether GOP leaders have enough support for the farm bill to pass, as some Republicans have been unsatisfied with certain provisions in the legislation.

FISA deadline looms as Johnson scrambles to find support

The proposal unveiled by GOP leadership last week to extend Section 702 for three years is likely to draw pushback from hard-line conservatives, complicating matters for Johnson, who needs near-unanimous support on a procedural rule vote to advance the measure.

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Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a Freedom Caucus member who sits on the powerful House Rules Committee, said last week that the language in a draft text of the legislation was not to his satisfaction.

The reforms included in the bill would direct FBI agents to get attorney approval before running any query on an American, a process that a supervisor can OK. It would also direct the attorney general to begin a process to allow a larger pool of lawmakers to review Section 702 information at the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, among other things.

But, it doesnt include a warrant requirement.

Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, wrote on the social platform X hours after GOP leaders unveiled the proposal, The government has no right to your private communications without a warrant. FISA needs serious reform. Full stop.

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Self wrote in a Blaze Media op-ed with Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) published Friday that warrants do not prevent surveillance.

They require the government to convince a judge that the surveillance is justified, as the Constitution requires. Government agencies that cannot meet that standard are fishing  for you, they wrote.

Thune last Thursday also filed cloture for a three-year Section 702, setting the stage for a vote that could potentially jump ahead of the House.

House GOP conference divided on reconciliation 2.0

The Senate adopted a budget blueprint for a reconciliation bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol late last week, sending it over to the House for consideration.

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But while Thune has been pushing for a skinny bill, hard-line conservatives, skeptical they will get another shot at reconciliation in the future, are opting for a more expansive bill that folds in additional priorities like defense spending and health care reform.

This will probably be the last reconciliation we do before the end of the year. We got the break coming up, and its just we got to address  we got to put more to it than just this, Norman said last week.

Some conservatives have also been pushing for DHS to be fully funded through reconciliation, a special process that allows the majority party to bypass a filibuster in the Senate.

Others, however, have been hesitant about adding to the bill.

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I dont think that theres going to be any path toward passing anything broader than whats been teed up in the Senate, said Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.), who caucuses with Republicans.

And so Im going to need to look very closely at what, you know, this will actually do, and Ive been clear that I want to see meaningful reforms when it comes to immigration enforcement. I think thats what Americans are asking for.  Things like body camera training, enforcement around sensitive places, projections. Theres a warrant for entering homes, Kiley added.

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) said last week that once people feel a third broader reconciliation is viable and has traction and has a commitment from the leadership down and throughout the four corners of our conference, then I think we can push  we can move the skinny Homeland reconciliation bill.

King Charles III to address Congress

The king is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday as part of the U.S.s semiquincentennial celebrations, marking the nations 250th anniversary of independence.

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As we celebrate this historic milestone and recommit ourselves to the principles upon which our nation was founded, we also recognize that the American experiment endures in no small part because of the British tradition from which it sprang, Johnson, Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to the king earlier this month.

We believe an Address to Congress will provide a unique opportunity to share your vision for the future of our special relationship and reaffirm our alliance at this pivotal time in history, they added.

Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit the U.S. starting Monday, during which they will attend a state dinner at the White House.

But the kings visit is not without controversy. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who led the push for the Department of Justice to release files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, had requested Charles meet with Epstein victims, according to The New York Times.

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The kings brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor  formerly known as Prince Andrew  was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct while in public office, amid revelations over his purported ties with Epstein.

But lawyers representing the monarchs had written in a letter that the king will not meet with Epstein victims, the Times reported.

Support for farm bill up in the air

The House Rules Committee is set to consider a major farm bill Monday. But Republicans have been divided over certain provisions in the legislation, posing a headache for GOP leaders.

One such provision fueling GOP division would prevent states and courts from penalizing pesticide makers for failing to include warnings on their labels about health effects that go beyond those formally recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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Proponents say it prevents companies from having to comply with a hodgepodge of rules that could differ from place to place. However, opponents of such language argue that it could be used to tamp down on failure-to-warn lawsuits that seek to hold pesticide companies accountable for not disclosing alleged harms of their products.

GOP leaders could also run into trouble with conservative fiscal hawks, who have typically advocated against increased spending and will likely be wary about how much the farm bill will add to the growing deficit.

Either way, GOP leaders are pressing forward with the bill. A notice sent out by House Majority Whip Tom Emmers (R-Minn.) floor director and obtained by Politico last week says the farm bill expands on investments in rural communities, returns science-backed management to our national forests, and restores regulatory certainty in the interstate marketplace.

It is unclear how much support the bill will earn from Democrats. The bill advanced out of the House Agriculture Committee in a 34-17 vote in March, with seven Democratic members backing the legislation.

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However, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Angie Craig (D-Minn.) argued that the bill fails to meet the moment facing farmers and working people and includes poison pills that complicates if not derails chances of getting anything done.

Rebecca Beitsch, Emily Brooks, and Rachel Frazin contributed.

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 Wellesley mother accused of killing her two children confessed to police that she strangled them and tried to kill herself, according to court documents.

Today, 49-year-old Janette MacAusland agreed to be extradited to Massachusetts in front of a Vermont judge after facing a fugitive from justice charge.

She will appear in court to face the murder charges within the next two weeks.

What we know

In an affidavit obtained by Boston 25, 49-year-old Janette MacAusland arrived at her aunts house on Friday night in Vermont around 8:44 p.m. with a visible wound on her neck in hysterics. She got her aunts attention by knocking on her window.

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After getting her to calm down, checked her neck, and could see that the blood on her was dried, Janette stated that she tried to kill herself, the aunt allegedly told police.

Asked her where her children were and she told me that she had killed them.

Police arrived on scene and asked MacAusland if the children were okay, to which she shook her head side to side. She handed them a holiday photo of the family.

When asked where the children were, she stated. I strangled them and then I tried to kill myself. She revealed that both of them were in her bed. She also told police that her husband was at the lake.

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I wanted the 3 of us to go to God together but it didnt work, MacAusland allegedly told police.

Vermont police contacted Wellesley police to conduct a welfare check, and found the two children deceased in bed, corroborating MacAuslands earlier statements.

Boston 25 Investigates learned from sources that the children may have been dead for up to 50 hours before they were found, as they were last seen on Wednesday.

MacAusland was then transported to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. She would later be arrested for two counts of murder.

Mother charged with murder after her two children found dead inside home in Wellesley

Custody battle was underway

Janette MacAusland and her husband, Samuel MacAusland, were in the midst of a custody battle after Samuel filed for divorce in October of 2025. The couple had been married for around nine years.

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According to court documents, Janette had filed a counter claim for custody of the kids and the home.

A guardian ad litem was then assigned on April 16. Their next court date was set for early May.

He was reported to be away when the kids were found.

Kai and Ella

6-year-old Ella and 7-year-old Kai were students at Schofield Elementary School in Wellesley.

Today was an emotional day for our entire district as we grieved the loss of two of our young students. By all accounts, Kai and Ella were shining lights, with close connections to children and adults that extended well beyond the Schofield Elementary School, Superintendent David Lussier said in a statement.

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Over the weekend, we began organizing support and connecting with our community in preparation for the reopening of school today. On Sunday we hosted separate sessions with our student services professionals, with teachers and staff, and with families. Throughout the day, experts from inside and outside the district shared helpful guidance and answered challenging questions about how to best support students and each other in the days ahead, he said.

Lussier said the school had additional counseling support in place in all 16 classrooms at Schofield as well as additional counselors at Hardy, where Kai had also been a student for two years.

As difficult as today was for our schools, we are so grateful to the entire Wellesley community, which has come forward with countless offers of assistance and an outpouring of love for all who cared for Kai and Ella, Lussier said.

Full of life and laughter: Wellesley mom accused in childrens deaths was in custody battle

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A former babysitter for Kai and Ella told Boston 25 on Sunday that both children were full of life and laughter.

They were two beautiful children who were full of life and laughter, and it pains me to think that the world should remember them only by the way their lives were tragically ended, Cale Darrah said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
A Wellesley mother is expected to face a judge in Vermont on Monday after investigators say she killed her two young children inside the familys home.

Janette MacAusland, 49, is slated to appear in Rutland Superior Court in Vermont on a fugitive from justice charge. Authorities said she will then be returned to Massachusetts, where she will face murder charges.

Crisis counselors were also scheduled to be at Wellesley schools on Monday to help classmates and staff cope with the devastating news.

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Authorities say the investigation began in Vermont, where police were called to a family members home after MacAusland arrived with a bleeding wound on her neck and appeared highly distraught.

Vermont police said their concern about MacAuslands condition led them to contact Wellesley police to conduct a welfare check at her home. Officers found both children dead inside the residence on Edgemoor Avenue on Friday night.

The Norfolk District Attorneys Office said 49yearold MacAusland is accused of killing her 6 and 7yearold children, a boy and a girl.

Both attended Schofield Elementary School in Wellesley.

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We were devastated to learn of the tragic death of two of our WPS students, a second-grader and a 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, Superintendent David Lussier said in a statement.

Courtesy: Cale Darrah

Neighbors described the children as active and frequently seen playing outside.

They seemed lovely. They always smiled. The parents always smiled, one neighbor said. We watched them get a little older. They were riding their bikes. Very surprising to hear. None of this seems consistent with what weve seen.

Another neighbor said the children were really lovely and active, adding it was really hard to believe they are not here anymore.

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MacAusland and her husband were in the midst of a divorce filed in October of last year, with disputes involving the childrens care and living arrangements, according to documents obtained by Boston 25.

An investigation into the deaths of the children remains ongoing.

MacAusland is being held at the Marble Valley Correctional Facility without bail.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Cole Allen, who allegedly charged through a security perimeter at Saturdays White House Correspondents Dinner, has been charged with an attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Allen, who appeared in federal court Monday in Washington, D.C. clad in a blue jumpsuit, also faces charges for transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines as well as discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

During a brief preliminary hearing in the case, Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh discussed the charges with Allen, as well as his rights as a criminal defendant. Allen accepted the services of two veteran public defenders, Tezira Abe and Eugene Ohm.

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U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro attended the hearing, along with the cases lead prosecutors Jocelyn Ballantine and Charles Jones. They asked Sharbaugh to keep Allen detained through Thursday, when a hearing on his longer-term detention will take place before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya  who once presided over Trumps own criminal arraignment in the 2020 election case.

We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen, Ballantine said. He has been charged with a federal crime of terrorism.

Allen, whom security video appears to depict charging past magnetometers at the Washington Hilton before law enforcement quickly subdued him, ignited renewed debate over political violence and radicalization, the security measures to protect a president who has already faced two assassination attempts and the future of the White House Correspondents Dinner itself.

The Trump administration has insisted that security measures for the dinner were sufficient and executed flawlessly. Cole is accused of opening fire before he was stopped by police and federal agents seconds after breaching the perimeter and before he had reached the floor where the dinner was taking place.

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Announcing the charges Monday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was emphatic that the incident represented a security success and not a close call for the president.

Law enforcement did not fail. They did exactly what they were trained to do, Blanche said at a press conference at Justice Department headquarters. This man was a floor above the ballroom with hundreds of federal agents between him and the president of the United States.



But the event raised new questions about whether the annual event itself was vulnerable from the start: inside a massive hotel that was still partially open to the public and guests, and where Cole had booked a room in advance to avoid a Secret Service sweep. Scrutiny of the alleged attackers movements  he took the train across the country with his weapons to avoid detection  has prompted questions about the way Amtrak passengers are screened. And its already stoking debate about tradeoffs of demanding impregnable security in a free society.

Ballantine told the judge that Allen carried a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun, a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol, three knives and other dangerous paraphernalia.

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Investigators indicated in charging documents unsealed Monday that Allen rented his room at the Hilton more than two weeks before the dinner, booking a specific room from April 24 to April 26. He traveled by train from LA to Washington, D.C., stopping briefly in Chicago.

The charge that Allen discharged his firearm is the governments first assertion that he used his weapon during his charge on law enforcement, but the narrative of the criminal complaint contained no specific claim about him firing or that Allen fired a round that struck a Secret Service officer in the bulletproof vest.

Asked about the omission, Blanche said investigators believe Allen fired his shotgun because an empty cartridge was found in the gun, but the ballistics from the scene are still being analyzed.

Were still looking at that and I think thats something youll hear about in the coming days, he said.

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According to the complaint, at 8:40 p.m., Allen approached and ran through the magnetometer holding a long gun and [a]s he did so, U.S. Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot.

Then, the officer who was hit in the chest drew his service weapon and fired multiple times at Allen, who fell to the ground and suffered minor injuries but was not shot.

While the complaint doesnt delve into alleged motives for the attack, Blanche said they continue to analyze Allens manifesto sent to associates, as well as devices recovered during the investigation. The acting attorney general also argued that journalists have contributed to the threats against the president through overly critical news coverage, as have many pundits and strident voices on social media.

Many people in this room if were going to be honest about it  theyre just as guilty as a lot of people on X, Blanche said, flanked by FBI Director Kash Patel and Pirro.

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Trump and his allies have also settled on another takeaway from the stymied attack: it underscores the urgent need for construction of the presidents White House ballroom. Within hours of the attack, Trump and an army of supporters argued that the completion of the ballroom  along with its state-of-the-art security measures  was an essential response to a dangerous political environment.

A federal judge recently paused construction on the ballroom, finding that the mega-project needed congressional approval, though he allowed below-ground security work to continue. And last week, a federal appeals court in turn paused that order, permitting construction to continue while the appeal is underway.

The Justice Department quickly picked up Trumps call, demanding that the group that sued to halt the ballroom withdraw its case in light of the new threat on the presidents life.
As King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in Washington DC Monday afternoon, attention is turning to where the royal couple will call home during their stay.

They won't check into a hotel, but rather one of the city's most exclusive addresses.

Here's what to know as the pair kick off their four-day visit to the United States.

Where are King Charles III And Queen Camilla staying in Washington DC?

The king and queen are expected to stay at Blair House while they are in DC, according to British publication ITV.

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The residence is being transformed into their "home away from home," with British and American flags lining the street, the New York Post reported.

What is Blair House?

Blair House  also known as The President's Guest House  is a 120-room complex comprised of four connected row homes.

Built in 1824, Blair House was purchased by the U.S. Government in 1942 to be used for official diplomatic housing.

Since then, it has hosted "some of the world's most influential leaders," including Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.

It also hosts the president-elect before the inauguration ceremonies.

"Blair House holds a special place in the life of our nation. For generations, this residence has been the quiet, dignified bridge between the White House and the world," First Lady Melania Trump said in a prepared statement last year. "It has offered warmth, security, and hospitality to kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, and leaders from every corner of the globe."

Where is Blair House?

Located at 1651 Pennsylvania Ave NW in DC, Blair House is across the street from the White House.

Blair House is not open to the public.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Blair House? King, Queen staying at President's Guest House
The shooting at the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday evening has left a curtain of uncertainty over Washington, D.C., all while intensifying debates that have already left lawmakers on Capitol Hill in a gridlock for the last few months.

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Monday with a busy week ahead while also grappling with the attack over the weekend that several members were present for. Many legislators are using the incident  during which President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet were evacuated just minutes after the dinner began when shots were fired on the floor above  to pressure their colleagues to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

Others are using the moment to push for other legislation addressing security concerns for future events. Meanwhile, Congress is expected to hear from King Charles III this week, which will heighten law enforcement presence on Capitol Hill after the events of this weekend.

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Heres a list of everything Congress is expected to work on this week, and how the shooting over the weekend has increased the tension on Capitol Hill.

Department of Homeland Security funding

At the center of debate this week is sure to be continued funding talks for the Department of Homeland Security, which has now been closed for 72 days without a certain end date in sight.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee responded to the shooting over the weekend, calling for Congress to reconvene immediately and vote on legislation to reopen the department. The Utah senator even reiterated threats to nuke the filibuster if legislation gets stalled in the Senate.

The House is set to vote this week on advancing the Senate-passed budget resolution to fund immigration enforcement for the next three years in addition to another bill that funds the rest of the department through the end of September. The latter bill already passed the Senate last month.

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But the two-track process has hit some roadblocks due to scrutiny from conservatives in the House, raising questions about whether those lawmakers will push to expand the scope of the funding package.

For example, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, has suggested lawmakers should attach funding for Trumps ballroom construction  a controversial project the president began last fall that lawmakers have insisted requires congressional approval. Shortly after the shooting on Saturday, Trump used the moment to push for the completion of the White House ballroom to be used as a secure venue for future events.

Any consideration of DHS reconciliation instructions this week & beyond should provide for construction of a secure ballroom on White House grounds  in addition to other concerns being addressed regarding ICE/CBP, SAVE America, Transgender & Abortion funding, (a third reconciliation bill), & more, Roy wrote in a post on X.

But the race to fund DHS is expected to ramp up this week after Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned the administration would no longer have the funds to continue paying department employees. That will likely be used as a pressure point by Republicans, who have lamented that the Secret Service agents and TSA workers who secured the ballroom after the shooting on Saturday are at risk of not being paid after this week.

King Charles III comes to Washington

King Charles III is set to address both chambers of Congress this week, marking the first time the British monarch has done so since 1991.

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The address comes amid a flurry of looming deadlines on Capitol Hill, and it will likely feature increased security measures after the shooting over the weekend. Despite the attack at the White House correspondents dinner, the king and queen still plan to make the trip with the itinerary mostly untouched.

The king will arrive in Washington on Monday to meet with the president and first lady, and he will give his address on Tuesday afternoon. The four-day trip is one of the most high-profile political visits this year  now taking on new meaning with the security concerns over the weekend.

The speech coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States independence later this summer.

Other key deadlines this week

In the background, lawmakers will be working overtime to advance must-pass legislation.

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Aside from the self-imposed DHS funding deadline this week when the department is expected to run out of money to pay its employees, Congress has another legislative due date coming this week.

Congress must pass some sort of extension of key government spy powers before the current surveillance law expires on Thursday  a yearslong fight finally coming to a head on Capitol Hill. The House is expected to vote on a three-year extension for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as early as Tuesday, although its chances of success are not yet solidified.

The House released the latest deal last week that reauthorizes the spy powers for three years while attaching minimal penalties for agencies or officials who abuse the law. It does not include new warrant requirements, which was a major demand from conservatives in the House.

Section 702 specifically allows intelligence agencies, particularly the National Security Agency, to collect communications of foreign targets located outside the United States without needing a traditional warrant. Congress first enacted that authority in 2008.

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But Section 702 has periodical expiration dates, meaning Congress must routinely reauthorize the spying powers. Under the latest iteration, the section was set to expire on April 20, but lawmakers passed the temporary 10-day extension last week, letting the program last until April 30.

If the program were to go dark, intelligence agencies would lose their authority to collect foreign intelligence, which officials say would cause a major intelligence gap.
The suspected gunman who tried to storm the White House correspondents dinner appeared in federal court on Monday and was charged with three federal crimes, including attempting to assassinate the president.

The alleged shooter, identified by law enforcement agencies as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance in southern California, was charged with attempting to assassinate the US president, transportation of firearms to commit a felony, and unlawful discharge of a firearm during violence.

The first charge carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison.

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Allen was being represented by lawyers with the federal defenders office and sat beside them in court in a blue jail jumpsuit. Three US marshals sat directly behind him during his appearance.

Allen has no record of criminal charges or a civil court history in Los Angeles county, according to a records search.

The weapons he had on him Saturday night included a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, a pistol and three knives, according to Jocelyn Ballantine, a federal prosecutor.

Judge Matthew Sharbaugh asked Allen if he had taken any drugs in the last day or so, to which Allen responded no.

In an unusual appearance, Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, was also present in the courtroom, seated in the front row. After the initial appearance at court, Pirro joined acting attorney general Todd Blanche and FBI director Kash Patel at the Department of Justice for a press conference to discuss the charges.

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Pirro said that while there were only three charges on the file now, there will be additional charges as the case unfolds.

Let this be a message to anyone who thinks that Washington DC is the place to act out political violence, Pirro said. And if you are willing to do so with a firearm and cross state lines, we will find you, we will track your steps from the inception of your plans and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.

To establish the charge of attempted assassination, the affidavit quotes from a part of a manifesto Allen allegedly sent to family members shortly before he was tackled and subdued on Saturday night outside the Hilton hotel ballroom, where the president and senior officials were attending the White House correspondents dinner.

I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes, the manifesto attributed to Allen reads. Administration officials (not including Mr Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest, it adds.

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The grounds for the second charge include details of two guns allegedly purchased by Allen in California that match those that authorities took from him after he was subdued on Saturday, and his travel across state lines by train.

Blanche said Allen arrived at the Washington Hilton on Friday, 24 April, and the following evening, at 8.40pm, rushed through security one floor above the reception before he was apprehended. Blanche said one officer was shot in the chest but was wearing a ballistic vest, and that officer fired five times but the attacker was not hit.

Allen will return for a detention hearing on 30 April and a preliminary hearing on 11 May.

On Sunday, Blanche had said that the suspect who had charged towards the ballroom where the black-tie event was being held on Saturday night but was stopped, was believed to have been targeting top officials of the Trump administration who were at the dinner, likely including the president.

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He was also not actively cooperating with the authorities, Blanche added.

Investigators have yet to establish a motive. They believe the suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives when he was arrested, and that he acted alone. Police have been searching an address in Torrance linked to Allen, and writings reportedly found in his hotel room are also being examined as part of the investigation.

The suspect is thought to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then on to Washington, where he checked in as a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the glitzy annual journalists gala was being held.

Trump and his officials were rushed to safety after the alleged gunman charged through a security checkpoint outside the hotel ballroom and shots were fired before he was subdued by law enforcement officers. A federal agent was shot but was wearing a bulletproof vest, and was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

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Trump had agreed to attend this years dinner for the first time as a sitting president after boycotting previous years. Several top members of his cabinet, including Vice-President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also in attendance, along with thousands of members of the media.

Trump called the attacker a lone wolf whack job as he returned to the White House on Saturday night in an extraordinary news conference soon after the incident, with the president and several members of the press still in their ballroom attire.

After leaving the same hotel where former president Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981, Trump told reporters that being president was a dangerous profession. When youre impactful, they go after you. When youre not impactful, they leave you alone, he said.

Its always shocking when something like this happens, Trump went on. I cant be so concerned that I cant function.

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Despite police still working to establish a motive, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed on Sunday morning that the event was hijacked by a depraved crazy person who sought to assassinate the president and kill as many top Trump administration officials as possible.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt railed against the left-wing cult of hatred while praising President Donald Trump as a hero as she addressed the shooting at Saturdays White House Correspondents Association dinner during her latest press briefing.

The presidents calm in the face of chaos while yet another individual was trying to take his life was really remarkable to witness and its something Ill never forget, said Leavitt, who was seated next to Trump during the incident.

Politics: I Was Totally Exonerated: Trump Snaps At CBS Reporter Over Reading Of Suspected Shooter's Alleged Manifesto

Nobody in recent years has faced more bullets and more violence than President Trump, she went on.

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Asked if there was a normalization of rhetoric around harming Trump and what his administration is doing to stop it by Fox News Aishah Hasnie, the press secretary said, We need to recommit ourselves as a country to toning down the rhetoric and to unifying around what makes our country great.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

HASNIE: There does seem to be a normalization of rhetoric about assassinating this particular president. How can this administration put an end to this?



LEAVITT: We need to recommit ourselves as a country to toning down the rhetoric. Democrats compare him to Hitler. These are pic.twitter.com/2ElRszjk88  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 27, 2026

Thats true of everyone who works in this White House, she went on. But, as I said, its also true of everyone who has a voice and a platform across this country.

Leavitt accused the Democratic Party at large of inflaming division, taking issue with messaging about Trump being an existential threat to democracy or comparable to Adolf Hitler.

Politics: Melania Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel Over 'Expectant Widow' Joke

These are despicable statements that the American people have been consuming for years, and so many mentally perturbed individuals are led to believe these words are truths and then are inspired to act on it, she said.

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She cited statements from Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Penn.) and others as evidence.

Suspect Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, was charged with the attempted assassination of the president on Monday afternoon.

While Trump and allies are blaming the opposition for threats against the president, he has a record of stoking violence towards his political foes since he began campaigning for president in 2015.

In 2022, when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) husband was attacked, he laughed and joked about it. After he was reelected in 2024, he mass-pardoned hundreds of violent rioters charged in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt left Vice President JD Vances attendance at a rescheduled White House Correspondents Dinner an open question on Monday, as the administration reviews security protocols following a Saturday night shooting at the annual gala.

"It's definitely a good question, and it's one that will be raised, Leavitt said when asked if its wise to have both the president and the vice president together in the wake of the shooting. I can assure you the president intends to attend the event. I don't want to rule in or out the vice president's attendance, but certainly, that's a conversation that will take place."

Both President Donald Trump and Vance were swiftly evacuated from a ballroom at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night after a gunman attempted to breach the events security perimeter. A U.S. Secret Service officer wearing a ballistic vest was shot during the incident but released from the hospital the next day, and no administration officials or guests were harmed.

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Trump initially insisted on continuing with the nights planned events, but later announced that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days after law enforcement informed him that it would not be safe to carry on. A new date or venue has yet to be announced.

Asked on Sunday if the administration was concerned about several of the top officials in the presidential line of succession  including Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and numerous Cabinet secretaries  being present at the same off-site event, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche insisted that security protocols worked as planned.

Johnson said Monday that security at the hotel, which has for decades hosted the annual media gala,  looked a little lax  and called on the Secret Service to tighten up and reevaluate these things. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley said Sunday he was in the process of scheduling a bipartisan briefing this week with the Secret Service regarding security protocols and related law enforcement matters involving the White House Correspondents Dinner.

Leavitt said Monday the White House did not tap a single designated survivor in the line of succession to prepare for a possible mass casualty event, as it does in other major gatherings like the State of the Union address.

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Those conversations ahead of the dinner did take place, she said at a Monday press briefing. There were several members of the Cabinet in the line of succession who did not attend for various personal reasons, so designating one survivor was not necessary as we had several members who were not there already.

Leavitt added that Trump was satisfied with law enforcements response on Saturday, but she said changes to security protocols are not out of the question.

Chief of staff Susie Wiles is convening a meeting with the White House operations team, the Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security leadership early this week to discuss protocol and practices for major events involving the president.

California resident Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in Saturdays shooting who was apprehended on site following his encounter with law enforcement, had his first court appearance Monday afternoon .

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Law enforcement, meanwhile, is looking into a manifesto in which Allen allegedly wrote that he intended to target administration officials at the event.

White House Correspondents Association President Weijia Jiang, a CBS News reporter, said in a Sunday statement that the WHCA board will be meeting to assess what happened and determine how to proceed.
It sounds like a joke at first. A serious, track-focused Toyota race car ending up in a Happy Meal box. But thats exactly whats happening in Japan right now, and its not some cheap knockoff idea either. The GR GT3, one of Toyota Gazoo Racings most talked-about machines, is now a tiny die-cast toy being handed out with burgers and fries. And honestly, it says a lot about where car culture is headed.

This isnt just a random promo tossed together. Toyota teamed up with McDonalds in Japan to roll out a rotating lineup of miniature vehicles, and the GR GT3 made the cut alongside a handful of much more everyday machines. Kids and collectors alike can walk into a McDonalds, order a Happy Meal, and walk out with a chance at owning a scaled-down version of a car built for serious racing. Thats where things start to get interesting.

Every Happy Meal comes with one toy, but you dont get to pick which one. Its a random draw, which means getting the GR GT3 isnt guaranteed. Its part of a four-car lineup for now, sitting next to a Nissan Skyline police car, a Hino fire truck, and a Toyota TownAce hauling what can only be described as an oversized hamburger. Its a weird mix. One minute youre looking at a purpose-built performance machine, the next youve got a delivery van carrying fast food. And that contrast feels intentional.

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The toys are being rotated through distribution, which means availability shifts over time. So if someone is hunting specifically for the GR GT3, its not as simple as grabbing one meal and being done. You might have to try a few times. Or a lot of times. That randomness adds a layer of chase to the whole thing, which, lets be honest, is exactly how you hook collectors.

Heres the part that matters. The GR GT3 isnt just any car Toyota slapped its name on. It represents the brands deeper push into performance and motorsports through Gazoo Racing. Even in toy form, it carries that identity. Its not a cartoon version or something heavily stylized. Its a die-cast model produced by Tomica, which has a long-standing reputation for making detailed miniature cars in Japan.

So this isnt just marketing. Its branding, right down to the smallest scale.

And thats where it gets a little bigger than just a Happy Meal promotion.

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Getting something like the GR GT3 into the hands of kids, even as a toy, plants a seed. It connects high-performance cars with everyday life in a way that feels natural instead of forced. One minute a kid is opening fries, the next theyre holding a race car that exists in the real world. That kind of exposure matters more than people think.

Of course, not every location is part of the promotion. Some McDonalds outlets in Japan are excluded, which adds another layer of limitation. That scarcity, whether intentional or not, only makes the toys more desirable. People notice when something isnt everywhere. And if this first wave wasnt enough, theres already more coming.

Starting next month, the lineup is expected to expand to a total of nine different models. The GR GT3 will still be part of that group, but itll be surrounded by even more options. That means the odds shift again, and the hunt gets harder. For collectors, thats not bad news. It just means the chase continues.

Theres something oddly fitting about a high-end racing concept car being distributed this way. Not behind glass at an auto show. Not locked into some exclusive event. Just sitting in a paper bag next to a burger. It levels the playing field in a weird way.

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Car culture usually has a barrier to entry. Price, access, knowledge. It can feel closed off if youre not already in it. But this kind of collaboration cuts through that. Anyone can walk in, order a meal, and suddenly theyre part of it, even if its just a small piece.

And no, this isnt about pretending a toy replaces the real thing. It doesnt. But it does something else. It keeps interest alive. It makes performance cars feel relevant outside of racetracks and social media feeds. That matters more than people give it credit for.

At the same time, theres a clear strategy behind it. Toyota isnt just handing out toys for fun. This is brand reinforcement, plain and simple. Theyre putting their performance identity in places where people dont expect it. Fast food chains arent exactly known for showcasing motorsport engineering, but here we are. And it works because its unexpected.

Theres also a bit of nostalgia baked into this whole thing. Die-cast cars and Happy Meals have been tied together for decades. The difference now is the type of car being included. A GR GT3 isnt a generic sedan or a cartoonish vehicle. Its something enthusiasts recognize immediately. That recognition hits differently.

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So yeah, on the surface, its just a toy. A small, randomly distributed piece of metal and plastic handed out with a meal. But underneath that, theres a smarter play happening. Toyota is keeping its performance image in circulation, and McDonalds is giving people another reason to come back. Simple idea. Big impact.

And if youre in Japan right now, you might want to pay attention to whats in that little box before you toss it aside. Because theres a chance youre holding a miniature version of something much bigger.




MADISON - The state Democratic Party is denouncing a financial backer of liberal causes for a post he made promoting the idea of assassinating President Donald Trump in the wake of a shooting at a Washington D.C., event Trump attended.

Kirk Bangstad, owner of the Minocqua Brewing Company and founder of a political action committee supporting progressive politics, said Saturday in a post from his brewing company's Facebook account, "Well, we almost got #freebeerday. Either a brother or sister in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship or he faked another assassination to get a positive news cycle."

The post was made after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington D.C, the evening of April 25. U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the gunman appeared to have targeted Trump and officials in his administration who were attending the event.

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"Well never know. Regardless, we stand at the ready to pour free beer the day it happens," the post read, referring to a promotional campaign Bangstad created to hand out free beer when Trump dies. Trump has been the target of previous assassination attempts.

In January, the brewery posted on Facebook that it would sell free beer "all day long, the day he dies," appearing to refer to Trump but not by name. "Show us this post when it happens in a few months and well make good on that promise."

Bangstad also is selling shirts that read, "I Wish It Was Free Beer Day At Minocqua Brewing Company" and voodoo dolls featuring Trump's face.

At the time, Bangstad told Fox News that he would welcome anyone to celebrate the "impending death of a twice-impeached convicted felon covering up for the largest child sex ring in the history of the United States  someone who has enabled his contemporary American Gestapo to brutally murder two American protesters in a matter of week."

An April 25 Facebook post from Kirk Bangstad's Minocqua Brewing Company promotes the idea of assassinating President Donald Trump.

A Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman said Bangstad's "rhetoric is completely unacceptable and should be retracted immediately."

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"Were not afraid to call out this sort of inappropriate behavior no matter where it comes from  our GOP colleagues should learn to do the same," state Democratic Party spokesman Phil Shulman said in a statement.

Bangstad did not respond to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel but in a separate post on Facebook he hit back at the Democrats who criticized his post and stood by his previous comments by linking to merchandise for sale that promotes Trump's death.

"Our celebration of life is going to be legendary!" he wrote in the post

"Leave it to the Corporate Dems and politically naive Democratic gubernatorial candidates to take the bate (sic) and condemn 'political violence' or 'politically violent rhetoric' after the 3rd questionably/arguable fake assassination attempt against Trump," Bangstad wrote in the post sharing the Journal Sentinel story.

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Bangstad also provided tips to Democrats if the Journal Sentinel "backs you into a corner and makes you 'agree' with Republican rhetoric that 'libs are violent' given this arguably fake assassination attempt?"

Bangstad's Minocqua Brewing Company opened about a decade ago and is known for selling politics-themed beers. The releases include Tammy Shandy, Evers Ale and Mandela Mash, referring to Democrats U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Gov. Tony Evers and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is running for governor in 2026.

"I denounce those who had any reaction to last nights shooting other than outrage at the state of political violence in our country," Barnes said in a statement. "Its completely unacceptable, and I am thankful for the actions of law enforcement who acted swiftly and bravely to keep everyone safe."

State Rep. Francesca Hong, who is leading the Democratic primary in recent statewide polling, said in a post on X she denounces political violence. She said, "Too many people in politics  across the spectrum  have started treating it as background noise or an unavoidable cost of the job. We cannot let ourselves become numb to it."

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A campaign spokeswoman said Bangstad's post "is intentionally inflammatory and a symptom of the normalization of political violence."

Missy Hughes, former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO and Secretary who also is running for governor in the Democratic primary, called the violence a "scourge on our democracy that we must all make sure is never tolerated or embraced."

"This especially goes for those who make light of and encourage violent attacks," Hughes said in a statement. "Such vile rhetoric is completely unacceptable and must be universally condemned."

A spokesman for Hughes said Hughes "finds the comments by Kirk Bangstad deeply offensive and sadly representative of the toxic politics that is corroding public discourse today."

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"These statements do not reflect Wisconsin values," he said.

Rebecca Cooke, a Democratic candidate running in the 3rd Congressional District who worked for Bangstad during his 2016 congressional campaign, said in a statement, "This rhetoric is dangerous and unacceptable  showcasing just how broken our political system is."

"I denounce all forms of political violence. We need to bring the temperature down, stop pitting working folks against each other, and come together to solve the very serious problems facing our communities," Cooke said.

Bangstad has also used his super PAC to fund lawsuits that would disband the state's private school voucher system and against Republican members of Congress, accusing them of aiding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He is also involved in legal battles with the conservative newspaper Lakeland Times.

Security officials evacuate U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a possible shooter opened fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance, said a shooter was apprehended in a social media post.



Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated out of the White House Correspondents Association Dinner minutes after it began, as attendees took cover on the floor. Agents draw their guns after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. Agents stand guard after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. Attendees hide under tables after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed out by Secret Service agents after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Katie Miller and Stephen Miller are escorted 1after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. People take cover after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. A Secret Service agent takes cover after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. The president is making his first appearance at the event which he has shunned in the past. U.S. Vice President JD Vance is escorted after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. People react after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. A screen grab taken from a video filmed by an AFP reporter shows armed agents moving to the stage after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Loud bangs were heard as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner. Guests rush out of the Washington Hilton in the middle of the White House Correspondents' Dinner after loud bangs were heard, in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2026. President Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin (C) is escorted out of a safe room after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump was evacuated from the dinner, which he was attending for the first time while in office. Agents escort people out of the Washington Hilton after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. The president is making his first appearance at the event which he has shunned from in the past. People take cover after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. Law enforcement set up a perimeter around the Washington Hilton as some attendees of the the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner evacuate the building after a shooting inside, on April 25, 2026. Agents escort people after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is escorted by federal agents after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. The president is making his first appearance at the event which he has shunned from in the past. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is escorted by federal agents after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. The president is making his first appearance at the event which he has shunned in the past. Guests rush out of the Washington Hilton after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. An agent draws his gun after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump was evacuated from the dinner, which he was attending for the first time while in office. A Secret Service officer directs people outside the Washington Hilton after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. Guests walk away from the Washington Hilton amid a heavy police presence after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Loud bangs were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner. Attendees exit the venue after an incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were evacuated from the Washington Hilton after what sounded like gun fire. FBI agents stand outside the Washington Hilton after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. Shots were fired as US President Donald Trump attended a press dinner in Washington on April 25 night, witnesses and AFP reporters confirmed. Loud bangs were heard and guests at the black-tie White House Correspondents' Dinner scrambled to hide under tables. Tactical teams with guns drawn took position on the stage where Trump had been sitting before he was evacuated. A screen grab taken from a video filmed by an AFP reporter shows armed agents climbing over chairs as they move to the stage after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. US Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) stands outside the Washington Hilton after loud bangs were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. US Marshalls walk through the lobby of the Washington Hilton after shots were heard during the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. FBI Director Kash Patel (C) walks past after shots were reportedly fired during the White House Correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. The scene from outside the Washington Hilton as some attendees of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner evacuate after a shooting inside on, April 25, 2026. The scene from outside the Washington Hilton as some attendees of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner evacuate after a shooting inside, on April 25, 2026. Trump officials evacuate White House press dinner amid reported shooting 1 of 31 Security officials evacuate U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as a possible shooter opened fire during the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance, said a shooter was apprehended in a social media post.



Trump and first lady Melania Trump were evacuated out of the White House Correspondents Association Dinner minutes after it began, as attendees took cover on the floor.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Democrats condemn liberal backer's Trump assassination post
A hateful message spraypainted on a retaining wall outside of Congregation Beth Israel in Central Austin was quickly covered Thursday after members discovered it while driving past the property.

Synagogue officials said the graffiti contained hateful language directed at Israel. Senior Rabbi Brian Leiken told KVUE the message was more than random vandalism.

The words that were written on the wall were not just graffiti, they were hate, Leiken said.

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According to Leiken, the congregation immediately contacted the Austin Police Department, who not only opened an investigation but also helped remove the graffiti.

Officers literally got down on their hands and their knees to help us to get the graffiti off the wall, Leiken said, noting that the department is continuing to look into the incident.

The synagogue has already been operating under heightened security in response to a rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide. Leiken said the latest act serves as another reminder of the challenges the community continues to face.

This year, Leiken said theyre celebrating their 150th anniversary, though the journey hasnt been without challenges. In 2021, an arson attack scorched their place of worship, causing significant damage. Leiken said the congregation has worked hard to reclaim the space since then.

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Were going to put a big 150 banner up there," Leiken said. "I think thats made this space a symbol of whats to come."

Rebuilding efforts are ongoing, with plans for a new sanctuary and campus spaces expected to take shape over the next four to five years.

Despite the latest incident, Leiken emphasized that the congregation will continue moving forward.

Faith institutions like synagogues and churches and mosques can be places that bring people together and start to nourish the values that our world needs right now, Leiken said.

In a social media post, Austin City Council Member Marc Duchen, who represents District 10 where the synagogue is located, said hate crimes are rising both locally and across the country. He called the vandalism unacceptable and said he is pushing to revive a city hatecrimes task force.

Austin police have not yet responded to requests for additional information.
The name of the North Dakota lawmaker who died in a plane crash over the weekend will remain on the June primary ballot but will not be on the general election ballot in November.

Potential candidates to replace Rep. Liz Conmy as the Democratic-NPL House nominee in District 11, which covers part of south Fargo, have until May 19 to file as a certified write-in candidate with the North Dakota Secretary of States Office.

Conmy died Saturday in a plane crash in the Twin Cities suburb of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Conmy had filed to run for reelection in District 11.

According to the North Dakota Secretary of States Office, Conmys name will remain on the June 9 primary ballot, because the accident happened after the deadline to withdraw from the election. Mail-in ballots already had been provided to some voters for the June primary.

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Conmy is on the primary ballot for District 11 House of Representatives along with fellow Democrat Anastassiya Andrianova.

If Andrianova and Conmy are the top two vote-getters among the Democrats in the primary, Conmys name would not be forwarded to the general election ballot, Secretary of State Michael Howe said.

In that case, Andrianova would be the only candidate listed as a Democrat for the District 11 House seats.

If there are two Democratic candidates that get more votes than Conmy, those names advance to the general election.

People seeking to become a certified write-in candidate can declare a party affiliation or run as an independent.

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Write-in votes for people who are not certified with the state as write-in candidates for legislative and statewide offices are not counted, Howe said. That is different from local elections, where write-in candidates are more common.

While a certified write-in candidate is likely in District 11, the May 19 deadline applies to all legislative districts and statewide offices.

There also is a deadline of Aug. 31 to run as an independent candidate in the Nov. 3 general election. Republicans do not have candidates running for House in District 11.

A person who runs in the primary election but doesnt advance is barred from running as an independent candidate in the general election, something Howe called the sore-loser rule.

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Democratic Sen. Tim Mathern, who has represented District 11 along with Conmy, said the district partys executive committee will likely meet this week to discuss a list of potential write-in candidates. He said the party could then back a write-in campaign.

The executive committee also will discuss a potential replacement for the rest of Conmys term, Mathern said.

The district party needs an official notification of a vacancy from Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, before it can name a replacement for Conmy, whose term would expire Dec. 1.

The process for replacing Conmy as a candidate differs from the process to fill a seat in District 20 in eastern North Dakota.

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In District 20, Republican Rep. Jared Hagert of Grand Forks resigned earlier this year to take a position with the U.S. Department of Agricultures Farm Service Agency. Republicans recently named Dave Rustebakke of Larimore to fill Hagerts seat until Dec. 1.

Rustebakke also is a candidate for the seat in the November general election. Democrat Nik Groenewald also will be on the ballot but other potential candidates still have time to file. The filing deadline for the District 20 seat is Aug. 31. There is no primary election for District 20.

Odd-numbered legislative districts are on the ballot this year, with the exception of seats in even-numbered districts affected by legislative vacancies.

Reach North Dakota Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com

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State lawmakers in New York are considering a series of "four bad bills" that critics are warning could lead to the release of mass murderers, serial killers and other violent convicts.

Among the examples Suffolk County officials and the families of victims raised at a news briefing Friday are serial killer Joel Rifkin, who murdered between nine and 17 women; commuter shooter Colin Ferguson, who killed six and wounded 19 on the Long Island Rail Road; and the White supremacist gunman Payton Gendron, who livestreamed the massacre of 10 people at a Tops supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo.

Thousands of other violent criminals could also be released. The bills aim to establish an elder parole program in the Empire State, among other changes that would result in the early release of killers.

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"We're talking about the worst of the worst," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told Fox News Digital. "The people who have done really the worst acts possible and have proven to be really a danger to our society. And they're like an infinitesimal, small percentage of our population who create an inordinately large amount of all of the problems, all the violence, all of the theft and everything else."

Gilgo Beach Killer Rex Heuermann's Ex-wife Says She Now Lives In Basement Where He Murdered Seven Victims

Joining Suffolk County officials at a news briefing Friday was Theresa Bliss, whose 25-year-old son David was murdered in 2021 outside a pizzeria in Port Jefferson after an argument with strangers.

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"I have a question for every New York lawmaker pushing the Earned Time Act, Fair and Timely Parole Act, Elder Parole and Second Look Act, does our pain mean anything to you?" she asked. "How do you fight so aggressively for the early release of murderers, yet dismiss the families whose lives were shattered?"

The victims don't get second chances, she added.

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The man who shot her son received a sentence for 40 years to life in prison. Under the proposed reforms, parole could come much sooner.

"When you pass laws that prioritize criminals over victims, you're not reforming the system  you're erasing us," she said.

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The briefing came days after Tierney secured a guilty plea from another Long Island serial killer, Rex Heuermann, who is expected to be sentenced in June after admitting to torturing and killing eight women.

Tierney has been a frequent critic of the state's recent bail reform laws, which allowed a group of people suspected of dismembering a body and littering the remains around Long Island's south shore to go free before police had enough evidence to also charge them with killing the victim.

And earlier this month, he sidestepped the state's sanctuary laws in order to make sure Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took custody of a Guatemalan man accused of raping a child.

Rex A. Heuermann pleads guilty to murdering seven women and admits to an eighth killing during a hearing in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, N.Y., on April 8, 2026. (Fox News)

"While these bills are often framed as reforms and have innocuous titles, in reality, they will push thousands of New Yorks most violent criminals out onto our streets," Tierney warned.

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Some key issues Tierney and Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, both Republicans, slammed at a news briefing Friday:

One bill would cut all sentences less than life in prison by half and prevent prison assaults and stabbings from being deducted from credits for good behavior. Since the proposed reduction applies retroactively, it would "result in the immediate release of thousands of New York's most dangerous inmates."

"These people are where they are because they richly deserve it," Tierney told Fox News Digital. "Every second of whatever sentence they receive, theyve earned."

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Tops gunman Payton Gendron listens as he is sentenced to life in prison without parole for domestic terrorism motivated by hate and each of the 10 counts of first-degree murder by Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan, in Buffalo, N.Y., Feb. 15, 2023.

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Another bill would block the state's parole board from considering the nature of the original crime when weighing parole  "no matter how horrible." This specifically benefits murderers and rapists, the officials said, and implies that parole is automatic, not something earned.

"It turns parole upside down  it prohibits consideration of the seriousness of the crime and even the defendants remorse or lack of it," Tierney said.

In the Bliss case, the killer was seen on home security video shortly after the shooting laughing about it. At future parole board hearings, the people deciding his fate would be unable to consider that behavior if the bill passes.

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A third would impose a California-style elder parole in New York, and take the concept one step further, the officials warned. The Empire State's version would abolish life without parole, "even for serial killers, cop killers and racist murderers." It applies to inmates who have served at least 15 years of a sentence, including a life sentence, and are older than 55.

"Once [Gendron] turns 55, every two years those families are going to have to go through the parole process again," Tierney said. "Why?"

Serial killer Joel Rifkin in a courtroom in Mineola, Long Island, where he pleaded not guilty to murder, July 15, 1993.

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The fourth bill gives felons a chance to petition a judge for a sentence reduction. The judge cannot be the same one who imposed their sentence to begin with. There is no limit on the number or frequency of petitions, and if one is denied, the inmate can immediately file another with a different judge.

Colin Ferguson arrives in court surrounded by court officers and wearing a bullet-proof vest on Dec. 10, 1993, for his initial hearing. He was later convicted of a mass shooting on a Long Island Rail Road train.

"These bills are an insult to every law-abiding citizen, the law enforcement community and especially the victims of these crimes," said Romaine, the top elected official in Suffolk County, a suburb of New York City. "Use common sense and do not pass these bills."

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office for comment.





Original article source: New York bills could abolish life without parole for serial killers and cop killers, critics warn
MOSCOW, April 27 (Reuters) - An employee of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, controlled by Russian forces, was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack, the Russian-installed management of the station said in a Telegram post on Monday.

"A driver was killed today when a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone struck the transport department at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," the post said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said its team on the site will look into the incident and continue to monitor the situation.

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IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated that strikes on or near nuclear power plants "can endanger nuclear safety and must not take place," the Vienna-based agency cited him as saying in a post on social media platform X.

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Anastasia Teterevleva, additional reporting by Thomas Seythal in Berlin, editing by Vladimir Soldatkin and Friederike Heine)
Randy Dahl, an elections worker, runs ballot envelopes through a letter opener at the Yakima County Courthouse in Yakima. Washington state has used vote-by-mail for every election since 2012. (Evan Abell / Yakima Herald-Republic, 2022)
When people think about recalls, they usually picture engine failures, faulty airbags, or electrical issues.

This one involves something far more basic.

Toyota is recalling certain 2025 Toyota RAV4 models because the front seats may not stay properly secured during a crash.

Thats a serious problem for Americas best-selling SUV.

The Problem Comes Down To Faulty Welds

Image Credit: Toyota.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall is listed as NHTSA campaign number 26V256000.

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Toyota is also referencing the issue internally as 26TB09 and 26TA09.

The automaker says some front seat brackets may have been improperly welded during production.

Those brackets connect the seats to their rails, and if the welds fail during a collision, the seat could move unexpectedly.

Why This Is Dangerous

Image Credit:Toyota.

Your seat is a critical part of your vehicles safety system.

Seatbelts and airbags are designed with the assumption that the seat remains firmly in place.

If the seat shifts or breaks loose during a crash, occupant protection can be compromised.

The vehicle may drive perfectly normally until the moment the seat is needed most.

Toyota Will Fix It For Free

Image Credit: Toyota

Toyota dealers will inspect the affected seat brackets and repair them if necessary.

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The repairs will be performed at no cost to owners.

Owner notification letters are expected to go out on June 7, 2026

Drivers can also contact Toyota directly or check their VIN through NHTSAs recall database using ID 26V256000.

Toyota dealers will inspect the affected seat brackets and repair them if necessary.

The repairs will be performed at no cost to owners.

Dont Ignore This One

2025 Toyota RAV4 - Image Credit: Toyota.

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Theres no warning light or a strange noise, and the vehicle likely feels completely normal.

Thats exactly why owners should take this recall seriously if their VIN is affected.

A seat bracket failure is the kind of issue you never want to discover during an actual crash.

If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you dont miss whats coming next.
The Budapest Photo Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026. Following tradition, the opening exhibition is organized in collaboration with Mucsarnok (Kunsthalle Budapest). This year, the showcase once again features a world-renowned photographer from the Magnum Photos stable: the iconic works of Rene Burri.

To mark this decade-long milestone, the festival is placing a special emphasis on strengthening its international presence through exhibitions, professional programs, lectures, portfolio reviews, and workshops.



Best known globally for his portraits of a cigar-smoking Che Guevara, Rene Burri was a quintessential photojournalist during the golden age of illustrated magazines, reporting on the most significant events of the late 20th century.



He joined Magnum Photos in 1955, becoming a full member in 1959. Over a career spanning six decades, he traveled through Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, Japan, and China. He was present at the fall of the Berlin Wall, captured the student protests in Tiananmen Square, and documented the devastation of war in Beirut.



However, the exhibition titled Utopia offers a fresh perspective on Burris multifaceted oeuvre, focusing on how the centurys major transformations were expressed through the visual language of modern architecture.



In this sense, the selection serves as a tribute to architecture: Burris artistic eye captured numerous modernist icons, from Le Corbusiers chapel in Ronchamp to Oscar Niemeyers ministerial buildings in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.



Major publications like Paris Match gave significant space to these series, alongside his portraits of artists; this exhibition specifically highlights the world-famous creators of modern architecture.



Through nearly one hundred photographs, visitors can experience Burris unique, expressive documentary style, where images of human creation and destruction serve as bittersweet witnesses to the past century's metamorphosis.



The exhibition is a collaboration between Magnum Photos, Mucsarnok, and the Budapest Photo Festival. The original Utopia concept was realized in 2004 by Hans-Michael Koetzle and Rene Burri.



About Rene Burri (19332014)



Born in Zurich, Rene Burri studied at the School of Applied Arts under the legendary Hans Finsler and Alfred Willimann. After a year as a cameraman for Walt Disney Switzerland in 1954, he produced his first major photo essay on the teaching methods for the deaf and mute, which served as his application to Magnum Photos.



Between 1956 and 1958, he undertook assignments across Czechoslovakia, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. He also spent six months in Latin America documenting the lives of the last gauchos. After becoming a full Magnum member in 1959, he began his famous series Die Deutschen (The Germans).



His work appeared in the world's leading publications, including Life, Look, Stern, Paris Match, The Sunday Times, The New York Times, and Du. In 1963, while working in Cuba, he famously met Che Guevara and Fidel Castro.



His career also included filmmaking, such as the 1965 documentary The Two Faces of China and a 1972 film on Jean Tinguely. Significant retrospectives of his work have been held at the MEP in Paris, the Musee de l'Elysee in Lausanne, and various institutions across Europe and South America.



As Hans-Michael Koetzle noted: "Burri was a witness to history, yet he did not simply take 'press photos.' Thanks to his sharp eye, he found images that serve as relevant metaphors for the state of our world."



More:

budapestphotofestival.hu / Mucsarnok



Photo: budapestphotofestival.hu



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The Hungarian State Treasury has granted the capital a temporary reprieve from its solidarity contribution payments until mid-June. This decision provides Budapest with much-needed short-term financial breathing room as it continues to navigate a protracted dispute regarding the levy.

Mayor Gergely Karacsony announced the update on Tuesday, noting that the exemption allows for a crucial window of time. Specifically, it gives the city approximately one month following the formation of the new government to negotiate the necessary steps to secure the capital's long-term financial health.



The Mayor suggested that the previous administrations use of the solidarity contribution system was an attempt to drive the city toward bankruptcy. He maintained, however, that Budapest remained functional throughout the ordeal, holding out until the political landscape shifted.



According to the Mayors office, this pause in payments offers a strategic opportunity to reach a formal agreement with the incoming government led by Peter Magyar.



The goal of these discussions is to implement broader reforms, such as the introduction of a dedicated "Budapest Law" designed to create a more stable and predictable financial framework for the city.



Photo: Pixabay.com



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While the outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orban, is evading responsibility, people close to him are readying to leave the country and take their stolen wealth with them, Peter Magyar, the prime minister-elect, said in a video on Facebook on Saturday.

"It has been nearly two weeks since the Hungarian people scored a landslide victory over the system of national complicity," the Tisza party leader said, adding that the incoming Tisza government was working full steam to govern and build a functioning, humane Hungary.



"In the meantime, the mafia is not sitting idle in the background," he said. "Orban's oligarchs are transferring tens of billions of forints to the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, the United States and other distant countries... I have precise knowledge that the national tax authority [NAV] has suspended several high-value transfers linked to [cabinet office minister] Antal Rogan's circle based on reports from banks that suspect money laundering."



Magyar called on NAV to immediately freeze the stolen funds and on the public prosecutor, the national police chief and NAV's chief to take into custody the "criminals who have defrauded the Hungarian people of many thousands of billions of forints" and not to let them flee to countries from which there is currently no extradition agreement.



"Members of the Orban mafia have also begun selling off TV2 and other media outlets at below-market prices," he said. Lounge Event Ltd, "the flagship of Rogan's hundred-billion-forint hate propaganda machine", was also for sale, he said, urging "honest domestic and foreign investors to refrain from acquiring assets belonging to the mafia."



Otherwise, they may find themselves being held accountable by the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office being set up by the new government, he warned.



Magyar said that several "oligarch families" had already left the country, and the family of Orban-linked entrepreneur Lorinc Meszaros was also flying to Dubai in the coming days.



"According to reports, several influential oligarch families have already taken their children out of school and are organising trusted security details for their departure."



"It seems that after the brave captain, Viktor Orban, abandoned the sinking ship, the ground has become hot under the foot soldiers' feet as well," he said, calling on "all police, prosecutors, bank, and tax authority leaders, as well as the heads of the security services, to fulfil their legal obligations and prevent criminals from fleeing and the assets stolen from the Hungarian people from being siphoned abroad."



Anyone who fails to fulfil their legal obligations and violates their oath of office is themselves committing a crime, he noted. "The will of the Hungarian people and their verdict on the mafia are clear," he declared.



"Orban's puppets and enablers must face up to their own responsibility ... for assisting in the destruction and plundering of Hungary, in moral, legal, and financial terms."



Magyar said that there were no "minor" or "major culprits" in these cases. "There is no difference among those who have stolen the Hungarian people's forints. Everyone who was a link in the chain must face the consequences," he added.



"We will uncover the crimes, we will recover the assets, and anyone who has unjustly enriched themselves with the Hungarian people's money will be held accountable before the independent Hungarian judiciary," Magyar concluded.



MTI Stock Photo



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com



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The incoming Tisza Party government will release the files on the communist-era state security apparatus, Peter Magyar, the prime minister-elect, said on Facebook on Thursday.

He also said his party's MPs would not move into the Parliament Office Building, which he described as "the former headquarters of the AVH [secret police] and the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party".



Balint Ruff, the incoming head of the Prime Minister's Office, told Valasz Online in an interview on Wednesday that making the "agent files" public as soon as possible would be one of his first tasks.



Photo: Pixabay.com



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com



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Hungary's most wanted drug dealer was arrested in Mexico and has been returned to Hungary, the police reported on its website on Wednesday.

The 49 year old man was charged with operating a ring selling cocaine and MDMA in Hungary, and was sentenced to six years in prison in 2019. He fled and has been hiding since.



He was arrested by Mexican authorities in Cancun, where he had been working as a taxi driver using false documents. He was brought back to Hungary on Tuesday, three days after his arrest, police.hu said.



Background:



The KR NNI's Fugitive and Wanted Persons Main Division, Wanted Persons Section, conducts investigations to track down and apprehend Hungarian fugitives hiding abroad. Cross-border probes primarily take place through the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST).



However, the work of these manhunters extends beyond Europe; for Hungarian fugitives wanted for particularly serious crimes, wanted persons investigators also cooperate with third countries.



In the summer of 2025, 49-year-old Hungarian B. Janos came to the attention of the wanted persons unit. He was first sentenced to six years in prison by the Budapest Metropolitan Court in 2019, with the sentence upheld on appeal by the Budapest Metropolitan Court of Appeal.



Prosecutors accused him of leading an organized crime group in Hungary between 2014 and 2015 that trafficked cocaine and MDMA. He involved his siblings in the illegal operations, and they played active roles in the trade.



After the verdict was issued in 2020, the man vanished. Since he failed to report to prison, authorities first issued a domestic arrest warrant, followed by European and international ones.



Given the organized nature and severity of his crimes, he was added to the EU Most Wanted website, which lists Europe's most sought-after fugitives.



During the KR NNI's wanted persons investigation, detectives gathered intelligence suggesting B. Janos might be hiding in Mexico. As a result, KR NNI manhunters contacted Mexican SSPC officials through agents from the FBI's Budapest and Mexico City offices.



This sparked intensive three-way information sharing among Hungarian, U.S., and Mexican agencies, with Hungary's Interpol National Central Bureau also joining in. The coordinated effort revealed that B. Janos was living in Mexico under another Hungarian citizen's name, working as a taxi driver in Quintana Roo state.



Mexican authorities organized an operation to arrest him, which Hungarian police supported in real time by verifying emerging intelligence. B. Janos was captured in Cancun on April 18.



According to the Mexican Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection, the fugitive's arrest resulted from a coordinated Mexican operation involving the SSPC, FGR, Defense Ministry, Navy (SEMAR), National Guard, Immigration Office (INAMI), and Quintana Roo state public security organization (SSC).



Since B. Janos was in Mexico under an alias in violation of immigration rulesand as one of the EU's most dangerous fugitives  authorities opted for immediate deportation. He was flown back to Hungary on April 21.



Upon landing at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, KR NNI officers took custody from their Mexican counterparts and transferred him to the Budapest Penitentiary to begin serving his sentence.



Photo: Police.hu



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Deliveries of Russian crude through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline have resumed, Hungarian oil and gas company MOL said on Wednesday.

JSC Ukrtransnafta, which operates the Ukrainian stretch of the Druzhba, informed MOL that deliveries through the pipeline from Belarus to Ukraine started at noon on Wednesday.



MOL said it expects the first crude to reach Hungary and Slovakia by Thursday "at the latest".



Deliveries through the Druzhba ceased on January 27. Hungary has tapped its strategic crude and motor fuel reserves to ensure supply.



MTI Stock Photo



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.



XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com



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US Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife are scheduled to arrive in Budapest for a high-profile official visit on April 78, 2026. The visit includes bilateral talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a joint press conference, and a public rally.

According to the Prime Ministers Communications Department, the visit centers on the "Day of Hungarian-American Friendship."



US Vice President 'looking forward to meeting Orban'



US Vice President JD Vance told reporters before leaving for Hungary on Tuesday that he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Viktor Orban.



"We'll talk about any number of things related to the US-Hungary relationship," Vance said, according to a post on X, adding that the focus will be on issues surrounding Europe and Ukraine.



Vance's visit is scheduled to take two days.



Budapest Traffic Restrictions: April 78



Tuesday, April 7: Airport, Castle District, and Buda Hills Significant closures are expected during the following periods.

9:00 AM  12:00 PM: The route from Budapest Airport to Buda Castle will be closed, affecting: Airport Terminal 2 and the M4, M0, and M3 motorways Kacsoh Pongrac overpass and Heroes Square Andrassy Avenue, Chain Bridge, and Clark Adam Square Buda Castle access roads



1:00 PM  4:00 PM: Rolling closures will continue across: Castle District and Krisztina Boulevard Hegyalja Road, BAH junction, and Jagello Road Zugliget area



4:00 PM  8:00 PM: Major east-west routes will be affected from Zugliget through central Pest to Kerepesi Road, including Heroes Square and Andrassy Avenue.



Wednesday, April 8: Parliament Area and Airport Departure Further restrictions are scheduled for the following periods:



8:00 AM  11:00 AM: The convoy will travel from the Buda hills toward Kossuth Square and Parliament, affecting: Zugliget, BAH junction, and Chain Bridge Szechenyi Istvan Square and Id. Antall Jozsef embankment Marko Street, Balassi Balint Street, and Kossuth Square



2:00 PM  5:00 PM: The final closure window will affect the route from Parliament back to Budapest Airport, including: Kossuth Square, Andrassy Avenue, and Heroes Square M3, M0, and M4 motorways Airport Terminal 2





Important Note: Police have warned that all intersecting streets along these routes may be temporarily shut. Parking and stopping bans will also be strictly enforced in numerous nearby areas.



High-Level Security Measures

The Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) and the US Secret Service are implementing an "extraordinary" security net.



Residents should expect:



* Armored Convoys: Extensive motorcades and temporary road closures along all possible routes.

* Police Presence: Hundreds of officers and TEK commandos will secure venues, with fighter jets placed on standby as per standard protocol for high-ranking US officials.



Major Transport Disruptions & Road Closures



The Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) has warned of intermittent closures.



Public transport (BKK) will be significantly affected:

1. Airport Access (April 7 & 8):

* The Airport Expressway will be closed for 2540 minute windows on Tuesday (10:0011:00) and Wednesday (11:0012:00).

* Bus 100E and 200E will use modified routes and skip several stops, including Cargo City and Airport Terminal 2. Travelers are advised to leave for the airport much earlier than usual.



2. Buda Castle District (Tuesday, 08:0015:30):



* Buses 16 and 216 will not operate.

* Buses 16A and 116 will run on a shortened route only to Szentharomsag ter.

* The Castle Hill Funicular (Siklo) will be out of service on Tuesday.



3. City Center & Pest Side:

* Andrassy ut: Repeated closures will also cause the M1 (Yellow) Metro to be suspended periodically. Use M2, M3, or M4 instead.

* Ferenciek tere (Tuesday, 15:0020:00): Bus 15 will run on a shortened route to Kossuth Lajos ter.

* Zugligeti ut (Tuesday 14:00  Wednesday 15:00): Bus 291 will be shortened; the Zugliget Chairlift (Libego) will be inaccessible.



US Vice President Vance arrives in Hungary



US Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, arrived in Hungary on an official visit on Tuesday morning.



The vice president, who arrived in Budapest on a two-day visit, was greeted at Liszt Ferenc International Airport with military honours by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.



During the visit, Vance will hold talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orban before they will deliver speeches at a rally dubbed the Day of Hungarian-American Friendship at the MTK Sportpark.



Szijjarto: Vance visit signals new 'golden age' in Hungary-US ties



US Vice President JD Vance's visit to Hungary is yet another clear sign of the start of a new "golden age" in relations between Hungary and the United States, "which all Hungarians can benefit from", Petter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Tuesday.



Speaking to public news channel M1 after the vice president's arrival in Budapest, Szijjarto noted that Vance's visit was the first by a US vice president to Hungary since 1991. It is also the highest-level visit by a US leader since 2006, he added.



"Relations and cooperation between the two countries have reached a completely different quality since [US President] Donald Trump's return to office," Szijjarto said. "There are practical signs of this as well, as all Hungarians and every Hungarian family stands to benefit from this cooperation."



"The presidential system in the US means that the personal relationship with the president is hugely important when it comes to bilateral cooperation," the minister said. "So [Prime Minister] Viktor Orban and Donald Trump's friendship has ushered in a new golden age in this respect."



He cited practical benefits, including Hungary's re-inclusion in the US ESTA visa-waiver programme and Trump's approval for Hungary to continue buying cheap Russian energy, which protected the regulated utilities price scheme. Without this, he said, households would be paying triple what they pay now for utilities.



Szijjarto warned that Europe was heading towards a "severe energy crisis", with looming oil and gas shortages and soaring prices. "But we Hungarians can shield ourselves from this if Eastern energy supplies remain," he said, contrasting Brussels' "ideological" energy policy with the US' "pragmatic approach".



Concerning energy cooperation between the two countries, Szijjarto noted record bilateral trade turnover in 2025, exceeding 10 billion US dollars, and 16 American investment projects worth 200 billion forints (EUR 522.2m).



"And this momentum isn't stopping, as bilateral trade turnover is up more than 50 percent so far this year, and in the last three weeks alone, we've announced six new US investments worth 100 billion forints," he added.



Szijjarto said the US vice president's schedule includes a small-group meeting at the Castle District premises of the Prime Minister's Office, followed by plenary talks with a wider delegation.



The topics on the agenda will include the future of Western civilisation, migration policy, family policy challenges, including "gender ideology", and global and European peace and security, "with Hungary being the only European Union member of the Board of Peace established by President Donald Trump", he said.



"And alongside the bigger issues facing Western civilisation, the two countries are working closely together on practical issues, such as economic and energy cooperation, which will also be on the agenda," Szijjarto said.



Szijjarto: Strategic cooperation ongoing between Hungary, US govts



Strategic cooperation is ongoing between the governments of Hungary and the United States in the economic and energy policy sectors, among other areas, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Tuesday, adding: "There is also continuous dialogue concerning the great issues of Western civilisation."



Speaking ahead of US Vice President JD Vance's two-day visit to Hungary, Szijjarto warned that Europe was "marching towards a very severe energy crisis" that could culminate in shortages of natural gas and crude oil, leading to a dramatic increase of energy prices.



"That is the result of an ideologically motivated, unreasonable energy policy in Brussels that banned Russian energy resources from the continent. By contrast, the US is pursuing a sensible energy policy and has recently lifted sanctions; [US President] Donald Trump also permitted Hungary to buy cheap Russian gas and oil," Szijjarto said, according to a ministry statement.



Without those measures, household utility prices in Hungary would have grown threefold, he said: "Energy cooperation between the US and Hungary is key to protecting energy security and the regulated utilities price scheme."



Economic cooperation between the two countries has similar significance, he said.



"Trade has never been as robust between the two countries as last year. The number of US investments arriving in Hungary last year also hit a record, and the momentum seems to last. This year, trade turnover is up 50 percent; we have announced six new investments in March alone, worth a total of 100 billion forints [EUR 261.1m]," he said.



"Strategic cooperation is ongoing, as is the dialogue on the great issues of Western civilisation such as family policy, global security and migration," he said, adding that the strategic cooperation would last.



PM's political director: Hungary, US agree in debate 'on future of West'



US Vice President JD Vance is visiting Hungary "at a time when the debate on Europe's future, security and identity is ongoing," the prime minister's political director said on Facebook on Tuesday, adding that Vance's stance on the matter "on several points aligns with the principles Hungary has been consistently representing" in that debate.



Balazs Orban hailed Vance's two-day visit to Hungary as "another milestone in the golden age of US-Hungary relations", noting that this was the first "official ... visit by a US vice president to Hungary since the regime change"; he was the highest-ranking US official to visit the country since President George W. Bush's trip in 2006, he added.



"Vance's words have particular weight in the debate on the future of the Western world, and he holds the view that Brussels has fatefully misguided Europe," Orban said.



Orban noted that in an earlier speech, Vance said: "The threat to Europe ... is not Russia, it's not China -- what I worry about is the threat from within." He said that imploding societies could not be safe, and that Europe was risking "civilisational suicide."



Orban said Vance had earlier sharply condemned "the oppressing power" in Brussels that he said placed liberal politics above the interests of Europeans.



Vance has also warned of "Brussels censorship" targeting conservative voices, of which Hungarian patriotic forces were also suffering on social media platforms, Orban said.



He cited Vance as saying that the problem was not people saying the wrong things but that governments were afraid to hear them. "Censorship is not strength. It is weakness," Orban cited Vance as saying.



The vice president also shares the Hungarian stance on migration, Orban said. According to Vance, mass migration without assimilation amounted to chaos, and no nation could survive without protecting its borders.



Orban said Vance's visit was significant not only as a diplomatic feat; it also signalled that voices calling for the primary importance of sovereignty and security were gaining strewngth in the transatlantic space.





Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



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The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.
Hungary's Prosecutor General has taken over a case involving the National Bank of Hungary (NBH) from the police.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Prosecutor General noted that the police had launched a probe of the NBH on February 10, 2025, on the basis of a report by the State Audit Office (ASZ).



The NBH has come under scrutiny for investments made by its foundations as well as for a renovation of its landmark headquarters.



Commenting on the news, Peter Magyar, the incoming prime minister, faulted the Prosecutor General for doing "too little, too late" by taking over the investigation a year after it was launched.



"The Prosecutor General waited until the thieves who robbed the National Bank made off with the loot, doing nothing," Magyar said in a post on Facebook.



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The Hungarian National Opera was named among the winners of the 2026 European Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards, managing director Hermann Parzinger said at press conference after a conference on heritage protection in Budapest on Tuesday.

"The project achieves a careful balance between the restoration of a historic theatre and modern performance requirements. Outstanding multidisciplinary work and the integration of advanced, sustainable technologies support the continued operation of the Hungarian State Opera House at the highest professional level," Parzinger quoted the jury as saying.



The most prestigious heritage protection award was handed to 30 projects in 18 countries this year.



Today we celebrate a distinction that connects Europes past, present and future, emphasised Gabor Zupko, Head of the Representation of the European Union in Hungary.



He noted that for more than two decades the Europa Nostra Awards have highlighted the most outstanding heritage conservation projects and initiatives, as well as the individuals behind them who are committed to preserving and passing on Europes shared cultural heritage.



This prestigious recognition not only rewards achievements in heritage conservation, but also shines a light on the European values behind them: cooperation, innovation and shared responsibility.



He also recalled that from among the thirty outstanding initiatives announced each year, the public can vote for their favourite, thereby reinforcing that cultural heritage is truly a shared cause. This years awarded projects also demonstrate that the prize encourages sustainability, community cohesion and economic resilience, he added.



The Budapest Opera House is one of Europes most significant opera houses, and in terms of its architectural and acoustic qualities it belongs to the very top tier, highlighted architect Gabor Zoboki, head of the architectural firm ZDA  Zoboki Design & Architecture, which carried out the reconstruction.



He added that over the past thirty years Hungarian architecture has experienced a flourishing period that deserves recognition through such an internationally significant European award. On such occasions, it is not a single architect but an entire community that is honoured; it is a recognition of a whole profession, he stressed.



In Hungary there are still  and, we hope, will continue to be  professionals capable of delivering such a complex restoration, emphasised Attila Saghi, Deputy CEO for Technical Affairs at Varosliget Ltd.



Echoing Gabor Zobokis remarks, he added that the true award winners are the specialists, including carpenters, joiners and decorative painters, who took part in the reconstruction works.



Votes for the 2026 Public Choice Award, whose winner will receive 10,000, can be cast by those interested in cultural heritage until 12 May at https://vote.europanostra.org/.



The awards ceremony will take place on 28 May at the Municipal Theatre of Nicosia in Cyprus, where the Grand Prix laureates and the Public Choice Award winner will also be announced.



More about the award here



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Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



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Budapests Museum of Ethnography is currently hosting a compelling exploration of Japanese visual culture, centering on the works of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai (17601849).

While Hokusai is often colloquially dubbed the "inventor" of manga, this exhibition takes a more nuanced approach, examining how the concept and meaning of "manga" have transformed over the last two centuries.



Rather than a dry historical timeline, the display contrasts Hokusais 19th-century mastery with contemporary Japanese comics to show how visual storytelling has evolved into the global phenomenon we recognize today.



More Than Just Reproductions



While the exhibition is part of a global traveling series organized by The Japan Foundation, the Budapest installment offers more than simple display panels. The collection is bolstered by significant original works, including:



* Original Woodblock Prints: Four pieces from Utagawa Hiroshiges iconic series, Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido.

* Modern Classics: Original Japanese comics from the latter half of the 20th century.

* Contemporary Art: Original drawings and prints from seven distinct mangaka (manga artists).



A Visual Encyclopedia



Expats familiar with modern narrative-driven manga might be surprised by the original Hokusai Manga. Instead of a linear story, it serves as a massive visual encyclopedia. Its pages capture everything from mundane everyday gestures and facial expressions to plants, mythical creatures, and humorous social observations.



Originally intended as a "model book" for Hokusai's students to copy and learn from, these works are essentially the 19th-century ancestors of modern "How to Draw" manuals.



Key Themes: Participation and Evolution



The exhibitions curator-led approach avoids rigid historical "proofs" of influence, instead inviting visitors to draw their own comparisons between the different eras.



Several unique sections highlight this:



* Hokusai as a Character: See how the artist himself is portrayed in modern comics - sometimes as a historical figure, other times as a fictional pop-culture icon.

* Live Legacy: New works created specifically for this exhibition by modern artists demonstrate how Hokusais motifs continue to inspire new creative perspectives.

* Participatory Art: A central takeaway is that manga has always been a "participatory" mediumbuilt on the culture of copying, sharing, and reinterpreting ideas rather than just passive viewing.



Save the Date: Manga Day on May 9



For those looking for a deeper dive into Japanese culture, the museum will host a dedicated Manga Day on May 9, 2026.



This all-day event offers a variety of activities for families and enthusiasts alike:



* Workshops: Try your hand at traditional crafts like origami, sashiko (embroidery), and mizuhiki (cord-weaving).

* Performances: Experience the power of a taiko drum concert and martial arts demonstrations.

* Cultural Insights: Attend curator-led tours, lectures on pop culture, and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.



This exhibition serves as a bridge between 19th-century Edo-period artistry and the modern global practice of manga, challenging visitors to think about how we "read" images and how artistic traditions are inherited across generations.



More:

neprajz.hu/en



Photo by: Laszlo Incze/ Museum of Ethnography



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Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party and incoming prime minister, on Saturday criticised Viktor Orban, the Fidesz leader and outgoing prime minister, for failing to take responsibility. Magyar's remarks came in response to Orban's announcement that he is returning the parliamentary mandate he won in the election.

In a Facebook post, Magyar wrote: "The 'brave' street fighter is still incapable of one thing: taking responsibility. Viktor Orban has become Fidesz's [former Socialist prime minister] Ferenc Gyurcsany. There is no democratic opposition with a mafia boss."



Orban led the Fidesz-KDNP joint list in the April 12 parliamentary election, in which the Tisza Party secured 141 seats, the previously governing Fidesz-KDNP 52 seats, and the Our Homeland (Mi Hazank) party 6 seats.



Orban has been a member of parliament since 1990.



Orban to return his parliamentary mandate



Viktor Orban, leader of Fidesz-KDNP and the outgoing prime minister, has said he will return the mandate he won in the general election. Orban said on Saturday that his energies would be better spent revamping "the national side" rather than sitting in parliament.



Orban also announced that the outgoing head of the Prime Minister's Office, Gergely Gulyas, will lead the Fidesz parliamentary group.



In a video posted on Facebook, Orban said the Fidesz board meeting had just concluded, during which several important decisions were made: the party's parliamentary group will undergo radical restructuring, with the new group forming on Monday under Gulyas's leadership.



Orban emphasised that the mandate he won as the Fidesz-KDNP list leader is technically a Fidesz parliamentary seat, which is why he decided to return it. "I am needed not in parliament, but in reorganising the national side," he said.



He said the board recommended that he should continue his work as Fidesz leader, adding: "If the congress honours me with its trust, I am ready for the task."



He said discussions on the "renewal of the national side", the parliamentary group, and the protection of their communities were taking place "with full steam".



He added that they had listened to all their candidate representatives, as they needed the opinions, experiences, and commitment of every member of their community.



Orban said several key decisions were made: the parliamentary group would undergo radical restructuring, with the new group forming on Monday under the leadership of Gergely Gulyas.



Orban also announced that Fidesz will hold a national board meeting next week and that the leadership congress, originally scheduled for autumn, has been moved forward to June.



The outgoing prime minister, who has been Fidesz leader without interruption since 2003, emphasised that he has led their community for nearly four decades, during which they experienced successes and failures, electoral victories and defeats.



"One thing has not changed," he declared. "This camp has always been Hungary's most united and cohesive political community, and Hungary will need this unity now more than ever."



In the parliamentary election, the Fidesz-KDNP alliance secured 52 seats: ten candidates won in individual constituencies, while 42 entered via the national list.



As reported by 24.hu on Saturday, Zsolt Semjen, president of the Christian Democrats (KDNP) - who was second on the Fidesz-KDNP national list -- along with Janos Latorcai, former deputy speaker and chairman of the KDNP national board, and Miklos Soltesz, a KDNP representative, will not take up their mandates.



Eight KDNP politicians won seats on the Fidesz-KDNP joint list. Following last week's preparatory talks for the inaugural parliamentary session, Gulyas said that Fidesz and the Christian Democrats will form separate parliamentary groups.



Semjen proffers resignation as KDNP leader, national board rejects submission



Zsolt Semjen on Saturday submitted his resignation as head of the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), but the party's national board unanimously rejected it in a secret ballot.



In a Facebook post, Semjen said personal accountability was required after the election defeat, adding that political renewal and a new generation of party politicians were also needed. He announced that a full leadership election will be held at the appropriate time.

"I will continue my service until then," he wrote.



Kosa joins other Fidesz figures in returning mandate



"Feeling the general responsibility for the election failure as the deputy leader of Fidesz, I will return the mandate I won on the national list and will not run for any position at the party's congress," Lajos Kosa said on his social media page on Sunday.



Kosa thanked the 2.4 million supporters of Fidesz for their trust. "But that is not enough to carry on. The majority of voters voted for change," he noted.



He said it had been "wonderful" to work for the citizens of Debrecen, in eastern Hungary, where he was the local MP, and pledged to continue that work.



Earlier today, Erik Banki, the party's director for Baranya County, also said he would not be taking up his seat in the new parliament, joining Viktor Orban, the outgoing prime minister in returning his mandate.



Toroczkai: Our Homeland will expose every govt mistake

Neither Viktor Orban of Fidesz nor Zsolt Semjen, leader of the Christian Democrats, will take their seats in parliament, "but Our Homeland will be there to highlight every possible government mistake and crime," Laszlo Toroczkai, the party's leader, said in a post on X.



"After causing damage, they are leaving the stage," he said in the post late on Saturday.



Referring to the Socialists (MSZP) and now-defunct liberal Free Democrats (SZDSZ), he added: "If the Fidesz-SZDSZ-MSZP grand coalition [incoming Tisza government] -- essentially a pure globalist government -- makes mistakes or harms Hungary, we will be there. As the only party leader on the opposition benches, I will mercilessly expose every possible government mistake and crime," Toroczkai declared.



MTI Stock Photo



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



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The 32nd Polish Film Spring opens on 23 April at Toldi Cinema in Budapest, bringing a week of contemporary Polish films.

The Polish Institute Budapest organizes the event, which screens seven films over seven days to showcase recent directions in Polish cinema.



The selection covers diverse genres, including family dramas, romantic tales, coming-of-age stories, and ambitious big productions.



Two films highlight Hungarian links: one honors the centenary of Andrzej Wajda with an adaptation drawing from writer Sandor Marai, and another is a new Polish-Hungarian co-production starring actress Dorka Gryllus.



The opening film, Chopin, a Sonata in Paris, is a grand biographical work directed by Micha Kwiecinski. It traces composer Frederic Chopin's time in Paris and his partnership with Franz Liszt.



Other standout films include Brother by Maciej Sobieszczanski, which delves into family strains through a teenage judo enthusiast's experiences, and Home Sweet Home by Wojciech Smarzowski, a psychological drama on domestic violence that drew over two million viewers in Poland.



The lineup also offers LARP  Love, Trolls and Other Quests by Kordian Kadziela, centered on youth, identity, and live-action role-playing. Actor Andrzej Konopka earned a supporting actor award at the Gdynia Film Festival for his role.



A tribute screening features Wajdas 2009 film Tatarak, partly inspired by a Sandor Marai work and starring Krystyna Janda.



Photosensitive by Tadeusz Sliwa follows a blind woman and a photographer whose encounter transforms their lives. Lead actress Matylda Giegzno won best actress at the Gdynia Film Festival.



The festival closes with Budapest Diary, a Polish-Hungarian co-production directed by Rafa Kapelinski.



Set in 1981, it portrays a young boy traveling to Budapest with his mother, based on the directors personal story.



Jarosaw Bajaczyk notes that the festival seeks to build cultural exchange and closer Poland-Hungary connections through film.



More:

urania.hu



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Inaugurated in 2005, the memorial created by film director Can Togay and sculptor Gyula Pauer stands as a stark reminder of the Arrow Cross terror of 194445. During this period, Jewish victims were forced to remove their shoes before being shot into the river.

In the scarcity of wartime, shoes were considered valuable possessions; the perpetrators would seize them to be reused or sold. Today, the site is one of the most visited Holocaust memorials in the city, where visitors frequently place candles, stones, and flowers in tribute.



Childhood Memories

Can Togays inspiration for the memorial stems from deeply personal recollections. Even decades later, he vividly recalls the atmosphere of his childhood, shaped by stories of those murdered on the riverbanks. This historical weight became the foundation for the concept he eventually realized with Gyula Pauer.



The project was designed not only to facilitate remembrance but to pull a suppressed, painful fragment of both urban and national history out of the shadows.



Togay views the memorial as a vital testimony to the collective memory of the capital, serving as evidence that the city refuses to forget and remains capable of confronting the most difficult chapters of its history.



Uncle Instalment



Gyula Pauers contribution to the project was also rooted in a profound personal narrative. At just four years old, the artist spent the final days of the Second World War with his parents in a Budapest air-raid shelter.



As a young child, he understood little of the chaos outside, perceiving only fragments of news about retreating German forces, the Soviet advance, constant bombardment, and the Arrow Cross executions by the Danube.



Returning home after the war brought further confusion rather than immediate clarity. Pauer recalls his father telling him to remain silent about a man they had hidden, whom they referred to as Uncle Reszlet (a name derived from the Hungarian word for instalment, as the family had purchased furniture from him on credit).



The true significance of this secret only became clear later when the man returned to thank the family for saving his life.



Pauer noted that the tragedy of the Holocaust and the persecution of the Jewish community was something he could only process slowly over time. It eventually became a central theme of his artistic career.



The final design of the 'Shoes on the Danube Bank' was the culmination of a long internal journey, sparked by a conversation with an old friend and a suggestion from Togay, resulting in a work that reflects both personal and collective mourning.



Holocaust Remembrance Day in Hungary



Since 2001, Hungary has officially observed Holocaust Remembrance Day on 16 April. This date marks the anniversary of the beginning of the ghettoization of Hungarian Jews in 1944. The observance was originally introduced to ensure that educational and public institutions regularly engage with this period of national history.



Following the German occupation in the spring of 1944, and with the cooperation of local authorities, between 437,000 and 450,000 Jewish people were deported from Hungary. The vast majority were sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp.



The speed of these deportations was devastating; the Jewish communities of rural Hungary were almost entirely decimated within only a few months.



In total, the Holocaust claimed the lives of an estimated 550,000 to 600,000 Hungarian citizens. This figure includes those deported, those who perished in forced labor service or the ghettos, victims of the Arrow Cross terror in the capital, and those lost during the death marches.



This tragedy remains one of the greatest human losses in the nation's history, leaving a permanent mark on Hungarys historical and moral landscape.



Photo: Shoes on the Danube Bank - Wikimedia Commons



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Budapest flights of Lufthansa were cancelled on Monday due to a strike by pilots of the German airline, flight information on the website of Liszt Ferenc International Airport show.

Flights have been cancelled on Tuesday, too, because of the two-day strike.



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



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HungaroMet, the national weather service, on Tuesday said it will establish Hungarys first climate adaptation network to support the European Union's Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. The network aims to foster broad cooperation by connecting sectoral and regional stakeholders, they said.

The initiative, part of the EU-funded AdaptationHubs project, will align with similar networks across member states.



HungaroMet will coordinate the Hungarian network, involving public administration, scientific, economic and civil society actors to create a collaborative platform across national, regional and local levels, they said in a statement.



Its goal is to support coordinated planning and implementation of adaptation measures, linking scientific knowledge, practical experience and policy processes.



The project also includes a cross-regional programme to facilitate both domestic and cross-border knowledge exchange, HungaroMet added.



The AdaptationHubs project seeks to improve the coordination and effectiveness of adaptation actions, reducing the vulnerability of society and the economy to the impacts of climate change in the long term, the statement said.



Click here to learn more about the project



Photo: AdaptationHubs project



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



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Erno Varga has successfully led his company, VRG, for six years, which has become one of Hungarys leading accounting service providers. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the company, which operates as a private limited company (Zrt.).

Prior to this, he built his business by drawing on nearly two decades of professional experience as an employee, culminating in a middle management role. He continues to develop the company based on this strong foundation.



A forward-thinking professional, he recognizes the transformation of the accounting profession towards a more advisory and analytical role. Accordingly, he possesses a diverse and comprehensive professional background: he is a registered chartered accountant, tax advisor, tax expert, and certified wealth planning specialist. In addition, he holds a law degree, a postgraduate qualification in criminalistics and criminal law, and is also engaged in legal practice as an attorney.



Click here to virtually visit VRG Varga&Varga Accounting and Consulting Inc.



1. Where did you grow up?

I was born in Szekesfehervar  Hungarys historic coronation city, so I guess you could say I started life with royal standards.



2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Japan. I love how it perfectly mixes ancient traditions with futuristic vibes.



3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?

The food, no question  especially a traditional Hungarian dish called tripe with marrow. Not everyones favorite which just means more for me.



4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

Danube walk at night, Parliament, a ruin bar, and definitely a thermal bath  basically the full Budapest starter pack.



5. What is your favourite food?

Tripe with marrow. Its a bold choice, I know  but I stand by it.



6. What is your favourite sport / form of exercise?

Chess. Minimal sweating, maximum strategy.



7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?

Matrahaza and Kekesteto  fresh air, great views, and just enough distance from everything.



8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

Lawyer. Arguing professionally sounds like a natural upgrade.



9. Whats a job you would definitely never want?

Tax inspector. I prefer being liked.



10. Where did you spend your last vacation?

Riga  beautiful, underrated, and full of character.



11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?

Somewhere warm, ideally near the sea and far from emails.



12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

French impressionist organ music. Yes, I peaked early and in a very specific niche.



13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

Great food and sharp humor  deadly combination.



14. Red wine or white?

A full-bodied red. The stronger, the better.



15. Book or movie?

Movie  I like my stories with visuals and less commitment.



16. Morning person or night person?

Night person. Mornings and I have an understanding: we avoid each other.



17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Ending poverty. Its one of those things that simply shouldnt still be a problem.



18. Buda or Pest side?

Pest for the energy, Buda for the views  but if I had to choose, Pest. I like a bit of chaos.



19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?

Becoming someone I actually like  still a work in progress, but going well.



20. What would you say is your personal motto?

Enjoy the moment, but always keep moving forward. (Preferably with good food and wine involved.)
News / Africa

by Stephen Jakes

A document purportedly issued by State House in Zambia has been circulating on social media, claiming to instruct Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha to withdraw from legal proceedings involving the remains of former President Edgar Lungu.

The letter, dated 24 April 2026 and bearing the name of Christopher Mundia, Special Assistant to the President for Legal Affairs, states that continued engagement in court proceedings would result in unnecessary expenditure of public resources and suggests that decisions regarding Lungus burial should be left to his family.The image, which carries a Lily Mutamz TV watermark, has been widely shared on Facebook and WhatsApp.As of Friday morning, State House had not issued any statement confirming the authenticity of the document. The Attorney Generals Chambers also did not respond to requests for comment. Government spokespersons have previously warned the public about forged documents circulating during the ongoing dispute over Lungus burial.Observers noted that the language and formatting of the circulating letter differ from standard State House communications, which are typically released through the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) or the Presidents verified socialmedia platforms.The document surfaced amid a yearlong legal standoff over the former presidents remains. Lungu died in South Africa in June 2025, and since then his family and President Hakainde Hichilemas government have clashed over burial arrangements.This week, the High Court in Pretoria ordered that Lungus remains be returned to Two Mountains Burial Services after Zambian authorities briefly took custody. The Attorney General confirmed that the body had been moved to a South African government facility before the court intervened.The family had earlier withdrawn an appeal against a ruling granting the state authority to conduct a national funeral, but later filed an urgent application challenging the transfer of the remains. ENSafrica, representing the funeral operator, has since asked not to be included in further applications by the family.The burial impasse has divided public opinion in Zambia, with some calling for a state funeral to bring national closure, while others insist that the familys wishes should take precedence. Cultural expectations around timely burial have intensified criticism of the prolonged delay, now approaching 11 months.The government says it remains open to engaging the family on final arrangements, though no date has been set for repatriation or burial.
Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall will host a commemorative evening dedicated to the outstanding tar virtuoso Ramiz Guliyev (1947-2025) on April 30, AzerNEWS reports.

Organized by Nadir Events, the evening will honor the 79th anniversary of the maestro's birthday.

The concert will feature the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra under the baton of People's Artist,Ayyub Guliyev, the musician's son. Also performing will be the instrumental ensemble Buta Ensemble, led by artistic director Rovshan Gurbanov.

The evening's program will bring together prominent performers, including People's Artists Nazaket Teymurova (khanende), Azer Zeynalov (vocalist), and Anvar Sadigov (accordionist). Honored Artists taking the stage include Ramil Gasimova, Sahib Pashazade, Emil Afrasiyab, as well as Tayyar Bayramov, Ilkin Ahmedov, Elnur Zeynalov, and Ekhtiram Huseynov (khanende). They will be joined by Sakhavet Mammadov and Kamala Nabiyeva.

This concert promises to be a significant cultural event, uniting the traditions of Azerbaijani national music with contemporary performance art, and serving as a heartfelt tribute to the rich artistic legacy of Ramiz Guliyev.

Ramiz Guliyev born on April 30, 1947, in the Aghdam district of Azerbaijan, was one of the most distinguished masters of the tar, a professor, and a celebrated figure in Azerbaijani musical culture. He was awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1988 and became a laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2014.

Between 1964 and 1969, Ramiz Guliyev studied tar performance and conducting at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory (later the Baku Music Academy). While still a student, he taught tar at Baku's secondary music schools No. 1 and No. 20. The year 1974 marked a turning point in his artistic career: in June he received first prize at the Transcaucasian Musicians' Festival, and in October he won first place at the Fifth All-Union Competition of Variety Artists in Moscow.

From his first year at the Conservatory until 1994, Ramiz Guliyev performed as a soloist with the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic and the Azerbaijan State Concert Association (Azconcert). Alongside his performing career, he pursued an extensive academic path. From 1974 to 1992, he served as lecturer, senior lecturer, associate professor, and ultimately professor at the Conservatory. From 1992 to 2002, he headed the Department of Folk Musical Instruments at the same institution.

He also toured widely, giving solo and ensemble performances in Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Russia, Belarus, Turkiye, Afghanistan, Guinea-Bissau, Syria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, India, Japan, the United States, Canada, Poland, Denmark, Iran, Iraq, France, the United Kingdom, Israel, Norway, and many other countries.

In 1988, he was granted the title of People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR. Among his later distinctions were the Humay National Prize (1993), the Shohrat (Glory) Order in 2007 for his contributions to Azerbaijani musical art, the State Prize of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2014 for his concert and performing activities, the Sharaf (Honor) Order in 2017 for his services to Azerbaijani culture, as well as various international medals and honorary recognitions.

Ramiz Guliyev passed away on October 15, 2025, in Baku at the age of seventy-eight. His life was devoted to elevating the tar from a traditional folk instrument to a symbol of national identity on the global stage.

The national musician left behind a timeless legacy in the history of Azerbaijani music.
News / International

by Staff reporter

The administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Randy Babbitt resigned on Tuesday following his drunk driving arrest.In a brief statement, Babbitt said he submitted his resignation to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and it has been accepted."Serving as FAA Administrator has been an absolute honor and the highlight of my professional career," he said. "But I am unwilling to let anything cast a shadow on the outstanding work done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by my colleagues at the FAA."The FAA is part of the Department of Transportation. It has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S.Babbitt was arrested Saturday night in Fairfax, Virginia, and charged with driving while intoxicated after a police officer spotted him driving on the wrong side of the road, according to a police statement. He was the only occupant in the vehicle and no accident occurred.On Monday, LaHood's office said in a statement that Babbitt was placed on a leave of absence.Babbitt, 65, was tapped by President Barack Obama to take on the job in 2009. He had been a pilot flying for the now-defunct Eastern Airlines for 25 years.
News / National

by Agencies

Gwanda Autism Association in partnership with Baobab Educational Assessments Centre, successfully hosted a landmark Autism Awareness Seminar on Friday, 24 April 2026, at Mishies Gwanda hotel conference centre. The event was held in commemoration of Autism Awareness Month and drew parents, educators, healthcare workers, and community leaders from across Matabeleland South.

The well-attended seminar featured insights from 8 speakers including distinguished speakers from Baobab Educational Assessments Centre a team of special needs professionals ; Martha Mutiunovava the Chairperson of Gwanda Autism Association; as well as Barbara Chingwena, a special needs consultant. Each speaker shared practical knowledge and personal perspectives aimed at deepening community understanding of autism, promoting early assessment, and strengthening inclusive education and support systems.The event was also graced by representatives from the Rural District Council who addressed guests with regards to funding developments available specifically for their community.Todays turnout shows that Gwanda is ready to have honest, informed conversations about autism, said a spokesperson from Baobab Educational Assessments Centre. The experiences shared by our speakers were not only educational but truly transformational for many families who often feel isolated.Key topics included early signs of autism, classroom strategies for teachers, the role of community in supporting neurodivergent children, and the importance of timely assessments. Attendees participated in Q&A sessions and networking forums designed to connect parents with local resources.The Gwanda Autism Association noted the seminar as a major step forward: Awareness is the first step to acceptance. We are grateful to every parent, teacher, and professional who attended. Together, we are building a more inclusive Gwanda.Baobab Educational Assessments Centre and the Gwanda Autism Association extended their appreciation to all guest speakers, volunteers, and participants for making the event a success. Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continue offering training, assessments, and community programs throughout the year.The Gwanda Autism Association is a community-based organization advocating for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of individuals with autism in Gwanda and surrounding districts. Baobab Educational Assessments Centre provides professional psycho-educational assessments and learning support services for children.
News / National

by Staff reporter

King Hezekiah who, when informed that he would die, asked God for extra time and was given 15 years. But those extra years brought consequences! King Hezekiah pic.twitter.com/HeGEYEqteN  Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) April 26, 2026

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga delivered what appeared to be a spiritual message at a Roman Catholic Church gathering in Murewa on Saturday, but his choice of scripture has drawn political interpretation amid intensifying debate over constitutional reforms being pushed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Addressing congregants, Chiwenga praised the values of Saint Francis of Assisi, urging leaders to embrace humility, simplicity, peace-building and compassion for the vulnerable, which he described as essential to balanced leadership.However, it was his reference to the biblical story of King Hezekiah from the Book of Isaiah that stood out."When God asks you to do something, never question why," Chiwenga said. He recounted how Hezekiah, after ruling for a long time, began to believe he was destined to reign indefinitely. According to Chiwenga, God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn the king that his time was up and he should prepare for death, but the king resisted.Chiwenga said that although Hezekiah was granted an additional 15 years to live, the extension ultimately led to his downfall, as he exposed state secrets to foreign enemies, resulting in his capture and imprisonment.The parable has been widely interpreted as carrying political undertones, particularly as Zimbabwe grapples with the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026.The bill introduces sweeping changes to the country's governance structure, including a shift from direct presidential elections to an electoral system where the president is chosen by Members of Parliament sitting in a joint session.It also removes provisions that guarantee automatic succession by a vice president in the event of a vacancy in the presidency  a clause that previously positioned Chiwenga and fellow Vice President Kembo Mohadi as immediate successors.Political analysts say the proposed changes could significantly reshape succession dynamics within the ruling Zanu PF party and the government, potentially sidelining traditional pathways to power.Chiwenga, a former commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and a key figure in the 2017 Zimbabwe military coup that brought Mnangagwa to power, has long been viewed as a potential successor. The constitutional amendments, however, appear to weaken that prospect.The bill further proposes extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, a move critics argue is unconstitutional without a referendum, especially if it benefits current office holders.Additionally, it seeks to expand the Senate from 80 to 90 members, granting the president authority to appoint 10 additional senators based on professional expertise  a provision that could further consolidate executive influence over the legislature.While Mnangagwa's supporters argue the reforms are aimed at improving governance efficiency and reducing the frequency of elections, opposition parties and legal experts have raised concerns over their implications for democracy and accountability.Members of Parliament are expected to vote on the bill in late May, setting the stage for a decisive moment in Zimbabwe's political trajectory.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Prominent publisher Trevor Ncube has raised fresh concerns over Zimbabwe's political trajectory, warning that the country may be drifting toward conditions similar to those that led to the removal of former President Robert Mugabe in 2017.In a recent social media post, Ncube said a new network of politically connected elites is emerging, wielding significant economic and political influence in ways that echo past power dynamics.Ncube identified several business figures - including Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Paul Tungwarara, Scott Sakupwanya and Wicknell Chivayo - as part of what he described as a powerful and fast-rising elite group.According to Ncube, their proximity to political power, coupled with rapid wealth accumulation, has fostered a sense of invincibility that risks undermining principles of accountability and transparency.He warned that such concentration of influence could distort governance systems and deepen inequality.Drawing historical parallels, Ncube likened current developments to the rise of the G40 faction, whose dominance in political circles preceded the 2017 Zimbabwe military coup.That intervention marked a watershed moment, ending Mugabe's nearly four-decade rule and ushering in President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Ncube cautioned that similar patterns of unchecked influence and political overconfidence, if left unchallenged, could once again destabilise the country.Beyond elite politics, Ncube expressed concern over growing public frustration and diminishing faith in democratic institutions.He warned that, in the absence of a strong and credible opposition, some citizens may begin to view the military as a fallback stabilising force  a development he described as deeply troubling."That is not a democracy," Ncube said, underscoring the risks of relying on non-civilian institutions to resolve political tensions.Ncube's remarks come as Zimbabwe debates proposed constitutional amendments that could reshape the country's governance framework.He urged both political leaders and citizens to reflect on recent history, warning that failure to learn from past mistakes could have far-reaching consequences.With decades of experience in the media industry, Ncube remains an influential commentator on national affairs. He previously served as controlling shareholder of the Mail & Guardian Media Group between 2002 and 2017.He now leads Alpha Media Holdings as founder and executive chairman, overseeing publications including NewsDay, the Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard.His latest intervention adds momentum to an increasingly robust debate over Zimbabwe's political direction and the evolving balance of power within the state.
News / National

by Staff reporter

As South Africa moves toward the 2026 local government elections, concerns are mounting over a growing wave of anti-foreign sentiment that critics say is being fuelled by political rhetoric and mobilisation efforts rather than spontaneous public anger.Attention has centred on a planned nationwide protest scheduled for May 4, which is expected to begin at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg. The group behind the demonstration, calling itself Concerned Citizens of South Africa, is demanding the removal of all foreign nationals from the country and has warned of taking unilateral action if authorities do not comply, raising fears of possible vigilante violence.The protest has sparked alarm among migrant communities, particularly Zimbabweans, who form one of the largest foreign populations in South Africa. Analysts and activists argue that the language and organisation of such movements reflect a broader political climate in which migrants are increasingly being used as scapegoats for unemployment, inequality and governance failures.Zimbabwean rights advocates and diaspora organisations have described the situation as part of a longer pattern of hostility dating back years, with periodic outbreaks of violence and sustained anti-immigrant messaging. Some argue that this rhetoric intensifies during election cycles, when political actors seek to mobilise frustrated voters by directing attention away from domestic economic challenges.Economic commentators, however, consistently point out that migrants often fill essential roles in sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, construction and informal trade, and that large-scale removals could have severe economic consequences for local communities and small businesses that rely on migrant participation.Despite official condemnations of xenophobia, critics say enforcement has often been inconsistent, allowing intimidation and sporadic attacks to persist with limited accountability. This gap between policy and practice has contributed to growing anxiety among foreign nationals, many of whom now describe living in a state of uncertainty and fear.South African police leadership has also cautioned against unlawful vigilante activity, stressing that immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the state and warning that community-led "verification" of documentation could lead to abuse and wrongful targeting of individuals.With millions of Zimbabweans estimated to be living in South Africa, the unfolding tensions carry significant regional implications. As election season approaches, the situation remains volatile, with concerns that political mobilisation around migration could further heighten risks for already vulnerable communities.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwean opposition activist George Mkhwananzi is set to miss his doctoral graduation in South Africa next month, citing fears for his safety amid what he describes as sustained targeting by state security agents.Mkhwananzi, who is currently based in Europe, was due to graduate from the University of South Africa, but says he cannot risk travelling to the region due to an outstanding arrest warrant and a long-running treason case dating back more than two decades.The former deputy national chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly said the decision to skip the ceremony was not taken lightly, but was necessary given the risks he faces."I have a warrant of arrest issued last year and a pending treason charge which has not been concluded," he said.The case stems from events in 2002, when Mkhwananzi was arrested alongside Paul Siwela, a prominent Matabeleland-based political figure. Authorities accused them of making subversive statements and inciting unrest.Mkhwananzi alleges that his troubles have extended beyond Zimbabwe's borders, with repeated incidents occurring while he was living in South Africa."In SA I was ambushed four times by unknown people they demanded to know about Paul Siwela's whereabouts," he claimed.He further alleged that his vehicle was tampered with and fitted with a tracking device, while his family members were also followed and questioned about his movements.These claims could not be independently verified, and Zimbabwean authorities had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.The activist's case reflects broader tensions dating back to Zimbabwe's 2002 elections, a period marked by intense political conflict and crackdowns on dissent.Siwela later fled Zimbabwe and remains in exile, reinforcing concerns among activists about the risks of returning to the country or even travelling within the region.Despite the disruption to a major academic achievement, Mkhwananzi says he remains committed to political activism.He is now working with regional allies under the Matabeleland Home Society to launch a new political platform, the National Patriotic Alliance.The initiative aims to challenge what he describes as centralised political control from Harare and to amplify the voice of the Matabeleland region."This initiative is expected to claim back the political space lost in the region," he said.For Mkhwananzi, the missed graduation underscores the personal toll of long-standing political disputes, where even academic milestones can be overshadowed by unresolved legal battles and security concerns.While he will not walk across the stage to receive his doctorate, he insists the achievement strengthens his resolve to continue advocating for political change from abroad.
News / National

by Staff reporter

About 60 teachers from Matebeleland have been allocated serviced residential stands at Vulindlela in Umguza, in a development aimed at easing housing challenges in the education sector.The initiative, spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association, is part of a broader public-private partnership with land developers to provide long-term housing solutions for educators.Since its launch in 2023, the Vulindlela housing project has benefited at least 170 teachers, with more expected to be accommodated as the programme expands.Zimta spokesperson Daisy Zambuko said the scheme is designed to complement government efforts to improve teacher welfare."The programme is a planned and organised attempt to solve the housing shortage problem that teachers in Zimbabwe are facing," she said.She added that similar projects are underway in provinces including Manicaland, Mashonaland, Harare and Masvingo, with some beneficiaries already moving towards securing title deeds.Construction manager Thokozani Ngwenya of GG Property Developers said the Vulindlela project goes beyond land allocation, with plans to develop a modern, fully serviced residential area."We want to build a smart city here at Vulindlela a neighbourhood of educators who will set the standard for future communities," he said.For many beneficiaries, the allocation marks a significant shift from years of renting to owning property.Mtshabezi High School teacher Siphathisiwe Moyo described the development as empowering, particularly for women."It gives you freedom. It means I am now a landlady rather than a tenant," she said.Maranatha High School teacher Enerst Muchiti also encouraged colleagues to have confidence in the programme."This is not a scam. We are here on the ground receiving our stands," he said.Housing shortages have long been a major concern for teachers in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.The Vulindlela project highlights how partnerships between unions and private developers are increasingly being used to bridge gaps in public sector housing, offering a potentially scalable model for other professions.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The hosting of Zimbabwe's 46th Independence Day celebrations has triggered a wave of infrastructure development in Maphisa, Matobo District - the home area of late nationalist icon Joshua Nkomo - transforming the rural community's socio-economic landscape.At the centre of the developments is a revamped Independence arena, now equipped with modern facilities including terraces, VIP sections, ablution blocks, boreholes, and upgraded water and electricity systems.The facility has been redesigned as a multi-purpose community asset, expected to serve local events long after the national celebrations.Speaking during the commemorations, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the projects reflect a broader push to promote inclusive development."What we are witnessing here in Maphisa is not just preparations for Independence celebrations, but a deliberate effort to ensure no place and no one is left behind," he said.Significant investments have also been made in education infrastructure. At Mahetshe Primary and Secondary schools, more than 20 classroom blocks, laboratories, computer labs and staff houses have been built.Minda Secondary School has received a new library and sanitation facilities, while construction of 40 science laboratories across the district is underway, despite material shortages.In the health sector, Maphisa District Hospital is undergoing upgrades, including the addition of a nursing school and VIP wards. Works at Kezi Rural Hospital are also nearing completion.A new police charge office is under construction to strengthen local security services, although some projects have faced delays due to terrain challenges and supply constraints.Tourism-focused developments, including traditional rondavels and a cultural village, are also being established to promote heritage tourism in the area.Information Minister Soda Zhemu said the initiative demonstrates how national events can be leveraged to deliver long-term development benefits."Independence celebrations are not just ceremonial; they are a vehicle for development," he said.The Maphisa upgrades follow a similar model implemented in Gokwe during the 2025 celebrations, signalling a growing strategy of rotating national events to drive rural investment.Attention is now turning to Masvingo province, which is set to host the 2027 Independence Day celebrations, with areas such as Chikombedzi and Mwenezi expected to benefit from comparable infrastructure projects.If sustained, the approach could become a key mechanism for addressing regional inequalities and accelerating development in Zimbabwe's underserved communities.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Detained journalist Gideon Madzikatidze remains in custody after being denied bail for a third time, prolonging his pretrial detention since his arrest on February 17.Madzikatidze, a reporter with Bulawayo24, first applied for bail at the magistrates' court, where his request was rejected. A subsequent application at the High Court was also unsuccessful. His latest bid, based on changed circumstances and filed again at the magistrates' court, has now been dismissed.He is expected to approach the High Court once more in a renewed attempt to secure release.The journalist faces charges of allegedly providing a broadcasting service without a licence under the Broadcasting Services Act, as well as cyberbullying under Zimbabwe's Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.The case stems from a December article in which he accused executives at Geo Pomona Waste Management of bribing journalists and editors to avoid scrutiny.If convicted, Madzikatidze could face up to 10 years in prison on the cyberbullying charge, in addition to penalties under broadcasting laws.The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on authorities to release Madzikatidze, warning against the use of legal provisions to suppress journalism."Zimbabwean authorities should not use licensing regulations or cybercrime provisions to censor or criminalize legitimate journalism," said Angela Quintal.She added that prolonged detention over journalistic work is a disproportionate response and urged authorities to drop the charges.Madzikatidze's lawyer, Godwin Giya, has previously indicated that the state has consistently opposed bail in all applications.The case continues amid growing scrutiny from media rights groups, with concerns that it could set a precedent for how journalism-related offences are handled in Zimbabwe.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A constitutional battle over President Emmerson Mnangagwa's potential term extension has intensified after Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda told the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe that lawmakers lack the power to halt the controversial process.In an answering affidavit, Mudenda argued that only the president has the authority to intervene if the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 is deemed unconstitutional.He said the president, as head of the executive, can refer the bill back to Parliament or the Constitutional Court if concerns arise  effectively placing responsibility for constitutional compliance on the same office that stands to benefit from the changes.The position has drawn criticism from legal observers, who say it raises serious questions about Parliament's independence and its constitutional duty to scrutinise legislation.The case was brought by former Citizens Coalition for Change legislator Prince Dubeko-Sibanda, who is seeking to block the amendment process.Sibanda argues that key provisions in the bill  particularly Clauses 4 and 9  violate Section 328(7) of the constitution, which prohibits incumbents from benefiting from changes to presidential term limits.He maintains that Parliament is already acting unlawfully by processing a bill that, in his view, undermines entrenched constitutional safeguards.In his response, Sibanda accused Mudenda and Parliament of effectively surrendering their constitutional responsibilities to the executive."This stance demonstrates beyond any doubt that the Speaker has failed to fulfil constitutional obligations," Sibanda said in court papers.He argued that the judiciary must intervene immediately, warning that the "harm to the constitution" is already occurring through ongoing legislative processes and public consultations.Mudenda has also argued that Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi should have been cited as the respondent in the case.However, Sibanda insists the Speaker is directly responsible for overseeing what he describes as an "illegal" legislative process, making him the appropriate party to challenge.The legal showdown comes amid growing political friction within Zanu-PF over the so-called "ED 2030" campaign, which seeks to extend Mnangagwa's rule beyond the current constitutional limit.While the ruling party has publicly maintained unity, reports suggest internal divisions are widening over succession and the potential consequences of altering term limits.The case now before the Constitutional Court is expected to test the limits of legislative authority, judicial oversight and executive power in Zimbabwe.At its core is a fundamental question: whether Parliament can lawfully amend the constitution in a way that benefits an incumbent president  or whether such an attempt violates the country's constitutional order.The court's ruling could have far-reaching implications for Zimbabwe's governance framework and the balance of power between its key state institutions.
Laman Ismayilova



The 900th anniversary of the prominent representative of classical Azerbaijani literature, poet-philosopher Khagani Shirvani, will be widely commemorated in Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

This large-scale cultural program is being implemented in accordance with the presidential order dated January 28, 2026. In line with the implementation of the tasks arising from this decree, a series of events is being organized by the Jafar Jabbarli Republican Youth Library.

The library has prepared an extensive presentation using artificial intelligence dedicated to Khagani Shirvani's "Habsiyya" (Prison) poems.

The project explores in depth one of the most complex yet productive periods of the poet's life, his imprisonment, analyzing the artistic and aesthetic features of the works written during this time through a modern interpretative approach.

The presentation, available on the library's official website, examines in detail the socio-political circumstances and the turbulent historical context of the era that led to the poet's imprisonment, as well as the court environment in which he lived.

It also highlights the emotional turmoil experienced by Khagani during his incarceration and the impact of these experiences on his poetry, presented through the analytical capabilities of artificial intelligence.

In addition, the library has created a digital resource base titled "Khagani Shirvani  900" on its official website, where materials published across the internet about the poet's life and work are collected. Users can access full texts of articles through active links provided in the database.

Such initiatives contribute to the preservation of historical memory and heritage while ensuring that the rich legacy of classical Azerbaijani literature is transmitted to future generations in a modern and accessible format.

Khagani Shirvani was one of the most outstanding poets of medieval Azerbaijani literature. He was born in Shirvan and received a deep education in literature, philosophy, and the sciences of his time.

Khagani is especially known for his highly sophisticated style, rich metaphorical language, and philosophical depth. He gained fame as a master of the qasida genre, creating works that combined artistic refinement with moral and social reflection. His poetry often explores themes such as the fragility of human existence, injustice, spiritual struggle, and the search for truth.

Today, Khagani Shirvani is regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the medieval Islamic world, and his works continue to be studied for their artistic mastery and philosophical insight.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has lashed out at Bulawayo mayor David Coltart following criticism over his high-profile appearance alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Botswana leader Duma Boko at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2026.The exchange, which played out on social media, has reignited debate over Chivayo's proximity to political power and the optics of his role at official events.Coltart, a councillor for the Citizens Coalition for Change, described Chivayo's presence during the presidential tour of exhibition stands as "unedifying," questioning why Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi  both present at the trade fair  were not part of the entourage.He also criticised what he called the businessman's public display of wealth, saying it contrasted sharply with the hardships faced by ordinary Zimbabweans.In a strongly worded response, Chivayo dismissed the remarks as "nauseating and mischievous," and defended his presence as appropriate for a business-focused event."I am a businessman and philanthropist with vast interests across the continent there is absolutely nothing amiss for the two presidents to be accompanied by a businessman at a business trade fair," he said.He added that it was the president's prerogative to decide who accompanies him at official engagements.Chivayo also offered a procedural explanation, saying the presidium typically splits into multiple groups at large events such as ZITF to cover more ground.Turning the spotlight on Bulawayo's opposition-led council, Chivayo criticised the city's service delivery, particularly water provision, suggesting Coltart's comments reflected governance failures at the local level.He further accused the mayor of making "racist sensational claims," escalating the tone of the exchange.Chivayo's close association with the presidency has long drawn public attention. He has been linked to several lucrative government contracts and is known for high-profile philanthropic gestures, including donating ambulances to public hospitals.However, questions around the source of his wealth and the nature of his business interests continue to fuel public debate.The latest clash underscores growing political tensions as Zimbabwe navigates economic challenges and heightened scrutiny over governance and accountability, even at platforms meant to promote investment and trade.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Zambian ambassador to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba, has written to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing concern over what he describes as the "desecration" of the remains of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, whose body remains at the centre of a prolonged legal and family dispute nearly 11 months after his death.In the letter, Mwamba alleges that Lungu's body was removed from a Johannesburg funeral facility on 22 April 2026 by individuals identifying themselves as Zambian officials and members of the South African Police Service, citing a Gauteng High Court order that authorised repatriation of the remains to Zambia for a state funeral.He claims the removal was done without the consent of the Lungu family and despite ongoing legal proceedings, including an appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal and a separate application in the Randburg Magistrate's Court.Mwamba further alleges that the body was later taken to Tshwane Forensic Services in Pretoria, where a post-mortem examination was conducted without the presence or consent of the family, despite a subsequent court order instructing that the remains be returned to funeral custody.He argues that these actions violated court processes, cultural practices and the rights of the deceased's family, and accuses authorities of disregarding judicial instructions issued after the disputed removal.The Zambian government has maintained that it is pursuing a lawful state funeral process, while the family has insisted on its right to determine burial arrangements, creating an ongoing legal and diplomatic standoff.The matter has now escalated into a cross-border controversy, with Mwamba calling for clarification from the South African government over the handling of the former president's remains and the enforcement of court orders in the dispute.
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Advocate Felix Tapiwa Mhona has urged motorists to avoid speeding on newly constructed roads, warning that reckless driving is causing fatal accidents.Speaking at the official opening of the newly built 110metre Manyame River Bridge in Harare, Mhona said some motorists were becoming "overexcited" by the improved road network and were endangering lives through excessive speed."We are happy with the work being done under the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. As per our tradition, we are making our roads more accessible, but motorists are getting overexcited and causing fatal accidents. We are saddened," Mhona said.The minister also called on the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe to help curb the growing number of vendors operating along highways by ensuring fenced road boundaries."We are not happy with vendors who are mushrooming on highways. I think the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe should assist us by putting fencing boundaries along major roads," he added.The Manyame River Bridge, spanning 110 metres, forms part of one of Zimbabwes most commercially vital transport corridors, easing a longstanding bottleneck that had constrained the movement of goods and people between Harare and the southern border.On a route used by freight hauliers, commuters, crossborder traders and regional transit traffic, the dual carriageway and its new bridge represent a significant upgrade to the countrys transport infrastructure.Engineer Benjamin Bara, Piling Manager for Tensor, the contractor responsible for the project, said the foundation work alone broke new ground for Zimbabwean civil engineering, underscoring the technical ambition behind the structure.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe has reached a major mining milestone after the Arcadia Lithium Project recorded its first export of lithium sulphate, marking the country's - and Africa's - first production of a lithium salt.The development signals a decisive shift away from exporting raw lithium ore toward higher-value processing, in line with government policy introduced after the 2022 ban on unprocessed lithium exports. It strengthens Zimbabwe's push to integrate more deeply into the global battery and electric vehicle supply chain.The Arcadia project, operated by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe under Chinese firm Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, has transitioned from exporting spodumene concentrate to producing refined lithium chemicals locally. This move is expected to increase export earnings while deepening domestic industrial capacity.Officials and industry players view the milestone as evidence of Zimbabwe's growing role in the clean energy economy, with increasing investment flowing into downstream processing and mineral beneficiation.The export is being described as a turning point in the country's mining sector, reflecting a broader strategy to move from raw extraction to value-added production and to position Zimbabwe as a competitive supplier of processed battery minerals globally.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe is expected to benefit from a new US$3 billion facility announced by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aimed at strengthening intra-African fuel trade and reducing dependence on Middle Eastern supply chains.Afreximbank senior executive vice president Denys Denya said the bank is working with Dangote to develop a fuel tank farm at Walvis Bay in Namibia. The facility is expected to improve fuel distribution across Southern Africa, enabling countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana to access fuel shipments from Lagos in less than five days.The bank is also procuring around 550 fuel tankers to support regional road distribution and is exploring the development of a pipeline network linking Mozambique and Zambia, with possible extension into Zimbabwe. According to Denya, discussions are already underway with Zimbabwe's Mutapa Investment Fund and private sector stakeholders to expand the BeiraMsasa pipeline capacity as part of this broader infrastructure push.For Zimbabwe, which continues to face foreign currency constraints for fuel imports, the initiative could lower import costs and improve supply reliability by shortening logistics chains and reducing reliance on distant suppliers.Denya also warned that instability in the Middle East could strain global fuel markets, noting that Afreximbank's broader US$10 billion crisis-response programme is already being utilised by several East African countries and could see rapid uptake if disruptions persist.Beyond energy, the bank highlighted its wider African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda, including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, which allows cross-border trade in local currencies, and new financing tools designed to support industrialisation and export development.For Zimbabwe, these initiatives could ease pressure on foreign currency demand, reduce transaction costs for regional trade, and improve integration into African supply chains as the country seeks to strengthen its industrial and trade position within the continent.
News / National

by Staff reporter

London-based political analyst Dr. David Nyekorach Matsanga has criticised Zimbabwe's opposition, accusing it of engaging in what he terms "malicious compliance" in its resistance to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).In a letter addressed to British political figure Kate Hoey and other stakeholders, Matsanga argued that the opposition's approach to the proposed constitutional changes reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of constitutionalism.He claimed that by opposing both the process and the procedure of the amendment, opposition actors were undermining their own legal and political position."If Zimbabwe opposition opposes both the process and procedure, then they create what is called malicious compliance' in law," Matsanga said, framing the strategy as one that weakens legitimate constitutional objections.CAB3, which has sparked intense debate in Zimbabwe, is widely viewed as a controversial proposal with significant political implications, including potential changes linked to the tenure of Emmerson Mnangagwa.Matsanga drew parallels between historical and contemporary legal contexts, arguing that while past cases such as those of Socrates and Jesus Christ represented overtly politicised trials, modern constitutional disputes require a clearer distinction between legal process and procedural execution.He said the opposition's failure to clearly define whether it objects to the process or the procedure has led to what he described as speculative and ineffective resistance."The inability of the Zimbabwe opposition to effectively challenge, interpret and defend either the process or the procedure creates what is called malicious compliance'," he said.According to Matsanga, constitutionalism is inherently dynamic and requires nuanced engagement rather than blanket opposition. He argued that the current approach risks allowing "the appearance of illegality" to overshadow what he called the broader principles of democratic accountability.The remarks come at a time when debate around CAB3 continues to intensify, with critics warning of its potential impact on Zimbabwe's constitutional order, while supporters frame it as part of ongoing governance reforms.Matsanga has proposed a public meeting in London to further debate the issue, inviting stakeholders from the United Kingdom and beyond to engage in what he described as a necessary discussion on constitutional interpretation and political accountability.
News / National

by Staff reporter

MDC-T senator Sithembile Mlotshwa has blasted Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere for making efforts to buldoze the shoddy local government Bill into law with only the zeal to have Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni removed from the post just because he is from the opposition patty.Speaking in the senate when Kasukuwere tabled the bill for discussion, Mlotshwea said it is not a problem to look at the Constitution Chapter 146, the provision that gave the President to recall them from recess."When I look at this provision, it shows very well that the Executive does not take Parliament seriously because when they want to fast track whatever they want, they know they can recall us at any minute and we come and rubber stamp Bills like this one," she said."Madam President, I want to implore the Minister to avoid things that divide Zimbabwe. Things like this one divide Zimbabwe because when you go to the Bill of Rights, you will understand that if people speak about issues, if they are not happy about issues it means that the one that is appointed like the Minister should listen to what people are saying because there can never be stability in a country when people are opposed to what one individual wants to do.""We very well know that these clauses that are being put to amendment today by the Minister are clearly athe Manyenyeni must be fired clausesa. These are the Clauses. There is nothing else and the fast track is only because Manyenyeni must go according to the Minister. So it is a violation of our Constitution to have the Minister manipulating the laws and fast tracking sections in a Bill and amendments so as to carry forward on issue about one man in one town."She said it is very clear ngeSiNdebele kuthiwa, ucatsha ngomunwe meaning you are hiding using something that will not cover the whole body."Maybe you are only covering the eyes but people can easily identify the other parts of the body that it is you, so ukucatsha ngomunwe that is what it means. We know very well that the Minister here according to how he is pronouncing the benefits of the amendments, that he is now on the gear being the Political Commissar for the forthcoming 2018 elections," she said."It is very difficult to accept one person to have powers to detect whereas Zimbabwe has millions of people around who can do the job equally as well. If you look at the sections, it shows very well that all the other people are being ignored. I do not know when the other people are supposed to participate in the processes of the country."Mlotshwa said in other countries people are busy talking about improving participatory governance."We must improve that, show the democracy and evolve power so that other people sit and talk about the issues that affect them. If now the Bill is not talking about the Preamble, Chapter 14 where there is devolution and involvement of other people, then it only talks about the Minister suspending, the Minister appointing a Tribunal, the Minister doing this and that, when are other people going to participate?" Mlotshwa fumed."Really, I think that the Executive and Ministers are taking us as Members of Parliament too much for granted in that you see it because you can see that the other side is not even debating. Maybe they belong to the same party as the Ministers, so they do not want to debate. But I think if we are people, we should listen to each other, debate, differ and come up with something."
News / Regional

by Stephen Jakes

Mthwakazi Libetration Front has warned the government of Ziombabwe to never take tyhe issue of Gukurahundi which claimed the lives of more than 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands for granted but make efforts to resolve it while there is time.MLF spokesperson Ndabezinhle Fuyane said the suggestions by Zimbabwean Vice President Mnangagwa that the Gukurahundi victims need a proper reburial procession was a prudent idea if only was managed by people who meant it."The Zanu PF government should not take this issue for granted. People from Midlands and Matabeleland should not be taken for a ride by these traitors. It shall not go alone,remember that the atrocities not only happened but affected the region mentally and physically," he said."Some people were left orphans,some crippled,some homeless and above all many were left traumatized. It is therefore not enough for simply a proper and decent reburial procession to be done, but above all there should be an official apology to the region to show remorse over the atrocities."He said the world in general should know of this move."Let not Zanu PF come in a sheep skin to bribe the people of this region as if yikudla kwenkomo ensimini kamakhelwana, No! No! No! They now come seeking this people's votes in 2018. They pretend to have us in heart yet betraying this defenceless state. This is a clear sign of vote buying," he said."The issue has to be done professionally if ever it is a living thing. Mthwakazi people don't be fooled by such people. In case it's another strategy to attack this state,mind you the very perpetrators of those atrocities come back again in the name of proper reburial, who is going to identify those graves?"He said at first they publicly denied such inhumane acts and President Mugabe said it was a moment of madness."How dare they pretend to be sorrowful of their deliberate move. Who has bewitched this demonic Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe should not take people for granted. There should be a pathological exercise to link the victims to their members and the perpetrators should be identified, booked and taken for prosecution," he said ."It has to be meaningful and perpetrators should face the law. The memories are still living but its been some decades ago,then there should be an element of prosecution to that effect!!! Let the dry bones live again azilwele. The acts were just unjustified hence the need for the people of Mthwakazi to be wise and request for the proper administration of this. We are fed up," he said.
The head of the Sargsyan's "I have the Honor" faction in the Armenian Parliament, Hayk Mamidzhanyan, addressed the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the occasion of the beloved "holiday" of the Armenian people, celebrated on April 24.

Painting horrific pictures of the "genocide", Mamidzhanyan did not forget about the Armenians who voluntarily left the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The "long-suffering" Armenians allegedly faced ethnic cleansing again, so much so that as many as 60 people died on the way to Armenia. The Armenian revanchist used the word "perished", but in this case, of course, it was committed inappropriately. They die in war, fire, or earthquake. And during the departure of the Armenians from Azerbaijan, no natural disasters occurred, and the war had already ended.

Mamidzhanyan breaks the vulnerable hearts of PACE deputies by claiming that in our time, in the 21st century, Armenians "tried to escape from the Azerbaijani regime." Well, thanks to the tribesmen of this revanchist, both in the 20th and in the 21st century, the region had to see a lot of things that are beyond humanity.

Is there really nothing the whole PACE can do about Baku, which is "destroying" and "occupying" something there? - the Armenian MP is indignant. Of course, thank you for the fact that the Azerbaijani delegation was stripped of its mandate, but what next? "What is it?" he asks.

But really, what's next? What else can PACE do for the Armenians? When the lobby managed to rid the Assembly of Azerbaijan, the Armenians believed that this was the beginning of great things. That from now on, Armenian interests will take over the interests of Europe and everything will go smoothly. But two years have passed, during which the Diaspora and the revanchist circles of Armenia have not received any bonuses. There is nothing but moral satisfaction from contemplating Mamidzhanyan's head at the microphone with the heartwarming realization that there will be no response to the slander. There are no people in the room who could answer, and those who are not bribed will not give a voice in a structure where the majority is fed at the diaspora table.

So what Mamidzhanyan said is not just a traditional snotty complaint, but a concrete expression of his "fi". With his speech, he conveyed to the PACE deputies that the Armenians are dissatisfied with the way the Assembly is working off, let's say, Armenian bread.

It should be recalled that in January 2024, PACE deputies voted to deprive the Azerbaijani delegation of its mandate. In other words, our country has not been represented in the Parliament of the Council of Europe for two years. During this time, the Assembly has made a lot of completely unscrupulous decisions against a country that does not participate in its work. All these resolutions have disappeared into the environment. By the way, so are the resolutions of the structure of the European Union, the European Parliament, to which Azerbaijan has nothing to do at all.

#1713044##

The claims of the Armenians voiced by Mamidzhanyan are quite justified, considering how much the Diaspora spends on lobbying in European structures. Money, businesses, and career growth are what the diaspora offers for its anti-Azerbaijani efforts. But Armenians are no longer satisfied with just stamping resolutions. It finally realized that it had wasted millions. Today, it requires practical action from the lobby. And this is where the crisis begins, because PACE does not have any powers and tools for practical action.

And now it's time to talk about the 60 Armenians who allegedly died on their way to Armenia. Mamidzhanyan does not read the news well. The Investigative Committee of Armenia reported not 60, but as many as 64 "dead." According to the conclusion of the Armenian Investigative Committee announced two years ago, the Armenians who voluntarily left Karabakh allegedly found themselves in a huge traffic jam. Maybe. They didn't run on foot like the Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia, they rode in cars and buses. These people were going to cross the state border and could not leave without certain procedures. For the sake of the convenience of those leaving, the Azerbaijani side made these procedures much easier, which is why some war criminals managed to slip out of the country and evade responsibility in the general crowd.

The number 64 is inflated. It includes not only those who allegedly died of a heart attack on the Lachin road, but also those who died after reaching Armenia. In those days, such facts were reported on social media. People who left Karabakh died in Armenia for one reason or another, but they were recorded as "victims of ethnic cleansing."

So, allegedly because of the large number of vehicles, they moved towards the border for more than a day. According to the Armenian Investigative Committee, as much as 30 hours instead of one hour. Someone had a heart attack, someone's blood pressure jumped, and there wasn't enough medical care for everyone. It's sad, of course, but even in the city, an ambulance may not be able to get to the patient in time. The Armenian statements amount to the fact that a small road was allegedly blocked by "hundreds of thousands" of people who appeared out of nowhere. Is Azerbaijan to blame? No, it's the fault of those who organized such an Armenian departure, who forced people to leave in a hurry to start an international hysteria against Baku. The presence of Armenians in Karabakh did not allow the campaign to begin and they had to be moved as soon as possible. The Armenians did not really want to leave, and in order to bring them closer, a terrorist attack was staged at the fuel base, which claimed the lives of many people.

The Armenian Investigative Committee also cited food shortages as the causes of death in traffic jams. But, I'm sorry, they don't starve to death in a day and a half. Moreover, the Azerbaijani side organized the delivery of water and food on the route of the "exodus". Thanks to modern technology, this was happening in front of the whole world.

And anyway, what is 30 hours compared to 30 years of the tragedy of the Azerbaijani people? Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia had to walk for weeks through snow-covered mountain passes, fleeing from Armenian bandits. If PACE deputies and even Mamidzhanyan himself want to know what real ethnic cleansing and genocide are, then they won't have to go far for examples.

In the period from 1988 to 1989, 217 Azerbaijanis died in Armenia during ethnic cleansing. Of these, 49 people died of frostbite in the mountains, fleeing from the Armenians, 41 people were beaten to death, 35 died of torture, 115 were burned alive, 16 were shot, 10 people died of a heart attack, unable to withstand the torture, two were killed by doctors in an Armenian hospital. The rest were drowned, hanged, electrocuted, or decapitated. The disappearance of about 300,000 people from Armenia was explained to Thomas de Waal by Babayan, the second secretary of the Gafan district party committee, as follows: "they were afraid of something."

Ten days before the earthquake, a massacre took place in the Spitak district. Armed Armenians attacked buses with Azerbaijani refugees who were forcibly expelled from their places of residence and heading towards Azerbaijan. The convoy was fired upon by an Armenian gang led by a police officer. Peaceful Azerbaijanis who did not die from bullets suffered an even more terrible fate. 35 people were killed after being tortured, 41 people died from beatings, 11 people were burned alive, 2 Armenian bandits had their heads cut off, 3 people were drowned, 11 died as a result of electric shocks, and so on.

Did someone shoot at cars with Armenians leaving Karabakh? On the contrary, the Azerbaijani side did everything for their safety.

Apparently, when God was distributing conscience and gratitude, the Armenian nationalists were not around.
The United States is taking decisive action to disrupt Irans illicit oil trade, the Iranian regimes primary revenue stream that funds its terrorism and destabilizes the region.

The Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on a major, independent Chinese refinery and nearly 40 other targets  vessels and their respective owners or managers  that serve as critical lifelines for Irans oil exports. The United States maximum pressure campaign will hold Tehran accountable for its regional aggression and threats to American interests.

In particular, the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, has designated Luqing Petrochemical and its chief executive officer for purchasing and refining hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian crude oil. This includes oil from vessels linked to the Foreign Terrorist Organization, Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, and the Iranian Ministry of Defense of Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).

Luqing Petrochemical is known as a teapot refinery - small, privately owned oil refineries primarily located in Shandong province, China. It was designated for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. Chinese national Wang Xueqing serves as the chief executive officer and legal representative of Luqing Petrochemical and was designated for his dealings on behalf of Luqing Petrochemical.

Teapot refinery purchases of Iranian oil provide the primary economic lifeline for the Iranian regime, the worlds leading state sponsor of terror, said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

OFAC also imposed sanctions on 19 entities and vessels responsible for shipping millions of barrels of Iranian oil, comprising part of Irans shadow fleet of tankers supplying teapot refineries like Luqing Petrochemical.

This marks the fourth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since President Donald Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. These measures underscore the U.S. commitment to disrupting Irans ability to fund terrorism, support proxy forces, and threaten regional stability.

The United States remains focused on ensuring the Iranian regime cannot use illicit oil revenues to advance its malign agenda while the Iranian people continue to suffer from economic mismanagement and repression.

The United States, said Secretary Bessent, is committed to cutting off the revenue streams that enable Tehrans continued financing of terrorism and development of its nuclear program.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, docks at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

SANYA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- "Is this a 'boat that treats illnesses,' just like yours?" This question was asked by a four-year-old patient from Barbados, sitting in a pediatric consultation room, after receiving a paper boat as a gift from her Chinese doctor.

When she was told yes, she leaned in and gave the paper boat a kiss.

The consultation room where the girl was treated was set up aboard a visiting Chinese naval hospital ship that was in Barbados at that time to carry out an overseas medical mission.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, on Sunday returned home after completing the 234-day overseas medical mission, the longest deployment of its kind undertaken by the Chinese navy.

Codenamed "Mission Harmony-2025," the voyage began in September 2025 and took the ship to Nauru, Fiji, Tonga, Jamaica, Barbados and Papua New Guinea, where it delivered a wide range of free medical services to local communities.

Over the course of the mission, the team handled 26,324 outpatient visits and performed 2,724 surgical operations. In addition, 17,273 diagnostic tests and examinations were carried out, while 136 patients were given inpatient care.

The crew members also conducted medical exchanges during their stays in Brazil and Chile, and took part in joint maritime exercises with the navies of Fiji, Tonga and Brazil.

"Mission Harmony" is an overseas humanitarian medical service program organized by the Chinese navy since 2010. The previous 10 missions were carried out by the hospital ship Peace Ark. The latest mission, the 11th in the series, marked the first overseas deployment of Silk Road Ark.

As China's second domestically built 10,000-ton-class standard oceangoing hospital ship, Silk Road Ark is equipped with 14 clinical departments, seven auxiliary units and eight modern operating rooms, capable of performing more than 60 types of surgeries.

The vessel is also fitted with a ship-borne rescue helicopter, enabling rapid-response emergency operations.

The medical team was composed primarily of medical personnel from the PLA Southern Theater Command, along with members from other units and the Naval Medical University.

Onboard facilities supported a wide range of services, including general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and ophthalmology.

In Fiji, a local man sought treatment aboard the hospital ship after suffering from persistent abdominal pain. The Chinese medical team quickly arranged a colonoscopy, which confirmed a diagnosis of rectal cancer.

Chinese doctors then worked closely with local doctors and anesthesiologists to perform a complex mid-to-low rectal cancer surgery, which was successfully completed.

"Thank you, Chinese doctors!" the patient's family said in halting Chinese after the operation, expressing their gratitude.

Silk Road Ark delivered tangible benefits to the Fijian community, representing a welcome symbol of care, service and goodwill, according to Fiji's Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua.

In late October last year, Hurricane Melissa struck some coastal areas in Jamaica, causing casualties and significant property damage, while placing heavy strain on the country's healthcare system.

When Silk Road Ark visited the country in early December, it extended its stay and added service sites at the request of the Jamaican side, docking at three ports and providing 12 days of medical services to local residents.

This marked the first time a hospital ship under "Mission Harmony" had docked at multiple ports within a single country, as well as the longest period of medical service delivered in one country.

During its stay, the ship established a priority channel under a post-disaster medical relief plan, offering expedited services to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities.

Sometimes, medical staff worked from early morning until late at night.

"Of course you feel physically drained. By the end of the day, your legs are numb, your back aches, and you can barely find the energy to speak," said Wu Yanru, head nurse of an operating room. "But when you see the patients' grateful smiles after surgery and hear local doctors sincerely say that 'you've been a tremendous help,' the sense of fulfillment replaces all the exhaustion."

Earlier this month, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the hospital ship has brought hope to people in the countries it visited, leaving behind many touching stories and demonstrating China's commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The PLA Navy on Thursday celebrated its 77th founding anniversary. Over the years, its growing strength has become an important force for regional and global stability.

"In China, paper boats carry wishes as they drift into the distance." When the interpreter relayed these words to the young patients in Barbados, the children eagerly began sharing their wishes, one after another: "I hope my grandma's leg gets better soon." "I want to become a doctor, just like you, and help treat people."

Clutching a paper boat, a five-year-old patient said earnestly: "My wish is that you come back to Barbados again next year."

Crew members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, stand in formation as the ship docks at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, is docked at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

Crew members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, stand in formation as the ship docks at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 26, 2026 shows a welcoming ceremony held for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, is docked at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

Editor: ZAD
Customers shop at a duty-free shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

HAIKOU, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen years after China launched the offshore duty-free shopping policy in Hainan, its southernmost island province, customs authorities have supervised a cumulative 286.4 billion yuan (about 41.76 billion U.S. dollars) in offshore duty-free sales, involving 347 million items, according to local customs authorities.

Since its launch on April 20, 2011, the policy has undergone multiple rounds of adjustments and optimization. Today, Hainan hosts 12 offshore duty-free stores across the island.

A customer tries makeup at a duty-free shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Customers shop at a duty-free shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

An assistant packages a duty-free item for a customer at a duty-free shop in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Customers shop at a duty-free shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

A customer chooses duty-free items at a duty-free shop in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, March 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

A staff member carries duty-free items for customers at a duty-free shop in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Editor: ZAD
Tourists have fun at the Wansuishan Martial Arts City in Kaifeng, central China's Henan Province, April 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Ren Zhuoru)

*China has made nationwide reading a national strategy. To enhance institutional support, a regulation on promoting nationwide reading, which took effect in February, designates the fourth week of April as national reading week, observed for the first time this year.

*Many new media formats, including short videos and immersive plays, are fueling this wave of classic reading.

*Engaging in a dialogue with classics is akin to engaging in a dialogue with human nature. The reading of classics by successive generations ensures the inheritance and continuity of civilization.

Tourists interact with a character performer acting Lu Zhishen, a figure in "Outlaws of the Marsh," at the Wansuishan Martial Arts City in Kaifeng, central China's Henan Province, April 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Ren Zhuoru)

BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Wang Zixuan's fascination with classic Chinese novels has been sparked by a recent trip to a bustling theme park.

During his visit to Kaifeng in central China's Henan Province, the 10-year-old boy watched plays inspired by the Chinese classic "Outlaws of the Marsh." Afterward, he asked his mother to find him audio recordings to delve deeper into the story, and eventually, he lost himself in the print books.

"Every character in the book captivates me," Wang said. "Reading the book after school is the happiest moment of my day, and it allows me to learn about the society and history of that era."

The Wansuishan Martial Arts City is a Disney-style theme park that features many scenes and plays inspired by "Outlaws of the Marsh." Not far from its entrance stands a sculpture of the literary masterpiece written about 700 years ago.

In a nearby pub, a well-known scene of the classic novel was brought to life, as Lin Chong, one of the book's main characters, engaged in a spirited duel with another martial arts master, deftly wielding a stick as he moved with agility. The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

Wang's mom never expected that the trip could transform her child from a passive reader into a bookworm. But after watching the shows, she was impressed as well. "Incredible! They have perfectly recreated the iconic scenes from the original work."

Lin Chong, an official-turned-rebel, was portrayed by 25-year-old Zhao Yunze. "During the early rehearsals, the director told me repeatedly that I wasn't capturing the essence of the character. So I immersed myself in the book and watched the TV adaptation over and over again, delving deep into Lin's personality," he recalled.

A play inspired by "Outlaws of the Marsh" is staged at the Wansuishan Martial Arts City in Kaifeng, central China's Henan Province, April 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Ren Zhuoru)

In the theme park, there are over 100 such plays a day, catering to an enthusiastic audience. During the three-day Qingming Festival holiday earlier this month, a show depicting an epic siege in the novel attracted nearly 4,000 spectators per show. It was staged three times daily by over 100 actors, including 20 cavaliers.

It represents a new approach to inspire youngsters to read the sometimes obscure literary classics in the era of short videos. The Wansuishan park has become a social media sensation with vibrant live-action shows and bubbly character performers. Still, many visitors like Wang said such an "influencer hotspot" has nevertheless motivated them to dive into the original texts.

"Our programs aim to honor the original work while ensuring that audiences can easily grasp and connect with the story," said Yu Liuyi, director of the performances. "Our performance style is more like a cinematic presentation than a traditional stage play. And we enhance the visual impact with special effects like pyrotechnics."

More than 500 kilometers away from Kaifeng, another attraction in Langfang of north China's Hebei Province draws inspiration from yet another Chinese magnum opus and has amassed 14 million visits since its launch in 2023.

Named "Unique Dream of Red Mansion," this theater complex features 21 innovative plays, including those inspired by the seminal 18th-century book "A Dream of Red Mansions" and independent plays. In one theater, the audience members stand on a stage while characters from the book observe them from spectator seats as if gazing upon the afterlife, while in another show, many female figures in the novel confront the author over the cruel twists of fate he penned for them.

This photo taken on April 23, 2026 shows a performance staged at the "Unique Dream of Red Mansion" theater complex in Langfang, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Ren Liying)

Among the visitors on Tuesday were about 270 tenth-grade students from the Hua Chen School in the neighboring city of Tianjin, who are currently studying the novel that chronicles the rise and fall of an aristocratic Chinese family. Yang Zhuqing, 16, was visiting the theater complex for the second time.

"I used to find the book hard to comprehend, but the plays here helped me better understand the characters," she said. "Now we even playfully liken our classmates to characters from the book."

Han Shiyan, a Chinese-language teacher at the school, believes that the social atmosphere for reading classics is improving, noting that schools are encouraging students to read classic literature. She said that a dedicated class on the novel is held every two weeks, continuing for an entire semester.

Many new media formats, including short videos and immersive plays, are also fueling this wave of classic reading. Han said such content can spark interest, encouraging more children to pick up physical books. "Once they become interested in a certain story, they will probably explore the entire book," she said.

Wang Zuoquan, who is in charge of the "Unique Dream of Red Mansion" brand, told Xinhua that they have forged partnerships with more than 100 schools, resulting in approximately 150,000 visits from teachers and students.

He noted that one primary objective of this attraction is to ignite people's interest in the original work. "Through our performances, we plant a seed in the hearts of the audience. The director of the plays envisions these theaters as a starting point, encouraging audiences to open the book once again," he said.

This photo taken on April 23, 2026 shows a performance staged at the "Unique Dream of Red Mansion" theater complex in Langfang, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Ren Liying)

China has made nationwide reading a national strategy. In the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, it is stated that the country will further promote nationwide reading to build China into a nation of avid readers.

To enhance institutional support, a regulation on promoting nationwide reading, which took effect in February, designates the fourth week of April as national reading week, observed for the first time this year.

Hui Dong, an associate professor at the School of History and Culture at Henan University, agrees that performance-based attractions help with the reading trend, as they translate static texts into dynamic experiences, rendering ancient books more approachable and comprehensible to modern readers.

"This is mutual empowerment between tourism and literature," Hui said.

"Classics are those that transcend their times and touch upon universal human nature," said Wang Zuoquan. "Engaging in a dialogue with classics is akin to engaging in a dialogue with human nature. The reading of classics by successive generations ensures the inheritance and continuity of civilization."

At the end of a 65-minute play at the "Unique Dream of Red Mansion," characters from the original novel appeared on the stage to remind readers to go back to the original book.

Dowager Lady Jia, a pivotal character in "A Dream of Red Mansions," thanked the audience: "We have lived for 270 years (since the book was written). We will continue to be alive as long as you keep reading this book."

Editor: GSY
Agricultural producers, operating in areas where hostilities are possible or are currently underway, will be able to receive up to 40% compensation for the cost of domestically produced agricultural machinery and equipment, the press service of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council reported.

The business association recalled that the Cabinet of Ministers, by Resolution No. 443 of April 3, 2026, updated the procedure for using budget funds under this program. From now on, farms with at least 80% of their land located in frontline areas and registered there on the application date are eligible for 40% compensation. For other agricultural producers, the compensation rate remains unchanged at 25%.

"A separate resolution refines the approach to determining the Ukrainian component in equipment production. This should expand opportunities for domestic manufacturers and expand the range of equipment eligible for compensation," notes the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Councils clarification, which Interfax-Ukraine has obtained.

The 2026 state budget has allocated UAH 1.8 billion for the programs implementation. The Ministry of Economys official list already includes 14,425 items from 166 Ukrainian factories. To receive payments, farmers must select equipment from this list and submit an application through an authorized bank.
Ten people reported injured in massive overnight drone attack on Odesa in updated figures

Photo: Odesa Administration

Ten civilians have been reported injured in a nighttime Russian drone attack on Odesa in updated figures, Odesa Regional Military Administration head Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram.

"The night was extremely difficult. The enemy carried out a massive attack on residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure in Odesa.

Ten people sought medical assistance, including two children. The most damage was recorded in Prymorsky district, where residential buildings, a hotel and facilities in the city centre were struck. Most of the injured, including the children, were wounded there.

Khadjibeysky and Kyivsky districts were also hit. There the enemy struck residential apartment buildings, private housing and vehicles," Lysak wrote on Telegram.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Ukraines defence forces are improving fortifications and medical facility capabilities on the border with the self-proclaimed "Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic" on Moldovan territory and are ready to resist, the Western Operational Command said on Telegram Monday.

"Ukraines defence forces are ready for any scenario on the border with Transnistria. Fortifications are being improved, medical facility capabilities are being expanded, transport infrastructure is being maintained in proper condition Servicemen serving on the border with the unrecognized republic say that Russians will not be welcome here and will find themselves in a very difficult position if they attempt to cross the border," the Western OC said.

It was also noted that "the civilian population is also prepared to resist," without elaborating.

As reported, Moldovan President Maia Sandu visited Kyiv on April 26 and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Zelenskyy said they discussed security issues, cross-border cooperation, and their shared path toward European Union membership. He also stated his intention to "continue supporting Moldova on security matters, including those relating to the Transnistrian region."

The week before last, Moldova declared the commanders of the Russian military operational group illegally stationed in Transnistria persona non grata. On February 25, Moldovan President Maia Sandu stripped nine current or former officials from unrecognized Transnistria of citizenship, including former Transnistrian interior minister Ruslan Mova.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the first tranche from the unlocked EUR 90 billion reparation loan for Ukraine from the European Union will go toward the development of Ukrainian defense production.

"There is a decision on billions. This is [EUR] 90 billion. Some 45 billion is for 2026. We are talking about several tranches. Of course, we will direct the first tranche toward domestic production of Ukraines means of protection. And not only protection. That is, drones and miltech  this whole direction," he said at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Kyiv on Sunday.

Zelenskyy also noted that the second direction concerns energy. "The second story is energy. We talked about the fact that we need to protect everything we can in time, everything we are able to. This must be done to the maximum and prepare for winter. For this, in addition to local budgets, there is a part that we will be able to direct from the central budget. We have funding thanks to these tranches  90 billion," the president said.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine is counting on "several billion" euros that will be directed toward the economy, specifically for the protection of energy.

He noted that due to the delay in providing these funds, "we lost a little over these two months in terms of time and volume of production of the domestic product because we wanted to invest more money." "But now we will make up for it. And we are already at a good level of production  this is quite obvious," the president said.

The same, according to him, applies to the protection of energy. "I believe that we also lost one month. Of course, the restoration of the idea of energy complexes is underway in parallel, but serious sums from the first tranche of these 90 billion were not invested in energy protection. However, tasks have been set for everyone, and everyone will move very quickly," Zelenskyy added.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is proposing the Verkhovna Rada extend martial law and general mobilization by 90 days.

The corresponding draft laws on approval of presidential decrees "On extending martial law in Ukraine" (No. 15197) and "On extending the general mobilization period" (No. 15198) were registered in the Verkhovna Rada on Monday, the parliaments website reported.

Under the draft laws, martial law and general mobilization are proposed to be extended for 90 days from May 4, 2026.
Bakus emergence as a diplomatic hub is no coincidenceit reflects a deliberate long-term strategy.

Within the same week, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited Azerbaijan. During his press conference, Zelensky even suggested Baku as a potential venue for talks with Russia. Notably, Moscow did not dismiss the idea; Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov described Baku as an acceptable platform.

Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijanthree actors in a single diplomatic sentence. A few years ago, such convergence would have been difficult to imagine.

In todays increasingly fragmented global order, where states often align into opposing blocs, there are very few places that remain acceptable to all sides. Baku is becoming one of them.

This position is not accidental. Over the years, Azerbaijan has pursued a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy: supplying gas to Europe, maintaining functional relations with Russia, supporting Ukraine on humanitarian grounds, strengthening its alliance with Turkey, and avoiding confrontation with Iran. This approach has been consistent, measured, and largely free of ideological rhetoric.

What was once viewed as ambiguity is now proving to be strategic flexibility.

Historically, successful diplomatic platformssuch as Genevahave relied on neutrality and the absence of direct conflict with major actors. Baku is increasingly positioning itself in a similar role. The city has already hosted sensitive meetings involving Russia, the United States, Turkey, and Israel, reinforcing its image as a useful intermediary in complex geopolitical dialogues.

During this latest visit, Zelensky signed several agreements in Azerbaijan and held a one-on-one meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, further underlining the countrys growing diplomatic relevance. Meanwhile, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala chose Baku for his first non-EU foreign visit, sending another clear signal of Azerbaijans rising profile.

The transformation from a regional hotspot to an emerging diplomatic center is rare. Yet Baku appears to be steadily consolidating this role.
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2026/04/25

People's Deputy of Ukraine and European Solidarity party leader Petro Poroshenko spoke at the Youth Vision 2026 youth forum, organized with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Poroshenko Foundation, the European Solidarity website reported.

The event, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the All-Ukrainian Youth Organization Solidarna Molod, was attended by youth from various regions of Ukraine, as well as honorary guests  European Parliament member and YEPP head Sofia Kircher, IYDU head Eva Dogalova, and EDS head Francesco Sismondini.

"This platform for unity, discussion and networking was created by our Solidarna Molod, led by Dinara Habibullayeva. We were genuinely impressed when the number of applications exceeded 500 instead of the planned 200," Poroshenko said.

He stressed that populism is one of the greatest threats to the country's future. "Populism is when there are no difficult solutions, only simple ones. This is very dangerous. Because in reality we will have to work very hard," the politician said, urging young people to counter the phenomenon.

The politician emphasized that the priority task is winning the war and preserving the state. "What tasks face our team today, just as they face the state? To preserve the people and win. Second  to preserve the state and win. And third  to bring Ukraine into the European Union," he said.

According to him, EU integration requires adherence to the rule of law, judicial independence, democracy and freedom of speech. "There is no democracy when the opposition is banned from parliamentary diplomacy," the party leader added.

Petro and Maryna Poroshenko also presented a grant program for civil society projects.

"We support the best ideas, people and teams that are already changing Ukraine today and will become the driving force of post-war reconstruction," Poroshenko said.
Photo: https://t.me/osirskiy/

Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky met with Latvian National Armed Forces commander, Major General Kaspars Pudans and informed his counterpart that Ukraines defence forces are choosing an asymmetric strategy over a war of attrition model.

"In conditions where the enemy has greater resources in equipment, weaponry and personnel, Ukraines defence forces are choosing an asymmetric strategy over a war of attrition model," Syrsky wrote on Facebook.

The commander-in-chief stressed that "the key tasks are to make every step of the enemy as costly as possible, to destroy the enemy, to restrain its advance, to strike rear areas, including military-industrial complex facilities deep inside the Russian Federations territory using Deep Strike capabilities, and to protect Ukraines airspace."

He also thanked the Latvian government and people for their consistent support and significant political, financial and military assistance to Ukraine.

"We highly value Latvias significant contribution to the implementation of the Ukraine Priority Requirements List (PURL) program. I separately expressed gratitude for Latvias leading role in the Drone Coalition, as well as its active participation in the IT Coalition in support of Ukraine," he wrote.

For this reason, the commander-in-chief said, "the continuation of effective support for Ukraine by partner states is critically important. We count on further cooperation in the interests of peace and security of all of united Europe."
Photo: https://kyiv.klichko.org/

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko will attend the 12th Bloomberg CityLab  the worlds leading cities summit, to be held April 27-29 in Madrid and organized by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute.

"This years summit will discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on city economies, labour markets and municipal governance. Key topics will also include resolving the urban housing crisis and restoring public trust in an era of polarization. For Kyiv, participation in such an event is an opportunity to present the Ukrainian capital at one of the most authoritative international platforms, draw the global communitys attention to the challenges facing Ukraines capital in wartime, and strengthen cooperation with partner cities and international institutions," the Kyiv city mayors website reported Monday.

The summit will be attended by the mayors of Madrid, London, Barcelona, Warsaw, Baltimore and San Antonio, as well as former New York mayor and Bloomberg founder Michael Bloomberg, European Investment Bank President Nadia Calvino, and Aspen Institute President Daniel Porterfield.
Photo: State Emergency Service

The death toll from bad weather in Ukraine has reached three, with eight people injured, Interior Minister of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko said.

"Squall winds caused the most destruction in Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytsky and Kyiv regions. Overall, more than 700 settlements in 19 regions are currently without power. Roofs of dozens of residential buildings and municipal facilities, educational institutions and vehicles have been damaged. Unfortunately, three people have been killed  in Zaporizhia, Zakarpattia and Cherkasy regions Eight people have been injured as a result of the bad weather, including a child," Klymenko wrote on Telegram Monday.

According to him, squall winds in Zaporizhia damaged the roof of a concert hall building during a performers show. Rescuers promptly dismantled the damaged structures and ensured the safety of the audience.

Klymenko said Interior Ministry units have been continuing to deal with the aftermath of the bad weather since yesterday. In particular, State Emergency Service rescuers made more than 400 callouts the previous day, sawing trees, dismantling hazardous structures and assisting victims. Police stepped up patrols to ensure traffic flow at sites where trees and structures had fallen.

"Restoration work will continue today. Our services are not only clearing hazardous structures but also assisting energy workers. Wind gusts will also be observed across most of the country today. A level one danger warning, yellow, has been declared. We urge citizens to be cautious!" the minister added.

The State Emergency Service earlier reported two fatalities and two injured, including a child, due to bad weather in various Ukrainian regions on Sunday. According to the agency, 1,121 settlements were without power the previous day. Rescuers dealt with the aftermath of the bad weather in 13 regions.
Russia launched around 1,900 strike drones, nearly 1,400 guided aerial bombs and around 60 missiles of various types against Ukraine over the past week, with air defence shooting down over 90% of the drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Over the past week, Russia launched around 1,900 strike drones, nearly 1,400 guided aerial bombs and around 60 missiles of various types against Ukraine. This underscores how timely the partners new contributions to the PURL program are, as well as the approval of the EUs 20th sanctions package and the European support package of 90 billion euros in Cyprus," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram Monday.

He thanked all partners providing assistance.

"Our air defence system is already showing a very high drone interception rate  over 90%. And we need to work to ensure this rate continues to grow, and not only in intercepting drones but also ballistic missiles. Every additional delivery of air defence missiles means saved lives, better protected cities and critical infrastructure," the president said.
Russians are continuing their strategic offensive to seize the Pokrovsk agglomeration in the area of responsibility of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Airborne Assault Troops, the corps press service said.

"Sustaining losses, the enemy is focused on restoring offensive capabilities and continuously replenishing personnel," the Telegram post said.

Ukraines defence forces are currently holding positions on the northern outskirts of Pokrovsk. In the southeastern part of the city, the enemy is attempting to mass heavy equipment, including artillery and tanks. Ukrainian forces are detecting and engaging enemy equipment with fire. Work to detect and destroy enemy command posts and drone operator positions is also ongoing.

In addition, Russia continues to press on Hryshyne, attempting to gain a foothold in the western part of the settlement. The enemy is operating in small groups through fields and forest belts, intending to advance toward the outskirts of Vasylivka and Novooleksandrivka.

"At the same time, the enemys assault activity is accompanied by systemic logistics problems, including with food and medical supply," the corps said.
The digital infrastructure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine operates in a mode of constant readiness to repel attacks, and the resilience of the systems is based on a comprehensive approach, emphasizes Maksym Khimchenko, director of the SE Infotech.

"Speaking about cybersecurity in war conditions requires a very balanced approach. Any excessive detailing is a hint for Russia. Therefore, I will be concise: the ministrys digital infrastructure today operates in a mode of constant readiness to repel attacks," Khimchenko said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

The resilience of the systems, according to him, is based on a balanced approach.

"We use all standard global practices: multi-level data redundancy, distributed infrastructure, and constant monitoring of anomalies," Khimchenko specified.

The director of Infotech added: "But the main thing is dynamism. We didnt just build a defense and settle downwe adapt our protocols daily to new types of threats. Our security is not a state; it is a continuous process of updates and verification."

Khimchenko also noted that SE Infotech constantly exchanges experience and information about threats with the cyber units of the National Police, the State Special Communications Service, and other relevant structures.

"Cyberspace during war is a common front," he emphasized.

Speaking about the advisability of moving toward a unified digital infrastructure for the state, Khimchenko noted that this is a debatable issue.

"On one hand, unification of standards and centralization of resources provides huge savings and speed of development. On the other hand, in war conditions, the decentralization of critical nodes is the guarantee of the overall resilience of the system," the SE director explained.

In the context of international cooperation and world interest in Ukrainian developments, Khimchenko noted: "We are adopting experience and standards, but at the same time, we see a growing interest in Ukrainian solutions and practices."

According to him, Infotech interacts with international partners, including DT4UA, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM), and other organizations within the framework of individual projects.

"At the same time, the situation no longer looks like we are catching up. Ukraine, especially in war conditions, creates unique digital solutions that many countries simply did not have a need for. And now we see growing interest in our experiencespecifically as practical, rather than theoretical," Khimchenko concluded.

SE INFOTECH is the operator and developer of ministrys digital systems, ensuring their creation, operation, and support 24/7.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine/www.president.gov.ua

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced Polands cooperation with Ukraine aimed at creating a modern drone army, Interia Wydarzenia reports.

"I am proud that today, together with you, I can open this new chapter in the development of Polish security, and I am proud that our partner in this project is a country that has the greatest experience in what decides fate in the air today," Tusk said at the "Road to URC" conference in Rzeszow, where he met with Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

He emphasized that during the conflict currently taking place, it was Ukraine that proved to be a partner for countries wishing to protect their airspace.

The Polish drone army, Tusk noted, should be a support for both the country and its allies. The goal is "to make this consequence of the war, unexpected for Russia, a factual leap over an entire technological era."

"Poland must have an armada of drones so that we can not only help Ukraine today but also say with full confidence to Polish women and men: we are safe. We are safe also thanks to such initiatives as the one taking place in Rzeszow today," he said.
Photo: Creative Commons BY 4.0.

The European Commission expects that the EU Council will in the near future make a decision on the official opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraines accession to the EU.

European Commission Spokesperson for Enlargement Guillaume Mercier said this at a briefing in Brussels on Monday.

"When it comes to the calendar, we, the Commission, have done everything possible from the technical side. We have sent all the documents to the Council, so the Council, that is, the EU member states, can now open the first cluster as soon as they wish. So the calendar is not in our hands. For our part, we will continue to support the member states and Ukraine in this process, and we expect them to move forward quickly," he said.

Mercier emphasized that when it comes to Ukraines accession, the European Commission has "clearly stated many times" that "Ukraine has done everything necessary for the actual opening of the first cluster and other clusters."

"Ukraine has moved forward in key reforms despite a very difficult context, and we have seen extremely important progress. This has already been emphasized in the enlargement report we published last year, and we have repeated this several times. Even the President of the European Commission in Cyprus (where an informal meeting of the European Council took place) last week also emphasized this," the EC spokesperson added.

As is known, as of today, all six negotiation clusters are open at the technical level due to blocking by current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. At the same time, with the change of power in Budapest, which will take place in the coming days due to Orbans loss and the victory of opposition figure Peter Magyar, Brussels hopes that the situation will change in Ukraines favor and negotiations will be opened at the official level.

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, whose country holds the EU presidency, stated this on April 23 before the start of the informal summit. "I can say that as the presiding country, we have completed all the preparatory work, and if the appropriate political conditions are met, we are ready to open the (negotiation) clusters," he said.
Photo: t.me/svyrydenkoy

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko has met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Rzeszow.

"The Ukrainian-Polish cooperation has a busy agenda. We focused primarily on defense, energy, bilateral trade, and the development of border and logistics infrastructure. We expect to sign an agreement on control at joint checkpoints and resolve technical issues related to the registration of Ukrainian carriers in the SENT/RMPD system soon," Svyrydenko wrote on her Telegram channel following the meeting.

The parties also discussed strengthening cooperation between energy companies Naftogaz and ORLEN, as well as the participation of Polish companies in privatization processes in Ukraine.

"I thanked the Prime Minister for his personal contribution to unblocking the 20th sanctions package and the EUR 90 billion EU loan. It is important for us that the first part of it arrives in the near future to support our defense capability and budget needs. We also expect the fastest possible start of negotiations on all clusters in the context of Ukraines EU membership," Svyrydenko added.

She also thanked Poland for preparing this years Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk and invited Tusk to participate in the Fourth International Summit of Cities and Regions, which will take place in Kyiv in May, ahead of URC 2026.
Digital tools help bridge reading gap for rural Chinese children

Xinhua) 08:15, April 27, 2026

Students interact with an AI-powered assistant known as "Qian Xiaowa" during a Chinese class at Qixi Township Central School in Kaihua County, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 17, 2026. (Xinhua)

HANGZHOU, April 26 (Xinhua) -- In a reading corner at Qixi Township Central School in Kaihua County, a mountainous area in east China's Zhejiang Province, students sit with tablet computers, absorbed in stories as soft notification chimes mix with the sound of reading aloud.

Through smart devices and mobile networks, these children interact with an AI-powered assistant known as "Qian Xiaowa," which helps them read classics and recite poems, and recommends materials tailored to their abilities and interests.

"There are so many books and picture stories on the tablet that I had never read before," said Wang Xiaoxiao, a 10-year-old fourth grader. "With a tap, I can hear standard pronunciation, whether it's English stories or Chinese texts."

This scene reflects a broader push to narrow China's urban-rural reading gap via technology.

Qixi school sits at the source of the Qiantang River, where the borders of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi provinces meet. Most of its students are "left-behind children" raised by grandparents while their parents work elsewhere.

For years, the school's library held only a few hundred books, many of them outdated or inappropriate for young readers, said Wang Wenhui, a teacher at the school.

Change began about six months ago with a pilot program aimed at digitally empowering small rural schools across the province. Launched in November 2025, the initiative has provided smart terminals to schools with fewer than 100 students. At Qixi, pupils in grades four to six now have access to such devices.

"Digitalization mainly addresses the shortage of reading resources and the difficulty of access," Wang said. "With these tools, we can focus more on curating materials and offering personalized guidance, encouraging children to read more, read better and complete entire books. About half of the students at the school have developed a daily reading habit," she added.

Similar changes are underway elsewhere in Zhejiang and across China. In Putuo District of Zhoushan, an archipelago with more than 40 inhabited islands in Zhejiang, schools on outlying islands account for about one-third of all local primary and secondary schools and are mostly small ones with limited collections of books.

A digital platform now allows books to be borrowed and returned across libraries, with borrowed books delivered to students within two to three days.

In the southwestern mountainous province of Guizhou, meanwhile, a digital platform offers more than one million e-books, 10,000 digital journals, 36,000 video lectures and 1.5 million audiobooks. Readers in both urban and rural areas can access the same resources via computers or smartphones.

In Daguan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, the local library has introduced children's e-reading devices and digital services, offering 60,000 e-books and 4,000 periodicals free of charge.

Official data also point to rapid growth in digital reading. By the end of 2025, China had 70.56 million digital reading works, up 11.87 percent year on year, while the digital reading rate among minors reached 75.9 percent, an increase of 0.8 percentage points from a year earlier, according to a national survey.

Policy support is expected to underpin the trend further. The year 2026 marks the first year of implementation of a regulation to promote reading among the public, which took effect in February, mandating the creation of rural reading plans and promoting equal access to basic public cultural services in cities and the countryside.

The regulation designates the fourth week of April each year as national reading week, which is being observed for the first time this year.

"Digital technology means rural children are no longer cut off from quality books because of geography," said Wu Xiangyu, an expert from Zhejiang Normal University. "By leveraging digital tools, China is guaranteeing access to reading as a basic public cultural service, helping boost rural revitalization and open a wider world of knowledge to rural children."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan has been commended for expanding its border processing capacity during the ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to remarks by Iranian officials, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking after inspecting the Bilasuvar border customs post, Forud Asgari, Irans Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade and Director General of the countrys Customs Administration, praised Azerbaijans role in maintaining stable cross-border operations during a period of heightened geopolitical strain.

Asgari noted that cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan at their shared border remains at a satisfactory level. Despite the outbreak of hostilities, no disruptions were recorded at border crossing points, he said, emphasizing that neighboring countries had demonstrated a high degree of coordination.

He also outlined plans to expand export, import, and transit capacity at the Bilasuvar crossing. Owing to its strategic proximity to Central Asian markets, the facility is set to be upgraded to the status of a main customs directorate, with a dedicated budget allocation to support its enhanced role.

According to Asgari, additional authority has been granted to the Bilasuvar customs post to streamline cargo clearance procedures and improve conditions for business operators. These reforms are expected to boost the appeal of the ArdabilBilasuvar Free Trade Zone, positioning it among the countrys more dynamic economic hubs. Iran hopes the crossing will play a key role in supplying raw materials to its industrial sector and facilitating the import of essential goods.

The developments come against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. Following a lack of progress in negotiations over Irans nuclear program, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran targeted Israeli territory and U.S. assets in the region with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A temporary two-week ceasefire was brokered on April 7 through mediation by Pakistan. However, subsequent talks held in Islamabad on April 11 between the United States and Iran failed to yield a breakthrough.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire, stating it would remain in effect until Iran formally presents its proposal and negotiations reach a definitive conclusion.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Russian forces resume their offensive toward Kupiansk in Kharkiv region, while the offensive in Sumy region stops and the one in Donetsk region slows significantly, according to DeepState OSINT project maps.

In total, Russia seizes 31.35 sq km of Ukrainian territory from April 20 to 26. This slightly trails the week before last, when Russia increased the occupied area by 35.58 sq km.

Russia achieves its greatest success in the Huliaipole direction, where it seizes 12.15 sq km near the village of Myrne at the start of the week, partly by consolidating positions in the penetration zone, which decreased by 5.84 sq km. However, no Russian advances occur there after mid-week.

Meanwhile, Russia resumes its offensive mid-week and seizes 9.83 sq km in the Kupiansk direction, after failing to advance there at all the week before last. The penetration zone there increases by 5.1 sq km.

On the Donetsk fronts, Russia seizes 9.37 sq km over the past week, 1.5 times less than the week before last (14.64 sq km). At the beginning of the week, Russia advances significantly in the Siversk direction toward Slovyansk but stalls mid-week; however, it records a small advance toward Kostiantynivka at the end of the week. Numerous minor Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction also occur throughout the week.

The penetration zone in all directions of the region increases by 7.51 sq km. All other directions remain unchanged.

Thus, according to DeepState data, the total area of occupied Ukrainian territory increases by 31.35 sq km during the week, while the penetration zone grows by another 12.2 sq km. Russia advances by an average of 4.5 sq km per day, and the penetration zone grows by an average of 1.7 sq km per day. The week before last, Russia advanced by an average of 5.1 sq km per day.

In the final months of 2025, the average growth of the Russian-occupied area fluctuated between 8 and 14 sq km per day. This rate began to decline in late January. In mid-February, Ukrainian Forces began gradually pushing Russia back in the Oleksandrivka direction in Dnipropetrovsk and adjacent areas of Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions for two weeks. In the last week of February, the total occupied area decreased for the first time since 2022. The growth of the Russian-occupied area resumed in March, but at a slower pace.
The Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine, together with National Police investigators and law enforcement officers from several states, conducted an international operation to expose a network preparing contract killings and sabotage in the EU for Russian intelligence, the Prosecutor Generals Office has said.

"The preparation of serious crimes in EU countries has been stopped. The perpetrators, intermediaries, and coordinators who organized and financed the activities have been identified," according to a statement on Telegram on Monday.

According to the investigation, starting in August 2024, Russian intelligence representatives arranged the preparation of crimes in EU countries through controlled individuals. In total, dozens of people from various states were involved, and operations covered at least several European countries.

Law enforcement officers established that network members acted as observers, intermediaries, and perpetrators, and provided financing and logistics. Funds were transferred through controlled channels using forged documents to disguise their origin.

As part of the operation, detentions and searches were carried out in EU countries.

The investigation established that "contract killings were being prepared in Lithuanianetwork members monitored potential victims, collecting data on their place of residence, routes, and daily routine."

Currently, the murder attempt in Lithuania has been thwarted: some participants have been detained, including one directly during the preparation of an attack. Thirteen people have been served with notices of suspicion: nine have been detained, and European arrest warrants have been issued for four others.

In addition to Lithuania, the network operated in other EU countries: it collected data on military facilities and equipment for Ukraine, prepared provocations, arson of infrastructure, and carried out sabotage at a military enterprise. Besides the EU, the possibility of violent actions on Ukrainian territory was also considered.
Ukraine reserves right to full range of responses if Russian vessel with stolen grain unloads in Israel  media

If the vessel Panormitis, which carries wheat stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories, enters the port of Haifa and unloads its cargo, it will trigger a crisis in relations between Ukraine and Israel, Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported on X, citing a high-ranking Ukrainian diplomatic source.

"If this vessel and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to engage the full range of diplomatic and international legal responses," the Ukrainian diplomatic source stated.

According to the source, Israel has ignored and continues to ignore Ukraines requests regarding a previous vessel that unloaded wheat Russia stole from the occupied territories of Ukraine.

"We are monitoring this new vessel and will not let this pass; if it is allowed to dock and unload, it will have consequences, especially for our bilateral relations. This feels like a slap in the face given the goodwill Ukraine has shown toward Israel: from designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization to condemning anti-Semitism. It should be beneath Israels dignity to profit from stolen property," the source added.
Photo: https://t.me/ministry_of_defense_ua/12554

Local councils in Ukraines regions will introduce deputy heads for defense issues. Active-duty military personnel seconded by the Ministry of Defense will fill these positions, the ministrys press service reports.

"This is necessary so that civilian authorities and the military work more harmoniously, and security decisions are made faster," the Ministry of Defense emphasized.

It is noted that these deputy heads for defense will become part of the national resistance system that Ukraine is developing during the full-scale war.
Photo: General Staff

During Sunday, April 26, and the night of April 27, units of the Ukrainian Forces launched a series of strikes on Russian objects in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said.

"In particular, an ammunition depot and an enemy command and observation post were hit in the area of the settlement of Selydove (occupied Donetsk region). A Tornado-S multiple launch-rocket-system was hit in Melitopol (occupied Zaporizhia region). The degree of damage is being clarified," a report on the Telegram channel says.

UAV control points were also hit in the areas of Malynivka (Donetsk region) and Huliaipole in Zaporizhia.

In the area of the settlement of Mykolaivka (Zaporizhia region), a repair unit was struck.

"Enemy losses and the scale of the damage are being clarified. The Ukrainian Forces will continue to take measures to reduce the combat potential of the Russian forces," the General Staff concluded.
Based on evidence from the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a court sentences a fire corrector to 15 years in prison for helping Russia shell Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in Donetsk region.

"The investigation established that the perpetrator corrected Russian strikes on the region under the guise of delivering bread to retail outlets in frontline settlements. She primarily sought to scout the locations of reserve command posts, logistics warehouses, and defensive strongpoints of Ukrainian troops in the Kramatorsk direction. SBU officers documented the agents crimes and detained her in the district center following a reconnaissance mission. Simultaneously, comprehensive measures secured the locations of Donetsk region defenders within the zone of Russian spying activity," the SBU said on its Telegram channel.

During searches, officers seized a smartphone used to photograph military objects, mark their geolocations on Google Maps, and coordinate actions with an FSB handler.

The investigation finds that the Russian intelligence service recruited a local resident to correct strikes.

"She drew the attention of Russia by posting anti-Ukrainian comments in Telegram chats. After recruitment, the traitor used commercial trips throughout the region to direct strikes against the Ukrainian Forces, primarily using guided aerial bombs," the SBU noted.

Based on SBU materials, the court finds the agent guilty under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

The SBU Main Directorate in Donetsk and Luhansk regions conducted the investigation under the procedural guidance of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutors Office.
A young man jumped from the roof of the destroyed regional military administration building on Admiralska Street in Mykolaiv at approximately 12:50 pm on Monday, April 27.

"A tragedy occurred today  a guy jumped from the destroyed regional council (military administration) building. Police are currently establishing all the circumstances of the tragic event and the identity of the deceased," Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Head Vitaliy Kim said on Telegram.

Police officers from Mykolaiv regional department No. 1, forensics experts from the regional police headquarters, and a forensic medical expert are working at the scene, the Mykolaiv region police press service said.

Law enforcement officers preliminarily qualified the event under Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional homicide) with the note "suicide," as required by procedure in such cases, the police said.
State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine and Latvian partners launched a project to create living memorials in the EU, planting 2,000 pines in Latvia to honor nearly 200 fallen Ukrainian foresters, the state enterprises press service said on Facebook on Monday.

"Memory of the fallen must transform into the worlds resolve to stop Russia," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during the Four Freedoms Award 2026 ceremony.

The event in Talsi Municipality near Kamparkalns marked the first international expansion of the Forests of Memory project, which has already seen nearly 50 memorial groves planted in Ukraine. Participants installed a commemorative sign and planted trees in honor of Ukrainian heroes at the Latvian site on April 23.

"Today here, on Latvian soil, we are creating a living monument to Ukrainian foresters who defended their Motherland with weapons in hand. These trees will remind everyone of the courage of the Ukrainian people and the price paid for independence," Latvian Forest Certification Council Chairman Maris Liopa said.

The Latvian Ministry of Agriculture, the Latvian Forest Certification Council, and companies Latvijas valsts mezi and Latvijas Finieris organized the event.

Forests of Ukraine predicts that similar memorial forests will appear in other EU countries this year to strengthen international support and honor the feat of Ukrainian soldiers.

Additionally, Latvian volunteers delivered another batch of aid to the Ukrainian Forces on April 19, including seven buses, two of which are microbuses for units where foresters from Volyn and Rivne regions serve.
Photo: Anadolu Agency

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that Ukraine might have to accept that part of its territory could remain outside Kyivs control as part of a future peace agreement with Russia, linking such concessions to the countrys prospects for joining the European Union, Reuters reported.

"At some point, Ukraine will sign a ceasefire agreement; at some point, hopefully, a peace treaty with Russia. Then it may be that part of Ukraines territory is no longer Ukrainian," Merz said at the Carolus-Magnus-Gymnasium in Marsberg, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, on Monday.

He said if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to communicate this to the Ukrainian people and gain their support, including potentially through a referendum, he should at the same time tell them that he had opened the path to Europe for them.

At the same time, Merz cautioned against overly optimistic expectations regarding rapid EU accession, noting that Ukraine cannot join the bloc during wartime and must first meet strict criteria, including on the rule of law and anti-corruption.

He said that Zelenskys idea of joining the EU on January 1, 2027 would not work, and that even January 1, 2028 was unrealistic.

Merz also proposed interim steps, such as granting Ukraine observer status in EU institutions, which he said had received broad support among European leaders at last weeks summit in Cyprus, attended by Zelenskyy.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has clarified the results of strikes on oil refineries in Tuapse and Yaroslavl on Russian territory.

"Thus, as a result of the strike on April 26, 2026 against the occupiers oil refinery in the city of Yaroslavl (Russia), damage to a vacuum oil distillation unit has been confirmed," the General Staff said on Telegram.

According to the military, it has also been confirmed that 24 tanks were destroyed and four damaged as a result of the April 20, 2026 strike in the area of the Tuapse refinery in Russias Krasnodar territory.
Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has extended congratulations to the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the occasion of its National Day, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a post on the Ministrys official X social media account, Azerbaijan conveyed its best wishes to the Dutch government and people.

On the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we extend our congratulations to the Government and people of the Netherlands."
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to Ukraine Victor Chirila (left) and head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine Orest Mandziy. April 27, 2026 | Photo: State Customs Service of Ukraine

Head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine Orest Mandziy and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to Ukraine Victor Chirila agreed during a working meeting to continue efforts toward introducing joint customs control directly on buses during passenger transportation.

According to a statement posted by the State Customs Service on Telegram, the initiative to carry out joint control of goods and citizens belongings during scheduled bus services would significantly speed up border crossing procedures. This is especially relevant given that Chisinau Airport is currently the closest airport to Ukraine.

"The customs authorities of our countries are already implementing a number of projects to ensure the steady operation of checkpoints, organize joint control, and automate information exchange. Our meeting is another step toward accelerating our common customs future in the European Union," the publication said, citing Mandziy.

The sides also discussed the issue of de-shadowing international trade, continuing the exchange of preliminary customs information, and the future mutual recognition of authorized economic operators.

Following the discussion, the participants agreed to hold a future meeting of the heads of the customs administrations of Ukraine and Moldova to coordinate measures aimed at optimizing cross-border traffic, taking into account the modernization of checkpoint infrastructure, ensuring software compatibility, as well as the use of e-TIR procedures under the TIR Convention and common transit.
Ukraine is actively seeking ways to secure anti-ballistic systems and other missile defense assets, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"The war in Iran is significantly complicating the supply of interceptor missiles. There is personal responsibility on the part of our diplomats, our military command in their respective areas, and all involved government officials for fulfilling the promises that partners have already made. Over the past week, we received three contributions to the PURL program from three European countries. I want to thank them for this. There should be additional contributions in May, and I expect information from Ukrainian ambassadors on how they are working to secure them," he said in his regular televised address.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine must have its own missile defense system.

"We are also working on alternatives. In the long term, strategically, Ukraine must have its own anti-ballistic system  either our own or together with those partners, strong partners, who are truly ready to work and who understand what kind of challenge this is. Russia is not slowing down its military industry  only we are slowing it down with our Ukrainian long-range sanctions. We are also actively working with partners so that they, by all possible means, cut off supplies of components and machine tools for weapons production in Russia. But strategically, this must be the task - our own anti-ballistic system," Zelenskyy said.

The president said the result of Ukraine's defense development should be its own range of key weapons and the relevant joint production and joint programs with partners.
For there to be peace in Europe and for Russia to stop, Ukraine must have worthy terms  Zelenskyy

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that for there to be a long and stable peace in Europe, worthy terms for Ukraine must be ensured in every significant security aspect.

"It is important for all partners not to forget that Ukraine is defending not only itself in this war, and especially for Europe. Russia wants our territory so that it can also seize the territories of others. If it succeeds with one state, with one neighbor, it will do the same with others. This is how Russia has moved: a piece of Moldova, parts of Georgia, the seizure of Crimea and the occupation of Donetsk, the subjugation of Belarus. Then a full-scale war against Ukraine," the president said in a televised address.

Zelenskyy said this could be stopped only by real strength and real principled positions from all partners.

"That is exactly what matters  principled positions. This concerns America, the G7 countries and European countries. For there to be real peace in Europe and for Russia to stop, there must be worthy terms for Ukraine, respect for Ukraine. In every significant security aspect: sovereignty, Ukraine's territorial integrity, security guarantees, accession to the European Union, and real reconstruction of our country after the war. We are working for a worthy peace," he said.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

Bucha community has received four modern buses  three for regular routes and one "bus of resilience," Kyiv Regional State Administration head Mykola Kalashnyk has said.

"This is part of the large-scale support that Kyiv region has received from our French partners  Ile-de-France region. The first buses are already operating in communities across the region, and today we are strengthening the transport system of Bucha community. It is important that this transport is inclusive. The buses are equipped for the convenience of people with disabilities, parents with strollers and everyone who needs barrier-free conditions. They will operate within the community and will be free for all residents, so that everyone has access to quality and convenient transport," Kalashnyk said in a Facebook post.

Kalashnyk separately described the "bus of resilience."

"It is a mobile support point that can quickly arrive where people need help in emergency situations. Inside there is autonomous power supply, heat, communications, the ability to charge phones, get hot drinks and basic support," he said.

The regional administration's head thanked partners from Ile-de-France for the important assistance.
A posthumous psychological and psychiatric examination of the man who shot people in Kyiv on April 18 will be conducted as part of the investigation, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"As for his [the shooter's] condition, there will be a posthumous psychological and psychiatric examination, which should provide the answer," the minister told journalists in Kyiv on Monday.

At the same time, Klymenko added that judging by how the shooter acted and what he said, as well as by the information released by the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO), it could be assumed that the shooter had been "in a particular psychological state."

As reported, on April 18, an unidentified man opened fire in the street in Kyiv's Holosiyivsky district and took hostages in a shop. After an assault carried out by KORD rapid operational response unit of the National Police, the attacker was killed. According to law enforcement authorities, the shooting was carried out by a 58-year-old native of Moscow, a Ukrainian citizen who had previously lived in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, and later in Kyiv. According to the Interior Ministry, he used a registered weapon.

Seven people were killed in the shooting, and seven wounded remain in Kyiv hospitals.
Interior minister: There must be one law on weapons for all of Ukraine, not substitute through by-laws

Consultations on a law governing civilian weapons, involving media representatives, experts, military personnel and members of parliament, will begin this week or next week, and there should be a single law on weapons for Ukraine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

"The consultations will take place this week or next week," the minister told journalists on Monday.

He said that media representatives, experts writing on weapons issues, lawmakers and military personnel were involved in the consultations.

"We would like this to be a nationwide discussion. We first want to understand what stage we are at," the minister said.

"The law on civilian weapons must be one for Ukraine; it cannot be replaced by by-laws," Klymenko added.

The minister said this concerns the safety of citizens both during the war and afterward.

"I think we will be able to find common ground," he said.
Photo: https://t.me/OleksiiKuleba/5904

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a decision to simplify technical inspections for trucks operating under permits of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT), Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Kuleba has said.

"This concerns transport operations for trucks using permits of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT)  these are multilateral permits that make it possible to transport goods between more than 40 countries. Ukraine is one of the most active users of them," he said on Telegram.

According to him, carriers previously had to undergo two separate inspections.

"Following this government decision, initiated by the Ministry for Development, only one technical inspection procedure remains, which simultaneously confirms compliance with both Ukrainian and international requirements. This means less bureaucracy, less time and money spent, and clear rules for doing business. In recent years, businesses have spent about UAH 300 million on duplicate procedures. We are removing this burden," Kuleba said.

He added that the market for technical inspections would also be opened up, with certificates to be issued by all accredited entities rather than only one state-owned enterprise.

"This means competition, lower service costs and better quality," the minister said.

Kuleba said European approaches to technical inspections are also being introduced: a single classification of defects, clear rules for vehicle operation, and full integration of data into the state system.

"The ECMT certificate is issued immediately after the technical inspection, without additional procedures. More than 21,000 trucks applied in the latest ECMT permit distribution  for them, this decision means a real simplification of work. This is another step toward integration with the EU and the transition to European rules in the transport sector," the deputy prime minister said.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

Members of parliament's conciliation council, Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov and his deputies discussed issues related to Ukraine's further movement toward European Union membership, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

"I held a meeting with the participation of the deputy speakers of the Verkhovna Rada, the head of the President's Office and his deputies, as well as the heads of parliamentary factions and groups. We discussed key issues concerning Ukraine's further movement toward membership in the European Union, strengthening our state's military capability, coordination of decisions in the security sphere, and responsibility at all levels," Stefanchuk said on his Facebook page on Monday.

According to the speaker, during a major war it is especially important to preserve unity on strategic issues.

"Where it concerns the defense of the state, the resilience of institutions and Ukraine's European future, joint action, clear coordination and political maturity are needed. We continue working  for the sake of a strong state, a strong army and a strong Ukrainian voice in Europe," Stefanchuk said.
Interior Minister: Units responding to threats related to nuclear power plants have everything they need

Units within Ukraine's Interior Ministry that respond to threats related to the operation of nuclear power plants have everything they need, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said, stressing that permanent response posts are in place, along with mobile ones that are deployed whenever information is received about an emergency situation.

"As for the risks. For example, if there is information about a release from Zaporizhia plant, or about some specific actions of the personnel there who are controlled by Russia, we deploy our forces accordingly," the minister told journalists in Kyiv, responding to a question from Interfax-Ukraine about risks and threats related to nuclear power plants amid Russia's full-scale aggression and Ukraine's readiness to respond to them.

According to the minister, dedicated units within the Interior Ministry system have been created to respond to such situations.

"They are equipped with everything necessary  from dosimeters to protective gear, and we set up the appropriate posts," the minister said.

Klymenko said that some of the posts operate on a permanent basis, while others are mobile and are deployed when information is received about an emergency.

"We constantly conduct training for such units on radiological situations," the minister said.

Klymenko summed up: "I can say that everything happening on the territory of our state is monitored by these units."

Separately, the interior minister said that information about such situations is checked immediately, and data are made public through the State Emergency Service or the Hydrometeorological Center  both on radiation levels and on possible risks to citizens.

"Very often such information appears and panic may arise - as a rule, we act immediately," he said.

As reported by the agency's correspondent, on Monday in the renovated National Chornobyl Museum, the interior minister honored veterans, current employees who were liquidators, those who are currently guarding and defending the exclusion zone, builders, and museum staff, presenting 40 awards from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Interior Ministry.

Speaking about the museum's renovation, the minister said: "We updated almost the entire exhibition... and, of course, linked this museum to current events."

Klymenko said Chornobyl nuclear power plant had been seized by Russian troops in 2022. The exhibition includes a section devoted to the occupation of the plant and another related to the strike by a Russian drone on the confinement structure over Unit 4 of Chornobyl nuclear power plant in 2025.

The interior minister noted that the museum exhibits were updated "with a creative concept for all generations, so that this museum would be understandable both to the liquidators and to our children."

The minister added that liquidators had been invited to assess the creative concepts.

"They agreed and were present at every stage of approving one concept or another," the interior minister said.

On April 26, 2026, the 40th anniversary of the explosion at Unit 4 of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine and the world honored the memory of those who took part in liquidation of the disaster.
Ukrainian defense technology manufacturer TAF Industries and Finnish defense technology and security group Summa Defence signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture to develop industrial production capabilities in Finland.

According to a companys press release posted on Monday, the memorandum was signed as part of the Build with Ukraine initiative, and the official signing took place during the TAF Industries Demo Day event in Kyiv region on April 24.

The aim of the cooperation is to jointly produce TAF Industries products in accordance with the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, using the production infrastructure and technological ecosystem of Summa Defence in Finland.

"Integration into the European defense ecosystem, along with providing additional supply capabilities to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, are key priorities for TAF Industries," TAF Industries CEO Volodymyr Zinovsky was quoted as saying in the release.

"By scaling up production of battle-tested Ukrainian technologies in Finland, we're not just increasing production  we're creating a sustainable defense ecosystem for both Northern Europe and Ukraine," Summa Defence co-founder Jussi Holopainen noted in a release.

As reported, TAF Industries and the German manufacturer Thyra signed a memorandum of strategic partnership in mid-April as part of the Build with Ukraine program for the production of interceptor drones in Germany. The partnership will include the creation of a joint venture for the serial production of TAF Kolibri i10 interceptor drones. Other areas of the partnership include the development of dual-use C-UAS solutions.

Ukrainian defense technology manufacturer TAF Industries produces over 30 types of defense products, including FPV drones and reconnaissance UAVs, electronic warfare systems, remote control solutions, and AI-powered combat technologies. FPV drone production reaches up to 80,000 units per month.

Summa Defence is a Finnish defense and security technology group focused on building an industrial base by consolidating innovative small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in defense and dual-use technologies. The company's primary goal is to strengthen the comprehensive security of society through a focus on three areas: maritime technologies, land technologies, and emerging technologies.
Ulviyya Poladova



The Molecular World: April 27 DNA Day Youth Forum was held in Baku, gathering scientists, geneticists, and young researchers to mark DNA Day and discuss recent developments in molecular biology and biotechnology, AzerNEWS reports.

The event served as a platform for scientific exchange and dialogue on key advancements in genetics and related fields.

During the forum, experts highlighted the evolution of science from the discovery of DNA to modern molecular biology. Discussions focused on major technological developments, including Real-Time PCR, Sanger sequencing and its clinical applications, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tools.

The forum was addressed by Vice President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Director General of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, Academician Irada Huseynova, along with Representative of the Department of Work with Scientific Institutions of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education Babek Alibayov, Head of the Clinical Laboratory Department of Referans Medical Group Aslihan Dagdemir, and Representative of the Azerbaijan Science and Innovation Volunteers, Nargiz Ismayilli.

Academician Irada Huseynova emphasized the significance of DNA research in modern science, noting that the discovery of the DNA molecule in 1953 laid the foundation for major scientific breakthroughs, including the decoding of the human genome.

She also highlighted the importance of youth participation in scientific development, stating: The development of any field depends on youth. The Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies can also be called an institute of youth. More than 70 percent of the employees here are young people.

Babek Alibayov noted that the forum would contribute to the future development of science in Azerbaijan, particularly in the field of molecular biology. He added that youth involvement in science is increasing due to targeted state policies and ongoing projects implemented by the Ministry of Science and Education and its affiliated institutions.

The event concluded with presentations and interactive question-and-answer sessions involving participants.
Myanmar president meets Chinese FM

Xinhua) 09:18, April 27, 2026

Myanmar's new President U Min Aung Hlaing meets with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Guangtao)

NAY PYI TAW, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's new President U Min Aung Hlaing met Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, here on Saturday.

Noting that Myanmar consistently regards its relationship with China as the most important bilateral tie, U Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that Myanmar stays committed to the one-China principle and highly appreciates and actively supports the China-proposed four global initiatives.

The new Myanmar government expects to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, advance the construction of the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, and work together to maintain border peace and stability, while continuously deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, the president said.

Myanmar will never allow any activities that harm China's interests within its borders, and will continue to intensify its crackdown on online gambling and telecom fraud and take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Myanmar, he added.

For his part, Wang stressed that China's policy toward Myanmar remains consistent. China firmly supports Myanmar in following a successful development path that suits its national conditions and is supported by its people; firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; and firmly supports Myanmar in achieving national peace, reconciliation and social harmony, he said.

Wang also noted that building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future perfectly aligns with the development and revitalization needs of both countries and serves the fundamental interests of both peoples, urging both sides to unswervingly follow this path.

China is willing to cooperate with Myanmar to resolutely and thoroughly eradicate online gambling and telecom fraud, he noted. China will also support Myanmar's participation in more dialogue and cooperation mechanisms and the enhancement of its interaction with ASEAN, Wang added.

Myanmar's new President U Min Aung Hlaing meets with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Guangtao)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Soaring in the sky

China Military Online) 16:10, April 27, 2026

Two J-16 fighter jets attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force take off during a training exercise on March 31, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Jiang Guangzhen)

JH-7 fighter bombers attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force participate in a training exercise on March 31, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Jiang Guangzhen)

J-16 fighter jets and JH-7 fighter bombers attached to an aviation unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force participate in a training exercise on March 31, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Jiang Guangzhen)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
KINSHASA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A column of buses idled at dusk on the Burundian side of the border, their windows framing silhouettes of families pressed among piled belongings. After months in exile, they were finally heading home.

Last Thursday, about 470 refugees crossed back into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking the first organized return from Burundi under a voluntary repatriation program facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The convoy, which departed from the Busuma refugee site in Burundi's Ruyigi Province, entered the DRC through the Kavimvira border post before proceeding toward Uvira, a lakeside city in South Kivu Province.

The operation was conducted under arrangements between the two countries, with coordination and logistical support from humanitarian agencies.

For many aboard, the journey means both relief and uncertainty.

"Now I am returning home," said Adolphe Ndimbo, one of the Congolese returnees. "I feel very calm and grateful to the organizations that made this possible. But many of us have come back with nothing. We don't even know where we will sleep."

The returnees are among tens of thousands who fled escalating clashes in eastern DRC between government forces and armed groups, including the March 23 Movement rebel group.

The violence, which intensified in 2025, displaced large numbers of civilians, many of whom sought refuge in Burundi and other neighboring countries.

According to the UNHCR, Burundi has hosted more than 250,000 Congolese refugees in successive waves since the onset of the crisis. As of late March 2026, about 109,000 remained in the country, including nearly 67,000 at the Busuma site alone.

Nearly 20,000 refugees have so far registered for voluntary return, the UNHCR said Thursday, with assistance packages planned to support reintegration upon arrival.

At the border, buses paused as trucks assembled on the Congolese side under the supervision of humanitarian teams. By nightfall, the convoy moved inland under escort, heading toward a transit center in Kavinvira, where returnees would stay temporarily before gradually heading for their home areas.

Local officials, however, emphasized that the operation remains cautious in scope.

"This first convoy includes around 468 people from 141 households," said Prospere Abiyo, head of the Congolese National Commission for Refugees Office in Uvira. "Initially, we planned for 1,000 returnees, but due to limited reception capacity, we reduced the number. Only those from relatively stable areas are being allowed to return for now."

While some returnees would go to nearby areas such as Fizi, also located in South Kivu, authorities remain hesitant to authorize movement to other places still considered insecure.

The conditions many refugees endured in exile underscored the urgency of return, even amid lingering risks. Their return, though tentative, reflects a fragile sense of hope -- that conditions in parts of eastern DRC may be stabilizing enough to allow displaced communities to begin rebuilding their lives.

"Life was very difficult," said Alice Furaha, another returnee. "It was an environment we were not used to. People were many, and it was hard to find toilets or even water. Some people began to die."

"We are very happy to return home," she said. 
The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026) is in full swing.

Top automakers and technology companies from China and abroad gather in Beijing to showcase cutting-edge electric, intelligent, and eco-friendly vehicles while discussing the future of the industry.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a conference on advancing regular assistance and continuing to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Monday urged efforts to steadily advance regular assistance and continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation.

Continuous efforts must be made to guard against any large-scale lapse or relapse into poverty, Liu, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said at a related conference in Beijing.

Noting that 2026 is the first year that regular assistance has been implemented, Liu urged action to strengthen targeted and timely assistance, prioritize development-based assistance, and provide employment assistance through multiple channels.

He stressed the need to provide more support for underdeveloped areas, further improve the social security system, as well as enhance the effectiveness of cooperation between the eastern and western regions and targeted support from central departments.

Eight provincial regions of east China signed assistance agreements with 10 western provincial regions at the conference. 
ISLAMABAD, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has introduced a new framework allowing transit of goods to Iran through its territory, opening designated trade corridors under a newly issued transit trade order, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.

The development came as the government implemented the "Transit of Goods Through Pakistan Order 2026," aimed at facilitating smoother cargo movement and strengthening trade links with Iran.

According to the ministry, multiple routes passing through key locations in the southwestern areas of Gwadar and Taftan, as well as the southern port city of Karachi, have been designated as transit corridors, forming an integrated network for goods destined for Iran.

The country's Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan said that the initiative is a significant step toward promoting regional trade and enhancing Pakistan's role as a key trade corridor.

"This move will strengthen Pakistan's strategic importance and improve regional connectivity," the minister said.

Officials noted that the designated land routes are expected to streamline logistics, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure more efficient transportation in accordance with customs regulations. 
BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's China trip runs from April 25 to May 1, and includes visits to Hunan Province and Hainan Province, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, with bilateral ties maintaining strong momentum at a high level of development, Lin said at a regular news briefing.

China stands ready to work with Pakistan to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in various regions, and jointly build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future, Lin added. 
GUANGZHOU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- What if you could step into a 19th-century pharmacy and find today's most popular skincare and sparkling water on the same shelf? That is an experience Watsons is recreating at its new pop-up store on Shamian Island in Guangzhou, near one of its earliest locations from about two centuries ago.

The store, spanning over 100 square meters, is designed to evoke the atmosphere of a century-old pharmacy. The initiative coincides with the 185th anniversary of the AS Watson Group. The company traces its origins to the Hong Kong Dispensary, founded in 1841, with Alexander Skirving Watson, a British pharmacist, serving as its first manager.

The pop-up showcases a wide range of health, body care and beauty products. Items on display include everything from early-era Vaseline to modern skincare lines, as well as a retro version of Watsons soda water for visitors to sample. The brand's iconic bottled water has evolved into a lifestyle symbol in China, reflecting changing consumer habits.

According to the company, the pop-up is not only a tribute to its history, but also a response to China's consumption upgrade, aiming to offer more tailored and diversified services in the health and beauty sector. Since re-entering the Chinese mainland market after the reform and opening up, Watsons has expanded to nearly 3,500 stores.

The move demonstrates foreign investors' confidence in China's development. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Guangdong Province saw the establishment of 113,800 new foreign-funded enterprises, a 31.3 percent increase from the previous five years. In 2025 alone, Guangzhou, the provincial capital, recorded 11,000 newly established foreign-invested enterprises, with paid-in foreign capital growing by 9.1 percent year on year. As China pursues high-quality economic development, the appeal of its vast market continues to strengthen.

The pop-up store's return to Shamian Island was made possible by the area's recent revitalization. Once a French and British concession, the island is home to 49 historical buildings, including the original site of Watsons. Efforts have been made to restore and upgrade the area, aiming to turn it into an international hub for consumption and cultural exchange.

"Encouraging century-old enterprises to return to Shamian is part of this plan. Apart from Watsons, we hope to see dozens of other companies that once operated here, such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, come back," said Li Chen of the project operator, Guangzhou New Shameen Industrial Development Co., Ltd.

Guangzhou has long served as a gateway for Sino-foreign exchanges. As early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the city established the "fanfang," a residential unit designated by the government for foreigners.

"This project will showcase a more open, inclusive and modern Guangzhou, while offering people new possibilities for a better quality of life," said Yi Zhaozhao, a researcher with the Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute. 
LONDON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face a vote to decide whether he will be investigated over claims he misled the parliament regarding the vetting of former British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson, British House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said on Monday.

Hoyle said the parliament will hold a debate on Tuesday and vote on whether the matter should be passed on to the Committee of Privileges in the House of Commons for further investigation.

Downing Street dismissed the Conservative Party's proposed vote as a "desperate political stunt," according to media report, adding: "Their claims have no substance."

It was revealed in mid-April that before Mandelson took up his role, he had been denied a clearance in January 2025 after a developed vetting process, a confidential background check by security officials, but the decision was overruled by Britain's Foreign Office.

While Starmer admitted he was only aware of the situation on April 14, saying it was "completely unacceptable," Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of breaching the Ministerial Code by failing to inform parliament in a timely manner about the vetting scandal.

Mandelson was sacked as Britain's chief diplomat in Washington in September 2025 after revelations about his friendship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Earlier this year, he was briefly arrested following a criminal investigation into his alleged misconduct in public office, including the possible disclosure of market-sensitive information. 
SYDNEY, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Two bodies were found following a house fire in Sydney's northwest, local police said on Monday.

Emergency services were called to Lieutenant Bowen Road, Bowen Mountain, some 70 km northwest of Sydney's CBD, at about 2:10 a.m. Monday local time, after reports of a fire, New South Wales Police said in a statement.

A man and four children were able to escape the house, but two residents were unaccounted for, the police said.

Two bodies -- believed to be those of the unaccounted-for residents -- were found when the home was searched, they added.

The escaped were taken to a local hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and minor burns, according to the statement.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported earlier that two children were unaccounted for following the house fire in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. 
Qabil Ashirov



On April 27, staff members of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Azerbaijan visited the city of Khankendi, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Reconstruction, Construction and Management Service in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts the visit provided guests with detailed information about large-scale construction and development projects currently underway in the city.

It was noted that efforts to renew infrastructure and create a modern urban environment in Khankendi are continuing in a consistent and systematic manner.

Alongside reconstruction activities, the return of residents displaced from their native lands to Khankendi is also being facilitated.

It was also reported that relocation to the nearby settlement of Karkijahan has already taken place, and this process is continuing in a phased manner.

During their visit, the diplomatic representatives toured the city and visited Victory Square and Karabakh University.

They were briefed on the universitys activities and showed interest in the conditions created for students.
HELSINKI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Global military expenditure rose to a record 2.89 trillion U.S. dollars in 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth, according to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Monday.

The global military burden, or military expenditure as a share of gross domestic product (GDP), rose to 2.5 percent in 2025, the highest level since 2009, SIPRI said.

Military spending increased by 2.9 percent in real terms from 2024, a sharp slowdown, however, from the 9.7 percent rise recorded the previous year.

"Global military spending rose again in 2025 as states responded to another year of wars, uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval with large-scale armament drives," said a researcher with SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme.

The researcher said the growth would probably continue through 2026 and beyond, given current crises and many states' long-term military spending targets.

The United States remained the world's largest military spender, though its expenditure fell by 7.5 percent to 954 billion dollars in 2025. SIPRI said the decline was mainly because no new financial military assistance for Ukraine was approved during the year, in contrast to the previous three years.

SIPRI said the decline in U.S. military spending was likely to be short-lived. The director of SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme said spending approved by the U.S. Congress for 2026 had risen to more than one trillion dollars and could climb further to 1.5 trillion dollars in 2027 if U.S. President Donald Trump's latest budget proposal is accepted.

Europe was the main contributor to the global increase in 2025. Military spending in the region rose by 14 percent to 864 billion dollars.

The 29 European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) spent a combined 559 billion dollars in 2025. Of them, 22 had military spending of at least 2 percent of GDP, according to SIPRI's methodology.

Military spending by European NATO members rose faster in 2025 than at any time since 1953, reflecting European efforts to strengthen self-reliance and growing U.S. pressure for greater burden-sharing within the alliance, SIPRI said.

In the Middle East, military expenditure reached an estimated 218 billion dollars in 2025, almost unchanged from 2024. SIPRI said regional spending remained stable despite ongoing conflicts and rivalries.

In Asia and Oceania, Japan's military expenditure rose by 9.7 percent to 62.2 billion dollars, equivalent to 1.4 percent of GDP, its highest share since 1958.

SIPRI said military expenditure covers government spending on current military forces and activities, including personnel, operations, arms and equipment purchases, military construction, research and development, and central administration. 
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Huawei Technologies Sdn Bhd on Monday launched its Smart & Green Office near the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, to further drive sustainable innovation and digital transformation in Brunei.

The launch ceremony was officiated by Pengiran Shamhary Pengiran Haji Mustapha, Brunei's minister of transport and infocommunications.

Frank Guo, managing director and board member of Huawei International Pte Ltd, reaffirmed Huawei's long-standing commitment to Brunei and its vision of building a fully connected, intelligent world.

He said Huawei remains committed to bringing digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

Guo noted that Huawei has been supporting Brunei's digital development since 2003, contributing to key sectors in alignment with Brunei Vision 2035.

He highlighted Huawei's role in delivering end-to-end solutions spanning connectivity, cloud, computing, and digital power to enable a secure, efficient, and sustainable digital infrastructure. 
This photo taken on April 2, 2026 shows the restoration site of the laterite wall of the Angkor Thom in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. An archaeological team has been restoring the laterite wall of the centuries-old Angkor Thom in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a news release from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, April 27 (Xinhua) -- An archaeological team has been restoring the laterite wall of the centuries-old Angkor Thom in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a news release from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) on Monday.

Mao Sokny, a technical officer of the ANA's Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, said the work is underway at a 15-meter section of the laterite wall on the southwest side of Angkor Thom, near the Tonle Om Gate, which had deteriorated for a long time.

Built in the late 12th century under the reign of Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom was the grand capital of the Khmer Empire, the news release said, adding that its enclosure wall extends about three kilometers on each side, stands approximately eight meters high, and is surrounded by a moat. The ancient city is accessed through five monumental gates.

"The wall has been damaged due to age and natural factors," he said. "This has created structural risks, including cracks, separation of laterite blocks, and falling stones."

Sokny said the western wing of the gate has also been affected, as the roof has disappeared, and only a few elements remain, such as statues and stone pillars.

He added that the staircase is severely damaged by water erosion, causing the inner walls to crack, while traces of the original stairs have largely disappeared.

"Some sandstone blocks have also fallen from their original positions. These issues require urgent restoration," he said.

He said the restoration began in early April 2026 and is expected to take approximately six months.

Sokny said the restoration work will follow proper conservation techniques, as cracked sections will be reinforced to prevent water infiltration, and damaged wall layers will be dismantled and rebuilt step by step. 

This photo taken on April 2, 2026 shows staff members working at the restoration site of the laterite wall of the Angkor Thom in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. An archaeological team has been restoring the laterite wall of the centuries-old Angkor Thom in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a news release from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 27, 2026 shows a staff member working at the restoration site of the laterite wall of the Angkor Thom in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. An archaeological team has been restoring the laterite wall of the centuries-old Angkor Thom in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a news release from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 2, 2026 shows staff members working at the restoration site of the laterite wall of the Angkor Thom in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. An archaeological team has been restoring the laterite wall of the centuries-old Angkor Thom in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a news release from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 27, 2026 shows the restoration site of the laterite wall of the Angkor Thom in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. An archaeological team has been restoring the laterite wall of the centuries-old Angkor Thom in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province, said a news release from the APSARA National Authority (ANA) on Monday. (ANA/Handout via Xinhua)
YAOUNDE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen suspected separatist fighters have been killed in a military raid in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest Region, according to local and security sources.

They were killed on Sunday after government forces stormed a separatist hideout in the Ndzerem-Nyam locality of the region, a military official said.

"Our brave soldiers were informed of an unusual gathering of separatist terrorists in the locality. We immediately planned and targeted the hideout, killing 14 of them on the spot and injuring several others," the official, who asked not to be named, told Xinhua, adding that no soldiers were killed during the operation.

Local officials said the suspected separatist fighters killed in the raid were notorious for kidnapping for ransom in the area.

Early Monday, separatist leaders said on social media platforms that some of those killed were civilians, including a woman.

An armed separatist conflict has been ongoing in Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions since 2017. Separatists want to create an independent nation in the two regions. 
BANGKOK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's government on Monday announced the seizure of over 1.3 million counterfeit items during a six-month nationwide crackdown on intellectual property infringement, a move aimed at boosting international trade and investor confidence.

In the first half of the 2026 fiscal year through March, Thai authorities handled 332 intellectual property infringement cases, according to the Ministry of Finance. Authorities seized over 1.3 million items, with estimated economic damages exceeding 2.3 billion baht (about 71.19 million U.S. dollars).

Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas emphasized that these results reflect the country's coordinated, result-driven approach in safeguarding fair trade, protecting consumers, and reinforcing its economic integrity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said counterfeit goods directly impact manufacturers and the broader public, citing health and safety risks to consumers and the severe disadvantage it creates for honest businesses unable to compete with illicit pricing.

Suphajee reaffirmed the government's commitment to strict law enforcement and close collaboration with private-sector right holders through initiatives such as proactive consumer awareness campaigns, updated legislation to match the modern economy, and direct cooperation with e-commerce platforms to intercept online infringement.

She noted that the overarching goal is to elevate Thailand's intellectual property protection to international standards, positioning the Southeast Asian nation as a premier trade and investment hub that respects fair trade rules and fosters innovation for both local and foreign creators. 
YAOUNDE, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, set to take full effect on May 1, will be an impetus to boost agricultural development while enhancing intra-continental trade, a Cameroonian expert has said.

"This is a great opportunity and a way to allow Africans to participate in agriculture, which is truly an engine of growth for our country. Our products can now go to China, a market of 1.4 billion people," Daniel Yando, president of the China-Cameroon Business Association (CCBA), told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"I think every major entrepreneur should consider how to develop our land," he said.

Cameroon's agricultural exports to China are primarily raw commodities, with raw cotton, timber and cocoa being the key items.

Noting that African countries now have two crucial pillars -- the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the zero-tariff policy -- to advance their economies, Yando said the policy could mark a turning point, providing more opportunities for both Cameroonian and Chinese agricultural entrepreneurs.

"If you want to get into agriculture, you can sell your products either in Cameroon, or within the AfCFTA, and you can also sell to the Chinese market. So, I think this zero-tariff policy should particularly motivate us to get into agriculture, to be able to better invite our Chinese partners to come and settle in Africa, to cooperate with us and to ensure that our relationship can move forward," he added.

He also noted that the zero-tariff policy will help Cameroon better achieve its National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30), while driving the industrialization of African nations, including Cameroon.

"The zero-tariff treatment will provide a catalyst for expanding local production in Africa. During the industrialization process, African nations will leverage their abundant labor resources to create numerous jobs and generate returns on investment," he said.

Established in 2021 to facilitate trade exchanges between Chinese and Cameroonian businesspeople, the CCBA is already working with Cameroonian authorities and Chinese entrepreneurs to help them tap into the opportunities of the zero-tariff policy, Yando said.

Having lived in China for almost 10 years, Yando said he has experienced China's economic revolution firsthand.

According to him, China's zero-tariff decision reflects its commitment to multilateralism and deeper cooperation with Africa, and will inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties.

"I studied in China, and I took the time to get to know Chinese culture better, to see its evolution, to better understand how China has become one of the world's greatest economic powers in the last 50 years," said Yando.

"China is a model for Africa. China is a very strategic partner for Africa, especially Cameroon. We have much to learn from China, much to do with China, and many partnerships to forge with China so that we can help this country grow," he added. 
by Xinhua writer Yang Shilong

NEW YORK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Michael Luo, executive editor of The New Yorker, steps from behind the editor's desk to revisit a long-overlooked chapter of American history in his debut book "Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America."

Longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the book is more than an archival excavation. It is a meditation on who gets to be American, and what it costs when a society embeds exclusion in law and language.

In a conversation with Xinhua, Luo traced the long arc of Chinese immigration -- from the California Gold Rush to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 -- and reflected on how this often overlooked history continues to shape American politics and identity.

"You go to the bookstore and there are shelves of books on the Civil War, World War II, and the civil rights era. It's hard to find books about Asian American history. I felt that was a gap," Luo said.

His book seeks to fill that gap, but it is also rooted in something far more personal.

The seed for the book was planted not in an archive but on a Manhattan sidewalk in 2016. Luo, then a journalist at The New York Times, had just left church with his Asian American family when a stranger told them to "go back to China."

He confronted her. "We were going back and forth. And then she yelled, 'Go back to your f---ing country.'"

In that moment, he searched for a response to a sentiment that has echoed across generations.

"I said, 'I was born in this country.' And that was the best I could come up with," he said.

The encounter lingered. Walking away, Luo found himself confronting an aching question: Would his daughters ever truly feel that they belonged in the United States?

He later wrote an open letter in The New York Times that went viral, thrusting him into a national conversation on Asian American identity and the "perpetual foreigner" stereotype.

"I joke I was the face of Asian America for a couple of weeks," he said. But privately, he felt unprepared. "I realized I didn't actually know a lot of this history, the history of the Chinese in America."

That realization became the seed of a seven-year journey.

Born to immigrants from central China's Hunan Province, Luo grew up in predominantly white communities -- an experience that shaped his perspective as he rose through the ranks of American journalism. His career is anchored by a distinguished thirteen-year tenure at The New York Times, followed by his move to The New Yorker in 2016.

"I'm a journalist by background ... so I approach this history with a different eye," he said.

He began writing during the COVID-19 pandemic, amid a surge in anti-Asian violence. In 2021, following the Atlanta spa shootings, he wrote an essay in The New Yorker examining earlier waves of anti-Chinese violence -- an essay that would become the precursor to the book.

Reconstructing the past was no easy task. Early Chinese immigrants left few personal records, their lives documented largely by others -- often in hostile or incomplete accounts.

"You have to really hunt for those Chinese voices in the archives," Luo said. Sometimes they surface in a stray quote or letter. Often, they are only faint traces.

One discovery stayed with him: a photographic album in the California Historical Society containing images of Chinese residents of Downieville, cataloged by a local constable during the exclusion era.

The notes beside the images were sparse but stark: "Died." "Killed." "Burned." These brief, brutal fragments hinted at lives but rarely told their full stories. For Luo, such silences became an essential part of the narrative.

At the heart of Luo's book is the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 -- the first U.S. law to ban immigration based explicitly on race. The title "Strangers in the Land" is drawn from a Supreme Court opinion that described Chinese immigrants in exactly those terms.

Chinese exclusion, he argues, was not an aberration but a foundational element of U.S. immigration policy. Subsequent restrictions in the 1920s built upon and deepened that framework. Even after the Act was repealed during World War II, immigration quotas for Chinese remained tight.

Only with the passage of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act did a true turning point arrive, enabling family reunification and reshaping the country's demographic future. "My parents came as a result of that law," Luo noted.

Understanding today's debates on immigration and identity, he argues, requires confronting these earlier decisions. A phrase he returns to is simple yet profound: "Difference is hard." Not as an excuse, but as a clear-eyed diagnosis.

"What happened with the Chinese on the West Coast in the 19th century was an early test of multiracial democracy," he said. "We didn't acquit ourselves particularly well."

That test continues. "We're in a very anti-immigrant moment," he said. "History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes."

When Luo began the project, he did not fully see this history as his own. But as he delved deeper into his research, that sense of distance gradually narrowed. "I realized this is my history too."

He hopes especially that younger Asian Americans will engage with this history. Without it, he argues, there is "a loss of empathy, a loss of identity, a loss of shared story."

Luo sees history not only as retrospective but as deeply connective, binding communities and generations. At its core, he says, it is a compelling story "of persistence, resilience, and survival."

Toward the end of the conversation, he pointed to a place both literal and symbolic: the site of the 1885 massacre of Chinese miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming, one of the seminal moments in Chinese American history.

Today, archaeologists continue to excavate the site, uncovering traces of the destroyed community, including the burn layer left by the fire that consumed the town's Chinatown.

The image mirrors Luo's own project: uncovering a past long buried, yet not erased. What he hopes readers take away is straightforward: "Difference is hard ... and it requires real effort and intention to overcome." Enditem
COTONOU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Benin condemns the terrorist attacks that struck several cities in Mali on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

"The Beninese government has learned with dismay of the coordinated terrorist attacks that targeted several cities in Mali on April 25, 2026," the statement said on Sunday.

It expressed solidarity with the people of Mali, as well as with the country's political, civilian and military authorities.

Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in the town of Kati, near the capital Bamako, according to sources.

"We extend our support to the injured and offer our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives," the Beninese foreign ministry statement said. 
MANAMA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people in connection with Iranian attacks, Bahrain's Interior Ministry said on Monday, adding that all those individuals are of non-Bahraini origin.

They were found to have supported Iranian attacks, including colluding with foreign entities, the ministry said.

It said that relevant authorities would take all necessary steps to implement the decision in accordance with the kingdom's laws.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior officials, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. interests in the Middle East, including in Gulf states like Bahrain.

Bahrain has already arrested a number of citizens and foreigners over filming and posting about the attacks or over alleged espionage for foreign entities. 
Workers display large yellow croaker fries at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2026 shows workers transferring large yellow croaker fries from fish farming platforms to a perforated boat at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Farmers transfer large yellow croaker fries from a perforated boat at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Workers collect large yellow croaker fries from fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Workers collect large yellow croaker fries from fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Farmers release large yellow croaker fries into fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Workers collect large yellow croaker fries from fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Workers collect large yellow croaker fries from fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Farmers release large yellow croaker fries into fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Farmers release large yellow croaker fries into fish farming platforms at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Farmers transfer large yellow croaker fries from a perforated boat at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2026.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2026 shows a perforated boat loaded with large yellow croaker fries arriving at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2026 shows workers transferring large yellow croaker fries from fish farming platforms to a perforated boat at a mariculture farm in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2026 shows a perforated boat loaded with large yellow croaker fries sailing at a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2026 shows a perforated boat loaded with large yellow croaker fries sailing toward a mariculture farm in Xiapu County, Ningde, southeast China's Fujian Province.

Rising temperatures have ushered in the prime period for release of seedlings in spring at Ningde's mariculture zone for large yellow croakers. Farmers here are expected to release about 2.5 billion fries during this time window when seawater temperatures stabilize at around 12 degrees Celsius.

Ningde serves as a major production base for large yellow croakers in the country, contributing 8 out of every 10 farmed large yellow croakers nationwide.

The city's output of large yellow croakers hit 222,440 tonnes in 2025, garnering a combined output value of over 20 billion yuan (about 2.92 billion U.S. dollars) for the entire industrial line here. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)
ALMATY, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform 44 percent of the labor market in Kazakhstan by 2035, affecting around 4 million people, a senior lawmaker was quoted by the Kazinform news agency as saying on Monday.

Forty-six occupations employing about 362,000 people, or 4 percent of the country's total workforce, are projected to face declining demand, while 14 professions, accounting for 49,000 workers, will disappear entirely, Dania Espaeva, deputy chairwoman of the lower house of the Kazakh parliament, told a parliament meeting, citing the Ministry of Labor.

However, Espaeva noted that demand will rise significantly for expertise emerging at the intersection of AI and various economic sectors in the coming years.

Rapid AI adoption in key economic sectors requires a higher education system to train specialists capable of working in a digitalized and automated environment, Espaeva said, adding that expanded access to higher education and stronger government investment have supported the shift. 
TOKYO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it sold a record 10.48 million cars globally in fiscal 2025, up 2 percent from a year earlier, driven by strong demand for hybrid vehicles mainly in North America despite the adverse impact of hefty U.S. tariffs.

Global output for the fiscal year, meanwhile, climbed 2.2 percent to 9.89 million vehicles, marking the first increase in two years.

Overseas sales rose 2.7 percent year on year to a record 9 million units, with sales in the United States jumping 7.7 percent to 2.52 million cars, according to the world's largest automaker by volume.

Sales in China, however, dipped 1.4 percent to 1.76 million units amid the rising prominence of Chinese automakers, while sales in Japan's domestic market fell 2 percent to 1.47 million vehicles.

Global sales of electrified vehicles increased 6.5 percent to a record 5.04 million units, the carmaker said.

In March alone, Toyota's global sales fell 7.3 percent year on year to 897,871 units, while global production rose 2.1 percent to 902,210 vehicles, a record high for the month.

Sales in the Middle East plummeted 32.3 percent to 33,919 cars amid conflicts in the region, while U.S. sales dropped 8.5 percent to 211,617 units, partly due to a pullback following last year's pre-tariff buying rush.

Exports from Japan to the Middle East also nearly halved in March, plunging 46.4 percent from the previous year to 17,122 units, the automaker said. 
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The producer prices index (PPI) in Malaysia extended its decline in the first quarter of 2026, falling 1.7 percent year-on-year, after a 1.5 percent drop in the previous quarter, official data showed on Monday.

The contraction was driven by declines in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, which fell 7.5 percent, and manufacturing, which slipped 1.7 percent, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement.

In contrast, the water supply sector posted the strongest increase 11.1 percent, followed by electricity and gas (6.5 percent) and mining (1.6 percent).

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the PPI edged up 0.9 percent, accelerating from a 0.1 percent rise in the preceding quarter. The increase was mainly supported by mining, which surged 11.5 percent, alongside gains in the utilities sector.

For March, PPI rose 1.1 percent year-on-year, reversing from a 3.4 percent decline recorded in the previous month. 
COLOMBO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Digital Economy has introduced interim guidelines to enable the public sector to expand remote service delivery, as the government seeks to reduce pressure on national fuel reserves amid ongoing global supply disruptions.

The directive follows developments after Feb. 28, which have affected energy availability, prompting authorities to limit in-office operations and encourage digital alternatives.

A key focus of the guidelines is the use of virtual platforms for meetings and collaboration to minimize physical travel.

The ministry has recommended the use of meet.gov.lk as the primary platform for large-scale or sensitive government meetings, while allowing the use of commercial platforms within specified limits.

The guidelines also formalize the use of electronic documents and signatures. Officials are permitted to create, transmit and store documents through approved digital systems, with electronic authentication methods including digital signatures, scanned signatures, or approvals communicated through official email.

To ensure data security, the guidelines prohibit the sharing of classified information through consumer messaging applications and require password protection for sensitive documents.

The ministry further encouraged departments to enhance digital skills among staff and establish safeguards for information security. 
OUAGADOUGOU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has expressed its total, unconditional and fraternal solidarity with the Malian people following terrorist attacks targeting several sites in Mali.

In a statement issued Sunday evening, the acting chair of the AES Conference, Ibrahim Traore, who is also president of Burkina Faso, paid "vibrant tribute to the extraordinary courage" with which the Malian army "repelled this barbaric aggression, neutralizing these individuals from another age, acting on behalf of forces driven by a clear intention to undermine its sovereign vision."

Traore extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"The coordination of the attacks, the targets chosen, the forces involved, as well as the logistics and weapons used clearly show that these were long-planned operations aimed at inflicting heavy losses on the defense and security forces and spreading terror among innocent civilian populations of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States, particularly in Mali," the statement said.

The AES "expresses its gratitude to all states and partners who, in a spirit of solidarity, have shown their support for the Malian people and once again demonstrated their commitment to standing alongside the states and peoples of the Sahel," it added.

Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in the town of Kati, near the capital Bamako, according to sources.

The AES, grouping Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, was established in September 2023.

On July 6, 2024, the three countries announced the creation of the Confederation of the AES, marking a major step toward establishing an economic-military bloc. 
ISLAMABAD, April 27 (Xinhua) -- With U.S. President Donald Trump's declaration that Washington will no longer send delegations for talks with Iran, the highly anticipated second round of U.S.-Iran Islamabad talks failed to materialize, as both sides are not on the same page over several key issues like the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear program and war compensation.

Analysts here said that although the second round of face-to-face talks has not been achieved, diplomatic efforts are underway to build a common ground for both sides to agree to end the hostilities, even though the process will be long and tough.

WILL THE CEASEFIRE HOLD?

Open military exchanges from Feb. 28 between the United States and Iran have slowed since April 8, and Trump said earlier that there is "no time pressure" on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire he extended last week. However, the confrontation has shifted into economic and maritime pressure rather than a political settlement.

Iran has warned it will respond if what it calls "blockade, banditry and piracy" continue, while Washington appears to believe sustained economic pressure can force concessions without renewed strikes.

Former Pakistani ambassador Masood Khan said the United States is now more likely to rely on economic leverage than immediate military escalation.

"They may continue to rely on this lever instead of attacks again," he said, referring to vessel interceptions and restrictions on Iranian-linked shipping. Prolonged maritime pressure could push Tehran toward compromise, while renewed direct attacks would carry greater military and political costs.

Strategic affairs analyst and retired Air Commodore Khalid Chishti said both Washington and Tehran are under growing pressure to avoid renewed military escalation.

"This creates pressure on both sides to find an off-ramp," he said, noting that Washington must manage commitments across Israel, Ukraine and Asia, while Iran is dealing with wartime exhaustion and economic strain.

At the same time, Washington also faces rising costs from prolonged confrontation, including military deployment expenses and instability in global oil markets.

That makes preserving the ceasefire strategically useful for both sides, even if a breakthrough remains distant, according to him.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN HORMUZ?

The Strait of Hormuz remains the core issue shaping both diplomacy and the ceasefire.

After the April 8 ceasefire, the United States maintained maritime restrictions and sanctions enforcement, limiting movement to and from Iranian ports, while Tehran tightened control over Hormuz and linked any return to formal talks to lifting the blockade.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi's second visit to Islamabad specifically included discussions on Iran's enforcement of a new legal system for the strait, as Iran has discussed with Oman a possible governance protocol for the strait.

Masood Khan said the arrangement reflects geography and sovereignty realities. But whether Washington would accept such an arrangement remains uncertain.

He added that any U.S. demand for a formal share in that framework would likely be rejected. "I think neither Iran, nor Oman, nor other Gulf states will be able to accept this."

Analysts said an Iran-Oman mechanism may be regionally workable, but U.S. acceptance would depend on guarantees of uninterrupted international shipping and limits on Tehran's strategic leverage.

The uncertainty over the strategic maritime channel is already affecting global markets. Brent crude rose above 107 U.S. dollars per barrel on Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbed above 96 dollars, reflecting fears of prolonged disruption in Hormuz.

Pakistan's former ambassador Naghmana Hashmi said the conflict had transformed the strategic meaning of the waterway. "Before the current escalation, the Strait of Hormuz had functioned as a global maritime common. The conflict has introduced a layer of systemic uncertainty into one of the world's most consequential chokepoints."

Hashmi said the broader lesson is that military pressure alone cannot stabilize the region. "Force projection without political architecture produces volatility, not resolution," she said.

WILL IRAN TALK DIRECTLY OR THROUGH PAKISTAN?

Trump said Sunday that if Iran wanted talks, "they can come to us, or they can call us," adding that Washington would no longer send officials to make "18-hour flights" for meetings.

The focus has now shifted from direct negotiations to whether Tehran will contact Washington directly or continue relying on intermediaries such as Pakistan and Oman.

Araghchi's return to Islamabad from Oman before departing for Russia, along with reports that Tehran used Pakistan to convey updated conditions for ending the conflict, indicates that mediation through Islamabad remains active.

Masood Khan said Trump's remarks should not be seen as a downgrade of Pakistan's importance. "The Pakistan channel will remain," as Iran had handed its counter-proposals to Pakistan, which then transmitted them to Washington.

Pakistan's former foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Tehran's position also remains unchanged: negotiations cannot proceed under pressure. "If one party feels that they are under pressure, why would they negotiate?" he said, referring to U.S. restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts said Iran is therefore unlikely to directly call Washington for now, preferring Pakistan and Oman to remain the principal communication channels.

Pakistan's defense analyst and retired Brigadier Tughral Yamin told Xinhua that what we are seeing today in the Middle East shows that diplomacy does not work through sudden breakthroughs, but through continuous movement, quiet engagement, and repeated interaction across different channels.

He said that history consistently shows that rigid standoffs do not end in dramatic moments, but through gradual recalibration -- where what once seemed impossible becomes negotiable through patience, persistence, and sustained dialogue.

So diplomacy is not a single act. It is a long process of endurance, adjustment, and quiet negotiation that unfolds over time, even when no immediate results are visible, Yamin said. 
A Chinese traditional culture contingent composed of students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome participates in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

LOME, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Togo on Monday held a grand military parade and civilian procession to celebrate the 66th anniversary of its independence.

Togolese President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove, President of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbe, along with other dignitaries, representatives from various sectors and members of the diplomatic corps, attended the event.

Chinese Ambassador to Togo Wang Min was invited to observe the ceremony from the grandstand.

This year's celebrations were held under the theme "Hospitality and Mediation in the Service of Active Diplomacy for Peace, Security and Socio-Economic Progress of Nations."

A Chinese traditional culture contingent composed of students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome made its debut as the first folklore group in the procession, marking the first appearance of a foreign cultural contingent in the history of Togo's Independence Day parade.

A total of 34 Confucius Institute students, dressed in traditional Hanfu and ethnic costumes, held peony-patterned umbrellas, while dragon and lion dance performers moved among them.

The display conveyed sincere festive greetings to the Togolese people and won warm applause and high praise from the audience.

Wang told Xinhua that the presence of "Chinese red" stood out in the procession, complementing Togo's traditional cultural formations and jointly painting a vivid picture of harmonious exchanges between Chinese and Togolese civilizations.

She added that the performance had become a highlight of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. 

Military personnel participate in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

Military vehicles participate in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

A Chinese traditional culture contingent composed of students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome participates in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

A Chinese traditional culture contingent composed of students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome participates in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)
BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce said Monday that the European Union (EU)'s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) poses serious investment barriers and constitutes institutional discrimination.

A ministry spokesperson said the Act imposes multiple restrictive requirements on foreign investment in four strategic emerging industries -- batteries, electric vehicles, photovoltaics and critical raw materials -- and includes exclusionary EU origin clauses in public procurement and public support policies.

The ministry has formally submitted comments to the European Commission, expressing China's position and serious concerns over the legislation.

In the comments, China argued that the legislation is suspected of violating fundamental principles including most-favored-nation treatment and national treatment. It poses discrimination against Chinese investors, and will slow the EU's green transition and undermine fair competition in the EU market.

China urged the EU to remove discriminatory requirements against foreign investors, local content requirements, mandatory intellectual property and technology transfer requirements, and public procurement restrictions from the legislation.

The spokesperson said that China will closely monitor the legislative process and is willing to engage in dialogue with the EU.

However, if the EU disregards China's comments and pushes ahead with enacting the legislation, causing damage to Chinese companies' interests, China will take countermeasures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the spokesperson said. 
YANGON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at a market in Danubyu township, Ayeyarwady region, destroying 271 shops, an official from the Danubyu Township Fire Services Department told Xinhua on Monday.

The blaze started at around 6:25 a.m. local time on Sunday and took about one hour to be brought under control, the official said.

No injuries or deaths were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he added.

The damage is estimated at over 866 million kyats (about 412,000 U.S. dollars), he said. 
What happens when AI meets industrial production? Across China, companies are using smart models and big data to streamline processes and boost efficiency. At a steel company in east China's Shandong Province, hundreds of screens track every stage of production. Workers can monitor real-time data and control blast furnaces kilometers away with just a click.
BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers are revising a provision in the draft healthcare security law to specify that the country will improve the maternity insurance system and broaden its coverage.

The draft law is now under a second deliberation at a session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee that began on Monday.

The draft stipulates that those covered by maternity insurance will receive benefits for childbirth-related medical expenses and maternity allowances, as stipulated by national regulations. Non-employed spouses will receive coverage for childbirth-related medical expenses.

The move comes as China has stepped up efforts in recent years to extend maternity insurance to people in flexible employment, with some parts of the country, from northeast China's Jilin Province to south China's Hainan Province, already implementing the reform. Currently, 255 million people in China are enrolled in the scheme.

Thanks to the rapid development of information technology, a large number of people in China are now working on their own terms -- as delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, or freelancers -- bringing the total number of flexible workers to more than 200 million. Officials say flexible work is creating new job opportunities and giving fresh momentum to economic growth.

By enshrining reforms to improve and expand maternity insurance in the draft law, more people, especially those in flexible employment, will be covered by maternity insurance, said Liu Xuanlin, deputy director of the medical security law and policy research center of China University of Political Science and Law and deputy secretary-general of the China Health Law Society.

"This protects their reproductive and health rights, lowers their medical costs, and could help boost their willingness to have children," he added.

Li Hui, a resident of Haikou in Hainan, is self-employed but enrolled in maternity insurance. It cost her just 80 yuan (about 12 U.S. dollars) to give birth last year because most of the cost was covered.

After finding out that the reform will be written into law, she said: "With maternity insurance coverage expanding, people like me will have greater protections, which will allow us to feel more at ease and more reassured."

At present, flexible workers across China can voluntarily enroll in two types of social security -- basic old-age insurance and basic medical insurance for employees. Now, a third -- maternity insurance -- is gradually being added to the list, without increasing their premiums.

Liu said bringing flexible workers under the umbrella of social insurance reflects the government's people-centered approach to social governance and its commitment to making the system fair and accessible for all.

"The core is a return to institutional respect for the dignity and family well-being of every worker," he said.

Behind the provision also lies a demographic challenge facing China. Since 2022, China's population has been shrinking, while the number of elderly people has continued to climb.

Experts believe the change to the draft will help gradually raise the birth rate and improve the country's population structure.

In recent years, the government has introduced a series of policies to boost the birth rate, including childcare subsidies, housing support, expanded nursery services and encouraging flexible working arrangements.

Population expert Dong Yuzheng said the hope is that the policies will encourage society to recognize the social value of marriage and childbearing, while continuing to build a more family-friendly society.

In addition to maternity insurance, the draft law also adds a provision stating that the country encourages the development of commercial health insurance, charitable donations related to healthcare and mutual medical aid, in order to meet diverse health security needs.

"This revision clarifies the top-level design of China's healthcare insurance system from a legal perspective," said Zhang Qing, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law.

He explained that the healthcare insurance system is a multi-layered, complementary system of protection, where basic medical insurance plays the lead role, supported by critical illness insurance and medical assistance as a safety net, with commercial health insurance, charitable donations and mutual medical aid working together.

He added that the change also leaves room for the future development of long-term care insurance, making the entire medical security net more comprehensive and more sustainable.

The draft also stipulates that efforts should be made to coordinate local governments to establish a risk control mechanism for the basic medical insurance fund, and develop a medium-to-long-term revenue-expenditure balance mechanism as well as an emergency response mechanism.

According to experts, the new emergency response mechanism for funds is mainly aimed at dealing with the risk of revenue falling short of expenditure in some regions' resident medical insurance schemes, and at strengthening the responsibility of local authorities to balance their budgets. 
PYONGYANG, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met separately with Russia's State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Monday.

Kim noted the two countries had fought shoulder to shoulder and won a victory in operations in Russia's Kursk region, calling it "a historic event proving the mightiness and firmness of the DPRK-Russia alliance," said the report.

"The DPRK government will as ever fully support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests," Kim was quoted as saying.

During the talks, the DPRK and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to developing bilateral relations comprehensively in line with the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, the report added.

The two sides also discussed a series of issues aimed at further consolidating and developing political and military cooperation and assistance between the two countries, it said. 
BEIRUT, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Hezbollah on Monday of betraying Lebanon by dragging the country into wars, while emphasizing his rejection of a "humiliating deal" in negotiations with Israel aimed at ending hostilities.

"What we are doing is not betrayal. Betrayal is committed by those who take their country to war in pursuit of foreign interests," Aoun told a delegation from southern Lebanon, according to a statement released by Lebanon's Presidency.

Aoun said Lebanon had informed the United States from "the first moment" that a ceasefire was a necessary first step before any subsequent negotiations. He said this position was reiterated during ambassador-level meetings with Israel held on April 14 and April 23.

He added that the Lebanese state's position was clear and that any other statements made in Lebanon or Washington did not represent official Lebanese policy.

Responding to critics of the government's decision to enter negotiations, Aoun said some were questioning the move on the grounds that there was no national consensus. "When you went to war, did you first secure national consensus?" he asked.

Aoun added that his goal was to end the state of war with Israel and that he would never accept "a humiliating deal." 
BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Monday reviewed a draft law that proposes improving the maternity insurance system and expanding its coverage.

The draft healthcare security law is now under a second deliberation at a session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee that began on Monday.

The move comes as China has stepped up efforts in recent years to extend maternity insurance to people in flexible employment, with some parts of the country already implementing the reform. Currently, 255 million people in China are enrolled in the maternity insurance system.

Thanks to the rapid development of information technology, a large number of people in China are now working on their own terms -- as delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, or freelancers -- bringing the total number of flexible workers to more than 200 million. Officials say flexible work is creating new job opportunities and giving fresh momentum to economic growth.

By enshrining reforms to improve and expand maternity insurance in the draft law, more people, especially those in flexible employment, will be covered by maternity insurance, said Liu Xuanlin, deputy director of the medical security law and policy research center of China University of Political Science and Law and deputy secretary-general of the China Health Law Society.

"This protects their reproductive and health rights, lowers their medical costs, and could help boost their willingness to have children," he added.

The draft also adds a provision stating that the country encourages the development of commercial health insurance, charitable donations related to healthcare and mutual medical aid, in order to meet diverse health security needs.

The draft also stipulates that efforts should be made to coordinate local governments to establish a risk control mechanism for the basic medical insurance fund, and develop a medium-to-long-term revenue-expenditure balance mechanism as well as an emergency response mechanism. 
TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said Washington's "excessive demands" led to the collapse of recent peace negotiations in Pakistan, Iranian state media reported.

Araghchi made the remarks after arriving in Russia for a scheduled meeting with President Vladimir Putin. According to Iranian reports, he said that although the previous round of negotiations had made progress, it ultimately failed to reach its goals because of the U.S. approach.

He also stressed that ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is "an important global issue," as tensions between Tehran and Washington persist in the strategic waterway.

Araghchi's visit to Moscow is expected to focus on bilateral ties and regional security matters, including developments in the Middle East and the situation in the Gulf, Iranian officials said. 
JAKARTA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto carried out a cabinet reshuffle here on Monday, appointing six new officials in a move to strengthen his administration.

The newly appointed officials include Jumhur Hidayat as environment minister and Hanif Faisol Nurofiq as deputy coordinating minister for food.

Prabowo also appointed new officials to serve as chief of presidential staff, head of the government communications agency, special presidential adviser for communications, and head of the Indonesian quarantine agency. 
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with a delegation led by Dmitry Krutoi, head of the Administration of the President of Belarus, in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Li Xi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a delegation led by Dmitry Krutoi, head of the Administration of the President of Belarus, in Beijing on Monday.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said China is ready to work with Belarus to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and continue to firmly support each other on issues regarding each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is willing to enhance the alignment of development strategies and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, strengthen multilateral collaboration and promote the bilateral ties with Belarus, Li said.

Krutoi said Belarus is firmly committed to developing the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between Belarus and China, and stands ready to learn from China's experience in state governance and party building to push the bilateral ties to a higher level. 

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with a delegation led by Dmitry Krutoi, head of the Administration of the President of Belarus, in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's finance ministry on Monday commended Moody's decision to affirm China's A1 sovereign credit rating and upgrade its credit outlook to stable.

A ministry official said that this rating has reflected Moody's recognition of the strong resilience demonstrated by China's macroeconomic and fiscal strength amid external shocks, as well as new drivers and progress in the country's high-quality economic development.

According to the official, China's economy exceeded market expectations to achieve a rapid growth rate of 5 percent in the first quarter of 2026, explaining that against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global trade environment and continuously rising geopolitical risks, the Chinese government has implemented a package of macroeconomic regulation policies and strengthened policy coordination.

The Chinese economy has withstood pressure and moved toward innovation-led growth and optimized economic structure while demonstrating the advantages of a supersized market, a complete supply chain system and strong export competitiveness, said the official, noting that these are the cornerstones supporting China's sovereign creditworthiness.

"We will further comprehensively deepen reforms, continue to promote economic structural transformation, steadily enhance fiscal sustainability, accelerate the cultivation and expansion of new quality productive forces, and consolidate the foundation for stable economic operation," the official said.

By leveraging the certainty of its sustained and sound economic and social development, China will contribute more to world economic recovery and prosperity, the official added. 
GAZA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians, including a child, were killed Monday in separate attacks by the Israeli army in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian medical sources.

Medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said the hospital received the body of 15-year-old Ayham al-Omari, who was killed by Israeli army gunfire in the Beit Lahia area in northern Gaza.

In a separate incident, a 31-year-old Palestinian man was killed by the Israeli army east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, local sources said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incidents.

Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities said hospitals in the enclave received seven bodies and 18 wounded in the past 24 hours.

The death toll since a ceasefire came into effect on Oct. 10 has reached 817, with 2,296 injured, the authorities said. The total death toll has risen to 72,593, with 172,399 injured, since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7, 2023. 
MOSCOW, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Moscow has largely expanded the blacklist of European Union (EU) officials banned from entering Russia in response to Brussels' 20th sanctions package against Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The EU continues its attempts to pressure Russia by scaling up unilateral restrictive measures, the ministry said in a statement, adding that Brussels' destructive actions grossly violate the norms of international law.

"We have also imposed restrictive measures against civil society activists and academics in European countries who hold hostile positions toward Russia, as well as members of national parliaments of EU member states and the European Parliament who voted in favor of anti-Russian resolutions and bills," said the statement.

Russia has also barred entry to representatives of European institutions and EU member states involved in decisions on providing military aid to Ukraine, it added.

European Council President Antonio Costa said on Thursday that the EU has approved a 90-billion-euro (105 billion U.S. dollars) loan package for Ukraine, along with a 20th round of sanctions against Russia. 
ST. PETERSBURG, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi here Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and the situation in the Middle East.

Before he arrived in St. Petersburg earlier in the day, Araghchi had said that discussions with the Russian side would include regional developments around the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Attending the meeting were Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, and Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Representatives on the Iranian side included Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Iranian Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali.

During the talks, Putin said Moscow intends to continue developing strategic relations with Iran, is willing to make efforts to help secure peace in the Middle East at an early date, and hopes that the Iranian people will pass through the current period of trials and that peace will come, Russian state media RIA Novosti reported.

"We will do everything that meets your interests and the interests of all the peoples of the region to achieve this peace as quickly as possible," Putin was quoted as saying.

Putin also said he has received a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

"At the beginning of the conversation, I would like to note that last week I received a message from the Supreme Leader of Iran," Putin said. 
BEIRUT, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A member of Hezbollah was killed and three other people were wounded on Monday in a series of Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources.

Lebanon's National News Agency said an Israeli drone strike on a town near the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon killed one person, who is a Hezbollah member, while three people were injured in a strike targeting the outskirts of the southern villages of Majdal Selm and Sawaneh.

A Lebanese security source and a source in the Civil Defense told Xinhua that Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon targeted the Chaara area, hills surrounding the town of Janta, and the rugged eastern mountain range east of the city of Baalbek.

In separate statements, Hezbollah said it struck two Israeli Merkava tanks with drones, a gathering of Israeli military vehicles and soldiers with a guided missile, and an Israeli D9 military bulldozer across southern Lebanon, in response to what it called Israeli violations of the ceasefire.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that the cumulative death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks since March 2 has risen to 2,521, with 7,804 injuries.

The developments came despite a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17, following weeks of intensified cross-border fighting linked to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the current 10-day ceasefire would be extended by three weeks. 
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of the 22nd session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Monday began deliberating on a draft social assistance law and a draft revision to the Agriculture Law, among other bills, at a legislative session that will run through Thursday.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), presided over the first plenary meeting of the 22nd session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee.

Bills submitted to the session for review also included a draft revision to the Prison Law, a draft healthcare security law, a draft law on farmland protection and quality improvement, a draft revision to the Law on State-Owned Assets of Enterprises, a draft revision to the National Defense Mobilization Law, and a draft revision to the Water Law.

A treaty on judicial assistance in criminal affairs between China and Azerbaijan was submitted for ratification.

Also submitted for ratification was a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries.

Reports concerning environmental protection, state-owned assets management, and lawmakers' qualifications, as well as proposals regarding appointments or removals, were submitted for review. 
RIYADH, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud affirmed Monday that Saudi Vision 2030 is now entering its third and final phase (2026-2030), with 90 percent of the 1,290 total initiatives complete or on track.

He said this phase reaches the peak of strategy and program execution, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

During a session of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Saudi crown prince said the kingdom is advancing toward its goals by consolidating economic and social gains and accelerating progress.

He stressed that despite the global economic volatility and political turmoil of the past decade, the vision has maintained its upward trajectory.

He directed all government agencies to continue their efforts within their respective mandates, anticipating and capitalizing on opportunities to deliver outcomes that benefit the nation, citizens, and the national economy.

The vision, launched in 2016, seeks to diversify the economy, empower citizens, and create a vibrant environment for both local and international investors. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Navigational rights and freedoms through the Strait of Hormuz must be respected ... These principles must be upheld in full, and without delay," he said at a Security Council open debate on the safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain.

"I appeal to the parties: open the strait, let ships pass, no tolls, no discrimination, let trade resume, let the global economy breathe," said Guterres. 
TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Monday that the U.S. "destructive habits," especially its insistence on unreasonable demands, frequent changes of positions, threatening rhetoric and continuous breach of promises, are factors slowing down the progress of diplomacy.

Writing on Telegram, Araghchi said he made the remarks in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. 
DAR ES SALAAM, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's mining sector has emerged as the leading recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for nearly three-quarters of total capital invested in key sectors of the economy, a cabinet minister said on Monday.

Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde made the remarks when he presented his ministry's 2026/2027 financial year budget speech in parliament in Dodoma, saying the mining sector continues to attract strong investor interest, supported by an enabling business environment established by the government.

According to the Tanzania Investment Report 2025, total investment in the mining sector rose to 9.79 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up from 9.15 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and 8.64 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, the minister told the House.

Mavunde said the favorable conditions have encouraged new investors to enter the market while prompting existing operators to expand projects and reinvest profits.

The government remains committed to strengthening the mining sector to sustain investment growth and maximize its contribution to the national economy, the minister added. 
JOHANNESBURG, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Three people were shot dead inside a fast-food outlet in the Johannesburg central business district on Monday morning, local media reported.

The shooting took place at a McDonald's restaurant at the corner of Jeppe and Small streets, where the three men were having breakfast when two masked gunmen entered and opened fire, Independent Online (IOL) reported.

Local councilor Sthembiso Hlatshwayo said the victims were believed to be business owners operating in the area.

Hlatshwayo called for urgent intervention from law enforcement agencies, saying violent crime had become a frequent occurrence in the area.

Police have opened a triple murder investigation and launched a manhunt for the suspects. 
TEHRAN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday blamed the slow progress of diplomacy between Iran and the United States on the latter's continuation of its "destructive habits."

He made the remarks in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, among others, read a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Elaborating on the diplomatic process mediated by Pakistan to end the war and establish peace and security in the West Asia region and the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said, "The main reasons for the slow progress of diplomacy are the U.S. continuation of its destructive habits, especially its insistence on putting forward unreasonable demands, frequently changing positions, rhetoric of threat and recurrent breaking of promises."

He said Iran will make an appropriate decision about the current diplomatic process while taking into consideration its previous experiences, "especially the two military aggressions (by the United States and Israel) against the country in the middle of diplomatic negotiations, attacks on its peaceful nuclear facilities as well as the U.S. addiction to sanctions and economic pressure and continued piracy against Iranian commercial vessels."

Putin, for his part, voiced Russia's readiness to provide assistance to completely ending the war and establishing peace in the region, expressing hope that diplomatic processes in that direction would lead to a favorable outcome for peace and stability, read the statement.

Putin underlined Russia's determination to further strengthen bilateral ties in all areas of common interest and expand bilateral cooperation in different sectors. He said he has received a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Araghchi arrived in Russia early Monday on the last leg of a tour that has taken him to Pakistan twice and to Oman.

On Feb. 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 U.S. interests in the Middle East, and a tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8, followed by lengthy talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, 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 last week, but Iran refrained from attending the negotiations, citing U.S. continued naval blockade and "excessive" demands as main reasons. 
by Xinhua writers Zhao Jiasong, Yu Aicen, Larry Neild

LONDON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Britain's King Charles III began a four-day state visit to the United States on Monday, his first since ascending the throne, at a moment of mounting strain in bilateral relations.

He is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House and address Congress. Yet the royal diplomacy faces unusual challenges. It is widely believed that it may help ease tensions, but it is unlikely to resolve substantive disputes.

The visit came amid a widening rift, with Trump repeatedly criticizing Britain's decision to stay out of U.S. strikes on Iran. Israel and the United States launched joint strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran has ever since tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a key global route for oil and gas shipments, sharply driving up energy prices worldwide.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly defended that stance. "I will never let this country be dragged into a war that is not in our interest. Never," he said at a trade union conference on Monday.

The disagreement over Iran has become the clearest sign of broader tensions. Britain has declined to support U.S. military action and at one point refused to allow bases under its control to be used for bombing operations. Differences have also surfaced over NATO, trade, and Britain's digital services tax, with Trump threatening tariffs if the levy is not scrapped.

As a constitutional monarch, King Charles cannot negotiate policy, resolve trade disputes, or alter Britain's position on war and peace.

Nevertheless, Dafydd Townley, a senior teaching fellow in international security at the University of Portsmouth, described the king as "arguably the greatest soft power tool available to Britain," despite his lack of decision-making authority.

Starmer has also defended the visit, saying the bilateral relationship remains "very important on a number of levels," and that "the monarchy can reach through the decades" in sustaining ties.

However, analysts warn that expectations in Washington may exceed what the monarch can realistically deliver. Ian Scott, professor of U.S. politics and history at the University of Manchester, said some within the Trump administration appear to overestimate the king's influence.

"There are some who believe that the King can tell Starmer what to do," he said. "Aside from misunderstanding the British constitutional system, it is unclear what substantive policy Trump will put forward."

For some observers, the visit amounts to "crisis management through ceremony." Salvador Santino Regilme, associate professor of international relations at Leiden University, noted that its symbolism still carries weight, particularly as it coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence. "That symbolism is not ornamental, it does diplomatic work," he said.

Despite the tensions, the dispute over Iran does not signal a complete strategic rupture. "Both administrations share the same objectives in the Middle East; they differ mainly in how to achieve them," Townley said.

Still, the accumulation of disagreements has raised concerns that relations are entering a more difficult phase. Scott described ties as "choppy, troubled, and delicate," warning of deeper "structural divisions" if rhetoric is not toned down.

"It's not just that there are 'policy' divisions ... There is a fundamental difference in outlook," he said, pointing to contrasts between Washington's more unilateral approach and Britain's preference for multilateral coordination.

"Trump has refused to support the international rules-based order since the start of his second term, and this has jarred a number of European leaders," Townley said.

In Europe, the visit is being closely watched as a barometer of broader transatlantic strains. French daily Liberation said on Monday warned that the king must avoid giving the impression of a humiliating effort to placate an unpredictable U.S. president.

Meanwhile, Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter said on Monday that Britain is using the monarchy as "a diplomatic buffer." As relations with Trump deteriorate, the king may prove a useful but limited instrument, being able to soothe the atmosphere but unable to settle policy disputes.

Behind the scenes, Britain has spent months preparing the trip. Politico, citing officials familiar with the process, said the trip reflects high-level strategic planning, with implications for Ukraine, NATO, and defense ties.

At home, however, the visit has drawn criticism. Protesters gathered outside Buckingham Palace on Monday, wearing masks of King Charles and Trump, accusing the government of appeasing Washington.

The British people are "sick and tired" of the British government appeasing Trump, protesters said on social media.

Trump "has lit the fuse on a stick of dynamite underneath the world economy by bombing Iran and driving a global energy crisis," they said. "What this visit does is it signals to Donald Trump that he can violate international law at every turn and he can still be honored by the UK government." 
ANKARA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek on Monday announced an investment reform package aimed at boosting exports of goods and services, repatriating capital, and positioning the Istanbul Finance Center as a key regional hub.

During a press conference, Simsek detailed the reform package, saying that the government has designated 2026 as the year of reform.

The package covers industrial upgrading to move the value chain higher, green and digital transformations, infrastructure investments as well as tax, public finance, and governance reforms, according to Simsek.

"Within the scope of the package, our goals include increasing the export of goods and services, attracting more talent, entrepreneurs and capital, bringing assets back to the country, further encouraging our citizens abroad to use Turkiye as the center of their activities, and of course, positioning the Istanbul Financial Center as one of the important centers of the region," he said.

The relevant support measures include zero corporate tax on transit trade, a lower corporate tax rate for exporters, and a full tax exemption on service exports, with the goal of promoting high-value service sectors such as software, video games, health tourism, education, engineering, design, and architecture, according to the Turkish minister. 
PARIS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he will resume exchanges with Iran after concluding his visit to Andorra.

Macron made the remarks during a two-day visit to Andorra, saying that the current ceasefire between the United States and Iran is a good thing, and the next step should be advancing discussions.

Sustained tensions and long-distance responses between the parties involved in the conflict are not good, he added.

Macron stressed that it is important to ensure the passage of gas, oil, fertilizers and other goods through the Strait of Hormuz, as it affects the global economy.

Macron has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran earlier this month and meanwhile called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. 
WINDHOEK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Namibia is looking to carve out a premium niche for its beef in the Chinese market as China's zero-tariff policy for African imports offers fresh opportunities for high-value agricultural products, a Namibian meat industry executive has said.

Albertus Aochamub, interim chief executive of the state-owned Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), told Xinhua in a recent interview that the policy, effective May 1, is a milestone that strengthens the trade partnership between Namibia and China.

China has announced that it will grant zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with diplomatic relations next month, and will further expand access for African exports through measures including an upgraded "green channel."

Aochamub described the initiative as an opportunity "that every sector in every country across the continent would want to take advantage of."

For Namibia, he said, the policy comes on the back of an established, though still small, beef trade with China.

In March 2019, Namibia became the first African country to export beef to China, with an initial shipment of 21 tonnes aimed at diversifying its export destinations.

Aochamub noted that Namibia has met China's strict sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, and is already in a good trading position.

Namibia will not compete with large beef-exporting countries on volume, but will continue to position its products at the premium end of the market, where smaller consignments can attract better returns, he said.

According to Meatco's 2024/25 data, overseas markets absorbed 47 percent of its beef sales volume but generated 84 percent of total revenue, with the European Union and Norway accounting for about 98 percent of beef revenue.

The new policy is expected to streamline existing trade flows, he said, adding that the implementation of the tariff means that Namibia will continue in a much "more relaxed and less regulated, from a tariff perspective, situation."

Meatco will need to further assess its product mix, target regions in China and market segments for Namibian beef, Aochamub said. "That'll be the key driver for volumes in trade going forward."

He said that China's vast market offers significant potential, but Namibia remains realistic about its supply capacity due to its relatively small national herd.

The country, therefore, will have to grow the China trade selectively rather than pursue mass-volume exports, Aochamub said.

Namibian Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi visited China from April 11 to 18. The two sides agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture and other sectors, and China expressed support for Namibia's economic and social development, including its efforts to promote industrialization and agricultural modernization. 
COTONOU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Benin on Monday launched a campaign to combat schistosomiasis and intestinal worms, targeting about 1.5 million children aged five to 14 across 11 of the country's 12 departments.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the campaign features the distribution of preventive medicines in more than 52 communes nationwide.

"Free drug distribution sessions will take place from April 27 to 29, 2026, in schools for enrolled children and in communities for those not attending school," the statement said.

Minister of Health Benjamin Hounkpatin called on stakeholders in primary and secondary education, community leaders and local officials to mobilize for the success of the campaign. He also urged parents to allow their children to receive the treatment.

"Treating our children against schistosomiasis and intestinal worms promotes their growth, intellectual development and academic performance, while maximizing the returns on investments made in their future," Hounkpatin was quoted as saying in the statement.

According to the National Program for the Control of Communicable Diseases, schistosomiasis, endemic in several regions of Benin, is the second most significant parasitic disease after malaria. If left untreated, this neglected tropical disease can lead to serious complications and even death. 
ACCRA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- An attack on a military convoy protecting civilians resulted in the death of three civilians and seven assailants in northern Ghana on Monday, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said.

In a statement, the GAF said that the military convoy escorting 140 civilians traveling from the Bawku area in the Upper East Region toward Bolgatanga, the regional capital, came under heavy attack from unknown assailants.

The convoy "was shot at several times resulting in the death of 3 of the civilians being escorted and injuring one," the GAF said.

According to the release, the military successfully repulsed the attack, neutralizing seven of the assailants in the process.

The statement said the military had also retrieved a G3 automatic rifle from one of the assailants, who had escaped into a mosque, in addition to two loaded magazines with 20 rounds of ammunition each and 176 rounds of additional ammunition.

"Ten other suspects were arrested and are assisting with investigations," the statement added. 
TOKYO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. Marines stationed in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa were arrested by local police on Sunday on suspicion of illegal entry and drunk driving, respectively, local media reported.

According to Kyodo News, one was arrested Sunday morning for allegedly breaking into a hotel in Okinawa, while the other was arrested around noon on suspicion of driving under the influence. Both suspects have denied the allegations.

Okinawa hosts 70 percent of all the U.S. military bases in Japan while accounting for only 0.6 percent of the country's total land area. Crimes committed by U.S. military personnel stationed in the prefecture, including grave offenses such as murder, rape, and robbery have long been a serious and persistent issue.

Official statistics show that in 2025 alone, local police handled more than 100 criminal cases involving U.S. service members and related personnel. 
A health worker (1st R) checks a man with a prosthetic leg at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 25, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, April 27 (Xinhua) -- In the dim corridors of a crowded Kabul hospital, 56-year-old Zakaria sits quietly, waiting for his routine medical check-up. Years after a landmine explosion took his leg, the hospital visits address only part of his struggle; the deeper challenge is sustaining a family of 16 in a fragile economic reality.

"The land was full of mines, and one of them exploded beneath me," Zakaria said. The blast not only left him permanently disabled but also altered the course of his life. Once the primary breadwinner, he now navigates a daily struggle shaped by physical limitations and financial hardship.

"I can do hand-based work like tailoring, but I cannot do work that requires standing or walking," he said. "I ask the government to create job opportunities for us so we can earn a living for our families with our own efforts."

Zakaria's story reflects a broader reality across Afghanistan, where decades of conflict and widespread landmine contamination have left a significant number of people living with disabilities. For many, life hangs between dependence on aid and the desire for independence.

Officials say efforts are underway to support persons with disabilities through structured national programs.

"We provide a separate monthly allowance for persons with disabilities, including civilian, military and congenital cases," said Mufti Faisal Khamosh, director of public relations and communications at the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs.

According to Khamosh, assistance ranges from 2,000 to 20,000 afghanis (about 31 to 316 U.S. dollars) per month, depending on the severity of disability. Over the past year, some 12.6 billion afghanis have been distributed to persons with disabilities and orphans.

Support extends beyond cash payments. Authorities, in coordination with 71 governmental and non-governmental organizations, have delivered food supplies, wheelchairs, and access to education and vocational training programs.

"We are working to register all persons with disabilities and orphans electronically," Khamosh said. "Each family will receive a card to directly benefit from services. At the same time, we are trying to create job opportunities, though one of the main challenges remains the high number of beneficiaries and limited budget."

For many, however, the gap between assistance and self-reliance remains wide. While aid helps families survive, it does not fulfill their deeper aspiration: independence.

"There should be job opportunities so we can earn by our own hands and not remain dependent on aid organizations," Zakaria said. "We are willing to do even the hardest work to avoid dependency."

"Some people bother us, while others show sympathy," he said, describing a mixed social environment. Yet access to healthcare, often supported by humanitarian organizations, provides a measure of stability.

For 45-year-old Asif, the consequences of war began in childhood. Mistaking a landmine for a toy, he triggered an explosion that cost him a leg and a hand.

Years later, economic hardship forced him to leave Kabul and move with his family to a rural village. He had big dreams of building a good life, educating his children, letting them learn English and benefit from opportunities in the city.

Nasratullah, a 32-year-old father of five, from eastern Parwan province, faces a similar struggle. After losing his job due to staff reductions, he has been unemployed for nearly a year.

"Life is very exhausting for us, especially for people like us who are disabled," he said. "Our economic situation is at zero."

Nasratullah believes solutions must go beyond short-term aid.

"A loan system should be created for those who cannot do physical labor, so they can manage their lives independently," he said, adding that he is ready to work in administrative or educational roles.

"I am the head of my family and must support them."

The United Nations has noted that decades of conflict and widespread landmine contamination have significantly increased the number of people living with disabilities in Afghanistan. At the same time, economic pressures continue to limit access to sustainable livelihoods.

For Zakaria, Nasratullah, Asif, and countless others, assistance remains a lifeline but not a solution. What they seek is not only survival, but dignity: the opportunity to work, to contribute, and to build a future through their own efforts. 

A handicapped man walks with a prosthetic leg at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 25, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

A health worker checks a prosthetic leg for a handicapped man at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 25, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

A handicapped man walks with a prosthetic leg at a rehabilitation center run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 25, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia seeks collaboration with partners to build artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and compete with confidence in the global digital economy, not to merely be a user of such technology, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday.

While embracing AI and rolling it out in various applications, the government's focus remains on the people, with efforts to drive economic advancement and prosperity anchored in equity and social justice, Anwar said in his speech at the launch of the Huawei AI Lab and Innovation Centre.

"Pursuing digital transformation driven merely by the quest for material progress will be counterproductive if it leads to the enlargement of social inequities," he said in his keynote address.

He also said Malaysia will remain open to investment from friendly nations, as well as partnerships with companies that respect its national laws and priorities, but will continue ensuring its own sovereignty.

"We will not relinquish the decisions that matter most, how our data is governed, how AI systems are used in our public institutions, and how new technologies are introduced into the lives of our citizens," he said.

Anwar extended congratulations to Huawei on the opening of its first AI Lab and Innovation Centre outside China, thanking the company for showing confidence in Malaysia. "The training, the exposure, the facilities shared, I think it symbolizes the real partnership between us," added the prime minister.

The newly launched center is set to serve the wider Asia Pacific region, according to Huawei.

With a total area of 13,638 square feet, the facility offers ample space to demonstrate Huawei's latest solutions and use cases for digital and energy transformation, encourage deeper collaboration on innovation and ecosystem development, as well as closer engagement between industry and education stakeholders to train more Malaysian AI talent, according to the company. 
BISHKEK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Adylbek Kasymaliev, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, met here with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Monday.

During the meeting, Kasymaliev noted that Kyrgyz-Chinese relations are currently developing rapidly and steadily, with the two sides maintaining a high level of political mutual trust.

The Kyrgyz side always views China as a key strategic partner, he said, adding that the country is ready to continue deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and strengthening cooperation on bilateral and multilateral platforms, particularly within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Kasymaliev said that the current international situation is marked by instability, with new security challenges and threats continuously emerging. He emphasized that further promotion of bilateral practical cooperation in the military sphere is becoming even more relevant for a joint response to terrorism, extremism, separatism, transnational crime and other security threats.

Dong said that China and Kyrgyzstan are kind neighbors, good friends and reliable partners. Bilateral relations have made great strides and comprehensive cooperation has reached a new level under the strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state, he added.

Over the past years, relations between the two militaries have maintained vigorous development, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, Dong said.

China stands ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to continuously deepen their traditional friendship, improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation, and strengthen interaction on multilateral platforms, thereby jointly safeguarding the peaceful environment for the development and revitalization of both countries and infusing more positive energy into the turbulent world, Dong added. 
MOSCOW, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Vologda region, regional governor Georgy Filimonov said Monday.

"Among them, six have been hospitalized," he said, adding that the victims suffered burns caused by sulfuric acid.

The attack early Sunday damaged a high-pressure sulfuric acid pipeline at the Apatit industrial complex in Cherepovets, which produces ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers.

The governor said the sulfuric acid leak had been contained and that no dangerous chemical emissions were detected. 
KIEV, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that lawmakers will extend martial law and general mobilization for an additional 90 days, the parliament's press service reported.

The measures, currently set to expire on May 4, would be extended until Aug. 2 if the parliament endorses the proposal.

Ukrinform news agency reported that lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposal later this week.

Martial law in Ukraine has been extended 18 times previously since it was first introduced in February 2022. 
LONDON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said late Sunday that a cargo vessel had been hijacked off Somalia's northeastern coast near Garacad.

According to a UKMTO warning, the incident occurred about six nautical miles northeast of Garacad. A third-party report said unauthorized individuals had taken control of the cargo vessel and redirected it into Somali territorial waters.

The warning followed a separate hijacking advisory issued by the UKMTO on Saturday involving a tanker seized off Somali waters. In that incident, military authorities reported unauthorized persons had taken control of the vessel on Tuesday and maneuvered it about 77 nautical miles south within Somali territorial waters.

According to media reports, the tanker, identified as Honour 25, was carrying 17 crew members and 18,500 barrels of oil destined for the Somali capital Mogadishu. Reports said the hijacking could worsen fuel shortages in the city, where gasoline prices have surged amid tensions in the Middle East.

The UKMTO said the latest incidents point to an increased threat from organized pirate activity in Somali waters, advising vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity while investigations continue.

Piracy off Somalia, once among the gravest maritime security threats in the world, had declined sharply over the past decade, but recent incidents have renewed concerns over a possible resurgence. 
MOSCOW, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorff on Monday over a recent meeting in Kiev between a German lawmaker and the leader of a terrorist organization.

Lambsdorff was summoned to the foreign ministry on Monday morning, and a resolute protest was lodged with the ambassador over the meeting held in Kiev with the assistance of the Ukrainian government, said the ministry.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the German Bundestag and the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs representing the ruling Christian Democratic Union party, met with Akhmad Zakayev, head of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, a terrorist organization banned in Russia and listed on the international wanted list.

In the statement, the ministry said that the German lawmaker welcomed anti-Russian activities carried out by terrorists and called on them to expand cooperation with Germany. Such cooperation includes recruiting Russian migrants residing in Germany to conduct acts aimed at destabilizing Russia's sociopolitical situation.

Moscow regards the meeting "between a German lawmaker and a notorious criminal" as irrefutable evidence that the German authorities are seeking to interfere in Russia's internal affairs and pose clear threats to Russia's national security, according to the ministry. 
BERLIN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday criticized the United States for its "planless" military engagement in Iran, adding that the United States "is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership."

Speaking at the Carolus-Magnus-Gymnasium, a school in Marsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz expressed his skepticism about Washington's ability to quickly conclude its war with Iran.

The United States "obviously went into this war without any strategy," Merz was quoted by the German magazine Spiegel as saying, adding that the Iranian side is negotiating highly skillfully.

"The problem with such conflicts is always: you don't just have to go in, you also have to get out," he said.

Merz reiterated Germany's offer to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and restore global oil supply chains. However, he stressed that Germany will only participate once all combat operations have ceased.

On Feb. 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 U.S. interests in the Middle East, and a tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz,a key global route for oil and gas shipments.

A ceasefire was achieved on April 8, but Iran and the United States failed to yield an agreement in their talks in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterway.

The disruptions in the Strait have sharply driven up energy prices, with Brent crude climbing above 107 U.S. dollars per barrel on Monday. 
WASHINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A gunman armed with a shotgun, handgun and knives stormed a security checkpoint outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, exchanging fire with Secret Service agents and forcing President Donald Trump and dozens of senior officials to evacuate the event.

The suspect, identified by federal authorities as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was tackled and subdued at the Washington Hilton, where roughly 2,600 guests had gathered for the annual press gala. No attendees were seriously injured.

Allen faces at least one count each of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced Saturday night.

The Department of Justice said Sunday that preliminary findings suggest Trump was the intended target. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Allen appeared to be a lone gunman who traveled by train from Los Angeles to Washington, and checked into the hotel the day before the event.

A social media account believed to belong to Allen included recent posts critical of Trump and his administration's policies, the U.S. war with Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Allen's brother notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut after the incident that the suspect had sent family members an alleged manifesto before the shooting. The document reportedly laid out plans to target administration officials.

His sister separately told investigators that her brother had a tendency to make radical statements and had referenced a plan to fix what he viewed as problems in the world.

DEEP DIVISION

The 2026 dinner was the first such event attended by Trump during his presidency. Throughout his first term, he declined to attend, defying a tradition of sitting presidents dining at least once with the press corps at the annual event.

The event drew senior administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, FBI Director Kash Patel and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In a "60 Minutes" interview with CBS the following day, Trump commended law enforcement's quick response but took jabs at the press, accusing members of the press of being "almost one in the same" as the Democratic Party.

He also became defensive when a journalist read an excerpt from the suspect's writings that did not specifically mention him by name: "I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes." Trump criticized the interviewer as "a disgrace" for reading the passage.

Despite the anger, Trump said he appreciated the spirit of "friendship" between his administration and the media after Saturday's attack, while adding, "I don't know how long it'll last."

Conspiracy theories spread rapidly on social media following the shooting. Many users posted "STAGED" on platforms such as X and Instagram, echoing responses to the 2024 assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Some claimed the shooting was staged to boost support for Trump's plan to build a new White House ballroom, citing his low approval ratings and decisions related to the ongoing Iran war.

POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Saturday's shooting is the latest episode in a documented surge of politically motivated violence targeting officials across the spectrum.

Trump said he was not sure whether political violence was worsening, telling CBS, "You go back 20 years, 40 years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, it's always been there."

However, he placed specific blame on the opposition, singling out Democratic rhetoric as especially perilous. "I do think that the hate speech of the Democrats much more so is very dangerous," he said.

Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, when a gunman fired eight rounds from a rooftop, wounding him in the upper right ear.

The violence has not been one-sided. On June 14, 2025, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, was assassinated at her home in Brooklyn Park alongside her husband. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and wounded in a separate early-morning attack. 
Restaurants across the U.S. are struggling to fill one of their most essential and least visible roles: the dishwasher. Industry leaders say a tightening labor pool, driven in part by immigration crackdowns and declining interest from younger workers, is leaving kitchens short-staffed and operations strained.

More than 12 million people work in the U.S. restaurant and bar industry, according to the National Restaurant Association, but finding workers willing to take on physically demanding, low-paying back-of-house jobs has become increasingly difficult. (1)

Must Read

Dishwashers only earn an average of about $31,650 annually, placing them in the bottom tier of restaurant wages. High turnover also exacerbates the growing gap in labor. (2) The Wall Street Journal reported that food service workers "quit at the highest rates of any industry." (3)

Replacing a single hourly employee now costs about $2,700, up from $2,300 last year, according to market research firm Black Box Intelligence. (4) And there are ever more to replace.

While dishwashing roles are among the hardest to fill, they are critical to keeping kitchens running, ensuring a steady supply of clean plates, utensils and equipment during peak hours.

Without dishwashers, service can grind to a halt.

The immigration crackdown is shrinking the labor pool

A major factor behind the labor shortage is tighter immigration enforcement. Foreign-born workers make up roughly 20% of the restaurant workforce, according to the New Mexico Restaurant Association. (5)

"There is a real unrest in terms of making sure everyone is safe and not accidentally getting caught up in something," Michelle Korsmo, president of the National Restaurant Association, told The Wall Street Journal. (3)

Advocates have pushed for new visa programs to help fill lower-skilled roles, but progress has been slow. In the meantime, restaurants are left competing for a smaller pool of available workers.

Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Start investing with just $10

Teens are losing interest in certain restaurant roles

Historically, younger workers  particularly those aged 16 to 24  helped fill entry-level restaurant jobs. But that pipeline is drying up.
YunExpress, a Chinese logistics company specializing in cross-border e-commerce trade, has opened a 75,300-square foot terminal at East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Chinese-based company to handle its own cargo at the airport.

Cargo processing will commence on Thursday when a Central Airlines flight arrives with Chinese exports, according to an announcement by the airport. YunExpress began operating its own private flights to East Midlands Airport last May utilizing Boeing 777 freighter aircraft in partnership with China-based Central Airlines.

The lease of a dedicated cargo facility is another step in YunExpresss long-term plan to build an integrated, end-to-end logistics network in Europe. Controlling the plane-to-warehouse process instead of utilizing third-party cargo handlers will allow YunExpress to expedite e-commerce flows onto trucks and to customer locations. YunExpresss cargo base at East Midlands underscores the international expansion of Chinese logistics companies that help Chinese e-commerce platforms move orders by air to Europe and other regions besides the United States, where new customs rules have diminished demand for e-commerce trade by air.

Central Airlines currently operates four widebody flights per week to East Midlands. YunExpress, recently approved as a regulated agent and warehouse operator by UK aviation and border authorities, aims to provide loading, offloading and distribution services to other carriers in the near future, the airport said. It will employ about 40 persons at the warehouse.

In recent years, China and the U.K. have deepened trade cooperation, leading to a significant increase in demand for time-sensitive goods such as e-commerce parcels, machinery and medical supplies.

East Midlands Airport, the United Kingdoms second largest cargo airport, has become a center for direct China cargo service in the past few years. The airports central location, lack of congestion, fewer night flying restrictions and cargofocused infrastructure has attracted more freighter operators since the Covid crisis. East Midlands  home to the main UK air hubs of DHL Express, UPS and FedEx  is also benefitting from capacity constraints at other airports.

In response to increased cargo activity and to facilitate further growth in the medium term, the airport recently reconfigured its cargo aprons so that out of 27 cargo stands, 12 can now take wide-bodied aircraft, up from seven previously.

Companies can reach 80% of the UK population from East Midlands within four hours, airport officials say. Last year, East Midlands handled more than 413,000 tons of cargo.
The European Central Bank (ECB) signed agreements with three European standard-setting bodies to build the digital euro on open, non-proprietary infrastructure, directly challenging the dominance of Visa and Mastercard across the eurozone.

The deals with the European Card Payment Cooperation (ECPC), nexo standards, and the Berlin Group give the digital euro a free, shared technical foundation that any European payment provider can adopt without paying global card scheme fees.

Three standards, three layers of payments

CPACE, developed by ECPC, will handle contactless tap-to-pay transactions over near-field communication. Nexo standards connect merchant systems to the back-ends of payment service providers and acquirers, supporting in-store payment acceptance and ATM transactions. Berlin Group rules cover account-based transfers using identifiers such as mobile phone numbers, plus balance checks and merchant app integrations.

Approximately 80% of the European market already uses Berlin Group's API framework standards, which underpin PSD2 open banking for banks and fintech apps. ECPC was founded in 2020 by six payment firms from France, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, and Portugal. Nexo is an international non-profit headquartered in Brussels.

Direct hit on Visa and Mastercard

The ECB said Europe lacks a single open standard across payment terminals. This leaves the region dependent on proprietary systems run by global card schemes and digital wallets. Adopting three open standards would allow national card schemes to expand beyond home markets. They could use existing terminals without rebuilding infrastructure.

European payment providers would gain the ability to scale across borders once the digital euro carries legal tender status. The move parallels efforts by Wero, which already operates in France, Germany, and Belgium with the explicit goal of reducing reliance on Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.

Regulation gates the rollout

Piero Cipollone, ECB board member, called the agreements a step toward freer payment infrastructure.

He said they could give private firms alternatives to proprietary payment rails.

"The open digital euro standards will provide a European free alternative to current proprietary standards, make it easier for new European providers to enter the market and give European payment service providers and merchants the certainty they need to invest, innovate and compete across the euro area." Cipollone, ECB Executive Board member

The benefits will not arrive until EU co-legislators adopt the digital euro regulation. Without that legal foundation, the standards remain optional, and providers cannot count on a euro-area-wide scale for their future investments.

Read the Original story ECB Picks Open European Standards for Digital Euro, Sidelining Visa and Mastercard by Phil Haunhorst at beincrypto.com
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is driving nations efforts to develop alternative Gulf-to-Europe trade routes, with Iraqs $24 billion "Development Road" project at the forefront, analyst says.

The route from Iraqs Grand Faw Port to Turkey and on to Europe, is advancing "with discipline," Middle East Council on Global Affairs analyst Muhanad Seloom told Fox News Digital, calling it a "permanent" and "transformative" wartime shift.

Selooms comments came as President Donald Trump warned Tehran against further escalation in the Gulf and signaled the U.S. is prepared to act to keep the strait open.

Iranian forces have laid mines and threatened commercial traffic in the narrow waterway. As of Sunday, the shipping route remains effectively closed.

Iran Is 'Trying To Give The Global Economy A Heart Attack' By Closing Strait Of Hormuz, Uae Minister Says

"Iraqs Development Road means every container moving through Basra instead of Iranian-controlled waters is a reduction in Tehrans leverage over Iraq," said Seloom.

Read On The Fox News App

"The real scale, independent estimates put the Development Road closer to $24 billion, and the project is now moving with discipline," he said.

Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inaugurated the first 63-kilometer stretch of the Development Road in 2025. Phase 1 is due for completion by 2028.

"What was described by the Iraqi government as a flagship of Iraqi statecraft now has a regional rationale that governments and financiers treat as essential rather than aspirational," Seloom, an assistant professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, explained.

"Sudani seems to be positioning Iraq exactly where he thinks its geography always suggested, as a connecting state between the Gulf, Turkey and Europe," he said.

Watch Shipping Through The Strait Of Hormuz Grind To A Halt Amid Iran Conflict

Cargo ships are anchored in the Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, on March 11, 2026.  Reuters Photos

But other regional infrastructure, Seloom says, is also being pushed forward in parallel.

Saudi Arabias East-West Petroline pipeline is operating near its 7 million-barrel-per-day capacity, with expansion plans under review.

The UAEs ADCOP pipeline to Fujairah is also at maximum use, with a second line under discussion, he said. "Turkeys Zangezur and Middle Corridors bypass Iran via the Caucasus and are four to five years out."

He added: "Six Gulf-backed overland fiber projects are also underway through Syria, Iraq and the Horn of Africa."

Iran reimposed closure measures on the Strait of Hormuz on April 18, reducing traffic to just a handful of vessels per day compared with a pre-war average of roughly 130 to 140.
NEW DELHI (AP)  India and New Zealand on Monday signed a free trade agreement to deepen economic ties and expand market access, as both countries navigate mounting global trade disruptions.

The deal comes as New Delhi moves to diversify export markets to offset the impact of steep tariffs imposed by the United States and instability in shipping and energy routes due to the Iran war. For New Zealand, the agreement is part of a broader push to reduce reliance on China, its largest trading partner.

More from Yahoo Scout How will this deal help India diversify its exports? What are the key provisions of India-New Zealand trade agreement? What sectors will benefit most from the agreement? Why is New Zealand seeking to reduce China dependency?

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Indias Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.

Negotiated over nine months and agreed in December, the deal will cut or eliminate tariffs on 95% of New Zealands exports to India, while making all Indian exports to New Zealand duty-free. Wellington has also committed to invest $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.

McClay said the deal marked a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deepen economic ties at a time of rising global trade tensions and uncertainty. India is New Zealands 12th-largest export market, with bilateral trade valued at $2.15 billion in the year through June 2025, according to official data.

This agreement is also being concluded at a time of heightened global and regional uncertainty. In this context, strong, reliable partnerships matter more than ever before, McClay said.

Goyal called the deal a defining milestone and said India and New Zealand had chosen each other at a time when the world economy is being recast. He said the agreement offers market access across sectors and creates frameworks for investment and regulatory cooperation.

Indian sectors expected to see expanded market access include textiles and apparel, engineering goods, leather and footwear, and marine products. New Zealand is likely to register increased exports in horticulture, timber, coal, wool and meat.

India has excluded dairy and certain agricultural products from the deal to protect its farming sector.

Indian exporters have been under pressure from higher U.S. tariffs since August last year, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, auto components and metals, even as New Delhi continues negotiations with Washington on a separate bilateral agreement.

New Zealands trade deals are usually bipartisan. The agreement now requires ratification by parliament and is expected to pass after the opposition New Zealand Labour Party backed it, despite resistance from coalition partner and populist minor party New Zealand First.
BENGALURU, April 27 (Reuters) - Indian fintech firm One MobiKwik Systems said on Monday that its group has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India for a non-banking financial company (NBFC) licence.

 The licence will allow MobiKwik to launch a lending arm, Mobikwik Financial Services, expanding its regulated credit offering.

 Shares of the company rose 14% after the annoucement.

 One MobiKwik Systems operates a digital wallet and has expanded into the distribution of financial products, including credit and investments.

 The NBFC licence will also enable MobiKwik to roll out lending products faster and improve margins by bringing credit operations in-house, the company said.

 The unit will offer secured and unsecured loans to consumers and small businesses, with a focus on underserved markets.

 The company said non-bank lending operations will begin after it receives a certificate of registration from the central bank on fulfilment of certain conditions.

(Reporting by Nishit Navin; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
JBS faces renewed disruption in the US as union members at its Denver meatpacking plant have voted to strike, alleging labour law violations.

Labour union UFCW Local 7 said 97% of union members at Denver Processing voted to authorise the walkout.

Denver Processing is a beef and pork processing facility, owned by JBS' US division. The facility supplies Kroger-owned chains, including King Soopers and City Market in Colorado and Ralphs Grocery Company in California.

The union has filed multiple unfair labour practice charges against the company, alleging interference and retaliation by issuing discipline to a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions on behalf of their fellow workers.

It further accused the management of engaging in bad-faith and surface bargaining.

JBS said it was "disappointed that UFCW Local 7 has chosen to pursue another strike rather than continue productive discussions at the bargaining table".

According to UFCW Local 7, the company stalled negotiations, failed to address safety and work-life balance concerns and rushed to declare a final offer before meaningful bargaining.

This strike authorisation is the direct result of Denver Processings unlawful and bad-faith conduct, Kim Cordova, the president of UFCW Local 7, added.

In its statement, JBS said it had "negotiated in good faith with the goal of reaching a fair agreement that supports our team members and recognises their hard work".

"Our proposals include meaningful wage increases and a one-time bonus designed to provide immediate financial support while also ensuring long-term stability for employees and the organization. And as they did in Greeley, the union has once again not allowed team members to vote on our offer," JBS said.

The dispute comes after JBS reached a separate wage agreement with workers in Greeley, Colorado earlier this month, which included base wage increases and one-time bonuses but no retroactive pay.

Under that deal, base wages will rise by $0.70 at ratification, followed by $0.40 in July this year and $0.40 in July 2027. The agreement includes no provision for retroactive pay.

The package also includes a $750 one-time bonus payment at ratification and a further $500 one-time payment in April 2027, with eligibility requiring workers to be employed at ratification and at the time of payment.

However, the Brazilian meat giant said the deal does not include a pension benefit it said had featured in a national agreement negotiated last year between the company and UFCW International covering other US sites.
The Iran conflict has confirmed a transformation in the economics of warfare toward cheap, mass-produced weapons, forcing a wholesale rethinking of military procurement, according to a recent report.

While the U.S. and Israel have decimated Irans military, the Islamic republic still has enough combat power to inflict meaningful economic and physical damage, said Noah Ramos, chief innovation strategist at Alpine Macro, in a note earlier this month.

More from Yahoo Scout How is the Pentagon adapting to mass-produced weapons? How are cheap drones changing modern warfare economics? What role will legacy weapons play alongside cheaper alternatives? What supply chain vulnerabilities face U.S. military munitions?

In particular, the regime has leveraged its Shahed drones, which cost only $20,000-50,000, forcing the U.S. and its allies to shoot them down with $4 million PAC-3 missiles or THAAD interceptors that cost $12 million-$15 million.

Even with interception rates above 90%, the value of asset protection is diminished given the obscene economics, Ramos wrote. This imbalance has haunted Western military planners since the early days of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

He explained that such lopsided attrition is the opposite of the Wests model of precision lethality and is a deliberate part of Irans strategy: mass losses are a feature not a flaw, because even the most advanced defenses can be overwhelmed with sufficient volume.

The cost asymmetry is worsened by severe production and supply-chain constraints. For example, no new THAAD interceptors have been delivered since August 2023, and the next batch is due in April 2027.

At the same time, the U.S. has rapidly drawn down stockpiles of its most expensive munitions during the Iran war. The Center for Strategic and International Studies put the tally at 45% of its Precision Strike Missiles, 50% of its THAAD interceptors, and almost half of its of PAC-3 missiles. CSIS estimated it would take one to four years to restock seven major munitions to prewar levels.

The diminished munitions stockpiles have created a near-term risk, the report said. A war against a capable peer competitor like China will consume munitions at greater rates than in this war. Prewar inventories were already insufficient; the levels today will constrain U.S. operations should a future conflict arise.

In fact, Alpine Macros Ramos pointed out that many critical components for a variety of U.S. munitions are deeply exposed to Chinese supply chains.

That includes the stealthy Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, the Tomahawk cruise missile, the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, and the Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kit.

The U.S. militarys reliance on Chinese suppliers poses a grave threat given geopolitical fragmentation or a conflict over Taiwan, Ramos warned.
Early retirement isnt always a mistake but if youre burning through savings, struggling to cover health care, or feeling adrift, it may be time to adjust.

Credit: Alistair Berg / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Overspending, rising health care costs, and a lack of structure may signal that you retired too early.

Exiting the workforce early can also permanently reduce Social Security benefits, further depleting your potential nest egg.

If you fear you retired too early, you have options: Downsizing, finding new income streams, or rejoining the workforce can help stabilize your retirement.

More than half of Americans stop working earlier than they expectedand not always by choice. According to a December 2025 survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, 52% of retirees say they left the workforce sooner than planned, often due to health issues or job loss.

But even voluntary early retirement can have unintended financial and emotional consequences.

Whether youre already retired or approaching that milestone, spotting the signs that you may have jumped too soon can help you get back on track before your portfolio pays the price.

Warning Sign #1: Youre Spending Way More than You Expected

Its common to overspend in the early years of retirement, especially for those who retire in good health. But the damage can add up fast.

New retirees may find they are spending a lot more than they anticipated, says Mallon FitzPatrick, head of wealth planning at Robertson Stephens. When folks retire on the younger side and they are in good health, they often start traveling and doing activities that cost more than their long-term plan allows for.

Without a regular paycheck, even small indulgences can throw off your long-term projections. If you notice your withdrawals climbing or your savings balance shrinking faster than expected, start by revisiting your budget. Tracking every expense for a few months can reveal problem areas, and building in realistic allowances for travel, hobbies, and gifts can help you stick to your plan without feeling deprived. Review and adjust your budget at least once a yearor more often if your lifestyle changes.

If budget tweaks arent enough, you might consider more significant changes. FitzPatrick suggests considering whether downsizing might be a good fit for you. Selling a home can help bolster your nest egg and might even allow you to put some excess cash to work in your portfolio. Some retirees opt for more creative options, renting out a second home or an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their primary residence, FitzPatrick adds.

You can also go a more traditional route and start a side hustle or take on some part-time work. Keeping an open mind can help, says FitzPatrick. Perhaps there is another type of work you would consider or a new skill youd be willing to learn.
Alaros Exploration has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with 1001528518 Ontario (the target) to obtain exploration leases for tungsten sites in Nevada, US.

This acquisition will involve purchasing the target, which currently leases the properties.

As part of the agreement, Alaros Exploration will issue a total of 10.5 million common shares at $0.05 each to the shareholders of the target, in exchange for all its outstanding shares.

This transaction values the target at C$525,000 ($384,696). Alaros currently has 15,391,557 common shares in circulation.

The properties include the Toy Property, with five claims in Churchill County, and the Nightingale Property, covering around 223 acres in the Nightingale District of Pershing County, Nevada.

The Nightingale District has been a mining hub since the 1920s and is known for its high-grade tungsten mines.

Both sites have year-round access, supported by state and secondary roads and nearby infrastructure.

The target has exploration leases, with options to buy, with Blacklight Holdings, which owns the properties.

These agreements require annual lease payments of $50,000 over six years, with an option to purchase the properties for $1.4m at any point during the lease term.

Alaros and the target are independent entities, and the transaction will not result in any new "control person" under Canadian Securities Exchange policies. No finder's fees will be incurred with this transaction.

Once the transaction concludes, the target president, David Benavides, is expected to join the Alaros board.

The transaction is contingent upon conditions such as due diligence, mutually agreed documentation, and necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals.

There is no guarantee that these conditions will be fulfilled or that the transaction will be completed.

"Alaros signs LoI for Nevada tungsten exploration leases" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Investors were looking ahead to earnings this week from US tech titans Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple as well as tracking developments in the Middle East (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)  CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/AFP

Oil prices rose and stock markets moved unevenly on Monday as the prospect of Iran peace talks remained stalled, ahead of a week full of central bank decisions and corporate earnings.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Islamabad had fanned hopes for new negotiations with Washington at the weekend but US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned trip by envoys on Saturday.

Both main international oil contracts pushed higher, with Brent crude rising to more than $108 a barrel as the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway remained largely closed, although lingering hopes that a deal could eventually be reached tempered gains.

Stock markets were mixed, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq edging higher to finish at all-time records. But the Dow retreated, along with several leading European and Asian indices.

"It may be that hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough were pretty faint to start with, and markets are now in wait-and-see territory ahead of a heavy week of earnings and economic touchpoints," said Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown.

With energy prices remaining high, the US Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, followed by similar decisions from the European Central Bank and Bank of England.

The US calendar also includes a heavy schedule of earnings from tech giants such as Apple and Meta Platforms, as well as from older industrial companies like Ford and ExxonMobil.

"So far, the earnings season has been relatively strong. The environment is very clear: we are not in a recession," said Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments.

Markets will "remain bullish until proven otherwise," Sarhan added.

"Investors have been encouraged by corporate news flow over the past few weeks, leading to higher equity prices," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

He added, however, that "higher oil for longer spells trouble for inflation, which in turn could act as a headwind for the economy".

Tehran's top diplomat blamed Washington on Monday for the failure of talks in Pakistan this month -- the first and only round of negotiations to end the war.

Araghchi blamed the United States for its "excessive demands", adding that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is an important global issue".

Trump told Fox News that if Iran wanted talks, "they can call us" -- though he has said the cancellation does not signal a return to hostilities.

Citing a US official and two other sources with knowledge of the matter, US media outlet Axios reported on Sunday that Iran had sent a new proposal to end the war centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending a US naval blockade there, with nuclear negotiations postponed for a later stage.
Iran is Paying for War with Crypto Backed by Americas Debt - Moby

THE GIST

Iran's biggest crypto exchange has been secretly processing billions for sanctioned organizations, and the blockchains powering it were built by people President Trump just pardoned.

The exchange, Nobitex, processes about $7.2 billion in trades from more than 11 million users.

Its become an essential on-ramp for U.S.-sanctioned organizations. A Reuters investigation found that some $2.3 billion has been processed on Nobitex since 2023.

WHAT HAPPENED

The Iran War has been the biggest talking point in markets and geopolitics since the outbreak of the conflict in February. While the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor, remains a flash point, Iran has since 2018 built a system to use crypto to pay for military supplies.

The systems flow is straightforward: sanctioned Iranian entities, such as Irans Central Bank and the IRGC, deposit funds  either in Iranian rials or crypto already held domestically  into Nobitex accounts. This allows anyone to fund transfers that are hard for Western financial monitors to track and, even if they could, were not sure how they would stop them via the blockchain. The primary crypto is USDT, a stablecoin.

Once Nobitex has Irans funds, they convert them to USDT and give them access to seemingly anyone in the world. This is where China and other countries supporting Iran with their war efforts come in. By using the Tron blockchain, owned and operated by CEO Justin Sun, as well as Binances BNB Smart Chain (formerly run by Changpeng Zhao or CZ), millions have moved from wallets tied to Iran to wallets on these blockchains.

These could be Chinese trading companies, arms suppliers, and intermediaries who simply sit back and receive stablecoins directly into their wallets, then cash out through exchanges in their own jurisdictions.

While Nobitex does have Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, theyre evidently not that difficult to game. And remember, both Sun and CZ were pardoned by President Trump.

WHY IT MATTERS

CZ was criminally charged and convicted for a similar scheme in November 2023. Despite clear violations of economic sanctions targeting Iran, he was only sentenced to four months and would later receive a presidential pardon.

Though President Trump denies any deal here, its been widely reported that this was in exchange for allowing the trading of two Trump family-linked cryptos, USD1 and WLFI, onto Binance. Trump claims he had no idea who CZ was in a 60 Minutes interview.

The SEC sued Sun, the CEO of TRON, in March 2023, alleging unregistered securities sales, fraud, and market manipulation. After Sun invested some $75 million in World Liberty Financial, the Trump sons crypto firm, and Trumps meme-coin $TRUMP, the SEC settled with one of Suns companies and dropped the civil case against Sun personally and the TRON Foundation.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is one of the Best Bargain Stocks to Buy in May. On April 22, the company announced the expansion of its partnership with Google Cloud. The launch of a first-of-its-kind program emphasizes supporting enterprises in fueling AI-powered reinvention as well as business value faster. With the help of the Gemini Enterprise Acceleration Program, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) and Google Cloud will be bringing together several forward-deployed engineers (FDEs), AI-skilled engineers, and industry domain experts, along with the Facultys strong experience in applied AI.

Accenture plc (ACN) Announces Expansion of Partnership with Google Cloud

Overall, the Gemini Enterprise Acceleration Program tends to create a strong new execution model by combining the strength of Google Cloud and Accenture AI engineers. Furthermore, it was highlighted that Google Cloud and Accenture Song will deliver a new offering, Generative Content OS. This can change how marketing teams manage and scale the digital content by leveraging Gemini Enterprise.

Through developing AI-powered content studios, marketers can accelerate speed-to-market and develop hyper-personalized, one-to-one digital experiences.

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a global leader in consulting, technology, and outsourcing services.

While we acknowledge the potential of ACN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best FMCG Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts and 11 Best Long-Term Tech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
The message was casual, meant to acclimate people to the idea that Cook had thought about retirement, and Apple had plans for it, but he wasnt going anywhere yet.

Tim Cook began talking about his eventual retirement back in 2023. He appeared on Dua Lipas podcast that November, revealing that Apple had very detailed succession plans but assuring the singer that he would remain at the company for a while.

Apple knew it needed to get investors and industry watchers comfortable with the idea that Tim Cook, one of the most influential CEOs in both tech and political circles, and one who has taken Apple from a $350 billion company during his tenure to a $4 trillion one, must inevitably retire. It started early.

And thats exactly why Apple seems to have spent the past few years carefully choreographing its CEO transition.

Worse, a larger selloff could have helped reinforce a narrative that Apple had made the wrong decision, which could have damaged the companys image and hurt employee morale.

Apple knows this. It was aware that even the slightest negative public reaction to its CEO switch could wipe hundreds of billions from its nearly $4 trillion market cap. And while the companys leadership might have been okay with a (likely temporary) dip, its millions of retail and institutional investors would not.

All that makes investors worry, which is why a companys stock can be highly volatile following news of a leadership change.

Any time a CEO changes, uncertainty is introducednot just at the company but into investors minds. New leadership often means new corporate directions and prioritiesand the possibility that the new leader might not be as good as the last.

While the timing of the announcement on Monday was unexpected, nearly everything else about the development was not. In fact, Apples leadership transition is turning out to be one of the most carefully choreographed CEO shakeups in corporate history. Heres why, and what comes next.

Earlier this week, Apple made its biggest announcement of the year, and no, it wasnt about a new iPhone. The company announced that longtime CEO Tim Cook would be stepping down as chief executive, to be succeeded by hardware chief John Ternus in September.

Story Continues

Over the next couple of years, Cook occasionally touched on the possibility of his retirement, while reiterating that Apple had a number of great options when it came to executives who could replace him. During this time, the company also began putting those potential candidates in public-facing forums. Ternus, particularly, became a familiar face in the companys product launch videos and press releases.

Then, in November 2025, when Cook turned the usual retirement age of 65, the Financial Times came out with a big scoop. It reported that Cook would step down as CEO as soon as next year, and that John Ternus was seen as his most likely successor, something I and others had long speculated.

The publication went on to state, An announcement early in the year would give its new leadership team time to settle in ahead of its big annual keynote events, its developer conference in June and its iPhone launch in September. The FT cited several people whod been privy to discussions about succession inside Apple as the sources.

This week, we learned that everything the FT reported in November was indeed correct. The thing is, even then, many industry watchers pointed out that the FTs scoop might not have been so much a scoop as a managed leak by Apple, otherwise known as a trial balloon in the PR industry.

This is when a company is worried about how an announcement may impact its stock, so it leaks carefully controlled information to a publication and gauges the reaction. If the reaction is negative, the company can simply deny the report and, behind closed doors, change its plans. However, after the report, Apples stock price edged up slightly, signaling to Apple that investors were comfortable with the news.

Whats really interesting is that, if the FT story were a controlled leak by Apple, it seemed to have given the company confidence not just to move ahead with its Ternus plans, but to announce the news on Mondaynot a Friday after markets close, which is when companies usually choose to dump news they fear could sink their stock.

And Apple could have announced Ternuss appointment the previous Friday instead of waiting until Monday. We know this because of a Form 8-K filing Apple filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after announcing the transition.

In that 8-K, Apple revealed that the companys board actually appointed Ternus as the next CEO on Friday, April 17. Still, the company waited until Monday, April 20, to announce the news. This suggests that it thought investors would not react negatively, likely because Apple had spent years successfully telegraphing the news so well, and that Apple also thought the media reaction would be mainly positive, so why not capture a full weeks news cycle?

Heres what comes next

Apples carefully orchestrated CEO handover is far from over. Between now and September 1, when Ternus actually assumes the role of CEO from Tim Cook, you can expect Apple to try to blur the lines between the two men even more, in an attempt to show that everything will continue to be business as usual at the $4 trillion tech giant.

(The cynic in me thinks that Apple is even attempting to do this visually. In the companys press release announcing the CEO transition, the image that Apple provided of John Ternus and Tim Cook walking side by side shows the two men wearing nearly identical outfits.)

Specifically, look for both Cook and Ternus to be the star presenters at the companys Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote on June 8, with Ternus likely taking center stage in specific segments of the pre-recorded event.

And leading up to September 1, keep an eye out for Cook and Ternus to do the media rounds espousing not just stability and continuity, but the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Apple in the age of AI.

Ternus will likely give several stand-alone interviews that will be published on September 1, when he officially becomes Apples next CEO. After that, expect him to make his most public-facing debut just days later at Apples iPhone 18 event in September, where, for the first time, he will address the millions of fans who tune in as chief executive.

This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com

Subscribe to get the Fast Company newsletter: http://fastcompany.com/newsletters
Tim Cook, 65, will step down as Apples CEO on September 1, 2026. He will be replaced internally by John Ternus, a 25-year company veteran. Cook will have served as chief executive for more than 15 years, having succeeded founder Steve Jobs in 2011.

John Ternus, 50, is senior vice president for hardware engineering and will become Apples 8th CEO in nearly 50 years. He has big shoes to fill.

Heres how Apples stock fared under Cook as CEO and a comparison to its performance under previous CEOs, including founder Steve Jobs.

How has Apples stock performed under Tim Cook as CEO?

Cook took over as CEO on August 24, 2011  just a couple of months before founder Steve Jobs passed away at 56 years old. Cook had served as chief operating officer prior to becoming CEO, and he had been instrumental in managing Apples supply chain and its overseas operations, namely in China.

When Cook succeeded Jobs, Apple had about $350 billion in market capitalization and $108 billion in revenue in its fiscal 2011. By April 2026, the tech giants market value had surged to more than $4 trillion, and it booked revenue of more than $416 billion in fiscal 2025.

During Cooks tenure as CEO, Apples stock surged by almost 2,000%, or 20-fold, to over $273 on a post-split basis as of the end of April 2026. For comparison, the S&P 500 returned around 503% over that same period. In other words, Apple's stock outperformed the market at large by a massive margin while Cook was the company's CEO.

A Google Sheet showing Apple's stock performance under Cook in real time can be found here. It includes comparisons to the stock's performance

Related: Tim Cook's net worth: The Apple CEO's wealth as he announces retirement

How does Apples stock performance under Tim Cook compare to Steve Jobs?

Apples stock price performance under Cook has rewarded investors well, exceeding the S&P 500 Indexs 500% gain by far.

Still, the stocks performance under Cook lagged that of Jobs (due in part to the sto ck starting from a higher market value).

Apples founder took over in July 1997 at a time when the company was short on cash and on the verge of bankruptcy  suffering from a weak line of products and a lack of innovation. In just a few years, Jobs transformed Apple and brought it into the digital age with a diverse line of products, including a revamp of Mac computers and the release of the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad.

In the Steve Jobs era, Apples stock surged more than 11,000%, or 110-fold  the most it has gained by percentage under any CEO. I

ts market capitalization was small at around $2 billion when he regained control, but that surged to around $350 billion by the time he stepped down in 2011. Over the same period, revenue jumped from $7 billion in fiscal 1997 to $108 billion in fiscal 2011.

CEO Tenure Stock Price Change Tim Cook August 24, 2011  Present 1,949.70% Steve Jobs July 9, 1997  August 24, 2011 11,100.00%

More on Apple:

How does Apples stock performance under Tim Cook compare with other Apple CEOs?

Cook and Jobs handed Apple the best price advances in the stocks history, for a combined 2,277-fold increase over a nearly three-decade run, and it would be difficult to match or beat either of those individual gains.

Apples other five CEOs have not fared as well.

Before Jobs, Apples stock under Gil Amelio, who served as a sort of caretaker CEO to the ailing computer maker from 1996 to 1997, fell 52%. His predecessor, Michael Spindler, oversaw an almost 30% decline from 1993 to 1996.

John Sculley, who was recruited from PepsiCo by Jobs in 1983 and was handed his papers a decade later, oversaw just a 105% return.

Apples first two CEOs didnt fare as well either. The stock rose 50% under Mike Markkula from 1981 to 1983 and fell 7.7% under Michael Scott from Apples first day of trading in late 1980 to early 1981.

Apple stock price performance by CEO

Related: John Ternuss net worth as Apples next CEO

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Intelligence the new horsepower at world's biggest car show in Beijing

Xinhua) 08:28, April 27, 2026

Visitors watch the demonstration of BYD's autonomous parking system during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The first trade day of the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition drew crowds on Sunday, as visitors queued to peer into a minus-30-degree cold chamber at BYD's fast-charging booth, where a new energy vehicle charged from 20 to 97 percent in just 12 minutes.

At the Nio stand, meanwhile, an ES9 swayed and tilted in choreographed synchrony with a humanoid robot, its full active suspension system responding in milliseconds to match the machine's movements.

The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars.

But the real story is not the scale of this show. Instead, it is the nature of competition within the industry.

"Physical AI," which is the ability of vehicles to perceive, reason and act in the real world, has emerged as a distinct theme, moving from technical concept to large-scale deployment.

Cao Xudong, CEO of autonomous driving solutions provider Momenta, told reporters that his company's R7 reinforcement learning world model, now in production vehicles, trains extensively on rare "long-tail scenarios" in virtual environments.

"Our goal is for the model to outperform human drivers in rare extreme scenarios," he said. "That is the true value of physical AI."

Intelligent driving, exhibitors argue, is no longer about mimicking human behavior but about moving from "seeing the world" to "understanding the world," which amounts to systems capable of forming independent judgments in complex situations.

Yet for all the technological showmanship, a quieter message is running through the halls at this show. Lin Jie, senior vice president of Geely Auto Group, put it plainly, explaining that improving handling performance "requires time and systematic capability."

The goal, Lin said, is a car that feels fully responsive to the driver while remaining stable and controllable at the limit. The industry, he suggested, is moving past the era of piling on features and returning to the harder work of refining fundamentals.

Perhaps the most structurally significant development at this year's show is what organizers call "integrated exhibition," in other words, core suppliers sharing the main halls with vehicle manufacturers for the first time, reflecting a shift in the automaker-supplier relationship from straightforward procurement toward deep co-creation partnerships.

"Much of our innovation comes from collaborative problem-solving up and down the supply chain," said William Li, chairman of Chinese automaker Nio.

He described China's intelligent EV industry as one of "mutual empowerment," and said future competition would not be between individual companies but between entire ecosystems.

The partnerships on display have given this argument concrete form. Chery and Bosch announced a joint development program for new-generation 48-volt vehicle architecture, first targeting mass production in China. Chinese automaker Dongfeng and Huawei have co-developed the Yijing X9, which made its world premiere at the show, with native integration across its electrical, chassis and data systems.

Walking the halls, the variety of vehicles on offer is striking, including the likes of sporty saloons, smart off-roaders designed equally for city streets and open country, and capacious MPVs built for family comfort. This breadth reflects a shared strategic direction among many automakers: understand what different users actually want and build competitive advantage via differentiation.

People visit the booth of AITO during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Visitors learn about the full active suspension system of the NIO ET9 during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

People visit the booth of Xpeng during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

People visit the booth of Xiaomi during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Visitors learn about a vehicle at the booth of NIO during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

People visit the booths of Mercedes-Benz and Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

People visit the booth of Mercedes-Benz during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

People visit the booth of autonomous driving solutions provider Momenta during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Visitors learn about a IM Motors' car during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

People visit the booth of Li Auto during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Visitors learn about the full active suspension system of the NIO ET9 during the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2026. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which kicked off here on Friday, opens for professional visitors from April 26 to 27. The show in China's capital city has set a new global record for scale, spanning 380,000 square meters across two venues, with 1,451 vehicles on display -- 181 of them premieres and 71 concept cars. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In April 2026, Applied Optoelectronics announced plans to expand its Houston-area footprint by adding two adjacent buildings in Pearland, Texas, unlocking an additional 388,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity for advanced optical transceivers and lasers.

This move significantly increases the companys potential output of 800G and 1.6T transceivers and laser fabrication capacity, underlining its role in supplying optical components for AI-focused data center infrastructure.

Well now examine how this planned 388,000-square-foot capacity expansion in Pearland could reshape Applied Optoelectronics investment narrative.

The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 18 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement.

Applied Optoelectronics Investment Narrative Recap

To own Applied Optoelectronics, you need to believe that AI data centers will keep leaning into high-speed optics and that AOI can scale profitably into that demand. The Pearland expansion directly supports the key near term catalyst of 800G and 1.6T transceiver volume, but it also amplifies the biggest current risk: heavy capital spending and working capital needs that could pressure cash flow if orders slow or customer concentration bites.

The most directly connected recent announcement is the new US$71 million 800G transceiver order from a hyperscale customer, lifting that customers total orders to US$124 million since mid March 2026. Together with the Pearland build-out, it highlights how AOI is pairing sizable manufacturing commitments with large AI focused contracts, which could accelerate the upside from its capacity ramp but also deepen exposure to a small group of very large buyers.

Yet behind the growth story, investors should be aware of how rising capex, dilution and customer concentration could all converge if...

Read the full narrative on Applied Optoelectronics (it's free!)

Applied Optoelectronics narrative projects $3.1 billion revenue and $675.3 million earnings by 2029.

Uncover how Applied Optoelectronics' forecasts yield a $90.30 fair value, a 44% downside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

AAOI 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Some of the most optimistic analysts already expected AOI to reach about US$3.8 billion in revenue and US$871.9 million in earnings by 2029, which is far more aggressive than the baseline view and leans heavily on rapid 800G and 1.6T adoption; the new Houston expansion could either reinforce that case or expose how widely your own expectations might differ from theirs.
Hims & Hers has been one of the most closely watched names in digital health this month. Between the FDA's peptide announcement, a Novo Nordisk settlement, and a flood of analyst revisions, the stock has barely had a moment to breathe.

Now Bank of America has weighed in again. And the reason behind this latest move is different from what drove the earlier wave of upgrades.

What Bank of America just did

BofA Securities raised its price target on Hims & Hers to $32 from $30 on April 24, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the shares.

The catalyst this time was not peptides. It was the company's announcement that its platform now enables providers to prescribe Eli Lilly's weight-loss medications, including Zepbound vials, KwikPen, and Foundayo, through the LillyDirect pharmacy system, according to Investing.com.

More Wall Street

The analyst noted that any licensed healthcare professional can prescribe to the LillyDirect pharmacy, meaning the arrangement is not a formal exclusive partnership. Still, BofA took a "neutral-to-positive view" on the news, saying it could "create goodwill" with Eli Lilly and that Hims is likely to continue pursuing similar brand relationships.

This is BofA's second target raise on HIMS this month

The April 24 revision was not the first time Bank of America adjusted its view on HIMS in April. On April 16, the firm had already raised its price target from $21 to $25, citing the FDA's decision to schedule a July advisory committee meeting to evaluate several peptides for potential inclusion on the 503A Bulks List, according to 24/7 Wall St.

That first raise reflected emerging optionality around peptide therapies, where Hims already owns a California-based manufacturing facility acquired in February 2025. The second raise, a week later, reflected the Lilly distribution development.

Together, the two moves represent a cumulative $11 increase in BofA's target in just eight days, while the Neutral rating has held steady throughout.

The distinction matters. A rising price target with a flat rating is a signal that the business environment is improving, but not necessarily that the bank is ready to call the stock a buy. BofA is acknowledging the positive developments without endorsing the current price as a clear entry point.

What the Lilly deal actually means

The Lilly development is strategically significant for Hims even without a formal partnership label. Patients accessing Lilly's medications through Hims & Hers' platform would pay the company's $149 monthly fee plus additional fees and the cost of medication through LillyDirect, according to Investing.com. BofA noted the overall price point is relatively expensive compared to alternatives.
BofA lowered its price objective to $600 from $660, based on a 13x EV/EBITDA multiple applied to its 2027 estimates. That equated to down from 14 times previously, according to BofA's research note. The multiple compression reflects lower overall estimates, sector de-rating, and what the bank describes as a lack of visibility on classified programs, creating lumpiness between now and the anticipated munitions ramp-up.

On the other side, the company's near-term financial visibility is being clouded by classified program execution risk and a cash flow profile that BofA sees as increasingly pressured.

Missiles, missile defense, hypersonics, and classified programs, all seeing accelerating demand driven by the Iran conflict and the Trump administration's record $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request, according to the U.S. Department of Defense .

That tension is the heart of the bank's Neutral stance. On one side, Lockheed Martin sits at the center of the most significant defense spending cycle in a generation.

No. It simply said the burden of proof now falls squarely on the second half of 2026. And that the path between here and the munitions ramp-up everyone is waiting for isn't as clean as the bull case suggests.

BofA Global Research reiterated a Neutral rating on LMT on April 24, cutting its price objective to $600 from $660. The bank didn't dispute Taiclet's long-term vision.

The business wasn't broken. The full-year outlook was reaffirmed. But what the numbers revealed underneath the headline figures gave investors pause, and Bank of America enough reason to issue a pointed reset on the stock.

Lockheed Martin ( LMT ) shares fell 4.6% after its first-quarter 2026 earnings report on Thursday, April 23, 2026, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 , which declined just 0.4% same day.

Toward the end of the week that ended on April 25, I covered a piece on Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet, calling the current defense environment a " golden opportunity ," and a rare moment of unguarded enthusiasm from the leader of the world's largest defense contractor. The market, apparently, needed more convincing.

Story Continues

BofA notes more than a two-times increase in fiscal year 2027 requested procurement funding for major programs tied to Lockheed Martin.Soos Jozsef Via Shutterstock

BofA flags Lockheed Martin capex, classified risks

Take a moment to think about this. The first-quarter miss wasn't driven by the business lines investors can see clearly. It was driven by the ones they can't.

Management attributed the Q1 shortfall to tough year-over-year comparisons and timing issues expected to be resolved by year-end, according to BofA's note. The bank accepts that explanation, but flags cash as the most vulnerable line item heading into the rest of 2026.

Classified programs are expected to burn $500 to $700 million in cash this year, according to BofA's analysis. Capital expenditure is rising by $1 billion year over year to approximately $2.7 billion in 2026, according to the firm.

More Wall Street

Both of those figures are pulling free cash flow lower. And they sit against a backdrop where Lockheed Martin's cash from operations in Q1 came in at just $220 million, with free cash flow of $291 million, according to the company's earnings release.



Lockheed Martins free cash flow use of $291 million for Q1 2026 was driven by working capital timing and $511 million in capital expenditures. This was a significant decrease from the $955 million free cash flow generated in Q1 2025. Despite the negative Q1 cash flow, the company reiterated its 2026 full-year free cash flow guidance of $6.5B-$6.8B, according to LMTs earnings release.

The bank is also watching Space and Aeronautics margins, which it has revised lower, the primary driver of the EPS estimate cuts. No additional charges were taken in the quarter, according to BofA, but the visibility problem from classified programs remains unresolved.

Missiles and Fire Control remains Lockheed Martin's brightest near-term catalyst

Bank of Americas caution on Lockheed Martin isnt uniform across the business. The bank remains notably bullish on the companys Missiles and Fire Control segment - and with good reason.

Demand across MFC programs is growing, volumes are increasing, and the missile framework agreements signed with the Department of War during the quarter represent meaningful progress on both production scale and contract protection, according to BofA's note.

Related: Trump's $2.2T proposed defense budget boosts Lockheed Martin's outlook

Lockheed Martin is actively spooling up its supply chain, and new contract protections, similar to the "recovery element" Taiclet described on the earnings call, are being added to missile agreements.

The medium-term picture for Missiles & Fire Controls (MFC) is compelling. BofA notes more than a two-times increase in fiscal year 2027 requested procurement funding for major programs tied to Lockheed Martin. Thats a pipeline that isn't yet showing up in current guidance but represents genuine upside as contracts are finalized and appropriations flow through.

Related: Morgan Stanley has a stark message on Lockheed Martin stock

That said, we do see significant upside opportunities for LMT in the medium-term given their missile exposure and the >2x in the FY27 requested procurement funding for major programs tagged to LMT, BofA said in their Global Research report.

The bank's core argument is that this upside is "well understood" by the market. Meaning it's already partially priced in, limiting near-term stock appreciation until execution proof points arrive.

What BofA's Neutral call means for you

If you are tracking LMT against a record defense budget, this is for you. Lockheed Martin's stock has delivered a modest 13% one-year return, well below the S&P 500's 30.64% gain over the same period, according to Yahoo Finance.

Year to date, Lockheed Martin is up 6.72%, slightly ahead of the S&P 500 at 4.67%. Over longer periods, the stock remains positive, with returns of 15% over three years and 55% over five years, though it trails the S&P 500, which has gained 73% and 71% over the same periods.

BofA's message isn't bearish on the long-term story. It's a timing call, acknowledging that the generational demand opportunity Taiclet described is real, while arguing the stock needs cleaner execution proof before it deserves a higher multiple. The second half of 2026 is when that proof is due.

Related: 114-year-old defense stock offers a $3 billion dividend payout in 2026

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Investing section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bill Ackman's Pershing Square is expected to raise about $5 billion in its initial public offering, according to Bloomberg  the low end of its targeted fundraising range and half the $10 billion the offering had previously been aiming to reach.

Institutional investors have committed to roughly 85% of the offering, which bundles shares of the closed-end fund Pershing Square USA Ltd. together with complimentary shares of Pershing Square Inc., according to Bloomberg. The $5 billion figure includes a $2.8 billion private placement disclosed in SEC filings.

Order books are set to close at 4 p.m. New York time Monday, with pricing slated to follow on April 28 as originally planned, Bloomberg reported. The outlet noted that nothing has been finalized and the offering's terms remain subject to revision.

According to SEC filings, the closed-end fund will carry a 2% annual management fee with no performance-based fee component. Voting control of Pershing Square Inc. is expected to rest with a vehicle jointly held by Ackman, chief investment officer Ryan Israel, and fellow executives once both offerings are complete.

Underwriting duties are shared among Citigroup, UBS, Bank of America, Jefferies, and Wells Fargo. On the New York Stock Exchange, the closed-end fund will carry the ticker PSUS and the management company will list under PS.

The offering is structured so that buyers of the closed-end fund receive shares in the hedge fund management company  20 hedge fund shares for every 100 closed-end fund shares purchased at $50 apiece, with early institutional backers receiving a slightly more favorable ratio of 30 shares. The bundled structure ties access to Pershing Square the management company to capital commitments in Pershing Square the fund, limiting dilution of the management entity while still allowing it to go public.

This is Ackman's second attempt at a major long-term public investment fund. A 2024 effort to raise as much as $25 billion for a NYSE-listed closed-end fund collapsed before launch, after which Pershing Square pivoted to building out its stake in Howard Hughes Holdings as an acquisition vehicle.
There really were a few unique things that we don't believe are just business as usual, George said, adding that these items are not expected to recur every quarter, though they can happen from time to time. He also quantified the impact, saying the $43 million item was almost $1 a share and that backing it out would place quarterly gross margin at 25.2%, which he said was still high but closer to typical seasonal expectations.

Gross profit totaled $754 million, up $351 million from the prior-year quarter. Gross margin expanded to 26.3% from 22.0% a year ago. George noted that results included $43 million of favorable developments on late-stage projects, including change orders, particularly in the mechanical segment.

Chief Financial Officer Bill George said first-quarter revenue rose 56% year over year to $2.9 billion, with same-store revenue up 51%, or $943 million. Revenue increased in both operating segments, led by an 88% rise in the electrical segment and a 47% increase in the mechanical segment.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Lane said the company had a fantastic quarter and a strong start to 2026, citing a 51% increase in same-store revenue, record quarterly gross margins, and earnings of $10.51 per share.

Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:FIX) reported a strong start to 2026, driven by what management described as persistent demandparticularly from technology customersand execution by its field teams. On the companys first-quarter 2026 earnings call, executives highlighted record backlog, sharply higher revenue and profitability, and continued investment in modular capacity and potential acquisitions.

Disciplined growth and shareholder returns  Management expects full-year same-store growth in the mid- to high20% range, raised the quarterly dividend to $0.80, and is closing an acquisition expected to add roughly $250 million of annualized revenue while keeping a focus on profitable, capacity-constrained project selection.

Record backlog and tech demand  Backlog reached a record $12.5 billion led by strong data-center/technology work, with construction accounting for 90% of revenue and modular solutions growing (17% of revenue) as the company targets 4 million sq ft of modular capacity by year-end.

Sharp quarter  Revenue rose 56% year-over-year to $2.9 billion and EPS more than doubled to $10.51, with gross margin expanding to 26.3% and EBITDA up 116%, while free cash flow was +$242 million.

Story Continues

Mechanical gross margin improved to 26.9% from 21.7%, while electrical gross margin rose to 24.9% from 23.0%.

 3 Overlooked Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain Winners

SG&A expense increased to $269 million from $195 million, which George attributed to expanding headcount and rewarding teams. However, SG&A as a percentage of revenue improved to 9.4% from 10.6% due to operating leverage.

Operating income rose 132% to $486 million, and operating margin expanded to 17.0% from 11.4%. Net income was $370 million, or $10.51 per share, compared with $169 million, or $4.75 per share, in the first quarter of 2025. EBITDA increased 116% to $524 million, with trailing 12-month EBITDA of $1.74 billion at the end of March 2026.

George said free cash flow was positive $242 million in the quarter. The effective tax rate was 23.2% versus 18.6% last year, with the prior-year rate benefiting from interest received on a tax refund. He said the company expects a full-year effective tax rate around 23%.

Record backlog and technology demand drive outlook

Lane said Comfort Systems ended the quarter with record backlog of $12.5 billion, reflecting persistent demand, including strong demand from our tech customers. He added that total backlog entering the second quarter was $5 billion higher than a year earlier.

President and Chief Operating Officer Trent McKenna said backlog was a record $12.5 billion, with a same-store sequential increase of just over $500 million and a same-store year-over-year increase of $5.3 billion. He said first-quarter bookings were especially strong in the technology sector.

McKenna outlined the quarters revenue mix, noting that industrial end markets accounted for 75% of volume and advanced technology, dominated by data center work, rose to 56% of revenue. Institutional marketsincluding education, health care, and governmentcomprised 17% of revenue, while commercial markets represented about 8%, largely through service activity.

Construction accounted for 90% of revenue, with new-building projects at 75% and existing building construction at 15%. Service revenue increased 8%, but as construction grew faster, service represented 10% of total revenue. McKenna said service profitability was strong and remains a growing and reliable source of profit and cash flow.

Guidance: mid- to high-20% same-store growth; discipline on project selection

George said that despite tougher comparisons expected in the second half of 2026, the company believes same-store revenue for full-year 2026 is likely to be higher than 2025 by percentage growth in the mid- to high-20% range.

In response to analyst questions about implied moderation, George said the companys guidance process is built from field projections and committed work, and that management aims to provide levels it views as extremely achievable. He also emphasized that revenue is never our goal. Our goal is profit.

Lane, addressing questions about book-to-bill cadence and pipelines, said the pipelines are still very full, very strong, coast to coast, and added that the company is maintaining discipline in selecting work and avoiding over-commitment. The work we've taken is in our wheelhouse, and it's evident in the margins we're delivering, he said.

George added that, in his view, current industry constraints are more supply-driven than demand-driven. There is plenty more work we could take if we could possibly do it, he said, characterizing the environment as limited by how much construction capacity exists rather than a lack of projects.

On constraints, George told analysts that labor remains the primary pinch point. He said headcount is 3,000 to 4,000 higher than in the first quarter of 2025 depending on how travelers and temporary workers are counted, and he pointed to a great spring hiring season last year as context for the current guidance stance.

Capital spending rises as modular capacity expands

Capital expenditures were $147 million in the quarter, up from $22 million in the first quarter of 2025. George said the increase included the purchase of a large modular assembly building in Texas and other investments in modular capabilities. CapEx was 5.1% of revenue in the quarter compared with 1.2% a year ago, and George said the company estimates full-year CapEx will be in the range of 5% of revenue.

McKenna said modular revenue represented 17% of total revenue in the quarter and that Comfort Systems is on track to have 4 million sq ft of modular capacity by the end of 2026, while actively evaluating additional capacity investments.

Asked for more detail, George said modular-related investments span both current demand and future readiness, including equipping owned facilities with automation such as cranes and robotics. He said purchasing facilities makes sense given the scale of automation investments. He also said Comfort Systems seeks multi-year volume commitments from customers when committing capacity, describing those commitments as supporting better pricing and closer customer relationships.

Acquisition activity and shareholder returns

Lane said the company increased its quarterly dividend by $0.10 per share to $0.80 and reiterated its commitment to rewarding shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

George said the company entered into a definitive agreement in Marchsubject mainly to regulatory approvalto acquire another highly skilled electrical contractor. The transaction is expected to close in early May, and George said the new partner is expected to initially contribute annualized revenue of roughly $250 million with EBITDA margins in the 8% to 10% range. McKenna described the target as a strong electrical contractor in the West that fits Comfort Systems sweet spot, though he said the company could not provide more specifics prior to an announcement.

During the Q&A, executives also discussed where data center demand is strongest. George cited Texas as a major epicenter and also pointed to activity in the Mid-Atlantic, the Carolinas, and Virginia, among other regions. McKenna added that Comfort Systems can serve a broad range of locations due to a significant traveling workforce. On concerns about potential state restrictions on data centers, McKenna said the company was not currently tracking proposals that would materially impact its geographies and that demand for data still exceeds the supply.

In closing remarks, Lane thanked the companys more than 23,000 employees and said the company is looking forward to a really strong 2026.

About Comfort Systems USA (NYSE:FIX)

Comfort Systems USA, Inc is a U.S.-based mechanical contracting company that provides a range of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services to commercial, industrial and institutional customers. The company focuses on the design, installation, maintenance and repair of HVAC systems, and it supports projects from initial engineering and system selection through long-term service agreements and upgrades.

Its service offerings include new construction and retrofit installations, preventive and corrective maintenance, emergency repair, energy management and building automation systems.

The article "Comfort Systems USA Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Denso Corporation, the main component-manufacturing subsidiary of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, is considering withdrawing its bid to acquire local semiconductor manufacturer Rohm Company, after the two companies failed to agree on the terms of the acquisition.

In a statement, Denso said: "With respect to the proposal regarding the acquisition of Rohms shares made by the company, it is a fact that the company has not obtained Rohms support. The company is considering its options regarding the proposal, including the possibility of withdrawing it, but no decision has been made at this time."

Denso currently has a stake of almost 5% in Rohm, which manufactures high-energy-efficiency silicon carbide power management semiconductors. Last year, the two companies announced a strategic partnership in the area of integrated circuits for electric vehicles (EVs).

Denso is reported to have made an offer for Rohm earlier this year valuing the company at JPY 1.3 trillion (US$ 8.2 billion), in a move designed to strengthen its control of the local market for automotive semiconductors.

The offer to acquire Rohm is reported to have fallen short of the chipmakers own valuation of the company, with reports now suggesting that Denso is preparing to walk away from the deal. A Denso spokesperson said the company has not made a statement on the subject, and that a decision has not been made.

In response to media reports, Rohm said in a statement: It is true that, at present, the company has not expressed its support for the proposal. However, Denso is currently considering how to respond to this matter.

The company had previously stated that it was planning to hold talks with Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric on integrating their power semiconductor businesses.

"Denso considers pulling out of Rohm acquisition" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Kulicke and Soffa Industries recently reported that several years of revenue declines, postponed customer purchases and weaker operating margins had reduced earnings per share, signaling pressure on the profitability of each sale.

More recently, commentary has pointed to a potential return to sales growth in the current fiscal year after four consecutive annual revenue declines, marking a possible shift in the companys operating trajectory.

Against this backdrop of a potential return to sales growth after multi-year declines, well explore how this development reshapes Kulicke and Soffas investment narrative.

Invest in the nuclear renaissance through our list of 91 elite nuclear energy infrastructure plays powering the global AI revolution.

Kulicke and Soffa Industries Investment Narrative Recap

To own Kulicke and Soffa today, you need to believe that its advanced packaging and power semiconductor tools can translate a potential return to sales growth into sustainable profitability, despite recent margin pressure and several years of falling earnings per share. The latest indication of a possible top line recovery does not remove the near term risk that qualification cycles, uneven orders and weaker margins could continue to weigh on results, even if reported revenue starts to improve.

The most relevant recent announcement here is the companys Q2 FY2026 guidance for about US$230 million in revenue and roughly US$0.53 in GAAP diluted EPS, which contrasts with the weaker results seen through FY2025. This guidance connects directly to the key catalyst of a sales recovery, while also highlighting execution risk: the business is still working to prove that higher expected volumes in advanced packaging, memory and power tools can restore profitability without further margin slippage.

Yet behind the potential sales rebound, investors should also be aware of how extended qualification timelines and uneven tool orders could still...

Read the full narrative on Kulicke and Soffa Industries (it's free!)

Kulicke and Soffa Industries' narrative projects $1.0 billion revenue and $192.3 million earnings by 2029. This requires 15.7% yearly revenue growth and about a $192.1 million earnings increase from $213.0 thousand today.

Uncover how Kulicke and Soffa Industries' forecasts yield a $46.67 fair value, a 47% downside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

KLIC 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Some of the most optimistic analysts once penciled in revenue near US$977 million and earnings of about US$180 million by 2028, which is a far more aggressive outcome than the consensus view and leans heavily on faster adoption of advanced packaging. Given the fresh news on multi year revenue declines and margin pressure, you should recognize that these bullish forecasts, and the contrasting concerns about slower advanced packaging adoption, may both need reassessing in light of how the story evolves from here.
U.S. same-store sales growth of 0.9% fell below internal expectations as significant macro and competitive pressures began to weigh on the business in March.

Management attributed short-term pressure to national pizza competitors offering value deals identical to Domino's, though they view this as unsustainable for competitor franchisee economics.

The 'Domino's Effect' strategy remains the core driver, focusing on the causal chain of driving higher order counts to fuel franchisee profit power and market share gains.

Operational excellence was bolstered by the launch of a modernized app and AI-powered pizza tracker to improve delivery precision and customer retention.

Back-of-house efficiency is being enhanced through the DomOS orchestration agent, which utilizes 'just-in-time' pizza making to ensure product quality and driver synchronization.

Despite macro headwinds, the company maintained positive order counts and grew market share, outperforming the broader QSR pizza category in the first quarter.
EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) is one of the Best Bargain Stocks to Buy in May. On April 21, the company released financial and operational results for Q1 2026, with sales volume coming at 618 Bcfe and above the high-end of guidance. This was because of healthy well performance, system pressure optimization, as well as strong execution during Winter Storm Fern. During the same period, EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT)s capital expenditures came in at $608 million, which were 4% below the low-end of guidance.

EQT (EQT) Releases Financial and Operational Results for Q1 2026

Capital expenditures were aided by operational efficiency gains and lower-than-anticipated infrastructure spending. EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) saw total per unit operating costs of $1.09 per Mcfe, which was 2% below the low-end of the guidance as a result of lower-than-expected SG&A, LOE, and O&M. For Q2 2026, the company anticipates total sales volume of 570  620 Bcfe, including the impact of 10  15 Bcfe of strategic curtailments.

It forecasts maintenance capital expenditures of between $525 million  $595 million and growth capital expenditures of $210 million  $235 million in Q2 2026.

EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) is a premier and vertically integrated natural gas company. It has upstream and midstream operations focused in the Appalachian Basin.

While we acknowledge the potential of EQT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best FMCG Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts and 11 Best Long-Term Tech Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Shareholders of Delfin, the family holding company that controls EssilorLuxottica, voted Monday to approve a roughly 10 billion ($11.8 billion to $12 billion) deal that would allow Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio to buy out two of his siblings and become the company's largest individual shareholder.

Reuters reported that the proposal passed a shareholder threshold at a special meeting on Monday. Bloomberg said most of the eight shareholders approved the plan, while Il Sole 24 Ore, via Reuters, said six out of eight were in favor. It is still unclear if this vote is enough to finalize the deal, since lenders also play a role.

Through an investment vehicle, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio  who serves as Ray-Ban brand president at EssilorLuxottica and is turning 31 next week  would take on the combined 25% stake belonging to his siblings Luca and Paola. That would bring his total holding in Delfin to 37.5%.

To back the transaction, Bloomberg reported that Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio has been negotiating a financing package with UniCredit, BNP Paribas, and Credit Agricole. One structure under consideration would be a bridge loan, Bloomberg reported, which would allow time to weigh options for Delfin's holdings and governance.

Delfin's 32.4% stake gives it a controlling position in EssilorLuxottica, the Franco-Italian group whose portfolio spans the Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Persol labels, fashion licenses including Prada and Chanel, and retail chains such as Sunglass Hut and LensCrafters. Delfin's other significant investments include sizable positions in Italian financial institutions Assicurazioni Generali and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

The deal could end a governance deadlock that has gripped Delfin since the death of its founder, Leonardo Del Vecchio, in June 2022. When he died, the elder Del Vecchio left Delfin in equal shares to eight people: his six children, his widow Nicoletta Zampillo, and Rocco Basilico, whom Zampillo had from a prior relationship. Governance rules embedded in that arrangement set an extremely high bar for approvals, leaving dividends locked at a tenth of profits and making it impossible to reconstitute the Delfin board. Bloomberg reported that Basilico was expected to oppose the plan, according to La Repubblica.

Shareholders also voted Monday on a second proposal: distributing 80% of Delfin's profits as dividends over the 2025 to 2027 period, with seven of eight heirs in favor, according to Reuters.

Francesco Milleri, a longtime confidant of the late founder, holds dual roles as chairman of Delfin and chief executive of EssilorLuxottica. A Delfin representative declined to comment to Bloomberg on the shareholder vote.
HawkEye 360 is targeting a valuation of up to $2.42 billion in a U.S. initial public offering, the Herndon, Virginia-based company said Monday. Proceeds from the offering could reach $416 million, with 16 million shares expected to price in a range of $24 to $26 each.

HawkEye 360 filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in April and plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HAWK," the company said. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are serving as lead book-running managers, with RBC Capital Markets, Jefferies, and BofA Securities as additional book-running managers.

Founded in 2015, HawkEye 360 is a geospatial analytics company offering space-based radio frequency intelligence and data services. Government clients in the United States and partner countries make up the majority of the company's business. Its satellite network is designed to identify the location and characteristics of radio frequency signals across the globe. A NASA award announced earlier this month will have the company charting RF interference in low Earth orbit, work that is intended to support the development of reliable communication systems for upcoming commercial space missions.

Following the IPO, BlackRock-linked entities are expected to own a 5.1% stake in HawkEye 360.

The listing comes as several high-profile companies have announced plans to enter public markets, including Elon Musk's SpaceX, which confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO earlier this month. Renaissance Capital senior strategist Matt Kennedy said the timing reflects broader momentum in the listings market. "Clearly the IPO market is open to the aerospace and defense industry, and HawkEye 360 is looking to take advantage of that," Kennedy told Reuters. "I can imagine space-tech CFOs telling themselves: If it's a good enough time for SpaceX, it's good enough for us."
Bittium Oyj, a Finnish tech firm, has demonstrated robust growth with its earnings surging by 193.7% over the past year, outpacing the software industry's average of 9.4%. This growth is underpinned by significant R&D investments, aligning with its strategic focus on advanced communication solutions for defense and security sectors. Recently, Bittium announced a special dividend of EUR 0.15 per share and unveiled a strategic alliance with Telia to enhance the Finnish Defence Forces' communications via a hybrid network that integrates 5G capabilities. These developments reflect Bittium's commitment to innovation and shareholder value, positioning it well in high-growth tech markets despite its revenue forecast growing at 18% per yearslightly below the sector threshold of 20%.

Operations: The company operates in three main areas: communications and connectivity solutions, healthcare technology products and services, and biosignal measuring and monitoring. It serves markets in Finland, Germany, and the United States.

Overview: Bittium Oyj specializes in providing communications and connectivity solutions, healthcare technology products and services, as well as biosignal measuring and monitoring across Finland, Germany, and the United States with a market capitalization of 1.26 billion.

We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool.

As the pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index recently experienced a decline, with traditionally defensive sectors like utilities and telecoms outperforming amid geopolitical tensions, the focus on high-growth tech stocks in Europe becomes particularly intriguing. In such a dynamic market environment, identifying promising tech stocks often involves looking for companies that demonstrate resilience through innovation and adaptability to changing economic conditions.

Story Continues

Overview: Synektik Spolka Akcyjna offers a range of products, services, and IT solutions focused on surgery, diagnostic imaging, and nuclear medicine in Poland with a market capitalization of PLN2.46 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its Diagnostic and IT Equipment segment, which contributes PLN654.96 million, alongside the Production of Radio Pharmaceuticals at PLN54.90 million.

Synektik Spolka Akcyjna, a player in the European tech landscape, has shown promising performance with a 31.6% increase in earnings over the past year, outstripping its sector's growth. Notably, its revenue climbed to PLN 227.98 million from PLN 203.13 million year-over-year, reflecting a solid trajectory in financial health and market presence. With R&D expenditures aligning closely with strategic expansionsevidenced by recent shareholder meetings focused on innovative agendasSynektik is poised for sustained growth despite some forecasts suggesting a slower pace compared to high-growth benchmarks.

WSE:SNT Revenue and Expenses Breakdown as at Apr 2026

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: init innovation in traffic systems SE, along with its subsidiaries, provides intelligent transportation systems solutions for public transportation both in Germany and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately 453.85 million.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its Wireless Communications Equipment segment, which accounts for 329.67 million.

Init innovation in traffic systems SE, a component of the Germany SDAX Index since March 2023, is navigating a promising trajectory with its latest financials indicating robust growth. In 2025, the company's revenue surged by 24% to EUR 329.67 million from EUR 265.67 million in the previous year, accompanied by an increase in net income to EUR 19.59 million from EUR 15.46 million. This performance is underpinned by a strong R&D focus which aligns with their strategic goals, as evidenced by their projected revenue for 2026 reaching up to EUR 410 million and EBIT between EUR 38-42 million. With these figures and recent inclusion in an influential index, Init stands out for its solid market presence and commitment to innovation despite a competitive landscape that challenges many within the tech sector.

XTRA:IXX Revenue and Expenses Breakdown as at Apr 2026

Summing It All Up

Embark on your investment journey to our 60 European High Growth Tech and AI Stocks selection here.

Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up.

Streamline your investment strategy with Simply Wall St's app for free and benefit from extensive research on stocks across all corners of the world.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include HLSE:BITTI WSE:SNT and XTRA:IXX.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Apoorva Mehta, who co-founded Instacart, has set up a hedge fund designed to run much of its investing through AI rather than traditional portfolio managers, Bloomberg reported.

The firm, Abundance, is based in Palo Alto, California. It was started last year.

Abundance has a small team of quantitative researchers, engineers and AI specialists focused on building and maintaining its models.

Mehta told Bloomberg that the fund deploys thousands of automated agents. These systems trawl information sources, propose trade ideas, carry out research, choose positions, set position sizes and place trades.

Many hedge funds already use AI tools to support human decision-making. Abundances longer-term aim is to move towards AI systems managing investment decisions across the portfolio on their own.

Some of the firms stock-selection strategies are already fully automated, Mehta said.

Other strategies being developed will still include some human input for the time being.

Mehta argued that people have natural limits compared with AI. People can only track so many opportunities at once, process them only so deeply, make only so many high-quality decisions, he said.

Even for the exceptional investor, the process is locked inside their mind. AI changes that entirely.

The fund currently mainly trades its own capital and has a team of about ten people. It plans to accept external money later.

Abundance has raised $100m in seed equity financing, according to Bloomberg. It takes long and short equity positions and plans to expand into other asset classes.

Mehta co-founded Instacart in 2012 and exited roughly a decade later after the grocery delivery companys initial public offering.

A filing shows that, as of 30 June, Mehta continued to hold nearly 8.4% of Instacart.

"Instacart co-founder launches hedge fund backing AI agents over portfolio managers" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




On CNBC's Mad Money Lightning Round, Jim Cramer said Critical Metals Corp. is a spec. If you really want to be in that industry, you need to buy MP Materials, he added.

According to recent news, the company announced on Tuesday a private placement of ordinary shares for gross proceeds of $60 million.

We cannot be in SoundHound, Cramer said.

Don't Miss:

On the earnings front, SoundHound AI is expected to report first-quarter financial results on May 7.

Cramer said he was surprised as Rivian Automotive reported a good last quarter. It looks like they're gonna make it, and if they're gonna make it, then the stock goes, he added.

Rivian Automotive announced on April 14 a partnership with Redwood Materials to deploy a battery energy storage system at its manufacturing facility.

When asked about Insulet Corporation, he said, This is the biggest decline of any stock in the health care group. And I looked at it today [on Thursday] to see if I can recommend it, but it's still too expensive because the GLP-1 threat.

See Also: Avoid the #1 Investing Mistake: How Your Safe' Holdings Could Be Costing You Big Time

On April 7, Citigroup analyst Joanne Wuensch downgraded Insulet from Buy to Neutral and lowered the price target from $338 to $230.

Price Action:

Critical Metals shares dipped 10.3% to settle at $10.64 on Thursday.

SoundHound shares fell 4.9% to settle at $7.82 on Thursday.

Rivian Automotive shares fell 4.5% to close at $16.95.

Insulet shares fell 0.7% to settle at $192.21 on Thursday.

Photo created using images from Shutterstock.

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We have recently published

Jim Cramer Discussed AI Circular Deals, Top Quantum Plays & These 22 Stocks. ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW) is one of the stocks discussed by Jim Cramer.

ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW), like other enterprise software products and services providers, has struggled in the stock market during todays AI-driven investing era. Its shares are down by 52% over the past year and by 38% year-to-date. A major setback for ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW)s stock occurred on April 23rd when it closed 17.8% lower. On the 22nd, the firm shared the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on its ability to close deals. TD Cowen discussed ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW)s shares on April 16th as it cut the share price target to $140 from $185 and kept a Buy rating on the stock. The financial firm cited its channel checks as part of the coverage to explain that AI adoption and platform usage were demonstrating healthy metrics. Deutsche Bank also discussed ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW) on the 16th as it reduced the price target to. $135 from $180 and kept a Buy rating. Cramer discussed the role federal business plays for ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW) and its peer Salesforce:

Lets take Marc Benioff and his fallen star of Salesforce. He wanted defense business, ServiceNow, federal business. Federal business is huge for these kinds of companies. And you need federal business to be able to make the great mosaic.

While we acknowledge the potential of NOW 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.

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Jim Cramer Discussed AI Circular Deals, Top Quantum Plays & These 22 Stocks. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is one of the stocks discussed by Jim Cramer.

Renowned bank Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)s stock is up by 87% over the past year and by 7.8% year-to-date. Bank of America discussed the firm on March 27th as it reiterated a Buy rating and a $140 share price target. BofAs coverage came amidst reports that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) was interested in mergers and acquisitions and added that the firm should be focused on existing dealings with regulators. RBC Capital bumped Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)s share price target to $139 from $121 and kept an Outperform rating on the shares on April 15th. The financial firms coverage came after the bank reported its first-quarter earnings. On the same day, BofA raised the share price target to $150 from $140 and kept its Buy rating. BofA remarked that Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C)s latest earnings only added to its conviction that the bank was among the top players in the sector. Cramer also praised the bank and its earnings call:

Then you go listen to Jane Fraser. And she says, we had an amazing quarter, this grew 16, this grew 30, I like this one, this can get even better. It was like a call from a company that is on the move. And no complaining about the regulations.

Jim Cramer Shares Why Citi's (C) Conference Call Was Better Than JPMorgan's

While we acknowledge the potential of C 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.

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Chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) has seen a strong rally recently, but not everyone on Wall Street believes it can keep going at the same pace. Indeed, JPMorgan (JPM) strategist Mislav Matejka said he still likes semiconductor stocks and remains positive on the group, but he also warned that the market may not behave the same way it did last year. While Nvidia surged about 120% over a six-month stretch in 2025 after a weak first quarter, Matejka believes that the conditions for another similar run are not in place this time.

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As a result, he expects a rally to spread across more stocks rather than stay concentrated in a few names. At the same time, the overall semiconductor sector has been performing well. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOXX), which tracks 30 major chip companies, has gained about 9% this month. This index is heavily weighted toward large players like Broadcom (AVGO), Micron Technology (MU), and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), as well as Nvidia. These companies have all seen strong gains, and the sector continues to be a key driver of market momentum.

This strength is being supported by solid earnings due to strong demand. For example, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM) reported a 35% jump in revenue to a record level, which suggests that AI-related demand is accelerating. In addition, Intel (INTC) also pointed to strength in AI chips. Even so, Matejka warns that past performance does not guarantee future results. Still, in the short term, it may be difficult to challenge bullish sentiment, as investors continue to pour money into semiconductor stocks.

What Is a Good Price for NVDA?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on Nvidia stock based on 40 Buys, one Hold, and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average Nvidia price target of $274.38 per share implies 31.3% upside potential.

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We therefore decided to extend the voluntary sales suspension by an additional 180 days through November 5th, Sullivan said, adding that the time frame reflects Prudentials current judgment on what is required for operational, governance, and organizational changes before resuming new sales.

Sullivan said the decision reflects managements conclusion that the scope and complexity of the required changes within POJ are greater than we previously anticipated and will take additional time to design and implement. He said the company has also initiated an independent third-party review of POJs management system as part of our governance process, and that review is expected to take several months to complete.

On a conference call led by Global Head of Investor Relations Tina Madon, Sullivan and CFO Yanela Frias detailed the companys rationale for the extended pause, the estimated impact on adjusted operating income in 2026 and 2027, and steps underway to modernize POJs governance and agency operating model.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) executives said they will extend a voluntary suspension of new sales at Prudential of Japan (POJ) by an additional 180 days, through Nov. 5, as the company undertakes what CEO Andy Sullivan described as a meaningful transformation and further oversight of the business.

Will the Fed Cut or Pause? These Finance Stocks Can Win Either Way

Prudential is implementing customer remediation and a major Life Planner compensation redesignmoving to a minimum base pay, multiyear commissions, persistency incentives and stronger compliance accountabilitieswhile saying it does not expect a material impact to capital or solvency ratios.

The company estimates a pretax adjusted operating income hit of about $525$575 million in 2026 and $400$450 million in 2027 (roughly $1 billion combined), and has withdrawn its prior 5%8% intermediateterm EPS growth target due to the increased uncertainty.

Prudential extended its voluntary suspension of new sales at Prudential of Japan (POJ) by an additional 180 days through Nov. 5 to undertake a meaningful transformation, including an independent thirdparty review of POJs governance, management system and agency operating model.

Story Continues

Sullivan emphasized that resuming sales remains contingent on the company being comfortable with POJs compliance and oversight environment and on regulatory engagement. He characterized the extension as more than a simple pause, calling it a deliberate decision to prioritize the changes needed to critical elements of POJs business model.

Estimated earnings impacts for 2026 and 2027

Frias said Prudential estimates the aggregate impact to 2026 pre-tax adjusted operating income from the full 270-day suspension period (the initial 90-day suspension plus the 180-day extension) will be approximately $525 million to $575 million. Sullivan said this represents about 18% of the Japan business 2025 pre-tax adjusted operating income and roughly 8% of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI).

 3 Overlooked Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain Winners

Frias said the 2026 impact includes the $300 million to $350 million range previously shared for the initial 90-day suspension. She broke the original estimate into three elements:

$150 million to $180 million associated with sustaining the business (including Life Planner compensation, lost sales, and higher surrenders)

$70 million of anticipated one-time costs, primarily tied to customer reimbursement

About $80 million in lower earnings from lost sales during a gradual ramp-up after the suspension

With the additional 180 days, Frias said the company now estimates the total sustaining the business impact at approximately $450 million to $500 million, while the $70 million one-time cost estimate is unchanged and will be reflected in first-quarter results. She also noted that the earnings impact from a post-suspension sales ramp-up is now expected to shift predominantly into 2027 because the suspension runs through early November.

For 2027, Frias said Prudential estimates a $400 million to $450 million impact on pre-tax adjusted operating income, driven primarily by the annualized effects of surrenders and suspended new sales in 2026, along with costs tied to restarting and ramping up sales in 2027. She added that POJs in-force earnings base is expected to decline about 10% by year-end 2026 versus year-end 2025, and 15% by year-end 2027 versus year-end 2025.

Frias also provided a sensitivity: if sales resume later than Nov. 6, each additional month of delay would increase the 2027 impact by approximately $50 million to $60 million.

Compensation redesign and customer remediation efforts

Sullivan said Prudential is addressing issues tied to POJs legacy management system and agency operating model, including governance, incentives, compensation, and accountability. He said Prudential has made progress on several initiatives, including launching an independent third-party customer reimbursement committee and making initial payments to impacted customers.

The company has also begun implementing a new customer success model and initiated a redesign of the Life Planner compensation structure. Sullivan said the company expects to begin rolling out key components later this spring.

On compensation, Sullivan said the company is moving away from a new business centric model that he said drove short-term behaviors and created income instability in the field force. He outlined a new framework with four elements:

A minimum base pay

Commission payments extended over multiple years

A stronger component tied to persistency of business

Stronger compliance-related accountabilities

Sullivan said the changes are a major change in the way that we incentivize our Life Planners, though he cautioned investors should not assume it is necessarily a meaningful change in the total level of compensation.

Capital and cash flow outlook; EPS target withdrawn

Frias said the company does not anticipate the suspension will have a material impact on capital, its ESR, or solvency ratios, and does not expect PFI cash flows to be materially impacted over 2026 and 2027. In response to questions, she said cash flows are generated across multiple sources and legal entities and emphasized that adjusted operating income impacts under U.S. GAAP do not translate directly to statutory earnings that drive capital and cash flow. She also noted that, in the near term, expenses from the suspension are largely offset by lower new business strain, and reserve releases due to surrenders can also limit the statutory earnings impact.

Frias said Prudential is withdrawing its previously communicated 5% to 8% intermediate-term EPS growth target. Given the increased estimated financial impact of the sales suspension and the related inherent uncertainties, we are withdrawing our previously communicated 5%-8% EPS growth target, she said, while adding that this does not reflect a change in confidence in the franchises long-term fundamentals.

Asked about potential fines, Frias said no fines are embedded in the financial impacts shared.

Gibraltar review and Life Planner retention

During the question-and-answer session, Sullivan reiterated the sales suspension applies only to POJ, not other Japan operating companies. However, he said Prudential has initiated proactive reviews of other Japan entities, including Gibraltar. Addressing media reports, Sullivan said an independent committee established for customer reimbursement is reviewing around 70 inbound inquiries at Gibraltar, emphasizing they are not confirmed misconduct cases. Based on what we know today, we do not believe that we have systemic issues in Gibraltar, he said.

Sullivan said Prudential expects the Gibraltar review to conclude sometime in the summer.

On retention, Sullivan said Life Planner headcount was relatively flat in the first quarter, down less than 1%, and resignation rates since the start of the year were similar to last year. He acknowledged the risk of higher resignations during the extended period and said Prudential is providing material financial support, improving training, and clarifying the business future vision to support retention.

Sullivan said POJ serves 2.2 million customers supported by roughly 4,200 Life Planners and reiterated Prudentials long-term commitment to Japan, calling it one of the top insurance markets in the world. He said Prudential believes it can resume sales on Nov. 6 based on detailed plans and milestones already underway, while noting timing will ultimately depend on progress and regulatory engagement.

About Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU)

Prudential Financial, Inc, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, is a diversified financial services company with roots dating to 1875. The firm provides a range of insurance, retirement and investment products aimed at helping individual and institutional clients manage risk, accumulate and protect wealth, and plan for retirement. Prudential's long history in life insurance and related financial services has positioned it as a major participant in the U.S. insurance market and a provider of services to a broad client base.

Prudential's core business activities include individual life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions and group insurance products for employers.

The article "Prudential Financial Extends Japan Sales Freeze 180 Days, Pulls EPS Target; Warns of $1B Hit" was originally published by MarketBeat.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Release Date: April 24, 2026

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Reliance Industries Ltd (WBO:RLI) reported a 10% increase in revenue and a 13.5% rise in EBITDA for FY '25-'26.

The company's digital services business showed strong growth, with a 16% increase in subscriber base and a 40% growth in the 5G user base.

Retail segment achieved its highest-ever quarterly revenue of 98,000 crores, with a 14% growth after adjusting for the RCPL demerger.

Reliance Jio added 36.3 million subscribers during the year, making it the largest 5G subscriber base outside China.

The FMCG business doubled its revenue compared to the previous year, with significant growth in the Kampa brand and Independence brand.

Negative Points

Rupee depreciation of 11% for the year and 4% in March posed a concern for the company.

Oil and gas production faced challenges due to a decline in overall production and reservoir reserves.

The company experienced a 4% decrease in oil to chemicals segment EBITDA due to supply chain disruptions and increased logistics costs.

Retail EBITDA growth was muted due to the scale-up of hyper-local commerce and soft demand in fashion and lifestyle.

The geopolitical situation, including the Middle East conflict, led to significant supply chain disruptions and increased costs in the refining and petrochemical sectors.

Q & A Highlights

Q: How is Reliance Industries managing the shift to alternative crude sources given the current geopolitical situation? A: Unidentified_7 explained that Reliance Industries has been agile in sourcing crude from various regions like Venezuela, Russia, Brazil, and Mexico. The company has processed over 200 grades of crude oil, which provides flexibility in managing the supply chain despite the geopolitical challenges.

Q: What is the impact of the geopolitical situation on refining and petrochemical margins? A: Unidentified_7 noted that while the situation has improved slightly, it remains fluid. The company has seen some cooling off in market cracks and premiums on crude, but the environment is still unpredictable. Structurally, refining is expected to remain strong due to apprehensions about product availability.

Q: How is Reliance Jio planning to leverage network slicing for differentiated services? A: Unidentified_2 stated that Reliance Jio is using network slicing to offer specialized services, starting with enterprise offerings. This technology allows for dedicated slices for assurance of throughput, which can extend to gaming and other consumer services, pending market and regulatory readiness.
Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is one of the best falling stocks to invest in now. On April 17, Truist Securities analyst Terry Tillman reiterated a Buy rating and $280 price target on Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) after attending the companys TDX developer conference in San Francisco. TDX is an annual event where Salesforce showcases new tools and directions for developers, admins, and enterprise builders.

Salesforce (CRM): Agentforce Has a Pricing Problem, and Truist Says It's Fixable

Pixabay/Public Domain

Tillman said that during the event, he went beyond the keynotes and held direct conversations with five Salesforce customers and a product specialist focused on Salesforce Flow. Salesforce Flow is a no-code automation tool that connects and moves data across Salesforce and external systems without requiring engineering skills.

The analyst noted that one of the key topics in those conversations was Agentforce. This is Salesforces flagship artificial intelligence platform that lets businesses deploy autonomous AI agents capable of handling tasks like customer service, sales support, and process automation independently. Customers told Tillman that Agentforce pricing remains a friction point. This is in reference to the fact that Salesforce has revised Agentforces pricing model multiple times since launch. These constant changes have made it hard for enterprise buyers to predict costs, Tillman noted.

Despite this, the analyst sees the pricing friction as a near-term problem that Salesforce can fix. He believes that refining the pricing model alongside continued work to scale AI agents could remove the buying hesitation that is currently slowing Agentforce adoption. Once resolved, adoption could accelerate markedly through the rest of 2026.

On a more positive note, competing AI coding tools are not displacing Salesforce from enterprise workflows, noted Tillman. He also pointed out that Salesforce Flow is earning solid marks from users.

Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a cloud-based enterprise software provider. It specializes in customer relationship management solutions. The company offers platforms like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Data Cloud, which help organizations manage customer interactions, automate workflows, and analyze data.

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.
Samsung (SSNLF) plans to withdraw from Chinas home appliance and television market this year, Nikkei Asias Nami Matsuura reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The company told Nikkei that it has not made any decisions on the matter, with sources saying Samsung will make a final decision on the matter as early as the end of April.

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Anthony Scaramucci has argued that his costliest habit in markets has been exiting positions too soon, and urged investors to stick with a simple plan: buy an S&P 500 index fund and hold it for decades. He has also pointed to his own missed Amazon call  where a $10,000 Amazon investment made that day could have grown to $16.5 million t o show what patience can capture even after brutal drawdowns.

In his late-night post on Friday, Scaramucci said his advice is to let the S&P 500's rules do the heavy lifting rather than trying to outsmart the cycle. he wrote that the index already filters for size and business strength, and that investors can focus on owning it instead of constantly trading around headlines.

He framed the index as a built-in upgrade mechanism, noting that companies can be removed when they no longer meet the bar. Scaramucci added that he bought his first S&P 500 index investment roughly 30 years ago and still owns it.

My biggest investing mistake has always been selling too early.



Here's what I tell people instead. Buy the S&P 500. Sit on it. Don't think about it.



Standard & Poor's is already doing the work for you  tracking the 500 best companies by market cap, earnings growth, dividends, pic.twitter.com/c8T3AxnIQm  Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) April 24, 2026

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That message lines up with a separate regret he has described from 1999, when he said he listened to Jeff Bezos explain Amazon's logistics-driven ambitions and left convinced he should invest. He later said he backed off after Warren Buffett criticized the valuation by comparing the company to Sears, and Scaramucci ultimately walked away from the idea.

Scaramucci has since run the numbers on what he passed up, saying $10,000 put into Amazon at that moment would have been worth $16.5 million by Saturday morning. He has also said the path would not have been smooth, describing eight separate 50% drops and one plunge of about 90% along the way.

In that framing, the lesson isn't about finding a perfect entry point as much as surviving the ugly stretches that test conviction. Scaramucci has said he has lived through nine bear markets, and that sentiment can swing far past what fundamentals justify while investors stay positioned too defensively.

Trending: Think you're saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off  see why

Geopolitical Factors Shaping Market Recovery

Scaramucci has previously discussed the intricate relationship between markets and President Donald Trump, emphasizing that they influence each other in a reciprocal manner. He noted that Trump could declare victory at any moment, potentially leading to a market rally, as seen in past instances where such narratives significantly shifted sentiment, creating conditions for recovery. This dynamic illustrates how geopolitical factors, particularly concerning energy markets, can play a crucial role in shaping investor sentiment.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) is hitting a bit of a soft patch, with global sales falling for the second month in a row.

In March, the company sold just under a million vehicles, down about 5.8% year over year. The biggest drag came from the Middle East, where sales dropped sharply, while the U.S. and China also saw noticeable declines. In North America, demand for hybrids is still holding up pretty well, but the transition to the next version of the RAV4 seems to be slowing things down for now.

What makes this a bit more nuanced is that production is actually going up. Toyota built more cars during the month, especially in the U.S. and China, which suggests this is not a supply issue. It is more about timing, regional demand swings, and that model changeover.

Zoom out, and it does not look like a major problem. Toyota is still coming off a strong run and remains one of the most dominant players globally.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed Monday that he pitched a potential merger to American Airlines, but was turned down. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI

April 27 (UPI) -- The chief executive officer of United Airlines confirmed Monday that he pitched a potential merger to American Airlines, but was turned down.

United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement Monday that American Airlines rejected his proposal.

"I approached American about exploring a combination because I thought we could do something incredible for customers together," Kirby wrote in the statement.

Kirby wrote that he was seeking "a willing partner that shared my big, bold vision."

He said the plan was aimed at increasing coverage for customers, creating a globally competitive airline and growing the U.S. economy.

"I was hoping to pitch that story to American, but they declined to engage and instead responded by publicly closing the door," he wrote. "And without a willing partner, something this big simply can't get done."

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said last week that a merger with United would be anticompetitive and bad for customers.

Kirby had reportedly approached the Trump administration with his idea earlier this year, but President Donald Trump told CNBC last week that he would be against such a merger.
By Harshita Mary Varghese

April 27 (Reuters) - Verizon raised its annual profit forecast on Monday after revamped customer offers and bundled plans led to surprise first-quarter wireless subscriber additions, sending its shares up 4%.

With deals such as offering better terms to customers who brought in bills from rivals like AT&T and T-Mobile, Verizon worked to draw in paying subscribers as part of a broader turnaround push to revive wireless growth.

Verizon added 55,000 monthly bill-paying wireless subscribers in the quarter, its first net gains for the March-ended period in more than a decade.

Analysts polled by Visible Alpha had expected wireless subscribers to decrease by 81,809.

"The strong postpaid phone net adds result shows that (CEO) Dan Schulman is here to fight tooth and nail," analysts at New Street Research said.

"Anyone that doubted whether Verizon might achieve its guidance for the year should have no doubts after this quarter."

Schulman, who took charge as CEO in October, said Verizon is in talks with hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises to link its fiber and 5G assets to support AI infrastructure, with potential to generate billions in revenue.

The company now expects its total retail postpaid phone net additions for the year to be in the upper half of its forecast of 750,000 to 1 million.

Like AT&T, Verizon has leaned into discounted bundles combining high-speed broadband and wireless plans, a strategy aimed at boosting customer retention.

The company's total quarterly revenue came in at $34.4 billion, compared with estimates of $34.84 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Wireless service revenue growth for the quarter was impacted by customer credits tied to a January service outage that lasted for about 10 hours, for which Verizon offered a $20 credit to hundreds of thousands of customers.

Verizon now sees adjusted profit for 2026 between $4.95 and $4.99 per share, compared with its prior forecast of between $4.90 and $4.95.

For the first quarter, Verizon reported an adjusted profit of $1.28 per share, compared with estimates of $1.20.

(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
Wealth clients who wanted exposure to Anthropics February private fundraising were offered notably different fee terms depending on which Wall Street bank arranged their entry, the Financial Times reported citing people familiar with the proposals.

Morgan Stanley told clients it would charge a 1% fee for access to the transaction, the sources said.

Goldman Sachs, however, put forward a more expensive, multi-layered approach that included an ongoing management fee and a share of profits, according to the FTs report.

Both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley were among the institutions that received allocations in Anthropics $30bn round in February, alongside other large investors.

The Claude-maker raised money from backers including Singapores sovereign wealth fund, Coatue and Nvidia in a deal that valued the company at $350bn as it prepared for what is expected to be one of the largest IPOs on record.

Anthropic declined a request for comment from the FT.

Goldman pitched the opportunity to private wealth clients via a special purpose vehicle (SPV), described by people familiar with the details as a single investment fund.

It did not propose a placement fee. Instead, it presented a 1.25% management fee and carried interest of 17.5% of profits, provided returns reached at least 8%, according to the people.

Morgan Stanley also used an SPV to give clients access but outlined a 1% placement fee and did not include a management fee or carried interest, people familiar with the matter said.

The two banks also differed in how they positioned their role relative to clients. Goldman co-invested alongside its wealth clients, while Morgan Stanley did not act as a fiduciary, meaning it offered the investment without making a recommendation.

People familiar with these deal structures said a management fee is unusual for a single-company investment vehicle, where banks more commonly levy a modest placement charge and a small ongoing maintenance fee.

A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said: For single asset opportunities, we usually act as fiduciaries, investing alongside our wealth clients. Our clients gain access to the same deep due diligence and high-conviction investments as our institutional funds, utilising a consistent, traditional fee structure.

A Morgan Stanley Wealth Management spokesperson said: When offering private markets access to wealth clients our scale enables us to frequently offer access without management or carry fees, similar to what institutions receive.

The proposed terms also reflect the different client segments each bank typically serves. Goldmans wealth business targets the ultra-wealthy, with an average client account of about $70m, while Morgan Stanley, which runs a larger wealth management operation, typically works with clients holding $20m or more in assets.
Warren Buffett does not issue dramatic market warnings often. He is built for patience, not panic. This is exactly why the signal buried inside his best-known valuation yardstick is worth paying close attention to right now.

The number has just hit a level that Buffett himself once described as playing with fire. And it is not even close to the edge anymore. It has blown past it.

What the Buffett Indicator says about the stock market

The Buffett Indicator, which measures the total value of U.S. stocks as a percentage of GDP, according to GuruFocus, now stands at 227%. That is roughly one-sixth higher than the 200% threshold Buffett himself identified as the danger zone.

Buffett first laid out this framework in a 2001 Fortune article he wrote during the dot-com collapse. "If the relationship approaches 200% as it did in 1999 and 2000, you are playing with fire," he wrote. The Indicator has now climbed well beyond that level, Fortune noted.

More Warren Buffett:

The S&P 500 currently sits near an all-time record of 7,165, having rebounded from the selloff triggered by the Iran war earlier this year.

That recovery has pushed valuations to levels that Buffett's framework says are historically dangerous territory.

Why this S&P 500 reading is unusually alarming

There are two compounding problems at today's reading, according to Fortune's analysis of Buffett's framework.

The first is corporate profit concentration. Profits now represent 12% of GDP, well above the historical average of 7% to 8%, Fortune reported. Bulls argue this justifies the current market level.

But the counter-argument is more persuasive historically: Fat margins attract competitors, which eventually drive down prices and compress the very earnings for which investors are paying a premium.

As the late Nobel-winning economist Milton Friedman said, "Corporate earnings as a share of national income cannot rise beyond their historic share of GDP for long periods," Fortune noted.

The second problem is valuation. The S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio based on forecast Q1 GAAP net earnings now exceeds 28, roughly two-thirds above the 100-year average of approximately 17, according to Fortune.

That means investors are not just paying for higher profits. They are paying significantly more for each dollar of those profits than historical norms would suggest.

The Buffett Indicator, which measures the total value of U.S. stocks as a percentage of GDP, now stands at 227%.Eisele /Getty Images

What history says about the Buffett Indicator's 227% level

The last two times the Buffett Indicator reached these heights, the outcomes were painful. Fortune tracked both episodes.
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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(Bloomberg) -- Shell Plc agreed to buy Canadian oil and gas producer ARC Resources Ltd. for $13.6 billion, its biggest deal in more than a decade as it seeks to sustain output in the long term.

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Its the first major acquisition in the three-year tenure of Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan, who has been pressed recently to bolster the companys fossil fuel reserves. In the absence of major discoveries, and with Shell saying last year it wont bid for troubled rival BP Plc, a smaller deal has been the likeliest path to growth.

ARCs low-cost shale gas and liquid hydrocarbon production complements Shells existing operations in Canada, which include a stake in a major liquefied natural gas export facility on the west coast. The country, which under Prime Minister Mark Carney has accelerated approval of energy projects, is now core to Shells ambitions, Sawan said.

This establishes Canada as a heartland for Shell, Sawan said in a statement announcing the transaction on Monday. The deal strengthens our resource base for decades to come.

The deal reinforces the London-based companys move to refocus on its core oil and gas business in a drive to boost returns to investors. ARCs assets will raise the compound annual growth rates of Shells production between 2025 and 2030 to 4%, up from 1% previously. It will help sustain liquids production toward 2030 and beyond at about 1.4 million barrels a day.

ARCs shares jumped as much as 24% to the highest in more than 10 years. Shell dropped 1.7% to 3,252.5 pence in London.

LNG Canada

The transaction will help support output from LNG Canada, an important export project that gives access to Asian markets to the countrys natural gas resources. A second phase of expansion is possible at the project, in which Shell has a 40% stake, although Sawan told reporters acquiring ARC doesnt mean a final investment decision is imminent until at least the end of the year.

ARCs operations are situated in the same region as Shells Groundbirch asset in British Columbia, which supplies LNG Canada, and the Gold Creek project in neighboring Alberta, according to the statement. The acquisition also gives Shell exposure to another export project with ARCs supply deal into Cedar LNG, a smaller facility under construction nearby.
88 Energy and Burgundy amend Phoenix arrangements Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

88 Energy Ltd (AIM:88E, ASX:88E, OTCQB:EEENF, FRA:POQ) has tightened its contractual position at Project Phoenix in Alaska while giving joint venture partner Burgundy Xploration more time to complete funding ahead of a planned US listing.

The company agreed to extend Burgundys funding milestone under the Participation Agreement to 30 September, aligning the timetable with Burgundys initial public offering process.

In return, 88 Energy will receive US$400,000 of near-term payments, comprising a US$100,000 amendment fee and US$300,000 toward the Icewine 3D payment.

Burgundy remains committed to funding 100% of Project Phoenix costs under the agreed US$29 million carry.

The revised terms also include additional security over Burgundys lease positions, accelerated payment terms for the outstanding Icewine 3D consideration and an option for 88 Energy to acquire up to 25% of Burgundys 2025 North Slope leases at cost.

The Franklin Bluffs-1H horizontal well, designed as the next step in the appraisal and commercialisation plan for Project Phoenix, is now expected to spud in the first quarter of 2027, with a revised target spud date of 30 March 2027.

88 Energy noted that Burgundy has submitted its draft Form S-1 to the US Securities and Exchange Commission and completed two rounds of SEC comments.

Since the PA was executed in February 2025, Burgundy has paid around US$1.5 million gross to 88 Energy, delivering about A$2.0 million of net cash-flow benefits.
DR Congo will invest $100 million to create a paramilitary force to provide security at its mines, with funding provided by the US and United Arab Emirates. The investment will back a security drive that will see it hire 20,000 mining guards by 2028, Bloomberg reported.

DR Congo, the worlds top cobalt producer and Africas leading copper supplier, has in recent months agreed a partnership with Washington that grants US companies preferential access to mining assets. The deal  a key plank in Americas attempt to catch up with Chinas control of critical mineral supply chains  includes commitments by Kinshasa to tackle insecurity in its mining industry and improve the countrys business climate.

Security is a major concern for mining companies looking to enter DR Congo and has held back the development of extractive industries in Africas second-largest nation by land mass, which for years has fought rebels in the east of the country.

A chart showing the share of the worlds mined cobalt production.

 Alexis Akwagyiram
Exxon Mobil is possibly making one of the biggest moves of 2026.

The oil giant is in talks to sell its Hong Kong fuel-station networkin a deal that could fetch$500 million to $600 million, according to a Reuters report.

Exxon has hired a financial adviser, and four to five bidders are potentially reviewing the assets. The network includes about 41 Esso-branded stations in a market where traditional fuel retail is being squeezed by both transport electrification and war-driven oil volatility.

A possible big Asian deal is amazing. But the timing is what makes it stand out.

Exxon is heading into itsMay 1 earnings report after warning on April 8 that first-quarter profit could fall from the prior quarter, despite high prices thanks to the Iran-US conflict. Exxon anticipates a $1.4 billion upstream boost from higher commodity prices but also a $5.3 billion downstream hit linked to hedging and undelivered cargoes and a $600 million to $800 million impairment.

Those distortions should work themselves out in later quarters as physical shipments settle, according to the company.

Investors are still giving Exxon some credit. XOM last traded at about $148.91 on April 24, with a market value of roughly $628 billion.

Exxon has more than one story unfolding right now

The Hong Kong talks are not occurring in isolation.

Exxon and QatarEnergy came up with a major operational milestone on March 30, when their Golden Pass LNG venture in Texas produced its first liquefied natural gas. Golden Pass then said the first export cargo left Sabine Pass on April 22. All three trains will eventually produce 18 million metric tons per year, but only the first train is running now.

That road has not been entirely smooth. Reuters reported on April 16 that Exxon had withdrawn an offer to sell two initial Golden Pass cargoes while the facility was still in commissioning, with the plant then operating at about one-third of Train 1 capacity. In other words, Exxon is adding export capacity at a critical time for global gas markets, but is still working through startup friction.

Theres also a bigger remake of the company underway. Exxon said in March that shareholders will vote on a proposal at the companys May 27 annual meeting to move its legal domicile from New Jersey, where its based, to Texas, where Exxon already has most of its senior leadership and a large share of its U.S. workforce.

In short, Exxon is less about the company benefiting from high crude prices and more about reconfiguring its business through asset reviews, LNG expansion, and governance changes while the markets are in an unsettled state. That is an inference, but a powerful one based on the chronology of the events.
The hard problems often appear before construction begins. Land acquisition, environmental review, interconnection agreements and community consent can determine whether a project reaches site at all. For offshore wind, ports, vessels, fabrication capacity and grid reinforcements can shape the programme as much as turbines. For solar, scale brings its own constraints around land, transmission access and local permitting.

Those numbers confirm the direction of travel, but they do not describe the full construction challenge. Wind and solar are no longer simply generation projects. They are system-integration projects. Their commercial value depends on connection, balancing, dispatch and storage. Without those, capacity becomes stranded, curtailed or less financeable.

The pipeline is led by renewables. GlobalData puts wind at about 40% of total value, or $3.21tn, with an estimated 1,834GW of new capacity. Solar PV follows at 16%, or $1.30tn, with 1,329GW. Hydropower accounts for 15%, or $1.18tn, and 810GW.

GlobalData points to sluggish global growth, rising energy and construction costs, and continuing supply chain disruption. These pressures do more than lift budgets. They change behaviour. Contractors build in wider contingencies. Investors scrutinise regulation more closely. Developers place greater value on programme certainty. The cheapest bid is less attractive if it cannot survive contact with inflation, grid delays or a missing transformer.

This is the central tension in the global power generation construction pipeline. The world needs capacity, but capacity is not delivered by aspiration. It is delivered through consenting systems, bankable contracts, credible supply chains and contractors willing to take risk at a price clients can afford. In practice, that is becoming harder.

The more important number is not the total. It is the stage gate. According to GlobalData, 63.8% of project value remains in pre-planning or planning, while only 22.5% is under execution. That gap is where the market is now being decided  in the practical business of turning permits, grid agreements, finance and procurement into buildable projects.

The global power generation construction pipeline  outside of oil and gas  has reached a scale that would have seemed implausible a decade ago. GlobalData estimates prospective project value at about $8.09tn, spanning wind, solar, hydropower, nuclear, gas and enabling infrastructure. For contractors, equipment suppliers and investors, the figure signals a deep pool of future work. It also demands caution.

Story Continues

Hydropowers place in the pipeline reinforces the point. Large hydro and pumped storage can provide flexibility and resilience, but they are civil-heavy, politically sensitive and exposed to environmental scrutiny. They can be valuable assets. They are rarely quick wins.

Regional pipelines are moving at different speeds

The global figure hides sharp regional differences. Western Europe leads with a $1.51tn pipeline, according to GlobalData, with offshore and onshore wind making up more than 68% of planned value. The UK contributes $623.1bn, or around 44.4% of the regions total.

That is a large opportunity, but also a demanding one. Mature markets do not reward optimism for long. Contractors need consenting expertise, supply chain resilience and a record of delivery in regulated environments. Clients, lenders and governments will increasingly ask the same question: can this team actually deliver?

North-East Asia has a different profile. Its pipeline stands at $1.21tn, dominated by China at $860.1bn. GlobalData notes that 62.9% of regional value is already in pre-execution or execution, while China has 711GW in pipeline capacity, including nearly 465.1GW under construction. That matters beyond China. It affects global equipment availability, delivery benchmarks and pricing power.

North America is substantial but less advanced. GlobalData puts the regional pipeline at $759.7bn, with the US at $582.8bn and Canada at $176.8bn. Some 72.54% of projects remain in early development. The risk is lumpiness. If too many projects clear development gates at once, demand for specialist labour, project controls and long-lead components can surge faster than the market can absorb.

Power Generation Construction Project Pipeline by Type, % of Total Capacity

Latin America shows the opposite problem: visibility without velocity. Brazil accounts for $580.4bn of a $785.93bn regional pipeline, or 75.2%, but 90.33% of value is still in pre-planning or planning. Early positioning will matter. So will local permitting capability, grid strategy and political risk management.

In the Middle East and Africa, GlobalData tracks $568.1bn in pipeline value, with about 68.1% already in pre-execution or execution. Solar leads, but gas, wind and nuclear remain significant. The near-term opportunity is clearer, yet delivery will depend on governance, financing structures and the ability to manage complex interfaces between generation, grids and industrial demand.

Private capital is raising the bar

GlobalDatas financing split is one of the most commercially important signals in the report. Private investment accounts for 57% of total project value, or about $4.59tn. Public investment represents 25%, or $2.04tn, while PPPs account for 18%, or $1.46tn.

That changes the tone of the market. Private capital can move quickly, but it is selective. It wants risk allocated clearly, contracts that can withstand cost pressure and credible evidence that schedules are achievable. Projects that cannot show that will sit in the pipeline for a long time.

Now, the catch is that many of the hardest risks are not fully within a contractors control. Regulation, grid access, political change and supply chain disruption are difficult to price cleanly. That is why policy stability is not a background condition. It is part of project delivery. Indexation, local content rules, guarantees and revenue certainty all shape whether construction can proceed.

The flagship projects cited by GlobalData make the point. Canadas 3,512MW Darlington refurbishment reflects the rising importance of life-extension programmes, with nuclear-grade quality assurance and long-term workforce planning. Brazils proposed 6.5GW Ventos do Sul offshore wind complex shows how scale can run ahead of readiness when environmental review, ports, vessels and grid integration remain unresolved. The UKs 3,260MW Hinkley Point C remains a test case for firm low-carbon construction in Western markets. Chinas planned 60GW Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower project, cited by GlobalData at $167bn, shows how some jurisdictions will pursue energy transition through vast civil infrastructure as much as modular renewables.

The global power generation construction pipeline is therefore more of a filter. It will separate projects with political sponsorship, financial structure and delivery depth from projects that exist mainly as development inventory.

For industry decision-makers, the implication is direct. Contractors need to move earlier, before procurement is formally launched. Investors need to interrogate buildability, not just demand. Developers need to treat grid access, consenting and supply chains as core strategy rather than enabling work.

Extracted and interpreted from a GlobalData report and project-tracking data on global power generation construction pipeline. Figures and examples cited are attributed to GlobalDatas project pipeline insights.

To access the full report, visit the GlobalData Construction Intelligence Centre: www.globaldata.com/industries/construction.

"Global powers $8tn pipeline faces a buildability test" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Iberdrola has completed the $4bn (3.41bn) sale of its Mexican business following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, transferring operational assets with a capacity of 2.6GW to Cox, a global water and energy utility.

The transaction comprises 1.37GW from combined-cycle and cogeneration plants and 1.23GW from wind and photovoltaic sources.

Commercial operations and a pipeline of power generation projects are also included in the deal, with Cox intending to advance these as part of its growth strategy in Mexico.

Cox completed the purchase of Iberdrola Mexico according to the terms announced in July 2025.

The acquired platform includes the largest private energy supplier in Mexico, with more than 25% market share and annual sales of 20TW-hours to more than 500 major customers.

The assets add more than 12GW of generation projects under development and employ more than 800 staff, whom Cox will retain.

Cox has received finance and advisory support from global banking and investment companies and was advised by a number of international legal practices.

The transaction marks a significant step in Coxs stated intention to expand its integrated utility operations within priority markets across Latin America, making Mexico a key hub for further regional activity.

Cox executive chairman Enrique Riquelme Vives said: This operation is framed within the vision of President Claudia Sheinbaum and her government to turn energy and water into authentic state policies at the service of inclusive and sustainable development for all Mexicans.

With an integrated platform that combines efficient power generation and advanced water management solutions, Cox aligns fully with the Mexican Governments priorities, which are aimed at reinforcing energy security, water sovereignty and long-term investment in strategic infrastructure under a clear and fair regulatory framework, with national planning capable of attracting international investment.

For Iberdrola, the divestment fits within its ongoing strategy to focus investment on regulated transmission and distribution businesses and long-term contracted generation, primarily in its key markets of the US and the UK.

The decision aligns with Iberdrola's 202528 strategic plan, which allocates 58bn to develop electricity networks, prioritising the UK and US.

The terms account for the potential of future payments to Iberdrola pending the completion of additional generation projects.

"Iberdrola divests Mexico business to Cox in $4bn deal" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
Meta signed an agreement with Overview Energy to secure up to 1 gigawatt of capacity from a space-based solar power system, with commercial delivery expected by 2030.

Rather than building new ground infrastructure, Overview Energy's approach involves capturing sunlight from orbit and transmitting it as low-intensity, near-infrared light down to existing terrestrial solar installations, enabling continuous electricity generation day and night. The companies have set 2028 as the target date for a first orbital test. Neither company provided details on the financial structure of the agreement.

Under the terms of the arrangement, Overview Energy has committed to giving Meta first claim on capacity as the system scales up. In a statement, Nat Sahlstrom, who leads energy and sustainability for Meta, called the technology "a transformative step forward by leveraging existing terrestrial infrastructure to deliver new, uninterrupted energy from orbit."

Overview Energy said its satellites are designed to beam power to receivers at existing and future utility-scale solar projects without requiring new land, fuel, or grid interconnection processes. The company, founded in 2022 and based in northern Virginia, has achieved power beaming from a moving airborne platform, the company said.

Across the country, Meta has been developing a string of massive data centers intended to underpin its artificial intelligence ambitions. The growing demand for power to run those facilities has pushed the company to pursue a range of energy sources. Separate deals with Vistra, Oklo, and TerraPower have made Meta one of the largest corporate purchasers of nuclear energy, according to Reuters.

Meta's largest data center project, located in rural Louisiana, has drawn particularly heavy investment in new energy infrastructure. The company agreed to fund seven combined-cycle natural gas plants, battery storage, and hundreds of miles of high-voltage transmission lines to support that campus, with Entergy Louisiana estimating about $2 billion in relief for ratepayers over two decades. Ten additional gas-fired generating units are being built to serve the Louisiana campus, according to Bloomberg.

The space solar deal represents a longer-dated bet on clean power. Overview's beam is described as invisible and less intense than sunlight, and the company said the technology is engineered to meet U.S. regulatory, grid integration, and safety standards.
Australias first vertically integrated graphite-to-anode demonstration facility has begun operations in Townsville, with Graphinex producing battery-grade material for international markets.

The facility processes graphite from the Esmeralda project near Croydon in north-west Queensland, creating a single supply chain from extraction to anode production. In a statement, the Queensland Government said the project had been designated a Prescribed Project in 2025 to streamline approvals and support investment, with more than 200 jobs expected.

The development comes as global graphite supply expands. According to GlobalDatas Global Graphite Mining to 2035 report, natural graphite production is projected to rise by 25.1% in 2026 to approximately 2.1 million tonnes, following output of around 1.7 million tonnes in 2025 . Over the longer term, production is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.8% to reach about 4.9 million tonnes by 2035 .

A Letter of Interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for $1.3bn supported the project, which the state government described as the largest single commitment under the USAustralia Critical Minerals Framework.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the state was positioned to advance projects aligned with international funding. The US has opened the door, and Queensland is ready to walk through it with shovel-ready critical minerals projects, he said.

GlobalDatas report indicates that supply remains concentrated, with China accounting for 74.9% of global graphite production in 2025, although its share is expected to decline to 29.6% by 2035 as new producers emerge . Australia is forecast to increase its share of global output to around 7.4% over the same period .

Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the project demonstrated the states ability to produce higher-value materials, describing it as an example of pit-to-processing-to-product.

Demand for graphite is being driven by battery manufacturing. GlobalDatas report notes that electric vehicle sales exceeded 35.8 million units in 2025 and are expected to reach 40.8 million in 2026, supporting continued growth in lithium-ion battery supply chains .

Graphinex managing director Art Malone said the Townsville facility established a fully integrated, secure pathway from resource to advanced manufacturing.

The Queensland Government is seeking federal support for additional projects, including upgrades to the Mt Isa rail line, expanded processing capacity in Townsville, pilot programmes in Mackay, and increased tungsten production at Mt Carbine.
Texas drivers are catching a break at the pump this week, with some of the lowest gas prices in the U.S., while those driving diesel aren't getting as good a deal.

An AAA dashboard on Monday, April 27, showed that Texas ranks 7th among the cheapest states, with the average daily price of regular gas at $3.681  $0.43 less than the national average.

For mid-grade and premium gas prices, Texas ranks 12th and 11th, respectively. When it comes to diesel, Texas ranks 10th in the nation with a daily average price of $4.973.

Oklahoma has the lowest state-average gas and diesel prices, at $3.50 and $4.674, respectively.

Here's a deeper dive into the state's prices as Texans start their work week.

Kaleb Shoemaker reaches for the pump as he gets gas for his truck on April 2, 2026, at QuikTrip in Des Moines, Iowa.

McAllen, Brownsville have lowest gas prices in Texas

The McAllen, Edinburg and Mission areas see the lowest average gas price in Texas at $3.341 for regular fuel.

Brownsville is a close second at $3.353, with Lubbock third at $3.417.

El Paso, College Station have highest gas prices in Texas

El Paso is seeing some of the highest average gas prices in Texas, at $3.966 per gallon for regular fuel.

College is just behind at $3.808, with Galveston third at $3.770.

Latest U.S.-Iran war news impacting gas prices

Over the weekend, top U.S. and Iranian peace negotiators were set to speak in Pakistan. However, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner were told to stay home after the Iranian delegation left.

Trump told Americans on Thursday to expect higher prices as the war continues, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright saying that gas prices may not drop below $3 per gallon until next year.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Texas AAA gas, diesel prices among nation's cheapest
TotalEnergies has made a final investment decision (FID) and secured financing for the 1GW Mirny project, an onshore wind farm with a 600MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in south-east Kazakhstan.

The development aims to generate 100TW-hours (TWh) of renewable electricity over a period of 25 years, providing power to approximately one million residents.

Electricity generated will be sold to Kazakhstan's Government through a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) established in 2023.

The project requires an investment of $1.2bn (1.02bn), with approximately 75% of the funding sourced from external finances.

Mirny involves constructing a 1GW onshore wind farm with 150 turbines, paired with a 600MWh BESS provided by TotalEnergies' affiliate Saft, to ensure reliable power to the national grid.

The storage facility is expected to improve grid stability, marking a notable enhancement to Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure.

TotalEnergies owns 60% of the project, with Samruk Energy and KazMunayGas each holding a 20% share.

TotalEnergies and its partners have signed a common terms agreement with an international lending consortium to secure a financing framework for the Mirny project.

The consortium includes DBK, DEG, China Construction Bank, EBRD, Proparco, QNB Group, Societe Generale and Standard Chartered.

TotalEnergies renewables SVP Olivier Jouny said: We are delighted to launch one of Kazakhstans largest renewable energy initiatives to date, thereby contributing to the countrys target of increasing the share of renewables in electricity generation to 15% by 2030.

We look forward to advancing construction of the Mirny project alongside our partners and in cooperation with the Kazakhstani authorities.

This 1GW onshore wind farm will also contribute to the 9GW renewables portfolio that we are combining with Masdar through a 50/50 joint venture across nine Asian countries, including Kazakhstan.

TotalEnergies has operated in Kazakhstan since 1993, focusing on a multi-energy strategy that blends hydrocarbon production with renewable energy projects.

In February this year, the company signed two long-term PPAs with Google to supply 1GW of solar energy in Texas, US, over a 15-year term.

"TotalEnergies announces FID for 1GW Mirny project in Kazakhstan" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.

TotalEnergies has reached final investment decision and secured financing for the Mirny onshore wind and battery project in Kazakhstan.

The Mirny project is structured under a 25 year power purchase agreement with the Kazakh government, supplying renewable power for around one million people.

Separately, the company has received development consent for the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm, expanding its renewables footprint.

TotalEnergies (ENXTPA:TTE) is pushing further into renewables while its core business continues to trade on public markets at a share price of 77.0. The stock has delivered longer term returns of 37.3% year to date, 54.7% over the past year and 180.5% over five years.

These new wind projects add another dimension to the investment story for ENXTPA:TTE, alongside its traditional hydrocarbon activities. For investors focused on ESG themes as well as those tracking large integrated energy groups, the scale and geographic spread of Mirny and Outer Dowsing may become reference points when assessing how the company is evolving its business mix over time.

Stay updated on the most important news stories for TotalEnergies by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on TotalEnergies.

ENXTPA:TTE Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Apr 2026

We've flagged 2 risks for TotalEnergies. See which could impact your investment.

Quick Assessment

 Price vs Analyst Target : At 77.0 versus a consensus target of about 83.7, the price sits roughly 8% below analyst expectations, which is within a reasonable band.

 Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading about 64.1% below an estimated fair value, which screens as materially undervalued in that model.

 Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of about 1.9% decline signals weak short term momentum despite the renewables news.

The right time to buy, sell or hold TotalEnergies depends on each investors own assessment. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of TotalEnergies's fair value.

Key Considerations
(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian drones caused damage to a fertilizer plant owned by PhosAgro PJSC as well as a major oil refinery as Kyiv seeks to thwart Russian commodities exporters which are benefiting from higher prices as a result of the Iran war.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The PhosAgro plant was targeted for the second time this month. Refineries have long been struck in the conflict, with the latest strike on the Yaroslavl oil-processing plant reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram.

Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian fertilizer plants and other oil infrastructure to blunt the economic benefits for Russia. Nitrogen fertilizer prices have doubled from pre-Iran war levels as vital supplies remain stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia has imposed curbs on fertilizer exports, although producers are still able to ship some fertilizers within a government quota.

At PhosAgros Apatit JSC complex in the Vologda region in northwest Russia, drones damaged a pipeline which has subsequently been repaired, Governor Georgy Filimonov said in a Telegram post on Sunday. A PhosAgro spokesperson declined to comment.

Ukraine targeted the Apatit plant earlier this month, claiming it produces raw materials for TNT and other components for ammunition. While nitrogen fertilizer producers are able to produce explosives, the claim that PhosAgro supplies the military cannot be independently verified.

The attack on the Yaroslavl refinery  co-owned by Rosneft and Gazprom Neft  resulted in a fire at the site, Ukraines military said in its official Telegram channel. Yaroslavl Region governor Mikhail Yevrayev reported on his Telegram channel that a massive attack by Ukrainian drones was repelled overnight.

The Yaroslavl plant is about 175 miles (282 kilometers) from Moscow and can process 15 million tons of crude year, equivalent to around 300,000 barrels a day.

(Updates with attack on Yaroslavl oil refinery.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
From an employer's perspective, deploying a worker who lacks proper safety training creates significant legal, financial, and operational risks. Offshore operators are bound by strict international regulations, and they face serious consequences which can include production shutdowns and regulatory penalties if their workforce does not meet the required safety standards. Moreover, helicopter operators will not carry personnel to installations unless those individuals hold valid documentation. Consequently, employers treat safety certification as a gatekeeping measure that protects not only individual workers but also the broader crew and the integrity of operations. As providers like FMTC demonstrate through their globally delivered programmes, world-class training equips workers to respond confidently when every second matters.

To work on an offshore oil or gas platform, personnel are required to hold a valid BOSIET certificate, which stands for Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training. This globally recognised qualification, approved by OPITO (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation), ensures that workers arrive at an installation with both the knowledge and the practical confidence to handle real emergencies. The training covers several critical areas, including helicopter safety and underwater escape (HUET), sea survival, firefighting, elementary first aid, and the use of an Emergency Breathing System (EBS). Rather than relying on classroom theory alone, the course places a strong emphasis on hands-on exercises, such as practicing escapes from a submerged and inverted helicopter simulator, so that participants build genuine competence rather than just theoretical awareness.

Unlike most onshore workplaces, offshore environments operate in remote locations where emergency services cannot respond quickly. Workers must, therefore, be capable of protecting themselves and their colleagues without waiting for outside help. Helicopter travel to and from platforms introduces an additional layer of risk that does not exist in land-based roles, since an emergency during transit can require immediate underwater escape or sea survival skills. Furthermore, fires, gas leaks, and extreme weather can occur with little warning, which means every person on an installation must understand how to respond effectively. It is precisely because of these compounding hazards that employers treat pre-deployment safety training as a non-negotiable condition of employment.

Story Continues

How the BOSIET course supports operational readiness

Beyond compliance, completing the BOSIET course delivers a practical benefit that employers value deeply: operational readiness. Workers who have trained under realistic, simulated conditions can integrate into offshore crews more quickly and contribute to a safer working environment from day one. In industries where downtime is extraordinarily expensive, having a workforce that does not need to be walked through basic emergency procedures on arrival saves both time and money. Additionally, because the certificate is valid for four years and must be renewed through the Further Offshore Emergency Training (FOET) refresher before it expires, employers can be confident that their teams maintain current, up-to-date skills throughout their careers.

The role of BOSIET across different offshore sectors

Although BOSIET was originally developed for the oil and gas industry, its relevance has expanded significantly as offshore wind energy has grown. Technicians working on offshore wind farms face many of the same hazards as oil and gas workers and are increasingly required to hold equivalent safety qualifications. Whether a worker is heading to a North Sea oil platform, a floating production facility, or an offshore wind installation, the underlying safety principles remain the same. This cross-sector applicability makes pre-deployment training a universal expectation rather than an industry-specific formality.

What happens if certification lapses

If a worker's certification expires before they complete a refresher, most employers will not permit them to travel offshore until they have retrained which means they may miss deployment windows, lose contracts, or are passed over in favour of candidates who are already compliant. In some cases, an expired certificate requires the worker to retake the full programme rather than simply attending a shorter refresher course, which adds both time and cost. Staying ahead of renewal deadlines is, therefore, as important as completing the initial training.

A foundation for a long offshore career

In summary, employers require pre-deployment safety training because it works. Workers who arrive offshore prepared, confident, and certified are safer, more productive, and more valuable to the teams they join. For anyone entering the offshore industry which can be in oil and gas, renewable energy, or maritime operations then investing in the right training before deployment is not just a regulatory hurdle. It is the foundation upon which a long, successful, and safe offshore career is built.

"Why employers require BOSIET before offshore deployment" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Amcor has extended its production base in Malaysia with the launch of a new healthcare packaging coating plant in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

The project brings air-knife coating capability to the region for making coated medical paper used in sterile medical device packaging.

It entailed an investment of more than $35m, which was facilitated by Malaysias Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

MIDA CEO Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said: Beyond expanding capacity, this facility strengthens local supply chain resilience, accelerates technology adoption and supports the development of skilled Malaysian talent, in line with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and our National Investment Aspirations.

With the new plant, Amcors healthcare packaging activities in the country now form a fully integrated manufacturing site.

The company said it would add dual sourcing capacity, support supply continuity over the longer term and provide a base for moving products from pilot runs to larger-scale output.

The site would help with trials, technical work with customers and the path to commercial production in the region.

The project also involved cooperation across Amcors international operations.

Technical staff from the US worked with employees in Malaysia on installation, start-up and practical training during the commissioning phase.

The plant has inspection equipment and automated production systems for healthcare packaging uses.

It also includes closed-loop controls, in-line quality checks and drying systems intended to support uniform output.

Amcor Asia Pacific flexibles president Chris Kenneally commented: The opening of this new coating facility underscores our long-term commitment to supporting our partners in the healthcare sector across Asia Pacific.

It also demonstrates the strength of collaboration across our global network in bringing advanced capabilities to the region and serving customers more effectively.

Earlier this month, Amcor announced a joint project with Finlands Metsa Group and food packaging equipment manufacturer G Mondini.

The companies are preparing to present a fibre-based tray system for protein products and chilled ready meals.

"Amcor launches medical packaging plant in Malaysia" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in Monsanto Company v. Durnell, a case that could extinguish more than 100,000 lawsuits alleging that Bayer's Roundup weedkiller caused cancer in users who were never warned of the risk.

At the center of the dispute is whether the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA, preempts state-level failure-to-warn claims. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018 for $63 billion, argues that the Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly reviewed glyphosate  Roundup's active ingredient  and found it does not cause cancer, approving product labels without a cancer warning each time. Because manufacturers cannot alter those federally approved labels without agency approval, Bayer contends, state lawsuits demanding such a warning are barred.

The case began with a 2019 lawsuit from John Durnell of St. Louis. He says he developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after about 20 years of using Roundup. Court documents say he was the main herbicide applicator for a St. Louis neighborhood association, spraying weeds in local parks for about two decades without protective gear, according to Reuters. In 2023, a jury awarded him $1.25 million in damages, and a Missouri appeals court upheld the verdict in 2025.

Durnell's lawyers argue his claims are not preempted because Missouri law  requiring products to carry adequate warnings  mirrors FIFRA's own prohibition on misbranded pesticide labels. The EPA's registration of Roundup, they contend, does not place its label beyond challenge in court.

The Trump administration has aligned itself with Bayer; Solicitor General D. John Sauer warned in his brief that permitting states to mandate cancer warnings that contradict EPA science would produce a "State-by-State cacophony" drowning out uniform federal standards. President Donald Trump also issued an executive order in February declaring continued glyphosate production critical to national security.

In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," setting off what one court filing described as a "tidal wave of litigation." The WHO finding ignited what legal filings in the case called a "tidal wave of litigation." While the EPA has consistently held that glyphosate poses no public health risk, critics note that a federal court threw out one of the agency's own health-risk assessments in 2020 after finding its analysis of glyphosate's cancer risk to be defective, according to The New York Times.
Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) will report its first quarter results on Wednesday, with the company set to offer key updates on its Gemini model, Google Cloud revenue, and its investment plans as investors see the company as one of the big AI winners this year.

Alphabet stock has climbed roughly 30% over the last six months, beating out Amazon (AMZN), up 15%, and Microsoft (MSFT), which is off about 20%.

Much of that is thanks to the success of Googles cloud platform and Gemini artificial intelligence models. Thats helped the companys cloud revenue accelerate over the last few quarters, topping $17.66 billion in Q4, and it doesnt look like its slowing down anytime soon.

Google Cloud revenue is projected to be $18.4 billion. That would amount to a 50% year-over-year increase.

For the first quarter, Alphabet is expected to report earnings per share of $2.62 on revenue of $107 billion, according to Bloomberg analyst consensus estimates. Revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs should hit $92 billion. Alphabet saw earnings per share of $2.81 and revenue of $90.23 billion in the same period last year.

Google Advertising revenue is expected to top out at $76.2 billion, a 13.9% year-over-year increase. YouTube advertising revenue is expected to come in at $9.96 billion.

Capital expenditures are also expected to balloon in the quarter. Wall Street is expecting $36.39 billion in spending for the period, a dramatic 111% year-over-year jump.

Alphabets earnings come after the company announced a number of major AI moves during its Google Cloud Next 2026 conference last week, including two new AI chips: the TPU 8t and TPU 8i.

It also follows an announcement earlier this month that the company entered into an agreement with Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) and Broadcom (AVGO) to provide the AI startup with multiple gigawatts of TPU capacity, with the first raft of processors coming online next year.

The chip moves push Google further into competition with partners Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD).

In a note to investors, Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak wrote that he hopes to get more color from Alphabets leadership about its TPU strategy moving forward, adding that he doesnt believe the business is priced into the stock and that it could be a significant driver for the company in 2027.

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By Jeffrey Dastin and Max A. Cherney

NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO, April 27 (Reuters) - Box is launching a service built for artificial intelligence to expedite tedious work, like processing millions of invoices and pulling data from corporate documents, CEO Aaron Levie told Reuters on Monday.

In an interview at Reuters Momentum AI summit in New York, Levie said the company would launch the service, called Box Automate, on Tuesday. It builds on other AI programs that Box developed to put enterprises vast and disorganized data to use.

Box Automate lets a customer specify how AI agents - programs that perform tasks with minimal direction - can plug in to business processes like invoice management. The software can have an AI agent handle grunt work, pull crucial data from "every one of those invoices," and set up a quick decision for an employee to review, Levie said.

The software will come with most of Box's enterprise product plans, he said. It also has the potential to upsell customers to Box's Enterprise Advanced tier, which lets them build agents powering this automation.

"We are trying to balance how to make this as available as possible," with "definitely trying to make more money," Levie said.

BOX PUSHES FORWARD ON AI

Box, which Levie co-founded more than two decades ago while in college, has lately been remaking its cloud services to revolve around AI in order to win business and stave off disruption.

The Redwood City, California-based company is navigating a crowded marketplace for cloud computing, with a focus on business customers and on making AI from other developers, including Anthropic and OpenAI, achieve better results with their Box-stored content.

It has faced some market skepticism. Box's shares are down more than 16% so far this year as investors expected various software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers to be swept away by the enterprise drive of Anthropic in particular.

Levie is unfazed. In his view, most companies would not waste their scarce resources aiming to replicate what SaaS providers built over years, or ask the likes of ChatGPT to do so, in a practice called vibe coding.

"You're not going to vibe-code an ERP system," Levie said. "I don't think you're going to vibe-code a CRM system. The risk is simply too high."

RUNNING UP BILLS FROM AI

Asked what his board of directors wanted to see from Box on the AI front, Levie said, "Probably more, more, more."

A challenge that Levie likened to a "sort of schizophrenia" is that boards and C-suite officers are pushing for still greater AI adoption, then immediately questioning the investment return and saying, "I can't believe you just spent that much money on that thing."
Customers Bank has signed a multiyear partnership with OpenAI that will place the AI company's engineers inside the bank to help automate lending, deposit onboarding, and payments operations, the bank said.

The arrangement goes beyond a software licensing deal. OpenAI's technical teams will work on-site to build custom AI tools on the bank's own processes and data, Customers Bank said. Deployment of AI agents covering all three business lines is targeted for completion within a six-to-12-month window, according to CNBC.

Customers Bancorp CEO Sam Sidhu told CNBC the goal is "end-to-end, automated agentic led workflow" for lending, deposits, and payments. Commercial loan closings, which currently require underwriting, document collection, and legal negotiations over 30 to 45 days, are targeted to take roughly seven days once the lending workflow is automated, the bank said. On the deposit side, complex commercial account openings that currently consume more than a full day will shrink to under 20 minutes once conversational AI and automated document workflows are in place, the bank said.

The project is expected to improve the bank's efficiency ratio from about 49 to the low 40s, Sidhu told CNBC.

Customers Bancorp, the West Reading, Pennsylvania-based parent company of Customers Bank, has almost $26 billion in assets and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CUBI. The bank first adopted OpenAI tools in 2023 through ChatGPT Enterprise, and today 75% of its staff use tools powered by OpenAI, the company said.

OpenAI chief revenue officer Denise Dresser said in a statement that the company was proud to help Customers Bank "as they build a more intelligent operating model that empowers employees, strengthens client service, and sets a new standard for regional banking."

Sidhu framed the collaboration as mutually beneficial for OpenAI. "We're going to be co-creating enterprise solutions they could potentially sell to other banks in the future," he told CNBC. To date, those tools have freed up the equivalent of roughly 15 full-time positions, representing 28,000 hours of labor the bank no longer had to staff, Sidhu said.

The partnership news landed alongside a striking moment during the bank's first-quarter earnings call, where Sidhu told analysts near the end of the session that an AI-generated voice had delivered his scripted opening remarks in his place  something he described as potentially a first for any public company earnings call, according to CNBC.
Ineffable Intelligence, a British AI lab founded a mere few months ago by former DeepMind researcher David Silver, has raised $1.1 billion in funding at a valuation of $5.1 billion to join the race for novel AI models that could outperform large language models.

According to its newly launched site, Ineffable aims to create a superlearner capable of discovering knowledge and skills without relying on human data by leveraging reinforcement learning  a technique in which AI systems learn through trial and error rather than studying human-generated examples. This is Silvers area of expertise.

A professor at University College London, Silver was until recently leading the reinforcement learning team at Google-owned DeepMind, where he spent more than a decade before leaving to found this new venture.

While at DeepMind, Silver was involved in developing programs that beat professional players at chess and the board game Go by learning purely from experience, without being fed human strategies or game records  defeating the worlds top computer programs in each game. The most notable of these was AlphaZero. Similarly, Ineffable Intelligence hopes that its superlearner will discover all knowledge from its own experience.

Its superlearner may lack experience, but the company doesnt lack ambition. If successful, this will represent a scientific breakthrough of comparable magnitude to Darwin: where his law explained all Life, our law will explain and build all Intelligence, its site claims (capitals included).

Referring to Ineffable Intelligence as his lifes work in a personal note that he has since published on the companys blog, Silver also told Wired that any money that I make from Ineffable will go to high-impact charities that save as many lives as possible.

It is unclear how, when, or how much the venture will make, but this clearly hasnt hindered fundraising.

According to Wired, the round was led by Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Index Ventures, Google, Nvidia, and others. Among those other investors are the British Business Bank and Sovereign AI, the U.K.s recently launched sovereign venture fund for AI.

Fast-forwarding to so-called pentacorn status  meaning companies valued at more than $5 billion  Ineffable Intelligence joins the club of AI ventures founded by star researchers whose names have attracted seed rounds so large they have been nicknamed coconut rounds (a tongue-in-cheek escalation of the seed round). Just last month, AMI Labs, co-founded by Turing Award winner and former Meta AI scientist Yann LeCun, raised $1.03 billion at a $3.5 billion pre-money valuation.
David Silver, a former head of reinforcement learning at Google DeepMind and a professor at University College London, has closed a $1.1 billion seed round for Ineffable Intelligence, his London-based AI startup, at a valuation of $5.1 billion.

Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners co-led the round, with participation from Nvidia, Google, Index Ventures, DST Global, and the U.K. government's Sovereign AI Fund, the company said. According to The Next Web, Nvidia's venture arm contributed at least $250 million. The round is the largest seed round ever raised in Europe, according to the company.

Founded in November 2025, Ineffable Intelligence has yet to release a product, generate any revenue, or publish a roadmap for what it intends to build. The company's stated mission is to build a "superlearner"  an AI system that discovers knowledge through its own experience rather than from human-generated data, applying reinforcement learning at a scale Silver believes can reach superintelligence.

"Our mission is to make first contact with superintelligence," Silver said in a statement. "We are creating a superlearner that discovers all knowledge from its own experience, from elementary motor skills through to profound intellectual breakthroughs."

Silver spent more than a decade at Google DeepMind, where he led development of AlphaGo, AlphaZero, and AlphaStar. AlphaGo, upon its release in 2016, demonstrated for the first time that an AI could beat a professional Go player on equal terms; the follow-up system AlphaZero then taught itself to play Go, Chess, and Shogi at superhuman levels using only self-generated experience.

Rounding out the leadership team are Wojciech Czarnecki, Lasse Espeholt, and Junhyuk Oh, all of whom previously worked at DeepMind, Bloomberg reported.

On the government side, backing comes from Sovereign AI  a 500 million ($678 million) publicly funded vehicle established to take equity stakes in AI companies  alongside the British Business Bank. The government said the Ineffable investment is Sovereign AI's second direct equity deal since the fund launched.

Josephine Kant, who leads venture activity at the Sovereign AI Unit, offered a pointed endorsement in a statement: "Very few founders in the world could credibly set out to build a superlearner. David is one of them."

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall described the investment as evidence that "the U.K. isn't just an AI taker but an AI maker," in a statement.

Ineffable Intelligence is among a broader wave of AI labs founded by researchers departing major technology companies. CNBC noted that AMI Labs, the startup launched by Yann LeCun after he stepped down as Meta's chief AI scientist, closed a $1 billion raise in March, while Recursive Superintelligence  a separate venture from former DeepMind engineer Tim Rocktaschel  has been reported to be in the market for as much as $1 billion.
By Deepa Seetharaman and Jonathan Stempel

April 27 (Reuters) - The bitter legal fight between Elon Musk and the leading artificial intelligence firm, OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, may come down to a few pages in one executive's personal diary.

"This is the only chance we have to get out from Elon," wrote Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president and a co-founder, in the fall of 2017. Is he the glorious leader that I would pick?

Brockman's diary entry is part of the thousands of pages of internal documents revealed in court since Musk, one of the original co-founders of OpenAI, sued the company, its chief executive Altman and Brockman in 2024.

Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, one of its largest investors, according to a person involved in the case, with proceeds going to OpenAIs charitable arm.

Jury selection for the trial is planned for Monday in the Oakland, California, federal court, with opening arguments expected on Tuesday.

The documents offer a rare window into egos and personalities that have shaped OpenAI as it evolved from a nonprofit research lab in Brockmans apartment to a tech giant worth more than $850 billion.

They also shed light on how the CEOs with the most power to shape generative AI think about the technology.

The trial risks complicating OpenAI's plans for a potential initial public offering by casting doubt on its leadership. A drumbeat of unflattering disclosures could also intensify Americans' growing pessimism about AI technology more broadly.

The case centers on Musks claim that OpenAI, Altman and Microsoft betrayed OpenAI's original mission as a nonprofit to benefit humanity by forming a for-profit entity in March 2019, 13 months after Musk left the OpenAI board.

Musk said the defendants kept him in the dark about their plans, exploited his name and financial support to create a "wealth machine" for themselves, and owe damages for having conned him and the public.

He also wants OpenAI to revert to a nonprofit, for Altman and Brockman to be removed as officers, and for Altman to be removed from its board, among other measures.

OpenAIs lawyers counter that Musk is motivated by a compulsion to control OpenAI and prop up his own AI lab xAI, which he founded in 2023 shortly after OpenAI launched ChatGPT and sparked the AI boom.

The company says Musk was involved in discussions to create OpenAI's new structure and demanded to be CEO. Microsoft, also a defendant, denies that it colluded with OpenAI and says it teamed up with OpenAI only after Musk left.
By Gianluca Lo Nostro

April 27 (Reuters) - Demand for alternative satellite services from U.S. businesses and the Pentagon is resilient despite SpaceX's request to U.S. regulators to restrict access for European rivals, the CEO of European satellite operator Eutelsat said.

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission on April 16, Elon Musk's SpaceX urged the FCC to limit market access to foreign satellite operators whose governments block or disadvantage U.S. operators.

SpaceX pointed to Luxembourg-based SES as an example of a European operator that has benefited from U.S. market access - though it stopped short of naming other European operators such as Eutelsat. It also urged the U.S. telecoms watchdog to retaliate in kind to moves like the EU Space Act and Digital Networks Act, proposals that SpaceX says would create barriers to U.S. firms in European markets.

"Obviously, we are conscious of the new geopolitical environment... it's not a surprise that American companies are lobbying for less regulation," Eutelsat CEO Jean-Francois Fallacher told Reuters in an interview.

"European space law is going in the right direction. We want to protect space, we want to actually look carefully at the way space is safe. We all know that there will be the need for more coordination in space," he added.

Eutelsat, backed by the French and British governments, is the main European rival to Musk's Starlink. The company flagged a slowdown in some Pentagon contract renewals last year amid broader government spending cuts from President Donald Trump's administration.

But Fallacher said U.S. demand has not waned. Eutelsat, which serves commercial, government and military clients, supplies satellite services to the U.S. Department of Defense through a proxy company.

"We have appetite in the U.S," he said. "Both businesses and the Department of Defense have appetite for alternative solutions - for reliability and redundancy purposes."

The company is also in talks with governments and other customers - including in the U.S. - about hosting Earth observation and communication payloads on its satellites.

(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro in Gdansk; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
SEOUL, April 27 (Reuters) - South Korea and Google have agreed to build an artificial-intelligence campus in Seoul to develop cooperation between the tech firm and local engineers and startups, Kim Yong-beom, a presidential policy adviser, said on Monday.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Google DeepMind Chief Executive Officer Demis Hassabis in Seoul on Monday, with the Science Ministry and the company signing a memorandum of understanding on the campus, Kim said.

The following are some details on the meetings and planned campus.

 South Korea requested Google send at least 10 engineers to the AI campus from Google's headquarters in the United States and Hassabis said he would consider that, Kim said.

 The Google AI campus will be the first of its kind in the world for the U.S. company, the presidential adviser said.

 President Lee and Hassabis shared their thoughts about the outlook for AI and its impact on people, Kim said.

 Lee raised the need for the introduction of a base wage in case of job losses caused by AI at the meeting.

 Hassabis said he hoped with this partnership "to help with training up the next generation in these amazing technologies through internships at our AI hub and other training programmes."

 DeepMind would like to deepen partnerships with Korean companies from Samsung and SK Hynix to Hyundai's Boston Dynamics and LG and "instigate new joint projects" with them, Hassabis said.

 He described South Korea as a "great industrial base" in all of the key AI areas, from chips to robotics.

 The historic match between DeepMind's AlphaGo program and Go player Lee Sedol in Korea a decade ago signaled the beginning of the modern AI era and inspired many advances in AI, including its work in science like the Alphafold system for protein folding, Hassabis said.

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Hyunjoo Jin Editing by Ed Davies)
Googles parent company, Alphabet, is planning to invest as much as $40bn in Claude developer Anthropic, reported Bloomberg.

The deal involves an initial $10bn cash commitment from Google, which values Anthropic at $350bn. The remaining $30bn investment will be contingent on Anthropic meeting certain performance criteria.

Anthropic confirmed the new investment from Google on Friday. It follows Amazons recent announcement that it intended to invest up to $25bn in the AI company.

This investment was confirmed by Anthropic on Friday, following Amazons recent announcement signalling its intent to invest up to $25bn in the same company.

Amazon agreed to an initial $5bn investment, with the remaining injection of up to $20bn contingent on Anthropic meeting specific commercial targets in the future.

The recent transactions of Anthropic reflect a period of significant activity in the AI sector as firms compete for resources to advance their AI capabilities.

Anthropics Claude Code system is said to have been adopted widely within the developer community. This has helped push the companys annual run-rate revenue above $30bn this month, compared with $9bn at the end of 2025.

In February, Anthropic completed its Series G financing round that raised $30bn, resulting in a post-money valuation of $380bn. Proceeds from this round will be used to expand infrastructure for Claude across key cloud services including Amazon Web Services (Bedrock), Microsoft Azure (Foundry), and Google Cloud (Vertex AI).

Reports indicate that some venture capital firms have valued the company at up to $800bn.

To support growing demand for its AI offerings, Anthropic has signed multi-year supply agreements this month with chip producer Broadcom and cloud infrastructure provider CoreWeave.

The Claude developer is also expected to gain close to one gigawatt of computing capacity by the end of the year through the use of Amazon's chips.

Last year, Anthropic pledged to invest $50bn to construct data centres in the US to enhance its ability to train and operate AI models.

"Google eyes $40bn Anthropic investment, starting with $10bn cash" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




John Ternus, Apples senior vice president of hardware engineering, takes over as CEO on Sept. 1, ending Tim Cooks 15-year tenure at the top of the worlds most valuable consumer technology company.

Apples presence with China is perhaps the defining relationship of the Tim Cook era. Chinese factories, managed by Global 500 companies like Foxconn and Luxshare, made the iPhones that turned the company into a global juggernaut. Chinese consumers also snapped up Apple products, making the country one of Apples most important markets. Cook was also a frequent visitor to Beijing, meeting senior officials and dropping by Apple stores and major partners throughout the country.

There is a Chinese proverb I love: A single tree does not make a forest, Cook said earlier this year at the China Development Forum, a summit organized by Beijing. Together, I believe we can plant that forest.

Apples Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook attends the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 24, 2024.

Its not clear how much experience Cooks successor has with China. Apples statement announcing his appointment doesnt mention any specific global market, let alone China. In fact, the only mention of global markets is attached to Cooks new role as executive chairman, which will include engaging with policymakers around the world. Ternuss extremely sparse Linkedin page doesnt mention China.

Ternus inherits a China business thats turned a corner from a tricky few years, yet still brings significant headaches, from a protectionist Washington and a prickly Beijing to a Chinese consumer who has grown less reflexively loyal to Western brands.

Why China matters to Apple

China is home to much of Apples supply chain, a decision thats primarily due to Cook, who met Terry Gou, the founder of Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn, in 2000. That started a decades-long partnership where Foxconn (and other original equipment manufacturers) would assemble iPhones in massive factory compounds, including the famed Zhengzhou complex deemed iPhone City.

Employees during lunch hours at a Foxconn Technology Group plant in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China, on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Yet disruptions during the COVID pandemic, when Chinas strict lockdowns threatened iPhone supplies, prompted Cook to diversify production to alternate manufacturing bases in India and Vietnam. U.S. President Donald Trumps trade war with China accelerated those plans, with Cook even promising to build servers and Mac mini computers in the U.S.

Supply chain execution will be the defining early test of Apples next CEO, says Nabila Popal, a senior director of the data and analytics team at International Data Corporation (IDC), a market research firm. The success of Ternus tenure may hinge on whether he can advance Apples Chinaplusone strategy without triggering political or commercial backlash in China, and maintain the momentum and share in a market Apple cannot afford to fall back on.
Kingpins Amsterdam 2026, held on 15 and 16 April 2026, brought together a range of denim industry professionals, including representatives from brands such as Levis, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Urban Outfitters, Hugo Boss, Jack & Jones, and others.

Despite the decline in footfall, the number of companies present remained consistent with previous editions, Kingpins said.

Attendees explored new technologies, sustainable initiatives, and ongoing developments in denim production.

Kingpins CEO Vivian Wang said: Retailers and brands are being strategic with travel budgets. Our highly curated exhibitor roster packs an extraordinary level of inspiration, innovation and meaningful connections into just two days.

This years show hosted 100 exhibitors and featured expanded areas such as the Jeanius Hub, which supports startups and emerging businesses.

The Made in Japan section, centred on Japanese denim producers quality and craftsmanship, also returned to the show floor.

Kingpins Amsterdam 2026 also presented the newest entry in its Most Sustainable Product initiative, featuring recent sustainability-focused developments from exhibitors.

The collection, designed by Piero Turk and Serena Conti and titled This Rebel Artist, references 20th-century artists associated with rebellious themes. It was manufactured and finished by Asutex, using fabrics from Foison Textiles, HW Textile, Naveena Denim Mills, Neela by Sapphire, Prosperity Textile, Sharabati, US Group, and Vicunha. Labels were provided by Turtex Etiquette, and buttons, zippers, and rivets came from YKK.

Another initiative, From ESSENTIALS to SPECIALS, demonstrated water-saving technologies through collaboration between Denim House and Jeanologia.

The display focused on digital printing and laser applications to promote responsible production without reducing creative design options.

Wang said: Weve been in active conversation with designers, retailers, and brands  listening closely to learn how we can sharpen the experience for everyone who walks through our doors. The goal is straightforward: smoother navigation, smarter scheduling with the right partners, and enough breathing room to let the unexpected happen. I hope everyone who visits Kingpins will go home with something real: a fresh perspective, a connection that matters, a technology worth a second look, or an idea that quietly shapes what comes next.

The event also included a tribute to Adriano Goldschmied, attended by his family, who met with friends and colleagues from across his career.
By Elvira Pollina and Giuseppe Fonte

MILAN, April 28 (Reuters) - The owners of Italian telecommunications companies FiberCop and Open Fiber are discussing the terms of a possible commercial deal to complete the country's high-speed broadband rollout, three sources close to the matter said.

FiberCop has the Italian government and U.S. fund KKR as its main investors, after in 2024 they partnered in a 19 billion euro ($22 billion) buyout from Telecom Italia which remains KKR's largest deal in Europe to date.

Italy and KKR have been at odds over Rome's push to merge FiberCop with rival Open Fiber, due to concerns over valuation and debt ratings.

The dispute escalated in November when FiberCop filed a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that Italy provided state aid to smaller rival Open Fiber in breach of European Union competition rules.

Open Fiber is also controlled by Rome through state lender CDP, with Australia's Macquarie as a co-investor.

The latest talks signal KKR's readiness to repair relations with Italy, after it clashed with Rome last year over FiberCop-Open Fiber merger plans.

The sources said Rome acknowledged that conditions are not currently in place for a merger.

The economy ministry has urged instead FiberCop, Open Fiber and their respective shareholders to find alternative solutions to advance the broadband rollout without duplicating costly investments, the sources added.

Under the government-sponsored scheme being discussed, KKR-backed FiberCop would build fibre infrastructure in most of the areas, known as 'grey', which still lack ultrafast broadband but are not earmarked for public funding, one of the sources said.

KKR, Macquarie, CDP, FiberCop and Open Fiber all declined to comment.

FUTURE IPO

If pursued, the commercial deal could help the U.S. fund work towards a sale - slated at the earliest for 2028 - of part of its stake through an initial public offering, two of the people said.

Under the scheme being discussed, Open Fiber would remain as the only full-fibre operator in subsidised remote areas and the two operators would grant each other access to their respective infrastructure, the sources said.

The two companies would remain direct competitors in the most profitable parts of the country where they already operate rival fibre networks.

The sources cautioned that the scheme for an accord could still change and that an agreement could prompt antitrust regulators to impose measures to preserve competition in some of the targeted zones.

Italy owns directly 16% of FiberCop and 60% of Open Fiber through CDP.
Qualcomm stock climbed about 13% in premarket trading Monday after an analyst reported that OpenAI is working with the chipmaker and Taiwan's MediaTek to develop processors for an AI-first smartphone.

According to Kuo, who posted his findings on X, Qualcomm and MediaTek have been tapped as chip development partners, with Luxshare filling the role of exclusive system co-design and manufacturing partner for the device. Kuo put the timeline for mass production at 2028, though he expects the finalization of specifications and suppliers to come earlier, by the end of 2026 or early 2027, Bloomberg reported.

Qualcomm, OpenAI, MediaTek, and Luxshare did not respond to requests for comment from multiple outlets.

In Kuo's view, OpenAI cannot effectively deliver AI agent services without owning both the software and hardware layers. "Only by fully controlling both the operating system and hardware can OpenAI deliver a comprehensive AI agent service," he said. He further contended that no other device category matches the smartphone's ability to capture what a user is doing in the moment, making it the most valuable source of data for real-time AI inference.

Kuo also sketched out a potential revenue model, suggesting OpenAI might tie hardware sales to subscription plans and cultivate a developer ecosystem around AI agents.

The news rippled through equity markets beyond Qualcomm: Luxshare saw its Shenzhen-listed shares rise as much as 10%, while Apple shares dropped as much as 1.9% in New York. An OpenAI smartphone would put the company in direct competition with Apple and Samsung, which together account for roughly 40% of global smartphone sales, according to Reuters.

OpenAI has been expanding into consumer hardware, acquiring designer Jony Ive's startup io for $6.4 billion in equity to develop new AI devices. Altman has publicly positioned the io collaboration as yielding something categorically new  he reportedly described a planned device as a complement to phones and laptops rather than a replacement for either, Reuters noted. Luxshare separately signed a deal with OpenAI to produce consumer devices, according to CNBC.

Shares of Qualcomm, whose Snapdragon chips are a mainstay of the Android ecosystem and whose modems underpin 4G and 5G connections, have shed 13% in 2026 heading into this week. Qualcomm is set to release its second-quarter financial results on Wednesday.
April 27 (Reuters) - Qualcomm shares jumped 13% in premarket trading on Monday after an analyst said OpenAI was working with the chip designer and Taiwan's MediaTek to develop smartphone processors.

Qualcomm and MediaTek are co-development partners for an AI-first smartphone that the ChatGPT creator is planning, with mass production likely in 2028, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a post on social media platform X.

China's Luxshare, an Apple supplier, is the exclusive system design and manufacturing partner for the device, according to Kuo, who is based in Taiwan and known for his accurate predictions on Apple's products.

The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

OpenAI has been exploring consumer AI devices for years and last May acquired Jony Ive's startup io Products for $6.5 billion, tapping the former Apple designer to lead the efforts.

But media reports have indicated that the planned device would not be a smartphone. Altman told employees it would be a "third core device" alongside phones and laptops, the Wall Street Journal reported last year.

The loss-making startup has also pulled back from side projects to focus on coding tools for businesses - one of the few AI areas with clear commercial traction.

Launching a smartphone would pit OpenAI directly against deep-pocketed rivals Apple and Samsung, which together command about a 40% share of the global market for the device.

It would also add to signs that the smartphone would likely retain its central role in people's lives in the AI era, after Reuters reported last month that Amazon was planning a fresh push into the handset market.

Apple shares were down 1.7%. The company last week named long-time hardware chief John Ternus as CEO, a sign that devices would continue to play a central role in its business even as it looks to catch up in offering AI to users.

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
American Supply Chain Summit featured speakers L to R Arun Krishnan, Sajid Kunnummal, Darcy Arata, Jonathan Jennings, Chris Nielsen, Matthias HuelsmannGENERIS

The 10th annual American Supply Chain Summit opens Monday at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, bringing together more than 300 senior supply chain and operations executives from across the country.

The two-day event focuses on navigating disruptions, leveraging technology, and building resilient logistics networks, per GENERIS.

Organized by Generis Group, the summit features executive case studies, panel discussions, and networking sessions on topics including AI and automation, 3PL/4PL partnerships, warehousing optimization, and risk management in an uncertain global environment, noted AJOT.

This years program highlights real-world strategies for addressing ongoing supply chain challenges, from tariff impacts and labor shortages to technological innovation in distribution centers. Attendees include vice presidents and directors of supply chain, logistics, and operations from major companies.

Featured speakers include:

Arun Krishnan, SVP of Global Supply Chain and Strategy at AstraZeneca

Sajid Kunnummal, SVP and Chief Procurement Officer at BD

Darcy Arata, SVP of Supply Chain at PepsiCo

Jonathan Jennings, Chief Procurement Officer at HP

Chris Nielsen, EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Toyota North America

Matthias Huelsmann (SVP, E2E Logistics, Bosch)

The summit runs April 2728 at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway. Sessions begin early Monday morning and continue through Tuesday afternoon.

Key themes include applying artificial intelligence in world-class facilities, optimizing third-party logistics relationships, and preparing for potential future disruptions. Speakers will share practical case studies from companies that have successfully transformed their operations.

Dallas serves as an ideal host city for the event due to its central location, major logistics hubs, and status as a growing business center. The regions robust infrastructure and corporate presence make it a hub for supply chain professionals, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

The American Supply Chain Summit has grown steadily since its inception and is now recognized as one of the industrys premier leadership-focused events.

Registration remains open, but not for the general public. The summit is invitation-only and designed exclusively for senior-level decision makers. Organizers expect full participation as companies seek strategies to strengthen their supply chains amid evolving economic conditions.

The event concludes on Tuesday afternoon. For more information and the full agenda, visit the official summit website.
David Silver is behind Ineffable Intelligence, valued at $5.1bn - Google

The UK has backed a British scientists self-learning AI start-up that is promising to leapfrog rivals in the race to superintelligence.

Ineffable Intelligence, founded by the former Google DeepMind executive David Silver, has raised a record $1.1bn (810m) in a deal backed by the taxpayer.

The investment is the biggest-ever seed round in a European start-up, valuing Ineffable Intelligence at $5.1bn.

The taxpayer-funded British Business Bank is investing $20m in the company as part of the funding, which is led by US venture capital giants Sequoia and Lightspeed.

The Governments 500m Sovereign AI fund is also investing an undisclosed sum as part of a push to help UK companies catch up with rivals abroad.

Ineffable Intelligence, set up just five months ago, believes its AI system can improve on rivals such as ChatGPT by learning from its own experience.

At DeepMind, Mr Silver previously pioneered reinforcement learning, a way of improving artificial intelligence by trial and error. This relies on the system itself figuring out how to succeed rather than depending on human feedback.

Reinforcement learning was key to London-based DeepMinds breakthrough systems AlphaGo and AlphaZero, which were used to surpass the worlds best chess players.

However, it has become somewhat less prominent in the era of large language models such as ChatGPT, which are instead created by ingesting massive quantities of human-generated data.

Mr Silver is betting that this type of AI will be limited by its reliance on human input, saying he is pursuing a superintelligence that can pursue breakthroughs in science and technology.

The companys name refers to its claim that the knowledge acquired by its AI system will be too profound to be put into words.

If successful, this will represent a scientific breakthrough of comparable magnitude to Darwin: where his law explained all life, our law will explain and build all intelligence, the company said.

Liz Kendall, the Science and Technology Secretary, said: We believe in this nations entrepreneurs and innovators and we are backing them to seize the benefits of AI for the UK.

She said the Ineffable investment will support a company at the very frontier of AI ... underlining our determination to ensure that the UK isnt just an AI taker but an AI maker.

Ms Kendall is due to give a speech on Tuesday at the defence and security think tank Rusi, in which she will emphasise the need to reduce Britains reliance on American technology.

The Governments newly set up Sovereign AI unit is designed to tie promising AI start-ups to Britain, potentially avoiding the fate of DeepMind, which was sold to Google in 2014 for 400m and now powers the tech giants AI systems.
At its flagship Google Cloud Next 2026 event, Google Cloud has announced a suite of new security capabilities aimed at ushering in a new era of agentic defence - enabling organisations to respond to cyber threats at machine speed while securing increasingly complex AI and multicloud environments.

The announcements reflect a growing need for advanced, automated security solutions as threat actors become more sophisticated and enterprises expand their digital footprints across cloud, AI and hybrid infrastructures.

Central to the update are new agentic defence capabilities within Google Security Operations. Three new AI-powered agents have been introduced to assist security teams in threat hunting, detection engineering, and third-party risk contextualisation. In addition, organisations can now build their own custom security agents using remote MCP server support, which is now generally available.

Google Cloud has also deepened its integration with Wiz, enhancing how security detections from Wiz Defend feed into Google Security Operations and Mandiant Threat Defense. This enables analysts to more easily automate threat intelligence flows and streamline response processes.

Wiz has further expanded its capabilities, announcing extended visibility across major agent development platforms including AWS Agentcore, Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, and Azure Copilot Studio. The company also introduced new features designed to secure the entire AI-native development lifecycle, reflecting the growing importance of protecting AI-driven applications from inception through deployment.

To support the rise of the agentic enterprise, Google Cloud unveiled new governance and security controls within its Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. These include Agent Identity, Agent Gateway, and Model Armor, all designed to help organisations manage and secure autonomous agents operating within their environments.

In a notable evolution of existing security tools, Google Cloud has transformed re CAPTCHA into Google Cloud Fraud Defense - a more comprehensive platform aimed at verifying the legitimacy and intent of bots, humans and AI agents interacting with digital services.

The company also highlighted broader Trusted Cloud innovations spanning data security, networking and its Security Command Center, with a focus on helping organisations secure cloud workloads at scale.

Together, these announcements signal a shift towards more autonomous, AI-driven cybersecurity strategies, where intelligent agents play a central role in detecting, analysing and responding to threats in real time.

For a detailed breakdown of the announcements, Google Cloud and Wiz have published supporting blog posts outlining the full scope of the new capabilities.
The claim from Meta, Roblox and TikTok that Australias under-16 social media ban is not really enforceable has now moved from industry talking point to parliamentary record, following testimony before the UKs Education Committee in April. But beneath the predictable pushback from Meta, TikTok and Roblox lies a more complexand more uncomfortablereality for policymakers on both sides of the world. Snapchat has yet to meet with UK Parliament.

At one level, the platforms are stating the obvious: age verification at internet scale is imperfect. It always has been. Rebecca Stimsons (Meta's UK Drector of public policy) assertion that the technology is not always reliable is technically correctbut also strategically convenient. For years, the same companies have resisted robust identity systems on privacy and user-friction grounds, while simultaneously building some of the most sophisticated behavioural profiling engines ever deployed. The idea that age cannot be reasonably inferred or verified sits uneasily alongside that capability.

Robloxs Laura Higgins (Senior Director of Community Safety and Civility at Roblox) raises a more nuanced concernthat bans risk displacing young users into less regulated corners of the internet, often via VPNs. That risk is real. History shows that prohibition without viable alternatives tends to fragment rather than eliminate behaviour. Yet this argument also functions as a form of regulatory deterrence: if enforcement is not perfect, the implication is that it should not be attempted at all.

That is a high bar rarely applied elsewhere in public policy.

What the UK debate is beginning to recogniseevident in the Commons repeated rejection of a blanket banis that the question is not whether enforcement is flawless, but whether intervention shifts outcomes meaningfully. Granting flexible powers to target specific features or platforms suggests a more surgical approach, one that acknowledges both the harms and the technical constraints.

Australia, meanwhile, has become the test case.

The federal government points to the deactivation of 5 million accounts since December 2025 as evidence of impact. That is not insignificant. Even allowing for re-registrations and circumvention, it indicates friction has been introduced into the system. In regulatory terms, friction matters.

But the implementation cracks are equally telling. The eSafety Commissioners findings of poor practicesincluding repeated age-check attemptshighlight a familiar pattern: compliance in principle, optimisation in practice. Platforms are meeting the letter of the law while probing its limits. At the same time, concerns from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner about the privacy implications of age verification cut to the core of the trade-off governments are now grappling with: protecting children without normalising intrusive identity systems for everyone.

This is where the industrys argument gains its strongest footing. If enforcement relies on invasive data collection, the cure risks creating a new class of problems. If it relies on weak verification, it risks being ineffective. Policymakers are navigating between those two failure modes.

The broader issue, however, is not purely technicalit is philosophical.

For more than a decade, social media platforms have operated on an implicit assumption: that open access, regardless of age, is both inevitable and desirable. The Australian ban challenges that premise directly. The industry responsethat it is not possibleshould be read not just as a statement about technology, but as a defence of that underlying model.

The UKs current position (is of interest of to Australians) eschewing an outright ban in favour of adaptable powers and ongoing consultationsuggests a different path: iterative regulation rather than sweeping prohibition. Whether that proves more effective will depend on how aggressively those powers are eventually used.

What is clear is that the status quo is no longer politically tenable. The questioning of whether platforms are inherently addictive, dismissed by executives in the hearing, will not go away. Nor will the mounting evidence of harm among younger users.

Australias experiment may be imperfect, and perhaps even partially circumventable. But it has already achieved one outcome that matters: it has forced governments, regulators and platforms into a more honest conversation about responsibility, enforceability, and the limits of self-regulation.

And that, despite industry protestations, is very much possible. It will be interesting what Snapchat has to say when they meet with UK Parliament.

###

"During the preparation of this story, the author used AI for content assistance and images, specifically to summarise background information , research of international data of Tech organisations and other research data to support this published story. The author reviewed and revised the material generated and takes full responsibility for the final content."
.In an era where children are immersed in digital environments from primary school, the question is no longer whether they will engage onlinebut whether they will do so safely, critically, and respectfully.

From Access to Accountability

For years, telcos have competed on speed, coverage, and price. But the real long-term differentiator may lie elsewhere: how responsibly they shape digital behaviour.

Optus Digital Thumbprint initiative is positioned squarely in that space. By offering free, curriculum-aligned workshops, the company is embedding itself not just as a service provider, but as a stakeholder in digital wellbeing.

The program tackles three of the most pressing issues facing young users today:

Cybersecurity awareness

Cyberbullying prevention

Responsible technology use

These arent abstract concerns. They are daily realities for students navigating social media, gaming platforms, and increasingly, AI-driven tools.

Age-Appropriate, Practical, and Scalable

What stands out is the programs segmented, age-appropriate approach.

For younger students in Grades 34, the focus is short, sharp, and engaging. Fifteen-minute sessionsdelivered either by teachers or remotelyintroduce foundational ideas like safe gaming and basic online conduct. Its an acknowledgment that attention spans are limited, but habits form early.

By contrast, the Years 79 cohort is dealing with far more complex digital identities. Here, the program shifts to:

Managing a digital footprint

Understanding cyberbullying dynamics

Building respectful online relationships

This progression mirrors the real-world escalation of risk as children grow into more independent digital users.

Importantly, the content doesnt rely on fear-based messaging. Instead, it uses real-life scenarios and case studies, encouraging students to think critically rather than simply comply. Thats a subtle but important distinctioneducation that empowers tends to stick longer than education that alarms.

Cybersecurity as a Life Skill

Another strong pillar is the programs emphasis on practical cybersecurity habits.

Students are taught:

How to set private accounts

Why strong passwords matter

matter The importance of two-factor authentication

How to identify scams and suspicious behaviour

These are no longer IT lessonsthey are core life skills in a digital economy. Embedding them early reduces risk not just for individuals, but for families and, eventually, workplaces.

Extending the Conversation Beyond the Classroom

Optus also recognises that digital safety doesnt stop at the school gate.

Its parental resources are designed to bridge a common gap: how to talk to kids about online risks without becoming overbearing. By framing guidance as conversation starters rather than rules, the program helps parents engage constructivelyavoiding the all-too-familiar fun police dynamic that often shuts dialogue down.

Credibility Through Partnership

The programs credibility is strengthened through collaboration.

Endorsement from the eSafety Commissioner positions Digital Thumbprint as a trusted, standards-aligned initiative.

positions Digital Thumbprint as a trusted, standards-aligned initiative. Partnership with Kids Helpline adds a mental health dimension, reinforcing early intervention and normalising help-seeking behaviour.

This multi-layered approach suggests Optus understands that digital safety is not purely technicalits social, emotional, and behavioural.

The Bigger Picture

Theres a broader industry implication here.

As telcos expand into digital services, cloud, and AI-driven ecosystems, their responsibility inevitably extends into digital literacy and safety. Optus investment in Digital Thumbprint could be seen as a prototype for how carriers evolve from infrastructure providers into digital ecosystem stewards.

The scale725,000 students and countingdemonstrates both demand and impact. But the real measure of success will be longer-term: whether these students grow into adults who are more resilient, informed, and responsible online.

Programs like Digital Thumbprint shouldnt be viewed as optional add-ons. They are fast becoming essential infrastructure for a connected society.

If Australia is serious about building a safer digital future, initiatives like thisfree, accessible, and grounded in real-world relevanceneed to be supported, expanded, and, ideally, emulated across the industry.

Schools interested in participating can request access directly via the Optus websitea small step that could make a significant difference in shaping how the next generation navigates the digital world.

###

"During the preparation of this story, the author used AI for content assistance and images, specifically to summarise background information , research of international data of Tech organisations and other research data to support this published story. The author reviewed and revised the material generated and takes full responsibility for the final content."
Semperis , the identity-driven cyber resilience and crisis response company, today announced expanded capabilities for Purple Knight, its free, community-driven Active Directory and Entra ID security assessment tool helping organisations strengthen identity security in line with guidance from the Five Eyes Alliance, of which Australia is a key member.

The update comes as Australian organisations face increasing pressure to improve cyber resilience, particularly across hybrid identity environments that span on-premises infrastructure and cloud platforms.

In 2025, the Five Eyes Alliance including the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre updated its joint advisory document Detecting and Mitigating Active Directory Compromises. The guidance highlights the importance of continuously assessing identity systems and recommends tools such as Purple Knight to help organisations identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

While the latest Purple Knight enhancements include support for high-assurance government cloud environments such as Microsoft Government Community Cloud High (GCC High) in the United States, the implications extend to Australia. Similar identity security challenges exist across Australian government, defence, and critical infrastructure sectors, where hybrid Active Directory and cloud identity environments remain a primary attack surface.

GCC High is the cloud environment purpose-built by Microsoft to meet the stringent FedRAMP High, ITAR, and DFARS compliance requirements that most government agencies must adhere to. Until now, federal agencies and defence organisations running GCC High tenants were unable to take advantage of Purple Knight's Entra ID assessment scanning capabilities. Agencies could assess their on-premises Active Directory health but lacked the ability to extend that same assessment into their GCC High cloud identity environment.

Identity has become the frontline of cybersecurity, yet many organisations still lack clear visibility into their exposure across hybrid environments, said Gerard Sillars, Vice President APJ, Semperis. This expansion reflects the growing need highlighted by Five Eyes guidance for continuous identity security assessment aligned with Zero Trust principles.

Cybersecurity continues to be a national priority in Australia, with frameworks such as the Essential Eight and regulatory requirements under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 placing greater emphasis on proactive risk management. Identity systems, particularly Active Directory and Entra ID, are frequently targeted in sophisticated cyberattacks, making continuous visibility and assessment critical.

Purple Knight is already used by more than 65,000 organisations globally to assess identity security posture across on-premises and cloud environments. The tool provides a fast, low-friction way to benchmark configurations against industry best practices and evolving threat guidance.

For organisations requiring continuous monitoring and response, Semperis also offers Directory Services Protector (DSP) for hybrid AD threat detection, Active Directory Forest Recovery (ADFR) for cyber-first disaster recovery, and Lightning Intelligence for automated, SaaS-based identity security posture management.

To download Purple Knight, visit: purple-knight.com.
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The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday imposed sweeping sanctions on 40 shipping firms and vessels, as well as a Chinese oil refinery, in a widening crackdown on maritime business with the Iranian regime.

The majority of sanctioned vessels are either Chinese-linked operations or have a history of delivering crude oil to China as the final destination.

It comes nearly a week after the dramatic seizure of the Touska, a sanctioned vessel bound for Iran that had stopped at a Chinese port known as a loading point for chemicals that could be used as rocket fuel precursors. President Donald Trump, speaking to CNBC on Monday, said U.S. authorities found "a gift from China" on the ship, "which wasn't very nice."

It also follows the seizure this week of two vessels - M/T Majestic and M/T Tifani - in the Indian Ocean, which U.S. officials say were carrying a combined load of nearly 4 million barrels of Iranian crude.

"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," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement Friday on the new sanctions, which coincide with the war effort dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

The sanctions are the largest tranche of such measures targeting Iran's shadow fleet since the war began.

It comes at a complex moment in U.S.-China relations, with Trump set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Beijing next month. The meeting was already delayed from March because of the war in Iran.

The recent ship seizures have angered China, which has previously deemed such U.S. sanctions illegal, and this week condemned the "forcible interception" of the Touska.

China's Foreign Ministry has sought to distance Beijing from the sanctioned vessels. "As far as I know, the vessel seized by the U.S. is a foreign container ship. China rejects any false association and speculation," spokesman Guo Jiankun said. China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China is the world's largest buyer of Iranian crude and a key source of chemicals and hardware used in Tehran's military. Analysts estimate that - before the war - China imported about 1.4 million barrels of Iranian oil a day, roughly 13 percent of its total imports, though the figures are not officially reported.

That trade flows through a shadow network of hundreds of tankers, shell companies and intermediaries operating outside normal legal channels, carried by vessels with obscured ownership and ship-to-ship transfers at sea, largely beyond the reach of sanctions enforcement. Much of the oil ends up at China's "teapot" refineries - small processors that are more willing to take discounted, gray-market crude.

Among the groups targeted by the new sanctions is Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. Ltd., one of China's largest teapot refineries. The U.S. Treasury Department said Friday that the group had purchased billions of dollars' worth of Iranian petroleum.

Few Chinese vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, under what Beijing confirmed was an agreement with Tehran. But since Trump imposed a U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Tehran's ports, several Chinese-linked ships appear to have abandoned efforts to transit the strait, including the U.S.-sanctioned Rich Starry.

The U.S. has issued sanctions against hundreds of vessels, entities and individuals alleged to be part of Iran's shadow fleet, but physical seizures of Chinese-linked vessels or cargo by U.S. forces are rare. Beijing, for its part, does not stop U.S.-sanctioned ships from entering its ports or doing business with Chinese entities. Analysts say actually seizing the dozens of sanctioned vessels involved in the shadow trade - like the Touska, which involved a six-hour standoff - would place a significant burden on the U.S. military.

"There aren't many destroyers out there, there's only so many of these that they can do, and they've got other missions," said Isaac Kardon, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

U.S. authorities have vowed to continue widening their crackdown on the shadow networks facilitating Iran's oil trade, and they say they will keep trying to disrupt the flow of Iranian crude.

"We will continue to relentlessly investigate, track and pursue these cases, using every lawful authority to hold sanctioned actors and those who support terrorism accountable, and to deny them any ability to profit from illicit maritime activity," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Thursday following the seizure of the M/T Majestic.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




Left-wing influencer Hasan Piker and New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino did a much-discussed video interview with the New York Times this week on the ethics of theft, and came out four-square in favor of stealing things, including artwork from the Louvre.

They consider larceny an appropriate response to the inherent corruption and injustice of the American capitalist system.

The merits of this position aside, it's not clear why it justifies stealing paintings or sculptures from a museum owned and operated by the government of France.

When asked about the propriety of hitting up the Louvre, Tolentino heartily endorsed it.

Piker explained, "Yeah, I think it's cool. We gotta get back to cool crimes like that. Bank robberies. Stealing priceless artifacts, things of that nature."

Yes, who wouldn't love to see someone make off with the Venus de Milo, chop it up into pieces and sell them on the black market?

What Piker and Tolentino are doing, at bottom, is romanticizing violence for its own sake  wrapping nihilism in the rhetoric of social justice.

It is radical chic for 21st century opinion-makers, and one can only rue that Tom Wolfe isn't still with us to lampoon it.

It's certainly true that American folk culture has a fascination with outlaws, and heists are great fodder for books and movies.

But "Ocean's 11" is not real life.

The jewel heist at the Louvre last year was carried out by common thieves, while the crown jewels they took have yet to be returned.

This theft didn't strike a blow against the French monarchy, because there is no such thing.

But it did deny ordinary people  roughly 10 million visit the museum every year  the opportunity to see objects of beauty and historical significance.

In other words, the heist was a victory for Fagin over the public interest, and our social-justice warriors pronounce themselves delighted.

As for bank robberies, they are not at all as portrayed by Hollywood.

If Piker really thinks it's cool for some desperate guy with poor impulse control to hand a note to a bank teller demanding money, then (usually) get caught and sent to prison, he needs to get out more.

That this category of crime has drastically declined over the last few decades is a boon  including to people employed as tellers and security guards  and wishing to return to the days when it was more common is perverse.

It's like saying what this country needs is more grand theft auto.

Those groups in the United States that have acted on an impulse for revolutionary violence rather than simply talk about it on podcasts, including by robbing banks, created pointless suffering and destruction.

The Symbionese Liberation Army's robbery of a San Francisco branch of the Hibernia Bank in 1974 must meet Piker's definition of "cool."

It was certainly cinematic, since it involved the kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst.

The politics of the crime, meanwhile, were impeccably correct; Hearst said afterward that it "forced the Corporate State to help finance the revolution."

Yet two bystanders were shot  and then weeks later, members of the SLA were tracked down and died in a ferocious gunfight with police.

And for what?

In 1981, members of the Black Liberation Army and former members of the Weather Underground robbed a Brinks armored car in New York.

Surely, this is another event that meets Piker's test of an alluring, politically righteous crime.

The radicals killed a Brinks guard and two Nyack police officers  heedless murders dressed up in a toxic ideology still fashionable on the left.

If a violent social revolution were truly to break out, it'd presumably target the affluent Piker and Tolentino, whose homes, cars and other possessions would be tempting to anyone stealing things in the name of social progress.

At that point, one assumes, they'd find crime less fun  but it's perfectly acceptable as long as it's someone else getting robbed.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
Greetings from Ukraine, where, notwithstanding constant Russian bombardment through till morning, it's still safer than a Saturday night out in DC. Immediately following the excitement at the White House Correspondents Shoot-Out, the Director of the Secret Service, Sean Curran, stepped to the microphone and said:

Tonight, we saw exactly what our brave men and women do each and every day.

Yeah, you can say that again - and probably will, in late spring, early summer or so. Butler, Pennsylvania... West Palm Beach, Florida... Washington, DC... A famous line of Ian Fleming's seems more germane:

Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action.

Which begs the question: if it's enemy action, who precisely is the enemy?

The perp is the usual pliable boob out of central casting - in this case, a "Teacher of the Month" from California. But the interior of a DC hotel shouldn't be that hard a venue to secure. Even forty-five years ago, when Ronald Reagan was shot at the very same Hilton, the would-be assassin had to wait till the President was leaving the joint and take a potshot on the sidewalk.

I have thought that the world's most lavishly funded protection detail were total rubbish ever since I observed them at Bush campaign events in New Hampshire twenty-two sodding years ago, where the front door was the usual chaos but the back door was wide open and unsecured.

Then came the Obama-era "Cartagena Hookers" episode, in which the twenty-one agents claimed not to have known their companions were ladies of the evening. That's to say, these are the only guys on the planet who can't walk into a nightclub and spot the professionals: I know that's what I'm looking for in my security detail. As your niche Canadian wrote at the time :

He made the fairly basic mistake  for an expensively trained government operative  of attempting to pay a prostitute in the hotel corridor, and Dania caused an altercation whose fallout has brought the Secret Service to its knees. Which isn't how these encounters usually go.

Still, there are limits to how incompetent even federal agencies can be. Oh, wait. Not at the Secret Service there aren't:

What's the old line? When seconds count, the police are minutes away? Not at a Secret Service event: even when the police are on site in massive overwhelming numbers, they're still minutes away. Here are fifty-two seconds of members of the public yelling that 'he's on the roof'...

The basic facts of Butler should chill the blood:

In the last seventy-two hours, we have learned there were at least three government snipers in the very building whose rooftop the assassin was trying to access. They sat inside and watched him through the windows, as he arrived and peered up at the roof, and then wandered away. They watched him when he came back and took out a laser range-finder to calculate the distance between the building and Trump's head, and then left again. They watched him a third time when he returned with a bulky backpack. They watched him for the best part of half-an-hour ...and then they let him go ahead and shoot the Republican presidential candidate.

Yet here's the kicker:

Almost two years later, they're all still working for the federal government.

Less than a month ago, at the Philadelphia airport, one of Jill Biden's Secret Service detail accidentally shot himself in the foot. I remember thinking at the time that this was just a little too cute - almost as if (not to go too conspiratorial too early on the morning after) it was to plant an obvious reminder to the public of the total crapness of the Secret Service just ahead of yet another ostensibly ridiculous security failure.

Surely nobody can be this bad this often and pay no price for it? Not in a functioning "republic"? Among those present at the Hilton last night were RFK Jr, who lost his father and his uncle to assassins, and Erika Kirk, whose husband was killed just last September. Mrs Kirk was hustled out of the hotel's hideous subterranean ballroom in tears. Earlier this month, she had pulled out of a TPUSA show with JD Vance on "security" grounds. Which seems an odd thing to do at a Vice Presidential event under Secret Service protection.

Yet perhaps, sadder but wiser, Charlie Kirk's widow knows a thing or two about "security". Look at the ease with which the gunperson gets past security simply by running at them:

As I wrote the day after Butler:

Let's cut to the chase - the US Secret Service: In on it? Or just totally crap?

I don't think it's possible to be this rubbish this often. If the object of a thing is, as they say, its outcome, then the object of the United States Secret Service these last two years is to enable the increasing number of Trump-deranged persons to take a potshot at him. But, even if you incline to cock-up rather than conspiracy, their dysfunction is unreformable.

[UPDATE! "Known wolves" aren't just for Islam anymore: a relative called in the name of the shooter before the dinner but the lethargic bureaucracy could not rouse itself to act even though he was registered at the Hilton under his real name.]

Me at a speech in DC just after Butler:

The last word from @MarkSteynOnline: "The Secret Service is beyond repair. We have to abolish it and start again. And break up the Department of Justice!" We will be livestreaming and live tweeting the rest of our Constitution Day celebration tomorrow. https://t.co/5n9qalo70z pic.twitter.com/6e4jKJIEE9  Hillsdale College (@Hillsdale) September 19, 2024

If I were Donald J Trump, I wouldn't want these guys anywhere near me. But then again he has no choice in the matter:

Why does Trump still have these guys in the house? Oh, that's right: because, if he ordered them to leave, they'd shoot him in the back for trying to escape.

Which leads necessarily to deeper and darker speculations: A couple of hours after my friends at Powerline post their Iran War headline "Trump Better Have a Rabbit in That Hat", a rabbit bigger than that White House Easter Bunny shows up. But who's inside the suit?

Okay, that's a little too conspiratorial for me without a second cup of coffee, but it's clear that, to put it at its bare minimum, there is a Deep State and consequently, after Butler, after West Palm Beach, after many similar events, there is a great eternal void where a plausible narrative ought to be. Are we living in a simulacrum? Or is the simulacrum just an obvious simulacrum to detour us into an alternative simulacrum of rube conspiracy theories?

Maybe I'll go back to bed...

And so it will go. I'd say more but the air-raids have begun again and I'm being ordered to the bomb shelter. It's almost as if Victoria Nuland knows what hotel I'm staying at...

Mark's international bestseller America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. If you haven't read the book during its first seventeen years, well, you're missing a treat. It's still in print in hardback and paperback. (Buy it at a 77% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 47% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR)

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human rights activist. Among his books is "The Undocumented Mark Steyn: Don't Say You Weren't Warned". (Buy it at a 49% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 67% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR)
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Former congressmen Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, and Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, may have left the House in disgrace - but taxpayers are still set to contribute tens of thousands of dollars to their pensions.

The former lawmakers, who both resigned ahead of possible expulsion votes, are eligible for pensions once they turn 62 because they served in Congress for more than five years, the threshold under current rules.

Swalwell, 45, who served in Congress for more than 13 years, could be eligible for about $22,000 per year and Gonzales, 45, who served for more than five years, could get as nearly $15,000 per year, according to estimates from experts on congressional pensions, including the nonpartisan National Taxpayers Union Foundation.

Swalwell faces allegations of sexual assault of a former staffer, among other misconduct, all of which he has denied. Gonzales acknowledged an affair with a staffer who later set herself on fire and died. House rules prohibit sexual relationships between members and staff.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida), a third House member who resigned in recent weeks, is not eligible to receive a congressional pension because she served for fewer than five years.

Cherfilus-McCormick faced allegations that she used Federal Emergency Management Agency money mistakenly sent to her family's health care company during the pandemic to boost her congressional campaign. She has denied wrongdoing and described an Ethics Committee investigation into her actions as a "witch hunt."

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill last week that would prohibit members of Congress from receiving pensions if they are convicted of specific crimes, including rape, sexual assault, theft and campaign finance violations. Lawmakers could also lose their pensions if Congress determines they had sex with members of their staff, even if a crime was not committed.

The legislation is the latest effort to tighten up how Congress polices itself. Its prospects are uncertain.

Under existing law, lawmakers can lose their pensions if convicted of a federal crime that relates to public corruption, espionage, treason or several other national security offenses.

Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Virginia), one of the lawmakers who introduced the new bill, called it "baffling" that a lawmaker who commits a crime while in office would still get a taxpayer-funded pension. "That didn't seem right to me," he said.

Swalwell and Gonzales, who did not respond to requests for comment on the legislation, have not been charged with crimes. The Manhattan district attorney's office has confirmed it is investigating a sexual assault accusation by a former Swalwell staff member related to an alleged encounter in New York.

Pension plans, which offer income for life based on salary and tenure, have become rarer in the private sector, where employers increasingly prefer the less generous 401(k), an account that is funded primarily by employees.

Where they still exist in the private sector, pension plans typically have rigid protections to keep employees from losing access.

Pensions are more common in the public sector. Public plans often have more restrictions based on misconduct, but the standard for forfeiture typically relies on a criminal conviction, according to experts.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) wants to add felony sex crimes to the list of crimes that result in lawmakers losing pensions. His "No Pensions for Congressional Predators Act," introduced after the resignations of Swalwell and Gonzales, is much narrower than the bill proposed by his House colleagues.

"This is about sending a message as much as anything," Hawley said. "It's about saying that this kind of conduct is not going to be tolerated. And we're not going pay you to engage in this kind of conduct."

Some observers raised concerns with the proposals.

Andrew Biggs, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who specializes in state and local government pensions, pointed out that the House bill could strip members of their pensions even if they had a consensual relationship with a subordinate.

"I'm not saying this is good behavior. In most cases a person could lose their job for this. But no one would lose their pension over it," Biggs said.

Olivia S. Mitchell, executive director of the Pension Research Council at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, said the Hawley bill is "arguably too limited since it focuses mainly on sexual abuse offenses and excludes other serious misconduct." Meanwhile, she said the Subramanyam bill "raises fairness and due process questions, especially where benefits could be denied without a criminal conviction."

Subramanyam said he is caught between two points of tension. He's a proponent of reform who sits on the Ethics Committee, the panel in charge of policing members, which some lawmakers have accused of being ineffective and working too slowly.

The freshman lawmaker believes the panel should use its subpoena power more frequently, instead of waiting for voluntary responses, and hold members who don't respond in contempt of Congress. The committee's job is harder when members stonewall their inquiries, he said.

At the same time, Subramanyam said, investigations take time.

"The Ethics Committee is never going to move as fast as the news cycle," he said. The committee's pace is "not because I'm trying to block and tackle for members of Congress who did bad things. It's simply because we have to investigate things."

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has said he is open to suggestions from members about how to "tighten the rules," but his office did not reply to a request for comment on whether he would support particular legislation.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) did not respond to a request for comment on whether he would support Hawley's bill or believes its passage is realistic.

Rep. George Santos (R-New York) was the last member of Congress to be expelled and one of only six in U.S. history. He was ousted in 2023 in response to an array of alleged crimes and ethical lapses that came to light after the freshman lawmaker was found to have fabricated key parts of his biography.

Following that, Congress passed legislation that made lawmakers convicted of crimes related to public corruption ineligible for pensions.

An unsuccessful House bill introduced at the time would have limited the pension eligibility for lawmakers who were expelled, regardless of the circumstances.

Hawley argued that there's no reason for sex crimes not to be included in the list of offenses that result in forfeited pensions.

"There's already a list of prohibitions for other felonies. It only seems rational to me to say that you're convicted of a sex offense ... why should you be getting a pension?" Hawley said.

Hawley intends to try to pass his bill through a Senate procedure that tees up a bill for unanimous passage - unless a senator comes forward to block it.

"I'd love to see who's going to come object," Hawley said. "If we can't agree on this, that tells me you want to protect people who are convicted offenders. I just think there's no argument here."

(COMMENT, BELOW)




In the golden days of practicing medicine, the hospitals boards were composed of community leaders acting on behalf of the hospitals to raise funds, negotiate insurance contracts, screen and supervise the performance of the key employees, and interact with the government. They used their passion and influence to facilitate the delivery of health care to the communities they served. Most of these board members were volunteers or philanthropists. A few practicing physicians on the hospital medical staff were usually included to advise the lay board members on medical issues and professional conduct. In those long-gone days, religious organizations dominated health care delivery. It was common to have a priest or a nun added as members of the board or as a hospital administrator. They provided the clerical and humanistic touch and perspective to the board. It was not uncommon for the hospital to have a nun as a department head, in charge of the hospitals or other services. In those golden days, doctors were either MDs or DOs. The medical staff of the hospital were all enrolled members of their local societies, state societies, and the American Medical Association. It was then a requirement for licensing in most states. Most practicing physicians were general practitioners with fewer specialists. In those days, the nurses were nurses, the therapists were therapists, and the pharmacists were pharmacists. Nearly all the physicians were independent, and very few were contracted by the hospitals to provide pathology, lab services, anesthesiology, and radiology. Medical decisions were made by the doctors.

The hospitals various medical staff committees were staffed only by physicians. In those days, the doctors spoke with no fear of retaliation. Doctors were highly respected by the nursing and other staff. Nurses and secretaries at the nursing stations stood up when a physician came to the station. In those long-gone days, the nurse caring for the patient of a particular physician would give a report to the physician about the patients vital signs, input from the consultants, test results, patient compliance, and patient families concerns, among other issues. In just about 50 years of evolution of the medical practice, things have changed dramatically to our current chaotic status. So, what happened to us, physicians? And why? Are the changes helping us to care better for our patients? Let us review some of these changes and their impacts.

Currently, hospital boards are appointed and manipulated by giant corporate health delivery systems with only one goal, namely, maximum profits. Some draw salaries, and others get perks. Todays hospitals have chief executive officers (CEOs) and many levels of administrative staff, such as CMO, CFO, COO, and CNO, and numerous supervisors with overlapping assignments and titles. One may rarely find a religious person on the board. Most hospitals severed any connection with religious organizations when the religious orders sold their hospitals. The giant corporate systems only use their past association on their websites and advertisements to get donations and subsidies usually bestowed on not-for-profit organizations. A countless number of attorneys supervise and control every move that may harm this outrageous theft. Despite numerous reports and broadcasts demonstrating these violations, no legislators or courts have attempted to punish them. The not-for-profit hospitals enjoy hiding all proceedings of their various committees and affairs, as their heinous acts are not discoverable by law.

The medical staff executive committees (MECs) are composed of merely employed and contracted physicians fearful of upsetting the hospital executives who attend their meetings. The hospitals medical staff committees have APRN members rendering judgment on physicians. Numerous hospitals and systems are headed nowadays by nurses. Under the ongoing corporate practices, hospital medical staff bylaws are modified to facilitate the executives wishes and to remove independent physicians competing with their employed providers. When possible, physicians are replaced by nurse practitioners or physician assistants. These provider extenders (APRNs and PAs) usually order a lot of unnecessary tests due to their limited knowledge. Rarely, as in the case where an employed provider is not available to serve on a committee, an independent doctor is appointed for committee duties. Many of these doctors do not voice an opinion about the subjects discussed, fearing retaliation. Credentialing committees facilitate credentialing the systems employed providers, and the executives practice anti-independent physician games to remove competition and avoid criticisms. Insiders tell stories about promoting the incompetent executive who agrees with the superiors and firing the one who questions the boss.

In todays environment, giant health systems use the government subsidies designed to care for the poor and needy to pay huge salaries and expensive perks for their executives, to donate large sums of money to re-elect legislators allies, and to appoint loyal employees as managers, who in turn facilitate their superiors dirty work by falsifying and fabricating adverse reports filed against those who compete with the employed providers. These corporate giants additionally use their lawyers to intimidate those targeted by them. The results of these changes resulted in defying justice and the condemnation of our Hippocratic Oath. The patient-physician relationship vanished in corporate medical care. Physicians, whether employed or independent, are looking for a way out. Is the labor union the only choice?

Edmond Cabbabe is a plastic surgeon.
(Photo courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)



Seoul Kids Week will debut from May 1 to 7, transforming the city into a weeklong playground to mark Childrens Day.

The initiative brings together public play spaces, outdoor programs, and cultural activities aimed at giving families more accessible and affordable options during the holiday period.

On May 5, dozens of Seoul-style kids cafes across the city will remain open despite the public holiday, with around 60 locations offering free admission.

Special programs such as magic shows, music experiences, and interactive play sessions will also be available.

Outdoor pop-up play zones, branded as Here and There Kids Cafes, will operate free of charge in parks and plazas from May 2 to 3, with select locations extending through the holiday. Mobile play spaces will also appear at major festivals across the city.

New facilities will open in tandem with the event, including a forest-themed outdoor play space at Seoul Forest and an indoor kids cafe at Seoul Botanic Park.

The city will also reissue its Kids Cafe Money, offering a 20% discount at participating private venues, while Seoul Childrens Museum will host a new interactive exhibition and family programs.

Officials say the initiative is designed to ease childcare costs while expanding everyday access to play and cultural spaces.
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23:56 Mangaluru cooker bomb case: Main accused gets 10-year jail term A special NIA court in Bengaluru on Monday sentenced the prime accused in the Mangaluru cooker bomb case to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 94,000.Mohamed Shariq had initially claimed innocence in the case, but later pleaded guilty under Section 229 of CrPC in December... Read more >

23:48 After 150 years, MP will host wild buffaloes under revival plan File image Madhya Pradesh will soon host wild buffaloes, 150 years after the species was considered extinct in the state, with the first batch from the Kaziranga National Park in Assam on its way to the Kanha Tiger Reserve.Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is scheduled to release them in KTR on Tuesday, officials... Read more >

23:44 Maha minister Nitesh gets one-month jail in engineer case Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane A court in Sindhudurg on Monday convicted Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane in a 2019 case of pouring mud on an NHAI engineer when he was in opposition, and sentenced him to one-month imprisonment, noting that lawmakers are not supposed to take the law into their hands.Later, the court suspended... Read more >

22:43 Woman doctor found dead in hostel room at Agra hospital File image A 28-year-old woman doctor, who was pursuing her MD, was found dead in her hostel room at the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Agra under suspicious circumstances, the police said on Monday.Assistant commissioner of police Manisha said that the body of Dr Vartika was discovered in her... Read more >

22:25 Raj Cong MLA holds public hearing in Jaipur over 'contaminated' water supply File image Congress leader and Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafiq Khan on Monday visited the office of the public health engineering department in Transport Nagar in Jaipur and held a public hearing over drinking water issues in his constituency.Khan arrived at the office carrying a bottle filled with allegedly... Read more >

22:14 Iranian force fires warning shots at tanker; Indian crew safe File image A Togo-flagged oil and chemical tanker was involved in an incident near Oman after warning shots were fired by Iranian authorities, though all 17 Indian crew onboard were safe, India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Monday.The vessel, MT CHIRON 7, was navigating near Shinas... Read more >

22:11 5 workers die as crane collapses at prefab manufacturing unit in Telangana File image Five migrant labourers were killed and 12 others injured when a crane collapsed at a prefabricated structure manufacturing unit in Shankarpally near Hyderabad on Monday evening, the police said.The incident occurred in Mahalingapuram village amid strong winds and rains.As many as 17 workers took... Read more >

21:52 'Drishyam 3' official teaser to arrive on April 29, confirms Mohanlal Image courtesy/Mohanlaln on X The much-awaited update on Mohanlal starrer Drishyam 3 is finally here.Fans of the thriller franchise have a reason to celebrate as the makers have announced that the film's official teaser will be released very soon.Actor Mohanlal on Monday took to his X account to share the big news with... Read more >

21:47 Over 3K fire calls received by DFS this month amid rising mercury in Delhi As temperatures rise across the national capital, fire incidents have also surged, with the Delhi Fire Service responding to about 120 calls per day in April, up from the 70-80 calls received daily in the pre-April period.The DFS has responded to more than 3,200 calls this month till Sunday, with... Read more >

21:44 Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat derails in Pune; none hurt A coach of the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express derailed just before the train was entering Pune railway station on Monday evening, though none of the passengers were hurt in the incident, officials said.The incident occurred at around 7.30 pm when the premium AC train (No. 22225), running... Read more >

21:26 Jharkhand: Newly married woman stabbed to death by husband over dowry A newly married woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband in Jharkhand's Sahibganj district over dowry, the police said on Monday.Momena Khatun, 19, had married Sanir Sheikh of Barharwa four months ago, they said.In the police complaint, Momena's father, Jargis Sheikh, alleged that she... Read more >

21:23 BSE Sensex top gainers today Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded nearly 1 per cent on Monday, snapping the three-day falling streak following a rally in Reliance Industries and Sun Pharma and positive global trends.The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 639.42 points or 0.83 percent to settle at 77,303.63. During the... Read more >

20:59 Bihar govt makes singing of national song, anthem mandatory in schools File image The Bihar government has made it mandatory for educational institutions to begin the day with the national song, followed by the national anthem, officials said on Monday.A communication to this effect was issued by the General Administration Department on April... Read more >

20:33 AAP MPs' exit: RS records changed, party to move court Aam Aadmi Party will move court if the seven former party MPs are not disqualified under the anti-defection law, said Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Monday, as the chairman of the Upper House accepted their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party.Reacting to the chairman's decision, he alleged... Read more >

20:25 Rupee settles 1 paisa higher to close at 94.15 against US dollar The rupee settled on a flat note, registering gains of just one paisa to close at 94.15 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, as rising global uncertainty, escalating tensions in West Asia and soaring crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiments.Forex traders said the INR/USD pair... Read more >

20:05 Stone pelting triggers clash between 2 wedding processions in UP; 1 dead File image A clash that broke out between two wedding processions, triggered by a stone hurling incident in a village here, has claimed the life of a 22-year-old and left six injured, police said on Monday.Sant Kabir Nagar SP Sandeep Kumar Meena said that the incident occurred when a wedding procession had... Read more >

19:59 School timings revised in Noida amid heatwave File image The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration has revised school timings for all boards, including CBSE, ICSE, IB and the UP Board, in view of the prevailing heatwave conditions, officials said.According to an order issued by the basic education department Sunday, all schools will now operate... Read more >

19:38 'Sarke Chunar' row: Sanjay Dutt apologises; to sponsor education of 50 tribal girls Actor Sanjay Dutt on Monday appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) in connection with the controversy over the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke and submitted a written apology, expressing regret for any unintended harm caused to society. During the hearing, held under NCW... Read more >

18:54 Trade pact with EU, US in next few months: Goyal Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said the free trade agreement with New Zealand is the seventh such pact signed under his tenure in the past three-and-a-half years and two more agreements with the European Union and the US are expected in the coming months.Goyal and visiting... Read more >

18:53 SIR exercise may boomerang for BJP in Bengal: TMC The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls could boomerang for the BJP in the West Bengal assembly polls, senior Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim said on Monday, asserting that people of the state remained firmly behind Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.Speaking to PTI amid campaigning,... Read more >

18:16 AAP to move court if 7 ex-MPs not disqualified The Aam Admi Party will move to court if the seven former party MPs are not disqualified under the anti-defection law, said Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Monday, as the chairman of the upper house accepted their merger with the BJP.Reacting to the Chairman's decision, Singh said the seven MPs... Read more >

18:09 ORS for students, uninterrupted power supply: Delhi CM announces heatwave plan With temperatures soaring across the national capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday announced a series of measures aimed at tackling the heatwave, including providing ORS solution in schools, and ensuring uninterrupted supply of power and water.During a review meeting with all the... Read more >

18:03 Sena-UBT warns of unrest over move to rename Mumbai hospital The Shiv Sena-UBT on Monday issued a stern warning to the BJP-led civic body in Mumbai over a proposal to rename the iconic King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, claiming any move to rechristen the 100-year-old institution could disturb law and order in the city.A delegation of Opposition Shiv... Read more >

17:33 In sizzling heat Mamata goes on padyatra ahead of polling Ahead of the second phase of polling in West Bengal on April 29, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Mamata Banerjee on Monday held a padyatra in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency and interacted with the people.The padyatra covered multiple stretches across the... Read more >

17:23 Man thrashed by petrol pump staff after phone switches off during payment Representational image A young man was assaulted by petrol pump staff in Himachal Pradesh's Una district after his phone switched off while trying to make a payment online, police said on Monday.A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage across the region.Yusuf, a resident of Ward No 2 in... Read more >

17:14 Forces to stay for 60 more days in WB even in BJP wins: HM Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that central forces would remain deployed in West Bengal for at least 60 more days after the elections, even if the BJP comes to power and urged voters to cast their votes without fear.Shah was addressing a gathering after leading a road show at... Read more >

17:04 Thank God Trump survived, says Omar J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday condemned the shooting incident at a venue in Washington where the US President Donald Trump was present, saying violence has no place in politics and expressing relief that he survived.Abdullah batted strongly for facilitating lasting peace in West... Read more >

16:44 Had child together, now she says rape?: SC Where is the question of an offence when a relationship is consensual? the Supreme Court on Monday asked a woman who had challenged an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court that had quashed an FIR against her former live-in partner in a case of alleged sexual assault on a false promise of... Read more >

16:35 Mamata's nephew asks cadres to take BJP money, back TMC Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Monday alleged that the BJP is distributing money in Assembly constituencies to mobilise support, and asked TMC cadres to accept it but work for his party.Addressing a meeting at Dhaniakhali in West Bengal's Nadia district, he said if BJP leaders are seen... Read more >

16:13 Stock markets bounce back after three-day decline Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded nearly 1 per cent on Monday, snapping the three-day falling streak following a rally in Reliance Industries and Sun Pharma and positive global trends.The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 639.42 points or 0.83 per cent to settle at 77,303.63. During the... Read more >

16:01 India, New Zealand ink free trade agreement India and New Zealand on Monday inked a free trade agreement, aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments.The pact was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.The FTA provides duty-free access for 100 per... Read more >

15:17 South Mumbai family of 4 die after eating watermelon A couple and their two minor daughters died due to suspected food poisoning from eating watermelon following a family get-together at their home in south Mumbai, police said on Monday.The victims, Abdullah (40), his wife Nasrin (35), and daughters Zainab (13) and Ayesha (16), reportedly fell ill... Read more >

15:10 'Iran, US are exhausted, want truce' AI generated image Former Senior Diplomat Surendra Kumar has said that both Iran and the US seem exhausted and want an agreement but want to project themselves as the victor.Kumar, while speaking to ANI, said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's multi-nation tour perhaps suggests his seriousness.I... Read more >

14:45 'Bengal will take revenge for cutting 90 lakh votes' Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday extended his support to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying that the people of Bengal will take revenge from Bharatiya Janata Party for cutting 90 lakhs votes in the state during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)... Read more >

13:30 Iran proposes to reopen Hormuz without nuclear agreement Iran FM Aghachi in Islamabad yesterday Iran has proposed to the United States that it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz without linking the move to its nuclear programme, according to two regional officials familiar with the matter.Tehran is also seeking relief from the US blockade as part of the offer, the officials said, speaking on... Read more >

13:11 Will return for BJP's oath-taking in Bengal: PM Modi at the famous Thanthania Kalibari in Kolkata Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed a Vijay Sankalp rally in Barrackpore ahead of the second phase of polling in West Bengal, highlighting his long association with the state and expressing confidence in a BJP victory after the results on May 4.Addressing the gathering, the Prime... Read more >

12:36 Gave 15 yrs to AAP: Raghav Chadha on toxic work culture Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Raghav Chadha on Monday announced his exit from the political party he co-founded, alleging a toxic work environment and claiming that internal functioning had deteriorated significantly in recent years.In a self-made video statement, Chadha said he entered... Read more >

12:12 US blockade turns back 38 ships from Iranian ports The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that American forces are maintaining a strict maritime restrictive operation in the region, continuing to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports.According to official statements, these forces are actively preventing ships from entering... Read more >

11:52 What Iran FM Araghchi said after Pak talks concluded Upon his arrival in St Petersburg, the Iranian Foreign Minister provided insights into his recent diplomatic missions to Pakistan and Oman. According to the Iranian state media broadcaster, IRNA news agency, Abbas Araghchi described his journey to Islamabad as very productive and noted it... Read more >

11:23 RS Chairman accepts merger of 7 AAP MPs with BJP Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday officially accepted the merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the BJP, reducing the strength of Arvind Kejriwal's party in the Upper House to three.After this transition, the BJP's strength in the Upper House has increased to 113.Raghav... Read more >

11:22 After 6 long yrs Rhea Chakraborty's a/cs will be unfreezed A special court in Mumbai has ordered the defreezing of the bank accounts of actor Rhea Chakraborty and her brother, accused in a drugs case, citing the NCB's failure to follow procedural requirements under the NDPS Act.The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had frozen the duo's accounts as part of... Read more >

11:12 Will Rajnath Singh be the next President of India? Whispers are being heard in the Thakur lobby in the BJP in UP that Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be elevated as the President of India in June 2027. Primarily, the RSS is keen on Rajnath's candidature for Rashtrapati Bhawan. Brahmin leaders are upset with BJP national president... Read more >

11:03 Light at the end of the tunnel: Pak media on US-Iran talks As regional mediation efforts intensify to resolve the West Asian conflict, reports have emerged indicating a significant breakthrough in the diplomatic stalemate between Washington and Tehran. The progress follows the facilitation of indirect communication between the two nations to secure a... Read more >

10:18 Why is Iran's FM Araghchi going to Russia today Abbas Araghchi with Field Marshal Asim Shah in Islamabad Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed for Russia late on Sunday after concluding his engagements in Pakistan amid Islamabad's efforts to broker a peace deal between the United States and Tehran.The visit comes as part of intensified diplomatic outreach by Iran, with Araghchi expected to... Read more >

10:03 Stock markets bounce back after three days of decline Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade on Monday after three days of decline, tracking a rally in Sun Pharma and a positive trend in global equity markets.The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 546.64 points to 77,210.85 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 169.55 points to... Read more >

09:56 'WH shooting bound to happen, anti-govt feeling in India too' Secret Service agents detain the suspected shooter Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar called the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting a public response against US President Donald Trump, noting that a similar feeling against the Centre exists in India also.Addressing a press conference in Nagpur on Sunday, Vijay Wadettiwar accused... Read more >

09:46 NSA Doval meets UAE President Al Nahyan amid West Asia conflict National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Sunday met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed measures to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership and the regional situation.The Indian Embassy in the UAE said Doval conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings to the UAE... Read more >

09:06 Iran offers 'new proposal' to end war, reopen Hormuz: Report In a significant diplomatic manoeuvre aimed at de-escalating regional tensions, Iran has reportedly submitted a new proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries. According to a report by news outlet Axios, the Iranian offer outlines a framework to reopen the Strait of... Read more >

08:38 Partition in 1947 result of 'population imbalance': RSS leader The 1947 Partition of India resulted from a population imbalance, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Sunil Ambekar has claimed and stressed the need to address such concerns.During a public interaction in Indore on Sunday to mark 100 years of the RSS, Ambekar also underlined the concept of... Read more >
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19:23 India condemns terror attacks in Mali File image India on Tuesday strongly condemned a wave of terror attacks in Mali and condoled the death of the country's defence minister.Mali's defence minister Gen Sadio Camara was killed in a bomb explosion near the capital Bamako.We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and... Read more >

19:03 EC ropes in NIA over bomb threat in Bengal polls Ahead of phase two of polling in West Bengal, the Election Commission has asked the National Investigation Agency to ensure bombs are not used by miscreants to disrupt voting and target workers of political parties, poll authority officials said on Tuesday.The directive comes after recovery of... Read more >

18:52 Rupee falls 41 paise to close at 94.56 against US dollar The rupee depreciated 41 paise to close at 94.56 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, as elevated crude oil prices and unabated foreign capital outflows amid rising geopolitical uncertainties dented investor sentiments.Forex traders said the rupee has already weakened quite sharply,... Read more >

18:23 Modi to flag off Ayodhya-Mumbai Amrit Bharat Express train File image Indian Railway is set to enhance regional connectivity with the introduction of a weekly Ayodhya to Mumbai Amrit Bharat Express train, linking Uttar Pradesh with Maharashtra via Madhya Pradesh.By bridging vital cultural and commercial arteries, this train will deepen connections among major urban... Read more >

17:49 Maha PWD dismisses 'cat in water tank' claim at Mantralaya as false The Maharashtra public works department (PWD) on Tuesday clarified that a message doing rounds that a cat fell into and died in a drinking water tank at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, is completely false.The department, in a communication, stated that a message had been circulating on social... Read more >

17:35 Mumbai deaths: Samples from victims' last meal, viscera sent for analysis Samples of the 'chicken pulav', watermelon and other food items consumed by the family of four, who died of suspected food poisoning in south Mumbai, have been sent for chemical analysis, the police said on Tuesday.According to the police, the Dokadia family had hosted their relatives for a... Read more >

17:32 Meghalaya honeymoon murder: Accused wife granted bail Sonam with her husband Raja Raghuvanshi/File image A court in Meghalaya on Tuesday granted bail to Indore resident Sonam Raghuvanshi, who allegedly got her husband killed during their honeymoon in the northeastern state in 2025.Sonam's husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, went missing on May 23 during the couple's honeymoon, and his mutilated body was... Read more >

17:04 No plan to raise fuel prices after assembly polls: Govt The government has no plans to raise petrol and diesel prices, a senior official said on Tuesday, dismissing speculation of a hike after polling in West Bengal ends on April 29.Retail petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged for a record fourth year, even as conflict in West Asia has... Read more >

16:35 Swati Maliwal formally joins BJP in presence of Delhi BJP chief Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal joins BJP in the presence of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva (L) and party MP Yogender Chandolia in New Delhi on Tuesday./ANI Video Grab Former Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Tuesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva.Speaking to reporters, Maliwal said that she has not taken the step because of any compulsion but was inspired by the... Read more >

16:23 India set to receive 4th unit of S-400 missile systems early next month India is expected to receive the fourth unit of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system from Russia in the first part of next month that is expected to further enhance the IAF's air defence mechanism, sources in the security establishment said on Tuesday. In October 2018,... Read more >

16:22 'India not a hole, but whole; shouldn't be compared with China' Reacting to a social media post shared by US President Donald Trump that referred to India with a derogatory remark, a business leader of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) on Tuesday said India is 'not a hole', but a 'whole' in all respects, including in upholding the rule of law and... Read more >

15:50 'Airline industry on verge of stopping ops': AI, IndiGo, SpiceJet seek ATF price relief Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the government that the country's airline industry is under extreme stress and on the verge of stopping operations, as they sought revision in ATF pricing and financial support.The West Asia turmoil has pushed up oil prices, and airspace restrictions have... Read more >

15:40 Anant Ambani urges Colombia to halt Hippo cull, offers relocation plan Anant Mukesh Ambani has appealed to Colombia to suspend a plan to cull 80 hippopotamuses and instead allow their relocation to his wildlife facility in India, offering to fund and execute the operation.In a letter to Colombia's environment minister Irene Velez Torres, Ambani - an executive... Read more >

15:30 10 pc water cut across Mumbai from May 15 amid drop in lake levels Pic: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters With the India meteorological department (IMD) predicting below-normal monsoons this year due to the El Nino weather pattern, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday announced a 10 per cent water cut across the city starting May 15.Speaking to reporters after a pre-monsoon review... Read more >

15:21 Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan treated for eye ailment, sent back to prison Pakistan's incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan was treated at a local hospital for his right eye ailment and then shifted back to prison on Tuesday. Khan, 74, was diagnosed with right central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in late January and brought to the Pakistan Institute of... Read more >

14:52 HC judge recuses from hearing Karti Chidambaram's plea Karti Chidambaram Delhi high court judge Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Tuesday recused herself from hearing a plea of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram seeking to quash a CBI FIR against him for allegedly helping an alcoholic beverage company over the ban on the duty-free sale of its whisky.List before another... Read more >

14:24 Rohit Pawar links godman Ashok Kharat to Ajit Pawar plane crash NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged that Nashik-based godman Ashok Kharat is prima facie linked to the fatal plane crash involving his uncle and then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and demanded his interrogation by the CID.Speaking to reporters after visiting the CID office... Read more >

14:13 Kejriwal, Sisodia reach Rajghat amid standoff with HC judge Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and other party leaders, including Manish Sisodia, reached Rajghat to seek Mahatma Gandhi's blessings on Tuesday amid his decision not to appear in the excise case personally or through a lawyer and follow the path of Satyagraha.Kejriwal and former... Read more >

14:12 WhatsApp banned 9,400 accounts involved in digital arrest scams Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com A multi-pronged action involving telecom regulators, service providers, the RBI, tech giants and the CBI has been taken to tackle the rising menace of digital arrest scams, besides WhatsApp banning 9,400 accounts involved in such offences, the Centre has told the Supreme Court.The action was... Read more >

13:24 Early trends show BJP leading in Gujarat local body polls The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has taken a lead in the local body elections in Gujarat, winning 2,531 seats so far out of more than 9,200 as per the initial rounds of counting that began on Tuesday morning, officials said.According to the latest data shared by the State Election Commission... Read more >

13:03 No place safe for druglords: Amit Shah on Dola's extradition Salim Dola In a major breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau on Tuesday secured the return of notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in New Delhi.Calling it zero tolerance against Narco syndicate, the Home Minister said on X, Under Modi... Read more >

12:45 Major fire at Bengaluru warehouse, 50 women safely evacuated Representational image Around 50 women were safely evacuated after a major fire broke out at a warehouse in Bengaluru and spread to a four-storey PG accommodation and nearby residential buildings, the police said on Tuesday.The fire broke out at around 12.50 am (Sunday) at the warehouse in Nandini... Read more >

12:19 Stabbings a lone wolf attack by radicalised man: Maharashtra ATS Representational image The Maharashtra ATS has found a note referring to lone wolf attacks and the Islamic State at the house of a man arrested for allegedly attacking two security guards after asking their religion in Thane district, officials said on Tuesday.Prima facie, the incident appears to be a lone wolf attack... Read more >

11:46 Tabu, Nagarjuna come together for 'King100' Actors Tabu and Nagarjuna have started shooting for their upcoming film, tentatively titled King100.Tabu, who has previously worked with Nagarjuna in projects such as Ninne Pelladata (1996) and Aavida Maa Aavide (1998), shared the news with a post on her Instagram handle on Monday. It... Read more >

11:30 Rajnath, Chinese defence minister discuss border at Bishkek conclave Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on the margins of a multilateral conclave in Bishkek.It is learnt that the two ministers reviewed the overall situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).It was a pleasure to interact with the Defence... Read more >

11:24 Tharoor accepted that Congress is anti-women: Rijiju Union Minister Kiren Rijiju claimed that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor indirectly acknowledged that his party is anti-women in the context of the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill not being passed in Parliament. In an interview with ANI, Rijiju referred to a post by Tharoor on X after the... Read more >

10:49 AAP MLA Mehraj Malik released from jail after J-K HC quashes his PSA detention Aam Aadmi Party legislator Mehraj Malik was released from Kathua jail on Tuesday following the quashing of his detention under the Public Safety Act by the Jammu and Kashmir high court.Malik said that now that he had been released, he would continue to raise and talk about the issues of the... Read more >

10:46 US guided-missile destroyer intercepts Iranian tanker The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted the M/T Stream on Sunday, preventing the vessel from reaching its intended destination. The American warship stopped the tanker after it attempted to sail to an Iranian port,... Read more >

10:32 Modi plays football with boys, girls in Sikkim Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day tour of Sikkim, played football with some boys and girls here on Tuesday morning, and described the soccer session as energising.Modi shared on social media a few photographs in which he is seen playing soccer with youngsters.Nothing like playing... Read more >

10:01 Now, Sisodia refuses to appear before Delhi HC judge AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Tuesday wrote a letter to Delhi High Court Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, saying that he will also not pursue his matter in the excise case in her court.This comes a day after party chief Arvind Kejriwal similarly decided to neither appear in person or appoint any... Read more >

09:44 Dawood aide, drug lord, Salim Dola deported to India Salim Dola, a close associate of mafia kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, landed in India after he was deported from Istanbul.He was landed at Delhi Technical Airport.Salim Dola, who is said to be the key man behind Dawood's durg empire, is currently facing interrogation by intelligence... Read more >

09:24 India is already a Hindu Rashtra: Mohan Bhagwat The Ram Temple in Ayodhya was built due to the commitment of those in power and the support of everyone in the country, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has said, emphasising that there is no need to declare India a Hindu Rashtra as it already is.He was addressing a programme on Monday to felicitate... Read more >

09:18 EC directs police to take stern action over objectionable post targeting Mamata The Election Commission on Monday directed the police to take stern action over an objectionable social media post, allegedly targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, officials said.Sharing a screenshot of the objectionable post, the TMC had claimed on Sunday night that a... Read more >

08:43 Trump unlikely to accept Iran's plan to end war: Report United States President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that he is inclined to reject the most recent diplomatic overture from Tehran aimed at halting current hostilities, according to a report by CNN. The Iranian proposal reportedly suggests the restoration of maritime traffic through the... Read more >

00:28 Kolkata cop suspended over 'controversial' social media posts File image A Kolkata police constable was suspended on Monday for allegedly violating service rules through objectionable conduct on social media, a senior officer said.The constable, identified as Ramkrishna Koyal of the 1st Battalion of Kolkata Armed Police, has been accused of posting controversial... Read more >
Sierra Leone has become the latest West African state to win independence, after more than 150 years of British colonial rule.

The new nation was born at the stroke of midnight, when its green, white and blue flag was unfurled. A huge crowd, gathered at Brookfields Playground in Freetown to watch the historic moment, broke into tumultuous cheering.

Independence Day formally began as the Duke of Kent handed over royal instruments recognising Sierra Leone as an independent nation.

Sir Maurice Dorman, Governor since 1956, was then sworn in as Governor-General by Chief Justice Beoku Betts.

Messages of welcome to the new government, led by Prime Minister Sir Milton Margai, came from the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, and from the Queen.

Her Majesty is due to visit Sierra Leone during her tour of West Africa later in the year.

Independence festivities have been taking place all week, mainly centred on the harbour area of Freetown. Three days of public holiday have been declared, and the city is in party mood, with streets decorated with bunting and the new national colours everywhere.

But the build-up has been overshadowed by the state of emergency, declared ten days ago following a campaign of sabotage by the opposition All Peoples Congress Party (APC).

The party has been urging that independence should be postponed until free elections have been held.

The leader of the APC, Siaka Stevens, was arrested just over a week ago, along with his right-hand man, Wallace Johnston, and 16 other party members. They had been planning a general strike to coincide with the independence celebrations, and it was feared riots would break out if the strike went ahead.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Sierra Leone made an initially peaceful transition to independence. In 1967, the APC came to power under Siaka Stevens, who became President in 1971, and in 1978 made the APC the sole legal party.

In 1985, Major General Joseph Momoh was elected President after being selected as the sole candidate. His government was dogged by corruption, and he was overthrown in a coup led by Captain Valentine Strasser in 1992.

At the same time, a vicious war broke out in neighbouring Liberia, and Sierra Leone was rapidly sucked in. Ten years of savage fighting followed, marked by atrocities and punishments to terrorise civilians.

Peace was finally acheived in early 2002, with the help of Britain, the former colonial power, and a large United Nations peacekeeping mission.

More than 17,000 foreign troops disarmed tens of thousands of rebels and militia fighters in the biggest UN peacekeeping success in Africa for many years after debacles in the 1990s in Angola, Rwanda and Somalia.

A UN-backed war crimes court was set up to try those, from both sides, who bear the greatest responsibility for the wartime brutalities.

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Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai returned to Macau yesterday after leading a delegation of government officials and business representatives on visits to Portugal and Spain, followed by stops in Geneva, Switzerland, and Brussels, Belgium  including the European Union headquarters  where he highlighted Macaus development achievements under the successful implementation of the One country, two systems principle.

On Thursday local time, Sam met with Yolanda Diaz Perez, Spains Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, according to the Government Information Bureau (GCS).

He briefed Diaz on Macaus full implementation of One country, two systems, Macau people governing Macau, and a high degree of autonomy, emphasizing that the regions way of life remains unchanged despite exercising administrative, legislative, and independent judicial powers, including the power of final adjudication.

Later that same day, Sam traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to continue his diplomatic visit, where he met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chinas Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador Li Yongzhi. While expressing gratitude to both officials, he emphasized that Macau, as a WTO member under the name Macau, China, actively participates in various activities of the multilateral trading system.

Notably, the media delegation was barred from covering Chief Executive Sam Hou Fais trip to Geneva and Brussels. All news regarding his itinerary after Portugal and Spain has been reliant solely on statements issued by GCS.

According to statements from GCS, from Thursday through Saturday local time, Sam paid a series of visits to Chinese and European officials.

His meetings included discussions with Jia Guide, Chinas Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland; Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture David Clarinval; Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Olof Skoog; Chinese mbassador to Belgium Fei Shengchao; head of the Chinese Mission to the EU and Ambassador Cai Run; and European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee.

Reportedly, highlighting Macaus advantages under the One country, two systems framework and the significant role of the Sino-Portuguese Cooperation Service Platform, Sam expressed hope to delegates that China-EU relations could be further developed through the Macau platform, with the expectation of establishing targeted partnerships with the EU in areas such as innovative industries, green development, and industry-academia-research collaboration.

Sam also aims to deepen economic, trade, and tourism cooperation with Belgium, while planning to expand collaboration in emerging fields including biopharmaceutical R&D, smart logistics, and green development  with the goal of strengthening industrial synergy, leveraging complementary strengths, and pursuing joint development.

As noted, the 24th EU-Macau Joint Committee meeting, originally scheduled for 2020, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During a meeting with Olof Skoog, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Sam expressed hope that both sides would resume the relevant meeting mechanism.

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Chinese navy hospital ship treats over 26,000 in longest overseas medical mission

Xinhua) 08:34, April 27, 2026

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, docks at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

SANYA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- "Is this a 'boat that treats illnesses,' just like yours?" This question was asked by a four-year-old patient from Barbados, sitting in a pediatric consultation room, after receiving a paper boat as a gift from her Chinese doctor.

When she was told yes, she leaned in and gave the paper boat a kiss.

The consultation room where the girl was treated was set up aboard a visiting Chinese naval hospital ship that was in Barbados at that time to carry out an overseas medical mission.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, on Sunday returned home after completing the 234-day overseas medical mission, the longest deployment of its kind undertaken by the Chinese navy.

Codenamed "Mission Harmony-2025," the voyage began in September 2025 and took the ship to Nauru, Fiji, Tonga, Jamaica, Barbados and Papua New Guinea, where it delivered a wide range of free medical services to local communities.

Over the course of the mission, the team handled 26,324 outpatient visits and performed 2,724 surgical operations. In addition, 17,273 diagnostic tests and examinations were carried out, while 136 patients were given inpatient care.

The crew members also conducted medical exchanges during their stays in Brazil and Chile, and took part in joint maritime exercises with the navies of Fiji, Tonga and Brazil.

"Mission Harmony" is an overseas humanitarian medical service program organized by the Chinese navy since 2010. The previous 10 missions were carried out by the hospital ship Peace Ark. The latest mission, the 11th in the series, marked the first overseas deployment of Silk Road Ark.

As China's second domestically built 10,000-ton-class standard oceangoing hospital ship, Silk Road Ark is equipped with 14 clinical departments, seven auxiliary units and eight modern operating rooms, capable of performing more than 60 types of surgeries.

The vessel is also fitted with a ship-borne rescue helicopter, enabling rapid-response emergency operations.

The medical team was composed primarily of medical personnel from the PLA Southern Theater Command, along with members from other units and the Naval Medical University.

Onboard facilities supported a wide range of services, including general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and ophthalmology.

In Fiji, a local man sought treatment aboard the hospital ship after suffering from persistent abdominal pain. The Chinese medical team quickly arranged a colonoscopy, which confirmed a diagnosis of rectal cancer.

Chinese doctors then worked closely with local doctors and anesthesiologists to perform a complex mid-to-low rectal cancer surgery, which was successfully completed.

"Thank you, Chinese doctors!" the patient's family said in halting Chinese after the operation, expressing their gratitude.

Silk Road Ark delivered tangible benefits to the Fijian community, representing a welcome symbol of care, service and goodwill, according to Fiji's Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua.

In late October last year, Hurricane Melissa struck some coastal areas in Jamaica, causing casualties and significant property damage, while placing heavy strain on the country's healthcare system.

When Silk Road Ark visited the country in early December, it extended its stay and added service sites at the request of the Jamaican side, docking at three ports and providing 12 days of medical services to local residents.

This marked the first time a hospital ship under "Mission Harmony" had docked at multiple ports within a single country, as well as the longest period of medical service delivered in one country.

During its stay, the ship established a priority channel under a post-disaster medical relief plan, offering expedited services to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and people with disabilities.

Sometimes, medical staff worked from early morning until late at night.

"Of course you feel physically drained. By the end of the day, your legs are numb, your back aches, and you can barely find the energy to speak," said Wu Yanru, head nurse of an operating room. "But when you see the patients' grateful smiles after surgery and hear local doctors sincerely say that 'you've been a tremendous help,' the sense of fulfillment replaces all the exhaustion."

Earlier this month, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the hospital ship has brought hope to people in the countries it visited, leaving behind many touching stories and demonstrating China's commitment to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The PLA Navy on Thursday celebrated its 77th founding anniversary. Over the years, its growing strength has become an important force for regional and global stability.

"In China, paper boats carry wishes as they drift into the distance." When the interpreter relayed these words to the young patients in Barbados, the children eagerly began sharing their wishes, one after another: "I hope my grandma's leg gets better soon." "I want to become a doctor, just like you, and help treat people."

Clutching a paper boat, a five-year-old patient said earnestly: "My wish is that you come back to Barbados again next year."

Crew members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, stand in formation as the ship docks at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, is docked at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

Crew members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, stand in formation as the ship docks at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 26, 2026 shows a welcoming ceremony held for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, is docked at a military port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Cui Xiaoyang/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
DeepSeek, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup that shook world markets last year, launched preview versions of its latest major update Friday as the AI rivalry between China and the U.S. heats up.

DeepSeeks V4 has been keenly anticipated by users looking to test how it compares to U.S. competitors like OpenAIs ChatGPT, Anthropics Claude and Googles Gemini. Anthropic and OpenAI have accused DeepSeek of unfairly building its technology off their own.

Some industry analysts had expected the new model to arrive more than two months earlier at the start of the Lunar New Year.

DeepSeek says the new V4 open-source models, which include pro and flash versions, have big improvements in knowledge, reasoning and in their agentic capabilities  the ability to perform complex tasks and workflows autonomously. Another big change is they are supported in part by computer chips made by Chinese tech giant Huawei, reducing DeepSeeks reliance on U.S. chipmakers like Nvidia.

V4 is a successor to V3, an AI model that DeepSeek released in late 2024.

But it was DeepSeeks specialized reasoning AI model, called R1, that took markets by surprise with its release in January 2025. DeepSeek claimed it was more cost-effective than OpenAIs similar model and it became a symbol of how China was catching up with the U.S. in technological advancements.

DeepSeek said the V4 Pro Max version has superior performance in terms of standard reasoning benchmarks relative to OpenAIs GPT-5.2 model and Googles Gemini 3.0-Pro. It falls marginally short of GPT-5.4 and Gemini 3.1-Pro, it said. DeepSeeks release came hours after OpenAI released its new GPT-5.5 model on Thursday.

In terms of agentic capabilities, the Chinese company said the V4 pro version could outperform Claudes Sonnet 4.5 and approaches the level of Claudes Opus 4.5 model based on its own evaluation.

The flash version of V4 performs on a par with the pro version on simple agent tasks and has reasoning capabilities closely approaching it, DeepSeek said.

Based on the benchmark results, it does appear DeepSeek V4 is going to be very competitive against its U.S. rivals, said Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at the technology research and advisory group Omdia.

Marina Zhang, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney, said DeepSeeks V4 rollout is as a pivotal milestone for Chinas AI industry, especially as global competition intensifies in the pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies.

DeepSeek offers a freetouse web and mobile chatbot. Unlike the top models from Anthropic, Google and OpenAI, it describes its technology as open source in the way that it enables developers access to modify and build on its core technology.

Both the V4s pro and flash versions have a 1 million token context window, a parameter of how much information an AI model can process and recall, and run on a more efficient basis, the startup said. That is a significant improvement from before, since the V3 supported a 128,000 token context window.

Huawei said in a separate statement Friday that its Ascend chips and related technology are compatible with the DeepSeek V4 models. Its a demonstration of technical feasibility of operating outside the Nvidia-dominated computing ecosystem amid sustained technological decoupling between China and the U.S., said Zhang.

A report from Microsoft in January showed use of DeepSeek has been gaining ground in many developing nations, particularly those where Huawei phones are widely used.

However, some analysts remain skeptical. Ivan Su, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said while V4 is a competent follow-up, its not as big a breakthrough as the rollout of R1.

Domestic competition has intensified significantly since R1s release, Su said. Against U.S. models, DeepSeeks own evaluation suggests its capabilities largely match on most fronts, but independent evaluations are needed before final conclusions can be drawn.

In February, Anthropic accused DeepSeek and two other China-based AI laboratories of industrial-scale campaigns to illicitly extract Claudes capabilities to improve their own models. It said they did that using a technique called distillation that involves training a less capable model on the outputs of a stronger one. OpenAI made similar allegations in a letter to U.S. lawmakers.

This week, Michael Kratsios, chief science and technology adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, also accused foreign tech companies principally based in China of distilling leading U.S. AI systems and exploiting American expertise and innovation.

Chinas embassy in Washington hit back at the allegations, describing them as unjustified suppression of Chinese companies by the U.S. CHAN HO-HIM & MATT OBRIEN, HONG KONG, MDT/AP

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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.

The EU executive called for ramping up defense ties and promoted the blocs 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 worlds 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.

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 EUs 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.

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, Jordans Crown Prince Hussein and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi. MDT/AP

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With Golden Week days away, the hotel industry faces an uncomfortable reality: rooms are filling, but rates arent keeping up.

Average daily rates have softened by approximately 10% compared to last year, according to Rutger Verschuren, area vice president at Artyzen Hospitality Group and general manager of Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau.

The downside is that May 1 falls on a Friday this year, Verschuren said on the sidelines of a community event at his hotel. Its basically just a weekend  Friday night, Saturday night. Sunday is still good, but thats it, basically.

He said occupancy will be very good for three days, after which it drops a little bit. The compressed holiday schedule means room rates will drop significantly by the third day.

Overall, for our hotels and our group, hopefully we will still have a pickup, he said. But we are slightly below last year  not so much the occupancy, but the rates. Rates are down by approximately 10 percent. I think this is across the city.

For tourists, that means a cheaper stay. For hoteliers, it is a cautious reality check.

Verschuren attributed part of the softness to global geopolitical tensions affecting international arrivals. We see that in our international tourist arrivals, he said. Unless they fly a different route. A few of our arrivals still fly through Dubai because the prices are much more affordable. But you need to be prepared for a stopover.

The upside, he noted, is a rise in regional travel.

Those countries in our region  Korea, mainland China, of course, Hong Kong, Taiwan  are also less likely to fly to Europe at this time, he said. So they make shorter trips. That is the upside. We see more of that at the moment.

The remarks came during a markedly different milestone: the hotels sixth consecutive year supporting the Macau IC2 Associations World Earth Day initiative, led by neurodivergent participants.

Asked about planned hotel renovations, Verschuren declined to comment: Not yet. We are working on a plan, but its too early to announce anything at this stage. It takes time, but we are eager to.

As Golden Week approaches, Macaus hotels will watch their pricing strategies closely. For now, Verschuren remains cautiously optimistic about regional travel offsetting softer international arrivals.

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President Donald Trumps 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 and first reported by The Associated Press, makes good on Trumps threat to impose secondary sanctions on companies and countries that do business with Iran. Its also part of his Republican administrations overall ramped-up campaign to cut off Irans key source of revenue  its oil exports.

Concurrently, the U.S. this month imposed a physical blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf waterway that is crucial to global energy supplies.

The sanctions, which cut off the companies from the U.S. financial system and penalize anyone who does business with them, come just a few weeks before President Donald Trump and Chinas Xi Jinping are due to meet in China.

Included in Fridays sanctions is Hengli Petrochemicals facility in the port city of Dalian, which has a processing capacity of roughly 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the biggest independent refineries in China.

The Treasury Department says Hengli has received Iranian crude oil shipments since 2023 and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the Iranian military.

The advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran said in February 2025 that Hengli is one of dozens of Chinese purchasers of Iranian oil.

China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, importing 80% to 90% of Iranian oil before the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran broke out, though the crude  transported by a shadow fleet of vessels  often has its origin obscured but arrives in China as oil from countries such as Malaysia. Smaller refineries, known as teapot refineries, typically are the buyers of Iranian oil. FATIMA HUSSEIN, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP

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U.S. officials have announced a sweeping crackdown on Southeast Asian cyberscam operations as part of what U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro characterized Friday as a new theater of war launched by the Trump administration against Chinese transnational organized crime.

The crackdown, led by a U.S. government Scam Center Strike Force, includes the Treasury Departments sanctioning of a prominent lawmaker and 28 other people and companies accused of operating from Cambodia. Criminal charges also were filed against two Chinese nationals involved in a similar operation in Myanmar.

The initiative includes a warrant to seize and shut down a major online recruitment channel on the Telegram messaging app and freezing hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit assets, Pirro said in a virtual press conference connecting her from Washington to journalists in Asia.

Cybercrime has flourished in Southeast Asia in recent years, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar, with illegal operations making mammoth profits from victims around the world, according to United Nations experts and other analysts. Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cyber-enabled crimes and online scams in 2025 alone, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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Large parts of the southeastern U.S. are in the midst of an exceptional drought, and it is fueling dozens of wildfires in Florida and Georgia.

One of those wildfires, in southeastern Georgias Brantley County, had damaged about 90 homes by April 24, 2026, and officials said about 800 other homes were at risk. Another fire near the Georgia-Florida border had burned more than 30,000 acres and about 35 structures, and more than 180 homes at considered risk. The smoke from the blazes triggered air quality alerts in Atlanta, in the north-central part of the state.

Why is a region of the U.S. more often known for thunderstorms and humidity in spring seeing so many wildfires?

I teach meteorology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, including how weather patterns can lead to conditions conducive to wildfires. Heres whats happening to drive these conditions.

Wildfires need a few key ingredients to spread: low relative humidity, dry fuels and strong winds.

Much of the Southeast has been in a drought since July 2025. From mid-March to mid-April 2026, the region saw less than a quarter of its normal precipitation for that time of year.

As a result, the U.S. Drought Monitor classified most of this region in extreme or exceptional drought by mid-April.

Part of the reason for the lack of rainfall has been a persistent high-pressure system over the Southeast.

High-pressure systems are areas where air aloft sinks toward the surface, preventing clouds and precipitation from forming. The Southeast high-pressure system resulted from the presence of a ridge in the jet stream, a northward bend in this fast current of air several miles above Earths surface.

Another consequence of this high pressure has been the presence of generally southeast winds, which have transported warm and fairly dry air into the area.

The relative humidity  a measure of the amount of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount the air can contain at its actual air temperature  has also been very low due to warmer-than-usual temperatures and lower-than-usual moisture.

As a result of these conditions, trees, grass and leaves dry out and can quickly become fuel for wildfires. That kind of dry fuel is widespread throughout rural areas of Georgia and north Florida.

Once a fire starts, whether from lightning, power lines or other human sources, strong winds can spread it rapidly in these conditions. Georgia fire officials said the largest fire in mid-April, near the Florida state line, started with a spark from welding equipment that ignited surrounding vegetation. They believe a mylar balloon hitting a power line sparked the fire that burned dozens of homes in Brantley County.

As global temperatures rise, the frequency of drought conditions in the Southeast will increase. This, in combination with less soil moisture content in the summer, could be conducive for increased wildfire activity.

Wildfires do eventually burn out. It takes a combination of help from the atmosphere, with moisture to douse them, and firefighters clearing away dry fuel to stop their spread.

Georgia and Florida may get a reprieve soon from the weather, as multiple low-pressure systems are forecast for the region in late April and early May that could bring rainfall. In the meantime, more than half of Georgias counties are under a state of emergency, as several agencies battle the flames to protect homes with helicopters in the air and scores of firefighters on the ground.

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In a landmark achievement for Caribbean public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates The Bahamas for becoming the latest Caribbean nation to be certified as having eliminated the mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

I congratulate The Bahamas on this outstanding achievement, which solidifies years of political commitment, and the dedication of health workers, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

By ensuring that children are born free of HIV, we are securing a healthier, brighter future for the next generation.

This achievement reflects sustained political commitment and strong national leadership, alongside the dedication and compassion of the health workforce, said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and WHO Regional Director for the Americas. As we look ahead, this milestone is not only a moment of national pride but also an opportunity to build on this success, advancing efforts to end HIV and other communicable diseases as public health threats across the Caribbean and the Americas.

Foundations of success

The Bahamas achieved this milestone by pioneering a comprehensive and inclusive health-care model. Key to this success has been the provision of universal antenatal care to all pregnant women, regardless of nationality or legal status, across both public and private facilities. This approach is supported by a strong, integrated laboratory network and a rigorous testing protocol that screens women at their first antenatal appointment and again in the third trimester.

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) interventions in The Bahamas are fully integrated into antenatal care standards and norms and implemented under the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programme. MCH coordinates with the National Infectious Disease Programme, which oversees the prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). This includes the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, also offered to pregnant women. To ensure continuity of care, the health system maintains adequate monitoring for HIV-positive mothers and exposed infants, provides multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral medicines, and offers STI treatment and family planning services free of charge.

For years, The Bahamas have been working very hard to address the situation of HIV/AIDS, said Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness of The Bahamas. A lot of people have been involved in us achieving this great milestone  our nurses in our public health system, our nurses and doctors in our tertiary health-care system and, by extension, all of the clinics spread throughout our archipelago.

From Cuba, the first country in the world to be certified, and Brazil  certified last year, The Bahamas now joins a prestigious group of 12 countries and territories in the Region of the Americas at the forefront of the EMTCT movement. The Bahamas will continue efforts to sustain these standards through integrated primary care and continuous surveillance.

The road to elimination

To receive WHO certification, countries must prove they have sustained the following:

reducing the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV to less than 2%;

achieving fewer than 5 new pediatric HIV infections per 1000 live births; and

maintaining 95% or higher coverage for antenatal care, HIV testing, and treatment for pregnant women.

Latin America and the Caribbean has long been a beacon of progress in this global effort. From Cuba  the first country in the world to be certified  to Brazils certification last year, and now to The Bahamas, the region continues to lead with ambition and determination. Today, more than half of all countries and territories that have achieved elimination are from this region. This is a legacy of leadership that inspires the world, said Anurita Bains, Global Associate Director for HIV/AIDS at UNICEF.

The Bahamas are showing that eliminating mother-to-child transmission HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is possible, said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director.

This achievement reflects political will for steady investment in primary health care and the work of health teams and people living with and most affected by HIV. When women can test early in pregnancy, start treatment quickly, and stay in care, every child has a better chance of being born free of HIV and other STIs.

The Bahamas success is part of the broader EMTCT Plus Initiative, which aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and congenital Chagas disease. Implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS, the initiative is embedded within PAHOs Elimination Initiative, a regional effort to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.
The author calls on Algeria to play it straight in the Sahel security crisis, echoing an expression used by Emmanuel Macron. He argues that Algiers maintains an ambiguous stance toward terrorism in the Sahel, alternately fueling and restraining tensions, and recalls that the country has historically been linked to the rise of religious terrorism in the region since the 1990s.

He analyzes the recent attacks carried out by the alliance between terrorist groups (JNIM) and Tuareg rebels (FLA), placing them in a tense political context: the rupture between Bamako and the Polisario Front, the activities of Malian opposition figures operating from Algeria, and internal political realignments. Mali shares borders with several countries, but Algeria is singled out as the only neighbor with alleged ties to certain rebel groups.

Relations between Bamako and Algiers are particularly strained: border closures, a military incident involving a Malian drone, and a complaint filed with the International Court of Justice. Despite this, Algeria has strengthened its ties with other Sahelian countries, which is interpreted as a strategy of regional influence, or even an attempt to encircle Mali.

Although no formal evidence confirms Algerian support for the rebels, the author notes a correlation between diplomatic tensions and violence on the ground. He also mentions the release of terrorists by Bamako as part of a truce that was quickly broken, suggesting the existence of external backers coordinating armed groups.

Algerias hosting of Malian opposition figures, such as Imam Dicko, reinforces suspicions of interference. The Malian juntas denunciation of the Algiers Accords is also seen as a factor aggravating tensions.

Domestically, Mali is weakened by economic difficulties, energy shortages, and regional isolation, increasing the risk of social unrest. The alliance between rebel and terrorist groups is considered extremely dangerous, raising fears that Mali could become a sanctuary similar to Afghanistan or post-Gaddafi Libya.

Such a development would have serious consequences for the entire region: the spread of insecurity, destabilization of neighboring countries (notably Niger and Burkina Faso), increased migration to Europe, and the expansion of illicit trafficking.

In light of these risks, the author calls for an urgent response from ECOWAS member states and stronger regional cooperation, especially after the weakening of the G5 Sahel. He stresses the need for African countries to manage their own security without foreign interference, through a sincere continental alliance against terrorism, separatism, and crime.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has returned to Juba over the week-end following a two-day State visit to Addis Ababa at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

South Sudans Foreign Affairs Minister, Monday Semaya Kumba, described the trip as strategic and successful, noting that discussions covered political developments, economic cooperation and regional security.

Talks also addressed South Sudans internal processes, including preparations for elections, alongside commitments to peace, development and institutional reform. Both sides agreed to allocate land for diplomatic missions in their respective capitals, while also exploring expanded cooperation in infrastructure, trade, oil and transport. The visit underscores renewed efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and regional collaboration.
The Pan-African Parliament is set to convene an Extraordinary Session of its Seventh Legislature on Tuesday, April 28, at its headquarters in Midrand, with elections scheduled to appoint a new Bureau leadership team.

The session will elect five Bureau memberscomprising one President and four Vice-Presidentsfollowing the end of the Sixth Bureaus mandate on 28 February 2026. The election process will be overseen by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, alongside a High-Level Group tasked with ensuring transparency and compliance with African Union procedures.

The newly elected Bureau will serve a three-year term and reflect Africas regional rotation principle, with leadership positions allocated across North, East, West, Central and Southern Africa. The President will represent North Africa, while the four Vice-Presidents will represent the other sub-regions respectively.

As the PAPs principal governing structure, the Bureau is responsible for providing strategic direction and overseeing the administration and functioning of the Parliament and its organs. The election is expected to conclude on Thursday.
Several Indian families in Iran were left stranded after the first scheduled flight from Tehran to Delhi departed without them, despite them having valid tickets. The passengers, who had booked seats on Mahan Air on Friday, said they were denied boarding at the airport under unclear and distressing circumstances.



A passenger said they were informed upon arrival at the airport that they would not be permitted to board the Tehran-Delhi flight. Airline staff reportedly told them that the aircraft was designated only for cargo and Iranian nationals.



When questioned further, passengers were told that the Indian government had not granted approval for Indian citizens to travel on that specific flight.



One traveller, who had reached the airport early, described chaotic scenes as several Indian families, many of which had young children, were turned away. We had confirmed tickets, but no one was allowed to board, the passenger said. Families were confused and upset, especially those traveling with children.



Sources familiar with the situation indicated that the issue may stem from concerns raised by Indias Ministry of External Affairs. Officials were reportedly not satisfied with the airspace route Mahan Air proposed for the journey. Given the current geopolitical tensions in the region, authorities are believed to be exercising caution regarding travel routes, even though an extended ceasefire is currently in place.



Efforts to seek clarification from the Indian Consulate in Tehran were unsuccessful. Questions sent to the consulate did not receive a response till press time.



The sources added that since Mahan Air is a privately owned Iranian airline based in Tehran, Indian authorities may be reluctant to allow citizens to travel on it during a period of uncertainty. Instead, Indian nationals have been advised that they are free to return via alternative routes like Azerbaijan or Armenia. However, these options involve significantly longer travel times and higher costs, making them impractical for many stranded families.



The uncertainty has also affected those planning to travel in the coming days. Many Indians have already booked tickets on another Mahan Air flight scheduled for Tuesday. However, given the current situation, it appears unlikely that passengers will be permitted to board that flight either.



Compounding the issue is the limited availability of alternative direct routes between Iran and India. Direct flights by Iran Air to Mumbai have not yet commenced operations. Meanwhile, transit options through Gulf countries like the UAE, Kuwait, and Oman remain largely unavailable, as regular flight operations on these routes have not resumed.



There is some indication that Kuwait Airways may begin operations soon, though no official timeline has been confirmed. A Mumbai-based travel agent said that Kuwait Airways has started accepting bookings for flights from Tehran to Mumbai after May 15. However, the agent expressed hope that a resolution may be reached sooner if regional conditions improve.



For now, Indian families remain stranded in Iran, facing uncertainty over when and how they will be able to return home.




In a citywide crackdown, Mumbai Police have arrested 367 absconding accused in under three months, including fugitives who had been on the run for decades.



Among them was a robbery accused from 1986, arrested after nearly 40 years. The operation, conducted between January 9 and March 31 on the directions of the police commissioner, targeted long-pending absconders. All accused have been produced before the courts, police said.



Decades-old hunt ends



The drive led to the arrest of several long-time fugitives who had evaded capture since the late 1980s.



An accused wanted since 1986 was arrested by Azad Maidan police



Another absconding since 1988 was held by NM Joshi Marg police



These accused stayed off the radar by changing identities and locations. Persistent tracking and coordination helped us trace them, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary. While many arrests were linked to recent cases, reopening older files helped close long-pending investigations, officials said.



How they were caught



Each police station formed a team led by a PSI-level officer with constabulary support to trace absconders involved in serious offences, including gang-related crimes, cyber offences, financial crimes, robbery and assault.



Police revalidated lists of wanted accused and created a fresh database. Teams revisited old addresses, gathered inputs from locals and informants, and mounted surveillance at suspected locations.



Officers said many accused were living under assumed identities in other states. Tracking them was challenging as most had built new lives, but sustained surveillance and coordination helped us close in, an officer said. Police Commissioner Deven Bharti said the drive led to the arrest of even those absconding for over 40 years.



40 Years On The Run



Azad Maidan police arrested a 63-year-old man who had been absconding for nearly four decades in a 1986 robbery case.



The accused, Narayan Gurva Pujari, a resident of Udupi, was wanted under IPC Sections 397 and 34 and had a non-bailable warrant against him.



His Mumbai residence had been demolished, leaving little trace. Police revived the case, activated informants and tracked leads to Karnataka.



He was located in the Manipal area of Udupi district, where he was working at a hotel. A team, with local police assistance, arrested him and obtained transit remand before bringing him to Mumbai.



Wanted since 1998



Jogeshwari police arrested a 55-year-old accused absconding since 1998 in multiple cases of theft, housebreaking and illegal possession of property.



Annadurai alias Raju Karapanna Devendra was arrested in 1998, released on bail, and later declared a proclaimed offender after failing to appear in court.



He evaded arrest by frequently changing locations.



On February 3, acting on a tip-off, Sub-Inspector Harshal Suryawanshi and his team, with Juhu police, laid a trap in Vile Parle West and apprehended him.



During interrogation, he admitted to absconding in five cases. He had been living in Nalasopara West.



Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade termed the arrest a significant breakthrough. Further legal procedures are underway.




A hotel owner on the Greek island of Eos once told Sheila Yasmin Marikar something she could not stop thinking about: couples fight on vacation all the time. More specifically, the more expensive the hotel, the worse the arguments get.The reasoning is as cold as a chilled flute of Laurent-Perrier. When two people have spent months planning, dropped a small fortune to reach a postcard-perfect destination, and then discover their ideas of paradise are fundamentally at odds, the resentment doesnt just bubble upit explodes. Youve got all the ingredients, Marikar says, leaning back.



As a seasoned contributor to The New Yorker and The New York Times, Marikar has built a reputation for her precision in dissecting the lives of the ultra-wealthy. You may mistake the book for a beach read; but what this is a social audit of the glamorous. It is a skill that has made her a definitive voice in the prestige thriller genre currently dominating global best-seller lists.



The deep end of the



Maldives



Incidentals is her third novel, and it follows Sarah and Sam, a couple whose marriage is vibrating with unspoken tension. Sarah is a journalist who has lost her sense of purpose; Sam is an ambitious chef stuck running a family business he deems beneath his abilities. In a high-stakes attempt to save what remains of their relationship, they fly to a luxury resort in the Maldives for their anniversary.



On the flight, they meet Kevin and Krista, an older, seemingly perfect couple who appear to be the endgame version of everything Sarah and Sam aspire to be. Then, a body turns up in the crystal blue waters.



Marikar has famously described her creative niche as rich people behaving badly in glamorous settings, and Incidentals fits perfectly into that sandbox. In this story, however, the Maldives is far more than just a pretty backdrop. For Marikar, the landscape is the catalyst. It is a place where, as she describes the trademark overwater bungalows, you are sitting on wooden pillars above the deepest ocean in the world with no dry land beneath you.



I first visited the archipelago in 2021, and that sense of beautiful, slightly eerie isolation never left me, she says. The setting, as is standard for Marikars process, was chalked out before the characters. She almost always knows the where before the who; the inspiration, she says, strikes in the moment, and the human drama flows from the geography.



Scratching the surface



While her debut, The Goddess Effect, was a sharp satire of Los Angeless boutique fitness culture, and her second, Friends in Napa (published under Mindy Kalings imprint), tackled a murderous reunion in wine country, Incidentals feels more personal. Marikar admits it draws on the very real pressures she has witnessed in her own relationships. I love how things look so glossy on the outside, she says, but can be so wrong when you scratch below the surface.



Yet, as with most prestige thrillers, the murder isnt really the point. The book is an excavation of what we conceal from those closest to us and what it takes to shed the layers of artifice Marikar notes we build around ourselves. Sams drinking, Sarahs social media obsession, and Kevin and Kristas polished marital bliss are all incidentals. In hotel parlance, these are the charges that slowly accumulate on the sidethe ones we ignore until the bill arrives and we are forced to confront them at checkout.



When asked which cocktail best embodies the novel, Marikar initially considers the Negroniher signature drink and the one featured on the books cover. But, on reflection, she changes her mind. A Negroni is bitter, and



Incidentals doesnt leave a bitter aftertaste.



A lychee martini is closer to the truth, she decides. Sweet and glossy on the outside, the kind of drink that seems like it will go down easily and then turns out to be a gut punch. It leaves you wanting more, which, in Marikars world, is precisely the point.




The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has introduced three supplementary charges to electricity bills for April 2026, a move set to impact millions of consumers across the country. According to a Gazette Notice issued on April 24, the regulator attributed the adjustments to shifting foreign exchange rates, water resource levies, and the rising costs of fuel utilized in power generation.

The notice specifies that all electrical energy prices will now include a Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment of 123.41 cents per kWh for all meter readings taken throughout the month.

PURSUANT to Clause 2 of Part III of the Schedule of Tariffs, 2023, notice is given that all prices for Electrical Energy specified in Part II of the said Schedule will be liable to a Foreign Exchange Fluctuation Adjustment of Plus 123.41 Cents per kWh for all meter readings taken in April, 2026, stated the notice.

EPRA confirmed that these updates, which also include a Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) levy and a Fuel Energy Cost Charge (FLCC), will appear on all bills processed in April. These pass-through costs reflect the financial realities of March 2026, during which the energy sector recorded foreign exchange losses totaling approximately Sh1.34 billion.

The WRMA levy, set at 1.54 cents per kWh, specifically accounts for energy sourced from hydropower stations with a capacity of one megawatt or higher. While favorable weather recently boosted hydropower output from major plants like Kiambere and Turkwel, the combined effect of these new statutory charges ensures that overall electricity costs remain high for both households and industrial users.

The foreign exchange adjustment alone adds 123.41 cents per kilowatt-hour to electricity bills. This figure stems from the cumulative exchange gains and losses recorded by KenGen, Kenya Power, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which totaled over Sh1.3 billion in March 2026.

According to the latest data, IPPs accounted for the largest share of these costs at Sh874.78 million. Kenya Power posted Sh453.2 million, while KenGen recorded a comparatively smaller gain of Sh14.26 million. These calculations are based on the 1.3 billion units of electricity generated during the month of March.

The WRMA levy introduces an additional 1.54 cents per kilowatt-hour. This specific charge applies to electricity purchased from 12 major hydropower plants across the country with a capacity of at least one megawatt. These stations, including Gitaru, Kiambere, Turkwel, and Sondu Miriu, collectively supplied 334.69 million units in March 2026.

However, the most substantial increase comes from the Fuel Energy Cost Charge (FECC), which adds 347 cents per kilowatt-hour to consumer bills. This charge reflects the actual prices paid for the diesel, gas, and geothermal steam required to stabilize the national grid.

All prices for electrical energy specified in the Schedule of Tariffs will be liable to a Fuel Energy Cost Charge of Plus 347 Kenya cents per kWh for all meter readings taken in April 2026, confirmed EPRA Acting Director-General Dr. Eng. Joseph Oketch in the gazette notice.

Dr. Oketch, who recently took over the leadership role at the authority following a government-wide review of the petroleum sector, maintained that these adjustments are necessary pass-through costs to keep the energy sector sustainable. For millions of Kenyans, these combined statutory additions represent a significant climb in the monthly cost of living.

Consumers in remote, off-grid areas are set to feel the sharpest pinch, as these regions depend almost entirely on diesel-powered stations. In these territories, fuel costs significantly outpace those in grid-connected towns supplied by geothermal or hydropower sources.

Turkana County leads the list of expensive power zones with a diesel fuel price of 255.48 per kilogram, followed closely by Lamu County at 251.58 and Homa Bay at 238.24. Other high-cost locations include Samburu, Mandera, Takaba, and Wajir. Residents in these areas rely on remote diesel plants where the logistical expense of trucking in fuel drives electricity generation costs well above the national average.

On the lower end of the cost spectrum, areas connected to geothermal plants benefit from dramatically cheaper steam charges, recorded at just 2.59 per kilogram. This disparity effectively shields Nairobi, Nakuru, and other central-grid towns from the harshest fuel-related surcharges.

The three charges combined represent a notable increase in what consumers will pay per unit in April. The 347-cent fuel charge carries the heaviest weight, followed by the 123.41-cent forex adjustment and the relatively modest 1.54-cent water levy.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to return to court to challenge his removal from the Deputy Presidents office, maintaining the impeachment process was fraudulent. The DCP leader believes he has built a watertight case proving his ouster rested on unconstitutional grounds. He stated that he is banking on the integrity of the judicial system to deliver justice.

I will be in court from tomorrow to Wednesday to file a petition challenging that illegal process, he said in Bamburi, Mombasa County, on Sunday.

While addressing a gathering in Mombasa, Gachagua revealed that his family initially hesitated to support the legal battle due to the public humiliation he faced. He noted that the ordeal traumatized his children, who struggled to reconcile their past support for the president with the subsequent public embarrassment of their father.

I told my children about it and they opposed it saying I faced humiliation. My children were traumatised that a man we had helped to be President was embarrassing us before the people of Kenya, Gachagua said.

Despite these personal reservations, he remains committed to seeking a legal remedy for the process he deems unlawful. Gachagua expressed confidence that the judiciary will ultimately deliver a fair ruling, stressing that he and his supporters seek only an impartial application of the law to counter what he described as a climate of impunity.

We have faith in our judicial system that it should be able to give justice to Rigathi Gachagua and my supporters. We have faith that three judges will do what is right and apply the law. All we are asking for is justice, and impunity should not rule over this country.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka stood in solidarity with Gachagua, claiming the upcoming petition would expose deep-seated corruption within the legislative process. He alleged that significant sums were used to influence the vote in both the National Assembly and the Senate.

We know some of them were bribed, and even some confessed that they were given between Ksh.10 to Ksh.20 million. All this will be revealed in court, Kalonzo noted.

The legal battle has already seen significant shifts. On May 9, 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned a prior decision by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu regarding the formation of the three-judge bench. Gachaguas legal team argued successfully that the authority to empanel such a bench rests exclusively with the Chief Justice, a point later scrutinized by the Supreme Court.

While DCJ Mwilu had initially appointed Justices Eric Ogolla, Anthony Mrima, and Freda Mugambi, the High Court paused those proceedings following the appellate ruling.

In January 2026, the Supreme Court further cleared the way for the substantive appeal to be heard on its merits, dismissing Gachaguas bid to halt High Court proceedings while striking out attempts to dismiss his cross-appeal.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has unleashed a stinging critique of the Social Health Authority (SHA), calling on teachers to reject the new medical schemes restrictive and unfair hospital directives.

Speaking at the Prophetic Embassy Church of All Nations in Bamburi, Mombasa, Gachagua accused the government of misrepresenting the programs success. He argued that the system is collapsing despite the administrations public claims of seamless performance.

SHA is not working, but the government is saying it is working. SHA is the greatest fraud in the history of independent Kenya.

Joined by opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Justin Muturi, and Eugene Wamalwa, Gachagua pointed to teachers as the group most burdened by the transition. He claimed that educators now face unexpected costs, often having to pay out-of-pocket for outpatient services that were previously covered.

Furthermore, he alleged that the government is funneling teachers toward specific public facilities that lack the basic resources necessary for proper care. According to the former deputy president, these county-run hospitals are currently struggling under the weight of an Sh8 billion debt owed to them by the SHA.

Teachers are in anguish, as they are being forced to add money to get outpatient treatment, they are also being told to go to county government hospitals. County government hospitals have no drugs, there are no bandages, no gloves. County government hospitals are owed Sh8 billion by SHA.

Gachagua challenged teachers to resist current healthcare restrictions, arguing that the freedom to choose a medical facility should rest with the patient rather than the state. He asserted that the current top-down approach flips the necessary power dynamic between professionals and the healthcare system.

I want to tell teachers not to accept to be told which hospitals to go to. It should be the other way round; they are the ones who should decide which hospitals to go to, he said.

Taking his rhetoric further, Gachagua encouraged educators to initiate industrial action. He suggested that collective labor pressure is the only way for teachers to force an exit from the Social Health Authority (SHA) and return to a more dependable insurance model that prioritizes quality service.

Teachers must wake up and demand from their leaders industrial action so that they can exit SHA and go back to an insurance scheme that will give them good services, Gachagua added.

He also predicted an inevitable collapse for the SHA, describing it as a potential landmark corporate failure. Gachagua closed with a warning to private healthcare providers, advising them to secure their finances now to avoid being dragged down when the system eventually fails.

SHA, when it collapses as it will, will be the greatest corporate loss in the history of Kenya. We are telling hospitals to be careful so that when SHA collapses, it does not go down with your funds.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and 2027 presidential contender Dr. Fred Matiangi has launched a sharp critique against the surge in violence and politically motivated thuggery, promising a return to strict law and order if he wins the presidency. Speaking in Nyamira on Friday, Matiangi described a deteriorating national landscape where essential services are failing and insecurity has become a common threat to citizens.

He lamented the current state of the nation, highlighting the collapse of healthcare and education systems alongside the rising tide of daily violence.

Matiangi argued that the country cannot afford to reach a point where children miss school, hospitals run out of food and medicine, and people live in constant fear of physical assault. He positioned his potential leadership as a corrective force against what he characterized as a systematic breakdown of public safety and institutional reliability.

Hatuwezi kufika mahali eti watoto hawaendi shule, sijui matibabu hakuna, hakuna chakula kwa hospitali, watu wanapigwa kila siku, he said.

The former Interior Cabinet Secretary, who once commanded the nations security apparatus, singled out political actors accused of sponsoring militia-style violence. He warned that the era where individuals break the law with state protection must come to an immediate end.

One pledge I can make to Kenya as a presidential candidate, if I was given an opportunity to be president of this country, there will be no goon nonsense in this country. Lazima serikali iwe serikali, na wakora ni wakora, Matiangi declared.

The Jubilee Deputy Party Leader also criticized what he described as the selective enforcement of the law. He argued that current authorities often overlook crimes committed by those linked to powerful figures, allowing friends of the state to operate above the legal system.

Na kama wakora wanafanya namna hiyo, sheria iko inatuambia tufanye nini na wakora, tutafuata sheria. Lakini sio eti unaangalia pande hii watu wanabebabeba wakora hapa, eti wao ndio wakubwa, kwa sababu ni marafiki wa serikalini marafiki wa mkubwa. Kwa sababu hao ni marafiki wa mkubwa wa nchi, wako na kibali ya kufanya ushenzi kama huo. It cannot work! he said.

Matiangi insisted that the government should treat all criminals equally, regardless of their political connections. He questioned the legitimacy of a system that grants a license for stupidity to those in the inner circle, maintaining that such a double standard undermines the very foundation of the republic.

Matiangi promised a return to strict adherence to the rule of law. He insisted that the state will deal with criminal elements firmly and legally, regardless of their political connections or social standing.

Violence, goonism, and failing systems have no place in the Kenya we want to build, he said.

The former Cabinet Secretary framed his 2027 presidential bid as a mission to rebuild broken institutions and restore public trust. He explained that the foundation of a prosperous nation depends on a governments ability to protect its people uniformly.

We must restore order, uphold the rule of law, and protect every Kenyan without fear or favor.
President William Ruto took his political defense to Maragua Constituency in Muranga County, where he rebuked leaders attempting to position themselves as regional gatekeepers for Central Kenya. Addressing a local rally, the president countered what he termed as rising arrogance among opponents who claim to control the regions electoral direction for the 2027 polls. He insisted that the voters themselves remain the ultimate judges of his administrations performance.

Mimi ni mfanyikazi wenu. Kuna mwingine anasema ati niende nikuwe mfanyikazi wake. Nioshe sufuria, vyombo kwake, hiyo asahau kabisa. Mimi nitakuja kuongea na nyinyi, ama namna gani? Na nyinyi mtapima kazi yangu.

The president maintained that his allegiance lies with the general public rather than a small, influential circle focused on private gain. He dismissed the notion that any individual holds the regions votes in trust, characterizing such claims as a sign of detachment from the reality on the ground.

There are people who are very arrogant. They say they are the ones who will decide. They claim they are carrying peoples votes in their pockets, the president said.

Ruto also revealed that certain critics have tried to leverage their support by placing specific demands on his leadership. He flatly rejected these ultimatums, stating that he will not seek political validation through subservience to self-appointed power brokers.

They are giving us conditions, saying if we dont do this, then I must kneel before someone so that they can tell people to vote for me. They should forget about that completely and abandon that arrogance, he said.

The Head of State maintained that leadership in Kenya rests on democratic principles rather than the whims of a few individuals. He asserted that citizens make collective decisions based on the tangible results and service delivery they see on the ground, rather than following the instructions of self-appointed mediators.

Nitanyenyekea kwa wananchi na nipige magoti kwa Mungu, lakini kwa binadamu siwezi, Ruto said.

Ruto further dismissed the notion that political figures can dictate the personal choices of Kenyans, including their religious affiliations or lifestyle preferences. He argued against the idea that any group possesses the authority to micromanage how citizens live or whom they support.

They want to decide for us the song we listen to, which church you will follow, where you will go, and which leaders you will choose. I want to ask you, will they decide for you or you decide for yourselves? he posed to the crowd.

The president stood firm on his original mandate, reminding his supporters that his authority flows directly from public trust. He sought to reaffirm his bond with the electorate, framing his refusal to bow to political elites as a commitment to the people who voted for him.

Didnt you choose me to work for you? he asked. Did you choose me to go and kneel before others? Didnt you choose me to serve you?

The presidents comments follow a series of sharp accusations from his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who has warned of political consequences for what he describes as a betrayal of the Mt. Kenya region.

While touring Nyandarua County, Gachagua reflected on his previously close relationship with the president, noting how quickly political tides have turned.

I had a friend who we worked with and whom I helped very much; he used to call me Riggy G and Baba Kevin, but now he is pretending not to know me. He is now calling me a tribalist, Gachagua stated.

The former deputy president expressed a newfound sense of caution, suggesting that the electorate in the region will no longer grant their support without rigorous scrutiny. He stressed that the unpredictability of political alliances has forced a shift in how the region will engage with national leadership moving forward.

Now we only depend on God because human beings are unpredictable; some of us, especially people from this region are now very careful. If someone comes to us now, we will do a thorough background check, Gachagua added.
Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka is confronting the Kenya Kwanza administration following a brutal night of violence in his home region of Tseikuru, Kitui County. The former Vice President insists that the government account for what he described as a blood spill occurring not just in Mwingi but across the entire nation.

The assault unfolded in Kamari village when a gang of over 40 gunmen descended on residents, claiming seven lives in a coordinated strike. Musyoka maintains that the sheer scale of the violence marks a total collapse of state protection.

This is not merely a tragedy. It is a governance failure of the gravest order, Kalonzo said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

Local reports characterize the massacre as the most lethal instance of banditry the region has witnessed in 40 years. Musyoka highlights this historical shift as a direct indictment of the current leaderships security protocols.

Wazalendo wenzangu, let that sink in. Four decades have passed without carnage of this scale in Tseikuru until yesterday, under the watch of President William Samoei Ruto, the Wiper leader said, adding, I demand answers, and I demand them now.

Directly challenging the presidency, Musyoka questioned how such heavy weaponry continues to circulate among civilian populations. He pressed the Commander-in-Chief to explain the apparent ease with which armed groups bypass security barriers.

To President Ruto: how do pastoralists come to possess automatic rifles capable of massacring seven Kenyans within minutes? Who armed them? Who allowed them to move freely across county borders carrying weapons of war?

Reports indicate the assailants arrived at the scene in two unmarked vehicles, suggesting a calculated operation rather than a random skirmish. Musyoka dismissed the idea that the violence was an accidental flare-up, arguing instead that the attackers moved with strategic intent.

This was not a spontaneous act. It was organized, coordinated, and executed with military precision against a civilian population. Where was your intelligence? Where was your security apparatus?

Addressing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the Wiper leader reminded the ministry of its constitutional obligation to protect every citizen regardless of their location or political leanings.

You are constitutionally charged with the security of every Kenyan, from Moyale to Mombasa; from Elgeyo Marakwet to Busia; and from Sugoi to Tseikuru.

Musyoka noted that the attackers, suspected to be members of a pastoralist community, had already signaled their intent by illegally encroaching on the Mwingi North Game Reserve. He argued that the authorities had ample warning of the rising tensions before the first shots were fired.

Their encroachment was reported. The tension was documented. So I ask you directly, CS Murkomen: why were armed men allowed to move freely through Kitui County carrying AK-47 rifles, while the people of Tseikuru had nothing but their bare hands?

The former vice president lamented that this tragedy follows a long-standing pattern of neglect. He detailed how thousands of armed migrants have moved into Tseikuru, Kyuso, Malalani, and Twambui over several years, leading to the displacement of families and the closure of local schools.

This regime has consistently failed to respond with any decisive, lasting action.

Musyoka laid the blame for the massacre at the feet of the state, suggesting that administrative apathy created the environment for such an atrocity.

The blood of these seven Kenyans is not only on the hands of their killers. It is also on the hands of a government that has turned away from the suffering of the people of Ukambani.

Musyoka challenged the Inspector General of Police to act swiftly by deploying a robust security contingent to Tseikuru and the greater Mwingi North area. He insists that a standard response is insufficient, calling instead for a comprehensive criminal probe to bring every perpetrator to justice.

I further call for a full criminal investigation and for the arrest and prosecution of every individual involved.

Beyond immediate arrests, the Wiper leader pressured the state to launch a total disarmament exercise throughout Kitui County. He argued that the government must strip all illegal firearms from the region regardless of the owners backgrounds or affiliations.

To the families of the seven Kenyans killed yesterday, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters cut down in a marketplace in the afternoon sun, I grieve with you and stand with you. I give you my word that their deaths will not be buried under the weight of political convenience.

The former area legislator reminded the current administration that the protection of human life remains the states most basic, non-negotiable obligation. He finished his address by characterizing the massacre as definitive proof of the regimes inability to safeguard its own people.

Yesterday, in Tseikuru, this regime failed spectacularly in that duty.
Ahead of the Foreign Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand, the country's Prime Minister took to social media platform X to highlight the significance of the deal. Luxon described the pact as a "once-in-a-generation agreement" that gives New Zealand exporters unprecedented access to 1.4 billion people and an economy on track to become the world's third-largest. "Just over a year ago, I met with Prime Minister Modi in India. We agreed then, that we'd launch negotiations on a free trade agreement. For decades, many people said it couldn't be done. But tonight, that deal gets signed," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posted on X on Sunday, setting the stage for a landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to be signed on Monday, April 27. "It means more jobs on farms and orchards, it means more money coming into local communities, and it means more opportunities for your family to get ahead," he said, highlighting the economic and social benefits for Kiwi communities. The announcement was confirmed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his visit to Agra with New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay. Goyal said the agreement was finalised after years of discussions at the highest level, including between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Luxon. "On the bilateral trade agreement between India and New Zealand... after many years of discussions... it is going to be signed tomorrow," he said. The FTA is expected to significantly improve market access for Indian goods, with approximately 70% of exports to New Zealand entering duty-free. Goyal emphasised that the deal will open fresh export opportunities for traditional and MSME-driven sectors, particularly in leather, handloom and handicrafts. "We will get new opportunities for our Agra leather business and Uttar Pradesh handloom and handicrafts... to our one district one product... to our carpenters who make the goods to the handcarvers and many more opportunities," he noted. Goyal added that the agreement would act as a catalyst for trade growth in the coming months. "In a few months, it will be a means of increasing trade between India and New Zealand," he said, underlining its role in deepening economic engagement and strengthening bilateral ties. McClay, who joined Goyal in Agra for industry engagements, called the bilateral relationship the strongest he has 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," he told ANI. He expressed optimism about increased connectivity, saying direct flights between India and New Zealand could soon become a reality, along with greater tourism flows. The signing comes after prolonged negotiations that many had considered unlikely given the historical complexities of a deal between the two economies. For India, the agreement expands export avenues for MSMEs and artisans, while for New Zealand, it provides a strategic gateway to one of the fastest-growing major economies globally. Both sides see the FTA as a milestone that transforms a shared historical relationship into a robust, people-centred partnership, with the potential to unlock new avenues for farmers, skilled professionals, businesses and local communities across both countries. (ANI)
PNN New Delhi [India], April 27: A moment of immense pride and recognition for India's healthcare and social service sector was witnessed as Dr. Basant Goel, CEO and Founder of Goel Medicos, was honoured at two distinguished international events held on separate dates in New Delhi. Known globally for his philanthropic leadership, Dr. Goel was recognized for his outstanding contributions to healthcare, blood donation awareness, social welfare, and nation-building initiatives. Honoured as Special Guest and Guest of Honour at Rashtriya Ratna Samman 2026On April 25, 2026, a grand ceremony titled "Rashtriya Ratna Samman 2026" was held at Bharat Mandapam, Auditorium-2, New Delhi. The event brought together eminent dignitaries, diplomats, industrial leaders, and social reformers from India and abroad to celebrate individuals who have made remarkable contributions to society. Dr. Basant Goel was felicitated as a Special Guest and Guest of Honour for his exceptional service to humanity. He was also acknowledged with prestigious titles including World-Renowned Philanthropist, Blood Man of India, Medicine Man of India, and leadership of one of the world's most respected pharmacy-driven healthcare initiatives through Goel Medicos. The honour was presented by acclaimed actress and Padma Shri awardee Kangana Ranaut, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and presented the official certificate of recognition. In his address, Dr. Goel emphasized the importance of patriotism, unity, and service to the nation. He stated that "Country First" must be the guiding principle of every citizen and urged youth to stay away from divisive thinking and focus on nation-building. He also highlighted the significance of cow protection, cultural values, and social harmony, while advocating for "Cow Therapy" as a means of mental well-being and positivity. He further expressed concern over rising cybercrime and substance abuse among youth and called for collective social responsibility to address these challenges. Dr. Goel reiterated that true development of India by 2047 will only be possible when every citizen contributes selflessly with a "nation-first" mindset. Global Recognition at WOW Talk, New Delhi In another prestigious recognition, on April 24, 2026, Dr. Basant Goel was honoured at the WOW Talk event held at Hotel Jaypee Siddharth, New Delhi. The event witnessed the presence of international ambassadors, diplomats, and distinguished global personalities. Dr. Goel was felicitated on stage for his remarkable humanitarian contributions and was widely acknowledged for his global identity as the "Blood Man of India" and "Medicine Man of India." His work in healthcare, blood donation drives, social service, and cow welfare has earned him recognition across more than 50 countries. As a Star Guest and Chief Speaker, Dr. Goel addressed the audience on topics of healthcare, humanity, Sanatan values, and global unity. His presence at the event was widely appreciated as a symbol of India's growing influence in global humanitarian leadership. A Legacy of Global Humanitarian Leadership Dr. Basant Goel has represented India in over 50 countries as a Special Guest of Honour, promoting healthcare awareness and humanitarian service at an international level. Through Goel Medicos, he continues to lead impactful initiatives in medicine distribution, blood donation awareness, healthcare accessibility, and social upliftment. His philosophy, "Human Service is the Highest Service," continues to inspire thousands across the world. (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.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met newly appointed NITI Aayog Full-Time Member Dr Gobardhan Das, describing his personal journey as "very inspiring" and praising his contribution to public health and immunology. "Met Prof. Gobardhan Das Ji this morning. His personal life journey is very inspiring. Every struggle he faced only strengthened his commitment to serve society and make it free from suffering," the Prime Minister posted on X. He added that Dr Das' scholarship and research will enrich India's policy-making architecture. Dr Das, the Director of IISER Bhopal and a celebrated molecular scientist with nearly three decades of work in immunology, infectious diseases and cell biology, was recently inducted into the national think tank as part of its expanded full-time membership. His appointment comes as India refines its long-term economic and social strategies under NITI Aayog ahead of the 2047 centenary of independence. Speaking in Kolkata shortly after receiving accolades from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Dr Das hailed his induction as a moment of pride for West Bengal. "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," he said. Aligning his objectives with the Prime Minister's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision, Dr Das outlined a holistic and inclusive approach to policy-making. "Our country is progressing very rapidly right now. We need to take the country much further... 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," he said, stressing that national strength lies in ensuring no individual is left behind. Dr Das emphasised the need for a development model that bridges high-tech research with grassroots social welfare. As an academic administrator and scientist, his induction is expected to bring a data-driven, research-oriented perspective to NITI Aayog, with a focus on translating scientific innovation into practical outcomes for rural and marginalised populations. His inclusion alongside senior economist Dr Ashok Lahiri, who has been appointed as Vice Chairperson, gives West Bengal two eminent representatives in the council's new team. The Prime Minister also congratulated Dr Rajiv Gauba, Prof K V Raju, Prof Abhay Karandikar and Dr M Srinivas on becoming Full-Time Members of NITI Aayog. PM Modi noted that every challenge Dr Das faced only deepened his commitment to public service, a quality reflected in his work on public health and immunology. With India aiming to accelerate growth and strengthen its policy framework over the next two decades, Dr Das's expertise is expected to play a key role in shaping strategies across science, health and inclusive development. (ANI)
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand is expected to provide a boost to India's textile exports and support the sector's aspiration of reaching USD 350 billion by 2030, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said. According to Confederation of Indian Textile Industry, the FTA will strengthen efforts by textile and apparel exporters to reduce dependence on select markets and move up the value chain. The industry body said the agreement will provide duty-free access to Indian textiles in the New Zealand market. CITI said "made-up textile articles" were the fourth-largest category of Indian imports into New Zealand in the year ended December 2025, citing data from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It added that New Zealand's imports of Indian made-up textile articles stood at NZ$80.22 million during the period. CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran said, "Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension in West Asia, the signing of the FTA between India and New Zealand comes as a breath of fresh air for India's textile and apparel exporters." Chandran added that New Zealand, being a high-income and quality-conscious market, can serve as a validation for Indian textile products in terms of quality and pricing. He noted that this could support exporters in scaling up the value chain and creating more jobs by leveraging multiple FTAs signed by India. CITI said segments such as sustainable textiles, home textiles and technical textiles offer strong growth potential in the New Zealand market. The industry body added that New Zealand's position as a major exporter of high-quality wool could help Indian companies import premium raw material and manufacture high-end garments for export. India's textile and apparel sector is the country's second-largest employer and a key contributor to GDP and exports, with a target of reaching USD 100 billion in exports by 2030 as part of the broader USD 350 billion industry goal, CITI said. (ANI)
A potential Samsung labor union strike in Korea could shake trust in the chip supply chain and compromise the company's standing as a reliable global provider. According to a report by The Korea Herald, Samsung Electronics is faced with the prospect of significant production setbacks if its labor union proceeds with a planned strike scheduled for next month. According to the report, Song Heon-jae, a professor of economics at the University of Seoul, spoke at a recent seminar hosted by the Ahnmin Policy Forum regarding the financial implications of such a move. He noted that a shutdown of chip plants cost Samsung tens of billions of won per minute. This translates to approximately 1 trillion won, or USD 677 million per day. A prolonged strike threatened to shave as much as 10 trillion won from chip operating profits. Immediate production loss was secondary to the long-term risk of losing the company's status as a stable supplier. "Global big tech clients could begin looking at alternative suppliers such as TSMC as part of efforts to spread risk," the report quoted Song. "In the semiconductor industry, where process verification takes enormous time and money, customers who leave are difficult to win back." Recent activity from Samsung's joint labor action committee already showed signs of operational strain. As per the report, the committee, which included the Samsung Electronics Labor Union and the National Samsung Electronics Union, reported disruptions at the Pyeongtaek chip complex during a night shift rally, with 40,000 union members attending the event. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., production performance fell 18.4 per cent at memory fabs and 58.1 per cent at foundry fabs. The report noted that Song emphasized that major clients like Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia placed a high priority on supply stability. He suggested that even a limited disruption acted as a blow to Samsung's credibility. The damage included the erosion of customer trust, market share losses, and missed opportunities in the artificial intelligence chip race. "Semiconductor technology can lose competitiveness after falling behind by just one or two years," the report quoted Song. "At a time when Nvidia, TSMC and Intel are fighting for leadership in AI chips, Samsung cannot afford to spend resources on internal disputes." The labor unions demanded an end to the cap on performance-based bonuses and a more transparent calculation system. They sought to remove the rule that limited performance pay to 50 per cent of annual salary and asked for 15 per cent of operating profit to be allocated to the bonus pool. "The walkout is expected to begin with a gathering near Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong's residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The Samsung Electronics Labor Union filed a rally notice with Yongsan Police Station on Friday for an event near Lee's home at around 1 p.m. on May 21, the first day of the planned strike," the report mentioned. If carried out, it would mark Samsung Electronics' second general strike since its founding in 1969, following a 25-day walkout in July 2024, according to the report. (ANI)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], April 27: Marking Earth Day, the Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a leading FMCG conglomerate and multi-business corporation, strengthened its portfolio-wide climate action strategy that embeds sustainability into core business decision-making across its diverse operations. Aligned with India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the DS Group's roadmap focuses on decarbonization, resource efficiency and responsible growth. A comprehensive Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory for FY 2024-25, covering operations, energy use and the supply chain, is being developed in alignment with Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions to enable targeted, data-led interventions across the value chain at DS Group. This rigorous audit covers the full spectrum of emissions, including direct operations, purchased energy, and critical supply chain activities. By identifying the most significant emission drivers across its entire value chain, DS Group is moving from broad intent to focused, data-backed interventions. This scientific approach ensures that the DS Group can address its carbon footprint with precision, offering tangible relief to the environment while hardwiring climate considerations into its internal governance and future decision-making processes. Announcing this, on the Earth Day, Mr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group said, "This multi-dimensional strategy prioritizes decarbonization and resource integrity as non-negotiable metrics. The DS Group is accelerating its transition toward renewable energy to decrease the carbon intensity of its products and services, while simultaneously advancing circular economy principles to manage water and materials with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, by engaging supply chain partners in sustainable sourcing, DS Group is mitigating the indirect environmental impacts that often go unaddressed. This commitment goes beyond mere compliance, actively shaping the DS Group's identity and ensuring that every strategic decision is fueled by a clear, intentional drive to create meaningful impact. Every future expansion will now be screened through a climate-risk lens to ensure that growth remains aligned to India's updated NDC Goals." In the Indian industrial landscape, the proactive stance of DS Group serves as a vital blueprint for how private enterprises can catalyze the nation's green transition. By voluntarily adopting high standards for carbon accounting, the DS Group proves that leadership driven by internal values creates a lasting ripple effect for the community. The progress is anchored in a robust governance framework, with zero regulatory non-compliance, stakeholder complaints, product recalls on account of quality issues, 100% pay parity and zero data breaches, besides focussed commitment towards renewable energy adoption. Going forward, DS Group will evaluate all investments through a climate-risk lens while advancing renewable energy adoption, circularity and responsible sourcing across its ecosystem. About DS GroupThe DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is a one of the leading FMCG conglomerates and a Multi-Business Corporation with a strong Indian and International presence. Founded in the year 1929, it is an inspiring and successful business story that blends a remarkable history and legacy with visionary growth. It has an extensive and diverse portfolio with presence in Food and Beverage, Confectionery, Mouth Freshener, Hospitality, Agri, Luxury Retail businesses, and other investments. Catch, Pulse, Pass Pass, Silver Pearls, Ksheer, Rajnigandha, Ovino, L'Opera, Le Marche, Birthright, LuvIt, Chingles, Golmol, Namah are some of the leading brands, the Group proudly shelters today. As a corporate, DS Group is guided by a clear set of values that are built on a strong foundation of collective good to give back to society and protect the planet. The DS Headquarters has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, under the USGBC (US Green Building Council) existing building O&M (Operation and Maintenance) program version 4.0. The DS Headquarters has also received LEED Zero Carbon Certification, by the USGBC. DS Group has aligned its financial performance with global ESG priorities with the launch of a pioneering Double Materiality Assessment across all businesses. Further demonstrating its environmental leadership, the DS Group has a water positivity index at 1.8 across its business units in 30 locations of India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
The United States intensified its campaign to disrupt the primary revenue streams of the Iranian regime as Economic Fury targeted global networks fueling Iran's oil trade and shadow fleet. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC, sanctioned the China-based independent teapot refinery, Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co., Ltd., on Friday, April 24. According to the US Treasury Department, the refinery is one of Iran's largest customers for crude oil and petroleum products, having purchased billions of dollars' worth of Iranian energy exports. The Treasury simultaneously targeted approximately 40 shipping firms and vessels that operate as part of a shadow fleet. These vessels provide a financial lifeline to the regime by transporting petroleum and petrochemicals to global markets. The US sanctions are part of a broader strategy to disrupt the revenue that enables Tehran's activities across the Middle East. Since February 2025, OFAC has sanctioned over 1,000 Iran-related persons, vessels, and aircraft as part of this campaign of maximum economic pressure. "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," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "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. Any person or vessel facilitating these flows--through covert trade and finance--risks exposure to U.S. sanctions." As per the Treasury, China's independent oil refineries, colloquially known as teapots, purchase the majority of Iran's crude oil. Hengli Petrochemical, which is the second-largest teapot refinery in China, emerged as a valued customer for Tehran. Since at least 2023, the refinery received Iranian oil cargoes from several sanctioned shadow fleet vessels, including the BIG MAG, the GALE, and the ARES. These three vessels alone delivered over five million barrels of Iranian crude oil to the facility. The Treasury also highlighted that beyond commercial trade, the refinery played an outsized role in purchasing oil from Iran's armed forces. It reported that Hengli received shipments overseen by Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company, which is the oil sales arm of Iran's Armed Forces General Staff. These transactions generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian military. "Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets persons operating in Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors and is in furtherance of the President's National Security Presidential Memorandum 2 (NSPM-2), which undergirds Treasury's continued campaign of maximum economic pressure against Iran's shadow banking, money laundering, and sanctions evasion networks," the Treasury Department stated. At the time of filing this report, shares of Hengli Petrochemical stood at 21.10 CNY, down by 2.34 CNY or (-9.98%) after the imposed sanctions on Friday. (ANI)
India and New Zealand signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Monday, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic ties, with the pact expected to bring deep tariff cuts, expanded market access and enhanced services cooperation. The deal signed between India's Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand, Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McKlay is being described as one of India's fastest concluded bilateral trade deals. The FTA discussion concluded in December 2025, after negotiations that began in March the same year, is being described as one of India's fastest trade deals to move from negotiations to signing in just nine months. The agreement follows earlier negotiations that had stalled after multiple rounds, primarily over concerns related to India's dairy sector. The renewed deal reflects a more calibrated approach, balancing market access with sectoral sensitivities. Under the pact, New Zealand has committed to invest around USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years, while also easing trade barriers and simplifying standards and dispute settlement mechanisms. Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries has shown fluctuations in recent years, with India's exports and imports both witnessing periodic rises. Services trade has gained momentum, with India's services exports to New Zealand rising by about 13 per cent to reach USD 634 million in 2024, while imports grew by around 7 per cent to USD 611 million. Key Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, and precious stones, whereas imports from New Zealand are dominated by wool, metals, fruits, nuts and aluminium. India stands to benefit from immediate tariff elimination by New Zealand on a large number of product lines. Currently, duties of roughly 10 per cent apply on several Indian exports across categories such as textiles, leather goods, carpets, ceramics and automotive components. The removal of these barriers is expected to boost competitiveness. Agricultural exports, including tea, coffee and spices are also likely to see improved market access. India has offered market access on roughly 70 per cent of tariff lines while keeping about 30 per cent excluded. Tariffs will be eliminated immediately on nearly 30 per cent of goods, while over one-third will see phased reductions. A small proportion will be subject to limited tariff cuts, and certain items will fall under quota-based concessions. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt have been kept out of the agreement, reflecting India's domestic sensitivities. Several other categories--including certain animal products, sugar, oils, gems and jewellery, and some metals--are also excluded. However, selected agricultural products like apples, kiwifruit and manuka honey will be allowed under tariff rate quotas, enabling controlled imports while facilitating technology transfer and productivity improvements through cooperation initiatives. New Zealand has agreed to open over 100 services sectors to Indian providers and extend favourable treatment across a wider range of sub-sectors. In return, India will liberalise more than 100 services segments for New Zealand, though preferential treatment will apply to a smaller subset. The agreement includes provisions to ease mobility of professionals and students. There will be no cap on Indian students, with extended post-study work opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Additionally, up to 5,000 visas will be available at any time for skilled Indian professionals across sectors such as IT, healthcare, education, construction and traditional wellness fields. The agreement will require ratification by both countries before implementation. While India will complete the process through executive approval, New Zealand will need parliamentary clearance, which could take several months. Once operational, the FTA is expected to significantly deepen trade and investment flows, while opening new avenues for cooperation across goods, services and human capital. (ANI)
The report said the surge in investment demand was led by gold ETFs and bar-and-coin buying, supported by safe-haven demand, portfolio diversification and geopolitical uncertainty.

It added that jewellery consumption has seen a relative decline, with its share falling below 60 per cent of total gold purchases in CY25 compared to a long-term average of around 70 per cent.

According to CareEdge Ratings, global gold demand reached an all-time high of around 5,000 metric tonnes in CY25, up about 8 per cent year-on-year, driven primarily by strong investment demand despite high prices and macroeconomic headwinds.

Global investment demand rose to 2,175 metric tonnes in CY25, surpassing the previous record of 1,805 metric tonnes in CY20, with ETF investments contributing over 800 metric tonnes, the report said.

In India, ETF investments added 37.5 tonnes in CY25, exceeding the combined investment of the past 10 years, reflecting strong investor participation.

The report noted that gold prices have entered a high-price regime supported by structural demand shifts, central bank buying and ongoing global uncertainties.

Despite high prices, jewellery demand in India remained resilient in value terms, rising about 10 per cent year-on-year to Rs 4.8 lakh crore in CY25, although volumes declined by 15 per cent due to preference for lighter and lower-carat jewellery.

CareEdge Ratings said organised jewellers are expected to benefit from the trend, with revenue growth projected at around 35 per cent year-on-year in FY26 and 20-25 per cent in FY27, supported by store expansion and market share gains from sector formalisation.

The report added that margins are expected to expand in FY26 due to inventory gains, before normalising in FY27 amid range-bound gold prices and higher operating expenses from new store additions. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], April 27: MeetingKart (meetingkart.com), a new-age student networking platform, today announced its official launch, offering Indian students the ability to connect with peers nationwide through affordable 1:1 video calls. Priced at just 24 for a 5-minute session, MeetingKart aims to democratize access to real conversations around studies, career guidance, and shared experiences. In an increasingly digital world where students rely heavily on social media and static content, MeetingKart introduces a simple yet powerful concept: real-time, human connection. Whether it's understanding a college experience, exploring career paths, preparing for interviews, or getting advice from someone who's "been there," the platform enables direct interaction in a structured and accessible way. "Students often struggle to find the right guidance at the right time," said the founder of MeetingKart. "We wanted to create a platform where anyone can reach out to another student, have a quick conversation, and gain clarity all at a price point that feels effortless." Bridging the Gap Between Curiosity and ClarityMeetingKart is designed to serve a wide range of student needs. From undergrad students exploring postgrad/internship options to postgrads seeking jobs or career direction, the platform connects users with peers who can share firsthand insights. Unlike traditional mentorship platforms that are often expensive or limited to experts, MeetingKart focuses on peer-to-peer interactions. The belief is simple: students learn best from other students who are just a few steps ahead in the same journey. Users can browse profiles, choose who they want to connect with, and initiate a 5-minute video call instantly or schedule it for later. Each session is short, focused, and efficient making it easy to fit into a busy student schedule. Monetization for Student CreatorsA unique aspect of MeetingKart is its built-in monetization model. Students who take calls on the platform earn 20 per session, enabling them to monetize their knowledge, experiences, and time. 4 is kept by meetingkart as platform fee. This creates a win-win ecosystem: - Callers get affordable, relevant advice - Hosts earn income by helping others For example, a student from IIM can share preparation tips with aspirants, a design student can guide someone on portfolio building, or a commerce student can explain internship pathways. Every experience becomes valuable. "MeetingKart is not just a networking tool it's an opportunity for students to build personal brands and earn while helping others," the founder added. Simple, Transparent PricingAt just 24 for a 5-minute call, MeetingKart removes the friction typically associated with paid consultations. There are no hidden fees or complicated pricing tiers. The low entry barrier encourages experimentation and frequent usage. The platform also ensures that hosts are fairly compensated, keeping the majority of the revenue with them. This transparency builds trust and encourages more students to participate actively. Built for India, Designed for ScaleMeetingKart is built specifically with Indian students in mind, addressing challenges like accessibility, affordability, and relevance. The platform supports a wide range of use cases, including: - College selection guidance - Exam preparation strategies - Career exploration (tech, consulting, startups, etc.) - Internship and placement advice - Skill-building discussions - Peer networking and collaboration With India's massive student population and growing demand for personalized guidance, MeetingKart is positioned to scale rapidly across cities and educational segments. Early Adoption and GrowthSince its soft launch, MeetingKart has already seen strong interest from students across top colleges and universities. Early users have highlighted the platform's ease of use, affordability, and the value of real conversations over passive content consumption. "I spoke to a senior from my dream college for just 24 it gave me more clarity than hours of YouTube videos," said one early user. Another student shared, "I started taking calls about my internship experience and made money while helping others. It feels great to contribute." The Future of Student NetworkingMeetingKart envisions becoming the go-to platform for student interactions in India. Future updates may include longer session options, group discussions, verified expert profiles, and AI-powered recommendations to match users with the most relevant peers. At its core, the platform is built on a simple idea: everyone has something valuable to share, and someone else is willing to pay a small amount to learn it. About MeetingKartMeetingKart is a peer-to-peer video networking platform that enables Indian students to connect for short, meaningful conversations. With sessions priced at 24 for 5 minutes and a creator-first earning model, MeetingKart is redefining how students seek guidance, share knowledge, and build connections. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed today in the national capital, marks a landmark moment in the India-New Zealand partnership and will benefit farmers, youth, women, MSMEs, artisans, startups, students and innovators. PM Modi said that the FTA will add unprecedented momentum to India-New Zealand developmental partnership. "Today marks a landmark moment in the India-New Zealand partnership! I am delighted that the India-New Zealand FTA signed today will add unprecedented momentum to our developmental partnership. It reflects the deep trust, shared values and ambition that bind our two nations," PM Modi said in a post on X responding to a post by his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon. PM Modi said the FTA will open new avenues for growth and deepen synergy across sectors. "This agreement will greatly benefit our farmers, youth, women, MSMEs, artisans, startups, students and innovators. It will open new avenues for growth, create opportunities and deepen our synergy across sectors. The investment commitment of $20 billion by New Zealand will further strengthen our cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology, paving the way for a more prosperous and dynamic future for both countries," the Prime Minister said. In his post, the New Zealand Prime Minister said that the agreement matters not just because of what it does economically, but because of what it says strategically. "Today, we mark a historic milestone in the relationship between India and New Zealand: the signing of our Free Trade Agreement. It was only 13 months ago that I travelled to India to meet with Prime Minister Modi and launch Free Trade Agreement negotiations. India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, but our trade relationship has only begun to scratch the surface of its potential. Prime Minister Modi and I could see that an FTA would be a massive opportunity for both our two countries," he said. "Since my visit last March, Ministers Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay, and their officials, have worked tirelessly to negotiate a deal. The outcome of that hard work is a deal that delivers for India and for New Zealand. My congratulations to Minister Goyal, Minister McClay and all the negotiators who made this possible," he added. PM Luxon said that for New Zealand, the FTA opens the door to one of the world's most dynamic markets and creates unprecedented opportunities to trade, invest, innovate and connect. "This deal will help diversify New Zealand's export markets, support the goal of doubling the value of our exports over 10 years, and put New Zealand exporters on a more level playing field with competitors already enjoying preferential access in India," he said. "For India, this deal means growth, innovation and new opportunities. It gives Indian exporters tariff-free access to the New Zealand market from day one, and it gives Indian consumers improved access to our high-quality exports. It creates new ways for India to partner with New Zealand on agricultural productivity and benefit from New Zealand's world-leading agri-tech and food-production expertise. This agreement matters not just because of what it does economically, but because of what it says strategically," he added. PM Luxon said that the FTA is a clear commitment by both sides to stable, predictable, and rules-based trade at a time of global uncertainty. "And the India-New Zealand story is about more than trade. New Zealand and India are building a relationship that is bigger, deeper and more exciting every year - across trade, investment, defence, sport, and innovation," he said. "New Zealand's vibrant Indian diaspora is central to the strong relationship between our two countries. In Prime Minister Modi's words, the diaspora is a 'living bridge' between New Zealand and India. The contribution of the Indian community to New Zealand is immense: in business, in science, in education, in health, in the arts, in sport, and in communities right across the country. While today is a big milestone, it is also just the beginning. We are excited about the next chapter in India-New Zealand relations," he added. Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal read a message from PM Modi during the FTA signing ceremony. In his message, the Prime Minister said that the agreement marks a milestone in India's journey towards deeper global engagement and shared prosperity. He said the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement reflects the strengthening bilateral economic partnership and a convergence of values, trust and shared ambition between two vibrant democracies. He congratulated the people of the two countries, especially the youth, "who are the heartbeat of our economies". "Modern and balanced, this FTA synergizes the complementarities of our two economies through collaborations that drive collective growth. The FTA catalyzes new opportunities for our farmers, artisans, youth, entrepreneurs, women, and MSMEs unlocking pathways for global market access and enterprise across sectors from agriculture and manufacturing to technology, education and services," he said. PM Modi said the agreement reaffirms the commitment to deepen bilateral ties, grounded in democratic values and strong people-to-people connections. "The agricultural productivity partnership and Centers of Excellence bring together New Zealand's advanced agricultural expertise and India's national priorities to drive transformational gains in productivity and infrastructure while delivering meaningful benefits to our farmers and rural economies. In the last decade or so, India has been working to become a significant part of the global supply chain in manufacturing," he said. "Our Make in India flagship initiative offers synergy to New Zealand's investment commitment of US dollars 20 billion in India, and delivers a vibrant partnership that goes beyond trade. This will support the startup ecosystem, entrepreneurs, innovators, women-led enterprises, MSMEs, energising job creation and redefining innovation, driven growth," he added. The Prime Minister said India is a nation with one of the largest populations of youth and the skills, strengths and talents of the country's youth are lauded worldwide. "The FTA recognizes the importance of skills, talent and mobility in shaping future growth across sectors and in new and emerging technologies. It expands opportunities for talented, skilled professionals - our youth and students. As a pioneering collaboration, the FTA promotes the global relevance of traditional knowledge systems of both countries, including organics, Ayush and yoga, thereby bridging our traditions with future opportunities to expand the dimensions of our partnership," he said. "By aligning our strengths, we will advance supply chain resilience and build affordable, competitively priced goods and services, creating new engines of growth for both nations. Our collaboration will be a decisive and win-win alliance that benefits the citizens of both nations. Let us build the future together defined by a shared purpose and shared aspirations of our people," he added. India and New Zealand today signed the India- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (IN- NZ FTA) at Bharat Mandapam to strengthen India's global economic partnerships. The Agreement was signed by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay. The signing ceremony brought together businesses and industry leaders from both countries, with Todd McClay leading a cross-party delegation of Members of Parliament and over 30 New Zealand businesses. (ANI)
The Canadian government has launched the country's first sovereign wealth fund called the Canada Strong Fund. It is designed to support a series of nation-building projects, with targeted developments in energy, trade, transport, data, and critical minerals to increase national resilience. According to an address by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the fund is aimed to catalyze projects that generate economic growth and provide the necessary resources for national self-sufficiency. He also urged the public to join in and invest in the future of the country. "The Canada Strong Fund will invest alongside the private sector in nation-building projects to create wealth for Canadians today and our kids tomorrow. And if you have a bit of extra money, we'll make it easy for you to invest in the fund to help build Canada Strong for all," Carney said. Carney stated that the fund is intended to make Canada more independent while creating high-quality jobs. He explained that the initiative allowed the government to invest alongside the private sector to secure long-term wealth. "This is our country. It's your future. And we're building it together. We're catalyzing a series of nation-building projects in energy, in trade, critical minerals, transport, data and beyond. These projects will make Canada stronger, more resilient and more independent," he stated. The Canadian PM emphasized that building together for the country is the future. Highlighting the results of the nation-building projects, Carney stated that, "They'll create good jobs and grow our economy, providing the resources that we need to take care of ourselves and take care of each other." Carney highlighted that Canadians now "are choosing to buy Canadian, to explore Canadian, and build Canadian. Because it's our country, and we're building our future together." (ANI)
Industry leaders and trade bodies on Monday welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it a "significant milestone" that is expected to boost exports, attract investments, and deepen economic ties between the two countries. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said the agreement is a "forward-looking step" that will shape the next phase of bilateral engagement. "Anchored in shared priorities of trade diversification, innovation, and sustainability, the agreement lays a strong foundation for a more dynamic, resilient, and future-ready partnership," the industry body said. Highlighting the trade benefits, CII noted that "the FTA's provision of 100% duty-free access for Indian exports is expected to unlock significant opportunities for trade expansion in the coming years," adding that sectors such as transport, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and electronics are likely to scale up exports. The agreement aims to double bilateral trade to USD 5 billion over the next five years, signalling "strong growth potential and renewed momentum in economic ties," it added. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, "The FTA marks a significant milestone for Indian industry and will substantially enhance the competitiveness of Indian exports... it unlocks new avenues for scale, market diversification, and sustained export growth." Reacting to the pact, Agneshwar Sen, Trade Policy Leader at EY India, said the agreement is a "significant win for India." He added, "New Zealand's offer to eliminate duties on 100% of its tariff lines... means Indian goods in textiles, apparel, leather, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and auto components enter New Zealand duty-free." He further highlighted that India has safeguarded sensitive sectors. "Dairy, edible oils, sugar, spices, onions, and key agricultural commodities are explicitly excluded from India's concession list, protecting domestic farmers and industry," Sen said. On services and mobility, Sen noted that the agreement "opens mobility pathways for Indian professionals in IT, healthcare, engineering, and education," while also supporting India's ambition to become a global food processing hub. Corporate leaders also flagged new business opportunities. Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO and MD of Mahindra Group, said, "The India-New Zealand FTA... creates new opportunities across farm solutions, mobility, technology, and hospitality, while enabling innovation and more resilient supply chains." Meanwhile, Anant Swaroop, Secretary General of FICCI, called it a "historic occasion," stating, "It could open new doors for Indian exporters... AYUSH has also been recognised as a system of wellness for the first time. That would also promote India's soft power to the rest of the world." Industry experts also highlighted the investment dimension of the agreement. CII pointed out that New Zealand's commitment to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment over 15 years could "catalyze the development of industrial infrastructure, manufacturing ecosystems, and innovation clusters across India." The FTA is also expected to boost collaboration in emerging sectors. According to CII, "the agreement opens up promising avenues for future collaboration across high-growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agritech, digital technologies, and pharmaceuticals." India and New Zealand signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Monday, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic ties, with the pact expected to bring deep tariff cuts, expanded market access and enhanced services cooperation. The deal signed between India's Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand, Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McKlay is being described as one of India's fastest concluded bilateral trade deals. (ANI)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 27: PropertyPistol will host the Syndicate Synergy Summit in Mumbai on April 28, 2026, bringing together over 700 brokers and leading developers from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, along with senior officials from the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA). The Summit aims to create a high-impact platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business growth. The event comes amid a structural shift in India's real estate brokerage ecosystem, with growing emphasis on formalisation, transparency, and technology adoption. Designed as more than a conventional networking forum, the Summit seeks to strengthen broker-developer integration, enable standardised practices, and drive more efficient, transparent deal-making. Speaking on the upcoming event, Ashish Narain Agarwal, Founder & MD of PropertyPistol said, "India's real estate market continues to evolve, with increasing emphasis on transparency, speed, and data-driven decision-making. Brokers today are key drivers of demand, particularly in high-growth markets like Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, where buyer expectations are becoming more informed and opportunity-led." "With the Syndicate Synergy Summit, we aim to bring together a diverse ecosystem of developers and channel partners, enabling stronger collaboration, better access to opportunities, and more informed decision-making. Backed by technology and market intelligence, the initiative is focused on helping brokers scale efficiently while delivering greater value to developers and homebuyers," the spokesperson added. With infrastructure growth and evolving buyer preferences reshaping demand, the Summit will facilitate direct engagement, improve inventory access, and accelerate transaction cycles. A key highlight will be the unveiling of technology-led initiatives focused on data-driven insights, real-time inventory, and smarter decision-making. The event will also feature the Synergy Summit Awards, recognising top-performing brokers and reinforcing the industry's shift toward professionalism, performance, and scalable, tech-enabled growth. About PropertyPistol PropertyPistol is a full-stack real-estate services company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Navi Mumbai. Through its technology-driven platform, PropertyPistol brings together builders, buyers, and brokers, enabling seamless transactions across primary sales and home loans, with zero brokerage for buyers. With 30+ offices in India, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, PropertyPistol over the last decade has sold 32000+ homes worth USD 4 billion in transactions and continues to redefine the home-buying experience by placing trust, professionalism, and client satisfaction at the core of every deal. For more information, visit https://www.propertypistol.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Meta has announced two energy partnerships to deliver reliable power for its AI infrastructure and data centres' needs "by advancing innovative energy generation and storage". In a blog post titled 'Powering AI, Strengthening the Grid: Innovation in Space Solar Energy and Long-Duration Storage," Meta said it is partnering with Overview Energy to bring up to 1 GW of space solar energy to Earth. Meta, a US-based multinational technology conglomerate, also said it is partnering with Noon Energy to deploy up to 1 GW/100 GWh of ultra-long-duration energy storage enabling 24/7 clean, reliable power for its next-generation AI data centers. The blog post on the company's website noted that the existing clean energy technologies have limits, as solar depends on sunlight and wind depends on the weather. The technology conglomerate said it is partnering with Overview Energy to bring "up to 1 GW of space solar energy" to Earth. The company said this will help increase the capacity of existing solar farms by enabling energy production around the clock. Explaining the technology, Meta said Overview Energy's satellites will sit in geosynchronous orbit above Earth, where sunlight is constant, and will collect energy in space before beaming it to Earth-based solar facilities. "This means solar farms that currently sit idle at night can keep producing electricity around the clock," Meta said in the blog. The company said the partnership makes Meta one of the first major technology companies to secure a capacity reservation for space solar energy. Referring to the other partnership, Meta said Noon Energy's technology can provide "over 100 hours of energy storage", which is far beyond what lithium-ion batteries currently deliver. Under the partnership, Meta has reserved "up to 1 GW/100 GWh" of ultra-long-duration energy storage capacity, with an initial pilot demonstration project expected to be completed in 2028. Meta said this technology will provide grid resilience and enable baseload energy to support its AI infrastructure around the clock. The company said that both technologies are still early, but noted they are worth backing because they can help unlock more from existing infrastructure and store energy for days at a time. (ANI)
Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) on Monday welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying the pact is expected to significantly boost India's gem and jewellery exports with zero-duty access to the market. India's current gem and jewellery exports to New Zealand stand at around USD 16.61 million, which the industry body expects to rise sharply to nearly USD 50 million over the next three years under the agreement. "In today's turbulent global environment, India's continued progress in advancing and concluding FTAs is enabling the industry to strategically diversify its export markets and reduce overdependence on any single geography such as the US or regions like the GCC," said Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC. "The India-New Zealand FTA, following the Australia agreement, is a timely step in this direction... with zero-duty access under the agreement, we expect this to grow to nearly USD 50 million over the next three years," he added. The council noted that New Zealand's high per capita jewellery consumption offers strong growth potential for Indian exporters. It also highlighted that the agreement gives India a "clear duty advantage over key competitors such as China and Thailand," which is expected to improve competitiveness and expand market share. The FTA is likely to benefit multiple segments, including gold, silver, platinum, studded, contemporary and fashion jewellery, while also supporting employment generation across key manufacturing hubs such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal. "Importantly, this FTA is not just an export opportunity, but also a platform for deeper economic engagement and investment, supporting a more balanced and resilient growth trajectory for the sector," Bhansali said. The GJEPC further said the agreement opens avenues to leverage the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, expand retail presence through local partnerships, and strengthen long-term trade ties in the Oceania region. Recent Indian investments in New Zealand's jewellery retail segment also point to strong long-term growth potential, with the FTA expected to further accelerate bilateral trade and investment flows, the council added. (ANI)
Actor Marissa Bode has alleged that she was denied boarding on a flight due to her disability, prompting a response from the airline involved. Bode, known for playing Nessarose in the film adaptation of 'Wicked', shared her experience in a TikTok video earlier week. In the video, she said, "I was denied boarding a flight because I'm disabled. I wish that were clickbait. I wish that were false, but that is what happened," as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, According to Bode, the incident occurred while she was travelling to a small town in Pennsylvania, where she had to rely on a connecting flight operated by Southern Airways due to limited travel options. She described the airline as "extremely, extremely small." The actor said that after reaching the gate and asking staff for help locating her boarding pass, she was asked whether she could stand. When she responded that she could not, she was allegedly told she would not be allowed to board. "They said, 'I'm sorry, but because of that, we're going to have to deny you boarding,'" Bode recounted, adding that airline staff informed her that all aircraft in the fleet require passengers to climb stairs to board, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Bode further claimed that her manager had contacted the airline in advance to confirm whether accommodations could be made for her wheelchair use. She said the airline had assured them that it would be possible before the ticket was booked. Expressing her frustration, Bode criticised what she described as a lack of accessibility in airline infrastructure. "Disabled people are not an afterthought," she said in the video, calling the situation "blatant segregation." Southern Airways' contract of carriage states that passengers must be able to ascend and descend several steps to board its aircraft. It also notes that, due to the aircraft's small size, holding 28 or fewer passengers, the airline is not required under the Air Carrier Access Act to provide mechanical lift devices for boarding. Following the viral spread of her video, Bode shared an update saying that a director from the airline's mobility department had contacted her. According to the actor, the official was "mortified," apologised for the incident, and confirmed that an internal review is underway. "They are doing an internal look on things and how this happened," Bode said, adding that the airline remains in contact with her to explore improvements for future accessibility. (ANI)
Actor Anne Hathaway has made it clear that her future remains firmly rooted in acting, despite stepping into the shoes of a global music icon in her latest film 'Mother Mary.' At a special screening of the psychological thriller at Metrograph in New York City on April 13, the Oscar-winning actor said she has no intention of trading acting accolades for chart success. "I can't see that happening," Hathaway told People magazine when asked about a possible pop star career. Hathaway plays a global music sensation attempting a comeback tour in 'Mother Mary', where she stars opposite Michaela Coel. The film explores the tensions that resurface when her character reconnects with her former costume designer, Sam Anselm. To prepare for the role, Hathaway immersed herself in the world of pop music, seeking guidance from artist Charli xcx, who contributed to the film's soundtrack, and choreographer Dani Vitale. Both, she said, "were able to give me a lot of insight." "I wanted to talk to her about the music. She wrote such amazing music that I was going to perform," Hathaway said of Charli xcx, adding, "But I also just had a lot of questions for her about what her life was like, what the experience of being a pop star was." Reflecting on what she learned, Hathaway described pop stars as uniquely resilient performers. "And the thing that I just realized about pop stars is they're endurance athletes who can do it all in platform heels," she said, adding, "They are the most charming people on the planet, and they have this crazy self-belief." The experience also reaffirmed her identity as an actor. "Like, they're so driven to share what's inside of them, and it kind of made me realize that I'm really an actress because I like to share what's inside of me through a filter," she explained, adding, "I don't like to just go out there and be like, 'Hey, I'm here.' I like to do it through a filter or a veil." Beyond 'Mother Mary', Hathaway is set to reprise her role as Andy Sachs in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2', the sequel to the 2006 hit. The film sees her character cross paths once again with Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, alongside returning co-stars Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. "I loved making the first," Hathaway said of the original film, adding, "I know I was stressed and anxious and all those things, but it's one of the most hilarious experiences ever because of the people I was with." Praising her co-stars, she added, "Emily Blunt is such a dream of a human being. Stanley is so funny and quick, and Meryl... She's someone I admire. Someone who defines how it's done. Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel, but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist. She's unbelievable." 'Mother Mary' is currently in theatres, while 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' is scheduled to release on May 1. (ANI)
The makers of Manoj Bajpayee-starrer 'Governor: The Silent Saviour' have unveiled new posters from the film, giving fans a fresh look at the actor's character. On Monday, the makers took to Instagram to share the posters featuring Manoj Bajpayee and Adah Sharma along with a caption that read, "This was a war. There were no armies. Just one man... who refused to let a nation fall. GOVERNOR - The Silent Saviour in cinemas on 12th June, 2026." https://www.instagram.com/p/DXn5j0ck1oh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Earlier, the title of the film, backed by producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, was revealed on Manoj Bajpayee's birthday, along with the first poster. The makers, earlier this month, unveiled the posters featuring Bajpayee. One poster showed the actor from the back, walking through a corridor while carrying a suitcase. It carried the tagline, "If I fail... India fails," hinting at a high-stakes story. The film is directed by Chinmay Mandlekar and backed by Sunshine Pictures. It is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and co-produced by Aashin A Shah. The screenplay has been written by Suvendu Bhattacharyjee, Saurabh Bharat, Ravi Asrani, and Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The music for the film has been composed by Amit Trivedi, while the lyrics are written by Javed Akhtar. 'Governor: The Silent Saviour' is set to release on June 12 later this year. Meanwhile, Bajpayee was last seen in 'The Family Man Season 3'. Directed by Raj and DK, the show follows Srikant Tiwari, who finds himself in a difficult situation as he becomes the nation's "most wanted man." (ANI)
Actor Tessa Thompson has praised her Broadway co-star Adrien Brody, describing him as "deeply kind" and a "tremendous actor," as the duo make their Broadway debut with the play The Fear of 13 at the James Earl Jones Theatre in New York City, according to People. Thompson, 42, said working with Brody, 53, has been a rewarding experience, adding that their bond has grown significantly during rehearsals. "It's great. I adore him. He's wonderful in this play. He's a tremendous actor, he's deeply kind," Thompson said, adding that it feels like she has known him for a long time due to their intensive rehearsals. "It feels like I've known him for ages at this point, but it also feels like it's just the beginning," she added, according to People. Brody and Thompson are both making their Broadway debuts in the production, written by Lindsey Ferrentino and based on the real-life story of Nick Yarris, a man who spent 22 years on death row for a crime he did not commit before being exonerated through DNA evidence in 2004. Ferrentino revealed that she had strongly pushed Brody to take on the role of Nick Yarris and praised his commitment to theatre. Brody, who received an Olivier nomination during the play's London run, initially found the experience "intimidating" but said he is grateful for the opportunity. Thompson plays Jacki Miles, a volunteer working on death row who develops a relationship with Yarris. The character is based on a real-life volunteer, though certain details were adapted for the stage. "I knew I wanted to do a play and I especially knew I wanted to do a new play," Thompson told People. "I think there's so many incredible revivals, but the idea of working on something new and fresh and bringing it to audiences. And generally, I think so much about why we tell the stories that we tell and what they're good for and I think stories have the power to really change hearts and minds." She added, "I think our carceral system in this country and our criminal justice system is something that needs a lot of reform and look at. And there's so many different avenues to tell that story, and I thought to be able to do that through a piece of work of theater that is both a true story, but also so inventive in terms of the way that Lindsey Ferrentino has built the world out. I just thought it was such an extraordinary opportunity." The actor also shared that the cast recently celebrated Brody's birthday on April 14 after a performance, describing it as a special moment. "It was very sweet. I'm very grateful to be doing what I love on that day," Brody said, calling his Broadway debut a "big moment" in his life, according to People. Adding to the production team, Kim Kardashian recently joined as a producer, announcing on April 13 that criminal justice reform remains a deeply personal mission for her. She said she is proud to be associated with the project, citing her commitment to advocating for those affected by systemic failures, according to People. The Fear of 13 is currently running at the James Earl Jones Theatre and will continue through July 12. (ANI)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is all praise for the recently released Malayalam film ''Achappa''s Album'', calling it a "beautiful tribute to the families and time." The film is directed by Deepti Pillay Sivan and stars Mohan Agashe alongside Addinath Kothare, Priyanka Nair, Johnny Antony, Anjana Appukuttan and Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan. The film was presented by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Shashi Tharoor called the film a "rare gem" which beautifully explores time-travel adventure and family values. The story follows a mischievous 14-year-old boy who swaps places with his father, a man who, in the present day version of his own father. "I''ve just had the pleasure of watching "Achappa''s Album," a rare gem that manages to be both a whimsical time-travel adventure and a deeply moving exploration of the bonds that define us. The story follows a mischievous 14-year-old boy who, after one prank too many, is given a unique "correction" by his magician grandfather. Through a touch of magic, he swaps places with the 14-year-old version of his own father, a man who, in the present day, is a strict, workaholic stranger to his son." Tharoor also revealed that the film was shot in his ancestral home, ''Mundarath House'', and described it as a "surreal and proud" moment of his life. "Directed with grace by Deepti Pillay Sivan, the film balances humour and sentiment perfectly. It never feels heavy-handed, yet it leaves you reflecting on your own family history. The cinematography is lush and nostalgic. I may be biased, but seeing parts of the film shot at my ancestral home, Mundarath House, was a surreal and proud moment." He continued, "The house felt like a character itself, bridging the gap between generations. It is utterly charming and often laugh-out-loud funny, but it''s those moving moments -- the quiet realisations of a father''s past burdens or a son''s hidden potential --that truly stay with you." The Congress MP described ''Achappa''s Album'' as a heartfelt, intimate film that celebrates family, time, and the memories we all carry. "In an era of loud blockbusters, ''Achappa''s Album'' reminds us that the greatest journeys don''t require a spaceship; just a little magic and a lot of empathy. If you have the chance, please watch this beautiful tribute to family, time, and the ''albums'' of memories we all carry," wrote Tharoor. https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/2048649061839036818 The film was released in theatres on April 24. (ANI)
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit paid tribute to veteran actor Bharat Kapoor, who passed away in Mumbai at the age of 80 years. He described him as a "talented actor" who had an exceptional ability to memorise long scripts. The actor breathed his last in Mumbai, bringing an end to a career that made him a familiar face for generations of viewers. Actor Avtar Gill, who shared a close bond with Bharat Kapoor, confirmed the news of Bharat Kapoor's passing to ANI. "He was sick for the last two to three days. He was at home. He died at home at around 3 pm in the afternoon. And I got a call from his son at around 4-4.30 pm. He had stopped working for a long time," Gill said. In an interview with ANI, Ashoke Pandit called the actor a "fine actor and human being". He described the demise of the actor as a "loss to the industry." Ashoke Pandit, "He was a fine actor and a great human being. As an actor, he also remembered his lines so well. His performance was also good. I have spent a lot of time with Bharat ji and in all three things, film, theatre and television. I have worked with him in all three formats. So it's a loss to the industry, and he was really not well for quite some time." While sharing his work experience with Bharat Kapoor, Ashoke Pandit called Bharat Kapoor a "huge surprise" in front of the camera, as the late actor was a quiet person by nature but was well-known for his villainous roles in the movies. "He was basically a very big surprise on camera. He used to stay quiet, and whenever he was in front of the camera, he used to remember his lines. He used to remember big pages, 8-10 pages. Then, after seeing him, because he was such a sober person, it didn't seem that he would play a negative role. And he looked like a villain or that kind of thing. He had a very soft face, but when he used to come on stage or cinema or television, he used to really be magic, actually, as far as performance is concerned," said Ashoke Pandit. The actor's last rites were held later in the evening in the presence of family members and close friends. Bharat Kapoor began his acting journey in 1972 and built a career that lasted nearly four decades. He became known for his strong supporting parts and villain roles, earning respect in the industry for his steady performances. He was seen in many popular Hindi films over the years, including 'Noorie' (1979), 'Ram Balram' (1980), 'Love Story' (1981), 'Bazaar' (1982), 'Ghulami' (1985), 'Aakhree Raasta' (1986), 'Satyamev Jayate' (1987), 'Swarg' (1990), 'Khuda Gawah' (1992), and 'Rang' (1993). Later, he continued to work in films such as 'Barsaat' (1995), 'Saajan Chale Sasural' (1996), and 'Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities' (2004), showing his ability to stay relevant across changing times in cinema. Apart from films, Bharat Kapoor also worked successfully on television. He appeared in shows like 'Campus,' 'Parampara,' 'Rahat,' 'Saans,' 'Amanat,' 'Tara,' 'Chunauti,' and 'Kahani Chandrakanta Ki.' (ANI)
A political controversy erupted in Bihar's Gaya after BJP MLA Maithili Thakur on Sunday strongly condemned an alleged remark by Independent MP Pappu Yadav, calling it inappropriate and hurtful to women leaders. Reacting to the statement, she said, "This is a very indecent remark... I myself come from a family where we consider what kind of atmosphere the place will have where we are going. My father also encouraged me to enter politics only after trusting me... He has made such a grave accusation against women leaders... I think such people should apologise, although I don't think that even if they do apologise, we will be able to forgive them because they have caused a very serious hurt." Earlier on April 25, amid political controversy over alleged remarks on women in politics, JDU leader Rina Choudhary reacted strongly after an FIR was lodged against Purnea MP Pappu Yadav, calling his statements "deeply insulting" and demanding a public apology. Purnea MP Pappu Yadav had slammed politicians for their attitude towards women and alleged that "90% of women cannot do politics without entering the room of politicians". "The statement he made 2-3 days ago -- it was an insult to women, leaving nothing untouched. We filed an FIR at Shastri Nagar police station, demanding that he apologise publicly and never dare to make such remarks again. If he does, he is unfit to sit in Parliament. His words have hurt not just one woman but women across India, from Bihar to the rest of the country," Rina Choudhary said. She further added, "We ask Pappu Yadav: your own family has been in politics -- your mother, your wife as MP in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Would they accept such comments? Then why demean other women with such disrespect? "On Monday, Pappu Yadav, while speaking on the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill at a press conference, Yadav claimed that women are elevated to the status of goddesses but are not given respect, and the system and society are responsible for it. "In India, women are called goddesses, but they will never be respected here. System and society are responsible for this. 90% of women cannot do politics without entering the room of politicians," he said in remarks seen as very objectionable and controversial. Bihar State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of controversial remarks made by Pappu Yadav about politicians and women in politics, which sparked strong reactions. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav on Sunday slammed Raghav Chadha and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs defecting to the BJP. Yadav's criticism centred on the nature of Rajya Sabha appointments. Unlike members of the Lok Sabha, who are directly elected by the public, Rajya Sabha members are nominated by their parties and elected by state legislative assemblies. Yadav argued that jumping ship after being hand-picked by a party leadership is a fundamental betrayal of trust. "The party due to which you became a Rajya Sabha MP--as you did not get elected [by the public]--the party reposed faith in you and you crossed over to another party. This amounts to treason," Yadav told reporters. Her remarks come after Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal parted ways with the AAP on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party president Nitin Nabin. 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. Meanwhile, Raghav Chadha, on Saturday, after his exit from AAP, alleged that the party has deviated from its core principles and no longer provides space for honest workers. "Today, every true patriot who nurtured the Aam Aadmi Party with their blood and sweat and joined it with great expectations has either left the Aam Aadmi Party or is leaving it. Every honest, hardworking person feels that there is no longer room for work in the Aam Aadmi Party. And the Aam Aadmi Party is now walking on a wrong path that no one wants to be associated with. Consequently, one by one, many leaders have left the Aam Aadmi Party," Chadha said. Following this, Aam Aadmi Party's Youth Wing on Saturday staged aggressive protests against the seven Rajya Sabha MPs who recently merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Demonstrators targeted the residences of these MPs, branding them "Gaddar" (traitor) in a series of coordinated demonstrations across Punjab. (ANI)
Amid rising temperatures and heatwave conditions, Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari on Sunday said the state government has ordered the closure of schools and advanced summer vacations as part of precautionary measures. "In view of the heat wave, the schools have been closed... The summer vacations have been announced in advance... We will ensure zero casualties and fight the heat wave", he told reporters here. Earlier on April 24, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an early summer vacation in schools across the state due to the prevailing heatwave. As per the order, all government, government-aided and private schools will remain closed from April 27, while pre-scheduled examinations and official work will continue as planned. The Chief Minister has approved the related proposal from the School and Mass Education Department. In a post on X, the state's Information and Public Relations Department wrote, "Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an early summer vacation keeping in view the severe heatwave currently sweeping through the state. Keeping the safety of children in mind, the Chief Minister has taken this decision. The Chief Minister has approved the related proposal from the School and Mass Education Department. According to this decision, all government, government-aided, and private schools in the state will remain closed from April 27. However, previously scheduled examinations, census work, and other office tasks will continue as before." Meanwhile, rising temperatures continue to impact several parts of the country. In a separate incident, a 37-year-old man undergoing treatment for sunstroke died on Thursday, highlighting the severity of the heat conditions. The deceased has been identified as Sunil Kumar, a native of Pallippoyil in Kannur. The incident occurred around 11 am on Wednesday while Sunil was engaged in digging a well at his house. He later collapsed and was rushed to a nearby clinic in Pallippoyil before being shifted to a private hospital. Though his condition initially showed signs of improvement, he passed away early in the morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave warnings for multiple regions, with temperatures in several states ranging between 40C and 45C. Similar conditions have been reported in parts of Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, among others. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures ranging between 40C and 45C were recorded over most parts of Vidarbha, many areas of Marathwada and Madhya Pradesh, and at several places in Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.IMD said similar conditions were observed at isolated places over interior Odisha, Rayalaseema, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Gujarat, while temperatures remained in the 36C-40C range over most other parts of the country, except parts of the western Himalayan region and Northeast India, where readings were below 36C. The weather agency added that maximum temperatures were markedly above normal in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh. They were appreciably above normal in several parts of Jharkhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, among others. IMD further stated that above-normal temperatures were recorded in parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and other regions, while near-normal conditions prevailed over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep. (ANI)
Bamboo artisan from Tripura's Gomati district, Bijay Sutradhar, has expressed happiness and gratitude after being praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 133rd edition of the monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat'. Visuals from the workshop of bamboo artisan Bijay Sutradhar showcased his work and reaction following the mention in the Prime Minister's monthly radio programme aired on Sunday. Speaking to ANI, Sutradhar said, "I'm very happy that the Prime Minister mentioned me. I've been working with bamboo for about 25 years... The way he praised me made the people in my village, and me, very happy... I want to thank Tripura Bamboo Mission. They helped me set up a factory." Meanwhile on Sunday, addressing the nation during his 133rd edition of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister spoke about the success of the Northeast in the Bamboo sector. He elaborated that what was once viewed as a burden is now giving new impetus to employment, business, and innovation. According to British law, Bamboo was defined as a tree, and the rules associated with it were very strict. "It was very difficult to transport Bamboo anywhere, and people started moving away from Bamboo-related businesses as a result. Our Government changed the law in 2017 and removed Bamboo from the tree category, and today, the Bamboo sector is flourishing throughout the Northeast," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also mentioned Bijoy Sutradhar of Gomati district of Tripura and Pradeep Chakraborty of South Tripura, who saw a huge opportunity for themselves due to the law change, and integrated their work with technology. After being mentioned in the Mann Ki Baat episode, another bamboo artisan Pradip Chakraborty also expressed his immense gratitude, noting that it has brought pride to his entire community. "I want to thank the Prime Minister for mentioning our work. After the programme, I received many calls from relatives and friends, which made me feel proud and happy to be part of this journey," Chakraborty told ANI. Highlighting his journey and inspiration in the work, he emphasised the support from 'Tripura Bamboo Mission'. "The Tripura Bamboo Mission has supported us greatly. Today, 15-20 women work here daily, earning up to Rs 7,000 each month. We produce around 150-200 bamboo products, including bags, jewellery boxes and photo frames. The recognition in Mann Ki Baat has encouraged me to expand this work even further," he said. Earlier, the Tripura government launched the Tripura Bamboo Mission in PPP mode for the integrated development of the bamboo sector in Tripura, with its implementation beginning from August 2007. The Mission is focused on the development of 4 sub-sectors, namely, Bamboo Plantations, Bamboo Handicrafts, Bamboo Incense Sticks and Bamboo Industrial Applications. The role played by TBM has resulted in increased turnover as well as livelihood generation. (ANI)
According to Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police, N Shreenatha, the main accused, Easwari, who was the factory owner and former Panchayat President, was arrested in Coimbatore

"In connection with the firecracker factory explosion that claimed 25 lives, the factory owner, who had been absconding, has been arrested by the police. The main accused, factory owner and former Panchayat President Easwari, has been arrested by a special police team in Coimbatore," said Virudhunagar SP N Shreenatha.

Meanwhile, last week, relatives of Virudhunagar firecracker factory explosion victims refused to receive the bodies and staged a road blockade protest on Monday, demanding compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each victim's family.

On the day of the accident, District Collector NO Sukhaputra said that a second blast during rescue operations injured 13 personnel, adding that of the 23 dead, 19 bodies were identified, 16 women and 3 men. Meanwhile, the post-mortem examinations of the 23 workers who were killed in the accident a day ago continued on April 20 at the Government Hospital and Medical College in the district.

Senior police officials said that at around 3 pm on April 19, a firework unit near Kattanarpatti reportedly blasted. On receiving information from the public, police, fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and started dousing the fire. Rescued individuals were shifted to a nearby government hospital.

Vachakarapatti police are conducting an investigation into the incident. (ANI)
Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar called the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting a public response against US President Donald Trump, noting that a similar feeling against the Centre exists in India also. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur on Sunday, Vijay Wadettiwar accused Donald Trump of "ruining" the US, dragging it into the West Asia conflict. He also said that people of India are also turning against the central government; however, they are not coming out on the streets to protest. He said, "As you sow, so shall you reap. As one does, so shall they pay. While in power and in the highest position, the way he tried to control and occupy the whole world, he worked to disturb every country. He worked to establish his control over every country, and his language was such that the whole world is their slave. There was no connection with Iran, yet the attack he carried out along with Israel, that was bound to happen. Today, Trump has ruined the whole of America to fulfil his plans and satisfy his desires." "Just as it is happening in our country, it happened there as well. So, that was bound to happen. People took to the streets to oppose him; now they are not coming out in India, so these people (the government) think everything is fine. But, the same feeling exists among the people today that the whole of India is also moving on the path of ruin," Wadettiwar added. The Congress leader also noted that an act of violence should not have occurred against a person sitting in the position of the US President. "What happened with Trump should not have happened to a person sitting in that supreme position. But as one acts, the public will give the answer, that is what is seen from that incident," Wadettiwar told reporters. The shooting incident occurred during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC on Saturday evening, where the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly breached security and fired shots before being subdued by security personnel. Authorities confirmed that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were safely evacuated, though a security officer sustained injuries. (ANI)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Monday described the party as a "revolution" as it marked 25 years since its formation, extending greetings to workers and supporters. In a post on X, KTR wrote, "The blood boils, a race hoisted flag... A reborn context completing its 25-year journey! The flag of self-political existence fluttering proudly.. A scene celebrating the silver jubilee culmination! A resplendent Long March that has crossed the milestone of 25 springs! BRS is not a political party ...it's a revolution! Heartfelt anniversary greetings to party workers, social media warriors, fans, and leaders." https://x.com/KTRBRS/status/2048601511010455621?s=20 BRS leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy also extended greetings on the occasion and lauded party chief K Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana's first Chief Minister. "On the occasion of the formation day of the BRS party, I congratulate our party president, Telangana's first Chief Minister, KCR Garu. I also heartily congratulate all party leaders and the people of Telangana on this occasion. A decade of governance has shown this country what development means. Under KCR's leadership, in the 10 years between 2014 and 2023, Telangana has achieved many milestones... For the past two and a half years, under Congress rule, the people of Telangana are completely disappointed with the way governance has been conducted," Reddy said. The party was founded as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) by K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) on April 27, 2001. Later in 2022, it was renamed as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The party has completed 25 years since its inception and entered its 26th year. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha launched her new political party, Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS), nearly seven months after parting ways with the BRS. Holding a launch event in Hyderabad, K Kavitha announced that her party will be called TRS. Interestingly, her father and former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had also launched Telangana Rashtra Samithi- 'TRS', before renaming the party to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). (ANI)
In the aftermath of the Delhi High Court''s dismissal of his recusal plea, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has written a detailed letter to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, expressing his decision not to participate in further proceedings in the excise policy case, citing concerns over perceived lack of impartiality. The letter, addressed with what Kejriwal describes as "utmost respect" to both the judge and the institution of the judiciary, states that his decision is rooted not in defiance but in conscience. He emphasises that his faith in the judiciary as an institution remains intact, even as he raises apprehensions about fairness in the present case. The development comes shortly after the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal''s plea seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma. In its ruling, the Court held that the allegations did not meet the legal threshold of a reasonable apprehension of bias and were based on conjecture rather than evidence. The Court underscored that "the courtroom cannot become a theatre of perception," cautioning against attempts to question judicial impartiality without substantive material. It further observed that allowing such pleas could undermine institutional credibility and set an undesirable precedent. Rejecting the arguments, the Court clarified that a judge cannot be asked to recuse merely on the basis of perceived bias, particularly when no direct conflict of interest is established. It also noted that judicial competence is assessed by higher courts, not litigants, and that participation in professional or public events does not compromise impartiality. In his letter, Kejriwal reiterates concerns that were earlier raised in his recusal application. He refers to what he describes as the judge''s association with certain legal organisations and raises questions about potential conflict of interest arising from her children being empanelled as counsel for the Union Government. He further points to the role of the Solicitor General in assigning cases to panel lawyers and highlights figures related to case allocations, suggesting that these factors could give rise to a perception of bias in a politically sensitive matter. The letter also states that the language used in the High Court''s order dismissing the recusal plea has contributed to his apprehension. According to Kejriwal, the characterisation of his plea as an "attack" on the judiciary has made it difficult for him to believe that the matter can now be heard on a "clean slate." Invoking the principles of Mahatma Gandhi''s satyagraha, Kejriwal frames his decision as a form of peaceful and conscientious protest. He states that after presenting his concerns through legal channels and reflecting on the Court''s response, he has chosen to withdraw from participation while remaining prepared to face any legal consequences. He writes that such a course is not an act of rebellion but a "quiet insistence of conscience," undertaken with humility and without ill-will. A recurring theme in the letter is the principle that justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done. Kejriwal argues that the surrounding circumstances, in his view, may lead to a perception among the public that the outcome of the proceedings is predetermined, particularly given the political context of the case. He also cites instances from judicial history where judges have recused themselves or sought transfer to avoid any appearance of conflict, suggesting that such steps have historically strengthened public confidence in the judiciary. Concluding the letter, Kejriwal states that he will neither appear in person nor through counsel in the ongoing proceedings before the present bench. He acknowledges that this decision may prejudice his legal interests but says he is willing to accept the consequences as part of what he terms a principled stand. At the same time, he clarifies that his decision is limited to this specific matter and does not reflect a general refusal to appear before the judge in other cases. He also indicates that he may challenge the recusal order before the Supreme Court. The matter arises from the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 case, where the CBI has challenged the discharge of Kejriwal and others. With the recusal plea already dismissed and the latest communication indicating his non-participation, the High Court is expected to proceed further in accordance with the law. The developments bring into focus the continuing tension between allegations of perceived bias and the judiciary''s consistent position that such claims must be supported by concrete evidence to warrant recusal. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday accused Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar of wishing for an attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting. Speaking to ANI, Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Wadettiwar for feeling against the Centre exists in India, similar to the public's anger against US President Donald Trump. The BJP leader said, "This is not Congress's 'Mohabat ki dukaan' but 'Nafrat ke bhaijaan'. Vijay Wadettiwar, who, on behalf of the Congress, gave a clean chit to Pakistan in the 26/11 attacks, questioned Operation Sindoor. He is wishing for an attack on PM Modi similar to what happened in the US." Poonawalla asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to condemn Wadettiwar's statement. "Kharge ji says Modi ji is a terrorist and RSS-BJP is a poisonous snake, and Rahul Gandhi says the PM should be beaten with sticks. More than 150 times such statements have been made. Until Rahul Gandhi condemns it, why shouldn't it be considered that this is also the sentiment of Rahul Gandhi?" Shehzad Poonawalla said. The BJP's response comes after Vijay Wadettiwar, on Sunday, accused Donald Trump of "ruining" the US, dragging it into the West Asia conflict. He also said that people of India are also turning against the central government; however, they are not coming out on the streets to protest. The Congress leader said, "As you sow, so shall you reap. As one does, so shall they pay. While in power and in the highest position, the way he tried to control and occupy the whole world, he worked to disturb every country. He worked to establish his control over every country, and his language was such that the whole world is their slave. There was no connection with Iran, yet the attack he carried out along with Israel, that was bound to happen. Today, Trump has ruined the whole of America to fulfil his plans and satisfy his desires." "Just as it is happening in our country, it happened there as well. So, that was bound to happen. People took to the streets to oppose him; now they are not coming out in India, so these people (the government) think everything is fine. But, the same feeling exists among the people today that the whole of India is also moving on the path of ruin," Wadettiwar added. The Maharashtra MLA also noted that an act of violence should not have occurred against a person sitting in the position of the US President. "What happened with Trump should not have happened to a person sitting in that supreme position. But as one acts, the public will give the answer, that is what is seen from that incident," Wadettiwar told reporters in Nagpur. The shooting incident occurred during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC on Saturday evening, where the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, allegedly breached security and fired shots before being subdued by security personnel. Authorities confirmed that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were safely evacuated, though a security officer sustained injuries. (ANI)
West Bengal Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the violent clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters in front of the Jagatdal Police Station on Sunday night. The arrested accused have been identified as Koushik Das, Sikander Prasad, Gopal Routh, and Shyamdev Shaw, while the police noted that the remaining accused persons are absconding. "Following raids in a dozen locations in association with DCP Barrackpore, four people, namely Koushik Das, Sikander Prasad, Gopal Routh and Shyamdev Shaw, were arrested. The remaining accused persons have absconded. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend them, including continued raids targeting individuals, including Firoz, Munjal Rajak, and others," police said in a statement. According to police, last night at 11:00 pm, a retired police officer and contesting candidate from Jagatdal Assembly Constituency visited the Police Station to lodge an FIR. The opposing candidate's supporters came to know about his visit. Subsequently, a violent mob of about 200 persons gathered at the Jagatdal police station. The mob unlawfully entered the police station premises, creating a serious law and order situation. In order to rescue the candidate, another candidate reached the spot, following which the mob turned more aggressive. Both individuals, with the help of their supporters, managed to leave the police station. The mob proceeded to attack the residence of another candidate, who lives there, using explosives, firearms, and stone pelting. During this escalation, the mob also attacked CAPF personnel, resulting in injury to a CISF constable, indicating a grave deterioration of the situation and a direct challenge to law enforcement authority, the police said. The unrest comes just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a high-profile public meeting in the region on Monday. West Bengal is under poll fever with polling for the second phase of elections scheduled on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)
The OnePlus Nord 6 has genuinely caught me by surprise. After spending significant time with it, I can tell you it's a return to that 'flagship killer' DNA- prioritizing raw, unadulterated power and utility over the thin, fragile aesthetics of most modern phones. Starting at Rs 38,999, in my opinion, it effectively resets the bar for what a sub-40k phone should offer in 2026. Here is my detailed, section-wise breakdown of why this device is making so much noise. Built Like a Tank- A Pivot in Philosophy: OnePlus has made a fascinating choice with the design this year. They moved to a polycarbonate (plastic) frame and back felt like a 'step down' from the metal-and-glass of previous generations, it serves a very specific purpose which is ruggedness. I was shocked to see array of ratings- IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K and that last one is particularly rare. IP69K means it can survive high-pressure, high-temperature industrial water jets. Combined with MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification, I think this phone is built for those of us who tend to be a bit 'rough' with our tech. Image courtesy: OnePlus When I asked OnePlus about this shift away from their usual 'burdenless elegance', they were clear: they wanted to bring flagship-level durability to the Nord series to ensure longevity. Surprisingly, this hasn't tanked the repairability index either, as the internal structure is designed for easier modular swaps. In hand, it feels dense and purposeful. At 217 grams, it has some serious heft, which is the inevitable trade-off for the massive battery inside. The new 'squirkle' camera module at the back is clean and professional, helping the phone sit more stably on a flat surface than the previous vertical designs. The 'Sunburst' Experience- Beyond 120Hz: The 6.78-inch Sunburst AMOLED panel is easily the best in this segment for me. This one also comes with a 165Hz refresh rate. While the system UI mostly cruises at 120Hz, that extra headroom is a game-changer for gaming. Interestingly, OnePlus has confirmed that the Nord 6 is capable of running 17 popular game titles at 165 FPS at launch. Eleven of these run at that 'PC-level' refresh rate natively while others use proprietary frame interpolation. OnePlus also confirmed that they are actively working with developers to unlock this headroom for even more titles. Image courtesy: OnePlus The 1.5K resolution hits the perfect sweet spot, sharper than standard HD+ but not as battery-draining as a full 2K panel. One of my favorite additions is Aqua Touch 2.0. We've all been in that situation where rain or a sweaty thumb makes the screen go haywire; this tech fixes that, keeping the display perfectly responsive even when wet. Plus, with a peak brightness of 3,600 nits, outdoor visibility is simply not an issue. The Gaming Juggernaut & Thermal Mastery: Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 turns the Nord 6 into a performance monster. It hit an AnTuTu score of over 2.5 million, which is staggering. But how does it handle a 'cool hour' of gaming? In 25-degree environments, both BGMI and CODM ran consistently at near-perfect 165 FPS (164.7 and 164.5 respectively). The highest temperature measured was around 45.6C, which is identical to the thermal profile of last year's Nord 5, despite the massive jump in frame rates. Image courtesy: OnePlus This is supported by a massive 33,147mm vapor cooling chamber and the inclusion of UFS 4.1 storage. That storage standard is a quiet hero here as it's up to 46 per cent more power-efficient than UFS 3.1. It reduces voltage draw and optimizes data caching, which keeps the phone cooler during background tasks. I also noticed Bypass Charging, which isn't just for gaming anymore. You can manually activate it for 4K video recording, live-streaming, or long video calls to bypass the battery and run the phone directly from the wall, significantly reducing heat and battery wear. The 9,000mAh Revolution: This is the feature that changed everything for me. The Nord 6 is equipped with a 9,000mAh single-cell Si-Carbon battery with 15 per cent silicon content. This high silicon density is what allows them to cram such a massive capacity into a phone that is only 8.5mm thin. For casual users, this is a 2.5 to 3-day phone. Heavy users can easily expect over 10 hours of Screen-On Time. The 80W SUPERVOOC charging takes the cell from zero to 100 per cent in about 75 minutes. OnePlus claims this battery is rated for 5 years of healthy usage (1,400 full cycles) before it even hits 80 per cent health. Even the 27W reverse wired charging, which turns your phone into a power bank for your buds, is designed to have zero impact on long-term battery health. Image courtesy: OnePlus Connectivity- Range Rocket & 5G-Advanced: OnePlus is making big claims about connectivity, stating that 5G-Advanced on the Nord 6 can outclass regular 5G by 5x to 8x. To solve the 'death-grip' signal loss, they introduced Range Rocket. It's a dedicated proprietary hardware antenna array paired with a physical Wi-Fi reception-booster chip. It's designed to prioritize signal strength even when you are floors or walls away from your router, or in a 'congested' network like a stadium or airport. Natural, Sharp, and Reliable Camera: The camera story is a bit of a 'spec-sheet curveball'. While the swap to the Sony LYT-600 looks like a downgrade, the results are far superior due to the better ISP in the new chipset. The focus is on natural color reproduction, it looks like the world in front of you rather than a filtered version of it. Let me share more specific details: Daylight: Photos are sharp with excellent dynamic range, and the Dual-axis OIS keeps things stable for shaky hands. Selfies: The 32MP front camera is a major win, finally supporting 4K 60fps video recording, which is a massive upgrade for creators. Low Light: The Nord 6 lifts shadows without making them look artificial, resolving textures that older models would just blur away. It's exceptionally clean for this price bracket. Verdict: Is It the New King? In my opinion, the OnePlus Nord 6 is a 'pretty solid device in every corner'. It isn't trying to be the thinnest phone on the shelf; it's a powerhouse built for people who actually use their phones hard. If you care about competitive gaming, need a battery that won't die on a long flight, and want a device that can survive the elements, this is the easiest recommendation to make under Rs 40,000. I wish they had a 512GB storage model as well but yes, it's a true OnePlus 15 look alike. With OxygenOS 16 and a promise of updates for 6 years, you could comfortably keep this juggernaut until 2032. My Rating: 4.5/5 (Disclaimer: The author is an expert in the fields of consumer technology, auto and lifestyle. Views shared here are personal.) (ANI)
According to ED, the searches are linked to the accused, associates, and suspected benamidars and the search operation aims to trace further proceeds of crime, identify benami assets, and gather evidence related to money laundering.

The officials said that the action arises from predicate offences registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation's Chandigarh unit relating to allegations of demand of illegal gratification through a middleman for settlement of a criminal case, along with detection of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.

Last year in October, CBI registered a fresh case of disproportionate assets, which involves acquiring assets beyond the known source of income, against arrested and suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar.

CBI had arrested Bhullar while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs five lakhs. However, during subsequent searches, CBI recovered Rs 7.5 crores cash, 2.5 kg gold jewellery, 26 luxury watches, high-end cars and documents of immovable assets.

The investigative agency registered a fresh case of disproportionate assets, which involves acquiring assets beyond the known source of income. A 2009-batch IPS officer, Bhullar, was arrested by the CBI at his office in Chandigarh following a complaint on October 11 that the officer had allegedly demanded a bribe through a middleman to settle an FIR filed against the complainant. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)''s strength in Rajya Sabha has increased to 113 after Chairman CP Radhakrishnan approved the merger of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs who quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Losing two-thirds of its MPs has been a big setback for the AAP, which is now reduced to a strength of three members in the Upper House of Parliament. The trio of MPs--Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal--parted ways with the AAP on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party leadership. Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal had also switched to the BJP. Meanwhile, AAP MP Sanjay Singh had officially petitioned the Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to disqualify seven MPs. The petition challenged the "purported merger" under paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and sought the disqualification of the MPs under its paragraph 2(1)(a). Paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule deals with disqualification on the ground of defection. Sub-paragraph (1) provides that, subject to the provisions of paragraphs 4 and 5, a member of a House belonging to any political party shall be disqualified from being a member of the House. Clause (a) of this sub-paragraph further specifies that such disqualification occurs if the member has voluntarily given up membership of that political party. Singh challenged the validity of the merger, citing the requirements in the Constitution. However, as per the Tenth Schedule, a disqualification of MPs cannot take place in case an original political party merges with another political party, given that the merger includes two-thirds of the members. The seven AAP MPs fulfilled this condition as they shook hands with the BJP. The move has triggered furious reactions from AAP leaders, who termed it a s "betrayal" while drawing a warm welcome from the BJP. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed confidence in her party's electoral prospects, citing overwhelming public support during recent 'padyatras' and 'Janasabhas', and asserted that the "victory of Maa-Mati-Manush" is "a matter of time." Sharing a post on X ahead of the second phase Assembly election, Banerjee said, "The extraordinary enthusiasm, the genuine warmth, the spontaneous emotional outpouring of ordinary people at yesterday's padyatra and janasabhas have moved me in ways that words can only approximate. This is a bond forged over years of standing together through every challenge this land has faced. The victory of Maa-Mati-Manush is no longer a matter of prediction. It is a matter of time." Emphasising Bengal's cultural and historical identity, the Chief Minister said the state has long stood as a "beacon of harmony" and civilisational pride. https://x.com/MamataOfficial/status/2048626127900651881 Launching an attack on the opposition in the state, she warned that the state has no place for divisive, destructive forces who seek to deprive Bengal of its rightful dues and tarnish its heritage. "This sacred land of Bengal has, since time immemorial, stood as a beacon of harmony, culture, and civilisational pride. It has no place for divisive, destructive forces who seek to deprive Bengal of its rightful dues, tarnish its heritage, and ride their lust for power over the dignity of its people. They will receive the only response they deserve. A decisive, democratic reckoning from the vigilant and united people of Bengal," she wrote in her X post. Banerjee further highlighted her government's development initiatives, asserting that no "malicious force" can obstruct the state's progress. "The momentum of development has touched every corner of this state. No malicious force can halt it. Our people-centric welfare initiatives are the protective shield of Bengal's citizens, and no power on earth has the authority to snatch them away. I remain firmly confident that the people will continue to stand for Bengal's development, peace, and progress as they always have," she added. As the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections move into high gear, Banerjee appealed to voters ahead of the second phase of polling and urged citizens to support her party's candidates. "To protect our language, our culture, and the proud legacy of this land, I humbly appeal to every citizen, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or background, to press the Joraphool symbol on 29th April and ensure a resounding victory for all Maa-Mati-Manush candidates," she said. West Bengal is under poll fever with polling for the second phase of elections scheduled on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4. The state has recorded a massive 93.2% voter turnout in the first phase of the elections, a record-breaking figure that has both the TMC and the BJP claiming a decisive lead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a high-profile public meeting in the region earlier in the day. (ANI)
The Supreme Court has registered a suo motu case after receiving a letter from a lawyer informing the office of the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant about an alleged brutal assault on a woman lawyer with sharp weapons. A Bench led by CJI Surya Kant took note of the serious nature of injuries suffered by the victim, as evident from photographs placed before the Court. Taking into account the brutal attack and serious injuries suffered by the victim and the fact that she had to initially undergo treatment at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, the Court decided to immediately intervene and registered a suo moto case. "Along with the letter some photographs were attached depicting a brutal assault with a sharp weapon on the woman advocate who has suffered multiple serious injuries. Seeing the condition of the victim in the photographs couples with the fact that she was being treated at AIMS Trauma centre, we initiated a sup moto case", the Court noted. The Court was informed that the husband, who is the prime accused, has been arrested by the police. Expressing concern for a fair investigation the Court issued the following interim directions: The Commissioner of Police has been requested to hand over the investigation to a senior officer, preferably a woman officer. The police have been directed to ascertain the whereabouts of the two minor children, who are stated to have been taken away by the victim's husband. Custody of the eldest daughter shall remain with the maternal family members, where she is currently staying. The Court also took note of the alleged denial of medical treatment to the victim at multiple hospitals, including Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Kailash Deepak Hospital and RK Hospital. It was alleged that the victim was refused admission at these hospitals, with only initial first aid being provided before she was referred elsewhere. Accordingly, the Court directed the Investigating Officer to inquire into this aspect and submit a report on the next date of hearing. Taking into account the financial distress of the victim, particularly in light of her medical treatment and responsibility towards her minor daughters, the Court directed the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to initiate steps for grant of compensation and release an appropriate amount to the victim. The matter will be taken up on the next date of hearing, when further directions may be issued. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Raghav Chadha on Monday announced his exit from the political party he co-founded, alleging a "toxic work environment" and claiming that internal functioning had deteriorated significantly in recent years. In a self-made video statement, Chadha said he entered politics after leaving a promising career as a Chartered Accountant and dedicated nearly 15 years of his "prime youth" to building the party. "I didn't come into politics to build a career. I became a founding member of a political party. I gave fifteen years of my prime youth to this party," Chadha said in the video. However, he alleged that the organisation had changed over time, claiming that it was no longer functioning in its original spirit. "But today, this party is no longer the same old party. Today, there's a toxic work environment in this party. You are stopped from working. You are stopped from speaking in Parliament," he said. Chadha further alleged that the party had fallen under the control of "a few corrupt and compromised people" who were working for personal interests rather than public service. "For the last few years, I felt that perhaps I'm the right man but in the wrong party," he added, outlining three options he had considered before deciding to leave. He said the options included quitting politics altogether, continuing within the party to attempt internal reform, or moving to another political platform to pursue "constructive politics." Chadha also claimed that a total of seven Members of Parliament had decided to sever ties with the party, suggesting a wider dissatisfaction within the organisation. "One man can be wrong, two people can be wrong, but seven people cannot be wrong," he said in the video. He further assured that despite his exit, he would continue to raise public issues with "greater energy and commitment" in the future. Earlier in the day, BJP s strength in Rajya Sabha has increased to 113 after Chairman CP Radhakrishnan approved the merger of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs who quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Losing two-thirds of its MPs has been a big setback for the AAP, which is now reduced to a strength of three members in the Upper House of Parliament. The trio of MPs--Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal--parted ways with the AAP on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party leadership. Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal had also switched to the BJP. Meanwhile, AAP MP Sanjay Singh had officially petitioned the Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to disqualify seven MPs. The petition challenged the "purported merger" under paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and sought the disqualification of the MPs under its paragraph 2(1)(a). Paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule deals with disqualification on the ground of defection. Sub-paragraph (1) provides that, subject to the provisions of paragraphs 4 and 5, a member of a House belonging to any political party shall be disqualified from being a member of the House. Clause (a) of this sub-paragraph further specifies that such disqualification occurs if the member has voluntarily given up membership of that political party. Singh challenged the validity of the merger, citing the requirements in the Constitution. However, as per the Tenth Schedule, a disqualification of MPs cannot take place in case an original political party merges with another political party, given that the merger includes two-thirds of the members. The seven AAP MPs fulfilled this condition as they shook hands with the BJP. The move has triggered furious reactions from AAP leaders, who termed it a s "betrayal" while drawing a warm welcome from the BJP. (ANI)
Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja on Monday urged voters in West Bengal not to support the BJP in the State assembly election. He said it is important to defeat the party in the State and warned that a rise to power of the BJP would be "disastrous" not just for Bengal but for the entire country. Speaking to ANI, Raja said, "Today is the last day of election campaigning in West Bengal. I appeal to the people of Bengal not to support the BJP. It is important to defeat the BJP in Bengal. The BJP should not be allowed to capture power in Bengal. This will be disastrous not only for Bengal but for the entire country. That is our position." The first phase of polling on April 23 saw a staggering 92.35 per cent voter turnout across the State. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The second phase of polling will take place on April 29, and the results will be declared on May 4, along with Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Meanwhile, Raja declined to comment on Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar's remarks on the shooting episode at the White House Correspondents' Dinner comparing anger in India to that in the United States. "I have no comment on this particular statement by some Maharashtra leader. If the Indian National Congress President, Kharge or the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, says something, then I can comment. Let the Congress party react," he told ANI. A day earlier, Wadettiwar accused Donald Trump of "ruining" the US, dragging it into the West Asia conflict. He also said that people of India are also turning against the central government; however, they are not coming out on the streets to protest. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Vijay Wadettiwar accused Donald Trump of "ruining" the US, dragging it into the West Asia conflict. He also said that people of India are also turning against the central government; however, they are not coming out on the streets to protest. (ANI)
The order was passed in a case filed by Venkatesh, a voter from the Perambur constituency.

In his petition, Venkatesh said that Sangeetha Vijay had filed for divorce from Vijay, and therefore the declaration in the nomination papers that Rs 12.60 crore had been lent to her raised suspicion.

The petitioner further argued that disclosing asset details in an election affidavit is not a mere formality, and suppressing true facts would amount to cheating the electoral process.

He also alleged that no proper explanation had been given in the affidavit regarding Rs 20 crore provided to a private educational trust.

Hearing the matter, a bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arulmurugan said that a similar petition seeking the same relief had already been dismissed earlier, and therefore this case could not be entertained.

Accordingly, the Madras High Court dismissed the petition.

Vijay's entry in the Tamil Nadu politics has given the Assembly election a three-way scintillating battle. TVK is up against the ruling DMK-led alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies.

Polling for the Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with Tamil Nadu recording 85.1 per cent turnout, according to the latest data by 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 results will be declared on May 4, along with Assam, Keralam, West Bengal and Puducherry. (ANI)
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Monday visited a financial literacy camp organised by the CRISIL Foundation at its Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) in Sahaspur. The camp was held for members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from the gram panchayats of Bhopalpani, Badasi, and Soda Sarauli in Dehradun district. On the occasion, he emphasised the importance of financial literacy and spoke about empowering citizens. He encouraged people to enhance financial awareness, work towards prosperity, and ensure long-term financial stability. He also urged them to take advantage of various pension and insurance-related social schemes offered by the Government of India. He called upon CFL officials to intensify their efforts to educate all sections of society, especially those living in remote and underserved areas, to ensure financial inclusion. The Governor of the apex bank also encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained during such camps with their family members, friends, and neighbours. During the visit, he interacted with members of the Self-Help Groups as well. At the camp, Business Correspondents (BCs) provided several services, including basic banking facilities. Counters were also set up for coin exchange and note exchange. A mobile ATM van was available at the venue, and some SHGs showcased their products, which the RBI Governor appreciated and took a keen interest in. (ANI)
Congress leader Udit Raj on Monday blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the situation in the state, alleging that Congress workers are being attacked and prevented from carrying out political activities. Speaking to ANI, Raj said, "Everyone makes claims, and so will Mamata Banerjee. The situation of Bengal is due to Mamata Banerjee. They attack the opposition and even Congress party workers from time to time... Our party workers even said that they get attacked when they put up the Congress party flag." A day earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi strongly condemned the death of West Bengal Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee, allegedly by "TMC-affiliated thugs," ahead of the second phase of polling for the Assembly elections and demanded strict and immediate action against those responsible. In a post on X, the Congress leader expressed condolences to the bereaved family. Questioning the timing of the incident, Gandhi described TMC's character as "intimidating, attacking, and eliminating opposing voices." "The murder of Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee by TMC-affiliated thugs after the elections is utterly reprehensible. My deepest condolences to the grieving family. In West Bengal today, it is not democracy but TMC's reign of terror that prevails. Intimidating, attacking, and eliminating opposing voices after votes are cast--this has become the defining character of TMC," he wrote. The first phase of polling on April 23 saw a staggering 92.35 per cent voter turnout across the State. The high turnout figures underline an active electoral exercise as polling drew to a close amid tight security arrangements across constituencies. The second phase of polling will take place on April 29, and the results will be declared on May 4, along with Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed confidence in her party's electoral prospects, citing overwhelming public support during recent 'padyatras' and 'Janasabhas', and asserted that the "victory of Maa-Mati-Manush" is "a matter of time." In a post on X ahead of the second phase Assembly election, Banerjee said, "The extraordinary enthusiasm, the genuine warmth, the spontaneous emotional outpouring of ordinary people at yesterday's padyatra and janasabhas have moved me in ways that words can only approximate. This is a bond forged over years of standing together through every challenge this land has faced. The victory of Maa-Mati-Manush is no longer a matter of prediction. It is a matter of time." Emphasising Bengal's cultural and historical identity, the Chief Minister said the state has long stood as a "beacon of harmony" and civilisational pride. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Monday asked the BJP government in the state to implement reservation for women legislators on the existing 230 seats in the Assembly, without bringing in a provision for delimitation. Speaking to ANI amid a special one-day session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly today, Jitu Patwari stated that the party has supported the cause of women's reservation. "The Congress party's policy is clear that today the BJP should implement reservation on 543 seats. The BJP should pass it. In the state, the BJP should implement reservation on 230 seats in the 2028 elections. We want the BJP to support this. What happened in the Parliament was propaganda. Congress has always supported women's reservation," the Congress leader said. Congress leader Phool Singh Baraiya also said that there was no need to link women's reservation to the delimitation exercise. Baraiya said, "For 33 per cent reservation of women, they want the first delimitation to happen, and for that, first there will be a census, so they're just delaying the Bill. There's no link to all of this to the women's reservation." Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar also said, " Why do you talk about census, delimitation - when you can already provide reservation on the current 543 (Lok Sabha) seats. If you really want it, Congress is ready; call the meeting, and we'll support it if it is for the Women's Reservation Bill." Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar held an advisory meeting with CM Mohan Yadav and LoP Umang Singhar. Mohan Yadav will table a Government Resolution for women's empowerment and development. The resolution will include provisions for implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Legislative Assembly. The discussion will be initiated by CM Yadav on behalf of the BJP. Meanwhile, the Delhi Legislative Assembly has also announced a One-Day Special Session on Tuesday, April 28, at the Old Secretariat. The Odisha Legislative Assembly has called a one-day 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. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday listed the appeal against conviction in the custodial death case of the Unnao rape victim's father for next month. Former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and others have challenged their conviction. Sengar is serving 10 years Sentence in this case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma listed the matter for arguements on May 15, 18, 19 and 20. Sengar and others have challenged the judgment of conviction of March 4, 2020, and the order on sentence of March 13, 2020, passed by the District & Sessions Judge, Tis Hazari Courts in CBI FIR. The case was originally registered at District Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. On April 20, the high court had dismissed, on the grounds of delay of 1,945 days, the appeal of the Unnao rape victim seeking enhancement of the sentence awarded to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and 6 others in her father's custodial death case. A division bench headed by Justice Navin Chawla had dismissed the application for condonation of delay and subsequently the appeal seeking the enhancement of the sentence. The high court had said that the appellant had failed to establish any "sufficient cause" for condonation of delay. "The delay being gross, unexplained, and attributable to negligence, the application deserves to be dismissed," the High Court had said. The division bench had said, "The present case, therefore, is not one of inability, but of deliberate inaction and negligence. The conduct of the appellant disentitles her from seeking equitable relief of condonation of delay." "In such circumstances, this Court finds no reason to exercise its discretionary power, as doing so would defeat the very object of the law of limitation and erode the discipline it seeks to enforce," the High Court said in the judgement passed on April 20. The bench held, "Since the application for condonation of delay is dismissed, consequently, the captioned appeal is also dismissed as barred by limitation." The high court noted that the appellant, despite having full knowledge of the impugned judgment and having actively participated in related proceedings, failed to avail the statutory remedy within the prescribed time. The Unnao rape victim had filed an appeal and sought conversion of the offence of death into the offence of murder. She had sought capital punishment or at least a life sentence. The appellant, who is the daughter of the deceased victim, had sought an alteration of the conviction to offences punishable under Sections 302 and 364A IPC and enhancement of the sentence. Advocate Mehmood Pracha, counsel for the appellant, had submitted that the delay, though considerable, is neither deliberate nor attributable to any mala fide conduct on the part of the appellant. It was submitted that the appellant is a rape victim and she is under constant threat to her life and is already in a precarious position being a rape victim, and cannot be expected to be totally vigilant while pursuing litigation and that the reasons for delay provide "sufficient" explanation. Senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey appeared for Kuldeep Singh Sengar, Advocate SPM Tripathi appeared for Jaideep Senger. Advocate Kanhiya Singhal had submitted that out of the total compensation amount, Rs. 10 lacs have already been paid by the Respondents, and another sum of Rs 25 lakh has been paid by the State of Uttar Pradesh to the appellant, and hence, the stance adopted by the appellant regarding financial constraint becomes unsustainable. It was further submitted that the merits of the case are wholly irrelevant at the stage of considering an application for condonation of delay. The application must stand or fall on the sufficiency of the explanation offered for such delay, and not on the nature of the underlying dispute. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday visited the Arambagh Medical College to meet TMC MP Mitali Bag after her convoy was allegedly attacked in Arambagh in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of attacking Bag's convoy when she was on her way to attend Abhishek Banerjee's rally in Arambagh. Sharing Mitali Bag's video, TMC, in a post on X said, "Amit Shah threatened our leaders and party workers that anyone who steps out of their house would be hanged upside down. Today, that threat was acted upon. Our MP, Mitali Bag, an elected female representative from the Scheduled Caste community, was brutally and dastardly attacked by BJP lumpens and thugs. Her car was vandalised. Her windshield was smashed. Shards of glass pierced her body. Hear her writhe in agony." "This is an attempt on the life of an elected Member of Parliament. Amit Shah issued the order from the stage. His lumpens carried it out on the street. The chain of command is direct. The responsibility is his. This is the extent to which the BJP is willing to go when defeat stares them in the face. Violence. Blood. An attack on a woman. An attack on a Scheduled Caste representative. In broad daylight. Without shame," the post read. The Arambag seat is currently held by the BJP's Madhusudan Bag, who defeated TMC's Sujata Mondal by a margin of 7,172 (3.3 per cent) votes. The seat used to be a Communist Party of India (Marxist) bastion before the 2011 delimitation. TMC won the seat twice in 2011 and 2016, before losing it to the BJP in the 2021 polls. The BJP has fielded Hemanta Bag against the TMC's Mitali Bag to defend the constituency. CPI(M)'s Bithika Pandit is also in fray. This comes ahead of the second phase of polling in West Bengal for the 2026 Assembly elections scheduled for April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4. (ANI)
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday approved the notification for the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory in a step aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and decentralizing administration. Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass are the new districts and the number of districts in the Union Territory has gone up to seven. "A historic day for Ladakh. I have approved the notification for creation of five new districts in Ladakh, fulfilling the aspirations and long-pending demand of the people of Ladakh. With creation of five new districts - Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass - Ladakh will now have seven districts, from existing two. The development is aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of a developed & prosperous Ladakh," Lt Governor Saxena said in a post on X. "This transformative decision, already approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024, under the leadership of Minister of Home Affairs, Shri @AmitShahji, would strengthen grassroots governance, decentralise administration and ensures faster delivery of public services to the people of Ladakh, especially those in remote & far-flung areas," he added. Saxena said that apart from bringing governance closer to citizens, creation of new districts will create new avenues for growth, employment and entrepreneurship. "I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that every citizen of Ladakh benefits from this historic decision, as we move together towards a brighter, stronger & more prosperous future," he said. Ladakh became a Union Territory on October 31, 2019. It is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and distinct culture. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a roadshow in Gangtok and was warmly welcomed by people who enthusiastically cheered and waved as his convoy made its way through the city. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to the state, during which he will take part in the closing ceremony of Sikkim's 50th year of statehood celebrations. The Prime Minister will visit the Orchidarium in Gangtok on Tuesday morning. To showcase the ecological and floral heritage of the state, Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari Park has been developed as a state-of-the-art, world-class Orchid Experience Centre. PM Modi will participate in the closing ceremony of Sikkim's 50th Year of Statehood celebrations at Paljor Stadium, where he will inaugurate, launch and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore across the State. The Prime Minister will also address the gathering on the occasion. These projects span a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, power, urban development, environment, tourism and agriculture, and are aimed at accelerating holistic and inclusive development in Sikkim. In the healthcare sector, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a 100-bedded Ayurveda Hospital at Yangang in Namchi district. He will also inaugurate a 30-bedded Integrated Sowa Rigpa Hospital at NIT Deorali, strengthening access to traditional and integrative systems of medicine in the State. In the education sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang, the Administrative Block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence at Chakung, the Helen Lepcha Medical College at Socheygang in Gangtok district, and the Dentam Professional College at Dentam in Gyalshing district. He will also inaugurate model residential schools at Hee Gyathang, a new Model Degree College at Mangshila in Mangan district, and a monastic hostel-cum-classroom at Boomtar Gumpa in Namchi district. Further, he will launch the implementation of IT-enabled educational infrastructure projects across 160 schools in Sikkim. To improve connectivity further in Sikkim, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of two hinged double-lane steel arch bridges over River Teesta at Sirwani and Lower Samdong, connecting Namchi and Gangtok districts. He will also inaugurate the widening and strengthening of the road from Birdhang to Namchi via Kitchudumra, which will enhance inter-district accessibility, improve travel efficiency, and facilitate smoother movement of people and goods. In the power sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the improvement, upgradation and revamping of the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) network in Gangtok, strengthening reliable power supply in the region. (ANI)
Separatist leader Shabir Shah was produced before a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu on Monday in connection with a 1996 violence-related case, where the court remanded him to 10 days of NIA custody, officials said. Shah had earlier been arrested by the NIA in connection with the decades-old case registered in Kashmir dating back to 1996 and was first produced before the Patiala House Court on April 18. Monday's hearing marked the second appearance in the matter. The case had been under investigation for a long time, and the agency has now intensified its action by taking Shabir Shah into custody. The special NIA court granted the agency 10 days' custody of Shah to facilitate further investigation into the case. Earlier, Special Judge (NIA) Prashant Sharma of Patiala House Court granted three days transit remand of the accused Shabir Ahmad Shah to NIA in Jammu. "Considering the sensitivity and nature of the offence, transit remand prayer of NIA, made in the application, is allowed. NIA, Jammu, is given a transit remand of 03 days of the accused Shabir Ahmad Shah. The Investigating Officer is directed to produce the accused before the designated NIA Special Court, Jammu, within 12.00 noon on 20.04.2026 or earlier," Special NIA judge ordered on April 17. It was alleged that during a death procession of slain terrorists, there was sloganeering after which the mob turned violent, and some terrorists opened fire, injuring security personnel. Shah was granted bail by the Supreme Court in another NIA case on March 12, 2026. He was granted bail in the money laundering case on March 28, 2026. Shabir Shah has undergone 39 years of house arrest, custody, etc. While seeking transit remand, the NIA stated that present case is related to unlawful activities of mob led by Hurriyat activists, namely Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Ab Gani Lone, Mohd Yaqoob Wakeel, Javid Ahmad Mir on July, 17, 1996, were carrying a dead body of slain terrorist Hilal Ahmad Beigh who was killed in an encounter at Parimpora towards Eidgah, Srinagar. It was also contended that the said mob/Hurriyat activists were raising slogans against the Government of India. Near Naaz crossing, and when SHO Shergarhi Police Station tried to stop the mob, it turned violent; started stone pelting; disrupted traffic movement; damaged property and also raised slogans "Hindustan Murdabad" against the Government of India. That some unknown terrorists from the said mob fired upon the police party with the intention to murder them. The NIA stated that the accused, Shabir Ahmad Shah, was arrested on April 17, 2026, for his involvement in the instant case. (ANI)
The incident occurred in the Gosangi Colony of Kamareddy district.

The deceased has been identified as Kondanda Shiva.

The accused wife, Laxmi, suddenly attacked him with a sickle, causing stab injuries to his neck, following an altercation over non-veg curry and their ongoing financial problems. He died due to heavy blood loss.

"We have registered a case, shifted the body for post-mortem examination," police said.

Further investigation is underway.

In a separate case of violence between a husband and wife in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, a man was allegedly stabbed to death by his wife following a heated argument over the volume of the TV.

According to police officials, the deceased was identified as Sheikh Ahmed (27), an AC mechanic.

Ahmed and his partner were living in a TIDCO housing colony in Mangalagiri. Police said she allegedly attacked him with a knife.

Locals rushed Ahmed to the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada for treatment; however, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. (ANI)
The Shimla Police has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, registering 111 cases under the NDPS Act and arresting 35 repeat offenders so far this year, Additional SP (Headquarters) Abhishek said while addressing the media in Shimla on Monday. In a separate incident, police have arrested two accused in connection with a shooting during a religious ceremony in Rohru subdivision that left a 26-year-old woman dead. Shimla district police has been carrying out sustained and comprehensive action against drug trafficking networks, focusing on dismantling supply chains and identifying backward linkages, Additional SP Abhishek said. He said that over the past few months, 111 FIRs have been registered under the NDPS Act, leading to the arrest of 235 accused. Of these, 30 accused involved in supply chains have been traced and arrested from multiple states, including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Kerala, as well as areas near the Nepal border. Additionally, 35 repeat offenders have been lodged in jail under preventive detention provisions. Detailing a specific case, Abhishek said that an FIR was registered at Baluganj police station in February after 6.7 grams of heroin (chitta) was recovered from Avinash Chauhan, a resident of Chopal. During the investigation, police analysed digital evidence and bank transactions to trace the supply chain. "It was found that the accused was transferring money to associates in Bihar through multiple bank accounts. Following the money trail, a police team arrested Vishal Yadav (20) and Jai Prakash (27) from Bihar on April 24, 2026, and brought them on transit remand," he said. Investigation revealed that transactions worth approximately Rs 40 lakh had taken place through the accused accounts over five months, with cash withdrawals made from different locations. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved, he added. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, two persons have been arrested in connection with a shooting incident during a Religious ceremony in Kulgaon village of Chirgaon area in Rohru subdivision, which resulted in the death of a 26-year-old woman. Speaking to ANI later, Additional SP Abhishek said, "A case has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (murder) and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959. Two accused have been arrested, and the weapon used in the incident has been recovered. Further investigation is in progress." The deceased has been identified as Ritika, a resident of Andra village in Chirgaon, Shimla district. The incident occurred around midnight on April 27 during a temple consecration ceremony, where celebratory firing allegedly took place, and a bullet hit the woman. Police said statements of eyewitnesses are being recorded, and forensic examination of evidence, including the recovered weapon, is underway. Abhishek added that the situation remains under control despite protests by locals following the incident. "The law and order situation is normal. We appeal to the public to refrain from carrying weapons, especially during such events," he said. Following the woman's death, family members staged protests outside the hospital, demanding strict action against those responsible and raising objections over the handling of the body. Police have assured strict action and said all aspects of both cases are being thoroughly investigated. (ANI)
After AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal refused to appear before the High Court in the Delhi excise policy case, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said he is "abusing constitutional institutions." "Constantly questioning the justice system and abusing constitutional institutions is his work culture, and this has become his mentality... The accusations and questions you have raised against a judge--does that befit you? A criminal involved in a liquor scam, with such a massive chargesheet against him. He raises his voice at the Justice Forum..., and with that mindset, demands that the judge be replaced, the court be changed... By creating this ruckus, he wants to show that he is innocent...," CM Gupta told reporters on Monday. The development comes after the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal's plea seeking the recusal of Justice Sharma. In its ruling, the Court held that the allegations did not meet the legal threshold of a reasonable apprehension of bias and were based on conjecture rather than evidence. In a video, Kejriwal said, "The first reason is that the government, with the ideology of the RSS, which put me in jail by making false allegations, the lady judge herself has admitted that she has frequently visited the stages of Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, an organisation linked to that ideology. The Aam Aadmi Party and I are staunch opponents of that ideology. In such a situation, can I get justice before her?" "The second reason is Conflict of Interest. In the court, the central government's CBI is against me, and both children of Justice Swarnkanta ji work for the central government. Both her children are on the panel of lawyers for the central government. Opposing us in court is the Solicitor General, Shri Tushar Mehta ji. Tushar Mehta ji gives cases to both children. How many cases they will get, which cases they will get, this is decided by Tushar Mehta ji," he said. He said he will neither appear in person nor be represented by a lawyer in the court of Justice Swarana Kanta in the Delhi excise policy case, stating that his request for the judge to recuse was declined. "I too started with dialogue. With full sincerity and humility, I presented my point before Justice Swarnkanta ji. I entreated her to recuse herself from this case. I urged that my case be heard by any other judge of the High Court. But she rejected my request. She decided that she would not separate herself from this matter and would hear this case herself. I humbly disagree with this decision given by her. After this entire sequence of events, my apprehension has deepened whether I will get justice before her," he further said. The High Court, however, rejected these arguments, holding that no direct connection had been established between these factors and the case at hand. It clarified that judges' family members are free to pursue their professional careers and that such circumstances alone cannot justify recusal. The Court also dismissed reliance on participation in public or professional events as grounds for alleging bias, noting that no political statements had been attributed to the judge. The case relates to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, in which the CBI has challenged the discharge of Kejriwal and other accused persons. With the recusal plea dismissed and Kejriwal indicating his non-participation, the High Court is expected to proceed with the matter in accordance with law. (ANI)
A PCR call was received at Vijay Vihar Police Station on April 23 at around 6:10 pm, reporting that a man had been set ablaze near Delhi Multi Hospital in the area. On reaching the spot, police found that the injured, identified as Rakesh (40), a tempo driver, had already been shifted to BSA Hospital.

During the inspection of the scene, police recovered burnt clothes and noticed burn marks inside a shop named Suraj Washing Centre. Based on the victim's statement, he was consuming liquor with his acquaintance Mannu alias Raja when the accused demanded more alcohol.

After the victim refused, the accused allegedly became aggressive, poured petrol on him and set him on fire following an altercation.

The victim sustained around 60 per cent burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS.

Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of law and launched an investigation. The accused, identified as Mannu, was arrested on April 27 and is currently in police custody.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Campaigning ended for the second phase of the assembly election in West Bengal on Monday with political parties giving one last strong push for the second and final phase of the 2026 Assembly elections before voters exercise their franchise on April 29. The Baranagar area of North 24 Parganas district witnessed tension between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers during the final hours of campaigning. Speaking on the situation, Sajal Ghosh, BJP candidate from the Baranagar Assembly Constituency, said, "... When I came here to hold a public meeting, I was told that my electrician was not allowed to work here because these people (TMC workers) did not allow him to work. When I spoke to them, they said they would leave after some time. When I came back, they still did not leave. I called all my people. I complained to the Election Commission that extra time should be given to me... No police, no central force was deployed here..." The incident took place amid heightened political activity as both parties intensified their campaign efforts ahead of polling. Supporters of both sides reportedly came face-to-face, leading to a tense situation in the area. Earlier in the day, in a letter addressed to the people of West Bengal on the last day of election campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that he aims to transform every challenge in West Bengal into an opportunity, exuding optimism that the next Chief Minister of West Bengal will be a candidate of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). He said that despite the extreme heat, the Prime Minister did not feel any fatigue during his rallies and roadshows and that there is a unique energy in the State. "Throughout this election campaign, I have experienced a unique energy in Bengal. Despite the scorching heat and the multitude of rallies, I did not feel even the slightest fatigue during this election in Bengal. These rallies and roadshows have felt like a pilgrimage to me. As I moved amongst the devotees of Maa Kali, it seemed as though Maa Kali herself was continuously infusing me with fresh energy," he wrote. The Prime Minister reiterated that he will not step back from his responsibility and steer the State towards the path of opportunities and development. "To serve Bengal, and to ensure the safety and security of Bengal--this is my solemn duty. To transform every challenge confronting Bengal into an opportunity is a task that is both my destiny and my responsibility. I will not waver or step back from this responsibility of mine. I give you my assurance: we will all come together to celebrate the joyous occasion of the BJP Chief Minister's swearing-in ceremony in Bengal," he added. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a roadshow in Kalyani assembly constituency and urged voters in the state to "break free from anarchy and misrule" of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), asserting that the state has an opportunity to restore its past glory. Addressing the gathering in North 24 Parganas, CM Yogi said, "This is your opportunity to break free from the anarchy and misrule of TMC, to restore the glory of Bengal." Union Minister Amit Shah also held a massive roadshow in Behala Paschim Assembly constituency and exuded confidence in the party's victory, reiterating the party's promise to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after securing a majority in the 294-member assembly. "The Bharatiya Janata Party is definitely going to form the government." "Where is the fear? We have to implement the UCC. Our agenda is that there cannot be four marriages in India. So far, no major incidents of violence have been reported. Not a single death has occurred. The elections are being held peacefully." Shah said. In a post on X, Shah said, "The voting in the final phase of Bengal will create a new history, every single vote will lay a strong foundation for change, and the lotus will bloom in Bengal." From the TMC's side, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Mamata Banerjee held a padyatra in Bhabanipur Assembly constituency and interacted with the people ahead of the silence period. The padyatra covered multiple stretches across the constituency, including routes from Sukanta Setu to Dhakuria, Golpark to Gariahat Road, and from Hazra College to Gopalnagar More. She previously held a roadshow here on Sunday as well. The Chief Minister walked through parts of Bhabanipur as supporters gathered in large numbers during the public outreach programme. Earlier in the day, CM Mamata also expressed confidence in her party's electoral prospects, citing overwhelming public support during recent 'padyatras' and 'Janasabhas', and asserted that the "victory of Maa-Mati-Manush" is "a matter of time." Sharing a post on X ahead of the second phase Assembly election, Banerjee said, "The extraordinary enthusiasm, the genuine warmth, the spontaneous emotional outpouring of ordinary people at yesterday's padyatra and janasabhas have moved me in ways that words can only approximate. This is a bond forged over years of standing together through every challenge this land has faced. The victory of Maa-Mati-Manush is no longer a matter of prediction. It is a matter of time." Emphasising Bengal's cultural and historical identity, the Chief Minister said the state has long stood as a "beacon of harmony" and civilisational pride. Voicing his support, addressing a public interaction in Kolkata, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, "I want to extend my best wishes to Mamata Banerjee for these elections. I congratulate the people of West Bengal for the way they are fighting against this dictatorship. In the last two days, the atmosphere I have seen in the state, it appears that the people of Bengal will take revenge for cutting 90 lakhs votes in the state." As campaigning concludes, the ECI stated that all preparations have been completed and polling parties are now being deployed to their designated booths across Sandeshkhali. "All Preparation Done. ECI Polling Parties moving to their respective Polling Stations, crossing rivers by boat to reach riverine areas of 123 Sandeshkhali AC, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal," ECI posted on X With the beginning of the silence period, the fate of 142 constituencies will now be decided on April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. (ANI)
Noting that BRICS+ meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys held in New Delhi on April 23-24 2026 ended without a joint statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday alleged that the Modi government insisted on "diluting the language on Israel and Palestine" and said "India is the only major country in the world to continue to show such steadfast solidarity with the Israeli regime". In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh said a reason for the lack of consensus at the meeting was the divergent positions of Iran an UAE on the West Asia crisis, and this was only to be expected. "The BRICS+ meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys held in New Delhi on April 23-24 2026 ended without a joint statement. Iran and UAE are both part of the 11-member BRICS+ and their divergent positions on the war in West Asia are only to be expected," he said. "But what is shocking and shameful is that the other reason for not having a joint statement was India's insistence on diluting the language on Israel and Palestine which was unacceptable to the representatives from Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, UAE, and Iran," he added. The Congress leader accused Israel of "genocide" in Gaza. "India is the only major country in the world to continue to show such steadfast solidarity with the Israeli regime that continues its genocide in Gaza, its heavy bombardment of southern Lebanon, and its brutal dispossession and displacement of lakhs of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Israel are clearly soulmates, with Israel also now being an important part of the vast predatory Modani empire," he said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said that a joint statement could not be issued following the BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) meeting, which took place on April 24 in the national capital, as member countries were unable to reach a general consensus due to differences over the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in the region, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that only a "chair summary" was released following the meeting, as "general consensus could not be reached among the members" who took part in the meeting due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. "A Chair's Summary was released, as a joint statement could not be achieved. A joint statement was not possible because a general consensus could not be reached among the members--the delegates who attended the BRICS MENA meeting--regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia," Jaiswal said. (ANI)
According to a statement released by the Chief Minister's Office, the Chief Minister telephonically took the details of the incident and directed the district administration to gather information and take strict action against those responsible.

He also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty for the peace of the departed soul and for strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

Two persons have been arrested in connection with a shooting incident during a Religious ceremony in Kulgaon village of Chirgaon area in Rohru subdivision, which resulted in the death of a 26-year-old woman.

Speaking to ANI, Additional SP Abhishek said, "A case has been registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (murder) and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959. Two accused have been arrested, and the weapon used in the incident has been recovered. Further investigation is in progress."

The deceased has been identified as Ritika, a resident of Andra village in Chirgaon, Shimla district.

The incident occurred around midnight on April 27 during a temple consecration ceremony, where celebratory firing allegedly took place, and a bullet hit the woman.

Police said statements of eyewitnesses are being recorded, and forensic examination of evidence, including the recovered weapon, is underway.

Abhishek added that the situation remains under control despite protests by locals following the incident. (ANI)
President of the Arya Idiga Kendra Samiti, Swami Pranavananda, on Monday urged the Congress high command to appoint Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, asserting that failing to do so would be an insult to the Vokkaliga community. The demand comes as the Karnataka government recently crossed the halfway mark of its term, reviving speculation regarding a "two-and-a-half-year" power-sharing arrangement between the top leadership of the state. "I have already discussed this with DK Shivakumar as well. Through the media, I request him to take the next bold step. This is insulting. Why is the Congress party taking such a decision? This is not good. DK Shivakumar has many ministers and supporters with him. We have power and dedication. Wherever DK Shivakumar goes, to districts and taluks, you can see that not just one caste, but Congress workers and people from all communities gather there. He is not merely a caste leader. But the Vokkaliga community wants him to become Chief Minister. If the high command does not make him CM, then it is also an insult to the Vokkaliga community," said Swami Pranavananda. Swami Pranavananda further warned that any delay in executing the decision to appoint DK Shivakumar as Chief Minister would lead to significant challenges for the Congress party. He asserted that these issues would not be confined to Karnataka but would impact the party on a broader scale. "Now that two-and-a-half years have already passed, and nearly three years are approaching, why should we keep waiting for the high command? Maybe the high command has now become a 'low command' because of this delay. I am warning the Congress high command that if you delay further in making DK Shivakumar the Chief Minister of Karnataka, the Congress party will face many issues, not only in Karnataka," added Pranavananda. The power struggle within the Karnataka Congress intensified as the state government reached its halfway mark, triggering fresh speculation over a potential leadership change. The ongoing controversy features key figures including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Adding a new dimension to the tussle, Home Minister G Parameshwara, a prominent Dalit leader, has also signalled his aspirations for the top post. (ANI)
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Puducherry on Monday announced a protest against the alleged removal of the French language from CBSE schools following a new central notification on mandatory third language implementation from the academic year 2026-27. In a statement issued by Puducherry state opposition leader Siva, the party said the implementation of the new directive within a short span of time has created significant tension among teachers and stakeholders, and termed the move ''highly condemnable.'' He said that the notification is a deceitful act that destroys the unique French cultural identity of Puducherry and its long linguistic history. He further stated that it directly takes away the rights of the indigenous people of Puducherry, who have made French a part of their life and cultural identity. He also said that the decision has created uncertainty regarding the livelihood and employment of teachers who have been teaching the French language for many years in schools across the Union Territory. He added that such arbitrary decisions imposing language policies would not be accepted, as they go against the region''s linguistic diversity and cultural fabric. The Puducherry DMK said it will organise a large-scale language rights protest to condemn the education department over the issue. Similarly, former DMK minister S.P. Shivakumar, state secretary of the Communist Party of India Salim, and National People''s Front leader Swaminathan also condemned the central government over the decision. In a separate reaction earlier in the month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had also strongly criticised the CBSE''s new curriculum framework, calling it a "calculated attempt at linguistic imposition" that prioritises Hindi over regional languages. CM Stalin had said the policy undermined federalism, marginalised non-Hindi-speaking states and placed an undue burden on students and teachers, urging the Union government to respect India''s linguistic diversity and protect the rights of students across states. The reaction came after CBSE announced that it is set to introduce a phased three-language policy from the 2026-27 academic year, beginning with Class 6. The policy requires students to learn an additional language, with at least two of the three being Indian languages. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Monday warned that the defection of AAP leader Raghav Chadha and two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP would represent a direct assault on the Indian Constitution. Speaking to ANI, Dubey questioned the role of constitutional heads, specifically mentioning Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, suggesting that the machinery of the state is being used to facilitate political manoeuvres that bypass the direct will of the people. Dubey argued that when high-ranking officials assist those entering government through "the back door," it fundamentally weakens public faith in democratic institutions. "People associated with the BJP, whether they are the Governor of Maharashtra or CP Radhakrishnan (Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman), if they help those who have entered the government through the back door, people's trust in the Constitution will erode," Dubey said. The Shiv Sena leader further urged a halt to the proceedings until the judiciary weighs in on the legality of the move. "I believe that at least until this matter goes to court and is debated in the judiciary, this should not happen," he added. Earlier on April 27, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh wrote to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat seeking immediate clarification over the alleged unauthorised alteration of his party's position in the Upper House records. In his letter addressed to the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, Singh expressed concern that the officially recorded party position of the AAP, as reflected in documents, publications, and proceedings of the House. The development comes after the BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha increased to 113 after Chairman CP Radhakrishnan approved the merger of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs who quit the AAP. Losing two-thirds of its MPs has been a big setback for the AAP, which is now reduced to a strength of three members in the Upper House of Parliament. The trio of MPs--Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal--parted ways with the AAP on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party leadership. Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal had also switched to the BJP. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, a "split" is no longer recognised; however, a merger is valid if two-thirds of the members of a legislative party agree to join another party. By targeting exactly "2/3 of AAP Rajya Sabha MPs," the move appears calculated to meet the legal threshold for a merger, thereby avoiding disqualification, a tactic Dubey insists must be debated in the judiciary before being finalised. (ANI)
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held high-level talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Muscat, focusing on cooperation among Hormuz littoral states to ensure safe maritime transit amid the ongoing war with the US and Israel. In a post on X, Araghchi said, "Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman. Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world. Our neighbors are our priority." https://x.com/araghchi/status/2048519460793761995 The meeting took place at Al-Baraka Palace in the Omani capital on Sunday, according to Press TV. Discussions centred on the evolving regional situation, including efforts to resolve crises through dialogue and diplomatic engagement, alongside strengthening cooperation between the two countries. During the talks, Araghchi briefed the Omani leadership on Tehran's perspective regarding recent developments and outlined Iran's diplomatic initiatives to address ongoing conflicts. He also expressed appreciation for Oman's continued support for dialogue and mediation aimed at enhancing regional stability. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq reiterated Oman's commitment to facilitating diplomatic solutions, emphasising the need to prioritise dialogue to mitigate the impact of crises on people across the region. He underlined that sustained engagement and mediation are key to achieving long-term peace and security. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions following the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, with Tehran stepping up diplomatic engagements across multiple capitals. Oman has historically played a mediating role in regional disputes, particularly in facilitating indirect talks involving Iran and Western countries. Following his Oman visit, Araghchi travelled to Pakistan, where he met senior civil and military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, as part of efforts to sustain dialogue on the evolving situation. He later departed for Russia to continue consultations with senior officials. (ANI)
Former US President Barack Obama on Sunday condemned the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, stressing that violence has no place in a democratic society and praising the courage of security personnel. In a post on X, Obama said, "Although we don't yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it's incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy." He further added, "It's also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I'm grateful to them - and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay." https://x.com/BarackObama/status/2048511290021237017 The incident occurred during the high-profile annual event attended by US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several senior officials. Authorities confirmed that all key attendees were unharmed, though a Secret Service officer sustained injuries while responding to the situation. Weijia Jiang, President of the White House Correspondents' Association, described the episode as a "harrowing moment" and praised the swift action by the United States Secret Service and law enforcement personnel. "Their actions protected thousands of guests," she said, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured officer. According to US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the suspect managed to fire "a couple shots" before being quickly subdued. Speaking to CNN, Blanche said the individual "barely got past the perimeter" and was immediately contained, crediting security agencies for an effective response. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was taken into custody after allegedly breaching a security checkpoint, prompting a swift evacuation of attendees and lockdown of the venue. Meanwhile, President Trump also criticised NATO over what he described as a lack of support, stating that the United States has spent "trillions of dollars" to protect Europe. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Sunday described the suspect involved in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting as driven by "strongly anti-Christian" motives, citing early assessments and the individual's alleged manifesto. "He had a lot of hatred in his heart for quite a while, and he just, I don't know. He just, it was a religious thing. It was strongly anti, anti-Christian," Trump told Fox News, pointing to what he described as deep-seated hostility towards Christians. The President further added, "The guy is a sick guy, when you read his manifesto. He hates Christians, that's one thing for sure... and I think his sister or his brother actually was complaining about it. They were even complaining to law enforcement. He was a very troubled guy." The remarks come after a shooting incident disrupted the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC, attended by top political leaders, journalists and officials. Authorities confirmed that President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were safely evacuated, while a security officer sustained injuries during the response. Weijia Jiang, President of the White House Correspondents' Association, termed the incident a "harrowing moment" and praised the swift action by the United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies. "We express our deepest gratitude... Their actions protected thousands of guests," she said, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured officer. US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said preliminary findings suggest the suspect may have been targeting members of the Trump administration, though the exact motive remains under investigation. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was taken into custody after allegedly breaching a security checkpoint and firing shots before being subdued. Meanwhile, Trump also renewed his criticism of NATO, expressing disappointment over what he described as a lack of support. "We spend trillions of dollars on NATO... They can't do it without us," he said. (ANI)
Former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid on Sunday announced the merger of their political parties into a new unified formation titled "Together, Led by Bennett," in a move aimed at unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. According to The Jerusalem Post, the agreement between the two leaders was finalised on Saturday evening, with both sides confirming that their respective parties, Yesh Atid and Bennett 2026, will contest the elections as a single list. The elections are scheduled to take place no later than October, and the merger is expected to reshape Israel's political landscape by consolidating the opposition bloc. Announcing the alliance at a joint press conference in Herzliya, Bennett described the move as a historic step. "I am taking the most Zionist and most patriotic step we have ever taken, for our country," he said, adding that the unity signals "the era of division is over." Lapid echoed the sentiment, urging voters across the political centre to rally behind the new alliance. "To win the elections, the entire Israeli centre must rally behind Naftali Bennett," he said, drawing parallels with recent electoral outcomes in Hungary, where unified opposition fronts secured victories. The newly formed bloc has made it clear that it will only partner with Zionist opposition parties and will not form a coalition with Arab parties. Bennett said that if elected, his government would establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attacks, introduce a universal conscription law, and impose an eight-year term limit for prime ministers. He also outlined plans to advance civil and same-sex marriage, while emphasising national security priorities. "We will safeguard the lands of our country and will not hand over a single centimeter to the enemy," Bennett said. The leaders have also extended an open invitation to Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar! Party, to join the alliance. "Our door is open to you," Bennett said, signalling ongoing efforts to further consolidate the opposition. Political reactions were swift, with opposition leaders welcoming the move as a step toward unity, while members of Netanyahu's ruling coalition criticised the merger, referencing Bennett and Lapid's previous coalition that included the Ra'am Party. Recent opinion polls cited by Israeli media indicate that Bennett's political bloc is running neck and neck with Netanyahu's Likud party, while Lapid's Yesh Atid has seen declining support. Bennett and Lapid previously governed together in a rotation arrangement formed after multiple elections between 2019 and 2021. Their coalition collapsed within a year, paving the way for Netanyahu's return in 2022. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of seven sorties of Chinese military aircraft and nine vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Monday. Of the seven, six entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern part ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "7 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 7 sorties entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2048567812801638668?s=20 Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan detected the presence of 28 sorties of Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around itself. Of the 28, 18 sorties entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern part ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "28 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 18 out of 28 sorties entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2048205420452532495?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)
Iran's Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf on Monday said in a cryptic message that although US President Donald Trump claims he has all the cards, Iran, too holds quite a leverage. Ghalibaf, through a mathematical equation, explained that Iran's supply equates demand by the US. In a post on X, he said, "They brag about the cards. Let's see: Supply Cards= Demand Cards. SOH (partly played)+BEM(unplayed)+Pipelines(unplayed)= Inv Release (played)+Demand Destruction (partly played)+More Price Adj (to come)." https://x.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2048492561350717700?s=20 He added, "Add summer vacation to the right unless they want to cancel it for the US!" Here, SOH refers to the Strait of Hormuz. BEM refers to Bab el-Mandeb. Ghalibaf meant to say that Iran held the 'supply cards', that is, tools to disrupt global oil supply. Strait of Hormuz is partly threatened, while the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and pipelines remain unused. Ghalibaf said that the US holds cards to respond to these disruptions. The US lets inventory release, and 'destroy' the demand of oil by letting prices rise. In the end, he noted that the summer are peak season for oil demand. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed even then, the gas prices in US will go off the roofs. This would happen right before mid terms, raising Trump's fears of a blue wave. In 2026, the Midterm General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3. Meanwhile, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has called for freedom of navigation during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. https://x.com/badralbusaidi/status/2048477902241661353?s=20 "Good discussion on the Strait of Hormuz with Iran's Foreign Minister Dr. Araghchi. As litoral states, we recognize our shared responsibility to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long. Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation," he said in a post on X. (ANI)
Upon his arrival in St Petersburg, the Iranian Foreign Minister provided insights into his recent diplomatic missions to Pakistan and Oman. According to the Iranian state media broadcaster, IRNA news agency, Abbas Araghchi described his journey to Islamabad as "very productive" and noted it involved "good consultations." During these meetings, officials reportedly "reviewed past events and the specific conditions under which negotiations between Iran and the US could continue." Shifting the focus to maritime security, the Foreign Minister detailed his subsequent visit to Muscat, where discussions centred on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The IRNA news agency quoted Araghchi as saying, "Iran and Oman are the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, making mutual consultations necessary--especially as safe passage through the Strait has become a significant global issue." The Foreign Minister further explained that the geography of the waterway necessitates a unified approach between the neighbouring nations. "It is natural that, as the two coastal nations of this Strait, we must engage in dialogue to ensure our common interests are met and to remain coordinated in any action taken, as the interests of both Iran and Oman are directly involved," he stated. Highlighting the diplomatic alignment between the two countries, the IRNA news agency reported a "high degree of consensus" regarding these maritime concerns. Araghchi added that both sides have agreed "that consultations should continue at the expert level" to maintain regional stability and safeguard shared interests. Building on this regional momentum, the Iranian Foreign Ministeris in St Petersburg to conduct high-level discussions with senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin. According to a report by Al Jazeera citing remarks made to Iranian media, Abbas Araghchi stated that he had travelled to Russia "with the aim of continuing close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues." The visit comes amidst an intensifying period of regional diplomacy, where coordination with global allies remains a priority for Tehran. Araghchi indicated that his scheduled meeting with the Russian President later today "will be a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation." Highlighting the strategic importance of the talks, Al Jazeera noted the Foreign Minister's confidence in the bilateral engagement. "I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance," Araghchi added. This high-profile meeting in St Petersburg serves as a follow-up to the Foreign Minister's recent missions to Oman and Pakistan. It underscores Tehran's current strategy to align perspectives with its key partners before any potential further negotiations regarding the broader West Asian conflict. In a continued diplomatic push to navigate the regional crisis, the IRNA news agency highlighted that Araghchi's flight to the Russian city carried the significant callsign "Minab 168." The designation was chosen in memory of the children killed during a US-Israeli military strike on an elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on February 28. Strengthening the diplomatic channel between Moscow and Tehran, a Russian Foreign Ministry official confirmed to the news agency TASS that Abbas Araghchi would visit Russia "for talks." This was further corroborated by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who stated that the head of state was scheduled to meet with the Iranian minister to discuss the intensifying regional situation. Outlining the agenda for the high-level visit, Tehran's Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, pointed out that the top diplomat planned "to hold consultations with the Russian authorities on the current situation in the talks, the ceasefire and developments around the conflict" in the Middle East. Ambassador Jalali noted that "given bilateral relations between the two countries and the fact that Iran and Russia, as neighbours, see eye-to-eye on a number of regional and international issues, we have seen regular communication at the high and top levels." This alignment has recently manifested on the global stage, particularly during United Nations Security Council deliberations regarding a US-initiated resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, which he described as "unbalanced and irrational." The envoy specifically highlighted the effective cooperation between the two capitals, noting that "Russia and China spoke out against it and used their veto right," underscoring Moscow's role in shielding Tehran from Western diplomatic pressure. Prior to his arrival in Russia, the top Iranian diplomat held pivotal meetings in Islamabad. According to the Tasnim news agency, sources indicated that the talks in Pakistan touched upon a "new legal regime for the Strait of Hormuz," the removal of the American blockade on Iranian ports, "compensation payments," and explicit "guarantees of no further attacks on Iran." Addressing the nature of these regional engagements, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei pointed out that the minister had intended to communicate solely with senior Pakistani officials regarding their mediation efforts, clarifying that "no meetings with US officials" were included on the agenda. However, the Fars news agency reported that a significant document was handed over to Pakistan to be conveyed to Washington. Fars claimed that this communication clarified Tehran's "key red lines," with a specific focus on the control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the nation's "nuclear energy sector." Following the cancellation of high-profile Islamabad peace talks by US President Donald Trump last week, "fresh signs" of diplomatic movement have surfaced. Tehran has reportedly provided Washington with a "new proposal" aimed at the dual objectives to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war," according to a report by Axios which cited a US official. As part of this diplomatic framework, Iran has also suggested a move to "postpone nuclear negotiations" until a subsequent phase of the peace process. (ANI)
The US military has carried out a strike in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on a vessel allegedly carrying drugs, killing three people, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said on Monday. "On April 26, at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander General Francis Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel," a post by the US Southern Command on X read. "Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the Southern Command, which oversees US military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, said. The Southern Command also posted a video on X showing a boat exploding in flames. At least 186 people have been killed since early September in the Trump administration's strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters, as per CBS News, which said that other strikes have taken place in the Caribbean Sea. The American broadcaster said that at least eight boat strikes have occurred in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific so far this month. A report in the New York Times said the latest strike marked the 54th attack the US has conducted since September. US forces had in January seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the Trump administration has accused of participating in narco-terrorism schemes. The US military campaign Operation Southern Spear began in September 2025, involving airstrikes by the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard against vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific suspected of drug trafficking. As per a report in the NYT, the White House has said the killings are lawful, arguing that President Trump has "determined" that the United States is in a formal armed conflict with drug cartels and that crews of drug-running boats are "combatants." Meanwhile, US forces are escorting the sanctioned merchant vessel 'Sevan' that it had intercepted in the Arabian Sea on Saturday (local US time) amidst enforcement of a US-led blockade on Iranian energy exports. Sevan, according to the US Central Command, was among a 19-vessel "shadow fleet" sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury for "activities related to transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets." The CENTCOM in a statement posted on X said that Sevan was intercepted in the Arabian Sea by a US Navy helicopter from guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91), and the merchant vessel "is currently complying with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran under escort." US forces continue to enforce US sanctions and fully implement the blockade against ships entering or departing Iranian ports. 37 vessels have been redirected since the start of the blockade, said the US Central Command. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday extended his wishes to Netherlands Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on the occasion of King's Day. Jaishankar reiterated his commitment to strengthen a multi-faceted relationship. In a post on X, he said, "Best Wishes to FM Tom Berendsen, the Government and people of the Netherlands on the occasion of King's Day. Committed to strengthening our multi-faceted relationship." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2048592635103948971?s=20 Earlier on April 24, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India Marisa Gerards, said that there will be a big visit soon from the nation. Gerards, while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the King's Day 2026 celebration hosted by the Embassy, said that India and the Netherlands will work together on trade, AI, semiconductors, etc. She said, "We will strategically strengthen our relationship. Very soon, there will be a big visit coming up where we will announce it as well. We think in this time and age, you need trusted friends. We need to work together on trade and investment, also in innovation, high tech, semiconductor AI, and innovation in the sectors of agriculture, water, energy, and shipping... These are all subjects where we will do more together." Union Minister Jitendra Singh also attended the celebration hosted by the Embassy at the Ambassador's Residence. While addressing the gathering, Singh said, "These are two countries and two nations which have traditionally shared a deep bond over the centuries. In a world beset with geopolitical situations and constantly changing dynamics, it is indeed a compliment that this relationship between the two nations, the two governments, has been steady and at the same time has been progressing from one level to another... The Indian diaspora, those small in number in the Netherlands, is very actively engaged... We have collaborations in water, agriculture, and high tech." India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. Today, India and the Netherlands enjoy strong political, economic and commercial relations. (ANI)
A local court in Karachi has thrown out a case lodged against Fauzia Shashani Baloch, a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), along with several of her family members, after they were detained by police during a protest regarding the alleged enforced disappearance of her brother, Dad Shashani, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). Officials stated that the case was withdrawn following a directive from a local magistrate, after which those in custody were released. Police had reportedly filed charges under Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to sedition. Fauzia Baloch was detained on April 25 while she was on her way to meet journalists outside the Karachi Press Club. Her mother and other relatives accompanying her were also taken into custody. Reports suggested that a total of seven individuals were detained and moved to an undisclosed location. The detentions took place as the family attempted to highlight concerns about the disappearance of Dad Shashani, whom relatives claim was taken by Pakistani security forces from his residence on April 21, 2026. According to the family, his whereabouts have remained unknown since then. Relatives said they tried to file a First Information Report (FIR) at a local police station regarding his disappearance, but their complaint was not accepted. They later went to the Karachi Press Club to publicly appeal for his recovery, where the arrests occurred, as cited in the TBP report. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee criticised the detentions and demanded the immediate release of those arrested, along with information about the whereabouts of Dad Shashani Baloch. The group also urged international human rights organisations to observe and address rights violations in Balochistan and Karachi. Pakistani authorities have not responded to the family's allegations regarding Dad Shashani's disappearance, according to TBP. Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan continue to represent a serious human rights concern. Families often spend years searching for missing relatives, while activists accuse security agencies of unlawful detentions and staged encounters. Despite repeated protests and reports by rights organisations, accountability remains limited. These unresolved cases continue to generate fear, anger, and deep mistrust between the state and the Baloch community. (ANI)
The scheduled resumption of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his ongoing criminal trial has been abandoned, according to a report by the Times of Israel citing Hebrew media. The proceedings were expected to restart today following a two-month break necessitated by the conflict with Iran. The sudden suspension of the legal session reportedly follows the submission of specific security concerns by Netanyahu's legal representative, Amit Hadad. While the court had prepared for the high-profile testimony to proceed, the Times of Israel noted that "no further details are immediately available" regarding the nature of the security risks or the duration of this latest postponement. This development follows a decision made last week, when the Jerusalem District Court cancelled Netanyahu's scheduled appearances for the current week. According to reports by the Times of Israel and the Jerusalem Post, the court acceded to a defence request citing "security and diplomatic" considerations. The court subsequently approved Netanyahu's request to postpone his appearance, with another witness set to testify in his place. While a hearing scheduled for Tuesday has also been cancelled, the State Attorney's Office had opposed the move, arguing that the Prime Minister should align his schedule with court proceedings to complete his cross-examination in the public interest. The decision was issued Sunday by a panel of Jerusalem District Court Judges, Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am, and Oded Shaham, who agreed to hear from another defence witness instead. Consequently, the court will now hear testimony from Ilanit Filber, the wife of former Netanyahu aide and state witness Shlomo Filber. The testimony is central to "Case 4000", also known as the Bezeq-Walla affair, which remains the most serious of the cases against Netanyahu. In this instance, he faces bribery charges over allegations that he directed regulatory decisions benefiting businessman Shaul Elovitch's Bezeq telecom company in exchange for favourable coverage on the Walla news website. Netanyahu has consistently denied these allegations, including claims surrounding a key "directive meeting" with Shlomo Filber, who served as Communications Ministry director-general. The Jerusalem Post reported that Filber's own 2022 testimony was marked by inconsistencies, eventually prompting the State Attorney's Office to seek the annulment of his state witness agreement. The trial currently remains in the cross-examination phase, which began in June 2025 following Netanyahu's initial appearance on the stand in December 2024. (ANI)
Children shine at Chinese language recitation competition in Myanmar's Yangon

Xinhua) 08:56, April 27, 2026

A student competes during a Chinese language recitation competition at the China Cultural Center in Yangon, Myanmar, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Soe Pyae Tun/Xinhua)

YANGON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Children gathered at the China Cultural Center in Yangon on Sunday for the final round of the 9th Chinese Language recitation competition, showcasing their language skills and confidence on stage.

U Aung Kyaw Koe, Vice Chairman of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association (Central), delivered remarks during the ceremony, noting that language serves as a bridge connecting minds, while culture strengthens friendship.

He said Chinese language recitation is not only an art of expression, but also a way of passing down culture. Through recitation, children can experience the beauty of the Chinese language, including its rhythm, tone and emotional depth. It also helps them better understand the essence of Chinese culture while improving their language skills.

A student competes during a Chinese language recitation competition at the China Cultural Center in Yangon, Myanmar, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Soe Pyae Tun/Xinhua)

He added that such activities foster an appreciation for culture and help build confidence among young learners.

Cho Cho Myint, principal of Bowen Chinese School, said more children participated this year compared to previous years, and that they showed greater development, experience and confidence on stage.

"This event is not only for children of Chinese descent in Myanmar, but also for Myanmar children learning the Chinese language," she said. "I can see that children are becoming more confident and capable each year."

"We will continue organizing this program in the future, as it strengthens China-Myanmar friendship and cultural exchange," she added.

A student competes during a Chinese language recitation competition at the China Cultural Center in Yangon, Myanmar, April 26, 2026.(Photo by Soe Pyae Tun/Xinhua)

Participants also shared their experiences. Phyu Sin Thet Moe, 14, said this was her third time participating. "The first time, I didn't win anything but gained experience. The second time, I prepared well and won first prize. This time, I also won first prize. I joined again to maintain my skills," she said.

"I feel very happy and proud. I want to encourage everyone to believe in themselves and keep going," she added.

A student competes during a Chinese language recitation competition at the China Cultural Center in Yangon, Myanmar, April 26, 2026. (Photo by Soe Pyae Tun/Xinhua)

May Thin Lwin Oo, 15, who won third prize, said she was happy with her achievement. "There were many competitors, and it was challenging because they were very talented, so I felt a lot of pressure. I learned more about Chinese culture and improved my pronunciation and speaking skills," she said.

The competition attracted more than 1,500 students from Chinese schools across Myanmar, of whom 55 advanced to the final round. First, second and third prizes, along with excellence awards and other prizes, were presented to the finalists, according to Bowen Chinese School.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev on Monday said that as Iran is reaching out to a newer set of its allies, including Russia. Sachdev, while speaking to ANI, said that there could be another attack on Iran if the talks go on without any solution. "If these negotiations continue to stretch out without progress, there is a real possibility of another attack on Iran. As of now, the discussions seem to be going in circles. The United States could grow tired of the delay, and key players like Netanyahu may pressure the Americans to push for an attack to obliterate the regime. Unfortunately, this may simply be the lull before the storm, potentially leading to a massive attack by the United States and Israel in the coming days," he said. He pondered if Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's multi nation tour is a harbinger of potential change in current geopolitical landscape. "Iran is currently engaging in swing diplomacy, reaching out to its allies like Pakistan and Oman. The Iranian Foreign Minister recently visited Pakistan, then Oman, returned to Pakistan, and has now gone to Russia. These visits raise questions about the current geopolitical landscape and the specific role Russia might play in these developments," he said. Sachdev said that Russia's role remains shrouded but earlier during a nuclear deal, it airlifted tons of uranium from Iran. "The exact role of Russia remains uncertain, but they historically played a significant part in the previous nuclear deal with the West, during which approximately 12.5 tons of Iranian uranium was airlifted to Russia. Beyond this historical linkage, these visits likely aim to fortify Iran's strategic relations with Russia. Given the threat of an impending war, this support could involve technology, ammunition, or further strategic backing from Russia, in addition to discussions regarding an overall ceasefire," he said. Sachdev further said that Trump just wants the 'trophy', i.e. Iran's uranium to create an impact like he did with Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro. "The crux of the matter appears to be the "trophy" that Trump wants: the enriched uranium currently held by Iran. He seeks a visible symbol of success, much like his spectacular actions regarding Maduro, so he can clearly claim victory. Iran, however, is adamant about not giving up its uranium. While they relocated uranium during the Obama-era deal pursuant to diplomatic talks, doing so now would be viewed as a surrender in a time of war. Because of this, many of the current discussions seem to be beating around the bush," he said. Sachdev further said that Iran has proposed focusing on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz before discussing nuclear weapons. "Iran has proposed focusing on the opening of the Strait of Hormuz before discussing nuclear weapons. From Iran's perspective, this is a logical move. They would be willing to open the Strait as long as the United States lifts its blockade, allowing the flow of shipping to resume and the world economy to recover. Under this scenario, a ceasefire would begin, but Iran's enriched uranium would remain within its borders. This allows supply lines to flow again, but it leaves the United States without the removal of the uranium it seeks," he said. Sachdev then said that further issues that are sticking points in the deal- are Iran demanding reparations for damage, and its missile program. "Other significant issues remain, such as Iran's missile program and their claims for compensation. The extent to which Iran can continue testing and developing long-distance missiles remains a major sticking point. If a compromise is reached only regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Iran would maintain the upper hand in this complex game of chess," he said. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has communicated a definitive list of Tehran's "red lines" to be passed to the United States during his recent diplomatic mission to Pakistan, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars. (ANI)
Former Senior Diplomat Surendra Kumar has said that both Iran and the US seem exhausted and want an agreement but want to project themselves as the victor. Kumar, while speaking to ANI, said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's multi-nation tour perhaps suggests his seriousness. "I personally feel that both sides are exhausted and truly want an agreement. However, both sides also want to project to their constituents that they have not succumbed to pressure and have safeguarded their national interests. The extensive travels of the Iranian foreign minister--from Islamabad to Doha and now to Moscow--suggest that the Iranians are serious. Despite their public rhetoric, they are realizing their limitations. They have suffered enormous devastation, and with the blockade, their earnings will vanish," he said. Kumar said that even Trump's ultimatums have softened. "Any development that lowers the temperature and softens the tone should be welcomed. Previously, President Trump was giving ultimatums, demanding surrender by a specific date or threatening total destruction. That tone has shifted. Offering a phone number or a meeting is a significant departure from his previous standard. While nobody can predict his next move, the current tone is noticeably more positive. This is even evident in the Iranian foreign minister's departure from Pakistan before the American delegation arrived; his reaction was not sharp, simply noting the futility of a long journey if neither side is ready," he said. Kumar noted that mediation efforts by friendly countries are welcome. "Consequently, they are looking for a solution. Mediation efforts by trusted partners like Oman are crucial. Despite previous tensions, Oman seems to understand Iran's position, and the fact that they received the Iranian foreign minister shows they support the mediation efforts," he said. He also noted that global attention has shifted away from Iran for a few days, giving mediators on both sides time to work out a more acceptable compromise. "I am cautiously optimistic that something is working. Following the shootout at the press dinner, global attention has shifted away from Iran for a few days, giving mediators on both sides time to work out a more acceptable compromise. We should hope for a resolution to this long conflict, which has caused suffering not only for Iranians but for the entire world, impacting international supply chains and shipping. Hopefully, the blockade and Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz will end, allowing for a return to business as usual," he said. Kumar further said that China and Russia have been the primary beneficiaries of the current situation as the largest importers of Iranian oil, underscoring the importance of Iran FM's visit. "The Iranian foreign minister's presence in Russia is a significant development. China and Russia have been the primary beneficiaries of the current situation as the largest importers of Iranian oil. Despite American warnings against buying oil, market considerations often prevail. Both nations depend heavily on Iran but also recognize the geopolitical limitations. President Trump is scheduled to visit China next month and has been softening his tone toward Russia, suggesting he might invite Putin to the G20 in Florida or bring Russia back into the G7 to make it the G8. He is dangling a carrot to Russia to bring them back into the mainstream of international discourse," he said. Kumar noted that despite their support to Iran, China and Russia are unlikely to openly challenge the US. "While China and Russia may voice concerns about violations of international law or the blockade, they are unlikely to openly challenge the United States. Iranians, meanwhile, are looking for guarantees. Recalling the last P5+1 agreement, they want assurance that they won't be attacked again in six months. They want China and Russia on their side to see to what extent the Russians can support them. Generally, the Russians seem willing to provide support, provided it stops short of an open, vehement challenge to Trump. Overall, the process appears to be moving toward a solution, likely arriving in the very near future," he said. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has communicated a definitive list of Tehran's "red lines" to be passed to the United States during his recent diplomatic mission to Pakistan, according to Iranian state media outlet Fars. (ANI)
As diplomatic efforts to secure a breakthrough between the United States and Iran continue, a senior Iranian lawmaker has raised significant concerns regarding Pakistan's role as a neutral intermediary. Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for Iran's national security and foreign policy commission, suggested that Islamabad may be too aligned with Washington to serve as an effective go-between. In a statement shared on X, the Dashtestan representative argued that "Pakistan is a good friend and neighbour of ours, but it is not a suitable mediator for negotiations and lacks the necessary credibility." He further alleged that Pakistani officials "always take Trump's interests into account and do not speak against the Americans' wishes," citing a perceived reluctance to challenge US diplomatic reversals. https://x.com/EbrahimRezaei14/status/2048390709862871243?s=20 Rezaei pointed to specific instances where he felt the mediation had been one-sided, claiming the intermediaries "do not say that the Americans had commitments regarding Lebanon or blocked assets but failed to honour them." Emphasising the need for a balanced approach, the MP noted that "a mediator must be impartial, not always leaning to one side." These critical remarks come despite intensive shuttle diplomacy by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who recently visited Islamabad to sustain the momentum of the talks. During his mission, Araghchi engaged with Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to explore potential pathways towards resolving the regional conflict. Before his arrival in Pakistan, Araghchi had held consultations in Oman with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, focusing on maritime safety and broader diplomatic frameworks. Discussions have reportedly expanded beyond the traditional nuclear impasse to include a "new legal framework for the strait," as well as demands for compensation, security assurances, and the removal of US naval restrictions. The Iranian Foreign Minister has since travelled to Moscow for further high-level talks, even as the pace of negotiations appears to be slowing. The diplomatic friction is underscored by a recent shift in Washington's stance, where President Donald Trump indicated that Iranian authorities "can initiate contact" if they seek to negotiate, following the cancellation of a proposed US delegation visit to Pakistan. Despite the friction, following the cancellation of high-profile Islamabad peace talks by US President Donald Trump last week, "fresh signs" of diplomatic movement have surfaced. Tehran has reportedly provided Washington with a "new proposal" aimed at the dual objectives to "reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war," according to a report by Axios, which cited a US official. As part of this diplomatic framework, Iran has also suggested a move to "postpone nuclear negotiations" until a subsequent phase of the peace process. (ANI)
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Monday reiterated the group's refusal to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, stressing continued resistance against Israeli "aggression", as reported by Al Jazeera. Qassem said direct talks remain "out of question" and underscored Hezbollah's military stance. "We will not give up weapons, and the defence and the field have proven our readiness for confrontation," he said. According to Al Jazeera, he also criticised the Lebanese government's approach, adding, "The authorities [Lebanon's government] rushed to make an unnecessary and gratuitous concession, and we categorically refuse direct negotiations [with Israel]. The authorities must stop direct negotiations and pursue a path of indirect negotiations." Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops carried out operations targeting "imminent threats" in Southern Lebanon on Sunday. "Yesterday (Sunday), IDF soldiers identified three terrorists who approached the area in which IDF soldiers are operating, south of the Forward Defense Line, posing an imminent threat. Following the identification, the Israeli Air Force struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat," the IDF said in a statement. The military added that additional strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure. The IDF also reported secondary explosions. "In addition, several Hezbollah military structures were struck, including the headquarters of the Bint Jbeil sector and additional structures. Following the strikes, secondary explosions were identified, indicating the presence of weapons stored in the area," the IDF stated. Reaffirming its position, the IDF said, "The IDF will continue to operate decisively against threats directed at Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, in accordance with directives from the political echelon." Meanwhile, on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon is being undermined by Hezbollah, warning that Israel will continue to respond with force to ensure security along its northern border of the Jewish state. Speaking at the start of a government meeting, Netanyahu said that despite perceptions suggesting otherwise, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remains actively engaged in operations in Lebanon, adding that Hezbollah's violations are effectively "disintegrating the ceasefire." "Regarding Lebanon: one might get the impression that the IDF is not active there. It is active, and it is acting with force. It must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are essentially disintegrating the ceasefire," the Israeli PM said. He emphasised that Israel's primary obligation remains the protection of its citizens, soldiers, and communities, particularly in the northern region bordering Lebanon. According to Netanyahu, Israeli forces are operating under agreed rules with the United States and in coordination frameworks that also involve Lebanon. Earlier on April 23, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon for three weeks, adding that the US would work with Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. (ANI)
One month into office, Nepal's "super Prime Minister" Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, finds himself navigating a mix of high expectations, early reforms, and mounting controversies. Backed by a near two-thirds majority in Parliament, Shah assumed office on March 27 following the March 5 elections that rode on the momentum of a Gen Z-driven political wave in the Himalayan Nation. His rise had sparked optimism among young voters and reform advocates, many of whom saw in him a break from Nepal's traditional political establishment. In his very first cabinet meeting, Shah moved swiftly to endorse an ambitious 100-point governance reform agenda. The plan promised structural changes, including downsizing federal ministries, merging financially burdensome boards and committees, and depoliticising civil servants and teachers. It also envisioned citizen-centric service delivery--passports, licences, and citizenship documents delivered through the postal system. Further proposals included implementing recommendations from a commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, reviving underperforming projects, digitising investment and industrial services, and preparing a long-term energy export strategy. Yet, even as the blueprint signalled intent, the first month of governance has been overshadowed by turbulence. Before completing 30 days in office, Shah's cabinet had already seen the exit of two ministers--raising questions about judgement and internal cohesion. Nepal's Labour Minister Deepak Sah was recalled following controversy over appointing his spouse to the Health Insurance Board, while Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned amid criticism over alleged links with a businessman under investigation. "Recently, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung also resigned from the post. Within one month, two ministers have resigned from their posts. This has left the question: 'Aren't there any capable ministers who can take over the post from parliament?' This has left a question about who that capable minister is, and if there isn't, then why? Also remains unanswered," Michael Tamang, a Gen Z voter, told ANI. Among supporters, particularly the youth who powered his rise, the developments have triggered unease. "Being a youth and Gen Z, I was quite hopeful when Balen Shah became the Prime Minister, but due to recent controversies, it seems like the government hasn't been performing well, and within the formation of less than one month, two ministers from the government have resigned," Garima Shrestha, a Gen Z voter from Gorkha of Nepal, told ANI. Controversies have not been limited to personnel decisions. The government's move to implement the Karki Commission report, linked to the Gen Z protests issued by the interim government under former Prime Minister Sushila Karki, without a clear legal grounding, drew criticism early on. Similarly, the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak without proper paperwork invited legal and political backlash, with courts ordering their release. Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka was also freed after prolonged detention due to insufficient evidence. Despite campaigning on transparency and accountability, Shah has maintained a notably low public profile, and neither addressed the nation nor held a press conference since taking office--an absence that has added to public curiosity and criticism. His silence has been particularly noted in connection with allegations against his party chairman, Rabi Lamichhane, in cooperative scam cases. At the same time, the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has moved to amend provisions that would delay the disqualification of MPs until formal indictment--a move seen by critics as a protective measure for the people in power, which goes against the expectation of the youth who brought them in power. Governance style, too, has come under scrutiny. Access to the Prime Minister's Office has reportedly become more restricted, requiring special arrangements, raising concerns about transparency and public accessibility. Policy decisions have drawn mixed reactions. The introduction of a two-day weekend has been welcomed in some quarters but resisted by local governments and educational institutions struggling to adjust academic schedules. On the economic front, the government's promise to create domestic employment opportunities--central to its political messaging--remains under watch. "The government, until now, has been working quite well. As a youth myself, I have some expectations from the government - creating employment opportunities. There are a lot of youths flying abroad for employment. As the government (ruling RSP) in their manifesto had stated that they would lessen the number of youths going abroad for employment and instead create it here, until now, none of the significant steps have been taken in that area," Sadikshya Shrestha, a Gen-Z voter from Lalitpur, told ANI. Meanwhile, efforts to remove riverside squatters have sparked human rights concerns, with critics pointing to a lack of planning and humane rehabilitation measures. Trade and cost-of-living issues have also surfaced. The tightening of regulations along the Nepal-India open border has triggered protests, while fuel prices remain high despite tax waivers, with the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation increasing prices by around NPR 50 within a month. Administrative reforms have shown some early signs of progress--such as accelerating the backlog in driving licence distribution--though not without complaints over quality. Amid the mixed record, some citizens have pointed to incremental improvements in government functioning. "We can see the government offices are open in early hours and close late in the afternoon, so it's a positive change that we really need to acknowledge and really need to be happy about," Binayak Shumsher Thapa, a Gen Z youth from Kathmandu, told ANI. In a symbolic departure from past diplomatic practices, Shah also opted for a collective meeting with ambassadors rather than traditional one-on-one engagements--hinting at a shift in approach. For now, as Nepal's youngest political wave watches closely, Shah's government stands at a delicate juncture--its bold reform agenda intact on paper but its early credibility increasingly shaped by how it manages controversy, delivers on promises, and reconnects with public expectations. (ANI)
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday described the recently signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a "historic milestone" that extends far beyond economic cooperation, underscoring its strategic significance amid global uncertainties. In a post on X, Luxon recalled that it was just 13 months ago that he visited India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formally launch negotiations for the agreement. Highlighting the rapid progress, he credited the efforts of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay, along with their teams, for successfully concluding the deal. "Today, we mark a historic milestone in the relationship between India and New Zealand: the signing of our Free Trade Agreement. It was only 13 months ago that I travelled to India to meet with Prime Minister Modi and launch Free Trade Agreement negotiations. India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, but our trade relationship has only begun to scratch the surface of its potential," Luxon stated in his post. "Prime Minister Modi and I could see that an FTA would be a massive opportunity for both our two countries. Since my visit last March, Ministers Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay, and their officials, have worked tirelessly to negotiate a deal. The outcome of that hard work is a deal that delivers for India and for New Zealand. My congratulations to Minister Goyal, Minister McClay and all the negotiators who made this possible," it added. Earlier in the day, India and New Zealand signed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties. The agreement was formally signed by Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay in the presence of senior officials, business leaders, and industry stakeholders from both countries. As part of the agreement, New Zealand has committed to investing approximately USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years, signalling long-term confidence in India's growth trajectory. According to Luxon, the agreement is expected to significantly boost economic engagement between the two nations. For New Zealand, it opens access to one of the world's most dynamic markets, supporting its goal of doubling export value over the next decade and ensuring a more level playing field for its exporters. On the other hand, he said India stands to benefit from tariff-free access to the New Zealand market from the outset, along with enhanced access to high-quality agricultural and food products. The agreement also paves the way for deeper collaboration in agri-tech and food production, sectors where New Zealand has established global expertise. "For New Zealand, this FTA opens the door to one of the world's most dynamic markets and creates unprecedented opportunities to trade, invest, innovate and connect. This deal will help diversify New Zealand's export markets, support the goal of doubling the value of our exports over 10 years, and put New Zealand exporters on a more level playing field with competitors already enjoying preferential access in India," his post read. "For India, this deal means growth, innovation and new opportunities. It gives Indian exporters tariff-free access to the New Zealand market from day one, and it gives Indian consumers improved access to our high-quality exports. It creates new ways for India to partner with New Zealand on agricultural productivity and benefit from New Zealand's world-leading agri-tech and food-production expertise," it added. Emphasising the broader implications, Luxon said the FTA reflects a shared commitment to stable, predictable, and rules-based trade at a time when global economic conditions remain uncertain. He further highlighted that the relationship between India and New Zealand is expanding across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defence, innovation, and sports. The Indian diaspora in New Zealand, he added, plays a crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties, echoing Prime Minister Modi's description of the community as a "living bridge" between the two nations. "New Zealand's vibrant Indian diaspora is central to the strong relationship between our two countries. In Prime Minister Modi's words, the diaspora is a "living bridge" between New Zealand and India. The contribution of the Indian community to New Zealand is immense: in business, in science, in education, in health, in the arts, in sport, and in communities right across the country," the Kiwi PM stated in his post. Calling the agreement a beginning rather than a conclusion, Luxon expressed optimism about the future of India-New Zealand relations, stating that both countries are entering a new phase of deeper and more dynamic engagement. (ANI)
Ambassador-designate of India to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, participated in a multicultural event organised by the Baku Malayalee Association (BMA) in the country's capital that brought together diverse Indian festivals, highlighting unity and cultural harmony. In a post on X on Monday, Kumar said, "Joyous to join Baku Malayalee Association at a special event- Kaniyum Kaineettavum-in jointly celebrating Vishu, Easter, and Eid al-Fitr, in Baku, Azerbaijan today." https://x.com/AmbassadorAbhay/status/2048450640284897424 The Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan also shared details of the event held on Monday, noting its support for the initiative led by the Baku Malayalee Association. In a post on X, the Embassy said, "The Embassy of India in Azerbaijan supported the Baku Malayalee Association in organizing a special event- Kaniyum Kaineettavum-jointly celebrating Vishu, Easter, and Eid al-Fitr." https://x.com/indembassybaku/status/2048428486319054885 The Ambassador also congratulated the BMA on its Silver Jubilee. "Ambassador Abhay Kumar congratulated BMA on its Silver Jubilee and praised the initiative of celebrating the three festivals in Azerbaijan together, which symbolized unity," the post said. https://x.com/indembassybaku/status/2048428489498350008 The celebration showcased India's rich cultural diversity through performances and traditional cuisine. "The event featured a vibrant repertoire of live cultural performances and concluded with a grand traditional Keralam feast," the post by the Indian Embassy added. Earlier on April 19, the Embassy of India in Azerbaijan successfully organised a grand Indian Food Festival at the Embassy premises in Baku. Diverse Indian cuisines, cultural performances, and diplomatic engagements highlighted the event. The day-long event brought together the rich flavours, colours, and cultural heritage of India, attracting a large and enthusiastic gathering. The festival was graced by the presence of several Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior Azerbaijani officials, members of the Parliament of Azerbaijan, prominent figures from the business community, media representatives, members of the Indian community in Azerbaijan, as well as local Azerbaijani citizens and the international diaspora, the statement said. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and felicitation of the participating Indian chefs and hotels, which played a key role in presenting authentic Indian flavours to the guests. The festival received an overwhelmingly positive response, with visitors expressing delight at the authenticity of the cuisine, the vibrancy of the cultural performances, and the warm hospitality extended by the Embassy. Many guests described the event as a memorable 'taste of India in Baku.' (ANI)
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) criticised a retired naval officer for making remarks seen as supportive of Beijing during a Chinese military event and expressed backing for potential legal amendments to address such actions, according to a report by the Taipei Times. Chinese media reported that former lieutenant commander Lu Li-shih attended an event aboard Chinese naval vessels in Qingdao City last Thursday, where he toured a guided-missile destroyer and a frigate as part of celebrations marking the 77th anniversary of the Chinese Navy. While speaking to Chinese state media during the visit, Lu commented on the progress of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), stating that recognising the strength of the "motherland" reflects positively on Taiwan's security, given that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are "one family". He also commended the Urumqi warship, noting its maintenance, cleanliness, and internal organisation as indicators of the PLA Navy's preparedness, as cited in the Taipei Times report. In response, the MAC stated that certain individuals have repeatedly leveraged PLA-related activities to influence public opinion in Taiwan and weaken its democratic values. It said authorities would review whether such actions violate current laws. The council added that it would examine whether Lu's conduct breached any regulations, noting that similar cases have heightened concerns over potential risks to Taiwan's democratic system, the Taipei Times reported. The MAC also referred to proposed revisions to the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, which aim to introduce penalties for specific actions by retired military personnel, and urged public backing for these legislative changes. In a separate statement, the Veterans Affairs Council likewise denounced Lu's behaviour, saying it ran counter to the military's responsibility to protect the nation, even after retirement. It described his remarks and actions as a violation of military ethics and public trust and voiced support for proposed legal reforms, according to the Taipei Times report. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek on Monday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting, marking a key multilateral engagement focused on regional security and defence cooperation. Upon his arrival in the Kyrgyz capital, the Defence Minister was accorded a traditional welcome and offered Borsok, a popular Kyrgyz delicacy, as part of the ceremonial reception. Rajnath Singh is expected to participate in discussions with defence counterparts from SCO member states on Tuesday, focusing on strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing regional stability, and addressing shared security challenges. Before his departure for Kyrgyzstan, Singh stated that he is "looking forward to attend the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow" in a post on X. He said that during the summit, he would underline India's commitment to global peace at a time when the world is facing multiple security challenges. Alongside the wider multilateral discussions, he is also expected to restate India's key security priorities on the global stage. Singh further added that he would strongly convey India's consistent policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism during talks with his counterparts from the region. "Shall highlight India's commitment towards global peace, amidst the security challenges prevailing in the world, apart from conveying India's consistent stance on Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and Extremism," the post read. The visit also provides a significant opportunity for direct diplomatic engagement with other member nations to strengthen security ties. Singh shared that he "will also be interacting bilaterally with the counterparts of other SCO member states and with the Indian community in Bishkek". The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations, has evolved into a significant regional bloc over the past two decades. The grouping's influence was further bolstered in 2023 with the inclusion of Iran as a full member during the Indian presidency, cementing its role as a primary platform for security and economic cooperation across Eurasia. The upcoming gathering serves as a critical forum for discussing the enhancement of military-to-military ties. Deliberations are expected to focus on comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies, the organisation of joint military exercises, and the deepening of intelligence-sharing mechanisms among member states. On a bilateral level, India and Kyrgyzstan continue to maintain robust, long-standing defence relations, underpinned by regular joint training programmes and officer exchanges. Recent diplomatic efforts have further strengthened this partnership, with the fourth meeting of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Working Group on defence cooperation held in New Delhi earlier this month. These discussions focused on expanding technical exchanges and building new industrial partnerships for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. (ANI)
India and Kenya on Monday strengthened their economic partnership with the signing of a key customs cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the 10th India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting, which was held after a gap of seven years at the Commerce Secretary level. According to a statement issued by the High Commission of India in Nairobi, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the exchange of pre-arrival information for goods was signed between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The agreement was signed by CBIC Member Yogendra Garg and KRA Commissioner General Lilian Nyawanda in the presence of Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Kenya's Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Akoth Ombam. The MoU is aimed at enhancing customs cooperation, enabling faster clearance of goods, improving risk management systems, and facilitating smoother bilateral trade between the two countries. "MoU on exchange of pre-arrival information for goods signed between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) at the sidelines of the 10th India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee meeting in Nairobi today. The MoU was signed by Shri Yogendra Garg, Member, CBIC, and Dr Lilian Nyawanda, Commissioner General, KRA, in the presence of Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Principal Secretary for Trade Ms Regina Akoth Ombam. The agreement will enhance customs cooperation, enable faster clearances, improve risk management, and facilitate smoother bilateral trade between India and Kenya," the High Commission stated.. https://x.com/IndiainKenya/status/2048728232313180453?s=20 The development came as the 10th India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee meeting commenced in Nairobi, co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Agrawal and Principal Secretary for Trade of Kenya Regina Akoth Ombam. The meeting marked the resumption of structured dialogue at the Commerce Secretary level after seven years. As per a separate statement on X by the High Commission, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral economic engagement, including boosting trade, improving market access, and addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, digital public infrastructure, fintech, energy--including renewable energy--and manufacturing featured prominently in the talks. "The 10th Meeting of the India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee started at Nairobi today, co-chaired by Commerce Secretary of India Rajesh Agrawal and Principal Secretary for Trade of Kenya, Ms Regina Akoth Ombam. Both sides held comprehensive discussions on enhancing bilateral trade, improving market access, addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, digital public infrastructure, fintech, energy, including Renewable Energy and manufacturing," the post read. The two sides also assessed progress in development partnership initiatives and explored enhanced cooperation in logistics, infrastructure planning, and capacity building. Reaffirming their commitment to a more diversified and future-oriented economic partnership, India and Kenya agreed to strengthen institutional mechanisms to facilitate trade, resolve pending issues, and encourage greater business-to-business engagement. https://x.com/IndiainKenya/status/2048726026193191191?s=20 "The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to a more diversified, balanced and future-oriented economic partnership and agreed to take forward institutional mechanisms to facilitate trade, resolve pending issues, and promote greater business-to-business engagement," the post added. (ANI)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said that over 13.19 lakh passengers have travelled from th Gulf and West Asia region to India since February 28, as authorities continue to monitor the evolving security situation and assist Indian nationals. Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R Mahajan said, "Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the developments in the Gulf and West Asia region. Our efforts are focused on ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian community in the region. We are in constant touch with the State Governments and Union Territories for sharing information and to coordinate our efforts." He higlighted that support systems have been strengthened to assist Indians in the region with the embassies and consulates in the region, operating round-the-clock. He said, "The dedicated special control room in the Ministry is operational to respond to queries from Indian nationals and their families. Our Embassies and Consulates in the region are operating round-the-clock helplines to provide timely assistance. They are proactively assisting our citizens. They are also in close touch with the local governments." Mahajan added that advisories are being regularly updated, and the missions are actively engaged with the resident Indian community. He said, "Updated advisories are being issued, including information related to local government guidelines, flight and travel situation, consular services, and the various welfare measures being undertaken for the community. Our Missions are actively engaged with the resident Indian community. They are regularly interacting with the Indian community associations, organisations, professional groups, and Indian companies to address their concerns." On the welfare of seafarers, he said, "Welfare of the Indian seafarers in the region is of high priority for us. Our Missions are extending all assistance to them, including coordination with the local authorities and agencies, extending consular assistance, and assisting for requests to return to India." Providing an update on flight operations, Mahajan noted a gradual improvement and said that over 13.19 lakh passengers have travelled from the Gulf and West Asia region to India since February 28. He added that around 105 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to India. He said, "An update on the status of flights: the overall flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India. Since February 28th, around 13 lakh 19,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India. Airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights based on operational and safety considerations between UAE and India. Today around 105 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to India. Flights are operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India." He further detailed the status of airspace and operations across West Asian countries, "Qatar airspace is partially open. Qatar Airways is operating flights to various destinations in India. Air India and IndiGo are also planning to resume flight operations from Qatar to India soon. Kuwait airspace is open. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways have resumed limited flight operations from Kuwait to India. Bahrain airspace is open. Gulf Air is operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in India. Iraq airspace is open with limited flight operations to destinations in the region which can be used for onward travel to India." On Iran, Mahajan issued a cautionary advisory and emphasised the fact that the Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitated the movement of 2,461 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes. "Iran airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights. We have advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urge those already there to leave via land border routes with our Embassy's support. So far, our Embassy in Tehran has facilitated movement of 2,461 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes. Israel airspace is open, and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India," he added. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday was warmly welcomed by members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek, where he will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting. Visuals from the Kyrgyz capital showed members of the Indian community greeting the Defence Minister with enthusiasm, offering bouquets and highlighting strong people-to-people ties between India and Kyrgyzstan. Earlier in the day, following his arrival here, Singh was accorded a traditional welcome and offered Borsok, a popular Kyrgyz delicacy, as part of the ceremonial reception. The Defence Minister is leading a high-level Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting scheduled for Tuesday. According to an official press release by the Ministry of Defence, the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting will see participating countries deliberate on a wide range of issues concerning regional defence and security, including international peace, counter-terrorism, and strengthening defence cooperation among member states. The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, particularly developments in West Asia. The SCO, one of the largest political and economic groupings in the region, is expected to consider measures aimed at reducing the impact of the ongoing conflict. During the discussions, Rajnath Singh will underline India's commitment to global peace amid evolving security challenges and reiterate New Delhi's consistent policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and extremism. He is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with defence ministers from select participating countries on the sidelines of the event. The SCO comprises India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. India became a full member in 2017 and assumed the organisation's rotating chairmanship in 2023. The SCO, established in 2001 by China, Russia, and several Central Asian nations, has evolved into a significant regional bloc over the past two decades. The grouping's influence was further bolstered in 2023 with the inclusion of Iran as a full member during the Indian presidency, cementing its role as a primary platform for security and economic cooperation across Eurasia. The upcoming gathering serves as a critical forum for discussing the enhancement of military-to-military ties. Deliberations are expected to focus on comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies, the organisation of joint military exercises, and the deepening of intelligence-sharing mechanisms among member states. (ANI)
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, will hold bilateral meetings with External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar during her official visit to India beginning Tuesday, according to the media advisory issued by her office. According to the media advisory, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, will visit India on April 28 (Tuesday) and China on April 29-30 (Wednesday and Thursday), at the invitation of the Governments of India and China. During her visit to India, Baerbock is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Jaishankar and engage with key stakeholders, including representatives from India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the UN Country Team in India. Highlighting the broader agenda of the visit, the advisory noted, "As India and China are two key supporters of the United Nations and multilateralism, the President of the General Assembly will discuss current global issues and challenges for the international order and stress the importance of upholding the UN Charter, strengthening the United Nations, and intensifying multilateral cooperation on all three pillars of the United Nations." Following her India visit, Baerbock will travel to China from April 29 to 30. In Beijing, she is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, alongwith interactions with the UN Country Team in China. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs in an official statement said that, "During the visit, EAM and PGA will discuss key multilateral issues of mutual interest". Baerbock will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat as part of her programme, it added. She will also have an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) on governance and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the statement said. Earlier, Spokesperson for the 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly, La Neice Collins, announced that the UNGA President Annalena Baerbock will be visiting New Delhi next week. According to the spokesperson, in India, the UNGA President will hold multiple bilateral meetings with various government officials as well as meet with the UN country team in India. Addressing a noon briefing on Thursday (local time), Collins said, "The PGA will undertake official duty travel to New Delhi. And then next week, Wednesday and Thursday, she will also be on official duty travel to Beijing." She added that further details would be shared soon, noting, "We will send out a media advisory with more information on that, but she is travelling at the invitation of the governments of India and China." Highlighting the agenda in India, Collins stated, "And while in India, she will hold multiple bilateral meetings with various government officials as well as meet with the UN country team in India, led by UN resident coordinator, Stephan Prisner." Speaking about the China visit, she said, "And then in China, she will also hold bilateral meetings with various government officials, and she will also meet with the UN country team in China, which is led by the UN resident coordinator there, Stephen Jackson." (ANI)
Highlighting the operational aspect, the Indian Navy spokesperson in a post on X on Monday said, "From the Depths, We Deliver" as the theme of the X post.

The Navy added, "Demonstrating cutting-edge deep-sea diving expertise, divers of the Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy executed mixed gas dives beyond 55m over historic WWII wreck SS Worcester and WWI wreck SS Perseus."

https://x.com/indiannavy/status/2048760935054290985

Describing the significance of the drills, the post noted, "A landmark evolution underscoring precision, interoperability, and steadfast maritime partnership."

Alongside the technical exercises, both navies also engaged in activities such as a yoga session aimed at enhancing crew well-being and mutual understanding.

In another X post on Monday, the spokesperson stated, "Forging Deeper Maritime Synergy Beneath and Beyond the Waves" as the theme of the X post.

https://x.com/indiannavy/status/2048017403356082270

"At Colombo, advancing this shared maritime spirit, INS Nireekshak crew joined Sri Lanka Navy for a revitalising Yoga session - fostering resilience, mindfulness and collective wellbeing at sea," the Navy added.

India and Sri Lanka strengthened their naval partnership during the 4th edition of the diving exercise, which concluded in Colombo.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy said, "4th India-Sri Lanka Diving Exercise underway at #Colombo is reinforcing strong Maritime Cooperation and professional camaraderie."

It shared how mixed-gas dives off Colombo highlighted precision, skill, and seamless #Interoperability beneath the waves."

India's naval vessel INS Nireekshak arrived at Colombo to participate in the fourth edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral diving exercise, IN-SLN DIVEX 2026, scheduled from April 21 to April 27.

The IN-SLN Diving Exercise (DIVEX) is a key bilateral engagement that stands as a testament to the deep-rooted maritime partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Sustained maritime collaboration and engagements with partner nations reaffirm the shared commitment to fostering stability, cooperation, and collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region, in line with the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). (ANI)
The 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, has arrived in India for her official visit, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. According to MEA, her visit reaffirms India's "steadfast" engagement with the United Nations (UN). In a post on X, the MEA said, "A warm welcome to @UN_PGA Ms. Annalena Baerbock on her official visit to India. The visit reaffirms India's steadfast engagement with the UN." https://x.com/meaindia/status/2048805274291777731?s=46 According to the official statement by the MEA issued on Saturday, the UNGA President has arrived at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. The statement added, "During the visit, EAM and PGA will discuss key multilateral issues of mutual interest". Baerbock will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat as part of her programme, it added. She will also have an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) on governance and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the statement said. According to the media advisory issued by the UNGA President's office, Baerbock will also visit China on April 29-30 (Wednesday and Thursday), at the invitation of the Government of China. Highlighting the broader agenda of the visit, the advisory noted, "As India and China are two key supporters of the United Nations and multilateralism, the President of the General Assembly will discuss current global issues and challenges for the international order and stress the importance of upholding the UN Charter, strengthening the United Nations, and intensifying multilateral cooperation on all three pillars of the United Nations." In Beijing, she is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, alongwith interactions with the UN Country Team in China. Earlier, Spokesperson for the 80th President of the United Nations General Assembly, La Neice Collins, announced that the UNGA President Annalena Baerbock will be visiting New Delhi next week. According to the spokesperson, in India, the UNGA President will hold multiple bilateral meetings with various government officials as well as meet with the UN country team in India. Addressing a noon briefing on Thursday (local time), Collins said, "The PGA will undertake official duty travel to New Delhi. And then next week, Wednesday and Thursday, she will also be on official duty, travelling to Beijing." She added that further details would be shared soon, noting, "We will send out a media advisory with more information on that, but she is travelling at the invitation of the governments of India and China." Highlighting the agenda in India, Collins stated, "And while in India, she will hold multiple bilateral meetings with various government officials as well as meet with the UN country team in India, led by UN resident coordinator, Stephan Prisner." Speaking about the China visit, she said, "And then in China, she will also hold bilateral meetings with various government officials, and she will also meet with the UN country team in China, which is led by the UN resident coordinator there, Stephen Jackson." (ANI)
US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday informed that the Department of Justice has filed three federal charges against Cole Tomas Allen, the 31-year-old suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting, as the investigation continues. The charges include attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, interstate transportation of a firearm to commit a felony and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, as he added that more charges are expected. The case stems from the Saturday night incident at the Washington Hilton in Washington DC, where Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials were present. According to investigators, Allen approached a security checkpoint at the hotel and ran through the magnetometer holding a long gun. Secret Service personnel heard a gunshot as he moved through the checkpoint, and one Secret Service officer was shot in the chest while wearing a ballistic vest, according to court documents unsealed on Monday. Federal prosecutors said Allen travelled across multiple state lines with firearms before the attack. He is accused of arriving in Washington after travelling by train from Los Angeles to Chicago and then to the capital between April 21 and April 24. The charging documents say he checked into the Hilton on the day he arrived. Prosecutors also said Allen carried a 12-gauge pump action shotgun, a Rock Island Armoury 1911 .38 calibre pistol and three knives. US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the probe will lead to more charges. "Make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the president of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was," Pirro said. "And that intent was to bring down as many of the high-ranking Cabinet officials as he could," she said, adding that Allen's "journey of accountability in the criminal justice system starts today." Pirro also said the weapons Allen allegedly had at the time of the attack showed that "any suggestion that he wasn't there to do harm is absurd." FBI Director Kash Patel informed the media that the incident "hits a little differently," noting that he and many others were at the event. He said the FBI sent a mobile command centre to the scene, collected evidence, and sent casings and other material to the bureau's lab in Quantico. Patel said the FBI has interviewed multiple witnesses and is reviewing the evidence collected from different locations. He said federal officers on the scene acted as they were trained to do. Blanche defended the response by law enforcement and said the system was prepared to respond. "We are ready," he said, while also blaming violent rhetoric and saying the media is partly responsible for the climate around such threats. "This was something that we will always be prepared for," he said. "And it's sad that it has to happen, but it's not a new thing, unfortunately." Blanche also said investigators have seized multiple devices from Allen's hotel room and home in California. He said the investigation includes search warrants in California and Washington DC, along with several interviews. "Law enforcement did not fail," Blanche added. As per CBS News, Allen did not enter a plea during Monday's hearing. He will remain in federal detention until Thursday, when he is scheduled to appear again before a magistrate judge in Washington DC. A preliminary hearing is set for May 11. (ANI)
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday said that discussions on the "war and aggression" involving the United States and Israel were held in detail during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to statements posted on Telegram after the talks, Araghchi described his meeting with the Russian President as "very good", stating that it lasted more than an hour and a half and covered bilateral relations as well as regional developments. "We had a very good meeting with Mr Putin. It probably lasted more than an hour and a half. All issues, both in bilateral relations and regional issues, as well as the issue of war and aggression by the US and Zionist regimes, were discussed and examined in detail. Cooperation between the two countries was also considered, and very good ideas were put forward," the statement read. The statement came after Araghchi met with President Putin as part of his three-nation diplomatic tour. His visit to Russia follows recent trips to Pakistan and Oman, forming part of broader regional consultations. The Iranian Foreign Minister further stated that both sides explored areas of closer cooperation and exchanged proposals aimed at strengthening strategic ties between Tehran and Moscow. "There are very good grounds for cooperation now. Mr Putin also said that not only Russia, but now the whole world is admiring the Iranian people, for their resistance against America and for winning this unequal and unjust war," the statement added. During his meeting, Araghchi expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow's "positions and support" during the recent conflict with the United States, describing Iran-Russia ties as a "strategic partnership". In statements shared on Telegram, Araghchi said, "In the recent war, it became clear that Iran has great friends and allies like Russia; we thank you for your positions and support." He reiterated Tehran's commitment to deepening bilateral ties, adding, "I have been asked to reiterate on this trip that we view Iran-Russia relations as a strategic partnership and that these relations will continue as strong as they were and even more so with greater strength and breadth." Meanwhile, Putin, during the meeting, said that Moscow would do what it could to support Iran's interests and help efforts to restore peace in West Asia amid the crisis in the region. According to Iranian State media Press TV, Putin stated that Moscow remains committed to supporting Iran and other regional countries in promoting stability and peace in the region and also expressed hope that the Iranian people would overcome the ongoing difficult situation and that peace would be restored at the earliest. "I received a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei. Russia will do what it can to support the interests of Iran and other regional countries and help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible," Putin said, as quoted by Press TV. "I hope Iranian people overcome this difficult period and that peace is restored," he added. The meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, presidential aide of Russia, Yury Ushakov and Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, Igor Kostyukov. The Iranian side included Araghchi's deputy, Kazem Gharibabadi and Iran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. (ANI)
The Islamic State, ISIL (ISIS), has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed at least 29 people in Nigeria's Adamawa state, according to a statement issued by the group on Telegram, Al Jazeera reported. The attack took place in the Guyaku community in the Gombi Local Government Area, where armed assailants targeted residents, leading to multiple fatalities. State authorities confirmed the death toll and said the situation is under investigation. Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri confirmed that at least 29 people were killed during the attack. He visited the affected area on Monday and described the incident as "tragic and unacceptable," while expressing condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on X, Fintiri said, "My heart breaks for the people of Guyaku in Gombi LGA. Today, I stood on the ground where our brothers and sisters were cruelly taken from us. This act of cowardice is an affront to our humanity and will not go unpunished." He added that security operations are being intensified in the region. "We are intensifying security operations immediately to restore peace and ensure every resident feels safe in their home again," the governor said. (ANI)
HOKKAIDO, Apr 27 (News On Japan) - A strong earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of lower 5+ struck Hokkaido early on April 27, with no risk of a tsunami, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake occurred at around 5:24 a.m. and was centered in southern Tokachi. It had an estimated magnitude of 6.1 and a focal depth of about 80 kilometers.

The strongest shaking, measured at upper 5, was recorded in Urahoro. Strong tremors were also felt across eastern and central Hokkaido.

At a press conference later in the morning, the agency urged residents to remain cautious for about one week, especially over the next two to three days, warning that quakes of similar intensity could still occur.

Officials also said the earthquake has no direct connection to the offshore Sanriku quake on April 20, which recorded upper 5 shaking in Aomori Prefecture.

In addition, the agency stated that this event does not qualify for a new issuance of the HokkaidoSanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake Advisory, explaining that the quake likely occurred outside the assumed source region and was too small in magnitude to meet advisory criteria.

As a result, the current call for special preparedness measures tied to the previous advisory is expected to end as scheduled this evening.

Authorities emphasized that most earthquakes occur suddenly without warning or relation to existing advisories, noting that strong shaking can happen anytime and anywhere in Japan, and encouraged the public to continue strengthening everyday disaster preparedness.

Live camera footage from areas including Obihiro and Mukawa showed intense shaking, while residents reported fallen objects inside homes and buildings. Experts noted that because the quake occurred relatively deep underground, a large number of aftershocks is considered less likely.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Apr 27 (News On Japan) - A survey by Nikkei Inc. and the Japan Center for Economic Research found that 66% of economists believe Japan needs measures to curb petroleum consumption in response to rising crude oil prices.

The poll, conducted among 50 economists as part of the Nikkei Economics Panel, asked whether the Japanese government should introduce policies to restrain oil use in light of current energy and economic conditions. Responses showed that 16% 'strongly agreed' and 50% 'agreed,' bringing total support to 66%.

Kozo Kiyota, a professor at Keio University, said uncertainty surrounding Iran's future situation has increased the need to consider measures that would reduce oil consumption in preparation for a further deterioration in conditions.

Many economists also called for broader remote work arrangements and electricity-saving efforts to prepare for possible disruptions in crude oil supply.

The survey also asked whether the government's gasoline subsidies, which encourage oil consumption, should be reduced or abolished. The largest share, 68%, said they agreed, while 18% said they strongly agreed, bringing total support for scaling back or ending the subsidies to 86%.

Source: BIZ
TOKYO, Apr 27 (News On Japan) - A viral social media video showing a man believed to be a foreign national being restrained by police in Tokyo has sparked widespread debate, with claims that officers had begun deporting troublesome tourists by wrapping them 'like sushi.'

The footage, posted on X in February 2026, was viewed more than 4.5 million times and reposted around 15,000 times. It was accompanied by an English caption claiming: 'Japan has started sushi-rolling nuisance tourists. Cause trouble and police will wrap you up and deport you (lol).'

The authenticity of the video and the accuracy of the accompanying claim quickly came under scrutiny.

The clip shows two police officers confronting a man on a street. One officer throws him to the ground before several officers carry him onto what appears to be a green sheet. Four officers then wrap the man in the material before placing him into a patrol car marked with the logo of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

To verify the footage, reporters identified the filming location as the area around JR Shin-Okubo Station in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward.

Interviews with staff at 11 nearby businesses found that workers at four establishments recalled an incident around February 2026 in which a man believed to be a foreign national became heavily intoxicated and caused a disturbance, prompting police to respond.

However, none of those interviewed could confirm witnessing the man being wrapped in a sheet.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said officers do in some cases use a 'protective sheet' when transporting intoxicated individuals who are acting violently. According to police, the sheet is intended to move people safely while drawing less public attention.

Based on witness accounts and the police explanation, the incident shown in the video appears likely to have occurred, though some details remain unverified.

Police also rejected the claim that the man was treated differently because he was a foreigner. Officials said the use of such equipment is for safety reasons and is unrelated to nationality.

That means the central allegation in the post  that police wrapped a foreign tourist for deportation  was inaccurate.

The case highlights how jokes or exaggerated captions attached to genuine footage can quickly be mistaken for fact once widely shared online. As reposts multiply, misleading text and real images can become separated from their original context, fueling false narratives.

Source: FNN
The participation of two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers along with four Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 fighter jets in the ongoing the African Lion military exercise 2026 in Morocco send a strong message to the Kingdoms regional enemies.

The B-52 visible presence over Morocco, operating alongside Royal Moroccan Air Force fighters, signals credible deterrence and reinforces the U.S. commitment to regional security, said U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commanding general of U.S. Africa Command.

The flyover was a key component of AL-26, U.S. Africa Commands largest annual joint exercise, led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8. Integrating these aircraft into the multinational exercise demonstrated the ability of the U.S. and its partners to project combat-credible airpower worldwide.

U.S. Strategic Command bomber forces carry out combined theatre security cooperation engagements with allies and partners, demonstrating the credibility and flexibility of U.S. forces to address todays complex, dynamic and unpredictable global security environment.

The inaugural JTAC qualification course trains Moroccan students to direct combat aircraft, artillery and naval gunfire from forward positions, said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Therron Bundick, chief of weapons and tactics for the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron.

During the exercise, U.S. Air Force JTACs assigned to the 165th ASOS, as well as Detachment 1 of the 2nd ASOS, joined U.S. Marine Corps JTACs with the 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to train alongside service members from Canada, Hungary and Morocco.

Live and simulated training events give students realistic close air support scenarios, and the diverse group accelerates the development of a professional JTAC cadre through the exchange of tactics and procedures.

The program marks a significant milestone in the development of the Moroccan joint fires capability and a foundational step toward a standardized, internationally interoperable JTAC capability aligned with modern coalition warfare requirements.
The African Development Bank Group has donated $510,000 to Moroccos Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority (ACAPS), to support the use of innovative technologies and strengthen financial inclusion in the insurance sector.

The funding will enable the independent public authority responsible for regulating and supervising the insurance and social welfare sectors to promote greater inclusion of the most vulnerable populations, particularly women and young people.

The AfDB grant supports the implementation of Moroccos National Financial Inclusion Strategy. It will strengthen the protection and economic inclusion of the target populations through a more inclusive and diversified insurance offering and better-adapted insurance products.

The support provided today by the African Development Bank to ACAPS marks an important milestone in our efforts to promote digital innovation and financial inclusion in the Kingdom said Achraf Tarsim, Head of the Bank Groups Country Office in Morocco.

For his part, ACAPS Chairman Abderrahim Chaffai said this partnership builds on the Authoritys ongoing efforts to promote more inclusive and innovative insurance.

The Banks donation will also help strengthen access to insurance services, while supporting the transformation of the sector through innovation and the development of InsurTech solutions, he added.

Since it began operations in Morocco in 1978, the AfDB has injected nearly $16 billion in 150 projects and programs in strategic sectors such as transport, social protection, water and sanitation, energy, agriculture, governance and finance.
Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, on Sunday, April 26, briefed Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah on progress in implementing an UN-backed roadmap aimed at ending the countrys political deadlock and paving the way for direct elections.

The discussions focused on the initial phase of the plan, including finalizing electoral laws and completing the formation of the board of the High National Elections Commissiontwo critical steps for establishing a credible electoral framework.

Dbeibah reaffirmed his governments support for practical and implementable solutions that safeguard national stability and advance the creation of a civil state. He stressed the need for a clear and enforceable electoral framework to facilitate elections, reflect the will of the people and unify state institutions.

Tetteh reiterated the UN missions commitment to fostering consensus among Libyan stakeholders and ensuring the necessary conditions for a successful political transition and credible elections.
The Alqaeda-linked JNIM terrorists and Tuareg separatists have joined forces in a series of tactical attacks on the capital Bamako and several localities in Malis desert north, a region long treated by Algeria as a buffer zone to export terrorist activities.

Led by Iyad Ag Ghali, the JNIM, is an offshoot of Al Qaeda in the Maghreb, a historically Algerian-led terrorist group.

Iyad Ag Ghali has for long moved freely throughout southern Algeria, an area that men in uniform in Algiers claim to have cleared of terrorism. This has raised more questions than answers regarding the role of Algeria in offering terrorist leaders and groups a safe haven to unsettle neighbors. The accusation was formally made by Malis foreign minister a few days ago in Dakar.

The new wave of coordinated attacks across Mali came to highlight once again Algerias role in Sahel insecurity.

Algeria, separatists and terrorists connivence

The attack came just few days after Mali backed Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory and withdrew recognition of Algiers proxies, the polisario.

Malis military said it was repelling terrorist groups following assaults in Bamako, Kati, Gao, Sevare, Mopti and the northern city of Kidal. The scale of the violence was described by analysts as the largest coordinated jihadist operation in years.

Against the backdrop of the fighting, Malis military rulers have on multiple occasions accused neighboring Algeria of backing terrorist groups operating on Malian territory.

Algeria saw in the Sahel a dumping ground of its own battle-hardened and homegrown terrorists after the black decade.

Algerias security doctrine has resulted in what it characterizes as managed instability, allowing Algiers to shape outcomes in neighboring states while preventing largescale violence from spilling onto its own territory.

Algerian intelligence services have long infiltrated jihadist and separatist networks, including groups linked to alQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Armed groups were allegedly tolerated so long as they did not target Algeria directly. This approach amounted to a form of proxy influence, even without formal command, financing or public sponsorship.

A US diplomatic cable, released by WikiLeaks in 2010, reported that Algerian intelligence had deeply infiltrated AQIM and preferred containment and intelligenceled management of jihadist threats over direct military intervention.

The renewed fighting and competing accusations come as some members of the US Senate and House of Representatives are examining proposals related to designating the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization. Supporters of the initiative say the Polisario maintains links to armed actors in the Sahel and is backed by Algeria.
Michigan Targets Young Worker Safety with New Rights and Hazard Awareness Initiative

New program from LEO and MIOSHA focuses on hazard recognition, workplace rights and injury prevention for young workers entering high-risk industries.

Michigan officials have launched a new initiative to help young workers enter the workforce safely, with a focus on hazard awareness, labor rights and injury prevention.

The Youth Workers Rights Initiative, announced by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) during Workplace Rights Week, provides online resources to help young workers recognize unsafe conditions, understand employment standards and report violations.

As more young people enter the workforce, its critical they understand their rights, LEO Director Susan Corbin said in a statement.

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is contributing guidance on identifying workplace hazards and preventing injuries. Young workers are often employed in higher-risk industries such as food service, retail and agriculture.

LEOs Wage and Hour Division is also supporting the effort with information on youth employment standards, including work hours, job restrictions and wage protections.

State officials said the initiative aims to prevent injuries and improve compliance with labor laws by educating workers early in their careers.

The state plans to expand outreach through partnerships with schools and community organizations and is developing a more formal curriculum on workplace safety and rights.
Oregon Honors Workers Killed on the Job

Annual ceremony in Salem remembers employees lost to workplace injuries and illnesses while calling for renewed safety commitments.

State safety officials and labor leaders will gather on Tuesday, April 28, to honor Oregonians who died from work-related injuries and illnesses during the past year.

The Workers Memorial Day ceremony, scheduled for noon at the Fallen Worker Memorial, serves as a public recognition of individuals lost to preventable workplace tragedies in 2025. The event is hosted by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) and the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.

The service will include a reading of the names of the deceased and a formal proclamation from Gov. Tina Kotek. Scheduled speakers include Oregon OSHA Administrator Renee Stapleton and Oregon Labor Federation President Graham Trainor.

Organizers said the event is intended to revitalize efforts to eliminate workplace hazards. While state officials noted that injury and fatality rates have declined over several decades due to cooperation between government and labor groups, advocates maintain that current death tolls remain too high.

Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, employers are legally required to maintain healthy environments, provide safety training and comply with industry-specific regulations. Workers in the state have a protected legal right to safe conditions and are shielded from retaliation for reporting hazards.

The observance coincides with the national Workers Memorial Day, held annually on April 28. The date marks the anniversary of the 1970 passage of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

In addition to the ceremony, state officials are highlighting free resources available to both employers and staff, including consultation services and education programs provided by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
The ongoing standoff in the Strait of Hormuz between the United States and Iran is forcing a rethink about regional energy and trade routes. Afghanistan is a potential lynchpin of a new route that circumvents the Hormuz choke point, but Taliban control of the country calls into question Kabuls viability as a connector to global markets.

Afghanistans willingness and ability to participate in emerging energy and trade networks was a hotly debated topic among regional experts during a recent day-long discussion on Capitol Hill in Washington organized by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy (NLI). The event was held under the auspices of NLIs Central Asia Center, which has developed the Silk Seven Plus (S7+) initiative, a concept envisioning the creation of a Greater Central Asian economic community and the emergence of a robust trade crescent stretching from the Caspian Basin to the Arabian Sea.

Participants acknowledged that Afghanistan was the gorilla in the room in terms of turning the S7+ concept into reality. Myriad obstacles exist to constructing pipelines, railroads and other infrastructure in Afghanistan, including the Talibans toleration of radical Islamic militant groups, the governments discriminatory domestic policies, the bitter legacy of the 20-year US military presence in the country and simmering conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Despite the present challenges, S. Frederick Starr, a leading American expert on the region and founder of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, argued vociferously that Afghanistan needs to be woven into the fabric of a Greater Central Asia to unlock the regions full trade potential in critical minerals, fossil fuels and other goods.

Starr said Central Asian states are already working assiduously and subtly to bring Afghanistan into the fold, adding all of them have de facto recognized the Talibans leadership of the country. He noted Uzbekistans annual trade turnover had already reached about $1.5 billion with Afghanistan and was set to grow rapidly in the coming years, adding that slow progress was being made on the construction of a trans-Afghan natural gas pipeline intended to connect Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India.

The US approach, Starr added, should be to stay out of the way and let Central Asian states manage relations with Afghanistan themselves.

Afghanistan desperately wants to be part of Greater Central Asia, Starr said. Reality is much more dynamic and textured, and things happening, than we acknowledge.

Other speakers were more restrained in their assessments. Retired Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland, who in his over 40-year career served in diplomatic posts across Central Asia and in Pakistan, said that when looking at a map, a geoeconomic projects such as the S7+ make sense. But he cautioned that there is a difference between ideology and reality in policymaking.

In this context, Hoagland equated ideology with wishful thinking or irrational exuberance, in which logic blocks out cultural, historical and on-the-ground factors that complicate plans. Implementation of projects such as the S7+, he added, invariably should be rooted in reality to succeed.

Hoagland suggested that under present conditions, the S7+ concept may be more of an ideology than reality  at least as far as Afghanistan is concerned.

At its core, the S7+ is a multi-phase plan to strengthen the sovereignty of Central Asian states, making the region a more efficient negotiating partner and more reliable investment destination.

The first phase of the S7+ concept involves the promotion and formation of a Central Asian economic community so that regional states can speak with one voice, not five (or six, given Azerbaijans recent inclusion in what is now the C6) when negotiating trade deals with external states or entities. A model for such a community is ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The S7+ initiatives second phase involves addressing Central Asian states long-held desire to gain access to a seaport. As such, the S7+ aims to ultimately incorporate Afghanistan and Pakistan into its framework. This second phase is obviously a longer-term proposition, proponents acknowledge. At the same time, they point to the heightened engagement of Central Asian states with Pakistan in recent months as reinforcing the idea that the S7+ concept is realizable over the medium term.

The simmering conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan certainly places an insurmountable barrier at present to Central Asian plans to build trans-Afghan railroad or pipelines. But S7+ proponents believe the economic imperatives for all states in the region will eventually prompt regional leaders to set aside political and religious differences in favor of connectivity.

In the end, history always develops at its own pace, and that pace can sometimes be agonizingly slow or sometimes shockingly fast. So S7+, good luck! Hoagland said.

By Eurasianet

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
It has been said by many from the very start of the U.S.s Epic Fury war against Iran that no clear endgame was in sight whereby U.S. President Donald Trump could achieve his stated aims at the outset of the conflict. These were to change regime, permanently nullify Irans nuclear threat, destroy the countrys ballistic missile capabilities, and halt its support for terrorist proxies. It has also been said by many that Washington unaccountably failed to anticipate Irans blockade of the vital global transit route for oil, the Strait of Hormuz -- despite Tehran clearly signalling this option for years -- which has now locked the U.S. into blockading Irans ports. This, the argument goes, leaves Washington effectively blockading the entire Strait of Hormuz/Persian Gulf region, so creating multiple defensive and economic vulnerabilities. But as Super Hans in the iconic UK TV comedy series Peep Show put it: People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis; you cant trust people. In reality, and it may have been part of the plan from the start, or it may just be lucky happenstance, the U.S.s shift from the kinetic war of Epic Fury to sanctions? and blockade?based war of Economic Fury may have placed Washington in the exact geopolitical position it sought all along. But how?

The key point in Trumps envisioning of the new world order divided into three major spheres of influence is that the U.S. is still the dominant power, as reflected in the administrations 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). Washington may choose to exercise this dominance most directly across its own strategic orbit of North and South America, but it also reserves the right to make rolling geopolitical adjustments to protect its broader interests in the other two spheres. One of these spheres will be shaped either by the former Great Powers of Europe  Great Britain, France, and Germany  if they can raise defence spending and manage immigration in the way Trump has emphasised, or by Russia, should Moscow emerge as the dominant force across the continent. In either scenario, the U.S. retains the leading role through longstanding political, economic, and military alliances in the case of the Great Powers, or through new versions of these arrangements if Russia prevails. It is in the third sphere, however, that Trump has long identified a potential problem: China. The immediacy of this concern increased in 2022, when Washington viewed Russias invasion of Ukraine as a philosophical template for China attempting a similar repatriation of historic territory  in this case, Taiwan  with public comments from President Xi Jinping suggesting the military would be ready by 2027, as detailed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. The U.S. does not have the same longstanding leverage over China that it enjoys with Europes Great Powers, nor does it possess the overwhelming economic and military advantage it holds over Russia. Moreover, Chinas long?stated goal has been to overtake the U.S. as the worlds leading economic power and, by extension, its leading superpower. Although this prospect appears more distant today than it did in the recent past, Beijing is unlikely ever to be content playing second fiddle to the U.S. in the Asia?Pacific.

Related: IEAs Birol Says Iran War Will Permanently Cut Into Future Oil Demand

Crucially for the U.S., China has one major structural disadvantage: it must source its energy from abroad, given its negligible reserves of oil and gas. The Middle East remains the worlds key depositary of both  aside from the U.S.  so for years the thrust of Beijings regional policy has been to secure as much of these resources as possible in ways that maximise its geopolitical leverage. The template for this has been the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has used wide?ranging comprehensive cooperation agreements with Middle Eastern powers to secure access to oil and gas fields in exchange for vast Chinese investments, often involving huge loans from Beijing secured against key strategic assets. As Iran and Iraq together hold the largest oil and gas reserves in the Middle East, such agreements were signed with them as soon as Beijing judged it could do so without excessive blowback from Washington. An added advantage for China was the enormous influence Iran wielded over Iraq through its military, political, religious, and economic proxies  influence that extended across the Shia Crescent of Power running through Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and, to a lesser degree, Bahrain. In Iraqs case, Beijings control over the countrys oil and gas sector was dramatically strengthened through the foundation?stone Oil for Reconstruction and Investment agreement signed in September 2019 and later broadened through the equally expansive IraqChina Framework Agreement of 2021. As of now, China controls around 34% of Iraqs proven reserves and two?thirds of its current production. In Irans case, Beijings reach extends even further. Through the IranChina 25Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement  first revealed in my 3 September 2019 article and analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order  China controls much of Irans oil and gas resources. Crucially, from Washingtons perspective, Beijings hold over Iran also gives it sway over the vital oil and liquefied natural gas transit routes of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al?Mandab Strait. As recent events have shown, control over these two critical arteries of global energy trade confers immense geopolitical leverage on whichever country holds it. Understandably from the U.S. position, it cannot be Iran that does so on the ground, with China pulling the strings behind the scenes.

In this context, it serves Washingtons interests to ensure that control of both Straits remains firmly out of Beijings reach  whether through a direct military presence, by the terms of any final agreement with Iran, or through a combination of the two. Moreover, this effort to secure key global pressure points at Chinas expense is not confined to the Middle East, with several recent U.S. actions elsewhere fitting the same broader strategic pattern. Aside from moves to reinforce U.S. influence over other critical transit routes  including the GreenlandIcelandUK Gap and the Panama Canal  Thierry Wizman, New York?based global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie Group, points to the U.S.Indonesia Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) signed on 13 April as a further example. The agreement grants the U.S. enhanced monitoring and contingency?operation rights over the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. Similarly, he notes that the U.S.Morocco 20262036 Defense Cooperation Roadmap formalised long?term U.S. access to Moroccan facilities for logistics, training, and operational coordination, providing Washington with a reliable contingent foothold on the Strait of Gibraltar. Consequently, Wizman argues that if this strategy is indeed in play, then bringing oil, gas, and gasoline prices down becomes a secondary concern; the primary objective is securing the Strait of Hormuz. We wouldnt be surprised if  barring a new downturn in the global economy  oil prices stay higher than they were pre?War, because the level of tension stays high if the U.S.s naval presence near the Strait becomes semi?permanent, he said. Only a regime change in Iran, and thus full control by the U.S. of the Strait of Hormuz, might bring oil prices way back down, he concluded.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The impact of the war in the Middle East could lead to structural demand destruction on the worlds natural gas markets, the head of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum warned in the latest sign of the far-reaching impacts of the hostilities between the United States and Israel, and Iran.

The war has already disrupted international gas flows because of the Strait of Hormuz closure and the strikes on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, which were Irans retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February. Resumption of gas exports would take months, according to the GECFs Philip Mshelbilaif the war ends soon. If it drags on, however, the effects of the supply disruption could become permanent.

If the conflict ended today, the world would recover in six months to a year. But if it lasts six months, those knee-jerk changes we are seeing could become structural, Mshelbila said, speaking at an industry event in Paris, as quoted by Reuters.

The executive also recalled that most predictions for the gas market saw it flipping into oversupply this year. The glut was, according to analysts, going to be the result of new capacity coming online in the United States while demand grows more slowly. Clearly this conflict has done something to that, and it's not yet clear whether it's just a delay, or whether in fact that glut will ever come, the secretary-general of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum said.

Related: JPMorgan Says Oil Prices Still Have Further to Rise

Even if a glut comes, it will not be coming anytime soon. The latest data for Asia suggests that imports of liquefied natural gas are on course to record their lowest monthly level in close to six years, Reuters Clyde Russell reported this week. The numbers come from Kpler and are evidence of demand destruction resulting from the war. In some cases, this is voluntary demand cuts, such as in the case of China, for instance. In others, such as Pakistan, the destruction is organic, prompted by the higher prices that LNG is fetching amid the supply cuts.

Asia is set to import some 19.03 million tons of liquefied gas this month, which would be down from 20.69 million tons for March and a seasonal high of 26.34 million tons for December 2025, the Kpler data showed. For China, however, the drop is much more marked, with the April total seen at 3.36 million tons. That would be down from 7.66 million tons for December 2025 and the lowest since April 2018, Reuters Russell noted.

With Qatari LNG mostly gone, importers are switching to U.S. gas and, to a lesser extent, Russian gas. Volumes from other producers are not changing, even though they have the resources, GECFs Philip Mshelbila noted.

Sadly while some African countries have excess capacity in both LNG and pipeline gas, the majority of them if not all are not producing at full capacity, he said, adding that If you look at the export pipelines to Europe, from Algeria or from Libya, not one of them is full. Because of this, it is U.S. liquefied that is replacing most of the lost volumes from the Middle East.

The executive pointed out that this is because African LNG producers are operating below capacity, without elaborating on the reasons for that. However, Nigeria has been exporting more LNG to Asia since the war in the Middle East began, and there are plans in place to boost the capacity of its LNG plant from 22 million tons to 30 million tons.

Algerian gas deliveries to Europe are also on the riseeven before the war began. Last year, Algeria exported a total 39-40 billion cu m of natural gas via pipeline and as LNG. That represented 13 to 14% of Europes total gas imports, Euronews reported recently, comparing it to 12 billion cu m in Qatari gas imports, which translates into a share of between 7% and 9% of total gas imports.

The problem comes from the fact that Algeria could not boost its exports to Europe fast enough to plug the hole left by the force majeure at QatarEnergys Ras Laffan complex. Yet the North African country is making steps in that direction: earlier this week, Algiers launched an oil and gas tender for seven blocks, with bids due by November. This is part of the governments plan to increase natural gas production to 200 billion cu m annually by 2030. The investment required to do this is estimated at between $50 and $60 billion.

Yet these are long-term plans, while the supply pain is quite immediate. It is this immediacy of the problem that could transform into chronic demand weakness. Normally in a situation of crisis this is an opportunity: Fill it up! Seize the market! Unfortunately, we are missing out, because we don't have the upstream molecules to fill the infrastructure, GECFs Mshelbila said. The reserves are there, but they are still in the ground.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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US President Donald Trump said that Tehran "can call us" if it wants to talk, but he added that it must give up any plans to build a nuclear weapon or "there's no reason to meet."

Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi, Iran's foreign minister and key negotiator, arrived in St. Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key ally, on April 27 as the future of Pakistani-mediated peace talks between the US and Iran remains clouded.

"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 Fox News on April 26.

"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.

Tehran has always insisted that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, although the US and Israel accuse Iran of secretly attempting to build a nuclear weapon.

Trump has demanded that Tehran cease its program of enriching uranium that could be used to build a bomb and that it had over its supply of the mineral -- something Iran has said will not happen.

Axios on April 26 reported that Tehran, working through Pakistani mediators, has given the US a new proposal in which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and a US blockade of Iranian ports lifted, but with negotiations on Iran's nuclear program to be held later. The story cited an unnamed US official and two sources with knowledge of the matter.

Second Round Called Off

A second round of talks was tentatively set to kick off in Pakistan over the weekend, but after Tehran said its team was not planning to meet with American negotiators, Trump announced he had canceled the trip of White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to Islamabad.

In a social media post, Trump suggested Irans negotiators were at odds with authorities at home. "Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership, he said.

Araqchi, who along with powerful parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led a first round of talks in Pakistan on April 11-12, is making the diplomatic rounds in an effort to beef up support for Iran.

After traveling to Pakistan, Araqchi went to Oman, where he looked to sell leaders there on the idea of a joint shipping toll on the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway -- a move vehemently opposed by most of the rest of the world.

"Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors," he wrote on X.

Araqchi then returned to Pakistan briefly before heading on to Russia, arriving early on April 27 in St. Petersburg for talks with Putin. Iran and Russia are both subject to crippling Western sanctions and have built a strong political and military alliance.

Tehran's ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, wrote on X that Araqchi will meet with Putin during his visit. Russian officials confirmed that Putin plans to meet with Iran's top diplomat..

Jalali added that Araqchi would "consult Russian officials regarding the latest status of the negotiations, cease-fire, and surrounding developments."

"Coordinating interactions and advancing joint programs at the regional and international levels is the most important agenda of this trip," he wrote, adding that Iran and Russia are in a "united front" against Western nations.

Fighting In Lebanon

While the US-Israeli cease-fire appears to be holding in Iran, the Israel-Lebanon truce -- although still officially in effect, appears to be fraying.

Lebanese officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people and wounded 37 on April 26 after the Israeli military warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the "buffer zone" it is occupying.

The Israeli military accused the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group of violating the cease-fire and vowed to respond.

A militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US, while the European Union has blacklisted its armed wing but not its political branch.

By RFE/RL

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Chinese exports of clean technology, including solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries, surged to a record-high in March as the war in the Middle East resulted in a major oil and gas supply shock that drove consumers and governments to lean more on renewable energy and EVs.

The export value of all of China's clean tech exports surged to $25.77 billion last month, data by energy think tank Ember showed. This was 30% higher than the value of the February exports, and more than 50% higher than the Chinese sales of clean tech overseas in March 2025.

In solar tech alone, China's solar exports hit a record-high of 68 gigawatts (GW) last month, double the February export volumes, due to the spike in energy prices and an additional boost from changes to Chinese tax rebates, data analyzed by Ember showed last week.

The value of the solar PV technology exports soared to $4.8 billion in March, more than doubled compared to $2.2 billion in solar export value in February.

China's single biggest clean tech export last month was batteries and battery technology, whose export value topped $10 billion for the first time, up from $7.2 billion in February, the data by Ember showed.

China saw its lithium battery exports jump by 50% in the first quarter from a year earlier as global demand for green technologies surged amid the worst disruption to oil and gas supply due to the war in the Middle East.

Exports of all green technologies manufactured in China surged in March and in the first quarter, making Chinese clean energy manufacturers winners in the war-induced oil shock.

China's exports of lithium batteries soared by 50.4% between January and March, compared to the same quarter of 2025, Wang Jun, deputy director of China's General Administration of Customs, said at a press briefing earlier this month.

Exports of electric vehicles also surged, by 77.5% on the year in the first quarter, the official said. Chinese overseas sales of wind turbine parts and equipment jumped by 45.2%, according to official Chinese customs data shared by Wang at the press conference.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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What had been widening cracks in Western backing for the U.S. war against Iran are starting to look more like a strategic fissure, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivering an extraordinary public warning that Washington risks sinking deeper into another Middle East quagmire as Tehran appears to be gaining leverage and the economic fallout spreads across Europe.

In one of the bluntest criticisms yet from a major U.S. ally, Merz said Iran had proven clearly stronger than one thought, while warning the United States was being humiliated by Tehrans leadership and could face the kind of prolonged entanglement that defined Iraq and Afghanistan. Coming from the leader of Europes largest economy, the remarks suggest concern that the war is no longer confined to private allied unease.

Coming from the leader of Europes largest economy, the significance is not simply the criticism itself. Washington has leaned heavily on allied cohesion as it tries to sustain military and economic pressure on Iran, yet Merzs intervention points to growing discomfort inside Europe over both the strategic direction of the war and its economic costs.

Germany has already warned that the conflict is weighing on growth, while disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz continue to feed volatility across oil, shipping, and LNG markets.

A broader shift is already underway in Europe. Berlin and Paris have intensified nuclear deterrence coordination as the war sharpens security concerns, while Germany has signaled it could contribute minesweepers to protect navigation through Hormuz once hostilities ease. With roughly a fifth of global oil trade moving through the strait, those discussions intersect directly with energy security.

Merzs warning comes amid significant economic fallout from the war.

Germanys GfK consumer-climate index plunged to minus 33.3 for May, the sharpest monthly deterioration since the 2022 energy shock after Russias invasion of Ukraine, as surging energy costs and war uncertainty hit income expectations. Business sentiment has also fallen to its weakest level since 2020.

Berlin this month moved to curb fuel price spikes with emergency measures limiting how often stations can raise gasoline and diesel prices, while tightening antitrust scrutiny of suppliers as pump prices climbed above 2 per liter. At the same time, renewed uncertainty around Druzhba flows and Russias halt to Kazakh crude deliveries to Germany have revived concerns over Europes supply vulnerability just as the Iran war threatens another external energy shock.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Shipyards are expected to deliver up to 100 new LNG carriers this year, up from 79 last year, as new projects in the U.S. and demand for new and more efficient vessels to replace retiring carriers drive increased orders despite the uncertainties stemming from the Middle East war.

A record high number of 90-100 liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC) are set to be delivered in 2026, according to estimates by analysts at Poten & Partners and Drewry, Reuters reports.

After a slow newbuild rate in 2025, orders are picking up this year, and South Korean and Chinese shipyards contracted 35 new LNG carrier builds in the first quarter alone, compared to 37 LNGCs contracted in all of last year, data by Drewry showed.

Currently, the global LNGC fleet comprises about 700 vessels that handle an annual trade of about 400 million tons of LNG. Yet owners, shippers, and traders are looking for more efficient, newer vessels to replace ageing ships, driving a rise in orders and shipbuilding contracts.

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However, the war in the Middle East and the delays in the Qatari export expansion schedule, due to the Iranian missile strikes that damaged Qatar's LNG infrastructure, is sending signals that orders could slow in the coming years, especially for new tankers tied to the Qatari and UAE expansion projects.

Qatar is expected to add up to 80 new builds over the next four years, while the Abu Dhabi national oil company ADNOC was set to double the number of its LNG vessel fleet to 18 within 36 months, Fraser Carson, principal analyst, global LNG at Wood Mackenzie, told Reuters.

Most of these new build vessels were earmarked to serve under-construction LNG projects that are now facing delays, Carson said.

Still, the new U.S. LNG export projects that are scheduled to come on stream in the coming years would generate demand for new LNG carriers, according to Jotaro Tamura, the chief executive of Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the biggest owner of LNG vessels in the world.

By MIchael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Shell is doubling down on North American gas in a major bet on long-term LNG demand, agreeing to buy Canadas ARC Resources in a $16.4-billion deal that will add roughly 370,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to production and strengthen the supermajors position in one of the continents most strategic gas corridors.

The acquisition gives Shell access to roughly 2 billion barrels of reserves while bolstering supply feeding LNG Canada, the export project Shell operates with a 40% stake and increasingly views as a cornerstone of its Asia growth strategy. With ARCs assets adjoining Shells Canadian operations that feed LNG Canada, the deal boosts Shells LNG supply position while also replenishing reserves.

The move also addresses a growing concern hanging over Shells long-term production outlook. Analysts had warned earlier this year that the company faced a potential production gap of 350,000 to 800,000 boed by the middle of the next decade as mature fields decline. ARCs output, which averaged a record 374,000 boed last year, effectively plugs much of that hole while allowing Shell to lift its compound annual production growth target for the decade to 4% from 1%.

Shell said the transaction, structured as roughly 25% cash and 75% shares, values ARC at a 20% premium to its 30-day average share price. Including assumed debt, Shell will take on an enterprise value of $16.4 billion, one of the biggest upstream deals since Chevron Corporation acquired Hess Corporation.

Beyond adding volumes, the deal deepens Shells tilt toward gas at a time LNG is emerging as one of the sectors tightest long-term growth markets. Canadian gas has become especially attractive because Pacific Coast exports can reach Asian buyers faster than U.S. Gulf Coast cargoes while avoiding some shipping chokepoints.

The acquisition also extends Shells reserve life, which had fallen below eight years at the end of 2025, and is expected to boost free cash flow per share from 2027 without changing the companys $20 billion to $22 billion investment budget through 2028.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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At least two tankers carrying Russian diesel to Brazil have made unusual U-turns in the Atlantic and are now traveling east toward the Suez Canal as sellers are likely chasing spot sales where the fuel fetches higher prices, traders told Reuters on Monday.

Since the EU ban on imports of Russian oil products in 2023, Brazil has emerged as a key buyer of Russia's diesel and other refined petroleum products.

But some supplies recently loaded at the Russian port of Primorsk on the Baltic Sea will not reach their original destinations in Brazil, according to tanker traffic data.

The Cameroon-flagged chemical tanker Flora 1, which departed from Primorsk on March 31, has turned away from its Brazilian destination and is now near Gibraltar en route to Port Said in Egypt, on the northern end of the Suez Canal, per data on MarineTraffic.

The Aurora oil product tanker flying the flag of Sao Tome and Principe has also made a U-turn deep in the Atlantic and is headed east, currently at Gibraltar, too. The tanker had departed from Primorsk on March 22, originally showing Brazil as its destination.

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Two other tankers that loaded diesel at Primorsk earlier this month are currently stalled, according to LSEG data cited by Reuters, with the reason for the halt unclear.

The very unusual and abrupt change of course of the first two tankers suggests that sellers could be looking to capture higher-margin sales of the products east of the Suez Canal.

East of Suez markets in Asia were hit first by the crashing crude oil and fuel supply out of the Middle East. Diesel and jet fuel stocks have been rapidly depleting as many countries have banned fuel exports to protect domestic supply. At the same time, Asian refineries have cut run rates as supply from the Middle East collapsed.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

The Oregon politicians have passed a $4.3 billion gas tax increase last fall and just this year passed a $311 million tax on businesses.

This comes as The Oregonian reports that retail is falling five times faster than the national average.

The falling retail is both people running out of money and also retail shops closing due to high taxes.

This is why voters must vote NO on Measure 120 and stop Governor Koteks $4.3 billion gas tax.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed into law SB 1507, which will increase taxes on Oregon businesses by $311 million. It raises the money by stealing some of the tax breaks from the 2025 Congress Tax Cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill by disconnecting from the state savings from the car interest deduction and the business depreciation deduction. There is a referendum petition on this tax (see more here).

 Was this article helpful? If yes, please contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
Driver serious after rolling car on Riviera Maya highway

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  The driver of a compact car was rushed to hospital after rolling his vehicle several times near a Riviera Maya hotel. Emergency responders found the car on its roof along a section of Riviera Maya highway early Sunday morning.

The single vehicle accident happened approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city of Playa del Carmen. Emergency services were sent to the scene at 4:40 a.m. where they located the gray Nissan March overturned.

The accident happened approximately 20 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen Sunday morning. April 26, 2026.

Staff from a nearby hotel called for help after hearing the highway commotion outside their property. According to information, the driver was traveling southbound when he lost control and hit a street light before overturning.

The car flipped several times before finally coming to a stop in the opposite lanes. The driver was found trapped inside and required assistance from the Playa del Carmen fire department to be cut free.

After being stabilized at the scene, he was rushed to hospital where his condition was reported as serious. Preliminary information says empty beer cans were found still inside the vehicle.

National Guard Highways manned the site until the accident scene was cleared.
Suspect in triple homicide that left three dead inside Cancun bar charged

Cancun, Q.R.  A suspect in a shooting that left three men dead inside a Cancun bar has been charged with three counts of aggravated homicide. Police say Marco Antonio N has been charged with the fatal March 11, 2026 shootings.

Police confirmed Saturday that he has been officially charged with the crimes of aggravated homicide.

According to a police statement, Marco Antonio N, alias Marquitos, is accused of aggravated homicide against three male persons for events that occurred on March 11 of this year in a bar located in Supermanzana 510.

According to initial investigations, Marco Antonio N went to the bar with an accomplice. He then noticed that one of the victims was carrying a bag containing suspected narcotics and firearms which led to an altercation in the restroom area.

Upon leaving the restroom, the argument continued and escalated into a confrontation that resulted in the deaths of three people, police reported.

In their statement, police said this is the second time the suspect has been formally charged; the first time was for possession and distrubution of marijuana.
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Belgiums Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot will visit China from April 27 to May 1.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Australias Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will visit China from April 28 to 30.

CCTV: To follow up on your announcement about Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wongs visit to China, can you share the background and Chinas expectations on the visit?

Lin Jian: Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained a sound momentum of growth. During Foreign Minister Penny Wongs visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair with her the eighth Foreign and Strategic Dialogue, and the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Through the visit, China looks forward to further delivering on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, enhancing political mutual trust and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-Australia relations and deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

Reuters: Does China have any comment to the Trump administration following yesterdays shooting at the White House?

Lin Jian: The shooting incident has come to Chinas attention. We oppose and condemn illegal violence.

Bloomberg: Last Friday, the U.S. sanctioned one of Chinas largest private oil refiners over its links to Iran. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this?

Lin Jian: China opposes illicit unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law. We urge the U.S. to stop willfully slapping sanctions and using long-arm jurisdiction. China will firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Beijing Daily: To follow up on Belgiums Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevots visit to China, how does China view its current relations with Belgium? Can you share Chinas expectation for the visit?

Lin Jian: China and Belgium have established an all-round partnership of friendly cooperation. In recent years, the two countries have conducted frequent high-level exchanges and made steady progress in cooperation in trade, investment, shipping, logistics, biomedicine and other fields, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Belgium. Its Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevots first visit to China since he took office. Through this visit, China looks forward to having in-depth communication with Belgium on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, broadening consensus, deepening cooperation, advancing the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Belgium relations and making new contributions to China-EU ties.

China News Service: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is reportedly visiting China. Could you share the itinerary of his visit?

Lin Jian: This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Bilateral relations maintain a sound momentum of robust development. President Zardaris trip from April 25 to May 1 includes visits to Hunan Province and Hainan Province. China stands ready to work together with Pakistan to deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation at all levels and between different localities to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
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Megan Thee Stallion, rapper, now Broadway star, and hottest woman you have ever seen in your boring little life, posted on her Instagram on Saturday evening that she and her boyfriend, Dallas Mavericks whatever Klay Thompson, had broken up. Cheating, had me around your whole family playing house, she wrote, now you dont know if you can be monogamous???? Immediately after, she gave a statement to TMZ that was even more cutting than the one she had posted herself. Ive made the decision to end my relationship with Klay, she said. Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, theres no real path forward.

What a gift to be told exactly what happened, from her clear-eyed perspective, with no ambiguity.

Its rare that a celebrity just comes out with it and castigates their also-famous ex for such easily defined misdeeds. Cardi B has become somewhat notorious for it, but since she and her exes share children, her venom isnt a fully gratifying display. Who knows how long Megan has been tolerating the alleged romantic crimes of Thompson, her boyfriend of just under a year, but thank god all she did was maybe buy a house with that 6-foot-5 disappointment instead of marrying him.

We already know that if a man wants to cheat, hell do it. It doesnt really matter how great his girlfriend is. But Megan Thee Stallion? Megan Thee Stallion? The woman who looks like what I think about when I ride a bike??? Pack it in, girls. Were doomed.

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Megs statement has led to plenty of conjecture, much of which remains unverified: that he had been cheating on her for months, that he was carrying on an affair with a WNBA player (who has since vehemently denied any involvement), that he carried a burner phone when he was dating Laura Harrier, that his 2019 cheating diary was exposed by a jilted ex. All we know for sure is what we see, which is Meg on Broadway performing in Moulin Rouge, crying. Its activating her fanbase in a way theyve been, tragically, preparing for.

Even by the standards of our standom era, Megans fans are uniquely protective. After rapper Tory Lanez shot her in 2020 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, shes been harassed and brutalized by men online and the ones in her industry. For the last six years, shes been the target of misogynoir attacks against the veracity of her story (confirmed several times over), against her body, her skin color, her sexual history, all in the name of defending Lanez, Canadas eighth-most-interesting rapper. (Hes somewhere behind Snow.)

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DJ Akademiks, a man whose head looks permanently bee-stung, offered his unsolicited opinion over the weekend: Aint no rapper finna turn my boy into a cuck, he wrote on X. She thought she was bigger than the program. Cut it out! Cruel and unnecessary, its another reminder of just how wretched the public has been to Meg. With Thompsons alleged infidelity, its one more reason for an unkind public to dog her even harder.

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So why should she be coy? There are no courts for personal grievances like these, no moral authority you can appeal to. And even when you do go through those formal channels, like Meg did when she was literally shot in the foot, shes still accused of lying. In 2023, she and her then-boyfriend Pardison Fontaine broke up, and she released Cobra ostensibly about finding him cheating in her bed. Pulled up, caught him cheating, getting his dick sucked in the same spot Im sleeping, she rapped. In response, Fontaine called it a loose interpretation and said that her lyric made people not want to interview me, while a host of the worlds smallest violins cued up. The court of public opinion was her best avenue to holding her ex accountable. Theres no value in obfuscating the details for a celebrity and artist like Meg. Thompsons alleged infidelity is compounded by a public record of Meg always being the last to know what these men are up to.

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Now, shes telling us first. Not through metaphor or song, not through hard-to-parse vague-posting, and not through a healing journey. Fire first, then rain.

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Related From Slate I Was Wrong About Lena Dunham Read More

At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama told us to go high when they go low, and suffice it to say that the last decade has proven that she was wrong. The only thing to do when someone goes lownamely, when your partner of nearly a year allegedly cheats on you, a humiliating display from an adult man who brought you home to meet his familyis to go subterranean. Descend into the caverns of the subway system. Dig your way down to the Earths core. Go to hell, and drag him down with you. Use his body as a pool noodle in the Styx. The point of all this high ground was to maintain your dignity, but theres a different, more powerful kind of dignity in knowing what happened, and stating it plainly.

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Meg gave Thompson at least one small kindness in the form of waiting until the end of his lousy season to call him an asshole to her 32.9 million followers (he only has 16.6 million, embarrassing). He has all summer to quietly lick his wounds. But around the same time she went public, the Dallas Mavericks Instagram posted a photo of Thompson with his nickname The Captain and a caption that said he would be coming to a theater near you. The project, whatever it is, has yet to be announced, but already, the Mavericks have had to limit the comments. The damage is done: scroll through and youll get a few hundred women posting tomato emojis. Is this gonna be a documentary about how he cheated? asked one woman.

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The same weekend Meg went public with her breakup, Beyonces almost-divorce opus Lemonade turned 10. When it was released, the record was a rare example of a famous person telling us about her husbands catastrophic failure, while also not really telling us much at all. The mere tendrils of detail were enough, especially for someone so notoriously private. But men still benefit from the female inclination to keep your dirty laundry at home. Their hope, usually, is that what theyve done is embarrassing enough to keep you from telling anyone. The humiliation becomes yours to carry. But Thompson is a big boy. He can hold all that shame on his own.
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Even those of us who dont consider Melania Trump a particularly sympathetic figure can concede that she lived through something traumatic this weekend. A shooter tried to assassinate her husband at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, and unlike previous attempts on the presidents life, the first lady was there to witness it. Theres no one right way to act after something like that happens; we all deal with trauma in different ways. But something tells me it would be difficult to find a single mental health professional who would endorse the path Melania has apparently chosen: calling for the firing of Jimmy Kimmel.

On Monday morning, the first lady posted a statement on Twitter accusing Kimmel of hateful and violent rhetoric.

Kimmels hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isnt comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America.



People like Kimmel shouldnt have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to  First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) April 27, 2026

If youre having trouble following the logic heresomeone shot at her husband, Kimmel frequently makes fun of him, and therefore he must goyoure not alone. But before long, the president shared a statement backing up his wife on Truth Social, and that actually helped to clarify things: Melania seemed to be referring to a specific bit Kimmel had done on his late-night show the Thursday before the shooting. In it, Kimmel pretended that he was the comedian headlining the WHCD, and it was edited with footage to make it look like Trump, Melania, and other guests were reacting to his jokes. Look at Melania, so beautiful, Kimmel said during the fake address. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.

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The joke was a reference to the presidents healththere have been a lot of questions recently about whether Trump is mentally and physically fit enough to be in office. To imply Kimmel was calling for Trumps death, or using violent rhetoric, is a stretch, to put it mildly. Youll recall that this isnt the Trump administrations first tussle with Kimmel, whose weeklong suspension last year kicked off a free-speech outcry that even MAGA backlash couldnt withstand. What got him in trouble last time around were some comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirks murder. Perhaps punch lines about politics and death are not his forte. Even so, that Kimmels jokes arent always particularly funny doesnt change that he has a right to make them.

Watching the segment and comparing it to the first ladys reaction, the main thing I came away with was the thought that Melania is being her usual self, finding strange moments to air personal grievances. We last saw this on display a few weeks ago when the first lady made a surprise speech about how she had no relationship whatsoever to Jeffrey Epstein, a connection that was hardly top of mind for the vast majority of people but that Melania was nevertheless obsessed with refuting.

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Though most of the commentary on Melanias Kimmel rant has pointed to the expectant widow line, it seems just as relevant that earlier in Thursdays show, Kimmel had been joking about Melania and Epstein. He was dwelling in particular on an infamous photo of the two of them together, as well as implying that it was Epstein who originally introduced Trump and Melania, a point the first lady was very specific in denying. Her lashing out and blaming Kimmel of all people for violence doesnt make much sense, but thats par for the course with Melania. At least she and her husband have found a common enemy for once. Its a somewhat rare display of unity. In her own messed up way, Melania Trump attacking Kimmel is both her grinding a familiar axe and letting her husband know shes with him.
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Tucked away in rural western Maryland, past a dead-end road cut off by railroad tracks, a stream runs cool and clear over a ledge dotted with snails.

About the size of a flake of black pepper, one particular species of snail believed to live at this waterfall is playing a part in the legal battle over a massive immigration detention center planned for about 700 yards upstream in Williamsport, Maryland.

The fight between the state of Maryland and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could easily have been about federalism, due process, or human rights as ICE moved to house hundreds of people inside a windowless warehouse with little notice to the surrounding community.

Instead, it has proven to be about Appalachian springsnailsand a few other rare or endangered species, including freshwater mussels, fish, and crustaceans. These creatures may be surprisingly key to stopping a massive ICE detention warehouse from operating here in Maryland.

As ICE began buying up warehouses earlier this year as part of a $38 billion plan to expand its detention footprint, communities across the country have found varying ways to push back. In Social Circle, Georgia, the city manager shut off water to a warehouse ICE had purchased amid concerns about strains on local resources. In Hanover County, Virginia, the owner of a warehouse that ICE planned to buy backed out of the deal after local leaders and protesters opposed the plan.

Maryland didnt have much chance to intervene before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security quietly bought an 825,000-square-foot warehouse in the states conservative western panhandle. State government also had little power to stop ICE from converting the warehouse into a detention and processing center: Local leaders came out in support of the project, and immigration matters fall squarely within the federal governments authority.

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With few cards available to play and grassroots opposition to the detention center growing, the Maryland Attorney Generals Office took a cue from the environmental justice movement, which has for decades used federal environmental laws to protect vulnerable communities from the unequal effects of pollution and development.

Federal immigration authorities are barreling past their legal obligations in an effort to build an immigration detention facility as quickly as they can, Attorney General Anthony Brown said when he announced a state lawsuit against the facility on the grounds that the federal government had violated its own environmental standards with the project. Once construction begins, the damage to Marylands waterways, protected species, and communities cannot be undone.

The lawsuit is an example of a state using environmental laws to protect itself from the federal government because there are few other legal options available, said Camille Pannu, the director of the Environmental and Climate Justice Clinic at Columbia Law School. In the context of the Trump administrations vast new overreaches, these avenues have become increasingly important.

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We would call this an environmental justice strategy, Pannu said; the use of environmental law for an issue related to human inequality.

The lawsuit argues that ICE failed to meet its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental assessments before major federal projects. Maryland is not the only state taking this approach: Michigan is making a similar environmental argument in a lawsuit over an ICE warehouse planned for the small blue-collar city of Romulus.

Marylands lawsuit points to several species that live in the waters near the proposed detention center: the brook bloater mussel and the green floater mussel, which are both considered endangered by the state of Maryland; the Allegheny pearl dace and the checkered sculpin, two rare species of fish; and the Appalachian springsnail, which lives in the limestone springs that feed Semple Run, a stream that runs through the woods behind the warehouse.

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The Appalachian springsnail is basically a tiny aquatic cow that mows over algae and other organic matter, sucking them up and extracting whatever nutrients it can. Like the mussels, it requires crystal-clear, rock-hard, ice-cold water, said Robert T. Dillon, a former biology professor who runs the Freshwater Gastropods of North America Project, which inventories

snail species.

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The Appalachian springsnail has been documented in a few spots around Maryland, including the waterfall in Williamsport. The most recent record of the snail there dates back to 1991, according to Smithsonian records.

I really think that snail could likely be there, Dillon said. Several snail species live at the waterfall, including the more common rock fossaria.

Retrofitting the warehouse for immigration detention would create construction sediment that would run into nearby waterways, Marylands lawsuit argued, and housing hundreds of people there would strain the water supply and create sewage overflows.

Snails and mussels are sensitive to water pollutants. If sewage made it into the Appalachian springsnails habitat, that would kill it straight dead, Dillon said.

A judge granted a temporary restraining order halting construction at the warehouse soon after Maryland filed its lawsuit. At a hearing last week on extending the order, Judge Brendan A. Hurson told the courtroom full of ICE protesters that he understood the political firestorm surrounding the lawsuit.

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This motion is really about environmental law, he said. But we all know theres a bigger picture to this case, and this court is not blind to that.

The hearing came amid news that ICE was pausing warehouse purchases and reexamining contracts signed under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. In court papers, the agency said it was reconsidering the scope of the Williamsport warehouse plan.

ICE did not say it was abandoning the project, and seemed to be weighing whether the warehouse would house 542 people or 1,500 people for detention and processing. Activists and the state of Maryland remained wary.

Any self-imposed pause could lift at any moment, in secret and without warning, the Maryland Attorney Generals Office wrote in response.

Related From Slate The Trumpiest Court Just Openly Defied SCOTUS Read More

At last weeks hearing, Hurson pointed out that the limited environmental review DHS carried out before buying the warehouse appeared to have been completed in a single day. Papers the agency filed in the lawsuit showed an environmental review dated Jan. 15, the same day DHS marked the project approved, and just a day before it bought the warehouse.

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I learned a lot of new species from this, Hurson joked, as he agreed that the project posed clear risks to the environment. He went on to grant Marylands request for a preliminary injunction, blocking ICE from converting the warehouse for detention purposes while the lawsuit continues. The agency can move forward with limited work to protect the property, like installing security cameras.

Local groups that oppose ICEs efforts celebrated the ruling and pledged to continue applying pressure until there is a permanent ruling ensuring the building will never operate as a detention center.

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Today proved that people power and legal pressure are working, said Laura Spivak, an organizer with Washington County Indivisible. We will continue showing up every week until this project is dead.

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In an email, a DHS spokesperson said the left was feigning concern about environmental issues to prevent immigration enforcement.

Lets be honest about this. This ruling isnt about the environment. Its about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again, the spokesperson said.

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They may have a point. The Appalachian springsnail hasnt been documented in Washington County since the 90snot that many people have been lookingand the mussels live in the Potomac River, separated from the warehouse by Semple Run and Conococheague Creek. But forcing the federal government to follow its own environmental laws is about more than snails and mussels.

This is an issue of, what is the most effective legal strategy to get you to the end that you want? Pannu said. Youre seeing people going to where they think the law is the strongest.

A Department of Justice lawyer, Sean C. Duffy, acknowledged in court last week that ICE had concluded more environmental analysis was needed before it converted the warehouse for detention. But he also argued there was little risk to the area, which is surrounded by highways and other warehouses.

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Its not a pristine environment that were talking about here, Duffy said. But thats not exactly true. On a recent Sunday afternoon, a bald eagle lazily flew back and forth over the spot where Semple Run feeds into Conococheague Creek. A barred owl hooted and shook its feathers in a sycamore above the creek, and red-bellied cooters sunned themselves on half-submerged logs.

Nearby, half a dozen teenagers raced each other on dirtbikes at a campground by the creek and gunshots occasionally rang out in the distance. And at the waterfall, snails that could easily be confused for pebbles slowly trudged along algae-covered rocks as Semple Run flowed by.
Not an accidental failure: Israels approach in Lebanon keeps Hizbullah alive By Oded Ailam

web posted April 27, 2026

The Hizbullah and Lebanese flags flying together The ceasefire imposed on Israel in the Lebanese arena is nothing more than the halting of a fourth war in the past forty years, without removing the threats and without addressing their root causes. This is not an accidental failure, but a direct result of a flawed doctrine: the attempt to replace military decision with conflict management. As the well-known Arab proverb says, He who neglects his youth will be tormented by his old age. Israel neglected the foundations of classical warfare and now faces the consequences of that erosion. Operational dissonance: brilliant tactics, frozen strategy The IDF achieved impressive successes in the south, capturing, clearing, and establishing a significant buffer zone up to the Litani River, but failed to effectively contend with the rocket threat. Even if Hizbullah retains only about twenty percent of its arsenal, this still amounts to tens of thousands of rockets, and the organization continues to demonstrate strong command and control despite the losses it has sustained. The IDF and the political echelon have consistently avoided proactive operations aimed at dismantling Hizbullahs grip over Lebanon as a whole. While fighters clear border villages, the main centers of power in Baalbek and Dahieh remain relatively immune from ground operations. The peak of this lack of focus was reflected in the only significant deep ground operation, the attempt to recover the remains of Ron Arad. With all due respect to the moral obligation, this was a completely unnecessary operation that yielded no strategic result, apart from exposing elite forces to unnecessary risk. The problem is not that the war was halted, but that it was conducted without a guiding concept aimed at decisive victory. We relied on painful firepower, but as experience shows, pain is temporary. Without decisive victory there is no submission, and without submission there is no victory that can be translated into a stable political achievement. From analysis to action The architecture for the next victory operates on several levels. First, there is a rare diplomatic window. The worlds attention is focused eastward on Iran, and it is clear that any outcome there will affect Lebanon. Paradoxically, international protests against IDF operations in Lebanon remain relatively weak and come mainly from Western Europe. At the same time, Israel still enjoys strong American support, despite the ceasefire imposed by Washington. To ensure that this ceasefire is not merely a prelude to a fifth war, Israel must abandon its defensive posture of attrition and adopt a strategy of dismantling and reconstruction. The required steps are a direct response to the failures we have experienced: integrating military, economic, and diplomatic actions into a decisive blow. All efforts must be focused on achieving a clear outcome. Dahieh: organizational, social, and financial core The southern suburb of Beirut is not merely a Shiite stronghold, but a multi-layered center that includes leadership, propaganda, community institutions, and at times financial infrastructure. This is where Hizbullah is most deeply embedded as an organization within society, not just as a fighting force. Targeted ground action against its military and economic nodes could accelerate its collapse. The Bekaa: logistical depth, recruitment, and border connections The Bekaa Valley is less a political symbol and more a depth zone that includes Shiite social presence, logistics, and at times funding and smuggling routes. Hizbullahs deepest roots are not only in the south, but also in the Bekaa. Baalbek-Hermel Hizbullahs strategic rear includes training centers and weapons storage, the main supply route from Syria along the Damascus to Baalbek axis, a predominantly Shiite population, and missile production labs and rocket depots. The Syrian-Lebanese border: the Qusayr-Hermel corridor These are key transit points for weapons smuggling from Iran via Syria. Blocking this corridor would completely sever the organizations supply chain. Service networks: the deepest source of legitimacy Hizbullah maintains its power not only through weapons but also through services, welfare systems, credit, local mediation, and patronage mechanisms. This is why physical strikes on its strongholds do not necessarily translate into a loss of public support, even after military weakening. Israel must directly target these welfare networks, both economically and militarily. 1. Creating a northern pincer This requires cooperation with the United States and Syrian forces hostile to Hizbullah in order to generate military pressure from the east and north and signal encirclement, or alternatively a ground entry by the IDF into these areas. 2. Aggressive diplomatic warfare led by the United States and supported by Gulf states This includes an uncompromising demand to outlaw Hizbullah and dismiss its ministers, close the Iranian embassy, neutralize the negative role of Nabih Berri as a mediator, and replace Lebanese army commander Rodolphe Haykal, who cooperates with the organization. 3. Undermining internal legitimacy This involves mobilizing the Druze community in Israel to delegitimize Walid Jumblatt, a supporter of Hizbullah, alongside covert encouragement of a Lebanese Shiite alternative that would challenge Hizbullahs monopoly. 4. Arab pressure levers Israel should work with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to apply direct economic pressure on the Lebanese government by offering investments only in exchange for the dismantling of Hizbullah, with no concessions beforehand. 5. Return to a doctrine of decisive victory The IDF must be transformed back into a maneuvering force that is sophisticated, rapid, and lethal, capable of penetrating deep enemy infrastructure above and below ground and defeating the enemy in dense terrain, rather than wearing down its own forces in static battles. Israel must stop seeking an image of victory and begin pursuing actual victory. Attempts to buy quiet through money or technology will fail against an enemy that views time as a tool. As Winston Churchill put it, History is not only the story of the wars that were fought, but mainly of the wars that could have been prevented, had we only dared to decide them in time. Lebanon 2026 is a warning sign: those who refuse to decide when they can will be forced to fight when they must, under far worse conditions. Oded Ailam is a former head of the Counterterrorism Division in the Mossad and is currently a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA). Home

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Virgil Morgan Jr. stablemates Carbine and I Did It Myway took two of the three Open-class events at Miami Valley Raceway on Sunday, April 26, with Carbine capturing the featured $49,315 Horses and Geldings Open Handicap Pace.

Alta Revelry N (Trevor Smith) left well and took command of the field with Carbine getting away in second for Luke Hanners and Grantmeawish (Trace Tetrick) tucking in third in an opening quarter of :26. The field remained single file past the half in :54. As they moved onto the backside, Ardens Ace N (LeWayne Miller) pulled first-over, flushed out by Naturally Gifted A (Tyler Smith), and the two advanced on the outside as even-money favourite Alta Revelry N led to three-quarters in 1:21.3. As they turned for home, Alta Revelry N drifted off the pylons, opening up a lane for Carbine to attack from the inside as Ardens Ace N continued to grind closer on the outside. Carbine finished best up the rail to win by a half-length in 1:50. Ardens Ace N went a big mile for second while Alta Revelry N held for third.

Carbine notched his second win of the year in four starts and 40th lifetime in 119, pushing his earnings to $875,960. The eight-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Shot Togo Bluechip is owned by Odds On Racing. He paid $5.80 to win.

I Did It Myway crushed his $41,096 Horses and Geldings Open III Pace opponents for Morgan and driver Trace Tetrick. He left alertly from post three and quickly cleared to the front, marching to the quarter in :26.3. As they headed past the stands for the first time, Night Shadow (David Miller) pulled out from sixth, eventually flushing out Hp Lis Shadow (Brett Miller) from third. I Did it Myway led them past the half in :54.4 while Hp Lis Shadow closed in slowly on the outside, Trace Tetrick stepped on the gas for the leader to open up by two lengths at three-quarters in 1:21.3. That lead expanded to eight lengths by the top of the stretch, and I Did It Myway powered farther away to win by 10-1/2 lengths in 1:48.4. Night Shadow finished second while Big Fritz (Tyler Smith) rallied from eighth to third in the stretch.

The win was I Did It Myway's third of the year in 11 attempts and 40th career victory from 119. The seven-year-old son of Captaintreacherous-Flyme To The Moon has now earned $1,669,026. He is owned by David Hamm, EVM Racing LLC and Glenn Phillips. The win price was $2.80.

Joelsyy Hanover came off cover to win the remaining Open event, the $43,836 Horses and Geldings Open II Pace. He got away sixth from the second-tier post 10 behind an early duel to the quarter in :27, with Rose Run Zane (Austin Hanners) coming away with control after going three-wide on the first turn. Tyler Smith angled Joelsyy Hanover out behind Revolt (Luke Ebersole) in front of the stands and kept his gelding on that cover through :55.4 and 1:23.4 middle panels before sending him three-wide as they swung for home. Joelsyy Hanover charged on the wide side down the lane and chased down Rose Run Zane to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.3. Martins Millions (Luke Hanners) closed for show.

The winning son of Jk Endofanera-Jans Luck has tallied twice in 13 starts this season for trainer Jessica Millner. She shares ownership in the eight-year-old with Andrew Coblentz. Joelsyy Hanover, now 31-for-165 lifetime with $695,175 in earnings, returned $17.20 to win.

Chris Page had a four-bagger on the 14-race card with Trace Tetrick, Luke Hanners and Tyler Smith each picking up a double.

Racing action returns to Miami Valley on Monday with a 4 p.m. post.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)
Virginia-sired sophomores went to battle in four $136,986 Virginia Sire Stakes Finals on Saturday, April 25 at Shenandoah Downs.

Seminole Breeze captured the final for three-year-old male trotters, turning the tables on 2025 two-year-old champ Kalispel as he reversed the exactor order of last year's freshman final.

Corey Braden drove the son of Shibboleth Hanover-Seminole Wind to a half-length victory over the heavily favoured Kalispel (Billy Carter) in a full eight-horse field. The favourite led through panels of :30, 1:00.4 and 1:31.1 and into mid-stretch, but Seminole Breeze came on late to nip Kalispel in 2:00.4. The impressive Kalispel entered the stake with six career wins in eight starts, all at Shenandoah, and fell just short of wiring the field in start nine. Harding Boy (William Carter), an elimination winner, took third.

Eleven of the Seminole Breeze's 12 career starts have come at the Woodstock, Va. oval, and he has now won twice. The colt, trained by Stacey McLenaghan for Lisa Martin and Kathy Schoeffel, was second in one of two elimination divisions a week ago. He paid $47.60 to win on Saturday.

Knl Neely Girl was best in the three-year-old filly trot final as reinsman/owner Jesse Leinbach piloted the daughter of Snow King-Keiras Girl to a 2:05.4 victory. Leinbach, who registered just his second career win in the sulky, had his charge on top through fractions of :30.1, 1:02.2 and 1:33.4 and got her home to a neck victory over first leg prep winner Jet Joanna (Billy Carter). Bottaboom (Nick Roland) completed the ticket.

"It's crazy," said Leinbach. "It feels surreal, like it's not even real. This is why we're in it. We work hard at it every day. God blessed us with a win today."

Knl Neely Girl, trained by Clifton Green for Leinbach's JML Racing LLC, won a Virginia Sire Stakes prep division as a two-year-old, which was Leinbach's first driving win. The filly is now two-for-seven lifetime. Her win price was $14.

Jason Walters' Fools Journey captured the pacing filly final, and Debbie Warnick and Corey Braden's Morton J scored in the colt-and-gelding pace, which went as a match race.

Fools Journey wired the field in 2:01.2 as a 1-9 choice with Justin Walters aboard. The Journeyman-Flashs Fool filly won her prep by 4-1/4 lengths a week prior, and on Saturday put up the fractions of :29.4, 1:01 and 1:32 in a 2:01.2 win. Dancing Joyce (Corey Braden) was second by 2-1/2 lengths and Cant Stop Bopping (Billy Carter) took third. Jason Walters also trains Fools Journey, who has won twice in seven career starts. She returned $2.10 at the windows.

Morton J extended his margin over Artzinapowerhouse (Kevin Altig) throughout the male pace final. The Strong Player-Survivalizm gelding was 48-1/2 lengths ahead as he crossed the line in 1:57.2. Corey Braden drove for trainer Scott Warnick. Morton J won for the fifth time in eight career starts. He paid $2.10 to win.

In non-stakes action, Scott Woogen's K J The Thirteenth captured Sunday's $13,699 Open Handicap Trot in a coast-to-coast performance. The four-year-old Il Mago-My Kid Sister mare stopped the timer in 1:57.3 after delivering quarter panels of :28, :59 and 1:28.2. Justin Vincent piloted her to the 3-1/4-length victory for trainer Scott Warnick. K J The Thirteenth won his third straight start  the most recent pair at Shenandoah while the earlier one came at Rosecroft  and improved to 15-for-50 lifetime. Battin Athousand (Fern Paquet Jr.) was second, while Big Daddy D (William Carter) finished third.

Shenandoah Downs continues its spring meet through Kentucky Derby weekend with cards scheduled for Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 at 1:05 p.m.

(With files from Shenandoah Downs; photo of Knl Neely Girl and connections after winning on April 25)
A CEO spent $100,000 to make an interview with OpenAI executives free to the public.

Sam Altman and Greg Brockman appeared on Ashlee Vance's podcast.

The interview was behind a paywall, and Vance said he would unlock it for a fee.

He put his money where their mouths were.

A manufacturing entrepreneur paid $100,000 to unlock a paywalled interview with OpenAI's top executives.

The interview, featuring CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman, was initially published behind a paywall by journalist Ashlee Vance as part of his "Core Memory" podcast. After some listeners complained on X that it wasn't free, Vance said he would consider making it public if someone forked over about $100,000.

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Jim Belosic, the CEO of Nevada-based laser manufacturing company SendCutSend, reached out.

"He saw the tweet that I put up and reached out," Vance told Business Insider. The "real, American cash" payment came together quickly, he said, describing the interaction as "the magic of Twitter or X."

Vance said the funding was not pre-arranged and that he would have been cautious about accepting money from companies closely tied to OpenAI or its competitors.

The money will help "run the business" behind the "Core Memory" podcast and YouTube channel. SendCutSend is now a sponsor, Vance said, and Belosic is scheduled as an upcoming guest.

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In the interview, Altman criticized what he called "doomerism" around AI and accused rival Anthropic of using "fear-based marketing" to promote its new model, Claude Mythos. The conversation also touched on OpenAI's ongoing legal battle with Elon Musk.

OpenAI and Belosic did not respond to requests for comment.

Vance said one of his biggest takeaways from the interview was the dynamic between Altman and Brockman, whom he described as having gone through "extraordinary ups and downs" together. He also pointed to Brockman's role at the company, saying he appears to be increasingly involved in shaping OpenAI's strategy.

"They are two people who've been through these extraordinary ups and downs," he told Business Insider. "I think people are kind of underestimating how much Greg has really come back to set OpenAI's strategy."

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Examining the Polish-Canadian community on the 235th anniversary of the Polish Constitution of 1791 By Apolonja (Pola) Kojder and Mark Wegierski

web posted April 27, 2026 May 3, 2026 is the 235th anniversary of the Polish Constitution of the Third of May, 1791. On the threshold of the disappearance of the old Polish state (the First Republic) the Poles enacted a salutary reform of their anarchic political system. Had the Polish state endured after 1795, it would have been well served by this Constitution, which had been effusively praised by (among others) Edmund Burke. We would like to use this occasion to comment on the Polish-Canadian community today. Although, according to the statistics of the 2016 Canada Census, there are over a million persons of Polish descent in Canada, that group has a comparatively minor impact on Canadian society, politics, and culture, especially today. Canadian Polonia (the Polish-Canadian community) seems to have a perennial misapprehension of what constitutes objective cultural influence and power in today's Canada. The Polish community in Canada seems to have a larger number of prominent artists (such as sculptors, painters, and so forth), than writers. Sculpture and painting often seem to offer far less scope for making a strong social impact, than writing. Some types of writing (such as opinion journalism) have almost immediate social and political effects. There are currently no opinion-columnists on staff in any of the major Toronto newspapers, who could be identified as belonging to the Polish-Canadian community, nor do any such opinion-columnists in any major newspaper in the country come to mind. There are also very few authors of books by recognized publishers. It could be argued that objective cultural influence and power does not mainly emphasize such phenomena as art exhibits, dramatic shows, symphony concerts, and poetry recitals. Rather, it means  at its most expansive definition -- the extensive participation of community-minded activists in well-funded, well-supported structures across the various institutions of Canadian society, such as the mass-media, the state bureaucracies, the education system (especially at the university level), and so forth. It also means the extensive funneling of government and major corporate philanthropic support to various facets of the community's activities. What can one say when even the post of the President of the Canadian Polish Congress is a volunteer position. There are, currently, only a few M.P.s who could be identified as emphatically belonging to the Polish-Canadian community, in the Canadian Federal Parliament. Among the most prominent is Calgary-area Conservative M.P. Tom Kmiec. Also, in the Ontario Parliament there were two dynamic women elected as Progressive Conservative M.P.P.s in 2018  Kinga Surma (Etobicoke-Centre) and Natalia Kusendova (Mississauga-Centre). They were both re-elected in 2022 and 2025. In 2011-2015, there were two emphatically Polish-Canadian M.P.s from the Conservative Party, Wladyslaw Lizon (Mississauga East -- Cooksville) and Ted Opitz (Etobicoke-Centre). During the 1970s, Stanley Haidasz represented the Parkdale-High Park riding (then the Toronto-area riding with the highest proportion of persons of Polish descent) as a Liberal, being named as Minister of State for Multiculturalism, and later a Senator. His successor in the riding was the Liberal, Jesse Flis. Because of the prominence of Haidasz and Flis, the Polish-Canadians tended to support the federal Liberal Party in earlier decades. The main waves of Polish immigration to Canada could be identified as pre-World War I; interwar; post-World War II; 1956-1979; Solidarity era; and post-1989. Before World War I, Poland had endured Partition (harsh foreign occupation under Tsarist Russia, Prussia/Germany, and the Habsburg Empire) since 1795. Independence was regained only in 1918. The Polish Second Republic fell before the savage onslaught of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union (then Hitlers ally) in September 1939 (when World War II began). Betrayed by America and Britain at the Yalta Conference, Poland was assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence (to be officially called the Peoples Republic of Poland) -- along with the wrenching displacement of her frontiers in a westward direction. The largest group of Polish immigrants to Canada in the post-World War II period were the Polish ex-soldiers who had served in the Polish armed forces under Western Allied command. Among their greatest military achievements were the contribution of the Polish pilots to the aerial Battle of Britain in 1940; the storming by the Polish Second Corps of Monte Cassino in Italy, the impregnable German positions blocking the road to Rome, in 1944; and the attempt to close the Falaise Gap in Normandy by the Polish First Armoured Division, also in 1944. The Polish ex-soldiers who came directly to Canada in the late 1940s were required to work for two years on remote farms. Conditions there were sometimes none too pleasant. In consequence of the death of Stalin in 1953, the coming to power of Wladyslaw Gomulka in October 1956 essentially polonized the regime. The disturbances of 1968-1970 brought Edward Gierek to power, whose economic policies initiated a short period of considerable prosperity. Nevertheless, the election of the Polish Pope in 1978 galvanized the opposition, culminating in the flowering of the independent trade-union movement, Solidarity. On December 13, 1981, Communist General Jaruzelski declared martial law and attempted to crush the Solidarity movement, which went underground. Finally, the impetus of Solidarity was one of the factors that helped to initiate the massive transformations that resulted in the collapse of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe in 1989. The Polish Third Republic was proclaimed. The arrival of Polish-Canadians increased the intra-European diversity of Canada. It could be argued that the initial definition of multiculturalism in Canada was mostly meant to refer to other European groups, apart from the English and French, especially Eastern and Southern Europeans. That definition has been mostly eclipsed since the 1980s, with the arrival of huge visible minority immigration. Apolonja (Pola) Kojder is the main author of Marynia, Dont Cry: Memoirs of Two Polish-Canadian Families (University of Toronto Press, 1995). She lives in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based writer and historical researcher, published in Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen, and The Hill Times (Ottawa), among others. They were both born in Canada of Polish immigrant parents. Home

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Italy is always a perennial travel favorite, and there's always a good reason to explore new delights, particularly culinary ones. From Lake Como and Pompeii to travel writers favorites of Campi Flegreis ancient baths and Tuscanys wild Garfagnana, these Italy travel trends have something for everyone, and with food-led travel booming, the seafront restaurants in Positano, Sardinia, Liguria, and Puglia are drawing travelers with a passion for food.

CNTravelers recently listed of the Best Things To Do In Lake Como, such as the End of War museum, where Mussolini was stopped at the end of World War Two, the Silk Museum celebrating Comos role as the silk capital in the 19th century, and Villa Gaze from the James Bond and Star Wars franchises.

Lonely Planet lists the Best Day Trips from Rome, including the ancient ruins at Ostia Antica, the UNESCO World Heritage City of the Dead in Cerveteri, and, of course, Pompeii. And its writers list the Underrated Italian Getaways, notably the ancient baths at Campi Flegrei, west of Naples and Garfagnana in Tuscany.

Italy Travel Food And Hotel Pairings

Italian travel specialists Citalia showcase Italys most spectacular seafront restaurants, each paired with nearby hotels, following the trend of people seeking cuisine-led traveltheir research shows that over two in five (42%) travelers say food and drink is the most important factor when selecting a destination. Wine tasting and vineyard tours are also popular.

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La Sponda in Positano is the perfect place to eat spaghetti with lobster at sunset, paired with the elegant Palazzo Murat. In Sardinia, try Le Dune for Bottarga-topped pasta over a long lunch, with uninterrupted views across Campana Beach, staying at the Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia.

On the Amalfi Coast, follow in Stanley Tuccis footsteps in Searching for Italy to eat the signature dish at Ristorante Lo Scoglio, the Spaghetti alla Neranofried zucchini and Provolone del Monaco. You can swim in the sheltered coves of Marina del Cantone, eat in the family restaurant founded in 1958 with produce grown on the family farm, and when the sun is low, you can eat overlooking the sea. The Hotel Marincanto is nearby, on the water.

If octopus is more your thing, you can lunch, barefoot on the sand at the Michelin-starred La Pineta in Tuscany, staying at the Augustus Hotel and Resort. Heather Green of Citalia suggests La Pineta feels effortlessly special because it doesnt try too hard, youre dining barefoot on the beach, yet the sourcing and technique are exceptional. Id suggest timing your visit for lunchtime, when the sea and sunshine become part of the experience.

Alternatively, you could opt for the tasting menu for dinner at Ristorante Sarri in Liguria. Try the seafood crudo with Ligurian olive oil, led by Michelin-starred chef Andrea Sarri with sea bass tartare, fish carpaccio and seasonal pasta shaped by whats landed that morning on the menu. Explore the old town of Porto Maurizio before heading off to Royal Hotel Sanremo.

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Suspended inside a limestone cave above the Adriatic, Grotta Palazzese in Puglia, is one of Italys most theatrical dining rooms, perfect for sea bass, scollops, lobster and caviar. Arrive before sunset in the place once used for 18th-century banquets, its now led by Apulian-born chef Martino Ruggieri, whose tasting menus showcase regional seafood and refined southern flavors. You can spend your time swimming in the cove below the towns bridge, Monachile, before heading off to a room at Il Melograno, a 16th-century masseria surrounded by olive groves.

Or try Da Gemma, open since 1872, on the Amalfi Coast for the Linguine alle vongole, best at lunch after exploring Amalfi Town. Stay at the Hotel Marina Riviera with views over the Tyrrhenian Sea and a rooftop swimming pool, and stop by the Amalfi Paper Museum thats housed in an old paper mill dating back to the 13th century.

If you're looking to try new places, in picturesque settings across trending Italy travel hotspots, these seaside gems should provide some inspiration.

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MORE FROM FORBESWar And Rising Costs Threaten Europes Summer Tourism Season By Alex Ledsom

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This article was originally published on Forbes.com
If youve been waiting for a sign to finally pull the trigger on those summer flight alerts, consider this the flashing neon siren. Between the geopolitical fallout of the Iran war and a sudden, sharp spike in jet fuel costs, the era of the last-minute deal has officially been replaced by the last-minute disaster.

Aviation analysts are blunt about the situation: The fares you see today for summer flights are likely the best youre going to get.

The Iran War and the $2 Gallon Spike

The primary culprit behind your shrinking vacation budget is the price of oil. Since the U.S. and Israel launched a military attack against Iran on February 28, jet fuel prices  which make up nearly a third of an airlines operating costs  have surged by more than $2 a gallon.

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Instead of absorbing that cost (because that would be absurd), airlines are passing it directly to you. According to Kayak, the average domestic round-trip now sits at $358 (up 18% from last year), while international travelers are shelling out an average of $1,164 just to get across the pond.

Winners and Losers in the Fare Wars

While the trend is upward across the board, data from Deutsche Bank shows that some airlines are being much more aggressive with their hikes than others.

The Price Leaders: United Airlines has become the poster child for the surge, with average advance fares nearly doubling (+94.7%) compared to last year. American Airlines isnt far behind with a 68% year-over-year jump.

The Budget Squeeze: Even ultra-low-cost isnt what it used to be. Spirit Airlines saw a staggering 60.9% price increase in a single week this month.

The Lone Outlier: Curiously, Delta Air Lines is the only major carrier showing a year-over-year decrease (-10.5%), though industry experts warn this window may close quickly as fuel pressures mount.

Airlines are getting creative, and not in a way that helps your wallet. To offset those $2-per-gallon fuel spikes, carriers like JetBlue, Alaska, and Southwest have been hiking bag fees across the board. Worse yet, your favorite route might not even exist by June. United, for instance, is slashing its total flight volume by 5% this summer to avoid flying less profitable, fuel-heavy routes. Fewer planes in the sky means higher demand for the seats that are left.

How to Beat the System (According to the Pros)

If you havent booked yet, industry analyst Henry Harteveldt has a simple piece of advice: Get busy. Waiting for a dip is a losing strategy in 2026.

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However, you can still play it smart with these two veteran moves:

The Late-Summer Pivot: If your schedule allows, aim for a trip in late August or September. Demand naturally dips as school starts, which might offer a slight reprieve from the peak-July madness. The Rebook Hedge: Julian Kheel of Points Path suggests booking a standard Main Cabin fare now to lock in a price. If you avoid Basic Economy, you can set a price alert on Google Flights; if the price happens to drop later, you can rebook the flight and pocket the difference as a travel credit.

More From Cheapism
The Employers Consultative Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ECA) has raised concerns about the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that aspects of the proposed changes could affect business stability, job creation and the ease of doing business.

Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Leroy Baptiste brought the Retrenchment and Severance Benefits (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to the Senate on Friday.
Swalwell: The real story is the cover-up

By Mark Alexander

web posted April 27, 2026

Remember when, during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Demo rising star Rep. Eric Swalwell proclaimed Kavanaugh was unfit because of allegations of sexual misconduct? Those allegations were false, but it didn't matter to the opportunistic Swalwell. He posted on social media: "Support survivors. Believe survivors. We are with you."

Right.

Fact is, the entire leadership of the Democrat Party, including Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), knew that Swalwell had a long history of, to put it kindly, sexual misconduct, prior to the latest rape allegations. Though he denied the allegations, he withdrew from the California governor's race and resigned from Congress.

That is the real story behind his precipitous fall.

Swalwell, who was elected to Congress from California's 15th district in 2013, was heralded then as the Demo Party's golden boy. He had previously been a deputy district attorney in Alameda County since 2006  while chalking up his own record of alleged assaults.

The first public questions about Swalwell that became national news were the result of his "honey pot" affair with ChiCom spy Christine Fang Fang in 2020.

Despite that compromise, as noted by political analyst Gary Bauer: "Even after [Fang Fang] fled to communist China, Nancy Pelosi fought to keep Swalwell on the House Intelligence Committee. Why? Because the most important thing for the Left is power. Their quest for power comes before everything, including the national security interests of the United States."

So why only now has Swalwell been outed by his own party? After all, he was the leading Democrat in the California gubernatorial primary.

Because it was feared, after new allegations of assault and rape from four additional women, as well as the emergence of videos of Swalwell engaging with prostitutes (and other men), that the married father of three could not prevail in his candidacy for governor of California.

Do ya think? I mean, it's California. Would any of this really matter to a majority of low-info Demo voters?

As Larry Elder noted, citing Reuters, "A fifth woman came forward to accuse Swalwell of unwanted sexual contact, saying the Democratic lawmaker drugged and raped her during an encounter in 2018."

Elder continues: "Former House Speaker and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) claimed she knew nothing about the rumors against Swalwell. But Willie Brown, once a mentor to former Vice President Kamala Harris and a former mayor of San Francisco, and who for 15 years served as speaker of the California Assembly, said: 'No, I'm not surprised frankly because there have been rumors after rumors after rumors, his colleagues in Washington pretty much said that. That's what Adam Schiff said, that's what Nancy Pelosi said.'"

George Washington University's Frank Sesno confronted Pelosi, asserting: "Some Republicans and others are saying that Democrats turned kind of a blind eye, that they knew what [Eric Swalwell] was up to or what the allegations were."

Predictably, she responded: "No. That's not true. ... It is absolutely not true."

In other words Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Adam Schiff, and all the other Demo California mafia are liars. But that comes as no surprise to anyone with an IQ above room temperature capable of distinguishing fact from fiction.

Among many California politicos who have been Swalwell's backers is his buddy Shawn VanDiver, who issued this statement, similar to those issued by others:

I owe an apology to every person I introduced to Eric Swalwell over the years. The rumors about him weren't new. They had been circulating for a long time, and many people were aware of them. When he asked for my support in the California gubernatorial race, I raised those concerns directly. He unequivocally denied them, dismissing it as Washington rumor mill nonsense and claiming there was no truth behind it. He framed it as behavior from when he was single, without recognizing or acknowledging the underlying power dynamics at play.

Key point: "The rumors about him weren't new. They had been circulating for a long time, and many people were aware of them."

VanDiver concluded his "apology" with this gross understatement: "I took him at his word. That was a mistake and a failure."

Seasoned San Fran political writer Steven Tavares said: "I've covered Eric Swawell [sic] since he was a member of the Dublin City Council. Shortly after being elected to Congress in 2013, his behavior towards women was known by all levels of our local government and the Alameda County Democratic Party."

To the larger point of the Demo cover-up, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller declared: "The real story here is how the Democrat Party controls its members through blackmail. It's got a blackmail file on ALL of its politicians, and it uses them to leverage and control them until it's time to release it! That is how sick and twisted the Democrat Party is. That's the next thread we've got to pull out here."

Commentator Brittany Hughes concludes:

[These Democrats] sent him to Congress, they contributed to his fundraisers, they worked on his campaigns. And only when he became inconvenient to their political strategy did they open up that closet door and let all his skeletons fall out. And now we have videos that somebody was sitting on for years, while the Left holds themselves up as the moral superiors for booting [Swalwell], who they knew was a sleaze bag this whole time. That's not morality, it's hypocrisy. And it is further truth that the Left does not give a crap about women.

You know, all those women voters who keep Demo politicians in office are tools of Demo political strategists who depend on them being emotionally incontinent idiots.

Political observer Robby Starbuck pointed out the complicity of Leftmedia talkingheads and scribes in the Swalwell cover-up: "When everything comes out about Eric Swalwell in coming weeks, remember that the media ignored it until he ran for Governor when powerful donors and Democrats wanted someone else to be Governor. Why? They aren't journalists. They're a propaganda army for powerful Democrats."

National Review's Jeffrey Blehar added:

Everybody knew Swalwell was an adulterous lech  except you. Swalwell's name was being whispered through the Democratic grapevine on Capitol Hill by 2017 at the latest, when CNN almost surely mentioned him as the California representative cited by "more than half a dozen interviewees independently" for pursuing female staffers. Of course, CNN didn't specifically name who they were referring to in that piece  "because the stories are unverified."

Again, the point being, the rapid fall of Eric Swalwell after decades of Demo and MSM cover-ups of his abuse is a case study of corruption and abject hypocrisy.

For his part, all Swalwell could muster regarding his resignation was a faux cut-and-paste apology: "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made  but that's my fight, not a campaign's."

So, he downgraded the allegations to "mistakes in judgment" but asserts in the same breath they are "false"?

As our Douglas Andrews concluded: "Remember: This is the same Eric Swalwell who smugly said to Donald Trump and his associates as the Biden Democrats weaponized their Department of Justice against him: 'You're not above the law. You're not an elite. You're not untouchable.'"

To that end, Swalwell's problems don't conclude with his resignation. As additional victims come forward, the Los Angeles County Sheriff has launched a criminal investigation, as has the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and not a minute too soon. Again, Swalwell's assaults have been the worst-kept secret among Demo operatives, and it is not credible to believe that in LA and Manhattan, his offenses were not previously known. But of course, both those organizations are controlled by Demos, from whom they take their cue.

Where does that leave the Cali governor's race?

Despite Swalwell's exit, Demos still face a difficult choice this fall  the disgraceful Katie Porter or a member of the leftist billionaire boys club, Tom Steyer.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
A third executive order in October extended those exceptions to the Copper Rule. Both ASARCO and Freeport applied. Freeport claimed that the exemption was a national security matter since it produces 70% of the countrys domestic copper supply and is one of only two operating smelters in the U.S. In its letter to Zeldin, it also argued that the technology it was being asked to invest in was so cost-ineffective that its essentially unavailable.

Installing pollution measures meant to trap excess emissions would cost Freeport $59.9 million, about what it spent on annual maintenance in 2022, and ASARCO, which wasnt operating at the time, $15.4 million, according to EPA estimates.

In an email to The Arizona Republic, Stewart said ASARCOs exemption request isnt about the smelters ability to meet emissions limits, but rather about the Copper Rules compliance test methods  which the company says cannot practicably or safely be implemented and would frequently produce false indications of exceedances of the limits.

So far, only Freeport has received the exemption, letting the company off the hook for the next two years. Freeport-McMoRan's Vice President of Communications Linda Hayes said the company remains committed to operating responsibly and protecting the environment and community health. The exemption, she said, allows it to run under pre-existing standards while the EPA reviews and reconsiders aspects of the 2024 Copper Rule.

ASARCOs exemption request is still under review, according to Stewart. The White House did not provide comment on the status of the exemption.

Sarah Buckley, a lawyer at the National Resource Defense Council, said the exemption sets a bad precedent.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is asking a federal judge to block the U.S. government from converting a warehouse in the Phoenix-area city of Surprise to house up to 1,500 people detained on immigration violations, saying the plan is inappropriate and illegal.

In a lawsuit filed Friday, Mayes said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement spent about $70 million to buy the vacant 418,400-square-foot industrial warehouse in January as part of a rush to expand detention facilities nationwide. She said the agencies already issued more than $300 million in contracts to oversee extensive construction and renovation at the warehouse site.

Surprise city officials have said there is nothing they can do to stop a federally owned project.

Mayes, at a news conference Friday in front of the warehouse, said both U.S. agencies are required to comply with various federal laws but have not.

"We are asking the federal government to do something that should not be controversial: follow the law,'' said Mayes, a Democratic elected official.

One of those laws is the Immigration and Naturalization Act, which Mayes said requires federal agencies to arrange for "appropriate'' places for immigration detention.

"The Surprise warehouse is not (and will never be) suitable for use as a mass detention facility,'' the attorney general said in the lawsuit. She said a building designed as a warehouse can't provide the necessary water and sewage facilities.

Mayes said any federal project of this scope also has to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Scientists in Canada claim to have discovered the reason why so many older buildings are believed to be haunted.

Could creaky pipes be to blame for ghosts?

A new study by boffins at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta looking into the effects of infrasound - sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz which are unable to be heard by the human ear but can often be felt as physical vibrations - and concluded it can lead to increased irritability and higher cortisol levels even when participants in the study were not aware of it.

Professor Rodney Schmaltz, senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, explained: "Infrasound is pervasive in everyday environments, appearing near ventilation systems, traffic, and industrial machinery.

"Many people are exposed to it without knowing it. Our findings suggest that even a brief exposure may shift mood and raise cortisol, which highlights the importance of understanding how infrasound affects people in real-world settings.

"Consider visiting a supposedly haunted building. Your mood shifts, you feel agitated, but you can't see or hear anything unusual. In an old building, there is a good chance that infrasound is present, particularly in basements where aging pipes and ventilation systems produce low-frequency vibrations.

"If you were told the building was haunted, you might attribute that agitation to something supernatural. In reality, you may simply have been exposed to infrasound."

The study invited 36 participants to sit along in a room listening to either calming or unsettling music with half of them unknowingly being bombarded by

infrasound through hidden subwoofers.

They were asked to report their feelings and emotions and state whether they thought they could detect infrasound during the test. They also gave saliva samples to monitor their cortisol levels before and after the test.

The study concluded the participants' cortisol levels were higher if they had in a test involving infrasound while they also reported feeling more irritable and that the music seemed more sad.

However, they could not detect they had been subjected to infrasound.

Professor Schmaltz concluded many hauntings reported in older buildings could have a much more simple explanation than ghosts - creaky pipes which give off undetected infrasound, saying: "As someone who studies pseudoscience and misinformation, what stands out to me is that infrasound produces real, measurable reactions without any visible or audible source.

"So, the next time something feels inexplicably off in a basement or old building, consider that the cause might be vibrating pipes rather than restless spirits."
Dateline: April 28

In Peru, if infidelity in marriage is established, it can impact the division of assets, as well as custody of children.

Dateline this week heads to Latin America for Perus Love Cheats.

This deeply Catholic nation is facing a monogamy crisis, with divorce rates rising and many separations caused by infidelity, Dateline joins private detectives helping Peruvians uncover the truth.

Australia has no fault divorce, meaning neither party has to prove wrongdoing to end a marriage. In Peru, if infidelity is established, it can impact the division of a couples assets, as well as custody of children. Its also a valid ground for filing an annulment or divorce case

Historically, adultery was considered a crime in Peru. Legislation dating back to the 1920s allowed for people to be sentenced for up to six months in prison if they were found to be unfaithful. In 1991, it was removed from the criminal code, but is still considered grounds for divorce

In a nondescript building in Lima, behind a security gate and cameras, Liz Rodriguez runs The Female Fenix (Phoenix) Squad  a private detective agency that advertises as experts in exposing cheaters in the act.

9:30pm Tuesday on SBS.
Judgment: Cases that Changed Australia: April 28

When asylum seekers futures are argued before the High Court, questions of borders, power and national identity are laid bare.

This week on Judgment: Cases that Changed Australia is We Will Decide, on Australias strict immigration laws.

When the fates of those who dare to come to Australia in breach of strict immigration laws land in the High Court, the countrys history and humanity are laid bare.

Australians have long wrestled with the challenges of controlling who enters the borders of a country built on immigration.

Kim Lims family came to Australia from Cambodia on a leaky boat in the 1980s, fleeing Pol Pots murderous terror. Aged 10, she and her family are swept up in Australias first regime of Mandatory Detention. They challenge their detention in the High Court  and lose.

In 2000, Ahmed Al Ketab, a young Palestinian man, finds himself locked up in the same system. Australia rejects his application for refugee status, but no other country will take him. Australia simply keeps him locked up. This is not just mandatory detention, but indefinite detention.

In the High Court fundamental questions are tested  can the Australian government lock up people who have not committed a crime indefinitely? Or are such harsh sentences solely the prerogative of our courts? How far does the power to control our borders extend?

The High Court delivers one of the most bitterly divisive judgments in its history, endorsing indefinite immigration detention  a power exercised by no other Liberal Democracy in the world at that time.

8:30pm Tuesday on ABC.
According to supply chain sources in China, the company is working with Samsung to develop a completely new micro-curved OLED panel that is thinner, brighter, and more refined than current displays.

This suggests that Apple is not merely making incremental upgrades, but pursuing a symbolic transformation - similar to the shift introduced by the iPhone X in 2017. The highlight this time is a nearly bezel-free display, subtly curved on all four edges to create a more seamless and futuristic feel.

A new display revolution for the iPhone

Unlike the aggressively curved waterfall displays seen on some Android devices, Apple is said to be taking a more restrained approach. The company has reportedly asked Samsung to develop a quad-curved design with evenly curved edges, but using extremely shallow micro-curves.

This approach offers practical benefits. The gently rounded edges improve grip and reduce the sharp feel of flat sides. At the same time, edge-swipe gestures - a core part of iOS - become more natural.

More importantly, limiting the curvature helps avoid display distortion at the edges, a common issue on heavily curved screens. This reflects Apples continued focus on user experience rather than purely aesthetic experimentation.

One of the most notable changes is Apples reported push for pol-less OLED panels, which remove the polarizing layer found in most current OLED displays.

This aligns with earlier reports from South Korea suggesting Apple will adopt COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) technology developed by Samsung. Instead of placing color filters on a separate layer, COE integrates them directly into the encapsulation layer.

Removing the polarizer brings several advantages. It significantly reduces display thickness, contributing to a slimmer overall design. It also allows light to pass through more efficiently, resulting in brighter screens while consuming less power - a critical factor as smartphones become increasingly dependent on battery performance.

However, this technology also introduces challenges, particularly in controlling reflections. Without a polarizing layer, managing glare becomes more difficult.

Apple has already begun addressing this issue in recent iPhone models with improved anti-reflective coatings, and further refinements are expected.

Beyond brightness, Apple is also working to improve light uniformity across the display. According to sources, the company is using a crater-shaped light diffusion structure.

This design helps distribute light more evenly, preventing areas of uneven brightness - a subtle but noticeable issue on current OLED panels. The result would be a more consistent viewing experience across the entire screen.

A seamless all-glass iPhone: ambition for 2027

The year 2027 will mark two decades since the first iPhone was introduced, and Apple is reportedly planning to celebrate this milestone with a premium all-glass iPhone featuring no visible cutouts on the display.

This would require placing all components, including the front camera and Face ID system, beneath the screen - a significant technological challenge.

Display analyst Ross Young believes Apple may not be ready to bring under-display Face ID by 2027. However, other sources suggest it remains a realistic goal.

If the technology is not fully ready, Apple could adopt an interim solution: placing Face ID under the display while retaining a small punch-hole camera. This would serve as a transitional step toward a fully uninterrupted screen.

Recent leaks indicate that Apple is still testing under-display camera technology for its 2027 iPhone, leaving the realization of a truly flawless design uncertain.

Even so, the direction is clear. Apple aims to create a symbolic iPhone that combines absolute minimalism with cutting-edge display innovation.

If successful, the 20th anniversary iPhone may become a defining milestone in smartphone history - much like the iPhone X once ushered in the era of near edge-to-edge displays.

Hai Phong
According to the latest information, the device not only aligns with previous rumors but may exceed expectations in terms of thinness and overall design refinement.

The leak reportedly originates from a case manufacturer, a source that often gains early access to the dimensions and physical form of unreleased devices.

Although the leaked images are low in resolution, they still provide enough detail to outline a key takeaway: the iPhone Ultra could be significantly thinner than previously anticipated.

An ultra-thin foldable that pushes engineering limits

Based on the new data, the iPhone Ultra is expected to measure approximately 9.23mm when folded. This figure stands out, especially considering earlier reports suggested a thickness ranging from 9.5mm to 9.8mm or more. Including the rear camera module, the devices maximum thickness could reach around 13mm.

For comparison, one of todays leading foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, measures about 8.9mm when folded, but rises to roughly 14mm when accounting for the camera bump.

This means Apple may slightly trail its rival in body thickness when folded, yet could surpass it in overall thickness when the camera module is included.

However, differences of just a few tenths of a millimeter are far from trivial. In the world of premium smartphone design, such details directly influence how a device feels in hand, its visual appeal, and the perception of build quality.

If Apple achieves the slim profile suggested by the leak, it would represent a notable step forward in foldable engineering.

Late entry, higher expectations

Despite these promising figures, Apple faces an unavoidable reality: it is entering the foldable smartphone market later than its competitors.

Before the iPhone Ultra officially launches, Samsung is expected to introduce the next-generation Galaxy Z Fold 8, alongside a new variant rumored to be called the Galaxy Z Wide Fold.

Recent leaks indicate that Samsung continues to refine its designs, particularly in camera systems and overall finish, maintaining pressure on any new entrant.

This places Apple in a unique position - it must not only catch up but surpass existing standards.

After years of anticipation, users expect Apples first foldable iPhone to approach near perfection. Any shortcomings, whether in hinge durability, screen crease visibility, battery life, or software experience, could lead to significant disappointment.

In other words, Apple has little room for error.

A different path with significant risks

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the leak is not just the devices thinness, but its design philosophy. Instead of following the vertical fold style seen in current Galaxy Z Fold models or Oppo Find N devices, Apple is reportedly developing a wide-fold design with a distinctly different screen ratio.

This approach has already triggered ripple effects across the industry. Huawei has introduced a similar concept with the Pura X Max, while Samsung is said to be preparing its own Galaxy Z Wide Fold to compete directly.

If this wide-fold format gains user acceptance, it could open up an entirely new segment in the smartphone market.

In a more ambitious scenario, it could even replace traditional foldable designs altogether.

Apple has long been known for its strategy of arriving late but executing better. The iPhone was never the first smartphone, yet it redefined the category. Expectations for the iPhone Ultra follow the same pattern.

However, todays foldable market is far more mature than in its early days.

Users now demand high standards in durability, performance, and software experience. This means Apple cannot rely solely on design elegance or ecosystem strength to win over customers.

If successful, the iPhone Ultra could become a defining milestone, ushering in a new era for premium smartphones. But if it falls short, it may mark one of the rare moments when Apple loses its edge in the technology race.

Hai Phong
Xuan Thuy (born 2000, HCMC) and Khanh Trinh (born 1999, from Dong Nai) had been together for five years, more than four of which were spent battling illness side by side. Once an active, outgoing girl, Thuy became wheelchair-bound after being diagnosed with a rare condition.

Yet Trinh chose to stay, using his quiet but steadfast love to carry them both toward a happy ending.

The couple met in 2021 while working at the same restaurant. From initial indifference, they gradually grew close through everyday conversations.

Six months after officially dating, Thuy faced a major turning point. She was diagnosed with Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Ataxia syndrome, a rare condition of unknown cause, after experiencing symptoms such as double vision, eye spasms, and physical weakness.

To regain mobility, she underwent high-dose corticosteroid treatment, which caused severe swelling and a nearly 10kg weight gain due to fluid retention.

He knew exactly what I was going through. Back then, he just said one thing: No matter what happens to you, I believe I can take care of you, Thuy recalled.

Her condition worsened. By late 2023, she had nearly lost the ability to walk and relied on medication for even limited movement, eventually becoming dependent on a wheelchair.

The illness pushed her into emotional crisis. She developed bipolar disorder and depression, requiring treatment.

At times, Thuy felt like a burden to her family and to Trinh. Their relationship went through cycles of arguments, breakups, and reconciliation.

I dont remember how many times I asked to break up or how many times I asked him, Have you changed your mind? His answer was always no, she said.

Trinh never spoke in grand words or made elaborate promises. Instead, he showed love through actions: accompanying her to hospital visits, traveling back and forth between Dong Nai and HCMC, helping with daily routines, and staying patient through her emotional struggles.

Back then, I thought Id just take things as they come. My illness made me afraid to open my heart, no matter how sincere he was. But his love eventually moved me, making me truly want to lean on him, Thuy shared.

Both families supported the relationship. Thuys parents were grateful their daughter had someone to care for her, while Trinhs family was deeply touched and fully embraced the couple.

To this day, Thuy is always grateful for that acceptance.

In August 2025, Trinh proposed to Thuy romantically at Mui Dien (Phu Yen, now part of Dak Lak). Their turbulent love story finally had a beautiful ending after Thuy's happy nod.

Emotional wedding

The couple's wedding was held on March 20. That day, Thuy had beautiful memories that she will never forget in her life.

When entering the wedding hall, instead of sitting in a wheelchair, Thuy decided to walk on crutches. She wanted, in that sacred moment, to walk on her own feet to reach her partner who had loved and waited for her all those years.

The moment the bride limped into the hall moved the entire wedding party to tears.

The groom, Khanh Trinh, stepped forward and carried the bride in his arms as an affirmation: "I will be your support for the rest of your life."

"That day, relatives and friends cried and laughed with us, giving us the sweetest blessings. I had a wedding where every second, every minute that passed was unforgettably happy," Xuan Thuy said emotionally.

Currently, the couple lives and works in HCMC. Trinh works as a restaurant management assistant, while Thuy focuses on physical therapy and online sales.

Every day, Xuan Thuy and Khanh Trinh take care of each other with delicious meals, freshly laundered clothes, and sweet concern. For them now, illness is no longer an obstacle because from the moment they placed the wedding rings on each other's fingers, they have been firm in their choice.

Thanh Minh
It is necessary to switch to taxing net income, while taking into account family circumstance deductions to ensure fairness, some experts say.

Regarding the revenue threshold for exemption from Personal Income Tax (PIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) for business households and individuals, the Ministry of Finance has proposed an increase from VND500 million to VND1 billion/year.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's reviewing body suggested a threshold of VND2 billion, and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises proposed raising it to VND3 billion.

So, what tax exemption level is appropriate for business households? Are business households "worse off" than employees?

H.T.T, a grocery store owner in Bach Mai ward (Hanoi), said that his store has revenue of about VND5-6 million/day, equivalent to about VND1.8-1.9 billion/year. However, the actual profit is less than 10 percent after deducting all types of expenses.

T. hopes the tax exemption threshold for business households would be raised to VND2 billion/year to be less disadvantaged compared to wage earners.

According to T., with a revenue of VND2 billion/year, the monthly income of a business household would reach about VND166 million. Assuming a profit margin of 10 percent, the actual profit would be around VND16.6 million/month.

This figure is equivalent to the threshold at which wage earners currently begin to pay PIT.

As for revenue of VND1 billion/year, it is equivalent to about VND83 million/month. If an average profit margin of 10 percent is applied, the actual income this business household receives is only a mere VND8.3 million/month.

Meanwhile, for an individual wage earner, the threshold to start paying tax (in cases with no dependents) is VND15.5 million/month (including VND11 million for family circumstance deduction and VND4.5 million for mandatory social insurance contributions).

For business households, even if their actual income reaches only VND8.3 million/month, much lower than the VND15.5 million threshold, they must already begin performing tax obligations to the State, which is an inadequacy regarding the tax threshold, T. said.

Nguyen Quang Huy from Nguyen Trai University argued that determining a unified tax-free revenue threshold for all business households may not fully reflect the diversity of current business activities.

Reality shows that for the same revenue level, profit margins differ significantly across industries. A business household in the trade sector may achieve only a very low profit level, while some service sectors have much higher profitability rates.

Huy believes that the option of raising the tax-free revenue threshold to about VND2 billion/year could be a reasonable level in the short term, creating space to support small business households while limiting the risk of budget loss.

Additionally, if a business household is viewed as an individual business and a tax calculation similar to the Law on Personal Income Tax is applied, including deducting reasonable costs and family circumstance deductions before calculating tax, it is a well-founded approach.

Applying the principle of taxing net income, with consideration for family circumstances, will contribute to improving the fairness of the tax system, Huy said.

Taking another perspective, Nguyen Van Thuc, Chair of BCTC Tax Consulting Co., Ltd., commented that raising the tax-exempt revenue threshold to VND1 billion is a suitable step forward.

When business households perform first-quarter tax declarations, the Ministry of Finance and the Government will have more actual data on revenue, thereby updating it more closely compared to the previous presumptive tax context.

He said that the proposal to raise the exemption threshold to VND1-2 billion/year is a reasonable option in the context that the National Assembly and the Government have adjusted the family circumstance deduction to VND15.5 million/month for the taxpayer and VND6.2 million/month for each dependent.

To ensure a minimum standard of living, a business household needs an income of about VND21.7 million/month. Assuming a profit margin of about 20 percent, this income level is equivalent to a revenue of over VND1.2 billion/year, Thuc said.

Thus, applying a tax exemption threshold from VND1 billion or more will provide significant support, helping business households feel secure in focusing on their business and stabilizing their lives amid the current difficult economic context.

Huy suggested switching to a revenue tiering model instead of applying a rigid threshold.

Nguyen Le
Stone axes discovered inside En Cave. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Museum

During a recent survey of En Cave, an expedition team uncovered five ancient stone axes embedded within layers of sediment eroded by floodwaters, revealing traces of prehistoric human activity dating back thousands of years in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park.

On April 25, the Quang Tri Provincial Museum announced it had received the artifacts, donated by a British - Vietnamese cave exploration team for research and exhibition purposes.

The expedition, led by Howard Limbert of the British Royal Cave Exploration team, discovered the five stone axes inside En Cave, located within the national park. The artifacts have been dated to approximately 6,000 to 8,000 years ago, belonging to the Neolithic period and likely associated with the Bau Tro culture.

Crafted from siliceous stone, the axes include two types: those with sloping shoulders and those with horizontal shoulders. Visible marks of shaping and polishing remain on their bodies and blades, along with signs of wear at the handles and edges, indicating repeated use in the daily lives of prehistoric inhabitants.

Members of the expedition team uncover the stone axes. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Museum

Notably, the axes were found within sediment layers that had been eroded by floodwaters inside the cave, where remnants of ancient cultural strata are still preserved. This discovery reinforces the view that the Phong Nha - Ke Bang area once served as a site of habitation or activity for early human communities thousands of years ago.

Following the discovery, Howard Limbert and his wife donated the artifacts to the Quang Tri Provincial Museum and the Hanoi Museum to support scientific research and help promote the cultural and historical value of the region.

En Cave, one of the largest caves in the world, stretches over 1.6 kilometers in length with a volume of approximately 6.7 million cubic meters. Its vast chambers, towering ceilings, and multiple openings that allow natural light make it a striking natural wonder. The cave has been developed for adventure tourism since 2012 and serves as a gateway to the renowned Son Doong Cave.

During the same survey, conducted from March 21 to April 11, the expedition also discovered 26 additional caves within the national park. Many feature unique geological structures, underground rivers, and diverse stalactite systems, underscoring the areas immense potential for both scientific research and tourism.

Hai Sam
The ceremony, jointly organised by Collectif Dioxine-Vietnam, the the committee for support for Tran To Nga's lawsuit, Paris authorities, and French-Vietnamese associations, saw the participation of Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai, French members of parliament, local officials, overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and French supporters.

The memorial stands as a tribute to millions still suffering from the long-term consequences of Agent Orange, while also serving as a public call to remember one of the gravest humanitarian and environmental tragedies of modern history. The project was the result of years of advocacy by civil society groups, legal experts, artists and solidarity networks seeking both remembrance and greater awareness.

Tran To Nga poses beside the memorial stele dedicated to victims of Agent Orange/dioxin was inaugurated at Choisy Park in Paris, France on April 25 (Photo: VNA)

Alexandre Florentin, former Paris city councillor, who initiated the project, described it as the outcome of four years of efforts backed by consensus from authorities and society, to commemorate victims worldwide. Placing the monument in a public space, he said, helps make the invisible visible, encouraging awareness and action in pursuit of justice.

Lea Dang, representing the committee supporting Tran To Ngas lawsuit, stressed the scale of the disaster, noting that nearly 80 million litres of herbicides were sprayed over Vietnam and neighbouring areas during the war, calling it the largest chemical warfare campaign in history. She said the memorial seeks to break what they described as a veil of forgetting.

Designed by artist Kim Doan Quoc, the memorial features mangrove imagery symbolising resilience, regeneration and solidarity, reflecting both natures capacity to recover and hope for the future.

Nguyen Hong Son, President of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA), said broad participation at the ceremony reflected shared humanitarian values and solidarity that transcend nationality. He described the memorial as both a symbol of friendship between Vietnam and France and a tribute to victims who have endured the consequences of dioxin exposure for more than six decades.

Michel Criaud, President of the France  Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group said the inauguration of the memorial is a duty of remembrance, aimed at honouring the victims and passing on the lessons of history to future generations.

Meanwhile, Audrey Pulvar, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of International Relations, described AO/dioxin as an example of ecocide, noting that its impacts continue to affect land, water and people decades after the war. She said the memorial allows Paris to speak out, demonstrating its support for victims and commitment to the fight for justice.

Lawyer William Bourdon reaffirmed his support for Tran To Ngas legal battle against several chemical manufacturers, calling it a symbolic struggle against impunity and for international justice.

Speaking emotionally at the ceremony, Tran To Nga said the memorial represents the culmination of decades of perseverance by AO/dioxin victims and supporters worldwide, but also a source of momentum for continuing the fight. At age 85, she vowed to pursue the case as long as she is able./.


Angelina Jolie's eldest daughter has paid a heartfelt tribute to her "selfless, loving and understanding" mom.

Zahara Jolie-Pitt praised her mom Angelina Jolie

Zahara Jolie Pitt - who was born in Ethiopia and adopted by the Eternals star and her then-partner Brad Pitt as a baby in 2005 - gave a speech about mother-daughter bonds at an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority event at her university Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia a few days ago, and reflected on how the love she and Angelina share is a "found one".

In a clip shared to X on Sunday (26.04.26), Zahara, 21, said: "It felt challenging to find the words.

Not challenging because I dont value it, but because my mom and I have a unique, almost kindred relationship that can be hard to put into words.

I was adopted at six months old and given some of the most special and loving people as my siblings, with a mom who raised us on the value of helping others, being kind and always striving for growth as people.

I am grateful to have had a role model show me what it looks like to be a decent human being.

Watched by her mom - who also has Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Shiloh, 19 and 17-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne with ex-husband Brad - Zahara

addressed how difficult family life can be in the glare of the spotlight and praised Angelina for all her support during her studies.

She said: With the addition of the public life that we live, it can be difficult to find those special and intimate moments without being overwhelmed with the many eyes that are on us.

"This has never stopped my mom from being curious about all that I am learning in and outside of my classrooms at Spelman.

And Zahara credited Angelina for helping her to be a "strong woman".

She said: She is the most selfless, loving and understanding woman that I get to call my mom.

I think back to a quote I saw years ago that said I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me. Thank you, Mom.

Angelina previously praised Zahara for getting a place at the liberal arts college.

Back in 2022, she posted a photo of Zahara with a group of pals and wrote on Instagram: "Zahara with her Spelman sisters! Congratulations to all new students starting this year. A very special place and an honour to have a family member as a new Spelman girl."
These sites, known locally as dinh lang and dinh van, serve not only as places of worship for the Whale God, founding ancestors, and craft pioneers, but also as repositories of collective memory, customs, and maritime beliefs. They also function as spaces where traditional rituals and festivals are revived, strengthening community bonds and sustaining intangible cultural values.

One of the most prominent sites is Van Thuy Tu temple in Phan Thiet ward, a well-known destination offering insight into the unique whale worship practised by fishermen across Vietnams south-central coastal localities. Established in 1762, the shrine honours the Whale God, believed to protect fishermen at sea during storms and rough waters.

Over more than 260 years, Van Thuy Tu has retained much of its original architecture, evolving from a modest thatched structure into a spacious complex of over 500 sq m with brick walls and Yin-Yang tiled roofs. Recognised as a national historical relic in 1996, it houses nearly 100 whale skeletons, including several over 250 years old. Notably, it preserves one of Vietnams largest whale skeletons, measuring 22 metres in length and weighing around 64 tonnes, which continues to awe visitors.

The entrance gate to the Tu Luong Communal House in Tien Thanh ward is preserved in its original architectural style (Photo: VNA)

The site also safeguards valuable Han-Nom cultural artefacts, including 24 royal decrees bestowed by Nguyen Dynasty kings. Beyond its physical relics, Van Thuy Tu remains a spiritual hub for local fishermen closely associated with the Whale Worship Festival, an intangible cultural heritage event. For many, the shrine represents a sacred space where prayers for safe voyages and abundant catches are offered before each fishing season.

Communal cultural institutions

Equally significant, though distinct in function, is the Tu Luong Communal House in Tien Thanh ward. With a history spanning over two centuries, it serves as an indispensable spiritual, religious and cultural centre for coastal communities in Lam Dong province.

Built in the early 19th century and later restored in 1871 under King Tu Duc, the communal house is dedicated to the villages tutelary deity and settlers who reclaimed the land and built the village. Recognised as a national architectural and artistic relic in 2001, Tu Luong communal house preserves numerous historical artefacts, including 10 royal decrees by Nguyen Dynasty kings and ancient village conventions engraved on wood.

More than a place of worship, it functions as a vital community space. Annual spring and autumn ceremonies, held in the second and eighth lunar months, bring residents together to celebrate traditional values, reinforce social ties, and express hopes for prosperity and peace. These gatherings also serve as reminders of ethical living and communal responsibility.

According to the Museum of Lam Dong province, the localitys coastal region is home to 54 communal houses, including 10 nationally recognised heritage sites. These structures reflect significant architectural, historical, and cultural values tied to migration, land reclamation, and the formation of coastal settlements.

In recent years, these heritage sites have gained popularity among young visitors, particularly for cultural exploration and traditional costume photography. Several heritage-linked tourism routes have been developed, connecting sites such as the Duc Thanh School, Tu Luong Communal House, Duc Thang Communal House  Ba Duc Sanh Pagoda, Van Thuy Tu Temple, and Po Sah Inu tower relic site.

The preservation and promotion of coastal communal houses and shrines are now opening up sustainable pathways for diversifying local tourism products./. VNA
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

At a meeting last week, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung required ministries and agencies to prioritize resources for the formulation and perfection of institutions and policies; simultaneously, when submitting draft laws, they must include draft guiding documents for implementation, such as decrees and circulars.

This is a command that strikes directly at a persistent bottleneck: the gap between law enactment and implementation guidance.

A familiar void

In economic life, this gap is not abstract. It manifests in delayed decisions, halted projects, and even the departure of many businesses, simply due to the lack of a guiding document.

It is not uncommon for businesses to be ready to implement projects or expand operations, only to find themselves bewildered because they do not know which process to apply, which regulations to follow, or who holds the authority.

When clear guidance is absent, they are forced to delay investment decisions because they dare not accept legal risks; meanwhile, enforcement agencies in different localities may understand and apply laws in various ways, leading to inconsistent practices.

The familiar answer in such situations is often: waiting for a decree, waiting for a circular. And that "waiting" can last for months, even years.

The latest oversight figures from the National Assemblys committees show that this is not a subjective perception. According to Dai Bieu Nhan Dan Newspaper, up to 173 documents providing detailed regulations were delayed in issuance, many of which were late by 6 months to 2 years; concurrently, 47 articles and clauses across 21 laws and resolutions still lack guiding documents.

A very specific state of affairs thus emerges: the law exists, but it cannot yet be applied in reality.

Laws without full execution

The Law on Promulgation of Legal Normative Documents has long required that implementing documents be prepared alongside draft laws to ensure their immediate enforceability upon entry into force.

In other words, lawmakers have already mandated that the rails for implementation be laid at the same time as the law. In practice, however, the two processes are often separated. Laws are passed without accompanying decrees or circulars, which are drafted later, often from the perspective of regulators.

This creates a familiar cycle: laws wait for decrees, decrees wait for circulars, and the economy waits for all of them to be brought into life.

The pressure comes not only from delays but also from changes in lawmaking. As laws become shorter and delegate more detailed guidance to sub-law documents, the system grows increasingly dependent on decrees and circulars.

When these links lag behind, the entire system ends up chasing the very laws it has just enacted.

This pressure is evident in recent legislative programs. In 2025, the National Assembly passed 89 laws, but only 25 took effect within the same year, with most deferred to 2026.

A necessary adjustment

In this context, the Prime Ministers requirement to submit draft decrees and circulars alongside draft laws, if strictly enforced, would force a fundamental shift in how legislation is developed.

Drafting bodies would need to go beyond setting general principles and clearly envision how laws will function in practice, from procedures and standards to the responsibilities of implementing agencies.

In other words, instead of passing the law first and figuring out the rest later, the system must adopt a mindset of designing complete policies from the outset.

This shift aligns with broader reforms outlined in Resolution 66-NQ/TW, which emphasizes building a legal system that is coherent, feasible, and applicable in real life.

Such a system cannot rely solely on well-written laws in principle. It requires that implementation conditions be fully and promptly prepared.

Submitting implementing documents together with draft laws is therefore not just a technical fix, but a way to turn the principle of enforceable laws into concrete action.

Of course, the accompanying challenges cannot be underestimated. Preparing laws and guiding documents simultaneously requires higher drafting capacity, closer coordination between ministries and sectors, and, most importantly, more clearly defined accountability.

Without good control, there is a risk of rushing to meet deadlines, leading to overlapping or inconsistent documents.

However, if fear of those risks leads to the continuation of old methods, the cost the economy must bear will be far greater.

An economy aiming for high and sustainable growth cannot operate with unfinished or unenforceable laws.

Tu Giang
The city defines the low-altitude economy as economic activities conducted below 1,000 metres, including urban air mobility using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, UAV-based logistics, emergency and medical services, helicopter tourism, smart surveying and mapping, and enabling technology ecosystems such as digital infrastructure, intelligent flight management and UAV manufacturing.

UAVs are expected to become a multi-billion-dollar industry and a key driver of the digital economy. Against this backdrop, Vietnam sees UAV development as an urgent priority to master core technologies and build a new hi-tech industrial sector, laying the groundwork for Hanois policy and planning directions.

Strategic dual-use orientation key to UAV growth

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the national UAV strategy rests on four core pillars  developing UAVs as a transformative industry for low-altitude transport; adopting a dual-use approach that integrates civilian and defence applications; prioritising technological mastery and self-reliance in design and core technology manufacturing; and positioning the State as a market shaper while businesses drive innovation and global competitiveness.

The strategy targets three main application areas. In smart agriculture, UAVs will be used for crop monitoring, seeding and precision spraying, particularly in key farming regions such as the Mekong Delta. In logistics, drones are expected to enable automated delivery, improve supply chains and connect remote communities. In smart cities, UAVs will support traffic and environmental monitoring, 3D mapping and urban search-and-rescue operations.

The deployment will also target three key fields: energy and infrastructure, defence and security, and designated testing zones.

Several localities have already moved ahead. Dien Bien has become the first province to propose a sandbox model for UAV-enabled low-altitude economic activities, while Ho Chi Minh City has approved a resolution allowing drone pilots to operate at speeds of up to 100 km/h to foster innovation and inform future regulation.

Hanois direction for UAV development

The revised Capital Law, approved by the 16th National Assembly on April 23, introduces the concept of a low-altitude economy, which is framed not merely as an industrial policy, but as a new domain of spatial governance, akin to the management of underground space.

The drafting agency said efforts to institutionalise the low-altitude economy will be approached cautiously and in stages, starting with a pilot mechanism. The pilot framework would allow Hanoi to trial civil UAV services, smart logistics, and eVTOL operations on a limited scale.

Hanoi also proposes establishing a regulatory sandbox mechanism, including a policy testing framework, conditional exemptions from certain administrative regulations within a controlled scope, strict safety standards, and decentralised low-altitude airspace management.

In the context of digital transformation and emerging technologies, Hanoi could pilot the exploitation of low-altitude airspace within a controlled scope, establish a legal sandbox for new aviation technologies, and set up close coordination mechanisms between civilian and defence authorities. The pilot programme should be limited in terms of location, duration, and scope of operations, accompanied by an independent evaluation mechanism.

According to Vu Anh Tu, Director of FPT UAV under FPT Group, the global UAV market has reached hundreds of billions of US dollars, growing at around 30% annually, and is being identified as a strategic industry by major economies such as the US, China and Europe. Vietnam, he noted, is now at a golden time to enter this field.

The low-altitude economy can give rise to an entirely new industry in Vietnam, spanning not only UAV manufacturing but also components such as chips and sensors, flight management platforms and 3D digital mapping, as well as services in operations, insurance and training, with applications extending to agriculture and other sectors./. VNA
The ambassador made the remarks at a meeting with international press in New York, ahead of the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.



Viet, who is also the President-designate of the conference, said the event holds special significance amid ongoing complex developments in global security, intensifying strategic competition among major powers, and mounting challenges facing multilateral arms control and disarmament mechanisms.



In the field of nuclear non-proliferation, he underscored the role of safeguards mechanisms, stressing that countries right to access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes must be ensured in line with safety, security and non-proliferation standards.

At the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) press briefing in New York (Photo: VNA)

The diplomat also expressed appreciation for the close coordination and support provided by the UN Secretariat over the past period, while voicing hope for continued backing from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to help the conference achieve a consensus-based, substantive and balanced outcome.



In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Christopher King, Provisional SecretaryGeneral of the conference, praised Vietnams efforts, commitments and active contributions to nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.



He stressed that Vietnams designation as President of the conference reflects the international communitys confidence in the countrys capacity to steer, its spirit of dialogue, and its constructive and effective approach to sensitive global issues.



The treaty was signed in 1968, entered into force in 1970, and currently has 191 member states.



It is one of the cornerstone international treaties of the current global security order, built on three main pillars: preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting nuclear disarmament, and ensuring the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy./. VNA
Vietnam remained Singapores 10th largest trading partner during the period. The country was also a major trading source for Singapore across three key categories: electrical machinery and equipment and parts (HS85); mineral fuels, oil and related products (HS27); and nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances (HS84).

All three groups recorded positive growth in both exports and imports. Specifically, HS85 exports from Singapore to Vietnam rose 9.4%, while Singapores imports from Vietnam surged 147%. HS27 exports grew 15.5% and 380.9% respectively, while HS84 products increased 24.7% and 245.5%.

These trends align with Singapores broader trade performance and the shared trade objectives of both countries. A recent report by Singapores Ministry of Trade and Industry showed that non-oil domestic exports (NODX) and re-exports (NORX) rose 15.3% and 61.4%, respectively, in March 2026, extending quarterly gains.

This underscores Singapores deepening participation in global value chains, particularly by capitalising on rising global demand for electronic components used in artificial intelligence technologies. Meanwhile, the increase in petrol-related trade values likely reflects higher global oil prices.

Data from Enterprise Singapore indicated that bilateral trade reached 13.6 billion SGD (10.6 billion USD) in Q1, up 38.3% year-on-year. Singapores exports to Vietnam rose 6.5% to 7.7 billion SGD (6.03 billion USD), while imports from Vietnam jumped 128.7% to 5.8 billion SGD, a strong signal of Vietnams rapidly growing export momentum in the Singapore market./.


In the western part of Quang Ngai province, where Co communities live closely together, village elders and respected figures are seen as living landmarks - both preserving traditions and guiding their people toward a better life amid change.

Leading by example

Ho Van Phi, a respected figure in Go No village. Photo: Huy Truong

In Tra Nieu village, Tay Tra commune, Ho Tien Dung, 70, has long been a familiar and trusted figure. As a respected community leader, he believes that for the Co people, who have traditionally relied on farming and forest cultivation, improving livelihoods must begin with productive labor.

If you want people to trust and follow you, you have to take the lead in everything - from encouraging your children to study, to working harder to improve your living conditions. Only when you do it yourself can you convince others, he shared.

To demonstrate, he invited us to visit his flourishing cinnamon plantation. Starting with more than five hectares of farmland, he boldly restructured his crops, turning cinnamon into the main source of income with over three hectares dedicated to it.

The remaining land is used for acacia, areca, pepper, and livestock farming, generating more than VND150 million annually (US$6,100) after expenses. Cinnamon alone brings in VND50-70 million per harvest (US$2,000-2,800). With hundreds of areca trees and young pepper plants, his family expects even higher income in the coming years.

Beyond his own success, Dung actively guides villagers on building livestock facilities, caring for animals, and making the most of government support programs to develop sustainable livelihoods.

Also in Tay Tra, Ho Van Phi, 56, from Go No village, is another respected figure. For him, effective community mobilization starts with personal example.

A family must stay united and work hard, without relying on others. Only when you succeed can people believe in you, he said.

He not only encourages economic development but also actively raises awareness about social issues. He advises villagers to avoid gambling and alcohol abuse, and urges families to ensure their children attend school.

Education creates opportunities and makes life less difficult in the future, he emphasized.

In recent years, as national programs have provided livestock and crops such as buffalo, cattle, and cinnamon, Phi has been at the forefront of encouraging villagers to seize these opportunities.

He consistently advises against selling supported livestock, instead viewing them as long-term assets to gradually escape poverty.

His own family sets an example, earning nearly VND200 million per year (US$8,100) from over four hectares of cinnamon and integrated farming. He openly shares his experience, provides breeding stock, and offers technical guidance to other households.

Preserving cultural identity through daily dedication

Village elder Ho Van Duong demonstrates how to decorate the ceremonial pole of the Co people in Tay Tra. Photo: Nhu Dong

Beyond economic leadership, respected elders in Tay Tra also serve as cultural custodians. A notable figure is Peoples Artisan Ho Van Duong, now in his seventies, who continues to devote himself to traditional gongs and handicrafts.

From a young age, he was immersed in the sounds of gongs during festivals and learned traditional techniques from his elders. Over time, he not only mastered these skills but developed a deep understanding of their cultural significance.

Inside his stilt house, sets of gongs, drums, and horns are carefully displayed. Alongside them are dozens of woven items, from simple baskets to intricate ceremonial objects, all handcrafted by him.

Duong is also highly knowledgeable about the ceremonial pole, a sacred symbol in Co spiritual life. He carefully explains each detail, from the tall wooden pole to the decorative patterns and fiber tassels.

He regularly encourages younger generations to preserve their cultural heritage, organizing sessions to teach gong playing, weaving, and ceremonial craftsmanship.

According to Truong Cong Lam, Chairman of Tay Tra Commune Peoples Committee, more than 98% of the local population belongs to ethnic minorities, primarily the Co people. The commune currently has 14 respected individuals within these communities.

In recent years, they have played a vital role in communicating government policies, encouraging community development, and preserving cultural identity. They stand as living landmarks - bridging tradition and progress.

Huy Truong
Beyond Southeast Asia, several countries across Asia and the Middle East are easing entry requirements. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan allow visa-free stays of up to 30 days, while Maldives and Nepal offer visas on arrival with simple procedures. South Korea grants visa exemptions for Vietnamese travelers flying directly to Jeju Island.

Some destinations such as the UAE or Taiwan (China) apply e-visa systems or conditional visa exemptions, often requiring travelers to have previously held visas from developed countries. These policies are seen as stepping stones toward accessing more restrictive markets.

Latin America and the Caribbean open doors

Although less prominent, Latin America and the Caribbean offer relatively flexible entry policies for Vietnamese citizens. Under bilateral agreements, Panama allows stays of up to 90 days, while Chile and Barbados also permit 90-day visits without prior visas.

Several island nations such as Dominica and Haiti provide short-term visa exemptions, enabling longer, multi-destination journeys across the region.

Pacific island nations offer flexible policies

Small island countries in Oceania, including Micronesia, Samoa, and Palau, maintain flexible visa policies, typically granting visa-free entry or visas on arrival. Despite long travel distances and higher costs, these destinations appeal to travelers seeking unique experiences.

Eastern Europe and special visa exemptions

In Eastern Europe, Belarus stands out as a country offering visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens. The policy allows stays of up to 30 days per visit and a maximum of 90 days per year under a bilateral agreement effective from January 30, 2025.

Entry requirements still apply

While visa exemptions simplify travel, they do not mean unrestricted entry. Vietnamese travelers must still meet basic requirements such as having a passport valid for at least six months, return or onward tickets, and, in some cases, proof of financial means or accommodation bookings.

Entry policies may also change depending on global developments, making it essential for travelers to check updated regulations before departure.

The growing number of visa-free destinations reflects a gradual improvement in the global standing of the Vietnamese passport. Although there remains a gap compared to developed countries, the expanding list of accessible destinations is making international travel more attainable than ever for Vietnamese citizens.

Thu Hien
Currently, the VND500 million annual revenue threshold is used to classify businesses and trigger full declaration requirements. The issue is whether this is fair, since revenue is merely cash flow, not the actual income retained by the business.

Under the Personal Income Tax Law (PIT), after deductions, an individual earning about VND15.5 million per month, roughly VND186 million per year, is subject to PIT.

A household business would be taxed when its income (profit after costs) reaches roughly VND1517 million per month, or VND180200 million per year.

Assuming a 10 percent profit margin, a business would need annual revenue of around VND1.82 billion to reach that level. Lower-margin sectors would require higher revenue, and vice versa.

According to Dr. Le Duy Binh, the household business sector has about 8 million workers across 5.2 million households, averaging just 1.5 workers per household.

As such, business households should be treated as business individuals because, in the majority of cases, each business household has only one owner.

If they are business individuals, their taxes should be somewhat similar to PIT.

This means that with a revenue threshold above VND500 million per year, a significant portion of business households do not have an income higher than the personal income tax threshold, but are still placed into a higher management mechanism and tax obligation simply because they exceed a technical revenue threshold.

When the measuring stick is skewed, the resulting costs are almost inevitable.

At the business household level, common compliance costs of VND4090 million per household per year, in many cases, account for a large part of the income, even approaching or exceeding VND186 million per year, the threshold where one begins to pay personal income tax.

On the system side, to operate this mechanism, for every VND10 collected, VND2 to VND6 may have to be spent on processing and operational costs.

When the expenses of both sides become costly, the issue is no longer about individual stages but the entire design.

In such a structure, compliance is no longer a safe choice. Doing things right does not guarantee being right because even with full declaration, the results may still fail to reflect actual income.

Therefore, the question is no longer where to tighten further, but whether it is necessary to redesign from scratch.

A more reasonable direction could be returning to the basic principle of the tax system: taxing based on income.

For business households, this could be implemented through a simplified income tax mechanism, as is common practice in countries worldwide, where tax obligations are determined by reasonable estimates instead of requiring detailed declaration of every transaction.

Along with that, the revenue threshold needs to be adjusted in a direction that reflects income-generating capacity instead of applying a rigid level for the entire sector.

If the VND186 million per year income level itself is taken as a milestone, a more reasonable approach could be imagined: Revenue from VND1-3 billion per year applies a simplified income tax mechanism; only larger groups require full declaration; and the group below VND1 billion per year does not apply simplified income tax.

Instead of spreading resources thinly, the system could focus on larger, higher-risk groups, where each unit of administrative cost yields meaningful returns.

In this context, the proposal by National Assembly deputy Nguyen Van Than to apply a simpler tax mechanism for businesses with revenue between VND500 million and VND5 billion is not merely technical, it also points toward a broader policy redesign.

The issue is not how much tax to collect, but how to collect it without making compliance and administration more burdensome than the revenue itself.

Ultimately, the focus should not be on the businesses alone.

Household businesses account for around 30 percent of GDP and provide jobs for 8 million workers. At times, they act as a buffer absorbing economic shocks. This reflects a distinctly Vietnamese economic structure, where much activity still operates through small, flexible, and less formal models since before the Doi Moi (renovation) era.

Tu Giang - Lan Anh
Some of Hanois most iconic dishes, including pho and bun cha, have drawn the attention of world leaders from France, the US, and most recently South Korea, who chose these local eateries as stops during their official visits to Vietnam.

Pho Ly Quoc Su on Dinh Liet Street

The pho shop owner on Dinh Liet Street was delighted to welcome the South Korean president and his spouse. Photo: NVCC

On April 23, during a state visit to Vietnam, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his spouse took a walk around Hanois Old Quarter and stopped to enjoy a bowl of traditional pho.

The eatery they visited is located at 40 Dinh Liet Street.

The presidential couple chose a table inside, while their delegation of more than 10 people sat outside.

According to owner Thieu Van Mui, the group ordered 17 bowls of well-done beef pho and two portions of fried rice with pickled vegetables and beef.

Knowing that many Korean diners are not fond of cilantro, the owner deliberately used only chopped scallions in preparation.

Mui observed that the president and his spouse added plenty of lime and chili before slowly enjoying their meal. They smiled frequently and nodded in approval.

A restaurant in a French-style villa on Hang Be Street

French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse strolling in Hanoi during their state visit in May 2025.

Interior of the restaurant that hosted the French president and his spouse. Photo: Madame Hien Hanoi

A year earlier, during his state visit to Vietnam, French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse spent their final day dining at a restaurant located at 48 Hang Be Street in Hanoi.

The restaurant is run by Didier Corlou, a 73-year-old French chef with a deep passion for Vietnamese cuisine, known for traditional dishes such as bun cha, fresh spring rolls, and bun rieu.

Corlou revealed that bun rieu and stir-fried morning glory with garlic were among the dishes the French president and his spouse enjoyed for lunch.

The restaurant is housed in a villa built in 1928. After nearly a century, the building still retains its elegant, classic charm, reflecting early 20th-century French architecture.

Before hosting the French president, the venue had welcomed other distinguished guests, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and Tim Cook.

A bun cha eatery on Le Van Huu Street

The bun cha restaurant in Hanoi that once welcomed former US President Barack Obama remains a popular dining spot for locals and international visitors.
Secret Service agent shot at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Xinhua) 09:14, April 27, 2026

This photo taken on April 26, 2026 shows a screen displaying U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at a press conference held on April 25, 2026 at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

WASHINGTON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. Secret Service agent was shot in protective gear on Saturday at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and has been hospitalized, U.S. media reported.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a photo of the suspected gunman, who appears to have been subdued, with his hands bound behind his back and lying face down on the ground.

In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment.

When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too."

In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know."

"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended," Trump said in an earlier post on Truth Social shortly after the incident.

In another post later, Trump said that "law enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately," noting that "The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition."

He added that the White House Correspondents' Dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days.

The U.S. Secret Service said in a post on X that it is investigating "a shooting incident near the main magnetometer screening area" at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department.

"The president and the first lady are safe along (with) all protectees," the statement said. "One individual is in custody. The condition of those involved is not yet known, and law enforcement is actively assessing the situation."

Trump has been evacuated from the Dinner after the shooting at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Attendees were seen on the live broadcast ducking around their tables and taking cover.

This would mark Trump's first time attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

In a joint press conference, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said all guests at the dinner were safe, while U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said the suspect now faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

The suspect named Cole Allen by U.S. media, 31, of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said.

Political violence has been frequent in the U.S. in recent years. Trump has been the target of multiple assassination attempts and death threats during his presidential campaign and as the president.

The most prominent example is the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, which Trump narrowly survived while campaigning for president.

Police officers stand guard near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a joint press conference, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said all guests at the dinner were safe, while U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said the suspect now faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The suspect named Cole Allen by U.S. media, 31, of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A police car is seen near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Police cars are seen near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a joint press conference, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said all guests at the dinner were safe, while U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said the suspect now faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The suspect named Cole Allen by U.S. media, 31, of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A police car is seen near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Police officers stand guard near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

The U.S. Secret Service agents stand guard at the entrance of the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Police officers stand guard near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A police officer walks near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a joint press conference, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said all guests at the dinner were safe, while U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said the suspect now faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The suspect named Cole Allen by U.S. media, 31, of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A police officer stands guard near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a joint press conference, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said all guests at the dinner were safe, while U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said the suspect now faces charges including using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The suspect named Cole Allen by U.S. media, 31, of Torrance, California, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives, police said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Barriers are seen in front of the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A police car is seen in front of the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held, in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 25, 2026. In a press conference at the White House late Saturday evening, Trump said that the alleged shooter lives in the state of California and law enforcement agents went to his apartment. When asked by a reporter whether the shooter acted alone, Trump said that "they seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too." In response to a question about whether this shooting could have been linked to the war in Iran, Trump said, "I don't think so. But you never know." (Xinhua/Li Rui)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Danny Elfman is writing the theme song for The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails To Save The Universe.

Danny Elfman will write the theme for Stuart Fails To Save The Universe

The acclaimed composer, known for his collaborations with Tim Burton on the likes of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Corpse Bride, will be part of the upcoming HBO Max sitcom when it launches in July.

On Sunday (26.04.26) at CCXP Mexico City, the premiere plans were revealed, while Warner Bros Discover has also confirmed Elfman will create the "original theme music for the series".

The logline for the show reads: "Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.

"Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the a** Barry Kripke.

"Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters weve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things dont go well."

The series will see former Big Bang Theory actors Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert) and John Ross Bowie (Barry) reprising their roles.

Last summer, creator Chuck Lorre weighed in on the synopsis, which names Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) specifically.

Asked if the Big Bang Theory leads could appear in the spinoff, Chuck told TVLine: "I cannot speak to that.

"That is a closely guarded piece of information that, you know, I've taken a blood oath regarding."

He was also quizzed on the line promising "alternate-universe versions" of characters from the original sitcom, which prompted a question regarding the legacy cast as a whole could return, even if it's not in their original form.

Lorre responded: "Is that your hope."

When the interviewer admitted it "would be my hope" along with "millions" of others, the creator teased: "You're gonna love this show!"
Vietjets 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders marks the beginning of a new phase of development, with a global vision, sustainable growth, and long-term value for shareholders.

Outstanding achievements

In 2025, Vietjet recorded positive business results, exceeding its set targets. The airline operated 135 aircraft, including 101 based in Vietnam, serving 254 routes, and transported 28.2 million passengers across more than 153,000 flights. Consolidated revenue reached VND82.09 trillion (approximately $3.11 billion), while profit after tax rose to approximately $80.58 million, up 51.2 per cent and achieving 120 per cent of the target.

Vietjet also contributed approximately $399.96 million in direct and indirect taxes and fees. During the year, the airline placed orders for 100 A321neo aircraft with 50 purchase options from Airbus, alongside an additional order for 20 Airbus A330neo wide-body aircraft, positioning it among airlines with the largest aircraft orders globally. These figures underscore efficient, safe, and reliable operations, sustained growth momentum, and notable resilience amid a volatile global aviation industry.

Global strategy  scaling up and elevating the ecosystem

Vietjet, together with the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, pioneers the establishment of an International Aviation Finance Centre.

Entering 2026, Vietjet remains steadfast in its strategy, Fly the world  Reach new heights, centred on expanding its international flight network with a focus on key markets such as Europe and the United States, developing a modern fleet of Airbus A321neo and A330neo alongside the Boeing 737-8, and strengthening strategic partnerships with Rolls-Royce, CFM International, and Pratt & Whitney. The airline is also pioneering the establishment of an International Aviation Finance Centre in collaboration with the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, while continuing to invest in its wide-body fleet and Business class cabins, which have been well received by customers, particularly on long-haul routes.

Philipp Rosler, independent member of Vietjets Board of Directors and former vice chancellor of Germany

Philipp Rosler, independent member of Vietjets Board of Directors and former vice chancellor of Germany said, Vietjet has long prepared for the expansion of its flight network to Europe. With a model that combines cost-effective management and essential services, Vietjet will maintain its competitive cost advantage while providing a wonderful experience for passengers on long-haul flights.

Investing for the future

Beyond growth, Vietjet is also focused on building a long-term foundation through investment in a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul centre at Long Thanh, while carrying out ground self-handling services at the countrys two largest airports, Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, to optimise operational costs.

The airline is further developing the Vietjet Aviation Academy to secure high-quality workers, having organised 15,198 courses for 162,100 trainees in 2025, up 53 per cent and 30 per cent respectively compared to 2024. In parallel, Vietjet is diversifying ancillary products and services to boost revenue, while expanding financial and technological cooperation with global partners, as part of a broader strategy to ensure disciplined, effective, and sustainable growth.

Vietjet has also received a range of prestigious accolades, including recognition among the worlds top 10 safest airlines in 2025 and a sustainability award from AirlineRatings. The carrier was named among the most valuable airline brands in Southeast Asia by Brand Finance, listed among the Top 50 best listed companies in Vietnam in 2025 by Forbes Vietnam, and identified as the most emissions-efficient airline for intra-Southeast Asia in the 2025 Flight Emissions Review by Cirium.

The AGM also approved a 30 per cent dividend payout in shares, and the election of two new, highly experienced Board members.

Vietjet continues its commitment to growth coupled with efficiency, expansion paired with financial discipline, and development tied to sustainable value for shareholders.

Message from the chairwoman of the Board

Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong

Speaking at the meeting, Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said, Vietjet does not just transport passengers  we connect economies, dreams, and futures. Vietjet's vision is a vision for decades. When shareholders place their trust in us, we commit to delivering value not just through today's results, but through a future of sustainable, disciplined growth and abundant opportunities. The more the world opens up, the further Vietjet flies.

Vietjet wins gold ESG transport sustainability award in Taiwan (China) Vietjet has been honoured with the Gold Award at the 2025 ESG Transport Sustainability Awards in Taiwan (China) on December 12, marking a significant milestone as the airline celebrates 11 years since its inaugural service to the market.

Vietjet chairwoman awarded Labour Hero title On December 27 at the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Vietnam conferred the title Labour Hero upon pioneering female entrepreneur Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, distinguished by her sustained and dynamic contributions across multiple sectors.
A giant inflatable bowel will be visiting locations across Wrexham this week to help raise awareness of bowel cancer

Measuring 19ft by 7ft, the interactive experience by Bowel Cancer UK aims to highlight the various stages of the illness and raise awareness of symptoms and the importance of screening.

It is also an opportunity for people to ask questions or share concerns about bowel cancer  whether about themselves, a loved one or a friend  with the charitys staff and volunteers.

The Bowel Cancer UK roadshow will visit the following locations this week:

Tuesday 28 April, 10am4pm: Asda Superstore, Holt Road, Wrexham, LL13 8HL

Wednesday 29 April, 10am4pm: Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Smithfield Road, Wrexham, LL13 8DG

Thursday 30 April, 10am4pm: Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Smithfield Road, Wrexham, LL13 8DG

Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK, said: Were excited to bring our 2026 UK roadshow tour to Wrexham, starting important conversations about bowel cancer.

Our mission is to raise awareness about the symptoms, encourage people to contact their GP if they notice any signs, and highlight the importance of bowel cancer screening for those who are eligible.

Were hoping our giant inflatable bowel will be a fun and engaging way to break the ice and start lifesaving conversations, so come and visit us on our UK tour.

No appointment neededjust drop by, ask questions about your bowel health, and get signposted to further support. See you inside!

Key symptoms of bowel cancer:

Bleeding from your bottom

Blood in your poo

A change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go

Losing weight but youre not sure why

Feeling very tired all the time but youre not sure why

A pain or lump in your tummy

The Bowel Cancer UKs roadshows are funded by the BowelBabe Fund.

Pictures: Julie Broadfoot (www.juliebee.co.uk).

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Rosie sanders grew up in Mexico and moved to the United States in 1987 at 21 years old and went on to start Rosie's Place and Cantina.

Last year, she wanted a large American flag for her small town to show her love for America.

The community made it happen.

Rosie Sanders: "My dream was to put a flag and it's there now. I'm so proud," Sanders said. "And I'm very happy with how the people helped me to put a flag. Everybody donated, little by little, and we did it!"

The flag originally went up on January 1st, flanked by the Nevada flag, a flag for each branch of the military, and the Rotary Club of Smith Valley's flag. The club greatly helped with fundraising for the project.

To celebrate America250 on Sunday, a local band played the national anthem and up went the flag to the tune of God Bless America.

State senator Robin Titus served as master of ceremonies. Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony and Governor Joe Lombardo also gave remarks.

"We are a state built on people who believe in opportunity, who came here and still come here to build something better for themselves and their families, just like Rosie did," Lombardo said during the ceremony.

Lorie McMahon started visiting Smith Valley as a little girl and moved out there with her husband once he retired. She said being a part of Rosie's story is an honor.

"It's a part of this valley and all of the people that have come together. It's just been just a labor of love for everybody," McMahon said. "And when you know Rosie's story, and to be a part of that, it's meant a lot to all of us."

Those in attendance say the best part of the ceremony was celebrating America and Rosie Sanders simultaneously.

"I think the patriotism here that bringing people together, it doesn't matter what party you're from. this is amazing. and that's what America's all about," said Larry Harvey.

"If you know Rosie's story, how this came about," McMahon said, "if all of us took a thought about that, this country would be a little bit better."

Now, as you drive along State Route 208 through Smith Valley, you'll find an unmistakable showing of Rosie's love for America.
Smoke may be simulated, but the experience is designed to feel real.

High school students in Reno and Zephyr Cove are set to join wildland firefighters this week for a Mock Fire training that walks them through how crews respond when a wildfire breaks out.

The hands-on exercise is part of the Fire Science Career and Technical Education Program.

The training will take place in the hills near the back of Hidden Valley. Organizers say crews and engines will be dispatched as if responding to an actual wildfire, with students working alongside firefighters to attack different flanks of the simulated fire.

Students will cut fire line, deploy hose packs from engines, take part in incident command, and assist with fire investigation. The training also includes fire equipment such as engines and hand tools, along with opportunities to speak with fire personnel and students.

The event brings together multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management Nevada, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, U.S. Forest Service, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry, and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. Students from the Academy of Arts Career and Technology High School and Whittell High School will participate.

The program is designed to prepare students for careers in wildland firefighting through classroom instruction, hands-on training, and real-world scenarios. It was developed through a partnership with local fire agencies and the University of Nevada, Reno.

This program plays an important role in protecting Nevada communities and public lands by helping develop tomorrows firefighters, said Brock Uhlig, U.S. Wildland Fire Service. As the threat of wildfire continues to grow, so does the need for skilled wildland firefighters. Experiences like this show students how their skills can translate into careers protecting their communities.

This training gives students a rare and valuable opportunity to experience what its like to respond to a wildfire alongside firefighters in the field, said Jennifer Diamond, U.S. Wildland Fire Service. By building real-world skills and confidence, were helping prepare the next generation of firefighters to step into these roles and protect their communities.

Organizers say the training is a key part of the spring semester. Students graduating this spring will be eligible for federal wildland fire crew positions once they turn 18.
Donald Trump insists he was a "little bit" to blame for his slow evacuation from the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Donald Trump has addressed the aftermath

The President of the United States has opened up about the fallout from the incident on Saturday (25.04.26) night when shots were fired at the event, and the 79-year-old leader has been asked about the length of time it took for him and his wife Melania to leave the room.

During a conversation with 60 Seconds, CBS News' Noah O'Donnell asked Trump: "You see the security moving quickly, within seconds, grabbing the vice president by his coat, lifting him up, bringing him out, then the counter assault comes in.

It took 10 seconds for them to flank you, Mr. President, and then 20 seconds to get you out. It looked chaotic. At one point you were down. What was happening?

He replied: Well, what happened is it was a little bit me. I wanted to see what was happening, and I wasnt making it that easy for him.

"I wanted to see what was going on. And by that time, we started to realise maybe it was a bad problem, different kind of a problem, bad one.

And different than what would be normal noise from a ballroom, which you hear all the time. And I was surrounded by great people, and I probably made them act a little bit more slowly. I said, Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let me see, wait a minute.

Vice President JD Vance was also rushed from the ballroom at the Washington Hilton, while other attendees hid under tables after a man - who has been identified as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old teacher from California - rushed passed a security checkpoint.

Trump was also asked about a moment he appeared to hit the ground as he was leaving.

He explained: "What happened is, then I started walking with him. I turned, I started walking, and they said, Please go down. Please go down on the floor'.

So I went down, and First Lady went down also. We were asked to go down by the agents as I was walking.

When it was suggested that the agents wanted him "almost to crawl", the president said that was "pretty much" the situation.

He added: "I was standing up, and then turned around the opposite direction and started pretty much walking out, pretty tall, a little bent over, because, you know, Im not looking to be standing too tall but I was walking out.

"It was pretty about halfway there, and they said, Please go down to the floor. Please go down to the floor. So I dropped to the floor. So did the First Lady.
A man has been sentenced to a combined 25 years in prison in connection with shooting and drug trafficking cases.

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says Joel Constantino-Smith was given 10 years in prison with parole eligibility after 4 years for the battery with a deadly weapon conviction, stemming from a shooting in a smoke shop, and 15 years with parole eligibility after 6 years for getting caught with eight pounds of Schedule I psilocybin mushrooms, both in 2025.

The sentences will run consecutively.

Reno Police responded to the Mid Town Smoke Shop in May of last year after receiving a 911 call about an incident there. When officers arrived, they learned a fight had erupted inside the store between two men and a display case had been broken. Later that same day, a man arrived at Renown Medical Center with a gunshot wound but wouldnt say what had happened. Officers learned that the man had gotten into a fight with Constantino-Smith inside the smoke shop. After the initial fist fight, prosecutor say Constantino-Smith showed a handgun and shot the victim twice, hitting him in the back as he fled. Constantino-Smith did not remain on scene and police began efforts to find him.

The following month, officers from the Reno Police Department found Constantino-Smith leaving his home in a car. In addition to being wanted for the shooting, prosecutors say police were also aware that Constantino-Smith was involved in narcotics dealing due to a Secret Witness tip and other investigation. Authorities say a search of his car uncovered a Glock handgun magazine, and eight packages of psilocybin mushrooms, equaling 3,630 grams, or more than 2000 doses. As a result, Constantino was arrested for the initial shooting as well as drug trafficking charges for the mushrooms.

(Washoe County District Attorney's Office contributed to this report)
Nevada leaders are reacting to the shots fired incident that happened Saturday night at the White House correspondents' dinner.

A man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside the event attended by President Donald Trump, the First Lady and multiple senior U.S. leaders.

The president was uninjured and was evacuated from the building.

One officer was shot in the incident, but he was protected by a bulletproof vest and is recovering.

The FBI says 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California is in custody.

Governor Joe Lombardo

"Im grateful for the swift and decisive action of the Secret Service at the White House Correspondents Dinner this evening. While we wait for more information, we pray for the continued safety of President Trump, the First Lady, and all Cabinet members and attendees."

Senator Jacky Rosen

I was at the White House Correspondents Dinner tonight when shots rang out. Im so grateful for Secret Service and the law enforcement agents who rapidly responded to the situation and guaranteed the safety of everyone in attendance. Were awaiting further details regarding the circumstances of this incident, but what we know is that this kind of threat and violence cannot be our new normal.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

"Im grateful for the Secret Service agents and other law enforcement who kept everyone safe at the White House Correspondents Dinner tonight. I trust the perpetrator will be brought to justice."

Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald

While we learn more about the incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner, we do know it could have been far worse, and we are grateful for the quick intervention of the United States Secret Service and our law enforcement partners. Their professionalism ensured the safety of those in attendance. We thank them for their courage and continued commitment to protecting the American people. We are keeping President Trump and all those involved in our prayers and hoping for swift justice."
NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP)  Heavy rain slowed the progress of two sprawling southern Georgia wildfires over the weekend, allowing crews to make some progress in containing the blazes that have destroyed more than 100 homes.

Although the rain helped the firefighting efforts, it wasn't nearly enough to put the fires out" and crews responded to 10 new blazes throughout the drought-stricken state Sunday, the Georgia Forestry Commission said Monday.

Blackened trees and charred palmetto fronds lined the shoulders of U.S. 82 on Monday in Brantley County, where Georgia's second-largest blaze, the Highway 82 Fire, has been tearing through the forest. Smoke poured from the ground in several spots beside the highway  a sign that fire still smoldered beneath the dirt.

Residents like Anna Beaver, who had to evacuate her home in the small community of Atkinson, are doing what they can to help each other. Beaver has been spending her time accepting and sorting donated clothing at her church, Southside Baptist Church in Nahunta, a community of about 1,000 people that is the Brantley County seat. The church has been offering shelter, food, diapers and other supplies to people displaced by the fire.

My heart hurts for everyone who has lost their homes, and I just want to help any way I can, she said.

Danielle and David Grantham have been hunkering down at their home in the Atkinson area. They live in a neighborhood that was under an evacuation order Monday, so they wouldn't be allowed back in if they left, and have been accepting donations of pet food and other supplies from friends.

We havent left just because were trying to help other people out, Danielle Grantham said.

All across Brantley County on Monday, there was praise for the efforts of firefighters and other emergency responders.

In the small community of Waynesville, a charred cinderblock shed stood near a wood-sided home that appeared unscathed. The house has been vacant and is being sold. Larry Ferrell, a carpenter hired to perform maintenance and repairs on the home before the owner closes with a buyer, returned there to work Monday.

The firefighters got in here and saved it, Ferrell said.

Georgia's biggest blaze, the Pineland Road Fire, has scorched more than 50 square miles (130 square kilometers) and at least 35 homes in a sparsely populated and heavily wooded part of the state about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Florida, which is also dealing with wildfires. The area has been full of highly combustible dead trees and other vegetation since Hurricane Helene carved a destructive path northward in September of 2024.

About 60 miles (97 kilometers) to the northeast, the Highway 82 Fire has been burning since April 20. It has destroyed at least 87 homes and torched more than 35 square miles (90 square kilometers), according to figures released Monday. It is only 6% contained.

The fire basically doubled last night in size, Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said in a Facebook post Sunday. It is a dynamic fire event that will be impacted by the wind.

Authorities believe the Highway 82 blaze was sparked by a foil balloon hitting live power lines. That created an electrical arc that ignited combustible material on the ground. They think the Pineland Road fire was started by sparks from a welding operation.

An unusually large number of wildfires are burning this spring across the Southeast. Firefighters have been battling more than 150 other wildfires in Georgia and Florida alone. Scientists say the threat of fire has been amplified by a combination of extreme drought, gusty winds, climate change and dead trees and other vegetation.

No fire deaths or injuries have been reported in Georgia. But in northern Florida, Nassau County Sheriffs Office volunteer firefighter James Kevin Crews died Thursday evening after he suffered an unspecified medical emergency while suppressing a brush fire.

Florida's blazes are smaller than Georgias two biggest, but the 139 Fire has burned 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) of the Apalachicola National Forest in Liberty County, southwest of Tallahassee, since March 17. No structures have been lost in that fire, and no serious injuries have been reported, federal authorities said.

Martin reported from Atlanta.
Rita Wilson wishes she "had been more of a rebel" in her younger years.

Rita Wilson wishes she's 'rebelled' more as a teenager

The 69-year-old star admitted she was "such a good kid" and never wanted to let her parents down, but as she's got older she has found herself regretting not pushing the boundaries a little more.

She told The Big Issue magazine: "I would tell my younger self to break some rules. I was such a good kid and I really didn't want to disappoint my parents.

"I wish I had been more of a rebel. But there's still time. I'm living my teenage years now."

The Sleepless in Seattle actress, who was raised by Bulgarian dad Allan and her mother Dorothy with siblings Lily and Chris, explained she "didn't have boyfriends in high school", but recalled one crush in her mid teens.

She said: "When I was 15, I met a cute guy at a girlfriend's house in Newport Beach, and he was a musician. He must have been 16 or 17. We exchanged phone numbers.

"He was playing at a club called Gazzarri's on Sunset Boulevard. It was a big venue in the '70s.

"I asked my parents if he could take me out on a date, and they agreed, but when he showed up, he had a van to transport drums, guitars and amps.

"My dad took one look at the van and said, 'You're not going out with him.' "

Rita revealed the "next time" he came to take her out, they went on a "double date" with her sister Lily and her boyfriend to watch the musician playing at Gazzarri's.

She added: "My mom made my sister and I matching dresses, which were shocking pink with puff sleeves. Think very '70s.

"We were innocent girls going to a rock 'n' roll club where everyone was wearing tie dye and fringed jackets."

Despite not exploring a rebellious side, Rita - who is married to Tom Hanks - insisted she was "a fun-loving teenager", and got on with both her parents.

She said: "My mom was my best friend. my dad was super fun. They both taught me about work ethic.

"My mom was the kind of person who would hear a song come on the radio and would say, in a Greek accent, 'This song is going to be a hit.'

"Within a week, that song would be number one."


Share Purchase Plan Opens

Sydney, April 27, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Beetaloo Energy Australia Limited ( ASX:BTL ) ( EEGUF:OTCMKTS ) announced the opening of the Beetaloo Energy Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to raise up to $5 million.



The launch of the SPP follows the successful completion of a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors at an issue price of $0.28 per new fully paid ordinary shares (New Shares) to raise $66.3 million (before costs) (Placement), as announced on 10 April 2026.



Shareholders on Beetaloo Energy's register with a registered address in Australia and New Zealand as at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on Thursday, 9 April 2026 will be eligible to participate in the SPP. The SPP will provide each eligible shareholder with the opportunity to apply for a minimum of $500 and up to $30,000 worth of New Shares at the offer price of $0.28 per New Share. An eligible shareholder's $30,000 maximum subscription under the SPP is reduced by the value of any shares acquired under Beetaloo Energy's previous share purchase plan announced on 16 May 2025 as required under the ASX Listing Rules.



Given the SPP is being undertaken within 12 months since the previous share purchase plan announced on 16 May 2025, the SPP will be subject to shareholder approval at the Company's Annual General Meeting on Friday, 29 May 2026 as required under the ASX Listing Rules.



The terms and conditions of the SPP are set out in an SPP Offer Booklet, a copy of which is attached. Eligible shareholders can access the SPP website at: www.computersharecas.com.au/BTLSPP Shareholders are encouraged to call the SPP Offer Information Line on 1300 850 505 (within Australia) or +61 3 9415 4000 (outside Australia) between 9:00am to 5:00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday, for further information regarding the SPP including how to apply.



To view the indicative timetable, please visit:

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Michael Jackson biopic scores 97% audience rating & $200M global box office, but faces backlash for omitting abuse allegations.

AceShowbiz - The recent Michael Jackson biopic has captivated general audiences while drawing sharp criticism from a notable filmmaker. The film enjoys an impressive 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and is projected to earn roughly $100 million domestically during its opening weekend, with global revenue surpassing $200 million. Despite this commercial success and widespread fan admiration, the movie remains highly controversial for its avoidance of detailed discussion regarding the serious sexual abuse allegations against the pop icon.

These allegations gained renewed attention following the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which features Wade Robson and James Safechuck recounting claims that [strong]Michael Jackson[/strong] sexually abused them as children. Dan Reed, the director behind Leaving Neverland, recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the biopics overwhelmingly positive reception and its omission of these allegations.

Dan Reed expressed skepticism about the films narrative approach and those profiting from it. He remarked, For Antoine Fuqua to accuse people of gold digging is kind of ironic. It seems to me all the people involved in this movie are just making bank. How can you tell an authentic story about Michael Jackson without ever mentioning the fact that he was seriously accused of being a child molester? I just don't really see it.

Reed highlighted that while the movie benefits financially, the accusers have not profited from their claims. He explained, Wade and James, the protagonists of Leaving Neverland, have never made a cent from their accusations. People don't seem to understand: If you bring a lawsuit, you don't get any money until you win in court. And when you win in court, that means you've proved your case, right?

Addressing reports that Robson and Safechuck were seeking $400 million in damages, Reed clarified that this figure is speculative: Something like that. That's a made-up amount. I presume it would be a large amount, right? But it's been 10 years. They haven't made any money. When asked about their feelings toward the biopic, Reed said, I don't know. I haven't talked to them about the movie. I can't imagine they're particularly thrilled.

In the wake of Leaving Neverland, Michael Jackson's music streaming numbers surged, and the musical MJ launched on Broadway and toured nationally. According to Reed, this phenomenon indicates that many fans prefer to separate the artists music from the abuse allegations. He stated bluntly, People don't care that he was a child molester. Literally, people just don't care.

Reed further detailed how online content has shaped public perception: None of the allegations in Leaving Neverland have been seriously challenged, right? But there was enough noise online from those simplistic debunking [videos] that people found it easy to give themselves permission to like Michael Jackson's music again, if they ever stopped liking it. He believes many fans consciously choose to ignore the allegations because of their love for the music.

He continued, 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 7-year-old child, I don't know what would be sufficient to change these people's minds. I'm not trying to stop anyone from consuming his music. I've never advocated canceling Michael Jackson. Book burning is for the Middle Ages and the Taliban. I just think if you're going to enjoy his music, let's also consider the fact that he liked to have sex with children and see how that affects your enjoyment, in all honesty.

Reed also criticized the media and industry for their handling of Michael Jackson's legacy. He suggested that many members of the press avoid criticism due to the influence and power of the Jackson estate and fan base. He said, A lot of people, I think, will kind of swallow any misgivings they may have and just sort of say, 'Oh well, it's a great jukebox movie' and just completely ignore the fact that this guy was worse than Jeffrey Epstein.

Reed did not mince words about the pop stars character and the consequences of his actions: I think Jackson was genuinely a very nasty man and hurt a lot of children. And he may have been a great entertainer, but those two things don't cancel each other out. The fact is that pedophiles exist, and he was one of them, and he made those choices.

He contrasted Jackson with other victims of abuse, noting, Many other people who've been abused as a child did not choose to abuse others. And the reason why he gets away with it is because he was so wealthy and surrounded by very aggressive and resourceful lawyers and had tremendous resources. Reed emphasized the intimidating nature of the estate, stating, The Michael Jackson estate still instills fear in anyone who wants to oppose them, and they're certainly a formidable opponent if you want to take them on. He concluded, But yeah, I think a lot of people just want to forget about the children and enjoy the music.

Reed's views echo a broader critical reception disparity: while the audience score stands at 97%, the critics Tomatometer rates the film at a much lower 38%. Many critics have called out the movie for sidestepping the abuse allegations, even during its conclusion. Initially, the film opened with a scene depicting a 1993 police raid on Jacksons Neverland Ranch following allegations by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. However, this sequence was removed due to legal restrictions from a settlement between Chandler and Jackson that prohibits mention or depiction of the case in any movie. This legal limitation forced the filmmakers to reshoot parts of the biopic.

In the biopic, [strong]Michael Jackson[/strong] is portrayed by his real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson. In an interview with ScreenRant, Jaafar expressed openness to reprising the role should a sequel be created. Producer Graham King has revealed that potential ideas for a follow-up film exist, though no official plans have been announced.

A sequel would face even greater challenges in avoiding the allegations against Michael Jackson, but many of the concerns raised by Dan Reed about the narrative approach and ethical responsibility would remain relevant. As the debate continues, the tension between artistic celebration and confronting troubling truths persists with this controversial biopics ongoing success and scrutiny.
I Am Legend 2 will rewrite the original film's ending, officially adopting the alternate finale most fans never saw. Here's what changes.

AceShowbiz - The upcoming sequel to I Am Legend is poised to dramatically alter the story fans thought they knew from the 2007 original, starring Will Smith. I Am Legend 2 will completely rewrite the ending of the first movie, which could leave many viewers puzzledespecially those who only saw the films theatrical release.

Its not unusual for sequels, particularly within the sci-fi genre, to revise or retcon elements from earlier installments. Some franchises are known to reboot timelines multiple times, as seen with series like Terminator. However, I Am Legend 2 takes this practice further by officially adopting an alternate ending for the original film that most audiences never experienced.

The 2007 film follows Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville, the last known human survivor in New York City after a virus outbreak transforms nearly all of humanity into aggressive, vampire-like creatures called "Darkseekers." These creatures, portrayed as mindless predators throughout most of the film, reveal a more complex nature in its alternate ending, which diverges significantly from director Francis Lawrences adaptation and the source novel by Richard Matheson.

I Am Legend 2 will embrace this alternate ending as canon. Unlike the widely seen theatrical conclusion, where Neville discovers a cure and sacrifices himself by blowing up his lab to stop the Darkseekers, the alternate ending reveals that these creatures have emotions and motivationsthey are not simply monsters but sentient beings trying to reclaim their captured kin.

This shift aligns more closely with Mathesons original novel, in which Neville comes to the profound realization that from the Darkseekers perspective, he is the true monster. This theme of empathy and perspective challenges the initial portrayal of the Darkseekers and adds a layer of moral ambiguity absent from the first films theatrical ending.

By making this alternate ending the official conclusion, I Am Legend 2 will bring back Will Smiths character, despite the fact that Neville dies in the original movies widely known finale. The sequel will also introduce Michael B. Jordan to the franchise, expanding the story in new directions.

The decision to overwrite the original ending is almost unprecedented in major Hollywood productions. For many viewers, the return of Will Smith as Neville will be confusing without prior knowledge of the alternate ending, which is only available through special releases such as DVD extras or online sources.

To address this, I Am Legend 2 will likely need to include a recap or some form of exposition to align audiences with the revised storyline. How this will be handled remains to be seen, but it is a rare case where the sequel retcons a films conclusion rather than continuing from the established narrative.

Comparable instances are extremely rare, though one example can be found in 2009s The Descent Part 2, which made the U.S. cut of the original film canonical and dismissed the UK versions ending. However, even that sequel worked within a familiar framework for its audience, whereas I Am Legend 2 expects viewers to accept a drastically different understanding of the first films events.

The retcon also highlights a key criticism of the original I Am Legend film: its deviation from the novels themes and nuanced portrayal of the infected creatures. While the 2007 movie focused on Neville as a lone hero fighting monsters, the book and the alternate ending explore the idea that Neville himself might be the villain from another point of view.

This deeper exploration of the Darkseekers sentience and Nevilles moral ambiguity offers fertile ground for the sequel to expand the franchises narrative scope. Fans of the novel and those interested in complex sci-fi storytelling will likely welcome this shift, but the general audience might need some adjustment to the new perspective.

Overall, I Am Legend 2 promises to challenge viewers' expectations by rewriting the ending of a well-known film and presenting a story that acknowledges the complexity of its characters and their motivations. With Will Smith reprising his role and Michael B. Jordan joining the cast, the sequel aims to build on the originals legacy while forging a new path that honors the source materials intent.

As the release date approaches, audiences will have to prepare for a sequel that not only continues the story but also asks them to reconsider what they thought they knew about the first chapter in this post-apocalyptic saga.
Euphoria Season 3 is finally here! Premiering April 12, 2026 on HBO, new episodes drop weekly after a long delay.

AceShowbiz - Euphoria has officially returned with its highly anticipated third season. After a lengthy delay, Season 3 premiered on April 12, 2026, marking the first new episodes since early 2022. This gap was caused by several production interruptions, including the tragic passing of cast member Angus Cloud in July 2023 at the age of 25.

The new episodes are now being released weekly on HBO, giving fans a chance to dive back into the intense, raw world of the show after years of waiting. Despite the hiatus, Euphoria remained one of HBOs most talked-about series, with the network reaffirming its commitment to the show early on. Executives have continued to support creator Sam Levinson and the cast throughout the production challenges.

Francesca Orsi, HBOs Executive Vice President of Programming, praised the teams work on Season 2 and expressed excitement for the future. She said, "Sam [Levinson], Zendaya, and the entire cast and crew of Euphoria have taken season 2 to extraordinary heights, challenging narrative convention and form, while maintaining its heart." Orsi added that HBO was honored to collaborate with this talented group and looked forward to continuing the journey into Season 3.

The cast has also teased what to expect from the new season. In October 2025, Sydney Sweeney gave fans a playful hint during an interview with E! News, saying, "Dildos. Hold onto those dildos. Its Cassie, what do you expect?" This cryptic comment suggests some of the show's signature boldness and boundary-pushing storytelling will continue.

Euphoria Season 3 Release Date and Schedule

The third season of Euphoria debuted on HBO on April 12, 2026, with episodes airing weekly every Sunday. The extended production delay was largely due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which put many projects on hold.

When asked about a 2024 release during the shows For Your Consideration event in April 2022, Zendaya responded with uncertainty, acknowledging that executives might know more but she was busy at the time. In February 2023, Vogue shared that Season 3 was not scheduled to begin shooting until the latter half of 2023, and cast member Maude Apatow admitted in an interview that she was still in the dark about Season 3s scripts or production timeline.

Similarly, Nika King, who plays Leslie Bennet, Rues mother, shared a humorous TikTok video in 2023 expressing her confusion about the shows return. She joked about not knowing when Season 3 would arrive and pleaded humorously for Zendaya to come back from Paris Fashion Week so they could start filming.

Shortly after, HBO released a statement confirming the production delays but reaffirmed their commitment to an exceptional third season. The network noted that in the meantime, the in-demand cast was free to pursue other projects until filming resumed.

Season 3 Trailer and Cast Details

Zendaya returns as Rue, reportedly having renegotiated her contract to earn $1 million per episode for Season 2, a significant increase reflecting her value to the series. Other returning cast members include Hunter Schafer (Jules), Maude Apatow (Lexi), Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Alexa Demie (Maddy), Storm Reid (Gia), Nika King (Leslie), and Colman Domingo (Ali).

The new season also introduces several new faces such as Trisha Paytas, Bella Podaras, Bill Bodner, Cailyn Rice, Colleen Camp, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, Gideon Adlon, Hemky Madera, Homer Gere, Jack Topalian, Jessica Blair Herman, Kwame Patterson, Madison Thompson, Matthew Willig, Natasha Lyonne, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Sam Trammell.

Notably, Barbie Ferreira, who portrayed Kat Hernandez for the first two seasons, confirmed her departure from the show in August 2022 through her Instagram Stories. She expressed a heartfelt goodbye to her character, thanking fans for their support and reflecting on the meaningful journey she had with Kat.

There was speculation about Zendayas future on the show, including rumors that her character Rue might be killed off. However, HBOs Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys dispelled those rumors, stating it was hard to imagine the show without Zendaya, and confirmed she would be part of Season 3. The decision ultimately rests with Zendaya and Sam Levinson.

Dominic Fike, who joined in Season 2 as Elliot, reassured fans on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that he would appear again in Season 3. The musician and actor revealed that creator Sam Levinson offered him flexibility on when or if he would leave the show, leaving the door open for his characters future.

Season 2 ended ambiguously with the apparent death of Ashtray during a police shootout. Actor Javon Wanna Walton expressed hope that Ashtray might still be alive, pointing out the lack of blood and an unclear fall. However, months later Javon seemed to accept that the character did not survive the raid.

The casts busy schedules contributed to the delayed start of Season 3 filming.
98th Oscars recap: One Battle After Another wins 6 including Best Picture; Sinners earns 4 awards with Michael B. Jordans triple role.

AceShowbiz - The 98th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles this past March was a night filled with emotion, surprises, and outstanding cinematic achievements. Among the many celebrated films, Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another dominated the event, securing six awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, and the first-ever Best Casting award.

While Andersons film took home the most honors, the evening also spotlighted the remarkable success of Sinners, a vampire-themed movie directed by Ryan Coogler. Despite breaking the record for the highest number of Academy nominations ever, Sinners earned four awards: Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. Notably, Jordans performance showcased his versatility by portraying not just one, but twoand arguably threedistinct characters.

Although Sinners did not claim the most awards, it captivated audiences with enthusiastic reactions for each win. The film continues to be widely regarded as one of 2025s most defining movies, resonating deeply with viewers and critics alike.

For fans of Sinners, there is exciting news on the horizon. Starting May 1, the free streaming platform Plex will offer access to Ryan Cooglers highly acclaimed directorial debut, Fruitvale Station. This film, which also stars Michael B. Jordan, was the project that introduced both talents to the broader cinematic world and helped establish their reputations.

Fruitvale Station stands as one of the most powerful independent films of the 2010s, delivering a moving narrative without the need for a large budget. Its impact is felt through compelling performances and a poignant story that remains relevant and unforgettable. The films availability on Plex will allow a wider audience to experience the work that launched Coogler and Jordans celebrated careers.

In summary, the recent Academy Awards showcased the brilliance of Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan not only through the success of Sinners but also by reigniting interest in their earlier collaboration, Fruitvale Station. As May approaches, viewers can look forward to revisiting this influential debut film, streaming freely on Plex and reminding audiences of the power of heartfelt storytelling in cinema.
Tecate Pa'l Norte 2026 kicked off with Tyler, The Creator, Deftones, Interpol & more. Highlights included Jackson Wangs birthday show with 40 dancers.

AceShowbiz - The opening day of the Tecate Pal Norte 2026 festival on Friday, March 27, delivered an exciting mix of genres at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, Mexico. Headliners included Tyler, The Creator, Deftones, Interpol, Morat, Myke Towers, and Los Traileros del Norte, offering a diverse lineup spanning rap, alternative rock, metal, pop, electronic, and regional Mexican music.

Adding to the night's excitement, K-pop star Jackson Wang celebrated his 32nd birthday with a dazzling performance featuring flames and a troupe of 40 dancers, captivating the festival crowd.

Thousands of attendees enjoyed a range of performances across eight stages, with artists like Molotov, Maldita Vecindad, Siddartha, Camilo Septimo, Cuco, La Santa Cecilia, The Blaze (DJ set), Balu Brigada, and Gran Sur showcasing their top hits. A notable surprise was La Arrolladora Banda El Limon, who impressed the audience with their energetic set.

Another highlight was the group Piso 21, which moved the crowd with popular songs including Pa Olvidarme de Ella, Te Amo, and Me Llamas. Rising star Paloma Morphy, winner of the 2025 Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, joined forces with Emjay to perform their freshly released duet Que Ves en Mi? live for the first time, adding an exclusive moment to the festival.

The festival also introduced a new stage, Entre Cheves y Compas, inaugurated by Majo Aguilar and David Velasco, vocalist of the band Porter, who engaged fans with a live recording session. The Club Social KIA stage was opened by Jordy Medina with his electronic vibe, followed by RZ, who invited Nsqk to perform No Veo Bien.

Looking ahead, the festivals second day on Saturday, March 28, will feature the legendary Guns N Roses launching their 2026 world tour. Other notable acts include Grupo Frontera, Turnstile, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Cypress Hill, The Warning, El Bogueto, Judeline, Simple Plan, Enjambre, and Luck Ra.

Now in its 14th edition, the Tecate Pal Norte festival, established by the Apodaca Group and recently partnered with promoter Ocesa, runs from March 27 to 29, continuing its tradition of delivering a vibrant and diverse musical experience.

Tyler, The Creator was the standout artist on day one, delivering a dynamic and high-energy performance that thrilled fans. The 35-year-old rapper and producer marked his return to Monterrey after nearly a decade with a powerful setlist featuring hits like Big Poe, St. Chroma, Noid, Darling, I, Sugar on My Tongue, and Are We Still Friends.

In a memorable moment, Tyler, The Creator honored Mexico by blending his song Tamale with a shoutout to the country, projecting the Mexican flag on the stages massive screen. This gesture earned him a thunderous ovation from the enthusiastic crowd, cementing his status as the undisputed star of the festivals opening day.
ABC expands its crime drama lineup with RJ Decker, starring Scott Speedman. The series, from Elementarys Robert Doherty, brings a quirky Florida twist to ...

AceShowbiz - ABCs lineup of crime dramas continues to expand with the introduction of a fresh new series, RJ Decker, set to air on Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT. This addition follows the success of popular procedurals like High Potential and Will Trent, which have helped establish ABC as a stronghold for engaging police and detective dramas on broadcast television.

Created by Robert Doherty, known for his work on Elementary, RJ Decker draws inspiration from the 1987 crime comedy mystery novel Double Whammy, authored by prolific writer Carl Hiaasen. Though the show retains the original books Florida setting and quirky tone, it expands beyond the novels focus on the corrupt realm of competitive bass fishing to explore a wider variety of cases and characters within South Florida.

At the heart of the series is R.J. Decker, portrayed by Scott Speedman, best known for his role in the Underworld franchise. Decker is a complex and flawed character: a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-convict attempting to rebuild his life after prison by establishing himself as a private investigator. His efforts to start fresh are complicated by his relationships, including his ex-wife, her new police detective wife, and the daughter of a corrupt state senator responsible for Deckers incarceration.

ABCs gamble on this offbeat detective drama seems to be paying off. Following its premiere on March 3, 2026, the series currently holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews. While not quite matching the Certified Fresh 96% rating earned by High Potential during its groundbreaking first season, this is a promising start that suggests RJ Decker has the potential to carve out its own dedicated audience.

Critics have responded positively to the shows blend of crime-solving and humor. Colliders Jennie Richardson gave the series a 7/10 review, praising its "laugh out loud" comedic moments and Speedmans portrayal of the titular character. She noted that, like Decker himself, the show is "a little rough around the edges, but it has a lot of potential," highlighting its unique voice within the crime procedural genre.

The cast supporting Scott Speedman includes Adelaide Clemens, Bevin Bru, and Kevin Rankin. Notably, Jaina Lee Ortiz, known for her role on Station 19, appears as Deckers shady benefactor and the figure behind his prison sentence. This casting adds a familiar face to the series and connects it to ABCs extended universe of crime dramas.

Speedman has recently focused on television, with acclaimed roles in Peacocks horror series Teacup, TNTs Animal Kingdom, and the ongoing ABC hit Greys Anatomy. With RJ Decker, he steps into a lead role that could establish him as a staple of Florida-based crime dramas on network television.

The series explores themes of redemption, corruption, and complicated personal dynamics, all set against the sun-soaked yet morally ambiguous backdrop of South Florida. This setting provides a vibrant contrast to the darker elements of the stories and helps differentiate RJ Decker from other procedurals currently on air.

As the show progresses through its first season, it will be interesting to see if it can sustain its initial critical momentum and build a loyal viewership comparable to its ABC counterparts. The networks investment in distinctive characters like Kaitlin Olsons Morgan Gillory in High Potential and Ramon Rodriguezs Will Trent has proven successful, and RJ Decker aims to continue that trend with its unique blend of comedy and crime drama.

For viewers who enjoy a mix of mystery, humor, and character-driven storytelling, RJ Decker offers a compelling new option. Its premiere marks another step forward in ABCs strategy to dominate the procedural landscape with shows that emphasize both personality and plot.

Stay tuned to Collider for ongoing coverage and updates on RJ Decker as it unfolds throughout its debut season. With its strong cast, intriguing premise, and early positive reviews, this new series is poised to become a notable part of ABCs crime drama roster.
Scott Patterson reveals the real reason behind his shocking Sullivan's Crossing exit, citing "untenable" creative differences.

AceShowbiz - Scott Patterson opened up about the behind-the-scenes issues that caused his unexpected departure from Sullivans Crossing. On March 5, Patterson took to Instagram to share his thoughts, explaining that creative differences were becoming untenable, which ultimately led him to decide he could no longer continue with the show.

Scott Patterson, 67, expressed his deep affection for the character Sully, saying he fell in love with both the role and the story. He emphasized his respect for fans of the books and the series, stating that he felt it was important to clarify the truth behind his exit rather than remain silent.

In his detailed message, Patterson addressed rumors suggesting he was replaced, firmly denying such claims. He wrote, It is unfortunate that it is now being implied that they moved on from me/Sully when the fact is the complete opposite. He also noted that those who have spoken out were aware of the situation but chose to present it differently.

Reflecting on his time portraying Sully, Patterson said, I really enjoyed Sully and fought for his voice and his character. The richness and depth of Sully, whom the fans of the books all know and love, is so multi-layered and interesting. He concluded his statement by reaffirming his commitment to defend the truth and support the characters and stories fans cherish.

News of Pattersons departure was first reported by Us Weekly on March 4. The show's executive producer and showrunner, Roma Roth, shared exclusives about season 4, confirming that Sully would not physically appear at the start of the new season. Instead, the storyline picks up with Sully still overseas, following his exit to Ireland at the end of season 3. Roth acknowledged that while Sully is not present on screen, the character remains significant and could return if future creative directions allow.

Sullivans Crossing, based on Robyn Carrs book series, centers on neurosurgeon Maggie (played by Morgan Kohan), who returns to her hometown in rural Nova Scotia. The series explores her reconnection with her estranged father, Sully, portrayed by Patterson. Other key cast members include Chad Michael Murray as Cal and Morgan Kohan as Maggie.

Since its Netflix debut in July 2025, Sullivans Crossing has gained a larger audience, but fans have been left wondering about the direction of key storylines following several cast departures. Season 3 ended with Sully heading to Ireland with his girlfriend, played by Kate Vernon, and Edna (Andrea Menard), while Frank (Tom Jackson) contemplated leaving the campground.

Prior to his exit, Patterson had spoken positively about his involvement with the series. In an October 2023 interview with Us Weekly, he expressed enthusiasm about joining a project that already had an established fan base from Robyn Carrs novels and his own following from previous work, including Gilmore Girls. He said, Its exciting to come into something thats kind of established... and I can bring mine in. They can join forces and watch the show together and compare notes.

Despite the challenges behind the scenes, Patterson maintained his respect for the industry and the fans who support the show. He emphasized that his decision to speak out was driven by a desire to be transparent with those who love the characters and stories brought to life on screen.

Sullivans Crossing continues to stream on Netflix, with season 4 set to premiere on The CW on April 20. Fans will be watching closely to see how the storyline adapts to the absence of Sully and what new developments await in the upcoming episodes.

Us Weekly has reached out to The CW for further comment regarding the situation but no additional statements have been released at this time.
Ice Road Truckers returns after 8 years, revealing how climate change shortens ice roads and threatens vital northern supply routes.

AceShowbiz - Ice Road Truckers is back with a new season after nearly eight years off the air, returning to fans with a fresh mix of familiar faces and newcomers. The History Channel series, which showcases the perilous work of truck drivers navigating frozen roads, now captures a new reality: the impact of climate change drastically shortening the ice road season. This shift not only complicates the job but threatens the essential supply routes that serve remote northern communities.

At the heart of the show's revival is veteran trucker Todd Dewey, who shared with Collider how the warming climate has transformed the industry. "With Mother Nature doing what it's doing, and the climate change and this planet changing so dramatically... the ice roads, every year, they're getting shorter and shorter," Dewey explained. This environmental shift creates a narrower window for delivering vital goods, intensifying the pressure on drivers and the communities that depend on them.

Ice Road Truckers has always highlighted the dangers of life on the ice, where drivers face extreme conditions and the constant threat of nature itself. However, the new season goes further by documenting how rising temperatures thin the ice, rendering some routes unsafe or impassable. The roads are often constructed over frozen lakes or rivers, and as the ice weakens, trucks must find alternative paths or delay deliveries. These challenges underscore a growing reality for those living and working in these isolated regions.

Dewey acknowledged the difficulty of returning to the show after time away, noting that even though the ice season is shorter, the demand from remote communities remains high. "There's only a short window to get all these supplies into these communities, on these roads that are paved with ice," he said. Despite the shrinking time frame, he emphasized that the industry's spirit has shifted from competition to cooperation. "Instead of... competition on who could get the most loads in... it was actually like a big family up there... working together, getting through situations," Dewey revealed.

The new season features Dewey working with the Muskie Creek crew, alongside returning favorite Lisa Kelly and newcomer Scott Yuill. Together, they face the shared mission of ensuring these remote communities receive necessary supplies despite the escalating risks and limited delivery windows. Their teamwork reflects the evolving nature of the job, where survival and mutual support outweigh individual gain.

While Ice Road Truckers focuses on the perils of frozen highways, it also mirrors broader environmental concerns affecting other reality series. Shows like Deadliest Catch have documented similar struggles due to climate change. For instance, the warming waters off Alaska have disrupted the Alaskan King crab population, forcing fishermen to adapt as the crabbing season shortens and migratory patterns shift. This parallel highlights how climate change impacts diverse industries reliant on natural conditions.

In 2022, The New York Times reported that Alaska is among the fastest-warming states in the U.S., a trend that has had devastating effects on marine life and fishing economies. The dwindling crab population and altered migration routes have put pressure on crews to find new ways to sustain their livelihood. Like the truckers navigating fragile ice roads, these fishermen demonstrate resilience amid environmental upheaval.

Both Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch serve as timely reminders of how climate change is reshaping not just ecosystems, but the very livelihoods of those who depend on them. The willingness of these workers to adapt and persevere under increasingly hazardous circumstances offers a compelling narrative of endurance and community in the face of a warming planet.

As the new season of Ice Road Truckers airs on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on The History Channel, viewers are invited to witness firsthand the evolving challenges of life on the ice. Episodes become available to stream the following day, providing an opportunity to explore the intersection of adventure, environmental change, and human determination.

Ultimately, the series is no longer just about trucking on frozen roads; it has quietly evolved into a poignant chronicle of climate change's tangible effects on remote regions. The shrinking ice roads symbolize a planet in flux and the urgent need to recognize and respond to these changes. Through the eyes of drivers like Todd Dewey and their crews, audiences gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to keep isolated communities connected amid a rapidly warming world.

While the ice roads may be melting, the spirit of those who brave them remains steadfast, forging ahead against the odds with courage and camaraderie. Ice Road Truckers thus continues to capture not only the thrill of extreme trucking but also the sobering realities of environmental transformation that define the modern era.
Cole Tomas Allen has appeared in a Washington, D.C. federal court accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump.

Cole Tomas Allen has appeared in a Washington, D.C. federal court accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump

The 31-year-old teacher from Torrance, California, was arraigned on Monday (27.04.26), facing charges of attempting to assassinate the president of the United States along with two federal gun offences, according to reporting by The New York Times and NBC News.

He is said to have tried to wipe them out on Saturday, 25 April, at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner was being held.

Among those present were US president Donald Trump, aged 79, and his vice-president JD Vance, 41.

During the court hearing, federal prosecutors alleged Allen had been carrying multiple weapons when he approached a security checkpoint.

According to reports, he was armed with a shotgun, a pistol and three knives.

He did not enter a plea at the arraignment.

Authorities said an officer was struck by a bullet during the incident but was protected by a bullet-resistant vest and is expected to recover.

The dinner event, which traditionally gathers journalists, politicians and public figures, was underway at the time of the alleged assassination attempt.

Speaking about the investigation, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said: We do believe, based upon just a very preliminary start to understanding what happened, that he was targeting members of the administration.

The White House has also said Allen allegedly produced written material outlining his intentions.

Officials said: The suspect's written manifesto clearly stated he wanted to target administration officials.

Further details have emerged about Allens background, with reports indicating that family members had raised concerns with law enforcement prior to the incident.

According to earlier coverage, his sister had warned authorities about radical statements he had allegedly made, while his brother also contacted police regarding writings sent shortly before the dinner event.

A profile bearing Allens name and image on the professional networking platform LinkedIn described him as a mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth.

Allen remains in federal custody as the case proceeds through the US legal system.

The assassination attempt came just ahead of King Charles visit to the US, which is now underway under increased security.
Marshals premieres March 1 on CBS. See Kayce Duttons new journey as a U.S. Marshal, with returning Yellowstone stars and fresh faces.

AceShowbiz - Marshals premieres on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 8/7c on CBS, marking a new chapter in Taylor Sheridans expanding Yellowstone universe. The series follows Kayce Dutton, played by Luke Grimes, as he embarks on a fresh journey as a U.S. Marshal. While the spin-off stands on its own, a recap of key events from Yellowstone helps viewers understand Kayces motivations and the Dutton familys current state of affairs.

The cast of Marshals balances returning characters with new faces. Alongside Grimes are Brecken Merrill as Kayces son Tate, Gil Birmingham as Thomas Rainwater, chairman of the Broken Rock tribe, and Mo Brings Plenty as Mo, Rainwaters trusted aide. The rest of Kayces U.S. Marshal team includes newcomers Arielle Kebbel as Belle, Ash Santos as Andrea, Tatanka Means as Miles, and Logan Marshall-Green as Cal.

To fully appreciate Kayces new role in Marshals, its essential to revisit some major developments from Yellowstone that shaped his path and the Dutton familys fate.

John Duttons death was a pivotal moment in the Yellowstone saga. Portrayed by Kevin Costner, Johns demise occurred midway through the shows final season. Initially believed to be a suicide, the truth uncovered by Kayce revealed a deeper, more sinister plot. The killing was orchestrated by Johns lover, Sarah Atwood (Dawn Olivieri), with shocking involvement from Johns own son Jamie (Wes Bentley). Once Sarahs betrayal came to light, she was swiftly eliminated by a hired assassin before facing legal consequences.

The fallout of Johns death further complicated family dynamics, especially between siblings Jamie and Beth (Kelly Reilly). Their volatile relationship, marked by intense conflict throughout the series, culminated in a brutal confrontation in the finale. After Jamie publicly denied any role in Johns death, Beth confronted him at home, leading to a violent six-minute altercation involving a crowbar, bear spray, and a knife. Beth ultimately stabbed Jamie in the chest, with her husband Rip (Cole Hauser) restraining him and disposing of his body in Wyoming. Jamies death remains undisclosed to authorities, leaving him officially listed as missing.

Kayces connection to the Broken Rock tribe is another significant thread linking the original show to Marshals. His ties began when he married Monica (Kelsey Asbille), a Native American woman, and deepened with the birth of their son Tate. Although Kayce lived on the Broken Rock Reservation with his family, many tribe members initially viewed him as an outsider.

However, Kayces relationship with Broken Rock chairman Thomas Rainwater evolved meaningfully by the end of Yellowstone. The two became blood brothers in the series finale, symbolizing a profound bond. Additionally, Kayce sold most of his familys land to Broken Rock, with Rainwater vowing to preserve it from development. In a November 2024 interview, Gil Birmingham explained Kayces motivations, saying, He wants to be the best person he can be, and he's inspired by his wife in that way. But he's also exposed more to the culture and the value system of What indigenous people are more so than John ever was. At the series close, Kayce was living with Monica and Tate in the East Camp area of the Dutton ranch.

Meanwhile, Beth and Rip have taken a different path. Though both survived the events of Yellowstone, neither appears in the early episodes of Marshals. Their absence is understandable given recent traumatic eventsBeths deadly fight with Jamie and Rips role in hiding the aftermath.

Following these events, Beth purchased a new ranch in Dillon, Montana, intending to start fresh with Rip and their adopted son Carter (Finn Little). This new home remains within a few hours drive of the Dutton ranch, meaning Kayces family ties are not completely severed, even if their day-to-day lives are separate. Fans can look forward to another spin-off focusing on Beth and Rips story, tentatively titled The Dutton Ranch, currently in development by creator Taylor Sheridan.

As Marshals launches, viewers can expect a mix of crime procedural elements and family drama, anchored by Kayces struggle to balance his duties as a federal agent with his loyalty to both the Duttons and the Broken Rock tribe. The show promises to explore this duality while introducing fresh characters who expand the world Sheridan has created.

Which unresolved storylines from Yellowstone do you hope Marshals will address? The spin-off offers a chance to delve deeper into the Dutton legacy and Kayces complex journey. Share your thoughts and expectations as the new series unfolds on CBS.
Nicolas Cage stars as a gritty 1930s P.I. in Prime Video's Spider-Noir. Watch the trailer for a dark, black-and-white twist on the Spider-Man universe.

AceShowbiz - The official trailer for Prime Videos upcoming series Spider-Noir has been released, showcasing Nicolas Cage in a gritty new role as a private investigator in 1930s New York. This marks the Oscar-winning actors first leading role in a television series, where he portrays Ben Reilly, a former superhero turned aging detective haunted by his past.

In the trailer, Ben Reilly discovers his old powers resurfacing as he confronts a dangerous Irish crime lord played by Brendan Gleeson. Gleesons character is hinted to be Silvermane, a notorious villain from the Spider-Man comics, adding a dark, villainous edge to the storyline. The trailer debuted at Mexico Citys CCXPMX26 pop culture festival, generating excitement among fans of the Spider-Man universe.

The series uniquely offers viewers two viewing options: Authentic Black & White and True-Hue Full Color. This choice pays homage to the original Spider-Man Noir comics, which featured muted, monochromatic tones, giving audiences a nostalgic yet fresh visual experience.

Although based on the Spider-Man Noir comic, Spider-Noir is designed as a standalone story and is not connected to Sonys Spider-Man film franchise or the Into the Spider-Verse animated movies. This separation allows the series to explore a darker, more mature narrative within its own universe.

The cast also includes Lamorne Morris (Fargo), Li Jun Li (Sinners), Karen Rodriguez (The Hunting Wives), Abraham Popoola (Slow Horses), and Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire), alongside Brendan Gleeson. The series will launch on May 27 with all episodes released simultaneously for binge-watching.

Spider-Noir is produced by Sony Pictures Television for MGM+ and Prime Video. The first two episodes are directed and executive produced by Harry Bradbeer, known for Fleabag. Showrunners Oren Uziel (The Lost City) and Steve Lightfoot (The Punisher) developed the series with input from the creative team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, including Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal, ensuring a high-quality production that honors the source material while charting its own course.
Beloved Ronettes founding member Nedra Talley Ross has died at 80. Read the tribute to her voice, style, and lasting music legacy.

AceShowbiz - Nedra Talley Ross, the final surviving member of the iconic 1960s girl group The Ronettes, has died at the age of 80, according to an announcement shared on the groups official social media accounts on Sunday, April 26.

The cause of her death has not been disclosed.

The statement posted on the Ronettes Facebook page expressed sorrow over her passing: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Nedra Talley Ross' passing. She was a light to those who knew and loved her."

It continued by acknowledging her significant role in shaping the sound and legacy of the group: "As a founding member of The Ronettes, along with her beloved cousins Ronnie and Estelle, Nedra's voice, style and spirit helped define a sound that would change music. Her contribution to the group's story and their defining influence will live forever. Rest peacefully dear Nedra. Thanks for the magic."

The Ronettes became internationally renowned in the early 1960s, with Nedra Talley Ross forming the trio alongside her cousins Ronnie Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) and Estelle Bennett. Their breakthrough came with the 1963 hit "Be My Baby", a song that cemented their place in pop music history.

Born in 1945, Nedra Talley shared reflections about her musical beginnings in an interview with the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland just months before her passing. She credited her mother and grandmother for instilling her love of singing: "I started singing when I was very young because my mother sang, [and] my grandmother."

"I owe my mom everything," she said, describing how her mother encouraged her to pursue music despite the challenges of the era. "She gave me the courage to go out there and sing."

Nedra Talley also recalled the close bond within the group that helped sustain their success: "Part of the reason I believe the Ronettes continued and we were as successful as we were, is because we held each other's hand when we walked out on stage, and we believed that God was watching what we did." She humorously noted the vigilant protection from family members: "We had uncles that were guards," and added that her mother offered guidance on the realities of performing as a young woman in the early 1960s: "Believe me. I'm older than you. I know what's out there."

Growing up together in New York City, the cousins often sang with other family members before officially forming their act. Their early group names included the Darling Sisters and Ronnie and the Relatives, before settling on The Ronettes, a name derived from parts of each members first name.

After gaining experience performing live shows in nightclubs such as Brooklyns Fox Theater and releasing some initial records with little success through Colpix Records, the group auditioned for legendary producer Phil Spector at Philles Records in 1963.

Phil Spector, along with songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, co-wrote "Be My Baby", which became the Ronettes' major hit. Led by Ronnie Spectors distinctive vocals, the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963 and remains their most successful single to date.

Other notable singles by The Ronettes include "Baby I Love You," which peaked at No. 24 in 1963, and "Walking in the Rain," which reached No. 23 in 1964. The group released only one full-length album, Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes, in 1964.

In a recent interview, Nedra Talley expressed surprise at the success of their 1963 recording of the Christmas standard "Sleigh Ride." Although originally released on Phil Spectors A Christmas Gift for You compilation, the song climbed to No. 8 on the Hot 100 in 2023, 60 years after its debut, marking the group's second-highest charting single.

The Ronettes were honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12, 2007. At the ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, the trio performed three songs, including their signature hit "Be My Baby." Estelle Bennett was present to accept the award but was too unwell to perform, so only Nedra Talley and Ronnie Spector sang that night.

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who introduced the group at the ceremony and whose band once opened for The Ronettes, praised their talent and influence: "They could sing all their way right through a wall of sound. They didn't need anything. They touched my heart right there and then and they touch it still."

Estelle Bennett passed away in 2009, followed by Ronnie Spector in 2022, both after battles with cancer.

Following her time with The Ronettes, Nedra Talley pursued a solo career and released a contemporary Christian album titled Full Circle in 1978. The album was produced by her late husband, media personality Scott Ross, whom she married in 1967. The couple met while he was working in New York City radio and later moved to Virginia, where Scott Ross joined The 700 Club. Together, they had four children.

Nedra Talleys son Ryan reflected on her character during the Cleveland interview, highlighting her humility and kindness: "She's one that she never let stardom go to her head. She would talk to anybody. She was nice to everybody. There was never a time that she didn't want to get to know people and talk to them. She never really thought of herself as a star in that sense. She was always a mother, and a sister, and a cousin and a wife."

Nedra Talleys passing marks the end of an era for The Ronettes, whose groundbreaking sound and style continue to influence music and culture decades after their heyday.
Euphoria Season 3, Episode 3 delivers Cassie & Nate's extravagant wedding. Inside the stunning floral budget, cast reunion, and Sam Levinson on the shoot.

AceShowbiz - Note: This article contains spoilers from Euphoria Season 3, Episode 3.

Since images surfaced of Sydney Sweeney in a wedding dress portraying Cassie during the filming of Euphoria Season 3, fans have eagerly awaited the much-anticipated wedding between Cassie and Nate. The plot thickened when Cassies demand for $50,000 worth of flowers set the tone for the extravagant ceremony, with the production surpassing that floral budget to deliver a visually stunning and thematically rich event.

The wedding sequence in Episode 3 offers one of the rare moments this season where the main cast converges amid their otherwise separate storylines. Creator Sam Levinson described the shoot as both beautiful and complicated due to the large ensemble present but noted they managed to film the scenes mostly in chronological order to maintain narrative consistency.

It was beautiful. I mean, the wedding was a blast to shoot, Levinson told TheWrap. He praised Jacob Elordi and Sweeney for embracing the mix of humor and tension that permeates the wedding, calling it equal parts hilarious and also tragic.

The episode also marks the return of Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs. Danes appearance is poignant since he filmed these scenes after his diagnosis with ALS but sadly passed away in February, before Season 3 premiered. Levinson fondly remembered Danes professionalism and grace despite his health struggles, calling him brilliant and expressing how much he misses him.

Production designer Francois Audouy aimed to make the wedding a lavish symbol of the American delusion and the obsession with appearances. He explained that the stunning exterior of the wedding venue was meant to contrast with the "interior rot" of Cassie and Nates relationship, exemplified by the $50,000 flower request amid Nates precarious financial situation.

Audouy emphasized the importance of the venue looking flawless and seductive without appearing cheap, as that would undermine the metaphor. The goal was to create a tragedy living inside perfection, visually representing the couples precarious situation beneath their glamorous facade.

Color played a huge role in this visual storytelling. Audouy expanded on Nate and Cassies established color palette by incorporating blush pinks, creams, and warm caramel tones. In a nod to the absurdity of their extravagance, Audouy even sampled the colors of shrimp to match elements of the shrimp cocktail served at the reception, underscoring the shows blend of opulence and excess.

The walls were bathed in a yellow-orange caramel hue, providing a dreamy backdrop that complemented the thousands of flowers adorning the venue. The floral arrangements were crafted with the help of Magpie Florals, who exhausted local Southern California farms and imported flowers from Miami, Ecuador, and Amsterdam to fulfill the ambitious color scheme.

The scale of the floral display was staggering: 10,710 stems, including 2,875 roses, were used during the ceremony, while the reception featured 14,382 stems with 4,600 roses. Audouy described the floral design as a manifesto, representing more than decorationit was a deliberate statement about the characters and their world.

Despite Cassies demand for $50,000 worth of flowers, the productions actual expenditure far exceeded that figure. Audouy admitted the final cost was considerably more, though he found the exact number somewhat embarrassing to reveal. This decision was a collective one, reflecting the metaphorical weight of the story and how the flowers became a part of Cassies motivation within the narrative.

To manage the logistics of filming, a separate team was hired to swap out floral arrangements and ice sculptures between shots. The production commissioned 10 ice sculptures each of Nate and Cassie, 10 for the shrimp buffet, and 10 ice luges. Audouy explained the goal was to balance beauty, excess, and gluttony, creating a visual feast that carried thematic depth.

The inspiration for the monogrammed floral arrangements and ice sculptures came from social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, which the creative team assumed Cassie would obsessively scroll through while planning her dream wedding. Audouy reflected on contemporary cultures obsession with curated online lives, where everyones experiences seem perfect, successful, and enviable.

We wanted to create this sort of saccharine, Pinterest, Instagram, clickbait wedding, Audouy said, aiming to depict the kind of idealized imagery Cassie chases.

However, beneath the weddings glossy surface, Audouy infused a sense of quiet dread and impending disaster. The event is portrayed as Cassies fever dream wedding, stunning in appearance but unstable and teetering on the edge of collapse. This tension builds as a surprise guest arrives to collect Nates debts, and Cassie begins unraveling emotionally, signaling that the perfect veneer is about to shatter.

The weddings aftermath further emphasizes this collapse. Nates debt collectors wait until the couple returns home, turning what should be a romantic start to their marriage into a violent confrontation. The house itself, described as a time machine with original 1960s carpet and wallpaper, was purchased by the production just four days after listing. It symbolizes the couples living in a fantasy world, disconnected from reality.

Audouy explained that both the wedding and the house illustrate a couple overstretching themselves for their dreams without practical consideration. Their fantasy life is doomed to implode, and the episodes finale dramatically captures this moment of reckoning as everything falls apart.

Euphoria Season 3 continues to release new episodes on Sundays on HBO, inviting viewers to experience more of the intense drama and striking visuals that define the series.
Discover why HBO's groundbreaking series Rome revolutionized TV history, blending political intrigue, visceral drama, and cinematic scale before Game of Thro...

AceShowbiz - When HBO launched Rome in 2005, it marked a transformative moment in television history by elevating the scope and ambition of serialized storytelling. The series expertly depicted the volatile shift from the Roman Republic to the Empire, weaving real historical figures with fictional protagonists like Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, characters inspired by brief mentions in Julius Caesars Commentarii de Bello Gallico. This fusion of political scheming, visceral violence, and moral complexity established Rome as one of the most compelling historical dramas ever produced for TV.

Long before the fantasy juggernaut Game of Thrones captured global audiences, Rome demonstrated that television could rival big-budget cinema in both scale and storytelling depth. However, despite its critical acclaim, HBOs groundbreaking series was short-lived, concluding after just two seasons. The cancellation left many wondering why such a promising and richly crafted show had such a brief lifespan.

Rome was one of the priciest television productions of its time. Co-produced by HBO and the BBC, its first season carried a staggering budget of around $100 million, averaging $9 to $10 million per episode. To put this in perspective, this budget exceeded that of early seasons of Game of Thrones, which were estimated at about $6 million per episode six years later. Much of Romes budget was devoted to tangible, practical production rather than digital effects.

HBO invested heavily in creating a vast, authentic backlot at Italys Cinecitta Studios. Entire streets were constructed complete with functioning drainage systems, fully dressed interiors, and multi-dimensional buildings enabling intricate tracking shots. Thousands of extras were employed, and costume and prop departments crafted custom armor, weapons, and wardrobe pieces instead of relying on stock items. This meticulous attention to detail set a new benchmark for cable television production values and reflected HBOs gamble that viewers would embrace cinematic storytelling from their living rooms.

Regarding historical accuracy, Rome balanced fact with dramatic license. While the timeline and character prominence sometimes deviated from the historical record, the shows creators grounded much of the series in authentic period detail. Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, though minor historical figures, were elevated to central narrative roles, driving much of the plot. Cleopatras portrayal leaned into her legendary mystique, stirring debate among scholars about its accuracy.

Despite these liberties, historians praised Rome for its faithful depiction of Roman urban life. The city was rendered as a bustling, chaotic metropolis alive with color and social stratification. Costume design carefully reflected class distinctions, with senators adorned in properly striped togas and plebeians in worn, practical clothing. Elite Roman womens hairstyles were modeled on period sculptures, enhancing the shows visual authenticity. This blend of compelling drama and historical fidelity influenced future prestige series, including the later success of Game of Thrones, which adopted a similar approach by fusing fantasy elements with grounded medieval realism.

Despite strong reviews and multiple Emmy nominations, the financial burden ultimately led to Romes demise. The shows ratings, while respectable for HBO, fell short of justifying its extraordinary costs. Budgets escalated during the first season, and a fire at the studio damaged sets, forcing expensive rebuilds. Maintaining the sprawling Cinecitta backlot was a continual logistical challenge. These factors convinced HBO that sustaining the series over the long term was not economically feasible.

Although canceled after just two seasons, Rome cemented a legacy that shaped the future of television epics. It demonstrated audiences willingness to engage with morally complex, serialized stories filled with political intrigue and brutal violence. The series also helped HBO master the management of large ensemble casts and international production logistics, lessons that proved invaluable when producing Game of Thrones. Notably, three actors from Rome appeared later in Game of Thrones, underscoring the connection between the two shows.

By pushing the boundaries of what television could achieve, Rome paved the way for the epic storytelling that would dominate the next decade. Its ambitious scale, combined with its historical and narrative complexity, remains a milestone in TV history and a testament to HBOs innovative spirit.
The Beauty delivers its most intense episode yet: Ashton Kutcher's Byron Forst unveils a revolutionary drug, blending dark humor and unsettling drama in just...

AceShowbiz - The Beauty delivers its most polished and intense episode yet in just over thirty minutes, packing the shows trademark blend of dark humor and unsettling drama. Episode 8 plunges viewers into the ruthless world of Byron Forst as he prepares to unveil his revolutionary drug, The Beauty, promising to eradicate limits like age, sickness, and decay.

The episode opens with Byron Forst, played by Ashton Kutcher, rehearsing his Beauty Day presentation. Kutcher channels a Vincent DOnofrio-esque intensity, roaring and posing before giant portraits labeled MORTALITY, AGE, and DECAY. His pitch revolves around the slogan NO MORE, promising an end to human frailty and imperfection. The scene feels self-aware, with the cast clearly having fun at their own expense.

Byrons charisma dominates the screen as he decisively shuts down other projects funded by his fortune. He terminates the space colonization division, citing its benefits only for future generations, not himselfa blow to the divisions bookish leader, played by Anthony Rapp. Meanwhile, he faces stiff opposition from the head of robotics, portrayed by Ari Graynor. Wearing a stark white suit and sporting a hairstyle reminiscent of Dedra Meero from Andor, she argues the superiority of robotic life over unpredictable humans. Byron dismisses her efforts, granting her only a fraction of the budget and ordering her to release her creations, called deacons, into the wild, suspecting humans have grown attached to them.

The episodes emotional core centers on Byrons two sons, Gunther and Tiger, played by Kevin Cahoon and Eric Petersen. These awkward, middle-aged men, who failed to live up to their fathers expectations, relapse into addiction and overdose on fentanyl. Byrons wife, Franny, is unaware of the tragedy until Byron unveils the Beautified versions of his sonsnow young, striking, and dramatically altered. One of the sons appears Black, explained by Byron as a nod to a small percentage of Nigerian heritage in his own background, humorously comparing himself to Drake.

The sons attempt to persuade Franny to try the drug, but she defiantly refuses. Her passionate declaration that the natural order will have a say underscores her resistance. She warns Byron of ongoing vengeance, blowing a kiss to the billionaires circle before leaving. Byron is left speechless, an unusual crack in his confident facade.

The episodes darker humor emerges in a harrowing subplot involving the disastrous fate of individuals who received the drug without Forsts protection. Quarantined Conde Nast employees, infected by the drug, suffer grotesque transformations. Their padded confinement descends into a disturbing scene reminiscent of Salo, with young people trapped in filth and viscera, forced to drink a mysterious green substance. The atmosphere is grim and claustrophobic.

Two infected employees develop a tender affection for one another before a brutal massacre unfolds. Masked gunmen arrive by zipline and slaughter everyone in the room, leaving bodies strewn about the grim chamber. This brutal violence starkly contrasts with Byrons polished presentation, reinforcing the divide between the elite and the victims of the drug.

Into this chaos, Cooper and Jordan are dumped alongside Antonio and Jeremy, who have been betrayed and deceived. The FBI reveals to Jeremy that the infection caused by the drug is terminala fact concealed from him by Antonio. Despite their grim circumstances, the group has an unexpected ally inside: Meyer, their Beautified boss, now portrayed by Patrick Luwis. Having bargained with Byron to save his daughter, Meyer oversees the executions but secretly aids the group. He pulls Cooper from the killing floor and cryptically urges him to DO AS YOURE TOLD, a phrase that initially terrifies but ultimately guides their escape.

When another wave of gunmen arrivesthis time as rescuersCooper, Jordan, Antonio, and Jeremy seize the chance and flee the grim quarantine area. This tense escape offers a brief glimmer of hope amid the horror.

The episode closes by tying together its two narrative threads through an advertisement for The Beauty. Set in a sun-drenched, idyllic suburban square, the commercial features an array of melancholic individualselderly, overweight, suffering from Alzheimers or cancerwho transform into flawless, youthful figures as the Tubes exuberant song Shes a Beauty plays. The announcer cheerfully proclaims the drugs universal approval and the absence of a need to consult a doctor. The fine print ominously mentions ignition ketosis, or spontaneous combustion, as a side effect, downplayed as probably nothing to worry about.

This commercials polished aesthetic and upbeat tone mask an underlying horror that parallels the massacre in the quarantine. Both represent the consequences of unchecked power and wealth. Byron Forsts ability to act without restraint highlights a broader societal critique: when billionaires wield unchecked influence, no ethical or legal boundaries stand in their way.

In sum, Episode 8 of The Beauty is a tightly packed, darkly satirical exploration of power, addiction, and the price of eternal youth. It deftly blends camp, horror, and social commentary, exposing the dangers lurking beneath the glossy surface of technological and pharmaceutical promises.
General Hospital fans rejoice! Steve Burton reveals exactly when Jason Morgan returns to ABC, ending months of speculation after his dramatic WSB arrest.

AceShowbiz - General Hospital fans have reason to celebrate as Steve Burton has revealed when his iconic character, Jason Morgan, will be back on screen. The actor recently provided a clear timeline for his return to the ABC soap opera, ending months of speculation among viewers eagerly awaiting the henchmans comeback.

As fans are aware, Jason Morgans storyline currently finds him in the custody of the WSB, held somewhere in Jakarta, Indonesia. The character is awaiting trial following an intense confrontation where he was accused of shooting Ross Cullum, a key figure within the WSB played by Andrew Hawkes. This dramatic event took place in late March during an escape attempt with Kelly Thiebaud's character, Britt Westbourne.

During that confrontation, Cullum nearly struck Jason with an iron rod, but Finn Carr's character, Rocco Falconeri, intervened by shooting Cullum in the back. In a protective move, Jason took full responsibility for the shooting to shield Rocco from any legal consequences. This plot development was crafted to accommodate Burtons temporary hiatus from the show.

Burton had previously informed fans of his break via Instagram in February, assuring them it was only temporary. Throughout his absence, he emphasized multiple times that he planned to return, describing his departure as a short break. His recent statements confirm those intentions are coming to fruition.

On the podcast "That's Awesome," which he co-hosts with fellow General Hospital star Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli), Burton addressed one of the most frequently asked questions he receives: when he would resume his role on the soap. Burton responded with certainty that he will be back starting in June.

Given that General Hospital films episodes approximately four to six weeks ahead of their air date, fans can expect to see Jason Morgan return in July or potentially early August. This news has sparked excitement, with many viewers curious about how Jason will escape the WSBs grasp and what new challenges lie ahead for the character.

The suspense surrounding Jason's fate is high, as many believe it would take a miracle for him to break free from the WSBs control. However, if there is anyone who can survive and thrive through such adversity, it is undoubtedly Jason Morgan. His return promises to bring explosive drama and gripping storylines that fans wont want to miss.

All eyes will be on General Hospital as Jasons reappearance unfolds, delivering the intense and thrilling moments the audience has come to expect. For the latest updates and spoilers on the show, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to trusted sources to catch every twist and turn.
Jodie Sweetin opens up about her fading childhood friendship with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen after Full House.

AceShowbiz - Jodie Sweetin has revealed that her close childhood friendship with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen gradually faded following their time together on the iconic series Full House. Once inseparable as the young stars of the beloved family sitcom, the trios bond softened as their lives and careers took divergent paths after the show ended.

Jodie Sweetin fondly recalled the early days when she and the Olsen twins spent countless hours together off-set, sharing playdates, sleepovers, and family outings. She described how she embraced the role of the older caretaker among the three, often inviting them to her home or joining their family adventures. Their childhood connection was marked by innocent fun, including trips to Disneyland and horseback riding weekends, creating lasting memories beyond their television roles.

However, as the years passed and the cast members grew older, the dynamics changed. While Jodie Sweetin continued to maintain some contact with Mary-Kate and Ashley through occasional family events and dinners, the frequency of their interactions declined significantly. The twins move to New York, their marriages, and their immersion into the fashion industry shifted their focus away from Hollywood and the friendships of their youth.

The Fuller House revival brought many original cast members back together, but notably, the Olsen twins did not participate in the reboot. This decision further highlighted the differences in their career trajectories and personal lives. Jodie Sweetin acknowledged that the separation was not due to any bad feelings but rather a natural drifting apart as they each pursued their own paths.

From a tight-knit trio on one of televisions most cherished family sitcoms to leading distinctly different lives as adults, the evolution of their relationship reflects the complexities of childhood friendships amid the pressures of fame and changing ambitions. Jodie Sweetins candid reflections shed light on how even the closest bonds can transform over time without bitterness, simply shaped by the realities of growing up and evolving priorities.

As fans continue to celebrate the legacy of Full House and its impact on pop culture, the story of these former co-stars serves as a reminder that childhood connections, no matter how deep, can shift with lifes unpredictable currents. Jodie Sweetins openness about her relationship with the Olsen twins offers a rare glimpse into the personal side of that journey, emphasizing respect and fondness despite the distance that now separates them.
Uncover the anatomy of bias in The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, a Hulu limited series on her wrongful conviction and fight for justice.

AceShowbiz - The Hulu Original limited series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox delves into the harrowing story of Amanda Knox, who was wrongfully convicted in the 2007 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, while studying in Italy.

The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox chronicles Knox's arduous and lengthy battle to prove her innocence amid widespread condemnation from both legal authorities and the public. The series provides a detailed look at the complexities behind the case and the factors that fueled the global rush to judgment against her.

Through its narrative, the show aims to unpack what it calls "the anatomy of bias," exploring how preconceived notions and systemic flaws shaped the investigation and trial. Viewers gain insight into the challenges Knox faced as she fought to reclaim her freedom and clear her name.

The limited series not only serves as a true crime story but also as an examination of how bias can influence justice on an international scale. It highlights the emotional and psychological toll on Knox as she navigated a foreign legal system that seemed predisposed to assume her guilt.

By presenting this real-life legal drama, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox encourages audiences to reflect on the dangers of rushing to judgment and the importance of fairness and objectivity in the pursuit of justice.
As Stranger Things ends, the Duffer Brothers leave Netflix for Paramount. How the final seasons reception compares to Game of Thrones.

AceShowbiz - The challenge of maintaining a hit franchise's momentum beyond its initial success is formidable. While HBO continues to expand the universe of Game of Thrones with spin-offs, the process has been far from seamless. Similarly, Netflix is focused on ensuring that Stranger Things remains a significant cultural force even after the show concluded its nearly decade-long, five-season run at the end of 2025.

The creative minds behind Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, are now preparing to step away from the series and embark on a new path. Their upcoming partnership with Paramount will allow them to explore both theatrical films and television projects, marking a new chapter in their careers beyond the Netflix platform.

Despite mixed reviews for the final season of Stranger Things, the response was not as divisive as the backlash that greeted the last season of Game of Thrones. The Duffers have remained active in the industry, executive-producing the horror series Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, which stars Camila Morrone and has received critical acclaim.

Looking ahead, the Duffers are set to launch a new Netflix sci-fi series titled The Boroughs. This ambitious project will feature an ensemble cast including Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, and Alfred Molina. The show is scheduled for release on May 21, marking another significant entry in Netflixs lineup.

Between the horror show and The Boroughs, the Duffer Brothers have also been involved in a long-form project directly connected to Stranger Things, further extending the franchises presence on Netflix. This move reflects Netflixs commitment to keeping the series relevant and engaging for its global audience.

Successfully launching a hit property like Stranger Things is a monumental achievement, but sustaining its cultural relevance is an even greater challenge. Netflixs strategy underscores a broader industry trend where streaming platforms and studios seek to leverage successful franchises beyond their original runs, nurturing extended universes and spin-offs to maximize engagement and revenue.

As the Duffers transition to their Paramount deal, it remains to be seen how their creative vision will evolve outside the familiar territory of Hawkins, Indiana. Meanwhile, Netflixs continued investment in new projects linked to Stranger Things ensures that fans will have more content to anticipate, keeping the brand alive and thriving.

This approach contrasts with HBOs experience with Game of Thrones, where spin-offs have met with mixed success. Netflix appears determined to avoid similar pitfalls by carefully nurturing the Stranger Things legacy through strategic releases and creative partnerships.

In summary, while Stranger Things has officially ended its main storyline, the series influence is far from over. The Duffer Brothers upcoming projects and Netflixs ongoing dedication to the franchise signal a robust future for one of the streaming giants most popular and enduring properties.
Coco Rocha's 11-year-old daughter already steals her clothes.

Coco Rocha's daughter takes her clothes

The 37-year-old model feels "honoured" that Ioni is keen to raid her wardrobe for outfits to wear to school, even though they don't fit her properly because she is so much shorter than her mom.

Coco - who has Ioni, as well as Iver, eight, and Iley, five, with husband James Conran - told People magazine: My oldest is already stealing things and taking [them] to school.

I love it, but it's also hilarious because  as you can tell  I have long legs, she's not quite there yet, so she drags my pants into school.

"I love her confidence. I wish I had confidence like that at [her age]. I hope she never loses it. But yes, she's already pulling pieces, and I guess I should be so honoured.

When it comes to her own sense of fashion, the Project Runway Canada host doesn't care about trends.

She said: Whatever you want to wear, go wear it.

"We are not curing cancer, we're not changing the world, we're having fun. So enjoy wearing whatever you want to wear, if it's trending or not.

The trend should be whatever you fabulously want."

Coco heaped praise on Leeland Mitchell, who won the most recent series of Project Runway Canada, and she's excited about getting to wear his creations.

Asked who she is currently tracking in the fashion world, she said: Well, I am the host of Project Runway Canada. And so our last winner, Leeland [Mitchell], was outstanding.

He was self-taught by his mom, who had a sewing shop in [a] Chinese mall.

I am wearing one of his pieces very soon. And I'm just proud of him  And I love that  you didn't have to go to an upscale fashion school. You can, but you don't have to. You can do this."

Coco was approached to model when she was taking part in a dance competition in 2002 and she previously admitted that before then, she had very little knowledge about the industry.

Speaking to The Italian Reve, she said: "Its funny because when I was younger, I never even paid attention to fashion, nor to my own style or point of view. I was a dancer, so my whole life was just dance.

"Probably because I didnt grow up with social media, you would have to buy magazines and really be involved to care about this industry.

"I would not say that my love for fashion started early on, I didnt have even a sense of who was who and which magazines were important."

And Coco initially went into modelling as a stepping stone, without viewing it as a long-term career.

She said: "Even during the first few years of my career I was taking it as an opportunity, I thought, 'Lets try this thing out and see where it goes.'

"I was a very hard worker, I knew how to perform, but I didnt dive in to inform myself of the industry until a few years in, when I thought that maybe that was really going to be my career; I thought, 'Maybe I do like it, maybe I love clothes, maybe I love make-up'.

"So, I cant really recall a date, or time, or article I read, but it was overtime realizing that this is my new version of performing, and that it was the reason why I started to love fashion."
Katie Thurston hilariously shuts down divorce rumors with husband Jeff Arcuri after a fan noticed he stopped liking her Instagram posts.

AceShowbiz - Katie Thurston, the former Bachelorette, recently addressed swirling rumors about her marriage to Jeff Arcuri in a playful and candid manner.

The Bachelor Nation star responded directly to a direct message from a critic who speculated that her relationship with Jeff Arcuri was on the rocks. The message claimed Jeff was done with her and had stopped liking her Instagram posts, which sparked gossip about a potential divorce.

In a clever twist, Katie Thurston recorded a video conversation with Jeff that she shared on her Instagram Stories on April 21. In it, she asked him, "Hi, I have a question: are you divorcing me? I noticed you haven't been liking my posts. Like the last six you haven't liked."

Jeff was caught off guard by the accusation. He responded with genuine surprise, saying, "Are you serious? I don't look at Instagram. I'll go like them right now if you need me to. I don't like anything."

Once Katie revealed the source of the rumor, Jeff expressed confusion, "Somebody said to you, 'Is your husband leaving you? He doesn't like your stuff?'"

When Katie Thurston disclosed that she had been secretly recording their exchange, Jeff joked back with a lighthearted quip, "I am leaving you!" Their banter emphatically dispelled any speculation about trouble in their marriage and showcased the couples strong bond.

Beyond their playful back-and-forth, Jeff has been unwavering in his support of Katie Thurston, especially as she battles stage 4 breast cancer. He played a key role in their sudden decision to marry last March, just before she began her cancer treatments.

In a heartfelt interview with Us Weekly, Jeff shared, "I just also want to be able to be in the hospital with her and just be like, 'My wife's in there.' There's more power to that. And I don't want to be not with you for any of this." This statement reflected his deep commitment to stand by her side through every challenge.

Jeff further emphasized his dedication, telling his wife, "I just want to be everywhere with you as much as I can." His devotion extends beyond words into meaningful actions, demonstrating the strength of their partnership during difficult times.

Katie Thurston also reflected on Jeffs touching sentiment, calling it "a really kind gesture of just him saying like truly, in sickness and in health." She affirmed, "He's proving that he's here to stay." This reinforces their commitment amid adversity and the seriousness of their marital vows.

While Katie Thurston and Jeff Arcuris relationship remains solid, other Bachelor Nation couples have been making headlines with their own romantic developments and challenges. Here is a roundup of notable updates from the franchises recent seasons:

Peg Munson & Mel Owens  Status: Dating

Mel Owens, the star of The Golden Bachelor, has been candid about his dating preferences during his season. Before the show aired, he sparked some controversy on the MGoBlue Podcasts With Jon Jansen by stating, "if they're 60 or over, I'm cutting them," adding he wanted to avoid those with "artificial hips and wigs."

Despite this, his connection with retired firefighter and bomb tech Peg Munson, who is also in her sixties, remains vibrant and energetic. Owens praised Peg as "high-energy" in an interview with Glamour magazine.

Although Mel did not propose during the finale in November 2025, he presented Peg with a Neil Lane engagement ring. He described the ring as a symbol of their "commitment to love, to give us time to figure out together what our future holds."

Spencer Conley & Jess Edwards  Status: Engaged

Spencer Conley, known for his "golden retriever energy" on The Bachelorette, found love with Jess Edwards during the 10th season of Bachelor in Paradise. He shared a teaser on Instagram Stories in August 2025, revealing that they were falling for each other, using the shows code for the early stages of love.

Jess echoed his sentiment on her Instagram feed, saying she was "just feeling a lil giddy about this man & whatnot." The couple made a significant decision to prioritize their relationship over the $250,000 prize, choosing love over money.

They got engaged and walked away with a surprise check for $190,000. Jess stated, "Everything that we've been through has led us to this exact moment."

Following their engagement, Jess announced during Mel Owens After the Finale Rose special in November 2025 that she planned to move to Dallas soon, marking a step towards building their life together.

Jeremy Simon & Bailey Taylor Brown  Status: Dating

Jeremy Simon and Bailey Taylor Brown met on Paradises 10th season, and Bailey described their first date as "my best first date" on Instagram in August 2025. Their relationship weathered a dramatic disagreement when Bailey found out Jeremy had doubts about eliminating another contestant, Susie Evans.

Despite being sent home during the Bachelor in Paradise finale, their connection grew stronger off-camera. They have met each others families and are planning to move to the same city to continue their relationship.

Bailey shared on Instagram in September 2025, "We feel so lucky to have found each other and couldn't be more excited for what's to come."

Andrew Spencer & Alexe Godin  Status: Dating

The pair from Paradise season 10, Andrew Spencer and Alexe Godin, have maintained a strong bond since the show ended. Andrew, one of Katie Thurstons former suitors, affectionately called Alexe "mon amour" in an Instagram post in August 2025, while she reciprocated by calling him "mon cheri."

They also chose love over the $250,000 prize during the shows finale, taking home $125,000. Alexe described their win as "frickin unreal," emphasizing that she valued love above all else.

The couple plans to live together in Chicago, with Alexe excitedly writing on Instagram in September 2025, "Finally found someone just as weird as me, and I can't wait to do life with you."

Kat Izzo & Dale Moss  Status: Split

Kat Izzo and Dale Moss faced challenges during the Bachelor in Paradise finale when a former contestant accused Kat of hiding a laptop and sending love letters to an ex. Kat denied these allegations on the show, admitting she had a prior relationship with her ex because she wasnt expecting to find someone new.

After leaving Paradise, the couple continued their relationship, traveling across the U.S. and making plans to build a future together, including relocating closer to one another.

Dale commented on one of Kats August 2025 Instagram posts, saying, "It was tough at times, but we navigated it together...and I wouldn't change a thing."

However, their romance came to an end in early 2026. Kat later revealed on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast that one major issue was Dales unwillingness to move from New York City. She explained, "San Diego is apparently, to him, not anywhere he could grow his career. I never really got full answers. I don't really know what the true reason was."

Gary Levingston & Leslie Fhima  Status: Just Friends for Now

Gary Levingston, a Golden Bachelorette alumnus, and Leslie Fhima, who was a runner-up for Golden Bachelor Gerry Turners heart, seemed to have promising chemistry during Bachelor in Paradises 10th season. After their elimination, they posted videos about "making new memories."

Despite their close connection, Leslie expressed uncertainty about pursuing a romantic relationship. In an August 2025 interview on Bachelor Happy Hour, she shared, "We talk all the time," but admitted she wasn't sure if she wanted to be his lover, indicating the status between them was still evolving.

These updates from Bachelor Nation demonstrate a wide range of relationship journeys, from joyful engagements and committed dating to difficult breakups and uncertain futures. Meanwhile, Katie Thurston and Jeff Arcuri continue to publicly dismiss rumors of marital strife with humor and affection, underscoring their strong partnership amid serious personal challenges.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives heads to Orange County in a new Hulu spinoff, arriving 2026. Faith, influencer drama, and California beach culture collide.

AceShowbiz - The hit reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is set to launch a new spinoff based in Orange County, California, arriving on Hulu in 2026. Following the original shows deep dive into the lives of Mormon influencers in Utah, this fresh installment will spotlight a new group of friends navigating their faith and online personas against the backdrop of Southern Californias beach culture and notorious freeway traffic.

The original series introduced audiences to the concept of soft swinging within the Mormon community, blending religious tradition with modern social dynamics. The upcoming OC version promises similar intrigue, focusing on influencer friendships connected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Unlike Utahs desert setting, this new chapter features coastal vibeswith the added bonus of nearby Disneyland visits and the challenges of the 5, 55, and 405 freeways.

The cast includes familiar faces from YouTube and social media, such as Aspyn Ovard and Avery Woods, who are transitioning into reality television. They will be joined by Salome Andrea, McCall DaPron (notably the sister of Mayci Neeley), Chandler Higginson, Ashleigh Pease, and Madison Bontempo. Podcaster Bobbi Althoff also joins the lineup, adding buzz with hopes that rapper Drake might tune in.

Rob Mills, a seasoned ABC executive involved with the production, told Vulture there will be ample opportunities for the cast members from both Utah and Orange County to interact. He explained, "We have Mayci's sister on there, so obviously there's no world where Mayci is not going to be making appearances. Its her family. And I think there's room for the OC cast to go to Utah." This cross-state interaction is expected to enrich the storyline and foster dynamic relationships between the influencer groups.

As for the type of drama viewers can anticipate, the new cast is already stirring interest. Their backgrounds include a nurse turned social media millionaire, a momager managing two young stars, and one cast member involved in a throuple relationship. Clearly, the tension and excitement that captivated audiences in Utah will continue, this time with a California twist.

With production underway and a 2026 release date on the horizon, fans of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives can look forward to an engaging mix of faith, friendship, and modern-day drama set against the sunny backdrop of Orange County.
The Voice star Dylan Carter dies at 24 in car accident; charity confirms tragic loss of the talented musician and co-founder of The Local Voice.

AceShowbiz - Dylan Carter, a talented musician and star of the 2023 season of The Voice, has tragically died at the age of 24 after a severe car accident on April 25 in South Carolina.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his charity, The Local Voice, which Dylan Carter co-founded. The organization is dedicated to supporting women fighting cancer and was a cause close to his heart.

In an official statement, The Local Voice expressed their grief, saying: "With heavy hearts we share the passing of Dylan Carter, co-founder of The Local Voice, talented musician, and someone who meant so much to our community." The charity honored his memory by highlighting how he embodied their mission, believing that every voice matters.

Dylan Carter was remembered for the kindness and warmth he brought through his music and his presence. The statement added that he was the heart of what we do, and that he brought people together by making everyone feel valued and seen through his smile and spirit.

This loss has deeply affected fans and the community involved with The Local Voice, underscoring the impact Dylan Carter had beyond his music career. His passion for helping others and his creative talent will be sorely missed.

The tragic accident has left a void in the music world and among those who knew him personally and through his charitable work. The details surrounding the crash remain limited, but the announcement from the charity reflects the profound sorrow felt by those close to Dylan Carter.

As the community mourns, tributes continue to pour in, celebrating the life and legacy of a young artist who used his gifts to make a difference while inspiring many along the way.
Supergirl launches a bold new DC chapter with Milly Alcock, cosmic worlds, and Jason Momoas Lobo in Craig Gillespies epic space adventure.

AceShowbiz - Supergirl is poised to launch a bold new chapter in the DC Universe, expanding it on a cosmic scale with fresh worlds, alien species, and multifaceted characters. Actress Milly Alcock makes her official DC debut as Kara Zor-El in this highly anticipated film, following a brief cameo in last years James Gunn-directed Superman movie. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the film marks the franchises first live-action venture into the vastness of space, introducing not only new planets but also fan-favorite figures like Jason Momoas Lobo and Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills.

Bringing the cosmic side of the DC Universe to life is a daunting task, one Gillespie describes as both exhilarating and overwhelming. In an interview at CCXP Mexico with ScreenRant, he explained how he started by immersing himself in the comics, using them as a foundation before extensive research helped him distill thousands of images and ideas into a coherent vision. Each planet in the film is crafted with its own unique backstory, influencing the inhabitants attire, behaviors, and the overall atmosphere of these diverse worlds.

At the heart of Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, arguably the most complicated character to enter the DC cinematic realm so far. Unlike Kal-El, who has embraced his Clark Kent identity fully, Karas journey is marked by loss and a search for purpose after enduring immense personal tragedy. Gillespie was immediately drawn to Karas complexity when reading the script by Ana Nogueira, noting she is a flawed, nuanced figure wrestling with trauma  a stark contrast to Supermans more straightforward path.

Having a character we get to build on in this unapologetic way was so exciting, Gillespie shared. Known for his work with complex female leads such as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya and Emma Stones character in Cruella, Gillespie found Karas layered personality a compelling challenge. Within just two scenes of reading the script, he was fully invested in her story.

As the films release on June 26, 2026, draws near, both director and star are eager for audiences to discover Karas journey. Supergirl follows her across the cosmos on a perilous quest after her beloved dog, Krypto, is poisoned. Alongside her are allies like Lobo and Eve Ridleys Ruthye Marye Knoll, a character driven by her own vendetta following her fathers death. Gillespie praised the collaborative effort behind the film, expressing pride in the final product and excitement for viewers to see Milly Alcock bring Kara to life.

The films blend of cosmic adventure and emotional depth promises to broaden the DC Universes scope significantly. Introducing new characters like Krem of the Yellow Hills adds further richness to this expanded universe, setting the stage for future stories that explore the vast reaches beyond Earth. The integration of alien cultures and planets not only enhances the visual storytelling but also deepens the narrative complexity, positioning Supergirl as a pivotal entry in the franchises ongoing evolution.

With an ensemble cast including Jason Momoa, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Eve Ridley, supported by producers James Gunn and Peter Safran, the film is positioned to blend action, sci-fi, and adventure in a way that redefines the superhero genre for DC fans. The screenplay credits include veterans like Otto Binder, Tom King, Al Plastino, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and Bilquis Evely, grounding the movie firmly in the rich traditions of DCs storytelling legacy.

Ultimately, Supergirl aims not only to entertain but also to introduce audiences to a heroine who embodies resilience, complexity, and cosmic scale storytelling. As Kara Zor-Els story unfolds, it promises to enrich the DC Universe with new dimensions and emotional stakes, making Supergirl a must-watch for fans eager to explore the farthest reaches of this iconic franchise.
Jonah Hill opens up at Smartless LIVE, revealing why he stepped back from Hollywood and how he's ready to return to comedy.

AceShowbiz - Jonah Hill recently made a vibrant return to the stage and spotlight, sharing candid reflections on his personal life and career during a surprise appearance at Hollywoods Palladium. The occasion was SiriusXMs Smartless LIVE event, hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, where Hill revealed the changes that led him away from public life and how he is ready to embrace comedy once again.

Over the past few years, Hill has kept a notably low profile, stepping back from major roles after projects like Kenya Barris You People and Adam McKays Dont Look Up. However, he is now emerging with renewed enthusiasm, fueled by his evolving personal life and a desire to reconnect with his comedic roots.

At the event, Hill described the quiet period as a time when he was kind of coming back after being serious for a while and admitted he wasnt as happy. The turning point, he said, came with starting a family, which brought new joy and motivation. I got happy, and now all I want to do is be funny again, Hill shared with hosts Bateman, Arnett, and Hayes, explaining his decision to participate in the live show was driven by a craving to perform comedy live in front of an audience once more.

The family Hill referenced includes his wife, Olivia Millar, and their two childrena 3-year-old son and a baby. His affection for his wife was evident as he called her my best friend and warmly acknowledged her presence in the audience from a private box overlooking the stage. The couple relocated from Los Angeles to a small town in San Diego around the time their first child was born, a move Hill described as intentional to raise their family outside the bustle of L.A. I live in a very small town in San Diego, and its amazing, and my neighbors are incredible people, he said.

During the event, Hill also praised Jason Bateman, calling him a mentor and admiring both his professional work and his role as a devoted husband and father. This camaraderie underscored the supportive atmosphere of the reunion on stage, where Hill clearly enjoyed reconnecting with fellow performers and fans alike.

The actors return to public appearances is especially notable given his August 2022 announcement about stepping back due to anxiety attacks resulting from two decades in the industry. He credited his family with helping him regain his happiness and creative spark. If youre bummed, you dont feel like being that funny, right? he explained. Having children reconnected him to the pure joy of comedy that first inspired him as a child.

Hill recounted how his love for comedy began with the animated series The Simpsons. He was so captivated by the show that he used to record episodes on VHS and meticulously jot down the writers names to send fan letters. If someone shook me in the middle of the night and asked, What do you do? I would say, Im a comedy writer, he said. Writing remains a core part of his craft, with most of his work focused on scripting comedy films behind the scenes.

On the professional front, Hill is currently promoting his new Apple TV original film Outcome, a Hollywood satire he wrote, directed, and stars in alongside Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz, and Matt Bomer. Despite mixed critical reception, he remains defiant and committed to making audiences laugh. Critics do your best, you cocksuckers, he joked, and then Im going to make people laugh, so fuck yall.

Looking ahead, Hill is set to star opposite Kristen Wiig in the upcoming Warner Bros. comedy Cut Off, which he also wrote and directed. He described the film as pure stupidity and dumb, pitching it as a blend of Step Brothers, Clueless, and Trading Places. The plot centers on two wealthy heirsplayed by Hill and Wiigwho get cut off financially by their rich parents, portrayed by Bette Midler and Nathan Lane. Scheduled for release on July 17, Cut Off represents Hills effort to bring comedy back to theaters.

After years of balancing multiple roles as writer, director, and actor, Hill expressed excitement about returning to acting in a more straightforward capacity. I might take a job, he said. Im so excited to just put on the t-shirt you tell me to put on and go be fun. Im so excited like I was when I was young. Its a fun feeling.

He even made a promise to his fans: to attempt to release at least one funny movie every year. This commitment highlights his renewed passion and focus on entertaining audiences with humor, underscoring a fresh chapter in his career.

New episodes of SiriusXMs Smartless debut every Monday, continuing to offer engaging conversations with celebrity guests like Jonah Hill who are opening up about their personal journeys and professional ambitions.
Four iconic Star Wars films, including the original trilogy and Rogue One, land on Hulu starting May 1stjust in time for Star Wars Day.

AceShowbiz - Star Wars Day is approaching, and Star Wars fans have reason to celebrate as Hulu prepares to add four of the franchises most acclaimed films to its streaming library starting in May.

Beginning May 1st, Hulu subscribers will gain access to the original Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi trilogy, along with 2016s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. These selections represent some of the most beloved entries in the expansive Star Wars universe.

The original trilogy, which launched the franchise, follows the journey of farm boy Luke Skywalker as he joins the Rebel Alliance in their fight against the oppressive Galactic Empire. Throughout these films, Luke learns the Force's secrets and seeks to redeem his father, Darth Vader, to restore peace to the galaxy. Meanwhile, Rogue One serves as a direct lead-in to the 1977 classic, offering a fresh perspective on how the Rebels stole the Death Star plans, thereby filling a critical gap in the sagas timeline.

Among Star Wars fans and critics alike, the original trilogy and Rogue One are often regarded as the franchises highest-quality offerings. On Rotten Tomatoes, A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back occupy the top two spots, underscoring their status as essential viewing. Together, these four films form a tightly woven narrative that combines epic space fantasy with the grounded, gritty realism of a war story. Watching them consecutively feels like experiencing one cohesive and high-stakes military epic.

Despite its release nearly four decades after the original film, Rogue One remarkably captures the tone and aesthetic of the first trilogy. It embraces the used universe look, featuring familiar ships, technology, and a weathered atmosphere that fans have come to love. The movie doesnt just extend the story; it also explores the moral complexities of the Rebellions early operations, highlighting the sacrifices involved in fighting tyranny.

All four movies emphasize the heavy cost of resistance and the personal sacrifices required to confront a vast and ruthless empire. This shared focus on character-driven drama and suspenseful storytelling is why they remain the most cohesive and critically acclaimed block of films within the sprawling Star Wars franchise.

For Hulu subscribers, these additions come at an exciting time. While waiting for the Star Wars films to premiere on May 1st, viewers have plenty of options from recent April releases to enjoy. Titles such as The Day After Tomorrow, The Devil Wears Prada, and Primitive War are currently available to stream.

Looking ahead, Hulus May lineup also includes notable new arrivals beyond Star Wars. Movies like The Last Duel and Sicario will be accessible starting May 1st. Later in the month, Alien: Romulus is set to arrive on May 21st, followed by Afraid on May 28th, providing a diverse range of genres for subscribers.

As the Star Wars franchise continues to expand with new shows like The Mandalorian & Grogu and Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi, Hulus acquisition of these four key movies adds significant value for fans eager to revisit or discover the cornerstone stories that defined the saga. The availability of these films on a popular streaming platform also ensures that both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers can experience the heart of the Star Wars narrative with ease.

What are your thoughts on Hulus new Star Wars lineup? Join the conversation and share your opinions in the ComicBook Forum.
Photographs from Naval Station Norfolk during the Obama and Biden eras showed multiple U.S. aircraft carriers moored side-by-side like sitting ducks in a barrel. One photo from 2013 showed five supercarriers, Eisenhower, Bush, Enterprise, Truman, and Lincoln all at Norfolk piers, all at once -- a foolishly-clustered megatarget for would-be adversaries.

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The photo is a visual reminder of what former Navy Secretary John Lehman warned against more than four decades ago, and of the slippage in naval readiness in the years between Reagan and Trump.

Lehman, who served under President Reagan, didnt just talk about a strong Navy -- he built one. Lehman envisioned a 600-ship Navy, combined with strategic homeporting to disperse our capital ships to multiple home ports along both coasts to avoid another Pearl Harbor scenario. Before the Trump administration, that vision felt like ancient history.

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As of April 2026, the U.S. Navys battle force stands at just 291 ships. That is not a typo. We are smaller than communist Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which now commands more than 370 warships and submarines and is on track to hit 400+ by the end of the decade. Even more alarming: the Navy has roughly 75 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers.

While the U.S. Navy remains the worlds most powerful fleet, the shipbuilding deficit is disconcerting, both militarily and from a civilian standpoint. Lets square these numbers with reality. The Strait of Hormuz is the jugular of the global oil trade. But other strategic choke points also demand attention, including the Taiwan Strait and the Strait of Malacca, the largest choke point where most of the worlds sea commerce transits. In a crisis -- even beyond the current conflict with Iran -- we would need dedicated escort vessels for tankers moving through those choke points -- while still meeting commitments in the Indo-Pacific, the Mediterranean, and elsewhere. The math does not work. In the Hormuz Strait alone, over 100 tankers per day transit on a normal day. Thats 3000 per month. We do not have enough hulls to do the job our commanders might be asked to do.

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T his is not a failure of American sailors or shipbuilders, but the predictable result of chronic under-investment and strategic complacency in the years between Reagan and Trump. While China poured money into shipyards that now produce vessels at an alarming rate of 200230 times our own capacity, Washington debated fleet sizes as if numbers no longer mattered, and neglected American shipbuilding. Quality still matters -- our submarines, carrier air wings, and Aegis systems remain superior -- but quantity has a quality all its own when the fight is measured in weeks and oceans.

Lehman understood this. His 600-ship Navy vision marked the minimum force required to execute a forward strategy: control the seas, protect the sea lanes, and deny any adversary the ability to dictate terms. Strategic homeporting marked the insurance policy -- spread the fleet over multiple ports so no single strike could cripple us. Because of the national leadership malaise between Reagan and Trump, today we have concentrated risk at a handful of bases, and the photos from Norfolk prove it.

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Shipbuilding is not just a Navy issue. It is a national-security imperative that includes a larger and more robust U.S. merchant marine. We currently operate fewer than 200 ocean-going U.S.-flag commercial ships capable of supporting wartime sealift. Ninety percent of military cargo still moves by sea, yet we have outsourced our shipbuilding industrial base to foreign competitors -- notably China. A stronger merchant fleet is essential: it provides the surge capacity and trained mariners needed to crew auxiliary vessels in wartime, ensuring we are never dependent on foreign shipping during conflict. The result of todays weakness is a hollowed-out workforce, atrophied yards, and a strategic vulnerability that no amount of rhetoric can paper over.

The good news? The current Administration gets it. President Trumps Executive Order 14269 and the administrations Americas Maritime Action Plan, together with the recent leadership transition at the Department of the Navy, demonstrate the Administrations continued determination and commitment to reversing our naval decline and accelerating shipbuilding at the pace our national security demands. The FY2027 budget request for $65.8 billion in shipbuilding -- aiming for 34 new hulls -- along with initiatives to recapitalize the Ready Reserve Force and incentivize domestic construction, represent the kind of decisive action we have not seen in decades. Trumps recent change in Navy leadership, including removal of the Navy Secretary, reinforces the administrations commitment to this worthy vision.

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Critics will call it expensive. They always do. What they never explain is the alternative cost: a Navy too small to deter, a merchant fleet too weak to sustain, and a nation forced to rely on foreign yards and foreign-flagged ships in the next major conflict. History shows that deterrence is cheaper than war.

Consider Britains experience in the 2026 Iran crisis. When Iranian-backed attacks hit a UK base in Cyprus and the Strait of Hormuz was threatened, London could not deploy its only available aircraft carrier -- HMS Prince of Wales -- or even a single destroyer without weeks of notice, frantic maintenance, and begging European allies for escorts.

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The Royal Navy -- once the worlds gold standard -- had pulled its last warship out of the Gulf after decades of military cuts while the British government poured money into the British welfare state. Most of Britains tiny escort fleet was in refit or tied to other commitments. The result? Americas major ally was sidelined while the U.S. carried the load. That is the price of a weakened fleet: a sudden inability to deter aggression, and a view from the pier when an international crisis strikes.

John Lehmans 600-ship Navy helped win the Cold War without firing a shot in anger at sea. While America doesnt need exactly 600 ships, we must recapture the same urgency and strategic clarity. America must rebuild the industrial base, disperse the fleet, and produce hulls -- combatant and commercial -- at a pace matching the threat. Thankfully, Trump gets it.

The photographs from Norfolk should be remembered as a warning. The question now is whether Congress will treat shipbuilding not as pork, but as survival.

Don Brown is a nationally bestselling author and commentator on national security, foreign policy, and legal matters. A former U.S. Navy JAG officer with service at the Pentagon, and a former United States Senate candidate, he completed the International Law program at the Naval War College while stationed in San Diego.

Image: National Archives
With now the third serious assassination attempt against President Trump on the books, it is an important juncture to examine the intellectual gleischaltung that encourages American society and global society to view Republican Presidents as the height of all evil. More than Kim Jong Un of North Korea, more than Vladimir Putin of Russia, more than Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran, more than Chairman Xi of China, Republican Presidents are rhetorically imbued with intrinsic evil that requires all available means of persuasion -- including assassination. Since the assassination of Lincoln, the press and academic culture have worked together to create a sense of moral purpose in killing Republican presidents. On July 11, 2007, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Betty Williams gave the keynote speech to the International Womens Peace Conference in Dallas, Texas, and said (to laughter and applause from the audience):I mean right now, I could kill George Bush, no problem. No, I dont mean that. I mean -- how could you nonviolently kill somebody? I would love to be able to do that. As a Republican President, George W. Bush was subjected to a media and academic character assassination regimen that drove his approval into the 20s before he left office in 2009. A Methodist minister, Charles Moore hated President Bush so much that he immolated himself at Grand Saline, Texas in 2014. He expressed written regret that he lacked the courage to burn himself alive on the campus of SMU where George W. Bushs Presidential library is located. In an academic study I conducted on journalistic usage of the word kill and its derivates within the same sentence of Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump, I found this data:

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Bush in 2001: 1,280

Obama in 2009: 2,608

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Trump in 2017: 7,890

These usages occurred within the first six months of their respective presidencies according to the Lexis-Nexis database. Republican Presidents who were assassinated or subjected to attempted assassination include: Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. Ironically, the most well-known presidential assassination was certainly that of John F. Kennedy, a Democrat president killed by a sniper assassin. The rhetoric surrounding this 1963 event provides insight into the enduring anti-Republican ethic of the American public sphere. Lee Harvey Oswald almost certainly killed President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. One of the most treasured canards of American history is a vast array of conspiracy theories that seek to exonerate Oswald in favor of LBJ, George Bush Sr., the CIA, the Mob, and so many others. Prior to killing Kennedy, Oswald attempted to kill General Edwin Walker in Dallas. Walker was an iconic conservative political figure in the United States. Oswald was a loyal Marxist seeking to make powerful anti-American and anti-capitalist statements of political assassination. The recent release of files about Oswald show primarily that the government was aware of Oswalds efforts to meet Soviet officials in places such as Mexico City in order to gain their approval for the assassination of Kennedy. Because he was a radical Left assassin, our public intellectual culture refuses to blame him for his repeated acts of violence. On the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination, the Dallas Morning News ran articles continuing to argue that the conservative Hunt family by running conservative political ads in Dallas area media criticizing President Kennedy, they created conditions ripe for encouraging Kennedys assassination on that fateful day in November 1963. There is no reasonable basis for that claim and quite the opposite is true with regard to Oswalds motives that day.

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Our intellectual and academic culture is dangerously creating violent pro-assassination rhetoric that is creating this cultish desire to kill President Trump. It is not only dangerous to the United States but also the Democrat Party that offers itself as the primary point of peaceful opposition to President Trump. Revered Democrat strategist James Carville recently commended his own trump derangement syndrome,: "I hate the motherf-----. And you know what? I don't want to get rid of it [TDS]. I don't want to get better. I want to get worse. I want to hate him more." "I pray to God in heaven, God, reign the righteous reign of Trump Derangement Syndrome on me," he continued. "Pray for me, Lord. I'm your vessel on this earth. Pray for the people that listen to this. We want more. We want to hate the son of a b---- so much that we can't see straight. Carvilles incendiary rhetoric is not unrelated to the manifesto of the most recent shooter: I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes. Those salacious allegations are common internet talking points for individuals continually challenging one another to do something about Trump. The burning of Democrat Josh Shapiros home in Pennsylvania is one of a multitude of violent acts instigated by a growing approval of anti-Republican rhetoric that consumes even Democrat idealists. The time is now for American and global society to embrace debate and reason. That requires public outcry about these calls for assassination.

Dr. Ben Voth is professor of rhetoric and director of debate at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of several academic books regarding political communication, presidential rhetoric, and genocide.

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At what moment did you decide that the world had changed?

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I suppose for most of us it was the 2016 election of Donald Trump, a billionaire with no previous political experience. Imagine that! A billionaire! How come you hadnt taxed his extreme wealth away already, Sen. Warren (D-MA)?

Every great Change makes all of us reevaluate the past. Today we know that Trump was coming, after the Silent Majority of Richard Nixon, the Reagan Democrats, the Tea Party of 2010. Of course.

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Yes, it is always obvious after the fact.

Now the world has changed with the indictment of the leading fighter against far-right racism and violent extremism, the SPLC, noble warrior against a Deep South riddled with KKK armed insurrectionists. Apparently SPLC was running its own private Intelligence Community with spooks and embedded agents and fake color revolution tactics. Or maybe the CIA was running the SPLC.

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Imagine what our liberal friends are thinking. No, wait. Imagine what our liberal friends are feeling in the aftermath of the SPLC indictments!

Imagine no more. Our liberal friends are being swept away by a flood on that River in Egypt, and are busily declaring that all the SPLC ever did was fight for justice.

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But you know what? After the SPLC indictments, I think that Eric Hoffer was wrong when he wrote that "every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket." I propose the following mild revision:

Every political racket disguises itself for a season as a great cause fighting for justice. Advertisement

Every crook thinks his victims had it coming.

I include our beloved Founding Fathers in my aphorism. Their problem 250 years ago, lest we forget, was that the beastly Brits had decided to tax them for the costs of the French and Indian War. How dare they!

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But then escaped apprentice Ben Franklin went to Paris and talked Louis XVI into bankrupting France to help fight the Brits; slaveowner James Madison volunteered as the Father of the Constitution; and bastard brat of a Scotch pedlar Alexander Hamilton started an economic boom by buying all the state revolutionary debt: the first government bailout.

Experts are still flummoxed about how these obvious losers set up the greatest nation in world history.

But to return to our liberal friends in the backdraft of the SPLC indictments.

As I keep saying, our liberal friends believe the saving faith that just another government program -- or just another deplatforming of some racist extremist -- is all that separates us from Justice on Earth. Its the opposite of the conservative experience, which is more like Madama Butterfly tearfully singing that un bel di, vedremo: the hope that, one fine day, all will be well.

By the way, dear liberal friends, as I write this on a Saturday night, how many times does President Trump have to be exposed to assassination attempts before you chaps decide to stop demonizing the president a la SPLC, and stop goading crazy liberal idiots to try to take him out and save the world from authoritarianism, fascism, and Literally Hitler? Asking for a friend.

How many liberal activists have been chanting death to the president in their mostly peaceful protests? Just what is the exact percentage of liberals that tell pollsters that the president should be killed?

To return to my point: for most humans, the idea that their world is breaking up is inconceivable. So they invent conspiracy theories, fund fake protests, and insist that every inconvenient event is a put-up job.

Since this behavior is universal, I assume that its in the genes, a human coping mechanism for dealing with the recurring fears of human life: disease, famines, floods, invasions, pestilence. Anything to avoid facing reality.

In our modern market economy we have a convenient institution that helps us get a clue. It is called bankruptcy. Horrible as bankruptcy is, it is better than being tumbled down the flooding River in Egypt until deposited next to the library in Alexandria. Especially now that the Aswan Dam has ended the Nile inundations.

But for some reason political philosophers and politicians have failed to invent the political equivalent of bankruptcy to reorganize political regimes when they run out of other peoples money.

Just as humans facing bankruptcy start to cheat, so political elites facing electoral defeat switch to mail-in voting, or, if they are frantic Iranian IGRCs, a bit of target practice in the streets.

According to Matt Walsh, todays hot theory is that the Trump administration got a registered Democrat to volunteer to go to prison for life so that they could have an excuse to build a ballroom.

Do you see the point? It cannot be true that the liberal foundations are shaking and the whole corrupt regime is swirling round the drain. No. Its all the fault of right-wing extremists.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

Image: SPLC
Jonah Hill thought David O. Russell "f****** nuts" when they worked together on 2004 comedy I Heart Huckabees.

Jonah Hill has opened up about working with David O. Russell

The actor was among the cast of the 2004 comedy alongside Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin, who was at the centre of a furious confrontation with the director while they were filming, and Jonah has now admitted the moviemaker was "buck wild" on the set.

During SiriusXM's Smartless LIVE event at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on Saturday (25.04.26), co-host Jason Bateman asked Jonah: "What was that like being on a set [with David O. Russell]?"

The actor replied: "David O. was f****** nuts at the time.. He was buck wild and Im like homies with him. Hes awesome. Super nice guy.

"But in that moment in life, and Ive had my own, trust me, he was buck wild, dude. He was screaming at Lily Tomlin. Its online and s***.

"And hell talk about it. Hes cool. Hes one of the best directors ever. I mean Flirting With Disaster and Three Kings, hes so goated [greatest of all time]. Its insane."

As well as revealing he witnessed the clash between Tomlin and O. Russell, Jonah explained he also saw the director wrestling a member of the production team.

He said: "Everyones screaming at each other [during filming]. The first time I walked on set, him and K.K. Barrett, the production designer, were joking around wrestling and then it turned into a real fight.

"It was like joking that turned into a fight, and these guys were fighting and they were setting up my first scene to act. I was like, Hollywood is so tight."

O. Russell previously admitted he enjoyed working on I Heart Huckabees but his bust-up with Tomlin is the moment that's always remembered.

The moviemaker told Indiewire: "{It was] one big party, except for maybe one day. The party just went right on past that day, but then that was the day that got remembered."

He added of the film: "[It was] my mid-life crisis movie. I was exploring these ideas of hiring someone to spy on you and then tell you about your life if you were in a crisis, like I was. 'What do I do about my marriage? What do I do about my bipolar kid?'

"But in retrospect I overthought it too much. There was too much worrying around it, and I checked out of it a little bit. If I could do the film again, as proud as I am of many parts of it, I would make it sweaty and intimate.

"I became a better filmmaker because of it, but it was painful. It was six years of losing my way a little bit."
For decades, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) operated as a self-appointed arbiter of hate in America. It branded anyone who dared question leftist orthodoxy as bigots worthy of professional ruin, financial vanquishing, and social exile.

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This long, painful era of unchecked power ended, before once-adoring legacy media cameras, on April 21. That is when a federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, handed down an 11-count indictment. It charges the SPLC with wire fraud, false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

This indictment stands as long-overdue justice.

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The organization that claimed to fight right-wing extremism secretly funneled donor money to the very extremists it publicly condemned. Between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC paid more than three million dollars to informants tied to groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and the National Alliance.

One informant, identified as F-37, belonged to the online leadership chat group that planned the infamous 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Under SPLC supervision, this source made racially inflammatory postings and helped coordinate transportation for attendees. The SPLC paid this individual more than $270,000 between 2015 and 2023.

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Another, F-9, served the neo-Nazi National Alliance for more than 20 years while fundraising for the group.

The SPLC compensated this source with more than $1,000,000 during the same period. In 2014, F-9 stole 25 boxes of documents from a violent extremist headquarters. A high-level SPLC employee knew the materials were stolen yet used them as the basis for a Hatewatch article. The SPLC then paid a different informant to falsely claim responsibility for the theft.

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These examples reveal a pattern.

The SPLC solicited donations by promising to dismantle white supremacy and confront hate. Its website assured supporters that every dollar would defend the vulnerable and expose injustice. Donors received no warning that funds would bankroll leaders of the very organizations the group denounced.

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To hide these payments, SPLC officials created fictitious entities with names like Center Investigative Agency, Fox Photography, North West Technologies, Tech Writers Group, and Rare Books Warehouse. These shells had no real employees or legitimate business. Officials opened accounts at FDIC-insured banks and signed false documents claiming personal ownership.

When one bank investigated in 2020, SPLC leaders admitted in writing that the accounts operated under the organization's authority.

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The scheme involved interstate wire transfers through the Automated Clearing House system. On a single day in April 2023, the SPLC executed multiple transfers totaling thousands of dollars to accounts controlled by its paid sources.

This was anything but mere sloppiness. It was a deliberate, multi-year fraud that betrayed the trust of Americans who gave money in good faith.

The SPLC weaponized its reputation to extract donations while protecting and funding the hatred it claimed to oppose. For generations, the organization terrorized non-lefty voices. It placed mainstream conservative groups on hate maps alongside the Klan.

It fueled cancel campaigns that destroyed careers and chilled free speech. Teachers used its materials in schools. Corporations consulted its lists before hiring. Law enforcement once partnered with the group. All the while, the SPLC enriched actual fringe-right extremists with left-wing donor cash.

The indictment delivers a massive win for Republicans and for every citizen weary of leftist deceit.

Under the Donald J. Trump administration, the Department of Justice finally acted where previous leadership looked away. This represents the kind of change Republicans have long promised: accountability for powerful lefty elites who operate outside the law.

In this midterm year, the timing could not be more significant. GOP voters see concrete proof that the system can still deliver justice when guided by leaders unafraid of entrenched left-wing interests.

Democrats bear heavy responsibility for shielding the SPLC over not just years, but decades, to the point of offering a generational cover. Their galling hypocrisy stands exposed. While they lectured about threats to democracy and demanded transparency from Republicans, they defended an outfit that defrauded donors and subsidized hatred. Ironically, almost all these donors were themselves blue.

The institutional Democrat refusal to scrutinize deep-pocketed leftist activism enabled real harm.

Republicans were tortured by lost livelihoods. Americans suffered needless political division. Public trust, on both sides of the aisle, eroded massively. Government shutdown fights often highlight this double standard. Democrats block funding and weaponize Uncle Sam against the GOP, then cry foul when Republicans use the government to steer accountability toward blue interests.

Democrats' obstruction carries horrid real-world consequences: wasted taxpayer resources, institution-decaying lawfare, and ordinary Americans going without a paycheck.

The SPLC's actions inflicted tangible damage.

By inflating hate statistics and smearing dissenters, the group deepened the canyon between red and blue. It turned policy disagreements into moral crusades. Parents questioning school curricula found themselves labeled right-wing extremists. Faith-based organizations faced boycotts. Border security advocates appeared on public watch lists.

This manufactured outrage served one purpose: to consolidate power on the left and silence any opposition. The indictment rips away that facade.

Astute Republicans have warned about institutions like the SPLC for decades. They vigorously argued that unaccountable nonprofits with massive donor bases and leftist agendas undermine civilized society. The evidence now confirms those concerns.

More than three million dollars diverted to fringe-right extremists does not represent an anomaly. It represents the logical outcome of the SPLC profiting handsomely from perpetual crises.

This case also exposes the broader failure of elite institutions. Universities, media outlets, and foundations treated SPLC designations as if delivered to Moses on the mountaintop. They amplified its reports without basic due diligence. Ordinary citizens paid the price through relentless political warfare and collapsed civil discourse.

The Trump administration's pursuit of this indictment signals a welcome shift toward restoring balance and truth.

Legal proceedings will unfold in the months ahead. Forfeiture actions seek to recover proceeds of the apparent fraud. Yet the deeper victory lies in the exposure itself. Americans now possess official documentation of the SPLC's betrayal. No amount of spin can erase the facts laid out in the grand jury's charges.

The organization that positioned itself as America's moral conscience stands revealed as a participant in the very darkness it claimed to fight. Its paid sources advanced racial invective while the SPLC harvested donations by denouncing racism. This duplicity spanned nearly a decade in the documented period alone.

Republicans should seize this moment.

Midterm campaigns must emphasize accountability for leftist duplicity, opposition to wokeness itself, and resistance to left-wing institutional capture. The Trump administration has delivered tangible progress by holding a once-untouchable player to account. Voters deserve more of this forthright governance.

In the end, the SPLC indictment echoes like a closing bell on an era of lefty elite impunity.

It warns every powerful woke nonprofit, every self-anointed intersectional watchdog, and every left-wing political actor who believed rules applied only to others: the days of operating in shadows while preaching virtue are over.

America watched a cancerous influence face real surgery. The scar tissue remains, but healing can finally begin.

The betrayal ran deep, the deception vast, yet justice has arrived at last. That truth will haunt leftists who built empires on lies, and it will inspire Republicans who never stopped demanding honesty from powerful interests that claim to serve the public good.

Dr. Joseph Ford Cotto is the creator, host, and producer of News Sight, delivering sharp insights on the key events that shape our lives. He publishes Dr. Cottos Digest, sharing how business and the economy really impact us all. During the 2024 presidential race, he developed the Five-Point Forecast, which accurately predicted Donald Trumps national victory and correctly called every swing state. Cotto holds a doctorate in business administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt.

Image: Photo montage from Wikimedia Commons public domain and logo / fair use sources
When I look at the faces of those eight young Iranian women about to be hanged for the crime of wanting freedom I think of their grandmothers.

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Their very own grandmothers -- who enjoyed wide-ranging individual freedom and wore bikinis, miniskirts, and smoked cigarettes -- are sadly the root cause of their grandchildrens demise.

Decades ago, they welcomed the revolution with open arms. At its core, they are the reason it succeeded. And now, 47 years later their grandchildren are being slaughtered for wanting the same freedoms their grandmothers had, yet foolishly gave away.

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They are the reason women are beaten and raped by their own government as retribution for not doing what is demanded. They are the reason a young wrestler and thousands of others -- both men and women -- are routinely hanged in public spectacles for the crimes of wanted to be free. They are the reason tens of thousands of unarmed Iranians have been gunned down by their own government, again for the terrible crime of wanting a better life.

Although these eight have supposedly been spared the noose, women are regularly raped before execution in the belief this dirties their souls and thus denies them salvation on their death. We dont know if these eight dodged that or not.

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Gee thanks, grandma!

You see, women are the heart and soul of any society and if they fail, all of society is at risk.

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Ask any horse breeder and they will tell you the strength and size of a colt will come from the stallion. But the heart -- that strength of will and indomitable spirit that will make the colt an incredible horse -- comes from the mare.

Or look at the animal kingdom. Older, female elephants are the heart of the herd and their knowledge is what ensures its survival. They are the ones who know what to do when the droughts hit. Where the potential food and watering holes are. How to take care and protect the little ones and the entire herd. All the nuts-and-bolts of survival rests with them.

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In organizations we often talk about institutional knowledge. This is unwritten knowledge that exists in the individuals in the organization and once they are gone, so is the knowledge.

Storing this vital information in females makes evolutionary sense as females live longer than males so they have the longer-lived experience. And of course, just from a breeding perspective, the survival of females is always far more important to the continuation of the society than are males.

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This is true across the animal kingdom and it true for us too. But when females fail in their roles, all of society will begin to unravel. It is a guarantee.

Obviously, this isnt a planned strategy, but once it happens its tough to get that genie back in the bottle. This isnt a single females failure but rather a slow eroding of what has been. Speaking as a Baby Boomer, Id say the problem started with us.

And just as obviously, females dont exist in a vacuum. Males carry just as much blame as females but the females are the glue that hold society together and this is just the way it is. When this glue fails, cultures cease to be what they had been -- almost always for the worse.

Those Iranian grandmothers might have not wanted this to happen but they are the reason nonetheless.

Look at this country. Grandmothers have always been the purveyors of knowledge on childbirth and rearing and general family matters. This has fallen apart as young women now look elsewhere for their guidance. Any objective analysis screams this has been bad for children, families, and all society.

Where did cancel culture come from? Failed women. The no-contact craze destroying families? Failed women. Suicidal empathy? The same. Feel-good socialism? Trans-insanity and before that the Satanic Panic. The list is long

We have young women who track and brag about their sexual body count. Biologically, thats kind of like bragging how good a salesperson you are because you can give money away. Speaking as a guy, although we're all for you giving it up, I can assure you that easy sex does not make men better creatures. And women and families are the losers.

Can these things be fixed? I honestly dont know. Sadly, the odds seem pretty low, especially over the short term.

Im not assigning blame, its just that the institutional knowledge of females has seldom been truly understood and as highly valued as it should be. And we are all worse off because of it. They are far more important to the heart of a culture than are the men. You cant grow boys or girls into strong adults without strong women.

Our educational systems -- both K-12 and higher ed -- seem intent on destroying young women. I often think the sexual mores they embrace were actually designed by horny, drunken frat boys who didnt give a damn about women.

Instead, these institutions seem to draft them into a cult -- one that will destroy the very society that provides them with the freedom to do so. Think of those Iranian grandmothers.

Rather than assigning gender blame -- and there is plenty to go around -- we need to be thinking about how we can re-instill females into their society-saving role.

They will either be our saviors or the catalyst of our downfall. Ask those eight young Iranian women on their way to the gallows.

Can we all find it again? We had better hope so.

John Conlin is an expert in organizational design and change. He also holds a BS in Earth Sciences and an MBA and is the founder and President of E.I.C. Enterprises. He has been published in American Greatness, The Federalist, The Daily Caller, American Thinker, Houston Chronicle, Denver Post, and Public Square Magazine among others.

Image: Pixabay
I had a very wise friend who told me something important after 9/11, which he expanded upon after the war in Afghanistan exposed American troops to Bachia Bazi (i.e., the Afghan/Muslim/tribal practice of using young boys for sex): Islam, he said, is all about sex. In this life, high-status men get wives and sex slaves. Lower-status men get little boys. Then in the afterlife, if theyre good Muslims, they all get 72 virgins, which, for Biblical people, is a bizarrely carnal eternity.

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Modern Western nations, with their ideas about womens liberation, are a serious threat to this system. Its extremely important to defeat those ideasand to control those women. Theres a reason rape goes where Islam goes:

Per capita figures by foreign offenders is drastically over represented pic.twitter.com/rZB3oy8pGv Advertisement April 26, 2026

Rape is not limited to women, though. As those Afghan dancing boys show, if there are no women, boys will do. Thats how we get to an absolutely revolting report from The Daily Mail. According to a video from Jusoor News (a popular Gaza news outlet), its common in Gaza for young boys to be raped at their mosques. If the family tries to complain, Hamas threatens them into silence. In addition, the family is blackmailed into steering the boys to serve in Hamas.

I was unable to locate the video myself on Jusoor Newss X page, but the Daily Mail contends that it obtained filmed testimony from Jusoor News in Gaza showing the childrens disturbing allegations. According to the Daily Mail, the video purports to show statements from two anonymous boys, one nine and one ten:

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I went to pray at the mosque that day, it was before the asr prayer, I was studying the Quran, says the nine-year-old before naming the Sheikh that was there. We were studying the Quran together. He said to me, come with me, I want to give you something nice. Advertisement He took me to the restrooms and undressed me, took off my pants and had his way with me. I started to scream and then I cried. The man then warned him not to tell his father. Advertisement In another testimony, a ten-year-old described how he used to be the first child to arrive at the mosque until one day a Sheikh asked to follow him upstairs. So I went upstairs, he pulled down my pants and started to do filthy things to me, the boy said. Advertisement

That second sexual assault was interrupted, but the boy adds, I heard he was doing filthy things with lots of kids.

In addition to the boys statements, the same video allegedly has a father relate what happened to his son. He was at work when his wife, who was hysterical, called to tell him, Your son is bleeding and has bruises all over his body. The boy told his father that the head Imam at the mosque had done this to him.

However, when the father confronted the Imam, the Imam denied the charge. What was truly frightening for the father, though, was the threat the Imam leveled at hima threat he made good:

During the confrontation, the father recounts how the Imam started threatening him, saying: Ill send Al-Qassam Brigades to you and theyll shoot you. A shooting like youve never seen in your life. Well just say you were an Israeli collaborator. The following day after the showdown, Qassam members arrived at his home at night and further threatened him, warning: If you utter another word, well shoot you in the legs and beat you to death  you and your family  well wipe you off the face of the earth.

The same video has yet another interview, this with a father living in Deir al-Balah. He, too, reports that an Imam was harassing his son, as well as other children.

This father tried to present proof to Hamas security forces, only to have them threaten him: [T]hey forced him to withdraw the charges by threatening to frame him as an Israeli collaborator if he didnt back down. The father added that Hamas controls and corrupts every Gazan institution, not just religious ones.

According to a former Palestinian security officer whom the Daily Mail interviewed, Hamas also uses rape as a coercion tactic:

Its a method used to bind them so you cant leave them, he said, adding that he knows of maybe four or five such cases. People I know well. The former security officer added: Its not just sexual abuse, its rape, describing how afterwards they go after the childrens families to prevent them from speaking. If you open your mouth they will destroy you and your entire household, he stated, adding that Hamas always stands by [the accused]  theres no disciplinary action.

Theres much more in the same Daily Mail essayall of it believable for two reasons: First, this comes out of Gaza. No one can claim that its Israeli propaganda. Indeed, I suspect that the reason its finally coming out is that Israel severely weakened Hamas, which is now getting weaker every day with the loss of Iranian funds. The people will never admit it, but Israel is their and the childrens savior.

Second, this is believable because it is entirely consistent with what we know about Islam and Hamas. And I agree, thats not proof. Indeed, its what Steven Colbert used to call truthiness, and others called fake but accurate, terms that originated when George W. Bush was smeared by a fake military document. But given Islams long history of sexual obsessions, rape, and male pedophilia, as well as Hamas massive corruption...well, this horrible story rings true.

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I cant tell if this is a case of low-IQ reasoning, or a hatred for the foundation of Americaits probably a lot of bothbut Tom Suozzi, an otherwise unknown Democrat with dung for brains recently spoke at a virtual town hall to make a case for why America isnt is a Christian nation (even though it is, and Ill make my own case shortly). Heres what he said, via Breitbarts reporting:

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Hes [Trump] surrounded by some of his advisers that seem to be just, everythings about, you know, a Christian nation, you know Im a Catholic, Im proud to be a Catholic, but you know this is not a Christian nation. Certainly there have been a lot of Christians involved in the nations history, but were founded, a lot of people came to America, they escaped from England and other places, because of religious persecution. And thats why the country was always set up without a national religion. Or a national religious requirement. Thats not to say there wasnt an influence by Christians, but there was an influence by Jews, there was an influence even byThomas Jefferson talked about the Koran!

(Suozzi sounded like hed hit the bottle quite hard before the town hall, so I focused on his more intelligible ramblings, leaving out all the stuttering and slurred words.)

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Contrary to Suozzis wishful thinking, America is a Christian nation.

When we say America is a Christian nation, what were not saying is that Americans must adhere to a state-sponsored religion, as was the case with the Church of England, when English citizens were either heavily pressured or legally required to submit to an Anglican form of worship. Clearly. What were saying is that at its very root, it was founded upon Christian ideals and morality. Which is entirely true.

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Not only did Christians and their faith have an influence on the creation of the American government (to a greater degree than any other faith) as Suozzi recognizes, but they built those principles into it.

Murder is wrong and a criminal act (in theory), because the Christian (and Hebrew) God says its wrong. In some nations, murder is a righteous actbut thankfully, were a Christian, not a Koranic, nation.

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Theft is wrong and a criminal (in theory), because the Christian (and Hebrew) God says its wrong. Secularists and atheists (each its own form of religion), would say otherwise. Both groups are leading the charge on taxing the rich, raising taxes, and all forms of socialistic wealth transfers. In another instance, theyre promoting what theyre calling microlooting, the shoplifting of small goods from luxury grocery giants, as a form of protest against billionaires. Stealing, its called stealing.

Adultery is wrong and used to be criminalized (and it should be again), because the Christian (and Hebrew) God says its wrong. Meanwhile, the leftist cultists fight and fight for sexual licentiousnessI mean, liberation.

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John Adams noted that the Constitution would only work if moral and religious people made up the citizenry. Naturally, he wasnt speaking to Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or any other religion, he was considering it within the framework of Christian virtues. His own background. Taking it further with Adams, hes quoted as describing our government as one of laws, not men. But laws rooted in what kind of morality? Christian (or Hebrew) morality.

And that little non sequitur about Thomas Jefferson? Jefferson had a Koran, because he was an academic and a scholar, not because he believed Koranic ideology should influence American governance. Lets not forget that Jefferson went to war against Muslimsthe Barbary piratesand is famously quoted as saying, Cut them to pieces by piecemeal!

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Truly, Tom Suozzi has a dizzying (non)intellect.

Image: terryballard, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Americans used to go to the doctor to find out what was wrong. The sequence was simple: symptoms, examination, diagnosis -- then, if necessary, treatment.

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That order has quietly flipped.

Today, patients often arrive having already seen the solution. Television and online ads promote drugs for everything from reflux to psoriasis to weight loss. Names like Ozempic or Humira are not obscure anymore -- they are familiar. Patients come in not asking what is wrong, but asking for that drug. The visit shifts from diagnosis to negotiation.

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This change lands very differently depending on where you sit in the medical system.

Local physicians and small practices still have an advantage. A doctor who has treated the same patient for years carries memory that no advertisement can replicate -- what worked before, what failed, what risks matter. When a patient arrives with a drug request in mind, that relationship allows for a real conversation. The physician can explain, redirect, or even refuse, and still retain trust. The ad may start the conversation, but it does not end it.

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Large systems do not have that margin.

Hospitals, networks, and national health agencies operate through protocols designed for scale. When patients arrive pre-sold on a treatment, the system is forced into a defensive posture. Time that should be spent diagnosing is instead spent explaining why the advertised solution may not apply. The result is friction: patients feel dismissed, physicians feel constrained, and trust erodes on both sides.

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We saw a version of this dynamic during COVID-19 pandemic, when confidence in large institutions dropped sharply while many people continued to rely on their personal doctors. Faced with broad messaging and standardized guidance, patients gravitated toward the one source that still felt specific to them.

Direct-to-consumer advertising amplifies that divide.

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It trains patients to think of medicine as a menu rather than a process. It encourages the idea that the answer can be named before the problem is fully understood. And it places physicians -- especially those inside large systems -- in the position of either validating the ad or pushing against it.

Small practices feel the pressure too. They spend more time managing expectations, more time explaining why the latest drug is not always the right one. But because the relationship is personal, they can still preserve the older pattern: diagnosis first, treatment second.

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That distinction is not trivial.

A system that begins with diagnosis is anchored in reality. A system that begins with demand is vulnerable to distortion -- by marketing, by politics, by whatever message reaches the patient first.

If the current trend continues, the risk is not simply overprescription or higher costs. It is a gradual shift in who defines medical judgment. When the starting point of care moves outside the exam room, the authority of the exam itself begins to weaken.

In that environment, the most stable part of American medicine may not be its largest institutions, but its smallest ones -- the independent physicians and community clinics where trust is built case by case, not broadcast at scale.

Protecting those relationships is not nostalgia. It is structural. Without them, the practice of medicine risks becoming less about discovering what is true, and more about confirming what has already been sold.

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No story exposes the sheer self-destruction of woke Democrat politics more clearly than that of Justin Fairfax. He entered public life with a strong professional foundation as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia. Fairfax soon switched to private practice and excelled there. He ran for attorney general in 2013. Despite losing, Fairfax built elite connections.

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In 2017 Fairfax campaigned hard for lieutenant governor by courting black voters, who made up 20 percent of the electorate. He targeted historically black post-secondary institutions, black churches, and entire black neighborhoods as a potential second black lieutenant governor after L. Douglas Wilder.

Fairfax secured endorsements from Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Cory Booker, and Kamala Harris while campaigning alongside black legislative leaders. At a rainy November rally he quoted Michelle Obama and situated himself as the next Barack. He emphasized lefty boilerplate, including closing racial gaps in education, ending the alleged school-to-prison pipeline, and expanding healthcare access.

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Needless to say, Fairfax ran on hardcore progressive themes.

He called for raising the minimum wage. He labeled mass incarceration a moral and fiscal failure, especially in low-income minority communities. He urged treating illegal drug usage as an issue for healthcare workers, not police officers. He championed Medicaid expansion to cover an additional 400,000 people.

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As the MeToo movement gained steam in late 2017, Fairfax attacked his Republican opponent over a vaginal ultrasound requirement before abortions. He framed it as government intrusion into womens bodies and positioned himself as a defender of reproductive autonomy and pay equity. This meant a redistribution of wealth from men to women.

Once in office from 2018 to 2022, Fairfax was a warrior for woke leftism, which clearly represented the future of his party.

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As the Virginia Senates presiding officer he cast tie-breaking votes to liberalize abortion laws and legalize personal marijuana possession. He prepared to break ties for Medicaid expansion and backed stricter gun control. Fairfax emphasized public-health approaches to hard drugs.

In January 2019 he refused to observe Robert E. Lees birthday in the Senate. Fairfax theatrically stepped off the dais in protest while referencing the 1798 manumission document that freed his great-great-great grandfather Simon Fairfax from bondage. He carried those papers to his inauguration and politicized his familys journey from slavery to the statehouse.

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Then the movement Fairfax had supported turned on him.

In February 2019 Vanessa Tyson accused him of forcing oral sex in a 2004 Boston hotel room by grabbing her neck and pushing her head down after initial consensual kissing. Days later Meredith Watson accused him of premeditated rape at Duke in 2000 with contemporaneous corroboration from friends.

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Fairfax denied both allegations vehemently. He called them a vicious coordinated smear campaign, demanded investigations, cited clean polygraphs and FBI checks, and refused to resign.

By February 2020, Fairfax declared the allegations showed MeToo had gone too far in a crazed hashtag world that enabled cancel culture. He insisted the claims amounted to a political smear and sued CBS for $400 million over accuser interviews.

The lawsuit went nowhere, as did his career. The Democrat party, which he so loyally served, would show him no allegiance before or after his term ended.

Fairfax became a pariah with zero invitations, endorsements, or rehabilitation. In the 2021 gubernatorial primary he finished fourth out of five candidates with only 3.6 percent of the electorate. That amounted to just 17,606 votes out of about 500,000 cast. The same blue base and establishment that once lifted Fairfax swiftly discarded him like rotting, rancid trash.

His personal collapse followed immediately.

After leaving office Fairfax withdrew from family life, isolating himself in his home law office. Heavy daily drinking took hold while his income plunged from over $400,000 in 2023 to $11,000 in 2024 and near zero by late 2025. Fairfax faced massive debt, default judgments, and stopped paying the mortgage. Unsurprisingly, his dentist wife filed for divorce last year.

She was awarded her full custody of their two children in March 2026. The judge cited Fairfaxs fatalism, hopelessness, and lack of professional help. He received orders to vacate his $1,000,000 Annandale home by Aprils end. This could not have sat well with him. Apparently, the ex-federal prosecutor decided to outdo the hardened lawbreakers he once threw Uncle Sams book at.

On April 16, Fairfax, 47, shot his wife, 49, multiple times in their basement before turning the gun on himself in the master bedroom. Their two teenage children were upstairs; their son called 911. The couple had met at Duke and married in 2006 but lived separated under the same roof after a post-nuptial agreement.

Court records described Fairfaxs profound isolation, hooded appearances at his childrens events, and total financial ruin triggered by the 2019 scandal and 2021 humiliation.

Justin Fairfax embodied the profound self-destruction baked into woke Democrat politics.

He was a formidable lawyer who reduced himself to racial hustling and performative virtue signaling. This man sold out to advance himself among blue stalwarts as they jumped off the liberal cliff into hard-left purity spiraling. Fairfax was quickly discarded by the forces of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which regarded him as a broken tool.

Democrats who sung his praises as Obama 2.0 offered him nothing once he became inconvenient.

Fairfaxs slasher story stands as proof that woke ideology delivers hell, not heaven. Democrat ideology is a hybrid of corrosive identity politics and boundless grievance. This toxic mix has come to define todays blue column.

The political horror show goes on with galling hypocrisy and real-world human costs.

Voters should refuse to sit as passive audience members to this grotesque spectacle. Reject it outright this November by refusing to vote blue and remember the nauseating, terrifying, yet immensely illuminating tragedy of Justin Fairfax.

Dr. Joseph Ford Cotto is the creator, host, and producer of News Sight, delivering sharp insights on the key events that shape our lives. He publishes Dr. Cottos Digest, sharing how business and the economy really impact us all. During the 2024 presidential race, he developed the Five-Point Forecast, which accurately predicted Donald Trumps national victory and correctly called every swing state. Cotto holds a doctorate in business administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt.

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Were being told that Pres. Trumps conflict with Pope Leo will damage his presidency and cause repercussions down the line, particularly as regards the midterms. This is nonsense, for a very simple reason: nobody cares about this pope.

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When I was a very small child, Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified by Pope John XXIII on March 17, 1963  the last step before sainthood (which came in 1975). Mother Seton, as she is commonly called, was the single most critical individual in creating Catholic education in the U.S.

Let me tell you  the excitement was unparalleled. Seton wasnt the first American saint, but she was the first American-born saint, which meant a lot more at the time than might appear to be case today. The uproar was tremendous. Catholic schools had special assemblies to announce the news. Masses were held in celebration. American nuns travelled to Rome to thank the pope personally (Seton being their patron saint). The excitement even spread beyond the Church to quarters that paid little attention to Catholic religious affairs. Commentators, politicians, and other public figures congratulated the Church on the first native-born American saint.

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If an American had become pope at that time, or in the ensuing decade or two afterward, the response would have been volcanic. Catholicism was a prominent social force. Popes were figures of grandeur and consequence, retaining their historical status as moral arbiters of the West.

But in the 21st century, when Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, it was Eh. I wonder how the Steelers did today.

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Thats how low the papacy has fallen. After John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II, we were perhaps due for a run of mediocrities. But not this mediocre.

Theres no point in detailing the bill of particulars  the failure to protest the IRGC massacres in Iran, the brutal criticism of Trump and his agenda, the apparent ignorance of just war theory, one of the great contributions to civilization made by the Church, the apparently willful neglect given to persecution and massacre carried out against Christians  including Catholics  throughout the world, largely at the hands of Muslims. The open collaboration with seculars whose agenda just happens to include the destruction of organized religion. The blessing of the ice cube.

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What has been missed amid all the criticism of Trumps stance is that Leo called this upon himself with his cavalier, dismissive treatment of JD Vance and his wife. (Think about that. The servant of Christ trying to humiliate a man in front of his wife.)

Then he just had to follow it up with a meeting with Democrat gray eminence David Axelrod. No one knows what they discussed, but no one has any real doubts either. Axelrod sees Leo as a useful tool in the Dem effort to take down Trump and destroy MAGA. Leo sees an easy path to renewed relevance. Theres something very Renaissance about this  a pope meeting with a power-hungry duke to arrange the fall of a small, helpless Italian town. Well, the United States is not a small town, and Donald Trump is far from helpless.

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After Francis, the Lefty Pope, many of us were hoping for a return to a serious Catholic papacy. What we got was the WEF pope. As it stands, Leo is a disgrace to his country, to the papacy, and the Catholic Church. There is no sign that this is going to change.

The Church will come back from this eventually. It came back from John XII in the tenth century. It came back from Alexander VI in the sixteenth. It will come back from Leo in the twenty-first. After all, hes not a murderer, and hes not a Borgia. Hes just another bureaucrat.

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The latest news on the Leo front is that Trumps approval rating has soared since his clash with the Pope.
After this latest attempt on Trumps life, I got to thinking: What should be done about the free-for-all attempts against his life? Something has happened to the restraint gene most normal people carry: They believe that because its Trump, they should be allowed to say anything they want and incite others to do likewise. This is mainly a YouTube and social media phenomenon, but it is also ubiquitous in TV talk shows and news broadcast interviews with Trump-haters, such as Robert De Niro and Rosie ODonnell and Jimmy Kimmel.

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Set aside for a moment that some TV personalities such as news broadcasters and comedians, actors, and influencers see no problem in calling for Trumps assassination. That is what they are doing, and that is against the law. There are whole X and TikTok channels devoted to hate, with Trump as the main target. Some female influencers openly call for Trump to be killed, and that it is a societal responsibility to do so. Sick.

Back up a second: Republicans won a fair election, so Trump and his voters get to call the shots. Elections have consequences. We all had to put up with Obamas and Bidens ruthless destruction of decency and national security. We didnt call for their assassinations. Trumps agenda was no surprise: Immigration, crime, government waste, fraud, the economy, Irans nukes, etc. Everyone knew, and most voters voted for exactly that. But Democrats and looney liberals everywhere said, You are all wrong, we are right, Trump sucks. Lets kill him.

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Well, that is not how elections or the United States penal code works. Winners get to implement their agenda. Those who incite violence against lawful policies are engaging in criminal behavior. Heres the law:

Under U.S. federal law, the primary statute prohibiting the solicitation of violent crimes is 18 U.S. Code  373 (Solicitation to commit a crime of violence), which makes it a federal crime to urge another person to engage in conduct constituting a felony involving the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against property or persons. Additionally, the Federal Anti-Riot Act (18 U.S.C.  21012102) criminalizes traveling between states or using interstate commerce to incite, participate in, or carry on a riot, punishable by up to five years in prison. Advertisement

As for the blackness of the rhetoric and the crutch of free speech, heres the law:

Speech is only unprotected by the First Amendment if it meets the strict standard established in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), which requires that the speech be directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and be likely to incite or produce such action. Mere advocacy of ideas or expression of belief, even if offensive or suggesting future violence, is generally protected unless it crosses this threshold into immediate, likely incitement. Advertisement

All the above can be applied to the so-called violent demonstrations weve had to endure, as well as the threats against Trump. These are not protected by free speech laws. They break the law. Now what?

Trump has been called a pedophile, a rapist, and a fascist, among other things. None of those accusations are true. So, what should be done to the people who call for his assassination, since one is not legally permitted to call for the assassination of any public figure? Federal law specifically criminalizes threatening the president, vice president, presidential candidates, and former presidents under 18 U.S.C.  871. This statute makes it a class E felony to knowingly and willfully make any threat to take the life of, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon these individuals, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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Under these statutes, why are these threateners not in jail or at least pending trial? Why are their channels not shut down? Why are newscasters allowed to say the same things in the guise of quoting unnamed others? Whats the thinking behind such leniency in bringing charges? I can think of at least half a dozen social media influencers who openly want people to kill Trump. Why are they not, at the very least, shut down?

Doesnt the DOJ think its time to crack down on such illegal and feral calls for Trumps assassination? What are they waiting for? A fourth attempt?

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The Left has gone mad.

Ophelia and Medea walk the streets and set the cameras rolling on themselves  for clicks. And we are doingwhat?

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Anyone in their right mind would know that Trump doesnt have an antisemitic bone in his body. His daughter married a Jew and hes been consistent in supporting Israel. But if youre not in your right mind, youre certain that Trump hates the Jews.

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Who are those people?

The anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian protests that erupted on college campuses recently motivated Trump to take action under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; he was demanding that schools that did not improve their responses to antisemitism would forfeit research funding. Many Jewish students were relieved that they were being protected from these protestors, many of whom were not even students.

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In contrast to this Jewish reaction, however, critics rejected his obvious motive, insisting instead he just wanted to attack higher education:

In actuality, these developments are not about fighting antisemitism or, for that matter, keeping Jews safe. Rather, this appears to me to be a cynical ploy by an administration full of people who promote and enable antisemitic conspiracies, which is fixated on attacking higher education, free speech, free assembly, and immigration and due process norms by using Jews, Jewish fear, and antisemitism as pretense to do that. Advertisement

Then they framed it as a xenophobic attack against outsiders, suggesting the administration was just taking action to remove foreign students. And, one professor said it was a ploy to divert attention from a genocidal Israel:

Columbias administration has bent over backwards to satisfy the Trump administration, with the creation of a massive new Office of Institutional Equity and new training protocols, among other things, Sheldon Pollock, professor emeritus of South Asian studies at Columbia University, wrote me via email. Nothing has worked because this onslaught has nothing to do with actual antisemitism. Entirely legitimate criticism of Israels massive ethnic cleansing campaign is being used as a pretext to destroy the American university and its core principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech. Advertisement

In addition to the farcical suggestion on education, a report completed by the polling organization Impose presents some fascinating results. The 95% of American Jews who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 said antisemitism was being used to advance Trumps broader political agenda, while 91% of Trump voters believed he truly cares about the issuenow we are approaching the truth about peoples assessment of Trump regarding antisemitism.

Jews are overwhelmingly liberal in their political views, particularly if they are Reformed Jews; orthodox Jews tend to be conservative. The hatred toward Trump, also known as Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), runs rampant through the leftist Jewish community, even at universities. And finally, leftist Jews are convinced that they must uphold their leftist values at all costs, even at the expense of their own Jewishness:

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As even many of them have conceded, it would be inconceivable for any of these schools that are threatened with being stripped of federal funds to tolerate, let alone tacitly encourage, those who advocate for violence against minorities like blacks or Hispanics. Yet Jews are supposed to tolerate this because the alternative is to approve of a president liberals feel obligated to oppose, even when he is doing something theyd approve of if it were directed toward ensuring the safety of others.

If Jews continue to embrace leftist, Democrat values and reject Trump, theyll find themselves alone, fighting an enemy that threatens their very existence.

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Spirit Airlines, the struggling ultra-low-cost carrier teetering on the edge of survival, should not be handed a government lifeline. According to The Guardian and multiple other outlets, the Trump administration is considering a roughly $500 million rescue, possibly even taking a controlling ownership stake.

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On its face, the idea has political appeal. Spirit employs about 14,000 people, and its disappearance could reduce low-cost competition and raise fares. No administration wants to preside over avoidable layoffs or disruption.

To be fair, there are arguments for stepping in.

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Fuel costs have surged due to global instability, squeezing all airlines. And the federal government itself helped shape Spirits predicament by blocking its merger with JetBlue in the name of preserving competition during the Biden administration. Now that Spirit is failing anyway, some argue Washington has a responsibility to clean up the consequences.

That is the strongest case for intervention. But it is still wrong.

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The real danger in this case is in setting a bad precedent.

Already, other budget carriers are circling. According to a Reuters report, airlines are discussing billions in broader government assistance tied to rising fuel costs.

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And once Washington signals that failure will be cushioned, the discipline of the market erodes. Companies take bigger risks. Investors expect rescue, and losses become socialized.

There is also the question of whether Spirit is worth saving at all.

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The airline has filed for bankruptcy multiple times and carries heavy debt. As Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned in a Reuters interview, a bailout risks putting good money after bad.

Private investors have shown little appetite to step in. When markets refuse to fund a business, it is usually because the business model is broken. Taxpayers should not be forced to make a bet that private capital has already rejected.

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Reports suggest the federal government could take a dominant ownership stake. Washington running a commercial airline is far outside traditional conservative principles.

Spirit is not too big to fail. Its routes will be absorbed, and its planes will be sold. Its workers will mostly find opportunities elsewhere in an industry that still needs labor.

President Trump deserves credit for prioritizing American workers. That instinct is right, but even good instincts can lead to bad policy. The temptation to use government power to manage markets has led both parties astray.

The real question is whether failure is still allowed to exist in the American economy. The possibility of failure is and always has been a vital component of capitalism.
Donald Trump has praised "brave" King Charles for pressing on with his state visit to America.

King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit to the US will continue as planned

The British monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla's four-day trip to the US was in doubt after an armed man allegedly stormed security at the White House Correspndents' Dinner and fired a gun on Saturday (25.04.26), causing the US president, his wife Melania and vice president JD Vance to be evacuated from the Washington Hilton, but it has been confirmed the royal couple will travel as planned on Monday (27.04.26) and the Commander-in-Chief is looking forward to spending time with them.

Speaking on 60 Minutes, Trump said: [The King] is a great guy, and we look forward to it. Hes really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and hes brave.

"Were gonna have a great time, and he represents his nation like nobody else can.

Sir Christian Turner, the British ambassador in Washington, is "very confident" in the security measures that have been put in place for Charles and Camilla's visit, which marks the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.

He told CBS News: Our team has been in touch through the night and will be through the day to see whether the events of last night have any change in our operational planning.

"Im very confident that Their Majesties will have the very best security throughout the visit.

"I mean, [its] a sombre background after last night for all of us. But I still hope well be able to showcase this moment and make it the celebration that it deserves to be."

During the visit, the king and queen will stay at Blair House, which is across the road from the White House, and will be under the protection of the US Secret Service, as well as travelling with a British security team.

It is believed that two planned engagements on the trip will be reshaped to reflect the heightened security environment, but the overall itinerary will not change.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the confirmation came after a full day of crossAtlantic discussions and government advice, adding that the royal couple were grateful for the swift work carried out to keep the visit on track.

They told several outlets: "Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned.

"The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway."
In late 2025, Australia enacted what has been widely described as the first comprehensive national ban on social media use for children under 16, with other countries in Europe and beyond moving in the same direction.

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There is growing evidence to suggest that heavy social media use correlates with rising anxiety, depression and social dysfunction among young people. Studies have found that teens using social media for more than three hours per day face significantly higher risks of negative mental health outcomes, while exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying and sexual material is widespread.

Christianity Today reports on Dany and Cynthia Elachi, who bought bikes for the youngest three of their five children in hopes of keeping them off social media. This effort to keep their boys off the meme streets and on the literal streets worked. It was made easier when they joined a group of parents at their kids school who were banning social media, giving them a support group.

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Turns out, though, that every other parent eventually gave in. So perhaps a law is the answer after all.

The libertarian in me opposes the legal approach, but we already ban drinking, smoking, driving, voting and more until an age when the person is supposedly mature enough to make his or her own decisions. If social media is truly that dangerous, then perhaps it should be added to the list.

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The CT report notes that even when enforcement is incomplete, the cultural signal matters. Parents who once felt pressured to allow early social media access now have a ready-made justification to say no.

Early anecdotal evidence from Australia supports this mixed but intriguing picture. Millions of underage accounts have been removed, but compliance is uneven, and some teens simply migrate to lesser-known platforms or find technical workarounds. Still, researchers and policymakers emphasize that meaningful cultural effects may take years to fully materialize. Critics argue that these platforms are not neutral tools but environments engineered to maximize engagement, often by amplifying outrage, comparison, and emotional volatility. The result isnt just a distraction, but a reshaping of childhood itself.

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That concern was already evident in a 2023 American Thinker blog post, Is social media our youths nemesis?, which argued that social media is not simply a pastime but a formative force with potentially corrosive effects on identity, morality and social development. The reader comments accompanying that piece reinforce the point, with many describing firsthand observations of diminished attention spans, increased anxiety, and a replacement of real-world relationships with curated digital personas.

Australias ban, then, is not just a policy experiment, but an admission that the digital status quo may be incompatible with healthy childhood development.
Americans who get their news from right-wing media outlets are far more vaccine-skeptical, survey shows

Americans who regularly get their news from right-wing media outlets are more than twice as likely to be hesitant about getting vaccines, according to a new Johns Hopkins University survey.

The findings reinforce previous research linking a conservative political outlook to vaccine hesitancy  although the majority of the 2,970 U.S. adults in the latest survey still believe the preventive benefits of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine outweigh the risks of infection, and just one in six said they were hesitant about it.

Misinformation about vaccines from various sources led to vaccine hesitancy in communities affected by the worst measles outbreaks in decades and doctors cite vaccine hesitancy as a factor fueling surges of pediatric measles, Covid and flu deaths.

Vaccine skepticism has increased over the last decade, with a drop in childhood vaccination rates nationwide. It comes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the growing influence of vaccine skeptics like Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The Johns Hopkins University researchers say their results indicate that peoples media consumption can fuel these trends. It remains unclear how much the participants beliefs may have already been swayed by other factors, such as religion or past experiences  as well as how much of an influence these sources had.

American adults who rely heavily on conservative and alternative sources of news are doubly likely to be vaccine hesitant, researchers at Johns Hopkins University said Monday. Vaccine hesitancy has been a factor in historic measles outbreaks across the U.S. (Getty)

Our work reveals a strong association between peoples specific media habits and their attitudes towards vaccination, Lauren Gardner, director of Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering, explained in a Monday statement. Our findings suggest that when everyone is already engaging online, where and how they choose to do so matters.

As well as relying on conservative media, adults who were vaccine-hesitant were also more likely to rely on non-authoritative sources for health information.

Those sources include social media influencers and newsletters from the vaccine-skeptical non-profit Childrens Health Defense, which Kennedy founded.

These adults were more likely to be younger and parents. They were also more likely to be less educated, lower-income and racial minorities.

Nearly 40 percent identified with the Republican Party and 33 percent were Independent.

Hesitant adults were also more likely to identify with the Make America Healthy Again movement, or MAHA, 43 percent, than non-hesitant adults, 27 percent, Johns Hopkins said.

Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., founded one of the alternative sources the researchers said was linked to adults who were vaccine hesitant (AFP/Getty)

What remained the same across the political divide was the level of news consumption.

Some 87 percent of the participants said they followed the news and nearly everyone said they were online at least once a day.

But non-vaccine-hesitant adults were less likely to seek out right-leaning new media channels and much less likely to obtain information from non-authoritative sources.

That suggests that relying on experts had a protective effect against vaccine hesitancy.

To improve vaccination rates, health communicators must share how and where Americans should find information about vaccines, the researchers said.

With public health becoming increasingly polarized, its critical to understand peoples attitudes about vaccines, and this work suggests peoples media preferences play an outsized role in influencing those attitudes. Amelia Jamison, an assistant research scientist at Johns Hopkins, said.

Vaccination played a role in getting measles in South Carolina under control this year (Reuters)

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is 97 percent effective against the measles virus, which can lead to brain swelling and death  especially in young children.

The majority of the measles cases recorded during last years historic influx  the most since the highly contagious disease was eliminated in 2000  were in people who were not vaccinated, federal data shows.

However, past outbreaks in South Carolina and Texas resulted in increasing vaccination rates that helped to get outbreaks under control.

Vaccination  combined with other opportunities for good, solid public health work  really can be effective, even against some of the most contagious viruses, Dr. Brannon Traxler, deputy director and chief medical officer with the South Carolina Department of Public Health, said at a news briefing last Wednesday.

Still, coverage nationwide is not where it should be to prevent future outbreaks and measles infections are continuing to spread in Utah.

There are now 607 cases in the Beehive State, 514 of whom were unvaccinated, according to state data. Many of those cases have been tied to schools.

While Utah requires that public school students have two doses of the vaccine, parents can opt out of those requirements for personal, religious or medical reasons.

Utahs non-medical exemption rate among young children is already higher than the national average, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Vaccination rates need to be above a 95 percent threshold to limit the spread of measles. Right now, national coverage is at 93 percent, according to Johns Hopkins University.
A conclusion to the year-long dispute between refuse workers and the Labour-led council is now within sight - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

Labour has been accused of electioneering after it suddenly found a solution to the year-long Birmingham bin strike, days before the local elections.

John Cotton, the Labour leader of Birmingham city council, said a negotiated deal with the Unite union was within sight but could not be approved by the council before the elections on May 7.

He pledged to get it over the line as a matter of absolute priority if his party were to retain control of the council, insisting that only Labour can end this dispute.

However, opposition parties accused Labour of trying to save its electoral skin with the announcement.

The councils failure to end the bin strike has been a major cause of anger for residents, who are set to end Labours 14-year reign in Birmingham at the polls next week.

The Conservatives questioned the timing of the council reaching a deal with Unite  one of Labours biggest donors  after the union threatened to cut ties with the party days before the election.

James Cleverly, the shadow local government secretary, said: It can hardly be a coincidence that this capitulation comes so soon after Unite said it was slashing its funding for Labour over the partys handling of the strike  and so close to the local elections in Birmingham.

Rats have been drawn to the piles of rubbish left on Birminghams streets - Jeremy Selwyn

Julien Pritchard, the Green Party group leader on the council, said: Brummies are rightly fed up with the political games from Labour. Suddenly finding a solution just days away from a local election is the self-interested politics that our communities are so fed up with.

Labour could have resolved this strike months ago, saving misery and millions of pounds. Nobody in this city really believes Labour is the answer to Labours own problems.

The strike began in January last year after the council proposed role changes and pay cuts of up to 8,000, despite the local authority arguing that only a small number of workers would be affected. Indefinite strike action began on March 11.

Birmingham has been littered with rubbish since then, with overflowing wheelie bins, fly-tipped waste and rats the size of cats blighting the streets. At one point, the Army was called in to help tackle the crisis.

Speaking outside the councils offices on Monday, Mr Cotton said: After months of frustration and delay, for the first time in over 12 months a negotiated settlement to end the bin strike is now within sight.

This has been a challenging and complex process, but after months of hard work on the principles and parameters of a deal, I believe a new, improved offer can be made.

Whilst the pre-election period prevents the council from making a final decision prior to May 7, a re-elected Labour administration under my leadership will work to get this deal approved as a matter of absolute priority.

The council can then move forward and offer the people of Birmingham the services they deserve.

Overflowing wheelie bins and fly-tipped waste have blighted the streets since the strike began - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Labour has run the city since 2012 and has 52 of its 101 councillors, but a string of crises, including effective bankruptcy three years ago, has brought the council to its knees.

Labour is all but certain to lose control of Birmingham as support for pro-Palestinian independents surges. Labour is also set to lose seats to the Green Party and Reform UK in white working-class areas, while the Conservatives could perform well in affluent areas such as Sutton Coldfield.

Unite blamed unelected and unaccountable government commissioners charged with fixing the councils finances for the delay in securing a deal. The consultants were appointed to help run the authority in October 2023 after it declared itself effectively bankrupt, meaning it had to halt all new spending.

In a statement, the union claimed an offer was yet to be finalised because the commissioners had attempted to block it at the 11th hour.

Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: The move made today by the leader of the council is a vindication of the bin workers struggle for a decent deal.

Over the last few months, there have been intense negotiations to get the blocked ballpark deal back on the table, so that our members could vote on it. The reason why we are not yet at that stage is purely down to the vindictive interference of the government-backed commissioners, who have attempted to block the deal again and clearly overstepped their remit.

Their lack of both experience and industrial relations competence has been a major factor in this dispute, and their malevolent game-playing has been an absolute disgrace.

The union said the full deal would remain confidential until the council confirmed its offer, but revealed that it would broadly cover increased financial protections for workers and end legal action on both sides.
The logo of Meta is seen during the Viva Technology conference in Paris, France, 12 June, 2025. (Reuters)

China has blocked Metas attempt to buy one of the worlds most high-profile artificial intelligence startups.

The unwinding of the $2 billion acquisition of Manus, which is based in Singapore but was founded in China, comes as Chinese authorities attempt to prevent US firms from taking local talent and intellectual property.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said on Monday it would prohibit foreign investment in Manus in accordance with laws and regulations, and requires the parties involved to withdraw the acquisition transaction.

Manus first gained global attention last year after its researchers claimed to have developed the worlds first fully autonomous AI agent.

The general-purpose AI was designed to carry out a variety of tasks independently, from booking holidays to developing video games.

Manus co-founder Yichao Ji described it as the next evolution of AI when he first shared a demo video of its abilities last March.

This isnt just another chatbot or workflow, its a truly autonomous agent that bridges the gap between conception and execution, he said.

Where other AI stops at generating ideas, Manus delivers results... We see it as the next paradigm of human-machine collaboration, and potentially a glimpse into AGI (artificial general intelligence).

Within a week of its unveiling it had attracted a waiting list of more than 2 million people.

Victor Mustar, the head of product at the AI platform Hugging Face and an early user of Manus, described it as mind blowing in its capabilities.

Got access and its true... Manus is the most impressive AI tool Ive ever tried, he wrote on X. The user experience is what so many others promised... but this time it just works.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, announced last December that it would be supercharging its AI ambitions by purchasing Manus for a reported $2 billion.

Joining Meta is the logical next step in our journey to scale world-class AI products, Manus CEO Xiao Hong said in a statement shared with The Independent at the time.

By partnering with Meta's existing teams, we can integrate Manus's technology across a global AI portfolio, bringing our autonomous agent capabilities to millions of businesses and creators.

Last month, Mr Ji and fellow co-founder Xiao Hong were blocked from leaving China while regulators reviewed Metas acquisition.

Meta said at the time that the acquisition complied fully with applicable law.

The Independent has reached out to Meta for comment on whether it plans to contest Mondays NDRC ruling.
Talia Stewart is a horse trainer in Arkansas who recently caught her horse, Rowan, showing remarkable patience with one of the farms newest arrivals: a confused baby goat on the hunt for a friend.

The curious little goat approached Rowan without hesitation, and the horse responded just as gently, lowering her head to sniff and nudge the tiny visitor as if welcoming them. The baby goat seemed delighted, calling out to its mom as if to announce it had already made a best friend.

Mom was not as thrilled about the new friendship. The mother goat quickly called her baby back, wary of the much larger animal nearby. Fortunately, the moment ended safely, with the baby goat eventually heading back to where it belonged after its brief but heartwarming encounter with Rowan. You can check it out here.

Image via Shutterstock/Igor Efremychev (Image via Shutterstock/Igor Efremychev )

Talia shared in the caption, "The poor mom goat was so worried about her baby, but too wary of Rowan to get too close!"

We totally get it. The horse could have accidentally stepped on the baby, and the little one had no idea how badly the encounter could have ended.

Related: New Goat Mom Forgot Where She Put Her Baby and Runs to Human Mom for Help

SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

Do Baby Goats Recognize Their Mothers Calls?

Commenter @mandoj96 pointed out, "That one yell towards the end meant she was getting frustrated with her kid LOL!" @punkki_s cracked us up when they replied, "That was like when mom calls you by full name, THEN you go in a friggin hurry!"

Mother goats recognize their babies not only by markings and scent, but also by their bleats. Researcher Elodie Briefer, a postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London, and her colleagues found that mother goats can recognize their kids calls as early as one week after birth.

Baby goats also recognize their mothers voices and can even pick up on the distinct accents of their herd mates. So when this little goats mom began bleating more urgently, it was a signal the baby clearly understood: it was time to head back.

Goats are also known for having excellent memories. Bradley Mountain Farm notes that studies suggest goats can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar faces. They often respond positively to human voices associated with treats, attention, or affection, and more cautiously to those they associate with negative experiences.

This might explain why this curious baby goat was so quick to respond when its mother called so urgently.

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are pressing on with their Washington D.C. trip, even after the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are still planning to visit the US despite the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump

The decision follows a rapid round of overnight security briefings in Washington and London following the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday (25.04.26), where both governments reviewed the fourday programme and agreed to tighten certain elements.

According to senior royal sources, two engagements are expected to be reshaped to reflect the heightened security environment, though the overall itinerary remains intact. Palace insiders say the King and Queen, who are expected to travel to the US on Monday (27.04.26), are looking forward to the visit and intend to continue with the diplomatic mission while allowing security teams to make any necessary changes.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the confirmation came after a full day of crossAtlantic discussions and government advice, adding that the royal couple were grateful for the swift work carried out to keep the visit on track.

They told several outlets: "Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of Government, we can confirm the State Visit by Their Majesties will proceed as planned. The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the Visit getting underway tomorrow."

Sir Christian Turner, the UKs Ambassador to the US, said British and American officials had been working around the clock since the shooting at the Washington Hilton.

He praised the US Secret Service for its response and said both nations security teams had been coordinating for weeks in preparation for the visit.

He confirmed that the King and Queen had privately reached out to President Trump and the First Lady following the incident, and stressed that both sides were confident in the updated safety measures now in place.

With the operational tweaks agreed, officials say the focus has shifted back to the diplomatic agenda  and ensuring the State Visit begins smoothly when the royal couple arrive in Washington tomorrow.

Despite the shooting, Trump is confident that the King and Queen will still travel to the US.

Speaking to Fox, he said: "He's coming, and we're going to have a great time.

"He's really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative."
Bodycam footage shows the moment a cop broke down a locked door with a single kick as fire spread through a property in Centennial, Colorado.

Video shared by Arapahoe Sheriffs Office shows Deputy Ligon, a School Resource Officer, running towards the burning building. A neighbor holding up a chair to bust through the window tells him that the door wont budge. Hold on, watch out, Deputy Ligon tells him.

After kicking the door open in one attempt, the cop runs to the backyard to help find a dog that was hiding under a trampoline.

Authorities confirmed that two properties were destroyed in the fire on April 20. Nobody was injured.
What better time for King Charles to sit down over an expensive dinner with Donald Trump? There they are, just two old men nearing 80, each with vast generational wealth and a shared fondness for gold, spending the money of their respective taxpayers like its going out of fashion.

What better time, when the ink is barely dry on the No Kings placards; when the president just a couple of weeks ago threatened to wipe out an entire civilization on social media; when the world continues to reel from the economic impact of the Iran war? It would take a real stick-in-the-mud to ruin this special vacay for the loveable snowbirds, but Ill do it. Because the world is quite literally on fire, but on Monday, King Charles and Camilla will officially visit Melanias new beehive on the South Lawn at the White House.

I wish I was joking. I often am. But heres the actual, serious schedule for Charles and Camilla: tea with Melania and Donald at the beginning of the week; a presumably milquetoast address to Congress on Tuesday, followed by a banquet; a visit to the 9/11 memorial on Wednesday; and a national park visit in Virginia on Thursday, before  naturally  departing for Bermuda.

Its supposed to be all high tea and silly hats and soft power, and its just so desperately, horrifically awkward. Because there are now so many things it would be impolite to mention over dinner: Trump personally insulting Keir Starmer after he refused to follow him into war, ranting about so-called allies, referring to British warships as toys, and then threatening to pull out of NATO, for instance.

Or the shooter at the White House Correspondents Dinner, who managed to bypass all Trumps world-class security  also relied upon for this state visit  via the innovative and revolutionary strategy of simply running past them. Or the fact that Karoline Leavitt then immediately blamed the shooting at the gathering for journalists on journalists themselves.

Two members of the 'Stop Trump Coalition' action group pose with a mock missile and masks of Britain's King Charles III and US President Donald Trump in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace in central London (AFP/Getty)

And then theres Charles brother Andrew, Schrodingers pervert, who both did and did not go to Epsteins island. Certainly dont mention him. Nor should conversation alight, even for a second, on Peter Mandelson, about 10 seconds ago the UK ambassador to the US, who just lost his job because he couldnt quite explain whether he had done bad things at the island. Come to think of it, no one should really mention anything about the island at all, or the files concerning the island, which will probably never actually be fully released.

Best, perhaps, to focus on the beehive.

Nothing captures the mood of the mid-2020s better than a monarch, a billionaire president, and a beehive that could increase honey production by about 30 pounds. By sheer choreography and audacity, three geriatric traditionalists will successfully pretend to the cameras that the world has not moved under their feet. The old rituals will be adhered to; the British embassy will prepare sandwiches for 650 guests.

In some way, well be told  as we grit our teeth and watch an out-of-touch play written by a clueless, pro-colonialist author for the hundredth time  this is all worth it. Its done for our benefit. A king will visit a country founded on rejecting kings, weeks after protests explicitly rejecting kings, hosted by a president who oscillates between flirting with authoritarian aesthetics and publicly berating allies, all while everyone involved pretends this is just another week in the long, unbroken story of the special relationship Trump flagrantly abandoned in a Truth Social post.

And it will all make sense. It wont be a deeply embarrassing misfire on the part of both countries. At some point, something will almost certainly happen to justify it all.

The optimists have been out in force, of course, claiming that this will be a moment for international relations. Democrat Ro Khanna even suggested to the Daily Telegraph that the British king might seriously pressure Trump to release the Epstein files. Its a nice thought, a generous gloss on something patently absurd. But its about as likely as Charles giving up his homeopathy habit, or Trump resisting the urge to gild his next toilet. Its their world and were just living in it.

In other words: How many millions does it cost to screw up a state visit? The answer is that it doesnt matter  and the rest of you can get back to work.
Marine Nationale will bid to end a frustrating season on a high when he defends his title in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Barry Connells pride and joy looked the new star of the two-mile division after following up an 18-length Queen Mother Champion Chase success with another decisive victory in this race last spring, but the current campaign has not gone according to plan.

He ran a remarkable race to be beaten just half a length on his seasonal debut at Leopardstowns Christmas meeting after a major error at the second fence, while his comprehensive defeat at the hands of Majborough at the Dublin Racing Festival was put down to the testing conditions.

Connell was then left devastated after a late setback meant Marine Nationale was unable to bid for back-to-back Champion Chase wins at Cheltenham last month, but he feels there are plenty of positives ahead of his return to action in County Kildare.

Marine Nationale shows his class once again, with a fine effort in the Grade 1 @WilliamHill Champion Chase for the duo of @swflanagan7 and Barry Connell  pic.twitter.com/8zg7oE8cWe  Punchestown (@punchestownrace) April 29, 2025

Its been a very frustrating season so far. Leopardstown at Christmas didnt work out after he landed on top of the second fence, lost a lot of ground and then nearly got back up and won, and then the ground was too heavy at the DRF which made it a non-event, said the owner and trainer.

He then got knocked out of Cheltenham with something small, but hes back in good form, hes been to Punchestown three times and won three times  a bumper, a maiden hurdle and the Champion Chase.

I think spring ground and going there fresh are all positives for him. Hes won off long breaks before and hes probably the easiest horse in the yard to get fit.

Its a good race and it will probably be one of the contests of the week, but well only worry about our own horse and let everyone else worry about the rest of them. Were happy with him and looking forward to it now.

Barry Connell (left) with Marine Nationale at Punchestown last year (Niall Carson/PA) (Niall Carson)

Of the decision to fit Marine Nationale with cheek pieces for the first time, Connell added: The reason for that is just the start. If you go back to Cheltenham when we won the Champion Chase, everyone was talking about Jonbon losing his race at the start after putting his nose on the tape, but if you go back and look at it we jumped off alongside him.

It was more marked at the DRF as he kind of wasnt paying attention and looking around at the start, so we just felt a pair of cheekpieces might be an addition to him, to keep his mind concentrated down at the start, thats all.

You cant afford to be giving ground away at the start, not in a Champion Chase. Its going to be no hindrance to him, so we said wed stick them on and hopefully that will sharpen him up a bit at the start.

Connells charge taken on by a formidable quartet of Willie Mullins-trained horses, headed by Il Etait Temps, who claimed the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown in Marine Nationals absence.

Il Etait Temps was imperious at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA) (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

The champion trainer also saddles Majborough, who disappointed as an odds-on favourite at Cheltenham, as well as rank outsider Blood Destiny and the veteran Energumene, who claimed back-to-back wins in this race in 2022 and 2023 but is now very much in the twilight of his career at the age of 12.

Mullins said: A lot of people put a line through Il Etait Temps after he fell in Ascot, so for him to come back and win the Champion Chase was great.

To me, that victory was as much down to what I thought was the ride of the week in Cheltenham from Paul (Townend) as anything. I might be a bit biased as Id be only looking at our own horses, but I thought his ride in the Champion Chase was just something else.

The horse has come out of of Cheltenham very well. He and Majborough and Energumene have all done their final bits of work and Im very happy with them.

I think we still have to find the right way to get Majborough right. Weve got to ask ourselves, does he need a longer trip?, I dont know. Theres certain days he looks fantastic and other days he doesnt. We havent got the finished product yet.

The weather forecast wouldnt be great for Energumene but if the ground is safe, hell run.
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Erika Kirk hid under table after gunfire erupted at correspondents dinner: I just want to go home

A sobbing Erika Kirk was seen being ushered out of the Washington Hilton in the wake of the shooting that rocked the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday.

CNNs Sara Sidner posted a clip of Erika hurriedly walking from the ballroom, choking up and saying: I just want to go home.

The suspect from Saturdays incident has been named as California man Cole Tomas Allen, 31.

This shooting comes just over six months after her husband, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead while speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Utah. Shortly after his death, Erika stepped in as the CEO of the right-wing activist group. Earlier this month, she backed out of appearing alongside Vice President JD Vance at an event after receiving threats.

Photos from earlier in the night on April 25 showed a beaming Erika, pictured with Fox News personality Lawrence Jones, seated beside controversial Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Grieving widow Erika Kirk was seen crying, I just want to go home, after the shooting took place at the White House Correspondents Dinner. pic.twitter.com/vNr4HejOXH  Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) April 26, 2026

Erika was a guest of Fox News at the event. The networks Bret Baier reported that he saw the former Miss Arizona crying in the back hall, as you can imagine, after the assassination of her husband.

Other witnesses said that at one point, FBI Director Kash Patel was consoling Erika.

The president was uninjured and was rushed off the stage. The armed man, who officials said was a guest at the Washington Hilton where the dinner was being held, was taken into custody and was expected in court Monday. Police believe he opened fire and acted alone, but did not say who his intended target was or describe a motive.

When youre impactful, they go after you. When youre not impactful, they leave you alone, Trump, safe and uninjured and still in his tuxedo, said at the White House two hours later. They seem to think he was a lone wolf.

DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard and TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk were seen seated at the same table (The Independent)

The shooting unfolded just outside the vast subterranean ballroom holding thousands of dinner guests, disrupting minutes after it began an annual event meant to honor journalism and the First Amendment that was being especially scrutinized this year because it was the first time since Trump became president that he had attended.

Trump told reporters later that he hoped the event would be rescheduled within 30 days, though the fact that an armed man was able to rush toward the ballroom raised instant questions about security precautions at an event attended each year by senior government officials.

A video posted by Trump showed the suspect running past security barricades as Secret Service agents ran toward him. One officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest but was recovering, officials said. The gunman was tackled to the ground and was not injured, but was being evaluated at a hospital, police said.

Allen is facing two firearm-related charges, including a count of assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rushed out by Secret Service after shots were fired (AFP/Getty)

On Friday, it was reported that Erika helped arrange a White House sit-down between President Donald Trump, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and MAHA advocates amid their recent dissatisfaction with the administration.

Erika brought the disgruntled Make America Great Again moms and others to meet with Trump this month, according to Politico.

Her intervention came as a recent poll found that almost half of the people who identify with the MAHA movement believe that Trumps administration has not done enough to meet their goals, even though they helped propel him to the White House in the 2024 presidential election.

The Associated Press contributed to his report.
Elon Musk's lawsuit accusing high-profile artificial intelligence company OpenAI of betraying its non-profit mission heads for trial on Monday with the selection of jurors.

The legal clash in a courtroom across the bay from San Francisco pits the world's richest person against a startup Musk once backed and now competes with in the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

OpenAI's ChatGPT is a formidable rival to the chatbot Grok, made by Musk's xAI lab.

While Musk's lawsuit is part of a feud between him and OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman, it spotlights a debate as to whether AI should ultimately serve to benefit a privileged few or society as a whole.

Court filings lay out how Altman convinced Musk to back OpenAI in 2015, acting as a co-founder for a non-profit lab whose technology "would belong to the world."

Read moreUS jury finds tech tycoon Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders

Musk pumped millions of dollars into the lab, which he subsequently left.

However, OpenAI established a commercial subsidiary as it needed hundreds of billions of dollars for data centers to power its technology.

Microsoft has poured billions of dollars into OpenAI and its CEO Satya Nadella is among those slated to testify at the trial.

Musk argues in his lawsuit that he was deceived about OpenAI's mission being altruistic.

San Francisco-based OpenAI has countered in court filings that its break-up with Musk was due to his quest for absolute control rather than its nonprofit status.

"This case has always been about Elon generating more power and more money for what he wants," OpenAI said in a recent X post. "His lawsuit remains nothing more than a harassment campaign that's driven by ego, jealousy and a desire to slow down a competitor."

The startup noted that days after Musk entered the AI race in 2023 he called for a six-month moratorium on development of advanced AI.

Read moreMusk snubs Paris prosecutors' summons over X and Grok

The judge presiding over the trial will decide by mid-May  guided by an advisory jury's findings  whether OpenAI broke a promise to Musk in a drive to lead in AI or just smartly rode the technology to glory.

Along with calling for OpenAI to be forced to revert to a pure nonprofit, Musk's suit urges the ouster of Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, who is startup president.

Musk, who had sought as much as $134 billion in damages, has since renounced any personal benefit, pledging to redirect any award to the OpenAI nonprofit. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has reserved the right to determine any remedies herself, without the jury's input.

OpenAI now has a hybrid governance structure giving its nonprofit foundation control over a for-profit arm.

Musk, who gutted the trust and safety team at Twitter after buying the social media platform that he renamed X, faces the challenge of convincing a jury and a judge that the company behind ChatGPT was built on a lie.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Gstaad has been supplemented back into the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket at a cost of 30,000.

Aidan OBriens Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner was mistakenly taken out of the Classic due to an administration error, along with Albert Einstein.

While the latter remains an absentee, Gstaad is one of four Ballydoyle contenders in contention at Mondays confirmation stage, with dual Group One winner Puerto Rico, Causeway and Flushing Meadows also on the list of 20 colts still in the mix.

Fozzy Stacks Thesecretadversary and Robson De Aguiars Power Blue could also cross the Irish Sea, while the home team is headed by Bow Echo, who will put his unbeaten record on the line over the Rowley Mile.

George Bougheys son of Night Of Thunder won each of his three starts last season and signed off with a victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes over the Guineas course and distance.

Billy Loughnane and Bow Echo after winning the Royal Lodge at Newmarket (Bradley Collyer/PA) (Bradley Collyer)

There is a second supplementary entry in Charlie Pikes Padraig Dawn, who finished second in the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on just his second career outing.

Charlie Appleby could be double-handed with Dewhurst third Distant Storm and the unbeaten Kings Trail, while Roger Varians Avicenna is another possible runner for Godolphin.

John and Thady Gosdens Oxagon beat Avicenna into second in the Craven Stakes and also stands his ground.

Karl Burke may be triple-handed with Greenham winner Alparslan, Billecart and Hankelow, While Francis-Henri Graffards Samangan is the sole international raider.

Into The Sky, a length second in the Mill Reef at the back end of last season, represents Jim Boyle and Needle Match, fourth behind Alparslan in the Greenham, will attempt to reverse the form for William Haggas.

The field is completed by Andrew Baldings Venetian Prince and Ismail Mohammeds Lord Britain.

Like last year, sponsors Betfred are offering a 2million bonus to any horse that wins the Triple Crown of the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger.

 2,000 Guineas The Derby St Leger The 2million Betfred Triple Crown Bonus is BACK! pic.twitter.com/tkdpWcGGhu  Betfred (@Betfred) April 27, 2026

Betfred founder Fred Done said: It was an honour last year to be the first company in history to sponsor all five British Classics and I cant wait to do it all again this year.

That is why I am offering the 2million Triple Crown bonus again. Nijinsky was undoubtedly one of the greats and it is about time we had another Triple Crown winner to celebrate.

Can another horse rise to the occasion, make history, and do it again?
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).

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.

Writer and director Mike White is saddened that he wont get to work with Bonham Carter (Getty)

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.
Iraqi President Nizar Amedi and Ali al-Zaidi, the nominee of Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework for prime minister, stand with political figures during a ceremony where Zaidi was tasked with forming a new government, in Baghdad, Iraq on April 27, 2026.

President Nizar Amede has tasked Ali al-Zaidi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government, the presidency said in a statement.

The announcement came shortly after the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia factions with varying links to Iran and that had initially nominated Maliki, endorsed Zaidi to be its candidate.

The Coordination Framework had initially backed powerbroker Nouri al-Maliki to become the countrys next prime minister, but an ultimatum by US President Donald Trump reshuffled the cards.

In January, Trump threatened to stop all support for Iraq if two-time ex-premier Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, returned to power.

On Monday, the Coordination Framework praised the historic and responsible stance of Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for withdrawing their candidacies.

Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighbouring Iran and its arch foe the United States.

In Iraq, a nomination by the largest Shiite bloc effectively brings a candidate to power through presidential appointment, but Trumps threats left Iraqi leaders at a loss, forcing them into intense discussions to settle on a new candidate.

Seen as a compromise figure, Zaidi is little known in political circles.

He is a businessman, banker and an owner of a television channel, and has never held a government post.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Sir Keir Starmer has pleaded with Labour MPs to vote down a Commons motion to launch a sleaze inquiry into the Peter Mandelson vetting saga on what will be a crucial day for the future of his premiership.

His direct appeal at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) came after Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed on Monday that MPs would be allowed to debate whether or not the prime minister should be referred to the powerful Commons Privileges Committee for a probe into whether he misled parliament over the disgraced peers appointment as US ambassador.

Speaking at a Monday night meeting of the PLP, the beleaguered prime minister said: I have responsibility for being totally transparent with you, with parliament and the British public. I take that very seriously as well.

"But this is not about a lack of transparency. This is a political stunt by our opponents who want to bring us down, obscure our message, stop us getting on with our work. And the timing tells you everything nine days before local elections.

Keir Starmer could be referred to the Privileges Committee (Reuters)

He told Labour MPs: Tomorrow is pure politics and we need to stand together against it.

With Labour MPs mulling over supporting Kemi Badenochs motion and others plotting to remove him in May, Sir Keir pleaded with them to look at the bigger picture and stick by him.

The Privileges Committee was responsible for Boris Johnsons exit from frontline politics after it investigated him for misleading the House over the partygate breaches of Covid laws in Downing Street.

The vote will come on a difficult day with his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and former top civil servant Sir Philip Barton  both of whom played key roles in the appointment of Lord Mandelson  giving evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Labour grandees, including former home secretaries Alan Johnson and Lord David Blunkett, have written a letter calling on Labour MPs to oppose referring Sir Keir for investigation.

Mr McSweeney was widely regarded as a protege of the former US ambassador and pushed for his appointment, while Sir Philip was the predecessor of Sir Olly Robbins  who was sacked by Sir Keir for failing to tell ministers that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting.

Sir Philip left the department in January 2025, eight months earlier than expected. The committee is expected to examine whether he left his post as a result of his opposition to Lord Mandelsons appointment.

As the prime minister faces pressure from all sides on the Mandelson saga, he will also have his attention diverted by a meeting of the Middle East Response Committee, as part of an attempt to mitigate the economic impacts of the Iran war, and by King Charless address to the US Congress, both of which are taking place on Tuesday.

On the same day, the Commons will vote on whether to refer the PM to the Privileges Committee to consider if he misled MPs when he claimed due process was followed in Lord Mandelsons appointment, and that there was no pressure whatsoever.

It comes after it emerged that the Foreign Office decided to appoint the Labour grandee despite the fact that he failed the vetting process.

The prime minister repeatedly told MPs that he and his ministers only found out that UK Security Vetting had advised 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.

Labours huge majority in the Commons means such a vote would almost certainly not pass, especially as Labour MPs are expected to be whipped to vote against the motion, but it could still be damaging for the prime minister.

As first revealed by The Independent, 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.

In the wake of Sir Lindsays decision to allow MPs to debate the issue, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the facts are overwhelming.

The prime minister misled the House of Commons, repeatedly, she claimed. He appointed a national security risk and friend of a convicted paedophile, to be our ambassador in Washington, our most sensitive diplomatic post. He pretended that full due process was followed for this appointment. It was not.

Ms Badenoch argued that the prime minister must be held to the same standards he held previous prime ministers to, warning: There is no room for hypocrisy.

She added: Every MP now faces a matter of conscience, not party, conscience. Do they cover this up or do they vote to seek the truth?

But a No 10 spokesperson dismissed the attempt to launch a parliamentary inquiry as a desperate political stunt by the Conservative Party.

Separately on Monday, Sir Keir said Britons should not panic over the economic impact of the Iran war but acknowledged people might have to change their shopping habits and holiday plans.

He told the Cathy Newman Show on Sky News that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had already had a detrimental impact on the UK economy, adding there were almost daily meetings of ministers and officials looking at how to manage the impact of the crisis.

Lindsay Hoyle confirmed that MPs will vote on whether to refer the prime minister to the Privileges Committee (PA)

A number of MPs and former parliamentarians have referred to the precedent set during the Partygate probe into Mr Johnson, when the Tories failed to use their majority to oppose the inquiry, and their MPs on the committee put party second in finding him guilty.

It comes as concerns grow among Labour MPs across different factions of the party that the government plans to whip to block the vote.

However, the Tories are going to push the fact that they did not oppose the motion when Boris Johnson was referred to the committee for misleading parliament.

One former cabinet minister said: We did set something of a precedent, but I think we have some moral authority on the issue because of the way we allowed the inquiry to take place into Boris. This is a question of putting integrity before party.

Sir Ed Davey also piled pressure on Sir Keir not to whip his MPs to oppose his referral to the Privileges Committee, saying: Even Boris Johnson didnt block his MPs voting for scrutiny.

MPs must be given a free vote on any motion to refer Starmer, not forced into being accomplices to a cover-up.

Over the weekend, Cabinet minister Darren Jones insisted there is no case to answer when asked about a potential referral of Sir Keir to the committee, as well as accusing the Conservatives of using tactics ahead of local elections.
Pity the poor Labour MPs who will be expected to walk through the lobbies on Tuesday to decide whether Sir Keir Starmer should be investigated for contempt of the House.

Privately, a number of them are already complaining about being in a lose-lose situation with Sir Keir expected to ignore the precedent set by Boris Johnson in April 2022 and whip his MPs to vote against the move.

As one Labour MP put it, if they vote to support a Privileges Committee inquiry into whether the prime minister misled parliament, they will be inviting months of chaos and speculation while needlessly handing the Conservatives a win.

But many are reluctant to back a seriously wounded prime minister who is expected to face a serious challenge to his leadership within weeks despite him making a personal appeal to them at a Monday evening showdown with the parliamentary party.

His appeal to them to look at the big picture did not have the impact he hoped for with one MP noting that the big picture is how he is opening the door for Nigel Farage to enter Downing Street.

No wonder another MP has told The Independent that colleagues are asking to be excused so they can go and campaign in the local elections and not be tainted by the whole saga.

But in the end though, it is the comparison with what happened with Mr Johnson which could be the defining factor here. And those involved in bringing the former prime minister to book for lying to parliament have mixed views on what should happen with Sir Keir.

Does Starmer have a case to answer?

The allegations that Sir Keir misled parliament centre on whether he did know that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting for the US ambassador role when The Independent informed Downing Street seven months ago, rather than learning about it for the first time earlier this month. There are also claims he misrepresented the evidence given to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee by Sir Olly Robbins, the permanent secretary he sacked over the vetting scandal.

Then there is the question, again revealed by The Independent, about whether he asked Sir Olly for an explanation or not before he sacked him. He told MPs he had, but sources close to Sir Olly suggest he did not.

Starmer is facing a crunch vote in parliament (Reuters)

One potential Labour rebel has asked the question which overshadows the whole debate: If the PM is clear he has done nothing wrong, and confident in that, why doesnt he just refer himself for a clean bill of health from the committee and save MPs and council candidates the drama and controversy of a debate and vote tomorrow?

Deliberately misleading parliament is treated as a resigning offence for ministers, and a 2023 investigation by the Privileges Committee led to Mr Johnson stepping down as an MP. Comparisons have been made between the pair, but Downing Street maintains that Starmer was speaking based on the information available to him at the time and those involved with the Johnson inquiry have mixed views.

One member of the Privileges Committee that investigated Mr Johnson is not sure that the two cases are the same.

It was much clearer that Boris Johnson had misled parliament because he said that no rules and guidance had been broken at any time during lockdown. That was clearly incorrect and misleading.

With Keir Starmer, the issue is far more nuanced and complicated.

Another former member of the committee noted: You have to remember that for the Privileges Committee to investigate a very high threshold needs to be met that the misleading of the House is preventing parliament from functioning properly.

A 2023 investigation by the privileges committee led to Mr Johnson stepping down as an MP (PA)

But a third pointed out: The referral is not in itself an assumption of guilt. It is saying there is a case to be considered. In that sense, if the prime minister is sure that he has not misled parliament, then he has nothing to worry about.

Why did Boris Johnson allow an investigation into himself?

The Independent understands that Kemi Badenoch will refer to her party having some moral authority on this issue in that Mr Johnson allowed the investigation without a vote and Tory MPs on the committee investigated him fairly and found him guilty.

Back in 2022, Mr Johnson had intended to oppose the motion to refer him to the committee brought by Sir Keir himself but was persuaded not to at the last minute to avoid a crisis.

One former MP noted: A number of us spoke with the chief whip and made it clear that if there was a vote then the prime minister would split the party and cause even more damage.

Another said: We felt that he had been lying and could not in conscience vote against it.

On 21 April 2022, it was announced that the government would accept the motion without debate or vote.

What can Starmer do to save himself?

Apart from whipping Labour MPs to vote down the motion and in so doing cause himself, his party and the same MPs all sorts of potential political damage, there is one other solution.

Harriet Harman chaired the Boris Johnson inquiry (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

It was decided in the Johnson case at the outset that if he simply came to them and corrected the record, then that would be the end of the matter and there would be no investigation.

The rules state that youve got to correct the statement at the earliest opportunity. And actually, if nothing else has happened in the meantime, then the earliest opportunity could be when giving evidence to us. There is no specific time, says one former committee member.

So we decided that when Boris Johnson came to give evidence to us, that we'd ask him if he wanted to correct the record and say actually the rules and guidance during lockdown weren't followed at all times in Number 10. He could just say that, and then he would have corrected the record and that would have been it with no further action necessary.

The problem was that Mr Johnson declined that opportunity and ended up with a 90-day suspension  even though he had already quit as an MP.

If it comes to it, Sir Keir might want to see if he needs to learn from that mistake.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has suggested she has been through the "hardest seven years" of her life.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is ready for change

The 44-year-old duchess - who was known as Meghan Markle before marrying Prince Harry in May 2018 - took to Instagram to share two Astrology-related posts over the weekend which highlighted the significant shift 25 April would supposedly bring for her star sign Leo.

The first post Meghan - whose birthday is 2 August - shared came from the Instagram account Astrology Is For Everyone and featured two men dancing to Celine Dion's 1991 track That's The Way It Is.

It was captioned: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, + Aquarius ending the hardest seven years of their lives on April 25.(sic)"

The former Suits actress then re-shared a post from the spiritdaughter account, which claimed Saturday (25.04.26) would mark a turning point for Leos so they would feel less pressure and stop questioning themselves.

It read: "The tension between who you actually are and what the world around you was willing to see has been exhausting in a way that is hard to explain to people who have not lived it.

"Your confidence took hits it had no business taking. You questioned your creative direction, your spotlight, your worth. April 25th, the pressure lifts. You get the space to just exist without fighting for it."

Earlier this month, Meghan - who has children Prince Archie, six, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet with Harry - claimed she was "the most trolled person in the entire world" on social media.

During a visit to Australia with her husband, she told students at an event in Melbourne that she had been "bullied and attacked" online every day for the past 10 years and suggested that platforms are "not incentivised" to take action against cruel trolls.

She said: "For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world.

"Now, I'm still here.

"And when I think of all of you and what you're experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks  that's not going to change.

"So you have to be stronger than that."
Pop star Lady Gaga and US rapper Doechii flaunt avant-garde looks in a new music video for their Devil Wears Prada 2 song.

The stars danced, strutted and posed alongside one another in the visual for Runway, their newly released track for the sequel of the 2006 fashion film which stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci.

Ahead of the anticipated film release on May 1, the artists sported a number of bold looks in the songs accompanying visual including Marie Antoinette-like ballgowns, latex and matching platinum blonde wigs.

Directed by New Zealand dancer and choreographer, Parris Goebel, the three-minute video opens in a black and white striped room with the two stars on separate platforms on opposite sides of the frame  Gaga in a bright yellow wig and royal blue gown with Doechii in an oversized pink hat and black skirt frame or crinoline  with the two surrounded by brightly dressed dancers.

Later on in the video Gaga, real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, is seen in a red bodycon latex suit singing underneath a red high heel sculpture, similar to the one on the film poster.

She later becomes one with Doechii, born Jaylah Hickmon, as the two wear a single jacket made for two with matching white shirts and black ties  a nod to the blockbusters statement colours.

Other looks in the video include their bedazzled bodysuits with the stars covered head to toe, aside from their eyes and mouth, singing: Monday to Sunday I could turn a dancefloor into a runway.

Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci attending the Devil Wears Prada 2 photocall at the V&A in central London (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

The song first featured in the trailer of the forthcoming film which follows journalist Andy Sachs (Hathaway) as she returns to the fictional Runway magazine as the fierce editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly (Streep) and close confidante Nigel Kipling (Tucci), come to terms with a new media landscape.

They trio reconnect with another former assistant, Emily Charlton (Blunt), who is now the head of a luxury brand and holds the keys to commercial money that could ensure Runways survival.
World darts champion Luke Littler has spoken of his growing interest in horse racing on the back of his first involvement in ownership.

Littler has teamed up with fellow darts star Stephen Bunting and former England striker Michael Owen to buy an Ardad colt in training with Hugo Palmer.

Given the name Bunting Mental, Littler said should the venture go well the next horse will carry a name relevant to him.

Leading up to Cheltenham, I was right into the horse racing, Littler told the Press Association.

Even last year, at the Aintree Grand National, me and Faith (girlfriend) both backed (winner) Nick Rockett, which I think was like 33-1.

So that was the proper race to watch, but then going to Cheltenham this year was very good.

It was at the start of the year when we were in Saudi, I think Michael Owen messaged Bunting and said: Do you want to get involved?

I went, yeah, its worth a punt, worth a bit of money.

I let Bunting have the name this time and hopefully this one does well, we can get another one with my name.
Labour could see its worst-ever performance in the upcoming local elections, pollsters warned, as some projections see the governing party lose more than 1,000 seats in the crucial contests.

Over 5,000 council seats will be up for grabs when voters in England go to the polls on Thursday, 7 May, in what could prove a decisive battle for Sir Keir Starmers leadership.

The prime minister has been grappling with ailing popularity polling for over 12 months  both for himself and his party  as other leadership contenders, such as Andy Burnham or Angela Rayner, could look to capitalise on discontent with the government.

Pollsters have predicted that Labour could see historic lows across local elections for councils, with the Conservatives also expected to struggle.

The biggest winner is forecast to be Nigel Farages Reform UK. He will be hoping for a repeat of last years local elections, where his party increased its number of council seats by a massive 677.

The Green Party is also projected to see significant gains across the country, galvanised by a swell of popularity following the election of Hannah Spencer to parliament in Gorton and Denton in February.

Speaking to The Independent, the political scientist John Curtice said the elections pose a remarkable calamity to the government and the Conservatives.

He said: 2024 posed the question as to where the two-party system would go if indeed the Labour government hit electoral trouble. The way that things have transpired since have reinforced that.

These elections could well provide a further significant organisational boost to the ability of [Green and Reform].

Stephen Fisher, a professor of political sociology at the University of Oxford, has forecast that Labour will lose 1,900 councillors at the upcoming elections, dropping 74 per cent of the seats it is defending.

This would mark the worst local election performance for any prime minister in history. In a clear sign of the rising discontent for Britains two largest parties, the Conservatives could also see a net loss of 1,010 councillors, Professor Fisher estimated.

The election expert also found that Reform could gain 2,260 councillors, tripling its local representation in England. Meanwhile, the Greens could gain 450 and the Liberal Democrats 200.

If forecasts are proven correct, the result would be a devastating blow to the premiership of Sir Keir and likely reopen the possibility of a leadership challenge.

The Labour leader has come under renewed pressure in recent weeks over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, virtually erasing the slight uptick in popularity that the government enjoyed over its handling of the US-Iran war.

Starmer has never been a popular leader, Sir John said, hes never managed to sell himself to the electorate. Hes never been able to define what he is about and where hes trying to take the country.

He added that the most popular person to replace Sir Keir is Andy Burnham, currently ranked as the UKs most popular politician by YouGov. However, the Manchester mayor was blocked from standing in Gorton and Denton by the Labour Partys governing body.

There have been renewed calls in recent days from across the political spectrum for Sir Keir to resign in the wake of revelations that Lord Mandelson was approved for the role despite failing his vetting process after Foreign Office intervention. Likely, these calls would only grow louder should the partys local support also collapse on 7 May.

In London, every council seat in all 32 boroughs is up for election. The capital has been seen as a Labour stronghold in recent years, with the party holding majority control in 21 councils.

But the last set of London elections were in 2022, with the political landscape shifting dramatically in the past four years. Sir Keirs Labour has only declined in popularity since becoming the governing party in 2024, with its handling of issues such as Gaza and migration pushing young, progressive voters away from the party.

This dynamic has benefited the Green Party most of all, with leader Zack Polanski working to position the group as a further left alternative to Labour since taking up the role last year.

The Greens currently hold only 49 councillors in London, although they still make up the second largest party in five boroughs. Recent polling by YouGov suggests this number could skyrocket, with the party projected to take the highest vote share across four councils, including Lewisham and Lambeth.

The same poll found that Reform could take the highest share in three. Neither party has ever previously topped the poll on any council in London.

The last time Labour won fewer than 15 London councils was in 1982, 44 years ago, when they won just 12.

Labour sources told The Independent earlier this week they are expecting a bloodbath in Islington, while Green Party sources said they were expecting to take Hackney.

Mr Curtice said: The Labour vote is going first of all to the Greens; thats the principal destination now of 2024 Labour voters who defect. And then theres the Liberal Democrats and Reform. Virtually no one is going to the Tories.

Reform are fighting 99.9 per cent of the wards; the Greens are fighting over 90 per cent as well, he added. This is a very strong sign.

Other seats up for grabs are spread across the North, the Midlands and the South. Traditionally, Labour-voting cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Wolverhampton are all holding elections, with discontent with the government making the outcomes less predictable.

Polling from Britain Elects finds that  while all of these are likely to remain under Labours control  Reform, followed by the Greens, are set to make a large dent in the partys seat count.

Mr Farages party could also wrest control or take the most seats without a majority in a number of councils outside of the biggest cities, the polling finds. Areas like Wakefield, Sunderland, and Thurrock are all projected to see power switch from Labour to Reform at the upcoming event.

The Greens, meanwhile, have strong prospects in Sheffield, where they are projected to win a minority of seats, and are understood to be concentrating their campaigning efforts in Newcastle.
Vladimir Putin meets Assimi Goita in St Petersburg in 2023. Photograph: Mikhail Metzel/TASS Host Photo Agency/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Mikhail Metzel/TASS Host Photo Agency/AFP/Getty Images)

When Assimi Goita, the leader of Malis military junta, sat down with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the Kremlin last summer, it symbolised Moscows commanding sway over Mali at the expense of the west.

As the two men spoke, roughly 3,500 miles to the south, about 2,000 Russian troops were propping up the regime in the landlocked desert country, as part of Moscows broader push for influence across the Sahel region.

But in the last few days, a wave of coordinated, surprise attacks by jihadist militants and a separatist group has exposed the limits of Moscows reach and military might in the impoverished west African state.

Over the weekend, rebel fighters launched one of their most effective assaults in years against the Russian-backed authorities. Fighting continued into Monday, with the full picture still unclear.

The rebels have so far achieved at least one major victory. Russias Africa Corps, the successor to the Wagner group, said on Monday it had pulled out of Kidal, a strategically important northern town.

This crisis is definitely affecting the credibility of Russias interventions in the region, said Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim of the International Crisis Group thinktank.

Malis eastern neighbours, Burkina Faso and Niger, expelled French and American forces following coups in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

They, too, turned to Moscow, with the three countries forming a Russian-backed bloc across the heart of the Sahel.

But it is in Mali that Russias presence runs deepest. Questions will be raised now over whether the Russians can provide the kind of solution that African nations facing insurgencies are looking for, Ibrahim said.

The Africa Corps has acknowledged some casualties in the fighting, saying it had evacuated its wounded and heavy equipment. Military bloggers close to the defence ministry, meanwhile, said a Russian helicopter had been shot down near the city of Gao, killing those onboard.

The losses also extend to the highest levels of the Malian government. The junta confirmed late on Sunday that Sadio Camara, Malis defence minister and a key architect of the partnership with Russia, died of wounds sustained in a suicide attack on his residence.

When Malis military seized power in 2021, Camara was the driving force behind the countrys quick shift in alliances, Ibrahim said. The junta expelled France  which had maintained troops in the country since its 2013 intervention against Tuareg and Islamist militants  and turned to Russia as its primary political and military backer.

Since then, Moscow has sought to replicate in Mali a model it has used elsewhere in Africa, offering security support and political backing in return for access to plentiful resources.

The junta initially turned to the Wagner Group, the notorious paramilitary network backed by Russia and led by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin. Around 1,000 mercenaries arrived in late 2021 and helped secure a series of battlefield gains.

In November 2023, Wagner-backed Malian forces retook Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold that had been in rebel hands for more than a decade. But Wagners fortunes shifted after Prigozhins failed march on Moscow and his murky death in a plane crash two months later, as the Kremlin moved to bring his mercenary empire to heel.

Wagner was wound down, and its fighters in Mali were absorbed into the Africa Corps, a new structure under the direct command of Russias defence ministry. The restructured Russian force has struggled to match Wagners military effectiveness and political reach, analysts and former members say, with its most capable forces either fighting in Ukraine or killed there.

The Africa Corps first ran into serious trouble in the summer of 2024, when up to 50 Russian soldiers were ambushed and killed by rebels in Mali  thought to be the deadliest single incident for Russia on the continent.

Africa Corps is nowhere near as good at its work as its predecessor, said Marat Gabidullin, a former Wagner commander who remains in contact with members of the new formation. Morale is low, commanders are often not qualified, and the soldiers are poorly trained.

The loss of Kidal now marks a sharp reversal of Russias fortunes in Mali. Ibrahim said: Losing Kidal after first recapturing it is a major symbolic setback for the Russians.

But, he added, without Russian backing the juntas losses would likely have been far heavier. It would have been much more catastrophic for the military regime if the Russians were not stationed in the big cities, he said.

Moscow has so far struck a cautious tone. The foreign ministry issued a brief statement condemning the attacks but offered little detail on Russias role in the fighting. But state media and pro-Kremlin Telegram channels were quick to emphasise Moscows involvement, crediting Russian forces with helping to hold the rebels at bay.

The Russian newspaper Kommersant wrote: Largely thanks to the fighters of the Russian armed forces Africa Corps stationed in Mali, most of the attacks were repelled.
A trio of abandoned puppies wandered around a 7-Eleven in Thailand. They had no humans or a mother dog to look after them, as this viral Instagram video shows.

After approaching several customers waiting in line, nuzzling up to them for affection or begging for food, one kindhearted man answered their call. He did what the onlookers in this video did not: initiate a puppy rescue.

As this animal rescue video shows, once this man had these Thai street dogs in his car, he calmly reassured them that they were about to move on to better things, after double-checking to make sure that each of them was accounted for.

He remarked how stressful and challenging it was rounding up each of these homeless puppies and getting them into his car.

But in spite of those challenges, he said it was worth it because everyones going to be safe now.

As he spoke these warmhearted words, he gave these lost puppies reassuring affections, gently scratching their backs, necks, and ears.

As these tiny dogs gathered around this man, nuzzling up to him for cuddles, he told them that he was going to take them to the best place ever.

Regardless of what trials and tribulations they have endured, these rescued homeless puppies' lives have now become a heartwarming animal story.

His Simple Decision Quickly Drew Praise From Strangers Online

Viewers on social media absolutely applauded this mans kindhearted words and actions for these lost, vulnerable puppies.

Some social media users thanked this man for recognizing that these puppies needed help and then stepping up to help them, turning a dire situation for them into an inspiring dog rescue story: Thanks for taking them and not just leaving them there!

Other social media users also praised this guy for stepping up for these homeless puppies, even going so far as to say that he saved their lives: You're the best, bro! Thank you for saving them!

Related: Tiny Puppys Rescue From the Chimney of Crumbled Building Has People Breathing a Sigh of Relief

Plenty of viewers also commented that this guy did a true stand-up thing by helping these puppies instead of simply walking away from them as so many other people did in this video: You are a true gentleman, finding these beautiful pups a home and not just walking away from them to fend for themselves. Like so many street dogs.

Sometimes a simple act of kindness is all it takes to make a world of difference. This dog rescue story of a compassionate man saving puppies is a testament to the transformative power of random acts of kindness.

SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The controlling mind of the Labour leadership? - Leon Neal/Getty Images

When Morgan McSweeney takes his seat to be questioned by a Commons select committee on Tuesday, much of Britains political village will be gripped with fascination. For some politicos, this might finally be the day that we get the answers to many questions about this government and this Prime Minister. Exactly what did McSweeney do and say about the appointment of Peter Mandelson? What dark secrets could have been on McSweeneys missing phone?

More widely, what will we learn about the man who, many say, was effectively the controlling mind of the Labour leadership and perhaps the Prime Minister himself?

For some Labour MPs, the McSweeney appearance is more important than any of Starmers own statements over the Mandelson affair. For them, McSweeney is the real story of the Starmer government, the director of what amounts to an internal party coup. His alleged troops came from the Labour Together think-tank McSweeney ran in opposition, its funders, the same wealthy paymasters that gave Labour Tony Blair.

So will we finally unravel the enigmas of Starmerism and its failings? Of course not. Breathless excitement around McSweeneys appearance before the foreign affairs select committee is just the latest symptom of Westminsters pathological obsession with political advisers.

McSweeney is simply the latest to play the allotted role in an old political script  Gordon Brown had Damien McBride - Toby Melville/Reuters

For decades, perhaps centuries, people who spend their time too close to power have fixated not on the people at the top, but on those who stand behind them, advising, counselling, whispering, guiding. This is the cult of the guru, the near-religious belief in a power behind the throne whose decisions really count.

McSweeney is the latest to play the role allotted him in an old political script. Blair had Alastair Campbell. Gordon Brown had Damian McBride. David Cameron had Steve Hilton. Theresa May had Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill. Boris Johnson had Dominic Cummings.

All were imbued by village myth with near-magical powers, seers blessed with visions not granted to mere mortals, including the politicians they served. This is an image that several of them actively cultivated via helpful journalists  always while insisting that they dont do media, of course.

Campbell is unmatched in his embrace of the cult of the all-powerful adviser; one of his lucrative podcasts is titled Leading, a name that humbly invites listeners to regard Blairs former media handler as a peer to presidents and CEOs. Cummings comes a close second in the profile-building game, mysteriously enjoying a reputation as a strategic genius among media outlets he publicly derides as irrelevant and dim.

Alastair Campbell enjoys his reputation as mysterious behind-the-scenes genius - Stefan Rousseau/PA

Why does the SW1A village obsess so much over the aides and the advisers? Having done my fair share of guru-watching over nearly 30 years at Westminster, the conclusion I have come to is that theres something oddly reassuring about the idea of a super-brain Svengali controlling the operation.

Many people quietly find some comfort in the idea that someone, anyone, even if theyre an evil genius, has a plan and is in charge. This is why conspiracy theories are so persistent and compelling. Wed all quite like to impute some sort of design to events that would otherwise seem distressingly random and uncontrolled.

So we enjoy a story that tells us that someone is behind the scenes pulling the strings, orchestrating complex schemes, running things from the shadows. A conspiratorial fiction about secret power is less troubling than the truthful alternative of uncontrolled incompetence. As Dorothy learnt in Oz, its nicer to believe theres a wizard behind the curtain than to know its just another flawed little man.

But the unpalatable truth is that its not the advisers who really matter. In the end, its still the politicians whose choices count. The decisions that matter to our country and our lives are made not by wicked intellects wielding power behind the throne but by the often-hapless souls you see stumbling their way through an interview. Advisers advise, but ministers decide.

Its nicer to believe theres a wizard behind the curtain than to know its just another flawed little man - Temilade Adelaja/PA Wire

None of this is to say that advisers are per se a bad thing. Quite the contrary. Politicians should have good advisers, and more of them. Government would be better if Cabinet ministers could employ more special advisers  politically-appointed civil servants  to grip the Whitehall machine properly and actually enact the agenda they were elected to deliver.

As well as being more numerous, advisers should be more experienced: the salaries and working conditions available to special advisers mean its generally a job for 20-something and 30-something generalists working 80-hour weeks rather than late-career experts offering considered judgment and wisdom.

Pantomime debate depicting ministerial aides as sinister Machiavellis in the shadows of Westminster makes that conversation harder to have, since it means any politician broaching the subject risks being accused of hiring more spin-doctors or politicising the Civil Service. It is encouraging that in his work preparing Reform for government, Danny Kruger MP has been willing to challenge that narrative by arguing for more politically appointed aides and much greater use of outside experts as government advisers.

But such sensible changes will not be enough to end the cult of the guru. Whoever is in No 10 after Starmer will  rightly  have advisers and those advisers will  wrongly  attract attention that is disproportionate to their actual importance.

This tendency to blame the aides has been part of our political life since medieval times, when it was easier and safer to blame Kings evil counsellors for flaws in the exercise of regal power than to find fault in a divinely ordained monarch. Labour MPs blaming advisers like McSweeney for prime ministerial failings are unconsciously echoing that deference to power.

Was McSweeney evil or good, a wizard or a knave? The questions will always excite insiders, but in truth, the answers matter little. Just as no one now remembers the names of those evil counsellors, future historians recalling a string of disappointing British governments in the early 21st century will devote little time to McSweeney or any of those other gurus. The painful truth is that the politicians are in charge  God help us.
A government minister could not confirm if the King would take part in a walkabout on his state visit to the US after adjustments were made to his security arrangements following an attempted shooting in Washington.

King Charless security was reviewed following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a dinner on Saturday night, with the Palace confirming on Sunday that the visit would proceed.

Asked about whether he would take part in a walkabout on the trip  an informal public walk taken by members of the royal family to greet members of the public  environment minister Emma Reynolds told Times Radio: I cant comment specifically on the security provisions. But what I will say is that every measure is taken to protect the King and the Queen.

And they will obviously have looked very carefully at the events of the weekend, which were very, very concerning.

King Charles with Donald Trump at Windsor Castle during the US presidents 2025 state visit to the UK (PA Archive)

But every measure will be taken. The King's security is something that is planned and they schedule weeks and months in advance. But obviously, they will be looking at what happened over the weekend.

Charles and Camillas security arrangements were discussed in the wake of Saturdays violent incident at a Washington media dinner where Mr Trump, the first lady and senior figures from his administration were bundled from the room by the Secret Service after shots were fired.

Following questions over whether or not the visit would go ahead, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday night that it would proceed after discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day.

The King and Queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow [Monday], the palace added.

It is understood there will be some modest operational adjustments to one or two royal engagements during the trip but the overall plan remains as previously outlined.

The White House Correspondents Association dinner was thrown into chaos on Saturday night after the attempted attack, which saw shots fired, prompting the US president to be swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents along with other senior members of his administration.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday about the Kings state visit, Mr Trump said: Hes coming and were going to have a great time.

He added: Hes a great guy, and we look forward to it. Hes really a fantastic person and a tremendous representative, and hes brave.

Were gonna have a great time. And he represents his nation like nobody else can do it.

The suspect, said to have been carrying a shotgun and handgun, has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California.

He is understood to have been a guest in the Washington Hilton hotel, where the event was being held. He faces charges including assaulting an officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting attorney general Todd Blanche said additional charges will be filed.

The president posted pictures on his Truth Social platform of the alleged assailant handcuffed on the ground following his detention, and described him as a lone wolf whack job.

Mr Trump  who was attending the annual dinner for the first time as president  vowed to reschedule the disrupted event at a late-night press conference following the shooting, which he said had unified political opponents and the media.

It is understood that the King and Queen reached out privately to the US president and first lady over the weekend to express their sympathies with all those affected by the shooting and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.

The historic visit, the Kings first visit to the US as monarch, will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US.

The royal couple, who will begin their visit with a private tea hosted by the president and first lady, are also expected to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New Yorks twin towers.

Later, Mr Trump and the King are expected sit down for talks in the White Houses famous Oval Office while Camilla and Melania Trump take part in an event together.
Aidan OBrien will wait until later in the week before making a final decision on whether to saddle both Puerto Rico and the supplemented Gstaad in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Dual Group One winner Puerto Rico looked to have assumed the position of the Ballydoyle handlers number one contender for the Rowley Mile Classic after Breeders Cup hero Gstaad, along with Albert Einstein, were taken from the race last month  but it later transpired they were scratched due to an administrative error.

While the latter remains an absentee, Gstaad was reinstated at a cost of 30,000 ahead of Mondays confirmation stage, but OBrien insists he is not yet a guaranteed runner on Saturday.

Puerto Rico in action at Doncaster (Mike Egerton/PA) (Mike Egerton)

Speaking on Monday afternoon, he told the Press Association: Were not sure yet. The current thinking was Puerto Rico would go there and Gstaad might go to the French (Guineas), but thats not 100 per cent sure.

Well see how they are the next couple of days and then decide. Its very possible the two could go, well see.

Puerto Rico and Gstaad are two of four OBrien-trained contenders, with Causeway and Flushing Meadows also on the list of 20 colts still in the mix.

Fozzy Stacks Thesecretadversary and Robson De Aguiars Power Blue could also cross the Irish Sea, while the home team is headed by Bow Echo, who will put his unbeaten record on the line over the Rowley Mile.

George Bougheys son of Night Of Thunder won each of his three starts last season and signed off with a victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes over the Guineas course and distance.

Billy Loughnane and Bow Echo after winning the Royal Lodge at Newmarket (Bradley Collyer/PA) (Bradley Collyer)

There is a second supplementary entry in Charlie Pikes Padraig Dawn, who finished second in the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on just his second career outing.

Charlie Appleby could be double-handed with Dewhurst third Distant Storm and the unbeaten Kings Trail, while Roger Varians Avicenna is another possible runner for Godolphin.

John and Thady Gosdens Oxagon beat Avicenna into second in the Craven Stakes and also stands his ground.

Karl Burke may be triple-handed with Greenham winner Alparslan, Billecart and Hankelow, While Francis-Henri Graffards Samangan is the sole international raider.

Into The Sky, a length second in the Mill Reef at the back end of last season, represents Jim Boyle and Needle Match, fourth behind Alparslan in the Greenham, will attempt to reverse the form for William Haggas.

The field is completed by Andrew Baldings Venetian Prince and Ismail Mohammeds Lord Britain.

Sponsors Betfred are offering a 2million bonus to any horse that wins the Triple Crown of the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger.

 2,000 Guineas The Derby St Leger The 2million Betfred Triple Crown Bonus is BACK! pic.twitter.com/tkdpWcGGhu  Betfred (@Betfred) April 27, 2026

Betfred founder Fred Done said: It was an honour last year to be the first company in history to sponsor all five British Classics and I cant wait to do it all again this year.

That is why I am offering the 2million Triple Crown bonus again. Nijinsky was undoubtedly one of the greats and it is about time we had another Triple Crown winner to celebrate.

Can another horse rise to the occasion, make history, and do it again?
The Trump-loving boss at a large commercial cleaning company told employees he was happy to solicit business from Christian churches but that mosques were off-limits because he did not want Muslims as customers, according to a federal workplace discrimination lawsuit reviewed by The Independent.

In her complaint, 49-year-old Allison Creveling, a former business development manager at Southern Cleaning Service Inc.s Jacksonville, Florida office, says she personally witnessed a top executive openly demean women and minorities, reserving a particular animus toward those of the Muslim faith.

By way of example, when [Creveling] suggested approaching a local mosque as a potential client, an approach consistent with another business development managers practice of soliciting churches, [Regional Vice President of Operations David] McDowell reacted with a strong objection and stated that he would not allow a Muslim client, the complaint alleges.

McDowells conduct set the tone for his operations team, which followed his lead, according to the complaint, which describes the culture at Southern Cleaning as openly hostile toward non-whites, and infused with inappropriate political and religious messaging.

In addition to verbal remarks, the Jacksonville office displayed Donald Trump paraphernalia in common workspaces, Crevelings complaint states. Employees who expressed political views differing from McDowells were disparaged or marginalized, reinforcing an atmosphere in which dissenting viewpoints were discouraged and punished.

When Creveling brought her concerns to higher-ups, she was fired, the complaint contends.

A commercial cleaning company is under fire for an allegedly anti-Islam stance toward potential clients, according to a lawsuit reviewed by The Independent (Getty Images)

The attorney representing Southern Cleaning, which is based in Springville, Alabama, did not respond Monday to requests for comment. Messages sent to McDowell, who is not listed as a defendant in the case, went unanswered.

Southern Cleaning Service Inc. was founded in 1983 with a commitment to exceptional customer service and long-term client partnerships, its website tells prospective clients. Over the years, we have grown into a full-service facility maintenance provider offering cleaning and supply management, consulting, equipment and supply services, polished concrete maintenance, outdoor and landscaping supplies, and propane fuel sales.

Creveling was hired at Southern Cleaning on April 15, 2024, according to her complaint. Soon after she started, Creveling claims she began to recognize a pattern of systematic hostility within the workplace, with a Black colleague, for one, being subjected to overt racial discrimination by their supervisors, according to the complaint, which was initially filed February 12 in Florida state court and removed to Jacksonville federal court on April 24.

At the same time, management pitted the two against each other by telling Crevelings colleague that she was badmouthing him around the office, which the complaint says was a way of manufacturing hostility between them under the guise of fostering competition. Once Creveling discovered what had been happening, she told a supervisor, who did nothing, according to the complaint. The coworker, meanwhile, became disillusioned and quit without notice, which the complaint says caused confusion among leadership.

Creveling was also forced to abide by rules her male counterparts were not, the complaint continues. While the men on her team routinely showed up in jeans and company-logoed quarter-zips, when Creveling wore the same outfit, she was told not to wear jeans because it was not ladylike, the complaint states. About a month after she was onboarded, Creveling claims she offered some constructive criticism during a sales meeting but was met with hostility by a manager who allegedly told her she should quit working and go get a sugar daddy.

Donald Trump, seen here in May 2025, touring the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates. A Trump-loving manager at a large commercial cleaning company in Florida is accused of rejecting Muslim clients, according to a lawsuit (Getty Images)

The workplace culture at Southern Cleaning was openly hostile toward women and minorities and was infused with inappropriate political and religious messaging, the complaint adds. It says Creveling personally witnessed McDowell make discriminatory remarks concerning women, African Americans, Muslims and other demographic groups, laying out details of his refusal to allow a Muslim client on the company roster.

Memorabilia and items expressing support for Trump were showcased throughout the office, with those expressing dissenting political views being disparaged or marginalized, the complaint states. Another time, McDowell reportedly approached a Black employee and fashioned a noose out of the mans scarf, saying he would be hanged if he failed to close a certain sale. Crevelings complaint says she also watched a regional sales manager mock the same employees Parkinsons disease by imitating his tremors. In response to Creveling pointing out that this could be seen as offensive, the sales manager said that he still found it humorous, according to the complaint.

Such insensitive comments and discriminatory conduct were made on a recurring basis throughout [Crevelings] employment, the complaint states.

In the spring of 2025, Creveling  who had been awarded a smaller year-end bonus than at least two of the men she worked with, even though she billed more than both of them combined, according to the complaint  brought her concerns to senior leadership. However, when she sat down with them in person, she says she found her personality being intensely criticized, while management defended McDowell and the others. Creveling then followed up with an email elucidating her concerns, the complaint says.

On April 11, the day after she sent the email, Creveling, who had recently been offered a promotion, was terminated without explanation. Although HR confirmed to Creveling that she had not been fired for cause, she was contacted three days later by a former client who said Southern Cleaning was claiming she had been let go for poor performance, according to the complaint.

This defamatory statement was intended to damage [Crevelings] professional reputation and interfere with her future employment opportunities in retaliation for her protected complaints of discrimination, the complaint states.

Last Friday, Southern Cleanings attorneys filed an answer to Crevelings allegations, denying each in full and claiming the company made good-faith efforts to counter and prevent workplace discrimination. It further maintains that any comments or statements to which Creveling objected are in fact considered protected speech under the Constitution.

Creveling is now seeking general, compensatory, and punitive damages to be determined by a jury, plus attorneys fees and court costs.
Matthew Lillard said a longing for ye olde times was the reason for renewed interest in his past roles, and why he was being cast again.

Speaking on the Phase Hero podcast, he pointed to films from the early 2000s which he said were now being watched more widely than at the time of their release.

Scooby-Doo 1 and 2 are more popular now than they ever were when they came out, he told the host Brandon Davis.

So I do think there is a weird nostalgia thing happening in our industry and in the zeitgeist, because I think people are longing for ye olde times. I think that is one of the reasons Im having this moment to be honest, is because I was identified in that moment, so people are hiring me again.

Lillard rose to prominence with roles like Stu Macher in Scream (1996), went on to play Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo films released in 2002 and 2004, and acted in films like Shes All That and The Descendants.

On the podcast, Davis joked that casting directors were looking back to find a familiar face from when people felt better about their lives and returning actors like Lillard to the screen hoping it would make people feel better.

That's why Im working. I dont think anyone really likes me, Lillard replied. They just missed the old times.

Matthew Lillard says a longing for ye olde times explains renewed interest in his past roles and why he is being cast again (Getty)

Lillard appeared in the 2023 horror film Five Nights at Freddy's as William Afton, a role that he was expected to reprise in the still-in-development third instalment of the franchise.

He is currently starring in Daredevil: Born Again, playing the shadowy political fixer Mr Charles. He is also appearing in the second season of the Prime Video series Cross, where he plays Lance Durand.

The actor returned as Stu in the seventh instalment of the Scream series, making a surprise comeback for a character widely believed to have died in the original film after Neve Campbells Sidney Prescott dropped a television on his head.

Lillard is set to appear in the forthcoming Mike Flanagan-directed miniseries Carrie, and the Tony Gilroy-directed film Behemoth!, alongside Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, Will Arnett, Eva Victor, and Margarita Levieva.

Lillard returned as Stu in the seventh instalment of the Scream series, marking a surprise comeback for a character widely believed to have died in the original film (PA)

Last year, Oscar-winning director Quentin Tarantino made headlines for saying he didnt care for the Scream star and actors Paul Dano and Owen Wilson. All three instantly received an outpouring of love from within Hollywood.

Lillard was defended by Flanagan, who directed him in The Life of Chuck (2024), as the goddamn greatest.

He was also recruited by Ryan Reynolds for a Mint Mobile commercial in which the Deadpool star declared in his voiceover: There are only two things that are universally loved: saving money and beloved actor Matthew Lillard.

In February, Lillard said he felt like he was at his own wake after being flooded with support following Tarantinos comments. It felt like I had died and was in heaven watching everyone send out their RIP tweets, he told People. I mean, it was really nice being a part of your own wake, sort of sitting there living through all the nice things people say after you die.
Passengers travelling through London Stansted Airport are being warned of potential delays over the Early May bank holiday weekend as strike action is set to impact services.

UK airport set for May bank holiday disruption

Around 100 workers are expected to walk out between May 3 and May 6, raising concerns about disruption at one of the UK's busiest travel hubs. The airport, which is the fourth busiest in the country, usually sees a surge in passenger numbers during the holiday period.

The strike has been organised by Unite the Union and will primarily involve staff responsible for assisting passengers with reduced mobility. These workers play a key role in helping travellers navigate the airport, including escorting them through terminals.

Industrial action was announced after employees rejected a "substandard" pay offer. Staff employed by ABM, the contractor providing assistance services at the airport, have argued that the proposal does not address concerns around low wages.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "ABM staff do a vital job for passengers at the airport, yet they are struggling with low pay while their employer makes huge profits. This situation is unacceptable and workers at ABM continue to have Unite's full support."

The walkout is likely to mean longer waits, especially for passengers needing extra assistance, as reduced staffing could slow everything from check-in to security and boarding.

Passengers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to check with their airline or the airport for updates before travelling.
Dogs can cause all kinds of chaos when left to their own devicesbut not Olivia.

This certified good girl has been waiting patiently at North Central Animal Shelter in Los Angeles, California, for a forever family to come her way, and her recent behavior during an unexpected side quest should have sealed the deal. Somehow, though, no adopter has stepped forward for this gorgeous Boxer dog, even after seeing what she did after being locked in a meet-and-greet room at the shelter on April 22.

Olivia is such a patient pup! She could have panicked or wreaked havoc while she was alone in the room, but all she wanted to do was take a nap. Even as friends, strangers, and other shelter dogs walked by outside, she kept her cool and impressed everybody who saw her.

"What a great calm demeanor," commented @noethcs. "Great to hear she is a star in the playground with other dogs. Its her time to find a great home to be loved and treated like the queen she is."

Related: Dog Rescuer Fosters a Shelter Dog With 'Zero Interest' and Completely Transforms His Life

As commenter @mine_fur_life pointed out, maybe this mama dog "just wanted some quiet time." Considering that she gave birth in the shelter in March, that's certainly possible! Between raising puppies, leading playgroups, and making the most of every ounce of playtime, Olivia has a packed schedule.

But why in the world hasn't she been adopted yet? Having puppies can be an understandable setback, but this 2-year-old shelter dog has to be someone's dream dog. Between her calm demeanor, her social personality, and her zest for life, what's not to love?

Shelter Dogs' Resilience

Olivia's easygoing and joyful nature is a beautiful example of the resilience that shelter dogs are known for. No two rescue dogs have the same story, but they've all overcome challenge after challenge, just in the hopes of finding a forever home.



SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

From arriving at the shelter to giving birth alone in a kennel, this brave Boxer has endured more than one dog deserves for a lifetime. Hopefully, her incredible behavior during this incident will inspire someone to reach out about bringing her home for good. It's only a matter of time!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sir Keir Starmer will lead a meeting of the Iran crisis committee on Tuesday as he warned the impact of the Iran war could continue for some time.

The Prime Minister will convene the meeting with representatives from the Bank of England to discuss the wars economic impact in the shadow of rising oil prices.

He told the Usdaw unions conference in Lancashire that he had called the meeting so you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis.

The meeting of the Middle East Response Committee (MERC), the panel set up to deal with the fallout from the conflict, will take place after the Government warned the economic impact could last for eight months beyond the end of the war.

Sir Keir said: I have to level with you about Iran.

The truth is the economic consequences could still be with us for some time.

You dont need to be a politician to know that, you can see it on every petrol forecourt across the country.

The MERC was set up to hold regular meetings and the ministers will gather in one of the Cabinet Office briefing rooms.

But it is not a Cobra meeting  the MERC was established to deal with the ongoing crisis rather than responding to emergencies.

The Prime Minister said the response to the economic and political shock from the war, which has strained transatlantic relations with the US, will define not just this Government but arguably this generation.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivers a speech to the Usdaw conference in north-west England (Temilade Adelaja/PA) (Temilade Adelaja)

Sir Keir said: The world has changed. It is more volatile and dangerous now than at any other point in my lifetime.

The meeting comes as oil prices hit a near three-week high on Monday, as hopes of progress on peace talks between the US and Iran were once again dashed.

Negotiations had been expected to take place in Pakistan before US President Donald Trump declared over the weekend that envoys from Washington would no longer be travelling to Islamabad because of a lack of progress with Iran.

Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday: If they want, we can talk but were not sending people.

He last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire between the US and Iran, which was agreed on April 7 and which has largely halted the fighting that began with joint US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

But a permanent resolution has yet to be agreed and the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil supplies are carried, remains effectively blocked.

Oil prices fell in mid-April when it appeared that progress was being made towards reopening the strait, but Mr Trumps announcement at the weekend has sent prices soaring again.

(PA Graphics) (PA Graphics)

The cost of benchmark Brent crude continued its ascent, rising 2% to just under 108 US dollars a barrel in early morning trading on Monday, rising back up to levels seen before the first round of peace talks began in early April.

At the Usdaw conference, Sir Keir reiterated that the Government had capped household energy costs until July, regardless of what happens in Iran, while fuel duty is scheduled to remain frozen until September.

Fuel duty is then scheduled to rise gradually, unwinding a 5p cut introduced as a temporary measure after Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

But ministers have come under significant pressure to maintain the cut in light of rising petrol prices, and senior Reform UK politicians staged a protest in Westminster on Monday to demand action on fuel costs.

In the Commons, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the economy was heading in the right direction at the beginning of the year, pointing to a drop in the rate of UK unemployment to 4.9% in the three months to February, down from 5.2% in the three months to January.

But I have to warn the House that external effects caused by the war in Iran and the rise in energy prices may affect jobs as well as prices in the coming months, he told MPs.
Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting this week to discuss the ongoing economic impact of the Iran war, which he warned could continue for some time.

The prime minister will convene the Middle East Response Committee with representatives from the Bank of England to discuss the wars economic consequences in the shadow of rising oil prices.

The meeting comes as oil prices hit a near three-week high on Monday, as the Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded as peace talks between the US and Iran stall.

Speaking in Lancashire on Monday, the prime minister said he had called the meeting on Tuesday so you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis.

However, he told the Usdaw unions conference: I have to level with you about Iran.

The truth is the economic consequences could still be with us for some time.

The prime minister said he had called the meeting on Tuesday so you can be sure we will stand by working people in this crisis (Reuters)

You dont need to be a politician to know that, you can see it on every petrol forecourt across the country.

The Middle East Response Committee - which was set up as a new Cabinet committee to deal with the fallout from the Iran conflict - will discuss the domestic impact of the conflict.

Despite the US president indefinitely extending the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, a permanent resolution has yet to be agreed and the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil supplies are carried, remains effectively blocked.

Oil prices continue to rise after negotiations between Iran and the US broke down, with Donald Trump declaring over the weekend that envoys would no longer be travelling to Pakistan for talks due to a lack of progress.

Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday: If they want, we can talk but were not sending people.

Donald Trump declared over the weekend that envoys would no longer be travelling to Pakistan for talks due to a lack of progress (AFP/Getty)

The cost of benchmark Brent crude continued its ascent, rising 2 per cent to just under 108 US dollars a barrel in early morning trading on Monday, rising back up to levels seen before the first round of peace talks began in early April.

Labour have been under pressure to lay out measures to protect Britons amid the rising prices and uncertainty.

At the Usdaw conference, Sir Keir reiterated that the Government had capped household energy costs until July, regardless of what happens in Iran, while fuel duty is scheduled to remain frozen until September.

But on Sunday, the chief secretary to the prime minister, Darren Jones, warned price hikes as a result of the conflict will be felt for at least eight months after the war ends.

He said people will see higher energy, food and flight prices as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East and said there will be a long tail from this.
Abortion rights activists protest after the overturning of Roe v Wade by the US supreme court, in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, in June 2022. Photograph: Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Seth Herald/AFP/Getty Images)

It was the worst day of Rachel Fultons life. She stood outside her doctors office, reeling with the news that her dearly wanted pregnancy needed to end. But her day would, somehow, become even worse: Fulton lives in Tennessee, where abortion is banned except for very narrow threats to the patients life. She had to travel hours to another state to receive care from an unfamiliar doctor far from home.

Fulton joined a lawsuit, along with five other patients, in 2023 against the state of Tennessee for violating their right to life. The American Medical Association and two doctors also joined the lawsuit because they say they have been prevented from providing the standard of care for their patients.

The trial was set to begin on Monday, but a last-minute appeal halted the proceedings indefinitely.

Related: Pennsylvania court strikes down ban on use of Medicaid funds for abortions

The case illustrates the way state-level abortion bans and restrictions are endangering womens health, even in places where exceptions for patients lives are supposed to be in place, said Linda Goldstein, lead attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, which helped bring the lawsuit.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want women to be able to get abortion care when their lives or health are threatened, and there are these exceptions written into the law that the politicians tout as doing that, but in fact, they dont, Goldstein said.

When the Fultons learned they were expecting their second child, they were overjoyed. But a 12-week scan revealed a condition called cystic hygroma, in which fluid gathered where the heart should have been forming. They held out hope and began decorating the nursery with a Peanuts theme. They chose a name: Titus Claude.

A follow-up exam at 16 weeks revealed that the condition was worsening, and the baby would not survive long after birth. Fultons life was also in danger, because she could develop mirror syndrome, a potentially deadly complication.

Nothing prepares you to hear that the baby that you want is incompatible with life, Fulton said. And not only that hes incompatible with life, but that he is putting my life at risk. Theres nothing in the world that can prepare you for that, even if you know it might be coming.

Her mom reminded her that she had a little boy at home, a three-year-old son, who needed her. And Fulton thought about her paternal grandmother, who died in childbirth and left seven children behind. I have seen what my aunts and uncles have gone through as a result of losing their mom when they were really young, and how it still affects them, she said. I didnt want to do that to my son.

The maternal-fetal physician said she could go out of state to get an abortion, she could wait until she was in mortal danger or she could wait until Titus died  only then could she access the care she needed in Tennessee.

It made a terrible situation so much worse, Fulton said. I had no good options. I at least wanted the least-bad option to be with a doctor who has already seen me and is familiar with my medical history and I can go back to see for a follow-up appointment.

She also wanted to be able to recover at home, near friends and family. She was left feeling a callous disregard for her life: Some people that are making some decisions just didnt care whether I lived or died in this situation.

The Fultons first drove about eight hours to St Louis, Missouri, to stay with family; then Rachel and her husband drove another two or three hours to Illinois for the abortion. I was just so, so grateful that I could give my son a huge, huge hug after all of that, she said.

When she learned about a lawsuit from the Center for Reproductive Rights, she contacted them for updates on the case  and ended up joining as a plaintiff.

If I could stop people from being in the medical position that I was in, I would, but I cant, Fulton said. Whenever I do anything with this case, as hard as it is, I am doing it to help other people and Im doing it for Titus, she said. For me, this is the Titus Fulton memorial court case.

The patient plaintiffs were all injured by being denied medical care, Goldstein said. Four of them were diagnosed with lethal fetal diagnoses which were dangerous to their own health, and two of them developed very serious infections because reproductive healthcare was denied.

What the state is trying to do by this delay is prevent these women from telling their story in court, Goldstein said. The state wants to convince the people of Tennessee that the abortion ban is working and that women who need medically necessary abortion care are getting it. And what women in our case prove, and what the state is very afraid of coming to light, is that its not working. Women are being denied care, theyre getting infected, theyre going septic, and this is all because doctors are terrified to provide standard medical treatment that they used to provide to their patients before the ban went into effect.

The attorney general of Tennessee, Jonathan Skrmetti, told the Guardian in a statement that theres nothing unusual about appealing an appealable order, adding that he believes the Tennessee judiciary can resolve the legal issues here without a trial. If were wrong about that, were fully prepared to try this case.

The plaintiffs plan to fight the appeal.

Its been a long time waiting for this, to have the rug pulled out from under us now, Fulton said. Im just hoping I still get my day in court, I get to tell my story, I get to speak for other women, other families, in situations like ours.

The longer the trial is delayed, the more families have to go through pain like theirs, she said.
(AFP/Getty)

A controversial Texas law empowering state police to arrest individuals suspected of illegally entering the country can now take effect, following a federal appeals court decision on Friday that lifted a lower courts injunction.

The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the measure, known as Senate Bill 4, by ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to sue, thus avoiding a judgment on the laws underlying constitutional questions.

Texas lawmakers passed SB 4 in response to what they described as an "invasion" due to record border crossings, which have since decreased.

Historically, immigration enforcement has been the sole purview of the federal government.

Texass legislation directly challenges this precedent, drawing immediate constitutional challenges from immigrant and civil rights organizations who argue that policing immigration falls exclusively under federal authority.

In a 10-7 decision, the appeals court determined that plaintiffs Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, American Gateways, and El Paso County could not proceed with their lawsuit. "These Plaintiffs voluntarily incurred costs to advocate for clients. Under recent Supreme Court precedent, that falls far short of conferring standing. We vacate the preliminary injunction to the contrary," the 5th Circuits order stated.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the ruling on social media, declaring, "Texass right to arrest illegals, protect our citizens, and enforce immigration law is fundamental. This is a major win for public safety and law and order."

SB 4 establishes a state misdemeanor for illegally crossing the border into Texas, allowing authorities to arrest suspected violators. The law also mandates state magistrate judges to order those arrested for illegal entry to leave the country for Mexico, either in lieu of prosecution or upon conviction.

(AFP/Getty)

The Biden administration had challenged the law, deeming it unconstitutional, though the Trump administration later withdrew the Department of Justices participation in the lawsuit.

Texas officials have consistently defended the law, both in and out of court, asserting the states right to self-defense against what Republican leaders have termed an "invasion" of illegal migration. Courts in recent decades have largely rejected this "invasion" argument, and immigration rights advocates have voiced concerns that such rhetoric could incite violence against immigrants.

The appeals courts majority decision explicitly avoided the "invasion" argument, focusing solely on the plaintiffs standing and stressing that the ruling was made "without addressing the merits" of the case. However, Judge James Ho, in a concurring opinion, argued that Texas possessed a right to defend itself, citing a book that suggests Mexico and other nations have "weaponized migrants" against the United States. "If our adversaries are going to weaponize mass migration to harm America as well as other countries, our elected officials are entitled to respond accordingly," he wrote. "And in any event, these are political matters for which elected officials are held accountable by voters, not judges."

It remains unclear whether SB 4 will go into effect immediately.

Nicolas Palazzo, director of legal services at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, criticized the 5th Circuit for taking "the easy way out" by not ruling on the merits. "By avoiding the core question of S.B. 4s unlawfulness, it left the road wide open for S.B. 4 to continue its reign of fear and targeted profiling against migrants and their families, undermining safety and security in El Paso," Palazzo stated. "We remain committed, however, to continue to challenge S.B. 4 and its abuse of power."
Members of the US Secret Service block off a street outside of the Washington Hilton after the White House Correspondents Association Dinner was postponed. Photograph: Al Drago/Getty Images (Photograph: Al Drago/Getty Images)

US law enforcement officials are reportedly reassessing security arrangements after a gunman opened fire near the White House Correspondents Association dinner, raising questions about how he was able to get so close to an event attended by president Donald Trump, cabinet members and lawmakers.

Former Secret Service agents and senior US officials told the Reuters news agency that federal agents appeared to carry out their plan to protect the president effectively on Saturday night, stopping the alleged gunman before he reached the basement level of the Washington Hilton, where Trump was set to speak.

But the fact that some attendees could hear the shots fired at a Secret Service agent underscored vulnerabilities, the officials said.

The most obvious lesson from the incident, the former law enforcement officials said, is that security personnel may need to expand the protective perimeter around the president at large public venues, even if that leads to public inconvenience.

Anti-Trump sentiment being examined as motive for White House press dinner shooting

Investigators are looking into anti-Trump sentiment as being a motive for the attacker who sought to breach the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington DC where the US president and top members of his administration were present.

Backing up that view is a manifesto reportedly written by the suspect, who has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California. In the alleged manifesto, which was published in full by the New York Post, Allen created a list of targets for the shooting, ranked from highest to lowest priority, with Trump administration officials at the top.

Read the full story

Trump tells 60 Minutes he wasnt worried during correspondents dinner shooting

Donald Trump spoke with CBS correspondent Norah ODonnell in an interview that aired Sunday night on 60 Minutes describing his ordeal at the White House Correspondents Association dinner when shots rang out.

I wasnt worried, Trump said in the interview when asked how worried he was about possible injuries after hearing the gun shots. I understand life. We live in a crazy world.

Read the full story

Washington in shock after White House press dinner shooting: an angry, polarized nation

A stunned Washington faced searching questions about political violence and gun control on Sunday after shots were fired at a prestigious media gala attended by Donald Trump and senior White House officials.

A man targeted a Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel the previous night before being tackled and arrested. Trump and Melania Trump were rushed out of the annual White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) dinner as guests dived for cover under tables.

Read the full story

King Charless security for US visit under review after Washington shooting

King Charless security is being reviewed before his state visit to the US this week, Buckingham Palace has said, after a gunman attempted to storm a dinner attended by Donald Trump in Washington DC.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Buckingham Palace said: Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of government, we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned.

Read the full story

US is taking a real risk with hasty shift in efforts to fight HIV, experts say

The US government released likely the last report from Pepfar (Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) earlier this month and the chief science officer announced his resignation days later as the US moves to a patchwork of individual partnerships with each country, potentially driven by resource extraction.

Read the full story

No headway in Middle East peace efforts as US and Iran refuse to yield

Hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations between Iran and the US faded further on Sunday, amid a deepening sense of deadlock in the nearly two-month-long conflict despite intense regional diplomatic activity.

Washington and Tehran appear unwilling to moderate rhetoric or make concessions, and there are no negotiations scheduled that might bring the war to a definitive end.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Ahead of this years White House correspondents dinner, conversations centered on the role of the media and freedom of the press . Instead  as Rachel Leingang writes  the event ended like many in the US do: with gun violence.

Leaders from around the world have condemned the shooting at the White House correspondents dinner on Saturday night as an act of political violence and expressed relief that Donald Trump, officials and journalists were unharmed.

Catching up? Heres what happened Saturday 25 April.
Donald Trump has shared a supporters bizarre social media post suggesting ICE is renamed - for the media coverage.

The X post by a self-professed MAGA journalist said she wanted the president to rebrand U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to National Immigration and Customs Enforcement so the media has to say NICE agents all day every day.

GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT . President DJT, Trump added as he reposted the message on his Truth Social platform. The users original post has been viewed more than 800,000 times and won praise from other MAGA supporters, as well as the president himself.

While it is not clear whether Trumps apparent endorsement should be taken seriously, the president has advocated a number of name changes since returning to office.

These include issuing an executive order rebranding the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and another renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War. 

President Trump has voiced his support for changing the name of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to 'NICE' (AFP/Getty)

ICE has become increasingly controversial during Trumps second presidency, as the agency carries out the commander-in-chiefs immigration crackdown. 

Since the president returned to office, his administration has sent masked ICE agents into cities across the United States. In January, Minneapolis became a focal point for the dispute over the crackdown after two residents were shot dead by federal agents.

The Department of Homeland Security closed in mid-February after Democrats demanded that the government reform immigration operations following the killings in Minneapolis. 

The following month, Trump fired the then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Senate Republicans approved a budget resolution to fund ICE and Customs and Border Protection on Thursday, with the bill passing in a 50-48 vote.

The president suggested the name change less than two days after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner (AFP/Getty)

All Senate Democrats and two Republicans were in opposition to the bill, which will allow as much as $140 billion to be allocated to ICE and CBP.

However, the resolution must be adopted by the House of Representatives before officials can begin writing legislation to formally hand funding to the two agencies.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, blasted the resolution in a statement from the Senate Democrats.

$140 billion for ICE. $0 to lower your costs. Thats the choice Republicans made tonight, he wrote. While families are paying more for gas, groceries, and housing, Republicans are writing a $140 billion dollar (sic) check to Trumps enforcement machine.

A Senate GOP aide told The Washington Post that Republicans expect to spend around half of the potential $140 billion.
Donald Trump in the White House press briefing room after the incident at the correspondents dinner on Saturday. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA (Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA)

Donald Trump spoke with the CBS correspondent Norah ODonnell in an interview that aired on Sunday night on 60 Minutes describing his ordeal at the White House Correspondents Association dinner when shots rang out.

A gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton hotel Saturday night, though he did not breach the basement-level ballroom where Trump was sitting at the time. The president described the events in an even tone, saying that he did not feel particularly alarmed as they unfolded.

I wasnt worried, Trump said in the interview when asked how worried he was about possible injuries after hearing the gunshots. I understand life. We live in a crazy world. The interview turned frosty when ODonnell put portions of the gunmans manifesto to Trump, which appeared to refer to the president as a rapist and pedophile, prompting him to call ODonnell a disgrace and the media horrible people.

Recounting his events of the shooting, Trump told 60 Minutes that his curiosity probably slowed the Secret Services efforts to rush him to safety.

Related: Shots rang out, pandemonium erupted: how the White House press dinner shooting unfolded

I wanted to see what was happening, Trump said. I wasnt making it that easy for them. I wanted to see what was going on. And by that time we started to realize maybe it was a bad problem, different kind of problem, a bad one  and different than what would be normal noise from a ballroom.

I was surrounded by great people, Trump added. And I probably made them act a little more slowly. I said, Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Secret Service officers, however, repeatedly told the president and first lady, Melania Trump, to hit the floor, Trump said.

I started walking, Trump said. And they said, Please go down, please go down on the floor. So I went down and the first lady went down also.

Secret Service officers eventually led Trump and other administration members to safety after the shots were fired.

Law enforcement officers exchanged fire with the suspected gunman Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, at the hotel before tackling and arresting him. Allen was armed with knives, a shotgun and a handgun at the time of his arrest.

The shooting appears politically motivated and may have targeted other top US officials in addition to Trump, according to the acting US attorney general, Todd Blanche.

Related: Anti-Trump sentiment being examined as motive for White House press dinner shooting

We do believe, based upon just a very preliminary start to understanding what happened, that he was targeting members of the administration, Blanche said in an interview with CBS News on Sunday.

The suspect allegedly sent writings to family members fulminating against the Trump administration that some have described as a manifesto. The 1,100-word screed is signed Cole coldForce Friendly Federal Assassin Allen.

The 60 Minutes interview got confrontational when ODonnell read some of the manifesto on air that appeared to refer to Trump as a rapist and a pedophile and asked Trump to react.

I was waiting for you to read that, because I knew you would, because youre horrible people, Trump said. Yeah he did write that, Im not a rapist  I read the manifesto. You know, hes a sick person. You shouldnt be reading that on 60 Minutes, youre a disgrace, but go ahead, lets finish the interview.

Trump continued to take jabs at ODonnell for the rest of the interview. After she noted that Allen, the suspected shooter, had reportedly attended a No Kings protest, Trump shot back: The reason you have people like that, is you have people doing No Kings. Im not a king. What I am  if I was a king, I wouldnt be dealing with you.

Notwithstanding Trumps criticisms of the press, which he described as soft on crime, he urged the White House Correspondents Association to reschedule the event within the next 30 days.

I dont want to see it be canceled. I think its really bad for a crazy person to be able to cancel something like this, Trump said, adding: Its not that I want to go. Im very busy. I dont need that.
Kim said his government would continue to fully support Russias policies of defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests, KCNA reported. Kim has steadily moved to elevate the North Korean troops who fought for Russia in the Kursk region into symbols of sacrifice and loyalty, using state ceremonies and memorial projects to publicly honour their role. The souls of the fallen will live forever with the great honour they defended, Kim said in a handwritten message at the memorial on Sunday, according to state media.
Ed Walker is already having to keep an eye on the weather as he attempts to determine the ideal starting point for star performer Almaqam.

The unusually dry spring curtailed any hopes of the Champion Stakes third reappearing in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, with the Lambourn handler now looking at Group One targets in both France and Ireland for the five-year-old, who is still seeking an elusive strike at the highest level.

Walker said: We know hes a Group One horse and we kind of felt what is the point and not to undermine the Gordon Richards  as much as I wanted to blow the cobwebs away  why risk it on ground that might be unsuitably fast.

If it was a Group One on that ground we might have had a go, but it wasnt and its a long season. Its just incredibly frustrating that we are already worrying about ground in April, its heartbreaking really.

The Ganay was an option, but it would have been a case of supplementing and we knew the forecast was dry there so decided against it.

The Prix dIspahan (Prix Aga Khan IV) or Tattersalls Gold Cup would be the next options for him and its just a case of monitoring it and seeing where has the most suitable ground.

Its heartbreaking as hes the highest-rated horse weve ever had (122) but he hasnt won a Group One and we cant run him. Last year was so frustrating and this year has started the same.

Although Almaqam has yet to be seen, it has been a fine start to the new turf campaign for Walker, who has reason to be excited over the future prospects of Newbury winner Synchronicity.

A sister to Ombudsman who cost 900,000 guineas as a yearling, she will next head to York for Listed action which could serve as a stepping stone to Royal Ascot.

Shes come out of Newbury well and shes a very exciting filly, continued Walker.

I think were happy with our plan of the Michael Seely. The Guineas comes too soon and I dont really want to travel her on her second start.

We can go to York and if that goes to plan, we can go to Ascot which is a logical path.

Its sad with a filly of her pedigree to ignore the Guineas, but if she won a Coronation Stakes instead, you would take that.
Chinese FM meets with Myanmar counterpart

Xinhua) 09:20, April 27, 2026

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, holds talks with Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, April 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

NAY PYI TAW, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, held talks with Myanmar's Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe here on Saturday.

Wang said China stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Myanmar, deepen practical cooperation, support Myanmar in accelerating its development and revitalization, and advance new progress in building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future.

Wang also called for joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in electricity, oil and gas, expand trade and investment, explore emerging areas of cooperation, deepen security collaboration, resolutely combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and enhance youth exchanges and training.

For his part, U Tin Maung Swe said Myanmar reaffirms its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and expressed the country's willingness to remain a trustworthy and friendly neighbor to China, maintain close high-level exchanges, and accelerate the construction of projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

Myanmar will also make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese projects and personnel in the country, and to work closely with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecom fraud, so as to create a sound environment for bilateral cooperation, U Tin Maung Swe said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
An award-winning university chef has been charged with murder after allegedly confessing to intentionally beating his wife to death inside a hotel room on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus on Wednesday night.

Jeffrey C. MacDonald, 36, of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, pleaded not guilty on Thursday, Apr. 24, to one count of murder and one count of assault and battery on a police officer during his arraignment in Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Judge Rebecca Michaels ordered him held without bail, and his next court date is scheduled for May 12. MacDonald has also been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial, according to People.

According to a police report filed in Eastern Hampshire District Court, MacDonald "admitted that he had intentionally beaten his wife to death, using his hands, feet, as well as a variety of other objects, and that it was his intent to kill her in doing so." The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Emma MacDonald, who was also a UMass Amherst employee working as a dining hall supervisor.

Campus police received a 911 call at approximately 7:42 p.m. reporting an emergency in Room 413 of the Hotel UMass, a 113-room teaching facility located in the university's Campus Center.

When officers from the UMass Amherst Police Department and Hadley Police Department arrived, MacDonald allegedly became combative, throwing objects at officers and repeatedly striking one UMass officer in the face. Upon entering the hotel room, officers found Emma MacDonald dead, with injuries that investigators said were consistent with a violent assault.

MacDonald had been celebrated as one of the most accomplished chefs in university dining in the country. Just nine months before his arrest, he was named the 2025 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation at its national convention in Las Vegas, CBS News reported.

UMass Amherst, which consistently earns the "best campus food" ranking from the Princeton Review and operates the largest college dining program in the country, had praised MacDonald's "talent, leadership, and commitment to advancing the culinary profession."

Court records also show a documented history of prior incidents. A former partner filed abuse allegations against MacDonald during custody proceedings in September 2024, urging a judge to suspend his time with their two children. MacDonald also faced prior assault and battery charges in 2012 and a drunk driving arrest, both of which were later dismissed.

UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes addressed the campus community following the incident, stating that there is "no ongoing threat to our campus or the community." Emma MacDonald's death remains under active investigation by UMass police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan's office, as per the Boston Globe.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Stanley Tucci is known for turning up to red carpets and film events impeccably dressed

Stanley Tucci has suggested he wants to try his hand at designing clothing after his star turn in The Devil Wears Prada 2.

The American actor has reprised his role as Nigel Kipling, the fashion art director who acts as right-hand man to magazine editor Miranda Priestley, played by Meryl Streep.

Now, the award-winning actor, 65, has teased fans about potentially creating his own clothing.

He told Town & Country magazine he was entering a new phase of his life, one in which he devotes time to his interest in clothing design.

Tucci is starring alongside (from left) Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway and The Devil Wears Prada 2 - Scott A Garfitt/Invision

Asked what is next for him after the blockbusters release next month, Tucci said: I want to do so much.

I want to direct another play, I want to cook more, Im interested in clothing design. And Im really interested in devoting a significant amount of time to painting and sculpting.

The actor, who has won two Golden Globes and six Emmy Awards, is known for turning up to red carpets and film events impeccably dressed.

Last year, he collaborated on a clothing collection with N.Peal, the British cashmere brand favoured by fellow actor Daniel Craig.

Tucci told Town & Country magazine he also wanted to cook more, direct another play and spend more time painting and sculpting

Tucci, who was raised in New York by parents of Italian descent, has credited his fathers style and a family haberdashery on his paternal grandmothers side with inspiring his appreciation for fashion.

He also told fashion magazine Mr Porter last year that old movies are a great source of style inspiration.

Tucci said: I still enjoy watching old movies, even films from the 1930s and 1940s. The way people dressed then was just great.

The men were always wearing white shirts, a tie and a jacket and suspenders, whether they were a cop, a gangster, a doctor or whatever. They all dressed well. I just really love that.

Tucci has reprised his role as a fashion art director in the film - 2026 20th Century Studios/PA

The actor added in his Town & Country interview that he wanted a change of pace after becoming bored more easily in Hollywood.

He said that as he ages in the industry, he had realised that making movies is very repetitive and had become slightly more impatient.

Tucci told the magazine: When Im on a movie set, I realise that by three oclock in the afternoon Im like, OK, weve got to get out of here because theres this place for dinner that I like, or Im going to invite so-and-so from the cast over.

I have become slightly more impatient. Youre like, OK, I did that. Now what?

Tucci has credited his fathers style and his familys haberdashery with inspiring his appreciation for fashion

In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Tuccis character is often dressed in sharp three-piece suits, which is something the actor has replicated for the worldwide premieres.

Tucci has previously said that his role as Kipling is the character that is most similar to him.

So youre taking the part of me that loves fashion and is a bit of a peacock, the quippy parts, and amping it up a bit, the actor explained, adding: Then you just make sure it remains real and true and that it always has a centre, that it has a core, that it has a heart. Otherwise its just a pastiche.

Beyond his acting career, and potential foray into fashion design, Tucci is the author of multiple cookbooks, including The Tucci Cookbook and What I Ate in One Year.

Streep, his co-star and long-time friend, told Town & Country that the most fun she ever has is every time I invite myself for supper, and I stand in the way in the kitchen, waving around one of his bottomless martinis, while he effortlessly labours to bring some fantastic meal into being.
From India to Australia, Tibetan expatriates in 27 countries elected the 45-member assembly with 93 candidates running. Just over 91,000 voters cast their ballot. The five-year parliament, based in Dharamsala, serves as the representative body for the approximately 150,000 Tibetans living in exile. Young voters call for greater attention to the community's future.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews)  Tibetans living in the diaspora, in India as well as other places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, voted yesterday in the second round of elections to pick the members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, with results expected to be released in a couple of weeks.

Condemned by China, which considers the Himalayan country Chinese and the Dalai Lama a separatist leader, not a spiritual guide, the elections saw the participation of Tibetans in 27 countries.

In India, thousands showed up at polling stations across the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, including the districts of Kullu, Kangra, and Mandi, where the community is concentrated.

In Dharamsala, the seat of the government-in-exile, hundreds of Tibetans began queuing early in the morning at polling stations set up in McLeod Ganj to cast their votes.

A total of 93 candidates ran for the 45-member single-member lower house, which includes 10 representatives from each of Tibet's three traditional provinces: Domey, Dotoe, and Utsang. Two members each represent the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and two represent the pre-Buddhist Bon religion.

The remaining five members come from Tibetan communities around the world: two from North America, two from Europe, and one from Australia. The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the highest political and administrative body of Tibetans in exile, released the list of final candidates on 18 March.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 91,042 voters registered for these elections, including 56,749 in India, Nepal, and Bhutan and 34,293 in other countries. Results are expected on 13 May.

The first stage in the election process was held on 1 February and 13 February when the Sikyong or leader of the CTA was chosen. The Election Commission declared the current office holder, Penpa Tsering, elected to a second term in office. He was first elected on 27 May 2021.

Tsering won 61 per cent of the vote. According to the Tibetan Election Commission's rules, a candidate is considered a winner if they secure more than 60 per cent of the total vote in the first phase, eliminating the need for a runoff.

According to Tenzin Tsundue, a writer and Tibetan freedom and rights activist, it is "a rare feat" for a community in exile to vote, which he calls a "democratic exercise." Holding free and fair elections has always been challenging because the Tibetan community depends on host countries.

In fact, the elections would not have been possible without the support of the Indian government and people, who allow Tibetans to carry out regular parliamentary and presidential elections every five years.

For Tsundue, our democracy is our reply to China. China may have its GDP, global trade and nuclear weapons, but the people of China do not have one thing that we have  democracy. We have developed robust democratic institutions in exile. They can learn from us.

The five-year parliament, based in Dharamsala, northern India, serves as the representative body for approximately 150,000 Tibetans living outside Tibet.

Voters in exile represent only a fraction of the ethnic Tibetan population, which the CTA estimates at six million, more than seven million in 2020, according to China.

Yesterday's poll takes on even greater significance for Tibetans, as they prepare a future in which they will have to prepare for the succession to their revered spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama, while facing Chinese opposition.

The 90-year-old leader, who has been living in India since fleeing the Tibetan capital Lhasa after Chinese troops crushed an uprising in 1959, insists that he still has many years to live.

Tibetan Buddhists believe he is the 14th reincarnation of a spiritual leader born in 1391. But the supporters and loyalists of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate are aware that Communist China, which claims to be atheist, wants to impose its control and steer the succession process, regardless of any indications emerging from the communitys Indian headquarters.

For Beijing, which militarily occupied Tibet in 1950, the vast plateau is an integral part of its territory, the elections are a "farce." Its Foreign Ministry calls the government-in-exile an illegal organisation that completely violates the Chinese constitution and laws.

Tibetans who went to the polls hold a very different position from that. Our votes matter, said Tenzin Tsering, a 19-year-old who lives in Bylakuppe, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, home to one of the largest Tibetan communities outside the Himalayan plateau.

The first-time voter wants to see greater youth representation. We need voices that reflect where our community is going, not just where it has been, he explained.
by Nirmala Carvalho

An amendment amending the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has been introduced in the Lower House. Among other things, the bill proposes the establishment of an authority tasked with seizing, managing and disposing of the assets of the affected organisations. For Fr Thelakkatt, it is cloaked in rhetoric about national security but is a tool to fuel the nationalist ideology of Hindutva.

Delhi (AsiaNews) - A bill introduced on 25 March by the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, aimed at amending the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA, the law regulating foreign funding for associations and groups) is sparking debate and protests among Christians. It proposes a legal framework providing for the creation of a new designated authority, tasked, among other things, with seizing, managing and disposing of the assets of organisations that lose their FCRA licence.

As Fr Paul Thelakkatt, former spokesperson for the Syro-Malabar Synod and former editor of the influential religious magazine Light of Faith, explains to AsiaNews, it is cloaked in rhetoric extolling national security against foreign interference and appears to be in bad faith. In fact, he adds, it becomes a tool to enforce the Hindutva agenda, a nationalist ideology that aims to establish Hindu cultural and political hegemony.

The battle against the amendment in Parliament is linked to the controversy raised by the priest regarding the tons of gold adorning Hindu temples but not used to fund activities for the poor, whilst the crackdown on Christian organisations over foreign funds is intensifying. A controversy that has also erupted over a video that went viral, and was shared by the online newspaper Mathrubhumi, containing a (critical) response to the bill and which has triggered strong reactions.

In the video, Fr Thelakkatt responds to the discussions that have flared up around the controversial bill in the Lok Sabha, with a clear reference to religious institutions and their assets. During his remarks, the priest drew a comparison between the Churchs activities and the wealth of a Hindu temple, stating: The Church is not hoarding all its money [] how many tonnes of gold are stored in the great temples? All this should be used for the benefit of human beings. He then defended the role of Christian institutions in India, adding: The accusation levelled against Christians in this country is that NGOs with foreign accounts are committing some sort of crime against the nation in India.

Addressing concerns about foreign funding, he noted that Christians are a minority community in India. Naturally, they will receive foreign funds. These funds come through government channels, and there are government regulations to be followed. Highlighting the contributions of Christian-run institutions, the priest emphasised that they run thousands of schools. Then there are universities, hospitals and orphanages. Who is running all this? Are they not Indians? Is all this not being done for the Indians?. Nevertheless, these initiatives, which benefit the entire population regardless of their professed faith, are portrayed as if Christians were committing some form of treason or crime against the nation.

Referring to the framework provisions of the FCRA, Fr Thelakkatt wonders why such a harsh regulation is being imposed, one whose sole purpose is to suppress these institutions and NGOs? What offence, he asks, have they actually committed?. The priest then offers a broader reflection, highlighting that the amendment conceals a sort of forced imposition of a Hindutva ideology, according to which Christians should not be allowed to carry out these services in India. Describing the approach as negative and inhuman, he attacks it: It is a negative, inhuman approach [] to suppress religious institutions, which the government is now seeking to implement through this law.

The humanistic approach that focuses on the person and seeks to meet their basic needswhich inspires the Churchs social workis also part of Indian culture, as evidenced by the lives and works of prominent figures such as Sai Baba and Mata Amritanandamayi. This demonstrates, continues Fr Thelakkatt, how service is becoming a value shared across traditions. Perhaps the real question is not whether temples or churches possess wealth, but how effectively that wealth is transformed into service for society. Educating the underprivileged in India and serving the sick from all sections of Indian society  he continues  has become a sin, and we are being punished for it.

This different attitude, he accuses, clearly reveals and draws inspiration from M. S. Golwalkars Hindutva ideology, which regards minorities in India as internal enemies who must be fought and subdued. The spirit of the race has been reawakened, but regulations can only be credible when they are transparent and impartial. This is not the case with the restrictions contained in the amendment to the FCRA. The government, the priest concludes, must rethink its approach to this issue and ensure that any regulations on foreign funds it introduces are fair and transparent.
27 April 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

In a country where almost 90% of its exports remain in the form of hydrocarbons, the presence of a small Azerbaijan companys jams and dried fruit products among the stock items in Baku supermarkets may look like a mere afterthought. Nothing could be further from the truth. This project, whereby the Economic Council of Azerbaijan has decided to lease shelf space in six Baku supermarket chains for the placement of 140 different products made by small-scale producers through the KOBIA scheme, provides an insight into an issue which Azerbaijans Economic Council deliberated on during their April 20 meeting: Why do small food manufacturers face difficulties getting their products onto the shelves of Baku supermarkets despite the nations agricultural capabilities and growing export figures?

With the Prime Minister, Ali Asadov, presiding over the session, which had an informative report prepared by Agriculture Minister, Majnun Mammadov, the conference took place amid some moderate macroeconomic weakness. During the period January to March, 2026, the countrys GDP fell by 0.3 percent  its oil and gas economy shrinking by 1.2 percent while its non-oil economy grew by only 0.2 percent. Azerbaijans sovereign reserves, amounting to about $85 billion, offer enough insurance for this situation.

The problem lies in the fact that this economic downturn occurred right at the time when Azerbaijan needed to demonstrate progress regarding its diversification story, which, according to Oliver Wymans $150 billion GDP prediction by 2035, should have been expected.

2025 numbers:

- 52.7%: Non-oil share of GDP, marking the first time it has exceeded 50%.

- 8.6%: Non-oil GDP growth rate, despite a 7.3% decline in the oil sector.

-$3.3 billion: Non-oil exports from January to November 2025, a 7.3% increase year-on-year.

- 34%: Proportion of the employed population working in agriculture and agro-processing.

In terms of export performance excluding oil, 2025 could well go down in history as a good year for Azerbaijan. Exports of agriculture and agro-industries from the country amounted to $1.03 billion in the first ten months of the year, with a growth rate of 19.1%. What is even more important is the nature of the growth: sugar export went up by 54.4%, fruits and vegetables 24.3%, chemical products 39%, and foods in general 19.8%. These numbers cannot be considered a mere coincidence but reflect a clear trend toward export diversification.

Rationalisation of the institutional framework that facilitates this progress has likewise been achieved. During the first half of 2026, KOBIA and AZPROMO have been consolidated by presidential order into a single Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises, Investment and Export Promotion, thus avoiding redundancies and bringing the government apparatus for SME development under one roof in a structure with 370 jobs. This comes after many years of dual track management of institutions, which, although functional on their own, have resulted in redundancies and disjointed interaction with their corporate customers. It is more appropriate for Azerbaijan's development stage.

The constraints identified by the Economic Council on April 20th are no different from those highlighted consistently over the past few years. The reason why it is important to enumerate these constraints is that they are not cyclical, but structural issues that cannot be fixed by the next quarter.

Structural constraints on small producers vs current policy responses to counter it

- Post-Soviet land fragmentation has resulted in most farms operating as 25 acre plots, which hinders economies of scale that could lower unit costs. Additionally, irrigation water shortages and a slow transition to more intensive agricultural technologies have led to increased production costs across the sector. Small producers are further burdened by cold storage being dominated by large logistics operators, who charge prohibitive fees. Major retail chains favor annual contracts with large suppliers, making it administratively and economically unviable for them to engage in one-off purchases of smaller quantities, such as 200kg. Compounding these challenges, the draft "Internal Trade" law, aimed at regulating supplier-retailer relations and curbing retail monopoly margins, has been under development for five years without enactment. The low procurement prices and rural wages create detrimental incentives, driving the population away from rural areas and into cities.

- KOBIA is making significant strides in enhancing market access for small producers through various initiatives. It has rented shelf space in six Baku supermarket chains, allowing 140 product lines from small producers to reach consumers. The KOB Fest exhibition-fairs are taking place across ten regions, alongside the introduction of KOB Bazar in the Binagadi district in 2025, providing consumers with direct access to regional producers. Additionally, in 2024, KOBIA supported 550 SMEs through retail sales mechanisms and launched pilot farm consolidation schemes covering 10,000 hectares across 12 districts to tackle fragmentation. A $100 million EBRD-backed program was initiated to modernize food processing and packaging infrastructure, and the merger of KOBIA with AZPROMO is expected to create a unified support structure, streamlining engagement with SMEs.

This aspect requires special focus because the major supermarkets in Azerbaijan operate under conditions of a "weakly competitive environment," and they earn high margins despite low costs for procurement of products from both large processors and small producers. Big processors manage to cope with this situation since they benefit from reduced unit costs. Small producers are not able to do this due to the lack of cost advantages gained from economies of scale. Therefore, small producers are automatically excluded from participation in retail trade operations, not based on product quality but on the nature of the economic relations that have never been regulated before. The delay in adopting the Internal Trade Law by five years may serve as evidence of the dominance of vested interests over policy intentions.

Products Export growth

[2025] Value Market Sugar +54.4% Largest single-category gainer Russia, CIS, Middle East Chemical products +39% Growing share of non-oil exports Europe, Turkiye Fruits & vegetables +24.3% $769.7mn agricultural exports Russia, Gulf, Eastern Europe Food products (total) +19.8% $962.1mn  Jan-Oct 2025 Diversifying toward new markets Cotton yarn +8.8% Part of textile diversification Turkiye, Europe Total non-oil exports +7.3% $3.3bn Jan-Nov 2025 24 countries via AZPROMO support

The April 20 meeting included instructions to responsible institutions, which, in Azerbaijani government terminology, generally precedes the implementation of a set of practical steps, not just high-level recommendations. According to both the meetings agenda and previous government initiatives, it is likely that further actions will cover three main issues. Firstly, an extension of the KOBIA shelf space program from its current six points in Baku to other cities, a low-cost measure aimed at addressing the market access problem of small producers. Secondly, quick progress in the farm consolidation pilot programs, possibly expanding it from the current level of ten thousand hectares to other regions. Lastly, but more importantly, progress in the Internal Trade law issue.

The Karabakh element introduces a fresh perspective into the conversation on agriculture that did not exist two years ago. The liberated lands, which have been partly resettled through the "Great Return" initiative, account for about 11,600 sq.km of agricultural land, most of which was fertile prior to the occupation period. In total, KOBIA has received around 1,500 requests from businesspeople looking to set up their businesses in the liberated lands, 70% of which are from local SMEs. With its Green Energy Zone status, new transport corridors, and fertile agricultural lands in Karabakh's lowlands, Azerbaijan has a real chance to build a processing agro-industry cluster from scratch, devoid of the complications brought about by fragmented land ownership and Soviet-era infrastructure that hinder the development of the non-oil economy.

The sector that is the most important in terms of political sensitivity, other than the oil sector, is agriculture; as 34 percent of the total workforce is engaged in this sector, it is also more relevant in relation to the rural population. However, the issue related to the structure of the deficit in manufacturing in the economy of Azerbaijan is a difficult challenge in the long run. Manufacturing contributes 5.8 percent to GDP, and manufactures contribute merely 4 percent of merchandise export (oil and gas exports make up approximately 90%). Industrial policy on the part of the government has led to the creation of industrial parks and economic zones, with 11 such parks operational currently; the Central Bank of Azerbaijan has pointed out the low capacity of Azerbaijani SMEs "to create added value" which clearly means that these enterprises lack manufacturing capabilities and mostly involve themselves in trading and services.

The elements are in place. Azerbaijan's $85 billion sovereign wealth fund and foreign exchange reserves give the country room for investment. The cooperation agreement with the EBRD, the World Bank irrigation project, and the IFC SME loans are multilateral financing mechanisms. The numbers of non-oil exports show the private sector is ready to deliver once the conditions are right. What the message of the April 20 meeting shows, and what the outcomes of this meeting will either prove or disprove, is whether the government is willing to go beyond the program initiatives to the reforms, beginning with regulating retail trade, which will enable the small and medium Azerbaijani producers to be more competitive.
27 April 2026 14:14 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The recent announcement that Azerbaijan and Pakistan have entered formal discussions to deepen cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies marks a significant shift in the bilateral relationship between these two fraternal nations. While the bond between Baku and Islamabad has historically been forged in the crucible of political solidarity and defense cooperation, this new pivot toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution suggests a sophisticated evolution of their strategic partnership. As Azerbaijan looks toward a post-oil future, the integration of Pakistani technological expertise and AI frameworks offers a transformative opportunity for the nations economic and social landscape. Azerbaijan is currently at a historical crossroads, embarking on an ambitious journey to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon dependence. The "Digital Azerbaijan" vision is not merely a policy goal; it is a necessity for long-term sovereignty. In this context, the collaboration with Pakistan is a masterstroke of digital diplomacy. Pakistan boasts one of the fastest-growing freelance IT sectors in the world and a robust ecosystem of software engineering. By tapping into this resource, Azerbaijan can accelerate its own digital transition without the exorbitant costs often associated with Western tech giants.

The focus on AI specifically addresses the need for efficiency in the public and private sectors. From optimizing the management of the State Oil Fund to streamlining the ASAN Service models, AI can act as a force multiplier. For Azerbaijan, the primary benefit lies in the leapfrogging effectthe ability to bypass outdated industrial stages and move directly into a high-tech service economy by adopting Pakistani-developed AI algorithms and training modules. This transition is essential as the global economy increasingly rewards nations that can process data into actionable intelligence. Beyond the corridors of government, the ripple effects will be felt in the private sector, where local startups can find new mentors and partners in Pakistans seasoned tech entrepreneurs. One of the most intriguing aspects of the recent discussions is the focus on the twinning of Lahore and Nakhchivan. Lahore is Pakistans cultural and increasingly technological heart, housing massive IT parks and incubators. Nakhchivan, as an exclave with a unique geographical position, stands to benefit immensely from becoming a digital hub. The application of AI in urban planningoften referred to as Smart Citiesis particularly relevant as Azerbaijan rebuilds the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions. Using AI-driven sensors for agriculture, smart grids for energy, and automated traffic management systems, Azerbaijan can transform its liberated territories into the most modern administrative zones in the Caucasus, setting a global standard for post-conflict reconstruction.

The true wealth of any nation in the 21st century is its cognitive capital. The Azerbaijan-Pakistan AI partnership is expected to facilitate academic exchanges and joint research initiatives. For the Azerbaijani youth, this means access to Pakistani coding bootcamps, AI labs, and specialized data science curricula. Pakistans experience in large-scale tech education can serve as a blueprint for Azerbaijani universities. By training a new generation of data scientists and machine learning engineers, Azerbaijan ensures that the technology it imports today can be maintained and innovated upon domestically tomorrow. This synergy creates a sustainable loop where academic knowledge feeds directly into industrial application. Furthermore, the integration of AI in the agricultural sectora vital part of Azerbaijans non-oil GDPcould revolutionize crop yields and water management through predictive analytics, a field where Pakistan has been forced to innovate due to its own environmental challenges. Finally, we must consider the geopolitical dimension. In an era where data is the new oil, over-reliance on a single bloc for technological infrastructure carries inherent risks. By building a "Silicon Silk Road" with Pakistan, Azerbaijan diversifies its technological dependencies. This South-South cooperation fosters a more balanced foreign policy, allowing Baku to maintain its independent course while benefiting from the rapid technological advancements occurring in the Islamic world and the Global South.

The discussion between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is more than a diplomatic courtesy; it is the blueprint for a future-proof alliance. For Azerbaijan, the benefits are clear: accelerated economic diversification, the modernization of urban infrastructure through AI, and the empowerment of its human capital. As these Itwo nations synchronize their digital clocks, the result will likely be a more resilient, innovative, and technologically sovereign Azerbaijan. The gears of the future are turning, and they are increasingly powered by the algorithms of cooperation. This partnership proves that in the modern age, the strongest bridges are not made of steel or stone, but of data and shared vision. By embracing Pakistan's tech potential, Azerbaijan is not just buying software; it is investing in a shared intellectual heritage that will define the Caspian region's role in the global tech hierarchy for decades to come. As the implementation phase begins, the focus must remain on the swift execution of these agreements to ensure that the promise of AI translates into tangible prosperity for every citizen.
27 April 2026 18:09 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

On Saturday morning, Donald Trump posted three sentences on Truth Social that effectively suspended the most important diplomatic effort of 2026. The proposed trip of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, marking the second phase of negotiations between the US and Iran that Pakistan had secretly arranged over the last few days, was no longer on. "All they need to do is give me a ring if they wish to negotiate!!!", tweeted the president, in his usual style. He further said that Iran had provided "much, but not enough." The ceasefire agreement, now three weeks old, was still technically in place.

It is not a single problem, but rather a combination of problems that has stalled the Islamabad process at this point of uncertainty. The ceasefire that took place on 8 April, which had been arranged in highly unusual circumstances when the Pakistani Army Chief, Asim Munir, called Vance and Araghchi directly, was never really meant to be a long-term solution, but rather just a respite from hostilities. The discussions held for over 21 hours in Islamabad between 11-12 April have, in Washington's own words, resulted in agreements on "most points", and total deadlock on the one point that mattered most of all.

The issue of uranium has been at the heart of this dispute since its inception. The United States and Israel want no enrichment or decommissioning of the nuclear program in Iran. On the other hand, Iran argues that it has an inalienable right to pursue a civilian program as per the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also says that its enrichment process, which has been pushed up to 60%, as indicated by the IAEA, well above the 3.67% limit set in the 2015 nuclear agreement, is only for civilian purposes.

Under the 2015 JCPOA, Iran agreed to cap enrichment at 3.67% and its stockpile at 300kg. By June 2025, the IAEA had verified more than 400kg enriched to 60% purity. The US has called for Irans enrichment capability to be reduced to zero. In April, the Iranian stance was that the country had an inherent right to enrich uranium, but the quantity and quality were negotiable.

What has made the nuclear track problematic in the past week is not only the content but also the politics inside the Iranian negotiation delegation. "The parliamentarian and former mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who headed the Iranian delegation of more than 70 members to Islamabad along with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has apparently quit the mission," the Institute for the Study of War notes. There was a clash between Qalibaf and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, where Qalibaf supports negotiations while Vahidi does not want to take part in the talks. "No delegation from Iran has been sent to Islamabad," according to Iranian TV.

Two states within Iran

The fact that Qalibaf is stepping down is important because there is more to his leaving than just a practical impact. He does not hold a minor position. He was a commander in the IRGC before, and now he is the mayor of Tehran and the parliament speaker as well as a likely future presidential candidate. Hence, Qalibaf stepping down is not a resignation from someone with a minor position but rather a signal from someone who has enough weight to make an informed decision not to take part in something that is decided over his head. As Iranian negotiations do not go as planned, those involved face criticism while the hardliners who sabotaged them remain free of any consequences.

But the real difficulty lies in the situation, which Trump, not incorrectly, characterized as "tremendous infighting and confusion" among Iran's leadership. The foreign policy of Iran is not determined by its foreign minister; rather, it is determined via negotiations between the elected government, the IRGC, the networks controlled by Khamenei's system, and the ideological bodies which do not even belong to the government structure. Those present in Islamabad are not the ultimate decision makers; those who make the ultimate decisions have not attended the conference in Islamabad and have not yet revealed their terms of agreement.

As Trump puts it, nobody knows who is in charge, including them. If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!

Behind this nuclear issue lies the question of shipping, which itself has developed into a vicious circle. The Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, where one out of five barrels of oil or LNG used to pass before the war, is older than the ceasefire agreement and still remains untouched by it. The US government announced a counter-blockade of Iranian ports on 13 April, the very day the talks in Islamabad ended unsuccessfully. The Iranian government regards the US decision for a counter-blockade as a violation of the ceasefire agreement, whereas for the US, it is Irans closure of Hormuz that violates it.

The practical implications of this situation, on the other hand, are worldwide and worsening. The Iranians have managed to hijack commercial ships while American forces have been boarding oil tankers, the latest being the M/T Tifani in the Indian Ocean. The Gulf countries, through which the exportation of their oil must pass through the Strait of Hormuz, are opposed to an Iranian imposition of any toll system for the use of the Strait, which the Iranians have presented as an alternative to re-opening the Strait. All of the above countries are vulnerable to the closing of the Strait.

Did talks in Islamabad stall, and if yes, what comes next?

Against this backdrop, Pakistan's continued mediation deserves genuine recognition. As much as it has a favorable position as a 'peace table', Islamabad lacks any form of allegiance to either side, has no influence whatsoever over the United States government, and shares a 900-kilometer border with Iran that renders it highly susceptible to any flare-up of the dispute. Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister, spent the entire day on Saturday on the phone with Pezeshkian. Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has had behind-the-scenes talks with the US acting ambassador as well as the Chinese envoy in Pakistan. Araghchi, who left Islamabad on Saturday to travel to Oman and later to Russia, where he met Putin in St. Petersburg, will reportedly be back in Islamabad on Sunday.

Now, with Araghchi visiting Russia today, it creates another layer to this standoff. Russia's interest in ensuring that the situation continues implies that the advice Putin will give to his Iranian counterparts will definitely benefit Russia more than Iran. The income from oil production for Russia has doubled since the start of the crisis. There is no doubt about the interest of Russia in keeping the Americans preoccupied in the Middle East, where it can continue to sell weapons without interference, rather than focusing on Ukraine or even the Pacific Rim countries.

The statement issued by President Donald Trump over the weekend is quite definitive in some aspects, yet inconclusive in others. According to Trump, Iran had made "offers for a lot, but not enough." This statement clearly suggests that Iran is willing to negotiate further but has failed to present a specific offer. As it stands now, the ceasefire agreement remains in effect as Trump extended it on Tuesday without specifying when it will end. According to anonymous US officials who spoke with Associated Press, Trump has other options aside from an airstrike.

Iran's position is harder to read precisely because the internal divisions that Qalibaf's withdrawal symbolises are genuine. The reformists, whose voices can be heard through the perspectives of Pezeshkian and Araghchi, seem convinced that a negotiated agreement is attainable and better. However, the IRGC and the conservatives like Paydar are not in favor of such an outcome. At least, they seek conditions that the United States cannot meet.

"Pakistan has informed both sides that it is prepared to host round two whenever they feel ready to do so," the countrys foreign minister has told correspondents. Hormuz Strait is still closed, the global energy market is still being disrupted, two navies are imposing rival blockades in the same body of water, and somewhere between Trump's favourite social media platform and the hallways of Irans Parliament, the next set of negotiations, if any, will be painstakingly crafted.

Tehran's increased involvement in the process is likely a strong indicator that an 'agreement' will be on the table soon. The real intrigue lies in who will act as the peace table; this might lead to locations such as Moscow, Istanbul, and possibly even a surprise country.
27 April 2026 17:08 (UTC+04:00)

by Mazahir Afandiyev,

Today, as a state that has fully restored its sovereignty, Azerbaijan expresses its commitment to a policy based on equality and mutual trust with all friendly states and partners that demonstrate respect for our countrys independence and territorial integrity. The Republic of Ukraine is one of those friendly states that has recognized Azerbaijans territorial integrity and has consistently supported our countrys just and rightful cause on the political stage.

Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Azerbaijan were established on January 31, 1992. Although both states recognized each others independence in a short time, the opening of diplomatic missions occurred somewhat later. The Embassy of Ukraine in Azerbaijan began its activities on May 5, 1996, while Azerbaijans Embassy in Ukraine was opened on March 17, 1997.

Despite bilateral contacts between the leaders of the two countries taking place on various platforms even earlier, the first official visit of the President of Azerbaijan, National Leader Heydar Aliyev, to Ukraine took place on March 2425, 1997.

Today, Azerbaijan and Ukraine are not only friends but also important strategic partners. The signing of two documents on strategic partnership in Kyiv in 2008 and in Baku in 2011 made a practical contribution to the formation and development of relations between the two countries. At the same time, sincere friendly relations between the heads of state, high-level dialogue, and mutual understanding play an important role.

The meetings held during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to our country on April 25, 2026, not only create conditions for Azerbaijan and Ukraine to become closer and for our peoples to strengthen their friendship, but also lay the foundation for new cooperation opportunities against the backdrop of a changing global political architecture.

Within the framework of the visit, both bilateral meetings between the Presidents and expanded meetings with the participation of government representatives once again confirmed the high level of relations between the two independent states. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in his press statement: Over the past four years, this is our seventh meeting. The exchange of views we have had and the subsequent contacts have elevated UkraineAzerbaijan relations to a higher level.

As emphasized by both heads of state, these relations aim to further develop the mutual trust, respect, and strategic friendship established so far, as well as to deepen economic and trade relations with Azerbaijan, which has become a leading and driving force in the South Caucasus region.

It should be noted that, in order to support the people of Ukraine, who have been living under conditions of intense war for more than four years, humanitarian aid has been sent to the friendly country by the instruction of the President of Azerbaijan. Additionally, through SOCAR, which operates widely in Ukraine, assistance has been provided in the energy sector, especially during the winter season. At the same time, efforts by the Azerbaijani government to bring children affected by the war in Ukraine to our country for rehabilitation services continue successfully today.

In general, inter-ministerial political consultations and the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation play an important role in the development of AzerbaijanUkraine bilateral relations. Alongside the bilateral format, relations between the two countries are also successfully carried out within international organizations. Within platforms such as the UN, OSCE, GUAM, BSEC, and others, our countries demonstrate mutual support.

Interparliamentary friendship group platforms are also of particular importance in deepening relations between the two countries. The working group on AzerbaijanUkraine interparliamentary relations has been operating in the Milli Majlis since 1995. On January 16, 2020, a deputy group on interparliamentary relations with Azerbaijan was also established in the Verkhovna Rada.

Over the years, through national holiday events, various social projects, and mutual visits, the working group on AzerbaijanUkraine interparliamentary relationsof which I am also a memberhas actively contributed to strengthening the existing friendly relations between the two countries.

Thus, the friendly relations we observe and the meetings being held today contribute to the successful continuation of major efforts aimed at the welfare of the peoples of both countries.

-----

The author is a member of the Milli Majlis (the Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The views and opinions expressed by guest columnists in their articles may differ from those of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect its views.
27 April 2026 16:49 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan Composers' Union has hosted a scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani composer and public figure Uzeyir Hajibayli, AzerNEWS reports.

The event was organized as part of the Action Plan stemming from the relevant Presidential Order signed by President Ilham Aliyev.

The conference focused on the contemporary relevance of Uzeyir Hajibayli's legacy and its fundamental influence on the creativity of young composers.

Speaking at the event, Chair of the Azerbaijan Composers' Union, corresponding member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), People's Artist and Professor Firangiz Alizade stressed the importance of artistic continuity.

She noted that every initiative dedicated to the founder of Azerbaijani musical history strengthens the connection to national roots and that new research and performances will continue to shed light on the path of young music scholars.

Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Aydin Mirzazade stated that Uzeyir Hajibayli was not only a genius composer but also a great educator and public figure who introduced Azerbaijan's national identity to the world through the language of music. He highlighted the state's continuous support for cultural figures and researchers, stressing that such scientific and artistic initiatives play a crucial role in passing national heritage to future generations.

The conference also featured presentations on current issues in musicology. Speeches were delivered by Union Secretary Ilaha Gismat, PhD in Art Studies Saadat Tahmirazgizi, and Head of the Union's Press Service Aysel Karim, who discussed various aspects of contemporary musical scholarship.

The artistic segment of the event included performances of works by modern Azerbaijani composers. Pieces by Sara Dilruba, Lala Ahmadova, and Uzeyir Mammadov were performed by laureates of international competitions and talented young musicians.

The program also featured an arrangement by Ilham Azmanli for four kanuns of the overture to Uzeyir Hajibayli's operetta "The Cloth Peddler".

The event concluded with a performance of Gulchohra's elegy and aria from "The Cloth Peddler," performed by Honored Artist Nargiz Karimova.

Uzeyir Hajibayli played a foundational role in shaping Azerbaijani national music and is widely recognized as the founder of modern professional music in the country. He is credited with composing the first opera in the Islamic world, marking a historic milestone in both Azerbaijani and regional musical culture.

His groundbreaking opera "Leyli and Majnun" (1908) became the first synthesis of Western operatic form with Azerbaijani mugham traditions. The work was based on classical Eastern poetry and enriched with folk melodies and improvisational elements passed down through oral tradition, establishing a new artistic language that bridged East and West.

Uzeyir Hajibayli continued to develop this national musical synthesis in later operas such as "Sheikh Sanan," "Rustam and Sohrab," "Asli and Karam," "Shakh Abbas and Khurshid Banu," and "Leyli and Majnun". These works consistently integrated Azerbaijani mugham, folk songs, and rhythmic dance patterns into a structured operatic form, helping to formalize national musical identity within academic composition.

Beyond opera, he made a significant contribution to musical comedy and popular theatre. His three famous comedies, including "Husband and Wife" (1910),"If Not That One, Then This One" (1911), and "The Cloth Peddler" (1913), combined satire, everyday social themes, and accessible melodies, making them widely popular among audiences of all social backgrounds.

Among these, "The Cloth Peddler" achieved extraordinary international success. It has been translated into dozens of languages and staged in more than 60 countries, including the United States, Austria, France, China, Greece, India, Russia, and Turkiye. Its universal themes of love, freedom of choice, and social tradition have ensured its lasting appeal on global stages.

In addition to his compositional work, Uzeyir Hajibayli was also an influential musicologist, educator, journalist, and public intellectual. He authored theoretical works on Azerbaijani folk music, contributed to music education, and played a key role in establishing professional music institutions in Azerbaijan.
The body of a missing University of South Florida doctoral student was found on a Tampa Bay bridge on Friday, and his roommate was arrested and named a suspect in the case.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister confirmed that the remains of 27-year-old Zamil Limon were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge on the morning of Apr. 24, 2026. Limon, who was from Bangladesh and studying geography, environmental science, and policy, had been missing since April 16.

Limon's roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, was taken into custody after law enforcement responded to a domestic violence call at a residence about one mile from the USF Tampa campus, according to CNN.

Abugharbieh initially barricaded himself inside the home before a SWAT team was deployed. He eventually surrendered peacefully and was seen exiting the property wearing only a towel.

Abugharbieh now faces multiple preliminary charges, including unlawfully holding or moving a dead human body, failure to report a death to the medical examiner or law enforcement with intent to conceal, tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment, and battery.

Authorities said he had been interviewed at least twice before his arrest and was initially cooperating with investigators before he stopped talking during questioning on Thursday. The cause of Limon's death is still being determined pending autopsy results, the Hindustan Times reported.

Abugharbieh is a former USF student who was not enrolled at the time of the incident. University records show he attended USF from spring 2021 through spring 2023, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in management. He also has a prior arrest history, including battery and burglary charges in 2023, both classified as misdemeanors.

The search for Limon's girlfriend and fellow doctoral student, 27-year-old Nahida Bristy, remains ongoing. Bristy, who was studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 a.m. on Apr. 16 at the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on the USF Tampa campus. Marine and dive teams were conducting searches near the Howard Frankland Bridge for Bristy.

Both Limon and Bristy were reported missing on Apr. 17 by a family friend who could not reach either of them. Their phones had been turned off, and their disappearances were later upgraded to "endangered" status by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Apr. 23. Authorities said they have no reason to believe Abugharbieh was working with anyone else.

USF President Moez Limayem described the case as an "isolated situation that occurred off campus" and stated there is no ongoing threat to the university community. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information about Bristy's whereabouts to call 813-247-8200, as per WUSF.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
27 April 2026 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan has been commended for expanding its border processing capacity during the ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to remarks by Iranian officials, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking after inspecting the Bilasuvar border customs post, Forud Asgari, Irans Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade and Director General of the countrys Customs Administration, praised Azerbaijans role in maintaining stable cross-border operations during a period of heightened geopolitical strain.

Asgari noted that cooperation between Iran and Azerbaijan at their shared border remains at a satisfactory level. Despite the outbreak of hostilities, no disruptions were recorded at border crossing points, he said, emphasizing that neighboring countries had demonstrated a high degree of coordination.

He also outlined plans to expand export, import, and transit capacity at the Bilasuvar crossing. Owing to its strategic proximity to Central Asian markets, the facility is set to be upgraded to the status of a main customs directorate, with a dedicated budget allocation to support its enhanced role.

According to Asgari, additional authority has been granted to the Bilasuvar customs post to streamline cargo clearance procedures and improve conditions for business operators. These reforms are expected to boost the appeal of the ArdabilBilasuvar Free Trade Zone, positioning it among the countrys more dynamic economic hubs. Iran hopes the crossing will play a key role in supplying raw materials to its industrial sector and facilitating the import of essential goods.

The developments come against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. Following a lack of progress in negotiations over Irans nuclear program, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran targeted Israeli territory and U.S. assets in the region with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A temporary two-week ceasefire was brokered on April 7 through mediation by Pakistan. However, subsequent talks held in Islamabad on April 11 between the United States and Iran failed to yield a breakthrough.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire, stating it would remain in effect until Iran formally presents its proposal and negotiations reach a definitive conclusion.
27 April 2026 11:38 (UTC+04:00)

On April 27, an official welcome ceremony was held for Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, in Gabala, AzerNEWS reports.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Czech Prime Minister in the square decorated with the national flags of both countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

The national anthems of the Czech Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan were played.

The guard of honor marched past President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Andrej Babis to the accompaniment of a military march.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation were presented to Prime Minister Andrej Babis, while members of the Czech delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.

The two leaders posed for official photographs.
27 April 2026 11:32 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, AzerNEWS reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

I am pleased to extend my most sincere congratulations to you and, through you, to your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of South Africa  Freedom Day.

I believe that the friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and South Africa will continue to develop and expand successfully through our joint efforts, both on a bilateral and multilateral basis, in accordance with the interests of our peoples.

On this holiday, I convey my best wishes to you and wish the friendly people of South Africa lasting peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
27 April 2026 12:15 (UTC+04:00)

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis held an expanded meeting in Gabala, Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

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27 April 2026 11:51 (UTC+04:00)

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis in Gabala on April 27.

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27 April 2026 12:40 (UTC+04:00)

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In JanuaryMarch 2026, Georgia imported 31,177 tons of oil and petroleum products from Azerbaijan worth $22.1 million, according to the National Statistics Office of Georgia, AzerNEWS reports.

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27 April 2026 15:58 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), Rovshan Najaf, has met with the Chief Executive Officer of Ukraines Ukrnafta, Serhii Koretskyi, AzerNEWS reports.

According to SOCAR, the meeting focused on the development of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral energy ties, particularly highlighting SOCARs successful operations in Ukraine.

During the discussions, the parties exchanged views on the current state of cooperation between the companies, future development prospects, and other issues of mutual interest.

The participants also reviewed broader aspects of Ukraines oil sector. Ukrnafta is the countrys largest oil producer, operating through two main business divisions  Ukrnafta East and Ukrnafta West. These include six oil and gas production departments and three gas processing plants.

The company also operates an Oilfield Services Division providing a full range of services for the oil industry, as well as the Ukrnafta Drilling Division, which is engaged in exploration and production drilling activities.

Ukrnafta holds 86 production licenses and three geological exploration licenses, including pilot production permits. It operates across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, and Kharkiv.

As of September 1, 2025, the company was operating 1,807 oil wells and 164 gas wells. Its monobrand fuel retail network includes 662 filling stations located across nearly all regions of Ukraine.
27 April 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives, as ordinary people chose to protect themselves, their children and their communities from diseases like measles, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and rotavirus, AzerNEWS reports citing the official website of the United Nations (UN).

During World Immunization Week, which runs from 24 to 30 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are highlighting the benefits of vaccines at every stage of life, as well as the scientific breakthroughs which have led to tried and tested inoculations against contracting malaria, HPV, cholera, dengue, meningitis, RSV, Ebola and mpox.

This year marks the midpoint of Immunization Agenda 2030, a global push, led by WHO, to ensure that everyone can benefit from life-saving vaccines. A report released to assess the progress made so far found that, despite unprecedented challenges  including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical instability, climate disruption and limited financing  immunization efforts over the past five years have averted millions of deaths.

However, most of the targets remain off track, with persistent gaps in routine coverage, equity and outbreak prevention across many countries.

The UN health agency is calling for renewed commitments to build more sustainable national programs, stronger integration with primary healthcare, and more prioritization on the part of global health agencies and partners.

On Friday, the WHO, along with the UN childrens agency (UNICEF) and the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), announced that The Big Catch-Up, an historic international effort to address vaccination declines driven largely by the COVID-19 pandemic, has reached an estimated 18.3 million children aged one to five across 36 countries, since it was launched in 2023.

The campaign also provided 23 million doses of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to unvaccinated and undervaccinated children, an essential intervention towards polio eradication. The initiative is forecasted to be on track to meet its target of vaccinating at least 21 million children.
27 April 2026 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that it is starting an investigation into an incident near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, AzerNEWS reports.

Earlier today, the facility's Russian management stated that a Ukrainian drone struck the transport workshop near the plant, killing a driver.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi repeated that strikes on or near nuclear power plants can "endanger nuclear safety and must not take place."

Zaporizhzhia's Russian spokesperson, Yevgeniya Yashina claimed that Ukrainian attacks on the plant and the nearby city of Energodar remain intense and that "the industrial zone, residential areas, and critical infrastructure are under attack."
27 April 2026 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

At the entrance exams for the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, an AI system based on ChatGPT demonstrated results that in some cases exceeded those of the top human applicants, AzerNEWS reports.

During testing with the OpenAI ChatGPT 5.2 Thinking model, the system was given real exam papers from these universities. The questions were presented in image format, simulating the conditions of an actual entrance examination.

The most striking result was recorded at the University of Tokyos medical faculty, where ChatGPT scored about 50 points higher than the top-ranked applicant. The AI also achieved the highest score in mathematics, showing particularly strong performance in problem-solving and logical reasoning tasks.

Overall, the system performed especially well in the natural sciences, scoring 503 out of 550 points, surpassing the best human result of 453. In the humanities section, it also performed strongly, achieving 452 out of 550 points, which was above the average passing level.

However, the results were not uniform across all subjects. In English, the model reached around 90%, while in more interpretive taskssuch as essay writing or questions on world historyperformance dropped significantly, to roughly 25%. This suggests that while the AI is highly effective in structured, fact-based reasoning, it still struggles with open-ended analysis and nuanced argumentation.

In the Kyoto University exams, ChatGPT also outperformed top candidates, scoring 771 points in the Faculty of Law (compared to a top human score of 734) and 1,176 points in the medical faculty (against 1,098 for the leading applicant).

Researchers note that this progress is especially remarkable given the short timeframe of development. Back in 2024, earlier versions of ChatGPT could not even meet the minimum entrance requirements for the University of Tokyo. By the following year, however, newer models were already capable of passingand now, in some cases, surpassingtop human performance.

An interesting detail is that despite these impressive results, experts emphasize that exam success does not necessarily mean true understanding or professional competence. AI can excel at pattern recognition and structured problem-solving, but it still lacks real-world experience, ethical judgment, and creative intuitionqualities that remain essential in fields like medicine and law.

Some analysts also point out that if such systems continue improving at this pace, universities may eventually need to redesign exams themselves, focusing less on memorization and more on skills that are harder for AI to replicate, such as original research, practical decision-making, and interpersonal reasoning.
A former University of South Florida student was charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in the deaths of doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, and a judge ordered him held without bond after his first court appearance on Saturday.

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested Friday after a standoff at a home in Tampa and later faced additional preliminary charges before prosecutors upgraded the case to murder. Hillsborough County authorities said the arrest followed an investigation that connected him to the missing students, and a hearing is scheduled for Apr. 28.

A relative said Limon and Bristy, both 27, had been considering marriage. They disappeared from the USF area on Apr. 16, with Limon last seen at his off-campus apartment, where he lived with Abugharbieh, and Bristy last seen about an hour later at a campus science building, according to NPR.

Investigators said Limon's remains were found Friday on the Howard Frankland Bridge, while the search continued for Bristy. Authorities have not announced a cause of death, and they have not said whether Bristy's remains have been found.

The case began as a missing-person investigation after the students were reported missing on Apr. 17. USF police asked for the public's help and later described the pair as endangered as detectives worked with Hillsborough County authorities and other agencies, USF reported.

Court records and sheriff's office updates say Abugharbieh was first booked on charges including unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery before the murder counts were filed. Officials said he barricaded himself inside a Tampa home before surrendering to a SWAT team.

USF said it was working with law enforcement and had been supporting people close to the students, including contact with Bangladeshi officials. Authorities have not publicly detailed a motive, and the investigation remains active, as per CBS12.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
27 April 2026 18:41 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

Chinese engineers have reportedly demonstrated a prototype of a single-seat, manned quadcopter known as the Superwing ZR-300, designed for potential combat operations in urban environments, AzerNEWS reports.

The heavy-lift aircraft is equipped with modular weapon systems, including small arms and missile armaments. Thanks to its quadcopter configuration, the ZR-300 offers high maneuverability and vertical takeoff and landing capability, allowing it to operate effectively in densely built urban areas where traditional aircraft may face limitations.

The pilots cockpit is positioned in the central section of the vehicle, providing direct control during manned flight. At the same time, the platform is designed with flexibility in mind and can also operate in unmanned mode, functioning as an optionally piloted aerial system depending on mission requirements.

Its proposed weapons package includes machine guns, unguided rocket pods, and guided missile systems, making it conceptually similar to a compact airborne combat platform. The electric propulsion system allows it to carry payloads of up to 200 kilograms. Reported specifications suggest a combat range of around 120 kilometers and a maximum speed of approximately 180 km/h.

If developed further, the ZR-300 would represent a blend between drone technology and light attack aviation, reflecting a broader global trend toward unmanned and optionally manned combat systems.

This concept is how it challenges traditional classifications of military aircraft. Devices like the ZR-300 sit somewhere between helicopters, drones, and light attack aircraft, raising new questions about battlefield roles, autonomy, and even pilot safety. Analysts also note that while such platforms are technologically impressive, their real-world effectiveness would depend heavily on electronic warfare resistance, battery endurance, and operational cost compared to conventional systems.
27 April 2026 23:00 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

Chinas economy was only beginning to open up in the late 1980s when a determined high school dropout, Ding Shizhong, arrived in Beijing carrying 600 pairs of shoes, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

He had the shoes produced at a relatives factory and set out to sell them himself. The profits from those early sales allowed him to open his first small workshop, where he began manufacturing footwear for other companies. At just 17, he became part of a new wave of entrepreneurs emerging as market reforms gained momentum under the oversight of the Communist Party.

But Dings ambitions extended far beyond small-scale production.

Over the years, his business grew into Anta Sports, now one of the largest sportswear groups in the world. The company has built an impressive portfolio of international brands, including Arc'teryx and Salomon, and has even acquired a stake in Puma.

Today, Anta is positioning itself as a serious competitor to global giants like Nike and Adidas. Back in 2005, Ding clearly outlined his vision: he didnt want to build the Nike of China, but rather the Anta of the world.

Although the brand is still gaining recognition in Western markets, it already operates more than 10,000 stores across China and sponsors elite athletes such as Eileen Gu, one of the most prominent figures in winter sports.

In February, Anta took another step in its global expansion by opening its first U.S. retail locationa flagship store in Beverly Hills.

Antas rise is its strategy: instead of relying solely on organic growth, the company aggressively expanded through acquisitions, buying established international brands and integrating them into its ecosystem. Analysts say this approach has allowed Anta to quickly gain global credibilitysomething that typically takes decades to build.
27 April 2026 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Iranian parliament will consider legislation establishing Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Legislature's national security commission head Ebrahim Azizi said on Monday, AzerNEWS reports.

The 11-point draft bill states that the General Staff of the Armed Forces will be the "authority for action" in the strait, according to Iran International.

Additionally, the legislation aims to limit the passage of vessels from "hostile" nations, while those linked to Israel will be completely banned. It also states that countries that have "caused damage to the Islamic Republic, blocked Iranian resources, or taken actions against us in previous years" must pay compensation to Tehran.

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia for talks with officials, including President Vladimir Putin, saying excessive demands of the United States led to failure of talks.

US President Donald Trump says Iranian leaders can come to us, or they can call us if they want to talk, a day after cancelling a planned visit by his envoys to Pakistan for negotiations.

The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz continues, with senior Iranian lawmaker Ali Nikzad saying Tehran will not allow a return to pre-war conditions in the strategic waterway.
27 April 2026 19:43 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Ukraine has warned Israel not to unload wheat from Panormitis, a Panama-flagged cargo ship that Kiev accuses of carrying stolen wheat, Barak Ravid of Axios and Channel 12 reported on Monday, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a Ukrainian diplomat, the Panormitis is carrying wheat obtained from the occupied Ukrainian territories and is heading for the Israeli port of Haifa.

They added that Israel previously allowed one ship to unload the wheat from the Ukrainian territories that Russia has claimed, ignoring Kiev's demand not to do so.

"If this ship and its cargo are not rejected, we reserve the right to use the full range of international diplomatic and legal responses," the source stressed.
Lebanon has entered one of the most delicate political moments in its modern history. The transition from open warfare with Israel to a fragile, US-sponsored ceasefire has not brought clarityit has instead opened a complex and uncertain chapter. While the reduction in large-scale hostilities has provided a temporary pause, it has simultaneously triggered deeper political debates that cut to the core of Lebanons sovereignty, identity, and regional alignment.

The guns may have quieted in parts of southern Lebanon, but the political battlefield is intensifying. What was initially framed as a technical ceasefire has rapidly evolved into a broader negotiation process involving contentious issues such as Hezbollahs weapons, the authority of the Lebanese state, and the possibilityhowever remoteof normalization with Israel.

This article explores the evolving dynamics of Lebanons internal and external pressures, the competing political visions within the country, and the regional constraints shaping its future.

 From Ceasefire to Political Test

The ceasefire, brokered under direct US sponsorship, was never meant to be an endpoint. Instead, it has become a transitional mechanisma bridge between war and an uncertain political settlement.

Key Features of the Current Ceasefire

Element Reality on the Ground  Military Activity Ongoing Israeli strikes and limited Hezbollah responses Political Negotiations Expanding beyond security into strategic issues International Oversight Strong US involvement Stability Level Fragile and inconsistent

Despite being labeled a ceasefire, the situation remains volatile. Israeli military operations continue intermittently, while Hezbollah maintains what it calls measured responses to violations. This ambiguity raises a fundamental question: Is this truly a ceasefire, or merely a pause in escalation?

 Hezbollahs Position: Rejection and Resistance

Hezbollah has taken a firm stance against extending the ceasefire under current conditions. Its leadership argues that any agreement allowing Israel to continue strikes inside Lebanese territory cannot be considered legitimate.

Core Arguments from Hezbollah

 The ceasefire is one-sided

 It provides Israel with operational freedom

 It lacks national consensus

 It risks violating Lebanons constitutional framework

For Hezbollah, the issue is not just militaryit is existential. Accepting such an arrangement could set a precedent that undermines its role as a resistance force and shifts the internal balance of power in Lebanon.

 The Lebanese State: Balancing Act Under Pressure

Lebanons leadership, including the president and prime minister, is attempting to navigate this phase with caution. Their strategy centers on presenting the negotiations as a state-led process, rather than one dictated by external actors or internal factions.

Government Priorities 

 Consolidate the ceasefire

 Stop Israeli violations

 Deploy the Lebanese army fully in the 

 Secure prisoner exchanges

 Enable the return of displaced 

However, this approach is constrained by internal divisions and external pressures. Any perceived concessionespecially regarding normalizationcould trigger political backlash and destabilize the already fragile  .

 Washingtons Dual Strategy

The United States appears to be pursuing a two-track approach in Lebanon:

1 Security Track

Focused on preventing a return to full 

2 Political Track

Aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and reshaping the political landscape

Issues on the Negotiation Table

Issue Status  Border Demarcation Unresolved Israeli Withdrawal Partial / contested Prisoner Exchange Under discussion Blue Line Disputes (13 points) Ongoing

According to political observers, the US is not merely facilitating dialogueit is actively shaping outcomes. This includes leveraging Lebanons economic crisis and military vulnerability to push for broader political changes.

 The Normalization Debate Reignites

One of the most controversial aspects of the current phase is the reemergence of the normalization question.

A suggestion of a potential meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leadership sparked immediate backlash across Lebanon. Even without formal endorsement, the mere idea reopened a deeply sensitive debate.

Why Normalization Is So Controversial 

 Lebanon has a long-standing boycott law (since 1955)

 Arab consensus ties normalization to Palestinian statehood

 Legal and constitutional barriers remain strong

 Risk of internal political explosion

Normalization is not just a foreign policy issueit is a defining national question that intersects with identity, history, and regional alliances.

 Regional Constraints: The Saudi Factor

Lebanons room for maneuver is heavily influenced by regional powers, particularly Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has made it clear that while negotiations to end the war are acceptable, unilateral normalization is not.

Regional Red Lines 

 Support ceasefire negotiations

 Reject normalization without Palestinian statehood

 Maintain alignment with Arab Peace Initiative

This position has had a direct impact on Lebanese decision-making, effectively limiting how far Beirut can go in engaging with Israel.

 Internal Power Dynamics: The Role of Political Actors

Lebanons internal political landscape is deeply fragmented. Key figures and factions are shaping the direction of negotiations and the broader national strategy.

Major Political Alignments

Camp  Vision State-Centric Camp Strengthen institutions, limit weapons to state Resistance Camp Preserve Hezbollahs role, resist external pressure

This division reflects fundamentally different interpretations of Lebanons futurewhether it should move toward centralized state authority or maintain a hybrid system that includes armed non-state actors.

 The Taif Framework Returns

The discussion around Hezbollahs weapons has revived interest in the Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanons civil war.

Key Elements of Taif 

 Abolition of political sectarianism

 Creation of a senate

 Administrative decentralization

 Institutional balance

Some political leaders argue that the weapons issue cannot be addressed in isolationit must be part of a broader reform process that fully implements Taif.

 Regional Geopolitics: A Shifting Landscape

Despite recent conflicts, regional alliances are evolving in unexpected ways.

Emerging Dynamics 

 remains influential

Saudi Arabia is re-engaging diplomatically

 and Pakistan are part of a broader alignment

 maintains a flexible position

These developments provide Lebanon with both constraints and opportunities, offering some protection against unilateral pressure but also complicating decision-making.

 A Changing Reality for Hezbollah

Hezbollah itself acknowledges that the political landscape has shifted significantly since the war began. However, it remains firm in rejecting any return to conditions that allowed Israel to operate freely in Lebanon.

Hezbollahs Current Strategy 

Maintain limited military responses

Avoid full-scale escalation

Link ceasefire legitimacy to ground realities

This approach reflects a careful balance between  and restraint.

 Risks and Opportunities Ahead

The current negotiations could lead to tangible gainsbut they also carry significant risks.

Potential Gains 

Stronger ceasefire

Israeli withdrawal

Increased state authority

Return of displaced communities

  

Major Risks 

Internal political 

   

   

 

 Scenario Analysis Table

Scenario  Outcome Likelihood Successful Negotiations Stabilization + reforms Medium Partial Agreement Continued tension High Breakdown Return to war Medium Internal Conflict    LowMedium

 Conclusion: A Fragile Opening

Lebanon stands at a critical juncture. The ceasefire has created an openingbut it is an opening under pressure. The path forward is uncertain, shaped by competing internal visions, regional constraints, and international ambitions.

The coming phase will determine whether Lebanon can:

Maintain its internal stability 

Protect its sovereignty 

Navigate regional pressures 

Avoid slipping into a new crisis 

Nothing is guaranteed. The ceasefire remains incomplete, the negotiations lack consensus, and the risks are real.

What lies ahead is not just a political processit is a test of Lebanons resilience, unity, and ability to define its own future.
The US Coast Guard has paused its search for a crew member who went overboard from the Norwegian Breakaway, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship traveling from Bermuda to Boston, after officials confirmed the person was seen falling on security footage.

The incident happened about 12 miles east of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on Saturday night. According to the Coast Guard, the fall was first spotted on a ship camera, prompting an immediate emergency response.

The vessel turned back to the last known location and launched a rescue boat and life rings in an effort to find the crew member.

Search teams were quickly deployed, including a Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter and crews from Station Provincetown.

Early Sunday morning, a HC-144 aircraft continued aerial searches alongside ground teams.

However, by 12:25 p.m. local time, officials announced the operation was suspended pending new information, FoxBusiness reported.

"A crew member was observed falling from the ship on a security camera," the Coast Guard said, explaining how the search was launched so quickly.

Despite hours of coordinated efforts across sea and air, no sign of the person was found before the pause.

U.S. Coast Guard searching for overboard crew member on Norwegian Breakaway:https://t.co/fRDi9zOhkb  Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) April 26, 2026

Search Suspended for Missing Crew Member

Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the ship immediately alerted the US Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Center after the fall was confirmed.

"The United States Coast Guard has taken over the search and rescue operation and released the vessel to continue the voyage," the company said.

According to Yahoo, it also added, "The safety, security, and well-being of our crew is our highest priority. Our thoughts are with the crewmember's family during this difficult time."

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the missing crew member, and the circumstances surrounding the fall remain unclear.

The ship's return to Boston was delayed as search operations continued, affecting its scheduled arrival and next sailing.

The incident is the latest in a troubling series of overboard cases involving cruise ships.

Earlier this month, another Norwegian Cruise Line crew member went missing near Mexico, where search efforts were also eventually suspended.

Originally published on vcpost.com
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mostly sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 71F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Sunshine early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Sunny this morning then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Being in here in the last three weeks has been so wonderful and relaxing for patients because we have space, owner Christina Meucci said. There's a peaceful energy about this place It's not so tight and squeezed.
Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band were not the first Tanglewood contemporary performers, but they were the first real hard-rocking act that performed under the famed pavilion.
Sun Pharma signs definitive agreement to acquire Organon for $11.75 B

April 27, 2026 | Monday | News

Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a combination of available cash resources and committed financing from banks

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and US-based Organon & Co. have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sun Pharma will acquire all outstanding shares of Organon for $ 14.00 per share in an allcash transaction with an enterprise valuation of $11.75 billion.

Organon is a global healthcare company formed through a spinoff from Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, in 2021. Organon has a legacy of deep trust and strong brand equity among HCPs, patients, regulators and other stakeholders. A global leader in womens health, the companys portfolio includes more than 70 products across Womens Health and General Medicines, which includes biosimilars, commercialised across 140 countries, with the US, Europe, China, Canada, and Brazil among its largest markets.

This global footprint is supported by six manufacturing facilities across the European Union and emerging markets, reinforcing its scale and reach. Together, Organons General Medicines and Womens Health franchise reflect the companys commitment to advancing access and affordability for communities around the world.

The proposed acquisition of Organon is aligned with Sun Pharmas strategy of growing its Innovative Medicines business. The combined company becomes a stronger player in Established Brands /Branded Generics business. The deal also enables Sun Pharmas entry into biosimilars as a Top-10 global player. Organons portfolio, global footprint and strong stakeholder relationships shall complement Sun Pharmas existing strengths and enhance longterm value creation.

Upon successful consummation of the transaction, Sun Pharma is poised to be among the top 25 global pharmaceutical companies with combined revenue of $12.4 billion; a leading player in Established Brands/Branded Generics; a top 3 company in global Womens Health, creating a commercial platform for future growth.

The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both Sun Pharma and Organon and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals and approval by Organon stockholders. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027.

Dilip Shanghvi, Executive Chairman of Sun Pharma, said, This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of Reaching People and Touching Lives. Organons portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own, and we believe that bringing the two organizations together can create a stronger and more diversified platform.
BLACKPINK's Jisoo has canceled a scheduled public appearance at the airport ahead of her upcoming Paris trip, amid ongoing public scrutiny linked to abuse allegations against her brother.

According to Koreaboo, earlier this month, a man identified as Jisoo's brother, Kim Jung Hun, was arrested following accusations from a female streamer involving sexual assault and blackmail. Additional allegations have since been made by Kim's alleged wife.

In response to the mounting controversy, Jisoo's agency clarified that she has no business ties with Kim Jung Hun and has severed contact with him. Still, the backlash has continued to affect the idol's public engagements.

Typically, when idols depart for overseas schedules, media outlets cover their airport departures with livestreams and brief interviews. However, Dimaco, a fashion marketing company assisting with Jisoo's Paris schedule, announced the cancellation of her airport press coverage.

Dimaco stated, "Due to unavoidable internal circumstances, the scheduled press coverage of Jisoo's airport departure for today has been canceled."

READ MORE: BLACKPINK's Jisoo's 'Newtopia' Performance Under Fire: Trailer Leaves Fans Disappointed

Fans quickly responded to the news on social media, expressing a mix of sadness and understanding.

One fan commented, "I know it's for the best but this is so sad it came to this smh, this was supposed to be happiest departure for her."

Another shared a more hopeful perspective, saying, "Aww... that's a bit sad, but I guess it's for the best.. away from the media who might have swarmed her with questions. At least she didn't cancel her schedule. Can't wait to see you at Canneseries, Jisoo!"

Others emphasized the importance of safety and practical concerns. A fan wrote, "It's not just for her safety but there would have been a huge number of reporters there tomorrow and that could have disrupted other people at the airport. I think this is the right decision."

Despite the cancellation of her public appearance at the airport, Jisoo's scheduled activities in Paris are expected to proceed as planned.

Recently, The Korea Herald reported that Jisoo's agency, Blissoo, has denied any connection between the artist and her brother, who is under police investigation for alleged sexual assault and domestic violence.

The agency emphasized that Jisoo has no involvement in the case or her brother's personal affairs, calling online claims false and speculative, and warned of legal action against the spread of misinformation linking her to the allegations.

READ MORE: What's Going On With BLACKPINK's Jisoo's Instagram? Follower Count Drops Nearly 200K


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Millie Bobby Browns teenage sleuth Enola Holmes is to tie the knot, according to first-look pictures from the third film in the detective series.

In Enola Holmes 3 the Stranger Things actress reprises her role as the mystery-solving sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, as she travels to Malta to tackle her latest case.

Brown, 22, is pictured as the brilliant sleuth wearing a wedding dress with a veil concealing her face, seemingly prepared to walk down the aisle.

Louis Partridge as Lord Tewkesbury and Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes in Enola Holmes 3 (John Wilson/Netflix/PA)

It is implied her groom will be Lord Tewkesbury, played by Louis Partridge, as a further preview of the film shows him proposing to the shocked detective.

Other images show them getting close, and Holmes facing a potentially life-threatening situation, a shocked expression on her face as she stands in a burning building.

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Elsewhere, award-winning actress Helena Bonham Carter makes her return as Browns on-screen mother, the fiercely independent Eudoria Holmes.

Superman star Henry Cavill is pictured reprising his role as Sherlock, accompanying his troublesome sister on her adventures, and former EastEnders actor Himesh Patel returns as his friend, Dr John Watson.

Helena Bonham Carter reprises her role as Eudoria Holmes (Netflix/PA)

Sharon Duncan-Brewster is also among the returns for the highly-anticipated third film, reprising her role as Mira Troy, a reimagined version of manipulative mastermind Moriarty.

The movies are adapted by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne from Nancy Springers series of mystery novels about the teenage detective.

In the latest film Philip Barantini, also known for Netflix hit Adolescence, takes over as director from Harry Bradbeer, and it has been co-produced by Brown.

Enola Holmes 3 will follow the sleuth on a case more tangled and treacherous than any she has faced before, and will be released on Netflix in July.
RTE 2FM is calling on aspiring DJs across Ireland to take their shot at the spotlight, with the launch of an exciting new competition offering one emerging talent the chance to perform live at the Forbidden Fruit Festival 2026.

As part of this years festival, which returns to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham for the June Bank Holiday weekend, the winner will secure a coveted slot on the 2FM Rising Stage, a platform dedicated to showcasing the next wave of Irish talent.

They said whether you are mixing tracks in your bedroom or building a name on the local club circuit, 2FM wants to hear from you. This competition is open to DJs aged 18 and over who are ready to take the next step in their music journey.

For the chance to win a live slot at one of the biggest festivals of the year, they are asking people to send a 20-minute mix, along with a short artist profile, to festivals@rte.ie before Friday, May 1st, 2026 at 5pm.

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Entertainment Millie Bobby Brown ready to tie the knot in first look at Enola Holmes 3 Read more

The selected winner will perform live at one of Irelands most prominent music festivals, joining a lineup that spans electronic, hip-hop, and alternative music, and performing on a stage renowned for championing emerging Irish acts.

Speaking about the competition, Adam Fogarty, director of music at RTE 2FM, said: ''We love dance music here on 2FM, and we want to shine a light on the next generation of Irish DJs from around the country.

"2FM is the home of 2FM Rising acts and has a proud history of identifying and nurturing incredible Irish talent.

"We're absolutely delighted to offer a new and upcoming DJ the chance to showcase their talents and reflect the vibrancy and diversity of our audience. Get in touch by May 1st - we can't wait to hear your 20-minute mix.
A tanning salon operated by a sister of MMA star Conor McGregor has been spared a court conviction for selling a sunbed treatment to a 16-year-old girl without checking her age or ID.

Stop N Glow Limited, run by Aoife McGregor, located at Bridgefoot Street, in the Liberties, Dublin, pleaded guilty last month to breaking public health laws by providing the treatment to a minor acting as a test buyer.

Dublin District Court heard that the employee responsible has been sacked.

Judge Anthony Halpin had ordered the firm to pay 1,000 costs and to donate a further 500 to the Little Flower Penny Dinners charity in Dublin.

The prosecution brought by the Health Service Executive (HSE) resumed on Monday.

Solicitor Rianne Keaveney, for the HSE, informed Judge Halpin that the case was listed for finalisation, and she confirmed that the costs and donation had been paid.

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Judge Halpin applied the Probation of Offenders Act.

McGregor was not required to attend the proceedings, but her firm was represented by counsel Eimear Dooley, instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny.

At the prior hearing, the company secretary, William Whelan, was present and indicated that the firm wished to enter a guilty plea.

In a brief outline of the prosecution evidence, Keaveney said the case arose from the sale of a sunbed at the premises on October 29th, to a "minor volunteer"

The court heard the test buyer "entered the premises where a three-minute sunbed was sold for 3.90 without being questioned about her age or asked for ID."

Judge Halpin noted that the firm had no prior convictions.

Dooley furnished the court with copies of the firm's policy document and advertisements, and stated that "the employee responsible for this has since been dismissed."

She had added, "It is something the company takes very seriously and indicates that it would not be happening again".

The HSE solicitor referred to the World Health Organisation's findings on the link between sunbeds and cancer.

The offence is contrary to the 2014 Public Health (Sunbeds) Act.

The HSE had sought an order for 2,880 in costs from preparing the case, including the witness statements and disclosure. However,

JHalpin held that this amount was not comparable with the gravity of the offence.
A car bomb attack at a police station in Co Antrim is likely to have been the work of the New IRA, PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher has said.

A male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on Saturday night, a device was placed inside the vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station.

The car later exploded outside the station as local residents were being evacuated.

Forensic investigators attended the scene outside Dunmurry police station (Niall Carson/PA)

The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.

Boutcher talked about a period of behaviour that we need to address very quickly.

He paid tribute to the delivery driver in the latest incident  who he said had been forced to drive the vehicle to Dunmurry police station after being hijacked at gunpoint  as an incredibly brave guy.

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He alerted police staff and officers as to what had happened, and then obviously we undertook an evacuation, he said.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher paid tribute to the delivery driver as an incredibly brave guy (Niall Carson/PA)

The officers, without any consideration for their own safety, came out of the police station to make sure that residents from nearby to the car were evacuated to ensure they were kept safe and, at that point, the device within the car detonated causing quite some damage, but fortunately nobody was seriously injured or killed, he told BBC Radio Ulsters Nolan Show.

Absolutely irresponsible, unacceptable act of violence in today, 2026 in Northern Ireland. We hoped these days were behind us.

Asked whether police had any intelligence to suggest it would happen, Boutcher said: We didnt anticipate this. We did have an incident at Lurgan a few short weeks ago, a very similar incident where a car was hijacked at gunpoint and was driven into the front of Lurgan police station.

We are seeing a period of behaviour from these utterly mindless thugs, who nobody supports, nobody is with them, nobody is behind them. Were seeing a period of behaviour that we need to address very quickly, arrest them and put them where they belong which is in prison.

The incident on Saturday came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station (Liam McBurney/PA)

In the first instance at Lurgan, responsibility was claimed by the New IRA, no-one has yet claimed responsibility for the incident from last night which put so many members of the public and childrens lives at risk, as well as police officers.

But were expecting to hear a claim of responsibility, and from what we know, it may likely again be the New IRA.

Boutcher said the services security footprint would be increased around areas of concern, and measures taken to ensure police officers felt safe.

They (police officers) are the thin green line that keeps society safe, and nobody, not these idiots, not these mindless thugs, nobody is going to distract us from doing that job, he said.
Stormonts agriculture minister has said wildfires in the Mourne Mountains are soul-destroying as blazes continued on Sunday.

More than 50 firefighters battled blazes over the weekend in a number of areas across the range, as hot and dry weather continued.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) spokesperson said crews are currently dealing with a number of wildland fires in the Ballagh Road, Newcastle and Sandbank Road, Hilltown areas of the Mourne Mountains.

They added: Hill walkers and locals are requested to avoid the area due to fire risk, heavy smoke and to help support firefighting operations. NIFRS request the public act responsibly if you are in the countryside this weekend.

We are currently dealing with a number of wildland fires in the Ballagh Road, Newcastle and Sandbank Road, Hilltown areas of the Mourne Mountains.



Hillwalkers and locals are requested to avoid the area due to fire risk, heavy smoke and to help support firefighting operations pic.twitter.com/wv2FqWC46z  Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (@NIFRSOFFICIAL) April 26, 2026

Daera minister Andrew Muir described the Mourne wildfires as soul-destroying.

The impact of these fires is real and significant, with lives potentially at risk, communities in fear and natural habitats destroyed, he said.

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I am immensely grateful to the NI Fire and Rescue Service for the sustained response in challenging conditions and would urge everyone to heed calls to stay away whilst firefighting continues.

Sinn Fein MP for South Down Chris Hazzard said firefighters are showing incredible bravery and dedication, working in difficult conditions to protect the heart of the Mournes.

These mountains are a precious natural resource and a site of immense beauty, and it is devastating to see hectares of vegetation destroyed by fire yet again, he said.

I want to pay tribute to the 52 firefighters and the specialist teams on the ground overnight. Their efforts have thankfully brought the Slievenaman Road blaze under control, but the risk remains high across the region.

With a yellow wildfire warning currently in place, I am appealing to everyone  locals and visitors alike  to stay away from the affected areas to allow the emergency services to do their jobs safely.

He added: This incident serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable our landscape is during these periods. I urge everyone to be extremely careful and vigilant while the current weather warnings remain in effect to prevent further damage to our environment and any risk to life.
NIIGATA, Apr 27 (News On Japan) - A Japanese serow, a species designated by the government as a Special Natural Monument, entered a bank in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on the afternoon of April 27.

According to police, authorities received a report shortly after noon that a wild animal had wandered into the bank near Kashiwazaki Station.

After evacuating customers to a safe area, bank staff confirmed that the animal had moved into the ATM section. They then lowered the shutter and confined it inside.

A local resident said they initially thought it might be a squirrel, before realizing it was a serow.

About three hours after the first report, a contractor commissioned by the city used a tranquilizer to subdue the animal, which was then captured.

City officials said the animal was a female Japanese serow measuring about 1 meter in length. Residents had reportedly seen it roaming the area for about a week.

The Japanese serow is protected as a Special Natural Monument, and harming or injuring one can result in penalties under the law. In this case, however, the city granted permission for the capture as an emergency measure.

The captured serow is expected to be released back into the mountains.

Source: NEWS
Footage has been released of the moment a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Northern Ireland, after senior figures jointly condemned the reckless attack.

The footage, released by the PSNI, shows a person walking along a path before a large flash of light erupts ahead.

The suspected dissident republican attack has been condemned by Northern Irelands political leaders and chief constable, who voiced their condemnation at a joint press conference on Monday.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemns the reckless and dangerous attack in Dunmurry on Saturday, 25th April.



Today we are releasing footage showing our officers evacuating homes in the area to keep people safe as the bomb detonated: https://t.co/R9Gi3wYY6K pic.twitter.com/gAWbl0Dqaq  Office of the Chief Constable (@ChiefConPSNI) April 27, 2026

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle ONeill said it was a day for strong condemnation, not political nonsense, in the aftermath of the attack believed to be the work of the New IRA.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the security situation in Northern Ireland needed to be very high on the agenda at Westminster.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack on Sunday, while Secretary of State Hilary Benn told the House of Commons on Monday that those responsible were a small number of people who represent no one but themselves.

PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher said it was an attack on all of us and called those responsible mindless thugs.

A male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on Saturday, a device placed inside the vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned an attack on a police station in Dunmurry in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon (Westminster/PA)

The car exploded outside the station as people were being evacuated.

The incident is being treated by police as attempted murder.

The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and chief constable Jon Boutcher, ONeill said they were sending a clear message of condemnation.

We are absolutely united in condemnation of what has happened, nobody wants to see this on our streets, nobody wants to see the fear that that community experienced on Saturday evening, she said.

I dont think this is a day for political nonsense.

I think this is a day for strong condemnation.

This is a day for us to be united in saying these groups have no place in our society, and its a day for us all to say collectively that anybody with any information whatsoever should come forward to the PSNI, because these people need to be dealt with before the courts.

Forensic investigators at the scene outside Dunmurry police station (Niall Carson/PA)

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: I think its really important that we do stand very strongly together, that we send very clear messages.

There is a responsibility across all of the political parties, particularly at a leadership level, to be sending a very clear message, a condemnation of this terrorist attack on Saturday night, but indeed, a very clear condemnation right across the piece.

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Terrorism is always wrong. It is always without justification, should that have been 10, 20, 40, 50 years ago or on Saturday night.

Lets send that clear message, lets send that clear leadership, particularly to our young people coming up, that this is absolutely not for the future.

It is not our present. It is not wanted, and we need to stand together against that.

Boutcher said an attack on his police service is an attack on all of us.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher

He also appealed for information to help his officers catch those responsible, adding before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Its everybodys responsibility to call out these reckless attacks, and thats why we stand here today, shoulder to shoulder, in doing that, he said.

There is no place for these mindless thugs, these idiots who think its acceptable to carry out such stupid attacks.

I can promise you, we will use all of our resources to identify them and bring them before the courts.

I want everybody to remember this, an attack on the PSNI is an attack on everyone, on all of us.

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Again, I will appeal with anybody with any information about the people responsible to please, please, please contact us before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Please contact us if you know something, even if you think you might know whos responsible.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody.

Its important that we keep emphasising that we do need that additional support when it comes to counterterrorism, when it comes to that additional resource that does need to be recognised, Little-Pengelly said.

It doesnt matter if it is politically inconvenient. It is a reality and we would ask the Prime Minister and the Government to take an objective view to this, to give the resources and support that is required.

I am calling on the Government to live up to its responsibilities when it comes to policing and legacy in Northern Ireland. Passing the parcel between London and Belfast has to stop Liam Kelly, Police Federation

ONeill said her party had prioritised policing in their draft budget because they want to have a good policing service here thats reflective of the community it serves.

The Chief Constable said the Government should be taking a taking a whole systems approach in its Troubles Legacy legislation, with the forces lack of resource feeding into the narrative of these dissident republicans.

Boutcher said: We need support in dealing with legacy, with all the civil cases that weve got, so we can deal with them quickly and fairly and properly.

Because when we cant do that, we dont have the resources, it looks as though the PSNI is being obstructive and I can promise you with my history with legacy, we are not.

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We are trying to resolve cases, but we dont have the actual resources to do it and I keep trying to have this conversation with Westminster.

Meanwhile the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, challenged both Stormont and Westminster to translate words of support into financial support for the PSNI.

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the PSNI is about 700 officers short of the 7,000 target outlined by the chief constable, and some 2,200 below the figure required for a population of more than 1.9 million.

This is unsustainable and requires urgent attention by both national Government and Stormont, he said.

Two things need to happen. Firstly, we have to have a significant increase in the PSNI budget over a three-year budget period.

Secondly, we must see a change of heart at Westminster on legacy. The PSNI is left to pick up the tab for legacy cases running into many millions of pounds when the Government should be bearing the cost.

Our officers are stretched to breaking and its a dire situation that cant continue.

I am calling on the Government to live up to its responsibilities when it comes to policing and legacy in Northern Ireland. Passing the parcel between London and Belfast has to stop.

During the Westminster debate, Eastwood asked whether the PSNI would be adequately resourced to deal with terrorism.

In response, Benn said its funding is determined by Stormont, but added: Weve given a record settlement to the Executive in the spending review last summer and we have implemented the first increase in the additional security funding in over a decade. It will be 113 million over three years.

UUP MP Robin Swann accused Benn of focusing on Barnett consequentials, adding: Why does he and this Government believe if its terrorists in Northern Ireland attacking Northern Ireland people, its only a Northern Ireland problem?

The Secretary of State responded: I would simply say to (Swann) that the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland, be they police officer or ordinary citizen, are beyond price.
A girl has described the moment her mother locked their bedroom door before pushing a kitchen knife through her chest in an attempted murder in which the child was stabbed more than 70 times.

In her victim impact statement, which was read to the Central Criminal Court by a garda, the young girl, now in foster care, said she no longer loves the defendant but doesn't hate her either, telling her mother: "I hope you have a nice time in prison."

The court heard that neighbours made a frantic effort during the attack to reach the girl, who was heard telling her mother: "Mum don't do this, I will die".

Last January, a jury unanimously found the girl's mother, a 49-year-old Russian national, guilty of the attempted murder of her then eight-year-old daughter.

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Specialist interviews

In specialist interviews with investigating gardai, the girl described how her mother held a knife over her and told her: "I'm going to kill you and after will kill myself, as that will be best."

She said her mother also told her: "This is what needs to happen, it's for the best."

The girl sustained more than 70 stab wounds during the attack by her mother, who also attempted to strangle her.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect her daughters right to anonymity, had denied the charge before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick.

On January 23rd last, the trial jury unanimously agreed that the mother was guilty of the girls attempted murder.

The trial heard the defendant had told gardai following her arrest that she was out of my mind when she attacked her daughter.

Lorcan Connolly SC, prosecuting on Monday, told Justice Kerida Naidoo the case was opened on the basis that the woman had attempted to murder her then eight-year-old daughter on September 27th 2022, "with the application of a knife and a cable ligature, causing life-changing injuries".

Detective Garda Cathal Reilly detailed the events of that morning, telling counsel that the defendant, along with her Ukrainian husband and daughter, fled the war in Ukraine in March 2022, six months before the attack on the girl.

The detective said the mother and daughter had stayed in a number of temporary accommodation premises before finding shared accommodation, which consisted of a bedroom with an ensuite and a communal kitchen.

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The mother and daughter were living separately from the child's father at this point, as there was "marital disharmony".

Connolly said the child was enrolled in a national school and was settling in quite well. However, he said the defendant was suffering from depression, lost weight and had been taken to hospital.

The detective said the mother had attended a health centre the day before the incident to say she was depressed and that she didn't have a GP.

A prescription was issued, and an appointment was scheduled for medical care on September 29, 2022.

On the morning of September 27, Mr Connolly said the defendant had got up at 7am and gone to the communal kitchen area.

He said a Ukrainian woman in the house had given evidence to the trial that she saw the defendant preparing breakfast before returning to her bedroom. Within five minutes, the witness said she heard screams coming from the bedroom.

When the witness went to investigate, she found the defendant's bedroom door locked. The detective said "desperate" but fruitless efforts were made by her and others to open the door.

He said the defendant had claimed "everything was OK" inside the room but wouldn't open the door.

The witness told gardai that a black-handled knife with a steel blade was missing from the cutlery drawer in the kitchen. The witness and her husband heard the eight-year-old girl say: "Mum, don't do this, I will die". The witness recalled that the defendant had replied to the child, "we will die together".

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Mr Connolly said gardai arrived at 8am and an officer saw blood in the bedroom when he looked through a window. He formed the view that "life was endangered" and the bedroom door was kicked in.

The girl, who was wearing only underwear, was found with multiple wounds in the shower area. There was blood flowing into the drain of the shower, and the girl's skin was turning white. Gardai also saw a knife and a phone charging cable.

Det Gda Reilly said the defendant was beside the child, staring into space, and failed to respond to Garda instruction. The mother was removed from the ensuite and handcuffed before her "seriously injured" daughter was rushed by ambulance to hospital.

Injuries

A doctor noted a rapid heart rate along with 72 wounds, two abrasions and a ligature mark to the child's neck. The wounds were distributed across the chest and abdomen, as well as the lower and upper limbs.

The officer said the child's condition initially stabilised but then deteriorated due to blood accumulating in the sack around the heart, which had interfered with cardiac function.

Connolly said when the girl was well enough, she gave evidence to specialised garda interviewers, which was played at the trial.

The child had recalled her mother "pacing" that morning and having "some kind of strange look".

She said when "the hitting" stopped, her mother had sat down next to her.

The child said her mother told her she was scared someone was going to take her daughter away.

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The barrister said the child described how she had stayed silent as she didn't want her mother to feel threatened and react.

According to medics, counsel said the mother had overdosed and became unconscious.

Ireland 'Trusted' family friend jailed for 14 years for sexual abuse of two girls Read more

When the defendant was interviewed in March, 2023 she told gardai: "It wasn't planned and I didn't do it on purpose." She said she had a long history of anxiety and depression.

The defendant, who has no previous convictions, told officers she had awoken in an acute anxious state with a fixation that her daughter would not be returned to her. She said she had attempted to choke her daughter but couldn't carry that out.

Defence counsel Mark Nicholas said his client had a difficult psychiatric history before she came to Ireland. Between 2008 and 2019, there were various psychiatric engagements in Russia and Ukraine, where the defendant had been hospitalised five times and diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.

Mr Justice Naidoo remanded the defendant in custody until May 5, when counsel will make submissions as to how the sentence should be structured.
A woman in her 40s has been killed in a fatal assault, and a man, also in his 40s, has been arrested in Waterford city.

The incident occurred at a domestic residence in Grange Heights in the city on Monday evening.

Gardai and emergency services responded at around 6.15pm.

The woman was taken to University Hospital Waterford, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

The State Pathologist has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course, a garda statement said.

The man was arrested at the scene and is detained at a Garda station in the Waterford Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The scene is currently preserved for technical examination.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation, and an incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station.

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A family liaison officer has also been assigned to support the woman's family.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

Anyone who was in the Grange Heights area on Monday, April 27th, between 6pm and 6.30pm, who may have camera footage, including CCTV or dashcam, has been asked to provide their footage to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing, the garda statement said.
Mould, overcrowding, and the presence of prohibited items, including alcohol and knives, were among the issues identified during a series of recent inspections at direct provision and emergency accommodation centres.

A lack of on-site security, problems with smoke alarms and CCTV, as well as inadequate laundry facilities, were also observed by inspectors from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

The floor of one apartment at an accommodation centre in Cork was found to be in such a state of disrepair that it prevented the door from opening, causing a serious fire-safety issue.

A number of centres were also found to be accommodating adults in bunk beds, while renovation works were being carried out in one property with the residents still in place.

The department published inspection reports from 18 properties located in five counties today (Monday). The inspections were carried out between November 2025 and the end of last month.

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An inspector encountered no security upon his arrival at Mallow Accommodation Centre on March 25, entering the premises uncontested and walking straight into an apartment because builders had left the door open.

No fire safety records were available at the centre, while mould was found in some bathrooms, and all apartments were described as overcrowded. Bunk beds were used throughout the centre, according to the report.

A large amount of mould was also observed in the Capuchin Accommodation in Carlow on February 24, and a number of rooms were overcrowded. There was insufficient storage for residents, and bathroom fans were not working.

Elsewhere in Carlow, the Bank House and Didean accommodation centre were both described as well-run locations, although prohibited items, including alcohol and knives, were found in the latter.

In Cavan, inadequate CCTV coverage was identified as an issue at Coleman Court Apartments, while bedrooms were described as overcrowded. Mould was found in a number of apartments, and food was being stored on the floor of the kitchen.

There was evidence of smoking and alcohol consumption in bedrooms, contrary to rules, and inspectors said a deep clean of all communal areas and kitchens was required.

Ireland Girl describes moment mother tried to murder her by stabbing her over 70 times Read more

In Clare, there was an inadequate number of washers and dryers for residents at the Burren Castle Hotel, and the contractor was reminded that bunk beds were not suitable for individuals aged over 15.

At King Thomond, mould and peeling paint were observed, and several rooms appeared to be overcrowded, according to the report. Bedrooms were cluttered, and beds were missing from two rooms. A shower was also being used for storage.

Several accommodation centres in Clare and Cork were found to be well-run and well-maintained, including at Abbeyville House, where the manager and staff were praised for treating residents with respect and dignity.

In many centres, management was instructed to remove prohibited electrical items from bedrooms, including fridges and fans. The department is expected to publish further inspection reports in the coming days.
Within two days of the Regency Hotel attack, senior Kinahan cartel member Sean McGovern swore on his baby's life that he would not stop, while another leader vowed to keep going until all the Hutch gang were "gone", a court has heard.

Detective Superintendent David Gallagher is giving evidence on Monday at the three-judge Special Criminal Court in the sentence hearing of McGovern, who has pleaded guilty to directing the activities of the Kinahan gang.

The detective told the court that gardai compiled evidence showing how the Kinahan gang tracked James 'Mago' Gately, who they believed was involved in the 2016 Regency Hotel attack in which David Byrne was shot dead and McGovern was injured.

In one text exchange between McGovern and a senior Kinahan gang member identified only as 'Cap', McGovern said: "They targeted us, they wanted you," and swore on his baby's life: "I'm not stopping now."

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They also discussed going after other relatives of the Hutch family while Cap described the Hutch gang as 'scum' and said he would not stop until they are "all gone".

In a later exchange, when the Kinahans were targeting James Gately, McGovern described Gately as a weasel and added: "All weasels get caught out in the end."

Earlier this year, the 40-year-old, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 20th and December 22nd 2016, both dates inclusive, both within and outside the State, in relation to the murder of Christopher aka Noel Kirwan.

Ireland 'Trusted' family friend jailed for 14 years for sexual abuse of two girls Read more

McGovern also admitted directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 17th, 2015 and April 6th, 2017, both dates inclusive, both within and outside the State, in connection with the surveillance of James Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence.

McGovern, who was injured during the attack at the Regency Hotel on February 5th 2016, has been described as a significant figure with a leadership role in the Kinahan organised crime group.

Christopher Kirwan was an innocent man with no connection to either the Kinahan or Hutch criminal organisations. He was targeted after being photographed at the funeral of a Hutch family member.

Gately has survived two attempts on his life, including one attempted hit in which he was shot five times as he sat in his car at a petrol station in May 2017.
The Stormont leader and the PSNI chief constable have stood together in united condemnation of the latest suspected dissident republican attack.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said it was a day for strong condemnation, not political nonsense, in the aftermath of a car bomb attack on Dunmurry police station, which is believed to be the work of the New IRA.

A male delivery driver was hijacked in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast on Saturday, a device placed inside the vehicle, and he was ordered to drive to Dunmurry police station.

The car exploded outside the station as people were being evacuated.

The incident is being treated by police as attempted murder.

Forensic investigators at the scene outside Dunmurry police station (Niall Carson/PA)

The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Parliament Buildings in Belfast, with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher, Ms ONeill said they were sending a clear message of condemnation.

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We are absolutely united in condemnation of what has happened, nobody wants to see this on our streets, nobody wants to see the fear that that community experienced on Saturday evening, she said.

I dont think this is a day for political nonsense.

I think this is a day for strong condemnation.

This is a day for us to be united in saying these groups have no place in our society, and its a day for us all to say collectively that anybody with any information whatsoever should come forward to the PSNI, because these people need to be dealt with before the courts.

(left-right) Policing Board chairman Brendan Mullan, First Minister Michelle ONeill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Chief Constable Jon Boutcher (Liam McBurney/PA)

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: I think its really important that we do stand very strongly together, that we send very clear messages.

There is a responsibility across all of the political parties, particularly at a leadership level, to be sending a very clear message, a condemnation of this terrorist attack on Saturday night, but indeed, a very clear condemnation right across the piece.

Terrorism is always wrong. It is always without justification, should that have been 10, 20, 40, 50 years ago or on Saturday night.

Lets send that clear message, lets send that clear leadership, particularly to our young people coming up, that this is absolutely not for the future.

It is not our present. It is not wanted, and we need to stand together against that.

Mr Boutcher said an attack on his police service is an attack on all of us.

He also appealed for information to help his officers catch those responsible, adding before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Its everybodys responsibility to call out these reckless attacks, and thats why we stand here today, shoulder to shoulder, in doing that, he said.

Advertisement

There is no place for these mindless thugs, these idiots who think its acceptable to carry out such stupid attacks.

I can promise you, we will use all of our resources to identify them and bring them before the courts.

I want everybody to remember this, an attack on the PSNI is an attack on everyone, on all of us.

Ireland Dunmurry car bomb attack likely to be New IRA, says PSNI chief constable Read more

Again, I will appeal with anybody with any information about the people responsible to please, please, please contact us before these people actually harm or kill somebody.

Please contact us if you know something, even if you think you might know whos responsible.

Please, please, please reach out to the PSNI before they actually do kill somebody.
The Tories will vote against carrying over the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill in a show of their opposition to the proposed law.

The legislation would repeal and replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government, ending the immunity scheme brought in under the law that was ruled unlawful in the courts.

Labours Bill, agreed as part of a joint framework with the Irish Government, will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers.

MPs have already backed a remedial order which removed the measures in the previous Act providing conditional immunity from prosecutions for Troubles-era crimes in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body, as well as scrapping a bar on future legacy compensation cases.

The Tories will seek to block efforts on Monday to bring the proposed legislation into the next parliamentary session, which is due to begin after the Kings Speech on May 13th.

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Labours huge majority in the Commons means it is unlikely they will stop the Bill being taken forward.

Keir Starmer has sought to ease concerns raised by armed forces and veterans communities that Labours Bill will leave those who served in Northern Ireland open to vexatious litigation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said last week that additional protections and reassurances for veterans would be added when the Bill returns to Parliament, while also insisting there is no such thing as vexatious prosecutions.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Alex Burghart said: The Government must kill this Bill and end its hounding of our brave veterans.

This Bill will reopen vexatious litigation against those who courageously served during the Troubles and laid the foundation for peace.

The Conservatives have led the fight against this Bill. We have been unequivocally clear: we completely oppose this and will move immediately to reverse it if we return to Government.

UK Labour said its proposed legislation was the only viable way to give victims and their families answers, and said that safeguards for veterans would be strengthened when the Bill returns and is scrutinised at committee stage.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: The Conservatives failed Legacy Act made undeliverable promises on immunity and has been repeatedly rejected by the courts. It created false expectations, legal uncertainty and delays for victims, survivors and veterans alike.

We have worked closely with victims and families, as well as with our armed forces community, to ensure this legislation includes robust and meaningful safeguards that properly reflect the service and sacrifices of our veterans. And we will strengthen these further at committee stage.

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The Troubles Bill is the only viable way of delivering answers for victims and families, including the families of soldiers murdered by the IRA, while ensuring genuine safeguards for our veterans.

Writing in the UK's Daily Mail, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour MPs had a choice to make.

This Bill could open the door to vexatious claims against elderly veterans decades after service. Its the last thing they or our court system needs, she said.

Hounding our veterans through the courts like criminals will make people think twice about joining our Armed Forces, just when we need to recruit more.

She added: If were going to secure yet another U-turn, we will need Labour MPs to examine their consciences.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war stalled again over the weekend as both sides dug in on their demands, even as they face mounting pressure to reach a compromise.

Iran said it wont reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States lifts its blockade and ends the war.

US President Donald Trump wants a broader deal that would end Irans nuclear programme and address other issues like its missile programme and support for regional proxies.

For both sides, the clock is ticking.

The continued closure of the strait has sent gas prices soaring and could cause further damage to the world economy ahead of US midterm elections. The blockade is strangling Irans economy.

The new proposal, passed to the United States by Pakistan, is unlikely to be supported by Mr Trump, who wants to end Irans atomic programme as part of an overall deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make the ceasefire permanent.



Mr Trump has said all they need to do is call (AP)

We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us, Mr Trump told Fox News Channel on Sunday.

The Axios news outlet first reported Irans proposal.

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Irans state-run IRNA news agency said foreign minister Abbas Araghchi landed in St Petersburg on Monday morning ahead of a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

His trip over the weekend has included two stops in Pakistan and a visit to Oman, which shares the strait with Iran.



Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is holding a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin (Sputnik via AP)

Mr Araghchis visit comes as a stand-off between Iran and the US in the crucial Strait of Hormuz persists despite a ceasefire, keeping oil prices high.

It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now, Mr Araghchi said in a video interview posted by IRNA.

Pakistan has been seeking to revive stalled talks between Iran and America, and negotiations had been expected in Islamabad over the weekend. But US president Donald Trump has suggested the talks could take place by phone instead.





Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman.



Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world.



Our neighbors are our priority pic.twitter.com/QffTsjCWgW  Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 26, 2026

Mr Araghchi said it was Americas approach that caused the negotiations to be delayed.

The previous one, despite the progress that had been made, could not achieve its goals, he said, blaming what he called Washingtons excessive demands.

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Mr Trump has questioned who is in charge in Iran at the moment and said confusion within its theocracy made it difficult to reach a deal.

The White House last week said it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. But Mr Araghchi left the Pakistani capital on Saturday, and shortly afterwards Mr Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran.



Mr Araghchi met with Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, in Muscat on Sunday (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

If they want, we can talk but were not sending people, Mr Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

He said earlier on social media: All they have to do is call!!!

Mr Araghchi later returned to Islamabad, and also visited Omans capital of Muscat before heading to Russia. He also spoke by phone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

A stand-off remains on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas normally passes, as Iran has restricted movement through it and the US enforces a blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran has offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade on the country and ends the war in a proposal that would postpone discussions on the Islamic Republics nuclear programme, two regional officials said.

US President Donald Trump seems unlikely to accept the offer, which was passed to the Americans by Pakistan and would leave unresolved the disagreements that led the US and Israel to go to war on February 28.



President Donald Trump (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

With a fragile ceasefire in place, the US and Iran are locked in a standoff over the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds traded oil and gas passes in peacetime.

The US blockade is designed to prevent Iran from selling its oil, depriving it of crucial revenue while also potentially creating a situation where Tehran has to shut off production because it has nowhere to store oil.

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The Straits closure, meanwhile, has put pressure on Mr Trump, as oil and gasoline prices have skyrocketed ahead of crucial midterm elections, and it has pressured his Gulf allies, which use the waterway to export their oil and gas.

The closure has also had far-reaching effects throughout the world economy, raising the price of fertiliser, food and other basic goods.

The Iranian proposal would push negotiations on the countrys nuclear programme to a later date. Mr Trump said one of the major reasons he went to war was to deny Iran the ability to develop nuclear weapons.



Mr Trump has said all they need to do is call (AP)

Two officials with knowledge of the proposal spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations between Iranian and Pakistani officials this weekend. Irans proposal was first reported by the Axios news outlet.

The offer emerged as Irans foreign minister visited Russia, which has long been a key backer of Tehran. Its unclear what, if any, assistance Moscow might offer now.

Irans ability to choke off traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, has proved one of its biggest strategic advantages in a war that has often boiled down to which side can take more pain.

Oil prices have risen steadily since the war began, and tankers full of crude became stranded in the Gulf, unable to safely pass through the strait to reach global distribution points.

On Monday, the spot price of Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at around 108 dollars (79) per barrel, nearly 50% higher than when the war began.





German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday criticised the US for going into the war with what he said was no strategy.

The problem with conflicts like these is always the same: Its not just about getting in. You also have to get out, Mr Merz said.

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Iranians are stronger than previously thought at negotiating, he said, making it hard to end the conflict now.

Letting the Americans travel to Islamabad, only to send them back without any results. An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, Mr Merz said.



Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is holding a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin (Sputnik via AP)

Stephen Doughty, the United Kingdoms minister of state for Europe and North America, said while the UK does not support the US blockade, it supports working with the US and others to reopen the strait.

De-escalation and a ceasefire are also crucial, he said, stressing that Iran cannot be allowed to block the strait, attack its Gulf neighbours and develop nuclear weapons.

Mr Trump last week indefinitely extended the ceasefire the US and Iran agreed to on April 7, which has largely halted fighting, but a permanent settlement remains elusive in the war that has killed thousands of people.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday in St Petersburg, Russian state news agency Tass said.

Mr Putin praised the Iranian people as bravely and heroically fighting for their sovereignty, and said Russia would do everything possible to bring peace to the Middle East, Tass reported.





Appreciative of my gracious hosts in Oman.



Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world.



Our neighbors are our priority pic.twitter.com/QffTsjCWgW  Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 26, 2026

Mr Araghchi said before the meeting in a video interview posted by Irans state-run IRNA news agency that it was a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now.

The meeting came as Pakistan has been seeking to revive stalled talks between Iran and the US, and negotiations had been expected in Islamabad over the weekend.

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Instead, Mr Trump called off a trip by his envoys and suggested the talks could take place by phone instead.

Over the weekend, Mr Araghchi made two stops in Pakistan and a visit to Oman, which shares the strait with Iran. He also spoke by phone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Iran wants to persuade Oman to support a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait, according to a regional official.

Omans response was not immediately clear.



Mr Araghchi met with Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Muscat on Sunday (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

The official, who is involved in mediation efforts, also said Iran insisted on ending the US blockade before new talks and that Pakistan-led mediators are trying to bridge significant gaps between the countries.

Mr Trump told journalists Saturday that after he called off a trip by his envoys to Pakistan, Iran sent a much better proposal.

He did not elaborate but stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.

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Iran insists its programme is peaceful, but the US wants to remove Tehrans stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which could be used to build a bomb, should Tehran choose to pursue one.

Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,521 people in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group resumed two days after the Iran war started.

Another 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 UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have been killed.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been extended by three weeks. Despite the truce, both sides continue to strike each other, and Israeli forces have been occupying a buffer zone in Lebanon, demolishing some neighbourhoods.

Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
A Russian drone attack before dawn on Ukraines southern city of Odesa wounded 14 people, including two children, authorities said on Monday.

It is the latest barrage of civilian areas that have been a hallmark of Moscows full-scale invasion, now in its fifth year.



A rescue worker walks inside apartments destroyed by a Russian strike in Odesa (Michael Shtekel/AP)

The drones hit residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure, said the head of the citys administration, Serhii Lysak.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Odesa, a key Black Sea port for Ukraine.

Five of the injured, most of them with shrapnel wounds, were admitted to hospital, according to the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Kiper.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike killed two people in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraines Kherson region, Moscow-installed Governor Vladimir Saldo said.

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A man and a woman in their 70s died in the village of Dnipriany, he said.





Over the past week, the Russian Federation has launched approximately 1,900 attack drones, nearly 1,400 guided aerial bombs, and around 60 missiles of various types against Ukraine. This highlights how timely the new partner contributions to the PURL initiative are, as well as pic.twitter.com/WCWho3BKnT  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 27, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that over the past week, Russia has fired approximately 1,900 attack drones, nearly 1,400 powerful guided aerial bombs and around 60 missiles of various types at Ukraine.

Ukraines wartime development of cutting-edge military technology means it is intercepting more than 90% of the drones that Russia launches, Mr Zelensky claimed in a post on X.

However, Ukraine needs more American-made Patriot air defence missiles that are able to shoot down Russias ballistic missiles.

Ukraine has recently been helping countries in the Middle East and Gulf region, which are countering attacks on their territory by Iranian drones, with know-how amid the Iran war.

Also, Norway is the latest European country to enter into a joint drone manufacturing agreement with Kyiv, Ukraines Defence Ministry said.



Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Petros Karadjias/AP)

In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that his government plans a drone armada with Ukraines help, to defend both itself and Europe.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, on a visit to Warsaw, said Ukraine has evolved from being a recipient of foreign military aid to a country that can offer state of the art military solutions.

We are able to destroy tanks, destroy expensive systems and drones, it is our reality, she said, according to the Polish press agency PAP.

A number of the systems that were using are produced in Ukraine. I think we have made a big leap here.

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Mr Zelensky noted a recent raft of good news for Ukraine: Nato partners, excluding the United States, have contributed to a financial arrangement to buy American weapons, the European Union has approved a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, and the EU intends to place more sanctions on Moscow.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has been assailing oil terminals and refineries deep inside Russia with long-range drones and missiles, aiming to disrupt Moscows economy.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said it has seen geolocated evidence that Ukrainian forces conducted at least 10 strikes against Russian oil and gas infrastructure in the past two weeks.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Mali's military junta on Sunday evening confirmed that the Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Sadio Camara, was killed on Saturday during coordinated attacks on several cities of the West African country by extremists and northern separatist rebels
A seafood company has donated a rare, two-coloured lobster to a science centre, sparing the creature from the pan because of its remarkable coloration.

The unusual lobster is the typical brown colour on one side and bright orange on the other, and the two-toned pattern goes all the way from its head to its tail.

Representatives for Wellfleet Shellfish Company in Eastham, Massachusetts, said on Monday they have been fielding inquiries about the crustacean for days.

The company gifted the lobster to Woods Hole Science Aquarium in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and it will be put on public display when the aquarium reopens, the company said.



A rare split-colour lobster is seen at the Wellfleet Shellfish Company, in Eastham, Massachusetts (Shannon Keresey/Wellfleet Shellfish Company via AP)

The lobster is now with Woods Hole Science Aquariums animals currently being housed in holding tanks at the Marine Biological Laboratory during the aquariums construction period.

When the aquarium reopens, the lobster will be on display, offering visitors a rare look at one of the oceans most striking natural anomalies, the shellfish company said in a statement.

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Fishermen caught the lobster off Cape Cod on April 16. Oddly coloured lobsters often make their way to New Englands docks over the course of the spring and summer, but the two-coloured specimen is rarer than most.

The American lobster is usually a mottled brown, but they can experience colour abnormalities due to gene mutations that affect the proteins that bind to their pigments.

Some are blue or orange, some are spotted calico and others are so brightly coloured theyre called cotton candy lobsters.

A two-coloured lobster can occur because two lobster eggs fused and grew as one animal, marine sciences professor Markus Frederich of the University of New England in Maine told the Associated Press in 2024.

On Cape Cod, Wellfleet Shellfish Company said it is treating the two-coloured lobster as a remarkable and exciting find.
Keir Starmer could face a British Parliamentary sleaze inquiry into claims he lied to MPs over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

The Commons will vote on Tuesday on whether to refer the British Prime Minister to the Privileges Committee to consider if he misled the House over the way Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to the US was handled.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle allowed a vote on the issue following requests from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and other senior MPs.

Peter Mandelsons ill-fated appointment as British ambassador to the US has dogged the Prime Minister (James Manning/PA)

British Cabinet minister Emma Reynolds accused the Tories of playing silly political games over the issue.

But the Speakers decision now gives the Labour leadership a headache in deciding whether to order Starmer's MPs to publicly oppose a referral to the committee.

The committee was responsible for Boris Johnsons exit from frontline politics after it investigated him for misleading the House over the partygate breaches of Covid-19 laws in Downing Street.

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He quit as an MP in 2023 before the committee published a report recommending his suspension.

Tory leader Badenoch called for Labour MPs to back the referral to the Privileges Committee.

She said: The Prime Minister misled the House of Commons repeatedly.

Keir Starmer misled Parliament, sacked officials for his own failures, and risked national security with Mandelsons appointment.



MPs will now vote on referring him to the Privileges Committee.



The Prime Minister should be held to the same standards he held others. pic.twitter.com/KAjVQVjwHV  Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 27, 2026

He appointed a national security risk and friend of a convicted paedophile to be our ambassador in Washington, our most sensitive diplomatic post.

He pretended that full due process was followed for this appointment. It was not.

He has blamed the appointment on officials when the blame can only be placed at his own door.

The British Prime Minister has been accused of misleading MPs by saying that full due process was followed in appointing Mandelson, who was given developed vetting status despite failing security checks.

The British Foreign Office, under then top civil servant Olly Robbins, cleared him despite red flags raised by experts at the UK Security Vetting agency responsible for the checks.

Starmer has also faced questions for telling MPs that no pressure existed whatsoever in relation to this case.

Robbins told MPs my office and the Foreign Secretarys office were under constant pressure about the appointment in January 2025, after it had been announced but before the security checks were completed.

Starmer told The Sunday Times UK he was not talking about the everyday pressure of government but the suggestion of specific pressure on Robbins's grant, Mandelsons developed vetting status.

(Robbins) was really clear in his mind that wasnt pressure that was put on him. And he also goes on to say that none of this impacted his decision, Starmer said.
The British Prime Minister is facing another bruising week as the fallout over the vetting for Peter Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to Washington continues.

Keir Starmer will seek to shift the focus when he gives a speech on efforts to crack down on shoplifting on Monday.

But he is facing mounting pressure over the revelations about the peers vetting process and Starmer's handling of it, including his decision to sack Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins.

On Tuesday the Foreign Affairs Committee is due to hear from Starmer's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, widely regarded as a protege of Mandelson.

He resigned in February over his part in the peer getting the coveted job.

The vetting procedure over Peter Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to the US is under scrutiny (James Manning/PA)

The committee will also hear from Robbins' predecessor, Philip Barton, and receive written evidence from Foreign Office official Ian Collard, who Robbins said briefed him on the vetting findings that deemed Mandelson a borderline case and leaned towards recommending that clearance be denied.

The British Prime Minister said last week any claims he misled Parliament had been put to bed by Robbins' evidence.

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But the Tories have called for Starmer to face Parliaments Privileges Committee, the same body that investigated Boris Johnson over the Covid-19 partygate affair, with reports that a vote on whether to refer the British Prime Minister for such a probe could be held on Tuesday.

It is up to Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to decide whether to allow a vote.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds accused the Tories of playing silly political games.

She told Sky News: Ten days ago we had Kemi Badenoch and other members of the opposition saying that the Prime Minister deliberately misled parliament.

He didnt, and that was categorically proven last week, and theyve accepted that. He has not lied to Parliament.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch was accused of playing silly political games (Jonathan Brady/PA)

So I do think that the Opposition  guess what, 10 days out from local elections and important elections in Scotland and Wales  are playing silly political games when we should be talking about the big issues at stake in the country here.

She would not speculate on whether Labour MPs will be whipped to oppose any attempt to refer Starmer to the Privileges Committee.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones on Sunday accused the Conservatives of using tactics ahead of local elections on May 7th.

And Labour former Cabinet ministers Alan Johnson and David Blunkett released a joint statement calling the move a nakedly political stunt with no substance ahead of the polls.

They said a referral to the watchdog would be a waste of public money and that comparisons with Johnson are absurd.

When Parliament referred that matter to the Privileges Committee, a police investigation had directly disproved his categoric statements that he knew nothing about the breach of lockdown rules including parties in Downing Street, and therefore he had a case to answer for knowingly misleading the House of Commons, they said.
British King Charles and US president Donald Trump will renew Anglo-American relations that have been fractious in recent months  over a cup of tea.

Charles and Camilla began their four-day state visit to the United States by sitting down with their American hosts Trump and first lady Melania Trump in the White House.

The two couples greeted each other outside by the historic buildings south portico overlooking the lawns where past presidents have hosted former British queen Elizabeth II.

The start of the historic trip  Charles first to America as British King  has been overshadowed by the attempted assassination of the president on Saturday night at a Washington media dinner when he was surrounded by Secret Service agents and bundled from the room.

Secret service agents on stage (Alex Brandon/AP)

The king privately contacted the president and his wife to express his and the queens sympathies with all those affected on the night, and their gratitude to the security services who prevented further injury.

Trump wanted the first inward state visit of his second term in office to be from the UK, a reflection of the Anglophile nature of his administration and his family ties to the UK.

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The queen arrived in Washington for the much-anticipated four-day state visit wearing a symbol of Anglo-American unity  jewellery featuring the American stars and stripes crossed with the Union flag.

Charles and Camilla arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, near Washington DC (Henry Nicholls/PA)

Camilla, dressed in a pink Dior coat dress, was wearing a brooch presented to former British queen Elizabeth II during her 1957 state visit to America on behalf of New York during a civic lunch hosted by the citys then-mayor Robert F Wagner.

The visit is the most important foreign trip of the kings reign so far as it comes during a pivotal moment for the UK and US, with relations between the British Prime Minister and US president Donald Trump fractious.

Trump has branded the UKs approach to the Iran war terrible and repeatedly lashed out at Keir Starmer  at one point describing him as not Winston Churchill.

And reports have suggested the US could review its position on the Falkland Islands in retaliation for Starmer's lack of support for the war in Iran.

The monarchys soft power diplomacy is its strongest weapon in support of the UKs overseas interests and there will be hope in Downing Street that Charles and Camilla can help put the UK-US special relationship on a firmer footing.
Donald Trump said he was not worried during an armed attack on an event he was attending, which sparked security concerns over the Kings state visit.

The US president told CBS News that we live in a crazy world as he was asked about the chaotic scenes when a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night.

He also described the suspected assailant as a pretty sick guy.

Mr Trump, his wife and other senior members of the administration were bundled to safety by Secret Service agents as guests took cover under tables in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton after shots were fired nearby.

The authorities believe the attack was directed at Mr Trump and other senior government figures (Allison Robbert/AP)

One officer was hit but was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery.

The authorities believe the attack on the black-tie event was directed at Mr Trump and other senior government figures.

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The man accused of opening fire, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, of Torrance, California, is said to have sent messages to family members minutes before the shooting in which he described himself as a Friendly Federal Assassin and voiced grievances about the actions of the US administration.

He is due to appear in court on Monday, where he faces a series of charges, including attempting to kill a federal officer.

Despite the shooting, a planned royal visit by Charles and Camilla to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence is going ahead following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic.

British ambassador to the US Christian Turner said: We are very confident that all appropriate security measures are in place.

Asked during an interview how concerned he had been during the attack, Mr Trump said: I wasnt worried. I understand life. We live in a crazy world.

King Charles with US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle during the presidents 2025 state visit to the UK (PA)

Mr Trump said the suspected gunman had been radicalised.

He added: His family was very concerned. He was probably a pretty sick guy.

The suspect is also said to have mocked the insane lack of security at the hotel where the dinner was held and where he was staying as a guest.

In response, Mr Trump said: Well, he was pretty incompetent too, because he got caught. And he got caught pretty easily.

The president has requested that the dinner be rescheduled within 30 days.

The incident has led to renewed concern over the rise in political violence in the US in recent years.

Mr Trump survived an assassination attempt while speaking at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Dalaroo maps giant gold corridor in West African premier belt Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Rowena Duckworth April 27, 2026  12:34pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Serious explorers know that if you want to find the next big gold deposit, West Africas richly endowed Birimian Greenstone Belt is one of the first places to look and Dalaroo Metals has been quietly building a position in this hotspot. The completion of the companys top-priority soil geochemistry program at the Gold Ridge prospect, which forms part of its Bondoukou gold project, represents a significant step toward putting a drill bit in the ground. Gold-mineralised quartz veins in metasediments across open artisanal gold-mining pits at Dalaroo Metals Bondoukou project in West Africa. Almost 2250 primary soil samples and 120 quality control samples have been collected across the south-eastern target block, covering an impressive 4.5 kilometres of an interpreted 9.5 km long structural corridor. More than 2,000 of those samples are now with Intertek Laboratory for gold analysis. The companys 80 per cent-owned Bondoukou project sits within the prolific Birimian Greenstone Belt in eastern Cote dIvoire, which hosts multiple multi-million-ounce gold deposits, including the 4.6-million-ounce Tanda gold deposit operated by Endeavour Mining, just 35km to the southeast.

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Soil sampling is an important milestone in unlocking the scale potential of Bondoukou. Dalaroo Metals chief executive officer John Morgan Significantly, however, this is the first time any large-scale systematic geochemical survey has been conducted over this part of the project. It has been designed to generate high-priority targets for maiden drilling by defining and extending the gold anomalism linked with artisanal workings and known structural controls. Historical rock chip sampling in the area has already turned up serious grades as high as 17.95 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, a number that commands attention in any goldfield. The soil program has been aimed at understanding where those surface signals originate and how far they extend. The geology in the area is compelling. Gold mineralisation in the Birimian is most often structurally controlled, occurring along major shear zones and lithological contacts, exactly the kinds of features identified at Bondoukou. Widespread iron and manganese oxide alteration, quartz fragments and evidence of weathered hydrothermal systems are all present. In tropical gold terrains, geologists know these as the classic fingerprints of gold mineralisation beneath the surface.

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Dalaroo Metals chief executive officer John Morgan said: The program is targeting strike extensions to our previously defined gold corridor and is already reinforcing our confidence in the broader mineralised system. Cote dIvoire remains a key growth focus for Dalaroo, and Bondoukou is emerging as a highly prospective gold opportunity within a world-class Birimian gold belt. Additionally, extensive artisanal workings at Bondoukou show strong evidence of gold mineralisation at surface along volcanic-granitoid contacts. The geological architecture is often associated with orogenic-style gold deposits. Parallel work at the Dingbi artisanal workings, where local miners have been extracting gold by hand, has added an important layer of data. Twenty-eight channel samples and four grab samples were collected from the site, along with structural measurements to help orient future drilling. Artisanal workings in the Birimian are often the most reliable surface indicators of a meaningful gold system beneath and Dingbi is now one of the prioritised targets feeding into the drill planning process. With priority one surveying now complete, Dalaroos field crews have moved to the priority two work in the companys north-western block, where line cutting and soil sampling are already underway.

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When the full program wraps up, Dalaroo will have systematic geochemical coverage across the extensive 9.5km-long corridor. This dataset, combined with the structural and geological observations already made, will be used to define first-pass drill targets for trenching, auger and maiden RC drilling. Assay results from priority one are expected in the coming weeks and will be closely scrutinised when available. Bondokou is shaping up as a textbook early-stage West African gold exploration story unfolding in the right place - a proven geological address, systematically conducted work, and the truth-divining drill bit still to come. And judging by the companys surging share price, up almost 30 per cent today to 8.5 cents on strong turnover, the punters would appear to agree. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears

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It was getting close to midnight on Wednesday, April 15, and Scott Wyatt was still on the phone. As the head of Viva Energy, one of Australias top fuel suppliers, his job of keeping petrol and diesel flowing in the middle of a global oil shortage had become a relentless pursuit. Workdays rarely ended at sunset. Calls were running long into the evenings. On this night he was talking to Bill Patterson, one of his top lieutenants. They were going through the final details for the purchase of 100 million litres of extra diesel, split across two giant fuel tankers from Brunei and South Korea. Scott Wyatt is chief executive officer of Viva Energy. Wayne Taylor Then suddenly the line fell quiet. Patterson saw he was getting another call  it was coming from the night shift at the companys Geelong oil refinery and he had to answer right away. A major alarm had gone off inside the heart of the complex. Early details on the ground were still thin. But when Patterson got back on the phone to Wyatt he said a fire had broken out in the alkylation unit, a critical part of the section that produces petrol. That was really enough to know it was a serious incident, Wyatt recalls. Bill hung up and was heading down there; I grabbed some clothes and jumped in the car to get there as well. Fires are an ever-present occupational hazard at oil refineries due to the inherent risks involved in processing and storing highly flammable hydrocarbons. But the timing of this blaze amid the chaos caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was uniquely troubling. Fortunately, Wyatt quickly received the update that would ease his biggest fear: no one had been harmed, everyone was accounted for. The primary relief was around the fact that all our people were safe, he says. You can rebuild assets; you cant rebuild people.

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Still, at a time of heightened sensitivity around the precarious state of Australias energy security, he was under no illusion that any damage to this particular asset  impairing the nations already-limited capacity to produce its own fuel  could have potentially disastrous consequences. The Geelong refinery, west of Melbourne, is the last one left in Victoria, and one of just two remaining in Australia, following a wave of closures that has left the nation 80 per cent reliant on fuel imports in an increasingly volatile global market. Efforts to extinguish the blaze at the Geelong refinery. Paul Jeffers Before leaving home, Wyatt sent a text message directly to Chris Bowen, Australias energy minister, to convey what he knew so far. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was in Malaysia at the time, decided to fly home earlier than expected. People were going to be concerned about the incident but also what it means for fuel supply, Wyatt says. We didnt have all the answers to that at the beginning. As the war in Iran continues draining the worlds supply of oil without a clear path to resolution, the economic stakes of the incident could hardly have been higher. Before the fire, Vivas Geelong refinery and Ampols Lytton refinery in Brisbane had both been running at their absolute maximum output rates to pump as much fuel into the local market as possible and head off the threat of shortfalls. The Geelong plant had been processing 120,000 barrels of crude oil into millions of litres of petrol, diesel and jet fuel each day, accounting for 50 per cent of Victorias daily fuel usage and 10 per cent of the national total.

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By the time Wyatt reached the refinery gates it was about 3am, and the night sky was orange. Dozens of firefighters were battling the blaze, including from Fire Rescue Victoria and Vivas own workforce. As chief executive, Wyatts primary role for the coming hours was to support the team where possible and begin engaging with stakeholders and managing concerns of the broader community. The first call he received in the morning was from Bowen. As the sun rose over Corio Bay the blaze was yet to be extinguished and the smoke had not yet cleared. But one thing was immediately clear: the impact of the fire could have been a lot worse. Related Article Analysis

Oil Dont panic, the Geelong fire shouldnt spike Australian fuel prices Firstly, the flames had been contained to a single unit in the gasoline complex, while another had been taken offline until operations stabilised. The damaged alkylation unit, which processes gases into a component needed in petrol, is important but the refinery can operate at pretty much full production without it. Our team had responded incredibly well and had done all the right things to contain the fire to the smallest area possible, Wyatt says. The last thing you want is for it to spread. His second reason for relief was the knowledge that the refinerys only longer-lasting production impact would be for petrol output, while the plant would soon be able to return its production of diesel and jet fuel  the two products that are in the shortest supply across the Asia-Pacific region  to near-maximum levels. So far, during the current oil shock, petrol has remained well-supplied in the region, and importers can access additional petrol supplies from the US if needed. The extent of the refinerys production cuts would also not be as deep as some at the company had first feared. While the plant had wound back to minimum output rates while damage assessments were carried out, within 48 hours it was able to safely return to 60 per cent of its petrol production volumes, and 80 per cent for diesel and jet fuel, with a path to further ramp back up to above 90 per cent of the plants total maximum output within weeks.

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Viva Energy, which typically supplies about 30 per cent of Australias overall fuel from the Geelong refinery and via its network of import terminals scattered along the coastline, has sufficient fuel stocks to cover the short-term drop-off. Wyatt says any longer-term gaps could be comfortably bridged by increasing imports from overseas supplies. There is no reason to worry from a fuel supply perspective, he says. I can understand why people are concerned about what they see in the Middle East but sitting behind it all are supply chains that continue to run very well. Albanese, speaking alongside Wyatt and Patterson at the refinery on the Friday after the fire, praised the emergency response and welcomed Vivas ongoing supply assurances. Related Article Energy Fire-ravaged Geelong oil refinery charts path back to 90% output We all saw the visuals of what was a serious fire, he said. The fact that 80 per cent of diesel is continuing and 80 per cent of jet fuel is continuing as well  is very positive going forward. Some energy analysts have warned the output cuts may increase the risk of the government having to move to the next stage of its fuel-saving strategy, which could include directing fuel to priority areas, promoting voluntary measures such as carpooling or working from home, and further releases from strategic reserves. However, Albanese has rejected that suggestion outright.

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The event here will not lead to any change, he said. While the Geelong fire may look like a crisis averted, it has reignited debate about Australias long-term resilience to fuel security risks. Australias fuel industry is well-equipped to meet demand 99 per cent of the time but it is not designed to deal with black-swan events like we are currently going through, Wyatt says. Once the current supply crunch is over, he believes the federal government will need to consider whether a larger buffer is needed to protect Australia from extremely rare disruptions in the future. It will be an absolutely critical conversation to have, he says. Related Article Paris Agreement Rudd calls to harness physical terror of fuel shortages to push renewables For now, fuel shipments are continuing to arrive in Australia, the federal government is paying whatever it takes to buy up more, local refineries are delivering all they can, and more than a months worth of supply is still being held in strategic storage tanks. While the nations stockpiles are the highest they have been for more than a decade, they remain below where some argue they must be. Australia also remains in breach of an International Energy Agency requirement for member countries to hold emergency fuel reserves equal to 90 days of net imports. Wyatt believes fuel storage will have to be a bigger part of the solution.

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BusinessThe economyMiddle East at war Basically sending someone unarmed into war: The life-or-death decision Silke faces every day Jenny Gross April 27, 2026  6:10pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Captain Silke Lehmkoster, from her office overlooking the Elbe River in Hamburg, Germany, wrestles with the same question every day: Is it finally safe for her to order five of the container ships she oversees, which have been stranded in the Persian Gulf, to exit via the Strait of Hormuz? For nearly two months, the answer was no. Then, early last week, she saw a window of opportunity and gave one of the vessels the green light to cross the strait. Captain Silke Lehmkoster, who worked at sea for 15 years, now co-ordinates intelligence, advisories and shipping crews as fleet managing director at Hapag-Lloyd, a shipping giant in Hamburg, Germany, The New York Times On Monday, just before midnight, under a new moon and with hardly any wind, one of her ships, the Tema Express, crossed the strait without incident. The ship, which then anchored off the coast of Oman, near Muscat, was the companys first to pass through the waterway since the start of the war. Other commercial vessels that tried the crossing soon after were not so lucky. Two European-owned vessels were intercepted and seized by Iranian forces on Wednesday, one attacked by a gunboat without warning. They are being held near Irans coast.

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More than 20 commercial ships have come under attack around the strait since March. The attacks started shortly after the first strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, which prompted the Iranian military to retaliate by throttling traffic through the vital waterway. Related Article Opinion

Trump diplomacy All of his assumptions proven wrong, Donald Trump is Irans newest hostage Maureen Dowd New York Times columnist The strikes have killed 10 seafarers and injured many others. With shipping companies reluctant to navigate such treacherous waters, roughly 20,000 crew members aboard some 1600 vessels have been stranded in and around the strait, where about one-fifth of the worlds oil had passed before the war. On Thursday morning, Lehmkoster, who oversees 310 vessels as fleet managing director at the shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, assessed official advisory notices, liaised with intelligence sources and communicated with seafarers. As reports continued to trickle in about the two seized vessels, senior leaders discussed the escalating risks for the companys ships still stuck near the strait. The vessels that were targeted on Wednesday were the first commercial ships that Iran had seized since the war began.

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Over the past week, the US Navy has boarded and taken control of Iranian-flagged ships in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said he had ordered the navy to shoot any boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. In the Hapag-Lloyd control room in Hamburg, workers monitor weather patterns at their computers and keep an eye on traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on a giant screen where vessels were tracked in real time. The New York Times At Hapag-Lloyds six-storey headquarters in Hamburg, workers speak a mix of English and German in the hallways, which feature reminders of the companys long history, including a nine-foot-long (2.7-metre) model of the Imperator, a steamer that launched in 1912. The building sits on the grand Ballindamm boulevard, named after German Jewish shipping magnate Albert Ballin, who in the late 1800s and early 1900s helped build what is now known as Hapag-Lloyd into a global conglomerate. Today, the company is the fifth-largest container shipping group in the world. In the companys operations room on the ground floor, workers monitored weather patterns at their computers and kept an eye on traffic in the Strait of Hormuz on a giant screen where vessels were tracked in real time. Similar control centres are at other shipping companies around the world, with most of the globe-spanning industrys attention gripped by that single strait, a choke point whose influence over the global economy has become alarmingly clear. Lehmkoster said she would need clear guarantees from the United States and Iran that passage was safe and details about how to avoid the naval mines planted in the strait before giving orders for the other four ships to proceed. These assurances have not come.

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Basically, youre sending someone unarmed into war, Lehmkoster said in an interview, noting that the stranded ships have no ability to defend themselves. Related Article Middle East at war Ceasefire in doubt as US cancels trip and Irans top diplomat leaves Pakistan Lehmkoster declined to comment on the route that the Tema Express had taken to cross the strait. Industry analysts suggest that it most probably took a route that hugged Omans coast, a path some vessels have taken to cross without permission from Iranian officials, who have enacted increasingly strict controls over the strait. For Lehmkoster, 39, who herself worked at sea for 15 years, the decision of whether it is worth the risk to dispatch a vessel through the strait is personal, and the responsibility of overseeing ships stranded in a war zone weighed heavily. Aboard the four stranded Hapag-Lloyd ships are roughly 100 seafarers  Ukrainians, Russians, Vietnamese, Sri Lankans, Romanians, Filipinos and others  all desperate to get home, she said.

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Staying put can also be risky. Several weeks ago, the crew on a Hapag-Lloyd ship awoke in the early morning hours to fire alarms, after shrapnel from an Iranian missile or drone fell on their ship, starting a fire. Nobody was injured, and the ship is in repair, able to manoeuvre but with difficulty. Ship captains are trying to keep seafarers spirits up with activities such as barbecues, foosball tournaments, and karaoke and movie nights. They are maintaining the usual shifts for maintenance, lookouts and checks on cargo, which typically includes furniture, electronics, fruit, and frozen fish and meat. Loading Mixed messages from American and Iranian authorities, who have imposed competing blockades and restrictions on traffic in the Persian Gulf, have made it difficult to gauge the risks of transiting the strait, especially from afar. During an uneasy ceasefire, now entering its third week, the strait has been declared open one moment and closed the next. In addition to Hapag-Lloyd, other major shipping groups, such as CMA CGM of France and MSC of Switzerland, have moved some ships through the strait in recent days. The ships the Iranians seized this week were owned or operated by MSC.

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The Danish shipping giant Maersk, which has seven ships stranded in the region, has deemed conditions too unsafe for ships to transit. If you are successful, you get a big reward For some companies, the economic payoff  especially as oil, gas and other commodity prices have surged  is worth the risk. Typically, if you are successful, you get a big reward, said Jakob Larsen, chief security officer at BIMCO, the worlds largest shipping association. Even in more peaceful times, the hours-long voyage through the Strait of Hormuz can be hair-raising. It is narrow  21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest  with dense traffic. Captains must navigate around small fishing vessels and oil rigs. The air is often hazy because of the heat.

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Captain Alexander Meier, 48, who most recently steered ships through the strait for Hapag-Lloyd three years ago, tries to project a sense of calm to his crews while transiting past Iran, he said. The captain should never be nervous, he said. But he always breathes a sigh of relief when he gets through. There is always some tension if you pass there, he said. Related Article World markets How bad is the energy crisis? Three factors are pushing the world towards the cliff edge Charalampos Kiakotos, a ship captain who has also navigated the strait more than a dozen times, said that it was among the most demanding passages. The risk of being stranded in a war zone would be especially stressful, he said in a call from the Port of Dos Bocas in Mexico, because of the pressure to follow directions from the head office to transit as quickly as possible while also looking out for crew members. If anything happens, everyone will blame the captain, and they will say it was the captains decision, said Kiakotos, 45, who works for a Greek shipping company. So at the end of the day, I will have the final decision.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
Opinion A floozy clause in a will: Can you really protect your money from the grave?

Real Money, a free weekly newsletter giving expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money, is sent every Sunday. Youre reading an excerpt  sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox.

Early last year on business podcast Trading Secrets, fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff disclosed that she had inserted a floozy clause in her trust. This clause states if her husband decides to move on with some new hot young thing after she dies, or they divorce, all her assets are immediately passed on to her kids.

So that girl has no chance of getting anything that I make, Minkoff said at the time.

There are a few ways you can dictate how your inheritance is spent after youre gone. Aresna Villanueva

While I cant imagine a huge number of people are racing to insert floozy clauses into their prenups or wills, Minkoffs bombastic declaration does invite an intriguing question: can you really rule from the grave?
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NationalIndigenous Opinion Booing an Aboriginal elder at a solemn public commemoration is racial hostility, however you spin it Jessa Rogers Associate Professor April 27, 2026  3:00pm

April 27, 2026  3:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

I heard the booing that broke out during the Welcome to Country at Melbournes Shrine of Remembrance on Anzac Day. Reports suggest similar scenes occurred in Sydney. On the day Australians gather to honour sacrifice, service and national unity, some in those crowds chose to direct hostility at Aboriginal people doing nothing more provocative than acknowledging Country. It is hard to know what is more dispiriting: the behaviour itself, or the fact that it now feels grimly familiar. First Nations people are repeatedly asked to be patient, to educate, to participate generously in the national project of reconciliation, and then, when they stand to speak in moments of public ceremony, they are jeered and told in one form or another that they are unwelcome. Once again, Aboriginal people are expected to absorb the insult, steady the national mood and move on. The crowd at the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne. Ruby Alexander Let us be clear about what occurred. This was not a defence of tradition. It was not a principled objection to ceremony. Booing an Aboriginal elder at a solemn public commemoration is racial hostility, however people may wish to sanitise it. The language of those booing, or trying to justify it, may change each year, usually couched in complaints about politics or division, but the message remains the same: Indigenous presence is acceptable only when it does not unsettle the dominant national story. That is why the irony is so striking.

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Anzac Day is one of the few occasions on which Australians speak with real seriousness about values. We invoke courage, dignity, sacrifice, mateship, service and a shared sense of nationhood. We ask for silence. We ask for respect. We insist that those who fought and died for this country deserve nothing less. But do people seriously believe those men and women went to war, fought tyranny, defended democratic ideals and in many cases lost their lives so that they might leave behind a country still comfortable with public racism? Is this really the Australia their sacrifice was meant to secure? Uncle Mark Brown conducts the Welcome to Country during Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Saturday. Getty Images It is a question worth asking because so much of the performative patriotism on display each Anzac Day seems to evaporate the moment Indigenous people are visible within the national ritual. Respect is demanded for the dead, but withheld from the living. Reverence is insisted upon for military symbols, but not for the oldest continuing culture on Earth. Apparently, the sanctity of remembrance is robust enough to survive military flyovers, politicians speeches and media fanfare, but not an Aboriginal welcome. The contradiction becomes even sharper when one remembers that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen fought in these wars too. Many enlisted for a nation that denied them citizenship, denied them equality and denied them full belonging. They wore Australias uniform abroad and returned to discrimination at home.

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There is a deeper issue here than offensive behaviour by a few individuals. Incidents like this expose how conditional Australias commitment to inclusion still is. First Nations people are invited to contribute to national ceremonies, but too often only on the understanding that they do not make the nation uncomfortable. They may stand on the stage, but they must not disturb the script. They may be acknowledged as part of Australia, but they must not remind Australia that its story did not begin with Gallipoli. This is why these moments cannot simply be dismissed as unfortunate interruptions by a fringe minority. They are symptoms of a larger refusal, still present in Australian public life, to accept that truth-telling and patriotism are not opposites. Mature nations can hold both military remembrance and colonial honesty in the same frame. In fact, they must. Related Article Opinion

Indigenous Stop welcoming me to my own country? Youre missing the point Jessa Rogers Associate Professor A Welcome to Country does not diminish Anzac Day. It asks us to situate remembrance within the full story of the land on which remembrance occurs. And if that remains intolerable to some Australians, then they need to take a long hard look in the mirror because the measure of what we honour on Anzac Day is not found only in wreaths, bugles and minute silences. It is found in whether the values we claim to commemorate, dignity, shared humanity, respect, can be extended beyond ritual language into the living present. If they cannot, what exactly are we commemorating? Jessa Rogers is associate professor in Indigenous education at the University of Melbourne. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Russia's paramilitary Africa Corps, which has been supporting the West African state of Mali to fight rebels, confirmed on Monday that its forces had withdrawn from northern town of Kidal after fierce battles following coordinated attacks in several localities in the country
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NationalQueenslandCourts Magistrates son accused of rape, child sexual abuse to face trial Cloe Read April 27, 2026  12:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A Queensland magistrates son charged with rape and child abuse offences has been committed to stand trial over more than 120 charges. Cooper Mitchell Bamberry faced a committal hearing in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, where a witness gave evidence in closed court. A magistrates son faced a committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court. The charges include five counts of rape, as well as sexual assault, carnal knowledge with children, involving a child in the making of child exploitation material, grooming a child, indecent treatment of a child, sexual assaults and unlawful stalking. Of his 129 charges, 45 relate to using the internet to procure children under 16.

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Bamberry also faces 29 charges relating to the indecent treatment of a child. Some of the charges allegedly relate to filming. He also faces a charge of threatening to distribute an intimate image or prohibited visual recording. The accused is the son of magistrate Mark Bamberry, who was appointed to the position in 2022. The Helensvale resident was 22 when he was charged last year after police raided his property, where investigators seized electronic devices.

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The arrest came as a result of a public appeal and investigations, police said at the time. The court heard before the witness gave evidence to the closed court from a remote room that the person was not an affected child witness. Bamberry, who was in custody, wore a suit for the hearing, and was represented by lawyer Adam Guest. Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney committed Bamberry to stand trial in the District Court at a later date. When asked if he had anything to say, Bamberry replied: No, thank you, your honour.

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He was remanded in custody. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

As a competitive triathlete, it was not uncommon for strategic financial adviser Amanda Thompson to find herself covered in bruises, though nothing that looked unusual. But the florid marks on her neck in 2023 were unmistakable. They showed up red, but turned into dark shadows where her then-partners hands had been. Amanda Thompson, who survived strangulation as part of family violence perpetrated on her, worries her paramedic daughter could see women who are not as fortunate as she was. Justin McManus There was no hiding what happened to me, says Thompson, an author on womens financial fitness and a mother of two daughters. I woke up the next day with a closed-over eye and clumps of hair missing. My [younger, then 17-year-old] daughter and I watched the bruising coming out as hand-prints around my throat. I remember her coming to me and taking the weight of the world, my little girl, just saying, Its OK Mum, Im here. That is not her responsibility to bear. The details of the night Thompsons world imploded after she decided to exit a relationship she realised had isolated and controlled her are vivid and terrifying.

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I was dragged up the stairs by my hair several times  one hunk would fall out, then another one was grabbed, she says. Then I found him on top of me with his hands around my neck. The words that will ring in my mind forever are, Im going to end you. Related Article Violence Cases that stay with you forever: They see women killed by violence, and this is what they want you to know Thompson remains mortified that she lost control of her bladder during the attack, and that two young policemen and paramedics saw the aftermath. Despite the shame she cannot yet shake, and despite losing her sporting life to harm from lasting damage in her throat and clotting in her lungs caused by strangulation, Thompson says she feels fortunate. At least she could get to her phone and dial Triple 0 during the only episode of extreme physical violence from her ex. At least she survived, and she was immediately believed by police. At least she was financially secure enough to have intensive counselling. But long after the external evidence faded, Thompson, now 50, is still struggling with stubborn guilt that this happened to her. She is also still wary enough to choose the location for this mastheads photoshoot in an undefinable place.

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The perpetrator pleaded guilty to three family violence charges and has moved interstate, but the traces of her trauma are very much still here. She describes recovering from such an attack as also brutal. It is because she wants the horrific experience to mean something that Thompson has chosen to speak publicly at Safe Steps annual candlelight vigil to remember lives lost to events like the one she survived. Amanda Thompson, then working in corporate strategic financial advice, during her triathlon days. She is resolved to spread the message that family violence can affect anyone, and women should not feel ashamed to ask for help. But even so, on the two occasions Thompson has previously attended the Treasury Gardens memorial vigil and stood quietly at the rear, she couldnt eat all day because she felt sick with emotion beforehand. In the same year Thompson thought her partner might kill her, 58 women lost their lives by domestic homicide  now referred to as femicide  in Australia, according to federal government statistics. After a sharp upswing in femicides in early 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared violence against women a national crisis. The federal government held a rapid review into prevention approaches to the escalating incidence rates. Loading

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But rates of violence continue to climb. According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released last month, 2024-25 had the highest national family and domestic violence offender rates since records began in 2019-20. There were 97,800 family and domestic violence offenders in 2024-25. Samantha Hall, ABS head of crime and justice statistics, said offender rates had risen 8 per cent in a year, from about 90,700 offenders in 2023-24. This was also the largest annual increase in FDV offenders since national reporting began in 2019. Suzanne Paynter, group director of Safe Steps, Victorias 24/7 family violence crisis response centre, says calls for support by those experiencing family violence grew 17 per cent year-on-year in 2024-25, increasing to about 130,000 contacts in the 2025 financial year. Related Article Investigation

Extremism An Andrew Tate insider is helping Australian Nazis recruit teens Violent attitudes towards women shared on wide-reaching manosphere platforms and violent pornography were coming through in help line calls as factors driving the harm against increasing numbers of women, Paynter said. The Victorian Crime Statistics Agencys most recent family violence data, in December 2025, also showed an all-time high of 106,430 incidents in 2024-25. Increased use of non-fatal strangulation during sex was also driving up help-seeking calls.

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The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare notes that both non-fatal strangulation and separation are common precursors to many domestic homicides, the most common form of homicide in Australia. One woman was murdered by an intimate partner every 11 days in 2024-25. Paynter says economic uncertainty is adding to present risk. Related Article Exclusive

Domestic violence I could picture myself in a coffin: How a forensic team is helping strangulation victims like Stacey Micaela Cronin [the national family, domestic and sexual violence commissioner] just put out a statement in which she flags global uncertainty also creating heightened risk for domestic and family violence, we know this financial stress, contributing to housing insecurity, and fuel insecurity place stressors onto the home, said Paynter. We often see such stressors translated into [violence] trends after these occur. On the eve of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, May, and of the Family Violence Remembrance Day vigil, Amanda Thompson wants others to know about the long tail of harm, the ongoing impact on those around the victim-survivor and that such events can happen to anyone. I am like so many others, there is nothing unique about me, or about my relationship that caused it to end like it did, she says. I could be your sister, your aunty, your best friend or your neighbour.

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Analysis PoliticsNSWCity life The policy getting in the way of improving Sydneys housing supply Max Maddison April 28, 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

Last month, Landcom chief executive Alex Wendler revealed the state developer had decided against acquiring three publicly owned sites in western Sydney despite working with the [Office of Strategic Lands] for a number of years to develop the sites. The problem? The two agencies could not agree on the land value. An artists impression of the development Landcom planned for Austral, which it abandoned in December. Landcom Opposition planning spokesman Chris Rath was incredulous in budget estimates: This is government-owned land that a government agency, Landcom, wants to buy to develop it, and you couldnt agree on the price. Why arent you getting this land for free? His view is shared across politics. Many cannot understand why the taxpayer-funded state developer was using funds to purchase land already owned by taxpayers.

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That is a policy decision, Planning Minister Paul Scully responded to Rath. That is not one of Landcoms making. That is one of accounting standards and treasury policy. Related Article Exclusive

Property development Missed opportunity: Sale of 48 state-owned sites leads to just five DAs Treasury policy requires both Landcom and Homes NSW to pay market value for the land, which is often vacant, known as the highest and best use or the highest valuation possible, rather than the existing use. It is part of the reason neither Landcom nor Homes NSW have purchased more sites through the audit of surplus public land, despite having first and second call on identified land. Between them, they have acquired seven of about 60 sites. Instead, most of the sites have been sold to developers or private buyers through public auctions since April 2025, netting more than $90 million in revenue. Despite Premier Chris Minns saying surplus land sales would deliver 21,000 new homes, only five of the sites sold so far have a development application submitted.

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In August, the government said the state developers were undertaking due diligence on about 18 properties. Landcom moved ahead with two. Landcom, a state-owned corporation required to pay 70 per cent of net profit after tax to the government as a dividend, has announced two sites: the Joinery in Annandale, and another in Chatswood, which the government says combined would deliver more than 2000 homes. Of the 10 land audit sites assessed by Landcom, only two were acquired in the 2024-25 financial year, the developers latest financial year business plan revealed. Homes NSW has just purchased three sites  at Camden, Box Hill and Menai  at a cost of $30.4 million. Landcom is being hindered in its quest to build more homes. Louie Douvis University of Sydney professor of urbanism Laurence Troy said: I dont think there is a particular justification for paying full freight. If we are in a housing crisis, why arent we using the full tools of government to solve the problem? Wendler said his agency was a price taker and we are not part of the bureaucracy that decides policy.

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Landcom turned down 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. Sites across Chippendale, Parramatta and Rouse Hill are all being sold on the private market. There is disquiet within Labor that Landcom is not moving urgently enough in the face of the housing crisis. A senior party source said: There is concern within government about the performance of Landcom in delivering housing with urgency when clearly the priority is increasing supply. Landcom has a target of delivering 1800 affordable homes by June 2029. So far, the agency had only identified 1477 dwellings. Its target for overall sales in the past two years was 8081. Landcom has met about 50 per cent of the goal. Wendler said his agency was working with faith-based and community housing providers to close the affordable housing gap. He attributed the settlement shortfall to the freeze on sales of government-owned land in May 2023, and developers asking for deferred settlement.

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Theres nothing that we have done wrong, he said. Landcom pulled the tender on a thousand dwellings in Edmondson Park because the cost of construction was greater than the price offered, Wendler said, reflecting the view of private developers. Related Article Exclusive

Development Focus on the north shore and east: Developers deserting western suburbs Troy urged the state government to return Landcoms remit to the original intent when first established under the Whitlam government. During downturns in the development cycle when the private market was struggling to deliver housing, the state developer would act as a counter-cyclical force, ensuring consistent supply. They should be a more significant player in the supply of housing rather than just facilitating and planning new housing, he said.

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History would tell you that agencies like Landcom can deliver housing more cheaply than anyone because of the advantages they have as a government-backed agency. If they used these capacities, they could provide supply far more consistently. 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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Updated WorldNorth AmericaForeign relations Trump names former Republican congressman as new US ambassador to Australia Michael Koziol Updated April 28, 2026  10:44am ,first published April 28, 2026  8:13am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: US President Donald Trump has nominated a former Republican congressman to become the next American ambassador to Australia, 15 months into his presidency. Trump named former Virginia representative and academic David Brat for the role on Monday (US time). As per protocol, the nominee must be confirmed by the US Senate before taking up the job. David Brat has been named the next US ambassador to Australia. AP There has been no US ambassador in Canberra since Caroline Kennedy departed in late 2024, although it is not unusual for presidents to take some time to appoint ambassadors to Australia. A conservative Republican who was part of the Tea Party movement, Brat came to prominence in 2014 when he achieved what The New York Times called one of the most stunning primary election upsets in congressional history, defeating the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Eric Cantor, in the Virginia district.

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He campaigned largely on the grounds that Cantor was not conservative enough on the issue of immigration. Cantor had been serving his seventh term. Brat, 61, was born in Detroit and gained a bachelor of arts from Michigans Hope College, before obtaining his masters in divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with US President Donald Trump at the White House in October. Bloomberg He went on to become an economics professor at Virginias RandolphMacon College, and returned to academia after losing the 2018 election. He lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who is now the governor of Virginia. Brats current role is as senior vice president of business relations at Liberty University, a private, evangelical Christian university. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his nomination.

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There had been speculation in Washington that Trump was looking to appoint a wealthy business executive or someone from the entertainment industry to be his ambassador to Australia. Related Article Analysis

Foreign relations Camelot came to Canberra, but did Caroline Kennedy match the hype? Multiple sources also said they had heard Trump encountered difficulty finding someone who was happy to live in Canberra. In October, days after Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses visit to the White House, Trump told this masthead he had one or two people in mind for the job, and he wanted to find someone Albanese would like. A 2014 profile in New York magazine noted that while not all of Brats academic output was religious, it was clearly his passion, and he could easily be the next big rock-star Christian academic.

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A piece in The New Yorker around the same time called him the Elizabeth Warren of the right, as well as a free-market purist and a devotee of Ayn Rand, the Russian-American writer and philosopher. Trump, who was at that time not in politics but was once again considering running for president, posted on Twitter (as it was then called) after Brats primary victory. As I have said, the Tea Party is alive and well and fighting hard for the USA. BIG WIN TODAY! Trump wrote. In a 2022 interview with MAGA media personality Steve Bannon, two weeks into Russias invasion of Ukraine, Brat urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a deal offered by Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. The deal involved Ukraine surrendering territory, adopting permanent neutrality, severely limiting its military and renouncing claims to NATO membership. It was later described by the Atlantic Council think tank as a call for unconditional surrender and a blueprint for the destruction of the Ukrainian state.

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But Brat said to Bannon at the time: As a Christian brother, I would tell him [Zelensky]: if you do not close on this deal, Kyiv, the other major cities, are going to be just devastated. Last year, Brat defended Trumps tariffs in an interview with a local Virginia TV station, saying they were aimed at rebalancing unfair trade practices and bringing manufacturing back to the US. The Australian government has strongly criticised Trumps tariffs on Australian exports, pointing out the US already enjoys a trade surplus with Australia. 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.
Parents and advocates are raising concerns that students labeled "emotionally disturbed" in special education face systematic isolation and excessive discipline, with students of color bearing the brunt of these restrictive classroom practices.

Students classified with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) are kept separate from their peers until they can demonstrate behavioral control, but this separation often limits their opportunities to learn appropriate behaviors and academic skills.

The practice creates what educators describe as a "catch-22" situation where isolated students primarily interact with other students who have the same label, leading them to model the behaviors of their EBD-classified classmates rather than learning from general education peers, according to NPR.

In many EBD classrooms, nearly all students are of color, with most receiving their labels as early as first, second, or third grade. Students in these settings report that their isolation makes behavioral improvement difficult because they lack positive peer role models and feel singled out from an early age.

Racial Disparities Highlight Bias Concerns

Black students face disproportionate placement in emotionally disturbed classrooms, reflecting broader patterns of overidentification in special education.

Black students are 40 percent more likely to be identified with a disability than their white peers and three times more likely to be suspended or expelled. In New York City public schools specifically, Black students are more than twice as likely to be classified as having an emotional disturbance compared to their peers, Educating All Learners reported.

Education researchers argue that the subjective nature of EBD identification enables bias to influence placement decisions.

Unlike other special education categories, EBD classification does not require a medical or psychological diagnosis and instead relies on subjective criteria, including "an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships" and "a pervasive feeling of unhappiness."

Critics contend that while the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandated educational access for all students, it inadvertently institutionalized systemic racism by enabling the segregation of Black and brown students from mainstream classrooms.

Researchers note that behavior interpretation remains subjective, allowing teachers to remove children from class based on their own judgments, with students of color facing removal at disproportionate rates.

Students with emotional disturbance labels also experience higher rates of disciplinary action, with approximately half of students in this category being suspended or expelled 11 or more times.

Many educators and advocates note that students labeled EBD often have experienced childhood trauma, suggesting the classification might more accurately reflect post-traumatic stress rather than an inherent behavioral disorder requiring separation, as per OPB.
IN AN unusual case, a Carlow woman was convicted at Carlow District Court of possessing diazepam, a controlled drug for which she had a prescription, for the purpose of sale or supply.

Garda John Moulton observed Leona Keogh (45) of 210 OHanrahan Avenue, Carlow committing the offence contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act on a footpath on Carpenters Way in Carlow town when he was on mobile patrol on 19 March 2024 at 4.45pm.

In his evidence to the court, he explained that he saw Ms Keogh with an open box of tablets in her hand and another female standing in front of her. He observed her handing a number of tablets to the other woman, who was holding a ten euro note.

Suspecting a drug transaction was taking place, he stopped, approached the pair, informed them of his suspicion of holding a controlled drug and carried out a search.

Ms Keogh handed him a grey container containing 43 tablets and a further seven tablets from her coat pocket. He cautioned her and asked whether the tub of yellow tablets were hers, to which she said yes. She said they were D5s and that she had a prescription for them.

I was going to give her a loan of five tablets, thats it, she offered the garda as an explanation. She was going to give me a loan of the ten euro.

Ms Keogh signed Garda Moultons notes, acknowledging them to be true, and he had no further dealings with her on that date. The other person declined to be interviewed.

A certificate of analysis from Forensic Science Ireland concluded that the seven round, yellow tablets and the container with 43 yellow tablets were diazepam, a controlled drug which is valued at 1 per tablet.

Solicitor Joe Farrell, representing Ms Keogh, asked Garda Moulton if he had any previous dealings or has any current dealings with the defendant surrounding the sale or supply of drugs, to which he replied in the negative.

Judge, its an unusual case. She didnt rely on her right to silence; she explained what she was doing. Garda Moulton has been very honest, particularly saying she is not someone who is on his radar, Mr Farrell pointed out.

We didnt plead guilty, as my client feels somewhat aggrieved. It wasnt something she went to do on a particular day, he noted further.

Judge Catherine Ryan noted that there was no requirement under the 1977 Act that the drugs be actually sold, that a potential exchange of money and Ms Keoghs admission that she was lending tablets was enough. She took the view that a sale was about to occur, but said it was at the very low end of a section 15 offence.

Insp Conor Nolan outlined that Ms Keogh has 32 previous convictions, six for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two for sale or supply. She received a two-year suspended sentence in 2018 for a charge under section 15.

After hearing from Mr Farrell that Ms Keogh is not working at the moment, is coherent, a clever person and that her ongoing health issues are certainly managed, Judge Ryan decided to put off sentencing until a probation report was compiled, but noted that a custodial sentence was not on her radar.

A probation report will set the matter straight, confirmed the judge.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Eva Osborne

Here are the stories making headlines this Monday.

While investigations are continuing into the shooting that caused chaos at the White House Correspondents Association dinner on Saturday night, US president Donald Trump remains adamant the event should be rescheduled and that he will deliver his intended speech, according to The Irish Times.

Ireland continues to languish at the bottom of the EU table for defence expenditure, despite much-heralded increases in budgets by the last two governments, the Irish Examiner reports.

The Echo leads with homelessness in Cork reaching another record high, according to new figures.

There were 787 adults in emergency accommodation in Cork in March this year, up from 760 the month before.

Former Fianna Fail TD Jim Glennons connections with Daniel Ramamoorthy go back over a decade when he worked on the advisory board for his firm Treehouse Co, according to the Irish Independent.

Glennon has admitted he was the former TD who wrote a reference for sex offender Ramamoorthy.

The Irish Daily Mirror leads with former RTE presetner Caitriona Perry saying she dived for cover when a gunman opened fire at a dinner attended by US president Donald Trump.

Dubravko Ostojic was at Galway District Court on Sunday charged with the assault of his mother Milena (65), the Irish Daily Star reports.

The 33-year-old was denied bail after his mother suffered fatal wounds.

All parties should do an audit of their TDs record of providing character references in criminal trials, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin has said, after former TD Jim Glennon was revealed as the person who gave a character reference for a man convicted of sexually exploiting a boy.

Referring to how the former Fianna Fail TD gave a reference to a disgraced former government adviser, Toibin told the Irish Daily Mail: "Such court references should be registered by parties and put on public record."

After revealing himself as the TD who wrote a reference for sex offender Daniel Ramamoorthy, his press statement said he would not be doing any interviews, according to The Herald.
THE Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, paid a formal visit to South East Technological University Carlow campus recently, attending an event that brought together diplomats, academics and students in a reflection on the enduring bonds between the two nations.

Ambassador Gerasko was received on campus by SETUs chief operations officer David Denieffe and university chaplain Fr Martin Smith, alongside representatives of the institutions Ukrainian Student Society. The occasion provided a platform for dialogue on the role of education and cultural connection during a period of sustained conflict in Ukraine.

Addressing those gathered, ambassador Gerasko spoke on the significance of maintaining strong international relationships, noting that the ties between Ukraine and Ireland have deepened considerably in recent years. She underscored the value of educational institutions as places for solidarity and cross-cultural understanding.

Students from the Ukrainian Student Society gave a presentation on the societys work promoting Ukrainian culture and providing community support on campus. A panel discussion, chaired by Fr Martin Smith, followed and featured ambassador Gerasko alongside students Ihor Melashchenko, Anastasiia Lysiak, Vladyslav Trushkovskyi and Yelyzaveta Aralova.

The discussion touched on a range of subjects, including the experience of settling into life in Ireland, the importance of maintaining cultural identity abroad and the realities of Ukraines ongoing diplomatic efforts. The students spoke candidly of their futures and of the challenges of building a career while their homeland remains at war. An open question and answer session extended the conversation to a wider audience.

The visit also incorporated a cultural exhibition titled Brave, featuring documentary photography by the Ukrainian photographic partnership LIBKOS. The works depicted daily life in Ukraine following the full-scale invasion, offering a powerful account of civilian experience. A companion exhibition, Unissued Diplomas, paid tribute to Ukrainian students who have lost their lives as a result of the conflict.

SETU has in recent years grown its international student body considerably and university representatives reaffirmed the institutions commitment to providing a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds.
Siam City Cement Lanka and the Southern Province Chief Secretary have officially entered into a memorandum of understanding to enhance construction industry standards and technical expertise in the region. The agreement was formalised by CEO Thusith Gunawarnasuriya and Chief Secretary Chandima C Muhandiramge during a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galle. The event took place under the patronage of Governor Prof Susiripala Manawadu and was attended by a variety of distinguished government officials.

The collaboration brings together engineers and technical officers from several key government institutions, such as the Building Department, the Irrigation Department, and the Provincial Road Development Authority. By bridging the gap between the public and private sectors, the partnership aims to empower local professionals with modern technical knowledge and innovative industry practices. This initiative highlights a shared commitment to improving the quality and durability of infrastructure projects throughout the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
As the only modular building manufacturer from Asia specializing in mid- to high-rise modular construction to exhibit at 2026 World of Modular, AluHouse placed at the center of its exhibition a physical model and technical display of a multifamily project based in California. Designed and manufactured fully in line with the U.S. national and state-level building codes, the project has already cleared mock-up module inspection and is transitioning into mass production. The modules, measuring 50 feet in length and 15 feet in width, reach a prefabrication level of over 95%, showcasing how modern building construction is moving complexity off-site while enhancing precision, accelerating delivery, and ensuring reliable performance.

"The showcase is a defining step for us," said Eric Kwong, Founder and Chairman of AluHouse Group. "Our entry into the US market goes beyond business expansion. It's about proving that modular construction, when executed to the highest standards, can meaningfully address housing shortages across the U.S. and Canada with speed, quality, affordable, and consistency, particularly at a time when a structural shift in trade and labor policies are driving up the materials and labor costs. We are building long-term partnerships here with both local and global expertise, not just delivering projects as a supplier."

"This debut also represents a major step forward in bringing Hong Kong's innovative Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) technology to the global market," he added. "The development of the MiC sector in Hong Kong has been supported by consistent policy initiatives and industry guidance from the Hong Kong SAR Government, which has enabled the technology to achieve significant maturity and scale within the global modular industry."

The seven-story steel modular multifamily project on display at AluHouse's booth consists of 36 modules designed and engineered in full compliance with the regional building standards, with all structural, MEP, and finishing work fully integrated within the factory. Following the prototype inspection and approval, the project has moved into mass production, with the modules now being prepared for delivery to the U.S.

"Meeting North American standards on our first major project required absolute alignment across design, engineering, and manufacturing," said Paul Law, Director of AluHouse. "The successful design and manufacturing of this project proves our ability to achieve that synergy. With a dedicated local team now in place, we are ready to support developers and owners on projects that demand both speed and certainty."

AluHouse's push into the U.S. market is backed by technical capability few in the industry can match. The company is one of the largest modular construction manufacturers in the world and among the few operating globally across steel, concrete, and aluminum modular systems, with proven experience in high-rise construction exceeding 40 stories. This includes a landmark social housing project previously delivered in Hong Kong, which comprised nearly 16,000 modules in a highrise steel structure and was recognized as one of the world's largest of its kind, demonstrating AluHouse's strength in large-scale manufacturing and rapid project delivery. Its production network, anchored by two major facilities in China's Greater Bay Area and Saudi Arabia, delivers a combined annual capacity of up to 78,000 modules, providing the scale required to execute large, complex projects with speed and precision.

To date, AluHouse has completed more than 200 projects worldwide, delivering over 27,000 modules across Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Greater China, with North America now emerging as the next frontier as its first U.S. project moves into production. Its vertically integrated supply chain spans steel fabrication, concrete production, aluminum extrusion, mould systems, aluminum windows and curtain wall manufacturing, and full module assembly, shortening lead times, ensuring consistency, and strengthening cost control, all supported by proprietary digital systems that connect design, production, and delivery into a single workflow.

AluHouse's leadership was further bolstered by prestigious recognition at the MBI Awards of Distinction, where it secured four major honors for its landmark projects in Hong Kong, a city with rigorous safety standards, complex regulatory frameworks, and high-quality demands that make it one of the world's most stringent construction markets globally.

The recognitions include two "Best of Show" awards, which represent the highest level of peer-voted recognition for project excellence at the event. Determined by the votes of conference delegates to identify the most distinctive projects in each major category, these awards were conferred upon:

Best of Show: Permanent Modular Education (P.L.K Siu Hon Sum Primary School)

Best of Show: Relocatable Modular Social & Supportive Housing (Choi Hing Road Transitional Housing)

Permanent Modular Education Honorable Mention (P.L.K Siu Hon Sum Primary School)

Relocatable Modular Social & Supportive Housing Honorable Mention (Choi Hing Road Transitional Housing)

The company's Choi Hing Road Transitional Housing project, which won an award in the Relocatable Modular Social & Supportive Housing Category, stands as the tallest steel modular transitional housing development in Hong Kong at eight stories, featuring Q690 (equivalent to ASTM A514 Grade Q) high-strength steel to achieve both structural performance and rapid delivery. The project adopts a hybrid approach that integrates newly constructed modules with relocated modular units from previous developments, demonstrating both efficient resource reuse and flexible deployment. The Po Leung Kuk Siu Hon Sum Primary School project is Hong Kong's first fair-faced concrete modular campus, which won an award in the Permanent Modular Education Category.

"While these projects follow Hong Kong's building codes, they demonstrate AluHouse's ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, a skill directly transferable to the diverse code landscape across U.S. states. These outstanding modular projects in Hong Kong embody the quality and innovation developed locally, showcasing how 'Hong Kong manufacturing' can be transformed into 'global application' through AluHouse's expansion into markets such as North America," said Eric Kwong.

About AluHouse Group

AluHouse is a global leader in modular construction, delivering faster, safer, and more sustainable building solutions. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company provides end-to-end services covering R&D, design, manufacturing, transportation, and on-site installation across steel, concrete, and aluminum modular systems. Its products span a wide range of sectors, including residential housing, apartments, schools, student housing, workforce accommodation, hospitals, and public facilities, addressing the needs of markets facing labor shortages and rising costs. AluHouse's services extend across North America, Hong Kong, Mainland China, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.aluhouse.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aluhouse-company-limited/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AluHouseALPOD/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aluhouse5503

Media Contact: Kira Li, [email protected]

SOURCE AluHouse
Members of the grand jury pool convened Jan. 5 to receive instruction regarding their duties and the expectations placed upon them. Rosemarie Hill, serving as Concurrent Grand Jury Foreman, and Shelia Smith, Regular Grand Jury Foreman, provided essential information to the assembly.

Following a period of discussion and questions, sufficient volunteers were identified to constitute both the Concurrent and Regular Grand Juries. Judge Barry Steelman administered the official charge and the oath to those selected for Term 1, 2026. On Jan. 6, the newly sworn jurors participated in comprehensive training at the Police Training Center, which included instruction on the Crisis Control Response Unit, NIBIN, Narcotics Unit, K9 Unit, and DUI Team.

Grand Jury Structure and Process

Hamilton County operates two Grand Juries, each adhering to the same rigorous standards: to impartially consider the evidence presented by law enforcement and to determine whether probable cause exists to return an indictment (True Bill) or not (No Bill). The members of the Regular Grand Jury approached their responsibilities with great seriousness, listening attentively and seeking to comprehend the details of each matter. The jurys diversity in age and background contributed to a broad range of perspectives, and jurors demonstrated mutual respect, even in cases of differing viewpoints.

Casework and Law Enforcement Collaboration

The Regular Grand Jury considered approximately 306 cases, resulting in 849 charges. Of these, 44 were presentment cases. Of the 306 cases, one was No Billed with each decision made by a unanimous decision of the Regular Grand Jury.

Agencies presenting cases included the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, City of Chattanooga Police Department, East Ridge Police Department, Collegedale Police Department, Soddy Daisy Police Department, Red Bank Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Department of Juvenile Justice, and McKamey Animal Services. Jurors expressed appreciation for the thoroughness and details of the investigative work, as well as for officers willingness to provide clarification. On occasion, one officer presented cases for several others to facilitate an efficient process.

Support Staff and Judicial Guidance

The jurys effectiveness was supported by a team of dedicated professionals. Don Klasing, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office liaison, coordinated witness appearances. Ed Duke managed and prepared case files, which was vital for maintaining an efficient workflow. Assistant District Attorney Tom Landis provided important guidance throughout, and Judges Amanda Dunn, Boyd Patterson, and Barry Steelman offered their expertise and support.



Facility Visits and Observations

Beyond case hearings, the Regular Grand Jury toured the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Centerboth the mens and womens facilitiesas well as the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center. Jurors observed the cleanliness and commitment to security in the adult center. At the Juvenile Center, they were impressed by the range of services provided under limited space constraints. Efforts to care for juveniles were evident, though the limitation of available space remained a concern. Both the quality of the food and the educational program, the latter delivered in collaboration with the Hamilton County Department of Education, were notable. The jurors were highly impressed with the work being done at the Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC).



Observations

The jury commended the diligence, expertise, and dedication of law enforcement officials. Attorney General Coty Wamp and her team were recognized for presenting thoroughly investigated cases and ensuring the process was both prompt and efficient. Hamilton Court Clerk Larry Henry and his staff fostered a welcoming environment, thereby making jury service more manageable. The initial training for jurors was highly valued and considered essential for the proper execution of their duties. It was noted that the incidence of drivers operating vehicles under the influence of illegal drugs is an increasing problem within Hamilton County.

Recommendations

It is recommended that law enforcement officers receive increased compensation reflective of their responsibilities and contributions. The Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center, as well as the Juvenile Detention Center, are experiencing staffing shortages and compensation issues that must be addressed. Jurors recommend a new juvenile facility or an extensive remodel of the existing facility, based on their observations of inadequate space, outdated equipment, and lack of adequate security. The Control Center at the adult center needs more than one person manning that station.



Respectfully submitted:

Shelia Smith
The good news is that Chattanoogas 2026 Armed Forces parade and luncheon will take place as scheduled on Friday, May 1. The parade will step-off from M.L. King and Market Streets at 10:30 a.m. and the luncheon will follow at noon at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The sad news is that the U. S. Coast Guard will not participate due to Department of Homeland Security funding issues with all existing funds needed to meet operational commitments.

Chattanoogas Armed Forces Parade is the longest continuous running Armed Forces Parade in the United States at 77 years and that will continue in 2026. Each year a branch of the United States military is honored and here in 2026, that was supposed to be the United States Coast Guard. With very similar military assets and part of the U. S. Navy during War, the luncheon keynote speaker will be East Ridge native and U. S. Navy (Retired) Rear Admiral Jeffrey S. Spivey, said Captain Mickey McCamish, U. S. Navy (Retired)-Armed Forces Parade Committee and close friend of Admiral Spivey.

The Chattanooga Area Veterans Council was established in 1983 to serve the veterans community by providing quarterly briefings between the Veterans Administration and our member organizations. Additionally, the council works to streamline and support efforts for our veterans and their families, to provide resources for our military families in the Tri-State area - Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama-and to coordinate commemorative events such as The Armed Forces Parade and Luncheon, Wreaths across Chattanooga, Memorial Day Program, Veterans Day Program, July 16th Remembrance Program for the Fallen Five and Memorial Day placement of Flags at Chattanooga National Cemetery.